Friday, June 30, 2017

Kitchen Storage Ideas I Hadn't Seen Yet!

I always get excited when house hunting with buyers and we see a well organized kitchen. With soft close drawers/cabinets. Ones that have pull out shelves in the pantry or pot drawers too!

But, these gems....these I haven't seen before & they are so worth sharing!


Okay, how many of us have those canisters on the counter right now?
If we have them in a drawer, they are a tangled mess!


I don't have a lot of linens. Not a table cloth gal. 
But for those of you that are, oh so much better than folded up in a drawer!


THIS is fantabulous! Those pesky things we keep under the sink? 
Hate crawling on the floor to find the ones hidden in the back? 
This would make that issue go away!


Okay, I know...waste an entire drawer for a plug-in place?
Puleeze....this would turn into your junk drawer AND plug-in place!
Love it!

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Moving Pieces Is One Thing - Moving Without Breaking A Piece Is Another

About to close an escrow, lucky # 13 for the year, today.

Buyers agent e-mails me yesterday "with all those moving pieces" you made this easy...or something like that. I just re-read his email. 'For all the moving parts, I really enjoyed working with you. I hope we can do it again soon.' See? told ya, something like my first sentence!



But, he's right. We did have a lot of moving parts. A lot of things to put together. A lot of items that had to go just so. 4 homes in a row. One closed escrow about a week after we opened. Box checked off. Another just closed yesterday, box checked off. Mine will close today, box #3 checked off. My peeps purchase, out of state, will close tomorrow or next day. Final box checked off!

We had a ton of open communication between all agents. My escrow talking to all other escrows. Transaction coordinators following paper needs. Sellers & Buyers doing everything in as timely a manner as humanly possible.

With everyone doing what they're supposed to be doing, when they are supposed to be doing it? Moving pieces is exciting vs. annoying!

Happy that this chain of four homes is finishing up as stress-less as possible! With no broken parts at all!

Friday, June 23, 2017

Fights During Your Home Buying Process - How To Keep Them At Bay

They are going to happen. A quarrel, a slight disagreement,
 possibly a full blown argument.


Maybe not quite like the picture, but expect some entanglement with your partner during the home buying process. It's a very stressful time in your life & when tension is high, the likelihood of a spat is higher!

I read an article this morning that said a couple that was together for 5 years or more were less likely to argue during the process.

Well, of course! 5 years, they are much more settled in the relationship. Much more able to handle stressful situations.

But, to help keep the tension at bay, no matter what relationship time-frame you are in...follow these simple rules.

1) Write a list, together & separate, of what you want in a home. A list of 10 things. Expect to get 7, expect those things to change as you progress in the home search.
2) Sit down with your lender...together....on this one together for sure......to discuss qualifications & what your monthly payments will be. Make sure you BOTH are comfortable with the numbers.
3) This is the biggie.....be willing to compromise. Funny how that's the most important part in any relationship, right? Compromise.
4) Patience. The biggest rule of all. Be patient. You can't force a situation to happen. 

I don't recommend compromising on your financial decisions. I do recommend compromising on your list of 10 items that you want in a home.

I don't recommend being patient to the tune of expecting to get champagne on a beer budget. But, I do recommend being patient....and reasonable...to find the right home.

Trust me on those 4 rules.....follow my lead...take my guidance.....we'll work together to keep the home buying process as fight-free as possible!

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Location, Location, Location - Rental Values

Westridge Valencia....3 bedroom townhouse....rents for 2600-3000.

Canyon Country......3 bedroom house.....rents for about 2200?

But, in West Los Angeles? Mar Vista to be exact? 3 bedroom home.....rents for a minimum of 4000/month!

Holy cow!


We talk about it all the time with purchases. BUT, it doesn't just mean for your personal residence. It means for all your rental properties as well.

Location, location, location.....ever important for ANY real estate purchase!

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

To Paint an Accent Wall or Not To Paint an Accent Wall.....

Why the heck not?!?!? Read something today that says accent walls are going out of style. Hmmmm, well, who cares about what's in style when you're living in and enjoying your home.

Accent walls can add such a lovely burst of color. Can change the mood of a room, can change the mood you're in too.

And, best part? They are CHEAP to do. Really, a gallon of paint, a bit of masking tape, a little sweat equity and poof.....you've got a whole new vibe in your room.

What do you think of these ones?






I think they are all beautiful, yes, even this orange one at the bottom!

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Home Loan Rates Provided By One Of My Trusted Lenders

Just a bit of info about current home loan rates. 
4% for a 30 year fixed conventional loan amount.....Wowza......




Remember though, not all rates apply to all borrowers!


  • 30-year fixed conventional loan - 4.000% (4.069 APR). Loan amounts up to $424,100.00 = $2024.72
  • 15-year fixed conventional loan - 3.250% (3.370 APR). Loan amounts up to $424,100.00 = $2980.02
  • 5/1 ARM - Fixed for 5 years and then becomes variable - 3.375% - (3.480 APR) Loans up to $424,100.00 = $1874.93
  • 7/1 ARM - Fixed for 7 years and then becomes variable - 3.625% - (3.734 APR) Loans up to $424,100.00 = $1934.11
  • 10/1 ARM - Fixed for 10 years and then becomes variable - 3.750 - (3.871 APR) Loans up to $424,100.00 = $1964.07
  • 30-year fixed FHA loan - 3.625% (4.659 APR). Loan amounts up to $424,100.00 = 1967.96+ $305.66 PMI= $2273.62
  • 30-year fixed VA loan - 3.625% (3.848 APR). Loan amounts up to $424,100.00 = $1934.11
  • 30-year fixed Jumbo loan - 4.250% (4.261 APR). Loan amounts up to $3,000,000.00 = $14,758.20

Friday, June 2, 2017

New Wave of Homebuyers?

Well, hells bells, we better get some more inventory before we get a new wave of homebuyers!

Our current inventory in Santa Clarita, and surrounding communities, is only 542 active homes for sale.



With the article I just read about 6 million Americans having prior bks' fall off their credit reports.....we definitely will have more buyers.

I know several that are waiting for just that!

So, unless we get more inventory...I'm thinking another rise in home prices. Add the changes in interest rates and we will have more people wanting to buy, but struggling to afford yet again.

We need more new construction, more re-sale homes.....we need them now.