Archive for September, 2008
Los Angeles Buyers, This Rant is for YOU!
September 29th, 2008 Categories: For Buyers
I have to rant a little, so please excuse me.
I just got off the phone with a very nice gentleman who thought he and his wife would buy a house without an agent and they entered escrow a couple of days ago. You know, he’s an attorney, they know the neighborhood, why would they need an agent?
Well, let me first off explain to you that what is going to follow is just not my opinion because I’m a real estate agent. I simply hate seeing people being taken for a ride. I also don’t like to see people get into trouble when it could have easily been avoided. I also don’t like to see folks with misinformation, hurting them in the long-run.
So here it goes…
First of all, they weren’t even planning on getting a physical inspection. Do you realize what a costly mistake this could be? This is the FIRST inspection you get. The second you get acceptance on an offer, book your physical inspection. And I hope you have a good inspector. Not all are created equal. And there are other inspections you should get after that. Don’t end there. This is a time that you would talk with your agent about what inspections they’d recommend. Each property will be different.
Second, if you don’t have a good agent negotiating on your behalf during the initial negotiations and then DURING the escrow, you are really shooting yourself in the foot. You may think that you’ve just saved a bunch of $$$ but how do you know that you didn’t just give it right back to the seller because you didn’t get the price you could have landed IF you had an agent? Do you realize that you should renegotiate during the inspections if something unexpected comes up? Well, you should. And if nothing unexpected comes up, you may be missing something. Read the rest of this entry »
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Pancakes with the Beverly Hills Police: 12th Annual Police Service Day & Pancake Breakfast
September 12th, 2008 Categories: Beverly Hills - BHPO, Events, Things To Do
Come meet your neighbors and police officers over some hot pancakes this Sunday morning. Free station tours for the kiddies. Sponsored by the Beverly Hills Police Officers Association and the Beverly Hills Rotary Club. Parking is available in the Civic Center parking lot. (Go to the car show after and make a day of it!)
Sun, Sept 14, 8AM-12PM
Beverly Hills Civic Center Plaza
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Classics for Charity XV in Beverly Hills this Sunday
September 12th, 2008 Categories: Beverly Hills - BHPO, Events, Things To Do
If you’re in the Beverly Hills area on Sunday, stop by an incredible classic car show- the notorious “Classics for Charity.” It’s sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills so you know it’ll be great!! They’ll have more than 250 Antiques, Classics, Exotics, Customs, Hot Rods & Motorcycles. Lots of fun, food & entertainment for everyone- bring the family!
Sunday, September 14, 9AM-4PM
9250 Beverly Blvd. (corner of Santa Monica Blvd & Civic Center Dr.)
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News Blast: Beverly Hills Flats
September 9th, 2008 Categories: Beverly Hills - BHPO, For Buyers, For Sellers
Just a quick news briefing to keep you in the know:
The pocket on Sierra with the huge lot just sold for around $10M…
718 N Rodeo just went back into escrow- listed at $5.8M…
624 N Oakhurst is in escrow- asking $5.675M…
1303 Park Way is pending with an accepted offer at $4.65M, their listed price. They were taking overbids, if any, today in court.
New listing on Linden for $8.5M, 6,800 sf with a 14,000 sf lot, beautiful villa… gorgeous tilework, wood beams, front courtyard, incredible backyard…
Things are moving in the Flats.
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How to Sell Your Home: Staging Matters
September 2nd, 2008 Categories: For Sellers, Real Estate
Sellers, have your heard of staging your home? Have you wondered if it could help you sell?
If you’re new to the idea, basically with staging, you hire a company to come in and do anything from very light staging (they can even use what you currently have and rearrange) or bring in their own furniture and pieces to create an attractive home environment.
We see that homes that are staged typically sell faster and for more money when compared to similar homes that are not staged. Why do you think developers spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on staging? They know how crucial it is for a buyer to feel right at home the second they walk in the door.
There are 5 key items that are important when selling your home:
1. PRICE (your #1 determining factor)
2. Condition
3. Timing
4. Ease of showing
5. Agent
Staging relates to Item #2- the condition of the home. From personal experience, we always see buyers react to homes that are staged much more positively than homes that are either vacant or not staged. It’s really a night and day difference.
If you’re thinking about selling, ask your agent if your home may be a candidate for staging. They can give you a few company referrals so that you can call them to get their ideas and bids. Yes, it’s money upfront that your paying out to sell your home but the finished product- and result- is worth it!
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