Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Yahoo! News Story - Fundraising spares Hollywood sign from sprawl - Yahoo! News
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Personal message: The Famous Hollywood Sign is saved thanks to Hugh Heffner. Thank you Hugh!!! Fundraising spares Hollywood sign from sprawl - Yahoo! News http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100427/ap_on_en_mo/us_hollywood_for_sale_12 ============================================================
Yahoo! News http://news.yahoo.com/
Monday, April 26, 2010
Home Improvement Projects For Spring
Spring is in full swing and many homeowners get the urge to get outside and take care of that "to do" list and make some important improvements around the home. During the long winter months, the cold, wet and harsh weather can damage your home. Below are some spring home improvement projects that can help to reduce the damage that cold weather brings!- Inspect storm doors for damage to theweatherstripping. This is usually recommended every few years as harsh winter temps and strong winds can take a toll on storm doors. Many times doors can become bent, broken or can pull away from the doorjamb. It is important to repair these damages as drafts can cause expensive energy losses.
- Clean gutters and downspouts. No one likes this chore but it is very important to make sure your gutters and downspouts are in good working condition before summer storms.
- It is vital to have your air conditioner serviced before warm weather. Having a professional check the system and make sure it is in good running condition before you start it for the season can save money and headaches. Be sure to change your filters as well as a good furnace filter can help reduce allergens. When filters become clogged with dust, efficiency is reduced. Change filters quarterly or sooner if they look dirty.
- It is important to repair any water damage that might have occured during the winter. Damage can be repaired easily on the outside of the home by filling the area with an epoxy patch, rather than replacing the damaged area. For small areas that need repair, use a chisel to dislodge most of the loose, rotted wood. Drill a few 1/4-inch holes into the damaged wood. Soak the entire rotted area with liquid epoxy "consolidant" to transform the area into a sturdy base for filler. Let the wood absorb it for about 5 minutes, then reapply, wait, reapply, and continue until the wood ceases to accept consolidant.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Prudential California Agent Earns QSC Platinum
Prudential California Realty’s broker/owner Bob Majorino announced at the company’s awards banquet this spring that six of Prudential’s 250 agents had earned Quality Service Certification Platinum status from QSC Inc.
The award is in recognition of earning 100 percent client service satisfaction in 2009, based on independently validated customer satisfaction survey results and measured by Leading Research Corporation. It is the highest level of service achievement in the real estate industry.
Client feedback becomes part of the agent’s credentials. Their rating is displayed on a consumer website, www.QualityService.org, where sellers and buyers can select a real estate professional based upon each agent’s service satisfaction record. This is important to a prospective client in selecting a representative.
“Consumers have greater confidence with a Quality Service Certified real estate professional because they know that the agent’s service record has been validated. A 100 percent service satisfaction record like these Prudential agents have achieved is just awesome,” said Larry D. Romito, president and CEO of QSC.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
AMERICAN IDOL GIVES BACK IS SO INSPIRATIONAL!
Be Appreciative and Grateful for what you have- Thank you American Idol--$10.00 does go a long way-
Monday, April 19, 2010
Mortgages Purchases Halted By Federal Reserve
The Federal Reserve will stop buying mortgage-backed securities effective Wednesday, March 31 according to a http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125358080&sc=17&..." target="_blank">recent article from the NPR. The end of this program comes as a major dissapointment to many in the real estate industry as this program has been successful in helping the housing market recover.
The program begain when the government wanted to drive down interest rates for homeowners to stimulate the economy by making it cheaper to buy or refinance a house. The problem was that lenders were not issuing loans, even to homeowners with good credit. As a result, interest rates rose.
The http://www.federalreserve.gov/" target="_blank">Federal Reserve aimed to solve this problem by buying up a lot of mortgages. Because of this, they became the largest mortgage-backed security investor in the world. In fact the total amount of mortgage-backed securities now totals more than $1.2 trillion worth in all.
The Fed was buying 90 percent of new mortgage-backed securities and now is only buying about 30 percent or less. As of April 1, 2010 they will stop buying altogether. So the question is what happens then? Barry Habib, chairman of the board of Mortgage Success Source, which tracks rates and trends for mortgage brokers, says that when the Fed stops purchasing these securities, it will leave a vacuum in the market that will push up interest rates.
What many people don’t know or understand is that the government actually has been making quite a bit of money on this program. The http://www.ustreas.gov/" target="_blank">U.S. Treasury earns about $50 billion a year from interest that homeowners pay on loans the government owns. However, there is the risk that some of the more than $1 trillion worth of home loans that might go bad.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
First Time Buyer Tax Credit was extended but Money may go fast!!
CALIFORNIA'S TAX CREDIT MONIES MAY GO FAST
The $100 million allocated for California's first-time homebuyer tax credits may be depleted in about 10 to 20 days or sooner, according to C.A.R.'s Economics team. California's Franchise Tax Board (FTB) plans to begin accepting applications on May 1, 2010 for tax credits up to $10,000 for first-time homebuyers and for homes that have never been previously occupied. However, the total tax credit allocation for all taxpayers is $100 million for first-time homebuyers and $100 million for new homes, both on a first-come, first-served basis.
C.A.R.'s forecast of 10 to 20 days to deplete the $100 million allocation for first-time home buyers is based on estimated May sales figures and other parameters. It does not take into account the possibility that buyers scheduled to close escrow in April may delay closing until May to take advantage of the tax credit. If a shift in closings from April to May occurs, the first-time homebuyer tax credits may be depleted even more quickly than indicated above.
Applications for the California tax credit must be faxed to the FTB after escrow closes. The FTB will update its website when the 2010 application form and other information become availablee.
REALTORS® are reminded not to give their clients any tax or legal advice, such as the availability of funds under the California tax credit program. Agents should encourage their clients to seek specific advice from an accountant, attorney, or other professional as they deem appropriate.
For more information, please refer to C.A.R.'s Homebuyer Tax Credit Chart 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
HAve you paid your taxes?
Tomorrow is April 15th….
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Lydia Gable
Prudential California Realty
818.383.4335 - Cell
DRE# 01704493
Monday, April 12, 2010
Expenses To Expect When Selling Your Home
It is a known fact that when you purchase a home you will have many different expenses related to the sale. It is important to know as well that when you sell your home, you will also have expenses that will be required. Below is a list of some of the most common costs that come with selling your home.
Closing Costs: Although most of the closing costs are the responsibility of the buyer, the seller is expected to pay the property taxes and insurance up to the date of the closing, even if they're not due yet. in addition, some buyers will ask the seller for help with other closing costs as part of the negotiations.
Realtor Commission: Typically there's a 4 percent to 7 percent commission on the sale price of the house if you opt to go with an agent. Usually this rate is between 5 percent and 6 percent, so be sure to account for this cost when pricing your home and figuring up your expenses that come with selling your home.
Home Inspections: Although the buyer pays for the home and pest inspections, it's a good idea to get your own inspection before putting your house on the market. This way you're aware of any hidden problems before selling.
Legal expenses: Even if you are using a real estate professional and not selling your home yourself, you still may want an attorney to examine the sales contract and assist with closing, which can be complicated.
Prepayment penalty: Many mortgages have prepayment penalties if you pay off the mortgage early. Be sure to examine your mortgage agreement and read the fine print.
Many homeowners are not aware of the costs involved with selling a home but there are some perks as well. With any home sale you are eligible for a tax write off of up to $250,000 gained in the sale of your home for a single owner, and $500,000 for married couples. This applies for most state taxes as well; check with a tax professional to get all the details of any tax credit that may be available to you and your situation.
