One of the Best Phone Calls to Get: The "We Funded" Call - 08/31/10 07:41 PM
Ok, so it was an iffy loan to begin with.  My actor client is looking to buy a short sale with an FHA loan.  My client with transitional income, who couldn't get approved through another lender, who is now trying to buy this FIXER short sale with an FHA loan.  My client who was out of the country for the vast majority of the escrow, and had to negotiate with the bank to extend the short sale deadline TWICE in order to finish the sale.  Oy.  Doesn't sound promising, does it?  
In times when my A++ buyer with 800+ FICOs, … (2 comments)

Why Short Sale vs. Foreclosure? - 08/31/10 01:26 PM

Why Short Sale vs. Foreclosure? For you sellers out there who are upside down on your home, with difficulty making mortgage payments, the thought may have crossed your mind: if I had to lose this place, why would I short sale vs. having the bank foreclose?A few reasons really: federal and California state laws have allowed for mortgage deficiencies to be tax-free, the positive energy from releasing your home as opposed to it being taken, the minor credit hit your credit score will take versus a foreclosure hit - the list goes on and on.  One other benefit recently announced: … (1 comments)

The New Rules of Remodeling - 08/31/10 01:19 PM
The New Rules of Remodeling The Wall Street Journal 's been noticing a trend recently - home improvement stores across the nation are seeing more people lining up at their stores.  In the middle of a recession?? Why, yes, and here's why: homeowners who may have a bit of equity left in their homes - and can't necessarily afford to go through the process of purchasing a new home with down payment and escrow costs - are deciding to make the best of what they do have: their current homes.  By giving their current homes a little nip, tuck, and botox injection here and … (2 comments)

Highlighting Architect Stephanie Ragle of office42 - 08/31/10 01:16 PM
Highlighting Architect Stephanie Ragle of office42 A lot of homeowners these days are thinking about how to redo their spaces without spending their first-born child's college tuition money or cashing out on what money they might have left in the stock market.  Tricky, I know.With many homeowners still underwater - or looking to change their living spaces but can't necessarily afford to purchase a new home, homeowners are really looking to remodel to adjust their current spaces to fit their ever-changing needs.Even if you are a first-time buyer and taking advantage of historically low interest rates and bottomed out purchase prices, … (0 comments)

Downtown LA Series: The Little Tokyo Lofts - 08/30/10 10:32 PM
As part of my Downtown Los Angeles series, we're touring a unit at the Little Tokyo Lofts located at 420 S San Pedro. This unit is 800 sq ft and priced at $149,300 at the time of recording. Caroline Choi Real Estate Caroline Sells The City LA www.CarolineSellsTheCity.com
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To the Currently Unrealistic Sellers Out There: Let's Call it What it is - A Short Sale - 08/30/10 01:43 PM
Yes, I know you know what I'm talking about.  The seller who's home has been relisted by 3 different realtors over the past 2 years, with only one small price reduction throughout.  REALLY?!  Sellers - PULEASE tell me you understand what the real estate market has been through in the past 3 years, and what that has done to home values!  
Believe me, I hear you when you say you've spent an inordinate amount of money on your home, that all the finishes are top-notch quality, etc. but the point is that the market has changed and even if you've … (3 comments)

A Simple Guide to Buying a Real Estate Investment Property - 08/29/10 10:41 PM
 
Welcome to CarolineSellsTheCity.com - your place online for the real deal on the LA real estate market.  Watch this quick guide on how to figure out your cash flow on a real estate investment & why real estate is such a great place to put your money right now.
Happy Buying and Selling!
 
Caroline Choi Real Estate
Caroline Sells The City LA
www.CarolineSellsTheCity.com
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$10,000 California New Construction Tax Credit for Buyers - 08/29/10 10:35 PM

Welcome to CarolineSellsTheCity.com - your place online for the real deal on the LA real estate market.  There's still a $10,000 tax credit incentive for buyers of new construction in the state of California.  Get it before it's going, going, gone!
 
Caroline Choi Real Estate
Caroline Sells The City LA
www.CarolineSellsTheCity.com
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DTLA Higgins Bldg Foreclosure Deal - 08/29/10 10:22 PM

 
Welcome to CarolineSellsTheCity.com - your place online for the real deal on the LA real estate market.  Check out this great foreclosure deal in Downtown Los Angeles, $179,500 for a 770 sq ft loft condo in the heart of Downtown LA in the Higgins Building.
 
Happy Buying and Selling!
 
Caroline Choi Real Estate
Caroline Sells The City LA
www.CarolineSellsTheCity.com
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For Buyers: Why the Lender You Choose is So Important to Closing the Deal - 08/29/10 10:06 PM
For Buyers: Why the Lender You Choose is So Important to Closing the Deal There are a number of people that are integral to the homebuying process on the buyer's side, but one of the most important ones: the lender.The lender is one of the most important people in the deal because so much of buying the home in question has to do with financing.  Most buyers do not have the luxury of purchasing a home without the aid of financing, and these days, it's become increasingly more difficult to qualify without being a solid borrower.I usually recommend getting pre-approved and … (0 comments)

Short Sales May Have Gotten Easier, But Still Not a Sure Thing - 08/29/10 10:04 PM
Short Sales May Have Gotten Easier, But Still Not a Sure Thing Anyone who's been semi-active in the real estate market within the last 6 months must have heard that short sales are loosening up a bit - even to say they've gotten easier and faster to get a response on.  That's actually true!  I've seen many more short sale responses turn out positive, with less time being taken to get responses back from the lienholder(s) involved.  Thank goodness!While this may be the case quite frequently now, it's still not a sure thing.  It's still not even a sure thing if … (0 comments)

A MUST-SEE for all first-time buyers: this is the real deal - 08/29/10 10:03 PM
A MUST-SEE for all first-time buyers: this is the real deal If you're a first-time buyer - hell, even if you're a repeat buyer but buying in this market, YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS.  FHA buyer?  Wanting to offer full price?  Want to buy a foreclosure?  It ain't easy.I know it's all in jest but it also is so very, very true.  Listen to your trusted realtors, we know what we're talking about!Happy Buying!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM7oWKgCVo4

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CA 1st Time Homebuyer Credit Expired, But New Construction Tax Credit Going Strong - 08/29/10 10:00 PM
CA 1st Time Homebuyer Credit Expired, But New Construction Tax Credit Going Strong Miss out on the California 1st time homebuyer credit which offered up to $10,000 in tax credits?  The deadline may have passed as of midnight on August 15th, but you may still have a chance to get another credit worth up to $10,000.  If you're still searching for your dream home and want to cash in on your $10 large, start looking at new construction.Yes, you read that right -- California is still offering a new construction tax credit to buyers looking to take advantage of the current … (0 comments)

In Love with the Chase, But Not the Sale - 08/29/10 09:57 PM
In Love with the Chase, But Not the Sale There are some buyers who LOVE to look at houses.  Excellent!  Who doesn't like well-researched buyers who know what they like?The problem arises when your buyer is more into the chase than into the sale.  You like a house - you write an offer, and lo and behold, the seller accepts.  Woo hoo!  Let's open up escrow!  Yet that wandering eye on your buyer mayhaps peeps another house that now he may like more.  Your buyer instructs you to cancel the offer on the other house, and write an offer on a … (2 comments)

West LA New Construction Lofts - St Johns Wood - 08/29/10 09:54 PM
West LA New Construction Lofts - St Johns Wood Looking to buy on the Westside, but looking for new, affordable condos?  Look no further!Check out the St Johns Wood lofts on Sawtelle, just south of Santa Monica.  Walkability factor - awesome.  Central location - but of course!  Units start at $439,000 -- and guess what?  FHA approved, baby. That means that with a sweet, sweet 3.5% down, you too can own a home.  Get more info at their website at http://www.sjwcondos.com/.Happy Buying, y'all!Caroline Choi Real EstateCaroline Sells The City LAwww.CarolineSellsTheCity.com  
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Caroline ChoiBroker Associate ○ EcoBroker® CertifiedDRE# 01794724www.CarolineSellsTheCity.comc 323.572.3112

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Caroline Choi -- Caroline Sells The City -- Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

More about me…

John Aaroe Group - Broker Associate/EcoBroker Certified

Address: 548 S Spring St #109, Los Angeles, CA, 90013

Cell Phone: (323) 572-3112

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