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caroline choi realtor: Downtown LA Series: The Toy Lofts - 10/06/10 06:48 PM
I'm braving the cold, rainy weather to bring you another episode of the Downtown LA Series! This time, we're in a 1598 sq foot unit at the Toy Lofts at 1855 Industrial St, by the Biscuit Lofts, Royal Clayton's Pub, and Joe's Market. This almost 1600 sq ft unit is priced at $428,000 with HOAs of $419/mo at the time of recording.
This unit features south-facing views, open floorplan with high ceilings, polished concrete floors, and lots of light. Building amenities include a 24-hour guard, garden terrace with BBQ area, private gym, and rooftop pool and deck. Parking is included … (4 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: Downtown LA Series: 655 Hope - 10/04/10 02:48 PM
The Downtown LA Series is back with this unit at 655 Hope located at ... 655 Hope in DTLA! This 1 bed, 1 bath unit runs 661 sq. feet and is priced in a first-time buyer price point at $290,000 at the time of recording. HOAs for a one bedroom unit range from $604-$713.655 Hope features amenities such as connected underground parking, 24-hour front desk & parking attendant, fitness center, rooftop deck, and business lounge. HOAs also cover utilities such as gas, water, trash, and sewer. 655 Hope is also centrally located within Downtown Los Angeles, close to the … (2 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: Downtown LA Series: The Sky Lofts - 09/30/10 07:35 PM
Check out the Sky Lofts located at 801 S Grand in Downtown Los Angeles! As part of my Downtown LA Series, I'm showcasing a 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit at the Sky Lofts today. A short sale priced at $480,000, HOAs are $791 a month, which includes 2 parking spaces, 24 hour concierge/front desk personnel, gym, movie theater, and community lounge.
Did I also mention it's walking distance to the Staples Center, LA Live, Nokia Theater, and that entire area's shops and restaurants??
Downtown Los Angeles is a thriving urban neighborhood in Los Angeles that offers such landmarks such as … (2 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: Downtown LA Series: The DTLA Housing Bus Tour - 09/22/10 02:01 PM
In trying to build more awareness of Downtown LA housing options as well as the various points of interest, I wanted to let you know about the Downtown LA Housing Bus Tour this upcoming Saturday, September 25th, 2010.The bus tour offers viewings of 6-7 residences both for sale and lease, and also will stop at other points of interest in the Downtown area. If you are curious about what's going on Downtown, or are interested in moving there, check out this bus tour -- it's a great way to great acclimated to the area in style!Sign up for the tour at www.downtownla.com. … (1 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: Buyer Beware: The Insolvent HOA - 09/21/10 04:04 PM
My client recently saw a townhouse that he liked and decided to write an offer. We proceeded on to escrow and my buyer started his investigations. Since the property is a foreclosure, my client was aware that there could be issues that surface that he would have to take care of as it is an "as is" sale, but mostly minor issues came up on the inspection report, which was good news.We were always aware that the townhouse complex was not the prettiest by any means on the outside that was available, but my client liked the outside enough to not … (2 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: Downtown LA Series: The Mura Lofts - 09/20/10 02:09 PM
I'm back with the Downtown LA Series at the Mura Lofts, located at 629 Traction Ave in the DTLA arts district.With the Downtown LA Series, I'm promoting the residential options within the DTLA area, as well as showing the affordable price point of living in Downtown LA.This unit at the Mura Lofts is a 2 bed, 2 bath, 1320 sq ft unit, priced at $499K at the time of recording. The unit is a short sale and the price is not guaranteed. HOAs for the unit are $430/mo as well, including parking.Downtown Los Angeles is an urban hub of big business, … (4 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: Old School Buyers Get Touchy Over Loan - 09/17/10 12:36 AM
A buyer couple in escrow called me this afternoon letting me know they got a call from the lender I referred them yesterday. It turns out the lender informed them that they would need to come up with an additional $20,000 down after they had already given them conditional approval. Needless to say, they are very upset, and very upset with the lender.
It makes me wonder here - with the constantly changing lending market the way it is right now, who's really at fault? The buyers think the lender is at fault because they are saying he lied to them … (5 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: A Loan for Low-to-Moderate Income Borrowers? CalHFA's Gotcha Covered - 09/15/10 01:10 PM
CalHFA and FHA have teamed up to assist low-to-moderate income borrowers get a 30 yr fixed loan with as low of a down payment as 1%! Yes, you read that right -- borrowers who qualify are eligible to receive a loan at below-market interest rates and a low down payment through the down payment assistance program.
The CalHFA-FHA program limits the loan amount to $417,000 and borrowers must meet the program's income requirements, minimum credit score, and debt-to-income ratios in order to successfully receive the loan.
You can go to this list of approved lenders to find the lender right for you.
… (1 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: CalHFA: Helping Homeowners Keep Their Homes - 09/14/10 01:09 PM
Good news for homeowners who need assistance: the California Housing Finance Agency recently announced a new program to help homeowners keep their homes. The "Keep Your Home" program offers assistance to homeowners who have experienced a financial hardship, major life change, major increase in mortgage payments, or major decline in home value.
What kind of assistance does the program offer?
If you've lost your job and are nearing foreclosure, you can get a payment subsidy up to $1,500 or 50% of the monthly mortgage payment - whichever is less, for up to 6 months. If you've missed 1+ … (1 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: Downtown LA Series: The Rowan - 09/12/10 11:02 PM
As part of my Downtown Los Angeles series, I'm showcasing a unit at the Rowan Lofts located at 460 S Spring. This building is also a Mills Act property, which affords Rowan homeowners savings on property taxes.My goal with this series is to increase awareness in regards to the housing market downtown, and to show what an affordable price point it is for buyers who live, work, and play Downtown.Downtown Los Angeles is an urban housing area with an active arts district, big business, and entertainment hubs LA Live/Nokia Theater/Staples Center.GO #DTLA!www.CarolineSellsTheCity.com
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caroline choi realtor: Yeah, It's Better to Get That Permit - 09/10/10 09:59 PM
Hate to keep harpin' on this, but it's a lender's market. That means getting a loan is like navigating a tricky minefield, and your hope is to get across the minefield without setting one off. FUN!
Alrighty, here we go! Steady employment -- CHECK! 20% down -- EXCELLENT! Inspection done -- SWEET! Request for repair negotations done -- SCORE! Whew, we're bypassing all these bombs here! And then .... SCREECH ... sputter.... aghh - your pinky toe lands right on top of a bomb -- the permit bomb.
The permit bomb? Yes, the permit bomb! You know that enclosed patio that … (2 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: A Restricted Real Estate License Like Wearing a Scarlet Letter? - 09/08/10 04:19 PM
So I had worked on a deal with an unnamed real estate agent who I recently found out was/is currently working under a restricted real estate license. I actually didn't happen upon this information on my own - rather, the lender on the deal at the time informed me (did you know that they look into this stuff?) of this agent's status, and just wanted to make me aware.
I checked the California DRE website and lo and behold - the proof was in the pudding. But what does this mean? The Department of Real Estate essentially restricted this agent's license … (3 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: So Your Client Thinks He Can Negotiate Better Than You, Huh? - 09/05/10 07:55 PM
Many professions require a certain amount of negotiating skills in order to get a job done. However, each industry requires different kinds of negotiating skills, and each situation needs it's own finesse to seal the deal.
I have a buyer client who used to be in car sales, and very much prides himself on his business acumen and negotiating skills. This buyer has written several offers, and recently lost out on one home he and his family very much liked. This home was an REO property with 15+ offers in on the property, most offers over list price. We recently saw … (5 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: Downtown LA Series: The Eastern Columbia Building - 09/04/10 08:16 PM
It's time to showcase another DTLA property! As part of my Downtown LA Series, I'm at the Eastern Columbia, located at 849 S Broadway. I should also note that this building is of architectural and historical interest, and was redesigned by The Kor Group in Los Angeles. The building is also a Mills Acts property, which affords owners of units in the building a sizable reduction in property taxes.My goal with this series is to increase awareness in regards to the housing market downtown, and to show what an affordable price point it is for buyers who live, work, and … (0 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: Trending: More Short Sales Turning Into Foreclosures? - 09/04/10 07:34 PM
Recent July '10 statistics show that foreclosures have risen across the board. On a micro level, I can vouch for this statistic - I had a listing that had gotten approved by both lienholders TWICE, even had another offer in before the foreclosure date and the investors STILL decided to foreclose. The 1st lienholder's short sale negotiator even said that it was strange that the investors holding the note decided to foreclose as in other recent short sales he had processed, the investors chose to delay the foreclosure date. Either way, my seller was heartbroken.
Another buyer client of mine was … (4 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: Why You Shouldn't Expect Escrow to Close on Time - 09/03/10 07:16 PM
I recently had a buyer who just closed escrow this past week who was anxious and concerned we weren't going to closing on time. This was a regular sale, the buyer was putting over 50% down, and the loan was a done deal. What was the problem?
Small things. Small things - particularly toward the close of escrow - can cause -- up to multiple day --delays. For example, an email didn't get sent out before 5pm, email was down on the escrow company's side, the messenger delivered the package at 4pm as opposed to 2pm, a signature was missing, an invoice … (1 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: I'm Not A Lender, But Might as Well Be - 09/02/10 03:01 PM
As real estate professionals, we are expected to know as much about a real estate transaction as possible in order to assist our clients as best as possible. Let's face it, it's a lender's market. With the exception of the all cash deal, the lenders tell us which buyers can buy and which ones can't. What does that mean for us realtors? It means we have to know what's going on with the lending market too.
Every time I meet a buyer, we go through the process of getting pre-approved with a lender so I know what we're dealing with. Going … (1 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: Downtown LA Series: The Shybary Lofts - 09/02/10 02:03 PM
As part of my Downtown LA Series, I'm highlighting the Shybary Lofts located at 312 W 5th Street between Hill and Broadway on 5th. My goal with this series is to increase awareness in regards to the housing market downtown, and to show what an affordable price point it is for first-time buyers who live, work, and play Downtown.Downtown Los Angeles is an urban housing area with an active arts district, big business, and entertainment hubs LA Live/Nokia Theater/Staples Center. This unit at the Shybary Lofts is priced at $200,000 with HOAs of $280 at time of recording. Valet … (0 comments)
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caroline choi realtor: 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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Caroline Choi -- Caroline Sells The City -- Los Angeles
Los Angeles,
CA
More about me…
John Aaroe Group - Broker Associate/EcoBroker Certified
Address: 849 S Broadway, Suite 704, Los Angeles, CA, 90014
Cell Phone: (323) 572-3112
Email Me
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