Coco 's LA Condo Lifestyle Blog

Making Time

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:28:16 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

It's important to make time for the things that are important to you. Time has a way of marching by regardless of our wishes. If we don't schedule what is most important to us it has a way of slipping to last on the list. I have a friend who has said for years that she wanted to work out and get in shape, but it never happened. Last summer she sat down with her planner and scheduled time to go to the gym every day. Now she is in the best shape of her life.

The first step in making time is getting a good planner. Take a stress free time, sit down with your planner and turn to a typical week. Begin by blocking off all of the time that you plan to work. Next block off time spent with your family, children or significant others. Now take a close look at the schedule and schedule time for yourself. First schedule non productive time and then schedule productive time. In truth it is really all productive, but often we forgo scheduling rest and recuperation time. Don't be thrown off by the order in which I suggested scheduling your time. It is not in order of importance, it is in order of flexibility.

Make time for yourself and your relationships and your life will flourish.

Google Reader

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:24:27 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

Google Reader is a free service that comes with a gmail account. Google Reader helps you to create your own personal "newspaper" geared toward your specific interests. If you see a Blog that you like you can subscribe to it in Google Reader and the blog will automatically publish on your reader whenever it posts. This is a great way to keep track of Blogs that you enjoy.

When you access your reader it clearly displays all of the Blogs that you subscribe to but it also will offer an array of Blogs and articles that it thinks you be interested in based on your recent history on the web.

If you haven't already sign up for Google Reader and at least subscribe to your own blog.

The Economic Stimulus Package

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:33:21 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

We've all been waiting to see what help for home owners would be coming down the pike. The new $8,000 refundable tax credit may not be all that we had hoped for, the $15,000 tax credit had a nicer ring to it but it was split over two years, still this is at least a jumping off point.

With the cost of owning approaching the cost of renting more and more people should be moved to buy. An $8,000 incentive will hopefully be the straw that topples the camel's back and encourages more buyers to the market. Let's all hope that more hope is on the way.

In the meantime it is so important that we all stay positive and roll these new policies out to as many people as they can help.

Knowing Your Business

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:28:37 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

There is absolutely no substitute for knowing your business. You can be the nicest most sincere Realtor on the block but if you don't know your business you can't possibly do right by your clients.

It's essential to know your niche market inside and out. If you aren't an expert in your field you need to ask yourself why not! If you aren't passionate enough about your business to be an expert in your area, you may need to reevaluate.

As a Realtor in today's market you also need to be up to date on all new legislation. There are new programs available for home buyers that can make the difference in whether your clients can afford a home.

There are industry wide changes that are also vital to know and understand. I make a habit of attending workshops and seminars to keep myself abreast of all new developments. It is an efficient way to keep up with the ever changing market while having an opportunity to network.

Knowing your business is a gift that you give yourself and your clients. When you know what you are doing enjoy your work more.

Virtual Assistants 101

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 10:36:13 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

Virtual assistants are people you hire to work from a location other than your office. I use virtual assistants for any task that I can benefit from hiring someone else to do. If I don't like a task, I hire a virtual assistant. I don't like posting blogs, it's time consuming and not a good use of my time. So I have a virtual assistant post the blogs for me. That way I have more time to write the blogs, which is a better use of my time.

I also hire virtual assistants to do things I am not good at and have no interest in getting better at. I'm not good at updating databases, it's boring! I have no desire to be better at it either, so I hire virtual assistants to update my database for me. With all the hours that frees up I give my clients better customer service.

Mostly, I hire virtual assistants to do any work that saves me time and money. If I can pay someone between $10 to $20 an hour to do something, it makes no sense for me to do it myself. This includes proofreading, SEO, research and even gift buying.
We live in a great age which allows us to easily delegate work without having to provide equipment or even space. How do you use virtual assistants?

One Thought

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 10:26:33 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

What is your thought of the day? Each morning when I wake up I try to give myself a thought for the day. Then I try to find time during the day to take a deep breath and concentrate of that thought. I find that it centers me and helps me to stay focused. Some examples of powerful thoughts:

Money comes to me easily and frequently.
I am a light filled being.
My work helps others.
My life is free of stress.
Abundance is everywhere.
I have every thing I need to succeed.
I am grateful for all that I have.
I am loved and appreciated.

Oddly enough the less you believe the thought the stronger it is in terms of transforming your day. Make a thought of the day and see how it changes your perceptions and your day.

Self Talk

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:32:21 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

Self talk is what we say to ourselves throughout the day. The power of self talk can not be under estimated. If you are having a rough day, stop for a second and consider what it is that you are saying to yourself. Are you saying things like, "Why is this happening to me?" or "Why does this always happen to me?" What you think becomes what you say and what you say becomes what you do. If you think negative thoughts and talk to yourself in a negative way you will expect negative things to happen. You will actually look for negative things to happen and when they do you will say, "See! I was right!"

When our self talk is negative we lose the greatest opportunity to utilize our most powerful asset, our brain. Our brains are super computers that work ceaselessly to find an answer. If you ask it, "Why does this always happen to me?' It will find a reason. If you ask it, "How can I turn this into a positive?" Your brain will also find an answer.

Consider your self talk and remember to only ask yourself questions you would benefit from an answer.

Safety Tips for Realtors - Part II

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:28:46 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

In the last Blog we talked about some of the ways you can protect yourself when showing property. I shared suggestions for things you can do before viewing the property. Here are some suggestions for things to do at the actual viewing.

1. Never wear expensive jewelry or carry valuables on you. Keep your cell phone on you at all times, but everything else stays home or at the office.
2. Park on the street, not in the driveway. This seems counter intuitive, but think about it. If you park in the driveway you can easily be blocked in. Yes, you may have to run a few steps further to get to your car but you will be better off in the long run. Lighting is better on the street and someone would be more likely to hear you screaming on the street than on the driveway. Psychologically, people think screaming on the driveway is a domestic issue that is not their affair. The closer to the street you are the more likely you will get some help.
3. Never enter the property first. Unlock the door and step back. This is good business because it allows the client to view the home as if it is theirs (i.e. they are opening the door and letting themselves in) but it also is safer to never leave your back unprotected. Every room that you enter stand by the door. Let them explore and keep yourself safe at the same time.
4. Lastly, leave the front door wide open for the entire viewing. It sends a clear signal of professionalism and it means if you need to scream for help you will be more likely to be heard.

None of these safety measures is difficult or expensive but they can be life saving. Practice them any time you are showing properties and remember to follow your instincts. If something doesn't feel right it probably isn't.

Safety Tips for Realtors - Part 1

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:35:22 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

Showing property is a necessary element of selling Real Estate, but it means walking into empty homes with complete strangers. There are definite ways to protect yourself during home previews if you are willing to take the steps. Here are some suggestions:

1. Always have your charged cell phone with you and have a regular schedule of checking in to your office. I call my office every hour, so they know if they don't hear from me something is wrong.
2. Never ever show a property without having the client come into your office first. This serves 2 purposes, they meet your staff face to face, so you are not the only one who knows what they look like and it gives you a great opportunity to have them fill out a client information form. Get a copy of their driver's license and ask them to list references. This isn't going to prevent you from getting someone who is a liar, but people who are liars will usually get nervous if you are incredibly professional. Twice I have had perspective clients refuse to fill out the form before seeing a property. They left in a huff and I considered myself lucky. I don't know what their motives were, but if they weren't interested in filling out an information form they weren't the client for me anyway.
3. If you are showing a property during non-office hours make sure to give a friend or family member the name and phone number of the client you are meeting and set a time to check in with them.
4. Have a code word with your office workers, friends and family. The code word should be something easily remembered and unique enough that you wouldn't normally slip it into conversation but you could if you had to. The code word would only be used if you were in distress and needed help. I have one friend whose "code word" is asking if her sister happened to send a fax. She doesn't have a sister and her co-workers know if she asks this they are to call the police and have them come to her location. It takes seconds to devise a code word or phrase and could end up saving your life.
5. Always preview the neighborhood before showing a home. Make sure you know the area and where the nearest police are. This will make you a more informed agent for your clients and will also help to protect you in case of an emergency.

Stay tuned for the next Blog and more safety tips.

Assessor Scam

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:28:29 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

It is unfortunate, but in times of economic strife con men flourish. What is worse their prey is often the people who can least afford the scam. There is a current scam happening in Los Angeles that we all need to be aware of and make our friends, families and clients aware of as well.

Home owners are receiving letters that are worded in such a way that they appear to be from the County Assessor's office. They are not, they are from private companies. The letters tell the home owner they can pay lower taxes if they will pay a fee.

The District Attorney's office is currently investigating. If you or anyone you know has been a victim of this scam contact the Consumer Affairs Real Estate Fraud Unit, they are seeking refunds for all of the victims.

Feng Sui

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:24:15 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

I am a fan of Feng Shui. Having been a successful Realtor for many years I have walked into a wide range of rooms and I can tell you that rooms convey a mood, a mood that affects how people perform and act in the room. Rearrange the furniture and the mood will change.

For those that are skeptical of the principles of Feng Shui I offer the example of a messy desk. Sit down at a messy desk and notice how much work you get done. Clutter and loose papers on a desk top draw your attention making it harder to concentrate and ultimately harder to complete your task. Consider the same desk free of clutter, neat and organized. Is it hard to imagine getting more work done on this desk? Of course not.

Using the principals of Feng Shui you can make a few small changes to a room and make it more restful or more encouraging of production. You can draw wealth, love, peace and harmony to your home. What mood would you like to create in your home? Feng Shui can help your home manifest your greatest desires.

Vertical Life

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:11:13 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

There is so much to love about the vertical life. One of my favorite things about living vertically is the simultaneous advantages of living in a private residence while being surrounded in the ultimate in comfort and safety.

When I come home I am treated to the privacy of my own residence. I am completely unaware of the people who live above and below me. My home is quiet, serene and free of anyone else's influence.

At the same time I never have to worry about coming home to a dark front door, or worry that I might be robbed. A valet meets me at the door and parks my car for me. The doorman opens the door and I am safely ushered into a full security building that does not allowed uninvited guests. I never have to worry about a solicitor at my door. All of those concerns are taken care of for me; I am free to enjoy my home.

If you would like to enjoy privacy and security consider the vertical life. It's glorious!

Renewal

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:07:10 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

Spring is a time for renewal. Even the religious holidays at this time of year are about renewal. Spring is a great time to look around your condo and consider how you can breathe new life into the space. Often it doesn't take much. Consider taking one room and doing an easy weekend makeover.

A fresh coat of paint in the foyer can make a world of difference for your entire home. Simply changing the accent pillows on the sofa or on your bed can transform a room. I am a big fan of fresh flowers largely because they can change the dynamic of a room in under five minutes simply by being placed in the right vase.

Take a look around your condo and identify one area that needs some attention and then ask yourself how you can "recreate the space" with as little expense and effort as possible. Sometimes just a splash of color can do the trick.

Take the time to perform renewal on at lease one are of your home and enjoy a whole new energy in your home.

Questions

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:02:43 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

I think asking questions is one of the smartest things a person can do. Questions and answers are what help us to grow and learn. I love when readers write in with questions. It doesn't matter if it is about Feng Shui, the economic stimulus package, LEED Certification or Condominium Amenities, they are all music to my ears.

Please feel free to join the dialogue by asking a question in the comment section below and then stay tuned as I answer your question in a subsequent blog. Especially where real estate is concerned it is worthwhile to have an expert in your corner who will answer all of your questions. Consider me your resident expert and feel free to call on me when you need an answer.coc

Leed Certification

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:32:05 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

You may have noticed buildings sporting LEED Certification sprouting up in and around Los Angeles lately. LEED Certification comes in four different levels, certified, silver, gold and platinum. Each level describes a range of environmentally sound considerations that have been observed in construction or renovation.

Some of the design elements considered in the rating are sustainability of the site, energy efficiency, water efficiency and green construction methods/materials. LEED certification is not easy to obtain. These coveted certifications add to the value of a home both immediately and long term.

As more and more consumers join the green movement, these buildings will grow in demand and value. If you are looking for a strong investment while living environmentally conscious you will certainly appreciate living in a LEED certified residence.

For more information on the LEED certified condominium buildings and projects in Los Angeles please give me a call. It will be my pleasure to show you this spectacular area of the market.

Condo Value in Today's Market

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:27:12 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

Value is the single most important thing when considering real estate. This is true for both buyers and sellers. The numbers attached to the market will go up and down but it is all relative to value. If you own something of value it will survive any market and still serve you well.

If you follow the trends in today's market, Los Angeles Condominiums continue to rank high in value. As gas prices continue to yo-yo more and more consumers are looking for ways to cut their gas bills. Living closer to work is one valuable answer. While other cities are struggling the Downtown Los Angeles economy continues to grow stronger.

Westside Los Angeles Condos aren't just close to the job market they are close to everything. Beaches, museums, nightlife, world class restaurants, shopping, studios, theatres and schools are all nearby.

Proximity is just one of the many values of a Westside condominium. To see exactly what is available on the market give me a call, I will be happy to show you the value of today's condominiums.

Your Condo Garden

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:24:24 -0500

By Coco Clayman Cook

Spring is here and it is time to spruce up the plants on your balcony. Personally, I love orchids, succulents and flowering plants. But the other day I visited a friend who has created a wonderful garden on her balcony, all with vegetable plants. It was clever, chic, healthy and quite beautiful, not to mention economical.

I especially loved her hanging salad bowls. She has always had tiered hanging baskets of flowers on her balcony, this year they have lettuces, herbs, spinach and even heirloom cherry tomatoes. They were lovely. While I was there she took a pair of scissors and snipped a salad for me. Gourmet salad greens with fresh spinach, cilantro and a few tomatoes, does it get any better than that?

This spring take a look at your balcony and consider what kind of a garden you would enjoy having.

Tax and the Homeowner

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:20:48 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

Home ownership has plenty of advantages, but one of the easiest to recognize is the tax advantages. It is widely known that a great time to purchase property is when the cost of ownership is similar to or less than the cost to rent. If the cost to rent is even close to buying the owner will generally find that after taxes are taken into consideration it is actually cheaper to own than to rent.

Imagine being able to build equity, having the freedom of home ownership and all for less money than to rent. Why wouldn't you choose to own?

The truth is that right now the cost to buy is quickly approaching the cost to rent. Pair that with the new tax credit in the economic stimulus package and you have a win-win situation.

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. Buy now and reap the benefits. For information on how home ownership can affect your taxes call my office, I love showing renters how truly transformational owning a home can be.

Tax Credits For First Time Home Buyers

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:11:15 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

Are you interested in buying a condominium? The new economic stimulus package has a special enticement just for you. If you have not owned a primary residence in the last three years the new law considers you a "first time home buyer". In some cases you can even own a vacation home and still qualify. If you buy a home this year, before December 1st you can potentially qualify for an $8,000 refundable tax credit.

If you keep your home for more than three years the tax credit does not ever have to be repaid. If you sell within 3 years it does need to be repaid, although there are some provisions for death and divorce.

This is a great incentive for home buyers. There are some restrictions and a salary cap in order to qualify for the credit. If you would like more info about whether you qualify for the tax credit, please contact me. I'll be happy to show you how you can make this tax credit work for you.

REO Condominiums

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:07:27 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

I believe in being honest with my clients. There are times when honesty is not appreciated; it is in those times when I think it is doubly important to be honest. I am versed in the sale of REO property. I am REO MAC trained and certified, and like a lot of people I was excited last summer to tell my clients about the exciting deals that were available in the REO arena of Real Estate for Los Angeles. REO properties are those that have been foreclosed on by the bank, they failed to sell at auction and have now returned to the bank for sale in order to recoup their losses. Here is the thing I want to be clear about. Banks are not giving these properties away.

There are many unscrupulous people out there claiming that banks are taking pennies on the dollar. Believe me when I say, it's simply not true. However, what is true is that banks are offering these properties for discounted prices, most of the time. I have seen some local REO properties that I personally feel are inappropriately priced with advice from over anxious Realtors who are looking to make a wider profit.

If you are interested in buying REO property, make sure you are working with an honest professional who has REO experience. If you live in the LA area call me I will be happy to show you the worthwhile REO properties that are currently available.

Think Green!

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:51:49 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

With all the talk about recycling, reducing and reusing it's important to remember one of the most essential elements of living green, which is thinking green. Let's face it we have all gotten used to doing things one way and it's hard to break old habits. But if we simply start to "think green" it won't be long before we find our selves "living green". All it takes is asking yourself, "What can I do today to reduce my carbon footprint." Notice I didn't say "erase my carbon footprint". If we simply think about what we can do, not what we should do, change can actually happen.

I have a friend who is very successful and very busy. When I told her about my passion for living green she looked at me like I had sprouted 4 heads. "I don't have time for that!" she told me. More importantly, she believed it. Fast forward two months and my friend was redoing her dining room. I asked her if there was a way she could use reclaimed materials. She hooked up with my good friend and brilliant designer Erin Ferucci who helped her to create a fabulous dining room with entirely reclaimed materials. Her dinning table is amazing, hand crafted from antique beams reclaimed from a barn. The entire room is unique, gorgeous and "Green".
All because my friend was willing to "think green".

Challenge yourself to think green and see where it leads you!

Green Kitchens - 2

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:15:39 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

Two important elements in any green kitchen design are countertops and flooring. There are ample choices in green countertops depending on your taste and budget. You can even utilize recycled tiles reclaimed from demolished sites. You'd be amazed at what you can find. There are also tiles and other countertops made from recycled paper, hemp, engineered stone, even concrete. This is a fast growing market so there is already a wide array of color choices to choose from.

Green flooring is also seeing a grand expansion. Bamboo is one of the more popular floorings on the market. It is a rapidly renewable resource and is available in a wide range of durable styles. Cork is another popular alternative for much the same reason. Linoleum is surprisingly seeing a resurgence in the green design market. Made of all natural materials this versatile inexpensive flooring is once again finding its way back to the kitchen floor.

Designing a green kitchen is not only good for the environment it is also good for your family's health and can ultimately be a great deal of fun.

Green Shopping Bags

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:31:51 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

More and more people are seeing the light and using reusable shopping bags. Why? What harm can a little plastic shopping bag do? You'd be surprised. Plastic and paper shopping bags require a great deal of energy to create. Once they are used they clog landfills and the plastic bags pose a threat to sea and wild life. As the bags decompose they shred into smaller pieces that animals mistake for food. Ingesting the bags can make the animals sick and potentially kill them. The cost of recycling plastic bags is significant. It is much smarter to use the new, hipper reusable shopping bags.

If you haven't noticed stores have risen to the design challenge warranted by the occasion. There are some very cute reusable shopping bags available right now. Whole Foods Markets has rolled out a wide variety of bags, they are even having guest designers make limited edition bags. More and more stores are combining fashion, advertising and ecology to create functional, fashionable bags that reduce global warming. If you haven't already jumped on this band wagon, it is worthwhile!

Green Kitchen Appliances

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:26:23 -0500

By Coco Clayman-Cook

If you are redoing your kitchen or just ready to purchase some new appliances you will want to think "green". Traditionally the kitchen is the room in the house that uses the most energy and frequently the most water. It is worthwhile to invest in appliances that utilize these resources with the least waste. Even if you pay more for the appliance the savings on your utility bills should make up for the added expense.
One easy way to shop for appliances is to look for the energy star label. Appliances that wear this label have been rated by the EPA to be 10%-50% more efficient than traditional appliances.
Water saving appliances are equally important. Two quick fixes for water consumption are a tankless water heater which use between 10%-20% less energy than traditional heaters, and dishwasher drawers. If you have a small family a dish washing drawer allows you to wash a smaller load and therefore save on energy.
Saving energy and water, even is small amounts is greatly beneficial to both the environment and your wallet.

Green Kitchens - 1

Coco Clayman-Cook (LA Condo Lifestyles) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 09:25:27 -0500

By Coco Clayman=Cook

One of the benefits of the worldwide interest in green construction is the wide variety of green products that are newly available. In the coming years we should continue to see an increase in colors and styles of green design elements. One of the rooms in the home that could most benefit from a greening is the kitchen.
One huge element of Kitchen design is the cabinets. Most cabinets contain urea-formaldehyde which is not beneficial for the environment or your family's health. The market is just starting to offer alternative materials such as wheatboard. Solid wood is another green choice although is tends to be very expensive.
Talk to a green contractor about choices in your area. I had a client recently redo her kitchen with solid wood cabinets reclaimed from a home in the Midwest. She bought them on line, had them shipped and refinished with an eco friendly varnish. They look fabulous and ended up being less expensive than new cabinets.
Stay tuned for future installments about green kitchens!