la condo investment: Tax Credits For First Time Home Buyers - 04/15/09 10:11 AM
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 … (0 comments)
|
la condo investment: Getting Creative - 03/25/09 11:06 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
When times get tough, the tough get creative. Now is not the time to give up, now is the time to get smart. For me getting smart means utilizing technology. Right now business people are slashing their operating budgets to accommodate tough markets. Many are them are cutting out their advertising budgets.
I understand the need to lower overhead, but I don't agree with cutting your advertising budget, especially when there are some great ways to advertise for pennies.
If you are not utilizing the power of the internet to market your business then you are seriously missing … (1 comments)
|
la condo investment: Business Class - 02/18/09 02:05 PM
By Coco Clayman Cook
I recently took a small trip and had the pleasure to sit next to a promising young business man who had never before flown business class. He was understandably enthusiastic about the difference in his flying experience. I couldn't help but think how similar the perks to living in a condo are to the perks of flying business class. Mainly there is an attention paid to personal comfort with a minimum of effort. I love knowing that at my home there is a specific person 24 hours a day at my disposal for matters of security, comfort, maintenance … (0 comments)
|
la condo investment: LA Condo Market Update - 02/12/09 09:45 PM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
There is an old Chinese curse that says "May you live in interesting times." I'm not certain who we ticked off, but we are certainly living in interesting times. The current market is seeing some very interesting trends, not all of them bad, but not all of them good. For the buyers who were waiting for the bottom, I am loathe to tell you that in certain areas there will be no bottom - every property is unique - every Seller is unique and their situation is unique. Everyday the news has more bad news and its like poison … (1 comments)
|
la condo investment: Going Green in 2009 - 02/12/09 09:41 PM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
One of my New Year's Resolutions has been to further my commitment to going GREEN. If you haven't already gone green, now is the moment to do it. If like me, you were already consciously trying to reduce, recycle and reuse, now is the time to take your greening to the next level. Our fair city has pledged to go green and the long range benefits for all of us out way any perceived inconvenience. Going green or greener has never been easier! In the next few months I will be featuring green topics in my blogs to help … (0 comments)
|
la condo investment: Gentlemen's Quarters - 01/20/09 09:23 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
I recently helped a smart young gentleman buy his first condominium. A recent law school grad with a bright future ahead of him, he needed a smart investment that would help him in his trajectory to being a partner of a prestigious law firm without hobbling him financially.
With my help he found the ideal condominium in a great building. He not only scored a great address he also made a great investment. For less money than he would have paid in rent he is building equity in a home that will serve him on many levels.
A … (0 comments)
|
la condo investment: Condo News Uupdate - 01/13/09 08:24 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
The end of the year has shown a mixed bag of condo results for Los Angeles. Relatively, Los Angeles continues to fare much better than the rest of the country. Prices are down and inventory is up. Many agents are taking listings at prices that are not realistic and I honestly feel bad for the Seller because this is not 2006 this is going to be 2009. Some of of the buildings are still getting premium prices but not nearly what we are seeing in other real estate markets. Still, many sellers have made the inevitable decision to … (0 comments)
|
la condo investment: Vertical Living in Retirement - 01/07/09 11:20 PM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
There are many different lifestyles that are suited by condo life. On the go retirees find that it is the perfect answer for their new lifestyle. Consider having 24/7 access to a state of the art workout facility in your building without having to maintain any of the equipment. Consider the lock and leave concept which is supported by the full service buildings , valet parking and concierge services and more are ideal for allowing an individual to have easy access to metropolitan living with none of the draw backs.
Imagine being able to continue to entertain on … (0 comments)
|
la condo investment: Canadian Conference Predicts Up Turn in 2010 - 12/20/08 02:16 PM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
Recently, at an annual conference on Real Estate issues for Toronto homeowners Coldwell Banker President Gary Hockey predicted a rocky 2009 with a market up swing in 2010. Analysts at the conference expressed concern about the Condominium market's reaction to current real estate issues. With several large luxury condominiums in development during economically turbulent times, the reality is that consumer's fears are growing. Many are concerned that their investment in future projects will be in jeopardy.
The recent stall in Vancouver's much lauded Ritz-Carlton Hotel has raised concerns about other high end projects. Despite concerns the conference confirmed that … (0 comments)
|
la condo investment: A River in Egypt - 12/16/08 09:39 AM
by Coco Clayman-Cook
Denial is a powerful thing. While I am a huge fan of positive thinking there is also a need to be realistic. Zillow.com, a website specializing in real estate news, recently conducted a survey among home owners. Almost half of the home owners surveyed believed that their home value had either remained the same or had increased in the last year. The reality is that 74% of the homes in United States have decreased in the last year.
Despite the fact the news bombards the public with daily reports of dropping market values, it seems that many people … (0 comments)
|
la condo investment: A River in Egypt - 12/16/08 09:28 AM
by Coco Clayman Cook
Denial is a powerful thing. While I am a huge fan of positive thinking there is also a need to be realistic. Zillow.com, a website specializing in real estate news, recently conducted a survey among home owners. Almost half of the home owners surveyed believed that their home value had either remained the same or had increased in the last year. The reality is that 74% of the homes in United States have decreased in the last year.
Despite the fact the news bombards the public with daily reports of dropping market values, it seems that many … (1 comments)
|
la condo investment: Solutions - 12/11/08 11:44 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
The current economy has created some "interesting" challenges for a large portion of the population. More and more clients are coming to my office seeking solutions for their challenges and amazingly buying a condominium has been a perfect answer for almost everyone's issues.
One couple found that they needed to downsize their financial life. Rather than loose their home to foreclosure they sold their home and purchased a condominium. They managed to save their credit and still maintain their status as home owners.
Another client wanted to minimize his carbon foot print, and the hefty gas bills he … (0 comments)
|
la condo investment: Luxury Condominiums Euro Sale - 12/04/08 08:02 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
Recently a Los Angeles Realtor offered a home listing the asking price in Dollars, Euros and Pounds. It got a lot of attention, which I suspect was the true aim. Nevertheless it does bring center stage the fact that more and more global investors are buying homes in Southern California. Can you blame them? There are some great deals right now if you have financing.
I have had several international business people contact me interested in buying condominiums. They know it is a great investment. One client visits Los Angeles twice a year for business, on both occasions … (0 comments)
|
;)
;)
