la condo lifestyle: Assessor Scam - 04/23/09 08:28 AM
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 … (0 comments)
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la condo lifestyle: Condo Value in Today's Market - 04/17/09 09:27 AM
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 … (1 comments)
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la condo lifestyle: Tax and the Homeowner - 04/16/09 12:20 PM
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 … (0 comments)
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la condo lifestyle: 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)
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la condo lifestyle: Green Shopping Bags - 04/13/09 11:31 AM
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 … (0 comments)
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la condo lifestyle: Green Kitchen Appliances - 04/13/09 11:26 AM
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 … (0 comments)
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la condo lifestyle: Greening Your Office - 04/10/09 10:26 PM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
Is your office practicing environmental consciousness or eco terrorism? One of the first things to consider is your printing habits. It is not only the paper that is used in printing that has an environmental impact; the ink is of even greater concern. A significant portion of the ink used in today's printers contains VOCs, volatile organic compounds. Organic sound good doesn't it? Don't forget the volatile. VOCs are detrimental to ground water and contribute to global warming. The next time you purchase a printer try to buy one that does not use this type of ink.
Until … (0 comments)
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la condo lifestyle: Greening Your Computer - 04/10/09 10:23 PM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
Computers have a great potential to aide us in global greening, if we are willing to utilize them properly. First, it is important to properly maintain our computers so they work as long as possible. This is also great for our wallets. Maintain your computers by regularly vacuuming the front and the back of the tower. This will prevent dust from clogging the venting holes and will add years to your computer's functionality.
Also keep in mind that as long as your computer is plugged in it is draining energy. When your computer is off, unplug it. When … (0 comments)
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la condo lifestyle: Greening Your Wardrobe - 04/06/09 10:40 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
Greening your wardrobe is not about making sure that you have a stylish green cashmere sweater for St. Patrick's Day Celebrations. It's about making choices when you are shopping that have long reaching effects for our planet.
The next time you throw on a tee shirt, stop and think about this quote from our friends over at "Go Green for Life"
"Cotton is the most intensively sprayed crop in the world accountingfor more than 10% of the pesticides and almost 23% of theinsecticides used worldwide. It requires about a third of a poundor 150 grams of agricultural chemicals … (0 comments)
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la condo lifestyle: Environmentally Conscious Skin Care - 04/06/09 10:35 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
We've all started to consider the impact our daily choices are having on our health and our planet. There's no better place to gauge how you are doing than to look at your skin care regime. Have you considered how your self care products are made and packaged?
Taking a trip into your bathroom and reading the labels on your products will give you some information but it won't tell you the whole story. Just because a product uses the words "organic" or "natural" doesn't mean that they are necessarily good for you or the environment. Look for … (0 comments)
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la condo lifestyle: Greening Your Coffee - 02/17/09 11:13 AM
By Coco Clayman Cook
Coffee is one of the great joys in life and by bringing your own cup to your local coffee shop you can save a substantial amount of paper and post consumer waste. Imagine a small mountain built entirely out of coffee cups and you can quickly imagine how much paper could be saved if everyone simply brought their own! Of course there are always times when you get caught out and need a quick cup. There are still ways you can reduce your carbon footprint while using a paper cup. If you use a "jacket" (the insulator that … (0 comments)
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la condo lifestyle: Winter Design Tips for the LA Condo - 01/19/09 09:21 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
People tend to laugh when we talk about LA winters, but the truth is we really do celebrate four completely different seasons. Our winter may not have bitter cold weather without end, but we do experience some chilly nights and a few rainy days. I find it important to have my home reflect the current season; it helps to create harmony and a feeling of well being.
In the winter months I tend to choose floral arrangements with deep greens and rich reds to decorate my home. The spiced scents of cinnamon and cloves are particularly comforting in … (0 comments)
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la condo lifestyle: 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)
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la condo lifestyle: The Condo Consciousness - 01/07/09 11:26 PM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
Life is a series of choices. We choose to focus on what is important to us and to relinquish that which is less important. Part of the Condo Consciousness is placing focus on living comfortably without unnecessary distractions.
I love being surrounded by healthy living plants and I appreciate daily time in a quiet garden filled with well manicured and pampered vegetation. I could own a home and spend countless hours and untold funds on creating just such and environment; instead I live in a luxury condo with a beautiful garden.
I have spectacular orchids throughout my home … (0 comments)
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la condo lifestyle: 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)
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la condo lifestyle: Feng Shui for the Front Door - 01/03/09 11:59 PM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
Symmetry is one of the single most important elements of Feng Shui where the front entrance is concerned. A pair of trees or dogs are said to ward off negative energy and allow prosperity and health to flow freely into the space. If you use living plants make sure they remain healthy and any dead foliage is immediately removed. If you choose statuary make sure that it is in good condition and remains free of chips or debris.
Your front door is your first impression so it only makes sense to keep it neat and tidy, but debris … (1 comments)
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la condo lifestyle: 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)
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la condo lifestyle: 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)
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la condo lifestyle: Condo Life for the Newly Retired - 11/08/08 08:58 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
If you are newly retired or about to be retired you may want to consider the LA condo life style. I will admit to being biased, I am a tremendous fan of this lifestyle. As a resident of the famed Wilshire Corridor I have first hand experience with the benefits of vertical living.
One of the greatest things about condo life is the convenience. Vertical living allows you to be close to all of the things you want to be close too, while allowing you to enjoy privacy and safety. I love the fact that I can quickly … (0 comments)
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la condo lifestyle: Preparing Your Home for the Holidays - 11/07/08 09:49 PM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
As the Holidays approach it is wise to get your home ready for guests, both expected and unexpected. I like to take some time in early November to make sure that everything is in order in my guest room. First I check make sure that the closet is clean, de-cluttered and available for my guests. Then I take the time to stock my guest bathroom with lovely basket of a wide assortment of toiletries.
I instruct my cleaning staff to perform a deep clean on both rooms and to properly air them out. I make sure my pantry … (1 comments)
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