los angeles real estate: Making Time
- 04/28/09 03:28 AM
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 … (5 comments)
los angeles real estate: Google Reader
- 04/28/09 03:24 AM
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 … (2 comments)
los angeles real estate: The Economic Stimulus Package
- 04/27/09 12:33 PM
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 … (6 comments)
los angeles real estate: Knowing Your Business
- 04/27/09 12:28 PM
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. … (2 comments)
los angeles real estate: Virtual Assistants 101
- 04/25/09 03:36 AM
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 … (2 comments)
los angeles real estate: One Thought
- 04/25/09 03:26 AM
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 … (0 comments)
los angeles real estate: Self Talk
- 04/24/09 09:32 AM
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 … (2 comments)
los angeles real estate: Safety Tips for Realtors - Part II
- 04/24/09 09:28 AM
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 … (4 comments)
los angeles real estate: Safety Tips for Realtors - Part 1
- 04/23/09 01:35 AM
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 … (5 comments)
los angeles real estate: Assessor Scam
- 04/23/09 01:28 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)
los angeles real estate: Feng Sui
- 04/23/09 01:24 AM
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 … (0 comments)
los angeles real estate: Vertical Life
- 04/22/09 09:11 AM
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 … (0 comments)
los angeles real estate: Renewal
- 04/22/09 09:07 AM
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 … (0 comments)
los angeles real estate: Questions
- 04/22/09 09:02 AM
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 … (0 comments)
los angeles real estate: Leed Certification
- 04/17/09 02:32 AM
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, … (0 comments)
los angeles real estate: Condo Value in Today's Market
- 04/17/09 02:27 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)
los angeles real estate: Your Condo Garden
- 04/16/09 05:24 AM
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 … (0 comments)
los angeles real estate: Tax and the Homeowner
- 04/16/09 05:20 AM
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)
los angeles real estate: Tax Credits For First Time Home Buyers
- 04/15/09 03:11 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)
los angeles real estate: REO Condominiums
- 04/15/09 03:07 AM
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 … (0 comments)
By Coco Clayman-Cook;)
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