los angeles real estate: US Unemployment Rate Continues to drop to 7.7% in November - 12/13/12 11:14 AM
US Unemployment Rate Continues to drop to 7.7% in November
Our nations economy continues to improve.  U.S. Census Bureau reports unemployement is down to 7.7% as of November, 2012.
This is a steady declining trend since the President first took office in 2009 as the chart below shows:

 
It seems that the government programs and stimulus intervention continue to pay off.
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/economywatch/jobless-rate-drops-4-year-low-economy-creates-146-000-1C7488578
A new housing trend boom has also been predicted as a result also:
http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/12/news/economy/housing-boom/index.html


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los angeles real estate: Great Van Nuys 2 Bedroom Condo for Lease - 11/30/12 09:14 PM
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los angeles real estate: Newer Stevenson Ranch home with panoramic views! - 11/29/12 08:33 AM
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los angeles real estate: New Laws Affecting California Real Estate starting in 2013 - 11/26/12 08:49 AM
New Laws Affecting California Real Estate starting in 2013
 
C.A.R. announced some new laws for California starting January 1st, 2013:
 
Landlord Must Disclose Notice of Default to Prospective Tenants: Starting January 1, 2013, every landlord who offers for rent a residential property containing one-to-four units must disclose in writing to any prospective tenant the receipt of a notice of default that has not been rescinded. This disclosure must be made before executing a lease agreement. If a landlord violates this law, the tenant can elect to void the lease and recover one month’s rent or twice the amount of … (3 comments)

los angeles real estate: ActiveRain Los Angeles Meetup - Studio City, CA - Friday, April 20th - 7PM......Be there and win a FREE Partner Membership to Referral Exchange of Southern California!! - 04/03/12 10:58 PM
ActiveRain Los Angeles Meetup - Studio City, CA - Friday, April 20th - 7PM......Be there and win a FREE Partner Membership to Referral Exchange of Southern California!

For those of you Rainers in the Los Angeles area, this will be a great opportunity for you to meet some of your ActiveRain peers in person.
A lot of great things happen at these meet ups!  Good information and good times!
And there will be an added bonus.  At our MeetUp, we will be raffling off a FREE membership to Referral Exchange!

Time, Date and Location is as follows:
Friday, April … (6 comments)

los angeles real estate: What does it cost just to call yourself a Realtor® ? Let's run the numbers....... - 02/16/12 12:04 PM
What does it cost just to call yourself a Realtor® ?   Let's run the numbers.......
Have you ever thought about how much money it costs just to call yourself a Realtor® ?  We as agents know that it is expensive, but let's get right down to it and crunch the numbers.
For the sake of example, I will be using my own scenario as a licensed agent in the state of California, and we'll be basing this on an annual amount.
$155.00    - National Association of Realtor Dues$184.00    - California Association of Realtor Dues$150.00    - Local Association of … (13 comments)

los angeles real estate: The Best Blog Fodder is Right Under Your Nose - Your Own Emails!! - 02/07/12 03:25 PM
The Best Blog Fodder is Right Under Your Nose - Your Own Emails!!
I remember a while ago, Bob Stewart had a blog post challenge going on, and it's then that I realized that the best blog material comes from your own email to your clients.
I had a buyer client (they are in the $950k to $1M range) ask me a question via email earlier today.  It was regarding the market in general, and also my opinion of some homes that were both in and out of their price range.
I thought the subject matter was so real and interesting … (9 comments)

los angeles real estate: I just made a donation to a great organization that assists the homeless - ePath.org - Pay It Forward - 02/03/12 11:03 PM
I just made a donation to a great organization that assists the homeless - ePath.org - Pay It Forward
I learned about EPath.org from an acquaintence I met recently.  It's a great organization that helps those homeless to get back on a good path.
When I learned about this organization I immediately knew that I wanted to make a donation, and I'm also looking into how I can volunteer some time to help those of us that need a break and a helping hand.
To learn more about EPath.org, click on the logo below:

Here's the really nice email receipt … (2 comments)

los angeles real estate: Multiple Offers Increasing in So California - The Tide has Officially Turned.......... - 02/02/12 10:53 AM
Multiple Offers Increasing in So California - The Tide has Officially Turned..........
We are seeing mutliple offers all over the place here in Southern California.  And not only in certain price ranges, but across the board.
Our listing in Stevenson Ranch has 10 offers on it after only a week and a half!
Our North Hollywood condo listing that has been on the market for quite a while just recently ended up with multiple offers.
Not only that, but on the buying side we are ending up in multiple offers with the offers we're writing for our buyers.
Our Encino, CA … (5 comments)

los angeles real estate: No, Mr. Bank, I don't want half of a short sale, I want a WHOLE short sale............ - 08/05/11 02:34 PM
No, Mr. Bank, I don't want half of a short sale, I want a WHOLE short sale............
I recently initiated a short sale with Bank of America on Equator.  I uploaded the preliminary docs.
As customary with Bank of America, the borrower must phone in themselves to request whether or not they want to pursue a HAFA short sale.
This morning, I received an email stating that the file had been removed from the system.
I could not understand why, so I contacted BofA.  They informed my that the borrower had declined the short sale.
I knew something was wrong, because … (56 comments)

los angeles real estate: SB 458: Is it retroactive? Should it be? Will it be? I suppose we'll find out soon..... - 08/05/11 11:25 AM
SB 458:  Is it retroactive?  Should it be? Will it be?  I suppose we'll find out soon.....
The California Senate Bill #458 that passed recently on July 15th, extends and clarifies that no pursuant of deficiency shall be allowed by any lienholder after a successful closing of a short sale.
The bill was mainly drawn up because it's predecessor, SB 931, did not specifically address 2nd and junior lienholders.
My question is:  Is it retroactive?
If you read the bill in it's entirety, it really doesn't address it one way or another.
Which will probably mean one thing:  The California courts … (1 comments)

los angeles real estate: OK. So I got MAJOR heat stroke today! - 09/19/10 11:59 PM
OK. So I got MAJOR heat stroke today!
I had a USTA Tennis Match today and I wasn't feeling well to begin with.
I called our captain at the last minute to see if a sub was available, but no one was.
So I had to suck it up and get out there
I ended up getting heat stroke and had to take a break at one point.
I've been resting and drank what seems to be the equivalent of the Pacific Ocean.
What are the best remedies for heat stroke?
 

Los Angeles Homes For Sale Los Angeles Condos … (16 comments)

los angeles real estate: Two Truths and A Lie: Guess which one is the Lie?! This week's featured member - Tanya Nouwens - 09/05/10 10:35 PM

Welcome to Ralph's Weekly Feature: Two Truths and a Lie: Guess Which One Is The Lie?
Each week, I'm going to feature one Active Rain Member, with their photo, and what they are going to do is tell you 2 Truths about them and 1 Lie.
The object of the game is to guess which of the 3 bits of trivia about them is a lie!
I will post the answer in that same blog at the end of the week on Fridays so you can all find out!
It's a great way to get to know your fellow Active … (61 comments)

los angeles real estate: So I think I may look into getting a new car - any suggestions from my Active Rain Peeps? - 08/22/10 11:56 PM
So I think I may look into getting a new car - any suggestions from my Active Rain Peeps?
I currently have a 2007 Toyota Prius.  I love my car!
However, I think I may start to look for a new vehicle.  My obvious choice is to get a new Prius.
But I'm always open to suggestions from people with insight and/or experience with their own vehicles.
Any great or bad experiences you've had?
Any great deals, or new 2011 vehicles you've read about that sounds amazing?
I would like to stick to a Hybrid, but I'm still open to something … (13 comments)

los angeles real estate: Not that I would actually do it, but........... Hey, I'm just sayin........ - 08/12/10 02:32 AM
Welcome to my weekly post:  "Not that I would actually do it, but........... Hey, I'm just sayin........"
 
When your sellers tell you they have decided on a list price, you draw up the listing agreement, and then when it's time to sign, they want to increase the list price.
Doesn't that make you want to put their heads in a vice, pour honey all over them and then open up a jar of ants?
Not that I would actually do it, but........... Hey, I'm just sayin........
 
 
When you've been working with your buyers for 6 months, showing them … (16 comments)

los angeles real estate: Calling all Zillow featured Agents: What's been your experience thus far? - 07/12/10 02:14 PM
Calling all Zillow featured Agents: What's been your experience thus far?
I had spoke to a Zillow rep at the Portland RainCamp regarding the possibilites of advertising as a featured agent on Zillow in certain zip codes.
The only thing is, I'm a little apprehensive because they require you to contract for a minimum of 6 months to 1 year.
And they don't allow any trial periods.
I don't feel that it is prudent to commit financially to something where the results are on a wing and a prayer.
So I am writing this blog to see which of my ActiveRain … (2 comments)

los angeles real estate: What's The Best Remedy for Trying to Recuperate from a Long, Hard, Sports game in the sun? - 07/11/10 10:23 PM
What's The Best Remedy for Trying to Recuperate from a Long, Hard, Sports game in the sun?
I had a USTA Tennis match today and the weather was very hot.
It was a VERY tough 3-set match that seemed to have gone on forever!
Anyway, I am feeling so beat, sunburned, and just exhausted that I even feel a little achey.
What's the best remedy to recuperate quickly from something like this?


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los angeles real estate: Open Houses: What are the real reasons we hold them? - 07/07/10 11:01 PM
Open Houses: What are the real reasons we hold them?
I thought I'd bring this subject up because it is debated much by real estate agents.
The most obvious reason for holding an open house is for the seller's sake,  to get the home sold, right?
Or is it?
Other agents state that open houses don't sell homes, as most serious buyers want a private showing of the home anyway.
And yet others claim that open houses are mostly a tool for the listing agent (or agent who is sitting the open house) to meet buyers.
Although all of these are … (9 comments)

los angeles real estate: Do you correct people when they use the word "Real-A-Ter"? - 07/02/10 10:59 AM
Do you correct people when they use the word "Real-A-Ter"?
I hear people use the term "Real-A-Ter" when pronouncing the word Realtor, and I actually do not correct them ALL them time.
It depends on who they are, if I know them or not, etc.  I may just let it go sometimes, but other times I don't want to come across as being condescending, yet at the same time I would like to spare them any embarrassment in the future by politely pointing out the correct pronunciation of the word.
How do you handle that when it happens, and what approach … (9 comments)

los angeles real estate: How often do you get asked about "The Big Flood of Foreclosures" coming?? - 07/01/10 12:54 PM
How often do you get asked about "The Big Flood of Foreclosures" coming??
I get asked this question all the time.  And I've been asked that question for the last few years.
And my answer is the same - It's not practical for ANY entity to have a flood of anything due to the laws of supply and demand.
If the bank's goals are to maximize their net proceeds on each property, they sure as heck are not going to flood the market with them.
Hello?!
What's your response to your prospects, clients and associates when asked this question?
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