When working with my clients on a purchase or sale of a home, I tend to talk to them almost every single day when we are in the process.  We discuss everything under the sun when it comes to the home & many times we end up going into our personal lives a bit too.  Purchasing a home to raise your family & create a new lifestyle just opens up the door to how someone lives...their wants, wishes, dreams & desires.  We go thru this mad process of dotting the I's & crossing  the T's...addressing every issue, repair, decor, furniture placement, etc.  They are constantly on my mind until the deal closes successfully. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with a brilliant idea I can't wait to share.

Many times we Realtors have to act more like a therapist & have to put out fire after fire, keeping us on our toes.  Eventually the deal willl close & then "poof" they are onto their new lives & we don't have a reason to talk everyday anymore.  An adjustment period surfaces to reset the mind again & find a new focus.  Often I find myself missing the personal contact I had with these clients...kinda like I lost a friend.

California boasts the top 3 most expensive zip codes in the Country.

1. Duarte (91008) $4.2 Million
2. Atherton (94027) $4 Million
3. Rolling Hills (90274) $3.8 Million

Prestegious Beverly Hills (90210) ranked in 6th place @ $3.6 Million.

If a Landlord pays $600 or more over the year for work done on rental properties, they will need to issue a 1099 Form to the service party.  Under one provision of a new federal law, Section 2101 (h) of H.R. 5297, went into effect jan. 1, 2011.  Any person who receives rental income must provide an IRS Form 1099 for all aggregate annual payments of $600 or more made to a service provider such as a plumber, carpenter, handyman or gardener. This new law applies to both residential & commerical property.  In previous years, only real estate licensees doing property management were required to file the 1099, not property owners.  Congress has extended this requirment to "a person receiving rental income from real estate."  Make note...this is one of the new 2011 State & Federal Laws for California!

• Notary fees - Escrow fees
• Taxes
• Bonds or assessments
• Recording charges to clear all docs of record against seller
• Unpaid homeowner's dues
• Tax proration
• Judgements, tax liens against the seller
• Home Warranty
• Termite work (section 1 items)
• Termite inspection
• Title insurance premium
• Statement fees, reconveyance fees, prepayment penalties
• Interest accrued to lender
  
• Payoff of all loans in seller's name
• Any loan fees required by buyer's lender
• Document prep fee for deed
• City transfter/conveyance tax
• County documentary transfer tax
• Escrow fees
• Real estate commission
• Repairs

Gain more insight from my website:

www.StarOpenHouse.com

BUYER Usually Pays For:

• Charge of records fees for take-over of existing loan
• Beneficiary Statement fee for assumption of exisitng loan
• Inspection fee
• Lender's Policy
• Escrow fees
• Document preparation
• Notary fees
• Recording charges for all documents in Buyer's name
• Tax Proration
• Homeowner's transfer fee
• All new loan charges
• Interest on new loan from date of funding to 30 days prior to first payment date

Gain more insight from my website: 

wwwStarOpenHouse.com 

ocregister.com/realestate
http://ochomes.ocregister.com/2010/07/30/noelle-hipke-earns-nar-short-sales-and-foreclosure-certification/2733/

AS SEEN IN OCHOMES

Noelle Hipke earns short-sale certification (as printed in the OC Register Newspaper & OC Homes Online)
Noelle Hipke with Star Real Estate has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS® offers the SFR certification to REALTORS® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions. Buyers and Sellers benefit from Hipke’s expertise in distressed sales, earned through the SFR certification, on how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities.
Unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes, and a foreclosure or a short sale results. Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers and benefit the larger community as well, but it’s extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like Noelle Hipke, who has earned the SFR certification for these kinds of purchases.
Understanding the importance of education in today’s market, Hipke is also a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) who helps seniors benefit and save money by receiving transaction fee discounts on title and escrow, in addition to offering seniors a discount for her real estate services and knowledge. Hipke says, “I am devoted to my client’s interests, and stay current with the latest developments in the real estate industry to provide them with the facts they need to make informed decisions.”
For answers to your real estate questions, call Noelle at 714-290-4500 or visit her website www.StarOpenHouse.com

Noelle Hipke

Lien On Me Web TV Real Estate Series

While helping out at the SoCal Film Festival I met a great group of talented people. I met director Daivd Beatty, of the film Seed of Perfection & we instantly hit it off, probably because we are both Sagittarious. He is a talented Actor who has appeared in Criminal Minds (CBS), Beverly Hills 90210 (CBS), Suddenly Susan (NBC), Lois & Clark (ABC) as well as many other credits. As an aspiring Actor, Beatty has recently directed & starred in an online web TV production geared toward Real Estate called Lien On Me. As a Realtor myself, I have to laugh my head off at this concept I think so many of us can relate to in this day & age with the economy. Boy, do I have a few episode ideas from my crazy experiences! If you have a few minutes & would like to get a good chucle, go check out my friend, David Beatty who plays Realtor Johnny.  The series is directed by Nino Mancuso & produced by Ammar Ramzi, Nino Mancuso & David Beatty.  To view all episodes currently playing go to www.LienOnMeTheSeries.com 

Check out these sites for green living!

www.susnset.com/greenliving
    ~ Planet-friendly picks, tips & products.

www.greenyour.com
    ~ How to green anything in your life, home & wardrobe.

www.efficiencyfirst.org
    ~ Blogs on the latest government news & rebates as well as resources for smarter home performance.

www.lazyenvironmentalist.com
    ~ Founder Josh Dorfman fills you in. Sign up for eco-tip emails.

www.re-nest.com
    ~ Features affordable green home projects & cool home tours.

www.inhabitat.org
    ~ Great coverage of design competitions & the latest in sustainable style.

www.lowimpactliving.com
    ~Check out the impact calculator w/ helpful eco projects & services.

And for something totally off the cuff....check out www.lovelylisting.com for odd finds, marketing eyesores & some downright horrifying interior decorating faux pas in real estate.

JUST LISTED!

PACIFIC RANCH TOWN HOME

$675,000

7582 Seabluff Dr. #105, Huntington Beach CA  92648

• 4 Bedrooms/4 Baths (2 Master Suites)
• 2723 sq.ft.
  
• Private end unit Town Home
• Central Air Conditioning
• Decked out 3 1/2 Car Garage w/ lots of Storage & Finished Floor
• Inside Laundry Room
• Closet Organizers
• Mirrored Closet Doors
• Built-In Office
• Plasma TV Niche
• Guard Gated Community
• 3 Pools & 2 Club Houses
• Less than 2 miles to the BEACH!

Get more infomation by going to www.StarOpenHouse.com

Well, I am happy to say I have been able to keep one of my New Years resolutions...reading my real estate magazines!  As a Realtor I get several magazines sent to me on a monthly basis.  Often agents throw them away, toss them into a pile or don't read them.  However, these real estate magazines are chock full of good ideas, technology, life experiences, agent input, etc. one cannot afford to read them.  I have been able to further my knowledge, ideas, contacts & impress my clients with my cutting edge concepts.  People are working hard to help us Realtors keep in the loop, change with the times & improve our overall ability.  Do not shy away from technology...conquer it!  Life is a constant learning process, so be open to learning endlessly for eternity & you can change your life as well as others!