Joe's Burbank Real Estate Spotlight

Great Sylmar Home on an Oversized 10990 Lot - $309,900.00

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:23:29 -0600

15028 Larkspur St.
Sylmar, CA 91342

Great home on an oversized lot in Sylmar

Price: $309,900	Status: Active
Property Type: Single Family Residential for Sale	Number of Floors: Single
Parking/Garage: 2	Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 2	Square Feet: 1720
Lot Size: 10990sf	Year Built: 1965
MLS #: F1796634

Joe Zapata
Realtor
Cell: (818)585-6520
joe4re@gmail.com
www.joezapatahomes.com

www.joezapatahomes.com/listings/06AE3F4D-0CEC-8B02-E720B65F5A15A30D.shtml

AIG Bailout, one mans take on it all

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:16:16 -0500

I came across this in an e-mail sent to me today and thought I would share it. By the way, I have no idea who this Birk guy is but I personally giv ehim an A+ for creativity.

"This idea sounds just crazy enough to possibly work, so naturally it won't be given serious consideration. How great is our bureaucracy!!

Hi Pals,

I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.

Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a We Deserve It Dividend.

To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.

Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..

So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.

My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.

Of course, it would NOT be tax free.

So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.

Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.

That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.

But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in thei r pocket.

A husband and wife has $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?

Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.

Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads

Put away money for college - it'll be there

Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.

Buy a new car - create jobs

Invest in the market - capital drives growth

Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves

Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost the ir job s at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( 'vote buy' ) economic incentive that is being proposed
by one of our candidates for President.

If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG - liquidate it.

Sell off its parts.

Let American General go back to being American General.

Sell off the real estate.

Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.

Sure it's a crazy idea that can 'never work.'

But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!

How do you spell Economic Boom?

I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion

We Deserve It Dividend more than I do t he geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC

And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

Kindest personal regards,

Birk

T. J . Birkenmeier, A Creative Guy & Citizen of the Republic

PS: Feel free to pass this along to your pals as it's either good for a laugh or a tear or a very sobering thought on how to best use $85 Billion!!"

Technology Trends for the Home

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:56:31 -0500

Technology trends for the home

ou're on your way to work when you suddenly have the horrible feeling you might have left the oven on. No problem-you dial it with your cell phone and shut it off. From work, one click on the Internet unlocks your front door for the plumber.

A scene from The Jetsons? No, reality: a new reality being brought to life by innovations in home automation.

Welcome to the "smart home"

"Smart home" is the term commonly used to define a residence that uses a central controller to integrate the home's various systems. For example, you might have a preprogrammed setting called "I'm Home" that you can trigger from a remote control when you approach your driveway. In response, the system might turn on the driveway and garage lights, disarm the security system, open the garage door, turn up the thermostat, and turn the TV on to the evening news.

"Smart home" products were once marketed solely on the basis of convenience. But today, home automation is finding a new market among the energy-conscious because of both cost and environmental considerations. Some of the most popular trends are in the areas of lighting and automation controls, home entertainment, security systems and home healthcare monitoring systems.

Lighting and automation

Just about everything you plug in can be networked into a centralized home automation system. You can set a group of actions to happen at pre-set times, to activate when certain events occur, or to start with the touch of a remote or a cue from a cell phone. So, for instance, you can press one button to automatically start cooking the lasagna that's been refrigerating in your oven, draw the shades, dim the living room lights and turn on your favorite music. Going on vacation? New systems can even protect your home while you're away by taking a snapshot of light usage in the house over the past two weeks, then mimicking the series.

The industry still has a way to go in terms of a unified standard format and ease of use, but the promise is there. And the hope for energy savings as well, with programs that help you monitor your entire home's energy usage and fine-tune it to eliminate waste.

Let the show begin

The concept of a "digital hearth" is taking hold in , with electronic entertainment replacing the fireplace as a place to socialize with family and friends.

Home Pricing Guide

Today you can choose from a wide range of high definition (HD) TVs that deliver startlingly clear pictures on a variety of screens including LCD, plasma, DLP and LCoS. Super-thin is in, and for those who believe bigger is better you'll soon be able to purchase 150-inch televisions, big enough to display a person life-size!

New interactive virtual-reality gaming technologies, such as Nintendo's Wii system, are also gaining ground. But of all the home entertainment innovations, perhaps one of the most useful is a new MP3 dock that lets you access and transmit your entire library of music and movies throughout the house.

Security systems

Home surveillance systems are more sophisticated than ever, with options that include wireless transmission, motion detection and night vision. You can even monitor systems remotely via the web or a cell phone-adjusting the tilt, pan or zoom with the touch of a key.

And while surveillance systems used to be for the rich and famous, almost one in four homes in the currently has one. Not surprising considering that a basic one-camera system today can cost less than $300.

Home health monitoring systems

The field of telehealth is growing almost as fast as the aging baby boom generation, with innovations that help keep family members in their own homes longer. Devices can alert patients when it's time to take their blood pressure, weight, blood oxygen level, temperature or pulse, then send the data directly from the device to a health-care professional. Systems can even remind homeowners, with voice commands and light cues, when it's time to take medications, and notify the user if the wrong medication is selected.

The future is here

Speedcook ovens that use microwave and light technologies to cook food up to 15 times faster. Digital mixers that can pre-set water temperatures in the shower to adjust to each user's personal preference. Yard-watering systems that automatically schedule waterings based on the latest NOAA satellite information. These are just a few of the technologies that are available today to make your life easier. And that might just give your home a unique edge when it comes time to put it on the market.

Universal Studios, The City & County of Los Angeles One-Day Mobile Collection Event

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:39:00 -0500

Universal Studios Hollywood, the City of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles Public Works are proud to present a One-Day Mobile Collection Event. For Residents of the City & County of Los Angeles

Residential Special Materials and Electronic Waste

NO Commercial drop-offs accepted and waste collection is suspended during rain

They will accept: Paint and solvents; used motor oil and filters, anti-freeze, and other automotive fluids; cleaning products; pool and garden chemicals; aerosol cans; all medicine; auto batteries; household (alkaline) batteries; fluorescent tubes and bulbs, thermostats, and other mercury-containing mapls.

They will also accept: Computers, monitors, printers, network equipment, cables, telephones, televisions, microwaves, video games, cell phones, radios, stereos, VCRs, and electronic toys.

They will NOT accept: Business waste, ammunition, explosives, radioactive material, biological waste or tires, Bulky items: Furniture, refrigerators, washers/dryers, conventional ovens, paper, computer software.

For your safety please remain in your vehicle at all times while visiting the collection event.

The transportation limit for chemical related items: It is against the law to transport more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste to sollection sites. Please pack your waste properly to prevent tipping or spilling of the waste during collection.

When: Saturday April 26th, 2008

Time: The collection time for this event is from 9am - 3pm

Where: Universal Studios Hollywood Parking Lot, Universal City, Ca. 91608

Directions:

FROM THE 101 North - Exit Universal Studios Blvd. Continue North on Buddy Holly Dr. Turn right on Universal Studios Blvd. Follow signs to the parking lot
FROM THE 101 South - Exit Lankershim Blvd. Turn left on Cahuenga Blvd. Turn left on Universal Studios Blvd. Follow the signs to the parking lot.

For more information on this event you can call the city at 1-800-98-TOXIC or the County at 1-888-CLEAN-LA.

City Of Burbank Proposed Nighttime Curfew at Bob Hope Airport

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:08:18 -0500

For many years the City of Burbank and its residents have been looking forward to meaningful nighttime noise relief at the Bob Hope Airport. Since 1977 there has been a semi-successful voluntary nighttime curfew from 10pm til 7am. Federal law has established a formal process which, among other things, provides a way to turn this voluntary curfew into a mandatory one - this is know as a Part 161 application. In the year 2000, the Airport Authority initiated a Part 161 study for this purpose and in recent months announced its determination that the cost/benefit analysis they performed may adequately meet Federal Requirements and justify the granting of a mandatory nighttime curfew.

In preparation to file this application with the FAA, the Airport Authority must first complete a number of procedural requirements, including implementing a public participation process. therefore, on March 31st, 2008 the Airport Authority commenced a 45-day public comment period (closing May 14th at 11:59pm) regarding its proposed application. During this period, members of the public and organizations are invited to provide comments and ask questions regarding the application.

The City of Burbank encourages residents to participate in this public outreach process by submitting comments and questions to the Airport Authority via the following opportunities:

the May 12th Airport Authority public hearing at the Marriott Hotel 6pm.
the June 16th Airport Authority regular meeting in the Burbank Airport Sky Room at 9am(at which time the Authority will formally consider the submittal of the Part 161 application to the FAA)
via either of the Authority's websites http://www.bobhopeairport.com/ or http://www.burbankairport.com/

Once the Airport Authority submits the Part 161 application to the FAA, there is no guarantee that the FAA will indeed grant the mandatory nighttime curfew. In order to have any chance of success, involvement from the public is going to be essential. Therefore, the City urges that you contact your Federal representatives and let them know your feelings on this landmark event. For your convenience the contact information is provided below:

Honorable Dianne Feistein, 331 Hart Senate Office Bldg, Washington DC 20510. www.feinstein.senate.gov/

Honorable Adam B. Schiff, 326 Cannon House Office Bldg. Washington DC 20515. www.schiff.house.gov/hor/ca29/

Honorable Barbara Boxer, 112 Hart Senate Office Bldg, Washington DC 20510. www.boxer.senate.gov/

Honorable Brad Sherman, 2242 Rayburn Office Bldg, Washington DC 20515. www.sherman.house.gov/

Should you have any questions on the process or the study please feel free to contact Mark Hardyment with the Airport Authority via e-mail at mhardyment@bur.org

The Tale of the Short Sale - How much do Banks want to work with people

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:49:57 -0500

As we all know by now, Short Sales are a way of doing business in the market these days. We also know that this can be a long and painful experience for both the buyer and the Realtor alike. At the same time it can be a relatively smooth transaction as well depending on the bank and the loss manager you are dealing with.

In January I opened escrow on a home for a buyer on a short sale that showed all the signs of being a relatively painless short sale. I could not have been more mistaken.

Prior to writing the offer I ran comps on the home and found that the home was reasonably priced considering the condition, location and market. The listing agent concurred and we started to move forward in the process with hopes of a smooth transaction.

After waiting the usual 60 days to hear back from the bank, the response we received floored both the listing agent, myself and both our clients. What we got was a counter offer for $160,000 more than we were in escrow at.

The bank stated taht due to the BPO that was done on the subject property that they felt that it was in fact worth the price that they were asking.

Confused by this the listing agent and myself re-ran the comps on the home and came to the same conclusion. Armed with this information we proceeded to forward our comps as well as copies of the Home Inspection, Termite Report & Septic inspection back to the bank with a letter outlining the cost of the amount of work that needed to be performed on the home.

One week later we received a call from the bank informing us that they wanted to send their own contractor out to the home to assess and report on the condition. i gladly met the contractor their and went over the issues and concerns regarding the home. After his evaluation of the home he concurred with our estimates and reported to the bank that we were in line with both the price and condition of the home.

We figured that that would be the end of that and expected that the bank would decide to go with our offer and finish the transaction. We were wrong.

I received an e-mail from the listing agents office yesterday that after they received the report form the contractor they decided to send out specialists in each area to do a separate evaluation of the home. So now on Friday I have to meet the General contractor, termite contractor, electrical contractor, foundation specialist and septic company so that they can all re-asses the condition of the home and submit individual estimates on it.

How much confirmation do the banks want these days, how far are they willing to drag out the process, how realistic are they being in trying to move these homes that people want and need to move out of?

To me this borders on the verge of ridiculous. We have submitted everything they needed and more to validate our position.

The big issue is that we still do not know if we will get the home. My buyers are willing to take it As-Is and deal with the work that needs to be done. Are the banks really that willing to let a solid buyer walk away by dragging them through this type of red tape?

How to spend Earth Day 2008 in Burbank

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:12:45 -0500

Saturday, April 19, 2008. 38th Annual Earth Day Celebration.

The City of Burbank invites you to celebrate Earth Day at Stough Canyon Nature Center, 2300 Walnut Avenue (top of Walnut).

Come early and join the Canyon Clean Up at Noon! Activities are planned 1-4 p.m. -- enjoy arts and crafts, green films, nature hikes, live animals, refreshments. There will be door prizes from IKEA, Disney and other local businesses. At 2 p.m. "Go Green" with Mayor Marsha Ramos.

For more information about this Free event, call 818-238-3900 or 238-5440.

Earth Day is always a great day to get out and enjoy the day while at the same time giving back a little to our community as well as our enviroment. Hope to see you out there.

Burbank Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA April 12, 2008

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:38:45 -0500

Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 11:00am-3:00pm.

The Burbank Community YMCA is hosting Healthy Kids Day.

The event will take place in the YMCA parking lot located at the corner of Third Street and San Jose. There will be free health screenings, a rock wall, interactive boxing demo, a basketball shoot out contest and more. This event is free to the community.

The weather should be great this weekend so bring the family out for what should be a great event.

For more information call (818) 845-8551 ext. 236.

Its that time again. Burbank on Parade is back on April 26, 2008

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:48:57 -0500

It's that time of the year again here in Burbank, Ca.

Burbank on Parade is back!!!!!!!!!

Every year the community comes together to celebrate our city, it's business as well as its residents.

It is a great time to bring out the family for loads of fun and events within this great community.

The annual Burbank On Parade will take place Saturday, April 26 at 11 a.m. on Olive Avenue from Keystone to Lomita.

Here is a quick history of this special event:

To celebrate the conclusion of World War II in 1945, the Burbank Junior Chamber of Commerce organized a city parade in association with their May Festival. The festival was a big affair, lasting a week and including a pageant, dances, baking contests, and a carnival. The extravaganza was so successful it became an annual tradition that continued for 12 years.

In 1981, a handful of Burbank citizens recalling great memories of the May Festival and its parade, decided they wanted to revive this grand event. A week long festival would be a huge undertaking, so they narrowed their focus on a city parade. One year later, with the help of many volunteers and aid from numerous organizations, Burbank on Parade, Inc. produced an event to remember, and the spectators came out in droves, comprised of Burbank's residents, as well as locals from nearby cities.

The inaugural revival of this event succeeded in once again, bringing together the community, and the residents, businesses and organizations that exist within it. The original founders of the revival succeeded in reestablishing a tradition that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and the parade organizers take great pleasure in once again inviting you to join in the celebration.

We are a pround spnsor of Burbank on Parade 2008

For further information, check their website at http://www.burbankonparade.com/

I hope to see you there!!!

Burbank Named One of the Nation’s 100 Best Communities for Young People by America’s Promise Alliance

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:19:58 -0500

BURBANK, CA - America's Promise Alliance, the nation's largest alliance dedicated to children and youth, in partnership with Capital One, today announced that the City of Burbank has been named a winner of its 2008 100 Best Communities for Young People competition. Burbank is the only city in Los Angeles County to be named to the list.

The 100 Best competition recognizes the 100 outstanding communities across America - large and small, rural and urban - that are the best places for young people to live and grow up. More than 300 communities in all 50 states applied for the honor this year. The 100 winning communities span 37 states.

Burbank was selected as one of the 100 Best in large part because of the city's focus on increasing health and wellness programs for its youth. The city's theme in 2007 was "A Healthy Community." Community-wide collaborations involving the City of Burbank, Burbank Unified School District, local businesses, the local YMCA, and Boys and Girls Club have resulted in afterschool, nutrition, and exercise programs on school campuses and neighborhood achievement centers. The Youth Task Force has been instrumental in the initiation of counseling programs on campuses, youth transportation, conflict resolution programs, video productions related to teen issues, and youth employment programs. In addition to passing an ordinance that prohibited smoking in public places, the mayor invites families to join her weekly walks and talk about issues impacting their lives.

"This designation is really an incredible achievement that recognizes our entire community's commitment to our young people," said Burbank Mayor Marsha Ramos, expressing excitement about the win. "The collaborative efforts of Burbank's community partners present extraordinary opportunities for our youth to achieve all their potential. Our holistic approach addresses their needs from infancy through teens and into adulthood. We are working to build a community of good health, hope and harmony."

"Over the past few years I have witnessed the time and effort that this city dedicates to its youth first-hand," said 18-year-old Steven Ferguson, citing a specific example. "The City took the results from a teen survey and decided to gather a group of teen whose job would be to create a one-day Youth Solution Summit where teens could come and provide solutions to their survey-identified problems. Those solutions are being implemented with new teen oriented programs throughout our City."

"The prosperity of every community and this country depends on how well we care for our children and youth," said Marguerite W. Kondracke, president and CEO, America's Promise Alliance, "Although no place is perfect, when we have communities that make young people a priority and are working to make sure they stay in school and have all the resources necessary to lead healthy, productive lives, we must recognize them and by extension inspire other cities and towns to follow their lead."

The 100 Best competition was first held in 2005. This year's winners were selected by a distinguished panel that included some of the nation's most well-known civic, business and nonprofit leaders such as: Gayle Manchin, first lady of West Virginia; United Way President Brian Gallagher; Thomas Donohue, president and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Christine James-Brown, president and CEO, the Child Welfare League of America; and Dr. Suzanne Morse, executive director of the Pew Partnership for Civic Change.

"At Capital One, we are committed building stronger communities, one neighborhood at a time," said Carolyn Berkowitz, Vice President of Community Affairs for Capital One.

All communities that completed entries in the 100 Best competition were required to submit detailed information to the Alliance on existing community programs and initiatives that help deliver the Five Promises-resources identified by America's Promise as being critical to the development of healthy, successful children: caring adults; safe places; healthy start; effective education; and opportunities to help others; to their young people. Applicants were also asked to describe how different sectors of their community come together to deliver the Five Promises and specific efforts and programs developed to ensure that their young people graduate from high school prepared for college and/or the workforce. Each of these communities, regardless of whether they were selected as a winner, will be eligible to apply for $300,000 in grants from the Alliance next month.

For more details about the 100 Best competition and to see a complete list of the 2008 winners, please visit http://www.americaspromise.org/.

For more information on The City of Burbank or if you are looking to buy or sell Real Estate in the City of Burbank please contact me.

City of Burbank Mayor's Healthy Community Fair April 5th, 2008

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:39:26 -0500

Saturday, April 5^th -- 9am to 12pm

Chandler Blvd between Keystone St. and Lincoln St.

Starts right after the Mayor's weekly 8 a.m. walk on Chandler Bikeway. There will be health screenings, lots of great information to help keep families healthy, a fun-filled activity zone, entertainment, and prizes. The Entertainment Showcase will include ballet and jazz, country cardio, hula dancing, family exercise, and family dance. Fun activities in the Activity Zone include a rock climbing wall, gymnastics arenas, and an obstacle course. The Burbank Healthy Community Fair is sponsored by the City of Burbank , Burbank Community YMCA, Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center , Robeks Juice and Trader Joe's. The Fair will take place rain or shine. And it's all FREE.

Check here for further details on a printable flyer.

Apt Owners & Managers Rental Property Forum

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:04:16 -0500

LAPD Foothill Division
Apartment Owners & Managers Rental Property Forum

(A learning series on how to run, a safer & more profitable apartment building)

March 27, 2008 / Thursday
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Presented by:
The City of Los Angeles in conjunction with
The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles

Topics will include:

1. WORKING WITH LAPD(Meet your Senior Lead Officer)

2. FOOTHILL GANG UNIT(LA City Attorney's Office)

3. HOW TO CONTROL CRIME & NUISANCE AROUND YOUR PROPERTY(Crime prevention through environmental design - CPTED & documentation for evicting nuisance tenants)

4. EVICTION ATTORNEY - LESLIE BORN / QUESTIONS / ANSWERS

Meeting Location:
7747 Foothill Boulevard, Tujunga CA 91042
(Sunland Tujunga Municipal Bldg. - Councilmember Wendy Greuel Field Office)

For more information, call:
Arnie Corlin at (310) 308-4511

New Los Angeles County FHA Limit Increase

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:35:47 -0500

I just attended a class with my preferred lender about the new FHA Limits and Guidlines for the County of Los Angeles. Per the class what I found was that the new basic guidline Key Popints are as follows:

3% down Payment - Gift funds are ok without seasoning
No Income Restrictions
Rates are currently below conforming
No required roof inspections such as Termite, Roof, Septic etc.
Normal appraisal requirements
Normal Timeline are in place for direct FHA approved lender. Longer time limits may apply for brokers
Non-occupying co-borrowers are allowed
Seller Disclosures are quick and easy
Owner Occupied and Full Doc only
Seller not required to pay upfront MIP
Temorary Loan Limits for Los Angeles County are set at:

1 - Unit: $729,750
2 - Units: $934,200
3 - Units: $1,129,250
4 - Units: $1,403,400

As it stands these limits are in place until the end of 2008. They are forcasting that in the next few months FHA will account for over 70% of all loans out there.

Please feel free to comment on any holes that may have been missed in this post as there was a lot of material to cover.

Home improvements that make “cents”

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:17:01 -0500

Home improvements that make "cents"

gourmet kitchen! Spa bath! A new deck! The excitement of living in a newly remodeled home is wonderful, but wouldn't it be even better if you knew that your improvements were also a wise investment? Knowing a little bit about the return on investment you can expect may not dictate the changes you ultimately decide to make, but it will let you go into the process with realistic expectations and, hopefully, let you enjoy your "new" home even more when the project is completed.

Will your investment pay off?

Americans love investing in their homes both for personal satisfaction and for financial return. In fact, home remodeling accounts for about 40% of all residential construction spending-over $230 billion in 2006. In addition to a higher return at resale, the right changes can make your house more appealing to live in, help to bring more potential buyers in the door and potentially reduce the number of days it's on the market.

If a financial return is important to you, there are things you should think about before diving into a remodeling project.

· How long do you plan to stay in the house?

Like most investments, it can take time for that new equity to grow, so most renovations should be considered a long-term investment. If you're not planning to stay in your home for at least three years, it's best to restrict your investments to exterior/curb appeal enhancements and regular maintenance. Making sure that all major systems like plumbing and electrical are in good condition pre-inspection can help ensure a good sale price.

· Keeping up with the Joneses.

People shopping for homes in your neighborhood expect a certain standard, and if your home doesn't make the grade, an upgrade may be in order just to stay competitive. For instance, if most of the homes have one-and-a-half baths or more and you have only one bath, adding an extra half bath will more than pay for itself. The same is true if most of the homes are 20 years old but have upgraded kitchens. On the other hand, a high-end kitchen remodel might be de rigueur in one neighborhood but a waste of money in another.

· Don't overbuild.

The flip side of building up to standard is that overbuilding beyond the neighborhood standard can really work against you financially. If you expand your neighborhood-standard three-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath home to five bedrooms and three baths, you're probably pricing yourself out of the market, as people with that kind of cash will likely shop in a different neighborhood.

· Know what's hot in your region.

Some home improvements have broad appeal no matter where you live, but others seem to be in high demand in certain regions only. For instance, a kitchen or bath remodel, deck addition or basement remodel can bring big bucks in the West while on the East Coast, some of the hot improvements are those that save energy and add attic bedrooms.

· Check the pulse of the real estate market in your area.

When real estate prices are rising you're more likely to gain an increase in your renovation investment. If the market is cool, however, it can be harder to get back those improvement expenses.

Other things that can affect the return on your investment

Kitchen and bath remodels consistently offer good returns because most buying decisions are based on emotions. When homebuyers walk into a nicely redone kitchen or bath, or grand new master suite, they enjoy the thought of spending time there and the knowledge that they won't have to invest time and money remodeling it themselves. Some other improvements such as a new roof just aren't perceived as "sexy."

Home Pricing Guide

When planning your remodeling project, be sure you're maintaining the integrity of your home's original design. Nothing turns off a buyer more than an add-on that looks like an afterthought, so try to stick with either the same materials or complementary ones. Also keep in mind that a lifestyle project such as a pool, sauna or wine cellar may be meaningful to you, but won't necessarily appeal to other buyers or add up to additional dollars at resale.

Planned well, home renovations can add enjoyment for you and increase your home's value in the future.

TIPS
The best minor remodels
Interestingly, less is sometimes more when it comes to remodeling. Because they're less expensive, minor bath or kitchen upgrades generally yield a better ROI than major renovations.

· Adding a deck: "Livable space" has come to include the great outdoors, and adding a deck (particularly in the West) has become a popular home improvement. According to the National Association of Home Builders in 2007, 31% of home builders reported an increase in outdoor remodeling work compared to the previous year, and the most common type of outdoor remodeling job was adding a deck.

· In the kitchen: Adding functionality with dual sinks and cooking stations is worthwhile. So are cosmetic improvements like marble or granite countertops and ceramic tile backsplashes. Even if all you do is replace the appliances with stainless steel ones, you'll make a positive impression on potential homebuyers.

Revamping space for a growing family

When a Seattle couple purchased their home it was plenty large enough, even with just a partially finished daylight basement. But five years later with a baby on the way, they decided it was time to make better use of the unused space by remodeling the basement rather than adding on.

"When we moved in, the basement just had some dated knobby pine paneling and partial walls, and we just used it for storage and a workshop. Our goals for the remodel were to
create a space that was warm, light and inviting for kids to hang out in and to make better use of a space that felt piecemeal and unplanned."

The couple hired a contractor and then brought in a designer to help them take a fresh look at the layout, a decision they believe was a good one. In addition to laying out rooms to accommodate a new office, they say the designer's help in choosing materials and pre-shopping saved a lot of time the busy couple couldn't spare.

In all, the remodel took 10 months and went about 20% over budget-
a fairly typical overrun. The four bedroom, one-and-three-quarter bath home had already doubled in value over the prior five years and the couple plans to stay in the home for at least another five, so they're confident they'll recoup much of their investment when they do decide to sell. "And besides," they say, "now our home is more functional and
I believe more marketable thanks to these improvements."

Windermere Burbank Open Homes for the Weekend of February 22, 2008

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:26:37 -0600

Please click on the following link to view all of our Open Homes for the weekend of February 22, 2008.

Windermere Burbank Open Homes

There are some great homes being held open and we would love to see you there.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a showing of any of these fine homes please do not hesitate to let me know.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Windermere Burbank Open Homes for the weekend of February 16, 2008

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:11:45 -0600

Please click on the following link to view all of our Open Homes for the weekend of February 16, 2008.

Windermere Burbank Open Homes

There are some great homes being held open and we would love to see you there.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a showing of any of these fine homes please do not hesitate to let me know.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Great Updated Burbank Home Under $500k(IN ESCROW)

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:32:27 -0600

1200 N. Pass Burbank, CA 91505
Great Home In Burbank

Great Home near the Chandler Bike Path. DO NOT CURB APPRAISE. This home is updated throughout the interior.

Interior Features:
Central Air, Hardwood Floors, Fireplace,

Price: $495,000

Type: Single Family Residential for Sale

Floors: Single

Parking/Garage: 2

Bedrooms: 2

Baths:1

Square Feet: 1300

Year Built: 1954

www.joezapatahomes.com

For more information contact:

Joe Zapata
Realtor
Cell: (818)585-6520
joe4re@gmail.com
www.joezapatahomes.com

Windermere Home Pricing Guide

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:30:16 -0600

Home Pricing Guide

Following are average 3-bedroom home sale prices for some of the neighborhoods served by Windermere. Figures are based on multiple listing data for homes sold August 1, 2007 to November 30, 2007. For information on other market areas, please contact me.

Following are average 3-bedroom home sale prices for some of the neighborhoods served by Windermere. Figures are based on multiple listing data for homes sold August 1, 2007 to November 30, 2007. For information on other market areas, please contact me.
Arizona			California, continued			Utah
Ahwatukee	$399,000		San Jose	Park City		$1,111,000
Anthem	$395,000		Almaden Valley	$1,198,000		Provo	$278,000
Apache Junction	$246,000		Blossom Valley	$716,000		Salt Lake City	$258,000
Avondale	$259,000		Cambrian	$763,000
Buckeye	$261,000		Central	$779,000		Washington
Camp Verde	$471,000		Evergreen	$1,054,000		Aberdeen	$162,000
Carefree	$1,220,000		Willow Glen	$976,000		Allyn	$318,000
Casa Grande	$211,000		San Marcos	$612,000		Anacortes	$437,000
Cave Creek	$567,000		San Ramon	$744,000		Arlington	$330,000
Chandler	$381,000		Santa Clara	$764,000		Auburn	$328,000
Chino Valley	$691,000		Santa Rosa	$590,000		Bainbridge Island	$787,000
El Mirage	$202,000		Saratoga	$1,362,000		Belfair	$251,000
Fountain Hills	$687,000		Sebastopol	$824,000		Bellevue	$714,000
Gilbert	$351,000		Silver Creek	$1,342,000		Bellingham	$345,000
Glendale	$295,000		Solana Beach	$1,337,000		Bingen/White Salmon	$322,000
Gold Canyon	$388,000		Sonoma	$917,000		Blaine/Birch Bay	$321,000
Goodyear	$303,000		Studio City	$1,349,000		Bonney Lake	$280,000
Higley	$291,000		Sunnyvale	$1,004,000		Bothell	$429,000
Litchfield	$360,000		Temecula	$413,000		Bremerton	$267,000
Mesa	$303,000		Tierrasanta	$645,000		Burien	$260,000
New River	$468,000		Tustin	$657,000		Camano Island	$428,000
Paradise Valley	$2,283,000		Upland	$518,000		Camas	$323,000
Payson	$480,000		Victorville	$305,000		Cathlamet	$241,000
Peoria	$324,000		Vista	$525,000		Centralia	$221,000
Phoenix	$342,000		Windsor	$544,000		Chelan	$400,000
Prescott	$494,000		Yountville	$945,000		Chewelah	$172,000
Prescott Valley	$311,000		Yucca Valley	$247,000		Clarkston	$199,000
Queen Creek	$250,000		Yucaipa	$423,000		Cle Elum	$514,000
Scottsdale	$847,000			Colville		$176,000
Sedona	$930,000		Hawaii	Darrington		$215,000
Show Low	$561,000		Kona	$634,000		Dayton	$136,000
Sun City	$244,000			Deer Park		$260,000
Sun City West	$334,000		Idaho	Edmonds		$505,000
Sun Lakes	$342,000		Boise	$230,000		Ellensburg	$285,000
Surprise	$267,000		Bonners Ferry	$245,000		Enumclaw	$367,000
Tempe	$350,000		Caldwell/Nampa	$162,000		Ephrata	$160,000
Tolleson	$239,000		Coeur d' Alene	$263,000		Everett	$338,000
Tucson	$247,000		Driggs	$230,000		Federal Way	$319,000
Wickenburg	$381,000		Eagle	$259,000		Friday Harbor	$187,000
Lewiston	$192,000		Gig Harbor	$436,000
California	McCall		$642,000	Goldendale		$182,000
Albany	$703,000		Moscow	$176,000		Issaquah	$566,000
Alta Loma	$505,000		Post Falls	$234,000		Kent	$350,000
American Canyon	$530,000		Priest River	$396,000		Kettle Falls	$140,000
Antioch	$455,000		Sagle	$348,000		Key Peninsula	$241,000
Apple Valley	$326,000		Sandpoint	$348,000		Kirkland	$612,000
Berkeley	$786,000		Schweitzer	$507,000		Lake Forest Park	$569,000
Brentwood	$557,000		Sun Valley	Lake Stevens		$350,000
Burbank	$717,000		Hailey	$429,000		Lake Tapps	$444,000
Calistoga	$895,000		Ketchum	$1,075,000		Lakewood	$306,000
Campbell	$701,000			Leavenworth		$412,000
Carlsbad	$839,000		Montana	Liberty Lake		$327,000
Carmel	$1,863,000		Bozeman	$338,000		Long Beach	$233,000
Carmel Valley	$1,213,000		Deer Lodge	$100,000		Longview	$197,000
Castro Valley	$625,000		Helena	$228,000		Lopez Island	$627,000
Cathedral City	$361,000		Kalispell	$246,000		Lynden	$292,000
Chino	$475,000		Lakeside	$315,000		Lynnwood	$391,000
Chula Vista	$626,000		Missoula	$243,000		Maple Valley	$386,000
Claremont	$586,000		Polson	$243,000		Marysville	$307,000
Cloverdale	$524,000		Ronan	$216,000		Mazama	$290,000
Costa Mesa	$761,000		Whitefish	$525,000		Mercer Island	$980,000
Cupertino	$813,000			Mill Creek		$503,000
Del Mar	$2,657,000		Nevada	Monroe		$365,000
Desert Hot Springs	$262,000	Boulder City	$352,000	Moses Lake	$189,000
Discovery Bay	$720,000	Henderson	$360,000	Mount Vernon	$291,000
Dublin	$665,000	Lake Las Vegas	$1,364,000	Mukilteo	$572,000
El Cerrito	$689,000	Las Vegas	$305,000	Ocean Shores	$248,000
El Sobrante	$445,000	North Las Vegas	$255,000	Olympia	$319,000
Elk Grove	$380,000	Reno	$329,000	Omak - Okanogan	$173,000
Encinitas	$1,174,000	Summerlin	$453,000	Orcas Island	$681,000
Escondido	$590,000		Oroville	$199,000
Fallbrook	$727,000	Oregon	Pacific Beach	$394,000
Folsom	$450,000	Albany	$211,000	Packwood	$170,000
Fontana	$380,000	Ashland	$315,000	Port Angeles	$299,000
Hayward	$505,000	Astoria	$270,000	Port Hadlock	$227,000
Healdsburg	$956,000	Beaverton (Sunset Corridor)	$305,000	Port Ludlow	$404,000
Hemet	$300,000	Bend	$461,000	Port Orchard	$288,000
Hesperia	$324,000	Canby	$322,000	Port Townsend	$386,000
Indian Wells	$936,000	Cannon Beach	$529,000	Poulsbo	$366,000
Indio	$370,000	Clackamas	$326,000	Pullman	$226,000
Irvine	$743,000	Clatskanie	$219,000	Puyallup	$289,000
Kensington	$866,000	Corvallis	$282,000	Quilcene	$382,000
La Quinta	$525,000	Creswell	$224,000	Quincy	$161,000
Lake Arrowhead	$475,000	Dallas	$225,000	Redmond	$633,000
Livermore	$521,000	Eugene	$262,000	Renton	$390,000
Los Altos	$1,682,000	Florence	$257,000	Republic	$178,000
Los Angeles	$1,047,000	Gearhart	$398,000	Sammamish	$581,000
Los Gatos	$803,000	Grants Pass	$261,000	Seattle	$531,000
Menifee	$359,000	Gresham	$284,000	Mid-City	$541,000
Mira Mesa	$501,000	Hillsboro	$243,000	Northeast	$503,000
Mission Viejo	$639,000	Hood River	$416,000	Northwest	$739,000
Monterey	$832,000	Jacksonville	$458,000	Southeast	$451,000
Mountain View	$1,049,000	Klamath Falls	$229,000	West	$478,000
Murrieta	$431,000	Lake Oswego	$536,000	Sequim	$398,000
Napa	$620,000	Lincoln City	$332,000	Shelton	$239,000
Newport Beach	$1,742,000	Manzanita	$560,000	Shoreline	$417,000
Oakland	$660,000	McMinnville	$256,000	Silverdale	$303,000
Oakley	$454,000	Medford	$293,000	Snohomish	$429,000
Oceanside	$546,000	Molalla	$263,000	Spokane	$237,000
Ontario	$415,000	Monmouth	$206,000	Stanwood	$352,000
Pacific Grove	$882,000	Newport	$456,000	Stevenson	$252,000
Palm Desert	$516,000	Portland	$355,000	Sumner	$289,000
Palm Springs	$495,000	North	$285,000	Tacoma	$271,000
Palo Alto	$1,513,000	Northeast	$324,000	Tri-Cities	$177,000
Pebble Beach	$1,764,000	Southeast	$284,000	Twisp/Methow Valley	$388,000
Petaluma	$631,000	West	$471,000	Vancouver	$262,000
Piedmont	$1,072,000	Redmond	$281,000	Vashon Island	$642,000
Pinole	$544,000	Roseburg	$247,000	Waitsburg	$163,000
Pleasanton	$775,000	Salem	$234,000	Walla Walla	$225,000
Rancho Bernardo	$901,000	Salishan/Gleneden Beach	$783,000	Wenatchee	$267,000
Rancho Cucamonga	$479,000	Sandy	$291,000	Westport	$188,000
Rancho Mirage	$787,000	Scappoose	$260,000	Whidbey Island	$370,000
Redding	$307,000	Shady Cove/Eagle Point	$276,000	Woodinville	$555,000
Redlands	$403,000	Springfield	$219,000	Woodland	$340,000
Rialto	$343,000	St. Helens	$215,000	Yakima	$185,000
Richmond	$487,000	The Dalles	$215,000	Yelm	$237,000
Sacramento	$516,000	West Linn	$478,000
Saint Helena	$1,100,000	Wilsonville	$402,000	Wyoming
Salinas	$586,000			Jackson Hole	$1,227,000
San Clemente	$836,000
San Jacinto	$292,000

This Report is provided Compliments of Windermere Real Estate

Joe's Real Estate Spotlight - Feb 2008

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:15:43 -0600

new year. new start. give your home a fresh start.

he new year is a great time for renewal, and there's no reason why your home shouldn't share in this time of rejuvenation.Here are a few ideas to give your home-and your spirits-a lift as you move forward in 2008.

Get organized.
One change that might make a big difference in your life is organizing your space. Like most projects, the hardest part is getting started, so start small. Decide which one area would make you feel the best to have organized. Kitchen wraps and unruly pot lids driving you crazy? Start there. You may just feel so good afterwards that the next area won't seem so daunting!

Here are some strategies to help.

Contain it. Seasoning packets, magazines, rubber bands... they're easier to locate and cause a lot less mess when they're all in one place. Just choose an appropriately sized container-be it a jar, box, basket or drawer-and consolidate.

Consider a container that's both attractive and durable, particularly if your items will be in view. Decorative baskets come in many sizes, shapes and materials, from fabric to wicker and solid wood. They're pretty and versatile enough to corral magazines in the living room or toiletries in the bathroom cupboard. Office supply stores carry metal mesh accessories that are great for gathering pushpins or pens. Stylish glass jars are good for colorful items such as buttons. You can even buy premade junk-drawer organizers or order custom drawer inserts to straighten messy drawers.

Make the most of the space you have. You probably have storage space that's not well utilized because it's inconvenient. For deep corner cabinets, you can install lazy Susan shelving so you can actually get to the items in your cupboard. Sliding storage racks hold pan lids, cleaning supplies and more, pulling out for easy access. Stairstep shelf organizers let you see (and reach) what's in the back row of a cupboard. And shelf-helper platforms double your shelf space and help you separate fragile items to keep them from breaking.

Look for space in new frontiers. You may have more room in your home than you think you do. There are lots of storage options designed to make use of hidden space. Under-counter paper towel dispensers and spice racks. Kitchen-wrap organizers that hang onto the bottom side of shelving. Bike risers and ceiling-mounted storage shelving for garages. Walls can also offer an alternative to precious counter space, with magnetic strips to hold knives, scissors, tools, jars with metal lids and more.

Create additional space. You can give yourself even more room by doing away with some traditional pieces of furniture. For instance, a fold-down ironing board frees up space in a closet or laundry room. A wall bed lets your guest room double as an office or craft room. A desk armoire gives you an "office in a box" that fits right into your living room after-hours. And bed risers can give you extra space under the bed.

Reinvent your space.
With a little imagination, you can give your space an entirely new look and feel for the new year. And even small changes can work wonders to rejuvenate your home.

Introduce new colors or patterns. Winter is a time for deeper hues and richer colors. You can transform your home by adding slipcovers, switching shower curtains and bedding, adding a new area rug or changing out throw pillows.

If you don't want to change the room's color palette (if your living room is white on white, for example), you can still mix things up by incorporating textures such as jacquard, quilting, animal patterns, faux fur, chenille, mohair or velvet.

Home Pricing Guide

Shake things up. Sometimes just changing things around can make a huge difference. Try rearranging the furniture, and maybe even take out a piece to give the room more space. Shuffle the items on your mantle, the books on your coffee table, potted plants and pictures. By featuring items with a winter color palette, you can make your home warmer and more inviting.

Dress up the walls. Not everything that hangs on a wall has to be in a frame. Consider something different-maybe a metal sculpture, small rug or tapestry, decorative dishes, masks, antique items such as old keys... the list is only limited by your creativity.

Accessorize. Area rugs make your room or hallway cozier and add a touch of sophistication. Plants not only add a nice decorative touch, but research shows they're also good for your health. Spice up your entrance with a shiny new doorknob and knocker. Add some stylish light switch plates, or new drawer and cabinet hardware in the kitchen.

It's amazing how much changing our personal space can change the way we feel. Coming home to an organized, comfortable and attractive house is something you can appreciate all year long.

TIPS
Small, simple changes with big impact.

When you rearrange furniture, remember to leave at least two and a half feet (preferably four feet) for walkways, and avoid having traffic flow through a conversational grouping.

When positioning furniture, place the largest pieces of furniture first. And keep chairs no more than eight feet apart in conversation areas.

Wallpaper can make a decorative statement without overwhelming a room. Try papering just the part of the wall between the shelves of a shelving unit, or replace the white mats in your picture frames with matching wallpaper mats. You can also cover a paper lampshade for a custom look.

Group small items on a wall so that they form a single visual unit. To add focus to a collection of items or pictures, tape off and paint just the area behind that section.

Some things may not take up a lot of space, but they are unsightly. To cure the loose-spaghetti look of computer cords, get a computer cable organizer, also called a cord management solution. These bind all those cords together in an attractive way.

Accents such as lamps, mix-and-match lampshades and even light bulbs with color-enhancing benefits can change the ambiance of a room. You can even change a chandelier or use rose-tinted bulbs.

To add a touch of sophistication to bookshelves, remove the dust covers from hardcover books.
Let colors flow from one room to the next when the rooms are visible from one another.

A family message center can be a great planning tool. Hang a whiteboard, chalkboard or bulletin board in a central location, or paint a section of wall with chalkboard-magnetic paint.

This Article provided compliments of Windermere Real Estate

Windermere Burbank Open Homes for the Weekend of February 9,2008

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 20:28:02 -0600

Please click on the following link to view all of our Open Homes for the weekend of February 9, 2008.

Windermere Burbank Open Homes

There are some great homes being held open and we would love to see you there.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a showing of any of these fine homes please do not hesitate to let me know.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Windermere Burbank Open Homes for the weekend of December 7, 2007

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:50:46 -0600

Please click on the following link to view all of our Open Homes for the weekend of December 7, 2007.

Windermere Burbank Open Homes

There are some great homes being held open and we would love to see you there.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a showing of any of these fine homes please do not hesitate to let me know.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Are You Ready for the Great American Dream?

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:11:04 -0600

Are You Ready for the Great American Dream?

enting vs. Owning Your Home Homeownership has long been called the Great American Dream, and more people own homes today than ever before-about 70 percent of all Americans. A changing market can open new opportunities if you're thinking of making a change to your living situation. Here are a few things to consider if you're trying to decide between owning and renting.

When to rent While most people prefer to own a home, there are some circumstances in which the benefits of renting make sense:

Flexibility. If you're a free spirit or like staying mobile, it's a lot easier to pick up and move if you rent. Selling a home when you move takes time.

Timing. There are costs associated with buying and selling a home. If you see yourself moving in a couple of years, it probably makes financial sense to rent in the interim, and then buy when you're settled.

Convenience. The toilet backs up? No problem; just call the landlord. Renters have little or no responsibility for the time and expense that go into home maintenance.

Cost. Normally, renting is cheaper than owning. While monthly mortgage payments and rents may be similar, a homeowner also has to pay for property taxes, homeowners insurance and maintenance. In cities where the cost of homes is particularly high, renting allows you to afford to live in a neighborhood that might be out of your price range if you were to buy. While renting can seem simpler than owning a home, there are downsides:

Your monthly payments go to your landlord-you don't build any equity.

You have no control over rent increases, which makes long-term budgeting difficult. And if your landlord sells the property, you may be looking for a new place to live.

You can't really make the place your own. Most landlords won't permit tenants to make substantial changes to a rental property, and many don't allow even simple cosmetic changes such as paint.

You can long for red walls, but you'll be stuck with beige.

The owner is responsible for the maintenance. That can be a good thing if your landlord is particularly responsive and has pride in his property. If not, you'll have to learn to live with the rusty bathtub and overgrown yard.

When to buy Financial guru Suze Orman calls owning a home "the absolute best investment out there, bar none." In many cities across the country, the last five years have seen dramatic growth in the value of real estate, with annual increases in the double digits.

Most experts agree that the market is taking a much-needed correction, and expect appreciation rates to settle down to their historical average of about 4 to 5 percent a year.

Even at that rate, homeownership is a great way to build wealth over time with a relatively small cash investment.

Jane Bryant Quinn, the personal finance columnist for Newsweek, agrees:

"You can make splendid profits even in a mediocre market, thanks to the leverage you're allowed," she writes. "Leverage is the great advantage that homeowners hold over owners of bank accounts or stocks. You control the property for a down payment of only 5 to 20 percent."

Home Pricing Guide

Let's say you buy a home for $300,000 and put 10 percent down. That's an investment of $30,000. If your house appreciates 4 percent, you realize a gain of $12,000. The first year, you make $12,000 on a cash outlay of $30,000-a 40 percent return on your investment. That's tough to beat. There are plenty of other reasons why buying a home makes sense. Here are a few more to think about.

It's all yours. You can paint the walls whatever color you want, add a room, remodel the kitchen, plant a big shade tree. There are freedom and pride in owning a home that renters just don't experience.

You're building equity. When you write a rent check, you're paying for the right to live in someone else's property; when you write a mortgage check, you're building up ownership in your own home. You can also borrow against that equity to make major purchases, pay for your child's education or make other investments. Plus, all the interest expenses associated with a home equity loan are tax-deductible. Let's say you're renting, and have credit card debt of $10,000 at 15 percent. None of the interest you pay is deductible. But if you take out a home equity loan for $10,000 to pay off your credit card, all the interest is deductible, and the rate on your home equity loan will be much lower than 15 percent.

Great tax benefits. The IRS lets you deduct your mortgage interest as well as your property taxes. Plus, when you go to sell, you get to take the first $250,000 in profit if you're single, or the first $500,000 if married, without paying capital gains tax. The cost of home improvements is also deductible when you sell your home. There are other tax advantages available. For example, if you work out of your hom

e, you may be able to take deductions for your home office. You're in the game. For most buyers, their first home isn't their ultimate dream home, but it is the first step towards that dream home. Your home appreciates over the years, and perhaps you do some improvements that increase the value even more. Over time, the equity in your home builds into a great down payment on that dream home in the future.

Security for retirement. Rent goes on forever, but the mortgage on your home will eventually be paid off. Having a "rent-free" place to live provides a lot of security in your retirement years and allows you to spend that extra money enjoying yourself.

The timing is great for buyers. In most markets, there's plenty of inventory, which means lots more choices for you and more room to negotiate. The bottom line? Buying a home is one of the most important decisions in life. The time to buy a home is when it makes sense for you: You're ready to own a home, you can afford it, and you plan to live there for a while. Over time, you'll be able to ride out any downturns in the market and benefit from the upturns ... and you'll spend that time in a place that you can really call home.

Windermere Burbank Open Homes for the weekend of November 30, 2007

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 22:06:23 -0600

Please click on the following link to view all of our Open Homes for the weekend of November 30 2007.

Windermere Burbank Open Homes

There are some great homes being held open and we would love to see you there.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a showing of any of these fine homes please do not hesitate to let me know.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Metrolink's Holiday Toy Express is Coming to Burbank

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 12:28:35 -0600

This year will be the 11th annual running of the Southern California Regional Rail Authorities in cooperation with the Southland Firefighters "Holiday Toy Express".

Every year this special train runs through Southern California lighting up the night with over 50,000 lights glowing, animation and Santa and all his helpers riding on board to collect new unwrapped toys and sporting equipment to benefit the "Spark of Love Toy Drive".

The goal is to make stops at all the terminal throughout Southern California starting its journey on November 17th and making its last stop on December 16th.

It will be making its special appearance at the Burbank on Decemebr 7th at 6:15 pm and will pull back out shortly after. Try to get their early as this is a very popular event. It will be arriving at the Downtown Burbank Station. As this train is indeed a special one should it rain they will have to reschedule and you can call for the new time.

For more information please visist www.metrolinktrains.com.

This is a great even for all to come and see. Bring the kids and enjoy this wonderful event.

Burbanks Anuual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 12:44:20 -0600

The Burbank Mayors Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Where - Front Step of the Burbank City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave.

When - Saturday, December 1, 2007 from 6 - 6:30pm

This event will feature:

Santa Claus(will stay until 8pm for photos - BRING YOUR CAMERA)
Providencia High School Choir
Adult Contemporary Artist - Valencia Vas
Special Guests Mickey & Minnie Mouse
Emceed by Karen Sharp of KOST 103.5

Immediately after the lighting of the tree you can enjoy the Magical Christmas Caroling Truck, City Council, and other special guests spreading holiday cheer all through the streets of Downtown Burbank until 9pm. They will be having live giveaways along the way!!!!!

For more information please call (818)238-5300 or (818)238-5173