proportunities: rent or buy?? - 03/17/11 04:27 PM
The following is a reprint of my column that appeared in Frontiers In L.A. magazine on February 1st, 2011.
I’ve been considering the possibility of putting my days as a renter behind me and joining the ranks of the homeowner, though I’m trying to figure out which makes more sense. I currently pay about $2,000/mo in rent (soon to go up). At what point is it more logical to quit renting and buy?
—Ryan K., Santa Monica
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Hi Ryan,
I get this question a lot. There’s no quick answer, and I would need some more information to give you a … (3 comments)
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proportunities: what to expect when you're expecting (to buy a home) [pt 3 of 3] - 03/07/11 06:17 PM
The following is a reprint of my column that appeared in Frontiers In L.A. magazine on January 19th, 2011
The question I’ve spent the last two issues addressing is, what exactly does the process of buying a home look like? What should one expect? I’ve tried to really break it down for you in as much detail as possible while still keeping it somewhat brief.
8. Disclosures. In the last column, while on the subject of inspections and repairs, I briefly mentioned disclosures. The first week of the escrow period is also when you will receive, via your agent, a stack … (0 comments)
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proportunities: what to expect when you're expecting (to buy a home) [pt 2 of 3] - 02/09/11 04:31 PM
The following is a reprint of my column that appeared in Frontiers In L.A. magazine on January 3rd, 2011
First, Happy New Year. I hope you had an amazing holiday. When we left off last time, we were taking a casual stroll through the home-buying process, and what exactly one can expect when purchasing a home. As of the last issue, we’ve found you a mortgage broker, got you pre-approved, found you a buyers agent you love, zeroed in on the home of your dreams and negotiated price and terms. This is where it all starts to get real! Now it’s … (0 comments)
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proportunities: what to expect when you're expecting (to buy a home) [pt 1 of 3] - 01/30/11 06:31 PM
The following is a reprint of my column that appeared in Frontiers In L.A. magazine on December 20th, 2010.
This is typically that time of year when many of us sit down, assess where we are, where we’re going and where we hope to be in another 365 days. As a Realtor, I know a lot of people who are really starting to get that this is the time to get into the market. And from an investment standpoint, I’m getting a lot of first-time buyers who are deciding that it’s now safe to park your money in the real estate … (0 comments)
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proportunities: holiday shopping tips! - 12/13/10 05:49 PM
The following is a reprint of my column that appears in the current issue of Frontiers In L.A. magazine.
With the holidays here and everyone offering up their own gift ideas, I thought I would do the same right here in my column. Why not, right? If you haven’t rounded up a sugar daddy, or someone equally capable of wrapping a big giant bow around a house, you best get to steppin’, because I have something for you in several price ranges.
For the one you have a mild crush on
Were you all excited about Hancock Lofts … (0 comments)
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proportunities: Close It Down! - 12/10/10 02:08 PM
The following is a reprint of my column that appeared in Frontiers In L.A. magazine on September 28th, 2010
I’m about to make my first real estate purchase in the next couple of months in the South Bay. Aside from the actual purchase price of the home, what costs and expenses should I be prepared for in closing costs? —Rebecca, Manhattan Beach Good question, Rebecca. Often buyers go into a purchase a bit blind to what they can expect as far as associated costs with purchasing a home. First, I’ll tell you what you don’t pay, which is your agent’s commission. … (3 comments)
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proportunities: You're Gonna Make It On Your Own—Maybe - 11/14/10 08:07 PM
The following is a reprint of my column that appeared in Frontiers In L.A. magazine on September 14th, 2010
I’ve been thinking about listing my house for about a year now. I’ve considered several different options, from ‘For Sale By Owner’ to a discount brokerage that just lists it in the MLS, to full-service brokerage that will handle everything for me. With your being an agent, I feel like I know which way you’ll point me, but can you give me, in your opinion, the pros and cons of each? —Hunter, West HollywoodHi, Hunter. As an agent, when I’m giving a … (0 comments)
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proportunities: Should I Consider Buying A Short-Sale? - 11/04/10 03:14 PM
The following is a reprint of my column that appeared in Frontiers In L.A. magazine on August 30th, 2010
I’ve been looking for a home to buy for a few months now, with no luck. For now I’m looking on my own, but will hire a buyer’s agent when I get closer to finding what I want. A friend told me that I should check out short sales. What exactly is a short sale, and should I open myself up to considering them? —Sasha, Silver LakeOh Sasha. Sasha, Sasha, Sasha. Let me first address something you said in the first part … (0 comments)
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proportunities: Home In The Range - 10/06/10 12:20 PM
The following is a reprint of my column that appeared in Frontiers In L.A. magazine on August 4th, 2010
I work with a lot of first-time buyers, in every price range. Some who can barely afford to get into the market, some who’ve suddenly hit it big and are dropping $2 million on their first home purchase. Regardless of price range though, I’m often faced with buyers who have unreal expectations of what they’re going to get for their money. “I thought it was a buyer’s market,” I’m often told by forlorn buyers with sad puppy dog eyes. Well, it is. … (0 comments)
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proportunities: Real Estate Q&A: Houses vs. Condos - 09/27/10 03:56 PM
The following is a reprint of my column that appeared in Frontiers In L.A. magazine on August 4th, 2010
I’ve been approved for a purchase of up to $700,000. I’m torn between purchasing a condo or a house. One of the main things that I find attractive about condo living is the lack of upkeep as compared to a house, which I’m worried will always need something done to it. Also, though I like the idea of living in a house, in this neck of the woods I think I can get a nicer condo than I could a house. What, … (0 comments)
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proportunities: The Positive Economics Of Buying A Home (Or why NOW is the time to buy!) - 08/27/10 12:35 AM
The following is a reprint of my column that appeared in Frontiers In L.A. magazine on July 22nd, 2010
Everyone seems to have an opinion on the current real estate market. Those opinions seem to differ based on who it’s coming from and what’s at stake for them. Those who aren’t anywhere near ready or able to buy love to smack-talk the market. They say everything is still way overpriced, and that things still haven’t stabilized yet. My neighbor’s brother’s church leader’s dentist’s cat said that anyone who buys now is crazy. However, those who have gotten their ducks in a … (1 comments)
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proportunities: HELPING YOUR AGENT HELP YOU: The secrets to being a good (and successful) buyer. - 07/30/10 03:37 PM
The following is a reprint of my column that appeared in Frontiers In L.A. magazine on July 15th, 2010.
As the real estate market continues to trudge through a economy, and more and more buyers decide now is the time to get off the fence, the ratio of buyers to sellers in my active client base has slowly tilted more towards buyers. And I love working with buyers. Helping someone realize the American dream (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) is a pretty awesome feeling.
With the growing popularity of websites such as Redfin and Trulia, my buyers are more savvy than … (1 comments)
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proportunities: flip that house??? - 07/19/10 01:47 PM
The following is a reprint of my column that appeared in Frontiers In L.A. magazine on July 1st, 2010.
With the proliferation of shows about house-flipping, enthusiasm continues to increase for what used to be a pastime for those with only the strongest of stomachs. Novices are getting into the game more and more, looking for their piece of the action. For those not familiar with the term, “house flipping” is buying a home, making improvements and selling it for a profit, usually as quickly as possible. Typically the home is purchased either from a distressed seller or in such a … (2 comments)
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proportunities: preparing your home for sale.... - 07/02/10 08:08 PM
The following is a reprint of my column that appeared in Frontiers In L.A. magazine on June 17th, 2010.
Selling a home in any market can be a major undertaking, even more so in a buyers' market such as the one we're in now. It's a major life change. As a Realtor, I always want to see my clients get top dollar, with no money left on the table, and we both want it done as quickly as possible. The longer a house sits on the market, the less it's ultimately going to sell for. A few pointers and guidelines will … (0 comments)
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proportunities: Ten Things First Time Homebuyers Should Know.... - 06/07/10 01:21 PM
The following is a reprint of my column that appeared in Frontiers In L.A. magazine on June 3rd, 2010.
Anyone who hasn't been living under a rock for the past two years knows that the real estate market is down by 20-40% depending on area, and that this is the time for those who have been sitting on the fence to strike. There are TONS of deals out and prices are at roughly the same they were around 2004. Couple that with historically low interest rates and a $10,000 first time homebuyers credit, and you have all the workings of a … (1 comments)
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proportunities: HAI-YA!! major price chopping in hancock park... - 02/17/10 06:25 PM
While the Southern Colonial foreclosure in Hancock Park I blogged about last week has already gone into escrow, another Hancock Park property gets the red pen today, bringing it's current asking price to less than 2/3 what it came on the market at 1 year ago. This "Italian Renaissance," featuring 6 bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths first came on the market in January '09 at a bloated $3,999,000. After two price reductions of around half a million each, the home now sits at a tidy $331/sqft. That's not too shabby. Certainly it could use the love of a good decorator, but … (0 comments)
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proportunities: hancock park foreclosure ripe for the picking.... - 02/11/10 02:40 PM
In what has to be the most head turning new listing I've come across this week, a stunning - if a bit worse for the wear - Southern Colonial home in Hancock Park has hit the market as a foreclosure. According to the listing, the home was built in 1923 by Harry Warner, co-founder of Warner Bros. Studios. Featuring 7 bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths in 5,555 square feet, the property sits on a 29,400 square foot lot. The property also includes an oversized swimming pool, tennis court, and detached guest house along with the original basement screening room … (0 comments)
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proportunities: cute lil' house in weho...grab it now. - 04/21/09 05:45 PM
I mean, really. When was the last time you could buy a cute, done house on your own little piece of land for $460,000? I'll answer that for you. In the past 5 years, you had exactly 1 chance, and THAT was a 727 sqft lot.
Here's a sweet little gem, completely remodeled in West Hollywood. Really cute 2 bedroom, 1 bath . According the listing, it has new Stainless steel kitchen with top of the line KitchenAid Fridge, dishwasher, stove,& microwave hood. New hardwood floors, gorgeous tiled bathroom, separate laundry area w/washer/dryer hook-ups, a small enclosed backyard, new plumbing, roof … (0 comments)
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proportunities: yet another hot deal in weho... - 04/09/09 01:57 AM
It's been a while since I've blogged, and now I'm going to try to get back into it, in conjuction with my new Twitter account (follow me at twitter.com/jphendrick). I hate that I'm at the age where I feel a bit overwhelmed by technology. No worries...I'll figure it all out.
Anyway, WeHo has been one hot deal after another, and the ones that are priced right don't last long. This one just hit the market today and it is an exceptional deal. Here are the specifics:
1131 Alta Loma Rd.
2nd Floor unit
Balcony w/city views
1 block from … (1 comments)
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proportunities: jefferson's proportunity of the week - 03/20/08 12:57 PM
Every week or so, my entire database gets an e.mail from me with my picks for "Proportunity of the Week." So I'm going to start working that into my blog as well. Here's my pick of the week:
ADDRESS: 152 S. Edinburgh Ave
PRICE: $799,000
SIZE: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
SQ FT: 1,307 (structure), 6,600 (lot)
Shall I begin by saying that the home a block down sold for $2,350,000 before it hit the market (now that was new construction, mind you....I'm just telling you what could be). Cute little spanish, real upside in this fixer, people. Location, location, location. A stone's throw to West … (0 comments)
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