luxury condo specialist: Leed Certification
- 04/17/09 02:32 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook You may have noticed buildings sporting LEED Certification sprouting up in and around Los Angeles lately. LEED Certification comes in four different levels, certified, silver, gold and platinum. Each level describes a range of environmentally sound considerations that have been observed in construction or renovation. Some of the design elements considered in the rating are sustainability of the site, energy efficiency, water efficiency and green construction methods/materials. LEED certification is not easy to obtain. These coveted certifications add to the value of a home both immediately and long term. As more and more consumers join the green movement, … (0 comments)
luxury condo specialist: Condo Value in Today's Market
- 04/17/09 02:27 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook Value is the single most important thing when considering real estate. This is true for both buyers and sellers. The numbers attached to the market will go up and down but it is all relative to value. If you own something of value it will survive any market and still serve you well. If you follow the trends in today's market, Los Angeles Condominiums continue to rank high in value. As gas prices continue to yo-yo more and more consumers are looking for ways to cut their gas bills. Living closer to work is one valuable answer. While … (1 comments)
luxury condo specialist: Greening Your Lights
- 02/18/09 10:17 AM
By Coco Clayman Cook Do you remember as a child there was always one adult who constantly reminded everyone in the house to turn out lights when they left the room? Now more than ever it is important for all of us to adopt this attitude. By turning lights off when we leave a room we can substantially lower our electricity bill and our carbon footprint. Another way to help the environment is to pick five light bulbs in your home to convert to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs). Ideally, these should be bulbs that are frequently used but not in high … (0 comments)
luxury condo specialist: Vertical Living Valentines
- 02/18/09 10:11 AM
By Coco Clayman Cook This Valentine's Day lovers all over Los Angles will celebrate the day with candy, flowers, heart felt sentiments and stolen kisses. I always appreciate the LA Condo Lifestyle, but never more than on a holiday. My condo balcony is perfect for a small romantic dinner for two or even a firework viewing. The grounds surrounding my building are ideal for a quiet introspective walk, an intimate conversation ending in a stolen kiss or for enjoying a small Easter egg hunt. My favorite thing about living vertically during any holiday is my ability to lock and leave. On a … (0 comments)
luxury condo specialist: Gentlemen's Quarters
- 01/20/09 01:23 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook I recently helped a smart young gentleman buy his first condominium. A recent law school grad with a bright future ahead of him, he needed a smart investment that would help him in his trajectory to being a partner of a prestigious law firm without hobbling him financially. With my help he found the ideal condominium in a great building. He not only scored a great address he also made a great investment. For less money than he would have paid in rent he is building equity in a home that will serve him on many levels. A … (0 comments)
luxury condo specialist: Condo News Uupdate
- 01/13/09 12:24 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook The end of the year has shown a mixed bag of condo results for Los Angeles. Relatively, Los Angeles continues to fare much better than the rest of the country. Prices are down and inventory is up. Many agents are taking listings at prices that are not realistic and I honestly feel bad for the Seller because this is not 2006 this is going to be 2009. Some of of the buildings are still getting premium prices but not nearly what we are seeing in other real estate markets. Still, many sellers have made the inevitable decision to … (0 comments)
luxury condo specialist: The Condo Consciousness
- 01/08/09 12:53 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook Life is a series of choices. We choose to focus on what is important to us and to relinquish that which is less important. Part of the Condo Consciousness is placing focus on living comfortably without unnecessary distractions. I love being surrounded by healthy living plants and I appreciate daily time in a quiet garden filled with well manicured and pampered vegetation. I could own a home and spend countless hours and untold funds on creating just such and environment; instead I live in a luxury condo with a beautiful garden. I have spectacular orchids throughout my home … (0 comments)
luxury condo specialist: Vertical Living in Retirement
- 01/07/09 03:20 PM
By Coco Clayman-Cook There are many different lifestyles that are suited by condo life. On the go retirees find that it is the perfect answer for their new lifestyle. Consider having 24/7 access to a state of the art workout facility in your building without having to maintain any of the equipment. Consider the lock and leave concept which is supported by the full service buildings , valet parking and concierge services and more are ideal for allowing an individual to have easy access to metropolitan living with none of the draw backs. Imagine being able to continue to entertain on … (0 comments)
luxury condo specialist: A River in Egypt
- 12/16/08 01:28 AM
by Coco Clayman Cook Denial is a powerful thing. While I am a huge fan of positive thinking there is also a need to be realistic. Zillow.com, a website specializing in real estate news, recently conducted a survey among home owners. Almost half of the home owners surveyed believed that their home value had either remained the same or had increased in the last year. The reality is that 74% of the homes in United States have decreased in the last year. Despite the fact the news bombards the public with daily reports of dropping market values, it seems that many … (1 comments)
luxury condo specialist: Million Dollar Listing
- 12/03/08 11:54 PM
By Coco Clayman-Cook Recently the New York Times ran an article about the hit Bravo show Million Dollar Listing. In the article it suggested that the market has changed so much that the first season of the show, which was only filmed three years ago is like a "time capsule" of a market that used to be and is no more. As a realtor who appeared on the second season of Million Dollar Listing (the episode dealing with luxury condominiums) I find the New York time's analogy slightly dramatic. They even suggest the show should be renamed Million Dollar Foreclosure. While … (0 comments)
luxury condo specialist: Feng Shui for Book Shelves
- 12/02/08 04:28 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook I am a strong believer in the principles of Feng Shui. Creating a positive environment to live and work in is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. By simply rearranging some of the elements of your home you can change the energy of the room. Take any cluttered room and remove all of the excess. There is a clear change in the energy of the room. One energy shift we are all interested in right now is allowing positive financial energy to enter our homes. One way you can begin to achieve this is by … (1 comments)
luxury condo specialist: What Amenities Are You Looking For?
- 11/08/08 01:11 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook What service really makes you feel pampered? Luxury Condominiums in Los Angeles' famed Westside offer such a wide variety of amenities that you literally can pick and choose. Do you require wine storage? Would you like tennis courts on the grounds? Would you like 24 hour concierge services? How about a media equipped conference room on the ground floor at your disposal? Would you prefer a heated lap pool in your state-of-the-art gym or would you prefer a romantic roof top pool on the roof of your building with a 360 degree view of the city? On the … (0 comments)
luxury condo specialist: Selling Your Luxury Condo to Corporate America
- 11/07/08 01:38 PM
By Coco Clayman-Cook Recently I represented a client who was selling their luxury condo. Ultimately, the condo sold very quickly to a large corporation based in downtown Los Angeles. More and more companies are charging their HR departments with the authority to look for and acquire luxury condo properties for company assets. When you stop to consider how much it costs to house visiting executives in luxury hotels it's easy to see why corporations are now buying luxury condominiums. Real Estate is a strong investment. If you have the opportunity to build equity instead of throwing money away, it is always … (0 comments)
By Coco Clayman-Cook;)
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