westside los angeles homes

Investors dominate home flipping…

Todd Martin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:30:08 +0000

House flipping, a quick-buck scheme pursued by amateurs and professionals alike during the real estate boom, now is dominated by investors willing to pay all cash, who troll auctions for foreclosures that banks are gradually trying to siphon off their books.

To read the full story…

Green Tip of the Week: Paperboard is recyclable…

Todd Martin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:30:32 +0000

Paperboard is a thicker form of paper used in consumer packaging. Examples include cereal containers, tissue boxes, drink boxes, detergent packaging, and shoe boxes. Paperboard is recyclable–often at curbside–if the plastic liner has been removed and it has not been stained with cooking oil or water. While paperboard often is coated with kaolin clay to improve its printing surface, it’s still recyclable

Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair: March 13-14…

Todd Martin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:30:45 +0000

Thousands of potential home buyers are expected to converge the weekend of March 13 and March 14 at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the FREE third annual Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair. The event is sponsored by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) and the Los Angeles Times.

The Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 13, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 14, features more than 50 educational “how-to” seminars designed to help home buyers navigate today’s real estate market with confidence and peace of mind. Seminar topics range from understanding home prices and monitoring and fixing credit to applying for a mortgage and the importance of the home inspection. Several of the sessions also will be offered in Spanish.

FHA 90-day anti-flipping rule waived…

Todd Martin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:30:32 +0000

The Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Friday it will eliminate for one year the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) 90-day anti-flipping rule.

FHA’s anti-flipping rule generally prohibits insuring a mortgage on a home owned by the seller for less than 90 days. That rule already has been waived for certain transactions, including REOs. Beginning Feb. 1, buyers may use FHA-insured financing to purchase properties resold through private developers and investors. This one-year waiver will give FHA buyers access to a broader array of recently foreclosed properties.

Green Tip of the Week: Recycled paint…

Todd Martin — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:30:52 +0000

What happens to all the latex paint that is dropped off at hazard waste centers? It’s recycled and is being resold at your local paint distributors, Dunn-Edwards and Kelly-Moore, for instance. Recycled paint sells for less, but the quality and viscosity is augmented by blending it with virgin materials. For more information and a complete list of distributors, visit
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/ConDemo/Paint/.

Report finds 21 percent of homes for sale experienced price reduction…

Todd Martin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:30:23 +0000

A report by Trulia.com found that as of Jan. 1, 21 percent of homes currently on the market have experienced at least one price reduction. The total amount reduced for all homes nationwide declined to $21.2 billion in January compared with $24.7 billion in December. The average discount for homes with price reductions remained at 11 percent, according to the report. In the west, which includes California, 22 percent of listings experienced price reductions.

Ready to go Green?

Todd Martin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:30:27 +0000

#1 - The government is expected to unveil a new program in the next couple of months that, if approved, may reimburse homeowners for up to half the cost of making their homes more efficient. Through the program, homeowners will receive the largest return from simple upgrades like caulking windows, adding insulation, and changing incandescent light bulbs to those that are more energy-efficient.
#2 – To determine which energy-efficiency upgrades are best for their house, homeowners should obtain a home energy audit. Homeowners are advised to hire a contractor licensed by the Building Performance Institute or the Residential Energy Services Network. These contractors have been trained to first test a home to determine the amount of energy it is losing, then make suggestions on renovations.

Going to sell the house? Don’t wait for ‘spring’ in February…

Todd Martin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:30:09 +0000

The busiest season for home sales traditionally begins the day after the Super Bowl. But putting off getting the word out about your property would probably be a mistake, some experts say.

To read the full story

Signs of life in the home-building industry

Todd Martin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:30:24 +0000

A large-scale development in Irvine and profits posted by some builders bring hope for a turnaround, but the industry’s outlook remains fragile.

To read the full story

What’s ahead for home prices?

Todd Martin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:30:23 +0000

California remains ahead of the nation in market recovery with many first-time home buyers entering the market due to affordable home prices, low mortgage rates, and first-time home buyer tax credits from the state and federal governments. However, credit still is tight and unemployment remains high, which could hinder a full market recovery until 2011.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY…

Home sales in California hit bottom more than two years, and the median home price of an existing, single-family home reached its trough in February, according to data collected by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.). In November, the state’s median home price rose in year-to-year comparisons for the first time since August 2007.

C.A.R.’s closely watched “2010 California Housing Market Forecast,” projects that the median home price in California will rise 3.3 percent to $280,000 in 2010 compared with a projected median of $271,000 in 2009.

Some economists are forecasting another surge of foreclosures in 2010. However, C.A.R.’s economists expect that foreclosures will remain flat this year compared with 2009. In 2008, many lenders flooded the market with foreclosures, and as a result, the state’s median price declined by historic levels. By comparison, in 2009, lenders listed properties for sale at a more measured pace, which helped moderate another home price decline.

Government efforts to maintain a low interest rate environment have stabilized the market. However, a mortgage analyst at a financial publishing company predicts that rates likely will rise to 5.5 percent by mid-2010 and close the year at 5.75 percent to 6 percent.

Read the story…