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- Install a security system. A burglar alarm that is monitored by a central station, or that is tied directly to a local police station, can help lower a homeowner’s annual premiums by 5% or more.
- Install additional smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are another way to reduce your homeowners’ insurance premiums. While these are standard in most new houses, installing them in older homes can save the homeowner 10% or more on annual premiums. Make sure you add the necessary number of smoke alarms to correspond with your remodel or addition.
- Raise your deductible. Like health insurance or car insurance, the higher the deductible you choose, the lower the annual premiums will be. This will mean, however, that you’ll need to foot the bill for smaller home repairs that don’t meet your deductible.
How to Prevent Roof Leaks
October 6th, 2011We welcome your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: Anita@aRichGroup.com.
Anita Rich
Anita@ARichGroup.com
Keller Williams Realty
Office: 818-432-1565
Mobile: 818-632-2258
http://www.ARichGroup.com
Amazing Deal: Half of What Sellers Paid for It!
October 4th, 201114803 Vanowen St #8, Van Nuys, CA 91405
>>> VIRTUAL TOUR <<<
Lovely well maintained unit . Hardwood floors with good floor plan in nice building. Amazing deal at half of what sellers paid for it. Smaller building located close to everything.
Address: 14803 Vanowen St #8
City: Van Nuys
State: CA
ZIP: 91405
Open House:
Square Feet: 970 sqft
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Status: Active
Time:
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5 Important Steps for First-Time Home Buyers
September 30th, 20115 Important Steps for First-Time Home Buyers
As you’ve probably heard, today’s market offers many opportunities for first-time home buyers. While shopping for your first home is an exciting time, it can also be a stressful experience as you navigate today’s market.
Before you begin looking, make sure you’re completely prepared and know what to expect. Work with a professional real estate agent who can help guide you through the following five steps:
Step 1: Take an honest look at your finances. Before you dive into the exciting part of home-buying – the search – make sure you have all your ducks in a row. Figuring out your finances and crunching some numbers will allow you to set a realistic budget.
Step 2: Secure a loan. After you get your finances in order, talk to lenders and mortgage brokers to ensure you can secure a loan. Shop around to get the lowest interest and overall best deal possible and make sure you understand all the fees involved. Talk to your agent whose brokerage may have an in-house mortgage lender you can work with.
Step 3: Map out your criteria. Now that you have your funding in order, begin your search. With a plethora of online home-search tools at your fingertips, it’s relatively easy to map out different types of homes and neighborhoods and find what is right for you. Make big decisions – like urban versus suburban settings, an estimated property size and neighborhood requirements – before you start to physically look at properties. This will save you time and money.
Step 4: Take notes. On your own and with the help of an agent, you’ve found some houses you’re interested in looking at. Don’t venture out without a pen, paper and camera. Keep track of important details by taking notes and pictures. Have a list of questions ready and scope out neighborhoods by driving around for a bit.
Step 5: Close the deal. If you’ve found a home you love, don’t wait to make a move. I’ve seen many first-time buyers miss out on a home because they got cold feet and continued shopping around. Make an offer and be ready to negotiate. Once a deal has been made, thoroughly read the contract and make sure you understand everything before you sign. Then you will be ready to begin with the appraisal and home inspection process.
We welcome your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: Anita@aRichGroup.com.
Anita Rich
Anita@ARichGroup.com
Keller Williams Realty
Office: 818-432-1565
Mobile: 818-632-2258
http://www.ARichGroup.com
Remodeling? Is Your Insurance is Up to Par?
September 21st, 2011Remodeling? Make Sure Your Insurance is Up to Par
According to the BuildFax Remodeling Index (BFRI), remodeling reached a record high during the month of July. The company attributes this to the many who are choosing to stay put and invest in home improvements, as opposed to putting their home on the market.
The latest BFRI indicates that residential remodeling activity registered the 21st straight month of year-over-year gains, demonstrating that many Americans are continuing to remodel their current homes. The data shows July 2011 as the month with the highest level of remodeling activity since the Index was introduced in 2004.
When it comes to remodeling your home, there are important insurance issues to take into consideration. For example, if you are planning on adding onto your home, evaluate the materials used. Wood-framed structures are highly flammable and will cost more to insure, whereas cement- or steel-framed structures will cost less because they are less likely to succumb to fire or adverse weather conditions.
Once your addition or remodel is completed, it’s critical to make sure your insurance is in line with your home improvements. Many homeowners neglect to calculate the increased value of their home caused by a remodel/addition and secure the necessary coverage. If you have a “guaranteed replacement value” policy, which all homeowners should, noting the new value of your home post-remodel is essential.
In all cases, the following steps can help you save money on rates:
Whether you have remodeled or not, be sure to review your home insurance policy at least once a year and make note of any changes that could lower your premium, like a burglar alarm, sprinkler system or even the disassembly of a trampoline. Neighborhood changes could also affect your rates, such as the addition of a fire hydrant within 100 feet of your home.
We welcome your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: Anita@aRichGroup.com.
Anita Rich
Anita@ARichGroup.com
Keller Williams Realty
Office: 818-432-1565
Mobile: 818-632-2258
http://www.ARichGroup.com
Hot Property: Actor Mark Wahlberg Puts Beverly Hills Home on the Market
September 20th, 2011
(MCT)—Mark Wahlberg has listed his Beverly Hills home for sale at $13,995,000.
The contemporary Mediterranean, built in 1985, has been updated throughout. In addition to the main house witha two-bathroom master suite and four other bedroom suites, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom guesthouse and a 2,500-square-foot detached gym with a boxing ring are on the property. The actor trained there for his starring role in “The Fighter” (2010).
The 1.75 acres include a swimming pool with a grotto and waterfalls, a putting green and a sports court.
Wahlberg, 40, is the executive producer of “Entourage” (2006-11) and “How to Make It in America” (2010-11). He was nominated for an Academy Award for his supporting actor role in “The Departed” (2006). Earlier, he appeared in “Boogie Nights” (1997), “Three Kings” (1999) and “I Heart Huckabees” (2004).
The family home was marketed in 2008 at $15.9 million. Wahlberg is selling because he is building a 33,000-square-foot house in a gated community.
Buyer Snatches UP Disney Magic
Update: A gated home in Los Feliz once owned by Walt Disney has sold for $3.7 million, which is $50,000 more than its list price.
The two-story French Normandy-style house, built in 1932, was on the market for 12 days before entering escrow, and it closed in about a month.
Original features include the vaulted beamed ceilings, stained leaded-glass windows, two bars and a Juliet balcony overlooking the two-story living room. The house has four bedrooms and five bathrooms in about 6,000 square feet.
Disney, who in the 1920s co-founded what became Walt Disney Co. with his brother Roy O. Disney, died in 1966 at 65.
Sale Strikes the Right Note for Conductor
The Brentwood home of Esa-Pekka Salonen, former music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has sold for its latest asking price of $2,895,000.
The contemporary home came on the market more than two years ago at $4.1 million.
Designed by architect Ted Tanaka, the six-bedroom, 5 1/2-bathroom house has 4,695 square feet of living space with curved walls, exposed trusses and clerestory windows. An open staircase with a semicircular glass wall at the landing bumps out of the side of the structure.
Salonen, 53, is the principal conductor and artistic adviser of the Philharmonia Orchestra in London.
The conductor-composer bought the property in 2002 for $1,516,000, according to public records.
©2011 the Los Angeles Times
We welcome your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: Anita@aRichGroup.com.
Anita Rich
Anita@ARichGroup.com
Keller Williams Realty
Office: 818-380-5202
Mobile: 818-632-2258
http://www.ARichGroup.com
