Anita Rich
Anita@ARichGroup.com
Keller Williams Realty
Office: 818-432-1565
Mobile: 818-632-2258
http://www.ARichGroup.com

14803 Vanowen St #8, Van Nuys, CA 91405

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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.

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5 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? 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:

• 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.

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

(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

12045 Hoffman ST # 106, Studio City 91604

This gorgeous condo has been completely redone from top to bottom and our seller has spared no expense in getting this done. The kitchen offers Mahogany cabinets, Caesarstone countertops, Viking appliance and a Miele dishwasher. The fixtures are top of the line and a dream for any discriminating buyer. The living room offers a 42″ fireplace with Heat n Glo Cosmo. The entire living space offers Santos Mahogany flooring. All bathrooms have been redone and offer Kallista toilets and fixtures and Calcutta marble floors. The bedrooms offer Maple wood closet doors with articulating arms for the LCD’s. This condo is conveniently located to the shops and the Blvd and there is nothing like it on the market.

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House Features for 12045 Hoffman St #106, Studio City

School Information for 12045 Hoffman St #106, Studio City

School District: Los Angeles Unified

School Name	Address	Distance	API Score
Carpenter Avenue Elementary	3909 Carpenter Ave.	0.38	912
Colfax Avenue Elementary	11724 Addison St.	1.09	909
Rio Vista Elementary	4243 Satsuma Ave.	1.37	830
Reed (Walter) Middle	4525 Irvine Ave.	0.95	793
Millikan (Robert A.) Middle	5041 Sunnyslope Ave.	2.36	844
Burbank (Luther) Middle	3700 West Jeffries Ave.	3.51	809
North Hollywood Senior High	5231 Colfax Ave.	1.43	722
Earhart (Amelia) Continuation	5355 Colfax Ave.	1.57	561
London (Jack) Continuation	12924 Oxnard St.	2.49	354

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3 Tips for First-Time Investors

There isn’t a worker in America who doesn’t know he or she should be saving money—especially given today’s economic conditions. Whether you’re saving for a home down payment, college tuition or a retirement nest egg, investing in the future is a wise financial decision. Understandably, the two most pressing questions usually are: “How much can I afford to save?” and “What is the best way to make my money grow?”

Financial experts agree that long-term investing is the surest way to build savings—and also that you do not need a lot of money to get started. What is critically important, however, is that you save on a consistent basis.

There are classes you can take, books you can read, and experts you can consult in order to learn the finer points of investing. To begin with, however, there are three fundamental steps you must take:

1.  Determine your savings goals. You need to know what your savings goals are in order to figure out how to get there. Let’s say you want to retire at age 65 with the same standard of living you have now. You can find retirement calculators online to help you determine how much money you will need in order to reach that goal.

2.  Evaluate the stock market. Guaranteed investments and savings bonds are great for reaching short-term goals. They generally return about 2% to 5% at best. But if you have some time to reach your goal, investing in the market will likely be your best approach. Averaged out over the last 25 years, despite some trying times, DOW returns have paid around 9% or 10%. Here’s the difference: Over 25 years, a $10,000 investment at a 3% rate of return will grow to $26,000. A 9% return will give you $86,000.

3.  Understand that time is money and plan accordingly. To be successful at saving money, it must be approached as a long-term plan—get-rich-quick schemese rarely, if ever, work. Therefore, the earlier you start to save, the more money you will have down the road. In these scenarios, assume a 10% rate of return compounded annually:

• Begin investing $100 per month at age 30 until you reach age 65. At that point, you will have about $345,000 in investments. You will have put in $42,000 over the 35 year span. The other $303,000 is from the growth of your money over time.
• Begin the same $100-per-month saving plan at age 20. At age 65, you will have about $916,000. You will have invested $54,000. The other $862,000 is from the growth of your money over time.

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

5460 White Oak Ave #A310, Encino, CA 91316

Standard Sale for sought after floor plan with two story living room . Wood beamed ceilings and enclosed large master suite with full bath, walk in closet and second mirrored closet. Ceiling fans and hi celings in living room and master extend the already spacious unit. Newer kitchen with granite, wood floors, new cabinets and top of the line appliances. Separate dining area, large balcony enhance this upstairs unit with no one above you. Convenient proximity to gated garage.. This unit with pool, spa, recreation room, gym, security on premises and active HOA make this a rare find at this price.Tennis courts a full club house, BBQ areas, men and womens separate gym and sauna, pool, spa, and true community feel make this a home feel like living in a resort.

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7 Steps to Buying a Short Sale

Today’s real estate market is yielding great opportunities for home buyers, such as short sales. Short sales, however, can be a complicated and often frustrating process for both buyers and sellers. From home inspection company Pillar To Post (www.pillartopost.com), here are some important tips for pulling off a successful-short sale transaction:

1. Finding Short-sale Properties
Most short sales are listed by real estate agents on local websites and in MLS feeds. Because some lenders complain that identifying a property as a short sale enables buyers to lower their bids, agents will slip in terms that more subtly identify the listing as a short sale, such as:

• “Subject to bank approval”
• “Pre-foreclosure”
• “Notice of Default”
• “Preapproved by bank”
• “Headed for auction”

2. Choosing a Real Estate Professional
Make sure the real estate agent you choose to work with has experience and/or certification in short sales. The buying process is often far more complex and far longer than a typical home sale, so a trained ally on your side can make your experience successful.

3. Investigate the Mortgage and Liens on the Property
Your agent must be able to: uncover how much the mortgage is worth; find out how much the current owners paid and when; find out how many liens are on the property; find out which lender is the primary lien holder; research comparable sales in the area.

4. Have a Home Inspection
Since many short sales are sold “as is,” with no contingencies allowed, having a home inspection is imperative. If extensive repairs are needed, the home may not be a bargain after all.

5. Write a Complete Offer
Remember, the lender—not the owner selling the property—decides whether your offer will be accepted, rejected or countered, so helping the lender will help support your bid. Be sure to include the following materials with any short-sale offer:

• Cover letter
• Signed owner/borrower short-sale purchase agreement
• Seller hardship letter
• Seller payroll stubs
• Two years of seller tax returns
• Market comparables
• HUD-1 closing net sheet
• Repair cost estimate
• Pictures of property

6. Negotiate
If the lender rejects or counters your written offer, you’ll have to negotiate with the lender by making a higher offer. Be prepared to offer more money to close the deal, or to walk away if it doesn’t make financial sense.

7. Be Patient
In today’s market, short sales are overloading many lenders. Processing and decision-making times for some lenders can be quite long—up to a year or more. So make sure you’re prepared to hang in there.

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

1825 Pelham Ave # 3, Los Angeles 90025

Spacious, over 2,300 sq. ft., 3 level town home in a quaint 4 unit building is your private retreat in the heart of West LA. Direct access from 2 car parking garage into the lower level bonus room which is perfect for media, exercise and/or office complete with wet bar area. On the main level is an open LR/DR area with gleaming hardwood floors, gas fireplace and balcony which leads to a lovely brick patio perfect for entertaining. Large eat-in kitchen, with pantry and full size laundry area. Upstairs are 2 generous bedrooms and a bath with closets galore! In addition, the super Master Suite boasts a large walk-in closet and a bath with separate shower and jacuzzi tub. There is another lovely balcony off the master for your morning coffee or tea. This is a truly special home in a neighborhood known for its schools and convenient access to all points.

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School Information for 1825 Pelham Ave #3

School Name	Address	Distance	API Score
Westwood Elementary	2050 Selby Ave.	0.28	922
Fairburn Avenue Elementary	1403 Fairburn Ave.	0.63	957
Overland Avenue Elementary	10650 Ashby Ave.	1.05	926
New West Charter Middle	11625 West Pico Blvd.	0.16	886
Emerson (Ralph Waldo) Middle	1650 Selby Ave.	0.53	707
Webster (Daniel) Middle	11330 West Graham Pl.	1.45	645
Beverly Hills High	241 Moreno Dr.	1.45	846
Moreno High (Continuation)	214 Moreno Dr.	1.48
University Senior High	11800 Texas Ave.	1.67	671

Nearby Points of Interest for 1825 Pelham Ave #3

Name	Address	Distance
Coffee Shops
Westwood Country Market & Cafe	2018 Westwood Blvd,West Los Angeles	0.34
Coffee Zinio	1731 Westwood Blvd,Los Angeles	0.39
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf	1500 Westwood Blvd,Los Angeles	0.57
Westwood Cafe-Mary & Robbs	1453 Westwood Blvd,Los Angeles	0.62
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf	10401 Santa Monica Blvd,Los Angeles	0.62
Grocery Stores
Pavilions-Westside Pavilion	10800 W Pico Blvd,Los Angeles	0.76
Ralphs	10309 W Olympic Blvd,Los Angeles	0.83
Nijiya Market	2130 Sawtelle Blvd,Los Angeles	1.01
Trader Joe's	10850 National Blvd,Los Angeles	1.55
Vons	3118 S Sepulveda Blvd,Los Angeles	1.72
Libraries
Los Angeles City Library-West la Br	11360 Santa Monica Blvd,Los Angeles	1.12
La Cnty Library-Palms/Rancho Pk	2920 Overland Ave,Los Angeles	1.42
Restaurants
LA Fiesta Grill	10712 Santa Monica Blvd,Los Angeles	0.06
Cafe Chez Marie	10681 Santa Monica Blvd,Los Angeles	0.13
Nibble Nook	10780 Santa Monica Blvd,Los Angeles	0.14
Westwood Burgers & Falafel	1945 1/2 Westwood Blvd,Los Angeles	0.30
Wakasan Food Service	1929 Westwood Blvd,Los Angeles	0.30

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