Category: Manhattan Beach
Do you remember .. for those who are old enough, the black and white TV of John Glenn in the small space capsule? He was the First American to orbit the Earth, aboard Friendship 7 on February 20, 1962, on the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission. Well jump ahead to 1992 … the Endeavour... Read More
Come see the new HI-TECH office Thursday, July 26 from 4-7pm. Snacks, drawings SPECIAL GUEST — Miss California 2102 – NATALIE PACK! 23805 HAWTHORNE BL TORRANCE CA 90505 click here …. Read More
Manhattan Beach is home to middle class families, drawn to exemplary schools, as well as upscale families and individual professionals from various fields and occupations. Grand and middle class single family homes sit on streets that slope down toward the ocean on the west side of the city. Here, the beach is two miles long and swimmers, surfers, volleyball players and sunbathers take advantage of the good weather year round.Great shopping is nearby. The east side of Manhattan Beach boasts a country club and golf course with a gated private community. There are many middle class, modern homes sitting on wonderful tree lined streets and avenues here. This beach city has much to offer in the way of modern amenities. It's schools rank in the 90th percentile, it's parks are modern and top notch for sure. It has a golf course, racquetball and tennis courts, library and community center. The residents take much pride in their city and in their own real estate properties. All of this and you are only 22 miles from downtown Los Angeles, Staples Center, Nokia and Dodger Stadium. See your local Manhattan Beach Realtor and ask to see the MLS listings for current real estate properties for sale. Then make the move..get into the beach and surfing lifestyle that you have always wanted. Read More
With interest rates THIS LOW, you have higher BUYING POWER. This means you can buy a higher priced home and still qualify for your loan. Talk with your lender (or I can offer a lender referral) to get pre-qualified and then let’s get together. There are still some very good... Read More
According to Mike Altieri, who is the King's vice president of communications, told the Los Angeles Times that all but one player on the Kings' 24-man roster call either Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, or Redondo Beach home. Why aren't we more aware of this? Because they all blend right in with the community. Read More
SHORT SALES: TOP 9 MYTHS DEBUNKED! I have been doing short sales for 3 years. All of my short sale listings have closed and the sellers have avoided foreclosure. But there is some confusion .. so here are some answers to clarify what you may or may not... Read More
The South Bay area Los Angeles, has fifteen incorporated cities plus portions of the City of Los Angeles and unincorporated portions of the County of Los Angeles. The area is bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the south and west, and generally by the City of Los Angeles on the north and east. Its called the South Bay because it is located on the south end of the Santa Monica Bay. Because of its location, with the Pacific Ocean at its backdoor, LAX and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the South Bay area is prime real estate because of these transportation hubs. The real estate throughout the South Bay area is highly desired and sought after. This is a beautiful part of Southern California and most of the real estate is made up of beachside communities like Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Rancho Palos Verdes, and El Segundo. There are many other cities that are all located within a few miles of the Pacific Ocean and beaches. The South Bay area is not only a beautiful place, but it is also a geat place to live, work and vacation, which accounts for the thousands of tourists that visit the South Bay each year. You can find a diversity of homes in the South Bay including single family homes, estate homes, hillside and waterfront homes, condominiums and townhomes, cottages, duplexes and beautiful apartment buildings. Many of the homes in the South Bay that are going on the market for sale, often sell before they can be advertised in the newspapers. The South Bay homes real estate market has always been, and continues to be very hot. Demand remains very high for any South Bay homes for sale. The South Bay home buying market is hot, but the South Bay selling market is just as active. Often, there is a shortage of homes on the market for buyers. South Bay prices are rising again with many homeowners unaware of just how much their homes are increasing in value. Commercial properties in the South Bay continue to be hot also, whether it's land, new, pre-owned or undeveloped, there is always a demand for good location business property. With the diversity and great selection available in residential homes in the South Bay, you can find just about the perfect home for you and your family and at a price to fit your budget. Read More
If you are selling your home, you can control at least 3 factors that will affect the sale of your home. The condition of the house The price you are asking Marketing Strategy It's important to note that there are numerous other factors that will influence a buyer, and you need to understand these consumer trends when you enter the sellers' market. It's important that you keep your home competitive while on the market. Your real estate agent or broker can advise you on how to best position and market your home to overcome any perceived downsides. Location: The most influential factor in determining your home's appeal to buyers is something you can't control: its location. According to the National Association of REALTORS, the neighborhood quality is the No. 1 reason buyers will choose certain homes. The second most influential factor is commute times to work and school. Size: Keep in mind that there will be some buyers who wish to downsize or who will want a smaller home, but over the years, homes have continued to increase in size, almost double of what it was in the 1950s. Smaller homes typically appeal to first-time home buyers and couples whose children have grown up and moved out. Amenities: Peoples preferences in floor plans and amenities continue to go in and out of fashion, and your real estate agent or broker can help you and familiarize you of the "hot ticket" items that are selling homes in your area and market. If you home is missing or lacks a particular feature, you can renovate the house to increase its appeal, however, you want to make sure that the investment you will have to make will actually help, no hinder, your profit margin in the end. I as your REALTOR can use the current market conditions and activity in the neighborhood to determine the best way to go. Read More
If you have a Bank of America loan …and are considering a HAFA Short sale … here are changes to the process … In a HAFA Short Sale, the borrower/home owner, may be eligible for a $3000 moving credit at the close of escrow. Read More
There are several types of mortgage lenders for those who are seeking financing for either buy a home or refinance a home. Each type of lender has its advantages and dis-advantages, but anyone getting ready to buy a home, or refinance their home, should be aware of the financing options that exist in the real estate market today. Most all lenders who do mortgage loans are going to require the same application package from the borrower, and accompanying documents as most loans are sold by the lenders to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, so all mortgage financing requires the same paperwork and borrower qualification standards. 1 BANKS Advantages: Regulated by state and federal agencies Current banking relationship can get you a reduced mortgage rate Numerous branches provide you with face-to-face access Disadvantages Limited to products only the bank has to offer May not have the best rates May lack negotiation leverage when it comes to publicized rates 2 MORTGAGE BROKERS Advantages Access to a variety of mortgages and lenders Can save you money by shopping for the best rates Can quickly find another lender if your loan initial application is turned down Disadvantages Some function as the lender's agent and have the lenders best interest at heart Free to set their own pricing and may mark-up wholesale rates to whatever they want Service may vary from broker to broker 3 HOME BUILDERS & REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS Advantages Good way for the first-time home buyer to qualify The buyer does not take title to the property until the home is completed Disadvantages May favor certain lenders who offer higher rates Can pressure you into getting their loan instead of using a different lender 4 INTERNET LENDERS (ONLINE LENDERS) Advantages Allows you to shop for competitive rates online Disadvantages A greater learning curve for the borrower to understand the lending process The most common source of home lending is a retail financial institution, like a bank or credit union. They offer specific loan products and handle their own direct financing. Mortgage Brokers, act as the loan processors, taking care of everything needed to get the loan funded, like ordering appraisals, getting credit reports, opening escrow, and other details. Mortgage Brokers don't fund the loans themselves, but handle the mortgage financing arrangements for the borrower. Most Brokers earn their fees (called points) from the lender, and in some cases from the borrower also, or a combination of both. Since mortgage brokers have access and work with a wide variety of banks, credit unions, and other sources of financing, they are usually on top of the latest rates, fees and lending practices, and know who has the best overall mortgage loans to meet each individual loan requirement. Mortgage Brokers also know which lender will best match the borrowers financial qualifications. Home builder, or home developer financing is common in new home developments where there is a single builder. The builder carries the construction costs until the homes are built and are ready to be sold and permanent financing put in place to pay off the construction loan. The builder works with a lender to set-up financing for the buyer and finances the construction costs. The buyer doesn't make mortgage payments until the home is completed and bought off by the building department, and approved as complete by the construction lender. Read More