Real Estate Articles
Simon says: "I hope you find that these articles pertain directly to local Santa Monica Real Estate and Los Angeles Real Estate needs."
Here are some tips on home remodeling and how to deal with contractors
Simon says:"Here are some tips on home remodeling and how to deal with contractors:" In my last column I went into detail on how to do a quick remodel that would give you a very high return on your dollars spent. This week, I am presenting you with information on how to do a remodel for yourself. One of the wonderful things about owning your own home is that you have the opportunity to express yourself and your unique style....read more
TORCA Conversions
TORCA stands for Tenant Ownership Rights Charter Amendment. If a condominium or townhouse property is a TORCA conversion and is tenant occupied by the original tenant, you may not be able to get rid of the tenant unless they leave of their own free-will....read more
Simon says: "How to make your local remodel make you money"
If you just bought a new home or will be selling your current residence you may be thinking about doing some remodeling. Regardless of whether you bought or are selling you want to keep in mind getting the best return on the dollars you invest in your remodel. A good Realtor with a lot of experience in your area should be pretty good at advising you which remodel will get you the best return on your investment. ....read more
Simon says: "Housing Affordability, What Can We Do About It?"
Almost every weekend of the year I do an open house. Inevitably, during one of these three hour windows of time, someone will come in and we'll begin discussing the current real estate market. Sometimes this person will be incredibly discouraged by the great expense it takes to own a home on the Westside. And often enough they will make a comment like "well, it's great for you real estate agents, you're making more money!" Then I stop and tell them that it's not great for me...read more
Simon says: " Sub-prime lender meltdown, foreclosures
everywhere-- what's really happening here on the Westside?"
Several evenings ago I walked past a group of men near a local coffee shop at 9th Street and Wilshire in Santa Monica, talking excitedly about the sub-prime mortgage industry "meltdown." One of the gentlemen was sure it meant a significant increase in foreclosures. And another man said that he was looking forward to finding some great deals on houses he was going to purchase ...read more
Should You Continue Renting or Should You Buy?
Simon says: " Several times a week someone tells me, “My friends say wait to buy because the market is going to go down this year.” I am sure these same friends were telling these same people the same thing last year. Let’s focus in on Santa Monica Condominium sales for example. Last year, when the “bubble” was bursting median sales prices went up 12.3%. The median sales price for all types of real estate in Los Angeles went up 7.3%... read more
Seven Things That Can Make an Escrow Go Bad
Simon says: "While everyone works hard to get an escrow to close on the specified closing date, this does not always happen. Important plans dependent on the Buyer's ownership or Seller's sale of the property should not be made until after the actual closing has occurred and the Buyer's name has been recorded at the Registry of Deeds ... read more
Elementary Schools
Simon says: "Prior to selling real estate, I was a school teacher in the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District. It is important that when we "rank" the quality of a school that we don't ignore the variety of challenges these professionals have when educating our children. Los Angeles is notorious for having some very troubled public schools. As you might guess, the better ranked schools are in the more exclusive neighborhoods. If you are relocating to the Westside of Los Angeles where I work, the "best" elementary schools are in the neighborhoods of Brentwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades and Westwood. ... read more
Local Restaurants
Simon says: "These restaurants are ones that my wife and I enjoy going to on a relatively regular basis. The prices are about what the average entree costs ... read more
Santa Monica Neighborhoods
Simon says: "The wonderful thing about Santa Monica is that there are different neighborhoods for different styles of living. They are all wonderful places to live, with good people, great places to eat, exercise, shop, study and more ... read more
Things To Think About When Buying A Condo
Simon says: "Here are some things to think about when buying a condo in Santa Monica, Brentwood or another Westside Los Angeles neighborhood ... read more
Often Overlooked Tax Deductions
Are you paying more income tax than you need to? Here's a list of deductions that homeowners often neglect to take advantage of ... read more
Are You an Early Seller Curious What Tax Exemptions You Qualify For?
Sell too soon, miss the exemption. Now, the IRS spells out some exceptions to the rule ... read more
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