Real Estate Information

For many decades the American Dream has included home ownership, an achievement that has symbolized hard work, pride, and success. That desire grew with each successive generation, finally culminating in the bursting of the bubble in 2006. Since then the housing market has spiraled downward, foreclosures and “walkways” are at an all-time high, and the nation’s economy is experiencing a downturn of great proportions.

The end of the American Dream? One might certainly think so, given the state of financial affairs in the U.S. and the prevailing assumption that home ownership is not all it was touted to be. Surely the younger “Generation Y” (ages 18-34) renters will have little desire to purchase Los Angeles real estate and risk their financial security. And so the market will continue to falter, and the Dream will continue to fade…

Not so! say the results of a recent survey. The Dream is alive and well, and Los Angeles real estate will continue to be purchased. Why? More than three out of four current homeowners surveyed by Trulia.com (through Harris Interactive) this past January stated that their home “continues to be the best investment they ever made.” 70% of Americans, both home owners and renters, still view home ownership as part of their American Dream. Interestingly enough, according to this poll, the demographic group most interested in being part of the Dream is the Y generation. In fact, one in four of that age group says that home ownership is more appealing now than it was six months ago.--good news for sellers of Los Angeles real estate and the market in general! Trulia reports that 88% of young renters hope to become homeowners in the future--certainly a statistic which brings hope for the housing market.

A fading dream? Not so! according to  the results of a second recent survey, this one conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Lake Research Partners on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and this report is also good news for Los Angeles real estate and the market as a whole. NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen has issued some very positive statements based on the survey’s findings and verifies the fact that over 70% of those not currently owning a home wish to do so in the future. He also stated that 95% of present owners polled are happy with their decision to own a home. In addition, Lake Research Partners’ spokesperson Calinda Lake noted in the report the intensity of feeling among those questioned, saying “People believe overwhelmingly that owning a home is an anchor to the American Dream.”

Is this dream still possible? Yes, according to many experts. They refer to the rising costs of renting, low interest rates, falling house values, and the great variety and availability of homes as convincing reasons to purchase now. They encourage would-be buyers to…

• conduct a financial analysis of both renting and owning costs
• research home prices, taxes, utilities, insurance and maintenance costs
• talk with a Realtor about expenses, comparables, loans, etc., and
• meet with a loan officer to be certain that they qualify for a mortgage and can afford the payments.

Homeownership as a portion of American Dream is alive and well, and if hopeful statistics are to be believed, the worst of the housing market decline is behind us. Hang in there, owners and potential buyers of Los Angeles real estate!

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Eileen Walsh has a reputation for tough, yet fair, negotiation, and for facilitating real estate transactions to a successful close. She has earned the loyalty of repeat clients who rely on her for all of their real estate needs. Eileen's goals are to ensure Los Angeles real estate sellers that they receive top net dollar for their properties in the shortest amount of time and to help Los Angeles homebuyers find the property which best meets their objectives at the fairest price. 

Empowered with the appropriate people skills, market knowledge, deal-making track record and dedication to her clients, Eileen has shown that she is THE INTELLIGENT CHOICE to represent you in your next Los Angeles real estate transaction.

For more information about buying or selling your Los Angeles home, please call Eileen direct at 310-738-3807 or via email at eileenwalsh.realestate@gmail.com.

In addition to being proactive in the maintenance of items inside your Los Angeles home, there are many steps you can take to ensure a healthy landscape outside the house and save money at the same time.

1. Water and fertilize plants and trees as needed. During a recent drought we had to water our pine trees regularly to keep them from dying. Many people in our area lost countless pine trees due to lack of watering. Not only did they experience the loss of beautiful trees, but they also incurred very high fees to have them removed. Add to that the cost of replacing trees and plants, and you’ll discover it is much more cost effective to water and fertilize adequately.

2. Have large trees trimmed as needed. A big storm can take down a tree, or heavy branches, causing damage to fences, cars, and homes. Speaking of fences, keep your fence in good repair when you spot an area that needs to be fixed. It costs a lot less to fix a small portion than to replace the entire fence.

3. Clean the gutters of your Los Angeles home at least once a year.--and always after a severe storm. Backed-up gutters can lead to water accumulation and seepage into the foundation of the house.

And…while not exactly part of your Los Angeles home, your car is often the source of unexpected--and costly--repairs. By following these suggestions, you should be able to keep the vehicle running smoothly--or at least anticipate problems before they arise.

1. Have your automobile serviced on a regular basis. Although many car manuals suggest an oil change every 7,000 miles, car experts suggest changing your oil every 3,000 miles. Once you become aware of all the tiny pieces of debris, metal parts wearing, etc. that find their way into the oil that keeps your car lubricated, it makes sense to spend a little bit of money to have the oil changed and the oil filter replaced more frequently.

2. Check your oil and water levels to ensure they are at an adequate level on a regular basis. Check all belts and hoses for fraying when you have the oil changed. Replacing worn belts and hoses is not expensive, but if something gives out while you are on a trip, you can find yourself needing to replace your vehicle.

3. Wash and wax your car regularly to preserve the paint job and keep it looking like new.

4. Also remember to check the condition of your air filter and wiper blades each month and to regularly monitor the levels of your break fluid and windshield wiper fluid.

Search all Los Angeles homes for sale.

Eileen Walsh has a reputation for tough, yet fair, negotiation, and for facilitating real estate transactions to a successful close. She has earned the loyalty of repeat clients who rely on her for all of their real estate needs. Eileen's goals are to ensure Los Angeles real estate sellers that they receive top net dollar for their properties in the shortest amount of time and to help Los Angeles homebuyers find the property which best meets their objectives at the fairest price. 

Empowered with the appropriate people skills, market knowledge, deal-making track record and dedication to her clients, Eileen has shown that she is THE INTELLIGENT CHOICE to represent you in your next Los Angeles real estate transaction.

For more information about buying or selling your Los Angeles home, please call Eileen direct at 310-738-3807 or via email at eileenwalsh.realestate@gmail.com.

A buyer purchasing a typical American home at the prevailing average mortgage rate today would have a mortgage payment of  $698 a month. This figure is not much different from what a home buyer would have faced 30 years ago. In 1981, home prices were much lower but mortgage rates were reaching 18 percent. Today, home prices have come down by about 33 percent on average from the bubble years, but prices still remain comfortably higher than those of the 1980s. However, thanks to record low mortgage rates, the monthly payment obligations have been greatly reduced. This should be good news and bring new buyers into the market. However, very tight underwriting standards, unfortunately, are keeping some good, hard-working Americans from taking advantage of the super affordable conditions.

Now take a look at how the Los Angeles real estate market performed in September.

Beverly Hills Real Estate Sales Statistics - Single Family Homes

Beverly Hills Post Office Real Estate Sales Statistics - Single Family Homes

Bel Air Real Estate Sales Statistics - Single Family Homes

Hollywood Hills East Real Estate Sales Statistics - Single Family Homes

Hollywood Hills West Real Estate Sales Statistics - Single Family Homes

West Hollywood Real Estate Sales Statistics - Single Family Homes

Search all Los Angeles homes for sale.

Eileen Walsh has a reputation for tough, yet fair, negotiation, and for facilitating real estate transactions to a successful close. She has earned the loyalty of repeat clients who rely on her for all of their real estate needs. Eileen's goals are to ensure Los Angeles real estate sellers that they receive top net dollar for their properties in the shortest amount of time and to help Los Angeles homebuyers find the property which best meets their objectives at the fairest price. 

Empowered with the appropriate people skills, market knowledge, deal-making track record and dedication to her clients, Eileen has shown that she is THE INTELLIGENT CHOICE to represent you in your next Los Angeles real estate transaction.

For more information about buying or selling your Los Angeles home, please call Eileen direct at 310-738-3807 or via email at eileenwalsh.realestate@gmail.com.

No, this isn’t just another timely spooky story, although it just may have to do with ghosts!  Be you a believer or a scoffer, the fact is that there are pieces of Los Angeles real estate on the market which are purported to be haunted and thus far more difficult to sell than an ordinary home.  Known as “stigmatized” properties, these houses have the reputation of being haunted or are the site of a previous violent crime--and the perception of ghosts and gore is not easy to erase.

So what to do?  First, check with your Realtor to see if you’re required to disclose information about the stigma attached to your Los Angeles real estate because you could be spooked by a lawsuit if you don’t.  Regardless of what the state dictates, being upfront about your home’s paranormal guests or ghoulish histories is always the best moral policy.  

Okay, that’s the first step.  Then what?  Be sure to pay attention the appearance of your property—inside and out.  To minimize the presence (imagined or real) of ghosts, your home needs to look spirit-free and inviting on the outside. Clean up a dark, forbidding atmosphere; clear away any dead trees, especially those with hanging branches; replace rusty iron gates with a white picket fence, get rid of unwanted residents like stray cats and spiders. On the inside, think warm, bright, and clutter-free. Getting rid of darkness and gloom that could promote the idea of spirits may require removing outdated, musty furniture, antique rugs, old pictures of ancestors, and other items that contribute to an “eerie atmosphere” so that you can alleviate any pre-conceived notions in potential buyers.

If you simply cannot dispel persistent beliefs about the “dark side” of your Los Angeles real estate, you may have to resort to (gasp!) bringing in a ghost buster.  David Frankin Farkas, owner of HouseHealing.com, makes a full-time living by ridding properties of specters and/or negative energy.  Farkas claims that formerly-haunted houses frequently sell in a matter of days after he has completed his task.  Click here to find groups who will investigate paranormal activity in your home.

Pricing your Los Angeles real estate to sell is another strategy you must consider.  By lowering your price by 20-25%, you may make your property attractive to potential buyers, especially investors.

Search all Los Angeles homes for sale.

Eileen Walsh has a reputation for tough, yet fair, negotiation, and for facilitating real estate transactions to a successful close. She has earned the loyalty of repeat clients who rely on her for all of their real estate needs. Eileen's goals are to ensure Los Angeles real estate sellers that they receive top net dollar for their properties in the shortest amount of time and to help Los Angeles homebuyers find the property which best meets their objectives at the fairest price. 

Empowered with the appropriate people skills, market knowledge, deal-making track record and dedication to her clients, Eileen has shown that she is THE INTELLIGENT CHOICE to represent you in your next Los Angeles real estate transaction.

For more information about buying or selling your Los Angeles home, please call Eileen direct at 310-738-3807 or via email at eileenwalsh.realestate@gmail.com.

It is frustrating to have to spend money on items that have no aesthetic value and bring us no personal pleasure, things like dead tree removal, replacing a water heater in your Los Angeles home, or mechanical car repairs. You know, the type of unexpected expenses that blow your budget. Especially upsetting are those outlays of cash that probably could have been prevented with some proactive steps on your part.

There are, indeed, things you can do to prolong the life of your home, yard, cars, and the like, thus avoiding (or at least delaying) those unexpected expenditures that throw your budget off balance. Check out these helpful hints--and follow them--for a less stressful life.

INSIDE YOUR LOS ANGELES HOME:

1. Drain the sediment from your home water heater at least once a year, extending its life.
2. Clean the filters for the heating and air conditioning system in your Los Angeles home at least twice a year. Vacuum in the spring before you start using the air conditioning and again in the fall before using the heating system. Your unit will not have to work as hard to heat and cool your house, which will help preserve the life of the unit. Have the unit checked and serviced every couple of years to hold off the much greater expense of having to replace the entire unit.
3. Perform touch up paint jobs around the interior of the home as needed to save on more time consuming and costly undertakings later. Keep an eye on exterior paint as well. By putting off needed paint, your home will experience more damage from sun, water, wind, etc. In the long run, it will require much more extensive work (translates to bigger bucks) to restore the condition of your home.
4. Clean gutters around your home at least once, if not twice a year. We experienced a very costly repair several years ago when our gutters were backed up and the water accumulated in an area that seeped under our house, coming up through the foundation and ruining our carpets! This could have been prevented by clearing the gutters before the storm occurred. Live and learn.
5. Clean your carpets regularly and you will save on the high cost of having to replace your carpets. We finally purchased a Bissell carpet cleaner that cost less than the price of having our carpets cleaned professionally one time. We were impressed with what a great job it did and how much dirt we picked up. Now we can pull it out when there is an accident, and we can use it to clean the high traffic areas more frequently. You can also rent a carpet cleaner, borrow one from a friend, or split the cost with a friend or neighbor and make a joint purchase. Clean spills and stains immediately when they occur to prevent them from setting. Club soda is a simple and effective cleaner to keep in your cabinet to help with most spills.
6. If you use your fireplace for wood burning, be sure to have the chimney cleaned annually. The cost to have it cleaned is much less than the costs you will incur if you have a chimney fire due to clogged residue. Many times we think these things only happen to other people, but don’t kid yourself – it can and does happen all of the time.
7. Care for your furniture by keeping upholstery clean and wood protected with a good preserving oil or cleaner. You can use the vacuum cleaner attachment for the upholstery. Additional tip: place furniture of coasters to protect wood floors or carpet.

Search all Los Angeles homes for sale.

Eileen Walsh has a reputation for tough, yet fair, negotiation, and for facilitating real estate transactions to a successful close. She has earned the loyalty of repeat clients who rely on her for all of their real estate needs. Eileen's goals are to ensure Los Angeles real estate sellers that they receive top net dollar for their properties in the shortest amount of time and to help Los Angeles homebuyers find the property which best meets their objectives at the fairest price. 

Empowered with the appropriate people skills, market knowledge, deal-making track record and dedication to her clients, Eileen has shown that she is THE INTELLIGENT CHOICE to represent you in your next Los Angeles real estate transaction.

For more information about buying or selling your Los Angeles home, please call Eileen direct at 310-738-3807 or via email at eileenwalsh.realestate@gmail.com.

With the continued rise in foreclosures and the economic hardships which have forced owners of Los Angeles real estate to sell their current home and become renters, there is, understandably, an increased demand for rental properties. At such a stressful time, it is helpful to know how to approach the rental house search and to arm yourself with a plan.

1. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT IN TERMS OF THE FOLLOWING

• Location. Scout out desirable communities and their schools. Look for nearby medical facilities and stores and a location’s proximity to your workplace.
• Type and size of dwelling: Will you consider a condo or townhouse/ How about a duplex? How many bedrooms/bathrooms do you need?
• Essential features: Do you insist on a fenced yard? A community pool? Is air-conditioning a must? How many parking spaces will you require? Is a garage a necessity?
• Condition of home: Determine in advance what you’re willing to accept in terms of updates--or lack of them. Can you live with older appliances and cabinets? How flexible are you  when it comes to living conditions?
• Costs. What are the going rental rates in your desired location? How much can you afford to pay for utilities?

2. SET UP A BUDGET WHICH INCLUDES AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING ITEMS

• Rent: Basic monthly rental. Is extra charged for pets?
• Utilities: Some rentals include water, heat, and air-conditioning. Many do not. What are reasonable expectations for these expenses? Remember to include costs for telephone and Internet.
• Moving costs: Will you move yourself or hire a company to do so? Carefully consider all fees associated with a move, things such as babysitters, pet care, food expenses, etc.
• Deposit costs: Usually a month’s rent in advance--and additional fees for pets, if applicable.
• Utility connections fees at the new rental home.

3.  EXPLORE A WIDE VARIETY OF RESOURCES IN YOUR SEARCH

• Contact a Realtor. His/her fee is paid by the landlord.
• Read classified ads to find Los Angeles real estate for rent.
• Use word of mouth to advertise your search. Let colleagues, neighbors, friends, and family members know what you’re looking for.
• Contact owners of Los Angeles real estate which has been on the market for a long time. It is possible that they may consider renting their home to you.
• Visit on-line sites dedicated to rentals: Go to 1. rentals.com 2. Backpage.com 3. aol.com 4. Craigslist.com 5. Realtor.com 6. Oodle.com 7. Forrent.com 8. Move.com 9. Rent.com and yahoo.com. Sites such as Rentometer.com, HotPads.com, and Cazoodle.com allow you compare and analyze rents in a certain area.

4. BE INFORMED

• Carefully read the terms of all leases.
• Visit local schools in advance.
• Check out traffic patterns in an area at different times of day.
• Talk with residents already living in a community you’re considering.

5. BE READY TO ACT QUICKLY

• Be advised that really good rentals goes quickly!

Search all Los Angeles homes for sale.

Eileen Walsh has a reputation for tough, yet fair, negotiation, and for facilitating real estate transactions to a successful close. She has earned the loyalty of repeat clients who rely on her for all of their real estate needs. Eileen's goals are to ensure Los Angeles real estate sellers that they receive top net dollar for their properties in the shortest amount of time and to help Los Angeles homebuyers find the property which best meets their objectives at the fairest price. 

Empowered with the appropriate people skills, market knowledge, deal-making track record and dedication to her clients, Eileen has shown that she is THE INTELLIGENT CHOICE to represent you in your next Los Angeles real estate transaction.

For more information about buying or selling your Los Angeles home, please call Eileen direct at 310-738-3807 or via email at eileenwalsh.realestate@gmail.com.

If you recently lost your Los Angeles home to foreclosure and aren’t sure of where to go from here, don’t despair. Because of the high number of foreclosures, final experts are writing many advice articles about how to rebuild your credit and recover from your loss. All agree that the first step in the rebuilding process is to settle any remaining debts you may have--attorney fees, credit card debt, and the like. Rank these payments according to their interest rates. Start paying off the most expensive loans first. .Do not, of course, ignore the minimum payments required by your other loans but do not aggressively try to pay down the balances until your most expensive loans are paid off.

Evaluate the cause of the foreclosure.

Solving a problem is easier when you know the cause of the problem. You'll have an easier time repairing your credit post-foreclosure if you understand what caused you to foreclose. What could you have done something differently? Perhaps chosen a different mortgage for your Los Angeles home? Managed your money better? Understanding why the foreclosure happened can help you prevent it from happening again.

Adjust your spending habits.

If you haven’t been budgeting your income, start now. Having a budget isn’t the chore many people think it is. When done right, a budget helps relieve financial stress because it helps you make decisions about spending your money. If you had a budget before the foreclosure, but didn’t stick to it, you can start over again. Don’t forget to add your “actual spending” to your budget at the end of the month. This way you can see where you’ve overspent and make the necessary spending adjustments.

Continue paying all your other bills on time.

Make sure to pay credit accounts that regularly are reported to the bureaus. This positive payment history will help “pad” your credit score, keeping a foreclosure from completely devastating your credit. Not only that, a creditor or lender who manually reviews your credit report will see that the mortgage was the only thing hurting your credit and could be more lenient with your application. Don't neglect other expenses, because they could end up on your credit report as collection accounts if you leave them unpaid.

Work on paying off debt.

Having a high debt load will hurt your credit score, even if you’re paying your bills on time. Work on reducing your credit card balances to 30% of the credit limit or less. That means a $300 balance on a credit card with a limit of $3,000. Reducing your debt level will also decrease your debt-to-income ratio If you get a mortgage in the future, a lower debt load will help you better handle your payments.

Get help if you need it.

If you're having trouble making a budget and putting together a debt management plan, you can get professional help. A consumer credit counselor can work with you to figure out how to make the most of your income. They will also negotiate lower interest rates and monthly payments with your creditors so you can work on getting out of debt. Choose a credit counselor wisely. Beware of unscrupulous debt settlement companies who can do further damage to your credit.

Get and use a credit card.

If you don't already have a credit card, apply for one, but only after you’ve evaluated and adjusted your spending habits. Resist the urge to get a credit card just to buy things you can’t afford. Instead, use a credit card to make small purchases then pay off the balance in full every month. This shows that you can properly manage credit – borrowing only what you can afford and paying it back in a timely manner. While you may not be approved by major credit companies (Capital One Classic Platinum is an exception), apply for a department store or gas card. Avoid companies with extremely high interest rates or upfront fees. It is best to limit the number of cards and to include varying types, such as installment-fixed payment and revolving credit.

When it comes to repairing credit, there is no quick fix, but if you stay positive and focused in following your plan, you can, indeed, regain control of your finances. And in time you could become the owner of a Los Angeles home once again.

Search all Los Angeles homes for sale.

Eileen Walsh has a reputation for tough, yet fair, negotiation, and for facilitating real estate transactions to a successful close. She has earned the loyalty of repeat clients who rely on her for all of their real estate needs. Eileen's goals are to ensure Los Angeles real estate sellers that they receive top net dollar for their properties in the shortest amount of time and to help Los Angeles homebuyers find the property which best meets their objectives at the fairest price. 

Empowered with the appropriate people skills, market knowledge, deal-making track record and dedication to her clients, Eileen has shown that she is THE INTELLIGENT CHOICE to represent you in your next Los Angeles real estate transaction.

For more information about buying or selling your Los Angeles home, please call Eileen direct at 310-738-3807 or via email at eileenwalsh.realestate@gmail.com.

For years the idea of a starter home has usually meant a property that may need some work, but a recent survey by Caldwell Banker discovered that most first-time buyers aren’t in the market for those kinds of houses. According to the poll, 87 percent of recent first-time buyers said that finding a move-in ready home was important to them. These buyers, who accounted for 33 percent of existing home sales in December, stated that the condition and quality of the Los Angeles real estate they purchased mattered a great deal. One Realtor has referred to these folks as “HGTV buyers.’

Nearly all Realtors will tell you that a house which has been well maintained and needs few, if any, repairs, even cosmetic ones, will sell faster than others. While some renovations/repairs may be relatively expensive, such as installing a new roof, repaving the driveway, or upgrading appliances, most agents advise a seller not to undertake major renovations, especially in the kitchen or bathrooms. They advise not spending more than you’ll recoup in the sales price and understanding that major renovations are generally a matter of personal taste..

Remodeling is for buyers, not sellers. Major renovations usually don’t pay for themselves, let alone add enough value for you to make a profit. So why would you want to go through the hassle and the expense right before you move? Concentrate instead on smaller fixes with bigger impact and let your buyers remodel to suit themselves. In addition to removing all clutter from your Los Angeles real estate, , thoroughly cleaning the whole house, and downsizing in regards to furniture and personal items, you should also seriously consider:

• Adding a fresh coat of paint (in a neutral shade) where needed
• Presenting a well-tended yard
• Fixing dripping faucets and checking all caulking

If you are prepared to invest some money to improve your home’s presentation, start with the most cost-effective projects and remember to keep a journal of jobs and receipts. Home improvement costs are often deductible (when costs are incurred 90 days before the sale and paid within 30 days after the sale). While lawn-mowing and  weekly cleaning bills do not qualify according to IRS regulations, new paint, a new water heater, or new gutters usually do apply. Some hints:

• Replace broken gutters and shutters.
• New paint indoors or out is usually approved by the IRS for deduction if completed and paid for near the time of sale.
• New floor coverings (in neutral shades) on kitchen and bathroom floors may be another affordable investment which can speed a sale by appealing to buyers’ desire for a property that is ‘ready to move in,’ particularly if the current style of colors are dated.
• Repair broken woodwork, loose planks, and creaky stairs. No buyer wants a home that needs structural repairs.
• Hardwood floors are a plus. If you have hardwood floors, consider removing anything covering, them up, especially if the carpet is worn. Refinish the wood if necessary.

So if you want a quick sale and hope for top dollar, take steps in advance of listing to convince potential buyers that your home is move-in ready and definitely one worthy of an “HGTV” buyer!

Search all Los Angeles homes for sale.

Eileen Walsh has a reputation for tough, yet fair, negotiation, and for facilitating real estate transactions to a successful close. She has earned the loyalty of repeat clients who rely on her for all of their real estate needs. Eileen's goals are to ensure Los Angeles real estate sellers that they receive top net dollar for their properties in the shortest amount of time and to help Los Angeles homebuyers find the property which best meets their objectives at the fairest price. 

Empowered with the appropriate people skills, market knowledge, deal-making track record and dedication to her clients, Eileen has shown that she is THE INTELLIGENT CHOICE to represent you in your next Los Angeles real estate transaction.

For more information about buying or selling your Los Angeles home, please call Eileen direct at 310-738-3807 or via email at eileenwalsh.realestate@gmail.com.