Keeping You & Your Home Safe in Today’s World

When times are tough and the economy is bad, crime rates skyrocket.  Locking your doors and shutting your windows just isn’t enough to keep you and your home safe from intruders anymore.  Burglaries are on the rise and there doesn’t seem to be a slow down on the horizon.  Therefore, we must do everything we can to protect ourselves, our families and our homes.

When we think of burglars, we think of bad people sneaking around in the middle of the night trying to pry open windows.  However, the fact is burglars are now breaking into homes in broad daylight as well as all hours of the night.  The first place they try is the front door.  The front door is usually the weakest area of the home.  It can usually be kicked in within just two swift kicks.

To help prevent this, homeowners should buy a good solid door with a strong dead bolt.  A one inch dead bolt is a good length.  To ensure that everything is working well together, make sure you have a good strike plate too.  Test the door once it is installed.  There should be no wiggling going on.

Now your windows will be the next vulnerable area that will need extra security.  Windows need to have two locks on each window.  Vinyl windows come standard this way.  Older wood frame windows usually have just one lock.  If your home has just one lock, you can cut an old broom handle or a piece of wood and place it between the top of the window and the lock.  You may also want to look into upgrading your windows. 

You want to make it as hard to get in as possible.  The longer it will take a burglar to get in, the less likely he will keep trying.

Other ways to keep you and your family safe from criminals include adding high privacy fences around your home to prevent anyone from easily jumping it, keeping your bushes low so neighbors can have a clear view of your home and never leave your garage door open, not even a crack for your animals.

The best way to feel safe in your home is to have a security system installed.  Just about every homeowner’s insurance company will give you a reduction on your homeowner’s policy for adding the system.

There’s nothing like feeling safe in your own home.  I hope these tips and advice help you make the most of your home’s security.

Realtor® Robert Leighton  ~  West Hollywood Real Estate

Improving West Hollywood One Council Member at a Time

Well, West Hollywood just keeps getting better and better.  Lindsey Horvath was unanimously voted as a new City Councilmember, filling the vacant seat left by the former Councilmember, Sal Guarriello, who passed away in April. 

On Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 6 pm, Lindsey Horvath will be sworn in as a member of the West Hollywood City Council during a special meeting at the West Hollywood Park Auditorium (647 N. San Vicente Boulevard).

Ms. Horvath was already doing a great job as a contributing member of society in her position as chair of the City’s Women’s Advisory Board and other roles around the city.  Many West Hollywood residents are looking forward to her coming aboard the City Council to see what she will bring to the city as a member.

Currently, Ms. Horvath’s employment status is with the Canyon Design Group as an Entertainment Advertising Executive.  She is also a graduate from the University of Notre Dame, where she has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in Gender Studies. 

Many residents here believe Horvath is perfect for the City Council position because she is a resident of West Hollywood herself and she has been very involved in the community and community organizations for several years.  Horvath can boast that she is the President of the National Organization for Women – Hollywood Chapter, Chair of the City of West Hollywood’s Women’s Advisory Board of the West Hollywood Democratic Club, the President of the National Women’s Political Caucus of the NWPC-LA Westside, Board Member of the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project, a member of the Human Rights Campaign, a member of the Human Rights Watch, a member of Planned Parenthood and a member of Amnesty International.  Wow!  Where does she find the time? 

It’s looking like she will be a great asset the community of West Hollywood.  I’m looking forward to seeing her positive influence around the community.

Realtor® Robert Leighton  ~  West Hollywood, California Real Estate

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May is Senior Month in West Hollywood

West Hollywood, California will be hosting several events during the month of May for the City of West Hollywood’s Annual Senior Month celebration.  What a great way to honor the community’s lively senior residents. 

Here is the schedule for Senior Month this year:

·         May 5, 2009 – Senior Awards Luncheon and Dance from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Kensington Ballroom at the London (1020 N. San Vicente Boulevard).  West Hollywood’s outstanding seniors will be honored on this day.  Award recipients are Logan Williams and Rita Norton.

·         May 7, 2009 – Senior/Youth Photography Project Opening Reception at 7 p.m. in the Village (1125 N. McCadden Place).  This is a project of Senior/Youth photography collaboration exhibits.  Refreshments will be served and admission is free.  For more information, call (323) 860-7394.

·         May 13, 2009 – West Hollywood’s 8^th Annual Senior Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Center in Plummer Park (7377 Santa Monica Boulevard).  The fair will feature presentations, representatives from more than 50 community organizations and health screenings.  The Senior Health Fair is free.  There will also be a complimentary lunch available for seniors who make reservations in advance.  Call (323) 848-6820 to reserve a lunch.

·         May 19, 2009 – Emergency Preparedness Lecture from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.  This workshop is great for teaching seniors how to prepare for disaster and potential life threatening situations.  For more information, call (323) 876-1717.

·         May 21, 2009 – Cardio-Vascular Diseases Lecture from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Participants will gain tons of great knowledge of how to self monitor cholesterol, blood pressure levels and how to minimize their risk of heart disease.  Healthcare professionals will also be on site to check vital signs.  For more information, call (323) 876-1717.

·         May 27, 2009 – May Senior Advisory Board Meeting and Reception at 2 p.m. in Plummer Park (7377 Santa Monica Boulevard).  They will be discussing the community’s important issues that impact seniors.  There will be special guest speakers who will read poems and stories that were submitted to the annual “Senior Moments” publication.  Admission for this event is free.  For more information, call (323) 848-6510.

West Hollywood’s seniors are going to have a great time all month long.  So, if you’re a senior in West Hollywood, don’t miss out on any of these important and fun activities.  For more information on West Hollywood’s Senior Month Activities, call (323) 848-6510.

Realtor® Robert Leighton  ~  West Hollywood Real Estate

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Wonderful West Los Angeles California

Many locals to West Los Angeles, California commonly refer to the area as Westside Los Angeles.  The area of the community lies within Los Angeles County just west of La Cienega Blvd, south of Santa Monica and east of the Pacific Ocean.

Westside Los Angeles real estate is made up of estate-style luxury homes, historic homes, 1960s ranches, and post-war bungalows.  All homes have been extremely well maintained over the years and all have something to offer every homebuyer.  So, whatever your needs and whatever your budget, you will find the perfect home in Westside Los Angeles for you.

For families with children, Westside Los Angeles has wonderful schools that are served by the Los Angeles Unified School District.  There are currently eight local school districts in the area (numbered 1-8) with 456 elementary schools, 86 middle schools and 92 high schools.  This is the largest public school system in the entire state, serving over 720,000 students.  It is also the second largest employer in the county.

Westside Los Angeles is one of the most colorful communities you will find in Los Angeles.  It is a vibrant community where life thrives between reality and dreamland.  Many trends have been born in Westside Los Angeles, such as the Internet, health food, in-line skates, convertibles and short skirts.  And the city is still continually re-inventing itself, reaching new horizons each day.

When it comes to visitors, tourism was first coined in Los Angeles.  It was the first city to have largest amount of strangers to arrive with the largest, richest ethnic mix.  This is the place to be to rub elbows and share food and fashions. 

For recreation and activities, the city has more museums and stage theaters than anywhere in the US.  Other forms of recreation include golf, biking, hiking, fishing, boating, parks, playgrounds, bar hopping, clubbing, shopping and much more.

Westside Los Angeles real estate has everything anyone could need or want to live a happy lifestyle.  Come for a visit and you’ll want to stay for a lifetime.

Realtor Robert Leighton - Westside Los Angeles Real Estate

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How and Where to Come Up with a Down Payment

With interest rates so low, many people are scrambling to find extra money to buy a new home.  Therefore, many buyers have recently asked me, “”What are some alternative methods for coming up with a down payment?”  Many lenders are wanting around $5,000 to $10,000 down. 

Here are some alternative sources of funding that many buyers may find helpful:

·         Use your savings account.  Do you have a savings account that has accumulated a few thousand dollars?  If so, use it.

·         Borrow from your 401(k) plan.  You have a 401(k) for this purpose, to help you out when in need.  You need it now.

·         Tap into your money market account.  You’ve been investing for your future…your future is now.

·         Borrow from your IRA.  Your IRA is like your money market fund, meaning: your future is now.

·         Ask for a raise.  A signifigant raise can really help with a down payment.

·         Get a second job.  If asking for a raise didn’t work, get a second job.  This works well for young people who have not established themselves in their professions yet.

·         Get a gift from a relative or a friend.  You are allowed a financial gift of up to $10,000 each year without having to pay taxes on it.  If you have someone in your family with cash like that, ask them for it.

·         Auction off your unwanted items.  Open up an eBay account and auction off your unwanted items or sell them on Craigslist.  You can actually make a good bit of money in your spare time if you have items in good condition.

·         Ask the seller to assist you with the down payment.  Some sellers will be willing to offer a carry-back mortgage to sell their house faster in a competitive market.  This also helps the buyer afford a home they may not have been able to otherwise.

Many lenders can still be found that don’t require a down payment. These types of loans are typically reserved for buyers with good credit and first-time buyers.  The interest rate may be higher in this case, but not always.

Some of these ways to find money are so simple, that many of us don’t even stop to think about it.  So now that I’ve given you all these hints, good luck on finding your down payment.

Realtor® Robert Leighton – West Hollywood Real Estate

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Celebrating Women’s History in West Hollywood

Although I am not a woman, I thought it would be a good idea to blog about Woman’s History Month in West Hollywood since it’s a great event going on in the community I serve with complete dedication.

West Hollywood is continuing to honor the many great achievements of women of the past and from the present all during the month of March.  The month-long honor is called “Living the Legacy,” which is a tribute to women with a display of biographies, posters and photographs of contemporary and historical women that will be exhibited at the West Hollywood City Hall at 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard until April 3, 2009.

There will be many exciting events during the month of March in West Hollywood in celebration of Women’s History Month.  On March 18^th at 6 pm, the 14^th Annual Women in Leadership Awards and Reception will take place at 8801 West Sunset Boulevard.  This is a recognition ceremony that acknowledges all the achievements and contributions of many local women.  Honorees this year will include Anna Palkow, Claudia Endler, Sheila Kuehl, Lorri Jean and Janet Chapman.  This year’s event is $15 per person, which will benefit the West Hollywood Youth Scholarship Program. 

On Friday, March 20^th at 8 am, join the Third Annual West Hollywood Women’s Leadership Conference: Phenomenal Women, Creating a New Today at 8430 Sunset Boulevard.  There will be special guest speakers touching on the topics of “Leading with Confidence in Uncertain Times”.  Price is $15 per person.  Seating is limited, so please register in advance.

Also, on Friday, March 20^th at 7 pm, come for an exclusive screening of the Oscar-nominated feature film “Frozen River” at the Pacific Design Center in the Silver Screen Theater.  The film takes place just days before Christmas near a border crossing on the Mohawk reservation between New York State and Quebec.  Two single mothers; one Mohawk, one white, are faced with desperate circumstances.  A panel discussion and dessert will follow.   This is a free event.

On March 21^st at 8 am, come out for the second day of the two-day West Hollywood Women’s Leadership Conference.  Saturday’s event will focus on leadership opportunities for women, personal development and leadership skills development.  This event will be held at 8687 Melrose Avenue.  Registration is $45 and covers the conference, continental breakfast and buffet lunch at Wolfgang Puck’s Red Seven restaurant.  Please register in advance.  For more details about the Third Annual West Hollywood Women’s Leadership Conference: Phenomenal Women, Creating a New Today, or to RSVP, you can call (323) 848-6840.  For conference registration, visit www.weho.org/wlc.

I want to thank all the women who have helped make West Hollywood, California the wonderful community it has become.

Realtor® Robert Leighton – West Hollywood, California Real Estate

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Boost Your Home’s Equity with Home Improvements

As a real estate professional, I am often asked how to boost a home’s equity.  Therefore, I have a list of home improvements that are great for maximizing your home’s sale price.  Just completing a few simple tasks will help your home sell for top dollar.

·         Curb Appeal – This is one of the most important steps to get potential buyers into your home, so don’t leave this step out.  Fertilize the lawn to give it a lush green look, trim the hedges, plant seasonal flowers, lay some mulch and keep your grass cut.  You may also want to consider painting the exterior of the home with neutral colors.

·         Paint - Giving the interior of the home a fresh coat of paint in neutral colors will do wonders for maximizing your home’s sale.  I advise neutral colors because colors that are too bright or too dark tend to turn potential buyers away.  Keep in mind, many buyers like to see a house that is ready to move in, not one they will have to prepare themselves before they can move in.

·         Lighting – Replace any outdated light fixtures with new ones.  This gives the sense that your home is up-to-date.  If you’re looking for an inexpensive yet creative way to update your lighting fixtures, DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com) has really great advice on how to change these out, spending little to no money.  Just remember to keep it simple.

·         Flooring – It seems hardwood floors are still the popular thing to add to a home.  Hardwood can be found for as little as $1.99 a square foot when it’s on sale.  Laminate is an alternative to hardwood.  It’s very durable and less expensive.  It also has a very beautiful look.  The most popular rooms to lay hardwood are the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms.  Ceramic tile looks great in the bathrooms and kitchenette.

·         Hardware – Updating your home’s hardware is another great way to give your home a more updated look.  You can’t go wrong with stainless steel.  It is still the most popular choice.  There are other great looks out there, but why chance it?  Some hardware you may want to consider replacing are the faucets in your kitchen and bathrooms and door knobs.

·         Kitchen – How outdated is your kitchen?  If it is in your budget, you may want to consider remodeling it.  Some of the most popular kitchen remodels are granite countertops, ceramic sinks and stainless-steel appliances.

There are so many things you can do to improve the sale price of your home.  However, these top my list of the best way to boost your home’s equity. 

Realtor® Robert Leighton – West Hollywood Real Estate

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Renting Your Home to Avoid Foreclosure

In today’s economy, we are seeing more and more foreclosures.  However, some of these foreclosures can be avoided by renting your home out.  It doesn’t always make sense to rent your home, but if it will help you avoid foreclosure, I recommend you do it.

There are some things you need to understand about the rental process before you jump in.  You can hire a rental agency or management company to handle everything for you, although you will have to pay them a set percent of the rent, or you can handle it yourself.

If you choose to hire a rental agency or management company, get plenty of references.  All companies will claim to do a good job at managing your property, but references will tell.  Ten or more positive references will be a good sign that the company will handle your property to your liking. 

If you handle the rental yourself, you have to find a way to emotionally disconnect from your home.  This can be more difficult for some than it is for others.  It seems to be even more difficult for people who have lived in the home for extremely long periods of time.

Be sure to screen each and every tenant.  This one step is extremely important and can eliminate huge headaches in the future.  Don’t skip this process.  There are several websites that offer background checks for a low fee, usually starting at $19.95.  For this monthly fee (that you can unsubscribe from at anytime), you can do background checks on anyone applying to live in your home.  Have all applicants fill out an application and a background check form.  www.E-renter.com has a great tenant screening and background check service with great pricing.  They also have all the printable forms you will need. 

You will also need a rental or lease agreement.  A great place to find a professional rental agreement is at your local office supply store, such as Office Depot.  You can also find great places online that offer standard rental agreements with a simple Google search.

Some important aspects that you may want to think about including in your rental agreement are:

·         How much do you want for rent?

·         How much do you want for a deposit?

·         Will you allow animals?  If so, will you require a pet deposit?  How much?

·         Will you charge a late fee?  If so, how much?  And, on what day is rent considered late?

·         If your tenant has someone else move in, how much will the rent go up?

·         Are any utilities included in the rent?

·         Will you offer a discount if rent is paid early?

·         Who is responsible for repairs?

There are so many things you can add or take away from a rental agreement.  Renting can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be.  Do your research and plan carefully.  Life is a live-and-learn process anyway.  And believe me, you will live-and-learn in anything you do.

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West Hollywood’s Havenhurst Park Dedication

Here is some great news for West Hollywood, California that I want to share.  The city will be hosting a dedication ceremony for Havenhurst Park this Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 10 a.m.  The park is located at 1351 Havenhurst Dr. and features a 6,000 square-foot pocket park, two water features, seating areas, water conserving irrigation systems, both drought tolerant and native California plants and really great artwork.

Havenhurst Park has been brought into the community of West Hollywood with innovative efforts.  The park is full of creative features and some of the most beautiful art.  Many West Hollywood residents will treasure it for years to come.

The public artwork that you will find in Havenhurst Park is entitled “With an Ear to the Earth.”  All of it was created by the wonderful artist Steve Roden.  There is also a ten-minute sound work that plays at the beginning of each hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day of the week.  The sound work is also presented by Steve Roden, who is a visual and sound artist from Los Angeles.

West Hollywood is already a great place to live, work and play and now it’s just a little better with the addition of Havenhurst Park.  If you need more information about the Havenhurst Park Dedication and Ribbon Cutting ceremony, call (323) 848-6895.  For information about the Havenhurst Park public artwork, call (323) 848-6883.

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Tax Lien Relief for Homeowners

This past year, there have been several homeowners that have been unable to sell their home or refinance it because of a Federal tax lien blocking the process.  Therefore, the IRS has recently announced a new process that will help financially distressed homeowners avoid a federal tax lien. 

Taxpayers who want to sell their home or refinance it, and find a federal tax lien on it, now have options.  Taxpayers or your mortgage lender can now request the IRS to make a tax lien secondary to the lien held by the lending institution.  This is restructuring a loan.  Taxpayers can also request the IRS to discharge any claims if the home is being sold for less than the amount of the mortgage lien.  This process usually takes 30 days after submission, but the IRS is willing to speed things up for these requests in wake of the poor economy.

The formal process of filling a Notice of Federal Tax Lien enables the government to make legal claim on the property as payment or security of tax debt.  This will serve as a public notice to creditors and ensures they get their money first.

Some homeowners can make their federal tax lien secondary to other liens.  The IRS will have to determine that taking a secondary position will help with collection of the debt.  This process is called subordination.

To apply for a certificate of lien subordination, you will have to follow the directions in Publication 784, which can be found on the IRS website.  There is no form on their website for lien subordination, so you will have to type a letter requesting the documentation.  Requests can be mailed to anyone of 40 Collection Advisory Groups nationwide.  Those addresses can be found in Publication 4235 on the IRS website.

To apply for a tax lien discharge, follow the direction in Publication 783 on the IRS website.  Complete instructions can be found in each publication.

As always never wait until the last minute to start the paper work if you have a Federal Tax Lien on your property, this will only make the process longer.

IRS -   http://www.irs.gov

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West Hollywood Realtor® Robert Leighton