As with any other home you sell, a home you are selling “as is” needs some special attention, too. 

If you want just a few extra bucks in your pocket, then do a deep cleaning.  Scrubbing every nook and cranny in the house to make it shine is a big plus.  If the task is too big, then hire a professional cleaning service.  It’s always worth the few hundred dollars.

Paint and do repairs as needed or as your budget allows.  Paint can go along way in getting a house sold. 

Declutter the inside and outside of your home.  If you have to, rent out a storage unit to hold all your clutter.  You want your house to look as empty as possible when you put it on the market.  This way potential buyers can imagine their belongings in you home.

Landscaping is always another important item you will want to pay special attention to.  Mow the lawn, weed and edge.  If you have any flower beds, de-weed them and you may want to consider putting down a layer of mulch. 

If your budget allows, you can always go a step farther and repaint the exterior of your home.  Take a look at what colors new home builders are choosing and go with that.  Usually that’s what’s in style.  Also, consider replacing any old or stained carpet.  Replacing any outdated items such as light fixtures, doors, and faucets can go a long way with getting you more out of the sale.

Relax as you go around your home making your list of what you need to change or fix before putting your home on the market.  Don’t get overwhelmed by the tasks as hand.  When you do them one at a time, you will see just how easy it can be. 

And when you are ready to put your home on the market, contact me and I will get your house sold.

Now that you’re ready to buy a new home you also need to find a reputable moving company.  Everyone goes through it every time we move.  Sometimes you will hear great things about a moving company and other times you will hear about a moving nightmare. And rarely, you will be told how great the company was for a friend, to only end up in a nightmare of your own.

So when you begin your moving company search, look for some of the following things that will help save a lot of stress.

• First things first.  Research any and all potential moving companies on the Better Business Bureau.  This can easily be done online at www.bbb.com , just type in the companies name and any complaints against the company will be listed.
• Talk to relatives and friends about moving companies they have used in the past and get lots of referrals.
• Ask if they are bonded or insured and for a copy of the insurance agreement.  Also ask how payment is going to be handled.  Will it be a flat rate or an hourly rate?  Most companies will have you pay the full balance at the end of the move.  Never pay the total for the move until the move is complete. Sometimes you may have to pay a deposit and that’s fine, but make sure they apply your deposit to your balance.
• Make sure the movers have a large enough truck for your things and the truck is equipped with floor runners, wraps such as shrink wrap or blankets and moving dollies.  Extra items such as mirror or wardrobe boxes can usually be purchased through the moving company.
• If you get a bad felling or are unhappy during the move, contact the moving company’s direct office and speak to a supervisor right away.

These are just some of the important things you will want to consider when you’re choosing a moving company.  Don’t take any chances and do the research for each company.  And, contact me when you need information about homes for sale in West Hollywood , California .

Downtown areas all around the country are usually the safest places in a housing downturn.  But you still hear it all the time how the real estate bust has been affecting one city more than another.  But one thing we have learned is that housing prices fare the best in the core of big cities. 

Los Angeles, on the other hand, has stood out when it comes to good house prices.  There is no core to Los Angeles .  It’s just one extensive string of suburbs that run together.

While lower priced homes are loosing their value slightly, the more expensive homes are actually seeing an increase in value.  And the areas most notable place of high end real estate is Westside Los Angeles, where wealthy neighborhoods such as Westwood, Beverly Hills , and Brentwood are more insulated.  

Median home prices in Hollywood Hills are up 26%, Brentwood is up 16%, Palos Verdes and Rancho Palos Verdes is up 17%, and parts of Newport Beach are up a whopping 67%.

You can’t disagree that Westside Los Angeles is the place to be.

Recently the fall of our economy has shown us how important it is to save money and spend it wisely without borrowing or using credit cards.  Now is a great time to share that wisdom with our children. 

Don’t make the same mistake that many parents make early on when they buy their children something every time they go to the store.  This confuses many kids because they are not being taught to understand the concept of how money is earned.

There are many ways to teach your child to have healthy saving habits. The earlier you start the better.  You can teach your child to have strong saving habits by helping them to make smart purchasing decisions and letting them know they can’t always immediately get what they want.  In the long run, this will teach them to avoid accumulating debt. 

The best time to start teaching your child about money is when he/she starts noticing it.  Getting a piggy bank for them to put their money in is a great way to start.  They will see it grow as they add money.  When they have saved enough money to buy something they really want, then count it out together and have fun shopping.  A great way to teach them the concept of earning a dollar is by giving them an allowance for chores in and around the home.  Some examples are taking out the trash, washing the dishes, doing the laundry, washing the family car, helping in the garden, cutting the grass, etc.

Once your kids have earned $20 or more, take a trip to the bank and let them open a savings account.  Most banks will let children open a savings account for free.  It will take some time for their money to grow, so make sure your child receives a passbook so they can watch the progress of their savings and efforts.

After your child has been banking for a while, you can begin to teach them investing.  Check into different investment plans with your child such as money market accounts, money cd’s, etc. to see which one you think will be better over long-term investing.    Over time the money will grow and the next thing you know you’ll be car shopping, or maybe your child will want to help pay their own college tuition.  A few more years later and they’ll be ready to buy their first home.

Teaching your child the importance of saving money will benefit them for a lifetime and as an added bonus for you, they’re less likely to move back home for you to support them.

Real Estate remains the best investment anyone can make.  This has been a fact for a long time.  Long-term homeownership has a track record that is almost untouched by any other purchase with real benefits.  Today’s homeowners have a combined $12 trillion in equity in their homes.  Homeowners can borrow against this equity to pay for medical expenses, college, and other needs.  There are also important tax incentives to make it affordable to own a home.

There aren’t many challenges in today’s market, so the opportunity is there.

Some may try to argue that home values will continue to decline, but those same people will have to make a convincing case that it will cost less to build a new home in years to come than it does today, and that’s not going to happen.  Yes, we are in a housing slowdown, but the cost of materials, labor, and land needed to build a new home will continue to go up.

West Hollywood and Beverly Hills , California have some of the best home values that are still on the rise.  Both communities have beautiful homes and great schools, both public and private.

West Hollywood is ever-growing and developing with a relaxed feel for the whole family, it offers residents a tranquil and unhurried lifestyle while Beverly Hills is known as being the high-class stomping grounds of the rich and famous, a little more upscale, with beautiful mansions and ritzy hotels.

In a battered housing market, it is more important than ever to choose the right neighborhood. 

Over six million people are expected to buy a home this year.  Some may be first-time home buyers looking in West Hollywood, while others are looking to relocate to Beverly Hills.   Since this may be the single most significant purchase of their lives, they all have one thing in common - they’re contemplating what may be the best neighborhood for them and their family.   Those who are relocating for business reasons, most likely can’t pick what region they want to move to.  But they can choose the neighborhood in that region.

Housing prices are declining and this could last for years. So, take this into account when looking for a good neighborhood.  Also, schools are a well-known factor to home buyers, and schools with high rank test scores generally help the homes in the area retain their value. 

You can find some really good deals now.  Homes that were once being sold for $550,000 are now priced at around $449,000.  These more upscale homes in upscale neighborhoods are still a good choice.  Schools have high test scores and the crime rate is very low.  These neighborhoods will also see a dramatic rise in value when home values start going back up. 

When you’re ready to find your next home, keep all this in mind and remember that home buying is a street-by-street process.  Check out the homes on the streets you are interested in.  You may want to shy away from a neighborhood with a high amount of vacancies. 

Location, location, location is more important than ever.  Where will you buy your next home? 

An important part of where you make your next move is where your child will get their education.  I want to take a minute to tell you about the schools of West Hollywood , California. 

The Los Angeles Unified School District serves West Hollywood students with five elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools.  The teachers, staff, and administrators of the district believe in the equal worth and dignity of all students and are committed to educating all students to their maximum potential.  Each student is provided a safe and friendly learning environment at each school.  And, for added fun, all schools in the district offer after schools programs for sports and academics. 

There is great parent and community involvement in the schools and their progress with the students to help ensure a great education.

When in need of an alternative to public schools, you will also find a few private schools in West Hollywood .  For schools of higher learning, there are great colleges and universities in the surrounding areas.

When you’re ready to make your move to West Hollywood, contact me for more information about the community.

Many people will agree that America is in a recession and are trying to find new ways to save money.  West Hollywood , California is no exception.  About a year ago, I discovered a place with nearly everything I needed all in one spot.  Clothes, software, small appliances, accessories, and more.  Best of all, everything was free.  So, by now you’re asking, “Where can I find this free store”, right?  Well, it’s closer than you think.  As a matter of fact; you won’t even have to leave your house.  If you look hard enough, you’ll find your own home is a great free place to shop. 

Think of all the buried treasure you might have.  Rediscovering some of these items in new ways to display or use them is best way to shop during a recession.  Best of all, if you really can’t use it, someone can.  Put your items in a yard sale or list them on line in free classified sections such as craigslist.org.    

Consignment shops are becoming quite the popular place these days.  Clothes are in high demand.  You can trade your unwanted things or buy what they have.  Just be careful to check each item to make certain they are gently used, stain-free, and have all buttons attached.  There are many high-end consignment shops in West Hollywood with barely used items for sale.

Like I said, the best way to shop and save money is doing it in your own home.  So many times we buy things and put them away.  Out of sight, out of mind.  We forget we have them and go buy them again and again.  So, do an inventory of your home and storage.  You’ll be surprised at what you’ll find.  And, have fun shopping!

When the time comes to replace an old door or to upgrade to something new, you can simplify the installation by using a prehung unit.  This means the door is already on a frame, saving you the work of mounting the frame and then the door and adding hinges.  The prehung units are ready to receive the door knob and exterior prehung units already have the weather-stripping attached. 

Most home centers have common size doors and new styles in stock, but sometimes you may need to special order your door if it is not a common size or if you just want a different style.  When ordering your new door, make sure you measure the width and height of the open space without the old frame in it.