"We Buy Houses"

Have you noticed the bright yellow signs all over the place with "WE BUY HOUSES... CASH!"? Or maybe you have received a handwritten note on yellow note pad with a request to buy your house. I just got one of those at my own house. Have you considered calling on one of the notices?   Here's a great article that will explain what you can really expect:

http://homebuying.about.com/od/sellingahouse/qt/122107_PayCash.htm

There's a famous saying "If something looks to good to be true- it probably is!"  This is one of those cases.

Art meets Real Estate

'Real Estart': When Art and Real Estate Collide What happens when an art curator puts his home on the market? The home itself acts as a living exhibit. Recently, Los Angeles County Museum of Art curator emeritus Maurice Tuchman put his Hollywood Hills West home on the market with an asking price of $5.75 million. The hilltop compound, built in 1995, was designed especially for Tuchman by museum architect Brent Saville and had a silver screen appearance in the 1999 film “The Limey,” directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Lem Dobbs. With curved walls made of floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views of mountains, ocean and cityscapes, the house is breathtaking in scale, views and amenities. One unique feature is a duo of windows showing sweeping views of two juxtaposing worlds: a protected canyon parkland, and a bird’s eye view of downtown Los Angeles. The kitchen is home to more than just state-of-the-art appliances; a tile mural depicts an apocalyptic projection of Capital Records being overtaken by natural elements and the passing of time. In addition to the three-bedroom main house, the space also has an office tower overlooking the swimming pool. The two buildings are connected by a bridge, although unfortunately, it is not a drawbridge. Judy Gratton Your Real Estate Edge Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved

Don't let holiday dish washing get you down!

Oh I will!

Realtors who intend to stay in the real estate business understand it is imperative to build their business by providing the highest quality of service available, and then continuing to stay in touch with previous clients and contacts, providing what they hope will be valuable information. Why do they do that? Most people who stay in the real estate industry have an innate desire to help others. They really enjoy tackling tough problems, and feel a real sense of accomplishment when they succeed in assisting people achieve their goals. Real estate is frequently a very emotional business. Just think about the situations that cause people to buy or sell a home. Marriage, divorce, children, aging, job transfers, etc. These come with a whole slew of built-in stressors before even beginning to look at buying or selling a home. So it takes a certain type of person to time and again work through the process of walking someone through a sometimes frustrating, and/or difficult transaction. Of course, the goal is to make the real estate transaction as smooth as possible. A Realtor makes every effort to make sure that the client is always informed of the process, while allowing them to make the decisions. Once the transaction has been completed the hope of a good Realtor is the client will refer their friends and family when they need real estate help. Most clients say, "Oh, I will" when asked for a referral, and then the Realtor never hears from them. Referrals are the life blood of a successful Realtor. Referrals provide positive aspects for the newly referred buyer/seller, too. He or she feels more secure knowing this Realtor helped a friend. So if you have worked with a Realtor who did a good job, refer them. It will benefit your friends and help that Realtor grow his/her business.

Trick or Treat! Make Your Home Safe for Little Goblins!

How to Make Your Home Safe for Trick-or-Treaters If you’re expecting trick-or-treaters at your home this Halloween, take time to rid your yard of any potential hazards that can compromise a child’s safety. Follow these steps for a fun and safe Halloween in your neighborhood. The costumed crowd, and their parents or guardians, will thank you. Secure your entryway. Before trick-or-treaters come bounding up your doorstep, look for trip hazards like loose pavers or extension cords. Guide children around these dangers with markers, or restrict access completely. Avoid using flammable materials in your décor. According to FEMA, more fires occur on Halloween night. Swap out the candles in your jack-o’-lanterns for LED alternatives, and be cautious when using seasonal flammable décor, like hay or dried cornstalks, which can easily catch fire if too close to heat sources. Light up the night. Aside from keeping all porch lights on, consider turning the lights on in rooms that have windows facing the street. If you have a longer walkway, add tea lights or glow sticks to light the path. Contain your pet. Costumes can sometimes spook dogs, even those who are normally well behaved around strangers. Set your pooch up with a comfortable space inside and away from the front door. Judy Gratton Your Real Estate Edge

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