Real Estate

Making Los Angeles Your New Home

Imagine a place where the warm sunshine is a constant companion. However, the temperature is usually quite pleasant, with mild winters and warm summers. To discover a cultural event typically involves a choice of which one to choose from due to the amount available. Entertainment abounds from film making to live theater. And there’s also a stirring music scene along with a proliferation of theme parks. The availability of shopping and fashion are yet more factors in what could be considered a wonderland of sights and sounds. Yet as imaginary as this may sound, we can attest that this place does in fact exist.

Southern California, especially the city of Los Angeles, is a place where all of the above mentioned elements are gathered. Ask any transplant from another area and you’ll usually hear the same reason as to why they stayed. And that is the weather. With everything in mind, it may be quite surprising that few people seriously consider the move to this wonderful area. However, this may be due to the idea that real estate in Southern California is somehow unattainable. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

While we will admit that the housing market in California did see it’s share of struggles during the housing bubble, buying real estate in this area has once again become an opportunity for investors. Housing prices have been slowly climbing and according to expert speculation, they will continue to do so. What this means is that this may be the perfect time to look for a home and see some long term returns in the process. With this in mind, it may be the perfect time to finally make your move.

This wonderland does exist. And with some safe planning and searching, this could possibly be the new place to call home.

Warning Against Buying a Fixer-Upper

One of the new trends in real estate is to buy a home that needs many repairs or even a complete renovation.  Part of the reason that this practice has been gaining in popularity is that there are some false ideas surrounding it.  Many people believe that buying a fixer-upper for a cheap price and making the repairs yourself can save you money in the long run.  Unfortunately, this is very inaccurate.

Making repairs to a home or completely remodeling one can be extremely pricey.  Most people falsely believe that they can make the repairs themselves.  The majority of people simply cannot perform intricate repairs.  Many people don’t realize how expensive it can be to hire workers and buy all the supplies involved in home repairs.  A full renovation can cost nearly as much as an entire house!

Not only do repairs take a lot of money, but they can take a long time to complete.  As the expression goes, “Time is money.”  If you have to wait months or years for your home to be finished, it can be extremely inconvenient for you and your family.  Full renovations often involve vacating the home.  The costs of hotel rooms can lead to wasting money.

For those that have the funds for it, renovating a property can allow you to create your dream home.  Fixing and reconstructing a home can give you decision power over the layout and look of the home.

Buying a fixer-upper has both advantages and disadvantages.  Make sure to evaluate your specific financial situation and timeline in order to decide if it’s the right decision for you.

How to Choose the Right Home for You

There are some important things to do on a long day of house hunting.  The process can be very fun, exciting, and often times overwhelming.  Most of the time, people get so swept up in the excitement that they forget to pay attention to the little details.  Every single property you look at will have its little quirks.  Even your dream home may end up surprising you with some “little things” that you didn’t notice until after you moved in.  Hopefully, this article will make that list of “little things,” that much shorter.

When you tour a potential home, make sure to complete a total walk-through first, in order to get a feel of the place.  Simply observe your reactions to the place.  Next, it’s best to walk through again and take notes and pictures on all the little details.  You might even want to sketch a floor plan.  Make sure to pay attention to often overlooked things such as the quality of the floors and carpets, the amount of storage space, and the color scheme and size of the rooms in relation to the furniture that you already own.

Another word of advice is to inspect the property at different times of the day.  This will allow you to learn about your potential neighborhood.  You may find out some particulars in the evening that evaded you in the morning.  For example, maybe your neighbors have loud parties in the evenings or the neighborhood is less safe at night.  These details could make or break your decision to buy that property.

Essentially, you want to be in the know as much as possible before purchasing a house.  You want to have inspected all the nooks and crannies as well as have a vision for how you will decorate the place.  Decide on the layout and any changes you would make to the place before you make a purchase.

How to decide between an old or new house

Article Submitted By – Jerry Armen

Some prefer the fresh glue smell of a new home, while others nestle up to a moldy fragrance that emanates from the walls of an older house. They both have their charms and their pitfalls. How can you know which is best for you?

When you buy a new home, it will be situated in the suburbs or in the nearby countryside. There are newer schools in the area, but you will have the headache of the daily commute if you work in town. Older homes are often situated near the middle of town, but the neighborhoods might not be as desirable.

On the financial side, an older home will require remodeling from the outset. However, the newer home’s price is rarely negotiable. Instead of remodeling costs, you may find a hidden association’s fee and strict guidelines against exterior structures or remodeling at all. Do your research before you buy a newer home.

The older home is ready with open, moldy arms for you to move in immediately, while the newer home demands unending patience. If you are one of the first to move into the neighborhood, expect the early morning symphony of hammers and dodging nails in the road for a long time to come.

Sorry to slap you in the face with the raw truth, but you will have to wake up and make your choice soberly. Neither one is a bed of roses, but once you have made your bed, you must lie in it, as they say. If you want quick and charming, but a cleaning exercise, the older home is for you. If you want everything done for you, but you are patient enough to tolerate the commute, day in and day out, along with the cacophony of hammers, then the new home is your cup of tea.