Everything you ever wanted to know about Monterey Hills California Monterey Hills is a well hidden secret.  Set right next to Pasadena, and bordered by South Pasadena, Highland Park and El Sereno, most people living in Pasadena know nothing about this area unless theyre fortunate to drive through it by accident or have a friend that lives there. If you take Pasadena Freeway, 110 and exit Via Marisol, take a right turn, past the stop light, you will head up a rolling hill which will take you through Monterey Hills.  Most complexes are on Via Marisol itself, with some on Via Arbolada and Via Colina. The location is superb - conveniently located only 7 miles from downtown LA (freeway or streets), about 10 minutes from Old Town Pasadena and minutes away from 110, 101, 10, 134, 5 and 210 fr... 06/20/2008

Deciding which groups to join on ActiveRain is obviously important to enhance the success one achieves from this resource. I was searching through the various choices and then I found this Group: Agents who want REFERRALS. So how does this work; who do I email; what should I do? All advice, comments (and referrals) will be eagerly welcomed. 06/20/2008

I recently learned something which although is so simple, is really quite clever. I don't think many people know this .... but have you ever noticed the little "arrow" (pointing left or right) on the fuel gauge in your car's instrument cluster? That arrow indicates on which side of the car you need to fill the fuel tank. (In the pic the tank is on the left hand side of the car). Did you know about this interesting piece of information? Has anyone got similar Trivia to share with AR members? 06/20/2008

Something happened today that made me remember that we must "Never overlook the obvious". While filling up at the gas station today, I noticed a lady fidgeting around her new Mercedes Benz. Then the station supervisor joined her and they both seemed to be anxiously searching for something inside the car. My curiousity got the better of me so I went closer to see what was happening. Apparently the lady had just collected her new car and couldn't find the button inside the car to release the gas tank cover on the left side of the car (as in the pic above). I offered my assistance. I walked to the side of the car, and simply unclipped the tank cover. "Voila ... simple as that." You see, most people expect something more, so they overlook the obvious; namely going to the gas tank cover and... 06/20/2008

Apple Sells 5 Billionth Song Through iTunes While reading Business and Financial News this morning I came across an article that made me say "wow". Apple has sold 5 Billion songs through iTunes. At 99c a pop, that's almost $5 Billion is sales for Apple. That's a huge number. "The sales figures suggest that demand for digital music is showing no signs of abating. Apple (AAPL) hit the 5 billion song mark four months after it reached sales of 4 billion songs. In April, data from retail research firm NPD Group said Apple had displaced Wal-Mart (WMT) as the No. 1 music retailer in the U.S" - Charles Schwab Market News.Apple opened up the iTunes store in April 2003. It sold its one-billionth song in February 2006, reached the 2 billion sales mark in January 2007, and by July 2007, had sold mo... 06/19/2008

I joined ActiveRain about two and a half months ago. I was referred to the site by an agent who introduced a Buyer to one of my listings. Since I joined Activerain I've met some wonderful people from all over the country. I've read their Blogs, debated issues, and learned a great deal. I can now report my initial success that is directly attributable to my blogging on ActiveRain. During the past week I've had an invitation to join a prestigious Networking Group; I also received a call from a producer from Channel 7 News to do a TV interview about Real Estate in my area; and a Buyer for a million dollar property decided to use me to represent him in his purchase. I think this is is testiment about the power of blogging and the power of ActiveRain. And I know this is only the begining of ... 06/19/2008

        BANK OWNED REO IN LOS ANGELES CITY, LA COUNTY !! FABULOUS BANK OWNED REO! A FEW BLOCKS FROM HANCOCK PARK AND PRICED TO SELL IMMEDIATELY!!! APPEARS THAT PROPERTY WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING CONVERTED INTO 2 UNITS, BUT LEFT UNFINISHED. PROPERTY DOESN'T HAVE ANY FINISHED KITCHENS OR BATHROOMS AND IS CURRENTLY UNINHABITABLE. GLA APPEARS TO BE LARGER THAN WHAT ASSESSOR'S RECORDS CURRENTLY SHOW. PERFECT FOR YOUR HANDY INVESTORS, OWNER OCCUPANTS OR EXTENDED FAMILIES. CLOSE TO TRANSPORTATION AND SHOPPING. BUYERS BE AWARE THAT THIS IS A BANK OWNED PROPERTY. PROPERTY SOLD IN AS IS, WHERE-IS CONDITION. BUYER TO DO THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS TO VERIFY AND SATISFY THEMSELVES OF ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS REGARDING THIS PROPERTY. ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS NOT VERIFIED BY LISTING AGENT. ... 06/17/2008

The Los Angeles Times reports: "Gay couples are projected to spend $684 million on flowers, cakes, hotels, photographers and other wedding services over the next three years." September 2005 - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that he will veto a bill that would allow gay marriages in California. Despite his promised veto, Schwarzenegger "believes gay couples are entitled to full protection under the law and should not be discriminated against based upon their relationship," the statement said. Fast forward  ....  May 2008 - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says gay marriage could be good for the economy. The governor reiterated he opposes an initiative backed by conservatives to ban gay marriage in the state constitution. He said he personally defines marriage as between a man and... 06/16/2008

What a crazy thought! How could anyone think of flipping in this horrible real estate market? Well, in the past few weeks, two investors I work with have asked me to be on the lookout for possible houses to flip in the coming months. They are noticing something that I am noticing: There are some super-cheap houses being dumped on the market by lenders in neighborhoods where prices will never fall that low. For example, in one neighborhood I watch closely -- where no home has sold in the last year for less than $925,000 -- one lender dumped a home on the market for around $650,000. It was promptly snatched up. The home was a cosmetic fixer. There are others. If you buy one of these cheap homes and actually live in it for several years, buyers can walk into some serious equity even if the... 06/14/2008

In California, Lenders do not register Mortgages on properties, yet it is common practice to have Mortgage Brokers deal with the financing aspect of Real Estate transactions. A Home Loan is not a Mortgage, and a Mortgage is not a Deed of Trust. A Home Loan is a loan secured by the equity in the borrower's home. A Mortgage is the pledging of a property to a lender as a security for a loan. It is a security instrument that you give to the lender; a document that protects the lender's interests in your property. While a mortgage in itself is not a debt, it is evidence of a debt. A Deed of Trust is a document wherein a specific financial interest in the title to real property is held by a trustee, which holds it as security for a loan Trust Deeds are the the most common instrument used in ... 06/14/2008

I always prepare for my Open Houses. I ensure I have ample copies of the Property Listing Sheet, copies of my "Seller's Requirements for Offers", and always have a Buyers Register. As prospective buyers enter the property I offer them the set-up sheet and request they sign the Buyers Register. I request their name, contact number, email address, and provede a space for them to state their agent's name, if they are in fact working with an agent. I've had a few limited experiences where clients enter the house or condo and adamantly refuse to supply their details. I respectfully advise that it is my duty to account to the Seller as to who has visited and been through the property. On the very rare occassion that someone insists they will not give this information, I politely inform them t... 06/14/2008

Did you know? Taxpayers in Los Angeles, California will pay $1.2 billion for tax cuts for the richest 10% in FY 2009. For the same amount of money, 512,271 People could have been provided with Health Care for One Year. Did you know? Taxpayers in Los Angeles, California paid $1.5 billion for the cost of the Iraq War in FY2007. For the same amount of money, 604,532 People could have been provided with Health Care for One Year. What are your thoughts about promoting Health Care for all Americans? 06/13/2008

06/13/2008

CNN Online has an interesting "Cost of Living Calculator"  where you can enter your Salary (Income), the City and State where you live, and then make a comparison as to how far your salary will go in another City and State. I tried it and found some fascinating results: Los Angeles (where I live) compared to Manhattan, New York Groceries cost 14.33% more in New York; Housing costs 45% more; Utilities cost 50% more For interest I then compared Los Angeles to Tulsa, Oklahoma In Tulsa, Groceries cost 28% less; Housing cost 71% less; Utilities cost 6.4% less. One of the other disparities I noted was in Healthcare: Los Angeles vs New York: 15.8% more in New York Los Angeles vs Tulsa: 12.9% less in Tulsa. 06/10/2008

Rare Spanish Revival large 3+2 condo, close to desirable Larchmont Village.  A lush gated courtyard leads to your own private hacienda where a light filled living room delights with beamed ceilings, fireplace and French windows opening to tree top views and fresh breezes.  Hardwood floors gleam thruout the formal dining room and 3 generous bedrooms.  Updated bathrooms and kitchen are chic, with a designer touch and thoughtful period details, plus a pool and 2 car garage, complete the story. Over 2200 square feet.  www.846Lucerne.com - Great Photos! I am open today 11 - 2 & Sunday 2- 5. Please join me to see this fabulous home. Eileen 06/10/2008

Record Gas Price in West Hollywood / Beverly Hills / Los Angeles February 2008 - Bush on $4 a gallon gas: "I hadn't heard that." June 6, 2008 - Premium gas reached $4.99 a gallon in West Hollywood / Los Angeles.  June 18, 2008 - Premium gas reached $5.05 a gallon today in West Hollywood / Los Angeles. June 20, 2008 - Premium gas reached $5.19 a gallon today in Beverly Hills / Los Angeles. Where to next? We are in a crisis and yet our Federal and State Governments appear to be operating like things are "as normal". 06/08/2008

Great show this weekend at The Los Angeles Convention Center June 7 & 8. BDODEC - code for free admission. Loos like it will be fun! http://www.zinio.com/cover?is=267120417&img=l Eileen Lanza Keller Williams 06/05/2008

Effective July 1st, 2008, it will become illegal to drive a vehicle in the state of California while using a hand held cell phone.  Drivers who violate the law will face a base fine of $20 for a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. The law allows drivers to use a handheld cell phone for emergency purposes, drivers of commercial vehicles to use push-to-talk phones until July 1, 2011, and allow drivers of emergency response vehicles to use a cell phone without a hands-free device. Now we need to get drivers to stop sipping their Starbucks, stop shaving or applying make-up and concentrate on the job at hand:) 05/29/2008

1. Who is your favorite musical artist?  Frank Sinatra (a mandatory classic) and dare I say, Barbra Streisand? I'm also enjoying Josh Groban right now. 2. Who is your favorite artist?   I don't have any one single favorite, but I enjoy the works of Joan Miro (the surprise of surrealism) and Henri Matisse (great use of strong, bold colors).  3. Who is your favorite blogger?   I love reading "The Real Estalker" for delicious entertainment. and I find both Anderson Cooper and Jack Cafferty on the CNN Blog both interesting and informative. 4. If you could meet anyone (alive or dead), who would it be and what is the most interesting thing about them?  I'd really like to meet Sir Richard Branson, flamboyant British self-made billionaire and philanthropist who created the Virgin Brand of compa... 05/29/2008

Granada Hills home staged and sold! Moving Mountains Design is having great success this year helping Los Angeles Real Estate Agents and home owners sell their homes faster, even in this tight real estate market. We staged this occupied home in late April. The Real Estate Agent emailed me this morning to let me know the home had sold, and in record time for this area. It is easy to see why this home sold so quickly. The staging makes it stand out from all the competing homes on the market in this Granada Hills tract. Staging by Moving Mountains Design gave this home personality and pizazz and made it feel warm and inviting. We will be destaging as soon as all the contingencies are lifted.                                                                                                    ... 05/28/2008