The West Covina City Council recently offered a First-Time Home Buyer Opportunity - the construction of a Single Family Residence that was offered to First Time Home Buyers. The construction of this home was a collaborative effort between the Regional Occupational Program and the Community Development Commission which provided students with hands-on entry level construction skills. It is anticipated that through collaboration and partnerships with developers, property owners, businesses and the community, the Community Development Commission will continue to encourage development, rehabilitate deteriorating centers, attract and expand businesses, develop and increase the affordable housing stock within the City. Other new construction underway is the Pacific Communities Park West develo... 11/20/2009

West Covina, CA- There are many good reasons why you should take your reusable bags to the store. The hard part is remembering to bring them. Remember to take your reusable bags when you shop Place your Reusable Bags by the door, near your car keys, or with your store coupons. Jot a reminder down on your shopping list. Keep some Reusable Bags in the car, or near your bicycle. Put a note on the refrigerator. Have some Reusable Bags at the office. Take Reusable Bags to the grocery stores, the mall, and on all other shopping excursions. REMEMBER: If soiled Reusable Bags are washable. Single Use Bag Reduction Tips Refuse- Don't accept any unnecessary plastic or paper bags for large items, such as jugs of milk or juice, or small items that can be easily carried or placed in another bag. Reus... 11/16/2009

West Covina, CA- The City of West Covina is teaming up with our local Albertsons Supermarket to host a reusable bag giveaway. Where 1,000 reusable bags will be given out to West Covina Residents. All you have to do is bring in 5 single-use plastic bags for recycling and exchange them for a free stylish "Brag About Your Bag(R)" reusable shopping bag. Visit Albertsons SuppermarketLocated at 2630 E. Workman Ave.Thursday, December 17thfrom 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m. Help Recycle for a cleaner West Covina. For more information call 626-939-8458 or visit, www.bragaboutyourbag.com or www.westcovina.org Bag Facts Each year, about six billion plastic carryout bags are consumed in Los Angeles County ALONE. Only about 5% of these bags are recycled. When plastic bags are littered they could enter the ocean... 11/16/2009

There are two divergent philosophies about where the market is heading in the coming months. The figures and trends for the Residential Housing Market. Prices have leveled off, and have actually been steadily rising (by 1-2% growth from year-to-year comparisons). The amount of inventory turning over has been over 500,000 for the past 12 months leading to inventory being low in many markets, and buyer demand is still very high (but is it artificially high). However, professionals and pundits are reluctant to admit that the worst is over due to the artificial real estate parameters that have been in play. Some have used the stats of the new construction coming to a halt after the California new construction initiative ran out of money after only three months. Many are expecting this to be... 10/27/2009

Many conversations about where the market will go after the First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit wears off is escalating, and although the National trend is pointing towards decline in prices and transactions I believe the Southern California Real Estate Market is in a unique situation that will save it from decline. In West Covina, CA as of 11:02am on 10/27/2009 there are 115 Single-Family Residences available for sale (*Figure pulled from MRMLS and CAROTS data). The average rate that homes have been entering into contracts in West Covina has steadily been 55-60 homes a month. This past month 57 properties entered into escrow. This leaves the West Covina Real Estate Market with just over 2 months inventory on hand. Anything under 4.5 months inventory on hand is considered to be a shortage... 10/27/2009

West Covina, CA- According to the C.A.R. “2009 First-time Home Buyers Tax Credit Survey”, four out of ten (39 percent) first-time home buyers said they would not have purchased a home if the federal tax credit for first-time home buyers was not offered. I know most media reporters say this as a BAD thing, and a sign that the buyers will go back into hiding after they disappear. However, 60% of the first time home buyers are still planning to purchase a home EVEN IF they don't get the First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit. Since most homes listed in West Covina under $400,000 are receiving multiple bids, and ALL homes listed under $251,000 are in bidding wars; I feel it is safe to presume that we will not really feel the full effect of a 40% reduction in competition. For fun though, we will ... 10/27/2009

Need to test your vision? Any visitor to the West Covina Farmers Market may be tested at no cost on Saturday September 26 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. The Market is located in the Westfield parking lot between the Firestone Store and Margarita Jones Restaurant on the north side of West Covina Parkway. Dr. David Hill of the West Covina Lions Club will perform the vision testing using the using the Lions Eye Foundation of Southern California’s Mobile Screening Unit. So head on down to the West Covina Farmer's Market from 8:30am to 1:00pm THIS Saturday. The West Covina Farmer's Market is held every Saturday from 8:30am to 1:00pm. It is always in the perimeter parking of the Westfield West Covina Mall. For the freshest fruit at the most competitive price come on out and support your local agric... 09/24/2009

So you found a great home. You made your best offer. The home inspection went well and now you will be moving in 30 days. When deciding on moving supplies the choices are huge. Here is a pick list for a smooth move. Packing tape comes in brown craft tape and clear thick rolls. Vinyl tape with black and yellow diagonal stripes, or with words like "Fragile" and "Caution" let movers know glass or other fragile items are packed inside.   Carpet protection tape does just as it sounds. It protects a carpet from damage while moving. This tape is a clear film with adhesive backing that measures over twenty four inches wide and up.   Protecting fragile items inside the box is equally important. Some moving supplies to use include Styrofoam packing peanuts, bubble wrap and newsprint sheets.   Use... 09/22/2009

Every Home Inspector in Southern California has run into household pests. This includes a variety of crawling insects, arachnids and rodents that enter the home to feed, nest or breed. Rats and mice are the most common finds in Southern California homes. This is especially true in homes that have a variety of fruit trees and date palms. Rodents can cause thousands of dollars in damage to the homes systems and equipment. They can eat the insulation off electrical and control wires. They can nest and destroy HVAC ducts as well. Rat and mice can nest in the wall and ceiling cavities. The damage may not always be seen. A lot of time the wires and insulation damage will be concealed in the walls. When signs of rodent infestation have been observes it may be more than just rodent drppings to ... 09/03/2009

I have been recently asked this question and many similar questions recently. My answer to them have been fairly straight forward, but I believe it to be true. Q: Is the Real Estate Madness going to end when school starts back up?A: No, I don't believe it will. The current market we are in now began forming almost a year ago to create the artifical real estate market we are in now. Residential Real Estate prices rose marginally for the past three-to-four months, and I expect this trend not only to continue but actually SPIKE just before the credit falls off. If the prices do spike, there may be a slight dip after the credit falls off, but I believe it will not come back down to where it use to be... So, if you or anyone you know is still waiting for the bottom you missed it... but don't... 08/28/2009

West Covina, CA- Dockside Bar and Grill is hosting a Fantasy Football League. If you want to take your Fantasy Footbal to the next level this is definately the best way to do it. With a LIVE face-to-face draft, happy hour specials all season long and three catered meals throughout the season this is going to be one epic Fantasy Football League.  The Live Fantasy Football Draft will be September 3rd, so be sure to go by the Dockside Grill in West Covina, just off the Barranca exit in Restaurant Row (next to Hooters). The meal will be catered and there are three leagues forming: Beginner, intermediate, and advanced: so even first time fantasy players can relax, learn and enjoy. With all sorts of awards, prizes, and even drawings your chances of winning something are only bested by the cha... 08/27/2009

West Covina, CA- The West Covina Real Estate market is in for a crazy next two months. With a historically low number of homes available for sale, coupled with the incredibly high demand for housing is crazy enough. Now throw in the near end of the first time home buyer Government Supplemental Housing credit and... The West Covina Real Estate market is in for a roller coaster of a time these next two months. Friday, August 21, 2009 Current Available West Covina Homes: 101 (33.7% are distressed properties)# of homes sold in the last 30 days:     75 (new jump in sold homes... Average fore the previous six months was 60)# of Months inventory on hand:            1.34 Months (A 'normal' market would have 5-7 months inventory on hand) If you or someone you know is looking to sell their West C... 08/21/2009

West Covina, CA- Prices have been low and demand has been high ever since the Government introduced the first time home buyers credit. Anyone who passed High School economics with a C should be able to tell you the price is going to go up, and IT HAS already begun to rise over the past three months. The inventory has been steadily declining ever since the government implemented the 90-day moratorium on Foreclosures, and exacerbated the already slow foreclosure process by putting the burden of showing they offered a work-out option for the current owner.  The high demand was artificially created when the government stepped in and offered a bonus, which despite it having dramatic effects, they re-sweetened several times. The inventory is artificially low due to a lack of foreclosed proper... 08/21/2009

WEST COVINA, CA- The Real Estate Market is always changing, so when you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell real estate don't just hire anyone... hire a pro! My Real Estate Pro West Covina West Covina Real Estate Single Family Home Snap Shot Thursday, June 25, 2009 Available West Covina Single Family Homes: 139Pending Homes (last 30 days): 64Minimum Sales Price (last 30 days): $149,000Maximum Sales Price (last 30 days): $1,788,000Average Sales Price(last 30 days): $568,165Inventory on Hand: 2.17 months (sellers market 7) West Covina is in a very unique housing situation in which low prices coupled with government stimulation have created a very high demand for buyers that has greatly diminished the housing inventory in Los Angeles County creating a 'seller's market'. Now the r... 06/25/2009

When I tell most people that West Covina IS a seller's market; they tend to nod and then try to correct that it is a buyer's market. I smile and assure these people that although it is still a great time to buy, it is certainly no buyers market... A buyer's market is indicative of a high inventory (over 7 months) which would mean that the buyers would have a large quantity to choose from, and they could afford to be more picky. A neutral housing market is when the supply is between 5-7 months inventory available, which would make for standard transactions where neither party really has a negotiating edge. Where a sellers market is when there is a shortage of inventory (below 5 months supply) which means that if one buyer is too demanding or expecting credits or repairs the seller probab... 06/13/2009

West Covina, CA- In a tri-city cooperative effort, West Covina joins in with La Puente and City of Industry in a $62million dollar Water Recycling Project that will yield over 1.2billion gallons of water a year for the San Gabriel Valley. The project begins by putting in roughly 12.4 miles of pipeline, building two reservoirs, one pump station and a pressure reducing station. The project is expected to be completed by 2012. Suburban Water System Service provider are the first homes to benefit from this project in West Covina. Mostly homes located in the prestigious South Hills of West Covina are serviced by the Suburban Water Service. It is important to note that when buying a home that is serviced by the Suburban Water Service that you need to own stock within the company. So don't jus... 06/06/2009

Don't let common Short Sale pitfalls come back to Haunt you! As we see more and more warnings coming out about the banks slipping some sneaky verbiage into the closing settlement and acceptance of short sales (What is a Short Sale?). Such as this article By Zach Fox - Staff Writer for North County Times: EXCLUSIVE: Lawyers say lenders set stage to collect on 'short sales' Foreclosure may be better option for some struggling homeowners. I first find it very important to note that the representative from Countrywide (now Bank of America) stated that if they are challenged on this verbiage they will drop it off. I also want to stress that the verbiage may not be as forward or plain as they indicate in this article. As I showed in my July 31, 2008 post on Recourse vs Non-Recourse Loans in C... 04/27/2009

My Real Estate Pro | West Covina Real Estate | Real Estate Hound Both Carolina and Seth, My Real Estate Pro founder's, are extremely well educated Realtors® and they continue to educate themselves in the ever growing field of technology based business. They continuously attend personal development seminars to increase their personal capacity to assist you in reaching your real estate goals. Carolina Chacon, originally from Colima, Mexico, is a full time Broker Associate with Real Estate Hound. She is honest, caring, informed, and committed to providing the highest degree of integrity, professionalism, and hard work to buyers and sellers to help them achieve their real estate goals. Carolina not only establishes relationships of trust always looking out for her clients' best interest, b... 04/27/2009

Having troubles locating one that can adequately live-up to your dream luxury home expectations. The MLS may seem to be in a constant state of short supply on such grandeur beauties, but you don't have to wait for the occasional NBC Article informing you of available masterpieces; they just seem not to be 'traditionally' listed for sale. So contact your local Luxury Home Specialist, and find out more about how a confident Realtor can help you. The home does not have to be listed for sale for the owner to be entertaining offers, and it all comes down to how your agent presents this offer. If you're in the market to buy a luxury property is Los Angeles County or Orange County don't just work with anyone... Hire a Pro!   04/27/2009

It is time time of year again. The early flowers are already begining to bloom. I've heard we're suppose to get some rain to help spring board the spring time colors. And of course the annual tradition of cleaning out your garage, closets, drawers, and storage spaces. I know a wonderful spring cleaning always leaves me feeling good! The City of West Covina is helping out to make it easier than ever to do your spring cleaning. By offering a series of programs that all get kick started on Earth day April 18th, 2009! The first event is a once-a-year UNLIMITED PICK-UP of house hold trash. Just place the items at your curb by 6a.m. on your designated Saturday. So clean out that clutter and trim up and clean out your trees bushes and garden beds. These Saturday pick-ups begin April 18th so be... 04/11/2009