Make Your Home, and Your Life, Eco-Friendly With These 5 Tips

We all want to find ways to take better care of the environment. It may surprise you to know that you can have the power to positively impact the planet, by simply making changes to the way you live. You house and your habits can take a toll on the environment but it’s easy to make “greener” choices to ensure a cleaner world. Here are six ways you can help our planet stay healthy.

Going Green from the Start

Looking for a new home? Find one that includes eco-friendly touches to make living “green” even easier. Look for homes that use recycled materials or other “green” elements in their construction. Be mindful of energy-efficient upgrades that have been completed and look for major “green” accents, such as solar panels outside and plenty of natural light sources inside. Work with a realtor to make finding an eco-friendly home in your area’s market a little less time-consuming and don’t be afraid to ask questions when looking at potential properties in your area.

Completing Big Home Improvements to Make a Big Difference

Not looking for a brand new home? You can make the most “green” adjustments to your existing home with some major renovations. These projects will take some time and money but will make the most impact on the energy-efficiency of your home so you can save on energy costs. Ensure your home is properly insulated by switching over to multi-paneled windows throughout your home or think about upgrading your home’s cooling/heating systems. If you really want to cut down on energy usage, and make a measurable impact on the environment, consider installing solar panels. These major upgrades take more of a commitment of your time and finances but offer the most return on investment, by increasing your home’s resale value and decreasing your carbon footprint on the world.

Making Easy, Energy-Efficient Upgrades

If you don’t have the time or resources for major upgrades, you can still find ways to make your house a little “greener.” There are tons of easy, cost-effective energy efficient changes you can make around your home. Change out your old outdoor lighting for solar powered options and invest in LED bulbs to replace standard ones in lamps and fixtures. Install a energy-regulating thermostat or switches for power outlets. Making energy-saving swaps can cut down on your utility costs while helping to keep the environment healthy.

Avoiding Unintentional Water Waste

Cutting down on energy use is one way homeowners can be more “green” but it’s also helpful to avoid other forms of waste. Water waste is another issue that poses a threat to our environment. You can reduce your water consumption with a few mindful measures. Think about watering lawns and gardens with water collected in rain barrels or cut down on the amount of food your family wastes. A single egg takes about 50 gallons of water to produce, so tossing out a dozen is like throwing out 620 gallons of water. Make a real difference by being mindful of the ways you waste this precious resource.

Cutting Down on Trash

Americans produce nearly 625K tons of garbage every single day. Efficient trash collection makes the issue hard to see for the average homeowner but the problem is piling up in landfills, rivers and oceans. Paper and plastic are some of the most prevalent pieces of garbage impacting the environment. You can cut down on your contribution to this trash epidemic by taking simple steps to curb clutter in your home. Bring reusable bags to stores to avoid taking home plastic or paper bags, use refillable water bottles and cut down on the amount of junk mail your receive.

Living a “greener” life in your home can be as simple as changing out a few light bulbs or as dedicated as buying an eco-friendly new home. You can make the choice, or choices, to reduce your impact on the environment and reduce energy costs and waste in your home. By living “greener” you can feel better about your life now, and the world you leave behind for the generations that come after you.

DOES HOME STAGING MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

It seems to be universally accepted that home staging will help your home sell faster or for the best price—it’s been the common practice in the real estate business for a long time, and on the surface it seems like a no-brainer. Of course potential buyers will be more interested if a home is properly decorated, right?

That’s not necessarily true, according to a recent academic study. The study surveyed 820 homebuyers by showing them one of six virtual tours of the same property. In some instances the home was decorated with traditional furniture and color schemes, while in others more eccentric furniture and colors were used. In other tours there was no furniture at all, just empty rooms.

The overall results of the study were that staging is unlikely to increase a home’s sale price, and that staging isn’t quite as important as everyone believes.

Of course, real estate trends vary greatly from market to market. If you have questions about staging, talk to your trusted real estate professional.

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FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HOME INSPECTIONS

Home inspection is an important part of the home sale process, both for buyers and sellers. When it’s time for you to hire an inspector, here are five things you should be thinking about:

 1. It’s your choice: You are not bound or obligated to use any particular inspector. Your real estate professional may have some recommendations, but it’s ultimately up to you. Ask around and choose wisely—better to pay a little more now for a highly-respected inspector than to be surprised by a problem that the inspection didn’t reveal.

 2. Looking for big problems: The inspector will be focused on the integrity of the home—safety, electrical work, foundation, load-bearing walls, etc. The inspector is not there to point out problems with ugly paint colors or light fixtures.

 3. The report: There are hundreds of items to inspect in a home, so the inspector’s report will focus on the basics: What’s damaged, what needs repaired, etc. The report should be easy to read and understand.

 4. Code of ethics: Though the inspector is working for the party that pays the inspector’s fee, the inspector will not deliver a report that intentionally hides or omits damaging information about the home. The report is private between you and the inspector, but if you’re the seller, you’re required to disclose any problems that the inspection reveals.

 5. The inspector is not liable: Even the best inspectors can’t find every single problem in a home. They can’t see inside the walls or through the floors, so there could still be problems lurking. If a problem is revealed down the road, the inspector can’t be held responsible.

Let's begin your process, schedule a free consult with me today.
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Plumbing Fundamentals for the First Time Homeowner

Owning a home for the first time can be exciting and incredibly daunting at the same time. Previously if your water wasn’t hot, or your refrigerator took a crap you could call your landlord and they would get it fixed in a timely manner. Now, this is all your domain and responsibility. That being said, there are a few basics that virtually anyone can learn that will give you a great head start to become a handy homeowner. 

Toilets 

Thankfully, the mechanisms that allow a toilet to function are fairly simple. You have the tank, the bowl, the handle and the components inside the tank. Inside the tank, there is usually a chain connected to the arm of the handle, and the other side of the chain is connected to the flapper. Often toilet running problems are solved with a quick chain adjustment or a new flapper. Try to take care of your running toilets as quick as possible as they can cost you up to two hundred dollars a year in water costs. If your toilet is really old you might want to consider upgrading to a low flow toilet, it can save you quite a bit in yearly water consumption. This youtube channel has some great lessons on how to repair your toilet for a variety of issues. 

Drains 

Most people are aware that grease, bones and other things cannot go down your garbage disposal, but did you know citrus fruit peels can cause major build up or damage as well? It’s a good idea when you get into your new home to keep an eye out for drains that may take longer than usual to take away the water. Usually, you can fix these by getting a cheap drain snake at your local hardware store or using a bit of draino. If these methods don't take care of your issue, consider handing it off to a professional. 

Water Heaters 

The second largest energy expense in your home is water heating. Water heaters are something most homeowners and/or residents don’t often think about until it goes out and you get a frigid shower. When moving into your new place take some time to inspect the current water heater and get an idea of the shape that it’s in. You can cross reference the serial number to determine the age of the unit, if it’s north of 12 years old it might be a good idea to start looking at newer units. Choosing an energy star rated water heater can save you up to 300 dollars a year in water heating costs. There are many options even if the space you pick is limited, for example, tankless water heaters are often more efficient than their tank-style brothers and last almost twice as long. 

Faucets 

Got a leaky faucet in your new home? Thankfully, diagnosing and fixing faucet problems are relatively simple. Most of the time it just needs a new rubber washer which is a cheap and quick fix. Other issues may occur and can typically be solved by disassembling the faucet and removing all the minerals and other build-ups with a wire brush. 

How to Survive Buying a House With Your Relationship Intact

Guest Blogger: Natalie Jones

Whether you’re married or not, buying a house together can feel like the biggest commitment of your relationship. After all, you’re financially enmeshing yourselves in a way that a shared checking account just doesn’t do. It’s exciting and scary all at once, but signing the mortgage isn’t the only intimidating part of buying a house. House hunting itself can strain even the best of relationships if you’re not careful.

When you’re buying a house as a couple, the first thing to do is get on the same page about finances. You can’t afford to have any financial secrets. If you have thousands of dollars in unpaid debt that your significant other doesn’t know about, it will come out during mortgage pre-approval and lead to an argument. If there are unpaid debts or accounts in collections on your credit histories, find out what you can do to improve your credit score.

Once you’ve qualified for a mortgage, it’s time to decide how much you want to spend. The amount that you qualified for isn’t necessarily what’s right for your budget. One study from LendingHome showed that half of all home buying disagreements among millennials and Gen Xers stem from differences regarding the right amount of debt to take on. That makes this a necessary conversation. Sit down with your significant other and make a household budget. Once you’ve accounted for all monthly expenses, debt payments, and savings goals, settle on a price range you’d be comfortable paying toward housing each month. Make sure you consider homeownership expenses beyond the mortgage; you’ll also need to factor in utility bills, property taxes, insurance, homeowners association fees, and an emergency fund to cover unexpected repairs. According to reporting from CNBC, these hidden costs of homeownership rack up to average $9,080 every year.

Before you start looking at homes, have a conversation about your wants and needs for a new home. Any home feature that isn’t cheap or easy to change, talk about it — from the kind of neighborhood you want to the type of cabinetry you prefer. The goal is to come up with one single list of agreed-upon wants and needs. If your visions differ, this is the time to come up with a compromise. If you head into house hunting with different dream homes in mind, all you’re going to find is frustration.

While it’s important to have a shared vision for your future home, be prepared to change course if the market demands it. Many first-time buyers overestimate how far their budget will take them. You may have to revisit the discussion if the homes within your budget don’t live up to your dreams.

You should also consider how much time you’re willing to commit to finding a home. Are you going to spend every evening and weekend viewing homes until you’ve found the right one, or do you want to schedule some downtime into your house hunt? Are you willing and able to take off work to jump on the perfect opportunity if competition is high? What’s your deadline for moving? These are all questions to answer before you start contacting selling agents.

Don’t forget to plan for the move: You’re going to have different convictions about the best way to pack boxes and load a moving truck and the right hand signals to use when backing up a box truck. Those minor disagreements are only going to be magnified amidst the stress of moving day, so make a moving plan in advance. Establish a timeline and make a checklist of everything that needs to be done between now and moving day. Assign each task to one person or mark it down as a shared duty to reduce the chances that an important to-do gets overlooked.

Finally, be kind to yourself and each other. Buying a home and moving are stressful tasks and it’s normal for emotions to run high when you’re making major life decisions. If you feel your patience wearing thin or your relationship suffering, step back from house hunting to unwind, spend quality time together, and remind yourselves why you’re on this journey in the first place.

Natalie Jones, together with her husband (Jason), created Homeownerbliss. Since they've bought their home, she has decided to try to help others learn from their experiences. That’s how Homeownerbliss.info was born! She is passionate about making the process of buying a home less scary for first-timers, as well as inspiring homeowners of all stages enjoy the perks of home ownership!

Image via Unsplash

The 4 Biggest Reasons to Live Tiny

Tiny trends are taking over, from microapartments to decked-out homes that can be towed behind a midsize truck. In some ways, living in these close quarters can cramp your style. For example, you’ll need to pare down your personal belongings and carefully consider what you choose to keep on-hand, and you can kiss hosting social events goodbye (unless they’re in the yard).  But living tiny also comes with some big benefits, especially in Los Angeles, where prices for homes and rent are absolutely out of this world!

Whether it’s a Los Angeles house or a Chicago apartment, living tiny in the big city can be very underrated, and here is why:

1. Mobile

If you hate feeling tied down, tiny houses are the way to go. They’re almost always on wheels, so you can take them with you if you decide to go on vacation, or get a sudden urge to relocate entirely. Since you’re taking your home with you, there’s no harried home search or urgent property sale. And forget packing: Just batten down the window hatches and hit the road. (However, many areas have restrictions on minimum sizes for dwellings, as well as where you can park your house, so research your destination before showing up.)

2. Private

Microapartments are a hugely popular trend for those seeking the simplicity that accompanies small living. But microapartments come with full-sized neighbors, whom — if the walls aren’t soundproof — you’ll likely be able to hear from every corner of your place. With a tiny home, you’ll have only privacy, peace, and quiet for neighbors.

3. Cheaper

Building a house that’s a fraction of the size of most homes also comes with a fraction of the price. Tiny homes typically are around 400 square feet, sometimes as little as 100 square feet for the more mobile models, while the typical median home size is just under 2,500 square feet. Since the median home value in the U.S. is just shy of $200,000, you might expect that a tiny home would cost about $40,000, since they’re roughly a fifth of the size. You’d be just about right. Depending on whether you’re looking for a little piece of luxury or a small Spartan dwelling, and if you’re looking for a custom build, prices vary widely. But regardless, you can expect to pay this mortgage off years ahead of a traditional home mortgage.

4. Efficient

The efficiency gains of tiny homes are multifaceted. The first gain comes with your initial move-in: all of your unnecessary belongings are left at the door. There’s no basement to store those old shirts you might or might not ever want to wear again, and that pool table you use only twice a year just won’t fit. And after you whittle down your belongings to just the essentials, you’ll have to organize them and keep them organized. There’s no room in a tiny home for a messy Bessie.

More tangibly, small living spaces have smaller energy needs, meaning your utilities bill will decrease, and a solar panel could provide a large chunk — if not the entirety — of your electricity.

Moving into a tiny home is an extreme lifestyle change, but can save you the money, time, and stress that traditional homes often bring. If you’re tempted by the lifestyle, think about what parts of your current home are most important to you, and how you could translate them into a smaller home. It could be the perfect fit. 

The Best Los Angeles Neighborhoods with the Most Personality

Los Angeles is a seemingly eternal expanse of concrete and asphalt. This urban environment retains a rich, diverse culture that stretches back hundreds of eventful years. It’s beauty in the form of beaches, bricks, colors, and people combines to create a spectacular mosaic.

It is undoubtedly a city, but LA’s sheer openness differentiates itself from places like Seattle, Chicago, and New York. Those places are built tall and centralized, while LA is vast and largely open. The many neighborhoods that make up LA all have their own personality, here is a guide to the best of them:

Find Everything You Need Downtown

Although LA is not known for its skyline, skyscrapers can be found in the downtown area. But the real beauty of Los Angeles is the expansive nature of the city.

However, while you’re in the area, you have to see Walt Disney Concert Hall in the heart of downtown. Spanning over three and a half acres, the stainless steel exterior speaks to the creative spirit that is so evident in this city. The venue is an iconic Los Angeles landmark and a dream to play in for musicians all over the world.

If you prefer to sip cocktails while reliving your childhood, head on over to EightyTwo. This massive arcade bar has over 50 rotating classic games and offers quality drinks at a reasonable price. Sushi lovers should be sure to swing through Little Tokyo just around the block for rotary sushi on the way home.

Find Out the Local’s Version of Hollywood in WeHo and NoHo

Hollywood is normally depicted as the haven for the world’s stars and a place where paparazzi prey. However, the reality is that it’s a tourist trap and entirely underwhelming. Get away from the crowds and experience Los Angeles’ true Hollywood in WeHo (West Hollywood) and NoHo (North Hollywood).

The trimmed palms and well manicured lawns of WeHo reflect the polished nature that the area embraces so well. It is the home luxury shopping, high-end clubs, and the largest LGBTQ community in LA. It is almost impossible to not have a good time here, the atmosphere is entirely friendly and constantly upbeat. While in the area, try to control your laughter at the Comedy Store, both Jim Carrey and Robin Williams got their start performing here.

NoHo is the artistic hub of LA. It’s here that you’ll find writers, actors, directors, and dancers all congregated around indie theaters talking about their last performance or audition. The night scene here is also fun and diverse. The Federal Bar, a gourmet gastro pub converted from an old bank, is a must see. Tasting the Latino flavors of street vendors around the neighborhood is also a great idea.

Experience the Radiating Energy of Venice Beach

Venice Beach is home to the world famous Muscle Beach and possibly the most exciting boardwalk on the West Coast. It also has canals designed to mimic the Italian waterways from where it derives its name. Loud and vibrant, Venice Beach is capable of broadcasting its energy across the city.

The walk-up beach bars, hundreds of murals, and surf shops are emblematic of the carefree SoCal attitude that so many visitors wish to immerse themselves. The area’s energy is unique and extremely infective. It’s one of those places that leaves a lasting impression on every visitor.

Fall in Love With the Santa Monica Pier

Just up the beach you’ll find Santa Monica. It stands in fairly stark contrast to Venice, boasting a quieter lifestyle and a picturesque California beach. But how could we forget about the world famous Santa Monica Pier?

The pier is the thing to see while visiting. You’ll want to get here with an empty stomach as it has restaurants offering everything from seafood that was caught that day and authentic Italian food. You’ll forget all about the gorgeous beach below as you continue to indulge in the succulent samples of fresh, buttery lobster and the refreshing tastes of tequila margaritas offered at the pier. There’s even an amusement park located right above the crashing surf.

As you can see, this city is comprised of many different neighborhoods all with their own unique personality. Whether you’re looking for a gut busting laugh, delicious seafood, or beautiful beaches, Los Angeles has all you could ask for. The only question left to ask is, when are you coming out to experience everything the City of Angels has to offer?

3 Forgotten Spring Cleaning Tips

It’s nearly here, the splendid season of spring. For the majority within the US, spring brings about a welcome change in temperature as well as climate. Hopefully no more snow, the days get longer, and the colors of the trees begin to change back to green. This frequently means getting your own home ready and bringing out some warmer climate gadgets like patio furnishings, grills and hammocks so you can experience the outside. Spring cleaning has grown to be a ritual for maximum people, frequently going through and eliminating junk accrued from summertime through to winter and giving the residence a terrific deep clean. However, it can be easy to miss a few items that don’t frequently get attention. So, in this post I will walk through often forgotten items on home owner’s spring cleaning checklist.

Curtains, Throw Pillows and Trash Cans

These 3 items are frequently touched used or otherwise manipulated on a consistent foundation in any home. Meaning they will choose up dirt, dirt, and filth and want to be cleaned no less than every year. For throw pillows it’s as easy as removing the covers and throwing them within the washing machine. Some curtains can be washed but many suggest vacuuming with an attachment, so it might be a good idea to check the label first on yours that way you don’t damage your preferred set. Trash cans may be washed with Clorox or any other antibacterial scrub. Might be a good idea to let the trash can soak in hot water with the scrubbing method to get the specifically sticky matters off.

Home Appliances

Cleaning most of the house during in your spring cleaning usually means wiping down the stove and oven, throwing out old stuff and wiping down the refrigerator as well as the microwave. Aside from the normal cleaning it’s a terrific idea to check up on your trusty home appliances. Washing machines benefit from a mixture of bleach and vinegar allowing the bleach to take care of mold and microorganisms and the vinegar to dissolve the soap scum and mineral deposits. We recommend cleaning your washing system as a minimum two times a year. if you have a tank style water heater, it’s a good idea to check the anode rod to see if it has disintegrated. Anode rods sacrifice themselves to protect the internal lining of your water heater which in turn makes your water heater last longer and saves you treasured coin. Not always a cleaning essential, but a good thing to check on once a year if your bathroom has an exhaust fan it’s a great concept to uninstall it from the ceiling, disconnect the fan and wipe the entirety down with a damp cloth.

Mattresses

Often cleaning the bedroom means a good wash for the sheets, pillowcases and comforters. However, the mattress may be easily neglected. They gather up crumbs and dirt even with clean and new sets of sheets so it’s a good idea to vacuum with an attachment to ensure all that stuff gets picked up. If there are stains some baking soda and hydrogen peroxide do wonders at getting them out or at the very least making them less visible.

3 Homebuying Myths

I’m here to save you pain, buyers. There are myths about the home shopping experience that must be addressed. I like to make the home buying experience as stress-free as possible, so please hear me out on these three big myths about home buying:

Myth #1: “That house has been on the market so long I bet we can work the seller down easily.”

Not necessarily. Exceptionally high days on market could mean almost anything. The seller could be bullheaded about their price. The seller may not be particularly motivated to sell for emotional or other personal reasons. Don’t forget: A sales-weary seller isn’t likely to respond to your host of rational reasons why their house should be a bargain.

Myth #2: “I want to look at foreclosed homes because they’re a real bargain and the banks need to unload them.”

Banks, like entrenched sellers, don’t always make decisions which seem rational based on obvious information. You can have a hard time divining the reason a bank chooses to reject an offer for a foreclosed or distressed property, and their decision may be based on financials which seem counterintuitive. The truth is, many distressed sales can be longer and more fraught than regular sales.

Myth #3: “I liked this house a lot, but with this market, I bet it will still be there if I decide to buy it.”

It’s very, very painful to see a client love a home but fail to make a move to purchase that home. If you fell in love with it, why wouldn’t someone else? Just because a property has been on the market a little while doesn’t mean it will stay on the market. The bonus myth in this one? Your “perfect” home is probably going to be a home with some small compromises. If you don’t make an offer on a home, you’re effectively saying, “I’m comfortable losing this home.”

My job as an agent is to represent your interests and do my best to protect you along the way. If you’re pursuing a home purchase in the near future, please get in touch. There are many other ways I can lower your stress and help you find a great home!

Contact me to discuss your options:
Laura@LauraKey.net

How to Make It Up to Your Pet After a Move

You have read all the advice on moving with pets, and you have plans in place to make the transition as easy as possible for your dog and/or cat. We will call them Butch and Fluffy (Butch is the dog). The big moving day has arrived and Butch and/or Fluffy are freaking out. And since our pets are more important than life itself, we can’t have them going bonkers, can we? So, here are some good ideas for making your pet (and you) feel at home after a move.

First, make sure your new place has been thoroughly cleaned, especially if it belonged to another pet. Your animal DOES NOT want to smell anybody else in the new place. If this is impractical, put down puppy pads for both cats and dogs. Your house will look awful, but since you have not yet unpacked, it probably does anyway.

Prior to your move, do not wash animal beds or blankets. The funkier they smell, the better, in your pet’s opinion. By the way, moving the animal stuff is a great moving day task for kids.

Next, supervise. Dogs run and cats hide. A dog can easily get lost in a new, unfamiliar neighborhood. As soon as possible, preferably the day you move, take Butch out for a nice walk. Butch will take cues from you, so the more relaxed and pleasant you are, the more relaxed and pleasant Butch will be. (This is where tranquilizers come in – for both of you.)

For cats, it is a good idea to keep Fluffy in for a few days, and expect lots of hiding. Make sure you know all of the new house’s nooks and crannies and make sure they are safe for your pet to hide in – you do not want Fluffy getting stuck inside a wall or escaping from a crawl space. Make a nice bed (with water and maybe even a litterbox) inside one of the closets. If Fluffy wants to stay in there for several days, let her. If you have a multiple cat household, you may need to temporarily give up more than one closet. Hey, you are too tired to unpack anyway, right? Who and what is more important, Fluffy or your shoe collection?

It goes without saying that you will need to use the same food and water bowls for Butch and Fluffy. Put food and water down as soon as you get into the new place. Do not worry if they do not eat for a day but make sure they stay hydrated. Put them in about the same place that they were in your old place – kitchen to kitchen, laundry to laundry, etc.

Here is a favorite trick, although it has an ewww factor. On moving day, take the sheets off the bed in the old house and then put the very same sheets back on the bed in the new house. Bring your pet to bed with you. Nothing will be as comforting for your pet as being safe and warm with their human and being surrounded by familiar smells.

Keep the same routine – same daily activities at the same time, same leisure activities, at the same time – and soon Fluffy and Butch will have their comfortable routines set, too. And they will be as happy in their new home as you are.

Don't Sell Until You Are Ready!

I love to sell homes. It’s a privilege and an honor to be a part of the process. I get great satisfaction from making my living helping people move on to the next phase of their life, whether it’s upsizing, downsizing, or simply relocating to a new neighborhood.

But there is one sort of home seller I can’t really help: The seller who’s not really ready to sell.

If you’re thinking about selling your home, don’t enter into the process lightly. It’s a big deal. There’s some stress and there’s a great opportunity for joy. There’s a big investment at stake. This, along with a lot of other reasons large and small, is why you want to be 100% sure you’re ready to sell your home. If you think you’re ready to sell, but it turns out you’re not, you waste a lot of time and energy (and sometimes money).

So how do you know if you’re really ready to sell your home?

1. You’re fine with the process. You must have no problem with the idea of a stranger poking around your house, talking about renovating it, or treating it like a used car. If you’ve lived in your house a long time, it’s natural to have emotional attachments. So if the process of selling the house makes you feel protective or defensive, you may not be ready.

2. You are flexible on the right price. Motivated sellers understand selling a home involves negotiation and competitive market pricing. If you have a number “you must get” in order to sell, then you might want to think again. Also, if all of the agents who price your home come back too low for your standards, take a breather and ask yourself if it’s go time or not.

3. You know where you’re going next. Prepared sellers have plans, even if those plans aren’t 100% firm. They’re anticipating the move and they are probably even shopping for houses, if only casually at the moment. If you can’t clearly answer the question, “Where would you like to live after you sell?” then you’re not quite there yet.

If you’re iffy on any of these, take a step back and consider how you feel. While some markets favor sellers more than others, a home can sell in any market for the right price. Don’t jump into something before you’re ready.

However, when you’re ready, I’d be happy to help. Give me a call when the time is right:

Laura Key
310-866-8422
Laura@LauraKey.net

What is Happening to Los Angeles Home and Rent Prices?

Home prices in Los Angeles are quickly getting out of reach for many residents, according to a new report from the California Association of Realtors. It finds that just one in four residents of LA County make enough to afford a median-priced home in the area.

The association’s Housing Affordability Index shows that a typical LA County home cost $553,330 in the fourth quarter of 2017. With property taxes and insurance factored in, that comes out to a monthly payment of $2,790 for buyers (assuming they put down a 20 percent down payment).

Given those figures, prospective homebuyers need a salary of $111,730 (based on household income) to make those payments without becoming cost-burdened—meaning that more than 30 percent of income goes toward housing. Unfortunately for most people, 75 percent of LA County residents don’t earn that much.

Historic data shows it’s gotten much harder to afford an LA home in recent years. As recently as the first quarter of 2012, more than half of residents took home the required income to purchase a home in the area. Since then, though, prices have risen dramatically and incomes haven’t quite caught up.

In the wider Los Angeles metropolitan area, a salary of $53,780 was required to buy a median-priced home in 2012—compared to $100,210 today.

The outlook is a little better if you’re a first time buyer looking for a starter house. With a median price of $470,330, starter homes in LA County are affordable to 43 percent of residents. Of course, they’ll first have to save up for a hefty $94,066 down payment (after that, payments are $2,400 per month).

Not surprisingly, the report finds that homes in LA are far less affordable than they are nationwide. Across the country, buyers need a yearly income of $50,040 to purchase a typical home (median price: $247,800). That means that buying is still within reach for 56 percent of Americans.

If only more of those affordable homes were in LA.

But what about apartments for rent in LA and the rest of the country? If you can’t afford in LA, should you look at other options in smaller cities, maybe even the Midwest? According to ABODO, a city like Minneapolis shows apartments that are renting for almost $1,200. So, how is that any better than LA, when the same company shows rents are for just a few hundred dollars more.

Renting or owning, it’s all expensive, especially in the City of Angels.

Be A Better Landlord

Rental properties are one of the best ways to earn passive income and build wealth, but “passive” is a little misleading—it can still be a substantial amount of work. However, with a little planning and dedication, you can run your properties efficiently while also keeping your tenants happy.

Treat it like a business
Successful businesses have plans and procedures that keep things running smoothly, and the same should be true for renting and managing your properties. That means committing to customer service, outsourcing work appropriately, and paying close attention to income and expenses. Don’t just assume that you’ll collect a check each month and everything else will be a breeze.

Thoroughly vet your tenants
Collecting applications, interviewing tenants, and checking references means a lot of legwork up front, but it’s worth it in the long run. Choosing the right tenant could mean going years without incident—no late payments, no legal issues, and no property damage. Choosing the wrong tenant could mean monthly calls and visits to collect late rent, expensive property damage and repairs, eviction processes, court dates, and a whole lot of stress.

Make sure your lease is rock solid
Lease agreement laws vary from state to state, so don’t cut corners—find a lawyer who specializes in lease agreements. You’ll be glad you were thorough if you ever have legal issues with a tenant.

Remodeling and Optimizing Your Space

You’ve been picturing the perfect remodel in your head for some time. But whether you’ve been saving for years, or received that anticipated bonus check from work, you’ve got to make sure your money is spent wisely. When it comes to remodeling any part of your home, optimizing the space you have is perhaps the most important factor. Simple techniques can ensure that even a small area can be transformed into an open and airy space. So, here are a few tips to get you started and moving forward towards that perfect picture in your head.

Creative Storage Solutions

One easy way to be sure that you get your money’s worth is investing in cabinets, drawers and other spaces for storage purposes. Nothing clutters up a space like excess storage. Simply having multiple options can clear up an area to make it feel more open. So, when you’re purchasing cabinets and such, be sure that you have an idea of how much you will need to put into those spaces. And for cabinets specifically, installing them vertically is the best bet. If you have a few tight spaces that seemed to get too cramped, consider open shelving to maximize storage potential. Not only will you open up a room, but you’ll save a lot of money in the process without having to extend the actual physical space.

Lighting

Believe it or not, lighting plays a big role in the feel of a room. Out of date, low-power lighting can make a room feel dark and cramped. Before you even get too far, update the lighting fixtures in the space and see if that doesn’t brighten up the area. You might be surprised, and you might just save a lot of money.

Sectioning

With modern homes being built with an open layout, it is important to section of different zones of each room. This may sound trivial, but when appliances and furniture spill over from one room to the next, it can create a sense of clutter. So, when remodeling a room or area, be sure to create explicit zones for each part of the room to ensure the maximum space possible. When there is established areas for each appliance (especially in the kitchen) you can be sure that the room will look the way you want it to at all times.

Energy-Efficient Additions

Though some additions can cost more initially, government credits and lower electricity bills make these types of additions more than worthwhile. For example, installing a tankless water heater in the basement not only saves space, but saves money. When deciding on new purchase for a room or space, consider some energy efficient additions!

At the end of the day, a remodel will only be as good as you wish it to be. Trust yourself and be creative. Plan ahead for the best result, and try a few quick rearrangements of furniture and appliances to get an idea of what may be best for you. Remember, home is where the heart is, so keep your heart and your love in it, and you cannot go wrong!

Homeownership Rates In Los Angeles: How Does It Look?

New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows the rate of homeownership in the Los Angeles metro area (which includes LA and Orange counties) rose considerably in the first few months of the year—enough that homeowners may once again outnumber renters in the region.

Statistics from the first quarter of 2017 indicate that 50.1 percent of homes in the area are owned by the residents who live in them. That’s the first time the region’s homeownership rate has eclipsed 50 percent since the first quarter of 2015, census data shows.

The margin of error on that figure point is 2.8 percent, so it’s possible renters still constitute a slim majority of residents in the area. But the number of homeowners has grown considerably since the third quarter of 2016, when only 44.7 percent of homes were owner-occupied.

Strong sales in recent months may have helped spur the increase. A recent report from CoreLogic indicated that the number of homes sold in LA County during the month of March was nearly 10 percent higher than the amount sold in March of 2016.

The same report also revealed that the median home price in the LA metro area has swelled to $480,000—the highest level since the Recession. Even as the prospect of new interest rate hikes drives buyers to the market, those rising prices could convince some home shoppers to stay on their lease.

In spite of the recent upswing, LA’s homeownership rate is still one of the lowest in the nation. Of the country’s 75 largest metro areas, only New York and San Jose have a higher percentage of renters.

Another report by ABODO Apartments shows that L.A. minorities are owning homes at a rate of 41.6 percent while minorities in the Los Angeles area are renting at a clip of 58.4 percent. Many experts have suggested that non-traditional financing is a big reason that many minority owners are finally getting the homes they deserve. For example, in Minnesota, minorities are utilizing a “contract for deed financing method” to get financed. And others across the country are starting to do more “rent to own” financing agreements.

It will be interesting to see how the housing market reacts to this trend throughout the entirety of 2018.

Finding A Doctor After a Move to a Big City

Finding a doctor you trust with you and your family’s health can be a daunting task, especially after a big move. However, there are resources and solutions that make this search much easier. Numerous websites assist this search with reviews and broad lists to narrow searches based on what you are looking for. Using one or all of these resources will give you the names of several doctors, reviews and ratings can refine this list of names and the selection of a doctor in your area becomes much easier.

Lifescript has a feature on their website that allows you to find doctors in your area.

A fairly accessible website, it is easy to find the names of doctors near your new home. Select your state, your city, and your zip code. From there, pick the type of care you are looking for. The list of doctors in the search area will come onto your screen. You can click on their names to learn more about them, such as their experience and where you can make an appointment. Overall this website is helpful, but not the most accessible. It is effective in finding the names of doctors and how many years they have worked in their field. Lifescript can assist your search for a doctor in your new home and make this process painless.

Finding a doctor is made easy by Vitals, this website strives to allow patients to help other patients with reviews and helpful feedback. Additionally, it provides education that assists the search for the best health care in your area. This site is incredibly easy to use and very up to date. After hitting “Find A Doctor”, you choose the type of doctor you are in search of and the state and city you are looking to find the health care provider in. A list of names comes up. This list can be incredibly lengthy so further refinement allows you to find the doctor you are looking for at a much faster rate. You can choose the condition or procedure you are in search of, the sex of the doctor, the languages they speak, and the insurance plans accepted. Once you are looking at the profiles of each doctor, you are able to see the specialties of that doctor, the years of experience, any awards they have won, the education received, and the reviews this doctor has received. If you like some, but not all aspects of this doctor, the website displays doctors with similar profiles. Vitals is an extremely effective website that will greatly assist your search for a doctor in this new area.

RateMds is a website, much like the other two, that effectively displays options for doctors in certain areas, with detailed descriptions and reviews. Searchers can select a gender preference to refine the results. Once the search has begun, you can select the doctors that are accepting new patients. With a five star rating, there is a broken down score of categories desirable in a doctor. These scores include punctuality, helpfulness, and knowledge. The unique feature allows prospective patients to more precisely find a doctor that meets your needs. RateMds is an accessible website and can assist your search for a doctor in a new area, significantly.

Using the suggested websites, compile a list of potential doctors in your area and refine that search by comparing their profiles and reviews. Pay attention to the small details, be specific and pick the doctor that meets most or all of the qualities you are in search of. Once you have a smaller list of potential doctors, use the American Board of Medical Specialties to ensure the doctor you are considering is Board Certified. You can also Google the name of the care provider to see if there are any positive or negative results. Refine your list once more and then make an appointment. Show up to your appointment prepared, with a list of questions and pay attention to your overall experience. This should be positive, since you spent time searching for the doctor that will meet your needs. Once you have found the doctor that is best for you and your family, go back to the method you found that doctor and give them a positive rating. Doing this assists those who are looking for a care provider.

Additional resources such as ICD-10 Code Look-up you can quickly and easily gain access to the code set you use frequently. This site is dedicated to the learning and exploration of ICD-10 codes that will make this switch smooth and comfortable for you.

The search for a doctor in an area you are unfamiliar with can be exhausting and frustrating. Using various tools, this process can be made much simpler. Each website has beneficial features that set them apart, when paired the search for a doctor in a new city becomes a task easily accomplished. With the use of one or more of these websites, finding a doctor in a new city will be an easier task.

The California Room is a Seasonal Space You'll Love

Some summer hours are too beautiful to be ignored. Whether those dewy dawns before the sun is at full strength, or the long evening hours when the heat bleeds off the day, there are times when being outdoors is a tremendous pleasure. 

But this doesn't mean you always want to spread out a blanket or a lawn chair. In fact, creating a "transitional space" which blends outdoor living with indoor amenities is a great way to maximize the season. The California room is just one of those spaces.

California rooms are typically situated in the rear of a home, sometimes connected to the home by sliding glass doors. The California room is usually a covered space with flowing outdoor fabrics and durable, luxurious "indoor" style furniture such as chaise lounges, couches, ottomans, and even coffee and accent tables. Walls give way to curtains. It often includes a dining space or even a protected (or moveable) entertainment center. Bluetooth music systems with outdoor speakers are also a nice touch.

If you see yourself spending a lot of time outdoors, you might consider supplementing your California room with an outdoor kitchen. A good grill, an outdoor sink in a stone or other durable counter surface, and some built-in refrigeration for drinks is a great way to upgrade your California room.

The California room is one of the hottest trends in home design right now. If you search Google images for "California room," you'll find hundreds of design examples from down-home country living to lavish, Mediterranean-inspired decor. Pinterest and Houzz are also great places to research California room styles.

The beauty of the California room is that it can be scaled to meet your budget. Even a modest transitional space with some cover and cozy furniture can make a small home feel larger and improve your quality of life.   

What does your dream California room look like? What are your must-haves and your nice-to-haves? How would you like to use your California room?

If you're looking for a new home with the ideal space for a California room, I'm happy to help you with your search. bit.ly/realtygoddesshomesearch

Yoga Classes to Try After Moving to LA

Yoga classes offer a first-class ticket to peace and blissfulness. Regular practice can help you lose yourself and forget about the world. In a city like Los Angeles, the ability to step away from the hustle and bustle is invaluable. On the other hand, LA is home to hundreds of different yoga instructors, so it can be hard to find a place that settle down. Get rid of the gamble with our guide to the five best yoga studios in LA.

Hot 8 Yoga

Hot 8 Yoga is among the most popular yoga studios on the list. On Google reviews, Hot 8 Yoga has 4.9 stars from 73 people. First and foremost, their free two-hour parking can be very convenient in Los Angeles. Once you get inside, you’ll find a retail store full of everything you could possibly need for a yoga class. Next, join in for the excellent yoga classes they offer. If you are a beginner, do not worry! Hot 8 Yoga has created a foundation of beginner classes for new and inspiring yogis. They also accommodate for the more experienced and they even have classes to teach you how to become a yoga instructor! Once you wrap up with your class, hit the showers. The best part is that shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion is all provided! All of their products are eco-friendly, so you can feel good and confident about what you put on yourself. The customer service and convenience is enough to give this place five stars in my book.

Liberation

Liberation yoga studio is a family owned place and aims to relieve your stress, improve your health, and tap into your natural reservoir of unlimited vitality and wellbeing. The interior is one thing that makes this place stand out from most others. They go for a homey feeling with vintage accessories and wood theme located all around. The indoor sauna will transport you straight to bliss with its rich dark wood floors and twinkling lights. You also have the garden studio that has tall trees, bubbling fountains, and ancient Chinese wood carvings that release your senses and shroud you in peace. If you are looking for a feeling of peace and comfort, this might be the perfect spot for you.

exhale

exhale takes a newer spin on yoga. Full of youth, anybody will find themselves soaking in vitality while experiencing their diverse selection of yoga classes. For example, have you ever heard of power yoga? Push your body to the limit by conquering these athletically and mentally challenging classes to shape your body, burn those calories, and clear your mind. You can find Exhale Spa in Santa Monica for yoga classes, spa therapies, and great experiences with friends!

Set & Flow Yoga

This is a yoga studio as modern as its name. Awarded for being the best yoga studio in Los Angeles 2017, Set & Flow Yoga takes the traditional practice and updates it with modern expression. People admire this because maybe they are not looking for wood and nature. Maybe modern makes you comfortable and sends you into your mind. They believe in growing and setting the body with multiple disciplines that will enhance your breath, alignment, dedication, edge, balance, strength and flexibility. All of their teachers are highly experienced and are great at accommodating beginners and experts. With over 150 classes a week, Set & Flow Yoga is ready to take you under their wing if you are ready for a modern feel.

Namaste Studios

The divine in me bows to the divine in you. This is what is meant when you greet someone with namaste. At Namaste Studios, you can really feel the humbleness when you enter. They are all about teaching you self-care and respect for your mind and body. You might also find a few other things than just yoga. There is meditation, massage, chiropractic care, energy healing, and steam sessions. In other words, if you are looking for a one stop shop, Namaste Studios is your place. If you like the one-on-one approach to yoga, you can book an appointment with an instructor for private yoga, yoga therapy, and most other commodities they offer. Some people find themselves in a bad back situation. Namaste recognizes this and has a class specifically for getting your back into shape. If you fall into that category, this could be your first step towards natural healing! No matter, Namaste Studios is compassionate and very empathetic in making sure you have the best possible yoga experience there is.

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There you have it! Some of the best places to find to practice your yoga around Los Angeles, California. The best part is this only scratches the surface of how many yoga classes there are. You can find a lot of new yoga places popping up all the time! This is good for those who want to experiment and hopefully find a yoga class that caters directly to your personal preferences. Once you become a part of a community, there will be no going back! Good luck on your search and Namaste!

Clever Design Upgrades

What is it about a home that catches a buyer's eye? Why is it when two homes are comparable to one another, buyers go with the one that just "feels right"? Sometimes the difference is so small, they don't consciously notice. Little touches can give a home a major edge in the market.

In fact, here are five clever design upgrades which can provide your home with that indefinable feeling that it's of higher quality than the competition:

1. Light switch plate upgrades. Homeowners always overlook their own dirty, chipped, or cheap-looking switch plates. If you spend a few bucks to swap out switch plates, any room in the house will seem a tiny bit fresher. Better yet: In the bathroom and kitchen, match the color of your new switch plates to the tile. Look at the accent color in the bathroom or the backsplash in the kitchen for inspiration. 

2. Dimmers on major rooms. Bright lights are great for showing off a home, but there's a little sense of luxury when the overhead lights in living, dining, family, and master bedrooms are on dimmer switches. For fixtures controlled by one switch, get single pole dimmers. For those controlled by two, you'll need 3-way dimmers.

3. Tasteful crown molding. For rooms without crown molding, adding this touch can really make a plain room feel high-quality. Entryways and master bedrooms are good choices if you have a limited budget, but if you want to go all out, include the other bedrooms as well. The key is adding molding which doesn't seem ostentatious or inappropriate given the size and existing decor in the room.

4. Custom home address plaque. For between $50 and $100, you can have an address plaque created with the home's number and the street name spelled out. Look online for inspiration and a design which fits your home. This is a killer upgrade and many homeowners overlook it when they're trying to add curb appeal to their house.

5. New cabinet and drawer hardware. It's astonishing how much modern handles and drawer pulls go towards rejuvenating tired or outdated storage. At a minimum, concentrate on the kitchen, but if you want to go all out, look for options to upgrade the bathroom as well.

You might not be able to quantify the exact return these clever upgrades will net you, but you can bet they will help your home stand out from sellers who won't take the time to make some simple changes.

Are you ready to sell?

Interested in an FHA loan and a condo? Don't miss this!

If you're looking to take advantage of an FHA Loan and are considering a condo, you should be aware that not all condos are eligible for FHA Loans. 

A condo can be a great choice for a first-time buyer. Also great for first-time buyers? FHA Loans. Many FHA Loans require down payments as small as 3.5% of the purchase price of the property. They also create loan opportunities for people with less-than-perfect credit or other financial challenges. 

The low down payment comes with some strings attached, of course, mostly in the form of an upfront mortgage insurance premium as well as an annual mortgage insurance premium charged monthly. (Full details about FHA Loans can be found on the HUD website, here: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/sfh/fharesourcectr.)

In addition to this catch, FHA Loans are only available for FHA-approved condos. The FHA wants to help buyers invest in assets which are worthy of investment in the first place. FHA requirements for condos are fairly stringent, and by some estimates upwards of 50% of condo associations fail to meet FHA guidelines.

Knowing this up front can save you a lot of time and hassle condo shopping. While you should consult with condo associations to determine whether or not they're approved for FHA loans, you can also use an online resource to help you with your search. Here is a link to an online database of FHA-approved condos:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) FHA Condo Search:
https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfm

Hopefully, this will help you in your pursuit to find an FHA-approved condo!

I'd love to help you locate the perfect FHA-approved condo. Get in touch with me today to start your search: bit.ly/laurakeyinfo