Translate

Thursday, May 31, 2012

10 Items that Define a Sustainable Home

Global warming, climate-change and sustainability are words that we hear regularly these days, but what do they all mean for home owners or home buyers? A sustainable home is one that is more liveable, healthier, saves you money on water and energy bills, is constructed using environmentally efficient materials and thereby reduces its environmental impact and is useable for you throughout all of your life stages. Here are the ten items that defines a sustainable home. 


1. Water conservation 
Use water efficient appliances and fittings, such as 3-star ( or more) showerheads and water pressure-limiting devices, and include a rainwater tanks to supply water for use with gardens, toilets and laundry.



2. Natural heating and cooling (passive solar design) 
Good passive solar design allows your home to respond to its local climate through natural heating in winter and cooling in summer e.g. good orientation and room zoning, capturing breezes for cross-ventilation, appropriate insulation, shading (e.g. sufficient eaves), building materials (lightweight construction/thermal mass), and fixtures and finishes (e.g. skylights and window treatment). Incorporation of passive design reduces the need to rely on air conditioners/heaters. It can also indirectly promote natural daylighting and improve indoor air quality with circulating breezes providing fresh air inside the home.
3. Energy and greenhouse efficient water heating 
Install a solar, natural gas or electric heat pump hot water system to lower energy bills and reduce the single largest source of greenhouse emissions in the household. (ie. tankless water heater)

4. Future-proof 
The living area and at least one bedroom and toilet on the entry level should be readily accessible from the front boundary or car space to accommodate your changing housing needs as you get older.

5. Safe floors 
Design floors and showers to be step-free (hobless). Use floor surfaces that are slip resistant to guard against injuries.

6. Address the street 
An easy to read house number at the front of your property makes it easy to find. Good external lighting and separated driveway and pedestrian entries also makes it safer.

7. Casual surveillance 
Design your home to have easy surveillance to play areas and the street from the main living area and kitchen for better security.

8. Long-term maintenance 
Reduce the repair and ongoing maintenance costs of your home by using low maintenance materials. (ie. landscape that requires little water)

9. Indoor air quality 
Avoid materials that contain volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), such as paints/finishes and adhesives, which can cause irritation and allergies, and impact poorly on your health.

10. Outdoor living 
Include permanently covered outdoor play and entertainment areas with a good relationship to indoor spaces to maximise your home’s access to Queensland’s favorable lifestyle and climate.

Remember to check with your local council for any specific design requirement regulations, such as set backs and plumbing standards for rainwater tanks.



For more information on how to design and/or construct a high-performance green homes, go to LEED for HOMES website

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Top 5 Los Angeles Beaches


Dig out the sunscreen, grab your towel, and get in the car! Summer is around the corner and what better way to prepare than to learn about LA's top beaches for this season.  



  1. Annenberg Community Beach House: Two mile long Santa Monica terrain, a 22'x110' pool, the historic Marion Davies estate, volleyball courts, beach rentals, cafe and much more. 
  2. Point Dume State Beach: Spot wales from December through March or stroll along the beach with your significant other.  
  3. Nicholas Canyon County Beach: Located ten minutes north of Zuma.  Great beach to boogie board, lots of towel space, coves to discover and has the cleanest, freshest water around (according to www.dailycandy.com
  4. The Strand, Manhattan Beach: Great beach to take a walk, run, jog, rollerblade, bike along the miles of paved pathway.  
  5. Heavens Beach: Located in Leo Carrillo State Park,  this is a great BYO picnic.  Or try some food from Cafe Habana and Beachy Cream ice cream sandwiches from Pacific Coast Greens.  

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Speeding Up Short Sales


Starting June 15, 2012, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, will require both agencies to give short-sale buyers a final decision within 60 days! 
Also, they must respond to initial requests for a short sale within 30 days of receiving the buyer’s submission. 


Short Sales are everywhere these days - HAFA Short Sales, Approved Short Sales, and traditional Short Sales.  In fact, Standard Sales are very rare to find with many homes going through the short sale process.  


With this new Short Sale action will benefit the housing market and remove the risk for the buyer - many of whom previously had to wait months for a decision and then ended up not getting the house they wanted.


Will you look at a short sale differently now when you shop for homes?


To read more of the LATimes Article click here.

Friday, May 25, 2012

LA Approves Ban on Plastic Bags!


It's official! From one year from now, plastic will be a rare site at stores.  On Wednesday, LA City Council voted 13 to 1 to phase out plastic bags within the next 12 months.  That is about 7,500 stores! 


Here is how the ordinance will go into effect:


For four months, there will be a environmental review of the bag bag in order to put the ordinance into effect. 


Larger stores would then have six months to phase out plastic bags while smaller markets would have a 12 month phase out period.  


Now for paper bags, retailers would be required to charge 10 cents per bag starting one year after the plastic bag is enacted.



Last December, when I was visiting my sister-n-law in San Jose, I asked for a plastic bag to put trash in and to my surprise she told me San Jose ban the plastic bags.  That got me thinking...how many plastic bags do I really use?  After this LA Times article came out I realized that I have about four reusable bags of which two bags are currently being used to keep my son's collection of toy cars in one spot.  At my last grocery visit, I discovered that I use about 30-40 plastic bags! EKK! 

As of now, paper bags will stay at the grocery stores but paper bags could have the same fate as plastic.  



For more information on the Plastic Bag Law, click here

Thursday, May 24, 2012

10 Best Spray Sunscreens for Summer





Keeping your skin protected with these SPF sprays!  Sprays are easy to use.  Just make sure to spray 30 minutes before going outside and apply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.  Have a Happy Summer.

  1. Alba Botanica Natural Protection Sport Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 40, $11, albabotanica.com
  2. Australian Gold Sheer Coverage Continuous Spray - SPF 30, $12, australiangold.com
  3. L'Oreal Sublime Sun Advanced Sunscreen Crystal Clear Mist, SPF 50+, walgreens.com
  4. Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray SPF 85+, $10, walgreens.com
  5. Coola Sport Continuous Spray Sunscreen SPF 35, Citrus Mimosa, $32, drugstore.com
  6. Kiss My Face Sunscreen Sun Spray Lotion, SPF 30, $16, drugstore.com
  7. AHAVA Mineral Suncare Sun Protection Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 15, $25, drugstore.com
  8. Aveeno Active Naturals Aveeno Hydrosport SPF 30 Spray, $9, drugstore.com
  9. Anthony Sun Spray SPF 15, anthony.com
  10. La Roche Posay Anthelios 30 Ultra Light Sunscreen Lotion Spray, $36, ulta.com




Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Market Within A Market - April 2012


Take a look at last month market report for Los Angeles County's Single Family Homes and Condos. Take a look at which Los Angeles communities are recovering in the Real Estate Market. 

The Polaroid Effect


Instagram seems to have launch a new love for the classic Polaroid for a generation that perhaps didn't live without a digital camera.  I saw this post on Creative Balorina's Blog and enjoyed seeing different interpretations of Polaroid especially the iPhone cover.




Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Memorial Day Events In and Around Los Angeles 2012

Memorial Day is this weekend! Here are some great events to commemorate the men and women who died while in the military service and festivals that celebrates the start of summer.


Queen Mary Salutes U.S Military Personnel
1126 Queen's Hwy
Long Beach, CA 90802


FREE ADMISSION to all U.S. active and retired military personnel on Memorial day.  Admission includes a self-guided tour and the Ghosts & Legends Show.


When: Monday, 10am-6pm
Parking: $12


Patriotic Memorial Day Programs at Forest Lawn
Various Forest Lawn locations


Patriotic ceremonies honoring veterans


When: Memorial Day Monday


Fiesta Hermosa in Hermosa Beach


Seaside arts and crafts festival with multiple entertainment stages and 270 vendor booths.  There's also a kiddie carnival, petting zoo, Doggie Costume Contest and Beer and Wine Garden.  


When: Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday through Monday


Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade
Sherman Way from Ownesmouth to De Soto ending at Quimby Park in Canoga Park


Annual Parade includes military marching units, bands, floats, dignitaries, antique cars, classic cars, youth groups, flyovers by military aircrafts, and equestrian units.  The procession is followed by a festival at Quimby Park with music, food and vendors. 


When: Monday 11am Parade, 1:30-4pm Festival


Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
Village Green, between Euclid and Main Street in downtown Garden Grove, CA 


FREE ADMISSION. Four day festival celebrating everything to do with the humble strawberry. Carnival rides, pageants, Strawberry Idol karaoke contest, Red-Head Roundup Contest, Berry Beautiful Baby Pageant, and a strawberry-themed parade on Saturday.  


When: Memorial Day Weekend, Friday through Monday


Cajun Creole Music Festival
Rancho Santa Susana Community Park
5005 Los Angeles Ave
Simi Valley, CA


Full schedule of Zudeco music interspersed with dance lessons, demonstrations, kids area, dog team demonstrations.  


When: Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday and Sunday


St. Micholas Valley Greek Festival
9501 Balboa Blvd
Northridge, CA 


When: Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday to Monday 1-9pm


Have a fun and safe Memorial Day Weekend! 

Monday, May 21, 2012

Recovery Will Lack Uniformity

Recovery....It's happening and it's here.  But according to DSNews.com article by Esther Cho, the real estate market is on the road to recovery but it isn't going to be a uniform recovery.  


Researchers from nonprofit organizations had predicated that the home prices will rise by 3 to 3.5 percent between 2015 and 2017 nationwide. These predications are based on three vaiables: state-level unemployment rates, the proportion of foreclosure inventory relative to total inventory and the extent of recent price declines. 


The study analyzed the different ways the recovery could occur based on location.


"Resilient Walkables" - 15 percent of the population and the first to recover.  Home prices weren't affected during the Recession.  In fact, these areas are projected to see prices rise by up to 5 percent a year between 2014 and 2017.


Example Cities include:
•Boston
•Philadelphia
•Washington D.C suburbs (partial)
•Denver


"Slow and Steady" - 35 percent of the population and next in line to recover.  These area are projected to increase 3 percent in 2014.  


Example Cities include:
•Gaithersburg, Maryland
•Charlotte, North Carolina
•Dallas
•Fort Worth


"Damaged but Hopeful" - 30 percent of the population and includes neighborhoods characterized by high foreclosure inventory, a restrictive foreclosure process, and medium to high levels of unemployment.  Prices fell at the national average, and recovery is predicted to be slower than the national average.  


Example Cities include:
•Chicago
•San Diego
•Stamford, Connecticut


"Weighed Down" - 20 percent of the population. Higher than average price declines, higher than average unemployment, more thinly populated localities.  Prices are not projected to reach the national average by 2017. 


Example Cities include:
•outer suburbs of Chicago
•smaller suburbs of major metropolitan areas in Florida, such as Tampa and Orlando
•smaller suburbs of Tucson and Phoenix in Arizona
•some cities in Nevada that are not in the Las Vegas or Reno metropolitan areas.  

Thursday, May 17, 2012

COR - Sustainable Mixed Use Development in Miami




Sustainable isn't always a square box ...its changing the facade and design of a building or home into an incredible space that fits our fast pace technology lifestyle.


COR is a sustainable, mixed-use development in Miami.  Rising 400 feet above the Design District, COR extracts power from its environment utilizing wind turbines, photovoltaics and solar hot water generation. The building comprises commercial, office, fitness, live/work and pure residential spaces.


For more images from COR, click here to go to Architeizer.com

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Summer Art Gallery Reception Event



Art by: Reah Carmi, Johnny Taylor, Mark S. Brunner, Mike Lanni, Jacob de Golish, Leopoldo Pena, Jeremi Coltharp and others.

Complimentary Cocktails, Appetizers and Live Jazz

FREE ADMISSION



Saturday May 19, 2012


Keller Williams Encino-Sherman Oaks
15531 Ventura Blvd Suite 100
Encino CA 91436

Monday, May 14, 2012

46 Months to Clear Distressed Housing Supply According to S&P

Based on the first-quater 2012 data, Standard & Poor's Rating Services predicts that it will take 46 months to clear the market’s supply of distressed homes, or the shadow inventory.  For those of you who are bad with math, about 2 years! 


Distressed homes can be defined as all outstanding properties on which the mortgage payments are 90 or more days delinquent, properties in foreclosure, and properties that are REO


More news that the market is stabilizing and has began to recovery.......


To read this great article by Carrie Bay of DCNews.com, click here.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Best Example of a Sustainable Home in Los Angeles


Please excuse the poor video quality. 

Living Homes is a company that designs and built homes that are set for the highest sustainable living home. By using the Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED®), Living Home maximizes the home to it's full potential in energy efficient design and use. 

As a Green Living Follower (I will admit that I don't live a 24/7 green lifestyle) I support and follow the innovated designs and efforts to create a clean energy efficient lifestyle for our high tech world.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

STREET FURNITURE YOUR CITY WISHES IT HAD


Street furniture already catches the eye of denizens eyeing a resting spot, but in select cities it also has people marveling at their good looks. 


Designers from all over the world are adding flavor—with a healthy dose of colorful whimsy—to otherwise gray streets with these seats, benches, planters, and the like, but what makes these pieces even better is that tourists and locals alike actually use them, demonstrating that good modern design puts function at the heart of creation. 


Whether custom-designed or off-the-shelf, we break down a list of some of the coolest pieces on streets and boardwalks right now.

See Dwell's top 12 picks 

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Preparing Your Home for Sale

There's a lot to do when you're selling a home. We make available to prospective sellers a useful checklist to help you prepare your home for sale. It contains a complete list of all the things you'll need to think about before you placing your home on the market and things to consider when showing your home.


Seller's Guide to Preparing Your Home for Sale

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Mother's Day in Los Angeles

To make Mom feel special this weekend, try these great active family fun ideas. 


1. Spa Day with Mom



Take Mom out for a relaxing time at the Spa.

2. Bike Along the Beach Path at Santa Monica



Take a bike ride along the beach path with the whole family! Try a covered pedal surreys with bench sets that can hold from two to 6 or 8 people.  

3. Take a Local Wine Tour 



Don't have time to go to Napa?  Try the wine country tour of Malibu vineyards or Temecula Valley. Don't forget the San Antonio Winery in downtown Los Angeles that is the only producing winery in Los Angeles. They also have a restaurant on site. 

4. Horseback Ridging 



Ride through the Hollywood Hills with a view of the Hollywood Sign at Sunset Ranch or ride through the hills of Malibu and visit the Old West Paramount Ranch

5. A Day Trip to Catalina Island



Grab a over-water ferry and explore Avalon! Go hiking, take a jeep eco tour, snorkeling or a glass-bottom boat tour. Ferries depart from Marina Del Rey, San Pedro, Long Beach and Newport Beach. 

6. Flowers, hugs, and Kiss! 




Monday, May 7, 2012

Jobless Claims Fall Sharply After Three Weeks of Increases

Workers line up at a job fair at the Crenshaw Christian Center in South Los Angeles in August 2011. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times / May 3, 2012)


According the LA Times article, the Labor Department said that after three straight weeks of elevated readings, first-time jobless claims fell by a much bigger-than-expected 27,000 last week to 365,000.  

This news gives hope that the layoff trend is slowing decreasing and the increase of season work has increase job employment. As of March 2012, unemployment rate is 8.2%.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Open House - Our Top Pick for Sunday

4675 Willis AV # 302, Sherman Oaks 91403
Open Sunday from 2-5pm


Beautiful two bedroom two bath top floor condo with 16 feet ceiling! Located south of Ventura Blvd and close prolixity to major freeways.  Pictures does no justice to this condo listings - stop by on Sunday and take a look for yourself.


Square Ft: 1,878
Pool and Views
Loft


Listings Courtesy of: Kathleen Gardner, Rodeo Realty 

Thursday, May 3, 2012

This Month in Real Estate | May 2012

Want to sell your house for more money? Staging just might be the answer. Watch now to find out more.


For previous 'This Month in Real Estate' Videos, go to BetancourtRealEstateGroup.com 

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a Classic Frozen Margarita





This drink is popular in Mexico and there are many variations.  Enjoy! Please drink responsible.


Ingredients:


3 shots of your favorite tequila
3 shots Cointreau liqueur
Juice of 5 key limes plus 2 whole key limes
3 cups of ice
Margarita salt


Toss the tequila, cointreau, lime juice, and ice in a blender and puree. 


Pour 2 tablespoons of salt on a plate.  


Cut the limes in half, rim the margarita glasses with lime juice, and turn the glasses upside down, twisting through the salt to coat the rim of the glass.  


Pour the frozen margarita into the glasses and serve immediately.



Hot Staging Trends in 2012

What accessories and accents can you use to make a room look fresh and modern? Try these  seven 2012 staging trends.

1. Mother Earth-Inspired Elements


Use popular color palettes that reminiscent of natural elements - reds found in earth and soil, blues of the ocean, lush greens of the forest, and neutrals that draw from the softer, textured look of eggs, seashells and sand.  Also incorporate natural elements: woven baskets, leather stools, and cotton towels.   

2. Fabulous Faux


Think zebra strip rugs or leopard print votives. Use wild animal prints in small dose only.

3. Digital...Fabrics


Framing a piece of digital fabric is a great way to create an inexpensive piece of artwork.  Try textiles with fern or tree branch patterns.

4. Not Your Grandma's Doilies


Add lace in subtle ways.  Try bold color tableclothes, traditional quilts and crochet pieces.

5. Faded Area Rugs?



Vintage is in vogue.  Instead of replacing your old rug, use it as a foundation for your room's color and aesthetic palette. Add modern artwork and table accessories that complement vintage pieces.  

6. Opposites Attract



Silk with suede, furniture with studs, shiny with vintage.

7. Touch the Sky


Think about the clouds and water when choosing reflective white, blue and silver objects and hardware.  Mirrors, for example, make a room look bigger.  They can used as tray holders or on a wall in an area were there isn't a lot of light. 



Tips are from Barb Schwarz of StagedHomes.com

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Home Buyers Top 10 FAQs



It's never too early to start thinking about financing, moving, and more. An offer from a well-informed buyer is more attractive than others - get the edge early! Take a look at the Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions from home buyers. 

BERG Spring Cleaning

Hello All! 

Summer is around the corner and we felt it was time for a bit of spring cleaning! 

We have officially redesigned our main website www.BetancourtRealEstateGroup.com and created a new BLOG to go with the new design. 

so with that being said, let's begin!