Happy Halloween from All of Us at Betancourt Real Estate Group

Boo! Haunted Landmarks and Ghost Stories in Los Angeles

by Yvette Betancourt

Tis the season for a spook...or at least at this well-known LA landmarks. I'm not talking about the Queen Mary but according to la.curbed.com article, there is 18! Ekk!

Here is the list and ghost story:

1) Grauman's Chinese Theatre:  Actor Victor Kilian is said to haunt the forecourt.  Story goes, he lived close by and was beaten to death in his home in 1979. 

2) The Silent Movie Theatre:  the first two owners are known to haunt theatre.  John Hampton, who haunts the upstairs lounge, dedicated his life to preserving silent film that he died from cancer from the toxic chemicals he used.  Lawrence Austin, he haunts the lobby,  was fatally shot in the lobby in a plot connected by his lover/projectionist.  

3) Pantages Theatre:  A singing women who said to have died in the mezzanine in 1932 and Howard Hughes who is known to be roaming the offices on the second floor.  Employees have said to have seen his apparition there.

4) Knickerbocker Hotel:  Rudolph Valentino haunt the bar.  Marilyn Monroe hangs out in the ladies's room.  Harry Houdini's is also known to be hanging around the hotel.  His widow Bess attempts to contact him every year for ten years with a seance on the roof of the Knickerbocker.

5) The Comedy Store:  Several hit men haunt the once hot mob hangout in the 40s and 50s.  Also, women who performed illegal abortions in the downstairs lounge and died are "walking around."

6) Pico House:  Workers have reported to footsteps and shadows. 

7) Hollywood Sign:  Peg Entwistle jumped from the Hollywood Sign's "H" to her death in September 1932.  People have reported seeing a woman near the sign and dressed in period clothes.  Some people say they've seen a female figure actually making the jump.  

8) Queen Mary (of course):  "Door 13" have crushed a couple of people to death. The first class swimming pool is known for women dressed in 1930s bathing suits wandering the decks, the young girl with a teddy bear, the little girl who drowned in the second class swimming pool, a young woman in a evening dress at the Queen's Salon, and a baby crying is heard from time to time. 

9) Griffith Park:  The land is supposedly haunted by Don Antonio Feliz, Dona Petronilla, Griffith J. Griffith, a young girl, and several others, as well as some kind of humanoid beast.

10) Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel:  Marilyn Monroe (sounds like she was around) is known to appear in a full-length mirror from Suite 1200.  Montogomery Clift hangs out in Room 928. One psychic says he's also detected Humphrey Bogart, Carmen Miranda, and Betty Grable

11) Ghostbusters House: Dan Aykroyd lived here and got his idea for "Ghostbusters" and was inspired by the house's extreme hauntedness.  Some say that it is Natalie Wood.  

12) Alexandria Hotel:  Dancers from the 1920s haunt the second-floor ballroom and Rudolph Valentino apparently leaves the Knickerbocker occasionally and visits his old twelfth-floor suite.

13) Colorado Street Bridge:  Several ghosts supposedly haunt the bridge, including possibly a worker who fell into the concrete during construction. 

14) Bullocks Wilshire: Haunted by a little girl who was killed in an elevator shaft.  

15) Los Angeles City Hall:  Ghosts have known to disrupt City Council meetings and bother officials in the bathrooms. hmmm. Note to self: avoid bathrooms at City Hall.

16) Dodger Stadium:   There is one or two ghost who might or might not be Dodger Blue fans.  Also, the stadium is known for spooky mist. 

17) Millennium Biltmore Hotel:  Elizabeth Short, the Black Dahila haunts the lobby.

18) Culver Studios: Filmmaker Thomas Ince is known to haunt his old studio.  he died in 1924 aboard Williams Randolph Hearst's yacht.  Hearst shot Ince thinking he was Charlie Chaplin, whom Hearst thought was having an affair with his mistress Marion Davies.

Interesting.  Give it to Los Angeles to have famous ghost roaming among us.  

Source: la.curbed.com 

    

Bank of America Second Lien Forgiveness. Was it a Good Choice?

by Yvette Betancourt

At the beginning of the summer, Bank of America announced a second-lien forgiveness to eligible homeowners.   The idea was to help homeowners who have defaulted on their home loans build equity so they no longer would owe more than their homes are worth.  Most importantly, it would encourage homeowners to continue making payments and stay in their properties.  Sounds like a heart-felt idea for distressed homeowners...right?

However, the forgiveness of the second lien has cause some challenges for qualified homeowners who are in the middle of a short sale.  Bank of America may have discharged the second lien but it is estimated to be fully "released" within 90 days.  For homeowners in the mist of a short sale, this timeframe is interfering with first lien closing deadlines with other banks and can cause a major delay in the short sale process.  

Another issue is that some borrowers will not see a benefit from the program because they would still be underwater after the second-lien has been discharged.  The program has helped 2,800 homeowners in the nation, totaling $199 million.  

Source: www.utsandiego.com

Open House Sunday Oct 28th

1-4pm. Brand new! Seller is motivated and flexible with listing price. Don't miss opportunity.

Www.4755cedrosAve.com

Coming Soon: LA FITNESS and FRESH & EASY

Tomorrow is the Grand Opening for Fresh & Easy Express in Encino.  Stop by and check out the new addition on Ventura Blvd.

Currently under construction, LA Fitness on Sepulveda that will be opening a two story gym with amenities that include:

• Personal Trainers
• Spa
• Sauna
• Pool 
• Racquet Ballcourt
• Basketball Courts
• Kids Club
• Group Fitness
• Juice Bar

I'm looking forward to both additions to the area.  

Generation X and Y: More Knowledgeable about Homeownership since Housing Crisis

The housing crisis has made Generation X and Y more knowledge about homeownership according to a Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, the online survey of 1,001 members during the Summer.  69% were ready to buy but unsure if they can maintain their lifestyle and the responsibility of homeownership while 61% have landed a secure job to start their path to homeownership.    

The future soon-to-be-buyers have stated that the tops three research before buying a home was home prices in prime neighborhood, interest rates and the securing a loan. I would say these are great areas to focus on. 

62% said that adjusting their lifestyle to save a home, 40% would work a second job or 23% would move back home with their parents.  

Sounds like the ups and downs of the housing crisis has influenced the Gen x and Gen Y about the risks and rewards of home-buying.  

For more tips, go to www.BetancourtRealEstateGroup.com

Source: InnmanNews.com

Great Halloween + Fall Harvest Events in Sherman Oaks and Encino

Two great events are going on this weekend in Sherman Oaks and Encino! 

The first is the Sherman Oaks Street Fair on Sunday October 21, 2012 from 10am to 6pm on Ventura Blvd between Kester and Van Nuys Blvd. 

There will be music, performance from the local schools, arts & crafts, and much more! 

Also on that same day, Lanai Road elementary school will be having their annual Spooktacular Carnival on Sunday October 21, 2012 from 11am to 4pm. 

And don't forget to visit Encino/Sherman Oaks best pumpkin patch - Tina's Pumpkins on Sepulveda Blvd before the 101 freeway. Great hay maze for the little ones, petting zoo and horse rides! 

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Is Housing Shortage Causing the Increase in Home Prices?

I'm pretty sure you are hearing from everyone that the housing market is on the path to recovery. In fact, California Association of Realtors (CAR) has announced that home prices rose for the third year in the row and will continue to rise in 2013. 

With many homes being sold, there is now a shortage of homes for sale.  In Huntington Beach, a realtor  hosted an open house on a short sale which pulled in 50 people in half an hour and produced 30 offers in one day! The days of lowball offers and other demands by buyers are history (for right now) and the once described balanced market has become a seller's market.  

As we approach the holidays seasons, serious buyer will continue to look through the holidays especially with the interest rates remaining at a historical low. 


FIND OUT YOUR HOME'S VALUE

FIND HOMES FOR SALE IN YOUR AREA

Source: OCRegister.com

Cubicle Design Ideas to Spark Your Workspace

A cubicle is a personal space away from home.  Adding a fabric cloth as your wallpaper and a home table lamp will help create a home-like work space.  You can also add a decorative chair (if your cubicle allows) for visitors. 

use push pins to attach the fabric cloth

Be Caught in the Rain with these Umbrellas

It finally feels like Fall in Los Angeles! After last week's heat wave, I didn't know whether to shelf my sweaters or buy more sunscreen.  

But today, rain came down this morning and I was caught without an umbrella. Joy.... Normally I would post about the latest home design trend.  So in honor of the rainy day today,  I figure I would talk about the latest umbrella designs. 

SENZ Umbrella. 

According to the company, they are the original storm umbrella that can withstand storms up to 100km/h (62 mph) winds, a two year storm warranty, UV protective, a unique eyesaver at the end tips to keep rain off your back (or front - depending on the direction of the rain), and won't flip inside-out

Naked UNbrella by Shlu Yuk Yuen

This umbrella is aimed for the eco-crowd and I think it's a pretty great idea if newspapers don't go out of business. (hehe) The idea was to reuse discarded newspapers, card, or plastic bag as the canopy for your umbrella skeleton.  

Between the two umbrellas, I would go with SENZ but a storm with 60 mph winds in Los Angeles is extremely rare. 

Best Gas Station Finder Apps for iPhone and Android

While listening to the morning station today, I heard that California has high gasoline prices higher than Hawaii!  No disrespect to Hawaii, but how is that possible?  In one blink of an eye, prices jumped to all time high that it hurts to go to my normal gasoline spot.

I feel that no matter how high gasoline gets, I am still going to buy gasoline however, I want to make sure I am getting a good deal for my pockets (and my car).  So here are my take on best Gas Station Finders Apps for the over-priced gas prices.

GasBuddy 

FREE.  While its interface isn't as polished as the apps above it on the list, it's solid. Unfortunately, it is missng some stations and has occasional price errors.  However, the price is updated frequently by local users to give you the most-up-to-date prices.  You can find the best price according to Regular, Premium, Supreme.  

Waze social GPS & traffic

Waze social GPS & traffic is a traffic and navigation app that makes use of a community of other drivers to help each other spot cheap gas and outsmart traffic in their local neighborhood. I download this app during carmageddon last year.  This app has saved me three time over the last year when my car navigation or my iPhone (during the Google Map) did not pick up any hazard spots.  Real-time traffic updates are shown, as well as the most important thing: cheap gas prices in gas stations along your route.  This app also allows navigation with the use of your voice. 

Best of luck everyone! 

Rental Prices Rise Faster Than Home Prices

Since 2006, the housing market will have an annual price increase according to reports by Trulia.  It's great news to hear and another sign of the improving housing market and economy.  How much of an increase? About 2.5 percent in asking prices.  Excluding foreclosure sales, prices are up 3.5 percent.

However, rent prices are also on the rise.  In one year, rental prices have rise 4.8 percent since last September!  According to Trulia, the steepest price gain has been in Houston with 15.9 percent and Miami with 10.4 percent.

I am a renter and I am no stranger to the increasing of rental prices.  With interest rates low for qualified buyers and balanced real estate market....all signs point to a great opportunity to jump into the real estate market or start buying some apartments or duplex.

Does design reflect your personality?

Many say that the kitchen is the heart of the home.  You gather, you store, you eat, you talk, etc.  I have many fond memories in my mother's kitchen.  The smell, the laughters, the "talks"and the food!

But does a kitchen design really reflect the personality of a person?

Above you have two kitchens.  A is a kitchen uses the warm neutral colors that reflects the emotions of warm and cozy.  The kitchen is updated with the best Wolf range,  granite countertop and hardwood floors.

B is a kitchen with cool tone colors with a very minimal sense of design. Same stainless steel appliances, however, modern quartz countertops with slate title.  However, the kitchen has an open flow concept than kitchen A.

Two choices? Two personalities?

I would say "yes" ...... to a certain extend.  

Coming Soon to Encino: FRESH & EASY

Encino is getting a new addition to Ventura Blvd! It's a Fresh & Easy! Located at the former Rite Aid site, Fresh & Easy will bring non-high-fructose corn syrup, non-added trans fats, non-artificial colors or flavors in any of their fresh & easy brand products. 

UPDATE OCT.12.2012: Grand Opening will be October 24, 2012! 

For more information, go to FreshandEasy.com.

Bank of America will be Eliminating Second-Lien Mortgages

Are you a homeowner with a second lien with Bank of America? Well, you could be one of the 150,000 pre-qualified homeowners to have your Bank of America second lien mortgage eliminated! 

Bank of America has created a program that is to ease the pains of struggling borrowers who are also dealing with similar issues on first mortgages and to help more individuals create equity in their properties.  

Eligible borrowers have receive a letter in July and have the option to join or decline the program within 30 days of receiving the letter.  Remember, only the second lien that is owned and serviced by Bank of America that meet certain delinquency and property value guidelines are qualified.  If a second lien mortgages associated with a severely delinquent first lien mortgage also qualify as long as the second-lien is serviced or fully owned by Bank of America.  

Please not, that eliminating a second  lien does not resolve issues with the first! If you are delinquent or in foreclosure with the first lien mortgage, work with the first lien servicer to resolve your first lien issues.  

For more information on Bank of America Loan Assistance Solutions, go to homeloanhelp.bankofamerica.com