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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

A Look Back: California Home Median Prices Since 1970

With this new seller's market in hand, let's rewind the clock and take a look at California's median home prices since 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2012.

Shocking...isn't it.


Monday, February 25, 2013

Remodeling Tip: How to Pick Out a Vanity


Spring is around the corner which means warmer weather and saying goodbye to winter.

Here are ten great tips on how to choose the best vanity for your needs and style.

Source: houzz.com

Monday, February 11, 2013

Individual Buyers Dominate Home Sales as Opposed to Investors


Another sign that the housing recover is more sustainable than before.  Mortgage applications were at all time high in January.  For the last couple of years, investors with cash have driven the recovery of the housing market.  But in the last five months, application for new mortgages have risen and now regular buyers are having to play a bigger role in the housing recovery. 

This is the significant change the market has been waiting for! Why? Many in the real estate industry are worry that once home prices rise to a point where it's not as worthwhile for investors to buy, prices would drop off.  Now that individual buyers dominate home sales, we may see a more sustainable recovery under way. 

This doesn't mean that investors have loosen their grip on the market.  Now,  investors are buying homes at an extremely affordable price with plans to rent them out and flip them for a profit when the market is right. 

With these news, individual buyers will likely play a larger role in the housing recovery however the change will be a slow one.  The importance is that it has started to happen. 

Source: CNNMoney.com

Friday, February 8, 2013

LA's Tallest Tower could be the under-construction Wilshire Grand building


It's coming.  The Wilshire Grand that is.... Developer Korean Air has unveiled the final plan for the 70-story tower which is currently under construction.  Not only will this head turner building be called the West Coast tallest but it will be the first tower since 9174 to be built without a flat top.  

AC Martin Partners has done a beautiful job with the design of the building that will home to 900 hotel rooms, 400,000 square feet of office space, ground floor retail and a chic top-floor "sky lobby" with one of the fastest high speed elevators in the world.  

AMAZING. 

This tower will be a huge game changer for the skyline department in downtown since this building will have no rooftop helipad.  Only time (and construction) will tell what the final construction will be.  Until then... I will be looking forward to ribbon cutting ceremony in March 2017. 



Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Are the Shipping Containers the new Mobile Home?

Kitchen/Dining

Exterior

Living Room
Six years ago, some people question the appeal of mobile design and said it was an ego fad that would fad off within a year or two.   Since that time, there are two certain things.  1) it's not a fad and 2) it could be the next design of mobile homes.

OMD by Jennifer Siegal designed and built this amazing 2,330 sqft two story home in Santa Monica, CA.  2,330 sqft!!! That is 4 shipping containers at 16 ft wide to fit a lot size of 25 ft by 100 ft.  

The first floor is the common space which includes an open concept of living room, dining, and kitchen and garage.  The second floor has two bedrooms, two baths and an open office space that could be converted into a third bedroom with a terrace overlooking the backyard.
So what makes this so Ooo and Ahhh?  The price!! these prefab homes cost about 15% less than conventional construction cost, take half the time, and are more sustainable building methods.  In terms of real estate, you can buy a small lot and create a brand new custom preFab home that will meet your design and sustainable needs.


For more information on PreFab Homes by Jennifer Siegal, go to DesignMoblie.com.  





Monday, February 4, 2013

Home Improvement is on the Rise



According the Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies are predicting in home improvement spending from now until the third quarter of 2013. 

With the rise of rebounding home sales, low financing costs, and popular TV shows like Property Brothers, Selling and Buying, and Love It or List It are adding to the increase in home improvements.

In today's market, financing for home improvements through home equity line is available up to 80 percent of loan-to-value ratio.  

Construction loans are hard to come by however, lenders typically require borrower have 25 to 30 percent equity, based on the finished value. 

It's also a great opportunity to find a great home in a desired location and add modern style and amenities.  

To get a list of great fixers in your local area, click here to access our FREE MLS Property Search. 

Source: NYTimes.com

Friday, February 1, 2013

Designer Flatware to make your Dinner Guest go "OoOo"


If you are like me, my flatware is always disappearing somewhere....I believe it's my dishwasher. Seriously.  

Hence my search online for new flatware and I came upon Crate & Barrels Emerge Flatware.  The lean and clean contemporary design is amazing.  


for a more traditional look, go with Grand Hotel II flatware.