NEW PRICE!! Hollywood Hills Vacant Land for Sale

Hollywood Hills Vacant Land Opportunity 

Beachwood Canyon

3065 Belden Drive, Hollywood Hills

NEW PRICE |  $140,000   | 6,317 sf lot

 

Lot Size: 6,317 sq ft
Zoning: R1-1
APN #: 5583007003
Lot: 45

Community Plan Area: Hollywood 
Specific Plan Area: Hollywoodland
Hillside Ordinance

Purchase includes: Soil Report

Public Information on the lot can be viewed at ZIMAS.ORG or NavigateLA.

For more photos, visit: www.BetancourtRealEstateGroup.com

 

Rising First-Time Landlords

It's been an interesting real estate year so far and as prices goes up, there is an increase of first-time landlords entering the market.  Typically, if a homeowner want to buy a new house, they would sell the old one and use the equity as a down payment.  Especially for homeowners who move out-of-town.

With rising rents, there is a new approach.  Buy a new house. Keep the old house and rent it out.

Perhaps this is one reason why there is limited inventory for homes for sale.

If you would like a complimentary rental market report for your property, contact us.

New Homes for Sale in Sherman Oaks, California

View New Homes for Sale in beautiful Sherman Oaks! (http://bit.ly/SONewHomes)

Thinking of selling your home? Click here for a FREE home value market report from a professional real estate agent in Sherman Oaks! 

Beautiful Day in Encino!

Despite the early morning 4.7 earthquake...it's a beautiful day in Encino! View homes in this neighborhood for sale at http://bit.ly/Encino4Sale.  To view homes for sale in surrounding cities at http://www.BetancourtRealEstateGroup.com.

To view your home value in todays market, visit us at www.BetancourtRealEstateGroup.com/seller

10 Top Things Home Buyers Want in a Neighborhood

To find homes for sale in your area, visit www.BetancourtRealEstateGroup.com or email us for a no-cost home value report. 

Prediction of Price Growth Will Slow Down

2013 has been a rollarcoast in home prices and setting breaking levels in certain areas.  Many buyers are asking if this new trend is a bubble and will it end?  Let's take a look.

Since June of last year, home prices have rose by 11.9%.  On a seasonally basis (real estate has seasons) there was a 0.6% from May (spring) to June (summer).

According to Wall Street Journal's Nick Timiraos, prices will still rise but not as fast as this previous year.  This could mean that the 'bubble' everyone was asking about...isn't a bubble that will burst.

WHY????

Economists from Goldman Sachs Group offered three reasons why home price gains will be moderate:

1) Housing is no longer that cheap.  Prices in relations to incomes and that relation to rents - home prices are no longer "undervalued" as they did two years ago.  Recent home prices gains have put home prices on a national basis back at "fair value."

2) Sharp spike in mortgage rates led buyers to pause. With the low historical interest rates created an urgency to jump into the market.  Since the 1% increase in June, buyers are stepping back and re-considering their options.

3) Biggest drivers of price gains are going to play a smaller role going forward.  Home price have increased in part of the decline in foreclosure and distressed homes.  Investors are slowing down their purchase because the bargains of last year has dried up.

So.... unit there is new construction which is gearing up to open by next year (go to NewHomeSource for upcoming development communities) - it looks like this upward trend will continue into 2014.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Watch how LA Closet take your ordinary closet to a luxurious place for your clothes

Home Sellers, learn how to price ahead of the market curve

Real estate markets change all the time. You want to make sure that you're pricing the house ahead of the curve -- no matter what the market.  Contact us for a free Home Value report. 

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 

    

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. 

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.  

Flipper lists Rihanna's former home

I'm not much of a celebrity real estate follower. But i do love a good design and a great remodel of any home! 

The investor bought this house last year for about $3.3 million.  The home was a short sale with major issues, according to the LA.Curbed.com article.  Rihanna lost $2 million when she sold her home last year. The investors added lots of upgrades and the home is on the market for $9.95 Million with Valerie Fitzgerald Group.  

The 8,520-square-foot Beverly Crest contemporary sits on about three-quarters of an acre with unobstructed canyon and city views. Amazing remodel of the home!

To view pictures of the remodeled home:
http://tinyurl.com/9jfeafj

Congratulations Silver Lake! You've been names America's Best Hipster Neighborhood

Forbes placed Silver Lake in the top spot on their top 20 places in which hipsterdom is most likely to flourish.  Why Silver Lake? Let's take a look. 

•Walkability (yes)
•Coffee Shops (but of course!)
•Food Trucks (nom nom)
•Farmers' Markets (so fresh)
•Local Bars and Restaurants (true)
•"Artistic occupations" type of residents (can't forget this!)

To read the remainder 19 places, go to Forbes.com 

California Home Sales and Prices Higher in July!

California home sales and prices data come in strong in July.  Last month, the median price reached a near-four-year high, according the California Association of Realtors® (C.A.R).  July 2012 median price was the highest since August 2008, when the median price reached $352,730.  

Interest rates continue to remain at a historically low in July with 30 year fixed mortgage interest rates averaging 3.55 percent.  Adjustable-mortgage interest rates averaged at 2.69 percent in July.  

The median number of days to sell a single-family home dropped from 43.4 days in June to 43.2 days in July. It took a median of 51.9 days for a home to sell in July 2011. 

For more information or to see July 2012 Data Chart for Existing Single Family Homes and Sales, click here. 

HGTV is looking for homeowner who need to revamp a room!

Are you a homeowner at a design standstill with a room in your home that’s in desperate need for a makeover?   Have an interesting backstory motivating this design overhaul?   New HGTV makeover series starring a celebrity designer hopes to transform your lifeless room into an upscale space that pops!

If you are chosen you will receive free design and contracting services, a considerable amount of free labor, and other show resources that will contribute to the amazing final result.  However, you must have a budget to contribute for items such as sub-contractors, materials, and furniture.


This is a once-in-a lifetime-opportunity to have both HGTV and a celebrity designer provide you with the most fantastic room makeover ever! Filming is NOW so we need to hear from you ASAP!!!  Contact them at:  designshow@highnoontv.com.  Please include your name, address/contact info, budget, what room needs a makeover and why.  Please include photos of you and your space. 


Homeowners in the Los Angeles area only
No kitchens please


This opportunity is from HighNoonTv.com

Carmageddon II: The sequel

Carmageddon 2011

Last year, Carmageddon was a successful weekend with clear freeways and the smell of BBQ all around.  In a hollywood style, like a successful movie, a sequel is quickly plan and this September that sequel has arrived!


CARMAGEDDON II : the final mark on the 405


Similar to the last year, the 10 mile of San Diego (405) freeway through the Sepulveda Pass will take place the weekend of Sept 29-30.  Crews will be demolishing the other half of the Mulholland bridge over the freeway, transportation officials announced Thursday.  


Officials with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have already begun advising motorists across the state to plan ahead. 


On Sept 29-30, what will you be doing? Sound like a good time to pull out the BBQ grill and hit the pool. 


Hopefully this sequel will be as successful as the original. 

Lenders making home equity loans more accessible

As of July 23, 2012. Source: HSH.com

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency noted that one in five lenders nationwide loosened up underwriting standards on home equity loans while 68 percent kept them unchanged from a year ago.  During the peak of the housing crisis - no lender had eased standards.  


According to the NYTimes article,  lenders are lowering the credit scores and equity levels needed to qualify from two years ago, especially in areas where home prices are appreciating. 


Today, home equity applications are based on several criteria including:


• The amount of equity available in a home
• a borrower's income
• loan-to-value ratio (as little as 5 percent may be enough to qualify) 


For homeowners who are considering a home equity loan should begin the process by estimating how much equity they might have in their home.  You can email me to receive a free recent comparable sales in your neighborhood based.  You will get a ballpark of what your home is worth.  As part of the application process, lender generally requires an official appraisal. 


TIP: Note loan restrictions.  Some home equity loans do not allow home equity loans to be used for small business investment or buy a second home. 


Source: NYTimes.com

County Fairs Schedule for Summer 2012

Summer is here and that means county fair season is in full swing! Take a look at the local county fairs near the Los Angeles area. 


OC Fair - July 13 to Aug 12
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626


Schedule and Events


Ventura County Fair - August 1 to August 12
10 West Harbor Blvd
Ventura CA 93001


Schedule and Events


LA County Fair - August 31 to Sept 30
1101 West McKinley Ave
Pomona CA 91768


Schedule and Events

Top places to view Fireworks for Fourth of July in Los Angeles

Fourth of July is just around the corner! We are excited to celebrate America's Independence.  So we thought we should put together our top picks to view fireworks in Los Angeles.  




4th of July AmericaFest at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena


Biggest and Best firework show ever!! Food, music and get atmosphere. 


When: July 4th, parking lot opens at 10am. Food court opens at 2pm.  Stadium opens at 6:30pm.  Opening ceremonies begins at 7pm.  Fireworks at 9:05pm.


Cost: $13 General Admission, Kids 7 and under are free.  Active Military with ID FREE.  Parking is about $20 cash.


Palisades Americanism Parade


Independence Day Parade followed by entertainment and a firework display.


When: July 4th, Skydivers 1:50pm, Parade 2:00pm, 6:30pm Entertainment and fireworks at the Palisades Charter High School.  


Cost: Parade Free, Concert $5


July 4th Fireworks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum


Free 60 minutes firework show 


When: July 4th 8:45pm-ish


Where: LA Memorial Coliseum 3911 S Figueroa St Los Angeles


Cost: FREE


Parking: Available at 39th and Figueroa St, Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Hoover St and also at USC campus. 


July 4th Baseball and Fireworks at Dodger Stadium


LA Dodgers vs Cincinnati Red


When: July 4, 6:10pm


Cost: $12.50 to $650 tickets


Parking: $10.


4th of July BBQ at the Aquarium of the Pacific


Enjoy the Aquarium at night!! Combo tickets include admission at the aquarium plus an Independence Day BBQ buffet with home style grilled entrees and desserts. 


When: July 4, 5-10pm, Dinner 6-8pm and Aquarium opens at 9am.


Cost: Admission is $12.95 for everyone after 5pm.  Regular admission is $24.95 adult, $13.95 child 3-11, $21.95 seniors.  Aquarium plus dinner $37 Adult, $29 child.  Advance reservation is required for dinner. 


Queen Mary BBQ, Brews and Red, White & Blue


2 stages of live music, strolling entertainers and a children's area.


When: July 4th, 10am to 10pm, fireworks on the 4th at 9:00pm.


Cost: $39.95 Adult, $19.95 children 5-11, $34.95 non active military/seniors/free for active military, tickets at the box office or online.


Parking: $15 


4th of July Celebration in San Pedro


Live music, U.S military exhibits, tours of a Navy frigate, armed forces, and US Coast Guard.  Also, Washington Artillery Reenactment group followed by fireworks.


When: July 4
Cost: Free


for more places to view fireworks, go to GoLosAngeles.about.com. 

Top 7 Picnic Spots in Los Angeles

The weather is getting warmer and that means a couple of things...spending more time outdoors!! Take a look at seven top picnic spots in Los Angeles....


1) Malibu Bluffs Park - 24250 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265


2) Switer Falls in Angeles National Forest - Angeles Crest Hwy, La Canada, CA 91011


3) El Dorado Park - 2800 N Studebaker Rd, Long Beach, CA 90815


4) Will Rogers Memorial Park - 9650 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211


5) Roxbury Park - 471 Roxbury Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 


6) Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027


7) Corona Del Mar State Beach - Ocean Blvd and Iris Ave, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625