Tropical Storm Hilary Disaster Relief Resource

First and foremost, my heart aches as I bear witness to the devastating aftermath of Tropical Storm Hiliary. While, on the surface, the storm may appear to have caused less damage than many had braced for, it's evident that numerous individuals and families are grappling with significant water-related challenges and unstable terrain. These less visible, yet equally harrowing issues remind us of the unpredictable nature of life, and the profound impact even "milder" disasters can have on our homes, our communities, and our well-being.

In times like these, it's crucial to understand that reaching out for assistance is not a testament to one's weakness, but rather a reflection of our shared humanity. Adversity, no matter how challenging, always comes with an opportunity to band together, to rebuild, and to support one another. Pride should never stand in the way of safety and recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling in the wake of this storm, please remember that there are resources and helping hands available. Seeking help when we need it most is an act of strength, courage, and community. Let us navigate these challenging times together, leaning on each other for support and resilience.

With heartfelt love and readiness to assist,

CLICK HERE ➡️ DISASTER RELIEF RESOURCE

Laura Key, REALTOR®
310-866-8422
Laura@LauraKey.net
www.LauraKey.net

Seller's Market? Consider New Construction Homes

Most of the country is experiencing a very tight real estate market. Inventory levels are historically low, perhaps owing to the concern of strangers traipsing through the home during this time. Additionally, because most people are staying home, they have been able to focus on their property and how it fits into their lifestyle, emphasizing the need to right-size their environment.

With properly-priced homes moving quickly off the market, homebuyers are frustrated. For those who can be flexible with their timing, new construction offers an appealing alternative to the resale market. New construction offers the buyer a fresh, blank canvas on which to create their perfect home. In any market, this can be appealing, but when resale inventory is low, this is even more attractive. Yet, new construction is more than modern floorplans and beautiful finishes. Before buying new construction, it’s important to ask a few questions first:

• How long will the property take to build, and what possible delays could affect that timeframe? How does that timeline fit in with selling your current home or finding interim housing?

• Is your completion date affected by the sale or occupancy of other units or phases?

• What is included in the base unit and what are the additional costs for custom add-on options?

• What are the HOA (homeowner’s association) fees and what do they cover?

In addition, it’s important to understand the exact location of the new home and any planned developments or improvements which could affect the home in the future – road-noise, parking or traffic congestion, view, etc.

For those trying to compete in this resale seller’s market, it could be time to buy new. Developers are offering some great incentives in this climate, and it can be a great alternative for those with a little time to wait.

Ready to start the journey! Let’s get started!
SHOP NOW!

How to Set Up Your First Home Office

How to Set Up Your First Home Office

Working from home is not a new concept, but recent events have created a mass shift in the American workforce and more people than ever before are working from home. While simply placing a laptop on the kitchen table is one way to work from home, having a designated home office offers a better environment for productivity and is easier to set up than you might think.

• The first step is to find the right location for your home office. Although it’s great if you have a spare room to use, not everyone has this luxury. A corner of a master bedroom or living room, a loft area, or even a section of a well-insulated garage can work just as well.

• Once you find the right space, create a list of the materials you’ll need to be productive. A formal desk is best, but if you don’t own one, then any table will work. Use bookshelves or storage cubes to keep paper, pens, and other useful items within easy reach.

• Pay attention to the lighting – both natural light and lighting fixtures. Cool light, such as sunlight, is best for productivity. Make sure you have a desk lamp or floor lamp if the room doesn’t have proper natural lighting.

• Once you have the essentials set up, it’s time to add some personal touches. Add a plant or decorate a wall with pictures you enjoy, to bring the space to life. Consider the storage elements as well, such as pen holders or file folders. A home office doesn’t need to be fancy to be an effective and enjoyable space. The most important consideration is to ensure you can work in peace; it should also offer a pleasant place to be productive that is separate from your living space so you can unplug at the end of the workday.

Rent To Own - BEWARE!

Hello. Hello, hello. So you think you want to buy a house and you found a great deal and you've made an agreement to rent to own. Let's talk about this. My name is Laura Key. I am the Realty Goddess of Los Angeles, California. And I "Help To Establish The Community One House At A Time" I've been in the business since 2006 I love what I do and I do what I love! "Rent To Own" or also called "Lease To Own" properties...you see them all the time. You see them on places such as craigslist. You see them, uh, advertised on Facebook sometimes. Sometimes you just hear people saying that they're going to the least own. Maybe you see them on those little yellow signs that ya see driving down the street and you think to yourself, this would be a perfect situation for me. I don't have enough money to buy right now, but if I get into a home that is leased to own, this may be something that is great for me.

If it sounds too good to be true, 99% of the time it is too good to be true. Let me give you an example of what just happened today. I deal with bank owned properties. A lot of the times I have to go and make sure the property is secure I have to make sure that the property is vacant and if someone is living there, I need to get their details to report back to the bank. The lady that I went to the home with today was shocked to find out that the house has been sold. She has been living in this house for the past three years. She's been paying rent and fixing the home because it was her understanding that she was in a rent to own situation and now she found out today that the house belongs to the bank and she is facing eviction.

Guys, let me give you some tips and tricks. If you come across rent to own that are extremely important for you to abide by. Don't put your fingers in your ears so that you can't hear. Don't cover your eyes so you can't see this video. These are hard facts, but they're true facts. If you are looking to do a lease to own number one, do not just take a verbal understanding. Do not just take a basic contract. What you need to do is you need to get an attorney for you and the other person can get an attorney as well so that everyone is represented appropriately. You want to contact an attorney so that they can draw up legally binding contracts that outline the full terms of you renting to own. Number one that needs to be addressed. How long will you be renting before you apply that money to owning the home?

What happens if you need to break the contract on your side? Will you get your security deposit back? Will you get the funds that you have put toward the home back or will you get a percentage of that back? What happens if something breaks in the home? Who will handle the repairs and you need to make sure that any and all funds are put into a very safe place where no one can touch it without you all signing an agreement. Guys, rent to own can happen. Unfortunately, I'm going to tell you since I have been in the business, I have never seen any that turned out well, but that does not mean that there aren't, as long as you go through the proper channels, attorney; official contract; all terms outlined and understood; understanding of where the money is going to go; how long will you be renting to own before you're ready to actually make it yours?

Who is going to handle the repairs? These things are critical for you to understand if you're even considering a lease to own, but as an agent who has never seen one work, I'm going to be very honest with you in saying that I don't feel confident and advising this type of deal. If you're not going to do it correctly, then don't do it at all. My information is above. If you have questions about leasing to own, please let me know. Regardless of whatever state you're in, I look forward to talking with you. Don't be the victim. Be the winner. My name is Laura Key. I am the Realty Goddess of Los Angeles, California, and "I Help To Establish The Community One House At A Time". I wish you nothing but love, light and blessings. Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is? Mmmaw Suga. Bye.

The Internet Can’t Replace Your Agent

We live in the information age; the Internet offers advice on every topic and real estate is no exception. With more and more home buyers starting their home search online, they are bombarded with advice and information – it can be easy to think that you can learn everything you need to know just by reading articles online.

The truth is your real estate agent does much more than answer your questions and open doors with a special key. A professional real estate agent will be there every step of the way. They have the experience necessary to navigate the complicated home buying process and solve common hiccups that present themselves in every real estate transactions.

Your real estate agent is a local professional. They will start by presenting themselves to the buyer’s agent as someone who will work with them to see the transaction through to a successful conclusion. They have a network of professionals who will work as a team to help you through the process. These include such professionals as: lenders, title reps, escrow officers, transaction coordinators, home inspectors, contractors and handymen, among others.

Most importantly, your agent is your ally in the home buying process. They negotiate on your behalf – armed with experience and understanding of customary charges, costs and terms. They will ensure that the price you pay for the home is fair for the condition and neighborhood. They will negotiate repairs, if needed and make sure you are protected with the proper contingencies. The Internet offers lots of great information, but the most important step you can take when buying a new home, is hiring a local professional real estate agent. Their knowledge and expertise can’t be found by reading an article or two online.

I have been in the business since 2006 and I enjoy what I do! I love to educate you during this process so you UNDERSTAND the process and can be wise with your money.

Start your Los Angeles Area home search now! www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

Painting Your Own Home: Tips to Make the Process Painless

Painting Your Own Home: Tips to Make the Process Painless

While it’s might seem easier to hire professionals to paint the house, but with a little research you can find the job is not as intimidating as it seems. With a few free days set aside and some preparation, painting one room (or multiple) is easily doable for anyone. Here are a few things to consider before you start.

Apply a Primer Coat

Preparation entails most of the painting process. It’s easy to become frustrated during the preparation stage, because prepping to paint can take longer than the actual painting component of the project.

Interior walls aren’t always perfect, and painting the walls is a perfect opportunity to fix those imperfections. If you’re using a putty or a filler to patch holes, the paint will react differently to those substances than it will the wall itself. The solution here is to prime your walls, so the new paint color has a uniform surface to adhere to. It’s one simple step that doesn’t seem like much, but could end up saving you a whole lot of work at the end of the process.

Factor in taping time

Taping up the room is tedious work, but will be worth it when you don’t have to waste time being ultra-careful or nervous when getting close to edges. Instead of trying to take the tape off while the paint is still dry, wait at least 24 hours for the paint to dry, and use a knife to slice the tape off at the edge. If the paint is still even a little wet or gummy, don’t continue. Make sure the knife is sharp enough and pull the tape away at a 45-degree angle, making sure not to rip the paint.

Set up with clean-up in mind

To protect floors, a drop cloth is a necessity. In some cases, cotton or canvas drop clothes can work better than plastic. Plastic drop cloths can be slippery and don’t easily stay in place, especially when ladders are involved. Any splatters or drips of paint that fall onto a plastic drop cloth won’t dry or absorb right away and can be easily tracked throughout the rest of your house. A canvas or cotton drop cloth will be more stable and will protect the floors better. Tape the edges of the drop cloth to the tops of the trim to protect both the floor and the trims from any splattering or dripping paint.

Work top down

Not only does it prevent drips from ruining anything you’ve already painted, but it keeps the walls and baseboards free of any dust or debris from sticking to wet trim. Paint the ceiling first, move to the walls and possible crown moldings. Only then should you move to any trims around windows or doors and finish with the baseboards. Not only will this keep a system in place to ensure there’s no questioning what’s been painted and what hasn’t, but it’ll keep things clean.

Check thickness of previous paint layers

Cracks on an exterior paint job don’t reflect the owner’s best intentions and should be fixed before the damage is too much to fix. Too thick of a layer of paint means that the paint might just be too heavy to stay, and will start to crack and to peel off. It loses its grip and can’t attach to the other layers of paint. In older homes, it’s likely that some of those layers of paint have lead in them, in which case you’ll need to look into how to remove it safely. The EPA has guidelines here. This could be the one step that requires you to outsource, if the layer of paint is extremely thick, because removing it completely (and correctly) will ensure the next coat of paint will attach correctly. Hiring a home washing company can help you identify these cracks in exterior paint as well. If anything, have the exterior of your home professionally power washed, so the paint will have a clean surface to adhere to.

Using these tips, ideally the house-painting process will be doable for anyone. Prepare yourself to set aside time for set-up, knowing that it will help when you’re done painting and ready to clean up. Instead of hiring painting professionals, save some money for decorating and tackle the job yourself.

Curious to know how much your Southern California home is worth! Get an instant report now! www.CaliOnTheMove.com 

Bio: Matt Lawler is an Internet marketing specialist from Tempe, Arizona where he attended Arizona State University. Whenever he can step away from the computer, Matt enjoys playing sports, traveling and exploring the great outdoors. Follow him on Twitter.

Laura Key, REALTOR® Cal BRE 01908085 310-866-8422 Laura.A.Key@gmail.com www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

Types of Real Estate Sales - Coffee Time with the Realty Goddess

https://youtu.be/swxL643JKYw  

When you are purchasing a home you will come across many different "types" of sales. Short-Sales, Stand, HUD, Trust, REO...it can be confusing. This broadcast will look into the terms and untangle the mystery.

If you are in the Los Angeles area, I would love the opportunity to earn your business.

Laura Key, REALTOR Cal BRE 01908085 Laura.A.Key@gmail.com www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

Follow me on: Periscope & Twitter: @RealtyGoddess Snapchat: @RealtyGoddess Instagram: @realtygoddess1 Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RealtyGoddess

How To Find A Realtor (Buyer)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf7vgVU_IGs&w=420&h=315] Did you know most people choose a Realtor by spinning the wheel of fortune? When you are buying a home, you really should take the time to interview agents to help your buying experience the most enjoyable as it can be.

Did you know not all agents work the same? Some don't work weekends, some don't want to work with buyers, some only work certain hours of the day, some are part time, etc.  But how will this benefit you when you are working hard to find the home of your dreams.

Interviewing agents is a extremely important part of successfully buying a home.

Enjoy the above Periscope broadcast to learn a few things when choosing a Realtor! (recorded March 19, 2016)

Please note I have a correction: If an agent tells you they will not let you out of a buyer's agency, please think long and hard before signing.

Follow me...

Snapchat: @realtygoddess Periscope & Twitter: @realtygoddess Instagram: realtygoddess1 Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RealtyGoddess Website: www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

The “KEY” to your real estate dreams!

Lots of Los Angeles Real Estate Agents want to be stars as big as the celebrities they cater to. Me? I just want to help people find the homes that make them happy and help them to create a sanctuary for future dreams and lasting memories.

Laura Key 310-866-8422 Laura.A.Key@gmail.com Cal BRE #01908085

Los Angeles 2 Bed 1 Bath Attached Garage!

North Hollywood Condo For Sale

As Home Prices Rebound, Lenders Rush to Unload REOs

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

The recovery in home prices this year is prompting banks to sell off their REO inventory at a brisker pace. Sales of bank-owned homes made up 10 percent of residential sales in November, the third consecutive month for increases in REO sales, RealtyTrac reports. 

"Lenders are taking advantage of this environment to unload more of their bank-owned inventory and in-foreclosure inventory at the foreclosure auction," says RealtyTrac's Daren Blomquist. "But as the backlog of distressed inventory available dries up in many of the markets with the most efficient foreclosure processes — namely California, Arizona, and Nevada, with Georgia not far behind — overall sales volume is declining and will continue to do so until more nondistressed sellers enter the market."

Rick Sharga, executive vice president at Auction.com, says his company is “seeing more properties sold at trustee sales, and we are seeing more properties that are coming from servicers priced to sell at trustee sales.” 

Previously, mortgage servicers would put foreclosed homes up for sale at the full value of the loan, CNBC reports. However, those homes would often land back at the bank as investors sought larger discounts. “Ironically, as prices are rising, servicers are discounting the homes more,” CNBC reports. 

Start your home search out RIGHT! Access homes from a direct source! Text LKHOMES to 87778 today or go to http://87778.mobi/LKHOMES Available on iPad/Tablet/Smartphones

Source: “Sales of bank-owned homes surge,” CNBC (Dec. 20, 2013)

What Buyers Want and Are Willing to Pay For It!

Find homes from your phone for FREE!  Text LKHOMES to 87778 and download the MLS application! No fluff, no signing up...just homes at your fingertips!

Beware of Rental Scams

Warning Regarding Online Rental Schemes

By Wayne S. Bell, Real Estate Commissioner California Bureau of Real Estate

Issued: October 2013

In prior consumer alerts, the California Department of Real Estate, the predecessor of the  California Bureau of Real Estate (“CalBRE”) issued warnings to prospective renters about (i) imposter landlords and (ii) scams perpetrated by or in connection with Prepaid Rental Listing Services.

There are almost endless varieties of real estate and rental fraud. Some are new. Many are old, and some are just variations on timeworn scams.

CalBRE has received reports and been made aware of online rental scams (often using such Internet sites such as Zillow, Trulia, Craigslist, and HotPads), and we want to warn the public about some of the most common ones.

Included in this warning is a list of “red” flags or signs to look for, suggestions on how prospective renters can protect themselves, and reporting recommendations for those potential renters who have been victimized.

Common Scams

In most cases, the fraud involves a scammer who:

• Duplicates or “hijacks” an actual listing of a property that is for rent. 
• Creates a fake or fictitious listing for a rental property. 
• Offers for rent a real, but unavailable, property. 
• Rents a property that is in foreclosure and which will soon be sold, or that has been fully foreclosed (or is in pre-foreclosure).

In the cases mentioned above, the perpetrators do not own the properties (although they oft-times pretend to be the owners) and they are not authorized or licensed to rent the properties.

In most of these cases, the scammers collect money (usually via wire transfer) from the victims for deposits, fees and rents, and in a number of the cases obtain enough personal information, such as social security, driver license and bank account numbers, to steal the identities of the “renter” victims.

For the fraudsters, these are crimes of opportunity and they are simply taking advantage of individuals who are looking for rental housing in a tight real estate market. The perpetrators engage in these crimes (via the Internet ether) because they have found success with such scams and continue to find victims who send money and/or who provide personally identifying information that can be used by the scammers to commit additional crimes.

Please see Consumer Alert – Beware of Imposter Landlords and Consumer Fraud Alert and Warning – Prepaid Listing Services (PRLS).

Because of the anonymity and widespread availability of the Internet, an online rental scam can be started and operated from anywhere in the United States or in other countries.

“Red” Flags

While none of the “red” flags below is definitive proof of fraud, the following are warning signs of a possible scam:

• The advertised rental rates are low (many times very low) compared to other rentals in the area. Always remember the time-tested adage that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. 
• The purported landlord or agent requests that the advance payment of rents and deposits (and possibly other fees) be made via cash or wire transfer (such as Western Union), and/or asks for personal information such as social security number, bank account information, and driver license number. It is important to note that payments made by cash or wire transfer provide little – and usually no – recourse, especially since the scammer to whom the funds are wired usually disappears and cannot be found. While credit card payments are not accepted by many landlords or property rental agents, prospective renters should – to provide an amount of self-protection – ask to pay for rents, deposits and fees by credit card. 
• The supposed owner or rental agent is either out of the country or in another State, or is in a hurry to leave California, and states that the rental property cannot be shown or toured. 
• The prospective landlord or property agent is not willing to meet in person, and/or applies pressure to complete the rental transaction as soon as possible.

Ways that Prospective Renters Can Protect Themselves

The best advice for prospective renters is to be wary, and to conduct their own diligence and investigate the person with whom they are dealing or negotiating, and the property itself. In this regard, potential renters should:

• Confirm or verify the identity of the supposed landlord or property agent. To see who owns the property, contact a licensed California real estate agent, the county recorder’s office in the county where the property is located, and/or a title company. Talk with neighbors about the property and ask who owns it, and ask a lot of questions about the rental history of the property. If dealing with a property manager or leasing agent (who does not live at the property), look them up on the CalBRE website (www.bre.ca.gov) to see if they are licensed. If they are, check to see if they are disciplined or otherwise restricted in the real estate practice that they can do. Also, check the person out on Google or other search engines, and through the Better Business Bureau. 
• Confirm that the property is not in foreclosure or pre-foreclosure. This is especially true when renting a house. The mortgage loan should be in good standing and not in default. 
• Not rent a property without viewing and touring it in person. 
• Not pay or transfer any money without reviewing all rental documents, and getting copies of all writings pertaining to the property. 
• Demand to meet and then actually meet the supposed owner or property manager in person, and ask many questions about the property and the neighborhood. 
• Work with an experienced, competent, and licensed California real estate broker, or salesperson working under the supervision of a broker. 
• Take photographs of the property. 
• Not pay anything in cash or wire transfer money. 
• Do research on what comparable properties rent for.

The essential point here is that prospective renters, in order to protect their interests, and not become a scammer’s next victim, must remain skeptical, proceed cautiously, do their own investigation of the property and individuals involved with the rental(s), and be aware of and look for revealing signs of fraud.

After Falling Victim or Becoming Aware of an Online Rental Scam

If a prospective renter has been scammed, or becomes aware of an online rental scam, he or she should immediately report the fraud and file complaints with one, more or all of the following:

• The relevant Internet provider (e.g., Zillow, Trulia, etc.).
• CalBRE if a real estate licensee is involved, or if the scammer is unlicensed and purporting to be a real estate agent. Please contact CalBRE at www.bre.ca.gov.
• The California Attorney General, at www.oag.ca.gov/consumers.
• The District Attorney, Sheriff, local police and local prosecutor in your community.
• The Federal Trade Commission, at www.ftc.gov.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), at www.fbi.gov.
• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at www.cfpb.gov.

Issued: October 2013

Call Laura Key for your real estate needs, rentals, sales, purchase, investment! 310.866.8422 Search for homes NOW!

More Renters Say They Want to Own, Survey Finds

Interested in purchasing a new home! I have a team that can help you reach your real estate goals!  Call me today! Laura Key 310.866.8422

The majority of renters say home ownership is one of their highest priorities for their future, and more renters are saying they want to buy soon, according to the 2013 National Housing Pulse Survey, conducted by the National Association of REALTORS®. Renters are showing stronger desires for home ownership compared to recent years, according to the survey. 

“Home ownership matters to Americans who consistently realize the many benefits it provides to communities, families, and the nation’s economy,” says NAR President Gary Thomas. “Due to high housing affordability and today’s interest rates it makes sense for people to consider home ownership over renting. In fact, in many parts of the country it’s cheaper to own a home than to rent one. Therefore, it’s no surprise that renters recognize that owning a home offers tremendous long-term benefits and is an investment in their future.”

Fifty one percent of renters say that eventually owning a home is one of their highest personal priorities, up from 42 percent in the 2011 survey.

The survey found that 80 percent of the 2,000 Americans surveyed say they believe buying a home is a good financial decision. Sixty-eight percent said now is a good time to buy a home, too. 

Their main motivations to home ownership: Building equity, wanting a stable and safe environment, and the freedom to choose where to live, the survey found. 

Meanwhile, the main obstacles to home ownership have remained the same over the years: saving for the down payment, closing costs, low wages, and student loan debt. 

“Student loan debt is a concern for many consumers in today’s market, especially first-time buyers,” Thomas says. “Buyers with student loan debt may find it difficult to access mortgage credit, as well as save for a down payment. Pending mortgage finance regulations requiring higher down payments could also contribute to the already tight lending environment. REALTORS® are working with regulators to address this issue and are committed to making sure those who are willing and able to own a home have the opportunity to pursue that dream.”

Source: National Association of REALTORS(R)

IRS Simplifies Home Office Deduction

Working from home can be beneficial! Hope these tips help! Need a home checkup? Call me Laura Key 310.866.8422

The number of home owners who work from home at least one day a week increased nearly 10 percent — from 9.5 million to 13.4 million — between 1999 and 2010, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. However, only 3.4 million home owners claimed deductions for business use of a home in 2010, according to the IRS. 

The IRS recently announced a new safe harbor provision for home office deductions for the 2013 tax year. 

“This allows at-home workers the option to simply take a deduction capped at $1,500 per year based on $5 a square foot for up to 300 square feet,” FOX Business reported. “The requirement that home office space be exclusively used for business and limitations on income earned from that business still applies, and direct business expenses unrelated to the home (advertising, supplies and wages paid to employees, etc.) are fully deductible.”

"The home office deduction is one of the most misunderstood and abused deductions out there," says Margaret Munro, a tax consultant, about the changes. "If you have a valid home office, you take the deduction because you shouldn't be paying tax on money that you're using for your business."

For more information on the deduction, visit the IRS Web site.

Source: “IRS' Simpler Home Tax Deduction Cuts Through the Clutter,” FOX Business (July 24, 2013)

New House - New Yard - Got Plans?

What would you do with your new yard? Call me and let's get you started! Laura Key 310.866.8422

Condominiums – Should You Consider Purchasing One

Condominiums tend fall into the love them or hate them position for buyers

Condominiums are all about communal living, which can be good or bad depending upon your personal views. This type of communal living doesn’t refer to the failed experiments of the sixties wherein hippies packed into a structure and shared everything. Instead, the modern condominium community is all about sharing common spaces as well as rules, rules and more rules.

Condominiums come in all shapes and forms. Condos can be found in a single high rise building in a downtown area or in an apartment complex type of layout in a planned community. The structure isn’t the determining point. Instead, the issue is how the properties are owned.

Unlike a stand alone home, the property lines on a condominium are the walls of the structure. Essentially, you own everything inside the condominium as your individual property. Everything outside the condominium is owned jointly with the people who own the other units. These areas are known as common areas and are subject to group rule.

Every condominium has a homeowners association in one form or another. The association has rules set out by the original developer regarding landscaping and so on. Members of the community are then elected to the board of the association, whereupon the immediately become a focal point of aggravation from individual owners and often wonder why they took the thankless job.

The problem with the association and condos in general is the issue of uniformity. If you desire to change the exterior of your condominium in some way, you must comply with the rules of the association. This means you cannot paint your property a different color, do landscaping and so on. For some people, this isn’t a problem, but others are frustrated they can’t express themselves.

When deciding whether a condominium is a good option for your next purchase, you need to carefully weigh the restrictions of a particular association. If you consider yourself an individual and want to show it, a condominium is probably a very poor choice for you.

Laura Key, BRE 01908085

310.866.8422

Laura.A.Key@gmail.com

www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

Where Asking Prices Are Rising the Most

California is rising fast, yet it's not at the highest it's ever been. Interested in buying or selling!  Let me assist you in reaching your real estate goals! Laura Key 310.866.8422

Median list prices in May edged up 2.10 percent month-over-month, as housing inventories also were on the rise, creating a greater balance between supply and demand, according to realtor.com’s latest Real Estate Health Report. 

The nationwide median list price was $199,000 for May, and up 4.79 percent year-over-year. 

"We are seeing large regional markets across the country leading the way to national recovery. These regions are acting as a microcosm for what's slowly happening in the larger real estate market," says Steve Berkowitz, chief executive officer of Move. "Overall, we're seeing seller confidence beginning to respond to consumer demand. Nationally, there are more homes going on the market for a shorter amount of time.  And this is happening in our hot markets on a much larger scale."

California housing markets are seeing some of the highest median price gains. The following 10 markets have seen the highest year-over-year list price gains: 

1. Sacramento, Calif.: up 42.45%

• Median list price: $284,900

2. Oakland, Calif.: up 38.27%

• Median list price: $495,000

3. Detroit, Mich.: up 31.73%

• Median list price: $125,000

4. San Jose, Calif.: up 30.58%

• Median list price: $679,000

5. Los Angeles-Long Beach, Calif.: up 27.80%

• Median list price: $428,000

6. Fresno, Calif.: up 27.48%

• Median list price: $219,900

7. Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.: up 27.03%

• Median list price: $235,000

8. Stockton-Lodi, Calif.: up 25.63%

• Median list price: $199,750

9. Reno, Nev.: up 24.23%

• Median list price: $235,900

10. Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc, Calif.: up 24%

• Median list price: $775,000

Source: realtor.com®

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Laura Key

Realty Goddess

Laura Key on CBS News

Rare Opportunity to Buy by the Beach!

What a wonderful opportunity to live your dream of living by the beach! Redondo Beach to be exact! Call me for a scheduled showing! Laura Key 310.866.8422

630 The Village Unit 110 Redondo Beach, CA

$385,000

1 Bed 1 Bath 621 SqFt - HUD

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Call me today! Laura Key 310.866.8422!

Experienced HUD Selling Agent!

Laura Key on CBS News

5 Things You Should Know Before You Flip A Property

Money is made at the buy, not the sell of your flip. When flipping a house your money is made at the purchase not at the sell of the house. So, many times people buy a house with the intentions of making a huge profit only to find out that they could not make any money after all the renovations because the purchased price of the house was to high.

1. Money is made at the buy, not the sell of your flip. When flipping a house your money is made at the purchase not at the sell of the house. So, many times people buy a house with the intentions of making a huge profit only to find out that they could not make any money after all the renovations because the purchased price of the house was to high. When you purchase your property you need to be sure that you buy the house with enough money to make renovations, have carrying cost, and add about 5 $6,000. Now, cost is at $147,000, and that is if everything goes as planned. Profit is under 10,000 dollars. The mistake was made at the purchase at the home, not the sell.

2. Get an inspection on the home - Get a complete inspection done on your property. By, spending a few hundred dollars on this expense you can save thousands in problems that you cannot see. Foundation, Pest, Wood Rot, Etc... By, getting a full inspection you can rest assured that you know every thing that is wrong with the property before its to late. In the contact for the house you need to make sure that you have 7 days to have a inspection preformed, and if the inspection finds problems that are going to cost more money that you are willing to spend you can get out of the contract with no penalties.

3. Don't do the work yourself: - Get a contractor or several sub-contractors and have the work done quickly. You need to have you house flipped ASAP, so that you can get it on the market and get it sold. When I started flipping my brother and me did a house together, and we did all the construction. I had a construction background and figured it would save thousands, but it took us over 4 months to get the work done that a contractor could have had the work done in a month. But, we trying to save money on our flip did all the work on our time off and after work, and it just took to long. On our 2'nd flip we used contractors for almost everything and had the house completely flipped with a new roof, new air conditioning, new hardwood, and much more in only 3 weeks. We did not have to spend all our time working on the property and were able to spend that time looking for the next deal. This is how you get rich in real estate.

4. Place the property 1 to 2 percent below market value: If you are wanting to flip real estate and make money the object is to buy and sell the property as quickly as possible, so that you can move on to the next house. If you purchase a house and try to sell it at top dollar to make and extra couple of thousand dollars on your flip, and end up holding it for 6 months you are loosing money. Get the house on the market at a price that is going to blow the competition away, and you will sell it no matter what the market conditions. On our second house the market for selling house went down do to the housing market as a whole, and the tightening of the loans across America. We were told that you could not sell a property in this market, but we went ahead anyway and flipped our house. After 3 weeks on the market we had 3 people wanting to buy the house. Why, because we offered it at such a great deal that people wanted to jump on it. That is what you have to do especially if the market is slow.

5. Use a real estate agent - Do not try to sell you house on your own. Harness the power of a real estate agent and the power of the MLS system. When you do a FSBO you are depending on people driving by your house and seeing you sign, with a real estate agent you have someone actively marketing you house to get it sold. Once again this will free up more time for you to look for more great deals. If you want to help the process I have found that craigslist and listing you house in google adwords help to, but use these tools with the help of a agent such as Laura Key to make sure I have all my bases covered.

I hope this article has been helpful with the basics needs of flipping a house. If you will study and learn you will make money. But, do your homework before you purchase a house, and make sure that you can pull a profit on your deal. Then, make it happen! I am a Investor Friendly Agent, let's get you some deals! Laura Key 310.866.8422

 Laura Key on CBS News