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Things To Do In San Pedro This Weekend (July 19-21, 2019)
Things To Do This Weekend! (July 19-21, 2019)
Hey San Pedro! Here’s your weekly list of fun, upcoming events! This week we’re super excited about seeing Old Fire Station Museum and Mary Star Of The Sea Fiesta. Never miss a thing in San Pedro to get a list of events emailed weekly, join us here: bit.ly/sanpedroevents
July 19-21, 2019
Mary Star Of The Sea Fiesta (310.833.3541 x203)
870 W 8th St San Pedro, CA 90731
Friday: 5pm to Midnight
Saturday: Noon to Midnight
Sunday: Noon to 10pm
Bring the entire family for a full weekend of fun, food, bingo and carnival rides! Crowning of the Fiesta Queen will be Saturday 7:30 pm. Three different homemade dinners will be served in the parish auditorium all three nights. Free Parking and Free Admission all three days.
July 19, 2019
Comedy in Old San Pedro-Machine Art Studio (310.831.2928)
446 W 6th St San Pedro, CA 90731
7pm-10:30pm
Hosted by: Mike Muratore The Serial Killer of Comedy Starring The Comedic talents of: Nebeel The Extremist David Burger Adam Richmond Allene Quincy The San Pedro Art Association is proud to provide this fun show to the people of San Pedro and beyond. Adults only 18 and over Tickets
July 19, 2019
The Nerd-Little Fish Theatre (310.831.2928)
777 Centre Street San Pedro, CA 90731
8pm
This side-splitting comedy is about a young architect, Willum, whose life was saved by a stranger during the Vietnam War. When his lifesaver comes to visit, everything that can go wrong does. His hero turns out to be an incredibly inept, hopelessly dumb “nerd”. Upon realizing that Rick will overstay his welcome with a vengeance, Willum puts together an outrageous plan to rid himself of this wacky GI who came to dinner. ”A neatly crafted package that brings the audience to its knees, laughing.” – THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
Tickets:
Individuals: $28; Seniors: $26 (60+)
First Look Tickets: $24 (Preview night of each production; no other discounts)
Whale & Ale Dinner/Theatre Tickets: $45
All seats open seating except for season subscribers.
NO LATE SEATING.
Note ticket purchases via sister Shakespeare by the Sea Web Site.
July 19, 2019
Shakespeare by the Sea-Point Fermin Park (310-217-7596)
807 W Paseo Del Mar San Pedro, CA 90731
The Comedy of Errors: A classic Shakespearean romp of mistaken identity-it’s mischief and mayhem galore! Two young visitors arrive in the city unaware that their long-lost twins already live there. Over the course of a single day, everything that can go wrong does go wrong: a marriage at breaking point, a missing gold chain, an unpaid debt, and a dubious arrest. It’s mischief and mayhem galore!
July 20, 2019-FREE
Old Fire Station Museum #38 Open House (323-464-2727)
Harbor Fire Station Museum, 639 S Harbor Blvd San Pedro, CA 90731
10:00am-3:00pm
Vintage Fire Fighting equipment on display at the Old Fire Station in the San Pedro City Municipal Building. Volunteers are happy to answer all your questions. There's a lot of exhibits packed into a small space.
July 20, 2019
Experimental Artists of the South Bay-The Loft (310-245-0517)
The Loft 401 S Mesa St San Pedro, CA 90731
2:00pm-5:00pm
EASB is a group of artists whose primary purpose is to promote the development of innovative and creative art through demonstration and interactive workshops and encourage experimentation with new methods, materials and techniques to enhance and invigorate their work. EASB embraces the values of the arts community: encouraging the creative process, making social statement and personal expression, and contributing to the evolution of the imagination. (Various Participating Artists)
July 20, 2019-FREE
Family Nature Walk-White Pt Nature Preserve
1600 W Paseo del Mar San Pedro, CA 90731
11:00am-5:00pm
Family Nature Walk with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy at the White Point Nature Preserve, Saturday, July 20th, 11 am. Everyone in the family will enjoy a Naturalist guided walk through our Tongva Demonstration Garden where you’ll learn how early inhabitants used native plants for survival. Then walk through beautifully restored coastal sage scrub habitat with views of Catalina. For those interested in the military history of the area, continue to walk up to a WWII gun emplacement. Stay to explore the Nature Education Center. Free and appropriate for all ages. Stroller friendly. Leashed dogs welcome. 1600 W. Paseo del Mar, San Pedro. RSVP at: www.pvplc.org, Events & Activities
*If you have a local event you would like to add please email all details to: Laura@LauraKey.net (it’s FREE)
Take Advantage Of Your Space And Get Fit At Home
By Kevin Jones
Do you ever find yourself wanting to work out and start a healthier lifestyle? Do you often feel like it would be so much easier if you could work out home but don’t know how to get started? Fear not, this guide will get you through some basic (and other more advanced) equipment that you can easily set up at home and get started! It all really depends on how much space you have available. Maybe you have an empty corner in your living room, maybe you have a whole room that you want to dedicate to having a gym. There are options for everyone. It is really important to be aware of the space to be able to decide what you can and cannot do as “Step Zero.”
1 Yoga Mat
Green Yoga Mat One of the most easily acquired and versatile equipment. While traveling, I had a yoga mat that was really thick (about 1/2 inch) and I could easily use it to do HIIT workouts as well as yoga. For those that have limited space, this is a great option that can be rolled up and put away.
2 Dumbbells/Barbells
ProForm Adjustable Dumbbells Marcy Barbell Great for working out your upper body and with sets that are adjustable (with nested dumbbells) they don’t have to take up a lot of space. For those of you that have space to spare (as in, you have a whole room, basement or garage) then a barbell and plates set can be a good option, especially for those leaning to incorporate crossfit, deadlifts, etc…
3 Jump Rope/Treadmill/Rowing Machine
Everlast Jump Rope ProForm Treadmill Sunny Health Fitness Rowing Machine All of these offer a great way to get some cardio going. It mostly depends on what you are comfortable with. If space is limited, a jumping rope is fantastic. A step up from the rope, a rowing machine offers a great full-body workout that does not compromise your knees. In addition, depending on what model you choose, you can fold away the rowing machine and clear up the space. If, however, you are okay with a more permanent fixture and love being able to run indoors, a treadmill is definitely a good way to build up speed and endurance as well as being super convenient when the weather does not cooperate.
4 Resistance Bands
Amazon Basics Resistance Bands Really awesome for stretching as well as offering a good workout for arms and legs. These come in varying resistances, perfect to work your way up!
5 Foam Roller
Amazon Basics Foam Roller One of the best ways to loosen up after a workout is to use a foam roller. It is definitely a personal must-have and I heavily recommend it to fellow runners. Many fitness enthusiasts agree that there are many benefits to having your home gym. Not only will your perfect setup be only steps away but now you will have no excuse to miss a workout and will be able to better stick to a plan. Now that I have provided the basics, it is time to get to it!
About: Kevin Jones is a dedicated runner who enjoys traveling and trying new food. Kevin works for Fitness Trainer.
Can A Real Estate Agent Pay You A Commission?
You’ve done a real estate agent a solid. You hooked him/her up with a client.
That agent is going to make a nice chunk of change. You also saved him/her the time, effort, and money of finding a client.
So, you might think that it’d be nice if that agent gave you a little hunk of that chunk.
It’s not an uncommon thought or request. Agents are asked to do this quite a bit.
And each and every time, they say no. It might come across as being greedy, or unappreciative, but it isn’t.
Unfortunately, real estate agents can’t give you any money for finding them a client; they’d lose their license for doing so.
Even if they really wanted to give you some money, and feel you deserve to get a piece of the pie, their hands are tied.
See, as agents we are bound by laws, rules, and regulations.
Appreciation and compensation have to come in other forms…
That doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t do something for you.
Maybe it simply boils down to referring business to you.
Or, perhaps remembering you when they hear about an awesome job opening you would be perfect for.
They might even give you some sort of a gift. (Although, even the monetary amount of a gift can be subject to limits by law.)
Perhaps they’ll take it into consideration when you buy or sell a home through them, and give you a better commission rate.
But here’s something to keep in mind…
Part of the reason so many people feel entitled to ask for money for referring a real estate client is because it appears (to the outsider) that real estate agents make a lot of money on a deal you may send them.
How much they make isn’t as much as it may seem.
While many people see the commissions agents make on a deal as “large”, they usually aren’t in actuality. Sure, sometimes, they can be quite large if it’s a really high end home, but that isn’t the norm.
The overall commission might seem high, but that money gets split up quite a few ways before the agent is left with their “split”.
There are tons of costs to being a real agent you don’t see, know, or think about. Too many to list.
And of course agents have to pay taxes on the money they receive.
Beyond that, most agents don’t do as many deals per year as you may think. Often, agents are closing fewer deals than the public perceives they are. It’s rare for an agent to close a deal or more per week.
“Many deals” is more like one or two per month, and that’s only for some agents. Many agents only do somewhere around 5-6 deals per year. And a heck of a lot of agents don’t even do a deal or two per year.
There’s a lot of competition—a lot of agents—for only so much business to be done.
So, why should you bother with referring someone to a particular agent?
What exactly do you get out of it?!
It really boils down to supporting a real estate agent you trust in. Someone you want to see succeed. Not for your personal gain, but because you know the agent will do the best job possible for the person you are referring.
Most likely, it’s going to be more appreciated than the agent can ever express, or repay to you. But there’s also a good chance that the agent will do something to repay you in whatever way he/she can.
Just don’t get upset, or hold it against an agent, for not agreeing to give you a referral or finder’s fee. It’s entirely beyond his/her control.
Priority Tasks For Your Move In
Moving into a new home is an exciting time, and you're probably daydreaming about decor and paint schemes and new furniture. But before you get into the fun stuff, there are some basics you should cover first.
Change the locks
Even if you're promised that new locks have been installed in your home, you can never be too careful. It's worth the money to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that no one else has the keys to your home. Changing the locks can be a DIY project, or you can call in a locksmith for a little extra money.
Steam clean the carpets
It's good to get a fresh start with your floors before you start decorating. The previous owners may have had pets, young children, or just some plain old clumsiness. Take the time to steam clean the carpets so that your floors are free of stains and allergens. It's pretty easy and affordable to rent a steam cleaner-your local grocery store may have them available.
Call an exterminator
Prior to move-in, you probably haven't spent enough time in the house to get a view of any pests that may be lurking. Call an exterminator to take care of any mice, insects, and other critters that may be hiding in your home.
Clean out the kitchen
If the previous occupants wanted to skip on some of their cleaning duties when they moved out, the kitchen is where they probably cut corners. Wipe down the inside of cabinets, clean out the refrigerator, clean the oven, and clean in the nooks and crannies underneath the appliances.
Blog Archive - Realty Goddess
I have been blogging for years and I love sharing information with you. Please be sure to check out my old blog posts for some awesome information. Then come visit my NEW website for new posts! www.LauraKey.net
https://realtygoddess.wordpress.com/
10 Things Everyone Assumes About Real Estate Agents That Aren’t True
Let’s face it, everyone either knows a real estate agent, or is connected to one through six (probably less) degrees of separation. Between friends and relatives, and the stereotypical representation of real estate agents on television and in pop culture, the general public has a adopted some assumptions about agents that are very far from the truth.
Here are ten things that people assume about real estate agents that just aren’t true:
1. They make “easy money”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. The only people who could ever possibly make the case that being an agent is an easy way to make money are those who have never done it. It’s hard, uncertain work, with many instances of months wasted on a deal that doesn’t ever close. The only thing easy about it is reading the Lighter Side of Real Estate.
2. They are required to show you houses even if you’re not pre-approved
There are definitely agents who will show you houses without a pre-approval (or at minimum a pre-qualification), but an agent is not required to, and most experienced agents probably won’t. The ability to qualify for financing dictates whether or not a deal is even possible, so an agent is simply saving you from disappointment (or worse) by asking you to get pre-approved.
3. Zillow is more accurate than they are
It would be wonderful if Zillow (and similar websites) were accurate in their home valuations, but if you compared their results to actual appraised values, in most cases you’d burst out laughing. Real estate agents want you to get as much money as possible for your house, but oftentimes reality gets in the way. Trust your realtor to give you a fair market assessment for your house…at least more than you trust Zillow.
4. They make huge commissions
The popular real estate flipping shows on cable, and Million Dollar Listing have given everyone the impression that real estate agents are rolling in the dough. Most real estate agents wish that this was true, but reality is much different. The median US existing home sale price in December 2016 was $234,900, which means after splitting the commission and paying their broker, an agent took home about $3500 on the transaction, not including all marketing and related expenses. As a monthly income, this adds up to about $40,000 per year. Not exactly huge.
5. They’re an unnecessary evil
Many people have made the argument that real estate agents are unnecessary and are merely an impediment to a more efficient “For sale by owner” model of real estate. The best way to eliminate this misconception is to try selling your house yourself. There is nothing more sobering than desperately Googling state and federal real estate laws as some unkempt stranger is knocking on your door asking you questions about your FSBO house.
6. They’re sleazy
Unfortunately, real estate agents have joined the ranks of lawyers, politicians, and salespeople in some of the public’s assumptions about their trustworthiness. The financial collapse of 2008 exacerbated this perception. Thankfully, the market correction also weeded out most of the unsavory elements in the business. The truth is, real estate agents are honest, hardworking people, making a living like any other profession. And just like any other profession, there are a few bad apples that unfairly give the others a bad name.
7. They’re uneducated
This misconception really gets under most agents’ skin, because not only do many agents have degrees (and advanced degrees in quite a few cases), but the knowledge required to pass a real estate exam is substantial. There are many people who are unable to get their licensing because of an inability to pass the licensing tests, which makes the concept of an “uneducated” agent laughable.
8. They want you to pay more for a house so they can make more money
If you truly looked at the math involved in calculating real estate commissions, you’d never utter this falsehood again. An agent getting you to pay $10,000 more for a property will net that agent approximately $150, which barely covers the cost of gas required to drive to and from your appointments. The truth is that an agent absolutely wants you to buy a house. What’s not true is that they want you to pay more for one.
9. They’re mostly part-timers or bored housewives
If you ask the average person to describe the archetypal real estate agent, they’ll probably say it’s an older married woman who is looking for something to do in her free time. Ugh. This is stereotyping at its finest, and ignores the hundreds of thousands of male agents, the hundreds of thousands of full-time agents, and the hard-working primary bread winners that make up the real estate workforce. Sure, the stereotypical agents do exist, but they’re the exception to the rule.
10. All they want from you is the deal
Yes, agents want your business. But true professional real estate agents want to be your lifelong real estate advisor. They want you to think of them whenever you or your family and friends have any real estate questions. They want to see you and talk to you more than once a decade, and they want to make sure that you remember your interactions with them as being absolutely delightful.
What Affects Property Values
Some the features that increase property values are obvious-like a remodeled bathroom, a modern kitchen, or a sought-after neighborhood. But here are a few features and circumstances you have not have realized can affect property values.
- The neighbors: Not every neighborhood or community has an HOA that can keep the neighbors from going overboard with decorations or neglecting to care for their home. Homes adjacent to crazy neighbors can potentially be undervalued.
- Trendy groceries and coffee: Recent statistics suggest that if your home is a short walk from popular grocery stores like Whole Foods or coffee chains like Starbucks, it can actually appreciate faster than the national average.
- Mature trees: A big beautiful tree in the front yard is enviable, and it's not something that can be easily added to any home. Homes with mature trees tend to get a little boost in value.
- Parking: This isn't too much of an issue if you live in the suburbs or in a rural area, but residents in dense cities can have real problems with parking, and homeowners might need to rent a spot just to guarantee a place to park each night. That's why having guaranteed parking in urban areas will raise property values.
- The front entrance: First impressions matter to buyers-many will cross a home off their list within 10 seconds of stepping through the front door. An appealing front door, a friendly entryway, and a functioning doorbell are all necessities for getting top dollar.
Advice For Buyer's In A Seller Market
The market is crazy hot right now! How can you as a buyer in a seller's market reach the goal of homeownership?
With the high demand and low inventory, what can a buyer do to make sure they're getting the best price possible. How can they best compete with other offers?
The first thing buyers need to understand is they MUST NOT get over emotional. With so many people feeling desperate to obtain a home they are willing to offer well over asking on homes. I have seen homes go $60,000 over asking price, only to hit a major bump when it came to appraisal. Be patient, be wise. Have your agent run comps for the area before putting an offer in on a home and be comfortable if you are not the highest bidder at the time. I have closed a lot of "backup" deals because the first accepted offer did not close. Patience is key, if you are in RUSH at this time then it may not be time for you to purchase.
Do you foresee the current housing inventory issue lasting throughout the near future? In your opinion what circumstances would need to change to get the market out of this inventory crisis?
Unfortunately, I feel this market is going to continue to rise and buyers will be shut out with the current pricing trend. I believe SELLERS need to be more educated about putting their homes on the market. They need to understand that the "highest and best" offer is not always the best offer. In order for this market to change, sellers will have to see that buyers can no longer afford. Once that happens the offers will stop coming in and prices will be forced to drop in order for the buyers to afford the home of their dreams. At some point, the market is going to break and until money is not flowing it won't change.
How has the business of your real estate partners been affected? Are they doing anything different to combat it?
Deeper business relationships are happening. It is critical that all involved are on the same page. This includes Realtors, Lenders, Title Reps, Escrow professionals and even vendors. When all pieces of the puzzle are present it creates a unified front all with a single goal in mind to assist the buyers and sellers.
What steps would you advise a potential homebuyer to take when buying in this current market?
Patience and strategy! These two elements are a MUST. If you qualify for $400,000 then you must look at homes that are at least $15,000 to $25,000 under that asking price. This gives you room to play without going over your budget and pre-approval. Do not let emotions get the best of you. Bidding wars cause people to "lose their minds" and this could cause many problems down the line with the deal and with buyers remorse. Never buy ABOVE your means. What use is it to have a home if you can't afford it? You want your home to be a place of peace and wonderful memories.
What The Heck Is A Short Sale
Please note, this transcript is an abbreviated version of the video.
Hello Hello Hello my loves this is Laura Key, I am the Realty Goddess of Los Angeles California. I help "Establish the Community One House At A Time" and I have been in the business for 11 years. I started my career in Colorado and now I am in Los Angeles. I have been in Los Angeles for about six years now and I was a Realtor in Colorado for five years. I love me some Denver. Denver is actually going through a big boom right now as well as Los Angeles.
What the heck is a short-sale? You see them listed on the MLS sometimes and you hear that you can grab a bargain if you purchase one. Today we will discuss these issues and educate you on how these types of sales are processed.
The first thing to learn about a short-sale is that there is nothing short about a short-sale! What is actually short, is what the owner currently owes the bank compared to what the current market value is. If the home is upside down or less than what the current owner paid then the owner has to ask permission from the bank to sell the home at a loss. There are many different reasons that people have to do a short-sale but it's typically centered around a hardship. Maybe the owner lost a job, lost a spouse, has to relocate for a job or has become ill and can no longer afford the home.
Let's take a quick look at what a short-sale is and how it is processed so you can get a better understanding as a buyer so you can decide if you want to go for them as a purchase OR have a better understanding if you are in the seller role.
The number #1 rule is worth repeating...There is nothing short about a short-sale.
The first thing you want to do if you are the owner and have found yourself in a financial bind and you need to sell your home but you cannot pay off the full mortgage, you must contact your financial institution immediately. Let them know the situation and tell them you are interested in doing a short-sale. The majority of financial institutions have short-sale packets ready for you to fill out. The more pro-active you are the more chance you will have in selling your home as a short-sale. These packets can be very tedious and frustrating because it's a lot of paperwork and a lot of writing.
Here is typically what you are going to be asked for: two years worth of taxes, a hardship letter that explains why you need to sell, 3-6 months of pay stubs, 3-6 months of bank statements. If you don't have any of these items, you must write a note as to why you do not have theses items. Simply saying "I don't have them" will not work. Write it out and put it in the packet. Your hardship letter needs to explain exactly why you are having a hardship. Keep it simple and to the point, there is no need to write a book. My advice is to have all of these items completed BEFORE you list the home. Your real estate professional can help guide you on this.
Your home will be marketed just like a regular home for sale. We will have open houses, we will advertise, we will have showings. Once that has been completed and we have an offer or offers, we choose the best offer to accept then prepare to present it to the bank. I must stress that a COMPLETE short-sale packet must be sent to your bank or it can cause problems. It will be the ultimate decision of the bank if they will accept the offer or not. Most likely they will respond to what "their" terms will be for any potential buyer. It takes about 45 to 120 days for a short-sale to be completely processed.
To the buyer, short-sales are not always easy, you are going to have to be patient. If you like that house and you want that home then you must be patient while this process is going on. Unfortunately, an agent is not going to be able to update you daily, but a good agent knows that they must talk to the bank at least twice a week to keep the short-sale moving smoothly. I typically give all parties an update once or twice a week as I get them.
Are short-sales always a good deal?
Some are and some are not. It also depends on the market itself. We are in a seller's market (May 2017) and this means inventory is low so ALL homes are being considered by many buyers. You will find multiple offers even on distressed sales. Sometimes being a backup offer on a short-sale can benefit you because nine times out of ten the writer of the original winning offer is no longer interested.
How does a short-sale affect your credit as a seller?
Short-sales are not as bad as a foreclosure on your credit. If you keep your credit clean after your short-sale, you may be able to buy again after two years. Short-sales are reported on your credit. It will affect your credit score.
I always advise if you are in trouble with your payments, please contact your financial institution as soon as possible and inquire if a short-sale is for you. In the long run it's going to be better for you and your future home buying.
For more information about short-sales or any other real estate topic please reach out to me and I will help assist you!