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Laura Key 6/20/13 Laura Key 6/20/13

Do you work from home? Buy your next home with your office in mind!

If you work from home, and it is time to move to your next home, there are some factors you should consider carefully before making your decision.

The flexibility afforded by a “zero-commute” combined with the skyrocketing price of gasoline has strengthened the case for full time teleworking and telecommuting. According to an Environmental Protection Agency (2004) study:

“Americans spend an average of 46 hours per year stuck in traffic. Gridlock produces more than $63 billion in congestion costs per year”

The artist community has been well acquainted with the use of work/living spaces for years, but improvements in technology have made the benefits of teleworking and occasional telecommuting more attractive to general consumers. According to the key findings form the International Telework Association & Council (ITAC) Telework America (2000) study:

“Home-based teleworkers also have larger homes, on average, than non-teleworkers; the difference amounting to about 500 square feet. The most popular place for an office in these larger homes is a spare bedroom, with the living room a distant second. The primary home telework activity is computer work (55% of total activities), followed by telephoning, reading, and—averaging 7% of the time—face to face meetings.”

As you purchase your next home, there are certain factors to consider if you need to set up a new home office:

Make sure that your high-tech needs can be met. Have a qualified electrician inspect the wiring of the house to see if the system can handle the extra power load that your home office requires. Older homes may need significant upgrades to handle the extra power, while newer homes are built with more energy-efficient systems to handle the additional power along with heating/air conditioning requirements. If you use cable, DSL or satellite internet access, check with your local service provider to see if access is available in your new neighborhood. Shop around for your telephone provider—in some cases, business service bundles may be more cost effective than regular residential service.

Designate where your office space will be. Determine the amount of space you will need to accommodate your work style and space. In many cases a spare bedroom or living room space can be used, if a formal den option is not available. If your work requires heavy telephone usage or just heads-down concentration, you may want to consider utilizing a room with a door. Doors can be closed to reduce interruptions from other family and household noises.

Plan your office blueprint to include all required furniture, bookcases, computers, fax, and printers. Make sure to allow for filing and storage space for files and extra office supplies. Lighting is critical for computer or assembly work, so make sure to allow for direct sunlight along with any specific task lighting that may be necessary. Select flooring options that will allow you to work comfortably—you may wish to go with hardwood or laminate flooring to allow for your chair to move smoothly across the floor. Install enough phone lines to cover your home, business and fax machines needs.

Is the office easily accessible? If you will expect regular package deliveries, make sure that your designated office is easily accessible to the front door of the home. This is also necessary if you will need to meet clients or visitors in your office and would like to ensure a professional appearance for your business.

Find out about local business requirements. Some cities have zoning restrictions and guidelines for work/living spaces along with tax implications. Make sure to check with your local government to determine if special restrictions exist.

Are you ready to find a home that could allow you to work from home? Or...do you need more room in the current home you own? Give me a call - lets get you started!

Laura Key 6/18/13 Laura Key 6/18/13

Crenshaw Line Is Really Coming! - Green Line

After a long haul and many battles the Green Line is coming to Crenshaw!

Not sure how much you have been following along but the Crenshaw District IS getting its own Light Rail/Subway. Last week the planned light rail received a boost from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority staff recommending a $1.27 billion contract to build the line. The Line will begin at The Aviation Station along the Green Line, travel north along La Cienaga( meet a soon to be people mover at Century Blvd that will that take travelers directly into the soon-but-not-too-soon Grand Terminal at LAX), touch the eastern tip of Westchester with a station at Hindry to serve the Westchester community. The Light Rail will hit a slight right along Florence, cutting through Downtown Inglewood and finally hitting Crenshaw Blvd in Hyde Park at Crenshaw and Florence. The train will continue north along Crenshaw all the way to expo, submerging underground after Slauson Ave. with a subway stop at Leimert Park at or around Vernon amd another subway stop at MLK Blvd with a underground entrance to the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. Bravo!

On June 27, the full Metro board is scheduled to vote on the contract and whether to approve Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors as the contractor.

Source: SouthLA: Crenshaw on the Move

Laura Key 6/17/13 Laura Key 6/17/13

Appraised Value: The Ups & Downs Of How Much A House Is Worth

How is the fair market value of a real estate property actually determined?

Determining Fair Market Value is an eternal struggle and major balancing act. That’s because buyers want a house to appraise on the low side—to keep the purchase price down. While sellers want the same house to appraise on the high side—to make the sale price higher. And then you’ve got the owners of the house—who also want the appraisal to be on the low side, in order to keep the property taxes down.

So with all these different agendas and points of view, how is the fair market value of a real estate property actually determined?

Once a year, your county sends all area homeowners official notices that put a dollar value on their property. And property taxes are based on those dollar values. But before those notices get sent out, a long, detailed process usually takes place. First, the land is valued as if it’s vacant—an empty lot, in other words. Then any improvements are described and measured. Improvements consist of the house and any other structures, pools, sheds, garages, and so forth. Next, most counties check the Marshall Valuation Service Cost Guide. It’s a standardized nationwide guide for determining the value of the cost per square foot to build a building that fits the description of the improved property. Next, if the house isn’t brand new, the replacement cost is considered, as well as depreciation; the year the house was constructed and the condition of the property are factors here. Appraisers then must take the critical step of comparing the value of the house with recent selling prices of similar homes in the neighborhood. At this point, the appraisal might stand “as is”—or it might be adjusted upward or downward.

Market Value is a theory, in other words—not an unchanging fact.

In a perfect world, you have to have willing buyer and a willing seller. Neither is under duress. Both are in a position to maximize gain and are trying to do this. But in the real world, things are rarely that simple and equally balanced. Which is why people feel differently about the appraisal value of a house. It really depends how strong their position is as a buyer or seller.

Does the local economy come into it at all? You bet it does.

Ask a successful Realtor about that! He or she will tell you they’ve noticed that the Rio Grande Valley’s fast-growing economy is attracting people from other areas who consider real estate here a bargain. That helps fuel increases in property values.

So—now you know where that Grand Total comes from.

You’re armed with the information you need to make a better house-buying decision. For instance, you can understand how two virtually identical houses that are in two different neighborhoods could be very far apart in price and appraised value. And why your choice of the right house in the right neighborhood could be worth a not-so-small fortune to you right now—and years down the road.

Sellers! You can get a great idea of how much your home is worth! Call me for a FREE Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) Laura Key 310.866.8422

Laura Key 6/15/13 Laura Key 6/15/13

Great Burbank HUD Home! 2 Bed 2 Bath

HUD Homes are a wonderful way to purchase your first home! Most are FHA approved and don't need much work at all. Make sure you use a HUD experienced agent as myself! I have helped many families obtain their Home Dreams with HUD! Call me today for more info! Laura Key 310.866.8422

2359 N. Reese Place

Burbank CA 91504

http://

Laura Key 6/12/13 Laura Key 6/12/13

More Sellers Jump Into Favorable Market

More sellers are ready to put their homes on the market for the awaiting buyers. They are getting top dollar! If you have been thinking of selling, give me a call for a FREE Comparative Market Analysis and let's begin the process! Laura Key 310.866.8422

Inventories of for-sale homes are increasing as more owners see rising home prices and faster sales as a reason to try to sell now, according to industry reports.

In April, the number of listings was higher than the level of homes that were under contract in that month, according to a study by the real estate brokerage ZipRealty, which measured listings in 24 major metro markets.

“It’s less of an indication of buyer momentum flagging and more of seller momentum picking up, finally,” says Lanny Baker, the company’s chief executive.

The reports find that homes are selling faster—on average, within 32 days of being listed. In April 2012, that average stood at 48 days for homes to sell.

“A market in which the sale prices are happening very close to the list prices, a market in which the list prices seem to be moving sequentially higher, and a market in which any of those houses are selling speedily is one that is bringing sellers back,” Baker says. “That makes it feel to a seller that this isn’t going to be a long passive despair that I tried three years ago.”

Source: “Why More Sellers Could Test the Market,” The Wall Street Journal (June 10, 2013)

Want an estimate of what your California home is worth? Fill out the form below! All info is confidential and will not be sold!

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Laura Key 5/4/13 Laura Key 5/4/13

Does HUD Offer Special Programs for Homebuyers?

Buying a HUD Home is not as difficult as you may think! I have helped many people purchase their 1st Home from HUD! Call me today for more details about the process! Laura.A.Key@gmail.com or Visit my website to sign up for FREE HUD Listings! http://www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

Yes, HUD offers a program called the GOOD NEIGHBOR NEXT DOOR PROGRAM for Police Officers, Firefighters, EMT and Teachers! Call for more details on this program! 310.866.8422. If foreclosures are not sold within six months, HUD will sell them for $1 each to approved nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Homes must then be used create housing for families in need or to benefit neighborhoods.

Los Angeles HUD homes, Buying A Hud Home, North Hollywood HUD homes, Westchester HUD Homes, Gardena HUD Homes, Northridge HUD Homes, Santa Clarita HUD Homes, Simi Valley HUD homes, Lemert HUD Homes, Compton HUD Homes, Lynwood HUD Homes, Hawthorne HUD Homes, Inglewood HUD Homes, Baldwin Hills HUD Homes, Playa del rey HUD homes, Marina del Rey HUD Homes, Santa Monica HUD homes, Lakewood HUD homes, Buying A HUD Home, Buying a Los Angeles HUD Home, HUD Trained Agent, HUD NAID agent, Good Neighbor Next Door

Laura Key 5/1/13 Laura Key 5/1/13

Does HUD Offer Financing On Their Homes?

Buying a HUD Home is not as difficult as you may think! I have helped many people purchase their 1st Home from HUD! Call me today for more details about the process! Laura.A.Key@gmail.com or Visit my website to sign up for FREE HUD Listings! http://www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

HUD does not provide direct financing to buyers of HUD Homes. Buyers must obtain financing through either their own cash reserves or a mortgage lender. If you have the necessary available cash or can qualify for a loan (subject to certain restrictions) you may buy a HUD Home. While HUD does not provide direct financing for the purchase of a HUD Home, it may be possible for you to qualify for an FHA-insured mortgage to finance the purchase.

Laura Key 4/28/13 Laura Key 4/28/13

Do I Need An Appraisal On A HUD Home?

Buying a HUD Home is not as difficult as you may think! I have helped many people purchase their 1st Home from HUD! Call me today for more details about the process! Laura.A.Key@gmail.com or Visit my website to sign up for FREE HUD Listings! http://www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

It is not necessary to have a HUD home independently appraised, HUD offers an appraisal every 6 months. Your Lender may require a more current appraisal than the one provided by HUD. Ask your loan officer or HUD registered agent.

Laura Key 4/25/13 Laura Key 4/25/13

How Much Money Will I Have to Put Down on a HUD Home?

Buying a HUD Home is not as difficult as you may think! I have helped many people purchase their 1st Home from HUD! Call me today for more details about the process! Laura.A.Key@gmail.com or Visit my website to sign up for FREE HUD Listings! http://www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

If the bid price is less than $50,000, you’re required to make an earnest money deposit of $500. HUD homes priced greater than $50,000 require a $1000 deposit.

Laura Key 4/22/13 Laura Key 4/22/13

Should I Get A Home Inspection If I Am Buying A HUD?

Buying a HUD Home is not as difficult as you may think! I have helped many people purchase their 1st Home from HUD! Call me today for more details about the process! Laura.A.Key@gmail.com or Visit my website to sign up for FREE HUD Listings! http://www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

HUD does not warrant the condition of its properties and will not pay for the correction of defects or repairs. Since the new owner will be responsible for making needed repairs, HUD strongly urges every potential homebuyer to get a professional inspection prior to submitting an offer to purchase.

If you are interested in acquiring a HUD Home that is in need of repair, you may be interested in applying for an FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation Loan. When a homebuyer wants to purchase a house in need of repair or modernization, the homebuyer usually has to obtain financing first to purchase the dwelling; additional financing to do the rehabilitation construction; and a permanent mortgage when the work is completed to pay off the interim loans with a permanent mortgage. Often the interim financing (the acquisition and construction loans) involves relatively high interest rates and short amortization periods. The Section 203(k) program was designed to address this situation. The borrower can get just one mortgage loan, at a long-term fixed (or adjustable) rate, to finance both the acquisition and the rehabilitation of the property.

Will HUD make the repairs?

HUD homes are sold as-is. The new owner is responsible for all repairs and improvements.

Can I start improving on the property right away?

If HUD accepts your offer, you cannot make any repairs or home improvements until the escrow transaction has closed and title is recorded in your name.

Laura Key 4/19/13 Laura Key 4/19/13

Is There Anyway To Have My HUD Offer Considered Before Others?

Buying a HUD Home is not as difficult as you may think! I have helped many people purchase their 1st Home from HUD! Call me today for more details about the process! Laura.A.Key@gmail.com or Visit my website to sign up for FREE HUD Listings! http://www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

Owner occupants always have first priority; however, if there are not any bids after the 30^th day then bidding is open to all bidders (investors). All offers are due by the bidding date and the HUD system generally picks the highest and best offer.

Laura Key 4/16/13 Laura Key 4/16/13

Making an Offer On A HUD Home?

Buying a HUD Home is not as difficult as you may think! I have helped many people purchase their 1st Home from HUD! Call me today for more details about the process! Laura.A.Key@gmail.com or Visit my website to sign up for FREE HUD Listings! http://www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

Buyers will want to make offers based on ‘as-is’ appraisals determined by HUD. HUD will accept no offers that are lower than 50 percent of their appraisal. If you offer more than the appraisal price, you will be required pay the amount of the over-bid at closing, as your lender will base their loan amount on the appraised value of the home. Also, the process is a bit different than a regular offer on property. Your offer will be submitted online and government forms will be used to conduct the transaction.

Laura Key 4/14/13 Laura Key 4/14/13

Housing Shortage Will Dampen Spring Market

Buyers must be prepared more than ever! Do you have your PRE-APPROVAL in hand? It could mean the different of you getting your new home or renting for another year. Call me, let's discuss your options! Laura Key 310.866.8422

The housing recovery is progressing, but a shortage of homes on the market will limit the number of home sales this spring selling season, industry insiders say.

"If we don't see more people listing their properties, I don't think we will see the home sales volume increase that we are accustomed to seeing," Glenn Kelman, chief executive officer of Redfin told Reuters. "There are far more buyers than there are sellers on the market. We would have a huge boom spurred by low interest rates if there were more inventory on the market."

Still, the National Association of REALTORS® predicts existing-home sales will rise around 7 or 8 percent this spring compared to year ago levels.

In some areas where inventories are particularly constrained—like Washington, D.C., New York, and several California cities—homes are selling within hours of being placed on the market.

"The demand for properties is insane. The bidding wars that are going on, there is not enough inventory and it has become truly a seller's market again," says Neil Garfinkel, real estate attorney at Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson in New York.

Source: “Analysis: Supply crunch to take steam out of home sales,” Reuters (April 3, 2013)

Laura Key 4/13/13 Laura Key 4/13/13

When Can I Bid on a HUD Home?

Buying a HUD Home is not as difficult as you may think! I have helped many people purchase their 1st Home from HUD! Call me today for more details about the process! Laura.A.Key@gmail.com or Visit my website to sign up for FREE HUD Listings! http://www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

Owner occupants can offer a bid on a HUD home during the first nine days. HUD will look at all bids on the 10^th day and decide based on which offer gives them the highest net profit. If there are two or more bids at the same net to HUD the offers will go into a lottery and the bid will be awarded based on chance. After the 10^th day if there aren’t any acceptable bids there will be an additional 20 days of bidding where bids are opened and reviewed daily for owner

Laura Key 4/5/13 Laura Key 4/5/13

In A Hot Market...Bid First...See House Later

The market is so hot right now it seems the only way to even have a chance at purchasing a home is to put your offer in a contingency to view and inspect the property. What are your thoughts on this process? Is this creating another false bubble? Laura.A.Key@gmail.com

As soon as it hit the market, the four-bedroom Sea Cliff home inspired a bidding war, with the top two prospective buyers both offering well above the multimillion-dollar listing price, in cash.

In today's fevered real estate market, that's no longer unusual.

But there was a twist: Both bidders were located in China, and both made their big-bucks offers without ever setting foot in the house. One of them ended up buying the house for $3.1 million, substantially above its $2.8 million list price.

"At first, I was really, really surprised and kind of suspicious," said Nina Hatvany of Pacific Union, the listing agent. "I was concerned that they hadn't seen the property. After all, they might not like it when they saw it."

But since both offers looked serious and included proof of funds, "I said to the sellers, 'This seems like a new buyer profile. You might as well take it.' "

Buying homes sight unseen is a small but growing trend in the Bay Area, fueled by the over-competitive market and burgeoning interest by international buyers - and enabled by technological advances.

Buyers might make offers without seeing a house for several reasons: They live elsewhere or are away for business or personal reasons; they had scheduling conflicts and couldn't visit before bids were due; they're investors accustomed to buying just based on property characteristics; or they're taking a scattershot approach of making lots of offers and seeing which get accepted.

Not completely blind

Today's array of tech tools means they're never truly buying in the dark, however. Besides extensive photos and video tours of homes for sale, plenty of websites offer the chance to learn about neighborhoods and schools, and research comparable sales.

Often, those who bid sight unseen have a chance to tour the house during escrow and can still back out. But sometimes, as in the Sea Cliff case, they're willing to pay huge amounts based on photos, videos and their agent's recommendation. (The winning Sea Cliff bidder also had a family member visit.)

Professional investor Paul Livson of Danville has been buying and selling properties for 30 years, both for rental income and to resell. Bidding before visiting is a tactic he and others increasingly adopt, he said.

"Lots of people are doing it now because they know they need to get their offer in quickly," he said. "The market conditions are such that if you wait to see it, if it's any kind of decent deal, there are already five to 10 offers on their way, and yours will be at the back of the pack. I need to be at the front of the pack."

And while he bids blind, he never buys blind.

"The risk is limited because you have an inspection period, so there's always an opportunity to see it and walk away" if it's not up to snuff, he said.

Still, there can be surprises. He's now buying a Pleasanton condo for $279,000. When he first saw the unit - after his offer was accepted - some issues surfaced: cigarette odors, marred floors, outdated bathrooms. Since it's a short sale, in which a bank has final say, it will be difficult to negotiate the price down based on the unit needing work, he said.

But he won't walk away. "With market conditions the way they are, it's still a good value for me," he said.

Riskier deals

Some sales, such as courthouse auctions that are the final stage in the foreclosure process, don't offer a chance to see properties in advance, nor is there an inspection period. While many investors bid at those auctions, "that's much more risky to me," Livson said. "I don't like to buy without having at least a day or two to inspect it. You could have a property that looks great on the outside but has $50,000 worth of termite damage.

His agent,said she's increasingly representing investors who want to bid sight unseen for efficiency, and she has created a "buyer concierge" program in response. "We hunt the properties for them," she said.

Some agents worry that such bidders muddy the waters.

"I am concerned about buyers feeling that this is a viable option in competition," said Bebe McRae of the Grubb Co., who has sold some properties to people who bid blind. "I heard seven offers yesterday on (a property) and the deciding factor for the sellers in choosing the winner was all about the confidence they felt in the buyers being able and willing to close successfully. The buyers went to the property on several occasions and also did their inspections prior to writing the offers."

People who have made the leap of faith to bid blind - especially those planning to live in the home - said having a knowledgeable real estate agent is a big plus.

Fernando Filippelli was overseas for business reasons when a Berkeley home came on the market, in a neighborhood he knew he liked.

"I had four different friends visit the property for me. One of them is an architect," he said in an e-mail. "This, plus the fact that (my agent) provided me all types of info, made me feel comfortable to put a bid on the house."

Inspection by FaceTime

Friends and relatives thought Adam Chang and Gwen Liu were crazy when the first-time home buyers made an offer on a Kensington house while they were in Taiwan, visiting sick relatives. Chang had never seen the house in person, although Liu had.

"We did the home inspection over FaceTime, Apple's video-chatting service," Chang said. "Our agent, Mark Biggins (of Redfin), had an iPhone, I had an iPad. I could see how high the ceilings really were. If they said a floor was sloping slightly, I could get a sense that it wasn't that bad. They took me down into the crawlspace. For being halfway around the world, it was great to be able to be virtually present."

The couple returned to the United States a few days before they needed to lift the inspection contingences.

"I was able to make sure everything was copacetic; it was better than I expected," he said. "It was all about taking that leap of faith."

Source: Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.

Laura Key 4/5/13 Laura Key 4/5/13

Study: Buyers Can Afford Bigger House If It's New

Good News on the Home Front! Ready to Buy! Let's do this together! Laura Key 310.866.8422

The National Association of Home Builders says its new study shows that home buyers can buy a more expensive, newer house and still have the same operating costs as owning an older existing home.

NAHB examined data from the Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2011 American Housing Survey to determine how utility, maintenance, property tax, and insurance costs vary depending on the age of a home.

Houses built prior to 1960 have average maintenance costs of $564 per year. On the other hand, homes built after 2008 have average maintenance costs less than half that — $241, according to the study.

For homes built prior to 1960, operating costs average nearly 5 percent of the home’s value while the average was less than 3 percent for homes built after 2008, the NAHB study found.

The study also took into account the first year after-tax cost of owning a home by its age, examining the purchase price, mortgage payments, annual operating costs, and income tax savings. “A buyer can afford to pay 23 percent more for a new house than for one built prior to 1960 and still maintain the same amount of first-year annual costs,” according to NAHB.

New houses tend to cost more than existing homes, so the mortgage payments will likely be higher — but the lower operating costs of a newer home will give buyers annual costs that could be about equal if they purchase a lower priced, older home with a smaller mortgage payment but higher operating costs, NAHB says.

"Home buyers need to look beyond the initial sales price when considering whether to buy new construction or an existing home," says NAHB Chairman Rick Judson. "They will find that with the higher costs of operating an older home, they can often afford to spend more to buy a new home and still have annual operating costs that fit their budget."

Source: National Association of Home Builders

Laura Key 3/20/13 Laura Key 3/20/13

8 Dirty Secrets in Your Home

Steel yourself: We help you expose — and purge — your home’s dirtiest little secrets.

Deep breath ...

1. Cruddy undersides of rugs 2. Disgusting disposal 3. Greasy kitchen vent hood 4. Crumby kitchen crevices 5. Grimy fans and ceilings 6. Grungy toilets 7. Debris-filled crawlspace 8. Linty dryer vents

1. Cruddy undersides of rugs

Look under your area rugs for a nasty surprise -- a sea of grit and dust -- despite regular vacuuming. What to do:

Move furniture, fold over the rug, and vacuum dirt and dust from its underside. Sweep and mop the floor, too.

While you’re under the hood, check the rug’s condition. If there’s no staining or discoloration, a good floor cleaning and vacuuming of the rug’s underside is enough.

If pets, kids, or wine have left their mark, invest in a professional cleaning. A pro will run between $1.50 and $3 per square foot of rug, depending on the type of rug. Delicate natural fibers are usually more costly to clean than synthetics.

2. Disgusting disposal

Your kitchen has more germs than even your bathroom. And your garbage disposal and its splash guard flaps just might be the most disgusting place in the house — slimy, smelly, and befouled with old food. What to do:

Scrub the underside of the rubber flaps with an old toothbrush and warm, soapy water.

Pour a 1:1 ratio of white distilled white vinegar and baking soda down the drain. Let it sit overnight and flush with boiling water to sanitize.

Toss frozen cubes of white vinegar (just freeze it in an ice tray) down the disposal while it’s running. This will sharpen and sanitize the disposal’s grinding blades.

Freshen up the drain with slices of lemon or other citrus fruit. Peels are OK, but if you have fruit to spare, the citrus acids will help disinfect and freshen.

3. Greasy kitchen vent hood

Your range vent hood works hard to absorb smoke, steam, and grease. Just like you change air filters to extend the life of your HVAC, you should clean the vent filter. Not only will this make the vent more efficient, it’s a safety measure. Should you have a grease fire, a greasy hood and filter can spread the fire into your home’s duct work. What to do:

Remove the hood filter according to directions for your vent hood model. If you don’t have the paper manual anymore, search online for a copy.

Soak the filter in a kitchen-grade degreaser.

Once most of the grease has dissolved, rinse the filter with soapy water.

While you’re soaking the filter, clean the greasy interior of your vent hood.

Use a kitchen-grade degreaser for the hood like the one you’re soaking the filter in.

Wipe the hood's interior with a sponge or rag.

4. Crumby kitchen crevices

No matter how spotless your kitchen surfaces are, crumbs, morsels, and drips of stuff have fallen into the crannies between appliances and countertops, tempting bugs and vermin.What to do:

For appliances with a bit of ground clearance, like a refrigerator, use the vacuum crevice attachment to suck out the yuck.

For appliances with less room to maneuver, attach microfiber cloths to a yardstick with rubber bands. Slide and grab under and between appliances.

Sneak an old-school feather duster between counter cracks or under appliances. Get one with an extra-long handle ($15-$25) or use a flexible duster specifically designed to slide under appliances.

5. Grimy fans and ceilings

Dispatching the out-of-sight, out-of-mind dust (sloughed-off skin cells, dust mites, and outdoor allergans) that lives on ceiling fans and light fixtures means better indoor air quality and fewer allergy problems. What to do:

Dampen the inside of a pillowcase and slide it over each ceiling fan blade. As you slide it off, run your hands along the sides of the blade to wipe up dirt and dust so the dreck doesn’t rain down on you. Get a spotter if you’re balancing on a ladder or chair.

For less-dusty ceiling fans, use a microfiber duster that'll grab the blades. ($7-$20)

For oily or grimy buildup on ceilings, especially in the kitchen or bathroom, run a flat mop tool with a microfiber or soap-cloth attachment along the ceiling. Dish soap will do nicely.

Remove light shades or covers from ceiling fixtures to wipe out dust and bugs. But turn the light off first.

6. Grungy toilets

You’re not getting down-and-dirty with your toilet until you scrub where the commode meets the bathroom floor. What to do:

Check that the caulk at the base of the toilet is sealing the area. If it's worn, remove the remaining caulk with a utility knife. Then re-seal it. For extra germ-fighting, choose a caulk with Microban.

Slide a feather duster behind the tank to brush off any dirt or dust, and use a sponge or damp microfiber cloth to scrub all the way around the porcelain base.

7. Debris-filled crawlspace

No one wants to crawl around under the house — except bugs and rodents. If you suspect critters are playing house, skip the DIY and consult a pro. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to check your crawlspace annually to check for water penetration and clean out debris. What to do:

Wear personal protective equipment, such as coveralls, a dust-mask, goggles, and gloves.

If you see mold, don’t disturb it. Call a professional mold remediation company.

If you don’t see mold, check your vapor barrier for holes, deterioration, or uncovered areas. If you’re handy and comfortable with working in cramped crawlspace conditions, you can fix it yourself with supplies from your local hardware or home store. Otherwise, call a handyman. If the problem seems more extensive (major holes or large uncovered areas), call a foundation specialist.

Make sure there’s no standing water on top of the vapor barrier. That could mean water is coming from leaking pipes or gutters. It’s a recipe for mold and rot. Call a pro who specializes in foundation or crawlspace work pronto.

Push out trash through the nearest vent or access door. When you go outside to collect the debris, secure vents and doors so nothing else will blow, crawl, or slither in.

8. Linty dryer vents

This is one of the most important dirty jobs, because cleaning your clothes dryer’s lint trap and vents will extend its life, improve its efficiency, and save your life. Clothes dryers cause more than 15,000 structural fires, injuring 400 and killing 15 people on average each year. "Failure to clean" is the leading contributing factor to these fires.

What to do:

Use a dryer vent cleaner (about $15), a long, flexible, thick metal cord that snakes through the dryer vent’s dark corridors, to sweep out lint and dust.

Use your vacuum’s crevice tool to suck out hangers on in the lint trap.

Vacuum underneath and around the back of the dryer to clear out any remaining lint colonies.

The real estate market has changed? What does this mean to you as a buyer or seller? Call me today with your questions! Laura Key 310.866.8422

Laura Key 2/24/13 Laura Key 2/24/13

For-Sale Home Inventories Remain Tight

Inventory levels in 2012 reached an 11-year low and fell yet again last month, further limiting the number of homes for sale nationwide. Inventories of for-sale homes were down by 16.5 percent in January year-over-year, and fell 5.6 percent from December, according to the latest data compiled from Realtor.com. Inventories typically fall in December and January in preparation of the spring buying season.

“But the shortage of homes for sale in a growing number of U.S. markets is maddening for would-be buyers who frequently complain that there aren’t enough good choices,” The Wall Street Journal reports. “Bidding wars are becoming more common.”

At a time when buyer demand is strong, inventories remain constrained as banks slow their pace of foreclosures and home owners delay selling until they regain more equity in their homes.

Metro areas posting some of the largest monthly declines in inventory levels are San Francisco (where inventory levels are down by 21 percent in January compared to December and down 47 percent year-over-year) as well as Seattle (where levels dropped 9 percent from December). The two have also seen some of the largest price increases in the nation. Median asking prices have risen by 16.4 percent and 23.7 percent in those places, respectively.

Source: “Housing Inventory, Already Low, Dropped Further in January,” The Wall Street Journal (Feb. 14, 2013)

If you are in the market for a new home, it would be wise to use an experienced Buyer's Agent to help guide you through the process. Contact Laura Key today for your free consultation on the up's and downs of being a buyer in this changing market! 310.866.8422 or visit www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

Laura Key 2/19/13 Laura Key 2/19/13

Home Prices Surge Despite Distress

For nine straight months, national home prices have been in the positive, and the gains are only getting larger. The latest reading for November shows a 7.4 percent jump from a year ago, according to CoreLogic. That includes sale prices of distressed properties, bank-owned homes and short sales. This is the largest year-over-year jump since 2006 when we were at the height of the housing boom.

"As we close out 2012 the pending index suggests prices will remain strong," wrote Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic in a release. "Given that the recently released Qualified Mortgage rules issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are not expected to significantly restrict credit availability relative to today, the gains made in 2012 will likely be sustained into 2013."

Some had predicted price gains of between three and five percent in 2013, but these numbers seem to indicate the market could outpace expectations.

While competition among investors for distressed properties drove home price gains in much of 2012, the non-distressed market appears to be catching up. Excluding distressed sales, home prices still saw a healthy 6.7 percent annual gain in November, and analysts at CoreLogic are predicting an even larger 8.4 percent jump in December.

"For the first time in almost six years, most U.S. markets experienced sustained increases in home prices in 2012," said Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. "We still have a long way to go to return to 2005-2006 levels, but all signals currently point to a progressive stabilization of the housing market and the positive trend in home price appreciation to continue into 2013."

Just six states, Delaware, Illinois, Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Alabama saw annual price depreciation. New Jersey still has a huge backlog of distressed properties, as does Illinois. Arizona, Nevada and California are seeing big home price gains, as investors there continue to inhale properties to take advantage of the very lucrative rental market. Still, even excluding distressed sales, Nevada saw a 12 percent jump in home prices.

There are, however, still looming headwinds to home prices, as banks ramp up foreclosures especially in states that require these cases to go before a judge. That new inventory could slow price gains in those states. Inventory, or lack thereof, is the primary driver of much of these gains. There were just 2.03 million homes for sale in November, according to the National Association of Realtors, a 23 percent drop from November of 2011 and the lowest supply since September of 2005.

Some are concerned that low inventory and not increased demand is juicing prices faster than is healthy for the housing recovery. If prices start to outpace earnings and employment growth, and then more properties hit the market this Spring, these gains could take a U-turn.

Source: CNBC by By: Diana Olick

Buyers are starting to have a hard time finding the homes they need! Let me help guide you through the market to help you obtain the home you need before prices go to far! Laura Key www.KeyCaliforniaHomes.com

Laura Key 2/18/13 Laura Key 2/18/13

10 Ideas For a Quicker and Easier Sale When Selling Your House

NO CLUTTER. Throw out old newspapers and magazines. Pack away most of your small items like figurines and other trinkets. Store clothing that won’t be used in the near future to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage. Buyers like to visualize their possessions in the house and that is hard to do when the home is full of clutter.
Wash your windows and screens. This lets more light into the interior and dirty windows are a turn off.
Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints and dirt from light switch plates. Clean the floors, stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer. A clean house makes a better first impression and tells buyers that the home has been well cared for.
Put brighter bulbs in light sockets to make rooms appear brighter, especially dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs. Turn all lights on before buyers come to view the home.
Make all minor repairs that you can find. Everything you don’t repair now will be revealed in the home inspection and can create a bad impression. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, cracked receptacle covers or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they'll give buyers the impression that the house isn't well maintained.
Shoot for good curb appeal. Cut the grass, rake any leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a couple of bright potted flowers near the entryway to cheer things up and get the buyers attention.
Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.
Clean dirty gutters.
Polish or replace your front doorknob and door numbers.
Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. If carpets are old and need replacing, it is worth while to replace them. The additional price you receive for your house will most likely outweigh the expense. Open the windows. The number one turn off to a potential buyer is an unpleasant odor.

For more helpful information including seller and buyer tips, contact Laura Key today at 310.866.8422!