Lou’s Real Estate Blog
Expert Tips For Selling or Buying a Home and Other Musings
Five Reasons to Buy and Sell A Home This Fall or Winter
As the temperature cools off, so does all the heat generated by the summer selling season. But, just because it’s no longer the busiest time of the year in the housing market doesn’t mean your best chance to buy or sell a home has passed. Each season offers its own advantages to buyer and sellers, and fall and winter are no exception. For example, one of the biggest and most obvious benefits to buyers is…
How Poor Landscaping Decreases Property Values
Landscaping can greatly enhance the curb appeal of any home creating a positive first impression for potential buyers. Beautiful landscaping can create the impression that the rest of the home is also well maintained.
In a recent study, trees.com found that poor landscaping can decrease property value by as much as 30%. In today’s hot market a decrease of only 10% can mean tens of thousands of dollars being left on the table…
Escrow Closed
We were on the market for longer than expected at 65 days, but the Kinglsey Ave. home in Pomona, CA finally sold. The sellers are able to move to their new home, and the buyers are excited to establish themselves in this beautiful 1912 Craftsman house. It took a ton of marketing to get this home in front of the right buyers, but all the hard work finally paid off…
The Top 4 Home Pricing Mistakes
Everyone wants to make the most amount of money on their home sale, however these Top 4 Most Common Pricing Mistakes can cost you big time. Avoid these mistakes at all costs, and when in doubt, consult with your local real estate expert.
Visiting My Childhood Home Almost 50 Years Later
I grew up in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, CA. My parents purchased their first home in 1968 when I was four years old. The house at 3216 Altura Walk is situated at the top of a hill. The only way to get to it was to park on the street, and then walk up two flights of stairs approximately 150 steps. It was 2 BD, 1 BA, 1229 SQFT Craftsman home built in 1910. My parents paid $9,000 for this home. A princely sum for a couple of factory workers. We had moved from a tiny duplex not far away, and by comparison, this home was palatial. As a child this home seemed HUGE…
Is Now A Good Time To Buy A House?
Although home sales have slowed in recent weeks, and prices may see a small drop, it's highly unlikely that we'll see a crash in the market like we did in the financial crisis of of 2008/2009. The reason is inventory is still low, and it's unlikely that we will see a surplus of homes in the near future. Couple that with historically low mortgage interest rates, and you have a solid real estate market that will probably last for several years…
Top 7 Benefits of a Pre-Listing Home Inspection
When selling a home, almost every buyer will pay for a home inspection. The home inspection allows the buyer to uncover any hidden problems with the home. What most sellers don’t realize is that they can do a pre-listing home inspection as well. Although it’s not required, there are some major benefits to doing so. Here are 7 benefits of performing a pre-listing home inspection…
Seven Things You Should Never Do Before Buying A House
Unless you’re incredibly wealthy and paying all cash for you next house, there are certain things you should never do before buying a house. Avoid these 7 mistakes to make your next home purchase go as smoothly as possible…
Dog Friendly Restaurants In Glendora, San Dimas, and La Verne
If you’re a dog lover like me, you might be looking for restaurants that welcome your friendly pooch in their outdoor patio. Well I’ve complied a list of my favorite dog friendly restaurants in the local area. Some of these restaurants actually have a menu just for your pet..
La Verne Market Update
La Verne is situated on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County with a population of over 33,000. It is a "close-knit" community which has been able to retain its "small town" traditions and virtues…
Glendora Market Update
Inventory is increasing slightly, but sales are still strong making this a great time to sell. Mortgage rates are hovering at historically low levels with rates on fixed-rate mortgages holding steady at less than 3%. Although home affordability has taken a beating this summer, low mortgage rates can help many buyers get into the home of their dreams…
5 Steps For Buying A Home
The home buying process can seem complicated and overwhelming for first-time home buyers and experienced home buyers alike. These five steps will help prepare you for what to expect as you purchase your new home…
San Dimas Market Update
As of August 17th, the average home price in San Dimas, CA is holding steady at $834,643. The average price per square foot is on the rise at $480. The number of homes for sale is at 43, and the average days on market is 6 days…
The Top 5 Reasons Real Estate Deals Fail To Close
While the majority of home sales close on time, there are some that are delayed or cancelled altogether. Here are the five most common reasons for a delayed settlement.
Issues relating to obtaining financing - 32%
Appraisal issues - 20%
Home Inspection and environmental issues - 16%
Titling and deed issues - 11%
Contingencies stated in the contract - 6%
Getting your home listed and an offer in hand is only the beginning of the process…
Craftsman House In Pomona
Schedule a showing! This Craftsman style house was built in 1912. It’s sits on just over a quarter of an acre, which is perfect for an ADU. The house is 2708 SQFT with 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. Perfect for a growing family. Hardwood floors throughout. With a little TLC, this is an entertainers paradise!
The Difference Between a Real Estate Agent and a REALTOR®?
You may have heard the terms real estate agent and Realtor® used interchangeably, however there are some distinct differences. Not all real estate agents are REALTORS. Only real estate agents and brokers who have taken the necessary steps in becoming members of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) can use the term REALTOR®.
Why I Love San Dimas
About three years ago I moved to San Dimas, a town known for its Western art and small-town feel. I didn’t know much about the city except that it was home to Raging Waters, one of the largest water parks in the United States, and the fact that Bill & Ted, the characters of the science fiction comedy series of movies (Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, and Bill & Ted Face The Music), hailed from San Dimas (the center of the universe).
Celebrating Memorial Day
Many people don’t give a second thought to what we’re really celebrating on Memorial Day. For many it’s the end of an extended weekend marking the informal start of summer. It’s a day where family and friends gets together to have a barbecue or picnic. The meaning of the day seems to get lost amongst the hamburgers, hotdogs, beer, and soda pop.