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How can homeowners know if this is a good time to refinance?
How can homeowners know if this is a good time to refinance? I have been asked this question so many times in the past few months. My answer remains the same. Home owners need to look at the facts. Interest Rates are at a 50 year all time low. The Fed has been artificially keeping rates low to entice and invigorate the Real Estate Buying process. This will not be here forever; hence it is a good time to refinance. The only ones who should not refinance are home owners who are considering selling in the near term. The home owners should also check see what the closing costs will add to the total costs and factor that in as well before refinancing. Given how the stock market is declining and there is all the uncertainty about the economy this is an ideal time to lock in those low rates for a fixed term. What is your expectation? Do you think interest rates will rise? How would you have answered this question? If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, please feel free to give me a call at 310.486.1002, email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue...
read moreHas your target audience changed with the economic changes?
Has your target audience changed with the economic changes? As I mentioned the other day I was interviewed by a Mortgage Website (http://www.mortgagerates.com/real-estate/qa-with-endre-barath/) and one of the questions they asked me was: Q: Has the target audience changed with the economic change? A: Absolutely, the target audience has become the Foreign Buyers. The greater Los Angeles is a destination place from all over the world and as the value of the Dollar is declining it is making Real Estate a great investment for the Foreign Nationals. There are a lot of Chinese, Canadian and European buyers who are purchasing luxury homes as well as ocean view homes from Beverly Hills to Malibu. As some of you know I have written about buyers coming from all over the world, I have also noticed an increase of affluent buyers from Mexico. Quite fascinating since the average American thinks of Mexico as an inexpensive vacation destination or they think of migrant workers or illegal migrant workers when you say Mexico. Most Americans, do not think of the all cash buyer of a $6 million dollar vacant land to build condominiums on, from Mexico. So with that said we need to keep an open mind when we get inquiries from various parts of the world. At the same time feel free to share how your Target Audience Changed with the current economic conditions. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, please feel free to give me a call at 310.486.1002, email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations ...
read moreFantastic News from www.theanimalrescuesite.com !
Fantastic News from www.theanimalrescuesite.com To all the Supporters, who have been clicking daily: You’ve helped Fund $1 Million! I am thrilled to pass on the report that the International Fund for Animal Welfare has reached fantastic milestone: As of August they have received $1million in grants from GreaterGood.org, funded by The Animal Rescue Site, to help animals in crisis. That was from you clicking, shopping and making direct donations to help. So please continue to Click to give—FREE and shop for all your animal related products. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, please feel free to give me a call at 310.486.1002, email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations...
read morePawsitively Perfect Evening in Beverly Hills, CA
Pawsitively Perfect Evening in Beverly Hills, CA We had a Pawsitively Perfect Evening in Beverly Hills, CA. Together The Pet Care Foundation (PCF) also know as Pets 90210 (www.pets90210.org) and the Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) (www.animalrescuecorps.org ) had their first annual PAWSITIVELY PERFECT EVENING in the Japanese Garden of Paula Kent Meehan’s Beverly Hills Estate. We had fun while advocating for those without a voice as we honored local guests Councilmen Tony Cardenas and Paul Koretz and actress & animal advocate Debra Wilson. Our purpose was promoting animal rights, and in particular, bringing attention to puppy mills. Actress Elaine Hendrix was the MC of the event, and Bill Crowe, Director of The Pet Care Foundation, was instrumental in bringing the event to fruition. There was gourmet light Vegan fare and an open bar with refreshments. Some of the supporters who turned out were Dog Whisperer, Caesar Milan, and actress Joan Worley of Laugh-In Fame. Many local rescue organization founders were there as well including Gillian Lange of the Lange Foundation (www.langefoundation.org), Christy Metropole of Stray Cat Alliance (www.straycatalliance.org), and Brenda Barnett, General Manager of LA Animal Services. Special thanks to Honorary Host Committee Member, Salli Sammut, as I was one of her invited guests. Needless to say I appreciated this. I also appreciated the ability enjoy the tranquil surroundings of a Japanese Garden encompassing approximately 3 acres of this magnificent Beverly Hills Estate. The General Admission was $200 per person and the proceeds will benefit the work The Pet Care Foundation and Animal Rescue Corps. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, please feel free to give me a call at 310.486.1002,email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations ...
read moreWhat is going on with down payments, do buyers have to make larger down payments?
What is going on with down payments, do buyers have to make larger down payments? Recently I was interviewed by an Internet Mortgage website and they asked me this question. So I figured I will give you my answer here. This had me wonder how would your answer been different from mine?(http://www.mortgagerates.com/real-estate/qa-with-endre-barath/) My Answer was, tha the reality is there are still VA loans and FHA 3.5% loans out there and buyers and sellers are entertaining offers with Pre-Approval Letters. These types of loans are not prevalent in the Greater Los Angeles’s Affluent parts of town such a Brentwood, Hollywood Hills/Sunset Strip area, Beverly Hills Post Office area or Bel Air. The down payments are more 10-20% of the purchase price in the higher end market. Congress is in the process of changing the down payment to 20 per cent of the Purchase Price of homes across the board. This is detrimental to the fragile economy as well as the fragile real estate market. Historically people always had a hard time coming up with the down payment for a home and family and frugal lifestyle allowed them to scrape up the down payment. Keep in mind that was based on an average home price of $45,000, now imagine an average home of $250,000. Do the math and you tell me how many people have 20% of that number in their savings account? If the politicians get their way they will create a worse situation than what we are in today. So anyone reading this should contact their local politicians and let them know, that this is not good for them nor for the country. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations ...
read moreThe Seventh Annual Los Angles Shelby American Automobile Club Car Show at the Santa Monica Pier
The Seventh Annual Los Angles Shelby American Automobile Club Car Show at the Santa Monica Pier! If you love Shelby’s be at the Santa Monica Pier this Saturday, Sept 17th starting 10am to 3pm. Admission is FREE to spectators. This is not your ordinary car show. The car show is at a fantastic location. There will be cars from all over the West Coast. It is considered one of the best Mustang, Cobra, Shelby and Ford car shows in the country, if not the world. Just to give you a bit of Trivia, the Shelby Cobra was made in 1962 in Marina Del Rey, CA so the car show being less than five miles from the “birth place” of the Shelby Cobra is pretty cool, if you asked me. Ok I cannot help it here is one more Trivia for you. The Shelby American Automobile Club was formed in 1975. If you are not into cars but love to see Celebrities in their casual, relaxed environment the odds are high you will see them at the Santa Monica Pier tomorrow. As you know Jay Leno is a car enthusiast to the highest degree I would bet money he will appear. Herbie Hancock will actually display his 1963 Cobra. (The Jazz Legend himself) He bought the Cobra at age 22 from the dealer showroom floor with his first royalty check. He drove it until 1990 as his primary transportation vehicleand I am sure many of his friends will drop by as well. This is a good time to be had and it is free, so if you have time drop by and enjoy the Show. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations...
read moreScott Weaver’s rolling through the Bay!
Scott Weaver’s rolling through the Bay! If you have been to San Francisco and love the city, than you must watch this video, it takes about 4 and half minutes. The video will make you want to go back for a visit. As a Realtor, I loved how the balls were looking for Code Violations as they went thru the buildings. http://player.vimeo.com/video/22461692?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0 Just for the fun of it I had to enclose a few pictures of one of my favorite cities. Coit Tower in San Francisco If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations...
read moreSequoia National Park in California is a must visit destination!
Sequoia National Park in California is a must visit destination! My father loved nature and wanted to see as much of it as he could. On one of their visits, he insisted on visiting the Sequoia National Park. Diane and I were not too excited, once we got there we were very glad he insisted. So I wanted to share some of these pictures with you and recommend you visit this wonderful National Park with friends or family. It will be memorable and you will thank me for it. After leaving Moro Rock on the way to Crescent Meadow we drove thru this Fallen Giant Sequoia. This Sequoia fell across the road in 1937 and it the width is 17 feet wide and it is 8 feet high. It is better known as “Tunnel Log” OK I can not help but give you another picture. Tellme if you are not sold about a vacation here? Thank you mom and dad. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations ...
read moreThe Quest for Karla, by John le Carre’ a must read before December or finish Ulysses by James Joyce?
The Quest for Karla, by John le Carre’ a must read before December or finish Ulysses by James Joyce? I have been faced with a dilemma, as some of you know I love to Read. There are many Realtors who happen to like reading. Hence I do not consider myself a rare breed. So with that said I have been reading Ulysses by James Joyce and it has been a challenge. I found it to be a difficult read and have been moving slowly or should I say barely moving forward. Than this past Saturday we went to the movies to see the Debt. (Diane and I loved it) As we were watching the Trailers (previews for upcoming movies) one caught both of our attention. Tinker, Taylor, Soldier by John le Carre’. So as soon as we got home I had to search, for some reason I was under the mistaken impression that we had every book by John le Carre’, go figure one book missing. Then I remembered that we had The Quest for Karla the published by Knopf in 1982 which had all three. So I excitedly dwelled into it and started reading. I read it about 30 years ago and hardly remember any of it. I love to know how the movie differs from the book. Hence I am reading it again. So what would you have done, finish Ulysses or jump to Tinker Taylor, Soldier? If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 begin or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue...
read moreReal Estate- Economic Market Update for the week of September 12, 2011
Real Estate- Economic Market Update for the week of September 12, 2011 As you know not only do Realtors, but Fed Officials and Lawmakers would like to see a boost in the economic growth. The Challenge is “how to do it”. The Fed Chairman Bernanke stated that the Fed will consider additional stimulus ant the next meeting on September 21st, 2011. What does that mean to the average buyer and seller of Real Estate? In simple English the Fed Chairman gave no indication what if any action the Fed will take. That means they are divided and do not have a clear decision on whether to easy monetary policy or not. Some of the Fed officials came out in favor of additional monetary stimulus to lower the unemployment rate and hoping to improve the current high unemployment numbers. So in a nutshell lack of action at the moment and postponement (stalling until the next meeting). In other words they are still weighing the costs vs. the benefits of different programs and what effects it will have on the Economy. This to me is unacceptable. IF these people cannot figure out, that the government has spent an enormous amount of money over the past few years on “stimulus programs” with little or no tangible results, than they should not be in that position to decide what to do next. We do not need analysts to disagree about the effectiveness or the lack of. All they have to do is talk to the people in the Trenches, the businessmen and businesswomen and ask them what they need. The answer is very simple less Taxes, less Government Restrictions on all facets of the economic spectrum and then confidence will return. This is very easy if one does not over think the problem and use basic common sense. One thing is sure the next Fed meeting will have substantial impact on the Mortgage Interest Rates. So if you want to take advantage of these low rates, buy now before interest rates will have the only way it can UP. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations....
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