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When do you know you are ready to buy a home?It is like learning to…
When do you know you are ready to buy a home? It is like learning to swim: you will know! This post was inspired by one of my Active Rain friends asking the question: when will you be ready to swim? For many people this is the age old question: when do you know that you are ready to buy a home? The answer is: you will know! Clearly the answer is not as simple as it sounds. For most people there are concerns on many levels. Do they have enough cash down payment to afford the monthly mortgage, taxes and insurance? Do they feel they can handle the responsibility of home ownership? These and many similar questions are not only valid and but it is key in determining the motivation whether you are they ready to swim or not? A question metaphorically raised by individuals who are contemplating a home purchase. Image courtesy of Master isolated images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Some people contemplate or should I say focus on making a change, because they are unhappy where they are living. For example some of this unhappiness is created by their landlord who keeps raising their rent and not responding to concerns or issues reference, noise, safety, security and maintenance to name a few of the points. Then there are others who see that people around them who rent remain in a vicious cycle of not having the ability to save up more money for a down payment, because the rents are increasing and so are all the cost of living items. Hence they keep watching as prices of homes are increasing and decide they better buy now, or they will be totally priced out of the market. There are potential buyers who are concerned that the interest rates will skyrocket and they will never have the opportunity to buy a home based on their income and family situation, so they decide it is time to buy a home. My parents got tired of Landlords telling them what they could or could not do. Then to boot the continuous rent increases were annoying too. Hence my father decided to take the jump in buying a home. That was one of the best decision he made in his life, at least he used to tell me this over and overJ. Now with that said: When did I decide it was time to take the proverbial “dive” into home ownership? Having been in three different Universities and then joining the US Army and traveling on my own for about five years, I could safely say I have been independent and on my own for about ten years. I returned home to my parents’ home to. Keep in mind my bedroom was converted to my mother’s art studio. Needless to say not wanting to disrupt her private domain I moved into my father’s office. Add to this, I just returned from Germany as an Airborne Ranger, Infantry Captain and a Veteran not just of the military but of lots of fun times all over the US and EuropeJ. After about two weeks I knew it was time to buy my own home! Not having saved any money because of the fun I had all over the world, my father agreed as well...
read moreSending the right message is critical in any business Real Estate….
Sending the right message is critical in any business particularly in Real Estate…. I have always believed, preached and lived by the Motto: I Provide 100 Per Cent Client Service and I am your Trusted Advisor in all matters related to Real Estate Purchase or Sale! This has been my message and I have not only believed it but practiced it day in and day out. My clients understood this and knew they could email me day or night and they would get a response back relatively quickly. This has been my message my entire life in the client service industry and in particularly being a Realtor in Los Angeles and facilitating Real Estate Sales & Purchases in the Greater Los Angeles area. The customer service is critical everywhere. In the Greater Los Angeles area I believe it is more so, since the price points are so much higher therefore the expectations are higher as well. Anyway other business has to live or die by this motto as well. That of course it is not enough, they also need to send the right message. Last October as in 2013 a New Restaurant opened up with much “fan fare” the restaurant was called: “The Magic Restroom Café”. Saw it on the news, their seats were Toilet Seats, the food was served in mini Toilet Bowls….somehow I did not have urge, want or desire to visit this restaurant. Having Udon Noodles & Popcorn Shrimp served in mini Toilet Bowls and being seated on Toilet Seats in the Restaurant is not what I had envisioned as a good time going out to dinner… I clearly felt the Message was wrong and I did not even want to blog about it until now… http://la.eater.com/tags/magic-restroom-cafe Well here we are eight months later and “The Magic Restroom Café” in the City of Industry has closed its doors. The headlines in the Food Blog Posts are “Magic Restroom Café Craps Out” well I was not surprised. Quite frankly I was amazed it lasted this long with the wrong message. So what is your message to your clients? My message is: I am your Trusted Advisor in all matters related to Real Estate Purchase or Sale and I will provide 100 per cent Client Service! 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, Playa Vista, 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...
read moreWordless Wednesdays: Howard Hughes Memorial Stone in Westchester, CA!
Wordless Wednesdays: Howard Hughes Memorial Stone in Westchester, CA 90045 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, Playa Vista, 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 moreSpeechless Sunday: Nature in Marina Del Rey, CA, 90292
Speechless Sunday: Nature in Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 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, Playa Vista, 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...
read moreGrounded a Coffee Establishment with Wi-Fi in Sherman Oaks, CA
Grounded a Coffee Establishment with Wi-Fi in Sherman Oaks, CA The landscape of Coffee shops has changed in the Greater Los Angeles area. I can remember when there were hardly any good coffee establishments anywhere in Los Angeles. Then there was the assent of the big green chain from Washington State. All of a sudden it was ‘cool’ and ‘hip’ to have a latte or a cappuccino in the Greater Los Angeles area. Now this then morphed into which neighborhoods could have the best coffee shops and competition just grew. All of a sudden business was being conducted in every coffee establishment that had Wi-Fi. On a side note I remember in the 1980’s conducting business with Martini’s with side carsJ. The good news is we do not drive to endanger ourselves nor our communities now days. Then again some people might have too much caffeine and are candidates for road rageJ! Diane & I have been going to many different Coffee shops in the Greater Los Angeles area so this one was a fun find! http://www.groundedcafe.com/ they are clearly not that expensive compared to the other ones and all their coffees were organic as well to boot. So if you are on Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks, CA please drop in and have some coffee and conduct some business while you are at itJ. 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, Playa Vista, 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...
read moreProof of Funds aka POF in a Real Estate Transaction!
Proof of Funds aka POF in a Real Estate Transaction! One of the most important demonstrations of a buyer’s financial ability to close a Real Estate Transaction in the Greater Los Angeles area consists of providing the Proof of Funds. I have had a few buyers who resisted the idea of providing this information and it took often a bit of education to make the buyer understand how critical this is if they want to buy the property. Then I had others who provided documents that did not appear to be legitimate and then there were others who wanted to show off how much money they had. Needless to say the list has been varied to say the least. One of my more unusual proofs of funds has occurred recently. I was going to make this a speechless Sunday Post, then again I thought about it and ask the community: what was your most unusual Proof of Funds in a Real Estate Transaction? Sent to me by the buyer’s agent via email 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, Playa Vista, 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...
read moreThe Lobsta Truck: an impromptu meet up in Sherman Oaks, CA
The Lobsta Truck: an impromptu meet up in Sherman Oaks, CA Diane and I were spending time with her dog and all of a sudden Diane was in the mood for a cup of coffee. Needless to say as most of you know I am always on the lookout for new coffee shops. I pulled in front of a Coffee Establishment (a blog for later) and Diane said did you see the Lobsta Truck? Well how could I miss it? I was focused on coffee establishments. Five car lengths behind me there was the Lobsta Truck http://la.lobstatruck.com/ well needless to say we had to stop all activity and head over there. Reluctantly we both decided we wanted just a quick cup of Clam Chowder before our coffee. We have often had their Lobster Roll, clearly brings us back to our East Coast Days. The Lobster Roll is overflowing with Lobster Meat. As I write this post I am thinking out loud maybe we should have had the Lobster RollJ. (Maybe next time) If you never had their food check out the enclosed link for their schedule and make it “planned destination” it is well worth it! While you at it check out their website as well not just their location schedule! Not only do we love the Lobsta Truck but so does Zaggat! 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, Playa Vista, 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...
read moreSpeechless Sundays: The American Flag on a patio!
Speechless Sundays: The American Flag on a Marina Del Rey, CA patio! 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, Playa Vista, 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...
read moreProud to be an American Veteran in 2014! Proud to be an American!
Proud to be an American Veteran in 2014! Proud to be an American! All those who have served in our military should be proud for their service to our country! If you know a veteran please thank them for their service. Most importantly remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom! I hope you and your family are having a relaxing weekend and again keep in mind those who served our country and gave their lives so we could enjoy our freedom! Best wishes to all from your Military Friendly Realtor: a US Army Veteran! 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, Playa Vista, 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...
read moreAre you looking for a Global Realtor in the Greater Los Angeles area?
Are you looking for a Global Realtor in the Greater Los Angeles area? If you are looking for an International Realtor, the good news is, you found him. Since I have been practicing Real Estate in the Greater Los Angeles area, I have had the pleasure of representing buyers and sellers from Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Finland, Hungary, Austria, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia and of course Canada to name a few.(this is not an all inclusive list) Needless to say there are many cultural differences amongst all these buyers and sellers. Then on top they all have different ways of conducting business. This is clearly because of the way real estate is bought and sold in their home, is different from our way. I spend a great deal of energy, time and effort in educating the potential buyers as to how we buy and sell Real Estate in California. Needless to say, I have to explain the differences that are customary in various parts of the United States as well. Just to give a small example, never the less a huge difference, we use Escrow Companies and Escrow Officers in the Greater Los Angeles area, where in other parts of the United States there are Attorneys who do the same function as an Escrow Officer here. We spend a great deal of time also discussing how transparent the Los Angeles Real Estate Purchase is. Here are some of the examples: 1. We have standardized Purchase Forms that are used with a few minor variations which have been approved by Attorneys from the California Association of Realtors & the Large Brokerages. 2. We have standardized Disclosures, virtually unmatched with a few exceptions by most other States in the US or for that matter around the world. 3. Everything is in writing and initialed and signed by all parties involved with the purchase and sale. There are many other items we spend time clarifying which I will not go into details here. For me the best part representing International Buyers is the level of their Business savvy, their Internet skills and most of all their understanding of the local Real Estate Market often surpasses the local buyers, because they spend a lot more effort into their research about the Economic Stability as well as the trends of the Greater Los Angeles Real Estate Market. I find it a pure pleasure to work with individuals who have done their homework and understand the values of the local Real Estate Market. It is also very educational for me to hear about the differences of their local customs in buying and selling properties. Keep in mind, having bought and sold homes in Europe and the East Coast I am cognizant of the concerns and cautions a potential buyer has coming from a different area. If you are looking for a seasoned International Realtor who also speaks German & Hungarian, feel free to reach out to me directly. 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, Playa Vista, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free...
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