Coco 's LA Condo Lifestyle Blog

Betsy wanted to by a home but she thought she couldn't.  Her credit was good, but prices were too high, she didn't have a down payment and she didn't see how she ever would be able to save enough money to get into the market.  Something needed to change or she was never going to realize her dream of home ownership. 

Something did change.  Betsy found out about REO property.  A friend put her in touch with a realtor who was REOMax certified and had been helping people to purchase REO properties for years.  Betsy found out that she could save between 10 and 30% on her home purchase, which would not only make it possible for her to buy a home but would also save her hundreds of dollars a month on unneeded private mortgage insurance. 

When Betsy did find her home it needed a little work, she wasn't daunted, she knew that those repairs were going to save her thousands of dollars on the cost of the home, significantly more than what it was going to cost to fix them.  Betsy ended up purchasing her REO home for 23% less than its current market value.  She didn't need to make a hefty deposit or save it up over ten or more years.  She saved it in the purchase of her REO home because she had an experienced realtor.

If you would like Betsy's story to be yours give me a call and I will show you what is available in the REO Market.

This week's featured neighborhood in the jewel of Los Angeles, otherwise known as the Westside is none other than Century City.  Famous for being one Los Angeles' most prestigious business communities, Century City is a well known area to partake in world class shopping along side the elite of Hollywood's biggest stars. The area is rich in law offices, particularly those relating to the entertainment industry.

The surrounding communities include Westwood, Rancho Park, Cheviot Hills, Beverlywood and of course Beverly Hills. Century City's ideal central location and close proximity to a major hub of commercial activity make it an ideal location for prospective home buyers.

Imagine your alarm going  off, you want to go to the gym so....you throw on work out clothes and head to the state-of-the-art gym, which is dowstairs. You have a great work out and then take a refreshing turn in the heated lap pool.  Now you are ready to start your day.  

Back in your luxury condo you step shower and change and then call thevalet to bring up your car to go to work,  have a great lunch, a few meetings, more work, a little shopping and then a night out on the town.  How much gas will all of that cost?  Nothing.  If you chose to you are within walking distance of everything that you could possibly need. 

World class dining and shopping are within close proximity.   You are only moments away from work and a world of cultural events.  The world is your oyster and you are living in the pearl.  You come home at night to see the City of Angels sparkling and you love the LA Condo Lifestyle.

The Westside of Los Angeles, also known as "The Jewel" of Los Angeles shines with many brilliant facets. Each neighborhood on the Westside adds its unique brilliant character to "The Jewel."  Westwood is a particularly lovely neighborhood. Eclectically positioned in the shadow of the UCLA campus this area is mainly characterized by upscale single family homes in a more moderate price range than its nearby sister neighborhoods of Bel Air and Beverly Hills.

Invigorated by a considerable student population, the commercial district of Westwood is gloriously rich in unique shopping and dining experiences.  If a cinematic experience is your preference there are a plethora of movie theatre choices available in Westwood.

Westwood offers ample cultural experiences with The UCLA/Arm and Hammer Museum of Art, the Mathias Botanical Garden and the Murphy Sculpture Garden as just a few of its highlights. Ideally situated, Westwood is in close proximity to downtown and the 405 freeway providing easy access to the entire Los Angeles Basin.

Competition is good.  I love healthy, productive competition. Olympic athletes understand that in time trials it is easier to perform at your peak if you are physically running against a real person instead of just a clock.  Competing helps us to stretch the limits that we tend to put upon ourselves. 

If there is goal that you would like to achieve but have been struggling with, ask yourself if there is a way that you could create a healthy competition with friends or colleagues. Personally I love it when a colleague says to me, "My goal is to produce higher numbers than you this month!"  Game on!  Suddenly everyone gets caught up in a spirit of what is possible; the work becomes fun, people think out of the box.  It's important to keep the competition healthy and professional, but there is no reason that it can't be fun.  If things are getting stale get competitive!

I'm a big believer in getting the right person for the right job.  The gentleman who takes care of my orchids is a horticultural genius, but I would never ask him to do my taxes.  Likewise, I would never entrust one of my precious orchids to my CPA.  The same is true in real estate, even more so.  When purchasing real estate, especially REO, the proper real estate agent can save you tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Because REO property is owned by a bank or lender and those institutions are not in the business of property management, they will typically turn the selling of their REO property over to a handful of experienced and well known real estate agents who have already proven their skills in this area.  The time lines are so stringent with REO properties and banks that they are not interested in working with realtors who are "cutting their teeth".  If an inexperienced realtor were to miss a deadline it could end up costing the bank valuable time, and typically it results in the ultimate nightmare for the prospective home buyer, loss of the sale and a hefty penalty.

For these reasons and many others it is essential you work with only experienced REO professionals.  I have the experience and knowledge to help you find and negotiate the REO sale of your dreams.

It really struck me the other day that there are two kinds of people in this world.  The type who understand that you can design the kind of life you want to have, and the type who think that life just happens to you. 

If it isn't already obvious, I am the type of person who believes that you can  manifest   and create whatever kind of life you want to have.  My life is proof of this.  I live the way I choose to, I focus on the things I choose to, I even choose to think about specific positive things and not dwell on negative things.  As I think about those things I want in my life and visualize them I also believe them to be coming true. 

I can't imagine living a life that I felt was just "thrust" upon me.  I believe that you need to decide what you want in life,  visualize it,  write it down - sometimes I make manifestation boards and then  go after it with both hands  - to me you take the action and let go of the results.  As I look at the happy and successful people in my life I notice a commonality.  We all decided what we wanted and formulated a plan to actively pursue it.  Things did not always go smoothly,  or sometimes it takes longer to manifest then others  but it didn't matter, it doesn't matter, we continue to pursue our dreams and goals  one step at a time. We know we are on a spiritual path and that along the way there will be lessons learned some painful and some glorious. 

If you are unhappy with any aspect of your life, ask yourself "How can I design something better?"  Once you have designed what you want go after it with all of your heart.  There will be stumbling blocks along the way, but you will succeed.

While no one is overjoyed with the current down turn in housing values there is a new positive note for some LA Condo owners.  The Los Angeles County Assessor, Rick Auerbach, announced recently that a reassessment was done of a group of homes and condominiums purchased between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2007.  The reassessed value of the homes will result in an average tax savings of $750 on October's bill.

Market Trends have shown us time and again that prices will fluctuate and then once again rally.  While it is small comfort to have reduced taxes during a market lull, it is far better than paying inflated taxes during the same market lull.

In the beginning there were caves and huts.  As time went by there were log cabins and eventually brick homes. Housing developed and grew until finally it reached its highest design form - luxury condominiums.  With all the benefits of living in a luxury hotel plus all the comforts and privacy of "home", living vertically in a luxury condominium is one of the ultimate gifts a person can bestow upon themselves.

Imagine being free of all gardening and maintenance tasks, while living in a lush beautifully maintained wonderland.  Visualize saying good bye to long commutes of bumper to bumper traffic in order to get to work or cultural events.  Picture yourself being able to take all that free time and to spend it meditating, getting exercise, being with your loved ones or growing your business.

These are just some of the benefits of living vertically surrounded by modern luxury.  Isn't it time you redesigned your life?  Take a look at what a luxury condo can do for your lifestyle.

As the temperatures heat up and summer looms large in everyone's minds, isn't it great to know that we live in a city that boasts ocean front property and is also only a short drive from mountain wilderness? 

It's time to enjoy the cool summer breezes that wend there way off the ocean.  There is so much to take advantage of in our fair city all year round but the summer fare is particularly notable.  Whether you enjoy listening to world class musicians play at the Hollywood Bowl, arguably the most spectacular amphitheatre in the country or you enjoy a fun filled day strolling the marina, there is something for everyone.

With gas prices soaring, we Angelinos are blessed with the knowledge that we are already at the hottest destination on the West Coast.  Take some time this summer to enjoy all of the wonders that abound in our modern paradise by the ocean.