60http://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.comFri, 03 Jul 2009 23:33:32 GMTFri, 03 Jul 2009 23:33:32 GMTen Phyllis@RealtorHarb.comnohttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/07/03/an-evening-out-in-pasadena.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbThe economy continues to change. Many businesses simply can’t survive, others don’t know how to survive and at others, the employees don’t know how to treat their clients. On Wednesday, George and I celebrated our twentieth wedding anniversary. We had two daughters within the first two years of our marriage and life at our home was hectic. We forgot our first few anniversaries and our forgetfulness became a joke. But twenty years, that’s a biggie. We decided to celebrate at Celestino’s in Pasadena; I phoned, the hostess said to ...In a Realtor's Weekhttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/07/03/an-evening-out-in-pasadena.aspx#Comments5b732bf7-2bba-49e8-8469-840b949a2d5eFri, 03 Jul 2009 13:54:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/07/02/why-does-phyllis-harb-hire-a-decorator-just-for-you.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbThe way we live in a home and the way it is showcased to sell are different. I have learned that when I provide complimentary home staging service to my clients, their homes sell faster. Homes which sell faster typically sell for more money. Realtor.org has an online magazine for Realtors; my favorite features are frequently the ones pertaining to home staging. Often, homeowners simply need to “tone it down”. Company: Park Ave Home Staging & Redesign, Pennsylvania Problem: "Upon entering the master bedroom, the bed stops you. There ...ResaleHome Staginghttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/07/02/why-does-phyllis-harb-hire-a-decorator-just-for-you.aspx#Commentsd86a01c4-d86f-448b-a134-be52c6e06632Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:55:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/07/01/should-there-be-a-bailout-for-underwater-homeowners.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbWorking with potential Los Angeles home buyers in this real estate climate is challenging. Most listings are not realistically priced; others are short sales, which can translate to months of waiting for the thumbs up or down from the lender. A handful of homes are aggressively priced and are selling quickly in multiple offer situations. The foreclosure moratorium has changed the dynamics of our Los Angeles real estate market. Many homeowners are living payment free in their homes just waiting for the axe to fall. There are home buyers ready, willing and able to buy these ...All about MoneyForeclosuresLendershttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/07/01/should-there-be-a-bailout-for-underwater-homeowners.aspx#Commentse16d13f2-85e0-47f6-b983-a8e63bf9a64dWed, 01 Jul 2009 13:43:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/30/los-angeles-4th-of-july-events-fireworks-and-celebrations.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbIf you are undecided about what might be fun for 4th of July, revisit my previous blog entry regarding Los Angeles 4th of July Events, Fireworks and Celebrations ...Things to dohttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/30/los-angeles-4th-of-july-events-fireworks-and-celebrations.aspx#Comments4354a296-9300-4a6d-8857-6cd7fe3e6c91Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:21:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/29/more-fico.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbIn what I refer to as my former life, I was Vice President in charge of Loan Administration for a subsidiary of Sterling Bank. Sterling was located in Los Angeles's Mid-Wilshire District, an easy commute from my home in Northwest Glendale. The bank was only several blocks from Bullocks Wilshire and I Magnin. Bullocks housed the famous tea room, where you could lunch while models displayed the current fashions. Until the bank relocated to Torrance, I was in job heaven. In charge of both retail and wholesale (mortgage broker) loan divisions, this is where I originally met Floyd ...Credithttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/29/more-fico.aspx#Comments21d8902f-d7ee-4d22-ad41-0d70c45d767fMon, 29 Jun 2009 13:05:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/27/a-heros-welcome-in-glendale.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbOver the past several weeks, I have been driving back and forth on Mountain to my new listing on Cordova Ave. I have noticed numerous yellow ribbons and yard signs and was curious. I don’t know Colonel McGinley, but his family and Rossmoyne neighbors organized an impressive welcome home celebration. Hundreds crowd the streets to greet Marine Corps colonel after his return from Iraq. ...Glendalehttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/27/a-heros-welcome-in-glendale.aspx#Commentsefb8fab5-4268-4f02-a379-c240c4ccd4afSat, 27 Jun 2009 14:43:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/26/third-times-the-charm.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbI have been selling real estate for twenty years. I sometimes sell the same home twice, but today is a first for me, in the last decade, I have sold this La Crescenta home three times! 1999 my first sale:I represented the buyer. The home was only on the market a couple of days and my client paid $290,000 (listed for $294,000). 2003 my second sale:My buyer was now the seller.The new buyer was represented by a different real estate agent; the home sold in four days at the $469,000 list price. 2009 my ...In a Realtor's Weekhttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/26/third-times-the-charm.aspx#Comments95fcd48f-fd9d-4c94-b0a9-f8b20ee8d561Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:37:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/25/california-law-postpones-foreclosure-process.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbAs of June 15, through December 31, 2010, the "California Foreclosure Prevention Act" amended the foreclosure process to provide additional time for borrowers to work out loan modifications. Civil Code Section 2923.52 now requires that an additional 90-day period, to allow the borrower and lender (mortgage loan servicer) to pursue a loan modification to prevent foreclosure of loans which meet the following criteria: * The loan was recorded during the period of January 1, 2003, to January 1, 2008, and is secured by residential property. * The loan is the first mortgage or deed of trust ...Foreclosureshttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/25/california-law-postpones-foreclosure-process.aspx#Comments9ab05366-c397-4531-9f6a-c3c185473327Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:59:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/24/fico--2009.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbAs this is a Los Angeles Real estate blog, I believe an update on FICO scores is appropriate. I recently received this from Floyd, owner of BWA Mortgage: Fact #1: According to the Fair Isaac web site, the range of FICO scores is from 300 to 850. Of course, the higher the score the better. Most mortgage lenders in today's market consider 740 and above as the top tier but many will make home loans with lower scores. The median credit score in the United States is 723! Fact #2: FICO is ...Credithttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/24/fico--2009.aspx#Commentscebecc54-0fab-49a7-ae66-5111401f1cd5Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:11:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/23/wheres-phyllis.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbI believe that a new listing should be heavily marketed the first week. You can find me this week at 1235 Cordova Ave., in Glendale. Here are my “office hours”: Wednesday, Broker’s Open 10-2 Thursday, Twilight Open 5-7 Sunday Open House, 2-4 If you love Spanish Colonial Revival, stop by and take a look, or just come in and say “hello”. ...In a Realtor's Weekhttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/23/wheres-phyllis.aspx#Comments051ca8d5-eb59-4de3-99c1-20663403df59Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:52:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/22/in-a-los-angeles-real-estate-agents-week.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbIn Vegas I checked my email each morning and spoke to Natalie each afternoon. Natalie took all of the appointments and now it is my turn. This week will be a busy one: Monday afternoon, interior photos for our new listing at 1235 Cordova Ave., in Glendale. In the evening my board of directors meeting for the Glendale YWCA. Tuesday night, showing 2642 El Caminito Street, La Crescenta Wednesday, Broker’s Open (10-2) – the Reveal for 1235 Cordova Ave. Thursday, Twilight Open (5-7) for 1235 Cordova Ave. Sunday, Open House ...In a Realtor's WeekReal Estate Photographyhttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/22/in-a-los-angeles-real-estate-agents-week.aspx#Commentsbee0498f-34e9-4ff9-8cf0-42547b959ee2Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:13:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/20/what-is-your-fathers-day-tradition-the-los-angeles-to-vegas-run.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbYears ago, my parents moved from Glendale, California to Washington State. For the past six or seven years, my father’s day tradition has been taking my father-in-law to Las Vegas. He loves it! I sometimes bring my daughters or one daughter and a girlfriend. In my opinion, (after 9/11) it’s simpler to drive from the Los Angeles vicinity to Las Vegas than departing from Burbank Airport. You know the drill, you arrive nearly an hour ahead of departure, check the bags, (because liquids, such as cosmetics in carry ons are a problem) ...In a Realtor's Weekhttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/20/what-is-your-fathers-day-tradition-the-los-angeles-to-vegas-run.aspx#Comments9154c4c7-4ef4-42f7-8092-c3a548cbbc06Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:07:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/20/spanish-courtyard-or-spanish-colonial-revivial.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbSome architectural styles are more difficult to determine than others. Although, I think Spanish courtyard style is more descriptive it is not an architectural style. I confirmed with the expert, Tim Gregory, our local Building Biographer; my new Glendale listing is Spanish Colonial Revival. ...Architecturehttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/20/spanish-courtyard-or-spanish-colonial-revivial.aspx#Commentsc7d39074-18c9-48c4-ac55-a9d6668c7533Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:20:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/19/another-foreclosure-moratorium.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbAnother foreclosure moratorium? Apparently so. Read about it here One family's story: Eight months after my last payment to the bank, I am still waiting for the ax to fallThe latest foreclosure fighting technique: Why does my foreclosure complaint include a lost note count? ...Foreclosureshttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/19/another-foreclosure-moratorium.aspx#Commentsdaee0ba9-fda6-4975-8325-795bd36f9691Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:47:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/18/los-angeles-real-estate-stats--2009-vs-2008.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbThe number of active listings and the average days on market are down in Glendale and La Crescenta, but up in La Canada. Of the 112 current La Canada listings, 27 are priced under $1,000,000; 2008’s stats showed 14 of the 97 listings were under the million dollar mark. The impact of the foreclosure moratorium is evidenced by the reduced number of vacant listings. First time home buyers and those who can facilitate their purchase within the conforming or the new “jumbo” conforming loan limits continue to fuel the market. Higher priced neighborhoods, such as ...GlendaleLa CrescentaLa CanadaReal Estate Market Statshttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/18/los-angeles-real-estate-stats--2009-vs-2008.aspx#Commentsfe20a5d6-03fc-46df-ba57-92555e870800Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:10:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/16/what-is-magnesite-flooring.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbMagnesite flooring became popular in the 1920’s due to both its durability and beauty. Found most often in Spanish homes built in the 20’s and 30’s it can look as smooth as cement or is sometimes patterned. Frequently found on staircases and or entrys in fine vintage homes, magnesite was often carpeted over and the carpet nails damaged the flooring. It can be repaired and an excellent example of a fine restoration is found at my new listing in Glendale’s Rossmoyne neighborhood. ...Resalehttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/16/what-is-magnesite-flooring.aspx#Comments22f8c88d-f6b4-4ef6-84b2-92df37432ba3Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:04:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/16/newsweeks-top-1500-us-high-schools.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbAccording to the Newsweek Article: "Public schools are ranked according to a ratio devised by Jay Mathews: the number of Advanced Placement, Intl. Baccalaureate and/or Cambridge tests taken by all students at a school in 2008 divided by the number of graduating seniors. All of the schools on the list have an index of at least 1.000; they are in the top 6 percent of public schools measured this way."Here's an impressive sampling from some of our local schools: Pasadena’s Marshall Fundamental ranks 152La Canada High ranks 231 San Marino High ranks 281 La Crescenta’s Crescenta Valley High ...ResaleA Buyer's Perspectivehttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/16/newsweeks-top-1500-us-high-schools.aspx#Comments1994e7cf-ec17-4891-b44d-4159b32bdaf0Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:05:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/15/one-house-twenty-years.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbAccording to Peter Hong’s blog it’s 1989 all over again for home prices in some neighborhoods. The key word is "some". Soon after George and I were married we purchased a home in Glendale’s Fair Oaks Community sited in Chevy Chase Canyon. 10/89 $625,000 we purchased03/96 $425,000 we sold 05/09 $825,000 our buyer sold According to my former home's sales history, values in Glendale are substantially over 1989 levels. ...GlendaleResaleReal Estate Market Statshttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/15/one-house-twenty-years.aspx#Commentsc5b4ef83-4769-414a-b598-78127290ee5aMon, 15 Jun 2009 09:01:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/13/glendale-year-to-date-home-sales--by-the-numbers.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbIt’s a first time buyer’s market in Glendale with the average selling price ranging in the $600-$650 range. Low interest rates and the first time home buyer’s tax credit seemed to have pushed this market along. Let's hope the recent increase in interest rates doesn't slow the market. Homes sold in Glendale continue to sell for 95% – 98% of final list price. ...GlendaleReal Estate Market Statshttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/13/glendale-year-to-date-home-sales--by-the-numbers.aspx#Commentsfe0968d4-8838-4210-b055-fc4daf52f11eSat, 13 Jun 2009 13:28:00 GMThttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/12/los-angeles-july-4th-events--firework-shows-2009.aspx?ref=rssPhyllis HarbI am not certain what we will be doing for the 4th of July, but my sister, brother-in-law and nephews Vadim and Alex Morton will be visiting us from Mukilteo, Washington.Burbank: Starlight Bowl’s Star Spangled Salute to America, Burbank Philharmonic, The Swing Kings Hollywood: Hollywood Bowl’s Fireworks and John Fogerty July 2-4th, 7:30 PM. (323) 850-2000 La Crescenta: Independence Day Fireworks, Music and Rides. Gates open at 4:00 PM at La Crescenta ElementaryFireworks approximately 9:00 PM Los Angeles: Jazz and Blues Festival in Leimert Park. (213) 473-2309Marina Del Rey: Fireworks Extravaganza. 9:00 PM (310) 305-9545Pasadena: Rose ...Los Angeles Events and Things to dohttp://los-angeles-real-estate-blog.com/2009/06/12/los-angeles-july-4th-events--firework-shows-2009.aspx#Commentse629c559-22d8-4b3b-a03e-160e7aa7a5ccFri, 12 Jun 2009 12:28:00 GMT