Archive for March, 2009
For new home builders…or window shoppers!
March 27th, 2009 Categories: Real Estate Tools, Tips & Tools
Many of us love looking at houses…even if we aren’t going to buy any time soon. And some of us like to take that one step further, ooh-ing and ah-ing over homes that only exist on paper. That makes Houseplans.com both a great resource for those who want to build their own home, AND a fun way to spend a couple of hours.
With plans for nearly 30,000 different homes online, surely your own dream home is up there somewhere. Plus, many of the plans come in a variety of sizes and configurations, and they’ve even got a module to let you “draw” your own changes and edits onscreen. Styles run the whole gamut from quaint cottages to Greek revival to Spanish to architectural (like this one we love — sleek design, and a clever way to work with steeply sloping ground). Now all you need is a lot!
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Not ready to sell? Why not give your own home a fresh look?
March 24th, 2009 Categories: Tips & Tools
Maybe a move isn’t in the cards for you right now, but it’s never a bad time to do a little redecorating. But some people are really daunted when it comes to choosing new paint colors — with so many choices, how do you figure out what you want? And how do you know what it’ll look like once it’s up? The sites below can give you a hand with that. Some of the services are free and some require a subscription, but all three are great tools for picking out a new look for your home. Explore color schemes, wall and trim colors, special paint effects and more…before you commit!
Bob Vila’s site features an Exterior Designer that’s your best bet for envisioning new paint, trim and accent colors for your exterior.
Benjamin Moore’s Personal Color Viewer lets you try on paint and trim colors in a variety of sample rooms in different styles.
The Behr Paints site has a number of ways to explore and try out new colors. You can see your selected shades on sample photos for free — but for only $4.95 per year, you can not only try on paint colors *and* color wash, sponge and rag effects, but you can also upload your own photos and try them out in your very own rooms. Go to the Behr site and click on “Start ColorSmart.”
But maybe you need a little direction to get you started? Take the Style Quiz at Sproost and see what your room preferences say about your own personal style.
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Before You Decide To Lease Your Home…
March 11th, 2009 Categories: Real Estate Tools, Tips & Tools
The Washington Post takes a look at the pros (and cons) of leasing out your property in today’s market, rather than selling. The article makes a number of good points about how to find and screen tenants, whether to use a leasing management company, and tax advantages you can gain from an investment property. One thing we’ll take exception to, though, is the idea that you should shelve your plans to sell your existing home and buy something larger (or that otherwise better fits your needs) until prices rise again. For one thing, you can’t know exactly how long it’s going to take for the value of your home to rise above what it was when you purchased it — and why put your life and needs on hold indefinitely? Second, and equally important, is the fact that though you may be selling your existing property for less than what you perceive as its “value” — you’ll also be buying your new home at a far lower value as well — so that when home prices do rise again, your net gains would be higher on the higher-priced home. The bottom line — do what’s right for you!
If you have interest in leasing out your property, don’t hesitate to contact me.
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Tax Credits for Homeowners
March 9th, 2009 Categories: Real Estate Tools, Tips & Tools
Understanding housing tax credits. It’s that time of year again – tax season. Here is a useful article that breaks down the details of the housing tax credits . Please feel free to call me at 310-433-2890 or email me with any further questions.
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Design Walk | May 7-9, 2009
March 6th, 2009 Categories: events in los angeles
Legends of La Cienega Design Walk, a three day celebration of the galleries and shops of Los Angeles’ legendary design district. Explore and get inspired! Take in seminars, book signings, and guided tours. For details about this special event visit click here.
If you go, be sure to email me your review of the event!
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And You Thought Skylights Were Neat…
March 5th, 2009 Categories: Environmental Issues
British actuary Ross Russell and his wife Sally decided to leave behind their hectic London lives and move to the countryside. They wanted to build a home that was a little unconventional, but the local planning council was apparently more traditionally-minded. The end result — an interesting fusion contrived by Russell and a childhood friend who grew up to be a successful architect — is a fairly rustic-looking timber-clad shell that slides all the way back to reveal a modern glass and steel structure completely open to the land and the sky above. (The sliding shell, by the way, does have skylights cut out.) We always talk about “bringing the outdoors in,” but a wall of French doors just can’t compete with this. Read the whole story here.
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Help Map Los Angeles
March 4th, 2009 Categories: City News
Participate in this interactive project with the LA Times as it maps the communities of our ever changing city. If you have any questions about LA’s neighborhoods call 310 433 2890 or email me
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