Author Archives: Revi Mendelsohn

Last year in November we closed on a house for my client in Winnetka. She paid $625,000. This was her first home. She spent 2 months renovating and furnishing it and making it gorgeous. In May, her mom fell ill and they made a decision to move her from New Jersey to Los Angeles, to live with my client. My client B, helped bring her mom over and they settled into a life together in this beautifully renovated house. Within a few weeks, B realized that the layout of the house was not working for her and her mom. B reached out to me to discuss what to do.

Since her mom was disabled, we had to find a new house that had a bedroom connected to a living space just for her mom, plus a bathroom that suited her needs. A layout like this would give B some privacy, but also allow her to be close enough to take care of her mom.

B had paid cash for her home, so she wanted to roll that money over into the purchase of her new home. She was not interested in taking out a loan. So that left us with one option: Concurrent Closings

What is a concurrent closing? A concurrent closing is when a sale and a purchase take place either on the same day or within a few days of one another.

THE UNKNOWNS

We had a bit of an uphill battle ahead of us. There were alot of unknowns, such as:

How much would her home sell for? (We needed that number to know what our budget would be for the new property)
Would the seller of her new house be willing to accept our contingent offer? (i.e. Would they be willing to work with us since we can’t buy their home until B’s current home sale closes)
Will we be able to find the house that she needs for her and her mom? (She had very specific requirements since her mom is disabled, also, she had a minimum dollar amount that she needed to earn in order to sell)
How long will it take for her house to close and how do we time the offer on the new house?

The first step was to put the house on the market. This made the seller very nervous. She didn’t want to end up homeless, and neither did I! We had a very delicate chicken and egg situation on our hands. She wanted to shop for her next house, but didn’t want to sell until we had a place to move. She waffled back and forth about how to proceed. I outlined her options, supported her, and we discussed each microstep every step of the way.

FALSE START

Great news, almost instantly, we found the home that she loved! It had been on the market for over 4 months with no offers. That is the best kind of house when I am representing a buyer! We submitted our all cash offer (contingent on her current house closing). Sure enough, another buyer submitted an offer on the same day that did not have a sale contingency and we did not get the house. B was still not ready to put her house on the market.

SOMETHING HAS GOT TO GIVE

As I told B, something has got to give in this equation. We need to put her house on the market and get that going so that we can prove to the seller of her next house that we are that much closer to closing and having the funds to purchase their house. She reluctantly agreed. We put her gorgeous home on the market and set up the first Open House for the coming weekend. Then….the Santa Ana winds started blowing and areas 6 miles North of her home were on fire. The air was smoke filled and there was a dark grey plume floating above the city. We had to cancel the open house.

The following weekend, her mom got sick, and we couldn’t show the house again. More false starts.

Eventually, we were able to hold an Open House and we had a huge turnout! Offers started coming in. We ended up with 6 offers, but…we did not have a house for her to move to!

The house that we missed out on was in an area that B loved. We began scouring that area, learning about all the different floor plans and home styles. A beautiful home popped up on our search. It was in escrow but had fallen out due to the buyer being unable to get their loan, and he cancelled 10 days before close. Those sellers were devastated, Thanksgiving was fast approaching and we wondered, would they consider our contingent purchase? I called the agent and found out all of the information that I needed for us to put in an offer. I convinced the agent that we had a solid buyer for our house (of the 6 offers we had, 3 looked very promising). All this time I was negotiating the best price for my client’s house that we were selling. Now I had to get that home into escrow and this new one under contract too. Ever heard of the “domino effect” ?Well that was exactly what was happening with these two transactions! Just like with a chain of dominos, if any piece were to topple, the whole thing will come crashing down. I was able to secure the new home under contract with a contingency that spanned the entire duration of escrow! That is to say, should B’s current home NOT close, she is not obligated to close on her new home, with no penalties (financial or otherwise)! Talk about a nerve wracking time!

A HOLIDAY SUCCESS STORY!

Long story short, and with a few bumps in the road, we were able to close on B’s home sale on a Friday and then close on the new home the following Monday! Also, I negotiated a leaseback for her, so that she could renovate the new home to her liking, and in the meantime stay in her first home as a tenant. The best part? We listed the first home for $718,000 and sold it for $770,000, plus the new owner paid her an additional $20,000 for her furniture and decor items! She only has to pack clothes and toothbrushes for her and her mom! That is exactly what she wanted, just in time for the holidays!

If you have a hard time figuring out how to work a strategy such as the one above, call me! I love working on and solving complex issues. In fact, this is just one of the many concurrent sales I have handled in my 15 year Real Estate career. Perhaps you have a less complex situation? I handle those too!

I look forward to hearing from you,

Revi Mendelsohn, Realtor eXp Realty of Beverly Hills, BRE#01461233 Cell: 310-963-7384

11 Cool things to do on the 4th of July in Los Angeles 2019! Scroll down to #11 for Revi’s personal favourite!

11 Cool Things to do on the 4th of July in Los Angeles (2019)

Scroll down to #11 for Revi’s personal favourite!

by Revi Mendelsohn

July 4 is just around the corner! Do you know what you’re doing on Thursday? Scroll down to the last one to see my personal favourite 4th of July Fireworks spot in Los Angeles!

Whether you want to visit a Los Angeles Landmark, attend a festival type party, view an outdoor movie, see a traditional fireworks show, or savor a gourmet dinner followed by pyrotechnics, we’ve got you covered.

Below is our quick, easily scannable list of 11 fun things to do in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Enjoy!

1. Rose Bowl, Pasadena

See fireworks at the Rose Bowl. Americafest is still going strong after 93 years! Doors open at 5:30, but parking lot fun starts at 2pm. The events end at 9:30.

2. Downtown Los Angeles, Grand Park

The biggest free Independence Day block party in Los Angeles is back at Grand Park this July 4. The annual affair promises a day of picnicking, music, and dancing, all culminating with a massive fireworks display above Downtown L.A. The event will feature two stages with DJs, live musical performances, 40 food vendors, and for the first time ever a 75-foot Ferris wheel for attendees to ride (paid tickets required).

The party begins at 3 p.m. and the fireworks go off at 9 p.m.

3. Pacific Palisades

Palisades Rocks the Fourth returns for 2019 with its annual community event featuring music, activities and more. On July 4 at 4 p.m., the gates of Palisades Charter High School will open for a fun-filled day featuring food trucks, family-friendly activities and a festival stage concert program. The main stage kicks off at 6 p.m. for two-and-a-half hours of live music, followed by a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for $10. Children under 2 can attend for free.

4. Woodland Hills

Councilman Bob Blumenfield’s July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza, hosted by Valley Cultural Center, returns to Warner Ranch Park in Woodland Hillswith a breathtaking fireworks display in the heart of Southern California. Gathering over 60,000 people from 6 to 9:30 p.m., this party includes delicious munchies from more than 20 local restaurants, arts and crafts from local vendors and businesses, and a free concert, all topped off with a 15-minute spectacular fireworks show. Attendees may bring blankets, low chairs (under 3′ height), tarps and pillows to hang out on the grassy lawn. Admission is free; however, VIP packages are available that include a reserved seat for $20, a reserved seat + parking pass for $35, or backstage seating for $100. Tickets can be purchased via the link above.

5. Long Beach

Spend Independence Day aboard the Queen Mary for a day full of live entertainment, family-friendly activities, delicious food, carnival activities, arts and crafts, and more. The festivities lead up to one of Southern California’s best firework shows synced to patriotic music. The event runs from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. with fireworks beginning at 9 p.m. off the stern of the ship. Tickets sell out every year, so advance purchase is recommended.

6. Monterey Park

The City of Monterey Park Presents: Fourth of July Entertainment & Fireworks with a day-long holiday celebration full of fun for the whole family. Taking place Thursday, July 4 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Barnes Park, this community event includes music by Bulletproof Soul from 7 to 9 p.m., food vendors, and its annual fireworks show at 9 p.m.

7. Topanga Canyon

Celebrate Independence Day in an old-timey fashion in Topanga Canyon. Theatricum Botanicum’s 5th Annual Independence Day Old Fashioned Barn Dance and Barbecue features innocent pleasures from days of yore, like a pie-eating contest, watermelon seed-spitting contest, horseshoes, and more.

8. Marina Del Rey

Reputedly the best fireworks show on the Westside is July 4th at the Marina, with two prime spots in Marina del Rey ideal for watching the show, complete with synchronized music. The 20 minute fireworks show starts at 9pm.

9. Hollywood

Watch an outdoor movie. Cinespia at Hollywood Forever is hosting a screening of the classic E.T. followed by fireworks.

10. Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl is famously one of the best spots in L.A. for watching fireworks. This July 4, a dazzling spectacle will set the skies above Hollywood aglow, capping a performance from Nile Rodgers & CHIC.

11. Cheviot Hills/Rancho Park/Century City REVI’S TOP CHOICE!

Watch Hillcrest Country Club’s annual fireworks show from Cheviot Hills Park. There are always plenty of families watching the show there. Bring a blanket and some snacks for the kids and get ready for a fun and free show!

Send me a message to tell me your favourite 4th of July spot! I will include it in next year’s list!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Revi Mendelsohn, Realtor 310-963-7384 [email protected]

The Mendelsohn Group | eXp Realty of California, Inc. Beverly Hills

BRE#01461233

My little brother listened to my advice!

Last week my brother (who lives in Toronto) and his girlfriend told me that they were looking to move into a bigger apartment. They seemed to be getting a bit frustrated with the process. Every place they looked at was not right and they felt like they were spinning their wheels and wasting their time. I asked them if they had considered what is on their “Top 5 dealbreaker list“?

“Top 5 dealbreaker list? What is that?” they both said in unison. It was then that I realized that they were for sure spinning their wheels as they had not even made a list of what they wanted in their next home. I explained the concept, and send them a link to my blog post about how to figure out your Top 5 dealbreaker list.

A week later, he texted me to tell me that not only had they figured out their list, but within 2 days of making their list, they found an amazing apartment that exceeded their expectations! Of course, I could not resist the urge to point out that big sister knew things that could be helpful!

If you are considering moving, or are struggling with finding your next home, give me a call and let’s discuss strategies for how to figure out your Top 5 dealbreaker list. I have been perfecting my craft of selling Real Estate for over 14 years now and I have methods to help you make this process as pleasant and pain free as possible.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Revi Mendelsohn, Realtor|The Mendelsohn Group| eXp Realty of California, inc. BRE#01461233 Cell:3109637384 [email protected]

Real Estate Market update December 2018

As we wind up the year, I wanted to share an update on the current local Los Angeles Real Estate market. I have been hearing people talk about what they think is going to happen and some who have said that they think that the market will implode and crash!

Please understand, we have not gone from a good real estate market to a bad real estate market. We have gone from an abnormal market to a normal market. The abnormal market was where there was only one month of inventory, interest rates unusually low, almost all homes on the market got multiple offers, and prices went up every month.

A normal market has a healthy amount of inventory and buyers have choices. It is more important than ever to hire an agent with skill and experience! How can I be of service to you?
Warmly,

Revi Mendelsohn, Realtor | The Mendelsohn Group Rodeo Realty Beverly Hillscell/txt: 310-963-7384fax: 310-388-1101 Click here to book a phone appointment with Revi
[email protected]www.TheMendelsohnGroup.com 5 Star Zillow Reviews
BRE#01461233

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Over the past few years we have seen a tremendous increase in Los Angeles area Real Estate prices. Over the past few months, we have seen less of an increase. Properties are now sitting on the market for well over 50 days, whereas in previous times, it would not be unusual for a property to go into escrow in under 14 Days on Market. We are seeing sellers who are banking on the same past market acceleration and are pricing their properties in anticipation of that increase. It is the exact opposite of the issues we were having in a quickly growing market where appraiser data was not catching up fast enough with prices. In some cases, this leads to difficulty in getting properties appraised for their sale price. We have the inverse happening now, where sellers are OVER pricing their properties. The result of overpricing your property is twofold. One is that it will sit on the market for longer and today’s savvy buyers look at Days on Market (DOM) when shopping online for Real Estate. Two is related to #1, in that when a property has over 30 DOM, buyers start to ask “What’s wrong with it?” and the property can acquire a stigma which repels certain buyers.

So what should you do if you a buyer? What about if you are a seller?

Talk to me.

I work with my clients individually and we consult together to come up with a customized plan suited specifically to their needs and Real Estate goals. There is no “one size fits all” answer when it comes to Real Estate Acquisition and Sale.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Revi Mendelsohn, Realtor 310-963-7384

The Mendelsohn Group | Rodeo Realty Beverly Hills

The best and worst customer service within 24 hours

Over the past 24 hours, I have experienced examples of the best and the worst customer service. Both companies failed in providing their services, but one excelled in making it right. Watch the video to learn more.

If you are curious to see what my clients say about me and the service that I provide, click on the link. http://bit.ly/whatpeoplehavetosay

Please tell me what you think of this video by posting your comments either here or on Facebook.

Click here to follow The Mendelsohn Group on Facebook.

Revi Mendelsohn, Realtor|The Mendelsohn Group|Rodeo Realty

310-963-7384

We saved our buyers $86,000 on their new Westwood home!

For the second time this year, in a seller’s market, we were able to help our buyers purchase their home for UNDER asking price! (Did I mention that we also sold their previous property for $80,000 OVER asking?)

This time the house was in Westwood, and originally listed for $1,649,000!

After negotiating credits and price, we were able to help our buyer purchase the home for a net price of $1,563,000! That is a net savings of $86,000

Wondering how we did it? Call Revi and she will share with you how her negotiating style, 14 years of Real Estate experience and passion for customer service wins the deal every time.

Whether you are buying or selling, Revi will work harder than anyone to get you the deal you want, and then some!

Want to know more about what people have to say about Revi? Click here

Call Revi or click here to set up your free 15 minute consultation on how to win in Real Estate in the Los Angeles Area. 310-963-7384

Top 5 Places to Trick or Treat in LA on Halloween 2017!

Halloween 2017 is here! The entire family is in for a ton of fun, sweets, costumes and scares. Here in LA we know how to get into the Halloween spirit. Some neighborhoods put on a haunted house and others compete for best decor on the entire block. With all the Halloween fun Los Angeles has to offer it can be a trick to choose the best spot so we put together a list of neighborhoods the whole family will enjoy! Here are the top 5 spots in Los Angeles for trick or treating this year.

1.Cheviot Hills

Almost all of Beverlywood and Rancho Park flock to Cheviot Hills to get the their thrills and treats every year. On Motor Avenue in particular, one house goes all out with decorations, music, strobe lights, and loads of kid friendly scares.

Map of Cheviot Hills

2. Angelino Heights
As one of LA’s oldest neighborhoods, Angelino Heights boasts delightfully spooky Victorian mansions and bungalows. The residents of Douglas Street and the “Haunted District” Carroll Avenue go all out when it comes to decorations and treats.

Map of Angelino Heights

3. Downtown LA
Downtown LA is the ultimate hot spot to be for Halloween 2016. The Annual Halloween Party for Downtown L.A. Kids at Grand Hope Park will offer caramel apples, bounce houses, spooky attractions and “trick-or-treat” doors. Bring the family to this Halloween event on Oct 31 5pm-8pm and still get home in time for bed. Advance tickets are $7 and $10 the day of the event.

Map of Downtown LA

4. Venice Beach Canals
Every Halloween the four block area of the Venice Beach canals is transformed into a magical and spooky place with beautiful decorations, twinkly lights, jack-o-lanterns and sweet treats.

Map of Venice Canals

5. Brentwood
Brentwood Glen is a charming and quiet neighborhood just West of the 405. Ideal for the tiniest trick-or-treaters this neighborhood’s homes are close to one another and feature kid-friendly decor. Visit Brentwood Country Mart the night 3pm-5pm the night before for a trick-or-treat event.

Map of Brentwood Glen

Remember, always exercise caution when approaching a home, and be especially cautious when crossing the street. Stay safe and HAPPY HALLOWEEN from The Mendelsohn Group!

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Top Ten Legal Mistakes Home Buyers Make

If you are working with a qualified Realtor, you should be receiving the guidance you need to make smart Real Estate decisions when you buy or sell. At the same time, you should educate yourself about the Real Estate process so that you understand the steps required. I truly love what I do and I enjoy teaching my clients about what I do and why I do it, and of course, how it benefits them. Some of the things that I handle by way of closing the deal are:

Taking the time to assess the buyer or seller at the other end of the deal. This helps us with making the right decisions with regard to how we market our offer, counter offer, and deal points.
Meeting with inspectors at your property to determine condition of the home. My extensive remodeling and construction experience allow me to provide you with realistic costs and timelines for repairs.
Meeting with the appraiser to provide the most appropriate comparables for the property you are buying or selling
Acting as a project manager with all of the players involved in the transaction. This includes, escrow officers, title officers, loan officers, multiple inspectors, retrofitters, contractors, etc.

Behind the scenes: What happens when you hire Revi Mendelsohn to sell your home?

You just spent an hour online looking at houses for sale in your area.

Some were amazing, and you were dying to see them in person, some not so much.

Have you ever wondered what the difference was between each of those sellers’ agents?

Why do some agents have amazing presentations, sell their listings in the first days on market, and others….not so much?

Have you ever wondered what happened BEFORE you the listing hit the market? Here is a glimpse into what happens “backstage” and “before the show…aka Open House” (Don’t forget to check out Before and After gallery too)

I will share with you some information about a recent listing that I had in Brentwood.

I have known the sellers for about 2.5 years now. They were referred to me by a past client.

B and A hired me to help them purchase their first home. Within 1 month of our search, we were able to find them the condo that they wanted to purchase.

Fast forward 2 years and B and A’s twins are now walking and talking and the family needed more space.

They contacted me in February of 2017 and told me that they wanted to start making a plan to move in the summer of 2017. Since they had purchased their condo in July 2017, they wanted to close no sooner than their second homeowner anniversary.

We met again in May and made a preliminary plan for their sale.

Here is a step by step list of how we made it happen for them.

-clients told me their renovation budget

-I assessed what needed to be fixed in the house and prioritized the list based on Return on Investment

-reviewed the list and fit required items into their budget

-priced out each repair and helped client choose the service provider

-negotiated with service providers to get best value for seller

-created a renovation schedule and met with service providers to ensure work was completed

-checked on work and instructed service providers as needed

-once work was completed, sent photos to the client

-client arranged for service provider payment

-met with stager and had staging completed

-verified stager’s work and had stager make corrections…in this case, the stager was missing some items, so I went to the store and replaced/added some items.

-reviewed pricing and went over any new comps in the area. Reconfirmed list price.

-met with professional photographer at the property, discussed marketing strategy and target market.

-selected best photos for marketing the property

-listed the property in the mls and other syndicated real estate sites.

-sent out advertising on Social media and online

*This is a sample of the work that was done behind the scene—each listing is different and unique*

Want to see the results?

Click here to see the result of the sale described in this post

We offer an all in one solution to your home selling needs. Not every property needs to have renovation work done. In fact, we work with each of our sellers to customize their home selling plan to ensure that it meets their needs and goals for selling.

For more info or to meet with Revi, call or text 310-963-7384.