Author Archives: Revi Mendelsohn

Top 5 Best Trick-Or-Treating Neighbourhoods on LA’s Westside

Halloween is always fun for the whole family, and the city of Los Angeles surely knows how to get in the spooky spirit! It’s become tradition in some neighbourhoods to decorate the entire block, or go all out for one massive haunted house. In a city known for its theatrics, it’s hard to choose the coolest spots to do your trick-or-treating this year. That’s why we’ve chosen the top 5 best spots on the Westside of LA for the family to experience spectacle, scares, and of course…CANDY!

Map of Cheviot Hills

Map of Cheviot Hills

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 Beverly Hills

Map of Beverly Hills

 

 

2. Beverly Hills (Walden Drive)

The Famous Spadena House

The Famous Spadena House

There is no greater treat than visiting the famous Spadena House (more popularly k
nown as the “Beverly Hills Witch House”)on all Hallow’s Eve! The entire street seems to feed off the energy of the house, as everyone decorates and celebrates by giving out loads of candy. This is quite a popular spot on the big night, so be sure to get there early to beat the crowds.

3. Venice Canals

Map of Venice Canals

Map of Venice Canals

If you are worried about the dangers of traffic on Halloween (who isn’t?) than this is the perfect place for you! The four block area is magically spooky with pumpkins and twinkle lights strung along the canals, fantastic decorations, and plenty of the requisite sugar treats. Parking can be a hassle, but as long as you plan ahead it is worth a little parking search.

Map of Santa Monica

Map of Santa Monica

4. Santa Monica (25th Street)

Perhaps the most decorative of the bunch, the scene on 25th Street between Montana Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard will blow you away. This block has really taken to adorning their houses and yards with giant spiders, makeshift graveyards, and inflatable pumpkins!

5. Brentwood Glen

Map of Brentwood Glen

Map of Brentwood Glen

Just west of the bustling 405 freeway is the small pocket of Brentwood Glen – a surprisingly quite neighborhood full of young families. This is the perfect spot for your first time trick-or-treaters and all the little ones on the search for candy. The homes are very close to one another, and very few cars pass in the evening. Although it is quite, the neighbours still decorate with fun and kid friendly haunted houses.

 

 

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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Buying a Home is STILL Cheaper Than Renting!

With the prices of homes in metropolitan areas still below their highest values and mortgage rates still teetering on historic lows, the monthly mortgage payment on a median priced home is less than at almost any time in the last 25 years.

In a recent report from Trulia, it is explained that owning a home remains cheaper than renting with a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage throughout the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. Nationally, the price of owning is an average of 35% less expensive than renting. In the Los Angeles area, that rate is between 20-40%!

How is this possible you ask? Let’s take a look at the numbers:

  • Interest rates have remained low and even though home prices have appreciated around the country (3.9%), they haven’t greatly outpaced rental appreciation (3.7%). In the past year, these two trends have made homeownership even more affordable compared with renting.
  • Some markets might tip in favor of renting next year if home prices increase at a greater rate than rents and if mortgage rates rise, due to the strengthening economy. However…
  • Nationally, rates would have to rise to 10.6% for renting to be cheaper than buying – and rates haven’t been that high since 1989!
  • The National Association of Realtors performed a study in which they looked at income growth, housing costs and changes in the share of renter and owner-occupied households over the past five years. They found that a typical rent rose 15% while the income of renters grew by only 11%.
  • The average renter in the United States pays 30% of their income on housing compared to that of a homeowner who can expect to spend 15%.


The bottom line is that buying a home makes sense. Rental costs have historically increased at a higher rate of inflation. Now is the time to lock in a low interest rate and work towards your goal! Consider the following if you are on the fence about taking the leap into homeownership:

  • There are many benefits to homeownership. One of the top ones is being able to protect yourself from rising rents and lock in your housing cost for the life of your mortgage.
  • Homebuyers who purchased their home over the same five-year period locked in their housing costs and were able to grow their net worth as home values have increased and their mortgage balances have gone down.web-layout-sm
  • According to a poll by DigitalRisk.com, over 60% of first time homebuyers who recently bought a home put down less than 20%, while 36% put down less than 5%.
  • Speak with a realtor you can trust – they can help you plan your journey to buying a home, and making it as stress-free as possible!
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First-Time Home Buyer Tips!

You’ve decided to go for it and start the process of buying your first home. Buying a home can be thrilling and nerve-wracking at the same time, especially for a first-time homebuyer. It’s difficult to know exactly what to expect and if you are making the best choices for your budget, lifestyle, and goals.

That’s why we’ve created a list of the Top 5 Tips for the smoothest first-time home buying experience possible!

 

1.     Seek help from a professional agent you can trust.

Speaking to an agent about specific budgets and goals can help set you up for the best plan of action, and what is best suited for you. The years of industry a realtor can provide you with is worth the costs and can help expedite the process.

2.   Reach out to elders and mentors with experience for advice.

There is no greater value than getting advice from people who have been in your situation. They can help you navigate what mistakes to avoid and even give some tips on things like loans and interest rates.

3.   Research and narrow down the type of housing and neighborhood works best for you.

Having a strong grasp on exactly what you are looking for can help save a lot of time and stress down the line. This is especially crucial if you plan to use this property as an investment—things like proximity to major landmarks, school districts, and value of the neighborhood can pay off later on when you go to sell.

4. Fully prepare for short and long term expenses.

While upfront costs to purchasing can seem quite obvious, home-buying can come with a lot of unpredictable charges. There may be home owner’s association fees and unexpected repairs involved, so make sure to save and prepare for these potential road blocks.

5. Take your time.

There is no need to rush this process. It is a very rewarding thing to be able to purchase a first home, and it takes a lot of courage to commit! Once you commit to your decision, make sure to not get caught up in the hustle of finding the place you are looking for. Make sure it has what you are looking for and you are absolutely happy with your decision!

If you have any questions, or are looking to make this exciting move in the next few years, Revi would be happy to talk you through this process! Call or email anytime for more tips and advice to help you reach your home-buying goals!

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Millennials Heat Up The Home Buyer Market!

The Next HomeBuyers

Millennials are dominating the homebuyer market and changing the market for going on the second year in a row – and these exciting changes are sure to do great things for real estate in the coming years!

With more jobs on the horizon and more focus on establishing financial success before marriage, the real estate market has continued to see a boost thanks to this growing group of new buyers. According to the National Association of Real Estate, millennials are making up about 32% of the buying market, which is majority over all other buyer groups. This is proving beneficial to everyone in more ways than expected – it is boosting our economy and driving home values up!

Want to know where to start before buying your first property? The Mendelsohn Group can help point you in the right direction! Follow these helpful tips for millennial home buyers:

1.     Seek help from a professional agent you can trust.

Speaking to an agent about specific budgets and goals can help set you up for the best plan of action, and what is best suited for you. The years of industry a realtor can provide you with is worth the costs and can help expedite the process.

  1.    Reach out to elders and mentors with experience for advice.

There is no greater value than getting advice from people who have been in your situation. They can help you navigate what mistakes to avoid and even give some tips on things like loans and interest rates.

  1.    Research and narrow down the type of housing and neighborhood works best for you.

Having a strong grasp on exactly what you are looking for can help save a lot of time and stress down the line. This is especially crucial if you plan to use this property as an investment—things like proximity to major landmarks, school districts, and value of the neighborhood can pay off later on when you go to sell.

  1.   Fully prepare for short and long term expenses.

While upfront costs to purchasing can seem quite obvious, home-buying can come with a lot of unpredictable charges. There may be home owner’s association fees and unexpected repairs involved, so make sure to save and prepare for these potential road blocks.

  1.    Take your time.

There is no need to rush this process. It is a very rewarding thing to be able to purchase a first home, and it takes a lot of courage to commit! Once you commit to your decision, make sure to not get caught up in the hustle of finding the place you are looking for. Make sure it has what you are looking for and you are absolutely happy with your decision!

If you have any questions, or are looking to make this exciting move in the next few years, Revi would be happy to talk you through this process! Call or email anytime for more tips and advice to help you reach your home buying goals!

 

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Fun at the Coolidge Avenue Block Party!

The Mendelsohn Group had the pleasure of sponsoring the Coolidge Ave. Block Party on Sunday, September 13th! We met so many wonderful neighbors and their beautiful families on Sunday! We made so many great new friends, and had the chance to hear them talk about their beloved neighborhood. Click here to watch our interview with one of Coolidge Avenue’s longest residing neighbors. Click here to hear stories about how Coolidge has evolved over the years. This neighborhood has such a special feel to it, we were so happy to be warmly welcomed. The Mendelsohn Group provided a bounce house for the kids, and an ice cream truck for everyone! We even did a raffle for two awesome gift baskets. Click here to see who won the “Date Night” basket and click here to see the winner of the “Home Improvement” basket. Thanks to all the neighbors at Coolidge Avenue for showing us such a good time. See below for all the great pictures of the event!

 

“Grandma Bon-Bon” talking about her experience living on Coolidge for over 40 years!

Scott has witnessed this neighborhood continue to grow into something really great over the years!

And the winners are….

Congratulations to Skyler and John for winning our “Date Night” gift basket!

Winners Skyler and John with their "Date Night' gift basket.

Winners Skyler and John with their “Date Night’ gift basket.

We hope you enjoy dinner at FIN Culver City, ice cream at Cherry On Top, and a movie at AMC Theaters. And don’t forget to call Revi for your homemade chocolate chip cookies. Total value of the basket equals over $150!

And congratulations Scott for taking home our “Home Improvement” gift basket!

Winner Scott with his 'Home Improvement" gift basket.

Winner Scott with his ‘Home Improvement” gift basket.

Call Revi to set up your appointment for two hours of free handyman service. We hope you also enjoy your Lowe’s gift card, and your free home selling checklist!

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Revi Mendelsohn’s checklist for successfully preparing your home for sale!

Revi Mendelsohn’s checklist for successfully preparing your home for sale!

1. Make small fixes

Go through your home with a buyer’s eye, and correct the flaws that are most egregious or can be relatively easily fixed—from repairing cracks in the walkways to repainting dingy walls or lubricating tricky window tracks.

2. Clean and de-clutter

Weed out excess furniture, knick-knacks, and “stuff”—toss it, donate it, give it away, sell it at a yard sale or put it into storage. This way the house seems more spacious and buyers can imagine themselves in it.

3. Increase curb appeal

Many people thinking of touring your home will do a quick drive-by first, often deciding on the spot if it is even worth a look inside. Make sure your home is ready to lure in onlookers by washing siding, walkways, and windows, hanging visible house numbers, planting blooming flowers and greeneries, and repainting where necessary. If you have a porch or backyard, staging the furniture is a great way to entice people to seeing the inside.

4. Stay vigilant about maintenance

From the moment you start showing your home, keep the lawn mowed, rooms spotless and clutter-free. Also styling your dining room table and living room areas makes a big impact. Find the balance between staged and lived in!

5. Ready your home for show days

Display fresh flowers or bowls of fruit, bake a batch of cookies for the homey smell, open the drapes, keep pets out of sight, and leave the property when an agent is showing your home.

Feel free to contact Revi Mendelsohn for all your real estate questions:

www.TheMendelsohnGroup.com

310-963-7384 | [email protected]

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Get your mind IN the gutter!

When we buy and sell for our clients we are privy to lots of different information from inspection reports.

One of the most common issues that have come up over the past few years are drainage and cracked foundations. Why should you care about drainage here in Southern California,  aren’t we are experiencing the worst drought in years?  Well, you should care, and here’s why…

While most homes here do not have gutters, many have cracks in their foundation that are a result of not having gutters.  “Huh?  How does one have to do with the other?” you may ask.  Here is my simplified explanation:

Gutters or Eavestroughs (as we Canadians call them), are installed just along the edge of your home’s roofline and are designed to collect water that comes off of your roof. The water is directed to a downspout which (if installed correctly) is supposed to send the water AWAY from your home and towards a drain that empties in the city’s storm drain, or down a gutter or alley that directs the water to the street.  When you don’t have gutters the water sheets down the exterior walls of your home and soaks the dirt surrounding your foundation.  When this dirt gets wet, it softens and the concrete foundation begins to sink in those areas, causing the concrete to crack.  Once the cracking has a chance to progress, it can begin to affect the slope of your floors and crack your walls.  Also, cracks in your foundation, if left to become large, can affect the stability of your home.

The easiest way to prevent this damage to your home is to install gutters and downspouts.  You should also have a drainage expert design a plan to direct water away from your home.  If you have just had your foundation repaired, be sure to add rain gutters to prevent the problem from recurring.  Oh, and don’t forget to get your gutters cleaned out twice a year, especially it you have trees near your home.  If the gutters are clogged, they will overflow and defeat the purpose of having gutters in the first place.  If you have questions about any of this, feel free to contact me at 310-963-7384.  While I am not a drainage expert, I can certainly direct you to the service provider that can best assist you.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Revi Mendelsohn  [email protected]

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Buying Foreclosures and REOs–what you need to know now!

Last week a client called me to ask about a house that was in foreclosure in her neighbourhood. She was interested in buying it and needed more information on the foreclosure process.

I thought that I would share a bit about foreclosures and how they work.

There are two kinds of Foreclosures.
1. REO, which is short for “Real Estate Owned” by the bank. The bank has “repossessed” the house from the previous owner due to non payment of their loan. The bank is then the “seller” and the property will be sold just like any home offered on the open market. The buyer can make a traditional offer with contingencies and inspections.

2. FORECLOSURE In this case, the bank is auctioning off the house to the highest bidder. They are looking to satisfy the money owed on the home. In some cases there is more owed than the home is worth. In other cases it is less. Here’s the catch: You can’t inspect the house prior to purchasing it, receive for credits for repairs and in some cases you may have spend money to evict the occupant from the home after you own it. Oh, and you have to pay in FULL, in CASH (well actually by way of a Cashier’s Check).

What do these two types of home sales have in common? There is a strong likelihood that homes purchased somewhere in the foreclosure process have lots of deferred maintenance. Chances are, if the homeowner is not making their mortgage payment, then they are not keeping up with necessary repairs and the like.

Something else to keep in mind: REO: when the house hits the open market, it may still have multiple offers on it and you may find yourself in a situation where in order for your offer to be competitive, you might have to reduce or remove contingencies in order to open escrow.

Foreclosure: You are competing with very seasoned buyers (flippers) who buy foreclosures for a living. They attend these auctions weekly, have teams in place scoping out the properties, and access to millions of dollars in cash. Additionally, since this is not their first rodeo, they know how to get remodeling work done and are usually in the construction business.

I hope that this quick bit of information on Foreclosures and REOs helps you understand the process a bit more. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me on my cell at 310-963-7384 or via email at [email protected].

I look forward to hearing from you,
Revi

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Buckets in your shower? Create your own grey water system…

My job allows me to see the inside of lots of different homes all over the city. The cool thing about that is that I am constantly exposed to ideas for decorating, space use, and lately, how to save water.  Yes, I just learned a new trick for saving water by putting a bucket in the shower.  This all took place at a great house that we recently put into escrow for a great family in Beverlywood.  I had never heard of the idea, and when it was explained to me, I jumped on board right away.
I don’t know about the shower in your house, but mine takes forever to warm up.  The thought of all that wasted water really bothers me.  So I bought 3 extra bathroom trash cans.  We keep them in the shower and they catch the water that is running while the shower warms up.  We then use that water to water our vegetable garden and our flower beds.  Our shower takes about 3-4 gallons to warm up for each shower.  If all four family members shower once a day, that is more than 12 gallons of wasted water!  Think about it!  You may also be interested to learn about the new Water conservation rules for Los Angeles.  Click here to learn more.   
I was also pleased to learn about a new way to create a grey water system for your house.  I have been saying for years that if I ever build a new house that I will build it with a grey water system.  I recently found out that a grey water system can be added to your house with some fairly easy modifications to your existing plumbing.  Click here to find out more.
I hope that this post inspires you to find ways to save water and save money at the same time!
Do you have more water saving ideas? Please share them below in the comments.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Revi Mendelsohn, Realtor
Rodeo Realty Beverly Hills
cell/txt: 310-963-7384
BRE#01461233
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Water Conservation

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