Tag Archives: real estate agent

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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