Green World Realty

Fed Tax Credit Expiring Tomorrow!

2010-04-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

To All First time Homebuyers who are thinking about writing an offer on that Glendale Home For Sale that you saw yesterday...Dont Wait! The Federal First time homebuyer tax credit is expiring tomorrow. This means you will miss out on the $8000 tax credit that Uncle Sam will be granting you if this is your first purchase, under $800k and if you make less than $125,000/year filing seperate or $225,000/year filing jointly with a spouse. Call me if you want to buy Glendale REal Estate and don't have a Realtor to help you expedite the process! Good News is that the State Tax Credit of $10,000 will begin Saturday May 1st, 2010.

Earth Day/Week List of Things to do

2010-04-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite page to find out what's going on in my neighborhood this week for Earth Week! Whether you want to hear music, speed date or plant a tree this site will surely have what you are looking for www.EarthDay.org/events/search/distance/91206.

I personally will be headed down to Silver Lake to help with some landscaping at the Parkman Triangle and then venture off to a few showings of Glendale Homes to make my new homebuyer's dreams come true (while getting him the expiring FED tax Credit).

Venice Eco-Fest 2010!

2010-04-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

Come and celebrate the Green Revolution going on in Venice on July 10, 2010. There will be entertainment, education, arts & crafts, live music, Eco shop and the best part about it is that its all FREE! Ed Begley Jr will be there as always and you are most likely to run into some other eco-friendly celebrities.

WOW a Tesla sedan Model S for under $50,000

2010-04-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

An electric car doesnt have to be slow, small or ugly. Here is the proof. Check out the new Tesla Model S which will be in production in early 2012 and should sell for around $57,400 based on recent reports. This luxury Green Sedan is reinventing the way we feel about alternative fuel automobiles. I will definitely be buying one of these as soon as I part ways with my awesome Toyota Prius. How else would I want to be environmentally responsible and stylish while showing Glendale Real Estate.

Goldman Sachs Fruad scandal keep the volatile rate rollercoaster going

2010-04-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

The news that Goldman Sachs played an essential role in what the Securities Exchange commissioner has deemed fraud continues the volatility in the market. The fraud was perpetrated by Goldman Sachs being accused of selling securities they knew would certainly go belly up. This analogy I heard explains it perfectly: Imagine knowing that the building components of a home will cause it to burn down inevitably and then allowing the home to be built and then sold to an unsuspecting homeowner. Meanwhile betting the home will definitely burn down and getting fire insurance to cash out on it as well. Pretty scandalous if you ask me! Anyhow this news has caused continued volatility in the stock market down while helping bonds and in turn helping the mortgage rates to drop a bit for my clients to lock better rates!

No more State Tax on Forgiven Debt!

2010-04-13T16:30:00.001-07:00

Distressed Homeowners in California no longer have to pay STATE income taxes on debt forgiven in short sales, forecolsures, or loan modifications on "qualified principal residences". This bill basically aligned CA laws with that of the Federal govt. Great news for the hundreds of thousands distressed homeowners across the Golden State. For more info go to the Mortgage debt forgiveness link http://www.ftb.ca.gov/aboutFTB/newsroom/Mortgage_Debt_Relief_Law.shtml.

Green Home Alert in Sparr Heights...

2010-04-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

Please call me to get your family into this ecofriendly charming home located in Sparr Heights on one of the most charming streets. 1211 Oak Circle Drive, Glendale, Ca 91208 is an amazing property with lots of amazing upgrades that make it a comfortable and healthy home to live in. With a spacious 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, the home has a cozy den adjacent to the kitchen and the dining room. Not only does this Green Home use a grey water harvesting system to irrigate the native landscaping in the backyard but it also has solar paneling to reduce the ever increasing electric bills. Imagine having to pay less than what it costs for a dinner for two at Rocky Cola Cafe for your electric bill! This is my favorite feature of the home...the rain water barrel.

CA homebuyer $10000 tax credit Update

2010-03-29T10:26:00.000-07:00

AB 183... In a nutshell, The Governor passed a bill that will credit the lesser of $10,000 or 5% of the purchase price of homes purchased after May 1st 2010 until December 31st 2010 for primary residences. Sure the $100 million will probably run out by then since it is a first come first credit type of program but will definitely continue to stimulate home buying in CA where it is drastically necessary to keep first time buyers buying and home prices stable. for more info check www.car.org.

Green Site of the Week

2010-03-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

I was amazed on how many different types of sustainable products could be used to make furniture. Please check out www.baltix.com for a robust green introduction to the world of sustainable furniture. I will definitely be buying my office furniture from this company from here on out. My favorite product has to be the ShetkaStone which comes from recycled money. What better way to implement your money making principles into your office by having your office made of recycled money!

Lofts at Cherokee Studios

2010-03-24T11:46:00.000-07:00

Wow...A LEED CERTIFIED PLATINUM complex in the heart of West Hollywood located at 751 N Fairfax! The developer ReThink Development has really taken a whole project approach to this build as is evident from their living cool roof which has vegetation on the 360 degree view of all of Los Angeles. After speaking with him for a minute at the open house I was excited to find out that there is a large push for green buildings in Los Angeles starting with this beautiful complex of Lofts, Townhomes and Penthouses. For more info go to http://www.usgbc.com/. My Favorite unit is #6 which has some incredible views through the floor to ceiling windows. The back splash of each kitchen is unique. Not only was it built green but it has energy vehicle chargers for each parking space in the garage. Starting at $595,000 these lofts will go fast. who else can say they own a piece of the only multi unit LEED PLATINUM building in CA!

Sunset Five Green Loft Alert!!

2010-03-17T16:36:00.000-07:00

The 5 green Lofts are located in the heart of historic Echo Park at 1478-1480 West Sunset Blvd. They are designed by the award winning young Greg Chasen AIA. Green Finishes include -formaldehyde free hardwood flooring

-concrete flooring with solvent free epoxy finish

-low flow faucets

-dual flush toilets

-recyclable stainless steel countertops/cabinets

-insulation formaldehyde free

-energy star Cool roof coating

-recycled steel siding

-FSC certified wood door

-Energy Star appliances

-Energy Star tankless water heater

-low VOC LEED paint

-13 SEER high efficiency heat pump

-hardscape with permeable gravel

-fluorescent lighting

CALL NOW FOR A SHOWING...818-317-8300

Green Product of the Week...EcoPlug

2010-03-04T13:45:00.000-08:00

Stop the Vampire of electricity. Buy an Eco Plug from http://www.greenworldrealty.greenhome.com/products/bestselling and get over $100 in savings for the year. The USB Eco Plug is a Super Surge Protector. When you shut it down, everything in the strip shuts down too. this eliminates the unnecessary waste of energy still used by electronics plugged into an outlet. The average American Household wastes about $1200/ year on phantom or vampire energy loads.

Green Home Alert...Glenoaks Canyon

2010-02-26T15:30:00.000-08:00

Call me asap to go see this lovely 3 bedroom 2 bathroom energy efficient Spanish Charmer located at 2522 N Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91208. Not only does the property boast a tankless water heater, updated dual pane windows, but also has solar panels on top of the garage. D. Walker will hold an open house this weekend. The true value of this property lies in its large lot over 8500 sq. ft. which has the canyon on the backside allowing for a serene escape once stepping into the backyard. The studio wraps up the beautifully paved backyard with its two terrace seatings. Call 818-317-8300 to see this home today!

2 San Rafael Estate Listings Too Good to pass up...

2010-02-23T17:57:00.000-08:00

1839 Risa Pl and 1843 Risa Pl are two lovely new listings in Glendale lying in the San Rafael Estates neighborhood up Fern Dr. Both of them not only boast a clear view of the Verdugo Woodlands and the city, but also come with a pool. What Angeleno wouldn't want a property with a pool and a view?! Anyhow each property has its own charm and look. The former is a lovely Mid Century maintained impeccably by its long time owners of 17 years! It boasts an open floor plan and a move in ready interior. The latter is a slightly larger rarity that has a beautiful master bedroom and also contains a lovely open floor plan. Anyone of my clients would be delighted to see that the price tags are also reasonable at $724,000 and $795,000. Don't take my word for it call me to go see it anytime this week!

Home Improvement Tax Benefits in 2010

2010-02-19T12:13:00.000-08:00

According to a study for the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, for every dollar decrease on annual energy expenditures house value increases about 11.63 to 20.73.

Also Going Green can lower your tax bill. New federal tax credits are ready for green home improvements on your principal residence.

Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost up to $1500 to make the following improvements through December 31, 2010 on existing homes:

Windows & Doors

Insulation

Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)

Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Water Heaters (Non-solar)

Biomass Stoves

Tax Credits are available at 30% with no ceilings for improvements made before December 31st, 2016 on existing homes for the following:

Solar panels

fuel cells

Solar water Heaters

Small wind Energy Systems

Geothermal Heat Pumps

California Adopts CALGREEN: First Statewide Green Building Codes...

2010-02-03T08:19:00.000-08:00

Extra Extra. Read all about it. 30% more energy efficiency is what the new building code demands. Based on a collaboration of AIA, NBI and DOE California is requiring a new standard of building set to begin next January. By adopting this code this will make building green more cost efficient by eliminating third party fees associated with private green building standards. CALGREEN will also allow cities like San Francisco to retain their strict green standards, by allowing each local jurisdiction to retain their own strict standards.

Ten Ways to Impress your buyers....

2010-01-27T16:02:00.000-08:00

Selling your home in Glendale? Need to Wow your potential buyers? Here are 10 ways to achieve your goal.

1. Improve Energy Efficiency- homes sell for more when they are more comfortable to live in and healthier not to mention save you a tremendous amount on your utility bills.

2. First Impression- Touch up the entrance, foyer, front door, and driveway

3. Painting the interior-make sure the colors are not an eye sore

4. Refurbish the floor- good looking flooring can enhance the overall appeal of your home

5. Clear the clutter- less clutter makes the home feel open and free flowing, not to mention shows a million times better than a home with clutter

6. Take care of the big problems- make sure major leaks, breaks, termite damage, is taken care of before listing it

7. Buy warranties/home warranty policy- offering your buyers piece of mind will take out their guesswork and anxiety which kills a lot of escrows

8. Get a Certified inspection- will guarantee you are looking out for the interest of all parties, and will help you take care of smaller jobs before it is exposed in the buyers report

9. Lighting fixtures-

10. Clean up the Bathrooms- get rid of mildew, and recaulk the tiles and loose fixtures.

Must Watch Documentary...Blue Gold- World Water Wars...

2010-01-27T15:31:00.001-08:00

This enlightening documentary exposes the escalating role water plays in survival-- as a precious commodity, greedy corporations, corrupt governments and private investors are scrambling for control over it. Eventually this will incite war. Watch it instantly on Netflix or stream it on Youtube. This will make you rethink the way you use water and how you use it. It was fairly recent that it was recognized as and economic good and rappers like 50 cent made 400 million off of selling it!

Architect C. William Abbott Home FOR SALE at 1859 Deermont Rd, Glendale, CA

2010-01-27T11:36:00.000-08:00

This Architectural gem in Glendale is a piece of Glendale real estate everyone must see and one lucky buyer will own soon enough. Besides the sleek modern design and breathtaking Downtown Glendale and Los Angeles views, this Glendale Home has just undergone a 2 year restoration adding a sexy touch to the original home. Don't take my word for it. Call me so you can see it 818.317.8300.

Green Product of the Week...

2010-01-26T15:13:00.000-08:00

This week's Green Product of the week highlights the ladies at SKOY who have made a 100% biodegradable, absorbent, reusable and multi-use cloth that comes in many funky colors and prints. Exhibiting their fabulous product for the second year in a row at the second annual Go Green Expo, I was proud to see they are doing better than ever. The last SKOY cloth i bought, I ended up using for about 2 months to wipe down the kitchen sink after cleaning or doing the dishes and other little clean ups around the kitchen. 1 SKOY is like using 15 paper towel rolls which over time adds up to savings and you are saving the environment. For the responsible choice visit SKOY or google local vendors that might carry it. They are currently talking with Smart and Final and will become the newest fun cleaning product since the ShamWow.

2 Santa Rosa's in 1 week!...

2010-01-25T11:14:00.001-08:00

I was pleasantly surprised to see not 1 but 2 Beautiful Glendale Homes on Santa Rosa in the highly desirable Verdugo Woodlands area listed for Sale last week. Both 1616 Santa Rosa and 1649 Santa Rosa are listed by my two good friends and mentors, Vahe Avakian from Red Door Realty and Deanne Anderson from Coldwell Banker. The properties are upgraded and remodeled throughout and each have their own unique features. 1616 Santa Rosa's features that stood out to me were the galley kitchen, the nice sized yard, and the upgraded bathroom. 1645 Santa Rosa had a wonderful floor plan with a great family room, peg and groove hardwood flooring, a nice master suite and an extra office/utility room. Their respective prices are $659,000 and $739,000. To be honest I believe they will both sell within 5% of asking price.

Make you next Remodel a REGREEN project...

2010-01-21T14:06:00.000-08:00

Ready to remodel your home or unique space this season. Make sure you visit www.REGREENprogram.org and allow the collective knowledge accrued and created by USGBC and ASIC highlighted by Green project case studies and an interactive GREEN Strategy Generator Tool that tailors the right green techniques for your remodel. Green Homes are the new craze due to the added comfort, health, energy efficiency and savings they provide the inhabitants and owners. Why not make you next remodel a green one.

The Reality of REOs...

2010-01-14T11:47:00.001-08:00

Throughout the last two years, if you haven't been living under a rock then you know that the real estate market is being flooded by distressed properties, whether in the form of short sales or bank owned foreclosures- also termed REO's. These REOs are generally listed for about 10-15% under market value and immediately steal the attention of innocent buyers, who are looking to make there typical offers, and investors alike. Unfortunately, in most cases the property sells at a considerably higher amount than the asking price. For example, the beautiful Verdugo Woodlands property listed on 1649 Opechee in Glendale, CA 91208 is pending (WITHIN 4 days!!) and the little Squirrels in the Pine Trees have told me that the offer accepted is ALL CASH vs. the 11 other offers that were submitted to the lender, including one that had a higher offered price than the cash offer.

Green World's Tips to Bidding and buying REOs
1. Write an offer within the first day. Sometimes if there are no other offers during the next few days, your offer and your's alone will be submitted to the lender. Rare and Pleasant Situation.

2. Write a strong offer (close to or above asking price) with as much down payment as is financially comfortable for you (FHA is not going to get it done, unfortunately.)

3. Don't place your highest and best offer if there is a lot of activity on the property, initially since if you are in the top couple of offers. You will be countered by the seller to Highest and Best.

4. Price your offer with the consideration that the lender will not be making any repairs and most likely will not consider any price reductions since most are sold AS IS.

Glendale Real Estate 2009 in our Rear View...Single Family Homes...

2010-01-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

2009 was an interesting year in Real estate sales in Glendale. We had a much better year than compared to 2008 and our company even managed to have a Record Sale in Oakmont Woods in 91208 valued at $825,000. To review there were a total of:

89 Single Family Residences sold in 91201. Record sale
1543 Irving Ave at $1.2 million
79 Single Family Residences sold in 91202. Record sale
715 W Kenneth Rd at $1.8 million
18 Single Family Residences sold in 91203. Record sale
541 W Lexington Dr at $579,000
10 Single Family Residences sold in 91204. Record Sale
350 Riverdale Dr at $460,000
49 Single Family Residences sold in 91205. Record Sale
717 E Cypress St at $720,000
103 Single Family Residdences sold in 91206. Record Sale
2326 Flintridge St at $1,199.000
64 Single Family Residences sold in 91207. Record Sale
2146 Rimcrest Dr at $1.75 million
140 Single Family Residences sold in 91208. Record Sale
3150 El Tovar $2.586 million

Montrose Area
24 Single Family Residences sold in 91020. Record Sale
2709 Sycamore Ave at $719,000

La Crescenta Area
246 Single Family Residences sold in 91214. Record Sale
5234 Briggs Ave $1.45 million

La Canada Flintridge Area
216 Single Family Residences sold in 91011. Record Sale
4363 Oakwood at $4.92 million

Volt into 2010 for another $7500 tax credit...

2010-01-07T11:54:00.000-08:00

The new Chevy Volt is an electric car designed for the modern day commuter and environmentally social driver. With a rechargeable Li-ion battery that will run the car on electricity for 40 miles--gas and emission free- it was designed by taking the average daily commute distance into mind. After that, the Volt can use a single tank of gas to get you hundreds of miles to where you want to go before you recharge the battery. Best of all it qualifies for the maximum $7500 federal tax credit for plug in electrical vehicles. You can charge it in a 120 V outlet or get one custom made for your garage at 240V to take advantage of off peak hour charging at night. I might even get one so I can show Glendale Real Estate with Style, Sustainability, and Results. (Not forgetting that it's Gas and emission free!)