The Acorn's Top Stories of the Year

Another year end round up from the Acorn.

Top Stories

Highlights and low lights include the final okay from the Board of Supervisors in the ongoing battle between Hershel West and the neighbors of Old Agoura. Looks like Old Agoura will have anew school whether they want it or not.

Calabasas continues in its quest to be green and environmentally friendly by banning Styrofoam. And finally Don Zimring is made Las Virgenes Unified School district the top post of Supervisor.

TIPS FOR HOLDING A MOVING SALE

Use a yard sale to reduce the clutter in your home and get rid of items you don’t want to move.
1. Check with your city government to see if you need a permit or license.
2. See if neighbors want to participate and have a “block” sale to attract more visitors.
3. Advertise. Put an ad in free classified papers, put up signs and balloons at major intersections and in stores near your home.
4. Price items ahead and attach prices with removable stickers. Remember, yard sales are supposed to be bargains, so don’t try to sell anything of significant value this way.
5. Check items before the sale to be sure you haven’t including something you want by mistake.
6. Keep pets away from the sale.
7. Display everything neatly and individually so customers don’t have to dig through boxes.
8. Have an electrical outlet so buyers can test appliances.
9. Have plenty of bags and newspaper for wrapping fragile items.
10. Get enough change, and keep a close eye on your cash.

$145,000 for 3 Bedroom in West Hills??

VALLEY VIEWS, 3 BEDROOM/2 BATH 1200 SQFT

Yes, it's true, this lovely house is a mobile home, that sits in an upscale park.

Click HERE FOR A VIRTUAL TOUR!

ATTENTION SELLERS! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Great Article by Dennis Smith. A bit cut and dry, but very concise and to the point.

What Your Home is/is not Worth The Market Value of Your Home is NOT:
1. What you have in it.
2. What you need out of it.
3. What you want.
4. What it appraised for.
5. What you heard your neighbor's house sold for.
6. What the tax office says it is worth.
7. How much it is insured for.
8. Based on memories and treasures.
9. Based on prices of homes where you are moving.

The True Market Value of Your Home Is:What a Buyer is Willing to Pay for the Property
1. Based on today's market.
2. Based on today's competition.
3. Based on today's financing.
4. Based on today's economic condition.
5. Based on the buyer's perception of the condition.
6. Based on location.
7. Based on normal marketing time.
8. Based on showing accessability

Properties That Sell in Today's Market:On a Scale of 1-10, The "10's" Are The Ones That Are Selling.How Can Your Property Be a "10"?
1. By improving the condition dramatically. (Use HomeBase Bonus Dollars)
2. By offering good terms. (Offer HomeBase Bonus Dollars)
3. By improving the way the home shows. (Use HomeBase Bonus Dollars)
4. By adjusting the price.

As a Seller you control:
1. The price you ask.
2. The condition of the property.
3. Access to the property.

As a Seller you do not control:
1. Market conditions.
2. The motivation of your competition.
3. Value.

The seller sets the asking price, the buyer sets the sales price.
The seller gets to say yes or no.

Article by Dennis Smith, visit www.SanDiegoHomes4u.com for more original content like this. Reprint (or reprint with your modifications)permitted if this footer is included.

Good News for 2008.

Home prices are set to recover some of their losses nationwideaccording to this NAR piece.

LA MARKET Report

Interesting article in the Los Angeles Times regarding the LA market. Foreclosures are down in June, which is is good news for homeowners. Check it out.

It's Never Too Late....Man, 102 Takes out a 25 Year Mortgage!

I Love this story. It just goes to show, real estate is a life long investment! LOL. 102 year old takes out a mortgage. I apologize for lack of pics of this fella, but the pic above is kind of how I picture hime. I wonder if he's single! What a catch.

Some Good News....Exsisting Home Sales UP!

I saw this coming last month with more SOLD signs and things picking up. Sales up for exsisting homes.

It's a good time to buy and now its a good time to sell.

Parents Buying For Their Kids

A new trend in some markets. Parents with money and/or equity in a home, help their offspring make a purchase. Check out the story here in the New York Times today.

Method Fest 07 Comes To Calabasas

It's spring and that means "Method Fest", the annual indi film festival held in Calabasas. For more info and screening info log on to the official site at Method Fest.

For All You Animal Lovers

Very helpful article on moving with your pets. Moving can be stressful on our fourlegged friends. Some good advice found in the story.

Pictured are some of my pets in all their furry glory!

FYI..The Latest Rates

Mortgage Rates and News from the Los Angeles Times

Can You Still Profit From Flipping?

Interesting piece in the LA Times today on the flipping market. Savvy, smart investors can still make money from flipping, but should lower expectations and choose their property wisely.

Click the link for the entire story. http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/news/la-re-flip4mar04,0,1017915.story?coll=la-class-realestate-news">`LA TIMES

Some Real Estate Agents are *shocking* UNETHICAL!!!???

Great story in the New York Times, but a sad commentary on my profession. According to a Harris poll, realtors ranks at the bottom of the professional food chain. Number 23 out of 23 professions. Not good, but alas, we're not all grifters. Click here for the NY Times story

Feds Leave Rates Alone...Good Time to Buy

The feds decided not to touch rates. Folks they're not coming down! In fact next move might be up. Now is a good time to buy.
Click here for entire story

Southland Home Prices Set a New Record!

For the whole year, prices were up 5.7% to $486,000, and sales fell 19.4%. In 2005, the median price rose 16.5% from the year before. Sales slipped 0.4%.

"If you take last year's data and put it anywhere else, you would have said it was a banner year," said Patrick Lashinsky, executive vice president of ZipRealty Inc., an Emeryville-based online brokerage that operates in Southern California. "The only reason it doesn't look as strong is because we're coming off these irrationally exuberant years."
Click here for the LA Times story.

REAL ESTATE IN THE 818 JANUARY 2007 EDITION

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