It can be hard to sell a house if it has a reputation for being haunted or if someone is known to have died in the house. If the death occurred within the last three years, then the homeowner is legally obliged to disclose this fact before he sells the house.
A haunted house, or one in which some...
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If you’re anything like us, you spend your days endlessly clicking through photos of luxury homes, dreaming of the day when you can upgrade to a villa with a wine-tasting room, free-standing tub, and home gym—the high-end features that suit your fantasies of affluent relaxation.
But think aga...
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If you’re moving out while your home is still on the market, your vacant property could attract more than potential buyers—it could attract criminal activity. An unoccupied property is at risk for a break-in, and removing all your belongings doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Graffiti, damage...
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It’s always a Sisyphean task to set a budget for a renovation—or at the very least an ever-moving target—but if you’re planning to put your home on the market, you’ll have a way different set of calculations than a starry-eyed new homeowner. Before you embark on a gut of your circa-1990 ki...
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When it comes to buying a new home, one of the biggest expenses people worry about is replacing the roof. A new roof is often worth a lot to potential buyers, because it puts their minds at ease about looming future problems.
If you are about to sell, should you replace the roof? That depends o...
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Looking for a new happy hour spot with good eats? Want to try something different? Check out our list of 3 spots with great food for your next happy hour outing.
BluRoom Cocktail Lounge at dusitD2 Hotel Constance Pasadena
As you enter the dusitD2 Hotel Constance Pasadena, you will immediat...
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When your home for sale is languishing on the market, how do you know when to give up? Here are a few things you should consider before you call it quits.
Take a good, hard look at the numbers
The first thing to do is evaluate the way the house is priced. Look at the active competition. What els...
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Craving Thai food? My wife is Thai and we love Thai food. Check out our list of 3 Thai restaurants to try in the area. Whichever you choose, prepare to have a satisfied palate afterwards.
Nine & Nine Thai Kitchen
With a variety of classic Thai dishes like Chicken Satay, Pad See Ew, P...
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My friend Scott Martin of NAI Capital recently shared with me the following opinion regarding commercial real estate and the current economy.
Take a look:
...
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My wife says I look puffy.
Does this house at 1460 Avonrea Road in San Marino make me look puffy? The asking price of this home, affectionately known as The Lacy House is $6,280,000. This historic English style craftsman was built in 1907 and has 7557 square feet on a large lot. There are a l...
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There are a lot of things you can’t control in the home-selling process. You can’t force people to come see your home or make an offer on it. But you can make sure to take care of some easy repairs that would otherwise turn off prospective buyers. Look around and make sure you haven’t ignored ...
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Today on caravan, there were a number of nice homes. One of them I really liked was the Reginald Johnson designed home at 1590 Lombardy Road, one of the best streets in Pasadena. Johnson is one of the most significant designers in Southern California. He designed this for his parents. Th...
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1. License? What License?
With the economy rebounding, homeowners may be more likely to include remodeling projects in their budgets. Spending on home improvements has nearly recovered from the Great Recession, with an estimated $314 billion spent in 2014, up from a low of $276.5 billion in 2011...
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Craving a drink after a long day after work? Attending happy hour with friends or colleagues? Whatever the occasion may be, here are three mixed drinks in Pasadena that are worth trying as we take you out on today's neighborhood tour.
BLACKBERRY SIDECAR
Enjoy this classically fruity drink...
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You know that expression about loose lips sinking ships? It holds true for selling your home as well. Sure, there are some things you have to disclose to buyers—such as if your home has lead paint or is located in a flood zone. But, there’s plenty more you might volunteer when you would be tr...
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There’s the ideal home. Then there are the homes in which we actually live. The discrepancy between the two is the topic of a new report from the Demand Institute on what it calls the housing satisfaction gap. More than 10,000 households—including renters and owners—participated in a survey ...
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From a brand new home to resort-style backyards to upgraded kitchens, there are lots to see on this week's San Marino property tour. There are 11+ new to market listings so there is definitely lots to choose from in San Marino.
Check out some of the highlights from this week's tour:
Bellwoo...
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Remodeling may be a labor of love, but it’s also an investment that can seriously boost the value of your home. Only by how much? Well, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2016 Cost vs. Value Report, you’ll recoup an average of 64% of what you paid for a renovation if you sell your home this...
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Moving to another city? Your kids have gone off to college and you are downsizing? Time to retire and move to a retirement destination? Whatever the reason, it is time to move and sell your home that you love. But, you have been in one home for many years and do not have much experience in selling l...
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First off, thank you to elder care attorney Carol Peters (contact information below) for the article from the CARHR Advocate newsletter. The goal of the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform is improved care. I only included the top story, page 1, about the new TOD (Transfer on Deed) that ...
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If you’re trying to sell your home, you’ve probably scrutinized it, staged it, and scrubbed it down from floorboards to rooftop as if the folks from Architectural Digest were stopping by for a cover shoot. OK, so it’s in immaculate shape—but your home isn’t the only thing under scrutiny he...
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Wondering what your home might be worth in today's market? Get a no obligation, no pressure report in 60 seconds!
Click here to find out what your home is worth.
Have other questions regarding the market in general? ASK MICHAEL today and get free advice....
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The differences between condo ownership as opposed to single detached home ownership are obvious. For one, there are HOA fees that condo owners need to pay that aren’t applicable to most single detached properties. Part-ownership of common elements is another unique feature of owning a condo unit....
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I am pleased to announce the revealing of my newest video. My newest video takes you on a tour of what I do differently and how my many years of knowledge and expertise can help you achieve the desired outcome that you deserve.
Take a look:
I would be interested in hearing you feedback on ...
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To put the best face on a listing and appeal to buyers who follow feng shui principles, keep these tips in mind.
1. Pay special attention to the front door, which is considered the “mouth of chi” (chi is the “life force” of all things) and one of the most powerful aspects of the entir...
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