Wednesday Aug 18, 2010
Upper Filiorum Hiking Trail Rancho Palos Verdes
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The City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, with support from the State Coastal Conservancy and contributions from over 700 supporters in the community, added the 191-acre Upper Filiorum property to the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve on December 31, 2009.
The acquisition resulted in over 900 contiguous acres of protected open space and a wildlife corridor linking the Three Sisters and the Portuguese Bend Reserves.The City Council adopted Preserve Trails Plan will need to be amended to include the Upper Filiorum trail routes and uses, and your input on the trail planning is requested. (click picture to see large view)
On Wednesday, September 8, 2010 a workshop will be held at Fred Hesse Community Room located at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of this workshop is to receive public input on potential trail routes and uses at the newly acquired Upper Filiorum Reserve.Based on the public’s input at the September 8th workshop, a proposed Trails Plan for Upper Filiorum will be presented at a workshop on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at Fred Hesse Community Room located at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes at 6:00 p.m.
The purpose of this workshop is to receive public comments on the proposed Trails Plan for Upper Filiorum.The Draft Trails Plan for Upper Filiorum will be presented to the City Council for review and approval at a future meeting.
Click here to view the public workshop flyer.
Click here to view the aerial map of Upper Filiorum.
Please note that a separate public workshop will be conducted to receive comments on trail routes and uses for the remaining Reserves. A notice will be released with specific information relating to the workshop in the near future.Inquiries should be directed to Lily Verdone with the PVPLC at lverdone@PVPLC-DOT-com or at 310-541-7613 or to Ara Mihranian with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes at aram@rpv-DOT-com or at 310-544-5228.
For more information on homes for sale in Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes real estate, palos verdes homes for sale, palos verdes foreclosures, palos verdes market information as well as quality information on homes for sale, sold and how the market is doing in all parts of Palos Verdes, the Beach cities and the South Bay, visit www.homeispalosverdes.com
Posted at 08:38PM Aug 18, 2010
by George Fotion in Real Estate |
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Information
http://www.palosverdes.com/rpv/recreationparks/index.cfm to better help visitors take advantage of this amazing community asset! Please click on the link below to view the newly posted information, including information on individual reserves, docent-led hikes, trail maps, and directions. (Information is in the lower left column).
For more information on homes for sale in Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes real estate, palos verdes homes for sale, palos verdes foreclosures, palos verdes market information as well as quality information on homes for sale, sold and how the market is doing in all parts of Palos Verdes, the Beach cities and the South Bay, visit www.homeispalosverdes.com
Posted at 08:18AM Aug 18, 2010
by George Fotion in Real Estate |
Tuesday Aug 17, 2010
Is Your Deck Safe?
Is Your Deck Safe for Labor Day Revelry?By Debbie ArringtonRISMEDIA, August 17, 2010--(MCT)--Is your deck, balcony or patio ready to party this upcoming Labor Day? According to the Home Safety Council, 83 percent of all American homes have some sort of outdoor living space such as deck, porch, patio or balcony. But an estimated 20 million decks nationwide may be in danger of collapse.In the last 15 years, more than 900 people have been injured, and at least 20 people killed by deck disasters in the United States, the nonprofit council reports.Here are five signs that your deck may need attention: 1. Missing connections: Most decks are designed to last 10 to 15 years, and nails alone won't hold them up forever. Check the metal supports and connections to ensure they're strong and in place, especially along the ledger — where the deck connects to the house.2. Loose connections: Are the railings wobbly? Any stairs loose? They should be repaired immediately.3. Rust: Metal hardware such as connectors, nails and screws may corrode over time. Look for rust spots and replace corroded hardware.4. Rot: Soft wood — a sign of rot — won't hold under stress. If you can push a screwdriver into a board, replace the board.5. Cracks: Wood often cracks over time and weakens the structure. Deck boards or posts that develop large cracks should be replaced.For more tips, click on www.homesafetycouncil.org or www.safestronghome.com.
For more information on homes for sale in Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes real estate, palos verdes homes for sale, palos verdes foreclosures, palos verdes market information as well as quality information on homes for sale, sold and how the market is doing in all parts of Palos Verdes, the Beach cities and the South Bay, visit www.homeispalosverdes.com
Posted at 07:33AM Aug 17, 2010
by George Fotion in Real Estate |
Monday Aug 16, 2010
Oops, it's fixed now
 OOPS ...
Sorry folks, just realized last night that the "sign up" section of the Foreclosure Search part of my website was not working.
If you had signed in to request the foreclosure information site, and I never got back to you ... Sorry!!!
It's fixed now, so please feel welcome to visit and of course, if you "Like" the page, click the "Like" button at the top.
Thanks for your patience!
For more information on homes for sale in Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes real estate, palos verdes homes for sale, palos verdes foreclosures, palos verdes market information as well as quality information on homes for sale, sold and how the market is doing in all parts of Palos Verdes, the Beach cities and the South Bay, visit www.homeispalosverdes.com
Posted at 10:08AM Aug 16, 2010
by George Fotion in General |
Friday Aug 13, 2010
Why you can't "trust" the news
So, I'm reading my trade journal e-news and in the VERY SAME email ... the same one ... are these two articles:
The Worst Is Over, Some Experts Conclude
Although a few areas still face some turbulence, many observers believe the worst days of the national housing market are behind us.
Read more >
Moody's Raises Odds of Double-Dip Recession
Analysts at the rating agency believe the chances that the U.S. will see another downturn in the near future have gone up.
Read more >
Now, you tell me ... what's YOUR crystal ball say?! It's like an old commodity trader I knew said back in the early '80s ... "Everyone has an opinion on what a market is going to do and no one really knows for sure ... that's what MAKES a market"
Gotta love it!
For more information on homes for sale in Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes real estate, palos verdes homes for sale, palos verdes foreclosures, palos verdes market information as well as quality information on homes for sale, sold and how the market is doing in all parts of Palos Verdes, the Beach cities and the South Bay, visit www.homeispalosverdes.com
Posted at 01:26PM Aug 13, 2010
by George Fotion in General |
Protect yourself from real estaet scams and fraud
August 4th, 2010
Posted at 01:09PM Aug 13, 2010
by George Fotion in Real Estate |
Monday Aug 02, 2010
Make sure your Condo is FHA approved BEFORE you start selling!
Sellers should ensure that condo projects are on approved list for FHA mortgages
July 25, 2010|By Lew Sichelman
Reporting from Washington — Condominium owners who are trying to sell in today's agonizingly slow housing market should make sure that their community is on the Federal Housing Administration's approved list. Ditto for someone who is thinking about refinancing a condo.
Under a little-noticed edict put in place in December, the FHA is no longer approving mortgages on condominium units on a spot, loan-by-loan basis. Now the entire project must be cleared by the agency before a buyer can purchase a unit in the community with a government-insured mortgage or an owner can trade in his loan for a less expensive one backed by the FHA.
FOR THE RECORD:FHA condo list: An article in Sunday's Business section about the Federal Housing Administration's list of approved condominium communities and its implications for condo owners and buyers gave an incorrect Web address for an information service to be launched by the end of this month by FHA Pros. The address is www.CheckFHAApproval.com —
A $2.99 fee applies for each address checked
For more information on homes for sale in Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes real estate, palos verdes homes for sale, palos verdes foreclosures, palos verdes market information as well as quality information on homes for sale, sold and how the market is doing in all parts of Palos Verdes, the Beach cities and the South Bay, visit www.homeispalosverdes.com
Posted at 08:20AM Aug 02, 2010
by George Fotion in General |
Friday Jul 30, 2010
Is it a smart time to buy?
I read an article today (below) that got me to thinking about if the premise made in the article’s leading paragraph was actually true for our market area. Rather than to base my opinion on “opinion” I decided to share with everyone an analysis I did for a client who had a question about a property for sale in MLS Area “165″; what we call the “PVDN Market Area”.
Here’s the article…
Five Smart Reasons to Buy a Home Now
RISMEDIA, July 30, 2010–The economy is stabilizing. Home prices are holding. It’s not just as good a time as ever to buy a house. It’s one of the best times ever.
1. Low mortgage rates serve as an equity shock absorber. When buyers borrow at today’s record-low rates, they start building equity as soon as they close. That means they have a little give to absorb a few ups and downs as the still-recovering housing market gains traction.
2. Houses are in move-in condition. Homeowners have continued to spend on maintenance and repair, according to the Harvard Joint Center on Housing. Homeowners who have been holding back kept their houses in good shape while they waited. As those houses enter the market, they are in marked contrast to tattered foreclosures.
3. Terrific houses are coming on the market. Foreclosures are finally starting to clear the system – and this is just the opportunity that owners of many desirable properties have been waiting for.
4. Appraisal regulations are finally aligned with market realities. Fannie Mae has adjusted its appraisal guidelines…again. Now that appraisers have more flexibility to set values that reflect the current market, today’s deals will make it over the finish line.
5. Plenty of programs. Homes are more affordable than they have been for years, but communities have stuck by “workforce housing” programs that encourage middle-class families to buy houses. Buyers who qualify can get a big boost by combining one of these programs with today’s low mortgage rates.
 How can we document the premise made in this article’s leading paragraph? Let’s study the numbers … what are prices actually doing in the area? Are they really holding firm? You tell me … look at what’s happened in the last 12 months … (click the chart to see a larger version)
For more information on homes for sale in Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes real estate, palos verdes homes for sale, palos verdes foreclosures, palos verdes market information as well as quality information on homes for sale, sold and how the market is doing in all parts of Palos Verdes, the Beach cities and the South Bay, visit www.homeispalosverdes.com
Posted at 08:40AM Jul 30, 2010
by George Fotion in General |
Thursday Jul 29, 2010
Protect Real Estate from Medicaid (and other timely tips)
Seven rules for room additions
If you're happy with your home and your neighborhood but are craving a little more space, maybe adding on is a better alternative to moving out. Room additions can be a terrific alternative for many homes, adding space for a growing family and adding resale value at the same time. ...more |
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Share your love of California at www.yourpieceofcalifornia.com
There’s no doubt about it. California is a great place to live. Eternal sunshine, miles of gorgeous beaches, majestic mountains, and beautiful stretches of desert – this state has something for everyone. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder everyone would like to own their own piece of California. ...more |
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Good Faith Estimate contains some 'quirks'
As of Jan. 1, 2010, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) required lenders to provide mortgage borrowers with a new three-page Good Faith Estimate (GFE) to protect consumers who are applying for a mortgage. ...more |
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Protect real estate from Medicaid
DEAR BENNY: Seven years ago, when my mother was 80, my husband and I purchased cooperative apartment shares in a senior complex for her to live in. Since at least one of the tenants had to be over 55, we put her name on the shares, as well as my name. The actual paperwork reads: " 'My Mother's Name' or 'My Name' as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common." ...more |
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Sellers face new dilemma in timing the market
Some sellers have been biding their time for three years and now wonder if they should continue to wait or bite the bullet and sell now. ...more |
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Not all buyers are worth a counteroffer
After mustering the emotional energy to make an offer on a listing, it can be devastating if you hear nothing back from the seller. ...more |
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Presale inspections for smoother sales
Homes are selling for less. Everyone's trying to cut back. Yet, many real estate agents think it's wise for sellers to provide presale inspections for buyers to review before they write offers. Is the cost, which could run from a few hundred to $1,000 or more, worth the expense? ...more |
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For more information on homes for sale in Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes real estate, palos verdes homes for sale, palos verdes foreclosures, palos verdes market information as well as quality information on homes for sale, sold and how the market is doing in all parts of Palos Verdes, the Beach cities and the South Bay, visit www.homeispalosverdes.com
Posted at 01:17PM Jul 29, 2010
by George Fotion in Real Estate |
Friday Jul 23, 2010
California Foreclosures Drop to 3-Year Low
![websitelogo[1]](https://wbag4q.bay.livefilestore.com/y1mu5A4PiRfkqP_9FDAjVxOA0NcEfvjTbvvL-VLCEGriQm1I5Cg1QXwFcw3E2Vb-iHtGdywUYa4uIJWWOCOW8CXNGeP9yGB7JONNFnbT69VLS3AQ0NrewO3v9_hN0m1krDelcLSCGdlPveLy7yV1w1V4w/websitelogo[1]_thumb[1]%2024596E57.jpg?download&psid=1 "websitelogo[1]")
The number of home owners in California entering foreclosure in the second quarter dropped to a three-year low, according to research firm MDA DataQuick.
Default notices, the first step in the foreclosure process, fell 43.8 percent in the second quarter compared to the same period last year.
Analysts say the decline is due to banks pushing loan-modification programs and short sales. Also, fewer homes are underwater thanks to a recovery in home prices, so a smaller number of home owners are walking away.
Ironically, regions of the state where homes are cheapest are most likely to see the highest number of default notices. According to DataQuick, neighborhoods with a median sales price of less than $300,000 experienced 10.6 default notices for every 1,000 homes, while neighborhoods with prices above $800,000 accounted for 2.9 notices for every 1,000 homes.
Source: Los Angeles Times, Alejandro Lazo (07/22/2010)
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For more information on homes for sale in Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes real estate, palos verdes homes for sale, palos verdes foreclosures, palos verdes market information as well as quality information on homes for sale, sold and how the market is doing in all parts of Palos Verdes, the Beach cities and the South Bay, visit www.homeispalosverdes.com
Posted at 11:18AM Jul 23, 2010
by George Fotion in Real Estate |
Monday Jul 19, 2010
Calculating the New Medicare Tax
Yes, you read that correctly; under certain circumstances, you could owe a tax when you sell your home. I know what you may be thinking ... well this applies only "to the rich" and it probably won't effect me at all when I sell my home".
 Do you know who Martin Niemoller was (born in 1892 and died in 1984). He's the person for whom the statement concerning the inactivity of the "intellectual elite" following the rise of Nazi power in Germany, is attributed:
"THEY CAME FIRST for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
THEN THEY CAME for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
THEN THEY CAME for me
and by that time no one was left to speak up."
Keep that in mind when you read this article and make sure you vote wisely in November!
Calculating the New Medicare Tax
The healthcare reform law passed earlier this year includes a little-discussed tax on some forms of real estate transactions.
The tax, which supports Medicare, potentially affects couples with adjusted gross incomes greater than $250,000 a year and singles with incomes above $200,000.
Existing home sale tax breaks remain in place.
The tax is levied on the gain figured on the lesser of the sale of the house or the amount by which the sellers’ income exceeds the appropriate threshold.
Here’s an example offered in the Washington Post:
· Profit on home sale: $600,000
· Sellers’ income: $300,000
· Deductible amount under current law for a married couple: $500,000
· Capital gains tax due on $100,000: $15,000
Because the hypothetical sellers’ income is over the threshold, they’ll have to pay the new Medicare tax as well, which would be calculated in one of the following ways:
· Taxable profit: $100,000
· Difference between annual income and taxable profit: $200,000
· Difference between $300,000 income and $250,000 threshold: $50,000
The sellers would pay 3.8 percent on the lower number, which is $50,000. Thus, they owe IRS $1,900.
Source: Washington Post, Benny L. Kass (07/17/2010)
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For more information on homes for sale in Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes real estate, palos verdes homes for sale, palos verdes foreclosures, palos verdes market information as well as quality information on homes for sale, sold and how the market is doing in all parts of Palos Verdes, the Beach cities and the South Bay, visit www.homeispalosverdes.com
Posted at 12:08PM Jul 19, 2010
by George Fotion in Real Estate |
Friday Jul 16, 2010
Preparing for your appraisal
RISMEDIA, July 16, 2010--Home appraisals are a necessary step in the process of selling or refinancing your home. While many homes today aren’t worth as much as they were when they were bought, it is crucial for homeowners to be realistic when it comes to getting their home appraised. ![4799825956_3484204320[1]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4799825956_3484204320.jpg "4799825956_3484204320[1]")
If you are in the process of getting your home ready to be put on the market or interested in refinancing, the experts at Equity Mortgage Lending offer the following things to keep in mind as you prepare for your home appraisal.
- The appraiser will need approximately 30 minutes to one hour to complete the inspection phase of the appraisal process, which includes: exterior photos of the front and rear of the home and a photo of the street in front of the property; measurements of the exterior of the home, garage and any outbuildings; a walk-through inspection of all rooms and levels of the interior of the home including the basement.
- Get organized. Put together a checklist that will help you get ready for your appraisal and get the results you're looking for.
- Be flexible when scheduling the appointment.
- Have a copy of your home’s blueprint to help verify measurements and lot size.
- Provide a list of improvements made to the property since the purchase. Improvements that should be noted include adding a pool, patio, updating your kitchen or bathroom and any room additions, etc.
- Allow your appraiser access to the entire property, including access to any crawl space or attic areas.
- Keep in mind that a clean home makes a good impression. Be sure to trim the lawn, clean the pool and garage, repair cracked windows or torn screens, check for leaky faucets and secure gutters and down spouts before your appraisal.
- Point out any amenities that may not be obvious to the appraiser: sprinkler systems, patios, pools, security systems, built in vacuum, etc.
- Provide a copy of last year's tax assessment information.
- Know what year the house was built and when improvements were made.
- The first thing appraisers look for is comparables, so be prepared and have a list of recent sales of similar properties in the immediate neighborhood.
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For more information on homes for sale in Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes real estate, palos verdes homes for sale, palos verdes foreclosures, palos verdes market information as well as quality information on homes for sale, sold and how the market is doing in all parts of Palos Verdes, the Beach cities and the South Bay, visit www.homeispalosverdes.com
Posted at 11:00AM Jul 16, 2010
by George Fotion in Real Estate |
Tuesday Jul 13, 2010
Free Fun Stuf to do in Palos Verdes
The Shakespearean comedy, Twelfth Night, is being presented by Shakespeare by the Sea on Sunday, July 18th at Hesse Park in Rancho Palos Verdes. This play will be performed in the City one time and one time only this year - outside at Hesse Park at 7:00 p.m. Set in the make-believe country of Illyria where "nothing that is so, is so," Twelfth Night is a madcap comedy filled with mistaken identities, cunning plans, and miraculous discoveries. 
Shakespeare by the Sea is FREE – no tickets will be sold and there is no reserved seating. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Beach chairs, blankets and warm layered clothing are recommended. Picnics are welcome. Hesse Park is located at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. So don’t be bored, be Bard, and come enjoy an outdoor evening at the theater.
Shakespeare by the Sea is a free summer theatre festival. Modeled after festivals all over the United States, Shakespeare by the Sea is dedicated to building a quality Shakespearean festival that not only entertains but exposes new audiences to theatre as well. Over the last twelve years, Shakespeare by the Sea has become much more than a festival. For families it has become an annual outing, for the actors it's a chance to perform in front of thousands of people, for volunteers it's an avenue for giving back to the community and for meeting great new people.
Shakespeare by the Sea is currently playing Twelfth Night and Julius Ceasar in repertory at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro before taking their shows on the road to a number of Los Angeles and Orange County locations.
For more information about the Rancho Palos Verdes performance, please call Recreation and Parks at 310-544-5260. For more information on other Shakespeare by the Sea productions call 310-217-7596 or go to their website at www.shakespearebythesea.org.
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For more information on homes for sale in Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes real estate, palos verdes homes for sale, palos verdes foreclosures, palos verdes market information as well as quality information on homes for sale, sold and how the market is doing in all parts of Palos Verdes, the Beach cities and the South Bay, visit www.homeispalosverdes.com
Posted at 04:04PM Jul 13, 2010
by George Fotion in General |
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