real-estate Archives - Cotier Properties

Check These Items Off Your List Before You Close On Your Home

March 26, 2020March 31, 2020 by josephonlinevateam

Though it can be a stressful time in the home buying process, there’s no need to sweat closing on your home. Avoid any surprises on closing day by keeping these important tips in mind!

Budgeting

Cover all your bases by accounting for everything: mortgages, extra income, car payments, HOA fees. Staying on top of your financial transactions prior to closing is really important, especially while things like loans are still being approved and processed. It’s important not to change anything that would heavily impact your financial state. Therefore, you should be paying close attention to what you are buying as you near closing.

Home value

Be aware of any outstanding projects. Invest some time in making sure there are no future renovations or changes in place that could significantly impact the value of your home.

Home warranty

Is the seller offering a home warranty? If not, it’s still important to have one. This is just an easy way to cover yourself in case a problem arises down the line. If the buyer isn’t offering it, don’t fret—it’s not something that should put a very big dent in your budget.

Change your locks

It can’t hurt to be extra cautious, as you never know who still is hanging on to a spare key from the previous homeowners. Call a locksmith and start fresh to take your safety a step further.

Pay attention to documents

Read over everything. While seemingly obvious, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with signatures and paperwork, so remember to slow down. Paying close attention now may save you from potentially more time-consuming trouble down the line.

How America’s Suburbs Have Changed

March 20, 2020March 26, 2020 by josephonlinevateam

After World War II, America experienced a significant shift in the way many people were able to live. What was once defined as urban and rural living grew to include a new grey area in the middle—the suburbs.

Though commonplace today, America’s suburbs were once a revolutionary idea that afforded thousands of Americans the closeness and community of the city, without sacrificing the peace and quiet quaintness of the country.

Before long, suburbs began popping up on the outskirts of the majority of the biggest cities in the US. Post-war prosperity helped a large portion of the American middle class afford these homes, and by 2000, the suburbs had dramatically overtaken urban and rural areas in population.

Levittown, 1947

In 1947, Levitt and Sons produced the United States first planned community, which they dubbed Levittown, outside Long Island, NY. The company expanded to build thousands of homes during the Post-war period, predominately throughout the northeast. The original cost of a Levittown home was just a little over $7,000, with virtually no down payment.

Suburbs of the Gold Coast

As more and more Americans began moving west, California saw a sharp increase in its demand for suburban housing. The Brady Bunch house might come to mind when we think of the advent of tract housing, and an overhead view of the state’s suburban communities paints a fairly uniform picture—long houses, each with a two-car garage, some with a pool, and highly manicured lawns.

Suburban backlash

As early as the 1960s, many people were quick to analyze the negative aspects of suburban living—namely its conformity and lack of diversity and cultural amenities. The majority of people living in suburbs commuted to cities for work, and critics claimed the suburbs were merely a blind attempt at escaping urban living.

A millennial resurgence

By the turn of the twentieth century, the overwhelming majority of American’s lived in suburban areas. Though there is an increasing appeal toward city living for many young people, a lot of suburbs have also adapted to include more of the benefits of live in the city without neglecting the suburb’s appeal.

Command the Stage with These Money Saving Tips!

March 16, 2020March 19, 2020 by josephonlinevateam

Selling a home is hard work, and the staging process can be intimidating. Many people think about how expensive the staging process will be, but with these tips, it doesn’t have to be!

Starting fresh

It can be tough to stage a home when furniture has been removed by the homeowner, but no need to fear! Of course, you don’t have to go out and buy new furniture. The easiest way to save money is use what you already have, pick up pieces from goodwill or a used furniture store like “Restore”. These places are a great way to acquire furniture at a fraction of the price.

Cover it up

Or, if the furniture you have has seen better days, make use of slip covers, which can instantly give a new look for less, and cover any damage.

Think clean

The best way to show a house in the most desirable light is to make sure its clean. Scrub away all the dirt and dust before anyone comes to view it and be sure to fix any imperfections the house may have and declutter congested areas.

DIY it

If furniture needs a new coat of paint, use spray paint as a quick fix. Spray paint is a lot less expensive and saves time when you are in a pinch. Also creating your own artwork for the walls will save extra change if a space needs a pop of color.

Nose goes

The smell of the house is what a buyer will notice right as they enter, so make sure it smells inviting. The smell of linen or fresh baked cookies are familiar scents that promote positive emotion. Light a candle or bake before the showing to have the scent travel around the home.

The Benefits of a 55 Plus Community

March 2, 2020March 5, 2020 by josephonlinevateam

As we age it can become difficult to manage an entire household—especially one with a lot of yard space or multiple floors. In some cases, it makes sense to consider an active adult community, which is not necessarily the same as senior living.

Most active adult communities require residents to be 55 years of age or older. They offer a whole host of benefits that make them appealing to aging individuals interested in maintaining a sense of community while pairing down some of the difficulties and stresses of home ownership.

You’ll be surrounded by like-minded people

One of the biggest benefits of life in a 55+ community is the camaraderie. Sure, like every neighborhood, you might have disagreements on the type of decor to put on your lawn or how many flowers are too many. But, in the end, you’ll be surrounded by people in a similar stage of life. You will probably find that many are interested in the same activities, be it recreational sports like tennis or golf, arts and crafts, gardening, etc.

Maintenance is simplified

If you’re used to caring for a large yard, keeping up with endless household chores, and have general difficulty maintaining a large space, pairing down your belongings and moving into an adult living community can be a solution. Sometimes, property owners will handle the majority of maintenance issues—everything from changing out lightbulbs to shoveling snow—so that you can focus on other important things.

Socialize—for free!

Depending on the type and size of the community, many offer free or low-cost activities daily for residents to partake in. They typically cater to a variety of interests and skill levels, and you might even be able to pick up a hobby you never thought you’d be interested in. This is a great way to meet your neighbors, too, and can help you make friends in your new home.

Peace and quiet is abundant

The good news is that, by moving into a 55+ community, the peace and quiet you may not have had living in a traditional neighborhood will finally be attainable. Some adult living communities have quiet hours, or restrict visitation to specific times of day to keep noise down. This is not to say these communities are boring, but if you want a relative sense of calm in your community, adult living can deliver this.

The Truth About Selling Your Own Home

March 2, 2020March 3, 2020 by josephonlinevateam

A lot of homeowners are convinced that if they’re willing to put in a little more effort on their own, they’ll turn a bigger profit when selling their home. But in most cases, people who sell their own home work too hard and end up with less in their pocket than they would have by getting some help from a real estate agent.

Person leaning out of car window driving with mountains in the background

Take the road more traveled by

Statistics show that FSBOs typically account for only a small percentage of home sales, with difficulty in getting the right price named as a common complaint among FSBO sellers. Other complications for FSBO sellers include handling all the paperwork associated with the sale and having enough time to dedicate to the process.

Why settle?

Taking the FSBO route likely means that you’re going to end up working much harder than you need to and will end up with less to show for it, as FSBO homes typically sell for less than homes that are sold with the assistance of an agent. FSBO selling prices are typically even lower when the buyer and the seller know each other.

Experience matters

Studies show that about half of FSBO sellers do not actively market their home, and those that do often rely on friends and neighbors to help them with their promotional efforts. By partnering with a real estate agent, sellers have the advantage of working with a professional who has expertise in promoting homes for sale.

Miniature house sitting on table while person fills out paperwork

Understandably, giving away a cut of your profits after a home sale can seem frustrating. However, consider how much more you cost yourself by not allowing an agent to help you sell your home.

Commercial Real Estate Projections Look Bright For Orange County

February 19, 2020 by josephonlinevateam

A panel of experts in the SoCal rental market was optimistic about the future of Orange County’s commercial real estate into 2023.

Commercial real estate in Orange County was projected to improve into 2023, experts say.

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — A three-year outlook forecast projects a bright future for California’s commercial real estate market will continue to improve.

A panel of experts at the biannual Winter 20202 Allen Matkins/UCLA Anderson Forecast California Commercial Real Estate Survey was optimistic that Orange County rental rates would increase faster than inflation while vacancy rates would be lower.

Though economic projections show a slowing in the economy for 2020, developers’ views on most California commercial real estate in 2022 are optimistic. There is an eagerness to get in on the ground floor of the next commercial real estate expansionary cycle, according to a UCLA economic forecast released Wednesday.

The panel projected a look ahead over the next three years of California’s commercial real estate industry, forecasting potential opportunities and challenges that may impact office space, multi-family, retail, and industrial sectors.

Overall, survey panelists for each market, except for retail, predict that 2022 will be as good or better than 2019, according to a statement accompanying the survey.

Panelists were optimistic about industrial and multi-family projects, while office markets are neutral, and retail space sentiment generally remains pessimistic.

While recent surveys indicated that the peak of the office market had been reached in the current cycle, the latest study suggests a beginning of a return to confidence by 2022.

In the San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles markets, this optimism is confined to rental rates, with only a slight decline in occupancy.

These views are consistent with the perspective of most economists that the California economy will return to faster growth in 2022, and will generate new jobs requiring additional office space.

With the industrial market currently dominated by warehouses serving continued growth in e-commerce, survey panelists don’t see the red-hot industrial market pulling back any time between now and 2022.

Activity throughout Northern California and the Inland Empire is expected to remain at the same level of strength as Wednesday. At the same time, the Los Angeles market was also expected to improve. Both space shortages near ports and a current but temporary downturn in trade are attributed to those projections.

An expansion of the Los Angeles industrial market will ultimately be driven by the implementation of multi-story edifices with productivity enhanced by robotics and new technologies to manage the high-rise warehouses, according to the statement. While the timing of these technologies is still unknown, they are expected to help drive Los Angeles industrial property values when rolled out in the years to come.

While the last survey saw a glimmer of hope for a moderate retail rebound, sentiment in this space has returned to pessimism—panelists have given retail its lowest values since this survey began collecting retail predictions four years ago.

This pessimism is likely fueled by the constant shift to online shopping and the weaker-than-expected start to the 2019 holiday shopping season. A weakness in the demand for the revitalization of existing retail space is also driving this pessimism.

City News Service, Patch Editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.

LA residents spent $40 billion on rent in 2018, says report

February 13, 2020 by josephonlinevateam

It’s no secret that Los Angeles rental prices are some of the highest in the nation, but a new analysis from HotPads, a rental database owned by Zillow, illustrates just how much tenants collectively spend on housing each year.

According to the report, renters in the LA metropolitan area, which includes Los Angeles and Orange counties, paid $40.4 billion in rent during 2018. By comparison, that’s more than 423 of the companies on the most recent Fortune 500 list earned in yearly revenue.

Los Angeles was second only to New York in terms of total rent paid, and Angelenos accounted for an astonishing 12 percent of the $504.4 billion spent on monthly rent in the United States during the past year.

LA tenants coughed up around $1.9 billion more in rent during 2018 than the year before, according to the report. But if recent trends continue, local renters may see costs level off a bit in the year to come.

Within the city of Los Angeles, prices dipped slightly in December, according to a separate report from Apartment List. The median cost of leasing a one-bedroom apartment was $1,360 during the month, down from $1,370 in November.

Two-bedroom prices also dipped slightly during the month. They dropped to $1,750, after sitting at $1,760 since late summer.

Those prices are still up since the same time last year, but only by about 1.5 percent. That’s about half the yearly increase allowed under the city’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance, suggesting that LA’s competitive rental market has cooled off significantly since the beginning of the year.

But those numbers only tell part of the story.

Apartment List bases its calculations on U.S. Census data, giving a decent idea of what Angelenos are paying for rent right now. Meanwhile, real estate analyst CoStar uses active listings to get an estimate of what prices those looking for a new apartment are likely to find when searching online.

According to CoStar, the average price of a one-bedroom in Los Angeles County was $1,703 in December. Two-bedroom apartments commanded prices of $2,166. Each of those figures represents an approximately 3 percent increase over a year earlier, but prices have barely budged in the second half of the year.

Between July and the end of the year, prices for both one- and two-bedroom units rose less than a percentage point.

Source: https://la.curbed.com/2019/1/2/18165436/los-angeles-how-much-rent-costs-prices

Find the Right Fence

January 23, 2020January 30, 2020 by josephonlinevateam

Fences can do a lot for both the aesthetics and functionality of your yard, but how do you know what kind is right to install? With dozens of types to choose from, the decision isn’t easy—but with this guide you can find your perfect fence match.

Aluminum Fence If privacy and security aren’t huge concerns, the aluminum fence is a cost-effective option that can help keep little ones and pets in. This type is also highly resilient to rough weather and will not break down over time. Average cost: $3,500-$4,000

PVC/Vinyl Fence There’s a reason this material is most popular for fences—it’s by far the cheapest option, but it also offers security, noise control, and added privacy. No need to fear bad weather, as it won’t break down in harsh conditions. Average cost: $700-$1,000

White Picket Fence This classic fence offers a sophisticated elegance without an extravagant cost. However, it’s not the best choice for sound control or privacy, and it will require upkeep to prevent wood rot from rain. Average cost: $1,400-$2,000

Wrought Iron Fence If you’re looking for something a little more fancy, wrought iron fences can bring ornamental beauty to your lawn and make it stand out from the crowd. Though very expensive, depending on the design, wrought iron can offer a level of security and protection as well. Average cost: $3,200-$5,000

Split Rail Fence This style is very popular on farms and in rural areas, and the rustic look can bring a country charm to your home. Though there is limited privacy offered with split rail, it does provide protection for pets and children. Average cost: $1,500-$2,500

Invisible Fence This type of fence is most popular with pet owners, and it’s perhaps the best option for keeping pets away from busy roadways or out of other areas they aren’t supposed to be. Invisible fences are also highly affordable. Average cost: $500-$900

Get Your Home Through Winter With These Tips

January 23, 2020January 28, 2020 by josephonlinevateam

Winter can take a serious toll on your home if you’re unprepared. Luckily, these blogs can help you make sure you are prepared for all that this unpredictable season throws at you—no matter what part of the country you live in!

4 Ways to Keep the Winter Chill Out

The weather outside may be frightful, but these tips will make your home delightful.

READ ARTICLE

5 Ways to Get Your Home Winter-Ready with Hygge

Your home deserves a cozy makeover for winter.

READ ARTICLE

Be Winter Storm Ready with These Tips

Preparing for a storm doesn’t have to be a hassle with these tips!

READ ARTICLE

Prep Your HVAC System for the Winter

Getting your HVAC system in check before winter arrives will help to keep your wallet full and your family warm during the brutal cold.

READ ARTICLE

stop-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-shovel

Stop! What to Know Before You Shovel

While snowfall can make for a pretty scene, shoveling can be a nuisance that can lead to serious health issues. Use these tips to ensure that you’re shoveling snow safely this winter.

READ ARTICLE

Deciding Whether or Not a Large Yard is Right for You

January 13, 2020January 23, 2020 by josephonlinevateam

Moving into a house with a large yard may sound ideal, but it’s certainly not for everybody—especially if this is your first home and you’re a rookie as far as homeowning is concerned. This list of pros and cons can help you decide whether or not a large yard is the way to go.

Pros:

It gives children and pets room to play.

Having a pet (or multiple) plays a large role for most people in whether or not they consider a large yard a necessity. The same goes for children: you want to make sure the kids and the dog have ample room for running around when it’s nice outside. A big backyard provides just that.

Space for entertaining.

While having room for the kids and pets is a plus, don’t forget about the benefits it provides for the adults as well! You can host more backyard bashes without worrying if people are cramped. And if you host a lot of parties, a large yard may be high up on the list of priorities when considering various homes.

Adds curb appeal.

Curb appeal is important for any neighborhood. It adds value to your home and, when going to sell, it provides a clear idea to potential buyers of what to expect. When kept up with, a large yard takes the entire home up a notch.

Cons:

There’s more upkeep.

A large yard, while good for all of the above reasons, also comes with a few downfalls. The major one is the amount of upkeep it requires. There’s more things to take care of: landscaping projects, weed wacking, and maintenance all year long.

Cost is higher.

This one may come as a no brainer, but some people forget how expensive a larger yard can be. With all of the extra space comes more to keep up with, and you have to be prepared for the extra costs if you’re purchasing a home with a large yard. Everything from fencing costs to general maintenance could play a big role in if this is the right decision for you and your family.

Owning a home comes with many advantages and disadvantages—a large yard being one of the major factors you need to consider in the homebuying process.

Check These Items Off Your List Before You Close On Your Home

Though it can be a stressful time in the home buying process, there’s no need to sweat closing on your home. Avoid any surprises on closing day by keeping these important tips in mind!

How America’s Suburbs Have Changed

After World War II, America experienced a significant shift in the way many people were able to live. What was once defined as urban and rural living grew to include a new grey area in the middle—the suburbs.

Command the Stage with These Money Saving Tips!

Selling a home is hard work, and the staging process can be intimidating. Many people think about how expensive the staging process will be, but with these tips, it doesn’t have to be!

The Benefits of a 55 Plus Community

As we age it can become difficult to manage an entire household—especially one with a lot of yard space or multiple floors. In some cases, it makes sense to consider an active adult community, which is not necessarily the same as senior living.

The Truth About Selling Your Own Home

Commercial Real Estate Projections Look Bright For Orange County

A panel of experts in the SoCal rental market was optimistic about the future of Orange County’s commercial real estate into 2023.

LA residents spent $40 billion on rent in 2018, says report

Find the Right Fence

Fences can do a lot for both the aesthetics and functionality of your yard, but how do you know what kind is right to install? With dozens of types to choose from, the decision isn’t easy—but with this guide you can find your perfect fence match.

Get Your Home Through Winter With These Tips

Winter can take a serious toll on your home if you’re unprepared. Luckily, these blogs can help you make sure you are prepared for all that this unpredictable season throws at you—no matter what part of the country you live in!

4 Ways to Keep the Winter Chill Out

5 Ways to Get Your Home Winter-Ready with Hygge

Be Winter Storm Ready with These Tips

Prep Your HVAC System for the Winter

Stop! What to Know Before You Shovel

Deciding Whether or Not a Large Yard is Right for You

Moving into a house with a large yard may sound ideal, but it’s certainly not for everybody—especially if this is your first home and you’re a rookie as far as homeowning is concerned. This list of pros and cons can help you decide whether or not a large yard is the way to go.

need your house sold fast too?

Contact Us

Useful Links

Follow Us