La Mirada Symphony, FREE Concert

What are you doing this Friday? This Friday, April 5th the La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts is holding it Annual Pops Concert. The best part is its FREE!

The concert will feature Big Band to Pop Rock and Everything in Between.

A work in progress with selections from Swing, Jazz, Pop, Folk, Ragtime and more!

This most anticipated evening of the season will highlight a number of several ‘much in demand’ performers in the Southern California area:

Suzanne Wong, Pianist who will perform George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, his most popular and exciting work that melds for the first time ever jazz and the classics.

In addition, Richard Greene "one of the most innovative and influential fiddle players of all time" will add a special Celtic flavor to the evening, and by popular demand, vocalist duo Ryan and Heather Reithmeier, will light up the evening with a variety of POP solos and duets.

The concert starts at 8:00pm. We’ll see you and your family there.

For more detailed information about La Mirada Symphony, please visit www.lamiradasymphony.com.

BOX OFFICE:
562-944-9801
or 714-994-6310
Box office hours:
Mon-Fri 11am - 5:30pm
Sat 12 noon - 4pm

THEATRE ADDRESS:
14900 La Mirada Boulevard
La Mirada, CA 90638

Painting Your La Mirada Home

If you are thinking of Painting you home here are some tips you might want to consider.

Putting a fresh coat of paint on your La Mirada home will prolong the life of its skin, pump up the value, and revive its curb appeal, all important additions, especially when it's time to sell.

The benefits you'll get assumes that the job gets done right.

The pros make it look easy, but that's because they've been at it for quite a while. Painting your home isn't a do-it-yourself job unless you've got the know how, the proper tools.

When hiring a professional, ask relatives, friends, co-workers and others you trust -- and who've recently enjoyed a successful paint job on their home -- for references to qualified, licensed home painters in your area.

Even when you hire a licensed professional, however, you should still play a role in choosing the colors and making sure the job gets done right.

The Rohm and Haas Paint Qulity and Jackie Craven, About.com's resident architect, offer these tips for a solid house painting job.

• Choose the right paint. Oil-based paint is best on old oil-based paint, chalky surfaces or for painting when it's below 50 degrees F. Otherwise, acrylic latex is suitable. Don't' forget the sheen -- glossy, semi-gloss or flat. Glossy paints are more likely to show imperfections, brush strokes and touch ups, but the surfaces are easier to clean. Many homeowners use flat paint for walls and semi-gloss or glossy paint for columns, railings and window sashes.

• Choose the color scheme. Many homes are painted in three colors or shades of the same color, one for the siding or walls, another for the eaves, moldings and trim, and a third for doors, railings, and window sashes.

Consider your surroundings. You don't want the same colors as the house next door, but you also don't want your home to clash with it.

Your home's materials may also dictate the colors you choose. Wood, brick, masonry or aluminum siding can be painted virtually any color. Vinyl siding, however, is best painted a similar hue, unless you choose a color in a newer paint formulated for vinyl.

Finally, consider how the colors you choose will mesh -- or not -- with other colors on or near your home that won't be painted including the roof, wood, masonry, or stone components and other elements.

• Consider color characteristics. Light colors make your house appear larger. Dark siding or dark bands of trim will "shrink" your home and draw more attention to details.

Fading is more obvious with intense colors. After a few years hot reds and vivid blues become more subdued. Dark colors will require extra maintenance and touch up work. They also absorb heat and suffer more moisture problems than lighter shades.

Don't be deceived by color swatches which look different in the store than in natural sunlight. Colors also appear lighter on large surfaces than on small samples. Test selected colors in an area before committing to gallons of paint.

• Prepare the surface. The primary reason for a bad paint job is a surface that wasn't properly prepared properly. You and your professional should make sure the paint surface is dry, free of grease, oils, flaking and loose paint so your primer and paint can bond with it. You wouldn't build a house on a bad foundation. Don't give a paint job a poorly prepared surface.

• Prepare the area. Protect landscaping, air conditioning units, BBQ grills and the like. Turn off power to the air conditioner's condenser unit and any outdoor appliances. Use canvas, rather than plastic drop cloths. Plantings will swelter under plastic. Cover and pull bushes and other vegetation away from the house as much as possible so it doesn't interfere with painting. Remove everything you can that is affixed to the home, door knockers, light fixtures, mailboxes, address numbers, window planters, etc. Mask items you can't remove.

Also consider architectural design software to help you visualize colors on your home. Google's SketchUp is a great choice,by the way, is free.

Five Secrets About Buying A Second Home

Here are five key points to consider when thinking about buying a second home.

• Know the right time to buy. One of those times is now. The correcting real estate market is shining on the second home sector. More properties on the market, relatively low interest rates and motivated sellers have combined to put the buyer back in the driver's seat.

• Know if a second home purchase makes financial sense. A second makes sense in the first place if you can create a realistic, affordable budget in advance so that you buy within your means. Stretching here is not very healthy. Take stock of your current and projected income, expenses and rental income (if you plan to rent out the property) and do the math. We have relationships with accountants and financial planners that can help you weigh the financial risks.

• Know where to go. Choose a location based both on the potential for property's value to appreciate -- especially if you aren't going to rent it -- and guest-preferred destinations. Our Real estate agents can provide the market research you need.

• Know about rental income that can offset your expenses. Rent your property out for just part of the year and you can subsidize the cost of owning a second home.

  "Keep in mind that being a landlord doesn't mean sitting back and watching rent checks roll in. It takes time, money and commitment. Know what you're getting into before you venture too far down that path".

• Finally, know how to protect your investment. Whether your second home is a pure investment, a weekend getaway, or a place to eventually enjoy when you retire, real estate is an Investment. Maintain the property, keep it fully insured, have it inspected regularly, and watch your equity grow.

Has this information been of benefit to you? Are you thinking of buying a second home in the future? Our Real Estate and Mortgage Consultants are available to answer any of your questions. Give us a call.

La Mirada Market Condition Report January 2008

Here is a general breakdown of that happened in January regarding home sales for the City of La Mirada.

Current prices in the City of La Mirada for single family homes range from a low of $325,000 to $1.3 Million.

Condo pricing currently begins at $199,000 for a 1 bedroom / 1 bathroom, 634 square feet, to $489,000 for 3 bedrooms / 3 baths, 1,964 square feet.

Single family activity for January 2008

188 homes currently for sale in the $325,000 to $1.3 Million dollar price range.

8 homes were sold in January

52 homes either expired, cancelled, withdrawn or were taken off the market in January.

 

Condo / Town Home activity for January 2008

32 condos/town homes are currently for sale in the $199,000 to $489,000 price range.

3 condos where sold in January

9 condos/town homes either expired, cancelled, withdrawn or were taken off the market in January.

So what does this information mean to you? 

There is a big difference between listing your home and selling your home. If you look at the information above you will notice that there are 188 single family residences for sale in the city of La Mirada and only 8 were sold. What was the difference? What can you do now if you are considering selling your home in todays "new market"? We are offering FREE report called "How to Sell Your House For the Most Money In the Shortest Possible Time" to all La Mirada residents. To get this report simply send an email to mail@livinginlamirada.com please include your name and return email address and we'll send it to you shortly.

Regards,

The Living In La Mirada Team

What Did La Mirada Look Like In 1955?

Here is a video I found on Youtube.com of La Mirada in 1955. It's a home video on Oakbury Dr. facing Springford. Notice homes not finished being built yet. La Mirada really has changed.

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Take Time To Visit The Fullerton Arboretum

Have you ever visited the Fullerton Arboretum? If your like me your answer would be no. The reason I have never visited the Arboretum was simply because I never knew about it. Well that all changed today when my good friend and I had lunch there today. If you like the idea of sitting on a bench next to the lake to laying on the grass next to the herb garden I highly suggest that you take the time to visit the Fullerton Arboretum in the near future. There is no cost to visit the Arboretum. From La Mirada you can be here in less than 15 minuets. I took some pictures so that you can get a glimpse of what is waiting for you at the Fullerton Arboretum. If you get a chance to visit be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you liked most. Enjoy!

A glimpse at Orange County's Past. 

This a restored Eastlake-style home from the 1890's.

Here are the details for the Fullerton Arboretum:

1900 Associated Road, Fullerton, CA 92831

(714) 278-3579

www.arboretum.fullerton.edu

The Arboretum is open from 8am to 4:45pm daily. They are closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, 

Christmas and occasionally for special events.

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How to Stop Spending Money on Rent and Own a Home Instead

If you’ve always rented a place to live, buying a home can seem like a monumental undertaking.  This report breaks down this process into clear steps.

 

Seven Steps to Transition from Renter to Homeowner

 

Step One:  Identify Your Needs and Wants

Begin your search by considering the kind of home you need and want.  Write down your specific requirements like number of bedrooms, size of yard, floor plan, location, schools, etc.

Step Two:  Determine How Much You Can Realistically Afford

Consider your budget and financial obligations.  Decide what monthly house payment you can really afford.  Most mortgage consultants advise limiting your payment to no more than one-third of your net monthly income.

Step Three:  Get Pre-qualified or Pre-Approved By a Mortgage Consultant

When you know in advance the amount of loan you can obtain, you can focus on searching for houses in the targeted price range.  This can save you time when you find that perfect home, because sellers favor buyers who are pre-approved.

Experienced mortgage consultants can let you know what specific loan programs are best for you.  By taking a look at your financial situation and credit history, a mortgage consultant will tell you if you can qualify for the home you want, and will find a loan that best suits your needs.

For the approval process, you and your mortgage consultant will complete the required documentation and submit it to an underwriter.  A pre-approval is an actual loan commitment from a mortgage consultant or lending institution.  This means that you definitely qualify for a loan.  Talk to your mortgage consultant about the costs and time involved to secure pre-approval.

Step Four:  Work With an Experienced Real Estate Consultant

You can learn a lot about consultants by talking to them about their experience.  In a short time, you’ll be able to determine if they’re the right person to meet your needs.

Questions for Agents:

1. In what areas of town and price ranges do you specialize?  (Keep in mind that some agents specialize in only one area or one price range.)

2. My objective is to buy a house by ___________.   How will you help me achieve this goal? 

3. How often will you update me with new property listings?

Step Five:  Tips for Successful House Hunting

1. Keep an organized record of your research.  Write down comments about the homes you see.  Keep track of your likes and dislikes and offer feedback to your real estate consultant.  Some buyers are reluctant to tell an agent what they really think of a house; they think the agent might take it personally.  Remember, the homes don't belong to the agent!

2. Make sure your agent is aware of your time schedule and expectations.  Do you like to look at one or two homes per session?  Four?  Eight?  Discuss this with your agent.

3. Tell your agent about any homes you see that interest you and that you'd like to know more about.  This includes homes you've "discovered" as you explore the area and those advertised in the newspaper.

4. If you like to spend time driving around by yourself looking at houses, ask your agent for a list of drive-bys — homes to consider first from the outside.  Your agent can make appointments to show you the interior of the properties that appeal to you.

5. It’s important to know beforehand whom your agent represents.  Some agents work only for the seller. 

Step Six:  Make a Purchase Offer

Work with your real estate consultant to determine the most appropriate purchase offer.  Your consultant will present the offer on your behalf.

Step Seven:  Save on Your Initial Investment and Monthly Payments

There are only two major investments to consider when buying a home.  These are the initial investment, which includes down payment and closing costs, and the monthly payment, which includes principal, interest, taxes and insurance.  Here are some things to consider.

Initial Investment

1. Choose a low or zero down payment loan.  You don’t necessarily have to put 20% or even 10% down.  You can pay 5%, 3%, or even zero down on some loans.

2. Some Lenders have programs to cover your closing costs.  Ask your mortgage consultant about them.

3. As part of your offer, ask your real estate consultant about the seller’s paying some of your closing costs.

4. Shop around for your homeowners’ insurance.  A little comparison shopping can save you money.

5. You may be able to deduct money paid for discount points from your gross income before computing your tax.  See a CPA for more information.

Monthly Payments

1. Get a loan that doesn't have monthly mortgage insurance premiums.  You may be able to reduce or eliminate them by paying a little more at closing.  By putting 20% or more down, you can eliminate them entirely.  Talk to your mortgage consultant about other ways to eliminate monthly mortgage insurance payments.

2. Take advantage of rate lock programs that are currently available.  You can generally lock in a low interest rate 30 to 45 days in advance.  Secure an appraisal before you lock in a rate.

3. Remember that interest payments on a primary residential mortgage are fully deductible.  Your property taxes are also deductible. Tax rates definitely favor homeowners.  Be sure to declare both your mortgage interest and property taxes when you file your income tax returns.

4. Consider an adjustable rate mortgage.  Adjustable rate mortgages (or ARMs) can be as much as 3% lower than fixed rates. 

Who’s the next person you know who could benefit from owning their own home?  Be sure to give us a call to discuss how we can let them know about our services.

Ronnie and Crystal Gonzales

The Living In La Mirada Team

Five Deadly Mistakes Home Sellers Make

Sooner or later, most homeowners will be in a position to sell their home. This report summarizes the top five mistakes that home sellers make, simply because the experience is new to them.

Mistake #1.  Using a Real Estate Agent Instead Of a Realtor 

When you're looking for help buying or selling property, it's important to remember that the terms "real estate agent" and "Realtor" are not synonymous.

–  To be a Realtor, you must be a member in good standing of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). They are a non-profit trade organization that promotes real estate information, education and professional standards.

–  NAR and CREA members adhere to a strict code of ethics founded on the principle of providing fair and honest service to all consumers.  Realtor business practices are monitored at local levels.  Arbitration and disciplinary systems are in place to address complaints from the public or board members.  This local monitoring keeps Realtors directly accountable to the individual consumers they serve.

–  The National Association of Realtors also has earned a strong reputation for actively championing private property rights and working to make home ownership affordable and accessible.

 

Mistake #2.  Failing to Maximize the "Curb Appeal" of Your Home

When you're preparing your house for sale, remember the importance of first impressions.  A buyer's first impression can determine whether they’ll choose to look inside.  It’s estimated that more than that 50% of shoppers decide to purchase a home even before they get out of their car.  With that in mind, be sure to stand outside your home and take a realistic "fresh look."  Then ask yourself (and your Realtor) what you can do to enhance the "curb appeal.”  It could make a significant difference in your final sales price as well as the speed of your sale.

Mistake #3.  Not Appreciating the Buyer’s Point of View

Unreasonable though it may be, a prospective buyer would like to see a perfect home from top to bottom and inside and out.  To improve the likelihood of an easy, fast and profitable home sale, we suggest that you attend to the following items:

 

On the outside

1. Sweep the front walkway.
2. Remove newspapers, bikes and toys.
3. Park extra cars away from the property.
4. Trim back the shrubs.
5. Apply fresh, clean paint on your home, wooden fence, and outbuildings.
6. Clean windows and window coverings.
7. Maintain sprinkler systems.
8. Maintain sealants around windows and doors.
9. Make sure roof and gutters are clean and in good condition.
10. Mow the lawn frequently and plant flowers.
11. Keep pet areas clean.
12. Take down out-of-season decorations.

 

On the inside

1. The kitchen and bathroom should look and smell clean.
2. Vacuum rugs and carpets (and have them professionally cleaned, if necessary).
3. Place fresh flowers in the main rooms.
4. Put away dishes, unless setting a formal display for decoration.
5. Make all beds and put away clothing.
6. Open drapes and turn on lights for a brighter feel.
7. Straighten closets.
8. Put away toys.
9. Turn off televisions.
10. Play soft music on the radio/stereo.
11. Keep pets out of the way and pet areas clean and odor-free.
12. Secure jewelry, cash, prescription medication and other valuables.
13. Consider removing unnecessary furniture and appliances from counter tops to create a greater sense of space.
14. Consider baking cookies or lighting scented candles to create a homey atmosphere.

 

Mistake #4.  Thinking You Need To be In the Home to Provide Details to Prospective Buyers

Allow your Realtor to do his or her job without you on site.  Most potential buyers feel more comfortable if they can speak freely to the real estate professional without the owner present.  If people unaccompanied by an agent would like to see your property, refer them to your real estate professional for an appointment.

Mistake #5.  Over-Pricing Your Home

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of selling a home is listing it at the correct price.  It's one of several areas where the assistance of a skilled real estate consultant can pay for itself versus trying to sell your home yourself.  

 

If the listing price is too high, you'll miss out on a percentage of buyers looking in the range where your home should be priced.  Some people think that if they leave some “wiggle room” in the price, they'll always have the opportunity to negotiate and accept a lower offer.  However, chances are the offers won't even come in, because the buyers who would be most interested in your home have been scared off by the price, and won’t even take the time to consider it.  By the time you correct the price, you've already missed exposure to a group of potential buyers.  

 

The listing price becomes even trickier to set when prices are quickly rising or falling.  It's critical to be aware of where and how fast the market is moving – both when setting the price and when negotiating an offer.  An experienced, well-trained real estate consultant is always in touch with market trends – often even to a greater extent than appraisers, who typically focus on what a property is worth if sold as is, right now.

Who’s the next person you know who could benefit from learning about what mistakes to avoid when selling your home?  Be sure to give us a call to discuss how we can let them know about our services.

-Ronnie and Crystal Gonzales

The Living In La Mirada Team