Did you buy a home last year? Have you owned your home for a decade? Do you have an accurate idea of how much equity you really have in your home? If you were to sell today, do you know how much cash you’d have available moving forward?     Understanding the true equity you have in your home is a vital part of understanding your complete financial picture.  You may have a vague idea of what you think your home is worth, but do you really know?  And if you’re not sure, can you really be sure of your equity?   I often help clients get an accurate picture of their home equity through a three step process:         First, I use a comparative market analysis to establish a probable range of sale prices for your home.  This takes into account recent closings as well as the unique features yo... 01/27/2012

West Hills Ca - Real Estate - Woodland Hills Homes - We may not be in the “flipping days” of years past, but there are some good opportunities     Now is perhaps one of the best times in history to purchase a home.  Low interest rates and unparalleled affordability have created a perfect storm for qualified buyers.       So does that mean the “flipping days” are here again?  Probably not.  While there may be shrewd investors out there who have the ability to squeeze out a profit on flipping properties in this market, the margins aren’t favorable and re-selling is tough.       It is, however, an excellent time for buyers looking for a long-term home investment, especially those who want to manage a rental property.  There’s a good margin between true value and current prices, for one.  A... 01/25/2012

For Lease - Available Now - Flexible lease terms Not in the MLS $2295/mth 7816 Woodlake Ave. West Hills, CA Near West Hills Medical Center. See the pride-of-ownership and attention to deal in this ranch home that has never been rented before. Smell the roses as you enter this recently updated home. Fresh paint and new flooring are just some of the many upgrades throughout. Enter the light and bright living room, which opens to the kitchen and dining areas. The oversized master bedroom has a huge, customized walk-in closet. Dual sinks in the master bath.  Large, manicured grassy backyard with covered patio. Laundry room with full-size washer & dryer. Gated carport & street parking. Good credit a must. Near West Hills Medical Center. 01/10/2012

01/09/2012

   I think you’d probably agree that the worst investing advice in the world is: Buy high, sell low.  That’s the very definition of losing money on an investment, right?   So let me ask you: Why would you wait for the housing market to improve before buying a house?   I understand there’s a lot of uncertainty out there. Job security is questionable, unemployment is high, and you’re not sure what it takes to get pre-approved for a home loan.  It’s scary.  But here’s the thing: Letting fear dictate your financial strategy for the future is a guaranteed way to pay too much for a house in the years to come.   Put fear aside for just a moment.  Here are some facts:              - Interest rates are at or close to historic lows          - Prices for homes have plunged to the lowest levels we’... 12/29/2011

My Wish for you this Year! Lunar Double Happines Bill Vaughn, a once well-known American columnist, said about the new year:   “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.  A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”   Regardless of how you feel about bidding farewell to 2011 and anticipating the events of 2012, I thought now might be a good time to share a few wishes I have for you for the months ahead.    I sincerely hope this year holds health, happiness, and a renewed sense of connection to the people who surround you.  May any uncertainty be replaced with confidence, and may you begin to feel the renewed strength that past adversity fosters in all of us.    I know that my life has been immeasurably improved by my connection to others in the community, an... 12/26/2011

Wow, the true cost of a commute! Do you ever wish you lived closer to work?  Some of the happiest people I know have the shortest commutes.  Traffic stress, the cost of gasoline, and the hours wasted on the road take their toll.   Well, if you’ve ever been looking for a reason to move closer to your work, this might just send you over the edge.  The truth is, it could be a major financial mistake not to cut a long commute out of your life.   This eye-opening infographic from StreamlineRefinance.net shows you how much more home you can afford when you eliminate a long commute from your life.  From their math, it looks to be anywhere from $15,900 (1 mile reduction) to an astonishing $477,000 (30 mile reduction)!    While you might have some arguments against their assumptions, I think the... 12/20/2011

 If You Could Buy a Van Gogh in 1885, Wouldn't You?   “The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found those dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.”    Vincent van Gogh, Dutch painter (March 30, 1853 – July 29, 1890) http://www.vangoghgallery.com/         Artists take risks. They pursue their vision, often without financial security, facing long odds while stewing in their own self-doubt. When the world tells them “it’s not safe,” they listen to their own voice despite “prevailing wisdom.” They have a vision and they pursue it.      Occasionally, if they’re very lucky, they get to look back on their life and see the path that lead them to create a masterpiece. At the time, the path wasn’t easy, yet in retrospect, it looks very much... 12/19/2011

  Hosting out of town guests soon?  Going the extra mile when hosting out-of-town guests can be both affordable and reflect the charms of your town.  Here are some handy tips I like to share with clients who have friends staying in the wonderful West Hills  Woodland Hills or any area.   For the guest room:   •        Clear out a nice space for your guests items. Even a section of a closet or a dedicated set of shelves / drawers will help them feel welcome.   •        Fresh flowers are a great way to make an average guest room seem like a little dose of “B&B” treatment.   •        Provide local information on the nightstand; local maps, history, and points of interest are great ideas.   On arrival:   •        Giving guests a spare set of keys and showing them how to use the alarm (if you... 12/16/2011

    I came across this interesting infographic in the Washington Post recently called “Anatomy of a Burglary,” which reveals some fascinating statistics about break-ins, including a few ways to protect your valuables and deter thieves.   Some interesting facts:   ·   Most burglaries occur between 10AM and 3PM. ·   The typical house burglar is a male teenager who lives within a couple of miles of your home. ·   Burglars spend on an average between 8 and 12 minutes inside your home.   Not only did the graphic detail the most common entry points for a burglar, but it also offered these helpful tips for protecting your home:   ·   A home with a security system is 3 times less likely to be broken into than a home without a security system. (Even if you don’t have one, buying the stickers fo... 12/15/2011

  New guidelines for the real estate tax deduction   Beginning with the filing of your California tax return for 2012, you are required to file an itemized report on any real estate tax deductions you claim, as well as include the parcel number and amounts that can or cannot be deducted.   Deductions may be claimed for state, local and foreign real estate taxes based on the property’s assessed value, called ad valorem taxes. Charges on the tax bill unrelated to property taxes and local government maintenance of offsite improvements are not deductible.   Deductions may not be claimed for:   amounts included in the tax bill for local benefits which increase the value of the parcel assessed; special assessments and fixed charges such as assessment district bond payments and zoning violatio... 12/06/2011

    Chart last updated 11/2/11   October 2011 September 2011 October 2010 One YearRate Differential .16% .24% .72%   Data courtesy of Freddie Mac   A homebuyer’s maximum financial ability to purchase property depends entirely upon his down payment and the amount he qualifies to borrow from a lender. The amount a homebuyer can borrow is initially based on two factors:   the buyer’s income, which generally changes annually at the rate of inflation; and current mortgage rates, which change constantly.   Lenders know that by one standard, homebuyers are less likely to default if they allocate no more than 31% of their monthly gross income to monthly mortgage payments. Accordingly, mortgage lenders now refuse to lend more money than the buyer can repay at that 31% gross income ratio amortize... 12/06/2011

Building Stronger Communities and Better bonds between Neighbors- West Hills-Woodland Hills Ca-Homes. Living next door to someone doesn’t make you a neighbor.It makes you an adjacent homeowner.One of the great opportunities we have in our communities is the chance to build real, meaningful relationships with the people who live closest to us.       While I understand the desire for privacy, I think it’s important we realize that regular, helpful communication with our neighbors makes us both safer and paves a smooth road for difficult conversations we might face with our neighbors in the future.       Small gestures such as a nice note about landscaping, an invitation to a potluck, or an “all hands on deck” community improvement project allow us to get to know our neighbors.This is vita... 11/30/2011

Stop-Junkmail- West Hills Ca Real Estate / Woodland Hills / San Fernando Valley Homes for Sale       Stop-Junkmail A common complaint I hear from home owners is “How do I stop junk mail?”  This is especially true for new home owners who find they’re bombarded by catalogs and advertisements intended for the previous owners.   Not only is eliminating junk mail a personal convenience, but it’s also good for the planet.  Who hasn’t lugged 60 pounds of junk mail down to the curb on recycling night and thought, “I can’t believe all of this paper and ink is wasted.”?   Well, if you’re looking for a free and easy way to cut down on the unwanted catalogs, coupons, credit card offers, circulars (and more!), then be sure to check out CatalogChoice.org (http://www.catalogchoice.org).      Catalog ... 11/14/2011

West Hills California -Veterans Day Honoring All    Honoring All   Navy , Marines, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard     The Man and Women Who Have Selflessly Served Our Country     Veterans Day 11.11.11     My Website For Sellers For Buyers Monthly Newsletter Call me! eMail me! Canoga Park-Winnetka SF Valley Face Book Listing Book West Hills LA Gas Prices Rentals Housing Trends You Tube       West Hills Woodland Hills Calabasas Hidden Hills Canoga Winnetka Tarzana Sherman Oaks Studio City Northridge Chatsworth Lake Balboa Grandada Hills Encino                  11/11/2011

Fall Back / West Hills Ca Real Estate / Woodland Hills-San Fernando Valley Homes.   LET'S ALL ENJOY THE DAY AND BE HAPPY.    PLEASE REMEMBER TO ADJUST YOUR TIME..ITS "FALL" BACK AN HOUR.    "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, i... 11/05/2011

West Hills Ca Real Estate / San Fernando Valley  Homes for Sale  I can't believe It is November already. I hope you find these home care tips & ideas for this month helpful.      Esperanza ButlerRealtor, GRI, e-PRO, SFRRodeo Realty21031 Ventura Blvd.#100Woodland Hills, Ca. 91364Cell: (818)-926-5425Office: (818)-999-2030Esperanza@EsperanzaButler.comwww.Esperanza4homes.comwww.Activerain.com/Esperanzahttp://goo.gl/tQnbs         Home Buyer Beginnings My West Hills home buyers guide contains useful information written exclusively for home buyers, designed to assist you make an informed decision about your home purchase. I'll use my West Hills real estate expert knowledge of the area to find you the perfect West Hills home, one that’s comfortable for your life style as well as your budget... 10/31/2011

Halloween Safety There's No Trick to It! / West Hills  Ca Real Estate The observance of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts, devils and goblins. Over the years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed dramatically. Today, many of other young and young-at-heart take a more light-spirited approach. Glowing skeletons and lighted Jack' O Lanterns decorate homes, while children dressed in all kinds of costumes begin flocking  out onto  neighborhood streets in search of treats. Make this year's  holiday extra safe by following these safety tips on costumes, treats, decorations and more! Esperanza ButlerRealtor, GRI, e-PRO, SFRRodeo Realty21031 Ventura Blvd.#100Woodland Hills, Ca. 91364Cell: (818)-926-... 10/28/2011

As you get older, your memory bank gets full and needs somewhere else to store information. That's why we need keywords or visual aids to jog our memory sometimes. Well it's always great practice to write down important things such as: goals, appointments, transactions, names and numbers, events, etc. So get yourself an AT-A-GLANCE weekly planner to schedule your life's most important things. Walmart carries them for a very low price.  So the next time you have an appointment or a goal to achieve, make sure you write it down! 10/22/2011

West Hills CA - Real Estate / So How long is this down real estate market going to last? Just about every day people ask me: "So how long is this down real estate market going to last?   Where's the recovery? They're surprised when I tell them that in some markets, the recovery is already under way. Consumer attitude often lags behind local market data. You see, there were lots of market indicators as far back as 2006 that the bust was on its way. Despite the fact that inventory on the market was increasing, prices floated up well into 2007. But there came a point when the "Market data came home to roost"  And when it did, well.... no need to rehash bad news. In some markets (especially those where buyers have recognized the incredible values and low interest rates) we see several indic... 10/21/2011