upon taking ownership After taking possession of a new home, there are some maintenance and safety issues that should be addressed immediately.  The following checklist should help you undertake these improvements: Change the locks on all exterior entrances, for improved security. Check that all windows and doors are secure.  Improve window hardware as necessary.  Security rods can be added to sliding windows and doors.  Consideration could also be given to a security system. Install smoke detectors on each level of the home.  Ensure that there is a smoke detector outside all sleeping areas.  Replace batteries on any existing smoke detectors and test them.  Make a note to replace batteries again in one year. Create a plan of action in the event of a fire in your home.  Ensure that there... 07/20/2008

The Toluca Lake lifestyle is Southern California living at its finest. As a real estate professional, I am proud to represent this special community and have lived, worked and played here for well over 10 years. What is now considered "Toluca Lake proper", ranges from the Los Angeles river, lake and golf club on the south, Cahuenga Blvd. in North Hollywood - City of L.A. on the west, Camarillo St. on the north and Pass/Olive Avenues in Burbank on the east. The neighborhood was founded in the 1920s and many homes originate from the era. As the community expanded towards its more contemporary configuration, you will see homes which age from the 1930s through the current year. The old saying goes, "They don't build them like they use to" and inventory of the older, lovingly cared for prope... 07/19/2008

Looking for fixer uppers houses and condos for sale in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County. You have come to the right place. FIXER HOMES, CONDOS FOR SALE IN SAN FERNANDO VALLEY(*) CONTACT LUPE FOR MORE INFO, click here Principals only - no brokers, please  BANK OWNED PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN SAN FERNANDO VALLEY Lupe Soto Exclusive Agency for Real Estate Investors - Finding, Buying, Holding & Selling. I help you get there!  Fixer uppers, bank owned, reo's, probate sales, just to name a few opportunities for all real estate investors. Fee-for-Service Pricing Just like every investor, every deal is unique. You must be flexible in your dealings, and you must find ways to maximize your profits wherever you can. Lupe Soto, Exclusive Investor's Agent is the answer.Select the services you n... 07/19/2008

I'm mad at American Airlines. As a Frequent Flyer and loyal customer I expect an  acceptable and reasonable level of Customer Service from this Airline. Unfortunately, I don't think American Airlines feels the same way. Let me tell you why:   On July 2, 2008 my partner and I had tickets to fly on AA from Los Angeles to Miami where we were connecting with another AA flight to Montego Bay. The LA flight was diverted to Tampa due to bad weather in Miami but was able to make the flight after a delay in Tampa. Upon arrival in Tampa we were told to rush in order to make the connecting flight to Montego Bay. We arrived in time for the flight, but after sitting on the plane for over 21/2 hours we were instructed to disembark as the plane could not fly due to a technical problem. We could not r... 07/19/2008

Deals are to be had once again in Malibu, even on the beach. Here is a home that hit the market in late 07 for $6,000,000. The home is located in the guard-gated enclave knows as the Malibu Cove Colony near Geoffrey's restaurant. The home needed some work but has great views of Point Dume, is in the Paradise Cove Bay where it lies protected from the afternoon northwesterlies, and is in a neighborhood of $5-6 mil. homes that rent for $40-60k per month in the summer. Over the course of 11 months, the home had 5 major price reductions and has just closed at $3,500,000. Check out the listing history below.The home was listed with Sandra Miller 07/11/2008

 (818) 968-3718, Lupe Soto se especializa en la compra venta de unidades o propiedades multi familiares que producen ingresos y le ayudan a calificar (duplex, triplex, fourplex, mas de 5 unidades) en el Valle de San Fernando, Los Angeles County, California.  Averigue como puede calificar con solo 3% de enganche con el prestamo FHA.  La primera consulta es complementaria!  Lupe Soto esta disponible a ensenarle a como hacer dinero invirtiendo en Unidades 818-968-3718 PROPIEDADES DISPONIBLES, haga click aqui BUSQUE, ENCUENTRE & LLAME A LUPE PARA MOSTRARLAS, HAGA CLICK AQUI FHA LOANS, EASY TO QUALIFY, EASY TO AFFORD   OBTENGA UN REEMBOLSO CUANDO SELECCIONE MIS SERVICIOS  1% REEMBOLSO DEL PRECIO DE COMPRA AL SELECCIONAR LUPE COMO SU AGENTE  FOR RENT -HOUSES/CONDOS  HOW TO SELL FASTER FENG SH... 07/10/2008

Lupe Soto, Condo & Townhouse for sale in all san fernando valley areas, Exclusive Buyers Agent (818)968-3718 is available to help you buy and qualify for an affordable condo or townhouse in the area of your choice and with the payments you can afford and qualify. Learn more about 1% CASH BACK REBATE TO CONDO & TOWNHOUSE BUYERS when selecting my services as your Buyer's Agent. Buy a condo or townhouse in San fernando Valley & earn a rebate with Lupe Soto. Lupe es bilingue Real Estate en Espanol. CONDOS & TOWNHOUSES - REO & BANK OWNED, CLICK HERE FREE SEARCH - ANY PROPERTY - ANY PRICEFor REO/Lender Owned, please check box under "special conditions"Happy Searching!   You can go from agent to agent to agent,but you only need ONE AGENT LUPE SOTO - EXCLUSIVE BUYER'S AGENT - FREE REPRESENTATIO... 07/10/2008

As a real estate agent working in and around Pasadena California, I am constantly getting phone calls from buyers looking for great deals.  If you are looking for a real estate deal, you came to the right place.  I will be posting my "Dusty Deals" by area on a monthly basis right here for your review. What is a "Dusty Deal" list?  It is a list of real estate for sale including homes, condos and townhomes that have been on the market for over 100 days.  Are all of these great deals?  Not necessarily.  BUT, the seller has been actively marketing their homes for a very long time and is probably ready to deal. Why are these homes on the market still?  The most likely reason is that they were over priced to begin with.  The first few weeks of marketing a home for sale are the most critical w... 07/06/2008

Using New  Moon Power Days to change and revitalize your life by   www.JanSpiller.com  Power day  Saturday 8/30/08 from 1pm to midnight (PT) Power day Sunday 8/31/08 all day (PT) Power day Monday 9/1/08 from 12 am to 2am (PT) & 3:44am to midnight  (PT) Maximum 10 wishes in writing per day.     WHAT TO WISH FOR UNDER NEW MOON IN VIRGO(Physical health/diet/exercise, Work/job; Efficient organizing, Clear discrimination, Helpfulness, Order, Relaxing perfectionism NEW MOON REMINDER... Saturday, August 30, 3:59 pm - EDST (2:59 pm, EST = Eastern Standard Time) is the SECOND NEW MOON in AUGUST (known as a "Blue Moon") - so during this August, you have two chances to take advantage of the special window of opportunity available to you for wishing on a Power Day! Don't miss this opportunity to ma... 07/03/2008

Happy 4th of July! The Land of Liberty by Author Unknown I love my country's pine-clad hills, Her thousand bright and gushing rills, Her sunshine and her storms; Her rough and rugged rocks, that rear Their hoary heads high in the air In wild, fantastic forms. I love her rivers, deep and wide, Those mighty streams that seaward glide To seek the ocean's breast; Her smiling fields, her pleasant vales, Her shady dells, her flow'ry dales, The haunts of peaceful rest. I love her forests, dark and lone, For there the wild bird's merry tone I hear from morn till night; And there are lovelier flowers, I ween, Than e'er in Eastern lands were seen, In varied colors bright. Her forests and her valleys fair, Her flowers that scent the morning air-- All have their charms for me; But more I love my c... 07/01/2008

 Lupe Soto, Realtor en Espanol (818) 968-3718 Me especializo en venta de casas en subasta en el Condado de Los Angeles, Valle de San Fernando Casas en Subasta y  Valle del Antelope Casas en Subasta.  Esta es la oportunidad de comprar casas o condominiums y ahorrar con un 60% menos del valor.  La mejor manera de comunicarse conmigo y poder llamarle por favor envie un e-mail a Lupe@CasasConLupe.com o llene la forma abajo indicada. Le prometo llamarlo el mismo dia. Gracias. CASAS, CONDOS. UNIDADES, BUENOS, BONITOS & BARATOS   BUSQUE FACIL - TODAS LAS AREAS - TODOS LOS PRECIOS AUCTION DATE:  Llame a Lupe (818)968-3718 AUCTION TIME:  8:30am AUCTION PLACE;  Pomona - Foreclosure Auction OPEN HOUSE DATES:  REGISTRATION:  Para atender la subasta, Lupe Soto le ayudara con la registracion y la rep... 07/01/2008

Lupe Soto, Bilingual Realtor 818-968-3718 specializes in selling real estate at AUCTION.  COMPRE CASAS EN SUBASTA - BUY HOMES AT AUCTION Lupe Soto, Burbank Realtor (818) 968-3718  specializes in selling real estate at AUCTION in Los Angeles County Homes at Auction, San Fernando Valley Homes at Auction & Antelope Valley Homes at Auction.  Me especializo en venta de casas en subasta en el Condado de Los Angeles, Valle de San Fernando Casas en Subasta y  Valle del Antelope Casas en Subasta.  Buy houses and condos at auction at 60% below market value. Esta es la oportunidad de comprar casas o condominiums y ahorrar con un 60% menos del valor. CONTACT LUPE TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR BANK OWNED PROPERTIES IN BURBANK, SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, CLICK HERE AUCTION DATE:  Sunday, July 27, 2008 AUCTI... 07/01/2008

4th of July Fireworks in Los Angeles!   Here’s a great list of 4th of July firework shows around Los Angeles. Enjoy the holiday and be safe! To read the original article, click here:  4th of July Fireworks in Los Angeles! 07/01/2008

The benefit that home staging offers is all over the news, internet and television. Savvy real estate agents are enlisting home stagers in the sale of their listings and home sellers are seeking out home stager to get their home into tip top shape before even calling a listing agent. A common misconception is that staging is expensive - that it costs too much - without taking the very real benefits into account. A home staged by a Professional Home Stager has distinct advantages from both the homeowner's and the Listing Agent's point of view. For the homeowner, staging can result in a faster sale, thereby saving them money on the carrying costs (mortgage, maintentance, insurance, etc.) and allowing them to move on to their next home that much sooner. Staging can help generate a higher s... 06/29/2008

How many listings is ideal for an agent to handle at any given time? I've seen agents list up to 15-20 properties at a time (sometimes even more). I understand and appreciate that a team can operate under the direction of a single "Master Agent", but since Real Estate is all about people, wouldn't a Seller want dedicated personal attention from the agent they select to market their property?  I am amazed that Sellers entrust the sale of their property to an agent who works on so many properties at any one time. I've noticed that often these agents list the properties at any price, often way out of line with the market. In a busy market this worked for many agents, but as things slowed down those agents didn't have the physical time to dedicate to each Seller. I personally think the opti... 06/29/2008

Hello L.A. Brokers I am currently teaching an Office Administration class at West. I have a small summer class and I am trying to schedule job shadowing opportuities for my students between now and July 20th. Here are the goals and objectives of my class. If you are interested in having us visit please blog or email me. This is a great opportunity to meet new sales persons and expose them to your company culture.If you are a consumer interested in the Real Estate industry this is a great opportunity for you to contact me regarding enrolling in the class at West. The classes are interactive. Goals & Objectives: Students will have fundamental knowledge of office administration. Students will be familiar with Brokerage policies and procedures. Upon completion of the course, the student wil... 06/28/2008

We had a request a month or so ago to Stage 2 rooms in a low-income housing development in downtown Los Angeles (a rec-room and a learning center) for an upcoming inspection. This was one of the stranger jobs we've had, as the rentals were needed only for a few days to get through the inspection. We brought in art, throw pillows, kids toys, etc, to make the rooms feel warm and inviting for the residents. Well it went over so well that once the inspections were over the company hired us back to permanently "Stage" the same rooms with items that would actually stay in the development and be used by the residents. We  chose a warm accent color for one wall in each space and added art and accessories to bring it to life. Here are some before & afters Rec Room Before Rec Room After   Learnin... 06/26/2008

Take a look at this new "Widget" I discovered online. You can load it onto your website and it's a great resource for everyone to use.Take a look at this new "Widget" I discovered online. You can load it onto your website and it's a great resource for everyone to use. Change the variables such as ZIP, gas grade, readius and sort. I've tested it for my local area and it works. Try it yourself - it's pretty cool. 06/23/2008

 Everything you ever wanted to know about Monterey Hills California Monterey Hills is a well hidden secret.  Set right next to Pasadena, and bordered by South Pasadena, Highland Park and El Sereno, most people living in Pasadena know nothing about this area unless theyre fortunate to drive through it by accident or have a friend that lives there. If you take Pasadena Freeway, 110 and exit Via Marisol, take a right turn, past the stop light, you will head up a rolling hill which will take you through Monterey Hills.  Most complexes are on Via Marisol itself, with some on Via Arbolada and Via Colina. The location is superb - conveniently located only 7 miles from downtown LA (freeway or streets), about 10 minutes from Old Town Pasadena and minutes away from 110, 101, 10, 134, 5 and 210 fr... 06/20/2008

Deciding which groups to join on ActiveRain is obviously important to enhance the success one achieves from this resource. I was searching through the various choices and then I found this Group: Agents who want REFERRALS. So how does this work; who do I email; what should I do? All advice, comments (and referrals) will be eagerly welcomed. 06/20/2008