Welcome to Ralph's Weekly Feature: Two Truths and a Lie: Guess Which One Is The Lie? Each week, I'm going to feature one Active Rain Member, with their photo, and what they are going to do is tell you 2 Truths about them and 1 Lie. The object of the game is to guess which of the 3 bits of trivia about them is a lie! I will post the answer in that same blog at the end of the week on Fridays so you can all find out! It's a great way to get to know your fellow Active Rain members and staff. This week, we will be featuring: Richard Ruggaber Originally from Toronto, Canada, Richard is a Realtor with the John Aaroe Group in Los Angeles.  He was previously with Prudential California Realty for many years before coming over to the John Aaroe Group.  He was on the relocation team as well as the... 08/29/2010

Vacant homes do not stimulate the economy........and their "ungy" I am optimistic about all that the government and banks are doing to try and make homes and loans affordable, and make short selling a property easier for a homeowner who has no other sensible alternative. As we all know, homes that sit vacant over time, on the simplest level, are just not attractive (or as my little neice would say, they're "ungy") But not only are they an eye sore and a cause for depression within the neighborhoods that they are in, more importantly they do not help stimulate the economy, which is really needed right now. A homeowner living in a home who is paying their mortgage are contributing in many ways: They are paying interest to the banks, who in turn invest their money in the national markets T... 08/28/2010

OK. I made a choice and this was the new auto I decided to buy....... For those of you that read my blogs, you'll know that I posted a blog last week asking everyone's opinion on a good, economical car to buy that is great on gas mileage. I had currently owned a Prius and was looking at other manufacturer's autos also. Well, I guess I just caught the dealership on a slow day because they offered me a REALLY good deal. And each time I said I would think about it and come back another time, they kept adding something in or reducing the price in order for me to buy the car right there and then. Well, I decided to buy another Prius!!  I bought the 2010 model. I bought the package with the sun roof, solar panel, leather seats and built-in navigation (I HAVE to have that for showing property ... 08/25/2010

So I think I may look into getting a new car - any suggestions from my Active Rain Peeps? I currently have a 2007 Toyota Prius.  I love my car! However, I think I may start to look for a new vehicle.  My obvious choice is to get a new Prius. But I'm always open to suggestions from people with insight and/or experience with their own vehicles. Any great or bad experiences you've had? Any great deals, or new 2011 vehicles you've read about that sounds amazing? I would like to stick to a Hybrid, but I'm still open to something that gets GREAT gas mileage. Let me know what you think. Thanks! Los Angeles Homes For Sale Los Angeles Condos For Sale Los Angeles Townhomes For Sale   08/22/2010

Got an accepted offer on an REO property for my buyers.....with a pleasant surprise.... We wrote a good, strategic offer for my buyers on a bank-owned REO property.  We got a counter which was do-able, and signed off. And then, as customary, we received the bank addendum.  We read that with a fine tooth comb, and nothing that is out of the ordinary for a bank addendum.  (VERY important to read the bank addendum carefully, multiple times) However, there was an additional addendum entitled "Notice Regarding Buyer's Right to Select Escrow Agent and/or Title Insurer" About a year ago, the laws changed in the state of California, specifically CA AB 957 - Buyer's Choice Act -  that mandate the buyers to have the right to choose escrow and title.  I wrote a blog about this a while ago. I was p... 08/13/2010

Lupe Soto Realtor in Studio City HABLO ESPANOL assisting buyers and investors own real estate in STUDIO CITY. Are you looking for fixer uppers, bank owned, short sales, probate sales, regular sales, you have found the right place.  Free home search tool.  When YOU are ready please contact Lupe to schedule showing. Easy home search with results! STUDIO CITY CONDOS & TOWNHOUSES FOR SALE click hereincludes full property address, photos, description and more STUDIO CITY HOMES FOR SALE, click herewith full property address, photos, description and moreFREE HOME SEARCH TOOL - ANY AREA - ANY PRICE - ANYTIME 24/7, click here   Lupe Soto Realtor will help you locate the home or condo you wish to purchase and then help you own it!     08/01/2010

Economists were expecting a month-over-month increase of 5.5. The National Association of Realtors reported yesterday that sales of previously owned homes rose an unexpected 7.6%. That continued a yearlong rise in housing activity and marked the highest number of sales recorded since November of last year. It also follows economic news signaling the possibility that the United States may be on the economic mend. Government spending has helped spur factory production. A rising stock market and an improving job market have led to greater consumer optimism, which has stimulated spending. Further reports on housing and durable goods orders, due out later this week, will likely give consumers even more reason to feel confident that a recovery is at hand. Zillow noted last week, U.S. homeowne... 05/26/2010

Some people say we're now entering a bad real estate market. I disagree. I think we're entering a great market. A bad one is when amateur investors become real estate experts and they bid up prices. They make housing expensive for homeowners, often adding little to no value to the property. They simply muddy the waters and make a valuable investment, a home, expensive. It's the amateurs who come late to the party -- and who eventually donate their money back to the professionals. What I'm saying is: Now is the time to turn pro. Now is not the time to be an amateur. It's the amateurs who jump in when the market is hot. It's the professional who comes in when it's cooling down. Get the message? When the red-hot bull market of real estate was beginning to overheat, you didn't have time to ... 05/19/2010

Can it be possible? Despite the housing bust and high foreclosure rates, in some areas real estate agents are complaining that they don't have enough homes to sell. In some areas, supplies are even bidding-war tight. In California, almost all cities have a short supply of single-family homes. That's especially true in the lower-priced categories, according to Leslie Appleton-Young, chief economist for the California Association of Realtors. In the higher price ranges, sales are slower than they would be because of continued problems in obtaining financing. Right now, most jumbo-mortgage lenders require down payments of 30% to 35%, but as that eases, sales of higher end homes should rise and supplies fall. Zillow surveys indicate there's a big pool of homeowners who have wanted to sell ... 05/17/2010

Interest Rate Update 04/17/10 Interest rates improved this week for the most part, in spite of mixed economic news. The 30-Year Fixed Conforming Rate is under 5% again, so that is great. Below are some rates for the weekend. These rates are typical for the PURCHASE borrower will excellent credit and a sizable down payment, exclusive of FHA for the down payment. Take a look at FHA 5/1 ARM rates below, as those rates are at 3.5% for all loans up to $729,750-this is amazing! This can be a very attractive alternative for FHA buyers.   Conventional Loans: 30 Year Fixed Conforming---$417,000 and Below: 4.875% with 1 Point 30 Year Fixed High Balance Conforming---$417,001 to $729,750: 5.125% with 1 Point 30 Year Fixed Jumbo---$729,751 to $1,000,000: 5.5% with 1 Point 5/1 ARM Jumbo---5.0% with 1... 04/17/2010

04/14/2010

If your considering buying a condos for sale in the San Fernando Valley, you'll be surprised just how few communities are FHA approved.  Searching online won't give you the knowledge you need to avoid those condos which won't qualify for an FHA loan.  It's a tedious task most real estate agent hate.  Having to check the FHA website for approval.  Now, you can purchase a condo or townhouse for only 5% down.  That's any condo or townhouse because you will have applied for a conventional loan and everybody loves a conventional loan. Here is a loan officer I can recommend for Los Angeles home-buyers: Please call Tom Cortesi with Home Services Lending at 818-817-4261 office or 323-791-8145 mobile.Here is Tom's website: http://www.homeloans.com/tom-cortesi .  Tom is great at what he does. The... 04/09/2010

Here in the San Fernando Valley, it's be known that if you live South of Ventura Blvd, you're living in a wealthy community and you have money.  There is an association attached to it and most people with money, prefer to live South of Ventura Blvd.  These are the words often heard: I'm looking for a:Studio City home South of the Blvd.Sherman Oaks home South of the Blvd.Encino home South of the Blvd.Tarzana home South of the Blvd.Woodland Hills home South of the Blvd. I can't tell you how many times wealthy home-buyers have told me that they are not interested to live in a home north of Ventura Blvd.  It's surprising, especially when there are beautiful neighborhoods a block or two north of Ventura Blvd. Ventura Blvd is a well known street in the San Fernando Valley.  This street stretc... 04/06/2010

Aroma Cafe - Studio City, California - One of the best "hang out" cafes in Los Angeles I love going to Aroma Cafe - It is where many film and television people hang out for lunch and dinner. It's in a prime area of Studio City called Tujunga Village. The food is GREAT.  Always fresh and eclectic. They have a turkey hummus sandwich that is outstanding. I get the wild rice and tofu salad often.  Their wraps are very popular too. It was originally a residential home many years ago, and it was converted to a beautiful patio cafe.  The patio setting is unbelievably charming and has plenty of outdoor heaters when necessary (which isn't very often in LA) It started mostly as a coffe and tea house, and then over the years their food menu grew to what it is today. I see many celebs there - I onc... 04/03/2010

Are you looking for Studio City bank owned homes for sale? We have real estate owned (REO's) and foreclosure homes below market value. Studio City is a very popular area of the San Fernando Valley.  Here is a list of available Studio City homes for sale that are in foreclosure.  [This page uses frames, but your browser doesn't support them.] You can also search Burbank bank owned homes and Sherman Oaks bank owned homes. 02/09/2010

What many people don't know is that Professional Home Stagers also make GREAT Interior Designers....or in this case, Patio Designers.  This morning my company did this installation in Studio City, CA for a high priced office complex, but their Valet Patio and Roof Top Deck was far from attractive to fetch new Clients to fill any vacancies.  Valet Patio - Before      Valet Patio - After : Newly upholstered cushions, new tables, new accessories, the drapes were actually there before but we added the red stripe to pull it all together.         This is certainly a case of "You get what you pay for".  There needs to be more than just form and function taken into consideration when purchasing outdoor furniture.  The furniture was initially purchased by another "designer" at the lowest cost.  ... 01/12/2010

Studio City is a neighboring city to Universal City, where Universal Studios are located  New Listings: 74Average Listing Price: $ 1,025,751Listings Under Contract: 2Average Listing Price: $ 662,000 Listings Sold: 49Average Selling Price: $ 866,724 % Difence Between Listing Price versus Selling Price: 93.36 %% Sales Price Versus Old Listing Price: 88.23 %Average Days on The Market: 86 http://www.losangelescountyrealestate.blogspot.com   Real Estate News ,Statistics, Mortgage Loans, Foreclosures   10/10/2009

New Listings: 72Average Listing Price: $ 1,069,451Listings Under Contract: 5Average Listing Price: $ 537,600 Listings Sold: 45Average Selling Price: $ 829,544 % Difence Between Listing Price versus Selling Price: 94.96 %% Sales Price Versus Old Listing Price: 86.65 %Average Days on The Market: 67 http://www.stoppayingrentinla.com   Chatsworth Real Estate ,Statistics, Mortgage Loans, Foreclosures   10/10/2009

New Listings: 68Average Listing Price: $ 1,016,416Listings Under Contract: 3Average Listing Price: $ 577,666 Listings Sold: 39Average Selling Price: $ 754,730 % Difence Between Listing Price versus Selling Price: 95.70 %% Sales Price Versus Old Listing Price: 91.44 %Average Days on The Market: 66 http://www.sfvalleyhotproperties.com   North Hollywood Real Estate ,Statistics, Mortgage Loans, Foreclosures   10/10/2009

OK, OK. So I'm not being wordless.  I just thought this was a cool photo that my sister sent me. It is a true representation of how to be non partisan in order to save lives!! Republicans and Democrats please take notice and learn a little something. Have a great day, and if it's not, then do whatever it takes to MAKE IT a great day.... 10/07/2009