Search Local Residential Listings
MLS.com is a free MLS search to find real estate MLS listings for sale by Realtors and other realty professionals that are members of your local MLS Multiple Listing Service.
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RESOURCES
California Solar Center
The California Solar Center has compiled a list of financial incentives offered for using alternative energy sources.
Reuse Building Materials
Discover how you can help recycle construction and deconstruction products.
New Fannie Mae Guidelines
Effective March 1, 2009, Fannie Mae will start once again financing up to 10 properties for investors in order to help with lending recovery. Find out what this means for you.
Wall Street Journal
National and International Real Estate trends and news.
Go Green
Everyone has ideas about greening residential real estate, but what about commercial investment property going green. Share your experiences or questions…comment here!
House of Representatives
Learn about the Bills currently on the table and how to voice your opinions.
Pool and Spa Safety Laws
Pool Safety Laws and information including the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, 15 USC 8004.
Attracting Tenants in Any Market
- Know the local market and keep up with changes. If you are not directly involved in the leasing process, talk to other landlords, realtors and property managers to find out if rates are declining or rising so you don’t have to rely on projected rates from a third party when you are selling or buying.
- Hot markets cool around the Holidays, so don’t base conclusions on seasonal surveys.
- Evaluate and re-evaluate your ability to manage your real estate investments. If you started out managing a 10 unit building and now feel it takes too much time away from work and recreation, look at alternatives. You may be able to offer a discount on rent to one of your responsible tenants to assume the hands on management while you still handle the accounting and paperwork. Professional management companies offer various rates depending upon which services they provide.
- Many times vacancies can be filled by referrals from existing tenants. While this can become a great resource, there may also be repercussions if the perspective tenant is not as reliable as the referring resident.
- Consider concessions (rent discount in the third and last month, free cable, etc.) to attract strong tenants.
- Take your time screening tenants and try to check references and application information as accurately as possible. You might lose a tenant who is in a hurry to move in soon, but, it’s better to be vacant and lose one month’s rent than rush to rent to a tenant who will default on payments.
- Keep up appearances. Make sure that your building is the type of property where you would want to work and/or live. If you can’t visualize how it should look, look through exterior design and landscape journals, call in a landscape designer, or ask some savvy talented friends for advice.
- Fine-tune your formula for attracting quality tenants (tenants who will treasure – not trash) the premises.
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A Tale of 3 Cities and the Rent Regulations that Bind Them »
REAL ESTATE
West Hollywood 3 Bedroom
Cute cottage with lovely front and backyards at 362 Huntley Drive. This charming 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath is located on a cul de sac between La Cienega and San Vicente. $773,000. See the MLS for more info
Development Opportunity or SFR on Culver Blvd
Culver City home at $549,000. Great Starter House… Priced Right With Nice Backyard & Mature Trees. Across From Bike/Pedestrian Path. Close To Freeways, Shopping, Public Transportation. Or Hold & Develop This R4 Property Later (Buyer To Confirm Current Zoning W/City). Court Confirmation Not Required
Santa Monica Extends Smoking Ban into Residential Territory
February, 2009- Santa Monica is known for its already severe anti-smoking legislation. City Council has passed further measures to safeguard residents against secondhand smoke. The new law regulates smoking in common areas of multi-family residences including apartment buildings and condos. Victims of secondhand smoke can file a civil action which can award them up to $100 in damages or order legal injunction. It is necessary that the victim of secondhand smoke attempts to reach a solution with the smoker and provides written notice before these matters are brought to court. Some tenants rights organizations feel that this bill goes too far into regulating residents lives, while some health organizations feel that these anti-smoking measures are too soft. This reaction is par for the course with the polarizing smoking issue.
Beverly Glen Condo
This extra large bright unit offers great flow for entertaining and you can’t beat the location. The condo is centrally located near bus stops, and minutes from the Rancho Park Golf Course, recreation center, Westfield shopping malls (Westside & Century City), movie theaters,
Westwood Village, UCLA, and a variety of neighborhood restaurants, shops and services. Huge living room with wet bar & fireplace opens up to huge seating area, separate dining area, and adjacent kitchen. Building offers controlled access, elevator, pool, and spa.
Investment Opportunities in Corona del Mar
There are uniques opportunities in this upscale community where duplex/condo conversions provide investment opportunities for the small investor. Corona del Mar is a fashionable beachside Orange County community with dazzling residential properties as well impressive shopping and entertainment options. Explore Corona del Mar