Nef's Blog

With the current real estate market of rising Southern California foreclosures, a little known real estate transaction called the short sale is becoming increasingly popular.  Usually when using the term “short” is used, it conjures up images of something that is smaller in comparison to other i...

You remember the old adage that “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” For anyone interested in selling their home, this adage should be the first thing in their mind as they prepare their property for sale. With the help of a good realtor, a seller can get objective advice ...

Are you tired of the outdated look of your kitchen but are short on cash?  According to Remodeling Magazine, and their annual survey, a minor kitchen remodel will recoup the homeowner over 92.9% of his or her initial investment.   Not all kitchen remodels have to cost a fortune.  The following a...

Some cities have histories that unfold slowly and then seem to flourish overnight-- Chino Hills, California is one of them. Chino Hills, California, located in the San Bernardino County, is well known for its high quality of life and beautiful rural atmosphere. The community, with its growing pop...

The approval of the Walnut Hills development by the City of Walnut (California) has many positive benefits for the community.  Putting the political and legal decision making process aside, there are many economic benefits that this development will bring to the citizens of this community.  This ...

If you have been in the real estate business long enough, you will definitely get a perspective on the market's cyclical nature.  While I wrote and published this article a couple of years ago (6/25/2005) in a different venue and then revised it in 2006, I included it because much of the forecast...

1. Price to sell. If you really must sell now, list your house based on what the market dictates today, not the prices that friends, relatives and co-workers got last winter or last spring. And consider that some – a tiny few -- real estate agents may suggest you hang on to a higher sale price f...

Ten years before California was admitted to the Union and eight years before the California Gold Rush, Jose de la Luz Linares founded the Rancho Los Nogales, or Ranch of the Walnut Trees, on a Mexican land grant of 4,340 acres given to him by then Governor, Juan Alvarado, which included Brea Can...

With the increasing inventory of houses in some real estate markets, many home sellers are relying on a property appraisal in order to get an independent, unbiased opinion on the value of their home and as an indicator of any potential negatives that may need to be addressed before putting their...

It wasn’t marketing hype and I wasn’t kidding when I wrote that Diamond Bar CA was a family friendly city in my article "Living in Family Friendly Diamond Bar CA".  As a resident for many years and a realtor in this city, I knew this from experience; however, I was thrilled to know that my opini...