What is the REAL price of that bank owned Silver Lake home? I have a client who would like to buy a foreclosed property in Silver Lake.  When he sees listings come on the market that seem like they are too good to be true, his first question to me is always" is that the real price or a fake price?" For anyone who has been looking to buy a property in Silver Lake California lately, you are probably starting to wonder when you can and cannot ‘believe' the list price of a property.  Many agents have been listing bank owned and short sale properties far below their actual market value.  It's getting to the point where I want to tell my clients just to ignore the asking price completely! It makes sense for a seller to price a property on the lower end of market value in order to generate int... 10/31/2010

Third Annual Halloween Dog costume pageant returns to Silver Lake Dog Park Who says Halloween is just for kids? The Silver Lake Dog Park is once again the place to be for the annual "Howl-o-Ween Doggie Costume Pageant.  This will be the third year our own Silver Lake Neighborhood Council will be hosting the event.  Dress up your pup and show up at the small dog section of the Silver Lake dog Park on Sunday, October 31st to register your dog between 3 and 4pm.  The pageant takes place from 4-5pm and all entries will receive prices. All dogs are welcome so dress ‘em up and bring them to the park for some fun. As usual there should be a good number of entries and lots of fun for dog owners and non-owners alike.  Who can resist a dog in a costume, seriously?!  The Silver Lake dog park is lo... 10/24/2010

Two great new listings in Silver Lake's coveted Ivanhoe School District For a while, we were not seeing a lot of interesting new listings in the Moreno Highlands area of Silver Lake. This week I'm pleased to say that I saw TWO houses just yesterday that are going to make some Silver Lake families very happy! 2423 Lanterman Terrace is a 1957 mid-century that want re-imagined and modernized in 2005 by Tony Unhruh. 1000 sq ft were added to the original floorplan at that time. You'll find 3 bedrooms, 3 baths plus a den with a great post and beam ceilings.  Walls of glass and decks provide an expansive view making the rooms feel even larger than they are. I love the big, nicely landscaped back yard too.  Listed with Sotheby's for $1,499,000- it's a treat to say the least. For those that want... 10/20/2010

Representing buyers during the boom was a challenge--do you remember? Multiple offers (sometimes 20!), no contingencies, no inspections, and the money talked--only the strongest $$ would get the deal? How times have changed! People frequently ask me, "How do I know if it is a good time to buy or sell?" There is a psychology to both hot and not-so-hot markets, and I would say it's all about your ability to roll with the punches. Representing buyers is GREAT right now. Some sellers, particularly those that have done the renovations to a particular property themselves, are willing to install pools, erect walls, MAKE IT WORK for the buyer. If you are buyer considering a property but it's just a hair short of what you wished you were getting, ask yourself: What could the seller do to make th... 10/13/2010

Wow. I never thought I'd see the day! http://money.cnn.com/2010/10/08/real_estate/bank_america_50/ While I completely appreciate that a bank is taking responsibility for the accuracy of its process, I'm surprised it's taken so long. I remember a few months ago, a colleague of mine mentioned that if you had a Bank of America loan and you didn't make your mortgage payments, you could stay in the house for MONTHS before the foreclosure procedure would start. I have wondered all along if it would have been more cost effective for the banks and much less administrative overall for the banks to just renegotiate the terms of their deals with the clients directly. For example, Bank of America held a loan on a property which my husband and I owned. We had a contract for an amount that would have... 10/08/2010

Satisfy your sweet tooth at Lark Cake Shop in Silver Lake Cupcakes are definitely back in style and I know of no better place to get one in Silver Lake than Lark Cake Shop.Lark Cake Shop is the brain child of owners James and Colleen Standish who opened this lovely piece of Silver Lake heaven back in 2007. The Standishs' have been Silver residents for more than 20 years and they wanted to create a local business for friends and neighbors to enjoy.  Lark Cake Shop in Silver Lake provides a great selection of  cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies and bars and all things yummy.  Their pastry chef, Sarah Hirata, uses nothing but the best ingredients - real eggs and pure cane sugar, Callebuat chocolate, Dutch cocoa powder and Madagascar Bourbon vanilla. Dairy products are growth hormone free and c... 09/20/2010

The DO’s and DON’Ts of Buying Investment Properties There has never been a better time to buy investment properties than right now. It has become such a lucrative market that experienced investors who know just what to do can’t wait to take the plunge and capitalize on such a smart opportunity presented to them. Novice investors might, however, need a little more help as they find their way in the multifaceted world of real estate in the hope of acquiring a quality investment property. If you consider yourself as one of these up-and-coming financiers, it is essential that you arm yourself with the following do’s and don’ts which I believe are vital in buying investment properties DO evaluate your funds and ensure you can meet the expense of investing in properties. Save yourself form f... 09/13/2010

Landscaping can make a difference in selling your home. Many homeowners focus too much on improving their interiors and overlook the fact that it is their front yard that creates the essential first impression. A well-landscaped lawn can make the difference in a potential buyer’s decision to step inside your home or not.  It implies to the buyer that the homeowner cares for his or her home and that the interiors would most likely be clean and well-maintained too. Great landscaping can add as much as 5-11% to your home’s market value! If you are planning on landscaping to improve your property, come up with a list of things that need to be done then start on the project right away. If you are going to sell your home, the best time to do landscaping is at least a month before you put the ... 08/29/2010

Sales of Silverlake/Echo Park homes decreased significantly, by nineteen percent (19%), in July, 2010. Despite an increase in sales over the last two months, only thirteen (13) Silverlake/Echo Park homes were sold in July of 2010, while the Combined L.A./Westside MLS reflects the sale of three (16) Silverlake/Echo Park homes for July 2009. Homes Sold in Silverlake/Echo Park for July 2010: Supply continues to outpace demand, although there was a 21% decrease in available Silverlake/Echo Park homes for July 2010, as compared with the same month last year. There were ninety-five (95) Silverlake/Echo Park homes listed on the market for July of 2010. Sales prices for Silverlake/Echo Park homes also decreased by nineteen percent (19%) in July of 2010 and compared to the same period last year.... 08/20/2010

Silver Lake's 30th Annual Sunset Junction Street Fair takes place this weekend, August 21 and 22 Silver Lake's Annual Sunset Junction Street Fair if one of the largest celebrations of diversity in Los Angeles.  The Sunset Junction Neighborhood Alliance was created to acknowledge the diversity of the neighborhoods of Silver Lake, Echo Park and Los Feliz. Long recognized as an area where artists, musicians, students, straight, gays and people of all ages live in harmony and respect for each others way of life- Sunset Junction is the perfect location for such a celebration.  A huge number of people gather at this annual event and this year will be no different with and expected attendance of  75,000-100,000 each day. Besides being a great place to get out for rides, attractions food booth ... 08/20/2010

Here it is 1yr and 3mos. later and i just heard from the listing agent on a rental I found for a friend. My client wanted to purchase the home and was in contact with  the seller about purchasing the property. Once the owner knew my client was interested in buying the home she sent me an email explaining that she found a broker to do only her paperwork and charge her a discounted fee since this was not a SALES TRANCTION. She wrote that she assumed I would work out the same arrangements with my client assuming that I would make an  offer. In the recent phone conversation from the agent I was told that he had been in touch with the owner explaing that he had a right to ths commision and she would have to pay it. So I emailed my client stating that the I could represent him now that I woul... 08/20/2010

Two Adorable craftsman homes on a lot in Silver Lake I'm a big fan of income property and recommend buying income property instead of a single family home as a great way to get into the Los Angeles real estate market. If you've been thinking about buying a house in Silver Lake and like the idea of having an income unit to help pay for the mortgage, you owe it to yourself to see this property.  The Lightfoots' listing at 2419 Berkeley Ave in Silver Lake may be just the place you've been waiting for.  These two restored  California Bungalows are set high above the street giving them a private, secluded feeling.  You don't even need to walk up all the steps in front to get there as the property has with private alley access to parking in the back. If you love old architecture like I do, yo... 08/14/2010

Just yesterday I was speaking with a renowned Hollywood headshot photographer, Laura Burke (www.lauraburkephotography.com), about how the Internet has affected her business. We discussed how, while a useful information tool, Internet leads are frequently put off by follow-up phone calls--an area where both Laura and I agree that we strengthen our connections with potential clients and get a feel for whether we would be a good match. Prospective consumers forget, I think, that there is a recipient at the other end of the inquiry. Here a few tips for leads that I hope make the process better for them and for us: 1. Tell me if you are working with another agent. Respect my time and effort--recognize that I am a hard-working agent, but not for another agent's clients! Be fair and respect th... 08/12/2010

   Short Sales In Los Angeles, California - Am I qualified to short sale my Silver Lake home? If you are not clear on exactly what a short sale is, please read my post about what buyers and Sellers should know about Los Angeles short sales. You may own a house in Silver Lake and you now owe your lender more than the house is work, but that doesn't mean you automatically qualify for a short sale. Most people who bought property in Silver Lake and the surrounding areas during the height of the market are in that position.  We can't all just decide we don't want to keep making our payments and expect our lender to take a huge loss. Lenders have certain standards to determine whether they will approve a short sale or not. The main issue is that you must have some sort of hardship, meaning, ... 07/10/2010

Auburn 7 Small Lot Subdivision in Silver Lake Have you heard of the Auburn 7 small lot subdivision in Silver Lake?  This complex of seven single family homes  designed by Silver Lake based MASS Architecture and Design is one of L.A.'s small lot subdivisions, located right here is Silver Lake. The seven homes are townhouse style, separated by just a small space and share walkways and a community garden on DWP land in front. The Auburn 7 were built with ecology in mind. Green features include: radiant heating in the floor, tankless water heaters, low-flush toilets, and high-efficiency HVAC. The homes are also solar-ready for those owners choosing to install panels. Dual glazed windows and skylights add great ventilation and better efficiency. If all of this appeals to you, you are in luck... 06/26/2010

Atwater Village is welcoming the home buyer with two new cool affordable houses for sale. You do not have to be cash heavy or with an inheritance in your back pocket to own in this trend community. Atwater Village that includes the Silver Lake neighborhood just saw two homes for sale at $418K and $475k. What every home buyer needs to know is that Chase and Wells Fargo both offer a variety of programs to get the home buyer set with a new house. Are you ready to jump into the life of home ownership? $418k, 2+2, 1176 sq. ft. on a small but park like 3k sq. ft. lot. (Riverside Terrace) $457k, 3+2, 1319 sq. ft. on a 5400 sq. ft. lot. (La Clede Ave.) Now you can have that nice home at a reasonable price in a trendy community that is commuter friendly. Give me a call or e-mail and I’ll give yo... 06/25/2010

One of the many attractions that Atwater Village & Silver Lake offer is the local playhouse and what it offers all the communities of Northeast Los Angeles. Here is one of the latest hip events that has been going on for a fun night out. Remember that this community is full of artist, musicians and a ton of film industry related persons bringing a great diversity to the neighborhood. Check out... The Atwater Playhouse:3191 Casitas Ave.Los Angeles CA 90039Ph: 323-556-1636 Atwater Playhouse PresentsA New World PremiereTICK-TOCK Every Friday and Saturday Night, June 4th - July 10th, 8pm. Artwork by Vivian Flynn There are but a few undeniable truths in the world. One of these truths is that time changes things. How we as a people respond to these changes is the canvas on which the character... 06/11/2010

An excerpt from an article in Entrepreneur Magazine May 2010 Keller Williams RealtyThe real estate industry has been slammed, but Keller Williams has endured times like this before. "Keller Williams was founded 26 years ago during one of the toughest markets on record--when interest rates were higher than 18 percent," says CEO Mark Willis. "So our business model prepares us for fluctuating economic situations." The key, Willis says, is understanding that the consumer does business with the agent and not with the company: "We can only grow if our agents do." With that in mind, Keller Williams has survived the downturn by focusing on supporting and educating its agents. Throughout 2009, agents had free online training, regional seminars on using technology and social media as sales tools ... 05/29/2010

Just discovered my promotional video is still on the net. If you are interested in knowing more about me and the Silver Lake neighborhood go to: http://irealtour.com/content/karen_numme_overview.php 05/29/2010

If you want to help earn money for Cancer Research and have fun without having to donate money just a few minutes of your time please go to:http://www.realestateangles.wordpress.com and click on icon under social vibe on right side of page. It's that easy!! Let's earn lots of money and help friends, family and colleagues in the process because we all know someone touched by this disease. Thank you for your participation. Karen 05/28/2010