The importance of an Appraisal /West Hills Ca./ Woodland Hills/ San Fernando Valley Real Estate  (Q) Esperanza,  I would like to know why after having an inspection of house the lender is asking for an appraisal to be done?. Do we really need it, and how important is it?                                                                                    (A) The importance of an Appraisal is this:An appraiser is a professional person who can tell you what your home is worth.(On the seller side )The appraiser will come to your house and list the number and size of the rooms and any extras, such as a fireplace, porch, pool, or garage.The appraiser will compare your home and property to other homes that have sold recently with similar features. The appraiser then estimates that your home mig... 01/30/2011

What does Title Insurance Protect You From?  A lot. /West Hills Ca./ Woodland Hills / San Fernando Valley Real Estate (Q) Esperanza. As a first time home buyer I need to know what does Title Insurance cover and what are the drawbacks to not having it? (A) The following matters are examples of why you need title insurance. Remember that the best title examination or search cannot protect your equity and home from matters not appearing in the public records. However, title insurance can protect you from: Documents executed under false, revoked or expired powers of attorney False impersonation of the true land owner Undisclosed heirs Improperly recorded legal documents Prescriptive rights in another not appearing of record and not disclosed by survey Failure to include necessary parties to... 01/30/2011

  Paying Points /West Hills Ca. / San Fernando Valley Real Estate       Paying Points When exploring Mortgage options you'll find quotes from lenders that include both loan rates as well as "points." A point is a fee equal to 1 percent of the loan. A 30-year, $150,000 mortgage might have a rate of 7 percent, but come with a charge of 1 point, or $1,500. There are two kinds of points borrowers can pay;Origination points:These are charged by the lender to cover the costs of making the loan. They are not tax- deductible.Discount points:These are actually pre-paid interest on the mortgage loan.The more points you pay, the lower the interest rate on the loan and vice-versa. Borrowers typically can pay anywhere from zero to three or four points, depending on how much they want to lower their ... 01/27/2011

New Puppy- Name That Pet /West Hills Ca./San Fernando Valley Real Estate New Puppy- Name That Pet Checklist Food and Water Bowls- There are a variety of these on the market, including heightadjustable ones, so just choose the one that will best fit you and your new puppy's needs.  A Travel Crate- The guidelines for choosing a crate is to make sure that it is not too large. It should be large enough for your puppy to stand and to turn around, but small enough to make the puppy feel secure. Nylon Leash- Avoid getting too long of a leash for your puppy. A 6 ft. leash will keep your puppy a safe distance and give you more control. As your puppy grows and gets more accustomed to walking on a leash, you can purchase a longer one.Adjustable Collar- Get one small enough so that it will fit now,... 01/27/2011

Chicken Shiitake Lettuce Wraps MMmmm!   The value of feeding our families with quality,good testing and nutritious food Is one of the most important thing we should do for our selves and our families. The recipe is easy to make, low cost and great testing. It is also healthy!Enjoy a mouth watering treat,,,, Bon Appetit!     Provecho!       01/25/2011

Understanding Your Homeowner's Insurance /West Hills Ca./San Fernando Valley Real Estate                   (Q) Esperanza, Why do I need a Homeowner's Insurance Policy?. Do you know the cost? What does the policy cover? (A) Below is a general outline of what Homeowner's Insurance does. As far as costs contact your Insurance agent      Understanding Your Homeowner's Insurance...                                           before it may be too late                              Five Things to Understad About Homeowners Insurance         For nearly all consumers, owning a home represents a large investment. But suppose your home is vandalized or damaged by a storm? Having insurance can protect you from such unpredictable losses.When purchasing insurance, it is important to READ YOUR POLICY. Yo... 01/23/2011

5 Things to Understand About Homeowners Insurance West Hills California/San Fernando Valley Real Estate 1. Look for exclusions to coverage. For example, most insurance policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage as a standard item. These coverages must be bought separately. 2. Look for dollar limitations on claims. Even if you are covered for a risk, there may a limit on how much the insurer will pay. For example, many policies limit the amount paid for stolen jewelry unless items are insured separately. 3. Understand replacement cost. If your home is destroyed you'll receive money to replace it only to the maximum of your coverage, so be sure your insurance is sufficient. This means that if your home is insured for $150,000 and it costs $180,000 to replace it, you'll only receive ... 01/22/2011

 Closing Costs /West Hills Ca./Woodland Hills /San Fernando Valley Real Estate  (Q) Esperanza Can you please explain to me what does the closing cost cover? (A)           Buyer's Common Closing Costs                                                                                                            Who Pays What?                     A Guide To Closing Costs  The Buyer can generally be expected to pay for:Title Insurance premiums (Alta Loan Policy)Escrow Fee (50%)Document preparation (if applicable)Notary FeesRecording changes for all documents in buyer's namesTermite Inspection (according to contract)Tax pro-ration (for date of acquisition)Homeowner's Transfer feeAll new loan charges (except those required by Lender for Seller to pay)Assumption/Change of Records Fee for takeover ... 01/21/2011

Common Closing Costs for Buyers/West Hills Ca. /Woodland Hills / San Fernando Valley Real Estate Common Closing Costs for buyersThe lender must disclose a good faith estimate of all settlement cost. A check to cover your closing costs will probably have to be a cashier's check. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for: Down payment Loan origination fees Point, or loan discount fees, you pay to receive a lower interest rate appraisal fee credit report Private mortgage insurance premium Insurance escrow for homeowners insurance, if being paid as part of the mortgage Property tax escrow, if being paid as part of the mortgage. Lenders keep fund for taxes and insurance in escrow accounts as they are paid with the mortgage, then pay the in... 01/21/2011

Pet Care Tips / Foods That Are Bad For Your Dog /West Hills Ca./Woodland Hills/San Fernando Valley Real Estate. Foods that are bad for your dog Alcoholic Beverages-Ethanol is the component in alcoholic beverages that can be toxic when an excessive amount is ingested. Avocados- The leaves, fruit, bark and seeds of avocados have all been reported to be toxic. the toxic component in the avocado is "persin" which is a fatty acid derivative. Symptoms of toxicity include difficulty breathing, abdominal enlargement, abdominal fluid accumulations in the chest, abdomen and sac around the hart.   Chocolate- Contains caffeine and theobromine. These two compounds are nervous system stimulants and can be toxic to your dog in high amounts. The levels of caffeine and the theobromine vary between diffe... 01/19/2011

What is Mardi Gras? /Make your own Mardi Gras mask/ West Hills, Ca Real Estate/San Fernando Valley Homes What is Mardi Gras?The word Mardi Gras is French in origin. Many think the French celebration developed from pagan rituals of ancient Greece and Rome. Other believe the observance of Lent brought the celebration to the Christians as pre-lent feast called Bocuf Gras. Exlorers and settlers brought this observance with them to New Orleans. Mardi Gras (meaning Fat Tuesday) refers to the day before Lent Begins (Ash Wednesday) What do the classic colors of Mardi Gras symbolize? Green: Represents FaithGold: represents PowerPurple: represents Justice Did you know?Mardi Gras falls 47 days before Easter and can occur on any Tuesday from February 3 through March 9.   01/17/2011

Martin Luther King...I have a dream The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., was the most famous leader of the civil rights movement.He led protests against discrimination in many states.In 1963 he led hundreds of thousands of people in a demonstration to support new civil rights laws. It was called the March on WashingtonVoice of freedom: Martin Luther King, Jr.During the March on Washington in 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr., gave a very powerful and beautiful speechat the Lincoln Memorial . It is called his " I Have a Dream" speech.I... Have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident- that all mean are created equal"This will be the day... 01/17/2011

 Top 10 New Year's Resolutions For Business Success /West Hills Ca /Woodland Hills/San Fernando Valley Real Estate In case you haven't taken the time to do your 2011 Resolutions- You have missed 15 days but you still have 350 days to make them work.   What are you waiting for?   FYI... I have these additional links; Have fun and Good luck!..... Buena Suerte! 31 Days of December Challenge / Day 6 / Most Popular New Year's Resolutions 31 Days of December Challenge / Day 7 / A Fun Way To Create a Habit    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~          My Website For Sellers For Buyers Monthly Newsletter Call me! eMail me! Canoga Park-Winnetka SF Valley Face Book Listing Book West Hills LA Gas Prices Rentals Ho... 01/15/2011

10 Questions to Ask a Home Inspector / West Hills Ca / Woodland Hills/ San Fernando Valley Real Estate                                       1.-What are your qualifications? Are you a member of the American Association of Home Inspectors?2.-Do You have a current  license? Inspector are not required to be licensed in every state.3.-How many inspections of properties such as this do you do each year?4.-Do you have a list of past clients I can contact?5.-Do you carry professional error and omission insurance? May I have a copy the policy?6.-Do you provide any guarantees of your work?7.-What specifically will the inspection cover?8.-What type of report will I receive after the inspection?9.-How long will the inspection take and how long will it take to receive the report?10.- How much will ... 01/13/2011

  The Inspection Process / West Hills Ca /Woodland Hills/ San Fernando Valley Real Estate   (Question) Why do I need a Home Inspection when Purchasing a Home ? (A) As the buyer, you have the opportunity to hire a professional inspector to evaluate the condition of the home. An inspection clause is included in the written contract given to the seller. The goal of a home inspection is to give you and objective, independent and comprehensive analysis of the physical condition or your potential new home and check for any safety issues that might otherwise be unknowable. 10 Questions to Ask a Home Inspector                 Typical homes take 2-3 hours to inspect. When the client arrives the inspector often presents a pre-inspection agreement to be signed followed by payment. A good inspector... 01/13/2011

Landscaping tips for dog owners m If you are tired of dirty paws tracking mud into the house, create an area between the yard and the doorway where the dogs can wipe their feet. Single trees our bushes in the landscape are vulnerable to damage when dogs start to play, so plant trees,shrubs and flowers in clusters. Get your dogs off the grass when they eliminate. Train them to use a shredded wood or gravel area. Your grass will thank you for it. You must be careful with the plants you pick for your landscape. Some favorite landscape plants like rhododendrons are toxic and will make a dog sick. If you are not sure which plants are poisonous, check with your local garden center. Use your landscape to mimic the training your have used on your dog inside your home. Creating areas outside tha... 01/12/2011

Enero / Consejos e Ideas Para El Cuidado Del Hogar West Hills Ca./Woodland Hills/ San Fernando Valley Real Estate Revise el desvan para asegurarse de que no haya pajaros ardillas, mapaches, etc. Vierta I galon de agua en los conductos de desague no utilizados Limpie la bandeja de drenaje del refrigerador con sistema anti-escarcha. Controle que los lavaplatos no tengan filtraciones. Verifique el funcionamiento de la bomba de agua y la bomba colectora. Mantenga los condustos de aire limpios Haga un mantenimiento al triturador de desechos de la cocina utilizando varias tazas de cubos de hielo ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~       My Website For Sellers For Buyers Monthly Newsletter Call me! eMail me! Canoga Park-Winnetka S... 01/10/2011

January / Home Care Tips & Ideas   l Service kitchen disposal by grinding several cups of ice cubes Check attic for birds, squirrels, raccoons, etc Check operation for water pump and sump pump. Pour 1 gallon of water down unused drains. Clean frost free refrigerator for drain pan. Inspect dishwasher for leaks. Have air ducts cleaned ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~       My Website For Sellers For Buyers Monthly Newsletter Call me! eMail me! Canoga Park-Winnetka SF Valley Face Book Listing Book West Hills LA Gas Prices Rentals Housing Trends You Tube  Serving the San Fernando Valley and in particular West Hills,Woodland Hills,Winnetka, Canoga Park, Northridge, Chatsworth, Granada Hills and More    If you are planning to ... 01/10/2011

Making your landscape Bird Friendly   Select a variety of plants that will produce foods in different seasons.  For winter residents as well as migrants that return early in spring., plants that hold their fruits throughout the winter are a vital food source. Provide dense thickets where birds can nest, perch, and escape from predators, by planting some shrubs, growing a hedge, or training vines over fence lines. Try to create an area of thick, wild growth to imitate a natural environment. Try to leave dead limbs and trees in place if it's safe to do so. Insects that live under the bark and in the decaying wood are an important food source for bird such as woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches.. Cavity nesting birds such as bluebirds and woodpeckers need old, hollow trees to nest in. ... 01/09/2011

 The Benefits Of Pre-Approval / Pre Qualification VS. Pre Approval            (Q) Can you  explain to me the difference between Pre Qualification and  Pre Approval   Also if I decide to be Pre-approved what  documents will  the lender  require?                                                                  Pre Qualification Vs Pre Approval (A) Pre-Qualification is only a loan agent's opinion that you 'll be able to obtain financing. No verification is made, so formal approval is not issued.Pre-Approvalmeans your loan application has been taken through a rigorous procedure. Pre-approval saves you the time of looking at houses you can't afford.Pre-approved buyers are ahead in the home buying game. If you make an offer on a home and then apply for a loan instead of the other way around, ... 01/09/2011