31 Days of December Challenge/Day 2/ The History of Chanukah ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~          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 Buy or Sell a home or land in West Hills, Woodland Hills or in the San Fernando Valley, I'd be happy to assist you.  ";Oh, by the way, if you know of someone who may need my Real Estate services , please call me with their name and number.  I will be happy to help them... 12/07/2010

Taking Care Of Your Christmas Tree Saw off the butt end of your tree 1/2 inch above the original cut.  Immediately place the tree in water in a cool place until you are ready to display.   Trees drink up to a gallon of water a day. Use a water-bearing stand with a capacity of a gallon or more.   Do not allow water level to drop below the fresh cut, a new seal will form over the stem. To keep your tree moist and fresh you can easily make your own tree preservative by mixing a quart of fresh warm water with 1/2 cup of light corn syrup and a teaspon of liquid chlorine bleach in a two-gallon bucket. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~          My Website For Sellers For Buyers Monthly Newsletter Call me! eMail me! Canoga Park-W... 12/07/2010

Esperanza Butler Earns HAFA Certification  What Is HAFA? Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA)   HAFA is a government program that provides financial incentives to Borrowers, servicers and investors who utilize a foreclosure alternative (short sale or deed-in-lieu) instead of a foreclosure sale to transfer ownership.   Benefits Ultimately, foreclosure alternatives such as those mentioned above reduce the need for expensive foreclosure proceedings for the investor and the potential harmful effects a foreclosure would have on the Borrower.     The pre-foreclosure options typically help maintain the condition of the property and therefore, the preservation / value of the property by minimizing the time a property could potentially be vacant and subject to vandalism and deteriorat... 12/05/2010

   Esperanza Butler Earns NAR Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource Certification                                  Buyers and Sellers Benefit from REALTOR® Expertise in Distressed Sales    Esperanza Butler with EXIT Realty has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS®offers the SFR certification to REALTORS® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows. According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures.  For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new "traditional" transaction.    REALTORS®who have earne... 12/04/2010

Before Selling Your Home / West Hills Ca /San Fernando Valley Real Estate ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~        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 Buy or Sell a home or land in West Hills, Woodland Hills or in the San Fernando Valley, I'd be happy to assist you.  ";Oh, by the way, if you know of someone who may need my Real Estate services , please call me with their name and number.  I will be happy t... 12/03/2010

Don't Let an Over-priced Home be a Humbling Lesson   West Hills Ca. San Fernando Valley  Real Estate Don't Let an Over-priced Home be a Humbling Lesson Here is Your Free Report provided By: Esperanza Butler:  http://www.esperanza4homes.com  http://www.RealtyTech.com  Across the country the real estate market is slowing and the news media is reporting on the decline in sales, housing prices, and appreciation. Quite often this creates fear and a holding back by buyers as they wait to see just how low prices will go. One TV news station in Sacramento reported that desperate sellers are turning to ancient spiritual/religious rituals to help sell their homes, such as burying a statue of Saint Joseph in the backyard. Whether you take that tactic or not, perhaps the greatest influencer in gett... 11/27/2010

  For Sale By Owner Forms You'll Need to Sell Your Home      1. Property disclosure form. This form requires you to reveal all known defects to your property. Check with your state government to see if there is a special form required in your state.   2. Purchasers access to premises agreement. This agreement sets conditions for permitting the buyer to enter your home for activities such as measuring for draperies before you move.   3. Sales contract. The agreement between you and the buyer on terms and conditions of sale. Again, check with your state real estate department to see if there is a required form.   4. Sales contract contingency clauses. In addition to the contract, you may need to add one or more attachments to the contract to address special contingencies - such as the buy... 11/27/2010

 FIND West Hills Ca Short Sale Foreclosure Homes Real Estate For Sale Buyers ask-- is now a good time to buy a home? My answer is YES. There are over one hundred short sales listed for sale in West Hills, California. Here are just some short sale properties currently for sale in West Hills: $300,000 and under Short Sales 7137 Shoup Ave 3, West Hills, Ca 91307 $249,999 2 bed+ 3 bath townhome 24425 VANOWEN St 82 West Hills, Ca 91307 $274,000 2 bed + 3 bath townhome 6902 Fallbrook Ave West Hills, Ca 91307 $280,000 3 bed + 2 bath single family home 7633 Shoup Ave West Hills, Ca 91304 $299,000 4 bed + 2 bath single family home 7625 Minstrel Ave West Hills, Ca 91304 $300,000 3 bed + 2 bath single family home $600,000 and below Short Sales 7432 SAUSALITO Ave West Hills, Ca 91307 $315,000 4 bed... 11/18/2010

West Hills Ca/Woodland Hills/San Fernando Valley/ SHort Payoffs An Option to Foreclosure What in the world is HAFA      Navigating Short Sales: What to Do When the Sale Price Leaves You ShortIf you're thinking of selling your home, and you expect that the total amount you owe on your mortgage will be greater than the selling price of your home, you may be facing a short sale. A short sale is one where the net proceeds from the sale won't cover your total mortgage obligation and closing costs, and you don't have other sources of money to cover the deficiency. A short sale is different from a foreclosure, which is when your lender takes title of your home through a lengthy legal process and then sells it.   1. Consider loan modification first. If you are thinking of selling your home beca... 11/18/2010

Do You know What HAFA is? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 365 Things To Do In West Hills,Woodland Hills,Ca.-San Fernando Valley Real Estate Guide Home Buyer Beginings My West Hills home buyers guide contains useful information written exclusivley for home buyers, designed to assist you make an informed decision about your home purchase. I'll use my West Hills real estate expert knowledge of the area to find you the perfect West Hills home, one thats comfortable for your life style as well as your budget. Home Seller Solutions West Hills Home Value West Hills Home Sellers Guide If you are considering listing and selling your West Hills home, You've come to the right place! As a West Hills resident, I combine area knowle... 11/18/2010

West Hills Ca. / For Sale By Owner / Open House Safety Tips. Open House Safety Tips   An open house can be a great sales tool, but it also exposes you to numerous unfamiliar people for the first time. Stay safe by practicing these guidelines.   Call the local police department and ask them to have a squad care drive by during your open-house hours. Check your cell phone's strength and signal prior to the open house. Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial. Carry an extra, fully charged cell phone battery. Determine several "escape" routes that you can use in case of an emergency. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape. Turn on the lights and open the curtains. These are not only sound safety procedures, but also great marketing tactics. Make sure... 11/18/2010

 West Hills Ca./ For Sale By Owner / Is Your Buyer Qualified? Is Your Buyer Qualified?    Unless the buyer who makes an offer on your home has the resources to qualify for a mortgage, you may not really have a sale. If possible, try to determine a buyer's financial status before signing the contract. Ask the following:   1. Has the buyer been prequalified or preapproved (even better) for a mortgage? Such buyers will be in a much better position to obtain a mortgage promptly.   2. Does the buyer have enough money to make a downpayment and cover closing costs? Ideally, a buyer should have 20 percent of the home's price as a downpayment and between 2 and 7 percent of the price to cover closing costs.   3. Is the buyer's income sufficient to afford your home? Ideally, buyers should spend no... 11/18/2010

West Hills Ca Real Estate/ Why Might Lenders Opt for a Short Pay? At First glance, it may seem hopeless to ask a lending institution to consider accepting less than what is owed on a real estate loan. After all, lenders have the right to foreclose on a defaulting borrower's real property which secures the underlying loan obligation. Why then should a lender consider negotiating a short payoff with that borrower? In reality, lenders have ample incentive to arrange a short payoff with their distressed borrower. Once a lender takes back a property pursuant to a foreclosure sale, the lender becomes responsible for a variety of costs, including maintenance, vandalism, utilities, property management and taxes. In the current California real estate market, lender owned properties(REO) may take... 11/15/2010

 West Hills Ca, Real Estate/San Fernando Valley/ Check Your Credit Report Tips on Protecting Your Credit Solve and dissolve debt. Now is the time to devise a spending plan that reduces your debt and sets you up to pay on time, every time. If You're having difficulty making payments, be proactive. Call your creditors and negotiate to keep your accounts current and from being reported as delinquent or "bad debt" You can ask for reduce monthly payments, or even change due dates to balance out your monthly bills.  Do not close credit accounts! Unless it is absolutely necessary in order to obtain a loan. When you delete a trade line, you also delete the corresponding credit history and this usually lowers your credit score.  Pay down or pay off credit cards (but do NOT close them) before see... 11/13/2010

 West Hills Ca/ San Fernando Valley Real Estate/ How Does a Foreclosure Sale Affect a Defauting Borrower's Credit Rating?                   How Does a Foreclosure Sale Affect a                Defaulting Borrower's Credit Rating? A person's credit report typically includes a breakdown of that person's credit history,both good and bad. In some cases, the report may also contain a section listing non-rated credit history, i.e., credit history that is neither positive nor negative. An individual's credit report may be analyzed and relied upon by a variety of groups, including credit card companies, banks landlords, employers, and attorneys. therefore, it is important for consumers to maintain a healthy credit rating.                                    Remember, once a lender actually forecl... 11/13/2010

Happy Veteran's Day/ West Hills Ca/San Fernando Valley Real Estate   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~     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 Buy or Sell a home or land in West Hills, Woodland Hills or in the San Fernando Valley, I'd be happy to assist you. ";Oh, by the way, if you know of someone who may need my Real Estate services , please call me with their name and number. I will be happy to help them!" 11/11/2010

West Hills Ca Real Estate/Woodland Hills/San Fernando Valley/10 Benefits of a VA Loan    10 Benefits of a VA Loan 1. Equal opportunity for all qualified veterans. 2. No down payment (unless required by the lender or the purchase price is more than the reasonable value of the property). 3. Buyer informed of reasonable value. 4. Negotiable interest rate. 5. Ability to finance the VA funding fee (plus reduced funding fees with a down payment of at least 5% and exemption for veterans receiving VA compensation). 6. Closing costs are comparable with other financing types (and may be lower). 7. No mortgage insurance premiums. 8. An assumable mortgage. 9. Right to prepay without penalty. 10. VA assistance to veteran borrowers in default due to temporary financial difficulty. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~... 11/08/2010

 West Hills Ca/Woodland Hills/San Fernando Valley Real Estate/ Don't Forget To Fall Back Time reverts to Standard Time at 2 a.m on Sunday, NOVEMBER 7 (Movember) 2010 Make sure to turn your clock back one hour. Fire departments encourage people to change the battery in all smoke detectors when they change their clocks.   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~        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 Buy or Sell ... 11/05/2010

West Hills Real Estate ~ SFV RESIDENTIAL MLS SUMMARY ~ September 2010                            MONTHLY RESIDENTIAL SALES STATISTICS                                                                                         CONDO SALES AND CONDO INVENTORY BY PRICE                                             SRAR SFV DIVISION SEPTEMBER 2010                                   SINGLE FAMILY SALES AND INVENTORY BY PRICE   There were 3,793 active listings throughout the Valley at the end of September, down 29.8 percent from a year ago. That's a 4.9-month supply at the current pace of sales with a 5- to 6-month supply indicating a balanced market. The highest the inventory climbed during this downturn was 7,730 listings for a 16.0-month supply. The record-high inventory came in July 1992 with 14... 11/04/2010

   West Hills Ca./Woodland Hills/San Fernando Valley Real Estate/Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood Your neighborhood has a big impact on your lifestyle. Follow these steps to find the perfect community to call home.   •·         Is it close to your favorite spots? Make a list of the activities - movies, health club, church, etc. - you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you're considering to engage in your most common activities.   •·         Check out the school district. This is especially important if you have children, but it also can affect resale value. The Department of Education in your town can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, a... 11/03/2010