Timely Real Estate News…………………………………….. 15 November 2008
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We’ve come a long way in fire prevention…..
We have all witnessed the tragedy and horror of this past weeks’fires. It is one of the saddest sights I have ever seen. As residents in the state of California, and in particular in the Santa Monica Mountains, we can be prey to natural disasters, and certainly the latest fires in Sepulveda Pass (October 22), the Montecito Fire (near Santa Barbara), the Sayre Fire, and Triangular fires drive home the point of how important it is for all of us to pay attention to requirements of the Los Angeles City and County Fire Departments about brush clearance and protecting your home against fires. Some of the suggestions I have heard is to be sure to have copies of all of your valuable documents on your computer rather than just in a file or safe… sometimes we don’t have the time we get home to get those files, it was also suggested that we park our cars facing out for a quick exit. I found with the Sepulveda Pass fire a few weeks ago, that while I had not put it in writing, I did have a mental list of what I wanted to pack, and still forgot a few things, but a little advance preparation will go a long way in those times of emergency.
While it is too early to tell if the latest fire in Sepulveda Pass had any negative effect on home values in Mountaingate, Bel Air Crest, or even the hilly areas of Brentwood, it is important to remember that since the 1961 Brentwood-Bel Air fire (which destroyed 484 homes), fire prevention and response to these disasters has vastly improved. The quick, innovative response from the Los Angeles City Fire Department to Sepulveda Pass fire last month and again this last week with all of the fires demonstrates how we have been able to fight fires through prevention and enhanced skills and equipment of our fire departments.
Still, each of us who live in these beautiful mountain areas should continue to be vigilant about your OWN fire prevention programs to protect one of your most valuable possessions — your home..
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I was ready for climate change….
In 1972, Albert Hammond wrote “It Never Rains in Southern California”, reaching #5 on Billboard, but it still resonates to this day. As we all know, it almost NEVER rains in Southern California and I, for one, wanted climate change…so I flew up to Vancouver, BC, to spend the weekend with family. Well, it was glorious — it rained intermittently every day — nothing dreadful, a nice light rain. In the evening in my sister and brother-in-law’s beautiful home overlooking the Barrard Inlet which is part of the Pacific Ocean in West Van, it rained heavily every night. I thought to myself, “…isn’t this a nice way to experience climate change — when I want it!”
My nephew, Connor, apparently loves the rain, too — it was pouring last Tuesday evening, and he bid us a quick goodbye after dinner, as he is going for a bike ride (he is a fanatic skier and mountain bike enthusiast). “In the rain?” I asked. “Of course.” I have noticed how little they use umbrellas in that part of the world!
Spending time with family is always my special treat, especially during the upcoming holidays. As many of you know, my niece Morgan enrolled at USC last year, had some challenges with typical adjustments away from home and family, and is now in her sophomore year — a member of USC’s varsity sailing team…has a ‘beau’ (also on the sailing team), and well, she apparently has adjusted well to her climate change. I wish it did rain more in Southern California — we need it. But it’s not to be for awhile.
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It’s property tax time — aren’t you thrilled?
Isn’t it wonderful to pay your property taxes twice a year? Don’t you just love writing out those big checks to the LA County Tax Assessor? Recently, I have had calls from several homeowners in the communities I cover (Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills Post Office, Brentwood, and Bel-Air) about declining property values and how this condition might affect your current tax bill. It could.
There are several conditions that would prompt you to look at your existing property value — 1) if you purchased into your home in the past two years; and/or 2) if you have had major work done on the property (that required an LA City or County building permit). Either of these events could result in a re-assessment of your property. With the current downturn in real estate, many homeowners are frankly concerned about their home values. And it’s an important issue since your home is one of your most important investments.
The truth is that home values in these four communities have held pretty steady during the past year….only Beverly Hills Post Office (LA County area) has the median sales price (re: value) decline significantly — 17%. Beverly Hills has remained constant, and Brentwood and Bel-Air have declined just 2%. But remember — your home’s value will be based on its own merits and not what the MLS reports about community median sales prices. These are just averages.
If you are concerned that your property value has declined enough to warrant a re-assessment, here’s what I recommend:
1) I will be glad to give you an appraisal and market analysis on your home’s value — no obligation; and
2) If our findings are that we believe you have a ‘case’ to take before the Los Angeles County Tax Assessor, then I can advise you what steps you can take at that point.. If you feel that your house qualifies for a re adjustment in property taxes, please go to their site, http://lacountypropertytax.com/portal/default.aspx. On their site they explain the steps one can take for a re adjustment.
Give me a call if you have any questions or concerns….thanks.
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Being a Green Grocery Shopper
Love it or hate it, we all have to eat – and that usually means grocery shopping. While you’re browsing the aisles and checking items off your list, though, think about a few ways you can be a “green” grocery shopper and, in turn, reduce your footprint on the environment.
Avoid individually packaged items. We often have options at the market to buy items that are “conveniently” packaged in individual units to make packing lunches and eating-on-the-go easier. Food such as yogurt, pudding, granola bars, soft drinks, juice, cereal, and snack foods may come in packages of multiple single-serving sizes in addition to larger, “bulk” sizes. Even though the individual sizes do seem more convenient, they also produce more waste with their packaging than the larger sizes. You can buy the larger sizes and then divide up the food at home in reusable containers to avoid the excess garbage.
Bring your own bags Instead of allowing the bagger to bag your groceries in disposable plastic or paper bags, bring your own bags made of cloth, mesh, or other recycled material to reduce the garbage produced by grocery bags. Some grocery stores even offer incentives in the form of discounts to people who bring their own bags.
Avoid as much packaging as you can In the produce aisle, do you really need to put your bananas, head of lettuce, or bunch of carrots in a plastic bag? You’ll probably end up throwing the bag away anyway, so bypass the plastic in the produce aisle and wait until you get home where you can store the food in a whatever container you use.
Buy items in recycled packaging Many items today are packaged in recycled paper or plastic, which is labeled on the bag or box. Look for items that are labeled as such, and that have a high percentage of recycled content in their packaging. Also look for items that are packaged in recyclable containers – either ones that you can drop off at a designated point, or ones that you can use yourself at home to reduce your own garbage.
Also, if you would like to receive the SchifferLine by email and help to “Keep It Green” just send your email address to ceschiffer@aol.com
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One of my faithful readers also told me about the battery recycling program at the Rite Aid store at Cloverfield and Pico in Santa Monica. According to her, they have a special program set up for recycling batteries.. Check it out. And please do not forget the recycling program at UCLA for any and all electronic items. The drop off is located at 522 Charles Young Drive, right near Pauley Pavilion and they are open on Sat from 8:00 – 2:00. And I will pick up all printer ink cartridges and old discarded cell phones… Just give me a call and I will swing by and pick them up.. The money goes to public schools all over the state of California.
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If you know of anyone who is interested in leasing a home in Bel Air Crest, or Mountaingate, please let me know.. I have some great leases both a terrific prices.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends.
