By: Michelle Tepper
Amestoy Estates Residents
By: Michelle Tepper
If you have an extra ream of paper please donate it to Encino Elementary School, located at 16941 Addison Street, Encino CA 91316. LAUSD is not supplying enough paper to the schools and we are in need of copy paper for next year. Thank you so much for your donations. Please email Michelle Tepper at michelle.tepper@sothebysrealty.com with questions. Thanks again!
How many times have you looked back on life and wished that you had started investing earlier?
By: Tina Stern
Talk to your children or grandchildren about the value of saving money for specific purposes. Simple lesson: if you want something, you have to save your money for it.
Once they’ve learned to save to achieve their goals, it’s time to teach them how to earn money through interest accumulation. Learning the benefits of compound interest will help to encourage them to invest their money in income producing instruments.
It’s important to stay involved with them as they learn to build a secure financial future. Most children consider a parent or grandparent a primary source of financial information.
Be a good role model by demonstrating good financial habits yourself.
It may be your responsibility…
By: Charise Mitchell
Whether it’s another attempt to pick the lining out of our already empty pockets, or just the city cracking down, Los Angeles is proposing to remove themselves from the responsibility of repairing broken sidewalks. If this passes, it will soon be the responsibility of the property owner to repair faulty sidewalks. In short, this could increase your property insurance and create higher risk of liability if someone injures themselves.It will also mean routine inspections on your property by city representatives. And sellers, don’t even think about closing escrow before the problem is fixed.
Well, first you ought to contact your local city council members and demand that the Bureau of Street Services conduct a comprehensive outreach effort to ALL Neighborhood Councils in each of the seven City Planning areas. Second, we should demand that the City of Los Angeles conduct analysis to determine the insurance liability and affordability as both insurance questions relate to property owners and City alike.
By: Michelle Tepper
If you happen to live in Encino, then you may have noticed a new nightclub in the old El Torito Restaurant space that had been abandoned for over a year. A Gentlemen’s club called Mermaids Gentlemen’s club has recently opened without regard to the community outburst. If you are opposed to belligerent drunk men stumbling from the “cafe” into the park where our children play and not to mention, the pre-school at the park, scantily dressed women hanging around the exterior of the bar at all hours, then please voice your opinion to Paul Koretz’s office at:
Shawn Bayliss
Planning Deputy
Office of Councilmember Paul Koretz
(818) 971-3088; Fax: (818) 788-9210
Email: Shawn.Bayliss@lacity.org
Here is the latest information from the Encino Neighborhood Council regarding the action being taken against the club:
To: Members of Homeowners of Encino
and Encino Residents
From: Gerald A. Silver,
Pres. Homeowners of Encino
#333 ENCINO COMMUNITY UPDATE
UPDATE ON THE MERMAIDS CAFE/ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE Atlantis Mermaids Gentleman’s Club Examiner Hearing
NO PUBLIC TESTIMONY WILL BE TAKEN.
The attorneys involved will have a forum to hear testimony from police, code enforcement etc. and to take cross-examination testimony.
THE PUBLIC WILL BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND THE HEARING TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS.
NO COMMENT OR DISRUPTION WILL BE ALLOWED.
Shawn Bayliss
Planning Deputy
Office of Councilmember Paul Koretz
(818) 971-3088; Fax: (818) 788-9210
Email: Shawn.Bayliss@lacity.org
****
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 11:56 AM
Jeffrey Ebenstein <jeffrey.ebenstein@lacity.org> (Councilman Paul Koretz)
Friday, Apr 23, 2010
ENDING A NEIGHBORHOOD NUISANCE IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
Councilmember Koretz, local residents and neighborhood groups attended the Police Panel hearing and called for action against Mermaids.
The Panel seemed very receptive to the Councilmember and the community. Because the City Attorney requires a few weeks to complete all the necessary legal paperwork, the Panel agreed to take legal action at a subsequent hearing. At the request of Councilmember Koretz, the Panel will hold that hearing at the very beginning of next month, which is much sooner than would normally occur.
Councilmember Koretz explained, “We are doing everything in our power to protect this community by getting rid of a neighborhood nuisance as quickly as possible.”
****
Los Angeles Daily News – 04/26/2010
Time to “Get Your Hat On”!
By: Michelle Tepper
Hats are not just for the sun! Sure they offer some protection, but most of us are in the habit of wearing sunscreen on a daily basis to the point where we have let the stylish twist that a hat can offer go by the wayside. Sick of wearing the same old pair of jeans and tank for summer? Try adding a large brimmed hat with a flower attached! Even if your white summer pants are feeling a little dingy, a denim bucket hat adds the perfect touch of style to any summer outfit. Need to save $150 of highlights? A sensible hat for $40 will save you a week on those roots that are coming in. Hats also enhance your eyes and smile! Amy Ward, a photographer and make-up artist who owns her own studio (Award Studio) in Burbank, CA has launched her latest venture http://awardmillinerydesign.com/. Amy creates beautiful and deliciously playful, yet stylish hats from antique wooden block forms. Her current favorite is a take on a mad hatter style and she dresses it up with a generous ribbon of thule and a flower – the perfect accessory for a summer dress!
Local Retailers help stop childhood hunger
By: Linda Cardoso
Saturday, April 17th join the fight to end childhood hunger by joining TWO Tomatoes Boutique and M Street Coffee for their 2nd annual Great American Bake Sale.
If you aren’t familiar with the TWO TOMATOES BOUTIQUE it’s one block east of Fulton on Longridge just off Moorpark Street in Sherman Oaks. The TWO TOMATOES is one of my favorite “go-to” spot for unique gifts for every budget, occasion and age group.
The goodies for this fundraiser will be presented by Sherman Oaks Baby Bakers.
Help fight hunger, grab a great cup of coffee at M Street and buy someone the perfect gift – sounds like a perfect day to me!
100% of the proceeds will go to help stop childhood hunger through Share Our Strength.
The Bake Sale will run from 8:00 AM till 11:00 AM.
Click here to learn more about Share our Strength.
18,000 in COMBINED homebuyer tax credits for a limited time
By: Cynthia Sparagna
Californians have a brief window of opportunity to receive up to $18,000 in combined federal and state homebuyer tax credits.
To take advantage of both tax credits, a first-time homebuyer must enter into a purchase contract for a principal residence before May 1, 2010, and close escrow between May 1, 2010 and June 30, 2010, inclusive. Buyers who are not first-time homebuyers may use the same time frames to receive up to $16,500 in combined tax credits if they are long-time residents of their existing homes as permitted under federal law, and they purchase properties that have never been previously occupied as provided under California law. (Basically, new construction, not previously occupied)
Under the federal law slated to soon expire, a first-time homebuyer may receive up to $8,000 in tax credits, and a long-time resident may receive up to $6,500, for certain purchase contracts entered into by April 30, 2010 that close escrow by June 30, 2010. Additionally, under a newly enacted California law, a homebuyer may receive up to $10,000 in tax credits as a first-time homebuyer or buyer of a property that has never been occupied. The new California law applies to certain purchases that close escrow on or after May 1, 2010 (see Cal. Rev. & Tax Code section 17059.1(a)(4)). California law generally allows buyers of never-occupied properties to reserve their credits before closing escrow, but buyers seeking to combine the federal and state tax credits will not be able to satisfy the timing requirements for such reservations (see Cal. Rev. & Tax Code section 17059.1(c)(1)(A)). Other terms and restrictions apply to both tax credits.
It is advisable to contact your Tax adviser for further facts to your personal situation.
By: Michelle Tepper
1. Check your credit report and score
You’ve clicked through hundreds of online listings, compared floor plans and square footage, and are eager to jump-start your search. But before you even think of setting foot in an open house or calling a licensed Realtor, make sure you get a copy of your credit report. The cleaner your credit report and the higher your credit score, the more likely you are to be preapproved for a mortgage at a low interest rate.
Review your credit report a few months before you begin your house hunt, and you’ll have time to ensure the facts are correct and dispute mistakes before a mortgage lender checks your credit. You can access a free copy of your credit report at annualcreditreport.com once every 12 months.
2. Get Pre-approved
After you’ve assessed your credit report, it’s time to establish with a qualified lender how much you can afford. “First-time home buyers need to take the time to get an approval from their lender before looking at homes,” advises Ray Boss Jr., a six-year licensed Realtor with RE/MAX Realty Group in Maryland. “This includes getting a credit check and giving their lender a copy of W-2s, pay stubs, and bank and brokerage statements.” Getting preapproved can help you save time by looking for homes that you know you can afford instead of lusting after something out of your price range. And it will put you in a better position over another bidder with no preapproval.
3. Not creating a long-term budget
If the housing crisis proved anything, it’s that mortgages were given to people who clearly did not have the means to pay them back. To avoid making this mistake, home buyers should create a budget before even beginning their home search to determine just how much house they can really afford. A good rule of thumb is to devote no more than a third of your monthly household income to housing costs, which include mortgage principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. “A good number would be 30 percent,” Zandi says. “If you are over 35 percent, you are really pushing the envelope.” There are several work sheets available online to help you figure out how your income, debts, and expenses affect what you can afford each month for the next 15 or 30 years.
4. Forgetting about the hidden costs
You grossly underestimated what you can afford to pay each month. You factored in the purchase price of the home but didn’t consider the cost of taxes, insurance, utilities, and fees. There are several hidden costs that first-time home buyers neglect to prepare for. They can be anything from the closing costs to appraisal fees, escrow fees, homeowner’s insurance fees, property taxes, and even moving costs. Another factor is the cost of repairs and maintenance. “When you’re renting and the furnace goes out, what do you do? You call the landlord,” says Tom Vanderwell, mortgage officer for Fifth Third Bank in Michigan. “When you own a house, what do you do? You have to fix it yourself.” You may find there are numerous “nickel and dime” things to account for that could add up to a significant chunk of money over time.
5. Not using professional help
Sure, it’s possible to go out and buy a home without the aid of a professional real estate agent. But think about how much time and stress a good agent can save you. For starters, Realtors have access to all the homes on the market through the multiple listing service, or MLS, plus all the ones that are under contract and have been sold. A specialist has time to sift through all of these listings, says Boss, and make the appointments to show you the houses, create comparative market analyses to determine proper pricing, and meet with necessary inspectors. Real estate agents also can help buyers traverse a taxing, 70-page legal contract. “I would want someone who is going to look out for my interests first and foremost,” says Boss. “Someone who knows the contracts, who has experience negotiating, and who can walk me through the entire process smoothly–step by step–and make sure I get the house that’s right for me.”
6. Picking your real estate agent and lender blindly
“One of the mistakes a lot of people make is finding a Realtor they aren’t comfortable with,” says Boss. Begin your search at the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents, a nonprofit that represents buyers. Or ask relatives, friends, neighbors, and coworkers for referrals.
First-time home buyers, Boss says, are generally more time-consuming than the average buyer and require more attention. A good real estate agent will be friendly and accommodating, show only homes that fit your parameters, and help you with strategies during the bidding process–but never pressure you into something you’re not comfortable with. “It’s important that the Realtor be experienced with first-time buyers, understand their wants and needs, and be able to connect with them well,” says Boss.
Similarly, the buyers should feel at ease with and have complete confidence in their mortgage lender, and they should fully discuss and understand their financing options with that lender. “Don’t apologize for asking questions,” says Vanderwell, who stresses the importance of knowing what you’re getting into. “There’s a pretty substantial chunk of people who are in really rough straits right now and would not have been had they done their homework.”
7. Thinking you’ll get everything on your “wish list”
Another mistake people make is being too close-minded while searching for their home, says Boss. He suggests sitting down with your real estate broker before searching for a home and creating a need/want list. Some of the items you might want to include as “must haves” or deal breakers are the towns you’d want to live in, square footage, or accessibility to transportation. The second part of the list would be things you don’t necessarily need but wish to have, such as a garage, new kitchen appliances, or an extra room for an office. “As you search for your home, you may realize there are certain parameters you really want or don’t want,” says Boss. “Understand that a certain amount of flexibility is essential.” Your aim is to be able to afford everything you need–as well as some items you want–all while staying within a long-term budget.
8. Not keeping your feelings in check before hiring a home inspector
You’ve already chosen the perfect paint color to match your living room set. But hold on: Before you start picking out accent pillows for your sofa, you need to bring in a home inspector to check the safety of your potential new home. Inspectors will evaluate the structure, construction, and mechanical systems of the home and will give you the approximate price of repairs that may be needed. They will examine everything from the electrical system, water heater, and HVAC system to the foundation and floors.
Buyers should find and hire their own inspector–independent of the real estate broker–to ensure there isn’t a conflict of interest. When you make your offer, make sure the seller is aware that your offer is contingent on the house passing inspection. You can also add a clause to the contract stating that the seller will pay up to a certain amount for any repairs required as a result of the inspection.
[See the 5 Best--and 5 Worst--Home Improvement Projects for Your Money.]
9. Not researching your neighborhood
You may be living in your dream home, but your neighborhood’s a nightmare. Or you may have children or are planning to have children in the near future, but you didn’t consider the quality of the school districts or parks in the vicinity. You should ask yourself a number of questions during your home search, such as “Are there good schools nearby?” and “Do I feel safe coming home at night?”
Boss suggests that if schools are an important factor, you should go check them out personally. Speak with the principals or the parents waiting on the steps outside to pick up their kids. To learn more about the community, open up the local newspaper, Boss says. You can find out about community events or even how good the local high school football team is. Today’s buyers can gather all sorts of neighborhood information from real estate blogs and websites like Zillow and Trulia. (U.S. News has a partnership with Trulia.) “It is the responsibility of the buyer to check crime reports, school options, churches, and shopping,” says Boss. “Remember, you can change your house, but you can’t change the neighborhood.”
10. Not considering the resale value of your home
You’ve just started the home-buying process. The prospect of selling a home hasn’t even crossed your mind. Besides, you’re thinking you might live in whatever home you buy forever. Yet life is full of surprises, whether it is a job transfer or having another child or taking care of an incapacitated relative.
When the time comes to put your house on the market, will your home be easy or difficult to sell? While you’re on the hunt, it’s a good idea to account for preferences of the typical home buyer. Just because you love to landscape or enjoy a bright-pink backsplash doesn’t mean a prospective buyer will. “How we make our plans initially has a big impact on our ability to adjust those plans and to deal with whatever comes our way,” says Vanderwell.
Taken from an article in Yahoo! Real Estate
MONDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2010 
By: Tina Stern
Hundreds of guests and press gathered at 7pm on Monday, February 8th as streets closed to see Ringo Starr receive his star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. It coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Walk of Fame.
Gathered beneath the towering Capital Records building on Vine, this Walk of Fame Ceremony was the first ever to be held at night. Ringo commented, “It’s cool to get one at night. I don’t know about you, but where I live, the stars come out at night.”
With speeches from Joe Walsh of the Eagles, Mayor Villaraigosa, Don Was and Ben Harper, the ceremony was spectacular. The star was unveiled adjacent to George Harrison’s and John Lennon’s stars, in front of the Capitol Records building. Paul McCartney’s star will soon be added.
“I want to thank Capitol Records” Starr said to cheers, glancing up at the tower. “It’s nice to look at a building that you helped pay for.” As always, he passed on his message of peace and love to the crowd.
After the ceremony, Ringo’s guests were invited to a buffet dinner catered by the Hard Rock Cafe in Capitol’s Studio A. I had a fabulous time with my husband Keith Allison (formerly of Paul Revere and the Raiders). It was a fun filled, happy and loving event and Ringo seemed genuinely moved.