The Realtor buys a new Studio City house -- and whines, whines, whines

This is the paperwork we've had to either produce or review for our Studio City home purchase.  And we're only five days into escrow.

Why you might consider EFT...What is EFT?

This lovely lady is Melinda Utal-Martinez and she is a long-time friend of mine.  She has also been an EFT practitioner since 2000.  EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a fantastic and easy mind/body acupressure tapping technique that quickly reduces stress and other unpleasant negative feelings. EFT and hypnosis can be a fantastic help if you want to improve your life, health, habits, relationships, stress, self-esteem, and creativity.  Check out Melinda's site here.  You can also check out her tremendous reviews on Yelp.com.  Melinda also offers a new service, using EFT, to help interested clients explore a harm reduction approach to their possible over-use of substances such as alcohol, drugs, caffeine, and cigarettes.  This can be a refreshing alternative to 12-step programs.

Melinda just moved to a new office in Atwater and to celebrate, she is offering a discounted one-hour session at her office or by Skype.  Check her website and call her for details.

House burned down but it's for sale

Last month, there was an awful house fire at 910 N. Evergreen in Burbank. The house was destroyed and the renter-occupant and her dog died.  Two others were injured.  It was probably one of the worst house fires in Burbank history.

And now, the property is for sale again.  For $350,000 -- land value only.  I know the landord-sellers lost as well, but out of respect for the dead, isn't this a little soon?

The Realtor buys a home, chapter 2

We are getting a full-documentation loan. Gathering all the financial documentation to give to the lender is a big pain in the neck.  Necessary, but not fun, especially when your records are in different places all over your house.  How do you buyers do it?

The Realtor buys a place -- and freaks out about the process

My husband and I just had an offer accepted on a new place to live.  We love our old place in Burbank that we've owned for two decades, but it's a matter of location.  We're moving to Studio City to be closer to our work and activities.  And it's hitting home about how scary this home buying process can be.  Over the next few weeks, I'll be giving you updates, pictures, and gory details.

Maybe think twice about buying a condo or townhouse?

When we asked our neighbor why he wouldn't let the pest inspector into his townhouse unit, he replied, "Because I came to this country for freedom."  Right on! Isn't there something in the Constitution about the right to bear vermin?

Why was the price on this Burbank home so low?

I sold 2112 N. Brighton in Burbank sold in early October for its list price, $430,000.  That price seems low for a Burbank home these days, yes? What happened here?

One word, three times: location, location, location.  This home is located 1 block from the freeway, one block on two sides from industrial property, and six blocks from the airport.  All of these elements -- known as "incurable defects" -- served to keep the price below average.

Plus, the house itself was not large -- it was a 2+1 with a den.  There was no air conditioning.  It needed a lot of updates. The sellers let the yard go.  The only exciting feature was a new garage at the back of the property.

And we asked potential buyers to forego pest work of about $6000.  (Yes, pest work is negotiable.) Plus, the sellers had just purchased another home, so they weren't inclined to wait for a higher offer. We had it in escrow within five days of listing and a fair price was had by both sellers and buyers.

Check out my new five-star review on Yelp!

Thanks, former client Melinda, for my new five-star review on Yelp.  It was a total pleasure to work with Melinda and her family -- we had a lot of fun! Please check out the new review at Yelp/Judy Graff.

There are 3 gun stores in one mile on Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank

In light of recent current events, I'd like to point out: there are three gun stores on Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank between Buena Vista and Victory.  One is about 60 feet away from a children's daycare center.  In the same stretch of Magnolia, there are only two bars (both serve food), Tony's Darts Away and Tin Horn Flats.

BTW, on the morning after the Trevon Martin verdict, there was a line outside of one gun store at 10 a.m.  It was a Sunday.

I've blogged about this before.  What kind of businesses does Burbank really need? I know that it's tremendously difficult to open a restaurant or place like Luna Vine (wine bar) in Burbank. Was it difficult for the gun stores, too?  Shouldn't it be? And how many gun stores do we need in a one-mile stretch?

Missed my episode of House Hunters Renovation on HGtv? You have another chance, lucky you.

The House Hunters Renovation episode that I'm in with clients Josh and Mac will run again late night (11 pm) on Tuesday, November 5, so please set your DVRs.  Colleague Amber is in it too.  You'll see mostly the back of my head, which is fine with me.  The episode was filmed mostly in Studio City.  I can't wait to dish on the process, but that will be in the future while the episode is running.

1034 N. Evergreen in Burbank has closed and I'm sorry to see it go.

1034 N. Evergreen in Burbank has closed at $650,000.  It was listed at $630,000 and we received eleven offers (see Allegra the potty-trained cat below).  The seller did NOT take the highest offer or the all cash offer because she wanted a real family in the place.

I will really miss this house.  The seller and I are friendly and I've been to many parties and gatherings there over the past ten years.  I watched the seller's daughter grow up, got sunburned in the pool, and had lots of nice meals there.  I'll miss hanging out there with the seller.  Sigh.  We Realtors get sentimental about homes, too.