Need to rent a home in the Studio City hills?

3541 Laurelvale in Studio City is now available for lease for $4,500/month.  This serene mid-century home features 3 beds, 2 baths, A/C, big sunny kitchen with new appliances, separate dining room, flat backyard, lots of storage, and an attached 2-car garage with "pull-through" for extra off-street parking.  It has been recently spiffed up and features new flooring, new paint, newly landscaped front and backyard, and a brand new washer, dryer and refrigerator. The cul-de-sac location guarantees lots of privacy. It gets even better -- this home is in Carpenter School District! Pet cats are allowed with an extra deposit.  Please call me for details or showings.

Four don'ts for home buyers

It’s a tough world out there, real-estate wise.  I know that you home buyers are beaten and bruised and just may not care about the other party’s emotions.  And I know there are a lot of nutty sellers (and buyers). However, it’s always a good idea to keep your transaction going as smoothly as possible – good will goes a very long way in Southern California real estate.  Here are some don’ts for buyers:

- Don’t make disparaging remarks about the house or neighborhood when the sellers are present.  All sellers, even flippers, want to start home sale transactions on a positive note.  Being a hater gets you nowhere.

-         -  Don’t make a purchase offer that is way lower than it should be for the comps or condition.  No matter how adorable the home sellers think you are, they don’t love you so much that they are willing to lose money. Yes, there are unrealistic sellers who have priced their home too high. And of course you don’t want to overpay for your property. But don’t get crazy low on the price if you want a response. Your Realtor can guide you to making an offer and counter offer with a realistic chance of being negotiated.

-          - Don’t miss contractual dates.  Performing the purchase contract’s tasks (yes, there are things you need to do after the agreement) by the agreed-on dates should not be a problem for a serious buyer.  Missing those dates makes you look flaky and can even get you kicked out of escrow.  If you truly need an extension of time (for an appraisal, for example), your Realtor can request one in writing.

-          - Don’t ask for silly stuff after your home inspection.  If the seller knows that you plan to do a $50k home remodel, don’t ask for $500 for “miscellaneous." That just looks greedy.  Also, please know that just because a property element or system is at the end of its useful life, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to immediately fail the minute you take possession.  Unless something is really broken, or is a safety hazard, keep in mind that you’ve agreed to take the property “as is” per the contract.  Also, your home warranty policy will help with repairs for your first year.

In great transactions, the seller gets almost everything they want, and the buyer gets almost everything they want.  Almost is the key word.  Smooth sailing, buyers and sellers.    

Need a gorgeous Sherman Oaks condo on a blissfully quiet street? Check out 14560 Benefit #207, 2+2, $525000

I just listed this sublime, move-in ready condo below the boulevard in Sherman Oaks.  It's next owner is going to be really lucky -- the front balcony faces the peaceful, green street (no views of stucco here), it's 1518 sf, has a big kitchen with all appliances included, fireplace, new carpet, some new paint, and lots of closet space. The master closet is bigger than my first apartment.  The bedrooms are suite-like and can be closed off from the rest of the unit, which makes this a perfect roommate set up. The well-managed security building has a pool, rec room and spa.  It's walking distance from all of Sherman Oaks' fun stuff, and the local public elementary school is the excellent Sherman Oaks Charter.  The first brokers' open house is Tuesday, 8/4 from 11 to 2 and the first public open house is 8/9 from 2 to 5.  Please call with any questions!