Why you trust the internet for homes for sale info

I entered a listing -- the new one below at 2101 N. Rose in Burbank -- into the Combined Los Angeles Westside multiple listing service this a.m.  It is supposed to go to the other area multiple listing services right away (there are about three in So. Cal. and different Realtors use different ones for various reasons).

Four hours later, the listing is still not coming up on the other mls's.  But it's on Redfin!  And probably Zillow, Trulia, etc.  No wonder clients want to search for properties themselves -- they're getting info faster from the internet than from the Realtor community. (Yes, I've called the other two mls's to let them know.)

Nicest house I saw this week that my clients didn't want to buy

This is 5908 Troost, North Hollywood.  It just came on the market for $469,500 and it's a 3+2, 1600 sf.  Yes, it's a flip, and a really nicely done one.  Check out the pictures on the mls.  It was the nicest house that I saw this week in the price range that my clients didn't want to buy.  I know what you're thinking: North Hollywood is sketchy.  But this area is improving pretty rapidly.  I sold a home just a half block away to clients last year, and they are deliriously happy there.  The North Hollywood police station is just down on Burbank Blvd. and "Noho" is turning into a fun destination.  True, the public schools aren't anything to write home about, but for those without children in this price range, this area -- and this house -- might be an excellent option.

Dilbeck Realtors is now part of the Real Living network of real estate companies

My company, Dilbeck Real Estate, is now Dilbeck Real Estate Real Living. The Real Living association has provided us with a pretty spectacular suite of on-line tools, and soon I'll be able to direct you to a super new mls search site. It's quick, easy, and you'll get more info on properties than you do on the regular public mls search. The site administrators are still de-bugging, so I hope to have this available to client-searchers next week.

Psst! Look to the right

You can finally search the multiple listing service for available L.A. County properties right from this page -- just click on the link at the right.  This search covers not just Burbank homes for sale, but all real estate in the San Fernando Valley and L.A. City, too!  Have fun and please contact me if you notice any glitches.

Notables of the week

Nicest house of the week: My two listings, of course, at 648 Birmingham and 2845 N. Lincoln in Burbank. Both will be open Sunday from 2 to 5.

Second nicest house of the week: a townhome on Valley Spring in Studio City. Just lovely, and with its own garage! I'm not going to advertise it further here in case my buyers want to buy it.

Best view of the week: from the for-sale house on Via Montana. You can see all the way to the County Hospital and the Ralph's warehouse! And downtown, Glendale and across the Valley.

Laughable seller statement of the week: "You don't need a/c in the summer in the Valley."

Trend of the week, continuing: Realtors that make their listings impossible to show.

Trend of the week, new: Realtors that don't read showing instructions on the mls.

Bank of the week: None other than Bank of America. If you read this blog often, you know that my recent BofA refinance took six months. Bank of America isn't doing much better with purchase money loans, apparently. I've heard lots and lots of anecdotes in the last few days about how long it takes for their loans to be approved, funded, etc. Way to bring your "A" game, BofA!

Search the MLS BY MAP from my site

I've just added a map search feature to my real estate site at http://www.judygraff.com/. This offers many of the same features as mega-sites Trulia, Property Shark, Redfin and Zillow. To access:

• Visit the home page of my site at http://www.judygraff.com/. Click on the "select page" box at the top right-hand corner for a drop-down menu.


• Scroll down to MLS Map Search and click. You'll be taken to a new page.


• Click on the link and have fun searching.

Of course, you can still conduct a standard property search from my site, as well. Just click on the "mls search" button at the left on the home page.