Using Blockshopper for home research? You might want to think about using another source too.

I just checked out a particular street in Burbank on Blockshopper.com.  The data was incorrect on at least two homes that I know of, because I sold them.  BS had not updated its info on these two houses in over a year and still had the old owner info.  It's an otherwise great site, but I just don't know where they're getting their data.

Would you buy a hoarder's home? Somebody will.

Yesterday's NY Times had a very interesting article about selling a hoarder's home.  Yes, it sold.  It was on Park Avenue in NYC and went for over a million dollars.  Click the link here for the article.

Over the years, I've had two hoarder listings.  In each, the hoarders were really lovely, intelligent people who were not distressed in any other way.

The first was in an apartment building for sale in North Hollywood, and the buyer-investor didn't care as long as the tenant-hoarder paid the rent on time.  The tenant had her stuff piled up very neatly and had made paths through it.  The "walls" on either side of the paths were so high that I could barely see over them.

The other place was owned by two very brilliant people who just couldn't see how much junk they had.  They were willing to work through it, though.  With the help of family, they actually threw stuff away.  They filled eight City of Glendale dumpsters from a 1200 ft. Glendale house.  It didn't hurt that they were moving out of state.

Trulia scam for rentals with two extra-creepy bonus details!

1034 N. Evergreen in Burbank got a lot of activity this week and not all of it was good.  I began to get calls from people looking to rent the property, which was for sale.  They all told me they'd seen rental info on the internet, specifically mega real estate listings site Trulia.  And the property was going for $1,100 a month.  That's so low I'd rent it myself.

The folks who responded on line then got an email back from somebody purporting to be the owner, in Africa, along with a rental application.  Yup, typical phishing scam.

I called Trulia, and they were most helpful in taking down the rental listing.  I also wrote back to the fake owner and told him/her that if they didn't stop, I'd report them to the FBI.  It appears that it's down as I haven't gotten any calls lately.

Extra-creepy detail #1: during this, the owners woke up at 7:30 to a woman poking around their backyard.  Yes, she was a prospective tenant.

Extra-creepy detail #2: The name of the supposed landlord was the name of my seller's ex-husband.  She hasn't spoken with him in many years and he was never on title.  How did the scam artists get his name and use it in an email? Ewwww.

Letters and pet pictures from would-be buyers

So far on the offers I've gotten on 1034 N. Evergreen in Burbank, I've received some compelling pictures from would-be buyers.  The pics are of the would-be buyers, their families, their dogs, their cats, their babies in front of the house for sale, and one toilet-trained cat named Allegra* hovering over the toilet. Keep 'em coming, people and pets!

*The picture above is a stock image -- Allegra has privacy issues and hasn't given permission for her likeness to be used yet.

Crazy busy

We had 120 at the Evergreen open house yesterday...almost as many at the Troost open last week...Troost is now in escrow and Evergreen will be before the end of the week.  In the meantime, there's been a lot of drama with the Naomi and Brighton closings.  But no drama with the Parish closing.  I will have more posts when I come up for air.

Yes...1034 N. Evergreen, Burbank is open tomorrow, Sunday, 2-5!

I have run out of adjectives for this (except this adjective) incredible house.  So you'll just have to come see for yourselves.  We'll be there from 2 to 5, tomorrow, the 22nd.  Three beds, 2 baths, bonus room, and huge pool. All for $630,000.

1034 N. Evergreen, Burbank is on the market

This is 1034 N. Evergreen, Burbank CA 91505 and it's a GLAMOROUS 3+2 with a huge pool and separate office. It's truly one of the loveliest homes I've listed recently and features lots of gorgeous decorator details. See more pictures at JudyGraff.com under "Featured Properties." It is listed for $630,000 and will be available to show Monday, 9/16.

Like sweets? Around Burbank much? Then you'll love this Sunday reading

Laist.com has the San Fernando Valley on its radar, unlike some other online blogs we could mention.  Today, the article is Sweets Tour of Burbank and here's the link. The photo above is from the pastry case at Portos.

This kitty leads an oh-so-glamorous life ...in Burbank

You can tell from his Hollywood bed that this kitty leads a pampered life in a beautiful crib. Now you, too, can lead this kind of glamorous existence! This guy's digs will be on the market next week.  The home has 3 beds, 2 baths, a bonus office, a huge pool, and lots of the luxe decorator details that any cat or human could wish for.  It comes with a petpedigree, too -- it was the childhood home of a famous movie star. The house will list for $630,000 -- call me for more details or stay tuned.

Is your loan broker or Realtor a sole practitioner? Yikes.

There are many, many wonderful mortgage lenders and Realtors out there who have only your best interests at heart.  There are some that are not so good, as well.  I'm sure that comes as no surprise.  I've been having lots of bad luck with sole practioner Realtors and loan brokers lately.  Why? Because they don't answer to anybody, not even you, their client.  They're in business for themselves for two reasons: they don't want to work with other people in the business (hey, we're all a little misanthropic sometimes, but...) and they want every. last. dime. for themselves.  Make sure that if you're interested in working with these folks, you check them out very, very carefully.  The neck you save may be your own.

Past = Future at 5703 Troost, North Hollywood

From this...

To this...

...at 5703 Troost Ave., North Hollywood

This delightful 3+2 home has been updated and enhanced for the 21^st century.  It began life as a bungalow for WWII workers in the 1940’s.  Over the years, generations of people raised families there and made improvements that suited their particular needs.  And North Hollywood changed and changed again.

Now the home has been refreshed for the new century and future life styles.  Enjoy the gorgeous new kitchen built for today’s and tomorrow’s chefs. Program the A/C, security system and sprinklers from your smart phone.  The innovative new double-pane windows are super energy efficient, as is the tankless water heater. Charge your electric car from the universal, dedicated charger (the electric rate is discounted).  Don’t want to drive at all? The Redline and Orange line are close by, as are all the new attractions that NoHo has to offer.

Need a little old school charm with your future?  This home still has lots of its original character. The hardwood floors gleam, the 1960’s vintage screened patio is perfect for parties, and the huge yard has just been re-landscaped and sodded. And how about the old school price of $499,000?

This house embraces all good things from the past and becomes the future. Future of Los Angeles homes and life style? Future for you?

Please contact me for more details.  The first open house will be Sunday, Sept. 15, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.

Yes, I sold this Sherman Oaks home twice in one year. Here's how it happened.

4484 Stansbury, Sherman Oaks just closed for the second time this year.  I was the listing agent both times.  Here's how it happened.  It was a short sale in 2013.  By the time it got a great offer and the (long, long) short sale process was done, it closed at the beginning of May.  The price was $538k and it went out at all cash to an investor (yes, I thought it was low, but that was all the lien holding bank wanted).

The investor rehabbed the house (which was pretty cute to begin with and in good shape) and hired me to list it again.  Hey, I know Sherman Oaks real estate, right?  We put it on the market in July for $799,000.  This is what homes go for in these parts.  And it quickly got an offer like everything else, and sold for $809,000 yesterday.  That's how I came to sell the same home twice in one year.

What does Debbie Reynolds have to do with Burbank real estate?

For those of us born, um,  a little while ago, Debbie Reynolds is one of the iconic stars of the 1950s and 1960s. What does she have to do with Burbank homes for sale? Well, I will be putting her childhood home in Burbank on the market in a week or so.  You'll be happy to hear that it has been significantly updated since Debbie lived there.

5703 Troost Ave. North Hollywood 91601 is coming to market soon!

A simply terrific 3+2 will be listing next Monday at 5703 Troost Ave. in North Hollywood.  This home has been updated for the 2000's with all sorts of things, including a brand-new kitchen.  Stay tuned for details and pictures, of course -- list price will be $499,000.

Nobody walks in L.A.? - NoHoArtsDistrict.com

Nobody walks in L.A.? - NoHoArtsDistrict.com Just as I've been telling you, North Hollywood is turning into quite the walking community, especially around Lankershim/Magnolia.  I'd love to see the restaurants and the other attractions there spreading out a little further each way on Magnolia.  One bad thing: it's really hard to park to start your walk if you're coming from someplace else.

Another show on HGtv? Yes, and your home can be the star

Will those nice folks at HGtv never run out of ideas? Here's the flyer I just received.  They will do up to $25,000 in renovations before you list your home. If you're interested, please let me know.

ATTENTION HOME OWNERS!!!

Are you putting your house on the market? Do you need a home appraisal but are worried it won’t be valued high enough? Do you need help taking those extra steps to ensure you get the most out of your home investment when it comes time to sell?

Well, a new show wants to help!

From the creators of ABC’s "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" comes a new show that will pair you with a nationally recognized home improvement consultant who will help you make the necessary improvements to ensure that your family gets the best appraisal possible!!! 

This is an opportunity of a lifetime! Please send photos of your home, your family as well a little bit about yourself and your situation tochandra.pinto@rrstaff.com. Don’t forget to include your name, age and contact info. Send ASAP to be considered!!! 

For Burbank parents re Jefferson Elementary

Here's from friend and former client Barbara Wise: "Jefferson Elementary has a new principal with great ideas. She worked with our computer specialist to put a long-awaited Amazon.com link on the school website - if you use the link, a portion of your purchase is donated to the school Booster Association. I love the school and am excited to see how things will evolve with new leadership. Great selling point for this area."

If you already shop at Amazon.com, a portion of your purchases will automatically go to Jefferson Elementary Booster Association if you simply paste this link into your browser and access www.amazon.com through this link:

http://www.amazon.com/?tag=jeffersonburbank-20

Thanks, Barbara! Barbara has twins in second grade at Jefferson and had an older son there as well.

Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you...

My clients just learned that their offer on a particular house has been accepted.  They have been looking for FOUR YEARS.  They've made countless offers.  They offered on this particular house at the beginning of the month, and through attrition of other offers, theirs' was finally accepted.  Congratulations -- dreams can come true.

Children aren't the only people who need to go back to school

Lately, I've been getting really elementary questions from other Realtors.  Not just from one Realtor, but from several.  Not just about a house's condition or a plan during an escrow, but really simple questions that, uh, anybody with a r.e. license should know.  What's going on? Aren't you heads of brokerages teaching your people about r.e. practice? We all need refreshers from time to time, but...makes me wonder if I'm really dealing with licensees or if the state of California has dumbed down the test made the license exam even simpler than ever.

Open today, 8/18, from 2-5: 5227 Denny #101, North Hollywood and 2112 N. Brighton, Burbank

Seeking an adorable 2+1+den in Burbank for $430,000? Please visit me today at 2112 N. Brighton. If you'd rather have a really cool 3 bedroom condo in trendy Noho, please visit colleague Scott at 5227 N. Denny #101 in North Hollywood.