Sharon Rollins

By: Morgan Rollins

Nestled on a hillside in the mountains of South Africa near Cape Town lies a peaceful monster, boasting 5 pavillions to maximize views as well the natural landscape surrounding it.

Lying like slabs of slate, from a birds eye view, it looks like it belongs, and that's exactly what Van Der merwe Miszewski Architects wanted.

Step inside and you are greeted with more nature “Habitable spaces have been created by using the age-old tradition of inserting stone walls into the landscape, thereby creating usable terraces and platforms. The colours of these stone walls emulate those of the cliffs of Table Mountain above and its presence anchors the design into the landscape”

This property truly seems like it grew straight from the ground, so organic; hugging the hillside, it just goes to show you can do big without being bad.

By: Morgan Rollins

In short NO

This is a question we get a lot. Some agents will go as far as saying "if you don't drop your agent and go with me you wont get the house". The truth is the agent is obligated to entertain all offers that come in regardless of the firm that offer was send by. The agents who implement such strategies are imoral and should have their liscenses take away. Our job is to help you get into your dream home, not steel you from your agent.

So next time you hear an agent say He is the gate keeper to the properties in his firm give us a call and I bet we can just as easily show it.

By: Morgan Rollins

Why can't there be homes like this in Studio City and Valley Village, not to mention Toluca Lake, Burbank, Sherman Oaks, and Encino?

Built by XTEN ARCHITECTURE perfectly placed in the Hollywood Hills it has all you could ever want and then some. Dressed up in Black and White paint with bits of color for an eye popping experience and accented with glass from top to bottom to amplify the views giving you a vantage point down Beachwood Canyon, while only being a staircase away from a view of the Griffith Park Observatory.

Looking like a dwelling straight out of Tron(minus the ambient blue lights) while keeping it's original foundation and skeleton from the 1960s house that once stood.

Due to budget. The builders decided on a major remodel; only adding an outdoor Patio giving you the upper hand, Simultaneously being closer to nature and home. This house oozes awesome, what's not to love?

[Photography by Steve King]

Short Sale & Short Sale vs. Foreclosure

If your looking down the barrel of a foreclosure you might feel helpless, depressed and shameful, but you shouldn't; In California 22% of people are unemployed and 1/3 of people unemployed have been out of work for over a year. (Something that hasn't happened since the great depression) Everyone is having a hard time so don't feel bad, look at your options and choose the best one for you and/or your family.

A Short Sale means the house sells for less than is owed to the bank; If you owe more than the house is worth this might be the best option for you. A foreclosure hovers over you for up to ten years , e.g., like a relentless black cloud and there is no umbrella in sight. It can decimate your credit score up to 300 points, possibly more if you missed some payments, i.e., you wont be able to get a credit card and forget about buying another house. With a Short Sale you can start looking for a new home in 2 years or less.
The IRS is offering programs to people who choose Short Sale as their option by waiving the taxes on the sale of your home.
The bank will not come after you for legal recourse which would take a chunk out of your pocketbook for sure.

The bottom line is you might lose money in the deal but you will have better credit and lower loan rates in the long run. This was an unfortunate setback, but it's not the end of the world!, All you can do is move on and be strong!

Eight tips on staging your home for a quick sale

Selling your home can be tricky; with picky buyers that have flighty thoughts, the smallest discrepancy can put a bad taste in their mouth. Follow these easy steps to give you an edge on your competition.

ONE - Keep Surface areas clear and clean!
Before a showing run your finger along areas that are in easy view of buyers and make sure to clean floors and tables. If you have an animal that sheds, get that Swiffer out and get rid of all those fur-balls.

TWO - Keep your sink and counters dish free!
There is nothing worse than walking into a house with dishes piled high; the stench from the dishwater floating around the kitchen. Ugh!! Be sure to clean and put away dishes before a showing. If you're pressed for time, throw them in the oven.

THREE - Smell is key!
The human nose can detect 10000 scents, and not all of them are good. So, before you leave, use some room spray to make sure your house smells as good as it looks. For open houses, bake cookies, or put an apple in the oven on low, and it will smell like apple pie.

4OUR - Clean your windows and mirrors.
Remember that Windex commercial where the crows crash into the window because it doesn't look like it's there..... Make sure yours are like that too.... don't assume they are. Same goes with mirrors.

5IVE - Rid the house of clutter!
One thing we say to our clients is "pack like you've sold" move all the extra stuff into the garage or a storage unit. You want to keep couches and tables, mirrors and wall art, to give the buyer a sense of where things go. The key is, if it's out and about, throw it out.

SIX - Play music!
Something you would hear in a coffee house would work perfect. Remember, just because it's not your cup of Joe, doesn't mean it's not theirs.

SE7EN - Front and Back doors clear!
Anything that takes away from the experience needs to be removed e.g. Dirt, toys, cob-webs. If you were selling your car you wouldn't have it dirty now would you?

EIGHT - Don't be there for showings!
Buyers want to feel at ease and be able to say what they like or dislike about the house. If you're there, chances are they will run through the house and not take everything in. If it's a FSBO, you should step out of the house so the buyers can breathe a little easier.