Real Estate Blog

HOW TO GIVE YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS A FACELIFT

Last modified on 2010-08-18 23:06:05 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

Before

After

The best way to update your kitchen cabinetry, without the high cost of replacing them, is to paint the existing cabinets. We have advised past clients to update their kitchen by just giving their cabinetry a facelift when they don’t want to spend thousands of dollars renovating. My kitchen cabinets are in excellent shape, but were installed in the 1970’s and the color of the wood reflected the decade in which they were made. I decided to take my own advice and update my kitchen with merely two gallons of paint and new cabinet knobs.

The color to choose to paint the cabinets should be based off of the style of your home and the brightness of your kitchen. An espresso brown looks classy and elegant but it may not work in a dark kitchen. A fresh white works wonders in brightening up a dark kitchen.

Repainting the walls will also update your kitchen. If you choose to paint cabinets a light color, a darker wall color will contrast nicely. Although my kitchen isn’t dark it’s small and so I chose to paint the cabinets white with a high-gloss paint since lighter colors make rooms feel bigger. To contrast with the cabinets I chose to paint the walls a terra cotta color with a satin finish paint.

After

Before

The first step in refinishing your cabinets is to remove all the hardware and doors with a screwdriver. Set up some tables or sawhorses in an open area with good ventilation to paint the cabinet doors and drawers.  It’s best to lightly sand your cabinets to avoid flaws since it will allow the paint to grab.

It’s recommended to primer your cabinets before applying the top coat of paint. Primer comes in white, so if you paint your cabinets another color you should have the paint shop tint the primer to match the top coat. This will allow you to get by with only painting one layer of the top coat. Once the primer dries you can apply the top coat, which can either be a semi-gloss or a high-gloss. I recommend using the high gloss because it will have a nicer shine to it and will wipe clean easier.

Once the paint is dry you can screw in your cabinet hardware. Replacing the hardware will help make the cabinets feel brand new. The knobs I chose are a brushed antique bronze which go along with the hacienda look I was going for in my kitchen.

Feel free to contact me regarding my experience updating kitchen cabinetry if you think you may do the same to your kitchen or bathrooms.

ERICA SWANSON
RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
818-257-1054

Erica@RivasEstates.com

Expand Your Home Outdoors: Vacation Without Leaving Home

Last modified on 2010-05-22 22:46:36 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

With many Americans experiencing a financial pinch these days, there is a growing trend among homeowners nationwide to look to the outdoor areas of their own property not only for entertainment value, but to also expand their living space and thereby, increase their Pasadena home’s value.

Pasadena area Homeowners are choosing to spend more time at home as opposed to dining out or going on trips and are turning to their residence for relaxation and recreation. By sprucing up your balconies, patios, porches and decks, you are making your home more livable now and more attractive to future buyers. Some of our clients 

are even foregoing expensive vacations in favor of putting in a swimming pool. The reality is, however, that you do not need to make a major investment to improve your outdoor living areas. Five quick additions that will make an immediate difference are outdoor lighting fixtures, gas grills with food preparation surfaces, outdoor fire pits and fireplaces, patio heaters, and comfortable seating. In any market, financial planners all agree, real estate is the best investment one can make. Increasing the value of that investment with features that extend and enhance the family living area is always wise. decision.  ■

THE WESTGATE APARTMENTS, PASADENA

Last modified on 2010-09-08 19:18:35 GMT. 2 comments. Top.

With a completion date of January 2011, three of the seven buildings within the Westgate Apartments Pasadena project are completed. The entire real estate completed project will offer 480 units in total. Two of the three completed buildings are fully leased out already. Westgate is a green living community and one of the first properties in Los Angeles to be a candidate for LEED certification. Amenities include a resort-style pool and spa, fitness center, a business center, and a screening room with theatre seating. There is also a lounge and an adjacent demonstration/catering kitchen, along with a separate game room that has three televisions and gaming tables.

Contact us for leasing info:

Erica Swanson
818-257-1054
Erica@RivasEstates.com

Shopping for a Pasadena Condo? Ask These 4 Questions before You Buy

Last modified on 2010-03-07 06:02:23 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Shopping for a Pasadena Condo or Townhome? Ask These 4 Questions before You Buy

Pasadena Condos /Pasadena Townhomes have always been, and will likely always be, an efficient and economical route to becoming a first-time homeowner. They can offer the comfort, prestige, and even luxury appointments that apartment living may lack, often at a cost that is not much different than rent. With the current first-time home buyer tax credit and the deadline for the move-up tax credit fast approaching, I advise you move fast on any condo purchase you may be considering. 

Pasadena Collection Lofts

With my experience as Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I am well aware that not all Pasadena condominiums are the same, however, so make sure you ask the following four questions before you buy: 

What will you own? Read the bylaws and be sure you understand what you will be responsible for and what belongs to the Pasadena condo association. Will you own the boat dock at the back of your unit? Can you elect to build a spa on your patio? Generally, unit owners own and are responsible for the interior of their condos, while costs for outside maintenance including common areas and sewer lines are the association’s responsibility.

Who lives there? Are the majority of residents owners or renters? Owners generally take more interest in proper maintenance and are more willing than renters to serve on the association board and enforce complex rules and regulations–including the regular collection of homeowner dues.  

Surfwood Point Condos in the Caltech Area

What about special assessments? The association should have the power to special assess for needed, one-time large expenditures. Otherwise, things that need to be done may never get done at all, leaving the complex vulnerable to disrepair and lowered property values.  

Don’t miss this great opportunity to become a Pasadena homeowner or to downsize by buying a Pasadena condo (remember, the move-up real estate tax credit does not require you to move to a larger or more expensive home). Please e-mail me for more real estate tips on buying a condo or townhome and forward this information to any family and friends who may be in the market as well. 

Pasadena Luxury Condos for Sale over $1 Million

Last modified on 2010-02-20 23:06:35 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Pasadena Luxury Condos for Sale.  Here are active Pasadena Condos and Townhomes over $1 Million.

PASADENA URBAN LIVING

Last modified on 2010-08-28 18:04:52 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The Mission District Lofts in South Pasadena

If you are searching for a condo Pasadena is a great place to look since it is a city that has been becoming more urbanized over the past few years. Space in Los Angeles is at a premium, ever increasing, and many L.A. suburbs are starting to become re-urbanized. The most recent trend in many suburbs is retail developments with the inclusion of at least two floors of residential units above a retail city walk. Examples of such urbanization is the Paseo Colorado in Pasadena, and Rick Caruso’s latest development, The Americana in Glendale.

The two key players on your team in a home search are the lender and your real estate agent. Once you have these selected, they can help you line up the additional help you need. The best recommendations for a real estate agent is one who is well educated about the market in your area. If you’re a first time homebuyer you may not have a resource of competent mortgage enders, reputable inspectors, or a trustful escrow company that will successfully help you through the purchasing of a home;  Therefore it would be of utmost importance to choose a Realor® that will have this resource of people to recommend to you to have the option of using.

The Del Mar Metro Station and Archstone Apartments

A first step is to find out how much you can afford. Most buyers will obviously need a mortgage in order to complete a home purchase. A lender will qualify you for a certain loan amount depending on how much cash you have available for a down payment and closing costs—the various fees associated with buying or selling a home. Other relevant factors are your credit score, your verifiable income and what type of mortgage you decide to use for your purchase. You can work with a mortgage broker who will shop the mortgage market for you and place your loan package with the lender that offers the best deal. Or, you can work directly with a lender, such as Bank of America or Citibank. Just make sure that you understand what kind of loan is being offered. You might want to consult with an independent party like your accountant or financial advisor to determine what kind of financing is best for you.

If you’ve never bought a home before, you should use an agent who is a good communicator and who will take the time to explain the process. Also, keep in mind that your agent will be interfacing with the other parties in the transaction. You want someone you trust and who you are sure will represent you professionally and work diligent on your behalf.

Pasadena Foreclosures; Shadow Inventory

Last modified on 2010-02-13 02:00:36 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

Pasadena Foreclosures

Pasadena Foreclosures, Bank Owned Homes, Preforeclosures

The Pasadena Real Estate Market has been holding steady with home sales going up. What most people don’t know is that Pasadena, like many other other cities, is flooded with what is called shadow inventory.

What is Shadow Inventory? Shadow Inventory are foreclosure properties not on the MLS (multiple listing service).

These properties are comprised of:

• Preforeclosures, homes that have a NOD (Notice of Default) filed
• Auction Scheduled NTS homes
• REO, bank owned homes not on the MLS

Many say that preforeclosed and Auction Scheduled NTS homes cannot be considered as shadow inventory, because they have not been been foreclosed on. The reality is that most people behind on their mortgage are typically behind due to financial distress. Most banks will not forgive a large debt and most loan modifications are not approved. Hiring a short sale specialist may be helpful to avoid foreclosure, but the chances on a short sale approval is slim.

As a lifetime Pasadena resident, I see this Shadow Inventory everywhere. A great way to spot these Pasadena foreclosures is by looking for the following:

• Boarded up windows
• over grown landscaping
• notice of “Do not trespass” typically on the front window(s)
• lockbox on the front door or gate

Search for: Pasadena Foreclosures for Sale         How much is your Home’s Value? 

Written By:

Ramiro Rivas

Rivas & Associates 

626-497-4606

Ramiro@RivasEstates.com

PASADENA HOME VALUES FOR 2009

Last modified on 2010-02-13 02:02:07 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

Pasadena Real Estate: Market Update
2009 Home Prices on For Sale vs. Sold

Pasadena Real Estate Prices 2009

Having pulled the median prices, month-by-month, of the Pasadena Homes that sold and the Pasadena Homes for sale that were active, it shows a slight increase in the home prices through 2009. Luxury listings tend to stay on the Pasadena real estate market longer which is why the average median price of Pasadena Homes for sale on the market is considerably higher than the median price of the homes that sold each month.

Search for: Pasadena Homes for Sale         How much is your Home’s Value? 

Written By:

Ramiro Rivas

Rivas & Associates 

626-497-4606

Ramiro@RivasEstates.com

Pasadena Craftsman Bungalows for Sale

Last modified on 2010-02-20 23:05:04 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

The Craftsman Bungalow is Pasadena’s most known architecture by enthusiasts world wide.  View the latest Pasadena Craftsman homes for sale.  Pasadena’s top neighborhood for craftsman bungalows is Bungalow Heaven.

La Canada Foreclosures for Sale

Last modified on 2010-02-21 00:21:15 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

The La Canada real estate market offers many luxury homes in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.  Here are active La Canada Foreclosures currently for sale.  Foreclosure inventory is comprised of La Canada bank owned homes and preforeclosure short sale listings.

First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit

Last modified on 2010-02-13 02:01:50 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit

See how it works, and Contact Us to find your home before this credit expires.

Search for: Pasadena Homes for Sale         How much is your Home’s Value? 

Written By:

Ramiro Rivas

Rivas & Associates 

626-497-4606

Ramiro@RivasEstates.com

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