Choose the Best Northeast Los Angeles Neighborhood for You

Before purchasing a NELA home, consider these key points to determine if it’s in the right neighborhood for you.

Searching for a home in the area of Northeast Los Angeles can be an overwhelming and time consuming process. Each area, neighborhood and street has its own personality and its own proximity to the freeway that gets you to work each day. Each area has its own list of pros and cons.

Even though neighborhoods such as Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Mt. Washington and Highland Park are close in proximity to each other – and are all hot real estate markets – they are completely different. Homes in Mt. Washington are almost always going to be on a hill and feature some level of stunning views of the city. While Highland Park has many hilly streets, Highland Park homes for sale do not offer the stunning views of, say, Glassell Park. Eagle Rock, like Mt. Washington, offers a wide range of modest homes and extremely upscale homes.

But aside from the beauty of a neighborhood – how pretty the tree lined streets are, how good the views are – there are several other factors that should be considered before investing your heard earned and saved money in a home in one of these stunning Northeast Los Angeles areas.

Here are ten questions to ask yourself in order to determine if a potential neighborhood is right for you.

1. Parking: How much parking is available? What is the fee (if any) to obtain a parking permit for that area? A “perfect” home with difficult parking may prove to be difficult to throw parties or may add a large amount of unnecessary stress to your life.

2. Price to Space Ratio: Is the square footage of your living space worth the amount of money your paying? If its not, does the surrounding area make up for the minuscule living space?

3. Crime: Is there a lot of crime? Research online to learn about the frequency and type of crime that this neighborhood experiences.

4. Distance from Work: Is it worth the drive? Map out the potential routes during the necessary travel time to determine the amount of traffic you will need to drive through. If the freeways are all congested, can you take surface streets?

5. Community: Do the neighbors seem friendly and welcoming? What kind of community do you want to live in? If you’re looking for a quiet experience or a party city, do some research and see if you would like to live amongst the community.

6. Neighborhood Watch: Do you feel safe? Visit the neighborhood during the daytime and nighttime to see if you feel at peace calling this house a home.

7. Pedestrian Walkways: Does the area have decent walkways for pedestrians? Are there many businesses or restaurants within walking distance? If you like to run or jog, a paved walkway is a safe necessity.

8. Hobbies: Will you be able to sustain your hobbies here? Make sure that your new home doesn’t stop you from your weekend beach days, or scenic hiking trails, or favorite vegan cafes or dim-lit dive bars. And if it does, make sure its worth the sacrifice.

9. Distance from Friends: Did your commute from your best friend’s house double in time or distance? In the midst of busy Los Angeles lives, distance can be crucial. Be prepared to see your friends less and to pass the test of strengthening your relationship.

10. Building a Family: If you have (or want) kids: can you envision raising them here? Are there recommended schools in the area? Do the neighbors and their kids seem like good people?

Northeast Los Angeles provides a level of diversity that guarantees an opportunity for buyers to locate the home and neighborhood of their dreams. Each neighborhood is a cultural rabbit hole that can potentially provide the best and most unique experiences of city living. Utilize your realtor’s advanced knowledge of your potential neighborhoods and let them know what you are looking for. The more facts you can get, the more supported your decision will be.

Buying a Home in Glassell Park? Get Pre-Approved for that Loan

Becoming pre-approved is essential when purchasing a home in Glassell Park. It saves time and provides the seller with security knowing that you already have a loan.

Located in Northeast Los Angeles, Glassell Park real estate is an emerging market and an up and coming area just south of popular Eagle Rock and west of another emerging market, Highland Park. Homes in Glassell Park are in demand and there’s not always a high inventory of homes for sale there so when it comes to buying a home, you want every advantage you can get. Before you even start open housing, it’s a good idea to get pre-approved for a loan and it’s a better idea to learn the difference between being “pre-approved” and “pre-qualified”.

Before you purchase a home you must establish your budget by organizing your finances. Once your budget is drawn, you can begin to search for Glassell Park homes that fall into your price range. Before you place a bid you should apply to be pre-qualified or pre-approved for a loan. Buyers who are pre-approved for a loan are at an advantage because the sellers know, from the beginning, that they have the means to close the sale of the home.

The process of becoming pre-qualified for a loan is simpler than becoming pre-approved. Your loan officer will need to collect the following information: your annual income, your assets and your current debt. He or she will analyze your credit profile and choose the most efficient loan program for your budget. Once your loan program is selected, your loan officer will produce a pre-qualification letter, which will provide an estimate of the money you are allowed to borrow. This lump sum is not guaranteed, but it will provide the seller with valuable information concerning what price you are able to afford.

If you want the assurance of being pre-approved, additional paperwork is required. First, you need to complete a mortgage application to be submitted to your loan officer. In addition to the application you must also submit financial status forms, employment documentation, credit card records and bank statements. Utilizing this slue of information, your loan officer will determine your mortgage capability and locate an appropriate lender. Once the lender approves your mortgage application, they will provide you with a pre-approval letter stating the amount of money you are granted for the purchase of a home.

Being pre-approved for a loan will put you ahead of any buyers who are only pre-qualified for a loan, but you are also susceptible of being audited by your lender. Audits are generally requested when a major shift occurs in your financial situation. If you loose your job or encounter a heightened interest rate, your lender will need to revaluate your mortgage application and re-determine the amount of your pre-approval letter.

While the process of purchasing a home – starting from the obviously fun activity of going to open houses – can be enjoyable, if you’re serious about competing against other buyers to land that home, home buying is serious business. Buyers need to be smart, savvy and prepared.

With homes throughout Northeast Los Angeles, in neighborhoods like Mt. Washington, Eagle Rock, Highland Park and, now, Glassell Park, becoming hot real estate markets, getting pre-approved before house hunting is vital. You – and the seller – knowing what you can afford will assure that neither of you are wasting precious time in your goal of buying a home in beautiful Glassell Park.

Prepare your Highland Park, CA Home for Sale

In the midst of many marketing tools available to aid you in selling your Highland Park home, being thoughtful and creative are the most important aspects of the process.

Homes in Highland Park, CA are a hot item, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do all you can – and take advantage of the myriad of real estate tools and strategy – in order to sell your home for the best price possible. Homes and neighborhoods in Northeast Los Angeles, particularly Highland Park, one of LA’s oldest neighborhoods, are full of character and style so the goal is, prepare your home for sale and dress it to impress.

An experienced Highland Park real estate agent can assist in advising on the small details. Reading the suggestions below – and putting them into action – can increase the chances of your home selling faster and at a greater profit. Cha-ching!

Implementing an open house may be one of the best marketing tools for selling your home. This will allow the potential buyer to see the house and envision what it would be like to make a life there. You can hire professional stagers to set-up your house in the most appealing and fashionable ways. Even if the potential buyer’s taste differs from the staging, they will spend less time in their head worrying about the price and more time being present, falling in love with the house.

It is important to reel in potential buyers from the very beginning by dressing up the front of the property. A lack of curb appeal may disinterest potential buyers from spending time to view the inside of the house. A vibrant, attractive, energetic front landscape is generally filled with plants that look healthy and full. Grass is not always necessary. Especially in the midst of the drought, a well-planned desert landscape can be cost-effective, unique and beautiful. If the house has a porch, this can be dressed with potted plants or window planters flourished with flowers. A fresh coat of paint can transform your house into a warm welcome that will peak your buyer’s curiosity of the inside.

The front door is the entryway of the house and should be a good representative of the inside. A bland door may not detract much, but a polished, painted, handsome door has the capability of “wowing” your buyers. The initial entry way in the house is best dressed with a few strong art pieces, but its best to have this area clear for maximum energy flow. Because many people have allergies, the house should have a fresh scent and be immaculately clean.

As already stated, homes for sale in Highland Park tend to be on the older side and many of these homes on the market need a good coat of paint on the outside … and the inside! The easiest way to provide a fresh, new look and feel to the house is providing each room with a fresh coat of paint. Neutral colors on the walls are best to provide the buyer with a “clean slate” but exotic colors can be strategically placed in throw pillows, houseplants and artwork. Lamps and LED lighting can provide a special glow to each room. It is suggested to close the curtains and/or blinds on any window with an unfavorable view. If the windows are all dressed with curtains or blinds, the house will provide a more completed, homey vibe.

It is not recommended to have an open house without furnishings. Even if you are no longer living in the house, there are furniture rental companies that can provide you with key pieces to bring your living room, dining room, and master bedroom to life. The less imagining the buyer has to do, the more likely he or she is to buy from you.

Remember that your home is an investment. It can make a large difference in the final cost of your home if you spend – or shall we say “invest” – some money to making the interior and the exterior hip and fabulous. With so many neighborhoods and communities in Northeast Los Angeles in a state of gentrification, more than ever buyers expect more from sellers before they sign a large mortgage down payment. Highland Park is certainly no exception.

Buying a Home in Mt. Washington? Choosing the Right Mortgage Lender

Choosing a mortgage lender requires research and time and should not be decided based on low rates.

You’ve decided you want to live amongst the windy roads of Mt. Washington in Northeast Los Angeles. While Mt. Washington may be an old neighborhood with small bungalows dating back to 1920, that doesn’t mean they’re cheap. Homes in Mt. Washington have become hot, hot, hot as far as the market goes. Even if you’re a first time buyer, in order to afford a home in 90065, you’re going to want to engage a mortgage lender that is trustworthy, experienced and has your best interests at heart.

Home loan rates have risen with inflation throughout the 21st century. Without the proper amount of research and time, loan programs can successfully nail you with layer after layer of trouble:high interest, endless fees and, ultimately, a crippling debt that can lead to the loss of your home.

It isn’t an uncommon practice to ask your Mt. Washington real estate agent to make a recommendation. Realtors can be a great source of information about lenders they know to be honest and who have performed exceptional work for their real estate clients in the past. Still, that doesn’t mean you should not perform your due diligence on which mortgage lender can be right for you and your unique situation.

When you are choosing a mortgage lender, consider these ten key points to put you on the right track.

1. Find out if your mortgage lender is high-end by asking if they have had any state disciplinary proceedings. The amount of proceedings they have will indicate their level of experience and the past companies they have been employed by.

2. Ask your friends and family about their relationships with their mortgage lenders. If someone you trust speaks highly of their lender, it may be worth it to give them an interview.

3. Reference the National Mortgage Licensing System & Registry (NMLS) to check documentation on any mortgage lender in the USA for free. This will decrease the possibility of you getting scammed.

4. Verify the validity of your lender’s mortgage license by contacting the Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB).

5. Check the NMLS to ensure that your mortgage lender’s license is active and existing. Any lender that is not found in the NMLS is most likely a fraud and a money scam.

6. Be proactive and find a lender who has a license within all three jurisdictions. If you choose a lender licensed in one jurisdiction, but find a house in another, you will have to redo the loan process from the beginning.

7. Research the DISB to see if your lender has any complaints filed against them.

8. Ask your lender about their education in mortgage lending. The highest form of education would be a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or MBA (Master of Business Administration) credential.

9. It is easiest to find a mortgage lender who is local. He or she will be able to connect you with local experts who can process, approve and close your loan.

10. If you cannot afford professional help, seek counseling through a nonprofit legal aid organization.

Buying a home, especially your first, can be a fun and exciting experience but make no mistake:It is serious business, especially when it comes to choosing the right mortgage lender to fund the loan for your Mt. Washington home.