Lancaster CA House For Lease - 5 Brs $2,100/mo - Built 2006 - (818)968-3718

Palmdale House For Rent - Horse Property $1,580/mo (818)968-3718-Owner

SE HABLA ESPANOL - LUPE-DUENA 818 968 3718

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY - Sunday, May 11, 2008

DAILY MOTIVATOR What's now!

Burbank Real Estate, San Fernando Real Estate, Antelope Valley Real Estate by Lupe Soto, Feng Shui Realtor 818-968-3718

Happy New Moon in Taurus as of Monday 05/05/08, 5:19am PST. Wishing you a motivated day!.  

Inspired by Ralph Ralston from Daily Motivator. 

What's now

Before you rush away from this moment, take a look around and see its beauty. Instead of worrying about what's next, see the immense value that's already yours in what's now.

Savor the time you're in and the place where you are. Appreciate all that you have instead of being obsessed with how to get more.

You are already wealthy beyond all measure. Open your eyes to now, open your heart to purpose, and experience in rich detail the miracle that is your life.

There's nothing to be gained by racing furiously away from this moment in search of more. Instead, put your energy into accepting all that is and you'll find it is more than enough.

Put your focus, care, love, attention, interest, curiosity, purpose and passion into where you are right now. This is your time and place to live, to achieve, to feel, to learn and to experience.

Everything you are, you are right now. Be here and live the richness.

-- Ralph Marston

THE WONDER OF IT ALL, click here to experience, by Ralph Marston

THE GOODNESS OF LIFE, spectacular photos, beautiful music with thoughts by Ralph Marston

to browse to previous daily motivators by Ralph Marston, visit this link.

greetings from Lupe Soto, Feng Shui Realtor in Burbank, San Fernando Valley, Antelope Valley, L.A. County
Need to know more about Feng Shui & Real Estate. Give me a call! 818-968-3718
After all, it's what I do.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY REAL ESTATE - The Best Areas To Own a Home!

San Fernando Valley Realtor, Lupe Soto loves and knows San Fernando Valley Real Estate very well (818)968-3718.

If you're relocating to San Fernando Valley and want to know the best areas to own a home, the list below will guide you, feel free to CONTACT LUPE SOTO, SAN FERNANDO VALLEY REALTOR, Bilingual Realtor Spanish/English for all your relocation needs wheather you are buying, sellling, leasing or thinking about short sale or loan modification, your answers are just a call away!, contact Lupe for a fast response:

Above map from www.Valleyofthestars.org

Cities in the San Fernando Valley:

Burbank
Glendale
Chatsworth
Encino
Granada Hills
Lake View Terrace
Mission Hills
North Hollywood
North Hills
Northridge
Panorama City
Pacoima
San Fernando
Reseda
Sherman Oaks
Studio City
Sylmar
Sun Valley
Sunland
Toluca Lake
Valley Village
Valley Glen
Van Nuys
West Hills
Winnetka
Woodland Hills

Out of all the areas in the San Fernando Valley, here is a list of the best areas to own a home in:

• Burbank - (where I currently live) Burbank is one of the best safest, centrally located near Downtown Los Angeles and affordable cities of San Fernando Valley. Burbank Unified School District is one of the reasons why Burbank is a great place to live, work and learn.  Many families love to relocate to Burbank CA due to our excellent school district.  In Burbank, 50% of the schools have API's of 800 or above. In addition, the remaining eight schools all have API's over 750.  Of particular note is the progress made by John Burroughs and Burbank High Schools.  Both high schools have shown steady growth over the past four years, and both schools are well above the average PI for high schools in California.  It is also important to note that seven of Burbank's 11 elementary schools have API's over 800.  The goal of each Burbank principal and teacher is to provide rigorous instruction that engages all learners every day. 
  Burbank CA is also recognized as "Burbank Most Business Friendly Cities"  and name among "100 Best Communities For Young People", Burbank CA "The Media Capital of the World".
  Burbank has NO rent control and it offers many opportunites for investors to think about Why do business in Burbank CA.  Burbank CA has it's own Burbank Police, Burbank Fire Department & Burbank Water & Power. 
  
  
• Toluca Lake - Living anywhere in Toluca Lake is great. it is near Burbank CA & North Hollywood. But if you happen to live near the Lake in Toluca, it's better. And let's not forget the Lakeside Golf Club. Toluca Lake has the least amount of foreclosures. So that tells you the place rocks. The entertainment industry is right there so you'll be bumping into actors and acctresses all the time.
  
  
• Studio City - Buying a condo or Townhouse in Studio City, CA is a wise decision. You will be close to the entertainment industry, Ventura blvd, and the westside. Homes south of the blvd are at a premium and this is one of the most expensive neighborhoods to live in the San Fernando Valley. Studio City is considered the epicenter of the Valley.  
  Studio City is located in the South East quadrant of the San Fernando Valley only 15 miles from downtown Los Angeles. It is bordered on the west by Sherman Oaks, on the east by Burbank and on the north by Valley Village-North Hollywood. Like the other communities along the South perimeter of the San Fernando Valley, real estate prices are at a premium. Studio City commands some of the highest priced real estate in the San Fernando Valley as a result of its close proximity to major freeways and canyon routes that allow quick access to the Los Angeles basin. Studio City is ideally situated for living, working or relaxing in the Los Angeles area.
  
  
• Sherman Oaks another great area to live!. Sherman Oaks, CA rocks. Any home south of Burbank Blvd is great but homes south of Ventura Blvd sell at a premium. Beverly Hills is on the other side of the mountain and it only takes 10 minutes to get there by street.  Sherman Oaks is where it is believed that the "Valley Girl" came from. Sherman Oaks encompasses a total of 8.1 square miles and is home to about 50,000 residents, including a number of celebrities -- Jennifer Aniston, Tony Danza, Richard Dryfuss, and Loni Anderson, just to name a few. With a rich history, a number of outdoor activities for all to enjoy, and great shopping, Sherman Oaks is truly a popular place to live, work, and play.
  Sherman Oaks, CA is also Known as the financial center in San Fernando Valley area, there are a number of banks and stock brokerages located in Sherman Oaks. Sunkist Growers, one of the nation's oldest and largest agricultural co-op´s, has called Sherman Oaks home for almost 30 years. The community is served by the Los Angeles Unified Local Districts B and C and the University of California and Cal State Northridge are only minutes away.
  
  
  
• Tarzana - You get more for your money in Tarzana, CA near Woodland Hills, homes south of Ventura Blvd are the best. If you want to really see what Tarzana has to offer, drive south on Reseda Blvd pass Ventura Blvd and take a look at some of the new homes being built. The reason you get more for your money, is because Tarzana is the farthest from Studio City.  Tarzana is located less than 20 miles from Los Angeles, just over the Hollywood Hills in the San Fernando Valley.  The top-ranked University of California at Los Angeles is less than 20 minutes away. Recreational amenities are provided by well-kept neighborhood parks, community-run facilities such as the Tarzana Recreation Center and other recreational sites such as golf courses at the Braemar and El Caballero country clubs.
  

If your unfamiliar with the Valley, you can visit The Valley of The Stars. 

Please CONTACT LUPE if you are interested in buying, selling, leasing in San Fernando Valley.

If you would like to SEARCH FOR YOUSELF, please use the link below. Please remember that Lupe is available to answer any questions with no obligation.  Lupe loves to be of service. Do not hesitate to call or email. 

CONTACT LUPE WITH ANY QUESTIONS

FOR FASTER RESPONSE:  EMAIL LUPE  LUPEAGENT@CHARTER.NET

FREE HOME SEARCH TOOL

SIX SIGNS IT'S TIME FOR HOMEBUYERS TO BUY!

SELLERS - HOW TO PRICE YOUR HOME TO SELL!

FHA MORTGAGE LOANS - EASY TO AFFORD - EASY TO QUALIFY

2008 FENG SHUI - LUCKY DIRECTIONS

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Lupe Soto, a Realtor that loves and knows San Fernando Valley very well. Lupe specializes in San Fernando Valley Real Estate for the busy buyer, seller or investor. If you are thinking to buy, sell, lease or lease with option in SFV, whether it's a small condo a foreclosure, bank owned, REO's, Residential Income Property, new construction condos & homes in the Valley, a luxury home or would like to know more about Short Sale or Loan Modification,  Lupe habla espanol perfectamente.

please CONTACT LUPE today for let me know your needs and real estate dreams and goals.

or email Lupe a question at LUPEAGENT@CHARTER.NET

OR for faster service. CALL LUPE at (818)968-3718

All calls and emails are handled efficiently because Lupe is a Realtor that cares! Try it today!

Lupe Soto,

(818)968-3718

NEW MOON REMINDER - TAURUS NEW MOON Monday 5/5/08, 5:19am PST

Lupe Soto, Burbank Realtor, Burbank Real Estate, Burbank Homes for Sale, San Fernnado Valley Real Estate (818)968-3718

For centuries farmers have known to plant their crops by the cycles of the Moon.  The Moon moves rapidly through the constellations of the zodiac, and aligns with the Sun (conjoins) once approximately every twenty-nine and a half days.  This is called the New Moon, and is that period of time where we cannot see the Moon in the night sky.  The New Moon is the time that promotes all forms of growth .  Anything initiated on those days will be met with rapid growth : a business venture, a relationship, a creative project. The New Moon is fruitful for strong new beginnings.  Each month we will have a New Moon and the opportunity to benefit from its power!

NEW MOON REMINDER... Monday, May 5, 5:19am PST  (7:19 am, EST = Eastern Standard Time) is the New Moon Power Day in May! Don't miss this opportunity to make wishes for experiences you'd like to have.

This New Moon is in the sign of TAURUS, and it's a powerful time for wishes involving money, manifesting what you consider valuable in any area that is important to you: a relationship, a business, a job, a new behavior. Things you may have wanted to happen in your life for a long time can begin easily manifesting through using the boost of the determined and steadfast TAURUS NEW MOON.

For success, your wishes must be handwritten on paper and ten wishes maximum are allowed on each power day. The most potent time is the first 8 hours AFTER the exact time of the New Moon; within the first 48 hours will still work. The potency continues to exist for another twelve hours, but is weaker. For clear success, it's best to avoid wishing during those hours when the Moon is Void of Course.

Therefore in MAY, your most potent times for wishing are:

Monday, May 5: 5:19 am PST to midnight.
Tuesday, May 6: 12:00 am - 2:20 am PST & 5:17 pm PST - midnight.
Wednesday, May 7: 12:00 am - 7:35 pm PST.

Among other things, this New Moon stimulates the ability to more successfully navigate your life by boosting your steadfast determination. It empowers you to become more aware of the power of attaining your aims through thoroughness and step-by-step processes. It stimulates in you the gift of being able to appreciate the value and beauty of what you already have. The energy of TAURUS also creates an opening for enjoying the comforts and sensuality of life.

source:  New Moon Astrology Book by http://www.janspiller.com/

For more New Moon tips for MAY and suggested wording for wishes when the New Moon is in TAURUS, click here. FULL MOON tips for MAY are also available in the member section. Members can login and select the "New Moon Power Days" icon from the Membership Menu.


For the complete "Rules of the Road" for wishing under the New Moon, as well as sample wishes demonstrating the most potent way of wording your wishes, consult Jan Spiller's book - New Moon Astrology - at your local bookstore and available on this Site via the above Link.

If you would like to find out what the Stars, Sun & Moon have in store for your this month, Please check out Susan Miller's Astrology Zone - Monthly Forecoast
About Susan:  Susan Miller, astrologer, best-selling author, syndicated columnist, web publisher, and businesswoman, launched her award-winning website, Astrology Zone® in 1995. Susan Miller has received worldwide acclaim for her accurate, comprehensive monthly forecasts on Astrology Zone®. Her site generates a following of six million unique readers per month and 17 million page views. Each sign's forecast comprises approximately 8 pages, but counts as one long page view, as Susan does not ask her readers to click for each page of the report.

Hope everyone enjoys this article and please email me if you have any questions about Astrology. Would you like to subscribe to my astrology and feng shui posts, EMAIL ME AT LUPEAGENT@CHARTER.NET with the subject SUBSCRIBE TO ASTROLOGY NEW MOON REMINDERS and I will send you my monthly posts about New Moon & Feng Shui for Real Estate. Have a blessed & Happy New Moon in May.

LUPE SOTO - 818-968-3718
Your friend and Burbank Realtor
Burbank Real Estate
Burbank Homes For Sale
San Fernando Valley Real EState
Venta de Casas en Espanol en Burbank, Valle de San Fernando, Valle del Antelope in Los Angeles County.

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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property in Burbank, North Hollywood in San Fernando Valley or in Antelope Valley (Palmdale/Lancaster), please contact Lupe Soto.

What is a Short Sale or Loan Modification?

Burbank Short Sale, San Fernando Valley Short Sale, Antelope Valley Short Sale, Los Angeles County Short Sale. Lupe Soto, Short Sale Agent with Results, 818-968-3718

What is a Short Sale or Loan Modification?

Sometimes it's not possible to modify the loan even if the borrower would like to stay.

Other times, the value of the home has dropped significantly and the borrower is "upside down".

In either case - if the resulting sale "nets" less than what is owed to all interested parties, the transaction is deemed a Short Sale.

If the borrower wishes to get out from under the burden of the property, or there is little other options, a Short Sale may be in their best interest.

While it is hard to determine the actual damage everyone agrees that a Foreclosure will have a devastating impact on the credit score for a very long time.

Most estimates say a Short Sale will result in a drop of 100 points and will have a negative impact for only a couple of years.

Request help with your Short Sale right now!

CONTACT LUPE SOTO

LOAN MODIFICATION?

A loan modification is perfect many times for homeowners who want to stay in their homes. The idea is the Lender voluntarily decides to modify the terms of the loan so that the borrower can maintain their payments.

The borrower might be behind in their payments, might be in Default or Foreclosure, or might be current on their payments.

If the borrower wishes to stay in the property, they should examine the possibility of a loan modification or refinance, first.

A loan modification is one of the hardest negotiations for a homeowner to make.

The homeowner is instructed to talk directly to the Lender.

The problem is that often times the homeowner is directed to the collections department -

instead of the people who can actually modify the loan.

DO THEY DO THAT ON PURPOSE?

We know what to say and what NOT to say.

This is what we do for a living.

Have you talked to your cranky Lender recently? The Lenders are usually happy when we call. They don't have to explain complex terms over and over again.
Instead, the are talking to professional negotiators who know.

It's a matter of efficiency for them.
A typical conversation with a buyer can easily last over an hour.
A conversation with us might take only minutes.

We come into the negotiations fully prepared. Not so when dealing with the public.

A loan modification is a long drawn out horror story for many.

We strive to make it as quick and painless as possible!

(818)968-3718

WE ARE PAID ONLY IF WE ARE SUCCESSFUL!

DON'T NEED HELP?

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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property in SFV San Fernando Valley or AV Antelope Valley (Palmdale/Lancaster), please contact Lupe Soto. Lupe lives in Burbank CA. Lupe knows Burbank Real Estate & San Fernando Valley Real Estate, loves Burbank & San Fernando Valley, and specializes in Burbank & San Fernando Valley area real estate. Reach Lupe Soto, Realtor at 818-968-3718 or by e-mail at LupeAgent@charter.net. Be sure to check Lupe's blog.

Thinking of Short Sale? Or Loan Modification?

 LUPEAGENT@CHARTER.NET

SHORT SALE LISTING AGENT

for a free consultation.

Burbank & LA County Foreclosure Free Widget

Burbank Real Estate, San Fernando Real Estate, Antelope Valley Real Estate in Los Angeles County by Lupe Soto, Bilingual Realtor, 98% Sales from Referrals & Returning Clients! Please call to find out why? 818-968-3718.

BURBANK

Median sales price in March 2008: $500,000 (Down 16.7% from March 2007)

Consists of five ZIP Codes, with 47 foreclosures in first quarter of 2008

ZIP CODE                                         91504     91505      91506

Foreclosures in first quarter 2007:       4            9               4        
       
Foreclosures in first quarter 2008:       11          16              6

Percentage increase:                         175%      77%           50%

Households per foreclosure: 840 for zip code 91505

Ranking of households per foreclosure of the 498 ZIP Codes surveyed*: 359 for zip code 91505

*Rank of 1 is the ZIP Code with the most foreclosures; rank of 498 has the fewest. Source: DataQuick Information Systems.  You can input your zip code below and retrieve simple foreclosure date for the 1Q 2008 versus 1Q 2007.

SEARCH FORECLOSURE TREND IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD BY ZIP CODE, CLICK HERE

The 10 L.A. County ZIPs with the highest number of foreclosures in 1Q 2008, and the percentage increase from 1Q 2007. Source: DataQuick Information Systems. These are for single-family detached homes.

1) Lancaster        93535     345   392%
2) Palmdale         93550     323   487%
3) Lancaster        93536     255   467%
4) Palmdale         93551     198   421%
5) Palmdale         93552     179   442%
6) Lancaster        93534     146   329%
7) Sylmar             91342      142   426%
8 ) Norwalk          90650     129   361%
9) Pacoima          91331     105    483%
10) Reseda          91335      101   321%
11) Long Beach   90805     92      283%
12) Panorama C  91402     87      357%
13) North Hills     91343      78     358%
14) Canyon Co     91387      73     281%
15) Pomona         91766      73     284%
16) Winnetka       91306     67     346%
17) Pomona         91767      66     312%
18) Los Angeles  90047      66     312%
19) La Puente      91744      63     250%
20) Canyon Co     91351      61      281%
21) Baldwin Pk    91706      58      625%
22) Los Angeles  90044      58      544%
23) Granada Hills 91344     58      262%
24) Compton         90220     58     176%
25) Los Angeles   90059     56      330%

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Venta de Casas en Espanol en SFV

Installment Plan Delinquent Property Taxes LA County- English/Espanol

Burbank Real Estate, San Fernando Valley Real Estate, Palmdale & Lancaster Real Estate by Lupe Soto, Realtor (818)968-3718. Se habla espanol.

For those homeowners that have not paid property taxes before 04/10/08 in Los Angeles County. Please give the Tax Assessor a call regarding a 5-year repayment plan and how to qualify. I encourage everyone to contact them monday to friday and do not hesitate to call and ask about this option.  1-888-807-2111, please read more below.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY TREASURER & TAX ASSESSOR WEBSITE

INFORMACION EN ESPANOL. Si tiene alguna duda, llame a Lupe, Agente de Casas al 818-968-3718 y con gusto le dare mas orientacion.

Para aquellos duenos de propiedades que no pagaron su taxes de propiedad el pasado 04/10/08. Por favor consideren llamar a la oficina del Tax Assesor en Los Angeles County y solicitar los requisitos para calificar o el contrato del programa de repago de taxes delincuentes hasta en 5 anos. Recuerden que con preguntar nada se pierde.  Es recomendable llamar temprano de lunes a viernes y preguntar directamente por esta option, aplaudo de antemano a todos los que tomen la iniciativa de hacerlo.  1-888-807-2111

Installment Plan for Delinquent Taxes

If I cannot pay my current property taxes in full, can I make a partial payment?

Yes.  However, be aware that a 10% penalty will be assessed on the unpaid balance on the first installment.  The penalty will also attach to the unpaid portion of the second installment plus a $10 cost.

Can I pay my delinquent taxes in payments?

Yes.  The Installment Plan of Redemption (5-pay plan) is a plan that allows a taxpayer the ability to pay delinquent taxes in five (5) installments.

It is strongly recommended that prior to applying for the Installment Plan of Redemption, you contact your lender/mortgage company to ensure they allow the payment plan to pay tax defaulted taxes.

Who may apply for the Installment Plan of Redemption?

Any taxpayer that does not have defaulted taxes for more than five (5) years.

How do I apply for the installment plan?

Contact the Treasurer and Tax Collector's Office and request an application  for the Installment Plan of Redemption.

Is there a fee?

Yes.  There is a $75 non-refundable application fee, charged each time you open the plan.

Is there a minimum installment payment that must be made to open the plan?

To successfully open an Installment Payment Plan of Redemption account you must pay:

A $75 application fee payable at the time the plan is opened.

A minimum payment of 20% of the total tax amount including penalty and interest charges(1.5% per month).

All current year taxes must be paid on or before April 10.  If during the course of an installment plan the current taxes are not paid by April 10, the plan is in default.

You will receive once a year, an Installment Plan of Redemption statement indicating the minimum amount required for that installment payment.

Pay-off payments are accepted anytime before the  5th  and final payment is due.

Does interest continue to accrue while participating in the installment plan?

Yes!  Be aware that the plan incurs a charge of 1.5% per month on the unpaid balance.

What happens if I do not keep my plan current or up to date?

If the first account defaults, a new installment plan may not be opened until July 1 of the following fiscal year.  Previous payments will be treated as partial payments and will not be credited to the new plan.  Penalties will be computed on the unpaid balance each time a plan is opened and $75 application fee will be charged with each plan opening.

Please be aware that an Installment Plan of Redemption cannot be opened after the property becomes Subject To Power To Sell.  This occurs when the property has been delinquent for more than five years.

Example:  
If you have delinquent taxes from the 1994-95 tax year, as of July 1, 2000, you CANNOT participate in the installment plan.  You must pay in full the amount of outstanding taxes to keep the property from being sold at the Public Auction that is scheduled for early 2001.

source:  LA County Treasurer & Tax Collector website

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(818)968-3718 - Lupe Direct Line - Hablo Espanol

How To Price Your Home To Sell In Today's Market - PRICED TO SELL!

Burbank Real estate professionals agree: The single most important factor in selling your home today is price. With so many homes on the market now, setting the "right price" is critical.

During the housing boom in Burbank CA of the past several years, some homeowners priced their properties aggressively--well above market value. That was yesterday. Today, overpricing simply turns away buyers who could otherwise afford your home (why look at homes outside your budget?), leaving your home sitting like leftovers in an overstocked fridge--stale and unappealing. On the other hand, you don't want to price your home so low you give away your equity.

If your home is priced just right, buyers--who are armed with online research and recognize true value compared to the many for-sale homes they've looked at in the area--will know your home is worth what you're asking. Ultimately it is the market--not the seller--that determines today's right price.

So, how do you set a realistic, right price? Here are (8) inside tips for serious sellers to price right in today's market:

• Recent sales. In this fast-changing market, using sales within the last three months, sometimes six months, is important. "Old" records do not reflect today's market. What a property sold for last year is old news. What properties are selling for now is critical. Also, the best comparison is actual closed sales.
  
• True comparables. As your Burbank Listing Agent, Lupe compares your property with similar, nearby properties. Lupe calls these comparables, or "comps." Using true comparables is key to setting the right price. Specifically, Lupe will compare "apples to apples," looking at homes that are alike in terms of location, total rooms, bedrooms, baths, square footage, style, condition, age, lot size and other factors.
  
• Expireds. Lupe will also check prices of expireds (properties whose listing contract ran out without a sale) and "withdrawn from market" comparable properties. These properties typically were overpriced, and the market is indicating the listing price was higher than buyers are willing to pay. Expireds provide an excellent ceiling indicator of what price is too high. The right price for your property is somewhere below comparable expireds.
  
• Pending sales. When price information is available we may use pending sales (contracted but not yet settled or closed escrow), because these properties offer a trend indicator to what price active sellers and buyers are agreeing right now is the right price. Serious sellers realize some pending sales fall through, and thus do not become true comparables.
  
• Active listings. Only closed sales truly reflect what buyers in today's market will pay. What other sellers are asking has little relation to the value of a serious seller's property. Using other listings as a guide, however, is a smart way to position your property to beat the competition to the right price, in the right condition and with the right terms.
  
• Appraisal. Another approach is to invest in a paid professional appraisal of value. Although a seller-paid appraisal is often unnecessary, it can be an effective strategy in a situation where the seller wants to list "under appraisal" to position a property as distinct from the competition in the area, especially where many similar properties are already for sale.
  
• Online valuation. Home valuation websites that provide instant price estimates tend to be the least reliable guide to the right price. Often these nationwide services have outdated data or use one-size-fits-all formulas that may or may not apply to your specific property. At best these valuations give a ballpark estimate. As neighborhood specialists we are in the best position to know what your property is really worth in today's market.
  
• New price. Serious sellers know if a home has been on the market for two to four weeks, but has gotten little to no traffic, this indicates the property is overpriced. Also, if there has been traffic but no offers, the price is probably too high. What's more, since the property was listed, other homes may have come on the market with prices positioned better than yours. Bottom line: Time for a new price.
  
  To find out the right price for your home in today's market in Burbank CA, San Fernando Valley & Antelope Valley, CONTACT LUPE  LUPE makes it her business to stay ahead of the market in your neighborhood and recognize pricing trends that today's market is establishing right now--and how those trends affect the right price for your home.

ARE FORECLOSURES CONSIDERED TRUE COMPARABLES?

It depends. Simply because a property sells does not make it a comparable. Often a duress sale doesn't accurately reflect true market conditions, such as a foreclosure, short sale, estate settlement, tax sale, divorce, condemnation or other involuntary sale conditions. Professional appraisers use a standard called "arm's length." To qualify, the buyer or seller must not be related to each other or have common interests-they have each other at "arm's length"-that establish a fair market value. In a "non-arm's length" transaction, the relation-ship between the parties may cause one or the other to accept less than they are entitled to or pay more than fair market value. Foreclosures are often considered "non-arm's length" transactions by appraisers and may not be considered a true comparable. On the other hand, foreclosures do impact pricing. Some researchers report as much as a 10% discount in a property's value if a foreclosure is on the market within 250 yards. Although not a true comparable, foreclosures must be factored into establishing the right price for a property in the real world.

Lupe Soto, Listing Agent & Feng Shui Realtor for Buyers & Sellers knows Burbank CA, San Fernando Valley & Antelope Valley very well and will help you determine a realistic sales price & get your home sold or leased in 60 days or less. Email Lupe for a free consultation. sotolupe@charter.net or CALL FOR FASTER SERVICE at

(818) 968-3718 - Direct Line