Do you want your clients to consider you a "real" pro?  Then why are you using a headshot from 800 years ago?! OK.  I get it.  We all want to look "nice" in our business headshots. Cool.  I totally understand. But honestly, if you're using a headshot that's more than 5 years old, what good can possibly come from it? When you do finally meet in person, I'm sure the "shock" value will somehow transform into a form of deception to the client, sub-consciously or consciously, don't you think? I mean, no one died recently and made me the headshot police, but I guess this blog post can be considered a "reality checkpoint" for those on the road to disaster, that's all. Is there a chance that a prospective client will see your headshot, only to log onto your Facebook and wonder why a pic of your... 09/25/2011

So ................ What's New? Don't "axe" me why, but I just felt like checking in with everyone and seeing what's new in your life. How's business? How's your personal life? Anything new and exciting? Same 'ol ..... Same 'ol? Just a light and breezy blog post to dish a little. No strings attached! So talk to me ........ Los Angeles Homes For Sale Los Angeles Condos For Sale Los Angeles Townhomes For Sale   09/18/2011

Want to advertise yourself to over 200,000 ActiveRain members for FREE?  And have fun doing it?  Here's how..... I have a weekly post entitiled "2 Truths and A Lie". Our group has TONS of fun each week, as one of our ActiveRain members gets featured in our weekly game. The featured member states 2 Truths and 1 Lie about themselves, and for the remainder of the week, all the other members need to guess which is the lie. At the end of the week the featured member reveals their answer with some fun comments. Some of the comments on these posts are the funniest ever. If you'd like to see what it's all about and some of our past featured posts, click here: http://activerain.com/groups/2truthsandaliegame Nonetheless, the post includes some information about the featured member - where they wo... 09/17/2011

The ActiveRain Masterminds monthly challenge for August is complete, and the judges scores for each team are in! If you missed this months challenge, you can read each teams entry here: http://activerain.com/blogsview/2464780/activerain-masterminds-challenge-august-2011-real-estate-scams-how-can-we-prevent-them- If you are new to the ActiveRain MasterMinds and want to learn what the monthly challenge is all about, you can click here about how to join and what the rules are: http://activerain.com/groups/ActiveRainMasterMinds Put your own team together and be part of the Creative Mindshare to coming up with solutions to issues in our industry!                 The August issue to find a solution for was: Our outstanding Judges panel for the current six month term are: OK, here are this mon... 09/16/2011

Should the seller have to reimburse the buyer for a re-inspection? I just thought I'd take a poll to see what the AR members think. If a buyer does an inspection, and there are things that are not quite finished being installed, OR the utilities were not turned on, do you think the seller should reimburse the buyer at the close of escrow for the cost of having the inpsector come back out to the property for a re-inspect? Let me know what you think. Los Angeles Homes For Sale Los Angeles Condos For Sale Los Angeles Townhomes For Sale 09/10/2011

Short Sales and Buyer's Deposit:  After the contract is signed or After the written approval is obtained? Just wanted to take a poll and see how many of you out there require the buyer on your short sale listings to submit their deposit before or after the written approval has been obtained. In our C.A.R. addendum, section #3 has a box that can be checked off that states the deposit is to be submitted per the original contract:  on or before 3 days after full execution of the contract between buyer and seller. I personally feel that the deposit is an element that constitutes the contract:  offer + acceptance + exchange of value = contract Therefore, I require the buyer's deposit to be submitted within 3 days of acceptance of the purchase agreement, and held until at least the stated dea... 09/02/2011

Agents Faking Multiple Offers - Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire!! As Suze Orman would day:  "Don't do it, don't do it, don't you DARE do it!" I can't tell you how many times in the last few months I've written offers for buyers and then the listing agent tells me there are multiple offers on the property when I know darn well there are not. An example would be an offer I wrote for a client where the listing agent stated there were multiple offers, some over asking price. My first indication of something rotten in Denmark was that my client wrote just under asking and we went through a series of counter offers for a week, which ended up in my client getting a final counter at asking price. Believe it or not, we opened escrow, and just as fast as we opened escrow, we ended up cancelling escrow ... 09/01/2011

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... 08/19/2011

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 g... 08/19/2011

  Summer challenge continues: Fixer uppers and handyman specials often represent a good way to get a great deal on a home. As long as you are aware that these homes need work, are prepared to create a realistic budget ahead of time, and remember to leave yourself some financial "wiggle room", you can have an ideal home for much less than what comparable homes, already in top condition are selling for.  If you are the type of person who recognizes a "diamond in the rough" you'll know a great deal when you see one, and will be interested in getting a free List of Fixer-Upper Homes in Studio City, California.   To get a free list of Fixer-Upper Homes in Studio City, California, and surrounding cities, click on the links below.  When you see a home that interest you, call Bandele Oguntomila... 08/02/2011

  Onwards with our summer challenge: To get a free list of fantastic short sale homes in Studio City, California, and surrounding cities, click on the links below and find you the best home deals in Studio City, California.  When you see a home that interest you, call Bandele Oguntomilade for a showing at 818-825-6996.  You may also visit my website at  www.BogunRealtyAndLuxuryHomes.com Contact us for all properties in Southern California, including but not limited to Woodland Hills Real Estate, Calabasas Real Estate, Encino Real Estate, Tarzana Real Estate, Studio City Real Estate, Sherman Oaks Real Estate, Hidden Hills Real Estate, Malibu Real Estate and Beverly Hills Real Estate. Short Sale Homes in Studio City CLICK HERE Search MLS - All Homes CLICK HERE What’s My Home Worth Today  ... 08/01/2011

  Taking on the summer challenge, I invite potential home buyers to click on the links below and find you the best home deals in Studio City, California, and surrounding cities.  When you see a home that interest you, call Bandele Oguntomilade for a showing at 818-825-6996.  You may also visit my website at  www.BogunRealtyAndLuxuryHomes.com To view other homes click on links below: Woodland Hills Homes, Woodland Hills Real Estate, West Hills Real Estate,  Calabasas Real Estate, Encino Real Estate, Tarzana Real Estate, Studio City Real Estate, Sherman Oaks Real Estate, Hidden Hills Real Estate, Malibu Real Estate and Beverly Hills Real Estate Find a Great Home Deal in Studio City, CA CLICK HERE Search MLS - All Homes CLICK HERE What’s My Home Worth Today  CLICK HERE Get $1000 at Close o... 08/01/2011

We are off to a roaring start with our summer challenge: To get a free list of best buys of upscale and luxury homes currently in Studio City, CA, and surrounding cities, click on the links below.  When you see a home that interest you, call Bandele Oguntomilade for a showing at 818-825-6996.  You may also visit my website at  www.BogunRealtyAndLuxuryHomes.com To view other homes click on links below: Woodland Hills Homes, Woodland Hills Real Estate, West Hills Real Estate,  Calabasas Real Estate, Encino Real Estate, Tarzana Real Estate, Studio City Real Estate, Sherman Oaks Real Estate, Hidden Hills Real Estate, Malibu Real Estate and Beverly Hills Real Estate   Bargain Luxury Homes in Studio City, CA CLICK HERE Search MLS - All Homes CLICK HERE What’s My Home Worth Today  CLICK HERE G... 08/01/2011

  Pay It Forward - July Reporting Post   OK, Pay It Forward Angels, this is where you will write your SINGLE comment with the link to your Pay It Forward posts for July.   PLEASE NOTE: YOUR LINKS TO YOUR PAY IT FORWARD BLOG POSTS ARE DUE ON THE MONTHLY REPORTING POST NO LATER THAN THE 7TH OF THE FOLLOWING MONTH, 9PM PACIFIC TIME.   That means that the links (with hyperlinks) for July are due no later than August 7th, 9PM PT.   We have 5 Sundays falling in July, so you will need to post the links to your 5 posts here.   IMPORTANT REMINDER: Posts are screened for qualification of bonus points for acts of kindness you have performed yourself, not those others have done, charities being solicited (unless you have donated yourself), re-blogs, letting people know about facts and events, etc. ... 08/01/2011

Studio City California/Neighborhood Boundary Map   Click the plus+ or the minus- to zoom in or out and see the neighborhood boundaries View Studio City (STUD) in a larger map   Studio City is an affluent residential neighborhood within the City of Los Angeles, California in the San Fernando Valley (the "Valley"). The Studio City neighborhood expands over four ZIP code areas: 91604 and sections of 91602, 91607 and 90210. Located 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles, Studio City is close to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bel Air and all the major studios (Universal Studios- Hollywood, NBC Studios, CBS Studios, Walt Disney Studios, Disney Animation, ABC, Warner Brothers Studios, Paramount Studios and DreamWorks among others). Geography Studio City is located in the southeast section of the San Fe... 07/30/2011

Pay It Forward - June Reporting Post OK, Pay It Forward Angels, this is where you will write your SINGLE comment with the link to your Pay It Forward posts for June. PLEASE NOTE: YOUR LINKS TO YOUR PAY IT FORWARD BLOG POSTS ARE DUE ON THE MONTHLY REPORTING POST NO LATER THAN THE 7TH OF THE FOLLOWING MONTH, 9PM PACIFIC TIME. That means that the links (with hyperlinks) for June are due no later than July 7th, 9PM PT. We have 4 Sundays falling in June, so you will need to post the links to your 4 posts here. IMPORTANT REMINDER: Posts are screened for qualification of bonus points for acts of kindness you have performed yourself, not those others have done, charities being solicited (unless you have donated yourself), re-blogs, letting people know about facts and events, etc. When people re... 06/27/2011

Studio City Short Sale Are you behind on your mortgage payments and have already tapped your credit cards, friends and family? Getting out from the weight on your shoulders can seem impossible, but moving on is exactly what you are going to need to do. If you are considering a short sale then call Simon Mills of Mills Realty who will guide you through your Studio City Short Sale. Mills Realty will show you how you can relieve yourself from the debt of your home without any out of pocket expenses. Your lender will pay our fees, so our program will truly cost you nothing out of pocket. It makes no difference who your lender is or how many loans you have on your property Simon Mills of Mills Realty will guide you through your Studio City Short Sale. Our goal is to make the process as stres... 06/10/2011

Don't assume your buyer will want to challenge an appraisal that comes in under purchase price. I had an escrow recently in which the appraisal came in almost 10% under purchase price. I am representing the buyer in the transaction and got a phonecall from their lender when the appraisal finally came in (which was almost 30 days after the fully executed contract). The lender said the appraisal was way off, and that they were going to fight it and submit a rebuttal.  I really didn't delve into whether or not I felt the appraisal was way off myself, but I did sort of tell the lender that the decision to submit a rebuttal to the appraisal can't be made unilaterally, and that it has to be the decision of the buyers. The buyers, for this reason and others which I really can't get into, decid... 06/02/2011

Are you a "Gatekeeper"? Or do you "Fly By The Seat of Your Pants"? What does an Agency Disclosure mean to YOU? In California, and many other states, any real estate transation requires the buyer or seller and their agent to sign an Agency Disclosure.  I've included a sample of one that we use in California here. Basically, it describes and clarifies the existence of a FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP between the client and their real estate agent. I put alot of stock in this form.  The relationship between an agent and their client is not only one of trust and discretion, but it is one that inevitably must be excecuted during the course of a real estate transaction, and more importantly, within the framework of a contract for that transaction. Not an easy job to accomplish, sometimes. I think it'... 05/29/2011

Pay It Forward - May Reporting Post OK, Pay It Forward Angels, this is where you will write your SINGLE comment with the link to your Pay It Forward posts for May. PLEASE NOTE: YOUR LINKS TO YOUR PAY IT FORWARD BLOG POSTS ARE DUE ON THE MONTHLY REPORTING POST NO LATER THAN THE 7TH OF THE FOLLOWING MONTH, 9PM PACIFIC TIME. That means that the links (with hyperlinks) for May are due no later than June 7th, 9PM PT. We have 5 Sundays falling in May, so you will need to post the links to your 5 posts here. IMPORTANT REMINDER: Posts are screened for qualification of bonus points for acts of kindness you have performed yourself, not those others have done, charities being solicited (unless you have donated yourself), re-blogs, letting people know about facts and events, etc. When people read a... 05/27/2011