Wednesday, October 13, 2010

SELLING TIPS: BUYER INCENTIVES

The worst thing that can happen when selling a Pasadena home is watching it sit on the market, week after week, month after month, with no one making a purchase offer. Buyers may look at the home but they simply don't come through with a contract. For sellers, every extra month on the market is another wasted mortgage payment they could be making toward a new house.
Why does this happen? Most often, it's because the sellers have priced the home above the market. Reducing the price is usually necessary.

There are other ways to bring Pasadena buyers to the contract table. They're called "incentives," and you can use them to ensure the fast sale of your home by plugging them into your marketing plan at the outset.

I know lots of ways to ensure that you sell your Pasadena home quickly at the right price. Please give me a call or email for a FREE consultation.

For Buying and/or Selling Real Estate, contact me:
Ramiro Rivas – Pasadena Homes for Sale
626-497-4606
Email Ramiro

Thursday, October 7, 2010

REVERSE MORTGAGES

How the New Reverse Mortgage Option Can Keep You in Your Home

If you or someone you know is struggling to make ends meet in their golden years, the new reverse mortgage option might provide the right solution.

As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I am committed to providing my clients — and consumers in general — with the latest updates and programs coming out of Washington, such as the FHA's (Federal Housing Administration) new, modified version of its Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) product, available on or after Oct. 4.

According to FHA, the HECM loan is a reverse mortgage that enables older homeowners to utilize the equity in their homes to cover everything from living expenses to health care costs. The loan allows homeowners to do this while remaining in their home, without having to make the mortgage payments traditionally associated with an equity loan.

FHA's HECM Saver is a second reverse mortgage option for the purpose of lowering upfront loan closing costs. HECM Saver will have an upfront premium of only 0.01% of the property's value. This is ideal for homeowners who want to borrow a smaller amount than generally associated with an HECM Standard loan, where the upfront premium will remain at 2%. According to FHA, under the HECM Saver option, borrowers will receive approximately 10-18% less than they would receive under the HECM Standard option.

In either case, be sure to take into consideration that the mortgage insurance premium (MIP) for both the HECM Saver and HECM Standard will be charged monthly at an annual rate of 1.25% of the outstanding loan balance.

HECM borrowers are offered a variety of options, including:
-Receiving the funds as a lump sum at the time of loan origination
-Establishing a line of credit
-Fixed monthly payments that are disbursed for as long as the homeowner continues to live in the home.

Finally, know that even though funds are advanced to the borrower and interest accrues, the outstanding amount does not have to be repaid until the borrower dies, leaves the home or sells the property. At that time, if the balance due on the loan exceeds the value of the home, FHA insurance pays the difference.

If you'd like more information, please contact me via e-mail or visit www.hud.gov. And please forward this e-mail to family and friends who might also benefit from this information.

Pasadena Realtors listing agentsFor Buying and/or Selling Real Estate, contact me:
Ramiro Rivas – Pasadena Homes for Sale
626-497-4606
Email Ramiro

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Friday, August 20, 2010

VOTED BEST PASADENA REAL ESTATE BLOG

The Pasadena real estate blog http://www.pasadenahomesandlifestyle.com/ has been nominated by Zillow as one of the top blogs in Pasadena. Voting is fast and easy. Click the link or image below:
Vote: Pasadena Homes And Lifestyle

For Buying and/or Selling Real Estate, contact me:
Ramiro Rivas – Pasadena Real Estate
626-497-4606
Email Ramiro!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

PASADENA MODERN CONDO FOR SALE


For Buying and/or Selling Real Estate, contact me:
Ramiro Rivas – Pasadena Realtor
626-497-4606
Ramiro@RivasEstates.com

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Pasadena Condos for Sale

Pasadena, Ca has become one on the best urban locations to live in Southern California. Here are some useful links on Pasadena Condo and Townhome living:
Pasadena Condos for sale
Pasadena Condos, Townhomes and Lofts
South Pasadena Condos

For Buying and/or Selling Real Estate, contact me:
Ramiro Rivas – Pasadena Realtor
626-497-4606
Ramiro@RivasEstates.com

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Pasadena Real Estate

Home for Sale
Offered at $699,000
1,978 sqft Interior - 10,498 sqft Lot
True Architectural Craftsman Beauty Designed By David M. Renton And built In 1913. This Home Boasts Four Bedrooms, Two Baths, And Hardwood Floors Throughout. This Craftsman Home Has Great Wood Details With Amazing Built-Ins. The Large Living Room And Large Dining Room Make This Home Ideal For Entertaining. The Kitchen Is Spacious And Features Plenty Of Cupboard Space And Has A Large Breakfast Bar. All Rooms Are Spacious And Functional For Your Desired Use. Additional Features Include A Cozy Fireplace, Large Outdoor Yard, Updated Electrical/Plumbing, Central Air & Heat, And Bradbury & Bradbury Wallpaper In Dining Room.

For Buying and/or Selling Real Estate, contact me:

Ramiro Rivas – Pasadena Realtor
626-497-4606
Ramiro@RivasEstates.com

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Market Update for May 2010

Real Estate Market Update for May 2010


For Buying and/or Selling Real Estate, contact me:

Ramiro Rivas – Pasadena Realtor
626-497-4606
Ramiro@RivasEstates.com

Spring Electrical Safety Tips

Spring’s warm weather is a great time for yard work, swimming and many other outdoor activities. At work or at play, it’s important to keep electrical safety in mind. Here are some tips to help you stay safe around electricity when you’re outdoors.

-Look up and look out for overhead power lines. Be mindful of any nearby lines before you climb a ladder or extend the handle of a pool-cleaning tool.

-Keep materials, tools and all parts of your body at least 15 feet away from any overhead power lines at all times. If you plan to get any closer, state law requires you to make arrangements with TEP that will allow your work to proceed safely. Keep this in mind when installing or repairing an antenna or satellite dish or preparing your evaporative cooler for summer use.

-Before you trim tree limbs and shrubs, watch out for power lines that could be hidden by foliage.

-Inspect power tools and electric lawn mowers for frayed power cords, broken plugs and weathered or damaged housings before every use. Don’t use damaged equipment until it has been repaired properly. Keep tools unplugged and stored in dry areas when they are not in use. And always use an insulated extension cord designed for outdoor use with the correct power rating for that equipment.

-Always keep power cords and electrical equipment away from water, wet grass or other wet areas. Keep this in mind when using electric-powered mowers or other lawn equipment.

-Never fly kites or model airplanes near power lines. If a kite does get tangled with overhead lines, don’t try to get it down yourself, as a kite string can conduct electricity.

-Keep vegetation and permanent structures away from the large, green ground-level boxes that house components of underground electrical systems.

-Treat all electric lines with caution and respect. Even low-voltage electric lines and cords can be hazardous if damaged or improperly handled. And if you Ever see a downed power line, call 911 immediately; don’t get near it.

For Buying and/or Selling Real Estate, contact me:

Ramiro Rivas – Pasadena Realtor
626-497-4606
Ramiro@RivasEstates.com

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Pasadena Homes for Sale, Bungalow Heaven

Pasadena Homes for Sale
Their are many great California Bungalows and Craftsman Bungalows for Sale in a Pasadena. Visit the link above to view available homes for sale in Pasadena.

Monday, February 8, 2010

NEW PASADENA REAL ESTATE WEBSITE

Pasadena Real Estate

A new Pasadena Real Estate and Community website has recently launched 1 week ago. This site is sponsored by Ramiro Rivas & Associates with Keller Williams Realty in Pasadena. The power of this hybrid website utilizes the latest internet technology with a blog format.

At http://www.pasadenahomesandlifestyle.com/ you can search over 50,000 active homes and condos for sale. Find all Pasadena Homes for Sale. There is also a foreclosure page featuring foreclosures throughout Southern California as well as Pasadena Foreclosures and short sale listings.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

PACIFIC ASIA MUSEUM PASADENA

Located east of Old Town on Los Robles in Pasadena, the Pacific Asia Museum has a permanent collection of over 15,000 objects. Since it’s opening in 1971, the museum houses its collections and temporary exhibits in a historic building that was constructed in 1924.

Aside from the collections of rare art, the Pacific Asia Museum has a varying schedule of lectures, performances, and classes, which include different types of art instruction, yoga, meditation, and haiku study groups. Pacific Asia Museum calendar of events.

Admission
Tickets to Pacific Asia Museum may be purchased upon entrance.
Discounts are available for students and seniors.
•$9 for General Admission
•$7 for Students and Seniors
Free for Children Ages 11 and Under
Admission to Pacific Asia Museum is free to all visitors on the fourth Friday of each month

Parking
Free parking is available in the Pacific Asia Museum parking lot on the corner of Los Robles Avenue and Union Street, directly north of the museum.

Pacific Asia Museum
46 North Los Robles Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 449-2742
www.PacificAsiaMuseum.org

Photos and article:
ERICA SWANSON
RIVAS & ASSOCIATES


818-257-1054
ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM

WWW.RIVASESTATES.COM - WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

Monday, January 25, 2010

T. BOYLE'S TAVERN, PASADENA

If you are fond of beer and pretzels, pool and darts, than you will be right at home at Pasadena’s newest bar, T. Boyle’s Tavern. Stepping down from the alley, into the semi-subterranean, brick walled bar, you feel as if you are at an old pub in Boston, maybe even on the set of Cheers. It’s seems to be a place where everyone knows each other’s name. It would be easy to become a regular. The selection of beer is extensive and well priced, which is all they currently serve. They are working on getting an additional wine and full-bar license with the city. There is plenty of entertainment between the dart boards, shuffle board, free pool tables, the wall to wall flatscreens, and the large stage from which bands play.

The owner, Troy Boyle, has successfully turned this back into the true tavern that it originally was from an underground Latin club. I’ve been told that the location served as a Speakeasy during the prohibition in the 1920’s. The mounted moose and deer heads that hang over the original, dark Mahogany wood bar make it hard to imagine that it was ever anything but a cozy, local tavern.

T. Boyle’s Tavern
35 N. Catalina Ave
Pasadena, Ca 91106
(626) 578-0957



ERICA SWANSON
RIVAS & ASSOCIATES


818-257-1054
ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM

WWW.RIVASESTATES.COM - WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM