Prepare Your Home for a Wildfire

Home Maintenance: Regularly clean gutters, trim tree limbs near your home, ensure smoke alarms work, and keep fire extinguishers operational. Make sure escape ladders are accessible.

Landscaping: Use fire-resistant shrubs and trees, and create firebreaks with rocks and flower beds. Maintain defensible space zones free of brush and trees, especially on hills.

Be Prepared: Prepare a survival kit, an evacuation plan, and a home inventory. Consider fire-resistant materials when remodeling.

Prepare Your Business

Maximize Fire Resistance:

• Use noncombustible materials for exterior walls, roofs, and gutters.

• Install dual-paned windows or fire shutters, metal mesh screening over vents, and spark arrestors on chimneys.

• Consider exterior fire sprinklers.

Prepare:

• Keep fuel-powered fire pumps ready and test them regularly.

• Inventory equipment and store important documents offsite or in a fire-rated safe.

• Create an emergency contact list and communication plan.

• Maintain accessibility for fire department equipment and develop emergency shutdown procedures.

• Develop a business continuity plan and monitor local conditions for early evacuation.

As a Wildfire Approaches

Monitor Conditions: Stay updated on local news and follow evacuation instructions. Review emergency plans and designate a meeting place. Store emergency numbers on mobile phones.

Prepare, if Possible: Close windows, doors, blinds, and shut off utilities. Ready your vehicle with a full fuel tank and keys handy.

During a Wildfire

Heed Evacuation Instructions: Evacuate immediately if advised. Wear protective clothing and take a wet towel for your face. Follow your evacuation plan with your survival kit.

Business Evacuation Plan

• Have a documented and communicated evacuation plan with multiple escape routes.

• Practice the plan and account for all employees.

• Follow emergency shutdown procedures and close all vents, windows, and doors. Shut off gas and fuel supplies.

After a Wildfire

Await the “All Clear”: Check with officials before re-entering. Look for hot spots and check for sparks and embers. Dispose of any food or medication exposed to smoke or fire.

Business Wildfire Recovery

• Follow OSHA's Wildfire: Response/Recovery guidelines.

Other Considerations:

• Contact local fire departments and agencies for fire laws, building codes, and prevention measures. Look for grants and resources to reduce wildfire risk.

Rightsizing your home is like giving your living space a fresh start. It's about creating a more manageable, organized, and enjoyable environment. Think of it as the ultimate decluttering adventure, where you sort through your belongings and decide what truly matters.This process helps transform your home into a stress-free zone that perfectly suits your lifestyle, making it easier to find what you need and enjoy your space more fully.
But. we all have those sentimental items we can't imagine parting with. The emotional side of downsizing is just as important as the practical side. Take a moment to reflect on the purpose and value of each item. Maybe create memory books or digital archives for those sentimental treasures. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and approach them with a positive mindset.  Focus on the incredible benefits of a simplified space – less clutter means more room for the things you love and a clearer mind. Embrace the journey, and you’ll find that rightsizing isn’t just about organizing your home; it’s about enriching your life and making room for what truly matters.

Summer is a season of pool parties, barbeques, and enjoying time with loved ones.  It is also a red hot season for buying and selling homes.  Below we’ll discuss the pros and cons of listing your home during this prominent real estate season. 

Pros

1. You Will Have an Abundance of Showings: With more hours of daylight, there’s more time for real estate showings.  Showings are also more likely to have viewers during the summer season than in the winter.  Interested home buyers are more likely to be spending quality time outside, which makes them more likely to attend an open house. 

2. Buyers Have Extra Motivation: Many busy households want to move into new homes before the fall school season begins.  Buyers might’ve missed out on housing opportunities during the spring, so summer is the perfect time for a new search. 

3. Convenience: With the free time for students and the consistent weather, summer provides availability and certainty when it comes to moving.

4. The House Will Looks Its Best: Natural light abounds in the summer, and this extra brightness is sure to showcase your home at its best.  With radiant windows and flourishing flowers, your home will be ready to list. 

Cons

1. Competition: Because this is such a busy time in the real estate market, this means the market is filled with competition.  Be prepared to see a “For Sale” sign at every corner, but do not let that dissuade you.  Make your home stand out. 

2. Obligations: Selling a house comes with obligations that may interfere with your summer plans.  Cleaning and prepping the house for showings is a substantial job in itself.  However, if you hire a real estate agent, this load of work will be majorly alleviated. 

3. Summer Heat: Loading and unloading a moving truck during hot, humid weather is a struggle.  Prepare yourself with chilled bottles of water, sunscreen, and portable fans.

4. Showing Houses with Children: Even though school is out for the summer, when it comes to selling a house, it isn’t all about relaxation.  You will need to have a place for your kids to go while prospective buyers are looking at your home.  Not to mention you will need to clean the house on a regular basis.  The best piece of advice for selling a home while you have children is to plan ahead of time: playdates or summer camps will give you free time and give your children fun experiences. 

Summer is the perfect time to sell your house, but it’s not without its challenges.  However, with the help of an adaptable, experienced real estate agent at VB Realty, anything is possible. Contact VB Realty Group for al of your real estate needs. 

To read Marian White’s full article, click the link below. 

https://www.moving.com/tips/pros-and-cons-of-selling-a-house-during-the-summer/

Picture this: you’re enjoying a lazy Sunday morning with your favorite cup of coffee, when suddenly, an email pops up saying there's a foreclosure recorded on your property. Your heart races – what’s going on? This is exactly the kind of moment the Homeowner Alert Service (e-Notification) was made for. By signing up, you get real-time alerts whenever a foreclosure, transfer of title, or mortgage is recorded on your property with your County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
Think of this service as your personal watchdog, always sniffing out any suspicious activity that might suggest real estate fraud, keeping you one step ahead, allowing you to catch and address potential issues before they become real problems.
But here’s a fun fact with a serious twist: scammers and hackers might try to crash this party. They could intercept these email alerts and use the info to change phone numbers on your bank accounts or pull off credit card fraud without you even knowing. So while the Homeowner Alert Service is awesome for protecting against real estate fraud, it’s also a reminder to keep your cybersecurity game strong. Stay alert, stay safe, and keep enjoying those peaceful mornings!

Great news for homebuyers and homeowners! Mortgage rates have taken a dip, sliding down from the high 7% range to the mid-6% range!
If you're on the hunt for a new home or eyeing a refinance, this change is like discovering an unexpected bonus in your paycheck. Sure, a 6% mortgage rate might still seem a tad high compared to the sweet, record lows we enjoyed not too long ago, but compared to 7%, it's definitely a treat.
And here's the real cherry on top: that 1% drop can save you a boatload of cash. Picture this — on a $700,000 home loan, shaving off just one percentage point from your rate, going from 7% to 6%, can save you tens of thousands of dollars over a 30-year mortgage. That's a serious stack of savings, translating to lower monthly payments and less interest chipping away at your wallet.

Whether you're a first-time buyer or a homeowner looking to refinance, this dip in rates is like finding a hidden treasure chest, making your dream home more affordable and adding a sprinkle of financial freedom to your life. Cheers to that!

Anyone who has been in public settings can understand and appreciate the invisible line that makes personal space. You can’t see it, touch it, or feel it, but there is nothing worse than when someone crosses into it. That’s why when you drive down any given neighborhood, most people have fences to draw a physical line between them and their neighbors. Nothing personal, it’s just about the space. If you have purchased a property, I’m going to go ahead and assume it likely has a fence around the perimeter to mark your property from others. If it had a fence, it’s easy to imagine that the fence is the border and everything within the fence is yours and outside the fence isn’t. It’s a logical thought but if you thought you knew your property lines, you should think again! 

I know that may not be the news you want to hear, (or maybe you’re in a dispute with your neighbors and it's exactly what you want to hear). Unless you’ve had a land survey done of your property, you are basing your property line off of a plat map, which is like buying pants based on whether the waist fits around your neck (don’t act like your parents didn’t make you do that for back to school shopping). So why should it matter to you? The honest answer is it may not. Maybe you like your neighbors, have a large plot of land, or live away from other people. But if you have neighbors who have fences, sheds, or anything else that you think may be encroaching on your invisible property line or are buying a home and want to avoid the surprise of being told to move your fence, then you may want to make that invisible line more visible. Want to know more about your property line? Give me a call! Whether it's pesky neighbors, peace of mind, or just plain curiosity, I can help you find the answers.

Having a usable outdoor space is more important now than ever, but finding uses for it during the fall and winter seasons can be difficult.  Below we’ve listed some of the best ways to utilize your outdoor space year-round.  Enjoy! 

1. Fire Pit

Fire pits are an incredible use for outdoor space after sundown.  They provide warmth, light, a joyful mood, and are a perfect ambiance for future gatherings or late night reminiscences, not to mention the endless s’mores.  

2. Heat Lamps

The most luxurious outdoor heating experience ever.  The electric versions are sleeker and safer than other gas options.  Optimal for staying warm during late-night stargazing, investing in heat-lamps would be a great option for light and warmth during the cold winter months. 

3. Privacy Screens 

They increase privacy and block strong winds.  Whether you’d like a screen or a wall, latticework is an affordable pick to enclose a balcony or patio. 

4. Curtained Pergola

An extravagant and beautiful choice is the curtained pergola (also known as a gazebo) that can adapt to any seasonal festivities.  They offer privacy, a stylish appearance, and comfort right in your backyard! 

5. Small Outdoor Cooktop

Full outdoor kitchens are expensive and possibly wasteful if they aren’t used.  Find an affordable, easy-to-use, stylish option in the small cooktop or grill. 

6. Small shed

Sheds are versatile.  They offer storage space, an extra room for hobbies, homework space, office space, crafting spot, workout room, or meditation area.  The applications are endless! 

7. Extra Lighting

Light is a deciding factor in your outdoor-ambiance, so feel free to get creative with twinkling lights, glowing lanterns, Tiki torches, candles, and anything else your heart may desire. 

Utilizing your outdoor space is about maximizing warmth, comfort, and creativity.  With these tips, hopefully you’ll be able to stay warm and cozy whether gathering with friends, star-gazing, or having a late night reflection.  Stay warm and stay safe! 

To read Jennifer Kelly Geddes’ full article, click the link below. 

https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/ways-to-make-your-outdoor-space-livable-when-the-weather-cools-down/

VB Realty Group Presents: Home Buyer Master Class

Learn the top 5 things you should know to become a homebuyer in 2023!

If you would like to view the slides used in this presentation, Click the link below:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folder...

If you have questions or would like more information please send your request to Offersvbrealty@gmail.com or call Brenda at (562)881.9416 and we will be happy to help!

Cyber crime has been on the rise since the internet became available to the public.. Every day criminals are looking for the easiest targets. Think you’re not who criminals would be interested in? Think again!

Cyber criminals don’t need to know how much money you have in the bank, how big your house is, or what valuables you have on display. They want into your email, your financial data, and ultimately, your identity. They cast a wide net in the hopes to get anyone and they are counting on you thinking you are safe.

With the introduction of AI and ChatGPT, their scams have only gotten more realistic and easier to fall for.

So what can you do to stay safe? Here are a few tips.

1) Turn on Multifactor Authentication
2) Update your software
3) Think before you click on unknown links
4) Use strong passwords

Want more information? Visit click here to visit cisa.gov for more tips.

For secure password management, you can visit 1password.com or bitwarden.com.

As we reach the end of the spooky Halloween season, we thought it would be a fun send off to discuss a haunted house. The infamous Los Feliz Murder House in LA has a checkered past, but to real eatstae agent Nancy Sanborn, it was just a house.

In 2016, Sanborn was brought on to the selling team to what she thought was just a regular referral listing. She was completely oblivious to its history, one of the few who was. For context, the property was the scene of a gruesome crime about 60 years before, in which Dr. Harold N. Perelson killed his wife and hit his daughter with a hammer, and then took his own life. The haunted legend of this crime has spanned from 1959 to the present day.

The property has been a notorious haunted attraction for tourists and paranormal enthusiasts. Sanborn did her best to treat it as an ordinary listing, however, the residence attracted strange attention and visitors with a sole interest in the paranormal aspect of the home.

Most states require any material defects about a residence to be disclosed to potential buyers in case it has any lingering effects for them. Though many buyers are apprehensive towards the idea of buying a house with a reputation, purchasing a stigmatized house has the benefit of a price reduction, and according to a recent survey, ⅓ of homebuyers would be willing to purchase a house with a haunting reputation.

The Los Feliz Mansion closed in July 2016 for $2.3 million. Don’t let rumors ruin your chance at buying your dream home! We hope you have a very Happy Halloween!

To read the full article, click the link below.

https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/10/30/how-an-la-agent-sold-a-haunted-house

In 2022, the California State Legislature approved 1,166 bills, and Governor Newsom signed 997 of them into law and vetoed the rest. Two dozen of these bills relate to real estate and were either implemented as part of the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget, which began on July 1, 2022, or that are effective on January 1 or July 1, 2023.

Senate Constitutional Amendment (SCA) 2 was enrolled under Chapter 182, Statutes of 2022, as a qualified ballot measure slated for a statewide vote on March 5, 2024 and would repeal Article 34 of the California Constitution. Enacted by voters in 1950, Article 34 requires that any development comprised of “low-rent” dwellings, financed in whole or part by federal, state, or local government, be approved by a vote of the people in the jurisdiction where the project is located. As California is now the only state that has this law in place, the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) was a sponsor of SCA 2 in order to repeal Article 34 in its entirety.

C.A.R. also sponsored several other housing bills signed into law, including AB 2170 that creates a state equivalent of the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHA) “First Look Program”, which gives priority to purchasers of foreclosed properties who are prospective owner-occupants, nonprofits, or public entities, and that also prohibits bundled sales of such residential one to four properties.

As part of the state budget, homeownership has also been prioritized through $500 million allocated to the California Housing Finance Agency’s (CHA) California Dream for All Program, a new equity sharing down payment assistance program or shared-appreciation loans to help low- and moderate-income first-time buyers achieve homeownership. In addition, $50 million in funds have been allocated to assist homeowners with low-cost ADU constructions.

Effective July 1, 2023, and to sunset on January 1, 2033, SB 6 enacts the Middle-Class Housing Act of 2022, which deems a housing development project an allowable use on a parcel that is within a zone where office, retail, or parking are a principally permitted use. Similarly, AB 2011 enacts the “Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022” for the purposes of constructing 100% affordable housing projects in commercial zones

ASSEMBLY BILLS

AB 916

Zoning: Bedroom Addition

AB 1410

Common Interest Developments

AB 2011

Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022

AB 2097 Residential, Commercial or Other Development Types: Parking Requirements

AB 2170 Residential Real Property: Foreclosure Sales

AB 2221 Accessory Dwelling Units

AB 2245 Partition of Real Property

AB 2503 Landlords and Tenants: California Law Revision

Commission: Study

AB 2559 Reusable Tenant Screening Reports

AB 2745 Real Estate Broker’s License

AB 2917 Disability Access: Internet Websites, Parking Lots,

and Exterior Paths of Travel

AB 2960

Committee on Judiciary: Judiciary Omnibus:

Real Estate Disclosures

Senate Bills

SB 6

Local Planning: Housing: Commercial Zones

SB197

Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review:

Housing – California Dream for All

SB 851

Personal Income Tax: Small Business Relief Act:

Elective Tax

SB 869

Housing: Mobilehome Parks: Recreational Vehicle

Parks: Manager Training

SB 897

SB 989

Junior Accessory Dwelling Units

Property Taxation: Taxable Value Transfers:

Disclosure and Deferment

SB 1017

Leases: Termination of Tenancy: Abuse or

Violence

SB 1076 Lead-Based Paint

SB 1157 Urban Water Use Objectives

SB 1348

Escrow Agents: Controlled Substances

SB 1477

Enforcement of Judgments: Wage Garnishment

SB 1495

Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development: Professions and

Vocations – Implicit Bias Training

Home insurance is an important part of owning a home and protects one of your largest financial investments. Whether you are interested in purchasing, reviewing, or replacing you’re current policy, it’s important to compare the options available to you.

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) is a great resource and provides guides, tips, and tools to help you understand your home insurance so you can make the best, and most informed decision for you.

You can visit the CDI website here. If you need additional help, feel free to reach out to your favorite VB Realty Group agent! We’re here for you for any stage of life and will help get you to where you want to go!