Anyone who has a furry friend knows that it is easy to spend hundreds of dollars to pamper them and make sure they are comfortable. With all the dog beds and toys to buy, there is no limit to how much pet parents will go for their animals. If you are trying to find the best place for you pooch to rest his head, be ready to spend the big bucks.

Some of today’s pet accommodations are giving some of the finest custom homes a run for their money. The newest luxury dog houses feature carpet, heating, air conditioning, indoor and outdoor lighting, and expensive music and entertainment systems. Some of them are also following the eco-friendly trend and include solar panels and planted green roofs.

All of these details come with a hefty price tag. A Victorian Kennel Dog House at Wal-Mart costs up to $4,400 and the Cape Cod Cozy Cottage Kennel Dog House sells for $4,600. Those are just the bottom of the line luxury dog houses. The Rockstar Puppy’s custom dog house starts at $6,000 and can reach up to $20,000. The Le Petite Maison builds doghouses that can exceed $25,000. These dog houses may seem like something only the rich and famous buy, and that is just what supermodel Rachel Hunter did. Her $16,000 includes hand-painted walls that are dotted with paw prints and bones, as well as framed pictures of her dogs inside.

There are many different designs that are available, including a Mediterranean dog house that includes a clay tile roof and copper gutters. You can also invest in a ranch style dog house that is made of high-quality lumber and stone siding, and comes with a private doggie pool.

If you are looking for the perfect house in the Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, and Conejo Valley areas to put your luxury dog house in, contact me, Betsy Dittman. As an expert real estate agent, I understand the importance of finding a home that is pet friendly and pet accessible.

One of the most exciting parts of the home selling process is finally accepting an offer and opening escrow. One of the most devastating parts of the home selling process is if something goes wrong, such as if the buyer backs out, and the escrow falls through. While you cannot control every situation that could possibly cause your escrow to fall through, there are a few things that you can do. Keep these 3 tips in mind to help avoid your escrow from falling through:

1. Tell everything. Think about what you would want to know about your house if you were buying it. Make sure to tell your real estate agent everything about your home.
2. Accept only pre-approved buyers. Nothing kills an escrow faster than accepting an offer from a buyer who is not approved. The only things that should be left to be done after accepting an offer is having the home appraised and getting a home inspection.
3. Require a deposit. Having an earnest money deposit from the potential buyer when you start escrow shows a commitment from the buyer and protects you in case the buyer does not comes through. The amount of the earnest money deposit depends on different factors, including state limitations, the current real estate market, and any requirements made by your listing agent. If there are problems with the home that you did not previously disclose, the money will be returned to the non-buyer. The money would go to you if the buyer does not complete the deal. If the deal is completed, the deposit would go towards the down payment and closing costs.

If you are looking into buying a luxury home in the Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, and Conejo Valley areas, contact me, Betsy Dittman. As a real estate professional I can help you find the best home to fit all your needsand help you successfully sail through the escrow process.

More and more, children are influencing family purchasing decisions. In fact, more than half of families report that their children are the chief purchasing officers in the family, including when it comes to buying a home. Parents are paying more attention to their kids than ever before, and they are viewing the family purchases through the eyes of the kids.

Here are some other interesting facts about parents and children in regard to purchasing a home:

• Parents today are more concerned with how moving will affect their kids. 67 percent of Millennial families report being more concerned about the immediate impact a move would have on the emotional well-being of their children than if it is a good long term decision for the whole family.
• Each generation thinks that they are more involved in their children’s lives than in the past. This spreads across all three generations, the Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers.
• Parents want to live closer to their own parents than ever before. 62 percent of Millennial and 57 percent of Generation X parents think that it is important to live near their parents or their spouse’s parents.

Before depending on your children when deciding to move, parents should think of the following issues when considering moving.

• Consider the impact. Make sure to think about the long-term and short-term impacts that moving would have on your family.
• Change can be powerful and positive. Children are very adaptable when they are loved and supported by their family. They will easily fit into a new school and neighborhood with the proper support.
• Allow your children to be involved. Make your children feel as if they are involved in the home choosing and buying process, but remember that the final decision should be made by an adult.

If you are considering a move, contact me, Betsy Dittman. As a luxury real estate professional, I can help you and your family find the best home in the San Fernando Valley, Conejo Valley, and Los Angeles areas.