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Los Angeles Horrifying Haunted Houses
Get your Halloween haunted house fix!
During the Halloween season, Los Angeles is home to some of the best haunted houses. From big-budget theme park productions to homegrown horrors, the city has it all! While Halloween is the time for some good spooks and scares, check out my list of the best Halloween houses and attractions in Los Angeles .
Halloween Horror Nights-Universal Studios
articles.latimes.com
Universal Studios theme park puts on a scare on select nights until Halloween. This year is all about Crimson Peak: Maze of Madness which is based on the upcoming film. The maze will take guests through ghostly, decaying remains of a Victorian labyrinth. In addition, guests can enjoy the world of Insidious, Alien vs. Predator, Halloween and outrun zombies from The Walking Dead. Runs until November 1st. Universal Studios and City Walk Universal City
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride-Griffith Park
www.canyon-news.com
This hayride is far from the kid-friendly pumpkin patches around town. This year’s theme, “Boogeyman,” unleashes demons, maniacs, and drags guests through a trail of characters and scare zones that nightmares are made out of. The hayride and pitch-black maze will leave you feeling spooked in Griffith Park!
Old Zoo Griffith Park Runs until October 31st
Knott’s Halloween Haunt- Knott’s Berry Farm
www.disneyorama.com
Knott’s Berry Farm invites guests to roam the mazes, “scare zones”, and live shows at the theme park which features over 1,000 monsters. It is one of the largest and oldest Halloween events held at a theme park. New attractions this year feature zombies, an evil tooth fairy and Southern voodoo in addition to the return of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, for two shows nightly. Don’t miss the return of this classic.
Knott’s Berry Farm Runs until October 31st
Dark Harbor-Queen Mary
nerdreactor.com
The is the ultimate haunted attraction on a historic ship. The Queen Mary is going all out for Halloween with mazes, fog, monsters, a vintage Ferris Wheel, and a full bar that includes and R.I.P. Lounge. The dark and cramped confines of the ship make for an already spooky experience. Make sure to arrive before 8 pm. For $20 “Happy Haunting Hour” tickets.
Queen Mary, Long Beach Runs until November 1st
Ward 13
www.eviltwinstudios.com
Guests in South Pasadena will walk through Ward 13, a 15 minute walk through Raymond Hill Sanitarium, which is actually an old school building. Here you will confront all sorts of frightening experiments. Your screams will benefit the South Pasadena Educational Foundation.
For a Los Angeles real estate expert, contact Betsy Dittman. I represent buyers and sellers of property throughout the Greater Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley and Conejo Valley. Contact me to answer all of your real estate questions.
Fall In Love With Your Fall Closet With These Organizing Tips
These tips can make organizing your closet for fall and winter a snap!
Can you believe that the summer’s already come to an end? Our recent heat wave certainly wouldn’t seem to indicate that the seasons are shifting, but the calendar doesn’t lie.
Since you know cooler weather is soon to be heading our way, this is a great time to start thinking about organizing your closet for fall. Here are a few of my favorite tips to help!
- Start Storing: There’s no reason to have your shorts and sandals taking up prominent places in your closet anymore. Store the majority of your summer clothes, keeping a few of your favorite pieces out for vacations and the random hot days we have here in Los Angeles.
- Get Hung Up On Hangers: Switching your closet over to a single hanger style might sound like a lot of work, but trust me, the result is well worth it! Not only will thinner, velvet-covered hangers in a single color give your closet a chic look, they’ll also help your clothes hang better and, believe it or not, create more closet space!
- Engage Your Eyes: You’re much more likely to wear more of your wardrobe if you can actually see it. Move stored summer clothing to the back of your closet, and move everything you want to wear the fall and winter to the front. Organize your closet so everything is as visible as possible. Hang up shirts with graphics, for example, so you won’t lose them with your plain tees.
Organizing your closet can be a nightmare if you don’t have enough closet space. Are you ready to get into the right home, with the right closet? Enjoy the luxury of having a great closet—and a great home!—by contacting me, Betsy Dittman, today. I’m here to be your guide to the local real estate market, guiding you towards the perfect home for all of your wants and needs.
Must-Have Smartphone Apps For Living In Los Angeles
These smartphone apps will make your LA life better and easier.
The smartphone has made so many things simpler, and now it’s adding to your life in Los Angeles, too! I don’t want you to miss out, so don’t wait to download these apps for your iPhone and Android that can help you make the most out of LA with a minimal amount of hassle.
- Luxe Valet: I know that most people think parking in Los Angeles is a headache, but it doesn’t have to be! With this free app, you get on-demand valet services wherever you all, always for $15 or less. Just tell Luxe where you’re heading, and they’ll pick up your vehicle and park it in one of their lots. When you’re ready to hit the road, let them know and they’ll pull it around for you. For a little extra, they’ll even wash your car and fill your tank!
- Our Malibu Beaches: This app has gotten some press, thanks largely to how its revolutionizing local beach use. What it does is show you beaches that are public in our area. Seems straightforward, until you realize a number of local beaches have hidden entrances, leaving them all but unused. Carve out some sand space with this handy, free app.
- Caviar: Don’t want to go get food, but don’t want to settle for a lackluster delivery dinner? Fear not! Caviar is here to help. Free to download, this app gives you the opportunity to have food delivered to you for a fee from a number of notable LA restaurants. Take it for a spin; the first delivery is free!
While there isn’t an app to help you find your dream piece of real estate in our area, I can make it easy for you! Contact me, Betsy Dittman, to learn how you can get into your perfect home quickly and easily this year.
Could The Market Be Getting Better For Homebuyers?
Some trends point towards a buyer’s market heading our way.
There’s no doubt that we’ve been experiencing a seller’s market. As low mortgage rates and skyrocketing rent costs drive more and more Americans to buy homes even as the national housing inventory has stayed relatively tight, sellers have had the opportunity to sell their homes quickly, and for a notable profit.
The tides could be changing, though. Trulia recently calculated how long it takes for homes to sell and found that 63 percent of homes listed early in the summer were still on the market two months later. This is an increase over the 61 percent last summer posted.
What does this mean? It could hint that the market is slowing down, which would be great news for would-be homeowners who’ve been scrambling to get into homes in the face of competition from other buyers.
Ultimately, the fact that some homes are lingering on the market doesn’t necessarily mean that all buyers will have an easier time, though. Specifically, California buyers can still expect a fast-paced market since the Golden State boasts 5 of the top 10 fastest housing markets. That doesn’t mean that we won’t see a gradual shift towards a buyer’s market, but it does mean it could take a little longer for it to reach our particular portion of the West Coast.
Whether you’re buying or selling in the local market, it’s important that you have an ally on your side to make sure you make the most of your real estate process. For expert insight into local luxury real estate and top-tier service, contact me, Betsy Dittman. I’m dedicated to helping homebuyers and sellers in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles bring their real estate dreams to life in 2015.
The Village At Westfield Topanga Will Open This Month!
Shoppers, diners rejoice: The Village at Westfield Topanga is opening in September!
For months, locals have watched the construction at The Village at Westfield Topanga near completion. As storefronts were finished and a full list of 25 retailers was released in August, it became clear that we were nearing the official opening of this long-anticipated retail and dining location.
More recently, Westfield Corp. released information about the nearly 90 stores and restaurants that will be opening at The Village, including Crate & Barrel, REI, Drybar, Pressed Juicery, Sur La Table, Costco, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Paper Source. Additionally, and perhaps more excitingly, they also announced their official open date, and it’s just around the corner!
On September 18th, The Village opens to the public.
If you’re not too keen on waiting that long, don’t worry! Costco—which serves as the primary anchor for this shopping and dining destination—is opening tomorrow! You can also get in on the action early by participating in Westfield’s VIP preview, which is planned for the 17th.
Prior to the preview, some of the restaurants will be extending invitations to their “soft openings” scheduled for that evening.
Development crews have been working long hours to get the $350 million center ready for the upcoming opening. The Village is situated in the middle of Victory Boulevard, Erwin road, Topanga Canyon Boulevard, and Owensmouth Avenue.
Are you hungry for easier access to dining and shopping destinations like The Village? If so, contact me, Betsy Dittman! With years of experience in the local Los Angeles real estate market, I can help you find the perfect home that will make living your ideal lifestyle fun and easy! To learn more about the great properties available near The Village at Westfield Topanga, call me today!
Hot Spring Home Sales to Continue into Summer
2015 House Summer Sales Best in Last Decade
The ‘spring buying season’ has always been a popular time for homes to fly off the market. It seems that, this year, the summer real estate market will be just as hot!
The most recent report released from the National Association of Realtors (NARS), revealed that there are more buyers looking at homes right now than in any other time in the past two years, including the last two spring seasons. The number of potential purchasers has been greater each month of this year, compared to the same month in 2014. These current numbers are expected to stay higher than last years, all the way through fall.
In short, the housing market will remain strong with an increased number of house sales that will continue throughout summer into the fall season. This year, 2015, aims to be one of the best years in the real estate market for over a decade!
This is the perfect opportunity to put your house on the market if you were thinking of selling, with the increased probability of it being bought quickly. If you are searching for your perfect home, now is the time to get looking!
For all of your real estate needs, contact me, Betsy Dittman. I bring years of sales and marketing experience to sell your house quickly and correctly, and find the perfect home for you and your family!
5 Reasons to Buy a House Right Now
Why You Should Find Your Dream House Today
Being ready to buy a home relies on you wanting to buy a home, being financially prepared, and having a good credit score. If you check all of these boxes, here are 5 reasons why now is the best time to buy a house!
- The prices are good- Although the house prices have continued to grow over the recent years, they have slowed significantly lately. The 10-City Composite gained 5.5% year-over-year, which is down from the 6.7%. This is great news if you were once worried that big price gains would put a home out of reach for you.
- Rates are low- Interest was once 18% in October 1981. This is almost unimaginable, compared to the today’s average of 5.18% which is, thankfully, much more bearable.
- Loans are becoming more accessible- Major loan companies are making adjustments to their loan requirements. They are lowering the minimum FICO score for borrowers, which mean that buyers don’t need perfect credit or to put a huge down payment on their ideal house.
- Holiday shopping- Buyers who are actively looking to purchase a home during the holiday months, namely, October through December, have less competition of other buyers and offers. In addition, the home owner is more likely to sell in time for Christmas, even if that means selling the house below the offer.
- Buying is often cheaper than renting- Depending on where you are located, prices of rent are considerably more than a mortgage on a house. It is suggested that a 30 year fixed rate of 4.5%, is 38% cheaper than renting nationally. With that said, why not live in your luxury, dream house for cheaper?
If you are committed to buying a home, I, Betsy Dittman will help you find your dream home and streamline the escrow and closing process. With your needs and requirements in line, I will be sure that you find the perfect home! Learn more about my buyer services here!
Keep Your House Sparkling with These 3 Tips
Keep Your House Forever Clean
There are those houses that, whenever you visit them, unexpectedly or planned well in advance, always look effortlessly tidy and clean. Sometimes it is not just the house owner that spends hours on end cleaning, but they may simply be following these steps:
- Daily cleaning is easier than monthly- A house can quickly get unmanageable by taking the lazy way out. Leaving the pile of dishes for later, three days in a row, is going to create a more daunting task of washing it up rather than doing the dishes every night. Leaving all of the household duties for one day will seem overwhelming and too stressful to manage. Cleaning as you go takes up less time overall and feels much more controllable. It’ll also leave you with more time for you to enjoy your home!
- More stuff means more to clean- The more items and knickknacks you have, the more you have to move and dust. The more furniture you have means you have more to push out of the way and vacuum underneath to complete a thorough cleaning. If you are finding that one room takes too much time to clean, consider if there are any appliances, items, or desks you can live without.
- Not everything has to be cleaned, all the time- Don’t create unrealistic goals of deep-cleaning the house every week. It is not necessary and will take up too much time. Not every inch of the house has to be scrubbed on a weekly basis, so be sure to limit your time and energy by focusing on a different room of the house every week.
I hope you enjoyed these tips and find that cleaning is a much more manageable task than you had previously thought! Be sure to contact me, Betsy Dittman, for all of your real estate needs. If you know of anyone interested in buying or selling property, please contact me today. I would appreciate the referral.
#1 Tip for Home Buyers
Don’t Wait for a Better Deal!
With the hot economy, mortgage interest rates, and high home values, buying a home is tougher than it has been in some years. Some homebuyers may be wondering whether to wait for the economy to improve to receive a better deal.
Whether you wait to jump into the market, or go ahead with purchasing a house, there are risks involved. If you don’t buy, the prices of home value, interest rates, and fees could go up even more. You’ll end up paying more in rent and when you decide to buy, homes that you could have afforded are now too expensive for your budget. If you do decide to buy a home, prices could go down which may strain you financially, possibly leaving you with an expensive asset that is hard to sell. On the other hand, if you buy and prices go up, you’ll accumulate instant equity, a savings account of some form, all while receiving considerable tax breaks and other incentives. Your home would increase in value instead of losing value.
Many other costs that may affect the decision to buy a home are commutes, schools, moving, as well as down payments. Factors of lifestyle, safety, comfort, and the community will also influence your decision to move. All of these should be taken into consideration when finding the right house for you.
To find the perfect home for you and your family, contact Betsy Dittman. I am a professional real estate agent, serving the areas of Los Angeles, Conejo Valley, and San Fernando. With my successful buyer services, I will assist you in the whole house buying process.
Luxury Home Design Trends To Get In On
Try Out These Luxury Home Design Trends
Trends, well, trend for a reason. Something becomes popular because people like it, get excited about it, and tell their friends (or followers, in this day and age). As popularity spikes, the trend gets more attention. Sometimes trends are fleeting, but others make a lasting impact. Fortunately, my years of real estate experience make it easy for me to see which trends will matter in the long-term. To help you capitalize on the right luxury trends, here are a few design items I want to highlight.
- Superb Showers: A Jacuzzi tub might seem like a great idea but honestly, who has time for a long soak in the tub? Fortunately, you can give your body the chance to release its tension with a luxury shower that skips all the hassle of a bath. Steam showers are a particular favorite of mine.
- Poolside Pits: In the warm summer evenings, taking a dip in your pool will feel refreshing and fun. That is, until you have to get out of the water into the crisp night air! If you install a poolside fire pit, you have the perfect place to dry off and snuggle up. As a bonus, the fire pit will get plenty of use in the winter, too!
- Wine Wind Down: Wine cellars are wonderful, but why not expand yours to get more use of it? By adding a comfortable seating area to your wine cellar, you create a tasting room perfect for hosting small parties or just enjoy a glass in peace.
Do all of these trends sound too good to be true? They are not! Let me show you what luxury living in Los Angeles looks like; contact Betsy Dittman today. I can help you find a home so perfect you will think you are living at a resort!
