Blog News September 25, 2015

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.

Blog News September 18, 2015

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.

Blog News September 11, 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!

Blog News August 28, 2015

Hot Spring Home Sales to Continue into Summer

thermometer and sun

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!

Blog News August 24, 2015

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!

Blog News August 19, 2015

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.

Blog News August 11, 2015

#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.

Blog News August 7, 2015

See 16 Images of Exquisitely Chic Parisian Apartments

Around 1853, Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann got to work on what is arguably the most successful — and most admired — renovation project of all time: a comprehensive overhaul of the streets, parks and buildings of Paris. After all, he is the man who untangled the city’s original medieval footprint, called for a vast annexation of surrounding suburbs and unfurled wide boulevards in tidy lines across the city. Haussmann also played an integral role in shaping the architectural profile of Paris. The city’s glorious, distinctive residential buildings were built to Haussmannian specifications: large (often whole-block), stone-faced, five-floor structures marked by the perfect alignment and symmetry of their balconies, windows and mansard roofs. Inside, the spacious apartments featured equally elegant architectural flourishes: high ceilings, parquet flooring, floor-length windows and intricate wood and plasterwork.

In addition to being incredibly sought-after by homeowners, these details form the archetypal image of a Parisian apartment. At a time of year when French festivities of all types — Bastille Day! The Tour de France! Haute Couture Fashion Week! — converge, we’ve assembled a gallery of 16 images that highlight the versatility and timeless chic of the classic Paris apartment. Below, see some of the crème-de-la-crème of Parisian interior design.

JeanLouisDeniot

Architect and designer Jean-Louis Denoit calls the living room of this Paris pied-à-terre an “ode to gray.” Image by Xavier Bejot, courtesy of Rizzoli.


Ando-Studio

The Israeli design firm Ando Studio mixed French Modern, Op-Art and Industrial pieces for this eclectic-yet-elegant St. Germain sitting room.


artful-french-apartment-design

Classic Parisian touches — chevron floors, a wrought-iron balcony — are offset by more contemporary elements, like a Ferruccio Laviani lamp, in this stunning library. Image via Designs With Jessica.


Baron-Haussmann-Bertrand-Benoit

A traditional Haussmannian interior, updated with a moody, gray palette and plush textiles by designer Bertrand Benoit.


Champeau-and-Wilde

Design duo Champeau & Wilde added gilded, glamorous accents to this airy abode in the Nouvelle Athènes neighborhood of Paris. A gray velvet sofa perfectly complements the space’s exquisite point de hongrie parquet floors.


Alidad-Paris-Drawingroom

Interior decorator Alidad describes his designs for this lavish Parisian drawing room as “the embodiment of beauty, warmth, character and comfort.” Photo by James McDonald, courtesy of Rizzoli.


Florence-Boudoux

The grandly proportioned home of Florence Badoux is an ideal showcase for the designer and architect’s collection of contemporary art — and an advertisement for the unlikely combination of lilac, tomato and dove gray hues. Photo by Richard Powers.


Gilles-and-Bossier

The Paris home of Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier — the principals behind top-drawer design firm Gilles & Bossier — seamlessly blends 19th-century architectural flourishes with 21st-century furnishings. Photo by Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer.


Grange-Bastille

Designer Jacques Grange created this witty, energetic space — a former cabinet-maker’s workshop in the Bastille district — for a client who appreciates contemporary art and Jean Royère’s designs. Photo by Alexander Bailhache.


Grange-Own-Living-Room

This Parisian living room — another project by Grange — is both spirited and graceful, thanks to its deft employ of lush volumes, a creamy palette and precisely balanced groupings. Image by François Halard.


astonishing-interior-design-luxurious-living-room-with-white-walls-interior-decoration-wooden-floor-dilegkapi-two-white-chairs-green-sofa-and-fireplac

The Place Saint Georges home of Argentinean designer and architect Luis Laplaceboasts breathtaking boiserie, or intricate wood paneling, and plasterwork.


Jean-Christophe-Aumas

Jean-Christophe Aumas — an art director for Voici/Voila, whose clients include Louis Vuitton and Céline — filled his 10th-arrondissement flat with icons of midcentury modernism, including an Arne Jacobsen Swan sofa. Photo by Christian Schaulin for Dwell.


Lauren-Santo-Domingo-Paris-Duplex-02

In the Paris home of Lauren Santo Domingo, legendary interior designer François Catroux used a mix of elements — like a chrome Herve van der Straeten chandelier — to telegraph “a mixture of grandeur and bohemian style.” Photo by Oberto Gili for Vogue.


MHZ-London

The Left Bank duplex of interior designer Tino Zervudachi — one of namesakes behind the firm of Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi — is at once sophisticated and inviting. Photo by Marianne Haas.


Pierre-Yovanovitch

In this Quai Anatole apartment, French designer and architect Pierre Yovanovitchshowcases his mastery of composition and curation. Image courtesy of Lux Productions.


Sara-Niedzwiecka-Parisian-Interiors

Classical finishings and contemporary furnishings work hand-in-hand in this Paris home, highlighting the timeless, versatile character of Hausmannian architecture. Photo by Sara Niedzwiecka.

Full Aricle Source: http://www.1stdibs.com/blogs/the-study/parisian-apartments/?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=the-study-desktop

Blog News July 31, 2015

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!

Blog News July 27, 2015

Los Angeles’ Best Beaches

Where To Head To Play In The (Clean) Sand

Some things are timeless. Heading to the beach to soak up the summer is one of those things. We are as likely to want to spend a beach day in 2015 as we were 50 years ago, but the problem is that some beaches have degraded over the decades. If you are like me, you really hate having to scrub the tar off your feet after what should have been a beautiful day at the beach. To avoid that and other bad beach woes, here is a list of the best beaches in Los Angeles.

  • For The Whole Family: Santa Monica Beach is one of the most iconic beaches in the country – and for good reason. This two mile long beach offers plenty of space for laying out on the sand, but you can also take a stroll down the pier and ride the Ferris wheel for a different take on the beach day.
  • For The Surfer: Surfrider Beach is aptly named. With beautifully curling waves, this is the perfect place to head when you are itching for a ride. Put a new coat of wax on your board and hit this beach to enjoy the California sun surf-style.
  • For The Traveler: Beautifully situated in Malibu, Leo Carrillo State Park presents the perfect setting for a weekend getaway. Comb the beach, check out the tide pools, explore a beach cave, or just enjoy the crashing waves at this scenic setup.

Living by the beach might sound like a luxury to people living in landlocked states, but that is a dream you can easily realize in Los Angeles – if you work with the right real estate agent. To talk to an expert, contact Betsy Dittman. I want to help you find the perfect home by the perfect beach and have the expertise and experience to do just that!