Sunday, December 2, 2018

The Property Brothers Predict Gen Z Will Be Over Tiny Homes, Too

The next generation of homebuyers are smart and value quality lifestyles focused on their unique needs. This should follow technology enhanced homes designed with convenience and versatility rather than just a mcmansion with loads of wasted space. The Gen Z know what they want and are more discriminating than previous generations. This is a great housing trend and will be fun to watch unravel with new homes for the coming years.



The Property Brothers Predict Gen Z Will Be Over Tiny Homes, Too

 
 By Lisa Steelman, Nov. 13, 2018


If millennials are a confusing demographic, wait until Gen Z grows up a little bit. I've read a couple of head-scratching studies predicting their intro into the real estate market—one predicted that 83 percent of Gen Z planned to purchase a home within the next five years, and another said that the group is twice as likely to start saving for a home by age 25—even when only about 18 percent are expecting family financial assistance for the big purchase. As someone with a brother six years younger than me, I know firsthand that the kids in college right now are bound to live a very different life than I am now. But these numbers are somewhat baffling to me—considering I am 26 and still don't think I'll be able to buy a home in the next five years.

Trying to make sense of this, I turned to the only people I know who bought their first home at 18—Drew and Jonathan Scott, also known as (The Property Brothers)! I caught up with the brothers at an event at Pinterest headquarters in New York City, where they were promoting their new partnership with Chase and the group's Dream Board tool. We were discussing the foibles of millennial home financing (so-so credit scores!), when I asked them to predict what might be coming up for the up-and-coming generation.

If you're a fan of the Scotts, you probably know that the pair are not fans of the tiny living phenomenon. A night spent in a tiny home last year only solidified that for the brothers, who have critiqued how the homes are not only ill-designed but also are rarely are up to code. So imagine my surprise when they said that they think this trend will play into a large part of the Gen Z home buying experience.

While the generation won't be cramming themselves into tiny just for the sake of tiny and might be stepping away from the Airstreams and 250-square-foot trailers, they will be seeking out incredibly well-laid out, smaller spaces that force residents to live more intentionally—a direct contrast to the McMansions of their parents. This goes hand-in-hand with the Realtor.com study that found 61 percent of Gen Z are driven to homeownership because of its customization opportunities.

"It's more streamlined living instead of giant spaces filled with a bunch of stuff you don't really need," Drew said. He also pointed that as technology advances, living in a smaller space becomes easier because it can become multifunctional. So it's no wonder Gen Z digital natives are looking to test the theory out.

Additionally, the brothers predict that homeownership for Gen Z will also just look entirely different than ever before. For my generation and the ones before me, the single family home was the holy grail. But Gen Z is now more likely to look outside the box for diverse investment opportunities—vacation rentals, multifamily units, or even an accessory dwelling unit in a family member's back yard.

Drew and Jonathan also think that Gen Zers will likely team up when investing in real estate—just like they did. "We think it's great to partner with somebody to buy a home whether it's a family member, spouse, or a friend even," Jonathan said. "Be open to what opportunities arise and then make the decision."

Who knows? After speaking with the Pro Bros, partnering with my own bro seems like it may be a good homeownership option!

Source: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/property-brothers-tiny-house-gen-z-prediction-264372

Monday, September 24, 2018

The Exceptional Public Access Plan for the Ballona Wetlands




The Ballona Wetlands near the heart of Silicon beach is an ecological reserve treasure. The bordering cities are Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Culver City, Westchester and Playa Vista. This new project is personal and exciting! Finally 600 more acres of beautiful nature with easy access for bicyclists, pedestrians, and handicapped to enjoy with less impact while preserving the natural beauty. This give us a safer alternative to getting out of our cars and be able to have easy access to local communities. This state proposal creates 6 miles of new foot trails and nearly 4 miles of bike paths and will create the second largest nature habitat in the City of LA! Yay!


The Exceptional Public Access Plan for the Ballona Wetlands 

The State's Proposed Restoration creates 6 Miles of New Foot Trails and nearly 4 Miles of Bike Paths, all Accessible from Multiple Points

By David W. Kay, Patch Contributor | | Updated
Did you know California's Ballona Wetlands Restoration Project will create the second-largest natural habitat recreational area in the City of Los Angeles, second only to Griffith Park? Indeed, it will become the "Great Park" of coastal Los Angeles, but few people are talking about this 600-acre recreational jewel.

People most intimately familiar with the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve tend to focus on the wildlife benefits of the state's coming restoration project. As a member of Los Angeles' community of environmental professionals, I've often questioned supporters and peers about why they shy away from touting the public access and recreational benefits of this fantastic "undevelopment" project.

My sense from them is that many restoration advocates, particularly naturalists, view public access as a risky proposition for wildlife, if not well-regulated. In my opinion, these fears are unfounded and in fact, public access at recently completed large wetland restorations proves otherwise (1,2,3).
When completed, the proposed Ballona Wetlands Restoration Project (Link 4) will create nearly 6 miles of new pedestrian-only trails, including approximately 2,000 feet of elevated boardwalks to allow visitors to walk next to the wetlands and get close-up wildlife views. Trails would have native plants on either side where possible, and include signs and resting points with seating. The boardwalks will be specially designed to accommodate disabled persons. Just not that into wildlife? Then just come and have a picnic, read a book, or paint a canvas.




Two east-west bike paths, instead of the current single one on the north Ballona Creek levee, would connect with the Coastal bike path at the Beach – one north and one south of Ballona Creek. Also, we'll get a brand new bike and pedestrian bridge over Ballona Creek next to Lincoln Boulevard, separated from car traffic, so folks who live south of the creek will no longer have to navigate the hair-raising Lincoln Blvd. car bridge to access the bike paths. See the entire trails plan view below. Right click on the image to open in a new tab and see the details.

https://cdn20.patchcdn.com/users/2365528/20180917/030721/styles/raw/public/processed_images/Trails%20Plan-1537211241-5607.jpg

Fenced overlooks along paths and trails will provide views and information about the Ballona Reserve (see figure below). Overlooks would include informational and directional signage in some locations. Benches to accommodate small groups also would be included in some locations (for your picnic).

Three monument signs will be built at critical street intersections to identify the Ballona Reserve to passing vehicles, cyclists, or by pedestrians. The signs would be placed on the southwest corner of Lincoln Boulevard and Fiji Way, the northwest corner of Culver Boulevard and SR-90 off ramp, and on Culver Boulevard, north of Nicholson Street.
Five areas in the Reserve would give visitors close-up opportunities to learn more about wetlands habitat, animals, and the larger watershed system. Educational art pieces may be included as well. Sitting and picnic areas, trash receptacles and bathroom facilities will be provided at the main entrance point. Parking will be located in a few areas, but mainly where county vehicles currently park on Fiji Way. Access would only be allowed from dawn to dusk.
Since state law allows only well-regulated access to Ecological Reserves, most of the Ballona Reserve is presently not accessible except via guided tours conducted by a few non-profit organizations. This will all change with the state's project, which allows the public to freely travel a broad network of established trails and paths, but prohibits any off-trail access. Rangers on patrol will ensure folks stay on trails, keep dogs on leash and follow other rules and regulations customarily established for natural areas.
Above Photo: Public trail at the Malibu Lagoon Restoration Project.
Scores of coastal wetlands have already been restored in California, pursuant to the Coastal Act and funded by bond measures repeatedly approved by voters. At most of these sites, well-regulated trails and paths replaced old "social trails" which the public had worn into the landscape in a helter-skelter fashion.
Above Photo: Unregulated "helter-skelter" social trails in the Ballona Reserve, Near Via Marina.
Many studies showed these social trails potentially impacted wildlife, but the impacts were eliminated once fenced, signed and properly maintained trails were provided as replacements. Even absent ranger patrols, people tended to police each other in wildlife areas, studies show. During sensitive breeding periods, some trails are temporarily detoured to protect wildlife at critical times. This will be the case at Ballona as well.
Above Photo: Elevated boardwalk at the San Dieguito Wetlands Restoration, near Del Mar.
If you look forward to the recreational benefits of the Ballona Project, it's important to let your elected representatives know. Don't let a vocal minority speak for you! Send an e-mail to L.A. City Councilman Mike Bonin at mike.bonin@lacity.org, and tell Mike you "support approval of the state's plan to restore Ballona to a full tidal wetland, including proposed public access." Councilman Bonin will represent our interests on the state's proposed restoration plan.
Look forward to packing the kids or dogs in the car on a Sunday morning and having a nice picnic walk at the "Great Park." Enjoy your Ballona Wetlands!

Source: https://patch.com/california/venice/exceptional-public-access-plan-ballona-wetlands

 

Monday, September 17, 2018

POCKET LISTING ALERT - New off market deal in Marina Del Rey luxury living by the beach

My hot new "Pocket Listing" off market luxury condo for sale.
Offered at $1,500,000. 2 master suites + 2 1/2 baths.
Approx. 1420 sqft. Luxury designer condo. View by appt.
3111 Via Dolce, #505, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

5th Floor Location: Ultimate stunning designer sought after Latitude 33 Sky Edition offers the urban beach lifestyle with full conceirge. Ocean breezes situated next to the historic Venice Canals and walking distance from Venice Pier & beach, the trendy Abbot Kinney shopping & dining, and nightlife of Marina Del Rey/Venice. Located in the heart of LA's Silicon Beach scene. South facing with wall to ceiling windows boasting city and obstructed ocean views complete this home. Loads of natural light floods the open floor plan. Impressive chef's kitchen is complete with a Sub Zero frig & Wolf appliances for coastal living pampering that pleases the most discerning tastes. Gorgeous hardwood floors. The luxurious master suite features a walk in closet fit for a shopaholic. Guest ensuite features large walk in shower. Bonus area for dining or den. Inside laundry area with storage room. Fitness center onsite included in HOA.

Contact me for more details.
Sandra Lew
CalBRE# 01920376
sandy@sandralew.com
Cell: 310-963-1623

A decade after the housing crisis, a new story emerges

Interesting to keep up with the housing market a decade after the housing bust back in 2008. Ten years later has it recovered? Are we in a bubble again? States like CA have recovered with Northern California's Silicon Valley leading the pack with a 74% increase over the previous real estate bubble. Location matters most when buying real estate. Urban areas with sustainable economies fair the best in the long run. According to Trulia there was a 53% gain in 100 of the largest metropolitan areas. In contrast rural areas continue to stagnate at only a 28% gain. Silicon Valley and Denver had the largest gains. Las Vegas, Chicago and Orlando are still 14-16% below their levels before the pre-crisis financial bust. Population growth increases with robust job opportunities for urban centers in contrast to declining rural areas which are seeing migrations and stagnate growth. This is true also in Silicon Beach area's Playa Vista the tech hub center of Los Angeles fueling a higher demand along with rising housing prices. The housing market is doing well in our golden state of California.

I'm a real estate broker associate with Re/Max Estate properties based out of Marina Del Rey/Venice Beach the epic center of LA's silicon beach and loving serving the community with all their real estate needs. Feel free to connect with me with any questions. Thinking about buying or selling in the area? I'm here to assist as I cherish the beach lifestyle. Relocating so many to the area is so rewarding.

Sandra Lew  -CalBRE # 01920376
Sandy@SandraLew.com
Cell: 310-963-1623
Broker Associate
Re/Max Estate Properties
124 Washington Blvd.
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292



CBS News by Rachael Layne

a close up of a map

As many as 10 million Americans are believed to have lost their homes because of the financial crisis that erupted a decade ago, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve. The crisis wiped out almost $8 trillion in household stock-related wealth and $6 trillion in home value after banks, mortgage lenders and financial companies provided loans to speculators, house flippers and people who couldn't afford to pay, spinning the economy into the worst financial disaster since the Great Depression.A decade later, how does the U.S. housing market look?

Homeownership is below pre-crisis levels
At the end of June, roughly 64 percent of homes were owner-occupied, according to statistics from the St. Louis Fed. That's below the historic highs of 2004, four years before the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, widely used to mark the acceleration of the crisis.   The current homeownership rate represents a slight increase from the 2016 low of 63 percent. The gain may signal that Wall Street is trading more mortgages as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates and lawmakers ease some of the post-crisis regulations on banks.

Fewer young adults and minorities own homes
Between 2004 and 2016, overall homeownership rates plummeted 8 percent, according to a study from the Pew Research Center. Demographics also changed.
Younger Americans felt the impact more than older homeowners. For adults between 25 to 44, the homeownership rate dropped 16 percent. And for adults younger than 35, the rate plunged 18 percent.

A decade later, it's clear the crisis delayed a traditional marker for adulthood -- homeownership -- for a greater number of young people.

"The typical household head is older now – age 51 today vs. 45 in 1994," the researchers wrote. "Older households tend to be more likely to own their homes than younger households, and thus today's homeownership rate is being propped up, in part, by an aging America." The crash is still being felt more keenly by non-white groups as well. Black households, for instance, also now own homes at a rate that's 16 percent lower, at 41 percent. That compared with ownership of white households at 72 percent, just a 5 percent slip in the same time period, according to the Pew study.
Prices are up, but are rising even faster in cities

If you live in a city, chances are real estate is now more expensive than in rural areas. Migration to cities is helping to drive the increase, according to a recent study from real estate website Trulia.

In the five years ending mid-2018, home values in the 100 biggest metropolitan areas rose 53 percent, according to Trulia. That's double the gain in rural areas, where property values rose 28 percent, the study found. The difference "between some of the largest metro areas and rural America is especially stark—many metros have seen robust growth in jobs and home prices, while many rural areas have stagnated," wrote Felipe Chacón, a housing economist for Trulia, in the report. "This divergence has boosted demand for housing in the nation's cities, fueling rapid rises in home prices.

A population shift to those urban areas is contributing 
From 2012 to 2017, the U.S. population grew 3.7 percent. But in the 100 biggest metro areas, it expanded 4.8 percent. In rural areas, the population dipped 1 percent, the Trulia study found. Even among the urban areas, some cities are far more expensive than others. In Silicon Valley, the area around San Jose, California, the current median home is worth $1.29 million, statistics released this week by real estate search company Zillow showed. That's 74 percent higher than the top of the real estate bubble and more than double from its post-crisis low.  Denver was next on the list of increases, with a value of $397,800. That represents a 66 percent rise.

Contrast that with Las Vegas, where values are still 16 percent below their pre-financial crisis level. Orlando and Chicago homes remain almost 14 percent below their pre-crisis values, according to Zillow.

Rising interest rates are also helping tap the breaks 
The Federal Reserve has already raised interest rates twice this year, and is expected to hike them twice more to keep the economy -- and the housing market -- from overheating. "While housing affordability is still running above longer-term historical levels, rising prices and interest rates have taken some steam out of demand," Deutsche Bank economists wrote in an August note looking at the housing market.


Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/a-decade-after-the-housing-crash-a-new-story-emerges/ar-BBNmvzr?li=BBnbfcL

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Prestigious Latitude 33 SKY condo
3111 Via Dolce #404
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
USA

2 Bedrooms + Den, 3 Bathrooms approx. 1830 sqft.
2 Assigned parking spaces in community garage
Offered at $1,675,000
Urban lifestyle at the beach in Southern California

 (steps to the Venice Pier and Beach located next to the historic Venice canals in the heart of LA's area dubbed Silicon Beach)

Ultimate stunning designer sought after rare Latitude 33 Sky Edition offers the urban lifestyle with full conceirge. Ocean breezes situated next to the historic Venice Canals and walking distance from Venice Pier & beach, the trendy Abbot Kinney shopping & dining, and nightlife of Marina Del Rey/Venice. Located in the heart of the Silicon Beach scene. Southeast corner unit with wall to ceiling windows boasting city and mountain views complete this masterpiece. Loads of natural light floods the open air space. Impressive chef's kitchen is complete with a Sub Zero frig & Wolf appliances for coastal living pampering that pleases the most discerning tastes. Gorgeous hardwood plank floors. Two ensuite bedrooms with full baths on either end provide maximum privacy. The luxurious master suite features a walk in closet fit for a shopaholic. Huge den could easily be used as a 3rd bedroom. Inside laundry area with storage. Beach lifestyle you deserve among the clouds. CA dreaming redefined.

Contact Listing Agent for more details and private showing.

Sandra Lew - Re/Max Estate Properties
CalBRE#01920376

Cell: 310-963-1623
Sandy@SandraLew.com






























Saturday, August 4, 2018

For Sale: 3111 VIA DOLCE #404, MARINA DEL REY, CA 90292

My hot new listing!!!

Check out my video tour of the ultimate in luxury living at the beach.
Come get your slice of paradise in this boutique feel residence that eludes success.


http://www.imagemaker360.com/161450

Prestigious Latitude 33 SKY condo
3111 Via Dolce #404
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
USA

2 Bedrooms + Den, 3 Bathrooms approx. 1830 sqft.
2 Assigned parking spaces in community garage
Offered at $1,675,000
Urban lifestyle at the beach in Southern California

 (steps to the Venice Pier and Beach located next to the historic Venice canals in the heart of LA's area dubbed Silicon Beach)

Ultimate stunning designer sought after rare Latitude 33 Sky Edition offers the urban lifestyle with full conceirge. Ocean breezes situated next to the historic Venice Canals and walking distance from Venice Pier & beach, the trendy Abbot Kinney shopping & dining, and nightlife of Marina Del Rey/Venice. Located in the heart of the Silicon Beach scene. Southeast corner unit with wall to ceiling windows boasting city and mountain views complete this masterpiece. Loads of natural light floods the open air space. Impressive chef's kitchen is complete with a Sub Zero frig & Wolf appliances for coastal living pampering that pleases the most discerning tastes. Gorgeous hardwood plank floors. Two ensuite bedrooms with full baths on either end provide maximum privacy. The luxurious master suite features a walk in closet fit for a shopaholic. Huge den could easily be used as a 3rd bedroom. Inside laundry area with storage. Beach lifestyle you deserve among the clouds. CA dreaming redefined.

Contact Listing Agent for more details and private showing.

Sandra Lew - Re/Max Estate Properties
CalBRE#01920376

Cell: 310-963-1623
Sandy@SandraLew.com


Wednesday, August 1, 2018

My hot new listing in Playa Del Rey near LA's dubbed Silicon Beach. Your opportunity to grab your own slice of paradise. Open floor plan and new hardwood floors. Remodeled full baths.
Ocean views, steps to the beach, 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths! Rare top floor penthouse unit next to the Playa Del Rey Lagoon with views of the marina and ocean.

Feel free to contact me direct at 310-963-1623 call or text. Love to show it to you. Serious inquiries only. Location next to the marina bike path at the end of Pacific.

6220 Pacific Ave, Unit 301, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293

Who wants to be my neighbor? Available for lease at $6000/month. Great way to experience the beach lifestyle before you buy!

Sandra Lew -  310-963-1623 or sandy@sandralew.com
Lic#01920376 Re/Max Estate Properties

Sunday, June 10, 2018

For Silicon Beach homebuyers, a salary’s just a starting point









New breed of homebuyers in Silicon Beach. High tech affords creative sources of income and tapping into financial resources not possible in the past.  Stock options and crypto are big players to help the new tech professionals afford and be able to boost their purchasing power. This is all leading to a buying freenzy and further driving up demand when inventory of homes are still low. As a local real estate broker with my pulse on the market I'm dedicated to all your real estate needs. I've got the tools to help you navigate the home buying process. As a resident of LA's area dubbed Silicon Beach I know firsthand how frustrating it is to get into bidding wars so let's connect. I'll send you my link to search the MLS (multiple listing service) for up to date information on homes in your area of interest. Love for you to be my neighbor. sandy@sandralew.com
Check out my website: www.sandralew.com



For Silicon Beach homebuyers, a salary’s just a starting point
Techies tap stock options and crypto in deal making frenzy.
By Alexei Barrionuevo | June 06, 2018 10:00AM
 
There was a time when buying a first home meant patiently saving money for several years — or cozying up to mom and dad for the down payment.

While those practices remain, a growing number of young buyers in Silicon Beach are purchasing multimillion-dollar homes by liquidating stock options — or even cryptocurrency portfolios — in a bid to edge out the competition and boost their purchasing power.

And cashing out is not the only way they are doing it.

Over the past year, big banks have become more open to allowing buyers to use option grants as a measure of total compensation. That has allowed buyers who work in tech to shop for far pricier homes than their salaries alone would allow them to consider, mortgage brokers and agents say.

“This is a huge part of how they are able to buy higher-priced homes,” said James Kay, a private mortgage banker at Wells Fargo in El Segundo.

The shifts help explain how Silicon Beach is, in some ways, becoming a housing economy unto itself, driven by its own particular pools of cash flowing from the tech industry. The beachy set of Los Angeles neighborhoods that stretch from Playa del Rey to Santa Monica have seen overall single-family home sales volume hit $2.3 billion between April 2017 and March 2018, a 69 percent increase from the 12-month period ending March 2016, according to The Real Deal’s analysis of Redfin data. The number of sales have also jumped significantly, to 1,133 transactions from 770.

“This is definitely fueling the market,” said Bianca Mitchell, a 30-year-old agent with Halton Pardee + Partners who lives in Santa Monica and is engaged to a tech startup executive. “There is no way I could afford to buy something here unless I had a large infusion of cash like that.”
“How are you going to get that much cash, that quickly, at our age?,” she added.

A wave of new business
Of the five deals Mitchell did this year, she said that all but one client tapped additional funds from stock options at large tech companies, or from past startups, to help fund their down payments.
Stephanie Younger, who leads a Silicon Beach-focused team at Compass, said that buyers used stock-option cash to help fund their purchases in about 15 percent of the 168 sales her team did last year. Among buyers 35 or younger, more than half tapped option funds, she said.

Silicon Beach is an outgrowth of Silicon Valley, anchored by mushrooming extensions of the tech behemoths based up there, including Google, Facebook and Apple. These firms, and the ecosystem of smaller companies that are built off them, are taking over millions of square feet of space in L.A., reshaping the city’s office and residential markets in the process.
The companies are hiring a steady stream of talent in L.A. from the Bay Area, Seattle, Texas and New York, many of whom are looking to buy homes within walking distance of their offices on the West Side, agents say.

“The technology cluster in Silicon Beach is immense,” said Younger. “We are seeing much more activity from media tech, advertising tech, and companies like Tesla, SpaceX.”

Playa Vista, with its long row of tightly clustered apartments, condos and detached homes feeding off of Jefferson Boulevard, is considered the epicenter of the growing tech zone. Developer Brookfield Residential shifted from building smaller condos in the area to larger detached homes, some of which have sold for more than $4 million.

Facebook and Google have rented massive spaces in Playa Vista for expansions, with Google set this fall to take over the former Howard Hughes airplane hanger, dubbed the Spruce Goose.

Neighborhoods like Mar Vista, some four miles from Playa Vista, were considered affordable just five years ago. Now, the bedroom community of mostly single-family homes has become a magnet for tech executives with families.

Earlier this year, Halton Pardee responded to the uptick in business by opening a new office that straddles Culver City and Mar Vista, said Tami Pardee, CEO of the firm, who sold a four-bedroom, five-bath home last year in Mar Vista for $3.7 million.

With 25 buyer’s agents and five listing agents working the area, Halton Pardee is the most active firm in Silicon Beach, agents and mortgage brokers say. Younger’s 13-person Compass team is in second place.

Driving the activity are the high salaries tech companies are paying, generally ranging from $150,000 to $350,000, agents say, and the ballooning rents in the area. The median rental price for a one-bedroom apartment in the Marina del Rey/Playa Vista neighborhoods, was $2,900 this February, up 15 percent from 2015, according to Zumper.

“People are starting to see the value in owning a condo that is $1 million versus paying $5,000 in rent,” said Tamara Mattox, an agent with Halton Pardee who did 20 transactions in Silicon Beach last year, mostly to tech buyers. “Most of these guys have the income to comfortably support any purchase under $2 million. The people that are buying in excess of that have had to cash out a significant amount.”

Crypto and Stock Options Boosting Sales for Younger Buyers
This wouldn’t be a true techie haven without cryptocurrency making a cameo.
Agents like Mattox, a Bitcoin investor herself, have built almost mini-practices around referrals from other crypto evangelists who are looking for ways to turn their profits into a pad.

Last year one of her clients, who had bought Bitcoin when it was $200 per coin, used a portion of his $150,000 profit for a down payment on a $1.6 million, three-bedroom home in Venice. To create the necessary liquidity, Mattox steered him to Robinhood, a third-party platform where investors can convert to dollars for a modest fee.

Kris Zacuto, an agent at Hilton & Hyland marketing homes in Playa Vista, said he has been surprised by how open Silicon Beach buyers are about their source of wealth, “walking around with million-dollar crypto portfolios.”

But the use of cryptocurrency in real estate is still in the crawling phase, as many brokerages and escrow companies are not yet equipped — or trusting enough — of the monetary instruments to treat them as income or assets.

Buyers also need to be careful to liquidate their portfolios into dollars further out than 60 days, said Jonathan O’Donnell, a loan officer at PERL Mortgage in Santa Monica. Any less time and banks may not treat the funds as verified assets. O’Donnell said that some crypto-holders, frustrated at the bank’s rules, have simply elected to convert to dollars and then buy properties in cash.

More common in Silicon Beach has been the use of liquidated stock options to fund purchases, with some buyers using restricted-stock units to extend their buying power.

Where banks once shunned stock options from public companies, they now seem more open to considering them as additional income, provided buyers can show they have had the stock for at least two years and will continue to receive shares as part of their compensation, mortgage brokers said. Banks value the shares based on the average share price for the last year.

The changes allow them to out-muscle lawyers and other professionals working primarily with a salary. Tech buyers, even with median salaries averaging $240,000 at companies like Facebook, “were at a disadvantage previously,” O’Donnell said.

“They had all this income coming in and the banks were ignoring half of it,” he added. “Now they are getting what they deserve. They feel finally banks are willing to see this for what it is; it is part of their compensation.”

Banks that have adjusted their stance on the stock awards include Union Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase and Luther Burbank Savings, O’Donnell said.

Kay, the mortgage banker, said Wells Fargo has adopted a “more conservative” stance on how it qualifies restricted stock units as income, compared to more “liberal interpretations” from banks based in Silicon Valley. But he said that “in certain circumstances, yes, we can use that as income to help them qualify for a higher purchase price.”

In one recent case, an employee of a dating app company was able to qualify for a $1.4 million home in Silicon Beach this year on a base salary of $120,000. Originally, his salary was only enough for him to buy a $750,000 home. But with nearly 19,000 vested shares from 2016 and 2017 he was able to boost his income, in the eyes of lenders, by an additional $237,000, to more than $357,000 in total income, according to someone familiar with the deal.

Mortgage brokers worry that banks could adjust their view on the stock awards again in light of companies like Snap, where shares prices fell considerably after the company went public last year, potentially putting some options underwater and future income in doubt. “Does that buyer look the same now?” O’Donnell said.

Kay agreed, noting that lenders that approved loans for Snap employees meant that “you just gave a loan to somebody based on income that is probably going to go down.

“For that reason we are extra-conservative,” he said. “We look at it on a case-by-case basis.”

Source: https://therealdeal.com/la/2018/06/06/for-silicon-beach-homebuyers-a-salarys-just-a-starting-point/


 
 
 
 

Friday, February 23, 2018

HOT NEW LEASE LISTING - LATITUDE 33 SKY EDITION LUXURY CONDO IN MARINA DEL REY



HOT NEW LEASE LISTING:
Latitude 33 Sky Edition luxury building- Marina Del Rey, CA
Fully Furnished 2 Bedrooms, 2 1/2 Baths with stunning ocean and panoramic views
$6300/Month - short term considered for min. 3-6 mos. Security Deposit $10,000
Offering the California dreaming lifestyle you deserve.

Ultimate stunning designer fully furnished coveted rare Latitude 33 Sky Edition condo offers ocean and panoramic views. Ocean breezes situated next to the historic Venice Canals and walking distance from Venice Beach & Pier, the chic Abbot Kinney shopping & trendy dining, and social nightlife of Maria Del Rey/Venice. Located in the heart of the Silicon Beach scene. Southern exposure wall to ceiling windows with unobstructed views of the ocean complete this masterpiece. Loads of natural light floods the open concept space with a dedicated dining area. Impressive chef’s kitchen is complete with a Sub Zero refrigerator & Wolf appliances for coastal living pampering that pleases the most discerning tastes. Gorgeous hardwood plank floors. This one has it all.
Two ensuite bedrooms with full baths on either end provide maximum privacy. The luxurious master suite has a large custom walk in closet fit for a shopaholic.  Inside laundry room with storage for designed comfort living. Personalized concierge care, 2 car secured garage parking, bicycle storage, fitness center, and a security access controlled building. The beach lifestyle you deserve among the clouds that eludes success on this 6th floor paradise. California dreaming redefined. Go ahead and spoil yourself, you deserve it.



Available fully furnished beginning mid-March.  Tenant occupied. Call LA1 for appt to view. Sandy Lew 310-963-1623. Showings (10am-5pm only by appt). 


FROM LINCOLN BLVD, HEAD WEST ON WASHINGTON BLVD. TURN LEFT ONTO VIA DOLCE INTO DRIVEWAY ON RIGHT- Steps from the Venice Beach Pier and Beach at the end of Washington Blvd.

More pictures on my website: www.sandralew.com


Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Benefits of home ownership.

Benefits of home ownership are not just bragging rights. Whether you are buying or selling is this the right time for you? Feel free to contact me for a complimentary private consultation. Love to assist you with your specific real estate needs. Call or email me direct 310-963-1623. Sandy@sandralew.com. Love to meet you. I specialize in the area dubbed Silicon Beach in LA with roots growing up in Silicon Valley. I love the California lifestyle and love sharing it with others.
Relocating from either ends of the state? Just want to learn about different neighborhoods? Feel free to connect. =)