California’s abundant natural beauty can turn deadly when combined with warm, dry, windy weather. Now that Spring is here with Summer quickly approaching, it is important to take preemptive measures against wildfire.

As a homeowner, there are several actions you can take to protect your home from wildfires:

• Create a defensible zone around your home. Your local fire department can help.
• Using roofing resistant materials that are rated Class A. Common Class A roof covering includes asphalt fiberglass composition shingles, concrete or clay tiles, and steel or copper tiles. Screen all openings created by vents and roof materials. Keep roof and gutters free of debris.
• Landscape with fire-resistant plants.
• Make sure firefighters can see your address.
• Have an evacuation plan family members can follow, and don’t just talk about it, practice it.

Tina Stern

If you’re ready to start the hunt in earnest, your next step is to get pre-approved for a loan. Most sellers, including all REO and short sale sellers, will not review an offer without a loan pre-approval, and many real estate brokerages require pre-approval in order to work with you. There are two ways to go—quick, or in-depth. You can get a quick pre-approval from your regular bank or credit union if you’re not sure which lender or mortgage plan you’ll be using. If you do know your specific lender and mortgage, go with the in-depth. With either process, you’ll need to fill out a loan application and submit it along with the following information: Work History, Credit Rating and History, Total Debt, Down Payment amount available, Investments and Other Assets and Residence History for Previous two Years. The amount of documentation will vary by Lender, this is just a general rule of thumb.

Let’s assume your application passes muster, and you’ve been pre-approved—congratulations! Don’t go too crazy celebrating though: If you make major changes to your credit, debt, or assets after pre-approval, but before you secure a loan, you could jeopardize your chances of getting any mortgage at all. Lenders commonly re-check your credit within five days of your home purchase closing, and any significant changes to your score may put the kibosh on your loan.

Tina Stern

With more Homeowners leasing their homes, the Rent Rite Directory might be a useful tool. First launched in Dallas by real estate entrepreneurs in July of 2010, this growing database is now available nationwide. RRD provides comprehensive, detailed background checks on prospective tenants, including incident reporting, credit history, and criminal background checks.

The free incident-reporting system tracks a tenant’s previous dwelling history, including skips, evictions, on-property criminal activity and proxy-renters (those who sign leases on behalf of tenants otherwise unqualified to rent). The more comprehensive check runs $16 for a standard package and $36.50 for a premium package.

For more information visit www.therrd.com or call 855.733.2290.

Tina Stern

Until recently, if you had a complaint, you had to take your chances appealing to the credit card company itself. Now the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has opened a one-stop complaint center for all credit card related issues.

To register your complaint, go to CFPB’s home page. There you’ll find a simple form that asks you to describe what happened and to categorize your complaint from a menu of about 30 items, such as “billing disputes” and “credit line increase/decrease.” You’ll also be asked how much money you lost (if any), when the incident occurred and what you have already done to resolve the problem.

Next, you’ll be asked to describe the outcome for your problem that you think would be fair, and for your contact information. Expect written confirmation from the CFPB, which will forward your complaint to the card issuer.

Once you have registered your complaint, you can check its status online. If the issuer does not respond in a timely manner and resolve the complaint satisfactorily, and the CFPB receives a number of similar complaints, it will likely launch an investigation. It’s too soon to tell how well this complaint process will work, but seems like a step in the right direction.

Tina Stern

Tina Stern’s Hollister Ranch Property Featured as LA Times Home of the Week

By: Tina Stern

My listing of 114 Hollister Ranch, Gaviota, California was featured in the Business Section of the Sunday Los Angeles Times on 9.4.2011 as their choice for “Home of the Week” (view here). This 108 acre property with 5 structures is nothing short of magnificent. To view the property, see the YouTube video below or view the property website at www.114hollister.com

The legendary Hollister Ranch. Full parcel Listing. Inaccessible to the public, guard gated 24 hours a day. The 14,400 acre Ranch has 8 ½ miles of private pristine beach frontage for the exclusive use of homeowners. Property includes 2 complete houses, 1 guest house, 1 barn-game room and 1 secluded hilltop hideaway. Located approx. 30 minutes up the coast from Southern California’s most charming city, Santa Barbara. Ranch consists of 136 one hundred acre, or larger parcels. Parcel 114 is nestled in its own private valley. Its approx. 108 acres lie on a private road winding through 100 year old oaks, spring-fed creeks & vistas from rolling hills to pastures & the Pacific Ocean. It offers privacy, security & beauty only minutes to the beach. Whether seeking solitude or staging a grand getaway for family & friends, this is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a virtually unspoiled piece of the California dream right on the most protected coastline in Southern California

Tina Stern

Tina Stern’s Hollister Ranch Property Featured as LA Times Home of the Week

By: Tina Stern

My listing of 114 Hollister Ranch, Gaviota, California was featured in the Business Section of the Sunday Los Angeles Times on 9.4.2011 as their choice for “Home of the Week” (view here). This 108 acre property with 5 structures is nothing short of magnificent. To view the property, see the YouTube video below.

The legendary Hollister Ranch. Full parcel Listing. Inaccessible to the public, guard gated 24 hours a day. The 14,400 acre Ranch has 8 ½ miles of private pristine beach frontage for the exclusive use of homeowners. Property includes 2 complete houses, 1 guest house, 1 barn-game room and 1 secluded hilltop hideaway. Located approx. 30 minutes up the coast from Southern California’s most charming city, Santa Barbara. Ranch consists of 136 one hundred acre, or larger parcels. Parcel 114 is nestled in its own private valley. Its approx. 108 acres lie on a private road winding through 100 year old oaks, spring-fed creeks & vistas from rolling hills to pastures & the Pacific Ocean. It offers privacy, security & beauty only minutes to the beach. Whether seeking solitude or staging a grand getaway for family & friends, this is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a virtually unspoiled piece of the California dream right on the most protected coastline in Southern California

Tina Stern

Miley Cirus buys home in Studio City, Ca

By: Tina Stern

As the listing agent of 11524 Amanda Dr., I recently sold this 5 bedroom, 7 bath home to Miley Cirus in Studio City. This home was featured by the Los Angeles Times as Home of the Week and the NBC show Open House LA. Take a look at this fabulous property below:

Drive up this quiet country lane and discover a one-of-a-kind rare offering nestled atop the hills of Studio City. This astonishingly beautiful setting with lush canyon vistas creates a unique opportunity to toast the sunset with breathtaking unobstructed panoramic views.

The Mid-century modern single story gated and walled compound has been re-imagined from studs to ceiling with meticulous attention to style and design. It combines the ultimate California indoor/outdoor living experience for entertaining and is the perfect celebrity hideaway.

Situated on a private promontory of approximately 1.15 level and useable acres, the home has been beautifully landscaped and features approximately 5173 square feet. An abundance of light floods the open and smart floor plan encompassing the living room, formal dining room and expansive family/media room and kitchen with walls of windows, rich dark stained oak floors and three fireplaces. Additional features include dual zoned HVAC, a 5.1 surround sound family room, iPod docking stations, security alarm system with multiple cameras and phone and data cable. There are speakers located throughout the interior and exterior of the home.

The huge spa inspired master wing includes a sitting room, fireplace, sky light, dual walk in closets, private viewing patio and luxury bath. Enjoy a steam shower, or relax in the Jacuzzi tub while enjoying complete privacy and the peaceful green canyon view.

The expansive professional style state of the art kitchen utilizes top of the line appliances including an imported Bertazzoni range, Rohr faucets, Walker Zanger tiles and Cesar Stone counter tops. The center island topped with exotic wood and the integrated dining peninsula are perfect for grand entertaining or an intimate dinner for two.

Enjoy your workout in the gym while looking out at commanding valley views and the serene saltwater solar heated pool and luxurious pavilion for al fresco dining.

A separate guest unit, 3 car garage and gated motor court with room for approximately 10 cars complete the property.

Close to many sought after schools and minutes from Mulholland, Universal and Warner Brothers Studios with easy access to the west side.

View Floorplan (click on the image to enlarge)

Sold at: $3.9 million

Tina Stern

Help identify lost possessions in case of disaster

By: Tina Stern

Photographing the interior of your home is a great way to document your belongings & most valued possessions, just in case disaster strikes. While it is never convenient for theft, natural disaster, or fire to damage your property, unfortunate things do happen and being prepared can give you a great head start in rebuilding your life.

To create a digital inventory of your home and possessions, simply use a digital camera to take shots of each room at varying angles, while making sure to include all valuable objects. These digital images can later be used to identify your exact losses.

Photos should be stored on a flash drive or CD-R and kept in the safe or safe deposit box, and this digital inventory should be updated every few years.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tina Stern

Be prepared for our next quake

By: Tina Stern

If you’re like most people, after every California earthquake you tell yourself, “I’m going to get prepared for the next one.” Then you don’t do a thing about it.

Well, now you can do something about it. Just by reading this page, doing what it says and saving it. Many earthquake experts in Southern California recommend the following tips to minimize damage in the event of an earthquake.

1. Put together a kit of basic emergency supplies. Include a portable radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit and handbook, wrenches to turn off gas and water valves, and food, water and medication for every member of your family for at least one week.
2. Secure your hot water heater. If your hot water heater falls over during an earthquake, the gas line can rupture and create sparks which can lead to a fire or explosion.
3. Know where your gas, electric and water main shutoffs are and how to shut them off.
4. Secure your tall and heavy furniture. Bookcases, entertainment centers and china cabinets can easily fall over during an earthquake.
5. Put some extra nails in heavy objects that are off the floor such as shelves, mirrors and large picture frames.
6. Hunt for hazard areas in your home. Teach your children to stay away from windows, mirrors and tall furniture.
7. Search for safe places in your home. Show your children how to take cover under a table, desk, or against inside walls.
8. Have a plan to reunite your family after an earthquake. Travel may be difficult and phone lines may be down, so don’t drive or call anyone unless it’s a real emergency.
9. Check for injury or damage after the shaking stops.
10. Above all, do not panic.

Practicing earthquake drills with your entire family and being prepared with the above instructions will put you in a safer position during any ground motion. Stop rumbling about how you’re going to get ready for “the next one.” Prepare for it today. The County of Los Angeles has an Earthquake Survival Program (ESP) with easy monthly preparedness steps.

For more information, call the Office of Emergency Management at (213) 974-1166 or visit the ESP website at www.espfocus.org

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tina Stern

By: Tina Stern

As many of us were concerned that the federal tax credit for first time home buyers would expire at the end of April, here’s some encouraging news for home buyers and green technology companies. After weeks of bickering over how to cut the deficit-ridden budget, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers agreed today to give new tax breaks to home buyers and green-technology companies.

Taking effect on May 1, the linchpin of the legislation is the tax credit of up to $10,000 for first-time home buyers and those purchasing newly built homes. For listings in your area visit Sotheby’s Listings.

I will post again when all the details of the program are made available.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tina Stern