Kathleen Finnegan

Author Archive

whats trending now in real estate

  The spring selling season is in full swing. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know about the state of the housing market. Home prices are surging Price growth is only increasing, due to a lack of inventory in some markets. According to Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist "Insufficient supply appears to be hampering prospective buyers in several areas of the country and is hiking prices to near unsuitable levels." Buyers in many areas need to be prepared for an increased... Continue Reading >

tricks of the trade : negotiating closing costs

At the end of the home-buying process, you will be faced with closing costs, the fees due at signing are required to complete a home sale. Closing costs can be expensive, but some of those fees may be negotiable. Here are some tips for navigating closing costs. Check the Market Temperature The nature of the housing market may dictate whether the buyer or the seller picks up various closing costs. If it’s a buyer’s market—a bit cold and homes aren’t selling well—sellers may be more... Continue Reading >

happy st. patrick’s day : best Irish pubs in LA

  What you can count on when you go a good old neighborhood Irish pub is a nice, tall glass of Guinness straight from the tap or Jameson on the rocks. It's even better when you can pair these drinks with a plate of corned beef and cabbage while you're at it. To get you geared up for St. Patrick's Day, I bring to you most loved Irish bars in Los Angeles. Ireland's 32 Ireland's 32 is one of the best Irish bars... Continue Reading >

be picky! what questions to ask before you hire a realtor

What should you consider when shopping for a broker? There are a few essential questions that you should ask a broker before hiring them: "How much experience do you have with properties such as mine?" Any broker should be able to show you what they have done in the past. You should find out how many deals they have closed in your price range and in your neighborhood over the past few years and whether they typically represented the buyer, seller or... Continue Reading >

5 easy tips for outdoor summer staging

Buyers are drawn to backyards in the summer months. These simple tips will help ensure a listing’s outdoor space looks inviting. Just as summer marks a segue from basement birthday bashes and dining room celebrations, it also means sellers should adjust their staging strategy to include outdoor spaces — especially during the months that backyard BBQs and poolside cocktails reign It makes perfect sense to me from the point of view of preparing for a sale, just like indoors, you don’t... Continue Reading >

a well traveled home

A love of travel knows no boundaries—it extends out the door, on the road, and can also be reflected in a carefully curated home. While I usually tend to lean more mid-century minimalist with my interiors, this season I am feeling more worldly. It can be difficult to achieve an eclectic aesthetic that feels effortless yet pulled together. But if you're after just such a look, the addition of global textiles and accessories can add the perfect depth to any style of... Continue Reading >

tax tips for sellers

With tax season upon us, many sellers have questions about what they will end up owning. While it is always important to consulate your tax professional to understand the tax implications, here are some tax tips for home sellers: Make Sure You Don’t Owe Capital Gains Tax The windfall you receive from real estate price appreciation is considered a capital gain, and may be taxable by the federal government. For example, if you bought a place at $150,000 and sold it for $225,000, your... Continue Reading >

tips for building stronger goals in 2015

With the holidays right around the corner its almost time to begin goal setting for 2015 and if done well goals lead the way to improved productivity and performance for individuals, departments, teams and companies as a whole. Yet despite widespread use of goals both personally and professionally, most people fall victim to a number of mistakes in how they are executed. Often times we get caught up in the goals themselves and fail to realize that what we should be... Continue Reading >

New Years Day Rose Parade!

          Looking for something fun to do on New Years Day, how about the Rose Parade in Pasadena? ABOUT THE PARADE Each New Year's Day, the world focuses its attention on Pasadena, California, USA, home of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. It's a celebration more than a century old – a festival of flowers, music and sports unequaled anywhere else in the world. It's America's New Year Celebration, a greeting to the world on the first day of the year, and a salute... Continue Reading >

2015 market forecast : smoother sailing

After several bumpy years, the housing market should continue to smooth out in 2015, one of the nation’s leading housing economists says. In his predictions for 2015, Zillow chief economist Stan Humphries said he expects home values to rise 2.5% next year -- positive territory but well below the 6% clip seen over the last 12 months. That slower pace, coupled with home builders shifting to construct more houses at lower price points than they have been, should help pull more... Continue Reading >