I was just speaking with title officer Brandon Miller from Fidelity Title about some of the different ways people can hold title to their real estate. He sent me this fantastic cheat sheet that I would like to share with you.
Why should people should put their home in a Trust? (This makes sure that if something happens to you, your loved ones have a directive on how to take care of your property. It keeps it out of costly and time consuming probate! PLEASE, if you love your family, get a trust.) Why do investors want a property to be held in an LLC? What protections does an LLC offer?
Below is a single sheet from Brandon Miller of Fidelity Title that makes it all clear and easy to understand.
If you have any questions Brandon or I would be happy to talk with you about pros and cons of your options.
Brandon Miller
Fidelity National Title http://www.Brandon-Miller.net
310-985-5385
One of the main reasons I educate myself in “Green Real Estate” is to make it more affordable to buy a home. Using the programs that are in place many people can make upgrades to homes they need to make their home more comfortable, healthier, safer and better to live in.
There are plenty of reasons to have a compost pit, such as excellent mulch and waste reduction, and if you are moving to a new home and want to grow a garden, now is the best time to give it a shot.
Compost pits use the decomposition power from billions of microorganisms that are commonly found in healthy soil to decompose lawn rubbish and kitchen waste into fertilizer growing plants can use. Some people like to maintain an indoor compost bucket in something smaller such as an empty and clean paint can. This is tremendously beneficial because it saves you the effort of going out to your compost pit every single time you have something to contribute to it. The soil created makes great fertilizer for most plants—everything from sunflowers to corn.
A compost pit also serves as an excellent way to recycle food and lawn trash that would otherwise clog up landfills and add more problems to our already worsening climate. For items that should not be composted, make sure you utilize landfill diversion techniques to keep our planet clean. Creating a compost pit is a simple process that doesn’t take up too much time or space, but if you don’t create the pit properly then it can take on a bit of an unpleasant odor. Luckily, eliminating this is a pretty easy process.
The first and most important step to eliminate a smelly compost pile is to make sure the ingredients are properly mixed and aerated. “A healthy compost pile needs plenty of oxygen mixed in. Otherwise, aerobic bacteria (those that need oxygen to metabolize the organic materials) cannot function, and decomposition will be driven instead by anaerobic bacteria, which produce foul-smelling gasses as byproducts of their metabolism,” according to WikiHow. The easiest method to ensure that the aerobic bacteria do their job is to use a rotating compost bin. When this is not an option, make sure to turn or mix the pile every few days with a shovel or pitchfork.
If that doesn’t solve your stinky pit of soon-to-be fertilizer, then take a peek at the size of materials you’re using. Subpar airflow can also be a result of materials that are too small and don’t leave enough room for air to sweep through. “For example, a compost pile composed largely of sawdust will be difficult to aerate, as the small pieces of sawdust will fit together snugly and prevent air from flowing through the pile,” the WikiHow article states. “To prevent this problem, integrate larger or looser materials into your pile. Tree limbs and cardboard scraps are good materials for this purpose.”
Finally, if that still isn’t working to get the air flowing then you’re stuck making sure your pile isn’t too wet. Air finds it difficult to push through a moist environment. A handful of compost should have the dampness of a wrung out sponge.
If by chance your compost pile is getting enough airflow but still smells, then take a look at what you’re tossing in there. Eliminating meat from your diet is a great benefit to society, as livestock account for a staggering one-fifth of global greenhouse gasses and 75 percent of deforestation, and similarly, meat should never find its way into your compost pile.
Learning how to compost is an awesome experience that gives you a better understanding of how the decomposition process works. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better fertilizer in your local hardware store, and so long as you wear proper sun protection, being outside to toil through the pit is good exercise. The only downside beginners often encounter is the smell, but by following these tips the only thing you’ll be smelling will be a bed of growing flowers.
It was announced today that the funds for the Turf Removal Program also known as Cash for Grass Program are all reserved and no more projects will be approved. If you have already had your project approved your rebate should be reserved. However, there is no money left for new projects to be approved.
BUT, there are still a lot of other great water saving programs that can be found on the LADWP.com website as well as at SoCalWaterSmart.com.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) announced that it will be closing its turf removal program to new applications today July 9, 2015 because available funding has been fully allocated. LADWP is currently retooling their program to continue a utility-sponsored rebate program for their customers. The revamped program will be available soon – please check back. Please also check www.socalwatersmart.com for additional instructions.
Don’t miss your chance to get up to 4 rain barrels free with rebate. Follow the links to purchase your rain barrel at: Rain Barrels International You can only do one one-time rebate per household so make sure you get enough for your whole yard.
South Robertson Neighborhood Council
Orders are now being taken for a May 31, 2015 pickup date. Distribution will be from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Hamilton High School, 2955 South Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Only rain barrels ordered in advance on the form below are guaranteed to be available.
Specifications of each rain barrel: Designed with brass spigot for garden hose attachment
Barrel has a screen to prevent mosquitoes from accessing water
Side brass overflow
Made from plastic reused food grade barrels
Color Available: Black and Terra Cotta *Color subject to availability
Price – $85.00 each
Payment is made via Paypal Secure Network after the form below is filled out.
Did you know you can get around $4 square foot to remove your thirsty lawn and help pay for new drought tolerant landscaping? When I did this process I only got $2 square foot and still ended up with $3300.
I just got an email from KPCC asking Los Angelenos to write about LA neighborhoods. I love my neighborhood, so I thought I would share some of my thoughts about it here.
I live by Helms Bakery. Our little section has had a few names through the years. Most recently Regent Square, which had no context in the city so we voted to change the name to Helms Neighborhood. I still tell people Helms Bakery as I find more people understand that.
What I love most about it is how multicultural it is. Helms is a mix of middle class people; artsy to working class with varied interests and needs. We have mostly classic Spanish or bungalow architecture from the the early to mid 1900’s with residents having lived here from 50 years to newly flipped houses. We are a complete melting pot that watches out for everyone else. I wouldn’t say it is unique to LA, I would say it is typical in the best possible way.
Helms is the no-man’s-land of areas. We are not Culver City, but we are across Venice Blvd from it. We are not Beverlywood but we are just South of it. We are included in South Robertson, but we are separated by the freeway. Sometimes called mid-city, but that is not right either. We are in Palms post office (90034), but Palms doesn’t connect with us due the the industrial and train divide at Robertson and Venice. If you tell people we are at Helms Bakery, you almost always get a smile from people that remember the trucks or love Father’s Office. I love that Helms brings so many people from Los Angeles great memories.
This is where everyone in LA should be buying. We have the expo line train going from our area to downtown, and soon to be going to Santa Monica. We have cute little middle class houses and great neighbors that care. It is one of the few still affordable sections near the west side. I love Helms.
Please let everyone know what you love about your neighborhood in the comments below.
Have you been thinking about a home project for a long time and not had enough money to throw into the project? Your windows are old and inefficient, your walls have little to no insulation, your air conditioning and heating unit hardly works….. There are tons of programs available to help you switch to more efficient systems and get money to help you replace them. But there are way too many programs to actually figure out.
SoCalGas has started a program where they match you up with a coordinator that can help you navigate through these programs. THIS IS THE BIGGEST HELP THAT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!!! I highly recommend EVERYONE call to see where you can find free money to make your home better. You will have your own personal Home Energy Advisor.
Are you interested in making your home more efficient?
If you are, you will be excited to learn SoCalGas is funding a pilot program that offers free Home Energy Advising for eligible homeowners.
Home Energy Advising Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: I’m a homeowner interested in making my home more efficient and more comfortable while lowering my bills. How do I do that?
A: An Energy Upgrade might be just what you’re looking for! But where to start? Call toll free at (888) 382-2925 to be connected to a SoCalGas Home Energy Advisor.
Q: So what is “Home Energy Advising”?
A: Home Energy Advising is free, highly customized and ongoing expert phone-based assistance to eligible homeowners.
Q: What does Home Energy Advising offer?
A: Home Energy Advising provides eligible homeowners:
Incentive program referral
Expert technical advise
Assistance reviewing bids
Incentive paperwork assistance
And more!
Q: How do I find out if I am eligible?
A: Call (888) 382-2925 to be connected to your Home Energy Advisor. But hurry! Space is limited!
TELL GEORGE I SENT YOU AND PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW YOUR EXPERIENCE GOES!!! I am still getting lots of questions about the cash for gas program which I got a rebate of $3,300 back for removing my lawn. The rebate amount is now $3/sq ft so you can get even more.
Flip Your Home is a team of real estate and remodeling experts getting sellers maximum profits by connecting investors to pay for renovations.
You own or inherited a home that is or has become too difficult to maintain. The systems are old, outdated, and potentially unsafe. You might want to unload the property or retire to an easier life, but can’t sell the house getting the profits you need. You might be over your head and feel helpless, but Flip Your Home can help you find the hidden gold hidden in your property.
You could fix up your own property for resale, but you don’t have the money, time or skill to renovate a home. Meanwhile, the biggest investment you ever made left you penniless and hopeless. WE ARE NOT TRYING TO BUY YOUR HOME!
What if we could get an investor to pay for renovations to your home and you could split the profits when it sells? The investor pays for the construction and everyone comes out ahead at the end of the transaction when your house sells for more than the current, unrenovated value.
Your investment is your home — There is NO COST TO YOU. The Flip Your Home team uses its knowledge of the market, investors and contractors to create a marketable home. We are professional home designers, builders and marketers who have years of experience flipping homes.
We work WITH your home, managing the process every step of the way, to renovate and sell your home for maximum value.
With the Flip Your Home program investors partner with the homeowner. The homeowner’s part of the investment is their home: you, as the investor, provide money for the renovations. The profits get divided between you and the homeowner with a small Flip Your Home service fee
I was just contacted by SoCal Gas Energy Advisor, George Kopf. They are working on connecting homeowners with people that can walk them through the different programs for rebates and incentives for energy upgrades. How great is that to have someone to help you understand all of the options out there. Here is the information he sent me.
SoCalGas Energy Upgrade Program
Details on SoCalGas funded Pilot Programs
SoCalGas is funding two pilot programs that should interest every Real Estate Professional in southern California:
The Home Energy Advising pilot program provides independent expert advice and assistance for homeowners performing an energy upgrade to their home.
Are you interested in making your home more efficient?
If you are, you will be excited to learn SoCalGas is funding a pilot program that offers free Home Energy Advising for eligible homeowners.
Home Energy Advising Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: I’m a homeowner interested in making my home more efficient and more comfortable while lowering my bills. How do I do that?
A: An Energy Upgrade might be just what you’re looking for! But where to start? Call toll free to be connected to a SoCalGas Home Energy Advisor, George Kopf, (888) 382-2925 or George.Kopf@PopulusLLC.com.
Q: So what is “Home Energy Advising”?
A: Home Energy Advising is free, highly customized and ongoing expert phone-based assistance to eligible homeowners who are interested in making their home more efficient and comfortable through an energy upgrade.
Q: What does Home Energy Advising offer?
A: Home Energy Advising provides eligible homeowners:
Education on the ability of energy upgrades to make their home more comfortable, durable, valuable, safe, healthy, and efficient. Assistance in determining the availability of incentives for energy upgrades, the options for financing their upgrade, and the qualifications of participating contractors. Ongoing assistance moving forward with their project: help selecting incentive programs, expert technical advise, assistance reviewing bids, completing incentive paperwork, etc.
Q: Sounds great! So who is eligible?
A: The free Home Energy Advising service is a SoCalGas funded pilot program for homeowners who are SoCalGas customers and receive their electricity from a municipal electric utility (LADWP, Riverside Public Utilities, Glendale Water & Power, Burbank Water & Power, etc.).
Q: How do I find out if I am eligible?
A: Call (888) 382-2925 to be connected to your Home Energy Advisor. But hurry! Space is limited! Make sure to tell George I sent you!
and train divide at Robertson and Venice. If you tell people we are at 
Heather Witt Rodeo Realty Fine Estates 