Robert 's West Hollywood Blog

When times are tough and the economy is bad, crime rates skyrocket.  Locking your doors and shutting your windows just isn't enough to keep you and your home safe from intruders anymore.  Burglaries are on the rise and there doesn't seem to be a slow down on the horizon.  Therefore, we must do everything we can to protect ourselves, our families and our homes.

When we think of burglars, we think of bad people sneaking around in the middle of the night trying to pry open windows.  However, the fact is burglars are now breaking into homes in broad daylight as well as all hours of the night.  The first place they try is the front door.  The front door is usually the weakest area of the home.  It can usually be kicked in within just two swift kicks.

To help prevent this, homeowners should buy a good solid door with a strong dead bolt.  A one inch dead bolt is a good length.  To ensure that everything is working well together, make sure you have a good strike plate too.  Test the door once it is installed.  There should be no wiggling going on.

Now your windows will be the next vulnerable area that will need extra security.  Windows need to have two locks on each window.  Vinyl windows come standard this way.  Older wood frame windows usually have just one lock.  If your home has just one lock, you can cut an old broom handle or a piece of wood and place it between the top of the window and the lock.  You may also want to look into upgrading your windows. 

You want to make it as hard to get in as possible.  The longer it will take a burglar to get in, the less likely he will keep trying.

Other ways to keep you and your family safe from criminals include adding high privacy fences around your home to prevent anyone from easily jumping it, keeping your bushes low so neighbors can have a clear view of your home and never leave your garage door open, not even a crack for your animals.

The best way to feel safe in your home is to have a security system installed.  Just about every homeowner's insurance company will give you a reduction on your homeowner's policy for adding the system.

There's nothing like feeling safe in your own home.  I hope these tips and advice help you make the most of your home's security.

Realtor® Robert Leighton  ~  West Hollywood Real Estate

Well, West Hollywood just keeps getting better and better.  Lindsey Horvath was unanimously voted as a new City Councilmember, filling the vacant seat left by the former Councilmember, Sal Guarriello, who passed away in April. 

On Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 6 pm, Lindsey Horvath will be sworn in as a member of the West Hollywood City Council during a special meeting at the West Hollywood Park Auditorium (647 N. San Vicente Boulevard).

Ms. Horvath was already doing a great job as a contributing member of society in her position as chair of the City's Women's Advisory Board and other roles around the city.  Many West Hollywood residents are looking forward to her coming aboard the City Council to see what she will bring to the city as a member.

Currently, Ms. Horvath's employment status is with the Canyon Design Group as an Entertainment Advertising Executive.  She is also a graduate from the University of Notre Dame, where she has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in Gender Studies. 

Many residents here believe Horvath is perfect for the City Council position because she is a resident of West Hollywood herself and she has been very involved in the community and community organizations for several years.  Horvath can boast that she is the President of the National Organization for Women - Hollywood Chapter, Chair of the City of West Hollywood's Women's Advisory Board of the West Hollywood Democratic Club, the President of the National Women's Political Caucus of the NWPC-LA Westside, Board Member of the Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project, a member of the Human Rights Campaign, a member of the Human Rights Watch, a member of Planned Parenthood and a member of Amnesty International.  Wow!  Where does she find the time? 

It's looking like she will be a great asset the community of West Hollywood.  I'm looking forward to seeing her positive influence around the community.

Realtor® Robert Leighton  ~  West Hollywood, California Real Estate

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West Hollywood, California will be hosting several events during the month of May for the City of West Hollywood's Annual Senior Month celebration.  What a great way to honor the community's lively senior residents. 

Here is the schedule for Senior Month this year:

·         May 5, 2009 - Senior Awards Luncheon and Dance from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Kensington Ballroom at the London (1020 N. San Vicente Boulevard).  West Hollywood's outstanding seniors will be honored on this day.  Award recipients are Logan Williams and Rita Norton.

·         May 7, 2009 - Senior/Youth Photography Project Opening Reception at 7 p.m. in the Village (1125 N. McCadden Place).  This is a project of Senior/Youth photography collaboration exhibits.  Refreshments will be served and admission is free.  For more information, call (323) 860-7394.

·         May 13, 2009 - West Hollywood's 8^th Annual Senior Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Center in Plummer Park (7377 Santa Monica Boulevard).  The fair will feature presentations, representatives from more than 50 community organizations and health screenings.  The Senior Health Fair is free.  There will also be a complimentary lunch available for seniors who make reservations in advance.  Call (323) 848-6820 to reserve a lunch.

·         May 19, 2009 - Emergency Preparedness Lecture from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.  This workshop is great for teaching seniors how to prepare for disaster and potential life threatening situations.  For more information, call (323) 876-1717.

·         May 21, 2009 - Cardio-Vascular Diseases Lecture from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Participants will gain tons of great knowledge of how to self monitor cholesterol, blood pressure levels and how to minimize their risk of heart disease.  Healthcare professionals will also be on site to check vital signs.  For more information, call (323) 876-1717.

·         May 27, 2009 - May Senior Advisory Board Meeting and Reception at 2 p.m. in Plummer Park (7377 Santa Monica Boulevard).  They will be discussing the community's important issues that impact seniors.  There will be special guest speakers who will read poems and stories that were submitted to the annual "Senior Moments" publication.  Admission for this event is free.  For more information, call (323) 848-6510.

West Hollywood's seniors are going to have a great time all month long.  So, if you're a senior in West Hollywood, don't miss out on any of these important and fun activities.  For more information on West Hollywood's Senior Month Activities, call (323) 848-6510.

Realtor® Robert Leighton  ~  West Hollywood Real Estate

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Many locals to West Los Angeles, California commonly refer to the area as Westside Los Angeles.  The area of the community lies within Los Angeles County just west of La Cienega Blvd, south of Santa Monica and east of the Pacific Ocean.

Westside Los Angeles real estate is made up of estate-style luxury homes, historic homes, 1960s ranches, and post-war bungalows.  All homes have been extremely well maintained over the years and all have something to offer every homebuyer.  So, whatever your needs and whatever your budget, you will find the perfect home in Westside Los Angeles for you.

For families with children, Westside Los Angeles has wonderful schools that are served by the Los Angeles Unified School District.  There are currently eight local school districts in the area (numbered 1-8) with 456 elementary schools, 86 middle schools and 92 high schools.  This is the largest public school system in the entire state, serving over 720,000 students.  It is also the second largest employer in the county.

Westside Los Angeles is one of the most colorful communities you will find in Los Angeles.  It is a vibrant community where life thrives between reality and dreamland.  Many trends have been born in Westside Los Angeles, such as the Internet, health food, in-line skates, convertibles and short skirts.  And the city is still continually re-inventing itself, reaching new horizons each day.

When it comes to visitors, tourism was first coined in Los Angeles.  It was the first city to have largest amount of strangers to arrive with the largest, richest ethnic mix.  This is the place to be to rub elbows and share food and fashions. 

For recreation and activities, the city has more museums and stage theaters than anywhere in the US.  Other forms of recreation include golf, biking, hiking, fishing, boating, parks, playgrounds, bar hopping, clubbing, shopping and much more.

Westside Los Angeles real estate has everything anyone could need or want to live a happy lifestyle.  Come for a visit and you'll want to stay for a lifetime.

Realtor Robert Leighton - Westside Los Angeles Real Estate

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With interest rates so low, many people are scrambling to find extra money to buy a new home.  Therefore, many buyers have recently asked me, ""What are some alternative methods for coming up with a down payment?"  Many lenders are wanting around $5,000 to $10,000 down. 

Here are some alternative sources of funding that many buyers may find helpful:

·         Use your savings account.  Do you have a savings account that has accumulated a few thousand dollars?  If so, use it.

·         Borrow from your 401(k) plan.  You have a 401(k) for this purpose, to help you out when in need.  You need it now.

·         Tap into your money market account.  You've been investing for your future...your future is now.

·         Borrow from your IRA.  Your IRA is like your money market fund, meaning: your future is now.

·         Ask for a raise.  A signifigant raise can really help with a down payment.

·         Get a second job.  If asking for a raise didn't work, get a second job.  This works well for young people who have not established themselves in their professions yet.

·         Get a gift from a relative or a friend.  You are allowed a financial gift of up to $10,000 each year without having to pay taxes on it.  If you have someone in your family with cash like that, ask them for it.

·         Auction off your unwanted items.  Open up an eBay account and auction off your unwanted items or sell them on Craigslist.  You can actually make a good bit of money in your spare time if you have items in good condition.

·         Ask the seller to assist you with the down payment.  Some sellers will be willing to offer a carry-back mortgage to sell their house faster in a competitive market.  This also helps the buyer afford a home they may not have been able to otherwise.

Many lenders can still be found that don't require a down payment. These types of loans are typically reserved for buyers with good credit and first-time buyers.  The interest rate may be higher in this case, but not always.

Some of these ways to find money are so simple, that many of us don't even stop to think about it.  So now that I've given you all these hints, good luck on finding your down payment.

Realtor® Robert Leighton - West Hollywood Real Estate

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Although I am not a woman, I thought it would be a good idea to blog about Woman's History Month in West Hollywood since it's a great event going on in the community I serve with complete dedication.

West Hollywood is continuing to honor the many great achievements of women of the past and from the present all during the month of March.  The month-long honor is called "Living the Legacy," which is a tribute to women with a display of biographies, posters and photographs of contemporary and historical women that will be exhibited at the West Hollywood City Hall at 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard until April 3, 2009.

There will be many exciting events during the month of March in West Hollywood in celebration of Women's History Month.  On March 18^th at 6 pm, the 14^th Annual Women in Leadership Awards and Reception will take place at 8801 West Sunset Boulevard.  This is a recognition ceremony that acknowledges all the achievements and contributions of many local women.  Honorees this year will include Anna Palkow, Claudia Endler, Sheila Kuehl, Lorri Jean and Janet Chapman.  This year's event is $15 per person, which will benefit the West Hollywood Youth Scholarship Program. 

On Friday, March 20^th at 8 am, join the Third Annual West Hollywood Women's Leadership Conference: Phenomenal Women, Creating a New Today at 8430 Sunset Boulevard.  There will be special guest speakers touching on the topics of "Leading with Confidence in Uncertain Times".  Price is $15 per person.  Seating is limited, so please register in advance.

Also, on Friday, March 20^th at 7 pm, come for an exclusive screening of the Oscar-nominated feature film "Frozen River" at the Pacific Design Center in the Silver Screen Theater.  The film takes place just days before Christmas near a border crossing on the Mohawk reservation between New York State and Quebec.  Two single mothers; one Mohawk, one white, are faced with desperate circumstances.  A panel discussion and dessert will follow.   This is a free event.

On March 21^st at 8 am, come out for the second day of the two-day West Hollywood Women's Leadership Conference.  Saturday's event will focus on leadership opportunities for women, personal development and leadership skills development.  This event will be held at 8687 Melrose Avenue.  Registration is $45 and covers the conference, continental breakfast and buffet lunch at Wolfgang Puck's Red Seven restaurant.  Please register in advance.  For more details about the Third Annual West Hollywood Women's Leadership Conference: Phenomenal Women, Creating a New Today, or to RSVP, you can call (323) 848-6840.  For conference registration, visit www.weho.org/wlc.

I want to thank all the women who have helped make West Hollywood, California the wonderful community it has become.

Realtor® Robert Leighton - West Hollywood, California Real Estate

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As a real estate professional, I am often asked how to boost a home's equity.  Therefore, I have a list of home improvements that are great for maximizing your home's sale price.  Just completing a few simple tasks will help your home sell for top dollar.

·         Curb Appeal - This is one of the most important steps to get potential buyers into your home, so don't leave this step out.  Fertilize the lawn to give it a lush green look, trim the hedges, plant seasonal flowers, lay some mulch and keep your grass cut.  You may also want to consider painting the exterior of the home with neutral colors.

·         Paint - Giving the interior of the home a fresh coat of paint in neutral colors will do wonders for maximizing your home's sale.  I advise neutral colors because colors that are too bright or too dark tend to turn potential buyers away.  Keep in mind, many buyers like to see a house that is ready to move in, not one they will have to prepare themselves before they can move in.

·         Lighting - Replace any outdated light fixtures with new ones.  This gives the sense that your home is up-to-date.  If you're looking for an inexpensive yet creative way to update your lighting fixtures, DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com) has really great advice on how to change these out, spending little to no money.  Just remember to keep it simple.

·         Flooring - It seems hardwood floors are still the popular thing to add to a home.  Hardwood can be found for as little as $1.99 a square foot when it's on sale.  Laminate is an alternative to hardwood.  It's very durable and less expensive.  It also has a very beautiful look.  The most popular rooms to lay hardwood are the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms.  Ceramic tile looks great in the bathrooms and kitchenette.

·         Hardware - Updating your home's hardware is another great way to give your home a more updated look.  You can't go wrong with stainless steel.  It is still the most popular choice.  There are other great looks out there, but why chance it?  Some hardware you may want to consider replacing are the faucets in your kitchen and bathrooms and door knobs.

·         Kitchen - How outdated is your kitchen?  If it is in your budget, you may want to consider remodeling it.  Some of the most popular kitchen remodels are granite countertops, ceramic sinks and stainless-steel appliances.

There are so many things you can do to improve the sale price of your home.  However, these top my list of the best way to boost your home's equity. 

Realtor® Robert Leighton - West Hollywood Real Estate

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Here is some great news for West Hollywood, California that I want to share.  The city will be hosting a dedication ceremony for Havenhurst Park this Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 10 a.m.  The park is located at 1351 Havenhurst Dr. and features a 6,000 square-foot pocket park, two water features, seating areas, water conserving irrigation systems, both drought tolerant and native California plants and really great artwork.

Havenhurst Park has been brought into the community of West Hollywood with innovative efforts.  The park is full of creative features and some of the most beautiful art.  Many West Hollywood residents will treasure it for years to come.

The public artwork that you will find in Havenhurst Park is entitled "With an Ear to the Earth."  All of it was created by the wonderful artist Steve Roden.  There is also a ten-minute sound work that plays at the beginning of each hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day of the week.  The sound work is also presented by Steve Roden, who is a visual and sound artist from Los Angeles.

West Hollywood is already a great place to live, work and play and now it's just a little better with the addition of Havenhurst Park.  If you need more information about the Havenhurst Park Dedication and Ribbon Cutting ceremony, call (323) 848-6895.  For information about the Havenhurst Park public artwork, call (323) 848-6883.

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West Hollywood Realtor® Robert Leighton

In the beginning, finances can be very tight for most new homeowners and many of us already know and can sympathize with new homeowners about what a financial toll buying a new home can take.  Between down payments and moving expenses your financial funds can go fast.  So buying the new homeowner the perfect housewarming gift will help them out tremendously.   

A home warranty is one of the best gifts for any homeowner to receive.  I can't begin to tell you the list of things that can and probably will go wrong with a home.  For some new homeowners, this can mean financial hardships.  Therefore, a home warranty can be the perfect gift.  There are several home warranty companies on the market with warranties ranging from $400 to $600 a year.  Some warranty companies offer a monthly option that you can pay on for a few months then the homeowner can renew the policy if they wish, taking over the payments. 

Gift cards are also great gifts for the new homeowner.  Think about what the new homeowner can use gift cards for and buy appropriately.  They will probably need things like household items, tools, etc. so gift cards to places like Home Depot, Lowe's, Wal-Mart, and Bed Bath & Beyond are great ideas.  Electronic store gift cards may not be such a great idea. 

Another great gift idea is a gift basket.  This can be a traditional gift with a twist.  Fill the basket with useful household items such as cleaners, linens, tools, utensils, etc.  You can do a one for all basket or themed baskets.  A themed basket, for instance, can be themed for cleaning, so include items such as laundry detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, linen spray and other laundry items. 

Don't let anyone tell you that housewarming gifts are a thing of the past.  These gift ideas that I've mentioned are sure to please any new homeowner.

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West Hollywood Realtor® Robert Leighton

This holiday season you will find several wonderful events that are sure to get you in the spirit of the holidays in Westside Los Angeles and surrounding areas.

Check these out:

·         Now - January 19^th - Downtown on Ice.  Have some holiday cheer in downtown Los Angeles on the Pershing Square outdoor skating rink.  Admission is $6 and skate rental is $2.

·          Now - January 19^th - Ice at Santa Monica .  New York has Rockefeller Center and Los Angeles has Pershing Square , but Santa Monica has its own chilly Winter Wonderland skating rink oasis.

·         Now - January 11^th - Seaside Ice.  Visit Redondo Beach 's Seaside Lagoon.  This is one of the only places you can actually be on the beach and ice rink at the same time.

·         Now - December 25^th - Beverly Hills Trolley Tours.  Hop on board for a 40-minute tour of famous 90210 landmarks with Mrs. Claus, holiday stories, Christmas carols and cider.

·         Now - December 4^th - Glory of Christmas at the Crystal Cathedral.  Visit a living nativity scene as part of your Southern California Christmas tradition.  Enjoy a mix of caroling, live animals and special effects. 

·         December 24^th - Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration.  This 6 hour, free event, draws in over 45 different multicultural performing artists that include music ensembles, choirs, dancers and more. 

·         Now - December 30^th - Griffith Park Light Festival.  Travel through a mile long stretch of Griffith Park on foot, by car, or bicycle and enjoy a holiday lights display with thousands of wonderfully arranged lights.

·         Now - December 30^th - Christmas Tree Lane .  Visit Christmas Tree Lane for a spectacular grove of cedar trees decorated by community residents.  This 80 year old tradition is sure to make the kids ooh and ahh. 

·         Now - December 31^st - Light of the Angels.  Downtown LA will be all decked out for Christmas with a 54' LED tree, holiday music, and holiday events.

·         Now - January 4^th - Merriest Place on Earth.  Come out and join Mickey Mouse and other special guests for the annual Disneyland 's holiday blowout.  Guests will also be allowed inside Sleeping Beauty's Castle for the first time in seven years.  You may even sight Santa at this event.

·         Now - January 1^st - Grove at Farmers Market.  This is the season for the West Hollywood shopping mecca to shine.  Enjoy a large fountain cued up to holiday classic tunes and stand in awe of the massive Christmas tree that will be displayed.  Children can also visit Santa at his home away from home.

·         Now - December 31^st - Grinchmas.  Come visit Whoville and the clan at Universal Studios.  Event will be complete with real snow and a nightly tree-lighting ceremony.  

I hope you are able to visit one or more of these great holiday events while you are in the Westside Los Angeles area. 

If you are visiting the area this holiday season and find you like it, and want more information about it, here you go - Westside Los Angeles community information.

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