Laura Anderson

Los Angeles Real Estate

6 Steps to Lawn Removal

With the recent rain many neighborhood lawns are lush and green. Unfortunately, we know that the rain doesn’t last very long here in Southern California and those of us trying to be water conscious will have a tough time keep those lawns lush and green throughout the summer. Don’t let the lack of rain determine your yards beauty this summer; replace your lawn with more water efficient landscaping.

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 Now is a great time to take advantage of the lawn removal rebate programs!

Only one rebate per property is allowed! You may want to remove your front-yard, back-yard, and parkway at the same time.

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City of Los Angeles, District 29: Malibu, Topanga, Marina Del Rey: $3.75/SqFt

LA County Cash for Grass

Los Angeles County: $1/SqFt between 500-5000 SqFt

Lawn Replacement

District 36: Val Verde: $2/SqFt between 500-2500 SqFt

Santa Monica Cash for Grass

Santa Monica:$1.50/SqFt of lawn removal, additional rebate for irrigation

6 Steps to Lawn Removal

  1. Measure the area being converted
  2. Take a color picture of the area, including the street and house for reference
  3. Make a sketch of the area, including measurements and location of sprinkler heads
  4. Make a sketch of the proposed design (rock landscape, lawn substitutes, stepping stones, drought resistant native plants)
  5. Complete the application online
  6. Wait for approval before you do any removal

Need help with the design of your new landscaping

Stephen Baldonado of I Garden Designs has been running a garden design business for over 5 years. He is an expert at turning a water wasting lawn into a stunning showpiece that is water friendly and that will give an instant boost to your home’s curb appeal. For more info about lawn design contact Stephen today at 323.879.9422 or igardendesigns@gmail.com

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Faircrest Heights Shred Day Success

Thank you everyone who came out to Faircrest Heights 3rd Annual Shred Day!

 

We had a great turnout this year at the Faircrest Heights 3rd Annual Shred day and thankfully the weather cooperated and kept the rain away. I loved having the girl scouts there; its always a pleasure to support these young entrepreneurs. As always it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and I especially enjoyed meeting so many new neighbors.

Thanks again to America Shredding!

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Thank you to the wonderful young ladies of Troop 855!

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The lovely ladies of the Faircrest Heights community. IMG_1018

 

A big thank you to Jerry from American Shredding and Robert for his support.IMG_6325

 

Update! Faircrest Heights New Development

About 7 months ago I wrote post about how D.R. Horton American Builders broke ground on the vacant lot on the corner of Fairfax and Sawyer in Faircrest Heights. Well the ground work has been laid and we expect to see the models go up this week,with full production expected to begin by early April.

Construction crews pictured below putting in the new sewer line.

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I am anticipating a grand opening for the new Faircrest Heights homes by mid-June. If you would like more information about the new Faircrest Heights development contact me at laura@lauraandersonrealtor.com or reach me directly at 323.762.2543.

Stay tuned, as I will continue to keep you updated on the progress for this great new development in Faircrest Heights!

 

Renderings of the beautiful new homes coming to Faircrest Heights.

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Thinking of Selling or Investing? Call Laura for an Expert Price Opinion 323.646.6569

 

Los Angeles Neighborhood Safety Apps

Thanks to the latest and greatest advances in technology, we now have access to endless amounts of information with just a touch of a button. Put that opportunity to good use and download these great Los Angeles neighborhood safety apps!

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The MyLA 311 app allows you to stay connected to your Los Angeles city services, report needed repairs such as graffiti removal and bulk item pick up. You can also pay your Los Angeles Water & Power bills right from your smartphone! The MyLA 311 app also features a variety of Los Angeles city info where you can find local parks, recreation facilities such as pools and tennis courts, as well as locating local police and fire departments.

One of my neighbors uses this app and recently reported a cracked sidewalk. Sure enough, the city came out and repaired the crack making the sidewalk less of a hazard to pedestrians. I think this is a great tool and encourage anyone who wants to help make our city better and have access to great resources to download this app today!

ICE BLACK BOX

My friend Jillian Dunn, who is the executive director of The Cesar Millan Foundation, recently shared with me a new app called Ice Black Box. It was created to help catch animal abusers but it can also be used to capture thieves or sketchy people in our Los Angeles neighborhoods. Consider it a 911 with video and the video cannot be erased. It is very easy to use. Just open the app, the camera will open immedately, click the green screen to record the crime and again to stop recording. Then share with local Los Angeles Police Department. Check out www.iceblackbox.com for more information. This could really take neighborhood watch up to a new level!!!

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Los Angeles Police Department

The Wilshire Division Cyber Support Unit invites you, the tech savvy and concerned citizens of the Mid-City Los Angeles, to check out their website: www.lapdwilshire.com. Once on the site you will be able to review crime prevention videos, weekly crime maps and statistics, useful resources and much more. The Los Angeles Police Department also has a smartphone application that allows you to send anonymous tips and provides several crime prevention resources just at the tip of your finger.

If you know of a Los Angeles neighborhood app that would benefit our great community, please share and leave a comment! I would love to hear from you.

 

Thinking of Selling or Investing? Call Laura for an expert price opinion! 323.646.6569

 

 

Valentine’s Day Events in Los Angeles

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Romantic Events to Celebrate
Valentine’s Day in Los Angeles

Looking for some ideas on where to spend Valentine’s with your sweetheart in Los Angeles? Whether your are looking for place to mingle, romantic night out, or to be pampered, there is something for everyone this Valentine’s Day in Los Angeles.

Plan Check Kitchen + Bar

The perfect place to mix and mingle or dine with your hunnie is Plan Check Kitchen & Bar on Fairfax. Check out their all day happy hour (11:30am -2pm) with two-for-$14 cocktails and their feature cocktail chef Matthew Biancaniello’s Ice Breaker (Japanese whisky, Batavia Arrak, lime juice, Monin agave syrup, passionfruit, ghost pepper salt, aloe vera chunks, and El Jimador).

Maria Rita

What could be more romantic than a getting all gussied up for a night at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Let the enchanting music of Maria Rita fill your heart as she pays tribute to her legendary mother Elis Regina as well as performing her own hits.

Romeo & Juliet at the Rockwell Table & Stage

Take your star-crossed lover to see this amazing twist on Shakespeare’s classic, Romeo & Juliet: Love Is a Battlefield features Nickelodeon star Ashley Argota as Juliet and singer/actor Rustin Cole Sailors as Romeo. This timeless story is told through the modern hits of Pat Benatar.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa

Surprise your sweetheart with one of these romantic couples massages at the Ritz. The “Sweet on You” package ($400), offers tandem Hot Chocolate Stone massages and a champagne bath in the privacy of the Spa’s couple’s suite. Or try the “Sugar Rush” package ($230), and be pampered from head-to-toe with a Hot Chocolate Stone Massage followed by a Vanilla Brown Sugar Pedicure . Both treatments conclude with house made “sugar therapy” sweets!

Beverly Wilshire

Share the love this Valentine’s Day with a variety of treatments from The Spa at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Offerings include “Ultimate Indulgence for Two” package ($360 per couple) enjoy a relaxing 60 min couples massage in romantic candle lit room, with complimentary treatment enhancement and glass of champagne; “Romantic Couples Honey Ginger Nourishing Body Treatment” package ($590 per couple) Slip into bliss with this deep relaxation massage, followed by an exfoliating back massage, complete with glass of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and special take home gift.

Tax Season Tips for Homeowners

homeowners-tax-tipsAh tax season…I think we can all agree this is the one season no looks forward to. Good news is that homeowners can cash in on some tax breaks during this season. Whether you just bought a home or have owned your home for many years, it always good to double check and make sure you are taking advantage of all the tax breaks and credits available.

 

Here are a few of the biggest tax tips for homeowners:

Mortgage Interest

Claiming mortgage interest paid is one of the biggest tax deductions, particularly for the first few years of homeownership. This counts for first and second mortgages as well. All interest is deductible unless your loan is over $1,000,000.

Mortgage Insurance & Taxes

If you put down a smaller down payment, chances are your lender required you to take out private mortgage insurance (or PMI). Those payments are deductible as well. You can also itemize your property taxes. If you purchased the property within the year, you can find the amount of taxes paid on your closing statement (If you can’t find it, contract your Realtor who will have a copy).

Points

If your lender charged you points when originating your loan you will be able to deduct that cost as well. One point is 1% of the loan amount. If your loan was for $500,000, a 1% fee would be $5000. You can deduct the entire amount of points paid over the year.

Energy Efficient Upgrades

Did you take advantage of any energy saving upgrades this year? If you installed solar electric equipment, solar hot-water heaters, or other alternative energy equipment than you may qualify for a 30% credit. Be sure to have those receipts handy!

Be sure to consult with a licensed account to be sure you are eligible for the available tax breaks and credits.  For more info on local taxes for Los Angeles click HERE.

Turf Removal Rebate Program

A little birdie shared with me that the $3.75 per SqFt price for turf removal may be expiring this Spring and returning to the $2.00 per SqFt rate.

I am encouraging all of my clients, friends, and co-workers to spread the word and apply now so that they can take advantage of the higher rate while it lasts. In a previous blog I wrote about the many benefits of switching form water wasting turf to California friendly drought resistant landscaping. The results are not only beautiful and add to curb appeal, but will also greatly reduce the amount of water needed during the worst drought in Southern California history.

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Solar & Wind Save Big This Tax Season!

energy-efficientWe all know about the amazing benefits of energy saving products for the home, but did you know you can claim a tax credit on those items as well??

Energy saving products such as solar hot water heaters, solar electrical equipment and wind turbines can be claimed for a credit of 30% of cost of the equipment.

This deal gets better! You can carry forward unused portions of your credit (if your credit is more than you owe) into next year’s return!

Click HERE for more info about energy efficient tax credits.

Homeowners can also deduct mortgage interest, points, selling costs, home offices and more from their taxes.

For more info about all tax deductions available for homeowners, please read IRS Publication 530, Tax Information for Homeowners; IRS Publication 523, Selling Your Home; IRS Publication 587, Business Use of Your Home; IRS Publication 521, Moving Expenses; and IRS Publication 936, Home Mortgage Interest Deduction.

 

 

 

Coming Soon to Faircrest Heights

My neighborhood (Faircrest Heights) has a couple of newly flipped homes hitting the market next week and I wanted to give you a sneak peek! The first home is on the 1800 block of S Hayworth Ave. This 3 bed/3 bath home is absolutely stunning! Check out that gorgeous kitchen. You could be my neighbor too!

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The second home is just up the street on the 1700 block of S Hayworth Ave. This Stunning Spanish style home features 4 beds, 3.5 baths and is completely Eco friendly! Light and bright with beautiful finishes throughout! A must see!

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These two homes in Faircrest Heights will go fast! Be the first to see these gorgeous homes, contact me today for more info and to schedule a private showing in next few days!

Spring Landscape Workshops

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Spring is just around the corner and it is time to start prepping your lawns and gardens.

Early spring is the best time to trim fruit trees and roses. Trimming will bring fuller blooms later in the spring, but be sure to trim them early and not cut any new growth.

If you are looking to have a healthy lush lawn you will want to prevent weeds from popping up and taking over. You can spread a pre-emergent herbicide, found at your local hardware or garden store, starting in mid-February. Once the grass is growing and you start mowing your lawn, be sure to rake and remove the dead grass. That layer of dead grass will block water and air from reaching the roots. This is the same for flower beds. If you are planning to plant new seedlings, it is best to clear old mulch so the seedlings have a chance to sprout.

For those of you thinking of converting to a more California friendly landscape, check out the flyer below. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is hosting 8 landscaping training workshops for their customers over the next couple of months. Spaces are limited for this amazing and FREE opportunity to get your landscaping in shape for Spring! RSVP today at waterconservaton@ladwp.com with your service address, phone number, and your name (you can bring a plus 1!)

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