Author: Igor Nastaskin
L’Atelier in Riviera Village Draws Close-Knit Community of Craft Lovers
Step into the warmly– lit embrace of L’Atielier in the Riviera Village and you’ll hear the soothing sounds of chatting, laughing and the clicking of wooden needles as able hands knit works of art. The clientele here will readily admit to being hooked on knitting, an ancient handicraft with millions of devotees and a plethora of benefits. Owned by Karen Damskey for the past 41 years, L’Atelier has been a popular presence on Catalina Avenue since 1978 (the shop moved a few doors down in 2009 after outgrowing its previous location). A knitter since the age of six, Karen opened the first L’Atelier store in Manhattan Beach and quickly gained a loyal following of women (and yes, even men) who relish the joys of looping together strands of yarn to relax and create. Many of her original clients still frequent the store today, and it’s not uncommon for loyal customers to drive for hours to shop and knit there. “Knitting is like a form of journaling where every stitch is infused with loving thoughts about the recipient,” says Karen. “Our clients range in age from teenagers to those in their ‘90s. They know this is a safe haven where they can enjoy the company of like-minded people who want to share the joys of handicrafts while destressing.” What L’Atielier customers and others have discovered is that knitting is about more than just creating beautiful sweaters, scarves, blankets and hats. The act of knitting weaves into the fabric of life a therapeutic dose of relaxation, present moment mindfulness, and meditative Zen. Some say knitting keeps them from mentally unraveling. Indeed, research has shown that the repetitive and rhythmic motions of knitting can induce a relaxed state similar to those attained by yoga and meditation, and other benefits can include lower blood pressure and levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Additional studies show that knitting is one of the mental exercises that can lower the risk of dementia. In a high-tech age of overstimulation and rapid-fire information, knitters enjoy a sense of calm contentment as they focus on the now, one stitch at a time. And at Atelier, they also enjoy a healing sense of community as they sit around the U-shaped table that anchors the store. Like the bar in the TV sitcom “Cheers,” everyone here gets to know your name, and warm welcomes go out to new customers as well as those that have been coming for years. “Our clients encourage each other and develop real friendships as they get to know one another and share the ups and downs of life,” says Karen. The shop specializes in unique and luxurious yarns, including cashmere, silk, bamboo, alpaca and wools, and also sells beads, buttons, fashion jewelry and fine apparel. L’Atelier offers custom designs and can even do the knitting for those who have a project in mind but don’t have the time or interest in creating it themselves. Click here to read Igor’s full newsletter on Scribd.com – http://www.scribd.com/LiveInHollywdRiviera
Check These 12 Items Off the To-Do List Before Selling Your Home
Getting ready to put your house on the market? It involves a lot more than just placing a “For Sale” sign in your yard. Before you sell your home, Realtor.com suggests that you make sure you’re prepared by completing these important tasks that are sure to pay off once potential buyers begin looking at your property. 1. Find a great real estate agent In a hot market, it might be tempting to sell your home yourself and pocket the cash. Resist the urge, however, because “For Sale by Owner” transactions almost always lead to a sacrifice not only money, but time as well. Instead, conduct some research to find a real estate agent who is knowledgeable about your specific market, and then interview the agent to make sure it’s a good fit. 2. Consider your curb appeal Because buyers tend to judge a book by its cover, you’ll want to ensure that the first impression they have of your home leaves them wanting to see more. That being said, think about investing some effort into relatively easy fixes, such as planting colorful flowers and repainting the front door. 3. Declutter living areas When it comes to preparing your house for a showing, less is definitely more. Make sure all of your counters, windowsills, tables, and all other visible areas are rid of clutter, and then tackle the less obvious spots such as closets, drawers and cupboards. If your house is overflowing with stuff, it might give buyers the impression that there won’t be enough space for all of their belongings. 4. Depersonalize your space Make sure buyers can visualize themselves and their family living in the property by removing personal items and family photos. Also, get rid of any bold artwork and furniture that might not appeal to the general public 5. Repaint walls to neutral tones Although you might love that bright orange accent wall, it could turn off a potential buyer. Try replacing any potentially off-putting colors with a safe neutral color. Note: a light color will help buyers envision what the walls would like with the color of their choice 6. Touch up scuff marks Make the house sparkle and look cared-for by scrubbing, and then touching up baseboards, walls and doors. 7. Fix any loose handles A loose handle or missing lightbulb can have negative effect on a buyer. It can make them stop and think what else in the home might be broken as well. 8. Add some plants Plants create a more welcoming environment. You also might want to consider placing a bouquet of flowers or bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter or dining table. 9. Conduct a smell test Foul odors can be a deal breaker, but you might not even notice them. Try inviting an unbiased third party in to try to detect any pet or lingering kitchen smells from your kitchen. If the smells are pervasive, you might need to do some deep cleaning rather than simply trying to mask the odors with candles or plug-in room deodorizers. 10. Clean, clean, clean Next on the list…clean some more! You want your property to look spotless. Take special care with the bathroom, making sure the tile, counters, shower and floors shine. 11. Hide valuables From art to jewelry, make sure that your treasured items are out of sight, either locked up or stored offsite. 12. Consider staging Nothing energizes a house like some new furnishings or even just a perfectly chosen mirror. Think about getting your home staged by a professional. Home stagers will evaluate the current condition and belongings in your house and determine what elements might raise the bar. They also might recommend that you buy or rent some items, or they might just reorganize your knickknacks and bookshelves.
Six Things You Should Know Before Buying a Condo
A condominium allows you to wade into homeownership without adopting the responsibilities of a single-family home. You pay dues to a condo association, which typically handles exterior building maintenance and landscaping. So, you may find you don’t have to worry about painting your window frames or mowing a lawn. But you also could find trouble if you don’t ask the right questions. Here, BankRate suggests six things you’ll want to know before you buy a condo. 1. How is the condo association run? Buyers need to think of purchasing a condo as signing a business agreement with all others who own in the project they are buying into. As with any other business venture, learn how the place is managed and inquire about its financial stability. 2. How does the budget look? You need to ask for a copy of the association’s budget. The association is not likely to give a prospective buyer a copy of the budget, but the seller—as an owner—can request a copy and provide it to the buyer. The most important parts of that budget include the total amount of outstanding debt owed to the association and the percentage of owners who are not paying their dues. 3. What’s the delinquency rate? Buyers have little chances of obtaining financing in a building with a high percentage of owners who are delinquent on dues. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration, which buy or insure most mortgages, do not approve condos with delinquency rates above 15 percent. In buildings that don’t meet that requirement, it can be extremely challenging to get a mortgage or refinance. For buyers who can pay cash and don’t plan on selling their unit anytime soon, the delinquency rate may not seem like a big deal. But keep in mind that when an association is starved of cash, it has to make cutbacks. Some associations also may charge unit owners special assessment fees to make up for a budget shortfall that results when dues aren’t paid. 4. How are the cash reserves handled? The lower the cash reserves a condo association has and the older the building, the higher the chances that owners in that building will be hit with a special assessment at some point. Fannie, Freddie and FHA require condominiums to put aside 10 percent of their annual revenue for emergencies and capital expenditures. 5. Are there a lot of absentee owners? The percentage of investors who own units in a project also could impact a buyer’s ability to get a mortgage or sell the unit soon. The FHA does not approve condo projects in which more than 49 percent of the units are owned by investors. Generally, units in buildings with financing issues lose value because they have to sell mostly for cash, at discounted prices. 6. Is the building insured? Another important factor that condo buyers often overlook is the community’s insurance coverage. Many condo associations have reduced or dropped the community’s insurance coverage to cut costs, which jeopardizes the investment of all the owners in those projects.
Seven Steps to Take Now if You’re Considering Buying a Home in 2018
If you’re thinking about buying a home in 2018, November and December are the perfect time to “warm up” for the house hunt so you can hit the ground running in the new year. No matter where you’re looking for a home, the prep work is relatively the same. From organizing your finances to save money to finding a real estate agent and mortgage lender, Trulia offers seven steps prospective home buyers should take to be ready to buy a house in 2018. 1. Check your credit score A credit score is a numerical representation of your credit report. FICO scores range from 300 to 850, and the higher your score, the better. Typically, you’ll get the best interest rate on a loan if your score is 740 and above. If your credit score falls short, get busy repairing it. Correct any errors that might be on your report, start paying all your bills on time and get your credit limit raised. Note, however, that you shouldn’t max out your card each month. It’s best to use 30 percent or less of your total available credit. 2. Don’t open new credit cards Turning down every offer to open a credit card can be difficult, especially if it could help you save 20 percent or more on your holiday purchases. Tempting as saving at checkout can be, opening new credit may hurt your chances of getting a mortgage, or at least of getting the best rate on a loan. Opening an account means you have created an additional line of credit, which could change the numbers and jeopardize the application. What could save you a few dollars now could cost you far more in the long run if your mortgage payments will be higher. And, along those same lines, try not to overspend on impulse purchases during the holiday season. 3. Suggest financial gifts for the holidays Besides the mortgage loan, you’ll need a sizable amount of cash to buy a house. There’s the down payment to consider, along with closing and moving costs, and unexpected repairs and costs. Rather than incurring thousands in unexpected costs during the mortgage process, bulk up on your emergency fund. Rather than receiving gifts for the holidays, prospective homebuyers can suggest cash instead to put toward their home. And, remember, you might be getting some money back after you file your tax return. Use it for a down payment rather than blowing it on a vacation. 4. Interview potential real estate agents If your neighbor, relative or friend of a friend happens to know (or is) a real estate agent, that’s great. This person might be the ideal agent for you. But you owe it to yourself to shop around. Be sure to seek out an agent who is knowledgeable, good, integral and can assist you in reaching the goal of homeownership. The end of the year typically is a slow time for agents, so chances are they’ll be more accommodating to making an appointment based on your schedule. 5. Keep tabs on interest rates If you hear that interest rates are at historic lows or on the rise, you should not assume that you can get the rock-bottom rate. Not everyone gets the same interest rate on a mortgage loan. It depends on your financial picture and on the lender you choose. Homebuyers should shop around for the lowest interest rates. Note that closing costs also can vary, so discuss ways that you can keep yours down with your real estate agent. 6. Find a mortgage lender Before you even start looking for a home, be sure to find a mortgage lender to determine if you can afford to buy a home. If you can’t right now, there’s no use torturing yourself by finding your dream home that’s just out of reach. Once you’ve found a lender, look at what they offer, costs, points and how long it takes to close. After you know how much home you can afford, perform your home search based on your preapproval amount or less. 7. Get preapproved When a lender gives your financials the once-over and preapproves you for a mortgage, you’ll be able to show sellers that you really can buy their house. But how do you get preapproved? By preparing a few documents, which you can do several months in advance of the actual purchase. Here’s what you need to buy a house. • Tax returns for the past two years • W-2 forms for the past two years • Paycheck stubs from the past few months • Proof of mortgage or rent payments for the past year • A list of all your debts, including credit cards, student loans, auto loans and alimony • A list of all your assets, including bank statements, auto titles, real estate and any investment accounts
Six Steps for Selling a Home with Pets
Just because you love your pets—whether that be dogs, cats or hamsters—it doesn’t mean that potential buyers want to see those pets (or any evidence of them, for that matter) when they’re looking at a home they’re thinking of buying. Here, Realtor.com offers tips on how to “pet-proof” your place when preparing and showing it for sale. 1. Check your insurance Although you know your pets would never hurt anyone, they could scratch or bite a potential buyer who they mistake for an intruder on their territory. You could be held liable for any harm your pet causes, so make sure your homeowner’s insurance covers you for incidents such as these. However, some insurers will not cover anyone who owns what they consider vicious or aggressive breeds, such as pit bulls; and, if they do provide coverage, it could be expensive. If you have such a dog (and even if you don’t), it’s best to keep your pet out of the house during a showing. 2. Prepare your yard Buyers will walk around your yard, a stroll that will be ruined if they step in pet waste or sprain an ankle where your dog likes to dig. Perform a poop patrol before each showing. Double-bag the waste before disposing, so your garbage cans don’t smell when buyers walk by. Fill all holes and sprinkle grass seed on top. Before putting your house on the market, make sure your yard is a green oasis—not a brown-and-yellow dustbowl created when pets pee on grass. You can try to aerate and seed bare spots, but if that doesn’t work fast enough, you can replace ugly patches with new sod. 3. Get rid of smells Removing the odors pets leave behind is one of the biggest challenges. It’s easy to clean and tuck away the cat’s litter box, but it’s much more difficult to erase years of piddle from rugs and hardwood. If a bacteria-eating pet odor remover doesn’t banish all traces of cat or dog urine, you might have to hire a professional service to clean carpets or rugs. (Perhaps you should consider this whether you are selling your home or not.) Often, however, the odor returns. So, if a carpet continues to smell, replace it before a buyer walks through. Remember to clean turtle, hamster and guinea pig cages frequently to prevent odors, and make fish tanks sparkle; a daily swipe with an eraser sponge will do the trick. 4. Clean up the hair Not only does a layer of pet hair on floors and sofas make your home look messy, it can trigger allergies and send potential buyers sneezing and wheezing out the door. Before each showing, vacuum and dust to remove any settled hair or dander. Or consider buying a vacuuming robot that you can schedule to suck up hair several times a day. They actually work. If your pet sheds, brush him frequently outside so the hair doesn’t fly around the house. Bathing also can help to minimize shedding. 5. Hide the evidence Like kids, pets (or rather, their caretakers) tend to accumulate lots of stuff—leashes, collars, toys, water bowls, food, cute sweaters, and costumes for Christmas and Halloween. But no matter how adorable you may think it all is, to buyers, it’s just clutter. Make sure you stow pet paraphernalia in a cupboard or closet. Put dry food bins in a laundry or mud room. Wash pet beds to remove odors and dirt, and only display them if they’re attractive. 6. Say goodbye to your pets (just for a while!) If you decide to leave your dogs or cats at home, either crate them or confine them to a special area of the house, and make sure your real estate agent knows where they are. Also try to keep them busy with interactive toys or long-lasting treats. However, it’s best for everyone if you can find a playdate for your pet before a showing, or to send him to a friend’s house for an extended stay. But remember that pets have emotions, too—especially when it comes to change in their routines. When you stow their toys, move their water bowl or put them in a crate when strangers inspect their home, some pets will feel confused and anxious. Before making any major changes in the life of a dog or cat, ask your veterinarian to help you ease your pet’s transition to a temporary new home.
How to Use Music to Sell Your Home
Can music really get a buyer in the mood to seal the deal? According to Adrian North, Lorraine Sheridan and Charles Areni, a trio of Australians who tested this theory in 2015, hearing music makes people want to spend more money than if tunes were not present. In other words, music adds more perceived value to the product being offered. Toward that end, Realtor.com offers some insight into what type of music sells houses and which melodies to avoid. Match the music to your home Think about your home’s style when building your playlist. Do you live in a charming Victorian or a contemporary condo? Will Justin Bieber’s greatest hits feel out of tune in your midcentury modern home? You also can glean inspiration from the surrounding neighborhood or the season. Is it a snowy day fit for cozy coffeehouse classics or a hot afternoon ripe for summer jams? You should even consider the type of person most likely to live in the home next—is that likely to be a sophisticated empty nester or a family with young kids Consider the tone you’re trying to set Find the right music that will make people want to be there, meaning no hard rock, country or religious music that could turn off potential buyers. Top 40 tunes aren’t banned, but you’ll need to make sure the songs don’t have offensive lyrics and aren’t too amped up—you’re shooting for a vibe of calm rather than club. So how do you strike the right chord? Scouring Spotify or Pandora for open house music is an artful dance. It can take time to uncover the right tunes, and you might be surprised by what works. According to numerous agents, instrumental jazz tunes tend to be hits. Where—and how—you play your tunes is crucial, too Don’t have a surround-system in your home? Don’t fret—there are some easy ways to get around that. For example, you can hide Boomboxes underneath a bed or in the corner. Also, don’t be afraid to play a different type of music in each section of the house—as long as the tracks aren’t competing with one another or distracting buyers as they weave in and out of rooms. Keep the volume at a level low enough to invite conversation—and not so loud that people have to yell over it. And make sure to create a playlist that will last the entire showing period, so a buyer isn’t left in awkward silence when the songs run out.
Riviera Resident Leah Lewis is the New Rabbi at Temple Menorah
Riviera resident Leah Lewis does not fit the profile of a typical rabbi. In fact, this young female rabbi is among the growing ranks of women rabbis in the U.S. Women still make up a small percentage of rabbis in Judaism — only 35 percent of reform rabbis and 17.5 percent of conservative rabbis. The orthodox movement does not ordain women. But in a trend that is gaining speed, women rabbis are increasingly picking up the roles once served exclusively by their male counterparts, including educating the young, leading spiritual services, officiating at weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and funerals, and counseling those in need. “When I was in college I met a woman rabbi who was unlike any I had ever met before,” says Rabbi Lewis, who was ordained in 2002. “She was relatable and relevant, and she brought this ancient tradition to completely contemporary issues in a manner that showed just how timeless these teachings are. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a rabbi too.” Rabbi Lewis was recently hired as the new senior rabbi at Temple Menorah in Redondo Beach, replacing Rabbi Steven Silver who retired after 30 years of service. Founded in 1946, Temple Menorah is the oldest and largest Reform Judaism synagogue in the South Bay. Prior to serving at Temple Menorah, Rabbi Lewis was a rabbi at Congregation Shir HaMa’alot in Irvine and Leo Baeck Temple in West LA. “Temple Menorah is a place where community is connected — to one another, to our heritage and to the broader world,” said Rabbi Lewis. “I look forward to growing all these aspects of Temple Menorah life by nurturing a meaningful synagogue where people feel like they matter, because they do. It’s an honor to be with people through the ups and downs of their lives.” New to the Riviera, Rabbi Lewis and her husband, David, were instantly attracted to the area’s views, winding tree-lined streets, proximity to the Village and beach, and the friendly people. Her three children attend our local schools (South High, Richardson Middle, and Riviera). Rabbi Lewis encourages anyone interested to visit Temple Menorah, located at 1101 Camino Real in Redondo Beach, 310-316-8444. Welcome to the neighborhood Rabbi Lewis! Click here to read Igor’s full newsletter on Scribd.com – http://www.scribd.com/LiveInHollywdRiviera
Five Surprising Benefits of Buying or Selling Your Home in the Fall
Are you seeing less for-sale signs now that summer is over? That can be great news for both buyers and sellers. Don’t think you’ve missed the boat on making your move this year. Here, RealtyTimes offers five ways that buying and selling in the fall can reap big benefits. 1. Less competition While there might be fewer homes on the market, there also are fewer buyers out there competing for the same home you want. That gives buyers an important edge. The benefit to sellers is that those buyers who are out there tend to be more serious, which means your Realtor can key in on the serious buyers. 2. Tax breaks If you are a buyer and close escrow before Dec. 31, you also might be able to write-off property tax and mortgage interest on your taxes. Home sellers also can include selling expenses in the cost basis of their house, along with closing costs and home improvements. 3. Home for the holidays If you buy or sell early in the fall, that means you could be nicely situated in your new home in time for the holidays. Moving during a calmer time of year also means you may have better access to movers and other necessary resources than during the busier spring and summer seasons. 4. The right price Whether you’ve had a revelation about the price you should be asking or have made updates to your home to justify a higher price, you’re probably in better shape to get your realistic asking price in the fall. If you’re a seller and you establish a smart pricing strategy, you could find your home standing out in the crowd and selling while others sit on the market. Buyers also might have a better time getting a home that’s within their budget; when there is less competition for homes, there is less chance of bidding wars and sales over the asking price. 5. Great deals on items to fix up your home Coordinate the timing right, and those items you need to fix up your home for sale in the fall—or to update and upgrade after a purchase—might be priced to your advantage. Check Consumer Reports for a full list of the best times of year to buy everything, and keep in mind holiday and Black Friday sales. You could score some super deals during this time of year.