Author: Igor Nastaskin
Riviera Resident Teaches the Art and Science of Self-Healing
Though he’s a Boeing engineer by trade, Amean Hameed’s life’s work involves more than just designing aeronautics. Amean is a founding member of HealingPAQ, a non-profit organization that promotes healing ourselves, others and the earth with love. After using self-healing measures on himself for many years, Amean created HealingPAQ in 2006 to help others access love, joy, peace and compassion to address their physical, mental and emotional challenges. “About 30 years ago I noticed I was losing my calmness and state of peace, so I decided to explore various self-healing and meditation techniques,” said Amean. “As I practiced them daily, I quickly saw the health benefits. For example, I used to get headaches a few times a week, but they disappeared. I’m 60 years old now and I don’t take any medication and rarely get sick.” With his educational foundation, HealingPAQ, Amean teaches others how to maintain optimum health and vitality live in harmony with nature and move toward wholeness. It’s a journey of self-discovery that can facilitate emotional, intellectual, creative and spiritual expression. HealingPAQ teaches the universal laws of health and the art and science of self-healing with one-on-one sessions, weekly classes and podcasts. Guided meditations and healing downloads are also available. Amean, his wife, Anne, and their two sons moved to the Riviera in 1998. “The Riviera is an amazing environment filled with expanded energy,” said Amean. “We’ve always loved the feel of this community and plan to stay here forever.” HealingPAQ classes teach an integration of Sufism and Taoism philosophies in respect to whole person health. “Every one of us has an amazing ability to heal ourselves with loving our body, thoughts and emotions and integrating an expanded state of wellbeing,” said Amean. “That is our birth right. When we are willing to tap into such a state then we bless every event that happens to us and find the golden nugget in the experience. When we learn how to tap into the energy of oneness, we move toward wholeness while at the same time having fun.” To learn more about HealingPAQ, visit www.healingpaq.org. Click Here to read Igor’s full Newsletter on Scribd.com – http://www.scribd.com/LiveInHollywdRiviera
How to Buy a House: The 5 New Rules That Can Make or Break Your Offer
When it comes to the traditional home-buying process, the rules have changed. For starters, prospective buyers should brace themselves for steep prices and stiff competition. Data on Realtor.com shows that the nationwide median home price has risen to above $250,000 for the first time ever, 8 percent higher than a year ago. Plus, total inventory remains much lower than it was a year ago, falling well short of buyer demand. The result? Despite rising home prices, properties are flying off the market. Altogether, it’s a hot seller’s market. While that’s good news for sellers, buyers will need to take some extra measures to compete with other house hunters. To get the perfect home in today’s housing market, Realtor.com suggests following these five new rules. Rule No. 1: Prepare for a marathon house hunt With today’s low housing inventory and strong buyer demand, it might take you three to six months to buy a house—and maybe even up to a year in some of the country’s tightest markets. Prepare accordingly. You’re more likely to encounter a multiple-offer situation today that in year’s past, which can complicate many negotiations. So, don’t presume you’ll be moving any time soon. If you do have a fast-approaching deadline for moving, you’d better get started on your home search now. Rule No. 2: Secure financing before you start shopping Gone are the days when you’d waltz into home showings without securing your financing first. If you need a mortgage to buy a home, you’ll want to get pre-approved for a home loan before you set foot in a home. The reason: Without a lender’s pre-approval letter in hand, buyers will have a difficult time getting sellers to take them seriously. Your offer, although sincere, could easily fall through for lack of funds. To survey your mortgage options, meet with at least three lenders—which could be banks, credit unions, mortgage brokers or any combination thereof (you can get recommendations from your real estate agent). You’ll want to get a good-faith estimate, which breaks down the mortgage’s terms (including the interest rate and fees) so you can make an apples-to-apples comparison for the best deal. Rule No. 3: Don’t lowball your offer Bargain hunters, beware: If you’re making an offer on a home that’s priced to sell—meaning it’s listed at, or slightly above, fair market value—you should present your best offer right out of the gate. In other words, you need to wrap your head around the idea that you’re more than likely going to be offering full list price. Although that can be tough for bargain hunters, it’s the reality of many markets. All that said, real estate markets vary by area, so look to your agent for advice on how much to offer. How long a house has been on the market can make a difference, too. If a home has been listed for more than 30 days, that might mean it’s overpriced—and that means you might have a little room to negotiate on price. Rule No. 4: Curb the contingencies When buyers make an offer, they can tack on contingencies—terms that must be satisfied before a deal goes through. For instance, you might require that the place pass a home inspection to ensure that it doesn’t need a lot of repairs. If you’re getting a mortgage, your lender will require you to include an appraisal contingency where an appraiser makes sure the house is worth what you’re paying. All in all, contingencies protect buyers, but sellers don’t always like them because they insert many “what ifs” into the deal, which might mean it falls through. Since this is a seller’s market, buyers can stand out by attaching fewer contingencies to the deal. Not the biggies, of course, but ones that don’t really matter to you. For instance, you might want to consider letting go of a lead-based paint inspection since you can clean up this problem yourself. Or, many buyers may include a contingency that they have to sell their own home before the deal goes through; consider waiving that if you can. Rule No. 5: Move fast There’s no time to waste. In many cases, a seller will list their house on a Friday, do a couple of open houses during the weekend and then review all offers on Monday. That could mean you have just a few days during which to view the property, confer with your agent and submit an offer. Given the time crunch, you should decide that if you see the perfect house, at a price that you can afford, are you ready to make a full-price offer right now? If you’re serious about buying a house, you need to be ready to pounce.
Four Home-Buying Mistakes That Can Trip up Unmarried Couples
Many couples are buying a home together before tying the knot. In fact, one-in-four homeowners said they purchased a home with their significant other before marriage, according to a 2016 survey by TD Bank. Many even continue to live together without ever heading down the aisle. But getting a home loan as an unmarried couple can present some distinct financial challenges, and you, as an individual, need to take steps to protect your investment. Here, Realtor.com offers some of the most common mistakes unwed duos can make when buying a home together. Failing to discuss your credit history Even if you’re applying for a loan together, you’re going to be assessed by the mortgage lender as individuals. Married couples are sized up individually, too, but since they’re wed, they likely already have had some in-depth money discussions. Unmarried couples may have put off this topic, but it’s time to ask each other some tough questions—starting with your credit score. Your credit score, of course, is primarily a measure of how well you’ve paid off past debts. Even if your credit score is superb, if your partner’s is subpar, you as a couple could be seen as a lending liability. Lenders often use the lower score of the two individuals when qualifying a couple for a loan. If someone’s score isn’t up to par, this could mean you’ll be required to make a higher down payment, get an unfavorable interest rate or not even qualify for a loan at all. One potential solution is to have only the person with better credit apply for the loan. However, in doing so, you’ll have to forfeit including your partner’s salary in your assets, which might weaken your application. The good news is, the sooner you know your partner’s credit history, the quicker you can fix any issues before they throw a wrench into your home-buying plans. Planning who pays what with a hug and a kiss You can’t just assume you and your significant other are just automatically in sync about who pays what. This is particularly true if you’re unwed and lack the legal protections marriage provides. So, you’ll want to draw up a legally binding contract (with help from a real estate lawyer) that spells out what each person contributes to the down payment; how much equity each person has; and what each party will pay, including the mortgage, taxes, utilities and maintenance. Most importantly, the agreement should include a provision as to what happens in the event that you two are no longer together. For example, which party has the right to buy out the other one? And if that buyout happens, how many appraisals would you need to determine the property’s fair-market value? Spelling these things out now will help you avoid disagreements later. Not considering your title options Sure, you may live in this home together, but there are actually three ways that couples can “own” a property. Here’s how to tell them apart and decide which way is right for you: Sole owner: The only time you’d want to put just one person on the title is if that person will retain 100 percent equity of the property—which might make sense if that person is exclusively shouldering the mortgage and other costs with owning the home. Joint tenants: If one person dies, the other automatically inherits his or her stake and owns the entire property. Tenants in common: This stipulates that if one person dies, ownership will not automatically transfer to the other homeowner unless that person is named in the will. Instead, the deceased owner’s heirs will inherit those shares. This can be a good choice if one or both partners have kids or family from a previous marriage to whom they want to pass on the property. Making separate house payments Although married home buyers often have joint bank accounts, many unmarried couples are hesitant to commingle their finances. That’s a valid concern, but if you’re paying a mortgage and other home expenses together, having a joint account—into which you both contribute money from your separate accounts—can help streamline your house payments immensely. After all, you can’t write two separate checks for your monthly mortgage, so having one account just makes sense (and setting up automatic payments ensures they’ll get paid).
Tips for Finding a Pet-Friendly Neighborhood
With more than 36 percent of U.S. households including a dog (according to a 2012 survey from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation), it’s no surprise that finding a pet-friendly neighborhood is an important consideration for many homebuyers. But how can you tell which neighborhoods are truly welcoming to your four-legged friends? Here, Trulia offers some tips on what to look for while house hunting. A lot of dogs out and about An obvious sign of a pet-friendly neighborhood is one that has lots of dogs exploring with their humans. You want to make sure that people, neighbors, landlords and business owners are going to welcome your pet. The best indicator of that is if there are lots of other dogs around. And where there are lots of dogs, there are lots of dog owners who care about animals, so your dog will be in a safer and happier environment. There’s more to this pet activity than just scoping out the canine social scene, though. A neighborhood with lots of dog activity also is more likely to have dog-loving neighbors—and those nearby dog-lovers are much more likely to help you find your pup if he ever gets loose or runs away. There’s a nearby dog park—and the dogs playing in it look happy and relaxed Not all dog parks are created equal, and you want to be sure the one near your future home will be a pleasant experience for your pooch. Note: the big dogs aren’t picking on the little guys. Visit on a weekend morning, when the park is likely to be crowded. Observe the owners, too. Are they watching their charges or chatting and drinking coffee while their dog is a hundred yards away? How clean is the place? Are people picking up after their dogs? All of these answers will give you an idea of what type of dog and owner frequent the park. Bonus: Hanging at the dog park can help you make friends in your new neighborhood. You can easily find an animal shelter, veterinarian and pet supply store The existence of all three essentials shows that the community cares about the well-being of animals. When you have a community that cares about animals—keeping them healthy and controlling the pet population—that’s always a tell-tale sign that your dog will be welcome and loved. Plenty of sidewalks and places to walk You’ll walk your dog often, so you’ll want a neighborhood that makes this accessible. In addition to sidewalks, are there trails or beaches to explore? Bonus points if the neighborhood provides waste bags or dog-accessible water bowls, which are a sure sign an area welcomes pooches. Places for people also welcome pets If a neighborhood looks promising, call or stop by some of the local restaurants, stores or coffeehouses and ask about their policy on pets. Look for dogs lounging on local restaurant patios while their human family members enjoy lunch or dinner nearby. Spotting dog treats on the counter at the neighborhood bakery or brewery is a good sign. These little extras will enhance the quality of life for you and your pet—and make your new neighborhood feel like home.
Three Ways to Avoid a Home-Inspection Nightmare
Although many sellers look at inspectors as the bearers of only bad news, there also are some positive factors. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, a “home inspection can give [sellers] the opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition.” In addition, home inspections can ensure a smooth transaction and help sellers receive the asking price. If an inspector finds major issues, however, a seller might be caught off guard and unsure of how to react. Here, RISMedia offers three tips for easily navigating the home-inspection process. Prepare for the inevitable. When the home inspector comes through and begins pointing out flaws, many homeowners take the comments personally. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that you and your house are ready for inspection. Before the inspection process, it can be helpful to do a walk-through of the home to point out potential issues that might need repair, such as a stain from a leak or a faulty switch. If you’re already aware of potential issues, it won’t come as a shock when the inspector points them out, and it will give you the opportunity to fix it preemptively. Be proactive. Before the inspector arrives, decide if you plan to be in the house during the inspection. If the buyers also will be attending the inspection, the best thing for both parties is for you to stay away and occupied for the duration. If you’re concerned that you won’t be able to answer questions or explain an issue with the home, you can leave your contact information at the house and let the buyers or inspector know they can call with any pressing questions. If the buyers will not be attending the inspection, it could be beneficial for you to be onsite. As the inspector surveys the house, you can explain about the mysterious stain on the ceiling or why an appliance was installed in a certain manner. Remain calm. When the time comes for the actual inspection process, take a minute to remember that the home inspector is simply doing his or her job. This can keep you grounded, even when the inspector comments on the improper installation of your favorite fixture. If you’re present during the inspection, be warned that many real estate deals fall through when buyers and sellers become tangled in tense situations. Taking the emotion out of the situation can be beneficial to all parties. If you start to get worked up about the inspection or a comment made by a potential buyer, try to remember why you’re selling your home in the first place. As much as possible, focus your attention on the bigger picture and your end goal: getting the best return on their investment and finding a new home.
UFC Star, Karate Champion Opens Academy in South Bay
Growing up in Brazil, the son of a renowned karate master, Riviera resident Lyoto Machida was destined to become a karate champion himself. And that is exactly what he did. A professional mixed martial arts fighter, Lyoto is a superstar of the UFC (United Fighting Championship). Known as “the dragon,” Lyoto is the 1st UFC fighter to win a perfect record and is noted for his semi-orthodox fighting style, known as Machida Karate. This style of karate places its emphasis on self-defense while improving fitness and developing fighting skills. Lyoto learned the art of karate starting at the age of three under the tutelage of his father, and earned his black belt at the age of 13. He began training in sumo at the age of eight and Brazilian jiu-jitsu and boxing at sixteen. Lyoto’s father, Yoshizo Machida, is a world-renowned Japanese-born Shotokan Karate sensei, who taught all three of his sons the art of karate when they were very young. He has two karate schools in Brazil where he has taught hundreds of students. Now, Lyoto and his brother, Chinzo, who is also an acclaimed karate competitor, have opened a Machida Karate Academy right here in the South Bay. The Academy offers a variety of classes for all ages and skill levels. “Machida Karate teaches the disciplines of respect and confidence, skills that are useful in every area of life,” said Lyoto. “The underlying philosophy in our style of teaching is to improve your body and mind while learning self-defense. It’s easy to learn and applicable in realistic situations.” Classes offered at the Academy include the Machida Little Dragon Program for ages four to six, the Youth Samurai Program for ages seven to 14, a Fundamental Program for teen and adult students new to karate, and an Advanced Program for more experienced students. Lyoto, his wife, Fabyola, and their two young sons moved to the Hollywood Rivera from Brazil five years ago. “We love living here,” said Lyoto. “It’s such a nice neighborhood where we know each other but there’s also privacy and peace and quiet.” To sign up for classes or learn more about the Machida Karate Academy, go to www.machidakarate.com or call 424- 347-7255. The Academy is located at 24333 Narbonne Avenue in Lomita. Click Here to read Igor’s full Newsletter on Scribd.com – http://www.scribd.com/LiveInHollywdRiviera
What You Need to Know About Buying a Home This Spring
Spring is also peak season for real estate sales. If you’re thinking of buying a home this year, you’re probably wondering what the current market is like and how to navigate it. The 2017 spring real estate season differs from past spring markets in some big ways. Most notably, low inventory in many markets combined with higher prices and rising interest rates. Here, Trulia tells you seven things you need to know as you begin your search. Inventory is low According to Trulia’s research, home inventory has dropped for eight consecutive quarters, making it more difficult to find a home. “In 2017, homebuyers are up against a very competitive market, where there are fewer homes for sale that cost more than they did last year,” says Trulia Senior Economist Cheryl Young. “The Trulia Inventory and Price Watch found that housing inventory hit its lowest level on record, having fallen by 5.1 percent from a year ago.” Hit hardest? First-time homebuyers. There’s a larger inventory of trade-up homes and luxury homes than starter homes. As prices rise, people who might have been looking for a luxury home may now be in the trade-up market. Those who would have been in the trade-up market are buying starter homes or hanging on to the homes they already have. This means first-time buyers have to put in extra effort to land a home. Homes are selling fast Understanding the current real estate market can keep you from being blindsided. Short supply is the dominant issue this spring, with homes that are priced at market and in attractive condition selling in days. Act quickly when you find something you like, and be flexible with seller requests— two tactics that can help you buy a home in a competitive market. Interest rates are rising Rising interest rates could price some buyers out of the market. “The Federal Reserve announced in March that interest rates would be increased by a quarter point based on the growing confidence on the economy,” says Young. But interest rates remain historically low and affordable. “Higher rates will likely decrease one’s home-buying power, but it’s unlikely to deter serious buyers who are actively looking for a new home,” she adds. What’s likelier to happen, at least in the short term, is that more people will enter the market before rates get even higher. Timing is everything The most difficult part of buying a starter home is saving the down payment. Once you have that in place, there are great options. But should you wait to save 20 percent for a down payment (to avoid private mortgage insurance), or should you buy now with only about 5 percent to put down before interest rates rise? In most cases, it’s more expensive to wait. If it’s going to take you two years to save 20 percent and prices and rates rise, it’ll usually be better to go ahead at 5 percent and pay PMI. Consumer confidence is high Rising interest rates signal a strong economy, and consumers, with renewed confidence in this strongest job market in 15 years, are buying homes. This is what most people call a comeback. People who found themselves underwater on their homes now are beginning to see those homes gain value. They now can make, rather than lose, money on a home sale. But as home values increase, there doesn’t seem to be a glut of homes being listed for sale. A tactic that can improve your chances of success as a buyer this spring? Cast a wide net in your search, increasing your opportunities to land a home. Being able to overlook the little things can help If your ultimate goal is to become a homeowner this spring, you may wish to circle back to that older home with no upgrades that didn’t initially excite you. In a competitive real estate market with low inventory, being able to overlook simpler flaws could be the difference between getting a good deal on a home and not getting a home at all. Pre-approval is more important than ever You may need to offer more money to buy a home in this busy real estate season. First, determine what you can comfortably afford. Don’t stretch yourself financially. Once your budget is set, focus on prepping your finances for a home purchase. The more prepared in preapproval you are, the more value you add to yourself and your buying appearance. That means having all documentation in line so you can move fast.
The Top 10 Cities Where Millennials Want to Be
What are the places that pique millennials’ interest? The realtor.com economic data team analyzed the 60 largest U.S. cities and how much millennials were checking out listings in those areas, compared with the national average, from August 2016 to February 2017. Here’s where millennials are looking…and why. Salt Lake City There’s a burgeoning tech scene that lures young people to companies such as Adobe and Electronic Arts. In fact, the city has come to be known as “Silicon Slopes,” with homes at one-third of Silicon Valley prices and plenty of skiing and boarding a short ride away. Salt Lake also has a low unemployment rate, at 2.9 percent, as well as numerous bike lanes and mountain bike trails. Miami The sunshine is nice, but young folks also are attracted to a hopping scene with relatively affordable homes and decent job opportunities. Many find employment in tourism, international trading and construction—the entire region is enjoying a building boom. It’s not all work and no play, though. While the South Beach is known for its club scene, events such as the Calle Ocho Festival, Carnaval Miami and Art Basel Miami turn the entire city into a party. In addition to numerous art galleries and music venues, the Adrienne Arsht Center was opened in 2006 as the country’s second-largest performing arts center (after NYC’s Metropolitan Opera House). Up-and-coming neighborhoods like Little Haiti and North Miami are getting fresh interest from young buyers. Orlando This fast-growing metro is getting a lot of serious attention from young people. You have beaches 45 minutes in any direction, along with plenty of entertainment and night life. There also are new mixed-use developments designed to appeal to both city-loving millennials and baby boomers, many of which are pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly. And Thornton Park, just east of downtown, also has become popular among younger homeowners seeking a unique historic neighborhood with cobbled streets and lined with bungalows. The Orlando metro area also leads Florida in job creation, adding 54,600 jobs in January, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Seattle Seattle checks off quite a few items on the millennial home buyer’s list: well-paid jobs (at Amazon, Microsoft, and Costco), quality coffeehouses around almost every corner, more than 50 bike trails and some of the country’s best tree-lined streets. It’s also a welcoming place for non-conforming young people. The city had one of the nation’s biggest turnouts for the Women’s March on Jan. 21, hometown titan Starbucks announced a plan to hire refugees and it’s the first major U.S. metro to approve a $15 minimum wage. Houston A paycheck in Houston stretches further than in other metros. Houston has the second-highest pay on realtor.com’s list, at $62,300, after adjusting for the cost of living, trailing only San Jose, according to Forbes. Plus, Texas is one of the only seven states with no income tax. Granted, you may well find yourself fighting through Houston traffic, but several master-planned communities in the suburbs mix residential homes with businesses, so you may not even need to head downtown. Los Angeles A lot of people who want to break into show business still come to L.A. But a more recent arrival, the tech industry, also is making itself known—especially the stretch of ocean-adjacent Westside known as “Silicon Beach.” Here you’ll find the parent company of Snapchat; the virtual-reality hardware/software producer Oculus; and a major outpost of Google. And despite a median home price of $672,000, there are pockets of L.A. that still are affordable. Northeast neighborhoods such as Highland Park and Atwater Village now are among the trendiest choices for laying down roots. Downtown L.A. also is vibrant again, and the newly expanded metro system offers options for getting around without a car. For even lower price tags, South Los Angeles is worth considering—the area is going through major changes, with new outdoor plazas, a farmer’s market, public gardens and more than 1,000 apartments and condos. Buffalo Buffalo’s inexpensive housing—the median home price is only $158,000—is particularly attractive to young people with college debt. Jobs are flowing in, too. Elon Musk’s SolarCity factory alone, a solar energy equipment supplier, promises 3,000 jobs. Among cities of similar size, Buffalo also has a remarkable selection of cultural attractions. And after extensive renovation during the past decade or so, Buffalo has turned its waterfront into a recreation zone for skating and curling. Albany One of America’s first cities, Albany embracing a shining new future. Faded industrial districts in North Albany have become thriving enclaves, with colorful street life. The historic downtown of the state capital has witnessed a resurgence, with numerous bars, hotels and restaurants. Albany also has six colleges, including the State University of New York at Albany. Until recently, graduates left for better jobs, but now that the city has rebranded itself as a budding tech hub, many choose to stay. Companies such as IBM and GlobalFoundries have set up research centers here, and the city is expected to fill 1,180 new software jobs by 2020, according to the New York Department of Labor. San Francisco The city is filling up with ambitious young tech folks in the offices of Airbnb, Pinterest and lesser-known startups. They’re also present at company IPO parties or 20-something meetups in warehouse-turned-event spaces such as the Folsom Street Foundry. The entire city is basically a giant adult playground. Visit the Academy of Sciences with a drink in your hand during NightLife Thursdays, lie in Dolores Park on a sunny summer day or join a citywide scavenger hunt with your friends. San Jose Ambitious young engineers come to work for companies such as Apple, Cisco and Netflix, and claim enviable perks such as taking their pets to work and free, chef-prepared lunches. San Jose was recently ranked the happiest city to work in by Forbes. A nearly endless supply of California sunshine and plenty of outdoor activities—a 30-minute drive can take you to nearby beaches and nature preserves—balance out the fast-paced work life.