Sold in September 2023
2721 Orange Ave, Torrance, CA
$1,150,000

 IN Escrow now. Prime location in Hermosa Beach, California!

 Just Sold for $90,000 over asking! 1020 Portola Ave, Torrance, CA 90501

 

 

 Coming Soon.

One of the original Spanish Homes in Hollywood Riviera.
Approx. 2950 SqFt / 6629 SqFt Lot
3 Beds, 2.5 Bath
353 Calle Mayor
Jack McSweeney, SRS, ABR, SRES, PVS, CDPE
310 346-0391        REMAX Estate Properties
DRE #01027223

 · Palos Verdes & Harbor Market Intelligence Report:     Click here.  

Jack McSweeney

ABR, CDPE, e-PRO, SRS, SRES

REMAX Estate Properties

Director Palos Verdes Peninsula Assoc. of Realtors

Phone: 310 346-0391 - DRE #01027223

Email: jack@mcsweeney.com

 Just Closed:

336 N Gaffey, San Pedro, CA  $1,500,000 (9/3/2020)

Call me to sell your property!  310 346-0391

SOLD!!  3021 W Carson Street, Torrance.    $730,000   April 2019

SOLD!
15607 Cordary Ave, Lawndale, CA $700,000 in April 2019

How to Prepare for a Home Appraisal

One of the last steps before selling your home is getting it appraised. This is usually ordered by the buyer’s lender, and is used to give an estimate of a property’s value, which can help a mortgage lender determine how much a buyer can borrow for the home, and can protect them from paying more than the house is worth.
What an Appraiser Looks For
The home’s worth is based on factors such as location, condition and comparables in the neighborhood, also called comps, which are houses similar to yours.
Don’t confuse a home appraisal with a home inspection. The appraisal determines the market value of a home, while an inspection looks for flaws in the roof, foundation and other areas of a home as a way to help buyers determine if a home is right for them and what they may need to fix.
To determine a home’s value, an appraiser will look at the total land or acreage, the condition of the property and any lead or peeling paint if the house was built before 1978. On the inside, they’ll be looking for a working furnace and air conditioner, number of rooms, garage, built-in appliance upgrades and in-ground pool.
How to Prepare
If you’re going to make upgrades, do them before an appraisal so that they can boost the value of your home before selling it.
The appraiser will also be looking for anything that needs to be repaired. Here are some things to check before ordering an appraisal:

• Electric garage door opener works
• Railings to raised decks are secured
• All utilities work and are safe
• Cracks in walls, ceiling or foundation are addressed
• Water intrusion through foundation is resolved
• Roof is in good shape and will last at least three years

Make as many repairs as you can before the appraisal to help ensure a higher home value.
Differences in Appraisers
Depending on the type of home loan the buyer is getting, appraisal requirements may differ. FHA loans, for example, require that some repairs must be completed before closing.
VA loans have their own appraisal inspection standards. They look at many health and safety concerns, including clean drinking water, a water heater and sewage system, a sound roof and foundation, the removal of pests and termites, and working electricity.

Unless it’s a glaring flaw or you’re a trained professional, you probably can’t tell if your home needs repairs. The home inspection is one of the most critical pieces of the buying and selling process. It’s good to know what to look for before any inspection. If you’re buying, you’ll have a better idea of what the inspector is looking for and if he or she misses anything. If you’re selling, you can have an idea of what to fix before your home goes on the market. It will take away the chance of surprises. 
Do you want to know more? Click here...

Buying Property in Another Country? What you Need to Know

Maybe you have a close family member living in Mexico. Or perhaps skiing in Vancouver is your favorite winter vacation spot. Maybe you have a child attending school in London. Or maybe you want to retire to the small town in China that your ancestors are from.

No matter what the reason may be, more and more Americans are looking to purchase property outside of the U.S. And as the world becomes an increasingly connected place, it’s become easier to do so.

According to the 2016 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of International Activity in U.S. Residential Real Estate, approximately 14 percent of REALTORS® reported that they had a client who was seeking to purchase property in another country, compared to six percent in the previous 12-month period. The report also revealed that 46 percent of Americans bought a home outside of the U.S. as a vacation or investment home.

Looking to spread your wings and explore homeownership in another corner of the world? Here are some important tips to keep in mind:

Find the right local real estate professional. You’ll need an excellent point person in the country you’re considering. The best way to find this person might be right here at home. Talk to your local real estate professional first - he or she might be part of a global network that has affiliates in other parts of the world.

Find out if there’s a real estate association representing your destination country in the U.S. These organizations are in the U.S. to support real estate transactions from and to their countries. They can be an incredible resource for your mission.

If you’re not fluent in the language of the country in which you want to purchase a home, find someone who is. The language of real estate in particular varies from country to country so having an interpreter is essential.

Consider the value of the dollar where you’re headed. If the dollar is weak, you may want to hold off on your decision to purchase until the economic picture shifts. Conversely, if the dollar is faring well, you may want to accelerate your plans.

Enlist U.S. home search engines that have international listings - like realtor.com and LeadingRE.com. Not only will these sites provide you with listings to peruse, they’ll serve as a resource for information on currency and customs, and connect you with real estate professionals to work with.

So when it comes to your next home purchase, think global but enlist local resources. For more information on real estate listings, contact me.