Elena Zimina's Real Estate

With each passing day, the number of structures destroyed by the Camp Fire rises. The fire is easily the most   destructive in California's history, unleashing a housing crisis of untold proportions. In the short-term, rents could spike, while over the longer term   high costs could make any efforts to rebuild the devastated town of Paradise a pricy endeavor. Cal Fire estimates show that at least 17,148 buildings have been swallowed by the Camp Fire’s flames. That’s nearly 4,000 more than the rest of the 5  most destractive California fires combined. There are tens of thousands of climate refugees living in temporary arrangements ranging from families’ and friends’ spare rooms and couches to hotels to shelters to tent cities in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Chico, located about 15 miles from the areas hardest hit by the Camp Fire. Rains are on the way  this week, which could send people in search of more firm shelter.  There is nothing on the scale of the Camp Fire in modern

Over the last four years, Los Angeles house flippers have netted profits well in excess of $100,000, according to a new report from LendingHome. That high total shows why quick buying and selling is popular with many local real estate investors. Over a quarter of all flips in the state of California are undertaken in Los Angeles County, according to the report.  The report finds that, from 2014 to 2017, house flippers—who buy properties with the express purpose of fixing them up and re-selling them—sold 39,042 homes. The median sale price in those transactions was $140,000 higher than the last price paid, the ninth-highest total in all 58 California counties. That doesn’t take into account the amount flippers spend on repairs and renovation projects before selling properties though, so it’s likely that true profit is less than $140,000.  Eric Sussman, adjunct professor of real estate and accounting at UCLA, tells Curbed that LA’s wide range of sale prices makes it an attracti

The real estate closing process is when you sign the legal documents that make a house your home. Are you about to close on a new home, or have you found a home to buy? If so, your real estate agent has likely dropped the word “closing” in a recent conversation. Mostly, closings are straightforward affairs. This article will step you through a typical closing process, up to and including signing day. It covers what you might expect, from the moment your offer is accepted to the moment you get the keys to your castle. Your real estate agent will typically perform most of the following steps, although the order may vary. Ask your agent which steps will be part of your closing to complete the transaction. Your agent should also help you with any steps you will need to complete. Typical Steps in a Closing Process Hire a real estate attorney (your state may or may not require you to engage a lawyer) Open an escrow account Complete the title search and/or buy title insurance Soli

Having overnight guests for the holidays? Even if you’re up to your eyeballs in family, work, and holiday chores, with a bit of thought and planning you’ll be ready for holiday guests and they’ll feel right at home! Here are some tips for making your guests feel welcome and comfortable. 1. Clean and Declutter Declutter your home as much as possible, paying extra attention to guest bedroom, kitchen, and bathrooms. Include these on your checklist: Clean your fridge. Add arrangements of fresh flowers or greenery in your guest room and living areas. Even if you’re not interested in holiday decorating, these help make your home feel more inviting and festive. 2. Create a Comfy Bed Designate a place for your guests to sleep. Whether it’s a guest room, kid’s room, office, or even a pull-out couch or air mattress in the living room, be sure to check off these to-dos: Make the bed as comfortable and inviting as possible, regardless of the type of bed your guests will use. Inves

Have you been struggling with your personal budget? Whether you're hoping to save money for a down payment on a home purchase, pay off bills, or simply have a little more money left over for when the next payday rolls around, the following budgeting apps can help. Mint:  Intuit's free Mint app is a powerful tool that's essentially an all-in-one resource for tracking your spending, creating a budget, and identifying problem habits. Mint has already existed for a few years and easily integrates with QuickBooks and TurboTax, which makes Mint the leading financial app available. PocketGuard:  If your problem is overspending, PocketGuard can help. This app categorizes and organizes your monthly bills, expenses, and subscriptions into easy-to-read graphs and tabs. Using PocketGuard can take the guesswork out of your finances. Wally:  Wally is another great app that helps you understand where your money goes. Use the app to balance income and expenses and set financia

Unfortunately for allergy sufferers, having indoor pets and dealing with ongoing symptoms go hand in hand. Maybe you've gotten used to the itchy eyes, stuffy nose, sneezing, and dermatitis, but it doesn't make it any easier. Regardless, you certainly aren't alone. Pet dander is one of the most common indoor allergens, and according to the latest U.S. pet demographics, 84.6 million households have pets. If you love your pet and seek relief from persistent allergy symptoms, the key is proper management. Create an Allergy-Free Bedroom.  No matter how much your pet cries or claws at the closed bedroom door, having an allergy-free bedroom is essential for anyone with ongoing symptoms. You can create an allergy-free zone practically anywhere in the home, but the bedroom is often the easiest to keep off limits to your pets. An allergy-free bedroom helps you sleep better at night, and you're more likely to wake up without stuffy sinuses. Aside from keeping the door closed