FeedRE
     California

Entrenched or not, if enough owners are dissatisfied, a new board — or at least enough to change the voting majority — can be elected and terminate the management company contract.

Question: We are a common-interest development with less than 38 units. From our nearly $425 monthly fees per unit, management takes nearly $100. The company also charges so-called incidental fees that only show up on association documents in small increments throughout various invoices billed to the association.

Full article: How can you break management’s hold on board? ...

Tags: Los Angeles Times

Lower mortgage rates are making monthly payments more affordable.

What is it with Middle America? Haven't folks there heard the country is mired in a deep housing recession?

Full article: Home prices soar in some areas as buyers opt for more expensive properties ...

Tags: Los Angeles Times

Most borrowers make zero down payments even on jumbo loans and the VA imposes no minimum credit score, yet originations are up and the delinquency and foreclosure rates are low.

Picture a mortgage program that seems to defy many of the lessons of the housing bust:

Full article: Veterans Affairs mortgage program goes against the grain but works ...

Tags: Los Angeles Times

This five-structure family compound in the gated Hollister Ranch community encompasses a valley with 100-year-old oaks and spring-fed creeks.

Location: 114 Hollister Ranch, Gaviota 93117

Full article: Home of the Week: 108-acre compound west of Santa Barbara ...

Tags: Los Angeles Times

California law doesn't provide exceptions to the requirement of payment of assessments regardless of work performed for the homeowner association.

Question: My small homeowner association is self-managed, and all board directors are homeowners and volunteers. There is no property management company. The board treasurer does all the association's bookkeeping and is audited by the other directors and a licensed certified public accountant yearly. As payment for the bookkeeping, the treasurer has been exempt from paying monthly association dues. These bookkeeping duties are not offered to any other homeowners. Is this legal and in compliance with the law?

Full article: Homeowner association’s board can’t barter payment of assessments ...

Tags: Los Angeles Times

Some research projects in California, Oregon and Washington offer hints that energy efficiency and sustainability certifications for homes may result in easier sales and higher prices.

Home energy efficiency and sustainability have been major policy priorities for the Obama administration, but lurking in the background are two consistent questions: Beyond the documentable savings on utility bills, do such steps add to the resale value of a home? And do they make it easier or faster to sell your property?

Full article: Energy-efficient homes seem to sell faster, fetch higher prices ...

Tags: Los Angeles Times

This massive gated compound was once part of the Lookout Mountain Air Force Station, which produced classified films and still photos of nuclear experiments after World War II. Today the Sunset Strip-area residential space includes art galleries, a theater and a sound stage.

Full article: Home of the Week: Compound once a lair for military secrets ...

Tags: Los Angeles Times

Two prominent mobile home parks — Paradise Cove and Point Dume Club — did not escape the housing downturn, but lately there's been a rebound.

The home for sale in Malibu has stunning views of the ocean, more than 2,300 square feet of living space, a broad deck, two bedrooms and two baths.

Full article: In Malibu, even mobile homes command premium prices ...

Tags: Los Angeles Times

Steps lead from the infinity pool down to a theater, which has velvet seating for nine, a $12,000 projector and 2-inch-thick underwater pool windows.

Actor Matthew Perry has bought a newly built custom house in the Sunset Strip area for $8.65 million. That might explain why he put his West Hollywood condo up for sale last month at $2,995,000.

Full article: Matthew Perry buys custom house in Sunset Strip area ...

Tags: Los Angeles Times

Home builders' stocks fall as the decline puts the industry on track for the lowest annual sales since the U.S. began recording data in 1963.

Sales of newly built homes fell in July to the lowest level in six months, as the nation's housing market continues to struggle.

Full article: New home sales drop to six-month low ...

Tags: Los Angeles Times