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BEN LEE’S BLOG
Well Hello Neighbor, Mr. President
When Barack Obama leaves the office of President early next year, he and his family have plans to lease a 9-bedroom mansion in the Washington, DC area. But, that won’t likely be the only place that the Obama family will soon be calling home.
According to the New York Post, the Obamas will also be settling for part of the year in the desert community of Rancho Mirage. At the present time, there aren’t a plethora of details, but rumor has it that the soon-to-be former first family has purchased the southern California home – which is not far from the Sunnylands Estate, where a number of presidents have stayed in the past – as a supplement to their east coast digs.
Rancho Mirage has a lot to offer the former President and his family – including a dozen pristine golf courses. And, with its permanent resident population only in the 3,000 range, it can also provide a great deal of privacy.
While it remains to be seen just how much of the year the family will be residing in Rancho Mirage, this home can be a good stopping off point for trips to the family’s holiday getaway, which is located in Barack’s home state of Hawaii.
Over the next few years, at least, the Obamas do plan to spend at least a fair amount of their time in the Washington, DC locale, as youngest daughter Sasha will be completing her high school studies in her current school.
But, as the changing of the guard looms closer, don’t be surprised if you see the Obama’s frequenting both of the U.S. coasts.
A Season of Thanksgiving
Every November, it’s my first instinct to write about why I’m thankful. Seems to be a pretty solid theme since Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it’s nice to take a moment and reflect on what makes me feel grateful for this life I lead.
Some years are harder to do this than others. I feel more inclined to be sad this holiday season given this will be the first time we are facing all these family get togethers without my mother present. I can’t even imagine these holidays without her here and yet, I also know that she would not want me squandering time at family parties, occasions she cherished above all else, by being only sad. I know she’d much rather see all of us celebrating everything she did to make our holidays special in the first place. The beautiful tables she set; the incredible dishes she made; the bawdy jokes she told. The secret look she’d give when a relative’s pot luck contribution wasn’t quite up to snuff; the slightly passive aggressive tips she’d offer in the midst of me carving the bird; the crispiest bits of skin or moistest pieces of meat she’d sneak away to the boys, wondering aloud to no one in particular after she already helped herself to a bite: ‘have you ever had anything more delicious in your whole life?’
I may always be sad that she’s no longer with us at Thanksgiving, but I am grateful for the memories she left behind. In my heart, I know she’s somewhere happy and proud that the traditions she held so dear will continue even though she’s gone. For that, her enduring love and legacy, I am grateful.
Another reason I give thanks this year is it’ll be the first Thanksgiving for my new baby nephew. Barely five months old, he won’t taste anything, understand anything or remember anything but just knowing that he’s there with his family, from his three cousins who adore him to his 98 year old great grandmother who always gets the first kiss, is reason enough to rejoice.
I’m thankful for my work. It was a good year to be a residential realtor. There were some tough transactions, without a doubt. To put it into perspective, there were some times I wondered if going back to the relentless hours of being a lawyer might be a calmer and mellower existence. But, at the end of the day, I feel very fortunate to do what I do. I am happy when I get the highest sales for my sellers and the best bargains for my buyers. I like having my finger on the pulse of our neighborhood, knowing what’s going on, what’s coming up and how it relates to the global economy at large. You can learn a lot about what is happening in the country based on a neighborhood’s current economical growth and I find that aspect of the business quite fascinating.
Finally, I’m extremely grateful for my family. My wife and three sons are everything to me. They are the motivating factor for setting that alarm clock way too early, for taking those after-business-hours urgent phone calls, for answering all the emergency texts that come in. When life feels toughest, I look to them to remember why I work so hard and feel thankful that what I do helps provide us with the lucky life that we lead. We aren’t hungry, we aren’t homeless, we are generally pretty happy, we are loved. When it’s all said and done, what more could any of us want?
So, at the brink of a holiday that asks us to reflect and acknowledge reasons to be thankful, even in a year that could easily be dismissed as one that (for my family) was very sad, I look to my loved ones and know that I’m blessed. Each day that I can wake up with a roof over my head and two healthy feet on the ground, is a day I am grateful for. From my family to yours, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Timeless Silver Lake Home Offers Modern Conveniences and Tranquility
The neighborhoods in southern California just don’t get a whole lot more trendy than Silver Lake – and for anyone who has considered residing in this part of the world, you’ve now got the option to live, play, and relax adjacent to the Silver Lake Reservoir.
Here in this 7,000+ square foot abode, constructed back in 1938, you will find four bedrooms and three large baths, along with two fireplaces, a bay window, a media room, several sets of impeccable French doors, “viewing decks” to take in the breath taking surroundings, and crown molding throughout the home’s interior. The nicely lit kitchen area provides a black and white checkered floor, surrounded by white cabinetry, and plenty of food preparation space.
Step outside on to the patio, and you’ll feel like you have just entered paradise. Here, there is ample green space, including grass, palms, and added plants, which have all been carefully landscaped to be illuminated after dark. And, if you’re into outdoor entertaining, the backyard offers ample space for dining, and for taking a dip in the inviting palm-surrounded pool.
Listed at just above $2 million, this timeless home likely will not last long. In order to schedule a personal tour, or if you would like any additional details on this charming property, contact us.
image credits: Sotheby’s International Realty, Los Feliz
The Days of Lax Lending Rules May Be Gone for Good
Although the housing market suffered a crushing blow back in the 2008 recession – which led to the tightening of credit, and in turn, the qualification for mortgages by many unqualified buyers – today most purchasers will find that getting a home loan is much easier….at least to an extent.
In fact, many mortgage lenders have created new mortgage programs for first-time buyers and the self-employed, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have worked towards streamlining the application process and relaxed certain credit score requirements.
But, while getting that loan on your next home may not be quite as taxing as going through Fort Knox, the days of the pre-2008 lax lending “rules” may actually be gone for good. For instance, any mortgage borrower now will have to prove their ability to repay the loan. They will also be required to provide proof of their debt-to-income ratio.
Yet, while qualifying for a home loan may not be easy-peasy anymore, the good news is that lenders will be better able to ensure that borrowers are actually qualified for the property they’re purchasing – and because of that, the hope is that we will never see the rate of home foreclosures in droves like we witnessed during the last recession.
Working with both a lender and a real estate professional who understand your needs – as well as any financial parameters that you may have – can make the entire process move much more seamlessly. And, getting pre-approved for a home loan before you make an offer can also provide you with a real advantage.
image credits: Live Well Simply
Brangelina Divorce May Yield Several New Property Listings – Along with Collector’s Items
Although the ink is barely dry on Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s divorce papers, the “royal couple” has already begun to put some of their belongings up for sale. One prime piece of real estate includes Chateau Miraval, their sprawling estate – complete with a vineyard – in the village of Correns, France. This is the same site where the couple said their “I dos” just over two years ago.
Although Brad and Angelina purchased the estate for approximately $60 million, it has not yet been publicly disclosed as to what the asking price will be for this sprawling 1,200 acre expanse that includes 35 rooms, along with pine forests and a moat, which is surrounded by olive groves and terraced hillsides.
While the Jolie-Pitt brood previously split their time between a 4,000+ square foot beach house in Malibu and a large L.A. compound, Angelina and the kids are presently residing in a Los Angeles rental that includes a heated pool and views of the Pacific Ocean, along with a gourmet kitchen, media room, and separate guest house quarters.
If you aren’t up for taking on the French estate, you could still hold onto a piece of Jolie-Pitt memorabilia by grabbing a bottle of the couple’s line of rose’ wine. For now, the label on the bottles read “Jolie-Pitt,” however, these won’t last for long because, going forward, the newly printed labels will be nameless.
image credits: wireimage