September 25, 2018
Nothing can make one feel older than the birthday of your youngest child - especially after they reach 21 and up. Each day, in the mirror, there appears even more lines and wrinkles that weren't as deep yesterday and will be deeper and more pronounced tomorrow. What is happening?
I have always looked younger than my age. I think this was just in my imagination - now that the person at the movie ticket booth doesn't even question my "senior"-ness. I look at my 97/almost 98 year old mother and hope my skin and hair lasts as long as hers. Sure she is aged - gracefully, and I'm hoping her genes have been passed along to me and perhaps even to my daughter.
Here's to a happy birthday - to my youngest - Leanna! Have a great year!
Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Life
August 21, 2018
Just when You think they are going to get the win... need I say more?
9th inning - Kenley is back from the DL (heart issues), and gives up 2 home runs (in succession)!
So, although I'm disappointed and amazed, it's good to see Kenley back!
Tonight's another night! Let's GO DODGERS!
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Life
August 10, 2018
I've subscribed to several alternative health newsletters, including TTAC.com and Brain Health. TTAC is The Truth about Cancer - it's very compelling and all these alternative health methods completely go against what the large Pharmaceutical companies - and the doctors who don't know any better - literally shove down our throats (and stick in our veins).
Big Pharma (we know who you are) gives you some great things - like vaccinations (and there are those who are opposed to them), and medicin...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Life
August 4, 2018
OK, this is where I start talking about other people.
My short sale went bust on August 2 around 10:30 a.m. That is when we couldn't stop the sale. Up until that point, I thought we had a chance. The bank seemed to be behind us as we gave them everything they asked for (except one thing, which I'll get to in a minute). The bank said they were escalating the extension approval to postpone the foreclosure sale and they would let us know - and they made it clear there were not guarantees that...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Short Sale
July 31, 2018
This current short sale that I have is mostly conversation with two banks. Right now we have a sale date (foreclosure trustee sale auction) in 2 days and we have NOT heard back from the bank, although I send them email every day. Today our strategy was to call them, and they circled back to the same people I am in contact with via the Equator platform. This platform is where all communication with the asset manager, negotiator, and decision makers stand.
We still have not heard, but the m...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Short Sale
July 31, 2018
No complaints, here. EXCEPT for one main one: Leads.
I subscribe to a few lead generating companies and their "wares." The issue I have is this - people like to leave bogus information so I can't contact them. I have to pay for these leads, and when they leave bad info, I still have to pay. They don't want me to call them, so in order to see what they want on the website, they leave an email address that just pops into their head and a phone number that really isn't theirs.
Speaking of b...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : The Office
July 31, 2018
My car technician (or let's say, mechanic) was nice enough to give me a ride home, then pick me up when my car was done. While I was at home, I researched the issue (EGR Valve- Exhaust Gas Recirculation), I found that the part ranged in cost from about $75 to $200. In fact, the part at the Ford Parts Store (OEM) was a little less than what was on my itemized list when I looked at the bill. Hmmm. I hope the installed part was OEM, but we don't know that, do we?
They also cleaned around th...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Life
July 30, 2018
This weekend, when going to my sister's home which is about 35 miles away, my check engine light went on. This light, which has gone off several times in the past, costs me at least $500 when it goes on.
I was tempted to first buy a car warranty program, whose commercial told me this morning what a great deal it was. Of course, my car is 14 years old, so I'm sure the insurance would cost much more than the amount I'm going to have to pay when they fix my car. AND I'm sure it doesn't pay 1...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Other Relevant Stuff
July 27, 2018
These words, fish/fishing, are quite useful. You can fish for a trout, or you can fish for an answer. You can go fishing in a lake or online. However, my need for using the word, fishing, is something that I'm not doing this year - I used to be able to put a note on my door, "Gone Fishing," but apparently not this year! I have too many loose ends here that won't be tied up for a while. I have a couple listings that need my total attention, I have a dog who needs 2 shots a day and it seem...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Life
July 26, 2018
Back in 2006-2007, the market was at it's peak and them came crashing down. Will it happen again? It may not happen for the same reasons, but remember, there are market cycles. The inventory of homes for sale has been sparse for the past few years. That drove prices up. I was looking at homes in West Los Angeles, the other month, and I couldn't believe the relative shacks that were going for $800K. Who could afford to live in those run-down neighborhoods at that price? I was amazed as ...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Real Estate Market
July 26, 2018
Short sales are NOT dead, just slowly growing old and tired. I'm in the middle of one right now, and that is why I know they aren't dead.
If you are in a situation where you bought your home at 100% loan to value (yes, it was possible for a minute in time), and the market turns (and then you lose your job or your property tax becomes due... or you have a family health issue, etc.), you may be in this position, sooner than later.
The market may be turning and if you bought this past year, and h...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Short Sale
July 26, 2018
All indications point to a turning point - we may be turning faster than it was thought, toward a more buyer-friendly market. That means homes won't be selling as fast, and they will either stay at the prices they are now or even go down!
If you want to sell - now is the time!!
Here's an article from Tim and Julie Harris, written by Tim Ventura to Agents who listen to their podcast:
Is the market going to crash? On yesterday’s show we cited data from CNBC, and in today’s show we’re discu...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Real Estate Market
February 13, 2018
I've been having trouble concentrating on work - why? Because I want to see who is winning what in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics. It's because I have so much access - my phone, my iPad, my computer, my TV. I am writing this on my computer and watching Speed Skating on my phone. Republic of Korea just won!
But hey, all work and no play - or is it all play and no work won't bring home the bacon or the mortgage. So I'm shutting off the Olympics until I get in front of my lunch - it's only 11...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Life
February 13, 2018
I'm truly amazed at housing prices - even rental - in the west side of LA - or any part of Southern California. If you are a first-time home buyer, it's mind boggling. What should you do if you are just starting out?
My suggestion - since the housing market has shown (for the past 65+ years) that it will continue to rise overall, buy something that you can afford, now! If you bought a home in 1990, it has probably doubled or more, in value. I bought a house in 1974 for $35,000, in Fountain...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Building Wealth through Real Estate
November 21, 2017
Many people on this earth have nothing - we in the US, even if we are poor, are much better off than many of whom are in third world countries or those who are refugees living in camps.
We have opportunity, here, and if we can pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and be enterprising, there is nothing that can stop us!
I'm thankful that I have a place to live and people around me that love me.
How about you? What are you thankful for?
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Life
October 24, 2017
I'm getting ready for the game - it starts today at 5:00 at Dodger Stadium, but I, like most of the rest of the world, will be watching it on FOX, channel 11 here is SoCal. That is in an hour and 45 minutes from now, just long enough for me to start something and not finish it. But I thought I'd at least leave my thoughts, here.
Behind the scenes of a Realtor??:
I get calls and solicitations every day - today was from a company who would send me referrals. They say the leads are vetted alrea...
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Posted by Connie Gohata.
October 20, 2017
It seems that we are in a hot market for sellers - BUT.
The BUT is that we are in a slower market - because there are not a lot of people who want to sell right now. There could be a number of reasons for this - sellers, even thought they will most likely sell at a good price, don't want to buy at a high price. The season isn't right - the kids are in school and the parents don't want to move. It would be less expensive to add on to the present house than move.
Then there are people like me ...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Real Estate Market
September 19, 2017
It depends on where you are looking - I was looking around Los Angeles, in the different parts of mid and west LA - I'm just amazed at how much these small homes are going for in price - not the $400K's - they are in the $600Ks to $800Ks - like they were made of gold. Some, in fact most of these were in the bread and butter neighborhoods, not the up and coming executive neighborhoods - so who, on a bread and butter salary can afford to live in these homes?
My home, in OC, is a 5 bedroom/3 bat...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Buying
August 14, 2017
My daughter is thinking about her future. She is looking at the difference between renting and buying a home - because in the near future, she is planning to get married. She is amazed that home prices are SOOO HIGH.
I told her that RENTS are high, too so she may as well BUY.
What about you? You have to start, somewhere, if you are going to buy. Why not squeeze the trigger and buy something small in a city or area that is not as desirable as where you want to end up? As prices go up, your...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Building Wealth through Real Estate
March 31, 2017
Time to get on the bandwagon - time to buy. Why? well, if you keep your property for 5 years, it could appreciate by a lot of $$!! Then you can use this money to put a small down on another house - move there, and rent out the first house. Rents are going up, too! You have a win-win situation, using leverage.
I was watching Flip or Flop the other day - they buy for cash - NO leverage, because they are in, fix up, and sell. No time for appreciation, except for what they build in to the ...
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Posted by Connie Gohata. Posted In : Building Wealth through Real Estate
Realtor® and RE Investor
Short Sale and REO Specialist
Regular Sales, Distressed Sales
CA/BRE #01822665
Phone: 714-553-9146