Recent surveys show buyers now thinking in long term
Back in the late 1980's, buyers dreamed of climbing the ladder two years at a time, capitalizing on a market that appeared to have no ceiling, seeing themselves from a West Los Angeles condo to a prime Brentwood home in a matter of less than six years. Market conditions have shattered those dreams for many, but opportunities currently exist opening the market to many entry-level buyers that never dreamed of owning their own home.

Nonetheless, the message is on the street loud and clear and that is, of course, to be prudent And non-impulsive. Buyers planning to live on the Westside for only the next one to two years, for the most part, will opt to lease as opposed to buy. They prefer the liquidity and the risk-free alternative of leasing.

Those that are buying, and there are many doing so at this time, have long term plans. Some say they will be here for the next 20 years. That being the case, there is a new criteria that must be added to the equation.

The home must be able to accommodate a changing lifestyle with either enough room or with space to add on. Because buyers will be spending more years here and because of the many professionals that are now working from the home, there are more and more nuances to be considered. Add to this a stable but passive market and the element of urgency is rare to be capitalized on by today's seller. Buyers do in fact have the opportunity to be very selective, and that is why a seller is wise to stage his home well with the help of a qualified real estate agent.

On the positive side, people- are spending more time in their homes and less time traveling and eating out. The home is more important than ever, and the tradition of the American dream is being sought after more than in many years previous. A home and a backyard is a dream shared by thousands. Interest rates and conditions are favorable. Be sure to put yourself in clear view to a qualified buyer.

For a personalized marketing plan, call an agent with a reputation of success in the neighborhood.

What today's buyers seek
A Buyer may have a wish list a mile long, but almost certain to be on a Buyer's list are several very basic desires.

Location of course, continues as it always has been to be one of most importance. A good safe neighborhood with trees and well maintained homes is always one to attract attention.

The next most consistent request of the 90's is privacy. People have become very privacy conscious, both inside their home and within the perimeter of their yard. Landscaped backyards that offer privacy and a place for children to play removed from adjacent properties and negative neighboring influences draw the interest of today's shopping Buy

Finally the words, "light, bright and airy" are conclusive of the life style most selected by today's average Buyer. Buyers in the 90's love a home with good sun exposure and lots of well positioned windows. Todays Buyer would prefer a home that is well maintained and restored as opposed to remodeled. If the home was originally built with double hung, wood sash windows, smooth plaster ceilings and hardwood floors, that is what a Buyer wants to see today. They want a home that is in great condition, that is bright, cheerful and uplifting, ready to move in to. If the home has been added on, they want that addition to be in character with the rest of the house and in other words to flow with the floor plan and quality originally intended.

Sometimes home improvements can be made in advance to enhance salability. Hardwood floors, custom shutters, skylights and a fresh coat of paint may just add that extra touch to finding the right Buyer. Repositioning furniture and eliminating clutter will assist in making a home appear larger and generally more attractive.

Neighborhood environment becoming top priority
With real estate rebounding, there is a tremendous pent-up demand among young Westside families and renters that have long awaited the opportunities that currently exist. Interest rates are fabulous, and there is certainly reason to believe that the market is stable and heading in a positive direction.

Many of today's qualified buyers are families with young children seeking an environment similar to their childhood. As we meet clients, the issue of environment comes up immediately. Today's buyer is looking to find a quiet, pride of, ownership sheltered location with inside tree-lined streets bound by through streets, thus creating a neighborhood.

Generally, a neighborhood can consist of as few as 400 homes to as many as 2,500 homes. Within this community there are often families sharing elements in common such as neighborhood schools, shopping center, gym, hair salon, house of worship and playground. In some areas it is common to find children playing hockey and football in the streets, baby buggies and strollers being pushed, walkers, joggers and roller skaters. There are occasional 4th of July block partieS, neighborhood watch meeting, potluck dinners, neighborhood association meetings, and summer picnics. This is what many remember from their childhood and what they want their families to experience.

For those who live in neighborhoods lacking involvement, all it takes is a dozen interested families willing to organize an association and neighborhood publicity. Committees can be organized for tree planting, for welcoming new neighbors, for architectural enhancement, for crime watch, and for the selection of neighborhood block captains. Your property and your quality of life both can reach higher limits keeping in mind what has already become a big ticket item to those investing in Westside single family homes. Homeowner Associations can be formed, and city officials will volunteer time to discuss traffic control, crime prevention, safety issues, and political issues which affect the area.

Buyers with children also seek neighborhoods in which the neighborhood children attend the local public schools. As an agent, I encourage you to support your neighborhood school. It says a lot for the area, and it means a lot to the school to have local attendance and support from the immediate community.

Maintaining a neighborhood is a common responsibility of every property owner. Keeping homes painted and landscaped goes a long way in showing pride of ownership. Remember, everyone looks favorable to an area with green lawns, trees, immaculately maintained streets, and basic conformity in residential nature. With property values starting to rise, owners of property can personally assist by keeping the neighborhood attractive and well maintained.

Recent Survey Shows Trends of Today's Home Buyer
The Westside offers a variety of lifestyles from remote secluded canyon locations to New York-style living in full-service, high rise buildings on the Wilshire corridor. With our diverse population, there is demand for the entire spectrum; however, an abundance of demand has emerged in one particular area and in one particular age group.

There is a pent up demand among first-time buyers in the age group of 25-40 looking for a convenient, safe Westside location. Areas that enjoy proximity to sidewalk cafes, coffee houses, boutiques, bookstores, and houses of worship have suddenly become very popular. Joggers enjoy areas 'that lend themselves to jogging such as the San Vicente and Rancho Park areas for example. People love 'strolling along Montana in Santa Monica, Melrose in West Hollywood, or Main Street in Venice. The adjacent residential areas have recently gained in popularity provided that the element of privacy still exists. Also areas that are convenient but still "neighborhood like" in character such as Beverlywood, the Montana area of Santa Monica, Westwood, Rancho Park, Brentwood, and the Pacific Palisades Village area are heavily in demand. The issue is now finding seclusion and privacy while still providing convenience and a neighborhood environment for walkers, joggers and privacy seekers. This is not an easy bill to fill. More often one must sacrifice either seclusion or convenience. Other very important factors that have emerged are concerns regarding public schools, neighborhoods with sidewalks, neighborhoods providing clean air/smog free environment, and a neighborhood with a history of low crime and wholesomeness.

Although there is a wonderful variety of properties, it has become very difficult to satisfy these desires while still maintaining a first-time buyer's price range and a convenient Westside location. In general, real estate catering to these needs is highly desirable and is certainly bound to appreciate.