Author: Rodeo Realty Media Team

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Home Tips: Fall Preparations Before Winter

With summer in the rear window, we look forward to cooler weather in California. Fall is the perfect time to prep your home for the upcoming winter and it gives you an opportunity to really get to know your home. It’s easy to forget little maintenance tasks that need to happen seasonally in order for the home to perform properly but unfortunately, the repercussions of forgetting these tasks can really financially hurt us. There are different areas inside the house as well as outside on the property that need to be addressed and observed annually. Doing these maintenance checks prolongs the enjoyable quality of your home and helps avoid sudden unexpected expenses.

Let’s start with Indoor Maintenance… go around your house and look for areas of deterioration.

Countertops and Grout/Caulking
Look carefully around where the countertops and the wall meet in the kitchen and bathrooms, are there any little holes that could be a passageway for pests? Do you have grout on your counters that could use some TLC to remove their stains? Baking soda and water or baking soda and lemon juice become a kitchen’s best friend in cleaning grout. What about inside the bathroom showers and baths, they could be wearing away of caulk. A great tip is to use the exterior use paintable latex to seal up any holes and gaps. If the gaps and holes are wider than a quarter-inch than using plastic foam filler. Walking around and seeing what areas need addressing will allow you to smoothly flow from one task to the next. After these items have been fixed or maintained then move onto the paint.

Paint
How does the paint on your walls and around the window look like? Is there a slight draft by the windows?? Are there cracks on your walls or on the ceiling? Discoloration on your ceiling as well as your walls is a clear indication of either water, smoke, or mold damage. If you have ceiling stains that look like a wobbly dirty halo than that could be water damage and could also be coming from damaged or loose shingles or roof tiles which will need to be corrected before mold sets in as well. The last thing one needs is a hefty roof or ceiling repair bill during the rainy season. Check your home for signs of discoloration, flaking, chipped, or cracked paint, especially if you are on a regular schedule with pest control and professional cleaning services. Chemicals from cleaning products as well as pest spray can break down paint and stain or crack it by the baseboards or anywhere where the product can get near the wall. There are waterproofing and sealing paints available for indoor and outdoor use.

Batteries and Filters
The filters in your home determine the air quality in your house which in turn will have a direct effect on your health. If you have children or elderly in your home or anyone with asthma or allergies then you understand the importance of clean air. Living in California we are prone to fires and oftentimes the quality of air leaves many with migraines and nose bleeds. Air filters are so often overlooked that some don’t realize the filter is working with your HVAC system for proper use. When your filter is clean the HVAC system isn’t circulating dust and pollen as well as numerous other particles in the air and throughout your house. Before winter sets in, change your filters.

Again, living in California is synonymous with fires, and doing our part to make sure we are protected goes further than just making sure the stove is properly turned off and no matches are thrown in the trash. Walk around your house and find all the smoke/carbon monoxide detectors and take inventory of how many you have and when maintenance is done on them. Make sure you’re replacing the batteries of your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector every year and to replace the whole smoke detector every 10 years. You will need to remove your smoke detector from the ceiling and look on the back of the device to see the date of manufacture.

Now that we’ve covered some inside tasks let’s move to the outside…

With rain and wind comes a lot of leaves everywhere. Make sure you clean up your landscape so water can easily get down through away from your house.

Gutters and Downspouts
Keep your gutters and downspouts clear of any leaves and other debris. This keeps water from collecting in different areas of the house like the roof and near the foundation of the house. You want to make sure water drains away from your home. Downspouts should move run off at least 3 feet from the foundation. Your goal is to make sure water doesn’t sit by your home‘s foundation

Trees, Plants, and Bush
You will need to observe your trees and cut any limbs that are too close to your roof as well as any branches that look dead or loose. Trim your trees before the winter rain comes to avoid falling or shedding limbs from high winds damaging your home. Give your plants, bushes, and your flowers some warmth by adding some mulch to the base as well as throughout the flowerbeds.

If you live in a townhouse or a condo it’s a good time to pack up your patio and store anything that could get damaged or moldy during winter. Most buildings have separate detached storage that is often on the ground floor of the parking structure or parking lot. Many times, these areas can collect water if they aren’t in covered parking and damage stored items. Prior to winter, it’s a good idea to go through your storage and organize your items while putting away your packed summer items and patio furniture that can get damaged if displayed during winter.

It may seem like a long list of items to keep track of but just like a car’s oil change or an annual doctor’s check-up, maintaining your home before winter will save you a lot of money in negligent expenses.

In taking these steps to really observe and address your home needs you will further become acquainted with your home and learn what tools and supplies you will need to have around the house as a homeowner.
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Economic update for the week ending September 26, 2020 

New York Stock Exchange
Stocks were down for a seventh straight week – The Dow and S&P closed  lower again this week. Major contributors to the drop in stocks this week were: New Coronavirus cases increased both in the U.S. and Europe. Hopes of a new round of stimulus once thought to be done deal has faded. It is feared that no stimulus package will be approved before the election. Trade tensions with China appear to be escalating. First time unemployment claims increased unexpectedly last week.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 27,173.96, down 1.7% from 27,657.42 last week. It’s down 4.8% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 3,298.96, down 0.6% from 3,319.47 last week. It’s up 2.1% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 10,913.56, up 1.1% from 10,893.28 last week. It’s up 21.6% year-to-date.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 0.66%, down slightly from 0.70% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 1.40% down from 1.45% last week.

Mortgage rates – The September 24, 2020, Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 2.90%, unchanged from 2.87% last week. The 15-year fixed was 2.40%, unchanged from 2.37% last week. The 5-year ARM was 2.90%, down from 2.96% last week.

U.S. existing-home sales and prices soared in August –  The National Association of Realtors reported that U.S. existing-home sales hit  6 million in August on a seasonally adjusted yearly basis. The number of homes sold in August was 10.5% higher than August 2019. That marked the highest number of homes sold in a month since December 2006. Prices also surged. Nationally the median price paid for a home jumped 11.4% from one year ago. 

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Streaming: Fall Movies on Netflix

So much happens in the fall: School kicks off in September, we dress up for Halloween in October, and then celebrate Thanksgiving in November. In between all the layering up in cozy sweaters and downing pumpkin spice lattes, some relaxation time is much needed. So take some time off from all the pumpkin carving and back-to-school madness, and queue up a movie on Netflix that fits the cozy-up, fall theme.

E.T 

Steven Spielberg’s iconic sci-fi film is the ultimate pick for snuggling up on the couch. This heartwarming film centered around two unlikely friends will surely put you in the right mood this leaf-falling season.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 

Brad Pitt is front and center in this one-of-a-kind romantic drama. The acclaimed actor stars as Benjamin Button, a man who mysteriously ages in reverse.

Casper

This might be the year you introduce your kids to Casper the friendly ghost, or just revisit the movie on your own. While a paranormal expert is on the hunt for scary ghosts in a haunted house, his daughter is shocked to find a new friend. 

Julie & Julia 

Following the lives of two real women, Julie Powell and Julia Child, this film shows how their lives become intertwined. At a time when everything is falling apart, Julie seeks comfort in blogging about her experience cooking through Child’s cookbook. Prepare to get inspired, weepy, and hungry while watching this one.

About Time

To us, fall movies on Netflix are best viewed with cozy blankets and a hot cup of cocoa. The best complement to those accoutrements is a romantic movie, like Rachel McAdams’s time-traveling film About Time.

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LA & Valley Eats: Pumpkin Everything! 

We have officially crossed the September 21st date threshold, and have entered fall. Huge trends during the fall are dressing up in warmer clothes, switching your drink order from iced to hot, and well… anything pumpkin. We have rounded up a list of pumpkin food items you must try if pumpkin is your jam! Happy fall! 

Huckleberry Cafe – Santa Monica 

What to order: Pumpkin Pie

It doesn’t get much more classic than pumpkin pie. There are plenty of spots to get a good slice around town, but we’re partial to the pumpkin pie at Huckleberry, a fantastic spin featuring all the flavors your nostalgic soul craves.

Pizzana – Brentwood

What to order: Pumpkin Budino

The dessert menu at the pizzeria shares pastry chef and co-founder Candace Nelson with another little sweets shop you may know called Sprinkles. This fall treat combines silky pumpkin budino pudding with a dollop of sweet whipped mascarpone and a brittle of candied pumpkin seeds.

Crossroads Kitchen – Beverly Grove

What to order: Kabocha Squash Ravioli with Pepitas

Not all pumpkin dishes have to be sweets. In this dish, toasted pumpkin seeds are used to add an extra layer of texture to a creamy—but vegan—dish of housemade ravioli stuffed with kabocha squash and harissa. The pasta is a limited-edition menu item only available this autumn.

Sweet Rose Creamery – Studio City

What to order: Pumpkin Bon Bons 

Sweet Rose Creamery has multiple seasonal offerings that all start with their spiced pumpkin ice cream, including a Halloween-themed sundae topped with little ghost marshmallows, but we’re picking the bon bons as our treat of choice. Mini scoops of ice cream, dipped in a fall jacket of Guittard dark chocolate, on sticks, because any food is better when you can eat it on a stick.

Creme Caramel L.A. – Sherman Oaks 

What to order: Kabocha Pumpkin Spice Latte

No orange chemical goo in this latte! Créme Caramel L.A. roasts kabocha squash with all the nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices you crave to create a flavorful syrup, then adds espresso, condensed milk, and salted caramel to complete the delicious drink.

Cinnaholic – Echo Park & Woodland Hills 

What to order: Pumpkin Pie Cinnamon Rolls 

What could be more decadent than a pumpkin pie cinnamon roll? Maybe one that comes from a bakery that lets you add your choice of any of 20 frosting flavors (we think maple or chai sound like good matches, but you decide) and 22 ice cream parlor-style toppings from pie crust crumbs to chocolate chips. At least these seasonal sugar bombs are 100 percent vegan because at least that sounds kind of healthy.

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Outdoor Events To Kickoff Autumn

Let’s kickoff Autumn on the the right foot. As we adjust to life during a pandemic, there is only so much we can do outdoors. If you feel comfortable, we have rounded up some events across Los Angeles, the Valleys, and Orange County. Check them out!

Malibu Bike Tours

Where: Saddlerock Ranch 
When: Now thru Dec 31, 2020

Pedal your way past vineyards and toward mountain backdrops during this bike tour and wine tasting at Saddlerock Ranch. You’ll do all of the pedaling first, with some light refreshments provided along the way, and then wrap up the hour-and-a-half guided tour with a flight of four two-ounce pours of Saddlerock wines. The two-mile route tackles mostly flat terrain, but the bikes are equipped with electric assist if you need a little extra help with the pedals; helmets are required (and will be provided). In case the wine didn’t tip you off, you must be 21 or older to make a reservation, and eight spots are available per time slot.

Heritage Square Museum Self-Guided Walking Tours

Where: Heritage Square Museum, Montecito Heights
When: September 25, 2020 – October 9, 2020 

See L.A. as it looked over a century ago with a walk around Heritage Square, a collection of beautiful Victorian-era houses from L.A.’s past. Though museums around the region have had to shutter indoor spaces, Heritage Square is hosting self-guided walking tours of its grounds and gardens on most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. You’ll need to reserve a time slot to enter (and wear a face covering), but once inside you’re welcome to stroll or picnic for as long as you like. You can’t step inside any of the half-dozen late-19th-century structures, but the beautiful churches, train depots and houses offer plenty to gawk at from the outside.

Late Night Drive In 

Where: Andaz West Hollywood 
When: September 25, 2020 – October 10, 2020 

Just like old times, you can catch movie screenings and comedy shows from smack dab in the middle of the Sunset Strip—but this time around, you’ll be watching both from your car. Andaz West Hollywood is screening a mix of ’70s L.A. classics alongside tales of counterculture and rebellion during this drive-in series in partnership with civic engagement group YEA! Impact. Hungry? Each event comes with the option to order off of the Andaz menu (think sliders, beer and cocktails, plus traditional concessions like hot dogs, popcorn and candy). You’ll find each screening atop the third level of the hotel’s open-air parking garage.

Concerts in your Car

Where: Ventura County Fairgrounds 
When: September 25, 2020 – October 24, 2020 

It’s been months since we’ve seen a live music performance in the flesh. And while seeing a show at a drive-in might not be quite the same as being in the pit, it’s a much-appreciated socially-distanced substitute. Concerts in Your Car is doing, well, just that this summer at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. The sprawling parking lot there has been converted into a theater-in-the-round that fits 700 cars, all pointed toward a stage with a band performing live (plus four massive video screens in case your view isn’t the best). Just tune in via your car’s FM radio and you’ll be able to catch sets through September from the likes of Ozomatli, Third Eye Blind, Fitz and the Tantrums and more.

Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween

Where: Knott’s Berry Farm
When: September 25, 2020 – November 1, 2020 

The park is technically still closed, but Knott’s Berry Farm is still finding a way to make the season spooky. Normally California’s oldest theme park goes all-out for Halloween with haunts and trails during Knott’s Scary Farm, but this year, it’s instead throwing a brand new food festival on just a portion of the grounds. The new Taste of Fall-O-Ween is set to include food stations packed with all the pumpkin-spiced treats, apple cider, funnel cakes, soup bread bowls and other fall fare you could want, plus more eerie options such as frozen “bloody” lemon slime margaritas. And while there will be adult concoctions to purchase, it’s a family-friendly event—so much so that there’s even a children’s trick-or-treating trail.  There’s no admission needed for the fest, but you will need to purchase a tasting card, with five tastes for $35, or $20 for a kids card with three tastes. Find the full story on Taste of Fall-O-Ween here.

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Home Tips: Household Gadgets

Now that we are spending more time at home, it may be time to consider upgrading a gadget you’ve been using more and more or purchasing a gadget that you didn’t even know you needed until reading this! Check out some of our favorite household gadgets to elevate your time at home.

UV Sanitizer
These come in all shapes and sizes. You can get one for your phone, you can get a larger one to fit your laptop. We’ve seen some people use these and throw in their masks, cellphones, and pacifiers to extend the life between washes. Slowly but surely, UV lights are making their way into everyone’s homes during this time.

Furbo Dog Camera
This dog camera has stellar reviews. You can watch your furry friend from the camera from a live stream, get notified when your dog is barking, coughing, or choking. Two things that set Furbo apart from other dog cameras is that you get a daily summary of your dog’s movement and day along with the ability to talk through the device and throw treats to your pet from your phone! Highly recommend for those of you who are working on site and miss your furry friends.

Dyson Cordless Vacuum
Done with the days of unplugging and plugging in your cord to your vacuum as you move around your home? Consider purchasing a cordless vacuum to streamline the process of keeping your floors dirt and dust free!

Projector
Since we can’t go to the movies, spice up your movie viewing with a projector that can be fit for your garage, or even set it up in your backyard for an outdoor movie night!

 

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Economic update for the week ending September 19, 2020

New York Stock Exchange
Stock markets ended the week lower for the sixth week – Stock markets ended the week slightly lower again this week. There were positive developments that included: The Federal Reserve announced that they would keep their key interest rates near zero percent through 2023. Consumer spending was at the highest level since before the pandemic. Manufacturing has increased. Unfortunately, all of that did not help the market recover from another stimulus package that died in the House. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 27,657.42, down 0.1% from 27,665.64 last week. It’s down 3.0% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 3,319.47, down 0.6% from 3,340.97 last week. It’s up 2.7%year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 10,893.28, down 0.6%, from 10,853.55 last week. It’s up 20.3% year-to-date.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 0.70%, up slightly from 0.67% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 1.45%, up slightly from 1.42% last week.

Mortgage rates – The September 17, 2020, Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 2.87%, unchanged from 2.85% last week. The 15-year fixed was 2.37%, unchanged from 2.37% last week. The 5-year ARM was 2.96%, down from 3.11% last week.

California’s existing-home sales and prices hit a record high in August – The California Association of Realtors announced that existing, single-family home sales totaled 465,400 in August on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate.  That marked a month-over-month increase of 16.3% from the number of sales in July. Year-over-year sales were up 14.6% from August 2019’s 406,100 sales on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate. The state-wide median price also hit a record high. It was $706,900, up 6.3% from $666,320 in July. Year-over-year the median price increased by 14.5% from $617,410 last August. That marked the steepest year over-year-increase in the median price since March 2014 when home prices were recovering from steep drops during the Great Recession financial crisis. The median price is the point at which one half the homes sell for more and one half sell for less. Historic low-interest rates with 30-year fixed at or under 3% have increased buyer demand, and very low inventory levels have created competition and pushed prices up. The unsold inventory index in August held steady at a 2.1-month supply. That was unchanged from July, but down from a 3.2-month supply one year ago. A 5-6-month supply is considered a normal market, but we have not seen that high of an inventory rate for many years. The index indicates the number of months it would take to sell the supply of homes on the market at the current rate of sales. The graph below indicates the number of sales and median prices for counties in Southern California.

The graph below indicates results from Southern California by county.

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LA & Valley Eats: Greek

Because we did not have the Greek Island vacation to Santorini and Mykonos we all planned for this summer, we have compiled some of our favorite greek restaurants in Los Angeles and the Valley.  Check them out below! 

Aliki’s Greek Taverna – Los Angeles 

Located at: 5862 Arbor Vitae St, Los Angeles, CA 90045-4731

One of the highest rated in Los Angeles— Aliki’s Greek Taverna is a Greek Restaurant that specializes in authentic Greek food. It uses top quality ingredients such as the “Eliki” extra virgin olive oil, Greek feta cheese made from goat and sheep milk, organic tomatoes and other quality natural ingredients and the best meats available.

Avra – Beverly Hills 

Located at: 233 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210-5317

Michelin rated and all, Avra is an elevated take on your classic Greek food you can find all throughout the streets of Greece. 

Papa Cristo’s Greek Grill – Los Angeles 

Located at: 2771 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Market and no-frills restaurant offering Greek eats from hummus to baklava & live music weekends. Amazing atmosphere. 

The Great Greek Restaurant and Taverna – Sherman Oaks

Located at: 13362 Ventura Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91423-3939

Did someone say live music and fresh greek food? Sign us up! From Chicken Kabobs to Falafel, this place has perfected all of the classic Greek dishes. 

Cava Mezze Grill – Topanga Canyon 

Located at: 6256 Topanga Canyon Blvd The Village Level 1, Off Erwin Street, Los Angeles, CA 91367

For the person who loves variety, this is the place for you. You order by going down the counter and picking exactly what you want in your meal. It is quick and healthy! 

Daphne’s – Woodland Hills

Located at: 5780 Canoga Ave unit d, Woodland Hills, CA 91367

A valley classic for locals is Daphne’s.  It is a chain offering a wide range of modern Greek food and additional health forward twists! 

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Streaming: The U.S. Open

The first of six majors to be played over the course of the 2020-21 season, the 2020 U.S. Open is officially underway, teeing off for the first time in more than a century. The USGA’s signature event has a new television home as the U.S. Open returns to NBC’s airwaves. As for the second golf major to be held amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it should be an incredible four days at Winged Foot as the best golfers in the world take on a fun yet difficult course looking for major glory (and the $12Mil Prize). Check out the Schedule below! 

Round 1 — Thursday, September 17

Early TV coverage: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Golf Channel

Daytime TV coverage: 2-5 p.m. on NBC

TV simulcast live stream: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on fuboTV 
Late coverage: 5-7 p.m. on Peacock

Additional coverage via live streaming on USOpen.com
Featured Groups (early) — 7:55 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Featured Holes — 8:10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Featured Groups (late) — 1:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Round 2 — Friday, September 18

Early coverage: 7:30-9:30 a.m. on Peacock

Daytime TV coverage: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Golf Channel

Late TV coverage: 4-7 p.m. on NBC

TV simulcast live stream: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on fuboTV

Additional coverage via live streaming on USOpen.com
Featured Groups (early) — 7:55 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Featured Holes — 8:10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Featured Groups (late) — 1:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Round 3 — Saturday, September 19

Early coverage: 9-11 a.m. on Peacock
TV coverage: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on NBC

TV simulcast live stream: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on fuboTV

Additional coverage via live streaming on USOpen.com
Featured Groups (early) — 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Featured Holes — 8:10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Featured Groups (late) — 1:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Round 4 — Sunday, September 20

Early coverage: 8-10 a.m. on Peacock

Daytime TV coverage: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Golf Channel

Late TV coverage: 12-6 p.m. on NBC

TV simulcast live stream: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on fuboTV

Additional coverage via live streaming on USOpen.com

Featured Groups (early) — 7:55 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Featured Holes — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Featured Groups (late) — 1:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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Out & About: Palisades Village 

If you do not already live in Pacific Palisades, then it is unlikely that you have been over to the Palisades Village more than a handful of times… or even once. The Palisades Village is the youngest sister to The Grove and The Americana. If you are thinking about spending the day here, look no further as this guide is for you! 

FARMERS MARKET 

Every Sunday, the Palisades Village hosts a farmers market. Discover your new Sunday staple with fresh produce and local vendors, followed by exclusive offers from your favorite brands! 

EATING

Come hungry, and leave happy! From The Draycott to Blue Ribbon Sushi, Palisades Village has you covered on any type of food you are craving. If you do not feel like sitting down at a restaurant, you can take anything to go. Another great option is grabbing food from the infamous Erewhon Hot Bar (they serve for you), and laying out a blanket and enjoying it on their grass lawn. 

SHOPPING 

Walk off your meal with some shopping at some of the best stores. Palisades Village is your one-stop destination for the most sought-after (and hard-to-find) brands in clothing, jewelry, beauty, and more. From national stores like ALC, Lululemon, Buck Mason, and Zimmerman to smaller markets like The Little Market (Founded by Pacific Palisades local, Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla). Shop to your hearts content after a delicious meal! 

DESSERTS

In the mood for a sweet treat after shopping? If you want to go straight into a McConnell’s Ice Cream Cone, you can definitely do that. If you are gluten free, dairy free, and vegan? This village has you covered. There is a Sweet Laurel Bakery at the Village with specializes in these healthy desserts. It is their flagship store, so be sure to stock up on these guilt free treats! 

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