On Southern Californian Weather and Activities to Do

When in Southern California, the barometer for your daily activities should be the weather. Trust me, living in this wonderful place for years should tell you that I’m correct. Of course, nothing is permanent in this world; most especially the weather. While try as we might predict what weather’s going to come out for the next day, it’s up to science to help us gain an advantage over our planet’s unpredictable weather. 

So if we take a look at this Southern Californian weather forecast, it says that we are going to have sunny and breezy weather for the full seven days. So that’s a week of hot weather. If that doesn’t excite you, then nothing will. It’s the perfect time and weather to go to the beach. And if that’s not your thing, you can also take this time to go on a mountain adventure with some friends. Because of the dry weather, mountain trekking and camping should be a blast. 

And speaking of camping, the weather is perfect for such an activity too. Whether it’s camping just right across your front lawn, or you want to make it all fancy and take your entire family or friends for a camping trip to Moro Campground, then you are most certainly going to do just that. Be prepared to stock up on food, gas, and not feed the animals when staying in the camping grounds! 

Finally, this fine and sunny weather is also the perfect time to treat your kids to an amusement or theme park. Southern California is ripe with many amusement parks, pool resorts, and theme parks. Just make sure you bring food and a lot of water, an umbrella, and some hats. Remember, it’s going to be a very hot day and you’ll need to get out of the shade every so often. This is especially important for kids, who are more prone to heatstroke. 

Take your pick from Knott’s Berry Farm, Adventure City, and Pacific Park to Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Disney California Adventure. If that’s not your style and you’d rather get wet, then there are a lot of water parks to choose from too. There’s Raging Water Los Angeles, Buccaneer Cove at Castle Park, and the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park. Not only will your kids enjoy it, but you and the rest of the adults as well!  

Just don’t forget to bring the suntan and some decent sunblock too! – Steven Taylor, LA 

Originally published at https://steventaylorlandlord.com on October 28, 2021.

Buying a Home in LA - What Kind of Home Can I Buy?

So you’re ready to buy a home in Los Angeles. After many months of searching and saving enough money to afford the house of your dreams, you are finally ready.  

That’s good and all, but have you thought about the kind of property that you want to buy?  

With LA being a sprawling megapolis with many different types of properties, it is very easy to get confused as to what kind of home you’d like to live in. With that case in mind, let’s help you get that dream house of yours. 

Checking your Budget 

You’ve already established your need to buy a house. But since we’re going to decide on the kind of house that is right for you, you’ll need to rethink your budget once again. Also, buying a house in LA is no laughing matter. The city is notorious for selling the most expensive property known to man. 

In fact, LA County’s median price was 650,000 for a single-family home while a condo would fetch up to $530,000. These prices are from November of 2020, so you can just imagine how much it’d cost people to buy homes in Los Angeles now.  

Keep in mind that this is not to threaten you into buying a home in Los Angeles. This is simply to educate and to give people a good perspective on how much preparation and money you need to prepare for in buying a home in Los Angeles. 

What Kind of Homes can I Buy in LA? 

Once you’ve already determined and prepared your budget, it’s time to have a look at the kind of homes that you can buy in Los Angeles: 

Duplexes/Triplexes - A property with more than one self-contained unit, this house usually has its own kitchen and bathroom. These houses are often quick to disappear since they are always snapped at once by investors. However, these homes are good options for buyers who want to buy homes with an extended family in mind. This property is also a good option for those who want to take on a renter who can help pay for the mortgage. 

Single-family Homes - The classic American-style house that just sits there on its own in its own plot of land. There’s also the option of adding a white picket fence and a pool. Of course, those are sold separately! 

Condos - Now we come to the more luxurious type of home. The condo is basically an apartment that you can buy. Unlike the single-family homes, the condo building and the land beneath where it stands are co-owned by everyone who each bought a unit. The amenities and upkeep of the condo are paid for by a homeowner’s association, which is funded through monthly fees paid by the residents of the condo. 

Townhomes - Townhomes are often attached to neighboring units. These houses offer the space and feel of a single-family home, but they function more like condos. Residents share the ownership of the land around the homes while paying for the monthly homeowner dues. 

Small-lot homes - A unique type of home that can only be seen in LA, the small-lot home look like townhouses from a distance, but they are actually more similar in function with the single-family home. The unit in small-lot homes do not touch and each unit sits on a tiny piece of land. In fact, the land is barely any larger than the small-lot home unit itself! 

Co-ops - Co-ops are still around in LA, but not nearly as much compared in other cities, like New York. These units are similar to condos, except that buyers don’t technically own their units. Instead, what the buyers own are shares in an association that are run by a very powerful board that often vets potential residents. 

Vacant Lots - Finally, you have vacant lots. It is possible to buy land and then build your very own house in Los Angeles, but there are rules and permits that you have to check and follow. Also, the process of building your own house can be very costly.  

Whatever kind of home you’ve decided to buy, always remember to check with an engineer on local building codes. If you’ve decided to get a co-op, a townhouse, or a condo, check in with your local homeowner’s association for more information and for help regarding issues with your unit.  

As for those who managed to buy a single-family home or vacant lot, always make sure to check on building permits and regulations before you start with any construction to avoid issues. 

Originally published at https://steventaylorlandlord.com on October 26, 2021.

Steven Taylor’s Top 5 Most Expensive Neighborhoods in Los Angeles

As one of the world’s high-profile real estate brokers, Steven Taylor of LA, has been asked time and again where the world’s most expensive neighborhood is. While there are certainly a lot of rich neighborhoods all over the world, Steven Taylor only knows one place in the United States that has some of the richest neighborhoods in the world.  

And that place is Steven Taylor’s very own Los Angeles! 

Why is Los Angeles so Expensive? 

There are a lot of answers to this question, but to keep it simple, the reason why Los Angeles is so expensive is that the area is already well developed and it houses some of the biggest industries in the United States.  

The movie industry practically lives in Los Angeles and it is giving the city so much in taxes that Los Angeles is one of the wealthiest cities not just in the United States, but also in the world as well! In 2018 alone, Hollywood earned $69.9 billion. And it’s already 2021. 

Apart from the movie industry, there are also a lot of start-ups and technology companies that are also starting to move in and stay. Steven Taylor should know since most of his biggest clients are always involved in the technology sector. And in case we’ve forgotten, Silicon Valley is also close to Los Angeles.  

The success of Silicon Valley drove the price for real estate in Los Angeles because the CEOs and their staff started purchasing houses near Los Angeles, thus that event more than raises the standards of living in the area. 

The Top 5 Most Expensive Neighborhoods in Los Angeles 

So, without further ado, Steven Taylor introduces you to the 10 most expensive neighborhoods in Los Angeles. We’ll place useful information too, such as the exact price as of today, why it’s really expensive, and why it’s a neighborhood that one might want to live in someday if you ever hit the lottery! 

Beverly Park - $32.5 M 

A gated community in the Beverly Crest area of Los Angeles, Beverly Park is well-known for being the residential neighborhood for Hollywood’s biggest celebrities. Therefore, we can just imagine the exact amount of money that we need to have if we ever want to consider living in this neighborhood! 

Encinal Bluffs - $29.5 M 

A beachfront neighborhood in Western Malibu, just a little bit near the Ventura County line, Encinal Bluffs is one of the many secluded and tranquil claves that dart all over Los Angeles. And since the property itself is beachfront and is located in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods, it’s only natural that the price tag for Encinal Bluffs is at a cold and crisp $29.5 M.  

This is the ultimate neighborhood to live in if you’re looking to spend your past time enjoying summer late-night parties at the beach. 

Serra Retreat - $23.3 M 

Another gated community, Serra Retreat is located on the landslide of the Pacific Coast Highway, near Malibu Creek. Because of its location, Serra Retreat is a favorite among wealthy people who want to build their dream home near an area where there are trees, shrubs, and a wonderful view of the Pacific Ocean.  

With that hefty price tag, the Serra Retreat is one neighborhood that is set for people with a huge budget. But the natural scenery makes it worth the price. 

Holmby Hills - $27.2 M 

The neighborhood of Holmby Hills is just a few blocks east of UCLA and the Los Angeles Country Club. It is also one of the three areas that complete the Platinum Triangle, the other two being Beverly Hills and Bel Air.  

And because it is one of the Platinum Triangle, Holmby Hills sports massive estates that have 10,000+ square foot mansions. And these mansions are, of course, the stuff that we all love to dream about. We are talking about mansions like the Playboy Mansion, Carolwood Estate, and the Spelling Manor.  

Bel Air Estates - $18.5 M                                                                                                                                                        

Now, who wouldn’t recognize the classy neighborhood of Bel-Air? Made famous because of Will Smith’s comedy show, Bel Air Estates is the original Bel Air neighborhood just north of the UCLA campus. The Bel Air Estates has a nice entrance that is always guarded by patrols, day in and day out. The interior of the estate supposedly has backyard pools, terraced gardens, and tennis courts. 

A neighborhood comprised of mansions and large estates, it is truly a place where only royalty would want to live in. 

Originally published at https://steventaylorlandlord.com on October 19, 2021.

Steven Taylor on the 5 Best Beaches in Southern California

It’s a perfect day to hit the beach. These days, those sunny Southern California days seem to be on a roll, so why not call your friends and family and hit the beach for some tan and fun under the sun? Steven Taylor, a LA native, also loves going to the beach and he’s been at it since college. If you happen to live near Southern California or you’re on your way here for a visit, then why not visit our best beaches here too? 

If it’s about beaches, Southern California has a lot to offer. Of course, Steven Taylor has his own personal list of the best beaches to visit during this warm weather. So if you feel like you want to take a dip in the ocean, then here’s Steven Taylor’s personal pick on the 5 best beaches in Southern California. 

Photo credits: www.santamonica.com

Santa Monica Beach - One can’t simply miss Santa Monica Beach. It’s just 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles and it’s possibly the most popular beach in Southern California. A lot of people visit the area and it also features an amusement park with a Ferris wheel and some kiddie rides. It’s a great place for swimming, beach volleyball, surfing, and just plain chilling under the sun.  

Photo credits: cntraveler.com

El Matador Beach - Located in Malibu, El Matador Beach is one of the most stunning beaches in Southern California. The beach features amazing rocky formations, which gives visitors a stunning view of the entire beachfront. If you want to enjoy this beautiful beach, just bring a blanket, some food for a picnic, and find a hidden spot behind the rocky formations and enjoy your day at the beach!  

Photo Credits: www.beaches.lacounty.gov

Zuma Beach - Malibu seems to be lucky enough to have multiple beautiful beaches in its area. Another beach in this area is Zuma Beach. Located in Point Dume in Malibu, Zuma Beach is a popular tourist destination for surfers and annual surfing events. This is also the perfect place to fly kites, as the wind can tend to be rather strong in this area. 

Photo credits: Learningescapes.net

Coronado Beach - Coronado Beach is known for its calm ocean waters, the famous Hotel Coronado, and the Gaslamp Quarter. After a whole day of swimming and you’re hungry enough to eat a shark or a whale, visit the Gaslamp Quarter for its fancy restaurants. 

Photo credits: Hotels.com

Venice Beach - Venice Beach is a unique experience. Not only does it have sun, sand, and the ocean, but it also has artists, barefoot sand sculptors, and weightlifters. The beach has a skate park, an outdoor gym, some food stands and kiosks, and dozens of colorful murals. The beach is pretty much a feast for the eyes.

Originally published at https://steventaylorlandlord.com on October 14, 2021.

Expert Steven Taylor of LA on How to Market Yourself as a Real Estate Agent

In all my years as a real estate agent, probably the most important skill that you need to pick up is the ability to sell yourself as a real estate agent.  

It’s what separates the men from the boys, so to speak. You are ever only recognized as a professional real estate agent if people know you as someone who sells properties. As if selling real estate properties is easy in the first place! 

How to Market Yourself 

Marketing yourself to other people may sound intimidating, but I swear, it’s not as nerve-wracking as it once was. 

Back in the day, real estate marketers had to work on several different skills in order to get people to take notice of them. You have communication skills, negotiation skills, building contracts, and the works. You also need to know several people, such as contractors and the property owner who is commissioning you to sell their property. Today, most of those individuals are still important in building up your reputation, but thanks to technology, the ability to contact these people is now easier. 

I’m talking about social media and mobile phone technology. Nowadays, it’s easier to talk to people when you need to; all you need is their mobile number and you can make a call and get in touch with them. For social media, people have Facebook and Twitter accounts. The same can also be said with contractors and property owners, so if you’re unsure about a fact or information about a property you’re selling, you can easily get in touch with them. 

The Unique Ways to Market your Skills 

Marketing yourself can be easy if you know exactly what you are and where you’re good at. 

So for example, if you’re very good at presenting the property while in the property site itself, then you should take that advantage to use. People have different skillsets and your first job in order to market yourself properly is to determine what those skills are. 

Once you’re able to determine your skill set, then it’s time to get to work: 

• Create unusual partnerships with local businesses - Local partnerships can actually do wonders for your real estate business. This type of partnership is perfect for getting prospective clients and for marketing your skills out in the open. While building local partnerships is one thing, getting partnerships with businesses that are not always approached by real estate agents could be a huge advantage for you. Why not take the time to approach these companies and ask them for a partnership? 

• Holding a Contest - One of the best and easy ways to get people to know you is to hold or sponsor a contest. I know I did with the community in Los Angeles. After a contest or two, everyone in the community already knows my name. And the same can happen to you too if you take advantage of it. And it doesn’t have to be a big event; it can be anything, from a simple bingo night in the community or a local dinner in your community’s favorite restaurant. The possibilities are endless! 
• Becoming a Storyteller - It may seem like a boring subject, but telling your story to an endless audience online is also something that you can consider in selling off your skills as a real estate agent. Simply create a blog post online and you can start writing about the things you did and the things that you’re going to achieve. Sure, you and your blog may not gain as much attention at first, but with a little perseverance and some luck, people should recognize you and your story! 

Continue on Improving Yourself 

The road to success is long and full of sacrifices and surprises. But don’t give up! Keep on dreaming and improving until you’ve reached your goals. If you need to improve as a real estate agent first, then you can join seminars and meetings. If you want to learn more on how to market yourself, then take your time and learn from the best.  

I surely didn’t become a successful real estate agent in just one night. I also had to work hard for whatever success I am enjoying right now. My advice for all aspiring real estate agents out there is to treat your successes and failures with respect. Learn from your mistakes and celebrate your victories, one at a time. But most importantly, be confident when talking about yourself and the property that you’re trying to sell. Only then will your buyer treat you with the same amount of respect that you are giving him. Steven Taylor, LA 

Originally published at https://steventaylorlandlord.com on October 12, 2021.

Steven Taylor, LA investor, on Easy and Effective Real Estate Marketing Ideas

 

Steven Taylor LA Kobe Bryant Mural

Introduction

 

Steven Taylor is a LA area real estate professional and community leader who has completed over $500 million in transactions in the Southern California real estate market. Today, we are going to talk about how to market your real estate online.

 

In this day and age, gone were the days when you need to bring in a huge amount of capital just to market your property. Nowadays, you have Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and several other real estate websites that can assist newbie real estate brokers in marketing their real estate.

 

The only challenge here is that so many people are also doing it. How do you make your marketing campaign fresh and unique from the others?

Social Media Marketing

While the real estate market is still as huge as it ever was, with social media marketing, real estate brokers also need to develop their own style of marketing to get in new clients daily. Research from the National Association of Realtors shows that about 92% of buyers use the Internet to get information about real estate. Their research may include the property that they want to buy, the owner of the said property, and the asking price.

 

So if you don’t do your own marketing strategy, then you’d already lost your source of income even before you can start selling your property. Your potential buyers can just simply search for property and buy it themselves!

Setting Yourself on Social

As an experienced real estate professional, Steven Taylor, LA investor, makes sure that he has a strong social media presence not just with his potential clients, but also with people who are inquiring about the property he is selling. That should be your queue, right there.

 

Setting yourself up on social media should be very easy. Start with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and even Linkedin. Create your own profile, make sure you fill in all the necessary information, and don’t forget to put in a nice profile picture too.

 

If your profile is up, it’s time to fluff up your social media account. What Steven Taylor does is that he puts up pictures of the property that he is about to sell or is currently selling.

 

In your case, take some photos of the property that you’re selling and post them on Facebook or Instagram. If you’ve managed to gain a lot of followers and friends, they’ll immediately get notified. And with that in mind, you can start selling to your followers and page fans.  

 

But it doesn’t always have to be business. You can also pick some random shots of houses or just share amazing photos of mansions and four-story properties that you would like to market in the future. That way, you’ll gain more friends and followers for your social media page.

Social Sharing on Property Pages

 

Steven Taylor also makes sure to share his social media profiles to property pages that he visits on the Internet. What this does is that visitors on those property pages will click those social media buttons that were installed.

 

But they will only do that if they like how you sell the property.  Remember, we haven’t gotten to the part where you are actually selling your property, so just chill and relax.

 

For now, establish your social media presence first.

Creating a Killer Business Card

 

Even in this age of free information and data sharing, the need for an impressive business card is still a requirement for professional real estate brokers. If you want to save money, you can just find a really nice format for a business card online and then have yours printed out.

 

However, you can also invest money in it by seeking the services of a professional business card maker. Steven Taylor does this and he also updates his business cards when needed.

Make Yourself Easy to Contact

 

You may have the best business cards and you’ve already shared your social media profile and social sharing buttons on every property site you know, but if people can’t reach you when they do need your services, then all your marketing efforts have been in vain.

 

Make sure to do the following before you attempt to start marketing your services:

 

●     Update your mobile phone and office phone numbers on your business cards.

●     Keep your Facebook and Twitter profiles active

●     Always check your social media profiles for any inquiries coming from visitors

●     Always entertain questions, especially when it has something to do with the property that you’re selling.

●     When scheduling online calls, make sure that you’re ready for the call at least 5 minutes before the agreed hours.

●     Learn to plan ahead with your schedules.

Summary

Finally, don’t treat your customers differently. There are times when a real estate broker will prefer to talk to a richer client compared to someone who has a moderate budget only because he/she will get a bigger commission with the former.

 

Treat every customer with respect and they’ll also do the same for you. It’s how Steven Taylor does it and it’s how you should do it if you really want to become the best real estate agent!

 

 

Originally published at https://steventaylorlandlord.com on October 6, 2021.

Los Angeles Dining Scene 2021 Remains a Foodie’s Paradise

 

Steven Taylor-Los Angeles Dining Scene 2021 Remains a Foodies Paradise

While Los Angeles has always been known as a foodie’s paradise, its trendy and classy restaurants weren’t exempt from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been incredible challenges that brought the industry to a temporary halt in 2020. Something that people from all over the world aren’t used to, most especially foodies situated in L.A, restaurants had to transition to continue their business through online methods of dining. Fortunately, the gradual adjustment to the post-pandemic has brought in the good news that restaurants can accommodate on-site dining. While some had to fully close down due to the economic downfall, new restaurants have opened this 2021—some of which had been long-awaited as they were set to open last year. This list of restaurants thrives in the diverse community of Los Angeles, featuring American, Brazilian, Asian, Mediterranean, and Parisian cuisines made with California’s freshest ingredients.

 

Caboco

 

Situated in Los Angeles Arts District is this artsy restaurant that combines the culture of Brazil with the touch of L.A. Brazilian chefs and business partners, Rodrigo Oliviera and Victor Vasconcellos, who aim to express the Brazilian culture with flavor, talent, kindness, and art through their cuisine. “Caboco” is a term used to define the multicultural heritage of Brazilians—hence, this restaurant features a menu that highlights the Manioc root that originally originated from the Amazon region of Brazil. Manioc root is also commonly referred to as cassava, yuca, and tapioca. Their Manioc-inspired dishes include flavors extracted from its roots such as tapioca flour, tucupi, farofa, and yuca fries. To emphasize the Amazonian taste further, fruits and wild vegetables sourced from the region are used in their dishes—including the plant Barbados Gooseberry that is termed as ora-pro-nobis, which translates to “pray for us” in Brazil. Along with their strong-flavored food are Brazil’s classic cocktails and international cocktails mixed with cachaça. 

 

A restaurant that captivates dinners and passers-by through the interior and exterior designs from various spectacular artists of L.A to match the vibe of the Arts District. In a nutshell, Caboco brings people on a journey that allows them to get a taste of the multicultural Brazilian lifestyle and cuisine.

 

Winston House

 

Located in the heart of Venice Boardwalk, Winston House is an intimate supper club owned by Corey McGuire and Jake Matthews. A space that they define as a Home for Music will feature live music from various artists such as Ed Sheeran, Este Haim, Hozier, Justin Bieber, Kelly Clarkson, Majid Jordan, and many more. The design of this space is a powerhouse that gives off the classic American and Asian atmosphere. In terms of their menu, similar to its design, they brought in the classic American flavors combined with Chinese and Japanese ingredients—popular yet unique dishes such as Chips & Dip with Yuzu Sour Cream, Shrimp Toast with Maple Chili Glaze, Mighty Duck Tacos with Plum Sauce, and Chicken Nuggets with Sansho Salt, and etc. Of course, it doesn’t end with that, they also produced a lobby bar, Winston express, performance room, and mezzanine lounge to cater to a wide range of audiences.

 

An intricately designed restaurant and bar with live music, Winston House seeks to create a community space for artists and music lovers.

 

A.O.C Brentwood

 

A newly opened restaurant in Brentwood—the second location following their spot in West Hollywood, is owned by Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne. As they are both highly experienced chefs and foodies that are passionate about healthy sustainable food, they headline a menu that contains Mediterranean-inspired dishes. To combine their expertise, Caroline includes her finest and indulgent selection of wine while Suzanne brings in her market-driven small plates menu.

 

With the best tasting and looking dishes in a rustic yet classy restaurant, foodies from Brentwood and other parts of L.A. will surely have a new go-to dining spot to destress with their loved ones.

 

Bicyclette

 

A Parisian-inspired restaurant established by Chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke emphasizes their cuisine on Paris’s quintessential bistro culture and California’s fresh ingredients. With their numerous experiences from visiting and cooking in France, they create a restaurant that embraces the roots, traditions, and techniques of French cuisine. They bring in their culinary passion along with their trained skills to the L.A. community for an authentic dining experience.

 

The place offers two dining spaces, Bicyclette Bistro and Bicyclette Restaurant. What’s surprising about this is that Walter Manzke designed the place himself, it features a wood-lined ceiling, wooden furniture, and pistachio-colored walls that exude refreshing energy. Diners will certainly feel as if they are immersed in Paris while having delicious dishes that play with the flavors of Parisian and Californian cuisine.

 

 

Originally published at https://steventaylorlandlord.com on September 28, 2021.