Southern California Real Estate Podcast with Barbara Radke

RED Day, which stands for Renew, Energize and Donate, is our annual day of service. Each year on the second Thursday of May, we celebrate RED Day as a part of our legacy worth leaving. Making a difference in the lives of others and bettering the communities that we serve lies at the heart of the Keller Williams culture. This observance defines who we are and is a natural extension of our commitment to the highest level of professional customer service. Over time, a growing number of our family members and friends continue to participate in this extraordinary event. It embodies the generous spirit and commitment associates have to “giving back” to the cities and towns they live and work in. In Westlake Village, our team of almost 300 agents came together for three causes. We had a team of people working together, cutting and tying 200 yards of fabric to make blankets for My Stuffed Bags – which is a charity that gives children who have been separated from parents, possessions and home, bags that are stuffed with handmade blankets, toys, books, school supplies and more. Outside, in our parking lot we had another team working a blood drive – save a life, give your blood! Our third team headed over to Many Mansions – a local organization that serves low income residents of Ventura County. Our team was involved with a beautification project resurfacing cabinets at one of their local complexes. Keller Williams believes to serve oneself, is to serve another and we love being able to partake in giving back to our community. If you have any questions about local real estate in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d love to help.

We are so appreciative of the support that you have shown us over the years. We love having you as clients, and we’d love to catch up with you and your family. Join us at Stonehaus on April 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for coffee or tea. Bring the whole family along (even the furry ones)! You can learn more about the event here, where you can also RSVP so that we make sure we have enough drinks to go around. We’ll also be collecting peanut butter and jelly supplies for the Manna Food Bank. Look for the PB&J balloons!  We hope to see you there!

Please enjoy some highlights from our recent trip. We made it to the 2019 Keller Williams Family Reunion, and we wanted to share with you some highlights from our trip. Family Reunion is the industry’s most powerful training event. Agents from all over the world have the opportunity to gather with thousands of top associates for four days to network, re-energize and take our business to the next level. Close to 18,000 associates attended this year in New Orleans, Louisiana! We had the extreme pleasure of attending as a team, and learned so much! We love attending, because as much as it helps our business, it helps us refocus on what is most important as well. As a team we were able to gain knowledge from top associates all over the world, giving us insights others may not have. Family Reunion is set up convention style – with multiple breakout sessions throughout the day on various topics and issues affecting the industry. We not only learned about the technological advances our company is making, but we also found time to bask in the amazing culture that Keller Williams has. We love being a part of the Keller Williams family for many reasons, but our culture is at the top of the list. The fact is, Family Reunion is one of the few times each year that we are able to experience educational events and training from those who have already achieved success in their careers in mass quantities. If you have any questions about local real estate in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d love to help.

It’s hard to believe how far we’ve already made it into 2019. Whether you’ve been keeping up with your resolutions or not, there’s still plenty of time left in the year for us all to pursue our various goals.  If any of your goals happen to do with real estate, I highly encourage you to keep tabs on our ever-changing market. With that in mind, it’s also important to realize that market conditions are like the weather—you can make close predictions about what may be on the horizon, but there’s no way to know for certain what’s ahead.  Having said that, let’s review the forecast that Realtor.com’s economic research team has laid out. There are four main points to take away from this forecast:  1. There will be more homes for sale, especially luxury properties. Inventory has been super tight for years now. Yes, homes have been hitting the market—but not at an adequate pace to keep up with current demand. In fact, national inventory levels reached their lowest point in recorded history last winter. Supply has begun to recover in 2019, and homes in higher price points will be especially abundant. “Market conditions are like the weather—you can make close predictions about what may be on the horizon, but there’s no way to know for certain what’s ahead.” 2. Affordability will remain low. It’s no secret that we’ve been in a seller’s market for the past few years. While buyers are soon to face improved conditions as a result of rising inventory, the matter of affordability will remain a problem moving forward as interest rates continue to climb.  3. Millennials will keep buying. Just a few years ago, millennials were the “new kids on the block” in our marketplace. Now, they make up the largest generational demographic of homebuyers—accounting for 45% of all mortgages.  4. The new tax law is still a wild card. Last year, while the GOP’s proposed tax law was still being batted around Congress, many believed that, if passed, it would discourage buyers from entering the market. Even now that that the bill has been signed, the full impact of this change will remain unclear until tax season is over.  To read Realtor.com’s full report, click here. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Happy holidays to you! The holiday season has officially arrived. We hope you enjoy this wonderful time of year and make some fantastic memories with your family and friends. We just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your continued support. We love helping people make their real estate dreams come true, so thank you for working with us. Just as a heads up, we are looking for a new charity to support. We’ll be sending out another email soon with details on this. This may be a busy time of year, but we are always here to help you and answer any questions you may have. Just give us a call or reply to this email. And in case we don’t hear from you, have a happy New Year as well!

Can you renew or get home insurance on your property after all these fires? Robert Feldman from Allstate is here to explain your options. Today, Robert Feldman from Allstate is here to talk about insurance. A lot of our clients have not been able to renew insurance due to all the fires.  “Due to the fires of last year, it’s the worst I’ve seen it in 20 years,” says Robert. “Multiple insurance carriers are not renewing clients due to the fires, so it’s a bad scene right now. The key thing is to know your fire scores.”  If your property is on a hillside or you can see wild brush from your property, it’s especially important to know your fire score.  There are opportunities out there. One of the biggest myths out there is that insurers will nominate clients with the California Fair Plan as a last resort. However, Robert represents Allstate and says there are a lot of carriers who will write in the fire zone areas. “It’s very important to know your fire score.” We’ve had a few cases where we’re getting ready to close escrow only to discover that the buyer cannot get insurance because of the fire scores. It’s important to get that information early in the process, as there are a few insurances companies who are not insuring based on the fire score. If you are interested in a fire score, you can email Robert at RobertFeldman@Allstate.com or call 888-983-6400 (Robert recommends sending an email). I would like to thank Robert for joining me today. If you have any other real estate questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I would be happy to help you.

Our annual pie giveaway is coming up. Will we see you there? Here at Radke Agency and Associates, fall is our favorite time of year. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we’re excited to announce that, once again, we’ve got your Turkey Day dessert covered. That’s right—on Tuesday, November 20th from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., we’ll be hosting our annual pie giveaway to thank you for your continued support. “Help us feed families in need by donating to the Manna Food Bank” We hope you’ll stop by to pick up a complimentary pie, enjoy some wine, and, if you can, help us feed families in need by bringing canned goods for us to donate to the Manna Food Bank. Register Here If you have any questions about real estate in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d love to help.

Heather Case, the Radke Agency's Buyers Agent, recently had a new addition to her family. Today I want to introduce you to baby Isabelle. I’m here at Foxfield Park in Westlake Village with Heather Case, the Radke Agency’s Buyers Agent who is very near and dear to me. Heather has been really busy these past two months, and now she has a new addition to her family! Today I wanted to let Heather introduce her new bundle of joy to you all. Isabelle Michaela Case was born on May 1, and she is doing really well. Her big sisters are with us as well—Violet and Caroline are being the best big sisters to baby Isabelle! Caroline especially loves to give Isabelle kisses and hugs. We are so excited for Heather and her growing family, and we can’t wait to watch baby Isabelle grow into a beautiful person. “We are so excited for Heather and her growing family.” If you have any questions about real estate in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d love to help.

Purchasing a home protection plan can help cover many of the items in your home if something happens. I am joined today by Jessica Wood from Old Republic Home Protection to talk to you about home protection plans and the process of getting one. Jessica helps us purchase home protection plans for our clients at the Radke Agency. A home protection plan, or a home warranty, is an annually renewable limited service contract which covers major systems and appliances in the home due to normal wear and tear. This includes your water heater, kitchen appliances, plumbing, electrical, air conditioner, etc. According to Jessica, many people do not realize that you can purchase a home protection plan at any time. It does not need to be when you purchase a new home. There does not need to be a purchase. In fact, you can even buy a home warranty for the home you are selling. You may wonder why you would do this. Well, by offering a home warranty when selling, you can get top dollar for your house. In addition, there are three major benefits to offering a home warranty: 1. They separate you from your competition. If there is a house for sale down the street from yours that does not offer a home warranty, the buyer will be uneasy about purchasing that house. When buyers look at your house, the home warranty will give them peace of mind. 2. They cover all major mechanical issues. Buyers will be covered if any issues arise during the listing period and one year after closing. 3. They give you a competitive edge over new construction homes. All new home builders offer at least a one-year home warranty. If you want to compete with new construction homes, you need to offer a home warranty. “Many people do not realize that you can purchase a home protection plan at any time.” Coverage is very important to buyers and current owners, and a lot of important pieces of the home are covered. However, a home warranty does not cover things such as mold, natural disaster, and secondary damage which would be covered by a homeowner’s insurance claim. Filing a claim for the items which are covered is pretty easy. You can file a claim online or contact the service department directly and provide your address or plan number if it is available. All you have to do is tell them what is going on and they set up a work order. Work orders are then carried out by one of the many local contractors who is certified per trade. Each contractor has applied to be in the network, and they’re then vetted by the contractor relation department to make sure they are qualified to serve our plan holders. What makes Old Republic Home Protection different from the competition? While there are some relevant and noteworthy differences in coverage, Jessica says that what makes them really shine is their service. Many home warranty companies offer similar prices and coverage, but Old Republic Home Protection provides exceptional coverage and service to their plan holders. If you want to order a home protection plan with Jessica, you can visit their website at ORHP.com or call (800) 282-7131 to reach out directly. And, if you mention “Barbara and the Radke Agency,” you can even get an agent referral discount. If you are thinking about selling your house, she can go over the warranty and tell you what the coverage is and how much it costs. Most home warranties only cost a few hundred dollars.  If you have any other questions about home warranties or about real estate in general, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you in any way that I can.

We want to invite you to our upcoming summer barbecue bash and introduce you to the newest member of our team. We have a couple exciting announcements from our team to make as our spring market moves along.  First, we want to thank you if you were able to join us at the Malibu Café for our Earth Day event this past April. We had such a blast meeting all of the clients who joined us, and with that in mind, we want to remind you to mark your calendars for our next upcoming event—our Summer BBQ Bash on July 28 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.. We plan on having lots of fun, and you’re officially invited. We’ll release more information about the event in coming weeks, so be on the lookout for updates. “We’re excited to have Ruth on board, and we’re excited to see you on July 28.” In addition to this announcement, we’d like to introduce you to the newest member of our team, Ruth Cavanah. Ruth has become a great addition to our team. She’s been adjusting seamlessly into her permanent role as a showing agent while also temporarily covering for another team member, Heather, who is taking time to enjoy her newest baby girl. Ruth will be out every day previewing and showing properties for us, which will enable us to see homes the minute they hit the market and meet with you so you can get the first look at them.  We’re excited to have Ruth on board. You can reach her by calling 805-990-8900 or emailing ruth@radkeagency.com. As always, if you have any questions or you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in our market, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d be glad to help you.

Let us show you how grateful we are for your service by coming to our client appreciation event on April 22. Click here to RSVP Today we have a special invite we want to extend your way. Our latest client appreciation event is happening at the Malibu Cafe on Sunday, April 22 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and we’d love to see you there. Bring your family along and join us for drinks, food, and a fun-filled afternoon. “We look forward to seeing you there!” RSVP’s are due by the 7th of April. Click here to RSVP

Today, Malay Wadhwa is here to talk about title insurance. Today, I have a special guest with me, Malay Wadhwa from Pacific Coast Title, to give us some insight about the role of title insurance in the real estate process. What is the role of title insurance? Title insurance is very insignificant, but at the same time, a very significant part of our transaction. We make sure that the homeowner that is coming onto the property is free of any unforeseen challenges and that they have a free and clear title. What are the most important things that a client should be looking for when they’re reviewing their title policy? They should definitely be looking at the legal listings, the liens, and the statement of information. There are two types of liens that are commonly attached: unsecured liens and secured liens. Secured liens are attached with to property and are available through the public records. Examples include child support liens, mechanic liens, or deeds of trust. Unsecured liens can be any liens that are attached to the individual that owns the house. “Sometimes it’s best to put the property in a living trust.” When clients are buying a home, how should they hold their vesting? If, for example, a husband and wife are buying a property, they can buy it as a joint community property with the right of survivorship. Two individuals can also buy a property together, each with 50% interest on it. The reason that we specify the interest is so that, if need be, one can assign their interest to their spouse and children. It is important to do this because if, say, they just acquired a property without specifying the interest, then they have to go to the court to analyze who owns what percentage of the property. Additionally, sometimes it’s best to put the property in a living trust. A living trust allows the homeowner to assign a beneficiary without going into the court. It adds an extra layer of protection for their property from any online frauds that people sometimes try to commit on free and clear properties. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to me. I’d be glad to help.

I want to thank you all for your support in 2017! You helped us exceed our goals and win four awards. I want to give a big shoutout and thank you to all of our past clients, family, and friends who helped us exceed our goals in 2017. We were the recipients this week of four special awards based on closings and productions, and we couldn’t have done it without you! “We couldn’t have done it without you!” Keller Williams World Class has over 350 associates in our market center here in Westlake Village, and we are honored to have received the following awards for 2017: First Place Team Associate by Closed Volume—Heather Case First Place Team by Closed Volume First Place Listing Team by Units Closed Third Place Team by Units Closed I would like to thank everyone for helping us get there. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any real estate questions. We look forward to helping you all in 2018.

Manna Food Bank is a great addition to our community. Let’s take a look inside at what they do. Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale Today, we’re going to be talking about the Manna Food Bank, which is a 45-year-old independent organization that helps feed people in need. The week before Thanksgiving, we worked with them on a food drive. The drive was a success, and we are so thankful for the work Manna is doing for our community. Right now, they’re actually in the process of moving to a new facility, which will be 4.5 times larger than the current facility. There, they’ll host classes in nutrition, cooking, and more. These classes will focus on helping people with health problems learn more about their nutritional needs and how to meet them. Additionally, Manna will provide education on financial literacy and household management. “The more food Manna gets from the community, the more they are able to give.” When people hear about hunger, they often think of a fairly narrow demographic. But the people who benefit from Manna’s services actually come from all walks of life. This is especially true following the recession years ago. In fact, over 85% of Manna’s clients are employed families. The remaining 15% is made up of senior citizens and disabled people on fixed incomes. Of course, community support plays a massive role in what Manna does. The more food they get from the community, the more they are able to give. While all donations are welcome, they do have a list of preferred items on the front page of their website: mannafoodbank.org. Manna is classified as a choice-based pantry, meaning their clients can choose their food as opposed to being limited to pre-bagged selections. Clients can visit three times a week with no appointment necessary. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.