investment property update 1107.04 february 2012

8
comes from that organization. They have my confidence and I like them. Just like the AAOC, I want you to know that I have been selling apartments now for over 30 years. There is hardly a scenario that I have not seen, nor a is there a challenge that you may have that I have not already dealt with. You can count on me to list and sell your apartment building because like the AAOC and Valerie, I have been there and I know the issues that are going to come up. While new and untested is more exciting when you need answers, when you need a confident guide to take you from where you are to where you need to go, I am here for you. If I can help you find a buyer for your apartment building or locate a building for you call, click, or visit me today! Investment Property Update In This Issue Growth - NMHC 2 Market Trends 3 Listings 4 Foreclosures 5 Legal Q & A 5 Maintenance 6 Directory 7 ISSUE #1107.04 THE ONE SOURCE FOR ALL OF YOUR INVESTMENT PROPERTY NEEDS Do you have enough power for your tenants? Crucial and practical information. See Page 6. Featured Article Become a Fan of Joseph Apartments on Facebook.com Visit Jim’s Blog for up to the minute real estate information at: Download the ONLINE version of the Investment Property Update today! www.jjipu.blogspot.com continued on page 3 Investment Property Update THE ONE SOURCE FOR ALL OF YOUR INVESTMENT PROPERTY NEEDS Los Angeles County 16201 Whittier Blvd. Whittier, CA 90603-2902 When It Comes to Paying Taxes, the Good News is You Have Choices By Bruce Jones TaxWealth, CEO _It doesn’t matter how _old you are, if you are _retired or still _working. If you earn enough money or sell appreciated assets such as real estate, you will probably be obligated to pay taxes— or so you may think. The good news is you have choices. Did you know that tax law allows a seller to defer capital gains taxes for up to 30 years when property is sold and receive, tax-free, a near-equivalent amount of the sale proceeds at close of escrow? Are you aware that you may be able to capture tax benefit from property you want to keep that you can use to offset some or all of the capital gains taxes that would be due on property you want to sell? Or did you realize that tax law also allows you to generate tax-free lump sum cash or added cash flow from investment property you may already own, without having to refinance? What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You An old expression says, “What you don’t know can’t hurt you.” When it comes to effective tax planning, this simply is not true. The fact is that you should know what all your options are in order to reduce, defer or possibly even eliminate your tax burden and how you can best benefit you and your family by taking advantage of tax law. Suppose, for example, that you annually pay substantial income taxes. Can anything be done to eliminate or, at the very least, significantly reduce them? How about the IRS giving some of those taxes back? Is that even possible? If proper research and analysis is done first, you will discover the answer to all these questions is a resounding YES! Legitimate ways to dramatically lower the income taxes do exist! You just need to know the appropriate laws that the government has already made available and how to rightly apply them for your best benefit. Capital Gains and Depreciation Recapture Taxes HATS OFF TO THE AAOC! By James Joseph Apartment Specialist DRE#00819837 (800) 874-0715 (562) 236-0088 Recently I was asked by Valerie Teeter, the executive director of the Orange County Apartment Association (AAOC) to talk to their members at their monthly session. I love this kind of crowd, largely male and over 60 for the most part. I understand their mindset, their sense of humor and their desire to stay up on what is happening in the apartment industry. Before I began my talk I asked Valerie to come up and as I put my arm around her, I let her know how much I valued her and how much I appreciated her faithfulness. What I said was that in our society today it’s the new, its the fresh, and the untested, that get the attention and the admiration of society. I understand this, and of course do not want to walk around with a 10 year old cell phone! In matters of trust or matters of confidence, however, who you trust with your valued assets, and where you go for advice is important. I think it’s wise to look to people like Valerie and her organization. Every month when that Apartment News magazine comes from the AAOC I love to see Valerie’s photo and those of the board of directors. I know I can trust the information in the articles, the vendors and the line of thinking that “...who you trust with your valued assets, and where you go for advice is important.” _Candy Livesey _Ambassador Property _Management _(562) 236-0093 An “Edible Arrangement” arrived at our office a couple of days ago. It was a gift from one of our clients specifically addressed to our Property Management staff, namely Candy, Macy, Chaz, and Chris. The story behind the kind gift, is quite remarkable. Sam (not his real name) sold insurance. Sam made an appointment to meet with Jim in the office and the two hit it off right away. Sam’s father had just passed, and Sam’s siblings, in agreement with their mother, had decided to get a property analysis on their units. It is a story Jim and I hear often. There is a great generation of frugal savers, working hard to invest, working hard to pay down the mortgage and move up to a larger set of units, or simply buy more. The group, ever cautious, ever conservative, aimed at taking care of the details of the units themselves. They took care of it themselves, as often was the case, together as a couple. They had not raised the rents in some time; the tenants who had been there so long were, after all, like family. How could they raise rents on family? Sam and his family received the PVA (Property Value Anaylsis) from Jim, and after careful consideration decided to have our property management company manage it and bring the rents up to current rates. It was not easy for them emotionally, and we all took it very cautiously. Many years later, Jim heard from Sam again. “I’m just wondering,” he asked, “what the value might be now on those units?” Jim did another PVA. No, it would not be the right time to sell then. The siblings retired themselves, some to Arizona. Then, in 2011, Mom (Maria) passed and the siblings gathered together once again to ponder the right decision on the units. Sam asked for one more PVA with Jim. Regardless of its current value, it seemed the family needed to sell. It was time. Jim listed the property and found a buyer. It was no longer in Sam’s family. We manage the property for the new owners and that is all fine. We are elated that it went so smoothly and that everyone had received what they wanted. As we enjoyed the “Edible Arrangement” gift, Jim explained his mixed emotions. Sure, the property was in capable hands, the tenants are good, the rents are fair, the property is in great shape. And yet, the property seems to remain Joe & Maria’s, the property they worked hard to preserve. I am grateful to my wonderful property management staff, for handling them with such care that they wanted to send the gift that day. We are honored to have played a small part in their lives. We are going to miss the entire family. Thank you for the pleasure. If YOU want us to take a look at your property and see if professional property management is right for you, please give me a call. I can guarantee that our team will take care of your property just like you, or perhaps even better. Sometimes it takes another viewpoint to maximize effectiveness. Give me a call at (562) 236-0102. Quality Property Management

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Investment Property Update Newspaper February 2012

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comes from that organization. They have my confidence and I like them. Just like the AAOC, I want you to know that I have been selling apartments now for over 30 years. There is hardly a scenario that I have not seen, nor a is there a challenge that you may have that I have not already dealt with. You can count on me to list and sell your apartment building because like the AAOC and Valerie, I have been there and I know the issues that are going to come up. While new and untested is more exciting when you need answers, when you need a confident guide to take you from where you are to where you need to go, I am here for you. If I can help you find a buyer for your apartment building or locate a building for you call, click, or visit me today!

Investment Property Update

In This Issue

Growth - NMHC 2Market Trends 3Listings 4Foreclosures 5Legal Q & A 5Maintenance 6Directory 7

ISSUE #1107.04THE ONE SOURCE FOR ALL OF YOUR INVESTMENT PROPERTY NEEDS

Do you have enough power for your

tenants? Crucial and practical information.

See Page 6.

FeaturedArticle

Become a Fan of Joseph Apartmentson Facebook.com

Visit Jim’s Blog for up to the minute real estate

information at:

Download the ONLINE

version of the Investment

Property Update today!

www.jjipu.blogspot.com

continued on page 3

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When It Comes to Paying Taxes, the Good News is You Have ChoicesBy Bruce JonesTaxWealth, CEO

_It doesn’t matter how _old you are, if you are _retired or still _working. If you earn

enough money or sell appreciated assets such as real estate, you will probably be obligated to pay taxes—or so you may think. The good news is you have choices. Did you know that tax law allows a seller to defer capital gains taxes for up to 30 years when property is sold and receive, tax-free, a near-equivalent amount of the sale proceeds at close of escrow? Are you aware that you may be able to capture tax benefit from property you want to keep that you can use

to offset some or all of the capital gains taxes that would be due on property you want to sell? Or did you realize that tax law also allows you to generate tax-free lump sum cash or added cash flow from investment property you may already own, without having to refinance?

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

An old expression says, “What you don’t know can’t hurt you.” When it comes to effective tax planning, this simply is not true. The fact is that you should know what all your options are in order to reduce, defer or possibly even eliminate your tax burden and how you can best benefit you and your family by taking advantage of tax law. Suppose, for example,

that you annually pay substantial income taxes. Can anything be done to eliminate or, at the very least, significantly reduce them? How about the IRS giving some of those taxes back? Is that even possible?

If proper research and analysis is done first, you will discover the answer to all these questions is a resounding YES! Legitimate ways to dramatically lower the income taxes do exist! You just need to know the appropriate laws that the government has already made available and how to rightly apply them for your best benefit.

Capital Gains and Depreciation Recapture Taxes

HATS OFF TO THE AAOC!By James Joseph

Apartment Specialist DRE#00819837(800) 874-0715(562) 236-0088

Recently I was asked by Valerie Teeter, the executive director of the Orange County Apartment Association (AAOC) to talk to their members at their monthly session. I love this kind of crowd, largely male and over 60 for the most part. I understand their mindset, their sense of humor and their desire to stay up on what is happening in the apartment industry. Before I began my talk I asked Valerie to come up and as I put my arm around her, I let her know how much I valued her and how much I appreciated her faithfulness.

What I said was that in our society today it’s the new, its the fresh, and the untested, that get the attention and the admiration of society. I understand this, and of course do not want to walk around with a 10 year old cell phone! In matters of trust or matters of confidence, however, who you trust with your valued assets, and where you go for advice is important. I think it’s wise to look to people like Valerie and her organization. Every month when that Apartment News magazine comes from the AAOC I love to see Valerie’s photo and those of the board of directors. I know I can trust the information in the articles, the vendors and the line of thinking that

“...who you trust with your valued assets, and where you go for advice

is important.”

_Candy Livesey_Ambassador Property _Management_(562) 236-0093

An “Edible Arrangement” arrived at our office a couple of days ago. It was a gift from one of our clients specifically addressed to our Property Management staff, namely Candy, Macy, Chaz, and Chris. The story behind the kind gift, is quite remarkable. Sam (not his real name) sold insurance. Sam made an appointment to meet with Jim in the office and the two hit it off right away. Sam’s father had just passed, and Sam’s siblings, in agreement with their mother, had decided to get a property analysis on their units. It is a story Jim and I hear often. There is a great generation of frugal savers, working hard to invest, working hard to pay down the mortgage and move up to a larger set of units, or simply buy more. The group, ever cautious,

ever conservative, aimed at taking care of the details of the units themselves. They took care of it themselves, as often was the case, together as a couple. They had not raised the rents in some time; the tenants who had been there so long were, after all, like family. How could they raise rents on family? Sam and his family received the PVA (Property Value Anaylsis) from Jim, and after careful consideration decided to have our property management company manage it and bring the rents up to current rates. It was not easy for them emotionally, and we all took it very cautiously. Many years later, Jim heard from Sam again. “I’m just wondering,” he asked, “what the value might be now on those units?” Jim did another PVA. No, it would not be the right time to sell then. The siblings retired themselves, some to Arizona. Then, in 2011, Mom (Maria) passed and the siblings gathered together once again to ponder the right decision on the units. Sam asked for one more PVA with Jim. Regardless of its current value, it seemed the family needed to sell. It was time. Jim listed the property and found

a buyer. It was no longer in Sam’s family. We manage the property for the new owners and that is all fine. We are elated that it went so smoothly and that everyone had received what they wanted. As we enjoyed the “Edible Arrangement” gift, Jim explained his mixed emotions. Sure, the property was in capable hands, the tenants are good, the rents are fair, the property is in great shape. And yet, the property seems to remain Joe & Maria’s, the property they worked hard to preserve. I am grateful to my wonderful property management staff, for handling them with such care that they wanted to send the gift that day. We are honored to have played a small part in their lives. We are going to miss the entire family. Thank you for the pleasure. If YOU want us to take a look at your property and see if professional property management is right for you, please give me a call. I can guarantee that our team will take care of your property just like you, or perhaps even better. Sometimes it takes another viewpoint to maximize effectiveness. Give me a call at (562) 236-0102.

Quality Property Management

Issue # 1107.04 Contact James Joseph today for your investment property needs! Phone: 562.236.0088 Email: [email protected]

2 Multifamily Growth News INVESTMENT PROPERTY UPDATE

Financing for All Real Estate Investments

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The latest Quarterly Survey of Apartment Market Conditions from the Washington, D.C.-based National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) indicates that improving market conditions continue to be an advantage for the multifamily

industry. Showing growth vis-à-vis the previous quarter was each of the survey’s four indexes, reflecting Market Tightness, Sales Volume, Equity Financing and Debt Fi-nancing. It was the seventh time in the last eight quarters all index-es had stood about 50, denoting growth over the previous quarter. The January 2012 Quarterly Sur-vey of Apartment Market Condi-tions was conducted January 23 through 30, 2012, and garnered responses from 105 chief execu-tive officers and other senior exec-utives of apartment-related com-panies across the country. The survey’s key findings included the

following:

The Debt Financing Index edged up from 70 to 74, with one of every two respondents report-ing that now was a better time to borrow. One year before, that ratio had stood just above one in

five. The Market Tightness Index grew to 60 from 52, in what was the eighth consecutive quarter with the index standing above 50. Compared with a 46 percent aver-age over the dozen-year history of the survey, 51 percent of respon-

dents reported the markets as un-changed from the previous quarter. The Sales Volume Index contin-ued an unbroken 10-quarter-long streak at or above 50. However, the index fell from 54 to 50, its lowest

showing since July 2009. The Equity Financing Index climbed to 60 from 54, also estab-lishing a 10-quarter run of 50-or-higher results. More than half of all respondents reported conditions unchanged from the earlier three-month period in the Market Tight-ness, Sales Volume and Equity Fi-

nancing Indexes. In addition, most markets dis-played an uptick in development activity, with 53 percent of respon-dents reporting increases in land acquisition, lining up financing and obtaining building permits. An ad-ditional 20 percent reported that a rapid pace had been established for

new project groundbreakings. Reflecting on the past two years’ nearly continuous recovery, NMHC chief economist Mark Obrinsky was upbeat. “In the face of an unprece-dented virtual shutdown of develop-ment, the apartment market contin-ues its strong recovery as developers play catch up to the growing demand

for rental housing,” he said. “Investors continue to view apart-ments as a preferred asset class in today’s environment, and long-term demographic changes favor rental housing. However, we expect the pace of improvement in transaction activity to ease somewhat moving

forward.”

NMHC Survey Shows Two Continuous Years of Growth for MultifamilyBy George E Adams, IIIFidelity Commercial Funding

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Issue # 1107.04 Contact James Joseph today for your investment property needs! Phone: 562.236.0088 Email: [email protected]

INVESTMENT PROPERTY UPDATE Market Trends 3

continued from page 1

“I asked my contact at COSTAR, the premier data tracking organization for apartment sales, to tell me what is going on in the market. I asked him to go 15 miles from my office in a circle using 5 units or more as a criteria. My initial reaction is that while sales dropped off at cliff prices compared to single family homes and commercial, properties held their value better. What do you think? E-mail me or post a comment on our

Facebook page (facebook.com/josephapartments) to share your reaction” James Joseph

The Latest Market Trends, From Costar

Tax concerns on capital gain and other potential taxes, like recaptured depreciation, can be troublesome when apartments and other investment property is sold. For example, you may have owned an apartment building for many years and would now love to sell, relax, and enjoy the equity and income benefits your hard work has earned you. Your CPA, however, has reported that you would be obligated to pay substantial capital gains and depreciation recapture taxes if you sold your property. So you do nothing about it. “After all,” you think, “just like my CPA said: little, if anything, can be done about it.” Right?

WRONG! Through the years Congress has created laws specifically designed to reduce, defer and, in some cases, eliminate these taxes. If proper research is done before you sell the property to discern what alternatives are available for your situation, you will likely discover solutions of which you and your CPA were not aware. Through this education process, you can tailor-make these solutions to your specific circumstance, craft the sale of your property to solve the tax problem and create a dependable lifetime income--safely and with the government’s blessing! Here’s an example:

A 54 year-old widow was troubled about her real estate portfolio which was valued at $800,000. She wanted to sell the properties, replace the income provided by the real estate, a n d

take deductions they’re entitled to, thus overpaying their taxes by billions of dollars collectively.”The odds are very good—especially if you have a corporation, partnership, or are a 1099 income earner—that you have overpaid taxes and are entitled to a refund with interest! However, don’t wait too long before you investigate this possibility. The Internal Revenue Service is not required to disclose to you any overpaid taxes you may have paid. If you don’t find the mistakes, amend your tax returns and request a refund within a short time period, the IRS gets to keep the money.

All It Takes is Common Sense Planning

Winning the battle against taxes does not have to be an intimidating task. All you need to do is to take advantage of a team-oriented approach to tax planning with checks and balances in place that works well to protect you from the beginning of the process and thru to its conclusion. A tax-planning strategist identifies and facilitates the tax solutions; tax attorneys and your CPA or accountant jointly validate under tax law structure and the benefits; and the real estate professional guides the sale of the property. It is a synergistic team effort on your behalf with all the team members dedicated to having you maximize your profit and income at close of escrow.

Following this common-sense approach will position you to put more dollars in your pocket when you sell your appreciated property instead of them being taken by the Internal Revenue Service. It can only help produce greater financial rewards for you and your family.

About the Author... Bruce Jones entered the financial services industry in 1970 and has taught the subjects of tax management and financial planning since 1974. He is President and CEO of TaxWealth®, a tax analysis and solutions research company which identifies comprehensive tax remedies for owners of real estate, privately-owned businesses and other capital assets. In addition to serving its own clientele, TaxWealth® supports CPAs, attorneys, financial advisors and real estate professionals in helping to solve their clients’ tax problems.

Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, TaxWealth® works with clients and professional affiliates nationally. TaxWealth® offers FREE a Pre-Sale Tax & Income Analysis and a Second Opinion Tax Return Review. You are encouraged to call Mr. Jones toll-free at (800) 300-4723 to discuss your tax concerns or visit their web site at www.taxwealth.com for more information.

reduce her income taxes. She was stunned to learn that, according to her CPA, she would be obligated to pay more than $200,000 in capital gains taxes if the properties were sold and that little, if anything, could be done to lower her income taxes.

Discouraged, she mentioned her concerns to a friend who suggested that she contact TaxWealth for a second opinion. After discussing the situation with her, we did a Pre-Sale Tax & Income Analysis of each property. Our diagnosis reported an immediate $2,000 refund of income taxes she previously overpaid and that no capital gains taxes would be due if the properties were sold. We also discovered other tax-saving opportunities about which her CPA was unfamiliar. She happily received her tax refund, sold the property, and paid no capital gains or depreciation recapture taxes.

Reclaiming Overpaid Income Taxes

It is important to understand that tax codes are ever–changing and can potentially impact the amount of taxes you pay. Even a small change can dramatically affect your tax bill. Unfortunately, very few tax preparers are equipped to learn the hundreds of new tax laws and changes released every year. As a result, you may be one of those taxpayers about which The Wall Street Journal reported, stating, “Tax experts say many Americans are routinely failing to

Average Price Per Unit

Sales Volume Sales Volume

Average Price per Building SFMF Sales over the last 5 years

Sales TransactionsSales TransactionsGross Rent Multiplier

Avg Price Per Building SFAvg Price Per Unit

Dollar Volume Dollar Volume

In M

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In M

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Gross Rent Multiplier Sales Transactions Sales Transactions

Issue # 1107.04 Contact James Joseph today for your investment property needs! Phone: 562.236.0088 Email: [email protected]

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BELLFLOWER 9 Units $895,0009-unit mixed-use property. Recent upgrades.

CUDAHY 37 Units $4,850,00036 Legal Plus 1 Noncomforming unit; excellent mix of (34) 2-bedroom/1-bath apartments and (3) 1-bedroom/1-bath apart-ments.

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EL MONTE 9 Units $1,380,000Front house has 3 bed, 2 bath with great back yard.

GARDEN GROVE 8 Units $795,000Great Cash flow property in a strong rental area. 100% occupied with large units at over 625 SQ FT Each.

GARDEN GROVE 8 Units $975,000Very well maintained. (8) 1 Bed/ 1 Bath.

GARDEN GROVE 24 Units $3,050,000Along a residential street. 3 individual parcles of eight-units buildings.

MONTEREY PARK 9 Units $1,490,000Well-maintained 2-story gated apartment building.

NORWALK 5 Units $650,000Very well maintained 5 unit security building, 3-2 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 2 story townhouse style units with living room.

PARAMOUNT 9 Units $1,320,000Mix of room count, units have laundry hookups.

POMONA 14 Units $600,000Great investment opportunity, one building zoned as a motel.

POMONA 5 Units $750,000High demand rental area, duplex at the front side by side.

SANTA ANA 6 Units $670,000Garden style apartment complex with a gated common area courtyard.

WHITTIER 5 Units $799.998Main house with four bedroom and 1 bath.

WHITTIER 11 Units $989,000Uptown area, (1) bedroom unit and (10) studio units. Laminate flooring upgrades.

WHITTIER 8 Units $995,000Uptown area, recent improvements include new A/C.

4 Listings INVESTMENT PROPERTY UPDATE

Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter is believed reliable but is not warranted or guaranteed. Before any reliance or use, this

information should be independently verified.

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Investment Property Update, established in 1982, is an independent investment property newspaper published monthly with an audience of local apartment owners, property managers, and local real estate agents. Viewpoints Expressed in the Investment Prop-

erty Update are those of the respective writers, and are not necesarily held by the publisher. The Investment Property Update accepts advertising from businesses desiring to reach the investment property readership. No endorsement by the publishers in

implied or should be inferred in any manner in regard to any specific advertiser. The publisher can not accept responsibility for the products or services offered through advertisements. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. If your property is

currently listed, please disregard this notice as it is not our intention to solicit other broker’s listings.

If you would like to advertise with the IPU, Contact Lisa Weeber at (562) 236-0088

Issue # 1107.04 Contact James Joseph today for your investment property needs! Phone: 562.236.0088 Email: [email protected]

INVESTMENT PROPERTY UPDATE Foreclosures, Legal 5

By Jeffrey A. GottliebAttorney at Law

QUESTION: I own a single-family two-bed-room rental property and I am thinking about adding a third bedroom. I have never worked with a contractor before. From a legal perspec-tive what do I need to know?

ANSWER: First, make certain your contrac-tor, or his company, is licensed by the California Contractors State License Board. A contractor is generally bound by the numerous California statutes for the protection of the consumer. The contractor’s license number should be on his or her business card and the proposed con-tract. The email address for checking licenses is www.cslb.ca.gov. Of course, you should also check references.

Do not proceed with construction un-less you have a written agreement with the contractor signed by both you and the con-tractor. In addition to all of the statutory lan-guage requirements, the contract should con-tain a payment schedule. Never pay all of the money up-front. Under some circumstances, pay twenty-five percent up front depending on the size and nature of the contract and the amount of control you want to exercise over the project. Always reserve final payment until a final inspection is completed by the City or the County. Intermediary payments should be determined by specific work being completed.

If you hired an architect, which usually occurs in a larger job, have the architect check

the progress and the quality of the work in progress. If work is not completed correctly, the architect can write up a “punch list” of items to be corrected. In fact, you can require in your contract for the architect to be an arbi-trator of disputes regarding interpretation of work required by the architectural plans.

Other items to consider in a contractor’s agreement are:

1. Terms for cancellation by either contractor or owner2. Time period for correcting work3. Workers compensation for contractor’s em-ployees4. Contractor’s liability insurance 5. Warranty of work being free from defects6. Correction of work7. Time limit for completion8. Notice of mechanics liens and settlement9. Arbitration of disputes vs. litigation in court10. Attorney’s fee award to prevailing party

It is not unusual for an owner to change his mind regarding work in progress. For example, you may want a larger room, more windows, a laundry room or even an-other bathroom. Make certain that “extras” or changes from the plans are put into writing and incorporated into the contract. Confu-sion abounds when such agreements are not put into writing. While State Statutes require all extras to be in writing, there is also case law that oral agreements are binding if the work was requested by the owner and the work was completed. An agreement for extras should

include a description of the work including specifications and the price. The foregoing is intended as general information and is not intended to substitute legal advice specific to the require-ments of a specific set of circumstances. Jeff’s law practice in-cludes business/real estate law and litigation. Please forward legal questions for the Legal Q&A column to [email protected].

Legal Q & A

DOMINION WEALTH ADVISORS LLC

Asset Management • Asset Servicing • Wealth Management

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Direct: (213) 479-8800Toll-Free: (877) [email protected]

Foreclosure Deals Harder To Find _By James

Joseph_Apartment

Specialist DRE#00819837(800) 874-0715(562) 236-0088

One of the “stand out” items that characterizes this recession as, compared to others, is the lack of foreclosed apartment buildings for sale. It seemed as if in the 90’s, almost weekly a new apartment build-ing that was in foreclosure came across my desk. Things are dif-ferent this time. Strict under-writing standard in the 2000’s makes walking away from an apartment building hard to do. Huge down payments made sure that lenders covered their risks. Here is an article from the Orange County Register outlin-ing a reduction in single family foreclosures. If I can help you locate a buyer for your apart-ment building feel free to click, call or visit!- Jim

Bank-owned homes and other foreclosure resales made up a smaller proportion of Orange County transactions in 2011 than in prior years, a sign that distressed homes are less of a drag on the local housing market. An average of 22.8% of the homes sold in O.C. last year had been through

foreclosure in the previous year – the smallest propor-tion since 2007, figures from DataQuick show. The bulk of those homes are bank-owned reposses-sions. Foreclosure resales’ proportion of the market was down from 23% in 2010 and down from 32% in 2008 and 2009. How-ever, foreclosure resales were up in the latter half of 2011 after dropping earlier in the year.

Foreclosure resales fell to 19.3% of the market in July before rebounding to around 23% at year’s end. By comparison, foreclosure resales made up an average of 33.7% of all Southern California home sales last year and 35.8% of all home sales statewide, DataQuick figures show. Sellers of bank-owned homes, foreclosure resales and homes going for less than is owed on the mortgage tend to be more motivated to sell and are more likely to drop their prices. That in turn, causes others to reduce their prices as well to compete.

From OC Register.comby Jeff Collins

Issue # 1107.04 Contact James Joseph today for your investment property needs! Phone: 562.236.0088 Email: [email protected]

6 Maintenance INVESTMENT PROPERTY UPDATE

by Jacqueline MayEditor/Designer

Having just graduated from high school, Ally moved into a one-bedroom unit in a 1925 fourplex apartment build-ing. The architecture included exquisite built-in cabinets. On move-in day, her father came to help, and they brought in a bed, dining room table, a couch and her appliances. At that point Ally recognized she may have made a mistake in choos-ing this rental unit. The apartment held just two un-grounded plugs in every bedroom, with the entire apartment wired to a fuse box with only 40 amps of service. She had enough power to keep the food in the re-frigerator cold...and nothing else. Her fa-ther looked around and said, “Either you cancel your lease or you ask the landlord to rewire … but first, let’s figure out how much power you really need.” They dis-covered that if used at the same time, all of the electronics used 110 amps of pow-er. Ally called her landlord. He called his electrician and discovered that not only would he have to rewire the

apartment, but he also would have to bring the whole building up to code. He was not happy about the news -- especially since the cost exceeded $10,000. He decided not to spend the money and to try to hold Ally to her lease. She in turn, called an attorney. The landlord, in his wisdom, decided that the attorney’s fees would cost more than it would to just let her leave. This left Ally out in the streets looking for a new place to live. Though she still had a limited budget, she now knew she needed an apartment with at least 100 amps of power. In addition, she needed a property with either a wi-fi node, Cable or DSL access. She found that many older properties had not been rewired and need to be updated. She also discovered that there were not enough outlets in many of the apartments she viewed. In the end her father helped her find a place. This apart-ment was more expensive, but she could set up her computer, two printers, scanner, etc., and still use her hair dryer, and Mp3 speakers.What can a landlord learn from this? Consider installing quad outlets instead of duplex outlets.Protect your rent-al houses from spikes and surges by using a “whole-house” surge suppressor manufac-

Do you have enough power available to your tenants?

HGTV Show, Income Property, Helps Homeowners Rake in the Extra “Moolah”

By Jacqueline MayEditor/Designer

Recently I found a new cable television show on one of my favorite channels, HGTV (Home & Garden Television) about remodeling multi-family homes. The show series, Income Property, is targeted toward first-time homeowners desiring to decrease mortgage payments and increase the value of their home by converting part of their home into an income suite. The host, Scott McGillivray owns over 20 income-generating homes that he has converted and renovated himself. He guides homeowners on the path to success through efficient and cost

Photo Credit: zap2it.com

tured by Leviton. Keep upgrading your apartment units. Every unit should have the ability to deliver 100 amps of power. Every outlet should be grounded. Knob and tube wiring needs to go. Upgrading the electrical systems will make it easier to get insurance. Insurance companies are resisting insuring older wiring sys-tems, because with the increase in need users tend to overload electrical systems. When older circuits are over-loaded for a long period of time the wir-ing heats up and stresses the insulation, which then becomes brittle and falls off, creating opportunities for potential fires. Get rid of fuse boxes and transition to breakers. In addition to rewiring, you should consider pre-wiring all bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms and kitchens with outlets for both cable and telephone use. This will enable the modern tenant the opportunity to be always “plugged in.” Remember that as landlords of-fer more amenities to tenants, most of these amenities use ample power, such as: washer/dryer hookups, dishwashers, disposals, insta-hots, stoves, air condi-tioners and big screen TVs to name a few.

Why would a landlord want to

spend the money to upgrade the electrical system in rent-al units? In this time of high va-cancy rate, you need to pull out all of the stops to remain com-petitive. You need to keep your property up-to-date. Tenants are fickle, this keeps them happy for just a little longer. Remember, tenant turns cost in excess of $500 for every tenant. The lon-ger you keep your tenants the more money you make. Finally, remember that Ally will not rent from you if she cannot plug in her appliances and electronics safely.

effective renovations. Elegance and efficiency are emphasized through the most simple and straightforward design choices. Each project comes with a separate sort of problems and tough decisions, but the homeowners are given the choice to steer the project based upon their decided budget restraints. One of Scott’s main assets for the homeowners in the process is his use of CGI, three-dimensional animation of the future home and income property design, which helps the owners visualize the process. The show highlights a noticeable trend in today’s economy.

With the real estate situation, many are opting to convert homes into duplexes, income spaces that help generate money. His success with these homeowners is highlighted at the end of the show where it says how much the homeowners were successfully able to attain in rental income each month. An expert like Scott will tell you the renters are out there, we just need to provide them a wonderful home. The show airs on Wednesdays at 9pm on HGTV.

Issue # 1107.04 Contact James Joseph today for your investment property needs! Phone: 562.236.0088 Email: [email protected]

Appraisal Pacific AppraisalContact: Randy [email protected]

Associations/ClubsApartment Association of OCContact: Valerie Teeter714.245.9500

AttorneyGeoffrey D. ChinAttorney at LawEstate Plan, Trusts, Wills, etc.626.229.9971GeoffreyChinLaw.com

Real Estate, Trusts,Tax AttorneyWilliam Turner951.371.2715

BanksFidelity Commercial FundingMultifamily & CommercialContact: Haley [email protected]

Carpet & FlooringDrakes Affordable FloorsContact: [email protected]

ElevatorsTRE Elevators818.509.0339TreElevator.com

Exchange CompaniesDownstream ExchangeContact: Anthony800.743.1031DownstreamExchange.com

JRW InvestmentsContact: Dwight Kay626.564.1031 x.119858.395.0932JRWInvestments.com

Pacific Financial ExchangeContact: Earl Salter562.863.1968PacificFinancialExchange.com

ExterminatingWestern Exterminator Company800.937.8398WesternExterminator.com

Financial ServicesFidelity National Title Company800.488.0320

Dominian WealthContact: Gary FlaterAdvisors: 949.483.8330

LRM InvestmentsContact: Leon McKittrick702.252.8801

Midpoint Financial ServicesContact: Chris Miller877.313.1868

FurniturePacific Sun Casual Furniture800.624.4385

Gates & DeckingIvan’s Gates & Decking Co.800.482.6334

Glass & MirrorNorth OC Glass & Mirror714.528.1403NorthOrangeCountyGlass.com

Handyman ServicesChristian ManagementConsultants, Inc.Jobs Under $500 Fixers/Repos714.535.2918 All SoCal

HaulingVic’s Hauling & Cleanup Serv.800.542.5546562.544.6606714.870.9944www.illhaul.com

LandscapingDeLeon Tree Service & LandscapeContact: [email protected]

Laundry EquipmentExcel Laundry Equipment800.334.1824 x127FowlerCompanies.com

MaintenanceBuffalo Maintenance, Inc.714.956.8371BuffaloMaintenance.com

PaintingG & G Painting Co.714.636.4650

PlasteringMatthews Patch Plastering714.840.3236matthews.services.officelive.com

PlumbingNorwalk/La Mirada Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning800.238.5558LAPlumber.com

Pool ServiceMission Pool Service800.390.7040

Pool & ConstructionAlgorri Pools, Inc.Contact: Brian [email protected]

Property ManagementAmbassador Property ManagementContact: Candy Livesey562.236.0102

Real EstateAmbassadorContact: James Joseph562.236.0088

ReglazingPacific ReglazingContact: Eric 800.557.2243www.pacificreglazing.com

RepipingPacific Coast Copper RepipeContact: Pat [email protected]

RoofingCalifornia Roofing800.339.4533CaliforniaRoofing.org

Solar HeatingSolar Services800.57SOLARSolar Hot Water/Solar Pool Heat-ingSolarGuy.com

SuppliesOrchard Supply Hardware888.746.7674Osh.com

Tax Strategy ServicesMCL FInancial Group, Inc.Contact: Gary Flater800.692.6064MCL1031.com

Midpoint Financial ServicesContact: Chris Miller877.313.1868

Tax PlanningContact: Bruce [email protected]

Termite & Pest ControlBrothers Termite Company, Inc.Contact: Bob [email protected]

Water HeaterAABCO Water Heaters800.577.6527Commercial-Residential-Tanks/TanklessSales-Service-Installations

Editor/Designer: Jacqueline May Publisher: James Joseph Director of Circulation: Kevin FoxAdvertising Director: Lisa Weeber Accounting and Advertising: Carrie Gilson

INVESTMENT PROPERTY UPDATE Directory 7

Main Office: 16201 Whittier Blvd. Whittier, CA 90603 Phone: 562.236.0088 Fax: 562.236.0139

What’s Your dream?

James Joseph (562) 236-0088 James Joseph (562) 236-0088

James Joseph (562) 236-0088

James Joseph (562) 236-0088

James Joseph (562) 236-0088 James Joseph (562) 236-0088

James Joseph Can Help Get You There.

Clip your favorites to your fridge,

goal board or calendar to help

remind you of where you want

to be.

CALL: Toll Free (800) 874-0715E-MAIL: [email protected]: James Joseph, 16201 Whittier Blvd., Whittier, CA 90603

FAX: (562) 236-0139

James JosephApartment SpecialistR.E. Lic. # 0081937

“I have been listing and selling properties since 1981. I am confident that I can help you with your investment property needs!”

- James Joseph

1. Fill out the enclosed PVA Card and return it to us, you will receive a no obli-gation, current market analysis of your property.2. Lisa will contact you about the particu-lars of your property, and will schedule an appointment for you with James Joseph to accomodate your schedule. 3. Come in for the appointment to dis-cuss your anaylsis, and share your de-sires, or concerns with James Joseph.4. You decide when to list your property. 5. Let James Joseph handle the rest.

Interested in taking advantage of today’s market?