Hector My Realtor Blog Page

  Several weeks ago, some of you received an email from your JohnHart agent about a promising new housing loans initiative. Dubbed the California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan, it sought to level the playing field for disadvantaged Californians with aspirations of homeownership. Yet, less than two weeks later, the program has already dispersed all of its funding. And the beneficiaries of the Dream For All housing loans aren’t  quite  as diverse as anticipated. A Dream for Some Photo credit:  Envato The California Dream For All program was officially halted on Thursday, April 6, citing lack of funds. The checkered flags had been waved less than two weeks earlier on Monday, March 27. When the smoke cleared, the $288 million in funding had been allocated to 2,564 prospective homeowners. Not exactly a dream for  all .  Qualifying households needed to earn less than 150% of their county’s median earnings. Therefore, approximately two-thirds of the progr...

  Today, United States senators unveiled their plans to ban kids under the age of 13 from using social media without parental consent. They’re calling the bipartisan bill “The Protecting Kids on Social Media Act” or “Kids’ Online Safety Act.” If passed, it would: Set strict age limits for social media. Restrict young children’s actions on social media platforms. Prevent children from creating accounts without parental involvement. Allow the government to control how platforms engage with young social media users. Overview of the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act Platforms included within the legislation would have to obtain a parent’s or guardian’s consent before creating new accounts for anyone under the age of 18. Furthermore, for ages 13 and below, there would be restrictions in place on which accounts with which they are able to view and interact. Meaning the law prevents even authorized account holders aged 13 and below from engaging with users ages 18 and up. Under the new ...

  When you’re browsing through homes for sale in Pasadena, wild parrots are likely the furthest thought from your mind. But believe it or not, parrots are a very real part of life in Pasadena… and much of the Greater Los Angeles area. While they aren’t a natural part of  Los Angeles wildlife , wild parrots are so prevalent in our city that no one short of Mother Nature herself could close this Pandora’s box. Or cage? Therefore, we have to consider these very vocal avians our fine feathered neighbors. Easier said than done for some Angelenos. Yet, these big city squawkers are more than exotic alarm clocks. They may be the controversial key to saving their species!  The Species That Constitute the Pasadena Parrots Photo credit:  Richard Crossley It’s estimated that there are as many as 13 parrot species populating the Greater Los Angeles area. The most commonly occurring is the red-crowned amazon parrot, distinguished by a shock of red feathers at the forehead contrast...

  Featured image credit:  Dom Blevins We’re mere months away from construction on a bullet train that will stretch from Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas. Forecasts are even more optimistic after Brightline, the company behind the ambitious project, signed contracts with a coalition of reputable labor unions. Eventually, the Brightline rail will connect to LA’s existing Metrolink service. But for now, focus is purely fixed on bringing the Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas bullet train to reality. Mapping a Quick Course to Vegas The train is scheduled to originate in a new station being constructed in Rancho Cucamonga. From there, it will hit stations in Apple Valley and Hesperia/Victorville before continuing straight onward to the Las Vegas Strip. With an expected completion date of 2027, the project is demanding a $10 billion investment, but also estimates an equal financial return.  Since Brightline will be relying on an electric rail, the bullet train from Rancho Cucamonga to ...

  Featured image credit:  Netflix For being such a gorgeous, in-demand neighborhood, Los Feliz sure has its shadows. We  examined the Sowden House , rumored to be the actual site of the notorious Black Dahlia murders. We explored the ancient curse allegedly levied  against Griffith Park . But we’ve yet to discuss the Los Feliz murder house. We know what you’re thinking: “The Sowden House isn’t the Los Feliz murder house?!” No, there’s actually a home at the perimeter of Griffith Park even more steeped in urban legend. And thanks to some ace investigative journalism conducted in 2015 by  writer Jeff Maysh , there’s now more truth to the legend than ever before. Since then, the house has even sold… a few times. And for a home that largely sat vacant for half a century, that’s big news.  The Haunting Look of the Los Feliz Murder House There’s nothing unassuming about 2475 Glendower Place. For years, it’s looked like a haunted mansion. Perched atop a weedy hill...