Pasadena is the ONLY California City named on New York Times’ top travel list!

  While cities such as Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Santa Monica traditionally attract California visitors with iconic landmarks and movie-like charm, the New York Times proposes an alternative destination: Pasadena.   The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2024” list features Pasadena as the only Californian city, claiming the 40th spot, surpassing locations like Hurghada, Egypt, and Boundary Waters, Minnesota. Known as the City of Roses, Pasadena earned this distinction primarily for its natural allure, according to the Times   The report underlines the immediate impact of Pasadena’s natural beauty upon arrival. The San Gabriel Mountains loom over the city like a sylvan crown, and the region offers a wealth of hiking and biking trails bordered by forested valleys and cascading waterfalls, especially in places like the Angeles National Forest

It's Nice to be Nice

It's Nice to be Nice  By Marcille Dilsaver Hughes   Some of you may know, several years ago, Michael pulled me away from my nearly 30-year career at one of Americas greatest fashion retailers, Nordstrom. My career was filled with many exciting opportunities in the fast-paced world of fashion but the greatest gift of all were the people. The people were and are still my greatest passion. It was a great privilege to serve customers for a moment in-time and often for many years. I have customers who have become life-long friends and I will be grateful for those friendships forever. Every day I was surrounded by hardworking amazing employees who cared about the customer and one another. One of the most inspiring of all was Ted DeNunzio, my employee who retired at 100 years young. Yes 100. Ted was hired at Nordstrom Santa Anita to the young age of 85. Ted was our store's Greeter. Every day he would come in with more energy than anyone could imagine. He welcomed everyone into our store with sincerity and kindness. The words "Hello, thank you for coming to Nordstrom: and "Have a nice day now" still run through my mind. Ted deeply believed and taught that it was "nice to be nice". Ted would show kindness to customers and employees alike. He was not shy to give the employees advice such as they should dress well, or give direction to dust a fixture, or point out a customer that needed help. He always said it nicely. Employees loved Ted and did what he said. As a Store Manager, I loved that! He inspired everyone! Through the years, Ted would introduce me to young mothers with their children. He was proud to tell me that he has known them since they were children shopping with their own mothers. Now look, "they have children of their own" he would say with the biggest smile and hug. Each and every Saturday at exactly 1pm. Ted and I had lunch. I loved to hear about his life and things that were important to him. I listened every week to learn something new. His life lessons were great examples to me. Ultimately every lesson demonstrated his commitment to people and that it was "nice to be nice". Ted cared about others and believed all people should be treated with respect and kindness. At exactly one hour later, he would end our lunch promptly. "Time to go now, I have to get back to work, my customers need to be greeted." I will always cherish my private time with Ted. I received numerous calls from TV news stations and newspaper journalists to interview Ted through the years. Ted was happy to oblige and shared his message that it was always "nice to be nice" and that all people should be treated nicely with respect and kindness. As I reflect on how an individual person can make a difference in the life of another, I think of Ted. He exemplified his love for people through his actions. One man's life literally touched the lives of thousands through his simple message "it's nice to be nice!" May we all remember that its "nice to be nice" and may you and those you love have a wonderful Holiday Season!!

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MORTGAGES

Are you interested in purchasing a luxury property near Pasadena, CA? Homeownership is certainly an exciting chapter in life. But navigating the mortgage process can be complex for many. Here at The Dilsaver Group, we are the leading curators of fine homes in California. If you're preparing to apply for a mortgage, read on to learn everything you need to know about mortgages before starting the process for a more seamless homebuying experience.   YOU NEED TO MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA TO QUALIFY Applying for a mortgage is an important step in obtaining the home of your dreams. But before applying for a mortgage, you must meet certain criteria to qualify. Here are three important factors to pay attention to when applying for a mortgage:   DOWN PAYMENT A healthy down payment is one of a few essential things to consider when applying for a mortgage. Your down payment is the upfront payment you provide to purchase a home. It's important to note that you will have a choice to decide how much money you put down. However, the larger your down payment is, the less you will need to borrow.   CREDIT SCORE Another important factor to consider is your credit score. There are many types of mortgage programs available to buyers. With that said, each mortgage program sets its own minimum credit score requirement. The minimum credit score requirement for an FHA, VA, and USDA loan is 580. However, a conventional mortgage program requires a 620 credit score. To monitor your credit score, it's best to check with the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.   DEBT-TO-INCOME RATIO The last factor that you should pay attention to is your debt-to-income ratio. DTI provides a general understanding of your financial situation and gives lenders further insight into whether you're a risky buyer. A good DTI ratio will depend on the type of mortgage program you choose. But in general, you should aim to keep your DTI below 43% for the best success.   A MORTGAGE PREQUALIFICATION AND MORTGAGE APPROVAL AREN'T THE SAME Mortgage prequalification and mortgage approval are often confused with one another. But it's important to note that these two terms do not mean the same thing. A mortgage prequalification is something you receive when a bank or lender asks you questions to get a snapshot of your financial health. The bank or lender will get information regarding your credit history, credit score, debt, income, and assets. After reviewing the information you provide, the bank or lender will estimate how much money you can borrow. Getting a mortgage preapproval comes after getting prequalified for a mortgage. Essentially, a preapproval demonstrates your creditworthiness. To get a preapproval, the bank or lender will need to take additional steps to verify your financial health, which is why having a mortgage preapproval carries more authority than being prequalified. In order to get preapproved, you will need to fill out a mortgage application and provide your mortgage lender with the required documentation to start the approval process. The lender will conduct a complete check of your financial history and current credit scores. Based on this information, the lender can approve you for a specific mortgage amount. A preapproval will also give you insight into the type of interest rate you may receive, which can help you with your budgeting needs.   THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF MORTGAGE OPTIONS AVAILABLE If you're preparing to apply for a mortgage, you will have plenty of mortgage options to choose from. Each type of mortgage has its own advantages, and it's important to choose the best mortgage option to meet your needs. Below are some of the most common types of mortgages to know about.   CONVENTIONAL A conventional mortgage is one of the most popular types of mortgage loans that a government agency does not back. The loans are originated, backed, and serviced by private mortgage lenders. For a conventional loan, there are a few requirements that you will need to meet. For instance, most conventional loans require a credit score of 620 or more to qualify. Some conventional loans will require a down payment of as little as 3%. However, some lenders will offer 100% financing. That said, conventional loans are typically repaid in a 30-year term, but it's also possible to repay your loan in 15 or 20 years.   FHA This is a type of loan that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration. It's important to note that FHA does not directly lend money. Instead, they back qualified lenders in the event the borrower defaults on their mortgage. Obtaining an FHA loan has many benefits, such as the fact that there are lighter credit history requirements, options for a lower down payment, fewer restrictions on debt-to-income, and more possibilities for a better interest rate. However, all FHA loans include a mortgage insurance premium, automatically increasing your monthly mortgage payment. MIP is an additional payment that borrowers must pay to secure their FHA loan.   USDA A USDA loan is another type of loan option for buyers interested in purchasing a home in a rural area. USDA loans offer zero-down payment mortgages for those specifically buying a home that meets the USDA's standards of a rural area. It's important to note that there are three different types of USDA programs, including: Loan guarantees: With this program, the USDA will guarantee a mortgage issued by a participating local lender. This allows buyers to access lower mortgage interest rates, even if they have little to no down payment. Direct loans: This loan option is designed for buyers with low or very low incomes who want to own a home. Home improvement loans and grants: This program allows homeowners to repair or upgrade their homes.   VA A VA loan is a type of mortgage loan available through a program established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This type of mortgage loan is designed for veterans, service members, and their surviving spouses who want to purchase a home with little to no down payments, no private mortgage insurance, and competitive interest rates.   YOU CAN LOWER YOUR INTEREST RATE BY BUYING MORTGAGE POINTS Depending on your lender, you may have an opportunity to lower your interest rate by buying mortgage points. Mortgage points, also known as discount points, are fees that homebuyers pay directly to their lender. In exchange, buyers will receive a reduced interest rate. This is the same as "buying down the rate." Buying mortgage points may be an excellent idea if you are pursuing a fixed-rate mortgage. These points will ultimately lower your monthly mortgage payment, which will help make your mortgage more affordable and help you save money. For every point you purchase, you are buying down one percent of your mortgage. For example, one percent of $100,000 is $1,000. Not everyone chooses to buy down their rate. It's important to spend time deciding whether this is the right option for you. You will need to determine whether you have enough funds to buy points upfront in addition to your down payment and closing costs. Another thing that you will need to consider is how long you plan on being in the home. If you need help deciding whether buying points makes sense, your lender can assist you.   PUTTING DOWN LESS THAN 20% CAN COST YOU MORE Down payment is one of the greatest focal points when it comes to obtaining a mortgage. While different lenders will have varying requirements, putting down 20% of the purchase price is often an ideal scenario. Not only do lenders see you as less of a risk when you put down 20%, but it can also save buyers money in the long run.   Naturally, the more money you put down on your loan, the less your loan will be overall. This means that buyers can expect lower monthly payments. In addition, putting down at least 20% on a conventional loan will allow buyers to bypass private mortgage insurance, which is a type of insurance that buyers have to pay on a conventional loan if they put less than 20% of the home's purchase price. There are a few ways to pay for PMI, but this premium is typically added to the buyer's monthly premium, which essentially increases your monthly mortgage payments. Realistically, not every buyer can save 20% for their down payment. But it's best to start budgeting for your down payment as early as possible and save as much as possible. The more money you can put towards the purchase price of your home, the lower your monthly costs will be.   PARTNER WITH THE DILSAVER GROUP TODAY With 45 years of experience, The Dilsaver Group is committed to helping prospective buyers find the homes of their dreams. If you're looking for properties in Pasadena, contact us today for your exclusive listing of luxury homes for sale in Pasadena, Ca.

SHOULD YOU RENOVATE BEFORE SELLING YOUR HOME?

Many homeowners wonder whether it's worth it to renovate before selling their homes, and many factors can determine the answer. It can be complicated to estimate whether you'll recoup the cost of a renovation project and if you'll turn a higher profit. Consult and contact a trusted real estate agent from our team when considering the following factors to help you decide whether it's worth renovating before selling your home.   COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS Realtors use this tool to estimate your home's value. They do this by looking at homes with similar comps in your neighborhood that have sold in recent weeks. An experienced realtor will then create a comparative market analysis (CMA) report, so you can determine what price point will be best for your home. A CMA report is also a good way to determine the current market in your area. If it's a seller's market, you likely won't need to make any renovations at all to sell quickly. On the other hand, if it's a sleepy market, it may be wise to do a little work to catch a buyer's attention.   ASK A LISTING AGENT FOR ADVICE A listing agent is an expert at selling homes successfully and at the highest price point. They will be able to inform you about the current market in your neighborhood, and they can advise you on what projects can give you the most bang for your buck. They'll look at your home's condition, age, and unique features to determine what renovations may be worth it and which ones should be left alone.   HOW TO CALCULATE THE ROI FOR YOUR HOME RENOVATION PROJECT Your goal with any renovation should be a high return on investment (ROI). The last thing you want is to sink a lot of time and money into a project, only to realize that you won't gain enough value or profit for it to have been worth it at all. This cost vs. value guide from Remodeling Magazine makes it easy to plug in your cost and instantly see whether your project will yield a return worth it in your region. It's also essential to think about how soon you plan on listing your home. If you're able to renovate and enjoy your upgrade until it's time to sell, it may be worth it, even if your ROI won't be significant. Your ROI will also vary based on the market in your region. If it's a seller's market, your renovation may add value, but you may not get any profit. Alternately, a sleepy buyer's market may require you to make some changes to attract buyers to make offers on your home.   RENOVATIONS TO CONSIDER Every home is unique; unless it's brand new, your home could likely use a little TLC. The challenge is determining which renovations will aid in the sale of your home. According to a 2020 survey of over 2,000 people that Coldwell Banker conducted, 80% said they'd rather purchase a move-in-ready home than one that needs renovations. Let's discuss which renovations are generally worth it to complete before selling your home.   MAKE REPAIRS A home in disrepair communicates that the owner doesn't care about its upkeep, and a potential buyer may wonder whether more significant problems lay under the surface. Your home also may not pass an inspection if it has issues that need to be fixed. Consider having a pre-listing home inspection, so you can correct any problems before you list your home. This will also help smooth out any issues that a buyer might see when they schedule a walk-through.   UPDATE THE KITCHEN Many homeowners ask questions like, "Should I remodel my kitchen before selling?" The kitchen can make or break a sale, and an outdated kitchen may be an instant turn-off for potential buyers. Generally, kitchen renovations are a good investment that provides high ROIs, but they can become expensive very quickly. Don't spend unnecessarily on high-end appliances. Instead, consider buying mid-range, high-efficiency appliances to update your space. It also may be wise to paint old cabinets or replace outdated countertops with materials like granite or quartz.   BATHROOM RENOVATIONS Bathrooms should be updated and clean, and if yours needs repair, it's probably worth it to update your space. You don't have to completely renovate the entire room. Instead, focus on the details. Repair cracked tiles and grout, and replace hardware and old, outdated sliding glass doors. Update the space with features like a double vanity or a walk-in shower.   IMPROVE CURB APPEAL In many cases, people judge a book by its cover, so it's crucial that your home's exterior is fresh, inviting, and clean. MLS listings display the home's exterior photo first, and most buyers look online before they even begin to look at homes in person, so your home's exterior will be their first impression. Some easy updates include painting the front door, adding exterior lights, and removing any cracks or weeds from your walkway. Landscaping is also a great investment. Pressure wash the outside of your home to ensure that the siding is clean and bright before you take any photos.   DIY RENOVATIONS If you can take on a few renovations yourself, you'll save on labor costs, which increases your overall profit. Choose small projects that you're confident that you've got the money, time, and energy to complete. This can include tasks like painting the interior of your home in neutral colors to give it a fresh, updated look. You can also add new light fixtures to each space. Focus on providing an ambient, task-specific, and accent light to each room to make it feel cozy, interesting, and bright. New window treatments are also a fairly easy DIY job that will instantly update your space.   QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER Before starting a renovation project, it's important to ask yourself a few questions. This will help you determine what to fix and what not to fix when selling a house and whether you'll recoup the money you plan to invest. Not every home renovation is worth it, and some careful considerations will help ensure you get the most bang for your buck in the project you choose. Here are some questions to ask yourself. WHAT'S THE MARKET LIKE WHERE YOU LIVE? The amount of work you need to do depends on whether you live in a seller's or buyer's market. Check out local real estate listings to see what comparable homes have sold for in your area. It's also good to see how long each house was on the market before it sold. This will help you see how hard you'll need to work to get a buyer's attention.   HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? Before you begin, make sure you have a budget set. Get multiple quotes from contractors and know how much you're prepared to spend on your renovation project. This will help you stay on track and recoup the most money.   HOW WILL YOU PAY FOR IT? As with any major purchase, knowing how you'll pay for your renovation project is important. If you need to get a loan, it's important to factor the interest rate into your overall budget, so you know exactly how much you'll be spending out of pocket.   WHEN DO YOU PLAN ON LISTING YOUR HOME? Have a timeline in mind for listing your home, and stick to it. That way, you'll know whether you've got enough time to do major renovations. Remember that contractors work on tight schedules, and ordering materials takes time. If you're selling your home in the near future, you may not have enough time to get bigger projects completed in time.   WHAT'S THE COST AND AVAILABILITY OF MATERIALS? Supply chain issues are a major problem for contractors right now, and they have little control over how quickly they'll receive the supplies needed for a renovation project. Consult with your contractor and ensure you know exactly how much your materials will cost and when they expect them to arrive. This can affect your timeline and push back your listing date. A higher cost of materials can also lower your ROI, leaving you with less value and profit in the end.   TRUST THE DILSAVER GROUP TO HELP SELL YOUR HOME Not all renovations are created equal, and it's important to choose renovations that increase your home's value. Do your homework and consult with a trusted real estate agent to determine which ones are worth your time and money. If you're ready to sell your home but you're unsure about which projects to tackle before listing, contact The Dilsaver Group. They’re a group of expert realtors dedicated to giving you an elevated real estate experience, and they’ll help you sell your home at the highest price point.