Main Content

A | A | A | A
We are all Caterpillars – TBG Update 8/7

We are all Caterpillars – TBG Update 8/7

It’s so much better to be outdoors than indoors because if you can figure out how to be outdoors and six feet away from any human, then maybe you don’t have to wear a mask. Maybe, as in if you’re in a private yard and no one will be moving around so you’ll stay 6 feet apart. Being outdoors a lot, I keep noticing butterflies. I love the butterflies. I think they feel like a heart emoji in the air.

I’m excited about our new listings this week.

418 S Citrus is unique because the owners built a legal ADU in the backyard and then they divided it into two separate one bedroom apartments with separate entrances and a fence in between. The main house is a three bedroom two bathroom traditional house with a barrel ceiling living room. It’s kind of cool that the owners turned it into a mini compound.

133 N Formosa is an off market listing. It’s a super meticulous 3 bed and 3 bath home with living room, dining room, and den walking distance to The Grove. In the backyard is a backhouse (with another bath) and a garage. It’s in well maintained move-in condition.

638 N Sierra Bonita is a five bedroom five bathroom brand new Cape Cod construction for 2,499,000. It has great curb appeal on the outside and amazing light and freshness and open space on the inside. It’s great value because it’s so much new house for the neighborhood and the price.

In a world of Corona where so many businesses are shut down, the busiest industry of all is lending. One lender I spoke to this week says he has 63 active loans going right now. Because they’re slammed, lenders are needing a little more time to get the loans done. I got a counteroffer this week for a buyer and the listing agent countered the standard contract terms, wanting 14 days for loan approval and 24 hours to cancel with a notice to perform. We agreed to their terms and the lender said it’s okay. But, those terms are not so in line with what’s going on with most lending today. More realistic is closer to 30 days for loan approval on most loans and 45 days to close escrow.

I learned so many valuable life lessons from my five year experience developing the house at 326 S McCadden. Chief of all lessons is how important it is to work with honest, reputable, ethical people who take pride in their work and who put their heart and soul into the details. I’m so grateful to David Elliot Construction for getting my project to the finish line and for caring so much about the details. What a massive difference it is to work with different contractors and to compare! I got to learn the very very hard way all about construction and development and I’m so grateful!

Driving down PCH, there are always so many people swimming in the ocean. It’s interesting because the Pacific Ocean is so cold. Swimmers say the water is cold when you first get in but you get used to the temperature very quickly. It’s kind of like life. Often we get an initial shock of uncomfortable but then if we can stick with the uncomfortable, we see that we can adjust. And once we adjust maybe we can even try a wave or let it crash on us. I see that constantly with buyers and sellers. Buying or selling real estate takes getting uncomfortable because it’s such a huge life change. But when the transactions end and the deals are done, their faces look like the faces of the swimmers when they finally get out of the ocean – exhilarated, refreshed, and super excited!

Caterpillars are cool because they change completely and shed their skin before they turn into a graceful and beautiful butterfly. In some shape or form, we’re all caterpillars in Corona and working through the process of turning into butterflies. I notice each butterfly and it’s inspiration because a butterfly is inherently a natural struggle that becomes a happy ending. I love happy endings and I wish it for all of us!

Have an awesome weekend!

Get
In Touch
Curious about the home buying or selling process? Let's talk! Connect with us for a commitment-free chat.

    yes

    I agree to receive marketing and customer service calls and text messages from The Bienstock Group. Msg/data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Privacy Policy & Terms.

    Skip to content