Tag: LA

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Steven Taylor on LA, One of the Greatest Places to Live

Steven Taylor is in love with Los Angeles. The city is simply amazing. Nicknamed ‘the City of Angels’, Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis that is full of amazing people, historical and beautiful landmarks, and beaches that truly belong in the postcards.  

Of course, one might think that this is just Steven Taylor thinking out loud. However, an article that was published this year suggests that it’s not just Steven Taylor who thinks that Los Angeles is one of the greatest places to live in the United States. In fact, nearly one-third of Americans are now seriously considering where they live (thanks to the pandemic) and that the majority of them believe that Los Angeles is a better place to live. 

The report came out in June of 2021. Los Angeles came in at 126th place, while the consistent number one choice is Boulder, Colorado. The rating system depends on a number of factors, but the biggest factor would have to be the availability of jobs despite the pandemic. Los Angeles gained a point of 6.1 out of a 10 point scale, with desirability coming in with a perfect 10 point score. Again, Steve Taylor isn’t surprised why.  

The city is a bustling metropolis filled with many skyscrapers. The city is also a known hub for many IT centers, perhaps the only industry that is not entirely affected much by the pandemic, thanks to the availability of remote work-from-home options for workers. 

In an entirely different survey done just a few days ago, Los Angeles came in at 7th place for the Most Fun Place to live in the United States. Based on data compiled by the United States Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the Trust for Public Land, and Tripadvisor.com, it was proven that Los Angeles is amongst the cities with easy access to parks, venues that encourage outdoor activities, more restaurants, theaters, and places where there’s live music for entertainment. Also included are places where people can shop.  

Steven Taylor believes that among all cities in the United States, Los Angeles takes really great pride in its oneness with nature. One can clearly see it with our parks, our beaches, the nature trails, mountains, and others. Also, the city takes really great care of these natural gems so that future generations can continue to enjoy these parks and beaches. These, together with the malls and shopping centers of Los Angeles, are what contributed to the city getting the top 7th spot compared to other big cities, such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Las Vegas. 

Apart from the natural and man-made attractions, Los Angeles is also famous for being a city that supports and is home to many sports teams. The city is home to the LA Lakers and Clippers for basketball. It is also home to many other popular sports teams, such as the Dodgers, Angels, Rams, Chargers, Kings, Ducks, Galaxy, and the LA Football Club. If a city supports this many teams, then one can be sure that it’s a city where its citizens are always looking for something fun to do every day! 

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Steven Taylor on the Top Best Things to do in LA during Thanksgiving

If there’s one holiday during the year where Steven Taylor is most excited about, it’s always during Thanksgiving. 

Well, apart from the delicious food and the warm atmosphere, Steven Taylor enjoys having a really great and fun time together with his family and friends. Especially since he lives in Los Angeles, one of the biggest cities in the United States and one of the most fun places to visit during Thanksgiving too. 

Everyone has their plans on how to celebrate Thanksgiving. Steven Taylor, LA native also has his own plans too. But for those who want something different for this year, join us in celebrating Thanksgiving here in the City of Angels. We promise that you’re going to have a really great time wandering around and exploring the sights and the sounds! 

Here are top best things that one can do while in LA during Thanksgiving: 

Encanto at the El Capitan 

Location: El Capitan Theatre Hollywood 

Visiting LA with the family? Then Encanto at the El Capitan might be the perfect distraction for the kids. Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, the Opening Night Fan Event opened last November 23 and will continue until the 5th of December 2021. The event promises a fun night of music, laughter, and fireworks display. 

Turkey Trot Los Angeles 2021 

Location: Downtown 

The Turkey Trot returns this year as a live event. Set on the 25th, participants are expected to make their turkey ‘work out’ before the festivities begin. What the workout means is a scenic course throughout downtown Los Angeles.  

Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train 

Location: 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange CA 92869 

After Thanksgiving, it’s always our favorite time of the year! The Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train opens on November 26 and will continue to operate until December 24, Christmas eve. This is Irvine Regional Park’s annual event, so everyone is invited to participate and enjoy the wonderful Christmas ride. Apart from the train ride, there are other wonderful activities for the kids to enjoy too, like storytime and coloring activities.  

Hikari – Festival of Lights 

Location: Tanaka Farms, Irvine CA 

Ever wondered how it felt like to witness and be surrounded by hundreds of lights? Well, this coming November 26, prepare to experience the meaning of Hikari or “shine” with this Festival of Lights. Enjoy live music, food, photo ops, arts & crafts, and some cuddle time with barnyard animals. Santa is also there, ready to entertain guests and talk with the kids about their presents for being good little boys and girls.

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Steven Taylor on LA Getting Back on its Feet

Times have changed. Steven Taylor can still remember it like yesterday, when everyone is out in the open, having fun and enjoying all the great things that the city of Los Angeles has to offer. And then, in the blink of an eye, the COVID 19 pandemic happened. As hundreds were rushed to hospitals because of the virus, those who didn’t wish to get the disease had no choice but to remain inside their homes. Cities all over the world were placed on lockdown, including Steven Taylor’s beloved home city, the city of Los Angeles. 

2020 was the year where the world witnessed how terrible the pandemic was. The economy took a turn for the worst, supplies became increasingly expensive, and offices were forced to close down. By the time the year ended, things were so bad in LA that it was thought the city would become the epicenter of the spread of the virus. 

Even Steven Taylor also felt the effects of the pandemic. Because of the lockdown, there were lesser opportunities for Taylor Equities to build and talk business. Everyone is simply trying to survive both this health and economic crisis. Steven Taylor’s office staff also had to work at home because of the lockdown. But it certainly wasn’t all that bad. 

The pandemic kept families stronger. With Steven Taylor working at home, he now has enough time to discuss and keep in touch with his family. The same also goes for millions of people who are forced to work at home; the pandemic is literally rekindling the closeness of friends and family, as people began to miss each other and they would use different methods of communication just to keep in touch 

The hope for a new normal came when vaccinations were finally ready for the millions of people living in the United States. In the state of California, around 24.3 million people are vaccinated against COVID, which makes up around 61.6 percent of the state’s total population. Nowadays, Los Angeles is getting ready to start vaccinations for its younger citizens. The city is hoping that before the end of this year 2021, the entire population will be vaccinated finally against COVID 19. 

Of course, the government of Los Angeles is constantly reminding its citizens to be vigilant and to always practice social distancing. Just because the city of Los Angeles is now on its way to the new normal status, it doesn’t mean that its citizens can just frolic and have fun in the city. Besides, the vaccinations may keep doing well against preventing the further spread of the virus, even a vaccinated person is still going to contract COVID 19 if he/she is not wearing a face mask or is observing social distancing.  

Right now, the city also waging a war against misinformation. Steven Taylor believes that everyone should do their part by only talking about information that came from the local government and to stop spreading misinformation! 

Always remember to keep a good distance away from another person and to always wear your face masks! 

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Steven Taylor on LA: The City of Angels 50 Year Ago

All things have a beginning.  

That can be said to Steven Taylor, who once started from scratch while working to establish my family. Steven Taylor also can’t help but think about the time around what Los Angeles looked like 50 years ago. This was probably a time when everything was still simple and less noisy, probably. But to make it sounds authentic, Steven Taylor decided to write an article about it so we can all get nostalgic and talk about the good old days of LA. 

If one were to calculate correctly, 50 years ago would mean 1971. Even during the earlier years, Los Angeles was already making some noise because of its rich history and culture. Not to mention, the La Brea Tar Pits are still surviving and it is probably the oldest surviving landmark of Los Angeles.  

It’s because of the La Brea Tar Pits that Los Angeles’ museums have some fossils to show off to the public and to scientists for research. But still, Steven Taylor’s already leading to a different topic, so don’t worry and Steven Taylor will gladly talk about the La Brea Tar Pits soon. 

At this time, the city of Los Angeles is already an established city with thousands of people living in the area thanks to the past glorious days of Hollywood and the industrial revolution that opened many businesses in the city.  

But for now, it’s time to head back to the magical 1971 and list down all the important events that played out in this wonderful City of Angels: 

1971 – The famous Los Angeles Convention Center finally opens in Downtown LA. It is also the same year that Magic Mountain opened to the public for the first time. Today, the venue is now known as Six Flags Magic Mountain.  

1972 – Biking enthusiasts would forever remember this date when Los Angeles finally inaugurated the South Bay Bike Trail. This linked the Pacific Palisades to the rest of the beaches towns, such as Santa Monica, Venice, and Marina Del Rey 

1976 – The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites open in Downtown LA. The 35-story hotel would become a famous city landmark and is featured in the movies ‘True Lies’ and ‘In the Line of Fire’. 

As time passed by, more and more familiar landmarks would open in Los Angeles. Landmarks such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Hammer Museum, a new airport terminal in the Los Angeles International Airport, and the Japanese- American National Museum. Several important world events would also happen in Los Angeles during these times.  

Such events were the 1984 Summer Olympics, Pope John Paul the 2nd’s visit in 1987, Nelson Mandela visiting Los Angeles in 1990 as part of his world tour, and the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Originally published at https://steventaylorlandlord.blogspot.com.

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Buying a Home in LA – What Kind of Home Can I Buy?

So you’re ready to buy a home in Los Angeles. After many months of searching and saving enough money to afford the house of your dreams, you are finally ready.  

That’s good and all, but have you thought about the kind of property that you want to buy?  

With LA being a sprawling megapolis with many different types of properties, it is very easy to get confused as to what kind of home you’d like to live in. With that case in mind, let’s help you get that dream house of yours. 

Checking your Budget 

You’ve already established your need to buy a house. But since we’re going to decide on the kind of house that is right for you, you’ll need to rethink your budget once again. Also, buying a house in LA is no laughing matter. The city is notorious for selling the most expensive property known to man. 

In fact, LA County’s median price was 650,000 for a single-family home while a condo would fetch up to $530,000. These prices are from November of 2020, so you can just imagine how much it’d cost people to buy homes in Los Angeles now.  

Keep in mind that this is not to threaten you into buying a home in Los Angeles. This is simply to educate and to give people a good perspective on how much preparation and money you need to prepare for in buying a home in Los Angeles. 

What Kind of Homes can I Buy in LA? 

Once you’ve already determined and prepared your budget, it’s time to have a look at the kind of homes that you can buy in Los Angeles: 

Duplexes/Triplexes – A property with more than one self-contained unit, this house usually has its own kitchen and bathroom. These houses are often quick to disappear since they are always snapped at once by investors. However, these homes are good options for buyers who want to buy homes with an extended family in mind. This property is also a good option for those who want to take on a renter who can help pay for the mortgage. 

Single-family Homes – The classic American-style house that just sits there on its own in its own plot of land. There’s also the option of adding a white picket fence and a pool. Of course, those are sold separately! 

Condos – Now we come to the more luxurious type of home. The condo is basically an apartment that you can buy. Unlike the single-family homes, the condo building and the land beneath where it stands are co-owned by everyone who each bought a unit. The amenities and upkeep of the condo are paid for by a homeowner’s association, which is funded through monthly fees paid by the residents of the condo. 

Townhomes – Townhomes are often attached to neighboring units. These houses offer the space and feel of a single-family home, but they function more like condos. Residents share the ownership of the land around the homes while paying for the monthly homeowner dues. 

Small-lot homes – A unique type of home that can only be seen in LA, the small-lot home look like townhouses from a distance, but they are actually more similar in function with the single-family home. The unit in small-lot homes do not touch and each unit sits on a tiny piece of land. In fact, the land is barely any larger than the small-lot home unit itself! 

Co-ops – Co-ops are still around in LA, but not nearly as much compared in other cities, like New York. These units are similar to condos, except that buyers don’t technically own their units. Instead, what the buyers own are shares in an association that are run by a very powerful board that often vets potential residents. 

Vacant Lots – Finally, you have vacant lots. It is possible to buy land and then build your very own house in Los Angeles, but there are rules and permits that you have to check and follow. Also, the process of building your own house can be very costly.  

Whatever kind of home you’ve decided to buy, always remember to check with an engineer on local building codes. If you’ve decided to get a co-op, a townhouse, or a condo, check in with your local homeowner’s association for more information and for help regarding issues with your unit.  

As for those who managed to buy a single-family home or vacant lot, always make sure to check on building permits and regulations before you start with any construction to avoid issues. 

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Steven Taylor, LA investor, on Easy and Effective Real Estate Marketing Ideas

Steven Taylor LA Kobe Bryant Mural
Steven Taylor LA Kobe Bryant Mural
Steven Taylor LA Kobe Bryant Mural

Introduction

Steven Taylor is a LA area real estate professional and community leader who has completed over $500 million in transactions in the Southern California real estate market. Today, we are going to talk about how to market your real estate online.

In this day and age, gone were the days when you need to bring in a huge amount of capital just to market your property. Nowadays, you have Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and several other real estate websites that can assist newbie real estate brokers in marketing their real estate.

The only challenge here is that so many people are also doing it. How do you make your marketing campaign fresh and unique from the others?

Social Media Marketing

While the real estate market is still as huge as it ever was, with social media marketing, real estate brokers also need to develop their own style of marketing to get in new clients daily. Research from the National Association of Realtors shows that about 92% of buyers use the Internet to get information about real estate. Their research may include the property that they want to buy, the owner of the said property, and the asking price.

So if you don’t do your own marketing strategy, then you’d already lost your source of income even before you can start selling your property. Your potential buyers can just simply search for property and buy it themselves!

Setting Yourself on Social

As an experienced real estate professional, Steven Taylor, LA investor, makes sure that he has a strong social media presence not just with his potential clients, but also with people who are inquiring about the property he is selling. That should be your queue, right there.

Setting yourself up on social media should be very easy. Start with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and even Linkedin. Create your own profile, make sure you fill in all the necessary information, and don’t forget to put in a nice profile picture too.

If your profile is up, it’s time to fluff up your social media account. What Steven Taylor does is that he puts up pictures of the property that he is about to sell or is currently selling.

In your case, take some photos of the property that you’re selling and post them on Facebook or Instagram. If you’ve managed to gain a lot of followers and friends, they’ll immediately get notified. And with that in mind, you can start selling to your followers and page fans.  

But it doesn’t always have to be business. You can also pick some random shots of houses or just share amazing photos of mansions and four-story properties that you would like to market in the future. That way, you’ll gain more friends and followers for your social media page.

Social Sharing on Property Pages

Steven Taylor also makes sure to share his social media profiles to property pages that he visits on the Internet. What this does is that visitors on those property pages will click those social media buttons that were installed.

But they will only do that if they like how you sell the property.  Remember, we haven’t gotten to the part where you are actually selling your property, so just chill and relax.

For now, establish your social media presence first.

Creating a Killer Business Card

Even in this age of free information and data sharing, the need for an impressive business card is still a requirement for professional real estate brokers. If you want to save money, you can just find a really nice format for a business card online and then have yours printed out.

However, you can also invest money in it by seeking the services of a professional business card maker. Steven Taylor does this and he also updates his business cards when needed.

Make Yourself Easy to Contact

You may have the best business cards and you’ve already shared your social media profile and social sharing buttons on every property site you know, but if people can’t reach you when they do need your services, then all your marketing efforts have been in vain.

Make sure to do the following before you attempt to start marketing your services:

  • Update your mobile phone and office phone numbers on your business cards.
  • Keep your Facebook and Twitter profiles active
  • Always check your social media profiles for any inquiries coming from visitors
  • Always entertain questions, especially when it has something to do with the property that you’re selling.
  • When scheduling online calls, make sure that you’re ready for the call at least 5 minutes before the agreed hours.
  • Learn to plan ahead with your schedules.

Summary

Finally, don’t treat your customers differently. There are times when a real estate broker will prefer to talk to a richer client compared to someone who has a moderate budget only because he/she will get a bigger commission with the former.

Treat every customer with respect and they’ll also do the same for you. It’s how Steven Taylor does it and it’s how you should do it if you really want to become the best real estate agent!

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COVID-19 Impact on Los Angeles Real Estate

Steven Taylor Los Angeles Skyline at night
Steven Taylor Los Angeles Skyline at night

Los Angeles, known as the land of opportunities, is a paradise for real estate investors. As it is the second-largest city in the country that takes pride in its warm weather, diverse culture, and dynamic economy, it comes as no surprise that a number of people have included it in their list of best cities to move into. It remains eye-catching for prospective tenants who are searching for practicality in the so-called land of the rich and famous. With all of these in mind, the competition for real estate investments is certainly high—having a strategy that is aligned with the current pandemic situation is the key to making the right investment that can generate a great long-term return.

Like many other sectors that the COVID-19 pandemic has made an impact on, the real estate market in Los Angeles has also encountered various challenges that continue to exist today. Despite the continuous progress and developments in the business conditions for commercial real estate in Los Angeles over the years, it was not exempted from the domino effect of the pandemic. Delays and shortages in terms of project developments in the sales operation, costs estimates, and values and rates of return of existing real estate were those that had the greatest impact.

The recent survey conducted by NAIOP found that 86.6% of developers faced delays or shortages in construction supplies while some types of deal activities have doubled for office and retail properties over the last year. A decline in the leasing for existing development projects has already dropped by more than half while shortages of both construction supplies and workers were more severe than last year. Considering that the country is slowly adjusting to the post-pandemic era, they reported that all of these have remained unchanged since June 2020.

On the other hand, the recent real estate forecast in Los Angeles has shown signs that it is ready to bounce back in the market. Mastroeni (2021) reported that rental vacancies have increased by 2.5% which meant that rental rates are also down—but only by 0.4%. This may come as good news for real estate investors given the awareness that it may likely be a short-term impact. Given the remote working environment, rental vacancies were expected to rise but as L.A continues to be one of the fastest-growing cities, investors know that this will eventually decrease post-pandemic.

The Los Angeles metro area also stated that they are running on 2.2 months worth of housing inventory but it is important to point out that this is higher than the national average of 1.6 months. This simply means that despite the delays and declines in project developments, L.A can still thrive on its existing value chain while catching up on further investments. On top of that, the increase in the number of both single and multi-family housing permits can also reduce the inventory shortage in the future.

As unemployment rates are still high in Los Angeles—9.9% as of February 2021 and higher than the national average of 6.2%, investors should consider how this affects the longer rental vacancies in the area. However, it should still be noted that L.A always has its reopening plan one way or another which means that more jobs will eventually become available. It would be ideal for investors to have a strategy on how they would approach this as of the moment and in the near future.

Investors should also be aware that unemployment is still relatively high in Los Angeles, which could lead to longer vacancies. As of February 2021, the unemployment rate is 9.9%, a figure that is up 5.6% since the same time last year and is significantly higher than the national average of just 6.2%. Still, as LA prepares to enter the next phase of its reopening plan, odds are that many more jobs will become available and the rate should begin to drop.

With that in mind and the fact that L.A real estate market is not the most affordable in the country, investors should concentrate on the fact that there’s still an abundance of investment opportunities for those who can afford the median price of over 700K. It is also worth noting that some neighborhoods in L.A are much cheaper and completion between buyers is lesser. Flipping houses may come to a halt but this should not prevent real estate investors from focusing their investments on rental properties instead. – Steven Taylor

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Steven Taylor – Los Angeles, What Makes it Such a Special Place to Live – An Insider’s View

Los Angeles hike with Steven Taylor and family

Los Angeles isn’t only one of the world’s most popular places to visit on vacation, it is also an exceptional place to live, work, and play. Long time residents, like Los Angeles native, Steven Taylor, say they get the best of all worlds living in LA. From downtown skylines to mountain ranges, bustling restaurants to hole in the wall coffee shops, and business district apartments to family friendly neighborhoods – there is something for everyone. In this article, we’ll share a few reasons Los Angeles is such a special place to live, from an insider’s view.

Los Angeles is truly a melting pot.

LA is truly diverse – it is one of only two cities in the US that does not have a majority population. Los Angeles is full of people from many cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities – its residents hail from over 140 countries and the LA population speaks almost 100 languages. Not only will you find many cultures, but there is a wide variety of neighborhoods and socio-economic communities. You can find people of every religion, belief system, and lifestyle here. Los Angeles’ vast diversity has led to incredible food, art, entertainment, and community scenes, which people come from all over the world to experience.

Los Angeles offers an endless amount of things to do.

If there is one thing that everyone can agree on about Los Angeles, it’s that you’ll never be bored. Steven Taylor Los Angeles native, loves that the LA area has countless activities that he can enjoy with his whole family. Residents who enjoy the outdoors take advantage of more than 80 miles of coastline and beaches, in addition to the plethora of state parks, hiking trails, bike paths, horseback riding, and nearby mountains for skiing and snowboarding.

For residents who are looking for entertainment and educational activities, Los Angeles has hundreds of museums, as well as Zoos and Aquariums. Southern California is also home to theme parks, professional sports arenas, concert venues, and world famous tourist attractions that even the locals can appreciate.

Los Angeles is environmentally progressive.

If you care about your carbon footprint and waste impact, Los Angeles is a great place to live. LA may be known for its layer of smog, but Angelenos are also known for being environmentally conscious. The area has a growing number of energy efficient buildings, and is the number one city in the United State for solar power use. Angelenos are also on top of their waste management and recycling – LA has the highest recycling rate of all big cities in America. While there still may be pollution from all the traffic, Los Angeles is making progress in the right direction to keep our environment safe.

Los Angeles has an exceptional restaurant scene.

Those who live in Los Angeles have access 24 hours to an immense amount of restaurant and dining experiences. Between the bars, restaurants, food trucks, pop-ups, and stands, you can find any type of cuisine at any time of day. LA has become known around the world for it’s dynamic food scene, primarily due to its expansive diversity and culture. If you want to experience why Los Angeles is such a special place to live, Los Angeles native Steven Taylor says there is no better way than to taste the food!

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4 Factors to Keep in Mind When Investing in Apartment Complexes

Apartment Steven Taylor Taylor Equities
Apartment Steven Taylor Taylor Equities

When considering investing in anything, according to Steven Taylor of Taylor Equities , the question you should always ask is: Why is this a good deal? A good deal isn’t just about numbers – a good deal has a compelling story and makes sense. Is the property mismanaged? Stressed? Under foreclosure? The facts should tell a story that explains why the property has value. Developing the instinct to recognize a good deal takes time, but with research, study, and experience you can learn to find the right investments.

Here are four factors to keep in mind when investing in apartment complexes.

1. Cash Flow

The probability of cash flow is a crucial factor to consider. It is important to evaluate how the property will generate cash flow in comparison to other potential properties. To start, ask yourself these questions:

  • What is the strength of the rental market in the area?
  • What type of market you are buying into (For example, C class buildings often have higher rates of tenant turnover. They can also call for more maintenance and repairs.)
  • Financing (How much money are you putting down? What is the interest rate? What type of loan?)

2. Equity

The next thing to consider is if the apartment complex you are purchasing holds equity. If the property doesn’t have equity, can you create it?  Equity in a property can take many forms. A few to look for are:

  • Discounted listing price
  • Foreclosure
  • Upside potential (Fixer-upper)
  • Poor management
  • Opportunity for rezoning

While there are ways to create equity, you are better off buying into it. Be on the lookout for motivated sellers who want out of their property – they are often willing to give up the building’s equity for less.

3. Appreciation

Purchasing in the right location and during the right time will result in profit and appreciation. But, evaluating timing can be tricky. The real estate cycle is often very uncertain. Therefore, if you purchase an apartment complex without the certainty of cash flow or equity, with the goal of short-term appreciation, you will be taking on a risky investment.

Often, aiming for moderate or long-term appreciation will be a safer bet. Study neighborhood and city trends over the long term to choose areas that hold their value and grow at a steady rate.

4. Risk

Those investing in apartment complexes often neglect to consider risk. Regardless of the amount of research you do, risk will always be a factor. Even if you have considered all the factors, you presumptions can be incorrect.

Have a backup plan for risk. If you are buying a building for appreciation, and the apartment complex does not appreciate, can you instead gain positive cash flow through renting units? If you have vacancies in some of your units, will you be able to balance the negative cash flow?  When investing in apartment complexes, you should expect a positive outcome, but always be prepared for your plan to take a turn. Real estate investment in a risky business, and if you want to play the game, you have to be ready to pivot when things go wrong. But, when things go right, investing in apartment complexes can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor. Steven Taylor Taylor Equities