Believe it or not, there’s a bit of Open House “etiquette” one should follow. 🤭
Seems silly, right? Well, that is until what you say could be held against you.
Sellers can hear more than you think. 👂 In today’s modern world, there is likely camera(s) and doorbells that are often recording.
Although under the Fair Housing Act, sellers and agents cannot discriminate based on protected classes like race, religion, gender, disability, familial status, etc. Your comments = are NOT protected 😳
Essentially, they are your negotiating power. 🤌 You might unintentionally offend the seller with a 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 comment regarding the furniture or even overgrown bushes.
What not to say or do: “This is our dream home—we’ll pay whatever it takes!” 😱 “We don’t like anything else we’ve seen” 🫠 Pointing out everything you love (or hate) 😬
All of these can weaken your negotiating position… or even offend the seller. Think of it like Poker. ♥️ ♣️♦️
The best move? Having a poker face. 🤫 Stay neutral while inside and save ALL thoughts, opinions, and strategy for once you’re outside or back in the car.
Jessica's Law is a California law designed to protect comunities, especially children, from registered sex offenders. Under the law, certain offenders are restricted from living within 2,000 feet of schools and parks.
Living near a park or school doesn’t automatically mean “safer,” and Jessica’s Law isn’t a guarantee either.
While it can be a helpful tool, it should never be your only source of information.
Smart buyers don’t assume-they verify. 👀
Before you fall in love with a home, take time to look at the full picture of the neighborhood. That means doing your own research, including checking the Megan’s Law website, and understanding what matters most to YOU.
Jessica’s Law is something every California home buyer should know, but many don’t. Your dream home isn’t just about the kitchen and layout... it’s about the surroundings too.
If you’re house hunting and want help navigating things like this, I’ve got you.
Date night idea, you ask? How about an Italian night at @primo_italia 🍝
The restaurant was literally designed around its massive wood-fired pizza oven. They had to lower it in with a crane and built the layout around it. 😮
It’s not just background music. Live piano and singing are a big part of the experience, and the owner (Lou) has even been known to perform alongside musicians. 🎹
Not to mention, they have some really cool spaces!
“La Cucina del Nonno” → designed to feel like a Tuscan family kitchen.
Rocco’s Room → a private event space with its own bar and tech setup. (Perfect for client dinners or celebrations.)
They offer a strong Italian wine selection (including many from Tuscany) and even a large number of wines by the glass. 🍷
With its live music, dim lighting, and upscale-but-homey vibe, it’s one of the South Bay’s favorites.
The peacocks roaming around Palos Verdes today aren’t native at all. 🦚
They were originally introduced in the 1920s when developer Frank Vanderlip received a small group (around 16 birds) as a gift. After they were released, they multiplied and spread all over the peninsula. 😮
Because they’ve been here for so long (over 100 years), they’ve become such a signature part of the area that spotting one casually walking down the street, or even on your roof, is totally normal for locals.
So basically… Palos Verdes didn’t plan for peacocks. They just showed up, stayed, and became part of the vibe.
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 is easily one of the most popular waterfront spots in Long Beach. 🏖️
AKA, a great place to take family and friends visiting SoCal. There are boardwalk vibes, colorful shops, and harbor views all in one place.
It was designed to feel like a quaint seaside village (Cape Cod–style) with wooden walkways and bright buildings.
There’s so much to do! Below are some of my personal favorites.
𝗘𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 🔭 There are several indoor/outdoor seating options available at the waterfront restaurants that face the marina and boats. Casual to nicer dining options available.
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 & 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 🛍️ Enjoy small boutiques, souvenir shops, jewelry, beachwear. Not in the mood to shop? A great “walk around with coffee/ice cream” kind of place.
𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 🪂 My personal favorite thing to do is rent a bike and cruise along the coast. If that’s not your thing, you can consider renting a boat to sail or even parasailing. Be sure to check out the arcade, too.
𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 🌅 Enjoy a sunset view over the marina. You can also catch the Queen Mary, just across the water. A great spot for photos, date nights, or just walking.
𝘼 𝙛𝙚𝙬 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙖 𝙛𝙪𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙨: It is a walking distance to the Aquarium of the Pacific. 🐠 Definitely a family-friendly environment during the day and I’d say more romantic in the evenings.
Finally, be sure to visit the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. 🤤 🍫
Enjoy one of their famous caramel apples, fresh fudge made in-store, or chocolate-covered strawberries. 🍓 SO good!
The age of the home matters more than you think…especially in the South Bay.
Here’s why: 1️⃣ Major systems wear out.
Roof, plumbing, and electrical can be at (or past) their lifespan. While we may not be able to find the exact year it was added, we may be able to identify its condition.
2️⃣ Hidden costs add up. Some older homes can mean bigger repairs are expected sooner than later. Knowing what these cost could be will allow you to decide if this home is in fact for you.
3️⃣ Permits & past work. Not all remodels are done with permits, and that can fall on you. If the city requires it to be brought up to code, that cost is on you—not the previous owner.
The charm is easy to love… the maintenance is what you need to understand. As always, my duty is to protect you and help you investigate, investigate, and oh, investigate some more.
Have you checked out @milkywayla? If not, you should!
This beloved kosher restaurant has been a local favorite for decades.
Bernie and Leah (Spielberg) Adler opened the doors to Milky Way in 1977.
Their vision was to offer elevated kosher cuisine to the Jewish community at a time when nothing like it existed in Los Angeles.
Leah also wanted to introduce bold, diverse flavors—bringing dishes inspired by Cajun, Mexican, and Thai cuisine to guests who had never experienced them before.
Not long after opening, it became clear that the main attraction wasn’t just the food… it was Leah herself.
With her vibrant personality, independent spirit, and unmistakable charm, she had a gift for making every guest feel like the most important person in the room. People came for the food, but they kept coming back for Leah.
Her memory and spirit continue to live on at Milky Way, woven into the food, the atmosphere, and the community it still brings together today.
Upon entering, you’ll be welcomed by the soft sound of piano music and surrounded by photos of Leah that beautifully honor her legacy.
Thinking about buying a home but not sure where your credit stands? You’re not alone and the good news is, it’s something you can improve with the right steps. 🏦
Your credit score plays a huge role in your loan options, interest rate, and overall buying power. Even small changes can make a big difference when it comes time to qualify.
(A little goes a long way)
If homeownership is on your radar this year (or even in the future), now is the time to start preparing.
If you want a personalized game plan or need help connecting with a trusted lender, I’m always here to help.
