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Showing posts from January, 2025

How Home Equity Can Help Fuel Your Retirement?

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If retirement is on the horizon, now’s the time to start thinking about your next chapter. And you probably want to make sure you’re set up to feel comfortable financially to live the life you want in retirement. What you may not realize is you likely have a hidden goldmine of cash you’re not thinking about — and that’s your home.  Data  from the  Federal Housing Finance Agency  (FHFA) shows that home values have gone up nearly 60% over the last 5 years alone (see graph below): And that appreciation gave your net worth a big boost. According to  Freddie Mac , over the same five-year period: “ . . .  Boomer overall wealth increased by $19 trillion, or $486,000 per household, half of which is due to house price appreciation.” So if you’ve been in your house ever longer than that, chances are you have even more equity in your home. If you want to have access to more of the wealth you’ve built up throughout the years, it’s worth thinking about  selling your house to downsize. Why Downsizi...

San Fernando Valley Real Estate Predictions For 2025 | Shawn Shai Halahmy

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San Fernando Valley Real Estate Predictions For 2025 | Shawn Shai Halahmy

FOR SALE: 20950 Oxnard St # 63, Woodland Hills 91367

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20950 Oxnard St # 63, Woodland Hills 91367 | 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, 2068 Square Feet $899,900 ** Welcome to your home at Warner Hill, where luxury and comfort meet in this stunning end-unit townhome. With 2,068 square feet of beautifully designed living space, this 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home offers the perfect balance of style and convenience. The bright and airy layout is complemented by beautiful flooring throughout, an abundance of recessed lighting, custom window treatments, high quality dual pane windows and a skylight that floods the home with natural light ** The gourmet kitchen boasts high-end appliances, perfect for entertaining and everyday cooking ** The primary suite is a true retreat with a grand double door entry, featuring vaulted ceilings, a gorgeous bathroom with soaking tub and a spacious walk-in closet complete with custom built-ins ** The additional loft will give you another wonderful flex-space to read, relax, work or enjoy some TV time ** Step outside to your p...

3030 Felton Pl. Newbury Park, CA | Sold By Shawn Shai Halahmy

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Sales price: $899,000. Call Shawn For More Like This One. 818-613-7355 Step into this stunning single-story haven located in the coveted Mount Boney neighborhood. With breathtaking mountain vistas as your backdrop, this meticulously maintained home offers a sanctuary of comfort and style. Boasting a sprawling 1,722 square feet, the home seamlessly combines original charm with modern updates. The expansive family room addition showcases a cozy fireplace and ample storage, while the large windows adorned with plantation shutters invite the panoramic views indoors. The updated kitchen is a culinary haven, featuring quartz countertops, craftsman-style cabinetry, and a seamless flow to the two-car garage. The dining room provides an elegant setting for meals, with direct access to the covered patio and sprawling backyard. Three generously sized bedrooms await your slumber, including an opulent primary suite with dual closets and captivating mountain views. The private bathroom boasts a dua...

Southern California Wildfires Devastation

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The Southern California wildfires have devastated communities since January 7, 2025, with 31 fires affecting the Los Angeles metropolitan area and surrounding regions. As of January 22, 2025, over 40,000 acres have been scorched, claiming 27 lives and forcing more than 200,000 people to evacuate. The Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire remain the largest active fires, with the Palisades Fire now 63% contained at 23,713 acres. These wildfires, exacerbated by drought conditions and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, have destroyed or damaged over 17,700 structures. The situation remains critical, with gusty conditions expected to persist through Thursday afternoon, maintaining elevated fire risks. For those affected by these devastating fires, numerous organizations and government agencies are providing assistance: 1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Apply for disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. 2. American Red Cross: Providing shelter, food, and supp...

8401 Rathburn Sold By Shawn Shai Halahmy

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SOLD... $1,000,000 Sales Price. Welcome to this exceptional property, a rare gem that has graced the market for the first time in nearly half a century! Nestled on an expansive 13,000 square foot lot, this meticulously maintained home offers a sprawling interior of approximately 1878 square feet. Step inside and be greeted by an abundance of natural light pouring through the grand skylight in the living room. The flexible floor plan provides endless possibilities, allowing you to tailor it to your specific needs. Choose from four spacious bedrooms or opt for three bedrooms and a comfortable den. Additionally, the home boasts two and a half bathrooms, ensuring convenience for all residents. For your comfort and enjoyment, central air and heat have been meticulously installed throughout the home. The kitchen is a culinary delight, boasting gleaming granite countertops and a recently upgraded range. Shawn Shai Halahmy Tel: 818.613.SELL (7355) Shawn@SoldByShawn.com DRE Lic# 01088893 9440 R...

San Fernando Valley Real Estate Predictions

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The San Fernando Valley Real Estate Market In 2025 The San Fernando Valley real estate market is one of the most dynamic and sought-after in the Los Angeles area. With its strong economy, diverse population, and excellent schools, it's no wonder that home prices in the Valley have been on a steady upward trend for years. Factors Driving the Market Several factors are driving the growth of the San Fernando Valley real estate market, including: * Strong job growth: The Valley is home to a number of major employers, including Warner Bros., Disney, and NBCUniversal. This has led to a steady influx of new residents, which has put upward pressure on home prices. * Limited supply of housing: The Valley is a relatively built-out area, with limited land available for new development. This has created a situation where there is more demand for housing than there is supply, which has also driven up prices. * Mortgage interest rates: Mortgage interest rates have been rising in recent months, b...

When Is The Right Time To Move? | Shawn Shai Halahmy

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It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of waiting for the perfect moment to make your move – especially in today’s market. Maybe you’re holding out and hoping mortgage rates will drop, or that home prices will fall. But here’s what you need to realize: trying to time the market rarely works. And here’s why. There is no perfect market. No matter when you buy, there’s always some benefit and some sort of trade-off – and that’s not a bad thing. That’s just the reality of it. If you’re not sure you buy into that, think back to the last 5 years in housing. Just a few years ago, mortgage rates hit a historic low. To take advantage of that, a ton of buyers rushed to buy a home and lock in those lower rates. The side effect? With such a big increase in how many buyers were purchasing, the homes on the market were snapped up fast. And since that resulted in so few homes left for sale, bidding wars became the norm and home prices went through the roof. Those buyers got a great rate, but they had...

2025 Housing Forecasts | Shawn Halahmy

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  Planning to buy or sell a house in 2025? Here are the latest expert forecasts on what to expect. According to the projections, mortgage rates will come down slightly. Home prices will rise in most areas. And more homes will be available for sale. Need help thinking through what this means for your move? Call me and we can talk through it together. Shawn 818-613-7355 Shawn Shai Halahmy Tel: 818.613.SELL (7355) Shawn@SoldByShawn.com DRE Lic# 01088893 9440 Reseda Blvd. #200 Northridge CA, 91324 https://shawn.real-estate-blog.com/2025-housing-forecasts-shawn-halahmy/

2025 Housing Market Forecasts | Shawn Halahmy

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2025 Housing Market Forecasts | Shawn Halahmy