Interest Rates Continue to Rise
Mortgage rates remained fairly steady throughout 2021, hovering just above or below 3% nationally. However, in December of 2021, we saw a sharp spike to 3.1% and a continued increase in the national average since. There doesn’t seem to be
Ways to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early
Looking for Ways to Pay Off Your Home Loan Ahead of Schedule? For most homebuyers, the road to fully owning their home is a long one. It’s a road that they will likely travel for about 30 years. This is
How to Successfully Marketing an Empty House for Sale
Ways to Stage a Home for Sale Without Furniture There are many challenges to successfully marketing an empty house for sale. Potential buyers may have a difficult time envisioning how various areas of the home can be utilized. Empty homes
Must a Death in the Home be Disclosed when Selling?
If you are selling a home, you will be required to make disclosures about many of the material facts about your home. One specific disclosure that many sellers are often confused about is in regard to a death occurring within
Tips for Negotiating Repairs After the Home Inspection
How to Successfully Negotiate Home Repairs when Buying a Home As a home buyer, getting a home inspection is one of the best ways to determine if the home you are purchasing is structurally sound and that all systems are
Does the Drop in Lumber Prices Equal Big Savings for New Home Buyers?
The rise in costs of residential building supplies and shortage of skilled laborers over the past 18 months has been well documented in the news. The effects Covid-19 pandemic on the supply chain for products and materials used to build
Are 3D Printed Homes the Future of Residential Construction?
Over the past 18 months, the new home market has faced a number of challenges, notably, the rise in building costs, shortage of building materials, supply chain issues, and access to qualified labor. These challenges are no doubt the direct
Things to Consider for First-Time Home Renters
Planning and Research is Key for First-Time Home Renters Renting a house or apartment for the first time is an exciting moment, but can also be an intimidating and overwhelming experience. It’s like anything else that you are doing for
Locating and Buying Probate Properties
Guest blog by Mike Johnson The process of locating and buying probate properties can be tricky. Education and preparation will give you the best opportunity to snag one of these prized investments. Property that has gone into probate means that
Interviewing a Listing Agent to Sell Your Home
Deciding to sell your home is a huge decision. Once you have made the decision to sell, there are many other big decisions that follow. How much will you list it for? When will you list? Where will you move
How Long is The Closing Process?
How long is the closing process when buying or selling a home? It’s a great question. So how long does it take to close escrow? What does the process entail? What is required of the buyer and the seller? All
Top Reasons to Sell Your Home This Spring
When a homeowner lists their home for sale, they are hoping that it sells quickly and for the most money possible. Additionally, they may need to meet a specific timeline for moving or buying their next home. It can be
Buying a Home in a Seller’s Market
When the inventory of homes for sale is low and buyer activity is high, the home seller has more leverage in the market. As a buyer, you may have fewer options in a seller’s market. It will be important to
Home Improvements that Help you Sell
When deciding to sell your home, there are some things to consider and preparations to make in order to sell quickly and get top dollar for your home. We recommend walking through your home and viewing it from the perspective
Consider the Future When Buying your Home
When shopping for a new home, there are so many factors to consider. You will likely have a list of criteria and needs that the house must meet. Specifications such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, living space, layout,
Choosing the Right House to Buy
Even in low inventory markets, homebuyers have many homes to choose from. There may be more than one home that meets your criteria, however, there are several things to look over and consider when choosing the right house to buy.
Tips for Getting Approved to Lease a Home with No Credit
Are you having a hard time Getting Approved to Lease a Home with No Credit? This is a common challenge for those with bad or little credit history. Fortunately, there are some tips and methods that can help you get
5 Factors that Affect the Sales Price of your Home
There are many factors that affect the sales price. There is no specific formula for how your home’s value appreciates or depreciates. When it is time to sell, it is important to look at the following factors that will influence
Anniversary Gifts by Year
Did you know there are traditions for anniversary gifts by year? Coming up with the perfect and most appropriate gift each year is stressful. Luckily, there are some traditions in place to help guide
Top Smart Home Systems for 2021
Updating your home to modern aesthetics is something that homeowners have been doing for decades. With recent advances in ‘Smart Home’ technology, updates are no longer just to keep up with visual style. Now, homeowners have to keep their homes
3 Reasons A Smart Home Is A Smart Sell
Many homeowners don’t understand the immense value of smart home technology. Imagine this: you’re heading home from grocery shopping during the hottest part of the day in the hottest part of the summer. You open your trunk, load your arms
Redondo Beach: The Ultimate Guide
Redondo Beach California is a suburban beach town in Los Angeles County, located about 20 miles south of Downtown L.A. in an area known as the South Bay. The city covers a little over 6 square miles and is home
15 Awesome Fall Scented Candles
Fall 2020 has officially arrived! Since most public fall activities have been canceled due to the pandemic, it may be more challenging to get into the fall spirit this year. There are no harvest festivals or as many pumpkin patches
Must-haves for Homeowners with Dogs
Owning a dog is a big responsibility. There’s little doubt that bringing a furry friend into your home is rewarding, although it certainly comes with its own set of challenges. It is important for both you and your pup to
Brand New Condos for Sale in Redondo Beach
Merit Real Estate is proud to offer five brand new condos for sale in Redondo Beach, California! We saw this new condo project from start to finish. So much thoughtful craftsmanship went into every aspect of designing and building these
Saging your Home Before Moving in
Moving into a new home is an exciting event. It is a process that often requires a lot of planning. If you are moving into a new space, you are likely going to consider things such as cleaning before you
Best South Bay Take Out Restaurants
There is no doubt the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic have greatly changed our world. One major change caused by the pandemic is the way we dine. With indoor dining prohibited and outdoor dining being limited, take-out is the
Homeowner Shirts that You Actually Want to Wear.
Becoming a homeowner is a special feeling. It’s the type of joy that you want to shout from the mountain tops so that everyone knows about it. The next best thing to shouting from the mountains would be to just
Buying a Home. The Road to Homeownership.
Buying a home is a huge deal! It’s a big decision and requires hopeful homebuyers to navigate through a somewhat arduous process. Curiosity is often what starts the journey towards homeownership. Once you become curious about buying a home, what
Real Estate Commissions: What you need to know.
When a homeowner decides to sell their home, the cost of hiring a qualified Realtor will certainly be a major concern. Homebuyers often have questions about how their Realtor will get paid as well. Whether you are a buyer or
Top Tips for Selling Your Home for the Most Money
If you are selling your home, you’ll want to take measures that ensure you sell quickly and for the most money possible. Venturing into real estate can seem like a scary jump, but you could find real estate agents Here
Sell Your Home with Merit!
Many real estate agents claim to have an amazing marketing plan to sell your home. Some do in fact have said plan. Unfortunately, most agents will do minimal marketing and hope that another local Realtor will bring a qualified buyer.
Should I Buy a House During the Pandemic
The nationwide real estate market started out relatively strong in 2020. Industry experts were forecasting a slightly slowing but steady housing market for the year. The U.S. economy was also humming along like a well-oiled machine, and lending rates remained
Earnest Money Deposit – Everything You Need to Know
The earnest money deposit is a crucial part of a real estate purchase offer. The amount of earnest money offered to a seller as a good faith deposit can be the difference between getting your offer accepted and losing out
Causes for Forfeiting Earnest Money
There are 3 main causes for forfeiting earnest money deposit when buying a home. When entering into a purchase contract as a home buyer, a buyer agrees to execute specific timelines and terms. Failing to do so can lead to
Out of Pocket Costs When Buying a Home
In addition to your downpayment, there are significant out of pocket costs associated with purchasing a home. These various ‘closing costs’ typically costs homebuyers between 2 and 5 percent of the purchase price. Here is a list of typical ‘closing
The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Home Sight Unseen
Buying a home sight unseen is not new. Recent polls of homebuyers have shown that over 20% have submitted offers without stepping inside the home. Similar surveys have also shown that about 50% of Millenial buyers have submitted offers without
10 Productive Things to do During Covid-19 Quarantine
The Covid-19 pandemic has turned our world as we know it upside down. Over 15 states have issued lock-downs and tens of millions of Americans are stuck at home during this time of quarantine. Self-quarantining is great for our physical
Moving Checklist – Printable PDF
Moving from one home to another is no joke! Moving a long distance is really difficult. Taking advantage of available moving resources and having a great “no fluff moving checklist” will help you plan and organize this major undertaking. Find
Top Moving Resources – Moving to a New Home
Moving to a new home can be stressful, therefore you’ll want to prepare well and have a plan. Whether you hire professional movers or use a DIY approach, there is a lot to consider. We’ve assembled a comprehensive list of
Fruit Display Favorites that will Elevate your Kitchen
Elevate the simplest and cleanest kitchen or dining room design instantly with a bright and interesting fruit display. Fruit bowls and displays are classic elements of design for kitchens and dining areas. There are so many great design options for
Are HOA Fees Worth it?
Are HOA fees worth it? Is living in an HOA right for you? These are questions that you will need to answer when you are shopping for your next home. If you aren’t well-versed on what an HOA is or
Save Money on your Home Purchase
If you can be flexible, open-minded, and patient when purchasing a home, you will save a boat-load of money. Plan your purchase to allow yourself time to save money and wait for various money-saving opportunities. Let’s explore the top ways
Staging Your Home to Sell Fast
Staging your home correctly will allow buyers to see it’s true potential, and sell fast. There are a few specific staging tips to follow that have the most impact on potential buyers. Here are the top staging tips for selling
Staircase Railing Styles that will Elevate your Design
A staircase and its railings are the focal points and design features in a home. The style of railing should match the overall style and aesthetic of the home. Here are some classic staircase railing styles that will elevate your
Top 4 Tips for Selling Your Home for the Most Money Possible
When selling your home, it is paramount that you are able to sell it for the most money possible. Another goal will most likely be to sell it within a specified timeframe. You may not have the luxury of waiting
How Realtors Search for Available Homes
Have you ever wondered how Realtors search for available homes? A hard-working, experienced Realtor uses several methods and sources to help them find homes for their buyers. Considering that the services of a buyer’s agent are almost always free, the
For Sale By Owner: The True Costs
When it comes to selling a home, homeowners have a few options. Most homeowners will contact a local Realtor to list their home for sale and market it to prospective home buyers. It is well-known that this method involves paying
Writing a Winning Personal Letter to a Home Seller
How to Write the Perfect Letter to the Homeowner. Submitting a great personal letter to the home seller will make your offer stand out from others. There are many factors that go into writing a winning purchase offer. A big
Buying a Home: Make Your Purchase Offer Stand Out
Making your purchase offer stand out from those of other South Bay homebuyers in 2020 will give you a huge advantage when it comes to buying the home of your dreams. Although we are in the midst of a real
Redondo Beach Real Estate Market: Trends for 2020
Here is a quick and straightforward look at what we see for the Redondo Beach real estate market in 2020. The local market remained steady in 2019, while still providing great opportunities for homeowners and investors alike. Home prices are
South Bay Volunteering Opportunities for 2021.
Looking for volunteering opportunities in the South Bay area? There are many awesome community organizations and outreach programs in Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Torrance. These local organizations and programs are dependent on the participation of volunteers, and
Cheap Flights From Southern California in January
As we march through the 2019 holiday season into the New Year, many of us are excited by a fresh start and all of the opportunities that a new year brings. One of the many great opportunities that January brings
House Cleaning for Dog Owners
Keeping a house clean takes time outside of work and school that you might not have. Add another pair of feet or paws to the household and you’ll be shocked at how quickly the house becomes dirty or untidy, even
How to Transform Your Home Into a Prime Vacation Rental
Turning your Redondo Beach home into a vacation rental has tons of benefits, from giving you an extra source of income to allowing better interest rates than if you were to invest in a second home and turn it into
Featured In Top Agent Magazine Southern California Edition
Top Agent Magazine features the best real estate agents in the US, Canada, Europe, worldwide. It is a premier real estate publication that reviews nominations of stand-out agents who are top producers in the industry. The magazine selects and showcases
Property Management by Merit
The Top Property Management Services in the South Bay. Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Torrance, Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena, Lomita, and Lawndale About Merit Property Management At Merit Real Estate, we strive to provide our associates and their clients with
Living with pets? Keeping a Tidy Home
Having a dog and a clean home does not have to be impossible. True, living with pets can make things trickier – through no fault of their own – but that doesn’t mean you can’t have both. Here are some
Am I Ready to Own a Home?
Determining if you’re ready to own a home for the first time can be a challenge! It can feel intimidating to purchase your first home. How do you know if you’re ready?? There are a few simple questions you can answer
The Top Tax Credits for Homeowners
You may have heard people saying that owning a home is beneficial for tax purposes, but you don’t fully understand why. Perhaps you know about some tax benefits, but fear you may be missing out on some tax break opportunities.
Consider The Future
When choosing a new home, it’s important to take your future into consideration. Perhaps the most important thing to take into consideration when purchasing a home is your future there. It’s so easy to get caught up in the marketing
Essential Steps to Help Pet Owners Stage Their Home for a Successful Open House
Getting ready for an open house can be challenging for anyone, but prepping to sell a house with pets can be an especially trying task. Having pets often means living with their odors and messes, and while you may not
Invest in Real Estate
Purchasing a home is the best investment you’ll ever make. When you purchase a home you are truly making an investment – gaining equity and saving your down payment until you choose to sell at a higher price. Make sure
Expenses Homeowners Pay But Renters Do Not
When you’re considering making the jump to homeownership from renting, there are a few added expenses to consider. Though Merit Real Estate is a huge fan of homeownership, we want to make sure you’re entering into the game with your eyes wide
How To Make The Best Out Of A Bad Situation
So many homeowners find themselves in a really bad position when the economy is in a downturn. They’re underwater on their mortgages – meaning that they owe more on their home than it is worth at a current valuation. When
Preparing to Buy a Home
You’ve decided that it’s time for you to purchase your first home. Now what? Now it is time to start preparing to buy a home. Being a first-time homebuyer is one of the most exciting and uncertain times of your
The Emotional Toll of Foreclosure
Going through a foreclosure can wreak havoc on a person’s financial life, but the emotional toll that a foreclosure can take on an individual or a family can often go overlooked. This year alone an estimated 2.5 million American’s will
What Can I Give Up to Make a Down Payment?
When trying to purchase a new home, it can be overwhelming to think about trying to save for a down payment. For most people, this is the largest single sum of money that will ever leave their account. For many,
Design Ideas That Won’t Go Out of Style
When remodeling or updating a home, it can be difficult to make decisions about finishes while keeping trends and long-term desirability in mind. We’ve compiled a shortlist of styles that have been around forever and will continue to endure the
Qualities of a Great Listing Agent
If you’re planning to purchase or sell a home, you’ll likely hear the terms “listing agent” and “selling agent”. These are differentiations for the real estate agent that you will use to list your home on the market, versus the
Dow/Johnston Triangle Block Party!
Shoutout to our awesome helper preparing the goodie bags for the Neighborhood Block party happening this weekend in Redondo Beach! We can’t wait to see you there 🙂
Staging a Home That Sells
Sometimes the difference between selling your home immediately and struggling through a multiple month-long process is simply in the staging. Make sure you know what buyers are looking for in a beautifully staged home. What follows is Merit Real Estate’s
How to Hire a Reliable Home Inspector
A home inspector often determines the value and safety of your home; hire smart! A home inspector is one of the most important people you will hire during the home buying process. Not only does he or she determine the
8 Things to Avoid When Selling Your Home
Selling your home is a huge job – one that you should take very seriously. There are some very costly mistakes that you can make during the home selling process that could cost you thousands of dollars. Often, it’s best
Eye-Catching Curb Appeal on a Budget
When you’re trying to balance your home improvement budget before you sell your home, it can be tempting to spend all of your money on the interior of your home, but often curb appeal can give your home that certain
Buying a House After Bankruptcy
Going through bankruptcy (be it any of the different types of bankruptcies) can often be one of the most daunting events to experience and in most cases it’s unavoidable. Whether you’ve been declared bankrupt through court order or by your
What Are Closing Costs?
Debunking the myths and mysteries of closing costs. Closing costs are the fees paid at the time of closing on your house. You’re so close to being a homeowner! These closing procedures are the last step between you and being
Brew Lagoon Craft Beer & Music Festival 2018
PRESENTED BY: MERIT REAL ESTATE We celebrated Brew Lagoon Craft Beer & Music Festival at Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach with over 20 of the BEST Southern California craft breweries, alongside music from 5 locals bands. The event was hosted
Keep Things Status Quo: Helping Your Dog Stay Safe and Secure in a New Home
Major life transitions can be as hard on animals as they are on people. For a dog, moving is probably the most difficult transition of all. One day, they’re feeling safe and secure in familiar surroundings; the next, a firm
Essential Moving Supplies for the Self-Mover
Even though there are quite a few reasons to go with a professional moving company, some people just want to move themselves. Whether it’s a financial reason or a point of pride, you’re going to need some serious supplies! Here
5 Handy iPhone and iPad Apps for Home Sellers and Buyers
There are so many tasks involved with buying or selling a home. These iPhone and iPad apps take on some of the work so you can focus on other details when it comes to homes for sale in Redondo Beach.
The Top 5 Things That Can Go Wrong During A Home Sale
You’ve put your home on the market, worked with realtors, staged your home beautifully, and you’ve finally found the perfect buyer; now you’re in the home stretch! Sadly, there are still plenty of things that can go wrong during closing
Budget Friendly Home Staging
Having your home staged to sell is one of the most powerful tools you can employ to sell your home quickly and for a greater profit. However, hiring a professional home staging company can cost $1,000 – $5,000 depending on
Does Home Warranty Save You Money?
When purchasing a new home, a home warranty is often part of the offer package. A home warranty is a contract that helps cover costs of repair or replacement of some home systems and appliances. A home warranty might be
Budgeting For a Home Remodel
Whether you’re hoping to remodel your kitchen or you’ve purchased a fixer-upper and are staring down the barrel of a whole-home remodel, budgeting can be the most challenging part! Merit Real Estate is excited to share with you our best
As Seen In Southbay Magazine: Amir Amiri & Rodman Amiri
Boutique neighborhood real estate brokerage Merit Real Estate has been serving customers in the South Bay since 1989. Owner/Broker Amir Amiri and Broker Associate Rodman Amiri focus on the neighborhoods of Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. “We combine
Selling Your Own Home (without a Realtor®)
If you’re considering selling your home, you may have thought about selling your home as a for sale by owner (FSBO) listing. There are definite pros and cons to a FSBO situation, and Merit Real Estate wants to help you
Dog Owner’s Guide to Selling a Home
Selling your home is a finalizing step in the moving process, and puts you and your four-legged companion just a little bit closer to finally putting this move behind you. However, selling your home means emptying it of all its
Budgeting Tips for Renters
If you’re going through a difficult financial time – like a foreclosure or a short-sale – you may be moving into a rental property until you get back on your feet. Merit Real Estate wants to help you budget appropriately
4 Simple Mistakes Many Homebuyers Make
After many years in the real estate business, Merit Real Estate has witnessed our fair share of mistakes that homebuyers have made. In an effort to keep you from making the same mistakes, we’ve created a list for your reference.
Home-Buying Red Flags
Purchasing a new home is likely the largest single investment that you’ll make in your lifetime. It can be scary and uncertain when you’re making such a huge commitment to not have a clear picture of what you’re buying into.
How To Make The Best Possible Offer On A New Home
One of the biggest challenges in buying a new home is the offer process. If your offer is too low, it may get rejected, while making a high offer could result in too high of a purchase price and ultimately
Strategies to Survive Holiday Spending While Saving for a Home
Holiday spending can be extremely stressful time, financially, for many people. However, that stress is magnified if you’re trying to save for a financial goal – like purchasing a home. We want to help you develop strategies and tactics to
Merit’s Halloween Costume Contest
What would YOU do with $300? Don’t just think it – do it! Merit Real Estate, Inc. is giving away a $300 Visa Gift Card. Follow the steps below to enter the giveaway, and mark your calendars – the deadline
Brew Lagoon 2017
Brew Lagoon, took place at the Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach featuring unlimited tasting from over 20 of the BEST Southern California craft breweries alongside music festival vibes from 5 local bands. The event was planned by local
Redondo Beach SWAT honors Merit Real Estate & Amir Amiri
REDONDO BEACH, Calif., March. 17, 2017- During a ceremony held at Veterans Park, Chief Kauffman and Captain Hoffman of the Redondo Beach Police Department honored Amir Amiri of Merit Real Estate for his support. Since 1989, Amir Amiri has been
WHY Should You List With Merit Real Estate
If you are looking to SELL your home, this blog is for YOU! Selling a property can be difficult, especially when you don’t know who to list with. There are so many agents and brokerages out there – Who
Running for a Cause
-J.C. Munoz
Empathy + Duty = Merit
May 7, 2016 I often get asked the question of where the name of our company came from. It wasn’t until recently that I really started to think about this, and how the definition of the word “merit” and how
Some of the best-rated restaurants in the South Bay
April 27, 2016 It’s Wednesday, which means it is almost Friday, which hopefully means you will have some time to kick back and relax. If you haven’t made weekend plans yet, we’ve compiled some of the best-rated restaurants in our