A Thanksgiving Poem
Belly Stuffer
By: Lori Einhorn
A Poem by Karl Fuchs
Thanksgiving brings a terrible chore,
‘Cause I’m forced to eat and eat some more.
If I don’t eat it up right down to dessert,
I fear the cook’s feelings will surely be hurt,
So I do my part, even though I suffer;
To be a good guest, I’m a belly stuffer.
Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Thanksgiving Recipes
By: Lori Einhorn
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups (200g) flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup (200 g) sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (240 ml) pumpkin purée*
1/2 cup (120 ml) olive oil
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup (120 ml) chopped walnuts
* To make pumpkin purée, cut a pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds and stringy stuff, lie face down on a foil or Silpat lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F until soft, about 45 min to an hour. Cool, scoop out the flesh. Freeze whatever you don’t use for future use. Or, if you are working with pumpkin pieces, roast or boil them until tender, then remove and discard the skin.
Method
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Sift together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda.
2. Mix the pumpkin, oil, eggs, 1/4 cup of water, and spices together, then combine with the dry ingredients, but do not mix too thoroughly. Stir in the nuts.
3. Pour into a well-buttered 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Bake 50-60 minutes until a thin skewer poked in the very center of the loaf comes out clean. Turn out of the pan and let cool on a rack.
Can easily double the recipe.
The Thanksgiving Story
A Historic Gathering
By: Lori Einhorn
Most stories of Thanksgiving history start with the harvest celebration of the pilgrims and the Native Americans that took place in the autumn of 1621. Although they did have a three-day feast in celebration of a good harvest, and the local natives did participate, this “first thanksgiving” was not a holiday, simply a gathering.
There is little evidence that this feast of thanks led directly to our modern Thanksgiving Day holiday. Thanksgiving can, however, be traced back to 1863 when Pres. Lincoln became the first president to proclaim Thanksgiving Day. The holiday has been a fixture of late November ever since.
Popular Real Estate Myths
By: Lori Einhorn
In a down market, all sorts of misconceptions seem to arise. Buyers often assume that the length of time on market translates to ease of negotiation, or that low bids are acceptable. Some even believe that distressed property sales are an easy, inexpensive option. Even more, buyers continue to assume that prices will continue to fall. I am here to say, it’s not that simple. Here are a few reasons why.
1. There is no such thing as the perfect house.
Probably my favorite of all, buyers tend to think there is a perfect house. Reality check, it’s unlikely. Even the newest of homes come with blemishes or lack a few thing you desire. The good news, you can always add to a home. Don’t let something small effect the something that is mostly good. People update homes all the time to make them more desirable. You can too.
2. Not so fast: The longer a house is on the market, the more willing the seller will be to negotiate.
A house that’s been listed for a long time can signal that the seller is not ready to sell, not necessarily that he/she is willing to accept anything. Often it can be a sign of stubbornness and burnout. No one likes to have their house ready to show at all times for many months at a time. It’s exhausting.
3. False, sellers accept low ball offers in a buyers market.
Just because the market is down, don’t go throwing out unreasonable offers. For one, the seller may not respond at all because it’s offensive. Secondly, if they do respond, and you end up trying to buy the house, it’s an awful way to begin a relationship. Sellers may remain sour during the whole process, effecting your transaction to the very end.
4. Buying a short sale or REO property is NOT easier than a regular transaction.
Banks have their own set of rules and regulations, buying on bank terms is often illogical and time consuming. It may be cheaper, from the looks of things, but the emotional baggage can sometimes be stressful. The lending approval process can be time consuming as well.
In short, don’t wait to buy properties that largely fit your criteria, especially in recovering markets. The nice places always get snatched up and clients are routinely left with a lesser property.
Calabasas Girl Scout Produces Pet Adoption Film
By: Lori Einhorn
17 year old Madison Shubert of Calabasas is a big supporter of pet adoption and wants to share her passion. The girl scout recently made an eight-minute film called One Paw at a Time, in hopes of generating some support for her cause. Shot primarily at the Friends for Pets Foundation, this non-profit shelter based in Sun Valley refused to euthanize animals.
Staffed entirely by volunteers and funded through donations, Madison’s goal was display this shelter as a great example that needs our help! Watch the video below to see how happy bringing a pet home has made some families:
Westfield Topanga Mall project first in line for new bill
Westfield Topanga Mall project first in line for new bill
David Crane/Daily News Staff Photographer
By: Lori Einhorn
In order to streamline the building permit system in Los Angeles, Mayor Villaraigosa unveiled a new process which hopes to stimulate economic development and job growth. The first major test of the program may be the $450 million expansion of Westfield Topanga Mall.
During a press conference at Farmers Insurance in Woodland Hills, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced the details of the Strategic Development Plan. Under the plan, a single office with representatives of five separate permitting agencies would be dedicated to the processing permits.
“Their job is to make it easier for business to operate in our city,” Villaraigosa said. “The red tape was really difficult to navigate.”
The new Case Management Office has about 15 employees and work with the Planning, Building and Safety, Engineering, Transportation, and Water and Power departments.
Mayor Villaraigosa believes the permitting process should be put to the test as early as next year.
Jinkeys Cafe in Agoura Hills
The newest cafe in town
By: Lori Einhorn
If you want to have a wonderful dining experience and enjoy the atmosphere at the same time, take a ride to Jinkey’s Cafe in Agoura Hills. This casual restaurant offers great food choices including healthy alternatives along with amazing chili and mouth watering omelets. They are known for their hearty south of the border option like the Santa Fe Scramble, Yucatan Quesadilla, Huevos Rancheros and the Desperado. They also serve a great lunch and dinner, but be prepared to wait. It is worth it!
Calabasas Pumpkin Festival
By: Lori Einhorn
On October 15-16 the annual Calabasas Pumpkin Festival will take place at DeAnza Park in Calabasas!
$5 Admission
Free parking & shuttles
Parking & Entrance begins at Corner of Lost Hills Rd & Agoura Rd (note: No parking along Las Virgenes – Malibu Canyon Rd)
Admission Price Includes:
- Inflatable Rides & Giant Slide
- Live Bands
- Contests
- Reptile & Nature Shows
- Youth Carnival Games
- Business District & Fun Zone
- Sunday Car Show
For Purchase at Site:
- Delicious food & beer
- Jewelry & other craft items in the Marketplace
- Children’s craft projects, balloons & face painting
- Pumpkins, Pumpkin Treats & Halloween Items
- Reserve the date. Lots of fun for the whole family.
West Valley Food Pantry
In Our Own Backyard
By: Lori Einhorn
Are you aware that there are many families in the Valley right now that do not have enough food to eat tonight? Each one of us can do a something to help out those in our local neighborhoods who are about to lose a house, lost a job, or are unable to make ends meet during this very difficult economic climate. Look in your pantry or go to the market and bring some canned or paper goods to the West Valley Food Pantry.
I was really sad to hear that the West Valley Food Pantry is really low on supplies because the amount of families in need has tripled from what it was a year ago. If each one of us would reach out and help just a little bit, it will make a whole lot of difference to those families in need right now.
Mortgage Update
Mortgage rules change again
The Federal Reserve proposed some new mortgage rules today that might not seem particularly radical: it wants lenders to be sure that borrowers can actually afford the loan they’re given. Imagine that! While this might sound like common sense to most of us, this basic concept was pushed aside by many banks and mortgage companies during the housing bubble. As a result, loans were given to borrowers who could not repay, and ultimately defaulted. The Fed intends to force lenders to ensure that borrowers can afford loans in a few ways.
Fed wants mortgages only given to those who can afford them. Which, on some level, these rules seem obvious because they amount to a course in basic loan underwriting 101. Take, for example, the Fed’s “General Ability-to-Repay Standard.” Lenders must determine that a borrower can afford a loan by considering and verifying the following eight underwriting factors:
Income or assets relied upon in making the ability-to-repay determination;
- Current employment status;
- The monthly payment on the mortgage;
- The monthly payment on any simultaneous mortgage;
- The monthly payment for mortgage-related obligations;
- Current debt obligations;
- The monthly debt-to-income ratio, or residual income; and
- Credit history; and
- Underwriting the payment for an adjustable-rate mortgage based on the fully indexed rate.
Lori Einhorn
Organized, focused, excellent communicator, motivated, persistent: are only a few of the positive words used by clients and other real estate professionals to describe Lori’s business style. Lori graduated from UCLA with a degree in Economics and Political Science and attended Loyola Law School before pursuing real estate. For this reason she is uniquely prepared to assist her clients with their real estate needs. Lori understands the meaning of commitment. For the past decade she has developed a multi-dimensional real estate practice.
Phone: 818-371-0073
Office: 818-222-9500
Fax: 818-222-9520
Address:
23647 Calabasas Rd.
Calabasas CA 91302
