Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Top 5 Reasons to Live in Topanga Canyon

Topanga Canyon | Brian Merrick Real Estate


 If you’re considering a move to the Los Angeles area and you love small communities with a relaxed, hippie vibe, you might fall in love with the eclectic community of Topanga Canyon, CA. Nestled between LA and Malibu Beach, Topanga Canyon prides itself on being the “wild side of LA” and is an enclave for the artistic at heart—a favorite escape for the urban-tired to find a little respite.

Topanga lovers would probably ask the question, “What’s not to love?” about their beloved community, but for those uncertain about where to plant some roots in the LA area, we’ve come up with a list of the Top 5 reasons to set your sights on Topanga Canyon, CA.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Quick Guide to Preparing Your House For Sale

House For Sale | Brian Merrick Real Estate

Ok, so you’ve found the one—a house that is perfect in every way, one that you could imagine spending the rest of your life with—OR you’re just ready to move on from the one you’re currently involved with. Whatever the situation, you are ready to move on.

The time has come to put your house for sale, but where do you start? Many sellers struggle with this question and for good reason—there are a thousand ideas out there on ways you can get your home ready for the market. In this post, we’ll save you some time wading through information by giving you proven ideas that sell houses faster by attracting more buyers.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

How to Choose Between a House or Condo



House or Condo | Brian Merrick Real Estate

Are you shopping for a new home and confused about which makes more sense to buy: house or condo? Maybe you just did a walk-through of a nice big home in a subdivision and happened to drive by the adjacent condo complex on your way out and thought to yourself, “Wow…it might be nice to be free from yard work, wouldn’t it?”

At some point in the house hunting process, many buyers, whether first time or downsizing, examine the pros and cons of houses vs. condos. While there are risks and benefits to both, what it comes down to are the answers to some essential questions concerning your lifestyle and personal preferences. There might not be a right answer for everyone, but there will be a right answer for you.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

7 Important Questions to Ask While House Hunting

House Hunting | Brian Merrick Real Estate



Are you in the market for a new home? House hunting can be an exciting time—as well as disappointing when houses you love go under contract with another buyer—but in spite of the emotional roller coaster ride that house hunting can be, it pays to keep a level head and pay attention.

Yes, it’s easy to get sidetracked with strange paint color choices (chartreuse, really?) or the owner’s strange 1960’s decorating style, but don’t get too distracted by the wild color patterns on the sofa and keep these 7 important questions at the ready during your next showing or open house. 

Friday, February 3, 2017

8 Important Things to Look for in a New Home





New Home | Brian Merrick Real Estate

The search for a new house is exciting because it’s filled with possibilities. You can buy a home with the amenities that you’ve been missing and in an area that suits your lifestyle. Just don’t let the excitement overshadow the equally-important practicalities associated with this major purchase.
You’ve probably already considered the neighborhood in which you’d like to live. But have you thoroughly thought about it?  What about the school district? If you have kids, you should check that out. Is your new home close enough to work? If you’re a working couple, you need to think about proximity to two jobs.