Now this is cool, and an idea whose time has come. There are a bunch of energy efficient toilets out there, but my main man, Glenn, over at Fergusons couldn’t wait to show me this one. Yes, it is a Ferguson brand, and he wants me to buy Ferguson stuff, but this is a good thing, and it is going into all the new units.

It flushes 2 ways: Up for less water consumption and down for …you get the idea. Officially, this toilet is a WaterSense labeled high-efficiency toilet (HET) so we get the official Okee-dokey seal of approval from our government. Hey, every little bit helps!

A nice fit!

Glendale has made the top 25 list for America's safest cities for 2007. (read more). Not a big surprise to someone who follows these trends, as Glendale is usually mentioned near the top, but worth mentioning since I often get asked how safe the area is.

Glendale also has its own police and fire departments, and as I quickly found out accidently setting off the fire alarm once- they are very quick to respond.

LAlife.com rates Glendale a 10 out of 10 for safety (see chart below on my last blog). None of the "higher cost" surrounding areas come even close. I like that big city life just as much as the next person, and to be in this area with Pasadena, Silverlake, Burbank and downtown LA literally just around the corner, Glendale is a great choice to call home.

Quality of Life

When you come home from work, is your only salvation your TV? That's a good litmus test to see if you're really enjoying your environment in its entirety.

Very few first-time homebuyers get the opportunity to have this type of home in this great of an area. If you're enjoying life and paying around $1600 a month in rent or more, you might want to seriously consider giving yourself a "self" promotion. A home that is yours, where you get to keep that lifestyle while cashing in on all the benefits of home ownership.

I had nothing to do with making this statistically such a safe neighborhood ( I guess by NOT committing crimes, I'm contributing), but we had everything to do with giving you a peaceful, relaxed, wonderful lifestyle, in a place that actually feels like home. 'Nuff said.

Thanks to all who stopped by the warm, cozy fire (link) and asked all those great questions. Since this was such a successful experiment, I will do this weekly (Thurs. evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 pm) and create a new link on my blog navigation that posts the questions you asked. I think I’ll affectionately call it my Fireside Chat Q and A. Catchy, huh?

Here’s a sample from our President’s Day chat:

Q. I have an outdoor cat, is that OK?

A. I don’t know much about cats, but sometimes homeowners are allergic, and that needs to be respected. All cats have to be indoor, basically staying in compliance with the CCR’s.

Q. How safe is the neighborhood?

A. According to LAlife.com, we are rated a 10 out of 10 for safety. No adjacent areas have that!

(This just in- Glendale,CA ranked top 25 safest cities in the country! (read more)

Q. My aunt’s a lender- can I use her for the loan?

A. Make sure she calls me first so I can be sure she pre-qualify’s the property. About half the lenders out there cannot close on a new subdivision.

Q. Cool site, dude!

A. Thanks! Can you put that in the form of a question?

Q. How much will closing costs be?

A. Closing costs are usually about 2-3% of the purchase price. Some of my blogging has talked about how we can help with this cost. Just send me an email and I can explain the details.

Q. Is there a laundry room for the property?

A. We have 2 community laundry rooms. The new Whirlpool washers and dryers just arrived!

We’ve been able to keep a steady pace of buyers choosing our condos and townhomes. In spite of the doom and gloom you hear on the news all day long, if you have a good job and good credit, now is the time to lock in a killer loan! If things were really that bad for qualified buyers, we would not be selling 2 homes a month- each and every month!

Part of the fun for me is building this new community of awesome, energetic and diverse homeowners. I can’t pick and choose who lives here, but I must say, I’m hitting the nail on the head with the great bunch who have bought. I don’t think it has much to do with luck, these people all had a common goal- they were ready to give themselves something better in life.

I like that concept. Next time your birthday comes around, go out and buy YOURSELF something. I mean, you never really get exactly what you want, do you? It’s OK to keep life about what you want now and then. It’s a big world and there’s something for everybody, including homes. Our homes don’t appeal to everyone, but if you can see yourself living here, we should have a conversation. Which brings me to…

Let’s talk!

Here’s something new. Me, attempting an online chat. But what the heck, life is short and for those of you too shy to come to my open houses, now is your chance to ask those burning questions.

Speaking of burning…

Since this is a President’s Day online chat, I thought I would keep it in the spirit of what Presidents are known for- a nice fireside yak. The crackling of wood, flames dancing about, and all your worldly concerns about condo living finally put to rest.

A Presidential chat with no presidents. How’s that for a nice break from politics?

A quick disclaimer: I’m just as human as the rest of you, and if I disconnect you, lose you in the chat, delete something I shouldn’t, then just hang in there since I’ve never done this before. IT guys? Who needs ‘em.

When: This Monday evening, Feb. 18th from 7:00-8:00 pm.

Where: The Hudson on Adams Hill website of course! You can link over from our homepage or click here.

Admission: Free! How do we do it? No balloons or clowns.

Another month, another rent check down the drain. Call me crazy, but when I write a check, I like to think I am actually buying something. Not giving it to "the man."

Okay, you do get a roof over your head and the water stays hot, but take a good look at that check one more time. Pretty big number, isn't it? In fact, it is probably close to what a mortgage check would look like. At least it would be here at The Hudson.

NEED CASH? WE GOT CASH!

Most of you are first-time homebuyers- good jobs, good credit but not a lot of cash (it's that "rent" thing).

We have lenders that have great rates with LOW down payments, and to help you out, we will kick in some bucks to help pay your closing costs (no broker co op). Basically, all you need is $1000.00 deposit (credited towards the purchase) to open escrow, and you are on your way! I'll bet your security deposit at your apartment is much more than that!

INDULGE.

With our easy 30 day escrows, that very well could be the last check you ever write for rent. Ever.

I have personally met most of you, and know that you deserve to own your own place. Even if you don't like our homes, go buy somewhere else. Interest rates have dropped to a historical low- now is the time to declare your independence from paying rent!

SAVOR OUR SWEET DEALS.

Of course we want you to like our place the best, so we just made "best" better. Since you guys are finding us on your own and negotiating your own deals without agents, the seller told me to throw this into the mix- good till the end of February 2008:

One bedroom + loft townhomes: We will pay up to $10,000 towards closing costs, or just take it off the price. Whatever works best for you.

One bedroom condominiums: We will pay up to $7,000.00 towards closing costs, or just take it off the price.

This offer only applies to those of you not working with agents. We like working with agents and we are agents, but we took their commission and gave it to you. And then some.

LOSE THE GUILT.

You know you deserve this. Let us help you come home to The Hudson!