David Hasselhoff Bares Chest in Finland, Lists House in California

 BY MELISSA ALLISON
ZILLOW

The “Baywatch” hunk, who’s hosting a Finnish talk show, wants $2.299 million for his Mediterranean-style estate in California.

It’s hard to believe this wouldn’t Hassel the Hoff.

After decades in the California sun, David Hasselhoff has left for Finland to host a talk show that debuts in April.

Maybe it’s not so bad: Publicity shots show him smiling while barechested in the freezing weather, and he’s pulling up stakes on the West Coast. The “Knight Rider” and “Baywatch” actor has listed the Calabasas, CA mansion he bought in 2013.

He’s asking $2.299 million for the French Mediterranean-style estate that sits on 1.5 acres and boasts a lagoon-style pool, spa, rock waterfalls and an outdoor kitchen.

The home’s 5 bedrooms and 6 baths include a master suite with a fireplace, balcony, large walk-in closet and what the listing describes as a “sexy” bathroom.

The listing agent is Barbara Alpert of Coldwell Banker

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Top 10 Home Improvement Projects - 1

By: Michele Lerner
Realtor.com

Replace Your Front Door

You may not even notice your front door anymore, especially if you regularly use another entrance, but a new steel front door makes a great impression on buyers and yields an amazing 96.6 percent return on your investment. If your front door doesn't need replacing or you’d rather spend less money, you can paint it and replace the hardware for a similar impact.

No matter which project you choose, be careful not to over-improve your home for the neighborhood. A REALTOR® can offer advice about how to spend your money so that your home sells faster and for the best possible price.

The Wrap Around Mortgage

From enlightenme.com

A wrap around mortgage is a type of owner financing. Also known as an all-inclusive mortgage or a trust deed, and commonly called a wrap (and sometimes written as wraparound mortgage), it allows property to be purchased without having to qualifying for a loan or paying closing costs. In a wrap around, the seller extends to the buyer a”junior” or secondary mortgage that exists in addition to the first mortgage. In this type of arrangement, the buyer is paying off the seller’s first mortgage as well as paying an additional amount up to the value of the property; interest on the note is included in the contract.

This kind of transaction can be beneficial if the buyer has poor credit or cannot raise the capital necessary to secure a conventional mortgage. However, it can be a complicated process and may not be for everyone.

Check the laws

Wrap around mortgages are not permitted in every state. In addition, the lender on the primary mortgage may prohibit the seller from extending a wrap. If one is discovered and the lending institution does not allow it, the lender may be entitled to demand payment in full of the mortgage.

Other issues

The laws and mortgage contract are not the only problems. Here are some things to bear in mind.

• The seller must be willing to accept monthly payments rather than a lump sum pay out.
• The mortgage and title remain in the seller’s name. As protection, the buyer must be sure to get receipts for every payment made as proof should the seller default on the loan. Without receipts, the judge on the People’s Court will laugh you right out the doors.
• Record keeping is complicated. The seller must track how much of each payment goes to the principal and how much goes to interest. Every year, the seller must provide the buyer with an IRS form documenting how much money in interest was paid.
• The buyer must pay the property taxes and insurance on the property. However, these costs are usually included in the monthly amount.

Be careful

Even though it is not a simple process, it can be a good situation; especially if the borrower is lacking in credit, cash for a down payment or if the seller is having trouble selling the property. If you decide on pursuing a wrap around, seek legal advice to be sure you can obtain one and that you are doing everything correctly.

Report: Kylie Jenner Buying $2.7M Home Near Kourtney and Khloe

 BY MELISSA ALLISON
ZILLOW

The youngest Kardashian sister is reportedly moving out, but won’t be far from her mother and sisters.

Kylie Jenner is having no trouble keeping up with her Kardashian sisters — at least where real estate is concerned.

TMZ reports that the 17-year-old is under contract to buy a $2.7-million house a block away from sisters Kourtney and Khloe in Calabasas, CA. Their mother, Kris Jenner, and sister Kim live in nearby Hidden Hills.

Only Kendall Jenner has ventured away from the area, reportedly buying a $1.4-million condo last year in the Westwood area of Los Angeles.

Kylie’s new digs in The Oaks development has 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, a 3-car garage and two built-in entertainment centers. The 4,851-square-foot home is solar powered, and a speaker system plays in all major rooms and the backyard, which features a pool, spa, barbecue center and covered patio with a 26-inch dining table.

The listing agents are Marc and Rory Shevin of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

Air Leak Testing & Sealing - The Top 10 Tips for Saving Money at Home - 3

From the Familyhandyman.com

Seal leaky windows (Option 1)

Seal gaps with removable caulk
Apply caulk over cracks between the sashes and jamb.

Remove old caulk each spring
Remove caulk residue with mineral spirits

Leaky windows are one of the biggest sources of energy loss in a typical home. If you don’t want to cover your entire window, a quick, low-cost solution is to seal the gaps with removable caulk. A $4.50 tube seals five 3 x 5-ft. windows.

Apply the caulk over the cracks between the movable parts of the window (sashes) and the stationary parts (jamb) and between the two sashes. Keep the bead between 3/16 and 1/2 in. wide. Don’t run your finger over the bead after caulking (the caulk will be harder to remove later). In the spring, simply pull off the caulk. Clean off any residue with mineral spirits.

Free and cheap things to do in Miami - March 27-29

By Josie Gulliksen and Teresa Mears | Miami.com

Miami on the Cheap dishes on the budget-friendly fun in Miami this weekend.

It’s a musical weekend just about anywhere you look, and the performances cover a wide range of styles. You can listen to the smooth sounds of jazz in Coral Gables Sunday afternoon or put your toes in the sand and settle in for the classics played by Orchestra Miami on Sunday night.

History and film buffs get a combo of their two favorite things on Friday night at the Wolfsonian-FIU’s World War I film series finale double feature. And the concerts continue with a Folk Night show featuring five artists at NOMI Musical Nights. Because it’s the last Friday of the month, Cultural Fridays takes over Little Havana with Latin sounds. 

Smooth R&B on a Sunday afternoon

It’s part of the Jazz in the Gables series but on Sunday at 4 p.m. it turns to rhythm & blues with Nicole Yarling leading the University of Miami Rhythm & Blues ensemble in an afternoon concert at the Coral Gables Museum Plaza. The group features six singers, a five-person rhythm section and four horns playing classic rhythm and blues selections. The concert is free. http://miamionthecheap.com/free-jazz-gables-lunchtime-concerts/ 

Toes in the sand listening to Beethoven’s classics

The musicians from Orchestra Miami, led by Elaine Rinaldi, are hitting the beach Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at Heritage Park in Sunny Isles Beach for the free Beethoven on the Beach concert. Joined by guest soprano soloist Jouvanca Jean-Baptiste, they’ll perform selections from Bartok, Holst, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven.http://miamionthecheap.com/free-concert-on-beach-by-orchestra-miami/ 

Double feature for history and film buffs

Get your fix of World War I nostalgia and history in the form of a double feature presented at the Wolfsonian-FIU in Miami Beach Friday at 7 p.m. The finale of the “WWI Film Series: The Heart of Humanity” includes Yankee Doodle in Berlin (1919) and She Goes to War (1929). The first one’s a comedy, where a captain, behind enemy lines, disguises himself as a woman in order to fool members of the German High Command. In the second film, a young woman disguises herself as a man and follows her fiancé into the trenches during World War I to find out what war is really like. Admission into the museum and screenings is free. http://miamionthecheap.com/free-wwi-film-series-wolfsonian-fiu/            

An ode to folk music at NOMI Musical Nights

The recurring Saturday night series NOMI Musical Nights focuses on various musical genres and this weekend it’s folk at the MOCA Plaza in North Miami. Between 6 and 9 p.m., Michael Stock of WLRN introduces Box of Light, Nick Annis, Spider John Koerner, Ellen Bukstel and Rod MacDonald on stage for their sets. Admission is free.http://miamionthecheap.com/free-concerts-nomi-musical-nights/ 

Peruse art, grab a drink and some grub at Las Olas Art Fair  

At the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale is Las Olas Boulevard, home to quaint shops, restaurants and bars. This weekend, those businesses share the spotlight with art. The Las Olas Art Fair on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. takes over the 600 block of the famous street where artists will display and sell paintings, sculptures, jewelry, pottery, photography and ceramics. Make it easy to get there on the free shuttle bus departing from the city garage at Southeast Second Street and Southeast First Avenue. Admission to the fair is free. http://fortlauderdaleonthecheap.com/las-olas-art-fair-is-free-event-in-fort-lauderdale/ 

To keep up with latest news on deals, discounts and free events in South Florida, sign up for the daily Miami on the Cheap newsletter or the daily Fort Lauderdale on the Cheap newsletter. For more tips on what to do this weekend, read the frequently updated Miami on the Cheap weekend roundup of free and cheap events and the Fort Lauderdale on the Cheap weekend events and deals roundup.

New York investor buys Wynwood retail complex for $26M

TheRealDeal.com

Sale marks investor's fourth purchase in South Florida, totallng nearly $100 million

Wynwood Block

A New York-based investment firm has purchased its second property in Wynwood for a whopping $26 million.

Located at 2621 Northwest Second Avenue, the building is a retail complex dubbed the Wynwood Block, which — true to its name — takes up a full city block.

It was purchased by RedSky Capital, which has been grabbing land in Wynwood and the Miami Design District over the past few months. The Wynwood Block deal closed on March 17.  Two weeks earlier, RedSky also closed on a two-story Design District property for $29 million. It closed on another Design District property this month for $28 million.

Now, the investment firm has spent nearly $100 million on South Florida real estate.

The company made its first entrance in Wynwood, and South Florida in general, with its $11 million purchase of a gallery at 2407 Northwest Second Avenue, earlier this year.

RedSky was represented by brokerage RKF for its property purchases in South Florida, according to a release.

The seller, a partnership between the Miculitzki family and the CABI Group, was represented by Gaston Miculitzki from Brightway Properties.

Drew Schaul of RKF said that Miami real estate is gaining traction with out-of-town and foreign investors.

“The Design District is an extremely attractive market to New York-based investors, who view Miami as a gateway for brick and mortar exposure to affluent domestic and international tourists,” Schaul said in a statement. “With foreign and out-of-state capital becoming more accessible, investor demand for well-located retail assets is increasing, not only within the Design District, but spilling over into neighboring areas such as Wynwood and Edgewater.” —Sean Stewart-Muniz

Natasha Bedingfield Snags Hollywood Hills House With Views

BY MELISSA ALLISON
ZILLOW

The “Hope” singer’s new home was built in 2000 but exudes vintage charm

ast month as Natasha Bedingfield was releasing her new song and video — the mental health awareness anthem “Hope” — she was also signing papers for a home atop Beachwood Canyon.

Bedingfield paid $1.65 million for the 3-bedroom, 3-bath Spanish-style house, which offers views of the city and hills from every room — even from between the mirrors in one bathroom.

The walled and gated home was built in 2000 but exudes vintage Hollywood charm, featuring a step-down living room with high wood-beamed ceilings and decorative archways. Wrought-iron light fixtures and Catalina tiles accent the rooms.

The kitchen boasts a walk-in, temperature-controlled wine room, and French doors in the formal dining room open onto an arbored private patio.

Bedingfield still owns a Laughlin Park home she bought in 2009, although she’s tried to sell it off and on over the past year.

Thanks to Celebrity Address Aerial for the tip.

Top 10 Home Improvement Projects - 2

By: Michele Lerner
Realtor.com

Add a Deck or Patio

No matter where you live, buyers want outdoor living space. You can recoup 87 percent of your investment on a new wood deck. If you already have outdoor space, consider sprucing it up with a water feature, an outdoor fireplace, or new landscaping.

Home Equity Loans for Debt Consolidation

From enlightenme.com

When increasing debt balances consume your family budget, using the power of home equity loans to ease your financial burden may be an appealing option for you. Just like every move you can make with your money, using the equity in your home for debt consolidation isn’t without some level of risk. Without due diligence on your part before and after the loan, your home can be on the line before you realize it.

Researching Home Equity Loans

Buying your home took considerable time to find the right property and determine its worth. Most likely, you did not walk into the first home you saw for sale and place a deposit, yet this is exactly what you do when you visit your bank and apply for financing without finding out what kind of home equity loans other financial institutions offer. Researching loans isn’t the most thrilling use of your time—especially when you want to consolidate debt—but it is a critical step to protect your future.

Although finding out the rate and fees is always important when comparing loans, find out about the lender’s default policies. No one wants to believe they may be unable to repay a debt, but you cannot know what the future holds for your pocketbook. Will the lender try to foreclose on the home even if the first mortgage is current? Do their home equity loans carry hefty late fees and penalties? Look for the most lenient policies you can find and work to ensure you never need them.

Accepting Home Equity Loans

Getting offers for home equity loans is exciting when lenders will give you enough to pay off the bulk of your debt. Before you mentally write that big check to your credit card company, remember that closing the loan is only the beginning of this partnership between you and the lender. Even if your monthly payment is less than the previous debt payments, it may be higher than you would pay in one lump sum. Unless you adjust your budgeting to account for the change in cash outflows, you can return to the credit card trap when you need help floating until the next payday.

Life with Home Equity Loans

Using home equity loans for debt consolidation is smart if you can benefit from a low interest rate and you qualify for a tax deduction as a result. The key to ensure a smooth loan term is never to forget that your other debt did not vanish. Instead, your house took care of it on your behalf. For this reason, it’s wise to maintain the same money-saving strategies you used prior to the consolidation. Until you repay your home equity loan, your debt is not gone, just in a shiny new package.

Channing Tatum Moves To Beverly Hills

BY MELISSA ALLISON
ZILLOW
The “Magic Mike” and “Foxcatcher” star bought a 6-bedroom Cape Cod on a one-acre spread in the 90210 ZIP code.

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Tatum have a new home to return to following this weekend’s Oscar ceremony.

The “Foxcatcher” actor, who’s also known for leading roles in “Magic Mike” and “22 Jump Street,” and his wife just paid $6 million for their first home in the Beverly Hills 90210 ZIP code, as first reported by Variety. It’s a shingled 6-bedroom, 6-bath Cape Cod sitting on a gated, oak-covered acre with a pool, spa and outdoor fireplace.

The master bathroom features a shower and separate large bathtub with a bay window covered by foliage. The upstairs also includes a second bedroom with its own en-suite bath — possibly for the Tatums’ one-year-old daughter, Everly.

The main floor offers spacious living, dining and family rooms, a gourmet country kitchen, a guest room and a large bonus room with built-in bookcases and a fireplace. The basement level boasts an entire guest house with a private entrance and two guest suites. Almost every room of the 4,853-square-foot home opens onto verandas and patios.

The couple still owns an architecturally interesting 1920s home above Laurel Canyon.

The listing agents for the Tatums’ new home were Mauricio Umansky, Farrah Aldjufrie and Eduardo Umansky of The Agency.

Photos courtesy of The Agency