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HotPads Co-Founder, Matthew Corgan, was on WPGB 104.7's radio program, America's Morning Show with Quinn and Rose earlier this week. Filling in for Quinn and Rose was host Glen Meakam.
Matt discussed the real estate market and the housing industry, as well as shared the motivations behind HotPads.com.
Check it out below if you haven't had a chance to listen yet!
Sometimes you just find a house that has it all with something for everybody. This Palos Verdes Estates home is one of those homes.
Whether you like swimming,
tennis,
bowling,
or watching movies,
this house has what everything you need to ensure you'll never be bored. And with 7 bedrooms, 8.5 baths and 18,227 square feet, you can all spread out while you're doing your favorite activity!
For this and other luxury homes for sale, check out the Hottest Pads on HotPads!
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And then, I remembered, my townhouse. My townhouse is many things, but pet-friendly is not one of them. So to prepare for the arrival of a puppy, here is how to pet-proof your home:
- Get cleaning supplies and chemicals out of reach of curious noses- I usually store my cleaning supplies in the most easily-accessible places...like the floor. However, leaving the bleach and insect sprays on the floor or on a low shelf is a significant risk to your pets.
- Put away knick-knacks and small things- Consider anything smaller than your head as a choking hazard for your pet and get it out of reach. This includes things that you might not even consider like loose change, spare batteries, and gum.
- Cover your wires and sockets- Pets, especially puppies, find the most unusual things fun... like chewing on wires. Make sure to get all wires off the floor or covered sufficiently to avoid the risk of electric shock.
- Keep foods out of reach & cover your garbage: There are many common foods that are toxic to animals, so make sure to cut off all access to food. Also, make sure to put a lid on your garbage can so Fido doesn't get his paws on any leftovers, especially bones.
- Move the recycling bin outside- Not only do you not want your dog to lick at any of the sweet residues from your recycling, you also want to ensure that they do mistake a shiny aluminum can for a chew toy and cut themselves.
- Rinse off the floors and bathtub- If you have been using chlorox or other harsh cleaning chemicals, it's best to wash those places with soap and water to ensure that your pets do not get any toxic substances on their paws or mouths.
- Cover the hardwood and protect the furniture- If your hardwoods are susceptible to sharp claw tracks, think about putting down a carpet to minimize the damage and provide better traction for your dog. If you have a nice couch or chair that you do not want pet hair on, cover it with a sheet.
- Put up gates and close all doors- Block all areas of the house where pets are unwelcome, as well as all areas that pose too much of a safety risk to your pet. These may include cellars, utility rooms, and unfenced outdoor areas.
- Inspect every area the dog will be- Finally, just look at every square inch of space the dog will be and think about what could possibly go wrong. Then fix it.
Anything on this list that I forgot? Please leave your tips in the comments section!
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I was perusing some of our Hottest Pads on Hot Pads and came to the conclusion that if I had $10 million dollars, I would insist on a good wine cellar. But deciding which one is the best would be difficult given the number of fantastic homes with wine cellars on HotPads.
This wine cellar in La Jolla, CA has the most storage:
This wine cellar in Carlsbad, CA has a table for tasting and a refrigerated unit:
But this Swranch, FL home's cellar has a iron gate to keep your annoying friends from stealing your good wines:
For these and other great homes for sale on HotPads, check out the Hottest Pads on HotPads!
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As the only daughter of an admittedly over-protective father, every rental house that I have lived in has received its fair share of additional security measures. Often times these 'upgrades' result in a perfectly lovely door or window being transformed with padlocks and bars, but there's no use protesting when it comes to security.
Therefore, when I came across this home for sale named "The Safe House," I knew it was a father's dream come true. Called "One of the safest homes in the world" and claiming to provide "peace of mind in today's uncertain world", this 'modern-day fortress' has all the necessary security measures to ensure that fathers can sleep at night.
With 2 Safe Cores, 2 Panic Rooms, access control, extensive surveillance, and more, this home stays true to its designer, Al V. Corbi, the designer of elaborate security systems for individuals, corporations, and even governments worldwide.
Granted, it wouldn't take much to convince me of the merits of this home, either. You'd just have to show me this closet:
To see the rest of this 5 bedroom, 8 bath home for sale in Los Angeles, click here. Can't afford the $9,995,000 price tag? Fear not, we have lots of great rentals in Los Angeles, as well!
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We here at HotPads are constantly working to ensure that we protect our users from any and all scam listings, but it's best that you, the renter, are educated in different types of housing scams, as well. So, here's a quick refresher with some sample emails to ensure that you are well-versed and savvy when looking for your next rental property.
3 Quick Tips for Identifying Rental Scams:
- If they are offering unbelievably low rent because 'they just want someone good to take care of their place,' it's probably a scam.
While there are always deals and some buildings do have lower rents than others, you have to recognize and accept the minimum you will find in a neighborhood. Look at comparable rates and procede with caution if the rental is significantly lower.
Sample:
I'm Mr Adams the owner of the 2 bedroom apartmen. I want you to know it was due to my transfer that makes me and my family to leave the house for England for missionary works. But I'm looking for a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after money for the rent but want it to be clean all the time. The keys to the apartments and the necessary documents his withpresently with my agent in Illinois. I hope you will promise us to take very good care of the apartment. Hope you are okay with the price $650/month include all the utilities bills, you're to deposit for 1 month + $200 for agreement fees total=$850 to the agent so the he can send the key to you through Fedex or DHL.
- If they can't show you the place before they receive your security deposit, it's almost certainly a scam.
Whether the reason is because they are in Europe or if they have tenants in the building, never send money to someone without seeing the apartment and signing the contract. In rare cases where you will be asked to send money to receive a key in return, ONLY do so through a reputable property management company.
Sample:
Hello,
It is expedient that you see see the unit before you sign the lease but unfortunately, this will not be possible this moment bacause it is currently occupied by a young couple from florida and they would vacate the unit before your move in date. Our policy restricts us from intruding on our tenants privacy. I do hope you understand this..
However, if you are able to reserve this unit now by sending the downpayment of ONLY the security deposit, it will be kept avaialble for you and as soon as they vacate the room, i will contact you to come over and view it before you make your final dicision of either taking it or letting it pass and offcourse if you decide not to take it, your deposit will be fully refunded to you. Get back to me on this.
Await your email soon.
Brad
-If they ask you to fill out an application with all of your personal info before seeing a place, it might be a scam
As housing shoppers become more aware and cautious of housing scams, scammers are also evolving. Whereas scams used to center around a monetary transaction, now, shoppers need to also protect their private information. Be cautious when filling out rental applications. Make sure that you are interested in the place and that you trust the lister.
If I could offer one reminder it would be that if something is "too good to be true"... it's probably too good to be true. Because it's a scam.
-And remember, if you run across an ad that you think might be scam, hit the "report listing" icon in the listing full view. Help us combat scams, spam and illegitimate listings by remaining vigilant and keeping yourself informed!
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Question from user: Hello, my lease is up October 1st. Should I start looking for rentals now or should I wait until Sept?
- Matthew C, Washington, DC
The key to being successful on your hunt for a new hotpad is to know when to start looking. Timing is everything, especially when shopping in the real estate market.
Generally speaking: It is best to start inquiring on properties 30-45 days (rule of thumb if your looking for place in the city) before you would like to move. Some sources recommend apartment shopping 45-60 days before you would like to settle in since usually landlords know if their tenants are renewing their lease at 60 days.
However, it differs based on your situation: Those who have lower credit scores or incomes may want to start looking earlier because other people may be chosen by the landlord first. While frustrating, it is best to inquire early and at numerous different places. Give yourself enough time so that you aren't panicked at the end of your lease.
Do prep work year round: Even before you begin to take apartment hunting seriously it is best to narrow down your search. Get an idea of what neighborhoods fall in your price range and what places have other attributes that interest you like attractions, metro accessibility, etc.
It's a good idea to keep notes throughout the year when you see a particular neighborhood or apartment building that you are interested in. Whenever I happen to be in a building that I am impressed with, I always ask for more information and for rental prices just so I know whether to revisit them when my lease is up. Likewise, if I see a townhouse for rent in an area I like, I'll get the rental information to get an idea of whether it fits my budget.
Common "Renters" Sense:
Have more questions about renting? Check out our renters guide or find apartments for rent now!
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This 20,000 square foot, 12 bedroom, 15 bath home for sale in Park City, UT might be one of the only homes in the country where entertaining 20 guests would be a breeze.
This home is furnished with 10 bedrooms and 2 bunkrooms, for a total of 20 mattresses. Don't worry, you're 15 bathrooms will be enough to accomodate all of your guests.
After a day of skiing, you can relax and enjoy the gorgeous sunset from your large deck
Then, it's dinner time, where you and all 20 of your guests can be seated around the enormous dining room table.
Oh, did I mention that all 20 of your guests (and you) can protect your cars from the elements in your very own 22 car garage?
Can't afford this $55million place? Don't worry we have lots of Vacation Rentals in Park City!
For more luxury homes for sale, check out the Hottest Pads on HotPads.
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Just minutes from downtown Santa Fe, sits this beautiful home in the hills of Tesuque, New Mexico. This 8 bedroom, 9 bath home offers unobstructed views and is simply breathtaking, both inside and out.
This property sits on a 30 acre conservation easement, so you are surrounded by nothing but nature.
Any horse lover would dream of such a complete equestrian facility:
And when you're done riding horses and want to relax, this infinity pool is the place to take in the sunset and admire the Sangre de Christo Mountains.
For this one and other luxury homes for sale, check out the Hottest Pads on HotPads.
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As many of you know and have taken advantage of, Hotpads allows you to tweet your real estate listings on your Twitter account. And we have just passed 11,000 HotPads listings tweeted!
