Dear Friends and Neighbors,
In a weekly survey of what lenders are offering to solid borrowers, Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average rate for a 30-year fixed loan rose from 3.59% last week to 3.81% early this week. It was the highest in more than a year, contrasting with the record low of 3.31% set last fall.  The rates remain extraordinarily low by historical standards. The typical rate exceeded 16% during inflationary times in 1981 and 1982,  and the annual average topped 8% as recently as 2000. With loans being this affordable it is a very good time to invest or buy a home. If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling please send them our way. We appreciate all your referrals.
Best, Joan and John

NEW LISTING: 545 N. Las Palmas Ave., Hancock Park 90004
Offered at $1,925,000

Tuscan villa circa 1925 interpreted for today’s California lifestyle with luxurious finishes throughout. Enter the walled, courtyard pathway to a mature garden with intimate sitting areas and harmonious stone fountain which lead into the dramatic living areas of this three bedroom, two bath grand old-world home with separate one bedroom, one bath guesthouse. gracious entryway to living room with vaulted ceiling; sculpted, wood-burning fireplace, hardwood floors; formal dining room, updated cook’s kitchen, family room and master suite with french doors leading to al fresco dining patio, gated yard w/ fountains, bonus room and pool. two-car garage. a truly unique property. For more photos click here

We’re thrilled to announce a new foster program here at the Sanctuary! And you don’t have to be a Best Friends member to be a part of it – anyone in your area can help these precious pets.
Our foster program matches some of the more adoptable animals at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary – older puppies and kittens and young adult dogs and cats – with families who can provide loving temporary homes, while helping to find them forever homes. When you foster a healthy, young dog or cat, you’ll be helping to save lives by making room at the Sanctuary for older homeless pets with special needs, who may need longer to find adoptive families.
If you have room in your home and heart, please consider fostering a Sanctuary pet. As a foster parent, you’ll receive a “starter kit” with food, toys, crate or carrier, collar or harness, leash, and more. If you foster a dog, Best Friends will also provide training support to help you learn how to socialize and teach your foster pup basic skills to make him or her even more adoptable.
Before going to their foster homes, all pets will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and vet-checked. Most pets will find forever homes before additional vet care is required. But if any vet care is needed during the time you are fostering, Best Friends will cover the cost or care at the Sanctuary.
Foster pets will be featured on Best Friends’ Adorable Adoptables website, and you’ll receive detailed guidelines to help you place your foster pet in a forever home. Plus, our adoption staff will be available to provide advice and assistance. If you can foster a Sanctuary pet, please contact Kristi at kristil@bestfriends.org or 435-644-2001, ext. 4223. Or, help spread the word by forwarding this email to any pet-loving people in your area.

JUST LISTED: 3620 Amesbury Road, Los Feliz
Price: $1,350,000 – 3 Bedrooms 1.75 Baths

French Country with a Modern Twist and Expansive Views of the LA Cityscape, Dodger Stadium Fireworks, Surrounding Hillsides, San Pedro Harbor and the Westside Lights. Four sets of French doors–from Living Room, Dining Room, Master and Sun Room– open onto a huge, redwood deck soaring above the terraced yard with room for a pool. Three Bedrooms and Two Baths; Hardwood Floors; Living Room with vaulted, wood-beamed ceiling and fireplace; Dining Room; Updated Kitchen with utility room and laundry; Media Room wired for sound and video, with wood-burning fireplace, original built-ins and painted concrete floors; Separate Office. Ample Closet and Storage Areas Throughout. Two-Car Garage with Storage. A Truly Unique Property!

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BUY!
*Tax/Financial Benefits
Homebuyers can take potentially advantage of a whole slew of tax benefits, such as:

– Mortgage Interest Deductions
As long as your mortgage balance is smaller than the price of your home, mortgage interest is fully deductible on your tax return. Interest is the largest component of your mortgage payment. In some cases, you may also deduct homeowners association fees and property taxes.
– Property Tax Deductions
Real estate property taxes paid for a first home and a vacation home are fully deductible for income tax purposes. In California, Prop 13 limits property tax increases to 2 percent per year or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.
– Capital Gain Exclusion
If you’ve lived in your house for two of the past five years, you can exclude up to $250,000 for an individual or up to $500,000 for a married couple of profit from capital gains.
– Preferential Tax Treatment
If you receive more profit from the sale of your home than the allowable exclusion, that profit will be considered a capital asset as long as you owned your home for more than one year.
– Building Equity
Over time, you may be able to use the equity you build to fund home improvements, or pay off other, higher interest debts, such as credit card debts or student loans.

Founded in 2006, Dogs Without Borders is a non profit 501-c-3 rescue organization based in Los Angeles, California. DWB rescues stray and abandoned dogs from local shelters and as far away as Taiwan and Mexico. Spearheaded by Galit Reuben and backed by hard-working, dedicated volunteers, DWB stands behind their dogs offering their clients advice and support for the duration of their dogs’ lives to ensure happy and successful adoptions.
Dogs Without Borders does not have a facility and relies solely on foster volunteers to house and care for their rescue dogs until they are adopted. DWB is proud to have placed over 2,000 dogs since its inception, and will continue to rescue thousands more with the support of generous donations, fosters, and volunteers. DONATE

Looking For Your Special Pal?
Adoption Fair – Tailwaggers Begins: June 1, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Tailwaggers
Address: 1929 N. Bronson Ave., Hollywood, CA, 90068, United States

You and I may think it sounds ridiculous. But some say a mixed breed stray dog cannot be a service dog. They say he wasn’t bred for it.
Ted Martello thinks that’s ridiculous, too. He’s a serviceman struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder stemming from his tours of duty. And Buster – a perfect example of a mixed-breed who “could never” be a service dog – is his service dog.
Buster came to Best Friends from the street. His natural gifts of calmness and empathy stood out. So under the watchful guidance of Sherry Woodard, Best Friends animal behavior consultant, he learned how to use his gifts to help people like Ted. He learned when and how to wake someone up from a nightmare. And what clues may indicate his person needs a nudge of encouragement. His education continues, and Ted happily reports:
I have only had [Buster] since Memorial Day weekend and my trainer said recently that she could not believe how well connected [we] are and how in tune he is to me already.
Buster wasn’t bred by people to do his job. He was born to do it.
And Ted agrees, saying, “Our relationship is more special because we were both rescued. He rescued me and I rescued him.”
That’s why this year’s $2 Million Matching Gift Challenge is so important. Every dollar you donate now through the end of the year will be matched, up to $2 million <http://act.bestfriends.org/page/m/2ca4d97/4dc0a89b/12f77fb6/605aea06/2599993597/VEsC/> – and we’ve got $1,749,149 to go. Pets like Buster need this gift from compassionate people like you. They need the chance to share their gifts with the world.
Thank you for all that you do for animals.