What is a Loft Apartment?

What is a loft apartment? At the most basic level a loft apartment differs from a regular apartment because of the open layout. Lofts are open floor plans with few if any walls separating the living, dining, living and sleeping areas. The open floor plan of a loft gives it a stylish look that many residents enjoy.

In general loft apartments are older buildings that were once commercial properties. In the last 5-10 years many historic and industrial buildings that were once vacant, have now been converted into upscale loft apartments. The development of loft apartments has been a boost to local economies, revitalized downtown areas, and brought new life to historic districts.

Lofts are normally 4 to 12 story buildings, with sometimes higher than average ceilings. Large windows are often a feature of lofts and the interiors are designed to provide the occupants maximum access to exterior light.

Interior layout and design are usually a important key feature of loft apartments. Many lofts have hardwood floors, natural brick walls and exposed ceiling beams. Particular attention is also paid to hardware details such as fixtures and lighting.

Many loft apartments are located near business, nightlife and entertainment areas. Because of the urban locations loft apartments are often favored by young professionals and business people. The luxury of loft apartments also appeals to the style conscious and art enthusiasts.

In New York City there are many lofts in the Soho, Tribeca and Chelsea districts. Some lofts especially in arts districts have tenancy regulations such as status as a full-time artist. There are also many loft apartments of other major US Cities, such as Chicago, St. Louis, Houston and Dallas.

Diane Sims provides information for apartment hunters, and people seeking to buy or sell a home in Texas. More information is available at: Houston Lofts and Dallas Lofts

More than 40 states signed onto a proposed $25-billion deal with major mortgage servicers over faulty foreclosure practices. New York, Nevada and Delaware joined California in holding out for better terms.

More than 40 states signed onto a proposed $25-billion settlement with major mortgage servicers over faulty foreclosure procedures, but California, New York and other key states were still not among them.

California has until Monday to share in a multi-state deal with banks to obtain mortgage relief and reforms. Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris, who walked away from talks last year, says the door remains open.

With a Monday deadline at hand, California officials have resumed direct talks with the Obama administration about joining a multibillion-dollar, multi-state mortgage settlement with the nation's largest banks, a source said Sunday.

The talk show host pays $12 million for the 4,088-square-foot house with four bedrooms and four bathrooms. The ocean-view home sits on 1.26 bluff-top acres with beach access.

In one of the more talked-about transactions in town, actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have sold their Malibu beach house to daytime host and comedian Ellen De Generes for $12 million.

The four-bedroom, five-bathroom house built in 1920 for industrialist James Wigmore lists for $2,875,000.

A decorative cast stone entrance opens to this restored Spanish Colonial Revival-style house in Pasadena's South Orange Grove area. Built in 1920 for industrialist James Wigmore, the house retains such original details as coffered wood ceilings and arched doorways.

They don't believe they can sell their property for what it's worth, so they're spending money on making their homes more comfortable.

Do you fit any of these descriptions?

A biennial research report by the National Assn. of Realtors indicates that a handful of real estate agents and brokers and their clients either don't know the law or don't care to follow it.

When it comes to lawsuits, real estate agents and brokers tangle mostly among themselves.

The president aims to help about 3.5 million people with good credit who are unable to refinance at historically low rates because their homes are worth less than their mortgages.

 

The White House hopes to help millions of homeowners lower their monthly mortgage bill with a $5 billion to $10 billion plan to set up a streamlined refinancing program for people who are current on their payments.

The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index of 20 large U.S. cities fell 1.3% in November from October as foreclosures continue to drag down the housing market.

Three straight months of home-price declines in the biggest U.S. cities showed that foreclosures remain a significant drag on a housing market that is entering its fifth year of deterioration.

L.A. Clipper Chris Paul may be quick down the court, but he moves pretty fast when it comes to buying multimillion-dollar real estate too.