All you need to know about living in LA

If you dream of a home in Tinseltown, read on for our guide on buying abroad

LA has plenty to offer – from beaches and hours of sunshine to ski resorts only hours away. Plus with Hollywood and Beverly Hills nearby, you could find yourself living next door to a star...

Westside, including areas such as Bel Air, is where you'll pay most for a property, whereas areas such as Korea Town and Silverlake are still up and coming. In the West Valley, slightly further into the suburbs, you'll find a family house for around £350,000, and in Pasadena, a lively college community with a small-town feel, a three-bed cottage goes from about £325,000.

Before you buy
DO
1...your research about different neighbourhoods. You'll need a car, so think about how much time you want to spend driving to shops, schools etc
2...make sure you get a disclosure statement. This is a document suplied by the vendor's real estate agent that lists any possible problems they are aware of with the property.
3...get a soil stability survey. California sits on the earthquake-prone San Andreas faultline, so soil stability can be a concern. Visit the American Society of Home Inspector's website at www.ashi.org to find a surveyor in the area.
4...get a 'clear title'. This is a deed that isn't affected by any debts the previous owner might have had against the property. Ask your real estate agent for details.

DON'T
1...rush into anything. If you're being relocated by your company, find out what's included in the relocation package.
2...buy a house without air-con. LA gets very hot and if you buy a house without air-con (it isn't standard in older houses) then installation is an added cost.
3...make an offer unless you're serious. Once you sign an Offer to Purchase form and write a cheque you won't be able to back out without losing your deposit.
4...ask your escrow agent for legal advice. Escrow is the period after you've signed the Offer to Purchase, while finances are arranged and inspections carried out. Escrow agents aren't lawyers and can't tell you if you've got a good deal or not. Consult a lawyer instead.

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