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Los Angeles, CA Real Estate News

By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Diane and I have been going to the Festival of Books for the past 24+ years. If memory serves me correctly, we only missed the first two... Now with that said this year we did not get a new coffee mug. Usually, we get one every year commemorating our visit to the Festival of Books. This year was a total disappointment.The marketing was too vague and too discouraging. In the old days if you wanted to see an author you did not have to pay to enter. This year the message was mistakenly focused on, that you cannot get to see a panel or an author unless you pay for a ticket. Really??? False messaging. Sadly, many bought into this message including us.I told Diane it was just poor English and not clear messaging... we disagreed... on a side note I was right.So, with that said, let me tell you...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Friday Funday: I thought how about a fun dinner.... I always cruise the Internet, and I saw someone post a recipe for baked cabbage. Loved the idea and it so happened I had cabbage in the fridge as well as I always have olive oil.Now I thought this would go well with bake Argentinian Red Shrimp.Then I figured how about some great Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Bisquists to accompany the dinner Wishing you a safe and healthy life and I look forward to your comments. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you achieve your Real Estate goals, please reach out to me directly! If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle and sell the most difficult properties that no one else could, please reach ...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
2401 San Marco Dr. Los Angeles CA 90068: Accepting Backup Offers...Directions : Head East on Franklin Ave to Cahuenga BLVD (N) first right (E)on to Dix St and first left (n) on Holly Dr. to the end turn (L) to San Marco, land is just past 2407 San Marco Dr.Remarks: Best priced vacant land in the Beach Wood Canyon area. Truly a fantastic opportunity to build your dream home in the highly desirable Hollywood Dell section of the Hollywood Hills East. This lot is equally desirable for a developer to build for spec. The house next to this lot on a more difficult upslope with smaller frontage was built recently. This up sloped lot has about 58 ft of frontage with panoramic canyon views. Just imagine being surrounded by nature and multimillion dollar homes and still be minutes from the city an...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
As most of you who read my posts, we have been supporting the Los Angeles Festival of Books for the past 24 plus years. We missed the first two and then we became loyal supporters year after year. Yesterday we went and you can read my post of what I thought. Now with that said we did not go this year the second day, like we always did two days in a row. Ironically, I had an easy day with real estate today.Well, not to dwell on it here are a few Fotos that I did not post yesterday.No matter what I wish you a wonderful week ahead and if you have time enjoy reading books. Please buy and read books. Wishing you a safe and healthy life and I look forward to your comments. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you ach...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Here is my continuation of the Century City Market Report Part #2 (the 2009 year end summary) The numbers are very interesting, many people do not understand why this occured. I suspect since the bankes were encouraged to do more short sales in lieu of foreclosures, this in turn created a demand by buyers and at the same time prevented a larger drop in the prices. The number of Condominiums in Escrow are up by 56% compared to December 2008. Hence I do not anticipate any large drop in price nor demand for the next few months.    As you can see the inventory, i.e.: new listings have declined a great deal. Since this is a supply and demand bussiness, you will again agree with me that prices will not decline in the near term.        So in conclusion, please take advantage of the low interes...
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By Dom Naidoo, Malibu to the Marina Real Estate
(Westside Properties)
PCH Road Closures - Palisades Bluffs Project The City of Santa Monica began construction work on its Palisades Bluffs Project in November 2009. Intermittent lane closures of the northbound lane of Pacific Coast Highway nearest the bluffs (land side) can be expected during construction hours (Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm). Commuters should expect some delays in the area and are asked to proceed with caution through the construction zone.   The project is intended to make drainage improvements at the base of the Palisades Bluffs from the California Incline to the northern Santa Monica city limit (near Entrada Avenue) in order to decrease the rate of gradual deterioration of the Bluffs caused by localized slope failures resulting from groundwater seepage.   For additional i...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Enclosed here you will find some very interesting Numbers and Statistics for Century City CA Market Report. I broke the report into two parts so you can look at it in more detail. The numbers are not what I was expecting. One of the most interesting Fingure was the Median Sold Price by Month. Virtually there is no change between December 2008 and December 2009. To me a 2% drop  was a true suprize.. The buyers that bougth properties in March, April and  July were the ones that got some fantastic deals.      Equally interesting is the Median Price for Sale vs. Median Sold Price. As I mentioned above there was only a 2% decline December 2008 vs. December 2009. Not suprizing based on this figure that the Median for Sale price actually increased by 9%. This shows how desirable the Location i...
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By Jane Peters, Los Angeles real estate concierge services
(Home Jane Realty)
I was recently introduced to Broadview Mortgage, a lender in California who specialize in CalPERS loans, public employees and CalSTRS loans, employees of public schools and community colleges. They have recently added a new loan to their portfolio, healthcare workers. This is an exciting new opportunity for almost anyone in the healthcare field to obtain an affordable loan.  The category is broad - medical receptionist, physicians aid, ambulance driver, physical therapist etc. If you have any questions, especially if you would like to know if you qualify, please let me know. I would be happy to put you in touch with the appropriate party. Below is an outline of eligibility for the three loans: This is an overview of the actual loan: Visit my website for more details of this loan.    
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Being Frugal is back in fashion, I was reading a couple of weeks ago in the LA Times Business Section. This made me think, not too long ago I used to enjoy Non Vintage Krug Champaign at a silvery price.  Now in today's frugal times I thought I share some of my favorite wines under $15 dollars instead. Oh the good old days of Chateau Margoux Margoux, Where are they now?  As you know trying to find a good Pinot Noir under $15 is very hard to do, So let me pass on to you a  couple great ones :  Castle Rock Mendocino Pinot Noir under $10 at Trader Joe's it goes well with just about anything.  Block No.45 Pinot Noir found at Whole Foods also under $10  If you prefer a light white vs. a light red then visit the New Zeeland section of Ralph's  The Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough re...
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By Danny Batsalkin, Los Angeles Real Estate | 310.432.5706
(Keller Williams Realty - Beverly Hills)
Wilshire Vista Real Estate Market Report (Homes For Sale / Pending / Sold) - DECEMBER 2009 Why am I writing a market report about Wilshire Vista Real Estate? Because Wilshire Vista is MY NEIGHBORHOOD, and when I say my neighborhood, I mean that I have owned a home and lived in Wilshire Vista for the past 5 years.  I know the neighborhood, the neighbors, the restaurants, the area and most importantly, the real estate. There is no one, and I mean NO ONE, that is better suited to represent you in the purchase or sale of your Wilshire Vista home than me! Where is Wilshire Vista? Wilshire Vista is a neighborhood in the Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles, bordered by Fairfax Avenue on the West, Hauser Boulevard on the East, San Vicente Boulevard on the North and Pico Boulevard on the South....
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Earthquake Myth #2 "...The Earth Opened....there was a ten inch wide gap..."  As I promised earlier, I will try to debunk some of the earthquake myths. So without further delay let us address Myth #2....the earth opened up..."  When you read a fiction book describing an earthquake or watch a movie simulating an earthquake and they show a fault opening and the earth swallows up cities, towns, and bad people. That is pure fiction.  Faults like that only exist in novels and the movies. If the earth could open, there would be not Friction and without Friction, there would be no earthquake.  The earth actually moves in a way if you could visualize two sheets of paper one sliding over the other. The earth's crust is called the Pacific and North American plates. These large sections of the ear...
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By Tim O'Keefe, Social SEO And Reputation Marketing
(Spider Juice Technologies)
Create Content or DieThe lesson in this post is about the need for creating content if you plan to survive online in 2010 and beyond. In order to understand this new market driver, we need to take a peek into market trends and history. MLS.Google.comGoogle has made Google real estate part of Google maps.  This has happened just while NAR was announcing their intent on building out their own national database. Snooze you lose I guess. What is most interesting is that while NAR moves at a snails pace. Ironically, Google gets their data spoon fed from Realtor sources nearly in real time.  In other words, if the Realtors stopped giving them listings, then Google would not be able to provide this new feature other than fsbos. Of course, neither would real estate verticals like Trulia surviv...
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By Connie Tebyani, Platinum Home Staging, Los Angeles and Ventura County
(Platinum Home Staging, Inc. : RESA-Pro)
OK, maybe more along the lines of a major demolition, this post is concurrent with previous blogs Do You Wanna Shag, Baby?  and From Pepto-Pink to Classic Cool .  This Westwood, CA bungalow went through a major overhaul in the past few weeks and this is definitely one of the BEST rooms of the transformation - the now eat-in kitchen.       Original Kitchen & Dining Room This was the 1950's/60's  kitchen before which had NEVER been touched since the home was built. Barely big enough for one person to stand, let alone cook. As seen through this picture, modern appliances such as a stove and dishwasher were added, but jutted out past the narrow counter tops; as did the washer and drier past the dividing wall to the once called "mud room".  The dining room was papered with orange, velvet flo...
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By Stephanie Frymyer, Realtor ABR, SRES, SFR, Whittier
(Brick & Co. Real Estate, Inc.)
When the weather is 75 Fahrenheit outside, it is hard to get in a Christmas mood, but there are some places in the Los Angeles area that make the Christmas spirit come alive. One of these places is The Grove with its beautiful display of lights and the gigantic, decorated Christmas Tree. The Grove is located at 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036, off of Fairfax and W. 3rd (for a more detailed map go to http://www.thegrovela.com/map.html), about a 45 minute drive from Whittier (a little faster if there is no traffic). Parking is easily found at The Grove in the huge parking structure off of W. 3rd St, however, when you get there in the evening, you might have to do a bit of driving up and down the structure as it can get a bit busy. Once you park your car, walk over to the elevat...
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By Bob & Leilani Souza, Greater Sacramento Area Homes, Land & Investments
(Souza Realty 916.408.5500)
Actress Brittany Murphy Dies At Age 32 Here are some fast facts about Brittany Murphy: Born in Atlanta, Georgia (11/10/1977) Died in Los Angeles, California (12/20/2009) Actress, singer, voice artist Started acting in Hollywood at age 14 Voice of Luanne on King of the Hill in 1997 Dated Ashton Kuchter in 2002 Spokesmodel for Jordache jeans in 2005 Voice of Gloria in Happy Feet in 2006 Married Simon Monjack in 2007 Set to appear in Sylvester Stallone's film The Expendables in 2010 I loved her character Luanne on King of the Hill...especially how she said, "Uncle Hank..." May she rest in peace. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From Wikipedia: Brittany Murphy (November 10, 1977 – December 20, 2009) was an American actress and singer. She starred in films such as Clueless, G...
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By Connie Tebyani, Platinum Home Staging, Los Angeles and Ventura County
(Platinum Home Staging, Inc. : RESA-Pro)
Shag carpeting that is - sorry if I disappointed you. Would you like some "Shag" with your house?  This Interior Design project is in conjunction with a previous blog,   From Pepto Pink to Classic Cool.  This is the main living room of the Westwood, CA 1950's Bungalow complete with original, 3″ (although very matted down) shag carpeting.  The owners wouldn't even consider bringing their young toddler into the house until  this was gone for fear of what "was living" in the carpeting.  But what these first time home buyers COULD see was the home's potential. GREAT coffered ceilings, huge windows, large living space. What they couldn't see, and what the Platinum Home Staging Team found, was that the shag carpeting was covering original wood floors!  These new Home Owners were ready to drop...
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By Bozena Chorazewicz
(Bozena Studio Interior Design)
  During my travels to Vienna, Austria, I was always intrigued by the buildings designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. You can imagine my amazement when I found out I can spend a few nights in a hotel, of which the exterior as well as interior was one of the last works of this famous Austrian painter and architect. Hot Springs Village in Blumau (Styria) looks like a surreal city in the middle of a beautiful rural land. Round shapes, contrasting colors, oddly placed doors and windows, and green roofs are all Hundertwasser trademarks, recognizable worldwide (some of his projects are even in Japan and New Zealand).       In Hundertwasser's words: "If man walks in nature's midst, then he is nature's guest and must learn to behave as a well-brought-up guest."     Hundertwasser's recognizab...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Have you heard Southern California is Earthquake Country? Dispelling Myth #1 Earthquake happens in the morning!  As an East Coast transplant, I have to share with you some misconceptions which concern some people who have never lived in Southern California. Local Angelinos do not understand, nor can they relate to the fears of people, who have never lived here before.  I will write a series of posts to dispel myths and give a dose of  reality to people considering Relocating to Southern California.(we have lived here now for over 14+years and will plan on living here for many more) What they should do and what not, i.e.: learn from out mistakes.  As we were contemplating on relocating from Boston, MA to Los Angeles, CA., I was somewhat concerned the Southern California has the nickname ...
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Wachovia now making it easier to complete a short sale in Los Angeles CA - South Bay Finally!!  A bank with heart and good business sense.  There has been plenty of conversation about who was to blame for the financial meltdown as far as the real estate and banking industry are concered.  But here we are and the kitchen is a mess and someone has got to help clean it up.  Enter, Realtors.  It's our nature - at least it's mine - to care and want to help.  We realize that purchasing your home was probably the biggest purchase you ever made.  Your home is your nest, your castle.  It's a big deal.  To now owe more than your home's value and possibly not be able to afford you payments on top of it - it's a huge blow.  I understand.  I want to help.  So does Wachovia. A Wachovia short sale can...
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By Danny Batsalkin, Los Angeles Real Estate | 310.432.5706
(Keller Williams Realty - Beverly Hills)
Have you thought about getting that bigger, better house in a better neighborhood?   NOW IS THE TIME! Whether you need more space, want to upgrade your location, or for any other reason, the current real estate market presents a unique opportunity to capitalize by trading up!  5 reasons why this is the best market to trade up! 1. You will make money NOW on the trade!   Here's how this works. You currently own a condo that was worth $1,000,000 three years ago, and now it's worth $700,000 (that's right, it's gone down 30%!).  You may be thinking, I've lost $300,000, right?  Wrong!   What you do is go out and sell your condo and purchase the home of your dreams for $1,400,000.  That house, three years ago, was worth $2,000,000 and you probably couldn't have afforded it.  By buying it now,...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Buyers Beware When Considering Buying Foreclosures!   All first time home  buyers should be very cautious when considering buying a Bank Foreclosed Property(REO). Many people get excited that they want to hit the jackpot by buying a Foreclosed home. Needless to say there are some truly great opportunities out there.   At the same time common sense should prevail. Do the research about the neighborhood, schools and market prices. Do inspect the home; banks are not required to let you know about defects. Have your financing ready.  Be prepared that the banks have priced the home generally a great deal under market value; hence it will not be a buyer's market when it comes to the property. Be prepared to be in a multiple offer situation.  Banks do not negotiate with Counter Offers. Submit ...
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By Michelle Minch, Home Staging Los Angeles and Orange County, CA
(Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA)
Here's some tips for using Feng Shui to stage your kitchen, whether you are staging your Los Angeles home to sell, or staging it to live. Its that time again: the New Year is fast approaching and its time to give your kitchen a Feng Shui tune up. I've updated a post I did last year, and added some new information.   Stage Your Kitchen With Feng Shui Welcome prosperity and good health into your home with sound Feng Shui practices. With the New Year 2010 approaching, now is the perfect time to invite positive change into your life. Whether you are staging your home to sell or staging your home to live you can use the principals of home staging and Feng Shui to prepare your home for more comfortable, pleasing and prosperous living for you or your potential buyers. There are many schools of...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Here we have the Condominium Market Report for Playa Vista, CA for  the month of November 2009.We are in the final stretch of 2009, what an interesting year it has been. I will do a very detailed report at the end of the year with charts and numbers for visual appeal. Monthly Statistics - Condo - November 2009   Sales Volume No. Area Nov 2008 Nov 2009 Oct 2009 2009 To Date 2008 To Date SP/LP SP/OLP 39 Playa Vista $1,808,338 $3,255,300 $4,577,156 $39,570,755 $37,718,110 97.81% 97.97% Sales Volume No. Area Nov 2008 Nov 2009 Oct 2009 2009 To Date 2008 To Date SP/LP SP/OLP All Selected Areas $1,808,338 $3,255,300 $4,577,156 $39,570,755 $37,718,110 97.81% 97.97% Median Sales Price No. Area Nov 2008 Nov 2009 Oct 2009 2009 To Date 2008 To Date 39 Playa Vista $559,338 $527,000 $480,000 $535,875...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
The Condominium Market Report for the month of November in Century City is very telling. Please look at the numbers closely. The trend is very interesting. Next month I will do a full comparision month to month year over year. Be on the look out for it. I will include charts as well for eye appeal.   Monthly Statistics - Condo - November 2009   Sales Volume No. Area Nov 2008 Nov 2009 Oct 2009 2009 To Date 2008 To Date SP/LP SP/OLP 5 Westwood - Century City $17,418,648 $33,370,612 $22,288,936 $237,732,975 $306,362,113 93.87% 85.40% Sales Volume No. Area Nov 2008 Nov 2009 Oct 2009 2009 To Date 2008 To Date SP/LP SP/OLP All Selected Areas $17,418,648 $33,370,612 $22,288,936 $237,732,975 $306,362,113 93.87% 85.40% Median Sales Price No. Area Nov 2008 Nov 2009 Oct 2009 2009 To Date 2008 To D...
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