As with any major purchase, it pays to be informed prior to making any decisions. As experienced buyers already know, buying a home is a complicated process, so it's important to start at the beginning and thoroughly understand each step. Whether you're buying your first home or your third, make sure you have the necessary financial resources and have explored all your options before you purchase a new home.       If you're a first-time buyer, you should weigh the pros and cons of homeownership versus renting. There are many advantages and disadvantages to consider. For example, renters have the freedom of mobility if they choose to move, but their monthly rent checks do not establish long-term equity or produce any other benefits. And while homeowners' mortgage payments accumulate equi... 07/07/2009

Recently, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® surveyed homebuyers to find out what they considered to be important in the purchase of their homes. The largest percentage, 27 percent, considered the mere ownership of a home as the most important reason to buy. Moving to a better neighborhood (17 percent), wanting a larger home (10 percent), and realizing the tax advantages of homeownership (8 percent) were other reasons cited for buying homes. Seven percent focused on investment value as their primary motivation for homeownership. Over the years, your home likely will be the best investment you'll ever make. But more importantly, it will be the place that offers you and your family shelter, security and stability. That's some return on investment. To preview the finest real estate a... 07/06/2009

For the vast majority of us, owning a home is part of the American Dream. According to a study conducted by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, 87 percent of those polled cited owning a home as the number one criterion for defining "the good life." Owners and renters alike considered homeownership desirable for the following reasons: the pride of ownership, their dislike of paying rent, and the ability to change features of their homes to match their individual tastes and needs. In addition, owning your own home provides a sense of security and well-being that's hard to beat. Home is where we raise our families, have friends over for summer barbeques, paint the baby's room pink or blue, and find refuge from the outside world. Owning a home offers other advantages as well. For instanc... 07/06/2009

 In July, sidewalk sales and bargains around each corner in Pacific Palisades Village. Enjoy browsing up and down our well-heeled, well-loved sidewalks. Shops and restaurants will be opened all day to serve you. Seize the day and enjoy some weekend fun. To preview the finest real estate and the best deals on the Westside of Los Angeles including Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Malibu, Brentwood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, West L.A., Marina Del Rey & Mar Vista please visit our website: http://www.westsidehomefinder.com/ When you are ready to view the properties or just have a question, please contact us: 310.459.8191 or info@wsprops.com PACIFIC PALISADES SANTA MONICA MALIBU BRENTWOOD BEVERLY HILLS WESTWOOD/CENTURY CITY MARINA DEL REY VENICE TOPANGA CULVER CITY PLAYA DEL REY PLAYA VISTA WES... 07/05/2009

Happy Hump Day and Happy July! My apologies for being non-existent and not posting as my office, Westside Properties, has been in construction for the past two weeks. Today is the first day of normal life again. Josh and I are finally back in our newly updated office and loving it. LOTS of catch up to play and lots of relationships to rekindle. Here is the weekly market up for Pacific Palisades Real Estate: New Listings: 609 LAS LOMAS AVE - $3,995,000 0 Posetano RD #7 - land - $164,500 3633 MALIBU VISTA DR - $1,578,000 16321 PACIFIC COAST HWY #169 - $299,000 18000 SEA REEF DR - $1,795,000 15055 ALTATA DR - $3,595,000 710 VIA DE LA PAZ - $2,695,000 1502 PALISADES DR - condo - $649,000 3814 CASTLEROCK RD - $1,699,000 1425 MONTE GRANDE PL - $2,695,000 16630 CALLE ARBOLADA - $1,798,500 1846... 07/01/2009

Happy Monday! I hope that all the fathers had a wonderful day yesterday and I also hope that you were spoiled and pampered as I was spoiled rotten all day! Here are the weekly sales and new listings in the Pacific Palisades area: SOLD 1117 CHAUTAUQUA - $2,750,000 16814 CALLE DE SARAH - $2,100,000 16463 AKRON STREET - $1,202,500 1550 SORRENTO DRIVE - $4,300,000 17070 LIVORNO DRIVE - $2,900,000 542 CHAPALA DRIVE - $1,860,000 NEW LISTINGS 16801 VIA LA COSTA - HOUSE - $4,950,000 16836 CALLE BELLEVISTA - HOUSE - $4,750,000 1147 EMBURY STREET - HOUSE - $1,449,000 1332 EL HITO CIRCLE - HOUSE - $1,645,000 734 JACON WAY - HOUSE - $1,849,000 1287 RIMMER AVE - HOUSE - $3,125,000 18 PARK AVE - 658 PALISADES DRIVE - CONDO - $1,418,000 17050 LIVORNO DRIVE - LAND - $1,099,000 If you have any questions... 06/22/2009

For Katie Stam, who is accustomed to traveling 20,000 miles a month and working seven days a week, participating in two parades on the Fourth of July will be a cakewalk. Miss America 2009 will ride as grand marshal at the Pacific Palisades Americanism Parade at 2 p.m. after starting the day in Huntington Beach. From the moment the former Miss Indiana triumphantly walked across the stage in January'the final night of the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas'her year-long journey began. 'When it was down to the final three, Miss Tennessee, Miss California and me, I didn't know which one of us was going to win,' Stam says. 'But I did know I would do a good job if I were to win. I was confident of what I had to offer: a good role model, a good spokesperson, and I could handle the travel and ex... 06/19/2009

 Qualified, first-time home buyers using a Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured mortgage now can apply the $8,000 federal tax credit toward their down payments, the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today.Currently, borrowers applying for an FHA-insured mortgage are required to issue minimum down payments of 3.5 percent. Previously, FHA-approved lenders were not allowed to monetize the tax credit as part of the 3.5 percent; however, under the new guidelines announced this afternoon, borrowers now can use the tax credit as additional down payment, or for other closing costs.For more information, please visit: Federal Tax Credit info   To preview the finest real estate and the best deals on the Westside of Los Angeles including Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica,... 06/09/2009

Get the picnic baskets out of the attic! Pacific Palisades will now have Movies in the Park during the month of August. Here are the details: Location - Palisades Recreation Center Time - Movies start around 8pm(Dusk) Days - Every Saturday in August Here is the Movie schedule: August 1st - "Men in Black" PG-13 August 8th - "Kung Fu Panda" PG August 15th - "Beauty and the Beast" G August 22nd - "Pirates of the Caribbean" #1 PG-13 August 28th - "Cars" G image used is not specific location     To preview the finest real estate and the best deals on the Westside of Los Angeles including Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Malibu, Brentwood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, West L.A., Marina Del Rey & Mar Vista please visit our website: http://www.westsidehomefinder.com/ When you are ready to view the p... 05/26/2009

Thank you for choosing   Westside Properties   (310) 459-8191 office (310) 494-0169 fax   www.WestsideHomeFinder.com     Active   PH PTYPE S AR ADDRESS LP BR BA #U SF LSZ YB DOM LD ST DATE       1. 18 SFR  A  14 1255 PALISADES BEACH RD $4,550,000 3 4.00   3,197 2,627 2001 631 08/29/07 08/29/07   1 2. 8 SFR  A  06 222 S CLIFFWOOD AVE $4,100,000 2 2.00   1,438 24,300 1923 281 03/31/08 03/31/08   2 3. 20 SFR  A  15 3912 SPRAY LN $1,895,000 5 2.75   2,587 10,846 1963 385 04/29/08 04/29/08   3 4. 13 SFR  A  15 16550 AKRON ST $2,699,000 4 4.50   4,320 9,117 2009 218 10/13/08 10/13/08   4 5. 18 SFR  A  15 609 AMALFI DR $7,600,000 6 7.00   8,065 18,325 2000 209 10/21/08 10/21/08   5 6. 10 SFR  A  14 1701 OAK ST $1,695,000 4 3.00   0 9,204 1939 203 10/28/08 10/28/08   6 7. 13 SFR  A  14 215 21S... 05/19/2009

Community Expo Set for May 17th PACIFIC PALISADES SANTA MONICA MALIBU BRENTWOOD BEVERLY HILLS WESTWOOD/CENTURY CITY MARINA DEL REY VENICE TOPANGA CULVER CITY PLAYA DEL REY PLAYA VISTA WEST L.A. BEL-AIR BEVERLY HILLS PO BEVERLY CENTER/MIRACLE MILE BEVERLYWOOD The Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce will hold its first Community Expo on Sunday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., along Antioch Street, Via de la Paz and Swarthmore Avenue (below Sunset). The streets will be closed to cars. Admission is free. The ambitious Expo will include booths promoting local health, environment, technology, financial, home and garden-related businesses, nonprofits and other businesses, vendors and organizations. Other highlights will include a display of classic and exotic cars, plus featured entertainme... 05/07/2009

April-May 2009 sales and listing statistics for Pacific Palisades, California 90272; Market Opinion From K.C. Soll, SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTYMarket conditions in Pacific Palisades, current listings and April sales stats and summary of 2007/2008 sales: In April 2009 there were 11 closed sales ranging in price from $1,375,000 to $6Mil. The median sales price was $2.4Mil. As of May 1, there are 29 pending sales ranging in price from $1,149,000 (asking price) to $9.295Mil. This dramatic upswing in sales since January and February should continue through July, judging by open house activity. Currently, there are 184 SFR (single family residences) for sale. They range in price from $798,000 for a major fixer-upper (tear-down) probate sale, to $25Mil for a home plus acreage in Las Pulgas ... 05/02/2009

  16030 JUNALUSKA WAY, PACIFIC PALISADES , CA 90272 Map $3,695,000 8 Bedrooms, 7.5 Bathrooms Save  |   Photos (20)   Listing # 09-362619 Courtesy of: Coldwell Banker- Pac.Palisades - Samulon,Marta 09-362619158 34.046913-118.535375 17810 TRAMONTO DR, PACIFIC PALISADES , CA 90272  Map $3,595,000 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms Save   Listing # 09-363641 Courtesy of: Coldwell Banker-BH - Brunkhorst,Alex 09-363641158   34.042595-118.563125 822 HARTZELL ST, PACIFIC PALISADES , CA 90272 Map $2,995,000 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Bathrooms Save  |   Photos (11)   Listing # 09-363581 Courtesy of: Prudential California Realty - Hiatt,Michael 09-363581158 34.044105-118.519069 327 SWARTHMORE AVE, PACIFIC PALISADES , CA 90272 Map $2,875,000 5 Bedrooms, 3.5 Bathrooms Save  |   Photos (1)   Listing # 09-362287 Courtesy... 04/21/2009

1511 AMALFI DR, PACIFIC PALISADES , CA 90272 Map   $2,995,000 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Bathrooms Save  |   Photos (1)  Listing # 09-361869 Courtesy of: Sotheby's Int'l Rlty-Brentwood - Moritz,Steven 827 HARTZELL ST, PACIFIC PALISADES , CA 90272 Map   $2,795,000 5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Bathrooms Save  |   Photos (20)  Listing # 09-361283 Courtesy of: Prudential California Realty - Kreitler,Katy 327 N GRENOLA ST, PACIFIC PALISADES , CA 90272 Map   $1,775,000 2 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms Save  |   Photos (2)  Listing # 09-361867 Courtesy of: Keller Williams-Santa Monica - Pregerson,Scott 810 ILIFF ST, PACIFIC PALISADES , CA 90272 Map   $1,395,000 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms Save  Listing # 09-361087 Courtesy of: Prudential California Realty - Akerblom,Teresa 17155 AVENIDA DE SANTA YNEZ, PACIFIC PALISADES , CA 9027... 04/12/2009

Hoppy Easter to all of my family, friends, clients, and readers! Wishing you and your family a joyous and healthy Easter holiday and 2009. As for the Naidoo tribe, we are at home and enjoying family time and looking forward to seeing the Mandal, Schatz, and Cammack families for Easter lunch and Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt in our backyard!   04/12/2009

Happy Tuesday everyone! It is a gorgeous day in Southern California. Although I did not get a chance to hit the Broker's Open Houses this week, it was for a very good reason...I was writring an offer on an amazing property for one of my investors. If anyone is interested in details, I will share once I have locked the property in escrow. Tomorrow, the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce will be having their March Mixer. As faithful members of the Chamber, Josh Barre and I will be attending to meet and greet everyone. As well as, network Westside Properties to everyone. There will be a drawing! The March Mixer is being hosted by Affinity Bank. Here are the details: Location - 15310 Sunset Blvd. Pacific Palisades 90272 Time -      5:30-7:30pm Fee -        Member are free! Non-members pa... 03/24/2009

PACIFIC PALISADES SINGLE-FAMILY OPEN HOUSES SINGLE FAMILY 2/ 1.50 520 BIENVENEDA AVE $ 1,095,000 R 630/J5 FP/VU SF:1138 2 - 5 2/ 2.00 17717 REVELLO DR $ 1,150,000 R 630/F6 FP/VU 2 - 5 4/ 2.75 906 LAS PULGAS RD $ 1,245,000 R 630/J4 FP SF:1899 2 - 5 3/ 2.00 16463 AKRON ST $ 1,299,000 N 630/H4 VU SF:1628 2 - 5 3/ 2.00 17056 LIVORNO DR $ 1,395,000 R 630/G6 VU SF:1538 2 - 5 4/ 3.00 874 FISKE ST $ 1,395,000 N 631/B5 FP SF:1901 2 - 5 4/ 3.00 874 FISKE $ 1,395,000 N 631/B5 SF:1901 2 - 5 2/ 1.75 784 WILDOMAR $ 1,399,000 R 630/J5 FP SF:1393 2 - 5 4/ 2.50 1423 AVENIDA DE CORTEZ $ 1,425,000 N 630/F1 TC/PL/FP/VU SF:3250 2 - 5 5/ 3.50 838 FISKE ST $ 1,450,000 R 631/B5 FP SF:2311 2 - 5 3/ 2.00 3808 CASTLEROCK RD $ 1,475,000 R 630/E5 PL/FP/VU SF:2333 2 - 5 3/ 2.00 360 ADERNO WAY $ 1,495,000 R 630/H6 F... 03/22/2009

Going Green Greening the Laundry Room   PACIFIC PALISADES SANTA MONICA MALIBU BRENTWOOD BEVERLY HILLS WESTWOOD/CENTURY CITY MARINA DEL REY VENICE TOPANGA CULVER CITY PLAYA DEL REY PLAYA VISTA WEST L.A. BEL-AIR BEVERLY HILLS PO BEVERLY CENTER/MIRACLE MILE BEVERLYWOOD                       Your laundry room is another place that can consume a great deal of energy. Here are a few ways to reduce that: Energy-efficient washer: Typical washing machines can use as much as 40 gallons of water a load—energy-efficient washers, such as ENERGY STAR models, can use half of that. Only wash and dry full loads: Similar to dishwashers, washers and dryers use a great deal of energy, regardless of their contents—so be energy efficient and use full loads (or adjust settings accordingly). Clean out lint fi... 03/11/2009

Happy Sunday Everyone! The sun is shining bright and the skies are blue...ENJOY!! Here are the new listings in Pacific Palisades since last sunday: Houses - 12 Condos - 4 Land - 0 Leases - 7   To preview the finest real estate and the best deals on the Westside of Los Angeles including Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Malibu, Brentwood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, West L.A., Marina Del Rey & Mar Vista please visit our website: http://www.westsidehomefinder.com/ When you are ready to view the properties or just have a question, please contact us: 310.459.8191 or info@wsprops.com   03/08/2009

 It appears that the Temescal Water Project may have some opposition! When I first heard about this project, I was elated that finally something was being done to control or stop the runoff into the ocean. I lived in Santa Monica for over 2 decades and can say that when there was a heavy rain, it was very bad for the ocean! Here is the article from the Palisadian Post... March 05, 2009 Sue Pascoe , Staff Writer Everyone agreed last Wednesday about the quest to protect Santa Monica Bay from polluted stormwater, but residents challenged the City's preparations for the proposed $15.9- million Temescal Stormwater Diversion Project. Appearing at a public meeting in the Palisades Branch Library community room, Heal the Bay President Mark Gold and Palisadian Fran Diamond, chairperson of the Lo... 03/05/2009