Being present rather than Absentminded Absentmindedness means what it says: Your mind is absent from where you are in the present. Don't expect to remember what you were doing if your mind was elsewhere. No doubt you're like most people who've misplaced their car keys or forgotten what they were going to buy after they arrived at the store. Tips: Live your days with your mind in gear. Pay attention to little things in life. It will help in cases like misplacing the car keys. It's like leaving yourself clues and be able to put together pieces of information to locate your car keys again. Even though you don't remember exactly where did you put your keys at, you can trace back to what were you doing or where were you at before putting down the keys at certain place. This is how I find my ... 01/21/2009

I was browsing through articles and the word "trillion" caught my eyes. The word "trillion" doesn't show up often and there's no way I can related to that word. "There is a sense that when numbers are too big or too small, the brain just shuts off. People either don't think about it at all or there is fear, an exaggerated reaction." said Colin Camerer, a professor of behavioral economic at the California Institute of Technology. However, we should all be familiar to "trillion" now because President Obama said US deficit appears on track to hit $1 trillion soon. "Potentially we've got trillion-dollar deficits for years to come, even with the economic recovery that we are working on." The actual figure should be $1.2 trillion this year. So let's break down a "trillion", a little number ex... 01/20/2009

So I got this email from a friend and can't wait to share it with everyone. I'm always big on natural remedies and this is great!! Honey and Cinnamon are very easy to access and mixture of two can cure lots of diseases. Why not give it a try. It was in a PowerPoint format but I can only copy and paste the content. Please be patient and read through them. It could be a life changing habbit for a better health!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Honey and Cinnamon A MIXTURE FOR CURES INTRODUCTION • It is found that a mixture of Honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. • Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. • Ayurvedic, as well as Yunani medicine, have been using honey as a vital medicin... 01/20/2009

According to Associated Press, Obama would devote $40 billion to $100 billion from the financial sector bailout fund to help homeowners avoid defaulting on their mortgages and extend loans to small businesses, consumers, homeowners and local governments. The legislation now limits on what financial institutions can do with bailout money and restrictions on executive pay and sets aside money for foreclosure mitigation. Such a commitment is the most specific glimpse at what Obama would do with the remaining $350 billion of the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Congress built in a safeguard by requiring that after the first $350 billion was spent; Congress could reject spending the second half. Republicans generally opposed the $700 billion bailout program when Congress first voted for it in... 01/19/2009

A study by Finnish and Swedish researchers shows middle-aged people who drink moderate amounts of coffee significantly reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Middle-aged people who drank between three to five cups of coffee a day lowered their risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease by between 60% and 65% later in life. The study, which was also conducted in cooperation with the National Public Health Institute in Helsinki and which was published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease this month was based on repeated interviews with 1,409 people in Finland over more than two decades. It remained unclear exactly how moderate coffee drinking helped delay or avoid the onset of dementia, but pointed out that coffee contains strong antioxidants which are know to coun... 01/15/2009

Happy Hump Day! Today has been another great day in Southern California. The weather has been very warm. Blue skies were all around and it really felt like Spring was already here. Here is the Weekly Market Hotsheet for Pacific Palisades, California 90272:     STATUS   TYPE ADDRESS   LIST PRICE BEDS BATHS   SIZE LOT AGE     SALE PRICE     CHANGE TYPE     SOLD    SFR 1730 SAN REMO DR   $16,500,000   8 10.00   11,641 49,222 2005     $14,500,000     Sold     ACTIVE    SFR 16814 BOLLINGER DR   $2,350,000   3 2.00   2,628 7,927 1951           Back On Market     ACTIVE    SFR 770 PASEO MIRAMAR   $3,250,000   3 2.50   2,620 20,952 1959           Back On Market     ACTIVE   SFR 221 BELLINO DR   $2,485,000   3 3.00   1,981 5,828 1961           Back On Market     ACTIVE    SFR 16807 VIA LA COSTA ... 01/14/2009

Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will extend the suspension of foreclosure sales and eviction s from single-family homes through the end of January. They have suspended foreclosures through the holidays but were expected to resume proceedings after Jan 9. The extension will allow borrowers facing foreclosure to keep their homes as it works with mortgage servicers to find options for troubled mortgage holders under Streamlined Modification Program. Freddie and Fannie began the modification program in December, aiming to create more affordable mortgage payments for borrowers at risk of foreclosure. The program applies to borrowers who have missed 3 payments or more, own and occupy their homes and have not filed for bankruptcy. Under the problem, borrowers can reduce their intere... 01/13/2009

Local Youth Sports Pacific Palisades Baseball Association Evaluation/Try-out Dates are Coming! All children must attend an evaluation day to be drafted onto a team. You must be REGISTERED to attend the Evaluations/Try-outs. Sat, Jan 17, 200910 year olds: 8:30-11 am / 11 year olds: 11:30 am-2 pm12 year olds: 2-4 pm / Makeups for 7, 8, & 9: 3 pmMakeups for 13 & 14: 8:30-10 am    Children's Nature Institute Presents Tykes on Trails Wed, Jan 14, 21, & 28, 10 am-12 pm - Temescal Canyon15601 Sunset Boulevard, Pacific Palisades Join Tykes on Trails for children 2-4 years old and their parents. Enjoy hands-on discovery, stories, crafts, and walks. Children will learn about local flora and fauna while practicing early language, math and science skills. This month's themes includes: Wiggly Worms,... 01/13/2009

I would love to say it was easy and all I had to do was just throw up a ton of useless posts. But, it was not and I am very proud to say that I have accomplished 60,000 points!! To all of my family, friends, associates and readers, thank you for your continued loyalty. It means the world to me. Now it is time to get ready and head to the office for our first day of business in the new location Pacific Palisades. 01/13/2009

 Once again, my apologies to all of my readers, associates and clients for being MIA!! My business partner, Josh Barre, and I have been working like madmen to get our office ready for business. Although we spent all weekend working very hard, we were still delayed and could not open yesterday. Here is our new contact information: Westside Properties 881 Alma Real Drive Suite T25 Pacific Palisades, California 90272 Tel: 310.459.8191 Fax: 310.494.0169 email: info@wsprops.com Please contact us for your free professional consultation about selling your home or purchasing a home. If you are a Real Estate professional and would like to discuss working with our company, please give us a call or drop us an email. Now it's time to get ready for the big day!! I hope everyone has a safe and produc... 01/13/2009

Happy Thursday! My apologies for not posting for the past few days. I have either been in the field showing properties or working with my team to prepare for our office opening in Pacific Palisades next week.   We are also planning to become new members of the Palisades Chamber of Commerce. Next week is the January Mixer for the Chamber of Commerce. It will be hosted by Yoga Works, a local business in the town. Here is the information: Location: Yoga Works, 15327 Sunset Blvd. Time:     5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Fee:       FREE for Chamber members, $25 for non-members The Palisades Home Team will be representing Westside Properties. Please introduce yourself as we would love to meet you. Hope to see you there! 01/08/2009

Happy New Year!! I would love to have the time this morning to write a long blog post since it is my first blog post for 2009 BUT I have showings scheduled this morning and need to prepare. Later today, I will follow with more information. Please also look out for my 2008 Los Angeles Westside Real Estate Snapshot. Here is the 2009 Hotsheet for Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica and Brentwood:                       Malibu HOUSE 11770 PACIFIC COAST HWY #T   $1,175,000   3 3.00   1,879 3,799 1972         Back On Market       Malibu HOUSE 20223 PIEDRA CHICA RD   $2,595,000   4 3.00   2,935 16,805 1965         Back On Market       Santa Monica HOUSE 1721 DEWEY ST   $2,099,000   4 4.00   3,374 6,700 1992         Back On Market       Malibu HOUSE 28126 PACIFIC COAST HWY   $24,000,000   9 ... 01/05/2009

It must be warming & drying up. My gardener is finally here after a couple of weeks. Although not much grass has grown, I am happy to see him and support his family business! Tomorrow is the biggest party day of the year! I posted a few ideas yesterday, here are a couple more: Gipsy Kings at the Conga room December 30th & New Year's Eve(12/31) 5858 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036            Phone: 323.938.1696Website: www.congaroom.com  Description: Intimate performance venue, spacious nightclub and romantic dining establishment. The place to go in LA for Latin music and dance. Open nightly Thursday through Saturday the talent includes LA's finest local ensembles and a wide selection of national and international talent. Opening Fall 2008 at L.A. Live, next to STAPLES CENTER. BLVD ... 12/30/2008

For some strange reason, my post from yesterday was not posted. Instead it was saved as a draft. Only realizing it this morning, I want to still post the information as it will still be helpful information to home buyers and sellers in the Marina and Playa areas... Happy TGIF! I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas holiday and was fortunate enough to spend the day with their loved ones. I am very thankful that I was! Here are the neighborhood details for the Marina Del Rey & Playa Del Rey areas: Marina Del Rey / Playa del Rey, CA - 90293 neighborhood details   Demographics zip 90293 County National Neighborhood type Suburban Population 10,531 10,341,064 281,522,000 Pop. density 4,288.1 8,392.8 79.6 Percent male 49.4% 49.5% 49.1% Percent female 50.7% 49.8% 50.9% Median age 41.5 34.0 37.... 12/27/2008

  Sales Volume No. Area Oct 2007 Oct 2008 Sep 2008 2008 To Date 2007 To Date SP/LP SP/OLP 14 Santa Monica $21,734,090 $19,203,000 $29,243,828 $238,075,962 $319,091,470 96.63% 91.53% 15 Pacific Palisades $2,570,000 $3,418,618 $1,327,000 $30,455,118 $51,086,809 97.55% 93.39% 32 Malibu Beach $4,500,000 $0 $8,525,000 $17,005,000 $30,382,000 N/A N/A 33 Malibu $5,350,000 $2,815,000 $4,813,500 $14,848,450 $33,922,500 92.02% 85.74% Sales Volume No. Area Oct 2007 Oct 2008 Sep 2008 2008 To Date 2007 To Date SP/LP SP/OLP All Selected Areas $34,154,090 $25,436,618 $43,909,328 $300,384,530 $434,482,779 96.22% 91.09%   Median Sales Price No. Area Oct 2007 Oct 2008 Sep 2008 2008 To Date 2007 To Date 14 Santa Monica $660,000 $645,000 $768,500 $704,500 $780,000 15 Pacific Palisades $637,500 $799,000 $6... 12/23/2008

Happy Tuesday everyone. Another cold day in Southern California and only two days left until the big guy's birthday! Here are today's weather forecasts for the Los Angeles Westside area: Santa Monica, CA 38°F Current:ClearWind: N at 0 mphHumidity: 85% Today56° | 45° Wed56° | 45° Thu56° | 45° Fri58° | 43° Beverly Hills, CA 43°F Current:ClearWind: NE at 5 mphHumidity: 59% Today58° | 45° Wed58° | 45° Thu56° | 45° Fri58° | 43° Pacific Palisades, CA 38°F Current:ClearWind: N at 0 mphHumidity: 85% Today56° | 45° Wed56° | 45° Thu56° | 43° Fri58° | 41° Malibu, CA 39°F Current:Mostly CloudyWind: N at 0 mphHumidity: 70% Today58° | 45° Wed58° | 45° Thu56° | 45° Fri56° | 43° Los Angeles, CA 43°F Current:ClearWind: N at 0 mphHumidity: 74% Today58° | 45° Wed58° | 45° Thu58° | 45° Fri58° | 41° Westsid... 12/23/2008

Monthly Statistics - Single Family -Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades & Malibu October 2008 Sales Volume No. Area Oct 2007 Oct 2008 Sep 2008 2008 To Date 2007 To Date SP/LP SP/OLP 14 Santa Monica $22,935,378 $28,791,500 $39,920,400 $368,060,886 $473,779,396 94.22% 82.70% 15 Pacific Palisades $32,304,937 $51,615,980 $25,692,500 $483,058,597 $598,512,765 93.81% 85.52% 32 Malibu Beach $10,675,000 $0 $1,650,000 $177,203,000 $301,155,120 N/A N/A 33 Malibu $30,737,500 $24,215,000 $22,258,219 $156,272,929 $338,772,119 90.37% 86.36% Sales Volume No. Area Oct 2007 Oct 2008 Sep 2008 2008 To Date 2007 To Date SP/LP SP/OLP All Selected Areas $96,652,815 $104,622,480 $89,521,119 $1,184,595,412 $1,712,219,400 93.10% 84.91%   Median Sales Price No. Area Oct 2007 Oct 2008 Sep 2008 2008 To Date 2007 To Da... 12/22/2008

Surprisingly, some good news trickled out of the financial markerts in the form of the Fed surprising us with a 75 bps rate cut (the street expected 50 bps max).  This now puts us at the lowest level in the nation's 232 year history. Wall Street surged nearly 360 points after central bank said it would us "all available tools" to jump start the economy.  These include buying mortgage debt from banks to provide them with extra cash and reduce long-term interest rates. This should definitely lower the cost of borrowing for investments and housing, which then brings the unemployed back into the labor market and makes housing affordable. The average 30 year fixed mortgage rate is now 5.19% compare to highest last October to November at 6.5%. Now is a really good time to take advantage of th... 12/22/2008

Happy Sunday everyone! It is another cold day in Southern California. Fortunately not as cold as earlier this week! Here are the weather forecasts for today: Santa Monica, CA 58°F Current:ClearWind: E at 1 mphHumidity: 42% Today Beverly Hills, CA 53°F Current:ClearWind: E at 3 mphHumidity: 32% Today Pacific Palisades, CA 58°F Current:ClearWind: E at 1 mphHumidity: 42% Today Malibu, CA 55°F Current:Mostly CloudyWind: W at 3 mphHumidity: 61% Today Los Angeles, CA 50°F Current:ClearWind: NE at 4 mphHumidity: 48% Today Pacific Palisades Weekly Hotsheet:          TYPE     ADDRESS        LISTED PRICE   BD/BATH  SIZE   LOT     AGE    SALE PRICE    DATE     STATUS       HOUSE 737 VIA DE LA PAZ   $1,999,000   5 3.50   2,741 8,964 1940     $1,600,000   12/19/08 Sold         HOUSE 1043 HARTZELL ST... 12/21/2008

One of the many tools that our websites, www.PalisadesHomeTeam.com & www.WSProps.com , offers to homeowners, seller, buyers, and investors. To view the finest Real Estate in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Brentwood, Bel-Air & Beverly Hills please visit our website. Please contact us with any questions regarding selling your home or buying a home. 12/18/2008