Fed Lays Out Plan to Taper It began as a decent week for mortgage rates. Ahead of Wednesday’s highly anticipated Fed meeting, mortgage rates were a little lower on a week-over-week basis, as reflected in the weekly survey from Freddie Mac. Investors, however, pushed rates significantly higher after the Fed statement and press conference.   The Fed’s massive bond buying program has greatly increased the demand for mortgage-backed securities (MBS). Since mortgage rates are mostly determined by MBS prices, the added demand for MBS has been a major factor in the decline in mortgage rates to historically low levels. Wednesday’s Fed statement and follow-up comments from Bernanke provided the clearest signal yet that the extra demand from the Fed will soon begin to shrink. The Fed’s forecast ... 07/05/2013

Mortgage Rates Soar to 4.46% Rising interest rates have hit mortgages big time. Rates on 30-year, fixed-rate home loans spiked 0.53 percentage points to an average of 4.46% this week — the largest weekly increase in more than 26 years, according to mortgage giant Freddie Mac.  The 30-year loan, which stood at 3.35% as recently as early May, is at its highest level since July 2011.  Rates for 15-year loans, popular with homeowners refinancing their mortgages, jumped 0.46 percentage points to 3.5%. An extra percentage point will cost homebuyers with 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages $56 more a month for every $100,000 they borrow.  If sustained, the rate increase will take some of the steam out of the housing market. The sudden jump in rates is driven by uncertainty over whether the Federal R... 06/28/2013

How is the West Los Angeles Flip & Fix Market? The Answer is:  It is hot & it is fast!   Life in a day of a Realtor representing Investors in the Greater Los Angeles Real Estate Market!   In case you have not heard Investors are out in droves in the West Los Angeles area. I have been knee deep in trying to get investment properties for my clients. The only propeties that make financial sense are the homes that you can buy and either tear down or somehow do an addition.   We have been writing  ‘All Cash Offers’  with virtually no contingencies with offers that were more than fair for the condition or the location and we still kept missing out. Some offers were $20,000 more than what we offered. Other times the Listing Agent stated that they received 15 offers and ours was $25,000 below t... 04/14/2013

Secret Stairs Webwalks, Castellammare, Pacific Palisades, CA Looking for an urban escape this holiday weekend? This could be the perfect adventure to work off the weekday stress and holiday food. Los Angeles has a network of secret stairs. Long forgotten stairways once used to create access the beach, and parts of the city not easily reached on foot. Charles Fleming wrote the book on the Los Angeles' secret stairway. His story is inspiring on how he used these walks to improve his well-being. Back to the walk itself. It's a beauty, and not as busy as the work out/gym stairs found on Adelaide. Castellammare is perched above PCH, is just North of Sunset and neighbor to The Getty Villa. You will have Pacific Ocean Views, ocean breezes, and a bit of old Hollwyood film history. You'll start ... 03/31/2013

Pacific Palisades Luxury Real Estate In Pacific Palisades, our professional concierge service will promptly connect you with the very best, top-performing, Pacific Palisades Real Estate Agent to assist you. Don't risk working with just any Pacific Palisades Luxury Realtor, we locate you the top realtors for free. TOP Pacific Palisades Realtors Agent Referral Network locates the top Pacific Palisades Real Estate Agents and connects you with the the top luxury home specialist.   What does a Pacific Palisades Realtor® and a Brain Surgeon have in common? Very little – except perhaps, in the selection process. If in need of a Neurosurgeon, people prefer one who possesses an impeccable reputation, many years of experience and the utmost respect from their patients and peers. As such, you woul... 09/28/2012

Lloyd Cullen Real Estate is a local Pacific Palisades Short Sale Realtor. As a Pacific Palisades Short Sale Company that specializes in short sales, you are assured the highest standard of professionalism and can always count on our Pacific Palisades Short Sale Realtor to help answer any questions you have in regards to Pacific Palisades Short Sales. Pacific Palisades Short Sale Realtor Lloyd Cullen is a local Pacific Palisades Short Sale Expert with experienced Pacific Palisades Short Sale Agents here to assist you.   Pacific Palisades Short Sale Realtor We specialize in Short Sales for Pacific Palisades and Surrounding Areas Pacific Palisades short sale agents can handle the complicated short sale process for a homebuyer or seller. At Lloyd Cullen Real Estate, our agents know that a P... 05/30/2012

The Pacific Palisades market update is simple – The market is on the move up! Take these Pacific Palisades market results for 2012 so far: Median Price – up 19% Average price per square foot – up 28% Number of Properties pending – up 23% Number of properties for sale – down 29% Days on market – down 4% Percent of Pacific Palisades properties on market that are currently under contract – up 73% Inventory is way down (by one third) and percentage of properties on market that are under contract is way up — up a whopping 73% !! The Pacific Palisades market, like many other markets in California coastal regions, is performing very well. If you are a buyer, please consider this information carefully and contact Team Stein before the market takes another step up!  If you are a seller, lets ta... 03/30/2012

Another quarter in the books!  What can we expect from mortgage rates in 2012 Q2? All Real Estate Professionals & Consumers are advised to stay informed about interest rates and learn THE TRUTH BEHIND MORTGAGE QUOTES to insure the best financial decisions are being made without the distraction of marketing gimmicks. Whether you're a newbee, market analyst (or somewhere in between), keep yourself informed of where mortgage interest rates are going (and why) by subscribing to this complimentary daily update. The Mortgage Street Smarts of where mortgage interest rates are going (and why): The following information is current as of Friday 3-30-2012 and will help you understand todays best mortgage rates. If you are a Buyer/Borrower who is still on the fence (or if you are a Real Estate Agen... 03/30/2012

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you had a great week and are looking forward to a successful weekend! Million-dollar foreclosures rise as rich walk away Happy Friday everyone! We hope you had a great week and are gearing up for an even better weekend! This weekend has a lot of events from the Oscars to the NBA All-Star game. We wanted to share this news article with you from CNN Money. It really hits home with luxury real estate and… Read More     New Venice Real Estate Listings | Friday February 24th 2012 TGIF everyone! We hope you had a great week and are ready for an even better weekend! Here are the newest Venice Real Estate listings:          New Santa Monica Real Estate listings | Thursday February 23rd 2012 Happy Thursday everyone! Here are the newest Real Estate listings in Santa ... 02/24/2012

4 BEDROOMS / 3 BATHS / 2863 SQ FT / 6322 SQ FT LOTPACIFIC PALISADES HIGHLANDS – GATED – COUNTRY CLUBNEW ON THE MARKET $401 PER SQ FT!!!!!LIST PRICE $1,149,999   As with all distressed properties, short sales and bank owned foreclosures, these listings are very volatile and change on a daily basis. If you are interested please contact me a.s.a.p. at 310.505.5571 Pacific Palisades Real Estate in the heart of West La Real Estate Group area of expertise Dramatic 2 Story Contemporary on a corner lot at an incredible price! Enjoy California living at its best in the Palisades Highlands that features a recreation center with a Clubhouse, swimming pool, playground, gym and tennis courts! True formal entry gives way to step down 2 story living room with view to open second floor mezzanine ? suit... 01/04/2012

Hi everyone! Here is today's Pacific Palisades real estate hotsheet: SOLD! - 2 Price reductions - 4 New listings! - 3 Back on market -1 Please contact me for a more detailed report about Pacific Palisades. Westside Properties is a full-service real estate boutique brokerage based in Venice serving the entire Westside of Los Angeles.  We proudly represent the finest properties throughout the Westside. We work as a team and combine our extensive real estate experience, powerful resources and connections to benefit you whether you are looking you buy or sell a home in today's exciting and lucrative real estate market. Call us now to get started on the road to buying or selling your next home. 310.459.8191 or email info@wsprops.com           To preview the finest real estate and the best de... 12/13/2011

I often get asked for information regarding the Pacific Palisades Chamber. So, I figured to post it here and share with everyone...   Board of Directors   EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - Greg Wood, President (seated). Left to Right: Sandy Eddy, Joyce Brunelle, Nicole Howard, John Petrick. Not Shown: Roberta Donohue & Ramis Sadrieh BOARD OF DIRECTORS - Left to Right: Dr. Shannon Watson, Joyce Brunelle, Lynne Pizzia, John Petrick, Ben Meyerson, Greg Wood - President, Nicole Howard, Chris Erickson, Sugar Ray Leonard - Honorary Mayor, Sandy Eddy, Neil Godsey, Jennifer Lowe. Not Shown: Roberta Donohue, Zara Guivi, Ramis Sadrieh 2011 – 2012EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE     PresidentGreg WoodPalisades Charter High Immediate Past PresidentJohn PetrickPerennial Financial Services Vice-PresidentJoyce BrunelleSuntric... 12/11/2011

Happy  Tuesday everyone! It's another busy day for me. I'm looking forward to being out in the field to show property today...let's hope for for some great showings! I'm also looking forward to coaching our agents on their current escrows and listing appointments. Who said the holidays are slow in real estate??  Here is today's Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica hotsheet: Pacific Palisades SOLD! - 2 New listings - 5 Price Reductions - 0 Back on market - 0 Santa Monica SOLD! - 1 Price reductions - 5 New listings - 13 Back on market - 2 Westside Properties is a full-service real estate boutique brokerage based in Venice serving the entire Westside of Los Angeles.  We proudly represent the finest properties throughout the Westside. We work as a team and combine our extensive real estate ex... 12/06/2011

Happy Friday everyone! It has been a long, cold, and very windy week in Santa Monica and the Westside coastal areas. I am thankful to only have a couple of dusty vehicles to wash as there are a lot of others who suffered damage to their homes and property. Today, I will be in Bel Air and Pacific Palisades showing property. I will report back with my findings and stay tuned for the Weekend entertainment post later today.. Here is the neighborhood information from my website: www.westsideHomefinder.com Pacific Palisades Pacific Palisades is a district within the U.S. city of Los Angeles, California, located between Brentwood to the east, Malibu and Topanga to the west, Santa Monica to the southeast, the Santa Monica Bay to the southwest, and the Santa Monica Mountains to the north. See mo... 12/02/2011

I had to share this article from Marketwatch for my consumers. Good news in real estate is refreshing! Happy house hunting home buyers :) CHICAGO (MarketWatch) — For the fifth week in a row, rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged at or below 4%, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly survey of conforming mortgage rates, released on Thursday. The 30-year mortgage averaged 4% for the week ending Dec. 1, up slightly from 3.98% last week. The mortgage averaged 4.46% a year ago. Fifteen-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.3%, unchanged from last week and down from 3.81% a year ago. Meanwhile, rates on adjustable-rate mortgages fell to record lows this week. The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 2.9%, down from 2.91% last week and 3.49% a year ago. And 1-yea... 12/01/2011

Not too much to report in Pacific Palisades: 574 Via Santa Ynez - New listing 16714 Bollinger Drive - SOLD for $1,745,000   Westside Properties is a full-service real estate boutique brokerage based in Pacific Palisades serving the entire Westside of Los Angeles.  We proudly represent the finest properties throughout the Westside. We work as a team and combine our extensive real estate experience, powerful resources and connections to benefit you whether you are looking you buy or sell a home in today's exciting and lucrative real estate market. Call us now to get started on the road to buying or selling your next home. 310.459.8191 or email info@wsprops.com         11/28/2011

I'm thankful to have another short sale under my belt! We moved quickly and sold the property to our own buyer!! Please do not hesitate to call me with any questions or a free confidential market analysis of your home. Westside Properties is a full-service real estate boutique brokerage based in Pacific Palisades serving the entire Westside of Los Angeles.  We proudly represent the finest properties throughout the Westside. We work as a team and combine our extensive real estate experience, powerful resources and connections to benefit you whether you are looking you buy or sell a home in today's exciting and lucrative real estate market. Call us now to get started on the road to buying or selling your next home. 310.459.8191 or email info@wsprops.com           To preview the finest rea... 11/17/2011

Good morning everybody!  Sorry for the late notice, but this week has been busy for me.  In addition to meetings, training and showing properties, I have a buyer who has been searching for a home for over one year.  Yesterday I submitted an offer on a property in Ventura County on his behalf.  I'm keeping my fingers cross! Notice:  Today (October 22, 2011) from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, I am hosting an open house at 16000 W. Sunset Boulevard, #105, Pacific Palisades, California 90272, MLS 11547797.   The listing price is $650,000.  Please google for directions.  I'm sitting for listing agent, who is also in our beautiful Keller Williams Realty Brentwood office.  If you are in the area, please stop on by.  I would love to talk real estate with you.  Give me a call at 818 428-7879.  Gotta run! ... 10/22/2011

Whether it's a buyer's market or a seller's market, all homebuyers have one thing in common: they don't want to get ripped off. But how do you know if you're getting a fair deal on the home you're prepared to place an offer on? Read on to find out how to evaluate the price of any home so you can make a sound investment decision. SEARCH HOMES FOR SALE IN PACIFIC PALISADES Research Recently Sold, Comparable Properties A comparable property is one that is similar in size, condition, neighborhood and amenities. One 1,200-square-foot, recently remodeled, one-story home with an attached garage should be listed at roughly the same price as a similar 1,200-square-foot home in the same neighborhood. That said, you can also gain valuable information by looking at how the property you're intereste... 09/17/2011

Here is today's Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica hotsheet for Real Estate sales and rentals: 17179 Avenida De Santa Ynez - In escrow 1731 Cedar St - Back on market 457 Toyopa Dr - New listing! 1012 Hill St - Back on market 2311 20th St - New listing! 1320 Duende Ln - Rental back on market 2435 3rd St #10 - Price reduction to $2,795/monthly 847 5th St #101 - Rental back on market 403 Idaho Ave - New rental listing! Westside Properties is a full-service real estate Brokerage with locations in Pacific Palisades and Venice, CA  serving the entire Westside of Los Angeles.  We proudly represent the finest properties throughout the Westside. We work as a team and combine our extensive real estate experience, powerful resources and connections to benefit you whether you are looking you buy or... 09/12/2011