Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you all are enjoying the weekend and are gearing up for another beautiful day in Southern California! http://www.westsidehomefinder.com/?p=1382 As winter approaches, bringing with it bone-chilling drafts, follow these five simple, cost-effective steps, you will be more comfortable this season and reduce your utility bills. Step 1: Beware the draftA drafty window or doorway can increase your energy bills by 5% to 30%. Use weather stripping in window sills and door jambs where movement and flexibility is necessary. For more permanent leaks, such as around your window or door frame, use caulking. The most severe draft often comes from the gap under your doorway. Stop-up this drafty gap with a “draft snake.” Roll-up an old towel or bathmat and seal off the mos... 11/28/2010

Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you are surviving from the crazy Black Friday. Here are a few fun activies on the Westside this weekend: Take the Kids: Noah’s Ark at the SkirballAn 8,000 square foot recreation of the big boat, complete with creatures and crafting stations.Sean Connery as Noah.12-5p Mon-Fri, 10a-5p Sat/Sun. Ongoing. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. (310-440-4500). $5-10. Nearby: Open Sesame Grill; McCormick & Schmick’s; Lido Bakery ICE Skating in Santa Monica: Open November 5, through February 15, 2011. 1324 5th St. Santa Monica, CA 90401(Corner of 5th St. & Arizona Ave.) (310) 496-9880. Monday – Thursday: Noon-10pm, Friday: Noon-Midnight, Saturday: 10am-Midnight, Sunday: 10am-10pm Zumba on the Deck: Santa Monica Place - November 27, 2010 9:00AM-10:00AM. Shake up your Saturday r... 11/27/2010

Happy Monday everyone. I was researching information for my buyers and found this helpful information...   I applied for the 2009 New Home Credit, but didn’t get it since the money ran out. Can I apply now since there is more money available? I just closed escrow on a new home on April 26, 2010. Can I apply for the New Home Credit? What is the difference between requesting a reservation and applying for a credit? Why can’t I request a reservation for the First-Time Buyer Credit? How do I reserve a New Home Credit? Does FTB’s approval of my reservation request guarantee my credit? Can I just send my application for the New Home Credit with my reservation request? I entered into a contract to purchase a new home before May 1, 2010 but the house will not be completed for several months. Ca... 11/22/2010

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. Data provided by See more information on Pacific Palisades schools from Education.com Private {6} Charter {2} Special Program Emphasis {1} Magnet {1} Alt. {1} Alt. Schools in CA, 90272 1 Alt. Schools found in the area. SchoolTypeGrade LevelEnrollmentStudents per Teacher Temescal Canyon ContinuationPhone: (310) 454-0315777 Temescal Canyon Rd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Alt. 9-12 54 14 Newest Listings in Pacific Palisades 90272: Showing properties 1 - 5 of 167. See more city of Pacific Palisades real estate. (all data curren... 11/13/2010

Happy Thursday everyone! I hope your week is a productive one. It has been HOT in Southern California!!! I found this article and want to share with you: Realtors® Help New Orleans Family Realize Dream of Home OwnershipNEW ORLEANS (November 3, 2010)—Owning a home is part of the American dream, and that dream came true today for the Hayes family of New Orleans, thanks to the National Association of REALTORS® and New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. The Hayeses were presented with the keys to their new home during a dedication ceremony today. New home owner Shirley Hayes and her two children, daughter Shirley Danielle Cochran, and son, Bill Ray Cochran, Jr., were joined by REALTOR® leaders, New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity staff, and hundreds of volunteers at the dedication of the ... 11/04/2010

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you are surviving the week and gearing up for a beautiful weekend in Southern California. Here’s the breakdown: Westside Weather Beverly Hills, CA 78°F Santa Monica, CA – 74°F Malibu, CA – 76°F Pacific Palisades, CA – 74°F Brentwood, CA – 80°F Google Top Stories Anna Nicole Smith’s boyfriend convicted in drug conspiracy – CNN White House declares ‘Daily Show’ interview a success – Los Angeles Times Halliburton Shares Take a Hit After Report – New York Times Featured Property – Lowest Priced Beverly Hills Real Estate Showing properties 1 - 1 of 277. See more city of Beverly Hills real estate. (all data current as of 10/29/2010) $519,000 : 10026 West Westwanda Drive, Beverly Hills 1 beds, 1 full bath Size: n/a Lot size: 6,040 sq ft Year built: 1948 Parking s... 10/29/2010

I found this helpful information on theHome Depot Gardening site… The formula for designing new gardens is simple, and it all begins with a plan. A plan allows you to complete stages as your budget allows and make sure that what you do this season won’t have to be undone next season. Collect pictures of scenes that please you.Tastes vary. Some people like precise formal gardens, some want to play croquet on a big lawn, others like the informal country look. Take an inventory. Do a “floor plan” of your property on a piece of graph paper. Consider your needs and preferences. Do you want to improve your view? Would you like to increase your sense of privacy? Are there unsightly areas you’d like to screen? Showing properties 1 - 2 of 300+. See more city of Santa Monica real estate. (all da... 10/27/2010

Happy Thursday everyone! I hope you are surviving the week. It’s been a wet one! Friday is just around the corner so gear up for a weekend packed with good weather and exciting events. Here is your Thursday Throwdown: Happy Birthday Dizzie Gillespie!! Featured Listing 4 beds, 3 full baths Size: 2,880 sq ft Lot size: 7,090 sq ft Year built: 1977 Parking spots: 2 Walk Score ® : Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.   Westside Weather Pacific Palisades, CA 62°F Current: CloudyWind: N at 0 mphHumidity: 84% Santa Monica, CA 62°F Current: CloudyWind: N at 0 mphHumidity: 84% Malibu, CA 60°F Current: CloudyWind: W at 2 mphHumidity: 94% Brentwood, CA 63°F Current: CloudyWind: SW at 1 mphHumidity: 79% Beverly Hills, CA 61°F Current: CloudyWind: N at 0 mphH... 10/21/2010

In the United States, foreclosures are hitting an all-time high. What does this mean? It means that you may be impacted, if you haven’t already been. When it comes to foreclosures, many homeowners and renters do not know where to turn. There may come a point in time when you need to consult with or hire an attorney. Most media attention surrounding foreclosures is focused on the property owner. Yes, many of the individuals facing foreclosure are owners of single-family homes that they live in, but not always. A large number of rental property owners are finding themselves in foreclosure. As a renter, you may be curious as to what your rights are. If you want professional assistance, an attorney should be contacted. Showing properties 1 - 1 of 11. See more city of Brentwood real estate.... 10/19/2010

Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope you are well and surviving the week. It was raining cats and dogs here in SoCal. From the weather forecast, we're not in the clear until Thursday so pull out your raincoats and umbrellas...be sure to dust them off :) Here is Tuesday's Throwdown: Westside Weather: Santa Monica, CA59°FCurrent: OvercastWind: N at 0 mphHumidity: 75% Beverly Hills, CA 57°F Current: CloudyWind: E at 2 mphHumidity: 76% Malibu, CA 51°F Current: CloudyWind: E at 6 mphHumidity: 86% Brentwood, CA 60°F Current: CloudyWind: E at 3 mphHumidity: 72% Pacific Palisades, CA 59°F Current: CloudyWind: N at 0 mph Humidity: 75% Featured Property: $1,699,000 : 22626 Pacific Coast Highway, Unit 21, Malibu 2 beds, 2 full baths Size: 1,155 sq ft Lot size: n/a Year built: 1963 Parking spots: 1 Walk ... 10/05/2010

If you’re facing foreclosure, don’t panic: Take steps right now to save your home or at least lessen the blow of its loss. A record high 2.8 million properties were hit with foreclosure notices in 2009. That’s the bad news. The good news: About two-thirds of notices don’t result in actual foreclosures, says Doug Robinson of NeighborWorks, a nonprofit group that offers foreclosure counseling. Many homeowners find alternatives to foreclosure by negotiating with lenders, often with the help of foreclosure counselors. If you’re facing foreclosure, call your lender right now to determine your options, which can include loan modification, forbearance, or a short sale. Foreclosure process takes time The entire foreclosure process can take anywhere from two to 12 months, depending on how fast ... 09/29/2010

Understanding Energy Ratings for Windows and Doors Qualifying for the $1,500 federal tax credit on new windows and doors depends on two measurements, U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. Just because windows or doors are Energy Star-labeled doesn’t mean they’re eligible for the maximum $1,500 federal tax credit. And with costs running about $500-$1,000 per window including labor, it’s wise to know something about the scientific lingo and numbers on the product labels you’re likely to encounter. Here’s your pro-level label-decoding guide so you can be sure you’re buying qualified products. Which labels matter? The two labels you should look for: The U.S. Department of Energy’s blue-and-yellow Energy Star label, which specifies the climate zones the product is certified for, and the... 09/19/2010

 Pricing Your Home to Sell   In today’s market, it seems as if only those who are serious about selling their homes should put their homes on the market.  The time a home is on the market before it is sold has decreased by 19.8 percent from roughly 51 days in 2009 to 41 days today.  The unsold inventory index provided by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® also decreased to 6.3 months in Feb. 2010, compared with 7.1 months in Feb. 2009 .  This means it would take 6.3 months to sell all the homes on the market today at the current sales rate. What does this mean for you as a seller?  It means buyers have some choices and time to evaluate their options.  You may need to focus on flexibility, and educate yourself about your home’s value, the value of comparable homes in your neighborh... 09/17/2010

Happy Friday everyone! I found this article very interesting and wanted to share with you.... Mortgage Rates Mixed, Still Low September 10, 2010 Average interest rates for long-term mortgages rose slightly or held still in the past week, the U.S. Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. said Thursday. Freddie Mac Vice President and Chief Economist Frank Nothaft said mixed signals in a national employment report—showing unemployment up to 9.6 percent, but private payrolls higher—had “a mixed effect on mortgage rates this week.” For the week ending Sept. 9, “The 30-year fixed rate nudged up, but the 15-year fixed rate (was) unchanged,” he said. In the latest weekly survey, released Thursday, Freddie Mac said interest rates for 30-year, fixed-rate contracts rose from 4.32 percent with an average ... 09/17/2010

Trees don’t ask for much—dirt, water, sunlight. Yet they provide a wealth of benefits: They improve the air you breathe, cut your energy bills with their shade, provide a home to wildlife, and add beauty and value to your home. But every year, 3.2 million acres of forest are cut down, according to the Nature Conservancy. Several million more acres are lost to fire, storm, and disease. That’s why planting new trees and protecting the ones we have is so important. You can do your part by Caring for the trees in your yard Supporting tree-planting activities in your community Donating to organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy, which works to preserve the world’s trees and forests, and American Forests, which offers a unique way to take action. First, use its online Climate Change Ca... 09/09/2010

  Happy Friday everyone!! I hope you all had a great week and are now ready for a fun filled weekend ahead. I ran across this article and wanted to share with you as I feel it's incredibly important and helpful..... Source: USA TODAY Five years after Hurricane Katrina leveled a large part of the Gulf Coast, homeowners as far away as Maine are still paying the bill. Home insurance rates for some coastal areas have shot up 30% or more. Thousands of homeowners who live along the East Coast have had their policies canceled. And when the next disaster hits, many homeowners will be forced to bear a greater share of the cost of rebuilding. Insurance industry executives say the unprecedented cost of Katrina, combined with predictions of more violent weather in the future, forced insurers to rev... 09/03/2010

 Homeowners in search of a greener and more economical method of keeping their swimming pools warm are harnessing the sun’s energy. Solar pool heaters can lower energy costs because they rely primarily on a free and renewable energy source, rather than electricity or natural gas. Solar pool heaters cost more upfront than traditional alternatives, perhaps 50% more than electric heat pumps and several times more than gas heaters. However, the payback can come in as little as two years, depending on local utility rates and other factors. How solar pool heaters works A typical solar pool heating system centers around large plastic solar collectors installed on the south-facing roof of a house. A pump circulates pool water through the collectors, where it’s heated gradually. A return line t... 08/28/2010

  The Federal Housing Administration, generally known as “FHA”, is the largest government insurer of mortgages in the world. A part of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), FHA provides mortgage insurance on single-family, multifamily, manufactured homes and hospital loans made by FHA-approved lenders throughout the United States and its territories. While borrowers must meet certain requirements established by FHA to qualify for the insurance, lenders bear less risk because FHA will pay the lender if a homeowner defaults on his or her loan. FHA has insured over 37 million home mortgages and 47,205 multifamily project mortgages since 1934. Currently, FHA has 6.1 million insured single-family mortgages and 13,000 insured multifamily projects in its portfoli... 08/24/2010

On behalf of Westside Properties, we'd like to thank the McKenzie family for their continued loyalty, trust and friendship! Congratulations to the family for closing escrow today on 15901 Alcima Avenue in Pacific Palisades! http://15901alcima.com/   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     T... 08/18/2010

I do not know how many times I recite these 10 steps to my agents and buyers:   ·  Step 1: Are You Ready? ·  Step 2: Get a REALTOR ·  Step 3: Get Loan Pre-approval ·  Step 4: Look at Homes ·  Step 5: Choose a Home ·  Step 6: Get Funding ·  Step 7: Make an Offer ·  Step 8: Get Insurance ·  Step 9: Closing ·  Step 10: What's Next?     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 r... 08/17/2010