A big congrats to Tom Hanks and his family for becoming homeowners in Pacific Palisades! This is the largest sale in Pacific Palisades since January 1st...but I suspect that pricetag should umbrella most future sales in Pacific Palisades this year. The neighborhood's value just went up :) Here is the article from ABC.... PACIFIC PALISADES (CNS) -- Tom Hanks bought a 14,500-square-foot home in Pacific Palisades for about $26 million, which is believed to be the biggest real estate transaction in Los Angeles this year. Hanks bought the contemporary four-bedroom home from movie producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, real estate sources told the Los Angeles Times. The house, built in 1996, was listed at slightly more than $26 million on Blockshopper.com, a news and market data servi... 02/22/2010

Sales Statistics for LOS ANGELES County CA Realist's most recent recording date for this county is 02/18/2010    Single Family Residence  Time Period Number of Sales Median Sale Price   Jan 2010 3,281 $330,000   Jan 2009 3,272 $301,000   Dec 2009 5,139 $350,000   Dec 2008 4,217 $330,000   2010 YTD 4,791 $325,000   2009 53,520 $325,000     Condominium  Time Period Number of Sales Median Sale Price   Jan 2010 1,218 $315,000   Jan 2009 999 $325,000   Dec 2009 1,850 $331,250   Dec 2008 1,325 $335,000   2010 YTD 1,719 $315,000   2009 18,276 $339,500  02/22/2010

Happy Tuesday everyone! I am looking forward to another beautiful sunny and warm day in Southern California. Here is the Broker Open House list for today in Pacific Palisades: PACIFIC PALISADES SINGLE FAMILY 4/ 5.50 545 AMALFI DR $ 4,450,000 N 631/C7 11-2 6/ 6.50 1136 CORSICA DR $ 6,495,000 N 631/D5 11-2 5/ 3.00 18127 WAKECREST DR $ 1,500,000 R 630/E5 11-2 4/ 2.75 18241 WAKECREST DR $ 1,849,000 R 630/E5 11-2 3/ 2.00 18215 WAKECREST DR $ 1,898,000 R 630/E5 11-2 3/ 2.00 755 BROOKTREE RD $ 3,300,000 R 631/B6 11-2 6/ 5.50 14974 CORONA DEL MAR $ 12,975,000 R 631/B7 11-2 5/ 4.50 790 RANCH LN $ 3,475,000 C 631/C5 11-2 CONDO 3/ 3.00 748 PALISADES DR $ 1,369,000 N 630/G4 11-2 1/ 1.00 17368 W SUNSET #PH-5 $ 749,000 R 630/G6 11-2 3/ 3.00 16123 SUNSET BLVD 206 #206 $ 1,099,000 R 630/J5 11-5 3/ 3.00... 02/16/2010

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 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.westsid... 02/15/2010

I just received this information from a Title professional and want to share it with everyone. It's too important to not forget our history!   IMPORTANT FEBRUARY EVENTS Supreme Court of the United States met for the first time, February 1, 1790.Louis S. St. Laurent, second French-Canadian prime minister of Canada, born 1882.American writer Langston Hughes born 1902. Ground-Hog Day. February 2 By the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico gave New Mexico and California to the United States, February 2, 1848.James Joyce, Irish novelist and poet, born 1882.Violinist Jascha Heifetz born 1901.The last German troops surrendered in the Stalingrad pocket, completing the Soviet Union's victory at Stalingrad, during World War II, 1943. German composer Felix Mendelssohn born February 3, 1809.Horace G... 02/02/2010

Happy Saturday everyone! Here is the list of open houses in Pacific Palisades today. Please do not hesitate to call me with any questions. Thanks and have a blessed weekend! Pacific Palisades Real Estate Saturday Open Houses   Open Houses Report  January 30, 2010       N-New R- Review C -Cancelled P-Price Reduction            Lunch     Refreshments TC-Tennis Court PL-Pool FP-Fireplace VU-View GH-Guest House MDS-Maid's Quarters     MALIBU SINGLE FAMILY 4/ 4.50  29734 W MULHOLLAND HWY $ 2,100,000  R  587/j3 PL/FP/VU SF:4922  1 - 4     PACIFIC PALISADES SINGLE FAMILY 5/ 4.50  950 ILIFF ST $ 3,598,000  R  631/B5 FP/MDS SF:3991  1 - 4      SANTA MONICA SINGLE FAMILY 3/ 2.00  1912 WARWICK AVE $ 795,000  R  631/j7 FP SF:1229  1 - 4 5/ 4.00  1802 EUCLID ST $ 1,589,000  N  671/G2 VU SF:2270  1 -... 01/30/2010

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 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.westsid... 01/26/2010

 Friday everyone! I am thankful to have endured another week of recovery on my foot. I had a bunionectomy a couple of weeks ago and had the stitches removed today! Now the therapy begins. Here are the Westside Weekend Happenings: A massive pinot noir tasting, photos from around the world, and a time-traveling paradox.     All-Star Snapshots: Photo LAFine art photography show and sale brings important work, including a sneak preview of the Museum of Latin American Art's new exhibit. Big shots: Tonight's opening night party is hosted by David La Chapelle.Thru Sun. Gala opening tonight 6-9p. Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St. (310-390-2930). $20-80 here. Nearby: Cora’s Coffee Shoppe; Capo; Anisette BrasserieBeer and Ballads: Suds and Songs SundaysCheck out singer-songwriter Austi... 01/15/2010

Happy Tuesday everyone. It is another gorgeous day in Southern California! While the rest of the country is dealing with terrible ice storms, we are bracing ourselves for temperatures in the 60's today!!! How the heck are we going to survive?! :D  I found this article extremely interesting as I was one of the very disgruntled taxpayers wondering why our tax dollars was going to these ridiculous bank execs as bonuses. Here is the article from the Wall Street Journal.... JANUARY 12, 2010 Banks Brace for Bailout Fee White House Seeks to Recoup Cost of TARP; Big Bonuses Put Lenders on Defensive WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration is aiming to hit banks with a fee to recoup losses associated with the government's bailout of financial firms and the auto industry, administration officials s... 01/12/2010

Happy Saturday everyone. I hope you all are enjoying the weekend and do not have to work! Here is the Westside weekend breakdown... Westside Weather Santa Monica, CA 67°F Current: ClearWind: NE at 8 mphHumidity: 27% Beverly Hills, CA 67°F Current: ClearWind: NE at 8 mphHumidity: 27% Pacific Palisades, CA 67°F Current: ClearWind: NE at 8 mphHumidity: 27% Malibu, CA 66°F Current: Mostly CloudyWind: NE at 12 mphHumidity: 28% Brentwood, CA 64°F Current: ClearWind: N at 0 mphHumidity: 31% Top Stories via Google News Arrest Made in Newark Airport Scare - Voice of America Obama Tries to Turn Focus to Jobs, if Other Events Allow - New York Times New Afghan Cabinet Picks Still Generate Resistance - New York Times How to of the Day How to Write a Quatrain Poem How to Bring Out the Natural Curl in... 01/09/2010

Happy Friday everyone! I'm still working from my lazyboy...it's day 5 and I'm going crazy. I had a bunionectomy on my left foot. While sawing my tone bone apart, the Dr. discovered a cyst in the joint! Needless to say, it has been a interesting ride. Here is today's Friday breakdown... Westside Weather Santa Monica, CA 72° 52° Beverly Hills, CA 72° 49° Pacific Palisades, CA 72° 49° Malibu, CA 72° 49° Brentwood, CA 74° 52° Top Stories via Google News George Galloway MP deported from Egypt, say activists - BBC News 2 Men Arrested in Connection With Zazi Terror Inquiry - New York Times Obama takes steps to bolster security - Los Angeles Times How to of the Day How to Deter Graffiti Dispose of Cooking Oil Places to See - Big Sur Big Sur is a remote and sparsely populated region of central C... 01/08/2010

Happy Hump Day everyone! I want to share with you this important information from Citigroup Inc..... Citigroup Inc. recently announced a nationwide foreclosure moratorium. Effective Dec. 18 through Jan. 17, 2010, borrowers with first mortgage loans owned by CitiMortgage and CitiFinancial North America and who meet certain other criteria will not be subject to foreclosure sales or foreclosure notifications. More information:Citigroup Inc. foreclosure moratorium   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 whet... 01/06/2010

After finishing a strong fifth at the Pacific Shores Tournament in Redondo Beach to begin its season, the Palisades High boys' basketball team was back on the court last Friday for an important nonleague game at Reseda Cleveland--a game that could have seeding implications come playoff time.The Dolphins won, 81-73, led by senior Kenneth Towner's 20 points and 8 rebounds, 18 points and 8 rebounds from senior Donovan Johnson and 16 points from senior co-captain Garrett Nevels. The game was tied 62-62 going into the fourth quarter before Palisades pulled away to improve to 4-1. In the teams' previous meeting two seasons ago, the Cavaliers beat the Dolphins 68-64 in the first round of the City playoffs.Palisades plays Verdugo Hills in the first round of the San Fernando Valley Invitational ... 12/23/2009

Happy Friday everyone! Here is today's wet and soggy breakdown... Westside Weather Santa Monica, CA 53°F Current: CloudyWind: NE at 6 mphHumidity: 86% Beverly Hills, CA 51°F Current: CloudyWind: E at 5 mphHumidity: 88% Pacific Palisades, CA 53°F Current: CloudyWind: NE at 6 mphHumidity: 86% Malibu, CA 49°F Current: FogWind: E at 8 mphHumidity: 93% Brentwood, CA 52°F Current: CloudyWind: E at 6 mphHumidity: 86% How to of the Day 6 Warm, Cozy Drinks to Celebrate the Holidays How to Manage Facebook Privacy Options Top Stories - via Google News Analysis: Obama's case for war in support of peace - The Associated Press Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen - shame about the climate change art - guardian.co.uk Sanford's Wife Files for Divorce - New York Times Places to see - Aspen, Colorado A ski re... 12/11/2009

Happy Thursday everyone! Here is today's breakdown... Weather Santa Monica, CA 44°F Current: SunnyWind: E at 3 mphHumidity: 55% Beverly Hills, CA 41°F Current: SunnyWind: NE at 1 mphHumidity: 62% Pacific Palisades, CA 44°F Current: SunnyWind: E at 3 mphHumidity: 55% Malibu, CA 37°F Current: Partly CloudyWind: E at 5 mphHumidity: 70% Brentwood, CA 44°F Current: Partly CloudyWind: E at 1 mphHumidity: 73% How To of the Day How to Begin Glacier Climbing How to Carve a Crochet Hook Top Stories - via Google News Obama defends war at Nobel Peace Prize ceremony - AFP US Environment Agency Chief Urges Action Now On Climate Change - AllAfrica.com Obama: 5 reported Americans arrested in Pakistan to be investigated - CNN Places to See - Bali Indonesia Known as the Island of the Gods, Bali is a land... 12/10/2009

Closing Costs There are certain standard costs associated with closing the sale of a house. These fees are split between the buyer and the seller, as spelled out in the sales contract. As I negotiate the sales contract for you, I will not only work to get the sales price you want, I will also work to limit the number of closing costs for which you will be responsible. I will walk you through the closing costs, answering any questions you may have explaining which costs are decreed by law to be yours and which are negotiable. Good Faith Estimate Buyers will receive a "Good Faith Estimate" of closing costs at the time the loan application is submitted to the lender. The estimate is based on the loan officer's past experience and may not include all the closing costs. I will be glad to rev... 11/30/2009

Market Analysis Report   # of Listings Average DOM Low Price $ Median Price $ High Price $ Average Price Total $ *Avg. Price w/ Sq.Ft. $ *Average Sq. Ft. *Avg. Price/Sq.Ft. $ ***Avg. Price w/ LSZ $ ***Average LSZ ***Average Price/LSZ $ Average SP/Average LP Active 41 47 2,500 30,000 6,250,000 805,456 748,935 2,765.09 270.85 859,856 41,702.28 20.62 -- Backup 4 158 1,599,000 3,397,000 8,995,000 4,347,000 4,347,000 5,253.50 827.45 4,347,000 13,041.75 333.31 -- Hold 1 302 1,090,000 1,090,000 1,090,000 1,090,000 1,090,000 1,928 565.35 1,090,000 5,000 218.00 -- Pending 7 84 4,200 1,100,000 2,895,000 1,129,600 1,129,600 1,545.86 730.73 1,258,033 10,465.17 120.21 -- Sold LP 8 49 4,500 734,000 2,149,000 845,363 845,363 2,708.75 312.09 882,483 13,878.67 63.59 -- Sold SP ** 8 49 4,000 729,500 2,00... 11/16/2009

Market Conditions - Is it a Buyer's Market or a Seller's Market? A CMA often includes a Days on the Market (DOM) value for each comparable house sold. When real estate is booming and prices are rising, houses may sell in a few days. Conversely, when the market slows down, average DOM can run into many months. Your REALTOR® can tell you whether your area is currently in a buyer's market or a seller's market. In a seller's market, you can price a bit beyond what you really expect, just to see what the reaction will be. In a buyer's market, if you really need to sell promptly, offer an attractive bargain price. If You Price High, Set a Schedule for Lowering the Price Some sellers list at the rock-bottom price they'd really take, because they hate bargaining. Others add on thousands to the ... 11/15/2009

 Jeanie Buss, executive vice president of business operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, will be the guest speaker at the annual Palisades Chamber of Commerce general membership breakfast on Friday, November 20, at the Riviera Country Club.The public is invited to attend the 8 a.m. breakfast at a cost of $35 per person.  Buss' appearance will mark the 30-year anniversary of her being crowned Miss Palisades in 1979, the year she graduated from Palisades High. She then went on to earn her business degree from USC.  Entering her sixth season as the Lakers' executive VP, Buss is responsible for overseeing the team's relationships with its broadcast partners, FOX Sports Net West, KCAL-TV and KLAC Radio. Working closely with general manager Mitch Kupchak and assistant general managers Ronnie... 11/15/2009

Bringing the Dream of Homeownership Within Reach As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed new legislation that: Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010. Expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. Here is more information about how the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit can help prospective home buyers become part of the American dream. If you have specific questions or need additional information, please contact a tax professional or the Internal Revenue Service at 800-829-1040. Westside Properties is a full-service real estate ... 11/11/2009