Happy Sunday everyone! I hope that you all got to enjoy the beautiful weather in Southern California! It  was a busy weekend for Josh and myself. We were stuck in a video shoot at our new listing in Malibu...which wasn't a bad place to be :) 6360 Cavalleri Road, Malibu 90265 15901 Alcima Avenue, Pacific Palisades 90272 Today we juggled multiple open houses from Malibu to Pacific Palisades. It felt priceless to have Pacific Coast Highway open without traffic. If my career insists of me working weekends, what better place to do it!   This article that The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) released on Friday caught my interest. What's even more interesting is that we have a buyer submitting an offer on an property in Santa Monica who was sad to hear that she wouldn't qualify for... 10/25/2009

  # 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 60 62 2,400 839,000 9,295,000 1,437,067 1,277,596 2,717.60 470.12 1,678,015 11,322.47 148.20 -- Backup 5 69 15,900 749,000 2,049,000 853,580 853,580 3,189.40 267.63 1,053,300 7,259.67 145.09 -- Hold -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Pending 7 72 195,000 1,275,000 3,750,000 1,450,286 1,450,286 2,528.57 573.56 1,841,600 8,188.40 224.90 -- Sold LP 9 70 3,250 899,900 5,795,000 1,242,983 673,981 2,496.38 269.98 1,226,481 7,864.88 155.94 -- Sold SP ** 9 70 3,290 865,000 5,500,000 1,197,566 659,761 2,496.38 264.29 1,181,011 7,864.88 150.16 96.35% Exp... 10/17/2009

Happy Thursday everyone! Here is the Pacific Palisades hotsheet(past 5 days):   # 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 $   Active 27 70 349,500 1,750,000 9,295,000 2,007,863 1,709,532 2,310.52 739.89 2,683,050 10,772.44 249.07 -- Backup 1 31 749,000 749,000 749,000 749,000 749,000 1,529 489.86 N/A N/A N/A --                             Pending 5 28 749,000 1,275,000 1,593,000 1,241,400 1,241,400 2,567 483.60 1,364,500 6,424 212.41 -- Sold LP 3 125 899,900 1,375,000 1,599,000 1,291,300 1,291,300 2,488.33 518.94 1,249,450 3,672.50 340.22 -- Sold SP ** 3 125 865,000 1,330,000 1,549,000 1,248,000 1,248,000 2,488.33 501.54 1... 10/15/2009

Happy hump and rainy/overcast day everyone! I hope you do not have to be on the roads much today. Although it's clear now, we are expected for another rainfall tonight. BUT tomorrow is expected to be back to SoCal normal weather :) So hang in there everyone! Westside Weather Santa Monica, CA 66°F Current: ShowersWind: E at 5 mphHumidity: 88% Beverly Hills, CA 66°F Current: ShowersWind: E at 5 mphHumidity: 93% Pacific Palisades, CA 66°F Current: ShowersWind: E at 5 mphHumidity: 88% Malibu, CA 66°F Current: ShowersWind: S at 5 mphHumidity: 96% Brentwood, CA 65°F Current: CloudyWind: E at 5 mphHumidity: 95% Top Stories via Google News THE INFLUENCE GAME: Health cry is tax them, not us - The Associated Press New Jersey governor's race a virtual tie: poll - Reuters Mass. 4th- and 8th-graders... 10/14/2009

Housing Index shows the pace of home prics declines slowed in July..a sign that the market is near bottom! The pace of price declines slowed in July for Los Angeles to -14% compared with the same month one year ago according the the S&P/Case -Shiller US National home price index. These figures support stabilization nationally for Real Estate Values. We still need to remain observant in the coming months to see if the expiration of the first time homebuyers tax credit will effect these figures. In Los Angeles including Orange County the 20 year index is now at 2003 levels, going back to just before home prices made their most dramatic gains in the housing "bubble" Making Sense of the News For first time homebuyers, this remains an ideal time to consider purchasing a home. Interest rates ... 10/12/2009

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a great weekend. Once again, it's gloomy and cold outside. Just another sign of the winter season on it's way. Westside Weather Santa Monica, CA 59°F Current: CloudyWind: N at 0 mphHumidity: 70% Beverly Hills, CA 58°F Current: CloudyWind: NE at 1 mphHumidity: 71% Pacific Palisades, CA 59°F Current: CloudyWind: N at 0 mphHumidity: 70% Malibu, CA 55°F Current: CloudyWind: SE at 1 mphHumidity: 85% Brentwood, CA 60°F Current: CloudyWind: E at 2 mphHumidity: 67% Top Stories via Google News Two Americans Share Nobel in Economics - New York Times Media Reacts to Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Win - FOXNews Pan Am Hijacker Arrested In JFK After 40 Years In Havana - Gothamist Vacation Spot of the Day - Ganden Tibet China Ganden Monastery is one of the great three... 10/12/2009

With an estimated $290 billion in FHA loans projected for fiscal 2009 FHA now has 25% of the country's mortgage market, up from 3% a few years ago.  The agencyhas an 80% share for first-time homebuyers. FHA insured loans 2008 - 1.5 million loans 2007 - 580,000 loans 2006- 500,000 loans 2005- 523,000 loans FHA borrowers' FICO scores now average 693, up from 633 two years ago. Then, nearly half of FHA borrowers had FICO scores under 620. Now, just 7.5% do. FHA's reverse mortgage program insured 115,000 Home Equity Conversion Mortgages in 2008, a 67% increase from 2005. Some data were taken from an article written by Mark Fogarty in National Mortgage News   10/10/2009

      Housing Index shows the pace of home prics declines slowed in July..a sign that the market is near bottom! The pace of price declines slowed in July for Los Angeles to -14% compared with the same month one year ago according the the S&P/Case -Shiller US National home price index. These figures support stabilization nationally for Real Estate Values. We still need to remain observant in the coming months to see if the expiration of the first time homebuyers tax credit will effect these figures. In Los Angeles including Orange County the 20 year index is now at 2003 levels, going back to just before home prices made their most dramatic gains in the housing "bubble" Making Sense of the News For first time homebuyers, this remains an ideal time to consider purchasing a home. Interest ... 10/08/2009

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the weekend and have lots of interesting stories to share at the office tomorrow. Top Stories via Google News mcchrystal planned to move soldiers killed in Afghan siege - Christian Science Monitor 'Iran has enough info for atom bomb' - Jerusalem Post Samoans flock to churches to mourn tsunami victims - The Associated Press Weather Pacific Palisades, CA 62°F Current: SunnyWind: W at 13 mphHumidity: 62% Beverly Hills, CA 62°F Current: SunnyWind: SW at 5 mphHumidity: 57% Santa Monica, CA 62°F Current: SunnyWind: W at 13 mphHumidity: 62% Malibu, CA 59°F Current: SunnyWind: W at 9 mphHumidity: 60% Brentwood, CA 62°F Current: SunnyWind: S at 2 mphHumidity: 53%  How to of the Day How to Respond When Someone Insults Your Convictions How to Dye Harak... 10/04/2009

Happy Thursday and happy October everyone! Traffic conditions are not great today, but when is it great in L.A.?? Top Stories US, Iran Hold Rare Bilateral Meeting - Voice of America Samoa tsunami lesson: Early warning system too slow - Christian Science Monitor At 60th anniversary parade, China heralds 'new era' with old ... - Christian Science Monitor Weather Pacific Palisades, CA 60°F Current: SunnyWind: N at 0 mphHumidity: 40% Santa Monica, CA 60°F Current: SunnyWind: N at 0 mphHumidity: 40% Beverly Hills, CA 59°F Current: SunnyWind: N at 0 mphHumidity: 30% Malibu, CA 69°F Current: SunnyWind: NE at 11 mphHumidity: 13% Brentwood, CA 61°F Current: SunnyWind: N at 0 mphHumidity: 34% How to of the Day 5+ Tips for Boiling Water How to Make a Layered Chocolate Fudge Cake   10/01/2009

Happy Hump Day! Here is the hotsheet for Pacific Palisades: Active   TYPE ADDRESS LIST PRICE BED BATH SF LSZ YB LD     CH TYPE 1. HOUSE     971 CHATTANOOGA AVE $1,049,000 2 2.50   1,590 9,365 1956   06/04/09           Price Change 2. HOUSE     4 VISTA $359,000 2 2.00   1,200 0 2000   07/07/09           Price Change 3. HOUSE   16754 EDGAR ST $1,150,000 2 2.00   1,236 5,052 1950   09/21/09           Active 4. HOUSE   14852 W SUNSET BLVD $1,298,000 2 2.00   1,962 8,280 1950   09/29/09           New Listing 5. HOUSE   640 PALMERA AVE $2,795,000 5 5.50   4,255 8,581 2009   09/29/09           New Listing 6. CONDO   17350 W SUNSET #706 $1,199,000 2 2.00   1,444   1963   09/21/09           Active 7. CONDO   17153 PALISADES $825,000 3 3.00   1,767   1974   09/22/09           Active 8. LAND   175... 09/30/2009

Large Home with Mountain & Partial Ocean Views - Pacific Palisades. Beautiful, Large 2 story Home in the Family Friendly Pacific Palisades. This home is 3,560 square feet, has a large manicured back yard with many flowering plants and various fruit trees with a spa/jacuzzi. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a 500 square feet den/family room/office. The home also has $150,000 of recent renovations including new kitchen, bathrooms, walk-in closets, wine cabinet, travertine floors, and carpeting. Mountain views from every window and partial ocean views from the master bedroom. Master bedroom - Very large with a his and hers walk-in closet and a fully renovated bathroom with stone travertine floors, separate glass shower, and new extra large whirpool jacuzzi tub. The bedroom also has a balcony th... 09/29/2009

Ten Tips for Homebuyers What You Should Know Before Buying a Home Before you start looking for a home, get pre-qualified for a loan. Banks, credit unions and  mortgage bankers make home loans; mortgage brokers process them. The lenders will take an application, process the loan documents, and see the loan through to the funding stage. If you have marginal or bad credit, consult your lender. You may be able to qualify for a loan depending on how long ago and what reason(s) caused the bad credit. A lender should be able to advise you on whether your credit history will prevent you from qualifying for a home loan. You will need a down payment. Down payment requirements vary depending on the type of loan. Many down payment assistance programs exist. These programs may loan or grant you the... 09/27/2009

Happy Friday everyone! Here is today's hotsheet for Pacific Palisades. Please contact my office with any questions or showing requests. 310.459.8191 or showings@wsprops.com  Active   TYPE STATUS ADDRESS LIST PRICE BED BATH SF LOT YEAR LIST DATE         CH TYPE 1. HOUSE  A    554 ALMAR AVE $3,950,000 6 5.50   5,900 7,080 2008   12/15/08           Extended 2. HOUSE  A    554 ALMAR AVE $3,950,000 6 5.50   5,900 7,080 2008   12/15/08           Price Change 3. HOUSE  A    1141 DONAIRE WAY $2,895,000 5 5.50   4,250 9,592     04/21/09           Price Change 4. HOUSE  A    609 LAS LOMAS AVE $3,499,000 7 7.50   6,870 9,191 2008   05/01/09           Back On Market 5. HOUSE  A    1020 LAS PULGAS RD $1,279,000 4 3.00   1,577 9,127 1953   08/04/09           Price Change 6. HOUSE  A    815 HARTZELL S... 09/25/2009

 Once you've selected a REALTOR® to market and sell your property, you and the agent will enter into a written, legally binding contract called a listing agreement. The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® offers its own official agreement for California REALTORS®, the Residential Listing Agreement (Exclusive Authorization and Right to Sell) (LA-11). This standard form stipulates all agreement terms, including the listing price, the listing time period, the broker's commission and more. It also informs the seller of issues and legal requirements that may be involved in the process. The Exclusive Agency Listing Agreement (EA-11) is another C.A.R. standard form providing generally the same provisions as the LA-11. The primary difference between the two standard forms is that the LA-11 spec... 09/19/2009

September Chamber Mixer Thurs Sept. 24, 2009 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 invites you to attend the September Mixer hosted by California National Bank. Here are the details: 15305 W. Sunset Blvd. 5:30 - 7:30PM Members: free Non-members: $25 (310) 459-7963   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 th... 09/19/2009

Happy Friday everyone! It's going to be a beautiful and warm sunny southern California weekend. I want to share with you this article I found on the California Association of Realtors Newsstand....  Nearly 40 percent of first-time home buyers report federal tax credit played critical role in decision to purchase a homeLOS ANGELES (Sept. 18) - Nearly 40 percent of first-time home buyers said they would not have purchased a home if the federal tax credit for first-time home buyers was not offered, according to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®' (C.A.R.) "2009 First-time Home Buyers Tax Credit Survey." Understanding the significance of the federal tax credit to the housing market's recovery, C.A.R. surveyed 200 California first-time home buyers to gauge the impact it had on their pur... 09/18/2009

An action to quiet title is a lawsuit filed to establish ownership of real property (land and buildings affixed to land). The plaintiff in a quiet title action seeks a court order that prevents the respondent from making any subsequent claim to the property. Quiet title actions are necessary because real estate may change hands often, and it is not always easy to determine who has title to the property. Please find attached my title representative's latest title piece that explains Quiet Title and describes some of the typical grounds for a quiet tile complaint.  Click here to view the newsletter: Quiet Title Please contact me if you would like me to check any particular properties for a recorded Lis Pendens or if you have any Real Estate related questions or requests that I can assist ... 09/14/2009

I noticed the heightened traffic in the village this week. More SUVs around. I am happy to report that a LOT of those vehicles were hybrid and/or smaller in size!! It's one of the reasons why I love this neighborhood soo much. People are earth conscious and aware. Here is the article from the Palisades Post... September 10, 2009 The quiet summer idle in Pacific Palisades shifted to overdrive as the nine private and public elementary schools, Paul Revere Middle School and Palisades High started school this week with most schools filled to capacity. Corpus Christi and Calvary Christian School students returned to classes on Tuesday. The following day, students from St. Matthew's, Village, Westside Waldorf, Palisades, Marquez, Canyon, Revere and PaliHi started their first day. The last sch... 09/13/2009

Should I buy a home first or sell a home first...In this real estate market many individuals are at a crossroad concerning the buy and sell process.  What should be your first step? Should buy your new home first or sell your existing home first?   The correct answer depends on a few factors.  The most important factor being, how hot the real estate market is.  When the market is hot, like it was in recent years, it was very tough getting an offer accepted that had a home sale contingency.  In a slower market, you could end up selling your home and then find it impossible to locate the perfect home for you.   It is also important to remember that every real estate transaction involves the needs of both the buyer and the seller in every type of market.  With that in mind, you can sell yo... 08/19/2009