Good Treats In Santa Monica For The Holiday’s...Amelia’s Homemade Polenta Cake, Amelia's is on Santa Monica's Main Street at 2645 Main Street. It's a cute little cafe in front of the Seashore Motel. Amelia, her husband Ralph and son Gianni are there every day serving fresh eats and treats. My favorite deserts are the one's made by Amelia. They have a strong coffee and decadent tea. Milo & Olive’s Apricot & Raspberry Divine, This is to most dangerous for me since I can walk to it from my office. It's located North of Wilshire at 2723 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica 90403. They have a good selection of baked goods even a few gluteen free. My favorite is coffee is their Vanilla Latte, and any tea since it's Art of Tea. Primo Passo's Goddess Green Tea & Scone, Newest addition to the trendy Mont... 12/16/2012

Santa Monica Holiday Events, Dining, & Discounts Looking for things to do in Santa Monica for the Holidays? How about where to find the deals and for hotel packages for a staycation or for guests coming in town at the last mintue? We've got you covered. Well, actually the City of Santa Monica does. We found out where they put them and are sharing the details with you. Holiday Events: Click here to find a list of Santa Monica holiday events & discounts. Feel like you missed out on all the holiday events in Santa Monica? Don't worry you still have time to ice skat at ICE, and for  Holiday Kids Craft & Gift-Wrapping - December 22nd 12pm-3pm Holiday Getaway: Click here to find a list of holiday getaway packages. Perfect for a holiday staycation or for friends & family when there is not more... 12/16/2012

Local Barbershop for North Of Wilshire, Santa Monica CA I was walking in the neighborhood around my office and noticed this cool new barbershop.  It just opened where the  Tennis String shop used to be on Wilshire & Berkley.  It's called, "The Barbershop", the barber is Miguel Lira.   In talking with him I found out that he has been a professional barber on the westside for over 34 years!  His previous locations were at the Brentwood Country Mart for 24 years and Brentwood Village 7 years.     Ladies, this is a great place to take the men in your life for a treat kind of like how we go for Blow-outs!  He has a very clean new professional chair for his clients.  His clients are primarily men, adult and children.                Stop by and welcome Miguel, at his Barbershop, North of Wils... 11/27/2012

I LOVE SANTA MONICA and wanted to share some of the fun Holiday Events and Things to do this holiday season.  Whether you live locally in Santa Monica or nearby communities, or are planning a quick vacation-Santa Monica has tons of fun and exiting things to do this time of year! Below is a list of some of the largest events and activities going on in and around Santa Monica, I hope to see you at one of them soon! ENJOY!! ICE at Santa Monica November 2, 2012 - January 21, 2013 ICE at Santa Monica Outdoor Rink, 1324 5th St Once a year, Downtown Santa Monica brings a little skate to the surf and transforms the corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue into ICE at Santa Monica, a premier outdoor ice skating rink. Having operated for five seasons, the 8,000 square ft. rink by the beach offers ... 11/20/2012

  The Santa Monica Fire Department is warning business owners against “fake” inspectors!   I thought I heard it all in my life time, but this is a new one on me. The Santa Monica Fired Department Prevention Division is warning local business owners to be extra vigilant and be on the lookout for “fake” “Fire Inspectors”.   The Scam Artist generally come uninvited to a business and request unsuspecting employees to sign an “Inspection authorization” According to the Fire Marshal, then the Scam Artists either ask an upfront “inspection fee” or they send an invoice to the business owner a day or two later. Now keep in mind this scam is spreading throughout Southern California area not just Santa Monica because recently the Los Angeles Fire Department wrote an article to the business communi... 11/20/2012

North of Wilshire Neighborhood, Santa Monica, CA North of Wilshire Neighborhood, Santa Monica, CA Why do people live here? In addition to the proximity to the ocean, people choose to live in Santa Monica North of Wilshire for the excellent public schools, walking distance to shops and cafe’s, and public parks. Franklin Elementary is desired for the parent teacher involvement, and community presence. Some of the best parks in Santa Monica and the Westside are located North of Wilshire. Palisades Park is the best park for ocean views, picnics, and outdoor exercise. Douglas Park has a pond where you can watch the ducks, tennis courts, lawn bowling, and plenty of playground equipment for the kiddos. Looking for a home North of Wilshire?Interested in homes and condos for sale North of Wilshi... 11/19/2012

Let’s check in on Santa Monica real estate and see how it fared in October over the previous month. Single Family Homes    Sold +/- Sept. Price Range TotalActive Price Range NewOct. Pending Median 90401 0  =  N/A  5  $1.3000,000 to $5,999,999 0  0   90402 7  -7  $1,625,000 to $5,385,000 19 $1,459,000 to $18,750,000 4 16   90403 2  -1 $1,600,000 to $2,550,000 8 $1, 399,000 $3,725,000 3  9   90404 1  = $775,000 3 $650,000 to $989,000 1  3   90405 11  +2 $430,000 to $1,300,000  15 $259,000 to $1,895,000 1 20   With the exception of zip code 90401 (not surprisingly, since this is the Downtown Santa Monica area and less residential than the rest of the City) the  Santa Monica single family home market  favors Sellers. Overall sales are down, but the inventory under contract, and hopefully se... 11/08/2012

by Jodi Summers Santa Monica has often been nicknamed the “Republic of Santa Monica” for the City’s rather unique stance on various social positions. Santa Monica’s latest set of rules may or may not be unconstitutional, but it will no doubt impact multiunit properties throughout Los Angeles. The City of Santa Monica has declared that all new occupancies after Nov. 22, 2012 are non-smoking. No ands, ifs, and certainly no butts. Will this affect the desirability of one of the world’s best beach cities? We will need to watch. In September and October 2012 in Santa Monica, according to the MLS, 98 properties were leased in Santa Monica. The median lease rate was $4,000 or $3.31 per sq ft per month. The lowest lease rates were $1,500 for several studios and one bedrooms east of Lincoln Blvd... 11/01/2012

We always get asked about the Santa Monica real estate market.  Here are the numbers from the sales in September, 2012 for Santa Monica Condo's: Average Selling Price: $727,088 Average List Price: $743,171 Median Price: $695,00 Average Days on Market: 55 Average Sales Price/Avg. List Price: 97.8% Total Sold Dollar Volume:  $25,448,100 Number of Listings Sold: 35   The highest sale is on Ocean Ave for $1,820,000, best location and one of my favorite streets. The lowest sale is on Schrader Dr $308,000.    For a copy of this report, send me an email info@kimandkristine.com, subject line September 2012 Market Condo Sales Report, or call 310-737-8173.  Kristine & Kim   10/26/2012

This is for all the She Wolf’s out there.  It’s a new beautiful song by David Guetta & Sia.  I love Sia’s voice it’s soft and emotional.  Here’s the video and it has great nature shots.  Enjoy!  Happy Friday!!  Kristine :) 10/19/2012

We always get asked, "How's the market?"  I say, "Great!"  Here's the data to back up our answer, "Great!!" See below, Market report for Santa Monica, Single Family Home Sales, September 2012: Average Selling Price: $2.488,208 Average List Price: $2,530,829 Median Price: $2,211,250 Average Days on Market: 67 Average Sales Price/Avg. List Price: 98.3% Total Sold Dollar Volume:  $59,717,000 Number of Listings Sold: 24   The highest sale is on Ocean Ave for $5,200,000, best location!   The lowest sale is on 34th st $667,000 very edge of Santa Monica-East, close to WLA. For a copy of this report, send me an email info@kimandkristine.com, subject line September 2012 Market Sales Home Report, or call 310-737-8173.  Kristine & Kim   10/17/2012

  Santa Monica Real Estate – Single Family Homes: Active Listings: 51* Short Sales – 1* Bank Owned/REO – 0 Of the 51 active Santa Monica homes for sale, 12 had their List Price decreased, and 5 of them actually increased in list price...continue reading   10/15/2012

Bruschette with a new twist: Guacamole on top of the basic Bruschette What is Bruschette? To some people it is something they heard of but never tasted. For others, mostly all who have Italian background or love to eat Italian food, it is an appetizer before dinner. To the purists there is basic Bruschette and then there is my versionJ So with that said Good Basic Bruschette consists of a good quality loaf of bread. I like sourdough bread for the extra hidden flavors. I like to cut it into about half inch to three quarter inch slices, then take fresh garlic and rub both sides and drizzle it with good extra virgin cold pressed olive oil. I find this is the most important part, if you use less than top ingredients the end product will be reflected in less quality flavors. Toast the Bread ... 10/11/2012

Santa Monica Farmer's Market one of the best in the area! As most of you know I love to cook, but to be a good cook you need good ingredients. So needless to say after not being to this Farmer’s Market in a while, I had to question myself: WHY NOT?     Needless to say I was just going to post the pictures without words, but I could not help myself. So if you want to go to a good and plentiful Farmers Market Wednesday s & Saturday s they have it near the Third Street Promenade between 2nd & 4th Streets on Arizona Ave.   Do not miss it if you want fresh produce, much better than the Chain Stores. BTW bring your own bag because Santa Monica went Green and you cannot get plastic bags anymore from the Growers! If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real... 10/10/2012

Santa Monica Real Estate – Single Family Homes: Active Listings: 52* Short Sales – 1* Bank Owned/REO – 0 Of the 52 active Santa Monica homes for sale, 14 had their List Price decreased, and 3 of them actually increased in list price...continue reading 10/09/2012

It’s time to check in on Santa Monica real estate.  How is the market doing?  Is it still a sellers’ market and is the median price rising?  Let’s take a look. Santa Monica Single Family Homes 90401 - Downtown Santa Monica Sold Over 2011 Median Over 2011 Active Pending Buyers/Sellers Market  2 +1  $3,537,500 N/A 5 0 Buyers 90402 - which includes the areas of Santa Monica Canyon, North of San Vicente,  and North of Montana and the northern part of Ocean Avenue (which includes the luxury condo buildings). Sold Over 2011 Median Over 2011 Active Pending Buyers/Sellers Market  88 22 $2,723,500  13.70% 22 13 Sellers  90403  – North of Wilshire, parts of Ocean Avenue (also including some of the luxury condo complexes), Sold Over 2011 Median Over 2011 Active Pending Buyers/Sellers Market  24 -7... 10/06/2012

Do you want to live on Ocean Ave in Santa Monica, CA? The prestigious Ocean Ave in sunny Santa Monica is one of the MOST desired real estate locations in the US.  With Palisades Park right across the street with excellent walking trails, some of the best Restaurants and Nightlife in LA, a short stroll to the Third Street Promenade, The Santa Monica Place Mall,  and the ocean view right behind-who wouldn’t want to live on Ocean Ave?     OCEAN AVE LIVING AT IT’S BEST! The prestigious Ocean Ave in sunny Santa Monica is one of the MOST desired real estate locations in the US and in the Los Angeles area.  With Palisades Park right across the street with excellent walking trails, some of the best Restaurants and Nightlife in LA, the world famous Santa Monica Pier, a short stroll to the Third ... 10/05/2012

Santa Monica Real Estate – Single Family Homes: Active Listings: 54* Short Sales – 1* Bank Owned/REO – 0 Of the 54 active Santa Monica homes for sale, 14 had their List Price decreased, and 3 of them actually increased in list price...continue reading 10/02/2012

Santa Monica Real Estate – Single Family Homes: Active Listings: 60* Short Sales – 1* Bank Owned/REO – 0 Of the 60 active Santa Monica homes for sale, 18 had their List Price decreased, and none of them actually increased in list price...continue reading 09/26/2012

Education Foundation gifted $4.8M Great news for SMMUSD! It is good timing as the school district was facing severe cuts in very important programs!! SMMUSD HDQTRS – The Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation announced a $4.8 million estate gift at the Board of Education meeting Thursday night that will support music education for disadvantaged youth and give a jumpstart to… Read More 09/23/2012