Blog
The Fourth Protocol by Frederick Forsyth a book review by Endre Barath, Jr. Beverly Hills Realtor
The Fourth Protocol by Frederick Forsyth A book review by Endre Barath, Jr. Beverly Hills Realtor I had a hard time with this book because once I started reading, I did not want to stop. As most can relate, generally we have other obligations and it’s not often possible to read a book in just one sitting. Consider yourself warned that if you do read this book, you very well may have the same reaction. If you are not familiar with the title, The Fourth Protocol, it is referencing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1968. This was a signed treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union with the purpose being the prohibition of smuggling atomic bombs or their materials into other countries. The idea was to prevent the spreading of nuclear weapons all over the globe. While the objective was good, France and China (who also possessed nuclear weapons) refused to sign the treaty; other countries that did not possess nuclear weapons at the time also refused to sign. A primary character of the novel, Kim Philby, is living in the Soviet Union. Kim was previously a British Intelligence Officer who defected to Russia in 1963 when he was discovered spying for the KGB, i.e., a traitor to England. The novel is based on the real-life traitor who conspired with the General Secretary of the Soviet Union to change the results of the 1987 British General Election in favor of the Labor Party. This would allow the hard left to take over and create the First Marxist-Leninist Government in Britain. Keep in mind the book was published in 1984. All of the characters are well developed and written with a believable hand. They are hard driven in their goal by sending various bomb parts via multiple couriers and bringing it to the United States with the intent of blowing up a small atom bomb near a U.S. Air Base. If you’ve read other book reviews of mine, no doubt you will notice that this is a typical Frederick Forsythe book. It is hard to tell historical facts from fiction in any of Forsythe’s novels. In this particular book, I would be hard pressed to believe the story unfolded other than how Forsythe wrote it. Hence, Frederick Forsythe remains one of my favorite authors. While I hate finishing his books, I’m happy to know that I have another one of his novels waiting for me to read on my bookshelf. If you are looking for a focused pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle the most challenging properties that no one else could, please reach out to me directly. If you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, feel free to contact me at 310.486.1002 (m) or homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com. Berkshire Hathaway Beverly Hills A portion of my commission will be donated to a local and reputable animal rescue organization or cause. Remember this Military Friendly Realtor treats every day as if it’ one of his last 50....
read moreHonoring those who served in all branches of the United States Military: Veterans Day!
Honoring those who served in all branches of the United States Military: Veterans Day! I would like to share a little bit of history of Veterans Day, since I find, that the importance of remembering history is critical for the future of our nation:1918 marked the end of the First World War and it was on November 11,1918 to be exact. Armistice Day was a way of acknowledging the price one paid for peace, not just in the United States but England and the rest of Europe. (Sadly, I have seen in various publications and posts commemorating different years, anywhere from 1919 to 1921 as the beginning of Armistice Day.) Well, in 1926 Congress suggested, that Americans should observe Armistice Day. Finally in 1938 Congress made it officially a National Holiday as in November 11th of every year. Then lets fast forward to 1954, when the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor and recognize all U.S. Veterans. Over the years, I have often written about the history of this day, wanting to educate those who have not understood what Veterans Day stands for. Ironically these postings came about, because I kept seeing many people confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day. On a side note, two other dates are just interesting facts about the history of Veterans Day. One of them being 1968, when Congress changed the National commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. Needless to say, many Americans did not approve of this change and conveyed their dissatisfaction and then finally Congress in 1978 returned the National observance of Veterans Day to its traditional date of November 11. Hope you enjoyed this history lesson, and let me leave you with a message from the current President of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties: Today, on Veterans Day, we pause to honor and thank all who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Your courage, dedication, and sacrifice have helped protect the freedoms and opportunities we all cherish as Americans.To our veterans within our company and across the nation – Thank You – we are deeply grateful for your service and your example of strength and selflessness.I encourage everyone to take a moment to personally thank a veteran — whether a friend, family member, colleague, or neighbor. Brent Consedine If you are looking for a focused pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle the most challenging properties that no one else could, please reach out to me directly. If you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, feel free to contact me at 310.486.1002 (m) or homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com. Berkshire Hathaway Beverly Hills A portion of my commission will be donated to a local and reputable animal rescue organization or cause. Remember this Military Friendly Realtor treats every day as if it’ one of his last 50....
read moreReflecting on life & my own personal actions, observations by a Beverly Hills Realtor: Endre Barath, Jr.
Reflecting on life and my own personal actions is something that I have been doing for many years. Recently, however, I find myself wondering and reflecting more on what really matters in life. If you are wondering what inspired me to be so focused now you may presume that it has to do with recently having another birthday. While that might have a little bit to do with it, the real reason is that I have been watching and observing the comet, 3I/ATLAS, for weeks now. If you are not familiar with this space phenomenon, please do Google it as it might just surprise you. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in our daily life, activities and distractions that we often miss out on special events and attractions such as this one, some that may never again occur in our lifetime. Thanks to this focused observation, I was led to ask the question: If you knew that you had 50 days (or less) of life left to live what would you do with that precious, finite amount of time? What would you change in your way of approaching life, obstacles and how would you treat people overall? As far as I am concerned this is as good a time as any to reflect on what really matters. Would you direct your time towards your significant other, your pets or family, friends, coworkers, or clients? Maybe there is someone you’ve parted ways with, and you’ve always deep down wished for a reconciliation. You get where I am headed with this; take a look at your journey on earth. While I am not big on emotions, it’s events like this that make me focus and analyze my own self when it comes to self-discipline, compassion, love, and kindness. I have always possessed strong willpower and perseverance and strongly believe these qualities help you to take on life’s challenges and, ultimately, result in a successful life. Gratitude is equally important – focus on being grateful for what you have rather than what you do not have. And accept the fact that there will always be those that have more than you but remember there are also those who have a great deal less than you as well. Keeping all of this in mind, what would you need to change? There is more to life than what meets the eye. Are you ready for the afterlife or something else if there is one? No matter if you believe in God or the afterlife or not, how would you handle your final 50 days that people would see is another way to pose the question. These philosophical questions should be handled individually by each person. There is no correct answer, rather it’s a personal reflection. When it comes to real estate and my clients, I treat every day as if it may be one of my last 50. I’m always committed and focused on my surroundings, the economy and the direction in which things are headed, meaning inventory, interest rate and the speed of the local market. I keep current with the both the Global and Local Environments and also focus on our own pets, their well-being and my and my partner’s too. In closing, let me leave you with a quote from...
read moreWishing you a Happy Halloween filled with more treats than tricks! Wishes from Endre Barath,Jr. Realtor
Wishing you a HAPPY HALLOWEEN filled with more treats than tricks & more laughs than fright! No need to be scared, if you are considering buying or selling your home or any other real estate. I promise you; I will save you from the horror you might be expecting from a real estate transaction. The process will be all treats and no tricks! Wishing everyone a happy, safe, and spooky Halloween! If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle the most challenging properties that no one else could, please reach out to me directly. If you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, feel free to contact me at 310.486.1002 (m) or homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com. Berkshire Hathaway Beverly Hills A portion of my commission will be donated to a local and reputable animal rescue organization or...
read moreJust Listed: Vic Ave W8 & 128th St E, Pearblossom, CA. 93553
Directions: Pearblossom Hwy to CA-138 E to Longview Rd to 128th St E to W8 Remarks: Fantastic lot to build a custom home. Equally great for a farm since the property is zoned Residential Agricultural. This flat lot is located one lot from the corner of Ave W8 and 128th Dt E. Electric utilities in the street. Electric Poles are on the street. Over five acres of flat land in peaceful Pearblossom approximately 60 miles from Los Angeles. Close to Single Family Homes as well as close to 138 Hwy. Take advantage of this great opportunity. Seller just wants it sold. Agent Remarks: Please email listing agent for a plat map homes@endrebarath.com no sign on the property go direct with plat map. https://www.themls.com/showing/request/25610027 Showing Remarks: Please email listing agent for a plat map and go direct, no sign on the property! If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle the most challenging properties that no one else could, please reach out to me directly. If you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, feel free to contact me at 310.486.1002 (m) or homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com. Berkshire Hathaway Beverly Hills A portion of my commission will be donated to a local and reputable animal rescue organization or...
read moreThe River We Remember by William Kent Krueger: A book review by Endre Barath, Jr. a Beverly Hills Realtor.
I finished this book in September (or August!) and here we are in October and I’m just getting to writing my book review. This was my first book by William Kent Krueger. I was persuaded by my bookworm partner to take a break from my typical reading genre (those that follow me and read my reviews know what books I usually read) and branch out and read an author new to me. So I thought, why not, particularly since I’ve gotten through a good number of books recently that have been lingering on my shelves. With that said, all I can say is I am so glad Diane talked me into reading this book. Without giving too much away, I’ll begin by setting the scene. The story opens in 1958 in a small town called Jewell, in Minnesota where there was a murder of one of the town’s very well-known residents, Jimmy Quinn. Who killed Jimmy Quinn and why? There are quite a few characters, young and old, that keep the pace of the story moving right along. Initially I found it distracting to have so many characters, but I soon realized that in a small town, we needed to get to know everyone in order to determine guilt from innocence. I found myself playing detective and trying to solve the crime as evidence and possible motives kept coming up. But more than a mystery, I was also quite intrigued by the characters overall. The book was very well written, no surprise there. Although William Kent Krueger is new to me, he is a very well-known and esteemed author having won many prestigious book awards one being the Edgar Award for Best Novel of 2013 for Ordinary Grace. I really fell into the nostalgia of the snapshot of life in a small town in late 1950’s America. It intrigued me to read about different points of views and different story lines which the author tied all together at the end. If you want to know who killed Jimmy Quinn and why you will need to pick this book up and give it a read. As you’ve probably guessed, William Kent Kruger has been added to my future “must reads” list. I’m happy to share that we do have a copy of Ordinary Grace on the shelves, and I plan to get to it very soon. If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle the most challenging properties that no one else could, please reach out to me directly. If you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, feel free to contact me at 310.486.1002 (m) or homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com. Berkshire Hathaway Beverly Hills A portion of my commission will be donated to a local and reputable animal rescue organization or...
read moreObservations about Interest Rates and the Real Estate Market by Endre Barath, Jr. a Beverly Hills Realtor
Yesterday morning at 11:19 a.m. we made our official farewell to Summer 2025 (the autumnal equinox). The Federal Reserve finally lowered the benchmark federal interest rate by 0.25% on September 17th, the first rate cut of 2025. If you are one to keep current with the media, this rate cut has shown a great deal of encouraging headlines. As I stated in the beginning of September, I expect this to boost individual buyer’s activity as well as investor activity in the Greater Los Angeles area. Many buyers who were previously borderline due to lack of affordability should now turn into actual buyers. Add to the mix other buyers who were sitting on the fence; they too should now be encouraged to step into the market as well, further increasing activity in the greater Los Angeles area. Needless to say, with more buyers competing for the same amount of home inventory will translate to sellers being firmer on their list and sales price. As you’ve often heard me say, “do not wait too long” because the competition will increase and you may very well miss out to savvy buyers and savvy investors. Another point of interest, I have started to notice economists making predictions about how home prices will be increasing in my market area. Even the California Association of Realtors’ economists have made a prediction and anticipate home prices to increase by about 3.6%. So, with that said my advice and suggestion is don’t wait, buy now. Real Estate buyers and sellers have a Herd Mentality meaning that when the majority buys or does not buy they follow suit. Hence my suggestion is to become the leader of the herd; you will thank me six to eight months from now. In addition to selling homes and condominiums, my niche market is selling vacant land. This gives me the ability to gauge whether builders’ sentiments are improving or staying the same. This is based on both the number and type of land inquiries I receive on my listings. With that said, my take is that builder sentiment has remained unchanged over the past three months, but now I am starting to see an increase in inquiries on my land listings. Clearly this is a good sign of things to come. Finally, let’s add to the mix the seasonal changes. In my experience, I have always found that the Fall is a great time to buy or sell a home. There is less competition due to parents focusing on back to school and the majority of people overall focusing on the quickly approaching holiday season. The best part for sellers is that the buyers who are out there are serious, real buyers. In closing let me reemphasize to take advantage of the lower interest rate which is more favorable to affordability. Don’t wait to see if additional rate cuts are coming in the final months of the year. Keep in mind, you can always refinance if it is in your favor. If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle the most challenging properties that no one else could, please reach out to me directly. If you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in...
read moreThe Man from St. Petersburg by Ken Follett A book review by Endre Barath, Jr. a Beverly Hills Realtor.
The Man from St. Petersburg by Ken Follett: A book review by Endre Barath, Jr. a Beverly Hills Realtor. Published in 1982 and collecting dust on my bookshelf since 2005, although I am repeating myself all I have to say is “I’m so glad I finally read it”. In all fairness, I should have read it much sooner, but that is another story. Don’t let the title fool you, this is not a story that revolves around St. Petersburg, Florida. Rather, it’s a story whose beginning is 1914, just at the cusp of the beginning of World War I. Hence if you favor historical fiction and were wondering about the how’s and whys before the start of what is dubbed The Great War, let Ken Follett tell you in this book. The novel is filled with political and personal drama along with espionage and intrigue. As with all of Ken Follett’s books, you will be kept on the edge of your seat and unable to turn the pages fast enough. I felt as if I was in the room when Winston Churchill was interacting with the Earl of Walden as they waited for the Romanov envoy in an attempt to seal the deal of a secret alliance between England and Russia. The issue focused on strategic real estate acquisition, which I found ironic and uncannily parallel to today’s Ukraine Russia negotiations. Simply put, I was so mesmerized with the plot and the events that I will be googling to learn how much of the plot and characters are indeed the true history vs. fiction. Of course I am not referring to the character of Winston Churchill, rather to Feliks, Prince Aleksei, Lord Waldren and Charlotte to name but a few. At this point, I remain convinced that this novel is how it really played out. If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle the most challenging properties that no one else could, please reach out to me directly. If you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, feel free to contact me at 310.486.1002 (m) or homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com. Berkshire Hathaway Beverly Hills A portion of my commission will be donated to a local and reputable animal rescue organization or...
read moreHope you had a relaxing Labor Day weekend! Welcome Fall!
As we welcome Fall, here’s hoping you had a relaxing Labor Day weekend and if you are in the LA area that you managed to stay somewhat cool. I am personally ready for some much cooler weather. No doubt you’ve read the headlines about tariffs and inflation that are intended to scare people; the reality is quite the opposite. The Stock Market has been on fire, higher than ever before and certainly more so since the Covid Pandemic shutdowns. Bank of America is bullish about the market and projecting a continued optimistic view for the Stock Market despite tariffs and inflation. As a reference point, they say that in the past nine months the Stock Market has had at least 20 high points. Furthermore, they are expecting that rate cuts and potential 2026 stimulus will outweigh tariff risks and other uncertainties. On the Real Estate side of the economy, home prices have surged. Some economists who closely monitor this indicate that they have surged twice as fast as monthly rents. To complicate matters, interest rates have been stuck between 6-8% for the past five years. Affordability remains the issue. I often think of my father when he decided to buy a home in the early 1970’s. He read all sorts of reports and one in particular from MIT pushed him off the fence. He realized that high inflation and interest rates were keeping him at the point where he would not even be able to afford to rent, let alone buy a home. Then he thought that if he bought something, he would at least stabilize monthly payments while inflation worked to increase the value of his home. Indeed it did! Even at the bottom of the Real Estate Market in the early 1990’s he sold his home for three times what he paid for it all after having lived comfortably in it for 20 years.My point is, do not fall into the trappings of the headlines; if you are considering buying or selling it is not about timing. If you are a seller, it’s about properly pricing, and if you are a buyer, it’s critical to have a solid Realtor that will give you the facts and statistics of the local market. Right now there are fewer buyers out there, hence sellers are more open to negotiations. If you wait for the interest rates to drop, you just might be competing with more buyers who are sitting on the fence. Ultimately it could cost you more in the long run instead of enjoying your own home and increasing your home’s value. Please reach out to me directly for advice and representation. In the meantime, enjoy my Newsletter. Important dates in September: September 22 Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown; and it is the first day of Autumn. (Yom Kippur begins at sundown on October 1) If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle the most challenging properties that no one else could, please reach out to me directly. If you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu,...
read moreJoin me on a flashback in American history to August 27th, 1967 a post by Endre Barath a Beverly Hills Realtor
Join me on a flashback in American history to August 27th, 1967. The Barath family landed at New York’s JFK International Airport all thanks to my father, Endre Barath, Sr., writing a letter to then President Lyndon B. Johnson who granted permission for us to legally live in the United States. This was a dream come true for my dad as he always wanted to live in the U.S., a free democratic country where you could express your views without being punished by the government. In his mind, the U.S. was the only country where this would be possible in 1967. While he had made attempts to leave Communist Hungary many times, he would not leave without taking his entire family which consisted of me and my mother. When he arranged for all of us to go to the Winter Olympics in Austria in 1964, that was the start of making his dream become a reality. He decided he would not return to Hungary, and we managed to find refuge in an immigration camp. This is where he began the process of trying to get into the United States legally, but the powers to be kept turning him down. This was largely in part because my father was a powerful engineer in Communist Hungary, a position you could only hold if you were a member of the Communist Party. Many suggested he emigrate to Canada and cross the border illegally and no one would care. This was never a consideration for my dad, so he kept trying until he finally exhausted all of his attempts. As a last resort, my father wrote a personal letter to Lyndon Johnson asking for his help. Interestingly my father received a message back from the American Embassy in Vienna to pack up his family and his belongings as he was being granted the opportunity to legally immigrate to the United States. The window of time was extremely short; this was the now or never moment. You can imagine how our world was turned upside down, just as we had started settling into life in Austria, getting comfortable with the German language and the Austrian way of life. My mother was a bit distraught as the job of getting everything packed up and put together fell largely to her, but we did manage to pack it all up and get ready to relocate. My father was thrilled beyond words, and needless to say when we arrived in the U.S., he quickly realized that a few years of learning English was not enough. He also discovered the challenges of finding a job in the mechanical engineering field. My mother did not speak the English language either and had to learn. All these years later and I did not understand why the short notice to pack up and come to the U.S. and why on August 27th. My father of course never questioned it, he was just thrilled that it happened. So after all these years, I decided to see what else happened in history on August 27th, 1967 and I learned that President Lyndon B. Johnson’s birthday was August 27th and he turned 59 years old on that day in 1967. I do wish my parents were still alive so I could share this with them....
read more