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The Playa Del Rey Condominium Market Report for the Month of October 2011
The Playa Del Rey Condominium Market Report for the Month of October 2011 The Global Economic volatility continues and Europe’s problems are visiting every part of the world. The roller coaster ride of will China bail out Europe or not and will Greece take the offer of saving their as well as the rest of the Global economies or will they turn it down? It was a busy month for all. Hence if you are an investor would you want to invest in Europe and specifically Greece? The answer is clear to me, if you are an investor you need to do your homework, since there is a very fertile ground right now for the Bernie Madoff’s style Ponzi schemes. Once you do your Homework, the answer will be clear and you will discover that this is a good time to buy Real Estate in the greater Los Angeles area. Investors need to look at fixed assets such as homes, condominiums and investment land vs. the pie in the sky profits offered by “free lunch” and or “free dinner” seminars Rental Demand is an all time high, since many of the regular buyers are sitting on the sidelines instead of taking advantage of the lower prices, all time low interest rates and nervous sellers. Therefore it is clear to me that it does not matter if you buy a single-family home or a condominium for the purpose of renting out you will do well. Hence it does not matter if you are a small or a large investor the opportunities are out there. Once you read in the Media Portals that this is the way to go you missed out on the best window of opportunity. As long as there is such a large percent of buyers sitting on the fence Rental demand will be high and as we all know “supply & demand” side economics will assure you a good return on your investment. Now with that said let’s look at how the Condominium activity turned out for the month of October in Playa Del Rey, CA. There were 57 Active listings which was a drop 6.5% from the previous month’s inventory. There were 9 properties in Back-up Status which was 25% drop from the previous month. There were 2 on Hold Status (generally an indication of Short Sales) there were 3 Pending waiting to close. This was a 75% drop from the previous month. Interestingly with numbers like this I would anticipate a huge drop in the Sold category. Ironically that was not the case instead the Sold numbers increased from the previous month. September there were 6 Sold Condominiums and for the month of October there were 9 Sold Condominiums which translates to a huge increase.. This to me is a very interesting number, with all the turbulence occurring there is still a steady activity of sales occurring in the Playa Del Rey Condominium sales. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of...
read moreThe Marina Del Rey Condominium Market Report for the Month of October 2011
The Marina Del Rey Condominium Market Report for the Month of October 2011 The Global Economic volatility continues and Europe’s problems are visiting every part of the world. The roller coaster ride of will China bail out Europe or not and will Greece take the offer of saving their as well as the rest of the Global economies or will they turn it down? It was a busy month for all. Hence if you are an investor would you want to invest in Europe and specifically Greece? The answer is clear to me, if you are an investor you need to do your homework, since there is a very fertile ground right now for the Bernie Madoff’s style Ponzi schemes. Once you do your Homework, the answer will be clear and you will discover that this is a good time to buy Real Estate in the greater Los Angeles area. Investors need to look at fixed assets such as homes, condominiums and investment land vs. the pie in the sky profits offered by “free lunch” and or “free dinner” seminars. Rental Demand is an all time high, since many of the regular buyers are sitting on the sidelines instead of taking advantage of the lower prices, all time low interest rates and nervous sellers. Therefore it is clear to me that it does not matter if you buy a single-family home or a condominium for the purpose of renting out you will do well. Hence it does not matter if you are a small or a large investor the opportunities are out there. Once you read in the Media Portals that this is the way to go you missed out on the best window of opportunity. As long as there is such a large percent of buyers sitting on the fence Rental demand will be high and as we all know “supply & demand” side economics will assure you a good return on your investment. Now with that said let’s look at how the Condominium activity turned out for the month of October in Marina Del Rey, CA. There were 145 Active listings which was a drop 9.5% from the previous month’s inventory. There were 10 properties in Back-up Status which was 33% drop from the previous month. There were 2 on Hold Status (generally an indication of Short Sales) there were 8 Pending waiting to close. This was a 28% drop from the previous month. Interestingly with numbers like this I would anticipate a huge drop in the Sold category. Ironically that was not the case instead the Sold numbers were virtually identical.September there was 21 Sold Condominiums and for the month of October there were 20 Sold Condominiums virtually identical. This to me is a very interesting number, with all the turbulence occurring there is still a steady activity of sales occurring in the Marina Del Rey Condominium sales. The most expensive sale was a 4 bedroom with 3 baths of approximately 1904 living square feet of space for $1,050,000, close to the ocean. So if you wanted walking distance to the sand this would have been a great opportunity to purchase. Hence there is one lucky buyer who will have the sand as their backyard. The least expensive sale was for $261,000. This was a one...
read moreHappy Halloween from your Beverly Hills CA Realtor: Endre Barath, Jr.
Happy Halloween from your Beverly Hills CA Realtor: Endre Barath, Jr. I have enclosed a few pictures of decorated homes in West Los Angeles. There are so many wonderfully decorated homes in the Greater Los Angeles, I just happened to be driving by these homes and thought to share with you. Here is a small Trivia: Did you know that the “Irish immigrants” who fled the Potato Famine of Ireland brought with them the “Halloween Tradition which we know today as “Trick or Treating”? It was more of an “extortion”, “if you give sweets, then we will not deface your home” and to this day it is still a favorite tradition for young children to go home to home and as for “sweets” So Halloween remains a Scary Tradition for young and old. If you want a cool website that tells all about Halloween please check this out http://www.halloween.com/ Hope you enjoyed some of these pictures of the homes I enclosed . If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue...
read moreHave you read “The Protector” by David Morrell?
Have you read “The Protector” by David Morrell? This book came out in 2004 at the height of the Booming Economy and smoking Real Estate Market. I bought the book as being a long time fan of David Morrell, started reading it and then discovered that after page 118 the book jumped to page 183. The publisher and the quality control were sleeping at the wheels. Since I was a long time fan and a book collector I did not see a big problem and immediately ordered another book with the all the pages. Then life came into play, so with that said I just finally got to read this book. I loved it; it was such a page turner I cannot even tell you which other book of David Morrells’ I could compare it to. He did not disappoint me one bit. This was such a fast paced action book, that if I did not have to work and try to generate clients and keep Escrows in Escrow I would have stayed up all weekend to read it. If you have never read anything by him or cannot recognize the name, then think of “ Rambo”,” First Blood”, “Covenant of the Rose” I could go on and on. One of my all time favorite was Double Image. This is truly a fun and fast read. If I was not a Realtor who is trying to keep Escrows in place and market listings and answer questions about all my listing, then I would have stayed up (like in the good old days) and read it from start to finish over the weekend. It is truly a page turner. Now with that said, this is not for everyone, if you prefer slow paced romance books that have no message, and then this is not for you. If you like action, romance, plausible “this is probably a true story camouflaged as a mystery” than this book is for you. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations. ...
read moreUpdate on our Third Cat: Jill
Update on our Third Cat: Jill As some of you know our household consists of Dougy, Jack & Jill, our three Cats. Dougy came from the Lange Foundation and Jack knocked on our Patio Door and insisted that we let him in. Jill was the latest addition from the Lange Foundation as well. Needless to say we went thru some Cat relationship dynamics. Those of you, who have cats, know what I am referring to. Specifically, that the dynamics change when a cat is added to the house hold or if one goes to Rainbow Bridge. Not trying to bore you with the details. When Jill was incorporated into our household, Jack got along with her instantaneously. Dougy on the other hand kept hissing, growling and was basically not in favor of the new addition to the house hold. As a Realtor who works out of the home, mostly on the Internet and on the phone outside of showing properties and checking out listings, I had the distinct privilege of watching how these three were trying to work out their issues. Little help from me, Diane and “Mr. Water Squirt bottle” the task was moving right along. As you can see from the pictures looks like the adjustment has been made. Anyway what is the saying a Picture is worth a thousand….. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations....
read moreWhat are your thoughts about Incentives to the Buyer’s Agent vs Incentives to the Buyer?
What are your thoughts about Incentives to the Buyer’s Agent vs Incentives to the Buyer? I have seen over the years Sellers and Seller’s Agents offering various incentives. Bonus to Buyer’s Agent, Bonus to Buyer in form of closing costs, additional or higher commissions to Buyer’s agent if full price or closing by a certain date. My belief has been that if you price a property correctly and market it correctly by strategically staging the home and exposing the home to all potential buyers and buyer’s agent the property will sell within the period the absorption rate allows for the type of home. I also believe that the higher commission is offered both Seller’s and Buyer’s Agent work more diligently to keep the transaction on track not letting it get derailed for the wrong reasons. The other day I received an e-mail about an $8 million + home with a very nice brochure and this incentive. I would be interested on what your thoughts are? Let me know if I am wrong and where am I going wrong with my thought process? Now keep in mind this is a luxury home in Malibu CA. The home has all the amenities one would expect from an eight million dollar ocean view home. Now if you are reading this and you are a potential interested party and you will want to be represented by me, I will give you the vacation package as a closing gift to you and I will keep the car. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations. ...
read moreTinker,Taylor,Soldier,Spy by John le Carre the Book Review
Tinker, Taylor,Soldier,spy by John le Carre the Book Review In fairness to disclosure, I have almost every John le Carre’s books. This one, I read when it came out and the impetus was to re-read it, since the movie is coming out soon and I had virtually no recollection of the story. Well I am glad I re-read it. This book is the first of a trilogy that le Carre’ has written. ( I suspect had I not re-read the book I would have challenges following the movie) This is not a spoiler alert, because the story is simple, but you will be wondering who is the mole or double agent in the book during the entire time. To me Le Carre’ book brings back memories of Guy Burgess and Kim Philby (double agents & moles of the British Secret Service) the quest to find the mole, the double agent. That is the mission of George Smiley the anti James Bond of the British Secret Service. He is not the glamorous, nor is he the sexy male spy that women dream about. He is the overweight and an out of shape middle aged man, for whom you would not turn around twice if he walked by you. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 email me athomes@endrebarath.comor visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.comYour Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue...
read moreBouillabaisse-Marseille-France-Legendary Fish-Stew-Soup
Bouillabaisse-Marseille-France-Legendary Fish-Stew-Soup When you think of Marseille what comes to your mind? Mischief, Sailors, Debauchery, Vice, Vulgarity and of course Bouillabaisse, Marseilles is one, if not the oldest city in France. The history of this seaport city goes back to the days of Julius Caesar and Pompey. Marseilles has weathered time and has become outside of Paris a Cultural Center. This is not the Marseilles of “French Connection” fame. Enough digressing let me give you what you really want: The World Famous Bouillabaisse ala Endre Barath Marina Del Rey Style. Since I do not want to insult, the great Seaport and their Residents that I was not “true” to their time tested recipe hence, I had to add this disclaimer’s First let’s address the main ingredient: Fish Stock. This is generally made with tiny, flavorsome fish, generally to many bones and not enough meat on them. Since we are not in the Mediterranean seaport, we have to have substitutes. Recommend fish heads, frames, bones and tails. Try relatively bland fish such as (whiting, halibut) I am lucky I go to King Harbor in Redondo Beach. (Try to find a fishmonger and get as many small to medium fish heads and tails at a great price.) Try not to use, mackerel, sardines or bluefish they are too oily. Ingredients: ½ of olive oil, 2 large onions ( I like sweet onions), 2-3 leeks (whites only), 4-6 cloves of garlic, crushed, the fish & heads and bones, 1lbs can of plum tomatoes( or fresh ripe plum tomatoes if in season), Orange Zest (strip of rind without the whites), 1-2 celery stalks (cut in pieces) 2-3 sprigs of fresh thyme( or if none available get the dried version about a couple of tea spoons ) 3-4 bay leaves and ½ a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or any medium hot red pepper. A pinch or two of Saffron and a cup of Pernod or if none available cognac will do as well. And fresh black pepper either ground or cracked and four quarts of boiling water Here are the steps to prepare the fish stock : 1. Heat the olive oil, 2. Saute the onions, leeks and garlic for about 10 minutes or so than add the fish parts ….stir aggressively without regard for concern for crushing the material until the fish peaces start falling apart.3. Then add the tomatoes, orange zest, celery and the seasonings (thyme, pepper etc) lower the heat as not to burn them and as the flavors blend together 4. Pour the boiling water over all the material and simmer for about 20-30minutes. Most important step 5. Pour the mixture through a chi-noise or a food mill, with small quantities of fish scraps and the vegetable, press hard squeezing the material to get the “stock” do not quit early squeeze every drop out (that is where the flavors are). This is physically and timely consuming. Once you are satisfied that you got most of the Stock to be had, discard the fish scraps. This juice is your foundation of the Bouillabaisse. Now step 6. take shrimp, mussels, clams and a relatively inexpensive fish fillets like rock fish (about a pound of each) in a separate container steam the mussels and clams in water (save juice for later, do not add to...
read moreOctober 23, 1956: A day remembered by all freedom loving Hungarians around the world
On the afternoon of October 23, 1956, that is fifty five years ago a peaceful demonstration started in Budapest, Hungary that grew to about 200,000 plus people and they wanted freedom from oppression, they wanted democracy and most of all they wanted national independence from the Communist Soviet Regime. The government in return with the help of the Soviet armed force began to suppress this spontaneous and popular uprising. This uprising was’ the seed of hope’ which was planted into the young and old, communist and non communist Hungarian’s mind. The fact that the Communist controlling power was paralyzed for a few days and hours was hard to comprehend around the world. This event gave the opportunity for many Hungarians to escape the oppressive puppet government and hundreds and thousands of Hungarians crossed the border to Austria and in turn landed all over the world in various “free societies” such as West Germany, France, England, Australia, South Africa and the United States just to name a few who welcomed these Hungarian emigrants. In memory of the heroes of the Hungarian Freedom Fighters of 1956, monuments have been erected all over the world to commemorate this event. Particularly the survivors wanted to show, how grateful they were to those who lost their lives to give them freedom. The Hungarian community in Los Angeles has erected a Freedom Fighter’s Memorial as well. It is located at Mindszenty Square inside MacArthur Park. This is a 60 feet high monument and it makes it the tallest monument in Los Angeles. Millions of people see it every year and of course on October 23rd it is the focal point for Politicians, Diplomats and Hungarians local and nearby, who come to commemorate the fallen freedom fighters and celebrate the fact that they are free in their adopted country. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations. Október 23, 1956: Egy napeszébe jutottmindenszabadságszeretőmagyaroka világ minden tájárólAdélutánoktóber 23, 1956, azaz55évvel ezelőttegy békéstüntetéskezdődöttBudapesten, Magyarországonnőtt200.000, plusz az emberek ésazt akarták,szabadságaz elnyomás,akartáka demokrácia éslegfőképpenakartáknemzeti függetlenség, a kommunistaszovjetrendszer. A kormánycserébesegítségévela szovjetfegyveres erőkezdteelnyomniaspontán ésnépfelkelés.Ezt afelkelést“a mag a remény“, amelyet ültetettbe afiatalok és idősek, a kommunistaés nemkommunistamagyarfejében. Az a tény, hogy a kommunistahatalomellenőrzésemegbénultnéhánynap ésóranehéz voltfelfogniaz egész világon.Ez az eseményadta alehetőségetsok magyarmenekülni aelnyomóbábkormányés több százés több ezermagyarátlépte a határt, hogy Ausztria ésviszontlandolta világ minden tájáról, különböző “szabad társadalmak”, mint például Nyugat-Németországban, Franciaországban, Angliában, Ausztráliában, Dél-Afrikaés az Egyesült Államokcsaknéhányat említsünk, fogadtak be ezeket amagyaremigránsok.Amemória ahősöka MagyarSzabadságharcos1956-os, műemlékek állítottak fela világ minden tájáról, hogy megemlékezzenek a rendezvényen.Különösena túlélőkmeg akarta mutatni, mennyire hálásvoltak, akik életüket vesztették, hogy nekik a szabadság.A magyarközösségLosAngelesemeltFreedomFighteraMemorialis.Nem található aMindszentytérenbelülMacArthurPark. Ezegy 60méter magasemlékmű, és ez teszia legmagasabbemlékműLos Angelesben.Emberek millióilátniminden évben, és természetesen október 23-ánez afókuszpontapolitikusok, diplomatákés amagyaroka helyi ésa közelben,akik jönnek, hogy megemlékezzenek a bukottszabadságharcosokés ünnepeljükazt a tényt, hogy ezek mentesek a sajátelfogadottországban. Ha Ön fogyasztó, aki azt fontolgatja, vételi és eladási otthoni, befektetési ingatlan, nyaralás lakások, vagy tulajdonságokat strandon Dél-Kaliforniában, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West...
read moreWhere is Jill? Jill is missing in Marina Del Rey,CA
Where is Jill? Jill is missing in Marina Del Rey,CA As some of you know we have three cats, Dougy, Jack & Jill. Well I see Jack but where did Jill disappear to? Please help us find her. We have been looking all over for her. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue...
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