Blog
Thanksgiving is over you have been Meme’d & Tagged!BTW I am modifying the Rules:))
Well I was off AR for a few Days, shopping, cooking and eating the Thanksgiving Traditional over indulgences. I truly took time off, did not even go on AR. I checked my mail and there is Mary Strang from Viroqua, WI, letting me know she meme’d me. Thanks to Steve Mattison from the Ozarks I was a pro at this Now :))) I am a book collector, finding a book in our place is not a problem, finding a “normal book” in my home office is hard, since they are mostly reference books, sprinkled with a few other book, which have been banished from public display, since no one is allowed into my home office. Hardest part is who will be my next five victims /selection to be meme’d; the last time I selected, only two out of five played the game. So who shall they be? What criteria should I use to select the next five? So without any further hesitation: “Wooden a lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court” by Coach John Wooden with Steve Jamison. P56 5th sentence “…The desire then and now is the same. The difference is that everybody worries about it more today because of the media and the attention they give to the question of who’s winning and who’s losing…..” With that I am modifying the rules Book Meme Powers forgive me:)): Get the book you are currently reading. Go to page 56, and then go to paragraph 5, then fifth sentence. Write as much as you feel it meets the needs and Tagg five other candidates. Gail Tassey from Austin TX you have been Meme’d & tagged. Jessica Bigger from Eureka, Ca you have been Meme’d & tagged. Anne Hensel & Manuela Baginski from Florida you have been Meme’d & tagged. Sharon Richards from Tampa Florida you have been Meme’d & tagged....
read moreMarina Del Rey, CA, Condominium Sales Activity Report (#4)
I hope everyone has enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgivings weekend. Mine was great as well, hence the delay of this important report. This reporting period covers the Condominiums which sold from October 28th 2008 to November 28th,2008. The Pending (in Escrow) as well as the Back – Up (in Escrow contingencies not removed) to date. Also I have included the Condominiums which are currently active on the Market to date. Last month we had 18 sold vs. this month we had only 14 sold. Keep in mind traditionally when the holiday season enters, normally there is a drop in the Sales Activity for Real Estate. A large majority of the consumer is focusing on activities other then Real Estate Sales. The Highest Priced Sale was $1,450,000.00 the least expensive sale was $351,000.00. There are 15 Pending Sales and 10 accepting Back up Offers. So for comparison to last month almost identical numbers (last month 25 were pending). The Highest Priced Pending is $1,599,000.00 (list price) and the least expensive pending is $399,900.00 There are currently on the market, for sale 197 Condominiums vs. last month’s 199. I hope you find these numbers not only interesting, but valuable as well. I would like to wish all my readers a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year and I will try to give next month’s and the year to year comparison figures at the beginning of the New Year. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills ,Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 (USA) or email me at EndreBarath@TheMLS.Com or visit one of my websites...
read moreHow much is your integrity worth?Would you compromise your ethics as a Realtor over .5%?
How much is your integrity worth? Is half a per cent to one percent of the Sales Price worth compromising you as a Realtor? I just got home, was out for the evening with friends enjoying dinner and then I had to check AR. I know I am addicted. I read a post and it made me angrier as I read on. Yes, we are not doing as well as Realtors as we did in the past few years, nevertheless the majority of us do not rub into the face of the ones who are not doing so well, that we are still surviving. Second it is nothing unusual that 80% of the Sales are made by 20% or less of the rest of the Real Estate Sales community. This is old news; hence I am annoyed that these individuals posted this information “how to take advantage of Struggling RE. Agents…” What made me write this post was, that these Realtors did not make this a member’s only post, rather targeting sellers in their area. As far as I am concerned that they actually believe, that many of the 80% who are not selling would compromise their integrity that is outrageous. I for one do not look at what the commission is on a listing, rather I look at whether it fits my client’s Needs or Not. I would love to know what per cent of the AR community would put their integrity up for sale. I understand that .5% could vary from community to community so let’s say on an average sale of $1million would you not look at your client’s interest first?...
read moreBeing Tagged & Meme’d is it a Blessing or a Curse?
I was driving with a client, back from a physical inspection and looked on my Blackberry and I read this e-mail. It stated: “…You have been tagged & Meme’d..” by Steve Mattison http://activerain.com/stephenmattison from the Ozarks on Active Rain. I did not know what was more stressful discussing the faults of the home or wondering what Meme’d & Tagged meant. Is it bad? Is it good? As soon as I got back I started Googling “meme’d”, amazingly it referred me to Active Rain a Group called Meme…. Well with that, here I am. I still do not know is it a Blessing or a Curse? One I have to talk about me, will I be weak, strong, foolish, serious or a goof? It is so much easier to write a post and ask others of their thoughts, wisdom and knowledge, then to talk about me and pick others to be tagged & meme’d. Then I realized it is a Book Meme. Oh not to worry I do not need to talk about me. What a relief. So here we go: p56 sentence 5 be seen and known as a leader-Stand in front of the group, and tell them or get involved in a group and lead them. Show up where everyone is-all the time.(from The Little Red Book of Selling, Jeffrey Gitomer) Then as the thought process continues, who should I pick? Have they been already meme’d? How can I find out? Now back to AR and there it is an alphabetic list of who has been mem’d. Now back to whom should I pick? With that said here I go: Lou Ludwig http://activerain.com/louludwig he is very inspirational read his posts 2. Chris Gempeler http://activerain.com/mountaintoprealtor he turned me on to Active Rain. 3. Cheryl Frei http://activerain.com/cherylfrei she has a great heart a very caring person and a great cook. 4. Alexandra Stewart http://activerain.com/alexsa she sent me a card that really is meaningful “…Learn from Yesterday, Live for Today, Hope for Tomorrow…”( Albert Einstein) how appropriate in today’s times. 5. William Johnson http://activerain.com/williamjohnson your San Diego go to Realtor. Then the brain is working overtime, did I do this right? Oh well who cares, the fellow Active Rainers will comment and tell me anyway. So why was I worrying, no reason to? Thank you Steve. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills ,Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 (USA) or email me at EndreBarath@TheMLS.Com or visit one of my websites...
read moreDo you think the Real Estate Market is bad, Look at ‘ the Century’ in Century City, CA?
By now I am sure everyone has heard that in the City of Angels, there is a new address. The Marketing brochure calls it “Heaven Has a New Address”. The actual address is 2055 Avenue of the Stars. The developers named it “The Century”. It consists of a forty two storied building on almost four acres of lush greenery and soothing waters,Designed by the the Architects Robert A.M. Stern. This is the ultimate in what one would think of California Life Style. It is not for every ones taste or likes nor is it for everyone’s budget. One would be purchaser made local and world news. Currently there are twenty actively marketed in the Multiple Listing Service on the West Side of Los Angeles under the geographic designation of Century City. There are ten showing Pending. They are waiting for completion and certificate of occupancy. Even though the news media and the gossip columnist said that it sold, that is poetic exaggeration. I will just highlight a few of the amenities: a 75 foot pool & cabanas, tranquil walking paths, magnificent landscaped gardens, private concierge closets on each floor to deliver the mail, packages and anything that is needed to be delivered. Of the twenty units on the Market in the Local Multiple Listing Service,the price range is anywhere from a low $3,650,000 to a high of $27,000,000. the average is around $4-$5million.If you would like to buy one of these dream units feel free to contact me. I am not representing the Developers and I would gladly help with your purchase. Of the ten units showing as pending, the average is around $6million and one is $16.5million and the other one is $24.5million and the one everyone has heared about is $27million. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills ,Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 (USA) or email me at EndreBarath@TheMLS.Com or visit one of my websites at...
read moreDo you negotiate a Home Warrantee? What is a Home Protection Plan?
I was inspired to write about this, by reading a recent consumer’s question on AR Re.: Discovering a roof leak, who will cover it? There were nice answers, good suggestions, but no one asked this new home owner, whether they had a Home Protection Plan. When I represent a buyer, I automatically advise them to ask the Seller for a home warrantee. First and foremost I spell out, that at the minimum, there should be a Roof protection, pool and Spa and the equipment that goes with it. I also include the appliances; again I spell it out, stove, washer, dryer and refrigerator. This home protection plan can be customized to what buyers and sellers and agents perceive as important areas, where protection is needed. For example Air Condition and Heating are important to some buyers. I create a discussion prior to writing the offer, during our search for the right property is part of my ‘Talking Points’. When we get to writing the offer it becomes, “…oh thank you for reminding us…” I even joke about it. “…as much as I love to hear from you….I do not want you to call me with the dreaded question….Who will pay for this repair it was not disclosed…”. It is very important to have this Insurance Policy for harmonious relationship and peace of mind. This also prevents adversarial phone calls or letters. If you do not negotiate this for your buyers, then you are doing a disservice to all parties, sellers, buyers and agents. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills ,Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 (USA) or email me at EndreBarath@TheMLS.Com or visit one of my websites...
read moreWhat are You Doing to Safeguard Your and Your Clients’ Personal Information?
As a Realtor we have access to financial information, Tax information, Tax I.D. Income, where our clients live, work and much more sensitive information to name a few, that and much more sensitive information to name a few, that our clients trust us with. As their trusted real estate advisor how do you safeguard their personal and financial information? First Recommendation is to have a good shredder at home. As soon as I do not need some papers into the shredder it goes. Second install anti-spy ware, anti-virus, and firewall software on your personal computer. Keep updating your operating system for current security patches. I have MacAfee, they are great. I have it on automatic program. As a new patch arrives, it automatically uploads it on my computer. If you take your lap top on the road, make sure you lock your laptop and have password protection on it. I know this is a hard one to do, but never save your online ID, password, or PIN to automatically enter a site. If you do not take this advice at least do it on your financial sites such as your Savings, Checking and 401k accounts. I try to keep safe and secure not only my personal information, but my clients’ as well. I take all papers home from my office. I have a home office set up with Printer, Shredder, safe cabinet and PC. In today’s world of instant access to information we have to stay vigilant. Maintaining your and your client’s privacy to personal information is a must. It is also important to be internet vigilant, since we get a lot of Leads via the Internet. If I missed some points please add to the list. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills ,Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 (USA) or email me at EndreBarath@TheMLS.Com or visit one of my websites https://www.endrebarath.com...
read moreThe Secret is getting out. So do you know where Baldwin Hills CA is?
When I moved to Los Angeles about twelve years ago I got a listing near View Park and Baldwin Hills. I was very excited, one listing came after another. They were nice middle class neighborhood homes one of the sellers was trying to move up in home and we looked in Baldwin Hills. In those days it was the best kept secret. This was an upper middle class to very affluent neighborhood. Views were and are out of this world. Postcard view of Downtown Los Angeles, views of the Hollywood Sign, views of Griffith Park Observatory and the Hollywood Hills. At night it was magical to see the lights.(price was very reasonable in comparison to the Hollywood Hills homes) So you ask where is Baldwin Hills? Baldwin Hills is in southwestern Los Angeles, CA. It consists of part of unincorporated Los Angeles County, View Park, Windsor Hills and Ladera Heights. Borders on the West are Culver City and on the South East bordered by Inglewood. Now the secret is almost out, there is a show on BET called Baldwin Hills. I have mixed emotions about the word getting out. The demographics were African American celebrities, judges, doctors. The locals nicknamed it the “Black Beverly Hills”. Some of the famous residence consisted of the late Ray Charles, Nancy Wilson, Tina Turner and the late Mayor of Los Angeles Tom Bradley to name a few. Presently there are celebrities still living there whose names I will not mention. Some have won Oscars others have been nominated. This neighborhood, just as any other part of Los Angeles consists of whites, Asians and Latino families residing there, just in smaller per cent. The homes are boasting of Views, and great living square feet, with pools and spas. My clients and I used to laugh, once Starbucks and Barnes & Noble move in, then the word is going to get out and it will not be a secret any more. Well I just noticed that Starbucks in opening near by and the word is getting out. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills ,Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 (USA) or email me at EndreBarath@TheMLS.Com or visit one of my websites...
read moreHow do you determine your Vacant Land List Price?
How do you determine your Vacant Land List Price? This is not majical or mystical, rather it is quite scientific. I am a firm believer that correctly pricing any property is critical. When it comes to Vacant Land correct pricing is more important then ever. Generally the buyers are very knowledgeable and savvy; hence it is important that you did the right formula to derive at a correct list price. My formula is simple: 1. Difficulty of building has to be factored in. 2. What is the future Value of a Home that will be built on the site? 3. How much investigation has been done on the lot? 4. How long will the approval process take? 5. Now since money is harder to get that has to be factored in as well. If you look at all the above factors you will be able to derive at a truly fair market value of the Vacant Land. The buyers use the same formula, why should you not either. Feel free to add to this...
read moreWhy Are You on AR? When did you Truly join AR?Reflections of a relatively Newbee on AR
I need to ask you, why are you on AR? What are you looking for? What do you want to achieve? What is your purpose on AR? I want to share and tell you that my goal and purpose is. I want Referrals, new clients and more business. I have evolved and grown on AR. Initially I was one who just joined, then learned, faltered and has grown and is still learning and growing on AR. I have always been a slow learner. Nothing came easy; everything came always the hard way. The good news it was/is memorable.:))) I have been on AR since …..then I did not understand what it was about. I just thought this was another great place to put my name and contact information on it and see what happens, maybe I will benefit and get some additional clients…. I consider September 2008 as my true joining of AR. Cautiously gingerly I started reading Posts then made some comments……Then I began to learn. I learned about the difference between a Blog, a Post and a Comment. I started to learn about outside vs. inside blog. I did not see myself as a Blogger, someone who would put his heart and soul out for every one to Read. I felt safe just commenting. Look at me today; I have numerous posts and comments…. Somewhere along this Road I picked up some new friends, lots of knowledge and some people, who do not know me, misunderstand me, because I am outspoken and say what I mean. I have found some friends, others who have dropped to mere acquaintances and others elevated to true friends. BTW I have barely been here four months. So with that said: when did you truly join AR? What have you received? What have you given to the...
read more