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Playa Del Rey, CA Condominium Market Report for February 2012
Playa Del Rey, CA Condominium Market Report for February 2012 Recent data suggest that the worst may be over and that the housing sector has begun to stabilize. This was on MSN.com a widely read portal on the internet. “While we still have a long way to go back to normal, the latest numbers are one more indication that housing is slowly turning the corner,” Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, said recently. David Crowe, the association’s chief economist, added, “We anticipate continued, slow improvement in housing starts and sales through 2012.” Comments like this are being mentioned more often than what we have been used to seeing in the past two years. Now with that said I am still a firm believer that Real Estate is Local and in the Local statistics there are even Micro Markets. One of the main reasons I love Playa Del Rey is because it is a bit remote, or should I say off the beaten path. You cannot get to it directly from Marina Del Rey and it is surrounded on the north side by a Channel and Wetlands as well as on the South side is the LAX and on the West side is the Pacific Ocean and on the East side is more Wetland. Hence it is a destination one has to seek out otherwise one will not know about it. That same ocean view condominiums that you will find in Marina Del Rey, Venice or Santa Monica you will find in Playa Del Rey as well only for a significant discount and the best part unlike the three other communities I mentioned you will seldom find Tourist traffic. Once would think you would be willing to pay extra for that. So let us look how the Real Estate Activity fared in Playa Del Rey, CA There were 47 Active Listings, Accepting Backup Offers were 7, Pending 4 and Sold 7. Very similar to the past two months, check out the link to the previous numbers http://actvra.in/sPy I have noticed an increase of inventory from the previous month and a decrease of Sold properties as well as Pending. 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 310.486.1002or emails me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.comYour Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations. ...
read moreWoofstock 90210 is around the corner, on Sunday March 11th at Roxbury Park, Beverly Hills, Ca
WOOFSTOCK 90210 is around the corner, on Sunday March 11th at Roxbury Park, Beverly Hills, CA. This is how I know that Spring is here. When the Pets 90210 Flyer comes around, I know it is time to plan for a great and hopefully successful Sunday for the Critters. Parking will be difficult for this event. Please be prepared. You can park at Beverly Hills High and either walk (1/4 mile) or take the shuttle (241 Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212). Just a reminder, we ‘Spring Forward’ this Sunday! Please don’t forget to set your clocks an hour ahead before you go to bed Saturday night so you won’t be late for WOOFSTOCK. CHECK out PETS 90210’s website and if you can not make it, then have in your heart and donate as well as tell someone else to go by there this Sunday! http://www.pets90210.org/ Here are some pictures of a Previous Pet adoption event at Roxbuyr Park check it out http://activerain.com/blogsview/1880349/pets90210-s-quarterly-pet-adoption-was-a-raving-success- This is such a great event Please find your Pet by coming to Roxbury Dr at Roxbury Park in Beverly Hills,CA. 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 call at310.486.1002 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 310.486.1002 end_of_the_skype_highlightingor 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 moreCrumbs Bake Shop of Malibu, Beverly Hills, New York & Chicago
Crumbs Bake Shop of Malibu, Beverly Hills, New York & Chicago Do you ever discover something or some place that has been in front of your eyes, but did not notice it before? Well yesterday we did that exactly. We were strolling in Malibu at the Cross Creek Mall. Had a great sandwich (food for another blog postJ) so we saw this sign to Crumbs Bakeshop, we wanted a cup of good coffee. I am not a big fan of the Chain Coffee shops so I am always on the search for small good coffee establishment. So with that my eyes were perked up when we saw this sign. Turns out it is a Cupcake Establishment and Coffee is just an Oh BTW we do that too. As we were there mesmerized by the huge selections and various size of Cupcakes needless to say we walked out with two Lattes and two Cupcakes. Turns out they have a Shop walking distance to my Office in Beverly Hills, almost next to another famous Cupcake Establishment. Now I understand what “Cupcake Wars areJ) all about. So without taking away from this establishment’s history, I found out that they started in New York, I probably read about them, but it did not stick in my head. Well guess what now they did. I will not forget them. So check out this pictures and in case you are wondering one is a Carrot Cupcake and the other is a Chocolate Cheesecake Brownie Cupcake (mine). So please click on the link and check out their 50 different selections as well as their many locations. The cupcakes were moist and delicious. Well worth the money. http://www.crumbs.com/ 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 call at310.486.1002or 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 morePlanned Power Outage in parts of Marina Del Rey, CA
Planned Power Outage in parts of Marina Del Rey, CA Planned power outages give the opportunity to complete ongoing maintenance and upgrade the grid with newer materials and technologies. It is part of Southern California Edison’s long-term plan to help revitalize Southern California’s power grid. This is all good for the long term benefit of better service for the increasing demand that the growing Marina Del Rey population needs. What does that mean in the short term for us consumers of electricity in the Marina? For me specifically since I work out of the House mostly, either a relaxing day or I better go to the nearest Coldwell Banker Office or nearest Starbucks for Internet Service. I opted to relax today and went for a walk to see what Southern California Edison is doing in my complex. Enjoy the pictures that I took with my Blackberry. Well I discovered since it is the 28th of February, some people were moving in and the elevators were not working, also found out one of my neighbors who park next to me in the garage are moving to Wine Country, ironically today. The Stream that meanders around the complex was not running, since it is powered by electricity. Some of the subterranean garages were extremely dark. The always busy Maintenance Department was operating with Generator Power. None of my kitchen appliances were operational, from coffee pot to refrigerator, hence no toasting of anything, no microwaving of anything and I can go on and on. No Television, no radio, no stereo, no internet and not even the Land Line Telephones were functioning. I also discovered how nice and peaceful the complex was with no artificial noise polluting the area. There were only noises from a few birds chirping, one or two people on their balconies making phone calls, outside of that, total silence. Thank you Southern California EDISON for this planned POWER OUTAGE. In spite of the serenity I am glad it is one day out of the year. 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 call at 310.486.1002 or 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 moreBringing back the Fourth of July Fireworks in Marina Del Rey, CA.
Bringing back the Fourth of July Fireworks in Marina Del Rey, CA. As most of you know, last year we did not have Fireworks in Marina Del Rey. The culprit was the County’s Budget Crisis. There is a solution, just like the New Years Fireworks were sponsored by local business people, the Fireworks Show could be done for the Fourth of July as well. The cost of the show is about $115,000.00 and the Community & Marketing Services Division of Beaches and Harbors is handling this great cause of bringing back the Fireworks for the Fourth of July. There are sponsorships available, starting at $100 with acknowledgement on the department’s website and on social media platforms to radio spots and online interactive advertising to a high of $25,000 Finale Presenting Sponsor and everything in between, such as $500,$1000,$5000 & $10,000 sponsorships. This will not only promote the individual donors but it will also enhance the public profile not just in the Marina Del Rey community but the neighboring communities as well. The Fireworks generally bring about 25-30,000 viewers according to the Los Angeles Police Department and county Sheriff’s Department. So if you would like to help bringing back 4th of July fireworks to Marina Del Rey and or would like to promote yourself, then please contact Catrina Love. The point of Contact is Catrina M Love, she is the Senior Marketing Analyst she can be reached at 310.305.9511 or e-mail her at clove@bh.lacounty.gov Just so that you know the fireworks show would be scheduled for Wednesday July 4th at 9pm and it would be a 20 minute fireworks display which could be seen virtually from anywhere in the Marina. So if you want the fireworks show to go on and you can help please reach out to Catrina. 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 call at310.486.1002 or email me athomes@endrebarath.comor visit one of my websites athttps://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations....
read moreBankers & Politicians need to get with it, Period!
Bankers & Politicians need to get with it, Period! Will the Senate Approve the Bill to expedite Shorts Sales to 75 days or sooner? The Answer to this question is not a simple Yes as common sense would dictate. Last year there were at the minimum of six bills related to short sales and none made it beyond committee level. Last week Senator Lisa Murkowski,(R)-Alaska introduced a bill that the Short Sale request of a home owner must be replied to within 75 days. In other words approve, deny or request to extend the response period up to an additional 21 days. The catch is if the lender or servicer fails to respond the homeowners would receive $1,000 each time. This bill is supported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Why would NA R support a bill like this? Flawed as it may be, such as the time line is still ridiculously long and the fine is too small for starters. The answer is clear: Any bill that would shorten the time line and improve the process is worth supporting. Senators Scott Brown, R-Massachusetts & Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio co-sponsored the bill and referred it to the Senate Banking Committee. Now we need to rally and let ever politician know that this Bill should not die a Slow Death in the Committee. The politicians need to understand that here is an opportunity for them to improve on a long drawn out process, which leaves both sellers and buyer in limbo for an extremely long and unnecessary time. Quite frankly I liked one of the bills that failed to pass in the House of Representatives last year, the one that had words to the effect of if the lender does not respond within 45 days the short sale would be considered approved. As I said in my headline: Bankers & Politicians need to get with it, Period! Why do I say that? Simple, it should not be necessary for a Congressional & Senate Bill to get the message thru to the lenders. How about some initiative from the Lenders, just do some soul searching and figure a way out of streamlining, improving and shortening of the response time. Where am I going wrong please let me know if you are for or against this thought process of mine. 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 call at310.486.1002 or email me athomes@endrebarath.comor visit one of my websites athttps://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue...
read moreAre you familiar with Operation Homefront and their Partnership with Chase Bank?
Are you familiar with Operation Homefront and their Partnership with Chase Bank? Are you familiar with Operation Homefront and their Partnership with Chase Bank? Just in case you are not: Operation Homefront is a National Nonprofit Emergency Assistance Organization that provide help to military families and Wounded Warriors. (http://www.operationhomefront.net ) There is a new partnership with Chase Bank ((https://www.chase.com) and Homefront as of today. Chase Bank will Donate 100 Homes and Support to the Nonprofit. Simply Operation Homefront and Chase Bank will match homes in the bank’s inventory with deserving families. The Requirements will be: 1. The recipient must be active duty, National Guard or Reserve, 2. Or have been honorably discharged 3. Do not currently own a home 4. Be financially capable of sustaining the home throughout a transition period and beyond The first priority will go to families who currently live at an Operation Homefront Village, which provides transitional housing for Wounded Warrior families. Along the same line of priorities will be surviving single spouses of those killed-in-action. This is one of the best News I heard today. Not wanting to sound ungrateful, but Chase could probably afford a few more homes. I am hoping that the other Banks will follow Chase’s lead and do the same. After all let’s not forget that last year Banks have evicted wrongfully quite a few military families in financial need. As of this writing the Justice Department is reviewing most of the major banks that carry mortgages of military families to make sure that they are not in any violation of the Service members Civil Relief Act As a Realtor and someone who served in the military, I salute this small step in the right direction and I challenge the other major Banks to follow the Lead. 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 call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.comor 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 morePlaya Vista Residents vs. the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services
Playa Vista Residents vs. the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services Home Owners of the Planned Urban Development are about the battle the City of Los Angeles with good reason. The Parking Enforcement has been busy coming around giving Tickets to vehicles parked in this great self contained community. If you are not a resident you would say “so what is the big deal”? Well they are ticketing the vehicles on Street Cleaning Days. Again you might say “…well it is street cleaning day and the vehicle owners should know better than to park….” The City of Los Angeles is aggressively citing the vehicles with parking tickets on street cleaning days. Ironically for the past three years the Developer has been responsible for the cleaning of the community’s streets and the city of Los Angeles has not. So then why are the City Coffers getting filled with Parking Enforcement Revenue? So the approximately 8000 residents have a legitimate complaint. I find it ironic that the Councilman Bill Rosendahl’s comments were that he was not aware of the problem and at the same time he emphasized even though there are no services provided by the city of Los Angeles the residents and visitors still need to abide by the sign since that is the “law”. So there is a bureaucratic snafu taking place according to the city’s Department of Transportation the planned community’s infrastructure was “not accepted” its streets for various reasons and inadvertently placed the sings before the streets were “accepted”….so none mentioned it to the Parking Enforcement Bureau. Now I am a Realtor who represents buyers and sellers in the Playa Vista Community and tenants and landlords in the Playa Vista Community, not an attorney, but I would not be surprised that there are Residents who will seek legal advice on what to do. So I can see a legal fight brewing about the Street Cleaning as well as the Fines. Stay tuned as I hear updates I will pass it on. 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 call at 310.486.1002 email me at homes@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 Organizations. ...
read moreThe Beverly Hills City Sign (Logo) photographed on a Cold Winter Afternoon!
The Beverly Hills City Sign (Logo) photographed on a Cold Winter Afternoon! The Beverly Hills City Sign (Logo) photographed on a Cold Winter Afternoon! If anyone ever did studies of which City Sign is the most photographed, they probably would discover that it is the Beverly Hills sign. I have lived in quite a few large cities such as Boston, MA and I have never see so many tourist take pictures of the City Sign as they do of the Beverly Hills Sign. There are visitors who fall in love with Beverly Hills and soon after their first visit, they come back and end up buying a luxury home in Beverly Hills. Then again it might have started with falling in love with the temperate climate or maybe this Iconic Sign brings them back. Then again others just take a picture of the sign and take it home with them. In case you did not make it here to Beverly Hills I am posting this picture so you can have this for your collection. The photo was taken with a Blackberry Smartphone by Endre Barath,Jr. Beverly Hills Realtor (photo taken from South West Corner of Little Santa Monica Boulevard on the border of Century City and Beverly Hills) 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 call at 310.486.1002 email me at homes@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 Organizations. ...
read moreCentury City- Westwood Condominium Market Report for January 2012
Century City- Westwood Condominium Market Report for January 2012 Century City-Westwood Condominium Market Report for January 2012 while a bit late for me, never the less it is published before the main stream media’s data comes out. While the short term economic picture may be mired with uncertainty many indicators point to the financial strength of most companies, hence that will translate to consumer confidence and ultimately will reduce the high unemployment figures. That of course will help the Real Estate Activities. That in turn will help the economy. So with that said let me recap December 2011’s numbers as well as January 2012’s so we can properly see the trends: December’s Statistics were as follows: There were 247 Active listings on the Market waiting for a buyer in Westwood-Century City. There were 24 Properties Accepting Backup Offers and 2 on Hold (an indication of Short Sale) and there were 24 Properties Pending waiting for Escrow to Close. There were 43 Sold Condominiums for the month of December in Westwood – Century City. January’s Statistics were as follows: There were 243 Active listings on the Market waiting for a buyer in Westwood-Century City. There were 17 Properties Accepting Backup Offers and 2 on Hold (an indication of Short Sale) and there were 33 Properties Pending waiting for Escrow to Close. There were 34 Sold Condominiums for the month of January in Westwood – Century City. There has been an increase in the Pending Status; hence I am wondering is the decrease in closed transaction due to Lenders taking longer with the Approval Process? I am just thinking out loud. 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 call at 310.486.1002 email me at homes@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 Organizations. ...
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