Whew, say that 5 times fast:
Santa Monica Short Sale: SOLD, Santa Monica Short Sale: SOLD, Santa Monica Short Sale: SOLD, Santa Monica Short Sale: SOLD, Santa Monica Short Sale: SOLD.

Out of breath, tongue-tied, annoyed, just gave up? Well you were not the only one. This was how I felt about one of my most challenging sales ever.  Let me explain. I work with my sister, Kristine, and we do lots of short sales. We’ve become very patient with the banks. But, this sale just about got the best of me.

As you can see from when we blogged about this cool townhouse…it was over a year ago. Yes, it just sold and yes it took 1 year. Here is the drama as it unfolded:

November 2008: List the Townhouse, sellers decide to avoid foreclosure and do a short sale, very honorable & responsible decision. We do open houses & have a lot of interest.

December: the holidays hit, we have tons of interest

January 2009: We get an offer & submit the offer to the bank (Countrywide), woohoo! Still tons of interest, agents & buyers calling on a weekly basis.

February: Bank says they have received the offer & are processing it. Dozens of calls & showings for buyers & agents.

March: Bank does an appraisal says they will be assigning a negotiator. Still dozens of calls & showings for buyers & agents.

April: Bank assigns a negotiator, buyer is gone…got tired of waiting 3 months. Buyers, agents, & neighbors requesting showings. Countrywide merges with Bank of America

May: Buyer is gone, on a mission to find a buyer(s). Open houses, showings, dozens of calls a week. Talks of offers…

June: We get an offer, submit to bank, then 2 more offers come in.

July: Bank has received offer, next month an appraisal will be done again

August: Neighbors start to worry their property value will go down as a result of short sale. One decided to sell before the short sale closes, sold in less than 30 days.

September: Appraisal is scheduled & done, buyers who submitted an offer are still waiting.

October: Appraisal is being reviewed. Buyers are still waiting.

November: Short Sale Approval! Finally!!!

December: We close escrow! Seller avoids a foreclosure, buyer gets a great deal!

The saga continues, as we have several short sales waiting for bank approval…

If you know someone who has stopped paying their mortgage or find themselves asking: “should I pay my mortgage, or buy food” A short sale may be an option to consider. For more information, leave a comment or ask a question.

For the first time in 80 years this home has a new family. Located in Ocean Park, Santa Monica’s West of Lincoln/South of Pico community.  A home rich in history & colonial revival architecture. The Rydgren family bought the home when it was located along Pacific Coast Highway. A family of vision, they owned many properties in the Santa Monica Venice beach communities. The home was moved up the California Incline to its current location.

2323 5th St, Historical Home SOLD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The current owners are happy to have found a home they can grow their family in, walk to the beach, & preserve Santa Monica’s rich history.

Click here to see more photo’s.

To find out how more about homes in Santa Monica, call Kim: 310-309-9130

 

Santa Monica Pier is turning 100!

Tonight’s events:

6pm-6:25pm Grand Re-Opening Ceremony

6:45pm-8:25pm Party on the Pier

8:25pm-8:50pm Centennial Sounds and Lights

8:50pm-9:15pm Grand Fireworks Finale

Can’t wait to see the fireworks!  As you many know you cannot see fireworks on the Pier on July 4th, because they have been banned. This is a very special event.

For more information go here.

Courtesy of Kim Halverson, 360 Realty. #01761439

Historical Landmark home in Ocean Park, West of Lincoln! Walk to the beach, Urth Cafe, & Main St.

Preserved for the next generation, it is now time to pass hands.

This is an opportunity to own a piece of Santa Monica’s unique history. A rare offering on a larger lot in Ocean Park.

With an expansive living & dining area, 4 bedrooms, a den, and timeless architectural details.

A two car garage with an attached guest unit is not a landmark, creating an opportunity to blend the old with the new.

Currently, the only historical home available for sale in Santa Monica. The Baruch-Rydgren House, a Colonial Revival style home was built circa 1925 by prominent Los Angeles building contractor Herbert M. Baruch as a beach house for his family. Originally located at 562 Ocean Front, known as the “Gold Coast”, it was moved to its’ current location by Karl and Alice Rydgren. Between 1935 and 1936, the home was briefly owned by one of the Marx brothers, then Darryl Zanuck.  The home traveled up the California Incline and was placed here in December 1936.

For more information on selling & buying homes in Santa Monica; call Kim Halverson, 360 Realty: 310.309-9130

Also know as the ‘Russian Garbo’ this home was virtually off the radar until being restored in 2005.  Even Julius Shulman, the famed photographer of Neutra’s work, had no knowledge of this historical home.  Restored by James Biber & Marmol Radznier this piece of culture & history has official landmark status.

This home is for the collector, restored, and back on the market, a better price, double lot, ocean views…need we say more?

Oh, okay. Despite the fact that 101 Ocean in now above this gem; the pool is very private.  No top floor views into the pool & frontage.

For more detailed  information, contact Kim Halverson 310-309-9130.

One of life’s little luxury’s is the ability to have information at our finger tips. We’ve found this tip to save time & get information instantly.

Checking flight times? Craving Thai food? Whatever you want to know at any time:  Google SMS is perfect for any cell phone & simplifies fact finding.

Check this out:

Imagine living in this Hip and Eco-Friendly Surf Chalet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step out your back door to the Historical Venice Canals. Carry your board to Venice Beach. Buy your groceries fresh from the Venice Farmer’s Market. Shop, dine, party at Abbot Kinney: all a short walk.

Two beach bungalows with own private yards.
Secured tenants for the past 5 years in other unit rents for $2,100. Own your own piece of Venice’s unique culture.

Venice Beach Duplex Rental Unit

Garage and Guest parking, a total of four parking spaces!

Private roof top deck with views and loft.

 

For more information on our listings please visit here.  We’d love to hear from you. Please comment & we’ll get back to you. We take pride in being a family of Realtors & come from a place of contribution with our clients.

Work of artist: Matty Jankowski

The #1 Question we are  asked lately  is, “What Is A Short Sale?  It’s a really good question especially since many real estate industry professionals don’t know. 
 
I’m going to give you the simplest answer…A short sale can also be thought of as a pre-foreclosure.  In a short sale the lender is willing to take a discount on the note in lieu of foreclosure.  The homeowners have agreed to work with the bank to sell their home due to some type of financial hardship.  Since foreclosures are so expensive for the bank there is motivation and discounts when buying a short sale that are passed onto the buyer.   

Stay tuned for next weeks #2 Question asked from homeowers, “Why Should I Do A Short Sale?”

If you or someone you know is facing financial hardship & may be in need of a short sale for their home: please contact us  to see if we can help avoid foreclosure. 310-430-3948

We found this article to be very informative for our clients. The LA Times Sunday Business section discussed using experienced & specialized Realtors to handle your short sale. Click here to read the full article.

In every consultation, home priced $200,000 to $5,000,000, we are helping homeowners avoid foreclosure, find relief from financial hardships & bad loans.

To arrange your very own consultation, call Kim at 1-800-399-9659 ext 357

Here is our newest listing in Santa Monica. It is priced to go fast & the sellers are very motivated. Please take a look here.

Gorgeous architectural townhouse. Inviting living space with cozy fireplace & new recessed lighting expand to large patio with mature trees; perfect for entertaining and barbecues.

Sky lights fill second floor with light. Cook’s kitchen with granite counter tops & new recessed lighting open to breakfast nook with morning sun.

Extra storage under staircase & in garage. Desirable side-by-side parking, guest spaces, & great Santa Monica location: near St. John’s, Water Gardens, beach, & Promenade.

As always we are here to serve your real estate needs. Contact us to take advantage of today’s opportunities.