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.

In the past we have written about Ed McMahon’s home, which is still up for sale as a short sale, aka, pre-foreclosure.

It is our goal to first serve our clients & we are becoming increasingly busy with short sales & foreclosures. Several months ago, their were only a few luxury homes facing foreclosure or already bank owned. As of today, there were over 20 in the Los Angeles area.  Please note that all information is taken from the mls.

One of these is located in Malibu just north of Peperdine University. Built in 2003, gorgeous Mediterranean  5 bedroom, 7 bathroom gated estate with an ocean view from every room. Sitting on over an acre their is a guest unit and a movie theater. With great outdoor pool, spa, fountain, & built-in barbecue grill, this is perfect for entertaining while enjoying world class ocean views.

For more information on this home & others like this. Please contact Kim Halverson at 1-800-399-9659 extension 357.

Today’s real estate market is not the same as it was yesterday. We must shift our strategies when buying and selling homes, investments, & commercial property. last year our local board of Realtors, Beverly Hills Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors, asked us to share where we saw the market going. Kristine & I submitted our answers & waited.

Little did we know we would be quoted in the LA Times & spark an increased awareness of a buyers market.  Only one sentence made it (in red below). However, people were curious to know what prompted the answer. Well guys and dolls, here’s the question and our unedited response…

Question:
Regardless of market conditions, the residential resale market always offers an opportunity to a wise prospective buyer. Today’s market clearly provides a wider selection and greater negotiating power to buyers than at any time in the last four years, but why should a buyer jump into the market now? What three or four elements must be in place for a home purchase now that outweigh the possibility that prices might fall sometime soon? Wouldn’t it be wiser to wait?

Our Answer:
Wise buyers, like wise investors, know that timing is the key to success. If you wait too long, lose opportunity; act too soon, become premature. When you find the right property at a sound price the buyer wins. Proper representation from your Realtor enables the strong agent to advise the buyer on time and strategy. This is a buyers market with low interest rates and increasing inventory. Negotiating the terms of a sale can become another potential asset for a strong well represented buyer. With increasing risk of inflation, California’s unique economy, and the influx of thousands of people each month into the region make real estate a strong investment for the average perspective buyer.

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Opportunity is available now more than ever in today’s real estate market. To find out how you can take action & participate contact Kim:  1-800-399-9659 x357