Archive for August, 2009
HOAs are Going Green
August 29th, 2009 Categories: Real Estate Tools
As energy costs rise and resources become scarcer, more homeowner associations are finding ways to reduce energy consumption and “go green.” With state legislation placing limits on the authority of HOAs to prohibit or regulate certain energy generation devices and energy efficient measures,the issue has come to the forefront of the attention of both HOAs and owners. Given all of this, what are some ways homeowner associations can be proactive in creating or encouraging green practices?Recycling. If your HOA has centralized trash collection, contract with your trash removal contractor to also provide for recycling. If your community has curbside pickup, recycling may be included in the cost of that pickup. Encourage all residents to recycle.
Reduce Water Consumption. Many HOAs have overly ample open space, much of which may be landscaped with lush grass. While grass is attractive, there are many turf and xeriscaping alternatives that require less, if any, water. Consider replacing high-water consuming plants with plants that require less water. Allow owners to install xeriscaping, subject to any approval requirements for any landscaping project.
Read the rest of the story at The Valerie Fitzgerald Group.
The Valerie Fitzgerald Group specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the West Los Angeles brokerage community. She’s also the author of Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business.
| Currently No Comments »
Luxury Market on the Rebound: The Carlyle Residences Lead the Way
August 27th, 2009 Categories: Real Estate Tools
Los Angeles Real Estate on the Rise
The affluent consumer market is on the rise. The Luxury Consumption Index (LCI) shows that consumer confidence is increasing, as the average dollars spent on luxury goods is up year to date and from first quarter to second quarter of this year. Buyers, brokers and developers alike express optimism, forecasting that the more than two-year decline in homes sales is over and that the consumer market is emerging from the recession, putting purchasing power back on the market. Marked by August posting a third consecutive month-to-month gain in Los Angeles home prices, the real estate market is gearing up for a bright fall with brisk sales.
According to Valerie Fitzgerald, luxury real estate broker and head of sales at The Carlyle Residences – “Buyers are back – but expectations are higher. No longer in a wait-and-see position, they are ready to buy but want better quality and a stronger investment value, which has forced the marketplace to re-evaluate, adjust and deliver on its promises. In real estate, true luxury stems from a combination of Location, Space and Finishes. Properties that can deliver on all three are seeing buyers returning, ready to make a purchase.”
Read the rest of the story at The Valerie Fitzgerald Group.
The Valerie Fitzgerald Group specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the West Los Angeles brokerage community. She’s also the author of Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business.
| Currently 1 Comment »
Carlyle Residences penthouse preview: Head to the top floor
August 26th, 2009 Categories: Video Posts
About The Carlyle Residences: The Penthouse
These new Los Angeles hi-rise luxury condos on the Wilshire Corridor are an oasis in the modern world. The Carlyle Residences from ELAD Properties, developer of NYs Plaza Hotel, brings the most anticipated new luxury construction to L.A.
The penthouse offers the properties top amenities. Views from all windows and on multiple balconies to the Wilshire corridor, to Westwood, to the Pacific Ocean. The floor plan offers more than 6,000 sq ft to mold into your primary home or a secondary residence that requires no effort or maintenance while you’re away.
Incredible volume with 11 ft ceilings, spacious layout, private elevator foyer, gourmet kitchen by Poggenpohl with Miele appliances, stunning city & ocean views. 24-hr concierge access/valet/doorman, fitness center by Sports Club/LA, pool, private dining, wine cave, lounge, entertaining room with full catering kit. Grand 2-story lobby featuring Chihuly & Fendi CASA.
To preview the property contact the sales office at 301-209-0000.
The Valerie Fitzgerald Group specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the West Los Angeles brokerage community. She’s also the author of Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business.
| Currently 1 Comment »
On the road again: a packing survival guide for your next move
August 24th, 2009 Categories: Moving Tips
Even if you are just moving across town, to the beach near Santa Monica, or up to the Hollywood Hills…any time you pack up your home there are a million things to remember and take into consideration. With that said…there is no shortage of advice on moving.
There are books devoted to the subject, ideas on the Internet and most moving companies offer tips.
But there’s nothing like benefiting from the wisdom of those who have gone before you. That’s right, people who have made moves and are still coherent enough to talk about it.
Here’s 10 tips from everyday people who gave their best advice in chat rooms and Internet forums.
1. Start early. By far the top advice offered. Packing takes longer and is more difficult than most think. By starting to pack early, perhaps doing a room a day, there will not be the frantic rush at the end. You will also be more organized. When you run out of time or are burned out by doing everything at the end, you will throw the unpacked stuff in a box, tape it up and send it on its way.
Find the other nine tips to pack like a pro at Valerie Fitzgerald Group.
By Rick Hazeltine on Moving.com
Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the West Los Angeles brokerage community. She’s also the author of Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business.
| Currently No Comments »
L.A. home sales continue to make gains through summer months
August 20th, 2009 Categories: Real Estate Tools
Los Angeles definitely may be feeling like there are some angels on her shoulders.
In July, L.A. witnessed a 22.6 percent rise in home sales, compared to July 2008 says Los Angeles based MDA DataQuick.
Deals are still to be found, as average home prices continued to fall, down nearly 20 percent last month.
A total of 8,082 homes sold in July, up from 6,592 last year. Median home prices are down nearly $80,000 from one year ago in Los Angeles county. You’ll pay approximately $321,000 for a home that ran about $400,000 last year.
Demand tends to be concentrated in lower- to mid-priced homes where buyers can’t fathom prices will drop any lower. Multiple offers are beginning to pop up like witnessed during the peak of the market several years ago. In some instances bidding wars drive up the final sales price over listing price.
But with job losses and foreclosures showing no sign of slowing to a loud whisper, many analysts remain skeptical the market’s hit bottom.
Even though 80 percent of sales take place in the lower to mid priced market, luxury real estate is beginning to see more activity as well. Many home owners in L.A. affluent neighborhoods are excepting their fate. They’ve come to terms with what their homes will fetch or they really want to move or a job has taken them to another market.
Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the West Los Angeles brokerage community. She’s also the author of Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business.
| Currently No Comments »
Higher Walk Score means more cash for home buyers
August 19th, 2009 Categories: City News
If your house is located within easy walking distance to Starbucks, Whole Foods, great dry cleaners and hip restaurants with top chefs, your “home sweet home” could command $4k to $34k more than similar houses in less walkable neighborhoods.
“Walking the Walk,” was a study conducted by CEOS for Cities, a firm that promotes sustainable and friendly-living towns and cities. The study drew on approximately 90k recent home sales in 15 markets in the US.
Find L.A. walk scores & rest of the story at Valerie Fitzgerald Group.
Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the West Los Angeles brokerage community. She’s also the author of Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business.
- Walk score snapshot of West L.A. neighborhood
| Currently No Comments »
The Carlyle: Moving day is coming soon
August 18th, 2009 Categories: Real Estate Tools
We’ve really progressed. The circular drive is seeing its finishing touches, along with the landscaping and expansive fountains that pepper the entire property. Parking is a breeze with 24 hour valet parking…You’ll always have an extra hand to assist.
About The Carlyle Residences
These new Los Angeles hi-rise luxury condos on the Wilshire Corridor are an oasis in the modern world. The Carlyle Residences from ELAD Properties, developer of NYs Plaza Hotel, brings the most anticipated new luxury construction to L.A.
Incredible volume with 11 ft ceilings, spacious layout, 3bd/4.5ba, private elevator foyer, gourmet kitchen by Poggenpohl with Miele appliances, stunning city & ocean views. 24-hr concierge access/valet/doorman, fitness center by Sports Club/LA, pool, private dining, wine cave, lounge, entertaining room with full catering kit. Grand 2-story lobby featuring Chihuly & Fendi CASA.
To preview the property contact the sales office at 301-209-0000.
Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the West Los Angeles brokerage community. She’s also the author of Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business.
| Currently No Comments »
Hollywood Reservoir Reopens To The Public
August 17th, 2009 Categories: City News
HOLLYWOOD—The scenic Hollywood Lake was reopened to the public early August at the intersection of Montlake Drive and Tahoe Drive after a four-year hiatus.
Present at the trail was District 4 Councilmember Tom LaBonge and those eager to see the trail reopened for public use on Thursday morning. The lake, which holds a large percentage of the Los Angeles water supply, was shut down in 2005 due to excess rainfall.
“The Eastern Perimeter road of the Hollywood Reservoir has been inaccessible since 2005, when landslides caused by record-breaking rainstorms forced its closure for public safety purposes. With its reopening, the roadway will once again serve the community as a recreational walking and jogging path,” Stephanie Interiano of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power stated in a press release.
The LADWP continues to rebuild and redevelop the highly visited trail location. The Los Angeles Council Web site stated, “The hours of operation of the East Perimeter Road have returned to the original seasonal schedule: 6:30 a.m.—7:30 p.m. through the month of August. The West Perimeter Road will remain closed due to landslide repair work.” The western slope repairs are scheduled to be completed by Spring 2011.
From Canyon News
Trail onlooker views Hollywood Reservoir. Photo Courtesy of Water Blogged website. |
| Currently No Comments »
Wilshire Corridor: Living the high life in high rises
August 13th, 2009 Categories: Real Estate Tools
With a limestone clad wave of posh new developments, the Wilshire Corridor is making its biggest play yet to become the Lake Shore Drive of the West.
Since the 60s, more than 30 residential towers have risen on this winding, 10-block stretch Glendon and Comstock, with each entrant touting itself as the latest in living. The newest claimants to the turn-key throne?
The 78-unit Carlyle – opening this month with prices from $2.9 million to $10 million — will flaunt a Fendi Casa-filled lobby, a yoga lawn, Israili-trained and anti-paparazzi guards.
Read the rest of the story at ValerieFitzgerald.com and learn about luxury real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air and West L.A. neighborhoods.
Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the West Los Angeles brokerage community. She’s also the author of Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business.
| Currently No Comments »
Zillow: sales continue to rise on falling prices
August 11th, 2009 Categories: Real Estate Tools
Zillow.com has released its housing stats for the second quarter. Los Angeles metro-area sales were up 11% over the same quarter last year, and prices were down 35% from the 2006 market peak.
As has been true for some time, high-end sellers continue to hold homes on the market longer. Some of the higher median days that homes were listed for sale were in:
- Malibu: 153 days
- Manhattan Beach: 127 days
- Newport Coast: 120 days
- Palos Verdes Estates: 127 days
- Rolling HIlls: 146 days
The highest sale price per square foot, $707, was in Laguna Beach and was down 23% from a year ago. The lowest per-square-foot price was $75 in Lancaster, down 41% from a year ago. The full Zillow report can be accessed here.
Stan Humphries, Zillow’s chief economist, said the rising sales in some markets were encouraging. But he warned: “There are still many hurdles to true market recovery. Foreclosure resales are buoying overall sales numbers, but their low prices are keeping home values down.
Reports of increasing mortgage defaults signal that foreclosures are likely to increase again and peak in mid-2010. With increasing unemployment and high rates of negative equity, we have a fertile breeding ground for even more foreclosures, which add to the already-high level of for-sale inventory that needs to be cleared before values begin to rise.”
From L.A. Times: Peter Y. Hong
Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the West Los Angeles brokerage community. She’s also the author of Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business.
| Currently No Comments »
