The City of Beverly Hills, CA will celebrate 9.02.10 Day. I am sure most readers are familiar with the famous zip code, not necessary everyone connected the dots, but on the second day of the ninth month of this year will be 90210. The date matches the zip code. I think it was very clever of the Mayor of Beverly Hills to do something this iconic as this event. The event will be located at the "old" Robinsons-May's parking lot. (100,000+/- sq feet of which a fourth will be enclosed with air-conditioning for more comfortable dining and seating) Larry King will host the evening of entertainment, gourmet food and fine wine. The cast of 90210 among many celebrities will be there. There are four sister cities with the same name and they will be represented as well.(Cannes, Acapulco, Shanghai ... 07/26/2010

The age old question:  What sells a home?  I have read many articles, posts and comments. There is a school of thought that many agents, brokers believe that the answer is: The Price. I am a firm believer Price is just one of the components. The real reason a house sells is the Realtor®. The Realtor® recommends the price and the marketing strategy. The Better the The Realtor® the faster and for more money the property will sell!What is the Marketing Strategy? It is Staging, Open houses, broker's open houses and internet exposure.Staging is critical, sellers who do not agree to this idea, I tell them it will take a great deal longer to sell their home as well as it will command less money. If they do not want to spend the money for a Professional Stager, then a t the minimum I want them ... 07/23/2010

Los Angeles Notary - Notary in LA I've noticed a lot of escrow companies cutting back on staff.  A recent escrow company I was using had a full time notary on staff but because of cutbacks, they had to eliminate this person.  The problem happened when another escrow officer failed their notary exam.  This is a perfect example on why it's important to have a Los Angeles traveling notary available to meet with clients at the escrow office or at any location.  A great notary company I know in Los Angeles is Notar in LA .  These guys cover all of Los Angeles County including Venice, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Brentwood and the west-side.  I think they are one of the largest mobile notary service in all of Los Angeles.  You can call a Los Angeles Notary specialist a... 07/20/2010

 Sellers and Realtors did you know that Uncle Sam can impede a Closing on your Property? As we all know, we are living in turbulent economic times and the Federal Government needs, wants and will take your Money. So much, that if you are one of the taxpayer's who have failed to pay your income tax, then the Federal Government will put a lien on all your assets. Recorded Federal Tax Liens (IRS) attach to all assets of the taxpayer's properties existing and "future" i.e.: what that person might acquire. Usually you can find these judgments and other type of liens in Schedule B of a Preliminary Title Report. These types of liens are also found through name searches, General Index searches that will show what the taxpayer owns. The Federal Tax Liens have such far reaching effects, that even... 07/19/2010

2 Bed Condos For Sale in Beverly Hills as at 7/18/2010: Number of 2 Bed Condos For Sale: 53 Lowest Priced 2 Bed Condo: $355,000 - HOA $370 per month Highest Priced 2 Bed Condo: $2,195,000 - HOA $1725 per month Smallest 2 Bed Condo Available: 996 sq ft Biggest 2 Bed Condo Available: 2790 sq ft Oldest Listing: 477 days - Listed Since 3/27/2009 For current listings of all 2 Bed Condos For Sale in Beverly Hills, please don't hesitate to call me: Stewart Penn - Penn Properties - (310) 844-6515 Information obtained from the CLAW MLS and deemed reliable but not guaranteed. 07/18/2010

In today’s real estate market, buyer’s still carry the upper hand when it comes to negotiation. And as their Realtor, it’s your job to passionately and intelligently guide and educate your clients through the sales process from start to finish. It’s time to add the ‘social media talk’ to your list. Have the conversation with your clients With online connectivity virtually blanketing the entire world and the expansion of the savvy buyer, it’s important you have a conversation with your clients about disclosure of information regarding their listing on social media sites and communities, like Facebook and Twitter. First, take their social media temperature. Ask them a few questions to gauge their social media engagement and overall understanding of the medium. There are several camps of t... 07/13/2010

The right or wrong decision when signing your home mortgage can mean thousands of dollars difference in interest paid. There are very important considerations to evaluate before you commit to a 15 or 30 year note. For many of us our mortgage payment is the most important financial decision we’ll ever make. Doesn’t it make sense to know as much as possible about the financing of our home? Take the time to thoroughly investigate all of your options!Unbelievably, many of us sign the first mortgage placed in front of us. Typically the excitement of the new home purchase reduces the mortgage to not much more than an afterthought. What you read here could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Your real estate professional has established relationships with the top lenders in your ar... 07/12/2010

Dr. Phil has listed his Beverly Mediterranean Villa for $16.5 Million. According to The MLS, the 8-Bedroom 7-Bathroom house is over 11,000 square feet. The home features a theater, gym, billiard room and a detached 2-bedroom guest casita. Dr. Phil and his wife bought the home in 2002 for $7.5 Million. According to The LA Times, Dr. Phil and his wife are selling because they have bought a hillside view home that they've been admiring for years. Listed by William Dolan of Hilton & Hyland - Photos by photographer Marc Angeles. 07/11/2010

International home buyers are increasingly attracted to property in the U.S., according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2010 Profile of International Home Buying Activity. Several factors, including the strength of the dollar, the value and desirability of U.S. real estate, and the emerging economic recovery, continue to drive international interest in owning a home in this country. “While all real estate in the U.S. is local, the same is not true for property owners,” said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder. “The U.S. continues to be a top destination for international buyers from all over the world. Foreign buyers understand the value of owning a home in this country and can rely on Realtors to help guide them through the complex process of buying property in the U.S. With expert... 07/09/2010

June 2010: Number of Homes Sold: 15 Average Days on the Market: 49 Median Price: $1,642,000 Average List Price: $3,694,000 Average Selling Price: $3,500,000 Lowest Price Home Sold: $1,045,000 Highest Price Home Sold: $8,200,000 Total Sold in Dollars: $52,500,000 Search The MLS - Stewart Penn - Realtor for homes, condos & lofts in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Santa Monica, Malibu, Brentwood, Century City, Westwood, Beverly Center, Miracle Mile, West Hollywood, Sunset Strip, Hollywood Hills, Hancock Park, Sherman Oaks, Studio City and throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Information obtained from The MLS is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Figures have been rounded off for ease of comparison. 07/07/2010

Beverly Hills Condos | Beverly Hills Realtor | 90210 Condos Beverly Gills Condo Sales for June 2010: Number of Units Sold: 6 Average Days on the Market: 34 Median Price: $780,000 Average List Price: $1,623,000 Average Selling Price: $1,610,000 Lowest Price Condo Sold: $515,000 Highest Price Condo Sold: $5,750,000 Total Sold in Dollars: $9,660,000 Search The MLS - Stewart Penn - Realtor for homes, condos & lofts in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Santa Monica,  and throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Information obtained from The MLS is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Photos courtesy of The MLS. 07/07/2010

Heart and Sold, written by top selling Los Angeles celebrity real estate broker Valerie Fitzgerald, takes you on a journey through the emotional and tangible challenges of regaining one’s personal power while building and maintaining a successful business. The book recounts Fitzgerald’s personal journey from unemployed single parent to entrepreneur, philanthropist and corporate executive in the competitive L.A. real estate metropolis. From beginners just getting started to seasoned agents — or anyone in business looking to take their game to the next level — this step-by-step guide teaches readers the art of selling. Order it on Amazon.com. Heart and Sold shows readers how to: Manage clients with style Choose the right company and the best mentor Establish a stellar reputation in their... 07/02/2010

Christophe Choo of the Christophe Choo Real Estate Group at Coldwell Banker Beverly Hills Previews International in Beverly Hills gives you a quick market update on the Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Bel Air & Holmby "Platinum Triangle" Market Areas. Our luxury home market has been booming with many sales from $10,000,000 to $60,000,000 The Christophe Choo Real Estate Group Beverly Hills Real Estate - http://www.ChristopheChoo.com Coldwell Banker Previews International Beverly Hills 301 North Canon Drive, Suite E Beverly Hills, California 90210 Direct line: (310)777-6342 Email: Christophe@ChristopheChoo.com Looking for homes, condominiums or investment properties in the Los Angeles Westside areas such as Beverly Hills, Bel Air Holmby Hills, and the Hollywood Hills? Find ALL the homes & pr... 07/02/2010

Los Angeles-based SunBrook Partners announce Valerie Fitzgerald as the exclusive sales agent for their new beach community development Latitude 33 which opened officially on Wednesday, June 16.Located in Marina Del Rey at 330 Washington Blvd, Latitude 33 is a collection of 122 homes three blocks from Venice Pier starting in the low $600s. The community is made up of luxury condominiums, town-homes and high-rise flats. The top three floors of the building are exclusively penthouse units. “This is a long awaited debut for this amazing and culturally-expanding community,” says Valerie Fitzgerald. “This project offers contemporary beach living with traditional Southern California lifestyle.” A modern beach-inspired community combining Los Angeles’ high-style attitude with the unique and ecl... 06/30/2010

Conditions in the U.S. housing sector improved a bit more than expected in April, as home prices in 20 major cities rose 3.8% on a year-over-year basis, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price survey. They rose 2.4% year-over-year in March. Home prices in the 20-city index also rose 0.8% from March to April — the first month-to-month increase in half a year, Case-Shiller said. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had expected home prices to rise 3.5% in April on a year-over-year basis. Meanwhile, the S&P/Case Shiller 10-city index rose 4.6%, on a year-over-year basis, and 0.7% from March to April. David M. Blitzer, chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor’s, said that although the April data indicated improvement in the housing sector, the gains were enhanced b... 06/29/2010

Kendra Todd, host of My House Is Worth What?, tells you how to set your home apart and get the maximum price for your property. Liven Up the Landscaping Not only does good landscaping give you the highest return on your money, but it also can literally transform the exterior look and feel of your home. Hire a landscaper to do the job, or do it yourself for some old-fashioned sweat equity. Either way, be sure to turn your front yard into a colorful, floral oasis. Enhance Your Exterior Entryway Make your front door the centerpiece of your home's curb appeal. Repaint it a striking, tasteful color, or sand it down and stain it for an antique, weathered look. Finish the look with updated lights, potted plants on either side of the door and a new, high-end knocker and handle. Have a Welcoming... 06/17/2010

As I have posted before, Beverly Hills can be tough waters to navigate when you are trying to find a well done home, condo, or townhouse at a reasonable price. Even at non reasonable prices, more times than not the property is going to need some work. If you haven't had the chance to see my new listing at 130 North Swall (1br/1ba), definitely give me a call or stop by my open this Sunday (6/20/10 - 2pm-5pm) - it literally is the nicest, best priced condo in the city of Beverly Hills at $595,000. Let's say that you need more space and are looking for an alternative to a single family home, but still want to stay in Beverly Hills. Today's Hot Prop is definitely worth a look. As I was previewing yesterday, the agent had mentioned that this particular unit was featured on one of Oprah's mak... 06/16/2010

The Christophe Choo Real Estate Group at Coldwell Banker Previews International Beverly Hills gives you a 90-day Market Update & statistics for homes for sale & sold in Beverly Hills 90210, 90211 & 90212 as of June 14, 2010.  Median Price, Inventory, Average Days On Market, Median Price Per Square Foot, Market Action Index.  Los Angeles Luxury Real Estate, Beverly Hills Homes, Beverly Hills Real Estate - http://www.ChristopheChoo.com       90-day stats for Single Family properties inBEVERLY HILLS, CA90210 as of June 11, 2010 Median List Price: $4,157,231 Average List Price: $6,108,503 Total Inventory: 241 Price per Square Foot: $828 Average Home Size: 5,042 Median Lot Size: 20,194 Average # Beds: 4.74 Average # Baths: 5.46 Homes Absorbed: 11 Newly Listed: 13 Days on Market: 236 Average ... 06/14/2010

The May statistics below reflecting Beverly Hills housing market  are taken from the MLS and are for single family homes only.  They do not include condos, income property, or private sales. May figures for Beverly Hills are down.  The median price and number of homes sold are down$2.750M in April and $2.676M in May. Days on the market for homes sold is down by 10%, but the months supply of inventory is up by one and a half months to 10.5 making it an extremely poor sellers' market..  There are 21% more homes under contract.  May was a pretty sluggish month for Beverly Hills sales. Search Beverly Hills Homes for Sale 06/10/2010

  Is this a Good Time for a Mortgage?     　 Yes!     In early June, the national average interest rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate conforming loan (under $417,000) was 4.9%,   "These are the best rates we'll see for a decade, and I don't expect them getting better." Business is slow right now, so lenders may even bid for your business if you have good credit. Lending standards remain tight, and lenders have been picky even with the best-qualified borrowers.Freddie Mac, which set the standards for mortgages they buy from lenders, require a minimum credit score of 620; you'll get the best rate if your score exceeds 720 (Federal Housing Administration) requires a minimum credit score of 580 to qualify with a down payment of 3.5%. FHA The 30-year fixed rate for conforming jumbo loans ( for ho... 06/10/2010