by Jodi Summers Here’s an interesting factoid to drop into your conversation. A total 344 residences in Santa Monica sold for more than $1,000,000 in 2013, according to the MLS. 230 of those properties are houses, 114 are condos. 37 of those properties are in Ocean Park. In California, 39,145 homes sold for $1 million or more in 2013, up 45% from the year before and the best showing since 2007, as per to DataQuick information services. In 2013, prices in Los Angeles rose 22%. Prices in Santa Monica and Ocean Park saw negative growth. The MLS determined that in Ocean Park, a total of 99 properties sold - 28 single family properties, 61 condos, 10 multifamily. As you would expect, the priciest single family home to sell was in the beach tract...Read it all @ http://www.santamonicaproperty... 03/05/2014

Sea Colony is a Luxury Condominium Complex situated Oceanside and located in one of the most desirable locals in Santa Monica. Are you Looking for Prime Santa Monica Real Estate? Sea Colony is just what you are looking for. The Sea Colony Condominium Complex is located just steps to the beach  and walking trails. Sea Colony Condos are one of the few ocean front condo complexes that offer head on ocean views. Come live the Sea Colony resort lifestyle today strolls to Venice Beach, the World Famous Santa Monica Pier, and famed Santa Monica Main Street. Sea Colony Amenities: 24 hour security and guards on duty Gated for privacy and security 2 Swimming Pools and hot tub in each subdivision Gym Club House Walking Trails Sport Court Ocean Breezes galore Luxury Resort Lifestyle Want to Buy a C... 01/30/2014

Parking Meters in Santa Monica, CA or anywhere in the Greater Los Angeles area! Those of you who read my blog post might remember I wrote a post some time ago about Parking Meters of the Past and the Future. Naively I wrote this post around June of 2012 (http://actvra.in/CWB ) and I titled it Parking Meters, past, present and future. Needless to say the picture I used one was of the past and one of the present (I meant 2012). So the future was not that far out. I was amazed that credit cards were being utilized and then they were going to make them pressure sensitive so when you leave the time starts fresh for the next person. Anyway, I find that Street Parking Regulations are intentionally convoluted. I am sure you have seen the signs stacked on top of each other: One sign says No Park... 01/18/2014

by Jodi Summers Two+ years ago, Google ditched their digs in downtown Santa Monica and expanded into Venice. They took over the landmark binocular building on Main St., leasing 100,000 square feet in three buildings for hundreds of employees. Other technology monsters and puppies followed, and our neighborhood took on the name Silicon Beach. From Microsoft’s new office at Playa Vista to the scores of start-up accelerator programs and incubator programs that followed, techies seem pleased to be away from aggressive Silicon Valley and settled on our peaceful Westside. As the tech community swell in number, housing prices are climbing.  Get all the details @ SILICON BEACH REAL ESTATE SNAPSHOT ~ JANUARY 2014 01/11/2014

Let's see how Santa Monica real estate fared in 2013 as compared to the previous year. Due to the difference in demographics the report is split by Santa Monica zip code.   90401 - this is primarily a business district so you will see little or no activity here. Sold +/- 2012 Median +/- 2012 Active Median Pending 3 +1 $3,520,000 -0.49% 2 $1,672,500 2 90402 - which includes the areas of Santa Monica Canyon, North of San Vicente, and North of Montana and the northern part of Ocean Avenue (which includes the luxury condo buildings). Sold +/- 2012 Median +/- 2012 Active Median Pending 101 -18 $3,000,000 +8.11% 21 $3,999,000 7 90403 - North of Wilshire, parts of Ocean Avenue (also including some of the luxury condo complexes), Sold +/- 2012 Median +/- 2012 Active Median Pending 28 -6 $1,985,... 01/09/2014

Speechless Sunday: Surfboards with a special meaning! This window cought our attention as we were strolling in Santa Monica, CA!                   If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, an ultra luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, feel free to contact me at 310.486.1002 or homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at http://www.endrebarath.com.  I am a pet friendly realtor and I contribute a portion of my commissions to local animal rescue organizations. -          12/29/2013

Los Angeles 411: Museum of Flying, Santa Monica   For all those flight enthusiasts in the Los Angeles area and beyond, Santa Monica's Museum of Flying is a perfect place to spend a Sunday afternoon. The museum was founded by Donald Douglas Jr., second president of the Douglas Aircraft Company and thus first opened its doors as the Douglas Museum and Library in 1974. Over the years, it was felt that displaying aircraft would add to the overall appeal of the museum, so an original collection of vintage aircraft joined to museum displays in 1989, with an emphasis on World War II fighter aircraft. Today, the Museum of Flying is still located at the Santa Monica Airport, but at a new building opened in 2012.   Today, the Museum of Flying presents an exhibit and display area of 22,000 square ... 12/15/2013

  Casual Dining at the Enterprise Fish Co  in Santa Monica,  CA.     As most of my regular readers know, I love seafood and casual dining. Needless to say we often stop in at the Enterprise Fish Co. in Santa Monica, CA. As you know I have blogged about their atmosphere and food quite often.     As far as I am concerned there is a benefit of having causal, laid back seafood dining and a very relaxing atmosphere. Check out their website http://www.enterprisefishco.com/santamonica/        Lately I noticed that there is more of an Asian flair than previously. So I did some research, sure enough the executive Chef is Bruce G Choi, clearly I was right. There are more lighter, soy infused dishes and even more so you can tell on the fresher fare, such as Dungeness crab, Ahi tuna and I could go ... 12/07/2013

Speechless Sunday: a Fall View of the historic Santa Monica Ocean   Not often do you see Santa Monica, CA without the Signature bright SunshineJ thought I would share and I would also like to emphasize that this is a rare moment!             If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at http://www.endrebarath.com        I am a Pet Friendly Realtor and I contribute a portion of my commissions to local animal rescue organizations.      11/24/2013

My Love Affair with Vintage Typewriters: it is never ending     Vintage Typewriters: I have a love affair with vintage typewriters. It goes back to when I was stationed in West Germany. I was walking in Frankfurt, one of the main cities in Germany, very close to where I was stationed (Aschaffenburg) I came upon a flea market where I saw a few classic typewriters. Hard to believe now there was one for about $50 and I was too “frugal” so I didn’t buy it. Since then I have seen the same style of typewriters anywhere from $100-$400. Needless to say, it is not about the money it is about wanting and having a vintage typewriter.   Then one day Diane and I went to the Santa Monica Airport Museum where my eyes zoomed in on J yes it was the typewriter. Today I have Blackberry phone with a keyboa... 11/22/2013

by Jodi Summers The world loves the Santa Monica Pier. It’s top 10 in popularity for Instagram locations. The view of the Pier from the balcony is one of the many selling points for the new multimillion dollar Waverly and Seychelle condos at the Village @ Santa Monica.  We enjoy the Santa Monica Pier in many ways for many reasons. Next time you walk down the Pier, put on your goggles and duster, and travel back in time to a different millennium…the Santa Monica Pier is laden with local lore and savory history….start at the top and work your way to the end…. According to the Los Angeles Times, the first passenger train reached Santa Monica in January 1889. Entertainment entrepreneurs saw an opportunity. Abbot Kinney, a gentleman from a well-to-do New Brunswick,New Jersey family, became i... 11/17/2013

by Jodi Summers We’ve all laughed at the postcard of multimillion California homes….but the scary thing is that is becoming reality. In Santa Monica, the million-dollar “shack “is a century-old bungalow by the beach in need of rehabbing. This has become the bottom of the seaside single family residential home market. In Ocean Park, the ideal Santa Monica Beach community, pricing chaos began on October 11th. A newly remodeled 1-bedroom +1-bathroombungalow less than 600 total square feet, on a well-designed lot came on the market at $825,000 and promptly went into escrow in multiple offers. Now, three vintage bungalows are on the market at prices the neighbors consider “shocking…” 411 OCEAN PARK - What the advertising doesn't tell you is that this $895,000 2-bed + 1 bath 1920 bungalow on ... 10/26/2013

Ben & Jerry’s a great Ice cream mixed with good flavors & controversy I am sure by now most of you have tasted and have favorite flavor of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. I must admit I had a rocky relationship with the makers and distributors of this ice cream. They came on the scene around 1978 with little fan fare in a small place called Waterbury Vermont.  Once I had their ice cream I was hooked. 1988 President Regan awarded them The Small Business Person Award for being a success starting in a small rental gas station to becoming a National Ice Cream producer. Not a small feat to achieve. Ben Cohen & Jerry Greenfield were not your ordinary entrepreneurs. No businesses backgrounds just a mail order course on how to make Ice Cream. I loved their Ice Cream and what they stood for supporting ... 10/20/2013

Let’s check on on the Santa Monica real estate market.  How does the Third Quarter of 2013 compare to the Second Quarter.   Santa Monica zip codes differ in pricing and demographics from each other and will be reported separately.  The difference is over the previous quarter. Santa Monica single family 90401 – this is primarily a business district so you will see little or no activity here. Sold +/- Median +/- Active Median Pending 1 -2 $4,350,000 N/A 2 $42,897,000 0 90402 - which includes the areas of Santa Monica Canyon, North of San Vicente, and North of Montana and the northern part of Ocean Avenue (which includes the luxury condo buildings). Sold +/- Median +/- Active Median Pending 44 +15 $3,116,500 -4.11%% 31 $3,899,000 15 90403 – North of Wilshire, parts of Ocean Avenue (also in... 10/08/2013

by Jodi Summers Okay, so out in the real world: the National Association of Realtors reports that the U.S. median existing single-family home price was $212,200 in August, which is 14.4% higher than a year ago. In Los Angeles County, sales were down by 5.9% over the year to August while the median price climbed by 29.1% to $444,950. Here in the micropolis of Santa Monica, the median sold price is up 26% to $1,200,000...and that's just the half of it... Newly-built exclusive one-bedroom condominiums will be priced in the 7-figure rante at  the Waverly and the Seychelle condos @ the Village @ Santa Monica. Said to “represent the very best of coastal and city living,” the Waverly is nestled alongside Santa Monica's brand new $47m+, 6-acre Tongva Park, the Waverly features spectacular space... 09/29/2013

SANTA MONICA REAL ESTATE AGENT HEATHER PAUL    "YOUR LOCAL SANTA MONICA REAL ESTATE EXPERT" Call Me Today! Heather Paul, Realtor Coldwell Banker Santa Monica (310)923-2334       Click here to Search for all homes, condos, and properties Free MLS Home Search      Click Here to Find Out What Your Property is Currently Worth CALL ME TODAY!   HEATHER PAUL, Santa Monica Real Estate Agent, Broker Associate "Your Local Santa Monica Real Estate Expert" (310)586-0364 OR (310)923-2334 www.HeatherPaulOnline.com    Selling Real Estate Serving Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Marina Del Rey, Culver City, Venice, Pacific Palisades, Culver City, Mar Vista, Marina Del Rey, Bel Air, West Hollywood, Hollywood Hills and Beyond.  

 If you have any Real Estate questions or ... 09/27/2013

Bay Cities, best Italian Deli & Gourmet Market in Santa Monica, CA Once you enter this great Gourmet Market, you will be hooked immediately and will keep coming back over and over. Anything a cook loves and needs and cannot find anywhere else, you will find it at Bay Cities. Once you taste one of their sandwiches of the many varieties you will want their bread. I have been going back for their delicious bread year after year. My will power has gotten better. In the old days I needed to by two loafs, because one never made it homeJ. What makes this so good is that no matter when you walk into this Gourmet Market the bread is still warm. They have their own bakery on siteJ If you are into people watching and know who the up and coming stars and starlets are, then you will see them shoppin... 08/25/2013

If you are looking to buy a Santa Monica ocean front condo, unfortunately it is a strong sellers’ market. Below is a review of the past six months’ activity: Sold:  23Median Price:  $1,450,000Active Listings:  13Median Price:  $1,995,000Under Contract:  9 The main activity has been at The Sea Colony a resort-style complex across the street from Santa Monica beach: Sold:  6Median Price:  $1,088,000Active Listings:  0Under Contract:  5 201 Ocean Avenue, which is a coop building with the challenges associated with buying in it : Sold:  5Median Price:  $1,415,000Active Listings: 8Median Price:  $1,275,000Under Contract:  4 535 Ocean Avenue - The Oceanaire  Sold:  0Active Listings:  2Median Price:  $2,395,000Under Contract:  0 101 Ocean Avenue  Sold:  2Median Price:  $3,810,500Active Listing... 08/05/2013

by Jodi Summers In case you haven’t noticed the improvements, housing is no longer bringing down the economy.  Home prices across the 20 major U.S. metro markets were 12% higher in April than they were a year before, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index. In California, between May 2012 – May 2013, the median price increased by 31.9% to $417,350, according to the California Association of Realtors. May marked the 15th consecutive month to post a year-over-year increase in median price, and was the largest year-over gain recorded since CAR began tracking this statistic in 1980. In Los Angeles County unit sales declined by 2.2% over the year to May – due to constrained inventory - while the median price climbed by 29.4% to $365,990. Santa Monica has the technology to offer mo... 08/02/2013

California Mortgage Banking at Its Best - Robert Eckmann If you are a homebuyer or investor who intends to finance the purchase of your next home or investment property, one of the most important players who could make or break your transaction is your choice in of a mortgage banker or mortgage broker.  In the unpredictable journey to financing your property purchase, a mortgage banker is responsible for understanding your financial situation and outlining all available loan options that could serve your needs.  Your mortgage banker is also responsible for helping you successfully navigate the journey from loan application to documents production to loan processing to responding to all underwriting objections and conditions to closing the loan.  Your mortgage banker must work closely wi... 07/31/2013