From L.A. TImes article

Dig into debate over 'green' utensils

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More Los Angeles-area restaurants turn to eco-friendly to-go packaging, but not everyone's up on how to dispose of them.

June 18, 2008

Now that you feel environmentally conscientious for having used a corn fork -- those forks made with corn starch that lately are the darlings of the takeout world -- what will you do with it?

Santa Monica passed an ordinance banning all non-recyclable plastic and polystyrene (Styrofoam) at food service establishments in February, and with daily fines topping $250, restaurants have been quick to comply.

"Our goal is to become zero waste . . . to go back to a 1950s approach of using less, like wrapping a sandwich in paper instead of plastic," explains Josephine Miller, an environmental analyst for the city of Santa Monica's Green Programs Division. "But first we've got to do what it takes to get the Styrofoam and non-recyclable plastic out of the ocean."

Acceptable choices include recyclable aluminum and plastic, paper and those compostable vegetable products.

But compostable isn't the same as biodegradable. Corn forks must be professionally composted at high temperatures, or they'll end up sharing landfill space with Styrofoam.

Some chefs, including Daniel Snukal of , have always preferred paper products "because they just decompose." And they cost a fraction of their shiny new vegetable great-grandchildren.

But others aren't as up on their composting lingo. At Bar Pintxo, manager Angel Stork says the restaurant recently switched from aluminum to corn to-go containers "because they were on the city's list, and they sounded better, so we thought they must be." Aluminum, almost 100% recyclable, is also on the list.

The problem isn't the product, but the lack of public compost bins. "The city said we could sign up for a food waste program," says Sang Yoon, owner of Father's Office in Santa Monica. "But we don't use to-go containers. Our customers do."

Santa Monica doesn't currently have public compost bins. Miller says the city plans to provide green compost bins for all single-family homes "very soon" (some private homes already have them). But getting compost bins to apartment buildings and office parks "is much more complex."

At Andiamo in Silver Lake, which isn't affected by the ban but "tries to keep everything compostable," manager Casey Anderson offers to take customers' used corn products and "put them in our composter." So far, no one has brought back their used cornware.

"You can always boil the stuff until it dissolves," Anderson says. But he calls back to say, "Forget that -- it'll only turn the fork into a twisted-up, weird science experiment."

And distinguishing between recyclable plastic items and corn products isn't always easy. The website for Tender Greens in Culver City touts its "strong sense of environmental responsibility." But co-owner David Dressler says he doesn't alert customers that the box housing their tuna niçoise salad can't be recycled. "We're not the end user of the product, so it's not our responsibility."

At Father's Office, Yoon is more direct. "We choose not to give people forks at all."

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Defendants' backgrounds
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March 19, 2008


Defendants' backgrounds
* Helen Golay, 77, was born Helen Salisbury in Eastland County, Texas, and grew up between relatives' homes and foster care. According to public records, she is the mother of three daughters, including Kecia Golay, who is listed as a prosecution witness. Golay, a former real estate agent, was known for wearing pantsuits and a tall, bouffant hairdo. During the preliminary hearings, Golay's attorney asked the judge if his client could pluck her eyebrows and wear makeup at trial, but the request was denied. In Santa Monica, where Golay owns several properties, tenants said she was an aggressive landlord who often called police over minor parking and noise complaints. She once sued a woman for allegedly stealing leather skirts from her, and a health club after she got hurt on an exercise machine. In the alleged murder scheme, prosecutors say, she always claimed to be the fiancee of the deceased.

* Olga Rutterschmidt, 75, emigrated from Hungary in 1957 and at one time operated a coffee shop in downtown Los Angeles with her husband, Endre. The couple had no children and eventually were divorced. Rutterschmidt, who has a thick accent, has lived in the same Hollywood apartment building since the 1970s. Her neighbors say she holed up in her apartment listening to jazz and classical music and took hikes in Runyon Canyon. She has an expired electrolysis license, but it is unclear if she ever worked in hair removal. Rutterschmidt once sued Ralphs supermarket, saying stacked boxes fell on her, and often threatened to sue others. In the alleged murder scheme, prosecutors say, she played the part of the cousin of the homeless men.

Source: Times staff reports

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It can't be said that the rich are immune to stock market volatility

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (MarketWatch) -- It can't be said that the rich are immune to stock market volatility, mightily as they might try with risk-averse strategies and hedge funds.
Hedge funds sprang up, remember, to lessen risk and exposure to the volatile equity markets. And the wealthy have invested in hedge funds to the tune of more than $1 trillion over the past five years alone, according to Hennessee Group research.

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The most recent investment trend among the wealthy, however, has been to pull out altogether.
The number of wealthy people "not investing," according to the Spectrem Affluent and Millionaire indices, is at an all-time low.
While some millionaires are returning to the market "albeit cautiously," according to Spectrem's findings last month (so which haven't taken into account the most recent extreme market events) they still have a much higher amount of money in cash than they do the markets.
The markets, of course, are confusing: One day they're madly up, the next they are down.
MarketWatch reports that market sentiment, as measured by the Volatility Index, spiked to a five-year bearish extreme, suggesting an intermediate-term bottom may be in place. Extreme highs on the index are interpreted as a bullish signal, while extreme lows are considered a bearish indicator. See Technical Indicator.
After clearing a two-week downtrend last week, the S&P 500 index struggled to break atop the May 2006 high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq are in similar measures of volatility, with the overall U.S. stock market in a primary downtrend.
Asian and European markets have been equally volatile. Oil futures have risen -- and fallen. Gold futures have spiked -- and dropped. And the dollar rallied for a minute -- and then fell to new lows against the Japanese yen and the euro.
Concerns outside the markets
Besides market volatility on a macro level the upcoming election is giving high-net-worth investors pause, according to Spectrem research.
"Though still eight months away, the upcoming election is weighing heavily on the minds of the affluent and millionaires. Historically over the last year, the Iraq war has dropped as a concern, and the housing and real-estate market has risen, peaking in August 2007. Considering the way the real estate market has affected many aspects of financial services and the doom and gloom press coverage, this is not surprising," Spectrem reports.
To be sure, wealthy investment trends pale in comparison to the weight of institutions and the funds in which they invest. Today's market snaps are testament to the skittishness of the institutional investors as well. Still, the wealthy are often a portent for the mass retail market. So any glimmer or dimmer of hope the wealth market reveals is important to note.
Last month, for example, Spectrem noted that their wealth indices had risen slightly. Admittedly, they said it was a small rise -- just a point in the millionaire index -- but that still led them to say: "The affluent are usually one step ahead of the pack, and their return to investing in February could signal a much needed reprieve."
Chicago-based Spectrem, a consulting firm specializing in the investor market, went on to qualify its comments and add conjecture: "Perhaps the affluent are responding to the Fed's attempts, at the end of January, to stabilize the economy with a series of interest rate cuts. The coming months should prove interesting."
Indeed, Spectrem may be right. These months are nothing but interesting. The tell-tale signs are chasing each other -- market indices chasing trends chasing Fed action chasing market indices...
Smart money is, on the other hand, still "not investing."

To learn more about how the financial markets are affecting Westside Los Angeles luxury Santa Monica Luxury Real Estate, click here!

Downtown Real Estate Agents Dispute Times Piece

CurbedWire: Downtown Real Estate Agents Dispute Times Piece, Glendale Development
Tuesday, March 18, 2008, by Dakota

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DOWNTOWN: Fallout still from that Los Angeles Times piece that stated that the downtown real estate market was looking shaky: Behold the letter sent to the Times by the Downtown Real Estate Association, a consortium of residential real estate agents. Allegations of zip code missing info, and this: Downtown condo sales in first quarter 2008 are already above the figures for the same period of 2007. Plus, people in downtown care about the homeless, dammit, otherwise they'd be living in a gated community in Valley! The whole thing is after the jump and worth a read. [Curbed Inbox]

GLENDALE: A tipster tells us Hudson On Adams Hill, a new 54 unit townhome and condo development at 1118 East Palmer Avenue, is about to release their second bunch (10-15 units) of condos. Nice! We're told HOAs start at a very respectable $99 a month. The rest of the prices start at $299,000 (or $292,000 with no broker co op), a figure which seems like Monopoly money at this point. For those of you unfamiliar with Adams Hill, it's a quaint neighborhood where Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins turned their Snowbird Ice Cream shop into the first Baskin-Robbins. [Curbed InBox]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: March 17, 2008

Re: The following is an official response to the LA Times article titled “Downtown not the center of it all” by Peter Hong, published on March 13, 2008 from the Downtown Real Estate Association members, a group of licensed REALTORS® committed to promoting and fostering the professional ethics and camaraderie of its members in conducting real estate transactions as well as educating and promoting life in the Downtown Los Angeles market.

To: John Corrigan, Deputy City Editor, Los Angeles Times, Peter Hong, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Company: Los Angeles Times

Email: Letters@LATimes.com, john.corrigan@latimes.com

Downtown Real Estate Association, a consortium of residential REALTORS® with deep roots in the rebirth of downtown as a residential oasis, wishes to comment on and correct the record in regards to Peter Hong’s piece "Downtown not the center of it all: Downtown fails to lure residents” published March 13, 2008 on the front page of the Los Angeles Times and continued on page A15:

Mr. Hong used information gathered from a company called DataQuick to make a biased statement of the downtown market, but a review of their website and charts containing information on residential sales in Los Angeles failed to list several of the key zip codes for the downtown market including 90014, 90013, 90015, 90017, 90021. We would suggest you refer to area 42 in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for Los Angeles, which delineates the “new downtown”. The average asking price for a condo the 1st Qtr '07 was $573,366 and the last Qtr '07 was $595,819. And since the end of 2006 the prices have softened about 16% as compared to Citywide of about 20% (as reported by the LA Times on March 14, 2008).

Downtown Los Angeles is faring better than the region overall. Yes, the condo resale market has slowed along with the rest of the country; however, new condo development sales have increased making overall sales quite healthy. The total number of condos reported sold in the MLS for Downtown in the first quarter 2006 was 27, for the first quarter 2007 it was 75, and for the first quarter 2008 to date it is 19. Add to that the number of contracts written for new condo sales not reported in the MLS for this quarter and we are well above 2007’s figures. For comparison the total number of condos reported sold in the MLS for Hollywood in the first quarter 2006 was 4, for the first quarter 2007 it was 10, and for the first quarter 2008 to date it is 14. Today, most of downtown housing is comprised of new product introduced by developers with a small number of resale units coming on line. Just three of the many developers report 22 sales in just the past 30 days. Even in today’s market, most resales units are selling at a profit.

There is no lack of interest in living downtown... simply a restraint (hopefully temporary) of financing due to a systemic dysfunction in lending protocols because of the nationwide mortgage crisis. Even with a lack of lending support, there are those who can and are still investing in the downtown market. Downtown population grew 21% in 2006 since 2004. The median household income for downtown households with at least one income earner was $99,600 in the 2006 survey - almost double the average median income for the city. Of those households, about 17% made between $100,000 and $124,999 and more than 14% claimed an income over $200,000.

So, if many who were wary of downtown in its infancy retreated to the burbs, what lures those who are now buying and renting downtown with its 1% vacancy rate?


• Not only Empty-nesters but a vibrant and upwardly mobile class of people who desire to live near Disney Hall and the Music Center and Staples/Nokia Theater have moved in to help structure the downtown scape to what it is today

• Entertainment, communications, internet, technology innovators and creative young professionals who don't want to live in a cookie-cutter community and who want to use the area’s transportation linkages when they venture outside downtown’s energizing and supportive environment.

• People who decry a gated community and have joined with City government to be part of the dynamic of addressing the needs of the disadvantaged among us in the same way as Santa Monica has.

• The 8 to 10 billion dollars worth of development being poured into downtown neighborhoods on such projects as LA Live, Grand Avenue, Educational institutions including the Colburn School, Theatre restorations, Bringing Back Broadway initiative, new subway stations, hotels, parks and lots more retail. This is attractive to every investor and we have seen an increase in foreign investment in downtown.


Whether you want to live in an architecturally significant readapted piece of LA history or a vibrant arts community or in the middle of a cultural district in a luxury condo, downtown has it all! What downtown has that no area of the City will ever have is a place for every lifestyle imaginable. Downtown grew naturally from the birthplace of Los Angeles to become the diverse economic, social and cultural district it is today: not only the center but a microcosm of our vast city.

To learn more about this and other luxury Santa Monica and Los Angeles Real Estate, click here!

Santa Monica Real Estate

The oil well that did not end well

The oil well that did not end well
Andrea Woodhouse Staff Writer
Article Launched: 03/15/2008 11:42:16 PM PDT


Don Macpherson Jr., president of Macpherson Oil Co. in Santa Monica, is suing Hermosa Beach for breach of contract. (Steve McCrank/ Staff Photographer)Had everything gone as first planned, tiny Hermosa Beach's coffers might still be greased with a thick layer of black gold.

A promised $500,000 in annual royalties from oil siphoned off Hermosa's coastline would have funded police patrols and beach maintenance.

Money freed up by the 20million barrels of Texas tea pumped from the city yard on Valley Drive could pay for park maintenance and secure precious open space.

Instead, Hermosa today is neck-deep in a legal battle, bracing itself for a resolution in a $500 million breach of contract lawsuit from a jilted oilman.

Fueled by money, oil, politics and family ties, Hermosa's saga with the Santa Monica-based Macpherson Oil Co. has burned steadily for nearly 25 years.

But with a significant legal ruling issued last month against Hermosa Beach, this botched well might be finally starting to dry - and leaving behind potentially disastrous consequences for a laid-back beach town built atop a whole lot of wealth.

Macpherson Oil executives hoped to drill at an angle from a municipal storage yard for oil off the city's coast, about five blocks away.

The arrangement would have yielded at least 20 million barrels of oil over 30 years and generated as much as $100 million for Hermosa Beach, the company estimated.

But the project's planning stages stretched over more than 10 years, giving irate activists plenty of time to organize, file lawsuits and push a ballot


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measure banning oil drilling in town.
In 1998, the City Council - citing safety concerns raised by an independent environmental consultant - denied drilling permits to Macpherson, sparking the protracted lawsuit that has wound its way through the courts for nearly a decade now.

The complicated battle has cost Hermosa Beach so far more than $1 million to fight, and persistent oil company President Don Macpherson Jr. millions of dollars to wage, according to his attorney.

After years of legal wrangling, just weeks ago a Superior Court judge ruled that Hermosa Beach indeed broke its contract with Macpherson, and now owes damages.

In the bifurcated case's second phase, a jury would determine how much Hermosa must ante up to the spurned oil company.

"You'll have to pay something," said Sam Edgerton, a former city councilman in office when Macpherson filed suit against the city. "It could be peppercorn or it could be a GDP (gross domestic product) of a small South American country, but it's a bad position to be in."

Hermosa this week will file a writ asking an appeals court to review last month's decision, City Attorney Mike Jenkins said.

A long shot at best, these requests are granted in just a fraction of cases, he said, but considering what's at stake, Hermosa Beach has little to lose.

Put simply, paying even a portion of Macpherson's multimillion-dollar request would bankrupt the cash-poor city, Jenkins said.

"It ruins the city," he said. "No city can withstand $500million in liability."

But to hear Macpherson's attorney, Jim Bright, tell it, Hermosa Beach deserves it.

"No matter how you slice it, it's going to be painful," the Glendale attorney said. "But you know what, I'm sorry, it should be. They have behaved very poorly. They've been brutal to the Macpherson family. They really have been."

With about 30 employees, Macpherson Oil Co. bills itself as a family business.

The company holds 39 oil and gas leases in Kern County and Alabama, produces 5,000 barrels of oil a day, and is the 11th largest producer of on-shore oil in California, according to corporate literature.

Don Macpherson Jr., who declined interview requests for this story, runs the business as its president and chief executive officer.

His two brothers, James and Scott, sit on the company's board of directors.

It was the trio's late father who first set his sights on Hermosa's oil field in the 1980s and moved Macpherson from his Bakersfield home to work on the deal.

The company's patriarch died in 1999, about a year after Macpherson Oil sued Hermosa.

And in some ways, fulfilling his father's dream has driven Macpherson, 55, to continue fighting Hermosa for a decade now, Bright said.

"His father's hand is in this," he said. "That is a powerful motivator.

Equally significant is Macpherson's apparent belief that people in government keep their word, Bright said.

"In a way, it's almost nice and charming because it's so simple-minded," he said. "Between his father and the way the city has behaved, that's what's driven him, and he's in a position to do that."

But any elation on Macpherson's part over last month's court victory was muted by sadness, his attorney said.

The oil dispute with Hermosa Beach has run so long, the saga is apparently outliving the people involved in the project's early days nearly 25 years ago.

Just days after the ruling, Macpherson delivered a eulogy for a member of the company's board of directors, a close friend of his father's who assisted in the Hermosa Beach endeavor, Bright said.

The company's chief legal counsel who help negotiate the Hermosa lease agreement died several years ago.

"It's really a shame that they died," Bright said. "If they could smile, they're in their graves smiling. That's been a little bit of a downer. But in terms of the lawsuit, after all these years in litigation, it's very gratifying."

Rosamond Fogg recently packed away paperwork leftover from her days as leader of the Hermosa Beach Stop Oil Coalition.

Acquired during nearly a decade of battling the city and Macpherson Oil, the trove filled several archive boxes inside her Sixth Street home just across from the proposed drill site, Fogg said in a February interview.

At times, Fogg, who wears her flame-red hair in a bob style and drives a BMW with license plates reading "MPEACHM," spent more than 100 hours a week working the case.

The 40 or so people involved in the Coalition fought the oil project from early on, filing several lawsuits and bringing about Measure E, a 1995 ballot proposition that banned oil drilling in town.

And the battle was passionate: Campaign signs littered the town in the months leading to the vote. Parents sent their children to Halloween carnivals dressed as oil derricks. Activists carried plastic skeletons to council meetings, Fogg recalled.

Bright called Stop Oil's efforts a "vicious grass-roots campaign."

Jim Tabilio, a former Hermosa resident who ran the campaign against Measure E, remembered activists displaying pictures of old-time Texas oil rigs lit ablaze.

"Certainly the opponents were extremely emotional - to the point of being irrational, I thought," he said. "But that happens."

These days, local activists have focused their attention on other matters in town, primarily downtown bars and taverns - Hermosa's other liquid currency.

And Coalition members have gone their separate ways, Fogg said.

"Some are dead and gone," Fogg said. "Others are still around."

But Janet McHugh, who gave time and money to Stop Oil but has stayed largely out of local politics since, believed few in town have really forgotten about the city's oil showdown.

"A lot of people thought it was put to rest or there's not much that they can do anymore," she said. "I think if it ever came about that it could happen again, it would bring people back out."

Stop Oil's involvement in the case effectively ended a few years ago, when Macpherson let stand a 2001 appellate court ruling that Measure E could indeed block the project.

Whether the Coalition was victorious or not, Hermosa Beach is now left on the hook for damages - and Fogg didn't downplay her role in helping the city into that position.

"Oh, yeah," she said. "I'll take full credit for that."

Fogg, a homemaker, and McHugh, a real estate broker, both doubted that Macpherson would make much money off the city.

"It's unfortunate, and, of course, you never want to see lawsuits, but I can't imagine that they'd even think there's that type of settlement they should be receiving," McHugh said. "There's no money there."

But Fogg didn't expect Macpherson to back down.

"At this point, it's all about money," she said. "Oilmen have that fever."

Hermosa city officials have long dismissed the validity of Macpherson's damages claim.

Bright calculates the sum based on an oil price of $50 a barrel and 20 million recoverable barrels, but Jenkins disagrees, arguing the company has never really analyzed how much oil sits below the city.

"It's pulled out of thin air," Jenkins said. "It's never been tested. It's a number that's been used by Macpherson's lawyers to generate anxiety in the city. It, in my view, amounts to little more than posture."

The city could be held for some damages to Macpherson - possibly the $100,000 the company paid to secure the lease in 1986, he figured.

But, Jenkins said, anything in the ball park of $500 million would bankrupt the city, an argument that will play a role in the city's appeal request.

Essentially, the courts have ruled voters had the ability to end the project by approving Measure E, but in doing so, they also accepted a crippling liability on the city's behalf.

The rulings' duality, Jenkins said, dilutes the citizens' authority.

"It hampers the residents' police powers if they knew the stakes were so high," Jenkins said. "You can't say they have unconstrained police power, and, at the same time, expose the city to ruinous liability."

Bright said liability was the price of residents canceling the contract.

"People voted to have an oil project, then the people voted not to," he said. "They have the right to do that, but they also have the responsibility."

For as long-running as this case may be, it's just as complex, insiders say.

"It's very complicated," said Jenkins, calling the case a "roller coaster." "The legal theories are very complicated. There's not a great deal of case law that deals with these issues."

Both parties agree that a settlement was always a possibility, but numbers were always too far apart.

And unless something narrows the gap, a jury will likely determine how much Hermosa should pay.

The courts should determine by the end of the month whether to take another look at the most recent legal ruling, Jenkins said.

If they decline, the case will go to a jury, but not likely before early 2009, he figured.

And in the meantime, attorneys for both sides will continue toiling on the case.

Since 1998, Hermosa Beach has spent $1.3 million on the case, according to city figures. With a $26.1 million general fund, Hermosa set aside $750,000 for a Los Angeles law firm to handle the case in the current fiscal year.

Bright would only say that Macpherson has spent "millions" pursuing its claim on Hermosa Beach.

"They made this their crusade," Edgerton said. "It's going to outlive the people who want the money."

Bright declined to say if he has handled Macpherson's case on contingency - saying a disclosure either way would give Hermosa an advantage in court. But he would say the case has been lucrative.

"The long and the short of it is anytime the parties have an opportunity to control their own destiny, negotiate a settlement, and say instead, `Let's go fight,' most times the lawyers make out," Bright said. "And that's the sad part about it."

To learn more about issues affecting Santa Monica Real Estate click here!

Properties over 30 million Santa Monica and Los Angeles Luxury Real Estate

Simon Salloom
(310) 749-8686, WestsideSimon.com
Coldwell Banker, International President's Elite



1 RES-SFR: 1011 N BEVERLY DR , BEVERLY HILLS ,CA 90210 MLS#: 07-201017 LP: $165,000,000
AREA: (1)Beverly Hills STATUS: A VIEW: Yes MAP: 592/E6
STYLE: Mediterranean YB: 1926 BR: 29 BA: 40.00
APN: 4348-001-023 ZONE: BHR1* HOD: $0.00 STORIES: 3 APX SF: 75,000/OT
LSE: GH: Det'd POOL: Yes APX LDM: APX LSZ: 272,250/OT
LOP: PUD: FIREPL: PKGT: PKGC:
DIRECTIONS: Two minutes North of Sunset.
REMARKS: "The Beverly House Compound". The most spectacular estate available. Located 3 blocks north of the Beverly Hills Hotel on approx 6.25 acres of land and approx 75,000 sf of living space of all structures. Legendary and incomparable history, formerly owned by William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies, Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy honeymooned there, never before has this estate been available. Shown to pre-qualified clients only.
ROOMS: Art Studio,Bar,Basement,Bonus,Breakfast,Breakfast Area,Breakfast Bar,Cabana,Center Hall,Dance Studio,Den,Dining,Dining Area,Family,Gym,Library/Study,Living,Media,Office,Pantry,Powder,Projection,Service Entrance,Wine Cellar
OCC/SHOW: Appointment w/List. Office
LP: $165,000,000 DOM: 254 LD: 07/09/2007 OLP: $165,000,000


2 RES-SFR: 350 N CAROLWOOD DR , LOS ANGELES ,CA 90077 MLS#: 07-178165 LP: $125,000,000
AREA: (4)Bel Air - Holmby Hills STATUS: A VIEW: Yes MAP: 999/xx
STYLE: French YB: 2002 BR: 12 BA: 15.00
APN: 4358-006-048 ZONE: LARE40 HOD: $0.00 STORIES: 0 APX SF:
LSE: GH: Det'd POOL: Yes APX LDM: APX LSZ: 0/OT
LOP: PUD: FIREPL: PKGT: 30 PKGC:
DIRECTIONS: ...
REMARKS: "Fleur De Lys" - The Finest Estate in America. Available by appointment to prequalified clients only. Call listing agents for further information.
ROOMS: Other
OCC/SHOW: Appointment w/List. Office,Call LA 1,Call LA 2,Listing Agent Accompanies
LP: $125,000,000 DOM: 363 LD: 03/22/2007 OLP: $125,000,000


3 RES-SFR: 350 N CAROLWOOD DR , LOS ANGELES ,CA 90077 MLS#: 07-178207 LP: $125,000,000
AREA: (4)Bel Air - Holmby Hills STATUS: A VIEW: Yes MAP: 999/XX
STYLE: French YB: 2002 BR: 12 BA: 15.00
APN: 4358-006-048 ZONE: LARE40 HOD: $0.00 STORIES: 0 APX SF:
LSE: No GH: N/A POOL: Yes APX LDM: APX LSZ: 0/OT
LOP: No PUD: FIREPL: PKGT: 0 PKGC:
DIRECTIONS: .
REMARKS: Fleur De Lys - The Finest Estate in America. Available by appointment to pre-qualified clients only. The property has 12 bedrooms, 15 baths, guest house on a 5.01 acres. Call listing agents for further information. Property is co-listed.
ROOMS: Other
OCC/SHOW: Appointment w/List. Office,Call LA 1,Call LA 2,Listing Agent Accompanies
LP: $125,000,000 DOM: 338 LD: 04/16/2007 OLP: $125,000,000

Broker/Agent does not guarantee the accuracy of the square footage, lot size or other information concerning the conditions or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from Public Records or other sources. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of all information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals. Copyright © 2008 by Combined L.A./Westside MLS, Inc. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.


p. 1
Simon Salloom
(310) 749-8686, WestsideSimon.com
Coldwell Banker, International President's Elite



4 RES-SFR: 384 DELFERN DR , BEL AIR ,CA 90077 MLS#: 08-248391 LP: $85,000,000
AREA: (4)Bel Air - Holmby Hills STATUS: A VIEW: Yes MAP: 592/C6
STYLE: Southern Colonial YB: 1970 BR: 10 BA: 12.50
APN: 4358-007-015 ZONE: LARE40 HOD: $0.00 STORIES: 2 APX SF: 15,520/AS
LSE: No GH: None POOL: Yes APX LDM: APX LSZ: 336,218/AS
LOP: No PUD: No FIREPL: 5 PKGT: 20 PKGC: 4
DIRECTIONS: North of Sunset - between Mapleton and Carolwood.
REMARKS: A remarkable opportunity to acquire one of the great classic estates in prime Holmby Hills. This historic compound is offered for the first time, this home is one of the last designed by Wallace Neff. It features over 7 acres, on 3 parcels, of gated grounds, which include rolling lawns, lush gardens, private tennis court, pool & massive motor court, plus additional parking. Grand entryway, high ceilings, over-sized doors, incredible moldings/details throughout. Shown to qualified clients only.
ROOMS: Bar,Basement,Bonus,Breakfast Area,Center Hall,Den,Dining,Family,Gym,Lanai,Library/Study,Living,Office,Pantry,Patio Covered,Patio Open,Powder,Service Entrance
OCC/SHOW: Listing Agent Accompanies
LP: $85,000,000 DOM: 63 LD: 01/15/2008 OLP: $85,000,000


5 RES-SFR: 27740 PACIFIC COAST HWY , MALIBU ,CA 90265 MLS#: 07-166773 LP: $75,000,000
AREA: (32)Malibu Beach STATUS: A VIEW: Yes MAP: 667/H1
STYLE: Traditional YB: 1980 BR: 7 BA: 11.00
APN: 4460-032-001 ZONE: LCR120000* HOD: $0.00 STORIES: 2 APX SF: 11,810/AS
LSE: No GH: None POOL: Yes APX LDM: APX LSZ: 288,807/AS
LOP: No PUD: FIREPL: 4 PKGT: PKGC: 8
DIRECTIONS: .
REMARKS: This magnificent and rare gated beach front compound sits on nearly 7 incredible acres of lush landscaping. Located on its own private bluff with unsurpassed panoramic views of the ocean. Private road leads to beach. Features 2 separate barns / stables, large riding ring, 3 guest houses, gym, swimmer’s pool, lighted N/S tennis court and grounds that will leave you breathless. A truly magical paradise. A very rare offering, available for the first time to the public in over 20 years.
ROOMS: Bar,Barn,Basement,Cabana,Center Hall,Den,Dining,Family,Gym,Library/Study,Loft,Media,Office,Pantry,Patio Enclosed,Patio Open,Powder,Projection,Sauna,Service Entrance,Stable,Wine Cellar
OCC/SHOW: 48-hr Notice,Appointment w/List. Office,Listing Agent Accompanies
LP: $75,000,000 DOM: 380 LD: 03/05/2007 OLP: $75,000,000


6 RES-SFR: 2940 KUEHNER DR , SIMI VALLEY ,CA 93063 MLS#: 07-208281 LP: $75,000,000
AREA: (49)Simi Valley STATUS: A VIEW: Yes MAP: 479/D7
STYLE: Spanish YB: 2004 BR: 0 BA: 0.00
APN: 6150-280-020 ZONE: HOD: $0.00 STORIES: 0 APX SF:
LSE: GH: N/A POOL: Yes APX LDM: APX LSZ: 5,347,727/OT
LOP: PUD: FIREPL: PKGT: 0 PKGC: 0
DIRECTIONS: 405 N to 118 W, exit Kuehner Drive, go North
REMARKS: Hummingbird Nest Ranch. The finest world class equestrian estate on app 123 acres, blt 2004, just 40 mins from Beverly Hills! Beautiful Mission Revival style mansion (app 17,000 sqft designed by Richard Robertson), 6 guest houses, 10 staff houses, substantial “hunter jumper” equestrian facilities including international grand prix arena (600’x300’), rubber & sand mixed ring (300’x250’), derby grass field (650’x250’), large main barn. Public utilities & solar energy, as well as a helipad.
ROOMS: Bar,Barn,Bonus,Breakfast,Breakfast Area,Breakfast Bar,Cabana,Den,Dining,Dining Area,Family,Library/Study,Living,Office,Pantry,Patio Covered,Patio Open,Powder,Service Entrance,Stable
OCC/SHOW: 24-hr Notice,Call LA 1,Call LA 2,Listing Agent Accompanies
LP: $75,000,000 DOM: 230 LD: 08/01/2007 OLP: $75,000,000

Broker/Agent does not guarantee the accuracy of the square footage, lot size or other information concerning the conditions or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from Public Records or other sources. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of all information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals. Copyright © 2008 by Combined L.A./Westside MLS, Inc. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.


p. 2
Simon Salloom
(310) 749-8686, WestsideSimon.com
Coldwell Banker, International President's Elite



7 RES-SFR: 77 BEVERLY PARK , BEVERLY HILLS ,CA 90210 MLS#: 07-212183 LP: $50,000,000
AREA: (2)Beverly Hills Post Office STATUS: A VIEW: Yes MAP: 592/D1
STYLE: Villa YB: 2007 BR: 9 BA: 15.00
APN: 4386-008-017 ZONE: LARE40 HOD: $0.00 STORIES: 3 APX SF: 30,000/OT
LSE: GH: N/A POOL: Yes APX LDM: APX LSZ: 91,912/AS
LOP: PUD: FIREPL: PKGT: 10 PKGC:
DIRECTIONS: San Ysidro to Beverly Park
REMARKS: An amazing Italian Villa designed by renowned architect William Hablinsky. Superbly located on two plush acres in Beverly Park, this 9BR, 14BA villa features a grand screening room & wine cellar built for kings & many other remarkable features. The grand scale living, dining & family rooms & gourmet kitchen make it ideal for entertaining guests & dignitaries. Outdoor luxuries include an Italian kitchen, sand volleyball court, and herb & spice garden. This residence is simply beyond compare.
ROOMS: Bar,Basement,Breakfast,Breakfast Bar,Cabana,Center Hall,Dining,Family,Gym,Library/Study,Living,Media,Office,Patio Covered,Powder,Service Entrance,Wine Cellar,Other
OCC/SHOW: 24-hr Notice
LP: $50,000,000 DOM: 215 LD: 08/17/2007 OLP: $50,000,000


8 RES-SFR: 0 Fernald Point LN , SANTA BARBARA ,CA 93108 MLS#: 07-208647 LP: $47,000,000
AREA: (999)Out of Area STATUS: A VIEW: Yes MAP: 14/I8
STYLE: Cottage YB: 2002 BR: 3 BA: 4.50
APN: 007-380-025 ZONE: E-1 HOD: $0.00 STORIES: 0 APX SF: 12,000/OT
LSE: No GH: None POOL: No APX LDM: APX LSZ: 154,638/OT
LOP: No PUD: No FIREPL: 0 PKGT: 8 PKGC: 0
DIRECTIONS: North on 101, exit San Ysidro, left over freeway to S. Jameson, rt on Posolipo Ln to Fernald Pt left
REMARKS: Two parcel beachfront offering with approximately 300' of "on the sand" frontage for a total of approximately 3.55 level acres. Existing 3 bdrm home on entry parcel, and building site for 12,000+- sq ft estate, partially constructed. This is an opportunity to build a spectacular 2-story Mediterranean estate with active plans and permits per County of Santa Barbara. Also includes APN 007-380-024 with existing 3300 sq ft country style 3 bedroom remodeled cottage.
ROOMS: Other
OCC/SHOW: 48-hr Notice,Listing Agent Accompanies
LP: $47,000,000 DOM: 164 LD: 08/06/2007 OLP: $47,000,000


9 RES-SFR: 688 NIMES RD , LOS ANGELES ,CA 90077 MLS#: 05-064967 LP: $40,000,000
AREA: (4)Bel Air - Holmby Hills STATUS: A VIEW: Yes MAP: 592/B6
STYLE: Mediterranean YB: 1985 BR: 33 BA: 41.00
APN: 4362-026-011 ZONE: LAREVV HOD: $0.00 STORIES: 2 APX SF:
LSE: No GH: Det'd POOL: Yes APX LDM: APX LSZ: 0/OT
LOP: No PUD: No FIREPL: 5 PKGT: 15 PKGC: 10
DIRECTIONS: Sunset - Right Bel Air Road; Right St. Cloud; Right Nimes.
REMARKS: Exceptional architectural statement by Bob Ray Offenhauser. One-of-a-kind trophy estate beautifully placed on an approximate 3.2-acre promontory on one of Bel Air’s most prestigious streets. Elegant detail, high ceilings, exquisite moldings, extraordinary inlaid onyx marbles, 3 living rooms, rolling lawns, mature landscaping, sunken tennis court, 5 extensive separate guest accommodations, 5 main master suites plus guest suites, wonderful terraces ... Fabulous opportunity to acquire the finest.
ROOMS: Basement,Cabana,Den,Dining,Dining Area,Family,Gym,Library/Study,Living,Office,Patio Covered,Patio Open,Powder,Sauna,Service Entrance,Wine Cellar
OCC/SHOW: 24-hr Notice,Call LA 1
LP: $40,000,000 DOM: 849 LD: 10/31/2005 OLP: $53,000,000

Broker/Agent does not guarantee the accuracy of the square footage, lot size or other information concerning the conditions or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from Public Records or other sources. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of all information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals. Copyright © 2008 by Combined L.A./Westside MLS, Inc. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.


p. 3
Simon Salloom
(310) 749-8686, WestsideSimon.com
Coldwell Banker, International President's Elite



10 RES-SFR: 9941 TOWER LN , BEVERLY HILLS ,CA 90210 MLS#: 07-235777 LP: $39,500,000
AREA: (2)Beverly Hills Post Office STATUS: A VIEW: Yes MAP: 592/D6
STYLE: Mediterranean YB: BR: 2 BA: 2.00
APN: 4356-026-029 ZONE: LARE20 HOD: $0.00 STORIES: 3 APX SF: 0/OT
LSE: GH: None POOL: No APX LDM: APX LSZ: 270,072/OT
LOP: PUD: FIREPL: PKGT: PKGC:
DIRECTIONS: Benedict - Tower Rd - Tower Lane to end of cul-de-sac.
REMARKS: One of the most incredible estate sites to become available in many years. 4 parcels, approx 6.25 acres, spectac. head-on city to ocean views & total privacy. 1,500 ft long gated private drive. Includes full plans for a world class estate compound designed by Richard Landry w/ multiple structures totaling over 50k sf. Current owner spent over 10 years on planning, engineering & design. 30k main hse, tennis hse, gate hse, spa hse, waterfall/guest hse. 25 car garage. 3 entrances & much more.
ROOMS: Other
OCC/SHOW: Appointment w/List. Office,Call LA 1
LP: $39,500,000 DOM: 126 LD: 11/14/2007 OLP: $39,500,000


11 RES-SFR: 1028 RIDGEDALE DR , BEVERLY HILLS ,CA 90210 MLS#: 07-156001 LP: $31,900,000
AREA: (1)Beverly Hills STATUS: A VIEW: Yes MAP: 592/D7
STYLE: Country French YB: 1930 BR: 5 BA: 7.00
APN: 4348-021-015 ZONE: BHR1* HOD: $0.00 STORIES: 2 APX SF: 14,579/VN
LSE: No GH: Det'd POOL: Yes APX LDM: APX LSZ: 81,620/AS
LOP: No PUD: FIREPL: PKGT: PKGC:
DIRECTIONS: North of Sunset.
REMARKS: Most remarkable estate in Beverly Hills. Classic understated elegance designed by Wallace Neff and completely remodeled with the highest quality. Professional 35mm projection room, office, outstanding kitchen, dramatic master bedroom, 5 additional bedroom suites, complete guest house with additional office and garage, 2 separate swimming pools, nearly 2 acres of lush private park-like landscaping. First time on the market in nearly 20 years. Pre-qualified showings only.
ROOMS: Art Studio,Bar,Basement,Bonus,Breakfast,Den,Dining,Family,Gym,Lanai,Library/Study,Living,Media,Office,Patio Open,Powder,Projection,Service Entrance,Sound Studio,Wine Cellar
OCC/SHOW: Appointment w/List. Office
LP: $31,900,000 DOM: 426 LD: 01/18/2007 OLP: $31,900,000

Broker/Agent does not guarantee the accuracy of the square footage, lot size or other information concerning the conditions or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from Public Records or other sources. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of all information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals. Copyright © 2008 by Combined L.A./Westside MLS, Inc. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.


p. 4

Culver City’s Economic Appeal Cited: IDS Real Estate Group Unveils Plans for 12-Story, $115 Million Office Tower in Culver City, CA

Santa Monica Luxury Real Estate Culver City’s Economic Appeal Cited: IDS Real Estate Group Unveils Plans for 12-Story, $115 Million Office Tower in Culver City, CA
CULVER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Citing what it terms “a burgeoning demand from companies desiring an affordable Westside Los Angeles presence,” IDS Real Estate Group announces its acquisition of 3.3 acres of land at the Corporate Pointe office campus in Culver City, CA and plans to build a 12-story, $115 million office tower at the site.

David Saeta, senior vice president of Los Angeles-based IDS, said the company completed the property acquisition at the end of 2007 and has secured all entitlements and approvals for a 277,607 square foot, Class A tower designed to LEED Silver standards.

Called “Corporate Pointe Tower,” the new project will be built at 700 Corporate Pointe within the park-like 1.6 million square foot, eight building Corporate Pointe campus, which is strategically located just off the 405 Freeway.

Saeta emphasized that the Lower Westside is one of the most dynamic real estate submarkets in Southern California with over $2 billion in capital committed to projects within one mile of Corporate Pointe. Notable among them is Westfield’s one million square foot Culver City Plaza shopping center which is currently undergoing a $188 million expansion and renovation including 332,600 square feet of new restaurants and shops.

“The Culver City submarket has emerged as a strategic and affordable Westside option saving tenants several dollars a square foot per month compared to similar high quality projects further north,” Steve Walbridge of Cushman & Wakefield said. Walbridge, along with Eric Olofson, represented IDS in the purchase of the last parcel at Corporate Pointe.

Saeta added that Corporate Pointe Tower has been designed to LEED Silver standards coinciding with greater tenant awareness and commitment to sustainability. A photovoltaic panel system integrated into the curtain wall, high performance glazing, energy efficient HVAC systems, water efficient plumbing fixtures, sustainably harvested woods and drought tolerant landscaping selections are among the sustainable features of the project.

“Westside tenants increasingly want to make a statement about their environmental ethos and sustainability is quickly becoming a core objective for corporate, creative and professional firms alike. Occupying LEED buildings also makes good economic sense as companies are experiencing reductions in occupancy costs associated with decreases in utility costs and absenteeism and increases in productivity,” Saeta said.

Designed by Gene Watanabe of Gensler, “the design integrates banded pre-cast panels and ribbon window architectural expressions with a contemporary curtain wall oriented toward the freeway incorporating a dynamic architectural signage feature. A sculptural stair connecting the main lobby to the second level outdoor plaza area will anchor the two-story structural glass lobby which features Venetino marble floors and Makore African hardwood walls. The design maximizes the efficiency of the tower floor plan with 25,200 square foot, column-free floor plates. Column-free corners will offer unobstructed 270-degree views from Palos Verdes to the Santa Monica Mountains,” Watanabe said.

About IDS Real Estate Group

Now in is twenty-first year of business, IDS Real Estate Group is a commercial and residential real estate services company focusing on the Western United States. The company has a portfolio that exceeds 20 million square feet and is currently developing over four million square feet of space with institutional and individual investor partners.

Teles Properties, the fastest-growing high-end real estate agency in the Westside welcomes Barbara, Marc, Sharon, and Seth Fiedler as the newest agents to join the company. The Fiedler Family has a dynamic synergy that fuels their passion for providing excellent service to their clients.

Barbara Fiedler has been selling real estate in Beverlywood for
more than 25 years and has done it so successfully that her name has become synonymous with the neighborhood. Marc has practiced real estate for over 23 years, combining his background in accounting and law with his negotiating skills and extensive experience with renovating single-family homes and income property. Sharon is a licensed real estate broker and former litigator with the law firm of Greenberg Glusker, with a J.D. from the University of California, Davis. She has in-depth knowledge of contract law and creative deal structuring. Seth joined his parents' real estate practice 8 years ago after graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is fluent in residential construction, planning, development -- and Mandarin Chinese.

Selling more than 40 homes per year and consistently ranked among the top real estate agents nationwide, The Fiedlers are enthusiastic and dedicated to their work. They treat buyers, sellers, and other agents with an unusual level of attention that yields huge rewards for their clients.

"We are extremely proud to have the Fiedlers as part of our organization. They are prominent among their colleagues and well known and respected throughout the community," said Peter Hernandez, President and COO.

About Teles Properties

Founded by Lou Piatt, former President of Jon Douglas Company; Peter Hernandez, former President of Coldwell Banker Orange County; and Steve Shull, President of Performance Coaching, Teles Properties boasts an innovative, profit-sharing model designed to provide both exceptional agents and exceptional customers with unparalleled services. Strictly attracting a select group of productive salespeople, Teles provides its agents with superior in-house services such as coaching, marketing, business administration, and technology, allowing them to spend more time focusing on the needs of their clients. Each agent has the opportunity to participate in a profit-sharing program and real estate investment opportunities structured to form a dynamic partnership between the company and its employees.

The company is anchored in Beverly Hills, with a second chapter opening soon in Brentwood and expansion possibilities in key high-end markets throughout California. Following the launch, Teles will explore the addition of affiliated business units in mortgage, escrow, homeowner's insurance and title insurance to provide additional client services.

For more information on Los Angeles and Santa Monica Luxury Real Estate click here!

Luxury homes may give space to affordable ones

Luxury homes may give space to affordable ones
Mona Mehta
Posted online: Monday , March 17, 2008 at 0103 hrs IST



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Mumbai, Mar 16 Its not just the stock Markets, the real estate Markets are also facing a neat correction. This year could see a drop in the ‘high value’ properties market since retail customers are looking for buying homes that cost less than Rs 50 lakh. This is what builders, property portals and international property consultants are suggesting.

Says Aditya Verma, business head, Makaan.com, which gets on an average 7 lakh visitors a month, “Most visitors access Makaan.com primarily to look for properties meeting their requirements. Based on this vast user base, we can confidently say that 70% visitors are interested in properties below Rs 50 lakh. The trend in this data suggests that there will be a drop in high value properties. So, 2008 will see more upcoming projects in less than Rs 50 lakh bracket.”

Anuj Puri, country head and chairman, Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, agrees, “Most major Indian developers are now actively getting into affordable homes to meet the existing shortage of 25 million residential units in the country. This is also a means for them to hedge the downside of a drop in the demand for luxury homes. There is a huge demand for residential units in the Rs 30-50 lakh range, but the metros have next to nothing to offer.” This, he says, makes the demand for middle-income homes much higher than that for luxury homes, presenting a lucrative and ongoing option for such developers to play the volume game in middle-income housing. However, most of these developers continue to develop high-end homes to meet the demand that exists.

Parag Munot, managing director, Kalpataru Properties, says, “With stability in the real estate market and a slowdown in stock Markets, it is time to evaluate pricing propositions. We may see some changes in the industry in the next three to four months. For example, in Thane and in Mira Road (Mumbai) we are developing affordable housing, where a 1,200-sq ft property costs Rs 48 lakh. In Chennai and Bangalore customers can find properties below Rs 40 lakh.”

Hemant Shah, chairman, Akruti City, said, “We are seriously thinking of providing affordable housing to masses.’’

Click here to learn more about Santa Monica Luxury Real Estate!

Is Luxury Homes is Growing Market?

Is Luxury Homes is Growing Market?
Find out What Kind of Person Owns a Luxury Home

Aliso Viejo, CA 3/17/2008 09:10 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)



The luxury homes market was once a tiny percentage of overall sales but today is a fast growing market segment that has gained increasing momentum over the past several years. Real estate professionals who once may have dabbled in the market are now beginning to view this niche as an opportunity to build a career path.



But what is a luxury home?



Certainly we can all imagine in our minds eye the enormous castle or a fabulous estate on the hill, complete with butlers and maids, but is this an accurate definition of today’s Luxury Home? Luxury homes are often described as expensive homes. But cost is only a measure of luxury, a way to measure the differences in any community. Cost can also vary greatly between areas of the country. A luxury home price in the one part of the country may not be able to buy a modest home in another. So price alone is a poor description of a luxury home.



Looking at it another way, luxury homes also include many types of properties from ranches, town homes, condominiums and apartments, to custom homes, villas and brownstones. But one area that all luxury home specialists seem to agree on is that location is a key ingredient to desirability. Location is often a reflection of lifestyle, a key component in the luxury homeowner’s decision making process. And therein rests the key ingredient that needs to be understood for real estate professionals that want to move into this growing market niche. According to John Brian Losh, publisher of Who’s Who In Luxury Real Estate, “When luxury buyers look for a home … they look for a lifestyle change – and they want the home to reflect the lifestyle of the area.”



If this is a market segment that holds some appeal for you, you’re not alone. There is a growing interest all across the country as more and more agents are enrolling in Luxury Home Courses. While each course is different and reflects the subtle aspects of the market and the author, they all agree that most every market has its luxury segment. This is often generalized as a sales price that is 2 times the current market average. While this is not a hard and fast rule it provides a starting point … and just that … a place to start.



One important distinction as noted by Thomas Stanley, author of the Millionaire Mind, “Homes are not like automobiles, and millionaires are not like most other people. New does not necessarily translate into better…or…improved.” A luxury home is not necessarily by definition always going to be new construction, or even a newer home. The most critical aspect to a luxury home is quality. Luxury homeowners demand and deserve the very highest quality home that money can buy. A luxury home then can be best described as a home that offers the highest quality location, floor plan, amenities and lifestyle to owners within their community.



What kind of person owns a luxury home? How do they accumulate the assets needed to purchase a luxury home? What demographic profile do they fit into? These are key questions to understand when attempting to obtain a foothold in the highly specialized field of Luxury Home Sales.



According to Zhu Xiao Di in his 2004 study of “Million Dollar” Homes and Wealth in the United States, “When looking at who buys luxury housing it’s wise to not just look at million dollar sales but also at “half million dollar plus” homes when studying who can afford to own affluent housing. This larger demographic takes into account the full range of high end home owners who may live in areas of the country where home prices which might not be comparable to coastal states.”



There are many factors that have aligned over the last several years to create an expanding luxury home market. These forces taken individually may not seem significant but when added together have created a powerful wave of interest in high end housing. Three key factors examined in the ALHS course from RealtyU are: 1) Record low interest rates, 2) Baby Boomers and 3) Wealth management. Of these, Wealth Management continues to be at the top of the list as household net wealth is the cornerstone for most Americans. Half of homeowners hold more than 41% of their household net wealth in the form of home equity, and half of all American households have at least 27% of their net wealth in the form of home equity.



The bottom line is that there is no single definition for the luxury home market. It varies from market to market and even within individual market segments. What is certain, however, is the opportunity that awaits the dedicated professional that is willing to dig in, explore, learn and understand today’s luxury home buyers and sellers. A great place to do just that is the Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS) course and designation managed by the Luxury Home Council and now offered in a rich, interactive online format from RealtyU.

Luxury Santa Monica Real Estate