What do you worry about?

If you’re a typical Realtor in Los Angeles, then you probably worry about the current market conditions. If you are a home buyer or seller, then it’s probably very much on your mind. Even though we all know that Real Estate is cyclical, it still can be a scary time. I know that every day I get out and meet new clients or work with buyers on their first home purchase I always have to show confidence even when I sometimes don’t feel all that confident. The news media doesn’t help – do we really need to be bombarded 24/7 with clips of the stock market floor in a frenzy? Or see the graphs depicting home prices falling? I have chosen not to surround myself (as much as possible) with negative images and noise. I choose not to have a TV in my home. I choose to walk away from negative energy in my industry and surround myself with people that move forward, no matter what. Will this correct the real estate cycle? Maybe not immediately but in the long term, it will definitely be moving it in the right direction. So the next time I hesitate to answer a question from my buyer or seller, remember, it’s not necessarily that I don’t know the answer – it could be that I’m just taking the time to catch my breath and remember that what goes down, DOES indeed go up. Helping you live your Life to the Max!

 

REDUCED in Calabasas – Mediterranean VIEW home! 5 Bed, 4 bath, super neighborhood

Lauren Case | Rodeo Realty Fine Estates | lauren@laurencase.com | (818) 974-8722 4337 Park Corona, Calabasas, CA Gorgeous Classic Calabasas VIEW home 5BR/2+2BA Single Family House offered at $1,125,000 Year Built 1970 Sq Footage 3,128 Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 2 full, 2 partial Floors 2 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 25,295 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION JUST REDUCED! Enjoy the Calabasas lifestyle in this superbly maintained Mediterranean VIEW residence showcasing a flowing, open floor-plan with a lush backyard designed for entertaining. The 2 story entry is flooded with natural light, and opens to the formal living room with cathedral ceiling & fireplace for ambiance. Gorgeous custom wood entertainment center & wet bar in the family room accent the overall feel of quality throughout. The Master retreat is stunning with designer colored walls & tiles, soothing jetted tub, glass shower, double sinks, walk-in closet and additional custom built cabinetry for ample storage space. Your in-laws & guests will appreciate the seclusion of their own private en-suite bedroom on the ground level while the 3 other substantial bedrooms upstairs boast mirrored closets & ceiling fans. Test your culinary skills in the well-appointed kitchen with Thermador double ovens, Dacor cooktop, and built-in KitchenAid refrigerator. Or, open the French doors & grill outdoors with your friends on the built-in BBQ, splash in the pool or just relax on the decks while appreciating the expansive pastoral unobstructed views. Only a few minutes from upscale shopping & dining, a short drive to the beach, & located in the acclaimed Las Virgenes School District, this home offers a blend of comfort, leisure, and style. A truly beautiful home! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Central heat - Fireplace - High/Vaulted ceiling - Walk-in closet - Hardwood floor - Tile floor - Family room - Living room - Office/Den - Dining room - Breakfast nook - Dishwasher - Stove/Oven - Microwave - Laundry area – inside - Balcony, Deck, or Patio - Yard - Swimming pool - Jacuzzi/Whirlpool OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES - Las Virgenes Schools - Wonderful Calabasas neighborhood - Close to Calabasas Commons & short drive to beach - HOA only $190/year! ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Mediterranean with view Pergola Pool/spa Spa with waterfall Views off deck Side yard w/Viking BBQ Covered sitting area Pastoral views Photo 8 Foyer Living room Master bedroom Master bath Breakfast room Family room Upstairs full bath Guest suite/office Guest bath w/shower Contact info: Lauren Case Rodeo Realty Fine Estates DRE #01792765 lauren@laurencase.com (818) 974-8722 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Aug 14, 2011, 7:07pm PDT

 

Just reduced! 5BR/4BA VIEW home in Calabasas, CA, $1,174,999

For Sale: 5BR/2+2BA Single Family House in Calabasas, CA, $1,174,999.

 

Follow your dreams

I listened to Steve Jobs commencement speech at Stanford University that he presented in 2005 and was again reminded how important it is to love what you do. Real estate to me is filled with new ideas, encounters, and an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong desire to be challenged daily and I truly love what I do. I wake up in the morning wondering who I might meet during my door-knocking or how I will negotiate the offer I made on behalf of a buyer on a complicated short sale. It gets my blood pumping, for sure. But no less important is the other side of the coin – love yourself enough to make time to take care of yourself personally as well.

2200' of vertical climb, 3.6 miles to the top of Bulldog Trail at Malibu Creek SP

I started my day yesterday with a 13 mile run through the trails of Malibu Creek State Park which included a 3.6 mile climb up Bulldog trail with 2200’ of vertical ascent. By the time I got to the top, my heart was indeed pumping but I was greeted with a phenomenal panoramic view of the park below me and the ocean with Catalina in the distance behind me. I took a few minutes to sit down and just enjoy the view. I was completely alone – at that time of day (early morning) there aren’t many hikers/runners or bikers out there so I got to experience absolute silence which we don’t often hear, so to speak.  I reflected on what my day might shape up to be and how I could keep challenging myself.  As I headed back down the mountain towards my car, I realized I am blessed to have my health, my family and friends, and the ability to follow my dreams, both professionally and personally.

 

Why so many spider haters out there?

On my 10 mile trail run this morning in the hills above Calabasas, I came across a tarantula making his way across the fire road. He scuttled and scurried his way until reaching the side where he paused as if to say “right here looks like a good spot for a rest”. Unfortunately, he was all too obvious to not only me but I’m certain others who wouldn’t find him so charming.  I took a picture of him on my android phone & posted it on my Facebook page when I reached my destination, Calabasas Peak (about 2100′).  There were plenty of other animals & lizards out there like rabbits and snakes but none seem to instill the same vehement reaction that my spider picture did today.  Maybe because I’m so used to being out in the wilds of Los Angeles that I feel we should all make way for each other but it sure surprised me to hear my FB peeps tell me to “take down that picture!”, and “dinner?”, or “ewww!!”.   Even spiders perform a very important function in our ecosystem and perhaps if more people got out there and walked/ran the hills I run in practically every day, we would all find it to be a special delight when we come across something as unique as a tarantula.  Live and let live, I say.

Calabasas tarantula

 

Proud to be an American

It doesn’t take much for a community to become a healthy community if you have willing participants and I certainly witnessed it last night at the Warner Park‘s 4th of July fireworks show in Woodland Hills, CA. What a wonderful show from the Valley Cultural Center that sponsored it and even more importantly, what a wonderful show of neighbors viewing it.  Sometimes it’s the little things that we miss while we lose focus on the big events that can make all the difference in appreciating what we have. I loved seeing all the families with their kids, teens, dogs, boyfriends, etc walking the usually busy Topanga Canyon Boulevard (closed to vehicle traffic for this once a year event) to celebrate the birth of our nation. And, I must say, we were a varied lot. And that, my friend, is why I’m proud to say I’m American.

 

HUGE price reduction: 4BR/3BA Single Family House in Calabasas, CA, $1,399,999

For Sale: 4BR/3BA Single Family House in Calabasas, CA, $1,399,999.

 

Are home prices really still falling?

CNN says they are; MSNBN agrees; the Wall Street Journal says “Home Prices Hit Post-Bubble Low”.  It’s true to some extent that we are still seeing home prices fall but here is the clincher – not in all instances!  How can a seller increase their chances of keeping more of their equity? First off, hire a Realtor that knows your neighborhood and understands what are the attributes that will make your home sell for more. Secondly, price your home where the agent recommends pricing it – they are the experts!  The buyers out there are the ones that ultimately decide what they are willing to pay for your house, so keep that in mind when the thought creeps into your head “but I really wanted to make XX amount of money”.  It’s not what you want to make back on the house that should determine the price but rather the hard number crunching based on statistics and comparatives of other homes sold in your neighborhood that should dictate your asking price. There is no greater mistake than pricing it higher than is recommended only to find that a large percentage of buyers are no longer interested in even seeing the house. The incorrect mindset of “but I will have no negotiating room” is old-school – price it right & it will sell quickly and for the right price!! Thirdly, make sure your home is in tip-top shape even if this means spending a little to get it spruced up right. If the buyers sense any sort of maintenance issues, they will immediately start to think “is this home a distress sale?” and $$ will start dropping off.  We’ve got buyers & sellers that are in the market right now with the correct mindset & it’s paying off for them. Are you one of them??

 

Gated Spanish Hacienda along scenic Mulholland Corridor

Spanish Hacienda in Calabasas along scenic Mulholland corridor

Romantic Spanish Hacienda hideaway on over an acre of gated estate grounds in desirable Mulholland Scenic Corridor in Calabasas. Designed for indoor/outdoor living, this home has numerous French doors opening to pergola covered patios featuring a built-in BBQ grill, a large swimmer’s pool & spa, a putting green, flat lawns and mature landscaping. Wonderfully close to hiking, bike trails and urban areas, this multi-level 4 bedroom, 3 bath 3,147 ft residence has sweeping mountain views from bedroom verandas, custom plaster walls, carved wood & iron entry door, tall ceilings, wood beams, skylights, and imported French stone & tile accents. The chef’s kitchen has a large custom built eat-in granite table large enough to seat 6 with wood cabinetry & wine rack beneath, granite counters, Sub Zero fridge, & Viking range with grill. Magnificent taste and attention to detail resonate throughout this home! Call Lauren at (818) 974-8722 for additional details

 

Spectacular Family Estate, south of the Boulevard in Tarzana

Check it out at http://tours.imagemaker360.com/Viewer/23.asp?id=99945