First Time LA Home Buyer Real Estate Voice » properties

Pacific Palisades: Beautiful Will Rogers State Park, California

Philippe Rodrigue — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 04:38:46 +0000

Have you ever been to the Will Rogers State Historic Park? This was my first time at the park and I had no idea how beautiful it was. Will Rogers was the most popular and highest paid actor in Hollywood in the early 1930’s and he owned over 186 acres in what is now known as the Pacific Palisades. Rogers’ property included a golf course, hiking trails, and a beautiful stable with 31 room ranch house. The actor died in an airplane crash in 1935, and the ranch later became a state park in 1944.

The ranch is extremely relaxing and peaceful This park has so much to offer, including horseback riding lessons, ranch house tours, guided trail rides and an amazing moderate 3-mile hike to Inspiration Point where you can enjoy a full view of the ocean.

Take a quick look at the video bellow and feel free to leave any comments.

Philippe Rodrigue is a community expert for Pacific Palisades, and can be followed on http://twitter.com/philrodrigue

Palm-Mar Vista: Great Opportunity for First Time Home Buyer

Philippe Rodrigue — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:23:35 +0000

3756 Moore Street, Mar Vista offered at $825,000. IF YOU DESIRE…The original architectural details of a 1930’s Spanish style home but want all the upgrades of a newer home. You will love this modernized property that has successfully combined and integrated the old with the new. Cement counters, warm hardwoods, barreled ceilings, spa like master suite and private garden. The formal living room has a large arched window, two bay windows, hardwood floors and a lovely fireplace. The master suite with plenty of closet space and special bathroom overlook the backyard. If you’ve been looking for a home that’s dramatically different from the ordinary homes you’ve been seeing then this house is the one you’ve been waiting for.

How’s the Real Estate Market of the Riviera in the Pacific Palisades

Philippe Rodrigue — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:59:07 +0000

I was driving around on caravan today (Open Houses for Brokers) and looking at specific homes for my clients in my favorite neighborhood of the Pacific Palisades: the Riviera.

Guest how many listings are currently active on the market? If we look at the Market Analysis report from the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), there are currently 22 homes actively for sale on the market, one in escrow and 8 homes that have been sold in the last 3 months.

From those 8 homes sold, the average days on the market are 116 and the median price is $3,375,000. The average price in the Riviera is currently $4,504,000 with an average price per square foot of $935. If we comparing those numbers to 3 years ago, there is a decline of 20%. That was in 2007, at the peak of the market. The average homes used to go for $1,159 per square foot.

So, do you think now might be a great time to buy?I’d love to know your thoughts.

Great opportunity for First Time Home Buyer in Rancho Park

Philippe Rodrigue — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:19:58 +0000

10540 Ayres Ave, $879,000. Redone & remodeled 2 bed 1.75 bath Traditional in Rancho Park. Perfectly captivating with multiple gardens, dining patios and decks bringing the outdoors and sunlight inside while creating a most comfortable lifestyle. Formal living, dining & Sun Rooms, remodeled kitchen and baths, sumptuous master suite with direct outside access to fabulous deck overlooking the very private gardens. Upgraded roof, plumbing, electrical & heat. Overland Elementary School.

Good Real Estate Deal in Cheviot Hills

Philippe Rodrigue — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:08:04 +0000

10551 Esther Ave, asking $869,000. Incredibly private & serene designer Traditional 2 bed/1.5 bath set on knoll with tree-top views + guest qtrs w/ bathrm. Endless charm & character w/ updates. Living rm w/ brick-accented fireplace, dbl french drs to private side patio. FDR w/ chair railing, crown molding & french drs to brick patio & beautifully landscaped bkyd. Sun-filled kitchen includes bfast area w/ corner window, fresh white countertops & cabinetry w/ new s/s dishwasher. Lndry rm & updated 1/2 bath off kitchen w/ sideyd access. Rear mstr bdrm w/ dbl french drs to private patio & bkyd. Totally rmdld full bathrm w/ dual basins, marble & subway tile finishes. 2nd bedrm w/access to patio & bkyd. Detached bonus rm/guest qtrs nestled in the rear of the property w/ french drs, tile flrs & full bath. Additional updates include refinished hrdwd flrs, newer furnace, newly painted interior & exterior. Exuding a tranquil lifestyle in prime Cheviot Hils/Rancho Park location.

LA Real Estate: What You Can Get in the Valley Compared to the Westside

Philippe Rodrigue — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:38:41 +0000

Here’s some interesting real estate market data for the general Westside of Los Angeles as well as the Valley communities south of the 101 freeway.

I only picked 5 cities in the valley including Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana and Woodland Hills. For the Westside, I chose Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica.

If we look at the statistics of what’s been sold in the last 2 months in the valley: We have 370 homes sold, average days on the market is 70, average price is $800,000 and the average price per square foot is $330. If we compare those numbers to the Westside we have 156 homes sold, average days on the market is 70 as well, average price is $2,400,000 which is triple the price of what you can get in the valley and the average price per square foot is $725.

Once again this is general information but useful to know. For 15 minutes more of driving, you can get twice as much as you would on the Westside.

Pacific Palisades: Southern California’s Best Youth Athletes Learn Tennis at Riviera Country Club

Philippe Rodrigue — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:30:57 +0000

The Riviera Country Club in the Pacific Palisades hardly needs an introduction: it is one of the best places in Los Angeles to play golf and tennis, or to simply come and relax in one of their 30 guest rooms with all the modern luxury amenities you would expect from such a high-caliber locale.

Meet the director of high-performance training Erik Kortland. He oversees the Junior Excellence Program, which takes youth tennis training to the next level – Kortland’s students consistently rank at international levels. Would you expect anything less from a golf and tennis club that has been world-famous for nearly 80 years?

Kortland is currently training on the clay courts for the National Clay Courts in Florida. In Southern California, they are preparing for the Quicksilver Tournament in Palm Springs, and the US Open Qualifier in Clairemont.

Many notable tennis stars have passed through the doors at the Riviera Country Club. To name a few: Maria Sharapova, Mardy Fish, John McEnroe, and the Williams Sisters.

Great Deal for a First Time Home Buyer in Mar Vista, California for $385,000

Philippe Rodrigue — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:53:45 +0000

This charming 1bd/1ba cottage style home is perfect for your first time homebuyer. Bonus room is great for an artist’s studio or home office. Property is zoned R3 for multifamily development opportunity. Large rear yard offers ample parking and many possibilities for entertaining or creating a tranquil backyard getaway. Great access to 405 freeway and local Mar Vista neighborhood.

Big Tennis Event Coming Up at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Club

Philippe Rodrigue — Thu, 27 May 2010 21:01:55 +0000

Calabasas Open & NTRP Championships
A USTA Sanctioned Event
June 4, 5, & 6 (Fri, Sat & Sun), 2010
Location: Calabasas Tennis & Swim Club

This is the second annual USTA sanctioned Open Tournament at Calabasas Tennis & Swim
TO ENTER ONLINE: Click on the following link

http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=82812

Online entry instructions:

6) Click on red writing that says: Click here to register online

7) Enter your USTA # and you’re on your way.

Pay by credit card

Men’s Open division winners, both singles & doubles, receive free entry into the $50,000.00 USTA Pro Circuit Challenger of Calabasas Wildcard Tournament in October. If draw exceeds 16 players, both singles finalists are eligible for free entry.

If the 5.5 Men’s Singles division has more than 8 players, then the winner will also receive a free entry into the Wildcard Tournament.

Friday matches will not start until 6:30 with some matches starting at 8:00 PM

You may not have to start play on Friday, depending on how many entries there are in your division.

Divisions: Men’s & Women’s Singles & Doubles and Mixed Doubles

Open, 5.5, 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0

Times: Saturday & Sunday matches start as early as 11:00 AM

Matches may be scheduled as late as 6:00 PM

Entry Fee: $35.00 Singles, $42.00 per team Doubles

The Famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in the Heart of Hollywood

Philippe Rodrigue — Tue, 25 May 2010 02:20:47 +0000

If you are visiting LA, you may want to take some time and see the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in the heart of Hollywood.

It was once stated that “to visit Los Angeles and not see the Chinese Theatre is like visiting China and not seeing the Great Wall”. This famous Theatre had its Grand opening on May 18, 1927 and since that time has hosted too many movie premieres and movie star appearances to count.

Probably one of the coolest attractions from this theatre is the cement handprints and footprints of all the famous movie stars thru time.

You can also enjoy this little video showing what the place has to offer.