AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog/media/feedlogo.gif AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/California Real Estate Scammer Pays for Wedding With Investors' Cashhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/16/california-real-estate-scammer-pays-for-wedding-with-investors/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/16/california-real-estate-scammer-pays-for-wedding-with-investors/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/16/california-real-estate-scammer-pays-for-wedding-with-investors/#commentsFiled under: ,

The honeymoon is over for a Long Beach, Calif., man who was sentenced to jail time this week for defrauding investors in a real estate Ponzi scheme.

Between 2003 and 2006, Jon Weldon James, 33, defrauded 50 investors, taking more than $33 million via phony investments. Instead of investing in real estate as he promised, James used the funds to pay for his wedding at the St. Regis Monarch Beach luxury resort in Dana Point, to open a music recording studio and to found a production company called On the Ball Entertainment.

How was he able to defraud so many?
In this case, investors simply were not on the ball. As reports indicate, James bought few properties and earned no returns on investments. He followed the classic Ponzi pattern by using new investors' funds to show profits to later investors. He also faked account statements. Victims invested from savings and IRA accounts, often after attending one of James' convincing presentations at local restaurants, confirms the U.S. Department of Justice. Among his seven company names were J.W. James and Associates Inc., The Virtual Cash Flow Corp. and The Cloaking Device Inc.

James pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge in February, relating to a deal he made with a couple, promising them an annual return of 20 percent on a real estate property investment of approximately $500,000. On July 12, he was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $11,172,412 in restitution to victims.

James is just one of many real estate scammers now behind bars because of federal law enforcement efforts. Ponzi schemes and real estate scams are still hoodwinking investors. An Ohio man reportedly defrauded investors to the tune of $9 million; his victims are seeking restitution from his widow. Bernie Madoff is the most notorious architect of collapsing Ponzi pyramids: His scheme resulted in $65 billion in losses. There are many reasons why these cases are more common, including the collapse of the housing bubble, which exposed numerous fraudulent activities, including diverting TARP funds and misstating information on loan documents.

Mortgage and real estate investment frauds are not new schemes. White collar criminals are expert at devising elaborate scams to defraud investors. Other California cases prove the lengths to which these kinds of people will go; however, there are ways to protect yourself.

Note to investors: these cases confirm that you should independently check out any real estate professional before you do business with them, even if they have been recommended by a trusted business associate or friend, and especially if they offer a real estate investment strategy that promises 20 percent returns.


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]]>bernie madoffcalifornia real estatejon weldon jamesmortgage fraudmortgage fraud schemesPonzi SchemePonziSchemereal estate fraudwire fraudKathy A. McDonald2010-07-16T13:55:00 00:00Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne Rent Out Their Malibu Beach Househttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/14/ozzy-and-sharon-osbourne-rent-out-their-malibu-beach-house/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/14/ozzy-and-sharon-osbourne-rent-out-their-malibu-beach-house/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/14/ozzy-and-sharon-osbourne-rent-out-their-malibu-beach-house/#commentsEmpty-nesters Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne are selling their Malibu beach house. However, they seem to be waiting for the right price as the five-bedroom, five-bath 4,500-square-foot home has been on the market since 2006. It is now available for lease at $40,000 per month.

Located on La Costa Beach (not as exclusive as Carbon Beach farther north, known as Billionaires' Beach), the home was originally listed for $14 million. Per the Real Estalker, the house price was eventually reduced to $10.95 million and has been leased over the years. In 2008, it could be had for $25,000 per month.

Is it rock star ready?
Surprisingly, the beach house has little of the goth-inspired, crucifix-and-crystal decor featured in their Beverly Hills manse, as seen on their old MTV reality show. The three-story beach house is light and airy, with a white-on-white decorating scheme. Wood floors are found in the chic master bedroom, complete with fireplace. French doors open to the ocean view. There's no pool (few Malibu beach houses have them), but a hot tub on the outdoor terrace comes with a stellar view.

Although $40,000 should equal a down payment rather than a monthly lease, the fee is not out-of-the-ordinary in celeb-magnet Malibu. Last summer, David Spade asked $65,000 per month for his La Costa Beach pad.

So, how sweet is Ozzy and Sharon's beach crib?

Traffic is constant on the Pacific Coast Highway out front, but a gated, walled entryway with a fountain should cut down on most of the noise. The waves crashing just outside drown out most of the extraneous sound. Of course, the location is a wow -- windows and French doors let the brilliant sunshine in. Even the bathtub has an ocean view.

An all stainless-steel, gourmet chef's kitchen is what you'd expect in house of this price range. Wine refrigerator and coffee maker are both built-in. The kitchen opens to the dining room, which has a shabby chic-style: distressed white dining room table and matching breakfront. The master bathroom has marble flooring and walls. White-painted sconces add a feminine touch. There's no man cave, but rather an elegant wood-paneled office that comes with built-in bookshelves.

In 2007, the Osbournes sold their Beverly Hills home to Christina Aguilera and her husband, and moved to the pricey enclave of Hidden Hills, Calif., where they bought a home with more property. The Malibu beach house went on the market around the same time.

Malibu is known for pricey home sales and celebrity residents. (One multimillion dollar home for sale earlier this summer came with a Ferrari as incentive). Among the celebs with homes on the market is interior designer Kelly Wearstler. Her beach pad, on 72 feet of prime Carbon Beach, is listed at $21.9 million. Mel Gibson's former family home is also on the market. One of several that that the actor owns in the area, the six-bedroom, six-bath home is for sale at $14.6 million. The most expensive home for sale in Malibu is $65 million, making the Osbourne's beach villa a relative bargain.

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]]>beach housecelebrity real estatemalibu real estateozzy osbourneSharon OsbourneKathy A. McDonald2010-07-14T16:24:00 00:00America's Highest-Priced Home Sale in Bel Air: Is It Worth It?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/06/24/americas-highest-priced-home-sale-is-it-worth-it/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/06/24/americas-highest-priced-home-sale-is-it-worth-it/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/06/24/americas-highest-priced-home-sale-is-it-worth-it/#commentsFiled under:

The owner was asking a lot, and the buyer paid plenty. The end result? The most expensive residential real estate sale in the U.S. so far this year.

A 48,000-square foot, hilltop mega-mansion in Bel Air, Calif., has closed for more than $46.5 million (the previous record held by the Bootjack Ranch in Colorado). According to listing real estate agent Stacy Gottula, Coldwell Banker Previews, Beverly Hills, the sale has been completed. However, confidentiality agreements prevent Gottula, the co-listing agent Joyce Rey or the seller from disclosing the exact price or buyer for the home, which was listed at $72 million.

Built by developer Mohamed Hadid, Le Belvedere was designed to resemble a French chateau and comes with architectural details, finishes and amenities expected in a castle fit for royalty. Hadid has built numerous other opulent structures over his 30-year career, from Ritz-Carlton hotels to other luxury homes, including the Holmby Hills estate that Michael Jackson was renting when he died.

"The buyer can walk-in and their lifestyle starts," says Hadid of the unique home that was sold completely furnished. On the market for more than a year (and originally listed at $85 million), the deal took more than six months to close, not unusual for ultra-high-priced estates.

But what does one get when they spend more than anyone else in the country?
The basics include 10 bedrooms and 14 baths on 2.2 acres of landscaped grounds. The custom-built mansion took 18 months to complete, says Hadid and at one point more than 300 artisans were working on the luxe interior finishes.

Certainly it's hard to argue that the new owner isn't getting his or her money's worth.

There is a screening room with hand-painted ceilings that seats 50; there's also a grand ballroom, a 5,000-bottle wine cellar, 19 fireplaces, a 70-foot-long infinity pool, as well as a swan pond. The Moroccan-style suite and spa was partly built in Morocco and comes with a Turkish-style hamman (a tiled steam room). Hand-carved woodwork and Bavarian walnut wood floors are present throughout the house.

Outside, the exterior is faced with imported Jerusalem stone from Israel. Hadid contends that the home is designed to be lived in. It's a place where someone can "kick up their feet and relax," he adds.

That someone better have deep pockets, as Los Angeles County tax payments alone will be more than $460,000 a year. Maintenance on its eight rose gardens, seven fountains and parklike grounds should be made easier by the on-site quarters for staff. A motor court has room for 20 vehicles and there's a gated staff entrance. Security system with cameras is in place, as well.

Meanwhile, Hadid has moved on to his next project: A custom-built mansion next to the Beverly Hills Hotel. Per the Los Angeles Times, two other stratospheric-priced homes remain on the market: Candy Spelling's $150 million manse in Holmby Hills and the $125-million priced Fleur de Lys, also in the pricey Westside Los Angeles neighborhood.

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]]>Bel Airbootjack ranchexpensiveholmby hillslos angeles real estateresidential real estateKathy A. McDonald2010-06-24T18:30:00 00:00Real Estate Fraud: How to Spot a Scamhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/06/04/how-to-protect-yourself-against-real-estate-fraud/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/06/04/how-to-protect-yourself-against-real-estate-fraud/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/06/04/how-to-protect-yourself-against-real-estate-fraud/#commentsFiled under:

Real estate and mortgage fraud cases may be the latest fallout from the recent real estate bubble. Two recent California court cases demonstrate the lengths that white-collar criminals will go to in order to deceive buyers, banks and investors.

In Orange County, a former real estate broker stole clients' identities, forged signatures and falsified documents with two other suspects in order to obtain loans -- and then stole the funds. According to the Los Angeles Times, another fraud case involved a Hermosa Beach real estate investor who recently pleaded guilty to defrauding clients of more than $7 million,

Mortgage fraud is not a new scheme. White collar criminals have long devised elaborate scams to defraud buyers and banks of loan money. A November 2009 Maryland case, resulting in a 42-month jail term for Terrence White, involved White and others paying "straw buyers" $10,000 to purchase properties. False mortgage and settlement documents were created resulting in more than $19 million in loans. Most of the funds have not been paid back and the properties have gone into default.

But if banks and other lenders are not savvy enough to see through these scams, how can consumers?
If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is -- a maxim that potential real estate investors and buyers should always consider. In the Hermosa Beach mortgage fraud case, as reported in the Los Angeles Times, former real estate broker Mary Elaine Perkins, who owned Carlton Financial Enterprises Inc., used money from more than 90 investors for her scheme. She claimed to be making hard-money loans (short-term, high-interest loans) to buyers who could not otherwise obtain financing. As with Bernie Madoff's scam, Perkins repaid some early investors with money obtained from others who later bought in. But no one received a return on investment as promised.

Buyers can protect themselves from this kind of fraud-for-profit. With Google and other Internet search sites, references should be checked prior to investing any funds. Ralph Roberts and Rachel Dollar's book "Protect Yourself From Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud," is another resource, as is common sense. HUD offers concise tips regarding what a homebuyer should do in order to protect themselves from real estate fraud or predatory lending.

In the Maryland incident, and another California case involving former slasher movie producer James McConville, phony buyers were paid to front transactions -- a costly mistake, as McConville kept the falsely obtained funds and the phony buyers were left with real ruin to their credit.

In the Orange County case, as detailed in the Orange County Register, former real estate broker Kathy Chen used fraudulently obtained personal and credit information to fabricate false loan applications for phony buyers, including a 92-year-old.

Protect yourself from identity theft by obtaining free credit reports on an annual basis. If these victims had kept tabs on their credit history, they might have been alerted to the fraud earlier. The government site suggests spacing out requests for free credit reports over the year, just to be safe. And if you have become a victim of identity theft, another U.S. government website also offers solutions.

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]]>california real estatecon artistscredit reportfraudidenity theftmortgage fraudmortgage fraud foreclosuremortgage fraud schemesreal estate fraudWhite Collar CrimeKathy A. McDonald2010-06-04T12:00:00 00:00L.A.'s Most Expensive Condo on Wilshire Sells for $7.27Mhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/19/l-a-s-most-expensive-condo-sells-for-7-26m/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/19/l-a-s-most-expensive-condo-sells-for-7-26m/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/19/l-a-s-most-expensive-condo-sells-for-7-26m/#commentsFiled under:

One of six penthouse mega-condos at Wilshire Boulevard's The Carlyle Residences closed last week for $7.267 million. Sale of the 5,194-square-foot home made it the highest-priced condominium sale on L.A.'s famed eight-lane boulevard of high-rise residential buildings since February 2008.

Built and developed by the Elad Group (the company that remade New York's historic Plaza Hotel into hotel/residences), the building is already a hit with some famous faces. To date, celebs like Bruce Willis, talk show host Larry King, L.A. Dodger Matt Kemp and crooner (and Jason Bateman's father-n-law) Paul Anka have all bought condos there, likely because of the building's clever celeb-friendly design.
The Carlyle has careful, paparazzi-free design: The main entrance is set back from the street behind hedges; there is also an entrance underground via the parking garage; and windows are coated so that residents can see out but those in neighboring buildings or across the street can't see in.

The long lenses of the paparazzo can't penetrate the glazed windows either!

Completed in 2009, The Carlyle will most likely be one of the last luxury condominium developments to be built for some time on the crowded boulevard. Closer to Beverly Hills and overlooking the Los Angeles Country Club's golf course, the 35-unit Beverly West Residences is close to completion. Developed by EMAAR properties, creators of the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, that project has yet to come to market.

So those looking for ultra-new and private are considering The Carlye, which also offers "white-glove" hotel service to residents and remarkably functional floor plans. Its location just two blocks from central Westwood in an established Los Angeles residential neighborhood, means Carlyle occupants can actually walk to numerous restaurants, much shopping and excellent cultural activities at the nearby Hammer Museum, Geffen Playhouse and on the UCLA campus.

Their 24-story building has only 78 residences. And because the elevators are staggered in locations throughout the tower, elevators open directly into residences. A special key allows access only to each resident's own entrance. Security is super-tight, too, and on hand 24/7.

"The elevator configuration has resonated with buyers and is unusual for Los Angeles," says Alan Mark, president of the Mark Co. -- the marketing firm for the building. (Mark previously helped sell out San Francisco's St. Regis Residences).

A slew of services are included in the building such as a private, temperature-controlled wine locker for each residence, housed in an apartment-sized wine room, a shared living room designed by Fendi Casa, and a gym designed in partnership with SportsClub LA that rivals those found at many mid-size hotels. For those who do buy in, decision making at this point is left to choosing the style of hardwood floor and finishes. Everything else is done, from the his-and-her bathrooms to the show kitchens. "It's been very important to buyers, a key thing, that they can move in quite soon after purchase," notes Mark.

The next highest priced Wilshire condominium sale was at The Californian at $4,825,000.

Once the expected competitors are complete -- the Beverly West Residence and The Century, nearing completion in Century City -- the three high-rise, high-priced projects should push condominium per-square-foot prices even higher. The topmost Carlyle penthouse is now priced at $14 million, a record for the Los Angeles corridor.

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]]>condominiumcondominiums for saleL.A. condoslos angeleslos angeles condoslos angeles condos for saleluxury los angeles condoluxury los angeles real estatereal estateWestwoodwilshire condosKathy A. McDonald2010-05-19T14:00:00 00:00Hollywood at Its Heights, Just $11.5Mhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/14/hollywoods-best-views-just-11-5m/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/14/hollywoods-best-views-just-11-5m/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/14/hollywoods-best-views-just-11-5m/#commentsFiled under:

With jetliner views of the Los Angeles basin -- from the ocean to downtown -- this $11.5-million contemporary home is the kind of Hollywood Hills showplace that might you imagine every hot, young movie or music star lives in. (Check out Kayne West's $3.9 million pop-art filled, architectural home on a nearby slope). Winding your way up the extremely curvy Sunset Plaza Drive might seem totally impractical until you see in the drop-dead view from this glass-and-steel house.

Real estate agent Blair Chang, of Rose + Chang, explains that, "Even in this market, a buyer will pay a premium price for a house that's rare and super-hard to duplicate."

Set on its own promontory, with a jutting deck that feels like an eagle's nest, 1900 Sunset Plaza Drive provides a feeling of endless space combined with privacy -- strong selling points for a certain sector of L.A.'s entertainment industry. Though built in 2004, it has an adjacent two-bedroom, two-bath 1920s bungalow that can be part of the sale, creating a "serious private compound," says Chang

Home sale prices continue to soar in this once-modest postwar neighborhood. Why do buyers pay up to $1,750 per square foot for a home on this hill?
Real estate agent Blair Chang sees potential buyers migrating from the nearby bird-named streets of the Hollywood Hills to Sunset Plaza Drive. There are good reasons to move above Sunset Plaza: residential lots are generally larger than on the "bird" streets (Blue Jay Way, Oriole Way and Thrasher Ave.) and the views are just as fine.

Homes for sale here are extremely pricey and a favorite of stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Aniston.

DiCaprio's neighbor, nightclub and hotel owner Sam Nazarian, is selling his ultra-bachelor pad which was also once home to the fictional Vincent Chase on HBO's "Entourage. Priced at $18,900,000, that's a little more than $3,000 per square foot.

Chang recently sold an all-new, 5,200-square-foot, Sunset Plaza Drive house closer to Sunset Blvd. for $9.1 million, a relative bargain compared to Nazarian's citadel.

Sunset Plaza Drive's most sought after homes for sale have "no neighbor impact," says Chang. At 1900 Sunset Plaza Dr., there are incredible views with neighbors (and pesky paparazzi) out of sight, and below, with no direct access. An open floor-plan means the living and dining rooms open out to the deck where there are steps down to a small lap-pool and spa.

Ceilings in the living room are 24-feet-high and designed to take in the view. A 10-seat screening room seems a given, as does the designer kitchen with black-granite counters, custom maple cabinets and small dining nook (with insane views too!).

The master suite is perched over the living room below: windows open to the inside of the house -- an architectural choice that also takes advantage of the enviable location on L.A.'s heights.

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]]>architecturalcelebrity homescelebrity real estateexpensivehollywood hillshollywood hills real estatehome for salelos angeleslos angeles real estatereal estatesunset plaza drive homes for saleKathy A. McDonald2010-05-14T10:00:00 00:00'Real Housewife' Short Sale in the O.C.http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/13/real-housewife-short-sale-in-the-o-c/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/13/real-housewife-short-sale-in-the-o-c/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/13/real-housewife-short-sale-in-the-o-c/#commentsFiled under:

Sometimes the reality of high-flying finances even hits reality TV stars. Being a blond bombshell on Bravo TV's "The Real Housewives of Orange County" didn't prevent celeb housewife Tamra Barney from facing real estate woes. Barney, like many other divorcing spouses and those in financial difficulties, just sold her Ladera Ranch home for much less than she paid for and borrowed against it.

In 2005, Barney and her then-husband Simon paid $1,320,500 for the house and then borrowed another $200,000 for improvements such as a saltwater pool and spa, for total investment of $1,520,500. According to The Orange County Register, the house sold this week for a reported $1.12 million.

Rather than walking away from the home or declaring bankruptcy, Barney listened to the advice of her real estate agent Marcos Prolo of Berrington Properties and worked with her lenders to negotiate a short sale -- thus preserving her credit standing.

Although the process took more than nine months, the lenders agreed to accept approximately $400,500 less than what the Barneys owed. In the O.C. these days, short sales are not uncommon, says Prolo who finds that 70 percent of his real estate transactions are short sales.

What happened to the high-flying O.C. housing market?Per DataQuick, single-family homes in Orange County now resell for 31 percent less than their peak pricing of June 2007. The newer developments of custom homes -- like the Ladera Ranch community just above San Juan Capistrano where the Barneys bought in -- have been hit hardest by buyers using once-easy loans to live outside their means.

On a standard property sale, escrow typically takes 30 to 60 days. Short sales are another matter, as lenders must agree to a loss; Prolo finds that the average short sale takes six months to close.

The Barneys' escrow was unusually lengthy (nine months to close), which he attributes to bank paperwork snafus.

While prices have not gone up per se, Prolo sees houses selling and lingering for less time on the market. Currently, houses priced below $1 million are in high demand in the O.C. and are the hottest sector of the housing market.

The Barney's former mini-manse was built in SoCal's perennially popular, faux-Tuscan style. Located within the gated Covenant Hills community, the five-bedroom, five-and-half bath house is approximately 4,300 square feet and features high-end appliances, hardwood floors, custom stone work, crown moldings, a formal dining room and grand kitchen just off the family room. That $200,000 upgrade to the backyard includes a built-in barbecue and a fire-pit.

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]]>bravo tvcovenant hillsladera ranchladera ranch californialadera ranch homes for saleladera ranch real estateorange country real estateorange countyorange county homes for salereal estatereal housewives of orange countyshort salessouthern california rreal estateKathy A. McDonald2010-05-13T09:00:00 00:00Beverly Hills' Most Expensive Condoshttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/11/check-in-to-beverly-hills-most-expensive-condos/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/11/check-in-to-beverly-hills-most-expensive-condos/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/11/check-in-to-beverly-hills-most-expensive-condos/#commentsFiled under:

Buyers looking for a carefree luxury home for sale in Beverly Hills now have a new option: the Montage Residences -- on the seventh and eighth floors of the pricey Montage Hotel.

Live like a Hilton or L.A. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt (who's transitioning from a well-publicized divorce) with perks such as 24/7 room service, hotel staff on call, and access to the hotel's plush spa.

Of the 20 residences at the hotel in the center of Beverly Hills, six have been sold and two are under contract. A March sale of $6.150 million for a 2,550-square-foot, three-bedroom residence is the highest priced condo to be sold in Beverly Hills, per local real estate agent and blogger Stewart Penn. If the price doesn't scare you, there are even more reasons to permanently check in....

Of 14 residences still available, there's an $11.25 million ($12.7 million furnished) 4,700-square-foot spread which has views of the rolling hills and Beverly Hills' rooftops from its generous-size balconies. Plus it's loaded with a pre-wired media system that includes a plug-in for an iPod.

No worries regarding security: Owners are connected to the hotel's system, and monthly HOA fees ($3,400 to $6,500 depending on square footage) cover security, utilities and a concierge. If your Miele dishwasher fails, simply call down to hotel maintenance for a quick fix.

The Montage Residences are one example of L.A.'s newest residential trend: Hotel as home. As the Los Angeles Times reports, unlike other condo-hotel development projects, owners are not required to rent their digs to transient guests. Three other new hotel/condo projects follow the same model: the W Hollywood Hotel & Residences, the newly opened Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Residences in downtown Los Angeles at LA Live, and Rancho Palos Verdes' Terranea Resort.

All buy-ins allow owners access to a property's splashy amenities.

At the Montage that access includes a separate elevator and pedestrian entrance, and owners-only parking spaces. There's also a phone in-house that connects to the hotel's switchboard and owners have house accounts: Just sign for bar tabs and spa services.

Floor plans range from 1,900 to 5,700 square feet, and from two- to five-bedroom configurations. The building evokes Spanish Revival architecture; residence's interiors are primo, with fine finishes and details such as hand-hewn parquet, pecan-wood floors, limestone mantels and all stainless-steel appliances.

Developed by Montage Hotel & Resorts, founded by Alan Fuerstman, there's also a sister property in Laguna Beach where oceanside villas sold out in a short time. A Deer Valley, Utah slopeside resort is now in the finishing stages.

Beverly Hills' Montage opened in November 2009, and the residences are now gaining attention in the market and waiting for that 21st-century Eloise who can afford to buy-in.

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]]>beverly hillsbeverly hills condobeverly hills real estatehotel residencesLos Angeles Real Estate newsluxury los angeles condoluxury real estatemontage beverly hillsMontage Hotel ResortsKathy A. McDonald2010-05-11T12:00:00 00:00Malibu House Deal: Buy One, Get a Ferrari F40http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/10/malibu-house-for-sale-comes-with-a-ferrari-f40-in-the-garage/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/10/malibu-house-for-sale-comes-with-a-ferrari-f40-in-the-garage/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/10/malibu-house-for-sale-comes-with-a-ferrari-f40-in-the-garage/#commentsOf the hundreds of homes for sale in Malibu, Calif., only one comes with a fast-moving incentive -- 200-miles-per-hour fast, in fact.

From now until June 30, owners of a $4.5 million, five-bedroom, five-bath 5,834-square-foot house will sweeten a sale with a sleek Ferrari F40. Reportedly one of the auto world's fastest street-legal cars, the Ferrari is a gift -- whether a buyer wants it or not. The Malibu manse is the same price with or without the eyecatching roadster.

It would be hard to turn down the extremely collectible car, which has rarely left the garage (Jay Leno owns a simiiar model). Showing less than 800 miles on the odometer, the homeowners previously listed the car on the Dupont Registry for $750,000. Now it's part of an only-in-Malibu real estate package.

In addition to being across the street from the beach, and a $49 million home that is also for sale, the neighborhood comes with famous residents like Brad and Angelina, Brad Garrett and Whoopi Goldberg.

But is the house as remarkable as the car?
Located directly off Pacific Coast Highway, the house overlooks the ocean. Within walking distance and down a steep staircase is access to a public beach that feels super-private.

Built in 2001, the modern-Mediterranean-style Malibu mansion has a pool and spa, Swarovski Crystal chandeliers, steam shower, hardwood floors and of course, a two-car garage with room for Ferrari. There's a fireplace in the master bedroom, a sunken Jacuzzi tub en suite and marble statuary, including the lions keeping watch at the front gate and overlooking the pool and spa.

To date, no buyer has closed on the house. But put a snazzy red Ferrari in the picture, and your home for sale will get some incredible media mileage. It's been featured in the New York Times, which calls it an incentive with "curb appeal," and on numerous car sites and forums. Take the video tour of the home with real estate agent Vahe Hagopian and Fox News.

But not surprisingly, in these competitive real estate times Hagopian is not the only one offering a free car in the deal: A builder in France offers a Tesla roadster with purchase and at the WAV development in Ventura, Calif., the purchase of an eco-smart condominium comes with a hybrid car.

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]]>ferrari f40free ferrarimalibu real estateKathy A. McDonald2010-05-10T12:00:00 00:00California Dream: Green House for Sale, $3.5Mhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/06/california-dream-green-house-for-sale-3-5m/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/06/california-dream-green-house-for-sale-3-5m/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/06/california-dream-green-house-for-sale-3-5m/#commentsJust an hour north of Los Angeles, the Ojai Valley is a modern day Shangri-La. With great weather and sunshine year-round, the semi-rural enclave borders the Los Padres National Forest and comes with a real Main Street.

At the forefront of many eco-building initiatives, Ojai is also a traditional haven for artists and musicians. Ojai homes for sale reflect that diversity, and range in price from a $60,000 trailer to the $9.3 million solar-powered hilltop retreat of actor and "Dallas" star Larry Hagman.

Spanish Revival, or a version of that look, is the predominant style.

Casa Verde (green house) stands out from all other homes for sale in Ojai. Here's why....
It's environmentally sensitive and equipped with efficient water, power, heating and ventilation systems. Offered at $3.495 million, the 3,973-square-foot, five-bedroom, five-and-a-half bath (plus outdoor shower) house on just over two acres comes from design/build firm Otis Bradley Construction. Bradley custom-built the all-cement, super-insulated house with innovations such as radiant-heat floors, Trex decking, and a grading of the hillside property that creates bioswales to help purify rainwater runoff.

"We designed it as reaction to the climate there," explains Bradley.
Not a typical Craftsman or Spanish, the house is angled toward the sun with a pitched, reflective metal roof that enhances natural ventilation. The roof's architecturally dramatic overhang also shades the house.

The living room and master bedroom are on the second floor and take advantage of the Topa Topa mountain and valley views, as does a shaded, outdoor deck.

The upstairs great-room combines living room, dining room and kitchen, and flows to the outdoors. And with so many windows, it basks in natural light.

Among the home's unique features is a downstairs bunkroom with two built-in queen beds, each with a built-in twin above. Those sleeping quarters are adjacent to a TV/game room which opens to an outdoor seating area and fire pit. It's designed to welcome not only kid guests but entire families. The property has a separate three-car garage and guesthouse. Flooring is concrete throughout and the Marvin-manufactured windows are dual-paned and coated for energy efficiency.

Ojai is known as a weekend getaway for Angelenos and has often attracted those from showbiz. Along with Hagman's showpiece, another multi-million Ojai home for sale with a Hollywood name: actor Malcolm McDowell's $3.55 million Spanish-style, which recently was renovated by his wife Kelley.

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]]>celebrity homescelebrity real estateeco livingeco-friendlygreen househome for salelos angeles real estateojai californiaojai valley real estatereal estateKathy A. McDonald2010-05-06T18:00:00 00:00Ventura, California's New Eco-Minded Art Colonyhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/03/ventura-californias-new-eco-minded-artists-complex/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/03/ventura-californias-new-eco-minded-artists-complex/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/05/03/ventura-californias-new-eco-minded-artists-complex/#commentsFiled under: ,

The arts are now becoming a housing trend in California. First we saw a Burbank senior housing complex with an arts focus and now a mixed-use, mixed-income artists' complex in Ventura.

Downtown Ventura recently welcomed artists with a unique live/work complex called WAV (Working Artists Ventura). It offers 69 affordable apartments and 13 market-rate condominiums, set in an eco-certified building that's just blocks from the beach.

Developed by Place, a Minneapolis-based non-profit that promotes new models for urban neighborhoods, the $57-million WAV project was built on city land that stood empty for more than 30 years. Now in place of a vacant brownfield, Ventura has a gleaming, contemporary, 130,000-square-foot compound centered around an outdoor common area.

The 54 available live/work spaces are in high demand: 894 requests were received for the subsidized rentals. And they're pretty great spaces; they benefit from lots of natural light, and they also have quadruple-paned windows for quiet and insulation, and concrete floors.

Residents of the four-story buildings were selected by a lengthy interview process, and those chosen promise to support the burgeoning arts community. They include painters, ceramicists, jewelry-makers, art photographers and a dulcimer player.

WAV's market rate condominiums (priced from $625,000 to $875,000) are now for sale, and though they've generated much interest, will buyers opt-in?
Incentives to buyers include a free hybrid car with purchase and no electric bills ever, as the condominium units are solar-powered. The three-story condos, with rooftop decks, range from 1,658 to 1,789 square feet, have views of the ocean, the mountains and Ventura's historic downtown, and come with other green extras such as Energy Star appliances and low-flow Caroma dual-flush toilets. Plus, the complex is within walking distance of the beach.

Doug Moe, of Keller Williams Realty, who is repping the 13 units, believes that WAV is a one-of-a-kind property for the seaside town. "The residences require buyers who appreciate artists and want to be part of a community," he says.

Although some lower priced townhomes are for sale nearby, those units are more than eight years old and priced accordingly, notes Moe.

WAV's forward thinking configuration comes with an upmarket price tag: per the Los Angeles Times and Data Quick statistics', the average price per square foot for condominiums in the same zip code is $274; WAV's pricing is $368 per square foot.

However, buyers will be living green and helping underwrite WAV's community. Besides the artists, and the public who flock to Ventura's ArWalks and galleries, it includes those at 15 Section-8 apartments that provide transitional housing for those in need.

PLACE's Chris Velasco credits the people of Ventura for galvanizing civic leaders and investors behind the project. Hundreds came out for WAV's recent launch party, and the mixed-use development is a landmark project for the city. As a showcase for affordable housing and green design, WAV is featured on Ventura's upcoming Tour du Green bike and sustainable-building tour scheduled for May 15.

In addition to WAV's live/work space, the project of has 6,100 square feet of ground-floor retail space for lease.

A gallery/theater space is open to all residents free of charge; and an upcoming programming includes a one-woman show by a WAV resident.

WAV is a novel development; the artist/residents are certainly pleased, and it will be interesting to see if buyers get it too.


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]]>Artistsartists communitieseco-friendly homeseco-friendly housing developmentgreen condosgreen designgreen livingsection 8 housingventura california homes for saleVenturaCountyKathy A. McDonald2010-05-03T16:00:00 00:00Los Angeles' Model Green Home: How Green Is Yours?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/23/los-angeles-model-green-home-what-you-can-learn-from-ed-begley/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/23/los-angeles-model-green-home-what-you-can-learn-from-ed-begley/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/23/los-angeles-model-green-home-what-you-can-learn-from-ed-begley/#commentsFiled under: ,

Typically in California, we retrofit houses for earthquake protection. Now a new business Residential Energy Assessment Services is retrofitting houses to make them more energy efficient and "green." Clever business model, especially in this market.

To demonstrate what they can do for your house, the firm worked with eco-design and green building material companies to create the prototype Zenergy House in Studio City, Calif. that showcases numerous green, energy efficient materials and practices.

At a recent launch party, Hollywood's go-to green guru Ed Begley Jr. checked it out as did numerous green bloggers. Simply put, the Zenergy house is a showcase for green building practices that should be considered before remodeling any older home or building a new one. Reports by the Green Resource Council indicate that often a "greened" house sells faster because buyers are increasingly seeking out environmentally friendly homes and in some cases, per a survey by Green Builder Media, they're willing to pay a premium for such updates.

But will this green remodel work for any house?
Per Tammy Schwolsky, director of energy efficiency for Residential Energy Assessment Services, this 2,400-square-foot house built in 1950 is now "a living lab." While the Zenergy House does have solar panels, other first steps to energy efficiency include improving insulation by using recycled denim and double-paned windows. Sealing up a house by blocking air leaks is a major step towards smarter energy use. Her firm conducts energy audits and then makes recommendations to homeowners.

From the front entrance, with its spongy pavers made from recycled tires, to its black-bottomed pool, the Zenergy house has many innovations. All appliances are Energy Star-rated; the Blindsgalore window blinds are honeycombed and energy efficient, keeping rooms cooler; and a nontoxic, wine-cork flooring that's mildew-resistant tops the bathroom floor.

The Zenergy house is open now to real estate agents and architects for tours, but public tours will begin soon. Per the recently initiated GreenMLS, recent studies show that certified green homes have a clear market advantage over conventional homes. Even though appraisers may have yet to get the memo on this, and mortgages and incentives for energy efficiency remain available only in a few cities, there's a growing trend toward remodeling with energy in mind.

The Green Resource Council, established by the National Association of Realtors, has information on the benefits of going green as well as a useful definition of terms. While not every house can be as efficient (net zero energy use) as the Zenergy House, it creatively demonstrates that the technology exists right now to make it so.


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]]>eco friendly houseenergy efficientenergy starEnergyStargreen homegreen livinglos angelesStudio Cityzenergy houseKathy A. McDonald2010-04-23T15:00:00 00:00Shred Your Way to a Cleaner Apartmenthttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/14/shred-your-way-to-a-cleaner-apartment/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/14/shred-your-way-to-a-cleaner-apartment/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/14/shred-your-way-to-a-cleaner-apartment/#commentsFiled under: ,

Here's another to-do while prepping for your taxes: Take a close look at those boxes of old documents (tax returns, receipts, and more) that have cluttered up your apartment. Consider shredding your way to a cleaner, less cluttered space. Recommendations for IRS record-keeping vary for individuals but the minimum time to keep paperwork on hand in case of audit is from three to seven years for important documents like tax returns, W-2s and 1099s. Documents relating to a property sale need to be kept longer.

With the increased threats of identity theft, an at-home shredder is a must-have to dispose of those dead files, and importantly those with social security number or bank account numbers. And an in-home shredder is an effective way to de-clutter, too. The New York Times wonders if it's the new Spring cleaning essential. Or you can find a professional shredding service that will come directly to you.
Shredding is the safest way to dispose of important papers and private information. Los Angeles-based attorney Maybelline Efram (and former judge on "Divorce Court") has used a mobile shredding service for 10 years. In one hour, the company recently pulverized 25 boxes of legal documents she had stored.

"It's ideal for women, since there's no heavy lifting," says Efrem of the mobile shredding service that pulled up in front of her garage in Los Angeles. Efram utilized Paper Recycling & Shredding Specialists, a family owned firm, that not only cross-cut shreds documents but removes the debris for recycling. (The documents are most commonly recycled into tissue products like napkins and paper towels).

Don Weijland, president Paper Recycling & Shredding Specialists, finds there's an increased trend of individuals using his services. "Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the U.S.," says Weijland, citing statistics and news reports from the National Association of Information Destruction. While it might seem far-fetched that someone would go through a building dumpster, all a criminal needs is your name, address and social security number to steal your identity. Weijland recommends shredding all mail (even circulars) that have your name and address on them.

But how to get started? Tax time is ideal for purging files, notes professional organizer Beth Zeigler of Bneato. She conducts organizing boot camps where clients learn what paperwork to keep and file and what to dispose of (via shredding, of course). "Paperwork is a universal problem, as stuff is always coming at us," says Zeigler who writes a helpful blog on getting your stuff together. She finds that when people get overwhelmed, they put off organizing. Her tips include how to set up an uncomplicated, user-friendly and practical filing system.

And once you're organized, start shredding those papers you're tossing out!


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]]>home organizationhome organization suppliespaper shredderpaper shreddersprofessional organizershreddershreddingspring cleaningKathy A. McDonald2010-04-14T13:00:00 00:00Perry Farrell's Rock-Star Home for Salehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/12/perry-farrells-rock-star-home-for-sale/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/12/perry-farrells-rock-star-home-for-sale/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/12/perry-farrells-rock-star-home-for-sale/#commentsFiled under: ,

This home has rock-star pedigree -- and a very unusual exterior color palette. Jane's Addiction lead singer and Lollapalooza tour founder Perry Farrell recently listed his Venice, Calif. contemporary home for sale. Designed by Culver City-based architect Steven Ehrlich, the 2,200-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath home is a radical remake of a modest post-war California bungalow, reports the Los Angeles Times Hot Property column. Gone is the conventional living room: in its place is a two-story, barrel-vaulted space that seems made for rockin' out.
Farrell joins other musicians and DJ's who've been in the real estate market lately: Moby just bought a famed Hollywood mansion, Beck sold his Malibu ranch house. And now Farrell's dream bachelor pad, complete with glass wall that opens to the outside by sliding into a pocket frame, is listed for $1,600,000. But a new buyer will have to appreciate the house's singular look, including its black exterior.

Located north of Lincoln Boulevard, in a quiet Venice neighborhood that's within biking distance of the beach, the Farrell House shows some non-Western, even Zen influences in its effortless connection to the outside. That openness can be found throughout the house: The loft-bedroom opens to a rooftop terrace and a separate, expansive three-car garage could easily serve as an artist's studio. Ehrlich has trademarked his architectural style as "multicultural modernism." Farrell's house features a built-in Korean-style grill that is the centerpiece for a Japanese-style, low-rise table. "This is California multicultural bouillabaisse," Ehrlich told The Times.

Simplicity reigns: finishes include maple-wood ceiling panels (better acoustics), built-in shelving and an open kitchen. The bold exterior speaks to Farrell's rock 'n' roll career. And aside from the black facade there are purple-accented walls and a rock garden. Other rock-star touches include a sunken Jacuzzi and a lap pool. Luxist notes that Farrell and his family may have outgrown the place: The cactus-and-rock garden isn't exactly kid-friendly. Curbed LA takes a look-see too. With its celeb provenance the dwelling's price of more than $725 per square foot is like that of homes located closer to the ocean or on Venice's canals.

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]]>celebrity real estatehome salesjanes addictionperry farrellrock star homesrock star real estatesteven ehrlichvenice beachvenice beach california real estatevenice beach real estateKathy A. McDonald2010-04-12T16:00:00 00:00How to Spring Clean for a Successful Home Salehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/05/spring-clean-for-a-successful-home-sale/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/05/spring-clean-for-a-successful-home-sale/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/05/spring-clean-for-a-successful-home-sale/#commentsFiled under:

Putting your house on the market? Before the "For Sale" sign goes up, give your property the ultimate spring cleaning. When it comes to showcasing your home for sale, there's no such thing as a house that's too clean.

"The house has got be cleaner than Christmas," advises Los Angeles-based Sotheby's real estate agent Jeffrey Young.

Here's what Young and other L.A.-based experts suggest you do to clean before holding an open house.
Prior to your first open house, review each room for grime and clutter, including the garage, basement or attic, as there are multiple steps to a polished look. (The National Association of Realtors' tips for better home showings includes deep cleaning). And beware the too corny maneuver: apples baking in the oven are definitely out; the aromas of essentials oils, however, are in.

Give yourself time to prep for an open house as every surface needs to be cleaned. And just like when company comes, clean and de-clutter to impress. Domestic doyenne Martha Stewart's site provides a detailed Spring-cleaning checklist down to how-to techniques for window washing. (She even recommends replacing grungy bathroom tile grout!). Her tips dovetail with what real estate experts recommend for open houses: clean windows and screens, clean doors and finger-marked walls, move the refrigerator and vacuum the coils, and dust everything-from baseboards to the tops of doors.

"You get one first impression," reminds Young. He advises clients to rent a storage pod and not only clean out closets (buyers need to visualize where their stuff will go) but also remove everything from the garage (dust and sweep it too). You might be able to de-clutter for cash: recycling used electronics can earn cash. Bathroom (s) and kitchen must be spotless. He points to a recent success where clients followed his spit-shine clean regime: their Silver Lake-area home sold in just 12 days (with two back-up offers) after a thorough cleaning and de-cluttering. "Dusty doesn't sell -- at least not for a good amount of money," says the veteran real estate agent.

These days, buyers are positively impressed by green kept homes (as in no toxic and chemically-laden cleaning products used). In Los Angeles, professional local cleaning services, like GreenClean or Orient Express, use green cleaning products and also offer deep cleaning or de-toxing before an open house. Lisa Hall of GreenClean uses Ecover and Earth Friendly products as well as her company's own bucket wash -- a blend of natural soaps and fresh smelling citrus and mint essential oils. "If a house has been cleaned with green products, it's a selling point, especially in Los Angeles," finds Hall.

Consider avoiding highly scented cleaning products prior to your open house, recommends Dr. Larry Weiss, CleanWell's chief technology officer. "They suggest that there is something to cover up," he advises, noting that many people are sensitive to synthetic fragrances found in common household cleaning and air freshening products. And for continued clean and healthy living after your open house, don't forget to wipe down high-touch spots, such as light switches and doorknobs, when you return home, reminds Dr. Weiss.


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]]>los angelesopen houseopen house tipsopen housesselling your homeselling your housespring-cleaningsuccesssuccessful open housestips-tricksKathy A. McDonald2010-04-05T16:00:00 00:00Moving Bridges: Beau's California Estate For Salehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/02/beau-bridges-california-estate-for-sale/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/02/beau-bridges-california-estate-for-sale/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/04/02/beau-bridges-california-estate-for-sale/#commentsFiled under:

beau bridges sells houseActor Beau Bridges and his wife Wendy have put their Hidden Hills, Calif. estate on the market for $3.25 million reports Move Trends and Luxist. A long time character actor, Bridges has decades of TV and film credits to his name and is widely recognized as the older brother of Oscar winning actor Jeff Bridges - not to mention his Emmy-nominated father Lloyd. With the several of his five children now living away from the family home, the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor seems ready to downsize from the 7,000 square foot, six-bedroom, six bath house.

Within a gated equestrian community, the sprawling English Tudor-style home, designed by architect Marshall Lewis, appears perfect for a family and entertaining.
The home sits on more than an acre with swimming pool, jacuzzi, tennis court and a well-tended vegetable garden and greenhouse. A remodeled chef-friendly kitchen and breakfast area, bar, sunken den with fireplace and dining area are just a few of the home's family-friendly features.


North on the 101 freeway, Hidden Hills has long attracted those in the entertainment industry because of its relative proximity to Burbank's studios. The upscale suburb is known for its many private gated communities, expansive lot sizes and, importantly, the independent Las Virgenes Unified School District. New custom-built homes and estates, gated enclaves and quiet cul-de-sacs are major selling points of this family orientated environment.

The west San Fernando Valley is practically its own distinct luxury home market. Starter homes begin at $1 million; estate prices range from $2 million-$6 million up to a current high of $18,499,000 million. The leafy tree lined streets and equestrian trails make the area feel a world away from more densely populated parts of the Valley. Underscoring the rural, Western ranch style vibe are the area's evocative street names, among them: Bill Cody Road, Annie Oakley Road and Lewis and Clark Road.


Keeping with the character of the neighborhood, wood details abound in the Bridges' house with vaulted and wood beamed ceilings, wood paneling, a sculpted wood spiral staircase and a cozy sauna. Photos on the Gibson International site show the well-lived in house complete with attic office and a typically cluttered teenager bedroom. Perhaps the Bridges should have considered removing their many personal items and photos from view---experts recommend such steps before listings--but homey touches, like a "B" embroidered throw pillow make the Bridges home more like one of ours.


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]]>Beau Bridgescelebrity real estateHidden Hillsreal estatesan fernando valleyKathy A. McDonald2010-04-02T15:45:00 00:00Diane Keaton, House Flipperhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/03/19/diane-keaton-sidelines-as-house-flipper/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/03/19/diane-keaton-sidelines-as-house-flipper/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/03/19/diane-keaton-sidelines-as-house-flipper/#commentsFiled under: ,

Actress Diane Keaton's sidebar career is fixer-uppers: a longtime historic preservationist (she's a trustee for the National Trust for Historic Preservation), Keaton has complemented her acting career by remaking notable Los Angeles residences. It's a forward-thinking move for the Oscar-winning actress and "Something's Gotta Give" star who's now an actress of a certain age in Hollywood.
Her latest project, a detailed and impeccable restoration of Beverly Hills' architect Ralph Flewelling's hacienda style 1927-built, seven-bedroom, nine-bath manse in Beverly Hills (profiled in Architectural Digest) is camera-ready but recently re-priced at $10.95 million (the second price reduction since it went on the market last March at $12.995 million). It seems these days, that jumbo loans are as scarce as strong female leading roles in movies.

Keaton co-authored "California Romantica: Spanish Colonial and Mission-Style Houses" with writer D.J. Waldie, after she spent almost two years restoring the home and its original whitewashed stucco finish. The 9,000-square-foot house is centered around an interior courtyard and fountain. Unlike Beverly Hills' current favored style of opulent McMansions, Keaton's courtyard Spanish Revival hacienda, filled with museum-quality period furniture, is understated, authentic and almost modern in its simplicity and clean lines. Numerous upgrades were made including an expanded kitchen/family room complete with arched fireplace.

Interior designer Stephen Shadley (who recently worked with Jennifer Aniston on her Beverly Hills' home) was Keaton's collaborator on the project. Before renovating this home, Keaton sold a Bel-Air Spanish-Revival-style mansion, a Wallace Neff design as well as an iconic, Frank Lloyd Wright home in Los Feliz, according to the Real Estalker.

The market remains a challenge for houses priced over $10 million in Beverly Hills and Keaton's is a bit steep. The manse is well over $1,200 a square foot -- pricey even for Beverly Hills standards. The Los Angeles Times/ Data Quick states that the current price per square foot in the 90210 zip code is $672 per square foot and that's off 35 percent from February 2009. Homes that are selling the fastest tend to be in the $3 million to $4 million range. Keaton's home (Zillow.com cites that she bought it for $8.1 million in 2007) is out-of-the-norm -- a great looker but not of-the-moment.

 

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]]>architecturebeverly hillsbeverly hills mansioncelebrity real estateDiane Keatondiane keaton beverly hills homediane keaton homeluxury real estaterestorationKathy A. McDonald2010-03-19T12:00:00 00:00Brad and Angelina's Venice, Italy Rentalhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/03/17/brad-and-angelinas-venice-italy-rental/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/03/17/brad-and-angelinas-venice-italy-rental/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/03/17/brad-and-angelinas-venice-italy-rental/#commentsFiled under:

Spending her production per diem to the max -- and not doing a very good job evading the paparazzi -- Angelina Jolie, along with Brad Pitt and kids, are rumored to be renting the historic Mocenigo Palazzo on Venice's magnificent Grand Canal. The Pitt-Jolie's are in Venice while mama is shooting "The Tourist," a thriller co-staring Johnny Depp.

Owned and restored by the owners of Venice's Bauer Hotel, the palazzo could give the Pitt-Jolie's more space and privacy than a comparable luxury hotel-although the paparazzi have tracked their every step, from Angelina's daily trips to the set to Brad's photo excursions and the family's amble out for gelato.

So if they're not getting privacy, what are they getting at the palazzo?

Instead of paying a minimum of €1,800 per night (or €54,000 a month) for a suite (the rate at the Hotel Danieli-a favorite of celeb visitors), the family has the run of the palazzo's five-bedroom, three bath second floor residence - the piano nobile of Renaissance architecture where the grandest rooms were on the second floor -- that comes complete with daily housekeeping (butler service and chef extra). A mezzanine level, 1-bedroom, 1-bath apartment and cottage (also with bedroom, bath and kitchen) complete the Palazzo's accommodations. Perhaps just enough room for the couple, their six kids, nannies and security detail.

Rather than booking multiple suites at a five-star hotel like the Danieli, Gritti Palace or Cipriani (a fave of George Clooney but now closed for the winter), where every morsel and soft drink is priced a la carte, the family can live like Venetians in their own compound complete with several kitchens. A comparably sized villa in Tuscany rents for upwards of $22,000 per week in the summer high season while fine apartments in Venice range upwards from €5,500 per month (approximately $7,700).

But kids watch what you touch, this former doge's palace has rooms that date to the 16th century. It underwent a five-year restoration before it re-opened in 2005, per Architectural Digest. Venetian marble mosaic floors, 18-foot ceilings and Murano-glass chandeliers are found throughout the 1570-built palazzo. Now filled with antiques, and elegantly restored with exquisite details such as damask-covered walls, the Palazzo Mocenigo was originally joined to three other buildings. It also comes with its own dock and a rare street-side Italian garden.

The Pitt-Jolie palazzo is well located on San Marco, close to the Rialto Bridge, around the bend from St. Mark's Square via vaporetto. Nearby are numerous examples of Andrea Palladio's neo-classical architecture for architecture fanboy Brad Pitt to photograph.

If the world-traveling family falls in love, maybe they'll buy the un-restored palazzo nearby: A similar "piano nobile" within the Palazzo Mocenigo Casa Vecchia is on the market. Famously home to Lord Byron, the Times of London reports a €5 million asking price for the un-restored property, now represented by Sotheby's.

 

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]]>angelina joliebrad pittcelebrity real estatecelebrity rentalsitalyitaly rentalspalazzo mocenigopitt-jolie rentalsrentalsthe touristvacation rentalsvenicevenice propertyKathy A. McDonald2010-03-17T09:00:00 00:00How to Use Twitter to Find Your Dream Homehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/03/09/how-to-use-twitter-to-find-your-dream-home/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/03/09/how-to-use-twitter-to-find-your-dream-home/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/03/09/how-to-use-twitter-to-find-your-dream-home/#commentsFiled under:

Don't overlook Twitter.com when searching for your dream home. You can find agents and properties via the social media site -- not just where Lindsay Lohan's partying and what Martha Stewart's dogs are up to. Thousands of real estate agents worldwide are actively tweeting (not surprising as they are experts at self-promotion and networking) but how does a would-be savvy buyer determine whose tweets are trustworthy?

Once you have a Twitter account try a basic search by zip code or city/neighborhood name. (Twitter's advanced search lets you locate tweets within a certain radius of a location). Depending on the location, especially if you're in a city like Los Angeles or Austin, Texas, several tweets with listings will appear, typically with a link. You've found brokers who tweet! Whether they are reliable is not always predictable, but if they're tweeting well, sign up to follow them and you'll be getting info on listings from them, most likely as soon as a property hits the market.

And when following a real estate agent, real life attributes apply: You want someone that has a deep knowledge of the neighborhood and market (so you can make a sensible offer). And you definitely want someone you can work with and isn't just about the deal and themselves (and if their tweets are annoying and self-serving, unfollow).

"An agent who is listens and responds is probably the kind of agent you want to work with in real life, as the way they tweet can reflect their personality," says Los Angeles-based Rob Kallick of Keller Williams (a Twitter user since May 2009 @takesunset).

The real estate agents with the most followers are not just about the business. For instance, a real estate agent who specializes in condominiums, Kevin Tomlinson (@miamibeach), mixes reports on Miami Beach restaurants and concerts with tweets regarding local real estate news like Lil Wayne putting his condo on the market for $2.8 million.

Virtual house hunting is increasingly effortless. Use twitter search or online twitter directories like twellow or tweetdeck (lets you search tweets in real time) to search for a neighborhood, school district or even architectural style you desire. Tweetlister allows you to search tweets linked to commercial and residential properties for sale and for rent. (Enter a zip code, price range and other criteria to find a list of links to listings.) Zillow.com's iPhone app allows you to search and find properties and then share via twitter: instantly find a property and also eliminate unsuitable listings, too. Sellers have also had some success getting attention for properties, such as the British man who credits Twitter for selling his home.

For newbies, Twitter.com has Twitter basics; Mashable.com (the go-to site for all trends in social media) has created a comprehensive guide to Twitter as well.

While Twitter continues to be popular, expect real estate agents to also embrace Google Buzz just as wholeheartedly. Because you can see "the buzz" (comments and links by Google Buzz users) around a location, imagine the opportunities for real estate agents to announce open houses or post links to current listings? The one thing predictable about what's hot in social media -- it's constantly evolving.

 

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]]>google buzz real estatehouse search tipsmashableReal estate agentstwittertwitter homes for saletwitter real estatetwitter real estate listingstwitter realtorstwitter tipsKathy A. McDonald2010-03-09T09:00:00 00:00Beverly Hills' Gagosian Gallery Addition Brings Out the Starshttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/03/08/beverly-hills-gagosian-gallery-addition-brings-out-the-stars/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/03/08/beverly-hills-gagosian-gallery-addition-brings-out-the-stars/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/03/08/beverly-hills-gagosian-gallery-addition-brings-out-the-stars/#commentsFiled under: ,

Art and design shared the spotlight during L.A.'s week of Academy Award-related festivities last Thursday night as Beverly Hills' Gagosian Gallery unveiled its addition in a starry opening for photographer Andreas Gursky.

Among the crowd in the Richard Meier & Partners-deigned space were actors Adrien Brody (mother is NY-photographer Sylvia Plachy) and Molly Shannon; major Hollywood players like producers Lawrence Bender (Oscar nominated for "Inglourious Basterds"), Brian Grazer and Harvey Weinstein and Independent Spirits Awards' presenter, film director and artist John Waters.

The gallery's polished concrete floors resounded with the clicks of Louboutin heels as fashionistas also took in the scene. Dior Homme's designer Hedi Slimane stopped by as did the dean of L.A. artists John Baldessari and photographer Catherine Opie (who will soon have a LACMA show).
All had come to schmooze in the newly expanded 3,000 square-foot, skylight-lit, white-walled exhibition space with soaring ceilings that was formerly home to an upscale hair salon. Meier might be best known for his design of the billion dollar Getty Center as well as the nearby Paley Center for Media and Wolfgang Puck's Cut restaurant. But the starchitect also lists among his credits some very high-end residential designs: a New York City glass tower that includes celeb residents like Nicole Kidman and Martha Stewart and a Malibu beach house for Hard Rock-founder Peter Morton.

Gagosian GalleryThe Gagosian Gallery evokes a mini-Getty Center with its white aluminum and glazed glass facade and sky-lit galleries. The façade blends seamlessly with the existing gallery (built 15 years ago) and a 225 square-foot glass and aluminum sliding door allows oversized artworks to be brought directly into the new gallery. "We doubled our space and more than doubled what we can do here," says Gagosian Gallery director Deborah McLeod. As so many of the gallery's acclaimed artists, such as Richard Serra, Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons, work on an ambitious scale, there's now a range of space to showcase their often monumentally scaled artworks.

Other new additions to the gallery include: offices, an elevator and a private rooftop sculpture garden that has city and hillside views.

 

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]]>architecturebeverly hillsGagosian GalleryOscars2010Richard Meier PartnersKathy A. McDonald2010-03-08T13:35:00 00:00