luxury condominiums: The Wonder of Lock and Leave - 01/08/09 09:03 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
One of the great advantages of the condo lifestyles is the ability to lock and leave.  There is nothing more comforting in today's fast paced world than knowing that you can leave on a moment's notice and all of your home security needs will be exceeded. 
I have a friend whose mother came to visit for the Holidays.  They had a lovely visit but her mother rushed back to the Midwest as soon as the Holidays were over.  She didn't want to but she needed to get back.  She was worried about her house sitting empty for too … (1 comments)

luxury condominiums: The Condo Consciousness - 01/08/09 08:53 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
Life is a series of choices.  We choose to focus on what is important to us and to relinquish that which is less important.  Part of the Condo Consciousness is placing focus on living comfortably without unnecessary distractions. 
I love being surrounded by healthy living plants and I appreciate daily time in a quiet garden filled with well manicured and pampered vegetation.  I could own a home and spend countless hours and untold funds on creating just such and environment; instead I live in a luxury condo with a beautiful garden.
I have spectacular orchids throughout my home … (0 comments)

luxury condominiums: The Holiday Condo Story - 12/16/08 08:07 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
love my condo year round, but I never love it more than I do during the Holidays.  I love the convenience of being so close to all of the shops and nightlife without having to commute long distances.  I deeply appreciate that there is a state of the art gym in my building so I can easily make every work out, even in the busy Holiday season.
I especially love being able to lock and leave.  If I decide to get away for the weekend, I never have to worry.  I simply lock and leave.  If the weekend … (0 comments)

luxury condominiums: The Market Update - 10/16/08 09:29 AM
By Coco Clayman Cook
With a signed bailout and the election only days away it seems almost certain that things are about to change, the real question is, "How?"  And while I am interested in the entire market I will confess to being infinitely more interested in the market here in Los Angeles.  In the luxury condo market we have seen definite changes in the last 2 years, but nothing as drastic as the rest of the country.  In fact luxury condominiums actually enjoyed a surge in sales over the summer.  More and more people are realizing that in this economy … (0 comments)

luxury condominiums: Signature Pieces - 10/08/08 12:39 PM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
When you live in a luxury condominium it's important to make style choices with an emphasis on editing.  Less is always more.  That's why I think it is important to have a signature piece or color.  I have a friend who simply loves the color chocolate brown. It is a passion with her.  She is also a woman of remarkable test, with truly impeccable style.  When ever I visit her home I wait with baited breath to see the floral arrangement that will grace the table in her foyer.  It is always a lovely orchid arrangement that is … (0 comments)

luxury condominiums: Buying a Luxury Condo in Today's Market - 10/07/08 07:46 AM
By Coco Clayman-Cook
You've seen the numbers; you recognize the value, so you have decided that now is the ideal time to purchase a luxury condo as an income property.  Good for you.  You are in good company, the real estate investors who did the same thing during the last recession made millions doing exactly the same thing. 
Now that you've made the decision you've contacted a realtor who specializes in Luxury Condominiums, if you live on the Westside of Los Angles you've called me.  Most likely you have already spoken to your private banker or are ready to visit a … (0 comments)

luxury condominiums: Luxury Condos in the National News - 09/19/08 08:37 PM
by Coco Clayman-Cook
Los Angeles Luxury condos have made it to the east coast in a manner of speaking. Mireya Navarro wrote an article for the New York Times entitled "Downsizing in Los Angeles: From Mansion to $47 Million Condo." The article appears inspired by Candy Spelling's recent purchase of a luxury condo, but Navarro goes on to outline all of the wonderful attributes featured by a luxury condo.
Vertical expansion began in New York ages ago, but with Los Angeles comes a new level of luxury lifestyles. Luxury condos are built in small communities with restaurants, stores and services to … (0 comments)

luxury condominiums: Luxury Condos for Company Assets - 09/17/08 06:47 AM
by Coco Clayman-CookCompanies frequently spend hundreds of thousands of dollars every year renting out entertainment space and paying for hotel suites. A luxury condo provides all of these services and more, making it the perfect corporate asset. Whether you have a potential investor visiting or an awards dinner you need to host, a luxury condo is the answer for all your corporate needs.
A luxury condo comes equipped with concierge services, a private pool, an average of three thousand square feet indoors and out for entertaining, and onsite services for catering, cleanup, security and more. Your company will no longer have … (0 comments)

luxury condominiums: Having IT All - 09/16/08 05:58 PM
by Coco Clayman-Cook
I'm a big believer in having it all.  If you can have it all (without hurting anyone) why wouldn't you?  A colleague referred a client to me recently; the client was a young widow with grown children moving to the area for the first time.  She had originally come to my colleague looking for a house, but after listening to the clients wants and needs my colleague referred her to me for a luxury condo.  At first the client was extremely reticent.  She didn't think she wanted to live in a condo, because she hadn't seen what the … (0 comments)

luxury condominiums: Crunching the Condo Numbers - 09/13/08 04:27 PM
by Coco Clayman-Cook
The economy has changed significantly in the last two years.  With gas prices at an astronomical high, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that business is changing and about to change even more.  While the real estate market continues to stumble there is one area of the market that is stepping firmly into the limelight; the luxury condo market. Many of my clients are in the financial fields and look at condos on a price per square foot basis. Some of the funniest conversations I have had have been trying to explain to someone from Goldman … (0 comments)

luxury condominiums: Just Married - 09/13/08 04:09 PM
by Coco
Congratulations!  As you start your journey together there are a lot of important decisions to make, not the least of which is where you will live.  You know you want to own a home at some point, but you don't really want the hassle or the financial strain right now.  On the other hand you'd like to know that in a few years a home will be financially possible.
Consider living vertically. Buying a luxury condominium is a great way to enter the housing market.  It's infinitely more economical and offers you all of the benefits of building equity … (1 comments)

luxury condominiums: Property in Probate - 09/11/08 10:58 AM
by Coco Clayman-Cook
Whenever a loved one dies, emotions run high. Tensions are up, and often the reading of the will only brings additional levels of pain and stress, not the least of which is for the probate attorney. When trying to deal with buying and selling property in the interest of settling an estate, it's important to ensure the most capable and efficient real estate agent is on your side. You need an agent who has experience dealing with high-end properties and fast-acting purchases and sales. You need Coco Clayman-Cook.
As a real estate agent with years of experience, I've … (0 comments)

luxury condominiums: The Condo Market Surges - 07/31/08 01:44 AM
Those of us in the condo market have already experienced first hand the recent upswing in the market but it's always nice to have the media cover it as well.  Howard Fine aptly covered this market upturn in his recent Los Angeles Business Journal report entitled Uptick Seen in L.A. Home Sales
In the report Fine frequently acknowledges the recent surge in L.A. condo sales.
...L.A.'s housing market, pushed along by lower prices and sharply higher condo sales, is showing some signs of life...
...While sales activity normally picks up going into the summer, June's increases far exceeded the typical … (3 comments)

luxury condominiums: Asking for Help - 07/28/08 02:10 AM
One of the many things that I love about Active Rain is the way it creates an almost automatic mentorship program for the newer realtors.  I just want to congratulate all of the "newbies" who have found their way here and who ask for help and advice.  You can find a treasure trove of information here and it is available 24/7, for free.   There wasn't anything like Active Rain when I was coming up through the ranks; we mentored the old fashion way, which I remain a fan of.  Still, the benefit of Active Rain is positively immeasurable to those of … (3 comments)

luxury condominiums: The L.A. Luxury Market - 07/27/08 04:24 PM
In these "interesting times" that we are living in, it is important to remember that value is value.  Forbes.com published a report not too long ago about the most lucrative neighborhoods in the United States, neighborhoods that continue to grow in value despite the current turbulent market trends.  It should come as no surprise to anyone that Los Angeles was featured in the report and that the Westside was singled out as one of the most lucrative neighborhoods in the country.
Forbes particularly singled out the area just south of and including Wilshire Blvd between Ohio and Westgate Avenues. Forbes cited the homes … (1 comments)

luxury condominiums: In Love with a Lifestyle - 07/27/08 04:19 PM
Whenever things get complicated or difficult I think it's a wonderful time to reflect on all of the people and things that we love in our lives and to be grateful. After my family and friends  and my animals, the thing that I love most in my life is my lifestyle.  When I think that there are people in Iowa who daydream their way through the month of February picturing a sunset on the beach, I am reminded of just how lucky I am.  I don't take it for granted that I can see the sunset on the beach everyday if … (2 comments)

luxury condominiums: Self Promotion Simplified - 07/23/08 12:39 PM
To succeed in Real Estate you need to embrace the Art of Self Promotion.  If you are squeamish about being in the spot light you are going to have an uphill climb.  For most Realtors that isn't the problem, for most of us the issue is finding the fine line between self promotion and bragging.  No one wants to be a braggart, but there is no use in being a shrinking violet either.  There's one easy way to distinguish between the two: always tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth and then you can never be accused … (7 comments)

luxury condominiums: The Art of Overcoming Objections - 07/23/08 12:36 PM
Clients are going to have objections, this is a given.  Being able to overcome objections is a skill that is relatively easy to learn and will serve you well as a real estate professional.  I have narrowed overcoming objection down to four easy steps, follow them religiously and you will see a tremendous difference in your business.
Step One:  Acknowledge the Concern
Never gloss over an objection.  If a client brings up a concern, listen and validate how important the concern is.  In order to ultimately overcome the objection, you need the client to know that you understand their concern, its … (1 comments)

luxury condominiums: Why Realtors Need a Strong Web Presence - 07/21/08 11:03 AM
As a real estate professional I believe having a presence on the World Wide Web is absolutely crucial.  I spoke with a colleague in another state the other day who shared an interesting story about a new client who had come to her via her website. The new client was a lovely, intelligent woman in her late 70's.  While in the client's home my colleague noticed a large magnet advertising another local realtor. My friend noted the magnet but said nothing.  The client must have noticed her looking at the magnet and shared with her that she looks forward to receiving … (3 comments)

luxury condominiums: Feng Shui for the Balcony - 07/19/08 05:16 PM
I am a great believer in the principles of Feng Shui and the peace and harmony it can bring to your life and your home.  Now that we are in the summer months I thought it was an ideal time to talk about Feng Shui for the balcony.
The first order of business is cleanliness.  Feng Shui tells us that clutter, dirt and trash weigh down our energy and prevent chi from flowing into our lives and our homes.  Make sure that who ever cleans your home pays particular attention to your balcony, especially the corners, to make sure that there … (1 comments)

 

Coco Clayman-Cook

Beverly Hills, CA

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LA Condo Lifestyles

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