los angeles property blog: Neverland Ranch - Whatever happened to Michael Jackson's infamous home?
- 06/25/09 11:45 AM
It's official - The King of Pop is dead. A few weeks ago I blogged about Michael Jackson's infamous home - Neverland Ranch. With the news of his death I'm sure that many people who were impacted by the man and his music are curious to know what happened to "Neverland". Neverland Ranch, the 2600 acre estate and former home of Michael Jackson, is undergoing a major makeover by it's current owners. In May 2008, Colony Capital LLC - a Los Angeles based investment firm run by billionaire Tom Barrack - purchased the loan secured by the estate. At that time it … (6 comments)
los angeles property blog: An "off-the-wall" idea for generating power
- 08/14/08 10:36 AM
"Energy is neither created nor destroyed - but transferred from one form to another". This is one of the laws of Science. So the other day while cycling on a stationery bike at the gym, I started thinking about all the energy that's generated by the gym-members during their workouts. I started thinking about "spinning classes" and wondered what happened to all the calories that were being burned up. Where did they go? Was all the effort of the cyclists for nothing? Maybe somehow the energy used could be stored up for use at a later stage; the concept was much … (9 comments)
los angeles property blog: WARNING: Do not advertise with MagicYellow.com
- 07/01/08 12:02 PM
**** WARNING **** I am warning my fellow ActiveRainers against using the advertising services of MagicYellow.com. DO NOT USE MAGICYELLOW.COM On May 21, 2008 I agreed to advertise with MagicYellow.com. The salesperson made wonderful promises about the MagicYellow site their graphic designer would create for me. He also assured me how prominent my Listing would be in the various search engines since he was "upgrading me" to be a featured advertiser. The cost of a one-year agreement was $450.00 which I paid with my American Express credit card. Approximately 10 days later when they emailed me a link to my Listing, I … (27 comments)
los angeles property blog: California sues Countrywide
- 06/29/08 05:30 PM
I was interested to learn that the Attorney general of California has joined Illinois in filing a lawsuit against Countrywide. California is also suing its founder, Angelo Mozilo. California is accusing Countrywide of false advertising and unfair business practices which resulted in homeowners applying for risky mortgages far beyond their means. The allegations are that Countrywide obscured the true affordability of interest only, adjustable rate mortgages and pre-payment penalties - which led borrowers to believe they could refinance before their mortgage interest rates adjusted. In addition to the thousands of consumers who have been negatively impacted by Countrywide, 7500 employees will lose their jobs … (11 comments)
los angeles property blog: Why does a dog wag its tail? .... "Truth, Justice and other Special Effects"
- 06/24/08 01:38 PM
In 1997 there was a brilliant movie called "Wag the Dog". It was billed as "a comedy about truth, justice and other special effects". The storyline was how a Washington spin-doctor could distract the American people from the issues at hand, and divert their attention to a "controlled subject". "The film explores serious themes such as the manipulation of the mass media and public opinion with a comedic sensibility". It appears that in 2008 Politics the tail is wagging the dog. In the first few months of this year most Americans were focusing on Iraq and the Economy. As politicians (and I … (5 comments)
los angeles property blog: The little red arrow .... Did you know what it means? - TRIVIA
- 06/20/08 07:21 AM
I recently learned something which although is so simple, is really quite clever. I don't think many people know this .... but have you ever noticed the little "arrow" (pointing left or right) on the fuel gauge in your car's instrument cluster? That arrow indicates on which side of the car you need to fill the fuel tank. (In the pic the tank is on the left hand side of the car). Did you know about this interesting piece of information? Has anyone got similar Trivia to share with AR members? … (9 comments)
los angeles property blog: $5 Billion .... and still making more
- 06/19/08 05:15 AM
Apple Sells 5 Billionth Song Through iTunes While reading Business and Financial News this morning I came across an article that made me say "wow". Apple has sold 5 Billion songs through iTunes. At 99c a pop, that's almost $5 Billion is sales for Apple. That's a huge number. "The sales figures suggest that demand for digital music is showing no signs of abating. Apple (AAPL) hit the 5 billion song mark four months after it reached sales of 4 billion songs. In April, data from retail research firm NPD Group said Apple had displaced Wal-Mart (WMT) as the No. 1 … (3 comments)
los angeles property blog: When is a Mortgage not a Mortgage?
- 06/14/08 10:03 AM
In California, Lenders do not register Mortgages on properties, yet it is common practice to have Mortgage Brokers deal with the financing aspect of Real Estate transactions.
A Home Loan is not a Mortgage, and a Mortgage is not a Deed of Trust. A Home Loan is a loan secured by the equity in the borrower's home. A Mortgage is the pledging of a property to a lender as a security for a loan. It is a security instrument that you give to the lender; a document that protects the lender's interests in your property. While a mortgage in itself is not … (6 comments)
los angeles property blog: Federal Budget Trade-offs & Healthcare
- 06/13/08 05:59 PM
Did you know? Taxpayers in Los Angeles, California will pay $1.2 billion for tax cuts for the richest 10% in FY 2009. For the same amount of money, 512,271 People could have been provided with Health Care for One Year. Did you know? Taxpayers in Los Angeles, California paid $1.5 billion for the cost of the Iraq War in FY2007. For the same amount of money, 604,532 People could have been provided with Health Care for One Year. What are your thoughts about promoting Health Care for all Americans? … (0 comments)
los angeles property blog: In Life, There are Three Kinds of People
- 06/08/08 03:55 AM
In life, there are three kinds of people: Those that make things happen; Those that watch things happen; And those who wondered what happened. Independent Brokers make things happen! In the current market environment it's not always easy to stay motivated, focused and enthusiastic. We are continually bombarded by negative reports and fearful thinking. As Independent Business-people we need to focus on a positive goal and put out brain to work to devise a plan for success. We need to stop dwelling on the bad news, stop worrying bout the future, and rather do something about it. This is the biggest step towards becoming … (9 comments)
los angeles property blog: What is a Gallup Poll?
- 05/23/08 03:36 AM
A Gallup Poll is an opinion poll conducted by The Gallup Organization, which has existed since the 1930's. The Gallup Poll is named after its inventor - George Gallup - an American statistician. Historically, the Gallup Organization has measured and tracked current public attitudes and opinion concerning virtually every political, social and economic issue. Although Gallup has typically conducted its polling activities in collaboration with various media organizations and, on occasion, with worldwide associations and academic institutions, these polls are reputed to have been carried out independently and objectively. … (0 comments)
los angeles property blog: LA Pride - 6/6/2008-6/8/2008
- 05/19/08 05:15 PM
LA Pride 2008 West Hollywood, CAWest Hollywood is proud of its dynamic gay and lesbian population and it shows at the annual Christopher Street West LGBT Pride Parade and Festival. The two-day festival celebrates diversity and culture with booths, food, exhibits, and performances. The parade on Sunday draws over 300,000 to The Boulevard. Visit www.lapride.org for more information. The 38th annual parade and festival, which happens along Santa Monica Boulevard and throughout West Hollywood Park, celebrates the culmination of its three-year theme, "Our Agenda: Love. Equality. PRIDE." LA Pride's 2008 message is about taking pride in who you are, your family, … (0 comments)
los angeles property blog: Prejudice and Injustice - Taxation and discrimination against gay couples
- 05/18/08 06:33 PM
Do you know that when a spouse in a straight marraiage dies, and the property (owned by the two spouses) is valued for Estate Duty purposes, there is what is called a "stepped up basis" which is not applicable in Gay Marriages or Civil Unions. Practically, what this means is that if a property is valued at (for example purposes) at $100,000, and the surviving spouse sells the property the day after the one souse dies, Capital Gains Tax is payable on the difference between the Selling Price and the "stepped up basis". In my example above, if the stepped-up basis … (15 comments)
los angeles property blog: West Hollywood
- 05/07/08 09:52 AM
West Hollywood (Weho) is an incorporated city in Los Angeles County, California (1984). The City is bordered on the north by the Hollywood Hills, on the east by the Hollywood District of Los Angeles, on the west by the city of Beverly Hills, and on the south by Melrose & the Beverly Center area. West Hollywood is recognized as a leading community in gay and lesbian rights. The heart of the gay and lesbian community is Santa Monica Boulevard, a pedestrian-friendly street filled with many outdoor cafes, bars & clubs, bookstores & boutiques. West Hollywood has an abundance of upscale condo communities and is home to … (0 comments)
los angeles property blog: Can $15 billion save your neighborhood?
- 05/06/08 02:37 AM
CNN Business featured an interesting article today. "Can $15 billion and some paint save your 'hood?" http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/06/real_estate/rehab_plan.moneymag/index.htm?postversion=2008050609 The Bush Administration released a comment stating President Bush would veto this $15 Billion bill. This is disappointing when put into proper perspective considering the Government is spending over $12 Billion per month in Iraq. I'm all for supporting our troops, but I'm also for supporting average Americans who are struggling to hold onto teir homes. … (2 comments)
los angeles property blog: The Housing Rescue Package
- 05/05/08 04:26 AM
CNN featured an interesting article today titled: "White House opposes Housing Package". "Official contends Democrats' package is a bailout that would expose taxpayers to risk, says Bush would veto $15B bill to rehabilitate foreclosed properties". http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/24/news/economy/Congress_Housing.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008042418 Put into perspective, America is spending over $12 Billion per month on the Iraq war. Does the Housing Market for struggling Americans mean so little to the Administration? Take a look at this site: National Priorities Project analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home … (4 comments)
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