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Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business, written by top selling Los Angeles celebrity real estate broker Valerie Fitzgerald, takes you on a journey through the emotional and tangible challenges of regaining one’s personal power while building and maintaining a successful business.
This month it's been highlighted as a top rated title on Amazon.com book sales.
The book recounts Fitzgerald’s personal journey from unemployed single parent to entrepreneur, philanthropist and corporate executive in the competitive L.A. real estate metropolis. From beginners just getting started to seasoned agents — or anyone in business looking to take their game to the next level — this step-by-step guide teaches readers the art of selling.
Order it on Amazon.com.
Heart and Sold shows readers how to:
- Manage clients with style
- Choose the right company and the best mentor
- Establish a stellar reputation in their field
- Develop a daily schedule for running a home office
- Maintain a successful attitude every day
Heart and Sold shares the mind-set of a respected businesswoman who gracefully balances the demands of real estate with the intimacy of her family.
What They’re Saying…
“Through her absorbing stories and life experience Valerie gives advice to anyone looking for a new beginning in their life or business. A great read.” – Larry King
“After reading this book, you will feel that you too can accomplish anything your heart desires.” – Vanna White
“Heart and Sold is inspirational for any woman – or anyone – struggling to build a business of their own. Valerie’s personal triumphs will make you feel like you can do anything.” – Leeza Gibbons

Recommendations…
“I’ve been thinking about getting into real estate for years now and keep letting myself get side-tracked. I have been working on studying for the State Licensing exam, but was having a few doubts about my capability to make the jump and change my career.
After reading this book, I am now very excited. This book is both inspirational and informative. It’s full of helpful advice and references that can be used. Once I started reading the book, I couldn’t put it down and I plan to go through it again and highlight useful information. This will be a great desk reference as I move forward.
Thank you Valerie, for a great book. I highly recommend it to anyone thinking about getting into Real Estate or already working in the field.” – Tania Brown
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“I am a Real Estate Broker and since completing this book, I have asked my Director of Education for my office to read this book as well. I’m thinking of making it required reading for any new agent coming to our Company.
I enjoyed the book for several reasons. The first, it is inspirational, and agents need inspiration more now than ever these days. The transparency of Valerie’s early life is highly admirable and endears a reader to her personally.
Secondly, the book is pragmatic in teaching agents the basics and human side of the real estate business, in addition to pointing out the need for business systems. I often disagree with the “Selling Philosophy” of some real estate trainers, but with this book, Valerie is right on. Valerie’s philosophy and mine are similar in that we both consider real estate sales more about building relationships and helping people achieve their dreams. The agent’s role is very crucial because they act as both the “Coach” and the “Quarterback” of the transaction.
Thirdly, this book is expansive because it is good for new agents entering the business, for agents that want to improve their business, and for seasoned agents that want to build a team. Great Book.” – A. May

Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the Westside Los Angeles real estate brokerage community. She’s also the author of the book published by Simon and Schuster Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business. To connect with Valerie regarding the sale or purchase of your Westside Los Angeles home visit http://valeriefitzgerald.com or call 310-285-7515.
Connect with Valerie…

This weekly post encompasses ALL new residential single-family home listings from prior monday to current monday, all price ranges in these areas:
Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills Post Office, Sunset Strip, Bel Air, Westwood, Brentwood, West Los Angeles, Sheviot / Rancho Park, Beverlywood, West Hollywood, Venice, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Mid Los Angeles, Mid Wilshire Corridor, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Hollywood, Silver Lake, Los Feliz Hollywood Hills, East Malibu, Malibu Beach.
Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the Westside Los Angeles real estate brokerage community. She’s also the author of the book published by Simon and Schuster Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business.
To preview these properties contact Valerie at info@valeriefitzgerald.com call 310-285-7515 or visit http://valeriefitzgerald.com.
Follow Valerie…

Download Westside Los Angeles Residential Real Estate New Listings: Nov 1-8 HERE
This weekly post encompasses ALL new residential single-family home listings from prior monday to current monday, all price ranges in these areas:
Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills Post Office, Sunset Strip, Bel Air, Westwood, Brentwood, West Los Angeles, Sheviot / Rancho Park, Beverlywood, West Hollywood, Venice, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Mid Los Angeles, Mid Wilshire Corridor, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Hollywood, Silver Lake, Los Feliz Hollywood Hills, East Malibu, Malibu Beach.
To view the document visit: http://valeriefitzgeraldrealestate.posterous.com/westside-los-angeles-residential-real-estate-4
Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the Westside Los Angeles real estate brokerage community. She’s also the author of the book published by Simon and Schuster Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business. For more information visit http://valeriefitzgerald.com or call 310-285-7515.
Connect with Valerie…

This is a VERY short post...
I'm taking a quick poll on Active Rain and I'm wondering if you currently use Posterous for Real Estate Activities.
Please post Yes or No.
If you'd like to evaborate, perhaps share your results & experience too!
My handle: http://valeriefitzgeraldrealestate.posterous.com
Thanks!
Valerie
Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in buying and selling residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Wilshire Corridor, Westwood, Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and Westside Los Angeles neighborhoods.
With more than 20 years experience of selling luxury homes, Valerie and her team work closely with their clients to ensure they are aware of critical real estate market data so they can make the most informed decisions.
Learn more at http://valeriefitzgerald.com or call 310-285-7515.

859 Woodacres Road, Santa Monica 90402 $11,850,000 Enormous lot above Riviera Country Club is over an acre (43,647 square feet) and mostly flat, with huge golf course frontage. Architectural plans available. http://valeriefitzgerald.com/property/173
1040 4th Street #409, Santa Monica 90403 $2,395,000 or lease $12,500 per month Stunning Santa Monica Penthouse! Large open spaces, 2 story contemporary with 15 ft. ceiling; living room with walls of French doors to terrace. Loft-like media room w/ full bath (could be 4th bedroom), state-of-the-art kitchen. Generous master with huge walk-in and beautiful bath, adjoining sitting room (or 3rd bd) with built-ins and full bath, 2nd bedroom w/ built-ins and full bath…very flexible floor plan. Spacious outdoor terrace with tented living area and separate dining (incredible for a condo). Full security building, indoor pool, gym, 4 parking spaces and low HOAs. http://valeriefitzgerald.com/property/116
15363 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air 90077 $3,450,000 Best section of Mulholland! A private street above Mulholland, runs east/west of Roscomare. Gated one-story Country home with beamed ceilings, 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. Kitchen opens to family room, living room with fireplace, master with fireplace, 2 (possibly 3) additional family bedrooms. Wonderful huge lot with pool and head-on city views! This home was largely remodeled 12 years ago. http://valeriefitzgerald.com/property/177
14927 Altata Drive, Pacific Palisades 90272 $9,850,000 Breathtaking classic newer traditional in prime Huntington Palisades. Perfect architecture, perfect floor plan with 7 bedrooms and 7.5 baths. Generous scale, high ceilings, crown moldings and walnut floors; fabulous entry with color and light. Gracious formal LR w/ FP, formal DR w/walk-in wine room, paneled library w/ French doors, wonderful family room w/ FP opens to state-of-the-art kitchen w/breakfast area & center isl. French doors to amazing resort-like yard, gardens, sparkling pool and total privacy. Downstairs office and maid’s/guest room; upstairs generous master sitting/bedroom w/FP and beautifully appointed master bath w/very large walk-ins. 3 additional family bedrooms en suite. A pleasure to see…close to town, bluffs, beach and park…entertains and lives beautifully! http://valeriefitzgerald.com/property/176
10388 Ilona Avenue, Westwood 90064 $1,895,000 As beautiful as it gets! Meticulously built and expanded 2-story Mediterranean Villa is approx 3000+ sf per seller. Beautifully appointed, luxurious and emotional, gated courtyard with fountain opens into gracious living room with FP and hardwood floors. Wonderful bay window, formal dining room, top-of-the-line new kitchen with Italian cabinetry open to family room. French doors open to beautiful landscaped private yard and pool. Guest room and office downstairs; upstairs is a fabulous master with fireplace and generous walk-in closet, overlooking garden and pool. 2 additional family bedrooms; all baths with imported designer tile. A wonderful home filled with light and love! http://valeriefitzgerald.com/property/174
10433 Wilshire Blvd #908, Westwood 90024 $495,000 Hard to find! Recently remodeled Wilshire Holmby one bedroom, located on the north side of building on the 9th floor with beautiful views! Remodeled condo with “guest room,” hardwood floors, open kitchen, master with large windows and great remodeled bath. Lots of light, low HOA, full-service building with doorman, concierge, pool, and a great location! http://realestate.yahoo.com/California/Los_Angeles/10433-wilshire-blvd-908:549ba63356c0c3c4989b435a36867198
Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the Westside Los Angeles real estate brokerage community. She’s also the author of the book published by Simon and Schuster Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business. For more information visit http://valeriefitzgerald.com or call 310-285-7515.
This weekly post encompasses ALL sales from prior friday to current friday, all price ranges, single family only, in these areas:
Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills Post Office, Sunset Strip, Bel Air, Westwood, Brentwood, West Los Angeles, Sheviot / Rancho Park, Beverlywood, West Hollywood, Venice, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Mid Los Angeles, Mid Wilshire Corridor, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Hollywood, Silver Lake, Los Feliz Hollywood Hills, East Malibu, Malibu Beach
There were 69 sales in the last week!
DOWNLOAD Westside Los Angeles Residential Real Estate Sales: Oct 15 to 22 HERE
Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the Westside Los Angeles real estate brokerage community. She’s also the author of the book published by Simon and Schuster Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business. For more information visit http://valeriefitzgerald.com or call 310-285-7515.
Connect with Valerie…

This weekly post encompasses ALL new residential single-family home listings from prior monday to current monday, all price ranges in these areas:
Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills Post Office, Sunset Strip, Bel Air, Westwood, Brentwood, West Los Angeles, Sheviot / Rancho Park, Beverlywood, West Hollywood, Venice, Marina Del Rey, Mar Vista, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Mid Los Angeles, Mid Wilshire Corridor, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Hollywood, Silver Lake, Los Feliz Hollywood Hills, East Malibu, Malibu Beach.
DOWNLOAD: Westside Los Angeles Residential Real Estate New Listings: Oct 18 to 25 HERE
Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the Westside Los Angeles real estate brokerage community. She’s also the author of the book published by Simon and Schuster Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business. For more information visit http://valeriefitzgerald.com or call 310-285-7515.
Connect with Valerie…

Taking steps to minimize your energy use is not only good for the Earth, but for homeowners as well. While being altruistic and helping a cause generally means giving—not getting—back, going green provides noticeable benefits to everyone. Here, Mike Vazeii, Director or Marketing, American Home Shield discusses why going green is in fact a good thing.
Lowering energy consumption can be good for the planet and good for homeowners’ pocketbooks. That’s because taking steps to minimize energy use in the home can often significantly lower heating, cooling, water and utility bills and may have other financial advantages for you and for your clients.
It almost sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Being altruistic and helping a cause usually means giving—not getting—back. However, going green can help save the Earth and help save household budgets. Helping your clients decrease their carbon footprints and protect our natural resources while spending less is a tangible way of delivering extra service value to them.
For example, make sure your clients know they may be eligible for federal tax credits or tax incentives for the purchase of specific energy-efficient products or renewable energy systems for the home. Today, energy-efficient improvements can often be incorporated into home mortgages, enabling homeowners to pay for the upgrades over the life of the loan.
Depending on the lender, there may be additional advantages, such as lower mortgage rates or reduced loan fees. Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) and Energy Improvement Mortgages (EIMs) are also available. Encourage your clients to check with a tax professional for tax credit and incentive qualification specifics, deadlines and eligibility requirements, and to consult with their local lender for mortgage information and guidelines. Websites such as www.energy.gov, www.energysavers.gov, www.energystar.gov and www.irs.gov also contain useful information.
You can help raise your clients’ awareness of the green compatibility in homes. For example, if you are showing a home that has skylights, be sure to mention that skylights decrease the need for artificial lighting and help warm the home during winter months, decreasing energy use. Home appliances with the Energy Star label meet and exceed minimum, strict energy efficiency government guidelines and can reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills. Even seemingly small things, like light switch dimmer controls and automatic occupancy sensors, can contribute to energy and monetary savings.
For energy-efficient ideas that your clients can incorporate into their own homes, visit www.Live-GreenSaveGreen.com. Living green and saving green is easy, fun and beneficial for everyone involved.
Your homeowners will be grateful for the conservation and cost-saving tips, and can appreciate the fact that you care enough about them and about our planet to share such useful information. You’ll find some helpful ideas for your own home, too. Find out for yourself and show your clients why living green isn’t only the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do.
From RIS Media
Connect with Valerie…

Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the West Los Angeles brokerage community. She’s also the author of the book published by Simon and Schuster Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business.
Search Luxury Homes in Los Angeles at Valerie Fitzgerald Real Estate Listings or contact Valerie Fitzgerald at 310-285-7515.
Rising mortgage rates may seem like the last thing the economy needs right now. Then again, they may prove a tonic.
One indication of whether that may be the case will be the coming weekly tallies of mortgage-application activity from the Mortgage Bankers Association. While Wednesday’s release might not yet reflect the sudden, recent turn in bond yields, the data could soon show if the prospect of higher mortgage rates spurs consumers to buy homes.
So far, home buyers haven’t been that tempted by an average 30-year, fixed mortgage rate that hit 4.32% as of Thursday, according to Freddie Mac. Most of the action has been among existing homeowners looking to refinance their mortgages.
One reason buyers have possibly remained hesitant is that there is little reason to act if rates may fall even further, a classic deflationary mind-set.
That psychology may change. Bond yields have perked up after some mildly encouraging U.S. economic reports, notably Friday’s report that private-sector hiring continued its eighth consecutive month of gains in August. In response, prices for the benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell for a second straight week as investors regained a stomach for riskier assets. That sent the note’s yield, which moves inversely to its price, to about 2.7% on Friday from about 2.45% just days before.
That is a big move by Treasury-market standards. And its impact will be felt almost immediately in mortgage rates, which tend to move in lock-step. Mortgage rates have tumbled in recent months as fears of a “double-dip” recession have pushed Treasury yields down sharply.
An increase in mortgage rates now may worry Federal Reserve policy makers, who are trying to push rates lower in an effort to stimulate economic and housing activity. Some Fed watchers, including IHS Global Insight economist Brian Bethune, expect Fed policy makers will unveil more policy-easing measures at their next meeting on Sept. 21, since their target lending rate is already near zero. “They can’t afford to take the risk that home prices start to fall again,” says Mr. Bethune.
But the Fed is unlikely to be so hasty. And if the possibility of higher rates starts pushing more people to buy homes, that risk may be something the Fed can live with.
From Wall Street Journal
Connect with Valerie…

Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the West Los Angeles brokerage community. She’s also the author of the book published by Simon and Schuster Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business.
Search Luxury Homes in Los Angeles at Valerie Fitzgerald Real Estate Listings or contact Valerie Fitzgerald at 310-285-7515.
From Ann Brenoff on WalletPop
There was a collective gasp when the news broke Tuesday that existing home sales had fallen off by a whopping 27%. Economists stammered and teared up over the deterioration of the housing market. And we’re sure that more than a few real estate agents — the ones who managed to take their heads out of the oven — went straight to call Mom and see if their old bedrooms were still available.
Time to take a deep breath. Here’s what the news really means to you: Likely nothing.
Read the rest of the story on Valerie Fitzgerald website at: http://valeriefitzgerald.com/2010/08/2010-july-real-estate-market-conditions
Connect with Valerie…

Valerie Fitzgerald specializes in luxury residential real estate in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Malibu. Valerie has more than 20 years of real estate experience and is known for her solid reputation in the West Los Angeles brokerage community. She’s also the author of the book published by Simon and Schuster Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business.
Search Luxury Homes in Los Angeles at Valerie Fitzgerald Real Estate Listings or contact Valerie Fitzgerald at 310-285-7515.
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Valerie Fitzgerald | Beverly Hills | Westside Los Angeles
Beverly Hills,
CA
More about me
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Address: 301 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210
Office Phone: (310) 285-7515
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