March 15, 2013 better known as: The Ides of March!

If you are a student of ancient history, then you would know that The Ides of March is considered as March 15^th. Most people know this, because of William Shakespeare’s Play Julius Caesar. I have always enjoyed world history and particularly Roman History. Well for those of you who were dozing thru history classes, just as a quick reminder.

Julius Caesar was assassinated in front of the Statue of Pompey on March 15^th 44BC. If you read about the Roman calendar you would discover  that ' The Ides ‘ is generally on the 15^th of most months, there are a few months when it is on the 13^th. Very few people know that it was based on the day there is supposed to be a full moonJ Hum I wonder if that had anything to do with the untimely death of Julius Caesar.

Thanks to William Shakespeare there are a couple of other famous phrases we connect with March 15^th. One of them being the Latin Phrase “Et tu Brute” (You too Brutus), the dying words of Julius Caesar in the play; the other being the Soothsayer’s warning to Julius Caesar: “…beware of the Ides of March…”

If you are considering buying or selling a luxury home, or an ultra luxury home, or luxury investment real estate, or luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or emails me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at http://www.endrebarath.comYour Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations.

Living next door to someone doesn’t make you a neighbor. It makes you an adjacent homeowner. One of the great opportunities we have in our communities is the chance to build real, meaningful relationships with the people who live closest to us. Neighbors are what make a neighborhood. So often we hear people say they want a great neighborhood and then they isolate themselves from their neighbors.

While there may be a desire for privacy, it’s important we realize that regular, helpful communication with our neighbors makes us both safer and paves a smooth road for difficult conversations we might face with our neighbors in the future. Regular deposits to the neighborly bank make future withdrawls much easier and if you have made enough deposits over time, the balance remains in the positive.

Small gestures such as a nice note about landscaping, an invitation to a potluck, or a community improvement project allow us to get to know our neighbors. This is vital when you consider the people around you are the most likely to spot smoke in a fire, clue you in to suspicious activity, and have the opportunity to share vital local information.

What’s more, if you build a positive base with your neighbors, when the time comes to have a difficult conversation (such as a nuisance dog, kids running amok, or intrusive lighting issues), you’ll have a buffer of mutual respect and goodwill to draw on.

If your opening conversation with a neighbor is a complaint, you’re setting yourself up for a long, antagonistic relationship. Who wants to live next to that? It doesn’t take much to start off the right way. Consider leaving a nice note in their mailbox, a small “thank you” gift for looking out for the neighborhood, or some other “olive branch” act that will build rapport.

We at RED think a civil community depends upon our connection to our neighbors. Diverse Los Angeles offers us opportunities most communities only dream of to learn about other cultures and the riches they bring. We all benefit when we depend on and trust one another. Talk to your neighbors, learn about them and build community.

We would love to hear your thoughts on community building!

California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way"

California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way"

Pacific Standard Time is a large scale collaboration of over sixty cultural institutions across Southern California, all coming together to tell the story of the birth of the LA art scene, from the 1930’s through 1965. Pacific Standard Time will take place for six months beginning in October 2011, with many of the exhibits free to the public. 

The Los Angeles Contemporary Museum of Art (LACMA) is the first major exhibition of California mid-century modern design, with more than 350 original objects (including an Oscar, a Studebaker Avanti, and a Barbie Dream House).  Probably the most ambitious part of the show is the exact recreation of the Eames living room inside an Eames House-inspired frame (Husband and wife team Charles and Ray Eames both designed the Pacific Palisades house and lived in it).

Corporate sponsorship was provided by

LACMA
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90036
tel 323 857-6000
publicinfo@lacma.org

OK, “this” will be an uber cool event.  It’s a twist on a pie eating contest.  This is KCRW’s 3rd Annual “Good Food Pie Contest,” hosted this year by LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art), and judged by several of LA’s best chefs and food writers.

For the past several weeks they have been accepting submissions from people wanting to get their pies into this event, these bakers are both pros and amateurs.  That part of the event is now closed, so get ready for some good eatin’!  This year’s judges are listed below...pretty stellar bunch;

Every contestant that has a pie in the Good Food Pie Contest will be expected to slice and serve their pie “sample tastes” to the crowd on the day of the event, this Sunday from 2-4P.  Best part of this...is that it is FREE to attend.  (And in a weird turn of events, the pie entrants had to pay $10 per pie they entered...wild, huh?!  But, I’m not complaining...I’m just planning on eating).

And, it gets better...at the end of the event, the crowd will be invited to have a special “pie cocktail” for $10, that will be served by the Stark Bar at LACMA.  Yummy!

Please, please, please....let the cocktail be the Keylime Pie Martini! 

LACMA, 5900 Wilshire Blvd., 90036, 323/857-6000

When you are in pursuit of your dreams and goals, are YOU wiling to do whatever it takes? Yesterday I spent the day in Los Angeles with my family hanging out at the museums and pier. While walking along a stretch in the Miracle Mile District, a man came along. He got out of his car, stripped down to his underwear and with a guitar and speaker attached to him, he walked along Wilshire Blvd playing his guitar. He obviously has a dream and goal. He is DEFINITELY seemingly willing to do whatever it takes!

Keisha Hosea is a local Market Expert and Chino Hills Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. She is the Team Director and CEO of KASI Homes. Keisha Hosea and the KASI Homes team offer help to home buyers and home sellers in the Inland Empire. With a Master of Arts Degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, Keisha has worked extensively with families in transition and divorcing couples selling homes. KASI Homes is the place where you find Real Estate with a passion for Real Life Solutions. For more information call direct at (909) 261-6377. Visit the website at http://KASIHomes.com

I am telling you, the best deals that seem to be had right now are on properties that lie in the  low profile outskirts of West Hollywood/Beverly Hills adjacent to Miracle Mile. Being "west of Fairfax"  seems to be the new "North of Wilshire" for those buyers who have this ideaology stuck in their mind. I get the mentality, but I strongly encourage everyone to step a bit out of that bubble and see the type of value that is available just a few short blocks away.  The properties that I am finding in these areas have been designer done, often with pools, and detached living spaces.  In tandem with that, sellers seem to be the most realistic in these neighborhoods with regards to pricing.  Nicely updated + wonderfully central location x PRICING, PRICING, PRICING = quick sale! As I have stated in other posts Area 19 (what we call Beverly Center/Miracle Mile) has the shortest days on the market (about 47) and the smallest gap between list price vs. sale (4.97%). Today's Hot Prop is no exception to the examples above.

Located just  north of Olympic on Hauser, this property blew me away. Situated behind lush privacy hedges and a stone/wood controlled access gate, you are already struck with the home's well manicured curb appeal. As you walk through the gate, there is a substantial front yard with thoughtful landscaping, a little water treatment, benches, and a stone pathway that leads to the front door. The house itself has a meticulously maintained exterior and bit of an English Cottage vibe to it.

Once you walk through the front door, you can immediately get a sense of the well flowing, open floor plan. This is just personal preference, but the current owners did a wonderful job with the paint color which is consistent  throughout  many of the public rooms. To me, there is a cohesive element between the paint and the exterior landscaping/pool which makes for a light, airy atmosphere.

The living room has all the elements that are fairly characteristic of homes built in the 20's in this general vicinity. There is a large picture window in the front of the house that floods the room with light and showcases the impeccable front yard. One of the features that I love about 20's style architecture is the barreled ceiling effect. It creates a sense of openness, yet not too voluminous that the space loses it's homey feel. From the living area is a large dining room with a slick modern light fixture, recessed lighting, and ornate moldings. There are three well proportioned bedrooms, updated bathrooms, and a fairly redone kitchen. Another standout room is a wood paneled, cozy study or den off of the dining area. I have a feeling this was an add on by the previous owners and the current owners left most of the original work in tact while adding a few modern touches. I'm not crazy about wood paneling overall, but somehow it works in this house.

The final selling point for me is the absolutely stunning backyard. There is a beautiful pool in the center, that is like a piece of art. With a light green bottom and modern water treatment with a classic feel, the pool merges seamlessly with the rest of the yard's aesthetic. There are small patios scattered about, lots of lawn, a built in BBQ center for you grill masters or mistresses, and a detached cabana perfect for a home office, a guest retreat, or perhaps a fitness center.

I can't gush enough about this house! If you have the chance, check it out this Sunday (5/9/10) from 2pm-5pm. You are with your mother for Mother's day, you say? I can't think of an experience that would bring a mother more delight than purchasing a home for her family or well deserving children on her special day!

If you or a someone you know is interested in taking a look during the week, please feel free to contact me for a showing.

923 Hauser, Los Angeles, CA 90036 - 3br/2ba + Cabana, Roughly 1597 sq ft - $949,000

CHARMING COUNTRY ENGLISH HOME GATED AND HEDGED FOR PRIVACY. THIS BEAUTIFULLY UPDATED HOUSE FEATURES HARDWOOD FLOORS, BARREL CEILINGS IN THE LIVING ROOM AND AN UPDATED KITCHEN WITH CEASERSTONE COUNTERS AND STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES. A FANTASTIC SPACIOUS BACKYARD FOR ENTERTAINING COMPLETE WITH POOL, CABANA, AND OUTDOOR GAS BARBECUE AREA. MOST SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN UPDATED AND THE HOUSE FEATURES CENTRAL AIR AND HEAT. A GREAT HOUSE READY FOR ITS NEXT OWNERS. Listed by Sothebys International