The 16th annual Culver City Summer Music Festival is half way through, and they are definitely showcasing great music. Last night was no exception. Gino Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie are a must-see if they ever come to town.  A mix of Zydeco, Cajun and R&B, as you can see people were up on their feet dancing.  My line dancing days came back to me and my legs are now sore. 08/06/2010

  They don't make sure you're pre-approved for a loan before they get in the car with you to look at listings. They will take anyone, to see any listing..anytime! They do not have an office, and do not request a first meeting there. They do not cover buyer broker contracts and agency agreements They seem to have no interest in Professional Standards (if it's not against the law..they will do it..no matter how immoral it might be) They "don't bother" to preview potential property in advance They dont' listen They show you property that is unsuitable based upon your needs They have no time for you, are unavailable by phone, fax and email They can't fully explain parts of the sales contract, or what they can and can't do for you under the law. They are impatient or desperate They don't hav... 07/27/2010

    My Preferred Vendors List                    Services Dry Cleaning         Cinema Cleaners                                         10980 Jefferson BlvdCulver City, CA      (310) 391-5588   Dog Grooming      T.L.C. (Tender Loving Care)  10948 Santa Monica Bl. (310) 479-4319   Hand Car Wash   Handy "J's" Hand Car Wash  12681 W Washington Blvd  (310) 398-6211 Unusual Hardware   B&B Hardware 12450 W Washington Blvd 310) 390-9413    Hair Salon  Crome Salon (Anna) 10764 Washington Blvd, Culver City 310) 558-8909 Health Club      Spectrum Howard Hughes Center 6833 Park Ter, Los Angeles (310) 216-3060 Dentist   Dr. McNally cosmetic and general dentistry 6804 S Centinela Ave, Culver City,  310) 915-0588   07/25/2010

BE CREATIVE! Culver City...is a Creative Force!to the cutting edge art galleries that line Washington Blvd. culminating in downtown. From landmark live theatres,to small boutique companies that offer just the right mix of graphic design, film editing, law services and architecture. Culver City is THE SPOT!   The Actor's Gang 9070 Culver Blvd.. The nationally-renowned company is now the resident theatre troupe at the Ivy Substation.323-628-2772 www.theactorsgang.com Belford Optical Lab3842 Main St Suite 2Manufactures ophthalmic lenses Viscoelastic agent or viscosurgical device, Ophthalmicspecialty instruments and related products, Conformers or shields for ophthalmic surgery310-842-7552 Culver City Beauty College3834 Main St310-837-0411www.culvercitybeautycollege.com The Culver Studios 9... 07/25/2010

Yesterday I went down to the Culver City Music Festival in front of City Hall.  This was, in fact, the 16th year of the festival and it is definitely a worthwhile venue.There are so many of these summer festivals and most of them are on Thursday at the same time.  The reason I like Culver City's Festival is that it is extremely easy to park and it is not over packed.  Last night's bands were The Gonzalo Bergara Quartet, a jazz group, followed by Los Pinguos whom I love.  They often play on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.  Think Gypsy Kings, think Los Pinguos.Before or after the entertainment there are plenty of great restaurants and bars in the area.  You won't go hungry.As you will see, it was difficult to sit down during the entertainment.      Thursday, July 29th, the enterta... 07/23/2010

Sony announced that it will open the "Sony 3D Technology Center," located at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, to train and nurture a community of experts in the rapidly growing market of 3D entertainment.  The announcement was made at the Consumer Electronics Show by Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President of Sony Corporation. The new center will offer professionals from across the industry a hands-on opportunity to learn more about the techniques and equipment used to create top-quality 3D productions of all kinds - including sports, movies, television and games. The center will also feature Sony's top-of-the-line business and professional products, which are widely used in capturing, manipulating and displaying 3D productions. "Our mission is to support the s... 07/17/2010

    Culver City Public Theatre (CCPT) presents its 12th season of free theater in Carlson Park for families and theatre fans of all ages! Founded in 1998, CCPT (a 501(c)3 non-profit) is a premier professional membership theatre company in Culver City, California.The season opens with the 12:00pm, July 17th world premiere performance of THE TRUE STORY OF JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, written by long-standing CCPT member and current company President, Heidi Dotson. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Ms. Dotson has penned the Children's Popcorn Theatre show, which is the show offered every season specifically aimed at a younger audience. Her previous plays were 2007's KING MIDAS, 2008's SLUE-FOOT SUE AND PECOS BILL, and last year's AUNT FONDEEN AND THE LOST DUTCHMAN GOLDMINE. Ms. Dotson... 07/17/2010

The Culver City statistics below are taken from the MLS CLAW and are for single family homes only.  They do not include condos, income property, or private sales. June was a good month for Culver City home sales.   The number of homes sold was up 66% over May, the median sold price was up 2% and the median sold price vs the median list price difference was down 45%, i.e. the June sold price was much closer to asking price over May. Days on the market of homes sold was down by 13 and the homes under contract was up by 200%.  The months supply of inventory, i.e. market absorption rate, indicates that Culver City is definitely in a sellers' market. Search homes in Culver City   07/13/2010

  Free Salsa Sundays with Contra-Tiempo  When: June 27th, July 25th, August 29th, 12:00pm - 1:30pmWhere: Helms Ave. at the Helms Bakery District in Culver City, 8800 VeniceWhat: Join CONTRA-TIEMPO, Los Angeles based Urban Latin Dance Theater company, for a summer celebration of dance, live music and community! We will be teaching three "Free Salsa Sundays" workshops in Culver City this summer on the last Sundays of June, July and August. These events are FREE and open to all ages, all levels of experience, singles and partners.All Free Salsa Sundays workshops will include a demonstration, Salsa class taught by members of a professional company, live drumming and time to jam at the end!CONTRA-TIEMPO Mission & History: CONTRA-TIEMPO is dedicated to transforming the world through dance. Ou... 07/12/2010

  The Culver City Downtown Business Association, in association with the businesses of downtown Culver City will be hosting Summer Block Parties in Downtown Culver City on the third Wednesday of every month from June - October. Summer Block Parties will feature special offers and free goodies from over 25 participating businesses throughout the downtown area, as well as outdoor entertainment and activities ranging from gallery openings to free poledancing lessons. Participating businesses represent the very best of what downtown Culver City has to offer. Guests are invited to explore all the nooks and crannies of this pedestrian friendly neighborhood. As they walk through tree-lined streets, they will be able to taste food from the area's award-winning restaurants, sip wine and cocktail... 07/12/2010

This is the 16th year of the Culver City Music Festival.  Every Thursday from July 8th to August 26th, there will be free concerts in front of City Hall in Culver City.  Concerts are from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. with access to the courtyard starting at 4:30 p.m.  Music will include swing, salsa, Zydeco, blues, rock, and more, and with all the trendy restaurants in the area make an evening of it. Free parking is available under City Hall and in the first two hours are free in nearby structures.     07/11/2010

  Why Hasn't My House Sold? There are many reasons why a property might sit on the market for months and months. One of the number one reasons is Price. When I was starting out in Real Estate..I didn't believe this to be true..until my Instructor said, "Well, would you buy my house for a Dollar?".. he made me laugh,  but I had to say yes! Get a thorough CMA one that actually reflects the current prices in the Housing Market in your specific area, and then price your home 15% below the lowest similar home (same age,same general area (school districts,  same condition, same square footage, same bedrooms and bathrooms) But price is not the only reason a home might not sell. When we live in a home for many years, we tend to get used to the little "quirks" it might have. That door that stick... 06/22/2010

Changes are coming to FHA loans (Federal Housing Administration Loans).Let me ask you:  Do you think it would be wise for Home buyers to use the FHA loans? Congress is expected to approve House Resolution 5072 or better known as the FHA Reform Act of 2010. Many lenders of the mortgage finance industry are concerned that HR 5072 part of the provision of this law is geared towards, cracking down on lenders who are approved by FHA. These lenders are concerned that the law would do more harm than good. What are your thoughts? I am all for regulations if they benefit the Real Estate in a responsible way. I am not for regulation for the sake of regulation.  I am concerned that the buyers who use FHA have generally lower FICO scores (credit scores), less financial means to save up to 20% for a... 06/11/2010

  Is this a Good Time for a Mortgage?     　 Yes!     In early June, the national average interest rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate conforming loan (under $417,000) was 4.9%,   "These are the best rates we'll see for a decade, and I don't expect them getting better." Business is slow right now, so lenders may even bid for your business if you have good credit. Lending standards remain tight, and lenders have been picky even with the best-qualified borrowers.Freddie Mac, which set the standards for mortgages they buy from lenders, require a minimum credit score of 620; you'll get the best rate if your score exceeds 720 (Federal Housing Administration) requires a minimum credit score of 580 to qualify with a down payment of 3.5%. FHA The 30-year fixed rate for conforming jumbo loans ( for ho... 06/10/2010

  Market Analysis Report     Culver City Market Report 1/2010-6/1/2010   　   FOR SALE NOW       Listed for Sold For     Withdrawn # of Listings 35 homes       26 26     --                   -- Low Price   374,900       389,900 2,425     -- Average Price $ 700,000       689,000 695,000 SOLD PRICE   -- High Price $ 1,200,00         1,299,0   1,120,0       -- Average Price Total $ 750,846       696,202 670,656     -- 　 Snapshot of Culver City for the last 6 Months. Average price on SOLD homes 695,000 from January 1,2010- June 1,2010. For up to date homes for sale in Culver City contact me at www.doreneslavitz.com. Dorene Slavitz your Culver City expert! 06/07/2010

Housing Market UpDates   Home sales jumped 7.6 percent in April, reaching the highest level since the first tax credit expired last November. Renewed buying activity has encouraged home owners to list homes, driving inventories to 8. 4 months of supply, up from 7.2 months at the end of 2009.   The median price has risen 4 percent r and prices remain well below cyclical highs.   However, bank-owned properties will continue to pose difficulties in the housing market recovery; but if employment growth strengthens, and foreclosures slow, that would enable a real housing recovery.   The outlook for newly constructed homes looks good in April, with sales increasing 4.8 percent; sales of new homes have spiked nearly 50 percent year over year. Along with adding stability to the housing market,... 06/01/2010

  Taste of the Nations   The City of Culver City and Culver City Redevelopment Agency sponsoring  Share our Strength's Taste of the Nation on June 6th, from 1-4pm in Media Park.  Savor the finest from the nation's hottest chefs - all of whom are coming together to donate their time, talent and passion to end childhood hunger across America. Featuring silent auction games VIP tent features extraordinary food, fine desserts and a guest mixologist. helping to end childhood hunger in our community and across America.   Come out to eat, drink and be charitable. call 1-877-26TASTE. 05/31/2010

New Restaurants: West Culver west of Centinella Waterloo & City This restaurant is located in the old Crest House Family Restaurant on Washington Blvd., Near Handy J's Car Wash. The Menu : gnocchi with shrimp and veal ragù; corn soup with Parmesan ravioli; whole roast chicken with wild mushroom pot pie; as well as a variety of cured meats,. Twenty-five white and 25 red wines, 10 craft beers on tap and a seasonal cocktail list are also available.   Waterloo & City, 12517 Washington Blvd., Culver City. (310) 391-4222; www.waterlooandcity.com . 05/31/2010

  What's Happening in Commerical Real Estate Culver City Retail   Downtown Culver City has reached it quota of Restaurants. There remain only a few permits for such a business in the Down Town area. Anyone considering a restaurant should consult with a knowledgeable Agent about possible locations. Office   The office market is still soft in Culver City and all of Los Angeles. Market rates have dropped and vacancies are high. Office space is leasing for 2.50SF and up. There are some fabulous opportunities with new creative office space available . Warehouse   Culver City warehouse space is often used as creative office space. Some M-1 property on Jefferson Blvd. has been converted by the owners in to such, in order to meet the demand for Creative Office. The warehouse district on Messmer... 05/31/2010

Culver City Restaurants - Brunello Trattoria       Dining out is a favorite activity of mine. Which I don't enjoy nearly enough, I might add. Brunello Trattoria, a popular Culver City Restaurant, is a favorite place to dine in the Los Angeles area.       Brunello Trattoria (best known as Brunello's) is a family owned restaurant (owner Bruno Morra), popular with locals, and an easy place to feel comfortable, yet pampered, and enjoy some really good food from an eclectic but not pretentious or pricey menu. It has a easy-going neighborhood feel to it, where you can walk in dressed in jeans, or enjoy a celebratory occasion, as we did at dinnera week ago following from daughter's graduation from USC.  As in the past, the food was great and the service prompt, efficient, and friendly. The win... 05/23/2010