Staging Works - A Case Study 09-14-10Annie Pinsker-Brown | Stage to Sell, Los Angeles Home Stager e-mail me view my blog Office: (310) 384-1084   Last month we were asked to preview a beautiful but vacant modern loft in Playa Vista. The Realtor had recommended that the property be staged as soon as she got the listing, but the owner didn't want to spend the money - and he wanted to price it for what he paid for it, not what it was worth in today's market. So after 3 months of sitting on the market and $100,000 in price reductions, the seller finally agreed to stage it. One of the issues with showing this home empty was that the second bedroom was directly across from the dining room and had no door. Click here to see how we solved this staging dilemma and what happened next! 09/27/2010

2010 IndieCade Festival John Derevlany's Culverland will be installed on the south side of Culver Blvd, on the sidewalk just east of the historic Culver Hotel, on On September 30, 2010. Culverland is a temporary artwork of inspired by the work of early 20th Century Dutch painter Piet Mondrian. It is also a giant board game, accessible to the general public, inspired by a popular Milton Bradley game entitled Candyland. The game is open to the public and players are invited to play through November 1, 2010 when the game will be removed. The 2010 IndieCade Festival is the only stand-alone international festival of independent games open to the public in the United States .The Culver City Cultural Affairs Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matters pertaining to ... 09/27/2010

          6 REASONS TO BUY A HOME 　   1. YOU CAN GET A GOOD PRICE ON A HOME, IN A BETTER NEIGHBORHOOD THEN YOU MIGHT HAVE LOOKED A IN THE PAST . We're five years into the biggest housing bust in history. Home prices are down - about 30% from their peak, (according to Standard & Poor) Will prices fall further? Sure, they might but you'll never catch the bottom. It doesn't really matter if you get the home you want for a great price. 2. THERE ARE TAX ADVANTAGES You can deduct the mortgage interest from your income taxes. You can deduct your real estate taxes. 3. IT'S A FORCED SAVINGS PLAN If you can an apartment for $3,000 month instead of buying one for $3,400 a month, renting may make sense. But will you save that $400 for your future? Most people will not. 4. MORTGAGE RATES ARE DOWN Fo... 09/27/2010

  10 Mistakes Home Sellers Make Setting the Price too High     Trust your agent when it comes to property pricing your home. An agent that works with buyers, as well as sellers will have a balanced idea of pricing, having been in "the trenches" so to speak, and knowing what buyers are willing to pay in any given market. Waiting for the Market to come back     No one knows when home prices will will return - and don't expect values to return to 2005-06 levels soon. But that doesn't mean you should wait until then to sell your home. In fact, waiting could cost you thousands of dollars in home value, in a down market. Also, listing in a traditionally slow time, will limit your buyer pool Skimping on Listing Photos     Nothing turns off buyers, and even buyer agents then one blurry picture!... 09/15/2010

The Culver City housing market is healthy, especially considering current market conditions.  The median price has remained steady, days on the market are low, and the sales vs list price percentage is extremely high.  With the months supply of inventory around 4.5 this is a strong market for sellers. Culver City Real Estate Market Sales Trend 12 Month Sales Low Median High Avg DOM % Sold vs List Price Active Listings Single Family 145 $370,000 $650,000 $1,120,000 42 99.10 51 Condos 193 $155,000 $367,500 $865,000 47 97.99 83 6 Month Sales Low Median High Avg DOM %Sold vs List Price Single Family 71 $370,000 $660,000 $1,120,833 37 99.35 Condos 112 $155,000 $369,500 $865,000 47 97.41 3 Month Sales Low Median High Avg DOM %Sold vs List Price Months Inventory Single Family 35 $405,000 $660,... 09/09/2010

  EXPO LINE (edit/delete)         Expo Line , Possible April 2011 Opening A construction update was held in downtown Culver City regarding the much anticipated Expo Line Expansion.           The Downtown Culver City station is called the "super station" by the Expo Authority, due to size and scope of the project. London-based Balfour Beatty, began building it in June, and it will probably open in 2012, but possibly Spring 2011 Sound walls and the bikeway will it open when the line does. Elevated stations are coating with anti graffiti covering that allow most graffiti to be washed off. The station will have canopies that will protect people from rain. A small portion of the bikeway will be completely separated from traffic The line is about 75 percent done, and we were told a portion of... 08/28/2010

Our Annual Fiesta La Ballona  Will be held on August 27, 28 and 29 at Veteran's Park  music, carnival rides, lots of food and FiestaPalooza.  A new feature this year is Senior (60 and over) Early Bird Specials at selected food booths, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Entertainment Pancake Breakfast Acrobats Culver City All Star Jazz Jam Band Is always a Summer Family Favorite Fiesta La Ballona HoursFriday 4:30pm - 10pmSaturday 11am - 10pmSunday 11am - 9pmFor more details on the weekend, check  out  www.fiestalaballona.org. 08/22/2010

  REALTOR® MAGAZINE'S TOP COMPANIES 　 1 COLDWELL BANKER NRT LLC Parsippany, N.J. 2 HomeServices of America Inc. Minneapolis     3 Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. Chantilly, Va. 4 Howard Hanna Co. Pittsburgh 5 ZipRealty Inc. Emeryville, Calif. 6 Crye-Leike, REALTORS® Memphis, Tenn 7 Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS® Bryan, Texas   　 08/09/2010

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