By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Sadly, here I am still writing about the fires in the greater Los Angeles area. We are experiencing record-setting wildfires. As most of you know I have been focusing on the Pacific Palisades Fires, since they are near to us. The fires are only 19% contained. Acres: 23,713 are covered with fires. Structures Lost: 10,000 (est.) All these fires have forced thousands of people to leave the area and find a place to stay. In addition, there are thousands of homes that have been lost. With this in mind, the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) reminds licensees and consumers that price gouging is a criminal offense in counties where a state of emergency has been declared. Now do we really need to be reminded of this? Seriously, this annoys me so much, that people need to be told abou...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Property Relief for homes impacted by the fires in the greater Los Angeles area. There is a lot of things homeowners need to know and do if their homes were damaged or destroyed by the fires. If you are a homeowner who was affected by the fires, let me just say I am heart broken by the devastation caused by the wildfires and my thoughts are with everyone whose lives have been impacted. Just to be clear if your loss exceeds $10,000 of the current market value you as a potential homeowner may qualify for reassessment.There are so many questions homeowners have and sadly to many of these questions I have the answers. Now with that said feel free to reach out to me directly and I will try to answer them for you.Let me give a few examples here:1. How do I change my mailing address on file wi...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
As we wake up every morning hearing, reading and watching the Pacific Palisades fires, my advice is that we should be focusing on not what we lost or what others lost. Instead, we should be thinking and saying“…what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love …” Marcus AureliusSo, with that said let me share a few more quotes from one of my favorite philosophers. "You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." Marcus Aurelius "The best answer to anger is silence." Marcus Aurelius "Stay calm and serene regardless of what life throws at you." Marcus Aurelius "This is the mark of perfection of character—to spend each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, laziness, or any pretending." Marcus Aurelius “It is not deat...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Speechless Sunday: As the fires continue to impact many areas and specifically the Palisades and Malibu areas. I want to extend my deepest sympathy to those who have lost so much. At the same time, I wanted to add a personal lighthearted message in this post."...If we are leaving don't forget our food..." As most of you are aware we have been on standby since last Tuesday, facing the potential that we might have to leave our home. Gratefully the Pacific Palisades fires have not crept closer to us yet.Sadly, it affected other areas like Malibu. Needless to say, it allowed us to casually pack and get organized, in case we needed to go on short notice. No words can capture what we feel as we see the ongoing devastation caused by the wildfires.Our pets have been wondering why we had one of...
By Deepak Chauhan Asso-Broker, MLO, Your Solution-Oriented Realtor
(Versailles Property)
Today, I took a truckload of donations to LA from my local community for the LA fire relief efforts. After spending the day navigating the donation process, I’ve discovered that most major LA donation sites are no longer accepting clothing. I visited five locations and was turned away at each one.The overwhelming public response has particularly impacted the LA Rose Bowl donation center (Parking Lot I). Their operations have been relocated multiple times, from 100 Walnut Street to the Race Course, and they are now accepting food and drinks only. Even so, the drop-off wait times were extraordinarily long.Schools, community colleges, and other donation sites are also overwhelmed and actively turning people away with clothing donations.The Salvation Army was the only organization I found t...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Sadly, here I am posting again about the Pacific Palisades fires, which grew to 22,660 acres by Saturday morning, and evacuations stretched all the way to Encino, Tarzana and Brentwood, then to boot on Friday night flames lit up ridge lines and threatened homes in Mandeville Canyon as well. Additional evacuation warnings were issued for the following two areas: Sunset Boulevard to the south, Mullholland Drive to the north, Roscomare Road to the east and the 405 Freeway to the west; and Mulholland/Sepulveda Boulevard to the south, the 405 Freeway to the east, Ventura Boulevard to the north and Louise Avenue to the west. Needless to say, we moved from an 8 percent containment to 11 % containment, it is progress, but nothing to brag about. Winds are forecast to be around 15 to 30 mph, ...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Sadly, with a heavy heart I am giving another update about the Pacific Palisades fires. The recent devastating fires in Pacific Palisades and in Malibu have left many families without homes, belongings, or a sense of stability. The fires continue and as of this afternoon were only 8 per cent contained. I am only focusing on these two areas right now for the purpose of this update. This tragedy has not only destroyed properties but also shaken the hearts and spirits of those impacted.The fire has already consumed around 20,438 acres. Sadly, many businesses and restaurants along Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Blvd to name a few, have been burned to the ground. The business owners as well as their employees who lost their living and income are in my thoughts. During these difficult time...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
False Alarm: This afternoon we were rattled with an evacuation order as most of you know, we live about 9-15 miles depending which fire you are looking at in the greater Los Angeles area. It created panic for Diane....She has been stressed since these fires all started two days ago. I kept reassuring her and those who reached out to us that we are fine. The wind has shifted in our favor. Sadly, not in Malibu's favor. Hence, I felt confident we are in a better place than before.Next thing you know my cell phone and Diane's cell phone goes off Instructing us to move out of the area because we are in the line of the fire. I told her immediately that this was false and wrong information. I suspected Verizon made a mistake. Turns out Diane was not so sure since this is what the message said...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Emergency Preparedness Plan. Do you have one? If not here is a short one for you to consider.Thanks to the Pacific Palisades Fires, I thought I would share here an emergency preparedness plan for all to consider.As the Wildfires are just out of control here in the greater Los Angeles area, Diane asked if we should put together our emergency plan. I must admit she was right, especially since we have not updated out emergency kits in about ten years.Keep in mind we should have, because we also live in Earthquake Country. I did not feel like doing the big action plan tonight, so I talked her out of it. Needless to say, next couple days we will get right on it.So, with that said, this not only applies to Los Angeles, CA residents but everyone should have an emergency plan and kit to take w...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Thank you for all of you, who checked in, called, texted and emailed me as to how we are doing with the fires. I thought I would give a quick update here.We are safe, since we live next to Los Angeles International Airport, better known as LAX. We have had very few power outages over the years, and they only lasted a very short time, because we are in the same grid as LAX. As well as gratefully no devastating fires in our area over the years. Let me share with you, these devastating fires are about 15 miles from us. The closest one was about 9 miles from us in the Hollywood Hills, but it was contained late this morning. The greater Los Angeles area sadly is covered with flammable vegetation and brush, including dense chaparral. If they are dry and in areas that haven’t been cleared, it ...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Monday Motivation: I just love all of Julia Child's quotes..."...no matter what happens in the kitchen, never apologize.""...Always remember: if you're alone in the kitchen and you drop the lamb, you can always just pick it up. Who's going to know? --- (substitute anything for the word lamb)"...A chicken should taste like chicken and be so good in itself that it is an absolute delight to eat as a perfectly plain, butter roast, sauté or grill..." Wishing you a safe and healthy life and I look forward to your comments. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you achieve your Real Estate goals, please reach out to me directly! If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle and sell the ...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Speechless Sunday: All our Christmas decorations, lights are down. Are yours packed away too?Well in all fairness two items are still in the back yard. See for yourself, but don't tell Diane:))She was busy packing things away and was making sure I kept the decorations down for her to be able to pack it away till the next time. Wishing you a safe and healthy life and I look forward to your comments. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you achieve your Real Estate goals, please reach out to me directly! If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle and sell the most difficult properties that no one else could, please reach out to me directly!! If you are considering buying or sellin...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Diane and I have not had this before and what a pleasant surprise it was. One of her friends and our neighbor gave it to us as a Christmas gift. Needless to say, last two days we have decided to try the first one out.I chose the triple chocolate covered apple.As you can see it was amazing.I tried to be disciplined and not eat the whole apple by myself, rather share it with Diane and make it last two days to boot.I can hardly wait to try the others, there are three more different flavors, but I am sure equally delicious. Wishing you a safe and healthy life and I look forward to your comments. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you achieve your Real Estate goals, please reach out to me directly! If you are loo...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
I would like to wish everyone who enjoys reads my posts a very Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year! There is a Hungarian tradition: everyone needs to eat Lentil Soup as their first meal for Prosperity in the New Year!I have probably written about this Hungarian tradition previously, but it never hurts to share it here again.This Hungarians Tradition is based on the fact, that if you eat lentils as the first meal on January 1st, abundance of all wordy goods will accompany you in the New Year. Hence you can guess what we will be having at 12:01 am in our house in addition to the traditional Champaigne.The variety of this recipe soup is countless, depending on many variables. Here is a simple version for you to make:1. one to two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil2. half an onion dice...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
By popular demand, here is my Lasagna Rollup Recipe. Thank you for all the private messages. Hence, I feel obligated to share it here for everyone to enjoy.The first step: either make the Sauce or use quality jar sauce. I made the sauce a few days before. Keep in mind the way I make the sauce, it is very time consuming, takes me a few hours minimum two to maximum four hours. The difference is noticeable.The second step: this is easy you can use whatever meat you prefer we only use either ground turkey or ground chicken. This time it was ground turkey. Sautee it with onions and garlic. Once you are comfortable that it has browned enough add some tomato sauce to it and continue for ten minutes or more. I do it as long as it takes me to make the lasagna al dente.The third step: while I am ...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Christmas Day, we had an early dinner at our home. What did you have for dinner or late lunch?Diane wanted me to make my Lasagna Rollups, and she invited a friend over. The requirement was to have the meal ready by 3:30pm. Needless to say, in the old days my nickname was "The Midnight Chef" clearly that was decades ago. Time flies, thirty years later I am making Christmas Linner:) (you know not Lunch and not Dinner)From the food consumption aspect as far as I am concerned Linner was a success.We all pleasantly over ate. What did you have for your Christmas Day Dinner/Linner? Inquiring minds want to know. If you are interested, I could post the recipe, let me know.Now with that said wishing and hoping everyone had a Wonderful and Merry Christmas with friends and family. Wishing you a sa...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Let us carry the spirit of Christmas in our hearts, and in our actions today and into the new year ahead. May this Christmas season of hope and faith bring you and your loved one's joy, warmth, light and cherished moments to celebrate together Wishing you a very blessed and Merry Christmas and a prosperous year to come! Thank you for your friendship, support, reading and commenting on my posts over the years. Wishing you a safe and healthy life and I look forward to your comments. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you achieve your Real Estate goals, please reach out to me directly! If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle and sell the most difficult properties t...
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Those of you who read my posts know I received a gift, yes it was a cookbook. Now with that said I have been looking at the recipes for a month or so and I kept gravitating towards this recipe.Needless to say, I kept thinking it needs something else with it. I read the recipe closer and there were two suggestions, Schrimp or scallops would be a good upgrade. Well, I chose Langostino Tails. Brings back memories from my father, he loved it and said it was not quite like a Maine Lobster Tail but damn close to it.He was spot on and every time I make something with Langostino Tails he is in my thoughts.I chose not to make my own pasta but took a good shortcut and made this version. I know when it is a hit, Diane offers to help me with the dishes, and she did:)) Wishing you a safe and healthy...