Malibu has enjoyed another unexpected visitor in her waters all last week – it was Paul Allen’s Octopus yacht.  He purchased it in 2003 for over $200 million and reportedly costs $20 million annually to maintain.  A 60 person crew mans this yacht which includes several former Navy Seals.

Octopus has “two helicopters, seven boats, a 10 man submarine and a remote controlled vehicle for crawling on the Ocean floor. The submarine has the capacity to sleep eight for up to two weeks underwater.”

It must be nice to be able to choose whether to sleep in his Carbon Beach private residence or sleep on the Pacific Ocean in the Octopus.  Sweet!

If you are interested in leasing,  purchasing a property or selling a property in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Calabasas or the surrounding Beverly Hills/southern California area then please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional real estate advice in the Westside Los Angeles area, on 310-317-8396 her online contact form on her website.

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394 foot Yacht coasts along the Malibu Pier in Malibu, CA

Rear view of 394 foot Yacht floating off the Malibu Pier in Malibu, CA

This past Wednesday – August 11, 2010 – Malibu, CA experienced a new visitor off the coastline.  The town was buzzed with rumors of whose white yacht was floating off the Malibu Pier – anyone driving into Malibu was mesmerized by this unusual sight in the water.

It was the 394 foot yacht as owned by the Russian Billionaire Andrey Melnichenko.  I was able to take the photo from Carbon Beach as well as the Malibu Pier to obtain both the side view as well as the rear view.

Wall Street Journal had reported on this $300 million Philippe Starck designer creation back on April 23, 2010.  Some of the highlights noted include a fingerprint security system [it feels as though the cartoon series “Jetson's” has become a reality] and “it has 44 security cameras and more than a dozen exterior cameras fitted with motion-detection systems and a night-vision infrared system” [Hello James Bond!].

It further reports that it takes about 35 to 37 crew members which includes “stewards, stewardesses, mechanical engineers, security staff, housekeepers, deck hands, galley crew and chefs as well as specialists for surfing, jet skiing, water skiing and cycling.”  “The boat costs over $20 million a year to maintain; filling the gas tank costs more than $500,000.”

Andrey Melnichenko’s yacht is nice for a short novelty but it belongs in different waters – I am thinking that the waters in either Tahiti or Bali or Fiji are more suitable for this work of art.  I am looking forward to the beauty of the Malibu coast returning without this unusual art in the waters.  Undoubtedly the sea creatures would agree unanimously.

If you are interested in leasing,  purchasing a property or selling a property in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Calabasas or the surrounding Beverly Hills/southern California area then please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional real estate advice in the Westside Los Angeles area, on 310-317-8396 her online contact form on her website.

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Malibu, California luxury or high end homes that are reasonably priced for this current market are still selling.  The optimal word is the definition of “reasonably priced”.  Each seller has their own home value but a true seller is one who prices their home realistically.   What is realistic?  It is the recent sales price of a comparable home.

Appraisers study the recent home sales within the past six months or one year for comparable homes [similar square footage, bedroom/bath, view type, etc.]  Another indication can be the offers that come in from buyers on that property.  If two or more low offers are coming in at similar price range, one should re-evaluate the active listing price.

I did a quick analysis on the Malibu, California beach front homes valued from $10 million and up that completed the sale from Jan 2009 to Feb 2010.  There were seven estates that closed in the same period.  Note that these entire beach front homes enjoyed unobstructed ocean views with direct beach access in most instance to a sandy beach.

The value already lies in the fact that most beach front homes cannot be replicated for the most part under the current California Coastal Commission guidelines. The key is direct beach access – no denying there is high value for this coveted location.

Six of the seven luxury beach front homes came on the market initially at high prices – their last listed prices reflect a price reduction from the original list price that range from $18 million to $2.6 million price drop.  The sellers on these properties adjusted the asking price in order to attract the qualified buyers to these properties.

One of the seven homes sold at the same price as the last asking price.  Six of the seven homes sold at a further reduction from the last asking price that ranged from $6,500,000 to $395,000.   The sellers often require that the buyers be pre-qualified and prove they have the financial ability to make a purchase in the price range before access to view the property is granted.  Buyers should be prepared to either provide a signed letter on a company letterhead by their financial brokerage, bank or attorney.

All of this study is coming from available data in Combined Los Angeles Westside MLS from beach front Malibu homes sales from $10 million and up during the time frame from Jan 2009 to February 2010.

If you are interested in purchasing a property or selling a property in Malibu, Pacific Palisades or the surrounding Beverly Hills/southern California area then please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional real estate advice in the Westside Los Angeles area, on 310-317-8396 her online contact form on her website.    

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On the “other side” of Westside towards Beverly Hills there is some exciting celebrity real estate news.

Halle Berry – one of the most famous actresses in the world, is listing her Beverly Hills home for $5 million.

Halle has also been carrying out alot of real estate buying and selling in the last few years and even owns a 5 bedroom and 4 bathroom ocean front contemporary home in Malibu Cove Colony which she paid $8 million for back in October 2004.

The property she has listed is located on Benedict Canyon Drive, Beverly Hills, this 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom property is in a old-world Mediterranean style, featuring beautiful gardens outside with a stone spa, fire put and outdoor dining area. Inside there are wood beamed ceilings, gorgeous fireplaces as well as a gourmet cooks kitchen. Halle Berry purchased this property back in October 2001 for $2,275,000.

The home is located on 1.33 acres and features a main dwelling constructed in 1948 containing 2,274 square feet of living space. The impressive entrance to the home through the gates up a long stone driveway up the hillside leads to a two car garage and plenting of parking for more vehicles. The location of the home is fantastic and its style is unique and cosy.

If you are interested in purchasing a property or selling a property in Malibu, Pacific Palisades or the surrounding Beverly Hills/southern California area then please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional real estate advice in the Westside Los Angeles area, on 310-317-8396 or via her online contact form on her website.

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You are forgiven if you do not know who Annette and Stan Cook are of Barefoot Dreams.

These guys formed a company back in 1994 which sells, what can only be called a “sensational” line of products from what started out as a home/garage based business. Now their products have been featured on and by Oprah, Tyra Banks and Ellen to name just a few!

Their line of what they call “Cozychic” products is very popular amongst celebrities.

So, now they have both just sold their Malibu home for a cool $3 million.

Their property was a delightful ocean view home which is gated, sits on 1.5 acres and was constructed in 1983.

Inside the family home there are four bedrooms, four bathrooms across 4,089 square feet. There is a separate guest suite with a den, bathroom and kitchen that sits above the three car garage.

Outside there are stone patios, well manicured lawns and planted fruit trees as well as a built-in barbecue, firepit and spa.

Definitely a beautiful home. The Cook’s however, are not newbies to Malibu Real Estate, they also own two other properties here, including a 5 acre ocean-view mansion and five bedroom compound.

Perhaps a nice ocean view home would be something that would suit your taste? Get in touch with us today for more details on amazing Malibu homes. 

If you are interested in purchasing a property or selling a property in Malibu, Pacific Palisades or the surrounding Beverly Hills/southern California area then please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional real estate advice in the Westside Los Angeles area, on 310-317-8396 or via her online contact form on her website.

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The areas of Calabasas and Pacific Palisades offer beautiful properties with stunning views of the Santa Monica Mountains as well as the Pacific Ocean. Despite such a gorgeous setting they are also convenient for Malibu and Los Angeles! Both communities offer it all to all types of buyers. From larger ranch style homes to smaller single family homes, they have it all!

The latest celebrity to snap up a piece of the action in the area is acclaimed writer/director/producer Marshall Herskovitz who is selling his home in Pacific Palisades and who has just purchased a large ranch style equestrian property for $4.1 million in Calabasas!

The equestrian property he purchased in Calabasas contains a Mediterranean-style house with 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms across 7,000 square feet as well as a seven-stall barn, two arenas, pastureland and a separate caretaker apartment! The property features a great wrap around veranda from the family room which features a great view over the pool deck. Outside the property features mature oak trees and shrubs as well as an outdoor living area containing a hacienda-style fireplace and barbecue! Definately a stunning property.

If you think Pacific Palisades or Calabasas are the right for you then please get in contact!

If you are interested in purchasing a property or selling a property in Malibu, Pacific Palisades or the surrounding Beverly Hills/southern California area then please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional real estate advice in the Westside Los Angeles area, on 310-317-8396 or via her online contact form on her website.

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Tatjana has just listed her ranch style Malibu home for sale at $3.485 million. The property is located in the Central Malibu neighborhood at 5737 Busch Drive, and is a four bedroom, four bathroom home which was constructed in 1978 and contains 2,807 square feet of living space.

Despite her European roots, she thinks of Malibu as her home and has lived here since 1988. Click here to view some interior shots of her home!

Malibu offers a great selection of properties for many types of buyers and gives residents an enviable lifestyle!

If you are interested in purchasing a property or selling a property in Malibu, Pacific Palisades or the surrounding Beverly Hills/southern California area then please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional real estate advice in the Westside Los Angeles area, on 310-317-8396 or via her online contact form on her website.

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Former Baltimore Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister has listed his Beverly Hills Post Office area home at $7.9 million.

This beautiful French Normandy-style palatial estate was built in 1990, has a two-bathroom master suite, a two-level living room and four fireplaces. The home has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms across 9,375 square feet  and is positioned on a large 32,000 square foot lot.

Also outside there is a Koi pond, swimming pool and putting green! Along with stunning views of Catalina from the front and the valley out the back!

Chris McAlister used the home as his off season retreat and is planning on moving back to Maryland. He played college ball at the University of Arizona and was selected by the Ravens in the 1999 NFL Draft.

This is absolutely a stunning showcase property located in the excellent Beverly Hills Post Office area. 

If you are interested in purchasing a property or selling a property in Malibu, Pacific Palisades or the surrounding Beverly Hills/southern California area then please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional real estate advice in the Westside Los Angeles area, on 310-317-8396 or via her online contact form on her website.

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Producer Marc E. Platt has purchased a stunning beachfront property in Malibu.

The infamous producer of such productions as the films “Rachel Getting Married” and “Legally Blonde” and the Broadway musical “Wicked” has purchased a 4,600-square-foot Cape Cod on the Pacific Coast in Malibu.

The property at 31368 Broad Beach Road was originally constructed in 1964 and contains four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a separate one-bedroom guest wing. The home was originally purchased back in 2005 for $7 million by Robert Feinberg founder of a test-preparation provider. The property features a wide unobstructed view of the Pacific as well as great outdoor space.

With details sketchy about the sale at the minute we expect more to be released later…

If you are interested in purchasing a property or selling a property in Malibu, Pacific Palisades or the surrounding Beverly Hills/southern California area then please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional real estate advice in the Westside Los Angeles area, on 310-317-8396 or via her online contact form on her website.

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