Housing trends are always changing, however currently with an aging population it is clear to see that baby boomers will play a vital part of the future of the housing market in Malibu and the nation.

Baby boomers are looking for low maintenance homes in mixed use, active lifestyle communities – Malibu is definitely an active lifestyle community! For sellers, it is important to plan for this change – as we wrote, you can as a seller prepare for a future housing market.

There is also another trend which is not so widely reported – that of the aging Generation Y – This generation is larger than the baby boomers, making up 68 million people. This tech savvy group is looking for walkable communities which are also environmentally conscious – they want Green Real Estate!

Also, the Urban Land Institute predicts there will be two major changes beginning in this new decade in our country that will affect the housing market.

The first is that home appreciation will slow. The report predicts annual appreciation of 1 percent to 2 percent. The second change is that the record-high U.S. homeownership rate will decline from 69 percent to 62 percent.

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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When it comes to any relocation, selecting a home is half of the battle, the other half, if you have children is researching the local schools.

Well, we are proud to say that Malibu has some excellent schools as well as at a higher education level, a great College (Pepperdine).

Now there is some exciting news for Malibu school as they are competing for some new Federal funding;

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously to apply for federal funding from the US Department of Education to improve education standards in eligible states.“Race to the Top” is a grant program that will distribute money to each state designed to improve educational performance nationwide.

California will receive anywhere from $350 to $750 million from the pool of $4.35 billion available to states and Malibu’s schools are clamouring for a piece of the pie! Funding will be divided among districts, with 50 percent for Title I schools and the rest going to all other schools. Title I schools contain a high percentage of low-income students. The “Race to the Top” one-time funding will be distributed during a four-year period.

Asides from being exciting, the schools have to go through a rigorous qualification process to show they comply with certain standard – which they already meet, being such high achieving institutions as they are!

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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Well, 2010 looks like many changes are ahead for Malibu and southern California.

With the real estate market turning around, lawmakers have been busy making improvements to codes and tidying up general legislation to ensure better control over the real estate industry – but the changes are not just there!

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed 696 bills into law last year, 73% of the legislation that reached his desk. Some have already taken effect and others are coming soon.

Of course, much of lawmakers’ time in 2009 was spent dealing with budget issues but there were some great pieces of legislation to come out of the year, including a conservation mandate that will not take effect until next month. It requires city water retailers to develop plans by next year that would reduce urban water consumption by 10% by 2015 and by 20% a decade later.

Laws which pertain particularly to real estate include a new regulation change for the mortgage business – creating a new offense, “mortgage fraud,” punishable by up to a year in prison. Such crimes are defined as those in which someone makes “any misstatement, misrepresentation or omission during the mortgage lending process with the intention that it be relied on by a mortgage lender, borrower, or any other party to the mortgage lending process.”

Also with regards to fire safety there is a new regulation on fire prevention requiring government officials to improve guidelines for protecting property from wildfires, including larger brush-clearance zones and better access roads in regions vulnerable to such fires.

Something also dear to Malibu is a new regulation for Papparazzi which allows celebrities and others to sue for up to $50,000 when someone takes and sells their pictures without permission while they are engaging in “personal or familial activity,” such as taking their children to school.

Don’t forget of course on a Federal level we have the federal tax credits ending in several weeks time and more FHA changes coming!

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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It is that time of year again! Yes, Christmas is upon us!

Asides from the festivities and the business at the malls and the stores it is a time for giving to friends and family. Forget the commercial side of Christmas and focus on what is important.

It is an exciting time in Malibu – not just because, despite the new year being around the corner, but because the real estate market has turned around, and the economy is starting to recover across the nation. It looks like 2010 is going to be a very good year.

Here in Malibu the chance of a white Christmas may not be there, the sun may shine but Christmas is still in the hearts of its residents. With all the months of preparation people are finally getting some time to relax and enjoy the season. They can now spend time with their families and friends and enjoy that Christmas Ham or Turkey!

So, from Judy Kunisaki and the real estate team here in Malibu, California, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

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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Great news today reported by the Malibu Times that the Point Dume coastal region has been included as a Marine Protection Area.

The Marine Life Protection Blue Ribbon Task Force selected a preferred alternative for a network of marine protected areas, which includes Point Dume, in the South Coast.

When California passed the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) 10 years ago, it called for the creation of a statewide network of marine protected areas, underwater refuges that allow wildlife and habitats to recover and thrive. The task force recommended that Point Dume be a part of the network. Its suggestion will be forwarded to the Fish and Game Commission for consideration in the next few weeks.

Definitely great news for Malibu who prides itself in its beautiful coastline which is teeming with wildlife.

Whether you like to live in the mountains, at the ocean or in the forest, Malibu has it all!

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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Happy Halloween!

Halloween is that great time of year where kids and adults come together and have fun, fun, fun!

Here in Malibu with a great climate and stunning properties and outdoors environment, it is no wonder that there are plenty of events going on!

In fact, we already had a few days back, celebrations kick off early, with the free Halloween Surf Contest! The contest consisted of a one hour paddle out, Halloween costume, surfing expression session. A great chance for surfers to let their hair down and take the waves and sport less seriously.

Tonight we have the Halloween Haunt in Malibu Bluffs Park, Children can participate in a variety of activities including: carnival games, tattoo parlor, moon bounce, crafts, costume parade and the NEW Trick or Treat Street! There will also be food vendors who will be selling hot dogs, kettle corn and Shave It Ice. Best of all, the event is free!

Naturally people will also be celebrating the day with their own private parties and barbecues. Whatever you and yours get up to, be safe on this fun day and have a spooktacular time!

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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It has been years since Malibu has had a farmers market and after a four year break, the Cornucopia Foundation will once again operate farmers’ market in Malibu!

 Farmers markets are a great way for residents to shop local and learn more about the food they buy. It also gives you the chance to take a break from the usual grocery store run!

In a location like Malibu with a great year round climate, it is no wonder that the idea is popular!

After winning the rights over a rival firm, Cornucopia must also receive approval from the Los Angeles County, which owns the Civic Center parking lot property where the market will take place. They will submit an application to the county once they receive final permitting from the city. The proposal is for the market to take place on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. City law requires that “a minimum of 65 percent of the total linear frontage of vendor booths shall contain produce sold by [county-] certified farmers.”

This is such great news for the city and its residents! We will write more on the market when it is up and running.

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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TRANCAS PARK UPDATE:

After months and years of debating and petitions, finally Malibu City Council has signed off on Trancas Park!

The contract to develop the 7 acre site it worth $2.7 million and is with Woodland Hills-based “Environmental Construction Inc.”  Some additional costs will bring the total price tag of the park to $3.2 million. It is expected that construction will begin in a few short days on October 1st and finish sometime March 2010.

Trancas Canyon Park has taken many years to get to the point of construction. There have been several changes to the design, with presentations taking place at numerous meetings and workshops that often became heated. The park will be located on a 13.5-acre site off Trancas Canyon Road, about a half-mile north of Pacific Coast Highway. It will include a multiuse sports field, dog park, and picnic area, tot-lot, parking area and accessory buildings.

We have followed its debate over the last few years closely due to the controversy that it has caused, as well as the change in designs that has ensued. Once built, it will be a great facility for the city and the surrounding 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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Malibu Library is being redesigned as part of a $3.6 million renovation project. A lighthouse poking up through the ceiling of the Malibu Library was one of many ideas proposed last week at a public meeting held to discuss the design plan of the library’s new look. The next public meeting will take place September 24th. The 16,530-square-foot library has physically remained unchanged since it was built in 1970.

The renovation plans are expected to be enacted and completed by Summer 2011. The Malibu Library Renovation Project will be financed by Los Angeles County through funds set aside from property taxes intended for library services and the project is the result of an uproar that took place in 2004 when a Council member discovered that nearly a half million dollars Malibu had been paying in property taxes per year was not being spent on services within the city, but was going to other areas of the county’s library system.

The proposed design plan for Malibu Library would retain its existing side entrance and enlarge its community room to fit 100 people. Added amenities include a kitchen, storage room, a copy/will call area, three self-checkout stations, a staff break room, a family restroom and a Friend of the Malibu Library bookstore. In addition there is a plan for an outside garden space with a Pacific Ocean-theme facing Legacy Park, and contain foam rubber rocks for children to sit on, as well as benches and trees.

The main theme of the redesign is to incorporate the story and history of Malibu from old photos, native American artifacts through to the popular image of surfing!

The newly renovated library will be a great facility for local residents to make use of!

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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Malibu City Council has submitted a bid to purchase the 40,000 square foot Malibu Performing Arts Center located on Stuart Ranch Road. However! Not to keep it as a performing arts center but as part of its quest for a permanent city hall.

The council submitted a $15 million bid for the building which will be auctioned June 15 as part of bankruptcy proceedings by property owner Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Malibu. The property is valued at $27.6 million, according to a January 2008 appraisal, so if successful, the city is getting a bargain!

The building, according to a Malibu Times interview in 2001, was purchased by Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Malibu 10 years ago for $7.25 million and is now a fiber optic office unit with recording and sound systems, a 500 seat theater and dance studios. Included with the sale of the property are the fellowship’s assets, which includes all the high-tech recording equipment.

All exciting stuff for Malibu. We will all keep a close eye on this sale.

Being the leading Real Estate company in Malibu, rest assured that we will keep you informed through our blog. Subscribe to our blog using our RSS feed. (Click here!)

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.