Want to get the facts on homeownership? Want more information as a buyer? Want to know the benefits of using a local Realtor when buying or selling a home? Then the National Association of Realtors can help!

Their "newly" launched website, www.housingmarketfacts.com is a great resource for all involved in the real estate industry as well as consumers looking at buying or selling real estate. It shows you the facts about homeownership that many fail to recognise as well as give you a true market pulse for the country.

Homeownership is a key in the success of building personal wealth. For instance, for homeowners who purchased their homes six years ago, they have seen their property values increase by an incredible 24.3% - even after taking into account the recent market challenges! That is a fabulous return on investment! Homeownership truly is a long term investment for your personal and financial future.

Of course the site shows the benefits of using a realtor over non-members as Realtors are bound by a strict code of ethics which professionalize the industry and help protect buyers and sellers.  The time is right to take advantage of the market, particularly with the low rates for financing and wide selection of properties available in the area. The Housing Stimulus Package also is going to assist in giving buyers more choice and flexibility.

Want to know more?

If you are considering purchasing a property in Malibu or the westside area then contact Judy Kunisaki, Realtor for professional Real Estate advice in the region. You can contact Judy at the office on  310-317-8396  or via her website: www.judysellswestside.com

Hot off of the real estate press! This beautiful Topanga Ranch was just sold for a cool $4.25 million. Down from its list price a few months back of $5.2 million and again down from its previous price a year ago of around $7 million.

The property’s sellers are Jane Sibbett and her husband Karl Fink, they are selling a gorgeous property nestled in the heart of Topanga and the beautiful Santa Monica mountains. The horse ranch is set on 17 acres of beautiful land and features a four bedroom home which has been renovated over the years. The sale price may be down on the previous list prices although it is certainly a great increase over the purchase price just 10 years ago by the couple which was a relatively modest, $750,000! The property uses natural stone and gorgeous wood floors and ceilings throughout to really enhance the properties character.

The property benefits from a rustic feel, compounded by its six horse barn and hilly terrain surrounding the home. The nature theme continues throughout the home. You have the convenience of being "in" L.A. but without actually being, or feeling like you are "in" L.A.!

If you are considering purchasing a home in Malibu,Topanga, Pacific Palisades or any of the surrounding Westside region, please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional Real Estate advice. You can call Judy on  310-317-8396  or contact her through her website: www.judysellswestside.com

This stunning property, owned by Film Producer Robert Chartoff, producer of such greats as Rocky, Raging Bull and The Right Stuff, is being listed on the market for a cool $8.75 million.

With the main house an expansive 3220 square feet and the total square footage of all dwellings at over 4,500 this property is a decent size. The main house, constructed in 1960, features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms (with further bedrooms and bathrooms in other buildings such as a gorgeous guest house!) and an orchard, english rose garden and private beach rights. The property also has a wine celler (ideal for all the local wine being produced these days! Malibu Residents Turning to Backyard Winemaking!)

The property is a perfect blend of indoor/outdoor living - ideal for Malibu and southern California. Particularly with the property occupying a respectable 1 acre lot and of course continuing the exterior theme, features the customary swimming pool as well as a gated motor court.

If you are looking for a property in Malibu or the surrounding Westside area then please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional Real Estate advice in the area. You can call Judy on 310-317-8396 or contact her through her website: www.judysellswestside.com

On the 7th Anniversary of the September 11th tragedies which had a profound effect on our nation, Pepperdine University commemorates, what has become “Patriot’s Day” by holding several events to honor those who lost their lives that fateful day.

The main event is the display of 3,000 US Flags on the Alumni Park, the huge lawn overlooking the Pacific Ocean along Malibu Canyon Road, with each flag representing an innocent American life lost in the attacks. This moving display acts as a reminder of what we all lost on that horrific day. The flags will remain on display until September 18th. There was a prayer service at 11.30 am in the appropriately names Heroes Garden. The garden is a sanctuary perfectly positioned as a memoriam of September 11th.

No matter where you are, we hope that you and your family were safe and that you had time to reflect on those events just seven years ago. What is for sure is that the flag display at Pepperdine, is a poignant reminder of how many lives were lost and is shown in a stunning visual dance of the flags fluttering in the wind.

If you are looking for a property in Malibu or the surrounding Westside area then please contact Judy Kunisaki and her team in Malibu for professional Real Estate advice. You can call her on  310-317-8396  or visit Judy’s website: www.judysellswestside.com

With such a beautiful environment around Malibu, it is sometimes forgotten that it takes time, effort and cash to maintain the environment which we live in!

The city of Malibu last night was granted control of the Pacific Coast Highway median from Malibu Lagoon Bridge to Malibu Canyon Road. This was part of a deal between the city and the California Department of Transportation who, after concerns were raised about liability decided to relinquish control of the median for the MalibuGreenMachine - a non profit group in Malibu - to beautify!

Whilst the shift in liabiliy has cost the non-profit group $1.5 million in the beautification scheme it has cost the city $20,000 a year in annual maintence as well as the concern about liability should and automobile accident be caused by the median. However the pros and cons were carefully considered and overall the it was deemed that the beautification of the median would be benefitial to the residents and through traffic in Malibu. MalibuGreenMachine is delighted to have been given the opportunity to beautify the median of the Pacfic Coast Highway in what is one of the most famous sections of tarmac in the entire world. However there is still $300,000 to be raised, but charity President does not see this as a problem and expects construction to begin at the end of the month!

If you are considering purchasing a property in Malibu or the surrounding Westside area then please contact Judy Kunisaki and her team in Malibu, CA for professional Real Estate advice. You can contact her on:  310-317-8396  or by visiting her website: www.judysellswestside.com

It’s time for another whopper of a listing to come onto the market! This time a great beach house on "Billionaires Beach" - Carbon Beach. Home to the super rich and famous this strip of sand really does have it all, gorgeous homes all with that stunning pacific ocean view!

Corporate beach houses are of course rife in this neighborhood and promote high end luxury and this property, the Polaroid House is no exception. These homes are designed to be party central for A- List celebrities who go there to be seen and more importantly, be photographed! For the corporate owners the home is a chance to showcase their latest products and hope that the hottest celebrity of the month can stop by for an impromptu photoshoot by the paperazzi and have their product in the photo! The property benefits from 80 feet of Carbon Beach frontage and has just been listed on the market for a rather cool $32 million dollars. A fine price for a property kitted out in the latest Polaroid Technology including flat panel TV’s, DVD players, digital cameras and naturally a beautifully selected furniture package.

You can see a tour of the house on the Polaroid Website: http://www.polaroid.com/beachhouse07/tour.html

If you are interested in purchasing a beach front home in Malibu or the surrounding area then please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional Real Estate advice in Malibu and the entire Westside region. Known for its gorgeous oceanfront property Malibu is idea for those thinking of relocating to the coast! You can contact Judy Kunisaki and her team on 310-317-8396. Or you can visit her website which has a complimentary MLS search facility: www.judysellswestside.com

It’s that time of year again, Labor Day weekend! This for Malibu usually means bumper numbers in visitors like last year. 

Labor day signifies the end of the summer and where better the celebrate than in Malibu on the beach facing the gorgeous Pacific Ocean! There is always plenty to do - including the annual Chilli Cook Off! Last year the heat index was in triple digits and it was estimated that the city could have seen 900,000 visitors that weekend! Perhaps this year will see as many?

This year there is to be a great fireworks display this Saturday at 9pm as the Los Angeles County Fire Department has issues a fireworks display permit for a barge to go offshore near Malibu Colony and set off the fireworks. It is sure to be a great display!

If you are considering purchasing a property in Malibu to be close to the ocean or just want to take advantage of the great lifestyle that the area offers then please contact Judy Kunisaki on  310-317-8396  for professional Real Estate advice for the Westside area. You can visit her website: www.judysellswestside.com

The National Association of Realtors has stated that in the coming months it expects the beginnings of a market turnaround with particular focus on the forth quarter of this year as it is expected buyers start to really take advantage of the great deals to be had!

The cheif economist at NAR, Lawrence Yun states that the data indicates a market in transition - i.e. from buyers towards a more stable balanced market. There is a rise in the Pending Home Sales Index across four regions showing an increase in activity as buyers are tapping into the market and sanpping up deals on property which previously were not for sale.

Area which were hardest hit by the national slowdown such as southern Florida and Las Vegas are now posting gains - Fort Myers, Fl and Las Vegas amongst a whole host of others! The Housing Reform Bill which will provide a great boost is a way in which first time buyers can be helped to the market through the expansion of FHA loan programs and a great tax credit.

If you are interested in purchasing a home in Malibu or the Westside area and taking advantage of the market, with a great selection of property and low mortgage rates, now is the time to buy! You need to contact Judy Kunisaki for professional Real Estate advice. Also, if you are considering selling your property in the area Judy may be able to assist you! You can contact her on 310-317-8396 or by visiting her website: www.judysellswestside.com

Candy Spelling, famous mother of Tori Spelling has decided to open the doors to her mega mansion in Holmby Hills. The property called "The Manor" boasts a huge 56,000 square feet of living space across 123 rooms - including some 23 or 26 bathrooms (The owner cannot remember!)

Thats not all! The properties palatial entrance hides what is truly a massive home. There is even a two lane bowling alley, four bars, three kitchens, a gift wrapping room, two swimming pools and a dozen or so bedrooms! Candy Spelling is planning on selling the property to downsize to a "smaller" 16,000 square foot  penthouse apartment in LA’s uncompleted "The Century" building. Of course the price tag which this luxury property would be listed for would likely be some $100 million plus - a price bracket which only the super rich can afford.

Holmby Hills is home to some of the most luxurious real estate in the world and along with Malibu, the rest of Beverly Hills make up part of the beautiful Westside area which is highly sought after. 

If you are considering purchasing a home in Malibu or the Westside area generally then please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional Real Estate advice for the region. You can visit her website: www.judysellswestside.com or by calling her on   310-317-8396  .

Olympic Fever and Pride came to Malibu this summer as Olympic Silver Medal Winner Simon Aspelin’s victory was celebrated. The Pepperdine University Alumnus (he was an All-American Honors student each year he was at Pepperdine, betwen 1994 and 1997) he was a tennis star when at the university and played in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

The result was stunning and it was the best ever Olympic result by a Wave tennis player. Aspelin is however the second Olympian tennis player from Pepperdine, the first was Brad Gilbet who won a bronze medal in the 1998 Olympics during the mens singles competition.

Simon Aspelin ranked 9th in the world for doubles tennis and was part of the duo who won the 2007 US Open. An achievement in itself!

The community of Malibu is proud to see one of its own "up ther" in the Olympics.

If you would like to be part of this great community that is Malibu then please contact Judy Kunisaki on 310-317-8396 or by other contact methods. You can of course always visit her website: www.judysellswestside.com