Malibu and Coastal California Real Estate and News » Malibu-California

U2 Malibu, California project hits a road block by the California Coastal Commission

kunisaki — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:59:25 +0000

The word was out on Friday – Jan 28^th, 2011 that “the California Coastal Commission staff says the project would violate state law by ruining a wild area and scarring hillsides visible from Pacific Coast Highway.”

U2 – band member – David Evans also known as “the Edge” is proposing a 5 estate development known as “Leaves in the Wind”. According to the coastal report, “the five homes would straddle a “significant ridgeline” visible from the pier and Malibu Lagoon, which are state parks, and from PCH, which is a state-protected scenic route where new development must be screened from view.”

The Coastal Commission will review it at the upcoming February 10^th meeting.

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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Judy Kunisaki – CA DRE license 00963582

Pepperdine University September 11th Memorial at Malibu,California

kunisaki — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 20:21:37 +0000

Pepperdine Placard

Pepperdine Monument

American Flag

Sea of Flags 1

Beauty of the Flags

It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Today, these photos cannot express the solemn feeling of those who lost their lives unexpectedly on that fateful day – September 11, 2001. Pepperdine University in Malibu, California honors each life lost on that day by displaying a flag in their memory -each flag representing the citizens of origin.

If you have the chance to come and visit – park briefly nearby and walk amongst the flags. There are almost 3,000 flags that flow along Pacific Coast Highway as well as Malibu Canyon Road on the Pepperdine front lawns. It is a good moment to pause pray and meditate on our nation, our leaders and those who protect us each day.

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Come to Home at Malibu,CA and Catch the Waves

kunisaki — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:44:53 +0000

Summer Toys at Malibu

Come and catch the waves at Malibu, CA. Can you see yourself, your family and friends gathered at a Malibu beach – relaxing by the spa, pool or just on the sands – ready to enjoy your favorite water sport?

Kayaking, wind surfing, surfing, boogie boards, spear fishing, surf paddle, and so much more to do in the waters — what are you waiting for? If you lived here, you would take advantage of the weather conditions and enjoy it every day — we are so lucky to enjoy the fresh air and call it home.

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Judy Kunisaki – CA DRE license 00963582

Summer is here in Malibu, CA as of mid August 2010

kunisaki — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:45:30 +0000

Malibu - Kayak Time!

Finally as of August 14, 2010, summer has finally arrived in Malibu, CA. The weather has been unusually cold out here – the residents have wondered “are we really in summer or is this the late May weather” that we are experiencing. Our mornings have been foggy but it clears by mid-afternoon and we are able to enjoy the sunshine until 7:30 at night.

Malibu is 27 miles long and the weather varies depending on where one is located on the same day. It is possible for West Malibu to experience the sun in the afternoon where temperatures are a cool 72 degree as compared to the Point Dume area where fog clings along the coast and the temperatures linger around 65 degree. Then the central Malibu brightens again with some sun and the temperature becomes 72 degree and the east Malibu again has some fog for the temperatures to linger around 65 degree. I just want to show my guests that Malibu has the bluest water and drop dead gorgeous ocean views but it has been challenging when summer dragged her feet. Of course I have neglected to mention that we are still 20 degrees cooler than the Valley areas so really no complaints.

I am happy to report that finally the summer sunshine will bask in her glory throughout all Malibu from mid August – absolutely gorgeous! I have seen the coastline in along California but there is nothing like our Malibu coastline and calling it home!

So now is the time to come out and enjoy all the water sports and just lie on the beach and bask in the beauty. It is even better if you call Malibu, My Home.

Malibu Pier

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Malibu, CA coastline has a 394 foot visitor near the Malibu Pier – Andrey Melnichenko’s yacht

kunisaki — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:10:06 +0000

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.

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Relocating to Malibu, CA or Calabasas, CA? To Buy or Rent is the Question

kunisaki — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 20:03:16 +0000

If you are relocating to Malibu,CA or Calabasas, CA, chances are that one of the biggest questions looming in your mind is whether you should buy or rent a home. Of course only you can make that decision but there are some important factors to weigh. How permanent do you feel this relocation is? Do you have to sell a home before you buy a new home? Are home prices in the area that you are relocating to stable?

There is no doubt about it that buying a home today is more affordable than ever. Low mortgage rates, higher than normal inventory levels and low home values combine to make an ideal buyers market when it comes to real estate. If you already own a home maybe renting it out until the market stabilizes or improves makes sense. If you can hold on to your current home, cover its mortgage, and qualify to buy a new home, you could be in an ideal situation.

Examine the affordability levels of your new location. Is it less expensive to rent, or would a monthly mortgage payment be the same or less than paying rent? Find a Realtor that comes highly recommended and pick his brain. Get to know your new area and weigh the pros and cons of renting vs. buying heavily, after-all, buying real estate is a big investment.

Click here to read a recent article from Bankrate regarding selling vs. renting a home when relocating.

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Price Matters in Malibu,CA or Calabasas,CA or Pacific Palisades, CA or Santa Monica, CA

kunisaki — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:53:49 +0000

When it comes to real estate price matters. Most real estate professionals will aim to price your home at fair market value at the onset and some sellers are on board, others are not. It has been a rough realization for many to acknowledge that it is a buyers market out there. It has been an unknown in recent months as to whether home values will continue to drop, stabilize or improve and every market is different. Regardless of what is going on, if your home isn’t selling then you may want to reduce its price. This is especially true when one is dealing with sophisticated buyers who are doing their homework ahead of time on the real-time internet – such as those searching in Malibu,CA or Calabasas,CA or Pacific Palisades, CA or Santa Monica, CA or anywhere else.

Whether your home is seeing a lot of potential home buyers or very few, if you haven’t had an offer there could be a few factors. What is your home lacking? Can you fix what your home is lacking? Chances are that if your home is on the market for sale, you are ready to sell it and you are not going to make any large changes to it. The one change you can make is lowering the price. Money matters, more today than ever. If someone sees a home for sale at what they see as a bargain price then they are much more likely to make an offer. Currently the well priced homes are actually entertaining multiple offers – sellers, it is nice to have a demand on your home as generated by multiple offers. Today is a good example where I showed a beautiful home to my buyers and learned it is now starting to receive offers when it sat on the market for over 8 months with no offers at the higher price.

Can you afford to hold on to your home until prices start appreciating again? If so keep your price where it is. If you need to sell then lowering the price could be the key to selling it now.

Click here to read an article from House Logic on reasons to lower the price of your home.

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Remodeling Your Home in Malibu, CA or Calabasas, CA? Don’t Forget Your Outdoor Living Space

kunisaki — Sun, 23 May 2010 22:20:04 +0000

If you are considering remodeling your home in Malibu-CA or Calabasas-CA, don’t forget about your outdoor living space. The exterior of your home contains valuable outdoor space and making certain changes or additions can help add value and appeal to your real estate investment.

Improvements to the exterior of your home can involve something as simple as new patio furniture and a fire pit, adding a patio or deck, installing a new barbeque or installing an outdoor pizza oven. An attractive and usable outdoor area appeals to family living as well as entertaining.

Landscaping additions can involve making an area more green by the addition of low maintenance plants that use less moisture. Landscape architects are more and more adept at making more sustainable environments.

Other appealing elements can include fountains, swimming pools, solar lights, tennis courts and the like. Realize that much of what you put into the space that surrounds your home will enhance its value and catch the eye of a potential buyer. Often an investment to the outside living space gives a better return than interior improvements to your home. Some creative use outdoors may include an outdoor screening area – where friends and family can view a movie screening under the open stars — recommended for areas where there is plenty of privacy and allowable space in Malibu, CA or Calabasas, CA.

Click here to read a recent article in the Boston Globe about the best way to spend your money on landscaping.

If you are interested in 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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Vacation Plans to include a Summer Lease in Malibu,California

kunisaki — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:18:03 +0000

Malibu, California Beach

Summer is fast approaching – time to make plans! Malibu, California offers many choices for a summer lease – depending on the budget. As of April 7, 2010, there are currently 42 summer leases available at Malibu, California. These are all completely furnished – all you need is your toothbrush!

Malibu, California is 27 miles long – so prices range depending on location and size of home. Direct beach front single family home lease price range from $25,000 per month to $130,000 per month. Single family homes with beach rights summer prices range from $8,500 per month to $49,000 per month. Some homes require a minimum of two or three month commitment.

Town homes/Condominium unit beach side lease price will range for the summer from $3,000 per month to $25,000 per month. Each Landlord has a say whether it is a pet friendly place or not – so it is important to tell your agent about your family pets.

In most instances, the Tenants are responsible for their own utilities. If that is the case, then the utility costs will be deducted from the security deposit –Landlord must provide documentation for any amount withheld from the security deposit. In some instances, it might be included in the lease – each lease is unique.

The required security deposit is equivalent to three months of the lease rate on furnished homes. If it is an unfurnished unit, then it is equivalent to two months of the lease rate. Also excellent credit is an absolute must — after all, these summer leases are fully furnished!

Security deposits are due at the beginning of the lease. At the end of the lease, the security deposit is returned by the end of twenty one days by the Landlord with documentation for any amount withheld. If anything should go wrong, let the Landlord know immediately.

If you are intrigued but a bit overwhelmed by the security deposit requirement, then you might consider a pleasant alternative – staying at the Villa Malibu. It is close to the beach, shopping and restaurants. The security deposits are $2,500 for a fully furnished unit. Summer leases are priced from $8,000 a month for a two bedroom unit or from $10,000 a month for a three bedroom unit. Be sure to mention that your realtor, Judy Kunisaki sent you to Villa Malibu!

If you are interested in leasing or 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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Malibu California and Westside LA Real Estate: Malibu Part of LA’s Most Desirable Addresses

kunisaki — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:00:10 +0000

We are blessed here in Malibu and Westside LA to have a ton of high end neighborhoods and a great concentration of desirable addresses.

However there is nothing like the area between Beverly Hills and Malibu according to the LA Times - This Westside area boasts one of the world’s great concentrations of premier residential estates. The highest-price home transaction ever in California took place in this territory: the 2000 sale of an 8-acre Bellagio Road estate in Bel-Air by Dole Food Co.’s billionaire owner, David Murdock, to financial executive Gary Winnick in a $95-million deal.

However what are other streets which make the list of “Desirable addresses?”

Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu: The cluster of homes on this highway range from the desirable through to the megarich “billionaires beach” – Carbon Beach. This line of oceanfront properties hardly ever has homes come up for sale so it is insulated from the normal market forces.

La Mesa Drive, Santa Monica. This street is also known for its homes of similar value and size — some less than 5,000 square feet. Large trees, with roots that stretch a good foot or more above ground, help provide privacy.

Maple Drive, Beverly Hills. There are the flats of Beverly Hills, an area with relatively small lots and commercial buildings. This isn’t it. Maple north of Santa Monica Boulevard boasts the largest lots among Beverly Hills’ flatland areas, and the homes have a continuity of design and landscaping. The street is quiet and traffic is light because a center divider prevents left turns onto Sunset.

Napoli Drive, Pacific Palisades. Properties on the south side of Napoli are prized for their views overlooking the Riviera Country Club.

Amalfi Drive, Pacific Palisades. North Amalfi has canyon views to Will Rogers State Historic Park, while some homes on the south end have ocean and Riviera views. Over the years it has been popular with such entertainers as actor Cary Grant, comedian Jerry Lewis and singer Bobby Vinton.

Malibu Road, Malibu. This coastal street is shielded from busy PCH to the east, offering ocean views and a relatively quiet neighborhood.

Malibu Colony Drive, Malibu. Gated with 24-hour security and views of the Pacific make the street desirable.

So there you have it! A list of the real estate glitterati of Malibu and Westside!

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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Judy Kunisaki – CA DRE license 00963582