The Hollywood Reporter June 4th, 2011 article notes that the Malibu, California real estate market is heating up in both sale purchases and leases.  There are several notable properties on the market that includes several celebrities as well as unique spectacular property location.  Chad Rogers at Hilton and Hyland is quoted in the article as saying “This market is value-driven. When prices come down to fair market value, there are definitely buyers out there ready to buy.”  That is exactly what is happening – many of these luxury transactions end up as all cash transaction.  One should read this article - offered in the links.

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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Real estate is ending 2010 on a positive note with President Obama recently extending tax credits that add value to home ownership and home improvements. On the 17th of this month Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. The Act extended tax benefits, reduced payroll taxes and extended a variety of energy efficient tax credits. The extension of the tax credits for energy efficient improvements include those for new homes, existing homes, and building credits. The credits are good for improvements made throughDecember 31, 2011.

Thus far the year is also ending with the mortgage interest deduction (MID) in place, a vital benefit to home owners everywhere this allows homes owners to write off the interest paid on mortgages. While the MID is being threatened to be reduced or eliminated as a way to recover money and reduce government debt, it hasn’t been altered yet, making homeowners throughout the United States grateful for the time being.

Home sales are holding their own as mortgage rates remain hovering above historic lows. Re-financing and buying real estate is benefiting greatly form these low rates. The low interest rate is helping boost sales, appearing to stay put until recovery is in full swing. All in all real estate is ending 2010 in a good position to pick up speed in 2011.

Click here to learn more about real estate provisions that are a part of Obama’s latest tax bill.

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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Questions arise when people are considering leaping into real estate and one which arises is buying an affordable home versus saving up for a dream home, especially in Malibu, CA. It can be a daunting process when shopping for a first home, realizing what you can afford as opposed to what you would like to afford. The questions ultimately arises whether it is a smart move to buy a home that you don’t want to live in forever.  The old adage — “location, location, location” – is an important factor too.  Home prices in Malibu, CA have come down to levels not seen since 2004 so it is a great time to buy.

Home ownership offers some benefits that are not available with renting. Two main benefits of homeownership are building equity and having the ability to deduct mortgage interest and property taxes from federal and state income taxes. It is possible to buy a “starter home” and move up in time. Rarely due people purchase a first home and stay in it for a lifetime.

Buying a first home allows a homeowner to build equity, with the ability to sell the first home for a greater value down the road. If you wait until you have saved enough money it is hard to say what the affordability will be. Will waiting make buying your dream home possible 2 years from now, 5 years from now, 15 years from now? In that time how much money in rent will you have spent.

There hasn’t been a better time to buy a home in a very long time, if ever. Home prices are most likely at bottom, mortgage rates have been hovering at historical lows and tax incentives make buying a home feasible for many. If it makes sense for you financially it could be an ideal time to buy a first home, paving the way for purchasing your dream home later.  Find out what you can afford by getting a pre-approval with a good mortgage broker then give Judy Kunisaki a call to find out what is available in that price range.

If you are seriously interested in purchasing or leasing and want an “over the top” experience 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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It is a buyer’s market when it comes to real estate in California– from Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Calabasas, Agoura, Santa Monica, Venice, Marina Del Rey and other nearby areas. It is not the best time to be a seller, but to be a buyer the conditions could not be better. Low interest rates, home values and inventory all point to buy, buy, buy. The only thing standing in the way is money, but if people can get money and they are in the right place at the right time, buying real estate is a great idea – especially in these highly desirable locations.

If the real estate market were a car the first time home buyer would be in the driver’s seat. Not only to first time home buyers get to take advantage of low mortgage rates, low home values, and a decent inventory of homes for sale, but they also don’t have to sell a home before they buy a home.

There may not be a better time to be a home buyer, especially a first time home buyer, for a long time. The first part of 2010 displays ideal conditions to get out there and start looking.   Buyers who are pre-approved and have at least 20%-25% downpayment available can take advantage of this current opportunity.  Even CNBC reports on April 1, 2010 that the “high end boom is a trifecta of lower interest rates, bank lending and consumer confidence.”

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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Often in today’s media driven, headline grabbing world the true benefits of homeownership are overlooked.

We all know that looking after a home is hard work, however asides from the sense of pride that it brings to manicure your lawn, renovate the bathroom or repaint the house there are other factors – some obvious, some less so – which make homeownership worthwhile.

The biggest benefit, particularly in this market is future wealth – prices are low, mortgage rates are low and there is a great selection of inventory. Grab a home in Malibu and the surrounding area now and in a few years time you could be sitting pretty indeed!

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) notes that “home equity is the largest single source of household wealth for most Americans. So in an appreciating market, with the average historically being 6.5% per year – homeownership is a sound investment strategy. Appreciation aside, while you are making those monthly mortgage payments, you are paying yourself by building equity! A home is an asset which can grow over the years – meanwhile the owner benefits from tax breaks and right now, great tax credits!

Asides from these obvious factors, there are the less obvious, as some studies have shown that owning a home can make you healthier and make children happier and more successful at school according to HUD.

Homeownership allows people to have greater control and inspires responsibility over their living environment. It helps stabilize and strengthen communities. And it helps generate jobs and stimulate the economy according to the National Homeownership Strategy.

And according to NAR’s Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing, homeownership brings with it:

* Higher educational performance and better behavior of children

* Lower community crime rates

* Lessened welfare dependency among households

* More household participation in civic affairs

* Better household health

So, why not come off the fence today and purchase that perfect Malibu home – that way you can see for yourself the benefits of owning a home in the 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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As reported by Malibu Surfside News – a coyote visit resulted in the dealth of a small dog in the Big Rock area of Malibu.

To ensure that you can minimize your chance of an encounter you need to get educated!

What is a coyotes? Well, they area a small wild canine weighing only 20-45lbs with thick fur making them look larger. They are fast – really fast, an can run at speeds of up to 40mph with a great ability to leap over tall structures – even 6 foot fences. Mating season is February and March with females giving birth in April and May. They are most active at dawn and dusk.

Make sure to check your crawl spaces and any outbuildings at the time of year as this is likely where they will nest.

Cover all garbage cans, compost piles, put away the pet food, clean the BBQ and of course make sure to lock the doggie door when your pet is not using it. Also, be prepared with your landscaping – a fence may not be much of a deterrant but it can help.

On the plus side, coyotes actually have a great benefit in an urban environment – they naturally keep the rodent population down, which keeps disease under control.

Do not think that you can kill one without penalty – they are protected as wild canines by state law with a $7000 fine for harming them. On the flip side do not purposefully feed them! This is also against the law.

All in all, with us encroaching on their natural habitat it is no wonder that sightings and encounters are becoming more common. However by taking some of these measures and preparing yourself then you can be ahead of the game!

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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Tax time is here and if you have bought a new house – well, you could be in luck!

There is always much talk when it comes to the homebuyer tax credits and with much talk, brings confusion! However, with the deadline looming for buyers who are not yet under contract and who are still looking for a property now is an excellent time to really explain: How to claim the credit when you have got yourself a house!

Firstly, let us say that the tax credit has been beneficial to the market, it has shown that there is pend up demand for housing amongst first time buyers and investors. Here in Malibu and Westside, homes have been reduced in price and are being snapped up by those who are looking for that perfect trophy Malibu home!

As explained excellently by the National Association of Realtors in their latest article about the credit, there are things you have to consider. Firstly, to be eligible you need to close on your home purchase between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, or have a binding written contract by April 30, 2010 and close by July 1, 2010. Also, you also have to decide whether you want to apply the credit to your 2009 tax return, filed on or before April 15, 2010; (or if you have already filed for 2009, file an amended 2009 return) or, apply the credit on your 2010 return, filed on or before April 15, 2011. (If you purchased your home before Dec. 31st 2009 you can only claim on your 2009 return. Naturally, your accountant or tax preparer will assist you in completing Form 5405 to determine the amount of your available credit.

With mortgage rates so low and a great selection of properties available in Malibu it is no wonder that the number of people interested in buying has shot up drastically!

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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Ok, buyers you have found that perfect house and want to make an offer. Here is a great tip when making an offer: Price, isn’t everything!

Offering to purchase a property is a delicate balance on what the offer consists of – not just the price but other elements too. Too many potential buyers fixate on price. However, it is important not to – Sellers as well as buyers have to strike up a balance – this is negotiation!

After all, with now being the time to buy in Malibu!

Aside from price there are several other componants which make up the offer which should be considered before making an offer (if you are a buyer) or accepting an offer (if you are a seller) here are some to get you started:

1. Closing Date -  Do you need to move now, next month or next week? This is important as the opposing party in the transaction will also have ideas of when they want to move.

2. Inclusions and Exclusions – Is the property furnished? Unfurnished? Does it come with the stove and refrigerator? This is an important element as a home which is unfurnished or needs appliances for its kitchen will cost money to purchase those items as opposed to a home which offers them as part of the deal.

3.  Terms and Conditions – Are you worried about a home inspection and there is no clause for that? Talk to your agent and ask how you could get out of the contract if it is not right for you and other clauses you might want to include.

Ultimately it is all about how comfortable you feel. It starts with pricing but doesn’t end there! Of course we are always here to help with Malibu Real Estate.

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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This great video from the Official Guide to Los Angeles’ YouTube channel – “yourlosangeles” shows some awesome shots of driving through Malibu, as the guide makes his way to Malibu’s wine country!

He visits Malibu Family Wines who claim to offer “Southern California in a bottle” – the vinters own a 1,000 acre ranch and create a fantastic bottle of wine. – Malibu Family Wines are located at 32111 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265.

Not located in beautiful Malibu? Well, you can order their wine online!

Or, of course consider relocating to the city? After all, who would not want to live in Malibu, with its beautiful ocean, the Santa Monica mountains, stunning properties as well as that great climate.

So next time you are sitting back enjoying a glass of wine from Malibu, think about relocating to one of the most beautiful locations in the world.

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

Tax, Tax and more tax! Not the most exciting topic we know…but all is not lost! – We all know that details on the $8000 first time homebuyer tax credit were readily available. But information on the $6,500 was always hard to come by.

However, now the IRS has issued official guidance – several months after President Obama signed the legislation creating the program.

The IRS posted its revised Form 5405 on its website on Jan. 15, six weeks after the agency warned taxpayers not to file claims for the $6,500 credit without using the revised form and new instructions. Homeowners who have occupied the same property as a principal residence for any five consecutive years during the previous eight years may now be able to claim a tax credit on a purchase of another home they intend to use as a principal residence.

The maximum purchase price on homes eligible for the credit is $800,000. Buyers are not required to sell their previous home, but they must be able to demonstrate that the replacement home they buy is or will be their principal residence. The credit is for as much as 10% of the price of the replacement home, capped at $6,500. The purchase contract must be dated from Nov. 7, 2009, to April 30, 2010, and the closing must occur no later than June 30. Members of the armed forces and federal diplomatic and intelligence personnel stationed overseas get an extra year to claim the credit. Note that taxpayers who sell their homes within a 36-month period after purchase or use the property for rental or business have to repay the credit.

The new IRS guidance also spells out the revised income limits for home buyers claiming credits: Your modified adjusted gross income must be $125,000 or less if you are single, or $225,000 or less if you are married filing jointly. Above these limits, the allowable credit amount begins to phase down in increments, and it is eliminated once incomes reach $145,000 for singles and $245,000 for married joint filers.

So there you have it, you have 14 weeks to sign a contract and then 5 months to close! The time to buy that Malibu home is now!

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