The National Association of Realtors has released the Real Estate statistics for June 2009 this week.

The news is great. Existing-home sales rose for the third consecutive month with inventory easing and home prices declining less sharply in June.

Existing-home sales increased 3.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.89 million units in June. Total housing inventory at the end of June fell 0.7% to 3.82 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 9.4-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a 9.8-month supply in May. Although local inventory levels do vary. In the Existing home sales figures is condominium and co-op sales which on their own jumped 14.0% in June – this is great news!

However, despite all the positive data, distressed sales accounted for a whopping 31% of sales in June which does distort the figures somewhat downwards compared to the traditional sales.

More interestingly, first-time buyers accounted for 29% of transactions – this is likely due to the first time homebuyer tax credit. Also the number of buyers looking at homes is up around 12% over June 2008.

Here in the West existing-home sales improved by 6.4% to an annual rate of 1.16 million in June, and are 11.5% higher than June 2008.

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

What is better than to get home after a stressful day and sitting on your front porch to relax and let the day to day stresses melt away.A front porch can be part of your routine as well as a valuable piece of real estate.

What if you do not have a front porch I hear you cry! Well then you may not need or want one, however you could always construct one! After all, everyone is after their own version of the American dream and you cannot get more Americana than a picket fence and a front porch! However, not every home style or climate suits the same front porch. There are companies who specialize in Front Porch design.

When it comes to selling your home, people are trying to ensure that their homes are all neat, tidy and staged appropriately, it ultimately comes down to curb appeal. The inside may look great, but if your entryway and your front porch looks terrible, then a prospective buyer will drive right past and so will their agent. In an image conscious world, curb appeal matters. If it needs work then: Buyers think – “this porch needs fixing, how much is it going to cost me!”

Therefore the appearance of your front porch may help you sell your home!

So get out the paint cans, get out the potted plants, the American flag and if you have room, a rocking chair. Make sure to keep with the style and local climate of your home. Here in Malibu our summers are gorgeous, and many people have a gorgeous Pacific Ocean view, so if space allows, try and make the area an entertaining space for guests! Get out there and have some fun and help your home sell itself!

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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Summer is almost here and there is a lot of activity in the real estate market at the moment.

With signs of a national housing marketing turn around lead by areas such as Malibu and other parts of California as well as a surge of mortgage applications things are looking on the up! In fact, in areas like California it is expected that there may be a shortage of inventory in the very near future triggering some price rises!

After all home prices are at their most affordable for decades, consumers are benefiting from the lowest mortgage rates in nearly half a century (with fixed rates in the four percent range!) and there is a great selection of homes available!

In fact, for mortgage applications the increase is welcome news – applications for purchases of resale and new homes were up eight percent for those using conventional loans, and a remarkable 17 percent gain in applications to buy houses using low-downpayment FHA mortgages.

Americans are also feeling more optimistic about the economy with a new poll showing that consumer confidence was up. This also is translated in buyer affordability with 55 million American households being able to afford the median house price – up 45% in the last 24 months.

This is very encouraging news. It is a sign for those who are renting that the time to buy really is now and that they may be left behind if they do not act fast. With 30 year fixed rates so low owning a home is now in many cases cheaper than renting. Combined of course with the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers and purchasing a property now is a very attractive option indeed!

Watch this space for more on this as it develops! – 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.

Selling a home is stressful, most want to make their home as attractive as possible – usually through home staging. However in addition to the regular tips which we have provided over the years, including: decluttering, taking down personal photos, applying a fresh coat of paint, making minor repairs, and keeping a pleasant aroma etc

There are other ways in which you can help buyers through the door. Buyers – even as a seller, you were a buyer when you looked at your property, remember how that felt. Buyers want space, light, open floor plans and more storage capability. Even if you live in a cookie-cutter home, you can make it stand out. Americans are projected to spend $217 billion on home remodeling in 2009.

Have you considered doing the following?:

1. Go green. Energy efficient products and household goods are attractive to buyers. Things such as better insulation, replacing old windows, caulking, and adding skylights can increase value.

2. Crown molding and wider baseboards. The basic baseboard that builders often use in tract homes doesn’t draw attention. Adding a wider baseboard and a fresh coat of paint makes the room come to life.

3. Textured paint. Faux finishes, accented walls, or even just a little fresh paint on them makes a lasting impression. Choose colors and textures wisely. Don’t get too carried away!

4. Improved flooring. Wood, tile, and new carpet can be a showstopper, inspect your flooring for faults!

5. Add a deck area. Adding a deck can add value to your home. It’s a nice feature in a yard and many buyers are happy to purchase a home that already has a deck so that they don’t have to take on that home improvement project – imagine those lazy summer days barbecuing on the deck? If you can, you can bet your buyer will!

Hopefully with these tips you will have a great head start in preparing your home for a quick sale!

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.

Malibu City Council are currently weighing up the pros and cons of the purchase of the 9.8 acre lot in Point Dume which is for sale at $4.9 million. The development of the lot into a new City Center is championed by many local residents who want better access to their local public services.

The council has been leasing the current City Hall site which houses the 17,000 square foot building since 2002 but the council says the site and building is no longer large enough and has been considering other proposals for some time. For instance the La Paz Project is one which the Planning Commission rejected but that the city council has yet to vote on. The lease on the current property runs out in 2017 but the council have an exit strategy which they can take in 2012 if they need to.

This would give time for the Point Dume property to be developed. The area is large enough for a new city hall, Sheriff Substation/City Library, emergency operations center and a teen center – a facility which many are excited about as it would give local teens and area where they could go after school.

Of course the proposals are all still undecided and it will be interesting to see how they develop.

If you are considering purchasing a property in east or west Malibu or in the Topanga or Point Dume areas then please contact Judy Kunisaki on 310-317-8396.

Newly remodelled Point Dume Village now features 25,000 square feet of space and a new upscale market "The Pavilions" which replaces Cookes Family Market which closed two years ago. The new center opened its doors a day earlier than expected on Tuesday May 20th and whilst its opening is controversial with local residents who are concerned about its impact on traffic and parking its development will of course benefit the local economy.

The construction of the new center began in 2006 and now features a Starbucks and 5000 square feet of addtional retailing space due to demolition of interior walls and merging with the old Malibu Gymnastics area.

Point Dume is a renouned area world wide for its park area and beautiful real estate that benefits from Pacific Ocean views. Its beach was used to file scenes from the classic film "Planet of the Apes"! It is a popular area to purchase a home due to its beautiful location and easy access to the rest of Malibu via the Pacific Coast Highway.

If you are considering purchasing a home in the Malibu or Point Dume area then please contact Judy Kunisaki on 310-317-8396.

Malibu is known for many things, its beautiful coastline, its stunning views of the Pacific Ocean as well as that world renouned beach! However, it is not generally known for its winemaking, particularly amongst its residents, some of whom are turning into "backyard vinters"

The LA Times reports that many residents are making use of their Malibu gardens (with land at a premium good garden space is prized!) and taking advantage of the warm climate enjoyed by Malibu and recreating their own ‘Napa Valley’ in miniature!

It is estimated that there are only around 150 acres of "vineyard" in Malibu but this is fast becoming the home improvement even favored by the stars. (Emilio Estevez is one such fanatic!) With careful landscaping to escape the extreme temperatures felt inland one can try it for themselves! Some high end stores in the area are even selling wines with the name "Malibu" stuck on it! This is a really interested hobby which is being undertaken by many in the area particularly as most do not produce the wine commercially and it is just for family and friends to enjoy. It really seems that it is the "in" hobby and many are jumping on the bandwagon and trying to grow their own grapes from their own patch of Malibu with of course careful consideration for proper irrigation (another key in being successful!)

If you are interested in purchasing a property in Malibu which has room for you to try growing your own miniature vineyard then please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional Real Estate advice. You can call her on 310-317-8396 or email her on judy@judysellswestside.com

Real Estate on the beach is much sought after & in Malibu’s case some of the most expensive property in the world.

However, if you budget does not quite stretch that far there is a great way, where ever you are in the world to enjoy the view of the mighty Pacific Ocean from your computer!

I know that we have discussed webcam’s before but this one is particularly nice, with the ability for the user to browse 360 degrees of the view – which is updated if your browser is not cache-ing images. A particularly great time to see this view is around sunset. The beach is gorgeous and the last rays of sunlight dance across the surf and ocean waves…definately a sight not to be missed!

See the link below to check out the Zuma Beach cam. Zuma Beach is just west of Malibu proper and has some of the best surfing in the area as well as being a great choice for a family day out. The website lists statistics about the current water conditions as well as detailing the facilities available to visitors – such as ample parking!

The location is just off of the infamous Pacific Coast Highway.

If you are considering purchasing a home in the area then please contact Judy Kunisaki for professional Real Estate advice. You can call on 310-317-8396.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s former compound in Pacific Palisades is comprised of 4 sections of different properties.

One home and neighboring lot is currently on the Market for a cool $23 million. The property in Pacific Palisades has 1.38 acres and the home is a grand 7654 square feet. Schwarzenegger sold the property along with the lot next door  (a further 1.29 acres) to the existing owners $7,950,000 in 2004.

The property is at "14209 EVANS RD" however this part of the road is often seen as a part of "Sunset Boulevard" and is occasionally in error referred to as such.

Built in the mediterranean style, the home also features expansive green lawns and its own private tennis court on top of the exquisite pool

The property features seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms and is being sold as an equestrian estate including its own stream! It is a private enclave at the end of a quiet lane and is truely a world away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Built in the mediterranean style, the home also features expansive green lawns and its own private tennis court on top of the exquisite pool.

If you are considering purchasing a property in Pacific Palisades of the Westside area then please contact Judy Kunisaki on 310-317-8396.

UPDATE: This listing is now active at a price of $21,900,000.

With interest rates as historic lows coupled with a couple of rate reductions as well as a buyers market it is a great combination for success as the Mortgage Bankers Association reports an increase in loan applications over last years figures.

The reasons are not quite as clear cut as is always the case in these situations. Despite many people looking at taking out a mortgage to purchase a home in this great market, there are those who are looking to refinance to a new interest rate. Both however may have filled in more loan applications than before due to tightened lending criteria and as such the figures may be slightly skewed in places.

Additionally the National Association of Realtors has reported a mild increase in pending home sales at 0.2% in September.

This does make to look an interesting picture and one that will be watched closely in the coming months.