From the Santa Monica Dispatch — www.SantaMonicaDispatch.com:

A Santa Monica filmmaker has made a film of the Village Trailer Park that everyone who cares about Santa Monica should see.

The trailer park, on Colorado Avenue, has been here longer than most of us have been alive. It’s an integral part of our history. It’s one of the most beautiful and serene neighborhoods in Santa Monica with its stands of trees and gardens. It’s affordable housing at its most affordable. It’s home to some longtime residents. It’s irreplaceable. And it’s in jeopardy.

A developer is in the process of demolishing it to make way for another oversized, traffic-generating mixed use project that Santa Monica neither needs nor wants. City Hall has failed to take the requisite steps to preserve this unique treasure. The residents have filed an appeal, but, in the meantime, the developer is gradually dismantling the park and the lives of its residents.

It’s a tragedy in the making. But it doesn’t have to happen.

The film, which includes some residents talking about the park and their lives there, has been posted on YouTube. If you care about Santa Monica, you must see it. Now!

Watch Video

Santa Monica never runs out of thiings to do for everyone in the area. Our Friends of Sunset Park have started to list the happenings around town in June >>

Citizens of Santa Monica will have to make room in their calendars as our Friends of Sunset Park have lined up a list of events that will keep the people of Santa Monica busy for the month of May. read more>>

Grant school in Santa Monica is looking for people to help in the preparation for the school’s fund raising event this Friday, April 27, 2012.

The event will feature Jersey Jim, the Magician, and Obediah, the Master Juggler. The tickets to the event are on pre-sale since April 20th at $8.00, tickets will be sold on Friday at door price..read more>>

Do you live in Santa Monica?  Guess what – after ten years of research, the council of Santa Monica unanimously voted to continue  pursuing designs for a new structure to be attached the Santa Monica City Hall.

The expansion of the building targets to put all employees that have been distributed to three off-site offices into one building. Parts of the Public Works department. Cultural Affairs division, and the Finance department that are not in the Santa Monica City Hall will be some of the divisions that will be housed in the new building.

The Santa Monica development officials foresee that after this plan is fully executed, this will save money and processes will be more efficient. Gathering all divisions together will make it easier for everyone who transact business with the different departments of the City Hall. Instead of travelling from one office location to another, people will be able to save money and time when all departments are in a single location. Cutting rent in all three different off-site offices will also save the government money.

The three-storey high, 40, 000 sq. ft. building will be located at the back of the landmarked city Hall building.

In Sunset Park Santa Monica there’s always something fun to do and get involved in our community.  Check out the links here from our friends over at Friends of Sunset Park for something fun to do, something fun to learn about, or just plain old get involved!  We’ll see you in our sweet little Sunset Park neighborhood soon!

SMC Board of Trustees

April 3 and May 1, 7 PM –

Rm. 117, Business Bldg, 1900 Pico

Check out meeting info

Movie Night at Fairview Library — “Tinker, Tailer, Soldier, Spy”

April 3 , 7 PM

2101 Ocean Park Blvd.

SMC Planetarium – “Apollo 16 + 40 Years: The Moon Corrects the Geologists”

April 6 and 20

City Council

April 10 and 24,  6:30 PM

City Hall

Check this month’s agendas

FOSP Board meeting (all members welcome)

April 12, 7 PM

Mt. Olive Church, 14th & Ocean Park Blvd.

Benjamin Steers, Acting Administrator for the city’s Woodlawn Cemetery will speak.

Literature Book Group – “Of Human Bondage” by W. Somerset Maugham

April 14, 11 AM

Fairview Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd.

12 Steps to a Compassionate Life

April 17, 24, and May 1,  7 PM

Fairview Library

SMC Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee

April 18, 2012, 8 a.m.

(location to be determined)

Planning Commission

April 18, 7 PM

City Hall

View agenda

SMMUSD Board of Education

April 19, 6 PM

District Office, 1651 16th St.

View meeting info

SMC Wind Ensemble, under the baton of Kevin McKeown

The Broad Stage –Paul Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis and a premiere work from local composer Peter Senchuk

April 22, 4 PM

Airport Commission — The Future of SM Airport

April 23, 7:30 PM

City Hall

View Agenda

Common Ground - Community meeting to review the Good Neighbor Agreement

April 25, 7 PM

Olympic High School cafeteria

SMC Planetarium – “Special Observing Event: The Plane of the Solar System & the Rings of Saturn”

The program starts in the Planetarium and – weather permitting – continues outdoors as participants observe an unusual ragged procession of planets and the moon stretching across the evening sky: Venus, a crescent moon, Mars, and Saturn

April 27

The Santa Monica Festival 2012 marks the 21st year of promoting the Santa Monica arts, sustainability, and the services given by Santa Monica to the community.

The festival offers an assorted combination of dances and live music, workshops that promote the use of recycled materials, and a bazaar that features earth-friendly products. The festival aims to highlight the vibrant link between community and the city.

Vendors taking part in this festival should have handmade and recycled products to sell. Santa Monica vendors who have incorporated these aspects are given priority when they sign up for the Festival.

The Santa Monica Festival 2012 will be on May 19, 2012 at the Clover Park 2600 Ocean Park, Blvd.

View Larger Map

As many of you readers know, I like to blend my blog posts a bit from cool things to do on the Westside, real estate stuff, some video for flavor and occasional goings-on in my neighborhood that I think other people should know about.

I got really excited about doing this Santa Monica real estate based post and it took me a couple of weeks to work it all out – between the video, the keynote presentation, the audio flubs, and not to mention – the real estate analysis.

Attached are the screen shots from the presentation and check out my video for a complete explanation of what’s been happening in the Westside Real Estate market these past ten years.  You might be surprised to learn that your neighborhood held up better than the one next to it, or even the rest of America, because lets face it, real estate is a local thing.  What is happening half a mile away, or even on the East Coast may have no effect on what’s going on in our back yards.

Let’s look at the stats:

Santa Monica real estate is a fluid and efficient engine that seems to be in constant flux. If you are considering selling your Santa Monica home or buying a Santa Monica deal, check out this video for info on Santa Monica absorption rates and what is happening in our local market.

Venice Beach California not only has some of the most incredible selections of Venice real estate, it has one of the biggest tourist draws – Venice Beach boardwalk.  On the south end of the beach, is the Washington Pier and as you cruise on up north, like in this video, you can take in the sights.

If you are visiting Venice CA California, I would say that Venice beach is an absolute must do.  If you are looking for other fun things to do in Venice Ca and the Westside of LA, please like my fanpage on Facebook for updates.

une 1 — Planning Commission – 7 PM – City Hall – Agendas: http://www01.smgov.net/planning/planningcomm/planningagendas.htm

June 2, 16, and 30 — SMMUSD Board of Education – 6 PM – District Office, 1651 16th St. – Agenda: http://www.smmusd.org/board/meetings.html

June 2 — Santa Monica High School – Film Festival — Barnum Hall — 7 PM

June 3, 10, 17, 24 — Santa Monica Drive-in Movies – 5 PM – Santa Monica Pier

June 4 — Street Tree Selection Workshop — 10:30 AM — Main Library –
601 Santa Monica Blvd. — What trees do you want to see on your street?
This workshop will give residents a key opportunity to help determine tree
species for specific streets in the event that a street tree needs to be replaced
in the future. Recommendations will be included in the draft Urban Forest
Master Plan. Led by the Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force. For more info,
contact Randy.Little@smgov.net

June 4 — “Jazz for Japan” – Santa Monica High School – Jazz Bands & Combo – Barnum Hall – 3 PM

June 5 — SMC Wind Ensemble Pops Concert – music from film, TV, Broadway, and 80′s bands -
The Broad Stage – 3 PM

June 6 — Santa Monica High School – Senior Art Show Opening — Roberts Art Gallery — 6 PM

June 6 — Green Living 6-week Workshop: water, energy, waste, chemicals, transportation & travel, shopping & food – 7 PM – YWCA at 2019 14th St. – Register at www.sustainableworks.eventbrite.com

June 7 – Santa Monica College – Board of Trustees – 1900 Pico Blvd. – 7 PM – Agenda: http://www.smc.edu/apps/pub.asp?Q=544&B=1

June 7 — John Adams Middle School – Orchestra Concert — 7 PM

June 8 — John Adams Middle School – Band Concert — 7 PM

June 9 — John Adams Middle School – Choir Concert — 7 PM

June 9 — FOSP Board/Membership meeting – 7 PM – Mt. Olive Church

June 9 — Santa Monica High School – Band “Pops” Concert — 7 PM

June 10 — Santa Monica High School – Choir Concert — 7 PM

June 11 — SMASH SuperSmash Carnival (Santa Monica Alternative School House) –
Ocean Park Blvd. at 5th St. — 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM

June 11 — Santa Monica High School – Orchestra “Senior Gala” — 7 PM

June 14 and 28 — City Council – City Hall – 6:30 PM – Agendas: http://www01.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/

June 15 — Planning Commission – 7 PM – City Hall – Agendas: http://www01.smgov.net/planning/planningcomm/planningagendas.htm

June 18 — Juneteenth Celebration – Virginia Avenue Park – 12 noon to 5 PM — Although President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in September 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863, it had minimal effect on most slaves’ day-to-day lives, particularly in the Confederate States. Juneteenth commemorates June 18 and 19, 1865. June 18 is the day Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves. On June 19, 1865, Granger publicly announced “General Order No. 3,” freeing the slaves in Texas.

June 19 – SMC Emeritus College Concert Band – Father’s Day Pops Concert – The Broad Stage — 3 PM

June 25 — Street Tree Selection Workshop – Main Library – 10:30 AM – What trees do you want to see on your street? This workshop will give residents a key opportunity to help determine tree species for specific streets in the event that a street tree needs to be replaced in the future. Recommendations will be included in the draft Urban Forest Master Plan. Led by the Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force.

June 25 — Santa Monica High School – Jazz Combo — Santa Monica Main Library — 11 AM

June 25 — Saturdays with LA Opera – Main Library – 3 PM — “Il Postino,” an opera about
the Chilean poet and politician Pablo Neruda, winner of the 1971 Nobel Prize for Liteature.

June 27 — Airport Commission – 7:30 PM – City Hall – Noise management report for May. Agenda: http://www.smgov.net/Departments/Airport/Airport_Commission/Airport_Commission.aspx

June 30 — Twilight Dance Series – free concerts – Santa Monica Pier – 7 to 10 PM

Here’s what we did last year for Keller Williams Red Day.

Check out my video below for 2011 Red Day.

If I were thinking of buying and holding for five years minimum, looking for a potential recovery and turn-around in the real estate market, I would look in the following areas:

• 90016

• Mid- Los Angeles

The average price per foot is below current construction costs.  If you ask any contractor worth their salt, they can reasonably build for about $250 a foot.  Even $200 is really cheap and you’d get Home Depot or even less quality kind of finishes in the house.
Investors have been flocking to the Mid City, Inglewood, and South Central neighborhoods and flipping homes in distress.  Many of these areas are now saturated with professional flippers who’se margins are being squeezed by small time investors who want to get into the game.

A good friend of mine is a professional flipper and has been quite successful at it, yet complains about the relative difficulties in finding the right deal that doesn’t have tons of risk and tons of competitors on each and every property.  He’s actually considering moving to a buy and hold position for cash flow and for the inevitable housing turnaround.  It’s anyone’s guess as to when that will be.

I don’t care if you are seasoned or a newbie.  DO YOUR RESEARCH.  This is not a market to dabble with your life savings – it has been fluctuating rapdily and right now is a unique opportunity.

If you want to discuss strategy, call me.  You know where to find me.  Thanks for reading.

Three areas stick out the most when I analyze the market trends from this first quarter of 2011 to last years first quarter.  The most stable areas that I see are:

• Palms/Mar Vista

• Hollywood Hills

• West Hollywood Condos

These trends and analysis are from statistics from all of the areas of LA.

Are you wondering about the relative stability of your own local market place?  It changes on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.  Let me know if you want to talk about it.  I’ll buy the coffee (or tea if that’s your thing)

If you would like to see those statistics I have been looking at, give me a call or email me so I can send them to you.

See you in the neighborhood.

People are always asking me about pocket listings and quiet sales and the fact of the matter is that in this market, not a lot of pocket listings get sold.  However, I believe that there is a higher percentage of properties being sold off market, quietly that don’t show up in the MLS.

Here’s my reasons why:

It is estimated that 65% of American home owners are short sale candidates.  If you reference my last blog post about the relative declines in real estate prices from the peak of the market, you will see that most of the westside has declined, but not as much as other, less desirable areas.

Who lives on the Westside?  Its celebrities, high profile artists, creatives, entertainment industry people, athletes and anyone who can afford the price tag of admission.  And what do you think happens when they buy at the top of the market, and are suddenly falling on hard times – they can’t sell that script, bonuses aren’t what they used to be, that $9000 a month mortgage is killing them while they watch the value of their property go down, week after week, day after day.

For most homeowners, we would consider a short sale, where we can get out from under the house with no cost out of pocket, and a small ding on our credit and avoiding a foreclosure.  But if you are a celebrity or hold a high profile job, do you think you want people knowing that you short sold your house?  Do you think it would cause a public perception problem?  You bet it would.  So, I believe that more homes will be sold quietly off the market to interested parties either in short sale situations without public marketing to that effect, or at a cash equity loss due to the seller’s financial situation.
Seem far fetched?  I don’t think so.  Are you thinking about that as a possibility for you?  Let me know and I can discreetly share with you options that may make sense for your financial and real estate situation.

As always, I’m working hard so you don’t have to – I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

City of Santa Monica Event Calendar: http://calendar.smgov.net/city/eventcalendar.asp

Santa Monica Public Library May Calendar: http://smpl.org/uploadedFiles/May2011Calendar.pdf

May 1 — Cinco de Mayo Fiesta! — Virginia Avenue Park — 12 to 5 PM http://www01.smgov.net/hsd/NewHSDPages/VAP/Events/CincoDeMayo.htm

May 1 to 28 — “Sand in the Air” — Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM – Morgan-Wixson Theatre/Santa Monica Theatre Guild – 2627 Pico Blvd. – http://www.morgan-wixson.org

May 3 — SMC Board of Trustees — 7 PM – Business Building, Rm. 117 — http://www.smc.edu/apps/pub.asp?Q=544&B=1

May 3 to June 7 – Green Living Workshop: water, energy, waste, chemicals, transportation & travel, shopping & food – weekly – 7 PM – Fairview Library – Register at www.sustainableworks.eventbrite.com

May 4 and 18 — Planning Commission – 7 PM – City Hall – Agendas: http://www01.smgov.net/planning/planningcomm/planningagendas.htm

May 5 and 19 — SMMUSD Board of Education – 6:00 PM – (5/5 at Malibu City Hall, 5/19 at the District Office, 1651 16th St., SM 90404) – Agenda: http://www.smmusd.org/board/meetings.html
May 6, 13, and 20 — Planetarium shows — SMC’s John Drescher Planetarium, which features the Digistar projection system — 2nd floor of Drescher Hall, 1900 Pico Blvd. — www.smc.edu/planetarium

May 7 – Santa Monica Festival — Clover Park — 11 AM to 6 PM — The Santa Monica Festival is a free celebration of art, culture and green activism. Dance to dynamic music, shop for handmade goods, enjoy local food and explore how to live sustainably. http://arts.smgov.net/festival/SMF2011/index.htm

May 9 — Expo Light Rail – Phase 2 design process kick-off — Stakeholders will have the opportunity to meet the design/build contractor Skanska/Rados and learn about the design process and timeline. The format will include a short presentation followed by breakout sessions to facilitate dialogue and community input on station elements, neighborhood integration and mitigation measures. — 6:30 PM –SM Civic Auditorium East Wing, 1855 Main St., free parking.

May 10 — City Council – 6:30 PM – City Hall – Agendas: http://www.smgov.net/departments/council/

May 14 to 29 — “Thank You, Mr. Falker” — Youth Education/Entertainment Series — adopted from Patricia Polacco’s popular book, this production is part of the L.A. Festival of New American Musicals — Saturdays & Sundays at 11 AM — 2627 Pico Blvd.- – http://www.morgan-wixson.org/#yes

May 14 — Literature Book Group — “O Pioneers!” by Willa Cather — Fairview Library — 11 AM

May 21 — FOSP Annual General Membership Meeting — 1:30 to 3:30 — Mt. Olive Church, 14th & Ocean Park Blvd. — Keynote speaker: City Manager Rod Gould — Refreshments, door prizes!

May 23 — Airport Commission — 7:30 PM – City Hall – Agenda: http://www.smgov.net/Departments/Airport/Airport_Commission/Airport_Commission.aspx

May 24, 25, 26 — City Council budget study sessions — City Hall — Agendas: http://www.smgov.net/departments/council/

May 24 — Santa Monica High School Orchestra “Pops” Concert — Barnum Hall — 7 PM

May 28 — Santa Monica Symphony — free concert — Music by Mahler, Dvorak, and Tschaikovsky — Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St. — 7:30 PM — pre-concert lecture at 6:30 PM — http://www.smsymphony.org/

Ruskin Group Theatre — 3000 Airport Avenue — http://www.ruskingrouptheatre.com/

Fairview Library — 2101 Ocean Park Blvd. — Resume workshop on May 9 at 7 PM, “Power Google” on May 21 at 11 AM, Bridge on Mondays at 1 PM, Write-Away on Tuesdays at 12 PM, What’s New This Week on Thursdays at 1 PM, Fairview Knitters on May 14 and 28, 3:30 PM.

As a Santa Monica GREEN certified Realtor, and confessed tree hugger, I love that my fair city, Santa Monica has taken initiatives towards sustainability and green building.  The downtown Santa Monica Library is a wonderful example of a healthy building that was completed just a few years ago.  I went there recently to pick up some new music and reading material and shot a quick video tour of the building.  Hope you can hear it, I had to whisper at times!

Got anywhere in LA or the Westside you’d like to see spotlighted?  Drop me a line and I’ll make a visit!

See you in the neighborhood!

The City Wants YOU to save Money! Go Figure!

Hey Santa Monica homeowners! There’s a great new program coming out for Santa Monica homeowners interested in being Green and saving money in the long run – Its being hosted by EcoMotion at the Santa Monica Main Library on the evening of Tuesday, April 26th.  It is a kick-off event for the Energy Upgrade California program. They are targeting single family homeowners who are interested in efficiency upgrades for your home. The EUC program is giving rebates up to $4,500 for qualified upgrades.

April 26 – Energy Upgrade California, brought to you by the Solar Santa Monica program. Find out what efficiency upgrades qualify for rebates up to $4,500 and meet participating contractors who can assist you with your efficiency projects. The kick-off event will be held at the Santa Monica Main Library Multi-Purpose Room from 7:00pm – 8:30pm on Tuesday, April 26th, 2011.

Here’s the list of activities and events in Santa Monica this month…

April 1 – Spring Band Concert – Samohi – 7 PM – The Concert Winds, Concert Band, Symphonic Winds, and Wind Ensemble will perform under the direction of Michael J. Corrigan and Terry Sakow – Barnum Hall, Santa Monica High School

April 1 – April 9 — “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” – Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM – Morgan-Wixson Theatre/Santa Monica Theatre Guild – 2627 Pico Blvd. – http://www.morgan-wixson.org

April 1 to __ – “Come Sundown” – In a time of hyper-expanding population and development, two clever young attorneys set out to defend their community against interlopers. Even a law degree cannot prepare then for the mysterious spiritual journey they are about to embark upon. Fridays/Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM. – Ruskin Group Theatre – 3000 Airport Avenue – http://www.RuskinGroupTheatre.com

April 2 – April 10 – “Miss Nelson Is Back” – Youth Education/Entertainment Series – Saturdays & Sundays at 11 AM – 2627 Pico Blvd. – http://www.morgan-wixson.org/#yes

April 4, 11, 18, 25 – Bridge – 1 PM – Fairview Library

April 5 – Pedestrian Safety Workshop – 9 AM to 12 noon — Ken Edwards Center, 1527 4th St.

April 5, 12, 17, 24 – Write-Away – 12 PM – Fairview Library

April 5 – SMC Board of Trustees – 7 PM – Business Building, Rm. 117

April 5 – Pico Branch Library community meeting – 7 PM – Virginia Avenue Park

April 6 – SMMUSD Board of Education – 6:00 PM – District Office, 1651 16th St. – Agenda: http://www.smmusd.org/board/meetings.html

April 6 & 20 – Planning Commission – 7 PM – City Hall – Agendas: http://www01.smgov.net/planning/planningcomm/planningagendas.htm

April 7 and 8 – 62nd Annual SMMUSD “Stairway of the Stars” concerts – 7 PM – Santa Monica Civic Auditorium – http://www.smmusd.org/vapa/stairway/index.html

April 7, 14, 21, 28 (Thursdays) – “What’s New This Week?” with Jack Nordhaus – 1 PM – Fairview Library

April 9 – Literature Book Group – “Big Rock Candy Mountain” by Wallace Stegner – 11 AM – Fairview Library

April 12 & 26 – City Council – 6:30 PM – City Hall – Agenda: http://www.smgov.net/departments/council/

April 12 – Resume Assistance (one-on-one) – 7 PM – Call for appointment – Fairview Library

April 14 — FOSP Board/membership meeting – 7 PM – Mt. Olive Church,
14th & Ocean Park Blvd.

April 18 – Task Force on the Environment – 7 PM – Ken Edwards Center – 1527 4th St.

April 25 — Airport Commission — 7:30 PM – City Hall – Agenda: http://www.smgov.net/Departments/Airport/Airport_Commission/Airport_Commission.aspx

April 27 — Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force – 6:30 PM – Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Agenda: http://www.smgov.net/Portals/UrbanForest/content.aspx?id=16693

April 30 – Live concert featuring the Domingo-Thornton Young Artists of LA Opera. 3 PM. Tickets for this free event will be available at 2 PM, one ticket per person. Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

I just got an email alert about a proposed mega-center multi use project in Santa Monica that will have ramifications on a lot of things happening in Santa Monica.  Santa Monica real estate aficionados may want to make note of the date and the proposal.  Check it out if you can.

Dear david bruce,

Bergamot Transit Village Center

Tomorrow night, Tuesday March 22, 2011, the Santa Monica City Council will consider the development agreement for a mixed use project at 1681 26th Street: Agenda Item 8-B: Proposed development agreement for a mixed used project at 1681 26th Street by the Texas-based Hines Corporation (former Paper Mate site).

The Bergamot Transit Village Center is a proposed mixed-use project (retail, residential, and creative office space) that would add 960,000 square feet, with building heights up to 81 feet (7 stories). To put that in perspective, the Water Garden across the street totals 1.2 million square feet with building heights up to 84 feet.

This project, along with other projects planned in Santa Monica east of 26th Street, and between Colorado Ave, and the I10 Freeway, will add over 2.25 million square feet of development and an estimated 30,000 additional car trips per day to an area already gridlocked during peak commuting hours. Surrounding neighborhoods will also be negatively impacted with additional car trips on already busy streets.

What can you do to ensure that the Bergamot Area Plan does not make traffic worse than it already is?

Become informed!

Read the overview of the Bergamot Area Plan:

http://www01.smgov.net/planning/bergamotplan.html

Read the four page Executive Summary of the Planning Department report on the proposed Paper Mate development, Phase 1 of the Bergamot Area Plan:

http://www01.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/2011/20110322/s2011032208-B.pdf

The Executive Summary of the above report concludes with:

“Overall, the project still does not meet community expectations as envisioned in the LUCE and expressed at community meetings for the project and Bergamot Transit Village Area Plan. At this time, staff seeks direction from the City Council to guide negotiation points and necessary revisions to the proposed project.”

What can you do to influence the Council’s decisions on this matter?

Attend the Council Meeting, which starts at 6:30 PM, and voice your concerns for this massive, poorly designed project during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Send an email to the Council if you cannot attend: council@smgov.net

Several Council members have accepted large campaign contributions from the developer. Can we count on these Council members to vote against their developer benefactor and listen to residents’ concerns?

Santa Monica City Council unanimously passed a new law to prohibit single use plastic and paper bags in Santa Monica on February 8, 2011. I think it’s a pretty good idea and now, they’re planning on ENFORCING the law starting September 1, 2011. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been bringing my bags to the grocery store for years now just because I hate seeing a pile of plastic bags in the closet at home and let’s face it, its good for the environment.

It get’s me thinking, how do you think the City of Santa Monica will enforce the ban? Penalties for stores? Fines for customers who don’t bring their canvas bags? Will it be like a Costco style, put your stuff in the cart and figure it out at the car, or use a cardboard box? Will citizens just freak out completely and the City declares Martial Law until the city is at peace?

Your thoughts are welcome in the comment section…

I’ve been hearing a lot about us being at the bottom of the housing bubble and Santa Monica homes for sale seem to still be a valuable and sought after commodity. Alright, maybe commodity is the wrong word – sometimes people buy Santa Monica homes because they want to live near the beach, be in a good school district, or have an incredible Santa Monica lifestyle.  Regardless, it got me thinking on a bigger picture.

A lot of clients of mine are cautious buyers as of late. Considering what has happened in the market over the last ten years, I can understand why people want to make certain that they get the best value at the best price, just in case the market should stay flat or god forbid, deflate. So, often what I am hearing from my clients are comments like, “If we had to be here for ten years, this home could really afford us…(fill in motivation for buying a home)” OR “This is such a good deal, even if the market goes down a bit, we’ll be ok, because we are getting a really good value in this home.” I love hearing these things – its such a pragmatic way to look at what is arguably your biggest purchase in life.

So that being said, I took some time this morning to look at the past decade’s worth of Santa Monica real estate data to see what kind of discounts buyers could expect from the peak of the market.

Real estate is like the price of gas – it sometimes goes down, but usually goes up. Here’s an interesting chart from the New York Times at the height of the market in 2006 that illustrates the boom and bust cycles.

I particularly like how there has always been a recovery fairly soon after the peak booms.  The right side of the graph illustrates the top of the market in 2006.

Obviously, we have come way down from the peak, so lets look at a micro-market, Santa Monica Homes for Sale.

Since there is some difference of opinion about when the height of the market really was, I did two analysis as the peak – one for 2005, and one for 2007.

You can see here that the price per square foot cost in Santa Monica seems to have stabilized in the last year and that the average price of a home has corrected itself from the drop in 2008.

It occurred to me to take into consideration Days on Market (DOM) and the average sales price in relation to the average list price.

Days on Market is defined by the number of days it takes for a property to be listed on the market and then go into escrow.  These days, it is usual for a 30-45 day escrow to close once going under contract.  You’ll see that in the peak years in the middle of the decade, homes were selling at a much brisker pace than they are today.  So that tells us it takes longer to sell a Santa Monica home now.

However, saavy sellers in this market can take an aggressive approach to listing their home by listing it under market value, and still going into multiple offers.  Often times, it is this strategy that attracts strong buyers who compete for the home, often driving the price up.  Consult with WestsideDB if you are looking for a deal or just looking at a property to see if its priced to sell quickly.

The average sales price vs list price also tells us something.  Those middle years in 2004 and 2005 people were getting full price and sometimes over on average because the market was so hot.  That’s not the case today.  In 2010, 95% of list price is the average that homes are selling for.  This means that on average, buyers can get a discount if you have a good negotiator on your side.

So if we are looking at today’s pricing off of the peak of the market,we see that there are fewer homes that sold and that the average price has dropped back in line.  Overall, I believe that this is telling us a few things:  That fewer homes are selling in Santa Monica and at a lower price from the peak.  Also, it is taking about twice as long for them to go into escrow.  And finally, that the average price per foot has dropped about 6%.  I would say this is actually a pretty good indicator that the residential market here on the Westside is pretty good and if you are looking to invest or sell your home, you have a great indicator that the market here is a good one.

(Please note, your results may vary if you hire anyone other than WestsideDB!)

Whatever you decide to do, whether it be selling your home or buying a home in Santa Monica, make sure you are well informed and have a real estate agent on your side you actually cares about you and your needs.  Someone like WestsideDB.  Contact me today for more information and for a free consultation to help you achieve your goals.

See you in the neighborhood.

Hey All – here’s some cool stuff to do in Santa Monica this coming month.  Hope you enjoy.

March 1 and April 5 — SMC Board of Trustees – 7 PM – Business Building, Rm. 117 -
Agenda: www.smc.edu/apps/pub.asp?Q=544&B=1

March 2 and 23 – Planning Commission – 7 PM – City Hall – Agendas: http://www01.smgov.net/planning/planningcomm/planningagendas.htm

March 2, 3, and 4 – “The Threepenny Opera” by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill – 7 PM – Barnum Hall, Santa Monica High School, 600 Olympic Blvd. – www.SamohiTheatre.org

March 3 (Thursdays) – “What’s New This Week?” with Jack Nordhaus – 1 PM – Fairview Library

March 3 and 17 — SMMUSD Board of Education – 6:00 PM – District Office, 1651 16th St. – Agenda: http://www.smmusd.org/board/meetings.html

March 4 – Noel Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul and Mary) – McCabe’s Guitar Shop – 3101 Pico Blvd. – www.McCabes.com/condata.html

March 5 – Big Blue Bus community meeting – 2:30 PM – Presentation of 5-year plan – Main Library, 2nd floor, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. — http://www.bigbluebus.com

March 5 – For The Arts Concert – 7 PM – Featuring America, Richard page of Mr. Mister, Venice and a special guest – Barnum Hall, Santa Monica High School – www.smmef.org

March 8 – Big Blue Bus community meeting – 6 PM – Presentation of 5-year plan. Virginia Avenue Park, Thelma Terry Center – http://www.bigbluebus.com/

March 6 – 5th Annual Unity Resource Festival – 1 to 5 PM – Music, dance, Kids Zone, food.
http://www01.smgov.net/hsd/vap.htm

March 8 and 22 — City Council – 6:30 PM – City Hall – Agenda: http://www.smgov.net/departments/council/

March 10 — FOSP Board/membership meeting – 7 PM – Mt. Olive Church,
14th & Ocean Park Blvd.

March 12 – “Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra” – 10 AM and 11:30 AM – SMC Broad Stage,
11th and Santa Monica Blvd. – www.TheBroadStage.com

March 12 — Literature Book Club – 11 AM – F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Tender Is the Night – Fairview Library, 21st and Ocean Park Blvd.

March 12 – Santa Monica Symphony – 7:30 PM – Free concert, featuring music by Rossini, Lizst, and Shostakovich – Santa Monica Civic Auditorium – www.SMsymphony.org

March 12 to April 9 — “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” – Morgan-Wixson Theatre/Santa Monica Theatre Guild – 2627 Pico Blvd. – http://www.morgan-wixson.org

March 15 – Spring Orchestra Concert – 7 PM – Barnum Hall, Santa Monica High School, 600 Olympic

March 18 opening – “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” by Terence McNally – Ruskin Group Theatre – 3000 Airport Avenue – http://www.RuskinGroupTheatre.com

March 19 — Santa Monica Neighborhood Council – 10 AM – Ken Edwards Center – 1527 4th St.

March 19 – Buy Local Expo – 11 AM to 4 PM – Third Street Promenade

March 19 – 5th Annual Santa Monica Airport Art Walk – 12 to 5 PM – 60 artists and performers, art workshops for kids, music, and food. Airport Avenue.

March 20 – 2011 LA Marathon – Stadium to the Sea – The Santa Monica portion of the route will include San Vicente Blvd. and Ocean Avenue, ending at California. www.LAmarathon.com

March 23 — Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force – 6:30 PM – Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Agenda: http://www.smgov.net/Portals/UrbanForest/content.aspx?id=16693

March 25 opening – “Come Sundown” by A.F. Cronin – Ruskin Group Theatre – 3000 Airport Avenue – http://www.RuskinGroupTheatre.com/

March 28 — Airport Commission — 7:30 PM – City Hall – Agenda: http://www.smgov.net/Departments/Airport/Airport_Commission/Airport_Commission.aspx

March 29 – Choral Masterworks Concert – 7 PM – Barnum Hall, Santa Monica High School,
600 Olympic Blvd.

April 1 – Spring Band Concert – 7 PM – Barnum Hall, Santa Monica High School, 600 Olympic Blvd.

Occasionally I’ll take a Sunday off from hosting open houses for homes for sale in West LA and spend some time with the family and just plain old good exercise.  Today we went up to Solstice Canyon which I had just heard about a month prior from another real estate buddy.  (Are there really any real estate ‘buddies’ or just Realtors competing with one another?  I digress…)

This is a super cool hike that is mostly on paved surfaces until you get closer to the top.  There are two old homesteads that have since burned in the multiple fires that seem to run through the Santa Monica Canyon and Recreation Area on a consistent basis.  We saw some old oaks where the bark was charred beyond belief, and still had plenty of green leaves shooting off, a testament to the inherent nature within all living things to want to survive and thrive regardless of setbacks.

This is a 500 feet of elevation climb and you get to a great old ruin of a home that must have been spectacular in the day when it was abustle.  A little further up is a running waterfall that you can see in this video.  I would highly recommend this hike to anyone – it’s really that easy.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

Calendar of events can be found on the samo link.

I’m a huge fan of neighborhood organizations and especially Friends of Sunset Park and I get these great alerts about things that are happening in my backyard.  Here’s the new list:

Calendar for February 2011:

February 1 — SMC Board of Trustees – 7 PM – Business Building, Rm. 117 -
Agenda: www.smc.edu/apps/pub.asp?Q=544&B=1

February 2 and 16 – Planning Commission – 7 PM – City Hall – Agendas: http://www01.smgov.net/planning/planningcomm/planningagendas.htm

February 3 (Thursdays) – “What’s New This Week?” with Jack Nordhaus – 1 PM – Fairview Library

February 4 – 19 — “Caught in the Net” – Morgan-Wixson Theatre – 2627 Pico Blvd. -
http://www.morgan-wixson.org/

February 4 – 26 – “Cyrano de Bergerac” – Ruskin Group Theatre – 3000 Airport Avenue – http://www.ruskingrouptheatre.com/

February 7 (Mondays) – Bridge – 1 to 3 PM – Fairview Library

February 8 (Tuesdays) – “Write-Away” – 12 PM – Fairview Library – Guidance and support for writers

February 8 — “8 Steps to Resolving Conflict” – 7 PM – Fairview Library

February 8 and 22 — City Council – 6:30 PM – City Hall – Agenda: http://www.smgov.net/departments/council/

February 10 — FOSP Board/membership meeting – 7 PM – Mt. Olive Church,
14th & Ocean Park Blvd.

February 12 — Literature Book Club – 11 AM – Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court – Fairview Library

February 12 and 26 — Fairview Knitters – 3:30 PM – Knitting, conversation, and tea – Fairview Library

February 15 — Documentary film: “Which Way Home” – 7 PM – Fairview Library

February 17 — SMMUSD Board of Education – 6:00 PM – District Office, 1651 16th St. – Agenda: http://www.smmusd.org/board/meetings.html

February 18 — “Career Day 2011″ – Job hunting basics, resume assistance, mock interview sessions. 1:30 to 4:30 PM – Main Library, Multipurpose Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

February 19 — Saturdays with Opera: Britten’s “The Turn of the Screw” – 1 PM – Main Library

February 19 — Free Income Tax Assistance – for low income elderly, disabled. 1 – 5 PM. For appointment, call 310-458-8681. Fairview Library

February 22 — “Osteoporosis Update” – 7 PM – Main Library, MLK auditorium – 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

February 26 — Santa Monica Neighborhood Council – 10 AM – Ken Edwards Center – 1527 4th St.

February 26 — “Composting 101″ – 10 AM – Fairview Library

February 4 to February 19 — “Caught in the Net” – Morgan-Wixson Theatre/Santa Monica Theatre Guild - http://www.morgan-wixson.org/our-season.cfm

February 23 — Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force – 6:30 PM – Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Agenda: http://www.smgov.net/Portals/UrbanForest/content.aspx?id=16693

February 28 — Airport Commission — 6:30 PM – City Hall – Agenda: http://www.smgov.net/Departments/Airport/Airport_Commission/Airport_Commission.aspx

Anyone that knows me, knows that I LOVE “Back at the Beach” next to the Annenberg Community House!

My own secret “country club” that my family and I can enjoy for hours at a very reasonable rate.  I wrote about it awhile ago for spring break, which is now just around the corner again.  It’s a fabulous place to dip your toes in the sand while enjoying a meal at Back on the Beach.  The kids can play in the sand, or on the playground.

And for just a few bucks, you can enjoy the historical pool that’s been renovated courtesy of the City of Santa Monica.

Check out my latest video and see why:

One of the most relaxing things that you can do for yourself is to take a stroll down to Venice Pier in Venice (obviously) where Washington Blvd intersects Ocean Front Walk.

Gorgeous views, relaxing atmosphere, fresh air…

It’s just a great place to go and where I often get my own juices flowing, therefore, it definitely needed to be added to the “365 Things To Do” list!

Enjoy my short (2:20 min) video giving you a small teaser below:

There are few places on the Westside more beautiful than floating down the Venice Canals and checking out the amazing million dollar homes from the water.

You haven’t done it before?

No problem, let me take you on a quick tour with the video that I shot earlier this week.

Get ready to start dreamin’!

My company, Keller Williams has all sorts of good stuff to share, like this video. If you are a buyer in this market, or considering selling your home, you should take a minute and see the results from a recent survey. There’s compelling stuff in here.

And of course, call me if you have a question.