February 14, 2013

JUST LISTED AT $499,000! 999 Doheny Dr. #902 West Hollywood, CA 90069 – Chic condo with unbelievable views!

FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN THE PRESTIGIOUS DOHENY WEST TOWERS! THE CONDO
FEATURES UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS, RESORT-LIKE AMENITIES, AND IS LOCATED IN THE MUCH
SOUGHT AFTER DOHENY AND SUNSET LOCATION.

RELAX AFTER A LONG DAY ON THE LARGE, BEAUTIFUL PATIO WITH STUNNING VIEWS ALL THE WAY TO THE OCEAN, THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS AND THE FAMOUS SUNSET STRIP.

UPDATED KITCHEN OPENS INTO THE LIVING SPACE
AND PATIO, ALLOWING FOR COMFORTABLE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LIVING.

STUDIO CONVERTED INTO A COMFORTABLE 1 BEDROOM, AMPLE CLOSET SPACES, AND FULL BATHROOM WITH PLENTY OF STORAGE AND COUNTER SPACE!

$499,000

$520 Monthly Dues

Available NOW!

Please contact Julie Kryukova at (310)402-8181 or jkryukova@gmail.com for showing and questions.

February 4, 2013

New Listing Alert: Stunning Spanish in the Grove Area of LA $1,749,000

435 N. Martel Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 (Walking distance to The Grove – lovely location)

3bedrooms/3.5bathrooms/2,500 Sq. Ft

ASKING PRICE: $1,749,000

Please contact me at jkryukova@gmail.com or call (310)402.8181 for more information or to schedule showings:

This rebuilt, remodeled, redesigned three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom Spanish residence in the heart of The Grove/Melrose area sets a high standard for the neighborhood. Walk to everything or stay home and enjoy a sequestered life behind gates and mature ficus hedges. Amazing finishes, fixtures and top-of-the-line stainless-steel appliances reflect a Hollywood era gone by, but provide a complete set of today’s most sought-after elements–including a built-in Miele espresso machine.

An elegant light-filled living room with extra tall and wide picture windows, wood-burning fireplace and barrel ceiling offers ample room for formal entertaining.

Just outside the living room is a lofty combination of rooms in the center of the house. A chef’s eat-in kitchen, dining area, media room and powder room form an axis of activity for residents desiring an open floor plan conducive to contemporary living and entertaining.

The chef’s kitchen features Caesarstone counter tops, custom Downsview cabinetry, a professional-grade Wolf range (multiple burners + griddle + grill + double ovens) and a stainless-steel Wolf hood. The room’s over-sized center island provides that hard-to-come-by space for cooking and entertaining while also keeping an eye on the game on the media room’s flat-screen television. Upper and lower cabinet lights and recessed halogens provide multiple options for mood lighting. Stainless double sinks with filtered water system, an appliance lift door (for microwave or toaster oven), Miele dishwasher and Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer make this kitchen one of the best in the area.

Bonus alert! A designated media/family room in three-bedroom Spanish homes around The Grove is a rarity. This room adjoins the dining area and provides a sight line into the kitchen area. Five-speaker surround sound makes watching screeners a theatrical experience. Custom floor-to-ceiling blackout draperies (throughout the home) convert this area into a true home theater.

Two guest suites (each with their own sparkling bathrooms) and a massive master suite with a huge spa-like bathroom and a giant walk-in closet provide plenty of private living space. The master bath has an over-sized step-in rain shower, a separate extra-deep tub, Carrara marble counters, Walker Zanger and Ann Sacks tiles, custom wood Downsview cabinetry, mirrors, double sinks, in-wall speakers and a TV monitor. Can you say “Mandarin Oriental” or “Ritz-Carlton”?

The master bedroom’s walk-in closet/dressing area has a floor-to-ceiling built-in closet system by California Closets including hanging areas, dressers and storage cabinets. Each of the other two bedroom closets also has built-in storage systems. One of the two guest rooms has a built-in “office wall” with upper and lower custom wood cabinetry by Downsview and a Caesarstone counter/desktop, a perfect work-from-home or study area.

A laundry room (with king-sized side-by-side front-loading washer/dryer) provides built-in storage shelves for cleaning supplies. A media cabinet and linen cabinet augment the house’s storage components.

The home has a security system, Harman/Kardon sound system (with individual room-by-room volume controls), climate control, art lighting, double-paned E-glass windows and French doors. A “California basement” houses some of the home’s systems, as well as additional long-term dry storage.

Outside is a restful, private backyard retreat with a pool, waterfall and spa. A shady, luxury hotel-style cabana with a vaulted ceiling creates opportunities for an outdoor living/dining room, game room or carport.

A driveway gate can be operated electronically and provides access to off-street parking. There is additional off-street space for two cars in front of the gate. Access to the grassy hedged-in front yard and front door is through an electronically-secured pedestrian gate.

This home is a rare example of an extensive renovation done right. Impeccable attention to detail and not a single thing to change. Move in, unpack and enjoy California indoor/outdoor living at its best.

NOTE: Assessor’s interior sq.ft. is 2,300. A recent floor plan draft from R.E.S.T. calculates interior sq.ft. at 2,439. Outdoor cabana is not included in these calculations. [Buyer to verify square-footage.]

March 28, 2012

Hot Deal of the Week: Large lot, Pool, and tons of Charm in the heart of West Hollywood!

1246 N. Genesee Ave. West Hollywood, CA 90046

Asking Price – $583,300

2bed/1bath with guesthouse including 1 bath

Lot size – 5,998 Sq. Ft

Zoning - WDR2

House needs some TLC and there is plenty of space to expand. The lot itself is a dream, lush landscaping, full size beautiful pool, with potential to create a private, beautiful oasis in the heart of West Hollywood. Walk to Whole Foods Market, Sunset Strip, and easy access to Hollywood, Downtown, the Valley, and the Westside. There is a ton of potential to fix this property, while maintaining its charm or possibly tearing it down to built apartments. If building is too much, then consider a light remodel and moving right in or renting the property for income. Consistently renting for $4,000 – $3,800 for month in it’s current condition. This property is a foreclosure.

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Please contact me for showings and more information.

www.juliekproperties.com

Listing courtesy of Ed H. Park DRE 00929035

Large lot with tons of potential to expand and improve!

July 12, 2011

Financing Game Changer to Affect All Buyers and Sellers!

If you’re a buyer or seller on the fence about making a move, October 1st could be a game changing date.

Starting October 1, 2011 “Conforming” (think Fannie and Freddie) and FHA loan limits are set to be lowered nationwide as the federal government looks to lessen its footprint in the business. This means the current loan limit of $729,750 in Los Angeles that we’ve gotten used to in the past several years will be reduced to $625,000 this fall. So why does that matter to you? Since most buyers rely on the low rates, smaller down payment requirements and the easier underwriting guidelines offered by these government backed loans, the market is going to lose a tremendous amount of its purchasing power. When purchasing power decreases it puts downward pressure on sale prices. For sellers in certain price ranges this means less qualified buyers this fall. For buyers this will put many properties out of reach. For example: With the conforming loan limit at the current $729k the average buyer with 20% down payment can buy a $910,000 house. When the conforming loan limit decreases back to $625k, the average buyer with 20% down payment can only buy a $780,000 house using conforming financing. Today an FHA buyer with the minimum 3.5% down payment has the power to buy a $755,000 property. After October that max purchase price drops to $646,000. If you’re planning on buying or selling you may want to accelerate your timeline. Of course there is and will continue to be financing far above these loan limits. However, these “non-conforming” or JUMBO loans may have higher interest rates, are more difficult to qualify for, require a larger down payment, and require more post closing cash reserves by the borrower.

It’s also important for you to know that this is not being backed by the government so in turn the Jumbo loan product varies significantly from one bank to the next and one lender to another. It is not “one size fits all” when it comes to jumbo loans. That’s why it is so important to have a mortgage consultant who is skilled in jumbo financing, not only understanding the different programs and guidelines but having access to all of those choices. Please don’t hesitate to call for any additional information on these upcoming changes or any property sales questions you may have.

April 23, 2011

Russian Heiress Sells Recently Bought Hollywood Hills Home for $19.5M!

Art patron Dasha Zhukova, the girlfriend of Russian oil billionaire Roman Abramovich, has sold the Los Angeles home she bought for $19.5 million in January 2010, for the same price.

The Hollywood Hills property, on just over an acre, wasn’t on the market. The property has a six-bedroom, Tuscan-style home of about 9,700 square feet. Ms. Zhukova had attempted, unsuccessfully, to acquire two adjoining properties, one of which remains on the market for $18 million, say people familiar with her real-estate dealings. Ms. Zhukova, whose father is Russian oligarch Alexander Zhukov, runs Moscow’s Garage Center for Contemporary Art and co-owns fashion label Kova & T. She no longer edits the British fashion magazine Pop. A spokesman for Ms. Zhukova declined to comment.

Judy Feder of Nourmand & Associates represented Ms. Zhukova and James Hancock of Coldwell Banker Previews International represented the buyer, whose identity could not be learned.

PRIV_PROP2

Jon Huntsman Sr. Cuts Price on Utah Resort Property

Billionaire Jon Huntsman Sr. has lowered the asking price on his Deer Valley, Utah, retreat. The 64-acre property in the ski-resort area was originally listed for $55 million in 2009; with about four fewer acres, it’s now offered for $42.8 million.

The founder of chemical maker Huntsman Corp. bought the property in 1986 as a retreat for his nine children—including Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman Jr.—and their families. (Speculation is growing that the younger Jon Huntsman could become a 2012 Republican presidential hopeful.) He built the 22,000-square-foot, 12-bedroom home from timber reclaimed from Yellowstone National Park. The home has an indoor pool and a 22-car garage. The land is zoned for development.

The new price is “more realistic,” said Deedee Corradini of Prudential Utah Real Estate, the former listing agent; she remains involved with the property. Paul Benson and Shane Herbert of Summit Sotheby’s International Realty have the listing.

Photos

[SB10001424052748704071704576277143734324326]

Wm MacCollumSam Nazarian’s home

Nightclub Owner Nazarian Sells

Nightlife entrepreneur Sam Nazarian has sold his modern Los Angeles home for $14.5 million, 24% off its 2009 asking price of nearly $19 million. Mr. Nazarian, whose SBE Entertainment owns nightclubs, restaurants and hotels, bought the Hollywood Hills home in 2004. The three-story, three-bedroom home of about 6,300 square feet has views to the ocean. The deck has a pool, kitchen and fire pit.

The buyer, Toronto mining executive Stan Bharti, plans to use the house as a family vacation home. Mr. Nazarian is in contract to buy a house in the Hollywood Hills for around $6 million; he says he’s spending less time in L.A. Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker Previews International represented Mr. Nazarian and Kathy Villa and Asher Dann of the same firm represented Mr. Bharti.

Source: www.wsj.com by Juliet Chung 4/21/11

April 18, 2011

Should you sell in a down market?

Home prices are falling in many places. Is it time to throw in the towel before things get worse?

Q: Is now a good time to sell my house, before it loses more equity, or should I wait until house prices go up again? What’s the best time of year to sell?

A: You didn’t say where you live, so I’m going to hop on my “all real estate is local” soapbox and proffer a broad response. As I’ve already implied, home-selling potential always comes down to the nuances of local markets, specific ZIP codes and even specific blocks.

A great location can trump factors such as unemployment rates, low or high mortgage rates, mortgage access and other variables.

For example, a classic home on a tree-lined block near a prestigious university will always be in demand, despite the economy.

The same goes for a quaint house that overlooks a lake or forest or one with a mountain view.

As for “losing more equity,” odds are good at this point in the cycle that your home has lost most of the value — and equity — it’s going to lose, give or take a few percentage points. But again, that value is only what someone is willing to pay for it, not market averages.

Markets in most parts of the country are closer to turning around than tailing off, with some notable exceptions. So I wouldn’t let the anticipation of further losses force your hand. If you’re resolved to wait for a vigorous run-up in value akin to what we saw in the middle of the previous decade, however, your wait could be long and futile.

Again, don’t mistakenly base your marketing strategy on the health of the overall market. Things such as comparative sales or “comps,” investment potential, mortgage-lending standards and interest rates are important in determining your potential homebuyers. But the product on hand — your specific address — should be the chief focus.

An accomplished agent can help you identify your home’s relative strengths and show you how to emphasize them. But hire carefully.

As for the best time of year to sell your home, the stock response is still spring because that’s when most buyers emerge. This is largely because a spring purchase allows families to plan moves that won’t uproot their kids from their schools in the middle of the term.

Today, “spring” really means “late winter.” If you want to sell next year, have your house on the market and ready for showings by mid- to late February. Many potential buyers are starting searches as early as possible because they also must sell their current home to make the purchase work.

There will be plenty more foreclosures and short sales emerging on the market in the spring, however.

Another option: If you are happy where you’re living and aren’t tanking under a top-heavy mortgage, you could simply choose to sit tight for another year or two for additional clarity. After all, a home is a shelter first and an investment second.

It’s a fine line you must walk.

Please contact us for a free analysis of your home’s worth!

April 8, 2011

Southern California rents are likely to remain flat, study says

Rents are predicted to remain largely flat for Southern California’s market through 2012, according to a forecast by USC’s Lusk Center for Real Estate.

Southern California’s apartment dwellers probably won’t face big rent increases any time soon, but the steep declines seen in recent years are beginning to ebb as the economy improves, a new study says.

Rents are predicted to remain largely flat for Southern California’s market through 2012, according to a forecast by USC‘s Lusk Center for Real Estate. Rents changed little across Southern California in 2010 — ranging from a 1% increase in the Inland Empire to a 0.2% decline in San Diego County.

From landlords’ perspective, the region continues to lag behind the rest of the nation, where overall rents increased 2.3% last year. But that might change if California’s economy continues to pick up. Nearly 100,000 net new jobs were added in the Golden State in February, and that kind of pace could help strengthen the rental market.

“The economic improvement in the last couple months could definitely lead to a faster recovery than we are anticipating right now,” said Tracey Seslen, a professor at the USC Lusk Center who co-wrote the study. “The jobs number for the last two months showed really nice growth.”

Factors potentially keeping the lid on rents include decreased demand for rentals as people look to buy homes, lured by skyrocketing affordability. In addition, investors are increasing the supply of single-family homes for rent by purchasing foreclosures and converting them to rentals. High gasoline prices also could drive down rents in far-flung areas by encouraging employees to move closer to their jobs.

The rental study was based on rental data for apartment buildings of five units or more from the research firm MPF Research. It does not include rental data on single-family homes, which have been putting pressure on the traditional rental market since the housing bubble burst and foreclosures hit the market.

“Single-family homes that are being rented out compete with traditional multifamily product — high-rises or garden apartments,” Seslen said. “That supply is very hard to calculate.”

Mia Melle, president at RentToday.us, a company that manages rental homes for investors throughout Southern California, said that the rental market had been saturated with investor-owned properties and that prices of these homes continued to decline, particularly in low-income areas.

“A company or a hedge fund that just bought 100 houses, they have the ability to offer more affordable rents, which lowers the rental market as a whole,” she said. “The bigger guys are not going to haggle. They just want to get them rented.”

The economy continues to take its toll on the rental market, Melle said, with people who have experienced reduced hours, layoffs or furloughs struggling to make their rental payments.

“On the flip side, things are leasing very quickly for us,” she said. “If it is priced right, it is leasing within days, meaning that there are a lot of tenants out there.”

Southern California’s rental market has been good to Adam Cohen, 28, the president of Inland Empire Recycling, a scrap metal yard.

Cohen has been renting a four-bedroom, 21/2-bathroom home in Rancho Cucamonga with a big backyard with a koi fishpond for the last three years with his wife, Selina, 28, three daughters and son. The family pays $1,750 a month, and Cohen said his landlords had not raised the rent on him much.

Although Cohen said he viewed renting positively, he hopes to become a homeowner this year.

“The housing market is in a great spot right now for buyers,” he said. “I would like to get in while the getting is good.”

Along with an improving economy, some other factors may work to increase rents in Southern California, according to USC’s rental study. They include a squeeze on the supply of apartment buildings because construction of apartment buildings slowed during the real estate downturn.

Separately, data for the first three months of the year show that rents in Southern California have increased little compared with the rest of the nation, according to Reis Inc., a real estate information firm. Los Angeles rents rose 0.2% from a year earlier while the U.S. as a whole increased 1.9% from a year earlier, Reis said.

Source: LA Times Online

March 19, 2011

First-Time Home Buyers Prepare for Best Buyer’s Market in Recent History

While affordable housing prices, ample inventories, and historically low interest rates signal ‘buyer’s market’ for investors or move-up buyers in many U.S. markets, inexperienced first-time buyers may not know if the time is right to make a move into real estate.

“It’s not about timing the market. It’s about time in the market,” says Steve Berkowitz, chief executive officer at Move, Inc., a leader in online real estate. “Once you know how long you expect to own a home, look at the historical value performance of properties in the neighborhood. Be confident about your own job security, down payment resources and tolerance for upkeep, as well as the lifestyle you want today and in the near term. While homeownership may not be for everyone, it is the right choice for hundreds of thousands of people. Today’s housing market, especially for first-time buyers, makes it almost impossible not to think about the possibilities.”

To help first-time buyers know if they’re ready to look for the home of their dreams as we head into this year’s home-buying season, the experts at Move have created a ‘reality checklist’ designed to help them decide if the time is right.

Get your financial house in order
Before you decide to buy a home, it’s essential to make sure your credit is in good shape and repair any damage previously done. Know your credit score: thirty-five percent (35%) of successful buyers recently reported they didn’t know their credit score when they went house shopping, according to a national survey fielded for MortgageMatch.com. Having enough money set aside for a down payment is a key component to making sure you are ready to purchase a home. Also, it’s important to not put all of your money in the down payment as other fees or unexpected expenses often arise after closing.

Don’t fall in love with a house you can’t buy
Find out how much you can afford: establishing your purchase power upfront, including how much money will be required for a down payment and closing costs, is a must for first-time buyers. Look for special loans available from FHA and government sponsored loans for first-time home buyers that reduce the amount of money required to get into a home.

Learn the lingo
Since first-time buyers are new to the market and will finance a significant portion of their purchase, it’s important to get familiar with the processes and terminology associated with home-buying. Here are a few key terms from MortgageMatch.com to add to your vocabulary:

Bait rate: Misleading mortgages with low rate promises and no contingencies generally for those with extraordinary credit. Rates are based on: credit, debt-to-income and loan-to-value ratios, the size and type of loan, property location and the day you lock your rate, etc. The loan isn’t locked until the application is accepted. By then, it may be too late to find a better rate from another lender.

Basis point: A term used in the mortgage industry which simply means 1/100th of 1%.

Closing costs: The fees required to process and close your loan. They’re a cash obligation running from 3-5% of the purchase price. Motivated sellers might pay a portion of these costs.

FHA: Federal Housing Administration, the Federal Government Agency that oversees the U.S. Housing market. FHA Loans are loans insured by the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.

FRM and ARM: A Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loan (FRM) is a loan where your interest rate stays the same for the life of the loan. ARMs are Adjustable-Rate Mortgages with variable interest rates that fluctuate based on an agreed-upon index.

GFE: The Good Faith Estimate (GFE) is a document explaining all costs involved in getting a loan.

TIL: The Federal Truth-in-Lending Form is a document that spells out the costs and fees of the loan.

Lis pendens: An official notice that there is a pending lawsuit over real estate.

Per Diem interest: Interest you pay per day, from the day you close to the last day of the month.

Underwriting/underwriting fees: Underwriting is a process the lender performs to qualify a borrower for a loan and the fee is what you pay the lender at closing to cover evaluating the risk involved with loaning you money.

Warranty deed: A legal document guaranteeing the seller has a right to sell a property, which is very important if you are considering a distressed or discounted property.

Mortgage Knowledge
While national rates on 30-year-fixed-rates mortgages have risen slightly this year, they are still at historic lows not seen since 1980, according to Freddie Mac. “Buyers who prepare themselves financially before they start looking for a home will have a better chance of succeeding,” says Sue Stewart, senior vice president for Move, Inc. “If you want to land the best mortgage that fits your needs, start early, educate yourself on your financial situation, get your documentation together and find a lender you trust.”

Find a REALTOR® and go shopping
For those ready to buy, REALTOR.com® has the tools and tips to help you find a REALTOR® and, ultimately, the right home. Finding a licensed real estate professional in your area will make the process smoother and easier to understand. Once you find an agent, share your realistic budget and what you’re looking for in a home. Stay in constant contact with your agent and look for homes whenever you have a spare moment.

First-time home buyer resources
For more tips designed to help the first-time buyer navigate the home buying process, the experts at Move have provided an abundance of helpful information that’s just one click away:
-Reality checklist – Are you sure you’re ready to buy? Here’s how to know.
-How-to Guide: Buying Your First Home – Everything you need to know about buying a home
-Get Prequalified Now – Get prequalified for a mortgage before you begin shopping
-Realtor.com Blogs– Connect with REALTORS® to help you navigate the market
-MortgageMatch.com News – Answers questions about finances and mortgages
-Move.com Home Finance – Equips first-time buyers with tools, guides, advice, and more

If now isn’t the right time, prepare for your future purchase
If now isn’t the right time to buy a home, make a plan with a target date for when you expect to be ready. Improving your credit, paying down debt, stabilizing your work history and calculating exactly how much you can afford, are the best ways to prepare for your future home purchase. It’s also important to refrain from making any new large purchases or applying for new credit.

Source: RIS Media

http://rismedia.com/2011-03-17/first-time-home-buyers-prepare-for-best-buyers-market-in-recent-history/

February 9, 2011

JUST LISTED – SUNSET PLAZA LOCATION!

PERFECT HOUSE FOR ENTERTAINING THE IN THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS! Just off Sunset Plaza Drive, Beautiful Gated House situated on a double lot with incredible city views, large pool & cabana, outdoor kitchen & dining space. Wired for Sound, Private Garage, New Chic Kitchen & bathrooms!

Lease – $9,500/Month – Furnished!

January 18, 2011

Stunning Condo for Lease in Hollywood, CA – Fully Furnished! $4,200/Month

Absolutely beautiful designer condo for lease in the heart of Hollywood. Fully furnished with incredible style and sophistication. Condo features open living room and kitchen with chic dining area. Two good sized bedrooms, lovely private balcony, and 2 and a half modern, updated bathrooms. Unit also has good closet space and its own laundry. Newer building, built in 2007. Great Pool and Spa, Exercise room, secure entry, gated parking, and doorman!

Click here for more details: http://www.postlets.com/rts/4951383