Tag Archives: Julie Kryukova

Fannie Mae: Economy Will ‘Reaccelerate’ in 2nd Half of 2013

Fiscal drags such as the sequester may have weakened economic momentum, but the economy should “reaccelerate” in the second half of this year as financial and housing conditions improve, according to Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group.

In its most recent economic outlook, the group revealed expectations for the economy to continue the modest recovery and grow 2.2 percent this year, up from 1.7 percent in 2012 and 2 percent in 2011.

“Employment numbers are getting better, albeit it at a relatively slow pace, and the April employment picture should help boost consumer sentiment toward the economy overall. Spending grew in the first quarter at a surprisingly strong pace, and although this rate is unlikely to hold up, consumers continue to show signs of resilience in the face of fiscal concerns,” said Doug Duncan, chief economist for Fannie Mae.

Duncan though warned of “potential” headwinds, such as the “long-term effects of sequestration, spending constraints, the sovereign debt crisis, and the impending debt ceiling.”

Amid the expected improvements, the group anticipates the housing market’s recovery will go on as well, reinforced by current levels of home affordability.

According to the GSE’s analysis, housing affordability should steadily decline from its 2012 peak, but will still hover above normal levels through 2017. By that time, the group expects the 30-year fixed rate mortgage to average 5 percent.

While affordability provides support to the housing market’s recovery, it’s not the main driver of homebuying activity, according to the GSE.

“Going forward, the trends in lending standards, regulations regarding lending and securitization of mortgages, and housing finance reform will be key to a transition to normal for the housing market,” the group stated.

Home prices should also continue their upward trajectory, aided by limited inventory, a smaller share of distressed sales, and increased efforts to prevent foreclosures.

Looking ahead, the group forecasts single-family starts will increase 24 percent this year, while multifamily starts will rise by about 35 percent during the same time period.

Total home sales—new and existing—are expected to increase by nearly 8 percent in 2013, while home prices should average a 3.9 percent gain.
The 30-year fixed rate mortgage is projected to average 4 percent in 2014.

 

If you’re looking for real estate opportunities, please contact me direct at (310)402-8181 or jkryukova@gmail.com

 

 

Source: DSNEWS

Home price rise continues to pick up speed

The pace of home price increases continued to accelerate in February, according to a reading Tuesday that showed the biggest gain since near the height of the housing bubble.

The S&P Case-Shiller index of home prices in 20 major markets posted a 9.3% rise over the last 12 months. That’s up from the 8.1% rise in January. It was the biggest 12-month gain in the index since May 2006, which was just one month after the index showed record-high home prices.

The index showed a 12-month decline in prices almost every month over a five-year period through May 2012. But every month since then has shown a gain in home prices, and each month’s gain has been stronger than the one that came before.

“Despite some recent mixed economic reports for March, housing continues to be one of the brighter spots in the economy,” said David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices.

Stan Humphries, chief economist for home price tracker Zillow, said there are signs in themarket that the pace of increase started to slow in March.

“Regardless what data you look at, home values are clearly rising at an unsustainable pace,” he said. He said the increases in the index need to be taken with a grain of salt, being distorted by the shift in transactions to private home sales rather than the foreclosure sales that had been dominating the market.

The housing recovery has been driven by a number of factors, including near record-low mortgage rates, a drop in foreclosures and reduced unemployment, all of which have helped lift both new-home sales as well as sales of previously owned homes. The rising home prices has helped bring back some buyers who had been reluctant to buy while prices were falling.

Mike Larson, real estate analyst at Weiss Research, said he’s concerned that much of the increase is being driven by investors flooding into some markets to buy homes in order to rent them out, outbidding the potential homeowners who want to live in a home.

“Prices are not at bubblicious levels, but you’re talking about a trend that can be destabilizing,” he said.

Mark Vitner, senior economist with Wells Fargo Securities, said part of the reason for the sharp rise in prices is the comparison to depressed prices a year earlier. He said comparisons will become more difficult later this year. and the pace of increase should slow.

Home price increases boost the overall economy. Besides the jobs created by a pick-up in construction and home sales, rising prices mean fewer homeowners are underwater on their mortgages, owing more than the home is worth. That allows more homeowners to refinance, saving money they can spend on other things.

The Case-Shiller index showed the improvement in home prices is broad based, as every market posted an increase for the second straight month. The biggest increases came in Phoenix, a market hit hard by the bursting of the housing bubble, where prices were 23% higher than a year earlier.

But prices were up more than 10% in half of the markets — San Francisco, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Miami, San Diego and Tampa all posted double-digit percentage gains, and Denver just missed that mark. New York posted the smallest gain, with only a 1.9% rise in prices.

Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, said some neighborhoods in Phoenix are actually seeing a 40% increase in prices over the last year, driven once again by property speculators. He said in many markets that were most hurt by the bursting of the housing bubble, there is a danger of new bubbles forming.

“The end of this round of speculation is not likely to be much prettier for the areas affected than the end of the last round,” he said.

Even with the strong improvement in prices over the last 12 months, the index is still down 28% from the 2006 peak. 

14245 Dickens St. #307 Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

OPEN SUNDAY 2-5PM

$629,000 3bedrooms/2.5bathrooms 1,821 sq. ft. 

Property Website: http://dickenscondo.com/ 

This three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom top-floor town home offers all of the must haves in a sought-after neighborhood south of Ventura Boulevard.

Enter the light filled home to find a bonus room perfect for a playroom, office, or den. The spacious living room features high ceilings, recessed lighting, an attached dining area, and a balcony with a gas hook-up for outdoor bbq-ing. The large eat-in kitchen offers tons of storage space, stainless steel appliances, and sunny window overlooking the complex’s sparkling pool.

The well-appointed bedrooms are downstairs, allowing for extra privacy from the upstairs space. Once down the stairs, you will find two good sized guest rooms with large windows and great closets. The in-unit laundry is also located conveniently near the bedrooms, as well as a shared full bathroom.

The over-sized master bathroom offers all of the luxury and amenities of your very own home spa experience. The master provides a large walk-in cedar closet, a second wall closet, and a separate vanity and sink area. The large bathroom with a separate tub and shower also offers a unique feature – your very own sauna!

The complex offers a large swimmer’s pool, great patio chairs for lounging and BBQs, and a nice, hot Jacuzzi for those chilly L.A. spring eves. Two secure side-by-side parking spaces along with several guest spaces allow for easy access to and fro.

This Sherman Oaks location can’t be beat. Walk to restaurants, movies, shopping, your favorite yoga spot, and the new Ralphs on Ventura Blvd. The building’s address is in the highly sought-after Sherman Oaks Elementary School district, and there’s certainly enough space to raise a family in this large 1,821 square-foot unit!

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Prime Beverly Hills Penthouse – Private sale $1,349,000

Palm Penthouse

Elegant top floor 3 bedroom view penthouse in prime Beverly Hills! Impressive dimensions at 2,621 sq. ft, extra wide hallways, and tons of skylights make this space feel like a single family home.  Large eat in kitchen with breakfast nook, updated stainless appliances, and a large window allow for plenty of cooking and storage space.  How often do you see a top floor unit that shares no walls at all with its’ neighbors?  Asking price $1,349,000

  • 3 bedrooms
  • 2.5 bathrooms
  • 2,621 sq. ft
  • Skylights throughout
  • Wide hallways, high ceilings
  • Impressive master suite with fireplace, large windows, private patio, tons of closet space, vanity area, double sinks, separate tub and shower
  • Large updated kitchen stainless appliances and eat in nook
  • Oversize open concept living room with short windows
  • Washer and Dryer inside the unit
  • 3 assigned parking spaces side by side
  • Enormous private storage space
  • Secure entry, private elevator
  • Honey hardwood floors, brand new lush carpet in the bedrooms

Please contact me for details and private showings.  Property is located North of Burton Way, West of Doheny Drive in Prime Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

 

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Great Buy in Studio City Hills – Fixer but with lots of potential!

11224 DONA LOLA DR. STUDIO CITY, CA  91604

Great opportunity to own in the Dona’s. This 3 Bedroom / 2.5 Bath home has  wonderful appeal. The living room features beautiful floors, brick fireplace and recessed lighting. The formal dining room leads into the kitchen eat in kitchen with granite counters and access to the back patio and green yard. Upstairs are 3 Bedrooms and 2 baths. The front bedrooms have Juliette balconies with treetop views.

Located just minutes from trendy shopping, dining and nightlife. Info herein is not verified by agent. Buyer to verify all info & rely on their findings.  This property is a foreclosure.

3 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms 1,900 sq. ft. ASKING PRICE: $895,000

Please contact me at (310)402-8181 or jkryukova@gmail.com for questions/showings.

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JUST LISTED: 2880 Las Alturas St. Hollywood Hills $999,000

Las Alturas

2bed/2.5 Bath

2,068 Sq. Ft.

KILLER VIEWS!!!

This stylish Hollywood Hills residence showcases dramatic views right from the front door and its sky-lighted entry hall (with powder room).  An open floor plan accentuates the home’s modern vibe. The house’s ample living area has a fireplace, pitched ceilings, wood floors, and resort-style walls of glass that accordion-open to a generous balcony. Inside becomes outside as the breezes blow and a carpet of city lights spice-up the living space. A dining area also showcases views to di(n)e for. The highly-desirable open floor plan continues as dining opens to the home’s well-equipped kitchen (with breakfast or cocktail bar), which has newer appliances and plenty of custom wood and glass cabinetry.

The master bedroom has custom built-in wall of shelving and cabinetry and plenty of closet space. There is a balcony accessible through glass double doors. Just past the pine trees…more city lights views. The remodeled master bath features a chic porcelain vessel sink, a reclaimed wooden cabinet and mirror, slate shower & tub surround, and chrome fixtures. The second bedroom also has access to a remodeled bathroom with an over-sized sink cabinet and step-in shower.  This bedroom also has a balcony with tree-top and city lights views.

The home’s large, direct-access garage is currently working perfectly for two-cars, laundry area, and storage-storage-and more storage; but could be used as a gym or additional living space. An outdoor wrap-around deck area (hedged and gated) provides ample private space for kids/pets, and sports and built-in barbeque. This area is perfect for an evening cocktail gathering or Al Fresco dining and…has views!

This home is a true Hollywood Hills pad, just north of landmark Mulholland Drive. Near the end of a cul-de-sac, this Las Alturas home provides a safe and secure street to hang out, walk the pups, and take in the “mountain” air. And, it’s only a short walk to the upper entrance to Runyon Canyon Park.

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JUST LISTED: Re-imagined Sunset Strip Spanish Estate! Offered at $5,300,000 Open Tuesday 11-2pm

1136 Doheny Dr.

1136 Doheny Drive Los Angeles, CA 90069

3bed/3bath Stunningly updated with spanish detail

2,996 sq. ft./Lot size 13,607 sq. ft.

Please click here for the virtual tour:  1136 Doheny Dr Lifestyle Video 

3BR/3BA Spanish residence in the Sunset Strip offers ultimate privacy (gates, hedges, no one “looking in” from above) and unparalleled access to all of the Sunset Strip’s offerings. Features include: formal step-down living room with 2-story vaulted ceilings and over-sized fireplace, cook’s kitchen with Viking appliances and eat-in peninsula, luxury-level master suite (overlooking park-like grounds) with large walk-in closet and spa-like bathroom with cathedral ceilings and soaking tub, 2 additional bedrooms en suite, family room and dining room with French doors to the completely private back yard, sparkling full-sun pool and spa with flagstone lounging/eating areas, expansive lawn with room for play, pups, and parties. Indoor-outdoor flow makes this home perfect for entertaining. Pre-wired for media, individual room-by-room volume controls, office area with custom built-in desk and cabinetry, basement/bonus room with storage, direct access to 2-car garage, security, intercom.

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

999 Doheny Drive

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.

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JUST LISTED: Elegant Penthouse in Prime Beverly Hills Location $1,045,000

441 N. Oakhurst Dr #702

441 N. Oakhurst Drive  Penthouse 702  Beverly Hills, CA 90210

3bedrooms, 2.5bath, 2126 sq. ft

Asking Price: $1,045,000

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This elegant three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom Beverly Hills penthouse offers stunning above-it-all views and an unbeatable location. Lounge on the large outdoor patio and soak up the mountain to city views, or walk to all the area has to offer. A Regency-style set of double doors opens into an entry way to the 2,196 sq.ft. unit. The step-down living area is over-sized and has a travertine fireplace. A balcony with sweeping views is at the end of the living area. A dining area is bracketed by corner walls of window that allow for ample light in the day and a carpet of city lights at night.

The large galley-style kitchen (with built-in appliances) is “open-ended” and provides access to the dining and living areas. Under-the-counter laundry machines takes the functionality of the kitchen to new heights. Richly-toned granite counter tops, and plenty of storage augment the kitchen’s offerings.

Bonus alert! It is a rarity in condominium floor plans that a unit have a family room/den area. But this unit has a perfect one. Its den area (with a wet bar) provides space for watching screeners or having an evening cocktail. Rounding out the public rooms is a convenient powder room off of the main entry.

The large master suite has a walk-in closet and double sinks. The two other bedrooms share access to a bathroom.

Pool, residents-only meeting rooms, two parking spaces (tandem) and controlled access make this unit a great value.

Please visit www.441oakhurstdr.com for more details.   OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-4PM

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

435 N Martel Ave

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.]