tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80390674948253554772010-03-03T06:38:00.391-08:00Quality of Life and Personal Productivity in Southern CaliforniaDavid Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-61877677463007711602009-10-14T18:13:00.000-07:002009-10-14T18:19:09.251-07:00

If you’re thinking of selling your current home so that you can begin looking for a new house, then you likely already know what some of your “must-haves” are. For example, if the last child has just left for college, then downsizing is possibly something that you’re considering. On the other hand, if you have another baby on the way, then more square footage is probably seeming like a very

Danehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04364728863007500754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-33034570673039380392009-10-08T11:22:00.000-07:002009-10-08T18:24:19.716-07:00

You’ve started to imagine your next home. You can picture it in your mind — the flat yard, the open floor plan, the steel appliances. But is it too soon in your search process for you to seek out a real estate professional? (After all, you’re still in the “fantasy stage,” right?)In the short video below, David Findley ponders this idea of when is the best time to make first-contact with a real

Danehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04364728863007500754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-81625776746392565672009-10-02T15:16:00.000-07:002009-10-02T15:22:34.456-07:00

A brilliant senior VP and strategist with Pimco, Tony Crescenzi, delighted us this summer by sharing his insights on the state of American housing (see his CNBC feature here). Basically, he explained that, even adjusting for the most recent recession, the nation is under-building relative to its growing population. Crescenzi pointed to the Case-Shiller home price index (the same index that “

Danehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04364728863007500754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-5005237511566687372009-09-30T14:37:00.000-07:002009-10-02T15:41:48.473-07:00

Every market is different. Really. No matter what they say on television, the fact is that every community is its own micro-economy. In the short video below, I explore the recent market statistics for Malibu, California. This desirable, sunny, beach community has many homes that are being bought and sold this month. Have a look.

David Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-59406640284859957802009-09-09T18:35:00.001-07:002009-09-09T18:35:01.063-07:00

Agreeing with @jimmarks: "how you converse is more important than talking at people about your message"

David Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-51452747441480478212009-08-11T21:42:00.000-07:002009-08-11T21:44:42.310-07:00

Estate Homes LA's Kristin Luebke reveals what 3 attributes you can look for in your real estate professional. Have a look.

Danehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04364728863007500754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-66520733855657393152009-08-06T15:05:00.001-07:002009-08-06T15:05:16.734-07:00

RT @agentopolis 8 housing markets see gains ~ http://ping.fm/uBa3f

David Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-5083768746801302302009-08-06T10:51:00.001-07:002009-08-06T10:51:05.726-07:00

"Los Angeles... is an adolescent city... the future is probably in front of it." Architect Eric Owen Moss. via @johntrosko

David Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-72637074655380275112009-08-05T12:46:00.000-07:002009-08-06T15:49:04.203-07:00

by Kristin LuebkeLos Angeles inspires a love/hate relationship from many of its residents. For every sunset-stroll-on-the-beach moment, there is often also a stuck-in-traffic-on-the-405 moment. Yet most of us Angelenos love LA much more than we hate it.Here in Los Angeles, I am only an hour-long flight from my relatives in Arizona, a quick drive down to my favorite getaway in San Diego, and I’m

Danehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04364728863007500754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-26758355043991650332009-08-04T12:38:00.001-07:002009-08-05T13:01:54.939-07:00

Blissed & Blessed: 18 years, to the day, since I had my first date with lifemate. (from David)

David Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-39895192003350956122009-08-04T10:19:00.001-07:002009-08-05T13:02:27.073-07:00

Cardamom is one of my favorite spices. A little in your morning smoothie gives your day some... romance. (from Dane)

David Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-78960919073740665392009-07-31T10:18:00.000-07:002009-08-05T12:55:03.742-07:00

by Dane FindleyI really enjoyed today's article by architect Arroll Geller on Inman News, A Visit to Fadsville, in which he asks, "Why do homebuyers covet impractical features?"What a trip down memory lane! I had forgotten about those '60s houses with the built-in intercoms throughout! By 1970, most of them were broken and inoperable (as a kid, all of my friends who had these systems in their

Danehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04364728863007500754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-82028832668482745812009-07-27T20:40:00.000-07:002009-07-27T20:43:48.567-07:00

Perhaps everyone is feeling busy these days, but Angelenos sometimes seem even busier than average. Maybe it's the extra time spent commuting; maybe it's all the outdoor events and activities. In any case, here is a short video tip for getting more done in your busy day.

Danehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04364728863007500754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-6293408225813753372009-07-27T12:06:00.000-07:002009-07-27T13:00:55.556-07:00

July 2009 / Breaking News: not to create a fear-based hysteria, but it is fascinating to see such a creature just floating around, hanging out in the Malibu surf near Pepperdine University. This thing is longer than most kitchens! Here is a link to a short video of it swimming off the beach: Great White Shark in Malibu

David Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-62014011680401133172009-07-15T21:14:00.000-07:002009-07-17T13:54:17.656-07:00

Is there a Farmers Market in your neighborhood? There could be! If so, here is a short video that tells you what you might expect.The Brentwood area of Los Angeles has a particularly good Farmers Market, as you will see. Just one more reason that Brentwood offers its citizens a higher quality of living.Tell us about your own neighborhood Farmers Market in the comments section. What's your

Danehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04364728863007500754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-82266992793389166072009-07-08T21:30:00.000-07:002009-07-08T21:43:10.738-07:00

Living in LA would be easier if there were hard and fast rules about community areas -- but just when you get ready to reach a conclusion, you encounter an exception. It's all part of the fun and jumble of Los Angeles life.Take for example, the temptation to conclude that the further west one travels, the more expensive the real estate becomes -- but then what about Venice (on the Pacific ocean,

Danehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04364728863007500754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-70183479631713235272009-07-08T08:07:00.000-07:002009-07-08T10:06:22.617-07:00

One peculiar aspect of the Southern California lifestyle is that our cars end up becoming a sort of second office. This week's guest post is from John Trosko, director of OrganizingLA.Recently, I told John that three items that I keep in my car at all times are 1) a lint roller, 2) a clean shirt boxed by the drycleaners, and 3) a fresh towel. Once, after I parked my car and was on my way to meet

Danehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04364728863007500754noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-21793178308162717192009-07-07T11:00:00.000-07:002009-07-07T11:03:04.919-07:00

When imagining your ideal neighborhood, it's a good idea to have one or two non-negotiables -- things you feel must have near your new home -- in mind. This short video offers helpful tips.Use our comments section below to share those attributes you fantasize about in your future neighborhood!

Danehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04364728863007500754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-37127704529385349422009-06-23T08:02:00.000-07:002009-07-17T15:58:33.830-07:00

"Lifestyle Property" is a new phrase that one hears more and more, but what exactly does it mean?To put it in its most basic terms: a home is considered a lifestyle property when it has one or more unique features that augment quality of life for its resident.A misconception about "lifestyle properties" is that they are all multi-million dollar estates. While this is often the case, it is not

David Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-48667851855269104482009-06-20T08:58:00.000-07:002009-07-02T10:30:35.054-07:00

A certain former US president reports that the key to his success was that, over the course of his career, he wrote thousands of hand-written notes.At Estate Homes LA, we are in love with hand-written notes. We are nearly obsessed with stationery, and it is difficult for any of us to walk out of a charming card shop without having purchased some hand-crafted, artisan greeting cards. We keep

David Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-61623222961260353372009-06-19T10:33:00.000-07:002009-06-27T16:32:42.641-07:00

Our Mississippi friends, Mike and Gayle, like to visit Los Angeles twice a year, on business and pleasure. It takes a sense of humor to live in Los Angeles, just as it takes one to live in the Deep South. Here's Mike's guest post:For those who want to emphasize the "Southern" in Southern California, here are the six tips to becoming a Real Southerner:1. Wave To People: Though it might seem like

David Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-76319715014812634032009-06-16T10:52:00.000-07:002009-07-02T16:13:28.366-07:00

In earlier posts, we talked about the new Los Angeles phenomenon of people replacing their front lawns with indigenous landscaping (partly, in order to conserve water). Today's guest post is from Jane Churchon, who explores the possibilities of growing things in pots. At the end of the post, you'll find specific instructions on how to raise her favorite fruit: tomatoes.The first time I ate a

David Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-1756248524451977642009-06-12T11:19:00.000-07:002009-06-24T12:19:11.619-07:00

This is the logical follow-up to our "Big Lawns are So '90s" post, in which we explored the idea that the more you can work with nature as a partner, the less time you'll have to spend trying to control the uncontrollable! (FYI: when we water our lawns, the excess water rolls into the street and gets carried into the storm drain, where it goes, unfiltered, into the nearest water source. That

David Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-70244067806458249982009-06-11T09:06:00.000-07:002009-07-02T16:15:43.243-07:00

A new cultural shift is occurring in Southern California that involves residents' front and back yards. As Los Angeles goes increasingly Green, big lawns are more often being considered passé, and homeowners are challenging themselves to think of new ways to utilize their outdoor spaces other than the traditional stand-by of the large plot of thirsty grass. Most environmentally-conscious

David Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039067494825355477.post-39871284359463264552009-06-01T14:37:00.000-07:002009-07-17T14:05:44.306-07:00

Though we don’t always like to admit it, we Angelenos know that ours is a driving culture, and many of us work outside of our immediate residential communities.The U.S. Census reported in 2005 that the average commute for an Angeleno was 29 minutes, and in this year’s economy, that commute time has increased to 33 minutes (according to PayScale.com) as many have been willing to look even farther

David Findleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00924575595616404808david@estatehomesla.com0