The Larchmont Village, between Beverly  Boulevard and 3rd street, is a quaint and peaceful neighborhood and shopping district  located in the oldest and traditionally important  neighborhoods of Los Angeles.  This “small town feeling” neighborhood is surrounded by areas such as Hollywood, downtown, Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills, and functions as a retail shopping district to Hancock Park, Windsor Square, and Paramount Studios.

The abundance of boutiques, charming cafes, mom and pop bookstores, and the Farmers Market on any given Sunday provides Larchmont villagers a delightful place to peacefully dwell.   A few of the many shops and restaurants that inhabit the block are family and communal restaurant Le Pain Quotedien , Mrs. Green’s Natural Market, Crumbs Bakery Shop,  Bricks and Scones Coffee, and Cloth and Paper boutique.  Outside of Larchmont Village, beautifully lies Windsor Park-a garden oasis of broad lawns and ample trees for picnickers who want to enjoy nature.

Not only are the shops and cafes just darling, but many properties also exhibit a chic European vibe. Properties near Larchmont village such as 1920s California bungalows and grand old estates, are the most well preserved older homes in which the median price falls between $650,000 to $750,000.

One interesting and enchanting piece of property is the Mauretenia condos on Rossmore Blvd.  According to the Larchmont Chronicle, the “10 unit Streamline Modern complex” was created in 1934 by Milton J. Black for Wizard of Oz Tin Man Jack Haley and his family.  The penthouse, measured at 4,000 square feet, was owned by the Haleys and later John F Kennedy in 1960. Certainly, a magical place for Dorothy…..from Larchmont!

When you are ready to explore Larchmont Village real estate give us a call at 323-638-7567

Here are some current listings that we can show you:

Showing properties 1 - 15 of 19. See more Larchmont Village.
(all data current as of 9/5/2010)

1. $989,000 : 611 Lillian Way, Los Angeles
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 1,307 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,160 sq ft
2. $679,999 : 310 North Beachwood Drive, Los Angeles
   
   3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

   Size: 1,695 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,747 sq ft
3. $549,000 : 546 North Beachwood Drive, Los Angeles
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Size: 1,140 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,940 sq ft
4. $1,299,000 : 134 South Larchmont Boulevard, Los Angeles
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 2,329 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,200 sq ft
5. $850,000 : 565 North Beachwood Drive, Los Angeles
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Size: 1,883 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,750 sq ft
6. $1,349,000 : 153 North Windsor, Los Angeles
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 2,190 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,360 sq ft
7. $899,000 : 550 Lillian Way, Los Angeles
   
   3 beds, 4 full baths

   Size: 1,544 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,550 sq ft
8. $1,248,000 : 565 North Lucerne, Los Angeles
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 2,629 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,000 sq ft
9. $689,000 : 526 North Gower Street, Los Angeles
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Size: 1,261 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,600 sq ft
10. $848,000 : 323 North Norton Avenue, Los Angeles
    
    3 beds, 1 full bath

    Size: 1,534 sq ft

    Lot size: 5,225 sq ft
11. $849,000 : 213 North Wilton Place, Los Angeles
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Size: 1,771 sq ft

    Lot size: 6,708 sq ft
12. $1,375,000 : 217 North Arden Boulevard, Los Angeles
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Size: 1,448 sq ft

    Lot size: 7,450 sq ft
13. $875,000 : 310 North Plymouth, Los Angeles
    
    2 beds, 1 full bath

    Size: 1,208 sq ft

    Lot size: 6,750 sq ft
14. $829,000 : 601 Lillian Way, Los Angeles
    
    4 beds, 4 full baths

    Size: 4,756 sq ft

    Lot size: 8,973 sq ft
15. $1,125,000 : 142 North Lucerne Boulevard, Los Angeles
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Size: 1,860 sq ft

    Lot size: 6,720 sq ft

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a mortgage funding program that helps those just starting out who would not normally qualify for a property loan from a bank or other lending company, to be able to buy a home. There are certain guidelines you must adhere to in order to be approved for an FHA loan.  FHA has lower standards than loans that are granted by conventional lending agencies.  These government loans are not direct loans from the government, but they are guaranteed or backed by the Federal Government.  New home buyers can easily qualify for a mortgage due to the way these financing arrangements are structured. One FHA loan requirement is the ability to prove that the home buyer has a good credit score and has made timely payments on their credit accounts. Also, there are several income types, such as Social Security, alimony, and unemployment benefits, that qualify as income for FHA loan requirements. Another good benefit is that only 3% of the cost of the home is needed as a down payment, a home buyer can get his or her home mortgage with a government guarantee. “FHA loans are an excellent vehicle for getting first time home buyers a leg up in home ownership,” says Shawn Kormondy, Real Estate Adviser with Reis Group, Inc. at Keller Williams Realty in Beverly Hills.

Advantages of FHA loan financing

• Lower required down payment
• FHA loans are assumable with a qualified borrower
• Higher qualifying ratios of 29% for housing and 41% for total indebtedness on existing construction; 31% for housing and 43% for total indebtedness on new construction
• Flexible underwriting requirements
• Gift funds for down payment and closing costs are allowed
• Up-front Mortgage Insurance Premium can be financed
• Seller can contribute up to 6% of purchase price toward closing cost and discount points
• Charges on conventional loans such as tax service fees, underwriting fees, copy & courier fees are not allowed to be charged to the buyer with FHA loans
• The FHA ARM has the best features on the market with a 1% annual interest rate cap and a 5% lifetime cap.

In addition, there are new requirements on condominiums as of February 1, 2010. the FHA now requires that an entire condominium project be FHA approved, discontinuing the prior “spot approval” for the sale individual units. Significantly, these regulations preclude FHA financing where 15% or more of the units are delinquent in paying fees and assessments. Additionally, only 50% of the units in a project may receive FHA financing, and that ratio will be reduced to 30% after 2010.

A dual agency exists when a brokerage allows an agent to represent both a buyer and seller in the same transaction.   Different states have different interpretations and limitations on dual agency. California allows dual agency relationships, but are they beneficial?

Disadvantages of dual agency for buyers and/or sellers:

Insufficient information:  A dual agent negotiates for each client while keeping confidential information, which prohibits either buyer or seller to benefit.  Dual agent cannot disclose to seller buyer’s price range and inform buyer the prices seller will accept.

Unfavorable price for buyer: Because an agent retains confidential information and knows of both party’s motives/desires, a dual agency easily allows an agent to sell a home at a higher price than what a buyer wants.  Certainly, a dual agent cannot keep both clients best interest.

Buyer not aware of home defects: Buyers may not be properly informed about home defects or other problems since the realtor is also helping the seller to sell the home.

Buyer not fully informed about better options: Agent may know of better properties that may be of interest to buyer, but fails to inform since agent needs to fulfill seller’s interest to sell their own property.

Informed consent is eliminated: Presumptive written consent replaces informed consent.  If a consumer signs a form in spite of its details, informed consent is assumed with the signature.  Such forms only reveal the brokerage practice, not the agent’s options, liabilities, or benefits.

Like an attorney that cannot represent both parties in a case, a dual agent will face a conflict of interest which is why many states require written agency disclosures for both parties to know who represents whom. Many states do not permit dual agency but a transaction brokerage which gives the buyer and seller limited representation with not fiduciary duty.    In some states such as Maryland, dual agency is allowed as an intra-company in which the same brokerage (and not agent of brokerage) represents both buyer and seller.  Under an intra-company, the agent that represents the buyer works under the same brokerage as the agent representing the seller in the same transaction.  If a state does allow dual agency, the agent must disclose his/her dual representation of both parties, and all parties must agree with written and informed consent.  An agent must remain neutral with buyer and seller and is limited in representing both parties.

LA Lifestyle @ Reisgroup.org

Showcasing Taye Hansberry’s journalism & photography as a means to gain an insightful perspective into what an Angeleno truly is. Enjoy!

Taye

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Taye Hansberry is a Photographer/Actress born and raised in the City of Angeles. Her L.A. Lifestyle blog is a collection of “any and everything that she comes across that she likes”. View her BLOG at Taye-stuffshelikes.blogspot.com. TWITTER @tayehansberry and check out her photography at www.tayehansberryphotography.com. Photo’s: Taye Hansberry Photography ©2010

LA Lifestyle @ Reisgroup.org

Showcasing Taye Hansberry’s journalism & photography as a means to gain an insightful perspective into what an Angeleno truly is. Enjoy!

I myself will be sporting the naked Kate

Taye

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Taye Hansberry is a Photographer/Actress born and raised in the City of Angeles. Her L.A. Lifestyle blog is a collection of “any and everything that she comes across that she likes”. View her BLOG at Taye-stuffshelikes.blogspot.com. TWITTER @tayehansberry and check out her photography at www.tayehansberryphotography.com. Photo’s: Taye Hansberry Photography ©2010

A hotel, residence, restaurant, club, and spa in one? Welcome to W Hollywood .

The $600 million dollar development by HKS Inc. and Architropolis, “offers the best in art, design, entertainment, architecture, and sustainability.”

Located on the historic intersection Hollywood and Vine, W Hollywood consists of two separate spaces: a 305 room hotel and 143 room residence. Hotel guests are escorted into a lavish lobby with black leather couches, mirrored walls with red accents, an ample bar, and a large circular stairway leading to the coveted hotel rooms. Apart from the flashy look of the hotel lobby, is a discreet and more reserved elegance of the residential area. The lobby of the W Residence welcomes inhabitants with comfy couches, artsy bookshelves, and cucumber water. Fob access secures the privacy of residents with concierge approval.

Residents of the W have all the luxury they want such as: 24 hour concierge service, separate gym adjacent to a private mini park, rooftop pool, scenic terraces, Bliss Spa, and VIP access to W Hotel’s clubs and eateries such as French brasserie Cote d’Azur and LA hotspot Drai’s.

Residents are free to choose from 40 different floor plans, customize their space however they desire, and use their own design teams. Although each condo is unique in design, every space includes massive closets and sybaritic bathrooms. Connected to the living rooms are spacious balconies with postcard views of LA. Poliform kitchens include a wine refrigerator and a dishwasher that cleverly camouflages with dark wooden cabinets.

Asking price ranges from the low $500′s to over $5,000,000. The largest unit (penthouse) is 3,230 sq ft which contains 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and 945 sq ft of exterior terrace.

CALL TODAY FOR AN EXCLUSIVE SHOWING 323-638-7567

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 8. See more W Residences of Hollywood.
(all data current as of 9/5/2010)

1. $878,733 : 6250 Hollywood Boulevard ,Unit 7K, Los Angeles
   
   1 beds, 1 full bath

   Size: 1,489 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a
2. $1,006,286 : 6250 Hollywood Boulevard ,Unit 8L, Los Angeles
   
   1 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 1,402 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a
3. $1,038,026 : 6250 Hollywood Boulevard ,Unit 6I, Los Angeles
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 1,627 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a
4. $1,048,411 : 6250 Hollywood Boulevard ,Unit 4B, Los Angeles
   
   1 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 1,335 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a
5. $1,142,004 : 6250 Hollywood Boulevard ,Unit 11F, Los Angeles
   
   1 beds, 2 full baths

   Size: 1,418 sq ft

   Lot size: n/a

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Highest Overall Satisfaction For Home Buyers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms, Three Years in a Row

For Sale: 4237 Longridge Avenue – Studio City, Ca 91604

Tuscany Luxury Condo – 3BD/2.5BA – OPEN SUNDAYS 2-5PM

www.LongridgeLux.com

If you are planning on moving to Los Angeles, there are a number of things you will want to know and explore about our city. We have so many diverse neighborhoods with different lifestyles, price points, and climates that there will certainly be something for you.

Moving to Los Angeles is going to be the best decision you ever made. We love our city and you will too. There are literally times when I pinch myself and just can’t believe how beautiful a place I live in. There are views in this city, which rival anything you would see in any European paradise.

When moving to Los Angeles consider the importance of the following factors:

~How much space do you need?

~Do you have school aged kids?

~Are you a mountain or a beach person?

~How sensitive are you to heat?

~Are you a suburbs or urban person?

~If you are the urban type, do you want to be right in the middle of the

action or a little removed?

~If you are the suburban type, how important is it that you can get

downtown quickly?

If you can start thinking about these questions and organizing them in your mind , it will make moving to Los Angeles that much easier. Los Angeles is a big place with distinct neighborhoods. If you enjoy living by beautiful coastline and have that true Southern California sleepy surf town feel, then you would love Mailbu, Santa Monica, or Marina Del Rey.

Those looking for an Urban experience can also select from a number of distinct neighborhoods. Hollywood is the center of it all and is where you can find an endless amount of clubs, bars, and restaurants. Famous Kodak Theatre and Hollywood Bowl are also located in Hollywood. Those looking for a more alternative lifestyle may find themselves well at home in the area of Laurel Canyon.

And of course there is the outstanding and world class urban neighborhood of Beverly Hills, which is the original luxury neighborhood of Los Angeles. It is a spectacular place with the largest homes in Los Angeles County and the nation. There are also many incredible golf course communities and residentsa of this city enjoy world class golf year around.

Believe me when I tell you that there is really something for everyone that is thinking of moving to Los Angeles. Come live the life!