Topanga, CA

Hi all!

As I mentioned to my Facebook friends, I am certainly happy that our economy is getting better. We could all use it!

Here's an article that explains the details about how our country's home sales are on the rise.

All of the cheaper inventory seems to be gone, or very sparing as compared to a few months back. All of the lower-priced Top O' Topanga houses are gone, and the cheaper condos in Agoura, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks and Malibu have all been snagged. The catch 22 is that when that cheaper inventory was available, loans were pretty difficult to come by. Now that the loan market is getting a bit better, now those choice picks seems to be gone. I can't ever predict the future, but the indications are certainly that things are picking up.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/21/real_estate/home_sales_rise_in_July/index.htm?postversion=2009082114

Call me with any questions if you're thinking about purchasing property, and I'll help you find the right property for your lifestyle and budget.

-Nina

Hi All!

Well, it really is starting to feel like summer is here in Topanga! While it's not as hot as it usually is this late into June, the parties celebrating Summer are a-plenty in my neck of the woods. I'm thinking of having a gathering at the teepee where I live with some friends to help me welcome in the new season.

There's been a lot of action in my local real estate market on the very high and lower ends of the pricing spectrum. Everything from a beautiful beach house in Malibu just closed for just under $11,000,000 and a manufactured home in Top of Topanga closed for a little less than $200,000. These, while many other properties on both the high and lower end, have entered into escrow in the past couple of weeks.

That's what usually seems to happen in a recovering market. People are deciding more and more to take the next step and buy something. I've noticed consumer confidence in the real estate market improve significantly in the last few open houses I've held.

The only bummer is interest rates are starting to climb back up a little. I really wish interest rates were headed in the opposite direction, but then my job might be too easy.

The hawk pictured above is my friend that lives on Paradise Lane here in Topanga Canyon. During the spring, she had some babies and was teaching them how to fly out of the nest she had made perched high in the trees. Now, the babies are flying around merrily through the summer sky, and when I see them flying I take a moment to thank whatever brought me here to make Topanga Canyon my home.

Hi all! Well, I got the most touching client review, and just want to take a moment to share it with everyone,

- Why Nina Kurtz will always be my Realtor -
"I found Nina the same way I found Topanga. Exploring. Although I found her at an open house, I really wasn't sure I was ready to buy. This is how our relationship began. Over the next several months, Nina worked tirelessly to understand what I loved about Topanga and seemed to intuitively know what I was looking for in a home well before I did. Her careful preparation and enthusiastic approach to real estate made our journey through the housing market of Topanga genuinely enjoyable! Which isn't to say I didn't lose heart at times; I did. Between the loan market and the economy in general, it was a tough road and I wasn't always sure I would make it through to the other side. Nina's confidence in me and my future home and her unwavering support were instrumental, and this is why I can say without hesitation that Nina Kurtz will always be my realtor. She did not give up on me and I am living in my own slice of paradise as a direct result. Thank you Nina!!!" -N.R.

Thank you so much, N.R.

Love,

Nina

It's so pretty when it rains here! It's supposed to rain all day today (although at this very second there is sunshine shining through the trees outside my window) and the rain is supposed sprinkle down through tomorrow.

The air gets so crisp and lovely. It's time to light those pot-bellied stoves for warmth kitty-cats! Today is definitely a cuddle-by-the-fire/ read-a-great-book/ have-some-hot-chocolate/ prepare-for-the-holidays/ wear-a-comfy-sweater/ splash in some puddles/ play-your-ukuleles day!

Hi all!

So earlier this week I was visiting my fabulous friend Michelle in Boston with my girlfriend and we had an AMAZING time! It was so nice to be on the other side of the country and watch all of the colors of the autumn come alive.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was when we visited Walden Pond in Concord.

Being surrounded by this divine natural beauty led me (of course) to think of Topanga Canyon. Not that living in Topanga necessarily qualifies me as a transcendentalist, but I definitely feel the awe of the divine and feel closer to my own divinity living in the natural beauty that is Topanga Canyon. I feel like cohabitating with the owls, trees, dirt and stillness inspires me to live "deliberately" and in harmony.

To me, Topanga Canyon is definitely Walden Pond West, and I'm so grateful to live here.