Endre Barath,Jr. Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Westwood- Century City Condominium Market Report for December 2011

As we closed this challenging year in Real Estate and in the overall Economy, I am truly glad we can start a New Year. So let’s review, we had the fear of a double dip recession, European crisis in Italy, Greece, Portugal to name a few. Then we had the Japanese Tsunami and the various other catastrophes around the world. All this has impacted the housing market. Let’s keep in mind that the debt crisis at home and in Europe will continue to linger on in 2012. Ironically this volatile economic environment will push investors into the Real Estate Market. I anticipate this migration to the “safety” of “Real Estate Investments” in the coming year of 2012.

The good news Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac will continue to guarantee new mortgages on the conforming loans, what I call the “fuel” of the real estate recovery. The other great news is that nearly all of the economic data that was released in the 4^th Quarter of 2011 point to improvements, which is a recipe for a stronger housing market activity! THE BEST NEWS: consumer confidence has improved, which translates to increase in spending in all areas, including housing.

Now with that said let’s look how the Real Estate activity fared for the month of December.

There were 247 Active listings on the Market waiting for buyer in Westwood-Century City. There were 24 Properties Accepting Backup Offers and 2 on Hold (an indication of Short Sale) and there were 24 Properties Pending waiting for Escrow to Close. There were 43 Sold Condominiums for the month of December in Westwood – Century City. I would like to let everyone know, that in the past five days I have seen a great deal of activity in all price points, hence the delay of this report. I anticipate a very strong and much improved 2012.

If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at310.486.1002 email me athomes@endrebarath.comor visit one of my websites athttp://www.endrebarath.comYour Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations.

The123rd Tournament of Roses in Pasadena is right around the corner!

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is right around the corner. Each year Americans are glued to their Television sets. Over the years now even the world has focused their attention on Pasadena, CA. This spectacular floral Float Parade is worth watching by all.

I have had the privilege of seeing it up close, it is truly spectacular. Just on the Parade Route alone approximately one million spectators will be lined up to see it. Now there are over 200 countries that will have news media representation. There is something different this year. For the first time in the Rose Parade’s 123years of history, “occupy” protesters will try to “get their message” out to the world and the country. It has been estimated that there will be about 40,000 protesters out there. I just hope that they will respect the “spirit of the event”

I took these pictures about two weeks ago. They were the first Stands that they started setting up on Colorado Blvd. The debris from the Windstorm had been not even all cleaned up yet and they were already starting to set up. People were still without power, but the production had to be started. So enjoy these photos of Colorado Blvd (the before pictures as you might call them).

Also check out this link if you are interested what Bands will be participating (http://www.marching.com/events/pasadena-tournament-of-roses) if you are interested who the “royal court” consist of check out this link as well (http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-rose-parade-2012-royal-court,0,1506529.story)

If you are going to watch the parade from the comfort of your couch and your laptop and want to participate in the “live chat” as to which floats you like or love go to this link (http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_19639888)

Now with that said have a Happy New Year and enjoy the 123^rd Tournament of Roses in Pasadena CA

If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at http://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations.

Snow in Southern California: specifically in Pasadena

….snow in southern California…a strong low pressure system came in from the Gulf of Alaska bringing snow to Pasadena….the National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather advisory…..

OK I got you, I was just kidding. Yes this happened in January 2011, but this time we had 75 Degrees and Vroman’s my favorite Independent Bookstore ( http://www.vromansbookstore.com ) made Snow in Southern California: specifically in Pasadenadecided to let children who never saw snow have the opportunity to play and make a Snowman. There was even a competition to determine who created the Best Snowman. So I just had to share with all my readers.

It was right before Christmas and every one had a Grand time as you can see from the pictures. So with that enjoy!

If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at http://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations.

Wordless Wednesday in the North End of Boston,MA (little Italy that is)

If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at http://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations.

Vroman’s Book Store in Pasadena: A Part ofCalifornia History last of the Independent Bookstore and a Pasadena Institution

Vroman’s Bookstore (http://www.vromansbookstore.com) was founded in 1894 by a La Salle, Illinois transplant Adam Clark Vroman, he moved to Pasadena because of his wife’s health and the rest is history. After his wife passed away he sold his vast book collection to raise capital to start his bookstore. The independent bookstore remained family owned thru all the turbulent economic times of the 1930’s to the present. It survived merger mania, greed and economic downturns. They have expanded into having a stationary supply store and their most recent acquisition was the venerable “Book Soup” in West Hollywood. When the owner of Book Soup passed away Vroman’s bought the bookstore to save the West Hollywood institution.

Vroman’s is the go to destination place of Authors such as former President Bill Clinton, Salman Rushdie, Ann Rice and many more. It is one of the handfuls of independent Bookstores that are still in existence in the Greater Los Angeles area. As bookstores and the printed word are slowly fading into history it has become more important for me to personally to give support to this great bookstore.

Driving from Marina Del Rey it is actually a project, which I do not mind and I actually look forward to it. ( Even though I have to drive on one of the oldest and least favorite freeways of mine, the CA-110N in the greater Los Angeles area.)