1. HOLIDAY SHOPPING IN WOODLAND HILLS is a special treat. The area features two of the largest regional shopping centers in the Woodland Hills Promenade and the Topanga Mall. Both are lavishly decorated in the Holiday spirit with Christmas music filling the stores and all kinds of activities for the kids. After an exciting Christmas shopping spree, check out some family fun at Woodland Hills Ice the ice skating rink in the northwest corner of the Promenade. Ventura Blvd offers numerous eclectic shops such as Rozsas Couture when you are looking for that unique gift for someone special. Finish the evening with dinner at a Woodland Hills landmark like My Brothers Bar B Q or enjoy a beer with a little British atmosphere at the Pick Wick Pub. Those who looking for something different might consider giving a gift of art lessons from the Artist Enclave, a spa treatment at Best Face and Body on Comercio Way, or dinner at one of the interesting little Bistros that line Ventura Blvd. Shopping locally and supporting our local businesses is both good for the community and for the environment. There is a nationwide effort this year to Buy American and put people back to work. Shopping Locally and Buying American are both patriotic and the right thing to do. I encourage everyone to think about these things, especially this year when so many are seeking employment. Woodland Hills is a great place to shop and central to much of the Los Angeles area. Happy Holidays!!

THE WOODLAND HILLS COMMUNITY THEATER is one of the local gems of the West Valley. The group started in a church in 1986 and moved to its current home, The West Valley Playhouse in the old Fire Station on Owensmouth Ave in Canoga Park in October of 2000. The building is an attraction in itself. Loaded with nostalgia it harkens back to another era before mega movie complexes and satelite TV. There is an attached museum featuring many articles and pictures of bygone times in the local area. The theater interior is small allowing for close interaction with the actors and engages one in the performance. The Woodland Hills Community Theater is rated one of the top Community Theaters in the country and provides a much needed venue in the West Valley for those of us who appreciate live theater. The West Valley Playhouse is located at 7242 Owensmouth Ave, just north of Sherman Way between Canoga Ave and Topanga Canyon Blvd. Adult tickets range between $25.00 and $30.00 depending on the performance and they accept most major credit cards. The ticket office can be reached at 818-884-1907. We are lucky to have this wonderful cultural asset in the West Valley. Please give them your support.

Woodland Hills offers some of the most affordable home prices in the City for such high quality interesting and eclectic neighborhoods. In addition to an abundance of condominiums and townhouses, there are 3 single family homes currently on the market for under $300,000.00 including a fixer upper located in the hills South of Ventura Blvd. There are 22 homes currently listed between $300,000.00 and $400,000.00. Most of these are between 1000-1600 square foot depending on location and most are situated on lots that are between 6000-8000 sq ft. This price range provides a variety of styles predominently on established quiet tree lined streets in what are considered some of the City's best school districts (see links to find schools). As we move into the more affluent price ranges from $400,000.00 to $600,000.00 the inventory grows immensely. Those fortunate enough to qualify for this much of a home will find a wonderful variety of both homes and neighborhoods. One might find a newer home with fabulous amenities snuggled in the hills around the Woodland Hills Country Club, enjoy a stunning view from one of the many hillsides, or raise horses on a mini ranchette in Walnut Acres.

Affordability however, is not the most important thing Woodland Hills has to offer. There is a sense of community with good schools and active churches throughout the area. There are many exceptional community activities including Movies and Concerts in the Park throughout the summer. Neighborhoods are situated around business centers creating the ability to walk to the local shops making the area very attractive to small businesses. The continued development of the Warner Center continues to provide attractive good paying employment offering a stabilizing affect to the local economy.

Last, but not least, Woodland Hills offers the individual or young family the opportunity for economic growth. Regarding property values, the principle of progression states that property has added value where the surrounding properties tend to be of a higher value. As I've stated before, there are only 3 properties currently listed below $300,000.00 in Woodland Hills, but there are currently 26 listed over $1,000,000.00. The most expensive property currently listed in Woodland Hills is $3,550,000.00. It was built in 2004, 5 bedrooms 7 bathrooms, 7500 sq ft, set on 4+acres.

Yes, Woodland Hills is affordable, but there is something for everyone including a quality of life seldom found anywhere today. I've lived in Woodland Hills since 1987. If you would like to know more, give me a call at 818-903-9039, or email to randy@remaxgrand.com.

Ever wonder what gives Warren Buffet and other successful investors the golden touch. What genius lies beneath their success? Most will tell you that it is a matter of timing and preparation. They tend to enter the market at a time when others are afraid and take advantage of the many tools then available to them. Purchases large and small are made in difficult economic times with previously unheard of terms.
Yes, we are impressed by the multi billion dollar transactions by the Trumps, Gates, and Buffets accomplished with very little of their own money and receiving big tax benefits, but very few realize how many of these benefits are available to those of us who are not billionaires.
For the first time buyer with a job and decent credit, real estate prices and financing have never been better. One can purchase a home right now with as little as 3% down payment recieving as much as 3.5% for closing costs. Financing is available with a small down payment for the owner occupier to purchase a fixer upper and receive the money for repairs as part of the purchase loan. You can find out your purchasing power by contacting Manny Solana at California Commercial Lending. The toll free number is 877-444-4738
Investors will find excellent opportunities in single family starter homes. The huge amount of foreclosures have placed a large number of otherwise well qualified tenants into the marketplace and escallated rents. Many of my clients have taken money from cash accounts where thy were earning less than 3% on long term holdings. They have purchased a small rental home and are experiencing between 4% and 8% cash on cash with tax shelter and potential for appreciation of the asset.
No, you don’t have to be a billionaire to take advantage of bad economic times. You simply need a bit of courage and education. I have no doubt of the economic education of Warren Buffet and I admire his courage for investing $5 billion in Bank of America when most are hoarding their cash. As I understand it, he was awarded a very lucrative deal.
Most of us can’t buy $5 billion dollars worth of Bank of America, but for those with a little courage to take advantage of the opportunities that have recently afforded themselves, the future will be very bright.
If you are interested in pursuing some of these opportunities, please call me at 818-903-9039.

PENN STATE, CANCEL THE SEASON. Why? As I sat watching my favorite early morning news this morning I was appauled that any one should suggest that Penn State should cancel their football season do to the scandal that has erupted around the actions of a few individuals. Is this America? Do we punish the parents of a child gone bad? The 100 or so players that had nothing to do with the actions of the coaches and administration simply want to play football. The football program did not cause this. College campuses are a bastion for tolerance of strange and sometimes dangerous lifestyles. The line has to be drawn by the administration and they are responsible for this, not the football team. From education to politics, I believe we are all tired of those who should be responsible trying to direct the anger toward a scapegoat in order to cover their own stupidity. This same injustice also occurs in the NCAA. Reggie Bush and Pete Carrol are both happily now earning millions of dollars in the National Football League while the current players at USC pay the consequences for their actions. For those of you who don't know, the current system prevents USC from attending a bowl or playing for the National Championship due to recruiting violations between Reggie Bush and NFL scouts. This indeed punishes the university, but also a lot of innocent individuals. You can't take the thrill of winning the National Championship away from the heart of those who played even if the trophy is reclaimed. These kids playing now are prohibited from that experience. A more just system would be to let them play, but divide all of the revenues between their competitors in the conference. I also want to state my admiration for the team even though I am an avid Cornhusker. These young men performed admirably on the field in spite of the adversity. Many of these players were seniors and their leadership was exemplary. Most participated in the pregame prayer. Tell me the justification in punishing them.

No where in the country does the college football team have more importance to the community than the University of Nebraska. The football team and the money it brings in has contributed greatly to the development of the university and basically supports all of the other athletic activities. This has created a championship quality Women's Volleyball Team and many other athletic programs that would otherwise be underfunded and 2nd rate.

I've never been to Happy Valley, but Lincoln, Nebraska has benefitted greatly from the Cornhuskers. On game day, the stadium becomes the 3rd largest population in the state. People travel from rural communities all over the state to attend a home game. Many travel from several hundred miles and make it a weekend getaway in the fall. Small businesses all over Lincoln thrive on game day as well as the many gas stations and restaurants along the interstate and rural highways. Clothing and memorabilia are a huge industry and create many jobs. Nebraska has an interesting dress code. You can almost wear anything anywhere as long as it is red.

So then, when I hear the pundits on the news advocating for Penn State to cancel their football season I realize that they are ignorrant of the contribution that College Football actually makes to our society in general. I'm not sure who is so sensitive in America. Bad things happen. This may be one of the worst examples of conduct that we have ever seen, but tell me how punishing the innocents makes the situation better.