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Thursday, February 28, 2013

Our good friend Susan Rothenberg's birthday luncheon at the Peninsula in...

S&P/Case-Shiller: Home Prices Closed Out a Strong 2012

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Data through December 2012, released this week by S&P Dow Jones Indices for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, the leading measure of U.S. home prices, showed that all three headline composites ended the year with strong gains. The national composite posted an increase of 7.3 percent for 2012. The 10- and 20-City Composites reported annual returns of 5.9 percent and 6.8 percent in 2012. Month over- month, both the 10- and 20-City Composites moved into positive territory with gains of 0.2%; more than reversing last month’s losses.

In addition to the three composites, nineteen of the 20 MSAs posted positive year-over-year growth – only New York fell.

The S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, which covers all nine U.S. census divisions, recorded a 7.3 percent gain in the fourth quarter of 2012 over the fourth quarter of 2011. In December 2012, the 10- and 20-City Composites posted annual increases of 5.9 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively.

“Home prices ended 2012 with solid gains,” says David M. Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices. “Housing and residential construction led the economy in the 2012 fourth quarter.

In December’s report all three headline composites and 19 of the 20 cities gained over their levels of a year ago. Month-over-month, 9 cities and both Composites posted positive monthly gains. Seasonally adjusted, there were no monthly declines across all 20 cities.

“The National Composite increased 7.3 percent over the four quarters of 2012. From its low in the first quarter, it surged in the second and third quarter and slipped slightly in the 2012 fourth period. The 10- and 20-City Composites, which bottomed out in March 2012 continued to show both year-over-year and monthly gains in December. These movements, combined with other housing data, suggest that while housing is on the upswing some of the strongest numbers may have already been seen.

“Atlanta and Detroit posted their biggest year-over-year increases of 9.9 percent and 13.6 percent since the start of their indices in January 1991. Dallas, Denver, and Minneapolis recorded their largest annual increases since 2001. Phoenix continued its climb, posting an impressive year-over-year return of 23.0 percent; it posted eight consecutive months of double-digit annual growth.”

As of December 2012, average home prices across the United States for the 10-City and 20-City Composites are back to their autumn 2003 levels. Measured from their June/July 2006 peaks, the decline for both Composites is approximately 30 percent through December 2012. For both Composites, the December 2012 levels are approximately 8-9 percent above their recent lows seen in March 2012.

In December 2012, nine MSAs and both Composites posted positive monthly gains, led by Las Vegas with an increase of 1.8 percent. Eleven cities declined with Chicago posting the largest negative monthly return of 0.7 percent.

Atlanta and Detroit remain the only three cities with average home prices below their January 2000 levels. Detroit with an 80.04 print is 20 percent below its January 2000 level.

“The high end of the market is doing well and while it’s a fashionable thing to say that it is because of foreign money, I suspect the actual reason is that the one percent have gotten 122 percent of the recovery,” says USC Lusk Center for Real Estate

Director, Richard Green. “Since the low end of the market is being targeted by investors, it’s the middle market that needs help – particularly in the form of higher income – if it is going to have a sustained recovery.”

For more information, visit www.homeprice.standardandpoors.com.

S&P/Case-Shiller: Home Prices Closed Out a Strong 2012

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

French Bistro Market - Monsieur Marcel Comes to Beverly Hills


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Monsieur Marcel Comes to Beverly Hills

Posted: 02/21/2013 7:12 pm


exterior

Shopping! I love it... that is, for food and groceries. (Couldn't care less about clothes, housewares and such.) When it comes to food shopping, I will visit any market, boutique or hole-in-the-wall food shop anywhere in the world. And have done so, in Asia and Africa, let alone all over Europe and South America. Here in Los Angeles my Saturday excursions to Trader Joe's and Pavilion in West L.A. are legendary... and expensive. But now I have a new destination, one which has absolutely consumed me for the last few weeks, since I first encountered it on its opening night in February. MONSIEUR MARCEL GOURMET GROCERY & RESTAURANT (447 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, with valet parking at lunch and dinner and a public lot next door) is a new venue from the two people who have made my many visits to the Farmer's Market & Grove always a pleasant adventure.

There they have had the grocery/cheese shop and restaurant for many years.

We have been looking for a choice spot in Beverly Hills for some years, but never could find the proper space... until recently. When a friend told us that the former Dutton book store location on Canon Drive was available, we immediately knew that it was right for us.

Katy and Stephane Strouk spoke to me at lunch yesterday at their new French bistro and grocery on Canon, right next door to the Wolfgang Steak House. Their place was packed with diners eating salads and soup, entrees and luscious deserts. I greeted Larry Flax, former owner of California Pizza Kitchen, and other friends who were relishing their French bistro experience. The new manager, Brian Whipp, stopped by... I know him from his previous place on Brighton.

dining room
View of the dining room.

Then I shopped in the huge grocery section for my dinner last night... a long tube of bottarga (tuna roe, so hard to find fresh). Since I am on a wheat-free diet, I got a package of rice noodles from the enormous pasta shelf. A container of their unique caviar cheese spread... one of the 250 cheeses on display from all over the world. Some chicken liver mousse from the frozen food container, where I was sorely tempted by the escargots, the boudin noir (blood sausage), and more. Fruit sorbet, from an extensive dessert selection. Examined the caviar cooler. A relatively inexpensive bottle of balsamic vinegar, which was sitting alongside a magical bottle of 100-year-old balsamic from Modena which sells for $488. I got a rosemary-flavored olive oil from a large shelf of oils from everywhere... and then spotted some rare, delicious Seville orange marmalade from the jam, jelly and marmalade shelf... and added it to my basket.

katy aand Stephane
Katy and Stephane are the owners of this establishment... still lovers after 23 years of marriage.

To those of us who are chocoholics, this is a dangerous place. Katy walked me through the shelves of decadent chocolates, including a full selection of those from my hometown, Brooklyn, N.Y., courtesy of Mast Brothers. She then steered me to her favorite bar, a noir 72 percent from legendary chocolate-maker Michel Cluizel. Pointed out the shelves of mayonnaise, including a selection made... yes, in Brooklyn. I stopped in open-mouthed astonishment at a shelf of... salt, 50 or more selections, and took a shaker of pink Himalayan rock salt. Mustards by the yard... even a brand of ballpark mustard I never heard of before.

someof 350 cheeses
Some of the 250 cheeses on display... all in perfect shape.

I surveyed the choice of over 800 wines, including every Chateau offered-Bordeaux appellation (AOC) from France. Suggested to Stephane that he add my favorites, Justin and Laetitia, to the California selections, to which he agreed (and has done so this morning.) This fabulous shop is going to break me financially and health-wise if I'm not careful. And of course I'm not. The Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market & Restaurant offers the crème de la crème of foods from everywhere in the world, and to those of us who are food-obsessed, it will be a destination to which we will head often and well. The restaurant is open for breakfast (starting at 9 a.m., too late, which may be corrected), lunch and dinner. It will not replace ny favorite French bistro, Le Petit Four on Sunset Plaza, in my affection... but there is room for more than one in my purview.

want olive oil?
You want olive oil? We have hundreds from all over the world.

Since 1993, Katy and Stephane have been dedicated to bringing the finest imported and domestic artisanal products to local epicures. The venue on Canon with new partner Emile Malka, a retail entrepreneur, is the third of the Strouk's places, joining the original opened 13 years ago in the Farmer's Market and an authentic petit bistro five years ago on the Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade. Theirs is a very romantic love story, which they happily recounted to me.

stephane andhis extensive bourdeauxs
Stephane and his extensive collection of Bordeaux, some of the 800 wines on display.

"I was traveling through Europe with some friends and, at a bistro in Paris, this handsome young man -- who spoke no English while I had no French -- approached me and somehow we communicated and exchanged info," said Katy:

Imagine my surprise when, some months later, he showed up in L.A. with some guys.


They stayed at my folks place in Orange County and then I went to Paris to join him... and we married a year later. Now we have two young girls and, after 23 years, are happier than ever.

Katy travels through Europe seeking out unique products, while Stephane handles the wines and the operations.

sauces
Some of the many sauces on their shelves.

The full-service 136-seat restaurant is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and last night I sampled the extensive but comfortable menu. Lots of traditional French dishes... salads (nicoise, yes) , soups (a fine onion one), crepes and quiches. My favorite entrees: a succulent beef bourguignon ($19), roasted chicken ($17), and the most popular dish, striped bass ($21). There's a fondue savoyarde for two ($39) several melted cheeses and sides of apple, potato, bresola and cubed breads. Fabulous amuse bouche: think tuna tartare ($15), escargot ($14), Hamachi crudo ($16), Kobe steak tartare ($17) and a merguez croquette (my favorite, $13). Delicious 'crostini' sandwiches from $7 to $10, the latter an Iberico ham with manchego cheese and roasted pepper. The Norwegian smoked salmon ($7) is made with the famous Mon. Marcel home-made caviar cheese and their crusty bread. That bottarga/tuna roe I took home goes into a linguini pasta dish with clams and a white wine butter sauce ($18). The most expensive dish on the menu is the Sole Meuniere ($36), real Dover sole with beurre blanc, a very fair price. The grass-fed beef truffle burger ($18) comes with a choice of several cheeses. Mousse au chocolate and tarte tatin are desserts of choice. You can buy any bottle of wine retail there and, for a corkage of $20, have it with your meal.

50 different salts
Some of the fifty or more salts on display.

Monsieur Marcel is a wonderful addition to the Beverly Hills culinary scene, and I predict that people will be coming from all over the city to enjoy this authentic French dining and shopping experience. Paris in Beverly Hills is not a bad idea!

To subscribe to Jay Weston's Restaurant Newsletter ($70 for 12 monthly issues) email him at jayweston@sbcglobal.net.


Follow Jay Weston on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaywestonsbcglo

French Bistro Market - Monsieur Marcel Comes to Beverly Hills

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West -- The Rich Just Get Richer - SOLD their Bel Air home 1 month after buying it for $1 million more…that's the luxury market in LA for you.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West -- The Rich Just Get Richer -

SOLD their Bel Air home 1 month after buying it for $1 million more…that's the luxury market in LA for you.
TMZ Logo

Online and On TV
**Please feel free to use the story below with proper link and credit**

TMZ Exclusive

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West -- The Rich Just Get Richer

18 minutes ago by TMZ Staff

0228-kim-kardashian-kanye-west-remodelling-splash
Kim Kardashian
and Kanye West just made more than a million bucks in a month, but they're so rich they're not even cashing in ... TMZ has learned.

We broke the story ... Kim and Kanye bought a $9 million, Bel Air, CA mansion on January 30th.  It hasn't even been a month, and they've received 3 offers from people who want the estate so badly ... they're willing to pay A LOT more.  The highest offer -- $10.5 million.

Sources directly connected to Kim and Kanye tell TMZ ... the couple turned all 3 offers down -- they're already deep in the throes of remodeling and they plan to move in a few months from now.  There's a report out that they sold the estate -- not true.

The main house will be 14,000 square feet.   After all, they're having a baby.


Tune in to TMZ on TV weekdays Monday through Friday (check http://www.tmz.com/when-its-on for syndicated/local listings at the bottom of the page)

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West -- The Rich Just Get Richer - SOLD their Bel Air home 1 month after buying it for $1 million more…that's the luxury market in LA for you.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West -- The Rich Just Get Richer - SOLD their Bel Air home 1 month after buying it for $1 million more…that's the luxury market in LA for you.

TMZ Logo

Online and On TV
**Please feel free to use the story below with proper link and credit**

TMZ Exclusive

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West -- The Rich Just Get Richer

18 minutes ago by TMZ Staff

0228-kim-kardashian-kanye-west-remodelling-splash
Kim Kardashian
and Kanye West just made more than a million bucks in a month, but they're so rich they're not even cashing in ... TMZ has learned.

We broke the story ... Kim and Kanye bought a $9 million, Bel Air, CA mansion on January 30th.  It hasn't even been a month, and they've received 3 offers from people who want the estate so badly ... they're willing to pay A LOT more.  The highest offer -- $10.5 million.

Sources directly connected to Kim and Kanye tell TMZ ... the couple turned all 3 offers down -- they're already deep in the throes of remodeling and they plan to move in a few months from now.  There's a report out that they sold the estate -- not true.

The main house will be 14,000 square feet.   After all, they're having a baby.


Tune in to TMZ on TV weekdays Monday through Friday (check http://www.tmz.com/when-its-on for syndicated/local listings at the bottom of the page)

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

What a beautiful day in the Bel Air area of Los Angeles.

What a beautiful day in the Bel Air area of Los Angeles overlooking the reservoir.

Photo

Christophe Choo
Coldwell Banker Previews International
1-310-777-6342

Sent from my iPhone

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

Sometimes we all just need to laugh a little - Check out...Making life brighter !


Sometimes we all just need to laugh a little - Check out...Making life brighter !

 

 

THIS IS WHAT A SENSE OF HUMOR


LOOKS LIKE

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THIS IS WHAT SAD LOOKS LIKE


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THIS IS WHAT SORRY LOOKS LIKE

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THIS IS WHAT BAD SPELLING

LOOKS LIKE

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PRIVACY PLEASE

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BAD JUDGMENT

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I'D RATHER HOLD IT

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PILE UP

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FORGOT SOMETHING

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LET ME EXPLAIN

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THIS WILL MAKE YOU SMILE!

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HOW TO HANDLE A PROBLEM 

NEIGHBOR

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The Ass Family

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Boy Genius!

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Good Reason to Wear Pajamas to
Bed!!!

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Tattoo Of The Year

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Latest Grill Accessories...
These are a must have! 

 



 

It doesn't matter how
many people you send
this to, just remember
if it made you smile,
your friends will smile
too...or, just indulge yourself and keep this for YOU ! After all, you deserve it. Don’t you think?

 

 

 

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

My segment for NBC LXTV Open House - My Secret Hidden Gems of Beverly Hills & Los Angeles. - YouTube

These are some of my "Secret Hidden Gems" of Beverly Hills & LA, if you live here what are yours or if not tell me about some in your town!

These are some of my "Secret Hidden Gems" of Beverly Hills & LA, if you live here what are yours or if not tell me about some in your town!

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

My segment for NBC LXTV Open House - My Secret Hidden Gems of Beverly Hi...



These are some of my "Secret Hidden Gems" of Beverly Hills & LA, if you live here what are yours or if not tell me about some in your town!

Sleep in the same home as William Randolph Hearst, Marion Davies, John & Jacqueline Kennedy slept in for $600,000 per month.

The Storied Beverly House in Los Angeles Up for Rent for $600,000 (House of the Day)


By Cristin Zweig

The Beverly House, the iconic estate that was the former residence of William Randolph Hearst, Marion Davies, and the honeymoon hideaway of Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy, is back on the market, this time as a $600,000-a-month rental. Formerly listed for sale for $95 million and then for rent at $500,000 a month, the home is now demanding more for anyone who wants to call this iconic and storied residence home. Worth the price? You can't put a price tag on history and infamy, so let's look at the numbers.

The estate has 29 bedrooms, 40 bathrooms and sits on 3.7 acres, just three blocks away from Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. The mansion also has a nightclub, a cinema, a living room with 22-foot ceilings, two tennis courts, a 75-foot-long pool and an outdoor seating terrace that can host 400 sit-down guests. The property also has two separate guesthouses and a two-bedroom apartment.

Beverly House may be notorious in the high-priced real estate world, but it's also famous after appearing in the movies "The Godfather" and "The Bodyguard." In 2012, the property was listed at $95 million. A massive sum, but much less than the $165 million it was listed for in 2007. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Beverly House's current owner, Leonard M. Ross, purchased the mansion in the 1970s and refurbished and expanded the estate, including buying back the adjacent property which was sold off after Hearst's passing in 1951. Recently, Mr. Ross ran into financial difficulty and filed for bankruptcy protection, thus prompting his desire to sell or lease out this prized property. Hilton & Hyland has the listing.

Find homes for rent in Los Angeles, or search rentals in your area.

See more on Trulia's Luxe Living blog.

Sleep in the same home as William Randolph Hearst, Marion Davies, John & Jacqueline Kennedy slept in for $600,000 per month.

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

The Storied Beverly House in Beverly Hills Up for Rent for $600,000 a month

The Storied Beverly House in Los Angeles Up for Rent for $600,000 (House of the Day)


By Cristin Zweig

The Beverly House, the iconic estate that was the former residence of William Randolph Hearst, Marion Davies, and the honeymoon hideaway of Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy, is back on the market, this time as a $600,000-a-month rental. Formerly listed for sale for $95 million and then for rent at $500,000 a month, the home is now demanding more for anyone who wants to call this iconic and storied residence home. Worth the price? You can't put a price tag on history and infamy, so let's look at the numbers.

The estate has 29 bedrooms, 40 bathrooms and sits on 3.7 acres, just three blocks away from Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. The mansion also has a nightclub, a cinema, a living room with 22-foot ceilings, two tennis courts, a 75-foot-long pool and an outdoor seating terrace that can host 400 sit-down guests. The property also has two separate guesthouses and a two-bedroom apartment.

Beverly House may be notorious in the high-priced real estate world, but it's also famous after appearing in the movies "The Godfather" and "The Bodyguard." In 2012, the property was listed at $95 million. A massive sum, but much less than the $165 million it was listed for in 2007. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Beverly House's current owner, Leonard M. Ross, purchased the mansion in the 1970s and refurbished and expanded the estate, including buying back the adjacent property which was sold off after Hearst's passing in 1951. Recently, Mr. Ross ran into financial difficulty and filed for bankruptcy protection, thus prompting his desire to sell or lease out this prized property. Hilton & Hyland has the listing.

Find homes for rent in Los Angeles, or search rentals in your area.

See more on Trulia's Luxe Living blog.

The Storied Beverly House in Beverly Hills Up for Rent for $600,000 a month

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

Coldwell Banker This Weekend's VIEW is Online Now! New Listings & Open Houses in Beverly Hills & Los Angeles.

Coldwell Banker This Weekend's VIEW is Online Now! New Listings & Open Houses in Beverly Hills & Los Angeles.

If this message does not display properly, 
CLICK HERE to view it in your web browser

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

At Coldwell Banker we are the leaders in markets share in all of the Beverly Hills & Los Angeles premiere neighborhoods.

> At Coldwell Banker we are the leaders in markets share in all of the Beverly Hills & Los Angeles premiere neighborhoods.

marketshare - bel air & hombly hills.pdf Download this file

marketshare - beverly hills PO.pdf Download this file

marketshare - beverly hills.pdf Download this file

marketshare - brentwood.pdf Download this file

marketshare - hancock park.pdf Download this file

marketshare - sunset.pdf Download this file

marketshare - westwood & century city.pdf Download this file

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Tour the gated community of Mulholland Estates in Beverly Hills, California 90210 - Christophe Choo - YouTube

Tour the gated community of Mulholland Estates in Beverly Hills, California 90210 - Christophe Choo - YouTube

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

Tour the gated community of Mulholland Estates in Beverly Hills, California 90210 - Christophe Choo - YouTube

Tour the gated community of Mulholland Estates in Beverly Hills, California 90210 - Christophe Choo - YouTube

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale

Tour the gated community of Mulholland Estates in Beverly Hills, Califor...

Home Values Post Biggest Annual Increase Since 2006; Rent Gains Slow

Home Values Post Biggest Annual Increase Since 2006; Rent Gains Slow

Home values in January posted their biggest annual increase since July 2006, beating national gains in rent, according to a recent report from Zillow.

The Zillow Home Value Index rose for the 15th straight month to $158,100 in January 2013. According to Zillow, national home values have not been that high since June 2004. The improvement represents a 6.2 percent year-over-year gain and a 0.7 percent increase from December 2012.

The winter season, however, slowed gains for the Zillow Rent Index, which was down 0.2 percent from December, but still 4.3 percent higher compared to a year ago.

“The winter months are typically when things cool off in the housing market, but high demand and continued tight inventory in many markets have helped keep things at a boil through the early part of 2013,” said Dr. Stan Humphries, Zillow’s chief economist.

For every 10,000 homes nationwide, Zillow reported 5.54 homes were lost to foreclosure in January, down 0.8 homes month-over-month and 2.3 homes year-over-year.

Although the pace of completed foreclosures is slowing, Humphries noted foreclosure activity remains high.

“This will have the dual effects of nurturing rental demand, as displaced former homeowners seek new lodgings, and of adding supply to many markets, as foreclosed properties re-enter the market,” Humphries explained.

Zillow also measured changes in home values and rent across the 30 largest metros.

The biggest annual gains in home prices were seen in Phoenix (21.9 percent), San Francisco (17.2 percent), San Jose (16.8 percent), Las Vegas (16.2 percent), and Sacramento (13.7 percent).

Year-over-year, rents rose the most in Denver (7.5 percent), while Charlotte and Boston posted the second-highest increase, 6.3 percent. San Jose (5.5 percent) and San Francisco (5.4 percent) took the next two spots in the top five.


Recent Articles

Home Values Post Biggest Annual Increase Since 2006; Rent Gains Slow

Posted on: Beverly Hills Real Estate-Beverly Hills Homes For Sale