Holiday Giving: Help Coldwell Banker Support the Homeless

December 1st, 2011

Typically, the holidays are a joyous time spent with our families in the warmth of our homes. For the homeless, however, the holidays are anything but joyous. When I look at the statistics in Southern California, it’s staggering. Did you know that over 51,000 people are homeless in Los Angeles on any given night? One in five children also live under the poverty level. In Ventura County, there are more than 1,800 homeless people on the streets on any given night. Further north in Santa Barbara County, there are approximately 6,250 people experiencing homelessness. These numbers are enough to make all of us stop and think about the ways in which we are giving during the holidays.

Because Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has made a tradition out of placing people in homes, we feel a great sense of responsibility to help those in need during the holidays. Each year, our Community Foundation of Greater Los Angeles embarks on a December Giving Campaign, where our branch offices in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties collect donations from our sales associates, staff and affiliates. Many of our sales associates will also be volunteering at these organizations during the holidays.

“The Coldwell Banker Community Foundation is proud to support local homeless charities in the Los Angeles area,” said Lori Ramirez, branch manager of the Los Feliz office and current chair of the Coldwell Banker Community Foundation.  “Some of these charities include Passageways, St Joseph’s Center for the Homeless, My Friend’s Place and Harbor Interfaith.  At this time of year, there are so many folks in need of our support and assistance.  Everyone is entitled to a warm, safe home, and our goal is to support people in need.”

Many charities are currently in need of monetary donations and donated goods during the holidays. At Passageways, an intake center serving Pasadena’s homeless services network, they need basic items such as socks, underwear, toiletries and motel vouchers. A fund for bus tokens is also needed to link people to resources in the community. The Giving Spirit, a Los Angeles-based non-profit, is still $150,000 short of the funds needed to build the survival kits that will reach approximately 2,750 homeless men, women and children in need throughout greater Los Angeles this winter.

“The winter is the time of year our homeless friends in L.A. need the help of organizations like The Giving Spirit the most,” said Jim Underwood, development chair for The Giving Spirit. “We are always in need of items like clothing, blankets and food, but we are desperately trying to close the gap to achieve our $220,000 fundraising goal this year.”

I know these stories are not isolated cases. Many other homeless charities throughout Southern California need our help this holiday season. I invite our View readers to join us in bringing a little joy to the homeless men, women and children in our communities. To find out how you can help, we have listed several charities in need below. From the Coldwell Banker family to yours…happy holidays.

LOS ANGELES METRO AREA

Harbor Interfaith
670 West 9th Street

San Pedro, CA. 90731
(310) 831-0603
www.harborinterfaith.org
To donate online, click here.

My Friend’s Place
Membership Program
P.O. Box 3867
Hollywood, CA 90078
(323) 908-0011
myfriendsplace.org
To donate online, click here.

Passageways
Union Station Homeless Services
825 E. Orange Grove Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 240-4557
www.unionstationhs.org
To donate online, click here.

St. Joseph’s Center for the Homeless
204 Hampton Drive
Venice, California 90291-8633
(310) 396-6468
www.stjosephctr.org/homeless_center.html
To donate online, click here.

The Giving Spirit
11908 Montana Avenue, #205
Los Angeles, CA. 90049
(310) 442-9489
www.thegivingspirit.org
To donate online, click here.

VENTURA COUNTY

Our Place Shelter (Turning Point Foundation)
538 E. Thompson Blvd.
Ventura, CA
(805) 652-2151
To donate online, click here.

Ventura County Rescue Mission (The Rescue Mission Alliance)
234 E. 6th Street
Oxnard, CA
(805) 487-1234
www.vcrescuemission.org
To donate online, click here.

Lighthouse Womens & Childrens Mission (The Rescue Mission Alliance)
104 N. Hayes
Oxnard, CA
(805) 385-7200
To donate online, click here.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Casa Esperanza
P.O. Box 24116
Santa Barbara, CA 93121
(805) 884-8481
www.casa-esperanza.org/
To donate online, click here.

Transition House
425 E. Cota Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-9668
transitionhouse.com
To make a donation online, click here.

The Rescue Mission
525 East Yanonali Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 966-1316
www.sbrm.org
To donate online, click here.

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Are You Spending More Than $1,000 A Month on Rent?

November 18th, 2011

Jim Gillespie, CEO of Coldwell Banker, recently came across the Census Bureau’s 2012 Statistical Abstract and discovered some interesting points I wanted to share with our Southern California clients.  Jim was particularly fascinated to find that 33.4 percent of renters nationally pay more than $1,000 a month.  He equated that to a $204,000 home with a fixed-rate, 30-year mortgage at 4.25 percent.  (To be fair, he didn’t include taxes, maintenance or down payment; and as rates go down, the price of home you can afford goes up.)

Historically, Southern California has always been a more expensive place to live compared to other parts of the country…so you might be tempted to believe homes under $204,000 are few and far between. But I recently checked camoves.com, and believe it or not, there are at least 1,437 properties that are priced at or below $200,000 throughout the Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara County areas. Could home ownership be more in reach than you think? If you are renting and have financial stability, why not explore the possibility of home ownership? Talk it through with a family member or friend.  Don’t be afraid to talk to a real estate agent, spend a few minutes with the manager of a real estate office or visit Coldwell Banker’s online First Time Home Buyer Resource Center.

Now I know what you might be thinking.  Of course a Coldwell Banker executive would push homeownership!  You’re right. I’ve been in the real estate business since I was 19, and my wife and I have owned many homes over the last three decades. But I also know what I’m talking about! To this day, I believe in the power of home ownership as part of the American Dream, but more importantly, I believe it in it as a viable long-term investment. I am not alone. According to the 2011 National Housing Pulse Survey by the National Association of REALTORS, 72 percent of renters today aspire to home ownership said owning a home is a top priority for their future, up from 63 percent in 2010.

Now I realize homeownership isn’t for everyone.  There are many factors that come into play in the decision to buy—your lifestyle, job status, savings, credit history, etc. But with home affordability levels at their record best in Southern California, I strongly suggest you take a good, hard look at homeownership. (In fact, the California Association of REALTORS just released their Traditional Housing Affordability Index, and the percentage of home buyers who could afford to purchase a median-priced, existing single-family home in California rose to 52 percent in the third quarter of 2011!) Right now just might be the perfect time, as UCLA economists recently forecasted that California home prices will rise steadily over the next six years. If you are paying more than $1,000 a month in rent and have financial stability, choosing to buy a home today could be the smartest investment you ever make.

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Join Us For a Day of Giving

November 11th, 2011

With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, you might think the shelves at local food banks would be full of items collected for those in need. Instead, many sit empty as food and financial contributions have leveled off, due to the slow economic recovery. About 330,000 residents are being served each month at the 600 pantries supplied by the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank—a 73 percent increase from when the recession hit in 2008.

As the 2011 holiday season nears, you can bet that food banks and other hunger organizations are even more stressed and stretched. Each year, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Greater Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties seeks to ease this strain by bringing over 2,500 of our real estate agents, employees and clients together for a “Day of Giving” Thanksgiving Food Drive. Now through November 15, each Coldwell Banker office will collect canned goods to be distributed to local organizations like Los Angeles Mission, Food Share and Santa Barbara Food Bank.

“People who have never been in need before are still struggling in this economy,” said Lori Ramirez, branch manager of the Los Feliz office and current chair of the Coldwell Banker Community Foundation. “It’s been our tradition to give back to those in need during the holidays, and as a company who helps people achieve the American Dream everyday, we feel a special responsibility to assist those who have lost that dream in some way. We always see an outpouring of support, and this is truly one event where everyone participates. We are extremely proud of our past success with Day of Giving and we look forward to an even more successful food drive this year.”

You don’t have to be a Coldwell Banker agent, employee or client to participate in our Day of Giving Food Drive. You can join us by dropping off canned goods at your nearest Coldwell Banker office. To find an office, log onto www.californiamoves.com.

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Coldwell Banker Previews® International Partners With 1stDibs.com

October 29th, 2011

After serving more than 30 years in the epicenter of the national luxury market, I still marvel at its immense growth and maturity. Today’s affluent consumers are very much digital consumers, accessing The Web in record numbers to purchase luxury items ranging from rare vintage watches to antique furniture. In fact, 98 percent of all affluent consumers use the Internet today, spending an average of 26 hours online!

As a global leader in the luxury real estate space, Coldwell Banker Previews® International has paid careful attention to the desires of this savvy group of consumers over the last few years. That is why I am proud to announce that Coldwell Banker Previews and The Corcoran Group have entered into an exclusive partnership with 1stdibs.com, the definitive online resource for antiques, 20th-century design, vintage and estate jewelry, fashion and fine art for collectors.

Earlier last week, 1stdibs debuted its “FINE HOMES” search on the site, featuring luxury properties nationwide listed by Previews and Corcoran, the premier residential real estate firm in New York City and the Hamptons. Tapping its authority in the design world, 1stdibs will, on a weekly basis, engage leading interior designers and architects to select their preferred “property picks,” which will be listed under “Hot Properties” in the site’s Style Compass section. The real estate partnership with 1stdibs represents the next evolution of the curated search site, expanding from the rare treasures with which collectors grace their homes to the actual homes themselves.

“1stdibs has a big following among the world’s most affluent consumers–who buy big-ticket items on a regular basis–and among designers and architects, who are all secretly real estate junkies like me,” said the site’s founder, Michael Bruno, who began his career as a real estate broker and whose idea to apply a multiple listing serving model to the high-end antiques category was the impetus for 1stdibs a decade ago. “This search brings those elements together, giving designers a pipeline to hot new properties on the market and enticing 1stdibs visitors to buy a house they didn’t even know they were looking for!”

Our partnership with 1stdibs is a natural progression for Previews. 1stdibs not only boasts a monthly audience of 2 million affluent visitors and more than 55 million page views a month—but is dedicated to cultivating homes with remarkable style. I have long admired Michael Bruno, and I believe our presence on 1stdibs further elevates Previews as a true luxury lifestyle brand. I invite you to visit realestate.1stdibs.com today for an exclusive look at the most beautiful things on earth.

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Fall in Love with the American Dream This Weekend

October 22nd, 2011

“The American Dream” is a popular phrase at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. We have launched campaigns in its name, led seminars and written countless View columns on the topic. Up until now, we have focused primarily on the financial benefits of home ownership and the American Dream. But the truth is, we all want to own a home for different reasons. Perhaps we want a place of our own or a place to start a family; perhaps we want a place to grow old or build a long-term connection to a community. Regardless of our reasons, our desire to put down roots runs deep.

For most homeowners, the pleasurable effects of the American Dream last long after the final moving box is unpacked. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) “American Attitudes About Homeownership” 2011 survey, homeowners are much more likely to be satisfied with the quality of their family and community life than renters; while an overwhelming majority of homeowners are happy with their decision. The same is also true for many Southern California homeowners and first-time buyers, who report a greater sense of happiness and more control over their lives.

In Studio City, Coldwell Banker sales associate Diana Torres recently helped a couple with a new baby purchase their first home—a $635,000 three-bedroom single-family home. Torres says they are absolutely delighted with their home, which would have easily cost $850,000 at the peak of the market.

“Since they were planning on starting a family, they originally started to look for condos because they thought it was all they could afford,” said Torres. “But they eventually realized they could afford a single-family home. The minute they saw this house, they jumped on it. They now live on the same street as one of their relatives. They are ecstatic!”

In Santa Monica, another first-time buyer recently proved the American Dream is alive after purchasing a $765,000 two-bedroom, two-bath condo in Sea Colony. Condos located so close to the ocean typically sell in the range of $1 million to $1.8 million.

“He had been renting for years and originally started to look for another rental, but he changed his mind after realizing it was such a good time to buy,” said Heather Paul, a Coldwell Banker sales associate in Santa Monica. “He got an amazing deal right by the beach with tons of amenities and proximity to Main Street. He is so excited… he never thought he would be able to live this close to the beach and own such a nice property.”

If nothing else, these stories remind us that homebuying is a matter of the heart, not just the mind. This Saturday, October 22, I invite you to celebrate this idea with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage during our “Fall in Love with the American Dream” Open House event. We will hold simultaneous open houses across Southern California, giving aspiring homebuyers from Palos Verdes to Montecito an opportunity to tour multiple properties in one afternoon. When they find the right one, they will just know.

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Luxury Reigns at 2011 California Coldwell Banker Previews International® Retreat

October 8th, 2011

Every so often, I have the opportunity to witness the immense growth and maturity of the luxury market from a whole new vantage point. It happened recently at the 2011 California Coldwell Banker Previews International® retreat at the Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa Barbara. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, we hosted 250 Coldwell Banker Previews associates from all over the state, bringing together the nation’s top producing agents, luxury tastemakers and industry thought leaders under one roof for an extraordinary meeting of the minds.

Our two-day retreat underscored the luxury sector’s resilience, but more importantly, highlighted the maturity of a rare market that has not always been understood. We all walked away with a greater understanding of where the luxury market is, and where it’s going. Bruce Zipf, president of NRT, discussed the state of the industry and the direction of our company, while a panel of top producers covered everything from how to market their listings internationally to selling against the competition. Our Previews agents learned more about the intricacies of buying and selling to Asian and European consumers, as well as what’s happening in the Manhattan real estate landscape from experts based in Canada, Paris and New York. One of the most significant indications of the luxury market’s growth also came during talks about Coldwell Banker Previews’ latest and greatest digital resources—from our exciting new partnerships with 1stDibs.com and Maserati to our all-digital Luxury from the Inside Out magazine. These resources truly reflect the digital world’s impact on the luxury world, with Coldwell Banker Previews elegantly leading the charge.

I mention the 2011 California Coldwell Banker Previews International® retreat not because it was an unforgettable experience for our Previews representatives (who even managed to capture a little California sunshine during their stay!), but because it highlights our commitment to growing and leading the luxury housing market at a crucial time. Few, if any, real estate companies today possess the vast amount of resources that allow us to bring together the best of the best, with the goal of ensuring that our affluent clients’ most prized assets are guarded, discreetly marketed and sold for the greatest possible value. It is this very quality that makes Previews the global luxury leader it is today.

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14 Agents From Coldwell Banker Greater Los Angeles Rank Among Top in Nation

September 24th, 2011

It goes without saying that homebuyers and sellers are drawn to exceptional real estate service, cutting-edge resources and local market expertise. But in today’s complex and uncertain real estate market, there is another quality that may give them an extra sense of security: a results-driven professional that ranks among the best in the nation.

This year, Coldwell Banker is proud to congratulate the 248 Coldwell Banker sales associates and teams who were ranked nationally on The Wall Street Journal and REAL Trends’ list of America’s Top 1,000 residential real estate agents and teams—the most of any real estate brand nationwide. Coldwell Banker also held more of the Top 10 spots across all four categories combined than any other brand in the country, and held the most overall spots in three of the four categories. In Southern California, three of our Coldwell Banker sales associates and teams held Top 10 positions, including Chris Cortazzo from Malibu (Agent Volume), Jade Mills from Beverly Hills (Agent Volume) and Joyce Essex from Beverly Hills (Team Volume). Twelve Coldwell Banker sales associates from Southern California also ranked in the Top 100: Linda May of Beverly Hills (Agent Volume), Randall Solakian and Susan Burns of Montecito (Agent Volume), Michael Libow of Beverly Hills (Agent Volume), Susan Monus of Malibu (Agent Volume), Michael Edlen of Pacific Palisades (Agent Volume), Ron De Salvo of Beverly Hills (Agent Volume), Mary Lu Tuthill of Los Angeles (Agent Volume), Joyce Essex of Beverly Hills (Team Sides), Stephanie Vitacco of Calabasas (Team Volume and Team Sides), Sally Forster Jones of Beverly Hills (Team Volume) and Ron Wynn of Los Angeles (Team Volume).

These national rankings not only reflect the extraordinary accomplishments of Coldwell Banker’s sales associates in our Greater Los Angeles Company, but also solidify our company’s position as the no. 1 real estate company in the United States. When people buy and sell with Coldwell Banker, they know they are getting the best real estate service around, the best resources and the best track record of success. There has never been a more important time than right now to align with the best real estate professionals and best company to protect your greatest asset—your home. I encourage you to call one of our top Coldwell Banker sales associates today.

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A Minimalist View

September 9th, 2011

Austerity is not a word one commonly associates with Los Angeles. After all, we are a city known more for our glitz than our grace. Paradoxically, we are also a city where modernism thrives; and with that comes a search for new forms of architectural expression. Designing for the times—which minimalist architects like Melinda Gray AIA, founder of Graymatter Architecture, do on a regular basis—means expressing an aesthetic that reflects the increased economic and environmental responsibilities of today.

Project 710 in Venice, one of the first houses in the country to receive the Platinum LEED rating, is a reflection of Gray’s minimalist view, where function dictated the building’s original shape. For example, the entire second floor and roof purposely tilt toward the sun, creating a space for the solar panels and place to catch rainwater, which is reused for landscaping irrigation. The tilted roof also conveys a distinct architectural message to passers-by “that something is different here.” Explains Gray: “We were free to experiment with the shape and how it could help the house be more energy-efficient.”

When it comes to remodels, Gray also has a minimalist approach. She suggests stripping away the moldings and trims and other items that “act like band-aids to cover up construction flaws.” And why not remove the old carpeting and polish the concrete slab?

“Due to the economy, people are rethinking the ways in which they spend money and asking themselves if quality is better than quantity,” says the Santa Monica-based architect. “You can find quality in the simplest materials. You don’t need to have fancy materials flown in from thousands of miles away. You don’t need to fill your home with items that are just going to end up in a landfill.”

With the economic and environmental realities of today, Gray’s modernist philosophy shows that simplicity of form and the basic building blocks of a home are luxurious when viewed in new light.

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The Power of a National Brand Reigns Supreme in an Uncertain Real Estate Market

September 9th, 2011

Bruce Zipf, president and chief operating officer of NRT, the parent company of Coldwell Banker, recently spoke to a group of Greater Los Angeles and Orange County managers about the economy and the importance of aligning with a nationally recognized brand during a challenging housing market. I asked him to elaborate on this view for the View, and share some of his thoughts on the crucial role experienced sales associates play in today’s uncertain market.

Jeff Culbertson: Why is it important for a homebuyer or seller to align with a national company like NRT and Coldwell Banker today?


Bruce Zipf: Today, there’s a greater emphasis on finding buyers wherever they might live, whether it’s around the corner or half way around the world. By aligning with an NRT company, homebuyers and sellers benefit from a network of global connections and the type of marketing resources that no local brokerage can match.


JC: What is Coldwell Banker’s no. 1 strength in your mind?


BZ: Our people. Our agents consistently rank among the highest performing professionals in our industry. Their knowledge, dedication and commitment to customer service help make Coldwell Banker the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage. Then you also have the professionals behind the scenes providing the vision and know-how to deliver the support services that give Coldwell Banker agents a distinct competitive advantage in the field.


JC: In an uncertain market, what should consumers keep in mind when selecting a broker or real estate firm?


BZ: You really need a brokerage that delivers the whole package. An excellent local boutique might have a reputation for service equal to the neighborhood Coldwell Banker office, but they simply can’t muster the type of marketing exposure that effectively reaches beyond county lines. In an uncertain market, local newspaper and magazine ads probably won’t get the job done. But if you have a global network of agents and extensive Internet marketing tools ready to extend your reach, I like your chances a whole lot better.


JC: What resources does Coldwell Banker offer that may give buyers or sellers an advantage in a challenging market?


BZ: We have invested heavily to create the nation’s broadest Internet marketing program.  We have also leveraged our national relationships to prominently place a seller’s listing as featured ads on Realtor.com, Trulia.com, Yahoo! Real Estate and Zillow.com. Other reach-extending resources include our extensive Google keyword campaign and Coldwell Banker’s On Location YouTube channel. From groundbreaking Internet marketing programs, to industry-leading technology initiatives like our rapid response tool, LeadRouter, which puts interested buyers in immediate contact with an agent and HomeBase, which gives clients easy online access to their transaction, Coldwell Banker has a truly differentiated service offering. For high-end consumers, the Coldwell Banker Previews luxury marketing program continues to cater to their needs with features like a newly revamped Homes & Estates magazine, offering enhanced editorial content that center on the luxury lifestyle in all its many forms.

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Ultra Luxury Market Proves Its Resilience in Southern California

August 19th, 2011

The recent sale of the nation’s most expensive estate, the iconic $150 million Spelling Manor, has once again highlighted the resilience of the affluent market. The Manor, which sold for an undisclosed price, joins the ranks of other ultra luxury sales this year, such as the rumored $100 million Silicon Valley estate.

In the Greater Los Angeles area, 32 properties have closed in excess of $10 million this year to date, compared to only 15 at this time in 2010. The exotic luxury market’s rebound can be attributed to several factors, including smart money’s confidence in real estate, lower prices, lower interest on jumbo loans and a higher return on investment compared with other assets. From Montecito to Beverly Hills, smart buyers have already seized the opportunity to invest in the future of luxury real estate as an asset.  Sally Forster Jones, a Coldwell Banker sales associate in Beverly Hills, recently closed two properties over $20 million, including The Manor.

“Over the past several months, I have observed a strong overseas presence among luxury buyers,” she said. “Nearly three out of four potential buyers for my $20 million-plus listings have been International. Many wealthy foreign buyers are looking for deals in the U.S. and overseas markets.  Los Angeles real estate prices are currently a bargain compared to many other international cities where real estate prices have skyrocketed. Also, a weak dollar helps make the U.S. seem like a good deal to foreign buyers.”

In the Santa Barbara area, foreign buyers play less of a role in the luxury market—but affluent out-of-area buyers who were once priced out of the market are finding great deals on special properties that cannot be duplicated today. Barbara Koutnik, a Coldwell Banker sales associate in Montecito who recently closed a $7.5 million home, has seen “very good activity” at the high-end in recent months. She pointed out several recent sales over $10 million, including a $27 million oceanfront home, a Montecito pocket listing for $16 million and a $11 million land purchase of more than 450 acres.

“There are a number of high-end buyers in our market right now, who still view real estate as an asset they want to enjoy,” she said. “Our prices in Santa Barbara have adjusted and we are seeing people reconsidering our area for an investment and second home. There are wonderful opportunities to purchase some exceptional homes right now.”

As we continue to observe the tremendous energy of this ultra luxury segment, I want to remind affluent buyers and sellers that Coldwell Banker Previews International is here to serve you in all facets of the real estate transaction. Few real estate companies today rival the Coldwell Banker Previews brand in sales, global reach or mastery of the luxury lifestyle; and the same can be said for our Previews® Property Specialists—many of whom rank among the top in the world. We truly have the best resources available to assist with buying or selling a luxury home—whether it’s $5 million, $15 million or $150 million.

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