Topanga Winter Wonderland

Snow Day in Topanga! This Saturday, December 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. is the Annual Topanga Holiday Potluck and Snow Play at Pine Tree Circle. Steve & Leslie Carlson sponsor this family event where 20 tons of snow are trucked in so the kids can play. Festive music from a brass band will serenade partygoers.

What would a holiday event be without good food! Bring a dish to share for the potluck.

It looks to be a cool weather on Saturday, so bundle up for the fun.

Topanga, Need Gift Ideas?

Gift Ideas for Those Who Have Everything -- Have Fun!

Give a flock of geese:

The Heifer Project
http://www.heifer.org/

Give a beehive:

Mercy Corps
http://www.mercycorps.org/mercykits

Give a roof:

Habitat for Humanity
http://www.habitat.org/

Give a good, hot breakfast:

Second Harvest
http://www.secondharvest.org/

Give a child’s smile:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
http://www.stjude.org/


We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. -- Winston Churchill

Learn Not to Burn - SAFE Landscaping Workshop

We live in a gorgeous place on the edge of the wild. Come learn how to landscape your Topanga or Malibu property to keep your home as fire safe as possible. The University of California Cooperative Extension will hold a workshop this Saturday, November 17th, in the Michael Landon Community Center at Bluffs Park in Malibu, 24250 PCH.
I believe that one of the responsibilities that comes with the blessings of living in Topanga is to treat our area with care and respect. We also owe it to our neighbors to help protect our entire neighborhood. Fire safe can be beautiful! It's important that our interface with our wildlands respect the plants and creatures that live there.
Information will be given on planting and maintaining a well thought out landscape.
Registration is required. Please call 323-260-3861 to register or for more information.

Topanga 2007 Swap Meet & Chili Cook-off

This Saturday, November 10, Topanga's best chili wranglers will be setting up their stoves and assembling their secret ingredients to create some of the best chili you've ever tasted. And while the spicy smells waft through the air, you can browse among the wonders of the swap meet. There will be many booths set up, full of the very best "maybe you can use this cause I'm done with it" treasures. Over the years, I've scored some great stuff!

There is always good food and good music and good neighbors.

The swap meet is at the Topanga Community House, 1440 N. Topanga Cyn. Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you'd like to see if you can still get a booth for your stuff, contact Holly Alsop at 310-883-3755.

Happy Treasure Hunting!

The California Real Estate Market Snapshot

Fast Facts courtesy of the California Association of REALTORS®:

Calif. median home price - August 07: $588.970(Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. highest median home price by C.A.R. region August 07: Santa Barbara So. Coast $1,262,500(Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. lowest median home price by C.A.R. region August 07: High Desert $287.39(Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. First-time Buyer Affordability Index - Second Quarter 07: 24 percent (Source: C.A.R.)

Mortgage rates - week ending 10/12: 30-yr. fixed: 6.40%; Fees/points: 0.4% 15-yr. fixed: 6.06%; Fees/points: 0.5% 1-yr. adjustable: 5.73%; Fees/points: 0.6% (Source: Freddie Mac)

Halloween for Topanga's Little Creatures

Whatcha gonna be for Halloween?
That's the question on the schoolyard as the Topanga Elementary School Annual Halloween Carnival approaches. Food, games, food, bouncies, haunted house, and more food await the little darlings all dressed up in their costumes. Parents, too, reach into the dark recesses of their imaginations to come up with some truly inspired costumes. The entire community is welcome to this fine fundraiser for TEP (Topanga Enrichment Programs).
I have attended this fun event for many years, since my oldest child was just able to throw the beanbags through the ghost's eyes. My kids loved it. It's a great night out to see your friends and neighbors all dressed up. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for kids, no charge for 3 yrs. & under.

Here Comes Halloween - Topanga Monster Bash!

Once again, the ghoulies and ghosties, gypsies and goddesses, will gather to revel in the season of the witch. The Topanga Chamber of Commerce Annual Monster Bash will be Saturday, October 27th at 9 p.m. Our ghost host with the most is Abuelita's restaurant. For a mere $10 cover charge, you will enjoy live music, munchies, and frivolity. Dress your best for the costume contest and win a great prize from one of our local Chamber businesses. Seek out the Lovely Lola Babylon for a personalized tarot reading. A weird and wild time will be had by all. See you there!

The IRS Can be Helpful

We don't often think of the Internal Revenue Service as an agency we seek out. However, the National Association of Realtors is letting us Realtors know about the helpful IRS real estate information pages on the IRS website. The site provides useful information to property owners, as well as resources for real estate professionals. Some areas covered on the website are:

Real estate tax information
Tips on avoiding real estate fraud
Links to other valuable real estate websites (including NAR’s site)
Guide to tax audits
Small business tax information

Check out the real estate tax tips. Since the IRS has just announced that the agency will be paying closer attention to small business tax returns, the tips for small businesses may well prove very useful.

Real Estate is LOCAL!

I just attended a presentation by Leslie Appleton-Young, Economist for the California Association of Realtors. She is really great at distilling market conditions into easily understandable data. Because her presentation was for the Malibu Association of Realtors, she customized the data to be applicable to our Malibu/Topanga area. I love the way she cuts to the bottom line. The most important bottom line here -- our local market is NOT EVEN CLOSE to the condition of most of the state. Take a look at her numbers on home sales drops:

Home Sales YTD
Below $500,000 Down 24%
Between $500,000 - 750,000 Down 26%
Above $750,000 Down 5%

Since the Topanga Market pretty much begins around $700,000, we are in the category that has only experienced about a 5% drop in home sales.

According to Appleton-Young, the high end home market is pretty normal. In fact, the level of activity at the high end is actually skewing the median home price higher because more homes are being sold in the high end and number of sales of homes at the low end has decreased.

I believe the most powerful effect on our market has been emotion. The press is reporting worst case scenarios as the headlines. Buyers and sellers are hesitant. My advice -- read the whole article. Somewhere down at about the second paragraph from the end will be something that relates to our Topanga market that admits it's a normal adjustment for the high end markets.

Topanga Neighborhoods, What's the Difference?

I got a call yesterday from a potential client relocating from out of state. She was doing her research about the different areas of Topanga, trying to get a feel for the neighborhoods. I told her that one of my favorite things about this canyon is that each area has a little bit of everything. We have 1920's cottages next to newly expanded mansions. We have contemporary architecturals next to California/Mediterranean styles. Each area has homes on the edge of a canyon and homes in the middle of the "block". It is the same with the people -- a terrific mix of professions, ages and backgrounds -- never boring!

My caller asked me if there were really any differences to consider. I told her that the difference is mainly the varying temperature. As you move north from the ocean, you get hotter temps in the summer and colder temps in the winter. Fernwood is the most even climate because it is the area closest to the ocean influence.

I laughed when I opened the Los Angeles Times this morning and saw a front page feature on the differerences in temperatures in Southern California. The author of "Weather Turns by Degree, Direction," Bob Pool, had taken a trip through Topanga Canyon to illustrate his point. He hit it right on the head. He provides a perfect description of Topanga Canyon temperatures.

Unfortunately, a heat wave has hit us all, and we are all sweltering! Believe me, this is not normal for Topanga. Try to stay cool. Hopefully, we'll soon have some rain to complain about!

Federal Reserve Statement

Here is the latest from the Fed.: Moderating growth, moderating inflation.

Press Release from the Federal Reserve
Release Date: August 8, 2006

The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to keep its target for the federal funds rate at 5-1/4 percent.
Economic growth has moderated from its quite strong pace earlier this year, partly reflecting a gradual cooling of the housing market and the lagged effects of increases in interest rates and energy prices.
Readings on core inflation have been elevated in recent months, and the high levels of resource utilization and of the prices of energy and other commodities have the potential to sustain inflation pressures. However, inflation pressures seem likely to moderate over time, reflecting contained inflation expectations and the cumulative effects of monetary policy actions and other factors restraining aggregate demand.
Nonetheless, the Committee judges that some inflation risks remain. The extent and timing of any additional firming that may be needed to address these risks will depend on the evolution of the outlook for both inflation and economic growth, as implied by incoming information.

Pricing is Important!

The California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) reports that, compared to June 2006, California home sales decreased 24.7 percent in June 2007. However, the median price of an existing home increased 3.2 percent.

"The focus on foreclosures and subprime lending is ongoing and, coupled with higher inventories of homes for sale, is prompting many would-be buyers to play a 'wait-and-see' role."

said C.A.R. President Colleen Badagliacco. She continues,

"However, well-maintained homes with curb appeal that are priced for today's market continue to sell. It's often a matter of counseling buyers and sellers to set realistic expectations on both sides of the transaction."

Pay attention to that last part -- your home must be appropriately priced to sell. Buyers today come to the table with internet research behind them. They have seen the inventory and gained a sense of what you get at how much. Topanga is a little trickier, because of its unique composition. After touring a few homes, however, buyers can quickly grasp what is a true value when they see it.

When you are ready to list your home, ask prospective agents for a complete market evaluation of the last six months. Read them for yourselves and ask any questions you may have. Remember, the buyer is not emotionally attached to your home. Don't let emotion cloud your business judgement. Try to catch buyers right out of the gate by pricing correctly.

After you have listed, listen to the market. If you have no activity, the first thing to consider is price. Are you a little high? Would a price adjustment spur some activity? Don't let your house sit while you are stuck on one price. A good, knowledgeable agent will be able to guide you through this process.

Topanga Beach Bus

Save your gas money!

The Topanga Beach Bus is running now through Labor Day. This is the best deal EVER! Adults & kids are 50 cents each way (children under 12 must be accompanied by a paying parent or guardian). Seniors 62 and older are just 25 cents each way. This year, the line connects with the Orange Line at the Warner Center Transit Station by the AMC theater. The bus goes as far as Santa Monica Beach with many stops in between.

Click here for the Beach Bus Schedule. For more information, call toll free 888-769-1122.

Thanks once again to Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and his staff for making this happen.

Need a Job? Got a Job to Fill?

There is nothing better than working right here in our beautiful canyon. My commute is under 5 minutes. How many Angelenos can say that?!
Want a canyon job? The Topanga Chamber of Commerce is now providing a service to employers and job seekers alike. The New Topanga Job Post Blog is up and running. Chamber members may submit job openings to the blog via the Chamber website. If you need a job, check out the blog. There are two good postings on right now. Canyon Shuttle needs a driver. Polarity Healing Arts needs an administrative assistant. Check it out. Go to the Topanga Chamber website and click on Local Jobs.
Employers -- not a Chamber member? Sign up on the website. We have great networking mix, munch and mingle events.

Topanga Days Country Fair

Come on up, Memorial Day Weekend for our annual celebration of Topanga Days. What began as the meek and mild Strawberry Festival has grown over the decades to be a weekend of music, food and fun. The event is the main fundraiser for the maintenance and operation of the Topanga Community House.

This year, the music line-up is really great. Veruca Salt is Saturday's headliner for Indie Day. I'm looking forward to seeing John Doe playing songs from his new solo album on Sunday. Monday is always one big party with all the Topanga favorites like Venice. This Monday will close with the Young Dubliners. There's lots of beautiful space on the grass to park and listen, and always room for one more in the dust bowl to dance.

Along with the music comes good food and fine art. Only handcrafted goods will grace the art fair booths this year. There will be some of my favorite local artists such as Bungalow Art by Robyn Feeley and Topanga Art Tile by the Doolin Family. Make sure to stop by the amazing jewelry created by Sage Knight for Generations of Women.

There is a TERRIFIC kids area. More about that later!

Topanga Rockstars, Roadies and Fans

Pull those KISS boots, Hendrix headbands or Duran Duran puffy shirts out of the bottom of your closet....you knew you would use them again! Saturday night, April 28th, is The Topanga Enrichment Program Silent Auction. This event always brings out the fun in fundraiser. The creative minds in the canyon go nuts over the themed decor. Will you hang out in the hippie haven, the leather lounge or maybe the eighties lounge? There will be something for everyone in the items up for bid -- from vacations to musical equipment. My favorite items are the beautiful works donated by our canyon artists.
Tickets are $50 in advance at Cafe Mimosa, Lobal Orning Bookstore, Water Lily Cafe and Topanga Elementary Charter School. Tickets at the door will be $60.
If you would like to donate an item to the auction, contact gerwegirlie@yahoo.com or wiegand@sbcglobal.net.
All proceeds benefit the Topanga Enrichment Programs at the elementary school which help fund the teacher assistants, library, p.e., art and much more.

California Housing -- What's Up?

The California Association of Realtors Fast Facts (C.A.R. 4/07)

Calif. median home price -February 07: $564,700(Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. highest median home price by C.A.R. regionFebruary 07: Santa Barbara So. Coast $1,000,000(Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. lowest median home price by C.A.R. regionFebruary 07: High Desert $319,860 (Source: C.A.R.)

Calif. First-time Buyer Affordability Index -Fourth Quarter 06: 25 percent(Source: C.A.R.)

Mortgage rates - week ending 4/12:30-yr. fixed: 6.22%; Fees/points: 0.4%15-yr. fixed: 5.9%; Fees/points: 0.4%1-yr. adjustable: 5.47%; Fees/points: 0.5%(Source: Freddie Mac)

The Buyers are Back!

The buyers are calling! After a very quiet winter, activity has really picked up in the Topanga market. Buyers are calling to come see the homes in our beautiful town. Maybe now that the media has calmed their dire predictions of drastic market corrections, people are gaining confidence in their prospective purchase. Sellers are also moving forward with their plan to put their homes on the market. Homes that were pulled off are back on and new listings are coming in every day. The fact is that, here in Topanga, we need more listings to show the buyers that have come back. More than ever, it is important to price a home properly when it first hits the market. Create initial excitement, offer a buyer value, present your home in the best light and it can sell quickly. For more information on the Westside market, call me at 310-924-1032.

Topanga Real Estate New Year Market Report

The real estate market is revving up for the usual spring increase in activity. I started getting more buyer calls in the office right around the first of the year. I think that both buyers and sellers are starting to feel more confident about the current conditions of the market. The media have been putting out many articles commenting that the market seems to have adjusted to a more normal rate of sales and appreciation. Mortgage rates are still low. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is projecting a slight rise to 6.7% towards year end. According to NAR chief economist David Lereah,

“The current interest rate environment and housing inventory levels present
a window of opportunity for potential buyers.”

The Topanga market has interested buyers ready to move. Our inventory is not as large as I like, but many sellers wait until this time of year to put a home on the market to take advantage of spring conditions. If you are a potential buyer, now is the time to take a look at your personal financial picture with a good mortgage lender. It's always easier to shop when you know exactly what's in your budget.