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.