Los Angeles Disguises its cell phone towers as trees.
July 9, 2013 by The Noel Team · Leave a Comment
Photographer Emily Shur has captured great photos of the creative way Los Angeles has disguised cell phone towers for trees. Have any of you seen these fun towers around in your area? We will surly be on the look out for these! Read the full article here.
REAL TRENDS & WALL STREET JOURNAL: TOP 250 REAL ESTATE TEAMS BY VOLUME IN 2012
July 2, 2013 by The Noel Team · Leave a Comment
The Wall Street Journal and Real Trends, Inc. have compiled a summary of the Top 1,000 real estate professionals and teams in the United States. We, The Noel Team, are proud to have been placed in the Top 250 Real Estate Teams based on the amount of closed transaction volume for 2012! That’s 2 consecutive years of making the list!
Click the photo to see the complete list.
Current Market Report: As Home Sales Heat Up Again, Buyers Must Resort to Cold Cash – NY Times
June 12, 2013 by The Noel Team · Leave a Comment
As Home Sales Heat Up Again, Buyers Must Resort to Cold Cash
Hello from the busy, yet always available, Noel Team!
We thought this article from the NY Times would be of interest to you. It reflects what we, Realtors who sell homes daily, know and experience. Home prices are back up; in some areas, prices are above pre-recession levels. In a market with low inventory and interest rates, prices don’t look like they’ll be coming down anytime soon.
If you are a buyer who’s been waiting to buy, you may be getting priced out of the market. You will need a skilled buyer’s agent who is highly connected to buy your dream home. If you’re a seller who wants to move up or down size, you’ll need assistance with all the logistics that come up in this hectic market. We are successful at orchestrating sales and purchases for many clients every month.
We want to help you. Please give us a call with any real estate questions at 310.994.8721 or continue to browse our website.
Velocity of Money & How it Impacts Home Rates
September 13, 2012 by The Noel Team · Leave a Comment
Senior Loan Consultant - Surety Financial NMLS# 254553 DRE# 254553 www.karennatapoff.net knatapoff@suretyfinancial.com 310.849.8653
If you’ve been watching the economic news, you’ve probably noticed that market experts and traders have been keeping a close eye on the Commerce Department’s Personal Spending and Personal Income reports. Obviously, those reports provide insight into the health of our economy, but did you know they also influence home loan rates? Personal spending can actually influence the interest rates that are available when you purchase or refinance a home.
Here’s why. It has to do with something called the velocity of money. Even though the government keeps pumping money into the system, nothing happens until that money is spent or lent – and passes from one hand to another or one business to another. The speed at which this money passes between parties is called the velocity of money.
With the job market still very sluggish, consumers aren’t spending much money these days, and businesses are still reluctant to spend money to make investments in their business. With the present velocity at low levels, inflation remains subdued and that’s good for home loan rates. That’s because rates are tied to Mortgage Bonds and inflation is the archenemy of Bonds, so low inflation is good for Bonds and rates. However, once velocity increases, the excess money in the system will cause inflation – which is bad for rates, since even the slightest scent of inflation can cause home loan rates to worsen.
While we certainly want to see better economic recovery news in the near future, we have to remember that there’s an inverse relationship between good economic news and Bonds and home loan rates. Weak economic news normally causes money to flow out of Stocks and into Bonds, which helps Bonds and home loan rates improve. Strong economic news, on the other hand, normally has the opposite result.
Currently, home loan rates are at a historically low level, but that situation won’t last forever. That means now is an ideal time to purchase a home or refinance before the velocity of money – and rates – change.
Karen Natapoff is affiliated with Surety Financial, a Licensed Mortgage Banker and Broker, California Department of Real Estate.
Real Trends & Wall Street Journal: TOP 250 Real Estate Teams by Volume in 2011
June 28, 2012 by The Noel Team · Leave a Comment
L.A. Homeowners Prioritize Style Over Profit
June 22, 2012 by The Noel Team · Leave a Comment
Dwell On Design Week in LA Convention Center
June 20, 2012 by The Noel Team · Leave a Comment
Join Dwell, our go-to modern home design magazine, at its annual trade show this weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Take part in exchanging ideas, exploring LA’s design scene and meeting Dwell editors. And if you’re itching to get your design juices flowing earlier, Dwell has pre-convention events going on the rest of this week. Check out Dwell’s calendar below:
Tuesday, June 19
Thursday, June 21
Dwell on Design Convention Schedule at-a Glance
June 22-24, 2012
FRIDAY, 6/22
- 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Registration Desk Open, West Hall
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- AIA|LA Design Conference
- 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Dwell on Design
Trade Day Conference & Exhibition Programming
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Green Car Ride and Drive, Gilbert Lindsay Drive
- 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Onstage Presentations:
Design Innovation Stage
Sustainability Stage
Demonstration Stage
- 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- On-Floor Presentations & Special Events:
Cultivate.com Designer Meet & Greet
West Coast v. East Coast Cook Off Hosted by Capitol Cooking
- 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Dwell on Design Awards Ceremony
- 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- AIA|LA 8th Annual Restaurant Design Awards Ceremony
- 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Keynote Speaker: Cameron Sinclair
SATURDAY, 6/23
- 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Registration Desk Open, West Hall
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- AIA|LA Design Conference
- 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Dwell on Design Conference & Exhibition Programming
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Green Car Ride and Drive, Gilbert Lindsay Drive
- 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Onstage Presentations:
Design Innovation Stage
Sustainability Stage
Demonstration Stage
- 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Family Photo Shoots by Infiniti, Modern Family Zone
SUNDAY, 6/24
- 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Registration Desk Open, West Hall
- 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Dwell on Design Conference & Exhibition Programming
- 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Onstage Presentations:
Design Innovation Stage
Sustainability Stage
Demonstration Stage
- 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Family Photo Shoots by Infiniti, Modern Family Zone
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Dwell West Side Home Tour
Ticket Headquarters: Lincoln Dealership, Santa Monica
Featured on Curbed Real Estate Blog!
June 7, 2012 by The Noel Team · Leave a Comment
Our listing on 2434 25th Street in Santa Monica was recently featured on Curbed, a highly entertaining and prominent real estate blog, and we’re ecstatic about it!
Celebs in West Hollywood’s Sierra Towers!
November 3, 2011 by The Noel Team · Leave a Comment
We all know that Los Angeles and Hollywood house celebrities, but it’s not always clear where. You may think this picture is a bit on the celebrity stalker side, but why not call it a fulfillment of curious inquiries?
Sierra Towers is a convenient spot for celebs to live as it is located on Doheny Road, adjacent to Beverly Hills, near studios. Acting as a high-rise condominium building, it provides comfort and luxury to anyone staying there.
What the West Side's A-Brewin' this Halloween
October 26, 2011 by The Noel Team · Leave a Comment
Events & Tips for a FUN and SAFE Halloween in West LA.
This Halloween, like every other, celebrators want to enjoy themselves and have fun. Am I wrong? There’s trick-or-treating, watching scary movies, costume parties, parades, open fire stations and endless other activities made for this special night. Let’s all try to keep this holiday a day that holds happy memories and a day we look forward to by practicing easy safety precautions. Here are several tips to stay safe that I’ve found and learned throughout the years:
Safety for Parents and their Children:
- Add decorative glow sticks, reflecting tape, glow in the dark paint, etc. to your child’s dark colored costume. This way you can easily spot him or her while trick-or-treating or going through a haunted house in the dark. It would be a good idea to give them a whole flashlight as well.
- Make sure the costume fits. You never know when a child or someone else can trip on a dragging piece of cloth.
- Try to avoid getting your child a full faced mask. If you do, make sure the holes are large to provide optimal vision and breathing.
- Give your child a little card or bracelet with your contact info on it in case he or she gets lost.
- Make sure to check their bag of candies and other goodies before they indulge in them. Trash any open edible items.
Safety Tips for Post Trick-or-Treating Time (aka for Adults that like to go out)
- Don’t drink and drive. Take a cab or have a responsible designated driver.
- Take precaution in front of people in police costumes (they might actually be an officer).
- Charge your cell phone before hand in case you get separated from your friends or accidentally stranded somewhere.
- It wouldn’t hurt to carry an extra ID and spare cash.
- The buddy system isn’t always for kids. Go out with a friend.
- If you plan on going anywhere alone, bring mace unless you’re a 3rd degree black belt or 300 lb wrestler.
Family Fun and Friendly Events in West Los Angeles
Mar Vista:
Farmer’s Market Halloween Festival
Scare Fair at Richland Ave. Elementary School
(Found on www.MarVistaMom.com)
Santa Monica:
Halloween Hullabaloo at Santa Monica Playhouse: click for details
All You Can Carry Pumpkin Patch: http://www.smgov.net/portals/farmersmarket/
Pumpkin Decorating: http://www.smgov.net/portals/farmersmarket/
Pet Halloween Parade & Contest: http://www.unleashthebeach.org/2011/10/doggie-halloween-parade.html
Halloween Costume Parade on Montana:
October 31, 2011 3pm-6pm
Montana Ave from 6th to 17th Streets
The 4th annual Montana Avenue Halloween Hop on Monday October 31st, 2011 from 3 – 6 pm. The Halloween Hop provides a safe and fun way for families to parade on Montana Ave from 6th to 17th streets and show off their Halloween costumes while getting treats from participating businesses.
20th Annual PAL-loween
October 31, 2011
Barker Hangar
Pal-loween provides a fun and safe place for kids to be on Halloween, featuring costume contests, trick-or-treating, games family fun and more!
Halloween Celebration at The Market at Santa Monica Place
October 31, 2011 3:30pm-5:30pm
The Market (3rd level Dining Deck) | (310) 260-8333
Join us for a Family-friendly Halloween pre-party before sundown. Fun activities and entertainment for children, plus specials throughout The Market.
Haunted Theater Party at M.I.’s Westside Comedy Theater
October 31, 2011 8-12am
1323-A 3rd Street Promenade | (310) 451-0850
Grab your capes and jump on your broomsticks for Westside Comedy’s Haunted Theater! October 31st starting at 8 PM M.i.’s Westside Comedy Theater will play host to a parade of ghosts, ghouls and goblins as they transform their comedy club into a Haunted Theater! The club will celebrate Halloween with music, a horribly funny comedy show, a costume contest, plus more!
Trick or Treat at Santa Monica Library
October 31, 2011
Santa Monica Public Library Branches | (310) 458-8600
Come in costume and receive a spooky prize! Visit any Santa Monica library during open hours on Halloween to get your treat. For kids and teens only, while supplies last.
21+ Halloween Events
Friday, Oct 28, 6-11PM, FREE
A large section of Santa Monica Blvd. will be closed, but restaurants, bars and clubs that line this popular street will stay open.
