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Al Jolson’s Encino Home

Encino Celebrity home for sale

By: Joan Duffy

The man who was dubbed as the first openly Jewish man in Hollywood once lived at 4875 Louise Ave Encino. Jolson moved to Encino from New York to allegedly become a gentleman farmer raising cows, chickens, walnuts, and oranges. Jolson was married to Ruby Keeler at the time and they soon adopted a baby boy. They began remodeling and soon turned the five-acre plot of land into a place where Jolson could rehearse for movies and musicals.

It wasn’t long before Jolson’s career flopped and his marriage failed. For several years, however, Jolson served as honorary mayor of Encino and President of its Chamber of Commerce. He remarried, and lived in his Louise street home until his death in 1950. Since then, it’s changed hands many times. Charlie Sheen’s trust bought from Katey Sagal, who bought it from Kirstie Alley in 1997.

This legendary property is currently listed at $6,950,000. To view more photos on the property, check out the property video below:

Estate Agent:
Joan Duffy
cel:310.995.0900

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tags: al jolson, celebrity homes for sale encino, Encino Homes, Katey Sagal, Kirstie Alley

Get Your Hat On for Summer!

Time to “Get Your Hat On”!

By: Michelle Tepper

Hats are not just for the sun! Sure they offer some protection, but most of us are in the habit of wearing sunscreen on a daily basis to the point where we have let the stylish twist that a hat can offer go by the wayside.  Sick of wearing the same old pair of jeans and tank for summer?  Try adding a large brimmed hat with a flower attached!  Even if your white summer pants are feeling a little dingy, a denim bucket hat adds the perfect touch of style to any summer outfit.  Need to save $150 of highlights?  A sensible hat for $40 will save you a week on those roots that are coming in.  Hats also enhance your eyes and smile!  Amy Ward, a photographer and make-up artist who owns her own studio (Award Studio) in Burbank, CA has launched her latest venture http://awardmillinerydesign.com/.  Amy creates beautiful and deliciously playful, yet stylish hats from antique wooden block forms.  Her current favorite is a take on a mad hatter style and she dresses it up with a generous ribbon of thule and a flower – the perfect accessory for a summer dress!

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tags: amy, award, Encino Homes, hats

Lagotek Home Intelligence Platform Adds Cell Phone Support

Offers home control functionality on cell phones, adds support for Lagotek’s new universal distribution device, the Lagotek HIP25, enables Intercom functionality.

By: Brian Pane

Many know about the Home Intelligence Platform that allows home owners to control their home automation systems with their cell phones. Owners can view what is going on with their homes anywhere in the world. Integration with Lagotek’s new universal distribution device, the Lagotek HIP 25 makes it easy to distribute and access audio through home Ethernet.

CEO of Lagotek Eugene Luskin states, “The features offered by version 3.3 make Lagotek’s system one of the most advanced Home Automation solutions available today and its cell phone integration makes it stand out in the crowd. With its new functionality, Lagotek’s Home Intelligence Platform provides the best value for the money. From home to home, community to community, automation will be in every home in the near future.”

In the spirit of this Intelligence platform, I have a listing on 4530 Havenhurst Ave. that is installing this system.  The home is currently under construction and scheduled for completion in June 2010. With 6,500 sq ft main house, 3 car garage, gym, sports court and pool house, this place has it all. To find out more details, email me here.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tags: 4530 havenhurst, Encino Homes, homes in encino

How to be a Smart Buyer

By: Michelle Tepper

1. Check your credit report and score

You’ve clicked through hundreds of online listings, compared floor plans and square footage, and are eager to jump-start your search. But before you even think of setting foot in an open house or calling a licensed Realtor, make sure you get a copy of your credit report. The cleaner your credit report and the higher your credit score, the more likely you are to be preapproved for a mortgage at a low interest rate.

Review your credit report a few months before you begin your house hunt, and you’ll have time to ensure the facts are correct and dispute mistakes before a mortgage lender checks your credit. You can access a free copy of your credit report at annualcreditreport.com once every 12 months.

2. Get Pre-approved

After you’ve assessed your credit report, it’s time to establish with a qualified lender how much you can afford. “First-time home buyers need to take the time to get an approval from their lender before looking at homes,” advises Ray Boss Jr., a six-year licensed Realtor with RE/MAX Realty Group in Maryland. “This includes getting a credit check and giving their lender a copy of W-2s, pay stubs, and bank and brokerage statements.” Getting preapproved can help you save time by looking for homes that you know you can afford instead of lusting after something out of your price range. And it will put you in a better position over another bidder with no preapproval.

3. Not creating a long-term budget

If the housing crisis proved anything, it’s that mortgages were given to people who clearly did not have the means to pay them back. To avoid making this mistake, home buyers should create a budget before even beginning their home search to determine just how much house they can really afford. A good rule of thumb is to devote no more than a third of your monthly household income to housing costs, which include mortgage principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. “A good number would be 30 percent,” Zandi says. “If you are over 35 percent, you are really pushing the envelope.” There are several work sheets available online to help you figure out how your income, debts, and expenses affect what you can afford each month for the next 15 or 30 years.

4. Forgetting about the hidden costs

You grossly underestimated what you can afford to pay each month. You factored in the purchase price of the home but didn’t consider the cost of taxes, insurance, utilities, and fees. There are several hidden costs that first-time home buyers neglect to prepare for. They can be anything from the closing costs to appraisal fees, escrow fees, homeowner’s insurance fees, property taxes, and even moving costs. Another factor is the cost of repairs and maintenance. “When you’re renting and the furnace goes out, what do you do? You call the landlord,” says Tom Vanderwell, mortgage officer for Fifth Third Bank in Michigan. “When you own a house, what do you do? You have to fix it yourself.” You may find there are numerous “nickel and dime” things to account for that could add up to a significant chunk of money over time.

5. Not using professional help

Sure, it’s possible to go out and buy a home without the aid of a professional real estate agent. But think about how much time and stress a good agent can save you. For starters, Realtors have access to all the homes on the market through the multiple listing service, or MLS, plus all the ones that are under contract and have been sold. A specialist has time to sift through all of these listings, says Boss, and make the appointments to show you the houses, create comparative market analyses to determine proper pricing, and meet with necessary inspectors. Real estate agents also can help buyers traverse a taxing, 70-page legal contract. “I would want someone who is going to look out for my interests first and foremost,” says Boss. “Someone who knows the contracts, who has experience negotiating, and who can walk me through the entire process smoothly–step by step–and make sure I get the house that’s right for me.”

6. Picking your real estate agent and lender blindly

“One of the mistakes a lot of people make is finding a Realtor they aren’t comfortable with,” says Boss. Begin your search at the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents, a nonprofit that represents buyers. Or ask relatives, friends, neighbors, and coworkers for referrals.

First-time home buyers, Boss says, are generally more time-consuming than the average buyer and require more attention. A good real estate agent will be friendly and accommodating, show only homes that fit your parameters, and help you with strategies during the bidding process–but never pressure you into something you’re not comfortable with. “It’s important that the Realtor be experienced with first-time buyers, understand their wants and needs, and be able to connect with them well,” says Boss.

Similarly, the buyers should feel at ease with and have complete confidence in their mortgage lender, and they should fully discuss and understand their financing options with that lender. “Don’t apologize for asking questions,” says Vanderwell, who stresses the importance of knowing what you’re getting into. “There’s a pretty substantial chunk of people who are in really rough straits right now and would not have been had they done their homework.”

7. Thinking you’ll get everything on your “wish list”

Another mistake people make is being too close-minded while searching for their home, says Boss. He suggests sitting down with your real estate broker before searching for a home and creating a need/want list. Some of the items you might want to include as “must haves” or deal breakers are the towns you’d want to live in, square footage, or accessibility to transportation. The second part of the list would be things you don’t necessarily need but wish to have, such as a garage, new kitchen appliances, or an extra room for an office. “As you search for your home, you may realize there are certain parameters you really want or don’t want,” says Boss. “Understand that a certain amount of flexibility is essential.” Your aim is to be able to afford everything you need–as well as some items you want–all while staying within a long-term budget.

8. Not keeping your feelings in check before hiring a home inspector

You’ve already chosen the perfect paint color to match your living room set. But hold on: Before you start picking out accent pillows for your sofa, you need to bring in a home inspector to check the safety of your potential new home. Inspectors will evaluate the structure, construction, and mechanical systems of the home and will give you the approximate price of repairs that may be needed. They will examine everything from the electrical system, water heater, and HVAC system to the foundation and floors.

Buyers should find and hire their own inspector–independent of the real estate broker–to ensure there isn’t a conflict of interest. When you make your offer, make sure the seller is aware that your offer is contingent on the house passing inspection. You can also add a clause to the contract stating that the seller will pay up to a certain amount for any repairs required as a result of the inspection.

[See the 5 Best--and 5 Worst--Home Improvement Projects for Your Money.]

9. Not researching your neighborhood

You may be living in your dream home, but your neighborhood’s a nightmare. Or you may have children or are planning to have children in the near future, but you didn’t consider the quality of the school districts or parks in the vicinity. You should ask yourself a number of questions during your home search, such as “Are there good schools nearby?” and “Do I feel safe coming home at night?”

Boss suggests that if schools are an important factor, you should go check them out personally. Speak with the principals or the parents waiting on the steps outside to pick up their kids. To learn more about the community, open up the local newspaper, Boss says. You can find out about community events or even how good the local high school football team is. Today’s buyers can gather all sorts of neighborhood information from real estate blogs and websites like Zillow and Trulia. (U.S. News has a partnership with Trulia.) “It is the responsibility of the buyer to check crime reports, school options, churches, and shopping,” says Boss. “Remember, you can change your house, but you can’t change the neighborhood.”

10. Not considering the resale value of your home

You’ve just started the home-buying process. The prospect of selling a home hasn’t even crossed your mind. Besides, you’re thinking you might live in whatever home you buy forever. Yet life is full of surprises, whether it is a job transfer or having another child or taking care of an incapacitated relative.

When the time comes to put your house on the market, will your home be easy or difficult to sell? While you’re on the hunt, it’s a good idea to account for preferences of the typical home buyer. Just because you love to landscape or enjoy a bright-pink backsplash doesn’t mean a prospective buyer will. “How we make our plans initially has a big impact on our ability to adjust those plans and to deal with whatever comes our way,” says Vanderwell.

Taken from an article in Yahoo! Real Estate

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tags: Amestoy Estates, buying a home, Encino Homes, Encino Real Estate, first time home buyer

Tree People Planting in Amestoy Estates, Encino – Come join us!

Tree People Planting

Tree People

By: Michelle Tepper

Saturday, February 6th
Join us planting 29 trees Jacaranda and Crepe Myrtle and other trees donated by the Tree People & City of LA on Otsego, Genesta, &
Magnolia Ave- Saturday, February 6th starting 9 am.
We are replacing trees that have fallen & need your help replanting and beautifying our neighborhood!
Come out and meet your neighbors. We’ll provide gloves, tools and drinks. All we need is YOU!
Date & Time: Saturday, February 6th -9 am
Meet Location: Julia & Bob Stein home 5101 Genesta Avenue
Encino, Ca 91316

RSVP Both: Tree People: www.treepeople.org/plant-trees-O
Steins: 818.905.1638

Thank you lunch sponsored by Organically Grown at Stein’s home after planting.
Hope you can make it!

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tags: Amestoy Estates, Amestoy Homes, Encino, Encino Homes, Tree People

Hand Me Ups in Encino

Hand Me Ups is a new children’s consignment store that just opened 3 months ago on Ventura Blvd. in the Amestoy Estates neighborhood.

By: Michelle Tepper

The three moms who own the store have based the store’s image on one of Eco-Prosperty – the notion that the store helps the community by allowing families to generate a few bucks by selling new and almost new items.  The items that don’t sell are donated to a charitable organization.  The store not only provides income for the owners, but for the building owners as well and at the same time, keeping Ventura Blvd. looking upbeat by filling up the empty store fronts. Eco-Prosperity works for everyone today.

This tidy and appealing second hand store definitely has first hand appeal.  The gently (or perhaps, never) used children’s clothing is neatly hung on racks – by size – yep, you heard me, by size!   Infant/Toddler sizes are displayed on the walls along with colorful accessories and toys.  From Juicy Couture and Flowers by Zoe to Gap and Gymboree, the selection is vast, but not overwhelming.  In addition to the consignment items, Hand Me Ups also sells 4 custom new lines of hand-made items, including clothing knit and crocheted by residents of the Jewish Home For the Aging.  Hand Me Ups is the perfect place to give your child some money and allow them to have their own shopping experience while doing “good” for our community.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tags: Amestoy Estates, Amestoy Homes, Encino Homes, encino kids, encino shopping, encino stores, Hand Me Ups, real estate for real living

For foodies from Sherman Oaks to Studio City!

Paint the town at Raphael

Raphael's

By: Deena Nissley

For a no-fail date in the 818, head to Raphael in Studio City, a polished-but-unpretentious bistro ideal for food snobs and picky eaters alike.  Look for a globetrotting spin on fine-dining staples, paired with a wine list diverse in both price and provenance. It’s all in a respectably modern room with some dressed-up touches, like a mirrored ceiling and crystal sconces.

Expect outstanding service and consistency from both the staff and the kitchen. A French-inspired poached apple salad with hazelnuts and ricotta stands out among the starters. Saffron gives Spanish flair to the pan-roasted chicken breast, which comes perfectly cooked alongside crispy prosciutto chips and potato croquettes. Vegans and vegetarians will appreciate an eggplant tart’s classic Greek flavors, while bread pudding with peanut butter ice cream, tempura-fried bananas and crumbled peanut brittle makes for an unstoppable dessert.

Raphael
11616 Ventura Blvd., Studio City (818) 505-3337
raphaelonventura.com

Price: 3 (out of 4) Noise: 1 (out of 4)
Parking: $5 valet
Scene: Studio foodies sick of sushi, plus a growing clientele of local couples and regulars, the majority of whom witnessed the 1970s.
Best bets: Apple salad; free-range pan-roasted chicken; eggplant tart
Hot seat: A front corner table keeps you out of waiter traffic and offers a street view.
Taste test: Make nice with the staff — they’re big on treating first-timers to freebies.
Nearby: Laurel Tavern; Firefly; The Fifth The Rundown’s restaurant reviews are based on anonymous visits by reporters, not press releases.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tags: Encino Homes, ewing and sotheby's, Ewing Sir, ewingsir, Raphael's, Sherman Oaks Homes, sotheby's, Studio City Homes

Haunted House Tour Near Amestoy Estates

Boo! Leave the kids at home and take a night out to visit your local haunted houses for a creepy crawly good time!

By: Michelle Tepper

If you want to stay close to your cozy Amestoy Estates Encino Home, then you don’t have to go too far.  Head on over to Pierce College and take your friends; you’ll need them to get through the haunted corn maze!
www.frightfair.com

Some of the Haunted Houses in the San Fernando Valley are really terrific…here are a few of my favorites…

A Reign Of Terror
Haunted House in Thousand Oaks
The Janss Marketplace 215 North Moorpark Rd. CA
The event will take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday October 22nd – 24th and October 29th – 31st The Haunted House will run from 7:00pm to 11:00pm. The Tickets are $10.00, all profits benefit Charity.
info

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
Haunted House in Calabasas CA
As tractor drawn hay-filled wagons make their way through the forest, scenes of pure horror await. You are in the deep, dark, haunted woods of the Gillette Ranch in the dead of night…
DON’T OPEN YOUR EYES.
Welcome to the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride.
www.losangeleshauntedhayride.com

You have to check this one out if you are in Santa Monica…
dates.html

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tags: A Reign Of Terror, Amestoy Estates, amestoy estates homes, Amestoy Homes, Encino Homes, haunted house, Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

Encino Water Main Break, Near Amestoy Estates

Another water main breaking — this time in Encino

Click here to see video Encino Water Main Explodes

By Michelle Tepper

The break occurred about 2:45 a.m. in the 5600 block of Wish Avenue. The cause of the break was not immediately clear.

Since Sept. 1, there have been more than 30 “major blowouts” in L.A.’s water system in which streets have flooded and pavement has buckled.

City engineers trying to determine what’s causing the water main bursts have been taking soil samples, sending pipe pieces to labs and performing a statistical analysis on each break. (How much is this costing us?)

But some experts said a prime suspect should be the city’s recent decision to allow sprinkling only on Mondays and Thursdays.

They said that if more water flows through the system on those two days, then pressure suddenly changes on other days, it could put added stress on already aging pipes. (Sounds logical)

But city engineers have expressed doubts about that theory and said they simply don’t know the cause. While major blowouts of mains is up, water main breaks overall in L.A. are down.

Story Courtesy of Shelby Grad, L.A. Now
Comments in parenthesis Courtesy of Michelle Tepper, Encino Home Sales Realtor

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Tags: Amestoy Estates, Amestoy Homes, Encino, Encino Homes, water main