Stone Mountain Estates is one of the unique communities within San Diego County. A gated, private road winds 1/3 of a mile up to this beautiful 2008 custom-built home situated on top of a mountain. This property sits on a sprawling 8.75 acres with 360-degree panoramic views of the San Vicente Country Club, Golf Course, mountains and surrounding valleys. The estate home sits all by itself affording complete privacy and security. The home contains a large 3-car garage (1,200 sq ft), plus additional parking to accommodate up to 50 vehicles. It is fully equipped for RV parking with electrical, water and sewer hookups. A 10,000-watt photovoltaic system meets almost all the home’s electrical needs. Additional features include a large patio with stoned Entertainment Island (BBQ grill, sink and refrigerator), gas fire pit and artificial putting green. Enjoy the benefits of living in the San Diego Country Estates without being part of the association and fees. This single story custom home features four bedrooms, and two and one half bathrooms for a total of 3,975 sq ft of living space.

Touring the inside of this majestic home will leave you breathless as you enter the foyer with 3-dimensional arch and a floor made of five different travertine stones in a sunburst pattern. Stonework and arches accent the spacious interior. The great room is 22’_x_32’ with a large gas fireplace and a 65” plasma television hanging over the fireplace and mantel. The surround sound stereo system and alcove pop-outs with windows complete a magnificent living area. This home features spectacular unobstructed views from all public rooms. Exterior walls are made from Insulated Concrete Form technology providing for stoned-in, deep windowsills of 14” – 17” to frame the panoramic views. The large gourmet kitchen features strategically arranged stainless steel appliances with 6’ x 12’ Center Island complete with a farmer’s porcelain sink. The counters and backsplashes are made out of two different, complimentary types of granite. There is also a Pot Filler spigot by the stove and a unique Appliance Garage. All cabinets are custom built with “full pull-out drawers” and “soft-close doors”. The huge walk-in Pantry has deep extension drawers and shelves. The Master Bedroom occupies the East Wing with a fireplace and 50” plasma television and surround sound system. Step out on the private veranda for breakfast and incredible views. Guest Bedroom and Guest Bath guarantee luxury for visitors. Both the Master and Guest showers feature a shower massage and a separately controlled rain head, and wet and dry benches. 3rd and 4th Bedrooms offer exquisite views of the surrounding countryside.

This is a property that truly needs to be seen. An esoteric blend of Tuscan, Ranch and Modern architectural styles, this home and property can handle large groups for entertainment or could serve equally well as a bed & breakfast. Its’ privacy and security are unequalled in the area. This truly is a retreat for the most discerning of buyers.

Visit 16240CaminoArriba.com for more information.

Living in this 20-story luxury condominium building will alter your thinking regarding condominium living.  224 wonderfully-crafted units are located in the Regatta, each with floor-to-ceiling aqua-tinted windows overlooking the harbor, ocean and valley.

Located in beautiful Marina del Rey, the Regatta is luxurious living at its best.  Walk around Marina del Rey on a lovely afternoon, shopping in the upscale shops and eating at one of the gourmet restaurants.  Take a stroll along the beach or settle for a dinner cruise around the largest man-made small-boat harbor in the world.  With easy access to the freeway you are never far from Los Angeles or its International Airport.  In short, Marina del Rey is located perfectly for the on-the-go professional who wants quiet seclusion at night.

24-hour security with a long list of amenities awaits you at the Regatta. Included in your ownership are a concierge, fitness center, Olympic-sized heated pool, health spa, sundecks, large balconies, screening room, conference center, porter service and valet parking.

As if that is not enough each residence has exquisite maple cabinetry, granite countertops and Grohe and Kohler fixtures.  Bedrooms and bathrooms are large and comfortable and everything was designed by GMP Architects insuring the finest in living accommodations.

Call us today if what you seek is a quiet retreat close by the heartbeat of Los Angeles.  Living in the Regatta signifies that you have arrived and arrived in style.  We are standing by to assist you should you like to see one of these fine residences or any other isn the Marina del Rey area.

Ikem Chukumerije specializes in luxury residential real estate in Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, Westwood, Brentwood, and West Hollywood. Contact Ikem at 323-350-8297 if you’re looking to buy or sell in these communities.

Located in the beautiful city of Marina del Rey, California, Cove Condominium is a 19-story tower with 138 residences in a variety of floor plans and sizes.

Marina del Rey is known for its quiet lifestyle and its man-made small-boat harbor; in fact this is the largest such harbor in the world and as you would expect there is a wide-variety of water sports and boating opportunities available to the residents of this community.

Would you like to go fishing? Maybe a walk around town and then a harbor cruise?  You can take private sailing charters or dinner cruises and shop at the easily accessible shops and restaurants.  Maybe you would like a night on the town in Los Angeles? No problem as Marina del Rey has easy access to the freeway system and should you need a quick trip to LAX you will be ten minutes away.

One of the lovely features of the Cove is the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer luscious views of the ocean, harbor or mountains.  Large balconies await you for entertaining on a warm summer night or entertain inside after preparing your meal in the gourmet kitchens complete with Studio Becker cabinets, Bosch appliances and granite countertops.

The bedrooms have large walk-in closets and the bathrooms all have spa-like marble and stone baths with Kohler fixtures.

Amenities include 24-hour security, valet and front desk attendant.  Also included are:

• Coffee bar
• Guest suites
• Conference room
• Resort-style swimming pool
• Hot tub
• Recreation lounge
• Barbeque patio bar
• Library
• Gym

Residential condominiums range in size from 749-3,848 square feet and include some of the nicest floor plans you will find in the Southern California area.

If you are tuned into the Los Angeles scene either for work or play but prefer a quieter residential area then the Cove at Marina del Rey is the place for you.  Give us a call for a private showing or if you just have questions regarding this fabulous facility.

Ikem Chukumerije specializes in luxury residential real estate in Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, Westwood, Brentwood, and West Hollywood. Contact Ikem at 323-350-8297 if you’re looking to buy or sell in these communities.

Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, said yesterday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that buying single-family homes is such a great investment right now, if it were practical, he’d buy a couple hundred thousand of them. Given how low rates are for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgages (3.95 percent, according to the Freddie Mac Mortgage Index), Buffett told CNBC’s Becky Quick that homes, held over the long term, provide a better investment than stocks. If you factor in that prices in some areas are at a 10-year low and inventory levels are high, the conditions are  ideal for buying.

While the “Omaha Oracle” has been right about a lot of investments, his opinion on housing hasn’t always been on the mark. At last year’s annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting, he said 2011 was going to be the year that housing prices were going to rebound. In a letter to his shareholders sent last weekend, he apologized for being “dead wrong.” He explained his belief that housing is a sound investment at least in part the inventory of new homes isn’t growing at a rate that will satisfy future demand. People living with their in-laws to save money, he quipped, will find that attractive for only so long.

You have to give Buffett credit for putting his money where his mouth is. Home Services of America Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate, is one of the largest independent residential real estate and settlement servicing companies in the U.S. While Buffett wouldn’t comment completely on Berkshire Hathaway’s stake with each of the banks, the fund actively invests in them. He says if he could own only one bank stock right now, it would be Wells Fargo.

Ikem Chukumerije specializes in luxury residential real estate in Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, Westwood, Brentwood, and West Hollywood. Contact Ikem at 323-350-8297 if you’re looking to buy or sell in these communities.

The time has come to put your home on the market, hopefully for a quick sell.  You do the necessary repairs, you find yourself a real estate agent you can work with and you sign the contract and you are ready to sell, right?

Not so fast!  In case you haven’t noticed there are quite a few homes on the market right now and not all of them are selling quickly.  These are down times for sellers in this market and many homes are sitting on the market for months without even entertaining an offer.  With so many homes available for sale don’t you think it would be wise to do everything you can to make your home presentable?

Staging is one of those ways to make your home stand out in a crowded real estate market.  Think in terms of what you do when you are searching for a job and you get your first job interview.  You clean yourself up, put on your best “success” clothes, get a haircut, brush your teeth….in other words, you are staging yourself.  Never underestimate the importance of appearance in selling a home.  Just because all the repairs have been made does not mean your home is going to sell.  Your home may even be priced for a quick sale and yet it will sit for months without serious offers.  What you need to do….what you must do….is make your home stand out in the crowd, and staging is how you do that.

There are professional staging companies who will handle all of this for you; at SportsRelocation.com we are in contact with the best staging companies and they will be glad to take over and make your home a showcase.  However, some homeowners prefer to do it themselves and for those of you who are willing to put in the time and effort this article is for you.

Staging the Outside:  Have a good friend go outside with you; go stand on the curb and take a look at your home and property.  Now, put yourself into the shoes of a prospective buyer.  What do you see?  If you were buying this house what do you see that turns you off? Is the paint chipped and peeling?  Is the lawn unmowed and are the flowerbeds in need of weeding? Are the leaves spread all over the yard? Do the bushes need trimming?  All of these things count when it comes to first impressions by buyers. If your home is not welcoming at first glance you may have lost a buyer before they ever walk into your home.

Staging the Porch and Entryway:  Again, first impressions count!  Clutter is your enemy, as are spider webs and toys left unattended.  Spruce this area up because you want the prospective buyers to really want to enter that home.

Staging Livingroom and Family Room:  If the house doesn’t feel warm and inviting then forget about trying to sell it.  Buyers want warm fuzzies when they are in a house because they are envisioning their family in that house.  Good vibes?  Bad vibes?  Warm colors are nice; get rid of clutter; get rid of knick knacks; start a fire in the fireplace; put pleasing scents in the house; candles are great; worn furniture needs to be removed.

Staging the Kitchen:  One of the most important rooms in the house to buyers is the kitchen.  Make it sparkle!  Get rid of clutter; open curtains and polish chrome and stain cabinets and upgrade knobs and handles if the ones you currently have look worn.  Set the table and add flowers!  Buyers will envision themselves preparing meals and eating in there so it had better look inviting.

Staging the Bathroom:  This is a deal-breaker so get on it!  There is nothing worse than a bathroom that leaves you feeling gross.  Scrub, scrub and then scrub some more.  New shower curtains are a must, as is an attack on mold and stains and rust and whatever else would turn off a buyer.

Staging the Bedrooms: Comfort, comfort and more comfort.  There should be lots of warm fuzzies in the bedroom.  The beds should look inviting and plush and warm and capable of taking away stress.  Limit furniture if possible so the bedrooms look larger.  Paint walls a soft color; bedrooms are for relaxing in and not for being attacked by loud colors.  Clean out those closets by limiting the clothes in them; organize the hanging clothes in the closet and get rid of knick knacks on the counters.

Here is the bottom line about staging:  Once you and your friends take a look at your house, playing the part of a buyer, and once you have made an honest appraisal of what it will take to make the home attractive, you will have taken a large step towards selling your home.  Remember, the competition is stiff out there and you are your home’s greatest advocate.

As always, if we at SportsRelocation.com can be of any assistance please give us a call.

Ikem Chukumerije specializes in luxury residential real estate in Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, Westwood, Brentwood, and West Hollywood. Contact Ikem at 323-350-8297 if you’re looking to buy or sell in these communities.

In other words, despite the recent struggles in today’s economy, Americans consider owning a home still to be a part of the American Dream.  Despite the fact that many people are hesitant to buy right now because of all the recent foreclosure news, there is no doubt that this is a great time to consider buying.

Freddie Mac just announced that the 30-year fixed loan interest rate matched the all-time lowest this month at 3.94%, and with mean prices down in most major markets this truly is a buyer’s market.  Still, caution should be used if you are considering this major financial investment.  Before beginning your real estate search ask yourself the following questions:

• What is important to me?  Do I want a home in a good school district?  Near conveniences? With acreage? Near freeway access?  Tree-lined streets?  Do I want to do yardwork or is a condo a better option?
• What can I afford? This of course depends on income, credit rating, monthly expenses, downpayment and interest rate.
• Do I want a fixer-upper?  Remember that a fixer-upper may mean a low sales price but it also means large repair investment.  What kind of neighborhood do I want to live in?  Is there a history of distressed sales in the neighborhood?  There are few things worse than having a beautiful home in a horrible neighborhood, a black mark on your investment that you have no control over.
• Choose a real estate agent.  We all start out with a wish list; which items on the list can you do without? Which are deal-breakers? Discuss this with your real estate agent and let them find a home for you within your established parameters.  And make sure you deal with an agent who is established in the area you wish to live in; in other words, make sure they have a solid track record in that area.  Your real estate agent is working for you; it is in their best interest to do a good job for you; find one you are comfortable with and who comes highly recommended.

Good times to make a home-buying investment for sure but you still need to do your homework.  Do not let the allure and excitement of buying a home make you forget to do your pre-buying footwork.  With so many distressed properties, foreclosures and short sale properties on the market there is no reason in the world to rush into such a major decision.

My best word of advice: take your time, know exactly what you want and be prepared so that when you do find the home there are no nagging details that will slow up the final transaction.  If I can be of any assistance please give me a call.

Ikem Chukumerije specializes in luxury residential real estate in Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, Westwood, Brentwood, and West Hollywood. Contact Ikem at 323-350-8297 if you’re looking to buy or sell in these communities.

• Should we keep our property on the real estate market or take it off?
• Do we list now, wait until after the first of the year, or hold off until spring?

In the past, conventional wisdom said you shouldn’t try to sell a home during the holidays. However, the old thinking doesn’t really apply any longer — thanks to the Internet and hectic lifestyles as well as traditional rules of supply and demand.

Whether to sell or not at the end of the year has to do with your particular situation and market. But in general, here’s some real estate advice about why you should consider listing your home during the holidays, or even in January.

SOURCE: © Royalty-Free/Corbis

Buyers are always looking for properties online

Historically, potential home buyers felt that the holidays were too hectic for home shopping. They were preoccupied with planning parties, cooking meals, buying presents or planning vacations. Going out with a real estate agent to look at properties conflicted with a busy holiday schedule. This made perfect sense — before the Internet, smart phones, and tablets came along.

In my opinion, traditional buying and selling seasons have evolved as a result of instant, ubiquitous access to property listings. Someone who is serious today about buying real estate is always looking. They may check out the latest listings on their Zillow iPad app before bed or while waiting for their kid’s soccer game to end.

Our hectic lifestyles also play a role. Often, serious buyers are working hard and not shifting into holiday mode until the last minute. Even during the holiday break, they’re squeezing in work. They’re already staying “on the grid,” so why not continue monitoring the real estate listings in their area too?

The inventory — and the competition — is usually lighter during the holidays

Despite our always-on access to property listings today, there’s still a lingering perception that the year-end holidays aren’t a good time to list a home. Similarly, if your property has been sitting on the market for months, conventional wisdom says to give it a rest during the holidays. Given these factors, we end up seeing the inventory for good homes tighten up this time of year. But buyers are still out there looking at real estate and no doubt wishing there were more properties available.

In fact, if I have a seller who has been talking about selling, is truly motivated, is flexible on timing, and has a home that truly sparkles, I often suggest they list right after Thanksgiving. There’s still a window of several weeks to get buyers into your home before the end of the year. And those buyers flipping through listings at their kid’s soccer game will be so excited to see something new and awesome hitting the market — especially if there’s a lack of good inventory in their area. Those motivated soccer moms and dads are the ones who’ll take the time to see your home, regardless of what the calendar says.

Home been on the market too long? This could be a great time to lower the price or change your strategy

If your property has been sitting on the market for months, most buyers and their agents will see it as stale or overpriced and disregard it — no matter how great it is or how light the competition currently is.

In that scenario, it’s time to take action, and the year-end holidays can be a golden opportunity to shift course. Making a dramatic price reduction or overcoming some major obstacle that has been preventing the sale might be just the right thing to do this time of year. If you had lower offers early on but you weren’t ready to accept them, or you keep hearing that there are issues with the way your property shows, this could be your chance to show the market you’re listening and serious about selling. The motivated buyers will notice you and take a look.

You even stand a chance of getting a sale closed before the end of the year; I’ve seen it happen. As always, before you make any big changes, talk it over with your real estate agent.

Don’t want to be bothered during the holidays? List your property in January

Admittedly, the thought of keeping the house clean, holding open houses, and vacating to accommodate last-minute showings during the holidays is a deal killer for some. If so, consider listing your property after New Year’s Day.

Traditionally, we don’t see much inventory coming on the market in January. It’s cold in most places, and many sellers prefer to wait until the spring, a more conventional time to sell. As a result, we don’t see much inventory in January. And yet, each January my phone rings with new buyers wanting to get into the market. Or I’ll hear from on-the-fence buyers who may have lost interest earlier in the year and are now suddenly motivated again.

There’s something about the beginning of a new year that galvanizes people. The motivation to buy could be due to year-end tax planning, with buyers seeing how much they owe and how owning a home could help. It could be because of New Year’s resolutions to finally stop spending money on rentals and invest in property. Maybe a rich relative gave them money for a down payment (wouldn’t that be nice?).

Whatever the motivation, for sellers it means one thing: There can be an increase in demand at a time when inventory is traditionally low — resulting in less competition from other sellers. If you’re motivated to sell your home, you’ll have an even more “captive” audience in January.

Author:Brendon DeSimone

Ikem Chukumerije specializes in luxury residential real estate in Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, Westwood, Brentwood, and West Hollywood. Contact Ikem at 323-350-8297 if you’re looking to buy or sell in these communities.

To watch the HGTV episode you can go to http://www.hgtv.com/video/going-the-extra-mile-video/index.html.  I think the show accurately depicted the behind-the-scenes activity associated with listing and ultimately selling a home.  You are shown the initial meeting with the sellers, the discussion of possible listing price and necessary staging to make the homes presentable, the open house for brokers, continued discussions with sellers about price adjustment and the joys and disappointments inherent when a serious buyer is found or when buyers are not found.

What I also really appreciated about the show was how the personal aspect of selling a home was brought to the surface.  I know for me this is not just about business.  Working closely with buyers or sellers becomes an emotional undertaking.  Sellers have invested a great deal of time and effort into their homes and they inevitably attach those emotions to their idea of a reasonable selling price.  Buyers, on the other hand, have a pretty clear picture of what they want and what they are willing to pay.  This is a huge investment for them and they are understandably cautious and discriminating when looking for a home.

This is the aspect of real estate that I have so enjoyed over the years.  As a real estate broker in the Marina Del Rey area, as well as all of the L.A. Westside, I have had the opportunity over the years to meet some incredible people from all walks of life.  For me, real estate is about people, not property.  The better I can get to know my client the better chance I have of helping them attain their dreams and that, ultimately, is our goal.

If you are interested in buying or selling a home in the Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, or Playa Vista area please give me a call.  Let’s sit down and discuss your goals and dreams.  We will get to know each other, establish a bond and understanding, and then I will call upon my years of experience and make it happen.

Ikem Chukumerije specializes in luxury residential real estate in Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, Westwood, Brentwood, and West Hollywood. Contact Ikem at 323-350-8297 if you’re looking to buy or sell in these communities.

Source: IMDb

Apparently, an umbrella wasn’t enough to cover the reported leaks in Rihanna’s home.

According to Real Estalker, the Barbados-born singer is ready to get rid of her modern mansion and has officially listed the property as a short sale for $4.5 million.

Although she bought the home for $6.9 million, apparently she doesn’t mind losing a few million. After all, the singer is hoping to recoup some costs through a lawsuit she has already filed against the builder, previous owner, home inspector and real estate agents involved in the sale.

Rihanna claims that the home was poorly constructed and has had numerous of water leaks causing serious damage. She, and her legal team believe that the previous owner knew about the defects when Rihanna bought the property in 2009. If Rihanna did, in fact, perform due diligence in purchasing the property and existing problems were not disclosed, then, in the state of California as in many other states, she would have a case.

Although the home was previously described as a “stunning, brand new development” when Rihanna purchased it, the new listing doesn’t hide the property’s current description:

Home is a MAJOR fixer with EXTENSIVE water intrusion (but not limited to) roof, windows, doors and balconies. There is EXTENSIVE damage from moisture AND water intrusion. The home is being sold strictly AS-IS and will be subject to a short-sale.”

The 8-bedroom, 10-bathroom home backs up to undeveloped property on a hill overlooking Los Angeles. High-end amenities include a sauna and steam room, library, gourmet kitchen, enormous master suite and private home theater– although whether any of those features are salvageable remains to be seen.

With Rihanna’s current success — the Grammy award-winning singer has achieved “twenty Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles” — she probably won’t have any trouble picking up a new celeb-worthy piece of real estate.

Ikem Chukumerije specializes in luxury residential real estate in Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, Westwood, Brentwood, and West Hollywood. Contact Ikem at 323-350-8297 if you’re looking to buy or sell in these communities.