Beverly Hills, CA Real Estate News

By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
 “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius is my go-to book any time of the day. As some of you that know me well are aware, I keep the book “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius within hand reach on my desk.  I find inspiration, solace and peace whenever I read a few quotes or chapters from this book.  You may or may not know that this Roman Emperor had no intention of publishing his great philosophical diary; instead, Marcus Aurelius wrote this for himself. It reminds me of being on our Active Rain platform.  We write for various reasons, sometimes to get future business and sometimes to get recognition from our fellow realtors on our achievements.  We also write to build connections and form referral relationships.  Over the years I have noticed that in spite of how the platform changed, friendshi...
Comments 15
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Memorial Day: Remember & Honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice....As most of you know Memorial Day is a federal holiday which honors and remembers the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U. S. Military. It is observed every year on the last Monday of May.Seems like almost every year I write a post and the message is always the same please do not confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day. I decided this year to write it sooner than later to get the word out.Here are some interesting historical facts about Memorial Day: Memorial Day began as Decoration Day and was started on May 5th, 1868. Memorial Day has only been observed on the last Monday of May since 1971. Memorial Day has its own unique flag etiquette. Waterloo, New York is considered the birthplac...
Comments 13
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Real Estate Marketing in Beverly Hills or for that matter anywhere: Is there a secret sauce?Well, initially I was reluctant to participate in this Challenge for many reasons, our friend  Marte Cliff   talked me into it.Did you ever wonder why is it that, when you go to a Michelin rated Restaurant or if  you just ate a superb meal at one of your favorite Restaurants and then you go home and try to recreate it and it does not turn out the same?This reminded me of real estate marketing. Why is it that you use the same Marketing Post Cards, the same letters to potential sellers as the super successful agent in your market place and the results are not the same.Let me give a little background before I answer the question. Depending on which statistic you read there is a consensus that somewh...
Comments 31
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Letting people know what you are doing for a profession can make or break your business. I find it is critical that we as Realtors get the word out to the public and let them know what we do for a living. At the same time, I find it important to project a professional image in the marketing. I am a bit reserved and a bit traditional to do some what others might consider “out of the box self-marketing”.A few weeks ago, I saw a car with the Real Estate Practitioner’s name, contact number and what he charges for commission plastered all over his modest car parked in a drive way. This inspired me to take the trouble and at different times on different days to drive by the same house. Interestingly I saw the same car in the driveway. Every time I happened to drive by it was in virtually the ...
Comments 73
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
 Do you like Dates: The fruit that is? Did you know where the United States ranks in the Date Palm Growing Regions of the Globe? Have you considered growing them?Well if you did not know the answers to the questions, do not feel bad, let me assure you neither did I.Having had to do some of the research I discovered that Egypt is the number one Country when it comes to Date Palm Productions. They are so far ahead in production in Metric Tons compared to the rest of the Globe it is hard to fathom. Let me just say, they produce about 19% of the Worlds Dates. Iran and Saudi Arabia come in second and third respectively. These three countries produce about 47% of the Globe’s Date Production. Truly amazing.The United States comes in with a mere 0.23% production of the world’s dates. Hence afte...
Comments 27
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Observations about various subjects by a Beverly Hills Realtor: Endre Barath, Jr.Since Father’s Day is about to close for 2018, I thought I would share some observations. In fairness to disclosure from early childhood on my views and thoughts were always considered more serious than other kids of the same age. My father used to joke and give me nicknames “the Oldman”, “old boy”, and” the dignified one” to name a few. I was always focused and serious until I graduated from High School. Then things changed I became more carefree and the list goes on and on, but that is for another post.As a Beverly Hills Realtor, I am entrusted with serious responsibilities to my clients. Our property price points go from the low end to the Ultra High End. Keep in mind buyers and seller in all price point...
Comments 48
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
As most of you who have been reading my posts know, that it has been a while since I had an Assistant. Quietly and unassumingly Jack has taken over the Duties.He spends the better part of the morning, afternoon and evenings in my office. He is a dedicated companion. Funny part is he takes breaks without me being interrupted. The only time he comes back and complains is when the food bowl is empty.I am amazed how intuitive he is. He comes over periodically just to break my chain of thoughts, if he thinks I am  not heading in the right direction. Just an FYI I am part of a very challenging Escrow, the Buyer is in Asia, the Sellers are in Nevada and the Property is about a 150 miles from Los Angeles. Normally I would not represent a buyer that far away, but I was asked to get involved when...
Comments 15
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Speechless Sundays: It is OK to east Sushi on Sunday and even on Monday. There has been so much bad information on the World Wide Web, take my word for it if you go to a good Sushi Restaurant or a Japanese or a good Asian Grocery Store you will always find the ingredients are fresh. Now with that said if you come over to our home and I am preparing Sushi & Sashimi take my word it will be fresh! Now if you do not want to take my word for it check with  Masaharu Morimoto ! Now does that look fresh? Rest assured it is!  If you are looking for a focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you achieve your Real Estate goals, please reach out to me directly!If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle and sell the most difficult prop...
Comments 25
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
If you are considering purchasing a home are you interested to know what the demographics of the neighborhood consists of? My take is that this question is usually secondary, the primary concern is if you like the home and can you see yourself living in it? Where do I come off with this idea? The answer is simple, let me use an example:In my market in the coveted 90210 zip code there is a home on the market for $135,000,000.00 indeed it is not a typo it is $135 million. Now with that said the house 12 bedrooms and 24 bathrooms and an approximate living square feet consisting of about 38,000 sq. ft. on a lot size of 225,516+/- sq. ft. of land.Now with that said what are the neighborhood demographics? Clearly if you can afford to buy a home in this price range you will be a minority as to...
Comments 36
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Some days I tend to be more philosophical and some days I like to share some of what I have been thinking about, other days, I just like to share a few quotes from people we all know and learned to respect. So, with that said enjoy these quotes and apply them in your life as you see fit. “Man’s mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions” Oliver Wendel Holmes“There can be no transformation of darkness into light and of apathy into movement without emotions” Carl Jung“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement & in the thrill of creative effort” FDR“Only in men’s imagination does every truth find an effective and undeniable existence. Imagination, not invention, is the supreme mast of art, as of life” Joseph Conrad“… Be more concerned with your character than yo...
Comments 23
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Most people think of Beverly Hills and they think of the Luxury and Ultra Luxury Homes. I bit less known Globally, but there are condominiums in Beverly Hills as well. They just do not get the exposure in the media. Needless to say I have listed and sold many Condominiums over the years. So if you are interested how the Condominium Market is doing please continue reading...  Just like other parts of Los Angeles have an inventory shortage. Beverly Hills, CA has a huge Condominium Shortage. Not only is the Global desirability that exists, but in addition to it the Beverly Hills School System is one of the Best in the Country and this has a huge draw to it.  Clearly when there is a huge demand and short supply the Days on Market will be very short. As you can see this is going to be a sell...
Comments 6
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Breaking News: I just have been installed as the new CEO of NAR. In case you are not familiar that is the National Association of Realtor and do not worry not NRA in other words, not the National Rifle Association.Now, if you are still reading this post, just to be clear, it was inspired by my friend  Debe Maxwell, CRS      for an Active Rain Challenge. The request was:  what would I do if I was the CEO of NAR?Well my answer is simple: the long-term goal would be to change the organization at the leadership level, not just preach, but also practice the principals of Higher Ethics. Just as the membership is required to practice so will the leadership be required to practice the principals of Higher Ethics. This Airborne Ranger Infantry CPT and twenty plus year member of NAR would on the ...
Comments 50
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
The California Housing Market: Honest it is not a conundrum! There is a simple solution to fix both the Housing Shortage and the Astronomical Prices.How many times have you heard or read that the California Real Estate Market is such a difficult housing market? The answer is so simple, it is due to the Housing Prices. In other words, it is all about the affordability in our state. Home prices have increased astronomically compared to the national averages. Why is that? Politicians and Housing Gurus are wringing their hands and the standard mantra:  We need to solve the Housing Shortage and help the Homeless Population.Just as a background I have been a greater Los Angeles Realtor for about 22+ years and I have heard this virtually every day “we need to study this problem” then after hun...
Comments 8
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
What makes a great International Realtor in Beverly Hills, CA. 90210This question becomes more and more prevalent as Beverly Hills continues to remain the Global Destination place for “the Global Elite”. I have to smile, when I see companies marketing and encouraging Realtors to put Alphabet Titles behind their names to justify that they can handle International Clients.I beg to differ, just by having taken a course does not make one an International Realtor. The title alone as being a designated International Specialist is not enough.Thanks to the Internet we are all marketing to the whole world, hence buyers, investors and relocation clients are watching our inventory and our price points.The Key to be a great International Realtor in Beverly Hill, CA must be summarized by the followi...
Comments 24
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
The Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Single Family  Market Trends Report for Beverly Hills, CA 90210 is published...Thursday May 31, 2018 : This week the median list price for Beverly Hills, CA 90210 is $6,095,500 with the market action index hovering around 27. This is about the same as last month's market action index of 27. Inventory has held steady at or around 200. Now keep in mind when inventory is holding steady that means for every property that is sold one is replaced by a new listing. Hence the Status Quo is maintained. So, what is the Market Action Index you might ask me?The Market Action Index answers the question "How's the Market?" by measuring the current rate of sale versus the amount of the inventory. Index above 30 implies Seller's Market conditions. Below 30, conditions favor ...
Comments 14
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Here is my suggestion for a Real Estate Contest aka Active Rain Challenge: What was  or is the most expensive and/or most controversial sale in your market place? As most of you who read my blog posts know I am a Berkshire Hathaway Beverly Hills Realtor and we have some Astronomical List and Sales Prices in our market.Now with that said everyone looks to Beverly Hills for huge prices and mega drama, but let’s be realistic. There are mega prices, mega dramas all over the country. There are fifty states in the United States and Active Rain is well represented in all fifty states.Hence, my contest recommendation is to: 1. Write about the most expensive sale in your market, 2. Make believe you are one of the sensationalistic News Outlets and share the “dirt” with us. 3. We would love to see...
Comments 43
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
 Fresh off the press:  In House Realty a Quicken Loans affiliate and a subsidiary of Rock Holdings Inc.  acquires ForeSalebyOwner.comInterestingly, or should I say ironically, yesterday I was commenting on a question about Quicken Loans. How ironic is it that, today I am reading a breaking news post, that Quicken Loans affiliate House Realty acquires ForeSalebyOwner.com?I had absolutely no respect before about Quicken Loans as a lending institution and particularly how they were conducting business. Hence, I found it interesting that some of my fellow Active Rain Members started saying nice things about this organization and how they have changed.Now with that said there is an old saying: One cannot change one’s essential nature. Just as an example, The Leopard cannot change its spots. ...
Comments 41
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Wordless Wednesdays: Boston here we come!!! Thanks to our friend Lisa Von Domek  with heavy arm twisting and conspiring with Diane it is indeed confirmed that we will be in Boston, MA...Now you know me not only can I not do a wordless post but it is hard to do a Boston, MA post without my Team being in the picture:)))) So with that said it will be here sooner that we would like!!! If you are considering relocating to the Los Angeles area, please reach out to me directly!! If you are looking for a focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you achieve your Real Estate goals, please reach out to me directly!If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle and sell the most difficult properties that no one else could, please reach ou...
Comments 41
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
The Last Spymaster a novel by Gayle Lynds: a Book Review by Endre Barath, Jr. a Beverly Hills Realtor.This book was published in 2006 and I have met the author on June 4th, 2006, sadly the book sat on my shelf for well let’s just say too long. Hence as some of you who read my blog post know I decided to focus on reading books that we bought a while ago. Therefore, this book finally was put on high priority.If I was not working as a Beverly Hills Realtor in a busy market, I would have read this book over the weekend. So, if you are looking for a fast moving total page turner, then this book is a must read for you as well.Now what made this book even more interesting is that twelve years later life imitates art. Gayle Lynds has a Female CIA Director that is being backstabbed by people in ...
Comments 29
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Millenials need to be looked at from a different perspective if you are a Realtor. Times have changed.The millennial generation started growing up.They are getting married, buying homes and starting families in increasing numbers. And as a result, they're starting to realize that the liberalism they espoused as youths comes at too high a price in adulthood.According to the census data, the median age at which women are getting married is now 27.4, and for men it's 29.5. Given that the age range for millennials is roughly 18 to 38, that's right in the middle of this generation. Millennials* are officially the largest group of homebuyers in the U.S.Here's what you need to know about them:Communication PreferencesToday's homebuyers value speed, convenience, and a mix of in-person and digit...
Comments 86
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Hardworking Assistants... I was on the phone with the MLS (The multiple listing service) for an hour, because for some reason "..the Go To Webinar Icon..." was not working correctly. The technician was great even went into a remote repair to no avail. Finally, he suggested I should reach out to Citrix ,the platform for the 'Go To Webinar'... now another hour with an equally pleasant technician from Costa Rica, we finally came to a dead end.We than realized  that we needed to clear my laptop from malicious malware... Now another thirty minutes later the problem was solved.The end result was, that this is the second time I missed the Training Webinar for the new Platform Vesta Plus.... at least now the Third Time will be a charm. Now, I need to sign up for the third time for the Webinar.....
Comments 27
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Jury Duty, how did I get picked? This question only comes up if you received the Summons to participate in your Civic Duty and are asked to register for Jury Duty. I happen to get picked every few years to participate. It did not matter if I lived in CT, MA or CA I always managed to get the infamous ‘Summons’ why is that?The answer is very easy: if you are a registered voter and or have a drivers’ license in California you are on the Jury Duty List. Clearly, if you were in a Civil or Criminal Court either as a defendant or someone looking for justice you would want people on the jury who are responsible and civic minded. Now with that said I have a valid driver’s license and I am a registered voter in Los Angeles County.Let’s be real, I would prefer someone if I needed a Jury to have a ...
Comments 43
Explore Beverly Hills, CA
Beverly Hills, CA Real Estate Professionals