1 SOLD HOUSE 9892 BEVERLY GROVE DR 4 4.00 0 4,000 13,070 1962 07/11/08 $3,800,000 2 SOLD HOUSE 1824 BENEDICT CANYON DR 3 2.00 0 1,610 9,150 1937 07/09/08 $985,000 3 SOLD HOUSE 2720 BENEDICT CANYON DR 4 3.00 0 0 75,237 1940 07/09/08 $4,500,000 4 SOLD CONDO 340 N OAKHURST DR #106 #106 1 1.00 12 0 0 1930 07/09/08 $549,000 07/12/2008

Hot Weather = More Sales!!! It’s getting hot! Sarah Max, contributing senior writer at Cyberhomes, wrote this article about the relationship between the weather and home sales. If you’d like me to send you a market report specific to your area, email me and you’ll receive it in your inbox…it’s that easy!      ValerieFit@aol.com To read the original article, click here... Hot Weather = More Sales!!! 07/07/2008

I love the principles of Feng Shui and the amount of peace and harmony they can bring to any home.  I am especially fond of quick Feng Shui fixes for the bathroom as they are so sensible and relevant in today's society.  One of the basics in Feng Shui for the bathroom is keeping things clean.  Certainly we are all striving for a clean bathroom, but Feng Shui asks us to pay strict attention to the fixtures, that they are clean and functioning properly.  A leaking faucet is a huge no-no and should be repaired immediately. One overriding theme in Feng Shui is water, in very basic terms to waste or misuse water could become a money drain.  The idea is to minimize the effects of water running down the drains of your tubs, toilets and sinks.  First of all the toilet seat should always be kept... 07/02/2008

When looking to the sky for the next chapter in luxurious Los Angeles living 1200 Club View is without a doubt one of the brightest hot spots on the horizon. Designer Richard Keating has created a masterpiece of spacious metro living that will redefine luxury living.  With 21 floors and only 35 residences, the emphasis is on quality and space.  At this point the Club View is literally under construction as the new owners have taken the original plans prepared by Fifield the previous owner and tweaked them to make them even better. Each floor has approximately 8000 square feet and there will be whole floors available and half floors available. The ultimate in privacy luxury and anonymity the Club View is certainly going to rock the block on the Wilshire Corridor. The location is minutes ... 07/02/2008

Contrary to popular belief this can be a good time to sell your home, provided you are willing to approach the sale with the right attitude. The market has changed significantly, so a seller in today's market needs to be smart about how they prepare their home for the sale process.  A seller needs to have their home shine like a precious gem in a sea of pebbles.  I'm not talking about a massive renovation; today's market won't offer a return on a large expenditure of that nature and time is of the essence.  I'm talking about strategically staging your home to showcase the value that is already there. Something I sometimes suggest is that we first get an interior designer or stager to come in. If the listing is one that I get after another agent had it and it did not sell then I may even... 06/30/2008

Imagine your alarm going  off, you want to go to the gym so....you throw on work out clothes and head to the state-of-the-art gym, which is dowstairs. You have a great work out and then take a refreshing turn in the heated lap pool.  Now you are ready to start your day.   Back in your luxury condo you step shower and change and then call thevalet to bring up your car to go to work,  have a great lunch, a few meetings, more work, a little shopping and then a night out on the town.  How much gas will all of that cost?  Nothing.  If you chose to you are within walking distance of everything that you could possibly need.  World class dining and shopping are within close proximity.   You are only moments away from work and a world of cultural events.  The world is your oyster and you are liv... 06/29/2008

Competition is good.  I love healthy, productive competition. Olympic athletes understand that in time trials it is easier to perform at your peak if you are physically running against a real person instead of just a clock.  Competing helps us to stretch the limits that we tend to put upon ourselves.  If there is goal that you would like to achieve but have been struggling with, ask yourself if there is a way that you could create a healthy competition with friends or colleagues. Personally I love it when a colleague says to me, "My goal is to produce higher numbers than you this month!"  Game on!  Suddenly everyone gets caught up in a spirit of what is possible; the work becomes fun, people think out of the box.  It's important to keep the competition healthy and professional, but ther... 06/27/2008

In the beginning there were caves and huts.  As time went by there were log cabins and eventually brick homes. Housing developed and grew until finally it reached its highest design form - luxury condominiums.  With all the benefits of living in a luxury hotel plus all the comforts and privacy of "home", living vertically in a luxury condominium is one of the ultimate gifts a person can bestow upon themselves. Imagine being free of all gardening and maintenance tasks, while living in a lush beautifully maintained wonderland.  Visualize saying good bye to long commutes of bumper to bumper traffic in order to get to work or cultural events.  Picture yourself being able to take all that free time and to spend it meditating, getting exercise, being with your loved ones or growing your busin... 06/25/2008

As the temperatures heat up and summer looms large in everyone's minds, isn't it great to know that we live in a city that boasts ocean front property and is also only a short drive from mountain wilderness?  It's time to enjoy the cool summer breezes that wend there way off the ocean.  There is so much to take advantage of in our fair city all year round but the summer fare is particularly notable.  Whether you enjoy listening to world class musicians play at the Hollywood Bowl, arguably the most spectacular amphitheatre in the country or you enjoy a fun filled day strolling the marina, there is something for everyone. With gas prices soaring, we Angelinos are blessed with the knowledge that we are already at the hottest destination on the West Coast.  Take some time this summer to enj... 06/23/2008

As luxury condominiums grow in popularity we are seeing a surge in ultra-luxury condominium development.  Designers and developers are vying for your attention offering a wide variety of amenities.  The question is what luxury perk will you choose? On the Wilshire Corridor, where luxury condos are beautifully showcased in a wide variety of packages, there are some amenities that are so prevalent that they are almost taken for granted.  Full security buildings with doormen, 24 hour valet and concierge service are the order of the day on the Wilshire Corridor.  Most of the buildings also offer sparkling swimming pools, luxurious Jacuzzis and spectacular sun decks all in sumptuous sculpted garden settings. A smaller selection of buildings on the Corridor offer heated lap pools, tennis cour... 06/19/2008

I am not a big fan of apathy.  Life is better when enjoyed with passion.  Apathy is for people who don't feel empowered to design their own lives.  That's not for me.  I live in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in one of the most culturally rich and diverse cities in the world.  I am a short car ride away from snow capped mountains and close enough to the beach that I can feel fresh ocean breezes from my balcony.  My home literally nurtures my life style, providing me with valet parking and concierge services to see to my every need.  I don't need a gym membership as there is a state-of-the-art gym in my building.  I am within walking distance of world class shopping and dinning.  I have a veritable smorgasbord of cultural events to choose from on a daily basis, all of it practic... 06/19/2008

Come and enjoy a full day of fun at Greystone with Pink's Hot Dogs; Greystone Mansion tour; Greystone historic display, historic fire engine display, canine demonstrations (1:00pm and 3:00pm), music, face painting, balloons, marketplace and opportunity drawings. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Greystone, Beverly Hills Fire and Police Associations, Beverly Hills Fire and Police Departments, and the Community Services Department. Advanced Tickets a Must! Adults: $15 each Children (3-11 years): $10 each Children 2 and under Free Mail check only payable to Friends of Greystone to: PO Box 16938 Beverly Hills, CA 90209 Location: Greystone Estate google map Date: 6/21/2008 Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Contact: Friends of Greystone @ (310) 286-0119 To preview the finest Real Estate in Beverly Hills... 06/19/2008

The quickest most efficient way to build your business is through referrals.  This is true in any business, but most especially in real estate.  When clients are happy they talk about it and that leads to more business.  It always behooves us to make our clients happy.  So I have compiled a list of practical ways to make our clients happy.  They are basic and easy to do, but don't discount them.  You'd be surprised how many agents are not living by these simple principles: 1. Be polite - always, it will never serve you wrong.2. Treat your clients with respect - never base how you treat your client on how much money you stand to make.  Treat everyone like a billionaire client - I have had clients who purchased a $300,000 condo refer me to someone that bought for $3,000,000.3.  Keep in to... 06/18/2008

Rent Your House to America’s Next Top Model That’s what our client, Las Vegas businessman Nick Santucci, is doing with his Mulholland house. Santucci says of his pad, “There’s a very hip, Viceroy Hotel vibe.” Recently, Angelino Magazine ran an article describing the house by saying, “…the entry features a motorcycle hovering over a pond, while a boat floats in the pool. The interior public space - all gleaming white floors with Atomic space-age furnishings - is designed around a bar and conversation groupings. Plus, there’s a private hot tub room, tanning bed, theater, and outdoor bar.” Not long ago, the house was the location for a Kelly Rowland video shoot. Next up, you’ll see this Mulholland hide-away as the set of next season’s America’s Next Top Model hosted by Tyra Banks. If you a... 06/17/2008

If you haven't paid a visit to the fabulous Aqua Star Spa in the Beverly Hilton you need to treat yourself as soon as possible.  When The Beverly Hilton originally opened back in 1955 the Aqua Star Pool was considered the quintessential symbol of health, well being and LA glamour.  As part of its truly phenomenal restoration the essence of the Aqua Star pool lives on in the Aqua Star Spa.  This cutting edge spa offers its guest rejuvenation, invigoration and luxurious pampering on a scale that is epic in nature. The world class spa experience offered at Aqua Star Spa features Sothy's Institute treatments paired with European massage.  Whether you are looking for a restorative facial, or a full day of extreme pampering the Aqua Star Spa is the place to be.             06/16/2008

Just got this today and have seen before....need a getaway?  Or maybe your clients need one when they are visiting LA?  Great place to impress them with the views!! Enjoy!! June 16, 2008Pooling Your ResourcesRooftop Pool Bar in Beverly Hills Top of the world-been there, done that.Top of a Beverly Hills hotel in your swimsuit, with a stiff drink in your hand-been there...but happy to do it again. Welcome to ABH, the new rooftop pool bar atop the Thompson Hotel.As soon as you step out from the elevator lobby, you'll be greeted by the bar (so the design was well-conceived), shaded by a Sabal Blackburniana palm whose helicopter delivery shut down Wilshire over the weekend. Grab a drink and settle into your private corner cabana-the best place to fuel up for your complete lack of physical ac... 06/16/2008

 Priorities are important.  What you value shapes the way in which you live.  For people who are at the top of their field, who work hard to maintain a level of excellence in their chosen field, there is an unspoken understanding that the home you return to needs to be a haven to refresh your batteries.  You can't work as hard as you do, expend the energy that you do and come home to less than the perfect setting. It is not only your privilege for the work that you do, it is your right.  Ultimately it is necessary in order to accomplish the amazing feats that you create and complete on a daily basis. If you are still looking for the perfect setting, you need look no further.  The neighborhoods that comprise Los Angeles' elite Westside are a veritable treasure trove of spectacular homes ... 06/13/2008

Rates are Falling on Junior Jumbo Mortgages! The Los Angeles Times reports, “…Despite the government’s effort to address one of the repercussions of the sub-prime meltdown, jumbo mortgages — those exceeding $417,000 — have remained difficult to obtain and relatively expensive. But there are signs of normalcy returning to the jumbo market.” Read the entire article here. If I can help you, in any way, get into your dream house - call me at 310-285-7515 or visit www.ValerieFitzgerald.com to see our listings. To read the original article, click here - Rates are Falling on Junior Jumbo Mortgages. 06/12/2008

With summer quickly approaching it's a great time to enjoy the benefits of luxury condo living in Los Angeles.  As cool ocean breezes waft over lush balconies with divine city nightscape views it's great to acknowledge that all of those hours you spent in the state-of-the-art fitness room have left you bathing suit beach ready.  While other people are sitting in traffic contemplating the rising price of gas and its effect on their vacation savings, you enjoy a leisurely stroll to work and mull over whether you will spend your vacation in Cannes or if Rio de Janeiro will be this year's destination.  Until your vacation you will enjoy regular trips to the beach and continue to enjoy the nightlife that is practically right outside your front door.  This is the LA Condo Summer Lifestyle. 06/11/2008

by Coco Clayman-Cook One of the most comforting things about luxury vertical living is the ability to lock and leave.  I love my work and think nothing of putting in long hours, but when I have the opportunity to get away and take some time for myself, I take it.  I don't have to worry about who will water my plants or if I will have a break in.  I don't even have to wonder if I left my six burner gourmet stove on.  I can always call the concierge and ask him to check it.  I literally can lock my door and leave. For me this is peace of mind.  For some of my clients it is a way to enjoy stability.  I have one client who conducts business in 5 major cities around the world.  He might spend a total of three months out of the year in Los Angeles, but when he is here he wants to enjoy the co... 06/11/2008