4 Malibu Notary Services Danielle Dutcher | Commission #1873145 23805 Stuart Ranch Rd., Ste 150 & 22967 Pacific Coast Highway  Malibu, CA 90265 O 310.456.3655  |  F 310.218.2117  |   NotaryPublic@4Malibu.com     • $10  per Notarized Signature • REQUIRED: Current/Unexpired Government Issued Identification • Appointments not required, but are encouraged     Mobile Notary Public & Certified Loan Signing Services • Services are provided 7 days a week to the businesses and residents of Malibu. • Off- hours, call 310.773.7556 or email NotaryPublic@4Malibu.com. • Travel fees do apply.     Disclaimer: A Notary Public is not a lawyer, and by law cannot answer any questions you may have about your document(s). Please be sure to contact your lawyer or the individual who provided you with your... 01/10/2012

MLS #12-574001 20152 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, Ca 90265 For Sale - $2,495,000 Awesome ocean front duplex on 60' of Big Rock Beach. Both units have been extensively remodeled and are in move-in condition. The upper unit is 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths with all major rooms on the water that open to a huge beach front terrace. Open kitchen to living room with stacked stone fireplace. The lower unit is a 2 bed 2 bath with all major rooms on the water. Big Master suite and sitting area. Large ocean front terrace. Open kitchen to living room with fireplace. Both units with separate private entrances and both have private retractable stairs to beach. 6 car uncovered on site parking. City of Malibu septic operating permit just obtained. Priced to sell quickly. Listed with Pritchett-Rapf - Jeff... 01/09/2012

The temporary property anti-flipping rule waiver has been extended through the end of 2012, by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The FHA rules prohibited insuring a mortgage on a home that the seller owned for less than ninety days. However, in 2010, the FHA waived this regulation and has extended it through the end of this year. Buyers will be able to continue to use FHA-insured financing to purchase bank-owned properties and HUD-owned with this extension. This waiver will help stabilize prices a revitalize communities with high foreclosure activity. According to the FHA’s Acting Commissioner, the waiver has strict guidelines and conditions which are implemented in order to prevent “predatory property flipping” in which properties are sold quickly at inflated prices.    Additio... 01/09/2012

You've heard it before.  Someone you know bought a house without a home inspection and got a big surprise.  Over 40 percent of the previously owned homes on the market have at least one serious defect.  Don't take over someone's problem.  Most "used" homes need some type of attention.  Be sure you are aware of any major problems in a house you are considering purchasing, and what it will take to correct or repair the situation.
 
Here are some of the more serious defects to watch out for: 1.Insect infestation -- termites, ants, etc. 2.Chimney settling or separation 3.Foundation cracks 4.Major house settlement 5.Cracked heater exchange 6.Failing air-conditioning 7.Hazards including lead paint, radon, water contamination, asbestos, and underground storage tanks 8.Moisture in the basement ... 01/09/2012

 OPEN HOUSE INFORMATION: Residential Single Family Sunday - January 08, 2012Time: 1 - 4 PM Nelson Shelton & AssociatesMary Mehrnaz Tahbaz DRE:# 01063408310-395-4352MLS Number: 11-545467   30608 LA SONORA DR MALIBU 90265 4 bedrooms    3.00 bathrooms $1,399,000 ActiveListed On: 08/01/2011 VERY BRIGHT SECLUDED 4BEDRM+3BATH WITH MOUNTAIN VIEW, FRESH PAINT AND NEW CARPET, FAMILY ROOM OFF THE KITCHEN, LAUNDRY ROOM, LIV W/FIREPLACE,NICE YARD ROOM FOR POOL,VERY CLOSE TO SCHOOLS, BEACH AND PRIVATE CLUB,EASY TO SHOW, FOR LEASE $6250 PER MONTH, SELLER WILL CONSIDER LEASE OPTION  OPEN HOUSE INFORMATION: Residential Lease Sunday - January 08, 2012Time: 1 - 4 PM Nelson Shelton & AssociatesMary Mehrnaz Tahbaz DRE:# 01063408310-395-4352MLS Number: 11-545473   30608 LA SONORA DR MALIBU 90265 4 bedrooms... 01/07/2012

The Malibu Association of REALTORS hosted an evening at Duke's Malibu last month to install its 2012 Board of Directors and acknowledge the accomplishments of members over the past year. 2011 President Dan Ross was awarded "Realtor of the Year" for his dedication and accomplishments over the past year, then passed the gavel to incoming President Bobby Lehmkuhl.  Lehmkuhl currently serves on the Board of Directors of the California Association of REALTORS and the Combined L.A. Westside Multiple Listing Service. In his acceptance speech, Lehmkuhl thanked his mentors, friends and supporters. He credited his drive and ambition to having spent his formative years as part of the Malibu community. Lehmkuhl's first job in real estate was with Realtor, mentor and friend Chris Cortazzo, who was a... 01/06/2012

The best reading on pending homes sales since a federal home buying tax credit expired appeared to encourage traders on Wall Street. In November, the number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes rose to the highest level in a year and a half. 

With the index of sales, a reading of 100 is considered to be healthy. The Realtors group said Thursday that its index of sales agreements jumped 7.3 percent last month to a reading of 100.1. The last time the index was that high was in April 2010, one month before the tax credit expired. 

 There's generally a one- to two-month lag between a signed contract and a completed deal. 

Contract signings usually indicate where the housing market is headed. Homes are the most affordable they've been in decades. Prices in most metro areas have ... 01/03/2012

Refrigerator/freezer Energy-efficiency experts tell us to focus our efforts on the biggest energy hogs in the house, and that definitely includes the fridge. Because it cycles on and off all day, every day, the refrigerator consumes more electricity than nearly every appliance in the home save for the HVAC systems. The average refrigerator costs about $90 per year to operate, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The good news is that a few simple adjustments can trim roughly $38 to $45 off those utility bills. 1. Adjust the thermostat. By setting the thermostat colder than it needs to be, you might increase your fridge's energy consumption by as much as 25% on average. Adjust the refrigerator so that it stays in the 37-40 degrees F range. For the freezer, shoot for between 0-5 de... 01/02/2012

The nation's average mortgage interest rates are finishing 2011 near all-time historic lows, helping to keep homebuyer affordability high. The Freddie Mac  mortgage market survey showed the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.95% for the week ending Thursday, up from the prior week's average of 3.91%. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.86%. This week's 15-year FRM, a popular refinancing choice, averaged 3.24%, up from last week when it averaged 3.21%.A year ago, the average rate for a 15-year FRM was 4.2%. Five-year, Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 2.88% this week, up slightly from 2.85% the prior week and lower than 3.77% a year earlier. And one-year Treasury-indexed ARMs averaged 2.78%, barely rising from last week when it averaged 2.77% ... 12/29/2011

The 10 Deadly Mistakes You Can Make in Selling your Home Here's some helpful tips from other sellers who have already gone through the process. 1. Buying a replacement home before selling the old one. The temptation may be great to buy a replacement home first.  That way you'll know where you are going and how much you'll be paying.  And you don't have to worry about being left out in the cold with nowhere to go if your home sells quickly. However, the financial risks of buying first are great.  It's far better to sell your current home first and endure the inconvenience of moving to an interim rental -- which rarely happens -- than it is to end up owning and paying for two homes when you only want one. 2.  Basing the list price of your home on the price you would like to get rather th... 12/20/2011

A home energy audit will pinpoint areas and suggest the most effective measures for cutting your energy costs.  You can conduct a simple home energy audit yourself, you can contact your local utility, or you can call an independent energy auditor for a more comprehensive examination.  (Many utilities conduct energy audits for free or for a small charge.)  The first step to taking a whole house energy efficiency approach is to find out which parts of your house use the most energy. Check out the two charts.  On the left, you will see the categories and percentages of energy loss due to insulation weaknesses in the typical home. On the right is the percentage and type of energy consumed in the typical home. For do-it-yourselfer's, here are some tips. Check the insulation levels in your at... 12/19/2011

Are you looking to buy or lease a home? Or maybe you just want to see what's out there. There are several open houses taking place this weekend in Malibu and Topanga. For information on the open houses, including details about the homes and vacant properties as well as the schedule, go to the 4 Malibu Real Estate Partners weekend open house page.  View all Malibu homes for sale.    12/17/2011

Check your condo rules before you put up that menorah or Santa decoration, or you might find yourself taking your holiday decorations down a lot sooner than you planned.   I want to flout condo rules and put up holiday decorations despite an HOA rule banning them. What’s going to happen to me? Option 1: Nothing may happen because the HOA rules aren’t enforced. Option 2: You might get a letter asking you to take down your decor. Option 3: You might get fined for breaking condo rules. Constructive ways to balance your need to deck the halls with condo rules that ban decorations:Talk to your neighbors. If it’s your first holiday in your new home, check with your neighbors to find out what's really allowed. Condos that ban lights and signage most of the year may ignore illegal decorations d... 12/15/2011

Information provided by DataQuick stated that the number of homes sold in Southern California rose modestly in November from both October and in 2010, as first-time buyers targeted homes priced below $400,000.  Prices slipped in most areas. There was a total of 16.884 resale and new houses & condos sold in Riverside, San Diego, Ventura, San Bernardio and Orange counties last month.  November existing-home/condo sales rose 5.8% from a year earlier, while new home sales fell 15.2% to the lowest level on record for a November. Distressed property sales accounted for 51.3% of the Southland resale market last month, down from 52.3% in October and down from 53.4% a year earlier. Short sales, where the sale price fell short of what was owed on the property, made up just shy of 20% of Southland... 12/14/2011

Just Listed - Malibu Bank-Owned/REO - 3B/3B - $634,900 MLS #11-570645 - 31422 Birdella Rd., Malibu, CA 90265 View additional photos/info at the Property Website. Bank-owned/REO. This Craftsman home, located on a cul-de-sac street, surrounded by mature oak trees & Santa Monica Mountains. The living room is light and bright and has soaring ceilings. New paint & carpet throughout. The family room has a fireplace and opens to the kitchen. Formal dining room. Downstairs den with its own bathroom. There is an upstairs loft / office. Master has a large walk-in closet. Master bath has dual sinks and a separate shower & tub. Inside laundry. Detached two-car garage. Close to the beach and 101 freeway.   View other Bank-Owned/REOs in Malibu. Click here. 12/13/2011

Fitch Ratings analysts reported that a  typical foreclosed home will spend eight months in REO before being resold. Lender Processing Services estimate that more than 2 million of these properties are somewhere in the foreclosure process with many more coming. Fitch statest that the majority of the backlog could take as long as two years to clear, and the current foreclosure timeline can last more than 12 months, before the time the property will spend in REO. Bulk sales will be a  key part of the housing market for the next few years, accoridng to analysts. Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae currently own half of these properties and the Federal Housing Agency is working on new ways to sell these homes.  What remains unknown however, is the effect. New rental programs could also be in the mix.  ... 12/13/2011

I love sharing great news! Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you have enjoyed your weekend and staying warm at home... November 29, 2011 At the City Council meeting on November 28, 2011, State Senator Fran Pavley honored Malibu as the first recipient of her new Sustainable City Award in recognition of the City's policies and practices which protect and preserve the environment.   The Senator congratulated the City for awards previously bestowed for its projects, such as Legacy Park and LEED-certified building, and commended Malibu for its leadership in being one of the first cities to ban plastic bags.   "You're sending the right signal, not only to your constituents, but particularly the children growing up here," remarked Senator Pavley while presenting the award to Mayor Laura Zahn Rosen... 12/11/2011

An analyst from Barclays Capital has predicted housing recovery, supported by improving job numbers and prices for non-distressed homes with stabilize without government support. He reported that prices for these non-distressed properties have stabilized over the last year even without government homebuyer incentives. This stability has not been getting much media attention and it has occured despite a large portion of distressed activity and a contintued decline in overall prices.  Improvement potential in this sector is supported by recent economic data which includes more job creations  last month and improved homebuyer traffic.  In mid-2010, the federal homebuyer tax credit expired, leaving the housing market without training wheels for the first time since the 2008 economic meltdow... 12/05/2011

It's that time of week again. Sunday open houses. If you're in Malibu or Topanga tomorrow, stop by one of the many open houses that are being held open from 1-4p. There are beach homes, condos, townhomes, bluff estates and much more to see. Click here to view the complete Malibu & Topanga Open House List for Sunday, 12/4 from 1-4p. Click here to see what else is on the market in Malibu for sale.   "Like Us" on Facebook and tell us what you are looking for. We have properties not on the market that may be a fit for you. 12/03/2011

The National Association of Realtor's pending home sales  index rose from from 84.5% to 93.3%, which is based on signed real estate contracts for existing single-family homes and condos. This index is based upon a national sample, which usually represents 20% of the transactions for existing home sales. They remain above last years levels. An index of one hundred is equal to the average level of contract activity in 2001. Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtors chief economist stated that there is a pent-up demand for home buyers who normally would have entered the market in recent years  and interest rates are staying at record lows.     11/30/2011