Hi all! Well, I got the most touching client review, and just want to take a moment to share it with everyone,  - Why Nina Kurtz will always be my Realtor -"I found Nina the same way I found Topanga. Exploring. Although I found her at an open house, I really wasn't sure I was ready to buy. This is how our relationship began. Over the next several months, Nina worked tirelessly to understand what I loved about Topanga and seemed to intuitively know what I was looking for in a home well before I did. Her careful preparation and enthusiastic approach to real estate made our journey through the housing market of Topanga genuinely enjoyable! Which isn't to say I didn't lose heart at times; I did. Between the loan market and the economy in general, it was a tough road and I wasn't always sure... 02/05/2009

It's so pretty when it rains here! It's supposed to rain all day today (although at this very second there is sunshine shining through the trees outside my window) and the rain is supposed sprinkle down through tomorrow. The air gets so crisp and lovely. It's time to light those pot-bellied stoves for warmth kitty-cats! Today is definitely a cuddle-by-the-fire/ read-a-great-book/ have-some-hot-chocolate/ prepare-for-the-holidays/ wear-a-comfy-sweater/ splash in some puddles/ play-your-ukuleles day!   11/26/2008

Hi all! So earlier this week I was visiting my fabulous friend Michelle in Boston with my girlfriend and we had an AMAZING time! It was so nice to be on the other side of the country and watch all of the colors of the autumn come alive. One of my favorite parts of the trip was when we visited Walden Pond in Concord.   Being surrounded by this divine natural beauty led me (of course) to think of Topanga Canyon. Not that living in Topanga necessarily qualifies me as a transcendentalist, but I definitely feel the awe of the divine and feel closer to my own divinity living in the natural beauty that is Topanga Canyon. I feel like cohabitating with the owls, trees, dirt and stillness inspires me to live "deliberately" and in harmony. To me, Topanga Canyon is definitely Walden Pond West, and ... 11/08/2008

It's just so nice here tonight. Day time is great too, but there's something really special about the air tonight that carries with it the smells of the fall and the resonance of the history of this great place. I feel so lucky to call this my home. I'm going to visit my twin-soul best friend in Boston in a few days, and I'm actually having a little bit of Topanga separation anxiety. It's a good thing there's no gas station here or I would never leave at all... 10/25/2008

I don't know why it hit me.  It just did.   My baby girl was screaming in the car.  You know, that I'm here and I'm hungry cry.  For some reason, she was off the charts with her earsplitting wails.  Almost home -- it was the "Feed me NOW" cry. I raced up our stairs, ran around the kitchen, finding the bottle, getting out what I needed, but I just could not move fast enough for her.  Food from mama was so much quicker, but we were past that point!  The cries escalated another octave.  I grabbed the handle of the refrigerator and stopped dead in my tracks as a thought from out of I-don't-know-where hit me like hard kick to the belly.   What if I opened the refrigerator and there was nothing there.   Nada.  Zip.  Empty.   What if I knew that I, her mother, had nothing to take away her mise... 10/15/2008

Have you ever lived on the same street long enough to watch it cycle through its own seasons? To watch the new people move in and the Topanga long-timers meet and greet? To see the young couple have babies, and the old couple pass on? To watch the babies grow up to babysit the new young ones? This month, I am celebrating my 20th anniversary of living in my beautiful Topanga, with the best Topanga neighbors on the best Topanga street.  I got a chance to think about the changing nature of neighborhoods while relaxing with my most awesome neighbors at our first ever, streetwide yard sale.  It was a mild and sunny spring Saturday, perfect for browsing through others' past treasures.   Parking my camp chair behind our table of treasures old stuff, I leaned back and lost myself in the reggae ... 09/03/2008

   Open House Sunday 2 to 5pm Exceptional value in Topanga Resort Style living in Gated Community. Upcoming area with lots of positive changes. This is a must see if you like nature and tranquility   $599,000       Gated Resort Like Community on Top of the World with Airplane Views to the world.4Bedroom and 2.5 Bath Homes newly built in 2003 on a quiet cul-de-sac with lovely living room, formal dining area, Large sunny kitchen with eat-in area, cozy den with Fireplace with double doors lead to a very quaint and private backyard with large grassy area and clear fence to enjoy the tranquil views. This home has a large 2 car garage with washer and dryer included, the 2nd floor has a beautiful large view deck for lavish entertaining. Community has a large community Center with Entertainmen... 07/20/2008

Topanga summer nights are a mix of cooling breezes, singing frogs, and wandering coyotes.  This Sunday, July 20, you can throw a movie and picnic into that scene for Topanga Nights.    Dianne Porchia has once again put together two nights to gather up on the Topanga Community House Ballfield to hear music, eat and share a good movie.  This fundraiser will benefit the Topanga Community Club. This week's entertainment lineup features slide guitar blues by Jimmy Lee as well as the rock-blues groove of Jim Crawford and The Hot Toddies. Brother to the Night will be the DJ before the movie. This week's Movie -- Men In Black   Bring a picnic, a blanket, and the entire family to dance and laugh the evening away.  Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a your brought-from-home picnic and entertainment. The... 07/16/2008

We never do anything commonplace or run-of-the-mill here in Topanga.  Like our mountain roads, there is always a twist or two.  Such is the case with our fair. Welcome to the 35th Annual Topanga Days Country Fair This Memorial Day Weekend, May 24 - 26, our celebrated festival will take place at the Topanga Community House.  Bring family and friends to explore the flavors of our beautiful canyon.  The kids will find plenty of play with games, facepainting, and more.  Adults will find lots of good food, art, and music (and quite a bit of playtime, too!). Come enjoy a day away from city life.  Topanga Days pays respect to the many faces of this town: Pioneering - Rustic - Independent  - Relaxing - Hippie-haven Slightly-off-center - Nurturing - Artful  You will find it all those flavors and... 05/19/2008

Where the heck is Topanga?  I remember following the directions - take Pacific Coast Highway North, turn right on Topanga Canyon Blvd. and go up the hill.......I'm winding up this canyon road, in the very dark, quiet night.  I roll down the window and inhale the sweet smell of sage.  That smell of the brush, the dirt, and the ocean breeze are a fine relief from the usual, stuffy suburban aroma. I pull up at the house, and climb the stairs that gradually take me up to the front door.  It's not so quiet anymore, with the sounds of the crickets in the creek singing backup to the chorus of frogs.   It's June, my best friend, Lisa, has just graduated, and I'm here for her celebration in this place that she constantly talked about, but that I, an L.A. native, had never heard of before I met h... 03/13/2008

If you have not had the luxury of meeting (or getting to know) Elaine Hanson, it's worth your time to get to know her by reading her blog.  Here are some things I have learned about her:She has a terrific personality and is always generous with her comments and support.She is passionate about her business and Topanga, California real estate.She loves her family and cherishes her friends.She knows her real estate market.She's SMART and well connected - Vice President of Topanga's Chamber of Commerce...Wow!She makes her clients happy!So if you're thinking about doing something in Topanga, California and you're looking for a great real estate agent, give Elaine a shout! If you're looking for someone new to follow here on Active Rain, subscribe to her blog! 02/18/2008

Family Compound in Fernwood with ocean breezes only 10 mins.to beach.Main house is 3+2, Hi open beam ceilings, great views, entertaining deck with private hot tub.Large open kitchen,spacious living room.Separate guest quarters with bathroom and kitchenette.Separate studio is great for art/yoga/or music.On almost 1 acre of land with mature trees and a seasonal stream.Very charming detached guest house. To preview the finest real estate in Topanga, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades & Santa Monica please visit my website. When you are ready to view the homes, please contact me. 01/07/2008

Here's a snapshot of the real estate market today in Topanga, CA:50 Active Homes for sale on market2 Homes in Escrow  -- accepting back-up offers2 Homes in Escrow -- contingencies removed77 Homes Sold Year to DateOnly 4 homes in escrow.  Only four buyers making the jump in a buyers market.  Wow.  Potential buyers, do you have good credit?  Interest rates are still historically low and your good credit opens you up to many loan scenarios.  Pick one that fits you and make an offer on that home you like.  Hopefully, the jumbo loan home price threshold will be raised soon, making it even cheaper to get a loan here in California.  Sellers, there are buyers out there.  We are showing them around.  Make your home the most attractive through both pricing and appearance.  The days of reaching fo... 10/31/2007

Topanga -- My Home, My Workplace -- How lucky can I get?Topanga is a vibrant community located in the Santa Monica Mountains, between the coast and the valley. We have people from all walks of life, homes of every shape and size, and gorgeous natural scenery. Surrounded by parkland, Topanga feels miles away from "the city" even though we have easy access to both the Westside of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. We have great restaurants & shopping along our main street as well as wide ranging trails in our hills.Come discover Topanga.Find some great Topanga links at my website http://topangahomeinfo.com/ --Copyright Elaine Hanson, Realtor, Topanga Real Estate Specialist 10/27/2007

Today's Featured Property Old Topanga Ranch with Guesthouse! Old Topanga ranch w/Guesthouse on approx 1.3 acres all flat w/seasonal stream,riding arena,& huge sycamore trees.Main house is 3+1 w/beamed ceilings & charming fireplace.Newly remodelled kitchen & bath w/custom cabinetry and tile work.Great 1 bd,1 ba questhouse.Large detatched 2 car garage & plenty of extra parking.Giant completely fenced flat yard. Please click on the property picture for additional information and pictures. Courtesy of Windermere Real Estate Dominic Naidoo 310.968.0418 09/17/2007

The Topanga Creek Watershed Committee presents, as part of an ongoing series of forums on issues related to the health and well being of all of the living things in the Watershed: TOPANGA SEPTICS -- PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE, on  Tuesday, July 24 at 7:00 pm at the Historic and beautiful Mountain Mermaid, 20421 Callon Drive. Enjoy Refreshments in the Mermaids Serene atmosphere as Andrew Sheldon, City of Malibu Environmental Health Administrator (and a long time resident of Topanga), will speak about: Septic system function, Onsite wastewater treatment technologies, Past, present, and upcoming septic regulations and Real world scenarios Topanga residents are, or may be, faced with regarding their septic systems (e.g., repairs, upgrades).Mr. Sheldon's presentation will be loaded with essen... 07/20/2007