Frank Lloyd Wright was a genius when it came to coming up with ideas for building stylish houses, and structures that no one else would have ever come up with. He's also one of the few designers whose houses and building designs are all over the world, such that no one city or area can claim his style of house as their own.

For instance, in Chicago, he pioneered what's known as the "prairie" style of house, emphasizing horizontal lines while working to eliminate feelings of boxiness often inherent in housing shapes, using features like cantilevered roofs and glass corners. One famous house he built in this style is known as the Robie House, which includes a roof that cantilevers 20 feet beyond its last support and art-glass details.

Wright could also build houses to fit the décor and style of particular areas. One house he's known for is the Gladys and David Wright Residence of Phoenix, AZ, which was constructed as a solid circle with a ramp spiraling up to the entrance, has views of Camelback Mountain, block and wood elements including the circular ceiling, with ambient lighting, concrete floors and storage components. Wright even designed an area rug, table and four chairs included with the home. This house fits in well with its desert surroundings.

But Wright's probably best known for houses and buildings in the state of California. One of those homes, presently up for sale, is the Ennis House, built in 1924 out of concrete, the first house built not only out of concrete, but the second house built in the style known as "textile block". You also have the Millard House, which was built in 1923 and was the first house built in the textile block style, which was also built out of concrete, but also had many wood elements that gave the house more of a warm feeling than the Ennis House ever had.

Another California house Wright build was the Harriet and Randall Fawcett Residence in Los Banos. It was designed in 1955 and completed in 1961, and is known for being one of only three house Wright made in a style he termed "usonian", referring to his vision for the landscape of the United States, including city planning of cities and building architecture. Built on 76 acres, it's a fantastically open design that starts with a long private driveway, a pivoting entry door that opens to the hall and living room anchored by a grand 12 foot wide fireplace.

The roof pitches up to frame the Coast Range Foothills, while the broad copper fascia holds the horizontal roof line to the earth, accentuating its oneness with surrounding nature. The house is surrounded by glass, which helps give it the feeling of openness, and includes 5 bedrooms, 4 ½ baths, an open living room, dining room, a kitchen formalized by ornamental screens, a utility storeroom, central laundry, a separate studio with bath, wine cellar, tractor bay, swimming pool, Japanese garden, Koi pond, aviary, workshop, a 3-car carport and a Walnut orchard.

These are only a few styles and designs of Wright's work, and there are plenty more homes of his that are on sale all over California and the United States. He was truly a man ahead of his time.

Marina Del Rey, the community that almost never was, is a beautifully landscaped community on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, separate and yet a part of Los Angeles County. It's totally surrounded by the city of Los Angeles, accessible literally in minutes, even by walking, to the city and all that it has to offer.

The housing community of Marina Del Rey includes many condominiums, both for rental and for sale, that are only blocks away from the ocean. Some are high rise condominiums, while a few are nearer to the beach. Both types offer either quick access to the ocean or beautiful ocean views from the comforts of their living rooms.

Of course, since Marina Del Rey is more of an adult community, with only 6.7% of children, and a community where the average couple earns close to $85,000 a year, you can expect that condos will cost you. And they do, whether they have bedrooms or not. Loft condos are very popular in the area, as they offer space that having a bedroom would take away. These are usually in high rise buildings, where the prices will usually start in the $285,000 range. However, living in high rise buildings in this area comes with amenities such as tennis courts, 24 hour security, swimming pools, and, of course, access to the ocean.

Of course, if you're the stickler type for a bedroom, one bedroom condos are also very popular in Marina Del Rey. Building views are usually either of the ocean or the mountains, and either one offers its own beauty. Of course, prices can jump drastically once you start adding bedrooms, even one, and these usually average between $375,000 and $450,000 per unit, still with the same amenities as the studio loft condos.

What if you decide to splurge and move up again, into 2 bedroom condos? Depending on whether you're only shooting for 2 bathrooms or 2 ½ bathrooms, you're now looking at between $550,000 to $695,000, but you're not talking cramped quarters. How about a formal dining area, master bedroom suite, and a wet bar? Some come with patios and gyms, some with utilities and even cable included in the price.

What if you wanted to start looking at 3 bedroom condos? Three bedroom condos start around $799,000 and top out around $830,000. Now you're ready to add health clubs, spas, and a restaurant into the mix. Always offering great views of some part of the city and surrounding areas, or views of the beach, depending on angle.

Of course, we've only scratched the surface. If you're looking for true luxury in Marina Del Rey condos, you don't look at how many bedrooms. You look at space, you look at location, and if you have at least $1 million to spend you're going to get your dream condominium, with guaranteed beach views, spacious internal living, and with only two bedrooms. Many of these condos offer lots of windows for almost panoramic views, offices and dens, fireplaces,... you just can't lose with a condominium of this style, and the price is right.

Can you stand more? How about 3 & 4 bedroom condos, all with panoramic views, all with the amenities mentioned above, all with more space, private elevators, media rooms, private balconies and patios, saunas and surround sound throughout the condo? How much will this kind of elegance cost you? Only between $2.5 and $4.5 million dollars.

But you can afford it; after all, this is Marina Del Rey. Boating, surfing, swimming, the high life, the beauty of the sea, the wonderful weather, and the proximity to one of the best nightlife cities you could ever imagine. Think about it; luxury at its finest.

You would think this is a very easy process but the truth of the matter you might find yourself putting in a few offers before you finally get an offer accepted in addition some banks will have you sign some pretty scary addendums.

The key is perseverance, stay focused on your goal of buying a property and hire a good agent, they are free as the seller will pay his or hers compensation. Make sure you hire a full time agent that is committed to your goal and needs. Personally I would avoid agents that give you a list and send you on your way or are not available by phone.  Maybe I’m old fashion but I expect service, call backs, e-mail me, just be a good communicator. Remember regardless of who is paying them they still work for you. I expect my agent to go to the different properties with me and point things out that I may not see.

The communication aspect works both ways, keep your agent informed on what is going on. Review the listings that he or she send you, comment on them, go see a few and make offers. There is a lot more work involved in real estate behind the scenes. You need someone that will go the extra mile so show your agent that you care as well and that you value his or her time. They only receive compensation when and if you buy.  Make sure you are pre-qualified and that you have proof of funds. In fact your agent should have copies in your file. Why? Because deals move quickly and the reality is that if you like it odds are that someone else will too. You need to move fast and you need to be ready. You should know how much you have available, it should be seasoned (in the bank for at least 3 months).

So what price do I offer? That’s the hard part as you never know, as your agent for a history of comparables of bank owned property in the area. In the area means .5 miles away. In many areas if you go out to far the comparable is worthless as you are not comparing like kind. Another piece that is overlooked is list history, ask your agent for the details on the listing, days on the market and reductions. In today’s market most properties are reduced but that can take anywhere from 30 to 90 days. Keep that in mind when you make an offer.

The offer, try to come up with a number that makes sense if not you will just be wasting your time and everyone else’s. Many times you would even get a response back. It’s a time thing. Don’t get me wrong if you feel you price is right go for it. Just understand that if you submit 4-5 offers and you are not getting counter offers odd are your bidding too low. Also keep in mind that in any negotiation it’s a give and take, what you offer. Large down payment, high FICA, quick close, 10 day escrows all these things will help you get an offer accepted. Therefore you could ask for a lower sell price, etc.

Los Angeles County, California  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 12123 Otsego on May 25 from 1:00 AM to 4:00 AM.

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I honestly think it is. You owe it to yourself to at  least to find out what's out there. There are great REO's properties, these are bank owned properties, get a free list in Los Angeles www.ForeclosureListLA.com.

Also did you know FHA is alive and kicking... 3% down that's hard to beat. Call us and get qualified.

Thanks,

Luis Pezzini

310-275-2076 

Para la gran mayoría de personas en nuestra comunidad, la compra de una casa es la compra más grande e importante que jamás harán en sus vidas. Tener su casa propia tiene grandes ventajas, pero también muchas responsabilidades.

¿Está preparado para ser dueno de casa? Tome lapiz y papel y evalúe su situación actual y determine si:

• Tiene una fuente de ingreso estable y confiable y un historial de empleo permanente de por lo menos dos años.
• Cuenta con un historial de credito confiable y al dia.
• Con todas sus de deudas son manejable y puede afrontar los costos asociados con la compra de una casa?
• Tiene dinero ahorrado para el pago inicial y los costos de cierre o tiene acceso a otras fuentes de fondos, tales como un bono de empleo, un reembolso de los impuestos o un regalo de un familiar.

Tome en cuenta cualquier plan futuro que tenga que pueda afectar su capacidad para administrar los costos de ser propietario de casa.

• Considere si necesitará hacer cambios en su estilo de vida como, por ejemplo, no tomar vacaciones costosas ni comprar autos lujosos o no cenar fuera de casa con tanta frecuencia.
• Si su familia está creciendo, tome en cuenta los costos adicionales que esto significa cuando evalúe su presupuesto como propietario de casa.
• Evalúe si sus planes futuros pudieran incluir una boda o la educación universitaria suya o de sus hijos. 

Y recuerde que la hipoteca no es el único gasto que usted debe considerar. Ser dueño de una casa significa otros gastos potenciales tales como reparaciones, mantenimiento, impuestos, jardinería, etc.
Una vez que usted comprenda bien su situación actual, sus planes futuros y todos los puntos clave de lo que significa ser propietario de casa, es importante que evalúe las ventajas y las desventajas de ser dueño de casa para tomar la mejor decisión para usted y su familia.

• ¿Cuáles son las ventajas de ser propietario de casa?
• ¿Cuáles son los riesgos de ser propietario de casa?
• ¿Cuáles son los mitos relacionados a la compra de casa?

 Gracias,

Luis Pezzini

Silver Lake Heights, Los Angeles  -  Announcing a price reduction on 1057 Hyperion Ave, a 2,160 sq. ft. fourplex. Now MLS® $695,000 - Fully rented units.

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