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What event in your life/the world led you to where you are today?
Some of you who have known me for a while are aware, this is my First Hosting of a Contest since I have been a member of Active Rain. I guess it was long overdueJ! Now with that said: There are some events that occur in our life time around the world, in our own country as well as in our own lives, which leave such an impression on us, and burn it into our memory that we can generally recall clearly and can pinpoint it exactly where we were, when this event occurred. These indelible impressions are few and we can generally count them on one hand if we are young and as we get older on two hands maximum. Just to give a few examples: JFK’s & RFK’s assassination, 9-11 and a few other occurrences are clearly seared into my brain and I can recall exactly where I was when I found out. (Image courtesy of Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net) Clearly some people who happen to be in professions, near this type of events, such as the military, the police, the first responders, the hospitals and the news outlets, at the time of the event by default play a bigger role. Never the less, the occurrence of the event leaves just as big of an impression on the ones who might be on the side lines or thousands of miles away when they hear or see the event unfolding. Some events elicit different reactions from different people and others leave deeper impressions on some than others. (Image courtesy of Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net) Some events are very personal and leave an impression only on us, not necessarily on others, such as witnessing or being notified of the death of a parent or a loved one. Some events are dictated by our age, upbringing, our educational, and our cultural and or religious backgrounds. Examples come to mind are MLK’s assassination, the attempt on Ronald Reagan’s life and the attempt on Pope John Paul 2nd carry different reaction for different people. Clearly if you were not alive, or too young to be aware it will affect what those events are and how big of an impression it leaves on you. So with that said I wonder, was there an event in your profession, if you are in Real Estate, Sales, Insurance, Title that left and seared in your memory which ultimately catapulted you into where you are today? IF you would like to share I am sure most of us would love to read about it. GUIDELINES: Write a post, at least 300 words… Put a link to your entry in the comments below Each participant will receive 500 points 1st place will receive 2000, 2nd place 1500 and 3rd place 1000 Contest ends June 30th There will be three esteemed Judges in the selection process of the winners: Dick Greenberg, Rene’ Fabre and Lisa Friedman. Thank you and we look forward to your posts. ...
read moreSpeechless Sundays: Blue Heron perched on his throne in Marina Del Rey
Speechless Sundays: Blue Heron perched on his throne in Marina Del Rey,CA! Photo by Endre Barath,Jr. Marina Del Rey,CA Relocation Realtor If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Playa Vista, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites athttps://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations. ...
read moreHow do you celebrate an 85th birthday?
How do you celebrate an 85th birthday? Well Diane used to work with this lady at the law firm she is at until she retired. Long story short, she retired many years ago and we remained friends with her. We celebrated many of her “big” birthdays including some of the lesser ones as well. There were times I would cook and other times we go out to dinner, because I was too busy. The 85th clearly called for a special toast. Currently I have three Escrows and am negotiating two other ones so cooking was not an option for me. Since most of you who know me are aware that I like shopping, prepping and cooking for a special meal. Needless to say that would have taken up two days at the minimum. Now with that said, we decided to have a bottle of Champaign before dinner with some cheese and flatbread. I selected a bottle of “Schramsberg” 2008 Cre’mant Demi-Sec. This is a delicate and off-dry sparkling wine: an American original. This particular Vineyard’s sparkling wine has been served on President Reagan’s Second Inaugural Luncheon as well a President Clinton’s dinner for the prime minister of Canada. Interestingly enough most recently the Cremant Demi-sec was served at a White House Dinner hosted by President Obama for the Bilateral Chairpersons of the Congressional Committees. On a side note a Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc was served in 1972 when President Nixon met Premier Zhou Enlai. http://www.schramsberg.com/ So clearly this was a good one to serve for one of Diane’s friends who had a landmark birthdayJ! Happy Birthday Mary Jo!!! In my opinion it was great that I served it with cheese and flatbread, because the complex and fruity sparkling wine was not too sweet this way. Otherwise I would have had to serve it as an after dinner activity. In case you are interested it is in the south of $40 a bottle so it is also quite a good value too! The restaurant is food for another blog If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Playa Vista, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites athttps://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations. ...
read moreJust Listed in the Trendy Sunset Strip Area of Los Angeles:Fantatic…
Just Listed in the Trendy Sunset Strip Area of Los Angeles: Fantastic View Lot! Another fantastic postcard view of Downtown Los Angeles!! ADDRESS: 1601 Mountcrest , LOS ANGELES ,CA 90069 LP: $279,000 RESIDENTIAL LAND AREA: (3) Sunset Strip – Hollywood Hills West MLS#: 14-765613 MAP: 592/H4 APN: 5558-017-031 SUB: GAS: Other WATER: In Street ELECTRIC: In Street ADP: No ZONE: LAR1 TELEPHONE: No TV/CABLE: No SEWER: APX ACREAGE: N/A VIEW: Yes STAKED: No APX LDM: APX LSZ: 5,119/VN DIRECTIONS: North of Sunset Blvd, head West on Franklin and North on to Mountcrest. REMARKS: Fantastic neighborhood with spectacular views in a multi million dollar neighborhood. There is a lot nearby also on the market for a much higher price point. Lot is close to all the Utilities, water, electric and sewer. Great for an owner user or a developer. Contact listing agent for additional information If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Playa Vista, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites athttps://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations....
read more2480 Bard St, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Looking For Back Up Offers!
2480 Bard ST $109,000 Looking For Backup Lot Acre: Lot Size: 4,828 MLS#: 13-720959 2480 Bard ST LOS ANGELES, CA 90026 REMARKS: FANTASTIC GENTLE UPSLOPE ON THE PAVED PART OF THE STREET BACK ON THE MARKET HERE IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO GET THIS PROPERTY. TRULY A GREAT VALUE ONE OF THE LAST UPSLOPE LOTS ON A QUIET CUL-DE- SAC STREET VERY SERENE LOCATION. AVON ST FOR MAP DIRECTION PURPOSES. GOOGLE MAPS CONSIDERS IT BARD ST. ELECTRICITY, WATER & SEWER ARE IN STREET. BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME HERE. DEVELOPERS, BUILDERS DO NOT MISS OUT ON THIS WELL PRICED LOT RECENTLY SURVEYED. BRING YOUR ARCHITECT AND DESIGN A GREAT HOME. DIRECTIONS: SILVER LAKE BLVD, SUNSET BLVD, TO ECHO PARK AVE, TO EWING ST, TO AVON ST TO BARD AT THE END OF THE CUL DE SAC LAST UPSLOPE LOT ON THE LEFT BEFORE THE HOUSE #2477 AVON ST The saying goes… here is another opportunity for the next buyer, the first one paid for the survey and now here is the second buyer who can make the investigation easier to build his home! If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Playa Vista, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites athttps://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations. ...
read more305 Vera Canyon Drive in Malibu, CA is Accepting Back-Up Offers!
305 Vera Canyon Drive in Malibu CA is Accepting Back-Up Offers RESIDENTIAL LAND AREA: (33) Malibu MLS#: 13-721685 MAP: 582/D6 APN: 4471-008-004 SUB: GAS: Unknown WATER: Other ELECTRIC: Unknown ADP: No ZONE: LCA11 TELEPHONE: No TV/CABLE: No SEWER: Unknown APX ACREAGE: N/A VIEW: Yes STAKED: No APX LDM: APX LSZ: 7,606/VN DIRECTIONS: PCH to Kanan Dune Rd To Pitsch Canyon Rd. at the end of the Road is the property! REMARKS: One of the least expensive vacant lots in Malibu. Truly a fantastic value! neighboring lot is also on the market by a different agency. Meandering street with various trees and some oak as well. Bring your Architect and design a truly nice private home in one of the most prestigious cities in the world. If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Playa Vista, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites athttps://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue...
read moreWhat does it take to be a successful agent? What is success?
What does it take to be a successful agent? What is success? One of my fellow Active Rain members asked the simple question: what does it take to be a successful agent? This made me pause: What is success? To many the definition of success is the accumulation of wealth, money and or other material things. To others it is fame or some sort of recognition. To many people the definition of success could be compared to reaching the top of the mountain! Image courtesy of pat138241 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net To me this has never been a long term “goal” to reach the top of the mountain that is, because then where do you go from there? The only place is to go downhill or alternatively you have to look for a bigger mountain and once that is achieved then what? I am sure you get my point… To me success is not a destination place rather it is a continuous Journey with many twists and turns and many peaks and valleys. Keeping in mind I do like comfort, luxury and nice toys but that is not the goal and that is not how I measure success. Image courtesy of satit_srihin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net I measure my success based on knowing that I gave one hundred per cent client service. Knowing that I did the best for my clients when I represented them in their purchase or sale of their home is my benchmark that I am a success. Keeping in mind not all clients rant and rave about how wonderful I was in giving them sound advice in their Real Estate Transaction. The ones who do verbalize it, I am grateful for the fact that not only did they recognize it but they acknowledged it too! Many years ago I saw Thomas Keller the Word Famous Chef of Bouchon and French Laundry and others fame. He made a statement which resonated with me, that there were times when he cooked a fantastic meal and no one praised it or they sent it back to the kitchen…then there were other times he received accolades for making a fantastic meal and he thought it was not his best… The message was clear he knew when he made the best meals and when he did not and that is all that mattered. The rest was either a bonus or not that important. So with that said I know I am a Successful Realtor, because I always look out for the best interest of my clients whether they thank me or not is not the most important aspect of what I do. I know I give them 100%effort and good advice, hence I am a Successful Realtor in the greater Los Angeles area! If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Playa Vista, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites athttps://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations. ...
read moreWhen do you know you are ready to buy a home?It is like learning to…
When do you know you are ready to buy a home? It is like learning to swim: you will know! This post was inspired by one of my Active Rain friends asking the question: when will you be ready to swim? For many people this is the age old question: when do you know that you are ready to buy a home? The answer is: you will know! Clearly the answer is not as simple as it sounds. For most people there are concerns on many levels. Do they have enough cash down payment to afford the monthly mortgage, taxes and insurance? Do they feel they can handle the responsibility of home ownership? These and many similar questions are not only valid and but it is key in determining the motivation whether you are they ready to swim or not? A question metaphorically raised by individuals who are contemplating a home purchase. Image courtesy of Master isolated images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Some people contemplate or should I say focus on making a change, because they are unhappy where they are living. For example some of this unhappiness is created by their landlord who keeps raising their rent and not responding to concerns or issues reference, noise, safety, security and maintenance to name a few of the points. Then there are others who see that people around them who rent remain in a vicious cycle of not having the ability to save up more money for a down payment, because the rents are increasing and so are all the cost of living items. Hence they keep watching as prices of homes are increasing and decide they better buy now, or they will be totally priced out of the market. There are potential buyers who are concerned that the interest rates will skyrocket and they will never have the opportunity to buy a home based on their income and family situation, so they decide it is time to buy a home. My parents got tired of Landlords telling them what they could or could not do. Then to boot the continuous rent increases were annoying too. Hence my father decided to take the jump in buying a home. That was one of the best decision he made in his life, at least he used to tell me this over and overJ. Now with that said: When did I decide it was time to take the proverbial “dive” into home ownership? Having been in three different Universities and then joining the US Army and traveling on my own for about five years, I could safely say I have been independent and on my own for about ten years. I returned home to my parents’ home to. Keep in mind my bedroom was converted to my mother’s art studio. Needless to say not wanting to disrupt her private domain I moved into my father’s office. Add to this, I just returned from Germany as an Airborne Ranger, Infantry Captain and a Veteran not just of the military but of lots of fun times all over the US and EuropeJ. After about two weeks I knew it was time to buy my own home! Not having saved any money because of the fun I had all over the world, my father agreed as well...
read moreSending the right message is critical in any business Real Estate….
Sending the right message is critical in any business particularly in Real Estate…. I have always believed, preached and lived by the Motto: I Provide 100 Per Cent Client Service and I am your Trusted Advisor in all matters related to Real Estate Purchase or Sale! This has been my message and I have not only believed it but practiced it day in and day out. My clients understood this and knew they could email me day or night and they would get a response back relatively quickly. This has been my message my entire life in the client service industry and in particularly being a Realtor in Los Angeles and facilitating Real Estate Sales & Purchases in the Greater Los Angeles area. The customer service is critical everywhere. In the Greater Los Angeles area I believe it is more so, since the price points are so much higher therefore the expectations are higher as well. Anyway other business has to live or die by this motto as well. That of course it is not enough, they also need to send the right message. Last October as in 2013 a New Restaurant opened up with much “fan fare” the restaurant was called: “The Magic Restroom Café”. Saw it on the news, their seats were Toilet Seats, the food was served in mini Toilet Bowls….somehow I did not have urge, want or desire to visit this restaurant. Having Udon Noodles & Popcorn Shrimp served in mini Toilet Bowls and being seated on Toilet Seats in the Restaurant is not what I had envisioned as a good time going out to dinner… I clearly felt the Message was wrong and I did not even want to blog about it until now… http://la.eater.com/tags/magic-restroom-cafe Well here we are eight months later and “The Magic Restroom Café” in the City of Industry has closed its doors. The headlines in the Food Blog Posts are “Magic Restroom Café Craps Out” well I was not surprised. Quite frankly I was amazed it lasted this long with the wrong message. So what is your message to your clients? My message is: I am your Trusted Advisor in all matters related to Real Estate Purchase or Sale and I will provide 100 per cent Client Service! If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Playa Vista, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue...
read moreWordless Wednesdays: Howard Hughes Memorial Stone in Westchester, CA!
Wordless Wednesdays: Howard Hughes Memorial Stone in Westchester, CA 90045 If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Playa Vista, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at https://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations....
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