Read it…..unless you are afraid of truths….then just don’t read it.
By : Karen Crystal
I Just finished reading Seth Godin’s latest book Linchpin
, and one engrained thought keeps popping forward from my past.
KISS (not the band), but the acronym : “keep it simple stupid”.
My USC Business School education was filled with acronyms. I still remember some of them, and I admit KISS has proven useful at times and still seems to work.
The MOST memorable acromyn though was Radio Station WIIFM. You know, the station that we were all told to tune it to…What’s In It For Me?
Well, if you haven’t changed the station yet, don’t bother.
WIIFM already altered it’s local programming to include a global satellite feed, and is now airing as WIIFM…What’s In It FROM me?
So here’s my thought for you on Linchpin.
Read it. Unless you are afraid of truths….then just don’t read it.
One truth is that Linchpins are obvious. They stand out from the crowd. In fact a Linchpin gave me this book to read, Alex Beattie from duPont Registry. Alex is a linchpin. He is connecting luxury marketers and luxury consumers with the duPont brand on a human level through his “gifts”……and it’s working.
I now utilize duPont as a luxury property marketing vehicle, and my luxury clients are clicking on duPont for the latest and greatest in all things luxury.
Why? The human connector….the linchpin.
Tags:Calabasas·duPont·Golf·hidden valley·linchpin·Los Angeles·Luxury·Luxury Real Estate·Malibu·Property·ranches·Seth Godin·thousand oaks·Westlake Village
Whale & Dolphin watching tours are ‘fun’!
Island Packer’s trips to the Channel Islands cruise with an open eye for wildlife, especially everyone’s favorite, whales and dolphins. Go out into the waters of the Santa Barbara Channel and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary just to look for whales. Trips that set out to view the migrating gray whales depart from both locations; 1691 Spinnaker Dr. in the Ventura Harbor, and 3600 S. Harbor Blvd., in the Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard. Whale watching tours are 3 to 3.5 hours long, morning departures are often scheduled for 9:30 and 10:00, and afternoon departures are at 1:30 sometimes they have trips at 9:00am & 2:00p.m. please check the departure schedule for the date of your choice. Also, additional departures, and group charters may be added to this schedule if the demand is high. Reservations are recommended for these popular trips. Whale watching tours do not land on the Channel Islands, however the island trips during this time of year will also be on the look out for whales as the boats travel to and from the park.
Author: Karen Crystal
Tags:channel islands·dolphins·whales
John Mayer ‘Battle Studies’ was recorded entirely in this Hidden Hills Home that is now for Sale and listed with Nicki & Karen of Ewing & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty. John experimented in different locations within the home to capture the precise mood and sounds he desired for the album. As an example, his second video which is scheduled to be released soon shows John bent over the piano in the ‘grand foyer’ area gently stroking the Ivory keys as the music echos eerily off the banister. The home recording site was a right of passage for John who clearly throughly enjoyed the process saying he wanted to tap into that ‘hazy, Sunset, rustic, California, Don Henley, Fleetwood Mac feel’ for this record!
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We are located at the Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks!
Muvico is a growing chain of premium, megaplex motion picture theaters in the United States. The Company currently operates 154 screens in 9 locations located in Florida, California, and Illinois. The Company’s theaters have developed a reputation as true entertainment destinations *attracting patrons from as far as 25 miles away. Come check us out today!
The Company differentiates itself from its competition by building architecturally “themed”, state-of-the-art theaters and offering such amenities as expanded concession menus, VIP areas with full-service bars and restaurants, children’s playroom, reserved seating and Internet ticketing. Muvico believes in offering the guest an integrated entertainment experience that is not “just about the movie” but where the “movie is part of the overall entertainment experience”.
Muvico’s business strategy is to provide a total integrated entertainment experience to the movie-going guest, most important of which is superior guest service. All of the Company’s theaters have state-of-the-art equipment in comfortable, attractive stadium seating auditoriums. Sony will also be providing Muvico with alternative content programming to its theaters including but not limiting to, sporting events, concerts, and other live events.
YELP review:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/muvico-theater-thousand-oaks
Address: 174 West Hillcrest Drive
City: Thousand Oaks
Zip Code: 91360
Phone Number: 805-496-5487
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Luxury Golf Cart
Luxury Cars: If you like playing golf, then you will definitely be interested in this car, a so-called reinvented golf cart in the form of a luxury car. Garia is built using the highest standards of the automotive industry, using a double wishbone front suspension similar to those found in sports cars and inspired by Formula 1 vehicles.
Also, the drive train used on this vehicle is produced by a company that builds Ducati gearboxes while the aluminium profiles in the frame are made by the same company that supplies aluminum profiles to Aston Martin, Jaguar and Volvo. The car comes with hydraulic brakes on all four wheels with discs, but the most interesting thing is that it will be built at the Valmet Automotive factory in Finland, manufacturer of the Porsche Cayman and Porsche Boxster.
Inside the car we can find an in-built refrigerator, hand-stitched seats and an exclusive personalization program where you can choose to have The Garia painted in your favorite color or matched to your other cars. The Garia will also be street legal and available in the US market as an LSV (Low Speed Vehicle). Official debut will be made at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March.
Author: Andrew Christian
Tags:golf carts·sherwood·thousand oaks
Hidden Valley
This is one of those places where you suck in your breath, let out a low whistle and think, “So this is how the other half lives.”
Tucked in the away in the northern Santa Monica mountains, Thousand Oaks’ Hidden Valley may be considered the millionaires’ bargain club. Right next store to Lake Sherwood, this community, although it enjoys it’s amenities, largely prides itself on it’s less stodgy, ranch style homes. With roughly 60 homes, residents range from horse enthusiasts to boutique winemakers and of course, leaders of industry.
Possibly the most well known resident is David Murdock, owner of Dole Food Co and one of world’s wealthiest people. But years before Murdock came to play the area was used in the filming of “Robin Hood,” starring Douglas Fairbanks in 1921. Jamie Foxx bought here a couple years back to join Tom Selleck and former Major League Baseball player Todd Zeile and his wife, 1984 Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Julianne McNamara. Sophia Loren owned a ranch here for many years but has since sold La Concordia; Sylvester Stallone was one of the original Hidden Valley owners as well.
Many enjoy the comfort of being separated from a busting city and finding $10 million homes at 1/4th the cost of Bel-Air. Hidden Valley attracts a highly specific personality and taste.
Tags:hidden valley·ranches·thousand oaks
Question
I am looking at buying a townhome, I recently got in touch with a REALTOR® who spent a day showing me a couple of areas. I ended up falling in love with a property that is still in the process of being built. I am now seriously considering making an offer on this place, but I was planning on doing it myself without the Realtor.
Since it is a new build, I figured I could get a better price without using her since they would not have to pay the 3 percent commission. Here is the kicker–the Realtor is my mom’s friend. Would this be “burning bridges” to make an offer without using the Realtor? What do I tell the Realtor? My mom thinks that since she showed me the property I have to use her. I disagree!
- Heather
Answer
Good question! This is a common assumption/mistake that new home buyers tend to make. I have never seen a deal that was better financially because the buyer did not have their own representation. In fact, I have seen deals quite the opposite.
There is much negotiation to be done by your Realtor on your behalf regarding price of the home, upgrades to be included in that price, etc. Certainly you can be sure that the hired home builder’s representatives will not be going to bat for you! Your Realtor is not there with you to just introduce you to the property. There are many obligations that your Realtor has in representing you. They are there with you every step of the way to ensure that your best interests are protected throughout the escrow, and that you receive all the appropriate disclosures regarding the property, the development and the area, so that you can make an informed decision to go forward with the purchase or not once your due diligence timeframe is up.
For example: I always have my new home buyers hire an inspector to inspect the property. Many new home buyers think this is not necessary since it is a new home. I disagree. In my opinion, every home should be inspected before purchase. Ok, now let’s factor in that your Realtor is your mother’s trusted friend. My advice to you is to trust your Realtor and allow her to represent you and negotiate for you. Everything is negotiable, and your Realtor will act as a non-emotional “middle man” for you in order to achieve your goal, and get the home you desire.
- Karen Crystal
Karen Crystal, REALTOR® at Ewing & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty, specializes in estate properties. She brings a unique blend of efficiency, honesty, integrity and business- savvy to her clients.
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Question
My daughter is buying a house in Utah. There is a $1,500 flooring allowance that she was told had to be used prior to closing. I do not understand why. She wants to put in flooring on the whole bottom floor of the house, which is more than the $1,500. Should she get a letter signed that if the house does not go through, she will be reimbursed for the extra flooring? Is this a normal routine? I have told her she should not do anything until the house has closed escrow. Thanks for your help.
- Mrs. Dobson
Answer
It is always a risk for a buyer to do any improvements before the close of the transaction. If for any reason the transaction does not close, there is a serious risk for the buyer (absent some written agreement between the buyer and seller for the seller to repay the buyer for the buyer’s out of pocket expenses for the improvements).
One way to get the improvements completed prior to the close of the transaction is for the seller to pay the vendor(s) for the improvements. If the transaction does not close, the seller will absorb the out of pocket costs. If the transaction does close, the costs of the improvements can be paid for by the buyer to the seller in the course of the closing (with an escrow or no escrow depending on the location of the property and custom and practice in that location).
- Karen Crystal
Karen Crystal, REALTOR® at Ewing & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty, specializes in estate properties. She brings a unique blend of efficiency, honesty, integrity and business- savvy to her clients.
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Question
We are looking at a new grouping of patio type homes that are built directly next to a cemetery. The homes are built facing a center grassy courtyard and are very close together with an HOA that takes care of landscaping. Will either of these factors (patio home, next to cemetery) adversely affect resale value?
- Jerrine
Answer
When purchasing any home (single family, patio home or condominium), the surrounding areas must be considered by the buyer in evaluating not only the price but the future anticipated appreciation in value. In this case, it is likely that the price being paid now is less than a comparable home without the close proximity to the cemetery, therefore, the current price may make this purchase attractive.
That being said, it is also likely that there will be be less future appreciation with this property than one that is not located next to a cemetery. The patio home/condominium versus a single family home is an entirely different topic, and that exact question is answered in detail on our Realtor.com “Ask a Realtor” site by me in fact. Bottom line, the answer is similar. You are probably paying less now for a patio home than a single family home in the same area, and the patio home will likely have less future appreciation.
Location is a very important element when considering buying a property. In fact, many professionals would argue that it is THE most important consideration. However, there are always a variety of positives and negatives that influence a home buyer’s decision, from purchase price to neighborhood safety, to school district, etc. If the other positive elements of this property and lifestyle it provides outweigh the negative of the cemetery, and future appreciation is not the primary goal for you, then the cemetery does not have to be a deal breaker.
- Karen Crystal
Karen Crystal, REALTOR® at Ewing & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty, specializes in estate properties. She brings a unique blend of efficiency, honesty, integrity and business- savvy to her clients.
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