The Malibu Real Estate Blog

One of the best deals I’ve seen hit the Malibu real estate market this month! Short sale deal alert but you’d have to have been on it today to even have a chance. By this evening, there is a good chance that there are more than 4 offers on the Malibu home.The home was crawling with buyers today when I was there!

One reason to work with a local Malibu real estate agent is so you can get the call first when something like this hits the market. I scan the Malibu real estate market every morning at 7am and if an incredible deal comes up I call all my priority buyers who are committed to letting me find them that great buy.

By 8am this morning I had already called a client and had them on their way to the home two hours later.

The home has huge ocean views, 6 bedrooms, and over 5000 sq.ft of newer construction with an asking price under $2m. From the MLS..”A TRULY EXCITING ESTATE WITH WELL THOUGHT OUT FLOOR PLAN & ALL THE AMENITIES AND QUALITY YOU HAVE TO SEE TO APPRECIATE. SPECTACULAR VIEWS FROM JUST ABOUT EVERY ROOM. THE HOME INCLUDES FORMAL DINING ROOM, LIBRARY/STUDY, HOME THEATER, 5 BEDROOMS EACH WITH PRIVATE BATH AND AN ENORMOUS MASTER SUITE. BEAUTIFUL GARDENS, LARGE GRASSY YARD, POOL & LIGHTED SPORT COURT. SURROUNDING TREES & FLOWERS CREATE A COZY, PRIVATE FEELING. SUBJECT TO SHORT SALE APPROVAL. CB SHORT SALE DIVISION.”

If you are interested in deals like this (REO, short sale, bank owned) and want to work closely with a Malibu real estate agent who will call you first, then email me at Malibu real estate @ mac.com; or call 310 699 8428 to discuss needs.

Courtesy of C Cortazzo/CB

Tags: bank owned, malibu real estate, malibu real estate agent, reo, short sale

Being a Malibu real estate agent is never boring. You meet a wide variety of interesting folks. I’ve seen a lot but this was a first for me today while showing a Malibu home for sale…..

“I mean,…..I’m not totally wu-wu if that’s what you are thinking” my clients states as she pulls out a pair of divining rods made out of copper wire and crystals. They start spinning like crazy (note…it was a very windy) and she tells me the energy of the place is really good…almost as good as Sedona, AZ. “I’ve never seen this before….mind if I make a quick video?” I ask…because you know what? This is the kind of stuff that blogs were made for.
If you need a Malibu real estate agent who can tell you more about a property than divining rods, give me a call at 310 699 8428

Tags: homes for sale, malibu real estate agent

A few years ago I received a call from a family that wanted to move from Seattle to Point Dume. I found them a great rental on the Point and they’ve adapted well to their new found lifestyle of sun and outdoor activity. I’m going to guess that the fellow that made this video never would have done anything like this back home.It’s hard to take out a phone when it’s always raining. I think the very fact that he whipped out his phone and gave such amazing, scientific narration, reminiscent of Mutual Of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, shows just how excited he is to be here in Malibu.

So this is what happens when you move to Malibu. You go out your door and find adventures around the corner. It’s never boring here.

Tags: Move to malibu, Point Dume Homes For Sale

Really incredible breaking news! The Malibu Real Estate market is busting loose!
Man! Where do I begin? Picture the Colossas at Six Flags. You know the first big drop? We’ve been there. The big dip in the middle. We’ve been there, too. The part where you start heading back up really fast? That’s where we’re at, baby. Heading up and looking towards clear blue skies. There might be a bump or two on the way back up but I think we are flying past  the big dip!
It’s like people just got fed up with waiting around and decided to move on, regardless of their fears. We’ve been bombarded with some much bad news about everything over the last few years I think people have just had enough and are realizing that it’s just time to spend some money and grab some deals.
Here’s what going on. All the data is showing sign of a real upturn:

• NAR is claiming we may see the strongest home sales year in the last 5 years. February pending sales up 9.2% from year ago.
•  15 Malibu beach houses are pending and 45 deals on the land side are pending. 45! That’s a huge number!
• 11 condos in one complex sold or pending in the last 7 months.

Ok enough boring stuff. Let me dish you up a hot plate of tasty good news directly from  the trenches.
I asked a few local managers to give me the low down on what they are seeing in their offices. So get out your napkin, grab a spoon, and gobble this up.
“Properly priced  Malibu property sales are driving the market. A lot of activity in all ranges. On the beach, where it had been quiet, also very active from $5mm to $10mm. Much of that inventory went into escrow the past 30 days”

-Michael Novotny Prudential Malibu Realty

“The good news is we are having a $100+ million dollar month,  it appears that approximately 20-25% of the Malibu inventory is either Back up or Pending.”

- Jay Rubenstein Coldwell Banker Malibu

“The last 60 days have seen more activity than I have seen in the last 5 years. It seems as though the “Bell has rung” for the bottom of the market. These are not low end sales but $5,000,000 to $25,000,000 and several of them. I hope it continues.”

-Jeff Chertow Pritchett- Rapf Malibu

“6.5 mil listing in BH was in the MLS for one week, received 7 offers, and closed all-cash in 3 business days…over asking.  Significant lack of good inventory. “

-Tom Dunlap Prudential Beverly Hills

So there’s the straight talk. Ready to stop worrying and step to the plate? Call me at 310 699 8428 to discuss anything about Malibu real estate.

Tags: beach house, malibu real estate

A $200,000 per month rental hit the Malibu real estate market last night officially kicking off the summer lease season. Throngs of personal assistants, business managers, friends of friends, and sometimes even principles will soon be getting their game faces on and heading out to inspect this years offering of Malibu beach rentals. $100k per month is so, 2007 pre real estate bubble, so why not, especially as it appears the Malibu luxury realty market is rebounding rather quickly.

When it come to these prices there are really only two beaches that can consistently find tenants in this price range–Carbon Beach and Malibu Colony Beach. At this level, the homes will likely be sitting on double or triple lots with enough beach frontage to play a proper game of frisbee or to throw that whistling Nerf football as hard as you please without worry of hitting the neighbors section of sand or their Hermes Birkin “beach purse”.

Here’s the Low Down.

This home happens to be outside the gates at the Malibu Colony on one of the best sections of beach in all of Malibu. With ample amounts of silky dry sand to play on and a huge deck for a Fourth of July party, you may find it hard to get rid of your weekend guests. The level of appointments and details in this Malibu home would give any suite at Shutters a run for it’s money and when you calculate sq.ft./price,  it might even a better deal in the long run
.
From the MLS…. “ULTIMATE MALIBU COLONY ESTATE ON RARE DOUBLE LOT AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER LEASE. PRIME OCEANFRONT HOME OFFERING THE BEST IN LUXURY BEACH LIVING. DESIGNED FOR ENTERTAINING AND LOUNGING, THIS EXQUISITELY FURNISHED 6 BDRM. 6 BATH MASTERPIECE BOASTS AN OPEN PATIO W/SPA, OUTDOOR KIT. WITH BBQ, BAR AND FLAT SCREEN, AND FIRE PIT, STEPS FROM SUN DECK TO WHITE SAND BEACH,EXCEPTIONAL GREAT ROOM AND GOURMET KITCHEN WITH HARDWOOD FLOORS,SUMPTUOUS OCEANFRONT MASTER WITH OFFICE, HUGE CLOSET & DECK, DETACHED 2-ROOM GUEST COTTAGE, LUSH COURTYARD & DELUXE MEDIA SYSTEM THRU-OUT. 3 CAR GARAGE.”

More pics available upon request. For a showing appointment call Mike Gardner at  310 699 8428. Click here to request a list of Malibu Summer Rentals

This link will direct you to search on your own. Malibu Rentals

Continue Reading »

Tags: malibu colony, malibu luxury realty, malibu real estate, summer rental

A landmark Malibu beach house, designed by Pierre Koenig, hit the Malibu real estate market last night for $18.5m. The home sits right above the water on a rocky promontory at the end of Broad Beach and features giant walls of glass that take in some of the best views in all of Malibu. When inside, it seems as though you are looking at a 480″ HD plasma TV watching a segment of Planet Earth that was filmed in Malibu. Imagine Sigourney Weaver’s voice as the camera pans left over the cove….”Here, dolphins marvel at the glass and steel structure while the rhythmic pulse of the tides yield an ever changing view of the cove. But all is not well in Paradise…..Soon an army of window washers descend on the magnificent structure clinging to the surface like ants on a glass Rubiks Cube”

From the MLS “Once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase Pierre Koenig’s last built project. 11 years in the making Koenig’s LaFetra Beach House was described by Pierre as being “a perfect jewel” and “with a view that rivals CSH #22″. Gated on a cul de sac with its own drawbridge, this architectural marvel could no longer be built in this location. Radiant heated, solar powered, steel, concrete & glass assembled in this perfectly designed breath-taking site.”

For showing requests contact Mike Gardner at Prudential Malibu Realty direct at 310 699 8428

Listed with Cory Weiss Partners Trust

Tags: 6525 POINT LECHUZA, beach house, for sale, malibu real estate, Pierre Koenig

Doug Burdge is a local architect and good friend who has designed some of the nicest homes ever built in Malibu. Real estate agents often use his name in the descriptions within the MLS as a way of conveying the quality and perfectly executed design aesthetic one could expect when buying a home like this in Malibu. The next blog post in a few days is going to feature every Doug Burdge home for sale within the Malibu real estate market right now.

New to the market last night is a home Doug designed that is located in Serra Retreat, a neighborhood known for it’s privacy with full time guards at it’s entrances. Located at 3200 Retreat Court, the 6 bedroom, 9 bath home sits on sprawling grounds with an oversized swimming pool complete with a water slide and a cave located behind a waterfall. The only thing missing is a Lazy River (there’s enough room for a large one) and a margarita machine!

I had the chance to tour this home with Doug last year and was really impressed with the layout of the home. It’s very large in volume but still feels like a family oriented home. There is also a large guest house/office space that is ideal for someone who works from home.

Contact Mike Gardner at Prudential Malibu Real Estate 310 699 8428 for more info.
Search for Malibu Real Estate

From the MLS “SPECTACULAR GUARD GATED SERRA RETREAT ESTATE! RECENTLY COMPLETELY REBUILT AND REMODELED WITH THE ABSOLUTE FINEST FINISHES! EXTREMELY PRIVATE LOCATION BEHIND GATES AT THE END OF A QUIET CUL-DE-SAC, A TRULY SENSATIONAL SETTING FOR THIS SOPHISTICATED MALIBU COMPOUND. AMONG THE HOMES MANY ATTRIBUTES ARE A DETACHED GUEST HOUSE, AND A 5 CAR GARAGE. INTERIOR AMMENITIES INCLUDE A STATE OF THE ART THEATER(CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION) BEAUTIFUL HARDWOOD AND STONE FLOORS, DRAMATIC DOUBLE ISLAND KITCHEN WITH ZEBRA WOOD CABINETRY, TWO FAMILY ROOMS, SOARING TWO STORY CEILINGS AND A WIDE OPEN FLOORPLAN FOR ENTERTAINING. THE RESORT QUALITY GROUNDS ARE SECOND TO NONE! AN AMAZING POOL WITH WATERFALLS AND SLIDE, FULL SIZED LIGHTED SPORTS COURT, FIREPLACE, BBQ CENTER, ENORMOUS MANICURED LAWNS AND MATURE LANDSCAPE PROVIDE AN AWE INSPIRING BACKYARD EXPERIENCE! THIS ONE OF A KIND PROPERTY WILL IMPRESS!”

Complete slide show here

Listed with Jordan Cohen/ Remax

Tags: 3200 retreat court, home for sale, malibu real estate, serra retreat, v

Malibu real estate alert! This just happened last night and I want you all to go figure out where you can come up with the funds to buy this house or tell a friend about it. This listing hit the Malibu real estate market a few moths back at a price that just wasn’t working…. $2,9995,000 was way to high! Now the Point Dume home has had a $1m price chop to a real sellable number at $1,995,000. It’s rare to get anything on Point Dume under $2m with this size lot.

Here’s the deal. It’s a great Malibu property with a ton of usable land. There will be good views if you can get a second story built and it has a Point Dume beach key. The problem is the house is  dated and has a weird tug boat appendage growing out of the right side. It’s actually three story guest house with the top floor having the best views of the Malibu coastline. The tug bat part is just a facade that can be ripped down. The main house is kind of a cool post and beam that can be lived in for a while until you remodel and it’s almost 4000 sq ft.!

If you’ve been priced out of the Malibu real estate market, specifically Point Dume, here’s your chance. Just bring your captains hat or Captain Merrill Stubing… He’d feel right at home here.

For showings call 310 699 8428.

Tags: malibu real estate, Point Dume homes, tug boat

Another smoking deal on a bank owned Malibu home for sale! Less than 5 hours ago a new listing hit the Malibu real estate market that will be gone shortly if you don’t act quick. Asking $1,119,000, this Malibu West home has three bedrooms and has been nicely upgraded. This Malibu home for sale also comes with beach rights at the Malibu West Beach club on Broad Beach. Call for a showing 310 699 8428 or request a list of bank owned Malibu properties for sale. Email for Bank Owned List
From the MLS….”BANK OWNED REO! GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO OWN IN DESIRABLE MALIBU WEST LOCATED ON A BEAUTIFUL TREE LINED STREET THIS SINGLE LEVEL HOME FEATURES 3 BEDROOMS AND 2 BATHROOMS. THE GARAGE HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO A DEN/OFFICE SPACE/ LIVING ROOM & FEATURES RANCH STYLE WINDOW OPENINGS. THE PROPERTY IS SITUATED JUST BEHIND A CREEK AND FEATURES A NICE GRASSY AREA AS WELL AS A COVERED SITTING AREA IN THE GARDEN AND CONCRETE/BRICK PATIO JUST OFF THE BACK SIDE OF THE HOUSE. GREAT HOME JUST BLOCKS FROM THE OCEAN.”

listed with J Cohen Re/Max

Tags: homes for sale, malibu bank owned, malibu real estate, malibu west, reo

There are two homes in Malibu for sale that are worth seeing if you like modern architecture and jetliner ocean views.
The first home in Malibu that I’m a huge fan of is the listing at 27312 Winding Way. This one of a kind modern home is set in to the side of your very own private mountain with views looking over Paradise Cove and the bluffs of Point Dume. This is the home you buy if you want to be like Tony Stark in his Malibu Iron Man House. I’m not kidding when I say that this home has a similar views to what you’d see from a plane a 10,000 feet flying over Malibu. Also, if you need privacy and security, it’s got that too with only an occasional deer breaching the perimeter. It hit the Malibu real estate market at over $8m is now a deal at $6,750,000.
Form the MLS “STAGED & REDUCED! THE BRIDGE HOUSE, CHRISTOPHER R. SORENSEN AIA. INCREDIBLE OCEAN VIEWS FROM EVERY ROOM OF THIS PRIVATE GATED CUL DE SAC LOCATION. THIS BRAND NEW HOME IS COMPLETE AND READY FOR MOVE IN. RIFT SAWN OAK FLOORS, CONTEMPORARY STYLE AND A POOL WITH YOUR OWN MOUNTAIN TO HIKE AND ENJOY. GREAT SEPARATION OF THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC AREAS MAKE THIS HOME IDEAL FOR ENTERTAINING. SELLER HAS HAD MEETINGS WITH THE CITY AND THE PROPERTY COULD EASILY HAVE A TWO ROOM GUEST HOUSE ADDED OVER THE GARAGE.” The website can be viewed here The Bridge House

The other Malibu home for sale is one of my personal listings in Malibu. The home is located at 5710 Trancas Canyon and is a one of a kind compound that includes a 5000 sq. ft. guest house that is perfect for use as a studio for an architect, photographer, or music producer. This home also sits on top of a mountain top and is very secure and private.From the MLS “THIS MODERN MALIBU ESTATE SITS ON 10 ACRES W/360-DEGREE OCEAN, MOUNTAIN, & CANYON VIEWS. APPX. 9700 SQ.FT IN 3 BUILDINGS. BUILT OF STEEL & GLASS, SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS & WATER FEATURES. THE MAIN RESIDENCE SITS ON TOP OF HILL W/LIVING AREA, DINING AREA, CANTILEVERED FIREPLACE, & CUSTOM CHEF’S KITCHEN. MASTER SUITE FEATURES ROOF THAT OPENS TO SKY, BUILT-IN CEDAR-LINED CLOSETS, & WALK-IN SHOWER THAT OPENS TO OUTDOORS. ON LOWER LEVEL OF MAIN HOUSE IS LAUNDRY ROOM, MEDIA ROOM, & OFFICE OR CAN BE USED AS 2 GUEST BDRMS W/BATHRM. THE ROOF HAS FIREPLACE, HERB GARDEN, & WATER FEATURES. DOWN DRIVEWAY IS STUDIO, WHICH IS SURROUNDED BY TURTLE & KOI POND. OPPOSITE STUDIO IS SOLAR-HEATED SALTWATER POOL, SAUNA, ENTERTAINMENT PAVILION, & POOL HSE W/KITCHEN & BATHRM. STUDIO HAS OFFICE W/CONFERENCE ROOMS, KITCHEN, BATHRM, & GUEST QUARTERS W/SEPT. ENTRANCE, BEDROOM/LIVING AREA, KITCHEN, & BATHROOM. DOWNHILL FROM STUDIO IS ANOTHER GUESTHOUSE W/GYM, BATHRM, & STORAGE. INCLUDES WEST MALIBU BEACH CLUB RIGHTS.”

Tags: homes in malibu, malibu real estate, mansions, The bridge house

One of the really fun things about being a Malibu real estate agent is that I get to go in to hundreds of homes for sale each year and check out people’s interpretation of  ”good style.” Most Malibu homes are decorated in a way that looks like they are fresh out of Metropolitan Home Mag, Dwell,  or from a Pottery Barn catalog — but every once in a while you run into something out of the ordinary. There is one condo for sale on Point Dume that is so unique I’m tempted to start a new game called the “Guess the number of Buddhas in this house?”

Before you start counting Buddhas,  there is one other fantastic thing worth mentioning about this Malibu condo: The unit was once owned by a well-known female lifeguard who has performed dozens of heroic rescues in local waters without any real training.

Before the current owner, she created a one-of-a-kind master bathroom in which the bather could be the evening’s entertainment viewed from anywhere in the master bedroom.  This bathroom has a spa tub with a nearby viewing platform (the bed) and  Roman cistern that one could pose naked next to pretending to fill the tub with recently fetched well water. Post-bath, one could saunter over to the fully exposed overhead shower with a faux finished rock grotto floor with no walls . . . just a curtain that looks like it was designed to be pulled shut in emergencies — like when  kids come walking in. The overall theme seems to be possibly influenced from a trip to Medieval Times with fake castle-style block walls and diamond patterned stenciling.

Back to the Buddha game. The first person that guesses the number closest to the right answer is going to win a custom-printed Malibu photograph. 
Email you answer

So if you are in market for a place on Point Dume that was once owned by a famous celebrity, can claim it has a “sexy” master bathroom with naughty bathing grotto, and has more cosmic  karma than Sedona at summer solstice, then you may have just found your next home.

All commentary aside (couldn’t resist) here is the low down….. I showed this place a few times and it’s a well priced condo on Point Dume with some very nice upgrades. While the bathroom will likely need a remodel, the floors and finishes in the rest of the house have had a lot of money  put in to them. The kitchen has nice cabinets and newer appliances. The distressed wood floors are like the type you see in higher end homes around Malibu. There is even an open bonus space that could easily become a third bedroom. Best of all you get a beach key to Little Dume and rentals in this complex run about $3500 per month if you are looking for an investment property.

Call 1 310 699 8428 for a showing. These units don’t come up to often and are considered by many to be the nicest units available on Point Dume.

Tags: buddha, condo, homes for sale, malibu, point dume homes for sale, real estate agent

This is a smoking deal! A Malibu Park home for sale under $1.2M! This bank owned home has 4 bedrooms and is in a great, family friendly area of Malibu near the high school. This Malibu home for sale is offered at $1,169,500 and I’ll be willing to bet that there will be at least three offers on by the end of next week. If you want to live in Malibu, make your move now, and take a run at this great home.
From the MLS “BANK OWNED REO! FANTASTIC HOME JUST MINUTES FROM ZUMA BEACH. PROPERTY WAS RECENTLY REMODELED AND SHOWS AS A 4 BEDROOM 2 3/4 BATHROOM ESTATE. THIS PROPERTY HAS VAULTED CEILING ENTRY, HARDWOOD FLOORING, REMODELED KITCHEN, NICE GATED YARD, STORAGE SHEDS, SPORTS COURT AND SO MUCH MORE. PLEASE CALL FOR MORE DETAILS. FANTASTIC LOCATION!”
CALL FOR A SHOWING BUT DONT WAIT. MALIBU REAL ESTATE AGENT MIKE GARDNER 1-310-699-8428

Courtesy of  Jordan Cohen Re/Max Olson & Associates,Inc.

Tags: agent, bank owned, homes for sale, malibu, real estate

Investments properties on Malibu Road are very rare and this multi unit Malibu beach home is starting to look like a great deal at $4,800,000. This building has a total of 4 units with 9 bedrooms and with one of the units being a 1 bd owners unit. Current income on 3 of the rental units are about $17k but could be pushed up to $20k easily. Run the numbers and make an offer. These building seldom come up for sale on Malibu Road. From the MLS..

LOWEST PRICED WATER FRONT PROPERTY ON MALIBU ROAD. APPROX 5,500 SF PROPERTY ON 50 FT LOT. TERRIFIC SECTION OF MALIBU RD WITH GREAT BEACH AND INCREDIBLE OCEAN VIEWS. THIS MALIBU BEACH HOME FOR SALE HAS 3 UNITS PLUS AN OWNERS UNIT. ALL UNITS ARE COMPLETELY RENOVATED AND FURNISHED AND ALL HAVE LAUNDRY. THERE IS A 3 BR 2 BA UNIT PLUS OFFICE, TWO 2 BR 2 BA UNITS AND ANOTHER 2 BR 1 BA UNIT. THE 3 MAIN UNITS ARE ALL OCEAN SIDE WITH PRIVATE DECKS. LOTS OF PARKING AS WELL! VERY UNIQUE OFFERING AND PERFECT FOR A POSSIBLE SINGLE FAMILY CONVERSION OR FOR AN OWNER TO LIVE IN 1 OF THE UNITS AND MAKE A GREAT INCOME ON THE OTHER UNITS. PROPERTY ALSO LISTED IN THE MLS UNDER “INCOME PROPERTY”. BEST WATER FRONT VALUE IN MALIBU!!

click here to search for all Malibu beach houses for sale

Tags: beach homes for sale, investment, malibu, malibu beach houses, property, road

A few weeks ago I filmed a segment for Good Morning America and it finally aired today! The focus of the story was about agents hosting over-the-top open house parties to attract other agents and clients to a home. I have a few comments about this whole experience that I’d like to share with my blog’s readers.
In one aspect, selling real estate is a marketing game where the agent’s job is to expose the home to the world using any means possible. Some agents think they only need to put up a sign and throw some money at a magazine or newspaper for some ads. I come from a different school of thought. One that mixes a little P.T. Barnum from the promotion and publicity stand point, and a little Seth Godin and Gary Vaynerchuk in the marketing department. Mix in an excellent understanding of SEO and online marketing and the entire world is now my target demographic.
So when I got this listing, I started thinking about first how I must reach the agents. I wanted every agent in town to know about the listing. The idea of giving away Botox popped into my head and at first I thought for sure I’d offend the homeowner or the Beverly Hills agents. I remember calling my client on the phone and saying, ” I’ve got an idea I want to bounce off of you.” She’s a smart lady and immediately was game for it in a “hell, yes!” kinda way. Then I asked a few agents who, let’s just say, likely know how many units it takes to look 10 years younger than they are. They too responded with a “just let me know when and where” and with a whisper confided in me that they were due for a treatment and hoped to win. We did a bunch of other stuff shown in the video below which I hope you watch after reading this.
Let me cut to the chase on the event. We had nearly 70-plus agents show up to a home located up a hill that is hard to get agents to come to. The LA Times, AOl.com, The Sun UK, and about 20 other media outlets, newspapers, and blogs all picked up on the story. Many of them provided links to the property website which gave us a huge spike in traffic from around the world. Then GMA called to do the segment and two production companies called me in for interviews.
Agents were talking about it for weeks and when I recently spoke at a conference in San Diego about half in attendance had heard about the open house. Yes there was a lot of publicity to me, the agent, but there was also a huge buzz about the house the came with the package. 70 agents was double the number I was considering a success for the open house and I can only imagine the conversation that morning agents had when deciding on which houses they were going to see on caravan.
If you have a home for sale and want an agent who really loves just thinking of ways to promote and market a home, give me a call. I need a new listing to try my next big idea on. Interview me for your home’s listing and I promise to give you at least 20 things I can do better than any other agent.
-Malibu Real Estate Agent Mike Gardner 310 699 8428

Tags: beverly hills, botox, malibu, malibu real estate agent, michael gardner, open house, real estate

Being a Malibu real estate agent is a lot like being a stock broker. Everyday there are bits of activity that affect every other home for sale within the market and it’s my job to monitor and analyze it’s affects. A foreclosure in a condo complex can cause an over night crash in values. The short sale of estate can lop $1m bucks off the value of the neighbors listing and cause them to withdraw the listing. Sometimes it goes the other way too with a beach home getting snapped up for millions more than expected. Then everyone thinks their homes jumped a million overnight and chances are you’ll see a few new listings in the immediate vacinity. I often even refer to homes “trading” in a certain price range rather than being “sold”. When someone asks about homes for sale on Malibu Road, I’ll say, “yeah, those have been trading at about $6-7mm for a small, but clean place”.

Now when I see a home heading to half of what it once was asking, again, like a stock broker, I’m looking at it like it might be a great opportunity to buy in low. Here is one such home that fits the bill that was originally listed for $7.5mm and now is asking $4.85mm
Call 310-699-8428 for showings

From the MLS…”THE PERFECT SOPHISTICATED MALIBU BEACH HOUSE DONE IN THE BEST OF TASTE. LOCATED ON MALIBU COLONY BEACH THIS TRI-LEVEL HOME HAS IT ALL. FIRST FLOOR HAS A DECK, GOURMET KITCHEN, FULL BATHROOM, FIREPLACE. SECOND FLOOR HAS A BEAUTIFUL MASTER BEDROOM SUITE WITH FIREPLACE, DECK, BEAUTIFUL SHOWER, AND A LARGE WALK IN CLOSET, A DEN AREA, ANOTHER LOVELY BEDROOM AND A FULL BATHROOM, THIRD FLOOR HAS AN ART STUDIO/OFFICE/BDRM – AN AMAZING ROOF TOP DECK WITH VIEWS OF THE COASTLINE, SURF, AND DOLPHINS. HOUSE CAN NEVER BE DUPLICATED. A LARGE CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE ROOM. THERE IS A/C THROUGHOUT. THE BEST AT THE BEACH!”

Tags: beach, malibu, malibu agent, real estate agent

The Malibu real estate market is still very active as we head in to the holidays and what is traditionally a very slow time for real estate. There are apprx. 200 Malibu homes for sale, 17 Malibu homes in escrow, and several quite sales have been completed on the beach and on Point Dume. If there was ever such a thing as Black Friday sale on Malibu Homes here are a few that would make the list. These Malibu homes for sale are all on my best buy list.

The best deal on a Malibu beach house is 23952 Malibu Road on Colony Beach. The home came on the market at $7,500,000 and is now offered at $4,850,000. It’s approaching a potential sales price at 50% of its highest asking price. The large beach houses a few lots to the East are all in the $10m-$20m range. It has been offered for lease in the summers at $50k per month. The website can be seen Malibu Beach House For Sale.

The best Malibu real estate deal on an home under $5m is 5600 Sea View. $3,200,000 for 6800 sq.ft with great ocean views. At the peak of the market this home could have asked $5,900,000.

The best Malibu real estate deal on an Malibu estate over $5m is 27530 Villa Cascata. $11,750,000 for almost 14,000 sq.ft. It’s been listed as high as $17m

The best Malibu real estate deal on a Malibu condo is the unit at Rey de Copas for $299k that should rent out for above $3300 per month. It has 3 bedrooms and three bathrooms. These same condos were asking $500k at the peak of the market

Email me if you’d like a list of my personal list of bets buys. Please be specific about what you’d like sent Malibu Real Estate@mac.com

Tags: malibu homes for sale, malibu real estate

A Point Dume home just hit the Malibu real estate market at the unbelievably low price of $1.3m and get this….it has good ocean views and a beach key! Say what? Yeah, you heard me, it’s got the goods. So here is the low down. The house is seriously outdated. It’s got that funky 70′s vibe  and you wouldn’t even question me if I jokingly told you it was once used to film the show CHiPs. Officer Francis Ponch Poncherello would like this place. One more thing to mention….it’s on a flag lot  sandwiched between several homes and there isn’t a whole lot of yard.

Here’s the good part. It’s a short sale. Someone is going to score a great deal. That is one hell of a low price and I’m not sure there will ever be another home on the Point Dume in the low $1m’s that has a beach key and a view. The home is currently rented at apprx. $4500 per month and in the past it has been as high as $5800. The home is an ideal investment property especially with a tenant who’s lease runs in to the middle of next year. There is also some new carpet, new paint, and a repaired deck. The bones are good and the whole thing could probably be remodeled in to some sort modern structure.

Call for a showing…..this one will go fast! 310 699 8428

Tags: beach key, homes for sale, malibu, point dume homes for sale, short sale

This very moment I’m sitting in reception area of an arbitration office in downtown Los Angeles waiting to be called as an expert witness. Being a Malibu real estate agent and professional photographer can lead you to interesting places when a dispute arrises between two neighbors about ocean views. I’m hear to talk about some images I took over the course of a year for  a client who had another neighbors trees blocking their ocean view. The City of Malibu has always has some guidelines and codes about vegetation and views but it wasn’t until recent that Malibu decided to deal with the issue with a view ordinance.

From the Malibu Times

The ordinance allows residential and commercial property owners to reclaim one 180-degree “primary view” that has been obstructed by foliage growth within a 1,000-foot radius of their property. To qualify under the ordinance, the view must have been unobstructed when the property was purchased or at the time of the city’s incorporation in 1991, whichever is later. The staff report defines a “primary view” as “visually impressive scenes of the Pacific Ocean, offshore islands, the Santa Monica Mountains, canyons, valleys, or ravines.”

A property owner claiming a view obstruction must first consult with the owner of the obstructing foliage or trees informally to try to reach an agreement. If those discussions are unsuccessful, the city would pay for a mediator for up to three hours to help the two sides reach an agreement; a neutral third party who would act as a negotiator.

As a Malibu real estate agent I can tell you with certainty that the amount of ocean view can affect the price of a home in the millions of dollars. It’s not uncommon to hear someone boast that their house is worth far more because they have 50% more view than the house down the street.

This reminds me of something I saw last week on agent caravan. There is a house for sale right now on Point Dume that is a great buy at $2,800,000. When I went up to the second floor to have a look at the ocean view I noticed that there were tons of trees blocking about 40%of the ocean view. Imagine the value if the next buyer could go in and get the trees trimmed! A far better investment than any remodel. $20,000 spent on tree trimming might yield a $150,000 increase in property value!

Search Malibu Homes For Sale

Tags: homes for sale, malibu real estate agent, ocean view, Point Dume Homes For Sale

I love to “think outside the box” when it comes to marketing so here’s the story!

There are usually more houses on caravan than an agent has time to see in 4 hours so to entice other agents to our listing we wanted to go all out with an event that every agent would want to be at. Great food has always been a key ingredient in getting agents to a listing but we wanted to go beyond that model. We look at ourselves not just as agents, but as promoters, and want agents from Malibu to Palos Verdes either attending this event or at least talking about it.
I attended a few gifting suites last year for the Emmys and Oscars and saw companies giving away great stuff to celebs. I started thinking about how I could pair businesses with agents and wanted my open house on caravan to be more like the those gifting suites. That’s how ideas like calling the Audi dealer started. We figured agents may want to come see some cool new cars and the Audi salesmen may want to meet agents that may want to buy their cars. Most successful agents seem to buy or lease a new car every few years and this seems like a great match.
Agents may come for the swag, but they’ll remember the house too, especially if they came to ours and missed a different one. Guys may want to see the cars and the ladies may want the foot massage and facials. They may not admit it, but both sexes will want to win that Botox! Truth be told…. It’s either update that old agent headshot or try to stay as young looking as the image that has been used for the last ten years.

I don’t care what they come for, as long as they see the house and give me a few minutes to tell them about the home why their clients should come buy it.

The website link is here….. Beverly HIlls Home For Sale

AOL Article HERE

LA Times Article Here

Inman News Here

If you want an agent who thinks the way I do or want to see this home call 310 699 8428

The open house is on the 18th of October and for agents and their guests only.
Email Me to RSVP

Tags: beverly hills, botox, caravan, open house, thai massage

How bad can the real estate market be when a Malibu mobile home located in Paradise Cove just sold for a $2,000,000 cash? The home came on the market a few months ago at $2.5m with many people debating whether or not the price was justified. The home, which really has nothing mobile about it, (think more pre-fab) sits on a bluff over looking the Pacific and shares the same views that homes listed for $15m-$55m share just a few hundred yards away. There a several other units available for sale ranging in price from $500k to $1.5m. Call me at 310 699 8428 for more information about why this is one of the most fun places to live or have a weekend beach home in Malibu.
From the MLS “THE ULTIMATE OCEAN VIEW BLUFF LOCATION IN PARADISE COVE. INSANE COASTLINE, WHITEWATER OCEAN, AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS. IT ALSO PROVIDES TOTAL PRIVACY FROM THIS NEWER 2BDRM, 2BTH HOME. OVER 2,300 SQFT. OF OPEN LIVING SPACE, PLUS 2 CAR GARAGE AND PARKING FOR 3 MORE. HUGE LANDSCAPED LOT, PLENTY OF OUTSIDE GARDEN AREAS, AND PRIVATE OCEAN VIEW DECKS. ENJOY THE SUMMER IN PARADISE. GOLF CART DOWN THE TRAIL TO KAYAK, DIVE, SURF OR JUST RELAX ON OUR PRIVATE SANDY BEACH.”

The home was listed with David Carter PR.

Tags: for sale, malibu, mobile homes, paradise cove

Ok…if you are a surfer then I don’t need to explain much about my new listing because you totally “get it”. If you don’t surf let me tell you a little bit about what makes my Hollister Ranch home for sale so amazing.

Hollsiter Ranch is a 14,400 acre private, gated section along the Santa Barbara coastline about 30 minutes North of Bacara Resort above Santa Barbara. The best way to describe it is this…it’s looks like Malibu 100 year ago before the masses got here. Homes are situated on 100 acre parcels and are so spread out that you’d think hardly anyone lived there. There is a working cattle co-op so you will see cowboys handling cattle on a daily basis.  Owners are permitted to drive on the beach to explore the numerous surf breaks and even get to enjoy hot showers at several cabanas complete with BBQ’s and restrooms. There are miles and miles of deeded horse trails along the water and up in the hills. Oh yeah…the surf is amazing too. More information can be found here.

Hollister is the kind of place you go to escape the masses. If you need privacy, Hollister has it. It’s a place to catch some amazing surf with few people out or ride your horses along some of the most beautiful coastline on the West coast. It’s a place to enjoy the quite, pick up a good book, and decompress from the stresses of life. Come unleash your inner cowboy/surfer and make an appt. now. 310 699 8428

Parcel 27 is available at $14,500,000

 Apprx. 4300 square feet of living area right along the water’s edge on a 100 acre parcel. The home features Continue Reading »

Tags: Hollister Ranch, home for sale, parcel 27, real estate

Call for more details or any questions about Malibu real estate 310 699 8428

From the MLS…..

“THE GRANDEST OF THE GRAND …AN ABSOLUTE BEAUTY ON MALIBU’S BILLIONAIRE BEACH, HOME TO WORLD FAMOUS CELEBRITIES AND MOGULS . NEWLY CONST. (2005) ON ABOUT .54 ACRES (APPX 150 FT OF SANDY CARBON BEACH FRONTAGE), THIS SUNNY, VOLUMINOUS ESTATE SITS W/IN THE FIRST 3 MI OF MALIBU’S 27 MI LONG STRETCH OF CALIF COAST – A SHORT DISTANCE FROM W. LA, LAX AND BEVERLY HILLS. STUNNING AND ARTFULLY CRAFTED IN EVERY WAY, THE EXTRAORDINARY DETAILS INCLUDE : 75FT TWO LANE LAP POOL AND SPA (MALIBU’S LARGEST EVER PERMITTED), GREEN GRASSY SIDE YARD , 90 FT* OCEANFRONT GREAT ROOM AND 40 FT* OCEANFRONT KITCHEN/FAMILY ROOM (BOTH OPEN TO THE 4500SF* OCEANFRONT DECK W/ OUTDOOR KITCHEN). THE APPROX 10,500SF OF LIVING SPACE INCLUDES 4 FIREPLACES, EXQUISITE LIBRARY W/ HUGE AQUARIUM, OCEANFRONT GYM AND OFFICE, A PROFESSIONAL’S THEATER, 5 BEDROOMS EN SUITE PLUS THE ENORMOUS OCEANFRONT MASTER STE. WITH DUAL BATHS & 2 HUGE DRESSING ROOMS. LIST PRICE IS OPENING BID”

listed with Carol Bird WEA agency

Tags: auction, Carbon beach, homes for sale, malibu, real estate

Marisol Malibu’s Showcase House Wins Three Grand “Gold Nugget” Awards, Including House of the Year at the 48th Annual Pacific Coast Builders Conference & Exposition.

The Judges Statement on the Marisols Malibu Beach House: “Incorporating years of study of coastal botanical habitat, the developer sought to place these homes into an indigenous botanical garden. Respecting landforms while creating strong architectural spaces that blur the lines between inside and outside make this a perfect home for the gentle Southern California climate. The judges were impressed with the strong artful interior architecture and creation of elegant casual lifestyle. The homes were designed with multigenerational private suites to allow for the return of friends and family. The homes attained a “Build It Green” certification by utilizing recycled materials and large shade overhangs.”

I’ve been up the showcase home numerous times and can only say that a visit to the site will completely redefine your definition of luxury craftsmanship. Every inch of the home has been thoughtfully designed for experiencing what living at the beach is all about. Just take my word on this and go visit the property then go have lunch have Neptune’s Net. Call for a showing. 310 699 8428 for a look at Malibu real estate‘s newest additions.

Tags: malibu, Marisol

On Monday mornings we have an office meeting where about 40 agents gather to talk about the market. We also take a poll where agents submit what they think the best buy is within the Malibu real estate market. Today almost every agent nodded in agreement when the house on Harbor Vista was discussed. It’s on my radar as a best buy and it should be on yours too if you want a great Malibu home under $2.3m.

From the MLS “LOCATED BEHIND A PRIVATE GATE AT THE END OF A QUITE CUL-DE-SAC WITH SPECTACULAR OCEAN, CITY LIGHT AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS. THIS RECENTLY RE-MODELED HOME OFFERS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE BUYER MOVING TO MALIBU WHO ENJOYS ENTERTAINING AND WANTS THE OPTION OF WORKING FROM HOME. THE FLEXIBLE FLOOR PLAN PROVIDES SPECTACULAR VIEWS FROM THE LIVING ROOM, MASTER BEDROOM, FAMILY ROOM, DINING AREA, KITCHEN AND OFFICE.”

Listed with Marcus Beck

Tags: homes for sale, malibu, real estate

I’ve seen a lot of unique offerings, but never a package deal like this…..A Malibu home for sale has come on the market for $44,000,000. That’s a big number for a bluff-side home on Point Dume considering I just sold a better, similar size lot for $11m just down the road. Last Thursday I had the chance to go check it out on caravan, held on Thursdays in Malibu.

What I found was an amazing, palatial estate of grand proportions perched above Big Dume bay. Read this MLS description and you’ll soon see what makes this Malibu homes for sale so special…..”INCLUDED IN THIS SALE IS A ONE-OF-A-KIND AUTO MUSEUM OF APPROX 7,000 SF. THIS ARCHITECTURAL ESTATE IS BEYOND COMPARE AND SURPASSES THE MOST DISCRIMINATING EXPECTATION. SITTING ON A DRAMATIC OCEAN BLUFF, THIS IMPRESSIVE HOME OPENS TO NEVER ENDING VIEWS OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN. THE 11,741 SF PROPERTY IS SUPPORTED BY A COMBINATION OF MASSIVE ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS RISING OVER 40 FEET WHICH ARE IN TURN SOFTENED BY LAVISH FOLIAGE WEAVING ITS WAY UP TO A BACKYARD FILLED WITH DELIGHTFUL TRANQUILITY AND IMPRESSIVE VIEWS OF THE MALIBU COAST; THE OUTDOORS FEATURE A 62 FOOT ITALIAN GLASS-TILED POOL AND SEPARATE 18 FOOT SPA WITH AUTOMATIC OZONE CLEANING SYSTEMS. INTERIOR INCLUDES A PROFESSIONAL SCREENING ROOM, TOP-OF-THE-LINE CHEF’S KITCHEN, TRAVERTINE FLOORING, AND SPECTACULAR MASTER SUITE. CEILINGS ARE 14 FEET TALL, AND THROUGHOUT THE HOME THERE ARE FLOOR-TO-CEILING GLASS DOORS, WHICH PROVIDE A BEAUTIFUL AND SEAMLESS TRANSITION BETWEEN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR.”

Did you catch the part where a 7000 sq.ft. auto museum comes with the purchase? That’s right, you get another home on Point Dume that was designed just to house a car collection. While I was in the main house I heard every agent make the same comment…..”Did you see the cars?”

I ran over the other house and my oh my……not just any car collection but a stable of honest to goodness real exotic race cars. Check out the pics below.

Tags: for, homes, Malibu Home for sale, sale