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July 21, 2020

Home Tips: Essential Summer Home Maintenance Tips

As we are halfway through summer, now is the time to run an audit on the care for your home. Rain, wind, and other weather may have created some “obvious” fixes that needed immediate attention. However, today we are addressing some common and minor issues to resolve and maintain that can ensure longevity on the wear and tear caused over time on your home. Check them out below!

CLEAN OUT YOUR RAIN GUTTERS / ROOF

There is no telling what has ended up on your roof and inside your rain gutters. Flush those gutters out and check to see if you have any loose tiles or shingles on your roof. Now is the time to check it out to avoid any possible leaks when the rain comes back.

CHANGE THE BATTERIES IN YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS

It is not common knowledge that your smoke detectors should be changed every 6 months. The more you know. To make it easier to remember doing so, put yourself on a twice-a-year schedule to change them out. Perhaps when there is a time change, that can remind you to replace your batteries!

CHANGE ALL OF YOUR FILTERS

The general recommendation is to change out any and all filters in your home and throughout your appliances every 30-60 days. However, if you have a home without pets you can push to 90 days. If you have a home with pets and someone with allergies, you may want to consider every 20-45 days.

CHECK YOUR DECK

Look over your deck for signs of rotting and hammer in any nails that are poking out to avoid injury. Then, determine if your deck needs any sealing. A good trick is to sprinkle water on your deck. If the water beads up, you are in good shape. If the water soaks in, it may be time to reseal it!

CHECK ON WASHER AND DRYER

Did you know that every two months you should be draining out the excess fluids in your washing machine and cleaning out the vents in your dryer? This is the most overlooked maintenance that can add YEARS to the life of these appliances. Your clothes will wash in cleaner water, and your clothes will dry faster. A win win!

July 20, 2020

Economic update for the week ending July 18, 2020

Stocks markets higher for the third straight week – Investors were encouraged by another surge in retail sales, the largest industrial production increase in 60 years, positive economic data from China and Europe, and research showing vaccine trials had been successful in immunizing participants. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 26,671.95 up 2.3% from 26,075.30 last week. It’s down 6.5% year to date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 3,224.73, up 1.2% from 3,184.04 last week. It’s down 0.2% year to date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 10,503.19, down 1.1% from 10,617.44 last week. It’s up 17.1% year to date.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 0.64%, unchanged from 0.65% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 1.33%, unchanged from 1.33% last week.

30-year fixed rates drop below 3% – The July 16, 2020 Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 2.98%, down from 3.03% last week. The 15-year fixed was 2.48%, down from 2.51% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.06%, up from 3.02% last week.

Existing home sales rebound in June – The California Association of Realtors announced that existing home sales surged 42.4% in June from May’s sales totals. Existing home sales totaled 339,910 on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate in June. That was down 12.8% from June 2019. Fortunately, pending sales have also increased dramatically. The California Association of Realtors expect sales to be back to pre-pandemic levels by July or August. Prices also surged in June. The state-wide median price paid for a home in June was $626,170. That represented a 6.5% increase from May and a 2.5% increase from last June. Inventory levels declined to a 2.7 month supply of homes for sale which explains the number of homes selling with multiple offers. On a regional basis, Los Angeles County had a 1.8% year over year increase in the median price. Ventura County had an 8.2% year over year increase in the median price. Orange County had a 3.3% year over year increase in the median price.Have a great weekend!

July 15, 2020

LA Eats: Indie Coffee Shops

With all that is going on in the world, it is important to support and lift up your local community. A small act of service would be supporting the coffee shops in your area. We have compiled a list of the Top 9 Indie Coffee Shops for you to visit throughout the entire Los Angeles area to get your coffee fix. Check ‘em out!

Bar Nine3515 Helms Avenue, Culver City CA & Open Daily: 8:00AM – 2:00PM

Coffee Luxxe 925 Montana Avene, Santa Monica, CA & Open Daily: 7:00AM – 4:00PM

Civil Coffee5629 N Figueroa, Los Angeles, CA & Open Daily: 6:30AM – 5:00PM

GoodBoyBob Coffee2058 Broadway Santa Monica, CA & Open Daily: Mon-Sat 8:00AM – 9:00PM & Sun 10:00AM – 6:00PM

Go Get Em Tiger 4630 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 & Open Daily: 7:00AM – 6:00PM

Menotti’s Coffee Stop56 Windward Ave, Venice, CA & Open Daily: 7:00AM – 2:00PM

Paramount Coffee Project456 N Fairfax, Los Angeles, CA & Open Daily: 8:00AM – 2:00PM

Aharon Coffee

9467 Charleville Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA & Open Daily: 6:30AM – 4:00PM

July 15, 2020July 15, 2020

Valley Eats: Local Coffee Shops

Try a locally owned and operated coffee shop to support your community during this time. From lattes to macchiatos to tea, all of these places will have you covered. Once you taste the coffee at these Valley favorite coffee shops, you will be hooked!

The Coffee Roaster 13567 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA & Open Daily: 6:30AM – 4:00PM

Barclay’s Coffee and Tea
8976 Tampa Avenue, Northridge, CA & Open Daily: 7:30AM – 8:00PM

Duckyard Coffee House 16935 Vanowen Street, Lake Balboa, CA & Open Daily: Weekdays 6:30AM – 4:00PM & Weekends 8:00AM – 3:00PM

Red Window Coffee
12953 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA & Open Daily: 7:00AM – 6:00PM

10 Speed Coffee23504 Calabasas Road, Calabasas, CA & Open Daily: Sun-Wed 6:00AM – 3:00PM & Thurs-Sat 6:00AM – 6:00PM

Simply Coffee 940 Lima Street, Burbank, CA & Open Daily: M-F 7:00AM – 5:00PM, Sa 8:00AM – 5:00PM, Su 8:00AM – 3:00PM

July 15, 2020

Summer Vacation by Car: The Desert

When thinking about a summer vacation that is attainable in the lens of 2020, one spot comes to mind: The Desert. From Palm Springs to La Quinta to Joshua Tree and beyond, the options are endless. Whether you are looking for a relaxing weekend at the pool with the family, a secluded camping getaway with your partner, or a trip to all of the best golf courses, the desert has got you covered. Check out some of our favorite hotels/accommodations with built-in activities in the desert!

Korakia Pensione – Palm Springs

Korakia Pensione offers a unique and relaxing getaway from day to day reality. Crafted after a Mediterranean-style pensione, Korakia blends the silhouette of Tangier with a whisper of the Mediterranean. Begin the day with a full-cooked breakfast in the Moroccan courtyard. Soothe your soul poolside, seek healing through yoga, or pamper yourself with our spa offerings. Curl up with a vintage book from the library lounge.

JW Marriott – Palm Desert

Whether you book at the main hotel or the villas, this location is the epitome of a family spring or summer vacation. You can spend every day at one of the pools, golf on the course within the hotel grounds, and even take a Duffy boat ride to a delicious hibachi-style dinner!

La Quinta Resort & Club – LA Quinta

This resort is part of the Waldorf Astoria family, so it is safe to say you will be comfortable. Set amongst 45 vibrant acres, La Quinta Resort & Club is the ultimate golfer’s paradise. The resort boasts amenities including golf courses, tennis courts, 41 outdoor pools, 7 restaurants, an award-winning spa, and it is pet friendly!

Two Bunch Palms – Desert Springs

Two Bunch Palms is a contemporary wellness escape where we implore you to define what wellness means for yourself. With no pretense of patrons sipping cucumber water in mud masks, wellness is whatever you make of it. Sleek but still relaxed — this place doesn’t ask anything of you. Flowing for 600 years under the surface, there are waters, low in sulfur and rich in lithium, that see their first light of day as they flow into the pools at their springs!

Campgrounds – Joshua Tree

There are many campsites in Joshua Tree that you can either pitch a tent on or park a vehicle on. With capacity restrictions, some require a reservation while others are first come first serve. Please check out the national park’s link above when planning to ensure a smooth trip! Enjoy peaceful time with nature, and enjoy the stars that are ever so clear in this area!

July 14, 2020July 14, 2020

Streaming: Quintessential Summer Movies

With many of us social distancing, staying home, and canceling our traveling plans, many of us were hoping things would have been back to normal by summertime. As the weather continues to heat up, however, we’ve begun to accept that summer is looking a little different this year. No matter what the next few months look like, there is plenty of streaming content available. From classics to the more recent hits, we have compiled a list to celebrate Summer 2020!

The Endless Summer

Where to watch: Tubi

It’s hard to imagine a more quintessential summer movie classic than Bruce Brown’s 1966 documentary The Endless Summer. So much of surfing culture was defined by this film, which follows surfers Mike Hynson and Robert August around the world. Brown’s movie captured surfing as it was, but also inspired a generation of surfers who followed. It might even have you craving some waves.

The Sandlot

Where to watch: Hulu (with Starz)

Nothing beats the nostalgia of David Mickey Evans’ The Sandlot, about a group of boys playing baseball in the summer of 1962. It doesn’t matter if grew up in the ’60s (when the movie takes place) or in the ’90s (when the movie came out)—the coming-of-age story and the camaraderie among the kids will take you right back to the summer days of your youth, whenever that might have been.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Where to watch: Netflix

While it was released in the summer, John Hughes’ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off takes place during the school year—that’s kind of the whole point. But in watching Matthew Broderick’s Ferris play hooky and cram an absurd amount of action and fun into one day, we’re reminded of a message that’s more important than ever: Summer is a state of mind.

Adventureland

Where to watch: Hulu (with Starz)

Greg Mottola’s coming-of-age dramedy takes place in the summer of 1987, at an amusement park that’s seen better days. Jesse Eisenberg stars as a recent high school graduate forced to skip his planned European vacation and get a summer job instead. While there are plenty of laughs, Adventureland offers a bittersweet look at star-crossed teenage love and nostalgic memories of a time when things were simpler—sometimes at the expense of safety regulations.

Jaws

Where to watch: HBO

Maybe you don’t want to go to the beach after all. You’ll certainly have second thoughts after revisiting Jaws, Steven Spielberg’s classic thriller about a shark wreaking havoc on fictional resort town Amity Island. Even 45 years after its release, Jaws remains a harrowing viewing experience that will have you afraid to dip your toes in the water for some time.

July 14, 2020

Home Tips: Security and Safety

It is important to audit your home every few months for potential dangers in regards to security and safety. We have compiled a checklist of things you can do to make your home safer for you and your family. As the saying goes, better safe than sorry!

LOCK UP YOUR HOME

Often a burglar will enter through an unlocked door or open window. Sometimes you just run out for a short time. This creates an easy opportunity for a burglar.

CHECK ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS

Check all your doors and windows to make sure they all close and lock properly.

RE-KEY YOUR LOCKS

MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK OCCUPIED

Having lights, TVs, radios, etc turn on and off automatically will discourage burglars. Your home should appear occupied at all times. There are great light bulbs or plugins that you can purchase to set electrics on a timer.

LIGHTING

Keep porches and patios well lit. Burglars don’t want to be seen. Consider exterior lighting around all windows and doors. Consider motion detection systems.

SHRUBS & TREES

Trim shrubs and trees. They can help hide burglars.

LADDERS & OTHER TOOLS

Don’t store ladders and other tools outside. They can be used by burglars to break into your home.

DOGS

Dogs are the number one deterrent to burglars! They are your built-in security system!

ALARM

Install an alarm and use it. If your alarm doesn’t work properly repair it immediately. Let your neighbors know it’s been repaired. Frequent false alarms make neighbors ignore alarms.

WORK WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS

Talk to your neighbors. Keep an eye out for each other. Report and discuss suspicious people hanging around.

GET ID’S & CREDENTIALS

Don’t let anyone into your home without checking their ID. Burglars are often people that were invited in. That includes contractors, repair people, and even people purporting to work for government agencies. Don’t open your door for someone you don’t know.

THINK LIKE A BURGULAR

Walk around your home. See if you can break-in. Often you will discover some points of entry that make your home vulnerable.

NEWSPAPER & MAIL

Have someone take in your paper and mail. Make sure your home doesn’t look like you are out of town.

KEEP PEOPLE FROM KNOWING YOU ARE AWAY

Posting about that great vacation your on seems harmless, but often burglars monitor social media to see who is away.

BE CAREFUL OF WHO KNOWS YOU ARE AWAY

Even that driver who picks you up and takes you to the airport can have bad intentions. Have someone you know take you The fewer people that know you are on vacation the better.

PEOPLE ASKING FOR HELP

Never let someone in your home that comes to your door asking for help. Often they want to use your phone to call a mechanic or the police. Don’t fall for that. You can make the call for them if you believe them but never open the door.

July 13, 2020

Economic update for the week ending July 11, 2020

The NASDAQ closed the week at a record high – More economic data showing that the economy is recovering quicker that expected, despite a surge in Coronavirus cases, pushed stocks higher again this week. Although all sectors did well, technology stocks saw the highest gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 26,075.30, up 1% from 25,827.36 last week. It’s down 8.6% year to date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 3,185.04, up 1.8% from 3,130.01 last week. It’s down 1.4% year to date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 10,617.44, up 4% from 10,207.63 last week. It’s up 18.3% year to date.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 0.65%, down from 0.68% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 1.33%, down from 1.43% last week.

Mortgage rates – The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey released on July 9, 2020, reported mortgage rates for the most popular loan products as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate average was 3.03%, down slightly from 3.07% last week. The 15-year fixed was 2.51%, down slightly from 2.56% last week. The 5-year ARM was 3.02%, almost unchanged from 3.00% last week.

Housing sales results for June should be out by the end of next week. That data will be included in next week’s update.

July 9, 2020July 9, 2020

Summer Vacation by Boat: Catalina Island

Catalina Island, also known as Santa Catalina, is just 29 miles from Long Beach. The island is 22 miles long and 8 miles wide. Catalina has a rich history– especially in Hollywood. The island has served as the location of over 500 motion pictures and television programs over the past 90 years. It’s been a Hollywood celebrity favorite since 1911 due to its close proximity to Los Angeles. In 1975, descendants of Catalina Island owner, William Wrigley (a chewing gum entrepreneur), deeded 42,000 acres of Catalina Island to the Catalina Island Conservancy with a mission to conserve the island for a balance of conservation, education, and recreation.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Most visitors use The Catalina Express. They depart from Long Beach, San Pedro, and Newport Beach. There are departures throughout the day and it’s a one-hour boat trip. The cost of a general seating set is just $37.25 each way. You can also charter a private boat or fly over by way of a helicopter (a 10-minute flight) out of Long Beach.

WHAT TO DO:

Beaches

Catalina has great beaches throughout. Perhaps the most famous is the Descanso Beach and Descanso Beach Club which offers comfortable beach chairs and beachside food and beverage service!

Water Sports

All water sports are open during this time. You can parasail, rent a jet ski, go paddleboarding, kayaking, and more!

Zip Line Eco Tour

Here you can soar above the sea while you cruise along high-speed zip lines and enjoy views of Descanso Canyon. You will also learn about Catalina’s wildlife, history, and ecology along your zip line adventure.

Boat Tours

Whether you go whale watching, take a glass-bottom boat, go for a coastal or Ecological tour, Catalina has an adventure for you!

Fishing Charters

Catalina’s coves and reefs provide a fantastic fishing habitat. Fishing is great year-round, but the summer brings warmer waters, and Yellow Tail, Tuna, and Marlin are abundant!

Golf

Would you believe that Catalina has the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi? The Catalina Island Country Club and Golf Course was originally built in 1892. This course meanders through the Catalina canyons and down to the ocean. It’s stunning views of Avalon Bay make this course a favorite! If you have the family with you, they have a local outdoor mini-golf course that is ALWAYS a hit!

Hiking and Biking

There are more than 165 miles of trails. You can go for an easy walk, or pick a difficult hike or ride. The wildlife, views, and terrain are stunning.

WHERE TO STAY:

Hotels are abundant as are private condominiums. The boutique hotels are charming, and the private condos (especially in Hamilton Cove) are stunning. Hamilton Cove feels as if you were whisked away to Santorini, Greece!

There is so much to do and see you could easily spend a week or more here, but many people also opt for the day trip. It is easy to grab the ferry from the harbor at 830AM and head home at 430PM. Whether it’s just for the day, or you’re going to recharge and spend some time enjoying the island Catalina is a must this summer.

July 8, 2020

Streaming: Broadway at Home

A night at the theatre (at home) has never been more convenient! Hamilton recently released on Disney+, and it has been all of the buzz across all generations as of late. We have compiled a list of some of our favorite Broadway Shows to enjoy from the comfort of your own home.

Hamilton

Available on Disney+.

Filmed on the stage of the Richard Rodgers Theatre in June 2016, the live capture of the Pulizter- and Tony-winning musical was slated for an October 2021 theatrical release—until COVID-19 preempted that plan, resulting in the movie dropping on Disney+ July 3. After five years of buzz, the streamed version—featuring creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tony winners Leslie Odom Jr. and Renée Elise Goldsberry, and most of the original cast—lived up to fans’ expectations, and created another wave of Hamilton frenzy.

Rent

Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube, iTunes, and Google Play.

Jonathan Larson’s Rent updates the story of Puccini’s La Boheme, setting it in New York City’s East Village. As most theatre fans know, it made a splash on Broadway, and the level of devotion its biggest fans carried had never really been seen before. It was the first major Broadway show to offer rush tickets, and fans would camp out overnight to get inexpensive front row tickets. The production won four 1996 Tony Awards including Best Musical, along with the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It enjoyed a run of 12 years and over 5,000 performances.

Cats

Available on BroadwayHD, Amazon Prime, iTunes, and Google Play.

Once Broadway’s longest-running musical, everybody has an opinion on this Andrew Lloyd Webber show, but what can’t be denied is that Cats is like almost no other musical to ever play the Main Stem. Based on a book of poetry by T.S. Eliot, Cats is about… well, cats! The production features an iconic costume and set design by John Napier, legendary makeup design by Candace Carell, fabulous choreography by Gillian Lynne, and of course the anthem “Memory,” one of the more successful songs to come from a musical in the last 40 years.

Kiss Me Kate

Available on Amazon Prime, BroadwayHD and Google Play, and on DVD from Amazon.

With a classic Cole Porter score that includes such tunes as “Another Op’nin’, Another Show,” “So in Love,” “Too Darn Hot,” “Always True to You in My Fashion,” and “Brush Up Your Shakespeare,” Kiss Me, Kate became an almost instant classic when it debuted on Broadway in 1948. The 1999 Broadway production won the Tony Award for Best Revival, directed by Michael Blakemore, choreographed by Kathleen Marshall and Rob Ashford, and starring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Marin Mazzie. The 2019 revival starred Will Chase and Kelli O’Hara.

Into the Woods

Available on YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime, iTunes, and DVD on Amazon.

Before it was a hit movie starring Meryl Streep and James Corden, Into the Woods was one of Sondheim’s most successful Broadway shows. It’s still one of the most produced works at schools and regional theatres across the country. This mash-up of fairytales that dares to go beyond “happily ever after” is one of Sondheim’s most accessible works, and has certainly been the Sondheim entry point for more than a few theatre fans, largely due to the video of the original Broadway production with the original Broadway cast, including Bernadette Peters and Joanna Gleason in her Tony-winning performance.