Media Relations

March 16, 2016

Rodeo Realty Calabasas agent Randi Feilich appears in KCET’s “SoCal Connected” segment

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA5GshyskqQ” width=”740″ height=”440″ responsive=”no” controls=”yes” autohide=”yes” showinfo=”no” autoplay=”yes” loop=”no” rel=”no” modestbranding=”yes” theme=”light”]

Rodeo Realty’s Randi Feilich isn’t just a real estate agent—she’s also a spokesperson for Project Coyote, a non-profit wildlife advocacy group.

Feilich recently appeared in KCET’S weekly award-winning news series “SoCal Connected”. The prime time newsmagazine covers in-depth stories on the environment, economy, health and other substantive topics such as the growing awareness and concern about coyotes in Southern California.

Feilich was interviewed for a segment entitled “Coyotes: Kill Them or Coexist?” Reporter Derrick Shore spoke with the coyote advocate about the coexistence between people and wildlife.

“Wildlife has a presence here, everybody has a role,” said Feilich. “Coyotes are very vital to our ecosystem, they keep everything in check, the rodents, squirrels, the rats. If we didn’t have that our whole ecosystem would be off balance.”

She also gave a few tips on how to discourage coyotes from coming near humans. The story also included interviews with a National Park Service ranger and pet owners.

To read the article on the episode, click HERE

March 14, 2016

Rodeo Realty agent Ben Bacal in Realtor.com for kid-centric property video

Rodeo Realty agent Ben Bacal has kicked off the week by being featured on Realtor.com.

The website is calling his latest property video “‘Ferris Bueller’ Meets ‘House Party’”.

“If Ferris Bueller had been a billionaire and just a bit younger, the classic flick of kids skipping school for the day might have resembled this well-produced video,” said Realtor.com writer Claudine Zap.

Bacal is being highlighted for the well-produced short film he created for this week’s most expensive new listing, 864 Stradella Road.

To read the entire Realtor.com article, click HERE

March 12, 2016

Economic update for the week ending March 12, 2016

Stocks higher for the fourth straight week – Stock markets are now only slightly down for the year. They have made up the large losses suffered in Janurary and early February. The S&P, for example, is up 11% from its two year low on February 11. This four-week rally has been fueled by better economic data and rising oil prices. Oil prices have risen 47% from their low point just one month ago when U.S. crude oil hit a 13 year low of $26.21 a barrel. Oil prices and stocks have moved in the same direction every week. While low oil prices have hurt many parts of the global and local economy, consumers are benefiting. As gasoline prices rise at the pump it will be interesting to see what happens with retail sales which have been extremely strong, and auto sales that are at all time record highs. These two sectors of consumer spending have been bolstered by low gasoline prices which have given consumers more disposable income. The dollar which has been extremely strong has weakened a bit over the last few weeks. That’s a good sign for manufacturer’s outlook on exports, as a weaker dollar makes U.S. goods less expensive to foreign currencies. The dollar is still quite strong, but off its highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 17,213.31, up from 17,006.77 last week. The S&P 500 closed the week at 2,022.19, up from 1,999.99 last week. The NASDAQ closed Friday at 4,748.47, up from 4,717.03 last week.

Bond yields higher – Bond yields have inched up over the last few weeks. The 10 year U.S. Treasury bond closed Friday yielding 1.98%, up from 1.88% last week. The 30 year U.S. Treasury bond closed Friday yielding 2.75%, up from 2.70% last week. Mortgage rates follow bond yields so we watch bonds carefully.

Mortgage rates up slightly for second week -The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey showed that average rates on March 10, 2016 were as follows: The 30 year fixed average rate was 3.68%. The 15 year fixed average rate was 2.96%. The 5/1 ARM average was was 2.92%.

We should start getting February home sales data next week. Stay tuned!

Have a great weekend,

Syd

March 11, 2016

Five Star Professional recognizes three Rodeo Realty agents

Rodeo Realty agents, Violetta Hargitay (Pacific Palisades), Betty Galvan (Northridge) and Debra Moseley (Studio City) have been recognized for their professional excellence and exceptional client satisfaction.

Five Star Professional recognized the three agents as Five Star Real Estate Agents for 2016. For the 4th year in a row, Rodeo Realty’s Pacific Palisades agent Hargitay has received the recognition.

The research team partnered with Los Angeles magazine to identify real estate, mortgage and insurance professionals in the Los Angeles area who deliver outstanding service.

The Five Star Real Estate Agent award program is the largest and most widely published real estate agent award program in North America. Agents are measured using an objective, in-depth research methodology with significant focus on customer feedback and overall satisfaction.

The research methodology allows no more than 7 percent of professionals in each category to receive the award.

The 2016 Five Star Real Estate Agents, Mortgage Professionals and Home/Auto Insurance Professionals do not pay a fee to be included in the research or the final list.

March 11, 2016

Rodeo Realty Beverly Hills agent Ben Bacal lists $48.5 million home

Faking sickness to stay home: Two children pretend to be sick just to enjoy the best views in Bel-Air. That’s the latest creative real estate video by Rodeo Realty agent Ben Bacal.

Bacal presents his newest listing, 824 Stradella, with a 2:42 minute video. The short film displays every appealing feature of the seven bedroom, 12 bathroom modern masterpiece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a__ORnjx1qo

Faking sickness to stay home: Two children pretend to be sick just to enjoy the best views in Bel-Air. That’s the latest creative real estate video by Rodeo Realty agent Ben Bacal.

Bacal presents his newest listing, 824 Stradella, with a 2:42 minute video. The short film displays every appealing feature of the seven bedroom, 12 bathroom modern masterpiece.

The children in the video highlight the home with their day off adventures and show what the homeowner’s lifestyle will entail once they move in: an infinity pool, a cozy home theatre, a wet bar and a state-of-the-art 15-car garage with spinning turntable. One look at this breathtaking contemporary home–and you’ll be asking yourself, “Who wouldn’t want to take the day off to enjoy this home?”

The contemporary home was designed by renowned architect Paul McClean. The breathtaking open floor design is the true pinnacle of McClean’s style.

864 Stradella Road is listed at $48,500,000. For more information on the property and to view the video, click HERE

Disclaimer: Children did not miss school for the making of the video.

March 9, 2016

Rodeo Realty agents take part in annual Home Run for Kids

On Sunday, March 6, Brentwood agents of Rodeo Realty participated in the 4th Annual Home Run For Kids.

The 5K/10K, hosted by Upward Bound House, is a Brentwood community fundraiser in West Los Angeles.

By taking part in the event, Rodeo Realty helped raise money for housing and services for homeless children and their families.

The 2016 Home Run for Kids had more than 1,200 people in attendance.

March 9, 2016

Nicole Nash's listing featured in LA Times

A listing for Rodeo Realty agent Nicole Nash is featured in the Los Angeles Times Hot Property.

The West Hollywood home is one of this week’s Home of the Day. The bright contemporary located at 1236 Greenacre Avenue once belonged to Bangles guitarist Michael Steele.

The gated sanctuary is equipped with an 8-zone Elan g! entertainment and control system which allows you to stream music inside and out with a mobile device.

la-fi-hotprop-home-of-the-day-cul-de-sac-conte-001 — LA Times

Other home features include French doors, an open-plan kitchen with center island and Italian porcelain floors.

For more info on the featured property, view the LA Times article HERE

March 8, 2016

West Hollywood Lifestyle hits the road with Josh Flagg

FB_IMG_1457404592508 — West Hollywood Lifestyle/Photography By Jim Jordan

Rodeo Realty’s Josh Flagg is covering the 2016 spring issue of West Hollywood Lifestyle magazine.

Writer Lindzi Scharf met with the star of Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing to discuss real estate. She mentions meeting Flagg outside the Four Seasons Hotel off Doheny, where he currently resides.

“I just can’t seem to stay in a house,” Flagg tells Scharf. “I keep buying houses, and people keep offering me more money for them — right after I buy them.”

The two pull out of the hotel’s driveway in a Rolls-Royce 1960 Silver Cloud Convertible.

josh-flagg-620x502 — West Hollywood Lifestyle/Photography By Jim Jordan

“My grandmother used to drive Rolls-Royces, and I guess that’s what got me into them,” Flagg tells Scharf. “New cars, you buy them, and they go down in value the minute you take them off the lot. An old classic car only goes up — granted, you’ve probably spent more money just maintaining the car over the time, but at the end of the day, these cars are incredible investments.”

Flagg hits the road and starts talking cars — the article states he reportedly owns a fleet of Rolls-Royces.

“I’d rather not say how many, but quite a few,” said Flagg.

For more on West Hollywood Lifestyle’s Hitting the Road with Million Dollar Listing’s Josh Flagg, click HERE

March 7, 2016

Rodeo Realty's Mormino Team scores touchdown with LA Rams

The saying “luck is when preparation meets opportunity” could not be more accurate when it comes to Rodeo Realty’s newly formed Mormino Team, Carmen Mormino and Ursula Nanson.

Through relentless phone calls, emails, and follow-ups over the past six-months, the goal to be the Rams go-to source for real estate and information is now coming to fruition.

Jamon Brown, guard for the Los Angeles Rams, spent the weekend with Mormino scouring the area for a new home as well as getting a crash course as to all the Conejo Valley has to offer him and his bride-to-be.

“I decided when rumors were starting about the Rams move here to be pro-active and reach out to everyone imaginable to get our name out to those in the organization who would benefit,” said Mormino.

Mormino said Jamon has passed on his contact info to a majority of his teammates, and the domino effect has begun with 5 – 7 players already lined up to utilize the Mormino Team’s services.

“Many of these players are in their early twenties, and our purpose is to guide them in the right way, earn their trust, and to build long-term relationships,” said Mormino.

After meeting with the Rams head coach prior to their players-only meeting in Manhattan Beach, Carmen said he was shocked at the information that was provided and how lucky he felt. He said he was informed by Jeff Fisher “Coach Fish”, that the players are being advised to only focus North of Calabasas–which puts The Mormino Team in a prime position considering these are the areas they specialize in.

None of this “luck” would be taking place if it were not for the efforts and Carmen putting this idea in motion last year while many were telling him it was next to impossible.

“I thrive on doing what others say can’t be done, and to have Ursula with the same mindset working on this project, the results are already exceeding what I envisioned at the start,” said Mormino.

March 5, 2016

Economic update for the week ending March 4, 2016

U.S. Employers add 242,000 jobs in February – The Labor Department reported that U.S. Employers added 242,000 new jobs in February. This was far better than the 190,000 new jobs economists surveyed had predicted. It was also viewed as a very positive sign after a disappointing 172,000 jobs added in January. It was feared after the low January report that job growth could be stalling, but the February number of 242,0000 net new jobs put the 2016 average job gains numbers back to over 200,000 per month. The national unemployment rate held steady at 4.9%, the lowest level since February 2008. Wage growth was disappointing showing hourly wages up just 2.2% from last February. Wages were looking like they were beginning to rise over the last few months, after being stagnant for years, so this was a disappointing number. The Federal Reserve has a wage growth target of 3.5%.

California Unemployment Rate drops to 5.7% in January – The Employment Development Department reported that California’s unemployment rate slipped in January to 5.7%, down from 5.9% in December. Year over year non farm payrolls increased by 444,900 from last January when the state’s unemployment rate was 6.8%.

Stock markets rise for third straight week – Stocks rose again this week as rising oil prices bolstered energy stocks, and the outlook of economics in oil producing regions. Oil prices have risen 30% from their February lows. A strong jobs report showed that U.S. Employers’s are still confident and expanding, which also helped stocks on Friday after the report was released. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 17,006.77 up from 16,391.99 last week. The S&P 500 closed the week at 1,999.99 up from 1,948.05 last week. The NASDAQ closed Friday at 4,717.02 up from 4,590.47 last week.

Bond yields – Bond yields have risen slightly since hitting historically low levels in mid February. It’s not unusual for bond yields to rise as stocks rise as investors sell bonds to buy stocks. The 10 year U.S. Treasury bond yield closed Friday at 1.88% from 1.76% last week. The 30 year U.S. Treasury bond yield closed Friday at 2.70% from 2.63% last week.

Mortgage rates -The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey showed that average rates on February 25, 2016 were as follows: The 30 year fixed average rate was 3.64%. The 15 year fixed average rate was 2.94%. The 5/1 ARM average was was 2.84%.

Have a great weekend!