Here are the top 5 zip codes Angelenos are looking at:
- 91436, Encino
- 90036, Fairfax/Mid-Wilshire/Hancock Park
- 90066, Mar Vista
- 90064, West LA/Cheviot Hills/Rancho Park
- 91604, Studio City

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Click here to read the article from DS News.

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Chef Gordon Ramsay’s new Bel Air, CA mansion.

Chef Gordon Ramsay’s new Bel Air Living Room.

Chef Gordon Ramsay’s new Bel Air Kitchen.

Chef Gordon Ramsay’s new Bel Air Pool.

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The house was built by A. Quincy Jones, a innovative architect known for his modern and green style. Great find, Jennifer!

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Dan Lackey has been a real estate agent with The Noel Team for a year now and we could not be any more proud of him. Not only has he proven to be a talented agent who closes deals, but he supports the Mar Vista community The Noel Team works and believes in as well. The “Friends of Walgrove” put up this banner as appreciation to a generous donation he made to the school.

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The winter holidays are a time for celebration, and that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, and unfortunately, an increased risk of fire and accidents. InterNACHI recommends that you follow these guidelines to help make your holiday season safer and more enjoyable.

• Use caution with holiday decorations and, whenever possible, choose those made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant and non-combustible materials.
• Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials, and do not use candles to decorate Christmas trees.
• Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings, and replace damaged items before plugging lights in. If you have any questions about electrical safety, ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next scheduled inspection. Do not overload extension cords.
• Don’t mount lights in any way that can damage the cord’s wire insulation. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples–don’t use nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.
• Keep children and pets away from light strings and electrical decorations.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
• Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
• Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
• Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground-fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range.
• Provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays, and check them frequently. Cigarette butts can smolder in the trash and cause a fire, so completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach of children (preferably in a locked cabinet).
• Test your smoke alarms, and let guests know what your fire escape plan is.

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “fire-resistant.”
• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches, and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break.
• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators and portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.
• Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
• Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly.
• Make sure the base is steady so the tree won’t tip over easily.

• Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open.
• Use care with “fire salts,” which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten.
• Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

• Purchase appropriate toys for the appropriate age. Some toys designed for older children might be dangerous for younger children.
• Electric toys should be UL/FM approved.
• Toys with sharp points, sharp edges, strings, cords, and parts small enough to be swallowed should not be given to small children.
• Place older ornaments and decorations that might be painted with lead paint out of the reach of small children and pets.

• Poinsettias are known to be poisonous to humans and animals, so keep them well out of reach, or avoid having them.
• Keep decorations at least 6 inches above the child’s reach.
• Avoid using tinsel. It can fall on the floor and a curious child or pet may eat it. This can cause anything from mild distress to death.
• Keep any ribbons on gifts and tree ornaments shorter than 7 inches. A child could wrap a longer strand of ribbon around their neck andchoke.
• Avoid mittens with strings for children. The string can get tangled around the child’s neck and cause them to choke. It is easier to replace a mitten than a child.
• Watch children and pets around space heaters or the fireplace. Do not leave a child or pet unattended.
• Store scissors and any sharp objects that you use to wrap presents out of your child’s reach.
• Inspect wrapped gifts for small decorations, such as candy canes, gingerbread men, and mistletoe berries, all of which are choking hazards.

• Use your home burglar alarm system.
• If you plan to travel for the holidays, don’t discuss your plans with strangers.
• Have a trusted friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home.

Being a local Realtor, I’m often asked about neighborhood fences. Are there requirements and who is responsible for the maintenance and repair of adjoining fences? I remember growing up and hearing that good fences make good neighbors. Perhaps these few tips will be helpful to maintain good neighbors. If you have a specific question not addressed here, I suggest going to www.LADBS.org or visiting our local building and safety office, which is located at 1828 Sawtelle Blvd. on the 2nd floor in West Los Angeles.

How high can I build my fence? A fence built in front of your home has a height limit of 42 inches. The fence in the back yard has a maximum height of 72 inches. The side fences between the properties often fall under the “good-neighbor” policy observed by Building and Safety that allows neighbors to build between the properties without a permit as long as the fence is no higher than 6 feet. It’s always best to check with LADBS to make sure the laws haven’t changed prior to building a new fence.

Who is supposed to maintain the fence between the properties?The responsibility is placed on both parties because each benefits from the use. The best way to handle this is to write a letter to your neighbor explaining the issues with the fence. Try to come to an agreement. If work is performed then write another letter requesting payment or better yet make an arrangement with the contractor, if one is used, for each party to pay this person directly. Each neighbor can sign the work order to authorize the work. If one neighbor refuses to pay, a mediator may be needed to settle the dispute. The worst-case scenario would require a lawsuit to sue for reimbursement. Check with your own attorney if you are having a problem.

Do we need a permit or a survey? Any building done over a certain dollar amount requires a permit. It’s best to go to the Building and Safety Department to check with them prior to doing any work on your home. As for a survey, this is an expensive process. Surveys could cost in the range of $1,500 just to determine the exact property line. However, this fee may be less expensive than tearing down your new fence and moving it over 6 inches if a neighbor finds that you’ve built the fence in the wrong place.

If you have any other questions regarding fences, property lines or other real estate related issues, then please contact me!

As the weather grows colder, homeowners should plan ahead for the stormy winter months. There are many things you can and should do to protect your home and family from the upcoming winter season. Good planning can also help reduce maintenance and utility costs.

1. Central Heating

• Open vents near the floor and close those near the ceiling for better air circulation.
• Test furnace before the weather gets cold.
• If the heating system is older than 15 years, consider replacing it with a modern, more efficient unit. Replace or clean your furnace air filters.

2. Window or Through-Wall Air Conditioners

• Install a winter cover over the unit (unless the unit has a heat feature).

3. Insulation and Energy Conservation

• Make sure attic insulation is at least R30. One inch of typical fiberglass insulation has an R value of 2.5. So to achieve R30 you need at least 12 inches of insulation. If at all possible, make sure walls are insulated to R13.
• Make sure crawl space is insulated, clean and dry.
• If your house was built before 1950, it may be an excellent candidate for cost-saving “blown-in” wall and or attic insulation.
• Determine how much light you need for safety and security. Then select the lowest wattage bulbs to provide the light desired. In addition, place timers, photo or motion sensors on outdoor security lighting. Install compact fluorescent lamps where possible.
• To save on home heating, lower your furnace thermostat by 3 to 5 degrees and “bundle up” in extra clothing and blankets. These changes alone can help save up to 20% off heating costs.
• Turn off lights and unplug electrical items that are not in use. Many items still consume power even when turned off.
• Use your washing machine at night when energy demand is lower, and dry your laundry on a clothes line to save even more.

4. Attic Ventilation

• Make sure attic insulation does not cover ventilation vents i the eaves (also called soffits or overhangs).
• Make sure ridge vent and vents at eaves are free of plants, obstructions or debris.
• Make sure bird and rodent screens for attic vents do not have holes or lose corners. If they do, replace or patch them.

5. Cleaning

• Vacuum under and behind the freezer and refrigerator. This can greatly improve the efficiency of the units.
• Have your chimney cleaned and checked by a chimney sweep.
• Have your deck power washed and resealed every 3 to 4 years, which is standard unless there is significant water or weather damage.

6. Windows and Doors

• Replace or repair any broken window lock or latches.
• Caulk around frames.
• Repair any cracked or broken window panes.
• Check all door and window weather stripping for tight seals.

7. Exterior Walls

• Check for mud trails, sawdust, and other signs of termite infestation.
• Check for gaps around pipes and wires that go through exterior walls.
• Caulk or seal as necessary so that no air can leak in or out.

8. Rainwater Protection

• Keep gutters clean at all times. During the fall, it is better to clean them several times rather than waiting until the end of the “leaf season”.
• If your gutters or downspouts are rusty, it is time to replace them with new galvanized, aluminum, or copper units.
• If there are any signs of a leak or damaged shingles or flashings, have the roof checked. Generally, if the roof is leaking and is more than 15 years old (with regular shingles), it may be more cost-effective to have a new roof put on.
• Make sure all culverts and exterior drains are free of debris.

9. Environmental

• Check/test peeling paint to identify the presence of lead. You can purchase a home “swab” kit at any paint retailer or consult with us.
• Inspect for any abandoned, loose or uneeded asbestos i.e. heat ducting, water heater venting, etc. If found, consult with us for a proper and safe removal and abatement.

I’ve come across a lot of strange houses on the web, but the ones you are about to see easily warrant as the strangest. Bold? Yes. Innovative? Sure. Strange? Definitely.

4. Teapot Dome, Zillah, Washington. Built as a reminder of the Teapot Dome Scandal in 1922.

5. The Spaceship House, Chatanooga, Tennessee. I guess E.T. is a Titans fan.

8. Erante Guest House, Chile. Believe it or not, but an earthquake didn’t cause this mess.

9. The Walking House, anywhere it can walk to. Forget flying cars. Let’s move on to flying houses!

10. The Shoe House, Hellam, Pensylvania. This house kicks butt!! hahaha! …No? …Fine, it that wasn’t funny.