Malibu: Why You Should Live & Invest Here

Along 21 miles of the southern California coast sits beautiful Malibu. Breathtaking beaches, stunning properties owned by celebrity neighbors and fun dining and shopping dot this coast.

Zuma Beach, Topanga Beach and Pointe Dume Beach are just a few surf and sand spots that will satisfy any beach lover's dreams. From dreamy beachside homes to dining with an ocean view, Malibu is a city of scenic beauty. Living near the beach also encourages positive physical activity and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Get ready for ocean side runs and daily swims in this southern California slice of paradise.

One Malibu must-see is the Malibu Colony, also popularly known as the Colony. Dotting this one-mile, ultra-private stretch are just over one hundred oceanfront properties. Mostly gated with a mere part of the Colony’s beach accessible to the public, this luxurious beach oasis has been home to many A-list stars for the last eight decades and continues to be a hotspot for Hollywood’s elite. 

A short drive away is the Jonathan Beach Club, one of the most popular private social clubs in all of California. Many Malibu residents join to indulge in the best fitness, social events and dining mere minutes from their homes. 

Malibu is also well-known for its fine dining restaurants. You'll never have trouble finding quality food from any kind of cuisine in Malibu. Nobu Malibu for exquisitely fresh sushi and oceanside cocktails, Malibu Seafood for the freshest fish there is, Geoffrey's for upscale dinners, and the Malibu Farm, for healthy, farm-to-table eats, are just a mere few of the countless award-winning dining options in this pristine city.  

Malibu's many different enclaves and neighborhoods are complete with beautiful, local parks, low crime rates, and of course, nonstop scenic beauty right out of the movies. This close-knit community is active in giving back and with nature and the water; the attitude here is very relaxed yet highly luxurious, as well. 

Why wait? It's time to be beachfront. 

The Importance of Having A Trust

Your home is not only of importance to you because of its value, but also because it is a treasured place for you and your family.  A home is something to protect, and that is why having your property in a trust is one of the most important steps you can take in terms of homeownership.

Still curious about what exactly a living trust is? In the simplest terms, a living trust holds an individual’s most important assets, such as vehicles, stocks, and homes.  The purpose of the trust is to hold ownership of the assets while the trustee is alive, and when the trustee passes away it allocates the assets.  

Here are the top reasons to put your home in a trust…

Avoid probate… After a trustee passes away, their home will be passed down to their heirs, avoiding probate.  This is terrific news — probate can often be a timely and expensive process; having a trust can help your family avoid court time and delays. By having your property in a trust, you can take away the guess work and the time consuming processes for your loved ones while they decide to transfer and inherit your property. 

Protection… A living trust is extremely beneficial if a trustee becomes ill and is no longer capable of protecting their assets and finances.  In this case, a co-trustee, such as a spouse, close friend, or eldest child can be in charge of protecting your assets.  Living trusts are capable of being changed, so choosing a trusted person to name as co-trustee is essential to protecting your home. 

In terms of simplicity, having a living revocable trust is one of the easiest options to implement, although there are a myriad of different types of trusts to choose from based upon your needs. Consult with an attorney to help you choose the best type for you and to help you to finalize the details.

Trusts help you feel confident that your family will be taken care of properly, as they protect your assets and help them to be efficiently transferred to your heirs. Your home is one of your most important assets that should be inherited by your loved ones without the stress of a probate.  One day, your family will be extremely thankful that you took this important step to protect your home and other assets.

February Newsletter

Southern California: A Golfer's Paradise

Southern California is home to some of the best and most exclusive golf destinations in the world. Whether you golf for pleasure or for business, the vast array of courses located in our very backyards should not be missed. A phenomenal networking tool, belonging to one of these exclusive golf and country clubs could have you playing rounds with some of the world’s most popular actors, powerful politicians, and even world-class athletes.

Perhaps the most elite course in Los Angeles is the Pacific Palisade's Riviera Country Club. This course is second to none and has been home to some of the most prestigious tournaments: one U.S. Open, two PGA Championships, & one U.S. Senior Open. This illustrious members-only haven evokes LA's eponymous allure -- it was once a popular hangout for Humphrey Bogart in his heyday. Although the course has gone through some cosmetic repairs, the course has not been drastically changed since its inception in 1927.

The front nine is inviting yet challenging at the same time; Riviera opens with a short par five that tempts players to use their driver, but they must be careful, as there is a lot of room for the ball to travel out of bounds on the left side. One of golf’s all-time best players, Ben Hogan, has called the fourth hole “the best par 3 in America.” The front nine challenges players throughout each hole with narrow fairways and well-placed bunkers. It's not the longest nine holes, but the litany of obstacles makes it enough of a test for any golfer to want to play again.

The back nine tests players' moxie. The tenth hole is a short par four, and the farther the ball is hit, the easier scoring will be. However, if your tee shot is less than desirable, a plethora of bunkers in the fairway and near the green protect the hole. The back nine boasts holes with multi-tiered greens, blind tee shots, and windy conditions because of the breeze that whips off of the Pacific Ocean. 

Par is 71 for 18 holes and has a total yardage of just a hair over 7,000 yards. 

Riviera Country Club (image via ronnieanddaniela.com)

Another exclusive, swoon-worthy Los Angeles adjacent course is the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes. This breathtaking, public club boasts exquisite views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island and is home to the annual Michael Douglas Pro-Celebrity and Friends Golf Tournament. Trump National Golf Club offers everything you’d come to expect out of a Trump owned property; it is the apex of the luxurious public golf experience. It has world renowned dining, unrivaled customer service, a 45,000 square foot club house, state of the art locker rooms, a stocked-to-the-brim pro shop, and even a grand ballroom. The course itself was designed by famous golf course designer Pete Dye and offer golfers a challenging yet scenic day of play.

Trump National Golf Club (image via trumpnationallosangeles.com)

The Los Angeles Country Club is another top-tier Los Angeles golfing destination, and is located mere blocks from the UCLA campus. In 2010, LACC unveiled a new links course, meaning one that is flatter and longer than most normal golf courses. The ‘links’ style is refreshing for LA golfers and pays homage to the style in which the first ever golf courses were designed. Many golfers enjoy this style, as there are less obstacles than regular, non-links styled courses. LACC boasts a beautiful ballroom, wonderful restaurant, and is an all-around top quality exclusive club that is truly everything LA stands for.

Los Angeles Country Club (image via golfadvisor.com)

A roundup of the most exclusive golf destinations in Los Angeles would not be complete without highlighting Wilshire Country Club. Wilshire has a storied past and is significant to the city of Los Angeles. Similar to LACC, Wilshire is located in the heart of LA and has been attracting LA’s elite since 1909. Whether it’s a business tycoon or a movie star, Wilshire is often where LA’s most successful tee-off. Howard Hughes was such a fan of Wilshire, that he built a home right off of the green on the course’s eighth hole. 

The course itself is challenging and has hosted a myriad of prestigious tournaments, including the LA Open, and most notably, the Senior PGA & LPGA Championships. If you want to play at Wilshire, you’ll have to know a member; one way Wilshire retains its exclusivity is to require anyone playing to be accompanied by a member.

Wilshire Country Club (image via hopeforlosangeles.wordpress.com)

Bel Air Country Club boasts the most prestigious list of famous members, including Jack Nicholson, Dennis Quaid, Luke Wilson, Kelsey Grammar, Clint Eastwood, and Tom Cruise.

Bel-Air is renowned for its lush estate and a creatively guided course that makes for a variety of tricky approach shots. Players are taken over a bridge, in multiple tunnels and much more.

Past members have included the likes of Ronald Reagan, Bing Crosby, Richard Nixon, Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, James Stewart, Fred Astaire and Spencer Tracy, and many, many more notable individuals.

Bel Air Country Club (image via travelblog.com)

Just outside of Los Angeles, in Pasadena is Annandale Golf Club. This five star private club has been an LA golfing staple for over a century and was founded in 1906 by prominent members of society including Henry Huntington. Renowned golf course architect Brian Silva redesigned this course in 2007; with 6 sets of tees for every skill level, this beautiful course is accommodating for golfers of many skill levels. Annandale is known for boasting some of the best groundskeeping in the world. The course has wide vistas and is known for having some of the best grounds keeping of any golf course in the world. If their impressive course and tournament schedule aren't enticing enough, Annandale's year-round calendar of varied social events, such as their Summer Friday Night BBQs, Daddy Daughter Dances and delectable brunches will make you want to join as soon as you move into the 91030.

Annandale Golf Club (image via annandalegolf.com)

As a member of Wilshire Country Club for 28 years, and having frequented Los Angeles Country Club as my mother-in-law's guest, I might be a bit biased... these clubs are all phenomenal, though, and are such a fun aspect of living in the greater Los Angeles area! 

The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast and the Lakeside Golf Club in Burbank are also exquisite golfing destinations in Southern California that should not be missed. Are nearby, top rated golf courses an important part of your home-buying search?

South Bay: Unrivaled Beauty

Image via www.laexeclimo.com

Many considerations go into purchasing property in a new location. Choosing this location becomes a matter of balancing your needs with what the region you’re considering offers. Whether you’re looking to start a family, open a new business, or enjoy a relaxed life at the beach, knowing what regions cater to your needs is crucial. The South Bay offers an outstanding, high value myriad of property choices across its 19 different cities. With its many beach cities and fine school districts, South Bay neighborhoods carry a distinct charm that influences their accessibility and excellent standard of living. 

South Bay’s beach cities provide aquatic entertainment for all. From surfing to scuba diving, fishing to boating, and beach volleyball to scuba diving, there’s something for everyone. When you’ve had your fill of the ocean, land attractions and entertainment options await.

South Bay’s beautiful beach cities enjoy wonderful climates and a bevy of entertainment options both on and off the beach. One option, Manhattan Beach, has ideal weather great for daily trips to the beach. A part of The Strand, Manhattan Beach is home to many charming shops on its world-class beaches, and this beach often hosts professional beach volleyball tournaments. Hermosa Beach has wonderful weather, as well, and is home to many festivals and iconic establishments such as the Comedy & Magic Club which hosts Jay Leno on Sunday nights. This beach also has many parks that boast smog-free air, despite their proximity to Los Angeles. Redondo Beach offers a blend of its neighbors’ entertainment options; here you can enjoy a surf session one morning then tour the Redondo Beach Historical Museum in the afternoon. This beach is also home to the South Bay Galleria, a three story monument for shop-til-you-drop fashion enthusiasts. Finally, El Segundo distinguishes itself from other cities as a very urban neighborhood. A winner of awards for most business-friendly, its proximity to LAX has incentivized businesses in the aeronautics industry to open up shop in this area. 

South Bay is also home to many fine dining options (some cities have even outlawed the development of fast food restaurants to preserve a unique dining experience). 

If you’re looking for properties that offer competitive school districts, South Bay’s cities have some of the most highly distinguished districts in California. Manhattan Beach is commonly referred to as the 2nd most educated city in Los Angeles and Forbes recently named its school district 6th overall in the country. Hermosa Beach proudly ranks among the top 10% of schools, consistently ranking in the 80-90th percentile range. Palos Verdes takes the cake with one of the highest average SAT scores, highest percentage of students successfully taking Advance Placement exams, and has one of the highest API scores in California. 

The 19 cities of South Bay hold attractions and community offerings for everyone. From leisurely beach-living to successful family-oriented school districts, you’ll find a property here that’ll fulfills each of your lifestyle needs.