Santa Monica Property Blog

HALLOWEEN PIX FOR YOUR PLEASURE

Drunk Pumpkin from rsumm27

drunk pumpkin 2 from HB

why dogs hate Halloween from RasaHiob

A Doggone Happy halloween CINDY MUNGUIA

CoStar Presents: The Dirtiest Halloween Tricks

Happy Halloween From The Clippers

evil-nine-non-halloween-dj-mix

kaiju-big-battel

Happy Halloween at the Right House

Keith Lambert  - Action and all that Jazz

Computer Use California and the Nation

Computer Use California and the Nation

White, Black, Older Californians Increase Use  Differences emerge in the way demographic groups use technology. 

• Race/ethnicity: Since 2000, computer use has grown among whites (79% to 85%) and blacks (76% to 83%), as has Internet use (70% to 81% for whites, 60% to 82% for blacks). Among Latinos, computer use has declined (64% to 58%) and Internet use is unchanged (47% to 48%). Asians have seen declines in both their use of computers (91% to 81%) and the Internet (84% to 80%).  

• Age and income: Internet use has grown sharply among those age 55 and older (42% to 58%), but not among adults with household incomes less than $40,000 (47% to 49%). Adults under age 35 are more likely to use the Internet (78%) than older adults. Almost all adults with household incomes of $80,000 or more use computers (94%) and the Internet (92%).  

Fewer Latinos Have Computers, Web Access at Home  A digital divide is also apparent among ethnic/racial groups, income levels, and regions when comparing rates of computer ownership, Internet access, and broadband connections at home. 

• Race/ethnicity: Less than half of Latinos (48%) have a home computer compared to about eight in 10 or more for whites (86%), Asians (84%), and blacks (79%). Just four in 10 Latinos (40%) have Internet access and a third (34%) broadband connection at home. In contrast, majorities in other racial or ethnic groups have both Internet access and broadband.  

• Income: Among households with incomes under $40,000, half have home computers, but only four in 10 (40%) have home Internet access and just a third (33%) have broadband. At higher income levels, overwhelming majorities of Californians have home computers, Internet access, and broadband.  

• Region: Majorities in each region of the state say they have home computers and Internet access, but Los Angeles residents report lower rates of broadband connection (48%) than residents in the San Francisco Bay Area (65%), Orange County/San Diego (58%), Inland Empire (56%), and Central Valley (53%). Rural residents are somewhat less likely than urban residents to have a computer (65% vs. 73%), Internet connection (58% vs. 63%), or broadband (51% vs. 56%).  

What Are Californians Doing Online? 

Stark differences emerge in the way demographic groups use the Internet. Latinos are more likely than they were in 1999 to go online for news (35% vs. 28%), but far less likely to do so than whites (67%), blacks (62%), and Asians (61%). Comparing age groups, most people under age 35 (62%) and between ages 35 and 54 (61%) get news online, compared to 41 percent of residents age 55 and older.  While more Latinos report shopping on the web today (29% vs. 16% in 1999), they are far less likely than whites (67%), blacks (63%), or Asians (58%) to research or make purchases online. Among other differences: 

• Health information: While half of Californians say they get health information online, lower income adults (30%) and Latinos (31%) are the least likely to do so.  

• Social networking: Half of residents under age 35 use social networking sites, compared to 20 percent in the 35-54 age group and 8 percent of adults over age 55.  

• School websites: More than half of parents (56%) visit their children’s school websites. However, only 30 percent of those with household incomes under $40,000 do so, compared to 84 percent of those with incomes of $80,000 or more.  

Who’s Texting? 

More Key Findings: 

• More have DSL connections – Page 12 To access the Internet, 29 percent have DSL, 19 percent have cable modems, 5 percent have wireless, and 2 percent have fiber optic or T-1 connections. Just 7 percent have dial-up connections.  

• Most say cities should provide free wireless – Page 19 As local governments consider the benefits and difficulties of providing free wireless Internet access, 67 percent of Californians say it is a good idea and 26 percent say it is a bad one.  

• Comfort with technology, worries about security – Pages 20, 21 Internet users are comfortable using technology but less confident that they can keep viruses and spyware out of their computers. They’re even less confident about the security and privacy of financial transactions online.  

• Californians concerned about digital divide – Page 22 Two-thirds (65%) think Californians in lower-income areas are less likely to have broadband Internet access, and nearly as many (62%) are at least somewhat concerned about the disparities.  

About the Survey 

PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ROOFING SYSTEMS CAN HELP HOMEOWNERS GET TO ZERO ENERGY CONSUMPTION

PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ROOFING SYSTEMS CAN HELP HOMEOWNERS GET TO ZERO ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Kudos to the solar roof kit introduced by Luma Resources – it was chosen the best new product at this year’s the International Roofing Expo, in Las Vegas. This winning kit uses photovoltaic technology, and consists of 60 solar shingles and a converter along with the wiring and flashing for full installation.

Luma Resources is a sister company of Allen Brothers Roofing, in Rochester Hills, Mich. The product was bought to market by Gary + Robert Allen, one of two brothers who co-own Allen Brothers Roofing.

 Robert shared these thoughts on the Luma solar roof kit:

What is the demand for a solar roofing kit?

Robert Allen: In Orlando, the local government just voted not to build a coal-fired power plant. That means Orlando-area homeowners will be using renewable energy, like solar, rather than fossil fuels. Long term, there’ll be more and more demand as states and municipalities, then homeowners, turn to renewables.

How does a homeowner get ahold of a solar roofing kit?

Robert Allen: Typically, we want to set up a relationship with a roofer. The roofer or roofing company would have to qualify. I have to know that this guy is going to take the product and install it the right way.

Why will this solar product be successful now?

Robert Allen:  In the ’70s, solar roof panels were regarded as ugly and inefficient; it wasn’t good enough. Now, with all the improvements, it’s quickly becoming a product that can hold its own. It has to be driven by demand….that’s what we’ll see happen as electricity rates continue to go up and consumers realize that solar power does pay for itself in a short period of time - and they have a secure source of energy for the home.

Will your system supply all the power that a home needs?

Robert Allen: What you are trying to do is to provide the homeowner with enough power to get as close to zero consumption as possible. The question is how many years does it take to repay the investment in buying and installing the system. It’s like any other investment. In this case, you’re investing in a system that allows you to save the money you’d otherwise be spending on electricity off the grid.

How much does your product cost and how long does it take to install?

Robert Allen: Let’s assume a house of, say, 2,400 square feet. Our 2 kilowatt system could be installed by a two-man crew in a day, with another half-day for the electrician. We timed it. The labor cost would be $1,500 and the total installed cost of the job, to the homeowner, would be $13,000.

http://replacementcontractor.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=0&articleID=743122

SO MANY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BUILDINGS IN CHICAGO

According to Preservation magazine 29 is the magic number of Chicago-area
houses that a team of researchers recently identified as Frank Lloyd Wright
originals.  

Mrs. Thomas Gale House

 The discoveries “hit us like a ton of bricks,” says team member William Allin Storrer, an adjunct architecture professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

 

 He argues that the houses, previously attributed to other architects, bear the artistic signature of the master himself.

Robert P. Parker House

 Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer, director of the Frank Lloyd Wright Archives in Scottsdale, AZ, remains skeptical due to a lack of hard evidence.  

 

Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio

 Nevertheless, Pfeiffer says, the archives will investigate the assertion. 

Francis J. Wooley House

 

John Percival Jones Sleeps Here

Locally, we know John Percival Jones as the founding father of Santa Monica. The Nevada senator came to Santa Monica when the area was a large ranch. It was purchased by Nevada Senator John Percival Jones. In 1895, he arrived here and was so impressed with the ideal location and scenic beauty that he founded Santa Monica.

For the record, the Jones, as well as the Conger families were among the pioneers of California and Nevada. Thomas Conger became state senator in California. Conger’s son-in-law, John P. Jones, became senator in Nevada before founding the City of Santa Monica.

We found another interesting taking on John Percival Jones @ FindAGrave.com:

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8056198

noted that:

John P Jones

Birth:   Jan. 27, 1829

Hereford and Worcester, England

Death:   Nov. 11, 1912

Los Angeles

Los Angeles County

California, USA

Republican Senator from Nevada. He served in the US Senate from 1873-1903. He also was the founder Santa Monica, California.

Burial:

Cypress Lawn Memorial Park

Colma

San Mateo County

California, USA

Plot: Laurel Hill Mound

2007 MORTGAGE INDUSTRY PROFIT STATISTICS

2007 MORTGAGE INDUSTRY PROFIT STATISTICS

Bet you’ll be surprised to learn that mortgage companies lost an average of $560 on every loan they originated in 2007, compared with the $50 per loan they lost in 2006, continuing a downward trend that began in 2004, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s annual cost study.

While loan origination and ancillary fees grew on a per-loan basis, they did not keep pace with increases in production operating expenses, which grew 7 percent to $3,663 per loan, the study found.

MBA’s 2008 Cost Study is based on 2007 income and expenses associated with the origination and servicing of one- to four-unit residential mortgage loans by mortgage banking companies. The study is based on a sample of 180 mortgage banking companies who originate and service loans.

For the whole story please go to:

http://www.inman.com/news/2008/10/7/mortgage-industry-profits-tank-in-07

FREE HOUSE PLANS @ www.freegreen.com

FREE HOUSE PLANS @ www.freegreen.com

 Thinking about building a green home? Get free house plans @ http://www.freegreen.com/.
 

 The mission of FreeGreen we hope to encourage progressive building practices by making green home designs free for everyone.
 
Why Free? www.freegreen.com developed a new business model because they believe green design should be accessible to all. Today’s homes are assembled from a combination of products and raw materials. If you are building a new home, or even renovating an existing one, then you have a lot of decisions to make. At FreeGreen, our team of engineers and designers works with industry-leading product manufacturers to present you with different combinations of products, materials, and vendors. We also provide 3-dimensional images, energy simulations, and written descriptions to help you find the right fit for your lifestyle. Ultimately you and your builder will choose the products and materials that are right for your house. We just hope that our designs help you build the home you want.
 

Own a Seaside Slice of Santa Monica Canyon + a Piece of History -> 11-unit mixed use across the street from the beach!

Jodi Summers | Sotheby’s International Realty | 310.260.8269 107 + 117 W CHANNEL RD, Santa Monica, CA Own a Seaside Slice of Santa Monica Canyon + a Piece of History -> 11-unit mixed use across the street from the beach! 11 Units - Multi-Family or Mixed-Use offered at $3,695,000     Year Built 1915 Sq Footage 5,137 Floors 2 Parking Unspecified Lot Size Unspecified Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Put this jewel in your portfolio ~107 + 117 West Channel Rd., Santa Monica, 90402A Historic 11-unit mixed use suite of properties across the street from the beach.   Gross annual income = $268,644 107 West Channel offers:   PREMIER CORNER EXPOSURE on Pacific Coast Highway - gateway to Malibu, Pacific Palisades & Santa Monica Canyon. Commercial Storefront with outstanding visibility; large 2br 2ba house; separate detached 1br 1ba apartment & small office. Built by F. E. Bundy + family in 1915. Effective Gross Income: $67,000. This property can be purchased separately for $1,350,000. ~~~~~ 117 West Channel offers: AMAZING OCEAN VIEWS at entrance to Santa Monica Canyon & Pacific Palisades. 7 Units. Remodeled with the finest attention to detail - wood floors, travertine bathrooms, stainless steel kitchens, advanced communications, and lush landscaping. (2) 1br 1ba & (5) studios. Use as apartments, offices, or live/work (Zoned C2). Built by F. E. Bundy + family in 1915. Effective Gross Income: $171,000 This property can be purchased separately for $2,800,000. ~~~~~ Buy both for $3,695,000 – a great value!   see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Location! Location! Location! Own a piece of historic Santa Monica Brilliantly maintained LOCATION FEATURES You are @ the beach EZ to freeway Be at the beach, but be in th heart of it all. OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES Built by the Bundy family A grade improvements Put this jewel in your portfolio ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Jodi Summers Sotheby’s International Realty 310.260.8269 For sale by agent/broker   Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Oct 3, 2008, 2:07pm PDT