News — Headlines

Real Estate Roundup: Record weekly mortgage rate drop

Here’s a look at recent news of interest to homebuyers, home sellers, and the home-curious. 30-YEAR MORTGAGES SEE BIGGEST ONE-WEEK DROP IN A DECADE Fixed-rate mortgages last week saw their biggest one-week drop in a decade, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly rate survey. Thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.06 percent, down from 4.28 percent last week, and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.57 percent, down from 3.71...

Home of the Week: Sweeping new Cape Cod made for entertaining

With over ten thousand feet of sophisticated space on two levels, this grand, just-finished Encino estate is designed for entertaining. Set on a huge half-acre lot south of the Boulevard at 4519 Haskell Avenue, the home is lavished with exquisite designer touches, finishes and fixtures throughout. The welcome begins off the circular drive in the open foyer with its soaring cathedral ceiling, then then moves...

Home of the Week: Expansive, just-remodeled family contemporary in Palo Alto

Set on a quiet cul-de-sac in Midtown Palo Alto, 2783 Randers Court is filled with this-minute style and cutting-edge amenities. Beautiful materials and finishes enrich the ambiance: elegant tile and marble; warm natural wood and stone; and dramatic sculptural lighting, plumbing fixtures and hardware. The main level flows from the high-end open kitchen with pull-up breakfast bar to a family room with fireplace, a formal...

Teháma: Sustainable Carmel-by-the-Sea community envisioned by Clint Eastwood

Only a few coveted homesites in Teháma are up for grabs, and they’re listed exclusively by Compass. Teháma, the coveted private residential community secluded in the hills above the village of Carmel-by-the Sea and envisioned by Clint Eastwood as a model for sustainable development, is bringing to market its final collection of homesites. Teháma has the same magical, bountiful quality today that it did when...

Compass SoCal February 2019 Real Estate Market Update

While overall median home prices trended 5 percent lower in February year-over-year, about half of communities saw increases and the other half saw declines. However, most of the prices are still above January 2018 levels as pricing started surging in February and posted a 13 percent jump compared to February 2017. Malibu and surrounding areas continued to see the largest increases in median prices, as...

Plenty of open jobs in California while employment growth slows as anticipated

Following a delay in data release due to the government shutdown, the latest numbers from the state Employment Development Department (EDD) show California added 3,000 jobs in January, bringing the annual growth to 246,400 jobs. That represents a 1.4 percent increase from the year before, compared with the 1.9 percent growth recorded nationwide. In the nine years since the economic expansion started, the state has...

Compass NorCal February 2019 Real Estate Update

While the pace of sales generally picked up from the January highs in most Bay Area regions in which Pacific Union DBA Compass operates, most regions saw relatively lower prices compared to last February when the robust spring price growth began. Click on each of our regions below for an expanded look at local real estate activity in February. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY February median sales...

Home as a work of art: Get inspired by these exhibits

If life imitates art, then these California exhibits just may inspire you to turn your home into a canvas for creative expression. California crafty California Visionaries: Seminal Studio Craft, Featuring Works from the Forrest L. Merrill Collection, Craft In America Center, Los Angeles, March 2–May 4 We love Ikea: It’s cheap and convenient. But sometimes your home is screaming for something unique and local. California...

Stephen Udoff named Malibu Realtor of the Year

Compass real estate leader Stephen Udoff has been named Malibu’s Realtor of the Year. The  honor recognizes exceptional service, dedication and diligence in serving the members of the Malibu Association of Realtors and the Malibu community.  Matt Ogden, Compass Regional Assistant Sales Manager (left) with Stephen Udoff Stephen  acquired his first investment property at 21 and was named Rookie of the Year by Who’s Who...

Home of the Week: A grand Monterey Colonial estate

Ideally located near the Huntington Library & Gardens, this grand Monterey Colonial Estate was built by legendary architect Reginald Johnson in 1927 for his parents. The stately six bedroom, seven bathroom residence features a large 25,570 square foot lot and a versatile floor plan offering both formal and informal spaces. The welcoming entry leads to the living room with a fireplace and original wood-paneled walls....