If you had any doubts, don’t. The number of transactions in Malibu Real Estate since the beginning of the year has almost  doubled from last year during the same period!

In 2011 there were 25 homes in escrow in the first two months of the year. This year there are 42. Prices have not come down either in fact the median for the homes in escrow during the same period was $1,199,000 in 2011 compared to $1, 295,000 this year!

On the beach side there also has been improvement  9 homes under contract this year compared to 6 last year during the same period. Transactions so far seem to be concentrated on the lower  price spectrum at this time, but as the season progresses and the market firms up we can expect the trend to push the high-end as well.

Malibu Real Estate Transactions Up is a post from: LivingMalibu.com

Deeply discounted prices often lure buyers to foreclosed homes. But please do your homework before plunging in.

Builders are putting a lot of effort these days educating buyers about the often hidden costs of buying foreclosures. One large builder has put together an interactive “foreclosure calculator” You can find it at www.fultonhomes.com/foreclosure-calculator. The calculator uses expense averages for acquiring, repairing and outfitting foreclosed homes of various sizes, conditions and price levels in the area. It helps open the eyes of shoppers to the “dark side” of foreclosures. On the other hand there are potential upsides of foreclosures- the pricing and location advantages can be huge. Learn more.

How Much Will You Save Buying a Foreclosed Home? is a post from: LivingMalibu.com

For the many  that were forced to sell their homes through a short sale,  had their credit rating go down in the low 600s and had to move to a rental, there may  still be a chance to buy  and  to live in their own house again. Here are the options to get a new mortgage.

Itching to Buy After a Short Sale? Here Are The Options is a post from: LivingMalibu.com

The survey, released by the Mortgage Bankers Association, showed that 7.6% of residential mortgages were at least 30 days past due on their payments at the end of 2011. That was down from 8.3% one year earlier and from a peak of 10% in early 2010, but it is still much higher than the historical level of around 5%.

The better mortgage performance reflects a growing economy, but “mortgage performance is also improving faster than the overall economy,” said Jay Brinkmann, the MBA’s chief economist. Worst-case fears that many borrowers would “strategically” default, walking away from loans worth much more than their houses, haven’t materialized, according to the data, he added.

During normal periods, around 1.5% of all loans are in foreclosure, now around 4.4% are. read more

23% Improvement Over 2010 number Of Late Mortgage Payments is a post from: LivingMalibu.com

Spectacular Tri-Level Architectural home is nestled in a beautifully landscaped nook above private, sandy, Sea Level Drive beach, adjacent to Broadbeach Road. One of Malibu’s most desirable locations! Approximately 5300 sf, 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, with lush landscaping and a private path to the beach below. Panoramic ocean views. Radiant heated floors. Game room. Guest apartment with separate kitchen and bath. Four fireplaces. Large master suite, high ceiling living room, open kitchen, and large sun decks. An exceptional opportunity!

31602 BROAD BEACH RD, Malibu, CA 90265 (MLS # 11545913)

Price Dramatically Reduced! One of the best values on the coast of Malibu! This spectacular Tri-Level Architectural home is nestled in a beautifully landscaped nook above private, sandy, Sea Level Drive beach, adjacent to Broadbeach Road. One of Malibu's most desirable locations! Approximately 5300 sf (As per owner), 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, with lush landscaping and a private path to the beach below. Panoramic ocean views. Radiant heated floors. Game room. Guest apartment with separate kitchen and bath. Four fireplaces. Large master suite, high ceiling living room, open kitchen, and large sun decks. An exceptional opportunity!

Property Type(s): Single Family, Residential

Last Updated	2/13/2012	Tract	n/a
Year Built	1981	Community	Malibu Beach
Garage Spaces	n/a	County	Los Angeles
Total Parking	n/a	Walk Score ®	5

Price History

Schools

Additional Details

Features

Location

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Listed with Tony Mark DRE# 01205648, Prudential Malibu Realty Co-Listed with Alan Mark, Prudential Malibu Realty

(view all details for MLS #11545913)

Exceptional Value on Broad Beach, Malibu Coast! is a post from: LivingMalibu.com

This is the largest home on the sand in the Malibu Colony, with a beach frontage over 65 feet. The home inspired in the East Coast Beach Cottages and  designed by architect Richard Landry is beautifully detailed and luxuriously comfortable. It easily can be a primary home at the beach for the most discriminating buyer.

119 MALIBU COLONY RD, Malibu, CA 90265 (MLS # 12572795)

One of Malibu's most luxurious beach homes located in the exclusive 24-hour gated Malibu Colony! This recently constructed 5bd 7ba home, including detached guest house, balances the casual nature of a beach house w/ a more refined interior character resulting in a house that is very comfortable yet elegant. Designed by Richard Landry, one of the top 100 architects & designers in the world as listed by Architectural Digest, who said, ~~~The house was originally inspired by New England beach cottages. I enjoyed adapting this architectural language to a contemporary setting on the southern California coast. Maximizing views, light & fresh air was a main priority. Several glass walls completely open to the outside creating a great connection w/ the beach.~~~ The home is not only one of the largest in the Colony, but it's located on one of the best sections of the sand with one of widest beach frontages. Plus 360 views from the 1,200 sqft rooftop entertainment deck w/ outdoor lounge, spa, & BBQ

Property Type(s): Single Family, Residential

Last Updated	2/13/2012	Tract	n/a
Year Built	n/a	Community	Malibu Beach
Garage Spaces	n/a	County	Los Angeles
Total Parking	4	Walk Score ®	71

Price History

Schools

Additional Details

Features

Location

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Listed with Damon Skelton DRE# 01243222, Coldwell Banker-Malibu Colony

(view all details for MLS #12572795)

Luxurious Malibu Colony Estate is a post from: LivingMalibu.com

There’s a moral component to that decision, of course. People naturally feel embarrassed about breaking a contract and not paying their bills; no one wants to be branded a deadbeat. But remember that companies default on their obligations when it makes financial sense for them to do so, via the bankruptcy process. Even the Mortgage Bankers Association itself, in a flourish of irony, arranged for a short sale of its Washington headquarters. Here are the thoughts out there.

Walk Away or Not Walk Away, That Is The Question is a post from: LivingMalibu.com

There are over 72 properties in Malibu listed for less than $2 million dollars.

Here is my pick of the four best buys on the land side. Each of these Malibu homes has something really special, and all are fantastic buys.

Check them out:

Showing properties 1 - 2 of 2. See more Best Buys under 2 million - 2/15/2012 5:06:29 PM.
(all data current as of 2/22/2012)

1. $1,975,000 : 3077 RAMBLA PACIFICO, Malibu
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,731 sq ft

   Lot size: 1.05 ac
2. $1,695,000 : 6436 SEA STAR DR, Malibu
   
   5 beds, 4.0 baths

   Home size: 3,421 sq ft

   Lot size: 9,056 sq ft

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Best Buys In Malibu Real Estate Under $2 Million is a post from: LivingMalibu.com

The lawsuit  filed in the Superior Court challenges  the California Coastal Commission’s approval of the Malibu Lagoon Restoration Project and alleges that the project will harm birds, fish and other species that live in the lagoon, and in doing so violate the Coastal Act.

Supporters of the plan, including environmental groups Heal the Bay and Santa Monica Baykeeper along with State Parks, say the changes being proposed are necessary to correct mistakes caused by the faulty design of the 1983 project. Reshaping the western channels of the lagoon and removing the non-native vegetation will improve water circulation, they say, and increase oxygen levels in the water.

But opponents object to the use of bulldozers, arguing it is too drastic and will kill wildlife in the lagoon. They believe the lagoon will naturally repair itself over time, which stands in contrast to proponents’ belief that the lagoon is irreparable.

Malibu Lagoon Restoration Controversial is a post from: LivingMalibu.com

View Ordinance Compromise in Malibu is a post from: LivingMalibu.com