Los Angeles is a highly diverse community - diverse in culture, languages, ethnicity, neighborhoods, and in architecture.  In many Los Angeles communities, one will hear 15-20 languages spoken and in some areas, English is not spoken at all.

The temperate climate and vast cultural and recreational opportunities make Los Angeles an idea place to live (well, except for the traffic!).  Within a two hour drive, one can surf at the beach in the morning and then head to a seasonal resort for an afternoon of skiing.  In between, one may stop at a Laker’s or a Clipper’s game, a USC or UCLA game, or a Dodger's or an Angel's game. From Los Angeles, one can also head south two hours to sunny San Diego or north eight hours to reach infamous San Francisco.

One of the first decisions for someone looking to purchase a home in the Los Angeles area is finding a Realtor who is knowledgeable about the local market and then finding the right neighborhood and the compatible/desirous amenities that one is seeking. Commute time to work or school is also a priority.  Mass transit exists in Los Angeles, but it is not always fluid or easy.  As a result, most people commute to work, school, events, etc., instead of using mass transit.

Within Los Angeles, there are a multitude of "areas" or "specific neighborhoods", each with their own unique characteristics.  Prices tend to rise the further from the downtown "core" and from the Westside one goes. South of Mulholland Highway is the "City" and north of Mulholland Highway is the "Valley". The Valley is the suburbs and the City side is more of the "traditional" city.  Prices in the Los Angeles market, have, for the most part, remained relatively stable even in a slowing market; Los Angeles is still a great draw and an exciting place to be.

Properties can be searched on www.MichaelTrustRealty.com under "Property Search" for a great selection of what is available on the market now. This search feature is updated daily and shows all currently available properties listed in the Multiple Listing Service.  In addition, there is a wealth of community information about Los Angeles and the surrounding areas available on this site. At Michael Trust Realty, we are committed to total client satisfaction and we treat each client as our only client. We would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Thanks for reading.

About the author: MICHAEL TRUST, REALTOR, AND BROKER/OWNER, Michael Trust Realty, MichaelTrust@MichaelTrustRealty.com or (818) 342-3470 or Toll Free (877) 755-7755 x709.

© my-local-real-estate.com copyright 2006. All rights reserved.

Woodland Hills

Woodland Hills is a community within the City of Los Angeles. It is located in the southwestern area of the San Fernando Valley, northeast of Calabasas and west of Tarzana. To the north Woodland Hills is bordered by West Hills, Canoga Park, and Winnetka. Running east-west through the community is U.S. Route 101 (Ventura Freeway) and Ventura Boulevard, which starts in Woodland Hills.

History

Victor Girard Kleinberger (later known as simply Victor Girard) bought 2,886 acres (12 km²) in the area and founded Girard in 1922. He sought to attract residents and businesses by developing the land, advertising in newspapers, and planting 120,000 trees. Although much of his development provided a dubious facade of economic activity in Girard (local lore has it that in order to attract development he erected false store fronts on Ventura Blvd., for which he spent time in jail), the Girard Golf Course completed in 1925 continues to operate today as the Woodland Hills Country Club, and his scheme was successful in attracting interest in the community.

The town suffered through the Great Depression yet survived. In 1941, the community was renamed Woodland Hills, an appropriate name owing to all the trees that Girard had planted years earlier. Harry Warner came along in the 1940s and bought 1,100 acres (4.5 km²) in the area for a horse ranch. The modern Warner Center commercial zone is named for Harry and features several high-rise buildings, hotels, and shopping centers in Woodland Hills. A major transit hub — the western end of the Orange Line — opened here in October 2005.

The population living in Woodland Hills nears 70,000.

Education

Schools serving Woodland Hills are operated by the Los Angeles Unified School District. The schools include Lockhurst Elementary School, Woodlake Elementary School, Woodland Hills Elementary School, Calabash St. Elementary School, Hale Middle School, Parkman Middle School, and Louisville High School (on the Calabasas border). El Camino Real High School and William Howard Taft High School are multiple United States Academic Decathlon winners.

Los Angeles Pierce College is also located in Woodland Hills.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 61,092 people. 74.8% White, 3.4% African American, 7.2% Hispanic/Latino, 5.9% Asian, and 6.8% Two or more races. Median age: 40.8 Average household size: 2.66 Median household income (1999): $70,411

Famous Residents

Born and raised in Woodland Hills:

• Brad Garrett, actor who played Robert on Everybody Loves Raymond

• Janel Moloney, actress on The West Wing

• Jan Smithers, actor on WKRP in Cincinnati

• Hanshi Frank W Dux-Renowned Ninjutsu master

• Prior to being convicted of fraud, teenage entrepreneur Barry Minkow bought a mansion in Woodland Hills.

• Many Hollywood notables spent their later years at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital.

•  Jamal Anderson, NFL football player

Lisa Kudrow, actress on Friends graduated from William Howard Taft High School

Paige Hurd, actress who played Vanessa in Beauty Shop

Sara Paxton, actress

Will Smith, actor, R&B singer

Xzibit, hip-hop artist

Noel Webb, violinist and composer.

Val Lauren, Actor.

Businesses

• Fry's Electronics (store #8)
• Health Net, Inc. headquarters
• Information Technology Channel main office
• Panavision headquarters
• United Online headquarters
• Westfield Shoppingtown Promenade
• Westfield Shoppingtown Topanga Plaza (borders Canoga Park)
• 21st Century Insurance is headquartered in Woodland Hills.

The information herein was complied using sources deemed reliable (as noted throughout this book under “source”), including the University of Southern California, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and Wikipedia. However, the information in this book is not guaranteed, and all users are advised to research any questions or concerns independently. Michael Trust Realty, its employees, assigns, Broker, or any others, assume no responsibility nor any liability for any inaccuracies contained herein.

Many people who sell an investment property believe that federal capital gains from that sale must always be handed over to the IRS.  This is not always the case.  IRS Code Section 1031 offers investors the opportunity to reinvest federal capital gains from a sale if you swap that property for another…and it does not always have to be for ‘like property’ either!  Instead, as an investor, you could have that money work for you rather than end up in the hands of the IRS. Further, you do not have to sell your property for the exact same type of property either!

The 1031 Code indicates that no gains or losses will be recognized on the exchange of any type of business use or investment property for any other business use or investment property.

So what does this mean?  How can this help you?

If you own a business or an investment property you should consider a 1031 exchange.   You would be able to defer 100% of both federal and state capital gains tax.  1031 Exchanges in essence become interest free loans; where the principal may increase through future exchanges allowing the Exchanger to never pay back, if the transactions are planned well.  Along with the guidance of an experienced realtor, www.michaeltrustrealty.com this can be one of the most profitable ventures you will ever enter into.

Are you apprehensive about the 1031 Exchanges?  Here are some interesting facts, which will make the decision easier.

1) At one time, exchanges were only done to switch like investment properties to the same person swapping for your own, but this is not the case anymore.  In fact, you can sell your own property to someone who does not have a relationship to the person from whom they are purchasing the replacement property.

2) It is important to know that like-properties once met the same, condo for condo, empty lot for empty lot but that is also no longer the case.  If you have invested your money in an empty lot but wish to exchange for an apartment building, this too is possible and again, no taxes would be paid for the sale of the vacant land when following the guidelines of the 1031 exchange. In fact, the owner of the empty lot can even sell that one lot and then purchase several others or just buy one and then sell others. Note, 1031 Exchanges only apply to investment properties and not residences.

3)  Many believe only investors of large commercial properties can utilize a 1031. One of the greatest features about a 1031 Exchange is that it applies to all investment properties, large and very small. 1031 Exchange works the same way for a corporation selling a large shopping mall as it would for an individual selling a single-family property used for rental or held for investment in a resort area.

4) Many believe 1031 Exchanges are very complicated and not worth investigating. Consider working with a qualified Realtor and Broker who can offer you professional advice and direction.  1031 Exchanges is a relatively smooth process and definitely worth considering but sound advice from an experienced realtor is the key to profitability.

5) The Exchanger can acquire a replacement property with greater income potential. For example, raw land can be sold to acquire income-producing property or a larger or more ideally located property.  A duplex rental property can be exchanged for a 4-family investment property offering greater income.

Should you wish to increase your buying flow due to greater cash flow, exchange investment or rental property for that with a greater income, acquire investment property that is easier to finance, or should you have the need to relocate or the desire to increase your current business or investment space for a larger area, the 1031 Exchange can accomplish any or all of these goals.

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Michael Trust is a native Angeleno having been born, raised, and educated in Los Angeles.  A homeowner himself, Michael is familiar with the challenges of buying, selling and owning real estate in the Greater Los Angeles area.

His background is unusual in Realtor® circles. With a baccalaureate degree from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master’s Degree in Management from the University of Southern California (USC), Michael offers 15-years of corporate management experience in Fortune 500 organizations, Michael Trust can help you look at your real estate transaction from a broader business perspective.

Not only is Michael a Realtor® but he is also a California Real Estate Broker/Officer. Many Realtors® work under the umbrella of a large real estate organization and are obliged to follow the dictates of that organization. As a Real Estate Broker, Michael does not have to answer to a large corporation. He is free to make decisions based entirely on your best interests.

As a member of the National Association of Realtors®, the California Association of Realtors®, the Southland Regional Association of Realtors® (CRISNET Multiple Listing Service), and the Simi Valley/Moorpark Association of Realtors®, as well as the Combined Los Angeles/Westside Multiple Listing Service, he keeps abreast of legal and market changes through daily communications from these organizations. Michael fully subscribes to and abides by the high ethical standards required of their members.  Michael is also a volunteer member of the Southland Regional Association's Multiple Listing Service Committee, and Regional User's Group Committee.

Michael and his Team specialize in residential, residential income, and commercial sale and lease properties. Michael and his Team are well versed in 1031 Exchanges as well.  Michael and his Team are backed up by a staff of assistants with specialties in marketing, transaction management, and general administrative support so that you can receive the best possible service.  Michael Trust Realty uses technology to the fullest to make your experience a smooth one. For more information, please contact Michael through www.michaeltrustrealty.com