Kathleen Finnegan

Author Archive

rainy day cocktail : hot toddy

Warm and toasty and just in time for a rainy day in LA, the Hot Toddy is a classic hot drink and it is very simple to make. The basic recipe only requires a base liquor, honey, lemon, and tea, though some people prefer to skip the tea bag. It will be a matter of personal taste as to which of the liquors you choose for your toddy. Brandy, rum, and whiskey each bring their own characteristics to the drink and... Continue Reading >

home for the holidays: is fall the season to sell?

Home owners may be doubtful that the months of November and December will bring about a home sale. But sometimes the “off-peak” time to sell can actually be the perfect moment for sellers. Several studies show that, on average, homes listed in November and December are more likely to sell, sell more quickly, and more closely approach the asking price, according to an article at Forbes.com. A 2011 study conducted by realtor.com® found that 60 percent of real estate professionals advise... Continue Reading >

10th Annual Turkey Day Dash

When : Thu, November 27, 8am – 11am Where : Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA (map) The Conejo Valley YMCA is hosting its 10th Annual Turkey Day Dash on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 27, 2014. The 5K run/walk and 1k family fun run/walk will once again be held this year at Cal Lutheran University. The 1K family fun run/walk is at 8:00 a.m. and the 5K run/walk starts at 8:30 a.m. Race day registration begins at 7:00 a.m. Proceeds from the Turkey Day... Continue Reading >

Calabasas pumpkin festival

    The  Calabasas Pumpkin Festival  Returns October 18 & 19,  2014 10:00am -  5:00pm  For more than 40 years, the Calabasas Pumpkin Festival has brought the community together for two days of fun themed around pumpkins! Housed along Lost Hills Road and the beautiful Juan Bautista de Anza  Park, The Calabasas Pumpkin Festival is proudly presented by the  City of Calabasasand the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce.  Each year, they strive to offer a low cost, family friendly event while showcasing the great businesses and organizations of Calabasas. The Pumpkin Festival offers live bands, a dj dance zone, marketplace  vendors, delicious food... Continue Reading >

happy fall Friday : bourbon cider cocktail

It's the first Friday of Fall and what better way to celebrate than with a cocktail! While the kids have gone back to school and the football season has already started, it’s not officially fall at my house until we whip up a batch of cider. So I thought I would share one of my fav recipes , check it out. Bourbon and Apple Cider Cocktail Prep Time: 10 minutes The perfect fall cocktail with the flavors of apple, bourbon and ginger. Ingredients 2 parts Apple Cider, refrigerated 2 parts... Continue Reading >

Style watch – 6 design trends you’ll see more of

This past year I’ve helped a number of buyers get into “fixer” properties with the intention of creating their dream home. I found this article interesting; because it mirrors many of the must have features  my clients were looking for. Builder Online recently spoke to executive director at architecture firm KTGY, about the design trends that are gaining popularity in the new-home market this year and below are a list of upcoming trends in building remodels: Private space Baby boomers, empty nesters, and... Continue Reading >

making the leap : commiting to home ownership

You’ve saved for a down payment. You’ve pored over the local listings for months. Touring open houses has become part of your weekend ritual. But months, perhaps years, have passed and you are still in your rental. For many first-time homebuyers, pulling the trigger on a purchase can be a frightening experience. Will you be happy there? Will you like your neighbors? Will you be tied down—house rich and cash poor? What if you lose your job? Will you hate your... Continue Reading >

market update – at a glance

Home Prices Median home prices flattened in July, increasing only 0.4% to $222,900. This is up 4.9% from last year, continuing the summer's pattern of sustainable increases in home prices. Home Sales The pace of home sales rose 2.2% in July to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 5.15 million homes. This is down 4.5% from the same month of the previous year; however, the portion of sales that were distressed is down to 9% from 15% last year. This means that conventional... Continue Reading >

labor day road trip tips!

The long, lingering days of summer are starting to come to a close, and lazy weekends and warm-weather getaways will soon be    nothing more than memories. Before you know it, you’ll be back running shuttles to soccer practice and shoveling the driveway. Unless, of course, you plan one last summer fling. Make the most of Labor Day this year by packing up the car and escaping for the weekend. With a map and a bit of wanderlust, you can manage to... Continue Reading >

a country fair with ocean air : the Ventura fair

                Something for Everyone! There is so much to do at the Fair you won’t know where to start! Listen to live musical performances, participate in contests, go on the rides, eats lots of yummy food and so much more down home county fair fun. Spin, flip or fly on the great rides in the carnival midway. Taste gourmet food and wine (or beer) pairings at the “Bounty of the County: People’s Choice” contest, or snack on fair favorites like spiral... Continue Reading >