It's time to prepare for summer in the San Fernando Valley and that means it's time to start spring cleaning, booking vacations and planning your summer yard. We all know that mapping out a yard design can be quite daunting, and that is why Matt Epstein sat down with Andrew of GLD Greenscape Landscape + Design.
Designing your home can seem like a daunting and exhausting process, but it doesn’t have to be. When it comes to home decorating it’s important that your home has a cohesive design layout that resonates with you! That means designing for your life, not your walls.
Last month over 3,000 real estate agents from around the United States convened in Dallas, Texas for their annual meeting. This four-day event is a time in which agents from around the country gather to discuss the state of the real estate business as well as attend seminars and discussion groups as to how to improve and manage their real estate business, and to discuss the state of the real estate market nationwide.
An escrow is a deposit of funds, a deed or other instrument by one party for the delivery to another party upon completion of a specific condition or event. It is an independent neutral account by which the interests of all parties to the transaction are protected. When opening an escrow, the buyer and seller of a piece of property establish terms and conditions for the transfer of ownership of that property.
Today’s real estate market might seem to be back at the all time high levels that we encountered five years ago. As a buyer you might think that you should wait and see if the market goes back down before buying. But there might be another approach to keep in mind. This might be a tremendous opportunity to purchase what some in the business call a stale home.
On September 10th from 5 - 7pm, Matt Epstein and Jane Kaplan are working in conjunction with the LA River Greenway Trail Project to help promote this innovative ground-breaking effort to bridge the gap, create public access and restore the native habitat of the LA River between Whitsett Ave and Coldwater Canyon Ave.
Summer is coming to a close and that means its time to squeeze all of your BBQ fun into one last month. Well we decided, we’d share some of Matt’s local BBQ secrets for San Fernando’s denizens.
We’ve created the perfect shopping list and recipe for your next BBQ. Scroll down for all the details.
First stop, Tapia Brothers
Tapia Brothers has been a California staple in the evolution of the food service industry. With the slogan: “Customers as Family,” it’s no wonder this local produce provider supplies the perfect corn, beefsteak tomatoes, watermelon and strawberries for your weekend BBQ.
Corn
Beefsteak Tomatoes
Watermelon
Strawberries
Blackberries
5251 Hayvenhurst Ave
Encino, CA 91436
Hours: 9AM - 5PM
Next up, Natas Portuguese Pastries
Home of the pasties de nata, a portuguese pastry, Nata’s on Ventura has been supplying Sherman Oaks and Studio City with the finest portuguese baked goods for 10 years.
So, you might be wondering, What are natas? A nata is a crispy filo pastry stuffed with custard and sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar. Yum! Not to mention, Natas also come in a variety of flavors and toppings. Try the coconut or chocolate swirl. Or stick with the original topped with raspberries and blueberries. You can’t go wrong with either choice.
Natas Speciality Nata
13317 Ventura Blvd #D
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Hours: 8AM - 10PM
If you’re looking for a good beverage pairing, Blackberry Mojitos compliment the BBQ vibes while pleasing your palette.
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 cups seltzer water
1/4 cups vodka or rum
6 to 8 ice cubes
12 Driscoll's Blackberries
12 large mint leaves
4 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Muddle blackberries, mint leaves, sugar, lemon juice and lime juice in a tall glass until berries are mostly crushed.
Add seltzer, vodka, and ice.
Stir well and serve.
Copyright 2008, Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics by Ina Garten, Clarkson Potter/Publishers, All Rights Reserved
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
Freshly ground black pepper
1 lemon, halved
1 3 ½-pound chicken, flattened
Kosher salt
1/3 cup good olive oil
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Sprinkle the chicken with 1 teaspoon salt on each side. Combine the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, and 2 teaspoon pepper in a small measuring cup. Place the chicken in a ceramic or glass dish just large enough to hold it flat. Pour the lemon marinade over the chicken, turning it in the dish. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Turn the chicken two or three times while marinating.
When ready to grill, prepare a hot charcoal fire on one side of a grill (or turn a gas grill on low heat). Spread most of the coals across half of the grill. Place the chicken, skin side up, on the opposite side of the grill and place the dish you used for marinating on top of the chicken to weight it. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until the underside is golden brown. Turn the chicken skin side down, weight again with the dish, and cook for another 12 to 15 minutes, until the skin is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Place the lemon halves on the cool side of the grill, cut side down for the last 10 minute of cooking. Remove the chicken to a plate or cutting board, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Cut in quarters, sprinkle with salt, and serve with the grilled lemon halves.
Matt Epstein is a top realtor in Sherman Oaks and Studio City. With over 25 years experience as a local realtor, Matt knows the ins-and-outs of San Fernando Valley culture, housing and living. Follow his blog for weekly news, real estate insight and beautiful homes. He consistently ranks in the Diamond Circle at Berkshire Hathaway. Matt is considered in the top 1% of realtors nationwide.
When it comes time to put your home on the market there are dozens of decisions that need to be made. From choosing a realtor to closing the deal, home sellers have to assess the pros and cons of every decision. Among these decisions, the presentation of your home plays a critical role of the final sale. So, what are the benefits of home staging?
The end of summer might seem right around the corner, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to end the fun. Late summer in Los Angeles is full of fun events and shows, whether you want a romantic night out or an event for the whole family, one of the many venues in Los Angles has something for you. We’ve put together a little list to help guide your way.
It’s summer and that means it’s camp season. Picking a good, reliable and fun camp for your kids can be hassle. To help you out, we scouted Sherman Oaks and Studio City’s finest camps for kids of all ages. Be mindful, each camp has a unique program and it’s own application. Follow the links to register your kids for a summer of fun!
Ventura Boulevard is quickly establishing itself as a gastropub haven in the Los Angeles area. What does this mean for local residents? More delicious food, more delicious beer and more local businesses. We did some research to make you this guide on the Studio City and Sherman Oaks Gastropub Culture! Read More...
San Fernando Valley is quickly becoming the dining destination for all of Los Angeles. The restauranteurs have done an excellent job carving out Sherman Oaks and Studio City as a dining mecca with some of the best fine dining and gastropub fares around. In honor of their hard efforts, we’ve put together a list of best places to grab a bite for everyone. Our list hosts everything from top notch fine dining to the best local eats. Enjoy!
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