Silicon Beach – A Place of Innovation: Past, Present and Future
Silicon Beach – A Place of Innovation: Past, Present and Future

Playa Vista has been the center of modern innovation in Los Angeles for quite some time. You may be thinking of aerospace – it was where Howard Hughes’ legendary Spruce Goose airplane was built in a hangar on land previously owned by the billionaire. Now it is ground zero for technology & internet companies in LA, as technology giants such as Facebook, Google and Yahoo are setting up offices there. Previously the hot spot was in Santa Monica, but it has moved south to Playa Vista where there is a less expensive, roomier office to be built, bought or leased.

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Jose PoncePlaya Vista Comment
Real Estate Crowdfunding: Is It a Viable Option?
Real Estate Crowdfunding: Is It a Viable Option?

It’s almost every week now that someone asks me about my thoughts on crowdfunding, and how it relates to commercial real estate and the revitalization of communities.  Crowdfunding, for those that don’t know, is the practice of funding projects and ventures by raising monetary contributions from a large group of people, for smaller amounts than typically syndicators accept.  This is typically done via the internet, but more and more crowdfunding companies are relying on a group of investors that they have already vetted.

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George PinoCrowdfundingComment
Questions Clients Should Ask Before Working with an Agent
Questions Clients Should Ask Before Working with an Agent

Having an initial interview with the agent where the client is able to “interview” the prospective agent is the best way to see if they are fit for the job. This is analogous to an employer interviewing a potential candidate for the job. The client must ask the right questions in order to develop an understanding that the agent will indeed be providing the highest levels of knowledge and service. Some example questions for the client to ask include:

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Jose PonceQuestions, ClientComment