#1 AGENT
IN #1 OFFICE GLOBALLY
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BEN LEE’S BLOG
Ring in Some Holiday Cheer with a Local Adventure
As the year quickly draws to a close, it will soon be time to start thinking about trimming trees and hanging holiday lights. But, while we don’t usually see a lot of snowy rooftops and icicles here in southern California, it still might just be possible to partake in some real, live winter-themed fun.
That’s because the once popular Santa’s Village – closed for nearly 20 years now – may be reopening soon, albeit temporarily, just in time for this year’s holiday season. Situated just south of Lake Arrowhead, in the small town of Skyforest, Santa’s Village was at one time a popular destination for “cartoony” theme park enthusiasts, even a tad before Disneyland became a reality.
Recently, the new owners of this much loved attraction announced a plan to restore the park with many of its previous offerings, and then some. For instance, in the not so distant future, you could be gliding along on the Silver Bells Ice Skating Pond, climbing up candy covered mountains, or even zip lining high above it all.
There is also the Santa’s Village Mining Company, where you can try panning for some cool rock candy treasures. And, you might even want to explore the Magic Tree Bouldering Room – an indoor cave climbing experience for kids who are both young and old. (Climbing shoes are even provided for you).
Open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily – except for Christmas Day – there is plenty of time to take part in a long list of thrills. Skypark is located on the scenic Rim of the World Highway (California State Route 18), so it’s hard to miss this cool adventure land. But you better watch out, and you better not cry when you get there, because Santa Claus will be watching.
Finding Bargain Real Estate Offerings in Beverly Hills
While the word “bargain” may conjure up images of frustrated shoppers elbowing each other at Wal-Mart in order to purchase great deals on Black Friday, the reality is that just about everyone typically wants to obtain the best price that they can – especially if that includes the ability to purchase property in a distinctive and highly valued area for much less than it might be worth.
There’s no question about the fact that Beverly Hills commands some of the highest priced real estate listings in the entire country. With many of these properties being owned by current or former celebrities, that can often make the asking price soar even higher – especially on those that are located in the 90210 zip code.
So, in an area where there can be buyers clamoring to make offers, why would a seller consider selling their home at a bargain price? One reason is that “situations happen” – even to those who may at one time have had it all. Over the past several years, credit has tightened, meaning that some who once had a high end zip code can no longer afford to keep it up.
When this occurs, the need for a quick home sale is often in the mix, resulting in what some may deem as an oxymoron – multi-million dollar home bargains. Some of these homes may be advertised, while other property owners in this locale prefer a quiet sale. So, just because there isn’t a For Sale sign in the yard, it doesn’t mean that the owner isn’t accepting offers.
Working with an agent who is familiar with the area and its local happenings can help get you much closer to that diamond in the rough in an extremely hot area, for an even hotter selling price.
Number 1
The rankings for the first half of 2016 have been released and I was proud to be recognized as the number 1 agent in my office: Coldwell Banker Realty Beverly Hills Branch which happens to be the number 1 Coldwell Banker office in the world. An impressive feat that hasn’t come easily but one I accept with gratitude, pride and excitement. I also recognize that this achievement wasn’t attained without the help and support of my team: Lilli, Elizabeth, Joe and Marshall. Not to mention all of my fantastic clients who’ve entrusted me with dozens of real estate transactions closed during the first half of the year. Together we have worked hard to make Ben Lee the number one realtor in the busiest CB office in the world and that’s something to celebrate. Let’s raise a virtual glass and make a toast to keep up the momentum and maintaining first chair position for the second half of 2016, too. Cheers! And thank you so much!
Father’s Day
I spent this past Father’s Day with my wife, sons, my brother, Josh and his husband, Brady. It marked the first Father’s Day we shared without our mom sharing the holiday with us but it also happened to be the last Father’s Day my brother and Brady will celebrate before actually becoming official fathers, themselves. They are expecting their first child later this week, my first nephew, my boys’ first first-cousin. They are excited and nervous and anxious and thrilled- exactly how my wife and I felt before our first son was born. My brother and Brady moved in with my mother before she passed away in April. The house is just a few blocks away from where my family lives in Cheviot Hills and the plan is for my brothers to stay in my mom’s home while they’re finishing up completion of their house in Topanga. Selfishly, I’m hoping they stay close by even after their house is finished. We’re all so excited to have this newest addition to our family live so close, especially now that my mom, the grandmother he’ll never meet, wasn’t able to live to see him come home. So, on this first real Father’s Day with a baby on the way, it felt nice to share the occasion together. My wife and I presented them with everything we had wished someone had given us before our first son was born. Weird things you don’t think to register for like diapers that were actually the right size. A tiny suction for his nose in case he’s stuffed up. Infant Motrin to have on hand in case he runs a little fever. Gas drops. As much as we try to prepare them, some lessons just have to be gleaned from on-the-job training. You don’t really ever fully appreciate the magnitude of caring for a baby until you’re doing it on your own, around the clock. And even then, you don’t really ever fully know what you’re doing. But, there’s something so lovely about a baby who is so eagerly anticipated with such love, joy and excitement surrounding him. Not everyone gets to enter the world that way and it’s a lucky thing to be so wanted and adored even before he takes his first breath. If anyone will be amazing fathers, I know it’ll be my younger brother and brother-in-law. And even though no one could ever take the place of this baby’s grandmother, my mother, it’s nice to know he has the love and affection of not just his dad’s, but three cousins, an aunt, an uncle, lots of friends and a handful of dogs eager to shower upon him all the cuddling and devotion that she would’ve done so with utter and complete enthusiastic gusto. Can’t wait to meet you, new baby boy. The world and our family will be a better place after having you in it.
Voting Day
Today feels like we are witnessing something historic. Hillary Clinton, the presumptive democratic nominee of the 2016 election, has achieved something no woman has been able to do before her and whether or not you are a fan, it’s a feat that should be celebrated. Her policies may or may not mesh with yours but, regardless, she has given millions of young girls an example of what is possible to do. She has put a face and name to what may have only once been a fantasy to generations of Americans, men and women alike.
Politics aside, election days are always exciting and to me, somewhat emotional. I think about so many other countries in the world that voting and the democratic process is either unheard of or fought for so valiantly. It makes me pause to appreciate how lucky we are to have the right to vote so easily here- and to try not to take for granted the struggles others have made before me to gain that very right.
I think about new American citizens who are voting for the first time and how proud they must be. I think about young eighteen year olds and recall the first time I was old enough to vote in an election and the puffed up feeling I had at being considered an adult in the eyes of my country.
I like waking up early and going to our local polling place and seeing neighbors there, either working behind the check-in desk or waiting in line with me. It always feels so down-home and quaint to chat with people I don’t see too often; to ask of their families and pets, jobs, the weather- any subject other than why we’re all there waiting in line together. Certainly no one wants to get in trouble with the polling officials by discussing candidates. And when it’s over, after making sure no hanging chads were dangling and all the bubbles were filled in, I put on that sticker with pride.
I may not always see the candidate I like best win, but I know I did my part as an American citizen to do what so many other people in the world don’t have the power of doing themselves. Regardless of any political outcome, we owe it to our country and the democratic process to use our voice and be heard by our government. If you don’t do anything else today, at least one action will speak volumes. Go vote!!