May Issue
NEWSLETTER
We have an extra reason to celebrate Mather's Day this year at LA Native. Congratulations Christen!
MOTHER'S DAY, MAY 14
Mother’s Day, the day we celebrate all the Moms in our lives. Traditions include serving Mom with breakfast in bed, sending her for a relaxing spa day followed by a fancy brunch or sending flowers and gifts. Mother’s Day is coming up and we want it to be special, so we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite ideas for celebrating your Mother.
BEST BRUNCH SPOTS
Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula Hotel, Beverly Hills: For a unique and swanky day with Mom enjoying champagne, finger sandwiches, pastries and of course, tea. https://www.peninsula.com/en/beverly-hills/hotel-fine-dining/living-room-afternoon-tea
A hidden gem in the heart of Beverly Hills, all we can say is that The Hideaway, is a SUPER cute place to enjoy Mexican cuisine. We recommend the three course prefix that they adorably call the Uno, Dos, Tres. https://www.thehideawaybeverlyhills.com/
Enjoy the iconic Southern California experience by dining on the beach. Paradise Cove is arguably the best beach in Malibu. Smell the fresh sea air and gaze at the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean with a cocktail in hand or walk along the beach after brunch. https://www.paradisecovemalibu.com/
LUX SPAS
They do a facial at the Four Seasons called the MBR, we have no idea what it is but can you SEE an immediate difference! https://www.fourseasons.com/losangeles/spa/
In historic Larchmont Village, Larchmont Sanctuary is indoor-outdoor boutique spa that sits in place of a 100-year-old home. The site has been blessed by nine Tibetan monks from the Garden Shartse Monastery to achieve a spiritual environment of ultimate tranquility. https://larchmontsanctuary.com/
Raven Spa is known for their massages, which in our opinion is hands down the best spa service there is. They also offer yoga classes, acupuncture and many other eastern wellness services not commonly found in more traditional spas.
https://theravenspa.com/
CINCO DE MAYO
Cinco de Mayo is a yearly celebration on May 5, commemorating the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla. It does not, as many people assume, commemorate Mexican independence, which was declared more than 50 years before the Battle of Puebla and is celebrated in September. While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage in the United States.
BEST PLACES TO CELEBRATE
Santa Monica Cinco De Mayo Friday Pub Crawl Party
If you are looking for a great way to celebrate Cinco De Mayo, then look no further and join the biggest non-stop fiesta bar crawl in West LA with amazing drink specials and tons of Cinco De Mayo fun on Friday, May 5, from 5 pm to 2 am. This annual Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl party starts at Circle Bar and continues to some of Santa Monica's best bars with exclusive deals on drinks.
Circle Bar 2926 Main St. Santa Monica, CA 90405
Dance Yourself Clean Cinco De Mayo Pool Party
at Sky Bar at the Mondrian on Friday, May 5, from 1-5 pm.
Skybar Los Angeles 8440 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA
Cinco de Mayo at the Rose Bowl
The 2nd Annual Cinco de Mayo at the Rose Bowl is set to take place on Saturday, May 6, from 1-7 pm. The free, family-friendly event will be an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy Pasadena's rich Latino culture and traditions through music, sports, art, and film.
MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 29TH
As Memorial Day approaches, let's honor the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation's freedom while reflecting on the importance of unity and understanding. This special day allows us to appreciate the dedication of those who have served and the significance of maintaining peace. Flag etiquette on Memorial Day is unique. At sunrise, flags are to be raised to full staff briskly, then lowered to half staff position where they will remain until noon. Embrace the beginning of the summer season by spending time with friends and family through barbecues, beach outings, and supporting local businesses. Participate in community events that promote togetherness and respect for diversity. In Los Angeles, the annual "Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade," a cherished 30-year tradition, showcases vibrant patriotism and a spirit of unity. As you enjoy the long weekend, remember to honor our nation's heroes and contemplate the role we can play in fostering a harmonious society.
Whether attending a parade, engaging in community events, or raising a toast to peace, let us strive for a brighter future together. Wishing you a thoughtful and memorable Memorial Day.
31st Annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade https://canogaparkmemorialdayparade.com on May 29th, starting at 10am.
MAY SPORTING EVENTS
PREPARE YOUR JERSEYS AND FLAGS BECAUSE MAY WILL HAVE MANY EXCITING SPORT EVENTS.
For the MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers will play against rivals Los Angeles Angels the San Diego Padres and the Philadelphia Phillies at beautiful Dodger Stadium with a new LED light system that changes colors after home runs, providing an amazing and fun atmosphere for the fans. https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/ballpark
The Los Angeles Lakers made it to the playoffs after a tough regular season guaranteeing their spot at the last moment. Lebron James, D’Angelo Russel and Anthony Davis are confident that the playoff season will be successful for the Lakers.
The UCLA Bruins will face the UC Irvine Anteaters, California Golden Bears and Cal State Fullerton Titans. USC Trojans will face the Oregon Ducks and CSU Bakersfield. Coach Andy Stankiewicz is determined to restore the USC Baseball dynasty.
LAFC is fighting to win their second MLS championship. They will play against San Jose, Sporting Kansas City and St Louis this month, hosting these games at BMO Stadium in DTLA. LAFC is counting on their strong defense, leading score Denis Bouanga and their commanding coach, Steve Cherundolo.
The NFL will likely release the 2023 schedule early this month following the NFL Draft.
Click the link for ticket purchases and more information.
MEASURE ULA WENT INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1ST
Measure ULA went into effect on April 1st. This is a new addition of tax on the property transfer tax in the City of Los Angeles, traditionally paid by sellers towards at the end of Escrow. The tax rate will be in additional 4% of the purchase price for transactions between $5 million and $10 million and 5.5% for transactions over $10 million. By comparison, the tax rate for homes sold at or under $5 million in the City of LA will be subject to the same 0.45% rate for transfer tax. Something to note is that this measure applies to both residential and commercial properties.
To illustrate, we’ve calculated two hypothetical scenarios under this measure using the Los Angeles Office of Finance’s Measure ULA calculator. When a property is sold at $5 million even, the effective transfer tax rate for the city of LA (“effective rate”) is 0.45%, same as before the measure was implomented. The total transfer tax paid would be be $22,500; however, if a property is sold at five million and one dollars, then the effective rate is 4.45% under Measure ULA, ramping up the total city transfer tax to a whopping $222,500—a $200,000 increase in tax due to a $1 difference in sales price.
Two lawsuits were filed late last year seeking to block the tax and court rulings are still pending. There’s no date set for a decision, but is expected sometime after a May hearing on consolidating the cases. In the meantime, the city’s top finance advisor says the city legally has to abide by what voters approved in November.
How will this tax affect the real estate market in Los Angeles? We will all have to wait and see but LA Native will be closely monitoring the effect of this imposed measure.
Link to the city transfer tax calculator:
https://finance.lacity.org/faq/real-property-transfer-tax-and-measure-ula-faq
Our work extends far beyond handing you the keys to your new home or selling your property. If you ever need anything, we are here to help. We will connect you with the highest quality vendors and contractors in Los Angeles, and ensure you are in good hands with one of our trusted long-time partners.
To speak with us about any real estate questions or needs, contact us at:
LA Native.homes or email christen@lanative.homes
