Expert Appraiser: Trusts, Divorce, Property Tax

Kaufmann Desert House, Meiselman, Palm Springs

I frequently accept assignments from out of town clients, and, in this case, asked to develop a valuation for his fully restored and updated Meiselman home in Palm Springs.

The owner has done a terrific job, and although the market in that area is very weak, at this time, the value, long term, should hold up well. We don’t expect the banks to believe that, with all the fraudulent loans out there by the lending industry, so we tried to put together a valuation of the property, that accounts for some of the better remodels in the area, while keeping the numbers low enough to pass muster with the underwriters.

But the big news is, I was allowed to tour the world famous 1946 Richard Neutra-designed Kaufmann Desert House. Some consider it to be one of the top five architectural residences in the United States.

It was held in auction at Christie’s New York, for $15-25,000,000 this past spring. (http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Kaufmann_Desert_House.html) Totally restored by the highly respected Marmol & Radziner & Associates ( http://www.marmol-radziner.com ), in the 1990’s, it took five years, and a good bit of finances to do so. And it shows like a movie set from the 40’s, lush colors in the grass and cactus gardens, the rocks and buildings look like a David Hockney painting, they are so vivid. I truly thank the Harris’ and Leo Marmol and Ron Radziner for all their diligence. Seek out some of the on line photos, and if you like, you can still get a copy of the Christie’s Auction book that was published, for under $30.00 (http://www.christies.com)

As you know the word is “Prefab”, and this area is a strong part of the future. Check out Marmol Radziner’s Prefab site (http://www.marmolradzinerprefab.com/), and check out their works (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfRjjSPfGt4) installed

in Venice on YouTube (http://www.marmolradzinerprefab.com/videos.html).

Our jazz group, Fine Arts Jazz Group (www.fineartsjazz.com), playing “Mid-Century Modern Jazz” continues this month in Malibu at Bob Morris’ Paradise Cove Beach Café, Thursdays, 6 -10 PM. Come on out and enjoy the beach with us.

Coming next: I assist folks with their Mar Vista Modernique Gregory Ain original. Also, New Construction in Bell Canyon.

Consultations, advise, information, e-mail to james@eas2.com,

website eas2.org, or call 310.505.5916

James Ebert