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The two-story house with views of Newport Bay and the Grand Canal features touches inspired by the work of architect Irving Gill, including the use of natural light and heavily framed windows.

Modernist architect Irving Gill wasn't known for designing houses with the main rooms on the second floor, but some touches inspired by his work -- such as a creamy white exterior, the use of natural light and heavily framed windows -- make this custom home stand out on Little Balboa Island.

Charges on top of commission are illegal if no extra services are performed, the agency says.

Does it matter whether a real estate agent charges you a flat commission rate -- say 6% -- or quotes you a flat rate but adds hundreds of dollars on top of that as a separate charge labeled an "admin" or administrative fee?

219 Belmont Ave., Long Beach 90803

Many innovative products hold great promise, but the return may not be worth the investment. Retrofitting toilets or replacing light bulbs and fixtures will save energy and money.

Homeowners who believe they've been left out of the so-called green movement have every reason to feel that way.

Board can intervene when the actions of one owner interfere with another's quiet enjoyment. If mediation fails, there's always Small Claims Court.

Question: I live in a town house complex where all the units have indoor open-air atriums. My next-door neighbors' unit directly abuts mine, and the owners use their atrium for growing some exotic plants. They've got a lighting system switched on 24 hours a day inside their atrium. The atrium's ambient light keeps me awake at night and causes distress. I've asked them to turn the lights off at night but they responded: "Sleep in a different bedroom."

Kim Kardashian, former Clipper Lamond Murray, Malcolm McDowell and others.

Television personality and model Kim Kardashian has bought a furnished estate in the Beverly Hills Post Office area for about $3.5 million.

A former human resources director says he and former chief Bruce Karatz, who prosecutors say made more than $6 million from his options, tried to keep investigators from discovering the backdating.

Former KB Home chief Bruce Karatz engineered a massive stock option scheme that made him millions of dollars and then fought to keep it secret from investigators, a longtime company executive testified Wednesday.

Underwater on their mortgages and angry at banks, more borrowers are choosing to hand over the keys, even if they can afford the payments.

Wynn Bloch has always dutifully paid her bills and socked away money for retirement. But in December she defaulted on the mortgage on her Palm Desert home, even though she could afford the payments.

Led by double-digit jumps in coastal areas, the median sales price for the region reaches $275,000. The number of homes sold was nearly flat, up only 0.8%.

Southland home prices jumped 10% in February compared with the same month last year as foreclosure sales dropped significantly. San Diego and Orange counties made particularly strong gains.

Also: Joe Sebok and Kristan Cunningham design over Twitter, Facebook; TV writers Krista Vernoff and Kevin Maynard list in Los Feliz; former Robert Redford home in Malibu for sale.

Prolific songwriter and " American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi's Spanish-style home in the Hollywood Hills is on the market at $1,649,000.