Deals on L.A. Homes in 2011

So here’s our property report for our first caravan of 2011. (Caravan is every Tuesday when we run around and see new listings on the market.) There are great deals out there and the great deals at the entry level of the market (under 700k) are selling in multiple offers.

The winner of the day was 5260 Glenford St. in the Baldwin Vista hills area. This house is a true mid-century modern, built in 1956 up in the hills right off of La Cienega with killer views of downtown, the gorgeous mountains behind downtown and a panorama of the entire city! The house is about 1800 square feet, needs some updating but great architecture with lots of glass to enjoy the views. It’s priced at an unbelievable $499,000. The house came on the market on Sunday 1/9. We saw it on Tuesday 1/11. By then it already had 4 offers. That says it all. If you want a deal you can get one, but you cannot wait. You must be poised to act and in a case like this, the house will go to the highest bidder. We expect this house to sell around $550,000 and it’s a great deal at that price.

The other fabulous bargain is on 2419 Banyan Dr. in the Brentwood hills. This one is also a true mid-century modern, built in 1965. It’s got 4 bedrooms, 4 baths and is approximately 2600 square feet and in the Kenter Canyon School District. It has vaulted ceilings and a great flow and plenty of glass to bring the outside in. It also needs some updating, but definitely is a house you can move into. The price of this house is $1,249,000. This is an unbelievable price for the home and the neighborhood. A few years ago houses just like this in the same condition were selling between $1,500,000 and $1,600,000. This house has fallen out of escrow 3 times due not to a defect with the house but due to buyers who either flaked or had a drastic change in their situation. Someone is going to get an incredible deal on this place!!

Dream Homes

Every once in a while we see a home that captures our imagination and speaks to us on a soul-felt level. Last week we had the privilege of seeing one of those homes. It’s located in Bel Air, on Stone Canyon, which in itself is idyllic. The address is 1280 Stone Canyon. It’s an English Country Tudor located on almost an acre of wooded, gently rolling land. The house has everything you could want and more. It’s authentic, it has impressive scale and style, it’s romantic yet feels comfortable. Believe us, you wouldn’t feel weird living there. It’s not stuffy or off-putting at all. There is incredible privacy and a yard that wraps around the property has a gorgeous pool, a life size doll house and a half pipe for the kids. There’s a full guest house for grandma, trees to climb and grounds to stroll. It’s priced just under 10 million and it’s worth every penny! Where are those lottery winners from Pico Rivera? Believe us, the winning number in Westside Real Estate is 1280. If you you’re interested in this property or real estate on the Westside of Los Angeles in general don’t hesitate to call The Savvy Duo.

Stylish, Inviting, Brentwood Mid-Century Modern

This week we’re tooting the horn of our own listing – 366 N. Kenter in Brentwood. Check out all the pictures of this fabulous house at www.366nkenter.com. It’s got 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, an office and a family room. It’s very zen and lovely and open and while the house is hip and stylish, it doesn’t feel cold or stark. The downstairs has a wonderful flow with a high end kitchen that is totally open with a long butcher block bar/island. This creates a total communication between the living room, family room, kitchen and the outdoor area. The office has more privacy and an industrial sliding door that closes it of if one wishes. There is also a formal dining room, which is often a rarity in a modern house. The family room has huge glass sliding doors that open to the yard which houses a banquet, a fire pit, a gorgeous marble fountain, an eating area and a grassy area. There is something for everyone! The house has been used successfully for parties of over 100 and that’s because of the openness and the way the indoors and the outdoors flow together seamlessly. Upstairs there are 4 bedrooms, very stylish, all with their own private balconies. We are listed at $2,125,000. We will be open this Sunday (3/29) so come one, come all and see yourselves in this fabulous environment!
The other listing that I’m going to talk about again is 4158 Adlon in Encino. We want to sell this house to someone!!! It’s gorgeous and it’s a steal! It’s down to $3,299,000 and we bet it could be purchased at an unbelievable price. It’s brand new, top quality, tasteful construction. We would call the style a contemporary lodge. The house is about 7k square feet on a 25k lot with views, a pool, grassy yard and a fabulous outdoor living room. When you’re in the house you feel like you’re someplace else – say Napa or Big Bear. You are surrounded by mountains and pines and the land surrounding the house is state owned conservancy land that cannot be developed. Who is going to buy this home and live happily ever after? It is the home in which to do that!
If you would like more info or to see these properties call The Savvy Duo.

Savvy Duo’s Los Angeles Home Review

This week was not as WOW as last week. There was one house, however, that was unique, original and had something very different to offer and that was 636 Tuallitan Rd. in Brentwood, for $7,750,000. We actually almost sold this house when it was just a tear down (long story). What was and still is incredibly special about this property is the land. There is literally a Redwood forest surrounding the property with old growth that makes you feel completely transported. It’s romantic and fairy-tale like. The only negative about the location is the neighboring house. As you advance up the driveway you must pass by a hideous, old, Van Nuys special with a chain link fence that has black and white aluminum strips through it. It’s a shame the developer could not buy this house as well and incorporate it into the property, but we’re in L.A. However, once you are within the gates the Van Nuys special disappears not only from sight but from consciousness as you are imported into a much more fabulous world. The developer made the most of the land and created an outdoor movie theater – yes that’s correct – and a dual level yard. One area is a flat grassy pad and the other is an elevated pathway that literally takes you into the forest. Off of the master there is a deck that extends out into the woods as well with a Jacuzzi and plenty of sitting and lounging area. There’s no need for fences or screens, you’re in the forest. The whole house does a magnificent job of bringing the outdoors in. The style we would say is a modern, craftsman lodge. It has 5 bedrooms and 5.5 baths and incredible entertaining areas. This is truly an example of California outdoor living at its best.

Keeping in the world of Brentwood high-end real estate, we also saw 480 Homewood. It’s listed for $9,350,000. It has 6 bedrooms, 7 baths. The house is nearly 10k sq. ft. and the lot is over 20k. It’s all flat and there is a huge backyard with a pool and a gracious cabana. It’s traditional and has all the bells & whistles and Carrere Marble you could desire. However, honestly, and maybe we’re just jaded L.A. Realtors, but we found it boring. We’ve seen it before. Beautiful, yes, but there was nothing original to grab us. The house needs personality. And, truthfully, there is another traditional at 428 Homewood being offered right now for $6,495,000. That house is only about 5500 sq. ft. but the lot is bigger and quite frankly better. The backyard at 428 Homewood is spectacular with a pool, a sports court, a big beautiful grassy area and a detached gym. If you can make it with only 5500 sq. ft., we suggest 428 Homewood.

Finally, for those whose budgets don’t allow for Brentwood mansions, we also saw a great little condo in Brentwood for $589,000. It’s located at 11646 Chenault. The courtyard style building is totally remodeled with new windows, doors and hard surfaces. The unit is a little over 1000 sq. ft. and has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. It unit has real hardwood floors, crown moldings, a remodeled kitchen and a small balcony. It’s move-in ready and a great buy for the location. We can remember when it was impossible to get even a condo in Brentwood for less than 700k. Times are a’changin’ and the deals are here! If you’re interested in further information about these or other properties get in touch with The Savvy Duo.