This past Tuesday I looked at properties exclusively in the Beverly Center/Miracle Mile and West Hollywood sections of our fair city. Despite all of the economic turmoil of the past couple of years, these areas have held up quite well in terms of property values. That’s not to say they haven’t decreased, but if they have it has not been by much.
One thing I love about these areas, and particularly the Miracle Mile, is the architecture. There are many, many pristine, late ‘20’s early ‘30’s Spanish and Tudor style homes that have been lovingly preserved. However, sometimes a house sits on a beautiful street with great homes and looks gorgeous on the outside, but when you get in it’s a real let-down – kind of like people. Thankfully, it’s not always like (homes and people). But for me, on Tuesday, it was.
118 N. Martel in Miracle Mile was a perfect example. The street is a little busy as it’s used as a cut-through, but the homes and trees lining it are 
gorgeous. This house is a classic Country English with fabulous curb appeal. Unfortunately when you walk in, the house feels like its all hallway. The finishes are not high quality and they are not consistent with the structural quality of the home. It’s priced at $975,000 which I don’t think is unfair for the size and location. The home needs some style. Hopefully whoever buys it will have it.
849 S. Cochran in Miracle Mile was the same story. It’s adjacent to an alley 
which off the bat is not primo, but that can be screened with proper landscaping. The home, a Spanish style, looks lovely from the outside but it all falls apart when you enter. The floor plan has surely been altered from what it was originally and the finishes are downright cheap in this one. The tile on the floors and in the baths is reminiscent of what’s in an apartment – and not a new one. It’s spacious and has curb appeal but that’s about it. It’s priced at $949,000 and I have no idea who will buy this house. It’s one of those homes that I feel has to be drastically under the neighborhood comps to sell.
Hopefully next week I will see some homes that dazzle me and I will rave about value and beauty. This just wasn’t one of those weeks.
