Calling all Condo Buyers!

We saw the new development at 11715 Chenault in Brentwood at the corner of Barrington Tuesday – and their beautiful. The least expensive unit is $859,000. It is a 2 bedroom + 2.5 bath in about 1500 square feet. It faces Chenault – not Barrington, which means it’s not noisy. The quality of the building and the finishes are fantastic! The fact that something brand new, with this level of fine detail can be purchased in proper Brentwood in the $800,000 range tells you that condo prices have come down dramatically. The other units top out at $1,399,000 for the penthouse unit that sits above single family homes and has some expansive view. That unit has two balconies, one off the master and one off another bedroom. We felt it was a shame that there was no balcony off of the living room. The ground floor units, though not as bright at the top floor, have huge patios which would serve almost as a small yard.
Our condo, in Mar Vista at 3460 Centinela with an ocean view is still available. It has 2 bedrooms + 2.5 baths, top floor with expansive views in a great building with spa-like pool and tennis court. It’s in the sought-after Mar Vista School District. We received one offer, but it’s still available and it’s the right moment for a buyer to get a great deal on the place!
Ready to talk condos, or see one of these places? Call The Savvy Duo.

Mid-Century home in Brentwood & Fabulous View Condo in Mar Vista

We’re plugging our listings this week – and they’re worthy! Both will be open this Sunday, 5/17, from 11 – 2 so if you live anywhere near us come and take a look.

366 N. Kenter has been reduced to $1,989,000 from $2,125,000. It’s a gorgeous, totally done mid-century modern house. It has 4 bedrooms (all upstairs), 3.5 bathrooms, an office/den and a family room. The best thing about the house is the flow. The kitchen is totally open and the whole living space downstairs communicates beautifully from room to room. Also there are huge sliding glass doors, visible from all rooms, that open out to the lush, private backyard. The backyard has a fire pit, banquet seating, an eating area and a grassy play area. It’s totally enclosed and safe for kids and pets. It’s truly an ultimate entertaining home. The house was redone from top to bottom in ’04, so even the things you can’t see are updated.

3460 Centinela #301 is a fantastic condo and even more enticing is the price of $549,000. It has 2 bedrooms + 2.5 baths and it’s a top floor unit with a view. You look out and can see the ocean, the mountains and the marina. The view is enjoyed in all rooms except one of the bedrooms. You can be cooking in your kitchen and watching an incredible sunset over the coastline. The unit has hardwood floors, inside laundry, incredibly generous closet space and 3 balconies. The dues are $375 and include earthquake insurance. The building has a fabulous, resort-like pool, a paddle tennis court and a clubhouse with a gym. It’s in the prestigious Mar Vista Elementary school district.

If you would like more information or to make an appointment to see either of these properties call The Savvy Duo.

Great buys in Brentwood and Beverlywood

We saw some great houses this week, but we saw two deals that are simply fantastic and those are what we’re going to talk about today.
First, 13413 Bayliss in Brentwood is a steal! It’s a 3300 square foot house on a lot that’s almost 15000. The price is $1,595,000. The yard is to-die over, and it’s the focal point of the house. It’s private, lush, flat and has literally a fairy tale feeling. There is a beautiful pool that sets into the environment so naturally, it looks almost like a natural body of water. The house has a great floor plan with 4 bedrooms and a big family room off of the open kitchen. The house is in very good condition but needs updating. There is carpeting in much of the home and dated surfaces. However, not one wall needs to be moved and the work is really surface work. It’s in the Kenter Canyon Elementary district. If you are interested call us now! Even in this market, this house will sell and sell fast. It’s an AMAZING opportunity!

Another AMAZING opportunity is a condo at 1450 S. Beverly Dr. #106 in Beverlywood. The unit is over 1700 square feet and the building was constructed in 2001. It has been on the market for a few months and the price has come down to $589,000. It is a short-sale, which means that the bank is accepting a loss on the property. This building is literally across the street from the Beverly Hills city limit and walking distance to all of the great shopping that Pico Blvd. and downtown Beverly Hills has to offer. The unit is inhabited by the biggest slob ever know to man – and that’s probably why it hasn’t sold. It shows horribly. However, when you look through the stuff (that’s everywhere) there’s a great unit underneath. The bedrooms are on opposite sides of the unit, both en-suite. The entryway is wide and bright, the kitchen is huge for a condo with lovely wood cabinets, granite countertops and an island. The unit is located in the back of the building and the view is quite pleasant. It looks out to greenery and trees and has a long balcony. What this unit needs is a deep cleaning and a buyer with vision. Whoever buys this place is going to get a fabulous deal and live in a great part of town.

Upscale Brentwood new construction & charming Westwood condo

After a couple of weeks of deviation, we’re back to reviewing what we’ve seen on caravan. Yesterday we saw 11925 Currituck in Brentwood. It’s listed at 4.895m. It’s brand new construction, traditional in style, the square footage of the house is approximately 6300 and the lot is approximately 8500. It’s lovely with high –end, high quality finishes and has a grand scale. There is a subterranean garage and the lower level of the house (the basement) is smartly used. There is a screening room, an exercise room and a wine cellar. The lot seems small, but the house is well plotted on the land so there is more yard than one might think from reading the description. It will be really interesting to see how quickly and for how much this sells. We personally feel that the price is too high. There was a house in the neighborhood on Westgate that sold in February for 4m. It was also traditional, brand new construction and beautifully done. That house was on a bigger lot and had a pool and the house itself was only slightly smaller. It was closer to Sunset so there was potentially a little noise in the backyard, although we don’t remember it being significant. It is a comp that will work against Currituck in terms of the way it is priced. At one time the brand new traditionals were flying off the shelves in Brentwood no matter what the price. We think those days have passed, but time will tell.

If you don’t have 4m to spend don’t fret. We found an awesome opportunity yesterday in Westwood! It is a condo that really and truly feels like a home on a beautiful street called Ilona Ave. This condo came on the market last fall for over 700k. It went into escrow in the high 600 range. After a lengthy escrow period, the day before it was scheduled to close, the buyer’s lender pulled the loan and refused to fund. Total nightmare for buyer and seller! The buyer lost his 3% good faith deposit and the seller lost time. Now the seller put the unit back on the market at 595k. It’s a fantastic unit, oozing with charm and character. The building is a mid-century style, built in the ‘50’s. It’s got lovely curb appeal and the street is populated with single family homes, not big buildings. There are 3 bedrooms and the 3 bathrooms, laundry inside and a totally re-done, high-end kitchen with a Viking stove and Sub-zero fridge. The unit is upstairs, has tons of light and lovely views, wood floors, intricate crown mouldings, great closet space and well proportioned rooms. It’s a 1 flight walk-up and there is a 1 car garage. This is not for someone who wants the newest of everything; this is for someone who appreciates quality architecture and wants something unique and with character. We love this unit and will do everything in our power to sell it. It’s an amazing opportunity and a very special place. Please call us if you’d like to see it. It’s worth your time!

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.