5740 Meridian Street in Highland Park

List Price $499,000

2 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms

1,092 sf • 3,490 sf lot

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Tracy Do Real Estate and Building Art present 5740 E. Meridian Street in Highland Park, a beautifully renovated two bedroom, two bathroom modern home. The project is the culmination of a life-long love of architecture, fueling the passion and vision of Building Art’s founder/owner, Mike Sloan. Drawing influences from iconic architects and designers, Sloan and his design+build team have crafted a residence that is comfortable and accessible. Their inspiration is best articulated in the words of Frank Lloyd Wright, who said, “I believe a house is more a home by being a work of art.”

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It’s hard to believe that this was once a typical LA bungalow; a corner lot on a quiet street north of York Boulevard. Building Art has maximized its potential, bringing freshness and diligence that goes far beyond the average “flip.” This becomes clear from the moment you set eyes on the property. An undulating wooden fence, inspired by John Lautner’s Segel Residence, creates dynamic movement and also a sense of privacy. Step through the offset entry gate to find drought-tolerant landscaping, a beautiful wooden deck and floor-to-ceiling sheets of glass. The design references the work of Rudolph M. Schindler and other modernists through its indoor-outdoor flow, millwork details and more.

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Building Art has drastically improved the interior layout and added useful amenities while leaving key character details intact, such as the original Batchelder fireplace. Old and new are blended seamlessly in the “public” space that combines living, dining and a stunning open kitchen.

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The cement tile backsplash evokes the work of contemporary LA architect/designer Barbara Bestor. The steel island countertop was custom-fabricated by Jay Dunton of Meridian Mercado Deseño, local to Highland Park. There are large closets in both bedrooms, and a Master Bath that you’d find in a stylish 5-star hotel. High-end fixtures include cement tile, gorgeous wood vanities, a rain shower-head and freestanding cedar bathtub. From the bedrooms there is excellent flow to the rear deck/BBQ area, as well as easy access to the lower patio and one-car garage.

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It’s one thing to simply renovate a home. Making it “real architecture” is something else entirely, and that’s what inspired Mike Sloan (above) to create Building Art. A Los Angeles native who loves surfing and music, Sloan has a BA in Economics from UC San Diego and a Masters of Science in Real Estate Development from Columbia University’s Architecture School. He has poured his passion for buildings and architecture into 5740 Meridian Street, an exclusive offering of Tracy Do Real Estate. More projects will follow as Building Art pursues the belief that a home should not only be beautiful, it should inspire its owners to be their best selves.

There are lots more photos, head to to 5740meridian.com.

For a private showing, contact Tracy Do Real Estate.

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3434 Waverly Drive in Los Feliz

Offered FOR LEASE

$6,800/month

3 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms • Guest House

2,604 sf • 5,247 sf lot

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Offered for lease, exclusively from Tracy Do Real Estate. This beautiful Country English style home provides period grace, modern amenities and a distinct sense of privacy, all in a fantastic Los Feliz location. There are three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a separate full guest house above the 3-car garage, all in an open, light-filled layout ideal for both relaxing and entertaining.

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Vintage appointments include wood floors, built-ins, stained glass windows, a “Juliet” balcony and French Doors opening to a quiet patio. The step-down living room has a brick fireplace and gorgeous high ceiling with exposed wooden beams.

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The bright, remodeled kitchen is outfitted with Miele, Viking and Sub-Zero appliances as well as a center island topped with Maple. Lease includes a weekly gardener and a housekeeper twice per month. Pets are welcome. This home is located within the coveted Ivanhoe School District.

For a full tour, head to 3434waverly.com or contact Tracy Do Real Estate.

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1618 Champlain Terrace in Echo Park

List Price $629,000

2 bedrooms • 1 bathroom

864 sf • 5,961 sf lot

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Exclusively from Tracy Do Real Estate: This 1914 Cal Bungalow combines the best of Echo Park living, its elevated hillside location providing urban access, privacy and gorgeous mountain views.

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The welcoming front porch opens to the living room finished in wood, from floors to wainscoting to the beautiful plank ceiling. The remodeled kitchen is airy and bright, as is the formal dining room with French doors opening to a large rear deck.

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An expansive, flat back yard includes mature trees, drought-tolerant landscaping and a curtain of bamboo. The home has updated systems, central a/c and a single-car garage. Fix Coffee is right around the corner, with many other cafés, galleries and restaurants easily accessible on nearby Echo Park Ave.

More beautiful photos can be found at 1618champlain.com.

To receive new listings by email, or to schedule a viewing click here!

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2228 Baxter St. in Silver Lake

List Price $499,000

3 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms

1,578 sf • 2,648 sf lot

Baxter1Tracy Do Real Estate and Jody Deighton present a stylish house in Silver Lake at a terrific price. This Cape Cod style home of 1904 vintage has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and an attached studio with its own entrance.

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A bright, open kitchen, generously proportioned rooms and multiple patio and sitting areas add to a sense of space and versatility.

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The upstairs Master Suite has exposed wooden beams, dormer windows and a deck opening to expansive city-and-treetop views. The property feels sheltered and private, even as its urban setting makes it convenient to access the Silver Lake Reservoir, Meadow and Library. Markets, cafes and restaurants are also close at hand.

For a full tour, including a floor plan, head to 2288baxter.com.

Co-listed with Jody Deighton, John Aaroe Group.

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Buyers are Being Cautious, and That’s Smart

LATlogoExcellent article in the LA Times today. Andrew Khouri writes that “Five years after the financial crisis, a new sobriety among homeowners and lenders has taken hold, tempering economic growth as consumers keep more money in their pockets.” This is very good news and bodes well for the market long-term. But it begs the question: how do you “buy within your means” and still get the house you want in an era of increased competition and bidding wars?

The answer is simple. To protect your own interests, you should work with tireless, experienced realtors who put their clients first and know how to connect them to homes they love. You will find all this and a whole lot more in the friendly professionals at Tracy Do Real Estate.

To receive new listings by email, or to schedule a viewing click here!

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Prices Rising (and Expected to Go Higher)

Today on HousingWire, Christina Mlyinski reports that “California home prices increased by the most in 33 years as a result of strong sales growth in higher-priced markets and continued housing supply shortage, pushing up median home prices in May.” It’s lead to whispers about another housing bubble, but as Megan Hopkins writes, not so fast. “Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services states that, although double-digit gains are ultimately unsustainable, we may not have reached bubble status quite yet.”

Home price expectations

“Home price appreciation can be attributed to a number of factors, including historically low rates, property purchases by investors who are renting homes out and a shortage in home inventory… S&P states that U.S. home prices are relatively low compared to historical values… Additionally, housing remains undervalued about 8% based on the price-to-income ratio, which takes into account the median sales price of a home relative to median annual incomes…”

“Overall, S&P expects that the current pace of home prices gains will not last for long; however, it’s too soon to call this a bubble. In fact, as home values are still below their pre-recession peaks, home prices could continue to rise throughout the year.”

For help selling or buying your home in this active market, contact the people who have a successful track record and a long list of satisfied clients: the friendly, local professionals at Tracy Do Real Estate.

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