Real Estate News

Houses Local+Global: House Tunquén by Branko Pavlovic & Pablo Lobos-Pedrals

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From the architect: “The house is located in an area with an intricate topography… The dramatic slope is understood from a resignation to the inevitable need to build livable floorplans.”

Sound familiar? Given that so many of our local residences are built on hillsides or in canyons, it seems that this home in Tunquén, Chile would be a great fit right here SoCal.

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From the ArchDaily: “The house is designed as a lightweight volume, entirely in pine wood, set on a concrete base that links to the rockiness of the ground. On the outside, it has worked as a continuous black shell that has been cut and detached from the cover and from the ground, to bring up the openings of the windows.”

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“By contrast, the interiors are continuous and neutral. White grout on the walls and ceiling serves to preserve until dusk the natural light in the inside, and to reveal the variety of colors of the environment.”

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“There is  a generously sized room for parents, and two smaller for the children. A large common space, that includes the living room, the dinning room and the kitchen, works as an articulator of the three ‘arms’ of the house.”

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The full story on this great house, with lots more photos, can be found on the ArchDaily. Click here.

Plans and construction courtesy of Branko Pavlovic, Pablo Lobos-Pedrals and Rubén Marchant. Photos by of Felipe Fontecilla.

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This entry was posted in: Seen

Silver Lake Rising…

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We’re not talking about how CNN Money just called Silver Lake LA’s “best neighborhood.” We’re talking about a home rising in Silver Lake and it’s pretty great: a ground-up restoration by ReInhabit, builders of quality, artful residences for LA’s most discerning buyers. This exclusive offering from Tracy Do Real Estate will be available soon. Check back regularly or get in touch with us at tracydo.com.

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

This entry was posted in: Seen

Inventory Up, Affordability Down, Prices Steady

LATlogoWhat are we to make of this information stew? The LA Times Andrew Khouri reports this morning that “SoCal home prices remained flat in July from a month earlier as more houses went on sale and interest rates rose.” This adds to yesterday’s piece which was inventory-specific, ie. the run-up in prices we saw in previous months has sellers feeling pretty bullish (and they should!) So it’s still a “seller’s market” out there. But more inventory = more choice = good news for buyers.

As for the high cost to own, Alejandro Lazo reported Monday that “California’s post-recession moment for housing affordability appears to be ending fast.” This is never good to hear, but we’ll stay positive for the following reason: Developers who sat out the housing recession are gearing up right now, with major housing projects in the pipeline to meet any taste. We’ll have more to say about this soon, as Tracy Do Real Estate will present a modern and quite affordable home ownership opportunity in the heart of Northeast LA. Check back to this website, or contact us anytime at Tracy Do Real Estate.

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This entry was posted in: Seen

Check Out Our Monthly Digest

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This morning we sent out the latest edition of the 3beds2baths Digest, a monthly newsletter covering trends in architecture, design, local neighborhoods, as well as the business-side of real estate. It’s also a great way to see a summary of all the great home listings we have here at Tracy Do Real Estate.

To sign up, click the link on the right sidebar.

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

This entry was posted in: Seen

Silver Lake Spanish Gives You Room to Roam

List Price $949,000

4 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms

2,328 sf • 5,000 sf lot

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This 1930’s Spanish style home is just a block from Sunset Junction in Silver Lake.

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Featuring hardwood floors, crown moldings and other period elements, it has been updated for modern living. There’s quite a bit of space, and funny enough — two kitchens(!) That’s because the home is legally a duplex, and could be used as such (though some re-conversion work would be required).

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A private yard completes the picture on this very lovely home. For a tour, contact Tracy Do Real Estate.

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

Listing courtesy of Judith Oroshnik, Prudential CA Realty, Los Feliz.

This entry was posted in: Seen

Media Reports Say Flipping is Back… Meaning What Exactly?

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With all respect to our friends at the LA Times and NPR, they’re a little late with their reporting on the current “home flipping frenzy.” Fact is, rehabbers have been a driving force in LA real estate for months now. Granted, the number of trucks, cement-mixers and porta-potties lining residential streets seems to have peaked of late. But going back over a year, and in some cases longer, house flippers have been acquiring, renovating and re-selling LA homes for profit. The impact on inventory has been significant, and by consequence we’ve seen values appreciate across the board. So what’s next? For all this flipping business, what does it mean for you?

For starters, it means there are lot less fixer-uppers out there. Buyers seeking bargains or a “diamond in the rough” will be challenged to find one, since so many rehabbers are looking for the exact same thing. Secondly, as these buyers who missed out on bargains revise their budgets upward, settling for more “turn key” type homes, it creates competition for dwindling inventory that is downright fierce. Jed Kolko, chief economist for real estate website Trulia, says: “Consumers are worried that mortgage rates and prices will keep rising before they buy, and many are willing to fight over the limited number of homes for sale.” KPCC ran a piece this morning that echoes that sentiment, you can listen to it here.

This might sound a bit bleak for prospective home buyers, but don’t despair: relief may well be in sight. House flippers are indeed active right now and will likely be around for awhile. But with such low inventory, many rehabbers have already packed up and left LA for greener pastures. Furthermore, rising interest rates are having the intended effect of putting the brakes on things. We don’t predict that prices are going to decline anytime soon, and the vast majority of economists agree. But as more potential sellers realize they have regained much — if not all — of their home equity, we can easily envision a scenario where more residences are brought to market. Add to that the new housing developments that are taking shape to meet rising demand… It certainly appears that the clouds are clearing a bit for home buyers. And that’s a very good thing.

To stay ahead of this market, as either a buyer or seller, you will truly benefit from talking with professionals who know LA and Pasadena real estate inside and out. We’d love to hear from you. Contact us anytime at Tracy Do Real Estate.

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

“Flip or Flop” (image above) courtesy of HGTV, via the LA Times website.

This entry was posted in: Seen

Good New for Buyers…

MortRateMortgage rates continue to cool off, as reported by Christina Mlynski at HousingWire. Having jumped nearly a point in recent weeks, this is welcome news. Remember: even if you missed out on the “very best” rate, in historic terms the cost of a mortgage today is still quite low — and prices are only rising (!) Need help understanding mortgage rates and loans? Contact Tracy Do Real Estate for friendly advice and expert guidance in all your housing-related needs.

This entry was posted in: Seen

4759 Mendota Ave. in Highland Park

List Price $599,000

4 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms

1,560 sf • 10,204 sf lot

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Exclusively from Tracy Do Real Estate comes this great opportunity in trendy Highland Park: two updated homes on one big lot right near the action. You can live in one and rent out the other, since both units will be delivered vacant.

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Each house is stylishly remodeled, maximizing the two bedroom + one bathroom floor plans while embracing open space and indoor-outdoor flow. Features include remodeled kitchens and bathrooms, plus beautiful dark wood and tile flooring. There are mountain views and tons of natural light.

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The “main” house has a lovely front porch and a private rear patio.

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The second house can make use of the huge back yard. The property also has an extra large two-car garage plus two off-street parking spaces on the driveway. Café de Leche and Highland Park Cafe are mere blocks away, as is so much more.

You’ll find lots more great photos at 4759mendota.com.

For a private tour, contact Tracy Do Real Estate.

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

This entry was posted in: Seen

4759 Mendota Avenue 90042

4759 Mendota Avenue 90042

Two Stylishly Remodeled Units in Highland Park, Delivered Vacant!
Offered at: $599,000

Type: Multi-Unit
Type: Duplex / 2 Units / Bedrooms: 4 / Baths: 2
Living Area: 1560 Square Ft. / Lot Size: 10,204 Square Ft.

A great opportunity in trendy Highland Park. Two updated homes on one big lot right near the action. Live in one and rent out the other (both units will be delivered vacant). Each is stylishly remodeled, maximizing the two bedroom + one bathroom floor plans while embracing open space and indoor-outdoor flow. Features include remodeled kitchens, bathrooms, and beautiful dark wood and tile flooring. There are mountain views and tons of natural light. The “main” house has a lovely front porch and a private rear patio. The second house can make use of the huge back yard. The property also has an extra large two-car garage plus two off-street parking spaces on the driveway. Café de Leche and Highland Park Cafe are mere blocks away, as is so much more in this exciting Northeast LA neighborhood.

This entry was posted in: Highland Park Homes for Sale, Income Property for Sale, Sold Listings