Real Estate News

Lloyd Wright’s Dorland House in Altadena

List Price $998,000

2BDs/1BA in 1,465 sq. ft./lot size 11,463 sq. ft.

The opportunity to own a Lloyd Wright (aka Frank Lloyd Wright Jr.) home does not come around often, and to own one at this price is extraordinary. Modest in size, it won’t work for everyone. But for an individual, couple or small family, here’s a chance to own a piece of mid century design history.

The post-and-beam house was built in 1949 and features a pool, heated concrete floors and a fully renovated kitchen. Its architectural details have to been seen to be fully appreciated, and remain innovative 60 years on.

A sense of serenity was a goal in Wright’s design, with a seamless flow from indoors to out that would soothe the senses. The original owner, Mr. Dorland, must have been pleased as he wrote to the architect, “it isn’t like living, it’s like being on vacation.” To see the house for yourself, contact me here.

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Listing courtesy of Carly Hernandez, Coldwell Banker Pasadena

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Modern + Eco Friendly in Echo Park

List Price $799,000

4BDs/2.5BA in 2,160 sq. ft./lot size 3,026 sq. ft.

My regular visitors might recognize this house, which I wrote about in my post of 7/26: “Modern Architecture at Minimal Cost.” It’s the personal residence of talented architect/designer Jerome Pelayo, whose company Sunia Homes was essentially launched with this project.

Built just last year and featured on the 2012 Dwell on Design Tour, this modern, energy-efficient jewel is on the border between Echo Park and Silver Lake. Sleek in design, extremely well thought-out in terms of space and orientation, it has eco friendly features like an energy monitoring system and wood-pellet stove for heating. The location is very central, a quiet street not far from Sunset Junction. Having been toured through this property by Jerome himself, I can tell you that it’s truly special. If you’re interested I can get you in there, but advise you hurry as it will likely sell quickly. Contact me here.

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Listing courtesy of Daniel R. Ortega, Sotheby’s Int’l Realty – Los Feliz

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FYI Quick Read (and watch and listen…)

Good news for buyers vis-á-vis interest rates. Kerri Anne Panchuk of HousingWire reports that “homebuyers heading into the marketplace are still looking at historically low mortgage rates… The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage for the week ending Oct. 18 hit 3.37%, which is down from 3.39% a week earlier and from 4.11% last year.”

 

The LA Times’ Alejandro Lazo and Jim Puzzanghera have posted a story headlined “Housing Industry Recovering Faster than Many Economists Expected.” It features a short video discussion between the Times’ David Lazarus and Nancy Rivera Brooks, and also Gary Painter who’s the director of research at USC’s Lusk Center for Real Estate.

 

APM’s “Marketplace” with Kai Ryssdal reported yesterday that “new home construction for September was the highest the industry has seen in four years… a 34 percent jump from last year.” However there’s one downside which is the increased demand for raw materials used in building, which means prices there are likely to rise. Read Shereen Marisol Meraji’s story and hear the short radio piece here.

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3108 Bellevue Avenue 90026

3108 Bellevue Avenue 90026

1906 Silver Lake Bungalow
Offered at: $499,000

Status: Sold
Type: Single Family Home / Bedrooms: 2 / Baths: 1
Living Area: 1,296 Square Ft. / Lot Size: 4,926 Square Ft.

Here’s your way into Silver Lake! Built in 1906, this charming Bungalow features 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and a large den. Step onto the front porch into a charming foyer. Dark hardwood floors compliment high ceilings and generously-proportioned rooms. There’s a barrel-walled living room, formal dining area with wet bar and wine fridge. The large, remodeled kitchen is outfitted with lots of cabinetry and counter space, stainless steel appliances and a mosaic tile back splash. The den opens to a private, shaded yard that includes a detached garage with built-in storage cabinets, plus there’s ample room for parking on the driveway. Located near Sunset Junction and the shops and restaurants on Silver Lake Blvd… Be right in the middle of the action and fun!

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San Marino & La Cañada Schools Ranked 1, 2

It official. According to recently published data and reported here in the Pasadena Sun, the prized public schools of San Marino and La Cañada Flintridge are ranked #1 and #2 in the state of California by their API scores. So what does it cost to buy a house in these beautiful communities that neighbor Pasadena? Here’s a sample of the current market:

An approximately 3,500 sq. foot 5 bedroom, 3.75 bath Contemporary in La Cañada Flintridge (pictured above) is on the market for $1,665,000. Built in 1964, recently remodeled, it has views to the Pacific Ocean and a gorgeous swimming pool. Listing courtesy of Samuel Buchanan, B & B Properties.

Another La Cañada home for sale right now is a 5 bedroom 4 bath Tudor with just over 4,300 sq. feet of living space. Built in 1935 and occupying a huge flat lot, the property features a detached guest house and pool. Priced at $2,160,000, this strikes me as a bargain considering the prime location and amount of house you’re getting. Listing courtesy of Anne Sanborn, Sotheby’s Int’l Realty.

 

Inventory in San Marino is quite low right now, but this 1952 Cape Cod is on the market for $3,280,000. With 4 bedrooms and 4.75 baths, totaling just under 5000 sq. feet, the home is on one of the most desirable streets of this tree-lined enclave. There are 2 kitchens, 2 formal dining rooms, 3 fireplaces, a guesthouse… really this property has it all. Listing courtesy of Sabrina Wu, Coldwell Banker.

 

And here’s San Marino’s lowest-price offering per today’s MLS. At just under $1.2M this Traditional has 3 beds, 1.75 baths in 2,255 sq. feet. Features include 3 fireplaces and a back yard patio for entertaining, plus something very special indeed: the San Marino School District. #1 in California. Listing courtesy of Vera Nelson, Coldwell Banker.

 

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VIDEO: My Interview on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer

I’m honored that ABC asked me to speak with them last night on their prime-time national news broadcast. And as nice as it is to be singled out as a go-to voice in real estate, the thing I like best is that 7-plus million people got to see my listing on Screenland Dr. in Burbank.

Helping my clients succeed is everything. Being an expert, that’s simply my job.

Watch the ABC News story by clicking the image above, or here.

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My Listing Featured in the LA Times… Again!

 

This screen-capture from today’s LA Times might look familiar. It’s a house I sold back in June (posted 6/7/12) and for the second time it’s being used as an example, the poster child for what’s happening today in real estate.

I brought 1428 Mount Pleasant Street to market at a list price of $379,000, which was quite realistic at the time. I knew it would sell, but when 73 offers came in (!) I realized a shift was occurring. The final sale price wound up at $163K over asking, and the market for my listings hasn’t let up since. I’ve handled several of what you could call “lower priced homes,” (relative to prices in our local market). And I can tell you, buyers, that demand is high, inventory is low, prices are rising and competition is fierce. But there’s a simple way around this problem: Put me to work for you. I can give you an edge in this process, with top-shelf service that comes without any financial obligation to buyers. If you’re really serious about getting into a house, no matter the price point, contact me anytime here.

And sellers? The writing is on the wall. If you’re waiting for the market to get hot, it’s already sizzling. No realtor in LA or Pasadena will worker harder or smarter to sell your home, so call me anytime for a complimentary valuation and you can decide how to proceed from there.

You can read Alejandro Lazo’s excellent LA Times article here.

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Dazzling Contemporary in SW Pasadena

List Price $1,750,000

2BDs/3BA in 2,220 sq. ft./lot size 21,434 sq. ft.

I previewed a number of homes today and this one really caught my eye. Built in 1967 and designed by noted architect Theodore Pletsch, this Contemporary gem in one of Pasadena’s best neighborhoods is on the market for the very first time.

The inviting living room features a high ceiling, a fireplace and great flow to the huge back yard — total lot size nearly half an acre! Outside there’s a pool, a fruit orchard and a detached 876 sq. ft. guest house which could also serve as your office or studio.

Would you like to be just the second owner of this meticulously-kept, quite remarkable home? Contact me here for a private viewing.

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Listing courtesy of Marlene Evans, Coldwell Banker.

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You Should Know: Common Pricing Mistakes

Prices are rising and demand remains high, meaning it’s a great time to list your home. But careful, sellers. The California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) has singled out these all-too-common pricing mistakes:

1) Too high from the start. Statistics show that homes priced correctly sell closer to “asking” than homes that start too high. A knowledgeable realtor like myself will help you avoid this pitfall and price it right from the get-go.

2) Odd list price. $864,257 might be a “lucky” number to you, but it can make your house invisible. Buyers work in price windows, for example $750,000 to $850,000. Stick to round numbers or sequences that feature “9’s,” like $799,000, $849,000, etc.

3) Ignoring local trends. Every property is unique and certainly yours might have special features that set it apart. But look around your own neighborhood. How many homes are for sale? What are they asking — and ultimately selling for? This data is easily attainable by your realtor and is the key guideline to intelligently pricing your home.

4) Refusing to negotiate. Your asking price should come with built-in flexibility, even a little of it goes a long way. Potential buyers can become actual buyers if they feel like they’re in business with someone who truly wants to close the deal.

Avoiding these common mistakes is easy. I’m happy to provide a carefully considered, fully complimentary valuation on your home, so contact me anytime by clicking here.

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1129 N. Screenland Drive 91505

List Price $635,000

3BDs/2BA plus a 1BD/1BA guest unit. Total 2045 sq. ft./lot size 6,564 sq. ft.

I’m pleased to announce my latest listing, a 1939 traditional located in Burbank’s coveted Magnolia Park, a charming neighborhood of shops, markets and cafes.

The home offers room to move around in and gets lots of natural light. The detached guest residence has its own entry and a private garden.

With a central location near Warner Bros, Disney and Universal, plus easy access to major freeways and the Chandler Bikeway, I have a feeling this house won’t be on the market for long. The floor plan is below and you can check out more photos here. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a private showing, contact me anytime.

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