Hooray for Hollywood!

Only in Hollywood......could you find an array of stunning homes like these all within a few blocks of one another.

 1) You won't come across a house like this everyday, even in Hollywood.  Nestled in a forest setting on a small, quiet street above The Magic Castle and Yamashiro, this 4 Bedroom, 3 bathroom 1921 English Arts and Crafts Bungalow originally built by Cecil B. de Mille's scenic designer, W. Buckland, is itself magical.  The original details of the house have been either redone or preserved in all the right places.  $1,649,000.

a few blocks away from Hollywood Blvd. is this
hidden retreat

Dramatic balcony reveals 2 story great room

Walls of windows throughout the house overlook
green grounds and city lights

Large Library is perfect for a film buff

more windows in the bedroom

2) As opposed to the first house, this Spanish Classic on Outpost has been extensively remodeled - with 5 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, a large gourmet kitchen, sunken living room, sun room, pool and spa -  it has everything you could ever need for $2,149,000

sunken living room

large gourmet kitchen

en suite master bath

lavish pool/spa/outdoor entertainment space 

3) Last are these modern town homes.  If you're like me and have wondered what these are like inside - here's your chance to take a look.  I  toured two available units, each with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, and definitely preferred the one in back - for reasons of both privacy and layout.  $759,000

gourmet kitchen with open living room

large windows offer lots of light

nice bedroom views

private outdoor sun lounge

hotel bathrooms

Lots of Lingering

Because last week was Thanksgiving and the real estate market took a break, there was an abundance of new properties open this Tuesday.  I put a lot of time the night before and in the morning into deciding which ones to visit and was really pleased with my choices - all three were houses I found myself wanting to linger in.

1) Beachwood Canyon Beauty - the pictures hardly do this exquisite Spanish home justice.  The house is built into the hillside, there are beautiful canyon views from just about every room and almost all open up onto balconies.  For this reason, it's not really a kid friendly family home, but absolutely perfect for anyone else.  The master bedroom/bathroom/dressing room/closet suite on the lower level was one of the most romantic and luxurious I've seen.  It's priced at $1.679,000.  Really hard to imagine how anyone could bear to move out of it.

Wood beamed living room with doors that open onto balcony

kitchen with top of the line appliances and wrap around view

large airy romantic master bedroom

walk-in closet with shoe display

2) The next house I saw was this Classic in Los Feliz -  Los Feliz is a very special part of Los Angeles .  I lived there during the first 7 years I was in Los Angeles and there's a part of me that wishes I never moved West.   Just on the other side of Hollywood, it seems a world away and always feels like home.  This 5 bdrm, 3.5 ba house (priced at $1,695,000) exemplifies that feeling. It would be the perfect family house to grow up in.

3) The last stop of the day was this modern farmhouse in the Silverlake hills designed by architect Barbara Bestor. The house has just been reduced by $100,000 to $825,000.   I loved the design of this house too, but the layout made it another hard fit for a family or anyone seeking a bit of privacy. Another one that would be best for a single person or a couple without kids.  There was a great detached studio that would also be a perfect artist's studio.

house sits on large corner lot

Open living, dining & kitchen

Master Bedroom on 2nd level

Master Bath

Large upper deck with treetop & canyon views

Permitted detached studio with bath

A Few Small Gems

As I drove around today, I realized my reactions to houses can be categorized in one out of 3 different ways.  I either 1) get excited and immediately want to start spreading the word, 2) feel like "Hmmmm nice, but lacks personality" or 3) just want to run away!

 The following 4 small gems all elicited reaction #1 today.  It's especially satisfying to see so many great properties at attractive price points in very accessible parts of LA.

1) Wilshire Vista 2bdrm, 2 ba updated Spanish - spacious rooms, lots of light, nice layout.  $629,000

Large Master had french doors and fireplace

2) My favorite of the day - Newly remodeled and upgraded Craftsman 3bd, 2ba Bungalow in Country Club Park.  This is a great largely unknown neighborhood just on the outskirts of Hancock Park.  I loved how the extensive original woodwork in the house was preserved, yet given a lighter, more modern approach in all the right places.  In addition to the 3 bedrooms, there was also a nice sized office/den.  This one's priced at $539,000.  I want it!

 

 3) Another Charming Wilshire Vista home - 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom.  This one had the most personality and warmth.  Although it looks small on the outside, the interior was actually quite spacious.  It would be very easy to live here.

4) Last but not least, I made my way up to Beachwood Canyon in the Hollywood Hills to see this Mid-Century.  This house had an unobstructed panorama of truly amazing views.  To the right was the Hollywood Sign, Straight ahead was the Griffith Observatory, to the right a postcard shot of the Downtown Skyline.  There was also a studio/office space and 1/2 ba accessible thru a separate entrance downstairs, and lots of room on that level to expand.  $799,000

Kitchen with new Viking stove and granite counters

great open layout

Large deck runs width of the house

wake up  every day to the amazing view!