SOLD! Dynamic Loft in West Hollywood (Represented Buyer)

I had the pleasure of representing a buyer in his first purchase recently, and he got a good one. After searching for several month's for the right loft with soaring ceilings, but ample closet & storage space (not an easy combination to find), we recently closed on this stunning loft in a modern 20 unit building in a prime West Hollywood location. The loft, built in 2004, features soaring 20' ceilings, modern finishes, and direct access from the street. While my client, and I, did not care for the epoxy flooring put on top of what once was polished concrete or the many different colors of paint on the walls, he got a great deal to offset those minor issues. In fact the property appraised at $35,000 higher then he paid for it! As I told him, changing floors and painting is easy, but finding 20' ceilings in West Hollywood is not. I can't wait to see it after he puts his stamp on the property.

1037 N Laurel Ave, West Hollywood

$775,000 (Asking price was $840,000 (Orig $880,000)) 2 Bed 2 Bath 1,519 Sq. Ft

Listing courtesy of Lori Davette Ince - Keller Williams Realty

Pictures by Eric Smilay for Smilay Properties

If you would like to find a similar style property, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com. In fact a new listing in the building just became available.

SOLD! Ranch Style House w/ HUGE Yard; Woodland Hills (Represented Buyer)

Lying on a large corner lot in the desirable Walnut Acres section of Woodland Hills is this ranch style home a Buyer of mine just closed on this past Friday. This was a long road, as this was one of the first properties I showed my client, and then the Seller decided to pull it off the market. After much pushing and follow up after follow up from me, we finally convinced them to sell, and my client got the home she wanted from day one! She affectionately refers to it as "The Barn," due to it's color and appearance from the front, and I think she got a great deal at the end of the day. The lot is all flat and the park like backyard is huge allowing plenty of room to expand the house, put in a pool, or just leave as is and enjoy the space. The home has a nice open floor plan and soaring beamed ceilings in both the living and media room. My client also got a new roof (see last pic vs first one), and in doing so, the contractor was positive that the home is actually 500 sq. ft plus larger then it is listed; which is another great bonus for my client.

This was the Buyer's first home purchase, and I couldn't be happier for them. I think they got a great house at a great deal.

22955 Leonora Dr, Woodland Hills

$605,000 3 Bed 3 Bath 1,909 Sq. Ft 12,133 Lot Sq. Ft

Listing courtesy of Rebecca Epstein & Francesca Luteraan

Pictures by Eric Smilay for Smilay Properties

If you would like to find a similar home in and around this area, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com. We would be happy to assist!

SOLD! Stylish Hollywood Hills Home w/ Stunning Landscaping & Pool (Represented Buyer)

I've been a bit busy working on deals, taking care of my 9 month old son, etc and have been away from the blog for awhile, my apologies to all the readers. I will try to get back into the routine and be more "on it" in this medium.

I am pleased to come back to show a great property that I just closed escrow on yesterday for a Buyer client of mine. This particular client resides out of the US, has never seen the property (her representative here did), and I never met them. Interesting huh? I actually really appreciate the trust that they placed in me, seeing as how they are not here, and I am their eyes and ears on the ground so to speak. This is the second International client I have assisted this year, and I have enjoyed meeting and working with both immensely. I hope to do many more in the future with different Buyers and Sellers from all over the world.

This particular property is stunning. It has a great open floor plan with walls of glass all leading out to a spectacular backyard complete with landscaping/hardscaping done by an AIA award winning architect, which makes it a bit "special." The saltwater pool is extra large and the Ipe wood deck, wood gates, and grounds are all done to the 9's.

3400 Blair Dr, Hollywood Hills

$930,000 ($5,000 over asking price) 3 Bed 2 Bath 1,795 Sq. Ft/ow 6,135 Lot Sq. Ft/ow

Upon entry one is immediately struck by the modern facade, and enters past a tranquil waterfall, and into a wide open floor plan with wood flooring throughout. The living room/dining room with fireplace opens seamlessly into a light filled family room with walls of glass leading out to the deck and peaceful canyon views.

Listing Courtesy of Charmaine Degrate - Coldwell Banker BH South

Pictures by Eric Smilay for Smilay Properties

There were half a dozen offers on this property within days of it hitting the market, but we were able to beat out those others to get this great home. Even though we had to go a hair over asking price, I believe my Buyer got a deal. I think it could have even sold for more!

If you would like to find a similar home in and around this area, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com. We would be happy to assist!

Sold! Large Family Home w/ Pool in Gated Community; Moorpark

I have said it before, but worth saying again, selling a short sale listing is like doing 5 deals. Yes, it takes that much extra work. That said, I am happy to have closed the sale today on this nice family home and helped my seller's move on from it. The buyer's got themselves a great deal, and even though it took awhile and there were bumps in the road, they should be thrilled. While there are some negatives to purchasing a short sale, such as not receiving any credits to fix anything found during inspections, and the fact that it takes several month's; in the end the positives won out on this one. The buyer's appraisal came in at $670,000 giving them $35K of equity from day one. Not bad for a couple month's worth of work and having to correct a few minor things. Congrats to them, and from my side of the deal, congrats to my client's for being able to move on from the property.

4642 Big Trail Circle, Moorpark

Sold for $635,000 5 Bed 4.5 Bath 3,500 Sq. Ft 8,498 Lot Sq. Ft

Listing & Photos by Eric Smilay for Smilay Properties

If you would like to find a similar property, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email eric@smilayproperties.com.

SOLD! Mid-Century View Home in the Oaks of Los Feliz (Represented Buyer)

I had the privilege of representing the buyer on this home in the highly desirable "Oaks" area of Los Feliz. The property is a mid-century home built in 1950 with walls of glass opening up to a large deck in the front with head on downtown skyline views. The back side of the home is also mostly all glass and leads out to a peaceful retreat with a spa, fire pit, and relaxing waterfall. Obviously the glass allows for the home to be flooded with natural light throughout most of the day. With hardwood flooring, great retro details, this home just needs a bit of depersonalizing and touch ups here and there and will shine into a great mid-century modern property in an A+ neighborhood. I am not sure how much work the owner's will do, but I am thinking it may really pop if painted white; it would resemble the outside of this updated and recently sold property. What do you think?

If you like the home keep it in mind, as it will probably be on the market for lease very soon!

2047 Live Oak, Los Feliz

$1,225,000 (Asking $1,285,000) 3 Bed 2 Bath 2,162 Sq. Ft 9,460 Lot Sq. Ft

Listing courtesy of Juan Longfellow & Louise Leach - Sotheby's Int'l Realty

Pictures by Eric Smilay for Smilay Properties

If you would like to find a similar property in the area, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email eric@smilayproperties.com. Also, if you are interested in leasing this great home, please contact me for details and I can show it to you anytime.

SOLD -- Stately Lafayette Square Tudor (Represented Buyer)

My Buyer just closed escrow yesterday on this stately Tudor home in the desirable neighborhood of Lafayette Square. Built by Guy V. Colf in 1923, this impressive home oozes curb appeal and is loaded with vintage details throughout the home. The property has a large living room with fireplace, media room, and huge master bedroom also with fireplace. The kitchen was recently updated with granite counter tops, and high end appliances, including a Viking six burner range. The back of the property features a large yard with lush green grass, fire pit, and sparkling pool. There is no question the home could use further updating, and my client is up to the challenge. I can't wait to see what she does with the home, both in upgrading what is there, expanding it, and restoring it to it's earlier glory years. We also got a $15,000 credit to fix up some of the dated issues and deferred maintenance on the property, so all in all my client got a great deal, and she is thrilled. Beyond making a living, seeing my client's excited about their real estate transactions is what it is all about! Enjoy your new home Jo.

1838 Buckingham, Lafayette Square

Sold for $900,000 (Asking Price was $949,000) 5 Bed 3 Bath 3,045 Sq. Ft. 8,760 Sq. Ft. Lot

Listing and Photos courtesy of Rhonda Payne - Rodeo Realty

If you would like to see what other properties are available in and around this area, please contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

SOLD - Brentwood Penthouse

SOLD

It has been a long road with this listing, but today that journey has come to a successful close for all parties involved today. This property is a short sale, and that process can take 3-4 month's to get initial bank approval. In the meantime buyer's get impatient and frustrated, rightly so, and end up cancelling their offer and walking away. It wouldn't be so much of a problem if the bank allowed me to substitute a new buyer with the same terms in, but nope, the bank made us start the process all over again as if it was just submitted to them for the first time. Bottom line is I "sold" this unit now four times, but each time up until now the buyers would walk away for a variety of reasons. See my post about the last time that happened here. Well today that stopped, as the buyer closed escrow and is now the owner of this cool Penthouse condo in a prime Brentwood location. With a bit of attention, this unit could become very special, as the bones are there to do it. I wish the buyer well with it, and congratulate my seller's on concluding this sale once and for all! On to the next one for me.

621 S Barrington #302, Brentwood

Sold for $600,000 2 Bed + Loft 2 Bath 1,920 Sq. Ft

Soaring 18' ceilings in living/dining room provide a ton of volume

Wet bar and gas lit fireplace in the living room

Three balconies in total on the property; largest one shown here

High ceilings in the master bedroom

High ceilings & large walk in closet in guest bedroom

Spacious loft area with direct access to private deck, currently being rented out and used as a bedroom

Large pool & spa provide a peaceful escape in the heart of Brentwood

You can see a detailed tour of the property here

If you wish to find a similar property and value in Brentwood or anywhere in Los Angeles, please feel free to contact us anytime @ 310.600.9172 or email smilayproperties@gmail.com.

John Mayer Sells His Funky Pacific Palisades Pad

Grammy winner and multi-platinum recording artist John Mayer has closed escrow this week on his home in the Pacific Palisades. While it went into contract in just thirteen days at very close to asking price, it looks as if Mr. Mayer took a sizable loss on this one. Per MLS records, he purchased the property in June 2006 for $1,750,000 and just sold it for $1,291,875 (interesting price right?). Celebrities are susceptible to the ebbs and flows of the real estate market just like the rest of us, although I am sure he can afford to take the hit more then your "average Joe" could. Although I think the front is kinda hideous, I do like the interior floor plan with it's soaring ceilings and open floor plan. I also like the furnishings and design accents John added. The property is on a large lot with lush green surroundings, and in very desirable Pacific Palisades. Do you think the Piano pictured is where he wrote some of his many hits?

1274 Calle De Sevilla, Pacific Palisades

Sold for $1,291,875 (Asking $1,325,000) 4 Bed 2.75 Bath 3,648 Sq. Ft 11,852 Lot Sq. Ft

Listing and Photos Courtesy of Christopher Cain & Wayne Saks - Coldwell Banker-Beverly Hills East