The first top property that I saw was 10740 Lindbrook Drive in the Warner School District. This 4 bed, 3 bathroom home is absolutely unspoiled with great details and a beautiful interior with fabulous stained glass windows and high carved beamed ceilings. When I approached the home — which has great curb appeal and Spanish character — I was a bit nervous due the Wilshire high-rises looming in the back, but once inside, that all went away.

I believe that this home already had offers before the Tuesday caravan (which seems to be how things are going right now) and believe it or not it has a great backyard for entertaining and for kids. There are so many great details in this home including the balcony with little lights, sweeping staircase and period built-ins – this property is all about “Welcome Home!”

The other top property that I saw was on 2043 Greenfield Avenue in the Westwood Charter School District. This home is absolutely priced to sell and with a little polish could absolutely be a gem. I was actually surprised by the price at $899,000 as I was expecting the home to need more work or be an odd floor plan, but instead it truly just needs a little love as the floor plan is fine and the backyard is great on a 6750 square foot lot.

This Spanish charmer is mid-block, has hardwood floors and offers three bedrooms and almost two full bathrooms. Truly I believe was one of the “deals” this week on caravan.

What’s New, What Went Into Escrow & What Sold in the Last Week

New Listings

1. 10348 Calvin Ave – $1,181,700

2. 2043 Greenfield Ave – $899,000

3. 10740 Lindbrook Drive – $1,695,000

4. 1841 Benecia Ave – $1,995,000

5. 2119 Linnington Ave – $1,049,000

6. 2244 Manning Ave – $1,485,000

In Escrow

5 Westwood properties went into escrow or into a pending status just this week!

1. 769 Malcolm Ave – $1,849,000 (List Price)

2. 1310 Malcolm Ave – $1,169,000 (List Price)

3. 2310 Midvale Ave – $959,000 (List Price)

4. 2131 Selby Ave – $1,649,000 (List Price)

5. 2226 Patricia Ave – $945,000 (List Price)

JUST SOLD – SEVEN properties sold this week!

1. 10487 Kinnard Ave – $1,195,000 (List Price) – SOLD for $1,125,000

2. 10365 Mississippi Ave – $1,950,000 (List Price) – SOLD for $1,960,000

3. 1425 Club View Drive – $1,995,000 (List Price) – SOLD for $2,200,000

4. 11116 Ophir Drive – $1,395,000 (List Price) – SOLD for $1,400,000

5. 2214 Prosser Ave – $949,000 (List Price) – SOLD for $905,000

6. 801 Holmby Ave – $1,895,000 (List Price) – SOLD for $1,830,000

7. 853 Warner Ave – $1,399,000 (List Price) – SOLD for $1,375,000

To find out more about how the market has shifted in the past few months, feel free to contact me as I am happy to provide additional stats and information in the neighborhood. Did you see a top property in the neighborhood this week? Feel free to leave me a comment below!

I track the Westwood inventory daily and I have been truly astonished at how the real estate market has picked up in such a short amount of time. Low interest rates, renewed consumer confidence and the spring shuffle based on fall school decisions are all factors in this feeding frenzy of finding that new home. Due to all of the movement, even the lease market has been incredibly active as more and more sellers and buyers need a transitional place to stay in between figuring out that next chapter.

Right now we are mid-April and here is a brief look at the current housing statistics in Westwood. Since March 1st,

• 20 properties in Westwood have sold with an average of only 39 days on the market.
• The average price of these properties was $1,305,795 with an average price per square foot of $548.00.
• There are currently 41 active listings (remember, many of these may be overpriced and just sitting pretty)
• 13 homes are “looking for backup” which means the buyers contingencies have not yet been removed
• 21 properties are pending sale.

These numbers are dynamic based on what we have seen over the past two years and the main wish right now is for more inventory. I think many sellers are afraid to sell as they haven’t found a replacement property and the days of bridge loans are long gone. For buyers who sold in the past year and have been leasing in the meantime to find the right property, this is the moment that they need inventory and it simply isn’t available.

The market is exciting right now and, if you’re a buyer, you need to be prepared to step up if you find that “next chapter” home. And as a seller, you may find yourself getting the number you are looking for (based on comps of course) due to great buyers out there right now.

If you do have a property that you are interested in selling or want to find out more about the real estate market in real time, please do not hesitate to call me as I am always here to help and I, too, have buyers at the ready!

Why? Because this week six(!) new properties hit the market in Westwood and I saw the most recent homes on caravan on Tuesday.

The properties were all in 90024 and priced between $1,359,000 and $1,800,000. The first top property was located at 1501 Pandora Avenue – a sweet and authentically restored 1930’s Spanish with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. The house itself is sited on a corner lot of over 8,000 square feet and has great curb appeal. Unlike many of the Spanish homes that have been “extensively remodeled,” this home has incredible authentic detail from the beamed ceilings to wonderful fireplace in the living room and just feels incredibly warm. Two of my favorite details were the kitchen floor tiles and the truly funky and fabulous wallpaper in one of the bathrooms.

The other top property that was similarly priced was 10759 Rochester at $1,399,000 – again in 90024 and in the Fairburn School District. Like Pandora, the authentic details are there yet it, too, has been remodeled. This 1920’s Spanish home with a bit over 1,700 square feet and 3 bedrooms and 2 baths has a wonderful courtyard and that old world charm. The garage has been converted to an office without permits but offers that extra bit of space to that homeowner who works from home or has teenagers that need a lounge away from the main living space. The beamed ceilings are great and one of my favorite details of this home is the older wood doors. I have a hunch that both of these properties with have a new buyer in the very near future!

What’s New, What Went Into Escrow & What Sold in the Last Week

New Listings

1. 10520 Ohio Ave – $1,365,000

2. 1501 Pandora Ave – $1,359,000

3. 10643 Rochester Ave – $1,800,000

4. 10759 Rochester Ave – $1,399,000

5. 10424 Almayo Ave – $1,099,000

6. 10348 Calvin Ave – $1,181,700

In Escrow

5 Westwood properties went into escrow or into a pending status just this week!

1. 1242 Holmby Ave – $1,300,000 (List Price)

2. 1318 Holmby Ave – $1,195,000 (List Price)

3. 10357 Mississippi Ave – $1,349,000 (List Price)

4. 10309 Mississippi Ave – $1,175,000 (List Price)

5. 10515 Ohio Ave – $875,900 (List Price)

JUST SOLD – Another property sold OVER ASKING this week!

1. 10617 Kinnard Ave – $1,200,000 (List Price) – SOLD for $1,229,000

Stay tuned to find out more about the pulse of the Westwood market. Also, know that I am here to help, answer questions or simply provide you with neighborhoods stats and / or my client testimonials. Have a great week!

What can I say: I love Clemetine’s! I love it for breakfast, I love it for lunch, I love it for dinner and I especially loved the catering that I ordered for Easter this past weekend.

I ordered the roasted asparagus, couscous salad, parker house rolls (the real deal!), sugar cookies, cupcakes and the amazing beet salad that I could eat every day – in fact, I have had it every day since Easter thanks to leftovers. In addition to the catering menu which is great (you can even order boxes for the Hollywood Bowl), you can also eat in or get take out to go. Annie has saved me many a night at 5pm when I have not made it to the store and I love the fact that the food is fresh from the Farmers market and absolutely delicious.

Right now Clementine’s is celebrating Cheesemageddon 2102. This is the 11th annual celebration of National Grilled Cheese Month. The other day I ordered the Philly Cheespocalypse which is the perfect combination of thinly sliced rib-eye, grilled onions, peppers, jalapeno and two kinds of cheeses on a French roll. I am a huge burger fan but this I will tell you I will take this over a burger any day. Some of the other grilled cheese sandwiches that they are serving up right now are the Pastrami Tsunami, Meatballs of Fire, Parmageddon and the Shroomsday – if you want to get your kid to eat a new version of grilled cheese, have them place this order!

So after 48 hours of eating nothing but Clementine’s food, I wanted to get the work out on this fabulous café in Westwood. Since it’s opening in 2000, Annie has served up nothing but fabulous eats and I think that tonight I am in for the Spaghetti Pie – my kids love it!

Have you been to the Westwood restaurant Clementine’s Bakery and Cafe? What was your favorite meal? Feel free to let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday there was only one new single property on the market with two others open again for review but have already been unveiled. The two top property homes to review are 1324 Club View — which was just reduced in price to $2,945,000 — and 2131 Selby Avenue, which is listed for $1,690,000 and just down the street from Westwood Charter School.

The new home that was on caravan yesterday was actually just down the street from the property I just sold on Kinnard Avenue a few weeks ago. This top property located at 10530 Kinnard is listed at $1,299,000 with a little over 2,100 square feet of living on a 6,500 square foot lot. If you are looking for a yard, this is not your home as the backyard is really mostly pool and the garage has been opened to serve as a pool house/hang out area.

There is a large family and dining room but I noticed that there is a no real master bedroom. Kinnard is a great street and feeds into Fairburn Elementary. This house could be a gem but right now is a bit of a diamond in the rough. Will this property go into escrow quickly? Yes, probably so, based on the market and the fact that right now many families are also shuffling to figure out schools for next year and Fairburn is a great one of the good ones! I will be interested to see whow much work someone will put in or not and at what price this sells for as I think it is a bit overpriced based on what I sold 10551 Kinnard for just a few doors down.

What’s New, What Went Into Escrow & What Sold in the Last Week

New Listings

1. 10530 Kinnard Ave – $1,299,000

In Escrow

5 Westwood properties went into escrow or into a pending status just this week.

1. 2012 Midvale Ave – $895,000 (List Price)

2. 1318 Holmby Ave – $1,195,000 (List Price)

3. 1874 Benecia Ave – $1,269,000 (List Price)

4. 230 Bronwood Ave – $2,095,000 (List Price)

5. 10515 Ohio Ave – $875,900 (List Price)

JUST SOLD – 3 more Westwood properties this week!

1. 2045 Pelham Ave – $949,000 (List Price) – SOLD for $945,000

2. 1558 Ensley Ave – $995,000 (List Price) – SOLD for $1,052,000 –OVER ASKING!

3. 2006 Kelton Ave – $1,255,000 (List Price) – SOLD for $1,255,000

Are there any other top property candidates in your neighborhood? Stay tuned to find out more about the pulse of the Westwood market. Also, know that I am here to help, answer questions or simply provide you with neighborhoods stats and/or my client testimonials.

My son, Ryder, brought home a great student handbook the other day from school that goes over board, transit, and bicycle safety. Because we live in a city that is all about buses, big boulevards, busy intersections and almost everything else traffic-related, I thought this would be helpful. Many times children don’t understand the results of a traffic incident until they are a part of one and so to get ahead, here are some tips:

1. Wear a helmet while bicycling, boarding or blading – it’s a California State Law if you’re under 18.

2. If on a bicycle, a passenger must ride on a separate seat – no riders on handlebars.

3. If under 6 years of age or weighing less than 60 pounds, a child must ride in a seat that holds the child in place and protects him/her from moving parts.

4. Use the right biking gear – good helmet, red rear reflector, white or yellow wheel reflectors, white or yellow pedal reflectors, front headlamp for night riding, elbow/kneepads and gloves for off road protection, reflective or bright colored clothing – a bike flag is also great in heavy traffic.

5. Always stop at alleyways – look both ways and watch for cars and trucks.

6. Stop at the end of your driveway and only proceed if safe and clear.

7. Use crosswalks when you cross busy streets. Again look both ways and walk your bike across the street.

8. Again one seat = one person. You don’t want to carry people or packages that interfere with your vision or control.

9. Watch for parked cars and don’t ride in front of a car.

10. Know your safety hand signals when stopping and turning.

11. Learn the parts of your bike and make sure that they are in good condition before riding. Accidents happen when a part of your bike is not working properly.

12. Obey traffic signals, learn traffic signs and signals and obey them!

These pointers may seem silly but important to review as we send out kiddos out into our busy streets. A country road is one thing but LA is always on the move and gets busier each day.  It’s so easy to be casual about these things. As parents oftentimes, we think that since we taught them how to ride a bike, our job is over.

I hope that this is helpful as we all grease our chains and put our helmets on this spring. Do you have any other bicycle safety tips for navigating our roads? Feel free to drop me a line in the comments below.

Onto this week’s top property homes! First up: 10357 Mississippi. A super sweet and charming 1929 Spanish home with both a main house and small guest-quarters. Although three bedrooms and three baths, the main house only has two bedrooms and two remodeled bathrooms and the small guest area with its own private entrance offers the additional bed and bath. If you are a family with two smaller children, this is probably not your home but if you have one child, no children or your children are old enough to be living on their own, then this is a great little house. The house itself is about 2,000 square feet and is sited above the street and does offer great privacy. My favorite feature of this home was the transition from the dining room to the den with a great wall with peekaboo windows. Priced at $1,349,000, this character-rich home will find its buyer very soon.

Another top property that was open for the first time yesterday is 10309 Mississippi. This three bed, two-and-a-half bath home was just listed for $1,175,000 and again falls into the Westwood Charter School District. I think that much of the recent home purchasing and selling activity has to do with families trying to figure out the school situation for next year, which has everything to do with location. This property is just under 2,000 square feet and offers traditional living — once you get up the stairs to the front door. This home does have a fresh look courtesy of staging by Meredith Baer. There is a small backyard off of the kitchen and den, and the whole place has that traditional East Coast feel. Again, priced at $1,175,000, there is value – let’s see how the new staging plays into offers and purchase price.

And last but not least: the top property at 273 S. Glenroy Avenue in Westwood Hills is fantastic if you are looking for East meets West. This is your East Coast Traditional in Westwood and with five bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths offers large living with its over 4,400 square feet. This just hit the market with a list price of $2,195,000 and it’s priced now in the deal zone as it has been on the market previously at a much higher price tag. There are fewer steps to get to the front door and the property two doors down at 285 S. Glenroy just recently went into escrow. Does this home need some TLC? Perhaps, but would it be great once you give it some love.

Since I look at properties every day, it is always fun to walk into a house where there is a surprise or two or just something simply different. Not only does this top property have some very cool stained windows but it also has one of the largest closets I have even seen – in fact, it was previously a room, complete with a fireplace and now feel free to go on that shopping spree because this closet can handle it.  This property falls into the Warner School District and will be open again this Sunday 2-5.

What’s New, What Went Into Escrow, and What Sold in the Last Week

New Listings

1. 2151 Pelham Ave – $721,700

2. 1874 Benecia Ave – $1,269,000

3. 2310 Midvale Ave – $949,000

4. 273 S. Glenroy Ave – $2,195,000

5. 10357 Mississippi Ave – $1,349,000

6. 10309 Mississippi Ave – $1,175,000

In Escrow

6 Westwood properties went into escrow or into a pending status just this week!

1. 1310 Malcolm Ave - $1,169,000 (List Price)

2. 1242 Holmby Ave – $1,300,000 (List Price)

3. 10551 Lindbrook Ave – $1,785,700 (List Price)

4. 10538 Ilona Ave – $1,395,000 (List Price)

5. 2310 Camden Ave – $1,099,000 (List Price)

6. 2216 Linnington Ave – $1,050,000 (List Price)

I will continue to keep you updated on the Westwood housing market and pointing out those that I think would be a top property — and feel free to let me know if there is anything in the neighborhood that you have questions about!

Turns out it’s alive and well!

At first Ryder was worried that the party was at a costume shop as the storefront is pretty unassuming. But, once inside, I realized that in the past few years, this small shop that I remembered has completely transformed itself into a Harry Potter haven complete with a replica Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Banquet Hall. They have changed a few of the names for obvious reasons but you can have a fabulous “Warthog Academy” Birthday Party complete with potion making, wizardry class and look alike characters or you can buy tickets for other events and banquets in the Great Hall.

The Hall itself can seat up to 100 people and you can create your own event (just imagine that Bar or Bat Mitzvah with the dress code being wizard robes) or take part in one of the events that is hosted by Whimsic Alley. In the next month, there is a Murder Mystery party as well as some High Teas that are great family events – one features a magician, one is for Harry Potter look-alikes and there is even one for us moms out there that want to celebrate Mother’s Day with robe and wand in hand. You can purchase tickets by contacting the store or by going to Goldstar.com and oftentimes will get you a reduced ticket price online.

Yes, Whimsic Alley is a shopping haven for “wizards of distinction” but as a muggle, I also had a great time and frankly couldn’t believe that one person had put together such an amazing space and collection of Potter items – J.K. Rowling would be proud! In addition to the banquet hall, the alley provides a great shopping experience. You can purchase Bertie Bott’s Jelly Beans in flavors like Dirt, Spinach, Black Pepper and Sardine or head in to the wand shop called “Phoenix Wanda” where, remember, instead of you picking out a wand, your wand picks you. Each wand purchased comes in a little purple velvet bag with a pearl attachment — and for an extra charge, you can even buy a wand holster.

There is also the Hogwarts uniform shop called “Habber and Dasher” complete with V-neck sweaters, striped ties and robes as well as a hat shop, toy store and even a storefront for all things having to do with quills, pen and paper. I was there for over two hours and still don’t even think I was able to take it all in.

The party was great, the store was fun and my son said to me after the party that Whimsic Alley was definitely not just a costume shop. They are even doing a summer camp this summer, so if you want your kiddo to learn how to turn you into a frog, prince or dirt flavored jelly bean, it might be a great thing.

Stupefy, Reparo. It’s all coming back now!

Have you been to Whimsic Alley to soak in all the Harry Potter world it has to offer? What did you think? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.

The combination of low interest rates, the spring market (which tends to always be busier than winter), and renewed consumer confidence is helping in the comeback of the housing market and it is evident.  As I mentioned before, I seen multiple offers over and over and open houses that are full of eager buyers not just your “lookie loos.”

This week, there are a few new properties that I know for sure will get some great attention.  The first one is located at 2310 Camden Avenue and a true treat.  With 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, this updated Spanish charmer has great authentic details like the barreled ceiling but also has those needed updates that bring it current.  The backyard is super sweet and the garage can be a garage or serve as an additional play or work space.  The fact that this property feeds into the Westwood Charter School District is a plus and as families scramble to figure out the school situation for their children next year, this property will definitely be “looking for backup” very soon. At $1,099,000 – the price tag is right and the next buyer will have a great new home.

Another top property that was open for the first time today was 1310 Malcolm Avenue.  This 3 bed, 2 bath home was just listed for $1,169,000 and falls into the Fairburn Elementary School District.  This property also has been priced right and I think is a tremendous value.  Although from the street, the property may look a bit more dated, the interior is a fabulous surprise.  This home is light, bright and, with wood floors and plantation shutters throughout, is truly private and nicely sited up off of the street.  A few items to note about this property is that if you have kids, the backyard is terraced and there are stairs from the street to the front door and from the direct access garage into the house.  If you want a little workout and burn while unloading groceries, then this is your house.

The last top property that I love this week is 10538 Ilona Avenue.  This house is a great value as well at $1,395,000 as it offers 5 bedrooms and 3.5 baths so for a family like mine with 4 kids, it is great to see a nice price on a larger home.  It has a center hall/open floor-plan and nice, large rooms and again feeds into Westwood Charter which is a bonus.  Four of the bedrooms are up and there is an additional one downstairs including an office.  If you need the bedrooms, a yard and a great school, here you go.  My favorite part of this property was the Matchbox race cars that were placed into the cement of the driveway.

What’s New, What Went Into Escrow & What Sold in the Last Week

New Listings

1. 10538 Ilona Ave – $1,395,000

2. 1310 Malcolm Ave – $1,169,000

3. 2310 Camden Ave – $1,099,000

4. 2102 Midvale Ave – $895,000

5. 1318 Holmby Ave – $1,195,000

6. 10365 Mississippi Ave – $1,950,000

In Escrow

6 Westwood properties went into escrow or into a pending status just this week:

1. 2346 Selby Ave – $989,000 (List Price)

2. 1533 Kelton Ave – $1,002,000 (List Price)

3. 10487 Kinnard Ave – $1,195,000 (List Price)

4. 11116 Ophir Ave – $1,395,00 (List Price)

5. 10329 Keswick Ave – $739,000 (List Price)

6. 10335 Tennessee Ave – $1,195,000 (List Price)

Sold Listings

1. 10551 Kinnard Ave – Listed for $1,369,000 and Sold for $1,386,000 – over asking!

Did you find any top property homes in Westwood this week in your house hunt? Do any of these fit your bill? Feel free to contact me or even just drop me a comment in the field below.

Not all of the movie and television studios provide guided tours of the lots but Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal, NBC, KCET, Sony, and Melody Ranch do allow visitors a sneak peek. We didn’t do the public tour but instead went to the sound stage where Glee is filmed and watch the upcoming episode being taped.

The set was amazing and takes over five sound stages – one solely committed to the auditorium which is full-scale and enormous! We hung out in Breadsticks restaurant, Sue’s office, checked out Quinn’s locker and even roamed through the boy’s locker room and showers which Lily wanted to double-check was okay. I even used one of the towels in the shower stall…hope it was Finn’s.

Although Lily might not have appreciated it, the songs that the cast were performing were all Saturday Night Fever-based so for me, it was completely great. There was a great light-up dance floor and Mercedes was letting it rip. It was such a great day and it made me realize how much L.A. has to offer as far as things to do and amazing life experiences – both of which I realize I have taken for granted living here.

Right now in addition to Glee, Paramount shoots Dr. Phil, The Doctors, Happy Endings, Hung, NCIS: Los Angeles and other shows on the lot. In front of each soundstage is a list of what has been shot there in the past and it was amazing to see the old shows and movies that I used to watch in that line up. Some of the memorable movies that were also shot here since 2000 are Transformers, Star Trek, Monsters vs. Aliens, The Fighter, True Grit, War of the Worlds, and Iron Man.

Also, another fun fact: the land on which the Paramount studio lot currently sits was originally owned by the Hollywood Cemetery Association. No bodies buried under the buildings, but good ghost stories on the sound stages. Paramount has delivered some amazing things in the last 100 years and I would encourage each one of you to be a tourist for the day right here in L.A.

Have you taken a studio tour before at Paramount? Or maybe at another studio? What did you like the most? Feel free to leave me a comment in the field below – or share this post with someone you think might like it!