A Look at Highland Park Real Estate

An older, artist enclave typified by hilly neighborhoods and character homes, Highland Park real estate is enjoying a renaissance.

Highland Park is one of Los Angeles’ oldest settled communities and one of the first suburbs of the city. Close to Downtown Los Angeles and Pasadena, this neighborhood provides easy access across the city. The Metro Gold line (between Pasadena and Downtown) stops just off Figueroa, adding to Highland Park’s reputation of convenience.

Highland Park has a history of attracting an eclectic and diverse population. Some examples: Charles Lummis, founder of the Southwest Museum; Clyde Browne, who built the Abbey San Encino; the Judson family, who ran Judson Studios. Today, Highland Park’s residents continue to be a diverse bunch. Many have lived in the area for decades, while newcomers from other neighborhoods in Los Angeles and from out of town are also recognizing Highland Park’s great community.

Many small business owners have chosen Highland Park as the place to open their doors, and the York Boulevard corridor has become a hotspot for new shops and restaurants. The past few years have seen a new French restaurant (Ba), coffee shops (Cafe de Leche, The Highland Cafe), a gourmet burger joint (Fusion Burger), plus several art galleries (Avenue 50 Studio, THIS Gallery, MorYork), a used book shop (Pop-Hop), and many more, open their doors.

Highland Park also provides fine examples of early Los Angeles architecture, from sweet Craftsman bungalows to exquisite Victorian cottages. In recent years there has been a resurgence of renovations and restorations of many of Highland Park’s homes. Home to the largest Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) in the city, the citizens of Highland Park take their character homes seriously. A hardy band of volunteers tirelessly hold home and art tours for the public’s edification and enjoyment through community organizations like the Arroyo Art Collective and the Highland Park Heritage Trust.

For homebuyers looking to purchase a home in Highland Park, it is imperative that they hire a Highland Park realtor who specializes in the area and who knows the neighborhoods and the local market.

A Look at Echo Park Real Estate

Budding musicians, filmmakers and writers have called the architecturally significant neighborhood of Echo Park their home for over a hundred years, keeping Echo Park real estate an in-demand commodity.

Before there was Hollywood, Echo Park was the preeminent filmmaking capitol, and the site of almost every silent film (Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, The Three Stooges) as well as more recent films (Chinatown, Quinceañera, Drive). Echo Park’s rich history lives on in its awe-inspiring architecture. A wide variety of well-preserved homes still fill the neighborhood, including Craftsman-style, Bungalow, Mission Revival, Art Deco and Colonial Revival. The small quarter of Angelino Heights is Los Angeles’ first historic district, notable for its many Victorian-era houses, lovingly restored by the neighborhood’s growing creative class. Fargo Street and Baxter Avenue have both claimed the title of steepest street in California. The hilly topography of Echo Park promises an astounding view from almost anywhere in the neighborhood.

In recent years Echo Park has experienced a resurgence of artists, hipsters and young professionals, but without entirely losing its working class families, becoming one of the most economically diverse and culturally rich communities in Los Angeles. The area is home to the Lotus Festival, Cuban Festival and Historic Filipinotown. Walkable Sunset Boulevard and Echo Park Avenue, the two main thoroughfares, are lined with noteworthy coffee shops, non-profit art spaces, popular restaurants and acclaimed taco trucks.

Public amenities of the area include the gorgeous Echo Park Lake and surrounding park, currently being remodeled for ecological sustainability and scheduled to reopen in early 2013. Elysian Park, one of LA’s largest, provides 360 views of the city, and surrounds the famous Dodger Stadium. Vista Hermosa Park, one of LA’s newest, is a terraced native plant paradise.

With a long legacy of free-thinkers, bohemians and activists, the dynamic residents of Echo Park continue to maintain and advocate for their great community and public services, helping to keep the neighborhood a great place to live and Echo Park real estate valuable.

For homebuyers looking to purchase a home in Echo Park, it is imperative that they hire an Echo Park realtor who specializes in the area and who knows the neighborhoods and the local market.

A Look at Altadena Real Estate

Altadena real estate has become much sought after for those homebuyers who appreciate a more rural, country feel, but with beautiful estates and neighborhoods and only 20 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles.

Altadena is an unincorporated community in the County of Los Angeles, located just north of Pasadena. Situated at the base of the Sierra Madre foothills, Altadena is slightly more rural than neighboring Pasadena and features many hiking and horseback riding trails.

The name, coined by Byron O. Clark, who founded the Altadena Nursery, is based on “alta”, meaning upper, and “dena”, relating to Pasadena. In the late 1800s, the newly settled community of Altadena began attracting wealthy families from the east coast. Millionaire’s Row, a street with many mansions from this era, was eventually developed, along with several other beautiful estates in the area. Architect Wallace Neff began his career in Altadena, and there are many architecturally significant homes throughout.

Altadena has a strong sense of community, which is evident through organizations such as Altadena Heritage, the Altadena Historical Society, Christmas Tree Lane Association, the Altadena Chamber of Commerce, the Altadena Community Garden, and independent media outlets such as Altadena Blog.

Students of Altadena are part of the Pasadena Unified School District. There are also several private schools in the area, including Waldorf School, Saint Elizabeth Catholic School, Saint Mark’s, and Fair Oaks Academy (formerly Jane Warner’s School). Charter schools have moved into some of the formerly public elementary school buildings and offer a popular alternative to a growing number of students. Both Odyssey and Aveson Charter Schools are now located in Altadena.

For homebuyers looking to purchase a home in Altadena, it is imperative that they hire an Altadena realtor who specializes in the area and who knows the neighborhoods and the local market.

The Northeast Los Angeles Market Update You’ve Been Waiting For

What a difference a year makes!

Within twelve short months the real estate market has done a complete turnaround:

• The number of homes listed for sale is at an all-time low. Today there are 16 homes for sale in Eagle Rock. This time last year there were 42. In Highland Park there are 25 for sale, compared with 81 Highland Park homes for sale last year.

• The number of buyers looking for a home is growing every day. As we talk with buyers at our open houses we’re hearing less “I’m not sure we’ve hit the bottom yet” and more “I really want to buy a house now.”

• Most homes that are market priced are selling in multiple offers over the asking price. All of the homes we’ve closed escrow on this year received multiple offers.

• The competition for homes is increasing every day. We recently submitted an offer for a client on a house that had 22 total offers, and went to an all cash offer.

• Many buyers are paying all cash, are willing to close in a very short period of time and will offer a lease back option if helpful to the seller.

• Interest rates continue to hover at historic lows.

Without a question, this is the best time to sell your home in the last five years.

If you are thinking of selling your home you might be very surprised at what a buyer will pay in today’s market.

If you are interested in moving up, this is the perfect time. The opportunity to get a great price for your current home and buy a new home as values rise is incredible.

This could also be the ideal time to make a great real estate investment, whether you are thinking about buying or selling.

Real estate in Northeast Los Angeles is very exciting again!