***What a Condo!***

Condo properties throughout The Hills are becoming more and more attractive for first time home buyers, local renters and investors alike with price points that resemble the lowest buy in cost in years! Below are recent sales and new listings to give you a brief idea of how the first quarter of 2011 is treating our local condo communities. 

1. Starting off on the highly desirable Kings Rd., this nicely redone 1 bed 1 bath condo hits the active market. With an obvious touch of designer influence, this home is furnished with natural woods, European light fixtures, floating media, wet bar, Carrera marble shower, and enough space to entertain your closets friends. Pick up this redone condo for a price of $429,000. 

Listing Brokerage: KW - BH

2. Here is a gorgeous loft like condo just listed on the beautiful Doheny Dr. which directly borders Beverly Hills. This 1,200 square foot designer pad offers an open styled floor plan with dark hardwood flooring, modern kitchen with marble counter tops, breathtaking views of The Hills and an interior washer and dryer. This high rise community also offers the life of luxury with full service concierge, doorman, roof top pool and on-site gym. Pick up this steal of a deal for $629,000.

Listing Brokerage: Coldwell Banker - Brentwood

3. Over on Hollywood Blvd., buy into the heart of Tinsletown for what many would consider a steal of a price! This 2 bed 2 bath condo is ideal for the local first time homeowner or for an investor looking for an opportunity with great potential for return. Pick this up this 4th floor condo for a price point of $308,000.

 Listing Brokerage: KW - BH



4. Looking for something brand new? This oober hip, contemporary, architectural condo community is surrounded by lush landscaping on the beautiful street of Harper. The open and spacious unit boasts 1,600 square feet with 2 beds and 2 baths, hardwood flooring throughout, high ceilings with walls of glass, stainless steel appliances and a welcoming fireplace. This unit just sold for $149k less than the original list for a price of $649,000. 

 Listing Brokerage: Eric Fonoimoana

Love is Louder

While there are many great causes across the nation and locally here in Tinsletown, a new and worldly movement is taking all age groups and demographics by storm and is out to make a bold statement. With the unexpected string of gay teen suicides in 2010 came a lot of heartache and concern from millions throughout the nation. Strangers, friends, families and groups of concerned citizens came together to spread a message of hope, all aspiring to prevent further tragedies. This activity lead Actress Brittany Snow to starting one of the most respected non-profit organizations of the year.

This brief description can be found on the Facebook page of Love is Louder, in their own words: Love is Louder was started by actress Brittany Snow, The Jed Foundation and MTV to build on the outpouring of support online after the lives of multiple teenagers were lost to suicide in September 2010. This movement strives to amplify the momentum of other inspiring online campaigns and invite anyone who has felt mistreated, misunderstood or isolated into the conversation. We are here to raise the volume around a critical message -- that love and support is more powerful than the external and internal voices that bring us down, cause us pain and make us feel hopeless.

I had the pleasure of attending the first launch event for Love is Louder at the Flagship store of Rock & Republic on Robertson last week. I must say, I am touched by this group and will constantly spread the word of love! You should too!! ; )

***What a Condo!***

While the single family residence market has been extremely active so far in 2011, condo activity is pushing forward with just as much force! Starting today, I will be providing weekly condo updates to keep you fully informed on all aspects of our local real estate market.

1. Let's start off with a Jr. Penthouse listing in the A-list Sierra Towers. This condo property sits high up on the 31st floor and is the largest single (only a few combined units are bigger) unit in the building. Walk into 2300 square feet of luxury accompanied by 2 gracious bedrooms and 3 baths, floor to ceiling windows providing jet liner views throughout, a gourmet kitchen and smart home technology. Buy into this community lined with status for the price of $3,950,000.

Listing Brokerage: Hilton & Hyland

2. A few blocks south of Sierra, the classic community of Empire West is also making room for a new resident. Lined with designer style and recent updates, this 2 bed and 2.5 bath condo comes with plenty of bells and whistles to reinforce the life of luxury. This unit houses 2,246 square feet, built in surround sound, electronic window treatments, insulated black maple hardwood flooring, and 2 large view balconies. Buy into this lifestyle community for an asking price of $1,699,000.

Listing Brokerage: Coldwell Banker - Malibu Colony 

Always Remember Heroes

As posted yesterday, a tragic fire in The Hills lead to the hospitalization of one of the counties finest, Fireman Glenn L. Allen. Sadly, the Southland hero passed away this afternoon due to injuries he was not able to recover from at Cedars-Sinai. Without public servants such as Glenn, our neighborhood, state and country would be at a loss. We must remember every day how important these citizens are to our daily life, our family's well being, and our community.

Let us honor Glenn L. Allen, his family, the entire force at LAFD, and all other heroes who fight to protect our lives every day. We will never forget!

***JUST LISTED***

As the economy continues to pick up momentum, exciting purchase opportunities continue to enter the marketplace. This week brings us a few notable properties and some great deals throughout the community. Whether you are in search of a starter home or your dream estate, we've got a little bit of everything for you today!

1. Starting off in the Beverly Hills Flats, a sprawling 7,400 square foot, 5 bed and 7 bath estate has hit the inventory pool. This Mediterranean Villa is hidden behind beautiful wrought iron gates and comes equipped with a top of the line gourmet kitchen with full Butler's accommodations, wood paneled library, large master suite with its own wet bar, a resort like pool and a detached guest house. This 90210 home can be yours for the price of $8,295,000.

 

Listing Brokerage: Coldwell Banker - BH South

2. On the other side of town we have a more subtle, Spanish styled home in the neighborhood of Hancock Park. This 3 bed 2 bath home is lined with old 1920's charm but updated with today's essential elements. An upgraded kitchen with stainless steel appliances, original and restored hardwood floors throughout, updated lighting and a spacious master suite are all included with this remodeled property. Pick this home up for a mere  $1,120,000.

Listing Brokerage: KW - Marina

3. Back over in the Flats of Beverly Hills, a traditional styled mansion with superb updates has entered the market place. This beautifully upgraded 4 bed 6 bath home comes with 5,300 square feet of living space, detailed paneled walls and crown molding throughout, an over-sized gourmet kitchen with fine marble counter tops, entertainer's sound system, a salt water pool and a 1,000 square foot guest house. All of this can be yours at a list price of $7,695,000.

Listing Brokerage: Coldwell Banker - BH South

4. Just south of Mulholland in the hills of Nichols Canyon, this gated, contemporary property showcases simple and sleek design with a modern touch. Housing 2,277 square feet, this 3 bed 3 bath home is equipped with a media room, gourmet Chef's kitchen, a lovely master bath with heated limestone floors, and a relaxing pool and BBQ area for you to enjoy with guests. This home is offered at a price tag of $2,195,000.

Listing Brokerage: Nourmand & Associates - BH

5.. Over to the west, this home in the Bird Streets has come onto the market with some stunning views for the right buyer! This Mediterranean home features 4 beds and 4 baths, beautiful hardwood floors, floor to ceiling windows, and stellar city & ocean views. With the Bird Streets having some of the higher price tags in all of the hills, many would consider this home to be a bargain at a price point of $1,995,000.

Listing Brokerage: Coldwell Banker - BH South

6. Just a few blocks away, an Architectural property offers a modern lifestyle in The Hills in this 2,700 square feet, single level, view home. Boasting 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, this Bird Streets property showcases what chic, simplistic, Hollywood living is really like! Floor to ceiling windows, ultimate privacy, and a sparkling pool with its own cabana are just a few ways you to enjoy this tucked away pad. Pick this designer home up for a solid $3,200,000.

Listing Brokerage: John Aaroe Group - Beverly Hills

7. Nestled in the hills of Bel Air, this gated, Mediterranean family home offers an indoor/outdoor setting for true California lifestyle living. This 2,800 square foot property includes 4 beds and 3.5 baths, over half an acre of flat & lush land, media room, 600 bottle wine room, gorgeous pool with outdoor shower, and its own basketball court. $3,200,000 is the asking price to make this house your home!

Listing Brokerage: Prudential - BA

8.  Make your way over to the Hancock Park area for a beautifully done, brand new contemporary home which is sure to leave you with the feeling of wow. This property is big on design and even bigger in size! With 4,200 square feet of space, this 5 bed and 5 bath dream home boasts a modern Chef's kitchen, high ceilings, automated Smart technology which controls everything from lighting to music and temperature, built in surround sound, full surveillance, and a zen backyard with a sparkling pool. Pick up this brand new structure for a price point of $2,395,000. 

 Listing Brokerage: KW - Sunset