Just listed: adorable "Snow White" cottage in Burbank for $759,000

Judy Graff Properties' agent Dayna Cussler has just listed this cutie at 313 N. Hollywood Way, in the middle of Burbank's media district. Rumor has it that this home, and the several other "Snow White" cottages like it on the block, were designed and built by Disney artists.  It has been repurposed for today's standards with an open beam ceiling, big open kitchen with all-new counter tops and appliances, redone bath and two bedrooms.  Of course, there is HVAC, swanky light fixtures, a fireplace, and brand new wood floors.  There's a sunny backyard and a parking pad from the alley as well.  The location is stellar too -- it's close to one of the outstanding Burbank public schools and is a short distance to both the studios and Toluca Lake.  The property specs are: built in 1950, 840 sf, 2500+ sf lot, and a list price of $759,000. For a private showing, please call or text Dayna at 818-590-5944.

Another Burbank flip sold

Dayna Cussler listed this classic flip at 229 N. Whitnall, Burbank 91505 and sold it just five weeks later for $795,000.  The buyers (one of whom is a real estate agent) were thrilled to be getting a house in the coveted Stevenson Elementary school district.  The 1,037 square hoot house features a redone kitchen and bath, 2 bedrooms, den, and large lot.  Nice work, Dayna!

You say there aren't any affordable homes in great neighborhoods? Check out 229 Whitnall in Burbank.

Judy Graff Properties' agent Dayna Cussler has just listed this sweet traditional at 229 Whitnall in Burbank.  It features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1037 sf. and a family room/bonus room.  As you see, the period details are still there but everything else has been refreshed. It has a big backyard (7500 sf lot), is in a great school area, and is ripe for an addition or ADU.  And -- it is listed for $795,000.  This makes it a steal compared to other similarly-sized L.A. properties.  If you think this is for you, come see this at the open houses on March 14 and 15 from 1:00 to 4:00 each day.

609 E. Palm in Burbank just sold

I helped my buyer, Ed, find this fabulous condo in Burbank and it closed just yesterday.  Ed was recently widowed, and moved all the way from Maryland to live closer to his daughter and her family. This unit is truly special as it not only has 2 beds and 2 baths, but the kitchen and baths have been redone, there's a loft office/bonus space, and best of all, a big private roof-top deck.  Ed now has a place to entertain his grandson and he is looking forward to putting down roots in Burbank.  Congrats, Ed!

I will miss you, Starr and Alex

Remember Egbert? Whose house I had for sale? The humans above are his parents, Starr and Alex.  I met Starr and Alex six years ago when I helped them find their first home in Burbank.  We've stayed in touch and have had a lot of laughs over the years.  And I've been honored to sell their home at 2112 Hilton, pictured in another post below.  We listed the house in early July, had an open house which 116 people attended, and accepted an offer from another great couple later that week.  The escrow only took three weeks.  I will miss Starr and Alex -- their good humor, their sensibilities, and the fun we had when we got together.  Good luck, guys, and I hope to visit you in WA some day soon.

Need a home in Burbank? With three beds, 2 baths, and $825,000? 2112 Hilton is now on the market

If anybody you know has been hoping for an affordable 3 bedroom home in Burbank, this is it: 2112Hilton.com.  It features 3 beds, 2 baths, a redone kitchen, redone baths, fireplace, two car garage, quiet neighborhood, pergola, vegetable beds and more.  It is also very close to excellent schools and a short drive to all that Burbank has to offer.  You'll want to put your personal stamp on this, but it's in move-in condition.  At $825,000, it's priced to sell.  This is Egbert's (see below) former home.

I guess the Burbank real estate market isn't that bad...

This is 500 Amherst, Burbank 91504.  It closed today for $1,900,00 -- $51,000 over the purchase price.  It sold in two days and closed today.  The house is so special that I have been calling it a unicorn.  My sellers are unicorns, too -- they gave me such a nice place to sell and they are all so smart and kind.  I have known them for years and will have a post about them in the next day or two.

We also had unicorn buyers -- they were exactly who we wanted to have in the house.  They were direct in knowing what they wanted and made us a dream offer.  They're pretty delightful people, too.  Their agent, Sam Zadori, is also a one-of-a-kind genuis Realtor and was completely on top of things.  That's Sam and buyer Jeff, below.  Thank you so much for such a great transaction, folks!

Wish you were here? You can be. 500 Amherst Drive in Burbank is on the market.

Here's the unicorn house that I've been promising.  This is 500 Amherst Dr. in Burbank, the land of quiet neighborhoods and excellent schools. Check out more pics at 500Amherst.com.  This beauty will be open on Saturday, May 4, from 2 to 5.  Features include 4 bedrooms, including both an upstairs and downstairs master suite, 5 bathrooms, an open plan kitchen-den-dining area (the kitchen has everything you could want), a formal living room, built-ins, office, bonus/exercise room, mud room, huge garage and all upgraded systems.  Outside, a big, green backyard leads to a 20x40 saltwater pool and entertainers' patio.  I could go on and on, but perhaps you'll come see for yourself?

Is the housing market going to crash soon?

Every day, somebody tells me that the housing market is going to crash.  I am not an economist or statistician, so take the following with a grain of salt.  With all due respect to the experts, I just don't see the fundamentals necessary for a crash in the near future.  

• First, yes, our housing price rises here in CA can't go on forever.  I said that in 2006, too.  Prices are now above what they were in 2008, though. Housing prices are high due to two factors in L.A.: 1) not enough inventory, and 2) there's a lot of money concentrated here.
• Currently, unemployment is low.  It would have to go up by several points to have an impact on local housing sales.  Last time, it was 8%-9% before we saw a lot of foreclosures here.
• Interest rates are still relatively low.  When I started in this business, interest rates for mortgage loans were around 8%.
• Banks and lending institutions have tightened up quite a bit and are no longer giving mortgage loans to anybody that can fog a mirror.  Buyers now have to show that they can actually pay a mortgage back.
• Even at the height of the Great Recession, home prices here in the Southland, in areas with desirable housing stock, low crime, and good schools, only went down an average of 8%.  Do the math -- even if there's a 10% price reduction, say, in Sherman Oaks, Studio City, or Burbank, an $800,000 home here will be selling for $720,000.  That's not really enough of  difference to make a home super-affordable.

Again, I'm not an expert, but I know what I see.  Could there be cataclysmic event that turns the market on its ear? Sure, but if that happens, we will all have bigger fish to fry than housing prices.  And on that cheery note...feel free to challenge my assumptions or ask questions.

House of the week! 3510 Chandler, Burbank

I'm going to start picking a "house of the week" to feature in this blog (don't hold me to this weekly timetable, though).  The home will be in the L.A. area, and will hopefully be unique in one or more ways.  To start--

This one is for every buyer who believes that there is no such thing as a home for sale in Burbank under $700,000 anymore.  You're right.  But the exception proves the rule, and 3510 W. Chandler in Burbank is a great exception for the right buyer.  It is listed (not by me) for $584,500.  That's less expensive than many condos and townhomes in similar areas these days.

Chandler has a lot more to offer than meets the eye budget.  Yes, the house is small -- 809 sf., 2 beds and 1 bath.  And it's on a small lot -- 2,589 sf.  That's bigger than a lot of townhomes and condos, though.  It has a one-car garage (there is lots of street parking around here too), wood-burning fireplace, a/c, laundry room and little yard.  These homes on this stretch of Chandler are little gems.  They were built along the railroad tracks as starter homes back in the 1940's.  The railroad tracks are long gone, and a gorgeous -- and famous -- bike/walking path has replaced it.  The home is also walking distance to all of Magnolia Park's attractions.  Did I mention the great schools in Burbank?  

Of course, buyers, call me if you would like to tour this home.  It's going to be a terrific choice for buyers who are looking for a condo-alternative, or investors who want those hard-to-find, relatively inexpensive rental properties in great areas.  

Curbed has selected San Pedro as neighborhood of the year!

Every year, Curbed LA runs a neighborhood contest in which their readers select the best livable L.A. neighborhood.  This year, our own little Burbank almost won. (Finally, some recognition for Burbank.)  But at the end, it was beaten out by...San Pedro! Check the link here.

I actually sold a home in San Pedro this year.  Before that, I just thought it was an industrial port with cruise ship berths.  My buyer clients, who knew better than I did, convinced me otherwise.  Once I went down there, I became impressed by the housing stock and the affordability.  Many of the homes, including the one my clients purchased, are on the hill and have views of the harbor.  Yes, it's a bit far away from many attractions, but the Ports of Call development is getting a huge face lift, so new and better entertainment and dining options will be coming very soon.  Good on ya, San Pedro!  And hopefully Burbank will win the Curbed contest next year.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

3rd anniversary of Judy Graff Properties, Inc.!

Today marks the 3rd anniversary of the formation of Judy Graff Properties.  Three years ago, I made the move away from large agencies and opened my own full-service real estate company.  I have never looked back.  JGP is slowly growing, but will always be providing the difference, and leading with a heart for service.  Thanks to all the clients and agents that have made this endeavor such a success!
Graphic courtesy of Steve, of course.

Another great Yelp review

I love Abhi and Shweta.  I've seen them purchase their first home and now, their second home.  I've known them since they just had one baby -- now, they have two kids and the oldest is almost as tall as me.  Both of them are smart, focused and practical.  It has been an honor to work with them.  

Judy helped my husband and me buy two houses.  She is a very sweet and skillful lady with a golden heart. I absolutely love her and her smart way of working. 

She understand the importance of time, therefore she will not show you any random house. She will first understand you and your choices and then filter the houses that will best match your requirement, your taste and also is a very good house according to Market.

The Best thing I like about Judy is her HONEST OPINION. She don't care about making more and more money, all she cares about is to do right what is right for you. 

I over looked and missed a lot of things in my both houses but nothing skipped from her eyes. The way she analyzed things and looked at every single details, shows her amazingly deep knowledge and experience in this business.

She entered in our life 9 years earlier as a agent but now she is like a family to me
She is an absolutely pleasure to work with and will HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY  Highly recommend her.

It was all about the schools -- 2023 Karen in Burbank just closed

Do people move for good schools? Yup. Does moving to a particular school district guarantee admission in that school?  Nope.  My clients, the Guptas, bought a house nine years ago in Burbank.  That home is in a good school area, but they wanted an even better school area for their growing family. So they looked in the Jefferson School area within Burbank and found 2023 Karen St.  They had made offers on other properties before that hadn't been accepted, so we were thrilled when we were told the sellers had picked our offer.  It was the right size -- five bedrooms -- and was just up the street from the school.

However, we were saddened to learn that Jefferson School was full and not taking any other new students.  Yes, that can happen in public schools as well as charters and private schools.  The Gupta children were wait-listed with no promises given of ever getting into Jefferson.  The family decided to roll the dice and purchase the house anyway.  But by some sort of magic (that's the only thing we can figure), they received a call last week telling them that there was room for the kids in the school! Whew! I am sure the family will be really happy in the new home and at the new school.

I know you are tired of hearing about the run up in So.Cal. home prices, but...

Here's another L.A.Times article which confirms your fears about low inventory and high prices.  I think I showed the home in Burbank that the article references.  I couldn't believe it was listed that high.  What to do? If you are a seller, sell (call me first).  If you are a buyer...no easy answers here.
Photo courtesy of Luis Sinco/L.A. Times

Another open house, another tailgate party.

See more pics at 427Orange308.com. Thanks so everybody that stopped by!

Glamorous downtown Burbank condo listing tomorrow

Wanna live close to all the action in downtown Burbank? I have a gorgeous, redone, top-floor condo coming on the market tomorrow.  The address is 427 E. Orange Grove, #308.  It features 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, redone kitchen and bathrooms, high ceilings, balcony/patio, 2 side-by-side parking spaces, and a view of the mountains.  Even better: it will list for $490,000 and the HOA is only $325/month.  It is walking distance to restaurants, movies, the public library, shopping, gyms and more.  On Saturdays, the Burbank Farmers Market is right across the street.  It will be open for brokers on Thursday and open for the public from 1:00 to 4:00 on Sunday. Check out more pics and details at www.427orange308.com.

Debbie Reynolds was from Burbank

This week has marked the sad and sudden passing of Carrie Fisher and her mother, Debbie Reynolds.  Debbie grew up in our little Burbank and above is a picture of her in front of her childhood home.  It is located at 1034 N. Evergreen.  I have sold it twice in the last 14 years -- first to a buyer (not related to the Fisher or Reynolds family) and then sold it for the same person 10 years later. It still has that little touch of mid-century glamour.  As you see from comparing the picture above and below, the outside has barely changed, which is a charming hallmark of many Magnolia Park and Burbank homes.  Although the house has been remodeled over the decades, the inside still has many of the same features that it did when Debbie grew up there, too.

1112 Cordova in Burbank sold off-market yesterday

This is my listing at 1112 N. Cordova in Burbank and it closed escrow yesterday.  It wasn't on the market; I advertised it privately to a few Realtors with the right type of clients -- ones that wanted to do some work to a house.  We got a dream offer -- $700,000 in cash, no inspections, no contingencies, and a free 29-day rent-back for the sellers.  There were some hitches in the escrow, of course, but everything worked out at the end.  Whew!

And the Burbank townhouse goes to...Daniel and Linda!

Clients Daniel and Linda just closed their purchase of a Sarah Street townhouse in Burbank.  These units, and the adjacent units on Kling, have been wildly popular since long before I got into real estate.  They are on the Toluca Lake-side of Burbank. Most of the units are about 1500 square feet and they have attached two-car garages.  HOA dues are low, and there are a couple of pools in the complex.

Some of these units are real showplaces.  Not Daniel and Linda's though -- it needed a lot of work.  But the two buyers are really creative, and really brave, so I'm sure they'll make it into something beautiful.  Yes, we faced a bidding war.  But D&L wrote a wonderful letter to the seller about themselves and what they planned to do to the unit.  That seemed to do the trick.  Plus, both buyers and the seller are in the entertainment industry and as we all know, like attracts like.

There were a couple of other challenges as well.  The buyers were getting their loan through Partners (Disney's) credit union.  Sometimes credit unions can take forever to close a loan, but not this one.  We closed right on time.  Plus, the popcorn ceiling has asbestos in it -- yikes! The first thing the buyers will be redoing is the ceiling. Congratulations again, Daniel and Linda, and I can't wait to see how you improve the place.