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.

Coming attractions - real estate, not films

Here are a few listings that are coming up in the next few weeks.  Yes, you can see them now -- just call me.  First, in Burbank's Magnolia Park, 1112 N. Cordova will soon be listed.  We all know this is the hottest neighborhood in Burbank.  Not only are the public schools here particularly excellent, but this area is walking distance from Porto's.  No pics yet, but Cordova is a 2 bed + den, 2.5 bath home with lots of extra bonus square footage next to the garage.  This is classic post-war Burbank with built-in book shelves, a separate dining room, and a huge galley kitchen.  The master bedroom is sizeable, too, as is the backyard.  It needs some elbow grease to make it really shine -- or it can easily be remodeled to today's standards.  It will be on the market in a couple of weeks for $719,000.

Next up is 12412 Rye in Studio City.  This home is a 2+1+big den on a big lot.  The landscaping is super-attractive.  The house has been well-maintained and is perfect for creative people who like to do their own expanding/remodeling.  It will be on the market in mid-June for $890,000.  Here are some pics.

A great Studio City townhouse is also coming in June.  This Coldwater Canyon 2+2.5 is in a 4-unit building with low, low HOAs and is walking distance to everything in the area.  It also features a huge rooftop deck with view -- perfect for summer evening chilling.  Two fireplaces, two balconies, an electric car charger and much more complete the picture.  We're still spiffing up, but currently plan to list it at $530,000.

Interested in these? Please call for a chance to see any of these before they hit the market.

Another great Yelp review for me

Andy and Lynette and I worked together three years ago when they bought their home in the Magnolia Park area of Burbank.  In the meantime, their little family has grown from two kids to three kids and they've completed several remodeling projects on the house.  I recently assisted them again with their refinance transaction and Andy just wrote this wonderful Yelp review for me.  Thanks, A&L!

Judy is a fantastic agent! She helped us buy our home 3 years ago; she made it a clear and low stress process. Even after we closed we've stayed in contact with Judy and she has been an indispensable resource as we worked on a refinance. Judy knows the market and is incredibly supportive. 6 stars for this one; she is the best!

629 N. Keystone in Burbank is open Sunday from 2 to 5!

If you think there's nothing left to buy, you haven't seen this lovely 3+2 in Burbank's Magnolia Park.  Totally upgraded with an open, flexible floor plan and two gorgeous patios, the home also boasts a chef's kitchen and sparkly, saltwater pool.  And it's in Burbank's best neighborhood, too.  Steve and I will be there spinning tunes from 2 to 5 on Sunday. More pictures and info can be found at 629NKeystone.com.

629 N. Keystone, Burbank - great indoor-outdoor flow and 3 beds, 2 baths!

Interactive FloorPlan Presentation

This amazing Magnolia Park home will be on the market tomorrow for $779,000.  Everything you could want is here: cool aesthetic vibe, great indoor-outdoor flow, big rooms, open floor plan, huge pool, beautiful xeriscape with fountains, big 2-car garage, chefs' kitchen and stellar location.  Call me for more details or if you'd like to view it.

Coming soon...Magnolia Park 3+2!

Have you been looking for a single family home in Burbank's Magnolia Park? I just might have something for you.  There are no pictures yet because the sellers are still spiffing it up, and it's not officially on the market until after Labor Day. It has an open floor plan, lots of cool architectural details, two amazing patios, a chef's kitchen and a super saltwater pool, among other things.  It's defined by its unforced naturalness and is certainly not your basic plain vanilla house.

Contact me if you're a serious buyer and if you think this might be right for you.

New listing in Magnolia Park, Burbank

This is 907 N. Lima in Burbank's Magnolia Park. It features 4 beds, 3 baths, 2400 sf and has been completely redone inside.  Lima is one of my favorite streets in this terrific neighborhood, and this house is very close to all the cool stores and restaurants.  Plus, it's in the award-winning Roosevelt Elementary district.  Although it's not my listing, please call me if you want to see it -- it's priced at $918,000.

Another home sale record

Fleur-de-Lys in Holmby Hills (pictured above) sold this week for a record $120,000,000.  This is the highest sale ever recorded in California.  Here on the (cough) other side of town, 848 N. Avon in Burbank has sold and it broke records, too, at least for me.

This Magnolia Park home got eleven offers in 7 days.  Only a couple offers were at asking price.  Only one was below asking price, and everything else was above list. Three were all cash (but the seller chose buyers who got a loan. More about that below.).  The record-breaker here was that everybody was wonderfully qualified.  There were only a couple down payments below 30% and everybody had high FICOs.

Also, seller Todd got some great letters from the prospective buyers.  One couple even put together a charming video. 

Next, the house was priced at $675,000, which was in line with comparable sales and other factors.  However, it sold for $726,500.  Yes, that’s $51,500 over the asking price.  Did it appraise? Not sure, but the “finalists” were all willing to bring in money to close the gap if it didn’t appraise to value.

Third, we had 213 people at the open house and almost all seemed to be serious buyers.  I usually get quite a turn-out at my open houses, but this was a record for me.

Fourth, it was a three-week escrow.  This is due to the incredible Mark Young and his staff at Prospect Mortgage, and also the courtesy of the buyers.

The escrow process went very well.  The buyers and their wonderful agent, Robert Louis, were completely terrific throughout.  But the most terrific of all was my seller, Todd.   He staged the home beautifully – it doesn’t hurt that he is an art director – and really was extremely thoughtful in picking the buyers from the great offers we had.  Todd did want the highest dollar, of course, and the finalists were so, so close to each other in numbers.  But he also wanted a family that would really make the house a home and love it like he did.  Good on ya, Todd.  Here’s wishing the best of luck to both Todd and buyers Robin and Jay. 

Multiple offers for my Magnolia Park/Burbank listing

Burbank's Magnolia Park is way hot. Yes, we received multiple offers (eleven) for this nice home at 848 N.Avon in Burbank and we are now in escrow.  I was very pleasantly surprised at how qualified almost all of the would-be buyers are/were.  Last Sunday's open house was attended by 213 people -- a record turnout -- and most appeared to be serious buyers, not just looky-loos.  If you attended the open house, thanks so much for coming.

Record-breaking turnout at my open house today in Burbank's Magnolia Park

I held 848 N. Avon in Burbank open today, and it was the busiest open house I've ever had.  We had 213 people through.  My previous record was 198, last year on Cordova.  I think this is due to the low level of house-for-sale inventory -- many, many qualified buyers, not so many sellers.