Kane Lim and Chrishell Stause

Kane Lim of Netflix’s Bling Empire, now filming seasons 2 and 3, is selling his stunning Northeast home in LA. With plaster and light oak wood incorporated throughout the house’s design, the property reflects the ideal peaceful California lifestyle. The home originally designed in midcentury style has now seamlessly incorporated a new style, some elements with Japanese and Scandinavian influence, brought to life by Only Way Is Up (OWIU) architectural firm.

Photo Credit: Zillow

Photo Credit: Zillow

The recently listed celebrity property is represented by Yonathan Canete Baltazar of The Agency alongside Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause of The Oppenheim Group who has sold several celebrity homes throughout the Netflix series. Currently listed at $1.8M, the stylish residence offers plenty of space throughout the three bedrooms and two bedrooms while allowing for combined indoor-outdoor living.

When asked about the difference between selling a celebrities home and normal real estate, Yonathan told Haute Residence that "There’s definitely way more attention and focus on who the seller is, but the sale process is the same, providing exceptional service is and always will be at the center for me.”

Photo Credit: Zillow

Each bedroom is a tranquil space of its own. Within the primary suite, potential buyers will find built-in wardrobes, lovely views, and a thoughtfully designed bathroom that flows into the home’s outdoor oasis. The property’s interior features a sleek kitchen with smart LG matte black appliances and Brizo fixtures leading into the elegant living room flooded with natural light. Outdoors, the house features a Japanese garden with lovely bonsai and maple trees along with benching surrounding a cozy fire pit situated in a large open space.

Photo Credit: Zillow

Aside from the visually appealing minimalistic design, the property offers a desirable location close to Highland Park and Mount Washington Elementary. With the latest season of Selling Sunset coming out next week, we can expect to see plenty more stunning homes in the L.A. area represented by Chrishell Stause.

Haute Residence asked Kane Lim why he chose to work with Chrishell and Yonathan. “Yonathan has a lot of knowledge in that area of real estate. He’s a young and aspiring agent and he financed the house, so it’s fair that we share the profits together," he said. "I’m on Bling Empire and Chrishell is on Selling Sunset, and since we’re on the same Netflix network, I thought it would be good to power up and have the three of us market it together. Yes, it’s a smaller property than usual, but there is so much strength in building hype. Chrishell, Yonathan, and I had so much fun doing the campaign and there were a lot of synergies together.”

If you’re interested in this particular residence, there are three open houses taking place over the next week to explore the property.

The post Bling Empire Meets Selling Sunset With The Listing Of A Million Dollar Home In L.A. appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Sean "Diddy" Combs

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Sean Combs, notably recognized by his multiple stage names Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Puffy, or Diddy, is an American rapper, record executive, record producer, and entrepreneur. The hip hop musician was romantically involved with model and actress Kim Porter for 13 years and the celebrity couple had four children together. In 2009, Combs purchased a mansion in Los Angeles’s Toluca Lake for $5.3 million which would become a longtime residence for Porter.

However, Porter unfortunately passed away in her home at the age of 46 due to pneumonia. Now, three years after her passing, the dwelling is being listed by Combs for $7 million. The affluent neighborhood is also home to various other public figures such as Sia, Viola Davis, Steve Carell, and Billy Ray Cyrus. Combs also owns a second residence in Los Angeles.

Built in 2006, the Lake Toluca mansion rests on half an acre of picturesque land and offers 9,600 square feet of living space with six bedrooms and seven baths. The East Coast traditional opens to a two-story foyer with a stunning spiral staircase. The interior floor plan presents a grand great room, a luxurious living area, and a double-height ceiling family room. Further into the space rests the expansive kitchen equipped with a gorgeous marble island.

Upstairs, the second floor presents six bedrooms and several baths. The primary ensuite bedroom leads into a connected bath with pretty pink colored walls. Stepping outside, the exterior highlights a family-sized pool, relaxing spa, lush landscape, and a sizeable patio with a cozy fireplace for lounging. Additional luxe amenities include a sports court, three-car garage, and optimal privacy with gated surroundings and a 24-hour security system.

Carl Gambino with Compass holds the listing for this property.

For more on the latest in luxury real estate, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Leaving Toluca Lake: Diddy Lists $7 Million L.A. Mansion Where Kim Porter Passed appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

9955 Beverly Grove Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Photo Credit: Hilton & Hyland

The momentum coming into 2021 was unlike anything we have experienced before. In Q1 alone, Hilton & Hyland sold over $249 million worth of listings priced at $10 million and above while the demand for quality homes has consistently increased. When the pandemic arrived in the U.S. last spring, buyers set their sights on privacy, fresh air and neighborhoods less densely populated, with areas like Malibu and the Pacific Palisades taking the lead. Malibu, prized for its private beaches and cool ocean breeze, and the Palisades for the typical large backyards and Pacific horizon views, both towns have seen have seen a dramatic influx of interest and multiple offers for nearly every address.

Our market is the hottest it has been since 2006, and all of this is happening without the presence of international buyers. While most business is being done domestically, when global interests and investments return to the states, our market will truly be the #1 market in the world. Whether it is Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Holmby Hills or the Valley, we should expect an even more bustling and active market when international buyers return to the scene.

While inventory remains at record lows, Hilton & Hyland continues our dominance in the luxury real estate space. Currently representing over $2.3 billion worth of listings priced at $25 million and above, property values remain at all-time highs and we are still firmly in a seller’s market. Not only is Los Angeles experiencing incredible sales prices, sellers are still looking for homes of every type in the city – high-rise condos, palatial estates, starter homes, canyon compounds, and historical gems, to name a few.

For more information, please contact Jeff Hyland at 310-278-3311 or jeff@hiltonhyland.com

Jeff Hyland is the exclusive agent representing the Bel Air, California real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

The post Jeff Hyland: Update Of Luxury Real Estate In Los Angeles And Hilton & Hyland Sales appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Jenna Dewan

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

The house, built in 2018, is 7,240 square feet in total (including a separate guesthouse in the backyard), with six bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms.

It features oak hardwood floors, with glass sliders facilitating an indoor-outdoor style of modern Los Angeles living that includes smart-home technology that breathes throughout the mansion.

Other details on the ground floor include a fireplace with a floor-to-ceiling black stone mantel in the living room, a wine closet enclosed in glass, eat-in kitchen, a fifth bedroom that can work as a den.

The master bedroom has its own fireplace, a sitting area, a walk-in closet, a spa-style bathroom, and a lovely L-shaped balcony.

Outside in the backyard, a raised infinity pool, outdoor kitchen with a bar and putting green, and the LA views will provide Dewan with plenty of comforts.

For more on celebrity real estate news, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Jenna Dewan Buys $4.7 Million Home In LA’s Encino Neighborhood appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

They were hosted by Haute Living's April Donelson. Watch the full webinar below.

Highlight quotes:

Alison Melton: "As I tell a lot of my clients where we have to make a market sometimes, reach out and find those sellers, match the buyers and the sellers, I am so grateful to have had that experience on the big trading floors in New York and putting together those deals because that has really served me extremely well during this market. The great thing about living where we live is we are only six hours from Palm Beach. We can get in the car and drive to where we want: Charlotte, Atlanta, We are 30 minutes from Savannah, an hour and a half from Charleston, and four hours to the mountains. It gives us that flexibility... We have been focused on luxury real estate in the Hilton Head and Bluffton area. Here, in particular, we have a lot of the gated communities, the private communities focused mainly on golf, tennis, boating, and equestrian pursuits."

Kathleen Floryan: "We have three bodies of water around here, so it's a desirable area not only for boating purposes but different lifestyles. In the luxury realm, I've been focused on gated golf course communities... My focus has been predominantly on the luxury side of things. We have three bodies of water around here, so that becomes a very desirable area for not only boating purposes but also because of different lifestyles. There's the ocean, there's Intracoastal, and there's the St Johns River all along which waterfront properties, as we all know, are very desirable. In the luxury realm, I've been focused on golf course communities gated golf course communities... We are seeing a huge influx of businesses into the Jacksonville area that didn't consider Florida before, or as Jacksonville has been known as the gateway into Florida, we're starting to see more and more people finding it to be logistically smart [to come here]."

Taryn Pisaneschi: "[Over the last year,] we reconnected with the lifestyle and the demand here. You get used to showing these properties with the amazing backyards and you forget people can be walking along the Intracoastal and they don't need to have the backyards and the pools; they have these amazing views... We were able to show everyone what we did during Covid to prepare for the surge. [This includes] figuring out how we coexist, how we do virtual sales presentations better, and just loving where we live, not just personally but being able to convey that professionally, being more intentional with our time, what tools we're bringing on how we communicate value. And then, the market exploded... My husband and I have been in business together for pretty much 20 years. We founded and sold several businesses, and that foundation and commitment to customer service has been paramount to our success in real estate."

Kathryn Shafer: "I used to have my own brokerage business, and then 2008 happened, so life has changed on many levels. Now, I hang my license with Keller Williams and the luxury division there. I worked my office as a legacy business, as a family office. I work with clients that I've had for many years and selling real estate since the 1990s. I've worked with the business managers and the CPAs so I can market and sell their multi-million dollar homes in the Bel-Air and Brentwood areas, but I also love first-time buyers; it's a passion for me. So I work with their kids when they graduate from USC and UCLA, working for that first-time condo in Downtown Los Angeles, or their starter home out in the San Fernando Valley... The sense of belonging that Los Angeles has really realized, and what the terrible last 12 months have been, [all this has] brought so many of us closer together. People are really learning to love the city again and it a completely different way."

To watch more real estate webinars curated by Haute Residence, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

Top: Alison Melton, Kathleen Floryan. Bottom: Kathryn Shafer, Taryn Pisaneschi

The post Watch: “Coast To Coast” Real Estate Webinar #13 By Haute Residence appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Ariana Grande

Photo Credit: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/ariana-grande-58th-grammy-awards-held-378698653

The off-market transaction for the hillside property located at the end of a generous driveway is the latest addition by Grande to her real estate portfolio.

While the house is not too large in size (it's a 1,590 sq. ft., 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom cottage), the "Side to side" singer will have ample space in the 0.74-acre lot that encompasses three parcels, surrounded by tall hedges and trees for privacy, and with unobstructed views. The large swimming pool and redbrick patio add to the LA charm of the property.

Along with her fiancé Dalton Gomez, Grande will be able to give the home her personal touch. Last year, she purchased another home in the Hollywood Hills on Thrasher Avenue for $13.7 million, and followed that just a month later with an estate in Montecito. The latter was purchased from TV star Ellen DeGeneres for $6.8 million.

For more stories on Ariana Grande and other celebrity real estate news, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Ariana Grande Buys Bird Streets Home For $9 Million appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

670 Perugia Way, Los Angeles, CA 90077, listed by Ernie Carswell

Photo Credit: Jonathan Golden

“I am so proud of the City of West Hollywood.  Of all the Los Angeles regional townships, West Hollywood has been visionary in its development plan for the beautification of the famous Sunset Strip retail & restaurant locations. Impressive world-class hotels have located here. Parks and broad avenues have been created. West Hollywood is a joy.” - Ernie Carswell, West Hollywood, CA.

22065 Pacific Coast Hwy, Unit 1, Malibu, CA 90265, Listed by Jeff Chertow

Photo Credit: Marcelo Lagos

"Malibu is still one of the most sought after locations in the world. I believe that prices will continue to increase as inventory is low. In 2020 we saw an influx of people moving to Malibu and I believe that people who have moved here have realized what an incredible place Malibu is." - Jeff Chertow, Malibu, CA.

Miramar Beach, Montecito, CA 93108, listed by Cristal Clarke

Photo Credit: David Palermo

“Montecito has seen exceptionally strong sales volumes in 2020 as the urban flight into our local communities continues. This, combined with increased Buyer activity from local homeowners, is expected to continue in the early part of 2021 and I see no reason for it to be otherwise.” - Cristal Clarke, Montecito, CA.

3555 Shaw Ranch Road, Pasadena CA 91107, listed by Tim Durkovic

Photo Credit: Mark Liddell

“Based on what has been happening as we close out 2020, I fully expect the Pasadena market to continue to thrive into 2021. Our median price just broke 1M and we are still seeing tight inventory, which is leading to multiple offers on many transactions at every price point! There is an influx of people wanting to live in Pasadena from the more western areas of LA because buyers typically can get more space, more house for their money, and a fantastic overall quality of life, all while still being minutes to everything.” - Tim Durkovic, Pasadena, CA.

Montecito, CA, listed by Wendy Gragg

Photo Credit: David Palermo Photography

“November marked the 13^th consecutive month of very low inventory and it set an all-time record low of only 1.99 months of supply.  Buyers, especially from Los Angeles and San Francisco have created a record-breaking year in sales revenue in 2020.  I expect to see low supply and strong demand continue into 2021.” - Wendy Gragg, Santa Barbara, CA.

2576 Bowmont Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, listed by Jeff Hyland

Photo Credit: Hilton & Hyland

“Just as the Spanish Flu gave birth to the Roaring Twenties, we feel the years ahead have many records that will be broken. Buyers who want to be in here have multiple residences and California Taxes aren’t any concern.” - Jeff Hyland, Bel-Air, CA.

650 Picacho Lane, Montecito, CA 93108, listed by Joyce Rey

Photo Credit: Roy Gelbart | One Shot Productions

“I am anticipating that 2021 will be the best year ever for Luxury Real Estate in Southern California. Normally December is a relatively quiet month! However, the Joyce Rey team is currently negotiating five properties between five and $20 million, which is an extraordinary number at any time! Both hope and optimism are evident with vaccines on the horizon! An improving economy and renewed focus on the home environment will spur residential investments in 2021!” - Joyce Rey, Beverly Hills, CA.

Beach House, 1300 The Strand, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, listed by Cindy Shearin

Photo Credit: Linda Cotter

“With the new year upon us, we expect a continuing robust market in the greater South Bay. Luckily, real estate here has been hot for both the buyer and the seller during the 2020 pandemic. This has been largely due to our area's desirability in which to live, low inventory, and minimal new construction." - Cindy Shearin, South Bay area, CA.

4639 Gorham Drive, Corona del Mar, CA 92625, listed by Timothy Norman Tamura

Photo Credit: Andrew Bramasco

“The overall Corona del Mar market has seen a 32% increase in sales for 2020 vs. 2019.  The year over year growth in Corona del Mar can be attributed in part to pent up demand following the initial pause caused by Covid-19, migration from dense urban metro markets, i.e. NY, LA, SF, and historically low-interest rates.  The foregoing factors have placed pressure on the already strained inventory.  For 2021, it appears the current pace will continue, unless and until inventory and demand are more in equilibrium.” - Timothy Norman Tamura, Corona del Mar, CA.

12776 Aurora PL #3, Playa Vista, CA 90293, listed by Kris Zacuto

Photo Credit: Hilton & Hyland

"We anticipate seeing current trends continue with a slight rise in home sales and home prices in most Silicon Beach areas - such as Westchester, Mar Vista and Playa Del Rey. Playa Vista home sales should also maintain similar levels in 2021 although prices behave a bit differently in that market as home and condo prices are seeing decreases year over year." - Kris Zacuto, Silicon Beach, CA.

The post Southern California Real Estate Expectations For 2021 appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

This newly constructed, completely updated home is a one-of-a-kind offering. Part of an original 13.75 acres estate, once subdivided, the property retained the 1894 original barn and a subsequent 1955 bungalow. The current owners creatively incorporated both structures into a newly developed 4-bedroom estate, retaining but completely restoring the barn as the centerpiece of the home. The trussed ceilings became the inspiration for the new design, resulting in a beautiful modern farmhouse feel throughout. There is one primary suite, with large spa-like bath and walk-in closet and 2 additional junior suites. A fourth guest room, bath and office complete the one-level living. The gourmet kitchen, open to the main living space with double fireplace, has disappearing walls of glass that open to a large covered patio leading to the immaculate back yard. Fountains and a firepit compliment the landscape for quintessential indoor/outdoor living. Custom stonework, designer finishes and a soothing color palette create a sense of escape. Situated behind gates, a circular drive with plenty of off-street parking leads to an oversized, attached 2-car garage. Located minutes to the conveniences of town, this home must be seen to fully be appreciated.

Address: 1490 S Marengo Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106

Price: $3,488,000

For more information, please contact Tim Durkovic at 310.738.8098 or tim@thedurkovicgroup.com

Tim Durkovic is the exclusive agent representing the Pasadena, CA real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

Photo Credit: Mark Liddell

Photo Credit: Mark Liddell

Photo Credit: Mark Liddell

Photo Credit: Mark Liddell

Photo Credit: Mark Liddell

Photo Credit: Mark Liddell

Photo Credit: Mark Liddell

Photo Credit: Mark Liddell

Photo Credit: Mark Liddell

Photo Credit: Mark Liddell

The post A Newly Constructed Home In Pasadena By Tim Durkovic appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Enter this elegant and well appointed Traditional home offering 6 bedrooms and 5 baths. Dramatic two-story entry with gracious curved staircase. Formal living room leads to family room with fireplace and bar. Gourmet kitchen with top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances and separate breakfast area that opens to large backyard. Main bedroom upstairs has fireplace and sumptuous bath with dual sinks and dual walk-in closets. This home is extremely light and bright throughout. Private and beautifully landscaped resort-like yard with large swimming pool, spa and fountains. Large patio areas include outdoor fireplace and built-in BBQ with bar sink and fridge. This home is a great family home and is perfect for entertaining. 3 car garage.

Website www.9787Donington.com

Address: 9787 Donington Place, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Price: $3,950,000

For more information, please contact Myra Nourmand at 310-888-3333 or myranourmand@nourmand.com

Myra Nourmand is the exclusive agent representing the Los Angeles, California real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her listings here.

Photo Credit: Jeff Elson

Photo Credit: Jeff Elson

Photo Credit: Jeff Elson

Photo Credit: Jeff Elson

Photo Credit: Jeff Elson

Photo Credit: Jeff Elson

Photo Credit: Jeff Elson

The post An Elegant Home In Beverly Hills By Myra Nourmand appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The real estate expert was hosted by Haute Living's Seth Semilof. Watch the video recording of the interview below.

Here are the upcoming Haute Residence live webinars:

Friday, April 17th at 2PM EST will feature an international panel. From Los Angeles to Aspen to Paris, Haute Residence hosts a live webinar with four of the top Coldwell Banker real estate agents worldwide: Joyce Rey, Cyd Greer, Carrie Wells, and Laurent Demeure. REGISTER HERE.

Also on the 17th at 4PM EST, Haute Residence heads once again to the Pacific coast for a live webinar with California real estate expert agents Ben Bacal, Dana Bambace, Ernie Carswell, David Gemme, and Shelton Wilder. REGISTER HERE.

On Monday, April 20th at 2PM EST, two of New York City's biggest names in real estate, Adam Modlin and Richard Steinberg, will be together in an exclusive webinar. REGISTER HERE.

See the video of today's webinar with Kirman above.

Highlight quotes from Kirman:

"In general, LA and southern California are positioned well for when we get out of the pandemic."

"In general, now is the time to regroup, take the time to organize and structure. If there's ever a time to think out of the box, it's today."

"We need to prove our value more than ever. Understand the nuances that the buyers and sellers don't know themselves."

"When 2008 hit, I changed my model completely. What I learned was that in any market, whether good or bad, you can always succeed."

Watch other Haute Residence webinars about the latest on the real estate market in national and international markets at dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Aaron Kirman Talks California Real Estate During Quarantine In Live Webinar By Haute Residence appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The power team at The Agency and stars of “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” (the new season of the Bravo TV hit show starts on May 26th at 10PM EST) that has over $1.2 billion of value in properties in their current listing portfolio were hosted by Haute Living's Seth Semilof for a conversation that touched upon different areas of the Los Angeles market. If you wish to see it again or missed the live viewing, see it further below.

Here are the upcoming Haute Residence live webinars this week:

On Thursday, April 16th at 3PM EST, we will feature a live webinar with Aaron Kirman, the star of CNBC's "Listing Impossible" who has sold over $6.5 billion in properties during his career. He is President of the International Estates Division at Compass Realty, and the top agent in LA for the past decade, and in the top 10 nationwide. REGISTER HERE.

Also on Thursday, April 16th at 4PM EST, California real estate expert agents with billions in career sales Ben Bacal, Dana Bambace, Ernie Carswell, David Gemme, and Shelton Wilder will weigh in on the state of the real estate market there. REGISTER HERE.

Friday, April 17th at 2PM EST will feature an international panel. From Los Angeles to Aspen to Paris, Haute Residence hosts a live webinar with four of the top Coldwell Banker real estate agents worldwide: Joyce Rey, Cyd Greer, Carrie Wells, and Laurent Demeure. REGISTER HERE.

See the video of today's webinar above. About the panelists:

• David Parnes has previously been named in Variety’s Showbiz Real Estate Elite in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019 and The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 25 Agents in the same years. Together with James, David has also been named on The Wall Street Journal’s REAL Trends list for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
• James Harris began as a residential investment agent in the United Kingdom before heading to Los Angeles. With his partner David, James specializes in high-end residential real estate and investment properties in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Hollywood Hills, Malibu, Pacific Palisades and the greater Los Angeles region.

Highlight quotes:

James Harris: "We are setting up for the future as the market continues to carry on. Those that are taking this time as a vacation are making a big mistake. You have to stay creative."

David Parnes: "California has so much to offer. Once the lockdown is over, I believe we will see an influx of activity, huge demand, and many transactions: a quick recovery."

Watch other Haute Residence webinars about the latest on the real estate market in national and international markets at dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Watch: David Parnes And James Harris Join Haute Residence In Live Webinar On LA Real Estate During Quarantine appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

To make sense of all the latest trends in Los Angeles’ real estate, Haute Residence talked to Lisa Optican, Luxury Estates Director at Compass.

Prices in the Los Angeles market are soaring up, reaching record levels. Some experts say this cues to a healthy recovery from the Great Recession, others express worry of possibly another bubble. What’s your take on the rising prices?

I think the soaring prices in Los Angeles are a reflection of the shortage of inventory. Los Angeles is in a unique position because it draws all types of business and commerce, the weather is stunning, and there is a limited amount of quality homes in prime neighborhoods. I do think, however, that some of the current prices are exceedingly high and until sellers get a bit more realistic about how much the property is truly worth, those properties will sit on the market.

Some recent reports have shown a slight decline in the number of listings in 2017 and the first half of 2017 despite the increased profits from selling, showing that some sellers are not rushing to sell, and keeping prices high. What is your take on this? What could stimulate more potential sellers to list their homes?

Week after week I hear people contemplating putting their houses on the market to sell and then they ask the question, "Where am I going to go?" Sure, they can make a lot of money by selling right now, but they will also have to spend a lot of money to buy something if they want to stay in Los Angeles. Sellers have to be exposed to what else is out there for them...perhaps there is a neighborhood that they never considered; perhaps they no longer need the size of the house they are in; or the size of the lot.

What is your advice for those looking to sell their properties?

Be smart and realistic about your property. A good agent will be able to not only talk to you about the comps, but will also be able to tell you what the present-day competition is, should a seller put their house on the market. A seller has to imagine that any buyer looking at their property is also looking to see what else is available. How does this property compare to the other properties available for sale? Size of house, size of lot, location, style, amenities...all of these factors have to be weighed so a seller can accurately price their house.

What about advice to buyers, who are also saddled by spiked interest rates on mortgages?

Buyers have to be savvy about their financial picture. The best plan is to meet with financial advisors and mortgage brokers before searching for homes so that they are aware of what they can afford and what the payments will look like in the future. I always tell people that buying a house should not cause absolute financial stress. If the numbers are not working and it becomes a stretch, I recommend pausing and reconsidering a different price point.

In a slew of cities, including LA, homes, today, often sell for above the asking price. How can a buyer navigate such a dynamic to ensure his or her proposal leads to a deal?

Working with an agent who has good relationships is critical. It's also about telling a story and making your clients stand out in a personal and emotional way. Of course, a good agent will also point out the strength of the buyers finances.

What about sellers?

A seller should be very clear in what they are looking for and an experienced agent will be able to sort through the offers to evaluate the likelihood of a deal closing. Sometimes it’s not all about the highest price, sometimes the strength of the buyer is in the details of the offer.

What are your expectations about the market dynamic the second half of 2018?

I think the remainder of 2018 will continue to be strong but I do think we will start to a see a shift in the high-end luxury market as more properties $20 million and higher continue to come on the market. As it presently stands, for example, there are 48 homes on the market (not including off-market) priced at $20,000,000 and higher in Bel Air, Beverly Hills, and the Sunset Strip and more are expected to come on.

The post Lisa Optican: LA Real Estate Remains Strong, But Shifts Are On The Horizon appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Among Moby's improvements were sustainable wood floors throughout, complete electrical rewiring, additional built-ins in the public areas, a beautiful eat-in kitchen with add-on chef's pantry, and a secluded guest suite with a "speakeasy" hidden entrance to a full bath and steam room.

Moby also oversaw the planting of a veritable forest of trees on the lot. DiCaprio appreciated the former owner being a fellow conservationist. He reportedly paid over asking price for the home after several potential buyers put in competing bids. It finally became Dicaprio's through his trust to the tune of $4.91 million.

The home's towering vaulted ceiling adds to the living areas sense of airy openness. The view of mature pines outside of almost every window makes the house a buffered sanctuary on Red Oak Drive.

The double master suites are upstairs. One has an attached study that Moby used as a yoga studio. The other includes an extra en-suite bedroom with office study and vast closet space.

When DiCaprio comes to visit his relative, he'll most likely keep a low-profile–maybe using the lower-level guest suite that includes an assistant's office and that cool "speakeasy" hidden entrance to the spa bath. The property is also walled and gated for added security.

The footprint includes 20 rooms total: five bedrooms, six full baths, two half baths, three fireplaces, a formal entry, a service entrance, a living room, breakfast area, powder room, fitness area, and great room.

The outdoor living area spans over 1,000 square feet and includes plenty of covered entertainment space in addition to a pool and spa.

This property is a pristine example of how to modernize and ecologically improve a historic home while maintaining the custom millwork, mantles, molding, and character of the original architecture.

DiCaprio is active in the California real estate market and has owned several homes in the Los Angeles area over the years. He sold his Malibu compound in 2016 for $10.95 million. He still owns a home in Silverlake, plus Madonna's former house along with the property next door to it in "The Birds," an ultra-exclusive spot on the slopes between Sunset Plaza Drive and Trousdale Estates in Beverly Hills.

Photos courtesy of Sotheby's International.

The post Leonardo DiCaprio Buys Moby’s Beautifully Renovated Los Feliz Home appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Haute Residence chatted with Optican to learn more about her ascent into real estate from property development and law, her ability to do it all and her insights into the city she has always called home.

You were a property developer before going into real estate brokering. How did you make the switch and what insights from property development you took with you? 

Developing properties allows you to see a deal from all perspectives. I understand what developers are assessing when looking at a property and I understand the concepts and terms of construction and building because I have been through it.

I actually stopped developing properties when the market/economy took a downturn in 2008/2009 and I went back to practice law until I had children. I was always looking at properties and giving friends and family advice about purchases/sales so I decided when my oldest child turned one to make it official and get my real estate license.

How does your background as a lawyer inform your real estate career?  

It's invaluable. I have a true understanding of contracts and a comprehension of confidentiality and ethics that I find put clients at ease. Also being a litigator, I know how to do research, comprehend voluminous data quickly, and negotiate really well.

You sold Marilyn Monroe’s former residence in Brentwood, which received world-wide coverage. Tell us more about how you came to represent the property, the sale and its impact on your career?  

The Marilyn Monroe house is a special property and I was honored to represent it. I had to be incredibly strategic with how I brought that property to market (in terms of marketing, pricing, etc.).  I knew that there would be global interest in the property because I recalled when it was on the market many years earlier. I also knew that my client was very protective of the property and did not want the coverage to be salacious in any way. I created a strategy, executed it, and we had three offers within a few days. The property ultimately sold for $350,000 over the asking price.

What is the most important lesson you have learned in real estate?  

Stay positive.

What are some of your duties as a Luxury Estates Director with Compass? What are your secrets of juggling a busy schedule? 

Compass is an incredible company and collectively we are in the process of working on how to make a bigger impact in the luxury market in Los Angeles. We have some of the best resources any real estate company has and we have exceptional staff and agents.

As for juggling a busy schedule, I have no secrets at all. I have no assistants, no team, and two kids. I just have to be incredibly organized about my day!

LA is a coveted, global market with strong luxury real estate. What sets the city apart from other major destinations like New York and Miami, for instance? 

Los Angeles is an incredible destination for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, its location and terrain allow someone to be close to the ocean or up in the hills and you can have land or you can have views. If you want both, you can have that too. Secondly, Los Angeles attracts people from all industries. We are not a city that is solely dependent on one type of industry.  Any given day I will interact with clients who are in finance, fashion, entertainment, law, medicine, public relations, etc. Thirdly, the weather. Let’s not forget that we in Los Angeles are blessed with beautiful weather all year round.

You are an LA native. How has the LA real estate market changed over the years? 

The actual look of L.A. has changed dramatically in terms of all the development in the past few decades.  Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Brentwood and the Palisades have all really changed in terms of their aesthetic. It has actually become difficult to find some of the older, large estates as most of them have been purchased and torn down to build bigger homes.

What are your expectations for this year? Are there any trends you are paying close attention to? 

I think the market will continue to be strong for the year but I do think some sellers might need to be a bit more realistic in terms of their pricing. I have noticed a lot of properties that were priced too high to begin with and are starting to either reduce or the properties are selling for way less than the ask price. I also really listen to buyers. For so many years it seemed everyone wanted a view. Now every call I get is about wanting more land.

Lisa Optican is the real estate professional exclusively representing the Pacific Palisades, California real estate market as a part of the Haute Residence real estate network. View all of her listings here.

Image courtesy of Lisa Optican

The post Lisa Optican: Building Successful Career On Positive Thoughts And Hard Work appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Annual property taxes for the residence are over $1 million. Recent comps are $15 million lower — two properties, which sold for $85 million within the last 18 months. The area once known as a getaway for Hollywood celebs has become a haven for tech and business billionaires. In fact, one of the area’s most prolific investors is Oracle founder Larry Ellison who has amassed a fortune in prime real estate and helped drive prices up around Carbon Beach.

Michael Smith’s new home, which comprises two parcels with two structures, is sandwiched between two Ellison properties on a half acre with over a hundred feet of beach frontage. It has 8,000 square feet of living space, including seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms. Yes, it’s price is staggering. But everything is relative. 

“There are never going to be that many giant sales [in Malibu], because there are only so many homes that have a lot of beachfront and multiple parcels," Jack Pritchett, co-founder of Malibu-based brokerage Pritchett-Rapf Realtors told the LA Times. "We can say $110 million is a joke, but you can't find multiple-lot properties like Morton’s."

The seller Morton was no newcomer to the area. He acquired his two properties over the previous 30 years paying a comparatively low $5.6 million for both, hiring architect Richard Meier to reconfigure the compound, covering it in teak, facing wrap around balconies towards the ocean.

Malibu’s previous record sale occurred in 2017 when billionaire entertainment industry vet, David Geffen (founder of Asylum, Geffen Records & co-founder of DreamWorks), sold his Carbon Beach residence to LA Dodgers Owner and Guggenhein Partners CEO Mark Walter for $85 million.

The LA market has been on fire recently with some astronomical asking prices — such as $200 million for The Manor, a 56,000-square-foot, 123-room mansion built by television producer Aaron and Candy Spelling and currently owned by Formula One heiress Petra Ecclestone. In 2016, Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Mansion sold for $100 million, which was the previous highest sale in LA County.

However, when a super-high-priced homes hit the market, sellers have to be prepared to wait for the right buyer or reprice. A huge Bel Air mansion hit the market last year for $250 million. No buyers materialized and now the property has come down by $62 million.

Undoubtedly, the most outlandishly priced LA home is a place named The One, built by luxury developer Niles Niami. Price tag: $500 million. In a story that seems scripted around the 2008 financial crash, such ostentatious real estate is even out of the price range of most of Hollywood’s elite, attracting a select few tech billionaires. It all seems a little obscene when LA Country is undergoing a housing crisis with the homeless population rising about 57,000.

“Anyone who buys one of my homes is making a statement about who they are. These properties reflect LA living at its finest,” the 50-year developer, whose other clients include Sean Puffy Combs and the Winklevoss twins, (of Bitcoin fame), told The Guardian newspaper.

Haven’t we seen this all before?

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Since the founding of the city, Los Angeles has been equally beloved and criticized for its embrace of rapid growth and change. In contrast with centuries-old international hubs like New York City, Paris and London, this Southern California city launched into prominence in a relative blink of the eye. The swift expansion of the metropolis and its willingness to evolve has been seen as wanton disregard for history by some; others view it through a different lens, lauding its bold acceptance of inevitable change.

No matter how you view the unparalleled growth of LA, there is no denying it is a leader in the real estate industry. Over the last century or two it has developed a unique and intriguing history as a city full of opportunity. Today, with its diverse topography and natural assets, unique heritage, rising new industries and forward-thinking vision, Los Angeles is setting a new standard for luxury real estate.

A Choice for Every Lifestyle

 Few major cities in the world are blessed with the natural advantages Los Angeles enjoys. Spread across a vast coastal plain, the city spills over hills and into adjacent valleys; it is the only major United States city to be bisected by a mountain range. Few locations are built in such a way to allow residents to experience outdoor living in the heart of an amenity-rich megacity. Because the city has neighborhoods scattered around mountains, along the coast and within bustling urban centers, there are vast opportunities to find the perfect luxury home for your needs. From Palos Verdes to Malibu, and Santa Monica to Pasadena, the choices are limitless.

Perhaps the residential compound most commonly-associated with Angeleno-style opulence is the hillside villa. This James Magni-designed Beverly Hills residence is an ideal example, isolated from the noise of the city and offering sweeping panoramic views of the city below from its modern back patio. With unbeatable access to world-class amenities the residences of the Santa Monica Mountains are among the most iconic in the world. This market is growing stronger every year, with 2016 marking the highest sales numbers in history – the first 5 months of 2017 exceeded all sales volume records in sales of excess of $5 million. At the $20 million level sales volume is up 300%.

Beach proximity and ocean views are both powerful draws in the world of luxury real estate. Los Angeles County is blessed with 70 miles of coastline; other than northern Malibu, LAX and the port complex, every mile is developed. Like the rest of the region, Los Angeles’ coastal communities are incredibly diverse. There are classic neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica, family-friendly areas like Manhattan Beach and Palos Verdes, and trendy up-and-coming areas like Venice Beach and Marina Del Rey.

Despite some stereotypes indicating the opposite, Los Angeles has a plethora of choices for the urban-minded luxury real-estate buyer. Downtown Los Angeles seems to have finally risen out of its decades-long nadir, with neighborhoods like the Arts District, South Park and Historic Core offering both new high-end construction condos and luxury converted lofts. Meanwhile, to the northwest Hollywood has come back in a big way, with luxury condominiums and boutique hotels announced on a weekly basis.

New Industries of Opportunity

 A land of opportunity and ambition, the City of Los Angeles has cycled through several economic booms. The city grew initially on the promise of agriculture and real-estate – a chance for the everyday American to own a home with an orange tree in the backyard. Eventually the discovery of oil led to derricks rising across the still-undeveloped coastal plain leading westward to the Pacific. Entertainment put the maturing city on the tip of the world’s tongue, permanently establishing it as a city about which everyone has an opinion. During the Cold War, aerospace companies such as Boeing and Northrop Grumman found space in the city’s dense urban sprawl to build vast campuses that fueled the regional economy.

Throughout these phases of Los Angeles’ evolution, titans of the respective industries rose to incredible heights of wealth – folks such as William Mulholland, the Warner brothers, Edward Doheny, Henry E. Huntington and many more helped make luxury real estate a tradition in the city. The favoritism shown towards the Hollywood Hills during these 20^th century boom years has rendered very few vacant lots which allow the ambitious buyer the opportunity to build a new residence from the ground up. 8555 Hedges Place is an example of a tear-down that is now listed as a dream development site for $14.9 million above the Sunset Strip.

Today, Los Angeles is still built around its entertainment industry as well as manufacturing and the distribution of goods. However, there is a new boom happening on the Westside: Tech. Though the tech boom is largely associated with the Bay Area, a critical mass is beginning to form within the coastal communities of Santa Monica, Venice Beach and Playa Vista. As such, the luxury market in Los Angeles has begun to evolve to cater to the tastes of this younger generation of affluent home-buyers. Luxurious new condos such as the Four Seasons and the Waldorf Astoria are popping up all over the Westside and are entering new price territories.

Legacy of Adventurous Architecture

Not only does Los Angeles offer an unbeatable level of choice in terms of setting and location, it also offers incredible architectural diversity. Unlike other cities which traditionally host only a few historic building styles, Los Angeles development is famous (or infamous) for its willingness to throw tradition out the window. Instead, homes both in the hills and flats are adventurous and diverse, embracing Italian aesthetics or taking cues from the French countryside.

Los Angeles is an epicenter of the modernist design movement. Some of the most stunning and experimental works in the history of architecture can be found in the Sunset Strip. For instance, this three bedroom structure on Sierra Mar Drive in Los Angeles presents an angular form with plenty of open windows and simple lines and amazing city/ocean views.

There are few cities in the world able to boast the kind of architectural and geographical diversity as Los Angeles. Add in the wide range of industries that have brought in innumerable discerning home-buyers and you have a recipe for a new standard in the world of luxury real estate. With Los Angeles continuing to transition into a greener, more transit and environmentally-friendly city, expect this Southern California metropolis to continue to lead the way well into the 21^st century.

Joyce Rey is the exclusive agent representing the Beverly Hills, California real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. Contact her here!

Images courtesy of Joyce Rey

The post Joyce Rey: Los Angeles Real Estate – The New Standard for Luxury? appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.