Ivanhoe Elementary School in Silver Lake is one of the best kindergarten through 5^th grade schools in the LA Unified School System.This school draws families into Silver Lake in hopes of being able to buy a home within its boundaries and take advantage of a great public school education. According to GreatSchools.org, Ivanhoe Elementary “is among the few public elementary schools in California to receive a distinguished GreatSchools Rating of 10 out of 10.

This school has an average Community Rating of 5 out of 5 stars, based on reviews from 39 school community members.  GreatSchools.org is a leading source of information on school performance and includes thousands of parent ratings and reviews. It has become a go-to guide for people looking to find the best school to fit their needs.

You don’t need to read reviews of Ivanhoe Elementary School to know that it is the prized school in Silver Lake. Just ask anyone who’s children are enrolled there what they think! I’ve had many clients choose the home they buy based specifically on being within the boundaries of this terrific school.

Ivanhoe Elementary hosts a regular monthly “Coffee with the Principal”, and provides Silver Lake parents with education on grade-specific math curriculums and other topics. After school enrichment classes at Ivanhoe Elementary include a writer’s workshop, guitar classes, and clubs for reading, Spanish, and math. Math gets some extra attention at Ivanhoe with an Olympiad math problem solving team. Reading is also important for Ivanhoe students and Ms. Nava is in the library from 9:30 to 4:00, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 9:00 to 3:30 on Tuesday and Friday to help with their reading selections.

Ivanhoe Tops in Tech

As for technology, the Silver Lake elementary school’s website tells us this: “Today’s generation of students looks at technology as part of their everyday environment. To fully meet their needs, technology should be pervasive — always available.   The teachers are provided with technological tools to create learning plans, track student progress and more. The goal is to give kids a great educational experience and prepare them for success in the future. The elementary school experience at Ivanhoe provide Silver Lake kids with strong basics and a head start on their future education.

We’ve all been kids and know that school needs to be more than just books and homework. At Ivanhoe Elementary School there are fun events throughout the year that involve the kids, their parents and the Silver Lake community. Such school events include a spring fiesta, a fitness festival and an international faire where individual grades take on projects that help the visitors experience the culture of foreign countries.

If you want your kids to be supervised after school hours, Ivanhoe offers two  programs. Beyond the Bell (http://btb.lausd.net/Programs/StudentAuxiliaryServices/YouthServices.aspx) , is a free LAUSD after school program for 2-5th graders until 6pm, and Prime Time (http://primetimesportscamp.com/after-school/ivanhoe-elementary/),  is the paid after school enrichment program for K-5th graders.

Buying a home in a neighborhood with good public schools can save you tens of thousands of tuition dollars. The Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles has Ivanhoe Elementary School and that is like money in the bank.

If you are looking for a Realtor who is well versed in Silver Lake and surrounding areas,  check out my Silver Lake Neighborhood Facebook page, call me  213-215-4758 or read more of my posts and search the MLS at LApropertySolutions.com

Jenny Durling
Broker Associate
L.A. Property Solutions
213-215-4758
LApropertySolutions.com

Copyright © 2011 By Jenny Durling * Ivanhoe Elementary School in Silver Lake – An Excellent LAUSD Public Elementary School*

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Search For Homes in the Ivanhoe Elementary Attendance Zone

1. $819,900 : 2676 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,200 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,246 sqft

   Year built: 1924

   Days on market: 3
2. $989,000 : 2724 IVAN HILL Terrace, Los Angeles
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 1,106 sq ft

   Lot size: 8,049 sqft

   Year built: 1937

   Days on market: 3
3. $1,300,000 : 2465 IVANHOE Drive, Los Angeles
   
   3 beds, 4 full baths

   Home size: 2,537 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,143 sqft

   Year built: 1975

   Days on market: 10
4. $1,699,000 : 2660 GLENDALE Boulevard, Los Angeles
   
   0 beds, 0 baths

   Lot size: 5,243 sqft

   Year built: 1964

   Days on market: 16
5. $1,625,000 : 2152 KENILWORTH Avenue, Los Angeles
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 2 quarter baths

   Home size: 2,134 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,364 sqft

   Year built: 1932

   Days on market: 17

See all Ivanhoe Elementary Attendance Zone.
(all data current as of 11/20/2016)

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Buying or Selling Los Angeles Real Estate

Buying a Los Angeles home is no simple process.  Los Angeles is a huge city!  If you are new to the area or planning a move to the area, working with an agent who specializes in the neighborhoods that interest you such as  Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Hollywood Hills, Echo Park, and Eagle Rock can be of critical importance.  If you have or plan to have children, you’ll want a Los angles real estate agent who can direct you to the best area schools.  Where will you be working?  An experienced local Los Angeles Realtor can help you narrow down the neighborhoods that will make the most sense for your commute to the office.  I am your local resident expert and can be your guide in finding the right Los Angeles properties for sale to choose from that will fit your budget and lifestyle!

It is also important for Los Angeles Home Sellers , to work with a local expert. When I list and sell a Los Angeles home for a client, I help them understand the local market and the minds of local agents and buyers alike. My priority is to sell your Los Angeles home for the most money possible in the least amount of time.  When you hire me to list your Los Angeles property, you hire me to market it fully to fellow agents, their buyers and the public both online and in person. Many agents will represent both the buyer AND the seller in a single transaction.  That is not how I operate. I believe that it is my duty to represent only YOUR interests and feel it would be a conflict of interest to represent a buyer for your Los Angeles property for sale simultaneously.

When I list and sell Los Angeles homes for my clients, I make the process as smooth and pleasant as possible. You will never have to question where my loyalties lie. You can trust me to take care of the details and keep you informed every step of the way. Please let me know how I can best serve your real estate needs by filling out the online contact form , or better still, give me call today at 213-215-4758.

The post Ivanhoe Elementary School in Silver Lake – An Excellent LAUSD Public Elementary School appeared first on LA Property Solutions.

I am proud to say that I made SpareFoot’s list of Top 10 Real Estate agents in Los Angeles! SpareFoot is a national service that helps people book self-storage, which is often critical during a big move. They’ve created moving guides for major cities, especially those experiencing a lot of population growth.  The number one reason people use self-storage is because they are relocating. The company has put together put together a Spare Foot Moving Guide to help these people find the information and resources they need.

The guides offer tips on making a move to a new city as seamless as possible by providing city-specific checklists, resources, pages, real estate agents, neighborhoods and more.  I’m proud to share with you all that I was recently featured in SpareFoot’s list of 10 Best Real Estate Agents in Los Angeles.

If you or someone you know if looking for storage space, check out SpareFoot .  If they are looking specifically for information on the Los Angeles area and a top rated agent, they can go directly to https://www.sparefoot.com/moving/moving-to-los-angeles-ca/best-realtors-la/  scroll down to Jenny Durling and see what they have to say about LA Property Solutions!

The post Top 10 Los Angeles Real Estate Agents appeared first on LA Property Solutions.

Something like this is definitely worth doing!

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If you have been waiting to North East Los Angeles (NELA) home in hopes of picking up a distressed property, you might want to rethink that strategies.  As the economy improves, the distressed home inventory continues to evaporate.  Distressed property listings have been steadily dropping for the last four years.  Take a look at this infographic. A mere .5% of homes in California are in foreclosure.

If you are looking to buy a home in Los Angeles, don’t wait. Talk to an experience agent who knows how to find the right properties and can negotiate the best deal for you. I’m just a phone call away: 213-215-4758

Jenny Durling
L.A. Property Solutions

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If you’ve ever wondered where the biggest celebrities live, this is the place. Sunset Hills boast the highest concentration of celebrity homes in the entire L.A. area. This slice of the West Hollywood Hills is a magnet for those who crave privacy, views an proximity to all there is to do in the area

The neighborhood of Sunset Hills is bordered by Laurel Canyon Boulevard to the east, Sunset Plaza Drive to the west, Sunset Boulevard to the south and Franklin Avenue & Hollywood Boulevard to the north. The neighborhood is most commonly accessed via Hollywood Boulevard, Kings Road & Queens Road.

Since the 1920’s, Sunset Hills has housed Hollywood elite and the architecture reflects the privacy that those types desire once they retire to their own home. Often, only a gate is visible from the road and most will never even catch a glimpse of the $5 million or $20 million dollar home just behind it.

Sunset Hills is perched above a thriving retail and culinary stretch of Sunset Boulevard. Many local businesses reflect the neighborhood’s affluence and seek to cater to nearby wealthy residents. However, you can also get a feel for the gritty Hollywood rock scene that was thriving in the 1980s at places like the Roxy, Rainbow Room and Whisky A Go Go.

“If you must get in trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont.” – Harry Cohen

You’ll Love Living in Sunset Hills if:

• You love city views – Yes, the views here are staggering. You’ll never forget you’re in Los Angeles as you look out on downtown to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. At night, the city lightscape is the stuff that dreams (and postcards) are made of.

• You like your privacy – Many of the multimillion dollar homes in the neighborhood are expertly tucked away, so that passers by and nosy neighbors can’t steal a glimpse onto the grounds. Usually they were built with celebrities and the uber wealthy in mind, who want nothing more than utter privacy when they park their cars behind their heavily secured gates.

• You want easy access to upscale shopping and restaurants – Katana, Yatai and Chateau Marmont are just a few of the upscale dining experience to be had down on the Sunset Strip. As for shopping, on the west end of the strip, you have Sunset Plaza. To the East, you have the stylishly renovated outdoor mall at 8000 Sunset, featuring a Burke Williams Spa, Veggie Grill, Crunch Gym and Trader Joe’s.

• You don’t mind driving a bit to find some flat, green space for you or your kids – Sunset Hills offers beautifully landscaped grounds at most every home in the area, but it sorely lacks in community parks. There is a dog park on Sunset near Kings Road, but little in the way of playgrounds or picnic areas.

Neighborhood Highlights

Chateau Marmont (8221 Sunset Blvd) – Harry Cohn, founder of Columbia Pictures, said “If you must get in trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont.” This upscale, charming, French-inspired hotel, bar and restaurant is go-to for tourists, locals and celebrities who want to be seen and have more than a little fun while doing so.

Whisky A Go Go (8901 Sunset Blvd) – Celebrating its 50th birthday in 2014, the Whisky is a rock music institution that still knows how to party every night of the week. The Doors, Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin all played here. Nowadays, you’re more likely to catch tribute bands, local rockers and lone remaining members of famous bands.

Storer House (8161 Hollywood Blvd) – Considered one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpieces, this house was said to resemble a Pompeian Villa. It is part of the National Register of Historic Places and is one of four “textile-block” houses he built in Southern California.

Notable Films Shot in Sunset Hills

Sunset Boulevard (1950) – You’d never know it today, but the famous Schwab’s Pharmacy featured in Sunset Boulevard was at the corner of Sunset and Crescent Heights. Now, it’s where you can work out at Crunch, watch an indie flick at the Sunset 5 or shop for home goods at CB2.

Sunset Hills Real Estate Tip

The Sunset Hills are not for the budget conscious. Homes range from around $2 million up to and above $10 million. The most coveted streets are all named after birds: Blue Jay Way, Skylark Lane, Thrasher Avenue and Warbler Way. Know that if you get into a bidding war for a house in this neighborhood, you’ll likely be competing against a Hollywood A-lister.

#1 Most Interesting Fact about Sunset Hills

The stretch of Sunset Boulevard running along the south of the Sunset Hills is technically the only mile and a half of Sunset Boulevard that carries the legendary name “Sunset Strip”.

For information on buying property in Sunset Hills or elsewhere in the Hollywood Hills, give me a call at 213-215-4758.

Jenny Durling
L.A. Property Solutions

Chateau Marmont Photo Credit: By Gary Minnaert (Minnaert)) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Whisky A Go Go Photo Credit: MarkDante (Own work) [CC-BY-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

1. $799,000 : 2969 Park Center Drive, Los Angeles
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 1,020 sq ft

   Lot size: 2,491 sqft

   Year built: 1962

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 1
2. $799,999 : 8466 KIRKWOOD Drive, Los Angeles
   
   2 beds, 1 full, 1 half baths

   Home size: 802 sq ft

   Lot size: 3,688 sqft

   Year built: 1936

   Days on market: 2
3. $1,895,000 : 8692 FRANKLIN Avenue, Los Angeles
   
   3 beds, 4 full baths

   Lot size: 5,990 sqft

   Year built: 1952

   Days on market: 2
4. $1,599,990 : 8836 HOLLYWOOD Boulevard, Los Angeles
   
   3 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,326 sq ft

   Lot size: 4,970 sqft

   Year built: 1980

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 2
5. $979,000 : 8771 LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN Avenue, Los Angeles
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,533 sq ft

   Lot size: 3,116 sqft

   Year built: 1963

   Days on market: 2
6. $4,990,000 : 1605 VIEWMONT Drive, Los Angeles
   
   3 beds, 4 full baths

   Home size: 4,300 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,343 sqft

   Year built: 2002

   Days on market: 2
7. $1,950,000 : 7300 CAVERNA Drive, Los Angeles
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,632 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,986 sqft

   Year built: 1956

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 2
8. $1,850,000 : 7312 CAVERNA Drive, Los Angeles
   
   2 beds, 2 full, 1 half baths

   Home size: 1,391 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,918 sqft

   Year built: 1957

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 2

See all Sunset Strip - Hollywood Hills West community Real Estate.
(all data current as of 11/20/2016)

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

The post Sunset Hills – A-List Haven with Million Dollar Views appeared first on LA Property Solutions.

Recently Los Angeles times published an article about Zillow Zestimates after Zillow’s CEO appeared on “CBS This Morning” addressing the ever popular conversation of home worth. http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-harney-20150208-story.html

Zillow is great because it demonstrates how no one, or computer program, can make an accurate estimate of a home’s value. So how does Zillow come up with its “Zestimate”? It uses public record of the home in question. Although it knows the basics like how many beds and baths are on record, location, square footage and how much nearby properties have sold for, it has no idea you have traded carpet for solid walnut throughout, you transformed that closet called a bathroom into a home spa or your home is in one of the most desirable school districts in the area.

Zillow does not have a Crystal Ball

How does someone determine home value? In a neighborhood like Silver Lake or Echo Park, where the houses are round 100 years old, things like being in a great school district or on a beautiful tree lined street can affect how the house is perceived. But determining the actual value of a property has many more factors.

For example, if the reason for determining the value is for refinancing, a lender will use an appraiser. This appraiser will assess the property and compares it to similar properties in the area and what they have sold for. Then they will give the lender their opinion what the property is worth, normally on the conservative side.

When the property is going up for sale, many more factors come into play. What similar properties are priced at, what the home owner hopes to profit and what the realtor thinks it might go for. But the most important thing is what buyers value it at. With so many home improvement shows as well as the internet influencing what is “desirable” inside a new home now, if this particular property doesn’t have a large open floor plan with calming colors and a beautiful flooring a buyer might look at it as a “fixer upper”. Even if the house has no real issues, the idea of having to update a house may keep the buyer from seeing the value in the home. Especially when there is the “Zestimate” and history of the house right at their fingertips. If the house was purchased for $350,000 in 2005 and it’s on the market for $650,000 now, the buyer wants to know why, especially if the design of the home isn’t what is trending now.  With so much information available it makes the process of buying or selling a home hard to navigate and confusing.

So how does one navigate through all this information overload? A real estate professional. Someone who has tons of knowledge concerning the market in question. Not only can they help a buyer sail through this sea of never ending information, they can help the seller’s property be the island they are trying to get to.

How does said professional help buyers see the value in your home? By presenting the property in the best possible light, which includes how it looks and what it is priced at. Before that buyer came to look at the property, they opened the Zillow app and checked out the Zestimate. No matter how accurate that number may be, it is a great starting point. Then, the real estate expert will compare the property to what others in the same area. There is a similar property on Effie St that is priced for $50,000 less. What is it about this property that makes it worth the extra money?

Trying to determine home value when thinking of selling a property is difficult. The best way to get the most of your sale is to talk to an experienced professional. Although a Zestimate, or the sale down the street can create a vague idea of what the property is worth, but a realtor interacts with the public and has a good idea what people are shopping for.

The post Zestimates: How to accurately value your home. appeared first on LA Property Solutions.

2345 Lake View Ave – great mix of charm and location!
Currently listed for $975,000

If you have been looking for a Silver Lake home that has all of it’s original charm but with the system updates and kitchen and baths already remodeled, this could be the place for you!  Built in 1926, the house has Spanish tile risers, coved ceiling, original hardwood floors, a living room fireplace and all the natural light you could ask for.

There are 3 large bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (1 ensuite in the master) with around 1400 sf of living space. The openness of living room to dining room and dining room to kitchen makes the home feel open and much larger than it’s measured size.  The kitchen is also updated and opens to the dining room.

The backyard is very private with patio space off the kitchen and dining aria but also a flat area up at the top for a peaceful place to relax and take in the canyon view.

Super location just up the street from the Silver Lake’s new Whole Foods, the Silver Lake Reservoir, Silver Lake Wine and more.  If you would like to see this home, give me a call 213-215-4758 and I’ll make arrangements.

Jenny Durling
L.A. Property Solutions
listing courtesy of Sotheby’s International Realty

The post Silver Lake Spanish Home Ready to Go! appeared first on LA Property Solutions.

Spring is a time of new beginnings, fresh grass, crisp rain, vivid blossoms and new growth.   It’s also the BEST time to sell your home to get the highest price for it!

Why is this?  Here are just a few reasons:

1. Daylight savings time! Now that we’ve all turned our clocks ahead we have more daylight later in the day meaning more buyers can look at property after work. More buyers looking at your home gives you more chances for offers – the more offers, the higher the selling price will go.

2. Families with kids like tend to look for a home in spring because they want to move in early summer, before they go on vacation and before the new school year starts.

3. Spring Cleaning! Spring is just naturally a time when people shed the clothes that don’t fit anymore. The same goes for your home – why live in a house that is too small or too big for you? Spring is the time to sell the house that no longer fits and get into one that is perfect for your current lifestyle.

4. Spring is the real estate buying season. During the holidays and in the beginning of the year, there are not many homes available for sale. Buyers have been waiting for new inventory to hit the market. Your property may be just the thing that buyers have been waiting for and they will jump at the chance to make it their own.

5. Spring is tax time! Renters are facing their CPAs and tax preparers who and hearing, “Why aren’t you buying a house?!” Renters who are paying a lot in income tax are reminded that they are missing out on one of the biggest tax deductions they are allowed by continuing to pay off their landlord’s mortgage instead of their own. These higher income buyers will be looking for homes to purchase in a tight inventory market, and this will drive up the price of your property.

So there you have it – 5 powerful reasons that SPRING is indeed The Best Time for sellers to list and sell their home for the maximum market price.
Are you ready to find out what I can list and sell your Los Angeles area property for?
Call me at 213-215-4758 or fill out this form  for a free evaluation of the current market value of your property.

Jenny Durling
Your neighborhood Realtor
213-215-4758

Los Feliz Homes For Sale

1. $1,348,000 : 2366 Lyric Avenue, Los Feliz
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 half baths

   Home size: 2,363 sq ft

   Lot size: 3,101 sqft

   Year built: 1931

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 17
2. $2,000,000 : 1940 N Western Avenue, Los Feliz
   
   6 beds, 5 full baths

   Home size: 3,803 sq ft

   Lot size: 8,100 sqft

   Year built: 1923

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 37
3. $1,890,000 : 3750 Amesbury Road, Los Feliz
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 2,780 sq ft

   Lot size: 9,169 sqft

   Year built: 1927

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 45
4. $2,430,000 : 3954 FARMOUTH Drive, Los Feliz
   
   4 beds, 4 full baths

   Home size: 5,524 sq ft

   Lot size: 11,133 sqft

   Year built: 1989

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 68
5. $2,295,000 : 3692 LOWRY Road, Los Feliz
   
   5 beds, 4 full, 1 half baths

   Home size: 3,200 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,109 sqft

   Year built: 1927

   Days on market: 101

See all City of Los Feliz Real Estate.
(all data current as of 11/20/2016)

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

The post Spring Forward – Is a Fresh Start in Order? appeared first on LA Property Solutions.