School Savvy Realtor

Enchanting Home in Silver Lake’s Ivanhoe Elementary School

Diane — Sat, 19 Jul 2014 06:45:05 +0000

2724 Ivan Hill Terrace, Los Angeles, CA. 90039

list price-$799,000 – 2 bed / 1 bath at 1106 sq. ft. / with a large permitted studio/office – lot size 8049 sq. ft.

Would love to see you at my new listing this weekend July 19th & 20th from 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Listed by Diane Evans at Sotheby’s International Realty. For an appointment please call me at 323-401-3987 or email

Looking for a beautiful, peaceful and move-in ready home in Silver Lake’s Ivanhoe School district? Well, this is it! Built in 1937, this 2-bed/1- bath is filled with warmth and charm, featuring hardwood floors throughout, a decorative fireplace, and built-in bookshelves with a desk in the living room. Well known Silver Lake design firm Design Vidal remodeled the dining room, open kitchen, and stylish bathroom in 2013. Above the two-car garage is a permitted large open studio/office. Relax and entertain in the stunning grassy backyard with a hot tub, vegetable garden, and terraced lounge area. Within a short distance to the Silver Lake Reservoir, Ivanhoe Elementary, Silver Lake Library, and the forthcoming Whole Foods. Once you step into this enchanting house you will want to call it home!

Silver Lake Home Gets Top Dollar

Diane — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 21:48:18 +0000

My Silver Lake sellers never thought they would get such a high price for their home. The house needed work and with a some cleaning and polishing their home began to shine. We listed it for $849,000, within one week we received 15 offers and sold it for $1,001,000. How surprised and delighted they were that their home sold for $152,000 over the asking price.

2319 Kenilworth Ave, Los Angeles, 90039

Located in prime Silver Lake on one of the best streets in Moreno Highlands and within Ivanhoe Elementary School District. This 1953 Traditional 1806 sq. ft. home has 3/beds & 2/baths, refinished hardwood floors, 2-car garage, a large living room and den which opens to a huge patio and backyard with lake views and room for a pool. Updates include copper plumbing, tankless water heater, and central air & heat. With some cosmetic updating and new landscaping, this is a great value for an investor or simply a buyer who would like instant equity and a wonderful place to live for many years.

Listing Agent is Diane Evans at Sotheby’s International Realty

For more info call me 323.401.3987 or email

Nantukket in Silver Lake on 2057 Redcliff St. Los Angeles, CA 90039

Diane — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 21:18:33 +0000

As a Realtor and a long time resident of Silver Lake it never ceases to amaze me when I see a home with the most breathtaking views Silver Lake has to offer.

This 3042 sq. ft. 6 bedroom/4 bath home sits on a 14,529 sq. ft. huge flat pad with views from the ocean to the Silver Lake Reservoir to the Los Angeles Mountains. Within the Ivanhoe Elementary School district this is a rare find. With some loving care and a little vision, this could be the one of the most spectacular homes in Silver Lake.

If you would like to see this home please call Diane at 323.401.3987 or email

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2057 Redcliff St. listing courtesy of Gail Crosby – Sotheby’s Int’l Realty

Silver Lake is Rated #2 in Money Magazine’s Best Big City Neighborhoods

Diane — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 00:59:45 +0000

Silver Lake does it again by taking second place to Park Slope, Brooklyn as the best big city neighborhood to live in according to Money Magazine. The top 10 neighborhoods were based on NeighborhoodScout.com data, city visits, talks with locals, and the overall city population.

In 2012 Silver Lake took the top spot in Forbes Magazine list acquiring the title of America’s Best Hipster Neighborhoods. I am long time resident of Silver Lake and have always loved living here, now the rest of the world is catching on.

Best big-city neighborhoods

Silver Lake, Los Angeles

Coolhaus ice cream truck

Median household income: $62,800

Median home value: $632,000

Typical 2-bedroom rental: $2,100

Pros: Want a snapshot of Silver Lake? Try the two-mile jogging path that surrounds the area’s reservoirs, where you’ll spot people of all ages and ethnicities walking dogs, working out, and pushing strollers.

Close to 4,200-acre Griffith Park, this area has blossomed in recent years, becoming a haven for families as well as the hipsters who first popularized it. The stretch of Sunset Boulevard that runs through Silver Lake is packed with shops and hotspots, defying the “no walking in L.A.” cliché.

Locals say Ivanhoe Elementary is excellent, and involved parents are beginning to raise the bar at other local schools.

Cons: The housing market, especially for homes that feed into Ivanhoe Elementary, can be fiercely competitive.

What is your favorite Los Angeles neighborhood?

Starter Homes in the Best Elementary Schools on LA’s Eastside

Diane — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 22:55:21 +0000

Do you want your children to attend some of the best performing public elementary schools on Los Angeles’s Eastside? Here are some of the least expensive homes you can buy to assure your child gets the best education Los Angeles Unified District has to offer without having to pay for expensive private schools. The best schools are based on the California Academic Performance Index (API) scores with the top number being 1000. The API score is measured by the test results of the California Standard Test (CST).

Ivanhoe Elementary School in Silver Lake with an API score of 950 for 2012

3021 La Paz Drive – completely remodeled, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths – asking price is $744,698

Ivanhoe Elementary School in Silver Lake with an API score of 950 for 2012

2510 Griffith Park Blvd. – 2 bedrooms, 1 bath – asking price is $649,000

Ivanhoe Elementary School in Silver Lake with an API score of 950 for 2012

2408 Griffith Park Blvd – 2 bedrooms, 1 bath – asking price is $675,000

Ivanhoe Elementary School in Silver Lake with an API score of 950 for 2012

2677 Glendale Blvd. – 2 bedrooms, 1 bath – asking price is $479,777

Franklin Elementary School in Los Feliz with an API score of 916 for 2012

4230 Newdale Drive – 2 bedrooms, 1.50 baths, – asking price is $679,000

Franklin Elementary School in Los Feliz with an API score of 916 for 2012

2012 Sanborn Ave. – 3 bedrooms, 3 baths – asking price $799,500

Mount Washington Elementary in Mount Washington with an API score of 906

3986 San Rafael Ave. – 2 bedrooms, 1.50 baths – asking price is $619,000

Mount Washington Elementary in Mount Washington with an API score of 906

409 Rustic Drive – 2 bedrooms, 2 baths – asking price is $449,000

Looking for a home with great schools please call Diane at 323.401.3987 or email

Diane’s Silver Lake Faves

Diane — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 01:37:30 +0000

Have you ever climbed the many staircases connecting one street to another in Silver Lake? Talk about a good cardio workout and firming your buns! There are lots and lots of these stairs, built mostly in the 1920’s, winding through the steep hillside neighborhoods of Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz and beyond. The website SecretStairs-LA offers a walking and hiking guide dedicated to these hidden forgotten treasures of Los Angeles. Here are some of the stairs I frequently climb.

Silver Lake stairs connecting Kenilworth Ave. to Moreno Dr.

If you want a really great workout try climbing the 280 stairs starting at Westerly Terrace (cross street is Swan Pl.), which connects you to Resdesdale Ave. The second set of stairs takes you to Rotary Dr. Sorry, you are not finished yet, continue with the third set which ends on Westerly Ave. It is downhill from there. Now do that 3 times more!

The stairs starting on Westerly Terrace. (cross street is Swan Pl)

Silver Lake Studio School – a new pilot middle school

Diane — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 00:39:12 +0000

In the Fall of 2013, there are plans to launch an arts focused pilot middle school in the Silver Lake area.

The school’s website explains that “the Silver Lake Studio Middle School is neither a charter school, nor a private school, but something new: a public pilot school that has been given the freedom to innovate schedules, curricula, instruction, and partnerships within the second largest school district in United States. A team of committed, experienced and passionate Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) teachers who know school can be academically rich, socially developmental, and engage with the real world. Supported by both LAUSD and Future Is Now Schools, led by pioneer Green Dot Founder Steve Barr. The goal is to create a small, safe learning environment that truly serves the students and the families of Silver Lake and the surrounding communities through innovative practices, rigorous academics and commitment to the arts. This is just the beginning.”

A few years ago, there were few good middle schools to choose from in the Silver Lake and Los Feliz areas. Thomas Starr King, the only middle school for the area, was not an option for many families because it had a bad reputation. Over the years King has taken big strides to improve academically, plant delightful gardens, and divide the school into three magnet schools to provide smaller learning communities. Currently there is a Gifted Arts and Technology Magnet, an Environmental Magnet and a new one starting in the Fall 2013 with a focus on cinematic arts. The addition of the Silver Lake Studio Middle School will provide families with another top school to send their middle schoolers, making Silver Lake an even more desirable place to live.

To learn more about the Silver Lake Middle School, please visit their Facebook page

Silver Lake Neighborhood Garage Sale

Diane — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 22:08:48 +0000

A. 2435 West Silver Lake Dr. LA, 90039

B. 2331 West Silver Lake Dr. LA, 90039

C. 2501 West Silver Lake Dr. LA, 90039

D. 2261 Kenilworth Dr LA, 90039

E. 2087 Redcliff St. LA, 90039

F. Redcliff St. and Rock LA, 90039

G. 2812 Bright Lane LA, 90039

H. 2815 Bright Lane LA, 90039

I. 2913 Angus St. LA, 90039
View Larger Map

2 New Great Silver Lake and Los Feliz Homes

Diane — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 16:22:19 +0000

Two great homes in Silver Lake and Los Feliz. It has been a long, hot, dry summer with little to see on broker’s caravan and little to show my clients. Each house is completely different and I love them both.

4421 Finley Ave. Los Angeles, 90027

list price: $799,000 bedrooms – 3 baths – 2 sq.ft. – 1492

Built in 1910, this special Los Feliz California bungalow blends old world charm and modern touches. It was re-done by the talented Design Vidal team. Public records show the home to be 1492 sq ft, but I think it is definitely larger. So close to all the cool restaurants and shops on Hillhurst Ave. It is in the Franklin Elementary School.

The new chef’s kitchen opens up to the living room and dining room creating a warm open space.

There are three bedrooms upstairs, an enclosed sleeping porch, and large new bathroom, with a soaking tub and separate shower.

Great big newly landscaped backyard!

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Looking to be in the Ivanhoe Elementary School district? I love this open, airy, light-filled home with an enormous backyard and plenty of room to add on.

The walking path for the Silver Lake Reservoir is down the street. Who needs the gym??

2607 Rokeby St. Los Angeles, 90039

list price – $799,000 bedrooms – 2 baths – 1.5 sq.ft -1247

The living room is bathed in natural light with French doors leading to a wood deck and grassy, flat yard. Great for entertaining!

A newly remodeled kitchen has Caesarstone counter tops and opens up to the backyard.

The bathroom is roomy, with a tub and separate shower. I am a big fan of separate showers. There is also a half bath for guests.

There is so much you can do with this finished garage. Umm…. an office, art studio, kids playroom, man cave. So many choices!

Perfect Backyard!

If you would like to see this home please call Diane at 323.401.3987 or email

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4471 Finley Ave. listing courtesy of Karen Lower – Coldwell Banker-BH North

2607 Rokeby St. – listing courtesy George and Eileen Moreno – Remax

It is a Seller’s Market in Silver Lake, Echo Park and beyond………

Diane — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 21:47:22 +0000

The real estate market in Silver Lake changed as of January 1^st 2012. We went from a buyers market to a sellers market almost over night. The inventory is shrinking with only 36 homes for sale on the Multiple Listing Service in all of Silver Lake and Echo Park. I have never seen inventory this low. The interest rates have been amazingly low, the prices of homes have come down and rents have gone up. It now makes sense for buyers who have been sitting on the sideline to jump into the market and purchase a home. The problem is there are so few homes for sale and multiple offers on most. Many of my would be sellers do not have enough equity in their home for a down payment on a more expensive home after paying Realtor fees and any repairs.

Here is an example of what happened to my buyers this past January. In late December 2011 my buyers wrote a purchase contract on a house in Silver Lake, which has been on the market since March 2011 and never had an offer. My buyers and the seller could not meet on the price. In the next few days we went to see a few more houses when my buyers changed their mind and decided to meet the seller’s price. Maybe there was something in the universe but at the same time the seller got 3 other offers and they went with a higher offer. This house has lingered on the market for 10 months with no offers and now there were four. This was the start of the sellers market we are now experiencing.

When looking to buy a property in Silver Lake, you need to make sure you are working with an agent who really knows the area and is someone you trust. An experienced agent will know the market and be able to help you come up with the best offer to increase your odds of getting the house you want.

Homes in the hills of Silver Lake.

A Silver Lake home along the Silver Lake Reservoir.

The borders of Silver Lake.