BuyersDid you know that The MLS Guest Site has the most comprehensive and up to date listing information of any real estate website in the greater Los Angeles area? That's because it is the source of listings and listing activity supplied by agents in the Greater Los Angeles Area and where other sites, like Redfin, Trulia, Zillow and Realtor.com get their listing information. These other sites can be selective in what they print, how many photos they post and how often they update, so you may not be getting the most accurate and current information. They also sell zipcodes to agents who may not be the listing agents and may not even know the property or work in those areas. Don't lose out on that great property. Get up to the minute listing information at MLS and connect with the agent who can tell you the most about the property and neighborhood, and get you in to see it faster. Or call or e-mail us us and we'll help you find your dream home! Why I need a Realtor Buying your new home is a serious venture. It is probably the single biggest financial decision most people make in their lifetime. But your house is not just an investment, it is a place that fits your needs for safety, comfort and enjoyment. A place where you will experience some of the most memorable moments in your life with your loved ones. Why leave something so important in the hands of just any realtor. We are Top Producing agents; successfully selling real estate for over 25 years. Our clients have returned to us over and over again to help them sell and find their next homes. That's a testimonial to our service and experience and a proven success rate you can count on. We would love to help you sell your current home or find your new home. Call or e-mail us to schedule an appointment to meet We are sure that you have more questions. We are available at your convenience. Rose 213 369 9171 or Terry 323 854 4607 or e-mail us We hope you find some of the links below helpful in regards to financing, schools and neighborhoods. Call or e-mail us with any questions and get our exclusive e-Newsletter.
VIP Services Become one of our V.I.P. clients and receive our list of contractors, inspectors, lenders and just about every service you may need for any real estate transction. Please note that we do not accept referrel fees from contractors or service providers. The Information and reccomendations that we supply to our VIP clients are the results of our more than 25 years of experience in the Real estate business. E-mail us for more infomation.
The Buyers ChecklistCall us to find your next home. We’ve been Top Producers since 1986. That’s a PROVEN success rate you can count on. Before you start looking for a home here are some First time Buyer's Tips:
Estate & Architectural DirectorsLos Angeles is a unique and diverse city and its Architecture is just as varied and exciting. David Gebhard and Robert Winter, authors of Architecture in Los Angeles, call it the richest architectural region in the world - From the bizarre to the sublime, from historical Adobe Bungalows to grand Andalusian Style Estates its - all here to enjoy in the City of Angels.So whether you fancy a Mid-Century Neutra in Silverlake, a Fred Smathers Hacienda in Nichols Canyon or a Legendary Charles Toberman Mediterranaean in Outpost Estates, we know where to find that special home for you. Forward your e-mail address to us and we can also let you know about Monthly Walking Tours of Historical Homes and Buildings, Special Screening and Museum events. Want to support L.A.'s rich cultural and architectural history? Then join at any level and become a member of the Los Angeles Conservancy and be a part of their preservation efforts for the restoration of Classic Hollywood theatres, restaurants and other L.A. landmarks such as the Downtown Orpheum and Broadway Theatres, Union Station and Frank Lloyd Wrights Ennis house in Los Feliz. For more info see links below You can research the Case Study Architects, Modern Design influences and other exciting Architectural topics at these websites; www.loggia.com Green & Community help...Help others realize the dream of home ownership - volunteer or contribute a donation Do your part to stop globalwarming with the energy saving tips at fypower.org. Think green when building or remodeling and find alternative and recycled housing materials at globalgreen.org Thinking of working in or starting your own environmentally conscious business? Use the on-line resource center for eco building and development; greenbiz.com
A few of Architectural styles found in the Hollywood Hills...
The International Style The architectural style that developed in Europe and the United States in the 1920s and '30s and became the dominant tendency in Western architecture during the middle decades of the 20th century. The most common characteristics of International Style buildings are rectilinear forms; light, taut plane surfaces that have been completely stripped of applied ornamentation and decoration; open interior spaces; and a visually weightless quality engendered by the use of cantilever construction. Glass and steel, in combination with usually less visible reinforced concrete, are the characteristic materials of construction. The term International Style was first used in 1932 by Henry-Russell Hitchcock and Philip Johnson in their essay entitled The International Style: Architecture Since 1922, which served as a catalog for an architectural exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art. The International Style grew out of three phenomena that confronted architects in the late 19th century: (1) architects' increasing dissatisfaction with the continued use of stylistically eclectic buildings—e.g., ones incorporating a mix of decorative elements from different architectural periods and styles that bore little or no relation to the building's functions; (2) the economical creation of large numbers of office buildings and other commercial, residential, and civic structures that served a rapidly industrializing society; and (3) the development of new building technologies centering on the use of iron and steel, reinforced concrete, and glass. These three phenomena dictated the search for an honest, economical, and utilitarian architecture that would both use the new materials and satisfy society's new building needs while still appealing to aesthetic taste. Technology was a crucial factor; the new availability of cheap, mass-produced iron and steel and the discovery in the 1890s of those materials' effectiveness as primary structural members effectively rendered the old traditions of masonry (brick and stone) construction obsolete. The new use of steel-reinforced concrete as secondary support elements (floors, etc.) and of glass as sheathing for the exteriors of buildings completed the technology needed for modern building, and architects set about incorporating that technology into an architecture that openly recognized its new technical foundation. The International Style was thus formed under the dictates that modern buildings' form and appearance should naturally grow out of and express the potentialities of their materials and structural engineering. A harmony between artistic expression, function, and technology would thus be established in an austere and disciplined new architecture.
The English Tudor style grew extremely popular in the 1920s and 1930s, a time when historic architectural styles were incorporated into single-family dwellings. Sometimes referred to as "Elizabethan" or "Half-timbered" houses, the Tudor Revival imitated building features popular during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) and King James I (1603-1625); named the House of Tudor. While primarily derived from English Renaissance buildings of 16th and 17th centuries, many Tudor houses owe their origins to medieval cottages. Some were even built with false thatched roofs, while other Tudor homes incorporated more ornate features copied from late medieval-era palaces. These included steeply pitched roofs, overlapping gables, and beautifully patterned brick or stonework. One of the main characteristics of Tudor homes is decorative half-timbering -- leaving the wood frame exposed with stucco inset around it. While wood veneer, stucco and stone were popular choices for exterior wall coverings, brick veneer was most popular after 1920, often featuring patterns such as diamonds. The houses typically were asymmetrical and one-and-a-half or two-and-a-half stories tall. Chimneys were large and placed prominently, such as on the front or side of the house, and often featured ornamental chimney tops. Window frames were tall and narrow, often displaying small leaded glass panes. Tudors enjoyed a second revival in the 1970s and 1980s, and are still revered by those looking to buy a home that is cozy and romantic. Spanish Architecture While early American architects primarily looked to England for inspiration, some late 19th and early 20th century builders -- especially those in Florida, the Southwest and California -- looked instead to Spain. The Spanish craze began to spread in 1915, when the San Diego Exhibition showcased architect Bertram Goodhue's reinterpretation of Spanish Gothic buildings for the signature buildings of Balboa Park. The popularity of Spanish-influenced architecture dwindled in 1940, but not before leaving an indelible mark on suburbs nationwide. Spanish Colonial Revival marked the most formal and historically accurate representation of all the Spanish styles. The architecture featured red tile roofs, spiral columns beside door and window openings, decorative tile trim and heavy, carved doors. Drawing inspiration from early Spanish missions and churches, Southern Californian architects created Mission-style buildings. Massive stucco walls with broad, unadorned surfaces, shapely, scalloped parapets and arched windows and doors are characteristics of this style. Both the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe railways adopted this style for rail corridor buildings to provide a consistent theme to the Southwest for eastern travelers. Combining elements of Spanish Colonial and Indian Pueblo architectural forms, the Santa Fe style was a reaction to the Mission style and gave New Mexico a unique architectural identity. Prominent features include thick adobe walls that are slightly rounded and give a smooth stucco finish, and wood roof beams imbedded in the walls that project through to the exterior.
Proponents of the Arts and Crafts Movement of the late 19th century rejected the Industrial Revolution's ornate, machine-made products in favor of modest and handmade goods. This climate gave birth to the American Bungalow, whose structural simplicity, efficient use of space and understated design fostered a lifestyle closer to nature. While bungalows were originally designed for use as country homes, their inexpensive building costs, coupled with continued Western expansion, created "bungalow mania" in the 1910s and 1920s. This marked a rare occasion when progressive architecture was made available to the masses. Although originally associated with California, the bungalow spread across the United States, due, in part, to kit homes that companies shipped virtually anywhere for homeowners to assemble on the spot. Sears was the most prominent supplier of these kits, and reportedly sold more than 100,000 homes between 1908 and 1940. Sears bungalows are now highly prized by bungalow fans. Bungalows are usually one-story tall, featuring broadly pitched, street-facing gables that create a roof-line reminiscent of a child's drawing of mountains. The front door opens directly into the living room, which streams into the dining room to create a free-flowing space that extends into the kitchen. Throughout the interior, designers showcased wood, such as built-in cabinets, bookcases and benches. While most modern home styles are more grandiose, the modest bungalow -- with its low profile, simplicity and efficient use of space -- still represents the American ideal of independence. We are sure that you have more questions. We are available at your convenience Rose 213 369 9171 or Terry 323 854 4607
|
