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Celebrity Real Estate: Persia White Re-Lists Studio City Home as a Short Sale

Friday, November 30, 2012 / 1 Comment
[Update March 17, 2013]: This home sold on March 12, 2013 for $1,106,000 which was only $29,500 less than the original purchase price of $1,135,500 back on April 26, 2004. However, Persia White was originally looking for $1,529,000 when first listed back on August 2011 which was $423,000 less. This home was later listed as a short sale after almost 2 unsuccessful years of trying to unload at a profit. 

[Original Post]:
Images courtesy Rodeo Realty
Fresh off the MLS is another celebrity short sale which this time is presented by Persia White in Studio City who is most known for her role on the television sitcom Girlfriends which ran for 8 years. This blog covered Persia White's original listing back on August 2011 for $1,529,000 which was not a short sale at that time. 

Flash forward one year and the home is now listed as a short sale for $999,950. The reason for the short sale and possibly for the original listing could be her divorce in 2011 according to mediatakeout.com.

If the home sells at the current asking price, the bank(s) will be looking at a loss of $135,550 based on Persia White's original purchase price of $1,135,500 back in April 2004 assuming there are no other outstanding loans or liens against the property and also not factoring commissions, fees, and any other related expenses. 

Persia White's latest short sale follows a list of other notable celebrity residents in the SFV who have also gone down the route of short sale or foreclosure just in the SFV alone which have been documented on this blog:
  1. John Larroquette's (actor) short sale in Sherman Oaks.
  2. Bryon Russells' (basketball) foreclosure in Calabasas.
  3. Kristen Bell's (actress) Studio City foreclosure.
  4. Richard Fortus' (GNR music) short sale in Woodland Hills.
  5. Morris Chestnut's (actor) short sale in Hidden Hills.
  6. Eric Davis' (baseball) short sale in Calabasas.
  7. Kristoff St. John's (actor) short sale in Canoga Park.
  8. Jeremy London's (actor) foreclosure in Canoga Park which is literally down the street from Kristoff St.John. 
We wish Persia White the best with her current real estate matters. 

You can view more SFV celebrity real estate here






Celebrity Real Estate: Haylie Duff Lists in Toluca Lake

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[Update February 2, 2013]: This home sold for $1,720,000 on February 14, 2013 which closed in roughly 4 months time. Haylie Duff actually took a minor loss of $30,000 on this transaction from her original purchase price of $1,750,000 not including commissions and other expenses. Haylie's sister, Hillary, also  sold her Toluca Lake home which may or may not be a coincidence.

[Original Post]:




Back on October 9, 2012, gossip/rumor king, TMZ.com, revealed the listing of Haylie Duff's  Toluca Lake home for $1,799,000. Duff is an actress and singer-songwriter best known for her role as "Sandy Jameson" on the television series, 7th Heaven.  Haylie Duff has also recorded music notable soundtracks such as In Search of Santa, The Lizzie McGuire Move, A Cinderella Story, and Material Girls. And during her spare time, she blogs about food at realgirlskitchen.com.



You may have heard of her sister, Hilary Duff, who was also a resident of the Toluca Lake who just recently sold her home on July 18, 2012 for $4,651,500 which took approximately two years and multiple price reductions as discussed on this blog. Its possible that Hilary's sale inspired Haylie to move out of Toluca Lake too.


According to the listing, the home measures 5 Bed/6 Bath on 4,064 sqft on a total lot size of 7,602 built in 2007 states:
Built in 2007, this 5 bed, 5~~ bath luxury New England traditional sits behind privacy gates in the heart of Toluca Lake. Wood floors, crown mouldings, and wainscoting create sophistication in the home. An entertainer's dream, built-in sound flows through a dramatic living room, formal dining room with coffered ceiling and French doors, open great room, and outside to a covered flagstone patio overlooking a grassy yard with pool and spa. The family room features a fireplace, French doors, and is open to a Carrara marble kitchen with tongue 'n groove ceiling, dual islands, Viking stove, and breakfast area. All bedrooms benefit from their own private baths, and the downstairs bedroom suite may be ideal for guests. A sky lit staircase ascends to the second level, where the luxurious master suite offers a cathedral ceiling, fireplace, dual walk-in closets, and bath with dual vanities, frameless glass shower, and freestanding soaking tub.
Haylie Duff last purchased this property on June 6, 2008 for $1,750,000 which based on the current asking price would yield a $49,000 gain not including taxes, commissions, and other real estate expenses. When those expenses are factored, Haylie Duff maybe looking at a marginal loss.


Images courtesy John Aaroe Group
Toluca Lake is home to many celebrities partially due to its close proximity to the studios and Hollywood. The following list are celebrity homes in the Toluca Lake area discussed on this blog:
  1. Former Bing Crosby estate which sold on December 20, 2011 for $4.020 million.
  2. Former Hillary Duff mansion which sold on July 18, 2012 for $4,651,500.
  3. Jason Priestly who tried to sell his home for $2.1 million and has been off the market at this time.
  4. Erin Daniels (L Word) who recently purchased in June 2012 for $1.5 million.
  5. Jennifer Love Hewitt who recently listed a property for sale and one for lease in August 2012.  
  6. Former Alan Thicke home who sold for $3,525,000 on November 20, 2012. 
  7. Miley Cyrus clan lives in this area. 
  8. Other residents include Ashley Tisdale, former Bob Hope, Kiefer Sutherland, Andy Garcia, Dweezil Zappa, valley native George Lopez, Brooke Burns, Lindsay Price, Jonathan Antin, Jennie Garth, David Leisure, Nile Niami, the late Roy Disney, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jonathan Winter, Steve Carell, Kirk Fogg, Markie Post, and the Jonas Brothers to name a few (or several).
You can check out more SFV Celebrity Real Estate here.  

Celebrity Real Estate: Actor Scott Grimes Lists For Loss in Woodland Hills

Thursday, November 29, 2012 / No Comments


Back on October 23, 2012, the always informative Lauren Beale of LA Times Hot Property revealed actor Scott Grimes Woodland Hills home listing for $1.199 million. 



Scott Grimes broke out in the acting scene at a young age in 1984 appearing in the film A Doctor's Story as well as It Came Upon the Midnight Clear with former SFV resident Mickey Rooney. Grimes also appeared in television playing roles on The Twilight Zone, Who's the Boss, Star Trek: The Next Generation, My Two Dads, 21 Jump Street, Wings, Party of Five, ER, Dexter, and Band of Brothers. Grimes is also a voice artist voicing "Steve Smith" for American Dad!. Grimes is also a singer-songwriter who co-wrote and performed the soft rock single Sunset Blvd



The home measures 4 Beds/3.5 Baths on 3,403 sqft on a total lot size of 0.39 acres built in 1973. According to the listing:
Celebrity private gated home in Walnut Acres. This remodeled home has newer windows, crown moldings, recessed lighting throughout, french windows & doors throughout. Formal living room, formal dining room. Media room, den/office & bar. Large gourmet kitchen with island, newer appliances, large pantry & granite eating bar. There is a very expensive sound system throughout the house & outside. Master bed is very large with walk-in closet & scrumptious remodeled master bath. The backyard is like a tropical island resort, entertainers dream yard with pebble tech beach pool, slide. Pool house, large barbeque area with granite counters, & sport, basketball court, and lots of lush landscaping. Wating for you to enjoy!standard sale.
I am not sure why Grimes is selling his Woodland Hills home but it could be related to his divorce with Dawn-Bailey Grimes back in 2007 since she is also listed on the property records. The happy couple purchased this home back in the zany real estate days on May 27 2005 for $1,200,000. As it stands now the home is listed for $1,000 less than the purchase price which means that when commissions, taxes, renovations, and other real estate expenses are factored in, the Grimes will assuredly be taking a loss unless someone comes in with a higher offering price. 


Above images courtesy Prudential California Realty
Another possibility for listing the home could be that the Grimes are downsizing as they also own a West Hills home that was purchased a year later after the Woodland Hills home on May 15, 2006 for $880,000. The home measures 3 Bed/3 Baths on 1,939 sqft on a total lot size of 0.42 acres. That home is currently not listed and would probably end up taking a loss if sold. 


Scott may have also previously lived in other parts of the Valley like Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and Van Nuys but I cannot confirm those locations so dont quote me. 

You can view more SFV celebrity real estate here

The Strukus House by Bruce Goff in Woodland Hills

Monday, November 26, 2012 / No Comments
 

4510 Saltillo Street
1 Bed/1 Bath on 1,730 sqft on a total lot size of 7,882 sqft built in 1983 in Woodland Hills. The home was designed by Bruce Goff (Goff was also featured in the New York Times by Joseph Giovannini on August 11, 1985 titled The American School: In Pursuit of Individuality) which was his final design before passing away in 1982 (Bart Prince oversaw the design of the house after Goff's passing) and the only home he designed on the West Coast. The home was built for Al Struckus who was a retired manufacturing engineer from nearby Rocketdyne

From the LA Times article, 'E.T." House Last Symbol of Architect's Gonzo Flair by Leon Whiteson on June 30, 1988:
The Struckus house consists of a cluster of six interlocking vertical cylinders on a small 50-by-100-foot lot on wooded Saltillo Street off Canoga Avenue.
The main cylinder, four stories high and 24 feet in diameter, contains the main living spaces. A 12-foot-diameter cylinder houses the dramatic circular stair that joins these levels, and sports the bulging "eyes" that give the house its "E.T." effect. Four smaller tubes contain closets, bookshelves, a kitchen larder, a shower stall and a vertical art gallery suspended over an indoor pool.

The house's layout is also unusual. The living room is on the top floor, under a circular skylight. The main bedroom and bath are one level down, with the dining, kitchen and an open-plan sitting area on the floor below that. The first-floor entry level has a front door shaded by a projecting canopy that serves as the deck of a balcony overhead.
The edges of the third and fourth levels are cut away on sinuous curves to allow an overlook. This gives the interior drum of this small, 1,500-square-foot house a dramatic sense of spaciousness that is the hallmark of all Goff's residential architecture.
Al Struckus passed away in 1994 and this beautiful home was sold to Kevin and Ann Marshall (employees of the Getty Museum) in 1998 according to Dwell Magazine Sept 2004 in the article A Well Rounded House by Sam Grawe.  You can also view a brief video of Al Struckus who was featured on a show by Andrea Simmons for You Are The Miracle - Act On Your Dreams at the 2:34 mark.

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here

  





Above images courtesy Narrowlarry.com
Above image courtesy Darkness is Malleable
Above image courtesy StylePark

Celebrity Real Estate: The Office's Jenna Fischer Buys Legendary Baseball Estate in Glendale

Monday, November 19, 2012 / No Comments
[Update November 5, 2013]: Jenna Fischer sold her Studio City home for $2.105 million on October 9, 2013 discussed here.

[Original Post]: 
Images courtesy G&C Properties
Word out on the street from the fine folks at Trulia Luxe Living via the celebrity website toofab.com is that The Office's Jenna Fischer (real name is Regina Marie Fischer) who plays "Pam Halpert" has recently purchased the home of legendary baseball hall of famer player/coach, Casey Stengel, in Glendale for $1.9 million which was discussed on the site here (I recommend clicking on the link for more pics and details regarding the Casey Stengel estate). 

Its not known where Jenna Fischer was living prior to this recently acquired Glendale home (a good chance somewhere in the San Fernando Valley), but after she married screenwriter James Gunn on October 7, 2000, they purchased a 5 Bed/4 Bath 3,825sqft Studio City home (shown below) for $875,000 on July 26, 2002. After 7 years of marriage, the duo decided to call it quits on September 2007 with the divorce being finalized a year later. This coincides with the property records of this home showing the home being transferred to James Gunn from the dual ownership of Fischer and Gunn on June 3, 2008. The new home will be an ideal place for Jenna Fischer and Lee Kirk to raise their new son, Weston. 
Image courtesy Google Maps
You can view more SFV Celebrity Real Estate here.

Celebrity Real Estate: Music Producer and Musician John Feldmann Lists in Woodland Hills

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Back on September 29, 2012, John Feldmann, quietly listed his Woodland Hills home for $1,749,000. John   Feldmann may not be a household name but he is widely known in the music industry where he first started in 1988 after moving to LA forming a band called Electric Love Hogs. In 1994, he formed Goldfinger which the band is considered to be a contributor to the third-wave ska that started the career of No Doubt. John Feldmann also holds a Guinness world record for his feat of performing 385 shows in 1996 (just think about that for one second, there are only 365 days in a year). 



John Feldmann also is an A&R representative for Warner Bros & Maverick Records having signed The Used, Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows, Goldfinger, Showoff, Unloco, Josephine Collective, City Sleeps, Story of the Year, Foxy Shazam, and Mest. 


He has also done production work/songwriting for Good Charlotte, The Used, Ashlee Simpson (former SFV resident), Hilary Duff (former SFV resident), Atreyu, Panic! at the Disco, Mandy Moore, Kelis, and Boys Like Girls to name several. Feldmann is also a vocal activist for animal rights. 



According to the listing, the home measures 4 Bed/2.5 Bath on 5,000 sqft on a total lot size of 0.82 acres built in 1947 which also includes a recording studio (that may have been used for some of the bands mentioned above) states:
Walnut Acres private gated estate approx 1 acre flat; detached 1600sf state-of-the-art all new recording studio with full bath - could also be guest house; main house is completely remodeled & finished in highest quality - brand new master suite features "spa" bathroom w/ sunken tub, glass shower, huge walk-in closet; master bedroom has stack stone wall & french doors out to private patio; HGTV designed living room w/ vaulted wood beamed ceilings, slate floors, true "restaurant style" entertainer's wet bar with "hideaway" loft, wrought iron chandelier, & oversized mantled fireplace; granite/stainless kitchen with center island opens to breakfast room w/ fireplace & built in desk; elegant dining room w/ slate floors & walls of glass doors opening to dining patio; tropical pool & spa feature beach entry, baja ledge, stack stone spa w/ waterfall, slate hardscape, lush landscaping & beautiful swaying palms; long private drive, rolling lawns, custom kids playground; Walnut Acres is adjacent to Warner Center w/ the finest dining & shopping, minutes to the beach & PCH, easy freeway access, and the highly desirable award-winning school district featuring newly chartered El Camino HS; SF is combined - approx 3400sf main house, approx 1500sf guest house.
Feldmann last purchased this home on September 07, 2011 for $1,525,000 which is barely one year ago when first listed. At the current list price, Feldmann stands gain $224,000 before taxes, commissions, renovations (studio?), carrying costs, etc. I am not sure why Feldmann is wanting to move so quickly but usually a move of this nature happens due to a divorce, death, debt, newborn, or new opportunity. So place your wagers. 
Above images courtesy Rodeo Realty
Prior to moving to Woodland Hills, John Feldmann lived a in 5 Bed/6 Bath 4,683sqft Bel Air home (which also had a recording studio) next to the American Jewish University that was purchased for $1.68 million on March 14, 2003 and sold for $2.45 million representing a gain of $770,000 before taxes, commissions, renovations (studio?), carrying costs, etc. The LA Times also wrote about this home on April 12, 2001.

Above image courtesy Hilton & Hyland
Prior to the Bel Air home, John Feldmann lived in a 4 Bed/4 Bath 3,994sqft Marina Del Rey home that was purchased on April 23, 1999 for $425,000 and sold on April 25, 2003 for $775,000 representing a gain of $350,000 before taxes, commissions, renovations (not sure if a studio existed), carrying costs, etc.

Above image courtesy Bing Maps
You can view more SFV Celebrity Real Estate here.

Celebrity Real Estate: The Estate of Master Impressionist and Comedian, Fred Travalena, Lists in Encino

Tuesday, November 13, 2012 / No Comments


Image courtesy Rodeo Realty
The estate of the late Fred Travalena aka "The Man of a Thousand Faces" and "Mr. Everybordy" have listed his long time home in Encino for $1,394,500 which was originally listed on July 28, 2012 for $1,425,000 which was reduced by $30,500 to the current asking price. 

Fred Travalena started in the industry as a regular performer on The ABC Comedy Hour for which he gained notoriety for his impersonations of celebrities. It is said that he had a repertoire of more then 360 celebrity, political, and cartoon-character voices including Clint Eastwood, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro, Henry Kissinger, Donald Rumsfeld, Johnny Mathis, Bruce Springsteen, and Luciano Pavarotti (LA Times). He also performed voice-overs, made guest appearances on games hows, and acted in movies playing the radio DJ, "Madman Mancuso" in the 1978 movie, The Buddy Holly Story. In 2005, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  Fred passed away on June 28, 2009 at the age of 66 in his Encino home due to complications with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and prostate cancer. You can read his obituary at the LA Times written by Dennis McLellan on June 30, 2009.  Below is a clip of Fred doing an impersonation on The Late Show with David Lettermen and The Tonight Show hosted by George Carlin. 


According to the listing, the 4 Beds/5 Baths on 3,646sqft on a total lot size of 0.52 acres built in 1956 states:
Come see this charming, well maintained, South-of-the-boulevard home in a prime Encino location. This celebrity-owned, Cape Cod property features 4 bedrooms (2 of which are Jack and Jill), 5 bathrooms, a separate studio/office with its own private entrance and bathroom, wood beamed ceilings, wood floors, formal dining room, a family room, and a large breakfast room with sliding French doors that lead out to a secluded patio. The newer kitchen is light and bright with a Sub-Zero refrigerator, stainless steel cooktop and recessed lighting. The quaint living room has a cozy brick fireplace and a bay window. The picturesque backyard offers a pool, spa in a tranquil setting. Upstairs you will find your spacious master suite with a brick fireplace and walk-in closet. This is a must-see property with old world charm and sophistication.
Its not known when Fred Travalena purchased his Encino home but a likely date may either be on August 2, 1977 or June 25, 1991 but I cannot confirm. Also, its not known where Fred Travalena's wife, Lois, who is also a singer is heading off to so we wish her the best of luck.

The Travalena's  face some serious competition as the Encino market has been hit lately with high priced celebrity homes considering the following homes which are currently available:
  1. David Hasselhoff's long time Encino Mansion currently priced at $3,795,000.
  2. Joe Simpson's Royal Oaks Mansion which is currently listed for $4,395,000
  3. The former Al Jolson Estate which was owned by Charlie Sheen at one time is listed for $6.5 million. 
  4. The former home of Selena Gomez is available for $3,699,0000. 
  5. Heidi Saban Stills (father is billionaire Haim Saban) home is available for $2,999,000. 
  6. The former Macy Gray home is available for $5.9 million.
  7. The former Joey Lawrence home is available for $2.250 million. 
There are many celebrities who previously or currently call Encino home like Tori Spelling (former), Scott Baio (former), the Jackson Family compound, Leighton Meester, Annette Funicello's fire destroyed home, Brian Bloom, Tamar Braxton and Vincent Herbert (former), Vampire Diaries Director (former), Jennifer Morrison (former), Dave Grohl, Donald Penn, and Shirley MacLaine (former) to name a few (or several).

You can view more Celebrity Real Estate here.