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El Camino and Granada Hills Take First and Second Place in 2014 U.S. Academic Decathlon

Friday, May 30, 2014 / No Comments
Image courtesy Daily News
I am about 4 weeks late on this one but better late than never as the SFV dominated the U.S. Academic Decathlon again with El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills winning the entire event on April 26, 2014 which was El Camino's seventh win. And in second place was the reigning three time champs Granada Hills Charter high school. The difference between El Camino and Granada Hills was 208.7 points or a mere 0.4% from the winning score of 52,601.10. 

Between El Camino and Granada Hills, those two schools have won 10 times since 1998 which is downright ridiculous considering its a national competition. The level of consistency is unheard of especially with Granada almost making it 4 in a row after winning in 20112012, and 2013. What the heck is in those water fountains on campus? This should definitely make real estate prices in Granada Hills and Woodland Hills/West Hills levitate even further.

You can read more at the LA Daily News

CicLAvia Officially Coming to the SFV in 2015

Thursday, May 29, 2014 / No Comments

In October 2013, I blogged about the rumor that CicLAvia was coming to the SFV which has now become officially true according to the Los Angeles Register. CicLAvia officials stated that the event will debut in Spring 2015 and continue for every spring going forward. The exact location is unknown but its looking like the route will start at the NoHo Redline station going down Ventura Blvd and onto Van Nuys Blvd. The following years will host different routes so I am hoping they make it out the West Valley and ride down Reseda Blvd, Topanga Cyn, and Sherman Way.

To help get ready, the next CicLAvia will be held on October 15 in parts of downtown, Echo Park, and East L.A. And Dec 7, South L.A. will host its first CicLAvia. 

Celeb R.E.: Struggling Game of Thrones Actress, Lena Headey, Purchases Sherman Oaks Mid Century Modern Fixer

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Images courtesy Keller Williams Studio City
Back on April 21, 2014, the fine folks at Trulia Luxe Living revealed that Game of Thrones actress Lena Headey purchased a Sherman Oaks home for $790,000 on April 4, 2014. 

Headey has been acting since the age of 17 first appearing in the 1992 film, Waterland. About one year ago, Headey publicly disclosed she has been going through some financial difficulties claiming she had "less than $5" in her bank account. Additionally, Headey divorced in 2012 from husband, Peter Loughran, and at the same time, had to fight for half of her $46,000 2011 tax return from her ex-husband. And on top of all this, Headey sold her Laurel Canyon home that was purchased in June 2008 in late 2012 at a $336,000 loss not including expenses. 

So its nice to Headey make a nice comeback and purchase this Sherman Oaks home although its a somewhat modest home for a celebrity. The home retains some nice original character and charm that I hope Headey doesnt tear it all apart. I guess we will find out in a couple of years when the time comes to sell. 

The home measures 3 Beds/3 Baths on 1,808 sqft on a total lot size of 6,744 sqft built in 1951. The listing description states:
Located in the coveted ' Hidden Woods' neighborhood of Sherman Oaks. This one of a kind traditional home with a mid-century modern twist sits on a beautiful & quiet tree shaded street surrounded by other lovely homes! Spacious, bright and airy with a good floor plan and great 'bones'. The good sized kitchen conveniently opens to the family room and wet bar for easy entertaining! Large master suite with ample closets and private bath. Hardwood floors, loads of windows and updated heating and air systems. Convenient additional storage structure in the back along with a lovely pool, covered patio and gardens. This property has never been on the market before and has been lovingly maintained by the same family since it was constructed in 1951. Wonderful opportunity for the new buyers to make it their own and settle in to one of the best neighborhoods Sherman Oaks has to offer.
You can view more SFV Celeb R.E. here.  

6.2 Acres of Undeveloped Land In Winnetka To Become Massive Housing Tract

Wednesday, May 28, 2014 / No Comments
Image courtesy Bing Maps
Image courtesy Winnetka Neighborhood Council
What about my tacos?
Back on March 4, 2014, the Department of City Planning held a hearing (see below) for any comments or concerns regarding the proposal of a new housing tract at 8544 - 8654 Winnetka Avenue in Winnetka just south of Parthenia Street by a group known as WH Winnetka 60, LLC. The proposal calls for the demolition of one single story home (more on that home later below) to build 68 two-story residences over 272,844 sqft or 6.2 acre site which is currently subdivided into about 3 half-acre and 5 one acre lots. There is also mention of two protected trees on this site.


This is possibly one if not the last large parcels of contiguous land available (especially after the home demo) in the SFV that I thought would forever be this way because it simply remained undeveloped up until this time. Or was it? 

I reviewed historical satellite pics (shown below) from my favorite site, historicaerials.com and found that this plot of land appeared to contain 1 acre farms that were left over from the Charles Weeks days in the 1930s. Weeks setup 1 acre farms in Winnetka with chicken coops that were designed for the owners to live in the home while generating income from the land. Well, that all worked well until the depression hit. It appears from the historical satellite images that some of these plots were being utilized up until 2005 when it was all demolished except for the one remaining single story home which also has chicken coops as broken down further below. [Update March 3, 2015]: This property was formerly known as Menary Farms by Linda Menary which is best described in a August 6, 1996 LA Times article titled Five Green Acres: A Pair of Agrarian Holdouts Try to Keep the Valley's Rural Roots Alive by Eric Slater. [Update April 14, 2015]: Menary also owned the Reseda Petting Zoo and Farm which is now being developed into a private school.

In 1952, there appears to be homes on the now empty plots. 
Same in 1959. 
In 1972, it looks like possibly the top two plots are empty. 
In 1977, it looks like two more plots are cleared with one remaining in the middle. 
By 1980, the top plot of land is completely cleared. 
However, by 2003, there appears to be some use possibly as a storage yard. 
By 2005, all plots are cleared aside from today's remaining home. 
The city planning commission later met on April 24 with some modifications which looks to be 5 single family homes and 59 detached residential condominiums as shown in the concept map at the very top. I am guessing development will be happening soon. So get ready for more traffic along an already busy Winnetka Avenue, I hope the planners took into consideration the traffic getting out of this housing tract being extremely close to a busy intersection. Something also tells me there will be less seats available at the Winnetka Theatre. 
The last remaining home from the Charles Weeks era with the chicken coops in the background. 
I broke down each parcel below with more detailed info. Aside from the single home on this plot, all the other parcels were owned by a Living Trust controlled by Harry and Lillian Grossman and appears to have transferred to Harry Grossman. What makes this more complicated is it appears that at one point in time some of the parcels were owned by Bencion and Betty Jakobovits which resulted in some kind of a court case that was resolved in 2012. I need a real estate attorney to understand all this so its possible I misinterpreted something. However this maybe could explain why no development took place for a long time due to pending litigation. At any rate, I hate to see the last vestiges of the old valley disappear. 

Image courtesy Bing Maps and Propertyshark
  1. 8544 Winnetka Ave measures 19,138 sqft last purchased on February 21, 1990 for $245,000.  
  2. 8600 Winnetka Ave measures 19,140 sqft last purchased on June 8, 1988 for $180,000.
  3. 8612 Winnetka Ave measures 19,141 sqft with a home that was built in 1933 measuring 976 sqft with 2 Beds/1 Baths and appears to be a home representative of the Charles Weeks colony with original chicken coops. The home is owned by Raymond and Virginia Ritchea who purchased it a long time ago because the purchase date and price is unknown. 
  4. Next parcel ID# 2782011005 (no address) measures 47,177 sqft with an unknown purchase price and date.
  5. Next parcel ID# 2782011026 (8620 - 8630 Winnetka) measures 40,479 sqft with an unknown purchase price and date.
  6. Next parcel ID# 2782011003 (8640 - 8642 Winnetka) measures 46,926 sqft that was last purchased for $275,000 on August 13, 2012. 
  7. Next parcel ID# 2782011002 (8646 - 8654 Winnetka) measures 40,348 sqft with an unknown purchase price and date.
  8. Next parcel ID# 2782011001 (8646 - 8654 Winnetka?) measures 40,495 sqft that was last purchased on August 13, 2012 for $1,205,000.
My attempt at panoramic pictures: 



You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.

Former Hostess Store in Chatsworth to be Demolished for Goodwill Store

Friday, May 23, 2014 / No Comments

Its hard to believe that it has already been close to two years since the Hostess Shop on 9837 - 9853 De Soto in Chatsworth has closed. Back in November 2012, Hostess filed for bankruptcy due to a strike by the bakers which resulted in a massive liquidation of the entire company including the Hostess brand and products themselves. 

It makes you wonder if the strike was worth it as 18,500 workers lost their jobs, 33 bakeries were shut, 565 distribution centers closed, and 570 outlet stores boarded up like the one in Chatsworth. But dont worry about the impact to the former workers as Twinkies can be purchased today at the local Wal-Mart

Life moves on and the Hostess store that has been sitting vacant for 2 years will now be reincarnated into a Goodwill Store via demolition of the existing 9,200 sqft facility and the construction of a new 12,000 sqft facility. This must mean that the economy is doing really well for Goodwill to expand as everyday people donate their crap to buy more crap (which I am guilty of too but I get a decent tax break). You can read more details about the hearing notice issued by city below.

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here. 

Celeb R.E.: Jennifer Love Hewitt Offloads Toluca Lake Estate To Jessica Simpson's Mom For $1.4 Million Loss

Wednesday, May 21, 2014 / No Comments
Above images courtesy Gibson International 
The fine folks at Trulia Luxe Living first broke the news on May 5, 2014 that actress Jennifer Love Hewitt sold her last Toluca Lake home to Jessica Simpson's mom, Tina, on April 11, 2014 for $4.1 million resulting in a massive $1.4 million loss in an off-market deal.

Tina was actually leasing this home after she moved from her Encino home. This home measures 4 Beds/4 Baths on 3,216 sqft built in 1926 and located on the Toluca Lake. Its sad to see a sweetheart like Jennifer Love Hewitt leave the SFV as she acquired a modern Pacific Palisades home in May 2013 as first revealed by Your Mama at the Realestalker

I first talked about Hewitt's Toluca Lake properties back in August 2012 which has more property detail and listing pictures. Additionally, I also talked about Tina Simpson's Encino home that sold in April 2013 after divorcing her husband Joe which includes a review of prior and current homes that the Simpsons owned in the SFV including Jessica's purchase of a Hidden Hills home in March 2013. 

You can view more SFV Celeb R.E. here

1930's Van Nuys Home on Victory Blvd To Be Demolished

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Images courtesy Park Regency Real Estate
Image courtesy Bing Maps
I received an anonymous tip that an original 1930's Van Nuys home located at 13931 Victory Blvd is set for demolition this week. Although this home is unique and represents one of the original homes of Van Nuys when the town was founded in 1911, it does not have any preservation status or any notable history or architecture. As such, the case for trying to save this home is pretty remote. Additionally, the property is already zoned LARD1.5 which means a mutli-family dwelling like an apartment can be constructed here without any new approval. 

The home measures 3 Beds/2 Baths on 2,220 sqft on a total lot size of 0.26 acres built in 1938. The listing description states:
Step back in time & time travel to a Van Nuys original, this Historic 1938 year old home, was built back when Victory Blvd. was a just a dirt rd. This 2 story 3 bedroom 2 bath 2,200 Sq. Ft. is a blast from the past featuring the ultimate in hands on craftsmanship. It's architectural detail is of a lost art & is easily appreciated once seen in person. Classic interior features include. .. Original stone & iron stair casing, solid wood moldings, doors & paneling woodwork throughout. Original solid wood kitchen cabinetry. Several original appliances, wood sash windows & 2 full bathrooms that capture the decorative 1930's decor. Entire home is a architectural treasure & has massive potential for that special candidate interested in going the distance, relocating home to a historical community where it can be preserved for admiring generations to come. Also Zoned LARD 1.5.
I also found this description from another site:
 Land for sale!!! Location! Location! Location!_ is what they always say! It's here & waiting for you... This large empty land comes with major blvd presence, perfectly located in the suburb city of Van Nuys CA. on Victory Blvd in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. This piece of untouched soil is just waiting to be cultivated, watered & grown into something wonderous. Currently surrounded & immersed with-inapartment & condo settings, land is now zoned (LARD1.5 zoning) for multi-family dwelling & ready for you. It's future potential is massive for the right persons. Currently situated as 3 1/2 lots, equaling 20,124 Sq. Ft. all lots are being combined together & sold as 1 huge lot. This amazing piece of property will move fast! Current 2,200 Sq. Ft. home on lot is included with both lots. 2nd lot parcel # 2238024007 All major utilities are currently available & situated on land site & ready for immediate use. Get more detailed info on this exciting piece of untouched land. 
This home was sold on October 21, 2013 for $550,000 with the vacant land next door also selling on the same date for $450,000. I believe both properties were sold together for a total purchase price of $1,000,000.  This property was previously owned by Carolyn Nittinger and Janice M. Hopf Nelson who I believe are sisters that inherited the home from their parents that lived in the home for a long time around 20 - 30 years or more since the property taxes are ridiculously low at $1,345 courtesy of prop 13. Both properties were purchased by Grigor and Anait Krgatbashyan who I imagine will build a large apartment building assuming the demolition tip I received is correct. 

You can check out some of the unique and original features of the house from the listing pictures below. 

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here