On the Caravan: Five Houses in Mar Vista

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MAR VISTA -- LA real estate brokers get the first look at new listings on Tuesdays in what’s known as ‘brokers’ caravan’ -- a series of broker-only open houses that let brokers and agents shop in advance on behalf of buyers, and sniff out pricing trends on behalf of sellers. Hoping to take the pulse of the market in various ways, LA Land tagged along with Judy Sheller and Jeff Pantanella of Bizzy Blondes. For fun, I added Zillow.com’s estimated values of the homes. 1) 12326 Stanwood Drive: $849,000 for a plain-Jane 4-bedroom, 2-bath house that ‘just fell out’ (translation: was in escrow, deal fell through, is now available again). Note: This is a Bizzy Blonde listing. Judy’s comments: one of the lowest prices on Mar Vista Hill; problem: close to Centinella Avenue and noisy traffic. House has been on and off the market for four months. Judy: ‘That’s a loooooong time.’ Zillow.com ‘Zestimate’: $1.113 million. 2) 13224 Lake Street: $1.445 million for a 2700-square foot, 4-bedroom, 3-bath total remodel. Kidney-shaped pool. Judy, looking at a large walk-in closet: ‘Oooh. It’s got a closet I could like!’ Zillow.com ‘Zestimate’: $836,000 (likely prior to remodel). 3) 13049 Appleton Way: $939,000 for a totally remodeled, 1,490-square foot, 2-bedroom, 2-bath; Bizzy Blondes has the listing. LA Land notices very cool, private, outdoor shower. Judy: ‘We think we’ve priced it for multiple bids.’ Zillow.com ‘Zestimate’: $1.067 million. 4) 3425 Greenwood Avenue: $2.395 million for 3,200-square foot, 4-bedroom, 4 1/2 bath ‘stunning new modern.’ No shoes in the house, please, not on the ‘rift white oak’ floors. Beautiful house, but $2.4 million is a lot of money for Mar Vista. Judy: ‘Wow, this is cool!’ Later, though, remarks that the 6,000-square foot lot is on the small size for that price. Zillow.com ‘Zestimate’: $1.049 million (likely the estimated value of house that was torn down). 5) 3665 Stewart Avenue (pictured above): $1.077 million for a 1,920-square foot, 4-bedroom, 3 1/2 bath on a 3,478-square foot lot. Judy: ‘Small lot. That’s the biggest complaint. For that kind of money, people want a yard.’ Zillow.com ‘Zestimate’: $1.029 million. Comments, thoughts? On Mar Vista, on the homes above, on Zillow.com? On the neighborhood you’d like to see profiled next Tuesday? Use the comment button.