Author: Rodeo Realty Media Team

Below is the Westside Market Report for July 2015 detailing local real estate market statistics and including year-over-year data:

Below is the SF Valley Market Report for July 2015 detailing local real estate market statistics and including year-over-year data:

Benny Medina, the producer and talent manager who inspired the television series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” said he is selling his midcentury-modern home in Los Angeles for $12.995 million.

Mr. Medina, 57, who has worked with celebrities like Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs and Will Smith, bought the property for $3.5 million in 2003 from entertainment executive Randy Phillips, the CEO of Global Entertainment , according to public records. Mr. Medina said he then spent five years thoroughly renovating the two-story home, located in Doheny Estates and built in 1963. The renovation expanded the three-bedroom home to its current size of 5,500 square feet and added a stone fireplace in the sunken living room and an expanded outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven. There is also a 50-foot pool and spa area.

“Everything in the house is a vintage piece,” Mr. Medina said, adding that he drew inspiration from designers like James Mont and Jacques Adnet. New details include dark oak wood floors and diamond-patterned coffered ceilings. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook city views. Mr. Medina said he undertook most of the design work himself, and went through three contractors before completing the project.

“I made very good decisions, and I made very bad decisions, and I paid the price for it,” he said, adding that he won’t give the renovation cost “because I would be embarrassed.”

Mr. Medina said he is selling the home because he is spending half the year in New York and would like to take on another renovation project. He is currently serving as executive producer for the NBC series “Shades of Blue,” a police drama starring Jennifer Lopez. Mr. Medina is the longtime manager of Ms. Lopez.

Starting at the age of 16, Mr. Medina worked as a live-in groundskeeper for Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, he said. He parlayed that experience into a career in the music business, followed by a pitch for a TV show about his unconventional youth. It became the basis for “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” the sitcom that launched the acting career of Mr. Smith. Mr. Medina was an executive producer for the show.

The home is listed with Ben Bacal of Rodeo Realty Fine Estates in Beverly Hills.

Article written by Stefanos Chen and courtesy of the WSJ

Director, producer and screenwriter Rob Cohen of “The Fast and the Furious” fame has bought a house in Hidden Hills for $3.26 million.

The Cape Cod-inspired two-story, built in 1996, sits on more than an acre in the gated equestrian community. A circular driveway, a wide front porch with a swing and dormer windows add to the quaint ambiance.

The 5,483 square feet of living space include a family room with a bar, a gym, five bedrooms and six bathrooms. The first-floor master suite features vaulted ceilings, a fireplace and dual closets.

A great room looks out onto the backyard, which contains a resort-like pool with a spa and waterfall. There’s also a fire pit, a barbecue center and an outdoor dining area.

Cohen, 66, was creator and executive producer of last year’s TV series “Topless Prophet.” He also wrote three of the episodes. Among his film credits are “The Fast and the Furious” (2001), “xXx” (2002) and “Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story” (1993).

The property previously sold a decade ago for $2.4 million.

Jennifer Winchell of Rodeo Realty was the listing agent. Dana Olmes and Jeff Biebuyck of Ewing & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty represented Cohen.

 

Article Courtesy of LA Times

Wow!!!  I want to share a truly amazing buyer review I just received from my client on Zillow – “We had been researching the real estate market in the West Valley for a number of years before we were ready to purchase, so I had met and talked with Lonnie at a number of open houses throughout that period.  I knew that Lonnie was a prominent figure in the San Fernando Valley real estate market, but when I worked with him on a personal level, I realized why his reputation precedes him – he’s the best.  That’s not hyperbole, that’s my honest assessment after having purchased multiple properties in Southern California and working with a number of different brokers.  Lonnie is a cut above the rest – he’s attentive, he’s caring, and most of all, he’s accessible.  No question was too small for him – he would always answer any inquiry I had, and would do so in a manner that was both prompt and perceptive.

We are planning on purchasing another property in the coming years, and when we’re ready to buy, Lonnie will be the first person that I call.  If you are in a similar situation, I would urge you to do the same.  With Lonnie, you receive the finest care and attention one could hope for in a real estate transaction.  As I mentioned before, he is as good as they come, and unlike other brokers on the market who might claim the same level of service – Lonnie actually backs it up.” – tmiller247

Below is the Westside Market Report for June 2015 detailing local real estate market statistics and including year-over-year data:

Below is the SF Valley Market Report for June 2015 detailing local real estate market statistics and including year-over-year data:

Below is the Conejo Valley Market Report for June 2015 detailing local real estate market statistics and including year-over-year data:

Midcentury Modern home in Palm Springs that was once leased to Elvis Presley is for sale at $6.93 million – a 27% price drop from a year ago when it was listed at $9.5 million.

Known as the honeymoon hideaway of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, the early ’60s house was leased by Presley starting in 1966 for $21,000.
Open for tours and events in recent months, the glass-and-stone home was constructed by custom builder Robert Alexander and consists of four circle-shaped living spaces set on three levels. Modernist architect William Krisel used curved walls of stone, a round kitchen island and a circular fireplace in the center of the living room to further emphasize the distinctive shape.

The 4,695-square-foot house retains its period vibe. Dining and living rooms, a bar, a breakfast bar, four bedrooms and five bathrooms are among the living spaces. Views take in the Santa Rosa Mountains and Coachella Valley.

A swimming pool, a tennis court and a fruit orchard complete the 1.25 acres of grounds.

Two TV movies, “Elvis & Me” (1988) and “Elvis by the Presleys” (2005), were filmed at the house.

Presley, who died in 1977 at 42, transfixed generations with his Grammy-winning songs, TV and live performances and movie roles. Among his enduring hits are “Jailhouse Rock,” “Love Me Tender” and “Hound Dog.”

Gregory Bega of Sotheby’s International Realty, Eric Meeks of HomeSmart Professionals and Mary Kay Nibley of Rodeo Realty are the listing agents.

 

Article courtesy of LA Times

Living well is the best revenge, and actress Ashley Madekwe, best known for her social-climbing role in the series “Revenge,” has found a place to live well in the Hollywood Hills.

Madekwe and husband Iddo Goldberg, who both star in the series “Salem,” recently paid $1.745 million for a mid-century home with updated appliances and finishes.

The 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home features picture windows, skylights and hardwood floors throughout its nearly 2,000 square feet.

French doors in the master suite open onto an outdoor entertainment area with a pool and pingpong table.

Article Courtesy of Zillow