GO GREEN with BROWN

Great deal in Silver Lake - 2715 Armstrong Ave.

2011-06-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

In a neighborhood of $800,000. plus homes, this charming Spanish bungalow is listed at $699,000. It just came on the market yesterday and is a great deal. Steps away from the Silver Lake reservoir and in the Ivanhoe Elementary school district this is a perfect family home. Take a look at some other homes on Armstrong that are Active, Looking for Backup and have recently Sold to fully appreciate this homes value.

If you would like to see this home please give me a call: 818-321-7200.

2715 Armstrong Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90039 3bed/3bath 1,256 sq.ft.

2715 Armstrong Kitchen, original 20's look.

Listing courtesy of Lori Ramirez Coldwell Banker Los Feliz


2566 Armstrong Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90039 3bed/1.75 bath 1,555 sq.ft. $889,000. This home at 2566 is ACTIVE and has been on the market for 82 days.

Listing courtesy of Chris Abbott Coldwell Banker Los Feliz

2641 Armstrong Ave.,Los Angeles, CA 90039 3bed/1bath 1,394 sq.ft. $859,000. This home is LOOKING FOR BACKUP after being on the market for 44 days. There is a separate bonus room that houses the laundry/office/playroom.

Listing courtesy of Karen Lower Coldwell Banker BH

2634 Armstrong Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90039, SOLD for $820,000 on 11/30/2010. 2bed/2.5bath 1,554 sq.ft. Listing courtesy of Howard Lorey Nourmand & Associates

3457 KNOLL DR.- MAN CAVE IN THE HILLS, THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS

2011-04-06T00:22:00.000-07:00

3bd/3.5ba

$1,399,000.00

When I saw this house in the MLS today I knew I wanted to see inside. I always wonder "how do you place the furniture in a round house?" The whole house isn't round, just the living room and media room upstairs. Originally built in 1959 by Lorand West for his family the home now has a very "man pad" vibe. The roof was designed to be a helipad but by the time the home was completed the city of Los Angeles had outlawed heliocopter pads in residential neighborhoods. A long-time owner of the home was Mark Christian, Rock Hudson's partner, who added the Frank Lloyd Wrightesque concrete block to the entry way.

The round living room with stone floors and double sided fireplace has fabulous views of the backyard and pool and the hills beyond. Don't place the furniture near the walls.

All the latest equipment is in this kitchen with great view thrown in.

Master bath has a custom shower with six heads and steam.

Room with (another great) view, master suite.

Media/recording/entertainment room with a large retractable screen and projector. There are reclining theater chairs, they look much more comfortable then theater seats but they do have cup holders. There is a 7.1 surround sound speakers for the total theater experience. There was also an old fashioned pinball machine in there but that doesn't come with the house. It's just the perfect accessory for this room.


There is a large patio with steps descending to the saltwater pool with multiple colored fountains.	If you would like to see this home please *give me a call at: 818-321-7200 or email me at lizbrown198@gmail.com* Listing courtesy of Tom Otero - Rodeo Realty

REAP the Rewards of a Comfortable Home

2011-03-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

The Realtor Energy Audit Program (REAP) sponsered by the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) provides a $250.00 rebate for an energy audit when a buyer gets an FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) and uses a CA realtor. For a comfortable, energy-efficient home the first thing you need to do is get an energy audit once you decide on your perfect or soon-to-be perfect home. Actually the first thing to do is talk to your mortgage broker about a Energy Efficient Mortgage which will allow you to borrow more money to do energy-efficient upgrades. In both cases you need a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) home energy audit of the home before the close of escrow. A HERS rater will give you a road map within your budget to achieve a home without drafts, where every room is the same temperature and your utility bills are lower. This program is effective until December 31, 2011

Give me a call, 818-321-7200 if you are looking for a home.. I have the green resources to make your renovation or build happen. Take the first step. .www.car.org/3550/pdf/204893/REAP_Flyer.pdf

3434 Waverly Dr. - Classic Country English Home with a CaliforniaTwist

2011-03-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

3434 Waverly Dr. in Los Feliz

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2.5

Sq.Ft: 2,604

Lot Size: 5,140
$1,345,000.

This house is a classic Country English home but with a hip California twist. It has many large windows and french doors to bring in the sunshine. The current home owners have kept the integrity of Country English architecture and decorated with modern furniture, wild wallpaper and their personal art collection that gives this home a very contemporary feel.

The backyard is small but there is a large flagstone patio off the living room and den. The neighborhood is quiet with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Retreat House is across the street. I'm sure that helps in keeping the serene.

Light-filled Living Room

Dining room looking into Den.

Practical side of the kitchen. Other side as a couch for kitchen visitors or TV watchers.

Large but cozy master bedroom.

Original bathroom upstairs updated with contemporary wallpaper.

View from the guest apartment located above a three car garage.

Fun wallpaper that livens-up the room.

Courtesy of Kirk Gerou, Prudential

2136 MAYVIEW DR. - LIGHT & BRICHT & GREEN IN FRANKLIN HILLS

2011-01-18T16:20:00.000-08:00

2136 Mayview Dr.

Los Angeles, CA 90027

At the very top of the Franklin Hills is an updated Traditional home with green features. Built in 1940 and updated a few years ago the home features beautifully dark stained floors and rich crown molding, a new roof and gutters and new electric system. The green features include an energy-efficient water heater, a drought tolerant garden and solar panels for heat and electricity. There is no air conditioning but with all the windows and ceiling fans and being at the top of the hill the air flow will keep the home cool..Today, it was 80 degress at noon and clear. This is what I dreamed of when I lived in Chicago..

Bedrooms: 2
Bathroom: 1
APX Sq.Ft. 1,135
APX LSZ: 4,080
$699,000.

Living Room with wood burning fireplace.

Galley kitchen with top quality appliances.

Larger bedroom with french doors to patio.

Second bedroom or Office also with french doors to patio.

Covered patio that is just part of the backyard patio.

Griffith Park Observatory view.

Downtown Los Angeles

Listing courtesy of Juliette Hohnen Teles Properties, Inc.

3909 PROSPECT AVE. GREAT LAYOUT

2011-01-11T20:38:00.000-08:00

Stylish renovation of a 1947 home in the Franklin Hills. Small home, great layout. Every bit of space is used effectively. Wonderful light. Great indoor/outdoor living space.

Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1.5
APX SF: 1,258.
APX LSZ: Lot size on tax roles may be incorrect
List Price: $749,000.

No lawn, no mowing. Drought tolerant plantings for the front yard.

Sitting area looking into Living Room

Dining room

Great light in kitchen and stainless steel appliances

Master bedroom with patio and hamock just outside.

Second bedroom also with doors to outside and plenty of light.

Main bathroom

Large patio off sitting area that extends around the back of the house.

For more information call Liz Brown 818-321-7200

Courtesy of: Konstantine Valissarakos - Sotheby's - Los Feliz

5611 PARK OAK PL. - RESTORE GREEN

2010-12-07T16:43:00.000-08:00

This 1948 Mid-Century home in the "The Oaks" an exclusive enclave located in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles is a prime example of a perfect home to go green. The home needs extensive renovation to bring it up to today's standards. So why not seal the envelope of the house and insulate it correctly so this home will be warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The choice of materials such as low or zero VOC paints or cork flooring in the kitchen will help with indoor air quality. EnergyStar appliances and solar would significantly lower electric bills. Enjoy city and hillside views in a very private setting.

Bedrooms: 2
Baths: 2
Square footage: 2,151
Lot size: 18,890

Offered at: $1,100,000.

Offers will be be reviewed on Thursday, December 9th 2010.

For more information or to view this home call:

Liz Brown 818.321.7200

Courtesy of Eileen & George Moreno, Re/Max Tri-City

GREEN WON'T BE EASY FOR BROWN

2010-12-03T00:37:00.000-08:00

You can imagine my surprise this morning when I saw on the front page of the Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-brown-jobs-20101202,0,2842087. GREEN WON'T BE EASY FOR BROWN Liz Brown? No Jerry Brown! His plan is for California to generate one third of all its power from renewable resources by 2020, the bulk of which Gov. Brown wants to be produced in California.

The article emphasizes the high cost of the project. It is a daunting number in this economy but this project will put people to work and provide cleaner energy. The project is about investing in our state and lessening our dependence on coal. As homeowners we all need to not only think about the cost of energy but our consumption of energy. Before installing solar you need to look at your whole house

My philosophy is the whole home approach. What is the point of installing a roof of solar panels when your heating and AC ducts are leaking, windows and doors are drafty and you have no insulation or improperly installed insulation..All of this may sound overwhelming but if you first invest in an energy audit the auditor will prioritize your list of improvements for your budget. Check into rebates through your utility company.
Los Angeles DWP , Glendale Water and Power (GWP)

Many utility and solar companies offer free audits but they are not as complete as having a qualified energy auditor/rater. Check out www.resnet.us Residential Energy Service Network for a certified energy auditor/rater and qualified contractors/builders. We can make our homes more energy efficient while Sacramento figures out how to implement alternative resources. Who do you think will be done first? I bet on homeowners.

SMALL LOT ORDINANCE HOMES - MORE TO COME IN ATWATER & SILVER LAKE

2010-11-11T15:12:00.000-08:00

Two small lot ordinance projects that are under construction now are Casitas Village the 27 single- family residences on Casitas Ave. in Atwater Village and the Edgecliffe Townhomes four single-family residences on Edgecliffe Ave. in Silver Lake. With a small lot ordinance home you own the land under the house and their are no or minimal HOA fees.

The Casitas Village homes are across the street from Casitas Studios which is an art complex composed of theaters, artists' studios, art classes for kids, a gym and a cafe (the cafe hasn't opened yet) and within walking distance of Glendale Blvd. that has restaurants and shops. The homes are 2 to 4 bedrooms and 4 baths starting at 2800 sq. ft. The architecture is modern with floor-to-ceiling windows that create great air flow and an indoor/outdoor feeling. The construction is all steel and concrete (fireproof). The rooftop garden will have a kitchenette and bathroom, great for entertaining. There are spectacular views of the San Bernardino mountains. A really smart feature in this home is a dumb waiter from the garage all the way up to the rooftop. This project is going for a LEED Platinum rating. Opening soon probably January 2011.

Edgecliffe Townhomes are 1/2 block from Sunset Blvd. in Sunset Junction where there is a farmer's market every Sunday and very hip restaurants and shops. Two of the homes have a small yard and all have rooftop gardens with views of the Hollywood sign and the Griffith Park Observatory. Each home has 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. This project is sustainably designed with dual glazed low- e windows, dual zoned HVAC, low or no VOC finishes, pre-wiring for electric car charger and solar thermal chimneys plus many more features. Opening Summer 2011.

GREAT GREEN HOME IN ATWATER VILLAGE REDUCED

2010-10-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

This home at 3795 Valleybrink Rd. was a termite infested mess and has been transformed into a healthy, energy efficient and beautiful home. Unfortunately when it came on the market it was priced too high for the neighborhood but now the price has come down to $710,000. and it is in the range.

LEED for Homes Certification
Energy Efficient Appliances
Drought tolerant landscaping
Original fireplace
Dying avocado tree re-purposed into outdoor benches.
3 bedrooms/2 baths
1372 square feet
4796 LSZ

For more information or if you would like to see this home. Contact: Liz Brown 818-321-7200 or email lizbrown198@gmail.com.

Listing courtesy of Nicole Van Parys, ReMax Olson & Assoc.

EAST SIDE ECO TOUR 2010 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24th 12-4 p.m.

2010-10-13T23:27:00.000-07:00

As an EcoBroker I am always looking for homes that are green, meaning energy-efficient, comfortable and water wise. Last year I went to the East Side Eco Tour and discovered those homes right in my backyard: Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Echo Park and Atwater Village. There was new construction, craftsman homes, modern homes and a Southern-style Colonial home. The last home is the residence of Tomas O'Grady and his family. Tomas is the organizer of the Eco Tour, www.farmfeliz.org, and it promises to be even better this year.

This year a green apartment and a look at a green wedding have been added along with the Franklin Hills community garden, the Green Beacon Foundation home and many private homes.

This tour is a great way to see what green looks like on the east side of L.A.

Liz Brown