Monday, April 28, 2008

Ashland "Architectural knock out"

Remember this 2 bed / 1.5 bath "Architectural" at 1621 Ashland from September 11? It last sold 10/31/05 for $1,450K, already fixed up. It attempted to sell again 9/5/07 for $1,650K, but left the market in November at $1,545K. Now it's back, reduced to $1,479K. (No, $29K doesn't pay a broker commission, let alone carrying costs for 2-1/2 years.) Here's the current description:

"Architectural knock out in desirable Sunset Park of Santa Monica. Huge 7,050 sq ft park like lot, Livngrm/greatrm opens to private front patio and backyard, master also opens to this stunning back yard to form a true indoor to outdoor flow. Updated kitchen with cement counter tops. Hardwood floors through out. Fireplace in livingrm. Close to Main Street restaurants and shops, Santa Monica school district, minutes from the beach. The life style you have been looking for...."

They don't lead with a front photo. Maybe because I noted last year, the repetition of architectural forms in this composition, the strong horizontal and vertical elements of the front canopy, the for-sale sign, and the high-voltage power pole and its cross-arms on the back alley?

"Knock out" is a peculiar choice of words for this seller, don't you think?

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

The power lines in the back alley are slated for under-grounding in 2009. Contractors for all the services (cable, telephone and electric) have already begun measuring in anticipation of the work.

dwr said...

"No, $29K doesn't pay a broker commission, let alone carrying costs for 2-1/2 years"

But if the owner is also the listing agent, that helps a little bit.

Anonymous said...

So where's the house? I can see a bit the garden shed in the back yard. How funny that they should show the picture of that?

Anonymous said...

This house is indeed unique for the area, but still only a 2 bedroom/1 bath....dark backyard. architecturally unique and across from a pocket park on a nice part of Ashland....but that still doesn't get you to those numbers...

Anonymous said...

I'm going to walk by this one later today. I think it has some potential views being obstructed by overgrown plants from the neighbors. If that's the house about which I'm thinking then paying them $50k to remove the trees would result in a potential ability to have "ocean view" in the description. Then again, it might not be that house.

This house has more of a shot at hitting its price than the pasture property from the previous post.

dwr said...

The only way they have any potential ocean view is looking toward the street, and for that they'd have to take down the wall currently in front of their house.

Anonymous said...

I like this house,seems separated from the street in a good way. Anybody have any opinion on what side of Ocean Park Blvd is better in Sunset Park.I am looking to buy or rent and I am pretty new to Sunset Park. Any helpful hints/tips would be much appreciated.

Anonymous said...

There's a high-voltage power pole on the corner of Lincoln and Dewey that feeds everything South of Lincoln. Will that be going underground as well?

Anonymous said...

canyon primary school is outstanding - that is a good reason to buy this

Westside Bubble said...

Anybody have any opinion on what side of Ocean Park Blvd is better in Sunset Park.

I like the hilly look south of OP Blvd better. But that's where airport noise is worse, a deal-killer for me.

Westside Bubble said...

canyon primary school is outstanding

As in Santa Monica Canyon, aka City of Los Angeles? Huh?

Anonymous said...

How do you get power lines undergrounded? Is that something you pay for yourself or does the city do it? How much does it cost?

Anonymous said...

You pay. I was quoted a price of $30,000 when I contacted the power company for it about four years ago.

In the end they caved and did it for free because the lines had been improperly installed far too low through a non-permitted shared alley and there was no other way to run them.

Suffice it to say, they won't do it for free unless there is the potential for serious injury, and even then they'll try to get the cash (tens of thousands) from you somehow.

Anonymous said...

back to this house on Ashland. It is the one where the neighbors to the west have lined the property with tall trees that fully obstruct the potential views of this property. It sucks and I imagine it creates a contentious relationship with the neighbor because this house would have views of the water otherwise.

Anonymous said...

"canyon primary school is outstanding - that is a good reason to buy this."

The location of this house doesn't guarantee enrollment in Canyon Primary. You'd have to apply for the lottery + cross your fingers.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous April 29, 2008 10:22 PM asked...
How do you get power lines undergrounded? Is that something you pay for yourself or does the city do it? How much does it cost?

Answer:
Contact the city. It takes many years to get a specific corridor approved. Undergrounding the power lines on the Ashland & 18th corridor was determined many, many years ago (1995?).

The City Engineer has oversight of the project which extends along Ashland alley from 16th to 18th Streets, and then along 18th Street to Pico Blvd at the college. Construction is scheduled to begin July 2009. The total cost estimate of the of project is about $8.1 million. Edison provides the funds; they're required to allocate undergrounding funds to local jurisdictions each year.

Anonymous said...

Anon April 29, 2008 7:16 PM writes:
"canyon primary school is outstanding - that is a good reason to buy this."

Answer:
Wrong location. This property is south of OPB, not near SM Canyon. This home probably falls within the attendance boundries of Will Rogers elementary.

Anonymous said...

this 'knock-out' is on the take off end of the runway. consider yourself deaf after living there for 5 yrs. location location folks--it's more important in a buyers' market.