1920 California Bungalow: 5906 Tipton Way, Los Angeles, 90042

Debuting today is a flip-free, picture perfect 1920 California Bungalow in Highland Park. In lieu of a overly-modern kitchen and bath, you get a warm abode rich in history and vintage good looks.

Priced at $515k, features include 100-year-old wood floors, gorgeous built-ins, original casement windows and an updated kitchen with corian counters. While these homes don’t get the level of attention shiny new flips do, this one is just as captivating. To schedule a private showing, contact Vanessa Yan.

5906 Tipton Way, Los Angeles, 90042
$515k
2 bedrooms/1 bath
1083 sq. ft., 7508 sq. ft. lot
1920 California Bungalow
Original Wood Floors, Built-Ins, Bonus Space

Front patio

Living room with original wood floors and built in cabinets

Dining room with built-in sideboard

Updated kitchen with corian counters

Bedroom

Bath with vintage hex tile floor and subway shower wall

Backyard and patio

Courtesy of Michele Giffin – Podley Properties

All this and you can paint the walls any color you want

Cold, Hard Cash Purchases Hit Record High
I knew it was high and now we’ve got cold hard numbers. Last year, a whopping 32.4% of all home sales in California were cash purchases. While cash offers are relatively common, this is twice the usual rate of about 15%.

30-Year Mortgage Rates Rise
Mortgage rates ticked up twice to 3.51% in the last few weeks from the record low of 3.35%. Suggesting a stronger, more confident market, purchase home loans rose to 42% last month from 27% in January 2013.

New Home Buyer Workshop
Tinkering with the idea of becoming a homeowner? On Sat. 5/25, check out the Endeavor to Achieve Homeownership. Exhibitors from mortgage lenders to home inspectors will be on hand to show you the ropes. Best part? It’s FREE, but you’ll need to pre-register.

1931 Spanish: 800 Palm Dr., Glendale, 91202

Debuting today is a romantic 1931 Spanish style home in Glendale. Located in the green and leafy Glenwood neighborhood, this soulful abode sits on a tree lined street dotted with meticulously maintained vintage bungalows.

Priced at $699k, it features original wood floors, a dramatic beamed/vaulted ceiling, numerous built-ins, niches, impeccable vintage baths with shower alcoves and for those lingering summer nights: an entertainer’s yard with outdoor fireplace. While it’s far from updated, you can’t deny those beautiful bones. For more info or to schedule a private tour, contact Vanessa Yan.

800 Palm Dr., Glendale, 91202
$699k
3 bedrooms/2 baths
1730 sq. ft., 8020 sq. ft. lot
1931 Spanish
Original Wood Floors, Outdoor Fireplace, Built-Ins

Sitting on a quiet, tree lined street in Glenwood

Living room with beamed/vaulted ceiling and fireplace

Dining room with beamed ceiling

Kitchen with built-in cabinets

Bedroom with attached bath

Vintage bath with shower alcove

Roomy yard with outdoor fireplace

Courtesy of Tracy King – Teles Properties

Sonny’s Hideaway: Sultry new eatery serving highbrow and downhome with  zero pretentiousness

Ritzy digs Sonny’s Hideway! Dark, low-lit, sultry and seductive, the ambiance at Sonny’s makes this new eatery on burgeoning York Blvd.

Taking over the spot once inhabited by HPK, another pioneering classy-ish establishment in Highland Park, Sonny’s may succeed by delivering far tastier dishes, creative cocktails and exceptional service.

Bacon brussel sprouts, $5

The menu runs the gamut from classy to downhome. I ordered the steamed clams in smoked grape broth and bacon brussel sprouts. The sprouts where heavenly, decadent and infused with bacon ($5). The clams ($14), on the other hand, were a bit of a downer. While the concoction sounded promising, it was overtly sweet and I missed some of the briny ocean flavor associated with steamed clams.

Our friends ordered fall-off-the-bone short ribs and the bacon burger — both, reasons enough to return to Sonny’s. The ribs ($20) were supremely tender and was perfectly pared with a bone marrow hash. The bacon burger ($14) was otherworldly. One doesn’t expect to find burgers like mom used to make at such a pretty place. I’m talking perfectly seasoned, peppery, crispy, onion infused patties–the kind mom would place between 2 slices of squishy, white Wonder bread. It was delicious.

“Loyal Judith” with a sprig of Thyme, gin, orange, lime and chai

Cocktails leaned towards 1920s vintage with heavy use of bourbons, whiskeys and rum. Again, some sounded great, like the Loyal Judith ($12) made with gin, orange, lime, chai, but missed the mark with me because it tasted a smidge too tea-like with not enough liquor oomph.

Our server, actress Krysten Ritter’s doppelgänger, was warm, friendly, helpful without a hint of pretentiousness–after all, this is Highland Park and not the Westside. The kinks are all part of growing pains for the one-month young eatery, but I know Sonny’s will make Highland Park proud when he grows up and I look forward to cheering him on.

Sonny’s Hideaway, 5137 York Blvd., Los Angeles, 90042, (323) 255-2000

1926 Spanish: 2464 Lake View Ave., Los Angeles, 90026

These are the Best Los Angeles Open Houses for Sunday 5/19/13. Knock these babies out and go enjoy the rest of your weekend.

On Sunday, Silver Lake boasts 2 hot ones. First up is a vintage 1926 Spanish beauty–untouched by the developer’s hand. Priced at $529k, it has original wood floors, archways, numerous built-ins, casement windows and a lush, hillside lot with meandering trails.

Also in Silver Lake is an 1922 California Bungalow. Remodeled with a nod to the past, it features an airy floor plan, a modern kitchen, fireplace, wood floors, built-ins, a clawfoot tub, decks with panoramic views and the pièce de résistance: a usable, flat grassy yard for $799k.

Interested in a cosmetic fixer? Be sure to check out the 1963 Mid-Century in Eagle Rock. Perched on a hill, it offers sweeping views, an open floor plan and a reasonable sticker price of $599k.

Lastly, be sure to check out the romantic Spanish retreat in Montecito Heights. Open house are 2-5PM unless noted. For private showings, contact Vanessa Yan.

2464 Lake View Ave., Los Angeles, 90026

Perched on a Silver Lake hill

2464 Lake View Ave., Los Angeles, 90039
$529k
2 bedrooms/2 baths
1016 sq. ft., 5202 sq. ft. lot
1926 Spanish
Vintage, Original Wood Floors, Built-Ins

Living room with original wood floors

Kitchen with built-in cabinets

Bedroom and hallway with built-ins

Bath

Patio

1404 Murray Dr., Los Angeles, 90026

1922 California Bungalow: 1404 Murray Dr., Los Angeles, 90026

1404 Murray Dr., Los Angeles, 90026
$799k
2 bedrooms/2 baths
1439 sq. ft., 5509 sq. ft. lot
1922 California Bungalow
Unobstructed Views, Clawfoot Tub, Fireplace, Built-Ins

Living room with fireplace and built-in cabinets

Eat-in kitchen

Bedroom with patio access

Baths with hex tile floor and clawfoot tub

Yard with views

1611 Silverwood Dr., Los Angeles, 90041

1963 Mid-Century: 1611 Silverwood Dr., Los Angeles, 90041

1611 Silverwood Dr., Los Angeles, 90041
$599k
3 bedrooms/2 baths
1537 sq. ft., 5225 sq. ft. lot
1963 Mid-Century
Unobstructed Views, Open Floor Plan, Cosmetic Fixer

Living room with views

Kitchen

Dining area

Bedroom with deck

Deck with views

Courtesy of Ross Carter, Coldwell Banker; Grant Linscott, Keller Williams; Tracy King, Teles Properties

¡Viva Mexico, Taiwan y Pasadena!

Looking for things to do in L.A. this weekend? !Viva! Mexiphiles! Stamp your virtual passport with a trip to Mexico at the Hola Mexico Film, Food & Music Festival going on through 5/22 in DTLA. Love movies? Get the chance to check out the latest and greatest from cutting edge directors and writers with screenings at L.A. Live’s Regal Cinema.

Love Mexican food? On Sunday, DO NOT miss Hola Mexico’s GREATEST BBQ – a one day spectacular featuring delicacies from 5 of the most celebrated Mexican chefs, wine and tequila tastings for $40 at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes.

Love real estate porn? Also on Sunday, get the chance to tour 6 modern architectural masterpieces for Pasadena 1940 Forward: Residential Architecture of the Recent Past. This is a drive-yourself tour in Pasadena with interior tours conducted by experienced architectural porn peddlers. Included will be architect Lawrence Test’s home (pictured above), recently restored and very lust-worthy. Purchase tickets in advance for $50 a pop.

Love stinky tofu? Yeah, I didn’t think so, but I do LOVE Taiwanese shaved ice! Get that and more at the Taiwanese American Heritage Festival in Monterey Park. The usual cultural goodies will be hand as well as the delectable edible ones. Have a great weekend!

1926 Spanish: 1347 Montecito Circle, Los Angeles, 90031

Debuting today is a warm 1926 Spanish hacienda in Montecito Heights. Located on a winding street near Debs Park, it sits in a quiet hillside neighborhood where homes rarely come on the market.

Priced at $589k, features include original wood floors, beamed ceilings, a wood burning fireplace and lush manicured landscaping to enjoy from the comfort of your summer-ready, rooftop terrace. For more info or to see in person, contact Vanessa Yan.

1347 Montecito Cir, Los Angeles, 90031
$589k
3 bedrooms/2 baths
1400 sq. ft., 8003 sq. ft. lot
1926 Spanish
Original Wood Floors, Beamed Ceiling, Fireplace

Living room with original wood floors

Kitchen

Den off kitchen

Bedroom with bath

Bath

Office

Rooftop terrace

Courtesy of Jenny Durling – L.A. Property Solutions

1953 Mid-Century: 2750 E. Chevy Chase Dr., Glendale, 91206

Hankering for a sleek Mid-Century home in Mt. Washington? Yea, you and everyone else have caused prices to skyrocket for these enviable architectural wonders. Luckily for you, a 1953 Mid-Century cosmetic fixer has just debuted in Glendale’s lush and Mt. Washington-esque Chevy Chase Canyon.

Priced at $699k, that alone would be awesome for the nearly 1700 sq. ft. structure that includes walls of glass, beamed and vaulted ceilings, built-ins galore and views of lush, park-like grounds. But since this is Glendale, your money goes even further. Turns out, those gorgeous grounds, all 3 parcels worth, are included in the sale. For a private tour, contact Vanessa Yan.

2750 E. Chevy Chase Dr., Glendale, 91206
$699k
3 bedrooms/2 baths
1671 sq. ft., 15,681 sq. ft. lot
1953 Mid-Century
Cosmetic Fixer, Wall of Windows, 3 Park-Like Parcels

Living room with fireplace and beamed/vaulted ceiling

Dining room

Kitchen with built-in cabinets

Bedroom with wall of windows

Built-in desk and dresser

Wardrobe closets

View of park-like grounds from the house

Courtesy of Brit Trydal – Dilbeck Real Estate

1905 Craftsman: 917 E. Edgeware Rd., Los Angeles, 90026

Purchased just 6 months ago for $552k, this 1905 Craftsman duplex has resurfaced today with a new looks and a shiny new sticker price. Located in Angelino Heights, this property has benefited from “the works,” while preserving the head-turning details that matter.

Priced at $749k, it features 2  units, original wood floors, beautiful built-ins, kitchens with marble counters and an icy new HVAC that couldn’t come any sooner. With both units vacant, you can split the $3600/mo. mortgage with a friend or pick up a nice income property that pays for itself and those stunning DTLA views. For a private tour, contact Vanessa Yan.

917 E. Edgeware Rd., Los Angeles, 90026
$749k
Duplex: 2BR/1BA each
1944 sq. ft., 5248 sq. ft. lot
1905 Craftsman
Complete Redo, Original Wood Floors, Built-Ins

[Show as slideshow]

Living room with original wood floors

Dining room with built-in sideboard

Kitchen with marble counters

Bedroom

Bath

Deck

Courtesy of Rich Wilkinson – Brock Real Estate

1947 Traditional: 5315 Hillmont Ave., Los Angeles, 90041

Not to be outdone by that north-of-York upstart, this north-of-Colorado vintage beauty is a sight to behold. Located in a fiery hot Eagle Rock, this 1947 Traditional sits on an idyllic, tree lined street crowned with innumerable soulful abodes.

Priced at $619k, it features original wood floors, wood windows, recessed lighting, a modern kitchen, bonus spaces and a backyard ready for a summer cookout. Minutes to restaurants and shops on Colorado, this family abode also boasts an address that’s walking distance to hyper coveted Dahlia Heights Elementary.

To see this home in person, contact Vanessa Yan.

5315 Hillmont Ave., Los Angeles, 90041
$619k
 3 bedrooms/1 bath
1052 sq. ft., 5001 sq. ft. lot
1947 Traditional
Originial Wood Floors, Modern Kitchen, Dahlia Heights District

Sitting on a leafy, tree lined street in Eagle Rock

Living room with original wood floors and built in storage

View of dining area

Kitchen

Bedroom

Rear deck

Yard

Courtesy of Jo O’ Key – Brock Real Estate