Dan's My Realtor » My Listings

The Greenest Home in Silver Lake!

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:03:58 +0000

HI Everyone,

I wanted to invite you to a very interesting Open House were having for Jerome Palayo of Sunia Homes a new Developer/Builder were working with. I mentioned it to you a couple of weeks ago and would love for you to come by. About 2yrs ago he and his wife bought a little 2+1 at 915 Rosemont Ave90026 in Echo Park. After seeing that the home needed much more in repairs and updating then it was worth paying, he and his wife chose to tear it down. Now they’ve built one of the Greenest Home I’ve ever seen!

He has a background in architecture and frankly he saw a need for a home that was made with sustainable materials, thoughtful by design and made from recyclable materials. The cost to build a new 3br 2ba, 2000 sqft home from the ground up and in 4 months was about $150 per sqft foot! Which isn’t bad and they’ve have had allot interest from neighbors, friends and people who’ve driven by and actually stopped and asked questions about the home. Now their intention is to build homes in urban areas like Echo Park, Silver Lake and other areas. While their house isn’t on the market yet, were going looking to bring Buyers, Investors and Realtors to see what they’ve created and offer them a real alternative to what’s out there. They actually want to create a lifestyle more then just building energy efficient homes.

So if you are interested in this lifestyle as well as concerned about the imprint you have on the environment and are thinking of new construction, then this could work for you. The Open House will be this Thursday, February 2rd at 3:00 pm to 6:00pm. We’ll have wine and cheese and would love your support so please come by 915 Rosemont Ave LA, 90026 and see this incredible home and a newer idea in urban living!

If you want to know more please contact me at dansmyrealtor@gmail.com or call 323-839-3936.

Thanks,
Dan Ortega
Keller Williams Los Feliz

I received this letter from my good friend Joe, glad to help!

admin — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:26:38 +0000

Hello Dan,

This is a shout from Ivanhoe Elementary School – one of the best in the city, as you know. I am writing to ask you to help school out in a time of great need. Basically, the school is going to lose critical personnel and infrastructure unless they are able to raise 335K by May 11.

The money raised augments the severely diminished funds they receive from LAUSD. Those state budget cuts hit schools very hard. They have 150K on-hand so far and about 50K in uncollected but pledged money. Most of the money comes from the families, many of which arestruggling profoundly- not that we are not all up against it with this economy and this market. But here’s the thing: I know you have sold in the Ivanhoe school district, are selling there now, or plan to sell there in the future, you know that sense of confidence when you get to say to a young mother and father, or soon to be mother and father, that the house is in Ivanhoe. If they were considering private school, and they buy in Ivanhoe, they save themselves tens of thousands of dollars. Now some might argue that there is an Ivanhoe premium tacked onto houses in the district, and I would agree to an extent. However, close scrutiny of the numbers fairly shows that the premium is well worth the long term savings.

Please tel your clients if they have, are, or will buy or sell in Ivanhoe, they are a direct beneficiary of the fantastic work of the staff there, as well as the dedicated efforts of the community. The staff, the parents, and the children keep the school consistently in the highest echelons of performance. Giving to Ivanhoe is in everyone’s best financial interest because it will help the school continue to be as excellent as it is. It makes the area that much more special and it makes the sale that much easier.

Lastly, it may help (though you may find it infuriating) to understand the logic of public school funding in this modern world: the better the school does, the less money it gets. Yes. That’s what I just wrote, the better the school does, the less money it gets. Does that seem like a structural incentive to be mediocre? I believe so. But, getting mad at the bureaucracy of LAUSD and the perverse incentive structure of our national education system, which dictates this weird inversion of common sense, is like getting mad at the rain and running out and hollering at it: you get wet, it doesn’t stop raining, and you might get sick from carrying on like a crazy person
in the downpour. If it outrages you, I welcome and encourage you to channel that energy and do something about it, but, in the meantime, please help the school stay great. Full disclosure: I have two children at Ivanhoe, so I have a triple interest: my kids and my job. Our family has given significantly and will continue to do so.
Please dig as deep as you can. The address and website are below. Give in your own name or in the name of KW. Alternatively, they have a banner program so you can purchase ad-space on the fence of the school on Rowena if you’d like. Or, the kids are doing a Fitness Fest by which they raise money with pledges – you can pledge through a child you know at the school or you can pledge through one of my kids (they would be verygrateful!). All donations are tax deductible because the parents organization,Friends of Ivanhoe (“FOI”), is a 501c3. Know that whatever you do, even if it’sjust hundred bucks, will be meaningful, it will be a tax write-off, and it will be good business.
Dan (Mr. Ivanhoe) Thanks so much for reading and contributing to the school and for passing this on to your Buyers, Sellers and all the people that follow you blog! You are a great Realtor and a true friend of Ivanhoe!

Cheers,

Joe Mellis

By Mail:

Friends of Ivanhoe
P.O. Box 39985 Griffith Park Station
Los Angeles, CA 90039

Website to learn more: http://www.friendsofivanhoe.org/CPIE_B7LD.html

Glad to help and as always contact me fo all your Real Estate needs at dansyrealtor@gmail.com or call 323-839-3936

Best,

Dan Ortega

My Newest Listing in Los Feliz!

admin — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 01:29:23 +0000

4354 RUSSELL AVENUE LOS FELIZ $599,000

I’m so excited to present my latest listing! This charming 3 bedroom 1.5 bath home with an attached legal studio has been well taken care of and maintained by the Sellers. The main house features a large living room/dining room, bright kitchen and lots of closet space. The third bedroom is being used as an office and has the half bath. The entire home offers a water filtration system and a newer sewer line. There’s a wonderful covered patio, great for entertaing and the front yard is nicely landscaped as well as having fruit trees. The garage is designated a bonus room with a roof top area and some views of downtown. There are 2 uncovered parking spaces as well being a corner lot, which make for an ideal location. And very close to all that the Village and Hillhurst have to offer! I’ll be holding it open Sunday April 10th from 2-5 and this coming week. Please check out http://www.4354russell.com/ for more pictures and if you would like more information or to set up a private showing please contact me at 323-839-3936 or e-mail me at dansmyrealtor@gmail.com.

As always thanks for checking in and I would love to assist you with your Real Estate goals!

Best,
Dan Ortega
Assistant Manager
Keller Williams Los Feliz

Why hasn’t this home in the Ivanhoe School district of Silver Lake sold?

admin — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 23:23:43 +0000

2115 PANORAMA TER , LOS ANGELES ,CA 90039 $875,000

I like the spacious and bright living room with gorgeous views. Remodeled kitchen with sunny breakfast room. Laundry room and half bath are located off the kitchen. The dining room opens to a view balcony that leads to the lovely garden and patio below. Upstairs bath with double sinks has been recently remodeled and retiled with Mission Tile. Beautifully refinished hardwood floors. Great character details such as coved ceilings and archways. Fabulous studio with separate entrance offers an office area, mini kitchen and newly retiled 3/4 bath. 2 car garage with parking for 2 additional cars. This is a charming home that’s located in the gorgeous Silver Lake Hills and it’s in the Ivanhoe School District!

I saw this home as soon as it came on the market and was excited about many things including the price! We know that homes in Ivanhoe can command a higher price so it was nice to see something under $1M. It went into multiple offers and sold quickly. Unfortunately the first Buyers changed their minds the same day their offer was accepted, then the second Buyer walked away. Seems they wanted something in mint condition, well we saw this house and it was as close as you can get. No house is perfect but we felt this home was well maintained, updated, really charming and being offered at a really good price. Now, the thrill is gone and people have moved on but I think its the perfect time to come in and make an offer. The Sellers have been disappointed twice and they may be ready to move forward and have more flexibility with regard to terms and price. I know this one is worth seeing so if you’re interested in this 3br 3br home with a great flat yard, nice studio and well done in the Ivanhoe school district please contact me at dansmyrealtor@gmail.com or call me at 323-839-3936. If you would like to be on my mailing list of homes in Silver Lake please send me an e-mail, you can also go to www.silverlakelife.com for a list of homes currently on the market. I know the listing agents the Morenos on this one and have worked with them in the past which makes for an advantage when working with me!

As always, thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!
Dan Ortega

Thanks Andrew and Jenna for your kind words, I love your new home on Benton Way in Silver Lake!

admin — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:51:29 +0000

8/14/10
Upon meeting Dan Ortega, Jenna and I were instantly struck with his combination of
warmth and housing market knowledge. We had just started looking at housing prices in
our neighborhood, not really sure what our budget might be or if we were even ready for
home ownership. Dan listened, offered advice, gave us space and was there if we had
questions. Once we had our finances together and felt secure that the time was right, we
reached out to Dan and began our search. Dan knew the area inside and out. More
importantly, he seemed to have a great relationship with every real estate agent we came
across. Dan very quickly earned our trust. He was available to discuss our fears, talk
about a new house we’d seen online, or just chat about the market. Once we started
making offers, Dan was invaluable. He was able to tell us when a house was overpriced,
and when we’d have to come in high on a popular property. In addition, through his
relationships, he was able to get us into houses that hadn’t been listed yet, and get the
scoop on which properties might be coming on the market soon. He was consistent,
steady and patient with us even when the financial stress and housing fears made us less
than easy to deal with.
Above all, it was clear throughout the process, that whether we ended up buying a house
or not, Dan was really only motivated by helping us make a decision that was right for us.
We never doubted whose interests he had at heart: ours. And once we found the property
we ultimately purchased Dan was on our side one hundred percent through negotiations.
He and the seller’s agent both worked hard to make the process as easy as possible for us,
and Dan really took the time to point out every small detail that we should be aware of,
which things might be cause for concern and which weren’t. Even after the sale finalized
and we moved in, Dan was still there for us if we needed a referral or had a question.
He’s still there for us now and we’re grateful for all his help, guidance, patience and
friendship. We can’t recommend him enough.
Andrew Guest & Jenna Friedenberg

Check Out My New Listing At 2260 Cahuenga Blvd

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 22:01:48 +0000

2260 N Cahuenga (Unit 402)
Los Angeles, CA 90068
$319,000

Fabulous fixer condo in the Hollywood Hills! Trust sale, being sold as-is. This is a great opportunity to create the perfect space in a well-located building. This 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,258 sq. ft. unit has an open kitchen, dining/living room floor plan, and great views from the wall of windows. Enjoy sunset and partial Downtown views from the wraparound balcony off the living room and bedroom. Building amenities include a recently updated pool area, laundry room, and 2 tandem parking spaces. This unit has enormous upside potential for investors, or the Buyer looking to take advantage of the market and create their perfect space. Why pay for someone else’s tastes and upgrades when you can do it your way? Close to the Hollywood Bowl and all that Hollywood has to offer!

If you’d like to see this listing or any others in the Hollywood area call me at 323-839-3936 or email me at dansmyrealtor@gmail.com!