Westside Story

"Before we get out of the car, what are the rules?" (chorus) Don't touch anything! (teenager) unitelligble grunt (husband) what is the list on this one? OK, we are here- Hubby, go get the set up and sign in (one small person) I neeeed to use the bathroom OK, surly teenager please take small person to the bathroom Didn't I say don't touch anything? Back in the car, drop surly teen off at mall, get snacks, potty and then back on the road Repeat process. This has been the routine for nearly a year. Everyone is invested in the process because everyone would like a bedroom.

Dear sellers, please for the love of all that is great and holy, start reading these blogs. I've been watching the same set of houses in Santa Monica, Bel Air and Westwood bob along in the the downward torrent without any downward movement whatsoever. Here's a clue- if you couldn't get your price last summer, it still isn't going to move THIS summer at that price. 11150 Sunset 1135 Berkeley 2267 Roscomare YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL

Our price range keeps creeping up and so do our expectations. Sunday we went to see yet another house- this time in lovely Sunset Park in Santa Monica. $1,695,000 is asked for a "custom remodel" on busy 34th st. The location is ideal as we could place a large rubber band in the back yard and slingshot the primary breadwinner into his work parking lot, but OY! the house is one of the strangest remodels I've ever seen. No thought was given to maximizing the lot, so the house kind of rambles over the 9600 sq ft lot, leaving the back yard dedicated to driveway. Landscaping seems intended specifically to hide the children's play area from the watchful eyes in the living room at the back of the house. The center of the house is a laundry room/office combo with a long, narrow galley kitchen to one side. The original living room and dining room remain at the front of the house. We were prepared to walk in with an offer, but the layout was so odd and the traffic so depressing