Westside Story

With apologies to Eric Carle Declines in Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades are happening, but there are some significant holdouts who still think it is 2005. You'd think after 170+ days on the market the message would be clear. We've stopped actively looking for a house, but I have alerts set up for my favorite areas so I can watch the shenanigans. My new favorite house is 11124 Sunset Blvd- just down the street from the highly overpriced and still not selling 11150 Sunset Blvd. One is billed as "move-in ready" the other is a "developer dream". When it hits $1.2 million, call me The exchange student leaves in July, so the bedroom situation won't be so crowded soon. My mother-in-law is coming, but I'm tempted to stuff her under the swingset of doom.

Sellers aren't selling or coming down in the areas we want- and so we aren't buying. Nyah-Nyah-nyah.

I'm beginning to see homes that were previously waaaaaay out of our range come tippy-toeing closer, but there still isn't a house big enough for all of us, with decent schools and a decent commute for us for less than $1.2 million. There are now quite few available for $1.7 million that are just perfect (and a few dreamers who still think $2.2 million is just chump change), but we really don't want to pay more than $1.2 million. Hello 11150 Sunset Blvd, 90049- I'm talking about you. We offered for you in May 2007 and were rebuffed in favor of a developer who thought it would be a quick flip. It's still on the market...

It's killing me, but we are dropping out of the house hunt until we see clear evidence that the homeowners who are selling in the areas we like are starting to get the message. No more multiple bids on the lone house in the area willing to sell. Tuition payment for next year... $24,600 plus I need to pay for uniforms, books, field trips and the mandatory fundraisers. Plus afterschool care and once a week transportation for early dismissal day and I don't get home from work in time.

So really, $2,095,000? I love pre-war construction for its solidity and your 8,000 sq ft lot is prime for Santa Monica. But you've been so long on the market and now sadly left at the altar. So is there a price chop coming or is this the swan song of the listing?

No, I'm not making any sort of statement about your price 1101 N. Kenter Canyon. A $200,000 price chop always looks good to me. I am allergic to nuts and someone or something has filled my lungs with the trigger. I have crushed 4 Benedryl and rinsed my aching nose and throat with saline. I'm still breathing, but ohhhh it hurts.

Hello 10631 BRADBURY RD , LOS ANGELES 90064 Your newly reduced price of $1,599,000 is truly impressive considering that your lot size is the minimal Cheviot Hills/Rancho Park 6,600 sq ft. Your close cousin on Dunleer Place (with a bigger lot) is now listed at $995,000 and still not moving, so perhaps the value is a touch inflated. Really, how much is it worth to you to have commuter train hurling through your back yard on its way to Santa Monica and back?