Curbed LA's Ugliest Houses of 2009 - Some of them even sold!

Yes, a house is still a home, but these are some UGLY properties. Check out Curbed LA's review of the year's worst...err, best ugly houses.

Has The Market Stabilized? Examining L.A. County Sales

The following three images are graphic depictions of market trends since December 1st 2008. They are based on data taken from the Greater Los Angeles and Westside MLS:

NOTE: Please click on the images for better reading/viewing. The dark bars represent the median sales price and the lighter bars represent the median list price.


This first graph examines houses sold with a price between $200,000 and $700,000.The median sale price has basically remained steady. The median sales price for December 2008 was $350,000. Twelve months later the Median sales price was $355,000. A slight rise in price which may have more to do with first-time home buyers angling to close before the previous tax credit deadline than an upward trend.



This graph displays homes sold with a purchase price between $701,000 and $2 Million. In this price category we see a drop of $85,000 between December 08' and November 09'. It's interesting to note that last December these home were closing at 97% of their list price. A year later we see a 85% difference in median sold to median list price.



In this last graph we take a look at condo sales between $200-700,000. Here, much like the single family homes in this price category, we see a slight rise of $5,000 over the twelve monthe from December of last year through November of this year. Interesting to note that sellers of these homes seem to be asking for more and getting less than they were 12 months ago.

Modular Homes Made From Shipping Containers

I don't know about you but I sometimes wonder about how many shipping containers there are floating around in the world. You know, those rectangular steel boxes that you see unloaded from cargo ship and either attached to railroad cars or dropped on the back of semis.

Consider all the goods manufactured in China and shipped to ports in North America. Some estimate that there are around 18 million containers in use each year. That's a mind-blowing number.

Well, thousands of those sturdy steel containers are retired every year. Some very clever forward-thinking builders have begun using these containers as the building blocks to create prefab dwellings. Check out this posting From The Daily Green. By using existing structures like these, builders can reduce their construction costs by about 50%. If you've ever been down near the port of LA there are acres of these containers blighting the landscape due to our nation's trade deficit with China. More good are coming into the ports than we are shipping out.

Here's a 2006 Video reported by CNN:

Castillo Del Lago LA Landmark For Sale

I finally got a chance to view the magnificent former home of Bugsy Siegel and Madonna. It is currently on the market for $9,995,000. A steal given that it was listed in April for over $14 million. Yes, the market has taken a dive at all price points.

It is really something else. I could have stayed there all day. To see the MLS profile click here.

You enter the property and take either an elevator or walk up spiralling staircase to reach the reception level. After that, thanks to the glorious renovation undertaken by the current owners you are transported to 1926 when this estate was built. There are hidden rooms and grotto-like hideaways, and the views of Lake Hollywoood are stunning. The detailing in the tile, wood and stone work, are outstanding.

Interesting factoid: Their are still bullet holes in a wood railing above the living room from when the LAPD raided back in the 30s. This is not the home where Bugsy Siegel met his demise. That house is in Beverly Hills.