Our listing at 1053 S Hudson reduced their price to 1,750,000; the sellers are ready to sell! These owners bought the property in 2021. They paid large relocation fees to relocate 2 tenants, did extensive work to the exterior of the building, put in central AC and 2 new kitchens, remodeled the full bath in each unit, added a half bath to one unit, and they got RTI plans to turn the garages into an ADU. We listed the property once (end of 22 – beginning of 23) and again now. When it was listed last time for 1,900,000, we got a full price offer very quickly and then 2 more offers that were very close to it. At that time, the owners were on the fence about selling or leasing + holding. At that time, they thought they’d sell vs lease if they got over the asking price. They chose to lease for a year. Now they decided to sell. It’s a good deal now because it’s fully vacant and we had 3 solid offers for a lot more than the current list price when it was last listed.
We have a beautiful new lease at 1159 S Hayworth. The property is a unique character architectural emotional lower duplex unit with 2 beds, 1 bath, and beautiful outdoor space in both the front and back. An antique original weathered yellow door opens to a formal entry with ornate arches, millwork, and wallpaper. The grand living room has a statement fireplace + deep windows, and the generous dining room has large windows to the front porch. The kitchen is handsomely remodeled with abundant new Shaker cabinets, brass hardware, and an antique stove. The adjacent laundry room has a washer/dryer. An extra large primary bedroom is drenched in sunshine, and the remodeled character bath has a built-in vanity, claw foot tub, and frameless glass enclosed shower. The second bedroom is generous. There’s a shared spacious grassy yard with a pergola over a covered outdoor living room. The space has original hardwood floors and central AC. It’s the perfect blend of old world charm and modern updates in an amazing neighborhood and location! We’re happy to show any time!
We have a new escrow, representing the buyer, on a property listed by another agent, right in our neighborhood. The listing came up on Jan 20, 2025 for 2,995,000. We toured the property immediately and our client liked it. He wanted to write an offer. I was pretty positive that he could safely write 2,500,000 and he wouldn’t lose the property to a higher paying buyer. We wrote an offer for 2,500,000 and on February 7 the owner countered 2,800,000 with a message from the listing agent, “The seller is eager to find common ground and is aiming to finalize the sale as close as possible to $2.8 million.” I was pretty positive that my buyer could safely wait and buy the property for $2,500,000. On February 24 the seller lowered the price of the property on the MLS from 2,995,000 in the hopes of finding a buyer at a higher price. On March 13 we got a revised counter offer from the seller that said, “Purchase Price to be 2,500,000.” It’s not a smart or effective strategy to overprice a property. It’s in escrow for 2,500,000.
It’s interesting that both our deals (representing sellers) that are closing escrow this week are with buyers who opened escrow with no contingencies at all in place. We so often encounter buyers looking to get a deal OR looking to score a special property that so many people love and want. To get to both often takes bold action. A buyer who writes an entirely contingency free offer brings something to the seller that’s attractive, and makes it worth the seller selling for a lower price to avoid the uncertainty and anticipation of the contingency periods. A buyer who offers way over the asking price stands out from the crowd and wins in multiple offers. Acting bold is not for the faint of heart and of course it can be scary, but it comes with rewards.
We finally closed on 1056 S Ridgeley after a full month of harrowing asbestos remediation!!! Una, our seller, wins for the sweetest nicest lady ever! It’s an interesting coincidence that from 10/22 tol 3/25, we closed sales on 5 houses on that particular block, 4 times representing seller and once buyer. We also closed on the sale of 116 ½ Sycamore for 1,350,000 – 50,000 over the asking price! Also interesting that it’s our sixth time closing a sale in this building – all 6 times representing the seller! 116 ½ N Sycamore went in and out of escrow, and then in again immediately (and closed 30 days later) because the unit is so uniquely beautiful.
I stayed up until 3 am every night last week cooking for Passover!!!! I love to cook and I love when our kids & grandkids come so I’m hyper excited…and I keep cooking!!! On Friday afternoon my next door neighbor messaged me on Whats App, “What were you cooking on Wednesday night? It smelled out of this world!!! And I want the recipe.” I called my neighbor to share recipes (she wanted the one that she & her husband thought smelled like the Garden of Eden :)) and I felt exactly like My Mom. My Mom loved to cook way in advance before the holidays, and she loved to patiently share her recipes in the grocery store standing by the meat display, on the phone for hours in all different languages with extended family, and everywhere we went! I saved a folder with snippets of paper where My Mom scribbled recipes while she was on the phone, or pages she ripped out from newspapers dated 15+ years ago. Making those dishes now, looking at My Mom’s handwriting on yellowed lined paper, makes me feel connected and like Mom’s right here with me still doing recipes. Cooking for Passover brings me back 40+ years ago to when I used to spend endless nights next to Mom in the kitchen, observing + learning + assisting. They say we all eventually turn into our Moms. That would be the greatest honor and blessing!
Wishing all an awesome week filled with sunshine ahead!
Xoxoxo,
Sheri