Echo Park, CA

I just showed a property in Echo Park to a client of mine. It is a new, loft-style condo development on a busy street, but it has tremendous views. (You can see the Hollywood sign top left and Griffith Park Observatory just below and to the right)

Every time I visit Echo Park I am reminded of its uniqueness. There are so many different neighborhoods and architectural styles, from mid-century modern, and craftsman, to the modern, and the area is a veritable melting pot of cultures.

Its proximity to Downtown Los Angeles and Burbank, and Universal City makes Echo Park a desirable area for entertainment people and young professionals. Once the poor cousin to trendy Silver Lake and Los Feliz, it is becoming more and more upscale.
Echo Park is still one of the more affordable areas of Los Angeles, so if you are looking for a home with a more suburban feel but with quick access to everything, then this is an area you should consider.

The median home prices rose 48% over the past year to $719,000 and the average days properties are remaining on the market has dropped by 37%.

The school district is Los Angeles Unified and you can use School Finder to check out the local schools.

Elysian Heights Duplex! Buy a duplex in Echo Park get help paying your mortgage

I've talked about this before. Why buy a house when you can buy income property and have a tenant help you pay your mortgage? That post was about properties for sale in Silver Lake, but the same information holds true for whatever area you are looking to buy.

This property is located at 2158 VESTAL AVE and consists of a 2 bedroom/1 bath unit plus a 1 bedroom/1 bath unit. Echo Park is a highly desirable rental area and this is a nice street of small bungalow type properties. Besides the location, this property has a couple of big plusses for average hard-working first time buyer. It's Done! You don't have to raise a finger. Just call your friends with trucks, order some pizza and beer and move right in.

Which unit should you move into? That's another plus. Take your pick. Both units are vacant. You can live in the 2 bedroom, or take the smaller unit and collect more rent. Having the property delivered vacant lets you set the rents to market value, plus there are no relocation fees to pay to existing tenants before you can take occupancy.

The garage has been converted into storage but there is still off street parking available in the driveway. This are of Echo Park also has a decent amount of offstreet parking available. The lot is small so it's a bit of a condo alternative. The front yard is fenced in and grassy but that's about it for outdoor space. If you think in terms of living there now and moving out later to rent both units out, the small yard simply means less maintenance for you as a landlord down the road.

This one is definitely worth a look. It's scheduled to be open today from 2-4 but if you'd like to check it out another time, give me a call at 213-215-4758 and I'll make arrangements.

For more information on Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Eagle Rock and surrounding areas, contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Bank owned Mid Century Condo in Echo Park just came on the market

That's right! A unit in the cool Mid Century modern complex in Echo park is bank owned and ripe for the picking!

If you haven't heard of Lago Vista in Echo Park, Check out my recent post on this property.

The complex was designed by a Mid Century Modern architect by the name of Allyn E Morris.

Unit # 203 came on the market Sept 10, 2009 for the listed price of $371,000. This unit is a 2 bedroom, bath condo with a teriific view of Echo Park Lake and all the amenities of Lago Vista including panoramic views, relaxing pool and security.

There is currently one other unit available in this Echo Park condo complex. Unit 512 was the architect's own unit. It has been totally renovated and is the only unit with a working fireplace. It also has an extra large patio overlooking Echo Park Lake and comes with 2 dedicated parking spaces. This unit is in the back building and in great condition and is listed at $439,000. At $371,000 the bank owned listing is a bargain!

If you are interested in either of these units or any other condos, houses, or income properties in the Silver Lake and Echo Park areas, call me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out my website at LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Lago Vista is a Cool Mid Century Modern condo complex with all units overlooking Echo Park Lake!

There are a lot of folks living in and around Silver Lake and Echo Park who probably don't know that this particular condo complex exists. It's known as Lago Vista. The complex was designed by a Mid Century Modern architect by the name of Allyn E Morris. He liked to weave his slender structures to follow the shape of the land. His first home was the Max Bubeck house in Eagle Rock, built in 1956 and he designed a number of inventive houses, apartment buildings, offices and shopping center. Most of his work included moderns properties built in the 50's, including his own house and studio in Silver Lake.

Lago Vista is a condo complex in Echo Park, created circa 1973 and if you can get a bird's eye view, it's obvious how he allowed the shape of the space to determine the shape of the structure.

It's a uniquely designed midcentury modern built right at the cliff's edge with he lower building curves right along the ridge of the cliff that overlooks Glendale Blvd and the Echo Park Lake and california bungalows below. It's quite a stunning piece of architecture offering panoramic views over the lake and downtown Los Angeles to all of it's units. The complex is divided into two buildings with manicured grounds, gated/secured entrance and parking with a lovely teardrop shaped pool. All units are 2-level, townhouse style with walls of glass and balconies to take in the glorious views.

There are currently two units available in this Echo Park condo complex. Unit 512 was the architect's own unit. It has been totally renovated and is the only unit with a working fireplace. It also has an extra large patio overlooking Echo Park Lake and comes with 2 dedicated parking spaces. This unit is in the back building and in great condition and is listed at $439,000.

Unit 313 is also available and is located in the front building. It's right at the curve of the structure and offers a commanding view of Down Town Los Angeles as well as Echo Park Lake below and Angelino Height across the lake. Priced at $399,000, it's a great deal for such a prime location in a stellar complex.

For more information on the Allyn E Morris and other midcentury modern architects, check out the book Forgotten Modern: California Houses 1940-1970 by Alan Hess.

If you are interested in either of these units or any other condos, houses, or income properties in the Silver Lake and Echo Park areas, call me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out my website at LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Day: Friday

Hours: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Location: Parking Lot #663 on Logan Street,
south of Sunset Boulevard

City: Echo Park

County: Los Angeles

Manager: Holly Calhoun

Office Address: 6605 Hollywood Blvd, suite 220,
Hollywood CA 90028

Phone: 323-463-3171

Fax: 323-463-1062

Parking Lot #663 on Logan Street, south of Sunset Boulevard

What's Fresh Right Now

• Honey
• Asian Pears
• Winter Squash
• Persimmons
• Mandarin Oranges
• Limes
• Mushrooms
• Walnuts
• Pomegranates
• Spinach
• Green beans
• Tangerines
• Beets
• Chinese Broccoli
• Brussel Sprouts
• Avocadoes
• Grapes

Echo Park is one of the community's fortunate enough to have a Certified Farmers Market (CFM)! Supporting your local Farmers Market not only gives you the freshest fruits and vegetables but it's also a way to give your local small business owners the support they need to stay in business in an age of large chain stores. So, go on down Fridays between 3pm and 7 pm to the Echo Park Farmers Market this week and every week!

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