Burbank Real Estate Blog: May 2007

Believe it or not there are properties, single family detached homes, to be found for under $500k in Burbank!

These charming houses make great starter homes and provide a more affordable alternative if you are a first time home buyer.  Burbank is a vibrant community that boasts good schools, beautiful neighborhoods and plenty of activities.

If you are looking for a home in the Burbank area, give me a call and I can help you find your starter home!

For your Burbank Real Estate needs please visit my website at anaconnell.com!

Come bring the kids, have breakfast and support your local fire department!  On Saturday, May 12^th from 8am-11am Fire Station 86 will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast to raise funds for the fire house.

If you are a resident in the Toluca Lake, Valley Village and Studio City areas or are thinking about purchasing a home in these neighborhoods, this is a great way to lend support and meet local community members. 

Fire Station 86 is located at 4305 Vineland Ave. Studio City Ca 91602. 

To contact Fire Station 86 or LAFD Headquarters for routine matters:

In Los Angeles: 3-1-1

In Southern California: (866) 4-LACITY

From Anywhere: (213) 485-5971

For more information on my real estate services, please visit anaconnell.com

Outpost Estates is one of the most exclusive Hollywood Hills neighborhoods.

Rich in history and tradition this 1920’s era neighborhood boasts underground utilities(one of the first communities in the United States to offer such an amenity) and features beautiful Spanish style homes.  Located north of Franklin and adjacent to Runyon Canyon Park it is a hiker’s paradise!

The Outpost community has much resident involvement through the Outpost Homeowners Association, a voluntary organization that works to preserve the vibrant history and quality of life for this area. 

For more historical information, please visit:

http://www.outpostestates.com/Index.html

For more information on my real estate services, please visit anaconnell.com

Shadow Hills is an almost hidden and quite rural community nestled in the hills, northwest of Burbank, Ca.  Most of the area is zoned for horses and many of the homes come with large, spacious lots and sport beautiful ranch styles.

Located near the 40 acre Hansen Dam Recreational Area outdoor activities are abundant in the form of hiking, equestrian trails, walk/jogging paths, kayaking and boating.  This area brings a quiet and rustic quality that you won’t find in too many places, especially so close to an urban environment. 

If you are interested in buying a home in this area, give me a call or send me an email!

For more information on my real estate services, please visit anaconnell.com

The beautiful community of Whitley Heights is located in the hills above the Hollywood bowl and in its hey day was home to such stars as Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin and Bette Davis.  The charm of this Hollywood real estate neighborhood lies in the curving streets, Italian architecture and sweeping views, especially of the Hollywood Sign.  On some properties the views stretch to Century City and beyond. 

The community originated in 1918 and has the distinction of National Historic District and is a historic preservation overlay zone (HPOZ).  Walking distance from the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Boulevard and the Kodak Theater, it boasts plentiful shopping and hip restaurants.  The community of residents are a very active group that, through its voluntary homeowners association, Whitley Heights Civic Association, work to improve the quality of life in the area and preserve the historic nature of this Tinsel town jewel! 

If you would like some more historical information, please visit these websites:

http://www.whitleyheights.org/

http://www.whitleyheights.com/index.php

For your Burbank Real Estate needs please visit my website at anaconnell.com!

The Great Los Angeles River Clean up is Saturday, May 12^th!

Yes, for you LA residents that have not heard, we do have a river, albeit not in the most traditional sense.  The Los Angeles River runs almost 51 miles, possibly through your neighborhood!  Going through 14 cities, including communities in Burbank, Toluca Lake and Studio City, it starts in Canoga Park and ends in Long Beach where it flows into the Pacific Ocean.

Some history…..Throughout the early to mid 1900’s flooding was a dangerous and very real problem resulting in many deaths, so in the 60’s the US Army Corps of Engineers concreted much of the river in order to prevent disastrous flooding events.  In the last 15-20 years there has been a groundswell of groups and people interested in reversing the trend of concrete and neglect in favor of a far reaching transformation that encourages riparian landscape restoration, walking and biking paths!

Every year, Folar, Friends of the Los Angeles River, puts together an amazing event, that draws thousands, to help clean the LA River of trash and create awareness around a very valuable resource. 

If you are interested in participating in the clean up or in reading more about the interesting history and current projects of the Los Angeles River, please visit these websites:

 
Friends of the Los Angeles River

http://www.folar.org/index.html

 Los Angeles River Connection

http://www.lalc.k12.ca.us/target/units/river/riverweb.html

 The Los Angeles River, Past Present and Future

http://www.deliriousla.net/lariver/index.htm

 Los Angeles River Master Plan

http://ladpw.org/wmd/watershed/LA/LA_River_Plan.cfm

For your Burbank Real Estate needs please visit my website at anaconnell.com!

Windsor Square is one of the oldest, historic neighborhoods in Los Angeles.  Located adjacent to Hancock Park, this beautiful area boasts homes with expansive lawns that reflect the charm and style of a wonderful early 1900’s era. 

Preservation is a key element of this well conserved community and in 2004 was designated with a Historical Preservation Overlay Zone(HPOZ).  Something to keep in mind is that some of these properties may qualify for tax incentives through the Mills Act or other tax incentive programs (please consult your financial advisor).

If you are looking to purchase a home in this wonderful area you will find an active homeowners association, the Windsor Square Association, http://www.windsorsquare.org/, which is voluntary, but extremely involved in addressing any quality of life issues that affect the area.  

For your Burbank Real Estate needs please visit my website at anaconnell.com!

For those Burbank and Toluca Lake residents that have not been checking in with Caltrans or the Transportation Department at City of Burbank there’s a 134 Freeway project that may impact your commute. 

According to Caltrans, the State Route 134 Ramp Project will construct a new westbound Onramp to Route 134 (Ventura Freeway) at Hollywood Way. This new ramp is needed to reduce congestion at the busy Hollywood Way / Alameda Avenue intersection and improve access to the 134 Freeway from the Media District.

The project will begin April 9, 2007 and will last three years. During the construction period, be on the lookout for lane closures and detours for portions of Hollywood Way, Alameda Avenue, and Pass Avenue.   Plan accordingly, as your morning commute will probably be affected during this project. 

I have been going by there lately and have not noticed a huge inconvenience yet, however the project is just at the beginning phase.

For more information, please check out City of Burbank’s site at: http://www.burbankca.org/transportation/projects_134/134.shtml

For more information on my real estate services, please visit anaconnell.com

The NoHo Arts District is a fun and creative community located on the southeastern end of North Hollywood, next to Valley Village and Burbank Ca.  There are over 25 theaters, lots of interesting and different dining opportunities and many art galleries to visit!

In the last few years new housing has been added in the form of apartments and condos and transportation is plentiful.  The North Hollywood Metro Rail Station for the Redline is located here which makes travel into Hollywood and downtown a simple and fast proposition.  Additionally you have the Metro Orange Line Busway, which will take you through the San Fernando Valley all the way to Woodland Hills.

This small community has existed for some time, but it has really come to life in the last 5 years.  If you are looking for a hip and trendy place to live where you have plenty of entertainment and easy transportation, then look no more!

For more information go to http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com/

For more information on my real estate services, please visit anaconnell.com

If you are looking for a slice of suburbia within the confines of a big city, then Magnolia Park might be right for you!

Magnolia Park is a quaint and beautiful area of Burbank California.  Blocks from the Media Center District, the community is made up of over 3000 homes and hundreds of businesses.  This neighborhood is located between Hollywood Way, Buena Vista Street, Clark Ave. and Chandler Blvd.  I have spoken to residents, however, that believe the true boundaries go as far east as Pass Ave. and as far south as Verdugo Ave. 

However you define the boundaries you are looking at tree lined streets and small town charm.  The area offers homes of all types and is a great place to raise kids.  It is home to a diverse community and literally minutes from hip and trendy restaurants of Hollywood and NoHo!

For your Burbank Real Estate needs please visit my website at anaconnell.com!