Celebrity Real Estate: Persia White Re-Lists Studio City Home as a Short Sale

[Update March 17, 2013]: This home sold on March 12, 2013 for $1,106,000 which was only $29,500 less than the original purchase price of $1,135,500 back on April 26, 2004. However, Persia White was originally looking for $1,529,000 when first listed back on August 2011 which was $423,000 less. This home was later listed as a short sale after almost 2 unsuccessful years of trying to unload at a profit. 

[Original Post]:

Images courtesy Rodeo Realty

Fresh off the MLS is another celebrity short sale which this time is presented by Persia White in Studio City who is most known for her role on the television sitcom Girlfriends which ran for 8 years. This blog covered Persia White's original listing back on August 2011 for $1,529,000 which was not a short sale at that time. 

Flash forward one year and the home is now listed as a short sale for $999,950. The reason for the short sale and possibly for the original listing could be her divorce in 2011 according to mediatakeout.com.

If the home sells at the current asking price, the bank(s) will be looking at a loss of $135,550 based on Persia White's original purchase price of $1,135,500 back in April 2004 assuming there are no other outstanding loans or liens against the property and also not factoring commissions, fees, and any other related expenses. 

Persia White's latest short sale follows a list of other notable celebrity residents in the SFV who have also gone down the route of short sale or foreclosure just in the SFV alone which have been documented on this blog:

1. John Larroquette's (actor) short sale in Sherman Oaks.
2. Bryon Russells' (basketball) foreclosure in Calabasas.
3. Kristen Bell's (actress) Studio City foreclosure.
4. Richard Fortus' (GNR music) short sale in Woodland Hills.
5. Morris Chestnut's (actor) short sale in Hidden Hills.
6. Eric Davis' (baseball) short sale in Calabasas.
7. Kristoff St. John's (actor) short sale in Canoga Park.
8. Jeremy London's (actor) foreclosure in Canoga Park which is literally down the street from Kristoff St.John. 

We wish Persia White the best with her current real estate matters. 

You can view more SFV celebrity real estate here. 

Celebrity Real Estate: Haylie Duff Lists in Toluca Lake

[Update February 2, 2013]: This home sold for $1,720,000 on February 14, 2013 which closed in roughly 4 months time. Haylie Duff actually took a minor loss of $30,000 on this transaction from her original purchase price of $1,750,000 not including commissions and other expenses. Haylie's sister, Hillary, also  sold her Toluca Lake home which may or may not be a coincidence.

[Original Post]:

Back on October 9, 2012, gossip/rumor king, TMZ.com, revealed the listing of Haylie Duff's  Toluca Lake home for $1,799,000. Duff is an actress and singer-songwriter best known for her role as "Sandy Jameson" on the television series, 7th Heaven.  Haylie Duff has also recorded music notable soundtracks such as In Search of Santa, The Lizzie McGuire Move, A Cinderella Story, and Material Girls. And during her spare time, she blogs about food at realgirlskitchen.com.

You may have heard of her sister, Hilary Duff, who was also a resident of the Toluca Lake who just recently sold her home on July 18, 2012 for $4,651,500 which took approximately two years and multiple price reductions as discussed on this blog. Its possible that Hilary's sale inspired Haylie to move out of Toluca Lake too.

According to the listing, the home measures 5 Bed/6 Bath on 4,064 sqft on a total lot size of 7,602 built in 2007 states:

Built in 2007, this 5 bed, 5~~ bath luxury New England traditional sits behind privacy gates in the heart of Toluca Lake. Wood floors, crown mouldings, and wainscoting create sophistication in the home. An entertainer's dream, built-in sound flows through a dramatic living room, formal dining room with coffered ceiling and French doors, open great room, and outside to a covered flagstone patio overlooking a grassy yard with pool and spa. The family room features a fireplace, French doors, and is open to a Carrara marble kitchen with tongue 'n groove ceiling, dual islands, Viking stove, and breakfast area. All bedrooms benefit from their own private baths, and the downstairs bedroom suite may be ideal for guests. A sky lit staircase ascends to the second level, where the luxurious master suite offers a cathedral ceiling, fireplace, dual walk-in closets, and bath with dual vanities, frameless glass shower, and freestanding soaking tub.

Haylie Duff last purchased this property on June 6, 2008 for $1,750,000 which based on the current asking price would yield a $49,000 gain not including taxes, commissions, and other real estate expenses. When those expenses are factored, Haylie Duff maybe looking at a marginal loss.

Images courtesy John Aaroe Group

Toluca Lake is home to many celebrities partially due to its close proximity to the studios and Hollywood. The following list are celebrity homes in the Toluca Lake area discussed on this blog:

1. Former Bing Crosby estate which sold on December 20, 2011 for $4.020 million.
2. Former Hillary Duff mansion which sold on July 18, 2012 for $4,651,500.
3. Jason Priestly who tried to sell his home for $2.1 million and has been off the market at this time.
4. Erin Daniels (L Word) who recently purchased in June 2012 for $1.5 million.
5. Jennifer Love Hewitt who recently listed a property for sale and one for lease in August 2012.  
6. Former Alan Thicke home who sold for $3,525,000 on November 20, 2012. 
7. Miley Cyrus clan lives in this area. 
8. Other residents include Ashley Tisdale, former Bob Hope, Kiefer Sutherland, Andy Garcia, Dweezil Zappa, valley native George Lopez, Brooke Burns, Lindsay Price, Jonathan Antin, Jennie Garth, David Leisure, Nile Niami, the late Roy Disney, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jonathan Winter, Steve Carell, Kirk Fogg, Markie Post, and the Jonas Brothers to name a few (or several).

You can check out more SFV Celebrity Real Estate here.  

Chris Hardwick's house

Location: Hollywood Hills, CA Listing Price: $1,899,000
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4 Living Area: Square Feet: 4,231

No joking- comedian Chris Hardwick has purchased a new house in the Hollywood Hills.
http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-hotprop-chris-hardwick-20121129,0,4149516.story

Celebrity Real Estate: Actor Scott Grimes Lists For Loss in Woodland Hills

Back on October 23, 2012, the always informative Lauren Beale of LA Times Hot Property revealed actor Scott Grimes Woodland Hills home listing for $1.199 million. 

Scott Grimes broke out in the acting scene at a young age in 1984 appearing in the film A Doctor's Story as well as It Came Upon the Midnight Clear with former SFV resident Mickey Rooney. Grimes also appeared in television playing roles on The Twilight Zone, Who's the Boss, Star Trek: The Next Generation, My Two Dads, 21 Jump Street, Wings, Party of Five, ER, Dexter, and Band of Brothers. Grimes is also a voice artist voicing "Steve Smith" for American Dad!. Grimes is also a singer-songwriter who co-wrote and performed the soft rock single Sunset Blvd. 

The home measures 4 Beds/3.5 Baths on 3,403 sqft on a total lot size of 0.39 acres built in 1973. According to the listing:

Celebrity private gated home in Walnut Acres. This remodeled home has newer windows, crown moldings, recessed lighting throughout, french windows & doors throughout. Formal living room, formal dining room. Media room, den/office & bar. Large gourmet kitchen with island, newer appliances, large pantry & granite eating bar. There is a very expensive sound system throughout the house & outside. Master bed is very large with walk-in closet & scrumptious remodeled master bath. The backyard is like a tropical island resort, entertainers dream yard with pebble tech beach pool, slide. Pool house, large barbeque area with granite counters, & sport, basketball court, and lots of lush landscaping. Wating for you to enjoy!standard sale.

I am not sure why Grimes is selling his Woodland Hills home but it could be related to his divorce with Dawn-Bailey Grimes back in 2007 since she is also listed on the property records. The happy couple purchased this home back in the zany real estate days on May 27 2005 for $1,200,000. As it stands now the home is listed for $1,000 less than the purchase price which means that when commissions, taxes, renovations, and other real estate expenses are factored in, the Grimes will assuredly be taking a loss unless someone comes in with a higher offering price. 

Above images courtesy Prudential California Realty

Another possibility for listing the home could be that the Grimes are downsizing as they also own a West Hills home that was purchased a year later after the Woodland Hills home on May 15, 2006 for $880,000. The home measures 3 Bed/3 Baths on 1,939 sqft on a total lot size of 0.42 acres. That home is currently not listed and would probably end up taking a loss if sold. 

Scott may have also previously lived in other parts of the Valley like Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and Van Nuys but I cannot confirm those locations so dont quote me. 

You can view more SFV celebrity real estate here. 

Renovation Crash Update-904 Williamson Part 4

Can you believe it! Were moving right along with the Williamson project and its really starting to shape up I means things are starting to get on solid ground and how do you get on solid ground? That's right make sure the fondation is strong. Well my friends this crash is all about the fondation of this home