Noteworthy new listings….
Designed by Stanford White as the carriage house for the original Glen Oaks estate, 1741 Glen Oaks Drive ($22.75 million) sold for $13 million year ago and received a sophisticated glow-up. (A few before shots can be seen here.) Whether the disconnect between the old bones and the stark style is sexy or incongruous is, like so many things, in the eye of the beholder. (“A secret bookshelf door that leads to the upstairs primary bedroom,” on the other hand, is a turn-on whichever way you swing.) P.S. The columns in the main room on the lower level clearly pose design challenges, and as resplendent as that lawn looks, the listing doesn’t mention a well. (UPDATE: The listing agent says there is a well.)
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The seller of 4178 Cresta Avenue ($9.35 million), meanwhile, didn’t do much to the Hope Ranch property after paying $5.45 million in late 2019—and yet I think the price could justifiably be higher. The main level feels big, with mountain views to match, and includes the primary bedroom; moreover, there’s a nice guest house. While some of the surfaces are a bit too rustique—I’m talking to you, reclaimed wood floors—and the north-facing house trends a bit dark, it’s family-friendly and more or less turnkey.
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The 1965 house at 747 Via Manana ($9.995 million) also hits the European notes a little hard, but I suspect it could be toned down without too much hassle, and a dash of minimalism might go a long way. There are four bedrooms in the main house, with a sweet two-bedroom, two-bathroom guest house down by the pool.
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The seller of 5368 Rincon Beach Park Drive ($6.75 million) paid $4.35 million in July 2020 and evidently got tired of beachfront living. (Does anyone hold onto real estate for more than three years anymore?) The 2011 house has aged nicely, and it looks spiffy—the decor is included—and you can’t argue with that hot tub. Location could be an issue; sure, you’re on the beach, but you’re midway between Ventura and Carpinteria, which is to say not near anything else.
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Here’s one that hasn’t changed hands recently—or possibly ever. The 1963 architecture at 839/841 Summit Road ($8.5 million) has moments of midcentury charm, particularly in the common rooms and the guest house, but the wing in between is problematic. It’s hard to imagine this isn’t a start-over situation, given the 1.88 acres, two lots, and prime location. The main question is whether you can build two stories on the upper lot, in order to capture the views, without ticking off the neighbors hovering behind. The lower lot is a tempting spot to build, too, but the views would be less grand.
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Speaking of views, 1215 Miracanon Lane ($4.695 million) in Alta Mesa is designed to capture Santa Barbara and the mountains, with two guest rooms on the ground floor and everything else above. Move-in ready is rare in these parts, which is why it might go for well over what it sold for a year ago ($3.65 million).
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Behold San Antonio Street* ($18 million) on 50 acres in Ojai: “Originally built in 1927 as a winter retreat for the founder of the Diamond Match Company, this estate has been recently renovated and impeccably maintained, showcasing its original charm and beauty.” In other words, it’s a stone cold fox, and it went pending immediately. But can that possibly be the primary bedroom? (*The street number is being withheld from the listing.)
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And a few others worth checking out:
••• 1810 Loma Street ($2.295 million): 1929 Lower Riviera three-bedroom in need of updating but bonus points for the private gate to Orpet Park (below).
••• 48 Hollister Ranch Road ($2.1 million): One-third interest in northwest Hollister Ranch with rights to build the main house.
••• 1321 Danielson Road #A ($3.7 million): Dated townhouse near Butterfly Beach; could the asking price be a typo?
••• 1511 Santa Rosa Avenue ($1.9 million): 1947 two-bedroom fixer on the Mesa; bet it gets renovated and put back on the market for $3.5 million.
••• 751 Skyview Drive ($3.39 million): Another likely spec reno candidate.
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