Grand Design: A Modern Classic in Brentwood Park

Great homes and significant architecture are often defined by how well they stand up to the challenges of time, modern innovation and changing generational lifestyles. Yet at the core of these timeless homes, one senses an unwavering commitment and embracing of basic human needs of balance, order, harmony and symmetry. Such is this modern classic home in Brentwood Park.



Upon entering Rockingham, this modern inspired Mediterranean Villa, and into the grand entry of its soaring 30ft ceiling and retractable translucent skylight, it is in this moment that one becomes captivated by the expansiveness of indoor and outdoor spaces converging while comforting its guest by imparting a sense that one is resting at the home’s center.



The original design of Rockingham is the work of Bob Ray Offenhauser. I had the privilege of inviting Mr. Offenhauser back to see his work over time. Noted designers, such as Daen Sheiber, have embraced the original vision and brought to it their creative forces and new ideas; most notably an extraordinary resort style outdoor space with pool and cabana advantaging the tranquil, soaring views of the picturesque Santa Monica mountains and Riviera Country Club.




As a native of the Westside of Los Angeles, growing up here and now professionally in the business of buying and selling homes, I have been privileged to have lived in, visited many and sold some of the notable homes in Los Angeles’ Westside. Rockingham Villa is one of these truly significant, innovative grand luxury homes that in its day would have moved west as did the wealth of the city from Pasadena, Hancock Park, Beverly Hills, Bel Air to today’s coveted coastal casual lifestyle of Brentwood.



Rockingham Villa is a four bedroom home with 8 baths and 2 half baths, caretaker’s quarters and gym/sauna, media room and temperature controlled wine room, among other exclusive features.

Offenhauser homes have always been recognized for their diversity of world designs while always consistent with the Southern California environment, climate and lifestyle demands. At the core of his many “exotic creations” are homes with carefully thought out floor plans, good bones and appropriate proportions.”

Experience more of the story of Rockingham Villa in a short video, “Grand Designs, A Modern Classic in the Park".

Brentwood Villa in the Park from Michael Hiatt on Vimeo.

Additionally, for more on Bob Ray Offenhauser homes, a new book, “Bob Ray Offenhauser, An Architect’s Journey,” written by his wife and noted Interior Designer, Katherine L. Offenhauser, is available at bookstores. Call for an appointment to view this home. Shown to qualified Buyers with agents, only.

Real Estate Tip: Let It Go!

Getting the House Ready to Sell

Disconnect Your Emotions

When conversing with real estate agents, you will often find that when they talk to you about buying real estate, they will refer to your purchase as a "home." Yet if you are selling property, they will often refer to it as a "house." There is a reason for this. Buying real estate is often an emotional decision, but when selling real estate you need to remove emotion from the equation.

You need to think of your house as a marketable commodity. Property. Real estate. Your goal is to get others to see it as their potential home, not yours. If you do not consciously make this decision, you can inadvertently create a situation where it takes longer to sell your property.

The first step in getting your home ready to sell is to "de-personalize" it.

Real Estate Tip: The Home With No Name

Make Your Home Anonymous

If there is a new home sales tract near your home, go visit. It doesn't matter what size the homes are. What you will find are some wonderfully (but sparsely) furnished homes that anyone could live in -- with the emphasis on "anyone." They are anonymous. There may be a baseball glove in the boy's room, but no family photos on the walls. There may be "personality" - but no person.

The reason you want to make your home "anonymous" is because you want buyers to view it as their potential home. When a potential homebuyer sees your family photos hanging on the wall, it puts your own brand on the home and momentarily shatters their illusions about living in the house themselves.

Put away family photos, sports trophies, collectible items, knick-knacks, and souvenirs. Put them in a box. Rent a storage area for a few months and put the box in the storage unit.Do not just put the box in the attic, basement, garage or a closet. Part of preparing a house for sale is to remove "clutter," and that is the next step in preparing your house for sale.

The Fundamentals: It's The Palisades, Remember.

You can’t turn on the TV, pick up a newspaper (remember those?) or read a blog like this without being bombarded with doomsday scenarios about the real estate market. Indeed, after a recent episode of CNBC’s Mad Money with Jim Kramer, I found myself switching to the Weather Channel half-expecting to see a forecast of grey morning skies and late afternoon falling locusts.

Most people’s approach to home buying is done so out of necessity. They need to be close to work, school, or family. It’s “what I can afford.” Is it? Or, is it what I think I can afford? With those “necessities” in mind, buyers will ascertain a comfortable price range (right, Countrywide?) and then go about the business of measuring those budget restrictions against areas that meet their criteria. They will do their research and the informed buyers will contract an experienced agent at their side. Yes, here comes the self promotion: consider that professional realtors with experienced companies have the tools to devote hours of time to thoroughly know the market, inventory and trends. Further, according to the National Association of Realtors, 82% of all home sales are done with Buyer/Seller/Broker contracts. These are agent generated and closed transaction sales.

So when The Los Angeles Times recently reported that inventory in L.A. has increased by 23.3 % since April 2007, somewhere out there is probably a place you will be able to call home, especially if you’re willing to be flexible with your “necessities.”

Imagine a different mindset. Think lifestyle. Think long-term value. Think location. Remember the fundamentals.

Think about this difference: most people live in the Pacific Palisades not because they have to; they live here because they want to. For many the decision was not about working there, although the commute to most Westside business centers is well under the average daily commute for the Southern California work force. It was not about schools; private schools are well within the reach of many, although our Palisades elementary, junior high and high schools are all California Distinguished Schools. It’s about the close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, beach air, family-friendly living, and the ability to walk to tons of local restaurants, shops businesses and houses of worship. Plain and simple: it’s a highly coveted lifestyle that has made the Pacific Palisades one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the country… perhaps even in the world.

But these benefits are more than mere postcard fodder. They are the basis of a sound, secure investment strategy in a largely unstable national real estate market. There’s a reason that Forbes magazine named the Pacific Palisades one of the nation’s “Blue Chip” neighborhoods, meaning areas in which homes have either held or increased their value over the last two years as they have over the last 17, despite the recent downturn in the market. In fact, on that same Forbes list, the Palisades trails only Miami, FL in terms of overall price growth since 1990. While the median price of a home in Los Angles has dropped 11.8% since the end of December 2007, the Palisades has enjoyed 37.6% increase in median price over the same period. Additionally, despite lenders tightening their belts after the sub-prime fallout, lenders are much more inclined to loan money to people purchasing real estate in the Palisades because these lending institutions know the short supply, high demand and value as a long-term asset.

For both buyers and sellers alike, the Palisades remains a shelter in an economic storm, one which will continue to yield return on your investment throughout times of prosperity and times of struggle. You just have to step over a few locusts to get here.