A conversation with: Sally Forster Jones- Coldwell Banker Beverly Hills South, Previews International

 

Beverly Hills is one of the most affluent and glamorous neighborhoods in Los Angeles County. The community truly represents the ultimate in California luxury living. Covering an approximately 5.7 square mile radius, Beverly Hills is home to over 34,000 residents including many of the rich and famous.

 

Beverly Hills’ impeccable reputation is also based off of its thriving retail and commercial businesses.  It is home to Rodeo Drive, the center of one of the most famous and expensive shopping districts in the world, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors a year from across the globe.

 

History:

The city of Beverly Hills is the setting for some of the largest and most extravagant homes in Los Angeles and the nation. Beverly Hills is a full-service community with its own police station, fire department, water treatment and building inspection departments, among other services.  Additionally, the Beverly Hills Unified School District boasts some of the best schools in the country.

 

 

The People:

Beverly Hills residents tend to be celebrities, entrepreneurs, and business owners; however, it is also a wonderful family community. Many families are drawn to Beverly Hills because of access to the Beverly Hills School District which is one of the best in the country. Approximately 90% of the city is zoned for residential building with 37% of those buildings being single family homes. Most of these homes act as primary homes for residents due to Beverly Hills’ amazing central location- boasting easy freeway access, close proximity to West Hollywood and Hollywood, and just a quick drive to the beaches or over the hills to the Valley.

Schools:

BHSD consists of four K-8 schools and one high school. The BHSD is recognized as a national leader in education and can easily be considered the most desirable public school district in Los Angeles County. Students in the Beverly Hills School District consistently rank above national averages for standardized testing.

Words of Wisdom:

The real estate market has been unpredictable the past few years. A number of properties stay on the market for a very short time and sell right away. Other properties have been sitting. My advice to sellers is to set realistic goals for the current market. Well priced homes, especially at the high end of the market are selling quickly and there is high demand. Wealthy buyers are looking for deals, which is why we have seen such great interest from overseas. Beverly Hills in particular, is a great draw for foreign buyers who are excited by the glamour of the city. There is a lot to do, world class dining, shopping, and the California lifestyle and great weather.

 

Preparing to Buy:

If you are looking to buy a home in Beverly Hills, it is important to know that there are many different neighborhoods in Beverly Hills each with their own attributes.  The Beverly Hills Flats are known for large lots, wide-tree lined streets, and close proximity to shopping, dining, and night life.  Streets in Beverly Hills located above Sunset Blvd. offer more privacy and often beautiful city light or canyon views while still remaining just a quick drive down to all that the city has to offer.  Trousdale is a special neighborhood in the hills of Beverly Hills known for its amazing ocean and city light view properties and distinct architecture.

Economy and Prices:

I have been in the real estate business for over 35 years and have been through many different markets. The real estate market has changed a lot in the past few years however, we are still seeing very strong sales particularly in the luxury market. Prices are not where they were 10 years ago but they are holding strong. There is still a lot of interest and there are serious buyers out there. I have closed several very large sales so far this year including two sales for over $20 million in the surrounding communities. Beverly Hills is a very desirable place to call home.

Realtors & Technology:

As the real estate market is always changing, it is important that we as realtors, buyers, and sellers are able to adapt. Technology is a major part of the changing climate. A huge percentage of home buyers are using the internet almost exclusively in their home search. New tools, mobile applications, instant feedback, and savvy consumers are all changing the way we do business and sell homes.

Personal Experience:

There are infinite possibilities to explore and expand in this business. Los Angeles is a unique city with dozens of fun, hip neighborhoods, and lots of glitz and glamour with neighborhoods like Beverly Hills, Bel Air, and Holmby Hills as the crown jewels. Real estate is a very demanding business but it’s my passion. It takes quite a bit of juggling and priority setting to keep everything in balance. I have found that client relations are the most important aspect of this business. Knowing what your clients want even before they do. Real estate is such a personal business and listening is the most important step towards fulfilling the client’s needs.

Contact Sally:

Sally Forster Jones
Coldwell Banker Previews International, Beverly Hills South
166 N. Canon Dr.
Beverly Hills CA, 90210
310-281-3999
www.sallyforsterjones.com

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This guest post is part of our Realtor Thursday Series. We invite realtors and real estate professionals from towns and cities all over the country, big or small, to participate. Our goal is to “travel” to as many towns as we can in every state. Every town is unique and wonderful to our readers. If you would like to showcase your town, your neighbors and your talents as a realtor, please contact us at liz@dalesiegel.com