— 11400 Doña Pegita, Studio City

Closed at $2,525,000

11400 Dona Pegita was a stunning property with rare features you don’t often find in one package. A private gated driveway, a one-level layout, a pool, remote controlled blinds, whole house Sonos system, plenty of light and space, things you only find in the highest level of luxury homes. But when I first stepped in, it wasn’t ready.

The seller had already moved out and left everything behind. The home was full of personal belongings, furniture, and multiple design changes over the year. It hadn’t been prepped, cleaned, or staged. And while the layout was special, it was also particular. There was a freestanding tub placed unusually close to the primary bedroom. Laurel Canyon traffic brought noticeable noise behind the house. And a converted garage (now a large, air-conditioned styling room and closet) was located in an unconventional spot in the home. All of it made the home harder to position cleanly to buyers.

Before I could list it, I spent months on the ground personally coordinating every detail. I arranged repairs, oversaw furniture sales and removals, sourced bids, and handled the full transition from cluttered and chaotic to clean and compelling. I worked with painters and tradespeople to neutralize some of the more stylistic design choices so that the property could appeal to a broader, higher-end audience and ultimately maximize the seller’s return.

Once the property hit the market, it attracted immediate attention. We received two offers right away. But once we entered escrow, the inspection reports uncovered a list of additional unseen problems. It was the kind of moment where most sellers would feel backed into a corner. A deal that felt like it might fall apart. A buyer asking for a steep discount and a market not offering a ton of momentum.

But I knew the value of this property and I knew it wasn’t worth rushing or settling. I took the listing back to market, gave it air, and leaned in. I kept the home open and accessible, met with every buyer directly, and walked them through how the layout could work with the right mindset and vision. I didn’t sugarcoat anything. I helped people see what was real and what was possible.

Eventually, the right buyer came through and I could show how special this home truly was to really put them over the edge. We went into escrow a second time (this time at over asking price!) and closed without any seller credits or additional repair work. No last-minute concessions. No stress.

The buyer was thrilled. The seller was over the moon. And the 30 to 60 extra days of truly selling it to the prospective purchasers made all the difference.

This was not a straightforward listing. But the result was worth every hour spent on-site, every conversation, and every strategy adjustment. Even in a tough, down market, the right approach can change everything.