TimHume_IHB
New member
Nice find, Eva! Looking at the pictures made me throw up a little in my mouth. 
Interesting/Amusing Property Finds
- Thread starter effenheimer_IHB
- Start date
NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
So many thoughts come to mind.
The description says it was demolished and rebuilt in 1999. The description says it is the most beautiful home is that area.
My aunt Emma likes to tell a story of how her and my uncle took me to a movie when I was about five years old. They had an old Pontiac, maybe 1956, and the headliner was torn and dangling. My mother had taught me politeness through the liberal use of corporal punishment and upon entering the back seat I remarked, "Nice car." Do you get the feeling that the listing agent and I had the same mom?
Another interesting topic and a good find from Eva. The new replacement structure does not the artistry of design and interior detailing of the burned structure. Our building trade today has limitation and designers have little knowledge of detailing and good proportion.
Downey as known to many is just a sleepy suburb adjacent to the freeway 5 some where near the Citadel outlet. This is the only outlet that we can’t call Chinatown. Like I said before our government again without much thoughts built the freeway exercised eminent domain and ruined the fabric of once a nice and cohesive neighborhood. Other beautiful neighborhoods suffered the similar fate were Floral Park and Old Town Tustin, along the 5 corridor. The convenience of easy freeway access also brought forth vultures (builders and developers) into the quaint neighborhoods and destroying the beauty and the aesthetic fabric of these towns.
The remaining old enclaves were difficult to get to or to find thus were spared of the wrecking balls of the urban renewal promoters during the 40’s-70’s.
I remembered during some of my bus rides during the early 70’s passing through Downey I saw the beauty in some neighborhoods that were classic and yet mixed in with cookie cutter craps. This city amazingly still has organizations and clubs from the by gone era neighborhoods like the Elks Lodge, Lions Club and Optimist. Just like Floral Park majority of the population is white in the $million neighborhoods and the surrounding area is all Latinos. Over the years active bus routes allowed for the migration of Hispanic from East LA and Huntington Park along the Florence Ave corridor into Downey.
Architecture designed by my favorite architects some are found in Downey. It was LA first suburb in the 1900’s. Wealthy plantation and orchard barons built their homes there. Homes were separated be acres of land.
Downey was the first progressive city (a big mistake because architects and planners were incompetent from this era) to accept the modern movement in its architecture and planning. Society at that time believed in having industries and factories would be good for the town in promoting jobs and building cookie cutter homes along the perimeter of manufacturing for residents’ easy access to their jobs.
GM and Rockwell both had their assembly factories there. The 2 powerful entities employed blue collar workers by the thousands and many bought homes near by in Downey. This was the major reason why Downey never recovered from its former noble status in both society and school due the low moral and crime caused by its population. Downey still has the tradition of entering float in the annual Rose Parade but its glorious years had faded long time ago.
The very first McDonald in USA started in Downey. The architecture was Jetson like. (Googie Architecture from the late 40’s that we still see today in Dennys, Norms, and Tiny Naylor.) The structural system was 2 separate arches that supported the roof structure and seating was all outside the first fast food establishment. Its location was chosen to service the factory workers at the corner of Lakewood and Slausen. The 2 separate arches viewed in an angular perspective appeared to be joined thus inspired the iconic logo of McDonald’s originated in Downey. Many of the fast food started in Downey due to the "white trash population" food culture and demands. Bobs Big Boy, Carls restaurant (now Carls Jr. based in Anaheim but started in Downey), Jack in the Box, Sambo, and many others served the biggest blue collar population during the 45 minute factory lunch break.
Hope this would enlighten your Friday reading.
Okay... seriously... why the hell would I want to have real ivy touching my a$$, let alone fake painted ivy?
http://i-0.rfimg.us/photo/46/bigphoto/182/P644182_1_0.jpg
Yes... yes... you have so many views of the golf course. Not only can you see it through the windows, but from the all the gaps in the missing siding and drywall. It gives new definition to panoramic views. Indulge in the wild life of the rats climbing the walls and into your home for a real wild life experience. Watch them feed off of that black moldy like substance growing on your walls, then fall to the floor only to die a quick and painful death. Only in Downey can you experience expansive views and the life and death of the natural habitat.
O....M....G
You couldn't pay me to sleep in that room.
WTF?
I am a proponent of less is more. People do not need all that space. Keep life simple. To me a smaller home on a big lot allows me to enjoy the outdoor than a Ticky Tacky McMansion on the same size lot.
(embedded video no longer available)
I love this so I am posting this again with a different singer this time.
Wow, that's one of the most schitzo pricing variations I've ever seen. Is there any logical, or illogical for that matter, explanation for why someone would be all over the board on that?
awgee_IHB
New member
EvaLSeraphim said:
So many thoughts come to mind.
The description says it was demolished and rebuilt in 1999. The description says it is the most beautiful home is that area.
My aunt Emma likes to tell a story of how her and my uncle took me to a movie when I was about five years old. They had an old Pontiac, maybe 1956, and the headliner was torn and dangling. My mother had taught me politeness through the liberal use of corporal punishment and upon entering the back seat I remarked, "Nice car." Do you get the feeling that the listing agent and I had the same mom?
Daedalus_IHB
New member
"Conveniently located to freeway"
Not in the OC, but definitely amusing. I take that off-ramp regularly and would grin each tme I passed these homes when they were under construction. I thought the developer was the stupidest person on the planet...until people started actually buying the homes and paying over $800k for them. The offramp is about the same elevation as the top of the roofs and it seems like you could almost spit on the houses from your car.
Redfin link
Not in the OC, but definitely amusing. I take that off-ramp regularly and would grin each tme I passed these homes when they were under construction. I thought the developer was the stupidest person on the planet...until people started actually buying the homes and paying over $800k for them. The offramp is about the same elevation as the top of the roofs and it seems like you could almost spit on the houses from your car.
Redfin link
halfnote19_IHB
New member
This place looks more like a mini hotel then it does a home.... something you would find in the old part of Las Vegas.EvaLSeraphim said:
bkshopr_IHB
New member
halfnote19 said:
Another interesting topic and a good find from Eva. The new replacement structure does not the artistry of design and interior detailing of the burned structure. Our building trade today has limitation and designers have little knowledge of detailing and good proportion.
Downey as known to many is just a sleepy suburb adjacent to the freeway 5 some where near the Citadel outlet. This is the only outlet that we can’t call Chinatown. Like I said before our government again without much thoughts built the freeway exercised eminent domain and ruined the fabric of once a nice and cohesive neighborhood. Other beautiful neighborhoods suffered the similar fate were Floral Park and Old Town Tustin, along the 5 corridor. The convenience of easy freeway access also brought forth vultures (builders and developers) into the quaint neighborhoods and destroying the beauty and the aesthetic fabric of these towns.
The remaining old enclaves were difficult to get to or to find thus were spared of the wrecking balls of the urban renewal promoters during the 40’s-70’s.
I remembered during some of my bus rides during the early 70’s passing through Downey I saw the beauty in some neighborhoods that were classic and yet mixed in with cookie cutter craps. This city amazingly still has organizations and clubs from the by gone era neighborhoods like the Elks Lodge, Lions Club and Optimist. Just like Floral Park majority of the population is white in the $million neighborhoods and the surrounding area is all Latinos. Over the years active bus routes allowed for the migration of Hispanic from East LA and Huntington Park along the Florence Ave corridor into Downey.
Architecture designed by my favorite architects some are found in Downey. It was LA first suburb in the 1900’s. Wealthy plantation and orchard barons built their homes there. Homes were separated be acres of land.
Downey was the first progressive city (a big mistake because architects and planners were incompetent from this era) to accept the modern movement in its architecture and planning. Society at that time believed in having industries and factories would be good for the town in promoting jobs and building cookie cutter homes along the perimeter of manufacturing for residents’ easy access to their jobs.
GM and Rockwell both had their assembly factories there. The 2 powerful entities employed blue collar workers by the thousands and many bought homes near by in Downey. This was the major reason why Downey never recovered from its former noble status in both society and school due the low moral and crime caused by its population. Downey still has the tradition of entering float in the annual Rose Parade but its glorious years had faded long time ago.
The very first McDonald in USA started in Downey. The architecture was Jetson like. (Googie Architecture from the late 40’s that we still see today in Dennys, Norms, and Tiny Naylor.) The structural system was 2 separate arches that supported the roof structure and seating was all outside the first fast food establishment. Its location was chosen to service the factory workers at the corner of Lakewood and Slausen. The 2 separate arches viewed in an angular perspective appeared to be joined thus inspired the iconic logo of McDonald’s originated in Downey. Many of the fast food started in Downey due to the "white trash population" food culture and demands. Bobs Big Boy, Carls restaurant (now Carls Jr. based in Anaheim but started in Downey), Jack in the Box, Sambo, and many others served the biggest blue collar population during the 45 minute factory lunch break.
Hope this would enlighten your Friday reading.
freedomCM_IHB
New member
fascinating.
So the wealthy influential people in the nice part of Downey didn't have enough pull to keep the 5 fwy away from their neighborhood? and for Floral Park too?
I had thought that the 5fwy was following the old route 99 hwy through LA. Where did the 99 hwy go from LA down to SD, if not under the 5fwy?
So the wealthy influential people in the nice part of Downey didn't have enough pull to keep the 5 fwy away from their neighborhood? and for Floral Park too?
I had thought that the 5fwy was following the old route 99 hwy through LA. Where did the 99 hwy go from LA down to SD, if not under the 5fwy?
stepping_up_IHB
New member
BK,
Have you written any books? If so, I would love to read them. If not, you should.
Have you written any books? If so, I would love to read them. If not, you should.
EvaLSeraphim_IHB
New member
More from Downey. Do you ever sense that some people had more HELOC than taste?
That said, the house itself is a classic.
That said, the house itself is a classic.
EvaLSeraphim_IHB
New member
Yes, I'm obsessed. More from Downey. Here is the listing description:
And the first pic you get is this:
Is it me, or is the listing description woefully inadequate?
And the first pic you get is this:
Is it me, or is the listing description woefully inadequate?
graphrix_IHB
New member
EvaLSeraphim said:More from Downey. Do you ever sense that some people had more HELOC than taste?
That said, the house itself is a classic.
Okay... seriously... why the hell would I want to have real ivy touching my a$$, let alone fake painted ivy?
http://i-0.rfimg.us/photo/46/bigphoto/182/P644182_1_0.jpg
Yes... yes... you have so many views of the golf course. Not only can you see it through the windows, but from the all the gaps in the missing siding and drywall. It gives new definition to panoramic views. Indulge in the wild life of the rats climbing the walls and into your home for a real wild life experience. Watch them feed off of that black moldy like substance growing on your walls, then fall to the floor only to die a quick and painful death. Only in Downey can you experience expansive views and the life and death of the natural habitat.
bkshopr_IHB
New member
Unfortunate for Downey when the primary core of the white families decided to move away and many of the homes on very big lots became candidates for later subdivisions of cookie cutter housing and apartments. Planners believed in the full integration of diverse income, ethnicities and housing types in a neighborhood. The sense of exclusivity and identity dissipated quickly thus leaving the city with a weaving of bad housing fabric eventually lead to price erosion for the nicer homes as well as deferred maintenance. Once the neighborhood pride is gone it will almost never regain its confidence. Downey started a lot earlier than Floral Park by about 30 years. Its first, second generation and third generations have passed away leaving practically no heirs to defending the neighborhood. Floral Park while on the other hand still has the second genaration (born between 1930's and 1940s) active in the neighborhood. Longevity of home ownership is vital for neighborhood pride.
caycifish_IHB
New member
EvaLSeraphim said:
O....M....G
You couldn't pay me to sleep in that room.
WTF?
SoOCOwner_IHB
New member
If the cow skull doesn't fall and impale you while you are sleeping, you would certainly have some bad nightmares with that thing staring you in the face!
Trooper_IHB
New member
Video about a guy who lives in one of bk's avatar houses.
96 sq ft
He is actually the founder of Tumbleweed Tiny House Company.
oops. link doesn't appear to be working even after 3 attempts to fix. Google it.
96 sq ft
He is actually the founder of Tumbleweed Tiny House Company.
oops. link doesn't appear to be working even after 3 attempts to fix. Google it.
bkshopr_IHB
New member
Trooper said:
I am a proponent of less is more. People do not need all that space. Keep life simple. To me a smaller home on a big lot allows me to enjoy the outdoor than a Ticky Tacky McMansion on the same size lot.
(embedded video no longer available)
I love this so I am posting this again with a different singer this time.
SoOCOwner_IHB
New member
I am a proponent of less is more. People do not need all that space. Keep life simple. To me a smaller home on a big lot allows me to enjoy the outdoor than a Ticky Tacky McMansion on the same size lot.
I have to agree with you bkshopr. The first condo I owned was 450 sq ft. I had to be very organized - I could only have things in the condo that were useful and served multiple purposes. No collections, nick-nacks, etc. There is something very liberating about not being overloaded with stuff. You have less stress, more time to do things and more money to put into savings. It's funny, but there are times when I'm dealing with repair issues on my current home when I wish I was back in that tiny condo.
I have to agree with you bkshopr. The first condo I owned was 450 sq ft. I had to be very organized - I could only have things in the condo that were useful and served multiple purposes. No collections, nick-nacks, etc. There is something very liberating about not being overloaded with stuff. You have less stress, more time to do things and more money to put into savings. It's funny, but there are times when I'm dealing with repair issues on my current home when I wish I was back in that tiny condo.
no_vaseline_IHB
New member
I think 1000 square feet of living space and 3000 square feet of shop space is just about perfect for a couple of DINKS with two white dogs.
momopi_IHB
New member
Here's some more pics of old Downey & posters, for anyone who might be interested:
http://flickr.com/photos/dyingindowney/
http://flickr.com/photos/dyingindowney/
Shadowdrop_IHB
New member
Here's a looney seller in total denial from my neighborhood. He's all over the place with the price, but still well over the Zestimate of $529k.
http://www.redfin.com/CA/Ladera-Ranch/77-Livingston-Pl-92694/home/5863054
On Redfin: 567 days
Listing Price History
Date Price
Feb 03, 2007 $849,300
Feb 27, 2007 $849,000
Mar 18, 2007 $839,000
Apr 18, 2007 $849,200
Apr 27, 2007 $799,000
Apr 28, 2007 $869,000
Jan 31, 2008 $859,000
Feb 08, 2008 $858,000
Feb 22, 2008 $879,200
Mar 07, 2008 $799,300
Apr 17, 2008 $839,900
May 29, 2008 $799,200
Jun 07, 2008 $798,200
Jun 16, 2008 $796,200
Jun 24, 2008 $795,300
http://www.redfin.com/CA/Ladera-Ranch/77-Livingston-Pl-92694/home/5863054
On Redfin: 567 days
Listing Price History
Date Price
Feb 03, 2007 $849,300
Feb 27, 2007 $849,000
Mar 18, 2007 $839,000
Apr 18, 2007 $849,200
Apr 27, 2007 $799,000
Apr 28, 2007 $869,000
Jan 31, 2008 $859,000
Feb 08, 2008 $858,000
Feb 22, 2008 $879,200
Mar 07, 2008 $799,300
Apr 17, 2008 $839,900
May 29, 2008 $799,200
Jun 07, 2008 $798,200
Jun 16, 2008 $796,200
Jun 24, 2008 $795,300
stepping_up_IHB
New member
Shadowdrop said:
Wow, that's one of the most schitzo pricing variations I've ever seen. Is there any logical, or illogical for that matter, explanation for why someone would be all over the board on that?