I usually don't leave Newport Beach too often unless I am in another city showing homes. One of my realtor buddies suggested a couple of weeks ago to start previewing homes in Laguna Beach to change it up a little. Most of the homes in Newport look fairly the same.....older Craftsman or Italian style. Don't get me wrong, there are other styles, but Craftsman and Italian style pretty much dominate. We have many tract homes here.......same community with the same floor plans......usually behind a gate. In Laguna Beach, it is very rare to find tract homes. Laguna Beach is a very artsy area, very unique floor plans for the most part. Many artists live here.
So my buddy realtor friend couldn't go on tour this past Wednesday. I was actually relieved as I thought, great, now I don't have to go and I can stay in Newport to work on some paperwork. I had a tugging feeling that I should go anyway. My incentive to go would be I would only view properties that I thought could have the WOW factor. I had 6 on my list. My plan was to go as far south and work my way up to North Laguna Beach. The first two homes I had on my list were in Three Arch Bay. I stopped by a home on La Senda Drive. Very nice home with amazing views. Very private. I felt like I was on the edge of a cliff. I was impressed, but didn't see anything that was different than any other ocean front home. This home by the way is priced at $8.99 million. The second home I visited was on Barranca Way. It was at the end of a narrow road. I almost passed on it as it wasn't easy to park and I was short on time. Good thing I didn't pass this house up....it is truly an amazing home. The WOW factor was all over this home. The notes in the MLS state that this home is one of the most important historical and timeless estates along the CA Coast. 'Cliff Cote' was developed in the 1930's by the Proctor Family. I am not sure how to describe this home. There were so many levels, nooks and crannies, viewing decks, hidden rooms......this would be the ultimate home to play hide and seek in. There were details in every corner you looked in. The outside decks had amazing views of the beach, ocean, and Catalina. This is a home you could live in and never get bored. There were quite a few stairs, so not good for someone with bad knees. Anyway, I want to get to the good part. As I was leaving.....I stopped by to view the guest house. To my surprise there was the owner of 'Cliff Cote' working on her art.......creating jewelry with amazing stones I have never scene before. She was so nice to give a couple of us realtors a preview of her work. I am not sure if the gentleman with her was her friend or husband, but he was gracious to let me try on a couple of the designs. I love the clear crystal look and she had just created a necklace with crystal that was absoulutely amazing. I was in awe of her work. She had drawers and drawers of different types of stones/gems. I thought it would be so fun to hang out with her one day and watch her work......or make a design of your own. To view her work log on to http://www.leftturndesigns.com/. I have a picture of her in her workshop. Her name is Judy Klimek and her email address is judyk@leftturndesigns.com. I will need to sell a couple of houses to buy one of her necklaces. :) Anyway, what a treat that day was, I will never forget it. I have the best job......viewing homes and meeting interesting people. I should mention this home is priced at $13,95,000. Not bad for ocean front and a piece of history.
So my buddy realtor friend couldn't go on tour this past Wednesday. I was actually relieved as I thought, great, now I don't have to go and I can stay in Newport to work on some paperwork. I had a tugging feeling that I should go anyway. My incentive to go would be I would only view properties that I thought could have the WOW factor. I had 6 on my list. My plan was to go as far south and work my way up to North Laguna Beach. The first two homes I had on my list were in Three Arch Bay. I stopped by a home on La Senda Drive. Very nice home with amazing views. Very private. I felt like I was on the edge of a cliff. I was impressed, but didn't see anything that was different than any other ocean front home. This home by the way is priced at $8.99 million. The second home I visited was on Barranca Way. It was at the end of a narrow road. I almost passed on it as it wasn't easy to park and I was short on time. Good thing I didn't pass this house up....it is truly an amazing home. The WOW factor was all over this home. The notes in the MLS state that this home is one of the most important historical and timeless estates along the CA Coast. 'Cliff Cote' was developed in the 1930's by the Proctor Family. I am not sure how to describe this home. There were so many levels, nooks and crannies, viewing decks, hidden rooms......this would be the ultimate home to play hide and seek in. There were details in every corner you looked in. The outside decks had amazing views of the beach, ocean, and Catalina. This is a home you could live in and never get bored. There were quite a few stairs, so not good for someone with bad knees. Anyway, I want to get to the good part. As I was leaving.....I stopped by to view the guest house. To my surprise there was the owner of 'Cliff Cote' working on her art.......creating jewelry with amazing stones I have never scene before. She was so nice to give a couple of us realtors a preview of her work. I am not sure if the gentleman with her was her friend or husband, but he was gracious to let me try on a couple of the designs. I love the clear crystal look and she had just created a necklace with crystal that was absoulutely amazing. I was in awe of her work. She had drawers and drawers of different types of stones/gems. I thought it would be so fun to hang out with her one day and watch her work......or make a design of your own. To view her work log on to http://www.leftturndesigns.com/. I have a picture of her in her workshop. Her name is Judy Klimek and her email address is judyk@leftturndesigns.com. I will need to sell a couple of houses to buy one of her necklaces. :) Anyway, what a treat that day was, I will never forget it. I have the best job......viewing homes and meeting interesting people. I should mention this home is priced at $13,95,000. Not bad for ocean front and a piece of history.
