The Agency Daily

Our dynamic team of agents made remarkable real estate moves around the country this month, from listing an all-new home in Beverly Hills with a prehistoric piece of art to a pair of exceptional estates in Santa Barbara. Here are some of the month’s must-read media clips.

BRAVOTV - Mauricio Umansky, Farrah Brittany, James Harris and David Parnes were spotlighted on BravoTV.com for their appearance on The Hollywood Reporter’s annual list of “Top 30 Real Estate Agents in Hollywood.” James and David were lauded for the $120 million sale of L.A.’s most expensive home, Mauricio’s team of agents (known as The Umansky Team) was touted for bringing in $278 million in sales and Farrah was named one the L.A. real estate industry’s most promising

Set on more than two acres of park-like grounds in the rolling foothills of Santa Barbara’s Santa Ynez Mountains, 365 El Cielito Road has been beautifully reimagined by founder and CEO of Templehome Architecture & Design, Xorin Balbes. The award-winning architectural designer has imbued every corner of the estate with a fusion of Japanese architecture and sleek, mid-century modern style. From its hillside perch, the home captures views of the Pacific and the Channel Islands in the distance. 

Throughout the ultra-private, gated estate, find uncommon, eye-catching design details like wood-paneled vaulted ceilings, modern light fixtures as well as vibrantly-patterned wall coverings. Wellness-minded details include meditation areas, a dedicated card-reading

On an evening in early autumn, The Agency hosted a twilight event at The Sevens to celebrate the new collection of traditionally informed modern homes in Hancock Park. Fusing West Coast airiness with grand, East Coast-inspired elegance, the seven free-standing, three-story homes are located on the northwest corner of Wilshire and Rimpau, moments from the shops, restaurants and entertainment of Larchmont Village and West  Hollywood.

Guests sipped Champagne and rosé, enjoyed fresh cheeses and fruit from an antipasto spread by Bites & Bashes, and got an up-close view of French-born, L.A.-based artist Alexander Partman as he crafted a one-of-a-kind piece on site, called “Black Swan” (it’s since been sold).

“The Sevens—which are themselves uniquely L.A.

On a recent late-summer evening, guests and agents gathered in Dana Point to toast the unveiling of The Wavecrest Collection at Beach Road and its two new beachfront homes.  

The two side-by-side estates, Montauk (35341 Beach Road) and Zuma (35345 Beach Road), were built by the family-run Mur-Sol builders, developed by architect Jack Garland and designed by Barclay Butera. Montauk’s traditional Cape Cod-inspired aesthetic—spread over 3,705 square feet—is a fascinating contrast to the 3,761-square-foot Zuma estate’s more contemporary California design. Both homes boast fine decorative details, 96-bottle wine rooms and oceanfront decks that look out onto the picturesque Capistrano Beach. Each showcase the best features of coastal living, from their

Construction is now underway on the new ferry terminal at Treasure Island, which is set to provide residents of neighboring Yerba Buena Island with commuter service to and from Downtown San Francisco. The San Francisco Chronicle recently reported “the ferry is a critical element of the transportation plan the city and county officials are continuously refining.” The new terminal adds to the appeal of Yerba Buena Island, the new San Francisco residential community located on a naturally formed island in the heart of the Bay. 

“The start of the ferry terminal marks a major milestone in the story of Yerba Buena Island,” explains Andy Ardila, Managing Director of The Agency Development Group, which represents marketing and sales of the residential

The Agency is proud to announce that Michelle Schwartz, a founding member of the company and Managing Partner of the Sherman Oaks and Calabasas offices, has been selected by L.A. Biz as a Women of Influence honoree. From a prestigious pool of 200 nominees, Michelle is one of only 27 local women selected for this honor, a group that includes Google partner Dianne Hackett and Melissa Lintinger, Vice President of NBC Universal.

L.A. Biz’s Women of Influence spotlights business leaders who “innovate, succeed and pay it forward,” according to the publication. The nominees must stand out for their achievements in their respective industries as well as their commitment to community and mentoring.

Michelle’s uniquely enthusiastic approach to clients and

Exquisite amenities, incredible locations and award-winning, five-star service—it’s no wonder hotel-branded residences are continuing their rise in prominence and popularity. The Sunday Times recently reported that there are presently more than 400 branded residential offerings across the globe, the majority of which are hotel branded—and this sector of the market shows no sign of slowing. 

These residences offer top-tier services coupled with their hotel or resort brand’s prestige, appealing to jet-setting buyers and renters willing to pay a premium for a turnkey lifestyle without the hassle of a private property. Additionally, the residences often align with luxury brands that buyers recognize, instilling confidence in the level of service and

The Agency is proud to announce our new development listing—The Sevens—a beautifully realized collection of homes showcasing a blend of historical architecture and modern style in Hancock Park. The Sevens creatively fuses sun-soaked West Coast airiness with grand, East Coast-inspired elegance. The designs—featuring the collaborative vision of developer BLDG Partners and Culver City-based architecture and design firm Modative—offer a fresh interpretation of the brownstones found on New York’s Upper West Side. 

“These homes stand out in today’s market due to their impeccable style and location in the heart of one of L.A’s most beloved neighborhoods,” says Hana Cha, managing director of The Agency Development Group, which represents the property

From the rarefied hilltops of Bel Air to the oak tree-shaded valleys of Northern California, these seven estates were envisioned for the ultimate wine aficionados, whether accommodating an extensive collection or a private vineyard for the aspiring winemaker. 

STELLA NOVA | BEL AIR

Called Stella Nova, this 30-acre development opportunity perched on a hilltop in Bel Air boasts unobstructed panoramic views that encompass the Pacific, Downtown L.A. and the San Gabriel Mountain range. While a buyer could put their own spin on the development, the planned estate is bursting with exquisite amenities—and at the top of the list is an on-site private-label vineyard, which allows the owner to put their own stamp (literally) on the super local harvest.

Armed with more than a decade of experience in the property-flipping realm and stars of the new Scott Disick reality show Flip it Like Disick, brother and sister duo Kozet Luciano and Andre Manoukian—both based out of The Agency’s Calabasas office—are invaluable resources for clients looking to find, purchase and flip a property. On Disick's show, they led the renovations for 5474 Jed Smith Road in Hidden Hills (shown above and below). 

We spoke with Kozet and Andre to get their top tips for clients looking to flip a home.  

Before purchasing a home to flip, what are some key things to keep in mind? 

Kozet: The potential of the home, the potential of the property and comparable properties in the area. Having a keen awareness of these factors