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BRE # 01808926©2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fullysupports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Coldwell BankerResidential Brokerage office is owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and theColdwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International® and the Coldwell Banker PreviewsInternational Logo, are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Brokerdoes not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning thecondition or features of property provided by seller or obtained from public records or other sources,and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personalinspection and with appropriate professionals. If your property is currently listed for sale, this is notintended as a solicitation.

NO. 30September 2015

Cheviot HillsThe greatest neighborhood in the worldCheviot HillsThe greatest neighborhood in the world

By BEN LEE

It’s not every day you’re walkingthrough the market and are

confronted by a headline sosalacious you almost have to do adouble take. But that’s exactly whathappened to me when I was at themarket down on National, pickingup ice for my son’s birthday partyand saw the magazine Closer (neverheard of it before) with a bigpicture of actor Lorenzo Lamas anda headline that screamed in boldletters: “MY WIFE GAVE BIRTHTO MY GRANDSON!” I’m slightlyembarrassed to admit that I had tobuy the magazine so I couldunderstand how in the world thiswas humanly possible. To tell youthe truth, if it were any randomactor I might not actually havecared too much, however, LorenzoLamas’ involvement piqued myinterest considering his family ispart of Cheviot Hills’ history.Lamas’ mother is noted actressArlene Dahl. She was one ofMGM’s most celebrated leadingladies in the 1940’s and ‘50’s. Beforeshe had Lorenzo, she was marriedto another actor, Lex Barker andtogether they made their home onGlenbarr Avenue in Cheviot Hills.These famous icons of another eraalso happened to live next door tomy father-in-law and his family.Once in a while a relative wouldshare an anecdote related to howbeautiful Arlene Dahl was in personor how they would sometimes hearmusic coming from one of herglamorously star-studded parties.

It’s possible I was just bored bybeing at the market that day, butseeing a headline that involved myfather-in-law’s former CheviotHills’ neighbor’s son did spark myinterest. I read the article and, asstrange as it sounds, it turned outthat the story was in fact true.According to an interview he gaveto the magazine, Lorenzo Lamas’fifth wife Shawna served as asurrogate for his daughter, Shayne.Shayne was unable to have childrenso Shawna, an aspiring actress,stepped up to carry the baby as theultimate gift to her new daughter

and son-in-law. Lamas told themagazine that it was a win-winsituation since he had no desire toadd to the six children he alreadyhad, yet his new wife Shawnawanted to experience pregnancy.And now, after a July 4th delivery,their grandbaby is living withLamas’ daughter and her husband

and everyone is due to live happily-ever-after. As far as Lorenzo Lamasis concerned, he no longer hasrelatives in Cheviot Hills, howeveryou may spot him flying above hisold house on Glenbarr since hecurrently works as a helicopterpilot when he’s in between actingjobs.

And the moral of the story is:sometimes you can judge a ‘book’(or tabloid magazine) by its cover,truth is often stranger than fictionand when it comes to the type ofmarket I like… let’s just agree it’sreal estate. I have no desire toreturn to a grocery store any timesoon!

BEN LEE PROPERTIES – Real Estate Broker • Licensed Attorney – www.BenLeeProperties.com – (310) 858-5489

Stranger than Fiction

My featured listingsBEN LEE - ESTATES SALES

Beverlywood – ACTIVE!

9500 Sawyer St– Offered at $2,399,000

Aspectacular home in Beverlywood, this 5 bedroom/3.5 bathroom,recentlyremodeled, two-story traditional is a sight to behold. Originally built in

1941,but fully updated just a few years ago, this home offers sumptuous detailssuch as: all hardwood floors, crowned moldings, large and spacious bedrooms,sweeping views, Bay windows, formal wainscoting, and so much more. Thechef’s kitchen has stainless steel appliances, granite countertops with designerbacksplash, a convenient breakfast bar and an attached formal dining room.The spacious family room is sunny and bright with built-in cabinetry andample space for family entertainment. There is a picture-perfect fireplace thatanchors the formal living room, along with a built-in wine-bar with stainlesssteel wine and beverage refrigerators. Up the dramatic staircase, one will findthe master bedroom suite complete with high peaked ceilings and masterbathroom with dual sinks in the marble topped vanity and a sunken spa tub.There is a whimsical children’s wing with a Jack-and-Jill bathroom and everyinch of this home had a designer’s eye in mind. This philosophy extends to theoutdoors where you’ll experience a highly stylish outdoor black and whitecovered patio in addition to a lovely stretch of grass for kids to use and enjoy.The patio, which connects through the kitchen and through the family room,provides for great indoor/outdoor living and entertaining. Located in theCanfield school district, this home just may be your next dream come true.

Sherman Oaks – IN ESCROW

Westwood – IN ESCROW

Beverlywood – ACTIVE!

Castle Heights – IN ESCROW

1740 Malcolm Ave #103 3780 Regal Vista Drive

Adelightful and bright, traditional style familyhome on an approx. 7500 lot in the

Beverlywood HOA, this 3 bedroom, 2.75 bathroomhouse offers plenty of fine features! This home has apicturesque view, supple hardwood floors, twofireplaces, a formal living room, dining room andfamily room. The kitchen is light and cheerful andhas a connected laundry facility. There is a uniquesunroom/conservatory with a staircase and one floordown you will find a spacious in-laws’ suite. Thebathrooms and kitchen could withstand someupgrading to create your absolute dream home in afantastic, family friendly neighborhood.

1565 Reeves Street – Offered at $1,749,000

9415 Kramerwood Pl

Cheviot Hills – NEW CONSTRUCTION

Cheviot Hills – FOR LEASE

Cheviot Hills – NEW CONSTRUCTION

Situated on a large corner lot in the heart of oldCheviot Hills, this authentic Spanish style, three

bedroom/three bath over 3000 square foot home is anupdated original that demands your attention. Fullyredone to appeal to today’s modern family, every detailin this home has been refreshed to suit both comfortand need. Each of the upstairs bedrooms is quite grandin size, and boasts en suite bathroom, balcony with aview, and two separate closets per room. Downstairs,the kitchen has been fully renovated with brand newappliances, cook top, hood, quartz countertops andrefinished cabinetry. This comfortable and luxurioushome built on a 8000+ sq foot lot in the OverlandSchool District should be seen and appreciated today!

10450 Dunleer Dr – Offered at $7,100 per month

Imagine an idyllic oasis in the heart of Cheviot Hills.Featuring brand new, top-of-the-line construction that

is setting the standard of excellence for homes in our area.This work of art (in progress) from Diamond WestDistinctive Homes promises to be nothing short ofexquisite.A grander expression of the Traditional style,andset back but flush with the street allowing for access withease, the beauty of this nearly 5700 square foot, 6bedroom/7 bathroom home will stun you from the onset.Featuring a formal living room, formal dining room,family room and entertainment loft, the soaring, vaultedentryway will bask the entire two-story home in light. Thisproperty will be nothing short of an architectural triumphthat will make any family proud to call home.

2921 Cavendish Dr – Offered at $5,250,000

This brand new 4,449 sq. ft. home in the CheviotHills area sit on a 7,567 sq. ft. lot . This two story

home is designed with a Cape Cod inspired facadefeaturing colonialwindows with shutters and plantershelves, paneled french doors, a trellised upstairsbalcony and a covered downstairs porch. Inside is anexpansive and modern floor plan with central airconditioning, a study, playroom and a gourmet kitchenwith island. There are four bedrooms upstairs andanother bedroom downstairs. The master suite has afireplace,access to the upstairs balcony,his and her walkin closets, dual vanities, a free standing tub and aspacious shower. Located on a corner lot adjacent toRancho Park Golf Course with city skyline views.

10452 Lorenzo Pl – Offered at $4,500,000

Culver City– IN ESCROW

Westside – IN ESCROW

Beverlywood – IN ESCROW

2514 S Bundy Dr 4249 East Blvd #1 2245 Hillsboro Ave

BEN LEE PROPERTIES – Real Estate Broker • Licensed Attorney – www.BenLeeProperties.com – (310) 858-5489

Cheviot Hills happenings

By BEN LEE

Thank you to all those who enteredour raffle to win a $50 gift

certificate to the Palms area hot spot:The Garage on Motor.Congratulations to Claudia Yrineo, youare the lucky winner!! Get ready to revyour engines and enjoy all the burgers,brews, salads and fries a $50 giftcertificate can buy. And speaking ofburgers, this month we are raffling offa gift certificate to one of the mosthistoric and delicious establishments in

West LA: The Apple Pan! Serving upthe finest burgers, fries and pies since1947—if you’ve never been, well that isjust a crime. To enter to win a $50 giftcertificate to The Apple Pan, simplysend an email to:Ben@Benleeproperties.com and write‘APPLE PAN’ in the subject line. Pleaselet us know your first/last name andthe best way to reach you should yoursbe the winning entry. We will draw awinner at random at the end ofSeptember and notify you immediatelyafter. Good luck!!!

By BEN LEE

So, in addition to handling all of yourreal estate transactions, whether

you’re in the market to buy a home orlooking to sell one, I’m excited about mynewest venture: entering the world of E-books. My team and I have been hardat work creating content that has beenturned into downloadable books. Topicsare all real estate related and range from

offering tips on how to find your dreamhome, to ideas on how to effortlesslymove with children. There’s also an E-book that shares ten ways to get yourhome sold quickly! The E-books aretotally free of charge and I’d love toknow what you think of them. Justcontact Casey@BenLeeProperties.comand she’ll send you a copy that you candownload on your computer. Hope youenjoy!

Crackin’ the (E)-Books RAFFLE

By Michael Harris

Grandparents on an extended tripwith the grandchildren and their

parents are like referees at a footballgame: they can keep the players in line,but they cannot avoid controversy. Therole of the grandparent is not to repeatthe mistakes they made with their ownchildren and certainly not tocountermand or improve on theparenting skills of their children. Therole of the grandparent should be to givecontext, flavor and institutional memoryto the grandchildren. The grandchildneeds to know the history first-hand ofwhere he came from and what forces,places, and events shaped his origins.That is where a grandparent can shine:by showing the old photo albums,naming the unfamiliar and departedrelatives, and depicting the continuum

that should result in that grandchild'sheightened sense of self. Then from thesidelines a grandparent can appreciatethe shaping of the grandchild. This maybe too general a reflection ongrandparenthood as there may besituations where the grandparent mustfill in for a parent and when a greatgrandparent may need to fill theinstitutional history role. Perhaps thegrandparent supplies the cultural contextand guides by example while the parentmust concentrate on the child's physicalwell-being. In fact, each situation may bedifferent, except that one thing should beuniversal: the major ingredient of agrandparent's contribution to theforming of the grandchild is theunimpeded and unrestricted love andaffection to support every doubt ortrouble that every grandchild mustinevitably confront.

Traveling with Gradchildren