Despite the reports of a great California exodus, we haven’t seen demand slip in the Greater Los Angeles area’s real estate market. And this is doubly true in neighborhoods like Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood, where high demand is practically a community fixture. This ever-present demand is why more realty companies are turning their attentions to up-and-coming neighborhoods that may otherwise be overlooked in favor of these established giants. Earning the interest of buyers, investors, and developers alike, these rising neighborhoods demonstrate a winning balance of value and growth potential within an overarching competitive market.
Highland Park: Home Hunting for the Hopelessly Hip
To the northeast of the city, you’ll find the hip haven of Highland Park. It’s been moving in this direction for just under two decades, even being touted as the “next Echo Park” or “next Silver Lake” as far back as 2007. Between its well-preserved Craftsman homes, its modern renovations, and the thriving arts and eclectic dining that distinguish Figueroa Street and York Boulevard, it’s become impossible to overlook Highland Park’s attraction for home hunters.
Realty companies recognize Highland Park as a more affordable alternative to nearby favorites like Pasadena and Silver Lake. With steady appreciation in the area’s home values, it’s also poised as a prime neighborhood for long-term investment. And it doesn’t hurt that the Metro’s A Line (formerly the Gold Line) passes right through it.
Glassell Park: A Hillside Haven That’s (Relatively) Affordable
Sandwiched between Eagle Rock and Mount Washington, Glassell Park trails just behind Highland Park as one of the city’s next big neighborhoods. Mid-century homes perch from verdant hillsides among modern remodels and brand new developments, virtually conforming to whatever buyers want.
More importantly, Glassell Park is affordable when compared to its surrounding neighborhoods. It’s fueled its popularity among young professionals who don’t want to just survive in this city, but actually enjoy it. It’s also gained the attention of area families who have been priced out of the trendier neighborhoods around the city. Throw in its proximity to the 2, the 5, and the 110 freeways, and it’s easy to see why Glassell Park is on the maps of all the savvy realty companies.
Jefferson Park: Glowing On Up on the West Side
It might feel like the next big thing, but Jefferson Park is actually one of LA’s oldest neighborhoods, replete with history and cultural significance hinted at in its beautiful Craftsman and Spanish Colonial Revival homes. Adjacent to USC and the Metro’s E Line (formerly the Expo Line), it’s an affordable location that offers quick and easy access to Downtown LA, Culver City, and West LA.
And that logistical advantage has placed Jefferson Park firmly in the sights of realty companies across the city. Currently, Jefferson Park is undergoing a glow-up of sorts, with both public and private investments being used to improve its streets and parks and add more shopping options, pointing to a bright future for this once-overlooked community.
El Sereno: Larger Lots in a Quiet Community
Blazing a trail simply by not having the word “Park” in its name, El Sereno is a rather quiet neighborhood, likely contributing to its being overlooked by realty companies for so long. But with its proximity to Downtown LA and its larger lot sizes, it was only a matter of time before it silently slipped into the spotlight.
Housing demand has been trending east across Los Angeles, gradually turning buyers’ gazes toward El Sereno. First-time homebuyers enjoy its affordability, but its larger lots are also perfect for families looking to spread out a bit. For this reason, you can expect realty companies to continue guiding clients toward this steadily growing community.
It’s Up to Local Realty Companies to Keep the Pace
Limited inventory in traditionally popular neighborhoods is also driving buyers to these rising neighborhoods. But a trending shift in favor of walkability, accessibility, and general character emphasizes that these communities are doing most of the heavy lifting on their own. Inevitably, price will catch up to potential in these four examples. But realty companies that move with the market will by then recognize the next hot community coming over the horizon. And those who timed their investments in the above communities just right will be on the track to a more financially secure future.
With a brand that says as much as JohnHart’s, Senior Copywriter Seth Styles never finds himself at a loss for words. Responsible for maintaining the voice of the company, he spends each day drafting marketing materials, blogs, bios, and agent resources that speak from the company’s collective mind and Hart… errr, heart.
Having spent over a decade in creative roles across a variety of industries, Seth brings with him vast experience in SEO practices, digital marketing, and all manner of professional writing with particular strength in blogging, content creation, and brand building. Gratitude, passion, and sincerity remain core tenets of his unwavering work ethic. The landscape of the industry changes daily, paralleling JohnHart’s efforts to {re}define real estate, but Seth works to maintain the company’s consistent message while offering both agents and clients a new echelon of service.
When not preserving the JohnHart essence in stirring copy, Seth puts his efforts into writing and illustrating an ongoing series entitled The Death of Romance. In addition, he adores spending quality time with his girlfriend and Romeo (his long-haired chihuahua mix), watching ‘70s and ‘80s horror movies, and reading (with a particular penchant for Victorian horror novels and authors Yukio Mishima and Bret Easton Ellis). He also occasionally records music as the vocalist and songwriter for his glam rock band, Peppermint Pumpkin.
