Absorption Rate Analysis – January 2025: We’ve Never Seen a Month Like This Before

We’ve never seen a month like January 2025 in the history of publishing our absorption rates. And with so many monumental factors at play, it’s tough to pin these results on one thing. New presidential administration? Citywide fires? The Grind to Greatness Realtor Race? In short, we expected a drop in absorption rates in January. […]

Is Amboy, California Worth the Detour? Inside the Googie Ghost Town That Refused to Stay Dead

Featured image credit: Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons / “Amboy (California, USA) — 2012 — 4” / CC BY-SA 4.0 About 200 miles east of Los Angeles and 100 miles northeast of Palm Springs sits a remote Mojave Desert town that exists out of logic and reason. It was built near a dead volcano, along a highway (that died), with a gas station […]

The Mid-Century Fairytale of LA’s Case Study Houses

Featured image credit: mbtrama It’s not often that we get to witness experiments in architecture while they’re in motion. Yet, that’s exactly the experience case study houses offer. Arts & Architecture magazine challenged notable architects to create affordable homes to address the U.S.’s residential housing boom. With World War II finally coming to an end, […]

The Last Chuck E. Cheese Animatronic Band in the World is Playing a Northridge Residency

Featured image credit: Ben Schumin What a year for legendary bands. New wave icons Devo retired from live performance. Rock gods Kiss called it a day. And now Munch’s Make Believe Band is packing it all in… with one notable exception. Wait, you don’t remember Munch’s Make Believe Band? Surely you’ve had the singular experience […]

Modernism Week Palm Springs Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Magic Line-Up

It seems there isn’t a second that passes in the Coachella Valley when Mid-Century designs aren’t celebrated in some way. Yet, Palm Springs still devotes a “week” to Mid-Century Modern styles. That “week” lasts 10 days this year, but it still doesn’t seem like enough time to pack in every event, tour, lecture, and party. […]

How To Use Fire-Resistant Building Materials To Give Your Home A Fighting Chance In Wildfire Season

As our neighbors consider rebuilding their homes following the horrifying wildfires that tore through the region just a little over a week into the new year, more and more homeowners are taking careful consideration into what materials and practices build fire-resistant homes. Sadly, a fully fireproof home just isn’t feasible. Otherwise, we may not be […]