Craig Strong

What notable properties have you sold recently, and what made them particularly stand out for you?

I had a property at 4343 Forman Ave. that just sold. It was an old home that had great bones on a huge lot, right in the heart of Toluca Lake. I received many phone calls and emails from people who feared that a developer was going to knock it down and build a gigantic home, which could have been an eyesore. The good news is that I sold it to amazing buyers, who previously restored another house in Toluca Lake. The house ended up selling for $4.8 million, and it’s going to be a spectacular property that goes with the neighborhood when it’s done.

What exciting listings are you working on at the moment?

There’s a few that just listed or will be soon. I’m excited to be working on the property at 10050 Toluca Lake Ave., which is just an architectural masterpiece. It’s modern-style living with amazing views on the lake for $15 million. There’s also a supercute home on the golf course at 10092 Valley Spring Ln. for $5.2 million, one huge 11,000-square-foot house on a huge lot at 4333 Forman Ave. for $6.8 million and many more.

What are some notable market trends you are seeing right now?

We’re in an election year, so it’s hard to look for anything consistent because whenever there’s uncertainty, people get nervous. Unless something is priced very aggressively or there’s something extremely unique about the property, we don’t know what’s going to happen come November. However, I believe rates will begin to lower around the election, with hopes to eventually see a high-5% range. Once we start seeing those rates go down, then we’ll see a lot of these homes start selling that have been sitting for a bit.

What factors should sellers consider before selling their home this year? What about for buyers?

For sellers, don’t price it to negotiate, price it to sell. People get caught up in wanting to negotiate. There’s a lot of easy, inexpensive things you can do to your home just to make it look clean and presentable to potential buyers. Repainting the house, updating the carpets and fixing the dry rot from the rain are inexpensive ways sellers can really add value to their home. Staging your home is also important for sellers to do, too. People want to walk into your home and envision themselves living there, so it’s important to present it that way.

As for buyers, it’s crucial to do your inspections so you know exactly what you’re buying. Also, get preapproved with a lender and figure out your home insurance options ahead of time before going into escrow.

As a longtime resident and community leader, what insights and tips about the neighborhood do you share with clients?

I let people know that Toluca Lake is the only place in L.A. County that still has a small-town feel to it. You’re always bumping into people you know here. We also have an amazing Council, Chamber, Neighborhood Watch group and Homeowners Association, not to mention the Toluca Lake Beautification Partners, the annual Holiday Open House and Parade, and all the activities we have during Halloween. Once people move here, they tell me how much they love their new neighbors and incredible community.

Is there anything else you want to tell readers?

As the organizer of the Toluca Lake Magical Holiday Parade, we’re already starting to work on making this year’s event even better than last year. We’re hoping to add more yardage onto the route to keep people happy and are already off to a great start. If you would like to donate and/or volunteer, just let me know!