In a city filled with iconic neighborhoods and landmarks, Craig Strong believes there’s truly no place like Toluca Lake. “I mean, we actually have a lake!” he points out. “We’ve got a golf course, as well as the HOA, Chamber of Commerce, Beautification Partners, Garden Club and a Neighborhood Council. There are so many things in place that make Toluca Lake such an amazing place to live, not to mention we have our own community magazine.”
That deep community infrastructure — combined with beloved traditions like the Holiday Parade and Open House — gives the area its unique appeal. “We have this charming little village vibe,” Strong says. “The community here is ‘strong!’, and the Neighborhood Watch is top-notch. All of that, combined with our Tolucans, really sets Toluca Lake apart from any other neighborhood in L.A.”
This year, Strong shares that the market has been marked by resilience and optimism, even in the face of unexpected challenges, such as the devastating wildfires in January. “There has definitely been a change in the market,” Strong says. “In the beginning, I think everyone was frantic. People were unsure. People didn’t know if they were going to buy, rent, rebuild or move out of state. There were just a lot of questions in the air.”
Initially, he saw a surge in listings. “A lot of sellers were thinking maybe it was a good time to sell, so inventory started picking up quickly. But since then, things have settled,” he explains. “Now, I think people have a better idea of what their future looks like. They seem to have more of a plan in place and a better understanding.”
As a result, Strong says it’s been a memorable start to the year for his company. “As for the real estate market in 2025, there has been a lot of movement even with the hiccups from the fires and the stock market.” Among his recent highlights, one sale stands out. “I sold this incredible home that my clients had custom-built for their family. Honestly, I never thought they’d sell, but then they ended up moving out of state. It is a stunning modern home on the lake with amazing views. We just closed for a record-breaking lake sale at $13,250,000.”
When he’s not helping residents buy and sell homes, Strong is giving back to the community. “One thing I keep putting out there — and something I’m really proud of — is the Toluca Lake Holiday Parade, which I’ll be chairing for the third year in a row. It just keeps getting better.”
He also emphasizes the teamwork behind the scenes: “This parade doesn’t just happen overnight. It takes months of planning, and there are so many people working to bring it to life. When parade day comes, it’s such a rewarding feeling to see it all come together. Watching everyone smile, laugh and truly enjoy the evening — it makes it all worth it.”
Strong is further energized by the team he’s building. “I was never really motivated to put a team together before, but then I started getting calls from some great agents who genuinely wanted to join forces,” he says. “After a lot of thought and conversations, I knew it was the right move. Now I have a growing team of amazing agents, and this year, I brought on a fantastic new marketing director.”
The Craig Strong Group is busier than ever — but always ready to welcome neighbors, both new and longtime residents alike. “Stop by anytime and say hello in Toluca Lake or our office in Burbank next to Porto’s!”
For more information, visit strongrealtor.com, email info@strongrealtor.com or call (818) 930-4050.