I was born and raised in Los Angeles on the Westside. My service area includes the beach cities of Venice, Marina del Rey, and Playa del Rey. Moving inland, I also serve Playa Vista, Del Rey, Culver City and north to Palms, Cheviot Hills and Beverlywood before turning west to Mar Vista. I call this area LA's "Lower West Side." Its boundaries are north of LAX south of freeway 10 and west of the 405 (see map).

Culver City (MLS area 28) is my home, the neighborhood most like Dorthy's Kansas from the "Wizard of Oz." Culver City features highly professional Police and Fire departments with short response times, best area schools,strong "arts in public spaces programs," neighborhoods around parks, and a newly renovated downtown district. From my experience people who buy in Culver City tend to stay there, resulting in fewer homes for sale and less turnover.

Mar Vista (MLS area 13) is just down the street, a part of Los Angeles. Mar Vista offers a large range of homes priced from the minimum entry level to high end mansions on its hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Mar Vista has become the alternative to West LA for those seeking greater value for money, featuring homes in the Spanish style, developments by renowned architect Gregory Ains, the homey tree-lined Westdale Trousdale properties and many purpose built custom architectural remodels.

My mother was raised in Venice (MLS area 11). Venice is an arts community and is both home and work space to both graphic artists and movie stars, the famed Venice Art Walk is offered each year as a community service. Venice is also home to the world class Venice canals and the Venice Boardwalk. Though generally smaller homes on smaller lots, Venice offers a quality of life not otherwise available in Los Angeles County.

Marina del Rey (MLS area 12) is boats, water, yachts, shopping, all combined in one space. It is an upscale area frequented by those preferring an active lifestyle. Marina del Rey lies in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County and is serviced by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs. While most of the Marina's homes are townhouse style, some magnificent properties spread across it's western peninsula, known as the "Silver Strand." The areas best restaurants are found in Marina del Rey.

Playa del Rey (MLS area 31) is a small sleepy village beach community with typical surfer style restaurants and activities. Playa del Rey's famed Lagoon features exotic wildlife. PDR is bordered on the north by the open channel to the ocean for Marina del Rey, on the east by the last remaining wet lands in Southern California and on the south an old surfing beach known as Dockwiler beach, with ringed fire pits for night time barbecues. Casual living at its best.

Playa Vista (MLS area 39) is a new planned community consisting exclusively of homes built after 2004. This high tech urban center features unique architecture shopping and recreational facilities for the urban minded. Free summer concerts and access to a new shopping center makes for centralized pedestrian living.

Del Rey (MLS area 13) The homes of Del Rey are all single family in character. Most of the stock was built after WWII. Del Rey offers easy access to Los Angeles and the West side while retaining the small town character of a single family neighborhood.

Beverlywood/ Cheviot Hills (MLS areas 8 & 9) Athough these are distinct neighborhoods they share all but one common feature large estate type homes mostly designed by architects and custom built. These high end homes border the Los Angeles Country Club and Rancho Park Golf Course. These areas are almost exclusively single family. Both are adjacent to Beverly Hills and their chief difference is that Beverlywood is governed by an active mandatory home owner's association while Cheviot is not.