CSQ’s 2021 Luxury Real Estate and Design event, presented by One Coast, was broadcasted live via Zoom, bringing together L.A.’s top professionals in real estate, new development, architecture, and design. Discussions included challenges during the pandemic, directions the housing market is headed toward, and a few current projects that the panelists are working on.
Bree Long, who moderated the event, has 20 years of experience with strategic and creative planning of sales and marketing initiatives at Etco Homes, the Southern California luxury builder.
One of the panelists was Erinn Valencich, interior designer, real estate developer, and founder of Erinn V. Design Group. Valencich has noticed that many clients are requesting more space, and flexibility has also been key when it comes to more private spaces in the workplace where employees can have Zoom meetings.
“We’re seeing a lot of corporate clients downsizing their office space, making them more beautiful,” Valencich says.
Mario Romano, owner of M|R Walls and Mario Romano Design and Development, is seeing a trend of modern spec houses being embraced by developers and homeowners.
“They want to personalize it, and we’re pushing the design language with all those amazing technologies that are out there,” Romano says.
Any homeowner also has a list of must-have features, often including the greater need for an extended master closet and large kitchen island in their home. But since COVID hit, properties are getting harder to find.
Aaron Kirman, president of International Estates Division at Compass and founder and CEO of Aaron Kirman Group is witnessing the home boom, with house prices going up between 15% and 40%.
“I haven’t seen this kind of movement ever,” he says.
Bob Etebar believes that people are going to make a return to urban living and embrace metro areas once again as urban environments can offer people the freedom they desire.
“People want to live without the burden of having to maintain their homes and their gardens,” says Etebar, COO of Etco Homes. “They just want to have that ability to lock and leave.”
As people transition to a post-COVID lifestyle, traveling is seeing an increase, especially for those with vaccinations. Etebar believes that, with the vaccine being mandated, people are making the move to migrate all over the United States. Some are even buying a second home.
“People do want to have that social connectivity, that sense of community,” Etebar says. “Urban environments really offer that.”
Read the full event whitepaper report HERE
