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Encino
You may not be aware of it but at one point while watching a movie or TV show, you may have come across scenes shot in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Encino in the San Fernando Valley. That’s because Encino is one of Hollywood’s preferred locations for an upbeat and vibrant Southern California suburb. Largely residential in nature but packed with all the great things that the City of Angels offers, Encino could be the perfect neighborhood for your next home or investment.
Read on to find out what you can expect from this wonderful L.A. neighborhood where mighty oak trees used to reign supreme.
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WELCOME TO ENCINO!
Fictional home to The Karate Kid, Cobra Kai, and Encino Man and actual home to more than 61,000 residents, Encino is a neighborhood so strategically placed that it’s virtually near everything, including top-rated schools, amazing nature destinations, and world-class retail and dining options. You’re also likely to spot a celebrity or two at the local grocery or mall on any given day, especially since a good number of Hollywood’s brightest stars, musicians, and head honchos have chosen to live here.
Two things make Encino stand out: the vast green spaces that make up almost half of the neighborhood’s total area and its rich cultural heritage.
A cultural hotspot – then and now
The San Fernando Valley used to be broken up into parcels of land and divided among pish settlers during the pish colonial era. The area where Encino now sits was named Rancho Los Encinos or The Ranch of Oaks as this section of the Valley was filled with oak trees. Soon after, the Rancho’s ownership changed hands and the area was developed into a residential community. Its name was retained, albeit shortened, but the oak trees from which this region was named were cut down to give way to development.
Thanks to the efforts of the community, the last remaining oaks in the area are now protected and stand as silent witnesses to Encino’s growth as one of Los Angeles’ most sought-after neighborhoods.
Encino also resonates in pop culture, especially in recent times with the revival of the rivalry between the main characters of the 80s blockbuster film, The Karate Kid, in the Netflix hit series, Cobra Kai. The dojos and the residence of protagonist Daniel LaRusso (played by Ralph Macchio), who is now a successful car dealer, are in Encino.
Fields of green
Encino is nestled on the north slope of the Santa Monica Mountains. This majestic coastal mountain range on Encino’s southern side offers not only a bevy of parks and trails but also an opportunity to explore the rich biodiversity of the area.
Meanwhile, along its northern border, you’ll find the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area. It's an immensely important spot in Los Angeles, not only for Lake Balboa and some parks that are found within its 2,000-acre coverage but also as a flood control basin that protects the whole city from flooding of the Los Angeles River.
These two nature spots in Encino keep residents close to the serene beauty of nature while still in proximity to the modern conveniences of the city.
LIVING IN ENCINO
ENCINO HOMES FOR SALE
The Encino real estate market is a robust one with homes for sale almost never leaving the $1-million benchmark price. If home values do go below $1 million, expect a quick recovery by the next month. Listing prices have also been on a consistently rising trend for the past three years – a testament to sellers’ confidence in the desirability of their Encino homes for sale.
If you’re in the market for homes with lots of elbow room, upscale amenities, and the finest finishes, you’ll find the selection of homes for sale in Encino to your liking. There’s never an ebb in market activity for luxury homes in this popular L.A. neighborhood.
Moreover, as one of the oldest communities in Los Angeles, Encino is also a venue for finding beautifully maintained and preserved houses built between the 1940s and 1960s. There are also some residences constructed between the 70s and just before the turn of the millennium, as well as a growing number of newly constructed homes, some of which were built over older properties.
Property types
Dominating the Encino housing market are single-family homes, followed by predominantly mid-rise condos. A number of vacant lots are also on the market. One common factor among these properties is that they’re larger than the average home in other American neighborhoods.
Encino is known to have the highest concentration of free-standing single-family homes among all neighborhoods in the country. Many of the homes for sale in Encino sit on immense lots that allow homeowners to customize their outdoor spaces with special amenities like swimming pools, furnished patios, neatly trimmed lawns, elaborate gardens, and garages that could hold more than one vehicle.
Distinct architectural styles
Given the strong influence of masters of modern architectural design like Richard Neutra, Lloyd Wright, Rudolph Schindler, and John Lautner, it’s not surprising that many homes for sale in Encino sport the Mid-century Modern style.
Encino is also one of several communities in the Valley where builder William Mellenthin developed his own take on the Mid-century style – the birdhouse ranch. Featuring a distinct cupola on its roof, these homes are wildly sought-after for their rarity and unique style.
New construction homes in Encino are usually done in modern and contemporary designs but the older homes for sale here typically come in the following architectural styles:
- Mediterranean
- American Colonial
- Bungalow
- Cape Cod
- Craftsman
- Ranch
- Tudor Revival
Homes For Sale In Encino
