{"id":253492,"date":"2026-04-06T01:04:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T01:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/253492\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T01:04:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T01:04:09","slug":"spring-into-your-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/253492\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring into your power"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Berkshire<\/a><\/p>\n

Nick Cacarnakis represents some of Los Angeles most exclusive properties from his Berkshire Hathaway offices in Beverly Hills. (Photo provided by Berkshire Hathaway)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard not to be captivated upon hearing: \u201cDo you recall the scene in \u2018Dynasty\u2019 when Krystle and Alexis slap each other into the the lily pond?\u201d <\/p>\n

Oh good, you\u2019re riveted now, too. That\u2019s Nick Cacarnakis talking, the 43-year-old branch manager of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. \u201cThat house, which, of course, is every gay boy\u2019s dream to live in that house, right? It\u2019s listed at $28 million.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sigh\u2026luxury real estate in the City of Angels, so reasonable, so within reach.<\/p>\n

More attainable properties, from condos to three-bedroom homes, are generally the focus for the three real estate professionals interviewed for this article, all of whom happen to be gay. They buy, sell and manage real estate transactions throughout Los Angeles. One has a particular niche (West Hollywood) while the other two consider themselves generalists, the entire city their focus. <\/p>\n

Each shared his perspective on, and experience with, the current market for LGBT clients, especially families, in search of luxury homes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Berkshire Hathaway is offering perhaps the most iconic house in Los Angeles, the \u2018Dynasty\u2019 house. It\u2019s surely the perfect home for any LGBT family. (Photo courtesy Berkshire Hathaway)<\/p>\n

Defining luxury<\/p>\n

What exactly meets such criteria? \u201cIsn\u2019t everything a family-size luxury property?\u201d Cacarnakis asks. \u201cWe have a term that we use in our office: \u2018Everybody\u2019s House.\u2019 It\u2019s a house that will work for everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n

For him, that means enough bedrooms, enough bathrooms, maybe a backyard, too, a home that, \u201cno matter what the family looks like,\u201d can work. \u00a0<\/p>\n

In terms of price, it can be all over the map. \u201cHalf of [our listings] in the Beverly Hills office, which are $2 million and up, would fall into the category of being a luxury family home,\u201d Cacarnakis added. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Keith Kaplan of Sotheby\u2019s International specializes in luxury properties, primarily in West Hollywood where he has lived for many years. (Photo courtesy Keith Kaplan)<\/p>\n

Keith Kaplan, 57, an agent with Sotheby\u2019s expanded on that. He said, \u201cThere\u2019s really a wide range.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n

With a focus on WeHo and adjacent environs, for Kaplan that means the category of luxury family homes starts with condos, perhaps on Kings Road, let\u2019s say, at around $750,000, all the way up to the new homes built along swanky, revamped Orlando Avenue between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue listing as high as $8.5 million.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Randy Lopez represents a variety of home price points throughout Los Angeles and works at the Beverly Hills offices of Coldwell Banker. (Photo courtesy Randy Lopez)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe word luxury brings it to a higher price point,\u201d said Randy Lopez, 50, an agent with Coldwell Banker Beverly Hills North. \u201cIf you say \u2018family-sized property,\u2019 that\u2019s different than \u2018family-sized luxury property.\u2019 In my mind, I\u2019m thinking anywhere between three to five million and upwards, depending upon what their definition of luxury is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maybe now is a good time to introduce the problem of sticker shock, the biggest challenge Kaplan faces when helping a client enter the market. <\/p>\n

\u201cI really like working with first-time buyers,\u201d Kaplan said. \u201cWalking them through the process, getting them to understand the value equation of owning versus renting. It\u2019s a tremendous jump to take.\u201d<\/p>\n

Is there any hope for those trying to make that dramatic transition? \u201cAlthough lenders have not gotten so relaxed we\u2019re gonna be in the position we were in 2008,\u201d Kaplan added, \u201cthey are relaxing a bit.\u201d \u201cLower down payments are allowing more Millennials to enter the market, so we have more options for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kaplan added, \u201cThe first home product, or the first trade-up product, homes priced under $2.5 million, [there is] strong demand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet most readers will be familiar with the concept of competition. While all three agents said the market for high-priced homes ($2.5 million and higher) has softened, Lopez says, \u201cIn the $1 million to $10 million range, if something is well done, well-priced based on comps, and desirable, you\u2019re still gonna have a huge demand for that property.\u201d<\/p>\n

All three said they still see properties sell in a single day with multiple offers all above asking. Lopez said, \u201cIs it in a great area? Is it priced right? If there\u2019s a value there for people, based on logic and numbers, we\u2019re gonna see that [sell].\u201d<\/p>\n

The other two agents agree. \u201cExpectations are high on all sides,\u201d Cacarnakis said, \u201cespecially on the Westside when we\u2019re dealing with business managers and attorneys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kaplan added, \u201cI\u2019m seeing some crazy, crazy bidding over ask. I saw some 2-bedrooms in West Hollywood priced at $750,000\u2026[they] went out at $825,000. That\u2019s a tremendous overbid.\u201d Apparently many bidders are investors who flip the property, coming in and renovating, adding premium fixtures and modern appliances, then put them back on the market. \u201cAnd they\u2019re getting top dollar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kaplan sold this one-bedroom\/one-bath condo (listed at $530,000) on Kings Road north of Santa Monica Blvd. last year. (Photo courtesy Keith Kaplan)<\/p>\n

What\u2019s trending?<\/p>\n

What about trends? Managing 100 agents in Beverly Hills, Cacarnakis is able to get an aerial view of the market on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

\u201cMega-mansions,\u201d Cacarnakis said. \u201cThese mega-prices that we just haven\u2019t seen in LA before. I had a situation where an agent wrote an offer on a listing of $22 million and they had [several] offers. That kind of money is out there.\u201d <\/p>\n

Another trend, perhaps obvious, is the big glass boxes replacing older homes knocked down by developers. \u201cThe style is contemporary as far as the building is concerned,\u201d Cacarnakis said. \u201cLots and lots of construction going on. But I think everybody knows that.\u201d<\/p>\n

What about up-and-coming areas for family homes? \u201cI think the next frontier is that area south of Melrose all the way to Fairfax,\u201d said Kaplan. \u201cYou\u2019re seeing a lot of rehabbing of the Old Spanish and bungalow type homes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lopez\u2019s view is, \u201cIt\u2019s really dependent upon [budget]. Do they have unlimited resources and want to live in Beverly Park, where homes are $20 to $30 million? Or are they more on a budget and going east to Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Mt. Washington, where you can still find a luxury home for a million dollars?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUp and coming?\u201d wondered Cacarnakis. \u201cAll around that Wilshire Corridor area, and then you have all Echo Park. It\u2019s too late for Silver Lake, that already came and went.\u201d<\/p>\n

Needs of LGBT families<\/p>\n

But what do LGBT families need in their choice of home and neighborhood? Cacarnakis, a father with two teenage children, thinks \u201cLGBT families moving into that sort of Silverlake [area]\u2026those neighborhoods have good school districts [and] they\u2019re very accepting.\u201d If he had to pinpoint a section of the city that is \u201csuper LGBT friendly [and] also not incredibly insane on prices, that whole Echo Park, Silverlake area is definitely a prime area.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kaplan has done his homework on West Hollywood schools, even though he hasn\u2019t had an LGBT family as a client thus far in his five years as an agent. He considers it his responsibility to know what parents will ask, though, once he does.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have WeHo Elementary, which is one of the best schools in the area,\u201d Kaplan said. \u201cRosewood is rising quickly and then we\u2019ve got the Center for Early Education and a number other really good private schools.\u201d<\/p>\n

He adds to that by waxing on West Hollywood Park and their recreation programs for kids. \u201cI have friends that I actually meet there on Saturdays with their three boys. One plays T-ball, one plays in a basketball clinic and one swims on the swim team. It\u2019s almost like a summer camp year-round.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n

All three agents feel being gay gives them a competitive advantage over straight agents when working with LGBT clients and families.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like going to a gay doctor,\u201d Cacarnakis said. \u201cIt\u2019s maybe just the insight and that level of understanding. I\u2019m gonna know\u2026what areas we are gonna feel comfortable holding hands, and maybe what areas we\u2019re not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kaplan echoed that. \u201cI think there is perhaps a sensitivity to, and an understanding of, the unique needs of [gay clients]. For instance, I think it\u2019s important for a gay family to understand the community that they\u2019re entering. Even at the school. How will they be perceived? Will it be comfortable for their children? What is faculty like?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a compassionate psychological component to working with clients,\u201d Lopez said. \u201cI feel like having a common foundation with your clients\u2026being able to hold [their] hands during the process is helpful. It provides another level of connection\u2026as opposed to agents who are not part of the LGBT community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even with this shared bond of experience in mainstream society, I wondered if these agents run into any particular challenges, or unique surprises, they might not otherwise?<\/p>\n

\u201cWorking with LGBT clients, or not,\u201d says Lopez, \u201cthe challenges are very much the same. Gay or straight\u2026it\u2019s about honoring the commitment you\u2019re making to your Realtor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cacarnakis, the married, gay dad, said, \u201cI\u2019m surprised at how non-different it is. We\u2019re still just families looking for everything that everybody else is. The right schools, the right family configuration.\u201d <\/p>\n

For Kaplan it was \u201cnot in the process of selling, it was after the sale.\u201d A gay couple he sold a condo to chose a contractor (\u201ca member of the community\u201d) to renovate the unit. Supposedly he \u201chad the gay eye\u201d but \u201cthe most shocking thing [was] the shoddy work and the lack of attention to detail.\u201d Mismatched color tile on a backsplash did not bode well. \u201cUltimately it went to small claims court.\u201d <\/p>\n

I requested video links and photos of active luxury listings from all the agents featured in this story. Regarding the \u201cDynasty\u201d property, Cacarnakis tells me, \u201cTake a look at the two videos.\u201d He pauses. \u201cOne of them is the \u2018Dynasty\u2019 mansion, which\u2026I mean, it is a family\u2026\u201d residence, I think he wants to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cA dysfunctional family,\u201d I joke. <\/p>\n

\u201cRight?\u201d Cacarnakis says, laughing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Nick Cacarnakis represents some of Los Angeles most exclusive properties from his Berkshire Hathaway offices in Beverly Hills.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":253493,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[93,112476,112477,100233,48,52,51,47,66843,50,112478,49,64911,112479,388,16375],"class_list":{"0":"post-253492","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-los-angeles","8":"tag-featured","9":"tag-first-time-home-buyers","10":"tag-home-buying","11":"tag-jed-inductivo","12":"tag-la","13":"tag-la-headlines","14":"tag-la-news","15":"tag-los-angeles","16":"tag-los-angeles-blade","17":"tag-los-angeles-headlines","18":"tag-los-angeles-home-buying","19":"tag-los-angeles-news","20":"tag-los-angeles-real-estate","21":"tag-queer-real-estate","22":"tag-real-estate","23":"tag-real-estate-market"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/253492","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=253492"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/253492\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/253493"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=253492"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=253492"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=253492"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}