As those in or near retirement continue to proclaim a preference for aging in place, there may be challenges for people who aren’t sure about how or when they should get started on making plans. A series of home healthcare, renovation and senior care experts offer tips on ways to begin in a column published by U.S. News & World Report.
For reverse mortgage clients looking to use their loan proceeds to fund the goal of aging in place, home renovations and other preparations may be requested from the reverse mortgage loan officer due to the high-touch nature of reverse mortgage origination. LOs often occupy a place of trust among their borrower clients.
For facilitating the goal of aging in place, planning ahead is key. One expert explained that it should start as soon as possible.
“Making small changes now can help you avoid scrambling to make big changes later on when you have limited capacity,” according to James Bowdler, a home healthcare professional.
Connecting with a specialized geriatric care manager can also allow a fuller assessment of potential hazards for aging in place that can be rectified with a retrofit or renovation of some kind, added Texas-based senior care expert Stacey Eisenberg to the outlet.
What was normal for a home with children or younger adults could prove to be hazards in later life, particularly as greater mobility challenges come from more advanced age. Widening doorways, removing clutter (including rugs, which could cause tripping) and improving the lighting in a home can be difference-makers according to architect Diana Melichar.
“Seniors typically have less mobility and physical agility, and their senses can be diminished,” she said in the column.
Another potential hazard is the presence of stairs, particularly if a main bedroom or other living space is located on a second floor, she added.
“Adding a primary bedroom suite to the first floor of your home is ideal,” she said. “If that’s not possible, then adding a chairlift or elevator is a second choice.”
Other elements that could aid the goal of aging in place include replacing door knobs with lever handles, which are easier to operate for people who have or may develop arthritis. Bathrooms are a common target for renovations since it can be easy to slip and injure yourself if you have limited mobility; nonstick mats and additional rails and handles can help mitigate some of this risk.
Smart home technology is also an increasingly common tool for outfitting a home for aging in place. In addition to digital assistants and speakers that are voice-operated, motion sensors that can automatically activate lights and internet-enabled appliances that can allow a user to monitor activation states can assist aging-in-place goals, certain experts say.
When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
We’re in the final hours of Cyber Monday, but you can still deck your halls for the holidays with deals on home decor. Modern wall art or a patterned throw blanket can transform your living room just by adding some texture and color.
You can add wintry flair with a white pampas grass wreath that’s currently 63% off at CB2. Or get creative with your mood lighting and try the hexagonal Nanoleaf shapes: save $50 at Best Buy. For Christmas decorating ideas, we rounded up the best Christmas tree and holiday decor deals. You can also check out the best Cyber Monday furniture deals we’ve found across the internet.
There are still sales on tech, style, kitchen, and more, so we’re keeping our list of the best Cyber Monday deals updated through the end of the sale event.
Up to 50% off sitewide, plus an extra 50% on sale items Etsy: Save up to 60% decor from small businesses and makers H&M Home: 30% off everything Jonathan Adler: Up to 40% off sitewide Nordstrom: Up to 60% off throws, candles, bedding and more One Kings Lane: Up to 50% off plus an extra 15% off orders over $700 with 15CYBER Society6: Up to 70% of posters, minis and framed prints Target: Up to 40% off various home decor Urban Outfitters: 40% off sitewide Wayfair: Up to 60% off seasonal decor West Elm: Up to 70% off decor and furniture World Market: Save up to 30% on furniture and decor
Best Cyber Monday home decor deals
Anthropologie Rosalita Switch Plate
Anthropologie has some of the most detailed and lovely little switch plates, like these that add whimsy and cottage core vibes to even the simplest rental space. During Cyber Monday, you can take 30% off whether you need a single toggle switch or an outlet cover.
USTIDE Sunflower Rug Mat
A bold area rug adds color and warms up any room. This polyester microfiber rug comes with a non-slip backing. Get the all-time-low price on yellow, pink, and teal patterns.
The White Company Midnight Large Candle
This three-week candle has scent layers of vetivert, cardamom, and amber. The minimalist design and warming aromas will fit in with any decor. If the regular price seems steep for a candle, the current discount of over half off makes it more reasonable.
Frontgate Luxury Faux Fur Throw
Luscious and realistic-looking, the Frontgate Luxury Faux Fur Throws are a mix of modacrylic and polyester with a velvet polyester back. Varieties include Arctic hare, coyote, chinchilla, timberwolf, and lynx. The 50 by 70-inch blanket is $60 for Cyber Monday.
CB2 36-Inch Faux Ivory Pampas Grass Wreath
This fluffy, white wreath isn’t just for the holidays. The elegant pampas grass lends a winter accent to any room of the house. During Cyber Monday, you can get it for over half off.
Barefoot Dreams CozyChic™ Stripe Throw Blanket
Barefoot Dream’s CozyChic throws are a well-documented celebrity favorite. These soft and timeless blankets cozy up any corner. At over 65% off, this is a savings you’re not going to find anywhere else.
Capri Blue Blue Jean Faceted Jar
This candle combines citrus, white musk, and patchouli for a relaxing fragrance. The faceted lavender glass holder will add a hint of color to white bathrooms. The current 20% off is a deal we see often, but still a good one.
Nanoleaf Shapes (Hexagon)
Featuring a modular design, vibrant colors, and easy smart-home integration, the Nanoleaf Shapes system is fun and functional decor. Best Buy is offering 25% off during Cyber Monday: let this sale (and system) light up your home.
Pottery Barn Curtain Rain String Lights
Available in gold or silver, this curtain rain string light spans 72 inches wide and 72 inches long. Use it to add sparkle indoor or outdoor; just make sure to avoid contact with water. Take 25% off the usual price right now.
The Sill ZZ plant
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamifolia) is one of the toughest indoor houseplants and can survive even the most difficult situations, such as long periods without water. It’s just $51 during The Sill’s Cyber Monday sale event.
Lumens Adesso Lighting Bowery Arc Floor Lamp
If you’re looking to light a small nook or corner in your home the Bowery Arc Floor Lamp provides a warm, focused layer of lighting. The curved design of the lamp, as well as its marble base, adds a simple touch of decor. Save 20% on all colors: brushed steel, antique brass, and black.
Pottery Barn Linden Shelf
This modern, arched shelf has a tray base that can display several bathroom accessories and decorative objects. It can even be a convenient place to hold your phone while you shower. The antique bronze model is 30% off.
Ohad Modular Wood Wall Art
Not your average wall art. This modular piece is both cozy and contemporary, and it’s currently 30% off.
H&M Metal Candelabra
This gold candelabra makes for a gorgeous centerpiece, and it’s 70% off. Top with your favorite taper candles.
Korniful Tabletop Fire Pit
Bring holiday cheer indoors with this tabletop fireplace perfect for roasting chestnuts on an open fire (roasting sticks included). You can buy fuel separately to create a smokeless and odorless flame that adds instant ambiance.
Jaclyn Turner
Senior Home Editor
Jaclyn Turner is Senior Home Editor at Business Insider Reviews, where she oversees home content, reviews, and guides spanning mattresses to vacuums, organization to smart homes, and more. However, she has a particularly soft spot for decor and interior decorating. Product recommendations and deal spotting run in her blood, and Jaclyn takes great pride in showcasing the best of what’s out there to make finding great products for your home and life a little bit easier. She joined the Business Insider team in October 2023. Jaclyn previously held editorial and e-commerce roles with Homes & Gardens, Real Homes, Livingetc, The Spruce, MyDomaine, and Apartment Therapy. Jaclyn received a dual bachelor of arts in Journalism and American Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park. Jaclyn currently resides in Atlanta, GA, with her Cavapoo. When she’s not working, you can find her perusing the aisles of Homegoods, scrolling TikTok for too long, and trying out local Atlanta restaurants. Connect with Jaclyn at [email protected] or give her a follow on Instagram @jaclynturnerLearn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.
Lily Alig
Editor, Home and Kitchen
Lily Alig is an editor on the Business Insider Reviews team, covering the home and kitchen verticals. She helps run the kitchen section, working with in-house and freelance writers to build out coverage of small appliances, kitchen tools, and gourmet food.Since joining Business Insider as a fellow in August 2020, Lily spent a year and a half as a full-time reporter before becoming an editor. As a writer, she spoke with independent spice houses and professional chefs, as well as tested products by making 50 waffles in one day and searing 7 steaks in a week. In her role as editor, Lily tracks stories from pitch to publish, maintains the kitchen publishing calendar, and edits every story for copy and content.Lily is an avid home cook and baker, so she knows what consumers are looking for in kitchenware products. After work, you can find her watching sports, reading fantasy novels, and finding new recipes to try.Reach out to Lily at [email protected]. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.Learn more about how we test kitchen products.
In the ever-evolving landscape of real estate, each generation brings its own set of preferences and priorities to the table. As millennials gradually step aside, Gen Z is stepping up, reshaping the way we think about homeownership and the places we call home. Born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z is a generation marked by digital fluency, environmental consciousness, and a penchant for experiences over possessions. So, what does this mean for the real estate market?
Enjoying our content? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to get real estate market insights, news, and reports straight to your inbox.
Embracing Urbanity with a Twist
Unlike their predecessors who favoured suburban sprawls, Gen Z is showing a distinct preference for urban living – but with a twist. They seek vibrant, walkable neighbourhoods that offer a plethora of amenities within arm’s reach. Think mixed-use developments where residential spaces seamlessly blend with retail, dining, and entertainment options. For Gen Z, the ideal neighbourhood isn’t just a place to live; it’s a hub of activity and connection.
Flexibility Reigns Supreme
In a world characterized by rapid change and uncertainty, flexibility is paramount. Gen Z values the freedom to adapt and evolve, and this extends to their housing preferences. The traditional model of homeownership may not hold the same allure for Gen Z as it did for previous generations. Instead, many are opting for rental properties or co-living arrangements that offer flexibility without the long-term commitment.
Sustainability as a Non-Negotiable
Environmental consciousness is ingrained in the DNA of Gen Z. They’re acutely aware of the impact of climate change and are committed to making eco-friendly choices – including when it comes to housing. From energy-efficient appliances to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Energy Star certified buildings, sustainability is a non-negotiable for many Gen Z homebuyers. They’re drawn to eco-conscious developments that prioritize green spaces, renewable energy, and sustainable building practices.
Tech-Savvy Living
Having grown up in the digital age, Gen Z has an insatiable appetite for technology. Smart homes equipped with cutting-edge automation features are not just a luxury – they’re a necessity. Gen Z homebuyers expect seamless technology integration into every aspect of their living space, from smart thermostats and lighting systems to voice-controlled assistants and security cameras. For Gen Z, a home isn’t truly modern unless it’s smart.
Community and Connection
Despite their digital prowess, Gen Z craves authentic human connection. They value community and seek out spaces that foster social interaction and collaboration. Co-living spaces, communal amenities, and shared workspaces are all appealing to Gen Z homebuyers who prioritize relationships and networking. They’re drawn to neighbourhoods that feel like tight-knit communities, where neighbours are friends and every interaction is an opportunity to connect.
Are you ready to own your first property? Give us a call today! Our experienced real estate agents are more than happy to guide you through this exciting process!
There are many changes you can make to reduce the environmental impact your home and your daily life has on the planet. Even simple adjustments like using green cleaning products, finding ways to reuse your kitchen scraps, or locking your windows shut, can lead to less waste and energy savings. Whether you just bought a house in Miami, Los Angeles, or anywhere in between, here are some great ways to save energy, reduce your carbon footprint, and save money all from the comfort of your own home.
Reconsider your grocery shopping habits
To reduce waste and save energy at home, adopt eco-friendly grocery shopping habits.
“Subscribing to a milk delivery service with reusable glass bottles, reusing bags at a bulk grocery store, and selecting glass or metal packaging can make a tremendous difference in reducing our consumption of plastics,” says Lyons, CO-based BrightHeart Decor.
These simple adjustments in your grocery shopping routine can make a significant difference in promoting sustainability at home.
Save energy with LED lighting
In addition to upgrading the look of your home’s interior, changing up the lighting can make your home more efficient. LED bulbs are much more energy-efficient than other alternatives, and incorporating them throughout your home is an easy way to conserve energy.
“The easiest DIY way to save energy is to install LED lighting and click the thermostat one to two degrees up or down,” according to Edge Energy “Another way to conserve energy is to get an energy audit and do basic installations of any cost-effective retrofits.”
Reduce your household’s consumption of water
A common area of waste in many households is water usage. The average US household consumes over 300 gallons of water per day, and much of this is unnecessary. If you’re looking for ways to save water, simply being mindful of when the water is running unnecessarily can go a long way.
“Try cutting down on your daily water usage at home by saving six liters of water a minute by turning off your tap while you brush your teeth,” suggests Bamboodu, an online store that specializes in eco-friendly products. “Use natural biodegradable cleaning products that don’t contain chemicals, and install taps and showers with automatic shut-off.”
Use smart home technology to save energy and avoid expensive repairs
We all know that technology has made our lives easier, but it can also save money by reducing energy waste. Sensors on home appliances can not only prevent food and energy waste, but also alert homeowners to potential issues that could prove costly if missed.
“Smart homes enable homeowners to save energy and money by automatically regulating lights and thermostats using geofencing and motion sensor technology,” says Agile Home Automation. “Leak detectors can notify homeowners of problems before they become costly repair situations. Freezer and refrigerator sensors can notify homeowners if a door is not closed properly, or if the unit is beginning to fail before the food is ruined.”
“Using automation for lighting, temperature control, and window coverings is the most cost-effective way to reduce waste, and manage and save energy use in your home,” adds Brad Smith, president of Audio Video Design. “Today’s products sync with circadian rhythms and the astronomical clock for personal and precise customization.”
Be friendly to the environment (and your pocket) by going solar
With recent improvements in solar technology, saving money on electricity with solar panels is easier than it’s ever been. Take advantage of clean energy and save yourself some money in the process.
“Homeowners can install solar on their roof or property and pay no more than they were paying for electricity before, and hedge against rising electric costs while making the planet a cleaner place to live,” says Madison, NJ -based Green House Solar. “Not only will solar save energy, but it will also increase the resale value of your home.”
“Homeowners can save energy and get a greater return on investment by pairing their solar system with a smart home system,” adds Freedom Forever, a Temecula, CA-based company that combines solar and smart technology. “These systems enable homeowners to schedule when appliances consume electricity, allowing you to use more of your solar power and send less to the grid.
Find ways to save and reuse your produce
A great way to prevent food waste is by getting the most out of your produce scraps. Get more out of your veggies by using the scraps for a homemade vegetable broth.
“To make the most of your produce, save your vegetable scraps,” says blogger Nutti Nelli. “Once you fill up a half-gallon of scraps, bring five cups of water to a boil and add your veggie scraps, one teaspoon of salt, and one teaspoon of black pepper, and simmer for one hour. Drain the scraps, and now you have four cups of vegetable broth to use for cooking, soups, curries, or stews.”
Think twice about the cleaning products you’re using
When it comes to eco-friendly cleaning products, the first thing that probably comes to mind is biodegradable products. While these are great, you can go a step further by eliminating plastic packaging entirely.
“Save space and eliminate plastic from your cleaning routine when you use USDA certified biobased products,” says Beyond Clean Products, a company that specializes in eco-friendly cleaning products. “Consider incorporating detergent sheets and auto dish tabs that are 100 percent plastic-free.”
Keep windows locked to avoid any air leaks
Whether you’re running the AC during the summer or heating your home in the chilly winter months, the last thing you want is to run up your bill because of air leaks. Locking your windows not only secures your home, but also the air inside it.
“Keep your windows locked to save energy in your home, says Home Energy Saving Solutions. “The lock is not only for security, but it also keeps the window close-packed and creates a seal along the weather-stripping of the window. An unlocked window is an open window.”
Recycle your leftover household paint
If you’ve got leftover paint lying around after a recent home project, you may be wondering how exactly you’re supposed to get rid of it. Product Care Recycling cautions against simply throwing old paint in the trash.
“A fresh coat of paint can give your home new life,” they say. “However, leftover paint, like other hazardous household products, does not belong in the trash. It should be recycled to avoid contaminating our soil and water sources and to divert landfill waste.”
Enrich your soil and decrease landfill waste
Whether you already have a home garden or just want to help the environment, composting is a great way to get the most out of your food waste. The planet will appreciate it and so will your plants.
“Composting is one of the most impactful actions you can take to both reduce household waste heading to landfills and create an ultra-nourishing natural resource that your garden will love,” says Sustainable Jungle, a website that shares sustainability tips and tricks. “Some cities even offer discounts on composters to help encourage this community supporting activity.”
Use dimmable indoor lighting
Home lighting is another area where energy waste can take place. Since most light bulbs operate at full capacity when turned on, you may end up using more energy than you need to keep your home lit, especially during the day. Dimmable lights give your home a more natural glow, saving energy in the process.
“One of the most effective ways to reduce your electricity bill is to install a lighting control system or smart lighting,” says TSP Smart Spaces. “We’re all used to running our lights at 100 percent, but the reality is that not only do we not need to use 100 percent of the energy of a bulb all the time. Dimmable LEDs create a much more enjoyable living experience, and natural lighting that costs 20 to 50 percent less to run compared to regular switches.”
In our latest real estate tech entrepreneur interview, we’re speaking with John Rowland from S2A Modular.
Who are you, and what do you do?
My name is John Rowland and I’m the president and co-founder of S2A Modular. I consider myself a visionary with a passion for designing homes, communities and real estate. My 20+ years of experience spans across land entitlement, land development and development feasibility analysis – but most recently, has shifted focus to engineering the most advanced, self-sufficient homes in the world.
After seeing a gap in the market, my partner Brian Kuzdas and I founded S2A Modular – the company to produce electrically self-sustaining, custom luxury homes. We’re changing the way the world understands residential buildings – creating a new standard in stylish design, construction speed, tailor-made features with high-end materials, “surplus energy income” and smart-connected living.
What problem does your product/service solve?
There’s a multitude of worldwide changes happening in the residential and commercial real estate industry that our #GreenLuxHomes address:
Energy bills are rising and there’s too much reliance on an energy grid that’s vulnerable and antiquated.
Property values are dipping
Commercial buildings are inefficient.
New houses haven’t caught up to advances in technology
Sustainability is changing worldwide
S2A Modular is truly creating a new category of custom homes that simply aren’t comparable to any traditional site-built, modular or other types of residences.An S2A home is immediately superior in long-term value, upon appraisal, to a traditional home – and for good reason. Simply put, a Green Lux Home saves money, time and energy, while reflecting the ultimate level of sustainability, luxurious design, high-end materials, full smart home ecosystem features and an overall better way of living. Our homes are constructed with high-end custom or predesigned models and superior performance materials, which provides self-sustaining power, using exclusive energy storage and solar technology that eliminates energy bills (and may even result in energy companies paying you for your contribution back to the grid). Our homes are fully connected smart homes with smart appliances, energy features and security features controlled with a single mobile app. Not to mention, all these exclusive features result in a higher home value than traditional homes.
What are you most excited about right now?
I’m most excited to be bringing our product to mass market. Over the past year, we’ve focused our efforts on fundraising, networking with key industry players, getting involved in major sectors of the market, showcasing how our product works and the impact we can make on the world. We’ve truly been focused on building a strong foundation that can help us take S2A Modular worldwide, even further than we could’ve ever imagined.
What’s next for you?
We’re working on something exciting for 2020, which we haven’t actually shared too much of yet. S2A Modular is currently developing housing solutions for the nation’s homelessness population by providing affordable, sustainable housing that can be built for 20 cents on the dollar compared to similar structures being purchased by the U.S. government. We plan to sell these homes nationwide for less than the cost of an average car, and they’ll be electrically self-sustaining to run completely off grid.
We’re also in the works of finalizing a licensing agreement, which will allow us to expand the S2A MegaFactory worldwide. We will be working with a few major industry partners to quickly and efficiently build and fulfill large orders of #GreenLuxHomes across the globe.
What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
There’s a huge human trafficking problem right now, and as a father, this cause is near and dear to my heart. I recently got involved in supporting the organization Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), which works to rescue victims of human trafficking and sex trafficking, with a specific focus on children. Over the past five years, O.U.R. has rescued 2,603 victims and assisted in the arrests of more than 1,365 traffickers around the world. To support this organization, I took a little-known passion of mine in the design, engineering and manufacturing of sunglasses to donate 100 pairs of glasses that will be sold to help raise money to support the work of O.U.R. This is an incredible organization and it was an honor to be able to use my passion in sunglass design to support their efforts to help human trafficking victims.
Thanks to John for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.
We’re constantly looking for great real estate tech entrepreneurs to feature. If that’s you, please read this post — then drop me a line (drew @ geekestatelabs dot com).
In our latest real estate tech executive interview, we’re speaking with Tom Few from Vivint Smart Home.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Tom Few. I’ve been in the smart home industry for the better part of three decades. I’ve spent the past six years helping Vivint Smart Home identify new business opportunities and markets. This led me to my current role as general manager of the multifamily group at Vivint.
As a leader in the smart home technology market, Vivint has been a close friend to the real estate community for 20 years. A few years ago, we recognized rental and multifamily communities as the next frontier of smart home innovation. Today’s renters are savvier than ever and want a modern, services-filled living experience. We purpose-built a suite of products that would make it easier to add smart home technology to both new and existing properties. Vivint Smart Home benefits property operators and exceeds the expectations of modern residents. We also make the leasing process easier for both the leasing agent and the resident.
2. What problem does your product/service solve?
Millennials and centennials are digital natives. As they drive up demand for rental housing, smart home technology is becoming a must-have for any successful property. Millennials are currently the largest living generation and, according to Pew Research, 74 percent of them rent. But they want more than just a home with connected devices — they want a truly intelligent home. Creating a magical smart home experience that will entice them to sign a lease requires more than a smart speaker that plays music and lets them order pizza, and more than just the ability to control their lights and thermostats from their phone. It requires everything working together to make their lives more convenient and efficient.
We launched our solution for the multifamily industry in 2017. Our smart home systems allow a resident to use a single app to control lights, locks and temperature; arm and disarm their security system; and view live video and recorded clips from anywhere.
We also built Vivint Site Manager, an interactive dashboard designed specifically for the time-taxed property manager. The dashboard enables an onsite team to use all the smart home technology in the community to quickly and seamlessly onboard new residents as well as manage service requests and vacant apartment homes. However, our suite of services doesn’t stop there. Only Vivint offers Smart Home as a Service. This includes handling the installation and all ongoing service needs for every system we install.
3. What are you most excited about right now?
When we introduced Vivint to the multifamily industry in 2017, we had to spend a lot of time educating property owners and managers—and their leasing agents—on the benefits of smart home technology. We had the opportunity to shape the conversation and we’re honored to continue that conversation and drive even more innovation in the industry.
4. What’s next for you?
We just introduced zero down financing to help property owners and managers add smart home technology to their properties with no upfront cost. Nearly any property owner or manager can now afford smart home, whether for a new build or to retrofit existing properties. This dramatically increases access to smart home technology and levels the playing field for the multifamily community.
We’ve also spent a lot of time perfecting the resident and property manager experiences with our technology. Now that we’ve nailed those important pieces down, we’re looking outside the individual apartment homes to make entire properties smart.
5. What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
I began coaching girls’ softball several years ago when my daughter started playing. She’s moved on to something new, but I continue to coach because I love the opportunity it gives me to help instill confidence, focus and a sense of community in the young women who will help shape our future. I’m also very involved in Vivint Gives Back, Vivint’s charitable foundation that focuses on helping children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Among a lot of other things, we build special sensory rooms for children with autism in schools and homes and package hundreds of thousands of meals for children with disabilities in third world countries.
Thanks to Tom for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.
We’re constantly looking for great real estate tech entrepreneurs to feature. If that’s you, please read this post — then drop me a line (drew @ geekestatelabs dot com).
In our latest real estate tech entrepreneur interview, we’re speaking with Lucas Haldeman from SmartRent.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Lucas Haldeman, and I Co-Founded and serve as the CEO of SmartRent, an enterprise home automation company powering the intelligence behind 80,000+ smart homes in multifamily residences across the country. I’ve spent over two decades developing web-based technologies in the real estate space, initially as employee no. 18 at AllApartments.com (the first site to publish a national database of apartment communities online), and post-exit was with Homestore.com (now Move, Inc.) through a successful IPO. Prior to founding SmartRent, I served as Chief Technology and Marketing Officer of Colony Starwood Homes (NYSE: SFR), developing a custom platform that helped the business acquire, renovate, lease and manage more than 40,000 single-family homes in 12 states.
What problem does your product/service solve?
Despite the growing demand for and proliferation of smart home devices, multifamily communities haven’t had a way to appeal to renters that want that smart device connectivity in their homes, but are unable to invest in or own their own products due to the provisional nature of renting a home. Multifamily owners needed a solution that combined an enterprise and consumer approach, but most IoT platforms and products are too complex to properly implement.
That’s why we are revolutionizing the way rental properties manage their assets and market to their residents. Our goal is to make it easy for multifamily communities to offer their residents luxuries like smart home tech that previously only applied to single-family homeowners. Residents enjoy the advantage of having smart devices in their rental home with full control over them, while property managers and owners have peace of mind in knowing their assets are protected and are notified of issues (like a leak) before they become a catastrophic, costly event.
Our platform has also solved a lot of problems property managers face today. Properties no longer have to worry about using or losing physical keys and instead have the ability to assign digital access codes for things like maintenance work orders, vendor access, prospective resident self-guided tours and more. Simply put, our platform saves time and money for property owners as well as creating a new revenue stream for them, and a heightened living experience for their residents.
We do all of this with a focus on security and privacy, so residents can enjoy an upleveled experience without worrying about compromising their privacy. We never sell customer data to third parties and property managers only have access to information that would impact their assets, like leaks or thermostat issues. Consumer behavior will always remain private so renters can enjoy the benefits of a full smart home ecosystem without worrying about their security or privacy.
What are you most excited about right now?
I’m most excited that we’re bringing the benefits of smart home technology to people who have been traditionally excluded from utilization – our clients run the gamut from luxury apartments to affordable housing, but all are rentals. And renters simply have not been able to fully experience a full smart home ecosystem until now. I’m eager for what this holds for the future, and how these multifamily properties can evolve to support how we live our lives today. Helping to bring the population of 43 million renters in the US into the next era of living — which includes full-fledged smart communities and amenities for seamless transactions in the on-demand economy (rideshare pickups, food and package delivery) — is exciting for us.
What’s next for you?
SmartRent had a big year of growth in 2019 — we announced our Series B followed shortly by an extension from the Amazon Alexa Fund, rolled out a self-guided tour solution and launched our Alloy Fusion Hub, which serves as the center of the smart home ecosystem. We also recently became the first smart home vendor to integrate with the four top property management systems. We’re excited to continue this momentum into the future, offering new and existing customers new technologies and conveniences to simplify residents’ lives, streamline property managers’ jobs and increase revenue for property owners. Top of mind for us are appliances with predictive maintenance, like leak sensors that can shut off a valve before a flood even begins and HVAC units that connect to utility monitoring services that help monitor meter levels, or sensors in connected common areas so residents can determine things like open parking spots or available gym equipment before arriving.
What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
In conjunction with my career in real estate I have always felt strongly about supporting organizations helping all people find suitable housing; more recently as I have watched (and hopefully been an advocate) as my partner has moved from breast cancer victim to breast cancer survivor I have become passionate about finding a cause and a cure.
Thanks to Lucas for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.
We’re constantly looking for great real estate tech entrepreneurs to feature. If that’s you, please read this post — then drop me a line (drew @ geekestatelabs dot com).
Given the current state of the world, and the fact that a higher percentage of the population is working from home than ever before, people are quickly realizing the need for efficient and effective technology.
Initial data shows that internet usage has surged between 50 and 70 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic as the population tries to access work, entertainment and more. The sudden, unprecedented strain on residential technology has caused major concerns related to both bandwidth and security – and many people have been experiencing issues. Just last week I was trying to do a Zoom meeting with a client who lives in New York City and is currently on a work-from-home mandate. This client – who holds an executive position at her company and presumably has many other meetings to take – was unable to get video to work for our meeting and the call kept dropping due to the limited bandwidth in her building.
As a property owner, you likely have choices when it comes to technology at your home (though maybe limited if you live in a multi-family development.) Renters likely don’t have the option to make many changes when it comes to the internet, cell phone service, and other technology critical during this challenging time. How can landlords help tenants through this period of time, and what can they do to better prepare for the future?
Tenant portals are absolutely necessary
With the recommended social distancing measures in place, it’s critical for landlords to provide options for tenants to continue regular operations without having to meet in person. An online tenant portal allows landlords and tenants to interact when it comes to rent payments, maintenance requests, accessing important files, and other communication that may be necessary during this time.
Smart home technology is beneficial in ways we didn’t consider previously
It might not be an immediate option for landlords to add smart home technology features to their rental properties, but it’s definitely something to consider in a new light moving forward. Properties that do have smart technology installed are likely realizing benefits they may not have considered before the current pandemic. Tenants who have decided to shelter in place with family or in locations away from their rental property will still be able to control things like heat and electricity from a remote location. Landlords may even be able to offer remote access to maintenance staff and other professionals in emergency situations.
High speed internet is a premium feature
Over 90% of renters value internet connectivity as a top amenity for their rental property – especially since more than half say they have 1-4 connected devices in their home – according to a report from the National Multifamily Housing Council. These numbers could be even higher with so many renters working from home right now.
Every landlord should consider offering access to high speed internet at their rental properties, and even consider including high speed internet services as an amenity. When the market picks back up and new construction and development continues, rental properties should consider the availability of fiber-optic internet for higher bandwidth capacity. One new community being developed here in my home state of Oregon is considering making the entire neighborhood fiber-optic ready and installing a smart panel in every new home (they would be the first development in the state of Oregon to implement this). Given the situation at hand and looking toward the future for ways to better prepare – this is a very smart move.
In times of massive change, people are looking for stability, including technology that works. As many of us are isolated physically, staying connected digitally is vital. We must be able to go about our daily business and lives, from video calls with colleagues to conducting business – like paying bills and rent – remotely. This requires access to technology, and landlords can help support their tenants by prioritizing specific tech implementations and improvements.
As proptech evolves, so does the ability to automate processes within the real estate industry. Automation can lead to some serious ROI for property managers and operators, but it’s important to automate the right processes — otherwise, it may feel like you’re throwing money and technology at a problem without solving anything.
According to Rently, a smart home and self-guided touring solutions provider, automation is key to ROI for property managers and operators, particularly leasing automation and smart home automation.
“Leasing automation is the ultimate ROI enhancement,” Rently COO Andre Sanchez said. “It plays a key role in facilitating better, more personalized experiences for customers while moving them through the entire leasing process faster and more efficiently.”
It typically takes 8 to 12 touch points to convert a lease, but with the use of lease conversion automation, it only takes an average of 6 touch points. By integrating a leasing automation tool with their current CRM, operators are experiencing conversion rates of 30% or more.
Jared East, vice president of Product at Rently, explained that the key to generating income lies in the efficiency of the leasing process and implementing a system that minimizes touchpoints and still increases lease generation. He added that Rently achieves this by automating and streamlining rental property management with smart home technology.
Ultimately, the quicker and easier it is to lease — and to move in — the better, from both a renter and operator perspective.
Where does the ROI come in?
So automation makes leasing more efficient — but how? And where does the ROI come in?
According to Sanchez, a lot of the operators using Rently are looking to centralize leasing and address the staffing challenges many operators are facing right now.
“There’s a lot of high churn, so anything you can do to automate work so that onsite staff can focus more on the human elements and more sophisticated processes of their job is an improvement,” he said.
Smart home automation can also lead to reduced energy costs, he added.
“It’s been shown that strong energy management in a unit can reduce the cost by up to 20%,” he said. “We’ve had some clients even report internally that they’ve seen reduction in utilities just during the vacancy period by 9-10%.”
And both operators and renters can benefit from the added security that smart home automation provides.
“Everything we’re building out really enhances the security of the entire platform,” Sanchez said, citing facial recognition to screen and vet prospective renters and keyless entry locks in particular.
But the biggest benefit, Sanchez said, is facilitating touchless entry and the leasing life cycle with smart home automation. A top 50 owner-operator recently rolled out Rently’s smart home technology on a large portfolio of their communities and by automating their processes: they’ve streamlined their workflows and reduced their operating costs by 60%.
Rently’s “street to suite” solution
Rently’s leasing automation and smart home automation technology solutions follow what they call a “street to suite” journey. The street section carries the prospective renter through the touring and leasing process, while the suite section involves the smart home technology actually in the renter’s home once rented.
The street portion of the journey begins with Rently.com’s listing site, which provides an automated property marketing tool. Managers can syndicate to multiple sites from one platform/login and prospective renters can directly book self-guided tours of a property, even on demand.
Those self-guided tours are facilitated by automated touring and “Wayfinding” navigation that helps a prospective renter navigate a property. This expands the property showing opportunities and pleases rental prospects with a positive touring experience.
“We really want to get the person to the door,” East said. “We’re not in the business of just generating leads for profit. We’re in the business of generating efficiency for our customers.”
From there, the rental application provides automated prospective renter screenings, combining screenings for ID, income and credit. Rently’s Know Your Customer screening process involves AI verification and facial recognition to the renters’ ID. This accelerates renter screenings, eliminates fraud, improves security and streamlines workflow for property staff.
Additionally, when a prospective renter fills out their ID information for a tour, Rently can use that information to prefill about 30% of their rental application, streamlining the process for the renter as well.
Once the prospective renter’s application is approved and their lease is signed, they’re passed onto the suite section of their journey with automation. Upon their move-in date, they begin to experience the smart home technology day-to-day, which increases security, improves energy management, prevents damage and increases ROI.
“Once they end their lease, if they want to go back into the street ecosystem, they can go back into Rently and start the journey all over again,” Sanchez said. “That’s really what we’re about — taking that resident for a life cycle and making sure they love it.”
Automating many small steps in the leasing and smart home process leads to significant cumulative ROI gains for operators. Reducing the friction that comes with leasing delights the prospective renter, and creating a touchless smart home automation experience does as well.
“This is all a return on investment play,” Sanchez said. “I think smart home [automation] was perceived as an added bell and whistle — it’s really cool and your residents should do it and you can charge a premium — but I think now, given the macroeconomic headwinds, people are looking more at, ‘How do I drive efficiency? How do I reduce costs?’ And this is where that technology really shines.”
In today’s modern world, the house goals of yesteryear are a distant memory.
Long gone are the days of window shutters, oversized crystal chandeliers, multiple small rooms, intricate designs, wrought-iron railings, small windows, and large porches with overhanging beams.
Modern mansions favor simple and clean designs with open spaces.
While traditional mansions offer intricate and elegant details, today’s luxury homes feature straight lines, geometric shapes, a flat or low-sloped roof, and clean exteriors with little to no texture.
Luxurious homes of the past featured building materials such as brick, wood, plaster, stucco, and stone. Meanwhile, contemporary mansions favor newer, more technologically-advanced building materials including reinforced steel and concrete.
And windows, lots and lots of floor-to-ceiling windows.
Sophisticated smart homes are all the rage, as are connected outdoor spaces, white rooms and simple color palettes, open floor plans, glass walls allowing for ample natural light, green features, security settings, and the utmost privacy.
While traditional mansions typically featured a number of small, single-purpose rooms, modern floor plans include seamless open-ended spaces.
After all, one cannot be confined to small spaces while living that luxurious lifestyle!
A closer look at 18 of our favorite modern mansions
When it comes to stunning estates, we’ve got you covered.
From wraparound pools featuring panoramic views to glass walls for days, to dream chef kitchens, to seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces, we’re taking a look at 18 modern mansions that have knocked our socks off.
And we think you’ll (really, really) like them too.
A Marc Whipple-designed modern mansion with a wraparound pool
Designed by acclaimed architect Marc Whipple, this massive 11,200-square-foot home in Beverly Hills is quite a stunner.
Photo by Tyler Hogan, courtesy of Sally Forster Jones of Compass
Offering six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and two half baths, the multi-million dollar manse features disappearing walls of glass, so that its residents can enjoy the stunning views from each and every room.
Speaking of views, they’re completely unobstructed, with downtown Los Angeles, Catalina Island, and the coastline on full display. Those lovely landscapes can be seen from the home’s stunning wraparound pool.
Other luxurious amenities include a movie theater, a secret Zen garden, gym, guest house, glass wine cellar, gated driveway, and an outdoor kitchen.
Photo by Tyler Hogan, courtesy of Sally Forster Jones of CompassPhoto by Tyler Hogan, courtesy of Sally Forster Jones of CompassPhoto by Tyler Hogan, courtesy of Sally Forster Jones of CompassPhoto by Tyler Hogan, courtesy of Sally Forster Jones of Compass
This Beverly Hills manse had its moment of fame a few years back, when it was rented by Rockstar hitmaker Post Malone. It was later listed for sale with a whopping $26 million asking price.
A breathtaking Hollywood mega mansion with museum-quality energy crystals throughout
Built in 2021, this mega mansion is located in the heart of Hollywood.
Boasting panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles, the Pacific Ocean, and the canyon, the home offers six beds, nine baths, and nearly 10,365 square feet of living space.
Photo credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The Agency
The sophisticated smart home features museum-quality crystals sourced from around the world and placed with extraordinary care throughout to energetically enhance the residence.
Offering double-height ceilings and incredible indoor/ outdoor living spaces, the California compound also includes a custom home theater, fitness center, wine cellar, second living room and all the finest custom finishes.
Photo credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The Agency
Setting a new gold standard for Southern California living, the picturesque backyard — which is front row to the city and canyons — features a beautiful sparkling pool/spa, a built-in BBQ area, and a grassy green lawn.
See more of this unique Hollywood mega-mansion here.
A striking $150M modern mansion in Bel-Air with 360-degree views
This beautiful home in Bel-Air has all the bells and whistles you’d expect in a modern mansion (and then some).
Photo credit: Matthew Momberge courtesy of Compass
Designed by award-winning architecture and design firm, Saota, the private compound is perched on a promontory high above the city — opening up to unobstructed, 360-degree views of Los Angeles.
Set on a 1.15-acre lot, the swanky crib offers nine bedrooms and fourteen baths spread across 20,841 square feet.
Some of the luxury amenities include an infinity pool with a secluded cabana and pool-side sunken fire pit, three separate staff quarters, and a one-bedroom guest house with a separate, private pool.
Photo credit: Matthew Momberge courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Matthew Momberge courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Matthew Momberge courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Matthew Momberge courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Matthew Momberge courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Matthew Momberge courtesy of Compass
This magnificent manse was owned by George Ruan, co-founder of online coupon-clipping company Honey (now part of Paypal).
The Razor House in San Diego, the real-life Iron Man house
The one-of-a-kind architectural masterpiece known as The Razor House was designed in 2007 by San Diego-based architect Wallace E. Cunningham.
Photo credit: Gary Kasl courtesy of The Agency
The striking concrete and glass mansion — dubbed ‘the Iron Man house’ due to its resemblance to Tony Stark’s mansion in the famous Marvel movie — is perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Offering endless concrete terraces, the stunning estate has mesmerizing views of surrounding hills and the ocean below.
Photo credit: Gary Kasl courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Gary Kasl courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Gary Kasl courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Gary Kasl courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Gary Kasl courtesy of The Agency
Featuring several outdoor lounge areas, the luxurious three-story home comes with six bedrooms and six baths, with nearly every room opening up to jaw-dropping views.
In 2019, Grammy Award-winning singer Alicia Keys and husband Swizz Beatz bought The Razor House in a $20.8 million deal.
Villa Vella, one of Europe’s finest contemporary homes
Spanish dream house, anyone?
Dubbed Villa Vela, this sprawling 23,476-square-foot property is located in the sun-bathed province of Andalusia, Spain.
Photo credit: The Agency
Sitting behind its own gates, at the end of a sweeping driveway, Villa Vela offers a total of six bedrooms and six baths.
The posh property has been designed to be free-flowing and, as such, has an open plan, including floor-to-ceiling retracting windows that open directly onto a terrace that stretches from one end of the house to the other.
Photo credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The Agency
Not to mention, each of the suites has its own outdoor space, and they also all connect directly to the vast upper terrace, its lawn, garden, and dining area, and benefit from breathtaking views.
A futuristic, yacht-shaped mansion perched high atop the Los Angeles hills
This 17,000-square-foot modern residential oasis in the upscale LA neighborhood of Brentwood is redefining luxury living.
Photo credit: The Agency
Southern California-based architectural firm de Loren & Associates purposefully designed the building by superior wellness standards, without sacrificing on design but rather adding to it.
Inspired by the clean lines and interior spatial layouts of yachts paired with the motion of the sea, the curving exterior facades are reminiscent of ocean waves, wind, and clouds that make not only for an exhilarating lifestyle but also appealing to the eye.
The modern mansion boasts seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and three powder rooms across three levels.
Photo credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The Agency
Featuring a massive list of upscale amenities, the beautiful Brentwood home offers a 610-bottle wine cellar, commercial speed glass elevator, movie theater, state-of-the-art gym, a 300 sq. ft. green wall, and a lower-level entertainment area with a full bar, pool table and more.
And there’s plenty of room for Stormi and Wolf to explore! Turns out, this luxurious residence is owned by none other than rapper Travis Scott.
A newly-built Encino mansion with bright, airy, and warm interiors
We can’t get enough of this amenity-rich mansion with modern interiors and a killer guest house.
Photo credit: LA Light Photography and The Luxury Level
The seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom Encino home offers 9,081 square feet of living space enclosed within a private, gated estate with surrounding landscape.
The stunning estate is a beautiful example of modern California living, with picture-perfect interiors, exquisite finishes, jetliner views, and plenty of attractive amenities.
Featuring warm wood tones, the large windows and Fleetwood doors open up to unobstructed views and plenty of natural light.
Photo credit: LA Light Photography and The Luxury LevelPhoto credit: LA Light Photography and The Luxury LevelPhoto credit: LA Light Photography and The Luxury LevelPhoto credit: LA Light Photography and The Luxury LevelPhoto credit: LA Light Photography and The Luxury Level
The carefully thought-out finishes give the home a modern vibe that extends into the bedrooms as well. The second level of this luxury Encino home has four bedrooms, including the master suite, which walks out to a 1,200-square-foot balcony with a fire table.
Naturally, this wonderful modern manse caught the eye of a famous buyer; it’s now owned by Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson and husband Justin Mikita.
A modern 4-story house facing one of the most beautiful coastal shorelines in all of California
We love this modern mansion set in the most desirable area of Manhattan Beach, The Strand, an oceanfront neighborhood lined with modern-looking mansions that typically sell in the $5 million to $15 million range.
Photo credit: Paul Jonason courtesy of Stroyke Properties Group
Spanning 6,978 square feet of modern living space, the home offers six bedrooms and eight baths.
Designed by renowned L.A. studio KAA Design, this four-story home was envisioned around life, in all its texture, at the beach.
Rather than cluster sleeping areas on a single floor, they’re strategically spaced across the four levels, with the third floor being home to a primary suite with a private office that’s luxuriously sequestered in the style of a penthouse.
Photo credit: Paul Jonason courtesy of Stroyke Properties GroupPhoto credit: Paul Jonason courtesy of Stroyke Properties GroupPhoto credit: Paul Jonason courtesy of Stroyke Properties GroupPhoto credit: Paul Jonason courtesy of Stroyke Properties Group
The private elevator takes residents and guests down to the beach room, which is level with the Strand itself, and lounge on the patio, front row to a peaceful scene of sea, sand, and sky.
Read more about this beautiful modern mansion here.
A $70M contemporary marvel that reimagines luxury living for the 21st century
Located in the coveted Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, this modern mansion is what happens when a star-studded team consisting of award-winning architect Noah Walker, AD 100 interior designer, Jamie Bush, and renowned landscape designer, Christine London LTD comes together.
Image credit: Benny Chan courtesy of The Agency
Spanning 19,000 square feet, this beautiful abode is set on a sprawling four-acre lot and offers six bedrooms and 12 bathrooms alongside many recreation rooms.
The plush property has 270-degree views of the city, ocean, and canyon, and a long list of amenities that include a theater room — with acoustical wall paneling and a commercial cinema-quality projection system — a gym with a steam room, a 75-foot indoor lap pool, outdoor architectural pool and dual offices.
Image credit: Benny Chan courtesy of The AgencyImage credit: Benny Chan courtesy of The AgencyImage credit: Benny Chan courtesy of The AgencyImage credit: Benny Chan courtesy of The Agency
We first covered this luxurious contemporary home when it first came to market last year with an ambitious asking price of $70 million.
Just a few months later, it was purchased by music mogul Scooter Braun (better known as Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande’s manager, and Taylor Swift‘s manager-turned-foe) for $65 million.
The Ora House in San Diego, where contemporary architecture meets serene living
In the hilly, seaside neighborhood of La Jolla in San Diego, a modern cliffside mansion has all the dream house vibes.
Street view of the property. Photo credit: Blue Heron
Built by Blue Heron’s BH Elite custom home division, the Ora House, as the property has been named, is a true architectural marvel.
The stellar design team incorporated the same innovative biophilic design and advanced Savant technology used in Blue Heron’s flagship home, VM001 in Las Vegas, to “enhance the flow of life while creating an overall sense of peace and natural wellbeing.”
The cliffside estate is set in La Jolla’s exclusive Bird Rock Waterfront enclave and totals 8,878 square feet of living space.
Photo credit: Blue HeronPhoto credit: Blue HeronPhoto credit: Blue Heron
The architectural marvel has five bedrooms and eight baths across its four levels, with each level embracing the outdoors with spaces tailored for both entertaining and private moments.
A striking celebrity compound with a modern heptagon-shaped house
Check out this contemporary compound in La Crescenta, Calif.
Photo credit: Cameron Carothers courtesy of Compass
Designed by AD100 architect Michael Maltzan, this dramatic, heptagon-shaped house has spaceship vibes, is surrounded by seven exterior walls (some made out of glass), and is anchored by an open-air courtyard that sits right at the center.
Nearly all the rooms of the house come with sliding floor-to-ceiling windows that open up to either the serene courtyard or beautiful mountain and city skyline views.
Some of the stand-out features of the modern mansion include a primary suite with an entire wall of glass that opens up to a generously sized balcony and a particularly unique bathroom with a blue curved penny-tiled wall surrounding the shower.
Photo credit: Cameron Carothers courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Cameron Carothers courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Cameron Carothers courtesy of Compass
This unique home was owned by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Michael Peter Balzary, known professionally as Flea.
A $25 million Napa Valley glass house with killer views
Surrounded by over 40 acres of lush grounds set amidst California’s world-class wine country, this striking architectural home goes by the name of Karinya.
The highly suitable moniker originates from the Australian aboriginal culture and is simply translated as “peaceful home.”
Image credit: Adam Rouse courtesy of Coldwell Banker
Built in 2017, the stunning estate is nestled in the small community of Deer Park right next to St. Helena in Napa County.
Spanning 8,837 square feet, the impressive residence was built with natural materials, a deep connection to the valley’s views, and a design that boasts both beauty and luxury.
Not a detail is spared at Karinya, with many luxurious features such as endless walls of glass, a 2,000-bottle wine room, and an acoustically-designed media/ theater room.
Image credit: Adam Rouse courtesy of Coldwell BankerImage credit: Adam Rouse courtesy of Coldwell BankerImage credit: Adam Rouse courtesy of Coldwell BankerImage credit: Adam Rouse courtesy of Coldwell Banker
Fitting a modern dream house, it also comes with a detailed smart home system with mobile phone control access that controls the music, air conditioning, security and programmable LED recessed lighting in 11 separate zones and a fire sprinkler system.
See more of this lovely Napa Valley home here.
A modern mansion that was once featured in the Oscar-winning “La La Land” movie
Set in the popular Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles, this modern mansion offers an impressive cutting-edge design.
Photo credit: Compass
The six-bedroom home wows with its soaring ceilings and walls of glass that bring the outdoors in.
Complete with an infinity pool and spa (with a cascading waterfall) and a nifty pool/guest house with a sundeck for outdoor entertainment, the home is peppered with outdoor spots to relax and enjoy the lovely Cali weather.
In case you’re getting a strong sense of deja vu, this beautiful home was featured in the popular film, La La Land.
As the story goes, Mia (played by Emma Stone) and her friends attend a lavish party hoping to meet influential people in the business and finally get their lucky break.
You guessed it, this memorable movie scene was filmed at this gorgeous Los Angeles estate.
A celebrity chef’s former home with a massive kitchen anchored by a 24-foot stone island
Located in the coveted Via Bluffs enclave of Pacific Palisades, this modern mansion spans 6,500 square feet of luxurious living.
Photo credit: credit: Smith Cho / Compass
Offering massive sliding windows that open up to beautiful views of Potrero Canyon and beyond, the sumptuous five-bedroom, five-bathroom home is filled with natural light streaming in from the surrounding floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors, while the skylights pour even more light onto the main and top floors.
The Pacific Palisades property also flaunts features like a dual-faced fireplace, a nearly 24-foot kitchen island, and a distinct living room that’s pouring out onto the outside deck overlooking the pool.
A large open-layout living area is anchored by an impressive dream kitchen.
Photo credit: credit: Smith Cho / CompassPhoto credit: credit: Smith Cho / CompassPhoto credit: credit: Smith Cho / CompassPhoto credit: credit: Smith Cho / CompassPhoto credit: credit: Smith Cho / Compass
This beautiful home was once owned by celebrity chef, Everyday Italian, and Giada At Home star Giada de Laurentiis.
A beautiful modern mansion tucked in the Hollywood Hills
Built in 2019, this Marc Whipple-designed home is a true Hollywood gem.
Located on the glamorous Sunset Strip, in the Hollywood Hills West neighborhood of Los Angeles, this home oozes that clean-lined modernist approach, while still offering warmth and comfort.
Photo credit: credit: Jonathan Ducrest and Tom Hunter
The posh property incorporates five bedrooms, six bathrooms, as well as two half-bathrooms, all with breathtaking views spreading from the Hollywood sign right to the Pacific Ocean.
The main entrance offers an open-concept kitchen and three terraces that total 5,000 additional square feet of outdoor living space.
And, the middle level features a second living room and a luxurious ‘floating glass box’ master suite.
Photo credit: Tom Hunter Photography.Photo credit: credit: Jonathan Ducrest and Tom HunterPhoto credit: credit: Jonathan Ducrest and Tom HunterPhoto credit: Tom Hunter Photography.Photo credit: credit: Jonathan Ducrest and Tom Hunter
All the bedrooms offer easy access to the infinity pool, which provides stunning views of the surroundings and a perfect setting to enjoy summer nights and sunsets in complete privacy.
A Malibu gem that’s often rented to high-profile celebrities
This Malibu celeb magnet is the epitome of indoor-outdoor Cali living, featuring large glass walls that seamlessly blend the interior with the grounds.
Perched above the Pacific Ocean, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom, 2,100-square-foot Malibu mansion is every bit the modern gem.
Photo credit: Hagai Aharon
It’s the perfect property for entertaining, as it includes an infinity pool with fabulous ocean views, a spa, and a fire pit.
The entertainment continues inside, as the house includes not one, but three indoor fireplaces, as well as a media room, making sure you stay entertained throughout the entire year.
Amenities include everything you could possibly need, from in-unit laundry and air conditioning to five parking spaces, an outdoor patio, and a cabana.
The house not only rents out to celebrities such as Matthew Perry, Cardi B, and Taraji P. Henson, but it’s also owned by one.
Betty Moon, a celebrated Los Angeles musician, songwriter and producer, currently owns the plush property which she recently renovated before listing it for rent.
An impeccably designed modern mansion that embraces indoor-outdoor living
Located in the upscale neighborhood Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, this three-story home was designed and built by renowned developer/designer duo David and Eliana Rokach.
Photo credit: The Agency
This multi-million dollar mansion offers a sprawling 13,543 square feet of modern living space and packs nine bedrooms and twelve bathrooms.
Boasting unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Canyon, the stunning estate offers an open-concept living/dining room finished in a chic, contemporary style.
The living room features custom-made electronic sliding steel doors that open to a beautiful outdoor area, which features a barbecue area, a grassy backyard, and an infinity-edge swimming pool opening up to views for miles.
Photo credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The Agency
A modern hillside lair with canyon views
Situated in Los Angeles’ coveted Brentwood neighborhood, this hillside lair with expansive living spaces, eco-friendly details, and ultra-high-end finishes gives us serious dream house goals.
Photo credit: Noel Kleinman courtesy of Compass
The main entrance features a Japanese-imported Yakisugi front door and bonsai adorned atrium that leads to the open-concept living space.
Here, a chic palette of luxurious stone and reflective glass is accented by unique designer details, and floor-to-ceiling windows provide natural light throughout the day.
Photo credit: Noel Kleinman courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Noel Kleinman courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Noel Kleinman courtesy of Compass
Offering sweeping views of the canyon, the four-bedroom home comes equipped with the latest technology for entertainment, comfort, and sustainability.
This includes a full automation system, Lutron Solar System lighting, home theater and surround sound from Bang & Olufsen, a home gym, and much more.
More stories you might like
The One mansion saga: from a $500M listing to its $141M auction sale The Architect of Hollywood: the Irresistible Appeal of Paul Williams-Designed Homes What Are Spec Homes? A Recent History & the Biggest, Boldest Spec Mansions to Come to Life Massive Home in the Sky Above MoMa Asks $46.7 Million