// the mood & vibes this week
— hi, friends :) writing this to you from my place in silver lake. it's been a wild few weeks, wow wow WOW.
— actually cannot believe it will be june in a week. damn. summer. she is HERE. that kind of dumbfounded knowledge at simple facts reminds me of a line i wrote in my journal on may 29th, 2024: “how can the oat milk i’m holding in trader joe’s have an expiration date in august? and why am i surprised by that? it’s like summer already brushed up against my ankles the bubbles kissing my pinky toes reminding me gently - summer’s already here - now go and live”
— but the fact remains true. summer is on my heels, and everything is happening. I MEAN EVERYTHING. BUT FOR STARTERS. I JUST PUT ONE OF THE COOLEST HOUSES I HAVE EVER LISTED ON THE MARKET. !!!!!!!!!!!!!
— she is a mystical circa 1961 midcentury modern treehouse, likely built by famed LA architect bill mack. this one is beyond special because i actually posted this house years ago, when it was last on the market. from the moment i stepped inside on that june evening - to a cabin that seemed like it fell out of time - slipped through the sidewalk of decades - a treasure untouched - sent goosebumps rippling down my arms. this was a VERY SPECIAL PLACE. and the same holds true now. it feels wildly full circle to know that i've gone from posting about a house that connects with me deeply, to actually LISTING that house. very f*cking cool if you ask me. baby sam who scrolled dwell magazine before going to sleep and nerded out about houses behind closed doors and with no one to listen would be very, very proud.
— and hey, i honestly do everything for younger me. cuz the truth is - nerdy minecraft 13 year old boy sam would think current girl sam is really accomplished and hawt, and that's the only opinion that matters!
— i swear there's a serious point in here. because, like, COMPARISON. F*CKING. SUCKS. saps the joy out of moments in a flash. i fall victim to it like, all the time - from comparing myself to other agents and how much they're selling, to cis girls with smaller bodies, to those b*tches in australia who can plank for 3 minutes and know how to surf or some sh*t. OKAY SO - what if we only judged ourselves by how in awe our past selves would be of us now? i think that's a much more fulfilling benchmark. maybe not an instant switch, but food for thought.
— anyways, now i'm back to talking about seasons. one thing i brought up in therapy this week (pro tip: if you are queer or dealing with the trauma of the american experience therapy is absolutely a need!) is the part of me that's longing for topanga, and the wilderness. it's coming up this time of year especially. summer in topanga was something ELSE. every year on memorial day weekend, topanga does her big one and throws a music festival, topanga days. i went to my first one last year. and it wasn't just the festival - which was held in the belly of the canyon, mountains on all sides - 86 degrees and live music and the ambient thrum of community. it was getting ready in my very own backyard. propping up my makeup mirror on the rock wall by my FREAKING POND. taking outfit photos in the outdoor mirror by the ancient oak tree. even the smallest moments of my days were mystical. another thing we talked about in session? despite all of that good juju, the woods are not my place right now. i need and want to be in the city at this juncture in my life. but damn - i'm allowed to remember.
— not to literally transcribe my session word for word, but another cool insight. popular culture is really big on the “move on and forget, get over it, let it go” kinda mentality. i've struggled with that so much. really not a huge fan of letting go, or forgetting like literally anything ever. one could say i am very CHALANT (opposite of nonchalant just roll with it). so, i'm writing a new memo. i'm not forgiving, or letting go, of the things that deeply mattered to me, even if they are no longer current in my life. i will hold them close to my chest - remember them and savor them and cherish what they reminded me of and what they taught me - but i will walk bravely into my new life at the very same time. and/both. i'm and/both-ing all over the f*cking place - in my career, in my relationships, in where i live. and maybe you should try it this summer, too.
— to do a very smooth tie-back to the real estate market right now: and/both is the thing here too! on the one hand - things are super weird right now. is it a buyer's market? yes, but also how are good houses still getting 20+ offers and going hundreds of thousands over asking? AND BOTH PEOPLE!!!!!! i have a gut feeling the latter is going to happen with my new listing. one thing about buyers in LA / CA? EVERYONE knows what the good houses are. these girls on the west coast have an eye for taste like none other. and those good houses get snapped up, pending they're at good prices, and presented accordingly. i feel confident we've done this with hebron (the new listing).
— it truly was a collaborative effort: with my co/listing agent matt, with my team, with the photographers & artisans who brought her to life. launching a Hot GIrl House is truly so creatively fulfilling - i get to art-direct photography, curate the actual listing, write copy (which is a dry term for what i feel is spinning a mystical narrative about a dwelling). and i can't wait to see where we go.
— in terms of what's coming up … continually on the hunt with my slew of buyers. prepping houses with the team to launch.
— if you're looking to buy a wood house elsewhere in CA + the US, there's a good chance i can refer you to an agent in your city. referrals are a great way to support me. whenever i send a client to one of my cool out-of-area agent friends, i actually receive a portion of that commission! and like most things in life, a recommendation from a friend is the way to go. if that's you, respond to this email and i'd be happy to connect you.
— as always, with the houses i feature below, if you're interested in more details, respond to this email.
— talk to you soon, and sending love.
xx,
sam
