Sur-Ryl Homes

10/04/2026

Angelenos have always known our city is the hottest around, but this week, it decided to take that literally. ☀️

With the current heat warning extending well into next week, the City of Los Angeles has activated dedicated cooling centers for this heat event. The City has also operated cooling centers during earlier heat events this season.

All centers are open to everyone today through Saturday, October 10, daily from 10 AM–9 PM.

Valley locations:
• Canoga Park 50+ Adult Center: 7326 Jordan Ave., Canoga Park
• Sunland Senior Citizen Center: 8640 Fenwick St., Sunland
• North Hollywood Senior Citizen Center: 5301 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood

Additional City locations:
• Algin Sutton Recreation Center: 8800 S. Hoover St.
• Jim Gilliam Recreation Center: 4000 S. La Brea Ave.
• Boyle Heights Senior Citizen Center: 2839 E. 3rd St.
• Highland Park Adult Senior Citizen Center: 6152 N. Figueroa St.
• Lafayette Multipurpose Community Center: 625 S. Lafayette Park Pl.
• Pan Pacific Senior Activity Center: 141 S. Gardner Ave.
• East Wilmington Greenbelt Community Center: 918 N. Sanford Ave.

Every LA City Public Library branch is also a free cool spot during regular business hours. Central and regional branches (including Mid-Valley, North Hollywood and West Valley) are open Sundays from 1–5 PM.

Recreation and Parks cooling centers are pet-friendly: dogs must be leashed, pets must remain with their owners, and kennels are available on request.

Drink plenty of water, wear loose, light-colored clothing, check on neighbors without air conditioning, and never leave children or pets in a parked car.

Call 3-1-1 or use the Cool Spots LA interactive map for current information. Homeowners, if you’re thinking about how your specific home handles extreme heat, I’m happy to help you think through practical improvements.

09/17/2026

Apparently LA got an F in homebuying. 🥴😭

If you’re still out here making questionable financial decisions in pursuit of the California dream, I know a Realtor. 🙋🏾‍♀️

KIDDING. Mostly. 😂

The reality is, people are still buying homes in LA every day. The question isn’t whether LA is an inexpensive place to buy. We already know the answer to that one.

The question is whether buying makes sense for you, your finances, and your long-term plans.

If it does, I’m happy to help you figure out how to do it strategically.

America’s housing nightmare has a new epicenter: Los Angeles.

08/25/2026

Could 3% down make buying a newly built California home more attainable?

That’s one of the questions behind Proposition 37, which California voters will weigh in on this November.

If approved, the measure would create a new CalHFA program offering eligible buyers a loan of up to 17% of the purchase price of a qualifying new home. Buyers would still need to contribute at least 3% toward the purchase.

Learn more: callsequoia.com/prop37

08/24/2026

08/23/2026

Did you know? Valley Plaza in North Hollywood was once one of the country’s first major regional shopping centers. 🛍️

Opened in 1951 at Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Victory Boulevard, it quickly became a major destination. By the mid-1950s, it was being described as the largest shopping center on the West Coast.

The Valley Plaza Tower, completed in 1960 for Los Angeles Federal Savings, was the tallest building in the San Fernando Valley at the time. Decades later, the center and its tower became a familiar backdrop for movies and television.

In late October 2025, demolition began on parts of the aging shopping center: another chapter in the long story of how North Hollywood and the Valley continue to change.

Places evolve, but their memories often stay part of a community’s identity. Did you or someone in your family shop, work, or spend time at Valley Plaza?

If you’re curious how the history and evolution of your neighborhood may shape the story of your home, I’m always happy to talk.

08/22/2026

Looking for something fun to do around the Valley this weekend? Here are a few local ideas for Aug. 21–23:

🎨 SATURDAY, AUG. 22
• Metamorphosis Kids Fashion Show | 2–4 p.m. | Dexter Park, Kagel Canyon. Free. Young designers ages 6–11 from the Dexter Park Sewing Club will showcase clothing made from upcycled and leftover fabrics, with live music and a Concrete All Stars breakdance performance.

🎹 Beth Sussman Live in Concert | 1–2 p.m. | Platt Library, 23600 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills. Enjoy a free library concert featuring music by Chopin, Grieg, Debussy, and Rodgers & Hart.

🔬 SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUG. 22–23
• Discovery Cube LA 2nd Annual Health Fair | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | 11800 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar. Activities are included with general admission or membership; partner activities vary by day.

🏛️ Valley Relics Museum | Open 10 a.m.–3 p.m. | 7900 Balboa Blvd., Hangar C3 & C4, Lake Balboa/Van Nuys area. General admission is $15; children 10 and under are free. Hours may change.

🏃 SUNDAY, AUG. 23
• Discovery Cube LA 5K & 1K Family Fun Run | Sylmar. 5K check-in is at 6 a.m.; the 5K starts at 7 a.m. and the 1K starts at 9 a.m. Advance registration is required: no walk-ups. Registration includes all-day Cube admission.

Visit https://utm.io/usoDo to learn more about these events, find the official event pages, and stay up to date on the latest details.

Have a wonderful weekend in the San Fernando Valley!

08/20/2026

San Fernando Valley homeowners: if you’re wondering what’s happening in the real estate market, July’s numbers give us a few helpful clues.

After reaching a record-high median of $1,188,000 in June, the single-family median eased to $1,120,000 in July while still coming in 2.3% higher than a year ago.

When it comes to sales activity, 567 homes closed, up 5.8% year over year and the highest monthly total in 12 months. Active listings totaled 1,870, down 19.5% from last year.

In plain English?

Home values remain strong, homes are selling, and sellers are facing fewer competing listings than they were a year ago.

If selling is on your mind, start by getting a comparative market analysis so you can see what’s happening in your neighborhood and how your home compares.

I’d be happy to put one together for you.

Source: Southland Regional Association of REALTORS®, July 2026 San Fernando Valley Real Estate Statistics, released August 12, 2026.

02/14/2024

Being a realtor isn’t just about transactions; it’s about turning dreams into addresses. Yesterday I submitted an offer for a client’s dream home, and today, we should receive a response. Fingers crossed as we await the good news 🤞🏾.

02/14/2024

Oops, did I forget to mention? Skouras is officially SOLD! I might be a tad late sharing the good news – blame it on the hustle of securing dream homes for my clients (just put in another offer, fingers crossed 🤞🏾).

But here’s something you should know: With homes in this area typically taking 70 days to sell, it takes a little more than luck to get them sold quickly and above asking price. That’s exactly what we achieved for my latest client, selling their home in just over 3 weeks!

I’m not just a realtor; I’m your dedicated partner in one of the biggest transactions of your life. Smooth transactions, seamless experiences, and happy endings are what I strive for.

Thinking of selling? Let’s chat. Contact me today for a free analysis of your home’s value. Let’s get your home from ‘For Sale’ to ‘Sold’ faster than you can say ‘market average’!

12/31/2023

In a market where the average home takes 69 days to find its new owner, I’m proud to announce that we’ve swiftly moved to escrow in about three weeks—and at a price above asking!

Expertise and dedication make all the difference. If you’re looking to navigate the real estate market with confidence, whether selling or buying, I’m ready to assist. Let’s connect and start this exciting journey together.

Sequoia Houston, MBA
Your Trusted Real Estate Advisor
📞 213-443-8322
🌐 Discover more at BuyWinnetka.com.