Collin Ellingson : Coastal Homes L.A.

Collin Ellingson : Coastal Homes L.A. Trusted with the details since 1999. Compass #02037425 Compass - DRE 02037425

Collin Ellingson is a luxury residential real estate agent and founder of Coastal Homes LA at Compass, specializing in Venice, Marina del Rey, and Santa Monica.

If you bought your Westside home decades ago, the potentially painful part of selling is not the market. It's the math.A...
07/23/2026

If you bought your Westside home decades ago, the potentially painful part of selling is not the market. It's the math.

A low purchase price is a gift right up until you sell, because it can translate to a very large taxable gain on paper. The federal exclusion helps, but that ceiling has not moved since 1997, while your home value certainly has.

None of this should be something you discover at the closing table, or when the offers roll in. It should be planned for early and calmly, with the right people in the room before the sign goes in the yard. The good news is the prep is simple and you can start this weekend.

Swipe to the last slide for the three things to do now. (Real life example: I recently walked my own family through this exact process and organized their full home improvement history with relative ease).

Of course I am not your accountant, and I will always recommend that you consult with yours. But I have guided many longtime owners through this transition, and I'll tell you that getting ahead of it is the whole game.

If you are even a year or two from selling, this is the conversation worth having now. Send me a message.

**General information, not tax advice. Every situation deserves a qualified professional.

Collin Ellingson | Coastal Homes LA | Compass | DRE #02037425

The 2026 RealTrends rankings are out. Coastal Homes LA earned Verified status, among the top 1.5 percent of real estate ...
07/16/2026

The 2026 RealTrends rankings are out. Coastal Homes LA earned Verified status, among the top 1.5 percent of real estate professionals, and ranked No. 33 in Santa Monica by sales volume.

Grateful to every client who made it possible. That trust is the whole job.

Trusted with the details since 1999.

Collin Ellingson | Coastal Homes LA | Compass DRE 02037425

Renovate, make photo ready, or sell as-is? I never take a one-size-fits-all approach when advising my clients who are c...
07/15/2026

Renovate, make photo ready, or sell as-is? I never take a one-size-fits-all approach when advising my clients who are considering a sale.

It depends on your home, your budget, your neighborhood market, and the potential buyer pool.

Sometimes a kitchen or bath renovation pays back several times over. Other times, the smarter money is focusing on paint, lighting, and staging that makes the house photograph beautifully. And occasionally, the right move is to list as-is and price accordingly.

Before you spend a dollar, spend an hour with someone who can walk through the decision with you, in the context of your specific situation and objectives.

Collin Ellingson | Coastal Homes LA | Compass DRE 02037425

Many buyers believe that negotiation starts and ends with price, but the best “deal” can often be realized through multi...
04/17/2026

Many buyers believe that negotiation starts and ends with price, but the best “deal” can often be realized through multiple avenues.... IF you know where to find them.

In neighborhoods like Venice, Santa Monica, and Marina del Rey, the real leverage is in the details most people overlook.

I’m looking at how your monthly payment can be optimized, how much cash you bring to the table, what comes out of inspections and how red-flag items are addressed, and whether the timing for closing works with your life, not just the seller’s.

I’ve negotiated everything from seller-paid rate buydowns and closing cost credits to meaningful repair concessions and flexible possession timelines that give my clients breathing room.

That’s where deals are won quietly, and where money is either saved or left on the table.

If you’re thinking about buying on the Westside, it’s worth having that conversation before you write your first offer.

I’m Collin with Compass, helping buyers navigate coastal Los Angeles with a bit more strategy and a lot more intention.

Collin Ellingson | Coastal Homes LA | Compass | 02037425

Strategy first. Exposure that actually matters. 📡⚡️Before a home hits the public market in places like Venice, Marina de...
04/15/2026

Strategy first. Exposure that actually matters. 📡⚡️

Before a home hits the public market in places like Venice, Marina del Rey, or Santa Monica, the right buyers are often already watching.

That’s where Compass Private Exclusive comes in. We can quietly introduce your home, gauge real demand, and dial in pricing based on actual buyer behavior not guesswork.

It’s about controlling the launch, not chasing it.

When we go live, we’re not “testing the market” we’re stepping into it with momentum.

If you’re even thinking about selling on the Westside, let’s talk and we'll map it out together.
Collin Ellingson | DRE 02037425 | Compass

The Westside patio lineup you’ll actually want to save. 🍸This is the time of year we live for out here. Although let’s ...
04/10/2026

The Westside patio lineup you’ll actually want to save. 🍸

This is the time of year we live for out here. Although let’s be real…it’s almost always patio season here.

I spend a lot of time dialing in not just the best places to live on the Westside… but the best places to be. These are a few patios I keep coming back to in Venice, Marina del Rey, and Santa Monica.

If you want my full breakdown of Westside neighborhoods, where to live, and yes… where to eat once you get there…

Comment “GUIDE” and I’ll send over my 2026 West L.A. Neighborhood Guide.

Collin Ellingson
Coastal Homes LA | Compass
DRE 02037425



04/04/2026

A gated, lakeside community in Venice… and almost no one knows about it.

Del Rey Colony is one of those rare Westside enclaves that doesn’t trade often. Tucked just off the Marina, it’s a private community of homes centered around a freshwater lagoon, and a vibe that feels completely removed from the hustle and bustle.

And right now, there is an opportunity.

620 Harbor St #6 is currently on the market, offered at $1,800,000. If you’ve ever wanted that “how is this even in Venice?” setting, this is one to look at.

Curious what it takes to get into Del Rey Colony, or want a private tour? Reach out and let’s talk.

Collin Ellingson
Compass
DRE 02037425

Listing courtesy of Christopher Rubio, Rubio Real Estate.

When I moved back to the Westside, I already had a sense of the subtle vibe shifts between each beach neighborhood… but ...
04/02/2026

When I moved back to the Westside, I already had a sense of the subtle vibe shifts between each beach neighborhood… but living here again, you really start to feel how different they are block by block.

If you’re thinking about making a move to Coastal L.A. or setting down roots on the Westside, this is a good place to start.

Take a casual scroll to see which spots match up with you 😊

If you want a more tailored breakdown based on your goals, price point, and what actually fits your day to day, comment “GUIDE” and I’ll send it over.

Collin
Coastal L.A. real estate
DRE 02037425

Sharing listings, neighborhood perspective, and what I’m seeing across the Westside week to week.

🌴

Address

2115 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA
90405

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Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

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+13106991858

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