Buying a Home in Beverly Hills

Synonymous with the lifestyle of the rich and famous, Beverly Hills is where you’ll find luxury storefronts, including Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Rolex, Cartier, Dolce and Gabbana, and Gucci. Classic fine-dining restaurants feature white-cloth tables and servers in tuxedos. The roads are lined with Bugattis and Maseratis.

North of Santa Monica Boulevard are the residential neighborhoods. Here, the streets are lined with soaring palm trees, pristine sidewalks, and immaculate gardens. Many homes are guarded by high walls and ornate gates. Some properties have private security. And tucked away, you’ll find some of the most stunning mansions and grandest estates on the West Coast. Despite the ultra-high price tag, it remains one of the most coveted real estate markets in the world. So if you want a location that will suit your refined tastes, here’s what you need to know when purchasing Beverly Hills real estate.

Known for prestige, grandeur, and affluence, Beverly Hills offers the ultimate in luxury living. The residential streets are peaceful, quiet, and immaculate. Between Santa Monica Boulevard, Wilshire Boulevard, and Canon Drive is the Golden Triangle, the city’s high-end commercial district. On Rodeo Drive, you’ll find world-class shops and restaurants, with impeccably-dressed residents going on shopping sprees and taking leisurely lunches. Luxury amenities abound in Beverly Hills.

Beverly Hills attracts entrepreneurs, wealthy families, and Hollywood’s elite, including Jack Nicholson, Taylor Swift, Rod Stewart, and Jennifer Aniston. Greystone Mansion has been the setting for numerous films and television shows, such as Entourage and The Social Network. The Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, which dates back to 1928, was the film location for Pretty Woman.

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills is a short drive from other popular hotspots, including West Hollywood, Universal City, Malibu, and Santa Monica. And, of course, you’ll get to enjoy Southern California’s mild temperate weather because it’s warm and sunny year-round.

With its own Beverly Unified School District, the city has one of the highest-rated public school systems in the state. There are also exclusive private schools that cater to every level, from preschoolers and special needs to college preparatory schools.

Even as home sales in other places have slowed down, homes in Beverly Hills continue to appreciate in value. This is because luxury properties are highly coveted, and with a location such as Beverly Hills, there are always more interested buyers than there are sellers. Wallet Investor predicts that the median home price will go from $3.8 million to over $5 million in five years, a 30% increase.

The rise in interest rates may have discouraged some people from buying a new home. But considering that prices for home sales in Beverly Hills continue to rise, waiting will mean you will have to pay a higher price in the future. When the interest rates are lowered, more people want to enter the real estate market, which may result in a bidding war. This means you will have to put in higher offers for a property.

One additional point to consider is that Beverly Hills is exempt from the ULA tax that was passed in 2023, and therefore an even better investment. You don’t have to worry about being burdened with the tax hike that was imposed on Los Angeles County.

On the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, Trousdale Estates is perched at the highest point of Beverly Hills. Here you’ll find the most concentrated and well-preserved group of Mid-Century Modern architecture. Construction began in 1954, with the condition that all homes must be at least 3,000 square feet. In order to maintain the magnificent vistas, each house had to remain single-story. Notable architects include Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Dorman, and A. Quincy Jones.

Mulholland Estates is home to the most famous zip code in the world, 90210. The gated community comes with 24-hour security. It’s located on the northern end of Beverly Hills and has some of the best views of the city and the canyons. You’ll also find the largest estates and properties here, with most living spaces measuring 8,000 square feet or more. Architectural styles range from Spanish and Mediterranean to traditional and contemporary. Many of the homes were built in the 1990s and 2000s but have been upgraded with modern fixtures and amenities.

Beverly Hills’ most intimate neighborhood, Beverly Ridge Estates, is an ultra-exclusive guard-gated community. There are only 12 residences perched on top of a hill. At 800 feet above sea level, you’ll get stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Famous residents include Tyler Perry and Paris Hilton.

Adjacent to Trousdale Estates, Bowmont Estates is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Beverly Hills. Large, expansive homes were built starting in the 1920s. However, many of them have been torn down and rebuilt into ultra-modern mansions or Mediterranean-style villas with at least six to ten bedrooms. The hilltop location gives residents magnificent views of the Los Angeles basin. Some homes look out over the city, while others look towards the mountains.

As one of the most coveted zip codes and one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country, buying a home in Beverly Hills can be a competitive and complicated process. Monet Berger and her team of real estate experts can help you navigate the home-buying process. Her experience in fashion as a highly-sought after stylist gives her a keen eye for finesse and detail. It has allowed her to build a network of professionals and exclusive clients.

As a Beverly Hills resident, Monet can give you keen insights into the different neighborhoods and local lifestyles. Her team, the Monet Berger Group, specializes in luxury real estate in Beverly Hills and can help you meet the goal of owning the home of your dreams.

_{*Header photo courtesy of Monet Berger}