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shley Oliver, a physician, and her husband Jon met in New York City over a decade ago while she prepared for medical school at Columbia University and he worked as a DJ. After completing her residency in anesthesiology at the University of California-San Francisco, they weighed their options for a new home with two young sons. They considered Ohio or Alabama, where family ties were strong and housing costs were lower, but ultimately decided to stay in California.

    The couple began exploring Los Angeles neighborhoods, seeking a friendly community with plenty of outdoor space for their children to play. Their goal was to save more money for a larger down payment, but they were eventually persuaded by friends to meet with a realtor, Erica Carter Walden of Compass. She warned them that even with a budget of around $1.3 million, inventory was low and prices high due to recent renovations.

    Undeterred, Ms. Carter Walden encouraged the couple not to give up on their search. "Your house is out there, you got to go out and look for it," she said. "Your house will find you, and when you get that house you will be so in love with it you will forget about all of the frogs you kissed before." The Olivers considered several options, including a 1911 home in Jefferson Park with charming wood craftsmanship and a detached studio, but ultimately decided against it due to limited storage.

    They also viewed a renovated 1951 home on a tree-lined street in View Park, which had a large formal dining room and ample closet space. However, they were concerned about the glass pane separating the living room and family room, as well as the lack of space for a studio. A third option was a 1940 Spanish Revival-style home in Leimert Park with stained-glass windows and original hardwood floors, but it needed some work and had smaller bedrooms.

    The Olivers' search continued, with Ms. Carter Walden's guidance and encouragement helping them navigate the competitive Los Angeles market.