The Real Deal: Comstock Elevates Northeast LA Living with Nelavida

The Real Deal is featuring Nelavida, an ACME development.

Meet Nelavida, the stylish small-lot homes bringing a heaping plate of style to trendy Northeast LA.

Developed by Comstock Homes, Nelavida combines sophisticated design with sweeping hillside views and a convenient location to create a collection of 37 new construction homes perfect for first-time homebuyers and investors. TRD sat down with the team behind Nelavida to learn how they turned their vision of an elevated Northeast LA community into a reality.

Where Location Meets Value

Comstock’s reputation for new construction excellence is well-known across California.

“Comstock is a family-owned company that’s been around since the 70s. They’re extremely client forward, they have great customer service and after-care service,” says Courtney Poulos, CEO and broker at ACME Real Estate and head of the sales team for Nelavida. “There is a huge distinction in builder quality in new construction.”

Comstock found the perfect Northeast LA location for Nelavida in an empty lot at the end of a cul-de-sac in scenic Glassell Park. By designing homes with rooftop decks instead of yards, Comstock was able to fit 37 homes onto the lot without sacrificing privacy or square footage.

“It’s unique to be able to create a project of this size as an infill community,” says Troy Busse, Vice President – Operations at Comstock Homes. Comstock designed Nelavida’s homes with hillside views in mind, crafting the rooftop decks so that each one reveals “amazing vistas.”

The homes at Nelavida combine the density of condo living with the privacy and appreciation of single-family homes. This makes Nelavida perfect for first time buyers looking for new construction homes in a tight market as well as out-of-state buyers looking for a low-maintenance second home.

“Small lot homes are considered single-family,” explains Poulos. “They are freestanding with no shared walls, the lot size is smaller to accommodate more people, but you own the land so when it appreciates your value goes up too.”

Nelavida is also perfect for investors. Because they are single-family homes, Nelavida’s homes lack the rental restrictions often found in condos or apartments, making them an “excellent place to park money here on the West Coast.”

“The Holy Grail of Life in LA”

Once Comstock had selected a site for Nelavida, the developer brought ACME Real Estate in as the sales team.

No one knows Northeast LA like ACME Real Estate. The full-service brokerage is headquartered in the hip neighborhood and has been selling renovated and new construction in the area since 2010.

“What we’ve learned from selling real estate in this part of LA is that people value design and individual uniqueness,” says Poulos. “They want to imagine themselves living, working and playing in the same area. That’s the sweet spot, the Holy Grail of life in LA.”

Northeast LA is the perfect setting for this Los Angeles “sweet spot” living. Known as the Brooklyn of LA, the neighborhood is ripe for entrepreneurs, while boasting enough restaurants and retail that residents don’t have to get on The 2 and sit in traffic whenever they want something more than a box of cereal.

“NELA is vibrant,” says Poulos. “We are at the intersection of so much entrepreneurism and creativity. This part of town has continued to grow and change and has undergone an infusion of transformation.”

Beauty Comes in Small Packages

The stylish roofdecks are just one of the design touches that elevate Nelavida’s homes above the cookie-cutter competition. The light-filled interiors combine SoCal cool with refined details like fully-tiled shower stalls, breakfast nook-style seating and custom cabinetry often found in luxury homes. Best of all, because Nelavida is still under construction, buyers have the ability to select the surfaces, hardware and cabinets that will go in their home.

“We love infusing high-end features like luxury kitchen appliances with the buyers’ right to choose so they can put their design sensibility on the project,” says Poulos. “We were able to work with Comstock to create something we felt was missing in the new construction market.”

Nelavida’s amenity spaces will include a community area with a fountain and tables for small gatherings as well as an always-popular dog park. Because the project is located at the end of a cul-de-sac, residents are spared the bustle of through-traffic and will have the opportunity to peacefully enjoy one another’s company in these natural settings.

More than being just aesthetically pleasing, Nelavida was designed with the health and wellness of their residents and the earth itself in mind.

“It’s a green community,” says Busse. “All electric, solar panels on every unit, sustainable materials used throughout, rainwater capture used to irrigate landscaping, indoor air quality is all optimized.”

A Unique Opportunity

With Phase 2 expected to start in Q1 of next year, the sellers are offering limited-time incentives to buyers that will allow them to lock in long term value, including 4% buyer broker compensation on select units.

“Comstock is so committed to making this easier for buyers in this market that they are offering up to $50K on homes in Phase 1 to buy their interest rates down two points,” says Poulos. “You could be paying 4.875 in year one, which is unheard of.”

Buyers who reserve now benefit from this offer while being given the opportunity to choose the finishes and appliances that will go into their home. It’s all part of ACME and Comstock’s commitment to delivering the highest quality product at the best value for its customers.

“Buyers in LA have a lot of choice, so they are looking for the most bang for their buck,” concludes Poulos. “Given the unique incentives, quality of construction, size, outdoor space, location in this hot and appreciating area, we feel like Nelavida crosses the T’s and dots the i’s for any home buyer looking to get the best value.”

Email hello@nelavida.com or call 323-989-NELA for availability and special end of year builder incentives!

Courtney Poulos