Million Dollar Listing LA - General Discussion

[CattyK]

I just finished watching this season.  Flagg has one quality I’ve always liked, his appreciation of older homes.  I enjoyed his interaction with the two sisters and enjoyed seeing that house.  Otherwise Flagg was just annoying and got more so throughout the season.  Tracy has let him get by with way too much for a long time and it finally hit the fan.  His “what I say is meaningless” bs is ridiculous.  Bobby is better off, and so is Andrew if in fact they’ve broken up.  
 

I actually enjoy the other three and don’t find them too annoying.  
 

that Las Vegas project is like something out of a dystopian science fiction novel.  It deserves to fail spectacularly.  
 

I enjoyed the discussion here about the tax on the most expensive houses.  Sounds like a good plan to me.  

[Surrealist]

Looks like Fredrik, Derek, and their kids have relocated to Florida.

Fredrik Puts BH home on rental market

[Marley]

I don’t like vulture Frederick blech. Off he goes to sell some more overpriced developments.

[Booger666]

Does anyone here watch Selling Sunset?  Watching an ep and there’s a house with a massive garage that feels deja vu - wondering if it was on an old ep of MDLA?

[ZettaK]

Bravo confirmed a new season (Season 15) to air in January or February 2024, but I haven't seen any promos yet.

https://screenrant.com/million-dollar-listing-los-angeles-season-15-updates/

Edited February 15 by ZettaK

[Sweet-tea]

On 2/26/2023 at 2:55 PM, Welshman in Ca said:

I've said the same a few times on here. She was once a very good looking & healthy looking woman before she moved to LA to be with Josh & was Madison's assistant. Not sure if it's her, him or both that prefers the stick insect look.

I suspect it’s probably just Heather feeling competitive with other female celebrities in LA who are super thin. They start comparing themselves to each other and feel inferior if they aren’t the thinnest. It’s no surprise that a lot of women there have eating disorders.

It’s likely the same reason her hair has gotten blonder and her face has taken on a more artificial look over the years that is consistent with how many of these women look. I see it in Tracy’s face too. 

That LV property is a hard sell. Even if someone is willing to spend the money and wait two years, they’re going to be living in a barren, undeveloped environment with nothing but construction for years as new houses are built. 

Edited April 19 by Sweet-tea

[Surrealist]

Just checking in to say that PlutoTV now has a Million Dollar Listing Vault channel.

[QQQQ]

I like watching the 24/7 channel on Prime except they run the same 3-4 seasons over and over. And they have the "be right back" and "welcome back" tags reversed before/after commercial breaks 😂  

[Surrealist]

On 5/26/2024 at 10:32 PM, QQQQ said:

I like watching the 24/7 channel on Prime except they run the same 3-4 seasons over and over. And they have the "be right back" and "welcome back" tags reversed before/after commercial breaks 😂  

Sadly, you are correct. They do the same bullshit on the Real Housewives and the 90210 channels. Also skipping multiple episodes too. 

I think you can watch more of them via the On Demand option, but live, they tend to rerun the same seasons. I wish I knew why they did this. 

Edited May 29 by Surrealist

[ZettaK]

The show is returning this summer. Bravo is running promos for a few weeks along the new seasons of The Real Housewives of OC, and Dubai. The "new" season was filmed two years ago, and the airing was postponed for a long time. I hope it doesn't affect the ratings. This is one of the oldest still going Bravo shows (since 2006). I can only think of Top Chef, Project Runway, and the Real Housewives of Orange County that are so "old".

[Soapy Goddess]

6 hours ago, ZettaK said:

The show is returning this summer. Bravo is running promos for a few weeks along the new seasons of The Real Housewives of OC, and Dubai. The "new" season was filmed two years ago, and the airing was postponed for a long time. I hope it doesn't affect the ratings. This is one of the oldest still going Bravo shows (since 2006). I can only think of Top Chef, Project Runway, and the Real Housewives of Orange County that are so "old".

Bravo is going to air a 2 year old season? Wonder why it was postponed?

Even if it doesn't affect the ratings, home prices have jump significantly, so the timeliness will definitely be affected for all those who follow listings.

[CrazyInAlabama]

I just saw an ad for the return, July 10.  Wednesdays.     Apparently it was filmed a while ago.   I would like to see them address the luxury house sales legislation.         

Edited June 13 by CrazyInAlabama

[ZettaK]

3 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

I just saw an ad for the return, July 10.  Wednesdays.     Apparently it was filmed a while ago.   I would like to see them address the luxury house sales legislation.         

Yes, Bravo just aired the first full size promo. It seems we will see Heather Dubrow's (from the Real Housewives of Orange County) real estate transactions. Altman sold her OC house, and helped her buy her next one in Beverly Hills- the Dino DeLaurentis house. 

[heatherchandler]

I just watched the first episode of season 14, thinking it was a new episode.  I don’t remember any of it so until the “this season” coming attractions which were very familiar to me, I thought I was watching the new season.

[CrazyInAlabama]

I'm watching the reruns for Season 10, they're so old that I only remember the way a few deals came out.    I miss James and David, and their adorable families. 

[QQQQ]

I'll take what I can get. I've seen the Tracy goes to Dubai and Flagg get married eps so many times on Prime I could cry 😂 

[ZettaK]

3 hours ago, QQQQ said:

I'll take what I can get. I've seen the Tracy goes to Dubai and Flagg get married eps so many times on Prime I could cry 😂 

You can watch the new season (which was filmed 2 years ago) on Wednesday, July 10th.

[tuesdays]

I've seen a few times on this thread that the new season was filmed 2 years ago but I don't think that's true.

Josh and Bobby's divorce was announced in 2022 and finalized in 2023. The picture of Josh and Andrew together that Josh posted on instagram that played a role in Season 14 was taken in May 2022. Meanwhile, in the preview for Season 15, we see Tracey discussing her (at the time clearly very recent) breakup with Erik. That break-up happened in August 2023. 

Tracey and Josh F. have both been on the Brits podcast ('Rise Above the Ranks'). Tracey was on in July 2023 and mentioned that they were then in the midst of filming season 15. Even assuming some delay between when the podcast was taped and when it aired, it likely would not have been a full year delayed. Flagg was on their podcast in February 2024, and he mentioned that it included his traveling with Tracey. From stalking their instagram, they traveled together in July 2023. 

This season is premiering later than it was expected to, and so I think it probably is true that the gap between filming and broadcast is longer than is usually the case. But I'm pretty sure it was filmed in Summer 2023, i.e. not 2 years ago. 

[QQQQ]

Between this new season and Owning Manhattan (Ryan Serhant's show which premiered today on Netflix), I am just happy to have new content.

[ZettaK]

On 6/27/2024 at 10:52 PM, tuesdays said:

I've seen a few times on this thread that the new season was filmed 2 years ago but I don't think that's true.

Josh and Bobby's divorce was announced in 2022 and finalized in 2023. The picture of Josh and Andrew together that Josh posted on instagram that played a role in Season 14 was taken in May 2022. Meanwhile, in the preview for Season 15, we see Tracey discussing her (at the time clearly very recent) breakup with Erik. That break-up happened in August 2023. 

Tracey and Josh F. have both been on the Brits podcast ('Rise Above the Ranks'). Tracey was on in July 2023 and mentioned that they were then in the midst of filming season 15. Even assuming some delay between when the podcast was taped and when it aired, it likely would not have been a full year delayed. Flagg was on their podcast in February 2024, and he mentioned that it included his traveling with Tracey. From stalking their instagram, they traveled together in July 2023. 

This season is premiering later than it was expected to, and so I think it probably is true that the gap between filming and broadcast is longer than is usually the case. But I'm pretty sure it was filmed in Summer 2023, i.e. not 2 years ago. 

The previous season (S14) started airing in the beginning of December 2022 (I checked the dates), so it was filmed many months earlier. Bobby and Josh Flagg had separated and were divorcing, and hating each other on that season. I believe the current season starting filming a long time ago, and more was filmed later on (relatively recently) because a long time had passed between seasons. This is common on reality shows. 

[QQQQ]

Ooh, a new reaction option (the 'thank you'). Excellent!

[CrazyInAlabama]

So, the big issue in California is sellers pay 4% on sales over $5 million, and 5 1/2% on $10 million and up. I'm not sure about the price where it goes to 5 1/2%.    Should be interesting.   And Tracy is branching out to Texas, Altmans are working Orange County too, and Flagg is still concentrating on Beverly Hills, and the L.A. mansions.   Flagg is on Days of Our LIves, as a ruthless businessman with a coke habit. 

Season 15, Episode 1 Just When You Think You've Seen It All...

Flagg is meeting with a client from a few years ago, Carly bought a property, wants to raze the current house and build a giant monstrosity of a marble modern house, budget went from $10 million to over $30 million, and permits have taken over two years, and the design isn't even finalized.  He's trying to talk her into buying a turnkey property, and selling the lot.  Then, they show Tracy's listing in Crescent Bay, in Laguna Beach, Orange County, and Tracy slips and falls on the stairs.   I like the top floor living area on her listing, that has the view.

Then Altman's listing keeps renting the property out for short term rentals, and they can't get in the house. 

Flagg and the guy from last season are 'on a break', so I guess he's history.  

Edited July 18 by CrazyInAlabama

[rhofmovalley]

I guess since there will be fewer sales they're reviving the tired "Josh vs. Josh" storyline. 

[Soapy Goddess]

On 7/9/2024 at 7:43 PM, QQQQ said:

Ooh, a new reaction option (the 'thank you'). Excellent!

You're welcome! 😉

[65mickey]

Josh Flagg looks like he has lost weight. He must have cut way back on the booze. Tracy being so thin is aging her especially her face. I guess we are in for a season of this market sucks and why can't I sell a $30,000,000 house like I used to be able to sell?  My heart bleeds for them. 

[sugarbaker design]

2 minutes ago, 65mickey said:

I guess we are in for a season of this market sucks and why can't I sell a $30,000,000 house like I used to be able to sell?  My heart bleeds for them. 

I am here for it!

Was there any mention of Josh's boyfriend?

[65mickey]

I think it was mentioned that they are not together. But I could be wrong I was half listening. But something was mentioned about a breakup. unless I was dreaming. 

[rhofmovalley]

1 hour ago, sugarbaker design said:

I am here for it!

Was there any mention of Josh's boyfriend?

He said they're "taking a break". Whatever that means.

[CrazyInAlabama]

4 hours ago, 65mickey said:

Josh Flagg looks like he has lost weight. He must have cut way back on the booze. Tracy being so thin is aging her especially her face. I guess we are in for a season of this market sucks and why can't I sell a $30,000,000 house like I used to be able to sell?  My heart bleeds for them. 

As a friend who knows high end real estate said, sellers will just up the price to account for the mansion tax.     I agree with Tracy's house shoppers, way too many stairs.  However I had to laugh at the potential buyers touring the house and complaining the elevator was too slow.    

[sugarbaker design]

1 hour ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

As a friend who knows high end real estate said, sellers will just up the price to account for the mansion tax. 

Isn't it a tax on the buyers?  Like an additional sales tax?

Edited July 11 by sugarbaker design

[65mickey]

I have read different reports. Most say it is the seller who pays the tax  But one said the buyer. Who knows.  Won't affect me.

Edited July 11 by 65mickey

[dleighg]

i found this. So "both" in some sense, as the market tends to do.

Who does the California mansion tax affect? Primarily, if you're selling a home exceeding the thresholds mentioned above, you, as the seller, will be responsible for paying the mansion tax. However, it's crucial to remember that buyers often factor in these additional costs when making offers.

[CrazyInAlabama]

1 hour ago, sugarbaker design said:

Isn't it a tax on the buyers?  Like an additional sales tax?

It's on the sellers to pay the tax, but you know the sellers will raise the price to the buyers so the buyers will be paying it in the end. 

[sugarbaker design]

1 minute ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

It's on the sellers to pay the tax, but you know the sellers will raise the price to the buyers so the buyers will be paying it in the end. 

Gotcha!

[retired watcher]

Tracy looks like she had the surgery where they suck the fat out of your cheeks. Or she's taking O.

[tuesdays]

On 7/9/2024 at 5:43 AM, ZettaK said:

The previous season (S14) started airing in the beginning of December 2022 (I checked the dates), so it was filmed many months earlier. Bobby and Josh Flagg had separated and were divorcing, and hating each other on that season. I believe the current season starting filming a long time ago, and more was filmed later on (relatively recently) because a long time had passed between seasons. This is common on reality shows. 

That's correct. Season 14 was filmed in Spring/Summer 2022 and aired December 2022. The current season, Season 15, was likely filmed in Summer 2023 based on what I noted in my previous message--Erik/Tracey's break-up as well as comments by both Josh and Tracey on the Brits podcast.

Needless to say, this is not 2 years ago, which is what you were claiming earlier. It would not surprise me if some was filmed earlier and later than this, but two years ago, Season 14 was being filmed or had just concluded filming not Season 15. 

[Cheyanne11]

The Altmans trying to be shady with that 9,000 sf listing that is actually 7, 000 (still huge) seems typical.  

[Starlight925]

Another recent issue in L.A.  real estate is an ordinance that, no matter the lot size, a house cannot exceed 3750 square feet.  So even if someone purchases 1 acre, they can only build 3750, so no more enormous homes.

The other factor is that unfortunately, L.A. has a huge crime problem, along with homeless, feces, needles, etc., and it's become much less desirable.  Hence, the reason many are moving south to the O.C. or to other states like Texas.  It's no longer the Beverly Hills dreams of Josh Flagg's youth.

[dleighg]

Do you have a link to that limit @Starlight925? I can't find anything in the news, other than an ordinance some years ago for a subset of neighborhoods.

[Starlight925]

5 hours ago, dleighg said:

Do you have a link to that limit @Starlight925? I can't find anything in the news, other than an ordinance some years ago for a subset of neighborhoods.

 

That limit was mentioned on Selling Sunset, which is one of the reasons the Oppenheim Group opened up an Orange County office, similar to what's going on with the MDLA folks.  In addition to the additional taxes, crime rates leading to lower home sales, etc.

This is what I found online:

https://www.lawinc.com/los-angeles-mansionization-interim-control-ordinance-home-size-limits

Here's a link to the planning ordinance.  It's a lot more complicated than just "can't build larger than X square feet", but basically, I think (and I'm no lawyer), you can't build a house more than 25% (or 40%, can't understand the legalese), the size of the lot itself:

https://planning.lacity.gov/ordinances/docs/baseline/bmo_bho.pdf

[endure]

On 7/11/2024 at 5:59 AM, 65mickey said:

Josh Flagg looks like he has lost weight. He must have cut way back on the booze. Tracy being so thin is aging her especially her face. I guess we are in for a season of this market sucks and why can't I sell a $30,000,000 house like I used to be able to sell?  My heart bleeds for them. 

All of them look like they’re taking Ozempic imo.

[65mickey]

I just noticed the small cooler with BLK water drink in the Altman's office. This was the drink that the Manzo and Laurita crew was promoting years ago. I am surprised it is still being sold. It sounded so unappealing.   

[sugarbaker design]

Just now, 65mickey said:

I just noticed the small cooler with BLK water drink in the Altman's office. This was the drink that the Manzo and Laurita crew was promoting years ago. I am surprised it is still being sold. It sounded so unappealing.   

I don't think it's still being sold, I think it's just a fixture in the office at this point.  Nobody touches that swill.

[CrazyInAlabama]

Season 15, Episode 2-Hate to Say I Told You So. 

So, Altmans hype Readcrest, it's used as a short term rental, and they can't show it. So why hype it to buyers? 

 I'm tired of Altman and Flagg fake fighting over losing or getting listings.  The apology / friendship lunch between Altman and Flagg was so low key, and boring.   

Flagg specializes in vintage, and I find it funny that he says he sells everything.    He may sell non-vintage sometimes, but he prefers older historic homes.   Carly Steel who has the land for sale, wants turnkey, and Flagg finds her a modern house on the Flats, so he does sometimes sell modern/contemporary.  Carly wants a 'marine feature', so he and his assistant dress up like sharks.  So she sells the land, for $16.5 million, and buys the house in the flats. 

Altman fires the clients on Readcrest, because they keep renting it out, and he can never show the house.   

This episode should have had about 40 minutes of film, instead it was more like 10 minutes of content filled out to 40 minutes.   

Episode 3 looks interesting, with some spectacular homes.  

James and David left The Agency for another real estate group focusing on luxe homes, including one listing for $79 million, and the "cheapest" is almost $5 million.   They seem to be doing very well. 

Edited July 21 by CrazyInAlabama

[snarts]

Is Flagg sick? Or is it drugs? He doesn't look good or healthy and it's not just the weight loss, it's his skin, its tone, the parched lips. 

Much more interesting show in the current market. Now they have scramble & work. 

[65mickey]

He looks different this season. Did I miss something about his hair? Why is he wearing that knit hat?

[Soapy Goddess]

3 hours ago, 65mickey said:

He looks different this season. Did I miss something about his hair? Why is he wearing that knit hat?

He said to Tracy that he didn't feel like fixing (styling) it this morning.

I have a feeling Flagg is like the rest of Hollywood...trying Ozempic whether they need it or not.

[oftentimes]

Re Flagg in the scenes with the hat on, I noticed his facial skin being off.  Then it hit me, I think he wears a foundation most of the time, but didn't have any on the day he didn't have his hair 'done' either.

[EtheltoTillie]

I thought Flagg on Days of Our Lives was hilarious. I used to watch that show in the ‘80s. 

I skipped season 14 but I’m taking a peek at the final episode of that season. There’s a scene with Tracy and Heather where their pancake foundation is so thick it looks like spackle. 

[EtheltoTillie]

As for that client who sold her lot and bought the other house Josh F. wanted to sell her, it reminds me that everything we see here is staged with artificial drama. There was never any doubt she would go through with those two transactions. 

Edited July 18 by EtheltoTillie