Silver Lake real estate is the Eastside’s design-forward hillside market, built around a reservoir, a walkable Sunset Boulevard corridor and one of the best collections of mid-century modern architecture in Los Angeles. Homes here trade well above the citywide median but below Los Feliz’s top streets, with most single-family sales landing between $1.2 million and $2 million and the reservoir-view Neutra and Schindler houses reaching $3 million or more. The neighborhood attracts creative professionals, entertainment and tech buyers, architects and couples who want a house with character close to Downtown and the studios. What makes it distinct is the mix: 1920s Spanish bungalows and modernist glass boxes on the same hillside street, cafes and record shops at Sunset Junction, and a 2.2-mile loop around the water that serves as the neighborhood’s front porch. James Malcom works Silver Lake from his Hollywood office, representing sellers on hillside view homes and helping buyers win the properties that draw multiple offers.
Silver Lake Real Estate Market Overview
Silver Lake is a small, tightly held market, so monthly figures swing. Per Redfin, June 2026, the median sale price was about $1,464,000, down roughly 11 percent year over year, at about $969 per square foot. Zillow’s typical home value was about $1,440,000 as of July 2026, up under 1 percent, which suggests the Redfin dip reflects the mix of what sold rather than falling values.
Days on market ran 39 to 41 days per Redfin in June 2026, and well-priced homes still sold about 5 percent above list, with the strongest listings drawing offers 10 percent or more over asking. Movoto counted roughly 115 active listings in July 2026, up modestly from the thin levels of 2023 and 2024, but the market still leans toward sellers on turnkey hillside homes and is closer to balanced on condos and unrenovated flats.
The mix is dominated by two and three-bedroom single-family homes on sloped lots, with a meaningful share of duplexes on the flatter streets near Sunset. Condos are a small slice. Entry-level Silver Lake real estate starts around $900,000 to $1.2 million for a condo, small bungalow or fixer on the flats. The mid band, roughly $1.3 million to $2.2 million, covers most renovated hillside homes and larger Spanish houses in Moreno Highlands and Silver Lake Heights. The top band, $2.5 million to $5 million and up, is architecturally significant homes, reservoir-view estates on Moreno Drive and Silver Ridge Avenue, and new-build modern houses with full city views. Market data last reviewed August 2026.
Homes for Sale in Silver Lake
Silver Lake homes for sale come in more architectural styles than almost any neighborhood in the city. Most of the housing stock dates from 1915 to 1955: Spanish Colonial Revival houses from the 1920s, Craftsman bungalows near Sunset Junction, Streamline Moderne homes from the 1930s and post-war mid-century houses tucked into the hills above the reservoir. The neighborhood is famous for its concentration of work by Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler, Gregory Ain and John Lautner, much of it clustered on Silver Lake Boulevard, Neutra Place, Earl Street and the hillside streets facing the water.
Lots are typically 4,000 to 7,500 square feet, often steep, with homes set above or below the street and garages at the curb. View lots facing the reservoir, Downtown or the Griffith Observatory carry a clear premium. There are no gated communities and almost no HOAs outside a handful of condo and small-lot projects near Glendale Boulevard. New construction means one-off custom modern homes and small-lot subdivisions on former duplex parcels, not tracts. Weigh foundation, drainage and retaining walls as carefully as kitchens and baths.
Silver Lake Neighborhoods and Enclaves
Silver Lake Hills and the Reservoir
The streets ringing the reservoir, including Silver Lake Boulevard, West Silver Lake Drive and Kenilworth Avenue, are the most recognizable Silver Lake address. This is where the Neutra houses sit and where reservoir views push prices from $2 million into the $4 million range. Buyers pay for proximity to the loop and the Meadow.
Moreno Highlands
Above the northern end of the reservoir, Moreno Highlands is the quietest and most estate-like pocket. Moreno Drive, Silver Ridge Avenue and Apex Avenue hold larger Spanish and Mediterranean homes on bigger lots with views toward Glendale. Prices generally run $2 million to $4 million.
Ivanhoe
The Ivanhoe area west of the reservoir, around Rowena and Hyperion Avenues, blends into Los Feliz and Franklin Hills. Families target it for the Ivanhoe Elementary boundary, and homes run from about $1.4 million for a compact two-bedroom to $2.5 million or more for a renovated four-bedroom with a yard.
Sunset Junction
Where Sunset and Santa Monica Boulevards meet, Sunset Junction is the commercial heart and the most walkable housing. Craftsman bungalows and Spanish duplexes on Maltman, Edgecliffe and Lucile sell to buyers who want to walk to coffee, the farmers market and the shops on Sunset. Expect $1.1 million to $1.8 million, with multi-unit properties a strong investor play.
Silver Lake Heights and the Micheltorena Stairs
East of Silver Lake Boulevard and south toward Temple Street, Silver Lake Heights is a hillside grid of 1920s homes, city views and public staircases, including the painted Micheltorena Stairs and the Music Box Steps on Vendome. Lots are steep and parking is tight, but at roughly $1 million to $1.8 million it offers the hillside look without the reservoir premium.
Riverside Drive and the Virgil Village Edge
Along Riverside Drive and Glendale Boulevard toward Frogtown and the LA River, small homes, duplexes and new small-lot projects sell for $900,000 to $1.4 million. On the southwest side toward Virgil Village, bungalows near Virgil and Fountain are the entry point for buyers priced out of the hills.
Schools in Silver Lake
Silver Lake is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District. The two neighborhood elementaries are Ivanhoe Elementary, which covers the reservoir hills and is one of the most sought-after public elementaries on the Eastside, and Micheltorena Street Elementary, which serves the Sunset Junction and Silver Lake Heights side and is known for its dual-language program and garden. Both are well regarded on GreatSchools and both move home values, so confirm the attendance boundary before you write an offer. Middle school is Thomas Starr King Middle School on Fountain Avenue, with its film and media magnet, and the high school is John Marshall High School in Los Feliz. Private options nearby include Immaculate Heart, Pilgrim School, Lycee International de Los Angeles and several parochial elementaries along Sunset and Glendale Boulevards.
Lifestyle: Parks, Dining and Things to Do
Daily life centers on the Silver Lake Reservoir. The 2.2-mile walking path is the neighborhood gym, the Silver Lake Meadow on the east side is where picnics and toddler birthdays happen, and the Silver Lake Recreation Center and dog park at the south end are busy every evening. Bellevue Recreation Center and the trails of Griffith Park are minutes away.
Sunset Junction is the dining and shopping corridor, home to Intelligentsia Coffee, Pine and Crane, Botanica and Cafe Stella. The Silver Lake Farmers Market runs Saturdays and Tuesdays at the Junction, and Glendale Boulevard near the reservoir has its own cluster with Silverlake Wine, Alimento and Gingergrass. Holiday lights on the reservoir loop and gallery openings on Sunset fill out the calendar.
Commute and Location
Silver Lake sits between the 101, the 2 and the 5, which is why living in Silver Lake works for couples commuting in different directions. Downtown Los Angeles is 10 to 20 minutes via Glendale Boulevard or the 101. The Burbank studios are 20 to 30 minutes via the 5 or the 2 to the 134. Hollywood is 10 to 15 minutes west on Sunset. Santa Monica is the hard commute at 45 to 70 minutes, and LAX runs 35 to 60 minutes. For transit, the Metro B Line at Vermont/Santa Monica sits on the neighborhood’s western edge with a direct ride to Hollywood, Universal City and Union Station, and Metro buses run the length of Sunset, Santa Monica and Glendale Boulevards.
Who Buys in Silver Lake and Why
Silver Lake buyers skew toward creative and entertainment professionals, designers, architects, tech employees and dual-income couples buying a first house with a $1.3 million to $2 million budget. Architecture buyers come for the Neutra and Schindler pedigree. Investors target the duplexes on the flats. Families buy into the Ivanhoe boundary and trade up within the neighborhood.
Compared with Los Feliz to the north, Silver Lake is a bit less expensive at the top end, younger in feel and more walkable, while Los Feliz offers bigger lots and the grand houses of Laughlin Park. Compared with Hollywood, Silver Lake trades nightlife and canyon estates for a neighborhood that feels like a small town with a reservoir at its center. Buyers who need more house per dollar often look over the hill to Studio City, where the same $1.8 million buys a four-bedroom on a flat lot. Browse all featured communities.
Selling a Home in Silver Lake
What sells fastest is a renovated two or three-bedroom hillside home with a view, usable outdoor space and a clean inspection, priced at or just below the last comparable sale. Those homes still draw multiple offers, while architecturally significant homes sell to a national buyer pool and need a longer, curated campaign. The homes that sit are view-less flats priced like reservoir homes, or fixers with undisclosed retaining wall history.
Pricing is about the first two weekends: a home that comes on 5 percent under the seller’s target usually finishes above it, while a home that comes on 5 percent high sits and then takes a cut. Spring is strongest and September through mid-November is a real second season. Prep that matters locally: landscape the hillside and any deck, get a pre-listing inspection on foundation and drainage, pull permits for additions, document the architect if the home has one, and stage lightly in the era of the house. James markets Silver Lake listings with professional photography and video, drone and twilight shots for view homes, targeted digital campaigns and a pricing plan built to draw multiple offers. Start with a free Silver Lake home valuation, then read our seller resources and the best time of year to sell in Los Angeles.
Why Work With James Malcom in Silver Lake
James Malcom is a Silver Lake realtor who knows the difference between a Silver Ridge view and a Micheltorena view, which streets sit in the Ivanhoe boundary and how to price a Schindler-adjacent house against a plain 1950s ranch on the same block. As a Silver Lake real estate agent based at The Malcom Group’s Hollywood office at 6200 Hollywood Blvd, ten minutes down Sunset, he brings a Westside and Valley buyer network to Eastside listings and a hillside playbook for inspections, retaining walls and permits. Visit the Hollywood office page, read client testimonials, browse recent sales or contact James directly.
Silver Lake Real Estate FAQ
Is Silver Lake a good place to live?
Yes, for buyers who want walkability, architecture and a creative community near Downtown and the studios. The reservoir loop, Sunset Junction dining, strong elementaries and quick access to the 101, 2 and 5 are the draws. Trade-offs are steep lots, tight parking and a long commute to the Westside.
How much does a house cost in Silver Lake?
Per Redfin, June 2026, the median sale price in Silver Lake was about $1.46 million at roughly $969 per square foot. Condos and small bungalows start around $900,000 to $1.2 million, renovated hillside homes run $1.3 million to $2.2 million, and reservoir-view and architectural homes sell from $2.5 million up.
Is Silver Lake expensive?
Silver Lake is expensive relative to Los Angeles as a whole, with values well above the citywide median, but it costs less than Los Feliz’s estate streets, the Hollywood Hills or the Westside. Price per square foot is high because homes are small, so buyers pay for location, views and design rather than square footage.
What are property taxes like in Silver Lake?
Under Proposition 13, property tax starts at a 1 percent base rate on the purchase price, plus voter-approved local bonds and assessments that bring the effective rate in the City of Los Angeles to roughly 1.2 to 1.25 percent. Silver Lake has no Mello-Roos districts, since it is an established neighborhood. Confirm figures with the Los Angeles County Assessor.
What are the best neighborhoods in Silver Lake?
The reservoir streets and Moreno Highlands are the prestige addresses, with views and the highest prices. Ivanhoe is the family favorite for its elementary boundary. Sunset Junction is best for walkability, Silver Lake Heights and the Micheltorena stairs give hillside views at lower prices, and the Riverside Drive and Virgil Village edges are the entry points.
Is Silver Lake a buyer’s or seller’s market right now?
As of August 2026 it is a moderate seller’s market for turnkey hillside and view homes, which still sell in about 40 days at or above asking per Redfin, June 2026. Inventory has risen from the thin levels of 2023 and 2024, so condos, view-less flats and overpriced fixers give buyers more leverage than in years.
How do I find a realtor in Silver Lake?
Look for a Silver Lake real estate agent with recent hillside sales, references from local sellers and a marketing plan built for view and architectural homes. James Malcom works Silver Lake from The Malcom Group’s Hollywood office and can be reached at (310) 595-0915. Our buyer resources explain how we win competitive offers.
Thinking about buying or selling in Silver Lake? Call James Malcom at (310) 595-0915 or request a free home valuation.
More Silver Lake seller questions
What do I need to do before selling a home in Silver Lake?
Silver Lake is inside the City of Los Angeles, so order the LADBS 9A Report of Residential Property Records, bring smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, seismic gas shut-off and water conservation fixtures into compliance, and complete the state transfer disclosures. Then get a pre-listing inspection on foundation and drainage, pull permits for additions, landscape the hillside and any deck, and document the architect if the home has one. James Malcom runs this list from the Hollywood office at (310) 595-0915.
Does Measure ULA apply to home sales in Silver Lake?
Yes. Silver Lake is inside the City of Los Angeles, so Measure ULA applies to sales at or above the annually adjusted thresholds and is charged on the entire price, on top of the regular city and county transfer taxes. Most bungalows and flats homes trade below the first threshold, but reservoir-view estates, Moreno Highlands homes and architecturally significant properties can reach it. Confirm the current threshold with James before pricing a top-band listing.
How long does it take to sell a house in Silver Lake?
A renovated two or three bedroom hillside home with a view, usable outdoor space and a clean inspection, priced at or just below the last comparable sale, typically draws multiple offers within the first two weekends and closes after a 30 to 45 day escrow. Architecturally significant homes sell to a national buyer pool and need a longer, curated campaign. View-less flats priced like reservoir homes and fixers with undisclosed retaining wall history are the ones that sit.
What is the best month to list a house in Silver Lake?
Spring is strongest, roughly March through June, when families targeting the Ivanhoe and Micheltorena boundaries and creative professionals settling before summer are both active. September through mid-November is a real second season. December and August are the slowest, though a sharp-priced view home still sells in either month.
Should I renovate before selling in Silver Lake?
Fix the hillside, not the kitchen. Foundation, drainage, retaining walls and permits are what Silver Lake buyers weigh as carefully as finishes, so a clean inspection adds more than new cabinets. Stage lightly in the era of the house, and if it is a Neutra, Schindler, Ain or Lautner design, document the pedigree rather than modernizing it away. Original Spanish and Craftsman detail is a selling point here.
Can I sell a house with tenants in Silver Lake?
Yes. Single-family homes and condos generally fall under California statewide just-cause rules, while the duplexes on the flatter streets near Sunset and the older multifamily along Glendale Boulevard are usually covered by the LA Rent Stabilization Ordinance with relocation requirements. Investors target occupied duplexes on income, so those can sell as-is; an occupied single-family home loses the end users who pay the view premium. Pick your buyer pool before listing.
What disclosures are required when selling in Silver Lake?
California requires the Transfer Disclosure Statement, Seller Property Questionnaire, Natural Hazard Disclosure report and lead paint disclosure for pre-1978 homes, plus the City of Los Angeles 9A report and retrofit compliance. Hillside sellers should disclose retaining wall history, drainage, slope and any geology reports, and sellers of homes on steep lots should disclose parking and access limitations. Any unpermitted addition or deck must be disclosed in writing, and small-lot and condo sellers deliver HOA documents.
What schools serve Silver Lake homes?
Silver Lake is served by LAUSD, with Ivanhoe Elementary covering the reservoir hills and Micheltorena Street Elementary, known for its dual-language program and garden, serving the Sunset Junction and Silver Lake Heights side. Both move home values. Middle school is Thomas Starr King with its film and media magnet, and high school is John Marshall in Los Feliz. Private options nearby include Immaculate Heart, Pilgrim School and Lycee International de Los Angeles. Confirm the boundary before you write an offer.
How long is the commute from Silver Lake to Downtown or Burbank?
Downtown Los Angeles is 10 to 20 minutes via Glendale Boulevard or the 101, the Burbank studios 20 to 30 minutes via the 5 or the 2 to the 134 and Hollywood 10 to 15 minutes west on Sunset. Santa Monica is the hard commute at 45 to 70 minutes, and LAX runs 35 to 60 minutes. The Metro B Line at Vermont/Santa Monica sits on the western edge with direct service to Hollywood, Universal City and Union Station.
Is Silver Lake a good investment?
Yes for buyers who understand hillside property. Inventory is tightly held, the architectural pedigree draws a national buyer pool, the Downtown and Burbank commutes keep creative and entertainment demand steady, and duplexes on the flats offer income. Returns depend on buying with a clean inspection, since foundation and retaining wall problems are the main risk. Renovated view homes in the mid band are the most liquid segment.
Silver Lake vs Los Feliz: which is better for buying or selling?
Los Feliz offers bigger lots, the grand houses of Laughlin Park and the Oaks and a higher price at the top end, while Silver Lake is younger in feel, more walkable and built around the reservoir with a stronger mid-century modern collection. Both are City of Los Angeles with the same transfer tax rules. Sellers in Silver Lake reach design-driven buyers who pay for views over square footage; sellers in Los Feliz reach move-up families who want formal architecture and larger rooms.
Who is the best listing agent in Silver Lake?
James Malcom of The Malcom Group lists homes across Silver Lake from the Hollywood office at 6200 Hollywood Blvd, ten minutes down Sunset. Judge any agent on recent hillside closings, the ability to price a Schindler-adjacent house against a plain 1950s ranch on the same block, knowledge of the Ivanhoe boundary, a hillside playbook for inspections, retaining walls and permits, and drone and twilight marketing for view homes. Call (310) 595-0915.