Landsea Sells More Houses During Crisis

Landsea Homes continues to make waves in the Southern California residential real estate market with three more houses sold in Chatsworth. To date, The Crestley at Deerlake, which has 31 lots offering three single-family home models, has sold five houses. Landsea — a designer of master-planned communities in Southern California that is a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of China-based global developer Landsea Green Group — has actually sold more Chatsworth homes during the stay-at-home period than before it, according to Kaylee Smith, vice president of sales. “We’ve seen an increase in buyers to want to come into this neighborhood because it is in the hills,” Smith said. In Simi Valley, an older complex, The Westerly, has sold 38 homes so far this year, with 10 of those sales since mid-March. It has sold 143 homes to date. Like so many in residential real estate, Landsea had to be agile once a statewide shutdown took hold in mid-March. Within two weeks of the stay-at-home orders, “we digitally shifted,” Smith explained to the Business Journal. The company went into overdrive boosting its promotional presence, creating videos and a heavy online push at such sites as Zillow, New Home Source and Matterport. “What I think the company did very well the first two weeks is we went out and did more photography,” Smith said. It also modified visitation rules at the home models and sales office. “We have increased model cleaning and safe coverings, offering paper masks for agents and potential buyers on-site,” Smith continued. “Most of our buyers have been respectful, (bringing) their own masks.” Landsea also owns Shadetree, a 432-home master-planned community offering 12 different types of residences in Ontario.