Baby rave helps $4.5M LA home finally sell as delistings surge
A Crestwood Hills property once delisted twice finds a buyer in escrow, illustrating how listings are being marketed in a slower, more cautious market.
A $4.5 million Los Angeles home that had been pulled from the market twice has found a buyer after a baby-oriented open house, a tactic that illustrates how agents are adapting to a slower market. The Crestwood Hills property was first listed in March 2025 for $4,495,000 but was pulled just three weeks later. A second attempt in April ended the same way, with another delisting by May. Now in escrow, the listing provides a window into what it takes to move properties when demand is softer.
Delistings have surged nearly 50% this summer, a sign that times have changed since a few years ago. In June, the most recent data available, 21 homes were delisted for every 100 homes hitting the market — up from six per 100 in 2022. Realtor.com senior economist Jake Krimmel said delistings are a way for sellers to reassert control in a market where leverage is fading, as several metros tip into buyer's market territory.
Claire and Sam O'Connor, of O'Connor Estates in Los Angeles, led the effort on the Crestwood Hills listing. From the outset, Claire knew the listing would require something different. 'It’s not a house that’s going to sell for a premium with just regular photography and regular marketing,' she said. The home sits in a highly regarded school district, with a large, flat yard, and a layout that appeals to families; however, its location just north of Sunset Boulevard presented a challenge as market dynamics shifted.
To pivot, the agents leaned into the property's family-friendly attributes rather than conventional photos. 'We really wanted to highlight how approachable it was for a family,' Claire explained.
That led to the baby rave concept. The event blended playdate, music class and high-energy showcase to demonstrate living in the space. DJ Jason Mesches provided contemporary beats while bubbles and kid-friendly instruments kept toddlers entertained. This approach aimed to show buyers what life could look like there. 'The idea was to create an event that was family-centric,' Claire said.
In practice, the event helped buyers visualize daily life in the space. 'When buyers walked in, they weren't seeing an empty house,' Claire said. 'They were seeing kids running around, feeling at home. They were seeing what life could look like there.' The marketing shift extended beyond the open house itself. Photos and videos from the event circulated on social media, increasing the listing's visibility and generating new inquiries. One social-media lead has moved into escrow.
In today’s market, traditional listing-and-wait tactics are failing to deliver for many homes. The O’Connors say the playbook now includes active marketing with high-quality photography, mood-driven staging, and experiential showings designed to connect with buyers at an emotional level. The approach—though more costly than typical campaigns—reflects a belief that buyers are seeking a story as much as a floor plan.
The strategy has already guided the O’Connors to more aggressive, experience-driven showings for new listings, including plans for a Hills property that will feature a cacao ceremony and a sound bath aimed at couples drawn to quiet luxury and hillside views. 'It’s really the idea of bringing to life the soul of a home,' Claire says.
Other properties in the market are expected to continue experimenting with events and social-driven content as buyers’ budgets, interest rates, and inventory shape decisions in real time. As delistings remain elevated relative to pre-pandemic norms, the Crestwood Hills sale offers a microcosm of how agents are adapting to a more balanced, demand-conscious market.
