News Flash: Co-Anchor Settles at the Beach

Lauren Sanchez, co-anchor of KCOP-TV Channel 13 “Nightly News,” has become a first-time home buyer with her purchase of a Manhattan Beach townhouse for close to its $819,000 asking price.

The newly built townhouse is less than a block from txhe beach and has three bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths in about 2,600 square feet.

Sanchez’s new home also has ocean views, large decks with gas and electrical outlets, a central vacuum system and a two-stop dumbwaiter.

Sanchez, 29, joined KCOP-TV in December 1999. She had been with Fox Sports Network, where she was an anchor-reporter for “Fox Sports Tonight” and a correspondent for the cable channel’s newscast “Going Deep.”

When not in front of a camera, she is a volunteer for the Special Olympics.

George Collins of Coldwell Banker, Beverly Hills, represented Sanchez in buying her townhouse.

John Chuka of Northwest Investment Real Estate Co., Manhattan Beach, had the listing and participated in the development.

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Former L.A. Laker forward John Salley, who retired from the NBA last year, has leased a three-level, Spanish-style home in the Hollywood Hills for a year at about $4,500 a month.

The 10-year NBA veteran, 36, sold his five-bedroom, 8,200-square-foot home in the Beverly Hills area for about $2.7 million in early February.

Salley, host of the nightly show “BET Live” on Black Entertainment Network, especially likes the place he leased because of its 14-foot-high ceilings. The five-bedroom, 3,700-square-foot house was built in 1920.

Marilyn Watson of Celebrity Properties-Coldwell Banker in Beverly Hills had the listing on the lease.

Lisa Hutchins and Steve Tator of Coldwell Banker Previews, Hancock Park North, represented Salley.

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Ron Wolotzky, co-executive producer of the award-winning HBO comedy series “Dream On” and associate producer of the HBO series “Vietnam War Stories,” has listed his five-bedroom Hollywood Hills home at $969,000.

Wolotzky, also producer of the Showtime miniseries “Home Fires,” is moving farther west in the city. He has owned his Hollywood Hills home for five years.

Built in 1972, the house also has city views and a large backyard with a pool.

Raquel Kaufman of Avant Garde Properties, Beverly Hills, and Rick Chimienti of DBL Realtors, Beverly Hills, share the listing.

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Hot Property runs Thursdays in SoCal Living and Sundays in Real Estate. Ryon may be reached at [email protected].