Category: Blog
It’s official … Manhattan Beach had the most $1,000,000 + homes sold in 2013 per Gregory Wilcox, Daily Breeze writer. Manhattan Beach recorded 439 million-plus sales — the most in the state in 2013 — edging out Hillsborough in Northern California’s San Mateo County by three sales. ... Read More
If you are holding off selling your property but you do want to relocate. You might want to consider putting your house on the market now. The reason being the home inventory is down because of the following reasons. While prices have been rising, sales activity has not followed. In December, only 308 single-family homes were sold, down nearly 9 percent from a year earlier, as inventory dropped. There is only six weeks supply of inventory on the market, The supply and demand rule is in motion. One of the reasons for a lack of supply is that there is a low inventory of distressed homes on the market. This along with homeowners, many who have been underwater for the last few years and who plan to sell are waiting for getting the benefit of rising prices. Read More
According to the National Association of Realtors homes sales in 2013 were the highest level in seven years. Sales totaled 5.09 million, the best performance since 2006, when sales totaled 6.48 million. The median price of an existing home rose 11.5 percent last year to $197,100, the highest in eight years. This is more proof that our real estate market is on the upswing and all is getting healthy once more. Read More
We have a terrific Theater group here in Torrance Called the Torrance Theatre Company. Take advantage of the great entertainment right here in The South Bay by attending the plays being presented for the rest of this theater season. 2013-2014 Brochure Inside-Reduced Read More
San Pedro along with other South Bay cites is making a new effort to entice “Hollywood” to bring their film making back to the South Bay. We have a long history of films being shot in our community because of the diverseness of the area, but less and less are now being filmed here. San Pedro has always been great for the harbor shots. With its old buildings and warehouses that can look like the east coast and now with the Battleship Iowa docked, the possibilities are endless. Our beaches can take on a look of Miami Beach, for instance, just study the scenes in Miami CSI. This series was shot here in Manhattan and Redondo Beaches. We have historic Elem entry and High schools such as Fern Elementary and Torrance High School which are both circa 1920s and are national historic building. These schools have been used on numerous occasions. Or how about using the beautiful old Library building at Veterans Park in Redondo Beach? So we have the venues needed now we need to put our heads together and come up with create ways to lure ”Hollywood” back. Certainly we need to petition Sacramento to give more monetary incentives to the filmmakers. What the general public does not understand is that a city, private business or even private individuals get paid when their property is used. In fact many a church have fattened thir coffers in this manner. Something is very wrong when it is more cost effective to film across the country, moving crews, equipments and personnel than filming right here in Hollywood’s back yard. San Pedro along with other South Bay cites is making a new effort to entice “Hollywood” to bring their film making back to the South Bay. We have a long history of films being shot in our community because of the diverseness of the area, but less and less are now being filmed here. San Pedro has always been great for the harbor shots. With its old buildings and warehouses that can look like the east coast and now with the Battleship Iowa docked, the possibilities are endless. Our beaches can take on a look of Miami Beach, for instance, just study the scenes in Miami CSI. This series was shot here in Manhattan and Redondo Beaches. We have historic Elem entry and High schools such as Fern Elementary and Torrance High School which are both circa 1920s and are national historic building. These schools have been used on numerous occasions. Or how about using the beautiful old Library building at Veterans Park in Redondo Beach? So we have the venues needed now we need to put our heads together and come up with create ways to lure ”Hollywood” back. Certainly we need to petition Sacramento to give more monetary incentives to the filmmakers. What the general public does not understand is that a city, private business or even private individuals get paid when their property is used. In fact many a church have fattened theri coffers in this manner. Something is very wrong when it is more cost effective to film across the country, moving crews, equipments and personnel than filming right here in Hollywood’s back yard. Read More
According to Gregory J. Wilcox of the Los Angeles Daily News, there is good news for the real estate market as we look ahead to 2014. Foreclosures were down a full 60% all across Southern California in 2013’s fourth quarter. This is another indication that the housing market continues on a upswing. swingingsold “In 2013, we got a better economy and a housing market that is much improved. Overall, this is good news as we look ahead to 2014. Still, the housing market will bump into supply constraints, and interest rates — still close to historical lows — are on the rise,” said Robert Kleinhenz, chief economist at the Kyser Center for Economic Research in Los Angeles. As we enter into 2014 we will see more and more evidence of the healing of the realty market. Read More
dream is coming true. The renovation of the aging Del Amo Mall is beginning. By The Holiday season of 2015, we will not recognize Del Amo Shopping center. Rendering of the "New Del Amo Center Rendering of the "New Del Amo Center The first phase of the renovation is Patio Cafes, this new food court is located near the central Macy’s store, is going through what a spokesman called “a progressive opening.” Sbarro and Gengis Khan are now open, with the Panda Express, Chipolte and Stove Oven Gourmet Sandwiches set to open in the next few weeks. Ginza Grill will open in February and Blaze Pizza will open in the spring. This is part of the first phase of the work. Big changes on the North Side: The medical buildings on the north end of the Del Amo mall property — near the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf — will be demolished. Stores temporarily locating to the south portion of the center will be Cotton On, Cotton On Kids, Frederick’s of Hollywood, Lane Bryant, MAC, PacSun, American Eagle, Justice, Express and Claire’s. Stores temporarily relocating to the second level of the outdoor lifestyle wing are Robert Wayne Footwear and Stride Rite. H&M Men, Women and Kids will have two locations on the first level of the lifestyle wing. Relocating to permanent homes near the Patio Cafes area will be The Disney Store, Zumiez, Aeropostale, Gymboree and Hollister. We do suggest you call ahead to any of the store to verify where they are now located. Read More
The Manhattan Beach Planning Commission, scrapped a proposal to limit offices and banks to open on store front properties. MamaDsoutsideview Under the now defunct proposal, new offices and banks would not be allowed on street fronts on Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Highland Avenue and Manhattan Avenue downtown or on Highland and Rosecrans avenues in the north end, but existing offices and banks would be permitted to remain. Understanding the concerns, the commissioners directed the staff to undertake developing a master plan by acquiring more public comment, possible at a public forum or workshop. Read More
I know that it seems like all you are doing is putting out money and you do to even own the home yet. But this is a must do expense. I do prefer that clients use their own inspector so they are totally comfortable with the results. The best thing to do is ask friends and acquaintance for recommendations. Be sure you get references from the Inspector and check them out. You want a licensed and certified master inspector. This cost you a few hundred dollars, but is well worth the money. You could negotiate with seller to see if they will pay for the inspection. After all it is their property they are trying to sell to you as your dream home. Lets make sure it is not a money pit. Below are the area of the home inspection. Structural Inspection Roofing and Exterior Inspection HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical Inspection Interior Inspection Insulation and Ventilation Inspection Insist the property is inspected for dangerous molds. Be sure a get a copy of the report and keep it for your records. Read More