Monthly Archives: January 2012

GROW :: Healthy Living from the Inside Out

Posted on January 30, 2012 by | Leave a comment

One of our favorite places to shop for organic produce and fresh, quality groceries is Grow in Manhattan Beach. Here’s why: their produce comes direct from the fields. It gets to them faster, so it’s fresher, better-tasting and stays fresher longer. AND their prices are comparable to a supermarket’s.

“Imagine. Fresh, wholesome produce, direct from the farmers’ fields. Hand-selected meats, fresh-caught seafood, marinated chicken breasts and carne asada. Yogurt, cheese, milk, butter and eggs. Fine wine. Not to mention a wide selection of groceries, all right here at your fingertips.”

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Turn Key Home Under $600K

Posted on January 26, 2012 by | Leave a comment

5536 West 134th Place
Hawthorne, CA 90250

Listing Price   $595,000
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • 1,371 Sq. Ft.

Holly Glen traditional meets contemporary living. This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home has been tastefully remodeled with a beautifully executed addition. Formal dining room and hardwood floors throughout. The living room offers gorgeous exposed beams and vaulted ceilings with skylights that fill the main living areas with light. Living room opens up to large family room and kitchen. Large backyard with patio, fountain, and grassy lawn excellent for entertaining. 2 car attached garage. Located on a tree-lined street in the Wiseburn school district. Easy access to freeway, shopping and entertainment.

MLS# S12011331
For the full virtual tour visit:

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Weekly Caravan Recap: Pristine Cottage in Manhattan Beach

Posted on January 21, 2012 by | 1 comment

MANHATTAN BEACH PICK OF THE DAY

A busy Friday Broker’s Open Caravan Day in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach.  Whew! What a relief to have new inventory!! There were 15+ new properties to preview – including our own listing at 2401 Oak Avenue, Manhattan Beach (see pictures in our prior blog).

We simply had to write about another listing we LOVED.  This home is in the Mira Costa district – within walking distance to Mira Costa, Pennekamp and several private pre-schools.   What a beautifully remodeled and decorated property this is.  If you love the shabby chic style – this would be perfect for  you.  The house exudes “Cozy.”  From the moment you walk in the door you feel “at home”  – from the comfortable decor and floor plan – the sunroom overlooking the  backyard and a  wonderful outside living area with deep seated sofas and chairs.  This house is a Must See!

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Posted in Real Estate, Uncategorized

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Tree Section Home with a LARGE yard under $900K??

Posted on January 19, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Our new listing at 2401 Oak Avenue just hit the market yesterday. It is being offered at $879,000. Located in the desirable tree section of Manhattan Beach, nestled behind a picket fence on the west side of Oak Ave. is this adorable 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home. Granite counter tops, travertine flooring with pillow edge and versaille pattern in kitchen. Original hardwood floors throughout. Master suite opens up to a stunning backyard that offers a custom fireplace, big entertaining deck, custom built bbq with fridge, plus a large grassy area and spa! This house is a must see!

Come visit either of our public open houses this weekend, Saturday or Sunday from 2-4pm.

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Under the Housing Search Heading: “You’ll Know It When You See It”

Posted on January 17, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Been searching for that perfect house?!  You know the one— the one that simply feels like it fits on first contact.  Well, one lucky buyer is now in escrow on 303 Larsson Street, Manhattan Beach. This property came on the market last week and by the weekend there were more than five offers.  Why?  It is lovely, beautifully remodeled and ready for living and started out at a great asking price of $1,000,000. Kudos to the remodelers!!

We do a tremendous amount of remodeling and striking the right balance between personal taste and public appeal is not often easy.  We are working on our latest remodel in the tree section– our 153rd project.  If you want any tips on remodeling Do’s & Don’ts – just ask.  Also, check back in a couple of days to see our new  3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Tree Section listing – no remodeling needed on this new listing.  It is charming and ready for a new family!

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Mid-Remodel- Taking a Pulse on Progress

Posted on January 11, 2012 by | 1 comment

We are in the midst of a remodel project in the Tree Section of  Manhattan Beach, CA.  We are upgrading a post WWII 3 Bedroom, 1 Bath tract house for today’s lifestyle.  Typical layout of this era were small closed-off kitchens with large laundry rooms, 1 hallway bath, 3 bedrooms and smaller closets.  Also, they were not built with access to the backyard, other than through a side Kitchen door.  We are borrowing a little space from one of the bedrooms and are making a master suite with a door to the backyard and we have blown out the Kitchen walls to create a living-dining-kitchen area that is perfect for today’s more casual lifestyle.  Take a look at our before pictures and our mid-remodel video

be seeing you soon with updates!  If you are interested in remodeling your home and want to know what upgrades will have the largest value impact, contact us.  We are on our 143 project and have sorted out what works!

You can take a look at one of our prior projects here.

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Coming Soon…

Posted on January 10, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Manhattan Beach Tree Section Home Coming Soon!

3 bedrooms, 2 baths, master suite, totally renovated, and UNDER $1 million.

Contact Us for more details.

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New Year’s Resolutions — Local

Posted on January 9, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Well, it’s the second week of the new year and I am just now deciding on my New Year’s Resolutions… Yes, I know, it has taken me awhile. I actually spent the first week deciding if I was going to make any at all, but the universal pull (guilt) has won out.  I have to admit, I am not doing anything unique, it is the usual line up of – consistent exercise, eating lean, taking more time for family, updating and evaluating my volunteer activities and doing my best to support our local community with local purchases and services. My outside-the-box resolution brain has been in low gear, but there is something to be said for keeping up and keeping on with the right things to do.  We are lucky because we are in a place where we have suport services and goods to make all these resolutions happen.   We just thought we would post a few local buisnesses and services where you can support those resolutions right here in 90266.

Olympian Fitness "We Work Your Butt Off"

GROW: The best little market this side of the internet.

Gorgeous SOUTH BAY location: 740 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245 (310) 322-6500

Work is already underway. The Vitality City initiative is a three-year process that begins with engaging leaders and understanding what strong programs already exist, then transitions to civic engagement, transformation and innovation.

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Quintessential AGE IN PLACE Living

Posted on January 8, 2012 by | Leave a comment

On the minds of Seniors and Boomers everywhere is:  Where will I live?  Can I continue to live in my home when I am less mobile?  What if I need to move? Where would I go and still be a part of my community?

Well, WOW. . . we just saw the Perfect House for someone who has accessibility issues or simply wants to plan for the future – 2222 Hermosa Avenue, Hermosa Beach.

This is a beautiful home by Architect Louis Tomaro that has been substantially and tastefully remodeled for wheelchair accommodation.  The halls are wide, the bathrooms have walk in showers and plenty of space and there is a four-stop elevator, and the doors slide open and shut. The first floor bedroom has some unique customized handicapped features like a barrier-free ceiling lift that wraps around the king-sized bed, and around the entire master bath (see photo below).

photo credit: MLS

photo credit: MLS

One thing is for sure: the photos do not do this property justice! You must go and check out this remarkable home for yourself. The public open house is this weekend, Sunday, January 8, from 2-4pm.

 

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Look What’s Cook’n In The South Bay

Posted on January 4, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Everyone loves a great surprise and Dave and I were treated to one last Friday night at Annette Gallardo’s South Bay School of Cooking.   It was a One Year Anniversary Celebration of her new location in Redondo Beach.  Her school has been open and serving up amazing cooking classes for over seven years, but she desperately needed a new, larger location.  Ok, I have to brag a little… I negotiated the lease for on this great spot and her business has just soared since then!!!  We love Annette and no surprise this was an evening filled with wonderful dishes, great friends, and good humor.  Sign up for one of her classes today – you will love it!

photo credit: South Bay School of Cooking

photo credit: South Bay School of Cooking & Scott Varley/Staff Photographer, Daily Breeze

Watch the video below to meet Annette! And be sure to visit her website for more information: www.southbayschoolofcooking.com

By the way, they’ve moved!  Their new location is:
South Bay School of Cooking
1951 Artesia Blvd.
Redondo Beach, CA  90278  

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