Monthly Archives: March 2012

One Man’s Ceiling is a Remodeler’s Floor

Posted on March 17, 2012 by carolannglover | Leave a comment

If you don’t LOVE the process of remodeling or even the prospect of remodeling- Don’t Do It! Buy a home that has already been done. It is not a process for the faint of heart or pocketbook. Personally, my partner and I, Dave Salzman, LOVE IT! We absolutely love saving homes that have “great bones” but are suffering from years of neglect. We just put our most recent project, 2001 Pacific Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 on the MLS. We have almost completely remodeled the home and, if we do say so ourselves, it turned out quite well.

We had an interesting Broker’s Open House today, as the property just across the street at 2000 Pacific Avenue, Manhattan Beach also went on the market this week. It is a FIXER… of course Dave and I fell in love with it immediately. But, alas, we are already working on our next project (just closed escrow today– stay tuned for more information about this one). The property across the street is larger than ours, and has a larger lot. . . but, if it were to be fixed up, and not bulldozed, we estimate a $150,000 – $200,000 budget. Add that to the purchase price and the buyer is in for a total price tag of $1,199,000+. If you have the cash pocket-book and the desire. . . our warmest of wishes. . . as we believe 2000 Pacific could turn out cute. But if you are a Man or Woman who likes an already remodeled “Ceiling,” check out 2001 Pacific Avenue! We will be there March 17 & 18th from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Do All Good Things Have to Come to an End?

Posted on March 3, 2012 by carolannglover | Leave a comment

When you see a listing in the Beach Cities and there are only one or two pics, you can almost bet that the handwriting is on the wall. These properties are doomed. We went out on Brokers’ Open Caravan and I had my heart-broken—Twice. Two properties that speak to the history of Manhattan and Hermosa Beach were on caravan today. They both caught my eye and my indomitable remodel spirit. Alas, these two homes most likely have a date with the bulldozer, but I have to ask the question: Why? Why is it aways that the land value will trump retaining a very cool existing home and a bit of beach history? I actually know the answer of course, that little thing they teach you about land–“highest and best use”–but, still, sometimes it just saddens me that a slice of our local home history appears destined to go down.

I hope that I am wrong and that whoever buys these two homes will fall in love with their original character – remodel and enjoy. But, just in case I am wrong, this post is a tribute to the little 1930s beach shack (think sandy, sunburned children and streetcars) and the 1960s Uber Cool view home (think Martinis and Dean Martin).

Casting away reality for a moment, my dream would be to remodel 2434 Manhattan Avenue, Hermosa Beach, CA and 1160 Duncan Drive, Manhattan Beach, CA.

The two could not be more different. Manhattan Avenue is a small beach cottage built in 1931! It is only 1,173 sq ft on a 30 x 100 foot lot, but what a location. A short walk to the beach; I am quite sure that when it was built there was nothing around it but open sand dunes. This is a house filled with summer vacation memories. It is a classic – small rooms – small kitchen – a basement with changing rooms and beach showers. It just doesn’t get any more beach cottage than this. What would you do to it? Not much, the structure itself is so old, that one could easily overspend. It could be fixed up – wisely – and enjoyed for many more years. Eventually it will fall, but with some love, this 81-year-old beach beauty could easily make it to 100!

On the other end of the scale is 1160 Duncan Drive, Manhattan Beach. You could not pick a more private location or a larger lot. This is a 1963 build – 3,482 sq. ft. on a 18,393 sq ft lot. This home was specifically built for, and indeed has, one of the most spectacular east views I have ever seen in Manhattan Beach. The entire east side of the upper level of this split level home are windows and there is nothing obstructing the panorama of the City of Los Angeles before you. Stunning!! This would be such an amazing remodel. Scrape the ceilings, open up the kitchen, install new period appropriate tile, grab that shag rug and hunt down every shop you can find for Danish Modern furniture and Voila! – you have the Coolest –Most Stunning City View–Private Retreat in Manhattan Beach.

Ah well, a girl can dream!

Fame Optimum Condimentum

Posted on March 1, 2012 by carolannglover | 1 comment

Bold and Bright on the west wall of the North End Caffe are these words–translated from the Latin: “Hunger is the Best Seasoning.” However, hungry or not this restaurant “nails it” on freshness, flavor and creativity. We LOVE this restaurant. Taya Asimos and I went to lunch here today. (When I stop in for breakfast I always have “Eggs From Hell” a deliciously spicy egg dish–after you taste this dish once, just try and order something else!) However, today, on the lunch menu, I ordered the Jalisco salad. Fresh greens, cucumber, turkey, green tomatillo sauce and avocado – not only Yum and Double Yum.

Here's what Taya had for lunch:The Mario Salad- prosciutto di parma, fresh mozzarella, checca & fried egg on spring greens

The atmosphere is crowded and bustling, but with indoor and outdoor dining, AMAZING coffee, wonderful iced teas and — quite simply — extremely tasty food, I have been pleased every time I have eaten here. Don’t miss this restaurant – hungry or not!!