C’est Une Belle Vie

Posted on February 11, 2012 by | Leave a comment

 Aujourd’hui, nous etions joyeux de voir une nouvelle listage sur l’un de nos rues favorites dans le la section Arbre, 657, 31e rue

. . . Ah well, that is the extent of my French language skills (with a little help from my son), but I had to start off this way.  This home – renovated – would be a stunning French Normandy statement on this already stately street. 

If you want a home to spread your wings and your decor talent, this is it !  It is a 4 bedroom, 3,623 sf home built in 1989 [read : tile counters and oak floors] that was top of the market in its day.   It is dated, but . . .What a House! With only 4 bedrooms in 3,623 sf the rooms are huge; you could get lost in the master suite.  This home looks like it needs a new roof and definitely needs updated finishes, but the final  result would be elegant!

Bonne Chance to the savvy buyer who can polish this Norman Beauty.

Leave a comment

Posted in Real Estate

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Putting the HOME in Townhome!

Posted on February 10, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Taya Asimos and I went out today to investigate the Redondo Beach, Hawthorne and Torrance new single family home listings.  We covered a lot of territory today, not really seeing anything that stood out to us as a stunning home. . . until we hit 2422 Gates Avenue, Redondo Beach.  This home epitomizes gracious living.  It has been meticulously decorated and has a nicely, and recently, remodeled kitchen.  The house is 2,650 sf per the developer, but it lives much larger.  The beauty of the floor plan is that it is situated on an extra wide lot and occupies the corner.  This means that it has that classic floor plan of formal living and dining room up front with the kitchen and family room at the back spilling out into a lovely yard. All the bedrooms are upstairs and they are ample.  This is what we affectionately refer to as a “just bring your toothbrush” house.  You only need to unpack and settle in front of the cozy family room fireplace and toast your good fortune at buying such a pretty house!  The kicker—it is not a single family residence; it is a two-on-a-lot townhome.   You would never know, but the great feature of this is that it is priced as a townhome. So, if you are frustrated by the price vs. size options you are finding in the Single Family market you might expand your search to townhomes that have a similar configuration.  We see these and other “out of the box” solutions every week.  Call us!

Leave a comment

Posted in Real Estate

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Taya’s Deal of the Day in Torrance

Posted on February 9, 2012 by | 2 comments

Thursdays are caravan days for Redondo Beach, Torrance and HollyGlen/Del Aire. Today, Carol and I previewed 8 new listings and out of the ones we saw this is my “deal of the day.” With an FHA loan (only 3.5% down), you could OWN this home for only $2,525 a month!

4126 W. 175th Place, Torrance 90504   |   MLS# S12016803

Single Family Home – Standard Sale

This house is just blocks away from Redondo Beach and west of the 405. Here’s a link to map its location.

What did I love about it? Well, for starters it’s in a good neighborhood. Close enough to the 405 to be convenient for commuters, but far enough away to be in a quiet suburban neighborhood. It is in fantastic condition! Gorgeous hardwood floors, upgraded kitchen, family room with charming brick fireplace that opens to a grassy yard and covered concrete patio. I also liked how the back yard is fenced in- great feature if you have dogs!

Here’s how the listing agent describes the property:

Clean, Gorgeous, Sun Filled & Move-in Ready! Completely remodeled with beautiful crown moldings throughout the house, recessed lighting, plantation shutters, Pergo floors, double-paned windows, sliding doors, and custom blinds. Stunning new custom kitchen with gorgeous under & over cabinet lighting, a beautiful peninsula, a built-in desk, pull-out shelves, stainless steel appliances and sink with water filter. Large Master bedroom freshly painted, family room with cozy fireplace that leads to a large covered patio perfect for outdoor dinning and entertaining. Perfectly manicured front & back yards with automatic sprinkler system. Fruit trees in the backyard. New copper plumbing, new garage door, new rain gutters and new cement driveway. 2-Car garage plus a lot of extra parking on oversized driveway. Over $100,000 in upgrades! Located in a beautiful and tranquil street of a nice pocket area of Torrance close to shopping stores, restaurants, coffee shops and sought-after Torrance schools! Centrally located with very easy freeway access! Come see this beautiful home, you will love the upgrades!

In my opinion, this house will not last long on the market. Get in there to see it this weekend! It will be open Sat and Sun from 1-4PM.

2 Comments

Posted in Real Estate

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Buyers Desperately Seeking Inventory

Posted on February 9, 2012 by | Leave a comment

At every real estate meeting I’ve been to lately, whether it be a networking event, or weekly company meeting, the consensus is in: Agents have buyers who are desperately looking for homes in Manhattan Beach. The problem? Inventory is significantly down compared to this time last year. Check out the stats below that chart the number of new listings by month in 2011 (Single family homes & townhouses in the sand, hill and tree sections of Manhattan Beach.)

Data Source: MLS

January 2011 there were 32 new listings. January 2012 we closed the month with only 30 new listings, and just 18 sales.

Interest rates are still at an all-time low, and buyers who qualify are chomping at the bit to  buy their dream home in our community. What does this mean for you if you’re a seller? Well, if you list your home now, it’s extremely likely that your house will get maximum exposure, which could equal maximum value in this market.

If you or someone you know is considering selling in Manhattan Beach, don’t wait until the ‘spring rush.’  Give us a call today. We promise that you’ll receive unparalleled customer service.

Leave a comment

Posted in Real Estate

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Judging a House by Its Cover

Posted on February 4, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Today on Broker’s Open House caravan we saw  4320 The Strand – on the market for over 700 days – looks dingy and cramped from the exterior – and has been difficult to show.  We almost didn’t go to the open as from the outside it screams “tear down.”

However, as someone who grew up in this Beach town, I have fond memories of when a majority of the City was filled with little beach shacks like this one. So what’s a buyer to do?  Pay over $2,000,0000 for a shack?  Tear it down and build on this slightly larger than usual 1/2 lot?   The question is always a balancing act of purchase price – remodel budget and what is it worth post-remodel or as a new construction home?  This one has the further consideration of who will occupy this little slice of beach front real estate…a tenant after a paint and carpet job, a young couple building their dream home,  a couple of young professionals who will split the purchase and each live in one of the units, or will an investor turn it into a dreamy little Vacation rental?

Most would say: UGH! tear it down.  However, this place could be remodeled.  It has some nice features.  The studio over the garage is VERY small, but would be cute with new floors and tile finishes. It does have an ocean view.  The two units share a cozy little patio in between the two units – no ocean view from this space, but supremely private outdoor space – something Strand homes don’t often have.  Also the main unit is adorable; it has a wonderful fireplace, two cute little bedrooms and a kitchen that would respond well to paint and new hard surfaces.  The agent recent had the front unit staged  – think Coastal Living – and it really is amazing how several well-chosen furniture pieces gives this little place real charm.

So, if you have $2,000,000+ burning a hole in your pocket and you like the idea of owning your own piece of vintage 1950’s Manhattan Beach home, call us to take a look and let your imagination wander down the avenues of possibility. Since there are no photos online of the interior, here is some inspiration that I found to get your creative juices going!

the vibe on the inside. Note: this is not of the property

The Curb Appeal

Leave a comment

Posted in Real Estate

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

{Before the McMansion} Hermosa Brokers Tour Recap

Posted on February 4, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Let me start off by saying that the photos of this property do more harm than good for marketing this home. Note to selling agent: close to 90% of your buyers start their search online. If a buyer isn’t enticed by the photos, then they’re likely to move on to the next property, especially at this price point. There are only 9 average photos online for this $2.399 million dollar home. (FYI it was previously listed at $2.699 in August of 2011) I’d bet good money that this house would sell in a heartbeat if there were photos that accurately portrayed the property. I digress.

I had the joy of seeing this gorgeous mid-century ranch style home in person today. When Carol Glover and I pulled up to the house I got so excited. The home is tucked away on an adorable cul-de-sac street, has a beautiful gated front lawn, a 3 car garage and a detached in-law unit. When you walk through the front doors you’re greeted by an open living area that offers spectacular panoramic views of the ocean and queen’s necklace. The kitchen has been completely remodeled keeping with the integrity of its original charm. There is a quaint outdoor patio off the living room, 2 bedrooms in the main house, and an office with ocean views as well.

Although the bathrooms have not been updated and many aspects of the house are still in original condition, this house is special. You can tell that the owners took great pride in ownership. In a time where McMansions are sprouting up everywhere, it was so refreshing to stumble upon a home that offers such character, history, and charm. I only hope that the future buyer of this home feels the same way. If it were me, I would update the rest of the bathrooms and a few things here and there, but I would NOT tear it down. This home is fantastic just the way it is.

714 Marlita , Hermosa Beach 90254               

Photo Credit: MLSPhoto Credit: MLS

Photo Credit: MLS


Leave a comment

Posted in Real Estate

Tagged , , , , ,

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.”

Leave a comment

Posted in Community, Health & Fitness

Tagged , , , , , ,

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:

Leave a comment

Posted in Real Estate

Tagged , , , , , , ,

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!

1 Comment

Posted in Real Estate, Uncategorized

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

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.

Leave a comment

Posted in Real Estate

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,