I ran into an old friend of mine from Surfrider today, and he told me all about a new campaign that the South Bay Chapter of Surfrider is working on - Ocean Friendly Gardens.  As a Realtor with the Green designation, I am excited to see this movement towards responsible gardening.  Gardening does not have to be a lot of work.  In fact, there are many things that you can do to have a SPECTACULAR looking garden or yard, with little work and maintenance.  I know - I speak from experience! So find out what YOU can do to improve the area where you directly live, and the oceans that South Bay residents love so much. WHAT:  FREE Ocean Friendly Gardening & Landscaping Workshop WHEN:  Saturday, June 6 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm WHERE:  Hermosa Beach City Hall, 1315 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach RSVP:... 05/17/2009

Leprechauns, police, bagpipes,  cars, bands, planning department, girl scouts, you name it...they were there Pier Ave was the spot to be to see the best wonderful place to sit. Candy is tossed and handed to the sideline families. Our group met near Valley and Ardmore after ballet class in Redondo Beach studios. The economy be darned we know how to have fun with what we have in our town. 03/28/2009

Currently there are four condos for sale in THE COMMODORE  located at 1600 Ardmore, Hermosa Beach. #423  $400,000 2/1 800 sq.ft #128  $469,000 2/2  1050 sq.ft #227  $509,000 2/2  1000 sq.ft #310  $579,900 2/2  980 sq.ft For more details contact Rachel Rachelmtyndall@gmail.com www.rtyndall.com 03/13/2009

In 2008 the South Bay Association of Realtor reported that for Hermosa Beach overall housing sales (single family homes, condos/townhouses, residential income) were down 37% compared to 2007. Although 2008 as a whole was a very down year there were some signs of a rebound in December with 12 sales compared to only 7 in December 2007. You can read the entire market recap at 2008 Hermosa Beach Real Estate Market Report. You can also look at the current Hermosa Beach MLS real estate listings here. 02/05/2009

The Hermosa Surf located at 1707 pacific coast highway in Hermosa Beach is a neat complex. Although the complex is situated on the busy highway once you enter the complex you are transported into a peaceful setting and you forget you are  right on PCH. The courtyard welcomes you with a soothing fountain and landscaping. The Hermosa Surf has 72 units and features the following: Gated security entrance Gated security subterrean parking Elevator Pool Jacuzzi Recreation room Party room available for renting out Panoramic ocean view roof top deck Laundry room with call back option Hermosa Surf has one and two bedroom condos both for lease and for sale. Last year two units sold. A one bedroom on the top floor unit #501 sold for a steal at $393,000. This unit featured ocean views and was a en... 01/28/2009

My last blog post about my favorite local restaurant went over so well that I thought I would try another one.  This time, I am going to feature a restaurant that was just introduced to me a few weeks ago, but which is already at the top of my list of favorites.  This restaurant is Oki Doki Sushi in Hermosa Beach. Californians LOVE sushi.  We can't seem to get enough of it.  Sushi restaurants are all over the place.  And everyone has a favorite.  Oki Doki Sushi seems to be a favorite of many, as it is packed at both lunch and dinner time.  The reason is an obvious combination of high quality menu items and low prices.  Salads, sashimi, nigiri, and rolls make up the bulk of the menu, with numerous choices in each category.  Oki Doki has both a sushi bar and tables for patrons to choose f... 01/23/2009

By Andrea (Andy) Revenant - Tattooer       Andrea is my youngest daughter. 01/09/2009

Hermosa Beach home sales update for December 2008.  We saw 12 properties close escrow during the month of December.  Of the 12 properties to sell, 3 were single family homes, 8 were townhomes and one condominium.  Of the homes to close in December two were distressed property with one short sale and the other being a bank owned home.  The median price was just under $1,050,000. Type St# Street Area Price Br/Ba Year Sqft DOM/CDOM CONDO/A 1707 PCH #501 149 $393,000 1/1.00 1972 697 215/215 CONDO/A 711 3RD St 149 $640,000 2/2.00 1985 1322   SFR/D 1122 1ST St 150 $815,000 3/2.00 1964 1292 57/57 TWNHS/A 330 Culper CT #B 148 $825,000 3/3.00 1988 1535 152/152 TWNHS/A 501 2nd St 149 $860,000 3/2.00 1974 1626 96/96 SFR/D 595 20th St 148 $910,000 3/2.00 1953 1689 26/26 CONDO/D 530 25th Street  148... 01/07/2009

As the new year kicks off, homes will come and go from the marketplace.  We can assist you in the process of selling or purchasing South Bay property.  We're setting appointments for 2009* Contact us today to help you find that perfect home. Jeff Strauss 310 499-6186 beachoffice@aol.com Pam Strauss 310 499-6186 pam.strauss@shorewood.com   01/07/2009

Market Update for November 2008. As of this post Hermosa Beach had 8 closed home sales in November of 2008 with a few of the sales being homes that had been on the market for quite some time.  The walkstreet home at 92 16th Street finally sold after originally coming onto the market on July 1 2006 and for only 3.5% below their original asking price.  The average days on market for these sold homes was 76 with the homes selling an average of 4.83% below their list price. 3 of the 8 homes sold for at or above their listing price. Click below to see: Hermosa Beach November 2008 Home Prices and Closed Sales Other South Bay home prices and closed sales Current Hermosa Beach listings and homes for sale. Keith Kyle - Realtor, e-Pro - South Bay Brokers- 2501 N Sepulveda Blvd Manhattan Beach, CA... 12/02/2008

If you're like most people in the South Bay, the ultimate in beach living would be a home on the famous "Strand".  The Strand is the oceanfront strip in both Hermosa and Manhattan Beach.  Home offer panoramic views, ocean breezes, the sounds of crashing waves, and the beach as your front yard.  The drawback is, of course, the price.  Hermosa Beach Strand homes generally sell for the mid $4.0Ms for a tear down and can run over $10M for new construction on a larger lot. Is there a way to enjoy oceanfront living for less?    The answer may lie in the "condo-hotel" known as The Beach House just off pier plaza. All 96 units are individually owned and can be used by the owner for up to 90 days a year.  The on site management company uses them as rental hotel rooms for the rest of the year pro... 11/21/2008

320 Hermosa Ave #103 in Hermosa Beach sand section 1/1 with ocean views one street from the sand listed for $469,000! THis is a short sale 447 Herondo #205 in Hermosa Beach sand section 2/2 1,658 square feet complete remodel listed for $699,000 831 6th street #4 in Hermosa Beach east section east of PCH 2/2 1054 Square feet features: attached two car garage laundry in the unit fireplace in family room Listed for $679,000           For more information contact: rachelmtyndall@gmail.com       *Please note the above properties are listed by various agents 11/19/2008

As a north Hermosa Beach resident, and the father of a 3 year old and a 6 year old, I seem to spend much of my time at Valley Park in Hermosa Beach.  Valley Park is located on the corner of Gould (which....just to confuse....is also Artesia which is also 27th Street) and Valley.  The park is an absolutely ideal place to bring the kids and meet some of your neighbors while you're there.  There is a soccer field, basketball court, picnic area, wonderful playground and plenty of grass to play on and trees to climb.  Parking can be a bit of a challenge on the weekends but it's a great place to enjoy the day. For birthdays and parties the picnic areas can be reserved through the city and information is on the Hermosa Beach City Website. Keith Kyle - Realtor, e-Pro - South Bay Brokers- 2501 N... 11/06/2008

If you are a home buyer looking in Hermosa Beach you can visit our South Bay public open houses page for helpful information on dates, times and locations.  Open houses are generally held from 1-4 on Saturdays and Sundays with new listings often open both days.  The open house list is updated weekly and offers days and times for open houses in the sand section, Hermosa Valley, the Hermosa Hills (east of Sepulveda) and surrounding neighborhoods of Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach as well as the current Hermosa Beach home prices.   Keith Kyle - Realtor, e-Pro - South Bay Brokers- 2501 N Sepulveda Blvd Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 - 310-251-2344 - Keith.Kyle@SouthBayBrokers.com   For real estate information, open houses, and FREE MLS access visit www.KeithKyleHomes.com 11/04/2008

FORCLOSED DOGS!  Did you realize it? I was in the Hermosa Beach Animal Hospital and met 'CHANCE" a black standard poodle. His new owner family spoke to me about all the animals in Arizona that have been left in forclosed homes. The pound has more than they know what to do. Are you serious? I asked. She told me Chance is named that as in last chance. There are so many homes forclosed that the bank is not going to the home the REO Bank realtor is not going there. I hear your shock. The bank and Realtors are not even going to the home? True. They have someone drive by at best, snap a photo and drive on in some cases. IMPOSSIBLE you think? After hearing that it is rampant in California too, Riverside County, San Bernardino County too. Animals are being left in the homes when some of the ho... 10/25/2008

It wasn't long ago that many homes on the Hermosa Beach Strand sold before ever even hitting the market.  The demand for these oceanfront lots and homes was most often fueled by builders and the premium that new construction almost guaranteed with new construction homes surpassing the $10,000,000 price.  It was rare to see more than 1 or 2 Strand homes for sale and they generally didn't last long. Another beautiful sunset on the Hermosa Beach Strand That has changed recently with both new construction and older homes on the market.  There are currently 7 homes on the Strand for sale, with several more at the beginning stages of construction.  The prices range from $5,500,000 to just under $9,000,000 depending on location, age and size.   Current Hermosa Beach Strand homes for sale View ... 10/15/2008

Farmers' Market Information for Hermosa Beach   Day: Friday Hours: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM Location: Valley Dr between 10th & 8th City: Hermosa Beach County: Los Angeles Manager: Mary Lou Weiss Office Address: 2506 Ardmore Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 Phone: 310-376-0951   Make sure to visit the Hermosa Beach Farmers' Market any time you visit theValley or the Los Angeles area. A street map to get to the Hermosa Beach Farmers' Market is attached for your convenience.   Hermosa Beach is one of the community's fortunate enough to have a Certified Farmers' Market (CFM)!  Supporting your local Farmers Market not only gives you the freshest fruits and vegetables but it's also a way to give your local small business owners the support they need to stay in business in an age of large chain stores.... 10/15/2008

For many people the South Bay and the town of Hermosa Beach conjure images of beautiful beaches, sunny days, and an active lifestyle.  Those images are right on the mark and Hermosa Beach is a fantastic place to call home.  If you are considering moving to the area and are looking for that ideal vacation home with panoramic views, dazzling sunsets and can't afford Strand prices, the condos/townhomes of Seaview Villas might be a great option.  These homes have that true resort living feel where all it takes to unwind is a look outside the windows to enjoy stunning views and cool ocean breezes.  View from one of the homes in Seaview Villas The location is towards the top of the area known as Hermosa Valley and the actual buildings are located at 736 Gould (see map).  From the street the S... 09/26/2008

Today's Local News Feed, September 25, 2008   Average listing price in Hermosa Beach, CAHermosa Beach, CA went up 4.44% to $2,010,780 from prior week Median sales price in Hermosa Beach, CAHermosa Beach, CA went down 21.59% to $960,500 from prior quarter- Hermosa beach strand homes for sale HERMOSA BEACH STRAND HOMES FOR SALE THERE ARE NINE HOMES FOR SALE ON THE STRAND. Average price per sqft in Hermosa Beach, CAHermosa Beach, CA went down 16.56% to $665/sqft from prior quarter 09/25/2008

THERE ARE NINE HOMES FOR SALE ON THE STRAND. CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW THEM. CONTACT ME FOR A PERSONAL SHOWING OR FOR MORE DETAILS. RACHELMTYNDALL@GMAIL.COM *Please note the folloing listings are listed by various agents http://www.mrmlsmatrix.com/DE.asp?ID=3222016141   09/24/2008