A YEAR IN REVIEW--The 2011 South Bay Real Estate Market A closer look at what happened in Manhattan Beach Real Estate, Hermosa Beach Real Estate, Redondo Beach Real Estate and the South Bay market overall in 2011. What happened? Real estate trends are easy to explain when they have already happened; projecting them is an entirely different challenge. There is no question that the current trend of declining prices and distressed sellers has been at the top of discussions for almost five years already. 2011 has continued to see foreclosures coming to market, an increase in "short sale" sellers (sellers with no equity or negative equity, and a slight decline in overall real estate values.  Here locally, in the South Bay, the most interesting trend in 2011 is a dramatic drop in inventory l... 12/21/2011

Manhattan Beach California Real Estate Market ReportAnd Local Manhattan Beach Information and ResourcesManhattan Beach is one of the premier luxury beach communitiesin Los Angeles and Southern California with the average listing priceon a home being over two million dollars.The Manhattan Beach home prices saw a slight increase in value from the following year and the number of home sales was almost the sameshowing that this area is still a desired place to live in Los Angeles.The median sales price for homes in Manhattan Beach CA for Aug 11 to Oct 11 was $1,247,500 based on 114 home sales. Compared to the same period one year ago, the median home sales price increased 4%, or $47,500, and the number of home sales decreased 1.7%. *   If you are looking to move to Manhattan Beach or are lo... 12/08/2011

The annual Holiday event is set for Sunday, December 11 at 7:00pm. Grab your sweater and cap for a fun evening! 12/06/2011

Why not take advantage of our winter wonderland (70 degrees and beachy) and visit this weekends open house in Manhattan Beach?  The Manhattan Beach real estate market has been picking up steam and other than a distinct lack of inventory, it's a great market for buyers.  See our Manhattan Beach open house list below or visit our South Bay open house site to see open house in Hermosa Beach, Redondo and neighboring cities.  This week offers just about everything from 3 townhomes available to see in Manhattan Village, to an abundance of luxury homes, to oceanfront homes on the ocean front walk known as The Strand.   Day Hours Address Description Price Sun. 1-4 4 Bermuda Ct. - Manhattan Village 2 BD, 2 BA, MB Village Townhome $649,000 Sun. 1-4 37 Catalina Ct. - Manhattan Village 2 BD, 2.5 BA... 12/02/2011

Manhattan beach real estate   Manhattan Beach is a beachfront city located in the South Bay of Los Angeles County. It has a population of 35,135. Located on the Pacific Ocean, Manhattan Beach is south of El Segundo and north of Hermosa Beach. Manhattan Beach consists of 3.88 square miles and 2.1 miles of beachfront. It is located three miles south of Los Angeles International Airport.    Known as an affluent beach town, Manhattan Beach is commuting distance to Los Angeles and one of the most expensive coastal cities in the country.    The city has its own school system, The Manhattan Beach Unified School System consisting of five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The schools all rank high on state standardized tests. Manhattan Beach also has four private school... 11/29/2011

# Of Single Family Homes for sale in the Sand Section of Manhattan Beach : 25 Listed for $999,997-$24,900,000 Average Market time of: 138 days   # Of Condos for sale in the Sand Section of Manhattan Beach : 2 $818,000    Manhattan Beach Blvd $2,999,000 The Strand Average Market Time: 131 days   # Of Town homes for sale in the Sand Section of Manhattan Beach : 22   Listed for $849,000-$4,900,000 Average market time: 75 days   Search all Sand Section Manhattan Beach homes for sale : http://www.palosverdesrealestateteam.com/PropertySearch   11/17/2011

Manhattan Beach is a small beach town just 19 miles southwest of Los Angeles and 3 miles away from the international airport. Despite its proximity to one of the largest population centers in America, this is an upscale residential village with tree-lined streets, over two miles of beachfront, and a historic pier. Manhattan Beach Real Estate For Sale offers unprecedented new  opportunities in this exclusive community. Most of the residents of Manhattan Beach, around 15,000 households, are professionals working in Los Angeles and their families. Standard of Living is one of the highest in the country, and the schools are second to none. The town has its own film studio and is well known to many Hollywood types. Ever since it was incorporated at the turn of the last century, the town has ... 11/15/2011

The final part of any real estate property acquisition process involves closing the deal which comes with all sorts of closing costs and fees. It is the intricacies surrounding this part of the acquisition process that seem to confuse most home buyers. Anyone looking to invest in Manhattan Beach homes should understand the following two categories of closing costs: •Fees payable to the two government tiers, that is; local and state governments such as state, county and city transfer taxes, as well as taxes for prepaid property and recordation fees. Los Angeles, where Manhattan Beach is located, has a county transfer tax of $1.1 per every $1000 of the total transaction value. •Mortgage and loan obtaining costs such as interest prepayments, mortgage & hazard insurance, commitment & proces... 11/13/2011

I think that it is proper to start this post with a little bit of background on our current REO company.  I'm sure not a lot of local agent know that John Corrales and I are involved in the REO business and currently hold about 25 assets on our books.  My background when I was an agent in Arizona was REO as well as luxury properties.  When I meet up with John in 2009 it seemed to be a perfect fit. Below is a small bio about our company and then I will move on to some listings. Corrales/Pernice REO  is currently one of the top Asset Management Firms in Los Angeles County managing REO assets and short sales statewide.  With a proven track record, financial institutions nationwide consistently choose Corrales/Pernice REO as their go-to-team for management and brokerage of their REO assets... 11/11/2011

Manhattan Beach Real Estate is an investment decision in quality Southern California living. The upscale, waterside beach community is beautifully situated at the southern end of the Santa Monica Bay. With white sandy shorelines and Pacific Ocean views to Catalina and Malibu, you're going to enjoy the sun's rays all year round in this stylish community of luxury residences and condominiums The city happily boasts its two-mile coastal heritage with tree-lined streets and an excellent collection of shops and exceptional dining establishments. Located in this first-class neighborhood, you will find that Manhattan Beach Real Estate has an exquisite variety of quintessential cottage properties beginning in the low $800,000 price range. A few of these bungalows offer vintage personality with ... 11/10/2011

Regardless if a person prefers a luxury vacation lifestyle with outdoor fun or a beach home with ocean views, now is the time to shop for one of these magnificent homes in Manhattan Beach. From spacious uber mansions, to costal duplexes, to highly affordable town houses with low or no HOA fees, there is a property for everyone. All aspects are here: a year round South California lifestyle full of fresh air and outdoor fun, a tropical retirement destination or an activity-filled vacation retreat. Folks that live here divide the area into a number of neighborhoods each one have their own completely unique characters. The Sand Location refers to the neighborhood along side the coastline and includes many exquisite Manhattan Beach Homes with a amazing and relaxing character. Many of the ide... 11/10/2011

Manhattan Beach CA Homes can certainly be identified as a community of properties produced for those searching for paradise and prestige. When it comes to the urban professional men and women raising a family unit who really likes the Southern California approach to life, year round warm temperatures, and the coastal surf, Manhattan Beach homes have numerous attractive lifestyle characteristics. Whether it’s a highly-informed and higher class culture or a prime elementary school system for those with children, Manhattan Beach is a great spot for anyone in any phase of your life to come home to. Manhattan has 35,000 residents with a outstanding median household income of $107,750, 73% having a college degree and 64% in management, professional and affiliated jobs. Through 2009, 289 singl... 11/10/2011

Whether you're a serious sand section buyer, keeping up with the market in the tree section, or just curious to see what that house down the street looks like, there's an open house for you.  The schedule may be altered a bit if we have the expected rainy weekend, but see below for the scheduled Manhattan Beach open houses or visit our South Bay open house site for information on other cities.   Day Time Address Description Price Sun. 1-4 4 Bermuda Ct. Manhattan Village 2 BD, 2 BA,Lunch Served,MB Village Townhome $695,000 Sat. & Sun. 1-4 1319 Manhattan Bch. Blvd. 3 BD, 3 BA $749,000 Sun. 1-4 11 Cordoba Ct.Manhattan Village 3 BD, + Bonus Area,Best Buy in the Village $799,000 Sun. 1-4 462 36th Pl. 2 BD,2 BA,Spanish Style,Single Family Home $847,000 Sun. 1:30-4 330 41st St. #G 2 BD, 2.5 BA... 11/05/2011

The Value of an Great Education: A look at what effect great schools in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach, CA have on local Real Estate One of the biggest draws to the South Bay for many families with young children is not only the clean beaches where you learn how to surf before walking, the tight-knit community and casual lifestyle offered throughout the area, but the top-notch public school system  offered in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. Each city operates its own school district, Manhattan Beach Unified, Hermosa Beach Unified and Redondo Beach Unified. What’s appealing to many homeowners or those looking to purchase in one of these communities is the fact that school-aged children can attend one of many—not just a singular—award winning public sch... 10/25/2011

There is ample opportunity for just about any buyer considering the gated community of Manhattan Village in Manhattan Beach CA.  Currently there are 6 homes for sale in Manhattan Village with 4 "court" homes (traditionally thought of as townhomes) 1 townhome and one "estate" or single family home at 19 Chatham priced at $1,579,000.  The market has remained very active in Manhattan Village with three homes currently in escrow.  Of the 3 on is a single family, one townhome and one court home with one being a short sale.  View the active listings below or visit our Manhattan Village information and MLS listings site. Below is a list of this weeks open houses.  Normally we see maybe 2 or 3 houses that will be open and available  so this weekend allows the opportunity to see just about every... 10/13/2011

  What can go wrong when searching online for a new home in Manhattan Beach, CA? What real estate website do you have ear-marked? Zillow? Trulia? Homes.com? Realtor.com? Do you ever find prices to be waaayyy off? See a house you love listed for sale then call on it only to find it sold 4 days ago? How does this happen? Where’s the glitch in the system? How come the information can be so inaccurate on such reliable, name brand sites? When using an internet service outside of a direct MLS link such as RedDoor, Zillow and the like, you can't always assume the information to reflect up-to-the-minute changes of what’s going on in the active Real Estate market.  Here’s why . . . Nowadays, a listing is built in the Multiple Listing Service by hand by a listing agent. That agent will input all ... 09/22/2011

Have you ever seen this line in a newspaper or website? “I’m the #1 agent!” or “Hire me, I am # 1!” Did you also happen to notice that line on almost every page of the Real Estate section?  Heck, I myself am guilty of using the term myself and I am not alone.  Unfortunately, it is probably one of the most over used description an agent can use in trying to promote their skill. Naturally, the assumption is that sellers desire to hire the best in the business. So naturally, if an agent has ever achieved #1 at anything they should let you know about it. The fun part is reading the fine print, if they are brave enough to publish it. If they were, it would read something like this: “#1 agent …in my office for the month of April 2011.” What is missing from the fine print may be that there are... 09/20/2011

Condos vs. Townhomes:  What’s the difference? What really is a condominium (“condo”, for short)? Did you know that when you see the word “townhome” or “townhouse”, you are most likely buying a condo? Let’s take a minute to examine the Real Estate market as it related to condominiums located in Southern California including but not limited to Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, the South Bay Cities, and the Westside of Los Angeles. Legally, a condominium is the form of housing tenure and other real property where a specified part of a piece of real estate is individually owned while use of and access to common facilities such as hallways, elevators, laundry rooms, and exterior areas is executed under legal rights associated with the individual ownership and controlled by the a... 09/14/2011

Manhattan Beach Hill Section – If you are a millionaire (or lucky enough to be a billionaire), you want to live in Manhattan Beach, and if having your neighbors a mere six feet away from you in the Sand Section is not your idea of comfortable living, then the Hill Section is most likely your destination.  The Hill Section obtained is name from the simple fact that it is on a hill; many might say one of the most aesthetically astonishing and residentially desirable hills in the World. That is, of course, if you based your opinion on some of the following criteria: The Climate-- A Mediterranean-type climate with mild temperatures, year round. Even when temperatures reach over one hundred degrees in Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach can easily stay a comfortable eighty degrees. The Schools-- Ma... 08/12/2011

All builders are the same. Wait a minute . . . that would be like saying children are all the same. They have the same parents, same upbringing, same household yet two kids from the same family and parents can often be completely opposite in personality and interests.  New homes throughout the South Bay also can be as diverse, even though they have similar beginnings. In our unique South Bay Real Estate market, values can vary dramatically, lot to lot, street to street, and builder to builder. It’s important to know where your new home came from! Having built 2 homes personally for my family, as well as partnering in numerous building projects throughout the beach cities and selling thousands of homes over the past 24 years, I am often asked what the significant difference amongst the b... 08/10/2011