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

Hard to believe school is right around the corner. Summer camps are winding down and vacations are coming to a close. Kids will be back to school in their shiny new duds on Wednesday, August 31st. Click here for the full 2011-2012 Manhattan Beach school calendar. As we look ahead, I want to congratulate hardworking parents and teachers alike who have mentored and guided the children of Manhattan Beach into ranking as the #1 school district for household incomes over $800k and #6 in the nation overall. That's impressive team work. I'm sharing the article with you below. We have some great values in our current inventory; like a 3 bed 2 bath house in East Manhattan Beach, walking distance to the elementary and middle schools, for $925,000. Visit our website to view all of the great buys i... 08/09/2011

There's plenty to look at this weekend with an abundance of beautiful Manhattan Beach homes being held open.   Click above for other South Bay cities Day Hours Address Description Price Sat. 1-4 1450 Man. Bch. Blvd. #D 2 BD, 2 BA, View $469,000 Sat. & Sun. 2-4 1450 Man. Bch. Blvd. #C 2 BD, 2 BA, Condo,Excellent Price $469,000 Sat. 2-4 1155 11th St. #6 3 BD, 2.5 BA, Over 1700 sf $599,000 Sun. 2-4 730 Roscrans Ave. 3 BD, 1 BA, New Kitchen, Roof $709,000 Sun. 2-5 2503 N. Valley Dr. 2 BD, 1 BA,Cute Beach Bungalow $782,000 Sat. & Sun. 2-4 1630 22nd St. 3 BD, Yard, Cute $790,000 Sat. & Sun. 1-4 37 Catalina Ct. 2 BD, 2.5 BA, New ListingManhattan Village $804,700 Sat. & Sun. 1-4 37 Catalina Ct. 2 BD, 2.5 BA, New Listing Manhattan Village $804,700 Sun. 2-4 11 Cordoba Ct. 3 BD, Townhome Beauty,Ma... 08/04/2011

Whether you're looking for an ocean view townhome, a home in the gated community of Manhattan Village, or a beautiful hill section estate, this weeks open house schedule has something for everyone.  To view open houses in the neighboring cities of Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach, visit our South Bay open house site updated weekly. Day Hours Address Description Price Sat. & Sun. 1-4 1450 Man. Bch. Blvd. #C 2 BD, 2 BA, Remodeled, $479,000 Sat. & Sun. 2-4 1155 11th St. #6 3 BD, 2.5 BA, 1788 sf $599,000 Sun. 2-5 1420 12th St. #1 3 BD, 2.5 BA, Twnhm.Hardwood Floors $679,000 Sun. 11-1 726 Rosecrans Ave. 2 BD, 1.75 BA,Just Reduced $739,000 Sun. 2-4 730 Rosecrans Ave. 3 BD, 1 BA, New,Turn Key $779,000 Sat. & Sun. 2-4 462 36th Pl. 2 BD, 2 BA, SFR $898,800 Sun. 2-4 28 Santa Cruz Ct. 3 BD, Sharp, ... 07/07/2011

We've seen some recent additions and a one recent sale on the prestigious Manhattan Beach Strand in the past month.  The notable sale was of 3516 The Strand at a price of $7,300,000, a Tuscan inspired home built in 2010 by Sexton Homes.  The home was most recently priced at $8,500,000 but perhaps more telling of the state of the luxury oceanfront market was that the home was originally pre-completion priced just shy of $14,000,000 in 2009.  The combination of an unusually abundant inventory of oceanfront homes, an initial price that was extremely aggressive and a much more challenging lending environment led to an almost 50% reduction from original list price.  Currently there are 6 luxury oceanfront properties on the market in Manhattan Beach priced between $5,999,000 for 3112 The Stra... 06/26/2011

Summer is here, and the beaches of Southern California are a major selling point whether buying or leasing property in the Beach Cities of Redondo, Hermosa and Manhattan Beach.  Who can resist the cool ocean breezes on a sunny California day?   Manhattan Beach offers a variety of properties for lease.  There is something for almost every budget.   18 Homes are available for lease in Manhattan Beach, CA ranging in monthly rents from $3,200 to $35,000. 12 Homes leased out during the month of May for $2,995/mo to $11,000/mo.  The average rental price from completed leases in May was $5,750/mo.   6 Condos/Townhomes are available for lease in Manhattan Beach priced from $5,000 to $10,500.  4 Condos/Townhomes leased in May in from $5,000/month to $9,000/month. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palo... 06/15/2011

April was a fairly strong month for home sales in Manhattan Beach. We saw a fairly typical 36 homes close escrow during the month but the pending home sales continued to trend upward with 45 homes in escrow. The luxury home market in Manhattan Beach had a strong month with 9 homes over $2.0M closing during April. As many of my Manhattan Beach home buyer clients have noticed there is a distinct shortage of homes in the $1.1-$1.5M range and the expected uptick in inventory prior to summer has yet to happen. The charts below show information for all of Manhattan Beach and for area specific home sales click on the links below. Tree Section Home Sales Sand Section Home Sales East Manhattan Home Sales Manhattan Village Home Sales Hill Section Home Sales     Keith Kyle is a licensed Realtor, s... 06/10/2011

The Tree Section The Tree Section of Manhattan Beach is considered one of the most desirable places to live. It is bordered by Sepulveda Boulevard to the East, Manhattan Beach Boulevard to the South, Rosecrans Avenue to the North, and the Sand Section to the West. Its proximity to the ocean, LAX and an easy commute to the city, make it as appealing geographically as it is aesthetically. The area adopted its name, the Tree Section, not from the many trees that populate the neighborhood, but rather from the street names: Palm , Oak, Elm , Pine, etc.  The area is also well known for its strict tree ordinance that restricts homeowners from removing most trees from their property without a permit from the city, thus preserving the visual attraction of the area. The Tree Section attracts fami... 05/18/2011

Los Angeles Times states Housing Chill?   That's the word on the streets according to today's LA Times. The front page of the business section running Friday, May 13th would have any local homeowner nervous about their equity. I just got back from a recent cross-country trip to help advise on the opinion of value of a 25,000 square foot home in the Houston area, a Castle (literally, a Castle!) located just outside the City of New York, and some other coastal properties just outside of San Francisco. I can attest to the fact that the housing market does, in fact, appear chilly. But what does the fact that home sales have dropped nearly 10% this year mean to you?   Well if you are selling, it really means that if you were hopeful prices would rise this Spring , you  may have to hold on to... 05/13/2011

We just want to know! Manhattan Beach is a beautiful place to both live and visit! If you're not doing anything this weekend, really think about taking a little well-deserved relaxation time and heading towards Manhattan Beach! Filled with volleyball nets, bicycle pathways and plenty of sand, this town provides all of us with shops, restaurants, an aquarium, and miles and miles of beachside sidewalks. Interested in buying your dream home in this wonderful town? Contact the Hoffman Murphy Team today for more information, or simply give us a call at (310) 939-9393 05/12/2011

Manhattan Beach: Do you know the history of this great beach city? The Population of this city is about 34,000 people. I love this great beach city with its Ocean View Properties and keep visiting it over and over, when I have some free time. I have blogged about its Shops, Stores and I keep getting drawn to it, like a magnet draws metal to it.  John Merrill bought the south portion of Rancho Sausal Redondo and called his new acquisition Manhattan, named after his previous home of Manhattan of New York City. It is 3 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The city has about 2 plus miles of Beach Front. The first downtown building was built by Merrill around 1901 and about the same time two piers were built as well. So for history buffs this was the beginning of the city.... 04/27/2011

Driver Dawgs opened its doors just in time to take advantage of the Santa Ana winds inspired heat wave that blew into Southern California.  Sporting a Southern California beach motif and a burgers, dogs and salad inspired menu the setting and decor are coastal casual.  Driver Dawgs, now open at 350 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Manhattan Beach. 310-798-3333.   The "Driver" of Driver Dawgs is my client, Jennifer Driver.  After a successful modeling career Jennifer is now pursuing her passion for food.  Trained as a professional chef and after her modeling years in Europe, Driver Dawgs  will be an interesting blend of American fast food meets European slow cooking with a Southern girl's special twist.   Whether you have sand between your toes or are wearing high heel peep-toes, stop by and sample th... 04/27/2011

Recently, in the Inman Real Estate News, they posted the top 10 places school districts throughout the entire United States. The Hoffman Murphy Team is proud to announce that Manhattan Beach is in that top 10! Manhattan Beach is now known for being one of the top public school districts throughout our country, and also has the highest median home value. Interested in a great place to live, purchase a home, and know that your kids will be receiving the best education possible? Contact Hoffman Murphy today at info@hoffmanmurphy.com or 310-939-9393 so we can help you make the right choice! 04/27/2011

Whether you're a buyer looking at Manhattan Beach real estate or a potential seller checking out the competion there's a lot to see this weekend in Manhattan Beach. Day Hours Address Description Price Sat. 1-4 1450 Man. Bch. Blvd. #C 2 BD, 2 BA,Beautifully Remodeled $529,000 Sat. 1-4 1801 5th St. 2 BD, 1 BA, Reduced $639,000 Sat. 2-5 1420 12th St. #1 3 BD, 2.5 BA,Remodeled,Hardwood Floors $679,000 Sat. 2-4 319 32nd Pl. 1 BD, 1 BA, Original Bungalow $699,000 Sat. 2-5 4 Bermuda Ct. 2 BD, 2 BA,Manhattan Village $714,900 Sat. 2-5 4 Bermuda Ct. 2 BD, 2 BA $714,900 Sat. 11-2 726 Rosecrans Ave. 2 BD, 1.75 BA,7 Blocks to the Sand $774,000 Sat. 2-4 16 San Miguel Ct. 2 BD, + Den,Golf Course $799,000 Sat. 2-4 1909 Manzanita Ln. 3 BD, 2 BA, Spacious,Great Backyard $875,000 Sat. 1-4 1734 9th St. 3 B... 04/20/2011

Where does a Palos Verdes “connoisseur” with a sweet tooth go to buy bakery treats?  I am very particular when it comes to bakeries after owning my own several years ago (Carlson’s Cookies).  Lido Bakeryin Manhattan Beach is my favorite bakery in the Palos Verdes/South Bay area because their ingredients are fresh and their products are so tasty. Lido Bakery is a family owned and operated bakery.  The head baker/pastry chef came from Sweet Lady Jane in West Hollywood.  They use only fresh fruit (with the exception of cherries – can you imagine pitting enough cherries for just one pie?)  My favorite treats are  their cinnamon rolls, raspberry-walnut rugula, chocolate walnut brownies (flavors are heightened by the addition of a little coffee) and chocolate-raspberry cake.  Their website i... 03/30/2011

My client called me because he wanted to sell his home in Manhattan Beach. Before we did anything I had him come to my office to detemine why he wanted to sell his house. Like most people in America he too had lost income, and thought he would have to sell. I realized he really didn't want to sell his home in Manhattan Beach, and that I might be able to help him by sending him to my lender. My client was suprised that I would refer him to my lender instead of selling his house. And My lender SAVED him $600.00 a month. He didn't realize how much interest rates dropped and that there where options for people that wanted to refi. I don't don't have to tell you how happy he was, that he didn't have to sell his home in Manhattan Beach. He gets to keep his house and enjoy the view in his home... 03/24/2011

Granted that much of the country would consider any sale in Manhattan Beach CA a luxury sale with median home prices over $1,000,000 but a good local indicator of the luxury home marketis reflected in sales over $2,000,000. While the inventory of luxury homes over the past few years has dropped considerably the number of pending sales and sold homes has not changed much. In February of 2008 there were 73 active listings priced over $2,000,000 with 31 new listings, 4 home sales and 10 homes in escrow. Contrast that with our current numbers of 38 active listings, 7 new listings, 3 closed sales and 9 pending home sales. What this explains is why we haven't seen a wholesale drop in prices in the area. The demand has remained relatively stable while inventory has dropped by almost 50%. With... 03/24/2011