Manhattan Beach Sand Section Home Sales in 2009 Not surprisingly, the value of single family homes in the sand section of Manhattan Beach has more than doubled over the past decade.  There have been a number of compelling changes to the scene here during this time.  The most notable may very well be the build-out of the old Metlox property, which now includes a number of highly popular restaurants, lounges, and shopping venues.  This growth and development has rejuvenated the downtown Manhattan Beach area and helped bolster the values of the homes here.  Unfortunately, the credit market crash of 2007 clobbered every city and Manhattan Beach was no exception.  The sand section, however, has recovered better than all but only one or two other areas in the South Bay.  The median sales pric... 01/15/2010

Manhattan Beach Tree Section Home Sales in 2009 This past year has been a tough one for home sales in the Tree section of Manhattan Beach.  In fact, the word tough may actually be sugar-coating it.  There are 34 sub-areas in the South Bay when this region is defined as the three beach cities and the primary cities of the Palos Verdes peninsula.  Only a handful of these sub-areas had a decrease in the number of single family homes sold from 2008 to 2009.  The Tree section not only had a drop in sales, but the number of sales fell sharply by over 20 percent.  Median sales prices fell by a similar percentage.  To put this into a broader context, the strongest year for home sales in the Tree section was back in 2002, as it was for most areas in the South Bay.  Whereas most areas had sales i... 01/14/2010

Updated foreclosures in Manhattan Beach for 12/28/2009 to 1/8/2009.   If you have been following the foreclosures I have been posting for the past month or so, I have added to the list!  Don't forget...if you would like to see the long list of foreclosures in Manhattan Beach, read my earlier blogs.   Manhattan Beach foreclosures 606 N Ardmore Ave, 90266   For information on how I can help you with all of your real estate needs, please contact me at 310.989.4466 or chamb@earthlink.net.   You can also visit my website at www.RebeccaChambliss.com 01/08/2010

  If you're interested in starting off 2010 by looking for a home and wanted to take advantage of this weeks Manhattan Beach open houses take a look below to see this weeks open houses. Other links of interest: This weeks South Bay open houses Recent Manhattan Beach home sales Current Manhattan Beach home listings Day Time Address Description Price Sat. & Sun. 1-4 1421 12th St. #4 2 BD, 3 BA, Townhome.Low HOA's $669,000 Sun. 1-4 919 Johnson St. 3 BD, 2.5 BA,Reduced Price $935,000 Sun. 2-4 105 Crest Dr. 3 BD, 3.5 BA,Ocean view Townhome. $1,395,000 Sun. 2-4 4321 Crest Dr. #A 3 BD, 2.5 BA, White,Water Ocean Views $1,499,000 Sun. 1-4 225 20th Pl. 3 BD, 3 BA $1,585,000 Sat. & Sun. 12-4 3611 Vista Ln. 4 BD, 3.5 BA,Malibu views $1,599,000 Sun. 2-4 4320 Highland Ave. #C 3 BD, 2.5 BA, White,Wate... 01/01/2010

As the 2009 year winds down, we are still seeing activity in foreclosures in the area. I have updates on some homes in one of the three stages of foreclosure updated as of 12/15/2009. This home is in Preforeclosure and the owners may be looking to short sale. There may be others coming onto the market soon. For information on how I can help you with all of your real estate needs, please contact me at 310.989.4466 or chamb@earthlink.net! You can also visit my website at www.RebeccaChambliss.com   90266 Manhattan Beach Foreclosures 900 N Dianthus Street, Manhattan Beach     12/29/2009

Earlier this month, Manhattan Beach City Council delivered the verdict regarding undergrounding utilities in the proposed District 13. After 5 years of getting signed petitions and cost assessments, those who were in favor of replacing overhead lines with underground lines were very disappointed to hear City Council dissolve District 13 with the 3-2 vote. So what were the reasons for shooting down such an investment? Well the major downturn was the fact that the original 2006 cost of the project, approximately $3.6M, turned into $6.67M by 2009 due to inaccurate measurements for the required trenching. After the new estimated costs were presented, City Council decided they were not going to allow the project to continue. Good idea or bad idea? The Pros vs the Cons: Underground utilities ... 12/23/2009

The Top 12 Women Real Estate Bloggers of 2009 In 2006 Joe Ferrara and Rudy Bachraty , when blogging was just beginning, decided to name the Top 10 Women Real Estate Bloggers for 2006.  In 2007  and 2008 the list grew to 12 Women.  These women are chosen from all over the United States.  It is an amazing honor to be part of this special group of women.This year I am so excited to be among the 12 Top Women Real Estate Bloggers in the United States.   Truthfully, I am still stunned and thrilled to be chosen along with  these 11  amazing Women Real Estate Bloggers: Colleen Kulikowski Buffalo New York   Mary Pope-Handy in the Silicon Valley  Dru Bloomfield from Scottsdale AZ  Diane Guercio founder of The TwitterQueens, Amy Chorew truly a Tech Queen  Jessica Riffle Edwards from Wilmington Nor... 12/23/2009

Manhattan Beach is one of the most popular beach cities here in Southern California and is known for its prime residential real estate. Manhattan Beach offers a ton of activities for residents and visitors….volleyball, surfing, and trips to the aquarium. And for those who need to be close to the Hollywood film action, Manhattan Beach is also home to a few film studios. Manhattan Beach is a great place to explore when it comes to buying homes. Because everyone is looking for a bargain home these days, I added a Manhattan Beach list of homes in foreclosure. These opportunities could have great potential for anyone looking to move to Manhattan Beach or looking to buy an investment property. For information on how I can help you with all of your real estate needs, please contact me at 310.9... 12/21/2009

 Last week those in the know seemed to be saying that the recession was over. The  LA Times cheered that Southern California's Vital Signs are Improving  and the Southern California housing market was about to hit bottom.    But toward the end of the week the news was not quite as good with state unemployment numbers reaching  above 12% and a few economists hedging their bets.  Irwin Kellner from Money Watch  theorizes that maybe  it ain't over til it's over and  I think I agree with him.   Much as I would love to see our Beach Cities real estate market stabilize I'm having a hard time believing that the real estate market in California has reached the bottom with such a high unemployment rate and the state in so much financial turmoil.  Employment and financing are going to be major is... 12/02/2009

Last week Curbed LA  pondered that real estate may be on the way to boring.    They wondered  if our local real estate markets have lost the frenzy we have all come to associate with buying and selling real estate in Southern California.However if the 24 folks who made offers on 1708 Magnolia in East Manhattan Beach  last week are any indication... we have not reached boring.   The home was listed for $699,000 and drew big crowds.  The accepted offer was about $825,000 for a 3 bedroom+ den,  1 bath home with 1236 sq ft home on a 4870 sq ft lot that needed upgrading.  A few days later  1509 Manzanita  a 3 bedroom 1 bath 1098 sq ft home also needing updates on a 5247 sq ft lot  in Liberty Village  saw a quick sale.  Originally listed for $749,000 this one appears to have accepted an offer... 12/02/2009

Fun Christmas and Holiday things to do in the South Bay Beach Cities It's that special time of year..... we put lights on houses .... ornaments on trees..... and little kids know that magic is real. I love the Holiday Season..... Many homeowners in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo do some fabulous light displays and Christmas/Holiday decorations. El Segundo has a whole neighborhood of homes that bring visitors from near and far to see the wonderful winter wonderland displays... even in 75° weather.Santa seems to find a way to visit every home... on every street... in every neighborhood in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo right up to Christmas Eve. We have Tree lighting and Pier lighting in our communities. Don't miss the El Segundo... 12/02/2009

Yesterday there was a rather interesting article in the LA Times written by Brent T Wright,  a  law school professor at the University of Arizona.   Professor Wright is advocating that homeowners should just walk away from their homes if they owe more then the current value of the home.  He is not talking about people who have lost their jobs or had major financial problems.  He is suggesting that  consumers defaulting  on a loan they can pay is  not wrong but simply acting in your own self interest.  Phooey!Not only is the professor advocating that folks walk away,  he also thinks they should  buy big ticket items  like a new car or even another home prior to defaulting.  He finds this to be prudent money management.  I think he is just one more jerk who thinks it's OK to stick it to t... 11/30/2009

Well things seem to have slowed a bit in Manahattan Villagewith only one home currently in escrow and 8 homes currently active and for sale with an average days on market of 70 days.  Of the 8 active listings the lowest priced home is bank owned (REO) and listed at $775,000 with the highest priced home at $2,249,000 and the average being $1,164,000.  In addition to the one bank owned home at 12 Monterey Ct, there is an additional short sale at 42 Dover Pl with the other homes being standard sales.  3 of the homes are Manhattan Village court homes, 3 are townhomesand the two single family homes are located at 19 Bridgeport and 11 Chatham.  4 homes closed escrow since September 1st with and average sales price of just over $760,000.  Click here or on any listing to view the current Manhat... 11/20/2009

October 24th and 25th Well this is certainly one of the busiest open house weekends we've seen in a while in Manhattan Beach.  If you're a homebuyer in Manhattan Beach, curious about prices, or just like to visit open houses, there is just about everything available to see.....beach front Strand homes, Manhattan Village townhomes, ocean views, tree section homes.....well everything. View this weeks open houses below and if you're seeing this and it's out of date, visit our Manhattan Beach open house page with updated lists every week. Day Time Address Description Price Sun. 2-4 626 Rosecrans Ave. 1 BD 1 BA, Charming,Craftsman Cottage $699,900 Sun. 1-4 1509 Manzanita Ln. 3 BD, 1 BA, Great Starter Home $749,000 Sun. 1-4 10 Cayman Ct. 2 BD, Stunning Beauty $849,500 Sat. 2-4 22 San Miguel C... 10/21/2009

I started a new group ANGELS IN THE RAIN that would post help available in our communites and inspiring stories of good deeds during hard times. I would love to see this be a source to the Lost and in Need in America. If we all post any food banks, out reach in our communites than when someone is in need in America, they can come to the rain no matter where they are and find help for the hurting during these hard times in America.  The recession may be ending but we still have unemployment at 10%.  Check out my first posting of a food bank that ships food anywhere in the United States for a 50% discount to anyone. No Qualifying necessary. I would love to see more resources such as this and more angel stories of real live angels that are encouraging and reaching out in a positive way to ... 10/20/2009

Here is the latest sale prices for the Manhattan Beach Area through October,2009. We are looking stabile and will keep going slow but strong thru the end of the year. I am sticking with FoxNews and the call on the W recession...We are waiting for the next wave of Foreclosures to be released and that should trigger another wave but do to our High End Property Position the wave shall break very gently over Manhattan Beach..Ok so we can say "We are blessed above the Mess" of the current tsunami of Change that can hit soon but on the other hand- It is just like the saying : The Past is history, The future is a mystery and all we have is the Present- It's a gift..So Enjoy it! Now is a great time to buy, sell or refi, with interest rates low..   Real Estate for the Soul's Featured Property of... 10/13/2009

When most people think of the ideal South Bay home, they pictures panoramic views of the ocean, Palos Verdes and Catalina, sounds of the surf, and cool ocean breezes.  Nowhere is that ideal more the reality than the ocean front homes of the Manhattan Beach Strand.  In other markets these homes would often sell without even going on the market, but these days most Strand listings have been on the market for some time.  There are currently 5 ocean front homes for sale (one off market) ranging from $2,750,000 to over $12,000,000. Another home for sale, but not on the MLS is located at 3516 The Strand and is new construction from Sexton Homes.  The price isn't public but the home is a Tuscan inspired 5600 square foot just recently completed in 2009.  Cnntact us for more information or visit... 09/30/2009

If you're looking for a fun family event the 37th annual Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair is happening this weekend at Live Oak Park near city hall. The fair begins at 10am on Saturday and has something for everyone with games for the kids, art and craft booths for the shoppers, a 10K for those looking for a challenge, plenty of food, a beer garden for the grown ups and plenty of entertainment.  The games and food booths are non-profit and generally organized and run by local groups and charities. (I'll be having sponges thrown at me with my daughters Adventure Guide group). For more information visit the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair website.  Parking is a challenge but free shuttle service is offered from Northrup Grumman and the map is located on the website.  Click here to see a map of... 09/30/2009

While most of the current active "distressed" listings in Manhattan Beach have been on the market a while, there are some new properties on the market since July.  There are currently 11 properties on the market with the lowest priced home at $649,000 and the highest price at just under $3,350,000 with the average price around $1,250,000.  10 of the homes are single family residences with the newest listing a townhome.  Of the 11 properties 4 are located in the Manhattan Beach tree section, 5 in East Manhattan Beach, and two located in the Hill Section.  For more information on Manhattan Beach real estate or for distressed property information visit our Manhattan Beach foreclosure website or click on the properties below. Keith Kyle is a licensed Realtor and e-Pro with South Bay Brokers... 08/21/2009

South Bay-Beach Cities.. some thoughts on where real estate prices headed for the second half of 2009....Sometimes when I get caught up in my geeky statistical mode I'm not quite sure where the numbers will take me. Over the last week or so I've been posting information on home sales in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo for the period January-June 2000-2009. My original intent was to stick with the year over year figures for January-June 2007-2009. I soon realized that I needed to go back further to get a better picture of market trends.While those numbers were interesting and showed definite changes in the market, there was still something nagging me about the market. My focus became a bit clearer after I posted the stats for July 2009 in the Beach Cities. Th... 08/14/2009