South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold October 2011

Riviera Village... Redondo Beach


As the economy continues to slip and slide it's no real surprise that housing is still in a state of flux.  October is always a slow month in the Beach Cities.  With the exception of  El Segundo, the number of sale in each South Bay-Beach City  was very similar to the numbers from October 2010.  Prices however  were bouncing around like crazy with North Redondo showing the biggest declines and Manhattan Beach showing an increase.

About the time it seems  the housing market in the Beach Cities is beginning to stabilize something happens to send it back down the road.  This month the culprit maybe be a combination of a lower conforming loan limit ($625,500 down from $729,750) combined with an increase in the  number of short sales.  North Redondo has been hit the hardest by short sales that are pushing down home prices.   Older townhomes  are really taking a beating on price as owners try to get the bank to approve a short sale. 

Lower prices and low interest rates are making North Redondo a hot market right now. Buyers are snapping up units at prices not seen a long time.  Multiple offers on townhomes in North Redondo are becoming the norm rather than the exception.  November could be a very interesting month....


South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold October 2011

Manhattan Beach Market Snapshot: Sold October 2011

Manhattan Beach: Sold  October 2011

 Manhattan Beach Strand and Bike Path


October has never been a great month for home sales in Manhattan Beach and this year is no exception.. While the sale volume was down slightly from last year... 24 properties  in 2011 compared to 26 in 2010.. The median price  was up  in 2011 ... homes: $1,480,000/Townhomes $ 1,185,000  compared to homes $1,180,000/Townhomes $ 1,000,000 in October 2010. In fact the median price was the highest since 2007. 

Financing is a factor... October was the month that conventional loan limits dropped from $729,750 to $625,000 which may explain why there were on 16 home sales.  However townhome sales were higher than normal so maybe financing was just a small issue. 

So what do the numbers really mean.. not much...  The real estate market is still bouncing around.   Last month there were 25 closed home sales  in September 2011 with a median of $1,150,000 and 5 Townhome sales with a median of $765,000.  When you use small samples the mix  affectes the median price a lot.  What is interesting is that the total number of sales has been fairly consistent year over year.   

Consistency is one of the hallmarks of a market that is relatively stable.  This doesn't mean prices have not gone down or that the number of sales isn't down from peak years.  But it may indicate that even with the poor economy,   Manhattan Beach is a relatively stable market.. You can of course speculate on the whys and whats of real estate in Manhattan Beach and all the Beach Cities forever and still wind up with a lot of numbers  that  are probably not nearly as important as people think..


Manhattan Beach: Sold October 2011

Manhattan Beach-Beach Cities: Holiday Events December 2011

Fun Christmas/ Holiday  events in the South Bay Beach Cities....December 2011 Schedule by City

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 and other cities have whole neighborhoods of homes that bring visitors from near and far to see the wonderful winter wonderland displays.

While Santa wants to visit every house in the Beach Cities... like many of us today... budget issues are making it harder this year... Santa won't be able  take his sleigh through Redondo Beach  but you can  visit with him at Anderson Park and Alta Vista Park.  There are  many celebrations in the Beach Cities including  Tree lighting and Pier lighting in our communities. Don't miss the El Segundo Holiday Parade... it's just so much fun.

Our little Beach towns have retained their unique Holiday traditions. If you want to know what's happening in the Beach Cities during the Holidays... just scroll down and you will find the major activities for Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo. It's a wonderful time of year... Oh and be sure to stop by the Gift Wrap in the Manhattan Mall... I'll be there .. so stop and say Hello..

Manhattan Beach:


                                             

December 2,3,4, 2011  The Sandpipers will hold their annual Holiday Home Tour in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. The tour runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.  For information call (310) 374-1748



 Saturday December 10- Thursday December 24... . The Neptunian Woman's Club will be Gift Wrapping at the Mall... proceeds go toward scholarships for Manhattan Beach students and the fees are tax deductible. Psssst..... We will wrap any gift ... not just ones bought at a Mall store.... See you at the Mall.....




Sunday December 11, 2011... Manhattan Beach Fireworks Show .... At the Pier...Entertainment starts at 4:00..

Santa starts his rounds  November 28, 2011.. and he will be looking for good little girls and boys until December 15, 2011..   Santa starts his route every evening at 5:30 with the exception of December 12, 2011 when the float is parked in Manhattan Village  from 6:00- 7:00 pm.

Nov. 28:  Starts at 19th St and Ardmore Avenue, Pacific, Manhattan Beach Boulevard, and Valley Drive.

Nov 29:  Starts at Blanche Road and 24th Street, 45th St, Ocean Drive, Marine Avenue, Grandview Avenue and the western City limits..

Nov.30:  Starts at Blanche  and 26th St, Rosecrans Avenue, Pacific Avenue, Marine Avenue, Bell Avenue.
.
Dec. 1: Starts at 23rd St and Wendy Way, Marine Ave.,   Manhattan Beach Blvd,  Redondo Avenue and Aviation Blvd,.

Dec. 2: Starts at Marine and John Street.  Ardmore Avenue, Sepulveda Blvd.,Manhattan Beach Blvd., Pacific Avenue.


Dec. 5:  Starts at  Second and Peck... Second Street, Aviation Blvd, Artesia Blvd and Peck  Avenue.


Dec. 6: Starts at Second Street and Rowell Avenue. Second Street, Meadows Avenue,  Artesia Blvd. and  Sepulveda.  

Dec. 7: Starts at Dianthus and 11th Street.  Manhattan Beach Blvd., Sepulveda Blvd., southern city limits and Ardmore Avenue.

Dec. 8:  Starts at 6th and Meadows. Eighth Street, Aviation Blvd., Second Street, Sepulveda Blvd..

Dec. 9: Starts at 8th Street and Johnson Avenue.  Manhattan Beach Blvd, Aviation Blvd, Eighth Street and Sepulveda Blvd.


Dec. 12: From 6 to 7 p.m., the Santa float will be parked at the main pool of Manhattan Village. Starts at 7 p.m. at 18th Street and Redondo Avenue.  Marine Avenue, Redondo Avenue,Manhattan Beach Blvd., and Rowell Avenue.

Dec. 13: Starts at Meadows Avenue and Manhattan Beach Blvd. Marine Avenue, Rowell Avenue, Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Sepulveda Blvd..

Dec. 14: Starts at Pacific Avenue and Valley Drive. Rosecrans Avenue, Sepulveda Blvd. Ardmore Avenue and Pacific Avenue

Dec. 15: Starts at Ingleside Avenue and First Street. Marine Avenue, Grandview Avenue, 24th St, 25th St, Ardmore Avenue, southern and western city limits


Wednesday December 21, 2011...  The Lighting of the Chanukah Menorah ... Manhattan Beach Mall.... 5:30 pm




 Photos with Santa:  Manhattan Beach Mall
Santa arrives Nov. 25 and stays until Dec. 24.
Mon to Sat: 11a.m. to 8 p.m
Sun:  12:00 to 6 p.m.,
The Web site above has a list of packages and prices.





Saturday evening... December 24, 2011... T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house.... You know the rest...





Hermosa Beach:

December 2,3,4,  2011  The Sandpipers will hold their annual Holiday Home Tour in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. The tour runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm . For information call (310) 374-1748

Thursday December 1, 2011...  Hermosa Beach Tree Lighting... 6:00 at the Pier

Saturday December 10, 2011  Second Annual Snowfest.....10:00 am - 9:00 pm
The Snowfest will feature the tree lighting, music, and the arrival of Santa.


In Hermosa Beach Santa  will visit on at The Gum Tree at 238 Pier Avenue  on December 2, 2011 from 5-9 pm and on December 5, 2011 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm...

Santa and his helpers will visit Hermosa neighborhoods on  Wednesday December 7 and Dec. 14.

The sleigh will spend 20 minutes at each stop, where Santa will take photos with residents waiting to meet him.

Santa's Schedule:

December 7, 2011

6 to 6:20 p.m.: 18th Street and Valley Park Avenue.
6:30 to 6:50 p.m.: 25th Street and Silverstrand Avenue.
7 to 7:20 p.m.: 30th Street and Morningside Drive.
7:30 to 7:50 p.m.: 23rd/24th streets and Hermosa Avenue (west side of the street).
8 to 8:20 p.m.: 500 block of 11th Street.
8:30 to 8:50 p.m.: Pier Plaza.


December 14, 2011 

6 to 6:20 p.m.: 2000 block of Hillcrest Avenue.
6:30 to 6:50 p.m.: 1100 block of 19th Street.
7 to 7:20 p.m.: Golden Street between 15th and 16th streets.
7:30 to 7:50 p.m.: 1100 block of Eighth Street.
8 to 8:20 p.m.: Fifth Street and Hermosa Avenue.
8:30 to 8:50 p.m.: Pier Plaza.


Saturday  evening... December 24, 2011... T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house.... You know the rest...

December 26, 2011:  Lighting of the Chanukah Menorah  Greenwood Park.. (Windmill at Aviation/PCH ) 6:00 pm



Redondo Beach:

Thursday December 1, 2011 ... Riviera Village Holiday Stroll...6:00-10:00 pm. Come and hear carolers, see fun street performers ... and meet Santa




Tuesday December 6, 2011...The 31st annual Tree Lighting ... The Civic Center... 415 Diamond Avenue...5:00 pm


                                                                                                           

Saturday December 10, 2011.....    King Harbor Boat Parade...Free..
                                                        Along the harbor inner sea wall 5:30 PM




Santa Visits Redondo:   Santa  has two visits scheduled....
Saturday Dec 10, 2011...  Alta Vista Park from 4-8 pm

Saturday Dec 17, 2011... Anderson Park from 4-8 pm


Tuesday December 20, 2011... Hanukkah... The lighting of the Menorah... Civic Center415 Diamond Ave. 5:30 pm
 Saturday  December 24, 2011 ... T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house.... You know the rest...



 El Segundo:


 Thursday December 8, 2011... The Annual Tree Lighting... and craft boutique at City Hall Plaza 300 Main Street  3:00 pm-7:00 pm



Saturday December 10, 2011 - December 23, 2011... Candy Cane Lane lights up:
 1200 block of East Acacia Avenue in El Segundo ( Corner of Acacia and California) 6:30- 7:00 pm

Sunday December 11, 2011.....1-3pm .. Holiday Parade.. Main Street.. from Imperial Highway to El Segundo Blvd.. (310) 322-1220 Santa's sleigh... 

Santa's will visit  Dec. 12-16, starting on the west side of the city. Santa will work his way east to Sepulveda Boulevard each night. Police cars with lights, sirens, and music playing will signal Santa's arrival on your block. 

His sleigh takes off  at 5:15 p.m and stops at 9:00 p.m. 

Santa's schedule:

Dec. 12: West end of the city east to Loma Vista Street.
Dec. 13: Loma Vista Street east to Main Street.

Dec. 14: Main Street east to Sheldon Street.

Dec. 15: Sheldon Street east to Center Street.

Dec. 16: Center Street east to Sepulveda Street.

In case of rain, a make-up day is scheduled for Dec. 19.  For an updated schedule, visit http://www.elsegundopoa.org/.


Thursday Dec. 22, 2011: Lighting of the Chanukah Menorah... 5:30 City Hall

Saturday Dec. 24, 2011: Chanukah on Ice  at 6:15 pm Toyota Sports Center 555 N. Nash St

Saturday  December 24, 2011 ... T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house.... You know the rest

If you have an event you would like to add... just e-mail me and I will add it to the list....

Holiday Gift Wrap at Manhattan Village Mall... 'Tis the Season....

Get all your Holiday and  December birthday gifts wrapped at the Manhattan Beach Mall..

Are you gift wrapped challenged? Do you have a lot of gifts to wrap? Are you so busy that you don't need one more thing to do? If you answered YES to any of these then let me offer you a solution.

The Neptunian Woman's Club of Manhattan Beach will wrap all your holiday gifts.. whether you bought them at a Mall store or made them at home.  We'll wrap one gift or one humdred and the fee is tax deductible.

This is one of our largest fund raisers of the year. Proceeds go toward scholarships for Manhattan Beach students. Each year we give academic scholarships to local students in Art, Music, Literature, Fashion Design, Nursing and for women who go into Police work.

The Neptunian Woman's Club is the oldest Woman's club in Manhattan Beach. We were the driving force that got the city incorporated, the library system started and opened Pacific school. These are just a few of the things we have done over the years as part of our philanthropic services for the City of Manhattan Beach. You will find us at the Hometown Fair, the Pier Lighting, the Santa Float, the Fireworks on Sunday and at the Manhattan Beach Mall wrapping away.

Bring us your gifts and we'll make your life easier..... Remember...Big or small... we'll wrap them all.. and it's tax deductible..

** We will be wrapping from December 10-24, 2011...

Manhattan Beach-Beach Cities....Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

The last few years have been hard ones ... We are constantly bombarded with bad economic news, terrorist plots and other events that seem to jump at us on a daily basis. Thanksgiving is a time to take a break and think about all the good things we have in our lives. These are some of the things I am thankful for in my life.....

Manhattan Beach-Beach Cities: FHA Loan Limits increased to $729,750

In a move calculated to make many of us shake our heads with wonder,  Congress passed a bill today that will increase the loan limits for FHA loans to $729,750  while it left the conforming loan limit backed by Fannie and Freddie at $625,500. 

To add to the confusion they  decided that while they won't increase the conforming loan limits back to $729,750,  they will lower the required down payment from 10% to 5%.

FHA has a lot of interesting quirks that are not found with conforming loans... including MMI.  Conforming loans have tougher guidelines for the borrower  to qualify for a loan.  FHA only requires a 3% down payment.  I know there are issues with Fannie and Freddie but higher limits with tougher standards  make more sense to me than lowering standards on conforming loans  and increasing loan limits on FHA...

Somedays it seems not only does the right hand not know what the left is doing but that they may not even be part of the same body.  Is it any wonder  housing continues to be such a problem. 

Redondo Beach Open House: New price...3011 Johnston Ave Open Sat Nov 12, 2011 1-4 pm

Open House 3011 Johnston Ave Redondo Beach

Saturday November 12, 2011...1-4 pm

New Price... now $809,000

Hard to find... Home plus legal Guest house on a large lot
Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a single family home and a permitted guest house on an oversize lot in the TRW tract of North Redondo. ... The main house is an 1860 sq ft 2 bedroom 1.5 baths with large family room, huge dining room and remodeled kitchen and baths.. The guest house is a charming  300 sq + studio with remodeled bath.

This home is the ideal solution if you are looking for a place for parents, grown children or a separate office area. The terrific home is on an 8300+ sq ft lot that has alley access... The possibilities are endless....

This is a wonderful mid-Century home with a definite Palm Springs resort feel..

Manhattan Beach: The Koffee Kart gone.... Oh No...Say it isn't so!

Dear George Loren,

Say it isn't so... No  Koffee Kart in Manhattan Beach... how can that be?

The Koffee Kart was one of the last "local" places in town.. Unlike Uncle Bill's it was a little off the path for most visitors.  Even on Sunday morning you could get a table after a short wait.  It was my favorite place to eat breakfast.

Over the years not much changed.... It was small with cozy booths,  just right for  reading the paper while waiting for breakfast.   The food was always good and the staff  friendly.   My friends and I would walk Sunday mornings and then stop by for breakfast before heading home. 

All of us were  upset about the fire and have been patiently waiting for the sign to read OPEN once again.... I walked by a few days ago and things were looking good... so I was stunned to learn that you won't reopen at the Koffee Kart home.

Please  find a new spot  and reopen soon.. Fans of the Koffee Kart will be waiting to hear the news.  Over the years we have lost a number  places in Manhattan Beach that many of us remember fondly and miss.   I really hope the Koffee Kart doesn't become one more memory of Manhattan Beach.


I'm hoping for good news soon....

A loyal fan


 P. S. The Hibachi found a home in Hermosa... not quite the same as the old place but darn close... So  I know there's a spot waiting for the Koffee Kart near the beach... just like before but maybe a little different....

Redondo Beach Open House Saturday Nov 5, 2011 3011 Johnston Ave. Open 1-4 pm

Open House 3011 Johnston Ave Redondo Beach

Saturday November 5, 2011...1-4 pm

Hard to find... Home plus legal Guest house on a large lot
Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a single family home and a permitted guest house on an oversize lot in the TRW tract of North Redondo. ... The main house is an 1860 sq ft 2 bedroom 1.5 baths with large family room, huge dining room and remodeled kitchen and baths.. The guest house is a charming  300 sq + studio with remodeled bath.

This home is the ideal solution if you are looking for a place for parents, grown children or a separate office area. The terrific home is on an 8300+ sq ft lot that has alley access... The possibilities are endless....

This is a wonderful mid-Century home with a definite Palm Springs resort feel...

$819,000