South Bay Living

Here in the Beach Cities, spring is in full bloom and there are signs of it all around us.

In real estate markets near and far, growth is abundant and it looks like it will continue that way for at least a bit!

According to National Mortgage Professional Magazine, “… Sky-high potential price gains may be finally prompting more homeowners to sell.” This is fantastic news for sellers and buyers alike. Movement increases inventory. Inventory increases a buyers choices. We all like choices! The unique and distinctive properties available on the market right now are not to be missed!

Read more by clicking HERE!

2014 pending home sales posted higher on a year-over-year basis for the first time since January 2013 and as expected, declined from the previous month due primarily to a seasonal slowdown toward the end of the year.

• Nationally pending sales were up 2.6 percent from the 69.1 index recorded in December 2013.  The yearly increase was better than the six-month average of -4.3 percent from June 2014 to November 2014.
• California pending home sales dropped in December, with the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)* falling 21.9 percent from 90.7 in November to 70.9 in December, based on signed contracts.  The monthly decline was in line with the seasonal slowdown in pending sales observed at the end of the year for the last two years.
• Locally Manhattan Beach, Hermosa, Redondo Beach and El Segundo posted increases in available inventory for January 2015 based upon closed sales. All but Manhattan Beach showed an increase in sales over the same time last year.

Additional details on median price; properties for sale, sold (closed) pending; average price for sale as well as actual sold along with months of inventory available are just a click away below.

Please enjoy. Should your plans include real estate purchase and sales, please call or email with questions – and as always, thanks for your referrals!

Sources:

California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) February 2015

Trendgraphix

Click HERE to view full version.

Happy New Year to one and all. Wishing you and your families the best of everything for 2015.

In addition to sales and economic updates both local and national, this issue brings you State of the City reports from the mayors from the cities of Hermosa, Manhattan and Redondo Beach. All three cities have major happenings you will want to become more familiar with as the year progresses.

Please enjoy. Should your plans include real estate purchase and sales, please call or email with questions – and as always, thanks for your referrals!

State of the City:
Hermosa Beach / Manhattan Beach / Redondo Beach

Hermosa Beach: State of the City
Source: Beach Reporter December 30, 2014

Manhattan Beach: State of the City
Source: Beach Reporter December 30, 2014

Redondo Beach: State of the City
Source: Beach Reporter December 30, 2014

To see full article with sources click HERE

dineLA’s bi-annual Restaurant Week is just around the corner, and it’s that time of year when the best eateries in the Los Angeles areas prepare amazing multiple course pre-fixe menus for foodies, locals and visitors to enjoy at special prices. Started in 2008, dineLA is an event held twice a year where more than 300 of Los Angeles’ most famous and most upscale restaurants of all styles and specialties participate in this 12-day fest.  This is the perfect excuse to try new and delicious restaurants around Los Angeles. If you like eating out or want to check out some new places without completely blowing your budget, or maybe want to go on a restaurant crawl with your friends, this is a pretty good way to do it. The prix fixe menus run as low as $15 for lunch and $35 for dinner (not including drinks, tax or tip).This year for Winter 2014 Restaurant Week (January 20-31, 2014,) the top chefs in LA are offering unique culinary experiences that highlight exactly what each restaurant is best known for. Without saying, this is a fantastic way to try out new places, explore different dishes and most of all, support the LA dining community. For more information, or to view all of the participating restaurants here in the South Bay please visit: http://goo.gl/PF07uT

I am very proud to be a part of Giveback Homes. Giveback Homes is dedicated to creating a sustainable relationship between real estate professionals and communities in need throughout the world. My ongoing commitment to giving back to the local South Bay community has sparked a desire to further my reach. With this organization I will now be able to broaden the scope of giving and help families in other countries. Our goal is to create social change through the act of buying or selling a home. I am seeking to have a positive impact on the world and the industry I know best: Real Estate. My partnership with Giveback Homes allows me to utilize a percentage of commissions to build safe homes for families in need. These contributions go directly to the field. This positive change for those in need takes place when buying or selling a home with me. The safety and security of a sanitary living space is the foundation for a productive and healthy life. For many families around the world, such a home is only a dream. Their reality is a structure made of scrap lumber, rusted metals and tarps. They are vulnerable to weather, illness and without doors or locks they are unable to keep their family safe from intruders. Our building partners identify communities in need, not just individual families. In living close to one another, it allows the families to share resources, organize schools and churches. Once a family has a safe, new home, it becomes a place of pride for them: a place where they can host family, friends, neighbors and truly lead a healthier life. Learn more and how you can giveback, Click Here

During the Surf Festival weak, the bars and restaurants in Manhattan, Redondo, and Hermosa are perpetually packed, and it’s one of the best weeks of the year for a non-stop party down by the beach. The 52nd annual event kicked off today with the two-day Charlie Saikley 6-man beach volleyball tournament in Manhattan Beach. Spyder and Rusher Air Bacchus are the defending men’s and women’s championship teams, respectively. The L.A. County Lifeguard Championships take place Friday at the Manhattan Beach Pier and will feature U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter & L.A. County Lifeguard Rescue Demo, 6-Lifeguard Run Relay, Lifeguard Events and the Bud Stevenson Intracrew Medley Relay featuring Venice as defending champion. Saturday’s action begins at 7:30 a.m. with the Surfing Championship at the Manhattan Beach Pier. Shortly thereafter, Hermosa Beach hosts the Dick Fitzgerald 2-mile run at 8 a.m. and the first of two days of competition in the California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) tournament that begins at 9 a.m. The Southern California Lifeguard Championships will be held Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Manhattan Beach Pier. On Sunday, a sand castle design contest and the Velzy-Stevens Paddleboard Championships begin at the Manhattan Beach Pier at 7:30 a.m. The top paddlers are expected to finish between 16 and 17 minutes at the Hermosa Beach Pier. Participants range in age from 8 years old to the late 80’s. Other great events include a surfing contest, bodysurfing contest, beach run, sand soccer, paddleboard race, dory race, and youth events. The festival has hosted numerous international lifeguard teams including a team this year from Victoria, Australia.

June is time to celebrate National Zoo and Aquarium month with your kids for summer fun—and learning—under the sea.  Summer is the best time of year to catch a glimpse of sea horses and sharks up close and personal—and  you don’t have to leave the South Bay or even get wet to see them. You can learn about wildlife and sea creatures close to your  home—and many times for free or for a small donation. You can celebrate by checking out the sharks, eels and other sea creatures and more at these aquariums
Manhattan Beach – Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab & Aquarium
One of the landmarks of Manhattan Beach, the roundhouse aquarium sits at  the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier and features tanks with a range of  local marine life including sharks, eels and sea horses. Learn more at www.roundhouseaquarium.org
Redondo Beach – SEA Lab
Run by the L.A. Conservation Corps since 1977, Redondo’s SEA Lab offers a hands-on  marine science center in the heart of Redondo Beach and helps educate  visitors and school children about local marine life. Visitors have a  chance to feed the aquarium’s fish every Saturday at noon for $2 per  tray of food. Hands-on tours are also offered at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.  Tuesday-Friday and at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Learn more at www.roundhouseaquarium.org
San Pedro – Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Boasting the largest collection of Southern California marine life in the world, this free aquarium is one of the largest in Los Angeles County and  features a range of sea creatures from jelly fish to sharks. Engages all visitors in education, recreation and research to promote knowledge, appreciation and conservation of the marine life.  Learn more at www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org