Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Relocating to California? Come Closer for a Hot Tip


California is a large state both in size and population.  Our urban cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego are world renown.  The area is blessed with some of the most stunning natural beauty the world has to offer.  We claim the majority of the coastline along the Pacific Ocean on the west coast.  We have stunning mountains, mesmerizing deserts, rivers, lakes and parks.  Yes, California is larger than many countries.

Relocating to California can be a daunting experience.  Over twenty years ago when I received the news we were relocating to Los Angeles I was less than thrilled.  My experience with Los Angeles consisted of one smog-filled summer trip during the mid 1970s, and frankly I did not care if I never saw Los Angeles again.  I should explain, my arrival coincided with those hot Santa Ana winds that feel like a blast from a furnace and also usher in soupy, smog filled skies.  It only happens once or twice a year and lasts for a few days before the wind reverses and the coastal breezes return once again. For me, Los Angeles failed miserably when it comes to that first chance to make a good impression.

What a difference a decade or two can make!  The second time around I knew I needed to live near the coast for cleaner air, and with the addition of four children, I needed top rated schools.  After looking in several areas and having more than one agent point me in the direction of Palos Verdes, I ventured onto the Palos Verdes Peninsula and am still here.  What a find!  It's not the LA you know from Hollywood movies or the Beverly Hills Housewives.  It's quiet here.  If you're seeking the limelight or the bright lights this is not the place for you. 

On the other hand, if you want to enjoy the gift of living close to the sea in a California coastal community with one of the top-rated school systems in the State, then perhaps you should investigate the Palos Verdes Lifestyle the residents of the Palos Verdes Peninsula enjoy.  Once here, I'm guessing there will be no regrets.

I'd love to be your guide.  I'm a convert, not a native with no experience living in other parts of the USA.  I've lived in the Midwest, New England, Mid-Atlantic and the South. I've traveled the world and I still smile when I arrive home to my serene little pocket of Los Angeles--the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Norma Toering - REMAX Palos VerdesNorma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800
PalosVerdesLifestyle- Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Chosen by MovingCost.com as one of the best Los Angeles realty blogs. Awarded 5 out of 5 stars by Lender411 blog review.  Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Based on information from the Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing as of the initial date of this article/blog publication and /or other sources. Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
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What Luxury Home Buyers Want


Yesterday one of the most expensive homes currently on the market on the Palos Verdes Peninsula popped up on the MLS hotsheet in "Pending" status.  I immediately picked up the phone to call my friend, and the listing agent, to congratulate her.  That's what friends are for, right?  Okay, I also wanted to get the inside scoop on the sale, or at least as much as she was ready and willing to share.
Why does a luxury home buyer choose one particular home over another?  What exactly creates the tipping point?
1)   In Palos Verdes the reason is likely to be the view.  In this case, the view is panoramic Pacific Ocean with a gorgeous Catalina Island and coastline view.
2)  Location is always a key player.  Besides being on the prestigious Palos Verdes Peninsula and sited on a highly desirable lot in a high-end development, it's close to the Port of Los Angeles and business ties of the buyer.  Location counts in more ways than one, and proximity to work, freeway access and airports can seal a deal.
3)  Nothing short of impeccable condition will do for the busy luxury buyer in today's gobal economy.  This new home fits the bill with high-end amenities throughout the home.  All the bells and whistles are there and they are all brand new.
In short, this unique home meets the wants and needs of this particular luxury buyer.  The same rule applies to every buyer whether they are first time home buyers or retirees.  The house must meet the "right now" needs of the buyer.  Wants and needs vary from buyer to buyer, but they always exist, and once met a match is imminent.

Norma Toering - REMAX Palos VerdesNorma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800
PalosVerdesLifestyle- Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Chosen by MovingCost.com as one of the best Los Angeles realty blogs. Awarded 5 out of 5 stars by Lender411 blog review.  Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Based on information from the Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing as of the initial date of this article/blog publication and /or other sources. Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
Subscribe to Norma Toering's ActiveRain blog       Norma Toering and Team on Facebook

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma
Search for Homes in Palos Verdes California on Toering and Team. Google Norma Toering What is your home worth today - Norma Toering
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Norma Toering & Team - Palos Verdes Homes

Los Angeles Coastal Luxury Home Market--Stagnant, Slow or Selling?


No ones denies the housing market is a challenging mix of distressed properties (bank owned and short sales) with stressed out sellers, and a bevy of hesitant buyers with minimal confidence in the market.  In times of conflicting, and often confusing data, I've always found the most trusted source to be actual sales.  Rarely are these numbers massaged to represent the interest of a person who can gain from an inflated number.  Home sales are recorded, and records can be verified.  There is comfort in knowing the statistics for actual closed sales.
Los Angeles County has many luxury, high-end housing markets, but this article will focus on the southern coastal cities of Los Angeles County beginning with luxury home sales on the Palos Verdes Peninsula this year.
Luxury Home Sales ($3,000,000 and up) 2011 YTD:
Palos Verdes Estates:  12 Single family high-end luxury homes closed escrow priced over $3M with the highest price being $9,150,000.
Rolling Hills:  8 Single family high-end luxury homes closed escrow priced over $3M with the highest price being $7,250,000.
Rancho Palos Verdes:  6 Single family high-end luxury homes closed escrow priced over $3M with the higest price being $7,425,000.
Rolling Hills Estates:  No closed sales meeting the criteria.
The Beach Cities of Redondo, Hermosa and Manhattan are home to many gorgeous coastal homes.  Here are the closed sales for high-end luxury homes:
Manhattan Beach:  28 Single family high-end luxury homes closed escrow priced over $3M with the highest price being $4,653,000.
Hermosa Beach:  5 Single family high-end luxury homes closed escrow priced over $3M with the highest price being $12,600,000.
Redondo Beach:  No closed sales meeting the criteria.


Norma Toering - REMAX Palos VerdesNorma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800
PalosVerdesLifestyle- Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Chosen by MovingCost.com as one of the best Los Angeles realty blogs. Awarded 5 out of 5 stars by Lender411 blog review.  Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Based on information from the Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing as of the initial date of this article/blog publication and /or other sources. Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
Subscribe to Norma Toering's ActiveRain blog       Norma Toering and Team on Facebook

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma
Search for Homes in Palos Verdes California on Toering and Team. Google Norma Toering What is your home worth today - Norma Toering
Palos Verdes Map with Real Estate Areas
Norma Toering & Team - Palos Verdes Homes

Is it too late to list my home?


"I waited too long to list my house this year, didn't I?"  The caller's tone indicated he wanted confirmation of his suspicion.  After all, the kids are back in school and pumpkins are appearing in stores and at front doors.  Can the holiday frenzy be far behind, and who, if anyone, will be shopping for a home during such a hectic time of the year?

Contrary to popular opinion, the housing market does not come to a grinding halt during the final quarter of the year.  Many years it is my best quarter.  With summer relegated to memories and photos, and another year dawning, many senior sellers begin to wonder if it's time to make the move to the next phase of their housing life whether it be buying smaller and staying local or making a move to a new locale.

Job transfers, children leaving home and changes in financial situations do not vanish during the final months of the year either.  Lucky for sellers, there are always buyers with housing needs at this time of year.  I'm currently working with an out of the country buyer planning to open a division of his business in the Los Angeles area.  He is carefully perusing the Palos Verdes luxury homes currently on the market.  A young executive already working in the area is shopping for a home and plans to move the family over the holidays.  Another young couple will purchase a starter home as soon as the wedding and honeymoon are over.  The list goes on with more buyers waiting in the wings to find the right house for them in Palos Verdes.

Selling a home in California is not a seasonal business, it's personal.  The right time to sell a house is when the time is right for you. 

Norma Toering - REMAX Palos VerdesNorma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800
PalosVerdesLifestyle- Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Chosen by MovingCost.com as one of the best Los Angeles realty blogs. Awarded 5 out of 5 stars by Lender411 blog review.  Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Based on information from the Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing as of the initial date of this article/blog publication and /or other sources. Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
Subscribe to Norma Toering's ActiveRain blog       Norma Toering and Team on Facebook

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma
Search for Homes in Palos Verdes California on Toering and Team. Google Norma Toering What is your home worth today - Norma Toering
Palos Verdes Map with Real Estate Areas
Norma Toering & Team - Palos Verdes Homes

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Palos Verdes--Discover the Secrets of Southern California's Best Kept Secret Luxury Location

Many Southern California communities enjoy worldwide recognition. Is there anyone in the USA who has not heard of Beverly Hills or Malibu? However, it is not unusual for people to stare with no sign of familiarity when I mention the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

It's quiet here. We don't have street lights.


Around the Hill
Our street signs are small and kept to a minimum. There is nothing showy about the area, unless you consider panoramic ocean views, soaring hills dotted with coastal homes and a stellar school system entitles us to bragging rights.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula is a unique place to live. Surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean and situated high on a hill above the flat lands below, the views are varied and breathtaking. Aside from the stunning topography and serene location I believe the views are unsurpassed in the Los Angeles area, and one of the primary reasons residents come to Palos Verdes and rarely leave.

A few of the many amenities the Palos Verdes Peninsula offers its residents are:

The Climate: San Diego lays claim to "the perfect climate" but in my opinion, Palos Verdes is as close to perfect as this former Midwestern woman ever needs. Marine air from the open sea bathes the area with gentle ocean breezes and moderate temperatures throughout the year. Only a few winter days require bundling up "Back East Style" and on a few summer days Santa Ana winds bring a dry heat reminiscent of the desert. Coastal fog makes its appearance periodically and yes, we have a few rainy days, but all in all those sunshine filled days you see in the movies are the real deal.

The Schools: Peninsula residents are justifiably proud of the Palos Verdes Unified School District that serves all four cities and unincorporated areas

of Palos Verdes. Test scores are consistently in the top 10% of all California schools and approximately 90% of the student body goes on to higher learning upon graduation.

The Location: Owning a home on the Palos Verdes Peninsula ensures you will be close enough to Los Angeles to enjoy all the advantages of living near a major metropolitan area, yet so very far removed from the daily hustle and bustle of urban congestion.

The Views: The homes of Palos Verdes enjoy some of the most spectacular views in the Los Angeles area. The variety of views include panoramic ocean, Catalina Island, Los Angeles Harbor, city lights, coastline, whitewater, mountains and the coveted Queen's Necklace view. Buying a home on the Palos Verdes Peninsula is a wonderful adventure. There are a variety of neighborhoods, four separate cities and a wide variety of styles and prices. Welcome, and enjoy your search for a home on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

The Homes: The homes of Palos Verdes range in price from under one million to multi-million dollar estates on ocean front lots. There are villas in the hills, equestrian properties in Rolling Hills and beach houses in the Portuguese

Bend area. Luxury homes are scattered throughout the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The Estates at Trump National offers new homes with ocean views and Terranea Resort offers new homes by the sea. If you're looking for a coastal lifestyle, Palos Verdes will not disappoint.

I hope this article aids in your house hunting quest. When you're ready to start viewing homes it would be my pleasure to help you discover the right neighborhood, the right street and the perfect house for you and your family.



Norma Toering - REMAX Palos VerdesNorma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800


PalosVerdesLifestyle- Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Chosen by MovingCost.com as one of the best Los Angeles realty blogs. Awarded 5 out of 5 stars by Lender411 blog review. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Based on information from the Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing as of the initial date of this article/blog publication and /or other sources. Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.

Subscribe to Norma Toering's ActiveRain blog Norma Toering and Team on Facebook


Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

Search for Homes in Palos Verdes California on Toering and Team. Google Norma Toering What is your home worth today - Norma Toering

Palos Verdes Homes Blog - Palos Verdes Houses
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