Palos Verdes Lifestyle - Norma Toering's PV Real Estate Blog

The sellers I work with are smart and savvy.  They know today's real estate market is challenging.  They are adapting to the new rules of real estate with a shift in attitude, increased market knowledge and by playing their property's trump card with pride. 

Shift your mindset:  Pack your emotions away.  You are now a seller and that requires a shift in attitude.  You have a property to market and sell before you can move on with your life. 

Know what buyers want, and give it to them.  Today's buyers are savvy and they want a good product at a fair price.  Make sure your property meets or exceeds their expectations.  Get serious about showcasing your product.

What's your property's wow factor?  If it's the view then accent it by orienting the furniture to showcase the view.  Open the drapes and blinds to show it off.  Lead the buyers toward your home's best features.

 Maybe it's a wonderful outdoor living space, a spacious master bedroom or a breathtaking garden.  Go ahead and be a bit of a show-off, and chances are you will soon be enjoying the pay-off.

More Seller Tips from Norma!

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

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.

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Point Fermin Real Estate Report for March 2009:

Active Listings:  13 Single Family Homes are for sale priced from $219,000 to $699,000.

Pending Sales:  6 Single Family Homes are in escrow priced from $329,000 to $510,000.

March Sales:  The following Single Family Homes closed escrow during March 2009:

3044 Carolina - $295,000

3252 Denison - $339,000

3116 Kerckhoff - $538,000

3112 Kerckhoff - $545,000

Previous Market Reports

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

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.

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

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Last night as I listened to the local news I heard a reporter make two errors as he spoke about the housing market.  First, he reported you need 3% down when obtaining your FHA loan.  Wrong, it is now 3.5%.  Secondly, he said the $10,000 tax credit restricts income to $75,000 for an individual or $150,000 for a married couple and it only applies to 1^st time homebuyers.  Actually, the $10,000 credit applies to California new construction and is not restricted by income or to 1^st time buyers.  Time limits and other restrictions do apply.

In California, there are two separate tax credits available.  The $8000 tax credit and the $10,000 new construction tax credit.  It is possible for the same buyer to qualify for a total of $18,000 in tax credits.  However, certain requirements must be met to qualify.

Bottom line; don't take the news as gospel.  It is a compilation of information truncated into sound bytes.  Sometimes the facts get a little twisted and the truth is laced with misinformation.

 Consult a professional to determine your eligibility for the aforementioned tax credits.

More Buyer's Tips from Norma!

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

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.

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When my days are overflowing and I'm not quite certain how I will fit in one more appointment or make a needed call to a client or friend, I remember the jar full of marbles story.  There's always a few air pockets and empty spaces between the solid marbles.  So I fill those five and ten minute spaces by:

1)  Reading and commenting on blogs.

2)  Writing a handwitten note to a client.

3)  Step outside and enjoy a few moments of sunshine and fresh air.

4)  A few shoulder shrugs and neck rolls at my desk is a great refresher.

5)  Organizing emails and files--it will amaze you how much you can accomplish in a few minutes.

6)  Making the call I've been postponing for days--it feels great to check it off the list.

7)  Stare off into space and daydream for a few moments.  Come back to the task at hand refreshed.

8)  Perform a random act of kindness.  Fix a co-worker a cup of tea or coffee and uplift their spirits.

9)  Declutter my desk.  This does wonders for my attitude and my productivity.

10) Check in on a client who has suffered a loss--the death of a loved one, the loss of their home,  job or health.  Sometimes a caring call or email is the best medicine for a weary soul.

Those little air pockets and empty spaces provide some of the most rewarding moments of my day.

P.S.  You don't have to work in real estate to reap the benefits of making the most of your mini-moments.

More blogs about a real estate agent's life from Norma.

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

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.

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

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March was an active month for the Palisades neighborhood in San Pedro, CA.  Offers were made and escrows opened, and that means sales are not far behind.

March real estate statistics for the Palisades neighborhood March 2009:

Active Listings:  10 Single Family Homes are for sale priced from $459,900 to $925,000.

Pending Sales:  5 Single Family Homes are in escrow priced from $490,000 to $559,000.

March Sales:  2 Single Family Homes closed escrow priced at $550,000 and $1,475,000.

That's a sizzling month for the Palisades!

Previous Market Reports

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

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.

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

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This may come as a surprise, but based on the current inventory of active listings and pending sales the popular San Pedro neighborhood of South Shores is experiencing a Seller's Market.  Yes, that's right--there are currently more homes in escrow than there are homes for sale.  If you're thinking about selling now might be the time to get serious, very serious.

South Shores real estate statistics for March 2009:

Active Listings:  5 Single Family Homes are listed for sale priced from $699,000 to $1,899,000.

Pending Sales:  7 Single Family Homes are in escrow priced from $450,000 to 1,189,000.

March Sales:  3 Single Familly Homes closed escrow priced from $595,000 to $707,500.

If a new addition has you shopping for a larger home, South Shores might be a great place to look for an ocean view property with plenty of room for a growing family.

Previous Market Reports

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

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.

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

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Negotiating the real estate dance requires a bit more finesse these days.  There are new steps, extra twists and turns, and wide gaps between what a seller wants and what a buyer is willing to pay.  What's the best way to bring these opposing partners together? 

1.  Education:  Begin early and make it a continuous process.  Show sellers the competition.  Provide pending and sale information in their neighborhood the day it happens.  Anchor them in the reality of the real estate market.  Ditto for buyers.

2.  Communication:  Tell them what they need to know before they need the information.  A buyer who is knowledgeable about financing terms, recent sales and active listings in their neighborhood of choice is a buyer who will be ready, able and willing to write an offer when they find the right house.

3.  Cooperation:  Remind them selling and buying a property is a team effort.  They need each other, and they will not achieve their respective goals without the cooperation of the other party.  They must be willing to connect, accept some give and take and move toward a common goal.

Sellers are weary. They've reduced their price, made their home available to strangers and are doing their best to live in a "ready to show" house that no longer feels like home.  Buyers, please be appreciative and respectful of their efforts to accommodate your desire to see and perhaps purchase their property. If you decide to extend the invitational offer make sure it is dressed for acceptance.  Include a preapproval letter from a reputable lender and a personal letter along with your offer.  Small gestures make a big impression.

Buyers are worried. Prices are still adjusting and job security appears to be an archaic term.  These are uncertain times.  Buyers do not want to overpay in a declining market and stagnant economy.  They do want a house that offers good value based on current market conditions.  Sellers, when a qualified buyer chooses your house as the one to make an offer on, I hope you'll dance.

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

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.

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

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as is the value of a view.  This is one of the great puzzles of selling view homes on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  We have a plethora of views.  There are varying degrees of views, there are up close and personal views and there are some homes with pastoral views (some buyers consider this a non-view when compared with a panoramic view).  What's an agent to do when asked to place a value on a view?

The Views of Palos Verdes:The Queen's Necklace view is one of the most sought after on the entire Palos Verdes Peninsula. Many residents of Palos Verdes Estates are fortunate to enjoy this amazing sight from the comfort and convenience of their home. It is a combination of Pacific Ocean meeting the encircling lights of the Beach Cities and beyond all the way to Malibu.  Toss in snow capped mountain in the background on a clear day and few would disagree this is a million dollar view.

The Blue Pacific and Catalina Island  is another very popular view in Palos Verdes.  A drive along Palos Verdes South will soon reveal why Lowe's chose to build one of the most spectacular resorts in Southern California overlooking this view.  Terranea will open this summer and the views are incredible and inspiring.  Donald Trump's golf course is located nearby and enjoys the same view.

City lights is an undeniably romantic view. The lights of the Los Angeles Basin and Los Angeles Harbor sparkle throughout the night and twinkle like millions of strands of holiday lights.    Palos Verdes is affectionately referred to as "The Hill" by locals and nowhere is this more evident than when you are looking down at the glittering lights of the night.

Other views include coastline, whitewater, bluffs, hills. parks and so much more. Some are from atop "The Hill" and others are so close you can almost dip your toes in the water or hear the surf.  There is no doubt views add value to Palos Verdes Property.  It also adds beauty, serenity and joy.  Those intangibles may be one of the greatest gifts of owning property on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

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

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.

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

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The real estate market is red hot in the Eastview neighborhood of Rancho Palos Verdes.  Here's the March 2009 update:

Active Listings:  12 Single Family Homes are for sale priced from $529,000 to $2,150,000.

Pending Sales:  8!  Yes, 8 Single Family Homes are in escrow priced from $600,000 to $795,000.

March Sales:  2050 MacArthur sold for $649,000 and 1959 Caddington Drive sold for $649,000.

The Jacaranda tree-lined streets of Eastview will soon be in bloom.  May is a wonderful time for house hunting in the neighborhood.

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

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.

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

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Peninsula Center neighborhood real estate report for March 2009:

Active Listings:  10 Single Family Homes are currently for sale priced from $860,000 to $1,299,000.

Pending Sales:  2 Single Family Homes are in escrow listed at $925,000 and $979,000.

March Sales:  26511 Deepbrook Drive sold for $1,000,000.  The one-level home was remodeled (gorgeous kitchen) and had a swimming pool.

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

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.

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

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