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

Have people ever been busier than they are today?  I remember when I was a rookie real estate agent and the proud owner of my first pager.  Yes, I was now on call 24/7.  It was a bit cumbersome to have to place a return call as soon as possible.  More than once I had to stop the car and step inside a phone booth--haven't seen any of those for awhile.  The world moves at a faster pace today.

It wasn't long before I upgraded to a car phone, then cell phone and now I would be lost without my smart phone. We communicate in an instant, we have the world wide web at our fingertips yet there is never enough time to accomplish all we need to do.

My clients are busy people with demanding careers and calendars overflowing with family and business commitments.  They have precious little down time and free time is a thing of the past.  One busy client needs to move a relative closer to his family.  This same client is in the market to buy investment property.  I found a perfect combination of the two--a lovely one level condo with an ocean view.  If I know your needs I can help you meet and exceed them.

One of the top benefits of having a long standing relationship with your real estate agent is the trust factor is well established.  Running a close second is the shared knowledge of your real estate goals.  A long-standing client requested my help in reducing his property taxes.  He casually inquired about homes in a particular price range.  I know his real estate holdings and I sensed he might be considering leasing his multi-level personal residence and relocating to a one-level.  Tomorrow we will view a home better suited to his current needs.  I'll also provide him with a rent survey for his current neighborhood.  The goal is to make the transition as easy and smooth as possible.  Time changes the way we live our lives.  What once was a perfect match can become an uncomfortable fit as the years pass.  

A trusted and knowledgeable agent can help you manage your real estate portfolio as life changes bring new wants and needs.

Norma 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. 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. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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Yesterday a prospective buyer asked, "Do you have sandy beaches in this area?"  It was a fair question since we were looking at properties in Palos Verdes, an area famous for its breathtaking beauty and majestic cliffs towering above the blue Pacific, but not noted for sand filled beaches. 

My resounding reply was, "Of course we do!"  The Beach Cities offers some of the best beaches in Southern California.  Torrance Beach is a local favorite and RAT Beach is a delightful beach at the end of Torrance Beach with access from Malaga Cove.

It's summer and beach questions are to be expected.  Check out these photos of beach destinations in the South Bay.

There are bike paths too!

Norma 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. 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. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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

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 There are currently 290 Single Family Homes listed for sale on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  58 properties are listed for over $3,000,000 and 50 homes are listed below $1,000,00.  182 of the properties currently listed for sale are priced from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000.

Homes are selling in Palos Verdes.  There are currently 87 properties in escrow.  6 of the pending properties were listed for more than $3,000,000 and 30 were priced under $1,000,000.

Norma 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. 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. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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

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Last week I had the pleasure of showing high-end luxury homes on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  These homes are scattered throughout the four cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula with the highest concentration being in Palos Verdes Estates, followed by Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates.

A quick review reveals 48% of luxury properties priced $3,000,000 and up are located in Palos Verdes Estates.  31% are located in Rancho Palos Verdes, 19% are located in Rolling Hills and the remaining 2% are in Rolling Hills Estates.

If you're searching for a luxury home in Palos Verdes your choices include bluff front mansions, hillside villas and equestrian estates.  From Mid-Century to Modern to Mediterranean there are currently approximately sixty homes for sale in the luxury price range of $3,000,000 and up on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Norma 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. 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. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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

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Boitano Palms Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes
Palos Verdes Photography - Palos Verdes Videos

Today I'll be showing uber high-end luxury homes in Palos Verdes.  On my personal categorization chart any property priced over $10,000,000 qualifies.  You may be wondering what a buyer expects in return when they are considering high altitude price tag properties.  Quite simply they expect the best location, breathtaking views and unsurpassed quality.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula hugs the Southern California coastline and offers a plethora of panoramic view properties.  The Peninsula hills rise majestically from the flat-lands of the surrounding South Bay Cities offering the eye delightful surprises of natural beauty.  Rest assured,  super luxury homes all possess premiere location and vary from a perch on the bluffs above the Pacific to a gated estate at the top of "The Hill." 

After the shared similarity of location the homes differ in style, size, age, amenities and the ever so important view.  Some uber high-end homes offer direct beach access with the sound of crashing waves close by.  Others offer a panoramic view of city, ocean and the surrounding mountains.  The variety of homes varies from seaside villa to equestrian estate.

Buyers of top-tier luxury homes share the same desires as prospective buyers at any other price point; they desire to find a house that will best meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of their family.  A place that will greet them each morning with joy and welcome them upon their return at the end of the day.  Their personal sanctuary; a place to call home.

Norma 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. 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. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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

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Boitano Palms Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes
Palos Verdes Photography - Palos Verdes Videos

It does not snow in my local market area, so icy roads and slushy streets are not weather conditions my clients need to factor into their listing date decision.  We do have a rainy season, if we're lucky, from November to March.  Summer heat waves are usually restricted to a few days of hot, dry and smoggy Santa Ana winds.  We have June gloom for a few weeks when coastal fog hides the sun until mid-day.  In Southern California lifestyle, not weather, plays an important role in detemining the best time to sell.

The window of opportunity is open longer due to the beautiful weather we are blessed with.  Sellers can time their move based on their personal calendar, not Mother Nature's seasons.  Spring brings a small bump in activity but sales also happen in December and January. If you missed the spring market, the summer one is a good one too.  The fall market has ample buyers and weather does not slow the winter market except for an occasional rainy day or two.

In Southern California the best time to sell a house is when you are ready. 

Norma 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. 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. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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

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My son Josh began his real estate career designing and mailing my real estate newsletter back in 1992.  He learned the business from the ground up by doing the grunt work and necessary clerical work.  He was assisted by his two younger brothers.  Interestingly enough, all three of my sons are now involved in some aspect of real estate.

Josh is now my real estate partner.  My middle son, Zach is a vice president at Grubb and Ellis in New York City, and my youngest son, Nathaniel, took this fabulous photo.  He is getting ready to launch a real estate photography business and was happy to perfect his technique by using his mom and brother as his first subjects.

My daughter, the teacher, is my only child not involved in real estate, but her two oldest children are now working weekends folding, stuffing and stamping our direct mailers.  Funny how history has a way of repeating itself...

Norma 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. 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. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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

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Yesterday I had the pleasure of showing two couples Palos Verdes property for sale.  The first set of buyers are local residents moving from Torrance to Palos Verdes.  Their reasons for moving are:

The Palos Verdes Unified School District (they have two children)

A larger home for their growing family

A view and pool in their new home (neither of which they have in their present home)

The second set of buyers are moving to the Los Angeles area from China.  The plan to divide their time between China and Palos Verdes.  Their requirements are:

A view and pool if possible

Newer or recently remodeled home

Within the Palos Verdes Unified School District

Since both couples are looking for similar amenities and in similar price ranges I showed several homes in the morning and again in the afternoon.  Both sets of savvy buyers want to enjoy the spectacular views Palos Verdes is famous for and they also want to benefit from the stellar reputation of our local school district.

If you're wondering why people choose to live in Palos Verdes come see the views and research the schools.  Both are spectacular.

Norma 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. 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. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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

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Closed escrows are the fruit of hard work.  The prepping of an upcoming listing often begins months before a closing is on the books. A buyer's search for a home starts months before the purchase happens.  A flower does not produce a blossom overnight.  It must be planted and tended,  A real estate transaction is no different.  It takes time, preparation and skill to generate a real estate sale.

There are always exceptions to the rule; last year a buyer was referred to me.  We looked at two houses and they bought the first one I showed them.  We closed escrow thirty days later.  Those slam dunk deals are delightful, but the reason we remember them so vividly is because they occur so rarely.

I am encouraged by the number of homes I showed this month and the number of showings my listings received.  It is the most active spring market I've worked since 2005.  Now it is time to move the showings to contracts and the escrows to closed sales. 

The local real estate market is showing signs of increased activity with a slight increase in prices and a large increase in number of sales.  The media is reporting positive stories.  Can recovery be far behind?

Norma 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. 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. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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

Palos Verdes Homes Blog - Palos Verdes Houses
Rancho PV Horse Property - Palos Verdes Blog
Coachella Valley Lots for Sale - View Homes in Rancho Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Estates - Rancho Palos Verdes Homes
Los Angeles Photographer - Palos Verdes Homes Videos

I work in the land of luxury homes.  The average price of current active listings in Palos Verdes is just over $2,000,000.  The average active price in March 2009 was $1,960,000.  Yes, it is true prices have inched up approximately 4% from March 09 to March 2010 for homes currently on the market.

Sold properties are at a lower price point but reflect a similar increase.  March 2009 average sold price was $1,080,000 and March 2010 showed an increase of 5% to $1,130,000.

Current market inventory stands at a 4.5 month supply at the current absorption rate.  March 2009 showed a 10.3 month supply of inventory based on absorption rate.

Norma 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. 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. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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

Palos Verdes Homes Blog - Palos Verdes Houses
Rancho PV Horse Property - Palos Verdes Blog
Coachella Valley Lots for Sale - View Homes in Rancho Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Estates - Rancho Palos Verdes Homes
Los Angeles Photographer - Palos Verdes Homes Videos