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

Picking up dropped balls is a wonderful way to provide top-notch service to clients and pay it forward--never know when I will need someone to come to rescue me in my hour of need.  It certainly beats finger pointing and playing the blame game while the ball remains on the floor and the wheels of the transaction come to a grinding halt.

The dreaded call from the lender came on Monday.  The bank approved the buyer but not the building--yes, the condo's CC&Rs were not acceptable to US Bank.  The buyer quickly decided to move forward with the developer's lender instead of trying to get the HOA to change the CC&Rs--a wise move in my opinion.  We asked lender #1 to forward the buyer's information to lender #2.  On Monday we were told it was done.  On Wednesday lender #2 said he never received it.  Lender #1 apologized for the "mix up" and said he would send it out on Thursday.  Not good enough for this agent.

My business partner picked up the loan package in Torrance and delivered it to the Brendwood office of lender #2.  One week was wasted and now time is definitely of the essence.  Sometimes it is best to do it yourself and know it is done, delivered and back on track.  The wheels of the transaction are back in motion!

If your expectations include customer service that is above and beyond the ordinary Norma Toering and Team would love to welcome you to our list of satisfied clients and happy customers.

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

Homes In Palos Verdes - Palos Verdes Agent Home
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Property Blog
Needles River Front Land - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes
Palos Verdes Photography - Palos Verdes Videos
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes - Beach Cities Homes

Blogging will continue to play an important role in my business in 2011.  Thanks to all my readers for making these posts my top 10 (based on views) in 2010:

The first number after the title represents the number of comments, followed by views and final number is number of clicks.

This post struck a cord with fellow real estate agents.  Once a property is advertised on the Internet it lives on and on...

This opening statement at a listing presentation was an exercise in turning a negative into a positive.

I'm quite a bit techie and little bit old school when it comes to marketing my listings.

I really hope this quote is true as I will soon take my broker exam and studying is an exercise in sweating in practice...

Real estate is an active career and that's a good thing.

Yes, a dry and boring market report made my top ten.  If you live in the neighborhood it is an interesting read, otherwise it's of little interest.

Selling engages all our senses and after sight, smell is the one that lingers long after the showing is over.  

Every market has its day, and strategies must adjust with the market.

Palos Verdes is a high-end market and Donald Trump knows it.

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

Homes In Palos Verdes - Palos Verdes Agent Home
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Property Blog
Needles River Front Land - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes
Palos Verdes Photography - Palos Verdes Videos
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes - Beach Cities Homes

Language is a tool for concealing the truth.

Zen of the Day (applied to real estate)

"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when we first practice to deceive."  Sir Walter Scott

Words have a life of their own and we must be careful how we use them, especially in real estate.  Concealing the truth with words, or by omission of the same, is a dangerous path to embark upon.  Whether spoken or written, words used to conceal the truth may be used against you at some future date, and justifiably so.  Justice is seldom swift, but it has a very long shelf life.

In my twenty year real estate career, I've been bluntly asked to lie about an encroachment, asked to omit a disclosure and various other concealment requests from buyers, sellers and fellow agents.  Happily, such requests are exceptions to the norm, but the opportunity to use language as a tool for concealing the truth arises all too often in the day to day operations of the real estate business.

No, is the only acceptable answer when asked to conceal the truth.  You can spin it and massage it but a lie is still a lie.  A lie is often only the postponement of the discovery of the truth--with consequences.

Personally, I like to sleep at night and avoid court appearances.

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

Homes In Palos Verdes - Palos Verdes Agent Home
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Property Blog
Needles River Front Land - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes
Palos Verdes Photography - Palos Verdes Videos
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes - Beach Cities Homes

This morning I awoke to the dull throb of an old tennis injury in my shoulder and I muttered under my breath, "I need a massage."  Instead, I reached for the vibrating heating pad and settled for twenty minutes of heat and an application of Ben Gay.  As I sipped a cup of hot coffee and waited for"Ben" to work his magic on my shoulder I thought how fabulous it would be to have a home spa, complete with masseuse table, and the number of a mobile masseuse close at hand.  Since I love a day at the spa, that's the fantasy home feature I dream about.

I see luxury homes day in and day out as a real estate agent on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  These high-end homes are filled with dream kitchens, glorious gardens, grand living rooms, heavenly views of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island and twinkling lights of Los Angeles.  When showing these homes I watch prospective buyers to see what triggers their personal "tipping point" and I've noticed a shift from kitchen to master bath in many women.

The 21st Century woman is busy, very busy.  Career, kids, community and social commitments mean dinner is often takeout, eat out or a shared duty with spouse and kids.  The kitchen is still the hub and heart of the home, but the master bath's evolution into a rejuvenation center and sanctuary is a growing trend.  Discerning home buyers are not willing to wait for a vacation to restore and renew their spirit; they want the spa experience available in the comfort and convenience of their 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

Homes In Palos Verdes - Palos Verdes Realtor Home
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Blog
Boitano Palms Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes
Palos Verdes Photography - Palos Verdes Videos

Colorado River Front Land and Acres

The Palos Verdes Peninsula rises up from the flatlands of the South Bay offering some of the most spectacular views in Southern California.  Naturally, these breathtaking views make the "dirt" on the pricey side.  Add a luxury home to the view and the price tag heads skyward.

If you are looking for a coastal home with a view, Palos Verdes is a glorious area to begin your quest for a home.  Each of the four cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula offers high-end homes.  The current number of luxury homes for sale is:

$2,000,000 to $5,000,000:  60 Single Family Homes For Sale in Palos Verdes.

$5,000,000 and up:  12 Single Family Homes For Sale in Palos Verdes.

There are currently 222 Single Family Homes For Sale on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Nearly one-third of the homes in Palos Verdes are priced over $2,000,000.

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

Homes In Palos Verdes - Palos Verdes Realtor Home
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Blog
Boitano Palms Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes
Palos Verdes Photography - Palos Verdes Videos

Colorado River Front Property

Thanksgiving is Thursday, relatives are arriving from out of town and true to form business is cranking it up a notch or two this final quarter of 2010.  The only work event on my weekend calendar was a Saturday afternoon open house and it looked like rain might wash that task off the agenda.

Friday night I fired up the gas logs in my fireplace, snuggled up with my cozy throw and pushed play on my Netflix choice of the week.  With the iPhone within reach on the coffee table and a cup of hot chocolate with a sprinkle of Cayenne Pepper in hand, (fires up the metabolism) I was ready to begin a quiet weekend before the rush of holidays and all things associated with the end of one year and beginning of the next. 

After a few iPhone pings I paused the movie and took a quick peek. Holy, moly, there it was--an offer on a listing.  After a quick receipt acknowledgment to the agent and a look at the first page, I returned to my French subtitle film.  Okay, I made a mental note that I would be working Saturday morning since I needed to package the offer along with recent market updates to send to the out of state seller.

Saturday morning I booted up my office computer to find an email notifying me I was the lucky winner of something I really wanted--a fabulous new listing!  Okay, a little more work was creeping into my weekend off.  All good stuff, so no complaints from me.  Next, the phone rang and it was a prospective buyer wanting to see a listing on this very blustery Saturday with the first winter storm of the season breathing down upon us.  I was ready to cancel my open house, but since it was the property he wanted to see I told him it would be open 1-3pm.  It poured buckets of rain, but they showed and they loved it!  And so it goes...

The calls continue to arrive on this busy pre-Thanksgiving weekend.  An agent called to say she is putting together an offer on a cute little residential income listing and yet another agent called to say her client is also interested in it.  There's a meeting to construct a counter offer and an amendment that needs to be waiting at escrow first thing Monday morning...just another weekend in real estate. I wouldn't have it any other way! 

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks for giving me the opportunity to help you with your real estate goals.

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

Homes In Palos Verdes - Palos Verdes Realtor Home
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Blog
Boitano Palms Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes
Palos Verdes Photography - Palos Verdes Videos

Colorado River Front Property

Reasons People Want to Live in Palos Verdes:

1)  Few places on earth are more beautiful.

2)  The Palos Verdes Unified School District is one of the top public school systems in California.

3)  It is located in Los Angeles County, and is close to all the urban conveniences, but is a coastal retreat far from the hustle and bustle of city life.

4)  The climate provides many days of sunshine, a few of rain, but snow is a rare occurrence.

5)  The coastal location provides easy access to beaches.  The Palm Springs desert towns are an easy 2.5 hour drive and ditto for the mountain ski destinations.

6) Housing choices run the gamut from condos to grand estate homes.  There are beachy cottages, rambling equestrian estates and hillside villas.  Prices range from condos under $200,000 to multi-million dollar mansions.  No matter what your budget there is a Palos Verdes home for you.  The views are enjoyed by all.

If you're considering a move to one of the four Palos Verdes Peninsula Cities, it would be my pleasure to arrange a tour of the area.

If you're looking for a resort like area to call home, the Palos Verdes Peninsula is calling your name.

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

Homes In Palos Verdes - Palos Verdes Realtor Home
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Blog
Boitano Palms Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes
Palos Verdes Photography - Palos Verdes Videos

Colorado River Front Property - Beach Cities Blog

I understand you live in your home, but it is very difficult to sell it when it is filled with accumulated layers of memories (read that as clutter), dust-cover photos of your gene pool, an oven with DNA proof of holidays past and precious finger and foot prints of kids and pets who once ruled your kingdom--or maybe they are still in residence.  Either way, if you want to sell it, you must work on converting the home you live in into a house on the open market.  Prospective buyers know it is "used" but it must be market ready before you place a price tag on it.

If you want to sell a car you do not take it to the dealer dirty, full of soccer gear and a stash of empty commuter coffee cups.  Most people "detail" the car prior to selling it--and if the owner did not attend to these market savvy details you can be sure the dealer will before he attempts to sell it.  Doesn't it make perfect sense to "detail" your home in the same way?

Prospective buyers do not expect your home to look like a magazine model home.  They will accept used, but abused will not be welcomed with outstretched arms.  Remember, buyers have an internal calculator running a tab as they walk through your "for sale" property.  They are establishing value as they move from entrance to exit.  You have one chance to impress and capture them.  A few days spent "detailing" your house will up the odds of your property being "the one" for them.

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

Homes In Palos Verdes - Palos Verdes Realtor Home
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Blog
Boitano Palms Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes
Palos Verdes Photography - Palos Verdes Videos

Colorado River Front Property

We survived the borderline buyer and suffered through the appraisal review slash on one deal.  Asbestos and a furnace drawing its last breath did not halt our forward march on transaction number two.  The third deal involved one of the longest repair lists I've ever seen, but after three walk-throughs we finally closed that one too. 

 Hallelujah!  It has been a long time since I closed three escrows during the same week.

I don't know if it is the market or me, but between the two of us this was one busy week.  The market is more demanding but I am more determined!

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

Homes In Palos Verdes - Palos Verdes Realtor Home
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Blog
Boitano Palms Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes
Palos Verdes Photography - Palos Verdes Videos

Colorado River Front Property

I admit I know my number, at least I have a good idea of my running total of Active Rain points.  But really, what can I do with all these points?  This post is a milestone in terms of points, but it is not very important in terms of why I post.

I post to improve and grow my business.  I post to educate and inform consumers.  I post to market my listings.  I post to provide customer service for the members of my database.  I post to provide the community with neighborhood market reports.  I post to brand myself as a real estate agent who delivers on promises and believes we must give before we receive.  I post to build relationships and trust. 

I must also admit I think blogging is a great way to stay sane in the wild and wacky world of real estate madness.  It is very therapeutic to share the successes, the challenges and the frustrations of another day in dealing with demands, disappointments and yes, even dreams. 

 Today, when I answered the phone I recognized the voice of a fifteen year plus client.  He reported a death in the family, thanked me for supplying information on a sale to his accountant then played music in my ear with the following words, "I have a new real estate dream and I want you to help me." 

My posts are for the people seeking real estate information and dreaming of condos, cottages, coastal villas, hillside mansions and horse property.  The points, well they are just points, but my business is built by helping people realize their real estate dreams.  That is the point of my posts.

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

Homes In Palos Verdes - Palos Verdes Realtor Home
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Blog
Boitano Palms Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes
Palos Verdes Photography - Palos Verdes Videos

Colorado River Front Property