Palos Verdes Lifestyle - Norma Toering's Palos Verdes Homes Blog

Norma Toering's Country Club Home Sales Report - April 2012

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:34:08 -0700

Country Club neighborhood real estate and home sales report for Rancho Palos Verdes, CA in April 2012.

Homes for sale: 8 Homes are listed for sale in the Country Club area priced from $1,399,000 to $3,998,000.

Pending sales: 7 Houses are in escrow priced from $1,050,000 to $3,500,000.

April sales: One home sold in April 2012:

Address

Sale Price

Bed/Bath

Sq. Feet.

Lot

Year Built

Days Listed

6441 Sattes Dr.

$1,300,000

5/3

3036

15365

1970

Homes for sale in the Country Club section of RPV:

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

PalosVerdesLifestyle- Norma's award winning site as the best Palos Verdes homes and real estate blog since 2007. Selected 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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The Almighty Daily List--My Secret Coping Mechanism

Thu, 17 May 2012 09:56:11 -0700

Rip Van Winkle has much in common with today's real estate market in Palos Verdes and the surrounding South Bay communities. Yes, after years of slumbering, and agents wondering whether it would ever return to life, the market is back. I may need to add more minutes on my iPhone plan. That's an easy fix, but not even this queen of time management has devised a way to add more minutes to the day.

The solution is to get more mileage from each minute. The list is my secret weapon for winning the war with time. Clock battles are always ongoing when we have more things to do than can possibly be accomplished in 24 little hours. A detailed list prevents me from wasting time wondering what I should do next when there are so many choices (and demands).

The list may be long, but it is most efficient to tackle one task at a time. Complete it, check it off and move on. This organized and efficient approach will fill you with a sense of accomplishment and direction and prevent you from becoming overwhelmed. It's really more about self management--we all have the same amount of time--and how we choose to organize our time.

I begin every daily list with appointments scheduled--can't miss those! Then list each offer in process, every escrow, listing, top tier buyers and at least one thing I need to do today to move forward in each category. Sometimes it is simply a phone call, other times the list is long but time required to accomplish the tasks is shortened by being organized.

Remember, this is the market we've been waiting for, so don't forget to smile as you and your super list conquer the challenges every agent faces in the exhilarating real estate rat race.

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

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Norma Toering's Palos Verdes Drive West Home Sales Report - Apr. 2012

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:27:02 -0700

Palos Verdes Drive West neighborhood real estate and home sales report for Rancho Palos Verdes, CA in April 2012.

Homes for sale: 6 Homes are listed for sale in the PVDW area of RPV priced from $1,899,000 to $5,999,000.

Pending sales: 2 Houses are in escrow priced at $2,799,000 and $2,999,000.

April sales: 5 Homes sold in April 2012:

Address

Sale Price

Bed/Bath

Sq. Feet.

Lot

Year Built

Days Listed

7354 Via Lorado

$865,000

3/3

2019 10138 1962

30531 Rue Langlois

$1,220,000

4/3

2113 17820

1960

30133 Via Borica

$1,310,000

5/3

2882

10287

1966

30051 Via Victoria

$2,600,000

5/5

4359

10670

2012

357

29 Via Del Cielo

$4,050,000

6/7

6431

24853

2005

206

Homes for sale in the Palos Verdes Drive West area:

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

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Making Your Next Move a Green Move - Guest Blogger

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:14:35 -0700

I'm so happy Movers.com contacted me about a possible guest blog on the subject of making your next move a green one. I've moved many times and although I always tried to recycle the boxes and packing material after the move and hold a garage sale before the move, I paid very little attention to the packing material in my not-so-gree-days.

Making Your Next Move a Green Move
By Robert Moreschi, Movers.com

It's important that we think about the environment and consider the environmental consequences of our actions no matter what we do, even if it's simply moving from one place to another. During even the most routine of moves, you can go through a lot of potential waste that can harm the environment if you're not careful. Luckily, there are green moving initiatives that seek to reduce this waste and that foster eco-friendly moves that don't leave as big of a carbon footprint.

There are also many simple steps that you can take as an individual to make sure that your next move is a green move, and all you have to do is a little reducing, reusing, and recycling, both before and after your move.

Recycling

When it comes to recycling, you can look to your town's waste management resources for information on how to recycle. Most towns and cities in the U.S. offer numerous opportunities to recycle and the information can be found online at earth911.org. Also, you can check with your town or city to find out any information that isn't available online.

Recycling greatly cuts down on your carbon footprint and it's an excellent way to keep your move Earth-friendly. Whether you recycle your packing materials or other moving supplies, you can be sure that you're doing the environment a huge favor.

One important thing to note is to make sure that you aren't recycling any hazardous or potentially dangerous materials. Some materials may need to be handled carefully and disposed of at separate facilities, so check on any potential problem items before you recycle.

Green Packing Materials

When you are picking out the moving materials you will use, you should also keep the environment in mind and be conscious of the materials you are using. If you know where to look, you can find many green packing materials that are environmentally friendly.

Green packing materials, such as reusable moving boxes and special environmentally conscious packing supplies, can go a long way in helping to make your move green and can be found at just about any moving and packing supply store.

Reusing or Selling Old Items

Moving means cleaning out your old home and getting rid of all of the unwanted goods you either forgot you had or never use anymore. But instead of simply throwing these items out, put them to good use by selling them or donating them. Holding a garage sale for unwanted goods can not only help you to get rid of your old stuff in an eco-friendly way, but it might also make you an extra buck or two to help out with the moving expenses.

You can also donate old clothes to the Salvation Army, old books, magazines or tapes to the local library and old electronics to the local recycling facility. If you don't have any place to put your old stuff, you can even think about repurposing it for some other uses. Be creative!

Unpacking

Once you've unpacked everything in your new home, you'll have another recycling opportunity. If you've chosen your packing materials carefully, you should be able to recycle almost all of them. Cardboard boxes can be disassembled easily for recyclable pickup. Newsprint and other paper goods you that used to wrap or cushion your belongings should be gathered together into the appropriate paper recycling bin. Finally, find out what day recyclables are picked up in your new neighborhood, so you know when to bring yours out to the curb.

If you don't want to wait for recycling day, you could always drop your recyclables off at a local recycling facility.

About the Author

Robert Moreschi is the content writer for Movers.com, an online moving resource dedicated to providing its customers with free moving quotes from some of the top moving companies in the business including long distance movers, local movers, international movers, and auto transport as well as relocation guides and tools. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and currently resides in North Brunswick, NJ where he enjoys spending his free time writing and playing basketball.

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

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Best Mother's Day Gift

Mon, 14 May 2012 12:45:42 -0700

I'm searching for a frame for this lovely gift from my 7-year old granddaughter, Elizabeth!

Yesterday was a lovely example of the kind of balance I strive for on a daily basis--a little family time, some work time, a bit of exercise, good food shared with family and friends and a good night's rest. That's as close to perfection as I need.

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

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Wishing You a Memorable Mother's Day

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:54:24 -0700

My Mother's Day will be spent walking with my daughter, working with one son,(yes, I'm working part of the day) talking to college student son via phone and enjoying brunch cooked by another son and son-in-law. All in all, I expect to have a fabulous day filled with lots of little memorable moments. I'm looking forward to a beautiful day and I wish you the same.

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

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It's About Them, Not Us--Spotlight Shift

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:18:49 -0700

I've always believed there is more right than wrong with the real estate profession. However, sometimes our flaws are flaunted in the face of consumers. I posted this original article in December 2007 (my first mini-rant) and I'm happy to say I think the Great Housing Depression taught us a lesson in compassion and sensitivity. Some agents already exhibited the 'it's about them' mentality and others had to learn it. Judging by the ads I perused last week there's been a radical shift in how we address the public. The spotlight is now on the customer, not the agent. After all, the real estate experience is about helping our customers and clients realize their real estate goals throughout their life.

Original Post date 12/2007

All right, I've looked at the micro picture of real estate for 2008--I've set my goals--it may have been the red wine I sipped as I compiled them, but I like to think big and they're way up in the stratosphere. It will be a gritty climb but I'm feeling positive about reaching for them. However, meeting my personal goals will not evolve the industry, and I think we need to change the public's perception of real estate agents.

It's time to focus on the macro side of real estate. The big picture. Our legacy. The way the community, the client and yes, the world view of our contribution to making the globe spin.

As I flipped through the weekend addition of the local home guide I saw Realtor face after Realtor face proclaimed as top listing agent, top sales agent, and others proclaiming mega million dollar production. Please stop this. No wonder clients think commissions are too high and ask for discounts. The self promotion most agents do is way too 'MeMe' when the focus needs to be on what we do for the client. We should be advertising their success stories, not ours.

Take a moment and think back to the last time you read about a corporate executive receiving an overly fat hiring package or exit bonus. Did you think that's excessive? Undeserved? Overpaid? Perhaps it was well deserved, but seeing the number in print without any backup information is disgusting to most readers. There is much work involved in posting high production numbers, but those numbers should remain private. I never see my attorney or doctor putting their picture in the paper saying they made $1,000,000 last year providing service to their clients and/or patients. It's classless.

This light bulb moment occurred when a buyer came to me and said she wanted me to show her a house. She previously worked with another agent in the area. When I inquired about her past agent she said, "She's more interested in buying another new sports car than finding me a great deal." It's time to pull the self-promotion from the media and focus on the quality work we perform for our clients.

Many real estate agents do wonderful work in their community. Let's post more service based pics and print and cut back on the 'I made the most money this month' publicity. It might increase our credibility and make stronger connections with potential customers. Brokers, how about awards for humanitarian efforts, volunteer projects and charitable contributions? Let's make an effort in 2008 to show our communities what we are giving instead of what we are making.

P.S. It's 2012 and I still feel the same way. Kudos to all for the positive shift.

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

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Norma Toering's Palos Verdes Drive East Home Sales Report - Apr. 2012

Wed, 09 May 2012 21:28:23 -0700

Palos Verdes Drive East neighborhood real estate and home sales report for Rancho Palos Verdes, CA in April 2012.

Homes for sale: 20 Homes are listed for sale priced from $818,000 to $4,295,000.

Pending sales: 12 Houses are in escrow in the PV Dr. East area priced from $650,000 to $1,888,000.

April sales: Five homes sold in Apr. 2012:

Address

Sale Price

Bed/Bath

Sq. Feet.

Lot

Year Built

Days Listed

6620 Via Siena

$797,000

3/2

1763 16284 1955

146

2115 Daladier Dr.

$880,000

4/4

3063 15440

1960

379 3070 Crownview Dr.

$910,000

5/3

3328

22104

1968

6503 Palos Verdes Dr. E.

$1,076,000

3/2

2140

26414

1954

208

94 Headland Dr.

$1,600,000

4/4

3768

43560

1955

298

Homes for sale in the Palos Verdes Drive East area of RPV:

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

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

Norma Toering's Palos Verdes Drive South Home Sales Report Apr. 2012

Thu, 10 May 2012 06:33:58 -0700

Palos Verdes Drive South neighborhood real estate and home sales report for Rancho Palos Verdes, CA in April 2012.

Homes for sale: 20 Homes are listed for sale in the Palos Verdes Dr. South area priced from $825,000 to $10,000,000.

Pending sales: 5 Houses are in escrow priced from $775,000 to $3,399,000.

April sales: Two homes sold in April 2012:

Address

Sale Price

Bed/Bath

Sq. Feet.

Lot

Year Built

Days Listed

16 Peppertree Dr.

$770,000

2/1

1393 24971

1954

140

32332 Phantom Dr.

$1,015,000

3/2

1922

12496

1963

147

PV Drive South area homes for sale:

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

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Norma Toering's Mira Catalina Home Sales Report - Apr. 2012 - RPV

Thu, 10 May 2012 06:29:05 -0700

Mira Catalina neighborhood real estate and home sales report for Rancho Palos Verdes, CA in April 2012.

Homes for sale: 4 Homes are listed for sale priced from $1,049,122 to $4,090,000.

Pending sales: 4 Houses are in escrow priced from $739,000 to $1,350,000.

April sales: No homes sold during April 2012 in the Mira Catalina neighborhood of RPV.

Homes for sale in the Mira Catalina section of Rancho Palos Verdes:

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

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

Norma Toering's Rolling Hills CA Home Sales Report - Apr. 2012

Thu, 10 May 2012 06:15:49 -0700

Rolling Hills neighborhood real estate and home sales report for Rolling Hills, CA in April 2012.

Homes for sale: 16 Homes are listed for sale in the city of Rolling Hills priced from $1,249,000 to $12,950,000.

Pending sales: 4 Homes are in escrow priced from $1,100,000 to $3,500,000.

April sales: 4 Homes sold in April 2012:

Address

Sale Price

Bed/Bath

Sq. Feet.

Lot

Year Built

Days Listed

6 Portuguese Bend Rd.

$1,306,000

3/2

1887 52272 1941

9 Caballeros Rd.

$1,650,000

3/2

2405 98576

1958

239

15 Georgeff Rd.

$2,200,000

4/5

3515

51205

1970

1 Reata Lane

$2,711,500

4/4

4065

54572

1960

176

Homes for sale in Rolling Hills, California.

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

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Norma Toering's Palos Verdes Drive North Home Sales - April 2012

Thu, 10 May 2012 06:10:41 -0700

Palos Verdes Drive North neighborhood real estate and home sales report for Rolling Hills Estates & the Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA April 2012.

Homes for sale: 10 Homes are listed for sale in the RHE/PVP area of PV Drive North priced from $975,000 to $3,245,000.

Pending sales: 17 Houses are in escrow priced from $899,000 to $3,999,000.

April sales: 11 Homes sold in Apr. 2012:

Address

Sale Price

Bed/Bath

Sq. Feet.

Lot

Year Built

Days Listed

2241 Estribo Dr.

$765,000

3/2

1512

13096

1956

27727 Conestoga Dr.

$765,000

4/2

1859 12666

1956

79 8 Saddlebow Lane

$925,000

5/4

3808 23489

1995

241 4023 Montaigne Way

$1,025,000

3/2

2063 10952

1972

8 4208 Cartesian Circle

$1,040,000

4/3

2794 11662

1972

111 5 Silverbit Lane

$1,050,000

4/2

2292 19000

1968

35 27550 Rainbow Ridge Rd.

$1,205,000

4/3

3251 13707

1962

8 10 Buckskin Lane

$1,320,000

4/3

2600 13705

1950

8 4635 Sugarhill Dr.

$1,475,000

5/4

3623 20470

1964

4 32 Strawberry Lane

$1,915,000

3/3

3246 50090

1949

18 2 Saddlehorn Lane

$1,950,000

5/3

3937 27977

1960

121

Homes for sale in PV Drive North neightborhood:

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

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Sellers, Is Your House Telling Stories Behind Your Back?

Sat, 05 May 2012 06:52:02 -0700

You bet it is! Every house tells a story, and today's buyers are very good listeners.

Buyers make an intellectual and financial decision to look at properties based on location, price and square footage. They want their new home to be where they want to live, the price they can afford to pay and a size that fits their needs. Those are the basics and where every search begins.

With those requirements satisfied, the search for a new home moves into the more subtle nuances of home buying. The psychological factors come into play. Past history and experiences of the buyer bring forth new requirements and the elimination process is underway. It often goes something like this:

Oh we could never live here, my husband is allergic to cats and their dander stays in the heating and cooling systems for months. Sorry, if you have cats your house was just scratched off the list of possible buys–medical reasons for not buying a house are almost impossible to overcome.

That backyard looks like a park. It reminds me of where I grew up. Emotional comment is noted by agent. The buyer has made a connection.

Is this a distressed property sale? That is the unkempt yard and blistered paint speaking to the buyer.

Didn’t they know we were coming? That is the garbage cans still at the curb at 3:00 p.m. the unmade beds and disheveled family room revealing the sellers lack of preparation. Don’t lose a prospective buyer at the curb or make them feel like an unwelcome guest. Invite them in with impeccable curbside appeal, and win them over with an interior that beckons them to linger and imagine life within the walls of this particular property. Life is full of choices and chances are this is not the only home they will view before they purchase.

Buyers are forming an opinion of your home and wondering if it is the one that will become their home before they enter your front door. Even though you are not at home, you house is talking to the buyers. Make sure it is telling them what you want them to hear and chances are the story of your house will end well.

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

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Buyers and Crows--Leaving the Fence

Sun, 06 May 2012 19:17:56 -0700

There were only two crows on the fence when I walked past this stretch of hiking trail at Trump National Golf Course. Usually the fence is lined with black crows and I always enjoy seeing which ones will fly as I approach and which ones will eye me as a I pass but maintain their perch on the fence overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

It reminded me of buyers. After staking a claim on fence-sitting for the past several years, it seems many are trading in their sitting rights for house-hunting activities. Smart birds know how to the gauge the risk of sitting or flying and savvy buyers are no different. They know prices have dipped and possibly bottomed, and interest rates are dropping below the historic levels already reached, and it seems buyers in the know are flying off the fence and into the housing market.

Those crows have nothing on savvy buyers in search of a home.

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

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Yesterday I Made a Fairy Garden. Today--Lunch by the Sea--Tomorrow--Hunt Down Luxury Homes--Life Is Good

Sun, 06 May 2012 12:46:34 -0700

Have you ever seen a fairy garden? Neither had I until yesterday. I helped my 7 year old granddaughter paint and plant one, along with the help of her siblings. We dressed in Saturday project clothing, pulled the old craft table out in the warm sunshine and began the project of painting toadstools, rocks and a fairy house. We completed the project by planting a few magic beans and mystery seeds amid the flowers and fairies. Oh yes, we sprinkled everything with fairy dust. Allegedly, it contains special powers to make everything turn out fine and I saved a little for the next big problem I have with a real estate sale. :) What fun!

Today, I'm lunching with a friend and we'll enjoy a view of the ocean while we dine. The sun is shining and a soft coastal breeze is blowing--I'm looking forward to lingering over a late lunch and keeping real estate chatter to a minimum.

Tomorrow I'll preview a few more homes to show to clients next weekend and steer a lovely Palos Verdes home closer to closing, delve into marketing my new listing and hope to receive signed listing paperwork from an out of the area seller.

Life in real estate is beginning to feel good again.

Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333

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