Five Ways to Add Views to Your Home - Palos Verdes, CA

The Palos Verdes Coastal area is graced with some of the most magnificent views in the world. Since it is a peninsula it is surrounded on three sides with water and a large number of waterfront and bluff-top homes. The Palos Verdes Peninsula is also a small mountain and the hillsides are lined with view homes.

A view is a desirable thing to have; it also increases the value of your property. It is impossible to install an ocean view, but I've seen some creative ways to "add a view" to a property. Let's start with the obvious:

1. Trim and prune overgrown shrubs and trees. It is not unusual for a peek-a-boo view to grow into so much more with some artful trimming and pruning. A client once laced several large trees to discover a distant water view.

2. Turn a corner of your backyard into a garden with a fountain, seating area and your own mini resort.

3. Focus all eyes on the pool. Enhance the pool deck with a cabana, potted plants, dramatic lighting and inviting lounge chairs. What's not to love about vacationing at home?

4. Add a piece or two of interesting yard art. An interesting sculpture can transform a ho-hum space into cutting edge chic upon installation.

5. Refresh or start over with new landscaping. In my opinion, landscape architects are undervalued. The right green-scape and hard-scape can change the appearance and appeal of an ordinary house into an unforgettable home. Who needs the ocean to look at when everywhere the eyes turns there is a new delight to discover and enjoy?

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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Malaga Cove Home Sales - March 2010 - Palos Verdes Estates

Malaga Cove neighborhood real estate and home sales report for Palos Verdes Estates, CA in March 2010.

Active listings: 12 Homes are available for sale in Malaga Cove, PVE priced from $1,750,000 to $13,775,000.

Pending sales: 8 Houses are in escrow priced from $998,000 to $2,496,000.

March sales: No homes closed escrow in Malaga Cove during March 2010.

Previous Palos Verdes and San Pedro Market Reports

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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A lender's love is oh so conditional.

You had him at hello. It started with grand promises and tantalizing interest rates. It was a whirlwind affair with documents flying around the globe. Your Big Three resume carried recognition and clout. He felt comfortable with your world renowned brand. Now he is just another would-be borrower with a broken heart.

What went wrong? Was it because yours was one of those Internet clandestine affairs and you never had a face to face? Breaking up was easy via email. There were a few last minute torrid phone calls but you stood firm and called it off the day loan approval was due.

A good loan is hard to find and even harder to close these days. It takes a borrower with a resilient heart to stay in the game. The phrase "I'm sorry it didn't work out for you" was his cue to move on (this time to a local lender) and seek a new loan, a new lender and continue forward with his pursuit for 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.

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Mudslides, Landslides and Other Perilous Perks of Life in California

Breaking news is playing in the background as I write this blog post. 41 Homes were either destroyed or damaged by mudslides overnight north of Los Angeles. The local hills were charred from recent forest fires and last night's heavy rainfall was sufficient to trigger a flow of mud into the community below the barren hills.

When building or purchasing a home it is important to be familiar with local conditions and past history of landslides and other acts of nature. Hillside homes are common throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area. The Palos Verdes Peninsula consists of hills, canyons and cliffs. I currently have a hillside home listed for sale in Rancho Palos Verdes. Thanks to the forethought of the City, adequate drainage systems lace the hillsides and mudslides are rare.

If you are considering purchasing a hillside home, investigate, inspect and engage professionals to ensure proper precaustions are in place to keep your home free of mudslides. The rains will come, but with ample planning the water and mud will flow through the designed channels, not through your 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.

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The Estates at Trump National: Homes in Palos Verdes

The Pacific Ocean is your never-ending back yard, and Trump National Golf Course is steps away from your front door. If you thought the Estates at Trump National were out of your league, you might want to re-visit the idea.

Each home was recently reduced $500,000; the new prices are far below the original asking prices. In 2005 these spectacular homes came on the market priced from $5,200,000 to $6,950,000. Today the price spread is $3,400,000 to $4,999,999. What a difference a recession makes.

Yesterday I spent a balmy Southern California afternoon showing prospective buyers these incredible ocean view homes. Prospective buyers were impressed with the location, style and price, and with their individual styles each home brought expressions of delightful surprise. The interiors are elegantly staged, golf privileges are included as well as concierge services.

With some of the best views on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and new, attention grabbing prices, perhaps it's time to schedule a private tour to see what everyone is talking about.

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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Lunada Bay, Palos Verdes Estates - Home Sales Dec. 2009

Lunada Bay neighborhood real estate and home sales report for Palos Verdes Estates, CA in December 2009.

Active listings: 24 Homes are currently for sale in Lunada Bay priced from $1,080,000 to $3,495,000.

Pending sales: 8 Properties are currently in escrow priced from $1,160,000 to $2,995,000.

December sales: 4 Homes sold in December 2009:

• Via Coronel $1,040,000
• Chelsea Rd $1,100,000
• Via Carrillo $1,400,000
• Via Estudillo $1,565,000
  

All Lunada Bay, Palos Verdes Estates real estate and home sales reports.

Previous Palos Verdes and San Pedro Market Reports

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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La Cresta Neighborhood - Nov 2009 Real Estate Report

La Cresta neighborhood real estate and home sales report for Rancho Palos Verdes, CA in Novemeber 2009.

Active listings: 9 Homes are currently for sale in the La Cresta neighborhood of RPV priced from $995,000 to $2,880,000.

Pending sales: 4 Houses are in escrow priced from $949,000 to $2,699,000.

November sales: 2 Homes sold in November 2009:

• Pepper Tree Ln $945,000
• Clear Vista Dr $1,423,000
  

All La Cresta, Rancho Palos Verdes real estate and home sales reports.

Previous Palos Verdes and San Pedro Market Reports

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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