3612 Poinsettia Manhattan BeachIn the last few months I've written posts on Starter Homes in Manhattan Beach , Prices not crashing .... no kidding and buyers and sellers Thinking Outside the Box along with a number of other posts on Manhattan Beach real estate. These posts were about the market in general and often about my listing on 3612 Poinsettia in particular. Many who commented on these posts blasted me on everything from home prices in Manhattan Beach to my general lack of knowledge about the declining real estate market. The bottom was going to fall out of the local housing market and Poinsettia was wildly overpriced at $849,000.But a funny thing happened a month ago. Suddenly 3612 Poinsettia was not the wallflower at the prom. Poinsettia was on the short list for Prom Queen. Th... 06/23/2008

In no particular order, this is our pick of top places to eat in Manhattan Beach. Bon appetit! 1) Darren's Restaurant 1141 Manhattan Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (310) 802-1973 2) Muchos Ultima Mexican Restaurant 903 Manhattan Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (310) 374-4422 www.muchomb.com 3) The Side Door 900 Manhattan AveManhattan Beach, CA 90266 (310) 722-1084 4) Le Pan Quotidien 451 Manhattan Beach Boulevard Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (310) 546-6411 www.painquotidien.com 5) Rock'n Fish 120 Manhattan Beach Blvd Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (310) 379-9900Rocknfish Website 6) Pietros 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Manhattan Beach, CA, 90266 (310) 545-4100 7) La Creperie: Bohemian Bistro and Bar 1209 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310-545-3509 8) Cafe Pierre 317 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Ma... 06/11/2008

As good as they get. South Bay Real Estate Royalty Charles Heidman and Lien Tran are prolific South Bay home builders by night, but unlike many of the other developers in the area, the couple has maintained their primary careers in spite of their tremendous success in real estate. Lien is a successful hair stylist in  Hermosa  Beach and Charles is a plant manager for one of LA's most well-known hospitals. Builders/developers come in all shapes and sizes, but most don't share "Chuck" and Lien's down-to-earth work ethic, positive attitude, and pride in their finished product. You won't find a Range Rover or Porsche convertible in their garage, the couple do what they love and they love what they do. For Diana and me, we're not only Chuck and Lien's Realtors, we've also purchased one of th... 06/11/2008

Every Tuesday between 12 and 4 pm, locals in the beach city of Manhattan Beach converge at 13th Street between Valley Drive and Morningside Drive, for the Manhattan Beach Farmers Market. The Manhattan Beach Farmers Market features vendors with a wide variety of products: Fresh, sometimes-organic, fruits and vegetables Fresh bakery goods Seafood Gourmet desserts Mediterranean foods, like pita chips, hummus, dolmads, etc. Fresh cut flowers Starter plants for gardening All-natural, essential oil beauty products Fresh squeezed juices and pupusas Freshly made French crepes Rotisserie chicken And still more... And for the little ones, there is an musical entertainer to keep them occupied and safe from boredom, while their parents do their shopping. Many young families with kids make the Manha... 05/31/2008

Here are the April 2008 year-to-date (YTD) real estate market facts for Manhattan Beach: 2008 Sales for Manhattan Beach January           13 February          15 March              21 April                 28 2008 Average Days on Market for Manhattan Beach January           82 February          39 March              82 April                 62 2008 Pct Sold/List Price for Manhattan Beach January           95 February          96 March              96 April                 96 2008 Months of Inventory for Manhattan Beach January           8.1 February          9.1 March              7 April                 5.4 2008 Summary YTD for Manhattan Beach (May 1, 2008) The number of home sales in Manhattan Beach have been on a consistent increase since the beginning of the year.  This is expected ... 05/24/2008

The Manhattan Beach Education Foundation is holding their 14th Annual Manhattan Wine Auction on June 14, 2008 at the Manhattan Country Club.  Guests to this event will be able to enjoy tastings of wines from over 80 leading wineries, along with food prepared by over 30 local restaurants.Guests at this beneficial event will be entertained by the John Browne band.  The live and silent auctions will dozens of spectacular prizes, including some of the best collectible wines, dining and also travel.Funds raised at this event will benefit Manhattan Beach public schools, supporting their libraries, PE, music program, a wide variety of elective classes, specialized science programs, counseling, classroom assistants, and more.  For more information on this event, visit http://www.manhattanwineau... 05/05/2008

Some of you may have noticed that I have already blogged about my favorite restaurant in the whole world - Wahoo's Fish Taco - but I don't feel like I did an adequate job.As restaurant owners well know, a successful restaurant isn't just about the food - it's about the entire experience.  The same goes for Wahoos.  I will be the first to tell you that their food is AMAZING, but the environment and atmosphere is also a large draw for myself, and thousand of others.Wahoos Fish Taco (or just Wahoos, for short) is a chain of restaurants which first got their start in California.  They are now also in Hawaii, Arizona, and I believe also Colorado.  My Wahoos of choice is the one located in Manhattan Beach, just off of Manhattan Beach Blvd, on Manhattan Avenue.The moment that you walk into any... 04/30/2008

The Manhattan Beach Pier - the icon of this sunny beach town located in the South Bay of Los Angeles County.  Its image graces the front of postcards.  It is the subject of artists' paintings  It is the most heavily photographed landmark in Manhattan Beach.  You even find a picture of the Manhattan Beach Pier on the header and home page of the city's website.  The pier is most definitely a treasured site in Manhattan Beach.But did you know that the Manhattan Beach Pier is more than just a "pretty face"?  There is a lot more to this recognizable landmark than you may think.  In fact, a visit to the Manhattan Beach Pier can result in a multitude of sights and activities.As you walk onto the pier, you'll notice almost immediately brass plates embedded into the concrete surface.  The sandy ... 04/23/2008

From this...      to this! Over 10 years ago, I made a major life decision:  I decided that I had had enough of the blustery, snowy winters in Western Canada's prairie province of Manitoba, and that I was going to escape to the sunny, sandy shores of Southern California.  It is one of the best decisions I have ever made (along with marrying my husband, having my kids, and getting into real estate).Now, at the time I was not married and I did not have any kids.  But that did not make the move a "slam dunk".  Luckily for me, finding a job at the time was easy as it was the height of the web boom and I was an IT professional.I didn't even have a lot of furniture or other personal items that needed moving.  But when you are moving across the border, it's always a hassle whether you have a l... 04/14/2008

                                          What does Donald Trump Know That You Don't ? Rumor has it that "The Donald" is buying up real estate like crazy nowadays. Is he crazy like a fox? Well only the future well tell. What's important to learn at this point that is that reading the doom and gloom about the financial world especially as it relates to real estate can be more of an opportunity than just more bad news for you.Our local market like most of the nation has lost value over the last year. In the South Bay this has translated into about a 10% decrease of property value. Is that bad news?When you consider that most of the nation is losing a great deal more than 10% perhaps it's really not bad at all. We are losing less at a slower pace than millions of homes across the nation. W... 03/31/2008

What?  Me exaggerate?  Okay, I admit that I can sometimes get a little passionate about certain things, and end up being a little too dramatic.  But in this case, all the drama and hype are warranted.First off, I would consider myself a "foodie", but not in the sense that I have a snobbish palate that settles only for the finest pate and caviar.  In fact, I've never even tried either one!  I know what I like and I appreciate high quality, fresh ingredients at a reasonable price.Now, there are lots of great restaurants in the South Bay of Los Angeles county, but one stands out as I think I have tried - and enjoyed - just about everything on the menu.  That place is Wahoo's Fish Taco in Manhattan Beach.Wahoos is a chain of "fast food" restaurants which started in California years ago and ... 03/25/2008

  If you are looking for  the Wedding of your dreams then you must talk to Emily Cristiano at Cristiano Designs.  Her custom wedding floral designers are slowly no longer becoming the best kept secret of the RIch and Famous.Pic  courtesy of google image                 IF you are hosting a exclusive celebration, Corporate dinner also you must check out Emily Cristiano at Cristiano Designs. Emily specializes in events held at La Venta Inn, Trump National, Beverly Hilton, Private Estates and the Hoiday Homes Tour in Palos Verdes Estates. She also has done events and weddings in Manhattan Beach and the South Bay.Cristiano Designs has gone from creating romantic moods at the La Venta Inn to a wedding on the beach at the Portuguese Beach Club, decorating a sandy beach into a Hawaii Wedding E... 03/17/2008

3 Bedrooms 3 Bath 2200sf remodeled home just listed for $1,199,000.  Best deal in Manhattan Beach currently.Remodeled kitchen with Subzero and Therm-adore appliances, high end cabinetry.  Family room and separate living room BOTH with fireplacesLarge master with 3rd fireplace, huge master bath with spa tub and walk in shower for two.Fenced front courtyard area has patio and lawn, plenty of room for kids' playset.  Second yard space has deck for entertaining and another grassy area.This is a must see, do not miss opportunity in Manhattan Beach.3412 Pacific Ave.http://www.rebeccachambliss.com/ 03/14/2008

If you are looking for a new loan to purchase a home in Manhattan Beach or one of the Beach Cities or if you want to refinance your existing loan; you may be wondering where rates are going in the next few weeks. If you have been hoping to get a little insight from the "experts" in the field you may be disappointed.I just received Dan Green's The Mortgage Reports where he has posted a link to Bank Rate's Trend Report. I love it.. even the "experts" are uncertain about where rates are going...Bank Rate Panel Views on Where Rates are Headed: Up:38%Down:31%Unchanged:31%In my Post wondering on is it time to buy I received the following comment from a reader...Now why would anyone buy in this market that is clearly coming down, just because of interest rates? Interest rates always adjust, co... 02/09/2008

Redondo Beach Homes under $800,000Why are you waiting... Jim Cramer says it's time to buy a house ....so it must be time to buy!Looks as if the recent FED cuts have really stirred the pot. Jim Cramer, who just a few months ago, was telling anyone within shouting distance that buying a house was a stupid move and everyone who owned one should sell.. fast.. has had a change of heart. Not only does Cramer think it might be a good time for the general public to buy a home but he may even do it himself... WOW!For a change,  Cramer may be on the right track... If you need to buy then now might be a good time. It is definitely the time to refinance if you have a loan that will reset within 2 years. OK..so just take a deep breath and  wait a minute before you start to beat up on me... If you n... 02/04/2008

Last week was quite a week with mortgages bouncing up and down in a matter of days while Wall Street and the financial community tried to decide if the FED move was good, bad or mediocre. All of us in the South Bay-Beach Cities were also trying to decide how this cut and further cuts would affect our local real estate market.Amid all the breaking news there have been a couple of related stories that tell a lot about the current housing crisis and the mindset of many consumers. Peter Viles who writes the The LATimes real estate blog LALand posted an article about people who were just walking away from their homes. One comment from a person who labeled herself as Condoblue wound up as another post. It seems that Condoblue has a mortgage that is getting ready to go up and her property has ... 01/29/2008

The House Republicans and Democrats with the approval of the Treasury have tentatively agreed to increase conforming loan limits to $625,000 from the current level of $417,000 as part of their economic stimulous package. The bill must still be approved by the Senate ans the White House before it becomes law. Speculation is that the bill will be signed and could impact loans as soon as February 15, 2008.If the package goes through it would be a boost for the jumbo loan market and our South Bay-Beach Cities real estate market. The increase would be great for those who need to refinance and for many buying property at $900,000 or less. Loans up to $729,750 would get the same treatment as conforming loans of $417,000 or less now receive.. that is lower rates.Brian Brady in a post this morni... 01/25/2008

Classic Redondo Craftsman on the AvenuesThere is no doubt that sales volume has declined from the peak of 2005. Prices, on the other hand, have increased in almost all areas and for all types of property in each of the Beach Cities. While 2007 was not a great year it was not as bad as many had predicted due to surprisingly strong sales in the first half of the year.In August 2007 we saw the first hint of serious trouble within the financial community. Huge numbers of lenders have closed their doors because of losses from subprime loans. Lenders have supposedly revamped their requirements as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have restructured what they will buy and are putting a real premium on FICO scores with penalty points for those who have low scores.While interest rates on conforming loan... 01/22/2008

Manhattan Beach Pier.. January 2008The Manhattan Beach real estate market has always been contrary.. contrary to logic... to income standards... to investment basics... basically to most yardsticks used to measure property values in other places. We have continued to maintain high prices even as the market has slowed down. The number of sales have decreased, the days on market have increased while prices have only seen slight declines.The question floating through our Manhattan Beach community is whether or not this will be the year that we see the real estate market move downward or will we continue with minor adjustments and a basically flat market. Buyers are opting for prices moving downward while sellers are hoping to hang on with a flat market or a minimal downturn.Manhattan Beach... 01/19/2008

Find a terrific Publicist (Real Estate Agent) who knows how to create some pizzaz, a unique attraction around your home. You may not realize how special your property is, only your agent appreciates what a jewel you have. This is what goes through his mind as he takes steps to  present this for sale. If your agent is competent and articulate, he/she will be able to present a side of your property that the buyer does not appreciate; the features that make your home a discovery that creates a need that otherwise did not exist. This is creative selling at its best. There are logical calculated steps you can take to sell your home faster including:= Reducing the sales price: Check out the neighborhood for comparable properties pricing.= Repairing and updating to the home: It's surprising wh... 01/12/2008