When I opened my eyes this morning I already had a list of "I have to do this and that" running through my mind.  Not that I'm complaining about being busy, I'm not, but prioritizing the list can be a little daunting.   Number 1:  There's a counter offer to respond to--an easy number one on the list. Number 2:  There's research and an offer to write on a foreclosure--if it is still available. Number 3:  A client wants to see a property today.  Another client said he is sending me a list of 10 to 12 homes he wants to see. Number 4:  I have 5 new leads since Friday and they all need follow up and hands on contact. Number 5:  A past client letter is written and growing stale on my conference table--must write those personal notes and mail it today! (I keep moving them to the storage room w... 03/02/2009

You bet it is!  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 address 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 ... 02/28/2009

A buyer recently told me she was quite comfortable waiting for the right house and the right price in this BUYERS MARKET. I gently explained in her price range Palos Verdes is experiencing a SELLERS MARKET. Yes, it is true. There are over 30 Palos Verdes homes under $1.2M in escrow. I am not sure she believed me, so I turned to my trusty backup--MLS statistics and compiled a short report. Yes, the numbers support what the sales were already telling me. Here is the bottom line: If a Palos Verdes home is priced appropriately and under $1,200,000 the buyers will come: Buyers want the coastal location. Buyers want the Palos Verdes Unified School District. Buyers love the lower prices. Buyers love the lower interest rates. Buyers do not want to miss an opportunity to buy while prices are low... 02/27/2009

True story: Last weekend a well-dressed prospective customer strolled into my open house, smiled at me, took the flyer I offered, and said, "Oh nice flyer! You're someone I could work with." This Choosy Customer went on to say she immediately ruled out an agent who gave her a 'sloppy flyer' because, "If I'm going to spend three million dollars I have the right to be picky." And she does. Prospective clients have keen senses when sniffing out an agent to represent them, and they use them: The eyes take it all in: As a real estate agent I want people to see my brand. A bad first impression often ensures I will not have a chance to change a customer's mind. The sight test begin with me, my style and the products I use to represent me (flyers, business cards etc.). Can you hear me, now? Eff... 02/26/2009

There is a down and dirty side to a career in real estate, and I am not talking about the schemers and less than ethical people we encounter as we go about the daily business of listing and selling real estate. How dirty are you willing to get to close a deal?   Yes, I dress for success, but I'm not afraid to dirty up my look to satisfy a client's questions and concerns. Early in my career a veteran agent taught me a lesson I never forgot. She was the listing agent of a home I wrote an offer on. Long story short, our inspector discovered a crack in the foundation, and we called in a structural/geological expert to assess the situation. Ms. Listing Agent showed up with her coveralls, suited up and crawled under the house to see the problem with her own eyes. Talk about shock and awe!   I... 02/25/2009

Isn't this a buyers market? Are sellers giving their properties away? Good questions. I like my clients and customers to be informed, and I work very hard to make sure they have up-to-date information on the real estate market. Sharing my "insider secrets" is one of the perks of working with an agent who is a bit of a statistic fanatic. Blame the statistics course I took in college, but those numbers do tell the story--sometimes more than one story. Take today. I passed along to a buyer the "insider news" that some homes under $1,000,000 in Palos Verdes are receiving multiple offers,and I expect this phenomenon to increase as more first time buyers enter the market and the trickle up effect comes into play. This prospective buyer believes the buyers market is a big comfortable blanket c... 02/24/2009

There were only 13 homes on the Palos Verdes real estate Broker's Tour.  It must be because of all the rain we have been having.  We currently have 261 active single family homes for sale in Palos Verdes ranging in price from $799,000 in Rancho Palos Verdes to $18,900,000 in Rolling Hills (the low in Eastview is $585,000).  There are 49 townhomes/condos for sale priced between $229,500 and $829,900.  My favorites were:  Click here to read more.....          02/24/2009

  Statistics for single family homes for the month of January for Palos Verdes Real Estate are now available.  January 2009 compared to January 2008 has the same number of sold/closed escrows, 1 additional pending escrow, and 46 more active listings/home for sale.   Average price per square foot for homes that sold January 2009  is $494 compared to $545 last January.  Click here to read more..... 02/23/2009

Today, as I chatted with an open house attendee, the sky opened up and a ray of sunlight burst through the heavy gray clouds and illuminated his main concern with pulling the purchase trigger--FEAR. Breaking It Down:  This prospective buyer did not know the market statistics for the area.  He did know them for his home area (about 1 hour away and world apart from the coastal area of Palos Verdes), and his area is drowning in a sea of short sales and foreclosures.  Real Estate is local---very local.  Drive an hour and the market changes, often dramatically.   Buying It Up:  The prospective buyer's neighborhood is crawling with investors offering 50 cents on the dollar.  The buyers in my area are nearby residents who are thrilled to have the opportunity to purchase in a neighborhood that ... 02/22/2009

The California State Legislature passed a new budget yesterday that included a tax credit of up to $10,000 for the purchase of a newly constructed home. Unfortunately, this tax credit is not available for the purchase of an existing previously owned home. The following are the features of the new tax credit, but additional details must still be worked out: 1) The credit is equal to 5% of the homes purchase price, up to a maximum of $10,000 2) The credit is available from March 1, 2009 to March 1, 2010. The maximum budgeted for this credit is $100 million.  It is not clear if the effective date is when the contract is signed or when escrow closes 3) It appears that the tax credit will be spread over 3 years. Details of this have not been released 4) The new home buyer must live in the fo... 02/20/2009

The following are general levels of interest rates for various loan terms for both conforming and Jumbo loans as provided by Michael Cordova: michaelc@milestonemtg.com   February 19, 2009     FIXED RATES CONFORMING JUMBO       Rates Points Rates Points   30-Year Fixed Rate  4.875% 1.000 6.625% 1.000                   30-Year Fixed Rate FHA 5.750%   6.500%                     HYBRID ARMS                           5/1 ARM 4.750% 1.000 6.250% 1.000                   7/1 ARM 5.375% 1.000   1.000                   10/1 ARM   1.000   1.000                       INTEREST ONLY Rates Points Rates Points   HYBRID ARMS                         5/1 ARM 5.125% 1.000 6.875% 1.000                   7/1 ARM 5.500% 1.000   1.000                   10/1 ARM   1.000   1.000     For more informati on about b... 02/19/2009

I found the current day living quarters in Egypt as interesting as the ancient pyramids. Check out the real estate in Egypt.           Apartment living in Cairo                   The high-rise life in Cairo                 Cairo townhouse                     Home along the Nile                       Apartments in Alexandria                   Country home in Memphis                       Village home interior                               02/19/2009

My ten year old granddaughter is running for student council president of Vista Grande Elementary School in Rancho Palos Verdes.  My conversation with my daughter was cut short tonight because she needed to listen to the candidate's speech.  Life really is about priorities and I often learn wonderful life lessons from my children, and now their children. See, the first time my granddaughter ran for office, she lost--by only a few votes, but someone else got the job, the honor and the win.  The principal gave the results to the candidates and she related my daughter's daughter lost by the slimmest of margins, but she immediately turned to the winner and gave her a congratulatory hug.  No pouting, no whining, no tears.  Isn't that what life requires of us when there is a setback, a disapp... 02/18/2009

A very special place to visit in Palos Verdes Estates is the Labyrinth at Neighborhood Church.   There is a memorial plaque which reads, "For the Journey of Life to Help You find Your Way."  It is "Dedicated to the Memory of Miriam Levonian".   As you walk the path to the center (which is marked as a shell), you are to ponder your life.  I am usually struck with thoughts of all that I have to be grateful for.  Click here to read more...... 02/18/2009

Some much needed rain fell in Palos Verdes this morning, and for the first Tuesday in several weeks, I found there were no new listings I needed to preview on today's broker tour, so I happily spent time fulfilling promises made and yet undelivered. It is amazing what you can do with the gift of two unexpected hours! * Two requested market evaluations are ready to deliver. Can a new listing be far behind? * Scads of emails were sent--catching up calls, new listing alerts and a couple of hope you're feeling better notes. It seems a pesky stomach bug is making itself at home in my Sphere of Influence...I hope my flu shot has that one covered. * Appointments are set for tomorrow's showings. * Comparable sales were sent to a buyer who is contemplating writing an offer. * A touch base email ... 02/17/2009

  Everyone wants to know how the Palos Verdes real estate market is doing.  I am an optimist by nature so I have to check for facts before I give my opinion.  Currently we have 32 properties that have sold/closed escrow since the first of the year compared to 23 properties this same time period in 2008.  Additionally, there are currently 42 properties in escrow.  So the Palos Verdes real estate market is moving forward.   Prices are definitely down though compared to 2008.  Click here to read more..... 02/17/2009

This morning I was in the mood to look at the big picture, the really big picture. Usually, I zero in on my local market conditions and statistics to keep my finger on the pulse of what is happening and what I need to do. I know the best buys, the short sales, the fixers, the hot spots and the overpriced properties. I know the trigger price point for my listings. I have buyers wanting to pull the purchase trigger.   My little fiefdom is ready, willing and wanting to rise up from the doldrums of the mire it is stuck in, but the greater forces of change and impermanence have not sufficiently had their way with the prevailing conditions to allow growth and expansion. The law of equilibrium is still trying to get its sea legs. It looks like we will have to crawl out of this recession one sa... 02/16/2009

Here is a small token of my appreciation to my loyal clients, prospective buyers, fellow agents, subscribers, readers, and especially my friends and family. I received a few unexpected Valentine greetings and gifts this week. I find the sweetest gifts often arrive totally unexpected, and it is those little acts of kindness that make this journey so magical. Whether you celebrated today or not, I do celebrate your presence in my life. Enjoy this floral visual treat--no water required. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800 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... 02/14/2009

I hope you and yours have a wonderful Valentines Day !!!!!!!!!!!!!! The History of Valentines Day is very interesting. St. Valentine lived in the 3rd century. One legend had it that Claudius II, the Roman Emperor, had outlawed marriage for all young men under a certain age because he felt that young single men made better solders for the Roman Empire than married men or men with children.  St. Valentine, a Catholic priest, according to the legend, continued to secretly marry young men to their lovers in defiance of the Emperor. and was put to death in approx. 270 AD. Some people believe that the Catholic Church began to celebrate the feast of St. Valentines in mid-February to commemorate the anniversary of his death in order to "christianize" a pagan celebration which occured at the sam... 02/14/2009

In the past, I have tried to elicit support for a dog park on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, but it has been difficult to get the word out. If you live on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and would like to support having a dog park on the Peninsula, please email me at mmegowan@cox.net . The Rancho Palos Verdes city council seems to be supportive of the idea, but I need to be able to solicit people to actually attend a city council meeting to support the idea. If you can help, I would love to talk with you. Here is a picture of Pepper, my wonderful miniature Australian Shepherd. She is 4 years old and is so much fun!! For more information about PV Sports, RecreationAnd  Parks , visit my website at http://www.maureenmegowan.com 02/13/2009