Last weekend, I attended the christening of my gorgeous god daughter and had a wonderful time with my family in Northern California. She is just a doll, with a wonderful gleeful, emerging personality. I am a godmother to my niece who recently graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, so it is wonderful to have another christening for my little brother. Congratulations to my brother and his lovely wife Marie!!!  11/23/2008

Below are several pictures of the early construction of roads on the Palos Verdes Peninsula:Road Construction on the Palos Verdes Peninsula did not take place until the 1920's.  Palos Verdes Drive West in the Valmonte and Malaga Cove area was the first road developed as part of the original Palos Verdes Project.  Palos Verdes Drive East in the Miraleste area, then known as Western Ave. and which was then part of the Palos Verdes Project, was then developed to facilitate lot sales there. Palos Verdes Drive North was completed in the mid 1930's Early road construction in Palos Verdes Estates Malaga Cove and Valmonte area: Road Construction of Palos Verdes Drive West and Yarmouth Road - Site of Lunada Bay Plaza and 1920's Lunada Bay, Via Colonel & PV Drive West towards ocean(Pictures Court... 11/23/2008

It may be hard to envision today, with the extensive landscaping and groves of trees which currently exist on the Peninsula, but the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the 1920's primarily consisted of coastal sage brush with very few trees. The Palos Verdes Project in the 1920's and 1930's employed a large number of gardeners who planted trees and plants throughout Malaga Cove and Valmonte, to encourage investors and potential home buyers to purchase property in Palos Verdes. A very large nursery was constructed on the current site of Lunada Bay Plaza to grow plants to be used by the Palos Verdes Project. Nursery Constructed at 1005 Via Zumaya in Lunada Bay to supply plants for the Palos Verdes Project (Picture Courtesy of Palos Verdes Peninsula Library District) For more about the HISTORY OF P... 11/21/2008

Most dog owners would say the same thing, but I really believe that my family has the best dog in the world. She is a miniature Australian Shepherd, and her coloring is known as a red-tri (red, white, and copper eyebrows ). She absolutely loves to chase the frisbee, and will run 50 yards to leap in the air to catch it!! When she was a puppy, she had absolutely no aptitude for retrieval, and her breeder said that she would never do it, but these dogs are so smart that through some simple training techniques, she picked it up right away, and now it is her favorite thing to do. Pepper puppy picture Miniature Australian Shepherds grow to be about 25 - 30 pounds and are a perfect size to sit with you on the couch or to travel in a car with you. They are extremely smart and love to play and r... 11/10/2008

There are two commercial shopping plazas within the city limits of Palos Verdes Estates:Malaga Cove Plaza: This was the first shopping Plaza completed within Palos Verdes Estates, as part of the original Palos Verdes Project. The Plaza includes King Neptunes fountain, including a statue of King Neptune ( See the History of Palos Verdes Estates ). The Plaza includes the Malaga Cove Market (which has delicious sandwiches and deli items), a Bank of America branch and ATM, several real estate offices (including my offices at Remax Palos Verdes Realty, a cafe, and the Rive Gauche restaurant (adjacent to the Plaza behind City Hall).Malaga Cove PlazaLunada Bay Plaza: Lunada Bay Plaza includes a market, a bakery, two barber shops, hair salons, liquor stores, an art gallery, three excellent rest... 11/09/2008

Youth Sports Leagues: There are two baseball little leagues in the city boundaries; Palos Verdes Little League, with fields in Valmonte and Malaga Cove, and the Lunada Bay Little League, with fields in Lower Lunada Bay. AYSO Soccer leagues are active throughout the City. Girls softball is generally played on fields in other adjacent Peninsula cities. There are also youth basketball leagues, and lacrosse leagues for intermediate schools. Most youth sports are played at school facilities and fields. Swimming: Palos Verdes Estates residents can enjoy the facilities of the beautiful Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club by either becoming a member (although the wait list is over 9 years), or paying a daily fee per person.   Palos Verdes Beach & Athletic ClubGolf: Golf Facilities are availabl... 11/09/2008

Easing the Transition to Your New HomeUse the right boxes, and pack them carefully Professional moving companies use only sturdy, reinforced cartons.The boxes you can get at your neighborhood supermarket or liquor storemight be free, but they are not nearly as strong or padded, and socan't shield your valuables as well from harm in transit. Use sheets, blankets, pillows and towels to separate pictures andother fragile objects from each other and the sides of the carton.Pack plates and glass objects vertically, rather than flat andstacked. Be sure to point out to your mover the boxes in which you've packedfragile items, especially if those items are exceptionally valuable.The mover will advise you whether those valuables need to be repackedin sturdier, more appropriate boxes. The heavier... 11/09/2008

The Valmonte neighborhood of Palos Verdes Estates has tree-lined streets and is just minutes away from  Redondo Beach.  Valmonte is full of charming cottages, rambling ranches and some exquisite new and newer construction of varying sizes and styles.   October 2008 real estate update for Valmonte: Active Listings: 14 homes are currently for sale priced from $850,000 to $3,490,000. Pending Sales: No homes are currently in escrow. October Sales:  2 homes closed escrow priced at $1,005,000 and $1,020,000. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty (310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800 Subscribe via ActiveRain Subscribe via Email Norma on Facebook Norma on Twitter PalosVerdesLifestyle Toering and Team Palos Verdes Horse Homes with Stables Blog - View Homes in PV Blog -Palos Ver... 11/06/2008

Malaga Cove is one of four distinct neighborhoods in Palos Verdes Estates.  If you're an Old Spanish aficionado, or prefer a newer Tuscan estate, Malaga Cove offers a wide variety of architectural styles and more than a few stunning views.     Malaga Cove real estate report for October 2008: Active Listings: 16 properties are currently listed for sale priced from $1,450,000-$5,999,000. Pending Sales:  2 properties are currently in escrow listed at $2,495,000 and $2,999,999. October Sales: 1 property closed escrow for $2,740,000. If you're thinking of buying or selling in Malaga Cove, or would like more detailed information on a particular listing or sale, it will be my privilege to provide you with the information. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty (310) 493-8333 / Office ... 11/06/2008

Title Insurance is provided by Title Insurance Companies either to protect a property owner from any adverse claim on their ownership title to the property, or to protect a lenders lien on the property for the amount of their mortgage. Policies for both owners and lenders are written according to guidelines established by either the California Land Title Insurance Association ("CLTA") or the American Land Title Association ("ALTA"), For Southern California, the standard is a CLTA Homeowner's Policy for buyers and an ALTA policy for lenders. The CLTA Homeowner's Policy is a relatively new and enhanced policy, which in addition to insuring ownership of the property, that there is access to the property, that there are no forgeries in the chain of title, and that the insured has marketable... 11/05/2008

The Monte Malaga neighborhood in Palos Verdes Estates is located near the top of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  Its high perch on the hills gives it some of the most panoramic views in Palos Verdes.   Here's the real estate update for the Monte Malaga area for October 2008: Active Listings:  22 homes are currently for sale priced from $1,499,000 to $12,990,000. Pending Sales:  2 homes are currently in escrow priced at $1,300,000 and $4,500,000. October Sales:  1 property closed escrow for $2,325,000. Here's an example of the charm and ambiance of Monte Malaga.  I had this Spanish beauty listed last year. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty (310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800 Subscribe via ActiveRain Subscribe via Email Norma on Facebook Norma on Twitter PalosVerdesLi... 11/04/2008

Lunada Bay neighborhood in Palos Verdes Estates, CA is located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  It's a lovely coastal community with award winning schools and incredible ocean views. Here's the update for real estate activity in Lunada Bay for Oct. 2008: Active Listings:  33 properties are currently for sale priced from $1,015,000 to $6,499,900. Pending Sales:  2 properties are currently in escrow for $969,000 and $5,750,000. October Sales:  2 properties sold priced at $975,000 and $2,425,000. If you would like more information on selling or buying a home in Lunada Bay, I'm only a phone call away! By the way here's a charming home I have listed in Lower Lunada Bay just a block and a half from the above photo site. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty(310) 493-8333 / Office Pho... 11/04/2008

There are currently 22 homes for sale in Monte Malaga. They range in price from $1,395,000-$12,990,000 with a avergae price of $4,121,495. The current market time is avergaing around 142 days. The average price per square feet was $580 last month. 10/28/2008

There has been a tremendous amount of construction activity at Palos Verdes High, including the construction of a new football fiield and all weather track and a new swimming pool. The following are pictures of the new football field and track:   The new field is artificial turf and the track is a state of the art all weather track. In addition to the new football field and track, a new swimming pool is also under construction. Here is the latest status of construction photo as of 10/23/08: The new pool is supposed to be completed by the end of November. For more about buying or selling real estate on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, visit my website at http://www.maureenmegowan.com 10/24/2008

DON'T YOU LOVE THE CLOWN CONTROVERSY? A well-to-do family goes over the top with Halloween decorations that encroach on city land. Then, they get upset when the city requires them to remove the expensive, garish stuff. Money doesn't buy entitlements in Palos Verdes Estates. If you goof up, you goof up. Take the stuff down and be quiet about it. These people were warned last year about their Halloween decorations. What part of "city land" don't they understand? HAPPY HALLOWEEN. BOO! 10/19/2008

The Montemalaga area (area 162 in the map below) is at the upper area of the hillsides of Palos Verdes Estates, and has some of the newer homes in the city. Homes in this area are predominantly Mediterranean in style with tile roofs. Many view lots in this area enjoy the "queen's necklace" view of the South Bay Beaches and Santa Monica Bay. Montemalaga Elementary School is located at the top of the Montemalaga area. There are no townhomes or condominiums in this neighborhood.   Montemalaga Street       Montemalaga Hillside Homes As of September 30, 2008, there were 27 homes listed for sale with an average list price of approx. $4.0 million.  During the third quarter of 2008, however, the average price of homes sold in this area was approx. $1.3 million. For more about Palos Verdes Estat... 10/19/2008

Malaga Cove (area 163 in the map below )is home to Palos Verdes City Hall, the Police and Fire Station, La Venta Inn and the Malaga Cove Plaza, the first commercial plaza built in Palos Verdes Estates. Malaga Cove Plaza is home to the Malaga Cove Ranch Market, a post office, the Rive Gauche restaurant, a small sandwich shop, and several realty offices. It is the first impression that most people get of the city. It's beautiful Arched Buildings, and The King Neptune Fountain in the center of the plaza give the residents and visitors alike a sense of the quiet beauty of the city.. The Malaga Cove Branch Library, behind the plaza, has art shows, and special events, as well as summer "Picnics in the Park" on Wednesday evenings accompanied by musical performances.    View from Malaga Cove   ... 10/19/2008

Lunada Bay (area 160 in the map below) is often referred to as two areas; Lower Lunada Bay and Upper Lunada Bay (Margate).  Lower Lunada Bay is south of Malaga Cove, and is generally flat; the terrain gently slopes down to the cliffs. Paseo del Mar and Rocky Point are streets that run adjacent to the cliffs, and residents spend time daily strolling or running along the ocean. Several large parkland areas are on the cliffs affording spectacular views of Catalina Island and Lunada Bay. Lunada Bay is a favorite surfing spot, with an excellent point break. Lunada Bay Plaza and it's Italian Fountain is the center of the neighborhood, where locals meet for coffee and scones or lunch at the corner cafe.   Lunada Bay Plaza also has several events during the year including the Halloween Harvest ... 10/19/2008

Valmonte (Area 164 in the map below) is a neighborhood on the eastern edge of the Palos Verdes Estates (turn left when entering the city from Redondo Beach at the "Y"). This area is characterized by the lush canopy of eucalyptus trees, and the Palos Verdes Golf Club and Tennis Club which is in the center of the Valmonte area.   Entrance to Palos Verdes Estates on Palos Verdes Drive                                                                                   Via Anita in Valmonte ('The Grove")This area also is where the riding stable is located. Palos Verdes Drive is the main street running through the middle of this area, with a riding trail in the wide median strip. Valmonte has several home styles including old Spanish, Traditional, English Tudor, French Normandy, and Ranch.Satel... 10/19/2008

Following are some tips in dealing with contractors:1)  Up-Front Payments:  Initial deposits are negotiable. California law requires that the amount of the down payment for any home improvement contract (except for swimming pools) may not exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price (excluding finance charges), whichever is less. The down payment for a swimming pool shall not exceed $200 or two percent of the contract price (excluding finance charges), whichever is less. Most good contractors maintain open credit accounts with their suppliers and don't require payment up front for materials.2) Progress Payments: Negotiate that the contractor shall provide you with a sub-contractor unconditional lien release for all payments to subcontractors to confirm that the subcontractors have ... 10/17/2008