Everyone is at the grocery store. Trust me. I know this because I was there myself yesterday and had to fight my way to the check out line.  Thanksgiving and the holidays have taken hold on the population in a big way. Perhaps it's because people are aching for something positive in their lives after the deluge of terrible news we have had in the past two months.  The holidays offer wonderful escapism for a depressed populous. Locally, the real estate market has slowed to a snail's pace.  While we have lots of qualified buyers, they are, for the most part, sitting on the sidelines waiting for something to happen.  Personally, I think this is a big mistake.  Unless someone enjoys the herd mentality, now might be the best time ever to buy a home.  Since no one else is too motivated to wri... 11/23/2008

The California Residential Purchase Agreement (California Association of Realtors form RPA-CA) is a standard form purchase contract (Click Here to view a pdf file of a sample RPA-CA purchase contract) and receipt of deposit utilized by Realtors throughout the state of California.  Due Diligence Contingency Period: There is a standard 17 day contingency period for the buyer to read and approve the disclosures given above by the seller. and complete any investigations or inspections of the property which the buyer wants. During this contingency period, the buyer may request that the seller make certain repairs disclosed in the inspection reports, however the seller is under no obligation to do so. The buyer may cancel the purchase any time during this contingency period. If the buyer has ... 11/23/2008

Silver Spur: (Area 176 in map below) This area is bordered by Silver Spur Road, Hawthorne Boulevard, and the City of Palos Verdes Estates.The homes in this area tend to be smaller and older than many of the other homes in Rancho Palos Verdes, and therefore tend to be more affordable. Neighborhoods include Grandview Estates. Peninsula High School is located in this area.     Silver Spur Homes        Silver Spur Hillside Home Palos Verdes Peninsula Map (Rancho Palos Verdes City limits in Orange) As of October 31, 2008, there were 13 homes listed for sale in this area, with listing prices averaging approx. $1, 048,000. 8 homes sold in this area during the 3rd Quarter of 2008. For more information about Rancho Palos Verdes Real Estate  and buying or selling a home on the Palos Verdes Penins... 11/23/2008

Peninsula Center: (Area 175 in map below) This neighborhood is immediately north of the Peninsula Center shopping district and is bordered by Hawthorne Boulevard and Silver Spur Road. A neighborhood at the northern part of this area is called the Blackhorse area and contains homes that are larger, newer and more expensive than the homes closer to Silver Spur Road. The area has three shopping areas, actually located in the City of Rolling Hills Estates, including the Avenue of the Peninsula, the Peninsula Center, and the Town and Country Shopping Center, which are all located to the south of Silver Spur Road. This neighborhood includes the commercial heart of the Peninsula. Palos Verdes Peninsula Map (Rancho Palos Verdes City limits in Orange) The Promenade of the Peninsula is a three le... 11/21/2008

I enjoy doing these monthly neighborhood updates throughout the Palos Verdes Peninsula neighborhoods because it keeps my finger on the pulse of the local market.  The Eastview neighborhood in Rancho Palos Verdes had a fabulous October!  Here are the stats for the month: Active Listings:  16 homes are listed for sale priced from $479,000 to $1,299,000. Pending Sales:  5 homes are in escrow priced from $633,900 to $909,900. October 08 Sales:  4 homes closed escrow priced from $525,000 to $890,000.   The Eastview market was flying high during October! Norma Toering RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty 310-493-8333 Subscribe via ActiveRain Subscribe via Email Norma on Facebook Norma on Twitter Palos Verdes Lifestyle Toering and Team Palos Verdes Horse Property - View Homes for Sale in Palos Verdes CA... 11/19/2008

The real estate market is sizzling in the Silver Spur neighborhood of Rancho Palos Verdes!  Check these statistics for October 2008: Active Listings:  13 properties are currenly for sale priced from $785,00 to $1,280,000. Pending Sales:  6 properties are in escrow priced from $799,000 to $1,200,000. October Sales:  0 properties closed escrow in October. The inventory is down, and sales are up---maybe we've touched bottom and are experiencing the first indicators of recovery, or are we in for a continued bumpy ride?  Check back next month to see what the numbers say in November.Norma Toering RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty 310-493-8333 Subscribe via ActiveRain Subscribe via Email Norma on Facebook Norma on Twitter PalosVerdesLifestyle Toering and Team Palos Verdes Horse Homes for Sale Blog - ... 11/18/2008

Wow, the pending and sold properties outnumber the active listings!  That's a healthy sign for the Peninsula Center neighborhood in Rancho Palos Verdes.  Active Listings:  4 homes are currently listed for sale priced from $934,000 to $1,475,000. Pending Sales:  2 homes are in escrow priced at $949,000 and $975,000. October 08 Sales:  3 homes closed escrow priced from $925,000 to $1,275,000. Those number are toast-worthy! Norma Toering RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty 310-493-8333 Subscribe via ActiveRain Subscribe via Email Norma on Facebook Norma on Twitter PalosVerdesLifestyle Toering and Team Palos Verdes Horse Homes for Sale Blog - View Homes for Sale in Palos Verdes CA Blog - Rancho Palos Verdes Property Market Reports - Relocating to Rancho Palos Verdes -Needles CA Colorado River RV Par... 11/18/2008

Rancho Palos Verdes offers many varied sports, parks and recreation opportunities: Children in Rancho Palos Verdes play baseball in three little leagues ; Rolling Hills Little League (located in adjacent Rolling Hills), Silver Spur Little Leage (located in adjacent Rolling Hills Estates) , and  the Lunada Bay Little League ( located in the adjacent Palos Verdes Estates) , ( For a map of the little league boundaries, Click Here ) Pony League baseball for 13 to 15 year olds, is available at Ernie Howlett park in Rolling Hills Estates, and George Allen Field in Palos Verdes Estates. AYSO Soccer leagues are active throughout the City. Girls softball is generally played on fields at various school locations There are also youth basketball leagues, and lacrosse leagues for intermediate school... 11/18/2008

There are several great wedding venues located in Rancho Palos Verdes: One of the most notable landmarks in Rancho Palos Verdes is the Wayfarers' Chapel located in Portuguese Bend on Palos Verdes Drive South about a 10 minute drive to the Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club along the coast through Rancho Palos Verdes. This "Glass Church" was built by the Churches of the New Jerusalem in 1951 as a national monument to Emanuel Swedenborg, an eighteenth-century mystic. The construction was made possible by Mrs. Narcissa Vanderlip, who donated the site, and was designed by Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright.  The Wayfarers chapel is also a very popular wedding venue. Trump National Golf Club - Rancho Palos VerdesWebsite: http://www.trumpgolf.com/trumplosangeles/index.asp Location: One... 11/18/2008

The Crest neighborhood is primarily in Rancho Palos Verdes, but the Terraces, a townhouse development, is located in Rolling Hills Estates.  Single Family Home update for Oct. 2008 for the Crest neighborhood: Active Listings:  9 single family homes are currently for sale priced from $850,000 to $1,475,000. Pending Sales:  3 single family homes are in escrow priced from $799,000 to $1,329,000. October Sales:  Two homes closed escrow for $950,000 and $1,180,000.   There's a home for everyone on The Hill.  If you would like some help locating the right one for you, it would be my pleasure to assist. Norma Toering RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty 310-493-8333 Subscribe via ActiveRain Subscribe via Email Norma on Facebook Norma on Twitter Palos Verdes Lifestyle Toering and Team Palos Verdes Horse ... 11/17/2008

This morning there was smoke billowing from the south side of the "hill" when a fire broke out on the Salvation Army grounds.  The scuttlebutt is that a transformer caught fire near the tennis courts and set off the brush below.  The brush fire burned approximately 6-10 acres near City Hall but no structures were damaged.  There were some local power outages and traffic was blocked off on Hawthorne Boulevard between Vallon Rd. and Palos Verdes Drive South.  Happily, the fire was extinguished relatively quickly and soon all that was left of the fire was the thick veil of smoke that permeated the air for several hours afterward.  We were very lucky in comparison to other southland communities that are experiencing devastating losses with this latest Santa Ana condition.     11/15/2008

The Los Verdes Neighborhood is located off Hawthorne Blvd. in Rancho Palos Verdes.  This coastal neighborhood enjoys sea breezes and ocean views from its lofty location on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.     Los Verdes real estate update for October 2008: Active Listings:  9 homes are listed for sale priced from $850,000 to $1,659,000. Pending Sales:  2 homes are in escrow priced from $899,000 to $1,098,000. October Sales:  2 homes closed escrow priced at $860,000 and 870,000.     If you would like your own private garden in Los Verdes, I would be happy to help you find it. Norma Toering and Team - RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty Office: (310) 831-0800 Palos Verdes Horse Homes for Sale Blog - View Homes for Sale in Palos Verdes CA Blog - Rancho Palos Verdes Property Market Reports - Relocating t... 11/14/2008

The La Cresta neighborhood in Rancho Palos Verdes is off Hawthorne Blvd. and offers some stunning ocean and Catalina Island views.   La Cresta neighborhood real estate updates for October 2008: Active Listings:  14 homes are listed for sale priced from $1,295,000 to $2,975,000. Pending Sales:  3 homes are in escrow priced from $1,495,000 to $2,400,000. October Sales:  0 homes closed escrow.   If you're considering selling your La Cresta home, or would like to tour homes currently for sale in the area, email or call for a FREE market analysis or a tour of the area homes. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty 310-493-8333 Subscribe via ActiveRain Subscribe via Email Norma on Facebook Norma on Twitter PalosVerdesLifestyle Toering and Team Palos Verdes Horse Homes for Sale Blog - ... 11/14/2008

The Country Club neighborhood in Rancho Palos Verdes encircles the Los Verdes Golf Course, so if that's your game this might be the neighborhood for you. October 2008 real estate update for the Country Club neighborhood: Active Listings:  12 properties are currently for sale priced from $1,199,000 to $3,475,000. Pending Sales:  2 properties are in escrow priced at $1,350,000 and $1,499,000. October Sales: 0 properties closed escrow in October 2008.   To see any of the homes currently available in the Country Club neighborhood inRancho Palos Verdes, simply give me a call and I'll make the arrangements.  310.493.8333. View from Country Club neighborhood. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty 310-493-8333 Subscribe via ActiveRain Subscribe via Email Norma on Facebook Norma on Twi... 11/13/2008

There are seventeen distinct and different neighborhoods on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  Just as each of the four cities on the hill have unique characteristics, so do the neighborhoods.  The Palos Verdes Drive West Neighborhood has some gorgeous oceanfront estates on the ocean side of Palos Verdes Drive and many ocean view homes on the hills above Palos Verdes Drive. Here's the PVDW neighborhood real estate news for October 2008: Active Listings:  12 homes are currently listed for sale priced from $1,099,000 to $6,280,000. Pending Sales:  4 homes are in escrow priced from $1,149,000 to $2,790,000. October Sales:  0 closed sales.   Yes, there's even a lighthouse as you enter or leave the Palos Verdes Drive West neighborhood. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty 310-493-8333 S... 11/13/2008

The Palos Verdes Drive South Neighborhood is fast becoming the resort side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  Why?  Donald Trump's golf course and new homes are there.  Lowe's Terranea Resort is scheduled to open in 2009.  With miles of hiking trails, the Pacific Ocean, a plethora of view properties and one of the best climates on the hill, it's where the people of Palos Verdes go to play! Palos Verdes Dr. South real estate update for October 2008: Active Listings: 11 homes are currently listed for sale priced from $999,000 to $6,900,000. Pending Sales:  3 homes are currently in escrow priced from $999,900 to $1,639,000. October Sales:  2 homes closed escrow for $1,540,000 and $1,850,000.   If you have a home to sell, or would like to take up residency on the resort side of the hill, just ... 11/12/2008

If you've outgrown your current Mira Catalina home, or if your sitting in an empty nest and thinking about selling soon, here's what happened in your Mira Catalina neighborhood in October 2008:   Active Listings:  8 homes are currently for sale priced from $995,000 to $6,900,000. Pending Sales:  2 homes are in escrow priced at $1,200,000 and $1,745,000. October Sales:  1 property closed escrow for $1,245,000.   If a new addition has you searching for a larger home, Mira Catalina is home to Mira Catalina Elementary School and many of the homes are within easy walking distance. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty 310-493-8333 Subscribe via ActiveRain Subscribe via Email Norma on Facebook Norma on Twitter PalosVerdesLifestyle Toering and Team Palos Verdes Horse Homes with Stabl... 11/10/2008

The Palos Verdes Drive East neighborhood of Rancho Palos Verdes enjoys fabulous city light, ocean and Los Angeles Harbor views. If you are in the market for a larger lot this might be the area for you.  Many of the homes are on half acre lots or larger.  The Palos Verdes Drive East area has a country feel, and many of the homes are tucked away on private drives offering much needed privacy and serenity after a day spent in the fast lane of Los Angeles. Here is the update for October 2008 for Palos Verdes Dr. East neighborhood: Active Listings:  26 homes are currently for sale priced from $815,000 to $3,400,000. Pending Sales:  6 homes are in escrow priced from $899,000 to $1,649,000. October Sales:  2 homes closed escrow for $1,500,000 and $1,725,000. If you're selecting a place to live... 11/10/2008

Crest: (Area 174 in map below) This area is in the center of Rancho Palos Verdes on both the west side of Highridge road (north of Highridge Park (Crestridge Road) and Indian Valley Road), and the area to the east of Highridge Road (south of Highridge Park and Indian Valley Road, and north of Crest Road, but not including the projects immediately on Highridge which are in Rolling Hills Estates). Due to its location, most homes in this area do not have views. The homes in this area are a mix of single family residences such as Wallace Ranch and Ridgecrest, or townhomes and condominium developments including the Ridgegate, Mira Verde, Armaga Springs, and Hillltop townhome developments, as well as a number of condominium buildings on Ravenspur Drive as well as condominiums on Peacock Ridge... 11/09/2008

Los Verdes: (Area 173 in map below) This neighborhood is west of Hawthorne Blvd., south of Silver Spur Road, and north of Hess Park. The homes in this area are all single family residences, and terrace down the west side of the Peninsula, thus many of the homes have views. Los Verdes Street with Ocean View Palos Verdes Peninsula Map (Rancho Palos Verdes City limits in Orange) As of October 31, 2008, there werre 10 homes for sale in the Los Verdes neighborhood in Rancho Palos Verdes, with an average listing price of approx. $1.1 million. The average price per sq. ft. of homes sold in this area generally ranges from $400 to $500 per square foot. Homes have generally sold for approx. 97% of list price. 11/09/2008