It's not too late to catch the wave!  August is often accompanied by a slowing of the real estate market.  After all, it is the last month of summer vacation, and the back-to-school rush is upon us as well.  It is no surprise house hunting often falls lower on the priority list. However, it is not too late to catch the strong real estate market wave Palos Verdes continues to enjoy. The luxury market is defined (by me) as those homes priced at or above $3,000,000.  At the current time, properties in the luxury price range comprise nearly one-fourth of all single-family homes listed for sale in Palos Verdes. Palos Verdes Luxury Homes Currently For Sale:  57 Single-family Palos Verdes luxury homes are listed for sale priced at or above $3,000,000.Palos Verdes Luxury Homes Pending Sales:  ... 08/08/2016

I recently attended a webinar given by two of California Association of Realtors' top economists. They presented lots of charts, graphs, and accompanying statistics and I will do my best to boil down the findings and share a few nuggets of numbers and trends that are particularly apropos to the local Palos Verdes and Beach Cities real estate markets as we enter the second half of 2016. Here are my chief takeaway points: 1)  Inventory is still constraining California's housing market.  Most markets have a 3-4 month supply of homes for sale.  The exception is the luxury market where available inventory stands at approximately a six-month supply in most markets.2) California sales are up 2.1% over 2015 sales.3)  Appreciation rate is slowing.4) 94% of sales YTD are non-distressed. Californi... 07/31/2016

The level of inventory of homes for sale of 114 homes in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes at the end of June is up about 13% compared to the end of June last year. The average number of homes sold per month over the last 3 months of 41 homes per month, is up 2% compared to the same 3 month period last year. There are 43 homes in escrow at the end of June.       The following is a list of the 56 homes sold during the month of June 2016:   Average sold price: 1,292,000 Median sold price: 1,297,000       The average price per sq. ft. for homes sold in Rancho Palos Verdes over the last 3 months of $543 about the same from the comparable period last year.     The average list price of homes offered for sale of $2.1 million is now 12% higher than this time last year. The average price of homes... 07/24/2016

Not all luxuries are found inside the four walls of a house. The luxury of location should never be underestimated. Whether it is the decision to live near the coast or the city center, a location has tremendous value.  The site selected can add (or deduct) an immense sum of money to any property.There's a reason for the repetitive answer of location, location, location to the question of what are the three most important factors when buying real estate.  Location impacts the way we live our daily lives, how far we must commute to work, what schools our children attend, and social gatherings with family and friends.  Locating in a top-notch school district affects the education our children receive and possibly the college or university they will attend.   The luxury of living in a coas... 07/12/2016

The luxury home market offers many upscale properties with impeccable interior design and space.  That's to be expected in the upper echelon price range of luxury homes in Greater Los Angeles. However, it is often the exterior living space that seals the sale. For example, earlier this week Josh and I checked out a listing teetering on the cusp of the luxury home price range in Palos Verdes.  "It doesn't look like a luxury home." Those were Josh's words as we pulled up to the curb and prepared to embark on another new listing home tour.  Josh's comment did not surprise me, as a matter of fact, I was thinking the same thing. The price of the property prepped us for one experience, but the exterior warned us we might be in for a disappointing surprise.  The property sent us confusing sign... 06/30/2016

The luxury home market in Greater Los Angeles has no shortage of properties for sale. After all, Southern California is home to Beverly Hills, Malibu and a plethora of other cities with worldwide name recognition. I often wonder why buyers select one luxury home over others with very similar conditions and locations. After decades in the business, I believe it boils down to a prospective buyer's connection and memories of the property.Luxury properties offer not only the tangible house but also the intangible, and perhaps more important than how many bedrooms or how big the view, the possibilities the property has to impact the buyer's lifestyle. How will the experience of living in the property impact his daily habits? How will it change her life? A luxury home may be limited by its ph... 06/24/2016

Demand remains high for Palos Verdes single family homes. Although inventory has increased slightly, the ever present demand from buyers who aspire to live on the Palos Verdes Peninsula gobbles up new listings with a seemingly insatiable hunger.There are currently 218 single family homes for sale in Palos Verdes. That a small increase and it's good to see that number pass 200, but the other statistic that must be considered is 121 single family Palos Verdes residences are in escrow with accepted offers. At this rate of consumption, we will run out of inventory in less than two months unless new listings are added to the depleted supply.Now is an excellent time to put your property on the market if you are considering selling.  Palos Verdes remains in a marketing favoring sellers; intere... 06/15/2016

Los Serenos de Point Vicente docents will be offering a tour of the Point Vicente Lighthouse & Museum, the native plant garden and a walk along the spectacular bluff top at the Vicente Bluff Reserve on Saturday, June 18, 2016, beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Palos Verdes homes owners will have the opportunity to enjoy a tour of the Point Vicente Lighthouse, which is not often open to the public, and view the Point Vicente Lighthouse Museum.   You will enjoy the beauty of the lighthouse which stands 67 feet tall and is one of the area’s jewels.  The lighthouse beam shines 185 feet high and can be seen twenty miles out over the ocean.  Point Vicente was named in 1790 by Captain George Vancouver in honor of his good friend, Friar Vicente of the Mission Buenaventura.  In 1979, the Point Vicente Li... 06/14/2016

 On Tuesday mornings, I am always anxious to check to see what new listings are on the broker open house tour.  Yesterday, as is my habit, I took my second cup of coffee upstairs and opened up the local MLS open house tour schedule.  It was all pretty routine until I began selecting homes to include on our weekly trot around the Palos Verdes Peninsula.I selected twelve homes to personally tour. Some matched buyers' wants and needs, some were comparable properties for upcoming or current listings, and it's always good to know the price, location, and condition of your competition, but the utterly amazing thing was the number of mega multi-million dollars homes on the list.  Two homes topped $10,000,000!Since time did not permit us to view all the mega million dollars mansions on the list... 06/08/2016

What a difference a few months can make in the real estate market.  Charlemagne Int'l Properties' market slider for luxury homes in Palos Verdes and Beach Cities clearly shows the once sizzling hot luxury home market in Manhattan Beach. Hermosa Beach and to a lesser degree Redondo Beach has cooled off and moved from a hot seller market to neutral territory.On the other hand, the Palos Verdes luxury home market is getting hotter by the month.  Perhaps buyers priced out of the beach cities are making their way up the hill to the higher altitude but lower home prices found in Palos Verdes.  Whatever the reason, now is a fabulous time to sell your Palos Verdes luxury home.  The real estate market has more than recovered from the decreases in value the area experienced during the recession, ... 06/02/2016

 Memorial Day weekend is in the past and summer vacation is upon us.  It's the time of year when many buyers begin to think about purchasing a home with a pool. Many homes in Palos Verdes do have pools, and if that's an amenity on your "Must Have" list we can help you find the best home with a pool for you and your budget.Check out the maps below and if a particular property catches your attention we will happily arrange a showing, plus provide you with additional details about the property and the neighborhood.  Norma Toering - Broker at Charlemagne Intl Properties 310-493-8333 Homes with pools in Palos Verdes: 06/01/2016

I recently had a call regarding leasing a luxury home in Palos Verdes.  The caller said she would like a property "on the water" and  with at least four bedrooms.After I gave her a few prospective properties, along with the monthly rent, she said she "needed to regroup" and would get back to me.  I haven't heard from her.  Yes, leasing a luxury home in Palos Verdes can be expensive, but it can also appear to be a bargain if you've already shopped leases in Malibu or Beverly Hills.Luxury Leases in Palos Verdes for $8000 per month and up:Palos Verdes Estates has four luxury leases available ranging from $9000 to $50,000 per month.Rolling Hills has two luxury properties for lease priced over $8,000.Rancho Palos Verdes also has two luxury leases currently available.Rolling Hills Estates and... 05/29/2016

The level of inventory of homes for sale of 81 homes in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes at the end of April is down about 11% compared to the end of April last year. The average number of homes sold per month over the last 3 months of 28 homes per month, is down 16% compared to the same 3 month period last year. There are 43 homes in escrow at the end of April.       The following is a list of the 32 homes sold during the month of  April 2016:         The average price per sq. ft. for homes sold in Rancho Palos Verdes over the last 3 months of $528  is down 4% from the comparable period last year.     The average list price of homes offered for sale of $2.4 million is now 16% higher than this time last year. The average price of homes sold has been much lower than the average list price... 05/25/2016

The Los Verdes Homes area of Rancho Palos Verdes is one of the best areas on the Palos Verdes Peninsula! Centrally located in Palos Verdes, it's easy to get kids to the schools (all within 5 minutes or so, shopping, restaurants and fun places like Terranea or the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. Hiking trails and parks are nearby too.Los Verdes Homes              Subscribe to our newsletters           Get the latest real estate trends from Manhattan Beach homes south through the Palos Verdes homes markets    Join me on Google+Original Content for Palos Verdes Home Sales George Fotion       Check out Palos Verdes Homes on YelpTake a moment to write a review of George Fotion on Yelp      05/23/2016

​Here's an interesting Palos Verdes real estate statistic that clearly indicates the direction the luxury home segment of the housing market is heading:  Nearly 25% of all single-family homes listed for sale in Palos Verdes are priced at or above $3,000,000.  48 Single-family homes priced at or above $3,000,000 are currently listed for sale.14 Palos Verdes luxury homes are in escrow with accepted offers.17 Palos Verdes luxury properties have sold year-to-date.It's a savvy time to sell your Palos Verdes luxury home.  For the first time in years, the Palos Verdes luxury home market is in a stronger seller's market than the beach cities of Hermosa, Manhattan and Redondo.  Buyers are discovering they get more house for the money in Palos Verdes, and that's good news for Palos Verdes luxury ... 05/09/2016

Prices have climbed everywhere in Los Angeles, including Palos Verdes.   Last year we had to move our "luxury home" selection point from $2,000,000 up to $3,000,000 in Palos Verdes.  This same price climb has pushed the entry level price above a million for almost every area of Palos VerdesCan you still find a home under the $1,000,000 price point in Palos Verdes?  Only a few and only if you hurry.  There are 13 homes currently on the market in Palos Verdes priced under $1M.   Four of those are in the eastern section of the PV Drive East neighborhood.  The others are all in the Eastview neighborhood.For townhome and condo shoppers, there are still quite a few choices under a million dollars.Can we help you find a place to call home in Palos Verdes?  Give us a call.Josh & Norma Toering -... 04/27/2016

The good news is inventory is up, and there's more good news--Palos Verdes homes are selling like hotcakes as we enter the spring selling season.There are currently 180 single family homes for sale on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  Only 15 of those properties are priced below $1,000,000.  The least expensive home for sale in all of PV is priced at $679,000 and located in the Eastview neighborhood of Rancho Palos Verdes.Seven Palos Verdes properties are priced above $10,000,000 with $53,000,000 for a Rolling Hills residence topping the list.120 Palos Verdes single family residences are in escrow.  Yes, the market is still in the "hot" zone.59 Palos Verdes single family homes sold during March 2016.Don't miss this market if you're thinking of selling in the near future.  Likewise, if you're... 04/15/2016

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes real estate market has been relatively strong . The number of homes listed for sale at the end of March increased to 81 homes and is 1% higher than the same time last year. The monthly average number of properties sold during the last three months of 25 homes,  is also up about 1% compared to the similar period last year. There are 44 homes in escrow at the end of the quarter, however.There is about 3 months of inventory.               The average price per sq. ft. of homes sold during the 1st quarter of $550 per sq. ft. is up approx. 7% from last year.             As noted in the chart below, the amount of time to sell a home during the last quarter was 2 months . Properties are selling at an average of 96% of their list price.     The average list price... 04/11/2016

Good news for all those looking for brand new, luxury 55+ senior homes for sale.  It's been a long time since a new condo/townhome 55+ senior community was built in the South Bay area.  This spring, first units became available at Sol y Mar 55+ community in Rancho Palos Verdes.  This upscale community offers high end finishes and amenities, such as the vegetable garden, dog park, fitness room, clubhouse. You can choose from six open concept floor plans, either two or one story. Two story units have elevators so there is no need to use stairs.  All condos and townhomes are two bedrooms plus study and two car garage.  These are the most spacious 55+ senior condos in South Bay, ranging from 1,550 to 2,352 sq ft.  BROWSE ALL SOUTH BAY 55+ SENIOR COMMUNITIESPlease call Krystyna Baty Ryan at ... 03/29/2016

As a Palos Verdes real estate agent and broker / owner of Charlemagne Int'l Properties, I spend much of my time opening and closing doors.  Sometimes for sellers when showing their property, and sometimes for buyers when showing other agents' listings.  Recently, as we waited for buyers to arrive at the final walk-through inspection, a car stopped, and the would-be buyers asked if they could see the house my son was in the process of unlocking."I'm sorry, it's sold,"  Josh replied just as our buyers arrived."Do you have any more?"  The disappointed prospective buyers inquired.I walked to the curb and told them, of course, there are other homes for sale in the neighborhood.  After exchanging contact information, they drove away but only after thanking me profusely.  They were driving thr... 03/21/2016