I am attempting to shine a light on a few dark corners, hallways and dangerously dark stairs during the darker days of fall and winter. 

It is November and the beginning of the rainy season in Southern California and what we fondly call winter.  The weather mix includes more cloudy days and a few days of much needed rain.  Even the brightest of homes can appear dark when heavy clouds are overhead.  A lamp or singular bulb can chase the darkness away and shine a light on a focal point or illuminate a tricky stairway.

I have never had a prospective buyer tell me they want to purchase a dark house.  However, many homes are eliminated because they are too dark.  So on those darker days of the season turn on a few energy efficient light bubs for the sake of your sale and the safety of your prospective buyers.

More Seller Tips from Norma!

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

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, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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Rancho Palos Verdes Homes for Sale - Rancho Palos Verdes Houses
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Boitano Palms Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Rancho Palos Verdes Homes

If you are not watching for it, you will drive right past the entrance to the Portuguese Bend Beach Club on Palos Verdes Drive South in Rancho Palos Verdes.  The guard house is small and set back from the street, but once inside the gates amazing ocean views unfold and you find yourself at the ocean's edge.

An eclectic mix of modern mansions, chic cottages and beach shacks hug the soaring bluffs above the ocean in the upper area of the club, and homes on the lower level are close enough to be kissed by the salty mist. Their backyard is sand and the Pacific Ocean.  There are palapa umbrellas shading an abundance of picnic tables, fire-pits (yes, you can build a bonfire at this beach) and a playground scattered about the private beach.  If it sounds like a mini resort and an ideal vacation spot, it is, but a few fortunate Rancho Palos Verdes residents also call it home.

There are a few Portuguese Bend Beach Club homes for sale.  Prices ranges from approximately $1M (that's a starter shack with a great ocean view) to multi-million dollar homes.  The last home I sold in the Portuguese Bend Beach Club sold in the $1.5M price range.  It was a remodeled 2-bedroom with a fantastic deck to enjoy the sights and sounds of beach living.

Located next to Trump National Golf Course and just minutes from Terranea Resort, the Portuguese Bend Beach Club enjoys a private location, great climate and the perks of living in a beach community on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

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, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

Palos Verdes Homes for Sale - Rancho Palos Verdes Houses
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Blog
Palm Desert Area Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Portuguese Bend Homes
Palos Verdes Homes Videos - Portuguese Bend Beach Club Video

Yes, you can have an ocean view and horses in Palos Verdes.  You can also live in a gated community surrounded by stunning natural beauty and enjoy one of the best climates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  Located just off Palos Verdes Dr. South, the Portuguese Bend Club equestrian neighborhood is smaller than the gated city of Rolling Hills (and less expensive) but it, too, is graced with abundant open spaces, horse and hiking trails and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

I am watching the neighborhood for a client who has kids and horses.  We're hoping a four bedroom with stables and a view will come on the market in the next few months.  Portuguese Bend home prices range from just under $1,000,000 to multi-million dollar equestrian compounds. 

The Portuguese Bend Club has a neighborhood stable for boarding horses, riding rings and exercise areas plus miles of riding trails.  The Portuguese Bend Club Horse Show is an annual event in the neighborhood.

Located on Palos Verdes Drive South between Donald Trump's golf course and Terranea Resort the Portuguese Bend neighborhood is a few minutes from recreational and fine dining options.  Upon entering the gates you will find it hard to believe you are in Los Angeles County.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

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, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

Palos Verdes Homes for Sale - Rancho Palos Verdes Houses
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Blog
Palm Desert Area Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Portuguese Bend Homes
Palos Verdes Homes Videos - Portuguese Bend Video

If Plan A goes awry, move on to Plan B, C or D.  Holding on to unrealistic hope that things will change is an optimistic approach than may have a very pessimistic outcome.   Years ago a seasoned real estate agent passed by my desk as I was making a notation in my daily planner in ink.  He paused long enough to offer a bit of life advice, "I always plan in pencil.  Plans and life are subject to change."  Ahh yes, change is constant and it should be expected rather than a surprise.  The real estate cycle moves from high to low and back again with predictable regularity.  Buy low, sell high is good advice, but takes courage laced with abundant knowledge to execute.

 Several of my clients recently purchased income property.  The drop in real estate prices reflects positively on cash flow for income property.  It takes some research to find the right properties and a combination of elbow grease, time and good management are required.  However, often the building can carry the mortgage, taxes, insurance and monthly expenses with little to no cash infusion from the owner.  If equity builds during the ensuing ownership years that's an added perk, but for now it may not be a cash cow, but it is paying its own way. 

A tough economy forces us to take stock of not only our financial picture, but to examine our lifestyle as well.  Clients are downsizing, moving closer to employment and finding creative ways to survive and thrive during challenging times. There are opportunites at every stage of the real estate cycle. Waiting for the experts to declare the bottom is here, may mean you've missed opportunities that will not show themselves again until the next ride down.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

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, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

Palos Verdes Homes for Sale - Palos Verdes Houses
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Blog
Palm Desert Area Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes

The bank owned property is usually priced close to market value or just below in my area.  That's enticing, but this is where it pays to read the fine print.  The bank will make no repairs including termite work, and that can cost thousands of dollars if fumigation and extensive repairs are needed.  If you want a home warranty to cover appliances and home systems the first year, be prepared to write a check to cover the cost because the seller will ignore your request for this little perk.

If a short sale sounds appealing be prepared to bid over the asking price and muster up the patience of Job.  Your offer may be one of many on an artificially underpriced property, and if selected as the one offer that is submitted to the bank you will most likely be required to wait weeks for the bank to accept or decline your offer.  If you enjoy a bidding war free-for-all then by all means throw an offer in the pile.  Don't expect the owner/seller to make needed repairs--he's broke.  A short sale is only approved by the lender if the owner demonstrate financial hardship.  Trust me, there's no money for deferred maintenance or cosmetic beautification.  That will come from the buyer's bank account.

On the other hand, there are a few sleeper properties on every MLS.  They don't have all the latest bells and whistles, they are often short on improvements, but well maintained by long term owners.  The bank is not nipping at their heels, but the retirement home beckons. A Palos Verdes property I showed last week comes to mind.  It has a great view, lots of space and a prime location.  It also has a 1960s kitchen, similar bathrooms but nothing a little nip/tuck could not fix.  It's important to buy the amenities you can not add later:  location, view and land. 

 Sometimes the asking price is just the beginning of what the property will cost you.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

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, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

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Palm Desert Area Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes

The distressed property market is a small one in Palos Verdes.

28 Condos are listed for sale and six are short sales.   Townhouse statistics are 16 for sale and one is a short sale. 

 Posting those relatively healthy numbers should be reason to celebrate Palos Verdes appears to be dodging the short sale bullet and blitz of bank-owned properties for now.  It will be interesting to see what develops over the next few months.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

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, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

RPV CA Homes for Sale Blog - Palos Verdes Real Estate
La Quinta Area Lots for Sale - View Homes in Palos Verdes

So what does constitute a hot deal in Palos Verdes?  Here are a few things I look for in this market:

Properties priced below $1,000,000 in Palos Verdes Estates:  It does not happen often, but when it does it is always worth the time to investigate the property.  I saw one yesterday and my guess is it will be in escrow within a week---maybe sooner.

Houses with hidden views: It is surprising the number of times a stunning view is hiding behind a wall without sufficient windows, a chimney or overgrown shrubbery. 

Homely houses with head-turner views:  Yes, the kitchen and baths may be original, the wallpaper, shag carpeting and acoustical ceiling tiles may make you shudder, but you can change those features.  The view cannot be added later. 

Small house on big lot:  Palos Verdes is full of canyons and rolling hills. You may love the three bedroom ranch just as it is, but your future buyer sees a master bedroom addition, swimming pool and guesthouse potential when they gaze at your expansive lawn.

If you're looking for a home in Rolling Hills under $2M there are several to choose from, but if you're looking for a home under $1M there are none to show.  If you want a home in Rancho Palos Verdes under $900K we can show you several (Eastview with the option of PV Schools has several under $700K), but the coastal location, top rated schools, spectacular topography and accompanying views provide a strong foundation to support the value of real estate on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

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, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

Rancho Palos Verdes Homes for Sale Blog - Palos Verdes Houses
La Quinta Area Lots for Sale - View Homes in Palos Verdes

Location plays a lead role in determining real estate value, and the stunning hilltop coastal location of the Palos Verdes Peninsula is often breathtaking and always valuable.  This makes the land underneath the entry-level homes pricey. A three bedroom house often has a million dollar price tag. 

Yesterday I showed Palos Verdes homes priced under $900,000 and was impressed with the variety and availability.  However, from an original show list of seven homes, two went under contract before my buyer could tour them. 

There are dozens of multi-million dollar homes to choose from, but only a few under one million dollars.  The competition can be fierce so be prepared to change your approach when buying a home in an area and price range where the supply is limited and the demand is high. 

 A few small changes in your offer may increase your success rate.  If you have identified the house you want to purchase make sure the offer you write reflects cooperation, flexibility and consideration for the seller's needs.  If you want to close in 30 days, but the sellers need 60 days, that's an easy way to score cooperation points and still win the prize.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

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, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

Here are a few that have deterred and deferred my showing plans for various properties:

"Large dog on premises.  Looks vicious."  Enrolling Mr. Vicious in doggie daycare would solve the problem and allow the house to sell without risking life and limb.

"Several pets in house; please make sure all doors are SHUT."  Hmm, I'm wondering what type of pets this owner is keeping, and why the agent thinks I want my clients to wander amid animals as they tour a property. A few years ago I encountered a pot-bellied pig in the kitchen of a home I showed.  It was not penned in the backyard as the showing instructions indicated, and the buyers could not exit fast enough.  You love your pets; the buyer may be put off by them.

"24 hours notice required."  I understand this one, but sometimes a client will call in the morning with the intent to tour properties in the afternoon.  Ease of showing really counts in these instances. 

"To show, call listing agent."  I use this one myself, but I try to respond to all requests within minutes of receiving the call.  It's very frustrating when we can't find the listing agent, and often the sellers miss a showing.  Sometimes we reschedule, sometimes the opportunity does not present itself again.

Price, location and condition are important, but easy and safe access is crucial, especially when a buyer has many choices.

Norma Toering and 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, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Palos Verdes Homes Blog - Palos Verdes Real Estate Website
Palos Verdes Homes for Sale Search - More information about Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Horse Property Blog

Boitano Palms - Coachella Valley Equestrian Lots

At the time of the listing the seller gave me the pertinent information regarding the lot.  When I inquired about the zoning, he gave it to me.  Since it was not stated on the tax assessor's records I called the planning department to verify the seller's information prior to listing the property on the MLS.  The seller was correct, but by personally speaking with a city official I was able to proceed with the confidence and knowledge the information represented was correct.  Trust, but verify is an excellent way to build consumer confidence and trust in the real estate industry.

The days of glib conversation and unverifiable statements in the real estate industry are over, or at least they should be a thing of the past.  Consumer confidence is at an all time low.  They simply don't believe what we tell them.  We must trust each other in order to achieve common goals. 

It takes time to build trust; but today when that prospective buyer walks into city hall and finds the zoning is exactly as I represented it to be, I believe his trust factor in me, my industry and my word will edge upward.  The offer we discussed will also edge closer to fruition.

Norma Toering and 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, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Palos Verdes Homes Blog - Palos Verdes Real Estate Website
Palos Verdes Homes for Sale Search - More information about Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Horse Property Blog

Boitano Palms - Coachella Valley Equestrian Lots

"Just as the data showed last year, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and the Palos Verdes Peninsula school districts saw all of their campuses make the top tenth."

Combined with the coastal location and envious weather, the local public school system continues to attract new residents to the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  

Norma Toering and 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, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

90274 Property Blog - Palos Verdes Homes Website
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Norma's Rolling Hills Houses Blog - Palos Verdes Property -
Rancho Palos Verdes Homes for Sale  - Palos Verdes Estates Homes for Sale

Boitano Palms - La Quinta Area Equestrian Lots

REO (bank owned):  1 Single Family Palos Verdes Home

Short Sale Listings:  13 Single Family Palos Verdes Homes

5 Palos Verdes condos

Scheduled Auctions:  1 Single Family Palos Verdes Home


By contrast there are 292 Single Family Homes for sale, and 57 condos and or townhouses for sale.

Do not be discouraged by the lack of distressed properties on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  The prices of homes have been impacted by the economy and the financial credit crisis.  There are many wonderful buying opportunities in Palos Verdes. You may not find a "hot foreclosure" or a "hyped auction"  but chances are your purchase will be at a substantial savings over the price buyers paid in the market heydays of a few years ago.

It's a beautiful place to live and less expensive than it was in 2006!  When you're ready to go house hunting in Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates or Palos Verdes Estates I'll help you ferret out the best deals on the entire Palos Verdes Peninsula.


Norma Toering&Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800
 Find Norma on: Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Email Norma

Palos Verdes Property Blog - Palos Verdes House Website
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Rolling Hills Houses Blog - Palos Verdes Property
Rancho Palos Verdes Homes for Sale  - Palos Verdes Estates Homes for Sale

Boitano Palms - Coachella Valley Horse Homes Lots near polo fields

Palos Verdes Property Blog - Palos Verdes House Website
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Norma's Rolling Hills Houses Blog - Palos Verdes Property
Rancho Palos Verdes Homes for Sale  - Palos Verdes Estates Homes for Sale

The Value of a View in Palos Verdes by Norma Toering