2009 was  a year of changes as  home prices in most California communities, including the Beach Cities,  hit the skids.  Builders and homeowners found themselves trying to decide if they should take a huge loss now or rent their unsold properties and pray for a better market in a few years. For some there was no choice as banks made the decision for them by foreclosing on the properties in question.

Things seemed to turn around in late Spring as lenders once again began funding Jumbo conforming loans while the FED helped keep interest ratts down.  Low prices and low interest rates  boosted home sales.  After months of too much inventory it seemed as if there was no inventory.  Whispers of multiple  offers on well priced properties proved true and buyers and sellers were suddenly asking themselves if we had finally reached the bottom of the market.  

They say that perception is reality and this may be the case for 2009.   Our perception of the  market just might be steering us toward a reality that isn't  quite what it appears to be. There  is no question that inventory has declined since January 2009, not only in the South Bay-Beach Cities,  but in most of California and the nation as well.  The question we should be thinking about is why. 

The immediate response is that sales have skyrocketed in the last year.  While this is true in part... sales did increase over the last 6 months... when you look at the number of sales in 2008 vs the number in 2009,  sales volume didn't really go up that much.  There were only 125 more sales in 2009 then 2008 in all the Beach Cities.  That works out to 10 more sales a month in Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo and El Segundo combined.  That's good but maybe not enough to account for the decline in inventory we have seen in recent months.

Inventory has decreased for a lot of reasons.  Some homes were taken off the market and  rented which means they will be off market for at least 12 months.  Many owners who tried to negotiate a short sale with their lender  gave up  and are now  moving toward foreclosure.  Other properties were taken off the market because they didn't find buyers.  Since the first of the year some  homes have returned to the market with lower prices and found buyers fairly quickly.  I expect we will see more of these homes returning to the market as sellers realize that prices are not moving upward anytime soon.

Manhattan Beach saw the largest drop in inventory, 55 fewer homes were for sale in January 2010 then in January 2009.  Hermosa, Redondo and El Segundo saw a much smaller shift in inventory. If you view the Beach Cities as a whole there are only 93 fewer homes for sale  in January 2010 then in January 2009...

The December 2009 survey by The Public Policy Institute of California indicates that most Californians are a pessimistic bunch about where the economy of the state is headed.  Until we see the entire economic picture brighten a lot both statewide and nationally,  I don't think we are going to see an end to the housing issue... even for those with deep pockets.

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold December 2009

In coming weeks I'll be posting year over year sales data for Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo.

Looking back over 2009 there were a lot of changes in our  Beach Cities real estate market.  In the first part of the year we saw sales volume decline and inventory rise.  Financing was difficult to obtain.  The conforming loan limit had dropped back to $625,000 from $729,750 in November of 2008  and didn't go back to $729,750 for almost 6 months even though the higher limit had been approved in February.   Jumbo loans were tough to obtain until some of the major banks decided to get involved and even now jumbo loans are not easy to secure. Appraisals were troublesome for many buyers and sellers as new rules went into effect.

Then in the summer the market took a new direction.  Prices were down and buyers noticed.  Sales volume increased and held steady into the 4th quarter when the market is usually at its lowest.  Inventory dropped to levels not seen in many years.  Even homes that had been around for years seem to have finally found buyers although at much lower prices.

The media stories  about the California real estate market were numerous and conflicting.  One day prices were up,  the next they were down.  Sales volume was increasing... whoops... no it was declining.  The recession was over... but not quite yet.  Real estate prices were going to go up in March 2010.. no make that June 2010  or  maybe November... nope... in the summer of 2011  home prices would take a dramatic upturn.   The truth  is that no one really knows what is happening in  local markets as they are changing by the minute.

There is a lot of talk that we have reached the bottom of the cycle and prices will now be moving up as property inventory remains on the low side.  Other opinions have it that markets across the country are about to be blitzed with  REO homes that lenders have been holding off the market along with vast  numbers of properties that are so far underwater that a short sale is the only hope.  As odd as this market is there is probably a bit of truth in both opinions.

Some factors to consider: 

By the end of March, the Federal Reserve is expected to stop the $1.25 trillion program that's kept mortgage rates artificially low.  Without the FED support you can expect to see rates rise to at least 6% and maybe higher.  Higher mortgage rates will affect sales as each uptick in rates means fewer folks can qualify for the specific loan they want.

Shaun Donovan has been hinting that in addition to the  tighter rules that went into effect in December buyers may  soon need to put 5% down compared to 3.5% currently required.  Townhome.and condo buyers have already  had to deal with recent  changes FHA has instituted.  While the South Bay doesn't see a huge number of FHA sales,  you can bet that changes by them will influence the folks at Fannie and Freddie and even jumbo loan lenders. . Congress will let the expanded home buyer tax credit expire for buyers not under contract by April 30 and closing by June 30. The rumor around town is that like the cash for clunkers program members of Congress didn't want to extend the program and have made it clear to all that this is the one and only extension.  Again the extension didn't really affect our local real estate market in Manhattan and Hermosa but it was definitely a factor in Redondo and El Segundo as well as the South Bay Cities of  Torrance, Hawthorne and Lawndale.

The Federal Housing Administration's (FHA)says that plans to tighten underwriting standards could take effect as soon as April. HUD Secretary

Shadow Inventory has been speculated about since the market started to decline.  First American Core Logic puts the  shadow inventory at about 1.7 million homes.  The big issue here is that  many of these homes in the shadow inventory are higher  priced properties compared to the sub prime properties that were mainly found at the entry level in most markets.   Speculation is rampant that we will see a large increase in  higher priced homes hitting the market as distressed sales  in 2010.  If that happens it will affect all segments of the market.

The Fannie Mae forecast is for a subdued recovery. Fannie and Freddie aren't sold on the idea that the recession is over and the housing market is on the road to  nationwide recovery.  They think the worst is over and I suspect they may be right but they also know there may be more trouble down the way.  Reaching the bottom of the market doesn't mean a return to double digit appreciation.  Reaching the bottom  may  mean minimal declines in price at best but more likely a market that is flat with a few bounces along the way for exceptional properties.

The Economy remains tricky.  While the recession may technically be over there are still a lot of pockets with problems.  California unemployment remains a big factor.   In the South Bay  things aren't as tight as in other parts of the state which is good for us. However that doesn't mean we are not going to see continued difficulties in the job market. The government is pouring billions of dollars into the economy hoping to spark some new life. The problem I see is what happens when the subsidies stop. So far we aren't seeing much in California that points to immediate gains in the economy.  The state economy  is in deep trouble and that has to have some effect on all of us.

The outlook for commercial real estate is not good.  Every commercial banker I have spoken with in the last 4 months says 2010 is going to be bad news for commercial properties.  Lenders are already poised to start foreclosing on large numbers of commercial properties in the coming year.  Banks,  who are just now seeing some light at the end of the tunnel in the residential market,  are not happy about the prospect of owning commercial properties.  These are a tough sell  as financing is difficult to obtain and finding tenants to service the debt is no easy task.  If lenders find themselves awash in commercial properties you can bet they are going to hold back making loans on all properties including new home loans.

So what does this all mean... darned if I know....

What I think is that we are going to see inventory rise in the Spring.  Some of the increase will be homes that are returning to the market in hopes of finding a buyer. I think we will see more short sales and foreclosure properties in the upper end of the market.    Other entries will be sellers who are hoping the market has improved enough for them to get the price they want/need.  I suspect there will continue to be buyers and sellers disappointed to find  that just because the market may have stopped hemorrhaging doesn't mean the patient is cured.

A lot of homeowners that held on for the last few years are simply out of resources.  I think prices will  bounce around but overall will continue to decline slightly in the upper levels of the market while perhaps seeing slight increases in the entry level of most markets.   That said there will be some homes that will sell at prices well beyond where most folks would predict while others that seemed to be sure bets will flounder.

Buyers are still very savvy about what they will and will not pay for a property.  Multiple offers on a property don't necessarily mean multiple high offers.  In many instances they are multiple low offers.  Financing is going to remain tight even for the best qualified buyers.  Appraisals are going to continue to be troublesome for all price ranges. Sellers will try to force buyers to write offers without an appraisal contingency but most smart buyers just aren't going to do that.  In fact smart buyers have learned not to give up any contingency no matter what.

All in all I think this will be a better year for real estate as everyone finally realizes that buying a home is about more then funding your retirement.    Our thoughts about home buying will be pre-1999 ( shelter) rather then post 2002( make me rich).  Lending rules will continue to be tough until everyone cries UNCLE and lenders  once again decide there is room for a number of buyers that don't fit the prototype.

Get all your Christmas/Holiday or December birthday gifts wrapped at the Manhattan Beach Mall...... We will be wrapping from December 11-24, 2009.

Are you gift wrapped challenged? Do you have a lot of gifts to wrap? Are you so busy that you don't need one more thing to do? If you answered YES to any of these then let me offer you a solution.

The Neptunian Woman's Club of Manhattan Beach will wrap all your holiday gifts.. whether you bought them at a Mall store or made them at home. We are conveniently located near the South Entrance. We'll wrap one gift or one hundred and the fee is tax deductible. This is one of our largest fund raisers of the year. Proceeds go toward scholarships for Manhattan Beach students. Each year we give academic scholarships to local students in Art, Music, Literature, Fashion Design, Nursing and for women who go into Police work.

 The Neptunian Woman's Club is the oldest Woman's club in Manhattan Beach. We were the driving force that got the city incorporated, the library system started and opened Pacific school. These are just a few of the things we have done over the years as part of our philanthropic services for the City of Manhattan Beach. You will find us at the Hometown Fair, the Pier Lighting, the Santa Float, the Fireworks on Sunday and at the Manhattan Beach Mall wrapping away.

Bring us your gifts and we'll make your life easier..... Remember...Big or small... we'll wrap them all.. and it's tax deductible..

Christmas and Holiday things to do in the South Bay Beach Cities December 2009

It's that special time of year..... we put lights on houses .... ornaments on trees..... and little kids know that magic is real. I love the Holiday Season..... Many homeowners in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo do some fabulous light displays and Christmas/Holiday decorations. El Segundo has a whole neighborhood of homes that bring visitors from near and far to see the wonderful winter wonderland displays... even in 75° weather.

Santa seems to find a way to visit every home... on every street... in every neighborhood in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo right up to Christmas Eve. We have Tree lighting and Pier lighting in our communities. Don't miss the El Segundo Holiday Parade... it's just so much fun.

Our little Beach towns have retained their unique Holiday traditions. If you want to know what's happening in the Beach Cities during the Holidays... just scroll down and you will find the major activities for Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo. It's a wonderful time of year... Oh and be sure to stop by the Gift Wrap in the Manhattan Mall... I'll be there .. so stop and say Hello..

Manhattan Beach:


November 30, 2009 -January 10, 2010 ....   Donate a Warm Coat   Are winter coats cluttering your closets?  Here is a great way to clean your closets and help someone  who needs a warm coat.    Leave donations at one of these Manhattan Beach locations: Jan Davidson Skin Care, 806 Manhattan Beach Blvd., No. 209; Mind Body Manhattan, 815 Manhattan Ave.; Memphis at the Beach, 1142 Manhattan Ave.; Look! Optometry Center and Trilogy Spa, both in the Metlox development at 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd.; and Bella Beach Kids, 225 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
                                             

December 4,5,6, 2009  The Sandpipers will hold their annual Holiday Home Tour in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. The tour runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets start at $25. For information call (310) 374-1748


Sunday December 6, 2009 : Family Crafts Night: Jocelyn Center... 1601 Valley Drive... 5:00-7:00pm



 Friday December 11- Thursday December 24... 9:00 am - 9:00 pm.. The Neptunian Woman's Club will be Gift Wrapping at the Mall... proceeds go toward scholarships for Manhattan Beach students and the fees are tax deductible. Psssst..... We will wrap any gift ... not just ones bought at a Mall store.... See you at the Mall.....




Sunday December 13, 2009... Manhattan Beach Fireworks Show .... At the Pier...Entertainment starts at 3:00.. fireworks at 6:30 pm

 Santa starts his rounds Monday November 30, 2009.. and he will be looking for good little girls and boys until December 17, 2009..   Santa starts his route every evening at 5:30 with the exception of December 14, 2009 when the float is parked in Manhattan Village  from 6:00- 7:00 pm and finishes that evening at 9:00 pm. .

Nov. 30:  Starts at 19th St and Ardmore Avenue, Pacific, Manhattan Beach Boulevard, and Valley Drive.

Dec. 1:  Starts at Blanche Road and 24th Street, 45th St, Ocean Drive, Marine Avenue, Grandview Avenue and the western City limits..

Dec. 2: Starts at Bell  and 36th St, Rosecrans Avenue, Pacific Avenue, Marine Avenue, Bell Avenue.
.
Dec. 3: Starts at 23rd St and Wendy Way, MarineS Ave.,   Manhattan Beach Blvd,  Redondo Avenue and Aviation Blvd,
.
Dec. 4: Starts at Manhattan Beach Blvd and Oak Street.  Ardmore Avenue, Sepulveda Blvd.,Manhattan Beach Blvd., Pacific Avenue.


Dec. 7: Starts at Second Street and Peck Avenue.  Second Street, Aviation Blvd, Artesia Blvd and Peck  Avenue.

Dec. 8: Starts at Second Street and Rowell Avenue. Second Street, Meadows Avenue,  Artesia Blvd. and  Sepulveda.  

Dec. 9: Starts at Dianthus and 11th Street.  Manhattan Beach Blvd., Sepulveda Blvd., southern city limits and Ardmore Avenue.

Dec. 10:  Starts at 6th and Meadows. Eighth Street, Aviation Blvd., Second Street, Sepulveda Blvd..

Dec. 11: Starts at 8th Street and Johnson Avenue.  Manhattan Beach Blvd, Aviation Blvd, Eighth Street and Sepulveda Blvd.


Dec. 14: From 6 to 7 p.m., the Santa float will be parked at the main pool of Manhattan Village. Starts at 7 p.m. at 18th Street and Redondo Avenue.  Marine Avenue, Redondo Avenue,Manhattan Beach Blvd., and Rowell Avenue.

Dec. 15: Starts at Meadows Avenue and Manhattan Beach Blvd. Marine Avenue, Rowell Avenue, Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Sepulveda Blvd..

Dec. 16: Starts at Pacific Avenue and Valley Drive. Rosecrans Avenue, Sepulveda Blvd. Ardmore Avenue and Pacific Avenue

Dec. 17: Starts at Ingleside Avenue and First Street. Marine Avenue, Grandview Avenue, 24th St, 25th St, Ardmore Avenue, southern and western city limits




 Photos with Santa:  Manhattan Beach Mall
Santa arrives Nov. 27 and stays until Dec. 24.
Mon to Sat: 11a.m. to 8 p.m
Sun:  12:00 to 6 p.m.,
The Web site above has a list of packages and prices.


Thursday evening... December 24, 2009... T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house.... You know the rest...





Hermosa Beach:

December 4,5,6, 2009 The Sandpipers will hold their annual Holiday Home Tour in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. The tour runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm tickets start at $25. For information call (310) 374-1748

Thursday December 3, 2009... The annual Tree Lighting will be at the Hermosa Beach Pier Plaza... 6:00 pm


Saturday December 12, 2009.....Sand Snowman Contest... 9:00 am-Noon.. North side of the Hermosa Beach Pier.. (310) 318-0280


In Hermosa Beach Santa will visit east Hermosa on December 16,2009

6:00 to 6:20 p.m. - Power and 21 st streets.Thursday evening... December 24, 2009... T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house.... You know the rest...

6:25 to 6:45 p.m. - 25 th Street and Silverstrand Avenue.

6:50 to 7:10 p.m. - 30 th Street and Morningside Drive.

7:15 to 7:35 p.m. - 19 th Street and Prospect Avenue.

7:40 to 8:00 p.m. - 15 th and Golden streets.

8:05 to 8:25 p.m. - Bonnie Brae and 14 th streets.

November 18-January 11, 2009...The Seaside Ice Rink is now open... click here for more information...

Tuesday December 1, 2009...The 28th annual Tree Lighting ... The Civic Center... 415 Diamond Avenue...5:00 pm


Thursday December 3, 2009 ... Riviera Village holiday Stroll...6:00-10:00 pm.  Come and hear carolers, see fun street performers ... and meet Santa

Saturday December 12, 2009 .....   Holiday Craft Party Alta Vista Community Center
                                                        Call   310-318-0610, ext 3460 for more information.
                                                                                                           

Saturday December 12, 2009 .....    King Harbor Boat Parade...Free..
                                                        Along the harbor inner sea wall 5:30 PM

Wednesday December 16, 2009 .....  Holiday Skate Party at Seaside Ice Rink
                                                            5:30-7:30 call (310) 376-6911 for info



Santa Visits Redondo: Beginning Monday November 30,  Thursday December 17, 2009 Santa will visit all the boys and girls in Redondo Beach.  Click for Maps

North Redondo:

Monday November 30, 2009: Route 1: This is a two part route. Start Part 1 at Johnston and Beland, Go N/B and cover area Between Johnston and Dow, then Gibson and 159th, 160th to Beland and end Part 1 - go dark to the start of Part 2. Start Part 2 at Warfield / Vail, continue westbound Warfield to Aviation Bl. End Part 2 & entire route.

Tuesday 12-01-09:  Route 2: Start at Vail and Timothy. May and Pinckard.
Then triangle area south of Beland to Robinson. Barkley, Gibson, Perkins,
Carlsbad...etc. South on Inglewood (dark) to Robinson, Robinson westbound to
Aviation. (see map). Note DARK streets on map

Wednesday 12-02-09:   Route 3: Start at Plant and Vail, go W/B. to Green, then
right to Perry and E/B on Perry to Rindge. Left and go to Ernest, go W/B to
Aviation, then right and E/B on Farrell to Vail. Left turn and W/B on Bataan to
Aviation, then right and E/B on Dufour to Vail. End route at Vail / Warfield.

Thursday 12-03-09:  Route 4: Begin at Curtis and Aviation, E/B to Perkins,
then left and W/B on Gates to Aviation. Right on Aviation to Graham, then E/B to
Perkins. End at Perkins / Robinson.

Friday 12-04-09:  Route 5: Aviation and Mathews, E/B to Perkins, then left and
W/B on Nelson. Make a left at Aviation Wy, a right at Mathews to Aviation, then
right on Aviation to Ruhland. E/B on Ruhland to Perkins, then W/B on Voorhees
to Aviation.

Saturday 12-05-09: Route 6: Start at Ruxton and Rockefeller and go W/B to
Aviation Wy. Turn right and come E/B on Carnegie to Ruxton. Turn left and W/B
on Vanderbilt to Aviation Wy. ....

Sunday 12-06-09:  Route 7: Start at Clark and Harkness, go E/B Clark to
Ripley. North on Felton then W/B on Harriman to Harkness, and E/B on
Huntington to Ripley.

Monday 12-07-09: Route 8: Start at Flagler and Armour, go W/B to Harkness,
RIGHT, then right to Spreckels and E/B to Ripley. Go left and come back W/B on
Havemeyer. Turn left on Flagler and go to Spreckels then right to Harkness, right again to Morgan and go E/B to Blossom. Then left to Speyer and come back W/B on Speyer to Harkness. Make a right and go to Pullman. Go E/B on Pullman to Ripley, then right on Ripley to MacKay. Turn right on MacKay and turn left onto Belmont W/B Belmont to Harkness.


Tuesday 12-08-09:  Route 9: Start at Harper and Palm and go N/B. travel to
Artesia. Then back and forth on Steinhart, Goodman, Stanford, Ford, Reed,
Herrin, Carver, Wollacott and Axenty.

Wednesday 12-09-09:  Route 10: Start at 190th and Pruitt, go to Armour and
travel E/B to Firmona. Make a left and come back W/B on Spreckels to Pruitt.
Right to Fisk and E/B to 190th, then right and another right on Firmona. Go N/B to Alvord and stop for a few minutes, then go to Ralston and W/B to Pruitt. Make a left at Pruitt and come back E/B on 2500-2600 Alvord. Go left at Inglewood Av.
Left again at Ralston, then right on Felton. At 185th St, turn left to Pruitt, then right to 184th, and E/B on 184th across Inglewood to Firmona. Go right to 185th and W/B on 185th back to Felton. Go N/B to 183rd, and E/B to Firmona, then W/B to Felton on 182nd Pl, and back E/B on 182nd St to Inglewood.

Thursday 12-10-09:  Route 11: Start at 190th and Green, go N/B to Ripley,
then right and back S/B on Cluster. Make a left at 190th to Blossom, then N/B on
Blossom to Havemeyer, E/B on Havemeyer to Rindge. Go right to service road at
190th, and make a left. Go to Earle and do each of the Courts. Then E/B on
Ripley to Meyer. Right on Meyer. Left on 190th to Phelan, N/B on Phelan to Fisk,
then W/B to High, right and back E/B on Alvord. Go right to Lilienthal. Make a U turn at the park and come back N/B to Ralston. Go W/B on Ralston to Meyer,
then right and back E/B on Hill to Lilienthal. W/B on Ives, and E/B on Hadley.
Take Lilienthal, Ripley to Marshallfield W/B to Harkness.

Friday 12-11-09:  Route 12: Start at Amethyst and Harkness, Turn left on 190th
and go west to Goodman, turn right, then W/B on Lomax to Prospect. Turn right
to Van Horne, then E/B Van Horne to Harkness. Make a left then W/B on Armour
to Reynolds. Continue to do 1600-1700 blks to Speyer, then do Harper to
Aviation, Steinhart back to Belmont, then N/B Goodman to Aviation. Come back
on Stanford to Belmont and N/B Ford to Aviation.



South Redondo:


Saturday 12-12-09:  Route 13: Start at RBPD and go N/B on Broadway to
Catalina, back S/B on Elena to Carnelian. Make a left and take PCH, then make
a left on Beryl and do Francisca. North on Catalina. Then S/B on PCH to
Diamond. Turn left on Diamond and go to N. Gertruda. Go N/B on Gertruda to
Carnelian. Make a right, go to Guadalupe, then S/B to Diamond. Make a left, to
Irena, then N/B on Irena to Agate. Right turn to Juanita, then S/b on Juanita to
Del Amo. Turn left and go to Lucia. N/B on Lucia to 190, turn right and come
back S/B on Maria to Del Amo. Then N/B on Paulina to 190th. St.

Sunday 12-13-09:  Route 14: Start at RBPD, go S/B on Broadway to Torrance
Bl, then E/B Torrance to S. Francisca. Go N/B to Vincent Park, then right, come
back S/B on Guadalupe, to Torrance, then left to Helberta and back N/B to
Vincent, then right to Irena, S/B to Torrance, then left and back N/B on Juanita to Vincent. Come back S/B on S. Lucia to Torrance.

Monday 12-14-09:  Route 15: Start at Broadway and Torrance go S/B to Knob
Hill, then N/B on Elvira to Sapphire. Turn right and cross PCH on Sapphire to
Knob Hill, turn right and come back to Gertruda. Go N/B to Pearl, then left to
Francisca, left again to PCH. Then left onto Sapphire, this time go to Helberta
and go left to S. Irena, come back S/B on S. Irena. Left on Serpentine, then left
again on S. Juanita to Camino Real.

Tuesday 12-15-09:  Route 16: Start at Pearl / Susanna. S/B Susanna, turn
corner to Faye & continue Faye N/B to Pearl. Go Dark, Prospect to Torrance,
left to Lucia, left. S/B Lucia to Rita, right on Rita W/B to Juanita, N/B Juanita to
Torrance. Dark on Torrance W/B to Irena. Irena S/B to Judy, right turn Judy
N/B to Pearl. Pearl W/B to Camino Real, N/B to Miramar. Miramar W/B to
Francisca, N/B to Sierra Vista E/B. End Sierra Vista/Camino Real. Note: advise
families on Opal & Pearl to meet Santa on Lucia, Juanita, or Irena!

Wednesday 12-16-09:  Route 17: Start at Ave G / PV W/B to PCH, then E/B
on Ave F to PV. W/B on Ave E, make a right on Ave D to S/B Gertruda, then
back on Helberta to Ave D., S/B on S. Irena (Do Ave D as you are going back
and forth on Gertruda, Helberta and Irena). Take PV to Prospect and do the 1000
blk Ave D, then W/B on Ave C back, including 1000 block, then E/B on Ave
B(including 1000 block), then Ave A(1000 block) to PCH. Take Knob Hill to
Camino Real.

Thursday 12-17-09:  Route 18: Start at S. Irena and PV Bl, go east to 1400
blk, then back to W/B on Helberta to PV, then E/B on S. Gertruda go to Messina
and Circle Drs. Then W/B on Ave E to Pv, and E/B on Ave F to Prospect. Then
W/B Ave G to PV. Then S/B on PV to Catalina. Turn and immediately take the
left to Camino de la Costa. Go W/B on Paseo de la Playa, come back E/B on
Vista del Mar, then N/B along the 1700 Blk of Camino de la Costa to Ave I. Make
a left and to go the Esplanade. Go DARK N/B Esplanade to Knob Hill.
Continue route E/B Knob Hill to PCH, S/B PCH to Avenue A, W/B to Esplande.
Continue Avenue A to Avenue H, alternating East & West on the Avenues
(always S/B PCH and S/B Esplanade). End Route at Avenue H and PCH.

Make up Days: Friday 12/18; Saturday 12/19; and Sunday 12/20

Photo with Santa:

The Galleria:
(310)371-7546

Nov. 30 to Dec. 4: 11 a.m. to  6 p.m.
Dec. 5: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 6 to Dec. 11: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Dec. 12: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 13: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 14 to Dec. 20: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 21 to Dec. 23: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec. 24: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.


Thursday December 24, 2009 ... T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house.... You know the rest...


El Segundo:

 Thursday December 10, 2009 ... The Annual Tree Lighting... and craft boutique at City Hall Plaza 300 Main Street 5:00 pm-8:00 pm


Thursday December 10, 2009....Santa and the Claus Family will be at the Library at 3:00pm

Saturday December 12, 2009 - December 23, 2009... Candy Cane Lane lights up:

Santa lights up Candy Cane Lane at 7:00

 1200 block of East Acacia Avenue in El Segundo ( off Imperial)

Sunday December 13, 2009.....10:00 am .. Holiday Parade.. Main Street.. from Imperial Highway to El Segundo Blvd.. (310) 322-1220



 Santa's sleigh... Santa will be visiting starting at 5:15-9:00 pm

Dec. 14: West end of the city east to Loma Vista Street.

Dec. 15: Loma Vista Street east to Main Street.

Dec. 16: Main Street east to Sheldon Street.

Dec. 17: Sheldon Street east to Center Street.

Dec. 18: Center Street east to Sepulveda Street.

In case of rain, a make-up day is scheduled for Dec. 21 and Dec. 22.

Thursday December 24, 2009 ... T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house.... Merry Christmas to All.. and to All ... Good Night...



If you have an event you would like to add... just e-mail me and I will add it to the list....

Saturday December 12, 2009 - December 23, 2009... Candy Cane Lane lights up:

 1200 block of East Acacia Avenue in El Segundo ( off Imperial)

Dec. 15: Loma Vista Street east to Main Street.

Dec. 16: Main Street east to Sheldon Street.

Dec. 17: Sheldon Street east to Center Street.

Dec. 18: Center Street east to Sepulveda Street.

In case of rain, a make-up day is scheduled for Dec. 21 and Dec. 22.

Saturday December 12, 2009 - December 23, 2009... Candy Cane Lane lights up:

 1200 block of East Acacia Avenue in El Segundo ( off Imperial)

Dec. 15: Loma Vista Street east to Main Street.

Dec. 16: Main Street east to Sheldon Street.

Dec. 17: Sheldon Street east to Center Street.

Dec. 18: Center Street east to Sepulveda Street.

In case of rain, a make-up day is scheduled for Dec. 21 and Dec. 22.

Home sales in South Bay-Beach Cities for October 2007, 2008, 2009





If you are a bit confused about what's happening in the South Bay-Beach Cities' real estate market ... join the club.  On the  one hand it seems that foreclosure filings in October 2009  in California are  up  22% from September 2009 and are running 20% higher then in October 2008.  On the other hand our South Bay-Beach Cities real estate market has still not seen a huge number of REO properties.   The number of short sales seems to be on the rise but still not nearly as high as in other markets.  There was a good article in the Daily Breeze yesterday  about the role of government intervention in the housing market.  It  underlies a lot of the issues that affect our local real estate market.

The housing  inventory in the South Bay-Beach Cities is significantly lower then we have seen in a long time.   Pending home sales are up in all the Beach Cities and the closed sales volume continues to hold up better then  expected.  But don't be mislead.... this is still a tough market and the end isn't yet in sight.

 Well priced entry level homes in all the Beach Cities are selling in days often with multiple offers.   A  moderately  priced  REO in east Manhattan just sold with an all cash offer, after less then 3 days on the market, at a price well over the listed price.   Meanwhile homes that are priced above market continue to sit with little or no interest until they are either taken off the market or the price is reduced enough to generate renewed interest.  This seems to be true across the board  in all price ranges and in all cities.

 Many of the homes that enter escrow wind up back on the market  because of appraisal problems. Others don't close because of issues that crop up at the last minute during the final underwriting of the loan.  This is especially true if you are obtaining a jumbo loan.  The same lender who told you 30 days ago that you had amazing FICO scores and plenty of money will now look at you as if you are skimming for fun and profit with Bernie Madoff.  Sometimes it seems that no matter what banks say in their ads they really don't want to make loans.... Do they really need you  to find a copy of your first  paycheck stub from 1979 in 24 hours as the final condition for obtaining a loan?  

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold October 2009

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold September 2009

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold August 2009