Redondo Beach: Craftsman Homes

The Dow is bouncing aroun gas is under $2.00 for regular and rates dropped as the financial sector got another $800 Billion.  Seems as if everyone has their hand out expecting the taxpayer to pay for their bad judgement. 

I've always maintained that if we had a major recession all bets would be off about what would happen with home prices in Manhattan Beach and the Beach Cities. I think it's safe to say that we are definitely in a recession. The recession, combined with the ongoing upheaval in the stock market and the continuing lack of credit in the financial sector, will ultimately lead to lower prices for all the Beach Cities.

The big question facing our local real estate market is whether or not we will see small declines in value or get hit with some big losses. The truth is I don't know and neither does anyone else. So far the South Bay economy has held up fairly well. We haven't had a lot of local companies posting large layoffs. We seem to be diversified enough at this point that we don't have any major employers in big trouble. That could change but so far so good.

The same is true with the housing market. We have seen some foreclosures in the Beach Cities but compared to other areas of Southern California we are not doing too bad. However that doesn't mean we are not seeing changes in the housing market. Small signs are beginning to appear... townhomes in Manhattan Village and single family homes in East Manhattan Beach priced under $800,000...homes and townhomes in North Redondo under $500,000... these are just a few of the signs of a changing market.

While we are not seeing a collapse of the market... I suspect that we will see further declines in value. However the Beach Cities should maintain value better then neighboring communities. Properties close to the ocean will maintain value better then those east of Sepulveda. South Redondo and Hermosa will likely hold up slightly better then North Redondo. El Segundo will continue at its own pace... following a slightly different drummer.

Here's a surprise... even with all the ups and downs since September 15, 2008... the Beach Cities are seeing higher sales volume in October of 2008 then in October of 2007. Pending sales in November are running about one sale per day... not great but better then many anticipated at this point.

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold October 2008 (click on graph to enlarge) 

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold September 2008

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold August 2008

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold July 2008

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold June 2008

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold May 2008

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold April 2008

South Bay-Beach Cities: SOLD March 2008

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold February 2008

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold January 2008

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold November 2007

South Bay-Beach Cities: October SOLD 2007

South Bay-Beach Cities: September SOLD 2007

South Bay-Beach Cities: August SOLD 2007

South Bay- Beach Cities: July Sold 2007

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold June 2007

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold May 2007

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold April 2007

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold March 2007

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold February 2007

South Bay-Beach Cities: Sold January 2007