Steve Watts’ (RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty) 5748 Ironwood Street, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 (above left) is a 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,812 square foot home for $1,095,000.  This exquisite custom-built Contemporary Silver Spur home features a gourmet kitchen, cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors and a beautiful professionally landscaped backyard.  Phyllis Weitzman’s (RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty) 2251 Daladier Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 (above right) is a 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 3,125 square foot home for $1,129,000.  This magnificent Miraleste view home features floor to ceiling windows showcasing fabulous views, a separate den, 3-car garage and a backyard gazebo.

Diana Innes’ (RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty) 4208 Cartesian Circle, Palos Verdes Peninsula 90274 (above left) is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,794 square foot home for $1,200,000.  This great Academy Hill home is located on a cul-de-sac and features cathedral ceilings, a large 11,662 square lot and is awaiting your own personalization.

Photos courtesy of CRMLS

Here is a sneak peek at my new Palos Verdes real estate listing offered at $849,000.  3134 Corinna Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes will go on the Multiple Listing Service on Monday, November 7, 2011. This 3 bedroom, 1 3/4 bath, 1,898 square foot home is located on a 12,022 square foot lot with a pool in the Mira Catalina area.

After entering through double doors, you are immediately greeted with breathless ocean views.  The bright and spacious Great Room is perfect for entertaining.  Your guests will enjoy the Ocean, Catalina and Harbor views. A sparkling pool awaits you outdoors in addition to sunny patio and grassy areas.  For additional information and to see more photos, go to www.3134Corinna.com

There will be an Open House on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on Saturday, November 12, and Sunday, November 13, 2011, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

When owners of Palos Verdes real estate put their homes on the market to sell, there are some recommendations to make it a safe experience.  I tell my clients who are selling their Palos Verdes homes to remove all valuables, prescriptions and financial data during open houses and showings.  It is impossible for Realtors to keep an eye on every room and, as a matter of fact, dishonest guests usually come in large groups and purposely distract the Realtor.

Last month, Lew Sichelman wrote an article in the LA Times entitled, “Play it safe when you show your home”.  Here is what he recommended along with some of my own comments:

• Trust your instincts – Listen to your intuition and if someone makes you uncomfortable, be alert and extremely careful.
• Do not let strangers into your home – A potential prospect or even if they identify themselves as an agent, should not be allowed into the house without an appointment.
• I also like agents to actually use the lockbox to enter your home as I then have a record of the agent’s name and time the lockbox was opened.  It is easy to print up fake business cards but only agents will have a lockbox key.
• Direct all inquiries to your agent whether a phone call, letter or knock at your door.
• In advance of open houses or scheduled showings, remove valuables including artwork and electronic equipment (ipads and laptops also), prescription drugs, bank statements and other financial information, credit cards and keys.  Make a list of these items ahead of time and use it like a checklist before showings.
• Be mindful of someone asking who is asking personal questions; for example about you or your family’s schedule.  The less said the better.

As Realtors, we occasionally receive alerts regarding suspicious groups that are going through open houses.  It is always better to be safe than sorry.  Palos Verdes homes owners who take extra precaution will have a better outcome.

On Sunday, April 17, 2011, between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., I will be hosting an Open House at my new listing at 7516 Dunfield Avenue, Westchester 90045.

North Kentwood family home has it all!  Entertain friends and family in large living room and great room.  Move outside through French doors to covered porch and large patio area with custom built Lynx barbecue and bar with Viking kegerator.  For the children, there is an amazing bi-level Barbara Butler tree-house with slide build into 50-year old maple tree.  Huge master suite has cathedral ceiling, fireplace with marble hearth, en suite office, balcony, large walk-in closet (plus an additional closet) and master bath with spa tub.  Home was rebuilt in 1992, and extensively and meticulously upgraded in 2008.

To view more photos, go to www.7516Dunfield.com (or click here).

Please join me on Sunday, February 28, 2010, between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at an Open House at 4224 Via Nivel, Palos Verdes Estates 90274.  I will be hosting the open house for the listing agent, Judy Henry (Remax Palos Verdes Realty).  Here is your opportunity to become a Palos Verdes homes owner.

This gracious Cape Cod home is located in the heart of Valmonte and features a beautifully redone kitchen.  It has 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2,446 square feet and is listed for $1,410,000.  The formal living room and dining rooms as well as the office/fourth bedroom, enjoy sparkling city views.  The lushly landscaped yard features a waterfall, spa, outdoor fireplace and built-in Vinking barbecue.

Please join me for a tour through this charming Valmonte home.

Photo courtesy of MRMLS

Today’s Tour Tip for Palos Verdes Real Estate Broker’s Tour is my own listing at 838 Rivera Place, Palos Verdes Estates, which has spectacular panoramic ocean and Catalina views – and is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 3,025 square foot home on a 14,600 square foot lot for $2,499,000.

This is a lavishly remodeled home with a private courtyard entry and ocean views from nearly every room. This exquisite home was designed with meticulous attention to quality and detail. The custom cabinetry throughout resembles fine furniture. It’s perfect for entertaining with a ground level kitchen, dining room, living room open floor plan with dramatic ocean views. The downstairs family room has a full bar (with 100-bottle wine refrigerator, humidor, draft beverage dispenser, dishwasher, refrigerator and ice-making machine) and leads to a covered patio and gardens, all with incredible ocean views.

Please come join me today, August 12, between 11:00 and 1:00 to view this beautiful home. There will also be a public open house on Sunday, August 17, from 1:00 to 4:00. View property website at www.838Rivera.com

Are open houses an efficient sales tool for sellers? I am up front with my clients selling Palos Verdes real estate. I tell them that I will hold occasional public open houses for them; statistics show that only 3% of homes are sold to buyers walking into an open house. Plus there is the security issue. I cannot be in every room at every minute and we receive periodic notices from other Realtors whose clients have had items stolen during open houses.

The Sunday LA Times Real Estate section had an article dealing with the open house issue. The Los Angeles Times reported that some sellers are now questioning the importance of open houses as a selling tool. There is the usual feeling of displacement as the seller has to vacate his home for several hours on the weekend as well as the feeling that his privacy is being invaded. The article infers that public open houses actually benefit the Realtors as it is an opportunity to meet new potential clients and that open houses draw people who “are more likely to be looking for decorating tips”.

A great reason for open houses is the instant feedback from the public regarding the condition and price of the home. And there is always that 3% chance that you could find your buyer. Do I agree with this article? I have mixed feelings about public open houses. I absolutely recommend broker open houses to my clients as 40% of buyers come from Realtor contact.