Interest rates on home loans are down one full percentage point in some categories from April 17, 2008, for example 5.5% for a 30 year fixed loan due in 10 years. Tuesdays, I attend our Office Meeting and then go on to the Palos Verdes Real Estate Broker's Tour. Better loan rates were the pleasant surprise at our Office Meeting. Today's Broker's Tour had 24 properties to view in approximately two...

I believe home buyers of Palos Verdes real estate are finally waking up. Blanche Evans in Realty Times has written that consumers have "been getting bad information" and goes on to explain that Robert Shiller (founder of the Case-Shiller Index) might just have an ulterior motive when he says that housing prices may drop further than 30% (as experienced in the Great Depression). Shiller "makes money...

I have been part of a lively conversation lately regarding the practice of "double ending" transactions -- representing both the buyer and seller in the same real estate transaction. This is an acceptable practice in California and the Palos Verdes/South Bay area. How does this serve the buyer and seller? My personal feeling is that I cannot fairly represent both the buyer and seller. The buyer...

Afternoon Tea at Trump National in Rancho Palos Verdes is a relaxing event and can be followed by a walk on the ocean bluffs.

Buyers may need 5% more down payment to buy homes that are designated to be in a declining market. By the way, the entire state of California (including real estate in Palos Verdes) is considered a "soft market" by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Kenneth R. Harney of the Washington Post wrote an excellent article on April 26, 2008, entitled "Declining Markets and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies(which was...

Rolling Hills Estates is the 3rd largest city on the Peninsula both in size (4.18 miles) and population (7,676) according the the Residence Handbook. Their are 30 neighborhood areas within the community, each with its own special character. Overall, the city has tried to maintain it's rural residential atmosphere and many lots are 1/2 acre or more and many are zoned equestrian. The city has 178...

Today's Los Angeles Times Real Estate Section reported the ten Southern California cities with the highest increase in sales prices for single family residences for the first quarter of 2008 compared with the same period last year. Both zip codes on the Palos Verdes Peninsula were on this list. Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates (zip 90274) showed an increase in median...

I can only imagine how the public feels regarding real estate in the Palos Verdes and South Bay areas with the news media's seemingly conflicting reporting . Yesterday's LA Times Business section headline, "March a cruel month - Foreclosures take over..." is only 8 days after the LA Times Business section headline, "Home prices staying afloat at the beach" (see my post "Now You're Talking" April 8,...

I just returned from a weekend yoga retreat and it was such a "treat". I spent the weekend in yoga classes, meditation, hiking and sharing stories with 15 fabulous other students. It was such a sense of family. I met a woman who is the editor of Enjoy Positive Magazine (a magazine devoted to positive news - I can get behind that). We all went on a fantastic hike/walk lead by Nancy Cohee of...

This is an open letter to Buyers. If you are looking for foreclosures or REOs (bank owned real estate) in Palos Verdes or the South Bay, here are some ideas to help you... One for the Money -You must have your finances ready. The Bank-Seller has already experienced shaky finances from the prior owner. Get pre-approved from your lender and have them pull your current FICO scores. You will also...