Valmonte Homes

Valmonte Remains a HOT Market

April 2, 2014

G06-086_F_Palos-Verdes-photoThings aren’t showing any signs of slowing down here in the Valmonte real estate market. In just the last few weeks we’ve seen most new listings go into escrow with multiple offers.  The sweet spot seems to be move-in ready homes under $1.6 million. Houses in need of significant repairs or updates seem to be lingering around longer until there is a notable price drop. In the last week we saw 3908 Via Picaposte show up with a for sale sign in front and it was quickly in escrow at a price indicated as “over asking” by listing agent Ginni Lee of RE/MAX. Meanwhile, 4109 Via Picaposte was under contract again after a $100k price drop. Considering it closed in January 2013 at $1,060k, a new price of $1.299m isn’t a bad return for a hold and flip. Lastly a nicely upgraded family home, 4304 Via Nivel, had multiple offers and is reportedly on its way to closing over asking.  So far, our micro market is on pace with the general market in Southern California, albeit at a higher priced entry point to move in.

2014 So Far   Since the new year, 5 homes have closed at prices between $1.296m and $2.15m at a price per square foot of $547.  2 of those sold homes have closed over the asking suggesting that competition for homes in Valmonte is tough.  Currently there are 6 homes available in Valmonte priced from $1.13m on the low end to $2.48m on the high end going into the selling season.  What’s on the horizon?  While time will certainly tell, for now, if you are a buyer, I would find a solid rate with a good mortgage banker and be ready to write a strong offer when your dream house is on the market.  If you are considering selling?  Well, of course, I would suggest you call me to get your home sold while the market is hot!

For more tips on buying or selling a home, please go to my website at www.kyledanielsrealestate.com or feel free to email directly at surfrealtor@gmail.com.

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Fall Has Arrived

March 5, 2014

It’s hard not to notice that Fall is upon us, despite the summerlike weather that keeps teasing us. Even a walk through this West Coast neighborhood will tell you leaves are changing color in their decent from their branches. The shorter days give us more time to enjoy the interior comforts of home like cooking and reading by the fire. For me its time to get the winter crops planted. This year I’m going with Kale, Beets, Lettuce, and I added to my strawberries in hope that I have a more robust Spring harvest. If you haven’t tried Kale, now is as a good a time as any as inspiration for using it is off the charts. In fact, if a vegetable can be trendy, Kale is arguably giving those Kardashian clowns a run for their money. We like to use it in everything from dinners sides after a quick blanching to adding to fruit smoothies. It’s up to you to enjoy this great time a year, and don’t forget to keep your ears open for the calls of our local owls.

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Beat the heat and fog!

June 29, 2013

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So where do you go when it’s cooking inland and the beach is blanketed in fog? The Mall? Yep, the mall! I never thought I’d be heading away from the beach on a hot summer weekend such as this, but with a two year old in tow, we headed up the hill to the Promenade on the Peninsula for (pause), stay with me, the Fountain! And we weren’t alone. At least a dozen other parents had the same great idea and not only did the little guy have a blast, we ran into several neighbors while we ate lunch and kept on eye on the water fun. Yes, you do catch an occasional whiff of the obnoxious perfume odor billowing out of Abercrombie, but the screams of joy and laughter of the wet little ones makes up for it. And as we headed back home, the view of the fog creeping inland with the ocean breeze was all we needed to assure us we made the right call. Now, if only we had a pool in our backyard….

Household Tips, Uncategorized

Happy Summer: Great guide to building raised garden beds

June 22, 2013

Why recreate the wheel when there’s great stuff already out there.  I’ll add photos from my own experience but so as not to waste anytime, here’s a great article from a website I’m addicted to – www.houzz.com.  Happy Summer

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2082844/list/Build-a-Raised-Bed-to-Elevate-Your-Garden w=300]

Neighborhood News

Fun Weekend Ahead! Saturday March 2, 2013

March 1, 2013

ImageWhat a day!  I tried to take advantage of this summer tease but taking the Little Grom down to RAT Beach today and we had a blast.  The water is a little on the cold side but with a light breeze and light crowds, it was worth giving him a shoulder ride up the hill at the end of our session.  I hope you too can take advantage of this great weather this weekend – there’s a lot to enjoy.  Besides the beach, here is what is happening:

Whale Of A Day! (Saturday 10-4) festival celebrates the annual migration of the Pacific Gray Whale off the coast of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Fun, food, entertainment, whale watching, education, children’s activities (face painting, games, storytelling, inflatable jumpers), Interpretive Center museum tours, Coast Guard exhibits and lighthouse tours (close at 3pm).  Free shuttle to and from the event at Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall, 30949 Hawthore Blvd, RPV.    Facebook.com/LosSerenos or www.whaleofaday.com

PV Little League Opening Day Parade and Games.  The Parade will start in Malaga Cove and make its way to the Valmonte Little League fields at Valmonte Elementary School.  There will be games and fun throughout the day.

St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run/Community Walk & Leprechaun Dash (Sunday, March 3) beginning at 8 a.m. The race starts and ends at the Village Runner store located at 1811 Catalina Ave. in Riviera Village in Redondo Beach. The course takes participants along the Esplanade to Knob Hill and back. All participants will receive a St. Patrick’s Day Run t-shirt. There will also be chip timing, age division awards and cash prizes to the top three overall male and female runners in the 5K. Late registration begins at 6:30 a.m. with the 5K getting underway at 8 a.m. and the Leprechaun Dash starting at 9:30 a.m.

I’m hoping to get to at least one if not all of these events and maybe even get started on that veggie garden in the back yard.  Have a great weekend!

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Finally, New Valmonte Listings!

February 22, 2013

I don’t know about you but I love anticipation.  As someone in the real estate business I guess I get easily excited about what the market will bring next (cheap thrills, right?).  Since the listings have been limited lately, I’m constantly wondering what will be next.  Well, market watchers like me don’t have to wait any longer.  Steve Watts of Re/Max PV just listed 2 Valmonte homes.  The first is in the “Valmonte grove” at 2517 Via Anita.  It’s a nicely appointed 4 bedroom/3 bath “California Ranch cottage” at nearly 2,200 square feet on a 7,100 foot lot.  Listed at $1.295m it’s sure to see some lookers in the coming days.  The second home is 3819 Via la Selva and Via Picaposte.  This California Ranch is 3 bedrooms/2 baths in 1,900 feet and is listed at $1.495m.  Why the premium price?  The best reason I can find is the 12,744′ corner lot.  The pricing of both properties represent a new found optimism in the local real estate market that hasn’t been seen in several years.  Now the next thing I’m looking for is to see how long it takes for these to sell and at what price.  I’m not much of a gambler, but I’m willing to bet that if these sell close to asking, we’re going to continue to see many more hit the market this year as we watch scared sellers awake from a long hibernation.

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Irrational Exuberance?

February 13, 2013

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If you followed Alan Greenspan during his tenure as chairman of the Federal Reserve then you are probably quite familiar with the term “Irrational Exuberance.”  This term often used by the chairman refers to a “heightened state of speculative ferver” as explained by economist Robert Shiller (widely known from the Case/Shiller home price index).  While the numbers are too few at this point to confirm this irrational exuberance in the current Valmonte market, there are signs that certainly point in this direction.  With only two listings currently on the market and many buyers combing the MLS for new listings, there is clearly evidence of demand far outpacing the supply.  If the party-like atmosphere at this weekend’s open house on Via Solano is any indicator, then we certainly are on our way to a speculative ferver.  How long this will last is anyone’s guess.  Human nature tells us that when something is hard to get, we tend to want it more.  And when we feel that something is scarce, we tend to act more irrationally than when there is a feeling that time is on our side and we have multiple options to chose from.  My advice, take a deep breath before you go plunging off the cliff and make hasty decisions.  Patience is typically rewarded.  While it may not seem like it today, there will be other homes for sale.  This will be especially true if prices continue to rise – as there are emotions stoked by scarcity, there are emotions provoked by the opportunity to make money.  Good luck.

Valmonte Homes

New Listing: 3944 Via Solano – CANCELED

February 10, 2013

If you love Valmonte but haven’t found your chance to buy in, here’s a good opportunity.  Listed for $889,000, you can have a 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 1600′ foot home on a 8,000′ lot next to the access trail with a peak of the ocean and city lights.  Based on the lack of inventory on the market, I don’t see this one sticking around for long.  It needs some elbow grease but with a decent sized yard and room to add on (this is key when looking in Valmonte due to the lot usage rules), you can call this great neighborhood home for a decent price.  It’s open this Sunday so I’m putting this open house on my to-do list.

UPDATE: So I stopped by the open house today and it was going off!  There were no less than 5 families at a time walking through the house and there probably would have been more if parking wasn’t at a premium.  Nelu Ardeljan from Riviera Realtors informed me that prior to the open house, he had 3 offers, 2 over asking.  I guess when you’re the only active listing under $2 million in Valmonte you’re going to get star treatment.  Considering this one likely needs a new roof and some cleaning up, it looks like we have a seller’s market here in Valmonte.  Let me know if you have one to sell . . . .

NEW UPDATE: LISTING CANCELED – Yeah, you’ve got me?  I’m not quite sure why this one was cancelled, but maybe the owner knows something I don’t.  There’s probably a good chance of that :)!

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4125 Via Largavista update – SOLD $1.6m all cash

February 8, 2013

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Well neighbors, I have some good news for those of you that own a home in Valmonte, and some bad news for those who are looking to buy.  The good news is comps just got a whole lot better with 4125 Via Largavista recently closing at $1.6 mmmmmmillion, all cash.  Yes, all cash.  That is the second all cash close in the last few weeks.  If that doesn’t encourage sellers that have been on the fence to get off and sell, then I don’t know what will.  And buyers, I’m sorry.  The buyer’s market we had during the last few years looks to be coming to an end.  Now, I’m not ready to say we’re out of the woods just yet when it comes to the local real estate economy, but these are certainly good signs if you’ve been considering selling or in need of refinancing and haven’t had the comps to get you there.  Now, a hiccup in the general economy or a flood of sellers can turn this market right back around, but with low interest rates and encouraging signs of a price recovery, we should continue to see improvements towards a healthy market.  But then again, with such a great neighborhood, who would want to sell unless they have to?  Not me!

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4109 Via Picaposte – $1.035m – ALL CASH!

January 8, 2013

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What a way to ring in the new year!  Of my four readers, one of you may have noticed the real estate sign outside of 4109 Via Picaposte over the last couple of months.  Well, it closed last Friday for a sweet $1.035 M in cold hard cash.  Rumor has it and the cash usually shows it, that we may see this one on the market again soon – but not without a few construction trucks coming and going.  As long as the economy remains status quo, my guess is that we’re going to see some moderate price gains in our beloved Valmonte this year.  Given the fact that there are only 4 homes currently on the market here, and two of the four have offers, there certainly isn’t much supply for the demand.  And I’m sure all four of you know that that means one thing in economics – rising prices.  And in the biz, we like to call that a seller’s market.

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