Price Reduction, Pet's Passing, New Listing-- All in a Day's Work

One of the things I like best about being a real estate agent is each day we venture into the unknown. We may have a plan but it's merely a rough draft of the day we want to have, not necessarily the one we will have.

Today was a great reminder of the risks and rewards of life as a Realtor in the 21st century. I arrived at the office early to load a new listing on the new MLS system. All went well until I pushed the save button after loading eighteen photos. The dreaded words, System Error appeared in red on the screen. So much for my artfully chosen words to describe the property and the studied arrangement of photos. After several minutes on hold the customer service rep assured me in his zen monotone, they will have it fixed as soon as possible, and reminded me I have ten days to add photos. Ten days! My type A reply was to request he call me on my cell the minute it was up and running. He did, and this time it worked!

I needed to preview six homes for buyers and was heading out the office door when my phone rang. A client was in tears. One of her beloved dogs died suddenly and she would not be at home to oversee an installation. We exchanged pet bereavement experiences and I assured her I would handle the appointment. I suggested she gather photos and memories of her pet in an album. When I returned from my mad dash around the Palos Verdes Peninsula previewing properties, there was a pet eulogy with photos straight from her heart waiting in my email.

Another client who swore he would not give me a price reduction, did! I dropped by to see the new color palette in several of the rooms and left feeling optimistic about the improvements and the new price. Next stop, the bakery to pick up cookies for tomorrow's broker open house. As I'm checking out the phone rings; it's a client who wants me to come see his house. Appointment made. It's 4:30 and I'm running late to my final appointment for the day. I need to drop off some listings to my hairdresser. She sold her home a couple of years ago and has been waiting for the right time to buy. After a few minutes of discussing various listings, she selected a few she wants to see next week.

When I came out of her Redondo Beach salon, the fog was rolling in and stealing the sunshine of a perfect Southern California day. I've always loved the fog, and as I drove home I pulled off Palos Verdes Drive West to watch the sea and cliffs disappear in the heavy clouds. It was just an ordinary day filled with some success, a little frustration, a shared loss, and plans for the future. I'm thankful for the daily ups and downs this job provides. Life, it's all good.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

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Coastal Artist's Retreat in San Pedro, California

The face of San Pedro is changing. Hundreds of new lofts and condos are dotting the downtown horizon. Several new galleries, restaurants and bars are bringing new life to the area.














Kissed by ocean breezes and wonderful views it still remains the most affordable coastal town in Southern California.

The Point Fermin area is graced with spectacular views, quaint beach cottages, historical old homes and numerous ocean view parks. It's a popular area for artists and other creative types.

This charming home is perched on a hill with harbor and ocean views. Remodeled, with a show-stopping kitchen, refinished hardwood floors and a separate studio, this property is perfect for an artist or work at home professional. Plenty of parking too with a 2-car garage and a 2-car carport. $669,000

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

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Looking for a Home in Palos Verdes?

The chill of winter is almost behind us and the sun is shining in Southern California after a cold and wet (we needed the rain) winter. Can thoughts of moving be far behind?

If you're considering moving to one of the four cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula here's what's happening on "The Hill."

211 Single Family Homes are currently for sale

45 Single Family Homes are currently in escrow

16 Single Family Homes have sold in 2008

Sellers, note the number of homes in escrow--the market is beginning to move.

Remember, all real estate is local. The Palos Verdes market is not the same as the national market or even the Los Angeles market.

If you would like more information on your local neighborhood in Palos Verdes email me and I'll be happy to provide it within 24 hours.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

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A Sure Cure for Buyer's Remorse

Making major decisions in uncertain economic times requires steady nerves, and often a leap of faith that the decision is being made at the right time and for the right reasons. If you've been in the real estate trenches long enough you've encountered a case or two of full blown buyer's remorse. Perhaps as a consumer you've suffered from the malady. Sometimes it's only a 24 hour bug, other times it's terminal.

Last week one of my buyers came down with a case of it. This week she is feeling much better. I have an examination of questions I administer before prescribing any solution:

• Has your 'why I need to move' changed?


• Are you comfortable with the price you are paying?


• Are you happy with the location?


• Are you happy with the property?


• Why are you second guessing yourself?

The above buyer recovered and is back to sleeping through the night. Not every deal was meant to be, and I never push a buyer to move forward with a purchase they are uncertain about.

Now on the lighter side, many years ago a buyer called me at 11 pm on a Sunday night and directed me to withdraw an offer immediately. By midnight I was at my office complying with his wishes. Later that week my broker left a package of M&Ms on my desk and told me, "The next time a buyer wants to cancel in the middle of the night tell him to take two and call you in the morning!"

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

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29 Homes For Sale Under $1,000,000 In Palos Verdes

There are currently 29 single family homes for sale in Palos Verdes for less than $1,000,000. 19 of those homes are located in the Eastview area of Rancho Palos Verdes. The others are scattered throughout the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

The Eastview area has the option of attending Los Angeles Unifed Schools or Palos Verdes Peninsula School District.

This three bedroom (plus office) is an example of what $898,000 will purchase in the Eastview neighborhood of Rancho Palos Verdes.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

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Showing Buyers What They Want

Today I'll be showing property in Palos Verdes and for this particular buyer the yard is more important than the house. We will be looking at homes in her price range with the "best" back yards.

Best, for her, means:

No Busy Streets

Plenty of Room to Roam and Play

Outdoor Dining & Living Space

A Natural Landscape

A Country Setting

Oh yes, and they have chickens--just a few.

So sellers, don't forget the outdoor living space when you're preparing your home for sale. Many buyers check out the lay of the land before they will even look at the house. And today, if we see a property with a small stable or shed suitable for fowl, it may be where this family comes home to roost.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

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Palos Verdes Real Estate Statistics for January 2008

It's time for the end of the month update on real estate for sale and sold in the four cities of Palos Verdes: Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes and Palos Verdes Estates.

January 2008 Statistics:

Rolling Hills: 20 Homes For Sale; 1 property in Escrow, No Sales

Rolling Hills Estates: 13 For Sale; 2 in Escrow; 2 properties Sold

Rancho Palos Verdes: 118 Homes for Sale; 26 in Escrow; 8 Sold

Palos Verdes Estates: 51 Homes for Sale; 10 in Escrow; 1 Sold

The above stats are super simplified. If you would like a more detailed report for your neighborhood, please contact me and I will send an e-market report to you within 24 hours--probably sooner!

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

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She's Single, Scared and Buying Her First Home Alone--Maybe

For the past few days I've been dealing with a client who is struggling with moving her life to the next level. She wants to buy a condo, she's qualified to buy one, but fear is holding her back. With all due respect, the world has thrown her more than one curve ball and she decided to take a long time-out. But now she can't get off the bench. It feels good to be safely shielded from the hot spots of life and the glaring demands it makes. She's sitting and watching, and too fearful of a long list of "what ifs" to venture back into the game.

She's a woman alone and filled with desire to own a home, but held back by fear. Life is coming at her way too fast for comfort. Divorce, children leaving the nest, new job and new residence all occurred during the past two years. Now she needs to move from her temporary rental and purchase a condo. She's fighting this on every level, because she is not ready to accept the singularity of her new life.

It is difficult to move to the next level if you are lugging all the baggage from your past. Lighten the load and the ascent will be easier. The children no longer need their own rooms when they come home from college. The over-sized dining room set from the house in the suburbs needs to stay in the burbs. In order to move on some things must be left behind.

The loan is approved, the condo is identified, but she can't bring herself to sign the contract. So tomorrow we will look at more condos and postpone the decision once again. She wants to make sure the one she has chosen is the right one. But do we ever know for sure it, whatever your it may be, is the right one? I don't think so. You narrow it down, roll the dice and go for it.

Years ago I had a similar conversation with a street smart friend, except that time I was the one hovering in an indecisive state. I was weighing the pros and cons of a major life change. Each side of the balance sheet was weighted with credible justification to choose that particular path. My friend listened and watched as I circled around the decision for days. Finally, one evening when the topic came up for the umpteenth time he cut me off with a comment I shall remember as long as I live. With a chuckle, to soften the finality of his words I suspect, he said, "Sometimes you just have to drop your pants and slide on the ice."

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

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The Psychology and Impact of Front Page Headlines

The front page of today's Wall Street Journal featured the following headlines:

Largest Bold Text: Bill Gates Issues Call for Kinder Capitalism (positive)

Large Bold Text: Stocks Reverse Early Losses, Close Up 2.5% (positive)

Large Bold Text: Developing Economies Face Reckoning as U.S. Stumbles (U.S. still the powerhouse)

Top of the Page Teasers: Is It Too Late To Resuscitate the Economy? (wait and see)

Not Buying It: Downturn Hits Upscale Retail (negative)

Housing Bust Makes a Move to More Places (negative)

At the bottom of page one under TODAY'S AGENDA a small article appeared with the following headline: For Existing-Home Sales, A Slight Fall is Good News. The tiny article went on to state existing-home sales are expected to have fallen slightly in December after a rise in November....Realtors have been encouraged by relatively stable sales in recent months.

That's good news, but the consumer has to read past a lot of negative headlines to find it.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

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How Many McMansions Do We Need?

McMansions are mushrooming up throughout the hills of the coastal community I live and work in. As I walk through the limestone laden hallways and cavernous bedroom suites I can't help but wonder what it is in our human nature that compels us to build 10,000 square foot homes for a family of four. Mother Nature can't be happy with this turn of events! I'm sure she doesn't think this trend is good for her health.

I understand the nesting urge. I raised four little "birdies" myself in homes from Maine to Florida and across the country to California. Some of those homes were healthier than others. The older homes had mold and moisture issues. The new homes had paint, varnish and new carpet odors to deal with. As the mother of children with asthma these were ongoing challenges.


When I moved to California nearly twenty years ago my first priority was to find the cleanest air available in a city notorious for its smog. The style and size of the house were secondary concerns. However, even then there was an emerging trend that bigger was better. This obsession with the obese house is outpacing the expanding waistline of Americans. How much longer can Earth sustain this never ending appetite of conspicuous consumption?

Perhaps it is because many home buyers today are of a younger generation, but I've noticed a tilt toward greener desires. Quality over quantity seems to be rearing its logical head. Perhaps this new wave of real estate seekers will redefine the meaning of home in America.

Enter Living Homes--Nature made. Factory built. These modern homes are designed by world class architects and offer great price values. The homes are made with natural non-toxic (cork floors and cedar ceilings) and sustainably-derived materials. These healthier homes have dramatically smaller ecological footprints than most new homes. Living Homes combine healthy materials and efficient systems with a resource-saving modular fabrication process which contributes to cleaner air, water and soil. Kudos to this company for giving consumers a greener housing choice.

I'm intrigued, although I have not yet seen one of their designs except online. I look forward to watching these more ecologically friendly homes sprout up throughout the local landscape and squash the multiplication of the McMansion frenzy.

Check out LivingHomes at http://www.livinghomes.net/welcome.html

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

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Pricing New Listings with Confidence--No Magic Required

Yesterday a fellow agent invited me to see an upcoming listing. She wanted an opinion on what the price should be. It is a custom one-of-a-kind, although dated, house. In other words, there are no comparable sales in the neighborhood, and no comparable actives currently on the market.

Hmmm, this was no easy call. She told me she gave the sellers (two siblings from out of the area) a list price, but she was beginning to second guess herself, and wanted an opinion from someone she could trust. Okay, flattery is a good way to get me to give up a couple of hours of my time to keep my name on the short list of agents she can trust. Besides, she did not give me the list price she suggested, and being a competitive character I accepted the challenge.

Know the Neighborhood: In an area with 19 homes on the market I've seen 17 of them. This helps--no, this is essential.

Know the Recent Sales: Out of 18 sales in 2007, only four properties could be considered as possible comparisons, and they all varied significantly from the subject property. Fortunately, I saw or showed all four of those houses and sold one of them.

Know the Local Market: This particular area is weathering the market slow down well. The number of days on the market is increasing, but the prices are holding with only minor fluctuations. A quick visit to Trend Graphics confirmed and updated me on the ups and downs of the local real estate scene.

Explain the Anomalies of the Market: There was a recent price reduction of gigantic proportions. Fortunately, I knew this had nothing to do with the market, but was a personal situation and not a true indicator of a future price slide.

Know the Seller's Motivation: The agent offered up this information in our initial conversation. They're heirs. They're motivated.

The other agent is good. She should not have doubted herself. Our suggested listing prices were less than 2% apart. She left the property feeling more confident, and I couldn't wait to get back to my database to search for a possible buyer.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

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Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy-- Volunteers Needed

With the 400 additional acres acquired in 2005 in the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy has a lot more planting, weeding, trail maintenance and beautification projects to do. The nonprofit organization is looking for a few good men and women to lighten the load.

Nearly every Saturday of the year the organization hosts a volunteer event. Team Leaders direct and assist volunteers with the project for the day. The Land Conservancy continues to look for Team Leaders who are members of the community and at least 16 years old with a desire to learn new skills while interacting with the environment.

Team Leaders are trained at full day workshops. The workshop includes various aspects of ecological restoration, plant identification, trail work maintenance, leadership and how to assist with a Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Volunteer Day.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

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5 Things I Love About Life in Palos Verdes

I was recently asked by a soon-to-be resident what I like best about living in Palos Verdes. My answer was not as concise and to the point as I would have liked. Later, I found myself thinking about the very legitimate question and here's my list:

1. The Coastal Location: I have a need to be close to the ocean. A long walk along a beach is one of my favorite indulgences, and I partake often. It's a quality of life decision for me. It's also called location.

2. The Outstanding School District: Hands down this is why I moved to Palos Verdes 19 years ago. It remains the main draw for many new residents.

3. The Country Setting in an Urban County: Los Angeles is one of the most densely populated counties in the country, but upon entering Palos Verdes you are immediately struck by the open space.

4. The Breathtaking Views: You do not have to own a view property to enjoy the spectacular vistas. A drive around the Palos Verdes Peninsula offers views of Catalina Island, a couple of lighthouses, sweeping coastline views, Los Angeles Harbor views, and dazzling city lights views.

5. The Low Profile Attitude: This is not Hollywood or even Beverly Hills. It's quiet here.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

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75th Active Rain Post Makes My Phone Ring

I didn't recognize the area code--thought it was probably a telemarketing call. I nearly went into screening mode and let it go to voicemail, but instead I answered the after hours call.

You guessed it--my first customer call directly related to Active Rain. A family from New Mexico will be moving to the Palos Verdes area very soon. They will rent until their property in New Mexico sells, then purchase a home in the Palos Verdes School District.

Wow! This really works. After two and a half months of almost daily commenting and posting the first caller made it all worthwhile. I would write more, but I have to send an email off to New Mexico.

More Active Rain related blogs from Norma.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

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Mid-Month Real Estate Report for Palos Verdes Jan. 2008

It is January 16, 2008 and I could not wait until the end of the month to take the temperature of the local real estate market. Here's the big reveal:

Below are the statistics for the 4 cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula: Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Palos Verdes Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes.

176 Single Family Homes are currently listed for sale.

30 Single Family Homes are currently in escrow

7 Single Family Homes have sold (closed escrow) since Jan. 1, 2008

59 Condos/Townhouses are currently listed for sale.

6 Condos/Townhouses are currently in escrow.

2 Condos/Townhouses have sold (closed escrow) since Jan. 1, 2008.

There is approximately a six month supply of Single Family Homes on the market and roughly a ten month supply of Condos/Townhouses available at the current absorption rate.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

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There's a Home in Palos Verdes for You

One of the things I like best about Palos Verdes, besides the coastal setting and stellar school system, is the wide variety of housing choices available. A 45 minutes drive around the Palos Verdes Peninsula will encompass 1950s and 60s cookie cutter communities (albeit with a luxurious flair) beginning to assert their individuality with distinctive remodels and architectural makeovers, to coastal estates and horse properties complete with stables and direct access to the numerous riding trails laced throughout the hills and canyons.

If a hint of history and character are desired, Palos Verdes Estates offers many Old Spanish beauties built in the 1920s and 30s in Malaga Cove. Enter at your own risk because they are heart stealers. The current price range available in Palos Verdes Estates is $1,050,000 (3 bedroom 2 bath starter) to $12,998,000 (a coastal compound).

If you fancy yourself an urban rancher, saddle up some Saturday morning in your house hunting gear and I'll give you a tour of Rolling Hills and Rollings Hills Estates. We're sure to see other fellow compatriots out on the riding trails and mucking out the stalls of their prized equine friends. Prices in these two cities range from $749,000 (a bank owned fixer) to $23,000,000 (need I say this is an estate to remember).

Looking for something a bit more traditional? Rancho Palos Verdes offers singles family homes from the high $600,000 range (yes, that's a fixer) to almost $9,000,000 (a bluff top mansion with a double WOW view).

Homes Available by City:

Palos Verdes Estates: 41

Rancho Palos Verdes: 95

Rolling Hills: 19

Rolling Hills Estates: 12

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

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Confucius Conversation with Buyers and Sellers

I'm not one for studying tea leaves, but today I did buy a new bamboo plant for my office. My resolution to remain calm and steady throughout these unstable housing market times wavered a bit yesterday. I felt like I was experiencing a Brittany-like bad day!

My sellers and buyers remain oceans apart. Buyers, I'm sorry, but there are no blue light specials in Palos Verdes. Those half-price offers will likely be shredded. Sellers, I'm equally distressed to inform you this is not a good time to increase your asking price. This is the time to make sure your property is playing her best hand. Yes, I actually had these discussions yesterday.

Sellers, the buyers are venturing back into the marketplace. They want to purchase a home in 2008. Many are pre-approved. Most are market savvy. These are not 2005 buyers. They will not overpay for a property. It's important to move from being the owner to becoming the seller. Please remember, the buyer of your property will propel you to the next stage of your life. He will help you move on.

Buyers, most sellers are reasonable. They want to sell or they would not go through the inconvenience of placing their home on the market. If your offer is significantly lower than the asking price, submit a personal letter justifying the price and terms of your offer. Submit comparable sales in the neighborhood. Your agent can help gather a convincing bundle of evidence to substantiate the offer. Your offer will be viewed as a genuine effort to purchase rather than a low-ball insult. You desire what the seller has, and insults rarely foster a cooperative spirit. Your mission is to court and impress the holder of the object of your affection. Win them over!

With a few steps toward each other you, may find the current market a bit more user friendly.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

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Rancho Palos Verdes & Trump National Estates

Located on the south side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, with spectacular ocean views and bordering Trump National Golf Course, Trump National Estates hug the coastline. This development, along with Loew's new resort currently under construction, is quickly turning Palos Verdes Drive South into the resort side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Homes in the Palos Verdes Dr. South corridor range in price from a low of $1,200,000 up to $6,000,000 plus. With Catalina Island views, coastal breezes and a golf course just steps away, this Southern California setting is the perfect place to live and play.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

Palos Verdes Real Estate Blog - Palos Verdes Real Estate Website
Palos Verdes Home Search - More information on Palos Verdes

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Custom Desert Home Boitano Palms - Palos Verdes Homes Videos

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Stairs, SUVs, and Other Hazards of Showing Property to Seniors

My client has an amazing 98 year old father. Pops, as his son fondly calls him, is a retired doctor who takes an active interest in their combined real estate portfolio. He often accompanies his son to see potential investment properties. As their agent, I've always taken the utmost care to make sure Pops is assisted by my assistant whenever we are visiting a property.

Unfortunately, Pops took a spill. Josh, my assistant, guided Pops by the elbow down the stairs, once on the lower level Pops forged ahead on his own. The limestone floor was beautiful and blended the 4" transition step (builders and flippers, this is a no-no) from the bar to the sitting area so well none of us saw it. Pops did not see it either.

I heard the stumble and watched Pops crumble to the floor, the very hard limestone floor. My assistant dashed to Pops' side. I said, "Don't move him," and was posed to dial 911. Let me repeat--Pops is amazing. After a momentary pause, he said he was fine and stood up, shook off the fall and continued the tour! I urged his son to take Pops to the hospital and he promised he would. I spoke with the son a couple of hours later and he said Pops was fine.

Rather shaken by the events of the afternoon, I left the office a couple hours early to complete some errands and pick up flowers for Pops. I planned to drop by and check on him the following day as he lives nearby. I stopped cold in my tracks in the fresh produce aisle. There was Pops pushing a cart and picking up a some fresh fruit! We chatted a few moments, he assured me he felt fine, and since his doctor concurred, he decided to pick up a few groceries. Oh, he did say he had to drive his own car as he was a little stiff and couldn't make the step up to get in his son's SUV!

Some suggestions for showing property to seniors:

Turn on as many lights as possible.

Suggest they wear comfortable shoes.

Assist with stairs and steps whenever possible.

Leave the SUV in the garage and drive a sedan, or carry a booster step to aid entering and exiting the vehicle.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma

Palos Verdes Real Estate Blog - Palos Verdes Real Estate Website
Palos Verdes Home Search - More information on Palos Verdes

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Custom Desert Home Boitano Palms - Palos Verdes Homes Videos

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