The Silver Spur neighborhood is located within the cities of Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills Estates.  August 2008 Real Estate Market Update for the Silver Spur area: Active Listings:  11 homes are currently for sale priced from $879,500 to $1,310,000. Pending Sales:  4 homes are currently in escrow priced from $799,000 to $849,000. August Sales:  Per MLS records there were no closed sales during August. If you're interested in buying a home in any area of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, it would be my pleasure to provide you with more detailed information.  I'm only a phone call away at  310.493.8333. 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, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes... 09/25/2008

It's a wonderful feeling when a property closes escrow and everyone walks away feeling like a winner.  It's really quite an accomplishment when you consider how many people and variables must come together before a legal change of ownership can occur. If one piece of the puzzle is missing, neglected or ignored the transaction may be doomed.  If a material fact regarding the property is not disclosed, a legal letter may find its way to your mailbox at some future date.  Full disclosure will help you avoid the headache of dealing with problems after the property is sold.It is important to begin with the end in mind.  Yes, sellers we really do want a fairy tale ending to the story of the sale of your house!  As the story unfolds, bear in mind there will be moments of uncertainty, drama and... 09/19/2008

Palos Verdes Drive North is the main artery through Rolling Hills Estates horse country.  As a matter of fact, if you're in the market for horse property there are several fantastic ones on the market for under $2M. Real Estate statistics for Palos Verdes Dr. North August 2008: Active Listings:  26 properties are currently for sale priced from $840,000 to $2,890,000. Pending:  6 homes are currently in escrow priced from $1,099,000 to $2,259,000. August Sales:  1 property closed escrow for $1,038,000. 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, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomi... 09/11/2008

One of the knocks on the South Bay is open space....or lack thereof.  That perception is valid with many lots being under 2000 square feet with no yards and no open space and homes often being right on top of your neighbor.  This is generally the price we pay for living so close to the beach and the incredible demand for beach property.  There is an alterntive, however.  The equestrian community of Rolling Hills Estates....This area is unlike the rest of the South Bay in just about every way.  With lots often over 20,000 feet, most homes were built in the 1960's, prior to everyone needing a mansion, when a single level home was common.  The result is often ranch style one story homes that don't look too large for the land and have the look and feel of something far removed from the city... 09/07/2008

  Senior News Here is a great new Senior Complex on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. For more senior information or housing I have listed several links below or call Mary 310-946-2205. Deep Valley senior condos near completion Here is an excerpt from the article in the Palos Verdes News. Skinner's Pharmacy in Rolling Hills Estates will relocate to a new location by the end of the year, but customers should not fret. The move will be to the building next door, which is currently under construction. "Skinner's Pharmacy relocates, but not far from home.By Rebecca Villaneda, Peninsula NewsRHE - Wynne Development will soon unveil its 41-unit Rolling Hills Villas project at 901 Deep Valley Drive, behind Bristol Farms in Rolling Hills Estates. The new development was designed for active seniors, 55... 08/14/2008

I just got back from a wonderful cruise of the Mediterranean on Carnival Cruise lines. The first stop was Rome. We visited the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and the Vatican including the Vatican Museum and the Sistene Chapel. To view pictures and comments and helpful suggestions for those who might want to visit Rome, go to http://www.maureenmegowan.com/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=2106398&NF=1    08/12/2008

      Promenade Mall picture courtesy of google.com     Rolling Hills Estates is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 7,676 at the 2000 census. On the northern side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, facing Torrance, Rolling Hills Estates is mostly residential, although it does feature a cluster of shopping centers (including Peninsula Center, The Avenue of the Peninsula, Town & Country Shopping Center, The Village Shopping Center, The Brickwalk Shopping Center, and Silver Spur shops [1]) that comprises most of the Peninsula's commercial area. Incorporated in 1957, Rolling Hills Estates tries to maintain a fairly bucolic character with a large number of horse paths. The History of Rolling Hills Estates actually dates back to the establishment of the fi... 08/01/2008

Home Improvements can significantly increase the market value of your home, but it is important to understand the ratio of increased home value versus the cost of the improvement. Not all home improvements yield the same results in recovering their cost upon the sale of the property. Kitchen upgrades, followed as a close second by bathroom upgrades generally have the best financial returns. If you visit by website at http://www.maureenmegowan.com/Nav.aspx/Page=/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=1584411%20 you can learn how each type of home improvement ranks as far as its return on investment. I also have several before and after pictures of effective home improvements, as well as extensive advice on hiring a contractor for your home improvement project.   Before remodel Kitchen after rem... 07/13/2008

Palos Verdes Drive North neighborhood in Rolling Hills Estates, CA proudly offers the equestrian lifestyle to its residents.   With over twenty-five miles of horse trails and jogging paths the area offers a rural atmosphere in Los Angeles County.                                                                                    Numbers are in for the first half of 2008 for Single Family Homes in the PVDN neighborhood: Active Listings: 26 homes are currently for sale priced from $995,000 to $2,299,000. In Escrow:  3 homes are under contract priced from $1,045,250 to $1,999,000. 2008 Sales:  22 homes sold priced from $965,000 to $2,787,500. In 2007 42 homes sold priced from $965,000 to $2,800,000. If you would like to join the equestrian set along Palos Verdes Dr. North, call to schedule ... 07/10/2008

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 acres of parks... click here to continue 05/29/2008

 This is going to be a fun new addition to the Promenade on the Penninsula with Portraits ready to go the same day.  We wish the best of Luck to the Coy's and their new Clix Studio.  It sounds like great fun and quality digital photography.   I will make sure that my family checks it out, especially with the grand opening special for $9.95.  Unbelievable Special- See Below! Below is an excerpt from the original press release. If you want to read the whole article I have included the link for the article below. and don't forget to check out my feature property of the week link below!!!!                                                                                                     '"Family Values Prompt Couple to Open New CLIX Photography Franchise Business in Rolling Hills Estates C... 04/05/2008

 According to the latest Trend Graphic Sales Charts Feb. 2008, the Palos Verdes Market looks strong and rising...This is fantastic news for all you Palos Verdes Homeowners that might be thinking of selling soon!GO for it!!!! Date       12/06       1/07       2/07       3/07        4/07       5/07        6/07       7/07       8/07       9/07        10/07       11/07       12/07       1/08       2/08For Sale615756627080808275797871556771Sold151212162117312221121611838Pended101621121427168139869311Months of Inventory based on Closed Sales4.14.84.73.93.34.72.63.73.66.64.96.56.922.38.9Months of Inventory based on Pended Sales6.13.62.75.25.03.05.010.35.88.89.811.86.122.36.5Avg. Active Price211621722223235123032495245725312474228922132203240623162132Avg. Sld Price181020001365169518411763181416... 03/26/2008

  I could not figure out why Carolyn sent me this article until I read her note on how she killed her bamboo, which is funny considering all the trouble the non-bamboo fans went through to get rid of it... I guess the last thing you would thing about is overwatering!!! Here is an excerpt from the article she sent me on bamboo... I would love to hear more  about how Californians got rid of their bamboo.   Wayfarer Chapel Courtesy of google images.com  My dear friend Carolyn said to get rid of her bamboo was really simple. Quote from Carolyn in Manhattan Beach, Calif. "Hmmmm. Some green thumb I've got, NOT. I've found you just have to over water it....". Call the Pandas: Bamboo Engulfs Defenseless Yards Relentless Spread Foils Poison, Pickax, 'Dozer; The Polyethylene Cure By MATTHEW ROSEM... 03/24/2008

The Palos Verdes Peninsula is primarily a residential area, but there are several strip malls and one large mall located in the Peninsula Center at the top of The Hill.  You don't have to leave the area to attend a movie, dine at a fine restaurant or shop.  Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware are two popular stores along with many other speciality shops.  The Peninsula Center area is also the primary location of medical and dental offices on The Hill. If you love the big mall experience, Del Amo Fashion Mall is only minutes away in Torrance, CA.  If upscale fashion is more to your liking Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is a 45 minutes drive, or South Coast Plaza in Orange County is an hour away--give or take an hour depending on the 405 Freeway! Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes R... 03/20/2008

Here is the real estate market update for mid-March 2008 for Rolling Hills Estates:16 Single Family Homes are currently for sale7 Single Family Homes are currently in escrow8 Single Family Homes sold in 2008 YTDThese are my really simple statistics--if you would like a more detailed report, contact me.*Note:  Condo and Town House statistics are not included in this report. 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 - Pal... 03/19/2008

Yes, today and yesterday I spent beating myself up about why I do what the majority of real estate agents do....not follow up on making more than one new client call to  my new clients that gave me their phone number. Yes, they did give me their phone number but what is next.. Statistics prove that it takes 4 calls to a client to break the ice...I just like to call once and email properties  and then expect them to call back,.  which some do that are serious and ready to buy.  I am now going to break my bad habit and call every call 4 times.  I get busy with my other clients, son's activities and then I look at the clock and say "oh, darn it is too late to call".  Why because I procrastinate, I think about calling at least 20 times and I think about not now, it is too noisy or I won't h... 02/26/2008

 On all the articles I read about the market, prediciting the market is usually done with a rear view mirror affect.but in some markets like the south Bay the market is increasing from 2006 up to 14.3% as per the Daily Breeze. California Association of Realtors is predicting a 6% drop in the Los Angeles County Coastal areas but this does not necessarily mean the South Bay.We are not seeing a drop because the Seller's that do not need to sell are holding off from placing their homes for sale and our inventory is low.  So yes, sales have slowed down but prices have gone up. I see drops in the condo/townhome market under 800K and in the homes selling under $1million. But for the majority of homes especially ocean view properties the prices are up again.  So my suggestion is buy now while t... 02/07/2008

The Silver Spur Area holds some of the best buys in Rolling Hills Estates and you can also live in the best and # one elementary school in the State of California.  Silver Spur offers great ocean views with city lights of downtown Los Angeles, It is truly the best of both views a homeowner can have in Palos Verdes.Here are the current home sales for Palos Verdes, specifically Rolling Hills Estates for 2007. You will see that our inventory is low but our prices are still standing strong.  02/05/2008

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 StreetsPlenty of Room to Roam and PlayOutdoor Dining & Living SpaceA Natural Landscape A Country SettingOh 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 ... 02/04/2008

If you enjoy tracking the Rolling Hills Estates real estate activity these numbers are for you!  Here's a great overview of the real estate market for the past 15 months.Rolling Hills Estates inventory is down to 11 homes from a high of 29 homes for sale in Oct. 2006.  For more information on Rolling Hills Estates properties currently for sale or for a personalized market report on your property, please contact Norma Toering.Date10/0611/0612/061/072/073/074/075/076/077/078/079/0710/0711/0712/07For Sale292115141220222417171416191711Sold5566475571152631Pended665454563514203Months of Inventory based on Closed Sales5.84.22.52.33.02.94.44.82.41.52.88.03.25.711.0Months of Inventory based on Pended Sales4.83.53.03.52.45.04.44.05.73.414.04.09.5n/a3.7Avg. Active Price1552157915641495165816301635... 01/27/2008