June 2008 home sales in Torrance   Average home price in Torrance was $538,172 compared with $641,428 in 2007, a 16,1% price drop. Total of 92 homes sold in June '08 compared with 104 homes sold in June '07. Sales volume has picked up again on a month to month basis. Is it just a "summere spike" or real recovery? We won't know for quite a long time - after the fact, as it's always the case..If you're thinking about buying a home - now is the time to buy!Average DOM (days on market) was 58 - homes stayed on the market 20 days longer on average  this year.Highest priced home sold at $1,250,000; lowest at $250,000.There are more foreclosure sales in Torrance this year pushing prices down.  IT'S A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!Contact me for a Foreclusure  list in the Torrance area of your interest Pl... 07/12/2008

I received this from AARP and just wanted to pass it on to our over 50 Active Rain Members and those who are worried about the future of Medicare.  This is an issue that will affect all of us one day.If you want a good education in the seriousness of the health care crisis watch the moving that my Physician/surgeon recommended to me which you can find at any video store-"Sicko"a great documentary by Michael Moore a real eyeopener to our Health Care System and it's dangers. Elderly are losing their homes due to having to pay health care bills, it is really sad. Don't wait until you are the victim, Pick up the fight now!  The Health Care benefits are a national crisis in this Country, especially for the elderly. Please help by clicking on the link below to encorage Presidient Bush not to ... 07/11/2008

1031 Exchange Workshop  It's Not Just Another 1031 Exchange Seminar - It's a Workshop! See all of our 1031 exchange seminar programs. Intermediate Level 1031 Exchange Workshop This is an intermediate level workshop on forward, reverse and improvement (build-to-suit or construction) 1031 exchange transactions pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 1.1031 of the Treasury Regulations. 1031 Exchange Workshop Content The educational workshop will begin with an introduction to various tax-deferral and tax-exclusion strategies, including combining Section 1031 with Section 121.  The discussions will focus on the requirements, structures, processes, strategies, and compliance issues necessary to successfully complete a 1031 exchange transaction.  We will finish with a... 07/08/2008

In the State of the State speech, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed cuts to virtually every department within the state, including Education. This drastic action by the Governor is in an attempt to close a budget gap of $16 billion. The Governor asked legislators to suspend Proposition 98, which guarantees schools receive 40% from the State's general budget. For TUSD this translates into cutting next year's budget by $9.4 million in order to maintain a 3 percent reserve. These cuts include all major categorical programs being reduced between 5 to7 percent. This includes class-size reduction, home-to-school transportation and supplemental counseling. The same percentage reduction is being proposed for special education, which is a federally mandated program. TUSD continues to find ... 06/11/2008

Housing in Torrance is equally diverse, ranging from small apartments to sprawling mansions, but prices have risen across all sectors and in all neighborhoods during the last several years. In 2002, the median price for a single-family home in Torrance was $355,500, according to DataQuick Information Systems, and had risen to $600,000 in March 2007. 06/11/2008

A short sale is an "arrangement" between the current owner of a home and the bank that lend them the money to buy their home to accept an offer for less than the total amount owed to pay off the home. The "deficiency" is the difference between the amount owed and what the bank collects at the short sale. 06/11/2008

 I just recieved this special Voter Review from Craig Huey's Reality Alert: Special Election Issue   Your Resource for a Christian Worldview for those of you that are interested. .I believe that important care needs to be taken with the nominees for the California Supreme Court...See my article on our serious condition of the United States Supreme Courts. I hope this is helpful to you as it was in the last election. If you go to electionforum.org, Craig has a printer friendly guide to take with you to the polls.Craig's email  article below:     "May 28, 2008     Concerned Voter,             Voting your values has never been so important.         That's why I'm sending you our recommendations for the June Primary. Recommendations are listed below by county.         These are based on can... 05/28/2008

April 2008 home sales in Torrance Average home price in Torrance was $617,660 compared with $639,040 in 2007, a 3.5 price drop. Average  price went up by 6.4% on a month to month basis (compared with March '08). Total of 67 homes sold in April '08 compared with 127 homes sold in April '07.  Sales are UP - has the market bottomed out? Average DOM (days on market) was 65 - homes stayed on the market 29 days longer on average  this year.Highest priced home sold at $1,100,000; lowest at $230,000. There are more foreclosure sales in Torrance this year pushing prices down.  IT'S A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!Contact me for a Foreclusure  list in the Torrance area of your interest For more information on Torrance real estate visit http://www.FantasticTorranceHomes.com or call me at 310-918-5027 for a f... 05/21/2008

This is an article I wrote on my new Southern California Home Blog that we are launching soon. Below is the link:http://www.realestateforthesoul.com Real Estate is like a box of chocolates because as a Realtor you never know what you are going to get. 1. A wonderful Client who move quickly takes your advice from the get go and finds an excellent buy on a house 2.A client that turns you into a detective. Everything is a mystery about them until you build the trust. So it takes you a long time to service them and meet their needs. 3. Some clients are like a quick trip to the dentist. The initial meeting is like pulling teeth to gather information and then once you see how you can help them you move swiftly and quickly to find the perfect real estate investment for this client. 4. Some cli... 05/09/2008

Project Touch been in the South Bay since 1973. Check out this awesome program for kids, Dinner, Social Hour and one hour of group therapy. .Preteens to Teens. Kids listening to kids, Make new friends and confidential sharing. Kids really get it when they hear it from other kids. Helping kids that have issues with single parents, no father involved etc... Check out this awesome video Courtesy of the Daily Breeze. http://medianewsgroup.a.mms.mavenapps.net/mms/rt/1/site/medianewsgroup-lang-dailybreeze-pub01-live/current/launch.html?maven_playerId=dailybreezevideoplayer&maven_referralObject=c1bd3dc3-c79f-4e79-a978-5411    Featured Home of the Week    Rancho Palos Verdes Condominium- View from Living Room     http://activerain.com/blogsview/388938/32646-Coast-Site-Rancho   Rancho Palos Verd... 05/07/2008

Realtors and Fellow Finance Professionals,  As a real estate finance professional its important to display what types of loan services are currently offered here in southern California which is my primary target market. I can lend in 35 other states as well. Lending guidelines have currently changed but in my opinion for the better. Appraisals values are getting cut by lenders due to the number of current foreclosures across the nation. Full income documentation is the norm but there are a few banks that are offering stated income loans but their requirements are pretty rigid. Contact me if you have a scenario. Here is what i can Currently offer *: Home Equity Loans to 75% CLTV in Southern California, inquire within for other states. FHA financing for purchase (3% Down) and refinance lo... 05/01/2008

Increasing your home value is such a "open-ended" term because one persons treasure can be another persons nightmare. For example adding a swimming pool in the back yard can easily be viewed as a "Wow" factor to someone who loves having a pool and can afford the maintenance of owning a pool. However, to another person it may appear as more of a burden and a safety issue which will decrease the value to that buyer. Some clients are just dead set against a pool. They see it as a extra monthly expense and if they have small children they do not want to risk the danger.  It is very interesting how each client views upgrades depending upon their likes and dislikes.    Property Maintenance Will Increase Your Home Value The best way to increase home value is to treat it like an investment and... 04/29/2008

I am surprised to find that most Homeowners are not aware of the Home Protection Policy that they can place on their home for a nominal fee. Even if you have a "do it your selfer" living with you, Placing a home protection on your property is worth it's weight in gold.                  Picture courtesy ofgoogle images-buffaloexterminating.com A Home Protection Policy cost is around $550.00 for a year depending on if you have Central Air, Pool, or Roof Coverage, this can cost more. If you want roof coverage be awre that it is only for a $1000.00 maximum of roof repairs and plumbling also covers usually only the 1st 25 feet around your home.  Each company varies. This is like an insurance policy and the company is making their money by banking on the fact that you won't need the protecti... 04/29/2008

Red Alert! C.A.R. OPPOSES Point-of-Sale Mandate!!  Call Assembly Member Betty Karnette to Ask that the Point-of-Sale Provision be Removed from AB 2678!       C.A.R. is OPPOSING AB 2678 (Núñez) which among other things, requires that ALL homes and commercial property in California have an energy audit at point-of-sale and that mandatory energy efficiency investments be made. While C.A.R. appreciates the goal of AB 2678 C.A.R. strongly opposes the point-of-sale requirements in AB 2678 because they fail to achieve the bill’s objectives and, such mandates will further weaken the housing market.  If enacted, AB 2678 could add thousands of dollars to the cost of purchasing a home, including up to $400 just to have a home audited. AB 2678 will be voted on in the Assembly Appropriations committ... 04/29/2008

 Pictures courtesy of google.com  So you don't want to buy yet, now because the interest rates are up..Well the market is bottoming out and the interest rates rising go hand in hand.  If you waited for the market to drop and are now upset because the rates went up don't get upset.  This is the norm for the real estate market. You will either pay your price in higher interest rate lower sales prices or higher sale prices and lower interest rates...When the market prices are up, it has been proven that you save 10% when you move in that market, then when prices are dropping believe it or not. Ok, so you say that we don't have a Seller's market but a buyer's market but we do have a market that has just about bottomed out. If you ad the increase in interest rate to the price of your home, w... 04/27/2008

  This is more incredible artwork for the heroes of America, Wish I knew the Artist, would love to give him credit...What a gifted artist. Don't miss the prayer that came with it at the bottom for our troops...Enjoy and Don't forget to Prayer for all of our Americans in Service.          http://activerain.com/blogsview/484660/Heroes-GOD-BLESS-OUR     Link to part 1  Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master. Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer. Had no army, yet kings feared Him.. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. Feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us.If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son..sen... 04/25/2008

THIS IS PART ONE OF THIS INCREDIBLE ARTWORK FROM 1ST SGT.LARRY HEDGES, US MARINE CORPS, WISH I KNEW WHO THIS TALENTED ARTIST IS SO I COULD GIVE HIM CREDIT,THIS CAME IN AN EMAIL.THESE ARE DOWN SCALED SO BLOW THEM UP FOR MORE DETAIL...             I DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE THE DETAIL SO I AM DOING THIS IN 2 PARTS AND OF COURSE THE TRUCK IS A CADILLAC.  THIS IS A GREAT INSPIRATION TO OUR TROOPS FROM 1ST SGT.U S  MARINE CORPS- LARRY HEDGES  TOTALLY AWESOME...GOD BLESS AMERICA  WE MUST NEVER FORGET REGARDLESS OF OUR BELIEFS ON WAR,THESE TROOPS ARE SENT ON ORDER,NOT ALL BY CHOICE AND THEY NEED ALL OUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT.IT IRRITATES ME WHEN I SEND AN EMAIL TO REMEMBER AND BLESS THE TROOPS AND I AM ASKED TO TAKE A PERSON OFF MY MAILING LIST BECAUSE THEY ARE AGAINST THE WAR,HOW SELFISH OF THEM, I ... 04/25/2008

 Here is the latest market statistics for 90505Torrance, Calif.  Torrance market is up and stable for the latest sales statistics in the zip code of 90505. To make this chart I used homes with over 1400 square feet and sales prices from $800,000.00 to 4 Million.This shows that even with the latest housing market media distress, the South Bay in the zip code of 90505 still has remained on the rise and stable for March of 2008.  This chart is great, it shows the market in your neighborhood from January 2007 to the present. If you would like to see a market sales chart on your area of the South Bay or a market analysis of your home ,just call me and I would be happy to help you.   04/23/2008

I was showing leases the other day,... I ran across a property that was tenant occupied 24 hour notice..so I made an appt. for Friday at 7:00 and told the agent I would check with my client and call her back to confirm I thought I left a message that we wouldn't make it.I call back on Tues. to reschedule and she informs me that the tenant waited from 6:00-7:30 was very upset, she was upset and the owner was upset...I apologize and tell her I thought I left her a message etc.. and then she tells me I did not. I am thinking why would a tenant wait for a 7:00 appt. at 6:00?I ask her if we can make an appointment on Wed. and she tells me that this might not be the right property for my client.Then I tell her are you saying that you are blocking my client out of this property because of an a... 04/23/2008

Located in beautiful Southern California on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Torrance is both rich in history and cultural diversity, living up to the dreams of its founder. Just inland from the Palos Verdes Peninsula, it's just over 17 miles south of Downtown Los Angeles and 8 miles southeast from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Zamperini Field Airport (Torrance Airport) provides private services. Torrance is known for its cleanliness and the low crime rate. What an ideal setting to raise a family! And with Torrance Schools among the best in the country, it is easy to see why many people decide to invest in Torrance CA real estate. Enjoy surfing, volleyball or walking along the Torrance Beach, 24 beautiful parks, tennis clubs, golf course, ball parks, South Bay Botanical Gar... 04/18/2008