The year 2020 was very nearly the least predictable time in local real estate history. Seriously, what other time have we experienced massive unemployment and rising home prices simultaneously? All indications suggest 2021 will be a tad more conventional. Home Values Grew in 2020 Despite “turmoil” being the watchword of 2020, the year produced some… Continue reading 2020/2021 Housing Summary & Forecast for the South Bay
Author: Carl Clark
Gingerbread Muffins
These delicious holiday muffins are quick and easy to prepare, thanks to your trusty blender. Added bonus: they also happen to be low carb! Yields 12 muffins 4 large eggs 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup brown sugar 3 cups almond flour 1 tbsp cocoa powder 2 teaspoons… Continue reading Gingerbread Muffins
Prices Rise Despite Pandemic
South Bay Sales, November 2020 Quite a year! Soon we’ll have to do a wrap-up on 2020. But, for today it’s going to be November 2020 versus last year, (November 2019) and versus last month (September 2020). Let’s start with the big numbers. Over all, total sales in the Los Angeles South Bay for November… Continue reading Prices Rise Despite Pandemic
Individual Chicken Pot Pies
Cold weather is coming and with Covid still keeping us more or less restricted to the house, it’s time for comfort food. What could be more comforting than your own personal hot savory pie? One thing I really like about this recipe is the absence of a bottom crust. You know–the one that never quite… Continue reading Individual Chicken Pot Pies
Real Estate Sales, Oct. 2020
We’re looking at sales in the South Bay area of Los Angeles a little differently than usual this month. Typically we analyze the area as a single entity. This month we’ll divide the South Bay into four parts, allowing you to see a greater level of precision about those four areas. Within each area the… Continue reading Real Estate Sales, Oct. 2020
Spinach & Strawberry Salad
The traditional dinner salad is most often an unexciting food. Ditch that classic iceberg lettuce studded with cherry tomatoes in favor of this taste treat. These flavors will burst in your mouth from the first bite to the last. Whether you serve it in the heat of summer, or as a year-round starter, this dish… Continue reading Spinach & Strawberry Salad
Some surprises in South Bay Real Estate, 2019 vs 2020
It’s October 1, so it’s time to look at the changes in the local real estate market, both for the month and for the third quarter. 2020 has been a year for making and breaking records. Most of them have been records we truly didn’t want to even consider, like the number of pandemic deaths,… Continue reading Some surprises in South Bay Real Estate, 2019 vs 2020
August 2020 Sales Analysis
It’s September already! That means it’s time to look at a summary of real estate activity for LA’s South Bay neighborhoods over the past month. Our data is ultra-local which means you get to see the market conditions almost immediately after the month ends. This summer we’ve been enjoying a relatively busy real estate market… Continue reading August 2020 Sales Analysis
Tuna Salad
This is more than a tuna salad. This is a meal in a tortilla, a salad on greens to linger over with wine, hors d’oeuvre on chips, or an ultra tasty wrap in a swirl of your favorite cheese!
55+ Options in South Bay
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of 55+ housing choices, but a reference point for the more commonly known, age-restricted accommodations available in the Los Angeles South Bay. We welcome your input, but cannot guarantee inclusion. Condominiums Breakwater Village, 2750 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278Courtyard Villas Estates, 3970 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance,… Continue reading 55+ Options in South Bay
Recent South Redondo Sales
We monitor local South Bay real estate activity daily. The data is charted to show the direction of the market in terms of tendency to favor Sellers versus Buyers. Ideal market conditions are in the the center band where both have roughly equal market strength. As you can see, South Bay activity was right down… Continue reading Recent South Redondo Sales
2020 — The First Six Months in South Bay
Faced with the Covid-19 pandemic, a particularly contentious national election, and weeks of nation-wide civil rights protests, It looked like there was no way 2020 could ever be called a normal year. Then we learned about a growing recession. So halfway through the year, what do we see? Prices – Up and Down The South… Continue reading 2020 — The First Six Months in South Bay
$ Money Matters $
The Federal Reserve Bank (the Fed) moved to lower the federal funds rate by a half-point to a range of 1% to 1.25% March 3 in response to the “evolving risks” of the COVID-19 corona virus outbreak. The Fed doesn’t directly impact housing loans, but they generally move in tandem. Mortgage rates in the U.S.… Continue reading $ Money Matters $
Salad as the Main Course
My favorite meal is a fresh salad, transformed to a main course with the addition of a grilled, or roasted, or sauteed piece of meat or seafood. This recipe is a more sophisticated version, with colorful and tasty endive taking the place of standard greens. Salmon is a great go-to for this dish. If you’re… Continue reading Salad as the Main Course
Pundit Quotes on the 2020 Real Estate Market
Usually this time of year I stick my neck out and make some forecasts about the local market in the coming year. What I’ve discovered is my quotes are boring by comparison to those made by the pundits. So, this year I decided to publish some of the more exciting projections by people who claim… Continue reading Pundit Quotes on the 2020 Real Estate Market
2019 vs 2020 in 90277
Last year saw property prices in 90277 drift down a little. Looking at a five year picture of shifting prices we see that from 2014 to 2018 there was a clear upward trajectory. By the end of 2019 the average price had dropped and the median price followed. The final numbers for 2019 show the… Continue reading 2019 vs 2020 in 90277
Upgrade Your Home for Senior Living Convenience
As if there has ever been a doubt, surveys clearly demonstrate that those of us in the Baby Boomer generation want to maintain our independence and remain in our family homes as long as possible. The older we get, the more adamantly we pursue that goal. Along with us getting older, our homes are also… Continue reading Upgrade Your Home for Senior Living Convenience
Growing Old at Home
You knew someone would conduct a survey asking senior citizens where they would prefer to live as they grow older. I’m sure you also knew the answer before the survey was done. There’s no place like home! A study by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) shows an overwhelming 76% of seniors aged 50+… Continue reading Growing Old at Home
What is the California Department of Aging?
The California Department of Aging (CDA) is practically unheard of. I recently discovered it and knew immediately we would have to publish the information for our Beach Cities seniors. The Department administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State. These programs are funded… Continue reading What is the California Department of Aging?
Privacy Policy Update on 1/14/2020
Our official Privacy Policy is completely re-written stating clearly that we only have data you have given us and we don’t share it.
Planning to Grow Old in the Family Home?
In the course of a week I talk to a lot of people who are over 55 years of age. Most of them live in the home where they raised their family many years ago. And as any real estate agent or broker can tell you, most plan to live out their life right there.… Continue reading Planning to Grow Old in the Family Home?
Yes! Staging Works!
This summer I saw an amazing example of how effective staging a vacant home can be. If you’re debating the merits of staging your property, whether currently on the market or still in planning, consider this example. The property in question had been listed for lease in February at $3800 per month. It languished on… Continue reading Yes! Staging Works!
Bœuf a la Bourguignon
First, how does one pronounce that impossible looking name? “Bœuf,” French for “beef,” sounds like a cross between “bif” and “buff.” Say it quickly and you’ll be close enough. “Bourguignon” is bu̇r-gēn-ˈyȯn. Just remember that the letters “g-n” are pronounced in French as though they were “n-y.” But, you don’t need to pronounce it to… Continue reading Bœuf a la Bourguignon
ADUs and Rent Control
We had a call recently asking how California’s new statewide rent cap laws impact homeowners who are supplementing their income by renting out an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). The primary concern was, “Is the owner forced to keep a tenant or pay relocation if they decide to quit renting?” The question stems from what is… Continue reading ADUs and Rent Control
Prices Soften in South Bay
Here we wrap up 2019 and prepare for 2020, with a tumultuous election at hand and threats of an economic slowdown rearing in the local news. Our first thought is to look for a baseline from which to measure all the changes. So we did some research and assembled actual sales data from the last… Continue reading Prices Soften in South Bay
Market Analysis – October
We’re here in the final quarter of 2019, looking back and comparing this year to 2018. It’s amazing how similar they have been so far in the year. Let’s take a look at the charts and numbers for the South Bay. Keep in mind these are very small movements, in a market that is about… Continue reading Market Analysis – October
Remodels for Aging in Place
Every year the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) conducts a broad survey of professionals involved in the housing industry. The results of that survey are published as the Remodelling Market Index (RMI). Among other data collected are details about the improvements made by seniors who plan to live in their current home as long… Continue reading Remodels for Aging in Place
New Horizons
For this issue we visit a couple who live in one of the original 55+ communities in the South Bay. The 600 homes in New Horizons were built in the early sixties. Most units have seen some remodelling, while a few have been extensively redone. The basic units come in three configurations. The two story… Continue reading New Horizons
When Is Assisted Living “In-Home Health Care?”
Last year the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded how it defines many of the “primarily health-related” benefits that insurers are allowed to include in their Medicare Advantage (MA) policies. Air conditioners for people with asthma, healthy groceries, rides to medical appointments and home-delivered meals are among the new benefits now being considered… Continue reading When Is Assisted Living “In-Home Health Care?”
Recession Chatter
The New York Federal Reserve Bank shows a probability of 33% for a recession to strike in the next 12 months. A recent Zillow survey of economists and other experts predicts a 52% chance of recession by the end of 2019 and a 73% chance of recession by the end of 2020. Morgan Stanley economist… Continue reading Recession Chatter
Ibuyers: Are they Worth the Cost?
iBuyers, instant Buyers, internet Buyers, investor Buyers … Today, large online real estate service companies are repositioning themselves as investors. These services, like Opendoor, Offerpad, Zillow Offers and Redfin Now, have become known as iBuyers. With their own in-house brokerage services, they handle the entire transaction in an effort to appeal to sellers who want… Continue reading Ibuyers: Are they Worth the Cost?
Tuna Niçoise Salad
Ingredients ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup fresh lemon juice 2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more 6 large eggs ½ lb. green beans, trimmed 1 lb. new potatoes, baby-size, or cut to approx. 1” chunks 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges 4 cups mixed… Continue reading Tuna Niçoise Salad
55+ Options: Torrance
The city of Torrance offers the bulk of opportunities for senior housing in the South Bay. We’ve identified 10 distinct locations with homes exclusively for those 55 years of age and older. They cover a wide variety of living styles, building ages, community sizes, purchase prices and monthly costs. The available homes change constantly, much… Continue reading 55+ Options: Torrance
55+ Options: Palos Verdes
The four cities of the Palos Verdes Peninsula have two unique senior condominium communities. Rolling Hills Villas, built circa 2008, has occasional resales. The newest project on the hill, Sol y Mar in Rancho Palos Verdes, has sold out the first phase and is working on phase 2. If you’ve been considering a move to… Continue reading 55+ Options: Palos Verdes
55+ Options: Redondo Beach
In each issue, we plan to highlight one 55+ housing complex. Because residents can speak most authoritatively about their own home, we’re interviewing owners, asking for their input on the best and worst of each location. (If you would like to talk about your senior housing complex, let us know.) Now in their golden years,… Continue reading 55+ Options: Redondo Beach
The Montecito
In each issue, we plan to highlight one 55+ housing complex. Because residents can speak most authoritatively about their own home, we’re interviewing owners, asking for their input on the best and worst of each location. (If you would like to talk about your senior housing complex, let us know.) For our Premiere issue, we… Continue reading The Montecito