Author: Igor Nastaskin
South Bay Real Estate Market Concerns You May Have
There are any number of concerns a real estate owner, or potential buyer, may have when considering if this is the best time to become involved with a real estate transaction in the South Bay. That’s why it’’s important to have an informed, local real estate agent that can give you the information you need about particular neighborhoods. For instance, I am an expert on the Redondo Beach/Torrance Riviera Village neighborhood. I have my fingers on the pulse of the local market and always check numbers so I can advise my clients accordingly. Recently you may have heard that “the market has slowed down,” meaning that home values have stopped rising so rapidly and buyers aren’t as frenzied as they may have been last year to grab South Bay property. This is good news for buyers, even if it isn’t what sellers think they want to hear. Buyers have more options when it comes to properties and are going to be more sensitive to too-high listing prices. At the same time, as a buyer, it is important to note that the market hasn’t slowed down enough to offer prices below the listing price in the Beach Cities. Buyer expectations, as well as sellers’, must be realistic. There are also more homes to choose from in the South Bay, for buyers. Buyers may fear that there is “limited inventory,” but inventory is actually going up. Demand from buyers is still there, so the home values do continue to rise, albeit not as rapidly as they did in 2013. Another aspect of the real estate selling process that may seem daunting at the moment is getting an accurate appraisal in a fluctuating market. As a seller, you may fear that an appraisal would not reflect rapidly changing market conditions. As an experienced real estate agent with local knowledge, I can be the buffer against an inaccurate appraisal. Last, rising interest rates may make buying real estate inopportune right now. But did you know that interest rates are lower they have been since 2013 right this moment? Interest rates have not risen as rapidly as was previously predicted and, in fact, buyers now enjoy a historically low interest rate. Whatever your real estate transaction concern, let me advise you. Keep your agents local so you can get the absolute best listing price, appraisal, and purchase price for your South Bay neighborhood.
Customizing Your Experience
Customer relations are the core of my business; if you are not happy, I have not done my job. I understand that every client is different and will have very different needs, and I am prepared to do my job in the way that you need me to. Because of my need to make you happy as a customer, I try to do all I can to stay competitive and genuinely helpful as a South Bay real estate agent. For instance, I stay up to date on the latest technology. Do you want to text me some questions? To watch an online video walk-through tour of a home before you view it in person? Assess the neighborhood and the school ratings? I can help you gather that up-to-the-minute information and I will be available electronically and with digital assets for you to view. In short, convenience is the keyword. It is critical to stay abreast of new things, but that doesn’t mean that good listening and insight isn’t just as important. You have a unique vision for your property, and I need to listen to what that is and to genuinely understand it. Your listing is special; your new property is going to have a profound impact on your life. I expect to be very involved in helping make these transactions run smoothly and to your satisfaction mainly through vigilance and understanding. I try to customize your experience; no two clients have the same needs, so no two clients will have the same experience with me as their agent. To some, I will be the knowledgeable salesman, to others a confidant to navigate the mazes of the current South Bay real estate industry. But no matter what, I will be thinking of how to make your experience the very best one I can.
Are You a ‘Move-up’ Buyer?
Many people in the South Bay realize that we’re now entering a seller’s market. Buyers are clamoring for Riviera Village properties and there just aren’t enough being listed to satisfy the demand. Because of this, prices have steadily risen in 2013 and promise to stay high in 2014 even if more people begin listing properties for sale. You might be realizing that now is the time to sell your home in Redondo Beach because you can get a great price for it and sell it in no time at all. But there’s just one problem: where do you go next? That’s right, inventory is tight, so you will have to look and be one of those buyers in a seller’s market. If you have to sell your property in order to buy a new one, things can get complicated. But there is one thing that can be a great bonus when selling your home in a market like this: you can get a great price and become a ‘move up’ buyer. A ‘move up’ buyer is a buyer that sells one property and then purchases a new home that is bigger, or more luxurious, or in a better neighborhood, and that reflects their increasing prosperity. There is almost no better place in California for looking for a move-up home than the South Bay. Have you always wanted to live on The Strand but were holding onto your current property because property values were low? Have you dreamed about owning a Hermosa townhouse, or a Palos Verdes hillside mansion? Now is the time to get a great price for your current South Bay home and move up into the home you have always wanted. I guarantee that your old home is someone’s idea of a perfect move-up.
Sustainable Redondo Beach
Did you know that Redondo Beach is a “sustainable” neighborhood? It is. A sustainable neighborhood is one that makes the environment, day-to-day quality of life, transportation, energy, and community a priority when making building, budget, and zoning decisions. Redondo Beach makes a concerted effort to conserve resources to increase future livability. This is a big deal: many cities don’t seek to be sustainable or don’t have the budget to make it a main concern. The City of Redondo Beach has created a three-year Strategic Plan that is all about sustainable development: building and design that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”Redondo Beach is very concerned about future generations and what their lives will be like here. Mostly, the city seeks to ensure that the coastline above all is not compromised by destructive development. You can actually read the Redondo Beach Sustainable Development Strategic Plan. Like Hermosa Beach, Redondo has a “Green Task Force” to educate the city and locals on better environmental management.
The Modern Californian Beach House
There is a new architecture book that has recently been published that has some really amazing photos of local Redondo Beach and South Bay homes and stunning examples of beach architecture. If you appreciate our local architecture and design, or you love someone who does, this could be the perfect gift or addition to your personal real estate library. The Modern Californian Beach House from Images Publishing Group is written by local South Bay architect Pal Killen with San Francisco-based architectural photographer Russell Abraham. Killen documents some of his most loved modern designs (he’s been creating them in our area since 1984) and the pictures are stunning. Beach Cities newspaper The Easy Reader calls the book “an intersection of modernism, regionalism, and humor.” You can read the review here. With so many local architectural landmarks and such distinctive design styles, The Beach Cities are probably some of the most fun places in California to explore architecturally. We have so much history and such an array of architecture that fits all of our laid-back, sunny, and lucky lifestyle
New Redondo Mayor reflects on King Harbor Project
As 2013 turns into 2014, I am most excited about the amazing renovations and revitalizations taking place in Redondo Beach in the Riviera Village along the waterfront, and all around town. Newly elected Redondo Beach Mayor Steve Aspel recently confirmed that Redondo Beach will move forward with the new revitalization of the King Harbor Pier! Along with a brand new Shade Hotel, and over 15 acres of brand new construction including the pier itself, the harbor, and surrounding areas on the beach, new businesses and restaurants and better pedestrian access will make King Harbor even more splendid for locals and tourists alike. In his own words, Aspel recently said to a local beach newspaper (http://www.easyreadernews.com/79126/redondo-beach-mayor-reflects-state-city/): The environmental review is now underway on their waterfront village concept. This review may take 18 months and go through many iterations. While every planned development will have some critics, I see the ultimate goal as transforming our harbor into a place where every citizen, locals, and visitors, will bring their friends and family to gather and enjoy. When the new King Harbor pier and waterfront are unveiled, Redondo Beach will have many proud locals beaming with pride. This renovation is just one more step towards making Redondo Beach even more livable, walkable, and enjoyable for residents.
Gorgeous Riviera Properties with lots of yard space!
I’ve got two brand new gorgeous listings to share with you this week that have unusually large lots, which are very coveted in the desirable South Bay. The first has an unusually large lot – 24,000 square feet –with huge Queen’s Necklace views to match! 5207 Paseo De Las Tortugas, Torrance, California is offered at: $1,379,000. Check out this view: The second property is a large Mediterranean at 5332 Doris Way in Torrance, California. The 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom has a 7,000 square foot lot and is right next to award-winning schools. You can check out the home itself at its very own website: www.5332DorisWay.com Most lot sizes don’t go over 5,000 (unless the price goes over by several million), so I’m extremely excited to offer these. I look forward to selling them to people who yearn for more privacy and lush yards!