There were 21 homes on the February 7, 2012, Palos Verdes real estate Broker’s Tour.  We currently have 194 single family Palos Verdes homes for sale ranging in price from $725,000 in Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 to $10,500,000 in Palos Verdes Estates 90274 (the low in Eastview is $547,400).  There are 52 Palos Verdes townhomes for sale priced between $171,000 and $2,595,000.  My favorite Palos Verdes homes today were:

Mike Diamond and Joshua Altman’s (Peninsula Sotheby’s Int’l Rlty) 30073 Avenida Esplendida, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 (above left) is a 4 bedroom, 5 bath, 3.670 square foot home for $1,699,000.  This upgraded Country Club home features spectacular ocean and golf course views, swimming pool and sports court.  Gayle Probst’s (Coldwell Banker P.V./South Bay) 3617 Paseo Del Campo, Palos Verdes Estates 90274 (above right) is a 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 3,094 square foot home for $1,849,000.  This Valmonte home across from the Palos Verdes Golf Course features a cook’s dream center island kitchen, an office and a spectacular master suite w/fireplace.  Click here to read more about Palos Verdes homes...

Photos courtesy of CRMLS

Whole Foods Market has pledged to donate 5% of all net sales on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, to our local Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy.  The Whole Foods Market at 2655 Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance is not only going to help you get access to healthy food in 2012, but is giving back to the community by supporting the Land Conservancy which protects open space on our Peninsula.  This is a big deal since PVPLC provides environmental and educational opportunities for young people through its special school programs as well as provides Palos Verdes homes owners a place to connect with nature.  Please click here to read more about this fundraiser for Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy...

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy

If  Palos Verdes homes owners are looking for some outdoor fun this weekend, there are two different opportunities for them to enjoy.

The Cabrillo Beach Nature Walk will be taking place this Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This is considered a moderate walk and you will be observing coast native plant gardens and the many different entities that make up this area.  This walk will include a visit to a restored salt marsh, where you will learn about the Salinas de San Pedro Wetland habitat and more about this historic area.  If interested, on Sunday, February 12, 2012, between 2 -4p.m., the Salt Marsh will be having an Open House where educators and volunteers will be giving more details on the animal and bird wildlife that you will be able to see while using binoculars and microscopes.  Parking will be at the Cabrillo Beach public lot at 3800 Stephen M. White Drive, in San Pedro.  For more information go to www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org.  Click here to read more about this weekend's Palos Verdes hikes...

Photo courtesy of Palos Verdes Land Conservancy

Palos Verdes real estate area #177 is known as Eastview/RPV, and is located in the city of Rancho Palos Verdes.  Multiple listing service area 177 has an irregular shape and is an annexed community (from San Pedro) located West of Western Avenue from Summerland north almost to Palos Verdes Drive North, and a strip east of Western Avenue between Toscanini and Caddington Drive.

The Eastview area includes many single family developments, and also some large condominium and townhome complexes.  Also incorporated in this area is a short strip of land near Palos Verdes Drive North which was previously used for military housing.

This area is home to three schools.  Residents in this area have the choice of enrollment in the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District or the Los Angeles school system.  Christ Lutheran Church & School is located at 28850 S. Western Avenue and offers preschool through 8th grade classes.  Dodson Middle School (Los Angeles City School District) is located at 28014 Montereina Drive, and Crestwood Street Elementary School (Los Angeles City School District) is located at 19461 Crestwood Street.  Please click here to read more about Palos Verdes real estate Eastview area...

Photo courtesy of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes

February lectures sponsored by the Peninsula Seniors give Palos Verdes homes owners an opportunity to learn more about different interesting topics, and allow them to meet other local residents. These lectures take place at Hesse Park, located at 29301 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes, in the Fireside Room on Wednesday’s from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

On February 8, 2012, the community will learn about the development of the Peninsula from two women who wrote a book about the early days.  Written by Betty Lukas, and edited by Marjeanne Blinn, “Peninsula Past: the Complicated Birth of Paradise” debuted December 8, and consists of 31 essays and archived photos which had appeared in the Palos Verdes Peninsula News.  As many of you know Betty is a docent in the Local History Room at the Peninsula Center Library, and Marjeanne is an adult services librarian there.  They will be bringing books for sale for local history buffs.

On February 15, the speaker will be Ms. Dina Aryan-Zahler who is a staff engineer for the Port of Los Angeles.  She will talk about development ideas and the plans that will create a world class harbor and an active community attraction here in our own backyard.  Some of these plans for the Port will include U.S.S. IOWA, an artist and craftsman center, an international marine research and technology center, Ports’O'Call Village, and a downtown water attraction.  Click here to read more about the Lecture Series...

Photo courtesy of Peninsula Seniors

There were 23 homes on the January 31, 2012, Palos Verdes real estate Broker’s Tour.  We currently have 192 single family Palos Verdes homes for sale ranging in price from $759,000 in Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 to $10,500,000 in Palos Verdes Estates 90274 (the low in Eastview is $497,000).  There are 53 Palos Verdes townhomes for sale priced between $171,000 and $2,595,000.  My favorite Palos Verdes homes today were:

Georgiana Rosenkranz and Barry Host’s (South Bay Broker’s, Inc.) 2204 Via Acalones, Palos Verdes Estates 90274 (above left) is a 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 3,039 square foot home for $2,375,000.   This custom Monte Malaga home was rebuilt in 2001 and features lovely ocean views, a spacious gourmet kitchen, a large master retreat w/ vaulted ceilings and a sparkling saline pool & spa.  Michael and Nadia Foster’s (RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty) 4166 Rousseau Lane, Palos Verdes Peninsula 90274 (above right) is a 5 bedroom, 4 bath, 3,515 square foot home for $1,568,000.  This bright spacious Academy Hill home features city views, a gourmet kitchen, great room w/vaulted ceilings & skylights, and solar heated pool – all on a 1 acre lot.  Click here to read more about Palos Verdes homes...

Photos courtesy of CRMLS

I am happy to report that appraisals are coming in at sales price for Palos Verdes homes that I have sold this past year.  After the new Fannie Mae appraisal changes, we were all experiencing appraisers from out of the area being assigned to Palos Verdes real estate appraisals and they were coming in low as they did not know the area.   This was true for both Palos Verdes homes sales and refinances.

Yesterday, a LA Times article regarding appraisal fee disclosure discussed the issue of who is actually getting paid for these new higher priced appraisals and where the appraisers are coming from.  Why would you care about that?  Because, the appraisers are sometimes getting paid only half the fee (and to find appraisers who will work for that lower fee, they were coming from out of the area)  Click here to read more about Palos Verdes homes appraisals...

Palos Verdes homes owners are able to enjoy and learn more about their beautiful Peninsula by taking nature hikes on the first Saturday of every month.  This Saturday, February 4, 2012, the George F. Canyon Preserve & Nature Center will not only offer their morning Bird Walk, but you also can enjoy the afternoon First Saturday Walk through the Canyon.

The Bird Walks are from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., and Naturalist Loretta Rose is happy to guide you through a few of the riparian habitats on the Peninsula.  You will learn about the canyon’s willow trees and other plants which make up the habitat for our local bird species.  Most of the focus is on the natural history of our local bird species and how the canyon plays an integral part to their existence.  This is a very slow and quiet walk (so the birds are not frightened) and remember to bring your binoculars.  You must call ahead to make reservations and binoculars are available if needed.  Click here to read more about Palos Verdes trails and hikes...

Photo courtesy of PVPLC

It is time again for owners of  Palos Verdes homes (and/or tenants) who will have children entering Kindergarten in the Fall of 2012 to be planning for Kindergarten Roundup (Registration).   This is an important event if you have Kindergarten age children because some Palos Verdes elementary schools are impacted.  California Law (SB 1381) relating to the age requirement for Kindergarten enrollment was changed.  The new law requires a child be five years old on or before November 1st.  The cutoff date under the old law was December 2nd.  Please click here to read more about Palos Verdes schools...

Photo courtesy of PVPUSD

On Saturday, February 4, 2012, the Peninsula Seniors will sponsor Coffee & Cars at the Peninsula Shopping Center (off Silver Spur Road and Hawthorne Boulevard in Rolling Hills Estates).  A group of car enthusiasts will bring their Hot Rod, Custom, Muscle Car, Sports Car, Antique, and other special interest vehicles, to the Peninsula Shopping Center parking lot where you can admire the cars, meet the owners and ask them questions.

This free event gives Palos Verdes homes owners an opportunity to meet and socialize with Peninsula Seniors members, their guests, and other South Bay area car lovers.  Click here to read more about Palos Verdes Coffee and Cars...