The original Spanish settlers had it right when they named it Playa de Hermosa—Beautiful Beach.
From Santa Monica, Hermosa Beach has always been the other end of the world I grew up in—Santa Monica Bay. If I took a mind trip, the picture would always be a clean sunny day before cost of living put limits on calling it home. I remember Hermosa Beach 4th of July fireworks observed from a friend’s Pacific Palisades front yard. Gazing down the Santa Monica Bay Necklace from the north on a summer’s evening with the sky ablaze was spectacular!
As a young high school lad cruising down PCH to Hermosa Beach in my ‘36 Ford 3-window Coupe with date or buddy aboard, I’d park in front of “The Lighthouse,” the greatest jazz Mecca in the world. I played alto sax at the time, and thought I was destined to appear at The Lighthouse one day in the not too distant future. It was kind of like promising one’s self an Ames Chair before middle age. We all had grand plans for the future in those days.
What never made an impression, was real estate. Yes, we lived in comfortable homes that accommodated the whole family for feasts on holidays. And the milkman and Helmsman delivered our commodities even if we were away on vacation. But I don’t recall ever meeting a Realtor. Nope, that was a less visible profession than the local used car salesman. Who woulda’ guessed it?
Now look at what’s taken place. I believe the term ‘bizarre’ describing real estate, evolved in the South Bay in the ‘70s. It then had no limit to it’s meaning. The median price for a single family home in Hermosa Beach this week is $1,137,500, what was $1,500 when I used to come down for some jazz on The Strand. How unimaginative was I?
The growth forecast continues. I looked at property for sale this week in the million dollar range that almost made me cry. Were we so narrow minded in the days of yore, that we could not foretell what the future held for this section of paradise? Or were we just lazy?
Hermosa Beach Home Pricing March ‘07
Single Family Residence; Active: 51
Median: $1,137,500; Low: $799,000; High: $1,299,000
Townhome/Condo; Active: 50
Median: $1,174,000; Low: $845,000; High: $1,349,000
National Average Mortgage Rates
Week Ending 03/22/2007
Mortgage Rate Points
30 Year Fixed 6.16% 0.40
Feel free to contact me if you need help locating property in So. California's beautiful, balmy South Bay: Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Palos Verdes.
Thanks, from the So. Bay, where living is beautiful,
Robert Kissig
Real Estate West
Manhattan Beach, CA
310-640-7897
www.KissigRealEstate.com
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