August 2012 
There are 16 blog entries for August 2012.
Post-Summer Strand Update
Friday, August 31st, 2012 at 4:35pm. 272 Views, 0 Comments.
It's been a while since we focused on the MB Strand.
For a while there, things were surprisingly rocky for MB's prime beachfront real estate. Even amid a quickening market, listings were hanging around, and often selling below expectations.
And now?
2812 The Strand, a duplex with 2 old 3br/2ba units, recently made one of the quickest Strand deals in recent memory, making a deal the day after it was listed. (The nearly 3 weeks' worth of DOM reflects extra days logged while in "backup offer" status.)
You might have reason to love an old complex like this – it sports a 1930s build date and a 1970s look – but that's hard to figure.
This one had "lot sale" written all over it.
So what might the land be worth?
They priced it at $6.295m and got…
For a while there, things were surprisingly rocky for MB's prime beachfront real estate. Even amid a quickening market, listings were hanging around, and often selling below expectations.
And now?
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| 2812 The Strand |
You might have reason to love an old complex like this – it sports a 1930s build date and a 1970s look – but that's hard to figure.
This one had "lot sale" written all over it.
So what might the land be worth?
They priced it at $6.295m and got…
A 13% Markup in Martyrs
Wednesday, August 29th, 2012 at 6:59pm. 200 Views, 0 Comments.
If 2006 and 2007 were pretty much the end of the bubble years, one question would be: When are those prices coming back?
On one prestige block of the Marytrs neighborhood of the Tree Section, 2007 isn't just back – it's been topped with a resale of a property for 13% more than its 2007 acquisition price.
624 14th (5br/6ba, 5765 sq. ft.) is the subject here, a home we called "a ginormous, newer Mediterranean in an A+ location."
Getting all gushy, we added: "Elegant and kind of fun, this one is a pleasure to behold."
Part of the charm is the abundance of outdoor living spaces – a big front patio, a center courtyard and a cabana out back by the pool and jacuzzi. And if that's not enough, there are 5765 other square feet inside to hang out in.
The…
On one prestige block of the Marytrs neighborhood of the Tree Section, 2007 isn't just back – it's been topped with a resale of a property for 13% more than its 2007 acquisition price.
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| 624 14th |
Getting all gushy, we added: "Elegant and kind of fun, this one is a pleasure to behold."
Part of the charm is the abundance of outdoor living spaces – a big front patio, a center courtyard and a cabana out back by the pool and jacuzzi. And if that's not enough, there are 5765 other square feet inside to hang out in.
The…
Pushing $6m in the South End
Tuesday, August 28th, 2012 at 4:21pm. 167 Views, 0 Comments.
As the beach gets richer, only the rich will move to the beach.
That's the sense you get from 2 new listings down in the South End, one each on either side of $6m:
224 6th (5br/5ba, 4100 sq. ft.) is a planned new home, just a few months from completion, maxed out on a 2700 sq. ft. ocean-view lot. Some nice names are attached to the project.
They're running with the "plantation" style that's been sweeping town since someone used 3 lots on The Strand to show off the style in maximal fashion. (That's 212 The Strand; see "Big, Beautiful, Too Much?")
Asking price for this new one: $5.5m.
That would put 224 6th on a par with the biggest spec construction sale of the year, at 128 18th (5br/5ba, 4000 sq. ft.) a "tropical contemporary" that…
That's the sense you get from 2 new listings down in the South End, one each on either side of $6m:
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| 224 6th (rendering) |
They're running with the "plantation" style that's been sweeping town since someone used 3 lots on The Strand to show off the style in maximal fashion. (That's 212 The Strand; see "Big, Beautiful, Too Much?")
Asking price for this new one: $5.5m.
That would put 224 6th on a par with the biggest spec construction sale of the year, at 128 18th (5br/5ba, 4000 sq. ft.) a "tropical contemporary" that…
Weekend Opens (8/25-8/26)
Saturday, August 25th, 2012 at 5:15am. 152 Views, 0 Comments.
Amazing August, a time when you often must ask: "Why someone would list now?"
But you don't need the answer. You just need the inventory. And we're getting it.
We're declaring this Faymont Week, in honor of the first 2 listings among our reviews.
But there's something else big going on this weekend at the beach – they've built up those bleachers again for volleyball. Hooray, this tourney looks like it may well survive.
Or are those grandstands meant to help crowds receive the Catalina-to-MB paddlers?
Whatever your fancy, a busy weekend awaits.
To plan your weekend tours, try this Redfin map list of open houses – sort by price or sub-region of MB by clicking the title on a column.
Or click here for the new-format Beach Reporter list of opens.
If you're thinking…
But you don't need the answer. You just need the inventory. And we're getting it.
We're declaring this Faymont Week, in honor of the first 2 listings among our reviews.
But there's something else big going on this weekend at the beach – they've built up those bleachers again for volleyball. Hooray, this tourney looks like it may well survive.
Or are those grandstands meant to help crowds receive the Catalina-to-MB paddlers?
Whatever your fancy, a busy weekend awaits.
To plan your weekend tours, try this Redfin map list of open houses – sort by price or sub-region of MB by clicking the title on a column.Or click here for the new-format Beach Reporter list of opens.
If you're thinking…
Long Time, No Deal... Oh, a Deal!
Thursday, August 23rd, 2012 at 2:19pm. 159 Views, 0 Comments.
It's August, and while you don't expect much new inventory, we are seeing a little trickle.
Demand still outpaces supply, though. Some of the new stuff gets grabbed right away, but what's really interesting is how the old, old, creaky listings with the high DOM counts are selling now, too.
If you follow our new-ish MB Property Ticker, you've seen some recent deals post at 3207 Crest (a TH with 200 DOM) and 1027 Boundary Place (a quirky Hill Section SFR over 5 months on market).
There are also recent deals at listings with the longest market exposure in all of Manhattan Beach:
117 Meadows is a 100 x 200 lot (that's 20k sq. ft. of dirt) that sports an astonishing 1483 combined days on market (CDOM).
What does that mean? It…
Demand still outpaces supply, though. Some of the new stuff gets grabbed right away, but what's really interesting is how the old, old, creaky listings with the high DOM counts are selling now, too.
If you follow our new-ish MB Property Ticker, you've seen some recent deals post at 3207 Crest (a TH with 200 DOM) and 1027 Boundary Place (a quirky Hill Section SFR over 5 months on market).
There are also recent deals at listings with the longest market exposure in all of Manhattan Beach:
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| Patch of scrubland at 117 Meadows |
What does that mean? It…
Touring 1904 John
Tuesday, August 21st, 2012 at 12:17am. 145 Views, 0 Comments.
Someone may complain that we've been stuck in the Tree Section recently, but here we go again.
You're aware of the action on John St. this year, including last week's closing at 1812 John ($1.330m), but there's still one active listing on the best part of John.
For some reason, 1904 John (4br/3ba, 3340 sq. ft.) has lasted nearly 3 weeks on the market. We even heard about it before it hit the MLS, so what does that mean? We're pushing 4 weeks?
John? It didn't sell off-market? What gives?
We took our camera to the scene to help you understand 1904 John a little better. Our new video tour is posted below.
As we noted in our "Weekend Opens" post when 1904 John debuted:
The downsloping lot creates a 3-level layout, with 3br on the entry level, big master upstairs,…
You're aware of the action on John St. this year, including last week's closing at 1812 John ($1.330m), but there's still one active listing on the best part of John.
For some reason, 1904 John (4br/3ba, 3340 sq. ft.) has lasted nearly 3 weeks on the market. We even heard about it before it hit the MLS, so what does that mean? We're pushing 4 weeks? John? It didn't sell off-market? What gives?
We took our camera to the scene to help you understand 1904 John a little better. Our new video tour is posted below.
As we noted in our "Weekend Opens" post when 1904 John debuted:
The downsloping lot creates a 3-level layout, with 3br on the entry level, big master upstairs,…
Weekend Opens (8/18-8/19)
Saturday, August 18th, 2012 at 2:15pm. 141 Views, 0 Comments.
The only hesitation we've got griping about these hot, steamy Summer days is that they will probably end suddenly.
School's around the corner (in August?!?, yes!) and, before you know it, the shadows get long and Santa's on the way.
So get thee to the sand, dear friends. Get thee into the water.
The only Summer that's Endless is on DVD.
Be sure to hit the sand in the morn so you have time to get to the new open houses.
We still don't know why, exactly, people choose to list in the middle of August, but they do. So there are a few new options this week.
We kinda like the couple of new East MB listings, and, if you're in the $4m-$5m category, there's a nice surprise in the Hill Section.
To plan your weekend tours, try this Redfin map list of open houses – sort…
School's around the corner (in August?!?, yes!) and, before you know it, the shadows get long and Santa's on the way.
So get thee to the sand, dear friends. Get thee into the water.The only Summer that's Endless is on DVD.
Be sure to hit the sand in the morn so you have time to get to the new open houses.
We still don't know why, exactly, people choose to list in the middle of August, but they do. So there are a few new options this week.
We kinda like the couple of new East MB listings, and, if you're in the $4m-$5m category, there's a nice surprise in the Hill Section.
To plan your weekend tours, try this Redfin map list of open houses – sort…
Tree 'Rockets' Land
Thursday, August 16th, 2012 at 2:13pm. 147 Views, 0 Comments.
Among the more interesting recent Tree Section sensations are 2 homes under 2000 sq. ft. with great locations.
Both first made deals in June, and closed this week.
We mentioned both in "Rockets in the Trees" back in June. Here's how they wound up.
754 26th (3br/2ba, 1775 sq. ft.) is a cute 1960s cottage with some updates (not the kitchen), good flow and a nice, sunny, south-facing yard. It's in a sweet north-of-Valley location, walkable to school.
The sellers drew multiple offers on a list price of $1.299m.
Dave had clients in the mix, and here's what we were all thinking at the time: Why not try to price it right? Why go low? You just incite yet another bidding war, with all the mystery and fear and dashed hopes that brings.
It was challenging…
Both first made deals in June, and closed this week.
We mentioned both in "Rockets in the Trees" back in June. Here's how they wound up.
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| 754 26th |
The sellers drew multiple offers on a list price of $1.299m.
Dave had clients in the mix, and here's what we were all thinking at the time: Why not try to price it right? Why go low? You just incite yet another bidding war, with all the mystery and fear and dashed hopes that brings.
It was challenging…
Raze the Monster
Monday, August 13th, 2012 at 10:45pm. 147 Views, 0 Comments.
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| Confused monster house at 650 18th |
A neighbor who had just toured agreed readily: the monster house (4br/4ba, 4350 sq. ft.) with its very difficult layout might be best off euthanized, razed and begun again.
In a situation like that, who knew it would go quickly (5 DOM) at the asking price of $2.6m, with – we hear – more than one suitor? (The sale closed a few weeks ago.)
So, what might you figure the lot value as here at 650 18th, with a 6240 sq. ft. plot and maybe some ocean peek/view potential, but just generally a great Martyrs hill location?
Well, you could look to the also-very-recent sale at 635…
Weekend Opens (8/11-8/12)
Saturday, August 11th, 2012 at 5:34am. 172 Views, 0 Comments.
Even in these dog days of August, there are a few new listings to check out – all in the Trees.
To plan your weekend tours of these or the (few) other options open this weekend, try this Redfin map list of open houses – sort by price or sub-region of MB by clicking the title on a column.
Or click here for the new-format Beach Reporter list of opens.
Tree Section
849 17th (5br/3ba, 2050 sq. ft.) showcases a huge Martyrs-adjacent lot – 8,000 sq. ft., 50' wide x 160' deep – and a dated 1960 house that eventually needs to be replaced.
Is it a $1.7m lot sale? TBD.
The one-story ranch-inspired home is built almost in a C-shape around a grassy yard and patio on the eastern side of the lot. The "over sized" garage (per the listing) is a separate unit up…
To plan your weekend tours of these or the (few) other options open this weekend, try this Redfin map list of open houses – sort by price or sub-region of MB by clicking the title on a column.
Or click here for the new-format Beach Reporter list of opens.
Tree Section
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| 849 17th |
Is it a $1.7m lot sale? TBD.
The one-story ranch-inspired home is built almost in a C-shape around a grassy yard and patio on the eastern side of the lot. The "over sized" garage (per the listing) is a separate unit up…
