new construction

It was 4 weeks ago when we advised MBC readers to go take a look at 1321 Voorhees (6br/5ba, 3600 sq. ft.). It would be your only chance, it seemed, because the home was in escrow already.

In escrow... and at a big number, $2.795M, quite a feat for a home on a smaller-than-standard East MB lot (5200+ in this case).

Our opinions about this custom "plantation" home haven't changed, but that first buyer is gone, the escrow is canceled, and 1321 Voorhees is back on the market, looking for a new buyer. (You?)

[ UPDATE: Saturday, 1321 Voorhees went back into escrow. The rest of this post continues as originally run. ]

While it's out there for a second run, suddenly, it's notably the least-pricey East MB new construction option on the open market.

Right next…

To judge by the most recent closed sales come in, you'd think no one knows how to price a house anymore.

We've seen markets where nearly every listing price seemed to be an overreach. Today, start prices seem to be literally just the starting points. Consider these very recent closings:

510 23rd (4br/4ba, 3200 sq. ft.) is a 2009-built Spanish in the gaslamp district.

Start Price: $2.699M

Sold Price: $2.826M

Amount Over Asking: +$127K / +4%

Note: That result was different from when the same home debuted back in 2008-09. It ran 7 months on market and sold for 16% under the asking price way-back-when, the year your kindergartner was born.

1901 Lynngrove (3br/1ba, 1100 sq. ft.) is a mostly original corner-lot cottage in Liberty Village. The home has

Here's how you make markets: You ignore all that came before, just put a sticker price on what you've got, and make people come to you.

That's the kind of boldness that's behind the new-construction listing at 1304 Lynngrove.

This upcoming 5br/6ba, 3750 sq. ft. "gorgeous custom contemporary" home will be offered at $3.199M to begin.

That's quite a bit above $3 million, a number never before dreamt of east of Redondo Ave. in this little pocket of Mayberry in Manhattan known as Liberty Village.

Formerly one of the most reliably affordable neighborhoods of MB (it's all relative), the LV is now getting a ceiling-pushing listing that could reshuffle all thinking about the area.

You know right away upon seeing this listing pop up that they're shooting for a…

One of the most inspired examples of staging we've seen recently has zero to do with the interior of the home for sale.

It's the driveway at 2412 John that caught our eyes here.

This is a new listing for new construction on a prime street of the Manhattan Beach Tree Section.

The two cars in the driveway tell you a lot about the house, and the inspiration behind it.

A new Tesla. A '62 Porsche.

Old and new. Yin and yang.

The good life.

The cars perfectly advertise the home, because it's a brand-new, from-the-ground up home built lovingly in a throwback mid-century style, with modern conveniences and upgrades. With a "sustainable" and low-key sensibility, the home also sports solar electrical, radiant heating and a high-efficiency hot water system.

So…