Sunday Opens (11/27)

It's just terrific to forget about work for a few days when you can, and here's hoping you've had that chance over this long weekend.

Runaway turkey just wants to surf.

We've been trying to figure out if it was an overdose of tryptophan, or maybe just a few too many candles-burning-at-both-ends days, that led to an avalanche of catnaps. Oh well, take 'em when you can get 'em.

It's no surprise that open-house pickings are slim for the holiday weekend, and this trend will continue... But take another look here at some listings that seem determined to get their market exposure and – perhaps – make their deals this holiday season. We're revisiting a few of the gems open Sunday down below.

One news item: This weekend marks Dave's last "South Bay Confidential" column in the Daily Breeze. The work writing for a larger market region has been great, but we'll need a new outlet. To see the final column, discussing "median houses" around the South Bay, please click here.

To plan your open-house tours for this week, use MB Confidential's online list of Manhattan Beach open houses (it's mobile-friendly!).

As usual, we appreciate it when readers share views on this week's featured properties.


Hill Section

849 10th (5br/5ba, 4350 sq. ft.) is a big, newer (2005) Mediterranean by a noted local builder with ample, unimpedable city and mountain views to the north and east.

The backyard, downstairs from the main living spaces, offers ample space and a great built-in outdoor kitchen.

849 10th was purchased new in 2006 for $2.723m, before some additional customization (pecan hardwood floors, among other things). It's offered now for somewhat less, $2.589m (-$134k/-5%) to account for changes in the market since then.

849 10th is open Sun. 1-4pm. 
510 Poinsettia (5br/5ba, 4300 sq. ft.) is a warm, custom home with ocean views.

The home, with an "upside-down" layout to maximize views, has lots of thoughtful and even whimsical extras that make it feel special. (For instance: reclaimed, imported brick floors in the kitchen, nice but not garish woodwork, snappy tiles here, little paint flourishes there.)

510 Poinsettia is at $3.499m and is open Sun. 1-4pm.


Sand Section 


544 3rd St. (5br/5ba, 3800 sq. ft.) is a new Cape Cod in the quiet South End – though not on a walkstreet.

The home offers a midfloor great room with attractive plank flooring and a classic, beachy feel. There's a little patio/yard off the back, somewhat unusual and nice to get.

On the garage level, there's a great coat rack and shoe storage area with a bench. Though it looks a little bit formal now, we couldn't help but imagine rash guards, towels and flip-flops hanging and strewn about, with the floor just a bit sandy. The real bonus downstairs is the big media room with bar and other built-ins.

544 3rd is at $2.975m and is open Sun. 1-4pm.



Tree Section

766 33rd (5br/5ba, 4800 sq. ft.) is a giant, early-90s home on a much bigger-than-normal Tree Section lot (6900 sq. ft.).

Those things are nice starting points, but a $2.499m start price raises eyebrows very high.

There are big rooms, extra spaces, a layout that is generally inflated and boasts something extra around each corner – as you might expect.

The master suite, up on top and in back, has some surprising views to the east, with the Tree Section dropping off gently toward Laurel and giving you big treetop and rooftop views in that direction. Nice bonus.

You won't find much of a yard – an outdoor grassy area with a small, built-in hot tub is out back, while a front yard area is outfitted so that you could hang out outside if you like.

Though the home is certainly livable and is mostly in good condition, there are several points where you may wince and say, "that needs to be updated."

The home is vacant, so it looks like one that's meant to sell. We're really curious to see how buyers react.

766 33rd is at $2.499m and is open Sun. 1-4pm.

3528 Poinsettia (3br/1ba, 1200 sq. ft.) makes pretty clear the compromises you need to make to get into the Trees for under $1m, but for this tier, it's an attractive option.

The 1950s original cottage looks to have been a 2br, with a third added on later in back. Alas, they never added a second bath, so everyone shares a small 50s bath with a shower/tub combo.

Though common spaces are fairly tight, there's a nice bonus in a converted garage – complete with carpeting and glass doors, the "garage" is staged as a separate media room, but not counted in the square footage.

The kitchen is completely modern and stylish, the main plus-plus feature of the home.

Back yard is now dominated by an above-ground hot tub and a very cool outdoor shower. It's a real stall, built out and tiled and pretty attractive – not merely a shower head stuck on a wall. There's also a little astroturf patch behind the tub and garage to give the littlest ones a place to run around.

3528 Poinsettia starts at $975k and is open Sun 1-4pm.