There Goes Another Nice East MB Option

In a year of low inventory, it's been relatively rare to find a full-size, "family-size" East Manhattan Beach home on one of the sought-after 7500 sqft. lots.

As the season winds down, now there's one less option.

 1427 8th (4br/5ba, 4180 sqft.) has now made a deal, and this limits the inventory for folks looking east of the highway.

The home is a custom 1998 Spanish with significant upgrades – and a couple of areas still needing a refresh, like the primary bath.

But its bright, free-flowing floorplan, gigantic first-floor common spaces and delightfully landscaped, private backyard made it a real treat.

Maybe it took 7 weeks (and a $100K cut) to find its successful deal, but it was almost always the class of the available options at a comparable price point. (It was last at $3.899M.)

(1427 8th is listed by Michael Dunitz, Palm Realty Boutique, Inc.)

Worth noting: It's directly across the street from the water tower. Does anyone care? We've learned that people do care.

We like the water tower (especially with its dapper new paint job). We've toured it! There's a park around it! To each their own...

At this point, there's only one offering in East MB of similar size on a 7500 sqft. lot:

1639 3rd (5br/3ba, 4098 sqft.) is a completely different proposition. It's a 1907-built Queen Anne/Colonial Revival style home. Its location at the top of a hill with expansive views to the north and west is a bonus.

The home was moved to MB in the 80s, so it really stands out. We don't have a stock of these homes anywhere else.

The sheer novelty of the home is attractive, but it's a niche product.

The home began at $3.749M in February, and attracted notice in our post, "See the Oldest Homes Offered Today in Manhattan Beach."

That first listing tolled out and the property came back with a new MLS # and a new price. It is now down to $2.999M.

And still, it's for a very particular buyer.

(1639 3rd is listed by Maribel Mejia, Realty ONE Group United.)

At a similar price point – a tick higher – to 1427 8th (and 1639 3rd's start) is a new construction home:

 1216 18th (4br/5ba, 3399 sqft.) is a knockout, "soft modern" masterpiece, with little precedent in East Manhattan.

Now, by comparison to 1427 8th, the home size is smaller, and the lot size is, too (very little backyard), and the price is higher ($4.389M).

Apples and oranges, perhaps – but it's what buyers looking at generally comparable properties have seen.

(Yes, we did call it a "knockout," yes we think it's sexy, it totally sizzles and makes you tingly, and somehow we're sure we're doing something wrong by saying all of that. Sorry, now. It's just a heckuva place.)

(1216 18th is listed by William Mar, Strand Hill Properties.)

Lastly, if you're looking for something comparable, you'll see:

 1209 Meadows (5br/6ba, 3344 sqft.), a new construction home that is having a moment, it would appear.

At least it keeps trying to get the spotlight.

In 90 days on market, it's now made 7 price reductions, although that may sound more drastic than its overall drop from $3.995M to $3.599M (-$396K).

This one is also on a smaller lot than 1427 8th (4908 sqft.), and it is (quite obviously) across the street from the school.

We just went on and on about 1216 18th, but we can't quite do the same here. The market has many kinds of options for all buyers!

(1209 Meadows is listed by Matt Waxman, Palm Realty Boutique, Inc.)

Just around the corner and just the other day, look at what sold:

1605 Magnolia (5br/4ba, 3383 sqft.) is a 2006 build, and – can we just say – that's a pretty house!

Can we have more of those?

They got it right in 2006!

We're not advocating for tract homes or city-imposed style rules or anything like that, but, maybe, could people just study the really pretty homes and, like... do that?