The wonderful Papadakis Taverna greek restaurant on 6th street in downtown San Pedro is for sale by the Papadakis family, and may not be open much longer. This restaurant is wonderful and a lot of fun. Hosted by John Papadakis and his brother Tom, going there for dinner is a true Greek experience. John is a wonderful entertainer and host as he performs greek dances with the other waiters. The restaurant has been open for 35 years, and has hosted countless celebrities over the year, particularly USC players and coaches, which is where John and several of his sons played football. John played for John McKay in the early '70's. If you have never eaten dinner there, you absolutely need to visit there before the family closes the Restaurant forever. Owners John and Tom Papadakis http://www.p... 10/15/2008

The first hour of my open house was eerily quiet.  A few cars slowed to a crawl as they passed the open house sign, then moved on.  A neighbor or two biked past, but continued onward with their Sunday afternoon ride. I walked out and checked to make sure the open house sign was upright.  Yes, standing tall, but no takers on the invitation.  I made some calls, returned a few and even worked on a file.  I jotted down my business priorities for the upcoming week.  I was about to call it a day and close up early, when in walked my first prospective buyer of the afternoon.  A neighbor out for a walk, and thinking of downsizing.  She took my information and said she would discuss my listing with her husband.  Suddenly, I'm feeling happy. Visitors number two is a handsome young couple from Man... 10/12/2008

There are 32 properties for sale in Lunada Bay and the Margate area as of 9/30/08, and 11 properties sold during the 3rd Quarter of 2008: The average price per square foot of properties sold in the Lunada Bay / Margate area has maintained its value over the last year The average days on market for properties in Lunada Bay is approx. 60, and properties have sold in the range of 94% to 98%of the property's list price: For more information about buying and selling homes on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, visit my website at http://www.maureenmegowan.com 10/10/2008

It was another roller coaster day on Wall Street, but the real estate market in the Valmonte neighborhood of Palos Verdes Estates appears a bit more stable! Here's an update on real estate happenings in Valmonte for the month of September  2008: Active Listings:  13 Single Family Homes are currently for sale priced from $925,000 to $3,490,000. Pending Sales:  4 homes are in escrow priced from $1,030,000 to $1,275,000. September Sales:  3 properties closed escrow priced from $1,612,000 to $2,250,000.   If you enjoy tree-lined streets and close proximity to the beach Valmonte may be the neighborhood for you.  To receive a list of all homes currently available in the area, simply call or email me and it will be provided! Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty(310) 493-8333 / Offic... 10/06/2008

I previewed several lovely homes in Monte Malaga this week.  There was something for everyone--a stately mansion in need of a facelift or at least a strategic nip/tuck, a new mansion with a queen's necklace view of the coastline and Pacific Ocean, and several beauties of smaller stature, but with their own charm and personality.   Monte Malaga real estate activity for September 2008: Active Listings:  26 homes are currently for sale priced from $1,288,000 to $12,990,000. Pending Sales: 2 properties are currently in escrow priced from $1,999,000 to $2,699,900. September 08 Sales:  1 property closed escrow at $1,300,000. If you would like more information regarding Monte Malaga homes for sale, or would like to know what your Monte Malaga home is worth, give me a call for an update on your... 10/04/2008

September was an interesting month for the financial markets and the world's economy.  Let's take a look at how things are moving a little closer to home.   Malaga Cove, a neighborhood in Palos Verdes Estates, is filled with view homes that hug the hillsides above the Pacific Ocean. Malaga Cove Real Estate Statistics for September 2008: Active Listings:  15 Single Family Homes are currently for sale priced from $1,649,000 to $5,790,000. Pending Sales:  3 properties are currently in escrow priced from $2,250,000 to $2,799,000. September Sales:  2 homes closed escrow priced at $1,775,000 and $2,500,000. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800 South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Es... 10/04/2008

The week started with my stock broker calling to say I had taken a hit on my Fannie Mae stock.  A BIG hit!  (There goes the kitchen remodel I had planned.) Then I hear the House defeated the bailout bill and the stock market plunges 777 points.  (There goes the bath remodel I had planned + the annual family vacation + any hopes of retiring in the next 10 years). Meanwhile, the real estate business in my world comes to a screeching halt. There are NO new listings and no one is making offers on my listings.  I have my fingers crossed that the bail out bill will be passed on Friday so my life might return to some semblance of normalcy.  And, guess what?  It passes!  So what happens?  The stock market drops AGAIN!   At the rate I'm going, by next Monday, I will be living in my car. Can't wa... 10/03/2008

There are some wonderful homes on the market in Lunada Bay, including my listing at 2321 Chelsea Road!                               Here's what happened with Lunada Bay real estate during the month of September: Active Listings:  32 single family homes are currently on the market priced from $969,000 to $7,900,000. Pending:  1 property is in escrow priced at $2,599,900. September Sales:  2 homes closed escrow at $1,075,000 and $1,200,000.   There are a couple of oceanfront fixers for sale and a plethora of other interesting properties on the market.  If you're looking for a deal the 4th quarter of the year is usually a great time to find it!  Call for more information on homes in Lunada Bay.  Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800 S... 10/01/2008

This is shaping up to be a dicey day to be waiting for a client's loan to be approved by one of the last banks still standing.  At least we chose one of the few remaining stable financial institutions.  I'm looking for reasons to be optimistic on a downer of a day and here's what I'm finding: The middle school kids are laughing and giggling as they walk past my office on their way home from school.  Life goes on. I have an offer out on a foreclosure and I'm a wee bit more optimistic the offer will be accepted without a counter from the lender.  There are buying opportunities in every market.  Life goes on. I'm planning a vacation to Egypt in January and found a great deal on airfare.  A fabulous reason to celebrate today.  Life goes on. I received an invitation to "stop by" this evening... 09/29/2008

I am often asked What is that large stone castle-like building near the entrance to Palos Verdes Estates on Via Valmonte? This stone, castle-like structure, which is at 4420 Via Valmonte, near the entrance to Palos Verdes Estates on Via Valmonte, just up from Hawthorne Blvd., was built in 1926 as a guard\'s house for what was intended to be a gated entrance to the new Palos Verdes Project. The structure is a two story 15 foot diameter round building with 18 inch thick walls.It has two floors; a bedroom and bathroom area upstairs and a living room with a stone fireplace and a kitchen downstars. This structure was known as the "Stone Tower", "Tower House" and the "Mirlo Gate Lodge" (Via Valmonte was originally named Via Mirlo, was renamed Hawthorne Ave. prior to Hawthorne Blvd. being exte... 09/19/2008

The original plans for the Palos Verdes Project during the 1920's included many wonderful elements that were never constructed due to the Depression. One of these was that The original plans for the Palos Verdes Project called for the building of a yacht club and Marina at Bluff Cove in Lunada Bay and a breakwater to form a swimming cove in Lunada Bay Original Artist's rendering of proposed Yacht Club at Bluffs CoveRendering of proposed breakwater and swimming cove at Lunada Bay  Visit my website http://www.maureenmegowan.com for more Palos Verdes Secrets & Little Known Facts 09/19/2008

The original plans for the Palos Verdes Project called for a third plaza area in Valmonte The original plans for the Palos Verdes Project in the late 1920's called for another grand plaza similar to that constructed in Malaga Cove, to have been located at the intersection of Via Campesina and Palos Verdes Drive in Valmonte.Original plans for Valmonte Plaza Visit my website http://www.maureenmegowan.com for more Palos Verdes Secrets & Little Known Facts 09/19/2008

09/14/2008

Lunada Bay Median Strip with Large Austrailian Fig Tree and Plaque The Plaque in front of the  "Morton Bay Fig Tree" was dedicated in 1959 in honor of Fred Roessler, PV Estates first mayor Plaque in front of "Morton Bay Fig Tree" Dedicated in 1959 in honor of Fred Roessler, PV Estates first mayor Visit my website http://www.maureenmegowan.com For more Palos Verdes Secrets & Little Known Facts . 09/09/2008

Beautiful tree lined street and ever so close to the beach describes the Valmonte area of Palos Verdes Estates. August 2008 real estate activity for the Valmonte area: Active Listings: 17 homes are currently listed for sale priced from $999,000 to $2,450,000. Pending Sales:  3 properties are currently in escrow priced from $1,675,000 to $2,299,000. August 08 Sales:  1 home closed escrow for $900,000. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800 South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - E... 09/08/2008

The Malaga Cove area of Palos Verdes Estates is noted for ocean and coastline views and charming homes nestled in the hills of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Real Estate Activity for August 2008: Active Listings:  12 homes are currently for sale priced from $1,665,000 to $5,790,000. Pending Sales:  4 properties are currently in escrow priced from $2,149,000 to $2,799,000. August 2008 Sales:  1 home closed escrow for $1,800,000. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800 South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, houses, property and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Find Norma on: Facebook... 09/08/2008

The Monte Malaga neighborhood is located high on the Palos Verdes Peninsula with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and California coastline. August 2008 Real Estate Activity: Active Listings:  25 properties are currently for sale ranging in price from $1,395,000 to $12,990,000.  Pending Sales:  3 homes are currently in escrow priced from $1,350,000 to $2,699,900. August 2008 Sales:  1 property sold for $1,170,000.   Pictured is Malaga Cove Plaza. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800 South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Find ... 09/06/2008

The dog days of summer are behind us and the children have returned to school.  Here's a quick look at how Lunada Bay, Palos Verdes Estates closed out the summer of 2008. Lunada Bay real estate statistics for August 2008: Active Listings:  29 homes are currently for sale ranging in price from $1,079,000 to $7,900,000. Pending Sales: 3 properties are currently in escrow priced from $1,200,000 to $2,599,000. Aug. 08 Sales:  6 homes closed escrow priced from $1,100,000 to $1,860,000. Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800 South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell property, real estate, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, H... 09/06/2008

The Lunada Bay neighborhood is located in Palos Verdes Estates.   My favorite things about this neighborhood are the ocean views and the coastline bluff trails for walking.  My son would say it was when the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie was being filmed (photo above) two summers ago and the cliffs were lined with people (including us) with binoculars watching.  Click here, to read more... 08/30/2008

The fountain in the median strip of Palos Verdes Drive West in Lunada Bay was a gift in 1965 from funds raised by neighborhood children orgainized by Jeane Burke, a resident of Rocky Point in Lunada Bay, and a plaque at the fountain displays the fountain's name: "La Fuente de los Ninos" (the fountain of the children). When asked why she was inspired to create a fountain at the intersection with Yarmouth Road, Mrs. Burke replied, "I didn't want to say, "Turn at the gas station to get to my home'".(source:Peninsula News 6/1/2006).  The fountain is dedicated to G. Brooks Snelgrove, who was very active in Palos Verdes Estates community affairs for over 34 years, and the circle in front of Palos Verdes Estates City Hall is also dedicated to his memory (He died on November 22, 1962). Mr. Snel... 08/25/2008