Rolling Hills, California, a gated community, is positioned at the top of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  It's a superb location for access off and on the hill, offers some of the most spectacular views in Southern California and is quietly setting new sale price records. November 2007 Pending Sales:A 6500 sq. ft. home on a 62,726 sq. ft. lot recently entered escrow after only 4 days on the market.  This architecturally interesting contemporary ranch on a very private lot had all the markers of a great buy-location, land, and large home ripe for cosmetic remodeling.  $3,375,000.Norma Toering's viewpoint:  This property was a steal for all the reasons listed above plus it was priced for a quick sale.  The buyer's equity is growing on this one while it is in escrow. A 6 bedroom 7 bath countr... 11/09/2007

After a meeting this morning with California Association of Realtors Chief Economist, I have a greater picture of the Real Estate market for the entire state and the predictions for the coming year.  It's not pretty, but it's not terrible either.Long term interest rates are predicted to hold pretty steady with only small fluctuations.Inventory will continue to rise, but not because more home are being sold, only because less are actually selling.Most subprime mortgages are due to readjust in the next few months and so we'll hopefully see the end of the fall out in the next 6-8 months as lending standards return to what they once were.Prices in Rolling Hills will remain steady.  In September there were 18 properties in RH for sale with only one being sold.  Pretty much in line with the p... 11/06/2007

 Dear Britney,After so many years of being in the limelight, and not a shred of privacy to be found, perhaps it's time you entered the guarded gates of Rolling Hills.  The reporters and photographers will be turned away, and your public profile will be taken down a few notches, but aren't you longing for some quiet moments of solitude? Once the gates are lowered behind your sleek sportscar or family SUV (hey, how are those little boys of yours?), your troubles will start unwinding, your stress will melt away and a peaceful feeling will envelope you as you pass low profile multi-million dollar estates, horses grazing on the rolling hills (hence the name), and spectacular views of city and ocean.This is not Beverly Hills, or even your beloved Malibu.  The homes are elegantly understated i... 11/03/2007

The news was all bad.  The media filled time and space with tales of woe.  They proclaimed the good times were over and told homeowners to prepare for the fall.  Naturally, that's when I received a call from a client who recently purchased a home--he needed to move. I took a deep breath, but not too deep, this is California and the air was filled with smoke from the recent wildfires.  I immediately saw my job as one of preserving his equity, covering the cost of the sale, and retaining him as a client. This is a golden client and if his life goes according to plan, he, and his family, will return to Rolling Hills in three years, and purchase another home with yours truly acting as agent. I patted myself on the back for insisting, prior to the close of escrow, the previous owner (and age... 11/02/2007

 Yes, Your eyes and ears are correct.  According to our latest trendgraphix chart courtesy of Mary Thomas, Remax Palos Verdes Realty Rolling Hills market charts have hit a high from 2006. 2007 price per square foot has reached a new high in 2007 currently at $803.00 per square foot.Please see the chart below.  Our Rolling Hills Market has never been better. So turn off the foreclosure news if you live in Palos Verdes and especially Rolling Hills!   08/27/2007

Selling a home should be like any other business transaction, but all too often sellers make emotional or impulsive decisions that cost them money and time. Choosing the right Realtor to market a property and negotiate the sale is the most important step in the process.  "My friend (or family member) sells real estate." Friendship alone isn't enough to establish a professional's credentials. Use tough standards when selecting an agent, just as you would when hiring an attorney, a doctor, or an accountant to handle your taxes. A true friend will understand and appreciate that this is a business decision and will offer their credentials and expect to compete for the listing. Maybe your friend is the best agent for the job, but decide that after interviewing a few agents, not before. "Your... 07/17/2007

Your agent has ignored you, broken promises, your home has sat for the past 3 months as you made your bed every morning and kept the litter box pristine while showings were few and far between.  You're afraid the market is changing and you're noticing more and more listings on your street coming up for sale.  You've gotten frustrated enough to let your agent know you want to cancell and find someone who WILL sell your home..and he tells you he's got a hot and heavy buyer ready for action, but you'll have to sign another 3 month listing agreement in order for that buyer to act....What to do???Well, if that agent really has a buyer, he'll still have them when your home is listed with someone else, don't be fooled by that trick.  If your agent hasn't impressed you in 90 days, let him go an... 07/09/2007

When selling your home it can be quite a challenge to work around the pets.  First, be sure to find a Realtor who is comfortable with pets and understands it only takes a second for a cat or dog to run out a door or open gate.  The MLS listing should include the fact that there are pets in the home and that agents should follow certain steps when showing.If you plan to install a lock box, be sure to put a sign outside the front door "Caution Pets, Please close door quickly" and inside, "cats in room, please keep door closed."  I once sold a home where a large talking bird lived, we put a sign on his cage that said, "Caution:  bird bites, and says bad words."You know how your dogs react when a stranger comes over when you are home, but it's hard to predict how they will act when a strang... 07/08/2007

Yes, it's true, several lots in the Flying Triangle section of Rolling Hills, CA were put up for sale on Ebay.  The lots were in a section of previous land movement.  There was a very damaged home on one lot and the second lot up for bid was vacant land.   Rolling Hills will not allow any building inside the Flying Triangle.  They will allow maintenece on existing structures.The vacant lot was bid up quickly and it appears the buyer did not do his due dilligence in researching the property but probably got carried away thinking he was getting the deal of the century and a beautiful place to build his dream home.The Ebay sale closed, the bid was paid and the buyer found out the bad news.  You guessed it, there is an ongoing law suit.I'll keep you posted how that one turns out.The buyer o... 07/05/2007

It seems real estate market conditions are better than ever in Rolling Hills, CA. Average sale price per square foot is at an all time high of $846.  Properties are selling for about 95% of list price at an average time of 100 days which is about par with the rest of the surrounding market time.  Average list price is $4,815,000 with average sale price just below at $4,500,000.  There are currently 17 homes listed in Rolling Hills with only one sold in the month of May.  The Rolling Hills Real Estate Market continues to be a strong one. 07/04/2007

It's more complicated than you think:First, be sure you find out if the city or area you are moving to has a pet limit.  Many areas limit number of dogs to 3.  You wouldn't want to find your dream house and then be one over the limit.  Contact the city about fencing requirements and laws, be sure the code is in line with your pet's needs. Contact the city about licensing, how long will they give you to license your pet after you move and what paperwork will they need? Can you transfer your license from your last town?  While you're at it, ask about noise issues.A good Realtor should know the answers to the questions and should be able to lead you to areas that are more pet friendly than others.Look for a good vet, groomer, petsitter or kennel before you move.  It's a good idea to ask fo... 06/29/2007

That depends on who you ask and what area you are asking about!Our local area (Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills), the median sales price is 1% over the same time last year.  Other areas in California have decreased in values and we won't even talk about what's happening in other states.  The number of Real Estate transaction in the Palos Verdes area are down by about 14% from last year.Palos Verdes or "the hill" is a place that seems to hold it's value, even when things appear to be crumbling around it.  Why?  It's a small, exclusive community that is fairly isolated with great public and private schools, a low crime rate, gorgeous views and nice people.  Most real estate transactions in Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills are between current residents and current residents.  More people would li... 06/29/2007