Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

AA tradition is dying this year, when the Palos Verdes Marathon will be no more. This marathon is the second oldest in the United States and had been run for 45 straight years.

This year, a half-marathon and 5K run and walk set for May 19 will replace the 26.2-mile endurance test.

That will change the focus from an elite event for serious runners, including many attempting to post a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon - the nation's oldest - into a community-oriented fundraiser.

I will personally miss the excitement of the Marathon , as the marathon had finished at Palos Verdes High School for most of the years that it ran, and the finishers ran past my house with just 1 block left in the race.

For the entire article from the Daily Breeze, go to Daily Breeze report.

For information about this years race, go to http://palosverdeshalfmarathon.org/

The real estate market in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has been very active, with sales strong and inventory down through the end of the year. Sales decreased significantly in January, however, to 15 homes sold, about half of the number sold in the previous 2 months, but sales improved to 22 homes sold in February, an iincrease of 46% over February 2011.The level of inventory of homes for sale is down significantly with the average number of homes for sale over the last 3 months having decreased approx. 20% over the comparable period last year. The monthly average number of properties sold during the last three months compared to the similar period last year has gone up almost 10%. The average monthly number of homes in escrow during the last 3 months has increased 37% over the comparable period last year and is up at the end of February forecasting increased sales in March

Curnt vs. Prev Month Curnt vs. Same Month 1 Yr Ago Curnt vs. Same Qtr 1 Yr Ago Feb. 12 Jan. 12 % Change Feb. 12 Feb. 11 % Change Dec. 11 to Feb. 12 Dec. 10 to Feb. 11 % Change For Sale 96 103 -6.8% 96 131 -26.7% 98 122 -19.7% Sold 22 15 46.7% 22 15 46.7% 23 21 9.5% Pended 32 27 18.5% 32 17 88.2% 26 19 36.8%

The average price per sq. ft. for homes sold in Rancho Palos Verdes over the last 3 months is down approx.

5% over the comparable period last year.

Curnt vs. Prev Month Curnt vs. Same Month 1 Yr Ago Curnt vs. Same Qtr 1 Yr Ago Feb. 12 Jan. 12 % Change Feb. 12 Feb. 11 % Change Dec. 11 to Feb. 12 Dec. 10 to Feb. 11 % Change Avg. Sq. Ft. Price 412 427 -3.5% 412 486 -15.4% 418 442 -5.3% It has been taking an average of 3 to 4 months to sell a home in Rancho Palos Verdes. Properties are selling for approx. 91% of list price

Curnt vs. Prev Month Curnt vs. Same Month 1 Yr Ago Curnt vs. Same Qtr 1 Yr Ago Feb. 12 Jan. 12 % Change Feb. 12 Feb. 11 % Change Dec. 11 to Feb. 12 Dec. 10 to Feb. 11 % Change Days on Market 124 92 34.8% 124 94 31.9% 115 70 64.3% Sold/Orig LP Diff. % 93 93 0% 93 94 -1.1% 91 93 -2.2% The average list price of homes offered for sale has trended downwards the last two months but is approx. the same as the comparable 3 month period last year. The average price of homes sold, however, has been much lower than the average list price of homes, which means that the lower priced homes are moving faster. Curnt vs. Prev Month Curnt vs. Same Month 1 Yr Ago Curnt vs. Same Qtr 1 Yr Ago Feb. 12 Jan. 12 % Change Feb. 12 Feb. 11 % Change Dec. 11 to Feb. 12 Dec. 10 to Feb. 11 % Change Avg. Active Price 1688 1770 -4.6% 1688 1850 -8.8% 1815 1812 0.2% Avg. Sold Price 993 1146 -13.4% 993 1301 -23.7% 1214 1117 8.7% The number of months inventory, based upon the average monthly sales over the last 3 months ,has also decreased to approx. 4 months of inventory, historically very low Curnt vs. Prev Month Curnt vs. Same Month 1 Yr Ago Curnt vs. Same Qtr 1 Yr Ago Feb. 12 Jan. 12 % Change Feb. 12 Feb. 11 % Change Dec. 11 to Feb. 12 Dec. 10 to Feb. 11 % Change Months of Inventory (Closed Sales) 4.4 6.9 -36.5% 4.4 8.7 -50% 4.3 5.8 -26.7%

The following is a list of the 22 homes sold during the month of February 2012: Address Sales Price Bd Bth Sqft $/Sq Yr.Built ML# Sold Date Days on Market 4068 Miraleste DR $770,000 3 3.00 1,890 $407.41 1960 11570555 2/28/12 80 4 Stirrup RD $945,000 4 4.00 2,800 $337.50 1956 V11096543 2/22/12 199 2251 Daladier DR $1,110,000 4 4.00 3,125 $355.20 1972 V11159478 2/01/12 54 3134 Corinna DR $849,000 3 2.00 1,898 $447.31 1962 V11145625 2/03/12 81 1 W Pomegranate RD $560,000 2 2.00 1,958 $286.01 1953 V12002714 2/26/12 83 3508 Vigilance DR $865,000 4 3.00 2,406 $359.52 1964 V12009069 2/08/12 48 5521 S Palos Verdes DR$1,255,000 2 2.00 2,210 $567.87 1952 V11098478 2/27/12 207 24 Nuvola CT $1,825,000 5 5.00 4,244 $430.02 1998 V10047275 2/06/12 644 30855 Via La Cresta $1,400,000 5 3.00 3,309 $423.09 1968 V10110724 2/15/12 489 30055 Avenida Elegante$1,570,000 5 4.00 3,400 $461.76 1966 S11092425 2/14/12 169 6908 Alta Vista DR $1,935,000 5 5.00 5,384 $359.40 1986 S12002340 2/14/12 9 27907 Centuria $985,000 4 2.00 1,972 $499.49 1962 S11145706 2/01/12 79 5050 Golden Arrow DR $925,000 4 3.00 2,447 $378.01 1967 V12009754 2/29/12 23 5019 Rockvalley RD $1,080,000 4 3.00 2,784 $387.93 1966 V12002398 2/29/12 55 26519 Basswood $670,000 3 2.00 1,358 $493.37 1956 V11093000 2/01/12 98 26950 Springcreek RD $699,000 3 2.00 1,442 $484.74 1960 V12003384 2/21/12 10 26937 Basswood AV $793,500 4 2.00 1,659 $478.30 1958 S11146762 2/06/12 105 27102 Grayslake RD $829,000 3 2.00 1,395 $594.27 1959 V12005099 2/16/12 12 5357 Bayridge RD $979,000 4 2.00 1,628 $601.35 1956 V12003724 2/01/12 14 1940 Avenida Feliciano $530,000 4 3.00 2,182 $242.90 1961 P797725 2/01/12 92 28607 N Enrose AV $600,000 4 2.00 1,649 $363.86 1957 S11142732 2/09/12 68 2119 W Macarthur ST $685,000 4 2.00 1,962 $349.13 1957 S11142355 2/20/12 113 Average $993,614 4.0 2.80 2,414 $423 124 Combined with record low interest rates, now is an excellent time to consider buying a home. For a good article on the issues relating to the strengthening real estate market Real Estate Values.

The sellers I work with are smart and savvy. They know today's real estate market is challenging. They are adapting to the new rules of real estate with a shift in attitude, increased market knowledge and by playing their property's trump card with pride.

1) Shift your mindset. Pack your emotions away. You are now a seller and that requires a shift in attitude. You have a property to market and sell before you can move on with your life.

2) Know what buyers want, and give it to them. Today's buyers are picky and they want a good product at a fair price. Make sure your property meets or exceeds their expectations. Get serious about showcasing your product.

3) What's your property's wow factor? If it's the view then don't hide it with heavy drapes or shutters that block what you expect buyers to purchase. Accent it by orienting the furniture to showcase the view. Open the drapes and blinds to show it off. Lead the buyers toward your home's best features.

Maybe it's a wonderful outdoor living space, a spacious master bedroom or a breathtaking garden. Go ahead and be a bit of a show-off, and chances are you will soon be enjoying the pay-off.

Need some help? Contact Norma Toering & Team for more Savvy Seller Secrets.

The following is a reprint of an article published in the Easy Reader at PV Arts Center Celebrates 80 Years

The Palos Verdes Arts Center marked its 80th anniversary in February, dating itself in a community that has long supported an education in the arts.

The non-profit group has reached well over one million students in 32 years through Art at Your Fingertips, which brings creative projects to grade school classrooms. It also offers art classes for children and adults ages three to 93.

“It’s really an extraordinary program,” said Bob Yassin, PVAC executive director. “It works because of tremendous parent involvement. Rancho Palos Verdes is kind of unique in that we have so many committed parents, which is why it’s lasted so long.”

As school district budgets continue to erode arts programs, the need for non-profits like the PV Arts Center becomes even greater, said Yassin, who’s an art historian and worked in arts administration his entire career.

To celebrate its anniversary, the Arts Center announced a $25,000 gift from the office of Don Knabe, LA County supervisor, which put the group close to reaching its $5 million recent fundraising goal.

It also accepted a $2 million donation from Dr. Allen Alpy in memory of his wife Beverly to go toward the renovation of the non-profit’s building.

The Arts Center will remain at a temporary space at the Promenade on the Peninsula mall until workers finish remodeling the group’s existing building, expected to finish in October.

Crews had to push back the completion date three months because of unforeseen requirements to bring the building up to proper fire and safety codes, Yassin said. For 40 years, the group occupied the same building, which drastically needed repairs, he said.

“We hope to have a state of the art facility to make things we do easier and better,” Yassin said.

Some of the additions include a glass-blowing studio and a video production lab. Computers will replace dark rooms and projectors in the photo lab. And the patio and plaza will expand.

Allen Lay, who chairs the Arts Center’s board, said his involvement with the group began 25 years ago because he believed in arts education for young people.

“It provides all those basic fundamental skills children need,” Lay said. “It also exposes them to a whole new world –

that’s not normal in today’s modern society. Hopefully it gives them some ideas about how to express themselves outside the boxes we create through the education process. And in later years it hopefully can provide a foundation for some real enjoyment.” ER

More information about the Palos Verdes Art Center may be found on their web site at http://pvartcenter.org/

Eastview neighborhood real estate and home sales report for Rancho Palos Verdes, CA in January 2012.

Homes for sale: 6 Houses are for sale in Eastview priced from $547,700 to $749,900.

Pending sales: 11 Homes are in escrow priced from $497,000 to $729,000.

January sales: Three homes sold in Jan. 2012:

Homes for sale in Eastview, RPV currently.