Last night, plans for the development of Grandview Park in the Montemalaga neighborhood and Lower Hesse Park in Rancho Palos Verdes were discussed at the City Council Meeting for Rancho Palos Verdes. The evening was a great step forward in getting a dog park constructed on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Approx. 12 people spoke on the City's preliminary design of the parks at Grandview and Lower Hesse Park ( Note: Click on the link and when the plan is displayed, click on the picture to enlarge it ). Most of the speakers were immediate neighbors of the park concerned with traffic and noise. My husband Bruce and Ruth Shaffer spoke in favor of the dog parks. She emphasized the fact that dog parks are great for drawing people out of their homes and getting together as a community. This comment seemed to resonate with several of the council members. Bruce presented the council with copies of our petitions that included 814 signatures in favor of a dog park on the Peninsula, with 359 of the signatures being from residents of RPV. He also commented on the fact that the proposed dog parks seemed to be too small and not the optimal size as recommended by several sources which we had read on the Internet, which was 3 acres in size ( 2 acres for large dogs and 1 acre for small dogs).
After all of the public comments were over regarding Grandview and Lower Hesse Park, Mayor Larry Clark gave a presentation on how the other cities on the Peninsula are now actively working together to construct dog parks on the hill. He said that at a recent meeting of all of the mayors of the 4 Peninsula cities, that they were unanimous in their support for constructing one or more dog parks on the Peninsula. The RPV City Manager also commented that all of the city managers are also supportive of the idea. Mr. Clark then showed the large stack of dog park petitions Bruce had given him and he submitted them to the city clerk as evidence of the demand for a dog park on the Peninsula. Several of the council members mentioned the large number of emails that they have received over the last 18 months from our supporters.
Each of the other council members then commented, and they all seemed in support of a dog park on the hill, although a couple were firm that certain negative impacts of the dog park ( noise, traffic , etc. ) would need to be mitigated or addressed by staff for a dog park to be constructed at Grandview Park or Lower Hesse Park. They also directed staff to consider doing a survey of other locations within the city that may be appropriate for a dog park location.
One thing that all of the council members emphasized was that these two parks were city parks, meant for active recreational uses for all of the city residents, and were not just local parks meant for the immediate residents, and that although their concerns would be addressed and attempts to mitigate them made, that they all purchased their homes knowing that this was a city park in their immediate neighborhoods. They also stated that although several of the residents commented that they would like to see Grandview Park left in its natural state, that the city currently has over 1,500 acres of nature preserve and dedicated open space, and that this land was purchased years ago by the city for an active city park, and that it should be developed as such.
The city authorized $50,000 to be spent on hiring a designer who would flesh out the proposed design. They also plan to have future public workshops to discuss the proposed designs. The council members emphasized that this is a first step and that authorizing design work did not mean that the council was endorsing or approving the current design.
We are also continuing to work with the City of Rolling Hills Estates on the possiblity of constructing a dog park on the former Palos Verdes landfill site or at another suitable location within their city. At the RHE Parks and Activities meeting last night two potential locations within RHE for a dog park (which did not include a discussion of the former Palos Verdes landfill site ) were unfortunately voted down. The Palos Verdes landfill site was not discussed, however, and this site will hopefully be put on the agenda for the next committee meeting to discuss.
If you would like to support our efforts to get a dog park constructed on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, please email me at mmegowan@cox.net .
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Loan amouts from $417,000-$729,750..Program is GONE by the end of the year....
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I have some exciting news about the possibility of constructing a dog park on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
At the next regularly scheduled Rancho Palos Verdes City Council meeting next Tuesday night November 17th at 7:00 pm at Fred Hesse Community Park at 29301 Hawthorne Blvd , the city council will be reviewing a staff report on improvements proposed for both Grandview Park and Lower Hesse Park in Rancho Palos Verdes which would include a fenced dog park for both large and small dogs. ( see staff report at http://www.palosverdes.com/rpv/citycouncil/agendas/2009_Agendas/MeetingDate-2009-11-17/RPVCCA_SR_2009_11_17_12_Conceptual_Designs_Hesse_Grandview1.pdf ) . Mayor Larry Clark, in support of our previous presentations to the city council for a dog park on the Peninsula, has been instrumental in proposing a dog park at these two locations and has requested that as many dog park supporters as possible attend this meeting to show community support for the dog park component of these plans.
Your attendance at this meeting is very important and may be instrumental in getting a dog park constructed on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
I had previously sent out an email regarding a meeting of the Rolling Hills Estates Park and Activities committee also scheduled for next Tuesday night at 7:30 pm at which meeting proposed locations of a dog park in RHE would be discussed, and which I asked everyone to attend. Given the importance of the RPV City Council meeting discussed above, I would encourage you to attend the RPV City Council meeting instead. We will continue to encourage RHE to pursue a dog park within their city limits including our previously recommended location of the former Palos Verdes Landfill site.
Picture of my miniature Australian Shepherd "Pepper "
My husband and I also attended the City Council meeting of the City of Palos Verdes Estates last week, and although the council members have indicated that they do not see a viable location for a dog park within their city limits, that they would consider adding this issue as an agenda item in a future meeting of the city council to discuss what they can do to support the construction of a dog park elsewhere on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
We are starting to make some real progress on getting a dog park on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and hope that you will show your support for this by attending next Tuesday nights RPV city council meeting.
The original master plan envisioned three major business centers in Malaga Cove, Valmonte, and Lunada Bay, with minor business centers in Margate, Miraleste, and Montemalaga. The Lunada Bay Plaza area was originally going to be constructed at Via Mirola and was to be a grand plaza with several large buildings, but was ultimately constructed on a scaled down basis a bit north at Yarmouth Road.
1920's advertisement for Lunada Bay (Picture Courtesy of Palos Verdes Peninsula Library District). Thisd was the original plan for the Lunada Bay Plaza to be built on Via Mirola.
The only business centers originally planned for the Palos Verdes Project which were constructed were at Malaga Cove, Lunada Bay, and Miraleste.
Original plans for Valmonte Plaza (Picture Courtesy of Palos Verdes Peninsula Library District)
In addition to the early planned districts of Valmonte, Malaga Cove, Margate, Lunada Bay and Miraleste, located in the current City of Palos Verdes Estates,there were several other planned districts, now part of Rancho Palos Verdes, called "Telarana" (near the Point Vicente lighthouse), "Taravel" (near Long Point), "Cabrillo" (near Portuguese Bend) and "Altamira" (near the Peninsula Center shopping center).
For additional information aboutr the history of Palos Verdes, go to HISTORY OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES
MAINTAINING YOUR EXISTING PROPERTY TAX BASIS IF YOU ARE 55 OR OLDER AND SELL YOUR PROPERTY
Proposition 60, passed in 1986, and modified by Proposition 90, passed in 1988, allows "qualified" individuals over the age of 55 to transfer the base year assessed valuation from a former residence ("original property") to a replacement residence, of equal or lesser value and that meet other certain conditions. Link: http://www.smcare.org/library/pdfs/Broch-Props_60-90-110_v_BG-PK.pdf which discusses this issue in detail. Effective January 1, 2007, claims must no longer be filed within 3 years, however if the claim is filed after 3 years, relief will be granted beginning with the calendar year in which the claim was filed. In addition, any upgrades paid by the buyer outside of escrow and not reflected in the sales price must now be reported on the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report so as to be included in the determination of the "equal or lesser value" test.
HOMEOWNER'S EXEMPTION ON PROPERTY TAXES
If you own a home and occupy it as your principal place of residence on January 1, you may apply for an exemption of $7000 off of your assessed value. This will save you over $70 a year on your property taxes. All you need to do is file a simple one page form with the county tax assessors office. For information click on this link at the L.A. county assessors office: http://www.lacountyassessor.com/extranet/guides/exemptions.aspx . For a copy of the form to be filed you must call the L.A. County Tax Assessors office at (213) 974-3211 and request that a form be mailed to you. The form is not available on the internet. If you do not know if you have a homeowners exemption on file, go to the assessormap link in the first paragraph above, and review the property tax information for your property.
PARENT TO CHILD TRANSFER EXEMPTION
Under Propositions 98 and 193, property transferred between parents and children (Proposition 58, effective 1986) and from grandparents to grandchildren (Proposition 193, effective 1996) is not reassessed for property tax purposes. In order to take advantage of this, however, a claim must be filed with the county tax assessors office. The exemption to reassessment is 100% of the assessed value for the parents/grandparents principal residence plus the first $1,000,000 of assessed value for other property transferred. This is, of course, only for California property.See http://www.lacountyassessor.com/extranet/guides/prop58.aspx for additional information on filing this claim. For estate planning purposes, it is important to understand the details of this exemption. For instance, a family home left to several children as tenants-in-common would be eligible, however if some of the children sell their interest to the other child, the property would be reassessed for this interest sold. The exemption is only for parent to child, not child to child. Therefore, it would be advantageous to leave a family home, with a low property tax basis, to one child, and to leave other assets of comparable value to the other children.
DISABLED VETERANS EXCLUSION
If you are a California veteran who is rated 100% disabled, blind, or a paraplegic due to a service-connected disability (or if you are the unmarried widow of such a veteran), you may be eligible for an exemption of up to $150,000 off of the assessed value of your home.
BUILDERS EXCLUSION
Certain new construction may be excluded from supplemental assessment. The property must be for sale and the builder must file the necessary claim form with the Assessor's Office prior to or within 30 days from the start of construction. If the form is not filed, a supplemental assessment is sent to the builder upon completion of construction.
SEVERELY AND PERMANENTLY DISABLED EXCLUSION
A severely and permanently disabled person, who buys a new home, may be able to have his/her old assessed value transferred to the new home. You must file a claim.
DISASTER RELIEF
If a major calamity, such as fire or flooding, damages or destroys your property, you may be eligible for property tax relief. In such cases, the Assessor's Office will reappraise the property to reflect its damaged condition. In addition, when you rebuild it in a like or similar manner, the property will regain its pre-damage valuation basis for tax purposes. To qualify for property tax relief, you must file a Misfortune or Calamity Claim with the Assessor's Office within 12 months* from the date the property was damaged or destroyed. In addition, the loss must exceed $10,000* of current market value.
For more information on Property Taxes for the South Bay of Los Angeles, visit my website at Property Taxes
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Providing real estate services for the Palos Verdes Peninsula and the South Bay of Los Angeles. I work tirelessly to help buyers and sellers of real estate meet their goals. Let me help you!
I am among the top producing agents in Remax Palos Verdes Realty, and a member of the Remax 100% club. I really listen to my clients and strive to get to know them and their families; to learn what their goals are and what is most important to them. I have four specialist certifications; Certified Palos Verdes Specialist , Seniors Real Estate Specialist, Certified Distressed Property Expert, and e-pro certification as an internet specialist. The Certified Palos Verdes Specialist designation assures you that I have the specialized knowledge of the Palos Verdes Peninsula to ensure that yo purchase the perfect home. The Seniors Real Etate Specialist designation indicates that I have extensive knowledge of the specialized needs of our Senior Citizens in helping them meet their financial goals. The Certified Distressed Property Expert designation demonstrates that I have the specialized knowledge to advise homeowners on how best to deal with home loan delinquency issues, foreclosures, and short sales. The e-pro certification issued by the National Association of Realtors is specifically desinged to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a home. I also have a bachelors degree from Calkifornia State University - Chico, as well as an advanced degree in fashion design from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. My eye for design is especially useful in helping a seller stage their home for maximum sales appeal. I have lived in Palos Verdes Estates for 24 years, and have raised 3 boys here, and have been actively involved in community organizations. My clients know that no one would work harder for them in either helping them locate their perfect home, or in helping them sell their home. I am totally dedicated to providing the best service available, and a lot of that comes from good communication. I treat my clients as I do my friends, and many of them have become good friends. My website http://www.maureenmegowan.com has been designed to provide someone new to our area all of the information that they would need to make an informed decision about buying a home in our wondeerful community. That is why I work with many relocation clients. Here are some excerpts of testimonials I have received from my clients; "Our experience with Maureen was more than just exceptional" "Maureen did a fantastic job marketing our property" "Maureen is really an exceptional agent. She gives 110% for her clients. She is dedicated, honest, patient, smart, and makes her clients feel like family. Even your mother wouldn't give you this much attention if she was your real estate agent . No one will ever give you the service that Maureen will" "I highly recommend Maureen to anyone searching for real estate, especially if you are new to the area. . . She is an excellent Realtor and has become a great friend!" Why do People Move to the Palos Verdes Peninsula ? I have had numerous clients that were considering job transfers to the Los Angeles area, and after considering many different possible locations in the Los Angeles area decided to buy a home on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The following are the key reasons in their decisions: 1. Quality of Local School System :The Palos Verdes Unified School System is one of the best in the State, and our schools consistently rank among the top in standardized test scores. These can be verified at the following link on my seb site : PV School Info . People recognize the value of having strong local public schools and the cost savings that can be achieved when they don't have to send their kids to private schools. 2. Rural Atmosphere : The foresight of the city planners of the 4 cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula to insure the preservation of open space has made the Palos Verdes Peninsula an island of tranquility in the urban jungle that is Los Angeles County. In additon, the maintenance of equestrian oiented trails and rights of way have preserved this rural way of life for all of us. 3. Larger Lot Sizes and Set back Requirements: Compared to most of the local beach communities, our city governments on the hill have maintained building standards to limit the "mansionation" of homes here. Most of our cities have limitations on the size of the foundation of a home as well as strict neighborhood compatability regulations to make sure that new homes do not sit on top of each other and give all of us breathing room. 4. Our Beautiful Views and Proximity to the Ocean: We are so fortunate to enjoy the spectacular views along our coastline, as well as the magnificent city views that we also have. People who are looking to relocate here are absolutely blown away by the beauty and spectacular views that many of the homes here have. Even if you do not have a view from your home, we all enjoy the spectacular setting that we live in just when we are driving around the Peninsula. I have lived here for 24 years, and have never taken the beauty of this area for granted. 5. The Weather: Because of the moderating influence of the ocean, our weather varies very little from month to month compared to most areas of the Los Angeles basin. The cool ocean breezes cool us during the summer, and the ocean also tends to moderate cold temperatures in the winter. I live in Lunada Bay and I don't think that our high tempertures vary by more than about 10 degrees for most of the year. Most of the older homes on the Peninsula that are near the ocean do not even have air conditioning. 6. Our Sense of Community: My husband and I have raised 3 boys in the Lunada Bay area of Palos Verdes Estates, and we have made so many friends over the years through other parents participation with their children in their school programs and sports programs. Our boys played for many years in the baseball leagues, basketball leagues, and soccer programs on the Hill, and we have found most of the people that we have met to be friendly and non-pretentious. We have had some relocation clients comment to us that in the well off areas that they are moving from that people tend to treat their homes as status symbols, but I believe that most of the residents on the Hill see their houses as truly their homes. Please call me at 310-259-7124 if you would like help in finding the perfect home on the Palos Verdes Peninsula or in one of the other beautiful South Bay beach communities. Home Listings: Detailed Street Map - Click Here for a detailed street map of Palos Verdes Estates which was created and donated to the city by Susan Tsutsumi, a professional cartographer and long time resident. Palos Verdes Estates Real Estate 
To review my listings, Click Here
To search MLS Home Listings for the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Click Here.
Real Estate Market Information:
For the latest Real Estate Market Report for Palos Verdes Click Here
City Description
Palos Verdes Estates is one of the most beautiful cities in the world to live. The Palos Verdes Peninsula is also one of the wealthiest communities in the country, as described in the Los Angeles Business Journal.. Palos Verdes Estates has an extremely interesting history and it is one of the best examples of city planning and controlled growth of any small to medium sized city in the United States. Palos Verdes has only a limited number of entrances to the city, and many of the streets end at the city limits.Over 25% of the city's 4.75 square miles is zoned as permanent park land and is maintained in its natural state. Much of this parkland is scattered throughout the city and provide natural areas between different clusters of homes. Although there are some areas of the city with horse trails, none of the homes are zoned to maintain horses, and horses must be stabled at the Palos Verdes Stables or other privately owned stables in the area.
The following is a map of the Palos Verdes Peninsula divided up into neighborhoods as grouped in the Multiple Listing Service ("MLS"):
The City has several distinct areas, each having their own unique characteristics. These include:
Valmonte: (Area 164 in pink in above map) A neighborhood on the eastern edge of the city (turn left when entering the city from Redondo Beach at the "Y"). This area is characterized by the lush canopy of eucalyptus trees, and the Palos Verdes Golf Club and Tennis Club which is in the center of the Valmonte area. 
Entrance to Palos Verdes Estates on Palos Verdes Drive Via Anita in Valmonte ('The Grove")
This area also is where the riding stable is located. Palos Verdes Drive is the main street running through the middle of this area, with a riding trail in the wide median strip. Valmonte has several home styles including old Spanish, Traditional, English Tudor, French Normandy, and Ranch.
Satellite View of the Valmonte Area (Malaga Cove to left), with Palos Verdes Country Club
Malaga Cove View towards Valmonte Valmonte and Palos Verdes Golf Course Malaga Cove Homes
Malaga Cove: (Area 163 in pink in above map) This area is home to Palos Verdes City Hall, the Police and Fire Station, La Venta Inn and the Malaga Cove Plaza, the first commercial plaza built in Palos Verdes Estates. Malaga Cove Plaza is home to the Malaga Cove Ranch Market, a post office, the Rive Gauche restaurant, a small sandwich shop, and several realty offices. It is the first impression that most people get of the city. It's beautiful Arched Buildings, and The King Neptune Fountain in the center of the plaza give the residents and visitors alike a sense of the quiet beauty of the city.. The Malaga Cove Branch Library, behind the plaza, has art shows, and special events, as well as summer "Picnics in the Park" on Wednesday evenings accompanied by musical performances. 
View from Malaga Cove Malaga Cove Hillside Homes Malaga Cove Homes
The Malaga Cove School (the first school constructed in Palos Verdes), the Neighborhood Church (originally Haggerty's Mansion) and the Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club are also located in Lower Malaga Cove adjacent to the ocean. This area has a mix of homes, but are primarily old Spanish with red tile roofs, and a mix of other architectural styles. Some older condominiums are also located near Malaga Cove Plaza. The homes in this area often have spectacular ocean views, as many of the homes are terraced up the hillsides.The area of Malaga Cove above Palos Verdes Drive is referred to as both Upper Malaga Cove as well as Montemar.This area is home to the La Venta Inn, which is a beautiful facility available for weddings and other events.
A Wedding at the La Venta Inn La Venta Inn
Lunada Bay: (Area 160 in pink in above map) This area is often referred to as two areas; Lower Lunada Bay and Upper Lunada Bay (Margate). Lower Lunada Bay is south of Malaga Cove, and is generally flat; the terrain gently slopes down to the cliffs. Paseo del Mar and Rocky Point are streets that run adjacent to the cliffs, and residents spend time daily strolling or running along the ocean. Several large parkland areas are on the cliffs affording spectacular views of Catalina Island and Lunada Bay. Lunada Bay is a favorite surfing spot, with an excellent point break. Lunada Bay Plaza and it's Italian Fountain is the center of the neighborhood, where locals meet for coffee and scones or lunch at the corner cafe. Lunada Bay Plaza also has several events during the year including the Halloween Harvest Festival, and a summer concert series in the Lunada Bay Park.Three schools (Palos Verdes High, Palos Verdes Intermediate, and Lunada Bay Elementary) are conveniently located for students to walk or ride bikes, or take the PV Transit (picks up at school) for a fee. Homes in Upper Lunada Bay are terraced up the hills, and many offer spectacular views. Homes in Lunada Bay have a mix of architectural styles including ranch, spanish, mediterranean, traditional. and craftsman. There are also several condominium developments near Lunada Bay Plaza.
Lunada Bay (photo by Sean Hiller / Daily Breeze) Via Pacheco in Lower Lunada Bay Lunada Bay Fountain
Lunada Bay Park Summer Concert Lunada Bay Lunada Bay Harvest Festival
Montemalaga: (Area 162 in pink in above map) This area is at the upper area of the hillsides of Palos Verdes Estates, and has some of the newer homes in the city. Homes in this area are predominantly Mediterranean in style with tile roofs. Many view lots in this area enjoy the "queen's necklace" view of the South Bay Beaches and Santa Monica Bay. Montemalaga Elementary School is located at the top of the Montemalaga area. There are no townhomes or condominiums in this neighborhood.
Montemalaga Street Montemalaga Hillside Homes
Schools: Within the city boundaries are Palos Verdes High School, and Palos Verdes Intermediate School, and several local elementary schools, all part of the Palos Verdes Unified School System. There is an additional high school located in Rolling Hills Estates, Peninsula High, and both high schools are California Distinquished Schools, with open enrollment to students on the Peninsula (they do not have enrollment boundaries). Palos Verdes HIgh has a unique class scheduling structure, called block scheduling, where students attend three extended periods each day, alternating with their other three classes each day. Peninsula High has a more traditional structure of the same periods for all classes each day. Palos Verdes Unified School District has some of the highest test scores in the state. For local school test scores, Click Here. For attendance boundaries for elementary and intermediate schoos, Click Here. There are also a number of excellent private schools on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Culture: Most of the cultural activities for the city are located in Rolling Hills Estates, adjacent to Palos Verdes Estates. These include the Norris Center for the Performing Arts, the Palos Verdes Art Center, the Peninsula Symphony, and the PV Players. For further information on Arts and Culture on the Peninsula, Click Here.
Sports, Parks and Recreation:
Youth Sports Leagues: There are two baseball little leagues in the city boundaries; Palos Verdes Little League, with fields in Valmonte and Malaga Cove, and the Lunada Bay Little League, with fields in Lower Lunada Bay. AYSO Soccer leagues are active throughout the City. Girls softball is generally played on fields in other adjacent Peninsula cities. There are also youth basketball leagues, and lacrosse leagues for intermediate schools. Most youth sports are played at school facilities and fields.
Swimming: Palos Verdes Estates residents can enjoy the facilities of the beautiful Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club by either becoming a member (although the wait list is over 9 years), or paying a daily fee per person. 
Palos Verdes Beach & Athletic Club
Golf: Golf Facilities are available at Palos Verdes Country Club, and Los Verdes Country Club and Trump National Golf Club in adjacent Rancho Palos Verdes. Residents of Palos Verdes Estates enjoy significant discounts to play golf at Palos Verdes Golf Club ( less than half the general public rate, and only $10 for junior golfers). The Golf Club is closed to the General Public on weekends, however residents of Palos Verdes Estates may play there after 2:00 pm. Los Verdes is a public golf course run by the County of Los Angeles. 
Palos Verdes Country Club
Parks: There are no large park facilites in the City of Palos Verdes Estates, however there are several public bluff top areas preserved for public access with spectacular views, and several small neighborhood parks. There are some small neighborhood parks, including the park at the entrance to Lunada Bay Plaza. There are also numerous other large parks in the adjacent cities of Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills Estates. 
Lunada Bay Park
Equestrian and Tennis: Equestrian facilities are located in the City ( Palos Verdes Stables at 4057 Via Opata, Palos Verdes Estates ? 310-378-3527), and Tennis may be played at the Palos Verdes Tennis Club, adjacent to the golf club, or at one of the excellent courts at Palos Verdes High. Tennis League play is available through the South Bay Marine League, which has teams at most of the private tennis clubs in the area as well as Ernie Howlett Park in Rolling Hills Estates
For additional information on sports, parks and recreation opportunities on the Peninsula, Click Here.
Architectural Standards: Any proposed construction of a new home or changes to the exterior of a home in Palos Verdes Estates is subject to the approval of the Art Jury, run by the Palos Verdes Homes Association. The Palos Verdes Homes Association was the original governing body of Palos Verdes Estates before incorporation of the city in 1930, and still has significant responsibilities in running the Art Jury review of plans for construction . All homes in the City are subject to recorded deed restrictions giving the Art Jury approval over all architectural design issues of a new home or addition. These standards have been instrumental in maintaining the architectural integrity of the original planners of the Palos Verdes Project. For additional information on the Palos Verdes Art Jury, Click Here.
Taxes
Property Taxes: The property tax rate for the fiscal year 2008-2009 is 1.053393% (computed by the standard 1.0% of the property's assessed valuation (in accordance with Proposition 13, a property's assessed valuation is the original purchase price, plus the cost of improvements, based on the value of permits pulled, plus an increase in valuation of 2% per year) plus additional tax rates for voted bonded indebtedness) plus direct assessments of approx. $1,500-$1,600 per parcel for such items as school parcel taxes, fire suppression fee, emergency services tax, and a water tax.
Taxes are assessed for the fiscal year running from July 1st through June 30th, with property tax bills payable in two installments on December 10th and April 10th. If a property changes ownership during the year, a supplemental tax bill will be prepared prorating the tax increase due to a change in valuation over the remainder of the fiscal year. If a change in ownership occurs between January 1 and May 31 this will result in two supplemental assessments and two supplemental tax bills. The first supplemental bill is for the remainder of the fiscal year in which the event occurred. The second supplemental bill is for the subsequent fiscal year.
Utility Tax: The City no longer charges a utility user tax.
Property Transfer Tax: The County of Los Angeles levies a transfer tax upon the sale of a property of $1.10 per thousand dollars of the sale price.
Retail Shopping
There are two commercial shopping plazas within the city limits of Palos Verdes Estates:
Malaga Cove Plaza: This was the first shopping Plaza completed within Palos Verdes Estates, as part of the original Palos Verdes Project. The Plaza includes King Neptunes fountain, including a statue of King Neptune ( See the History of Palos Verdes Estates ). The Plaza includes the Malaga Cove Market (which has delicious sandwiches and deli items), a Bank of America branch and ATM, several real estate offices (including my offices at Remax Palos Verdes Realty, a cafe, and the Rive Gauche restaurant (adjacent to the Plaza behind City Hall).
Malaga Cove Plaza
Lunada Bay Plaza: Lunada Bay Plaza includes a market, a bakery, two barber shops, hair salons, liquor stores, an art gallery, three excellent restaurants (Japanese, Italian, and Mexican), a Pizza & Deli, a hardware store, video store, banking & small offices, a travel store, a bridal shop and a ladies clothing store round out the center. 
St. Honore Bakery in Lunada Bay Plaza
Two shopping centers are at the top of the "hill", off of Hawthorne Blvd. and Silver Spur Road, The Peninsula Center, which has a Vons Supermarket, drug store, and many other local services and stores, and Promenade of the Peninsula Regional Mall are located in Rolling Hills Estates. Also located in nearby Rancho Palos Verdes, at the corner of Palos Verdes Drive West and Hawthorne Blvd. is the Golden Cove Shopping Center. Several good restaurants are located here including the Admiral Risty.
Police and Fire Protection:and other Civic Services
Palos Verdes Estates is the only city on the Palos Verdes Peninsula with its own police force. The other Peninsula cities contract with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. Fire and Paramedic services for Palos Verdes Estates are contracted with Los Angeles County. There is a web site at http://www.pveca.us/ which provides Palos Verdes Estates residents with a communications tool that will allow for the exchange of ideas, promote and/or recommend improvements in City services
For detailed information on the other cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and the South Bay beach communities, click on the following links:
Rancho Palos Verdes Real Estate
Rolling Hills Real Estate
Rolling Hills Estates Real Estate
Manhattan Beach Real Estate
Hermosa Beach Real Estate
Redondo Beach Real Estate
El Segundo Real Estate
Torrance Real Estate
Lomita Real Estate
San Pedro Real Estate
I work extensively with relocation clients who are looking to relocate to the area. My website, http://www.maureenmegowan.com has been designed to provide all the information a prospective buyer of real estate would want to know when relocating their home from another part of the country, and they are not familiar with the area. My award winning website has far more information than any other realtor in the South Bay of Los Angeles. Because of this, it is also highly rated with the internet search engines, which also provides me with an excellent tool for helping my clients sell and market their home. I work in all price ranges of real estate, from condos and townhomes, to luxury estates.
The Certified Distressed Property Expert designation demonstrates that I have the specialized knowledge to advise homeowners on how best to deal with home loan delinquency issues, foreclosures, and short sales.
The Certified Palos Verdes Specialist designation assures you that I have the specialized knowledge of the Palos Verdes Peninsula to ensure that yo purchase the perfect home.
The Seniors Real Etate Specialist designation indicates that I have extensive knowledge of the specialized needs of our Senior Citizens in helping them meet their financial goals.
Following are some of the testimonials that I have received from my clients:
GORDON AND LIONI McDONALD:
We started our search for a home in Los Angeles, while we were living in Connecticut and by sheer chance, found Maureen through her website. We can still not believe our luck in finding such a wonderful and knowledgeable Real Estate Agent! Maureen knows Palos Verdes and the South Bay like the palm of her hand. She is very professional, yet very personable and also has the ability to size up her clients and show them what they are looking for. She helped us to find our lovely home in Rancho Palos Verdes in just one day! The seller of our home received multiple offers at the time, and Maureen's excellent negotiation skills gave us the competitive edge to ensure that the seller accepted our offer. We did some remodeling to our home and Maureen recommended some contractors, who all did an excellent job. Maureen is a gem of a Real Estate Agent and we can not recommend her highly enough!
SARAH CUNNINGHAM:
We located Maureen through the internet before we moved to California and found the website, her emails, phone calls, and listings so helpful. She helped our transition moving across country and eased my fears about finding the perfect house as quickly as possible. From the first day we met, Maureen was so hospitable and really went the extra mile to show us every property and community possible in our price range. What really stands out about Maureen is how she really took us under her wing, paid so much attention to us, really made us feel comfortable and like we had a great friend in state so far away from our friends and family.
Throughout the whole process, Maureen was diligent, thorough, and really helped us through the process of finding the right home - through all of the ups and downs. Overall, she made the transition so easy and helped us settle into the perfect home.
Maureen was always there to answer our questions, push for more repairs and ensure that everything was done right and running smoothly. She has kept in contact with us since we have moved in and has been wonderful with checking in, referring stores and contractors to help us create the perfect home.
I highly recommend Maureen to anyone searching for real estate, especially if you are new to the area and really want someone who knows what is out there. She is an excellent Realtor and has become a great friend.
Many thanks,
Sarah Cunningham
JIM YORK:
Maureen did an excellent job in marketing our property near the Long Point Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes. It was a single family detached house but the property had some complexities to it, including an existing lease tenant as well as a homeowners association.
Prior to placing the property on the market, Maureen went far above the normal responsibilities of a listing broker, by determining what repairs or enhancements needed to be made to make the property as marketable as possible, and then working with numerous contractors to complete the repairs, all while working with the existing tenant and keeping them happy during the process.
Maureen performed a comparative market analysis, and due to the strength of the market Maureen recommended that we establish an asking price slightly below what we believed to be the propertys market price in order to solicit multiple offers on the property. This strategy resulted in a sales price approx. $100,000 over the original asking price. Maureen prepared a comparative presentation of the competing offers that analyzed not only the creditworthiness of the proposed buyers, but also the probability of the buyers actually closing the escrow. .During the marketing process, Maureen prepared effective marketing materials, including flyers and advertisements, and held several open houses. Maureen seemed to be very effective in interacting with both potential buyers as well as their cooperating brokers.
During escrow, Maureen was extremely organized and made the escrow process flow smoothly. She was very effective in working with the buyers lender, as well as in obtaining termite reports (and completing subsequent remedial work required), etc.
I would be very happy to work with Maureen again, and would highly recommend her services!
Sincerely,
Jim York,,York Long Point Associates
DEBBIE R.:
Discovering your website was a gold mine. Maureen, you are an incredibly fun business woman who has it all in one finely tuned package of professionalism wrapped with hard work and the ribbon of commitment. That ribbon keeps it all together. Your commitment to your clients and your vow of ethics are of the highest standard. Maureen. that is what counts and sets you apart.
JESSY:
I don't usually recommend a person/service unless it is spectacular and this woman certainly is. Her name is Maureen Megowan, she's based out of Palos Verdes, but also covers the west side. As a newly single mom, it's been a daunting task shopping for our new home. She spent the day showing me around and was so very informative and thorough.
She can find you either a property to purchase or to rent if needed.
CAROLINA BROWN:
Its funny how great things can happen by accident. I really got to know Maureen when she was representing the buyer for the property next door to my home, and we started to chat when she was at the property.
Maureen is really an exceptional agent. I have never met anyone like her. She gives 110% to all her clients. She is dedicated, honest, patient, smart, and makes her clients feel like family. Im telling you, even your own mother would not give you this much attention if she was your real estate agent, and although that sounds like a joke, it isn't! No one will ever give you the service Maureen will.
Maureen did a fabulous job by representing my husband and I in buying our first investment property in Rolling Hills Estates. I don't think we would have ended up with property if Maureen had not been so together and quick to act. During the transaction she helped us figure out financing, helped us to establish a fair rental value, and maintained her poise and cool when it got a little scary at the end. We got a great tenant within a couple of weeks after closing and we could not be happier or more satisfied with our purchase.
I have highly recommended Maureen to my friends, family, and even acquaintances, and I love the highly profuse thanks I get when they meet her and realize what a wonderful agent and person she is. Maureen definitely has all my business for life!
Carolina Brown
NORMA LOW:
Maureen did an excellent job of selling my home. A neighbor of mine had recommended Maureen to me after my property had been on the market for several months with absolutely no offers at all. I had become extremely frustrated by the fact of attention that my prior real estate agent was giving my listing, and I contacted Maureen to see if she could help. Once I had given the listing to her, Maureen jumped in with both feet, preparing excellent marketing materials such as flyers and advertisements in the local newspapers. She also immediately scheduled both broker and public open houses, and within a short period of time had attracted significant interest from a number of agents until we received a satisfactory offer after a relatively short period of time, especially considering how long our other agent had been marketing our home. During this entire time, Maureen was extremely responsive to me and I was impressed by her dedication to get my home sold so that my husband and I could move to Florida.
During the escrow period, Maureen continued to keep me informed as to the progress of the closing, and worked diligently to get the deal closed. Maureen was a godsend! I highly recommend Maureen for anyone considering selling their home!!
Norma Low
LIZ F.
When I began my initial search for a real estate agent I began that search on the internet.
The attention to detail in Maureen's website instilled a great deal of confidence in me and I knew immediately that I wanted to work with her. The design, navigation, overall information and historical retrospective on her website went far beyond anything else I had encountered in my search. Upon meeting Maureen I found her to be a true reflection of how she represented herself on-line. Highly professional and energetic, with thoughtful ideas and resources.
With a new baby on the way, my husband and I were looking to buy a new home very quickly. Maureen fully dedicated herself to us and made the entire process stress free. Her personal care and attention has extended far beyond the purchase of our new home in Palos Verdes Estates. She has since continued to support us in making sure we're comfortable and settled in our new neighborhood. We dearly love our new home truly are truly grateful for her hard work. I highly recommend Maureen Megowan for the sale or purchase of your new home.
Liz F.
ROZ MATTSON:
Maureen got the job done -- and in record time! Maureen Megowan handled the sale of our property and we could not be happier. We followed her advice and did some painting, staged the property, and agreed on an attractive sell price to move the property. Maureen created attractive brochures, put pictures and a description of the property on her website and advertised the open house in local papers. She held a brokers open house and a Saturday & Sunday public open house and received several offers. Throughout the process, Maureen kept in contact with us and let us know what was happening at every step along the way. Once an offer was accepted, she was efficient at managing all the paperwork and was very diligent about making sure everything was done properly. The thirty day escrow went by swiftly and without problems thanks to the efficiency of everyone involved. Even though selling property and, in this case, settling an estate is a stressful event, Maureen handled everything to minimize our stress and had everything resolved quicker than we ever imagined possible. A huge thank you to Maureen Megowan. Respectfully, Roz Mattson
JEANIE K. :
A friend of mine recommended Maureen when I told her that I was interested in buying a home. Being a first time buyer, searching for the perfect home can be a nerve-racking process. But she exudes confidence that will put your mind at ease.
We found a condo in Torrance. It was exactly what we were looking for. We never thought that we would be able to afford a home. Maureens contacts have made it possible for us to buy our home with no money down. She walked me through the whole process. Maureen goes above and beyond what a normal real estate agents duties are. She can scope out repairs that need to be done and request them done, works with contractors to complete repairs and will oversee until repairs have been done properly.
Maureen offered a comprehensive analysis, which helped me determine a price to place an offer on our condo. I cant tell you how helpful that was, especially in todays market.
What more could you ask for in a real estate agent? Out side of Maureens bubbly personality and extensive experience and knowledge of color and design, you could not ask for more. There are many real estate agents out in the market today. But only a few know what questions to ask. She knows how to get results.
There is no doubt in my mind. I would recommend Maureen to anyone looking to buy a home.
Sincerely,
Jeanie K.
PETER AND VICKI KNEPPER:
We hired Maureen to sell a condo we had purchased as an investment in Rancho Palos Verdes, and she did an excellent job for us.
Maureen initially reviewed the market and we established an asking price which we expected would generate interest and activity while still being comparable to other recent sales. She then coordinated a modest refurbishment of the unit, including faux finish wallpaper in the bathrooms and kitchen, painting, and re- carpeting at a cost that was very reasonable.
Maureen then did a fantastic job marketing the property, including advertisements, flyers, and open houses, which generated a large amount of broker interest. Maureen has a great personality and dealt with the brokers and potential buyers extremely well. We ended up selling the property for $39,000 over the asking price within one week!
We highly recommend Maureen's services!
Peter and Vicki Knepper
KATIE T. :
My husband and I were an unusual case for Maureen, since we flip-flopped for more than a year on what kind of house we wanted and what our price range was! She was extremely patient and always helpful, adjusting our searches as needed. Im sure we would have exasperated most agents, but she was fantastic and always willing to work with us in whatever direction we were leaning.
As our needs and financial abilities became more clear, she was helpful in recommending neighborhoods that "fit" us. She knew us so well by that point that she knew where we would best fit; based on the character of the areas we were considering. When it came time to make an offer, she met with us early on the day after Thanksgiving; coffee and pastries in hand. She was always available for questions or discussions, and that was really appreciated because deals and offers don't always adhere to a typical schedule.
We found her presentations to the sellers agent to be very professional and appealing, so nice that even he, a very experienced agent, was impressed and commented on them. Maureen worked very hard for us, and she was never less than enthusiastic to do anything we asked of her. I would definitely recommend Maureen to anyone looking to buy or sell a home!
Sincerely,
Katie T.
FRED DONNELLY:
Maureen marketed our home in an effective and professional manner, and did an excellent job for us. My wife and I were 25 year owners and after my wife passed away I found it difficult to make decisions regarding our property. However, I felt it was at last the right time to sell.
Maureen surveyed the market and established an asking price that was aggressive but yet reflected the realities of a very strong overall real estate market. Even though the market was strong, however, several similar homes in our development had taken quite a while to sell.
Maureen evaluated our home and recommended that we "stage" our home for sale by rearranging some of the furniture, purchasing a small amount of additional furniture, pictures and accent pieces, and coordinating necessary painting and repairs. She handled all of the decorating and the work was completed in a weeks time. The property showed like a model home!
Maureen's strategy paid off spectacularly, as we sold our home in 5 days at a sales price significantly over our asking price. My wife would have been so proud to see the results. It made selling the home so much easier for our family.
I would certainly recommend Maureen to anyone looking to sell their home!
Fred Donnelly
LYNN BARTHOLOMEW:
Without Maureen on my side, I never would have bought my first condo. The first day she took me out to look at places in my price range, I fell in love with a great condo that came with a lot of hassles. Since it was the very first property we looked at and this was my first home buying experience, Maureen went out of her way to make sure that I was fully aware of what was out on the market. So for the next week, Maureen drove out of her way to Orange County to show me other properties that I might be interested in.
Of course, I stuck with my gut and went for the first condo. Maureen was so helpful and has such a keen eye about what needs to be done in order for the deal to be fair. She went out of her way to make sure that I was getting a good deal for my first home and I couldn't be happier. I have every confidence in Maureen for all of my future real estate and design needs.
Lynn Bartholomew
TIM GAVIN & CHARLOTTE MASTEN:
Our experience with Maureen was more than just exceptional from the beginning. She aggressively helped us pursue our dreams of finding our new home. As a first time buyer, we felt her caring and strong support throughout the whole process of buying a home. We really appreciate her support and friendship.
Tim Gavin & Charlotte Masten
San Pedro
Comments from Judges for Advanced Access Most Impressive Website Contest
I love history. California history is so interesting, too. Maureen uses it well, and anyone who is remotely interested in the place they may move, will want to use an agent who also cares about history. Kudos. - Terry Light
Never before have I seen a client take content writing to such lengths. Maureen Megowan is a true authority on her area. The content on her website is both informative and interesting, which beckons a visitor to want to continue to read through the interior pages of her site to learn even more. - AA Marketing
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