Has anyone else noticed all of the "designer frozen dessert" shops that have been popping up? First, it was Pinkberry. Now there are a number of Pinkberry coat-tail-riders, as well as gelato, ice cream, and "frozen custard" shops. Hey - I'm not complaining! It's just an observation.
But I can think of one ice cream landmark that has been around since my parents dated (they actually went there on a date). It is called the Bridge Drive In - a.k.a. BDI.
Here is what many readers of this blog posting will find odd. I am blogging about an ice cream stop that is thousands of miles from where I live.
What??
Well, let me explain that the Bridge Drive In is in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (722 Jubilee Avenue), which is where I last lived in Canada before relocating to California. And the Bridge Drive In is so notable for many reasons that I am compelled to write about it - especially on these hot summer days when icy treats hit the spot.
The Bridge Drive In is hugely popular, drawing crowds on every single night during the summer, which are the only months in which it is open.
Of course, they have the standard ice cream treats that you would expect. But they also have some very interesting menu items, like the Cantaberry (a half cantaloupe with a sundae where the seeds were scooped out) and upside down milkshakes (a sundae in a cup, surrounded by a milkshake). The most infamous, and tasty, menu item is the Goog Special (see the image for the description).
But the creme de la creme (pun intended) of the ingredients at the Bridge Drive In is their hot fudge. It is the perfect combination of sweetness, thickness, and warm, chocolatey goodness.
Now, in this age of "calorie conscious" ice cream treats, the menu items at the Bridge Drive In "don't fit the bill". But if you are saving up for a little bit of indulging, you MUST make a stop at the Bridge Drive In if you EVER set foot in Winnipeg.
And get the Goog Special. You won't regret it.
Here are the April 2008 year-to-date (YTD) real estate market facts for Manhattan Beach:
2008 Sales for Manhattan Beach
2008 Average Days on Market for Manhattan Beach
2008 Pct Sold/List Price for Manhattan Beach
2008 Months of Inventory for Manhattan Beach
2008 Summary YTD for Manhattan Beach (May 1, 2008)
The number of home sales in Manhattan Beach have been on a consistent increase since the beginning of the year. This is expected to continue into the summer.
The Average Days on Market have been jumping all over the place, with no obvious trend visible. With this inconsistency, sellers in Manhattan Beach should err on the side of caution and list their homes 4-5 months before they need to sell them.
The list price vs. sold price remains pretty consistent, showing that listing prices are being chosen very consistently, and close to what the market is dictating.
With the increase in home sales, inventory is on the decrease.
If you are looking to buy or sell a home Manhattan Beach, I would be happy to share additional market information with you. Please contact me at tiffany.wilson@shorewood.com or 310-503-0557.
Tiffany D. Wilson has lived in the South Bay of Los Angeles County for almost 10 years. She and her family enjoy the safety and rich family features that the beach communities of the South Bay have to offer, including a close and neighborly community. Also, having experienced an out-of-country move to California over 10 years ago, she is perfectly positioned to assist foreign buyers in their search for real estate in the South Bay and additional surrounding communities of Los Angeles and Orange County. She can be reached directly at 310-503-0557 or tiffany.wilson@shorewood.com.
Here are the April 2008 year-to-date (YTD) real estate market facts for Hermosa Beach:
2008 Sales for Hermosa Beach
2008 Average Days on Market for the South Bay
2008 Pct Sold/List Price
2008 Months of Inventory
2008 Summary YTD for Hermosa Beach (May 1, 2008)
The number of home sales have made an increase since the beginning of the year, though not a consistent one. Still, with summer fast approaching, sales are expected to increase.
Average days on market have gone up in the past few months, though the sale price vs. list price facts may show some indication as to why this is. With homes selling for 7% less than the list price in the past 2 months, that may indicate that list prices are too high, slowing down sales. This is a perfect example as to how improperly priced homes can affect their marketability.
Final supporting material showing that list prices may be off is that months of inventory are not showing a downward trend. They may be lower than January, but there is no consistent downward trend.
If you are looking to buy or sell a home Hermosa Beach, I would be happy to share additional market information with you. Please contact me at tiffany.wilson@shorewood.com or 310-503-0557.
Tiffany D. Wilson has lived in the South Bay of Los Angeles County for almost 10 years. She and her family enjoy the safety and rich family features that the beach communities of the South Bay have to offer, including a close and neighborly community. Also, having experienced an out-of-country move to California over 10 years ago, she is perfectly positioned to assist foreign buyers in their search for real estate in the South Bay and additional surrounding communities of Los Angeles and Orange County. She can be reached directly at 310-503-0557 or tiffany.wilson@shorewood.com.
With all of the stories about doom and gloom in the US real estate market, it is odd to hear of positive news in this category. But that is what I have to offer here.
The South Bay of Los Angeles county consists of a collection of beach cities which have been able to weather the significant real estate downturn. This micro-market has not been completely immune, but enough for homeowners to maintain much of the value of their homes, with little to no loss in value.
For the South Bay, 2008 is looking good. Here are some of the statistics:
2008 Sales for the South Bay
2008 Average Days on Market for the South Bay
2008 Pct Sold/List Price
2008 Months of Inventory
2008 Summary YTD (May 1, 2008)
The number of home sales are showing a steady increase, with the potential to continue into the summer months.
Average days on market is expected to remain close to the numbers that have been seen thus far. For those who are listing and must sell by a specific date, be sure to list your property 3-4 months before that date.
The ratio of list and sold price indicates that those homes which are selling are priced appropriately. This is a perfect example of how pricing a property appropriately is so crucial.
With the number of sales on the increase, and the months of inventory on the decrease, this indicates that more homes are being bought than listed. However, with summer almost here, we can expect both to be on the increase. We will see in upcoming months how this will affect the months of inventory.
If you are looking to buy or sell a home in the South Bay or surrounding cities, I would be happy to share market information with you on your area of interest. Please contact me at tiffany.wilson@shorewood.com or 310-503-0557.
Tiffany D. Wilson has lived in the South Bay of Los Angeles County for almost 10 years. She and her family enjoy the safety and rich family features that the beach communities of the South Bay have to offer, including a close and neighborly community. Also, having experienced an out-of-country move to California over 10 years ago, she is perfectly positioned to assist foreign buyers in their search for real estate in the South Bay and additional surrounding communities of Los Angeles and Orange County. She can be reached directly at 310-503-0557 or tiffany.wilson@shorewood.com.
The Del Aire community in the city of Hawthorne is getting their first Farmers Market! The GRAND OPENING is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21 from 3-7 pm in Del Aire Park (12601 Isis Avenue, Hawthorne, CA).
At the Del Aire Farmer's Market you will find veggies, fruit, flowers, food, and fun events. Everyone is welcome.
For the GRAND OPENING, the first 125 customers will receive free reusable grocery bags.
Visit www.del-aire.info for more information.
Tiffany D. Wilson has lived in the South Bay of Los Angeles County for almost 10 years. She and her family enjoy the safety and rich family features that the beach communities of the South Bay have to offer, including a close and neighborly community. Also, having experienced an out-of-country move to California over 10 years ago, she is perfectly positioned to assist foreign buyers in their search for real estate in the South Bay and additional surrounding communities of Los Angeles and Orange County. She can be reached directly at 310-503-0557 or tiffany.wilson@shorewood.com.
 |
|
|
Do you want to hear about me, or what I can do for YOU? How about a Realtor who keeps in touch with the changing market, so she can adapt to best serve her clients. Competency, knowledge, and service.
I LOVE real estate, and I appear to have an affinity for it. I began investing in real estate in 1999 and have learned a lot along the way and bought some great homes. I have enjoyed this experience immensely, and I find that it helps me greatly when serving my clients.
But it's not just about real estate - it's about the people I work with: my current & future clients, financial professionals, title and escrow, insurance professionals, my peers, and all others involved. Real estate is serious business, but that still doesn't mean we can't have fun with it, does it?
Some people think I am crazy for being in a career in real estate with the way the current state of the housing and finance industry. But, I have always walked to the beat of my own drum. My primary motivator for working in real estate is not financially driven, but because it is something I truly enjoy. I am up for all of the challenges, looking at them as opportunities to grow and learn, not pitfalls. This is no fairweather real estate agent, my friend!
I think it is important to have a mantra - a slogan - which tells people what you are all about. I think I have found one for myself which is simple and succinct:
Responsible Real Estate
Of course I want to act in a responsible manner in all my real estate dealings, but I want to go further than that:
I specialize in the South Bay, beach and surrounding cities of Culver City, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Lawndale, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Redondo Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Torrance.
I also specialize in Real Estate Investing and Green Real Estate.
Who are my clients?
Buyers and sellers who are:
I intend on serving ALL of my clients at a minimum in the following manners:
Individuals and families selling or relocating to or within the South Bay
I have lived, worked, and played in the South Bay for almost 10 years now - and counting! I have driven the streets to and from work, my family and I have frequented the beaches, we have dined all over (shout out to Wahoos Fish Taco in Manhattan Beach, the BEST restaurant in the whole world), shopped here, and enjoyed this wonderful area that I made into home after relocating from the cold, northern regions of Canada.
Buyers:
Sellers:
Real Estate Investors & Foreign Buyers
I am a real estate investor myself, and I always look at every piece of real estate with an investor's eyes. I am also a foreigner, having made a large move from Canada to Southern California over 10 years ago. I am familiar with what investors and foreign buyers are looking for and what they have to deal with. I have also served foreign buyers in the past when considering the purchase of real estate in Costa Rica. To top it off, I have also personally purchased out-of-state real estate safely and successfully. That is only possible with the help of a good agent, and mine has taught me the proper way to do it.
Tiffany has the experience in customer relations, sales and marketing, and most importantly, a desire to succeed through self-motivation. Her dedication and passion lends a unique commitment to service excellence, of which her colleagues and clients have, and will continue, to benefit from in the future. Tiffany is a genuine asset to the industry, to her clients, as well as to her colleagues, friends and family.
- Renee Crow, Missouri real estate agent with Realty Professionals
From my first contact with Tiffany, the choice was obvious: Wayne and Tiffany came well prepared, with their "homework" done and every detail attended to. They were there to sell themselves , but it was clear that they had listened attentively to our needs as sellers: they were extremely clear on a well-researched asking price that would be attractive in the current market and yet acceptable to us, and they had a creative marketing plan that went far beyond the office caravan, brokers' open, and open house after open house and included every possible potential buyer , whether it was someone just surfing the internet, starting to think about buying or someone who had been searching with the help of a real estate agent and just waiting for the perfect house to come on the market.
I signed the listing paperwork on a Monday evening, the listing went public Tuesday morning, and by that Thursday evening, we had a realtor call to say she had an offer on its way. We went from listing to closing in a mere 38 days.
Throughout the entire process, Tiffany and Wayne were always available to me via phone and email, and they never hesitated to stop by in person when necessary. Their teamwork is tightly choreographed and between the two of them all aspects of our sale were handled without a hitch. The internet listing was beautifully done with a maximum of photographs, the hard copy materials were thoughtfully conceived and flawlessly executed.
I highly recommend Wayne Lester and Tiffany Wilson to anyone considering selling their home.
- Elizabeth Baker, Torrance, CA
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
