Have questions about real estate in LA’s South Bay?
When it comes to buying and selling homes in Torrance, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Harbor City, Lomita, Gardena, Lawndale and Hawthorne, I have answers!
Browse the FAQs below and contact me if you have additional real estate questions.
–KD
I have been practicing real estate as a full time agent for about 2 decades.
90% of my business comes from repeat past clients and referrals.
I’m a market expert of the entire South Bay. I do most of my business in Torrance, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Harbor City, Lomita, Gardena, Lawndale and Hawthorne. I have also done business in Culver City, Westchester, and Long Beach.
I sure do! I am a Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE), Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) and Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR).
This varies over time but over the past 5 years, buying in North Redondo has provided the largest return on investment. Traditionally a Single Family home will appreciate faster than a townhome or condo however some cities/areas have shown otherwise based on the last 5 years of data below.
- Average SFR prices in Torrance are up 37% over the past 5 years (2020-2025); Condo/Townhome prices are up 20%
- Average SFR prices in North Redondo are up 39% over the past 5 years (2020-2025); Condo/Townhome prices are up 41%
- Average SFR prices in South Redondo are up 29% over the past 5 years (2020-2025); Condo/Townhome prices are up 37%
- Average SFR prices in Manhattan Beach are up 37% over the past 5 years (2020-2025); Condo/Townhome prices are up 21%
- Average SFR prices in Hermosa Beach are up 32% over the past 5 years (2020-2025); Condo/Townhome prices are up 38%
- Average SFR prices in Palos Verdes Estates are up 27% over the past 5 years (2020-2025); Condo/Townhome prices are up 35%
- Average SFR prices in Palos Verdes Peninsula are up 32% over the past 5 years (2020-2025)
- Average SFR prices in Rolling Hills are up 12% over the past 5 years (2020-2025)
- Average SFR prices in Rolling Hills Estates are up 11% over the past 5 years (2020-2025); Condo/Townhome prices are up 33%
- Average SFR prices in Rancho Palos Verdes are up 23% over the past 5 years (2020-2025); Condo/Townhome prices are up 38%
- Average SFR prices in El Segundo are up 33% over the past 5 years (2020-2025); Condo/Townhome prices are up 15%
- Average SFR prices in Harbor City are up 34% over the past 5 years (2020-2025); Condo/Townhome prices are up 22%
- Average SFR prices in Lomita are up 29% over the past 5 years (2020-2025); Condo/Townhome prices are up 31%
- Average SFR prices in Gardena are up 31% over the past 5 years (2020-2025); Condo/Townhome prices are up 32%
- Average SFR prices in Hawthorne are up 30% over the past 5 years (2020-2025); Condo/Townhome prices are up 22%
- Average SFR prices in Lawndale are up 27% over the past 5 years (2020-2025); Condo/Townhome prices are up 18%
Single Family Home
Pros:
- Privacy: No shared walls or common areas, offering more personal space and quiet.
- Land Ownership: You typically own the land the home sits on, which can increase long term value.
- Customization: Freedom to renovate, landscape, or modify the property as you wish (subject to local regulations).
- Space: Often larger, with more bedrooms, bathrooms, and outdoor space.
- No HOA Restrictions: While some single family homes are in HOA communities, many are not, giving you more autonomy.
Cons:
- Higher Costs: Generally more expensive to purchase and maintain compared to townhouses or condos.
- Maintenance Responsibility: You’re solely responsible for all upkeep, including landscaping, roof repairs, and utilities.
- Less Community: May lack the built-in community feel of shared living spaces.
Townhouse
Pros:
- Affordability: Often less expensive than single family homes but larger than condos.
- Shared Maintenance: Some exterior maintenance (e.g., landscaping, roof) may be covered by the HOA.
- Community Feel: Often located in planned communities with shared amenities like pools, tennis courts, etc.
- More Space: Typically offers more square footage and outdoor space than a condo.
Cons:
- Shared Walls: Less privacy due to shared walls with neighbors.
- HOA Fees: Monthly fees can add up, and HOA rules may limit your ability to customize your property.
- Limited Land Ownership: You may not own the land outright, depending on the community structure.
Condominium
Pros:
- Affordability: Generally the most affordable option of the three.
- Low Maintenance: Exterior maintenance, landscaping, and amenities are typically handled by the HOA.
- Amenities: Access to shared facilities like gyms, pools, and community spaces.
- Urban Living: Often located in city centers, offering convenience and walkability.
Cons:
- HOA Fees: Monthly fees can be high, especially in luxury buildings with extensive amenities.
- Less Privacy: Shared walls, floors, and ceilings can lead to noise and less personal space.
- Limited Control: Strict HOA rules may limit renovations, pet ownership, or other personal preferences.
- Appreciation Potential: Condos may appreciate in value slower than single-family homes.
Key Considerations:
- Lifestyle: If you value privacy and space, a single family home may be ideal. If you prefer a low maintenance lifestyle, a condo or townhouse might be better.
- Budget: Condos and townhouses are often more affordable upfront, but HOA fees can add to monthly costs.
- Location
- Long-Term Goals: Consider how long you plan to stay, potential appreciation, and resale value.
Being a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) means I adhere to a strict code of ethics and professional standards. I have a duty to provide you with in-depth knowledge of local market conditions, property values and trends and I will handle everything from showings and marketing to negotiations and paperwork to bring your transaction to a successful closing. I also have access to important tools and complete continuing education courses on a regular basis to stay current and informed.
I am an individual agent which means you will be working directly with me from start to finish. I have a licensed, full-time Operations Manager and Transaction Coordinator who help support the process and ensure we never miss a beat but you will never be passed off to another agent.
I am not a discount agent. It can be a common misconception that paying less commission will net you more money on your sale. I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for and my expertise and value-add will put more money in your pocket than if you were to work with a discount or inexperienced agent. My formula consistently brings multiple offers to the table resulting in sales over the asking price. Let’s discuss in more depth together!
I will walk you through the costs associated with selling your home but more importantly, I will put together a market analysis for you and have my trusted escrow officer provide you with an estimated net sheet that breaks down each cost so you can see exactly what you’ll walk away with based on certain scenarios.
You bet I will! I have a full roster of resources to help. We’ll meet in person to discuss your needs and create a plan. I call this my “secret sauce” which really helps your home show in its best light to maximize the sale price. If you’ll be living in the home during the sale, one of my favorite stagers will do an in-home staging consultation to help make the best of the furnishings you have and make recommendations for items that she would supplement.
I always use a professional photographer. I use the same photographer for my listings because he knows exactly what I want to see and takes incredible photos. I call him Marcelo the Magician!
Yes, this is a very common situation and there are multiple routes you can take. During our initial meeting, we will discuss the 7 different options of buying and selling simultaneously to help you make the best decision.
There’s a lot involved with buying a home so it’s understandable if you don’t know where to start. That’s why I’m here! Our first step will be to meet in person (or Zoom if preferred) so we can review your wants, needs and goals. We will review my systems and processes, tools, resources and will curate a plan to get you started with confidence. My goal is to make the process as seamless as possible for you.
Easily under an hour, usually much sooner unless I am in a meeting with another client.
Nope! I work with MANY engineer clients so this is nothing new. I get to know all of my clients well and work according to their schedule and preferences. Since no two clients are alike, I cater my service to each person’s needs.
This happens more than you might expect! I’ve helped countless clients close escrow from out of state or out of the country. With a little planning and preparation, there will be no issues or delays to your closing. I will help guide you through the process.
Yes, please contact me so I can get the information I need to accurately provide you with a home valuation.
Compass Concierge is a loan program designed to help homeowners fund repairs and updates prior to selling which help increase the value of their home. Your loan will get paid off through escrow at closing so it’s a completely seamless process. Many of my clients have chosen to use Compass Concierge over the years and have been pleased with the outcome but it is completely optional to use. I’m happy to provide you with more information and talk through it.
Of course. I can provide you with a list of trusted inspectors if needed but the choice will always be yours!
A very common question! You may have heard that Spring is the best time to sell a home but that’s not always the case in the South Bay market. The truth is, it depends on your situation. There are several key factors that we will look at when determining the best time to sell your home. Let’s discuss and create a plan that works for you and your goals.
We can certainly keep it discrete. I’ve helped many sellers navigate a sale in this manner. We can utilize the Compass Private Exclusive network to market your home only to serious buyers who are working with an agent at Compass. There are even different measures of privacy that we can take, including the omittance of the full address or photos if necessary. We will chat about the pros and cons of each option and pick the best option for your situation.
This is a very personal, as well as a variable financial decision because there are so many loan options. I would be happy to provide a list of lender referrals who are all tried and true and can consult with you based on your income, assets, debt, credit score, etc.
I can provide you with a full list of questions that I recommend asking any agent you’re considering.
If you’re selling a home in the South Bay, a few important questions that you can start with include:
- How many homes have you sold in my area in the past two years?
- What are your average days on market compared to the local average?
- What is your sales to list price ratio?
If you’re looking to buy a home in the South Bay, you can ask:
- What is your average offer acceptance rate?
- If I want to make an offer on one of your listings, how would you handle that?
- How are property showings coordinated?
Torrance spans over 21 square miles of land so neighborhood feel, schools, home values etc. can vary quite a bit. I have created an in-depth neighborhood guide for the City of Torrance, Redondo Beach and the Palos Verdes Peninsula that I am happy to share with you!
I don’t blame you! Portuguese Bend is experiencing severe land movement which is probably one of the most talked about landslide areas at the moment but there are other areas with current or historical land movement. I will share my Palos Verdes Peninsula neighborhood guide with you as well as other helpful resources that map out these areas to avoid.
