Our Gardena listing was on the market for 2 days before we received an offer. We had open houses scheduled but had to cancel the second one because the offer came in above asking and the seller was happy. The market is not dead!
Reach out to me and I will connect you with a lender that can tell you exactly what you can afford and we can hit the ground running. It’s not about timing the market, it’s about time in the market so the sooner you get into Los Angeles real estate, the better.
Here’s the thing…
Lomita is a small town. 1.9 by 1.9 miles nestled in the South Bay of Los Angeles County. No one knows where Lomita is and if they do, they they underestimate what it’s like to live here. And that’s good for Lomita!
It is one of the best kept secrets in Los Angeles. If you like waking up to the sound of birds, a rooster and the distant murmurs of a major city, with an ocean breeze, then Lomita is the place for you.
Fifteen minutes to the beach, thirty five minutes to LAX airport, five minutes to Whole Foods and Trader Joes. You like to go for runs in nature? Then drive 8 minutes to the horse trails in Rolling Hills Estates where you will see wild peacocks and every other house has a horse stable, chickens, goats and the like. Hiking? Head up the hill on Crenshaw to Portuguese Bend with 180 views of the Pacific out to Catalina. You like to golf? There are seven golf courses or resorts within 10 miles of Lomita. You want to raise a pot bellied pig? West Lomita is zoned A-1 for residential agriculture. You are looking for a local watering hole? Lomita has not one, but two breweries - Burnin Daylight and Project Barley and the Lomita Alehouse is a good place for a local bar. Are you looking for one of the best dirty chai lattes this side of the 405? Corridor Flow has excellent coffee, food and wifi. Are you looking for top level dining? You might not find it in Lomita proper but drive ten minutes to Hollywood Riviera and hit up Rex, Bettolino or Gabi James.
Now let’s talk real estate. There’s a little something for everyone. Whether your budget is 200k or 1,200k you will find something in Lomita.
Yes, there are Mobile Home Parks in Lomita, but this is not your second cousin twice removed’s Mobile Park. This is So-Cal tiny house living. It’s all the rage! Just don’t forget to add in the land lease when you are doing the math on a $200k mortgage - check with your lender on loans for manufactured homes.
Now let’s talk about this A-1 section of Lomita where your neighbor will leave fresh chicken eggs on your door step in exchange for lemons from your tree. You may see the woman down the street walking her horse. Odds are you will be living on a cul-de-sac and have a white picket fence. If you want dirt and a garden, this is the best deal in the South Bay. FYI you are in the flight path of Zamperini municipal airport in this section, but the planes are small and they take off on the west side of the airport away from Lomita.
Lomita Pines is a little gem that no one seems to realize exists. During my door knocking the other day a gentleman put it this way - in Lomita Pines, we live in Palos Verdes with Lomita property taxes. Lomita Pines sits up on the hill and isn’t connected to the rest of Lomita. You have to drive through Palos Verdes to get to Lomita Pines. The views in this section are the best in the South Bay- if you live on the north side of Via Madonna, you can see downtown LA, Long Beach, San Bernardino Mountains, Santa Monica Mountains, the Pacific and Palos Verdes hills. If you live in this section chances are you will be there for the rest of your life. Most of the residents have been there for 40+ years and they all know each other. It’s a close knit neighborhood.
Downtown Lomita has restaurants, shopping, City Hall, a library, and the Farmers Market. The streets are flat and the neighbors are friendly. Drop into the Lomita Feed Store which has been there for 102 years. A little piece of history for this old western agricultural gem that has now become a modern town. Check out City Hall’s black and white photos of what Lomita was then as compared to now.
Reach out if you are looking for a local Lomita expert. I’m happy to be your realtor!
Did you set intentions for the coming year? I did. For me, this year is about kindness.
Giving to others without expecting anything in return. Giving hope to others who think that they are alone. Encouraging the best in others when they can’t see it in themselves. For myself I want to focus on making even the smallest moments enjoyable. I want to laugh a lot and I want to make my people laugh a lot this year.
Let’s go 2023!
Corridor Flow in Lomita: Best coffee shop in the South Bay, people flock to this trendy spot for a coffee or a bite. It's cozy, warm, open and plenty of room to meet a friend or enjoy a winter morning. The dirty chai latte is one of the best I have had and the food comes out looking like something out of a magazine. You will not be disappointed. Oh and they have trivia nights on Saturdays so check out their schedule and get involved in this lovely little community hub.
24614 Narbonne Ave, Lomita, CA 90717
Open 7a-4p Mon.-Fri. and 8a-10p Saturday. Closed Sunday.
Curious in Hermosa Beach: Best place to holiday shop, this gift store on Pier Avenue has something for everyone. If you have no idea what to get them you will be inspired and find something fun in this kitchy colorful shop! Free parking meters in downtown Hermosa through December make shopping on Pier extra special.
128 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Open 10a-6p everyday
LA Kings Ice Skating Rink on the Palos Verdes Peninsula: Best place for winter play, this unexpected amenity in Rolling Hills Estates has something for everyone. They offer public skating, hockey and figure skating programs as well as birthday party packages. Great for kids, they accommodate toddlers to teenagers. Check their website for scheduling and pricing.
www.lakingsicepv.com
550 Deep Valley Drive #107 Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
Tony's On the Pier in Redondo Beach: Best sunset cocktail, this iconic bar and restaurant on Redondo Beach Pier overlooking the Pacific Ocean with the waves crashing on the beach below will not disappoint. It's old school and a mainstay for a reason. Watch the sunset and stay for a bite or bundle up, take in the crisp sea air and walk the pier while watching the fisherman as they pull in their fresh catch. Gaze at views from the Palos Verdes Peninsula to Malibu. This has all the makings for the start of a lovely evening.
210 Fisherman s Wharf, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Open Sun.-Thurs. 11:30a-10p and Fri.-Sat. 11:30a-11p
Seaside Ranchos Holidays Lights in Torrance: Best place to see holiday magic, tucked away in South Torrance, the 'sleepy hollow' neighborhood known for its idyllic elm trees, is the home of the spectacular annual holiday lights display. This family tradition is brought to you by the residents of Seaside Ranchos in South Torrance and can be driven or walked by visitors. Use this address to copy and paste into your map apps. See map below.
23135 Doris Way, Torrance, California 90505
Open after dark
Click on the title links to get directed toward the websites of these South Bay hot spots.
We are seeing a very different market than what we were experiencing even four months ago. Interest rates are up and down. Today rates are just under 7% making it very challenging to get into that home that you might have been able to afford just a few months ago. In order to get a foot hold in this market, buyers and sellers need to be creative and think outside the box. Reach out to hear some of my ideas for new homebuyers and investors.
Home Buyers: First time home buyers are challenged by the current values, interest rates and monthly payments. Before you get discouraged, talk to your lender. There are plenty of creative financing options that can help get around these high interest rates and make your dream of buying a home a reality. If you don't have a lender, let me know and I'll put you in touch with a great one.
Home Sellers: Home prices in Los Angeles county are holding strong even with the increase in interest rates. The average home price in Los Angeles is still up from a year ago and sellers are still enjoying multiple offers over asking. The reason for this...Los Angeles is the most populated county in the United States, so there's that. Also home owners who are locked into the "Rates of the Good Ol' Days" aren't going anywhere, keeping inventory low, and home prices high. The market will most likely continue to cool with low inventory over the next few months.
Notary Public: In other news I am now a commissioned Notary Public. If you or your business needs documents notarized, you have my contact information. Use it!
Election Day: I had the honor and pleasure of working on a committee to elect George Barks who ran for California State Assembly in my district. It was a very fulfilling experience and I highly recommend getting involved in local politics for the next election. I experienced what it takes to be elected in the South Bay Los Angeles district. It was both enlightening and exciting. Congratulations to Al Muratsuchi who held onto the seat for State Assembly District 66 - South Bay Los Angeles! Looking forward to seeing what he does with the next term.
Keep in touch. I'm here to answer your questions. You can email me at JessiqaPaceRealtor@gmail.com with questions about the market, real estate or what it takes to be a new agent in today’s market. I’m happy to answer all your questions.
Sincerely,
Jessiqa
