Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes is often used to refer to a group of coastal cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the Los Angeles/South Bay area of California. This affluent bedroom community is known for its dramatic views, good schools,^[1] extensive horse trails,^[2] and high home prices.^[3]

Aerial view of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Los Angeles in the distance.

Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates are the predominant cities in the area, with a part of San Pedro protruding on the eastern end of the peninsula.

The area is home to several golf courses and country clubs, and the South Coast Botanic Garden. On the coast is the location of the former Marineland of the Pacific, an aquatic theme park wich is currently being turned in to the 5* GOlf Resort and Hotel,Restaurants you can catch more on Terranea here.

There is a lighthouse on Point Vicente, and Point Vicente Park is a popular spot for watching the migration of gray whales to and from their breeding lagoon in Baja California. There is also a lighthouse at Point Fermin in San Pedro.

The Peninsula was originally inhabited by Native Americans belonging to the Tongva (sometimes referred to as “Gabrielino̶ tribe, and first described in 1542 by Portuguese explorer Juan Cabrillo. In 1827, Don Jose Dolores Sepulveda procured a parcel of the original, 1784 Rancho San Pedro Spanish land grant from Manuel Dominguez, and named it Rancho de los Palos Verdes (”range of green trees”), which was used primarily as a cattle ranch. By 1882 ownership of the land had passed from the Sepulveda family through various mortgage holders to Jotham Bixby of Rancho Los Cerritos, who leased the land to Japanese farmers. After the turn of the century most of Bixby’s land was sold to a consortium of New York investors who created The Palos Verdes Project and began marketing land on the peninsula for small horse ranches and residential communities.

Palos Verdes Estates was the first city incorporated on the Peninsula and was one of the first master planned communities in Los Angeles County. The other incorporated cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula include Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates and Rolling Hills.

The Wayfarers Chapel opened in 1951 and is a well-known landmark overseen by the SwedenborgianPortuguese Bend, one of the most geologically unstable areas in the world. Constant tectonic shifts (approximately 1/3 of an inch a day) and rock slides mean that Palos Verdes Drive South, the main road through the bend, is under constant repair. And for years, the wreck of the Dominator, a freighter that ran aground in 1961, was a rather bizarre attraction for those willing to hike down the cliffs to the shoreline. Very little is left of the ship today. In 2006, the 45 foot cabin cruiser Lady Hawk sank 2 miles from the Palos Verdes coast due to an engine fire [1].

The area is a very affluent one, with expensive homes overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Los Angeles Basin, and with Santa Catalina Island almost always visible just across the channel.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District has one of the highest rated API scores in California ^[4] , and has one of the highest average SAT scores ^[5] and one of the highest percentage of students successfully completing the Advanced Placement exams ^[6] in the county. There are two high schools, Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (formerly called Rolling Hills High School) and Palos Verdes High School (the latter located just a half block from the Pacific Ocean). Marymount College, a co-ed Roman Catholic two-year college is located in Rancho Palos Verdes. A private K-12 school, Chadwick School, is also located there. Rolling Hills Preparatory School [2], a private 6-12 school is also located on the peninsula.

The Peninsula is served by the Palos Verdes Library District which operates the Peninsula Center, Miraleste, and Malaga Cove Libraries.

The area is frequented by runners, hikers, horseback riders, bird watchers, surfers, scuba divers, and bicyclists. In addition, nude sunbathers formerly frequented Sacreds Cove (or “Smugglers Cove̶ until the city of Rancho Palos Verdes enacted a 1994 ordinance that ended such use of that beach.

The infamous Palos Verdes surf spots have been in the spotlight many times over issues of “localism“.

The most notorious surf spot for localism in Palos Verdes is Lunada Bay, which can hold any winter swell and has been known to rival Sunset Beach, Hawaii on a big day. Localism in Palos Verdes reached a turning point in 2001 when a civil rights lawsuit was filed after a particularly violent confrontation with Hermosa Beach surfers. [3] Surveillance cameras were placed in the surfing area but were later removed

These great tidbits were courtesy of Palos Verdes Wiki Pedia.

For Current Real Estate Articles in Palos Verdes see below:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/403208/Palos-Verdes-Home-Owners

http://activerain.com/blogsview/487163/Interst-Rates-up-Dont Save money on interest buy now

http://activerain.com/blogsview/388938/32646-Coast-Site-Rancho Rancho Palos Verdes

http://activerain.com/blogs/palosverdesrealtor4god/tags/homes%20historical Pasadena Victorian

http://activerain.com/blogsview/306368/4134-Pacific-Coast-Hwy Torrance Newer Home

More articles:

Senior Care & Events

http://activerain.com/blogsview/471828/Senior-Long-Term-Care

http://activerain.com/blogsview/472230/Keep-Safe-Coalition-Protecting

http://activerain.com/blogsview/467528/Reverse-Mortgage-is-it

http://activerain.com/blogsview/471828/Senior-Long-Term-Care

Real Estate http://activerain.com/blogsview/503521/Still-Have-an-Adjustable

http://activerain.com/blogsview/503468/Is-this-the-Final (interest Rate cut)

http://activerain.com/blogsview/452990/Los-Angeles-County-Grea FHA

Family Info & events
http://activerain.com/blogsview/500245/-Top-4-Best Brunches in the Pv & South Bay

http://activerain.com/blogsview/142901/Searching-for-Best-Schools

http://activerain.com/blogsview/233943/Internet-Safety-for-Children

California -US Businesses BK Filings

According to the latest statistics from the California Association of Realtors, it looks like Bankruptcy is on the rise as business and individuals struggle to stay afloat. It is amazing how many business depend on the real estate industry.

When you stop and think about it, Banks, Home inspection Companies, Lenders, Appraisers,Title Companies, Escrow Companies, Termite Companies,Landscapers, Contractors, Developers, Real Estate Lawyers, and loss from the slow down also affect Painters, Plumbers,Home Insurance Agencies,Home Protection Companies, Roofers, Tile Companies, Construction supply companies,Architiects, engineers and from there goes the cuts in our housekeepers,gardeners, nannies,tutors gym trainers all have to be let go due to the slowdown in the Real Estate Market.

Picture courtesy of Google Store uploads.com Consumer Information from the Car.org.
The number of U.S. businesses and individuals filing for bankruptcy is rising, in part because of tighter lending standards that make it more difficult for small businesses and individuals to stay afloat. In April, 5,173 businesses filed for bankruptcy, a 49 percent increase from a year ago, reports Jupiter eSources LLC. Total bankruptcy filings, which include both businesses and individuals, rose 31 percent to 93,096 from the same period a year ago. Jupiter said it expects total 2008 filings to hit 1.1 million nationally, up from 827,00 in 2007 and 590,000 in 2006.
Last week’s action by the Federal Reserve to cut its key interest rate fell on deaf ears as 30-year mortgage rates hit a seven-week high, according to Freddie Mac. The reason? Fears of inflation. A 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 6.06 percent last week, up from 6.03 percent the prior week, the highest level since they reached 6.13 percent in mid-March. Fifteen-year fixed rate mortgages fell slightly to 5.59 percent, down from 5.62 percent. The good news for buyers is that rates are still better than a year ago, when a 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 6.13 percent and a 15-year fixed went for 5.87 percent.

Now on the bright side, the interest rates are at a all time low, the money you can save on a$500,000.00 if the rates go up 1% for a 30 year loan comes to the tune of $250.000.00 in interest paid for a 1% increase so if you are waiting for a housing drop of 10% around $50,000.00 on a home of $500,000.00 and you get caught in the rate increases, you will save $50,000.00 but in the long run it will have cost you $200,000.00 if you count the mortgage interest you will be spending. This is a good example of people being penny wise and pound foolish as my Grandmother use to say. Don’t get caught in the increase, grab these low interest rates now.

Best Brunches in Palos Verdes and the South Bay from $5.00-$50.00

Great Brunches for MOM- Beautiful Places to take your mother on Mother’s day!!
If you want to take Mom for a five star Gourmet Brunch then try Chey Melange located in the Palos Verdes Inn on Pacific Coast Hwy near Palos Verdes Blvd.(Bristol Farms)

Wonderful Gourmet selections, don’t miss their mini fresh donuts, great pastry, champagne brunch, fantastic eggs Benedict other gourmet omelette’s and some items straight from England like English Bangers. Reservations required

Chez Mélange
1716 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Phone (310)540-1222

http://www.chezmelange.com/?gclid=CLnjsrnflJMCFRRZiAodzQNTxA

Misto Caffe & Bakery

Misto’s off Hawthorne just past Rolling Hills Road is the best kept secret for a lovely brunch. Breakfast is served on the weekends only

Very Quaint , tucked away in the Hillside Village very cozy an private. You can also dine al fresco on their patio.

They serve the best scones, mini muffins and pastry in the South Bay They bring it to you steaming hot with butter. Breakfasts range from Eggs Benedict to fantastic Spinach and veggie omelettes. Very California Cuisine style and Lunches have a great selection also. We think Misto’s has the Best Burger in Palos Verdes and great fries but then my sis loves the meatloaf and mash potatoes. Truly comfort food with fantastic desserts. my weakness, huge pecan cookies and my favorite place for creme brulee, perfectly made creamy and delicious. The Best Creme Brulee in the South Bay. Check out their website. Prices from $8.00 and up for Breakfast. Great Kids Menu.

(310) 375-3608

http://www.yelp.com/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mistocaffe.com%2F&src_bizid=oDUdaiCxhqLyCnOs-kJc0A

And of course if you are up for very public place to meet new people, Since the tables are very close together, you can have a great time at the Original Pancake House in Redondo Beach

The Best Pancakes in Los Angeles. Don’t miss their spectacular puffy omelette’s. incredible and huge, you will want to share. Try my favorite the Buckwheat pancakes and ham and cheese puffy omelets overflowing with cheddar cheese and ham. $6.00-10.00 Great Kids Menu

Now if you are really looking for the ultimate in Luxurious Brunches with a spectacular Ocean view and any item your palette desires you must try the Brunch at the Pacific Cafe Restaurant at the Trump Golf Course

It’s not often most folk get to say the phrases “bottomless Champagne” or “all-you-can-eat sushi.” But that’s exactly what’s so right about the Trump brunch. The $50 per head tab is steep enough to make this a special occasion; but that’s when you go back to the aforementioned phrases. In addition to trays of spicy tuna and mounds of oysters and shrimp, there are also plenty of pastas, fresh-grilled omelets, turkey and roast beef carvings and various salads. Forget picking one thing for dessert: there’s chocolate torte, pie, cookies, pastries and of course the towering fountain of chocolate just waiting to be dipped with fresh strawberries. As upscale brunches go, some dishes can be hit and miss, but between the mimosas and Trump’s breathtaking perch on the Pacific, you can’t go wrong. — L. Lerner

• Trump National Golf Club
• One Ocean Trails Drive
  Palos Verdes, CA 90275

• Cuisine: Californian
• Neighborhood: Rancho Palos Verdes
• Price: $31 to $50

Phone: 310-303-3260

Breakfast Served
7:00am - 11:00am (Mon. thru Sat.)

Lunch Served
11:00am - 3:00pm (Mon. thru Sat.)

Dinner Served
5:00pm - 9:00pm (Sun. thru Thurs.)
5:00pm - 10:00pm (Fri. and Sat.)

Sunday Brunch
10:00am & 1:00pm (2 Seatings)

Bar Menu
3:00pm - 5:00pm (Mon. thru Sat.)
4:00pm - 5:00pm (Sun.)

High Tea
11:00am - 3:00pm (Mon. thru Sat.)
Reservations Are Necessary

Featured Homes of the Week:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/388938/32646-Coast-Site-Rancho Rancho Palos Verdes

http://activerain.com/blogs/palosverdesrealtor4god/tags/homes%20historical Pasadena Victorian

http://activerain.com/blogsview/306368/4134-Pacific-Coast-HwyMore articles:

Senior Care & Events

http://activerain.com/blogsview/471828/Senior-Long-Term-Care

http://activerain.com/blogsview/472230/Keep-Safe-Coalition-Protecting

http://activerain.com/blogsview/467528/Reverse-Mortgage-is-it

Real Estate

http://activerain.com/blogsview/487163/Interst-Rates-up-Dont Save money on interest buy now

http://activerain.com/blogsview/452990/Los-Angeles-County-Grea FHA

Family Info & events:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/142901/Searching-for-Best-Schools

http://activerain.com/blogsview/233943/Internet-Safety-for-Children

http://activerain.com/blogsview/462789/Renting-Versus-Buying-In

http://activerain.com/blogsview/389098/Tax-Savings-on-Moving

What Is A Reverse Mortgage

A reverse mortgage is a unique financial plan that allows seniors to use the equity in their homes. The reverse mortgage loan requires no monthly payments or fees. Instead, the lender pays you. No payments are due as long as you remain in your home. Monthly Interest charges are deducted from your equity. The loan balance only becomes due when you move from your home or pass away.

Reverse Mortgage Facts:

• No financial qualification is needed
• There are no payments as long as you live in your home
• Fully guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

What Are The Benefits of a Reverse Mortgage

There are a number of benefits:

• Provides access to money that you can can use for assisted care in your home or in a care facility
• Tax-free payments as long as you live in your home
• No income or credit requirements
• The proceeds of the reverse mortgage will pay off any outstanding mortgages against the property
• No payments are required during your lifetime as long as you live in the home
• Keep title and possession of your home
• Choose a cash flow plan customized for your needs
• Pay off existing mortgage
• Retain your personal and financial independence
• No prepayment penalty

Common Use of Loan Proceeds

• Health care or long-term care
• Reducing financial burden on your children
• Living expenses
• Emergency cash fund
• Home improvement
• Paying off debt
• Travel
• Paying cash for new RV, car or time share
• Family Vacation
• Grandchildren’s college fund

What is the Down side of a Reverse Mortgage?

A reverse mortgage can cost you more interest monthly that a coventional loan. Some mortgages are charging interest just on the amount you borrow but will also charge interest on the whole amount they approval your loan for from the appraisal. Yes, you have no monthly payment but interest charges are charged against your equity so that when you move or pass away those charges are paid from your loan balance. In other words, you are charged $900.00 a month to use your equity of $300,000.00. You do not pay that monthly but you are adding it to your loan balance so you are paying interest on your interest charge, which can be costly over a long loan balance.

You may only need $100,000.00 but since you have a approval for $200,000.00 You may be charged interest on the $200,000.00 loan amount monthly even though you may not be using it.

You need to shop for a reverse mortgage and do your homework over the length of the loan to see if it is worth using, how long you anticipate you will need the funds, etc…

To qualify for a reverse mortgage, you must:

• Be 62 or older
• Own a single-family home or condo with some equity
• Occupy the property as your primary residence

So you will need to seek good counsel from a Certified Public Accountant or Tax Attorney that you can trust, who will assist on determining if a reverse mortgage is in your best interest.

Wedding Floral Designer-The Best Kept Secret the South Bay has to offer! 

If you are planning for a ultra wealthy once in a lifetime wedding event floral designer or hosting a exclusive celebration, you must check out Emily Cristiano at Cristiano Designs.

Emily specializes in events held at La Venta Inn, Trump National, Beverly Hilton, Private Estates and the Hoiday Homes Tour. Events also done in Manhattan Beach and the South Bay.

Cristiano Designs has gone from creating romantic moods at the La Venta Inn to a wedding at the Portuguese Beach Club decorating a empty sandy beach into Hawaii Wedding Spectacular, which included staging a empty sandy beach with Palm Trees, Hawaiian Flowers, elegant candle lite mood lighting, custom designed Tiki Torches and adding a moment to remember Hawaiian gazebo laced with exotic Hawaiian blooms and plants, all  just steps away from the crashing surf waves..  I had the pleasure of viewing this wedding myself.

                  What ever your wedding dream is Cristiano Designs can make it come true. Victoria, Romantic, Hawaiian or the Latest Trend, Cristiano Designs can design it all.

Emily is gifted, has unique talents and very upscale prices but her events will take your breath away and create an evening to remember for a long time to come.

Here is her website for the best kept secret on the Palos Verdes Peninsula..http://www.cristianodesigns.com Enjoy the Website Tour, The website alone is a spectacular site. Must See!

Another unusual Perk of the Current Real Estate Loan Market is

If you noticed the HELOC Rates, Your home equity loan rates are now in many cases offering a lower rate than the 1st Mortgages, which is just fantastic for all those IRS Tax Deductible family gifts for your children.

If you add the Home Equity Loan savings along with the New FHA Loan Rates, now is the best opportunity for low rates we have had in over 20 years.

Los Angeles County Great News- Save Money on Mortgage Loans with New FHA Loan Limits and Interest Rate

As per this article in the California Association of Realtors, we are now able to check for the new FHA Limits in our Los Angeles AreaThis is a fantastic opportunity for the first time homebuyer and any homeowner that wants to reduce their interest rate and refinance out of a jumbo loan to FHA.

I would be happy to send you the loan limits for your area , we track it on the FHA website.

FHA Mortgage Limits By County in California Available Online* (Mar 10, 2008 - *Since the FHA mortgage limits by county have recently changed, the latest information is available by typing in the county name and then clicking on “Send” - The temporary FHA loan limits range from $271,050 to $729,750. Loan limits will be set at 125 percent of the median sales price for the area. However, these higher loan limits are temporary and expire at the end of 2008.)

Feature Home of the Week Pasadena:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/433530/-Special-Home-of

Feature Ocean View Condo of the Week!

http://activerain.com/blogsview/388938/32646-Coast-Site-Rancho

Picture courtesy of homeloans.com

Great Article in the Los Angeles Times about the Luxury Multiple Homeowners that want Luxury and location convient to Downtown….fantastic spectacular Los Angeles developments This is a few highlights of Jennifer Lisle article in the LA Times, March 30,2008..

High-rises, high prices

With luxury penthouses in Los Angeles, developers pursue the ultra-wealthy buyer.

By Jennifer Lisle, Special to The Times
March 30, 2008

IF you want a killer condo in L.A., the stakes are getting higher. Several über-luxe penthouses are defying the gravitational pull of the housing market and redefining the meaning of luxury.

Mostly new, they are set atop buildings awash in every service and amenity imaginable and target the ultra-wealthy multi-property owner more concerned with maintaining an upscale lifestyle than the cost of it.

“The multimillion-dollar luxury housing market held up much better than the overall market in 2007,” said Andrew Le- Page, a market analyst at DataQuick Information Systems. “There was no evidence the rich were getting poorer.”

These 10 units will include six that are 6,000-square-foot half-floor condos priced at $18 million, two 8,000-square-foot two-level units priced at $27 million each, and two full-floor 10,000-square-foot units priced at $30 million. http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/news/la-re-penthouse30mar30,0,4446484.story

For more information on ultra luxury market, I would be happy to help you!

Featured Pasadena Home of the Week:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/433530/-Special-Home-of

Featured Ocean View property of the Week:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/388938/32646-Coast-Site-Rancho

Real Estate is like a box of chocolates because as a Realtor you never know what you are going to get.

1. A wonderful Client with an excellent buy on a house

2.A client that turns you into a detective. Everything is a mystery about them until you build the trust. So it takes you a long time to service them and meet their needs.

3. Some clients are like a quick trip to the dentist. The intial meeting is like pulling teeth to gather information and then once you see how you can help them you move swiftly and quickly to find the perfect real estate investment for this client.

4. Some clients , married couples in particular play good cop and bad cop with their needs. After hours of showing them property, they go home and talk about their needs and when things are great the wife will call and when things need to be negotiated you hear from the husband or vice a versa.

5.I never have in 25 years ever had one real estate transaction that are alike. Just like a box of chocolates, clients are individuals and no two clients ever have the same needs . SO an excellent Realtor has to juggle many hats and be very knowledgeable about many aspects of real estate.

I have been blessed in my career of having the nicest and most wonderful clients to work with and I love everyone of those chocolates in my box. Real Estate is a very exciting and rewarding career.

If you need to know where the best schools in California are and you are new to California, you can search great schools.net. If you want to check your school rating compared to the neighborhood you are moving into all you do is place your zip code. This site is across the USA so you can check any state.

This site is a great relocation tool for families moving across country.

Palos Verdes are the best rated schools in the state of California. If you live in the South Bay of Los Angeles County 90275 and 90274 zip codes than you are very fortunate. Palos Verdes has 2 High schools currently to choose from, Both are college preparatory and excellent test scores. The latest article written on the high schools said that Palos Verdes High School excels in athletics and Peninsula High School excels in academic scores and accelerated classes. Don’t be deceived, the “Jock” school still has great test scores as usual so those athletes have to hit the books hard.

The difference is in the class schedules. Palos Verdes High School has a block schedule. Some students prefer this because they go to class for a longer period and only on certain days. They have their homework schedule several days ahead and can prepare early. Peninsula High School has the regular schedule and is very popular also. Make sure your Realtor as a Palos Verdes Specialist Designation if you arel ooking in the Palos Verdes School District.

It is a good idea to check with the elementary school in your neighborhood prior to making an offer because many of our schools have a waiting list in certain grades. Silver Spur Elementary is # 1 in the sate of California. #10 in the Nation.

I have met several families who’s realtor did not tell them to check the school for availability prior to purchasing and they live across the street from the school but have to drive their children to another elementary school because their child’s grade was full.

Torrance- South High(90505) Zip and West High are also excellent schools and tested over 800. If Palos Verdes is too pricey you maybe able to scale down a little bit in South Torrance and still have excellent schools. Happy House Hunting!Relocation Packets are available from Mary Thomas with Remax Palos Verdes.