If you want to do right by mom this weekend, you're probably not doing much in the way of open-house visiting. Well, maybe Saturday.
There are fewer "new" opens this weekend than most, reflecting the holiday. But this is one of those weeks where a few of the ads in the Beach Reporter semi-comically strain to draw in a reference to the occasion. (Remember "Hop On Over!" in all the Easter ads?):
- "Give the Gift of Home for Mother's Day!"
- "Gourmet Kitchen for Mom"
- "Remodeled Tree Section Home 4 Mom"
Click here for the complete list of opens published in the Beach Reporter, or at any time use the link in the right-hand column under "Prop. Search Tools."
As always, click any highlighted address below for more pics & details via Redfin.
Hill Section
Mom had better not be looking in the Hill Section, for there are but two posted opens:
930 John, a new home we've made mention of several times, priced at $4.995m. Open Sat. & Sun. 1-4pm.
511 N. Dianthus, Kaye Thomas' "entry-level" offering at $1.479m, which we featured last week. Open Sun. 1-4pm.
Sand Section
2319 Grandview is a townhome (detached), we know, but it's one of the classier new opens of the weekend. This one offers 3br/4ba and 2300 sq. ft. and is just a year old. The ad copy notes its "unrivaled, unblockable, panoramic" views of the Tree Section. Not noted: Grandview School across the street. Starts at $1.950m, a tick above its purchase price in Spring 2007. Open Sat. 1-4pm.448 27th is a fairly nice & different remodel (don't judge a book by its cover) with the surprising feature of just 2 bedrooms spread out among 2650 sq. ft. A former bedroom was converted to a terrific family room in front, over the garage. It would be a crime to convert it back, but it would also be unusual to share your master with the kids. (Question for mom: At what age, again, is "co-sleeping" supposed to end?) Now at $1.899m. Open Sat. & Sun. 1-4pm.
Tree Section
Mrs. MBC is drawn in totally by the promise of 2504 Poinsettia's pitch – "Not your typical cookie-cutter home!" Finally?!?The profile is typical – 4br/4ba and 3200 sq. ft., but they're promising a "one-of-a-kind design & floor plan," plus all kinds of nice details. (We'll be honest, the listing writeup is one of the most literate and imaginative we've seen in months. Check it out.)
Now, don't disappoint Mrs. MBC on Mother's Day weekend. Starts at $2.499m. Open Sat. 1-4pm.
Also new this week is 769 33rd, a 5000 sq. ft. home (6br/5ba) on a nearly double-size lot. A beauty with a Spanish flair that starts at $4.4m. The listing pitches an 11oo-sq.-ft. master (no "green" home here) and it once pitched the 2500-sq. -ft. yard. Here's hoping this one works out better than 3305 Laurel. Open Sun. 2-4pm.Now, we're not going to pretend that 1829 Poinsettia is a "new" listing, as the newest agents seem to insist, but it does have a new price, and that's been like pulling teeth over there. The listing began 51 weeks ago at $1.785m, shocking even in those go-go days for a tricked-out cottage with 3br/2ba, 1450 sq. ft. and virtually no yard. Now it's at $1.475m (-$310k/-17%) and perhaps creeping toward reality. Perhaps. Open Sun. 1-4pm.
Nearby, 1821 Walnut isn't new, either, but it's back after a blown escrow with a new price: $2.399m. It began at $2.750m a full 50 weeks ago. Open Sun. 2-4pm.
36 comments:
MBW, I know 769 33rd was listed during construction and was pulled. Is this the first time it's been open since completion?
Tim: MBW is eating breakfast right now, but in answer to your question, he asked me to tell you 'yes'(and it was at $4.5m before).
Times are tough right now. I'm going to say 33rd might go for $3.6or less.
Enjoy your Wheaties MBC.
I love that a "nearly double-size" lot in the Trees is basically the same size as a standard lot in East MB. Maybe we should rename East MB the "yard" section, since you can actually have one.
MBW, we love your website, but we've never seen "mrs. mbc" speak before. We're hoping hoping she's real and not an imaginary character like "Huggy."
Sellers - stop dropping prices and things will sell faster. There are lots of buyers who want to live in MB but are waiting for asking prices to stop changing (downward). Hold firm and buyers will get off the dime.
just went through the 33rd street home. it's astonishingly nice and doesn't scream "spec house." the use of high-end granite and tile are an added bonus. what bothers, however, is that there is NO WAY it should be at $4.4. there is no basement, the yard, because of the large footprint of the house, is not much bigger than those in other tree section homes. the garage is in the front so it is still 1/2 the facade of the home. to boot, it's pretty narrow so unless on plans to park tandem, there is no way 2 cars would fit side-by-side. the floor plan is nice downstairs but the bedroom/bathroom arrangement upstairs is kind of convoluted. the light fixtures and other design touches are nice and actually are pretty true to the style of the home.
having said all of that, however, i think it will go the way of the modern farmhouse and have to come down almost $1 million before it goes.
the farmhouse had a hideous exterior compared to 769 33rd.
I really like tuscan farmhouse look
2:51 - Please tell me what color the sky is in your world. Is it blue like ours or red, like the color of money if you hold on too long in any boom/bust economy. We have builders holding vacant homes that they are paying monthly construction loans. We have people that are relocating who need to pull out the equity in their homes so they can eventually buy a home in their new town. We have baby boomers who own a 4 bedroom looking to downsize since they no longer have children at home. We have people whose income is going lower and are coming to the realization that they can't afford their home. We have people with flat or negative equity (albeit very few) who realize that the economy is getting worse, not better, and that they better sell now before MB RE prices drop another 10%. Unfortunately we have a few homes where people passed away recently and the heirs simply want to move on. Equally important, we have fewer buyers looking into MB because lending standards are significantly more strict than where they were only 6-12 months ago. Do you think collusion can actually come to MB, or any other city in the world, where the sellers can gather at the community center and decide to hold firm on their list price? Now we know why you chose to remain anonymous. You'd never want a comment like that associated with a handle.
concur, 3:16. just making a price comparison, not an aesthetics comparison. walk the 33rd street house, however, and you will probably agree that it's very good but not great and that $4.4 in the trees would be insane, especially in this environment. as a tree hugger, it would be great if it went for full but pigs will fly first before that happens.
"Mookie," I see you often post on here. What is the origin of your handle? I'm assuming that you are aware of the definition of a "mook."
How much is the new DeVico house on the corner of 33rd and Flournoy in escrow for?
3.02 - the building code requires a minimum width so that two cars can be parked side by side.
right, 5:00. but try to park two sedans (and i don't mean gas-guzzling SUVs) side-by-side in a typical 2-car garage that is lined with household items (e.g., bikes, storage, tools, etc.) and try to get kids and/or stuff in and out without causing door dings...
So what happened to 3305 Laurel? did it ever sell? It looks like it is off the market, and the original agent is no longer advertising it.
3305 Laurel is for rent on Westside Rentals asking $8550 a month.
I'd guess the builder of neighboring 769 33rd (same builder as 3305 Laurel) did not want to have a home next door which would be comparatively so much less $$
Not good for neighborhood comps.
I've been reading this site for a while now. I am considering a move to MB from NYC where I am now. Money is no object as far as prices go. I realize this is off topic, but I have a couple questions about MB's Jewish background.
- Are there are any Jewish day schools nearby (K-12). I want to live in the sand section and want to commute no less than 30 minutes.
Thanks everyone for your help. I hope I can come out there soon.
There is a strong Jewish community in the SB. I am not quite sure if there is a Jewish K-12 school but I do know that there is a lovely preschool (Growing Gardens) that serves the community well. The families that I know that attended that school went on to the MB public schools. If a religion-based education is paramount, you might want to research schools on the Westside. I believe there are quite a few to choose from in West LA/Bevery Hills area. Good luck.
4:44 - Mookie Wilson. One of the all time great NY Mets. Mookie Blalock, one of the all time great guards at U of Oklahoma. Or Mookie, from the great "Cutter" team in Breaking Away.
Or you can just say mook, which equals moron. I can live with that one too.
Mookie said:
"Now we know why you chose to remain anonymous. You'd never want a comment like that associated with a handle."
Hey! Sort of like your technical analysis of graphs with respect to RE comment a few days ago! Are you still claiming that as a "joke"? Don't worry, Mookie. Everyone says something ridiculous from time to time. Yours just took the cake. But you're in the investment business!
PS, Sarah says hi.
Things are starting to heat up in Manhattan Beach real estate. I've been told that Matt Morris bought the 6th street house on the walk street which has been dramatically reduced due to recent incident. I also heard that the gothic castle on 401 3rd is in escrow and 452 32nd is also pending. Things aren't as dire as many on this blog seem to think.
Hey Anonymous 8:24, stealing this from a fellow poster, pull your head out of your mookie. Don't you realize he has been in Manhattan Beach for six months now and poses as an expert in real estate. He's been renting since he arrived in town and will rent forever because he's trying to time the market and buy at the very bottom. He adds nothing to the discussion and he has been wrong on virtually all of his predictions.
Interesting – 769 33rd shows as 253 DOM on Redfin right now, despite having withdrawn a while back between its pre-construction listing and its debut this week.
There are a couple other examples of re-lists not resetting the clocks, though the tactic is still prevalent and largely works. (And now rarely draws our comment, though it's always noted in the spreadsheets.)
12:21, I'm pretty sure I exist, otherwise MBW and I are in deep trouble.
Be nice to MBW, by the way. He works his Mookie off to keep this blog going every day. (I kid, Mookie, I kid!)
Mookie, who is 'Sarah'? Is she an RE agent?
Mrs. MBC, I'm delighted to hear that you exist and that MBW doesn't have a Norman Bates thing going on. Quick question, my mookie has really been bothering me lately, can you recommend a good doctor for that in the area?
Sorry, Mookie. Couldn't resist, Happy Mother's Day and keep posting. I enjoying reading your thoughts.
I have to say that I laughed pretty hard when I saw the mookie comment and my wife laughed even harder. No sweat Mrs. MBC. I always appreciate good humor and as most people on this site know I have pretty thick skin. Eventhough it's your day, thank MBC for all that he does. I for one appreciate it tremendously.
Guess which listing this description comes from? You might be surprised!
"At last, a home as individual and enchanting as you are. This property exemplifies class and charm in the heart of Manhattan Beach in the Tree section, one of the most desirable cities in all of California. Joined in marriage with phenomenal detailing and exceptional location close to schools, restaurants, shops and parks this is the ultimate listing. You will step into a dream upon entering this house and you'll never want to wake after seeing the stunning kitchen, eminently fine and rare bathrooms, and a plethora of other impressive upgrades. The Fineman Suarez Team are proud to present such an impeccable property. Don't forget to ask for the extensive list of improvements. Come make your dream come true.
It's a very kind piece of copy writing for Poinsettia... Not sure he had that particular home in mind when he was writing it.
Never trust anyone who uses the term plethora....
or the term 'cult of the clueless'
or the term "here's my rent check"
Curious what folks who went through 769 33rd think about it.
Here's my opinion:
Pros:
Great location - for the Tree section
Very nice sized backyard
Spacious familyroom/kitchen
Loved the ipod docks in the rooms
HUGE master wing upstairs.
Cons:
Small, chopped up rooms, except for the family room/kitchen
Too much $$ for the neighborhood
Master BR small.
Not a Grand feeling for 4.4.
Was there surround sound? Didn't see speakers in ceilings other than family room/kitchen.
Too much hype.
I have not seen 749 33rd, however, for that kind of money I would rather be in the hill section. The noise from the refinery is so annoying that I think $4.4 million is better placed somewhere else.
I'm surprised there isn't more talk about the noise from the refinery. Perhaps people don't figure it out until they move in. At certain times of the day it gets to be pretty loud. At night, there is a constant buzzing sound.
11:51,
That's "white noise."
Personally didn't care for 769 33rd. I am so tired of those travertine tile floors and counters and they were everywhere here. I went up the stairs from the front patio and realized it was the garage. I almost fell coming down. I am convinced I would fall down those stairs at least several times bringing in groceries and other things from the garage. I also had a diffiult time figuring out the bedroom/bathroom situation. It just didn't seem consistent. I found it awkward walking from the front door into the living room. Seems like it would have been easier to go throught the french doors. For $4.4M, my money would go elsewhere. But, in fairness, that style is just not my cup of tea. I actually liked the one next door on Laurel better.
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