Sandpipers Annual Holiday Home Tour

December 2, 3, and 4 - 10:00am-5:00pm


It starts in Manhattan Beach at the Neptunian Club, 920 Highland Avenue, where you can shop at the Holiday Boutique and enjoy treats at the Café. But all the homes this year are in Hermosa Beach. Ride the shuttle to visit 3 beautiful homes decked out for the holidays. 


For more details and to see the 3 featured homes, check out the News for Best Hermosa Beach Homes.

Weekend Open Houses (November 26-27, 2011)

There are a number of Manhattan Beach homes holding open houses this weekend (see the Open House Lists to the right). But only the one below is a recent listing:

1813 N.Herrin Ave. OPEN SUN 1-4 ($1,125,000, 3br/2ba, 1952sf, listed by Alicia Greene & Robyn Biener – South Bay Brokers). This single level, Roth-built home was constructed in 1966 and has been well maintained. You enter through a gated front courtyard. The living room and master bedroom have hardwood floors. The three bedrooms are a decent size. The kitchen opens to the family room which has a large wood-burning fireplace. Sliding doors from the family room lead to the large backyard with a patio and grassy area. The Manhattan Beach Heights lot is 6,617 square feet. It is located just a short walk to several nice parks and is very near Manhattan Beach Middle School.

The asking price seems high, based on comps. I’d expect it to sell between $980,000 and $1,000,000. What do you think?

By the way – According to Sacramento, CA Realtor Elizabeth Weintraub, Christmas Day isthe best day of the year to buy a house. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in the South Bay during the end-of-the-year holidays, please consider using Janie Sue Nagy as your agent.

Happy Thanksgiving From The Beach

In addition to the standard stuff (family, friends, good health, a roof over my head), I'm thankful for being able to live and work at the beach, with the great weather, great schools, and great neighbors.

Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and wonderful holiday season.

Janie Sue Nagy

Weekend Open Houses (November 19-20, 2011)

There are not really any newly listed Manhattan Beach homes having open houses this weekend. So I'm reprising a few homes that have been on the market for a while, but are worth a visit. 

Use the links to the right to see a list of the other homes in Manhattan Beach and Manhattan Village that will be open. For more pictures and additional information for the homes below, click this MLS link. 

If you have already seen all the homes that are open and you're wondering what to do this weekend, holiday activities are starting to pop up in neighboring cities. On Saturday you can go to:

• Annual Holiday Crafts Fair - 9am-3pm – Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center
• Hermosa Beach Holiday Sidewalk Festival – Noon-8pm - Downtown Hermosa Beach

544 3rd St. Open SAT & SUN 1-4 ($2,975,000, 5br/5ba, 3800sf, listed by Jim Van Zanten & Jim Leonard – South Bay Brokers).  This brand new, spec home in the Sand Section was first listed at the end of September. 


The beachy, Cape Cod home features wainscoting, wide plank floors, a stone fireplace and wine room. Many of the rooms have built in cabinets and shelves. The kitchen comes with Viking appliances. Buyers will have their choice of carpet for the bedrooms. The 3-car garage includes a feature I’ve not seen before - a natural gas filling station. 


The lot is 2,691 square feet, which leaves room for a covered stone patio and artificial turf in the backyard. The home is very well done, but it is not on a walk street and does not have views to brag about. So, it will be interesting to see if the asking price holds.

763 31st St. Open SAT & SUN 1-4 ($2,890,000, 5br/4.5ba, 3576sf, listed by Tyler & Alex Wolf – Shorewood Realtors). This Tree Section home was listed in late August and there have been no price changes.

This custom Tree Section home was designed by local architect Grant Kirkpatrick and built in 1998. The street-to-alley lot is 5,318 square feet and slopes up to the rear. Access to the 3-car garage is from the rear alley. Rather than a back yard, this property has a private, central courtyard.

There is a stately office at the front of the house with an attached bath. It could be used as a first-floor bedroom. The kitchen is open to the family room and has a built-in banquette in the eating area. The oval table and chairs seem to be a custom fit for the curved banquette, so a buyer might want to ask that they be included in the sale. The kitchen has large windows facing the courtyard and a door for easy access to al fresco dining.

Upstairs, the master suite is at the front of the house and is separated from the other bedrooms by a long hall. One of the bedrooms has an intriguing elevated alcove, just about the size of a single bed. The laundry room is upstairs. At the back of the house on the second floor, several steps up lead to an area that could be a second master suite or an upstairs play room.

Before that, it was offered for sale from May to October, 2010, listed first at $3,295,000 then reduced to $3,095,000 and taken off the market for the year-end holidays. It last sold in 2006 for $3,025,000. It is a beautiful home, go see it.

1768 Ruhland Ave. Open SUN 2-4 ($1,399,000, 4br/3.5ba, 4072sf, listed by Rachel Ezra – Shorewood Realtors). This home was first mentioned in the open house post last week. If you missed seeing its debut, you have another chance to visit this Sunday. It is move-in ready and the price seems right. The property last sold in 2005 for $1,410,010.

The laundry room and all the bedrooms are upstairs. There is a master suite with a private balcony at each end of the house. At 6,207 square feet, the lot provides a large backyard, which includes a newer play structure as part of the sale.

The house was built in 1995 and it still has a few original finishes. But there have been updates. Air conditioning was added and the kitchen has granite counters and stainless steel appliances. The home has built-in window seats and a play loft in one of the bedrooms.

1515 Artesia Blvd. #1 Open SAT & SUN 2-4 ($529,000, 2br/2.5ba, 1363 sf, listed by Kristen Novoa – Shorewood Realtors). Technically this one is a new listing, since it has a different listing agent and a new lower price. But this townhome has been on the market since July, when it started at $599,000. Currently there is only one lower priced home available in Manhattan Beach.

It is the front unit of a 4-unit building on Artesia Blvd. HOA fees are $100 per month. It has new dual-paned windows and fresh interior paint. This unit gets lots of natural light and cooling breezes. It has newer bamboo floors and a remodeled half-bath on the main floor. The other 2 baths and the kitchen are showing their age (consistent with the 1980 build date). Stairs lead down to the attached 2-car garage. But watch your head, garage door springs block part of the doorway to the home. Both bedrooms on the top floor have an attached bath and the laundry room is upstairs as well. It is just a half block to Mira Costa High School. This townhome last sold in 2004 for $515,000. Unit 2 sold in 2007 for $615,000.

If you are still looking for your perfect Manhattan Beach home, I'd be glad to help. Call Janie Sue Nagy at 310-707-8762.

Weekend Open Houses (November 12-13, 2011)

Eight new listings are open to the public this weekend and are featured below. To see other Manhattan Beach homes that are also open this weekend, use the Open House Lists links to the right. For the new listings below, click here to see more pictures and the MLS descriptions.

121 36^th Pl. Open SUN 1-3 ($2,799,000, 4br/3.5ba, 2193sf, listed by Robb Stroyke – Stroyke Properties). This pocket listing is not on the MLS. You will have just one chance to see it on Sunday, before it goes into hibernation until the new year (assuming it does not attract a buyer before then). The custom-built, Mediterranean style home was designed by Louie Tomaro and it’s beautiful. It is on a partial lot (1,726 square feet) that is just one short block to the beach.

At the ground level there is a bath and bedroom with outdoor access to the patio. Three more bedrooms are on the middle/entrance level. Open living spaces with expansive ocean views are on the top floor.  Utilities have been placed underground in this area, so views are enhanced. There is a large balcony, partially covered, with an outdoor fireplace. There is parking for 2 cars in the garage plus 2 more in front of the garage. A dumbwaiter connects the garage to the upper floors. Be sure to see the basement bonus room and wine room (accessed from the garage).

766 33rd St. Open SAT & SUN 1-4 ($2,499,000, 5br/5ba, 4813sf, listed by Jack Gillespie – South Bay Brokers).  From the street this home is not imposing, but it goes on and on and up. The very large house was custom built in 1992. The rooms are big, but feel comfortable not cavernous.  Even the butler’s pantry is larger than most.

There is a guest/nanny suite on the ground floor. Doors from the formal dining room at the front of the house open to entertaining space in the paved front yard. At the back of the house, French doors lead from the breakfast area to the rear yard, which includes a patio, grassy area and built-in above ground spa.  After relaxing in the spa, you can enter the house through a bathroom on the upper level. That bathroom, which is also connected to a bedroom, is the only room that seems stuck in time. The kitchen and the other baths have been updated. Finishes throughout the house are well done. Front and back stairs lead to bedrooms and office space on the upper level.

 The 6,911 square-foot lot is 15 feet wider than standard lots in this area. There is parking in front of the home and alley access to the garage in the back.

2303 Vista Dr. Open SAT & SUN 1-4 ($1,699,000, 4br/3.5ba, 2427sf, listed by Judy Bruce – Prudential California Realty). This modern two-on-a-lot townhome was built by Garringer in 2002. It last sold in 2009 for $1,662,000. The lot, owned in common by both townhomes, is 3,509 square feet and is just a few steps to Grand View Elementary School. HOA dues are $500 per quarter.

A guest suite is located on the ground level and has its own entrance. Three other bedrooms are on the middle level, where the master bedroom has a private balcony. A portion of the living area on the upper level has been left open as an atrium. There is also a den/playroom/office on the top level. The home has air conditioning, installed new in 2009. There is parking in the 2-car garage, plus room for another car in the carport and one on the pad in front of the garage.

325 Homer St. Open SUN 1-4 ($1,595,000, 3br/3.5ba, 1978sf, listed by Kurt Allen & Judy D’Angelo  – South Bay Brokers).  At the border with Hermosa Beach, this two-on-a-lot, attached townhome is a half block to Robinson Elementary School and just a couple blocks to the beach. The lot (for both townhomes) is 2,673 square feet. They were built in 2000 and this one last sold 2006 for $1,580,000.

There is an ocean peek from the master bedroom at the front on the middle level. Panoramic ocean views can be seen from the top floor living room and balcony. Just off the kitchen, there is an office nook. The home includes air conditioning and a dumbwaiter. A door from the patio provides private access to a ground level a bedroom and bath. Parking is provided in the 2-car garage, plus 2 carport spaces (one is behind the gate) and 2 parking spots in front of the garage.

32 Village Circle Open SUN 1-4 ($1,579,000, 4br/3.5ba, 3256sf, listed by Kerry Dawson – Peninsula Sothebys International).  This Plan 5B estate home has a master bedroom on the ground floor with a fireplace and French doors to the back yard. The large back patio includes a fountain, two barbecues, a fireplace, and a travertine bar with sink. River rock is used for the fountain, family room fireplace, landscaping and exterior trim.


The kitchen has been updated with butcher block and granite counters and higher end stainless steel appliances. Other improvements include solar panels with an upgraded electric panel, humidity control, limestone flooring, a water softener, and magic screens.


The home was built in 1984 on the 5,832 square-foot lot. HOA dues are $265 per month, for Manhattan Village security and community amenities.  The home has a 3-car garage. It last sold in 2003 for $1,389,000.

1768 Ruhland Ave. Open SUN 2-5 ($1,399,000, 4br/3.5ba, 4072sf, listed by Rachel Ezra – Shorewood Realtors).  This home gets the “Deal of the Week” award. It is move-in ready and the price seems right. The property last sold in 2005 for $1,410,010. It was bid up from the same asking price of $1,399,000. Will history repeat?

There are a few remaining clues that the house was built in 1995: the gold trim in the bathroom, the master bath that merges with the bedroom, and the banisters. But the home includes some timeless design (recessed dining room ceiling, hardwood floors, a second master suite, window seats) and specific updates (air conditioning, granite kitchen counters and stainless steel appliances). It also has unusual elements, like the play loft in one of the bedrooms.

The laundry room and all the bedrooms are upstairs. Each of the master suites at each end of the house has a private balcony. At 6,207 square feet, the lot provides a large backyard, which includes a newer play structure as part of the sale.

Interesting aside:  this property is staged by South Bay Show Homes, which can provide a tenant for vacant homes to keep them secure and in showing condition while on the market.

1126 11th St. Open SAT & SUN 1-4 ($1,070,000, 4br/3.5ba, 2393sf, listed by Jeffrey Miller – J. Stephen Miller Realty). This front townhome was not open for brokers to preview, but it is open to the public this weekend. The 2 attached units on the 7,506 square-foot lot were built in 2005 by Craig Casner. HOA dues are $150 per month plus the owner pays $50 per month for the gardener. This townhome last sold in March 2010 for $975,000. Before that, it sold new in 2006 for $1,140,000.

1761 5th St. Open SAT & SUN 1-4 ($795,000, 3br/1.5ba, 1093sf, listed by Julie Lyon & Sheri Fejeran – RE/MAX Beach Cities). This single-level starter home was built in 1956 on the 4,956 square-foot, corner lot. It has been well maintained, including updates to the kitchen and baths. The kitchen has a built-in stove top and oven, plus an eat-in area. The laundry room is off the kitchen.  It has fresh interior paint and the hardwood floors have been recently refinished.   Check out the MLS pictures which show an interesting approach to staging through Photoshop. The back yard and covered rear patio could use some help, but the home is move-in ready.


Planning to buy or sell a home in Manhattan Beach? Contact Janie Sue Nagy to assist you.

Manhattan Beach Open Houses (November 5-6, 2011)

Remember to turn your clock back an hour before going to bed this Saturday. You wouldn’t want to show up an hour early for an open house on Sunday!

There are just a few of new listings open this weekend. That gives you a chance to catch up by visiting others you may have missed when they debuted. To see which other Manhattan Beach homes are open this weekend, use the Open House Lists links to the right. For the new listings below, click here to see more pictures and descriptions from the MLS.

800 19^th St. Open SUN 2-4 ($1,899,000, 5br/4ba, 3665sf, listed by Peggy Johnston – Shorewood Realtors). This home was custom-built by K T Ziegler in 2001. The home last sold as new construction in 2001. The 5,020 square-foot lot is at the corner of 19^th St. and Pacific Ave. The finishes are nicely done and the kitchen has top-of-the-line appliances. One of the bedrooms is on the first floor and would make a nice office or guest room. Go see this one an notice the ceiling details when you visit.

1157 3^rd St. Open SAT & SUN 1-4 ($1,499,000, 5br/3ba, 2722sf, listed by Julie Lyon & Sheri Fejeran – RE/MAX Beach Cities). This Mira Costa Section home is located on a 7,501 square-foot lot on a quiet cul-de-sac. It has a large back yard with a swimming pool and above ground spa. The backyard is paved to create a large patio with a fireplace, barbecue and outdoor shower area. A step-down family room at the back of the house opens to this outdoor entertaining space.

The original home was built in 1953 and later remodeled to give it an effective build date of 1985. Upstairs there are three large bedrooms, which share a hall bath, plus the master suite. The laundry closet is also upstairs. Another bedroom and bath are downstairs. The home has plenty of storage space in closets and built-in cabinetry. There is a very large pantry off the family room. The entry and sunken living room are open to the second level. The large kitchen is open to the dining area and has a pass through opening to the family room.  The kitchen counters have been updated, but there are black appliances that seem a bit dated. The baths are somewhat dated as well. A small study off the dining area makes a nice get-away spot. There are fireplaces in the living room, family room, master bedroom and the back yard. Walls throughout the house have been personalized with painted decorations. You could move right in, but might want to make some cosmetic changes first.

2708 N. Ardmore Ave. Open SUN 1-4 ($1,149,000, 3+br/2.5ba, 1841sf, listed by Judy Woodard – Keller-Williams). The owner is an architect, so you know it has to be nice. This home was built in 1973 and has been remodeled using top quality materials. What looks like a garage in the photo is deceiving, it was converted to a 4^th (non-permitted) bedroom. So parking is in the driveway. The home is on a 2,500 square-foot, half lot on a busy street. 

A Notice of Default was filed recently and the property is being offered “as-is.” For comparison, another NOD/short sale at 2818 Ardmore sold last June for $1,470,000. But it was a 5-bedroom, 5-bath, 3514 square-foot, 2001-build home, with a real garage, on a full 5,000 square-foot lot.

Planning to buy or sell a home in the South Bay? Contact Janie Sue Nagy to ensure you experience a transparent transaction.