Manhattan Beach Homes: Open February 25-26, 2012

There are a few truly new listings open this weekend, but they are outnumbered by homes that were taken off the market late last year and re-listed for a fresh start. Newly listed homes that will be open are mentioned below. To see other homes that will also be open this Saturday and Sunday, click the Open House Lists to the right. You can view more pictures and listing information from the MLS by clicking on the address of any home below.

221 30th St. Open SAT & SUN 1-4 ($3,395,000, 5br/4.5ba, 4554sf, listed by Ed Kaminsky – Shorewood Realtors). This large home is on a full (for the Sand Section), 2,699-square-foot lot, that runs from the walk-street to the 30^th Place alley. It has great ocean views from living areas on the top floor, from the master bedroom and from balconies at the front and back of the house. Three bedrooms are on the first floor and two master suites are on the middle level. Staircases at the front and back of the house and a dumbwaiter make access more convenient. Because of the hillside location, the garage is tiered, as two single-car garages. It was custom built in1999.

1524 Mathews Ave. Open SAT & SUN 1-3 ($949,000, 3br/2ba + 1br/1ba, 1283sf, listed by Anne Statler – Statler Real Estate Group). This home sold in November 2011 for $869,000. The new owners refinished the floors, replaced the baseboards and added a new stove and refrigerator, but they did not have a chance to enjoy it for long. The single-level house was built in 1955 and is livable, but the value is in the large, flat lot (50 feet by 150 feet). A tiny shower and toilet room is attached to the master bedroom, with the vanity in the bedroom area. The master also has an exterior door to a small fenced deck. The detached garage has been converted to a studio apartment with a three-quarter bath, plus a large play room and storage area.

7 Lafayette Ct. Open SAT & SUN 1-4 ($849,000, 3br/2.5ba, 1972sf, listed by Carole & Michael Hansen – South Bay Brokers). This Manhattan Village Plan 4 townhome is situated next to one of the community spas. As an end unit, it has extra windows to provide additional light and views. It was built in 1985 and appears to have the original gold hardware in the baths. There are two bedrooms and a hall bath on the top level. The master bedroom and bath, laundry closet, and half-bath are on the middle level. Living areas are on the main level. There is access to a private patio off the sunken living room. A two-car, attached garage is below the townhome. HOA dues are $491 per month.  

Back On The Market – After taking a break from the market at the end of the year, the homes below are back and looking for springtime buyers:

225 16th St. Open SAT & SUN 1-4 ($2,999,999, 4br/3.5ba + 1br/1ba, 3777sf, listed by Lauren Forbes & John Corrales - Coldwell Banker Residential & Albert Lee – Gibson International). This contemporary walk street home also includes a separate apartment. The home was built in 1994 on the 2,700-square-foot lot. Just a couple blocks to the beach and near downtown, with ocean views and air conditioning. It went off the market last November, when listed at $3,195,000.

1525 Mathews Ave. Open SUN 1-4 ($2,175,000, 5br/5.5ba, 4510sf, listed by James Grant – Coldwell Banker Residential). This home has been for sale since it was built in 2007. It is a beautiful home, with all the new-house features and a large 7,500-square-foot lot. However, the builder/owner has been reluctant to budge on the price, so it just sits. It has been listed at this same price since January 2011 and has only come down $20K in the last two years. Seller financing is offered to sweeten the deal, but that has not been enough to overcome the price. Seller financing did help the same builder sell a very similar home at 1510 Mathews for $1.8M a year ago.  

1535 Ruhland St. Open SAT 2-4 & SUN 1-3 ($1,950,000, 5br/5ba, 4822sf, listed by Beth Morrissey – Shorewood Realtors). It is down $75K from the asking price of $2,025,000 last October. This Mira Costa Section home was built in 1998. It has an oversized (7,950-square-foot lot), leaving room in the back yard for the pool, spa & basketball sport court. It is a beautiful home that looks Mediterranean from the outside, but has contemporary cabinetry in the kitchen, dining room and baths. The master bedroom has a large walk-in closet with doors to both the master bedroom and master bath. Go see it!

1832 8^th St. Open SUN 1-4 ($1,739,000, 5br/4.5ba, 4284sf, listed by Carol Olney – Keller Williams Beach Cities). The price has come down 56K from $1,795,000 last October. This Mira Costa Section home is very big. Perhaps the size is accentuated by the light walls throughout, but it feels huge. The ceilings are high on both levels and the rooms are large. The home was custom built in 2004. There is a butler’s pantry connecting the dining room and gourmet kitchen. One of the bedrooms is downstairs and has an attached full bath.

The 7,503-square-foot lot provides a big grassy back yard too. The garage holds three cars, including one tandem spot.

3108 Vista Dr. Open SAT & SUN 1-4 ($1,589,000, 3br/3.5ba, 2000sf, listed by Robert Freedman – Re/Max). This single family residence is built on a 1,345-square-foot, half-lot at the corner of Vista Drive and the 31^st Place alley. It was constructed in 2005 and sold new for $1,585,000 in 2006. There are ocean peeks from the top level, with the most significant view from the north window at the far end of the kitchen. There is direct access to the two-car garage on the lowest level. That level also includes a bedroom with an attached three-quarter bath. The second level has another bedroom with a three-quarter bath and the large master bedroom with a full bath. The top floor provides open living areas plus a half-bath. There is a dumbwaiter and an outdoor shower, but no yard. This home was listed at the same price when it was taken off the market last October.

Looking for a home in Manhattan Beach or the surrounding areas? Give me (Janie Sue Nagy) a call at 310.707.8762.

Manhattan Beach Homes: Open February 18-19, 2012

Just a few more days to indulge before the Lenten season. Do you have plans for Mardi Gras? You still have time to visit some open houses this weekend before the heavy duty partying begins. 

Newly listed homes are mentioned below. To see others that will also be open, click the Open House Lists to the right. You can view more pictures and information from the MLS listing by clicking on the address of any home below.

217 9th St. OPEN SAT & SUN 12-4 ($2,950,000, 3br/3.5ba, 1734sf, listed by Nicholas Howard – H Premiere Properties). This listing was not open for brokers to preview, but will be open this weekend. The home is on a 1,347-square-foot, half lot at the corner of 9^th St. and Bayview Drive, right next to the downtown area and just a couple blocks to the beach. Known as Kuhlhaus 1, this home was commissioned by Kuhlhaus Development, LLC and designed by James R. Meyer AIA, founder of the design/build firm LeanArch. It sold new for $3 million in 2007.

The home features an open design and flexible living space. There are 270-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. The tax records and the Kuhlhaus description mention solar power, but the listing descriptions do not. That would be something for a buyer to check. Go see this one.

121 36th Pl. OPEN SAT & SUN 1-4 ($2,575,000, 4br/3.5ba, 2193sf, listed by Robb Stroyke – Stroyke Properties). This home actually had one, off-market open house last November before going into hibernation until this week. It is back and on the MLS this time. The Mediterranean style home was designed by Louie Tomaro and custom-built in 2005. 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. The laundry room is on the middle level and provides space for stackable appliances. 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).

325 21^st St. OPEN SUN 2-4 ($1,599,000, 3br/2ba, 1536sf, listed by Dave Caskey – Shorewood Realtors). This home was built in 1957, but has been remodeled throughout and is move-in ready. The home is on a full, Sand Section lot (30 feet by 90 feet) that is zoned R2. Most neighboring lots already have 2-on-a-lot townhomes. 

The steps from the front are daunting, but the back of the lot is level with the 21^st Place alley and there is room to park two cars in back. This property also has a bit of a back yard, rare for the Sand Section. Living spaces are on a single level. There is an ocean view from the living room. The master suite opens to the living room through double doors.  The galley kitchen has been upgraded with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and new cabinetry. The dining area and family room at the back of the house open to the fenced back yard with a brick patio and artificial turf. The upgrades were made to the home before the property last sold for $1,665,000 in 2008.

2516 Palm Ave. OPEN SAT & SUN 1-4 ($1,189,000, 3br/2ba, 2264sf, listed by Susan Jensen – South Bay Brokers). The best feature of this property is the irregularly shaped, 7,342-square-foot lot. It is located at the end of a cul-de-sac overlooking Veterans Parkway. The property has a slight slope down from front to back. Tax records show the address as 2604 N. Ardmore Avenue, but access is from Palm. The home was built in 1947 and is being sold “as-is.” The house is livable, but dated and shows some deferred maintenance. With the price basically at lot value, this is the deal of the week.

3609 Oak Ave. OPEN SUN 2-4 ($975,000, 3br/1.5ba, 1089sf, listed by Ray Joseph – Shorewood Realtors). This house is across from the Belamar Hotel and has convenient access to Rosecrans Ave. at one end of the block and Valley Dr. at the other end. The house has original hardwood floors. It was built in 1955 and most of the original floor plan is intact. The hall bath and kitchen have been updated. A separate laundry room was created off the kitchen with access to a newer half-bath. French doors from the dining room open to a deck at the front of the house, which leads to a fenced front yard. There is also a rear deck, accessed through doors from both back bedrooms. The 4,644-square-foot lot includes a private, grassy back yard and there is a two-car garage. The home has been leased recently and appears to be well maintained.

Back On The Market – After taking a break from the market at the end of the year, the homes below are back for the spring rush:

320 24th Pl. OPEN SAT & SUN 1-4  ($1,599,000, 3br/3.5ba, 1680sf, listed by JoAnn Husman & Jerry Carew – 3 Leaf Realty). This 2-on-a-lot townhome was built in 2005. HOA fees are $50 per month. There is an ocean peek from the 2nd level balcony and an ocean view from the 3rd level balcony. The bedroom on the first level is quite small (9’x10’), but it has access to a side patio. There is garage parking for 2 cars, plus a carport for a third car. It has a dumbwaiter and an outdoor shower. MLS pictures for this home include floor plans. It is back at the same price as last October, when it was taken off the market.

2701 Pacific Ave. OPEN SUN 1-4 ($1,419,000, 3br/2.5ba, 3000sf, listed by Jack Gillespie – South Bay Brokers). This home was built in 1950. A second level was added with twin master bedrooms suites. A third bedroom is on the first level. Through French doors off the living room there is a separate sitting/music room. Counters in the kitchen and baths are tiled. A buyer might want to upgrade the kitchen appliances, but overall the home is quite livable. The 5,549-square-foot, corner lot provides a large back yard (part grass and part patio) and the recent landscaping is attractive. This home came off the market last July at $1,589,000.

320 31st St. OPEN SAT & SUN 2-5 ($1,379,000, 3br/2.5ba, 1523sf, listed by Giovanni Altamura – South Bay Brokers). This Sand Section home was built in 1962 on the 1,500-square-foot half-lot. It has been recently remodeled with tasteful interior design. The master bedroom and bath are on the entry level. Check out the tile work in the master bath. The laundry area is in the two-car garage. The open living room / dining area / kitchen and a second bedroom are on the middle level. The kitchen has been updated with stainless and granite. Most of the house has bamboo floors. Stairs to the loft/3^rd bedroom on the third level are not for the timid. They are steep and the tread is narrow.  But there is a great ocean view from the deck off the room on the 3^rd floor. There is no real yard, just the rear setback. There is parking for two additional cars in front of the garage. This home is back at the same price as last October, when it was taken off the market.

If you are looking for a home in Manhattan Beach (or neighboring cities), I’d be happy to help you find your new home and represent your interests in the transaction. As your agent, I can provide additional background information and current market value estimates for properties that appeal to you. Call Janie Nagy 310-707-8762.

Manhattan Beach Homes: Open February 11-12, 2012

Just a friendly reminder that Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, plan ahead. Really wow your sweetie this year – buy him or her a new house for Valentine’s Day! Well, there may not be time to close the purchase before Valentine’s Day, but you can take the first step and go see some new listings this weekend.

Newly listed homes are mentioned below. To see others that will also be open, click the Open House Lists to the right. You can view more pictures and information from the MLS listing by clicking on the address of any home below.

128 18^th St. OPEN SUN 2-5 ($6,100,000, 5br/5.5ba, 4000sf, listed by Bryn Stroyke & Bob Salim – Stroyke Properties). This newly built, contemporary-style home has a 4-car garage and includes the Ferrari in the garage as part of the sale. But the real attraction is the location and the panoramic ocean views (utilities are underground). Oh and the house is pretty nice too. The 2,697 square foot lot is on a walkstreet, just a block to the beach and near downtown Manhattan Beach. The home includes air conditioning, a three-stop elevator and numerous high-end finishes. The listing mentions “special assessments” which could be related to undergrounding of utilities. This property was not open for brokers to preview, but will be open to the public.

311 32^nd St. OPEN SUN 1-4 ($2,549,000, 3br/2.5ba, 3496sf, listed by Giovanni Altamura – South Bay Brokers). This townhome has been on and off the market since 2009, starting at $2,799,000 and coming down as far as $2,499,000 in June 2010. It was purchased new in 2007 for $2,850,000. There have not been many non-Strand townhomes sell for over $2.5 million. In fact the MLS shows only two since 2007, both last year and both were off-market sales.

This is a beautiful, large home with top-of-the-line finishes and air conditioning. On this block just east of Highland, 32^nd Street is pretty steep, which provides the home with great ocean views. Access to the two-car garage is off Crest Drive. On the bottom level, a bedroom opens to the walkstreet patio. That bedroom has a door to the adjacent hall bath. There is a media room and another bedroom with a small, under-stair closet on this level. The middle level includes the master suite and has direct access to the garage. There are ocean view balconies on the south side of the house, off the master bedroom and the living room. The top floor provides panoramic ocean views from the living room and dining room. HOA dues are $110 per month.

657 31^st St. OPEN SAT & SUN 1-4 ($1,999,000, 4br/3.5ba, 3623sf, listed by Dan O’Connor – Shorewood Realtors). If this one caught your eye because of the seemingly low asking price in the Beach Reporter, don’t get too excited. It was a mistake. The real list price is more in line with the features of this property.

The “French country” style distinguishes this home from most other Manhattan Beach homes. It is located on a 5,022-square-foot, street-to-alley lot in a lovely area of the Tree Section. As you enter, there is a step-down living room at the front.  You move through the dining room, kitchen and family room toward the back of the house. Through French doors from the family room there is a private side yard with a brick patio and grassy area. The family room also has direct access to the 2-car garage. There is an office and a half-bath on the entry level as well.

Four bedrooms are upstairs. The master suite has a step up sitting area with a fireplace. It has separate his and hers walk-in closets. A balcony off the master overlooks the side yard. Two bedrooms share a Jack and Jill bath. Another bedroom has its own attached bath. Vaulted ceilings in the master bedroom and living room give this home an open feel.

1461 9^th St. OPEN SAT &SUN 1-4 ($1,850,000, 6br/5ba, 4093sf, listed by Mori Biener – South Bay Brokers). If you are looking for a large home on a large lot (7,500 square feet), go see this one. It is a beautiful newer home, built in 1997. There is a three-car garage, including one tandem space. The driveway, front walk and back patio are stamped, stained concrete. The back yard has been landscaped for privacy and includes a large grassy area and an in-ground spa.

Upstairs, the master suite balcony overlooks the back yard. Two bedrooms share a Jack-and-Jill bath. A fourth bedroom has an attached bath. On the first floor there are two more bedrooms, with a hall bath between them. At the back of the house, the large kitchen has a prep sink and breakfast nook. It opens to the family room. Floors are a combination of Travertine, carpet and hardwood. The living room gets plenty of light from two walls of windows that span two levels. Curved doorways and alcoves add design interest throughout the house.

966 Rosecrans Ave. OPEN SUN 1-4 ($995,000, 3br/1ba, 1053sf, listed by Shirley DePasse – Shorewood Realtors).  It is not easy to show a home that is tenant-occupied, but you’ll have a chance to see this one on Sunday. The single-level home was built in 1955. It sits back on the 5,956-square-foot lot, away from Rosecrans. The home was not open for brokers to preview, so check out the MLS entry for more information. See it while you can, otherwise it is by appointment only.

807 Boundary Pl. OPEN SAT & SUN 1-4 ($949,900, 3br/2ba, 1350sf, listed by Steve Kary – RE/MAX Beach Cities). This single-level home was built in 1952. The 4,526-square-foot lot is one house east of Ardmore Ave. on the Manhattan Beach side of an alley that serves as the boundary between Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach.


The living room, dining area and kitchen at the front of the house are the original size (small), but the kitchen has been updated. Of the three bedrooms, one does not have a closet. The master has a three-quarter bath. A family room with a vaulted ceiling and fireplace have been added to the back of the home. The family room has a door to the back yard. Most of the back yard is raised as a terrace, about two feet above the walkway behind the house. There is no outdoor area configured as entertaining space. This home comes with a single car garage. While it is livable, this Hill Section property is more appropriate as a site for new construction.

748 Manhattan Beach Blvd. #B OPEN SUN 1-4 ($756,000, 3br/2.5ba, 1407sf, listed by Keith Kyle – South Bay Brokers). This is one of four townhomes built in 1977 and remodeled in 2005. The highlight of this home is the ocean view. According to the MLS, this unit last sold in 2006 for $910,000. The previous sale was in 2004 for $770,000. It is currently listed as a short sale and the asking price would indicate the market for resale homes close to 2004 prices. HOA dues are $275 per month. 

The two-car garage, with laundry hook-ups is on the ground level. Garage access is from Manhattan Beach Blvd. Interior stairs lead from the garage to the middle, entry level. The home has hardwood floors throughout. All three bedrooms are on middle level. Two bedrooms share a full hall bath. The master bedroom, at the front of the house, benefits from double windows to reduce noise. The living room on the top floor has ocean views to the west and city/mountain views to the north. The open living/dining room has an updated gas fireplace and a pass through opening to the kitchen. There is also a half-bath on the upper floor.

1515 Artesia Blvd. #2 OPEN SUN 2-4 ($595,000, 2br/2.5ba, 1363sf, listed by Kristen Novoa – Shorewood Realtors).  This 4-unit townhome complex was built in 1980. Unit #2 is attached on just one side, to unit #1 (which is also for sale – asking $529,900). The entrance is behind a gate and it shares an entry deck with unit #3. The HOA dues are $100 per month.

The kitchen, living room, dining room and a half-bath are on the middle level. The laundry room is upstairs along with two bedrooms, one with a full bath and one with a three-quarter bath. There is direct access to the 2-car garage on the ground level. There is room to park another car in front of the garage. It last sold in 2007 for $615,000.

Back On The Market – After taking a break from the market at the end of the year, the homes below are back with new lower prices:

230 Anderson St. OPEN SUN 1-4 ($4,295,000, 4br/4.5+.5ba, 6135sf, listed by Ed Kaminsky & Aaron Klapper – Shorewood Realtors). See the virtual tour, then go see this gorgeous Hill Section house.

3315 Alma Ave. OPEN SAT & SUN 2-4($2,199,000, 3br/3.5ba, 2218sf, listed by Matt Morris – Shorewood Realtors). This home was featured in Coastal Living magazine for its environmentally friendly materials and design concepts. It was built in 2008 on the 1,529-square-foot , Sand Section lot. Among its features, the home has ocean views and a 3-stop elevator. It last sold in 2008 for $2.1m. 

1808 Pine Ave. OPEN SAT & SUN 2-4 ($965,000, 3br/2.5ba, 1722sf, listed by Chris Broadhurst – Shorewood Realtors). This home was built in 1973 on the 4,483-square-foot , Tree Section lot.

If you are looking for a home in Manhattan Beach (or neighboring cities), I’d be happy to help you find your new home and represent your interests in the transaction. As your agent, I can provide additional background information and current market value estimates for properties that appeal to you. Call Janie Nagy 310-707-8762.

January 2012 Lowest $ Manhattan Beach Home Sale

During January, the least expensive single family home to sell was 1716 Marine Avenue. It was a standard sale which went for $672,500 after 43 days on the market and one price reduction. This 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home was built in 1954 and is considered a “starter home” for Manhattan Beach. It still has the original kitchen (minus appliances), but the bathroom has been remodeled and it has newer windows. The 5,066-square-foot lot is located east of Sepulveda Blvd. and on a very busy street. The 1,157-square-foot, single-level house is not a fixer, but would certainly benefit from upgrades.

January 2012 Highest $ Manhattan Beach Home Sale

The most expensive home to sell in Manhattan Beach during January was 2920 The Strand. This 7-bedroom, 6.5-bath, 5,675-square-foot, ocean-front home sold for $9,250,000. It was built in 1988 and last sold for $9M in 2006. The home has a pool and spa within an atrium and a 4-car garage. It has been on and off the market since 2009 when it was listed for $12,500,000. During most of this time it has been leased. The current listing was for $10,995,000, but the all cash offer brought the sale price down. Read more about this home at Manhattan Beach Confidential.

Manhattan Beach Homes: Open February 4-5, 2012

Most open houses are on Saturday this weekend, leaving your Sunday free for the Super Bowl. The new listings below will be open to the public this weekend. 


There seems to be pent-up demand from buyers and as new listings come out, the well-priced ones are snapped up quickly.

1555 8th St. Open SAT 1-4 ($1,899,000, 5br/4ba, 3587sf, listed by David Caskey – Shorewood Realtors). This one is my “Pick of the Week.” It has lots of room, a floor plan without compromises, a big back yard, nice finishes with built-ins that you would want to keep, and parking is easy. There are already offers in. According to Manhattan Beach Confidential, an offer has been accepted and the home will not be open after all. The open house listings in the MLS still show it open. So you may just need to drive by and see if the open house signs are out.

The home was built in 1997 on the 7,500-square-foot lot in the Mira Costa Section. The location is convenient to Manhattan Beach elementary, middle and high schools. The driveway and entrance are stained, stamped concrete and lead to a covered front porch. There are offices with custom cabinets at the front of the house on both levels. A first floor bedroom also has a built-in desk and cabinets. There is a full bath on the first floor.  The dining room includes a built-in buffet that matches the cabinets in the small butler’s pantry. The new gourmet kitchen has Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances. There are hardwood floors on the first level. The comfortable family room opens to a large patio and grassy back yard.

On the upper level, the master bedroom has a large bath and a small balcony. Separate “his and hers” closets have slatwall. Two bedrooms share a Jack-and-Jill bath. Another bedroom has its own attached bath. The laundry room is also upstairs. This home is in move-in condition.

3201 Bayview Dr. Open SAT & SUN 2-4 ($1,550,000, 3br/3ba, 1820sf, listed by Amy Hackman – Coldwell Banker Residential).  The picture on the right, from August 2011, is the “before” picture for this home. The abundant landscaping, in particular a New Zealand Christmas tree, was the subject of a complaint filed by a neighbor and was described by a June 14, 2006 article in the Easy Reader. The current picture shows that all the foliage has been cut back to prepare the home for sale.

This home has also been the subject of probate court litigation, in which the estate of the former owner had to petition the court to establish ownership of the property. According to court notes, the tenant, a “care custodian,” provided a copy of a lease that granted her the “option to renew the terms of the lease every 5 years indefinitely and to purchase the property from [the] owner at any time for the amount of loan on the property … In addition, rent is set at $700 per month with an increase of 1% per year. No first/last or security was required.”  Who wouldn’t want a sweet deal like that? The loan balance was about $500,000. Needless to say, the estate claimed the lease was a fraud. It appears that a settlement was reached and in January 2012, the tenant withdrew her petition for the court to determine that the property belonged to her.

This home was built in 1981. Since it shares a common, 3,496-square-foot lot with another home, it is considered a detached, two-on-a-lot townhome. There are no HOA dues shown for this listing. This one is a fixer, but the views make it worthwhile. It is just a couple blocks to the beach and near the North Manhattan Beach business area.

1741 Curtis Ave. Open SAT 2-4 ($1,495,000, 4br/3ba, 3305sf, listed by Kristen Novoa – Shorewood Realtors). If this home interests you, go see it today. An offer has already been accepted and they are taking backup offers.


The house was custom built in 1990 and has a bit of a DIY feel. All four bedrooms are on the top floor. The master suite has his and hers closets and its own large bath. The other three bedrooms share a hall bath. The laundry room is upstairs, but you have to go through the hall bath to get to it. The home gets good natural light from lot of windows.

It is on a 7,495-square-foot lot in the Mira Costa Section. The long driveway leads to a two-car garage at the back of the lot. Above the garage there’s an unfinished room with a bathroom. Doors from the family room lead to a Trex deck and a large grassy back yard.

738 33rd St. Open SAT 1-4 ($1,329,000, 3br/2ba, 2062 sf, listed by Lisa Silva & Lesley Francoeur – KPI Brokers). This house was built in 1950 on the 5,024-square-foot lot at the corner of Agnes Road and 33^rd Street. Most of the house is original, but the kitchen has been updated. It is a single-level home with a step-down family room. At either end of the house there are enclosed patio areas – no grass. It has a two-car garage. A good interior designer could turn this home into a cute beach bungalow.

3207 Crest Dr. Open SAT 2-4 ($1,229,000, 3br/3ba, 1794sf, listed by Dawn Crawford – Shorewood Realtors). This is the middle of three townhomes that were built in 1986 on the 3,498-square-foot lot. HOA dues are $1000 per year. It last sold in 2005 for $1,200,000 and has been leased in recent years.

Street access to the two-car, tandem garage is from Highland Avenue.  Access from the garage to the home is on the lowest floor. Spiral stairs connect all four levels of the home. One level above the garage there is a laundry closet and two bedrooms, each with its own bath. The kitchen, dining room, and another bedroom are on the third level. The bathroom on this level connects to the bedroom and has another door to the living areas. This bedroom could also be used as an office or family room. The living room is on the loft-like fourth level, which also has a street-level “front” door on Crest. There are great ocean views from the top floor and the balcony at that level. The home has been remodeled and is move-in ready.

417 20th Pl. Open SAT 2-4 ($1,059,000, 2br/2.5ba, 2155sf, listed by Beth Morrissey – Shorewood Realtors). There has already been interest in this property. It is right next to 421 20^th Place, a similar townhome which debuted last week.  This townhome and the attached townhome behind it on 21^st Street were built in 1981 and they share the 2,699-square-foot lot. There is no yard.

At the entry level there is a bedroom with an attached bath. The next level up is the master suite. It includes an office, a bedroom at the front with a balcony, and a bath with doors to both the bedroom and office. The master bedroom has a built in desk, shelves and cabinets that appear to be made of grey Formica. On the top floor, a balcony off the living room provides an ocean peek. A wall of windows lets light into the living room. There are hardwood floors throughout the living areas and more Formica built-ins on the top floor. A separate dining room off the kitchen and a half-bath are on the top floor too.

621 N. Valley Dr. Open SAT 1-4 & SUN 11-5 ($1,050,000, 3br/2ba, 1035sf, listed by Mary Donahoe – South Bay Brokers). This weekend is your only chance to see this home. The new tenants move in next week (with a lease through September 6, 2012). The sale will be subject to this lease. 

The lot is 1,295 square feet at the corner of Valley Drive and 7^th Street (a walk street). The house was built in 1956. Downstairs, behind the garage there is a separate room with a three-quarter bath. It has a door to the side patio and no interior connection with the upper level. The main house is above the garage. It has an eat-in kitchen, living room, hall bath and two bedrooms. A bank of windows across the front of the house provides views of Veterans Parkway.

7 Evergreen Ln. Open SAT 1-4 & SUN 12-2 ($929,000, 3br/3ba, 1820sf, listed by Nina Michaels – South Bay Brokers & Leah Abraham – Beach Cities Brokers). This Manhattan Village, Plan 6 townhome was built in 1985.  It has a bedroom and hall bath on the first floor. Two more bedrooms are on the second level, each with their own bath. A balcony off the master bedroom is screened to create a nice sitting area. The home has air conditioning.

The kitchen has been updated and includes a breakfast area. The laundry closet opens to the kitchen. French doors lead from the living room to the enclosed patio that has been landscaped for privacy.

HOA dues $475 per month, the price of living in a gated, guarded community with pools and spas. It has been recently painted and is move-in ready.

27 Coronado Ct. Open SUN 12-3 ($789,000, 2br/2.5ba, 1583sf, listed by Mike Walker – Surfside Brokers).This Manhattan Village Plan 2 townhome was built in 1987. HOA fees are $475 per month. The kitchen and master bath have been remodeled and have a clean, zen feel. Hardwood floors are used throughout the home. The living room on the entry level opens to a patio with stone inlay. As an end unit, this home has greater privacy. There are golf course views from the patio and upper level. The two-car garage is outfitted with storage cabinets along two walls.

1605 Harkness St. Open SAT 1-4 ($759,000, 3br/1ba, 1082sf, listed by William Herman – Pierside Realty). This Liberty Village property is a probate sale and it is going to take some work to make it pretty. The house was built in 1950 and most of it is still original. The lot is 5,293 square feet, which leaves room to build out. A detached, two-car garage is at the back of the lot and there is a grassy back yard. They are reviewing offers Monday, February 13^th.

If you are looking for just the right home in Manhattan Beach, call me – Janie Sue Nagy at 310-707-8762.