Todays financial headline on FED gets it….

 Toss away the LA times and read the real information here….plus the political

 http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/loubarnes/fed-gets-it-credit-crisis-trumps-inflation

They do. Worth your time: http://www.federalreserve.gov/, the minutes of the Aug. 5 meeting. Unusually short, clear and grim, two things stand out: They get the risk of credit-default spiral (shrinking credit, more defaults, less credit …), and that risk is greater than inflation. The FDIC sure as hell gets it, staring at a bank/collateral spiral.

Here is another great spot which was submitted by Mary McPherson.  This is the Ocean Estates Trail in Rancho Palos Verdes.  This is an easy walk along the bluff of our beautiful Palos Verdes coast looking out at the ocean and several coves.   It is quiet and peaceful.  There are benches to sit and take it all in. 

The Trail is located on the ocean side of Oceanfront Estates.   At the end of Hawthorne Boulevard, cross Palos Verdes Drive West and the street turns into Via Vicente.  Bear right onto Calle Entradero.  There are parking areas on the street.  You can also stop at Golden Cove Center (just across Hawthorne Boulevard) and pick up lunch or a snack for your walk. 

Welcome Back Road Runners!!

Riviera Elementary - as well as all the Torrance Unified Schools - begin school again on Thursday, September 4th, 2008!  Riviera Elementary was honored as a California Distinguished School in 2008!  What a wonderful designation for a great school!  Riviera Elementary will welcome 690 students for its 2008-2009 school year.  114 of them are incoming Kindergartners.  There are also going to be several staff additions to this wonderful place for children to grow and learn.

Class lists will be posted  in front of the school office on Wednesday, September 3rd around 5pm.  School starts at 8:46 am for 4th & 5th grades and 8:55 am for K-3rd grades.  There will be a PTA New Parent Tea the first day of school in the cafeteria starting at 10am.  A reminder that Wednesdays are the early dismissal days - school lets out at 2:23 for 1-5th graders and regular time for Kinders (1:55pm.) 

Happy School Year!!  Hard to believe summer is almost over!

For more information visit the school website at http://www.riviera.tusd.org  or call (310) 533-4460

Impressive information is always at Inman News. The latest article on REO’s is a must read for everyone in todays market. http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/berniceross/represent-reos-with-caution 

Inman gives 4 areas to be careful about as an agent.

Remember agents when Banks tried to become Realtors?

 About 5 years ago I saw a letter that came out from a Bank and was quickly withdrawn.

The REO situation has placed the Banks in the latest quicksand world of service. They have few skills to help them in an undertow of paper, people and crisis.

“Join Inman and read the real world in Real Estate.”

Feel pleasure in small things- a beautiful strawberry shaped like a heart.

The last thing Realtors ever want is for someone to lose their home. Pause and remember -This time too, shall pass.

 Don’t feel skunked if an REO or Short Sale is right on your street….but if you are trying to sell your house…you certainly will feel it. It’s just a fact of the times. Be brave.

Thank goodness for the machine turning into loans for people   http://www.hud.gov/

Check out the “hope for homeowners fact sheet“! Most important- people want to know some options. Things are changing pretty fast…here is a quote from the article…

“The President has signed into law the Hope for Homeowners program. This program will continue FHA’s existing and successful efforts to provide aid to struggling families trapped in mortgages they currently cannot afford. Certain borrowers facing difficulty with their mortgage will be eligible to refinance into FHA-insured mortgages they can afford.

Hope for Homeownership Fact Sheet

read articles HUD Secretary: FHA has helped 300,000 families find relief with government-backed mortgages

Having helped a seller with a short sale gave me in the line of fire experience with the ups and downs of working with sellers( the bank) that never sold before…

It had a good final result and it sold- we had 4 escrows and 1 finally closed. The difficult part was “Realtor-Agents” trying to do both and not being super great at either. It took a lot of hand holding with escrow, and patience.

All I can say is thank goodness lenders didn’t get to cut out the middle man…..woman  REALTORS!  We are really like teachers….helping families get moving into a home. It takes education, preparation and hand holding.

For now the G0v is trying to hold out a hand….it has to. Lets hold our hands together.

This is the first in a series of special places on the Palos Verdes Peninsula which many owners of Palos Verdes real estate are not aware of.  You might say these are ”secret” places.   The Gazebo at Roessler Pointis located in Palos Verdes Estates.   The entrance is at the northwest end of the parking lot for Malaga Cove School (Paseo Del Mar and Via Arroyo).

The Gazebo ia a great spot for contemplation and the view is spectacular.  It is very quiet and you are usually the only one there.  You can see the coastline Queen’s Necklace view all the way around to Malibu.  The sunsets are also fabulous.  If you want to walk down on the beach, the path is just to the right.

Good eating has come to the Hollywood Riviera’s “Riviera Village.”  Dolce Vita is a wonderful new addition for the breakfast and lunch crowds.  They are actually a german deli and sandwich shoppe with more of an italian name.  Ripe w/ european flavors, Dolce Vita offers homemade quiche, flatbreads paired w/ fresh green salads, pasta & veggie salads, sandwiches on baquettes, delicious lattes and cappucino’s to top of the meal.  A certain return visit for me - especially since they actually had terrific customer service - a true bonus today.  I also enjoyed sitting outdoors - they have a great set-up with plenty of tables & chairs with eye-catching red umbrellas.

Village Pizza has opened and has a super charming feel with table and chairs out on the sidewalk for a little al fresco dining.  They also have a nice size indoor eating area complete with flatscreens for those sports fans.  They offer beer and wine as well as pizzas, calzones, salads and kids menus!  A certain competitor for Pedones.

A fabulous find for dessert after you are done with lunch or dinner in the Riviera Village - head to Crema Dolce…they have been in the Riviera Village for over 5 years now!  Talk about a huge number of fresh, homemade gelato & sorbet flavors - it’s unbelievable.  And it is not only delicious, but healthy too.   They say that “these delicious and flavorful treats are combined with proven Prebiotic benefits that bring you a balance of taste and health.” I got the mango-passionfruit sorbet and it was mouthwateringly tasty!  I’m headed back for more soon.  They even have “american style” cream flavors such as mint chip and cookies & cream.  And “cotton candy” flavor for the little ones.  Topped with a waffle cone triangle; this is sure to cure your sweet tooth.

Strolling through the Riviera Village this afternoon - around 2pm on a Tuesday - I found it bustling with activity, which frankly shocked me.  I thought it would be much quieter.  I walked by the Coffee Cartel (right next to Crema Dolce) and there were several people out enjoying the shaded patio with their coffee drinks.  The crepe place - Crema  de la Crepe was packed.  All sorts of people outside eating delectable little bites…although the dessert crepes I saw drizzled in chocolate and oozing with whip cream didn’t look so little!  I wrote about them in March 2008 as a new store to the Riviera - looks like they are doing well!   Hennesseys’ was of course crowded - people with their little dogs sitting outside.

I also popped my head into “L’Atelier” a knitting store carrying the most exquisite yarns and samples of gorgeously crafted sweaters, wraps and handbags.  The store was standing room only - women sitting on stools at a “knitting bar” clicking away and enjoying the companionship. Very cool!  Makes me want to take up knitting one day.

On it’s way, not open yet….Turquoise.  The sign indicates a mediterranean grill featuring organic foods.  They said they’d be open next month!  Somewhere to head to in September.

It really doesn’t matter if it’s in a box or a bag if you really want to sell. Click here to find to answer to everything you need to know about home selling in this article by James Wexeler Realtor from the Phoenix and Scottsdale area. Actually, these really aren’t secrets. They are just common sense. Most articles and PR pieces that use the word “secret” really mean common sense in a way that implies the reader doesn’t have any. And these secrets have been around for at least 20 years or more. But if you want to sell fast in this market they work.

The Lunada Bay neighborhood is located in Palos Verdes Estates.   My favorite things about this neighborhood are the ocean views and the coastline bluff trails for walking.  My son would say it was when the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie was being filmed (photo above) two summers ago and the cliffs were lined with people (including us) with binoculars watching.

The Lunada Bay area is .7 square miles and has approximately 2,778 residents.  This area is also home to 3 schools (Lunada Bay Elementary, Palos Verdes Intermediate and Palos Verdes High School) and is a favorite area for families.  Lunada Bay has its own fountain (photo below)  and shopping area (Palos Verdes Drive West and Yarmouth) with a market, restaurants, gas station, banks and other shops.  Some Lower Lunada Bay homes (on the ocean side of Palos Drive West) have ocean views; this area is fairly flat which is perfect for biking and walking.  As Upper Lunada Bay homes are located higher on our hill, many have panoramic ocean views.

Nearly eighty seven percent of the housing in Lunada Bay is single family homes.  There are also apartments and townhomes.  There are currently 26 single family homes ranging in price from $1,079,000 (1572 sq ft) to $3,295,000 (3859 sq ft).  Currenty, there are no active townhomes for sale.  There are 2 townhomes in escrow with a list price of $599,000 (1142 sq ft) and $629,000 (1184 sq ft). 

Hooray Mira Costa…congratulations to Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach!

Congratulations to schools that made the top list in high schools in our South Bay area

Other local South Bay area High Schools were:

Palos Verdes High and  Palos Verdes Peninsula High plus Private school-Chadwick

West High for Torrance

Hawthorne Math and Science Academy for Hawthorne, CA

I will always care about schools first!  My parents were teachers. Mother taught High school English and my dad was a College professor with a PHD in English. Sorry it didn’t rub off. They were perfect and I just want to have fun. I sure love to read!

My husband Bob Pope and his sister Pati graduated from Mira Costa High when they lived in Hermosa Beach where they moved in 1960. Bob enjoyed surfing and school and Pati grew up to be…a teacher!!

What more can I say about Mira Costa. I have attended the reunions- they are wonderful and the group meet the next morning and surf. If you want to really know more about our community and mira costa there is so much to learn from  Hermosa Historical Society with emphasis on architecture and surfing…oh yes- its what makes us unique. And Mira Costa High is all over the globe in outstanding athletes. It is the starting ground for so many key entrances to College sports. And what about the Theatre Department? I have attended so many of the plays there. Those two are just a start to what Mira Costa has that you can learn about. How about our locals in Beach Volleyball - Soccer -Swim teams or the Olympics?