The home located at 709 Esplanade hasn’t been one of the easiest homes to sell, despite the fact that it sits oceanfront with unbelievable views from Palos Verdes to Malibu. It’s a home with some challenges and will require a buyer with some vision, and some money to do a fairly sizable remodel. It’s been listed by a number of realtors and has come down from the hyper inflated $10,000,000 that it started at in 2012. It’s a fairly palacial home by any South Bay standards with the sellers claim that it’s over 9000 feet. Unfortunately it’s a classic example of an owner with very specific tastes that doesn’t appeal to the masses. The owner clearly liked the color pink (or salmon we’re not sure) and tile. Just about every surface in the home is a pinkish tile and some of the features are a challenge for most luxury home buyers…..pink frog fountains, pinkish kitchen, etc. In general our opinion is that the home will need a total overhaul, but at it’s current price it is starting to be a very enticing option for the homeowner that wants it all. Contact us or call/text 310-251-2344 for more information.
It always surprises me just how little effort and expertise goes into prepping and presenting homes for sale. In a real estate community like Redondo Beach, with median home prices often nearing $1.0M, you would think that all realtors would be good. The way a home is presented in marketing and advertising can mean the difference between getting an offer or sitting on the market and can mean 10’s of thousands of dollars to a home seller.
Above is a great example that I came across the other day while searching listings. These pictures of one bedroom condos for sale in The Village of Redondo Beach make a great impact as they are generally the same room, floorplan and angle. Honestly which would you be more inclined to see and visit? Both properties were vacant but the home on the left was staged and professional photographer used. It simply looks brighter and more inviting and a buyer would be far more likely to want to take a look and tour the home.
So why do some sellers choose realtors that put so little effort into selling their Torrance homes?
That’s a great question but there is really no great answer. Sellers sometimes use a friend of the family, perhaps someone they know, or someone that sends out flyers to the neighborhood. Regardless of where the realtor comes from it’s astounding that sellers don’t ask how the realtor will prep and market the property.
So what should a Redondo Beach home seller do?
Research….find out which agents are successful selling in the area and find out why. Then look at past listings to see how the homes look. It’s no mistake that some agents just have better looking listings. Some agents simply do more and want every home they sell to look as good as possible. Ask to see marketing samples and insist on your realtor using a professional photographer as it can make a huge difference. Sellers have one chance to be a “new listing” and take advantage of the interest and momentum that comes along with that. Would you rather have your home look like the one on the left, or the one on the right. Keep in mind that the commission you are paying is usually the same….whether your realtor does the bare minimum and puts forward little effort, or goes well above and beyond to market your home.
The area of Redondo known as The Village, or Seascapes I, II and III offers the finest in resort living. Located near the Redondo Beach pier and a short walk to both King Harbor and the beaches of Redondo, these upscale condominiums offer a resort feel, and are the perfect home for those wanting to live close to the ocean. Often offering fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina, and the beaches of Redondo the Seascape condominiums and townhomes boast pool and exercise facilities, a short walk to beaches, shopping and the pier. This is South Bay living at it’s finest.
Redondo Beach offers a wider variety of options than neighboring Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach as it’s zoned to allow higher density housing in some areas…..meaning larger condo complexes.
Some of the most ideal complexes are located in South Redondo Beach just off of Catalina and are known as the Village or Seascapes I, II and III.
All of the Seascape Buildings are also known as the Village (they’re actually all on Catalina but the addresses are on The Village) All of the complexes have Homeowners Associations with HOA dues to cover the various landscaping, pools and some insurance. If you’re looking for an affordable way to have a beach home, they may be ideal for you. All of these complexes offer some fantastic ocean, and harbor views and are centrally located just a short walk or bike ride to the beach, marina, restaurants and shops and parks. Keep in mind that some of my comments are just opinions on what is both good and bad about the buildings based on my observations and feedback from my clients.
The Village Condos and Townhomes
610-688 The village Redondo Beach 90277
The Village in South Redondo Beach may just be the most affordable way of living near the water in the South Bay. The Village condominiums and townhomes feature 323 well maintained units including studio, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom condos along with a few townhome style homes at the southern end of the property. The Village offers resort style living and includes two beautiful pool and spa areas (one is for owners only, the other is owned by Ocean Club rental units but fully usable by the owners in The Village) a state of the art fitness center (again part of the Ocean Club but free access is provided to owners) several bbq areas, walk paths, access to the Redondo pier area and more. Most units have ocean views, ocean breezes and are a wonderful place to call home…or a second home.
Seascape 1
210-250 The Village
Seascape One is actually located between Seascapes II and III and consists of 210-250 The Village. It was built in 1978 and is just east of King Harbor and the Redondo Beach pier. Many of the units have fairly unique windows that allow for plenty of light and breezes. The smallest units are 1 bedroom 1 bath with around 577 square feet with the largest units being 2 bedroom 2 bath with just over 1600 feet. Values depend primarily on the location and view as well as the upgrades that the owners have done over time.
Pros: Location, location, location. Seascape I is central to everything and you truly don’t have to get in the car on the weekends. It’s directly adjacent to the marina and the Redondo Beach pier and has a large grassy park just outside your door. Some of the units are very nicely remodeled and some have tremendous ocean views (although those unblocked view units rarely come on the market. This is an affordable way to live by the beach or use a rental unit. See additional pictures of an ocean view unit at 240 The Village.
Cons: The complex is a little maze like and finding your way around isn’t always simple. The complex also has shared laundry with a laundry room near the elevator on every floor. Another negative is that there seems to continually be an assessment in addition to the HOA dues and currently all of the planters and ponds have been undergoing continual work. Unlike Seacapes Two and Three the complex is not gated (although the parking is) View current oceanview condos for sale
Seascape 2
110 - 160 The Village Redondo Beach
Seascape 2 was built in 1980 and looks a bit more modern than Seascape I. The units are much larger with the smallest one bedrooms just a bit over 900 square feet and the largest condos having 2 bedrooms plus a very good sized loft (with an additional balcony) and just at 1900 square feet. Seascape 2 consists of the buildings with 100-160 The Village addresses and is the furthest north of the oceanfront/oceanview buildings. The complex has a very nice pool area and is walkable to just about everything imaginable. Seascape 2 also has some townhome units with larger square footage and attached garages. Many/most of the units have been extensively remodeled and many have stunning ocean and harbor views.
Pros:Again the location is excellent with shops, restaurants, gyms and the beach just a stroll away. The complex has a very nice vacation like feel to it and is ideal for those looking for a beach home, second home or just wanting a primary residence at the beach….without the price tag of many other oceanview properties.
Cons:There are often assessments and the monthly HOA is fairly high and currently start around the mid $400s as of this article. It’s a fairly large complex and often a bit confusing to find your way around. Although the views can be stunning some of the units are a bit further back with a service road and a few buildings in front of the views of some of the lower units.
Seascape 3
510 - 540 The village redondo beach 90277
Built in 1980 Seascape III feels very similar to Seascape II with a slightly more “vacation” type feel. The condos are fairly large with the smallest 1458 square feet and the largest being the penthouse 2 bedroom with an ocean view loft and separate patio with slightly over 2000 square feet.
This is the furthest south of the Seascape buildings but still walkable to everything.
Pros: Again the location is just ideal and the complex has a great second home or vacation feel. Higher floor units have some tremendous views and many have been very nicely upgraded. As with all of the Esplanade and Village buildings, prices have come down considerably as they have had a very high second home ownership in the past and have suffered quite a bit with some foreclosures and short sales forcing prices down which makes for an ideal environment for buyers
Cons: As with all of the Seascape buildings the HOA is quite high and the age of the buildings, coupled with their environment of sun and salt air, often make for additional assessments. HOA is also fairly restrictive as to what can be done to the units, but this can also be considered a positive for many. View current oceanview condos for sale
**This post was from 2014 and this home is no longer available**
Located on the bluff in the charming neighborhood of Hollywood Riviera, the new listing at 617 Paseo De La Playa has a view and location that may be second to none. With fantastic coastline views from Palos Verdes to Malibu, the home sits on a huge lot that extends all the way to the sands of Torrance Beach. The home itself has been updated throughout the years but still has a fairly original feel. The home features 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths at 3100+ square feet. From the moment you enter the home you’re absolutely struck by the views. The home came on the market at a fairly hefty $4,495,000 which would be the new high in the area. Formerly a FSBO priced at $4,350,000 the home didn’t sell which wasn’t a surprise given that homes rarely sell as for sale by owner properties. Contact us or call/text at 310-251-2344 for more information.
Hosted by the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, the
Seaside Lagoon Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Lobster Festival is a great event for the whole family. With activities for the kids, live entertainment for the parents and delicious Maine lobsters for to all, you’re sure to have fun. Plus, there will be arts and crafts booths and other local vendors offering their wares. Tickets are available online at www.lobsterfestival.com.
One of the highly anticipated events of fall is the annual lobster fest held at the Seaside Lagoon in King Harbor. The event is certainly focused on food, and they’re plenty of that, but also has a variety of craft beers, local crafts, music and more. Tickets can be purchased in advance and the admission fee allows you to enter the festival without purchasing lobster meals so you can enjoy the live music, shows, entertainment, vendors, and seaside location overlooking the Redondo Beach Harbor.
Seaside Lagoon
2oo Portofino Way
Redondo Beach, CA
Activities – Some of the various activities and events of the weekend include:
Rat Beach Bike Tour
The Rat Beach Bike Tour, sponsored by the Rotary Club of South Bay, will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2014 with three great rides to choose from, a Metric Century (62 miles), Metric Half Century (31 Miles) and a Metric Quarter Century (15.5 miles), starting from a new location at Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach. This year the RAT RIDE is partnering with the Redondo Beach Lobster Festival and will offer riders even more opportunities with free admission into the Lobster Festival for lunch and a huge party at the end of the ride!Stand Up Paddle Board Lessons
Bring Your Bathing Suit on Saturday & Sunday for Stand-Up Paddle Board Lessons!
Kiddie Area
The Kiddie Area will feature a Big Slide! This 45 feet long 12 feet high dual slide is a blast for kids and will be staffed by professionals from Elite Special Events.
Face Painting
Children can get their faces and body parts painted.
Balloon Art
Fun for kids and adults.
Music
Friday 9/26
Barley Legal – 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Andy & Renee w/ Hard Rain – 7:30- pm-8:30 pm
Pine Mountain Logs – 9:00 pm-11:00 pm
Saturday 9/27
A Certain Groove – 1:00 pm-2:00 pm
Frankly Speaking – 2:30 pm-3:45 pm
The Reflexx – 4:45 pm-6:15 pm
The Knights of Monte Carlo – 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Surf City All Stars w/David Marks – 9:00 pm-10:30 pm
During a week in which most other South Bay cities are only offering a very limited number of homes to see, the open house schedule for September 20th and 21st in Redondo Beach has plenty to offer….and plenty to tour. This weekend sees more than usual with several advertised open houses. See the list below for Redondo Beach and the South Bay open houses. If you’re seeing this post after the September dates please visit our South Bay open houses site for updated homes for sale and schedules.