I’m proud to be a Shorewood Agent and look forward to providing my clients with outstanding service each and every day.

We help buyers with the entire home buying process. This is just another way we help take the stress out of home buying. Give us a call (424.241.0025). Let us introduce you to our team and show you how to find the home of your dreams.

Whether you’re single or married with children – young or old, Manhattan Beach is a great place to live. The city offers lots of activities for the outdoor sports minded, the music and art lover; and many annual events for the whole family. Events are spread throughout the year, so there is always something happening…

Art Exhibitions

Earth Day Celebration and Concert

Annual Manhattan Beach Solar Homes Tour

Manhattan Open Tennis Tournament

Concerts in the Park

6-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament and International Surf Festival

Annual Sandcastle Design Contest

Manhattan Beach Open – Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Volleyball

Annual Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair

Annual Family Halloween Carnival

Annual World Famous Pumpkin Race Festival

Holiday Open House and Annual Pier lighting

Annual Family Holiday Crafts Night

Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks Festival

By: Jamie Goldberg
Published: January 10, 2012

Mulling a kitchen remodel but want to keep costs low? You’re au courant with today’s trends that emphasize options and high-tech wizardry at affordable prices.

Trend #1: Remodeling scales back

A new focus on moderation and value has entered the remodeling mind-set. Trends that are likely to show up in your kitchen next year include:

You’ll repair your existing appliances (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/appliances/when-to-repair-or-replace-large-appliances/) instead of replacing them, extending their life with good maintenance (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/appliances/refrigerator-maintenance/) and care. If you’re replacing cabinets, you’re likely to build around your current appliances rather than choosing new models.

You’re scaling back your cabinetry purchases, with an increased emphasis on kitchen storage and functionality over elaborate decoration. For example, rather than stacked crown moldings throughout the kitchen, you’ll put your money into practical roll-out trays and drawer organizers.

Small-scale kitchen (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/home-improvement/small-kitchen-space-savers/) projects are big news. Changing out cabinet hardware, replacing a faucet, and refacing your cabinets (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/kitchens/refacing-kitchen-cabinets/) upgrades your kitchen without major expense.

Trend #2: Simpler, warmer styles dominate

Fussiness and excess have faded away in favor of pared-back looks that present a more timeless, value-conscious style.

Cabinet decoration continues to streamline. For example, massive corbels, once fashionable as undercounter supports, will give way to sleeker countertop supports and cantelivered countertop edges. Stacked moldings will pare back or disappear entirely. Elaborately glazed finishes will yield to simpler paints and stains.

 Kitchen finishes will continue to get warmer and darker, and feature natural and stained woods. Walnut especially is growing in popularity.

Laminate countertops (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/kitchens/laminate-kitchen-countertops-perfect-fakes-low-cost/) will continue to surge in popularity, especially in contemporary design. The latest European-inspired laminates offer more textured and naturalistic finishes than ever before. While exotic wood kitchen cabinets are out of reach for most home owners, glossy, look-alike laminate versions can be had for about one-third the price.

Trend #3: Technology expands its kitchen presence

Many of the techno products and trends that relate to your smartphones and tablets have just started making their way into your local showrooms and home centers.

Appliances will be equipped with USB ports and digital screens so you can display your family photographs and kids’ artwork.

Smart, induction built-in cooktops ($500-$3,000) remember your temperature settings as you move your pans across their entire surface.

One light finger touch is all it takes to open the electronically controlled sliding doors of your kitchen cabinets – a boon to people with limited mobilities. You’ll pay 40% to 70% more for cabinets with electronically controlled doors (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/home-improvement/motion-kitchen-cabinets/) than standard models.

You’ll be able to use your smart phones and tablets to control lights and appliance settings from anywhere you have a wi-fi connection, as well as to shop for appliances from major manufacturers.

You’ll be opting for LEDs for your recessed lights, under-cabinet task lighting (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/lighting/under-cabinet-lighting-your-kitchen-task-masters/) and color-changing accent lighting. You’ll see more LED-powered pendants and chandeliers from major manufacturers as inefficient incandescent bulbs (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/lighting/end-incandescence/) continue their march toward extinction.

A wide selection of affordable microwave ovens with convection and even steam features gives owners of smaller kitchen spaces more high-end cooking power.

What improvements – big or small – are you planning for your kitchen this year?

From that time, Manhattan Beach has developed into a place that is truly special for residents and visitors alike. The beautiful beaches and year-round sunshine provide an ideal setting for the home of beach volleyball, visiting our iconic Pier, surfing or simply strolling along the strand! Beyond this beautiful ocean front, Manhattan Beach is a small, yet sophisticated, city that has it all. A city of lovely homes on tree lined streets, extraordinary schools, dining and shopping destinations to suit every taste, fine places of worship, excellent civic organizations, wonderful parks and friendly people at every turn. More…

Manhattan Beach is made up of various distinct neighborhoods in which to live. Each offering a certain look and feel – including property lot and street size, as well as allowable home size. Regardless which section of the city you live, the public school system in Manhattan Beach is exceptional.

The Manhattan Beach Sand Section is generally the first 4 blocks from the ocean, running the entire length of the city. The Sand Section has the smallest lot sizes with a standard full lot measuring 30×90 feet.  And, many half lots of 30×45 feet.

The Sand Section offers higher density living than other sections of Manhattan Beach. Most homes have 3 foot setbacks on the sides and 5 feet in front and back.

Properties are made up single family homes, townhomes, and income properties providing many more opportunities for renters.

Single family homes and townhomes range in size from about 1,500 to 4,500 square feet.

Sand Section street are more narrow, with many streets looking like alleys.

The San Section can remind you of Europe with its walkable neighborhoods – homeowners out walking their dogs, and walking to local restaurants and shops. Most everything you need is at your finger tips.

And, of course, being located right on the coast, the majority of ocean view lots are located here.

Remove clutter and clear-off counters. Throw out stacks of newspapers and magazines and put away most of your small decorative items. Place excess furniture in storgage, and remove out-of-season clothing items that are cramping closet space. And, don’t forget to clean out the garage.

Wash your windows and screens. This will help get more light into the interior of your home.

Brighten your rooms. Put higher wattage blubs in light fixtures to brighten-up rooms and basements. Replace any burned-out blubs in closets. Clean the walls, or better yet, brush on a fresh coat of neutral color paint.

Keep everything extra clean.  A clean house will make a strong first impression and send a message to buyers that the home has been well-cared for. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates, mop and wax floors, and clean the stove and refrigerator. Polish your doorknobs and address numbers. It’s worth hiring a cleaning service if you can afford it.

Get rid of smells.  Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows to air out the house. Potpourri or scented candles will help.

Don’t disregard minor repairs.  Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well maintained.

Tidy-up your yard.  Cut the grass, rake the leaves, add new mulch, trim the bushes, edge the walkways, and clean the gutters. For added curb appeal, place a pot of bright flowers near the entryway.

Patch holes.  Repair any holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

Add a touch of color in the living room.  A colored afghan or throw on the couch will jazz up a dull room. Buy new accent pillows for the sofa.

Buy a flowering plant and put it near a window you pass by frequently.

Make center pieces for your tables.  Use brightly colored fruit or flowers.

Set the scene.  Set the table with fancy dishes and candles, and create other vignettes throughout the home to help buyers picture living there. For example, in the basement you might display a chess game in progress.

Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light. Show off the view if you have one.

Accentuate the fireplace. Lay fresh logs in the fireplace or put a basket of flowers there if it’s not in use.

Make the bathrooms feel luxurious. Put away those old towels and toothbrushes. When buyers enter your bathroom, they should feel pampered. Add a new shower curtain, new towels, and fancy guest soaps. Make sure your personal toiletry items are out of sight.

Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that’s not possible, crate them or confine them to one room (ideally in the basement), and let the real estate practitioner know where they’ll be to eliminate surprises.

Lock up valuables, jewelry, and money. While a real estate salesperson will be on site during the showing or open house, it’s impossible to watch everyone all the time.

Leave the home. It’s usually best if the sellers are not at home. It’s awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there.

Buying a home should be fun, not stressful! There’s no “right” time to buy and no “perfect” time to sell. Don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market. You could risk losing out. Remember, a good home won’t stay on the market long.

Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want re-assurance. But, too many ideas from too many people make it harder to make a decision. Focus on the needs of your immediate family.

Accept that no house is ever perfect. Location is key. The yard may be a bit smaller than you originally wanted. The kitchen may be just right, but the roof needs repair. Focus on your top priorities. Let the minor ones go.

Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price or refusing to budge on your offer may cost you the home you love. Negotiation is give and take.

Remember, your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Physical aspects don’t trump other important issues like noise level and neigborhood amenities that add to the quality of life.

Try to plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute to get approved for a mortgage. Investigate home insurance early. And, start thinking early about a schedule for moving. Presenting contingent offers with unresolved issues are much less attractive to sellers.

Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Dont leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.

Finally, accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big financial commitment. But it also yields big benefits. Don’t lose sight of why you wanted to buy your home in the first place!

February and March 2012
Manhattan Beach School Art Contest
This community event will invite students from all schools, K-12 in Manhattan Beach to enter
a contest to draw or paint a picture of their favorite thing about Manhattan Beach. There will
be one winner from each grade level. Each winner will have their artwork displayed at the
Historic Picnic on May 19, 2012.

March 25, 2012
Taste of Manhattan Beach
This ticketed event will be held in downtown Manhattan Beach and will feature cuisine from
local restaurants. Historic photos will be displayed at the event; the event will also include
live music and entertainment.

May 19, 2012
Manhattan Beach Centennial Parade and Historic Picnic
Community organizations will be invited to create floats, costumes, and marching groups
with a parade theme of “100 Years in Manhattan Beach.” The parade will end in Polliwog
Park with a picnic celebration including “A Walk Through Time” historic photo display, food,
and entertainment. For information on participating in the parade, please contact Jan Dennis
at (310) 372-8520.

July 2012
Manhattan Beach Centennial Festival, Downtown Open House and Pier Event
The Centennial Festival will be held in the downtown area. The event will include a
“concourse style” display of cars from decades that have come to symbolize life in “Southern
California” from woodies to convertibles. The Manhattan Beach Downtown Business Owners
will also hold an “Open House” with historic photos in each of the stores to display the fun
history of the buildings, businesses, and history of our wonderful downtown community. The
winner of the Concourse will be announced at the Pier at the end of the day, during an
award ceremony. Free admission to everyone.

September 22, 2012
Centennial Ball
Spend an evening on our famous beach, dance under the stars, dine on local fare, and
enjoy grand entertainment as the City hosts the Centennial Beach Ball. This unique beach-inspired event will be a once in a hundred year opportunity to indulge in one of our City’s
most famous legacies, the beach!

December 2012
Holiday Fireworks
The official Manhattan Beach Centennial Celebration will end at the Holiday Fireworks
Show in 2012. A Centennial fireworks display will be added to the crescendo of the regular
fireworks.
*Event Details Subject to Change

Courtesy, City of Manhattan Beach