These two resort cities should be renamed Paradise!

Whether you are looking for a primary home, second home,  luxury home, corporate retreat, weekend getaway, or an income property investment, there is no better place in California to live or invest in real estate . Because of the high desirability of the area and scarcity of buildable land, demand is almost alway greater than supply. That is why property values continually increase. I have seen properties increase 40% in three years, but the average during the past five years has been 15% per year. The current median list price in Manhattan Beach is about $1,400,000 and the median list price in Hermosa Beach is $1,200,000. Prices currently range from $800,000 to $26,000,00. There are so many reasons why this area is more desirable than any other part of California, and likely it can't be matched anywhere in the U.S. Following are several reasons to consider buying real estate here:

+ For my Silicon Valley contacts -- It is a 45-minute flight from SFO, SJ, or Oakland airports. In 1 1/2 hours from takeoff you can be on one of the most pristine beaches found anywhere. No need to spend six or seven hours flying to Hawaii. LAX is a 10-15 minute ride from Manhattan Beach. For private planes Zamperini Field (Torrance Municipal Airport) is a 10-15 minute ride to either beach city. Hawthorne Municipal Airport is also nearby. 

+ Warm weather and very low humidity all year. No mosquitos or other pests, and rarely a fly. Many residents keep windows open without screens. Most residents have no need for air conditioning, but some like to be extra cool during the hottest months, so they have central a/c. There is no smog here; only ocean-swept clean fresh air and low humidity.

+ The beaches in both cities are among the best -- wide, flat, and immaculately clean. Maintained by L.A. County and the cities.

+ The Pacific Ocean -- Continuous pleasure to watch the crashing waves, ships and boats sailing by, paddle boards, and surfers.

+ The Strand -- part of the 22-mile long paved South Bay Bike Trail that runs along the ocean (Santa Monica Bay) from Palos Verdes to the north end of Santa Monica. Great for biking, skating, jogging, walking, and walking the dog. The Strand adds 20-25% to nearby property values. Manhattan Beach has two strands parallel to each other -- one for biking and skating, the other for walking and running.

+ No airplane or train noise, no freeway noise, no sound walls, no factories.

+ Both cities are upscale, and their downtown areas are filled with quality restaurants, fantastic breakfast spots, and boutique shops.

+ Schools are ranked the highest. All five elementary schools in Manhattan Beach have API scores in the high 900s. Hermosa Beach's elementary schools are also in the 900s. Schools rank among the best in the State.

+ Property value appreciation. Continual increase, except for an occasional temporary dip. Better performance than almost any other location in California. Greater demand than supply because of the desirability of the area and scarcity of buildable land. Please not this: 

Houses with assessed land values much greater than the house (improvements) have the best chance for high appreciation rates, and I know where those properties are. Mostly, they are in prime locations, like on The Strand, walkstreets, and other locations closest to the ocean. Those properties’ values have been rising fastest because of the abounding desirability of the area and scarcity of buildable land.

+ Physical safety of property -- No earthquakes, no liquefaction, no tsunamis, no floods, no mudslides, no landslides, no forest fires. Unlike Malibu and the Orange County coastal area (Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, etc.), there are no natural disasters.

+ Beautiful and magnificent homes -- The most expensive (dollars per sq. ft.) are closest to the beach and The Strand. Homes on The Strand (400 in Manhattan and Hermosa) and the walkstreets are the highest priced. This area is called the Sand Section (real estate MLS areas 142 and 148). Homebuyers who want larger lots find homes in the Hill Sections of both cities. Most of these homes have large flat yards and breathtaking panoramic ocean views. Some of these homes have 8,000+ sq. ft. of living space and 4-car garages. Choices in both cities are single-family homes, townhouses, condos, multi-unit income properties, and small office buildings. I will be glad to email a list of homes currently for sale/

+ Celebrities and professionals love these two resort cities. Actors, actresses, professional athletes, and executives live here. Residents and former residents like Shaq O'Neal, Tiger Woods, Michelle Kwan, and Kerry Walsh could live just about anywhere they wish, but they all chose Manhattan Beach. Several LA Kings team players and other professional athletes live in both cities, as do commercial pilots and flight attendants. There are many multi-millionaires who live on The Strand and walkstreets. Several are from Silicon Valley.

+ Proximity to LAX and to many nearby attractions -- 10-15 minute drive to LAX. 30-40 minutes or less from Manhattan or Hermosa: A beautiful marina at King Harbor in Redondo Beach, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, downtown L.A. (Staples Center, L.A. Life/Nokia Theater, Coliseum, Dodger Stadium, USC, etc.), UCLA, Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Malibu, Marina Del Rey, Griffith Park, Hollywood, Hollywood Bowl, Rose Bowl, Universal Studios, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Aquarium of the Pacific, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and much more. Within 15 minutes of Manhattan Beach: The training center in El Segundo for the L.A. Lakers, Clippers, and other pro teams, Raleigh Studios in Manhattan Beach, Zamperini Field in Torrance, StubHub Center in Carson (home of the L.A. Galaxy soccer team), Goodyear blimp, several private and public golf courses, several concert halls and playhouses. One to three hours away: Catalina Island, Six Flags/Magic Mountain, San Diego Zoo, Legoland, San Diego Safari Park, several Indian casinos, Palm Springs, Lake Arrowhead, Mt. Baldy, Mammoth Mountain, and much more.

+ Healthy environment -- A good chance that residents will live longer than average; maybe a lot longer. I have never seen so much biking, running, inline skating, and walking. Many jog on The Strand, others run on the sand. Some do both. Breathing ocean-swept clean fresh air while exercising can add years to your life. A huge sand dune is located at 32nd Street in Manhattan Beach where residents and professional and amateur athletes train here. Google search Sand Dune Park Manhattan Beach. Of course, there is a lot of swimming, surfing, beach volleyball, and fishing. Tennis courts are in several parts of both cities. Professional tournaments are held at Live Oak Park in Manhattan Beach. Private and public golf courses are plentiful here, including the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes.

+ Volleyball -- The hotbed for beach volleyball; professional and amateur. Approximately 80 courts between the Manhattan and Hermosa piers. In both cities there are over 150 sand volleyball courts.

Good home-buying deals are still available, although inventory is quite low. I know where the best deals are, as well as knowing every neighborhood, property values, and the entire inventory. I bring the most value to buyers by finding the best homes in the most desirable neighborhoods in the buyers' price ranges, and by negotiating prices down to where the purchase will be a wise and exceptional investment. I will be glad to email details and photos of several selected homes, or make appointments to see a few homes together and show you the area. I offer you exemplary service that will save you money and time.

Flavia Brown, Realtor

CA BRE #01729313

Realty One Group United

310-961-1300 (cell/text)

310-702-6335 (asst. -- cell/text)

P.S. I am very diligent in assuring confidentiality to my clients.