If you are looking for a fun family friendly activity this weekend, Palos Verdes homes owners have only a short ride to visit  the Malaga Cove Art Show.  Here the Palos Verdes Art Center invites the community to meet with local artists who will be exhibiting their works.  This includes not only paintings, but also photographs, ceramic goods, and custom jewelery.  There will be approximately 30 artists who are affiliated with the PVAC selling their unique one-of-a-kind goods.

The art show takes place at the Malaga Cove Plaza on May 18 & 19, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The plaza is located on Palos Verdes Drive West between Via Corta and Via Chico in Palos Verdes Estates.  While there you can take in the historical architecture and landmarks and enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants.

Additional Palos Verdes Art Center outdoor art shows will be held at Malaga Cove Plaza on June 22 & 23, July 20 & 21, August 17 & 18, and September 21 & 22, 2013.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Art Center Exhibition Area

2012 Palos Verdes homes sales for the West Palos Verdes neighborhood were about the same as 2011 – 21 single family homes sold in 2012 compared to 22 in 2011.  Price per square foot for West Palos Verdes  houses that sold in 2012 decreased slightly to $539 compared to $543 in 2011.  Average sales price for West Palos Verdes  homes sold in 2012 was $2,193,286 compared to $2,391,000 in 2011.  The most expensive home sold for $5,500,000 and the lowest priced home sold for $865,000.

Currently, West Palos Verdes has 6 active Palos Verdes homes for sale.  There are 6 single family homes for sale ranging from $1,599,000 for a 3 bedroom/4 bath, 2,761 square foot home to $12,500,000 for a 5 bedroom/10 bath, 11,346 square foot home.

For background and history on West Palos Verdes  Multiple Listing Area 170, please click here to read my prior article on this neighborhood.

To view current Palos Verdes real estate statistics for the entire Peninsula, please click here or on the “Statistics” tab above.

Photo courtesy of Arvin Design

Palos Verdes homes owners are lucky to have the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy which helps maintain our hillsides and trails.  On Saturday, June 1, 2013, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy will be celebrating National Trails Day at Del Cerro Park, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  National Trails Day started in 1987 when President Ronald Regan’s Commission on the Americans Outdoors recommended that all Americans be able to go out their front doors and within fifteen minutes be on trails that would wind through their cities.  That recommendation was dubbed “Trails for All Americans” and after years of public and private parties working with the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day  was launched in 1993.  None of this would have been possible without the hundreds of volunteers that have made this day special throughout the country.

Our own Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy is always looking for volunteers to come out and join them in maintaining and replenishing our native growth along our trails which is so necessary for our own eco and wildlife systems here on the Peninsula.

National Trails Day is a great opportunity to enjoy a guided nature walk and learn about the many volunteer trail projects in our area .   Put on your hiking shoes and bring the family to enjoy nature and learn more about our local environment.  In addition to hikes, there will be raffle prizes, treasure hunt, gifts and more.

Del Cerro Park is located at 2 Park Place, Rancho Palos Verdes.  To learn more about the event call (310)541-7613, or visit www.pvplc.org

Raju Chhabria’s (Shorewood Realtors Inc) 7 Marguerite Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 (above left) is a 6 bedroom, 8 bath, 7,778 square foot home for $11,999,000.  This magnificent Italian Villa located on a 2-acre oceanfront lot in West Palos Verdes features a large kitchen, separate library, wine cellar,  pool, private amphitheater, spa and guest house.  Wendy Sun’s (RE/MAX Estate Properties) 30 Via Malona, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 (above right) is a 5 bedroom, 5 bath, 4,189 square foot home for $1,699,000.  This beautiful Wallace Ranch home features high ceilings, a modern/spacious kitchen and large master suite with sitting area.

Pamela Lieb’s (RE/MAX Estate Properties) 29137 Covecrest Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 (above left) is a 4 bedroom, 4 ah, 3,141 square foot home for $1,500,000.  This wonderfully remodeled Seamount home features unobstructed ocean views, a huge family room and a pool/spa.   Raechelle Lord (Coldwell Banker) and Robin DeBraal’s (RE/MAX Estate Properties) 29034 Warnick Road, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 (above right) is a 5 bedroom, 4 bath, 3,429 square foot home for $1,495,000.  This beautiful Los Verdes home features a remodeled kitchen, a family room w/vaulted ceilings and a nice private backyard.

Photos courtesy of CRMLS

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes will be partnering with the L.A. County Department of Animal Care and Control and the Society for California Veterinary Vaccine Care to provide this wonderful service to our community.  The clinic will be at our own local Hesse Park, located at 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275, on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013,  from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Palos Verdes homes owners are requested to have dogs on a leash or cats in a secure carrier.  Pet owners must be at least 18 years of age, and licensing for cats is voluntary.  The animals must be healthy and non-pregnant.  You must also bring their pet Certificate of Sterility and rabies vaccination in order to take advantage of the reduced dog license fees.

At the clinic dogs must be 4 months of age or older to be vaccinated for rabies. Rabies vaccinations are $10 per vaccination, and the DHHP (4 in 1) vaccination is $16. The DHHP prevents distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and para influenza.  Bordella for dogs 8 weeks and older will cost $13.  Cats will be able to have the rabies vaccinations if they are 4 months or older and will cost $10 or $20 for Purevax.  The FVRCP (3 in 1) is available for cats 8 weeks and older for $16.  The FVRCP is for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calici, and Panleukopenia.  The FELV feline leukemia vaccine is $18 and is for cats 9 weeks and older.

Free Microchips for dogs will be offered if they are licensed in zip codes 90274 or 90275.  $28 will be charged for microchips for cats and out of area dogs which do not qualify for free chips.

Only cash will be accepted for vaccines and microchips.  Cash or checks will be accepted for pet licensing.  If you want to renew or apply for a new dog license you can do it on the Internet at anytime  at: http://animalcare.lacounty.gov.

For more information you can call Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control Department at (562)728-4706 or Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall at (310)544-5268.

Photo courtesy of  the City of Rancho Palos Verdes

2012 Palos Verdes homes sales for the Palos Verdes Drive South neighborhood increased to 35 single family homes sold in 2012 compared to 33 in 2011.  Price per square foot for Palos Verdes Drive South houses that sold in 2012 decreased to $415 compared to $470 in 2011.  Average sales price for Palos Verdes Drive South homes sold in 2012 was $1,151,314 compared to $1,389,591 in 2011.  The most expensive home sold for $3,000,000 and the lowest priced home sold for $560,000.

Currently, Palos Verdes Drive South has 23 active Palos Verdes homes for sale.  There is 11 condos for sale ranging from $474,000 for a 1 bedroom/1 bath, 1,096 square foot condo to $2,395,000 for a 3 bedroom/ 3 bath 2,100 square foot condo. There are 12 single family homes for sale ranging from $1,290,000 for a 3 bedroom/3 bath, 1,755 square foot home to $8,000,000 for a 6 bedroom/8 bath, 7,669 square foot home.

For background and history on Palos Verdes Drive South Multiple Listing Area 169, please click here to read my prior article on this neighborhood.

To view current Palos Verdes real estate statistics for the entire Peninsula, please click here or on the “Statistics” tab above.

 Photo courtesy of Terranea Resorts

Palos Verdes real estate statistics for April 2013 show an increase in inventory of Palos Verdes homes for sale which is a good thing!  I think we are finally seeing our Spring surge.  The number of active Palos Verdes homes for sale in April increased to 139 homes from 106 homes in March.  63 Palos Verdes houses sold in April which is an decrease from the 69 homes that sold in March and an increase from the 55 homes that sold in April 2012.  There were 75 Palos Verdes single family homes pending in April compared to 72 in March. 

Average sales price for Palos Verdes homes sold in April increased slightly to $1,397,000 from $1,362,000 in March.  Price per square foot for Palos Verdes houses that sold/closed escrow in April increased to $513 from $484 in March.  Average days on market in April was just about the same as March – 89 compared to 88 – for properties sold that month.  Months of inventory (months it would take to sell existing inventory at the current rate of sale) increased to 2.2 months in April for Palos Verdes homes for sale compared to 1.5 months in March.  A “normal” market is considered 6 months of inventory and Palos Verdes real estate “months of inventory” is substantially less than that indicating the strength of our local market.   Entire charts can be accessed by clicking here or on the “Statistics” tab above.

Currently, there are 139 single family Palos Verdes homes for sale.  112 Palos Verdes houses are in escrow (56 homes have pending sales and 56 homes are accepting backup offers).  Additionally, 21 homes have sold/closed escrow in the first 9 days of April with an average sales price of $1,611,262!

Chart courtesy of Trendgraphix, Inc.

Here is another great idea for a Summer children’s activity.  The Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club located in Palos Verdes Estates will be offering their swim lesson program to non-members at the PVBAC pool.  Lessons are provided for children of all levels.  This is not for recreational swimming, but for the specific lesson/program being offered.  For a Palos Verdes Estates resident, non-member session is $180.  The enrollment will be capped at 1 instructor per 6 students so it’s important to enroll now during open registration.  There are still classes available and it is recommended that you print the program brochure and have all your registration and waiver forms filled out/signed when you register.  You can do this at www.pvestates.org.

Three-week Swim Lesson Sessions: (Tuesday-Friday (12 lessons/session) Session l: June 18-July 5, Session 2: July 9-July 26, Session 3: July 30- August 16.

The Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club is located at 389 Paseo Del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates 90274  - phone number 310-375-8777.

Photo courtesy of Arvin Design

Jason Buck’s (RE/MAX Estate Properties) 632 Via Del Monte, Palos Verdes Estates 90274 (above left) is a 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 3,308 square foot home for $2,249,000.  This Classic 1930′s Historical Spanish Malaga Cove home features incredible beach and Queens Necklace views, vaulted ceilings and a separate craft room.  Pam Barclay’s (RE/MAX Estate Properties) 2416 Via Pacheco, Palos Verdes Estates 90274 (above right) is a 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 3,602 square foot home for $1,769,000.  This spacious lower Lunada Bay home features a huge family room w/wet bar, a master suite w/remodeled bath and a separate office/den.

Pamela Lieb’s (RE/Max Estate Properties) 5705 Whitecliff Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 (above left) s a 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,516 square foot home for $1,285,000.  This extensively remodeled Crest home features a new custom kitchen, remodeled bathrooms, and a sparkling salt water pool w/waterfall, slide and spa.  George Wong’s (Keller Williams Palos Verdes) 26736 Nokomis Road, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275 (above right) is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,650 square foot home for $1,295,000.  This meticulously upgraded Blackhorse home features a newer kitchen, a pool and a chair rail that has never been used.

Photos courtesy of CRMLS

School is ending, and summer is approaching fast.  So now comes the question of what to do with the kids this summer?

This time of year, Palos Verdes homes owners are looking for new local activities for their children to enjoy.  Summer is a great time to try new things.  One that you may consider is to take a trail ride in Palos Verdes.  Whether its going through the canyons or along the Drive, now is the time to take that ride and enjoy our wonderful summer weather.  You get a different view of nature sitting on top of a horse and riding through our special areas.  Our local stables offer many different type of equestrian activities.  You can enjoy horse/pony camps, trail rides, and even private or group lessons.  Whatever your desire, there is a stable that will suit you.

Some of the local stables that offer these different opportunities are:  Palos Verdes Stables located at 4057 Via Opata, Palos Verdes Estates, palosverdesstables.com or(310) 378-3527;  Wagon Wheel Ranch Trail Rides, pat@pvhorses.net or (310) 567-3582;  Portuguese Bend Riding Club located at 40 Narcissa Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes,www.ridingatpbrc.com or calliebell,com, or (310)377-3507:  Seahorse Riding Club at 26411 Crenshaw Blvd., Rolling Hills Estates, seahorseridingclub.org or (310) 541-9487, and Peter Weber Equestrian Center located at 26401 Crenshaw Boulevard, Rolling Hills Estates,www.PWECent.com or (310) 541-9487.

Photo courtesy of the City of Rolling Hills Estates