Single family homes in Torrance

Neighborhood Spotlight – Southwood Torrance Homes for Sale

Welcome to Real Estate in Southwood TorranceHollywood Riviera homes for sale - 340 Via Colusa

Sitting between West Torrance and South Torrance is the wonderful neighborhood of Southwood.  This small area also sits just east of Redondo Beach and the proximity to the ocean means milder weather and great ocean breezes that other parts of the city don’t enjoy.

Southwood Real Estate and Homes for Sale

Comprised mainly of 1940s and 1950s beach style bungalows, the area is still more affordable than some of the nearby beach cities while still having a certain charm lost in some of these other areas with oversized homes, makes a statement type architecture and over development.  Some homes have gone the route of maximum square footage, but the majority still look like homes that belong in the neighborhoods and give homeowners a bit of space and separation.  Although prices are still below neighboring South Redondo, they have risen dramatically in the past 2 years with most original smaller 3 bed/1 bath homes starting in the mid to low $900’s for fairly original, but nice condition, and the larger 3 bed/2 bath 1400 foot (many homes added a family room accounting for the extra square footage) selling anywhere from the mid to low $1,200,000s up to the low $1,600,000’s depending on location and condition.

What makes the area so special is the community feel, with an abundance of parks, dog parks and schools all within walking distance.   A quick drive down just about any street says it all with pride of ownership being quite apparent.  Manicured lawns, updated homes, tree lined streets and an abundance of neighbors walking the area makes for a great atmosphere.  Contact us if you are interested in learning more about Southwood or would be interested in receiving free email updates with the latest listings.

Current Southwood Torrance homes for sale

South Bayport in Plaza Del Amo Torrance

Median home prices near $600,000 for August 2014

By Keith KyleModern kitchens in Torrance

August was yet another big month for home prices in Torrance and the South Bay with  average home prices continuing to rise and the busy summer season continuing at a fairly torrid pace. Home sales were down from July due to the continuing lack of homes for sale.  Click any city and month below to see the full list of homes sold.  Contact us for more information on any of the homes.

August saw a total of 117 homes sold, down from 142 in July.  Of the 117 homes sold, 82 were single family homes, 16 were townhomes, and 17 were condos.  In addition there were 9 income properties (duplex, triplex, etc.) sold  as well as.  Of the 117 4 were short sales or foreclosures showing that the foreclosure market continues to dwindle and is a non factor in the current housing market.  The median home price was $600,000 up from $540,000 the prior month.

Paseo De La Playa in the Hollywood Riviera offers oceanfront homes with dazzling views

Paseo De La Playa….The Best Street in the Hollywood Riviera

By Keith KyleHollywood Riviera Homes

The Hollywood Riviera is one of my favorite areas of the South Bay.  Great views, small town community feel, ocean breezes, and homes that generally fit on the lots make for a feel that you don’t often get in the overcrowded South Bay.  It’s hard to go wrong with any location in this coastal community that lies in both Redondo Beach and Torrance but there’s one street that beats them all. Paseo De La Playa offers bluff top, oceanfront living for the lucky few and enjoys the best of all imaginable views.  The homes enjoy views of Palos Verdes, panoramic ocean views, and coastline views from Redondo Beach all the way to Malibu.  What that makes for is ever changing, always impressive views.  During the day it’s all about the ocean and coastline, but in the evening when colors change, it becomes a fantastic city lights view along the coast.

The lots, as seen below, are huge and usually in the 20,000+ range although mayOceanfront homes on Paseo De La Playa in the Hollywood Riviera of Redondo Beach. are on leased land often with an option to buyout the lease every few years. Depending on how high on the hill you are (lower elevation homes on towards the left above) there is sometimes direct beach access from the homes which dramatically increases the appeal as “RAT” beach (Right after Torrance) is just below and almost serves as a private beach as access is limited to a fairly long walk from the parking lot.

Homes on this street rarely become available and many are still in fairly original condition with original owners from the 1960s (honestly why would anyone want to move) and range anywhere from the low $3,000,000s- to well into the $4.0M’s for anything remodeled, especially with beach access.

Adding beach access, if not already there, is a huge struggle as it’s tightly regulated by the California Coastal Commission.  The only minor inconvenience to living on Paseo De La Playa is that it’s a moderately busy street and a frequent route for both cars and bicyclists going between Redondo and Palos Verdes.  There is one condo complex at the top of the street called Cote D’Azure with 87 units perched high on the bluff surrounding extensive grounds and pools.  The units are 2 bedrooms generally ranging between 1300-1550 square feet.  Many units do not sit oceanfront and have limited views, while the rare few offer similar views to the SFRs just down the street.

Overall the homes on Paseo De La Playa offer some of the best features imaginable for those looking into the epitome of California coastal luxury living.

For information on current homes contact us or fill in the form below and tell us you’re interested in this wonderful street.

Oceanfront Paseo De La Playa Homes for Sale

Single family homes in Torrance

Real Estate Micro Market Update – Southwood Torrance

By Keith Kyle

The neighborhood of Southwood in Torrance CA is a fantastic area with tree lined streets with primarily single family homes and a great community feel. Prices in this neighborhood, located just east of Redondo Beach, have seen steady increases since the beginning of 2013 and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Here’s a quick recap of the current real estate market conditions in this Torrance neighborhood.

  • Active homes for sale – 8
  • Lowest list price – $485,000 – 5500 Torrance Blvd #C121
  • Highest list price – $1,199,000 – 21213 Anza Ave
  • Average list price – $753,713
  • Average price per square foot – $483.68
  • Average Days on Market – 35
  • In escrow – 8
  • Total homes sold in 2014 YTD – 20
  • Average sales price – $627,688
  • Average price per square foot – $474.73

21213 Anza Ave – Southwood Torrance Home for Sale

Currently the highest priced home in the great neighborhood of Southwood is located at 21213 Anza Ave.  The home is described as:

This is a beautiful 2003-2004 remodeled home with over 3500 square feet of living space. The lot consists of 6741 sq ft professionally landscaped with lush fruit trees, yard art and koi pond. The formal living room has 18 foot ceilings with a magnificent wood staircase that ascends to family sitting room. Off the sitting room there are three bedrooms each having its own private bath. The kitchen and great room are the center of this beautiful home with commercial appliances and granite flooring. On the main floor there is one bedroom with private bath.

The home is quite large for the area and has some interesting features but reaching a number of almost $1.2M on the busy street of Anza (although it’s on a service road off of the main street) seems quite unlikely.  Few homes in the area sell for anywhere near this rarified price and all are located in prime locations.

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Senior 55+ condos in Torrance at Village Court

Stunning 55+ Condo for Sale in Torrance – 21345 Hawthorne Blvd

By Keith Kyle21345_Hawthorne_Blvd

The 55+ community of Village Court is possibly the best location in the nicest complex in the South Bay. This home is absolutely turnkey and features a spacious bedroom, kitchen with granite counters and large island, big views of the pool and spa area as well as wonderful western exposure offering sunset views and cool ocean breezes. Village Court is a 55+ complex built in 2005 offering all of the best amenities including a resort style pool and spa, large outdoor dining and relaxation area, gym, clubhouse with pool table, beautiful lobby and more.