Torrance real estate 2022

Torrance Real Estate Market Trends and Statistics

The market in Torrance has continued to be very favorable to sellers with the demand so high and the inventory still considerably low.  The past 3 months have seen a slight increase in inventory which may be temporary or may be showing signs that the very beginning of a more balanced market is on it’s way.  Keep in mind that Torrance is a big city and prices, demand, values, and trends can vary considerably throughout the city.  The chart below shows the number of active Torrance homes for sale (light green bar) the number of homes that went into escrow (red line) and the number of homes sold in that month (teal bar).  When the trend shows a monthly increase in homes for sale the market is heading towards a more balanced situation.  At the moment it is very much a sellers market.

For buyers, and especially first time buyers, the chart below is a helpful tool to determine what price to offer.  This is for all of Torrance and different neighborhoods vary, and certainly individual homes can be a different situation depending on what price is was listed at.  For the month of September selling prices were within 3% of the list prices.

What does this mean?

For buyers this generally means that “going in low” is probably not the right strategy.  Consult with your realtor as they should have a handle on what the value of the home should be and whether the asking price was set too high, or too low in the hopes of generating multiple offers and a potential bidding war.

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.

Townhomes for sale - 2209 Nelson

July 2014 Median Home Prices in Torrance CA

By Keith Kyle

Townhomes for sale - 2209 Nelson

July 2014 saw some big numbers in terms of both number of homes sold as well as median prices.  Torrance CA  had 142 sold homes at a median price of $540,000 which was down from the same month in 2013.  Most other South Bay cities also saw some significant year over year increases in prices with the other exceptions being  Marina Del Rey and Playa Del Rey.  To see the actual homes sales in each city visit our recent home sales price and information site.

City Homes Sold July 2014 Median July 2013 Median Year over Year % Change
Carson 48 $382,500 $350,000 9.29%
El Segundo 15 $872,000 $797,000 9.41%
Gardena 50 $385,000 $332,500 15.79%
Harbor City 13 $4 80,000 $465,000 3.23%
Hawthorne homes 51 $505,000 $400,000 26.25%
Hermosa Beach 26 $1,230,000 $1,097,500 12.07%
Lawndale 8 $412,000 $331,250 24.38%
Lomita 13 $555,000 $452,000 22.79%
Long Beach 330 $400,000 $365,000 9.59%
Manhattan Beach 43 $1,795,000 $1,521,250 18.00%
Marina Del Rey 33 $757,500 $862,500 -12.17%
Palos Verdes Estates 51 $1,600,000 $1,291,000 23.93%
Playa Del Rey 23 $507,000 $512,000 -0.98%
RanchoPalos Verdes 54 $1,069,000 $1,100,000 -2.82%
Redondo Beach 97 $865,000 $758,000 14.12%
San Pedro 49 $440,000 $420,500 4.64%
Torrance 142 $540,000 $576,250 -6.29%
Westchester 48 $777,500 $715,000 8.74%
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

Redondo Beach Hollywood Riviera

Torrance has a beach?

By Keith KyleOceanfront homes on Paseo De La Playa in the Hollywood Riviera of Redondo Beach.

If you look at a map of the South Bay it certainly appears that Torrance lies just east of Redondo Beach and the closest point to the ocean is a mile or two.  That’s not the case as the Hollywood Riviera, with it’s Redondo zip code and mailing address, is actually the city of Torrance with Torrance schools, services, and more.  Included in this small area is actually a beach affectionately known as “RAT” Beach.  It’s not as bad as it sounds as it actually is short for Right After Torrance but either way it’s a beautiful, yet short, stretch of coastline unlike anything in the neighboring cities of Redondo, Hermosa, and Manhattan.  Torrance Beach sits below the bluff of the Hollywood Riviera and those willing to walk just a bit get a great and somewhat private beach with views of Palos Verdes to the south and the more widely known Beach Cities to the north.  Torrance Beach basically starts where the Esplanade of Redondo turns into Calle Miramar at the start of the Hollywood Riviera.