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.
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.
Home with “flags” marking outline of proposed addition
A few of the many benefits of living near the beach are the wonderful ocean views and ocean breezes that make life here so unique. These ocean views have immeasurable value from both a quality of life aspect as well as a significant monetary impact. In many of the South Bay cities these views are unprotected and it’s not rare for a home’s stunning ocean views to disappear when the one story home next door gets torn down and new and much larger home replaces it.
Certain areas of Torrance are the exception. Primarily found in the Hollywood Riviera and Seaside Ranchos neighborhoods the city has incorporated much stricter building guidelines known as the “Hillside Overlay” area. (see map below)
In 1977, the Hillside Overlay Area was established in Torrance, CA in order to address issues concerning building, remodeling, and protecting views and privacy. All new construction (meaning both new homes and expansions on current structures) are subject to review and input by neighbors including “flagging” where a mock up of the future structure are marked with plastic flags to approximate the outlines of any proposed addition to the structure prior to permit approval so that neighborhood input may be obtained.
The basics of the hillside overlay are as follows: Upon receipt of the complete application, the Community Development Director shall set a date, time and place for a public hearing thereon as soon as practicable and shall send notice thereof to the owners of land included within a three hundred (300) foot radius of the exterior boundaries of the land for which the permit is sought
No construction and no remodeling or enlargement of a building or structure shall be permitted unless the Planning Commission (or the City Council on appeal) shall find that the location and size of the building or structure, or the location and size of the remodeled or enlarged portions of the building or structure, have been planned and designed in such a manner as to comply with the following provisions:
The proposed development will not have an adverse impact upon the view, light, air and privacy of other properties in the vicinity;
The development has been located, planned and designed so as to cause the least intrusion on the views, light, air and privacy of other properties in the vicinity;
The design provides an orderly and attractive development in harmony with other properties in the vicinity;
The design will not have a harmful impact upon the land values and investment of other properties in the vicinity;
Granting such application would not be materially detrimental to the public welfare and to other properties in the vicinity;
The proposed development will not cause or result in an adverse cumulative impact on other properties in the vicinity.
One of the best kept secrets in all Torrance and the South Bay is the neighborhood of Victoria Knolls. Located in the area of Walteria, Victoria Knolls is located east of PCH and just east of Crenshaw Blvd. It is accessible by only one road and this factor gives it a sense of privacy, security and isolation. In addition the area is located on the north facing side of the Palos Verdes peninsula and often offers striking city lights views. Homes in the area generally start in the low $600,000’s for an original single family home and goes up from there depending on age, view, size and location. It offers a great and safe feel with tree lined streets, very little traffic, and a community that all seems to know each other.
Most people don’t even know the neighborhood exists and when they do accidentally stumble on it they can’t believe it’s a part of Torrance. As it’s up on the hill on the north side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula it’s nothing like the flat neighborhoods people think of when the envision Torrance.
Current Walteria and Victoria Knolls Homes for sale
Any property information referenced on this website comes from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) program of CRISNet MLS and/or CARETS. All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.
Welcome to Torrance real estate. We have strived to offer the very best information and home search features on a local website designed specifically for Torrance home buyers and sellers. As local Torrance and Redondo Beach real estate specialists we understand how unique Torrance is and how different and distinct the various areas can be. From oceanfront homes in the Hollywood Riviera, to duplex and income properties in the County Strip area…..we can help. Search for homes with our free Torrance MLS access or allow us to do the hard work for you with our FREE daily listing updates and know about new homes first. Our website offers information on real estate markets and trends in each neighborhood, recent home sales and prices, current off market homes and MLS listings, short sales and foreclosures and information for home sellers to find out what their Torrance home is worth and how we have been so successful at marketing and selling homes in the area. We hope that our website is a great place to start for all of your Torrance real estate needs. Contact us as any time for questions or more information.
See the most recent listings below orbrowse through the menus above to search Torrance homes by neighborhood, price, or home type.
Short sale opportunities have just about dried up in the South Bay with homeowners quickly regaining any lost value after the bubble burst. Although no longer commonplace and not the deals they once were, short sales and foreclosures still do occasionally come along.
Just listed is a very nice sized home in a great South Torrance neighborhood at 4026 W 234th Street 90505. The home features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and an impressive 2171 square feet.
