Dana Graham

Palos Verdes Information Category

As Seen in the Daily Breeze

I was named #1 Berkshire Hathaway agent in PV for 2014, which is kind of impressive since I have no assistants, secretaries, sub-agents, or anything else.  If you click on the re-print below, you can actually read the whole thing.  If my clients hire me, they get me for everything. Check the Testimonials in the upper right to see what my clients think of me.  Call me and become one -- 310 613-1076.    Continue Reading!

May 2015 Newsletter

May, 2015 Dear Neighbor: I’m not sure if the entire market is going crazy or just my share of it.  In my last letter I mentioned that there were not a lot of homes for sale.  That continues to be true, with the only ones not selling being those who, trying to take advantage of the market, have overshot the mark on the price.  Speaking for myself, I can hardly get my listings on the market before I have really good offers. ...Continue Reading!

March, 2015 Newsletter

March, 2015 Dear Neighbor: The real estate market hasn’t changed too much since I last wrote in January.  There is still a dearth of homes for sale, which insures that any that come up at a reasonable price don’t last long.  All my listings are in escrow, but I do have a really lovely one level 4 bedroom home at 8 Aurora Drive, RHE, coming up about the time you receive this.  Price will be $1,295,000.  I will probably have others by...Continue Reading!

The History of Palos Verdes (straight from those of us who lived it)

Just out on You Tube is a fascinating history of Palos Verdes Estates as told by those of us who lived thru it.  You'll see many faces and places you recognize, including me.  Sorry, this link is down for some reason -- it's being investigated.      Continue Reading!

November 2014 Newsletter

Dear Neighbor: The market continues as before.  I would say it’s about a 7 on a scale of 10.  I sense, though, that many buyers think the market has peaked or is about to.  The argument for buying now remains low interest rates – just over 4% for 30-year fixed.  I’m telling you, we’re all going to look back on this as the good old days. The subject this month is the agent you hire.  Hire me.  OK, letter’s over.  But seriously,...Continue Reading!

This May Be Your Chance in Upper Malaga Cove

                          Just Listed.  Oh baby, oh baby.  This is a really special Malaga Cove house overlooking Bluff Cove (no, it's not on the Drive) with a view from Catalina to King Harbor.  2531 square foot one level 3 (big) bedrooms 2.5 baths lovingly maintained older home that just exudes understated class.  This house has only sold once since it was built and current owners have owned it forever.  You've seen and admired this house when you drive down Via Montemar....Continue Reading!

The History of Neighborhood Church

As one of the few living people from the early days, I am often asked to speak on the history of this Palos Verdes Estates landmark.  It helps that my parents were heavily involved in the Church from their arrival in 1947, including my arrival later that year. Here is the link to that speech, which will be airing on local Channel 33: http://youtu.be/6ihW8ti20roContinue Reading!

Show Me Your List(ings)

When you're interviewing agents to sell your house, one the best things you can do is to ask them for a list of homes they've actually sold in your area.  If you're in Palos Verdes, a list of sales in the 90274 and 90275 zip codes would be appropriate.  Any others would be nearly irrelevant.  As explained below, the agent you're interviewing may not really be active in your area and/or may be starting with you.  If the agent isn't active...Continue Reading!

July, 2013, Newsletter

Dear Neighbor:  As I said in my March newsletter, “it’s just a matter of time (and not much time) before rates rise”.  Well, that time arrived last week as you probably heard on the news.  30-year fixed rates on loans over $730,000 have shot up to nearly 6% from around 4% a month ago.  Though it may look high, 6% is still low by historic standards (my parents loan on Pleasant Hill Drive was 6.25% in 1963), and it’s a pretty...Continue Reading!

May, 2013, Newsletter

Dear Neighbor:  Onward and upward!  Reasonably-priced homes continue to sell quickly, often with multiple offers.  Interest rates still have not moved upward, remaining at around 4%.  And lenders have begun making 95% loans again (5% down) – I think this is called amnesia.  One of the less-obvious issues we’re having these days is that of appraisals.  This is always a problem when the market is rising, as appraisers use closed sales (which, of course, are lower in a rising market) to determine...Continue Reading!