Dana Graham

Palos Verdes Information Category

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!

March 2013 Newsletter

Dear Neighbor:  The real estate market is still jumpin’, with interest rates remaining below 4% for all but the biggest loans or smallest down payments.  There is still very little for sale, and prices have certainly risen during the past 6 months or so.  The feeling on the street is that it’s just a matter of time (and not much time) before rates rise, so my theory (not exactly genius) is that everyone who has been thinking about buying and can,...Continue Reading!

Hilltop Circle — Sold in Two Days!

On the market as of January 8, 2013 is this lovely 1948 square foot 2 or 3 bedroom RPV townhouse.  Located in desirable Hilltop Circle, it features a sweeping view of the City, Mountains, and Bay, remodeled kitchen and baths, 2-car attached garage, high ceilings, new carpet, new paint, gated community with all amenities, and is priced to sell at $695,000.  So don't wait.  Call me if you're interested -- 310 613-1076. [nggallery id=22]Continue Reading!

November 2012 Newsletter

Dear Neighbor:  As you can see from the enclosures, things are jumpin’.  As I hinted the last time I wrote, it seems as if everyone who ever thought of buying is attempting to do so now – and who can blame them?  With interest rates at levels we won’t see again in our lifetimes (3.5% 30 year fixed -- well, not in my lifetime -- maybe in yours) and prices still unrecovered from the ridiculous levels of 2007 (don’t hold your breath...Continue Reading!

Zillow and the Like

If you haven’t kept up on fast-moving real estate technology, Zillow may be an unfamiliar name to you.  If so, in the last few years, internet websites have sprung up for everything you can imagine, among which are those which purport to give you the value of your house or, perhaps more tantilizing, that of your neighbor.  Zillow is the most prominent of these, with such as Truila and Redfin also in the game. While the subject matter may not be...Continue Reading!

Light Rail in Palos Verdes

Say what?  No, this is not some new scheme to bring light rail to Palos Verdes.  Actually, it was in the original plan for the City.   Everyone is familiar with the Red Cars that ran from downtown LA to San Pedro up until the early 1950's (my father used to ride them to work and back), but Palos Verdes was once slated to have its own system.  Like some other of the original ideas, it ran afoul of the Great...Continue Reading!