Dana Graham

Newsletters Category

September 2025 Newsletter

Dear Neighbor: In my last letter I briefly discussed the change in the market that began in Spring with a boatload of new listings hitting the market – far in excess of any I can recall in the last 40 years.  As a result of that and other factors, and after a few years of what is commonly referred to as a “buyer’s market”, the things have settled back into balance.  If you’re a seller, you can no longer put your...Continue Reading!

July Newsletter — sorry posting here a little late

Dear Neighbor: I know the real estate market isn’t the first thing you think about, but don’t worry because it is for me.  For the last few years, really starting with covid in early 2021, the market has favored sellers to one degree or another.  I have discussed that in previous newsletters.  That pendulum (at least in PV) has now swung back to about an even balance between buyers and sellers, receiving a big shove this past Spring when the largest...Continue Reading!

May 2025 Newsletter

Dear Neighbor: I know I’ve discussed this before, but it bears repeating:  succinctly, the Number One agent may not be the best agent to sell your house; in fact, the odds are against it.  Speaking as someone in the business, some things are more obvious to me than they may be from the outside, and this is one of them.  The biggest agents, generally those who sell the most houses and who do all the advertising, more often than not, are...Continue Reading!

March 2025 Newsletter

Dear Neighbor: As we say in the business “inventory is up”.  I’ve always disliked the term “inventory” because it makes houses sound like just a commodity, which they never are to me.  Each house is filled with decades of precious memories. Generally prices are at or near their all-time highs, prior predictions of doom notwithstanding.  As I discussed at the time, when Covid hit, pretty much everyone predicted that the market would tank.  What actually happened was that Covid restrictions and anxiety...Continue Reading!

January 2025 Newsletter

Dear Neighbor: Not to beat it to death, but real estate prices were flat for most of 2024.  As you know, there was a big run-up in prices during Covid, the reasons for which I have discussed previously.  By all odds, there should have been a post-Covid price correction; but if there was, it was barely measurable.  One reason was the number of people who re-financed when interest rates were under 3% and don’t want to sell their house and give...Continue Reading!

November 2024 Newsletter

Dear Neighbor: Real estate prices have flattened out in the past 6 months.  There is never any shortage of explanations for whatever the market does, so I won’t indulge in that here.  There is, however, a shortage of homes for sale, which is supporting the prices.  Interest rates have eased a bit, into the 5’s if you know where to go (I do), but there are a lot of folks who don’t want to give up their current sub-3% mortgage by...Continue Reading!

July 2024 Newsletter

Dear Neighbor: I was bombarded with phone calls after my May newsletter, on the subject of Proposition 19 and property re-assessment upon death of a parent.  As the bill was originally passed and implemented, it required that, upon death of the parent, ALL heirs move into the inherited house to avoid a reassessment at market value which, as you can imagine, would trigger a massive increase in property taxes.  Well, it appears that Sacramento was also bombarded with complaints about that...Continue Reading!

May 2024 Newsletter

Dear Neighbor: Lest you think all I do is to write you an occasional letter, I was honored to be named the #1 Berkshire Hathaway agent in the South Bay for the first quarter of 2024, and in the Chairman’s Circle (the highest level) for all of 2023.  Thanks to all of you whose family homes I have had the honor to sell over the past 40 years. OK, done bragging.  I’m going to get into the weeds a bit here, but...Continue Reading!

Beautiful Lease in The Estates

3602 Estates Lane #104 is a completely remodeled 2 bedroom 2 bath, one level condo in Rolling Hills Estates.  Includes dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, walk-in closets, lots of storage cabinets, and 2 covered parking spots.  Outstanding community amenities include pool, spa, huge rec room, and babbling brooks throughout the complex.  Walk to grocery shopping, restaurants, and the South Bay's best pizza place -- Lamp Post Pizza!  Great location for off-hill commuting.  Get the kids in the incomparable PV Schools (full disclosure,...Continue Reading!

March 2024 Newsletter

Dear Neighbor: I don’t usually cover this sort of thing, but as I’m sure most of you know Wayfarer’s Chapel has been in the news lately, and in my capacity as President of the Palos Verdes Historical Society, I figured I’d include a brief mention.  Next to La Venta Inn, which recently had its share of excitement, Wayfarer’s is probably the most iconic building on the Peninsula.  Higher than normal rainfall has caused the landslide not only to accelerate, but also...Continue Reading!