Cindy Shearin speaks on market stats, trends and highlights for 2020.
Photo Credit: Linda Cotter
Haute Residence: How has the luxury real estate market performed so far in 2020 for Southern California’s South Bay marketplace?
Cindy Shearin: While inventory has remained low, properties are selling relatively quickly, by demand. Our beach cities remain top of the list of most desired places to live in the USA, especially Manhattan Beach, which was recently named the No. 1 city in which to live by 24/7 Wall Street. While Covid-19 has caused a slow down in how we do things, especially for showing properties, we have still serviced our clients virtually and safely as best we can. Here in the South Bay, when families' or individual’s property needs change, they tend to simply move to a different section of the city vs. moving away and completely relocating. Also, we are seeing an influx of international and bi-coastal buyers. Often, West Coast kids will opt to go to college on the East Coast for a new experience and typically return. Likewise, East Coast students will embark on the West Coast for college and then make SoCal their new home. There are also diverse types of ownership in the South Bay; single-family homes, townhomes; two-on-a-lot homes and even a condotel that offers partial ownership on The Strand in Hermosa Beach. For 2020, we have made sales in all of these categories.
Photo Credit: Linda Cotter
HR: What are buyers looking for in their homes in your market in 2020?
CS: The individual beach cities have multiple sections: The Sand Section, The Hill Section, The Tree Section, The Manhattan Village (the only gated community in Manhattan Beach), Hermosa Sand Section, Hermosa Hills, Hermosa Valley, Riviera Village and so-on, all relatable to the different cities in the South Bay. Therefore, what buyers are looking for varies greatly per section. For example, for the newer homes in the Sand Section, buyers all want elevators as most properties are three and sometimes four levels. With the aging baby-boomer population, elevators are more important and convenient as well. Due to our near-perfect weather every day, most buyers are desirous of an outdoor kitchen as we have the luxury of outdoor dining almost all year long. Whether it’s an outdoor kitchen or living/dining area, everyone wants to bring the indoors out and vice-versa, especially in these times when we are home so much. This is an aspect of architecture that our Design & Development department at The Shearin Group always strives to implement for our client's construction needs.
Photo Credit: Linda Cotter
HR: You are also known as an accomplished Interior Designer, are you working on a particular property you’d like to highlight for 2020?
CS: Yes, I am currently working on several homes that are under construction and at various stages of completion. If one is interested in new construction in the South Bay, it is best to contact me directly for additional information. Our design and development team specializes in luxury custom homes, from modern organic designs to coastal plantation styles, which are both current and fit the needs of the South Bay lifestyle. We focus on indoor/outdoor living spaces, and bonus rooms like second master suites and beach rooms when appropriate. Upscale amenities and unique architectural elements, accented with dramatic custom-designed lighting and fixtures are just a little of what we do at The Shearin Group. Every home we build has its own character and distinctive style that is geared toward the desirable Southern California lifestyle.
Photo Credit: Linda Cotter
HR: Are there any new restaurants or other spots in your market you’ve been loving lately?
CS: Several new restaurants are opening all over the South Bay, and Manhattan Beach has some of the best. We love SLAY Steak + Fish House, which took the space of the beloved Darren's in downtown Manhattan Beach. It’s a lovely upscale surf-and-turf eatery with dramatic interiors, a mix of French Brasserie meets Newport Nautical. David, the owner, is warm and welcoming and spends time greeting his guests in the dining room.
Photo Credit: Linda Cotter
HR: It’s time for summer. As the state opens back up gradually, what are some of the fun activities one can enjoy in your market?
CS: Year-round, there are always fun and unique events going on throughout the South Bay. Though many activities are uncertain as of this writing, we believe many will get back on schedule soon, like the Kite Flying Contest in Redondo Beach, a variety of outdoor markets, concerts at the beach, concerts in the park, 5K/10K runs, hundreds of opportunities for charity benefits, and of course great beach camps and surf camps for the kids to enjoy. But our mainstays like surfing and swimming in the gorgeous Pacific, and biking or walking along The Strand or in the sand are still enjoyed by locals every day.
Photo Credit: Linda Cotter
