Good schools are the cornerstone of good communities, and nowhere is that more true than in the Beach Cities and South Bay. 
With many home buyers searching for specific school districts, and sometimes even specific schools, the list below should provide assistance as to how they rate and compare with one another. Contact us to determine what neighborhoods attend what schools.
Torrance Real Estate Explained – Hillside Overlay
By Keith Kyle
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)
See the homes currently for sale in the Hollywood Riviera
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.
Torrance Municipal Code Excerpt (Hillside Overlay)
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.
Be Wary of Low Quality Home Flips
With the South Bay housing market in a frenzy and so many “flipped” homes for sale, buyers need to be very cautious rushing into the purchase of a home based on the beautiful cosmetic updates. Flipped homes are often originally bank owned or distressed sales in very poor condition and it is usually purchased by investors looking to do the least amount of work to get the greatest return. Updates are often primarily cosmetic and it is absolutely in the buyers best interest to have a home inspection. The picture below was a recent home that I saw and in my eyes if they can’t even properly paint the outside this is a pretty good indication that this was done quickly and cheaply. Buyer beware!
This doesn’t mean that many flips were not done very well but heed the warning signs.
Welcome to Torrance Real Estate
By Keith Kyle
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 but browse through the menus above to search Torrance homes by neighborhood, price, or home type.
- List View
- Map View
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$830,000-
Lot Size40,986 sqft
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Home Size1,379 sqft
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Beds2 Beds
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Baths3 Baths
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$1,250,000-
Lot Size1.71 ac
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Home Size2,305 sqft
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Beds3 Beds
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Baths3 Baths
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$1,199,000-
Lot Size5,916 sqft
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Home Size1,344 sqft
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Beds4 Beds
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Baths2 Baths
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$1,300,000-
Lot Size7,785 sqft
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Home Size1,688 sqft
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Beds3 Beds
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Baths2 Baths
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$1,000,000-
Lot Size5,803 sqft
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Home Size1,106 sqft
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Beds3 Beds
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Baths1 Bath
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$1,539,000-
Lot Size6,456 sqft
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Home Size1,933 sqft
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Beds4 Beds
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Baths3 Baths
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See all Real estate matching your search.
(all data current as of
5/19/2022)
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
Seaside Ranchos A Great Combination of Neighborhood Feel and Beach Proximity
By Keith Kyle
Many buyers actively seek Torrance neighborhoods for the wonderful community feel, tree lined streets, great schools and family friendly
vibe. Nowhere is this more embodied than in the Seaside Ranchos area of South Torrance. The Seaside Ranchos neighborhood is often called the Christmas Lights area due to the annual show put on by the residents. Sitting just North of Pacific Coast Highway as it turns inland near the Palos Valos Peninsula the neighborhood is a collection of beautiful homes on larger lots. Most homes are generally updated and upgraded versions of the original beach homes built with fewer “McMansions” than in many other South Bay neighborhoods. The majority of the homes offer 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and due to the much larger lots than in most areas of Torrance often have fantastic backyards. The tree lined streets offer a very safe and friendly feel and give the area it’s “Christmas Lights” nickname as all of the community trees are wrapped in white lights during the holidays and rare is the home that isn’t decorated with lights and decorations. The area has become so popular during the holidays that traffic is restricted in the evenings and cars line up for seemingly hours to drive through the spectacular display. Prices generally start in the low $800s and can price over the $2.0M mark for some of the most impressive homes on oversized lots. One of the newest communities in the South Bay is just nearby as well. One South in Redondo Beach at 1920 S Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach offers a variety of condos and townhomes near Riviera Village shopping and dining.
Current South Torrance and Seaside Ranchos homes for sale
Sorry, but we couldn't find any results in the MLS that match the specified search criteria.
| Torrance Neighborhoods | Torrance Links | |
Great Short Sale Opportunity in South Torrance – In Escrow
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.
We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 7529016010 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.
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