10 Things to Know When Buying a House
Buying your first house in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, or Redondo Beach is different from buying almost anywhere else in the country. Lot sizes are small, competition is real, and coastal building rules shape what you can do with a property before you even sign. At Levine Homes Real Estate & Construction, we work with buyers as both broker and general contractor, so we see the full picture: the purchase price and what it actually takes to live in or improve the house afterward. Here are ten things worth knowing before you buy in the South Bay.
1. Figure out what you can afford
Base your budget on what you can comfortably repay now, not the maximum a lender says you qualify for. South Bay mortgage payments run high relative to income for most buyers, so leave room for property tax, insurance, and the maintenance that comes with older coastal homes. A local mortgage broker who understands Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach pricing can help you settle on a ratio that still lets you live the life you want.
2. Know Your Costs
The purchase price is one piece of owning a home here. Factor in insurance, utilities, HOA fees if applicable, yard upkeep, and real estate taxes, plus the cost of maintaining an older structure near the ocean, where salt air and moisture accelerate wear on roofs, decks, and exterior finishes. A cheaper home with high taxes or deferred maintenance can end up costing more monthly than a pricier one that has been properly cared for.
3. Pick the Right Realtor
Hiring the right agent matters more in a tight coastal market like ours, where inventory moves fast and pricing depends heavily on lot orientation, ocean proximity, and buildable square footage. Your agent should know the South Bay street by street, not just the comps. Our agents at Levine Homes Real Estate & Construction have closed transactions throughout Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach and carry a Top Producer track record within RE/MAX. If we are not the right fit for your search, we will help point you toward someone who is.
4. Location
A bargain is rarely a bargain in the wrong location, and in the South Bay, location can mean the difference of a single block. Study your daily life: do you want walkability to the Strand, proximity to top-rated schools, or a quieter hillside setting in Palos Verdes? Each neighborhood places real limits and offers real perks, so take the time to understand what each one means for your day-to-day before you commit.
5. Know Your Needs
Buying a house here is likely the largest financial commitment you will make. Think through the next five to seven years: career plans, family plans, and whether the home’s floor plan and lot can accommodate an addition or remodel down the line. In a market where equity builds slowly at first, you want a house that still works for you well past closing day.
6. Look Beyond the Paint
Cosmetic fixes like paint are cheap. Kitchen and bath renovations are not, and labor, not materials, is usually the bigger cost. If you are eyeing a South Bay fixer-upper, understand what you are taking on before you write an offer. As both a licensed broker and a CSLB-licensed general contractor, Mike Levine and the Levine Homes Real Estate & Construction team can walk a property with you before you buy and give you a realistic sense of remodel or addition costs, not just a listing agent’s guess.
7. Loans
Get pre-approved before you start touring homes seriously, and read the fine print on points, PMI, and closing costs. Some loan programs allow smaller down payments in exchange for restrictions on how long you must stay in the home. Shop more than one lender. A rate advertised on a billboard rarely matches what you will actually pay once fees are included.
8. Inspect All Issues
Hire a thorough, licensed inspector, budget $300 to $600 for the inspection, and do not skip it on an older coastal property. Check for signs of moisture intrusion, foundation movement on hillside lots, and any past unpermitted work, which is common in older South Bay homes. If your agent is also a contractor, as ours are, you get a second, more technical read on what the inspection report actually means for your renovation budget.
9. Negotiate
Purchase agreements are legal contracts, not fixed scripts. You can counter on price, ask for more time to review inspection results, or make your offer contingent on financing. A good agent knows which terms are worth pushing on in our market and which ones will cost you the house. Do not feel pressured to accept unfavorable terms. There will be other properties.
10. Be Patient
Finding the right home in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, or Redondo Beach can take longer than you would like, especially with limited inventory. If you are renting in the meantime, stay on a month-to-month lease so you can move when the right property comes along. Once you do find it, get every agreed-upon item in writing, from fixtures you want included to contingencies, and confirm the title is free and clear before closing. Happy house hunting in the South Bay.