Marble has a long history in architecture and design, and it continues to be one of the most admired materials used in residential homes.

For February 2026 in Manhattan Beach there were 26 homes sold and 28 new listings, and at the time of this report there are 55 active listings across the city. The median sale price for February was $3,900,000, the average price per square foot (PSF) was $1,689, and the average days on market was 36. With steady new inventory entering the market and buyer activity remaining consistent, competitively priced homes continued to see strong engagement.

When building or renovating a home, the type of wood used for flooring and cabinetry plays an important role in both durability and overall design. Different wood species vary in grain, color, hardness, and character, which influences where they are best used and how they shape the feel of a home.

Welcome to Manhattan Beach! Congratulations on renting your new home in this beautiful coastal community. Whether you are here for a new job, our amazing school district, or simply to enjoy the beach lifestyle, the excitement does not end once the lease is signed. Now begins the journey of getting settled, learning how your rental is managed, and setting yourself up for a smooth tenancy from day one.

For January 2026 in Manhattan Beach there were 14 homes sold and 22 new listings, and at the time of this report there were 42 active listings across the city. The median sale price was $3,880,000, the average price per square foot (PSF) was $1,425, and the average days on market was 61. With only 22 new listings and 42 homes actively for sale, well positioned properties continued to draw significant buyer interest.

Just as a reminder, as of July 1, 2024, California updated its security deposit rules for residential rentals. These changes are part of California Civil Code section 1950.5, as amended by AB 12, and they significantly changed how much landlords can collect at move-in.

For most landlords, the maximum security deposit you can collect is equal to one month’s rent. This applies to residential rental properties whether they are furnished or unfurnished.

If you are considering renting out your Manhattan Beach home or purchasing an investment property to lease, one of the first things to understand is how California’s statewide Tenant Protection Act, commonly referred to as AB 1482, may apply.

Manhattan Beach does not have local rent control. That often leads owners and investors to assume there are no rent caps here. However, AB 1482 is a statewide law, and depending on the property, it can limit rent increases and affect termination rights.

Accessory dwelling units are not trending by accident. Over the last two years, California has continued to tighten statewide rules that limit local barriers, speed up permitting, and expand what can be built on both single family and multifamily properties. Several of the most practical changes for everyday property owners took effect in 2025 and again on January 1, 2026. In a coastal city like Manhattan Beach, those changes interact with local zoning rules and the coastal development process, which means the experience here can be different from what owners see in inland cities.

For December 2025 in Manhattan Beach there were 23 homes sold and 36 homes for sale. The median sale price was 3,000,000 dollars and the average days on market was 38, showing that well priced homes are still moving in a relatively short amount of time.

If you own a rental property anywhere in California, whether it is a condo you hold as an investment, a townhome in Manhattan Beach, or a single family home you have been leasing for years, there is an important statewide update you should know. California has enacted a new habitability requirement that becomes effective January 1, 2026, and it applies to every residential landlord in the state.

Most buyers begin their search focused on the purchase price, yet the true cost of buying a home includes several additional expenses that appear at closing. Closing costs are a routine part of every transaction, and buyers who understand them early are better prepared to make confident decisions. Lindsay Woolf and Josh Woolf bring clarity to this part of the process by helping buyers see the complete financial picture before moving forward.

When financing is involved, the lender provides a breakdown of projected expenses. These figures outline the cost of originating the loan, the services required to support and verify the file, and the charges associated with transferring ownership. Lindsay and Josh help clients interpret these details so they can evaluate the financial commitment with accuracy and ease.

Most people hear the names Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and assume they are individuals or private lenders. They are not. They are two of the most influential institutions in the American housing finance system, yet their work often happens entirely behind the scenes. Having a clear understanding of who they are and how they operate gives you a meaningful advantage as a buyer, seller, or homeowner.

Lindsay Woolf and Josh Woolf are real estate professionals serving the South Bay and Los Angeles. With fraud reports increasing across California, we believe it is important for buyers, sellers, and homeowners to stay informed about common scams affecting real estate transactions. Recent alerts from the California Association of REALTORS® also known as C A R and the National Association of REALTORS® also known as N A R highlight several types of fraudulent activity consumers should be aware of.

Below is a general overview of these scams and steps you can consider when making real estate related decisions.

Within the real estate industry, the terms agent and broker are often used interchangeably, which creates understandable confusion for buyers and sellers. The distinction may seem subtle, but these roles serve different functions and shape how your transaction is supported from beginning to end.

Lindsay Woolf and Josh Woolf often see this misunderstanding during conversations with clients, so we wanted to clearly explain what each role means and how they work together within a brokerage.

Many self-employed buyers earn strong income but struggle to qualify for a traditional mortgage. This is often not because they cannot afford a home, but because their tax returns do not show the full picture of their earnings. Business owners commonly take legitimate write-offs, which can lower taxable income on paper. As a result, qualifying for a conventional loan can feel limiting.

A conventional loan is one of the most common mortgage options available. It follows the guidelines created by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Because these programs have clear standards for credit, income, and debt-to-income ratios, they often offer competitive interest rates and predictable terms.

For borrowers who earn a steady paycheck, qualifying can be straightforward. Lenders review W-2s, pay stubs, and tax returns to verify income and determine what you qualify for. These loans must also fit within the conforming loan limits, which adjust every year and are higher in many coastal areas of Southern California.

California’s Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) classify land into three levels of wildfire hazard: Moderate, High, or Very High. These zones are determined by the Office of the State Fire Marshal using scientific modeling and long-term hazard projections.

If you're selling a home in Los Angeles County, you may hear the term retrofit inspection. But what does it mean, and does every city require it?

As a real estate agent working throughout the South Bay, the coast, and greater Los Angeles, I often get asked about retrofit requirements. Here’s a clear breakdown.

This question comes up more often than you’d think. Can you keep showing a property once you're in escrow? In California, the answer is yes, under the right circumstances.

Once you’ve accepted an offer and both buyer and seller have signed, the home is considered under contract or in escrow. But the deal isn’t final until contingencies are removed, and that can take several days or even weeks.

If you’re buying or selling a home in California or even just doing renovations, you might come across the term mechanic’s lien. These liens are legal claims filed by contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers who haven’t been paid for labor or materials provided to improve a property.

Mechanic’s liens can be filed against any type of real estate, including single-family homes, condos, townhomes, multi-unit buildings, and even vacant land. They must be taken seriously, especially during escrow.