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Welcome

Welcome to the premier resource for all real estate information and services in the area. I hope you enjoy your visit and explore everything my real estate website has to offer, including Torrance, South Bay Beaches, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Long Beach and Orange County real estate listings, information for homebuyers and sellers, and more About Us, your professional Torrance Realtor.
Looking for a new home? Use Quick Search or Map Search to browse an up-to-date database list of all available properties in the area, or contact me and I'll conduct a personalized search for you.
If you're planning to sell your home in the next few months, nothing is more important than knowing a fair asking price. I would love to help you with a FREE Market Analysis. I will use comparable sold listings to help you determine the accurate market value of your home.

South Bay Market Updates

  • Mortgage Interest DeductionHome Mortgage Interest Deductions
    Home Mortgage Interest Deductions With April 15th right around the corner, you might find the following information helpful as you file your taxes for the 2023 tax year. Mortgage Insurance Premiums The itemized deduction for mortgage insurance premiums has expired. You can no longer claim the deduction for your mortgage insurance premiums. Home Equity Loan Interest You can still deduct the interest from a home equity loan as long as the debt was used to buy, build or improve your home. Home Mortgage Interest You can deduct home mortgage […]
  • 2814 w 177th stDown Payment Assistance Programs
    Down Payment Assistance Programs So, you are ready to buy a home.  And now you speak with a lender who says, “how much money have you set aside for your downpayment and closing costs?”  Down Payment???  Closing Costs???  Oh my! Well now, there are so many Down Payment Assistance Programs that can help you, a first-time homebuyer, if qualified, with downpayment assistance. Here are some choices: CalHFA offers MyHome Assistance Program CalHFA Government Loans (FHA): MyHome offers a deferred-payment junior loan of an amount up to the […]
  • “How’s the Market?” Dec 6, 2023
    El Segundo, CA 90245 Wed Dec 06 2023 This week the median list price for El Segundo, CA 90245 is $1,845,000 with the market action index hovering around 41. This is less than last month’s market action index of 42. Inventory has held steady at or around 9. Click here to stay informed with the El Segundo market! Slight Seller’s Advantage In the last few weeks, the Market Action Index has resumed a climb. Despite the fact that we’re in a Seller’s market, prices have not yet resumed upward momentum. However, it is likely that given […]
  • 31retiring pic1 master675 1Perfecting Your Space After Leaving the Workforce
    Perfecting Your Space After Leaving the Workforce The freedom of retirement is a lot to take in at once. One great way to start enjoying your newfound liberties is to relocate to a home that will facilitate all your plans for the new chapter in your life. The following tips from Realtor Carol Gilles can help you make your new house into a perfect post-retirement home that you feel comfortable living in. Determine Your Budget and Abilities   The first step in this process is finding the ideal home to spend your retirement in. Consider your […]
  • Homeowners InsuranceHomeowners Insurance Update
    HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE California UPDATE As many of you know, many of the insurance companies have stopped selling new homeowner insurance policies in the State of California. Before closing escrow, you will need a homeowner insurance policy to cover the lender’s mortage liability  Here is the good news, Farmers Insurance is still selling policies! I turned to my friend, Don Lee of Farmers Insurance for the current update. Farmers started the cap of 7,000 policies a month state wide on July 3rd and it looks like we will have capacity to […]
  • Neighborhood Spotlight: Rancho Palos Verdes
    Neighborhood Spotlight: Rancho Palos Verdes Rancho Palos Verdes features a variety of living choices, from Oceanfront homes and Rural Ocean Enclaves to quiet family neighborhoods.  Serene ocean views dot the coastline.  So whether you are looking for Whales or the chance to find a private beach, Rancho Palos Verdes can be your next address! Rancho Palos Verdes is located on the top of the Palos Verdes Peninsula with 7.5 miles of coastline surrounded by Palos Verdes Estates to the north and San Pedro to the south. If you are a golfer – […]

Testimonials

“You are a tireless worker!” -- Oct 2014

We have dubbed you Queen of Follow-up! Thanks for sticking with us through all the high, low and just-plain-weird times. We really appreciate the way you cheerfully showed us house after house after house? We have dubbed you Queen of Follow-up. You are a tireless worker! ~ Alan, Laura & Kayla Braun

Carol communicated with us and was supportive throughout the entire process. -- Oct 2022

We contacted Carol about selling my mother’s home in Torrance after she passed away. Carol was super helpful and made the process as painless as it can be. Even though the market has been a little unsteady lately, we received multiple offers over the asking price in just a couple of days and were in escrow within a week of our open house. Carol communicated with us and was supportive throughout the entire process. It was a great experience and we would recommend Carol to others. Greg Stancl & family

Carol is definitely one of a kind! -- Aug 2020

“Carol is definitely one of a kind! I’m happy she was on my side. She always answered any and all questions that I may have had. Also, Carol  was very patient. I wouldn’t have tolerated someone as myself for one minute! Carol hung in there with me every step of the way making a stressful process so much easier. Carol kept my best interest first from start to finish. ” Jerry McGill

“You proved to be a tireless and determined guide!” -- Oct 2014

“You proved to be a tireless and determined guide! We depended completely on your knowledge and expertise to guide us through the jungle of paperwork and swamplands of legalese and bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo. You proved to be a tireless and determined guide, putting in long hours and going beyond the call of duty.” Gary & Judy Brooke

I would recommend Carol to all my friends and co-workers -- Aug 2020

“I would recommend Carol to all my friends and co-workers that are looking to purchase a house. Carol is funny, and is familiar with the California market. She is  task driven and always follows up in a timely manner. I really appreciate her excellent customer service skills.”   Ron McGinnis

“I will be happy to recommend you to anyone interested in buying or selling a home.” -- Oct 2014

My Sincere Appreciation! Dear Carol, I just wanted to express my sincere appreciation for all you have done in listing and selling my former home. Given all the real estate folks out there, I feel very fortunate to have found someone who is enthusiastic, energetic, knowledgeable, professional, diligent, dependable and genuinely concerned about helping me through the home selling process. I also want to thank you for putting me in contact with another great team of like-minded real estate professionals who have helped me to find a new home in a great location. Who could ask for more? I wish you much success, and I will be happy to recommend you to anyone interested in buying or selling a home. ~ Larry

Professional, knowledgeable to think on her feet and get the job done. -- May 2022

Professional, knowledgeable to think on her feet and get the job done.   Carol knew what the market was for the property, Showed the property with the best possible conditions and her possible clients. Jan Staws

“I highly recommend you as anyone’s partner in a home sale.” -- Oct 2014

“It definitely was a pleasure working with you on the property sale for 1913 &1915 Arlington Ave in Torrance, CA. Even though it was a family type property sale , and there were several avenues of business that we had to encounter, you always were totally professional . I cannot even express how much I appreciate your friendship and loyalty you have given me throughout this event. I highly recommend you as anyone’s partner in a home sale, regardless of the circumstances. I know you will be a great success in any sale endeavor. Also, so much thanks to The Real Estate Group in Torrance,CA., and Melinda Shih, for all their patience and hard work . You are with a top notch group! Good choice!” Robert D. James

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