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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.
  • 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

“Carol, Thank you!” -- Oct 2014

“Carol, Thank you! We would like to thank you for helping us find our (beautiful) new home and selling our other property. We really love the old home. It was tough to leave our first home, wonderful neighborhood and friends. This is new beginning for our future. I have attached a copy of the note I will leave in the Huntington Lane home for the new owners. It gives some instruction on the Jacuzzi, heater, and alarm. I hope they enjoy the property as much as we have over the last 8 years.” ~ Maria & Rich Contino

“You were ALWAYS there to answer questions.” -- Oct 2014

You stuck with US for as LONG as it took ….. We just wanted to send you a quick note to say THANK YOU. We really can’t thank you enough. You stuck with us for as long as it took, (and it took a while for us to get our stuff together). You were ALWAYS there to answer questions, even when you were on vacation. You were totally honest, helpful and just made our home buying experience wonderful. We will highly recommend you to anyone needing a Realtor. You went over and beyond to help us out and we appreciate it more than we can express. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Hannah and Chris Froeschle

“If we ever outgrow this home, we’ll definitely be calling you!” -- Oct 2014

“Thank you so much for taking the extra effort to make our first home purchase successful. You were there guiding us through all the crucial and important steps! You really listened to what we wanted in our home and you found exactly what we were looking for – at an amazing price! If we ever outgrow this home, we’ll definitely be calling you! Carol, thanks for everything. You are great! Everything is finally moved in. I am really enjoying my new home. It is a wonderful feeling to come home to “MY” place. I’ve already got a few little projects for the place and am really looking forward to getting them done through the year. I have no qualms at all referring you to any of my friends and family who may begin looking for their new property. I’ve got your number engraved in my memory, so you’ll not have to worry about that.” ~ Homer Gentry

“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

Carol knows her business! -- Jan 2021

It was an absolute delight working with Carol in selling our home! She was always available for us and patient in answering all our questions. When our house was  finally sold, Carol presenting us with a memory photo album with all the pictures of our house as a gift. What a thoughtful, kind and excellent idea! All realtors should take note of this and learn from Carol! Now we can always look back at the fond memories of our first house that we bought together! Thank you Carol! Phil & Beth Villa

“Quick to Respond.” -- Oct 2014

“Carol was great! She helped guide us through the process of buying our home. Quick to respond to questions and available to assist with whatever we needed.” Mike & Susan Watson

I contacted Carol to help list and sell my home -- Aug 2020

What more can you possibly ask for when looking for a realtor? Passionate, knowledgeable, experienced, friendly, patient. All those describes Carol Gilles. She helped me purchase my first home a few years back and from the very beginning when I first met her, she made every conversation as comfortable as if you’re talking to a long time friend. All relevant information was presented clearly and concisely. Fast-forward to 2016, I made the decision to sell my home and without any hesitation, I contacted Carol to help list and sell my home. I had the same expectations from Carol and she didn’t disappoint. If you’re looking to buy/sell and want a low stress experience, I highly recommend Carol to anyone. Alan Hy

“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

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