Manhattan Beach Real Estate Market Report – February 2025
Understanding the Market
How to Read a Market Report
A market report is a snapshot of real estate trends in a specific area over a given time frame. It includes data like median sale prices, average days on market, and the number of homes sold. Here's how to make the most of the information:
Median Sale Price: This represents the middle point of all homes sold—half sold for more, half for less. It’s a great indicator of overall market trends.
Average Days on Market (DOM): This tells you how long properties typically stay on the market before selling. A shorter DOM indicates a more competitive market.
Sale-to-List Price Ratio: This percentage shows how closely homes are selling to their original asking price—a higher ratio suggests strong demand.
Turnover Rate: This measures how often homes in a community change hands, giving insight into the stability or activity level of the area.
The slide above provides a high-level summary of recent real estate activity in the 90266 area. It highlights key pricing metrics, including the highest sale price of $24,500,000 (sold on July 15, 2024), the average sale price of $3,979,347, and the median sale price of $3,300,000, which reflects a 10.0% increase since December 2023. This snapshot is ideal for quickly understanding the overall performance of the local real estate market.
Many sellers have discovered that immersing themselves in current market data gives them a powerful glimpse into the future of their home equity. By analyzing local real estate trends, you can anticipate shifts in buyer preferences, pricing fluctuations, and demand patterns. This knowledge empowers you to make proactive, informed decisions about when to list, make a purchase, or adjust pricing strategy.
So, how do you become a market research pro? Start by tracking key metrics like median sale prices, days on market, and inventory levels in your area. Look for patterns and changes over time. Are prices creeping up or dipping down? Is inventory tight or plentiful? These insights will help you gauge the temperature of your local market.
Next, dive into the details of recently sold homes similar to yours. Note their features, upgrades, and final sale prices. This will give you a realistic benchmark for your own home's value or help determine when it's a good time to buy. Don’t forget to factor in any unique selling points that could command a premium price, like sought-after home features or rare amenities.
Staying on top of market forecasts is also crucial. Keep an eye out for economic indicators, demographic shifts, and development projects that could impact your area’s desirability. For example, new infrastructure or commercial developments can drive up property values.
Luckily, you don’t have to navigate this data deluge alone. Tap into our team’s nuanced expertise in local real estate. We have our finger on the pulse of your market. We offer free, no-obligation comparative market analyses to help you pinpoint your home's optimal price.
There are also plenty of online tools and resources to keep you in the know.
Follow our real estate blogs for the latest local buzz!
Why Is Hyper-Local Data More Important Than National Real Estate News?
While national real estate news can provide a broad overview of market trends, real estate is inherently local. Hyper-local data from a market report is far more relevant and impactful because it reflects what’s happening in your specific neighborhood or area. Here’s why:
The slide above dives deeper into the activity within the 90266 real estate market over the last 12 months. It reports that 196 homes were sold, a 12% decrease compared to the previous year, with 18 homes currently active on the market and 15 homes pending sale. Additional insights include the total number of homes in the area (7,325), the turnover rate of 2.7%, and the average days on market (34). The slide also notes that residents stay in their homes for an average of 16 years, reflecting the stability of this community. The slight decrease in sales activity could suggest opportunities for buyers to negotiate in this competitive yet balanced market.
Accurate Pricing: National averages don’t account for the unique features and conditions of your neighborhood. A hyper-local market report provides accurate data on home prices, days on market, and sale-to-list price ratios for your area, ensuring that buyers and sellers can make informed decisions based on real numbers.
Inventory and Competition Levels: The number of active listings and pending sales can reveal whether your neighborhood is a buyer’s or seller’s market. These local insights are critical for setting a competitive price or crafting a winning offer.
Insights on Neighborhood Desirability: Hyper-local data considers factors like nearby schools, amenities, and recent development projects that national news can’t address. These factors directly influence demand and pricing in your specific area.
Tailored Strategies for Success: By reviewing local data, your Realtor can craft strategies that are aligned with current trends in your neighborhood. Whether it’s pricing your home correctly or making a competitive offer, hyper-local data allows for precision that national news simply can’t provide.
In summary, while national headlines might grab attention, the details that matter most to you—whether you're buying, selling, or investing—are found in your neighborhood’s market report.
What Is a "Comp"?
The term "comp" is short for “comparable sale,” and it’s one of the most important tools in real estate pricing. A comp refers to a recently sold property that is similar in size, condition, location, and features to the home you’re buying or selling. Here’s why comps matter:
- For Buyers: Comps help you understand what similar homes in the area are selling for, so you can make a competitive and informed offer.
- For Sellers: Comps guide you in setting a realistic asking price that reflects the current market while maximizing your home's value.
- For Appraisers: Comps are used to establish the appraised value of a home, ensuring lenders and buyers have a clear picture of its worth.
Market Highlights for Manhattan Beach:
Median Sale Price: $3,300,000 (up 10.0% since December 2023)
Highest Sale Price: $24,500,000 (sold on July 15, 2024)
Average Sale Price: $3,979,347The significant growth in median sale prices reflects the heightened demand for homes in Manhattan Beach. The area continues to attract buyers seeking luxury living and a solid investment opportunity.
LOCAL MARKET PERFORMANCE
In the last 30 days:
The Manhattan Beach real estate market has seen notable activity shifts in the past 30 days. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the latest data:
Pricing Trends
- Median Sale Price: $3,300,000 (↓ 5.2% from the previous month)
- Highest Sale Price: $8,950,000 (Sold on January 20, 2025)
- Average Sale Price: $3,979,347
- Lowest Sale Price: $2,100,000 (↓ 8.7% from the previous month)
Market Activity and Inventory Levels
- New Listings: 15
- Active Listings: 7 (↓ from last month)
- Pending Sales: 10
- Homes Sold: 12 (↓ 20% from the previous month)
Pricing and Market Trends
- Average List Price per Square Foot: $1,525 (↓ from $1,600 last month)
- Average Sold Price per Square Foot: $1,480 (↓ from $1,550 last month)
- Sale-to-List Price Ratio:96.5% (Sellers are seeing offers slightly below asking price)
- Average Days on Market:34 (↓ from 41 days last month)
Recent Market Observations
The 90266 market experienced a moderate dip in median and lowest sale prices, indicating that some high-end buyers may be taking a more cautious approach. Despite this, homes are selling faster, with the average days on market decreasing, suggesting continued buyer demand.
While the number of sales dropped by 20%, pending sales remain strong, indicating that February could see an uptick in closings. The sale-to-list price ratio at 96.5% suggests that while sellers are still securing competitive offers, slight price negotiations are occurring.
Key Takeaways:
- For sellers: Pricing your home competitively from the start will be essential to securing strong offers.
- For buyers: With homes selling faster and inventory tightening, acting quickly on well-priced properties remains key in this high-demand market.
