For me the Thanksgiving holiday has always been a time to slow down, reflect on all the positive things in life, and of course spend time with family. This year we hung out with my-in-laws in the Mar Vista 90066 area. And because I am me, yes, I absolutely checked out the real estate stats while I was there. If you are curious about the market in Mar Vista, Culver City, and Marina del Rey, here is a quick snapshot.

Mar Vista, Culver City, Marina Market Update

  • Mar Vista Median Price: about 1.8M
  • Culver City Median Price: about 1.4M
  • Marina del Rey Median Condo and Townhome Price: about 950K
  • Days on Market: averaging 20 to 30 days
  • Year over Year Trend: prices are slightly up compared to last year

Basically, your house might sell faster than your uncle who forgot to bring dessert.

Hawthorne Market Update

And since I live in Hawthorne and my office is in the city of Hawthorne, I have to give you the stats for my home base too. Hawthorne has been steady, active, and still in demand thanks to its central location and strong neighborhood communities.

  • Median Price: about 880K
  • Days on Market: averaging 25 to 35 days
  • Year over Year Trend: holding steady with a slight increase, showing consistent buyer interest

Hawthorne continues to be one of the best value markets in the South Bay with strong long term upside.

Thankful for My Clients, My Team and This Crazy Career

As a business owner, I am incredibly thankful for all the clients who trusted me with one of the biggest decisions of their lives. I do not take that lightly.

I have built a strong squad with Audrey Pinto, Joshua Lopez and Tony Tadros, a team that allows us to fully serve our clients while still juggling our own families, responsibilities, and the roller coaster that we call life.

Real estate reminds me a lot of running. You train to get better, you learn from each race, you adjust your strategy, and sometimes you sprint when the opportunity comes. And yes, I admit it, I am competitive. When I say I want to win the race, I mean I want to win for my clients.

When we represent a seller, our job is to create a marketing plan that attracts the buyer who loves the home the most and is willing to pay the most for it. When we represent a buyer, our goal shifts to negotiating a deal that makes sense in the current market. If a property has been sitting for 45 to 60 days, you better believe we are trying to get that buyer the best price possible. At the end of the day, our fiduciary duty is simple, protect our clients and give them the best results possible.

A Much Needed Escape to Big Bear Lake

But life cannot be all work. This year we took a family trip up to Big Bear Lake. There was some snow but not enough for snowboarding or skiing. Honestly, the blue skies, sunshine, and crisp 50 to 60 degree weather made it perfect for exploring.

And because I am that person, I checked out the Big Bear real estate numbers too.

Big Bear Lake Market Update

  • Median Price: about 525K
  • Days on Market: around 45 to 55 days
  • Year over Year Trend: prices slightly down as the vacation rental market softens

If you have ever thought about a second home or investment property, Big Bear is worth keeping on your radar.

Running, Altitude, and Questionable Life Choices

Now back to my blog…

I did my usual morning run while we were in Big Bear, which sits at about 7000 feet. Let me tell you, the air gets thin.
I like to think my red blood cells were working overtime saying, “Why are we up here We did not agree to altitude training.”

I ran from our Airbnb cabin down to the lake, such a beautiful route. Tall green pines, a wooden bridge overlooking the water, dirt trails wrapping around the shoreline… picture perfect.

Total run: 6 miles
The mistake:
I forgot that whatever goes downhill must be paid back uphill.
The last 3 miles back to the cabin were all uphill, and with morning temperatures around 40 degrees, I decided the cool down stretch was optional for that day.

Family Time, Snow Tubing and Pho a Perfect Reset

After my self-inflicted cardio punishment, we took the kids snow tubing at Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain. No trip is complete without food, so we grabbed warm pho at a nearby Vietnamese restaurant which was exactly what we needed after being frozen on a mountain.

Back at the cabin, we hung out in the game room which had an arcade machine, air hockey, a pool table, and yes, the kids jumped in the spa at 102 degrees. Meanwhile, I just sat there appreciating the moment.

Final Thoughts

I love creating memories like these. They recharge me, keep me grounded, and remind me why I work as hard as I do.