A Simple Framework for Thinking About Your Home in 2026
Annual Goal Setting for Your Home: A South Bay Perspective for 2026 and Beyond
This is a four-minute read. Our hope is that it gives you a few useful ideas to think about your home as we head into 2026. Wishing you all the best with your home goals in the year ahead, and continued health and happiness.
– Cliff
For our friends, family, and neighbors here in the South Bay, a home is far more than a place to live. It’s where families grow, routines take shape, weekends are spent outdoors, and long-term wealth is quietly built over time.
It’s also, for many, the single largest asset they’ll ever own.
As we head into 2026 and the holiday season, this is a natural moment to pause and ask a simple but important question:
Is my home still aligned with my life, my goals, and where I see myself going next?
Over the years, we’ve worked with homeowners across Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, and the surrounding communities — first-time buyers, growing families, long-time owners, investors, and retirees. The homeowners who tend to feel the most confident, regardless of market conditions, are the ones who revisit their plan regularly.
A helpful way to do that is by thinking in planning horizons: short-term, intermediate, and long-term.
Thinking About Your Home as a Living Investment
Homes in the South Bay don’t exist in a vacuum. School boundaries shift, insurance landscapes evolve, coastal regulations change, and buyer preferences move with lifestyle trends.
Your home isn’t static — and smart planning acknowledges that.
Rather than thinking only in terms of buying or selling, we encourage homeowners to think about how their property fits into the bigger picture of their life, finances, and family over time.
Planning Horizon #1: Short-Term Goals (Next 12 Months)
Short-term goals are about protection, efficiency, and awareness — the fundamentals every homeowner should revisit annually.
Insurance and Risk Management
In coastal and hillside communities like ours, insurance deserves regular attention.
Things to revisit:
Replacement cost versus market value coverage
Fire and brush exposure, especially in Palos Verdes and hillside areas
Earthquake coverage and deductibles
Liability coverage for higher-value homes
Confirming policies reflect renovations, additions, or ADUs
We regularly meet homeowners who’ve invested in improvements only to realize their coverage hasn’t kept pace.
Maintenance and Deferred Repairs
Salt air, sun exposure, and terrain all take a toll over time.
Annual check-ins often include:
Roofs, drainage, and waterproofing
Stucco, decks, balconies, and railings
Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems
Grading and water flow around foundations
Maintenance isn’t glamorous, but it protects equity.
Market Awareness
Even if you have no plans to sell, understanding your local market is empowering.
Helpful things to know:
Your realistic value range based on recent neighborhood sales
Inventory levels and days on market in your specific pocket
What buyers are prioritizing right now — layout, light, condition, views, and outdoor space
In the South Bay, hyper-local context matters. Homes can perform very differently just a few streets apart.
Planning Horizon #2: Intermediate Goals (1–5 Years)
This is often where planning — or the lack of it — has the biggest impact.
Strategic Upgrades and Improvements
South Bay buyers tend to value function and flow as much as aesthetics.
Questions worth asking:
Will this improvement enhance daily living, resale value, or both?
Are we prioritizing layout, light, and indoor-outdoor living?
Are energy efficiency upgrades part of the plan?
We’ve seen sellers who made targeted improvements significantly outperform expectations, and buyers pay premiums for homes that feel complete and well cared for.
Equity and Financial Strategy
Many long-time homeowners here are sitting on meaningful equity.
Considerations include:
How appreciation and loan paydown work together
HELOCs versus cash-out refinances
Using equity for:
A second home or future investment
Major renovations or additions
Simplifying life by reallocating into a different home
Lifestyle Alignment
Life changes, and homes need to keep up.
Common shifts we see:
Remote or hybrid work becoming permanent
Kids entering new school phases
Parents aging or moving closer
A desire for walkability, outdoor space, or a different daily rhythm
These moments often spark conversations around upsizing, downsizing, or relocating within the South Bay.
Planning Horizon #3: Long-Term Goals (5–15+ Years)
Long-term planning creates flexibility and peace of mind.
Long-Term Wealth and Legacy Planning
For many families here, real estate plays a key role in long-term planning.
Topics to consider with trusted advisors:
Holding versus selling decisions
Rental income potential
Trust and estate considerations
Long-term tax planning
You don’t need all the answers today — starting the conversation early matters.
Exit Strategy (Even If It’s Far Off)
An exit strategy isn’t about leaving — it’s about understanding your options.
Helpful questions:
What might trigger a sale?
When would leasing make sense?
Could this home transition into an investment?
How might market cycles affect timing?
Planning ahead gives you choices.
How This Looks Across Different Homeowner Life Stages
First-time and early-stage homeowners focus on building strong habits and learning their neighborhood.
Growing families and mid-career homeowners focus on space, schools, upgrades, and lifestyle fit.
High-equity and long-term owners focus on flexibility, leverage, and long-term planning.
Investors and second-property owners focus on performance, balance, and timing.
What We’ve Seen Firsthand
Over the years, we’ve helped friends and clients:
Buy their first home in the South Bay
Sell and buy in their ideal neighborhood in under 30 days
Sell a primary residence and acquire investment properties
Downsize thoughtfully for retirement
Relocate out of state for new career opportunities
Lease homes to stay close to children in college
Find the right long-term home after renting
Put down roots to start the next chapter of family life
You can read more of these real stories here:
https://www.scherbhomes.com/news-1
The common thread is planning — often well before a move ever became necessary.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we close out the year and look ahead, we want to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a healthy, happy 2026.
The homeowners who tend to feel the most confident aren’t trying to time the market perfectly. They’re the ones who revisit their plan, stay informed, and make thoughtful decisions along the way.
If you’d ever like to talk through options — over coffee or a quick video call — we’re always happy to connect.
Warm holiday wishes, and here’s to a great 2026.
Cliff Scherb
Scherb Homes Group
310-696-6648
Cliff@ScherbHomes.com
