In Rancho Palos Verdes' Portuguese Bend, a California enclave is experiencing a strange real estate paradox. Homes are selling at steep discounts - some for as low as $1.3 million - despite the ground literally shifting beneath them. The area sits on an active landslide complex where land movement has accelerated to a foot per week in some spots.

Eilen Stewart and her family exemplify the trend, purchasing a blue ranch house for $1.3 million in 2024 after learning about the landslide risks. They've invested an additional $200,000 in landslide mitigation, including solar panels and a steel beam foundation. The area's geological makeup, with clay layers that become slippery when saturated, makes it especially vulnerable to movement.

Property values have plummeted, with some homes now priced at 2010 levels. At least 11 homes have sold since 2024, as buyers weigh coastal access against geological instability. The city has deemed 24 properties unsafe, and 172 homes remain without electrical service. Despite the risks, residents describe a strengthened community bond, with neighbors helping each other navigate the challenges of living on shifting ground.