Andi Grant's Blog - Everyday Real Estate with a Twist

Searching Long Beach Rentals is so 2011!  First Time Home Buying is Where It's At in 2012!

"Every time tax time rolls around, I become mad at myself that I didn't buy a home to write off while my landlord gets one and continues to collect rents from me!"  

I heard this from a Long Beach renter last week who called to ask about first time home buyer programs in Long Beach.  This Long Beach renter was paying nearly $1800 a month rent!  That's unbelievable considering that with record low interest rates, a large population of Long Beach apartment dwellers could easily afford to own in one of many great Long Beach neighborhoods as well as in any of the nearby cities of Los Angeles, Downey, Lakewood and Carson for nearly the same monthly payment, while being able to possibly have a great a tax write-off to boot! 

With what I've been calling the holy trinity of homebuying: low home prices, low interest rates, and low down payment assistance, why not at least see if you can go from being a Long Beach renter in 2011 to a Long Beach first-time home buyer in 2012!  Why continue to pay a landlord who only knows you as a check or an apartment building unit # when you can become a Long Beach homeowner with your own address and most likely be able to be reap the benefits of it around tax time? 

We can help 1st time buyers with the following:  

• Mortgage Pre-Qualification Application
• Down Payment Assistance Request
• Answering your FAQs about the home-buying process 
• Choosing from one of many First-Time home buyer lenders
• Connecting you to a first time home buyer Realtor® who can negotiate a great home price for you that's within your budget!

If you are currently a Long Beach apartment dweller  or house renter and would love to become a first time home buyer and home owner in Long Beach, Los Angeles, Downey, Lakewood, Carson or in any of their surrounding cities, while also acquiring what could be a great tax write-off, do not hesitate to call us today at 310-508-4354

We look forward to working with you soon!  Happy Househunting in 2012!

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Did You Know:  A first time homebuyer is generally considered to be a person that hasn't held any title interest or ownership of real estate property within the last 3 full years? 

APPLY NOW (no SS# required): 

Pre-Qualification Mortgage Application  

Down-Payment Assistance   

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Please note, we understand the importance of protecting your contact information. Our team will never share or sell your private contact information with a third party. By giving us your contact information to start the application process, you are giving us permission to contact you via email or phone per your preference. Click here to view our privacy policy.  

Are there any bookstores still OPEN in Long Beach? Why yes…yes there is!

In my dream, I'm shopping Long Beach's Retro Row when I hear a sound that I haven't heard in awhile.  But could it be?  At first I think it's a figment of my imagination and then I hear it again. This time what appears to be the faint sound of a book being cracked open is immediately followed by the oh-so-subtle swish of a page turn.  I hook the corner and there it is! OPEN, waiting for me to enter, a bookstore located on Long Beach’s famous Retro Row.  No, you don’t understand,  is the name of the great independent neighborhood bookstore located at 2226 E. 4^th st. in the heart of 4th St's famous Retro Row in Long Beach! 

As I walk into the {open} bookstore, I'm surrounded by wall-to-wall bookshelves containing, get this, books! Real live bound books of gently used unique reading material of classic literature, sci-fi, biographies, children's books, fiction, comic books, back issue magazines, new independently published books and so much more! If that ain't cool enough, {open}'s founders and owners Sé Reed and Shea M. Gauer are introducing new independent authors, musicians, and artists to the city of Long Beach and it's press by allowing them to have book releases, concerts, literary performances and art exibitions at their {open} venue throughout the year.  How awesome is that for Long Beach's huge eclectic and creative community?

All of a sudden  I'm jarred out of my sleep by a nearby gardner's buzzing weed wacker.  In a panic, I check the calendar on my phone and I'm elated to see that it's only 2012!  Phew!  The "e-age" hasn't completely taken over and {open} isn't only a dream!  Unlike the impersonal mega-chain bookstores that are closing all around us, the {open} bookstore in Long Beach is still not only open, but remains a favorite neighborhood bookstore among many of Long Beach's locals and visitors to Retro Row alike.  

So when you feel like cracking open a good book, checking out a new undiscovered artist or hearing a new twist on a favorite genre of music, be sure to visit {open} at a 4th Street Retro Row bookstore near you!  

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  2226 E. 4th St. @ Junipero Long Beach, CA 90814 

Books ~  Magazines ~  Music ~ Art 　

 

Long Beach Market Report - Long Beach Home Sales Report - November 2011  

The Long Beach Real Estate Market is still looking very good in terms of the number of Long Beach Single Family Homes sold for early winter.  Only 19 less homes sold than the previous month as people started to settle into their fall schedules, which is not typical as most people during the holidays are less inclined to be uprooted for showings or to move. So although Long Beach will generally see a activity drop-off, it looks like many first-time home buyers and repeat home buyers are taking advantage of the Long Beach Market slowdown in these holiday months by submitting offers to Long Beach home sellers who are eager to jumpstart the new year with the hope of a pending sale and escrow. 

645 ACTIVE (Long Beach Homes Currently for Sale)  Hang in there!

465 PENDING (Long Beach Homes with Accepted offers or currently in Escrow) You're almost at the finish line!

163 SOLDS (Long Beach Homes Sold as of the end of November 2011)  CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LUCKY BUYERS AND SELLERS!  There were also 18 more homes sold this November 2011 than in November 2010*

LONG BEACH HOMES SALES REPORT 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG BEACH MARKET REPORT AND TREND FALL AND WINTER 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*All Sales Data courtesy of CARETS MLS.  Long Beach Market Report originally posted at FirstTimeHomeBuyerRealestate.com

HOME BUYERS:  Search LONG BEACH HOMES today! 

HOME SELLERS:  FREE CMA - HOME MARKET VALUATION to get your home priced right!

Long Beach Ocean Blvd Condos for Sale

As of 12/05/11 Long Beach is currently offering 69 Ocean Blvd condos for sale ranging in price from $124,000 (perfect for first time home buyers) to just over a million dollars for those looking for luxury condo living. If you are looking for cozy, swanky, oceanfront, city skyline, Queen Mary views, it's all available!  Here are just a few Ocean Condos for Sale in Long Beach as of 12/05/11:

NOTE:  If any of the condos have been sold since the date of this article, feel free to start a new Ocean Blvd Condo Search   

 

Belmont Heights Long Beach Condos for Sale $300K and above

Who is the person who buys a condo for sale in Belmont Heights?   Is it the single person or couple who's tired of renting and has decided to get their feet wet at this "home ownership" thing without having all of the major upkeep responsibilities that a Belmont Single family Home would have?  Or maybe it's the empty-nester who has finally decided to deconstruct the mini-shrines their grown kid's bedrooms represent.  Or then there's the current homeowner who has "been there, done that" with the suburbia thing and is now looking forward to being closer to the action.  Buying a condo for sale in Belmont Heights can pretty much cover all of the aforementioned.  Belmont Heights has condos that are either nestled in tranquil residential areas, within a few minutes walk to the beach, or close to the action of nightclubs, bars and fine restaurants.  If you fit into one of the above categories, below for your review is a list of condos for sale in Belmont Heights as of December 5, 2011.  Be sure the check out the map and the walkable scores of each.  Great condos, great locations and great prices for the amenities!   Feel free to call me at 310-508-4354 if you have any questions or if I can be of any further assistance to you.

 [Belmont Heights Condos for $300k and under]

The information being provided by SoCalMLS, CRISNet Regional MLS and/or CARETS is for the consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumer may be interested in purchasing. Any information relating to real estate for sale referenced on this web site comes from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) program of the SoCalMLS, CRISNet Regional MLS and/or CARETS. This web site may reference real estate listing(s) held by a brokerage firm other than the broker and/or agent who owns this web site.

The accuracy of all information, regardless of source, including but not limited to square footages and lot sizes, is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be personally verified through personal inspection by and/or with the appropriate professionals." The data contained herein is copyrighted by SoCalMLS, CRISNet Regional MLS and/or CARETS and is protected by all applicable copyright laws. Any unauthorized dissemination of this information is in violation of copyright laws and is strictly prohibited.

Copyright © 2010 SoCalMLS®, CRISNet Regional MLS®, CARETS®" All Displays of Licensed Content shall include: "Property Information © 2010" SoCalMLS Inc. All rights reserved. Certain information contained herein is derived from information which is the licensed property of, and copyrighted by, SoCalMLS Inc.

Data updated Monday, December, 5th, 2011. Data services provided by IDX Broker

 

Long Beach's "Skinny House"  A Historical Landmark

When you first hear the phrase "Skinny House" you wonder if it means there is a house full of size 2 stick insect looking females who manage to survive off grapefruit and tic-tacs, only to find out that it's actually a Long Beach historical landmark.  The Long Beach "Skinny House" is a unique 3-story Tudor style home located at 708 Gladys Ave. (on the corner of Gladys and 7th st) in the Rose Park neighborhood of Long Beach.  

This "Skinny House" truly lives up to it's name at 860 sq. ft.  The home is said to have been built on a bet after Newton Rummond was paid the small 10' x 50' plot of land to settle a $100 debt at the height of the depression in 1931.*  Since, it's completion in 1932 it has been mentioned in Guiness World Book of Records and Ripley's Believe It or Not.  

It has only sold twice since it was built, once in 1999 for $99,000 and another time in 2002 for over $200,000.  Interestingly enough, the comps now in the area for similar square footage is in the very high $300ds but mostly low $400K range although the historical landmark factor and layout could somewhat be a determining factor were it to be placed on the market right now.

 

There is clearly a home for everyone.  To start your own Long Beach home search do not hesitate to visit us www.AffordableLongBeach.com.

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Long Beach Skinny House photo by DRosenbach ;

CC-BY-SA-3.0; Released under the GNU Free Documentation License. *Wikipedia

LONG BEACH HOMES FOR SALE BY PRICE RANGE

Long Beach is a city located south of Los Angeles, in Los Angeles County and for most it's its residents a known hidden treasure.

Located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Long Beach is the 7th largest city in California and the 35th largest city in the Nation!

I am a self-elected ambassador of Long Beach, CA, on one-hand wanting to shout it from the rooftop decks how Long Beach is a hidden treasure, but on the other hand afraid if it's too well known, it could possibly lose it's small town-like charm if too many people were to flock to it's shores.

With affordable home prices so close to the beach, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do or not do to keep the word out that it's a gem of a deal to buy here!

Long Beach homes for sale range in price from $93,000 . . .

 

...to Long beach Homes for Sale priced $1,000,000+

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!  Guy Fieri Loves Long Beach!

I knew there was a reason why I loved Guy Fieri!  He says in one of the two Long Beach Editions of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and I quote, "So here I am in one of my favorite cities in the entire country, Long Beach, CA!"  Yeah!  Gotta love him! 

It turns out that Guy worked at nearby Parker's Lighthouse in Shoreline Village and lived in the sunny and popular Belmont Shore!  Both areas are great places to hang out, eat great food, shop and just simply enjoy fantastic beach living!

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives:  Long Beach Episode 1: 

Schooner or Later located at 241 Marina Dr - Waterfront restaurant serving breakfast and lunch.  If this doesn't have you wanting to try Schooner or Later - check your pulse! 

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives:  Long Beach Episode 2: 

At Last Cafe 204 S. Orange Ave. Long Beach, CA: Looks like some good comfort food here!  I think I'll be trying the stuffed pork chops soon!  

 

To find homes in Belmont Shore or if you have any questions about moving to the great city of Long Beach, do not hesitate to call 310-508-4354!

Long Beach Ocean Blvd. Condos for Sale - "Steps to the Beach" Living Awaits You!

 

Longing to buy a great Long Beach condo near the beach?  Why settle for anything less than one that's mere steps away?  Long Beach's Ocean Blvd. offers a mix of affordable, luxury, oceanview and oceanfront condos and townhouses stretching for nearly 3 miles.  Living in a condo on Ocean Blvd means easy access to the best Long Beach has to offer with Downtown Long Beach, Belmont Shore, Shoreline Village, The Pike, theatres, dining and great nearby shopping.  

For Long Beach Ocean Blvd. condo buildings that have direct beach access, the even number buildings usually between Alamitos (where Shoreline Dr meets it) up to Ocean Blvd/2nd St. split will have the greatest beach access.  

 

 

To see ALL Ocean Blvd Condos and Homes for Sale in Long Beach.

For ALL Long Beach condos throughout all of Long Beach feel free to visit the Condos page of AffordableLongBeach.com page.

YOU'RE INVITED!  Long Beach's Drive-In Movie Experience in Downtown LB, 9/17/2011

Seeking an awesome Long Beach movie experience with friends and family this late summer?  Saturday 9/17/2011, Long Beach Cinematheque in conjunction with Hollywood Outdoor Movies will be featuring it's first Downtown Long Beach Drive-In throwback movie experience by screening  the 1980's John Hugh's classic and fan favorite Ferris Bueller's Day Off! 

You are probably asking yourself, where does the throwback part come in?  To make the experience complete, carhop service will be provided by non other than Long Beach's glamour squad on skates, the Long Beach Roller Derby!  How cool is that?  Gourmet food trucks provided by Lunch Truck It will also be serving delicious food as the concession stand!  

 

THE LONG BEACH DOWNTOWN DRIVE-IN VENUE:  The very large lot at the historic Long Beach Press Telegram building located at 604 Pine Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802 (Downtown Drive-In Map).  

SHOWTIME:  Gates open at 6:30pm and film starts promtply at 8:00pm.

COST:  $10 per person, kids 10 and under are free. 

CONCESSION FOOD: provided by Lunch Truck It (various gormet food trucks participating)

CARHOP SERVICE:  Long Beach Roller Derby 

WHAT YOU NEED:  A car that is able to clearly receive FM transmission signal, or a lowback chair or blanket for an area that will have speakers provided.  

IT WILL BE A UNIQUE FAMILY FUN-FILLED EVENT FOR ALL! 

 

LONG BEACH HOLLYWOOD FILM FUN FACTS:

DID YOU KNOW:  The beautiful suburbian home pictured in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off was actually a Long Beach home lcoated at 4160 Country Club Drive right here in the upscale Virginia Country Club, a neighborhood within the Los Cerritos area of Bixby Knolls. 

In addition to that, The American Pie homes of Jim and Michelle were around the corner at 4153 Cedar Drive and 3295 Cedar Drive.  Down the street from there was something more sinister being filmed at the make-believe Donni Darko home located at 4225 Country Club Drive. 

 

Feel free to search more beautiful homes in the Los Cerritos area containing the Virginia County Club Estates, the Virginia Country Club area Map and ALL LONG BEACH HOMES FOR SALE.