Living in Long Beach in January

As winter storm Juno is busy hammering the east coast, I'm sitting at my desk in East Long Beach with the windows open, looking out at our pool, surrounded by tropical foliage.  There's a reason living in Long Beach and the surrounding area is so great, especially this time of year.

East Long Beach Whaley home with 1960 pool

Long Beach real estate isn't just post war bungalows or 100 year old Craftsman homes.  Far from it.  We have the urban vibe downtown with the high rises, too.  On Saturday I was fortunate enough to be working with a client who will buy a condo in one of those high rises.  That meant I got to take photos from all these cool condos to capture the view for the husband who wasn't with us.  Awesome. Take a look!

Long Beach Harbor from 28th floor of the International Tower

3rd floor of the Pacific Tower

View of the bay and Villa Riviera from the International Tower

From the 11th floor of West Ocean, Tower One

Seriously?!  From the International Tower

Isn't it gorgeous?!  I love what I do, I love where I live.  Let me help you or someone you know love where they live in greater Long Beach, too.  Long Beach, it will surprise you

FIRST TIME BUYERS! (sorry for shouting at you...)

 

 

Today I am writing to put some sunshine into the life of first time home buyers using FHA loans.  Here, let me turn the light on...

 

 

 



As of January 26, 2015, the premiums for insurance on Federal Housing Authority (FHA) mortgages will be reduced! 

FHA loans allow you to put as little as 3.5% down when purchasing a home, but require an additional mortgage insurance with a premium (MIP) that can add hundreds of dollars to your monthly payment.

President Obama's plan to cut this percentage paid may allow up to a quarter of a million more Americans to purchase homes.  The loan percentage, in some cases (see the chart below), was 1.35% and will be reduced to 0.85%, saving about $900 annually for a typical home buyer, according to the FHA.  These additional premiums are included when looking at a borrower's "debt-to-income: ratio, and can knock some borrowers out of the housing market if their debt-to-income ratio exceeded 43 percent (i.e. you owe more than 43% of what you earn).  Even a few dollar savings on the MIP could put a borrower under the 43% line.

 

 



If you would like more information on this good news or you would like me to connect you with an excellent lender to get started, please call/text 562.673.5335 or email me katielarson@kw.com and I'll get you connected.  I will also send you information on first time home buying, such as how to choose an agent and how to get started.

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

New Year, Now What?

There are many sayings about a new year, many resolutions, blank pages to be written.  When you're a Realtor, the page is never really blank, though, as the work doesn't stop.  The efforts made the prior year are all building to work for the next year, whether it's through referrals, lead generation, or by getting your clients ready to make or accept an offer.  It's even following up with those who closed in the past to see how you might be of service now, with resources, event information, staying in touch.

I did wipe the white board in my office clean in honor of the new year, but not until I set my 2015 goals based on my 2014 work.  And then I started to fill it up.  Which of my clients are looking to buy and which are going to sell?  What is the time frame and the price range, what leads do I have, where will I get more, who do I call, text, email or write to today, tomorrow...whom have I referred and where are they in the process, are they getting the service they should, who needs to hear from me, who is waiting for a resource or information, how may I be of service?

But, this is a blog about Long Beach and the area, as well as real estate.  Before I do too much more writing on that previously blank page, let me share some of the holiday highlights that happened while living in Long Beach this last month. 

If your new year includes buying a house or selling a house, let me know and let's add you to my office white board as a valued and active client.

 Views from a high-rise condo for sale on Ocean Blvd.  Interested in seeing it?



I listed this house, open escrow and closed it, all within 14 days in December.  Need someone who can work like that?

Christmas Eve candlelight service included singing on the steps of the church

A walk around Naples Island on Christmas Eve, or anytime during the holidays, is a must

CHILL at Queen Mary with a 6 year old is too much fun