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

Tiny and Mighty, With Million Dollar Views - Signal Hill



Signal Hill oil fields in 1923 (photo from aerography)

The small city of Signal Hill, just 2.19 square miles and with a population of 11,332 citizens, is surrounded by the City of Long Beach.  While it does share school districts and some services with the City of Long Beach, Signal Hills has its own Police Department, its own stellar Parks & Recreation Commission and a Community Foundation that sponsored the Unity Monument and Bricks on the Hill.  For a tiny town, it has mighty financial backing with a strong tax base from the many retail outlets, including Costco, Long Beach BMW and a couple other warehouse stores.

10 Fun Facts about Signal Hill

1.  It once had 3 different zip codes, all shared with Long Beach.  Signal Hill got its own zip code, 90755, in 2002.
2. It was incorporated in 1924.
3. Signal Hill is 365 feet high.
4. Balboa Studios used 11 acres in Signal Hill for outdoor locations while shooting films 1913-1923.
5. Oil was discovered on June 23, 1921, when Shell Oil Company's Alamitos #1 well erupted.
6. At one time more than 100 oil wells covered the hill.
7. Signal Hill's first mayor, Jessie Nelson, was California first female mayor.
8. The city's largest employer is Office Depot with 551 employees.
9. There are 2 Home Depot stores in Signal Hill, none in Long Beach.
10. There are 10 parks in Signal Hill, ranging from Signal Hill Park at 10 acres to "pocket parks" of less than half an acre.

 Signal Hill Real Estate

Similar to Long Beach real estate, the real estate in Signal Hill has a wide range of prices.  The variety of homes run from low income housing in some of the flatter areas to homes in gated communities, with 200 degree views, for over $1 million.  These gated communities offer community pools and amenities, with homes built in the 21st century.  Here's a view from the north side of the hill, during the day

Overlooking the Long Beach airport from Signal Hill

And the same view at night

Long Beach at night, from Signal Hill, looking north



Living in Signal Hill isn't living in Long Beach, as residents from either city will assure you.  Do you like airplanes?  Maybe you'd like living on the north side of Signal Hill:  a north facing view is an airplane spotter's delight.  Not only is there commercial traffic at the Long Beach Airport, but the adjacent Boeing facility means cool aircraft like C-17 transport planes, the Super Guppy and F/A 18 Hornets visit, too.

Fitness in Signal Hill

With many walking trails and some 25% grade climbs, the city is a great place for fitness.  Long Beach Boot Camp meets here.  The local chapter of the Sierra Club hikes here.  All strenuous walks are rewarded with those spectacular views.

More Information and Something Free

If you would like more information about buying or selling a home in the Signal Hill and Long Beach areas, please contact me at katielarson@kw.com.  I work mostly by referral but would love to help you with a free, complimentary home valuation if you're thinking about selling your home; a free consultation if you're thinking of buying.

What other areas of Long Beach would you like to read about?  Any questions about area history, culture, real estate, dining?  Favorite spots?

Holiday events around Long Beach and Orange County in December

Happy December!

Last month I touched on some of the things going on in the Long Beach area in November.  Now that the calendar has turned to December, celebrations and events really ramp up.  What is there to do in Long Beach and the area this month?

The Christmas trees in Alamitos Bay were turned on Thanksgiving night.  Have you seen them yet?

Credit to "Living Long Beach" for photo

(Unless otherwise noted, these events are in Long Beach)

December 5:  Seal Beach Christmas Parade

December 6:  Belmont Shore Christmas Parade

December 6-7:  Holiday Treats for the Animals, Aquarium of the Pacific

December 7:  Old Time Christmas Festival, Rancho Los Cerritos

December 13:  Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade

December 13:  Parade of 1,000 Lights, Shoreline Marina

December 13:  Daisy Avenue Christmas Parade

December 13-14:  Huntington Harbour Holiday Boat Parade

December 13-14:  Nutcracker, Long Beach Ballet at Terrace Theater

December 12-14: Holiday Shopping in the Shore, carolers, Santa photos, 2 hours free parking

December 16:  Menorah Lighting, Fashion Island Newport Beach

December 17-23: Newport Harbor Boat Parade, 6-10p nightly

December 17-23: Philharmonic Cruise of Lights, Huntington Harbour

December 20-21:  Nutcracker, Long Beach Ballet at Terrace Theater

December 20-21: Holiday Shopping in the Shore, carolers, Santa photos, 2 hours free parking

December 21: Shul By The Shore Menorah Lighting in the Citibank parking lot, 5354 E. 2nd Street

December 31: New Year's Eve Aboard the Queen Mary

Which ones will you attend? 

Let me know if you have any family visiting that fall in love with the area and are interest in moving to Long Beach or Orange County.  I'd be happy to find them a home and they can watch Christmas parades with boats while wearing flip flops for many holidays to come.




Alamitos Bay in winter



Happy Thanksgiving!

Holiday Events in Long Beach and Orange County in November

Living in Long Beach and Southern California, we have the best of all worlds with the mountains and the sea.  At the holidays, we can look at snowy peaks while sitting under a palm tree or end a day of skiing with a cocktail by the bay.  Not bad!

Here are some holiday events this month to start the Christmas season:

Anaheim:  Disneyland puts on their Holiday Parade from November 13-January 6

Newport Beach:  Fashion Island Tree Lighting nightly at 5p November 14-January 4

Long Beach:  CHILL Frozen Holiday adventure at the Queen Mary November 21-January 11

 

Buena Park:  Knotts Berry Farm becomes Knotts Merry Farm November 22-January 4

 

Seal Beach:  1st Tree lighting November 29th at Eisenhower Park

 

 

December events, such as tree lightings and boat parades in my next post.  Want to be sure you get all these posts?  Subscribe to my blog or send me an email at katielarson@kw.com.  I'll make sure you get the links.