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.

 





What to Do in Long Beach: El Dorado Nature Center

On the eastern edge of Long Beach, in the middle of El Dorado Regional Park is the El Dorado Nature Center.  Trails through forests, bridges over streams, benches in serene locations all welcome you to this slice of the wild in the middle of our urban landscape.

There are trails ranging from .25 miles to 2 miles.  The shorter trail is paved, perfect for strollers and wheelchairs.  No bicycles, skates, skate boards, scooters or jogging is allowed in the Nature Center, keeping it quiet and the pace as slow as you would like. 

Turtles, birds and squirrels are commonly visible in the ponds and woods.  Who knows what else you might spot.  Open Tuesday through Sunday from 8a-5p, closed on July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.  There is also a small museum with information about the flora and fauna.

The only cost is parking, which ranges from $5-$7, depending on the day of the week.  Annual passes are available for $60, only $35 if you're 50 years or older.  Pedestrians and bicyclists enter the park for free. 



Enjoy these pictures from my stroll through the El Dorado Nature Center on November 19th...

A quiet grove

The squirrels must be very smart if they can read!

 

Spring Street isn't very far away.  This is the only spot in the center you can see it

 

Long Beach, it will surprise you.



Contact me for more information on living in Long Beach:  katielarson@kw.com 562.673.5335.

First Time Home Buyers - Choosing a Real Estate Agent

First time buyers may have already hit the Internet for their search, but how do they know who should be their real estate agent in what may be the most important financial transaction of their lives thus far?

Whose name is on that card?

THE AGENT YOU KNOW

Many first time, as well as repeat, buyers use the real estate agent in the family, the uncle, the cousin, the neighbor or their friend.  Having someone you know and trust is a great place to start.  If they can back it up with experience, area knowledge, and expertise, you probably don't need to look any further. 

Even if you know the agent, though, have a professional conversation with them.  This is a new relationship.  You're not just swapping travel stories, you're about to put your future in their hands.  Do they understand what you want?  What you'll accept, what your priorities are?  Do you have faith in their experience and knowledge?  Can they get you into that home in a multiple bid situation?  Ask them to tell you about situations they've handled that have been similar to yours. 

THE AGENT YOU WANT TO KNOW

This is where you turn on your reticular activator.  All of a sudden, you will notice real estate agents are everywhere!  Not just their face on the notepads they drop off on your porch or the bus bench ads or those banners on the school yard fence.  They really are everywhere. 

Do some online searches about the neighborhood you want to live in, the city you're considering and you'll see agents come up.  Click on their ads, their websites.  You won't get email or information from them unless you click a little further and sign up.  Who looks like someone you might want to talk to in that Trulia or Zillow sidebar? Does one name keep coming up?

Yelp reviews are marginal in trying to find a Realtor.  They really haven't taken off except for those real estate agents who are pushing their clients to write reviews.  It will get there, but don't depend on them just yet. 

How long an agent has been in business can be a criteria, but have they been in business 10 years, only as a part time agent?  A full time agent who has been in business less than 5 years might be a better bet if they are fully immersed in the business of the business, actively working transactions, and keeping up with the market.  Agents with many years of experience who keep up with the market and the constant changes are invaluable.

THE AGENT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Referrals are the lifeblood of any small business and it is especially true when it comes to trusting your life dreams and investments.  ASK your family, friends and colleagues.  Who have they used?  What was their experience?  Was the agent on top of the transaction, receptive to feedback, responsive to requests?  Did they listen?  Did they communicate?

 

 

Real estate agents thrive on referrals as they want to work with buyers and sellers that their clients know, too.  The trust is more quickly established on both sides.

 

 

THE AGENT QUESTIONS

 

Do a search on how to find an agent and you will find a variety of questions to ask a Realtor before you hire them.  The questions recommended depend on who wrote the article!  This post is no different.  Beyond the basics of assuring they are licensed and do not have any licensing violations, beyond asking "How long have you been in business?","How many transactions have you closed?", and "Have you won any awards?" is the personal connection: 

 

• What geographic area do you cover?
• What types of properties do you handle?
• How will you communicate with me and how often?
• What tools will you put in place to locate a home that fits my criteria?
• Do you work with a lender who has first time buyer assistance?
• Why should I work with you?
• May I have some references?

 

If you are comfortable with the answers, if they fit your needs, then go with your gut feeling.  Which agent is going to be there for you when things go sideways?  Who is going to toast with you when the deal goes smoothly?  Who is going to be a long term resource for you and someone you're going to refer to other buyers, as well as to sellers?

 

I'm happy to answer any questions about the agent search, as well as refer you to qualified agents in your specific geographic area.  You may contact me by phone or text at 562.673.5335 or by email at katielarson@kw.com.  If you'd like more information or to start a home search, check out my website: http://www.katiekimbelllarson.com/listing/listingsearch.aspx



Long Beach Freedom: What to do in Long Beach that is Free and Fun

Free is good, right?  Well, what is there to do in Long Beach that's free?  A lot of things!  Here's a short list to start, a sample of some of the fun and free things to do in Long Beach, year 'round.  I'll add to this list in future posts.

PARKS

Recreation Park - 211 acres in the middle of east Long Beach, it has two golf courses (fee), the Billie Jean King Tennis Center and Blair Field, in addition to a lawn bowling green, a dog park, casting pond and playground.  That little stage in the middle was home to many of my make-believe plays when I was a kid.  Great picnic areas, too.

Hill Top Park in Signal Hill - incredible views from Orange County to the Santa Monica mountains, to downtown L.A. to the San Gabriel mountains.  There are picnic areas and bathrooms and it's great for walking and jogging, giving you a good workout with the steep incline.

Gum Grove Park - Los Cerritos Wetlands nature walk.  See owls, herons, egrets, woodpeckers, coyotes, lizards, hawks, frogs, maybe even a gopher snake, and more.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at Long Beach State - open Tuesday through Friday, 8a-3:30p and Sundays 12-4p.  A peaceful 1.3 acre oasis with a large koi pond where you can purchase koi pellets to feed the fish; sand gardens and bridges.

CULTURE

Long Beach Museum of Art - It's free on Fridays, usually $7 admission.

Rancho Los Alamitos Rancho and Gardens - open Wednesday through Sunday, from 1-5p.  Guided tours are available every 30 minutes from the docents.  The 7.5 acres are a microcosm of the regional story, granted in 1790 by the Spanish Crown, but also home to the original natives of the Los Angeles Basin and a sacred place.

Rancho Los Cerritos - open Wednesday through Sunday, from 1-5p.  Built in 1844, it is an historic site with an adobe home, research library and historic gardens.  The home is furnished to reflect the lifestyle of the occupants from 1860-1880.

HOLIDAYS

Well, you'll have to come back for those tips!  You can subscribe to my blog to make sure you get the latest entry.  They are focused on Long Beach and on real estate, sometimes even in the same entry.  If you'd like to receive my monthly e-newsletter or have any questions about real estate, you may reach me at katielarson@kw.com or by phone/text 562.673.5335. 

I'd love to hear what your favorite FREE things are to do in Long Beach!

First Time Home Buyers - Who knows how to buy a house? (Step 1)

Who knows how to buy a house?  Raise your hands - who knows?

 

Okay, then, it looks like a lot of you know how to buy a house so why am I writing this blog?  Because first time home buyers don't know what they don't know.  It sure looks easy on HGTV - heck, those first time buyers look at three homes and buy one in less than 30 minutes!  Navigating the market and buying a home is a tad more difficult than that, in the world outside of "reality" TV.  In fact, it ranks up there with death and divorce on the stress-o-meter.  You need to start by building your team:  a Realtor and a lender to see you through what is likely the biggest investment you've made in your life so far.

Where do you start?

FINANCES

If you don't know how much it actually costs to buy a house (those things called closing costs and other things like inspections, in addition to the actual home purchase price), you don't know what you can buy.  This comes even before deciding where to buy the house, how many bedrooms you need, and where the TV will go.  It could even come before picking the right Realtor, although the right Realtor will be an excellent resource for the right lender.

The first step in the home buying process is connecting with a great lender.  You want a lender with a variety of loan options, with a high level of customer service, with a local presence.  Some of the big banks and online lenders promise great rates, but are they going to be available to you when you can't get a document you need, when you have questions about the process, when you are in high anxiety about spending your life savings?  A great lender will take the time to explain every step, the reason behind every question.  They will guide you through the loan application process, over the options you have on types of loans to see what works best for you.  They will talk with you about how much down payment you need to avoid PMI (private mortgage insurance) which could add hundreds of dollars to your mortgage payment.  And they will tell you when it makes sense to put down less, pay the PMI and then refinance.

Ideally, you should start this process a month or two before you are ready to buy.   A good lender will also help you get your credit in check (if it needs checking), as well as guide you through how to keep that credit in check during the whole process.  You may not know what slipped into your credit report when you weren't looking and you need the time to get it corrected.

WHAT DO I NEED TO GET A LOAN?

It takes time to gather all the information needed for the loan approval process:  your most recent two years of W-2s, personal Federal Tax Returns, most recent paystubs, the last two months of statements from your assets (checking, saving, investments, etc.), your I.D., your social security card, your 3rd grade social studies project. 

A loan pre-approval letter, along with an underwriting report (known as a "DU") on your finances is usually required just to submit an offer.  Your FICO score is also frequently requested, although usually included in the DU.  In addition to the fact that you can't even make an offer without the finances in order, most Realtors will not show you homes without the pre-approval loan work being done.

Step 1, first time buyers?  Get your finances in order and the loan approval started with the right lender.  By the way, that never changes, no matter how many times you've bought a home.  It always starts with the finances.  So now you know what to start.  If you need to know how to find a great lender, start with your Realtor, who will have excellent lender resources for you, people they've worked with, who they know will be there for you.  The lender is part of your team in getting you the home you want.

I have excellent lender referrals for my buyers.  These are lenders I know are there through every step of the process, are available to help, answer questions, educate and get you the best loan for you at the best rate.  Did you need a referral?  Give me a call or send me an email for lender referrals as well as a "Home Buyers Handbook - What You Need to Know About Buying a Home".

Next up?  Choosing a Realtor. (pick me! pick me! pick me!)

Staging a Vacant Home - What's in it for me?

If you like to fill in the blank, then maybe looking at a vacant house doesn't bother you.  You have a good imagination, a good feel for space.  You like the blank slate.  You think the bones of your house speak for themselves.  Maybe.  But not everyone has your vision and sometimes painting the picture makes all the difference in whether someone can see themselves living in a house or not.  Will that king bed fit in here?  Will that wall fit your 64" TV? 

How quickly do you want your home to sell?

PROS ON NOT STAGING

Staging is expensive.  You (the seller) are paying for furniture to be delivered, set up in a way to show off the house, and then you are renting it for the time it's in the house and then the pick up.  Staging an entire home can run over $5,000, depending on the size of the house and the quality of the furniture.  Typically you start with the consultation for around $75 and an average home staging is about $1,800.  Not staging a home saves you money.

Homes in the lower price range of an area don't benefit as greatly from the cost of staging.  Ask your Realtor what they think of the cost when working in that price range.  Sometimes just a large plant to break up the space will do the trick. Maybe add a couple of chairs for a vignette, but you do not need to invest in a full staging.

PROS ON STAGING

A vacant home can feel cold, uninteresting, even uncared for.  A well staged home can spark buyers' imaginations, can get them talking about "that great house with the cool red sectional in the living room". 

Putting in a queen size bed in the bedroom shows off the size of the room, where a bedroom set up as a sports room gets the buyers thinking about different ways to use the space.  Colorful place settings on the dining table, with open cookbooks on the counter invite the buyer in to picture themselves living in the home.

Staging a vacant home also lets you pick a theme that can continue through the house, whether in color or texture, drawing the buyers into each room.  It can engage their interest through the way the furniture shows off features like fireplaces and the view of the backyard.  There are no personal items to distract when staging a home, either, so the focus is only on showing off the best parts of the house.

BUT WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Selling a home is not for the faint-hearted.  There are lots of opinions on staging, as well as ways to do it yourself, do it less expensively, hiring a consultant, how much you should pay.  HGTV is a great resource for ideas, too, as well as entertainment.  It's not a substitute for a well informed agent or staging consultant, but it can increase your understanding and options to consider.

For my sellers, I pay for an initial staging consultation on homes above a certain price range, to help them see if it's what they want to do.  It's my investment in making them comfortable with the process, in helping them decide which investments they want to make to sell their home for the highest possible price.  Another good step in deciding is sending my sellers to open houses.  I encourage them to go check out the competition.  I can let them know what's vacant, what isn't.  It only takes a couple visits before they can tell whether or not something is staged.  How do they feel when walking in the empty home?  The staged home?  What makes them want to buy?

Another option I can offer is to pay for the full staging up front by adding an additional 1% to the selling office commission.  This means the seller never has to pay for the staging costs out of pocket, but the costs that I paid up front and my reimbursement come out of the closing costs.  This is a good way to get a high quality staging without the seller having to add that cost to any repairs or other costs to get the house ready.

Have more questions?  Need a staging referral?  Give me a call 562.673.5335 or send me an email at katielarson@kw.com. 

Living in Long Beach: Neighborhood connections

How do you connect with your neighbors?  The organization We Love Long Beach has been trying to answer - and promote - that question for several years now.  This year one of the ways was with a Citywide Pumpkin Carving and Chili Party, with hosts in 30 different neighborhoods around the city.

We sponsored the one for our neighborhood, La Marina Estates.  I used both NextDoor.com and the La Marina Estates Facebook page to get the word out.  I supported one of the young neighbors by paying him to distribute 263 flyers to the neighbors.  Phone calls, emails and street conversations ensued, showing lots of interest.  Signs were put up the week of the event, reminding neighbors to come on over.  Pumpkins were donated through We Love Long Beach, as well as others purchased for the event at Pa's Pumpkin Patch.

On the day of the event, October 25th, we had more than 40 neighbors join us for a couple of hours, with children as young as 2 years old and neighbors well into their 80's who attended.  The turkey chili was a hit, with some toppings and cornbread available.  Several neighbors brought desserts to share, many pumpkin themed.  Two representatives from the LBPD East division stopped by to tell us about a recent rash of burglaries in the area and how to stay connected, safe, and informed.

Although pumpkins and carving tools were supplied, neighbors also brought their own, taking advantage of my plug "make the mess at our house".  Neighbors shared tales of when they first moved in the neighborhood, back in 1956, with neighbors who moved in 6 months ago.  We talked about Long Beach real estate, then and now, about former home owner associations and what we can do moving forward with Community Watch.

All the while, pumpkins were being carved, children were playing and connections were being made.  There was even talk about next year's event, and what else can we do to stay connected.  Next up?  A Community Watch meeting, which we'll host at our home.  I love living in Long Beach and being part of a thriving neighborhood.  How do you connect?