Staging Your Long Beach California Lofts

STAGING YOUR LONG BEACH CALIFORNIA LOFTS

Living "loft style" is a total change of lifestyle. Loft living in Long Beach is for those who love to entertain more and enjoy life,  rather than spend time taking care of their Long Beach homes and gardens. Lofts are located within walking distance of Downtown Long Beach restaurants, nightlife and public transportation.  I tend to think that original, creative, entrepreneurial types are drawn to the lifestyle of loft living.

My visualization of a loft is having a brick wall interior, a view of the city lights, concrete or wood flooring and an open floor plan with high ceilings, large windows and lots of square footage.  The home stager's job is to define the space and style by separating areas with dual-functionality furniture, "portable walls" and accessories taking into consideration the views and special features of your loft by the placement of accessories and furniture.

Staging or setting up your loft is a bit different than a home staging for a traditional 3-bedroom 2-bath home.  The loft's one large room image needs created room definition. There's a lot of versatility in designing a loft. Repositioning the "walls" creates a new place, almost as if you've moved.  

The challenge is changing the virtual kitchen, dining room, living room and office into reality, well worth the time spent! Just as we know creating the illusion of openness with paint color in a traditional home works, the illusion of separation in a loft can be accomplished in a different way using floor rugs, two-sided bookcases, hanging panels, floor screens and portable walls. The high ceilings create and keep the openness of the floor plan - the reason why so many love lofts. The use of mirrors positioned to reflect the sunlight will brighten up entire space. For pet owners, it's also possible to incorporate an awesome area for your pet in an end table or nightstand.

Read more »

Posted on July 08, 2008 05:45:49 by Laurie.Manny

Downtown Long Beach California - July 2008

Whats going on in Downtown Long Beach?

So many people are downsizing and looking for new diggs in a more urban environment. What I am hearing more often is "I want to be able to walk to stores, coffee shops and entertainment." Where better to live than our very own "Downtown Long Beach". With such a wide variety of choices there is housing available to quench almost any buyers thirst.

Downtown has its very own Historic District replete with early century Craftsman Homes, Victorian Homes, California bungalows and lovely Spanish style homes (Willmore City Historic District). Prefer a duplex, triplex or fourplex; perhaps a stock co-op or an own your own (OYO)? We have those as well, and in all price ranges; from the very affordable to the very pricey.

In Downtown Long Beach, condos both old and new, fantastic loft spaces (urban living at its finest), abound. Prefer a brand new luxury high rise condo on the waterfront or with an ocean view? We have those too! We even have a landmark historic high rise on the ocean that it just to die for gorgeous, have you seen the Villa Riviera lately?

Moving your business here as well? Downtown Long Beach has many commercial properties; office space is available.

Buyers who are thinking about "Relocating to Long Beach" usually ask for particulars about the area. Questions like "What is there to do in Downtown Long Beach"? This question always brings a smile to my face, because our little Downtown is a jumping mecca of entertainment for all types and ages, we have a lil sumptin to entertain just about everybody here.

If you are feeling like a slug, you can sit outside of one of our many coffee shops or restaurants and just people watch; bring your laptop and tap into the Downtown Wireless Hotzone network. Now that may sound pretty boring to some of you, but I assure you Downtown is anything but boring. While you are sitting there, you may hear some incredible jazz or blues and choose to follow those enticing sounds right on over to the Blue Cafe. Stay a while, enjoy the music, play a game of pool, chill out. If it happens to be a Tuesday afternoon, between 11 AM and 4 PM, you can walk across the street to the Farmers market and pick up some fresh fruit and veggies for dinner. Check out the local crafts on display here as well.

The East Village Arts District in Downtown Long Beach hosts the 2nd Saturday Artwalk every month 4 - 10 PM. Enjoy an evening of art, entertainment, food and wine. Hey make a day of it, walk over from the Blue Cafe, its a short walk.

"MOLAA" (The Museum of Latin American Art) is free every Sunday in July 2008, compliments of Target. Hey, thanks Target! Enjoy the Latin Culture of Long Beach free every Friday, compliments of MOOLA.

Enjoy live music concerts monthly at:

• The Vault
• Blue Cafe
• The Cellar
• Downtown Long Beach Summer Music Series
• Seaside Summer Concert Series
• South Coast Chorle in Concert
• The Long Beach Symphony
  

Is the Theater more your bag? We have theater!

• Terrace Theater
• The Garage Theatre
• The Found Theatre

Head on over to the Aquarium of the Pacific for Shark Lagoon Night from 6 - 9 PM, go ahead, reach out and touch one of over 150 sharks. Aw geez, I just never had the guts for this one, but my little niece and nephew shamed me by reaching in and stroking jaws!

The Queen Mary is hosting several very interesting events this July.

• LA Motorcycle Show - July 12-13
• Calendar Girl Music Fest - July 12-13
• Caribbean Summer Music Festival - July 27
  

Did you ask if we had Sports?

Yes, Downtown Long Beach hosts sporting events on a regular basis. This month (July 2008) we have some exciting sporting events:

Read more »

Posted on July 05, 2008 23:00:21 by Laurie.Manny

Alamitos Beach Homes Market Report-2008-Long Beach Real Estate

Alamitos Beach Homes - Market Report - 2008

January 1, 2008 - June 20, 2008

Sales are picking up this month.  The real estate market has been flushed with foreclosed homes which has driven prices down and first time buyers onto the Long Beach Real Estate market.  The sharpest decline in prices in 20 years has been reported by Data Quick, prices fell by 30% in May.  While this upturn in the real estate market has not dribbled up to the luxury market, it should follow suit shortly. 

Lenders have tightened up on lending standards, interest rates are lurking around 6.5% and buyers must be pre-qualified.  It's a smart buyer that has a lock in letter and a loan commitment from their lender to protect themselves.  

This puts some strong buyers on the market right now and they are looking to purchase the most their money will buy.  There are some really great buys available right now, well priced homes are receiving multiple offers and investors are out shopping. 

This is a great time to be on the market priced to sell.

There are currently 15 homes for sale in Alamitos Beach.

Average Price: $724,920

Average Days on Market:  75

1 home in Alamitos Beach is in escrow accepting back-up offers. 

Average Price: $595,900

Average Days on Market: 62

3 homes in Alamitos Beach are currently pending in escrow.

Average Price: $303,966

Average Days on Market: 14

3 homes in Alamitos Beach have Sold (closed escrow) in 2008. 

Average Price: $442,666

Average Days on Market: 100

Read more »

Posted on June 21, 2008 07:08:13 by Laurie.Manny

Alamitos Beach Condos Market Report-2008-Long Beach Real Estate Sales

Alamitos Beach Condos Market Report

2008

Long Beach Real Estate Sales

Ocean Boulevard Corridor Condo Sales

January 1, 2008 - June 3, 2008

Active

There are currently 59 Ocean Blvd Corridor Condos For Sale in Alamitos Beach, many with fantastic waterfront views, some with city views.

• 17 of these condos are priced under $500,000 and range from 580 sq ft to 1,128 sq ft.
• 28 of these condos are priced between $500,000 and $1,000,000 and range from 846 sq ft to 1,850 sq ft.
• 13 of these condos are priced between $1,000,000 and $1,499,000 and range from 1,264 sq ft to 2,065 sq ft.

Pending

5 Alamitos Beach Condos are pending in escrow.

• 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,535 sq ft., $930,000, 51 Days on Market
• 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,245 sq ft., $619,000, 182 Days on Market
• 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,818 sq ft., $774,900, 83 Days on Market
• 3 bedroom, 2.5 baths, 1,788 sq ft, $799,900, 100 Days on Market
• 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,590 sq ft., $910,000, 82 Days on Market

Back Up Offers

4 Alamitos Beach Condos are in escrow accepting back up offers:

• 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 732 sq ft., $459,000, 73 Days on Market
• 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,320 sq ft., $699,900, 51 Days on Market
• 3 bedroom 3 bath, 1,788 sq ft., $899,000, 15 Days on Market
• 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,800 sq ft., $1,649,000, 120 Days on Market

Read more »

Posted on June 04, 2008 17:22:08 by Laurie.Manny

Memorial Day Weekend in Long Beach California

Memorial Day 2008 - in and around Long Beach California

Start Your Engines?

Not!

With the high cost of Gasoline many are planning the holiday weekend closer to home this year.  If you are planning a trip you may find the AAA fuel cost calculator to be a handy tool. 

Long Beach provides many wonderful forms of entertainment making it easier to play close to home. 

Things to do in Rainbow Harbor:

• Rent a speedboat
• Rent a jet ski
• Bicycle Boats
• Rent a Kayak
• Go Sailing
• Fishing
• Whale Watching
• Scuba Dive Charters
• Private Charters
• Yacht Charters
• Harbor Tours
• Harbor Cruises
• Private Charters
• Tall Ship American Pride Educational & Charter Tours
• Romance Charters
• Aqua Link
• Aqua Bus
• Dream Cruises
• Educational Expeditions to Catalina & Channel Islands
• Rainbow Rocket-Ride
• Guest Day Mooring Area
• Dockside Boat & Bed - Spend the night on a Yacht

Things To Do in Long Beach:

• Shoreline Village / Rainbow Harbor
• RMS Queen Mary
• Aquarium of the Pacific
• Harbor Breeze Cruises
• Scorpion submarine
• Comedy Murder Mystery Dinner Cruises
• The Tallship American Pride
• Long Beach Sport Fishing and Whale Watching
• Catalina Express
• The Pike
• Gameworks
• East Village Arts District
• Museum of Latin American Art
• Pine Avenue
• Romantic Gondola
• Luxury Yacht Rental
• Party Cruises
• Romantic Gondola Ride - Naples Island
• Earl Burns Japanese Gardens at UCLB
• Long Beach Museum of Art
• Cohiba Club on Pine
• El Dorado Nature Center
• Long Beach Parks
• Long Beach Fire Department Museum
• Rancho Los Alamitos -Historic Ranch and Gardens
• Rancho Los Cerritos
• Wayfarers Chapel

Local Beaches of Long Beach California:

Alamitos Beach from Alamitos to 15th Place. You can glide, ride or stride along the waters edge on the main beach from Alamitos Avenue on the west to 54th Place on the east on the 3.1-mile, 17-foot-wide Shoreline Pedestrian Bike Path. Two six foot lanes are for bicycle traffic and one five foot lane is for pedestrians. You can rent skates, bikes, umbrellas and beach chairs at Alfredos.

Bayshore Beach at 5415 E. Ocean Blvd. offers access to Alamitos Bay and other diversions such as:

• basketball,
• volleyball
• handball courts
• play equipment for the kids

Belmont Plaza Beach at 4000 Olympic Plaza is close to the bike path and Belmont Pier. Be sure to get a front row seat (bring your own chair!) for exciting California Beach Volleyball Association events.

Belmont Shore Beach from 39th Place to 54th Place, and Peninsula Beach from 54th to 72nd Place offer long stretches of white sand, volleyball courts and beautiful scenery.

Colorado Lagoon at 5119 E. Colorado St. offers calm waters, picnic areas and a nautical themed playground.

Junipero Beach from 15th to 39th Place can be conveniently accessed from Ocean Blvd. on Junipero Avenue which ends at a beach parking lot.

Marine Park at 5839 Appian Way is known as 'Mothers Beach because of its popularity among families with small children. All ages can relax and enjoy the day with shallow, calm waters, a lifeguard station, restrooms and play equipment.

The next chance you have to spend a day at the beach, remember that some of the best ones are right here in Long Beach.

History of Memorial Day

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states...Read More>>>

Memorial Day Events in Long Beach California:

May 26...Memorial Day Picnic on the Lawn of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Downtown Long Beach 

Times: 11a.m. - 1:30p.m.

Join us for a Memorial Day Picnic on the Front lawn of the Aquarium.  Menu:  Grilled Rosemary Tri-tip, Honey BBQ Chicken, Chipotle BBQ Ribs, Hot Dogs, and much more.  Cost:  Members- Adults - $16, Kids 3-11  $9,  Non-Members-Adult $26, Kids 3-11 $19.  For your reservations and more info call 562/590-3100.

Fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon in observance of the holiday. 

Memorial Day Ceremonies, Forest Lawn - Long Beach, Paradise Mosaic Forecourt, Long Beach, CA.

Highlights include color guards, bagpiper, a wreath placement ceremony, roll call of deceased veterans, Presidential Proclamation, a parade of flags by local veterans, and patriotic music.  For more information, call: (800) 204-3131 ext. 4743.  

Going out to Celebrate? 

Read more »

Posted on May 22, 2008 22:02:36 by Laurie.Manny