Long Beach CA Historic Homes and Districts

Historic Long Beach California Real Estate

Long Beach is widely celebrated as one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States.  But diversity is not just for people!  Youll recognize the width and breadth of our uniqueness as you tour homes in any of the citys 17 historic neighborhoods:

• Belmont Heights
• Bluff Heights
• Bluff Park
• Brenner Place
• California Heights
• Carroll Park
• Craftsman Bungalow Historic Village
• Eliot Lane
• Linden Avenue
• Minerva Park Place
• Rose Park
• Rose Park South
• Sunrise Boulevard
• Willmore City/Drake Park
• Wilton Street
• Wrigley
• Citywide Historical Districts Map

From the massive front porch timbers of the Craftsman Bungalow to the intricately detailed Victorian woodwork...theres a historic home style here to suit every preference.

The Fehr House

(¦Click here to learn more about the varied architectural styles of these Long Beach neighborhoods)

The Perry House

Dedicated to Preservation Long Beach is dedicated to the preservation of its rich history.  In 2003, the city received an A on the Los Angeles Conservancys report card for overall preservation.  Long Beach was one of only five cities to receive high marks out of 45 Southern California locations.  And in 2004 the Willmore City historic area won the Neighborhoods USA Best Neighborhoods contest for social revitalization.

Individual Long Beach California Real Estate qualifies for historic status when it: is historically significant is architecturally unique has retained its original style is built from original materials A more recently built structure may qualify for historic status when it is a well built representation of a past architectural style.  Want to know more about Long Beachs rich history?  Visit the Long Beach Historical Society.

The Robert House	The Tina House
Preserving the Past If you love strong, structurally sound, beautiful old homes¦Come Home to Long Beach CA!  Historic districts here maintain or re-create an atmosphere of old Long Beach.  Is your Long Beach California Real Estate in a potentially historic area?  If your community contains a high concentration of intact and original vintage architectural styles, and property owners want to protect the buildings as assets to the community¦your neighborhood may qualify for historic status.	Historic Lafayette Lobby
Historic Status for Your Neighborhood A district may qualify for historic designation when: two-thirds or more of the structures in the area are 50 years old or older buildings retain their original appearance buildings are constructed of original building materials An area may be designated historic when structures together preserve the visual qualities and ambiance of the past.  Sometimes individual homes are already designated historic sometimes its the area itself thats notable.

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Posted on January 24, 2008 08:12:51 by Laurie.Manny

History of Long Beach California

Long Beach California History

From the People of the Earth to the City of Long Beach

A Native American tribe known as the Tongva (which means 'the people of the earth) were the citys first known residents.  The Tongva disappeared in the 1800s as settlers began pouring into the area.  Manuel Nieto built a rancho on a huge parcel of land awarded him through the Spanish Land Grant in 1784.  Over time, his property was divided many times for business and personal reasons.  Long Beach grew out of two settlements that came from Nietos tract:  Los Cerritos and Los Alamito.

Settling Long Beach

In 1880, Englishman Erwin Willmore created the first township here by subdividing parts of Los Cerritos.  Even after the township failed, settlers were drawn to the areas easy access to the ocean, wide beaches and business opportunity.  By 1888 the City of Long Beach had a name, 59 buildings and a school.  Long Beach incorporated in 1897. 

Do you like historic homes? 

Today, Willmore City has more Craftsman, Prairie, Victorian, Mission and Spanish Colonial Style homes than any other Long Beach historic homes districts.  Named for Mr. Willmore, it was part of the citys original 1881 plan.

Historic Villa Riviera Condominiums

In 1933 Long Beach was hit by a very large earthquake which caused incredible damage to buildings for miles around the city.  During the 30s and 40s the city slowly rebuilt itself and began to attract the motion picture industry. 

Elizabeth Taylor spent her first honeymoon at the Hilton Hotel on Ocean Boulevard, she married Nicky Hilton, son of Conrad Hilton.  The Breakers Hotel Penthouse has since been converted to the magnificent restaurant The Skyroom (my personal favorite).  

Long Beach was known as the motion picture capital of the world until post World War I when Hollywood developed around the glitz of the era.  With its perfect Southern California climate, Long Beach afforded the perfect setting for the industry.  There were eight film houses, two stock companies, roller-coasters and bath houses at the historic Pike, along the shore of Downtown Long Beach.  This was the home of the Balboa Amusement Production Company, the worlds most prolific silent-film studio.  W. C. Fields and other stars lived in beautiful mansions in the Bluff Park neighborhood along Ocean Boulevard and First Street, many of which remain in the families to this day.

In 1967 the Queen Mary (built in 1936) was withdrawn from service to the Cunard line and brought to rest in Long Beach Harbor.  She was to become a floating hotel, open to the public.  She was outfitted with restaurants, shops and tours -  open to the public.  Did you know that the Queen Mary transported troops during World War II and served as Winston Churchills headquarters at sea?  She was painted gray and nicknamed 'The Gray Ghost.  The Queen transported over 800,000 troops and traveled 660,000 miles.  The Queen Mary is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 

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Posted on January 24, 2008 03:36:19 by admin

Alamitos Beach Condo Market Report-January-December 2007- Ocean Boulevard Corridor

Alamitos Beach Condos Market Report

Ocean Boulevard Corridor - January - December 2007

Active

There are currently 57 Ocean Blvd Corridor Condos in Alamitos Beach for sale. 

Pending

3 Condos are in escrow :

• 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 296 sq ft, $195,000, on the market for 9 days.
• 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,080 sq ft, $374,999, on the market for 69 days.
• 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 841 sq ft, $379,000, on the market for 192 days. 
  

Back Up Offers: 

2 Condos are in escrow accepting backup offers:

• 1 bedrom, 1 bath, 487 sq ft, $399,000, on the market for 44 days.
• 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,400 sq ft, $1,299.000, on the market for 18 days.
  

Closed Sales: 

63 Alamitos Beach Condos along the Ocean Blvd Corridor closed escrow Jan.-Dec. 2007:

• Average Price: $709,511
• Average Days on Market:  81
  
• Sold for 95.18% of Listing Price. 
  

Singles

5 Alamitos Beach Condos closed escrow in 2007, square footage ranging from 300 - 702 :

• Average Price:  $309,702
• Average Days on Market:  93
• Sold for 91.94% of Listing price.

One Bedroom

17 Alamitos Beach Condos closed escrow in 2007, square footage ranging from 616 - 880:

• Average Price: $438,223
• Average Days on Market: 53
• Sold for 96.75 of Listing price.

Two Bedrooms

24 Alamitos Beach Condos closed escrow in 2007, square footage ranging from 958 - 2,100: 

• Average Price:  $747,641
  
• Average Days on Market:  101
  
• Sold for 93.80% of Listing Price.

Three Bedrooms

17 Alamitos Beach Condos closed escrow in 2007, square footage ranging from 1,202 - 3,064:

• Average Price: $1,044,558
• Average Days on Market: 78
• Sold for 96.50% of Listing Price.

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Posted on January 20, 2008 13:10:53 by Laurie.Manny

Long Beach Short Sale-A Tale of Betrayal & Greed

Once upon a time there was a nice young couple who wanted a 2 bedroom Downtown Long Beach Condo to call home and to begin a future in.  About 2 years ago this sweet young couple met a nice real estate agent while visiting open houses beyond their financial reach.  

 Knowing little about the Long Beach communities, nothing about real estate and very little about managing their finances; they wisely sought out professional assistance.  They developed a working relationship with that agent, who helped them find the Downtown Long Beach Condo they were dreaming about and live in today.

The agent, not content with this sale, explained to this nice young couple that they could purchase a second condo in Downtown Long Beach, as an investment, and rent it out.  While they would be upside down to the tune of about $1,000 per month, they should not worry about it because they could afford it and in two years she would sell it for them at a huge profit.  Nice agent also assured this young couple that she would find them a tenant and check their credit etc¦ for the 2nd condo.  She didnt. 

Relying on the professional they went ahead with the 2nd condo purchase anticipating a large profit with which they could purchase a nice home with a yard in a couple of years. This nice agent also arranged for financing on both units, both loans were 2 year fixed, both of which are now adjusting massively.  It was a financial plan-of sorts which is now a disaster. 

2 years ago the hot sellers market was winding down, most agents knew what was developing in the Long Beach Real Estate market and were hoping for a mild downturn.  This was not a new agent, she had to know the position she put this couple into.

Nice young couple had a hard time finding a tenant and the $1,000 a month became a bit more.  They eventually found the tenant from hell, who wrecked their rental condo, annoyed the living crap out of all of the neighbors and took over 8 months to evict.  Naturally the tenant did not pay rent for those 8 months and broke the bank.

Nice young couple is watching the market crashing around them while going through the eviction process and are beginning to freak out.  They immediately arranged for a nice large heloc so they could cover the unexpected expenses.  Nice lender must have been feeling very generous, gave them a very large line to draw freely from, and they did - they maxed it out trying to keep their heads above water.  
 

Both units are now short sales.

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Posted on January 09, 2008 09:45:35 by Laurie.Manny

Long Beach Homes and Condos Market Report-Jan-Dec Home Sales 2007

 Long Beach Real Estate Market Report 2007

Long Beach-Lakewood & Signal Hill Market Report

Homes & Condos - Closed Sales

January-December 2007