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.
Many homes in Long Beach have built-in pools (compared to the Colorado Springs Real Estate market where pools are a scarcity) - and along with all the fun and relaxation that pools can create, there is a definite level of safety precautions involved.
Here are some safety tips for living in a Long Beach CA home with a pool:
Know how to swim. Make sure everyone IN and AROUND knows how to swim.
Keep a charged, wireless phone near the pool at all times, in case you need to call 9-1-1
Make sure that at least one person in/around the pool knows CPR.
Keep safety equipment around the pool in case of an emergency.
Do not mix swimming and drinking alcohol. A loss of judgment could mean the difference between life and death around a pool.
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 Districtreplete 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.
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:
California Heights Historic District Homes 2008 Market Report
Its like going back in time or Living in History. If you would like to live in a community with old-fashioned ambience, you have found it! Take a stroll down the tree-lined avenues lit by renovated antique street lamps. Along the way, you´ll see a wide variety of home styles including Ranch, Tudor Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, lovely Victorians and the well-known Craftsman Bungalows.
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.
Founded in 1926 California Heights is comprised of approximately 1500 homes within a 50 block area, most lovingly restored, and was named the West's Best Neighborhood by Sunset Magazine.
California Heights Historic District is bounded by:
Are you concerned about how you will afford to maintain your Historic Long Beach Home? The Mills Act makes preservation easy! This 10 year endlessly renewable contract with the city provides tax incentives to owners of Long Beach Historic Properties.
Average 2008 sale price in the Cal Heights neighborhood is currently $510,999; averaging 100 days on market. With 28 closed sales so far this year; sales in the Cal Heights community are doing quite well in this market.
Contact Lauriefor an appointment to view any of the 22 homes for sale in the California Heights neighborhood of Long Beach (562) 212-5420:
City/ Area
Bdrms
Baths
Gar
Sq Ft
List Price
1
3647 Gardenia Ave
3
1/1
1
1,008
$389,000
21
2
3436 Myrtle Ave
2
1/1
1
1,008
$439,000
64
3
3447 Lewis Ave
3
1/1
1
1,320
$439,500
263
4
3506 Lime Ave
2
2/1
1
1,136
$440,000
160
5
3738 Walnut Ave
2
2/1
1
1,307
$447,900
64
6
3712 Orange Ave
2
1/1
1
900
$459,900
13
7
3565 Olive Ave
3
2/1
1
1,444
$499,900
51
8
3745 Gardenia Ave
3
2/2
1
1,623
$510,000
140
9
3725 Brayton Ave
3
3/
2
1,406
$529,000
296
10
3400 Gardenia Ave
3
2/2
1
1,553
$535,000
63
11
3761 Lemon Ave
3
2/1
2
1,337
$549,900
23
12
3521 Orange Ave
2
1/1
1
987
$569,000
100
13
3421 Olive Ave
3
2/2
1
1,518
$579,900
7
14
3644 Gaviota Ave
3
2/2
1
1,502
$599,000
4
15
3720 Falcon Ave
3
1/1
1
1,569
$599,900
71
16
3505 N Gaviota St
3
2/1
1
1,315
$600,000
20
17
3454 Cerritos Ave
3
2/2
1
1,806
$629,000
100
18
3752 Falcon Ave
4
2/1
2
1,797
$654,000
52
19
3629 Myrtle Ave
3
2/1
1
1,882
$669,000
13
20
3513 Myrtle Ave
4
3/2
2
2,658
$714,000
52
21
3556 Lime Ave
4
3/2
1
2,200
$724,000
18
22
3749 N Elm Ave
4
6/3
2
6,002
$2,400,000
15
Average
3
1,694
$635,313
73
At this time I have a young
professional couple seeking a California Heights home. We have not been
able to locate quite what they are looking for. If you are thinking
about selling your California Heights home, please read this article
for the details:
1 California Heights Home is currently accepting back up offers:
Offered at: $635,000
Days on Market: 164
5 California Heights Homes are currently pending in escrow:
Average Price: $539,000
Average Days on Market: 53
1 California Heights home is currently on hold:
Listing Price: $635,000
Days on Market: 112
28 California Heights Homes have sold this year:
Average Price: $510,999
Average Days on Market: 100
2 California Heights homes for sale were leased:
Average Days on Market: 140
2 California Heights homeowners Withdrew their homes from the market:
Average Price: $442,000
Average Days on Market: 76
11 California Heights homeowners cancelled their listings:
Average Price: $539,618
Average Days on Market: 11
8 California Heights home listings expired:
Average Price: $647,606
Average Days on Market: 190
Contact Laurie to begin your search for your California Heights Home (562) 212-5420
Are you thinking about selling your California Heights home? Internet exposure and marketing has never been more important. Expansive internet exposure will drive many buyers to view your home. Hire an internet savvy Realtor. Contact Laurie (562)212-5420
Why Hire an Internet Savvy Realtor?
Over 80% of all home searches start on the internet. Your Long Beach homesneed to be online, and findable, when buyers begin their search. Have the Realtors you interview show you their ability to market your Long Beach properties on the internet. Step back; pick keywords that should bring that item to the front page of Google; keywords like Long Beach Real Estate. Are any of the sites that your Realtor is using to promote your property coming up at the top of the engines? No? Keep shopping. Better yet, call the Realtors on the front page of Google, they already know how to get there and you can cut right through the unlikely candidates.
Over 25% of all Home Buyers FIRST saw the home they purchased on the internet. If your Long Beach homes are not heavily marketed on the internet, you are missing thousands of potential buyers. Laurie believes in marketing your Long Beach home for all that it is worth!
Visit our Long Beach Real Estate blog site for more helpful information and Updates:
Condo Sales in Belmont Heights are picking up a bit. The availability of lower priced units has todays buyers out shopping. The plethera of available short sale and bank owned condos has brought prices down in Belmont Heights. Smart sellers are pricing their condos to sell instead of chasing the market down, which is never a good idea. Smart buyers are out shopping.
There are currently 51 condos for sale in Belmont Heights.
Average Price: $381,192
Average Days on Market: 106
10 condos in Belmont Heights are in escrow accepting back-up offers.
Average Price: $387,982
Average Days on Market: 58
3 condos in Belmont Heights are currently pending in escrow.
Average Price: $286,633
Average Days on Market: 23
38 condos in Belmont Heights have Sold (closed escrow) in 2008.
Average Price: $391,678
Average Days on Market: 112
2 condos in Belmont Heights are curretly on hold (no showings)
Average Price: $341,500
Average Days on Market: 34
25 Belmont Heights condo owners have cancelled their listings.
Average Price: $461,140
Average Days on Market: 69
3 Belmont Heights condos have withdawn from the market.
Average Price: $547,666
Average Days on Market: 63
24 Belmont Heights condo listings have expired.
Average Price: $422,920
Average Days on Market: 167
1 Belmont Heights condo for sale has been leased.
Contact Laurie to begin your search for your Belmont Heights Condo (562) 212-5420
Long Beach California is Best Neighborhood for Walking
Long Beach California is Best Neighborhood for Walking
One of the most appealing draws to living in Long Beach California
is the walkability of many of our local neighborhoods. Well, somebody
finally decided to start ranking walkable neighborhoods across the
country. Walk Score has ranked 2,508 neighborhoods in 40 of the largest US cities to help buyers find walkable communities to live in.
Long Beach California has been ranked as the 8th Most Walkable Neighborhood!
Moving is stressful whether the move is a short or a long one; relocating magnifies the process. With so many details to tend to, we have tried to make the process a bit easier for you.
If you are relocating to Long Beach California you will need lots of information. You will be curious to know about Long Beach communities, neighborhoods and resources.
We have included as many area resources as possible here to make your
transition a smooth one and are always adding to the many resources
provided.
Long Beach California has become a destination resort area. This sleepy seaside city, known as Iowa by the sea, has blossomed into a fabulous beach resort area. Luxury high rise condos are sprouting all along the coastline, in Downtown Long Beach and Alamitos Beach.
These elegant and prestigious coastal properties provide sweeping ocean
views down the beautiful California coastline, views of Catalina Island
- 25 miles off of our coastline and delicious, clean ocean breezes
wafting in daily. The sound of gently lapping waves can be heard from
your 17th floor Hi Rise waterfront condo on the sand.
Long
Beach has housing choices in all price ranges and in many styles from
historic to moderne, we are a very diverse city with ocean breezes and
award winning schools; there is sure to be one that suits your
lifestyle.Read More>>>
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.
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