Curb Appeal On A Budget

Curb Appeal on a Budget

When it is time to improve your Long Beach Homes curb appeal it does not have to put a major dent in your finances. By simply replacing an old worn-out garage door with a new upgraded model you can change the look of your home more than almost any other upgrade to the exterior, especially if the garage is in the front of your property. This is a simple and easy project that will not break the bank. Here are some suggestions to increase the 'Curb Appeal' of your Long Beach Homes. Compliments of Laurie Manny your Long Beach Realtor.

Top Ten Things You Can Do to Add 'Curb Appeal'

 1. Does anything make as big of an impact as a fresh coat of paint?

Is there a Long Beach home out there that would not benefit from a nice coat of fresh paint?

This is one you can have some fun with. Play with the colors, pick out a set of colors that compliment each other. Perhaps now is the time to do that color combination that you always dreamed about. Does your house have decorative trim? What a great place to get creative and use a complimentary color! Dont forget to prep and prime before painting, this will enhance the paint job making it look much better and last much longer.

2. Upgrade your lighting and fixtures

Is anything nicer after a tough day than coming home to a softly lit, relaxing haven? Take advantage of mood lighting and enhance your home environment. Perhaps a new ceiling fan or two with great lighting fixtures, there are some beautiful models available now to compliment every decor. Place a beautiful new light fixture over your front door. Check Ebay for some great lighting bargains. Check the Lamps Plus website before shopping for sales and discounts.

3. Lets freshen up the Gardens and Landscaping

Lets add some color to the edges of your garden and make it a happier place. The colors offset the shrubbery reviving the entire area. Flats of color are inexpensive and can go a long way to improving the overall exterior look of your home. Lets not forget the impact that potted trees can have on a plain cemented area. Plant some color in the pot as well, encourage it to drape over the edges for a beautiful display. The right landscaping can increase the desirability and overall appearance of your home.  Wayside Gardens is a great resource for unique plants, shipped to your door. Remember to order for the correct zone.

4. Replace Your Garage Door

By simply replacing an old worn-out garage door with a new upgraded model you can change the look of your Long Beach Home more than almost any other upgrade to the exterior, especially if the garage is in the front of the property. This is a simple and easy project that will not break the bank. There are many models available, pick one that will enhance and complement your home. Most local companies offer deep discounts on garage doors over the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays making this a great spring or summer project. Bonus, they measure and install it! No hard labor.

5. Illuminate your exterior

Solar lighting along a path or a driveway - to low light the way - adds a nice warm glow increasing the overall appeal of your Long Beach Home. Low lights highlighting trees and shrubbery will make your home a showplace to remember. Solar lighting not only will not conserve energy, you will not have to install wiring, making this an easy and inexpensive upgrade. Check Ebay for great lighting buys!

6. Does your driveway need help?

Driveways can be expensive to upgrade or replace. A woven stone and grass pattern is relatively inexpensive and shows beautifully, increasing your curb appeal.

7. Accessorize - take a good look at your house

Is your Long Beach Home plain? Does it need a little sumptin, sumptin? Maybe some fixed shutters on a window or two? Perhaps interior plantation shutters to bring a sense of luxury to the home? A little decorative molding? Some hanging baskets of scrumptious, colorful flowers on the porch? Or hanging from the lower branches of that tree in the front yard? Perhaps an arbor at your entry way? Or a nice bench under the tree? Take a trip to Home Depot to peruse their current inventory.

8. Upgrade your walkway

Replace an old boring cement walkway, or create one, with decorative brick and stone. Make your Long Beach Home inviting.

9. Lose the chain link fence

Little will detract more from a home more than an ugly old chain link fence. Take it out. Replace it with landscaping and/or a delightful picket or a classic wrought iron fence. Get creative here, there are many styles to choose from.

10. Plant a tree

Trees are a wonderful addition to a maturing garden and can greatly enhance the overall appearance and desirability of any home. Imagine what that tree will look like in a few years!

Posted on April 26, 2007 10:44:36 by Laurie.Manny

Long Beach Condo Fire Are You Thinking About Buying a Long Beach Condo?

LONG BEACH REAL ESTATE

There are many factors to consider when purchasing a high-rise Long Beach Condo.  One that we don't think about often is fire safety.  Does the building you are considering buying into have adequate protection in the event of a fire?  Are there Sprinklers?  Some interesting facts have arisen from a recent Long Beach tragedy which should certainly be considered when purchasing your Long Beach Condo:

LONG BEACH CALIFORNIA:  Wednesday, March 29, 2007 at 9:30 PM, a deadly fire broke out in the east wing of the luxury Long Beach high rise, Galaxy Towers Condominiums at 2999 Ocean Blvd., in Historic Bluff Park, Long Beach CA.   The fire claimed the life of one man, John Carlyle Crews who tragically jumped to his death from his 18th floor balcony.  Apparently the Galaxy Tower Condominiums were not required to install a sprinkler system, due to grandfathering, which could have minimized this tragedy according to Long Beach Fire Capt. Mike Duree.

Other high rise Long Beach Condos, such as the Broadlind in the East Village Arts District in Downtown Long Beach, and the Historic Villa Riviera, in Alamitos Beach, had sprinklers installed, even though they too were grandfathered in and not required to do so.  There are approximately 10 high-rise Long Beach Condos that are not required to install sprinklers, due to grandfathering, at this time.  (Definitely something to think about if you are considering purchasing a high-rise Long Beach Condo)

There have been several recent fires in Long Beach Condo complexes.  It really should make a buyer stop and think "What If".  Wouldn't you want to know that if tragedy struck that the damage would at least be minimal?

The Long Beach City Council will, once again, be discussing fire impact fees at their next Tuesday meeting.  The City of Long Beach wants to levy fees on Long Beach developers and Long Beach builders of residential, commercial and industrial construction of over 3,000 square feet to pay for Long Beach fire and safety improvements.  Proposed distribution of these funds: Long Beach Police Department would receive 58.7 percent of the fees raised from residential properties and 62.3 percent of the fees raised from nonresidential properties. The Long Beach Fire Department would receive the rest. 

The hefty fees, of course, will be passed along to Long Beach Condo and Long Beach Home and property Buyers.  

Amidst the tragedy of the Long Beach Galaxy Tower fire Jay Beeler, the Publisher of the Beachcomber, a local publication covering news and events on the east side of Long Beach, was arrested while attempting to cover the story.  Jay is currently attempting to organize other media representatives to join him in a class action lawsuit against the Long Beach Police Department for obstructing his right to passage.  He is especially pissed off at Long Beach Police Officer Gjersvold who, Jay says, thinks he is above the law.........READ THE WHOLE STORY...

If you are considering purchasing a Long Beach Condo, call the expert: Laurie Manny (562) 212-5420

Posted on April 08, 2007 08:14:52 by Laurie.Manny

The Queen of Long Beach CA

The Sun Deck Gallery aboard the historic Queen Mary in Downtown Long Beach California, is proud to present Rockin Hollywood, a new exhibition featuring 80 images of classic rock and movie legends by photographer Michael Childers. The exhibit will open June 15 and run through September 6, 2007. An opening reception with Michael Childers is scheduled at the Gallery on Sunday afternoon, June 17, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., and the public is welcome to attend. 

Posted on April 03, 2007 12:13:10 by Laurie.Manny

Tantalum Long Beach CA

Fine Dining - Reservations Recommended

Fabulous Waterfront Lounge with Exceptional Sunset Seating

Over Naples Island Canals

Ambiance

Exotic Dining

One of Long Beach Californias Finest Restaurants

Definitely a favorite of mine.

Tantalum Restaurant is Located at:

6272 East Pacific Coast Highway
Long Beach, California 90803

(562) 431-1414

Sunday - Wednesday
11:30 AM - 11:30 PM

Thursday - Saturday
11:30 AM - 1:00 AM

 

Posted on April 01, 2007 12:13:17 by Laurie.Manny

Parkers Light House Downtown Long Beach CA

Parkers Lighthouse

Shoreline Village, Downtown Long Beach California

Located in a dramatic, free standing building in Rainbow Harbor, at the tip of Downtown Long Beachs famous Shoreline Village, Parkers Lighthouse is the key anchor for Downtown Long Beach Pike Entertainment Complex.  A 3 story, fine seafood restaurant, Parkers Lighthouse seats up to 500 guests.  An elegant, stark white, 250 seat dining room, a 120 seat third floor Galley Bar and a 144 seat outdoor patio provides choices for all occasions. 

Guests are treated to fabulous and unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean, Long Beach Harbor, the Downtown Long Beach City Skyline, the infamous Queen Mary and out to San Pedro.  There may not be a better view of one of Long Beachs fabulous sunsets or of the Independence Day fireworks display than one from this incredible Downtown Long Beach, U.S. Coast Guard-sanctioned Landmark restaurant. 

The nautical motif, use of rich mahogany and cherry woods, large expansive windows and the use of fresh shades of green and blue combined with the use of mood lighting make this restaurant an incredible dining experience and a wonderful place to entertain that prospective client or seal that big business deal in this relaxed and upscale environment. I had the pleasure of interviewing my current brokerage in this lovely restaurant before deciding to make a change. 

Parkers Lighthouse was formally established, in 1982, to create a lighting beacon for the many large ships and vessels entering Long Beach Harbor.  The current restaurant is the result of a $3 million renovation in 1999. 

Parkers Lighthouse is a full service waterfront seafood restaurant and bar, serving lunch, dinner and private functions it is currently owned and operated by Select Restaurants, Inc. and remains unique among their extensive array of restaurants. 

Posted on April 01, 2007 02:00:27 by Laurie.Manny