THE MILLS ACT

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HISTORIC HOME TAX INCENTIVES - The Mills Act

 

Saving Money with the Mills Act

Are you concerned about how youll afford to maintain your Historic Long Beach CA Real Estate?  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.

 

The Mills Act

Since 1972, The Mills Act has provided deep tax discounts to owners of historic Long Beach CA Real Estate.  This legally binding 10 year 'endlessly renewable contract helps homeowners afford maintenance and restoration of historically and architecturally significant properties.

 

• View the current inventory of Historic Districts
• Learn how to apply for Mills Act status  
• To receive more information about the Mills Act and have a packet mailed to you, call 1-562-570-6864.

 

 

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Downtown Long Beach CA - Incredible

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DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH CALIFORNIA

 

Imagine, Sunshine 345 days of the year.

 

Walking to the office.

 

Gazing at the ocean, from your office or condo windows.

 

Downtown Long Beach, World Trade Center

 

Going to the beach after work.

 

 

The most amazing sunsets God has created, every day.

View from Downtown Long Beach, over San Pedro & Palos Verdes

 

The Downtown Long Beach California area has gone through a vibrant revitalization which still continues. New hi and low-rise condos, Manhattan style loft developments, condo conversions, new malls and entertainment complexes all either at the beach or within a several blocks walk continue to sprout. A total urbanization of the area is under way. It really is quite spectacular. 

 

Downtown Ocean Blvd. Corridor 

  

 

 New Entertainment Complex at The Pike

Rainbow Harbor, Downtown Long Beach CA

 

 

Imagine, affordable beach front condos, and affordable beach close properties.

 

Downtown Long Beach is growing and improving daily.  Just 10 years ago the crime rate in the Downtown Long Beach area was staggering.  While parts of the area are still a bit gritty, it has come a very long way.  The many new condos and conversions on and off of East Ocean Blvd. have contributed to the substantial rise in equity in the area. 

 

 

The close proximity of the Long Beach Airport, its ease of use and its future planned expansion, have aided Downtown Long Beach in becoming highly desirable places for todays urban minded professionals to live, work and play. Arrive at the airport 30 minutes before your flight, park your car, walk across the street, check in your bags, go to your gate (short walk) and take off, with time to spare, this just could not be any easier.  Which is probably why the city saw the merit in making Downtown Long Beach a Long BeachWireless Hot Zone.

The development of Downtown Long Beach is extremely exciting because it will energize the community through the real growth and diversification of retailers while also providing aesthetic improvements, enhanced infrastructure, and upscale housing, said Barbara Kaiser, Manager of the City of Long Beachs Redevelopment Agency. 'At the center of the Southern California coastline with easy access and an inviting atmosphere, its easy to see why more developers are choosing to invest in Downtown Long Beach.

 

Downtown is home to many large hotels, necessary to handle the busy traffic created by The Long Beach Area Convention Center. Featuring a 224,000 square foot exhibit hall with 83,000 feet of space for meetings. 

A new development is currently in the works which will encompass 1 million square feet of new entertainment and retail space.  Curved like a wind-filled sail, this group of buildings will be shaped like a sailboat Read More About Downtown Development Plans. 

 

 

 

Housing Options to Suit Every Lifestyle

Are you searching for an upscale apartment or funky downtown loft?  Or do you prefer a quaint bungalow in a Historic District?  Yes Downtown has it all, even its own Historic District, with Craftsman and Victorian beauties, and many lovely Craftsman style cottages.  There are housing options here to suit every lifestyle.

Did you know that Long Beach has 17 Historic Districts and a rich history?

 

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 Ma

 

 

This rarely on the market, beautiful Mills Act home recently changed hands in the Downtown Historic District of Willmore City.

Stunning Historic Edwardian Manse

 

 

Downtown has much to offer.  Take a stroll along the waterfront, watch the cruise ships come and go from the Downtown Port of Long Beach terminals. 

Whether you like to shop, dine, tour a museum, catch a professional sporting event or see the sights¦theres something for you in Downtown Long Beach.  Here, water taxis take visitors to the Queen Mary, and the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific.  Or you can hop a ferry to Catalina Island.  Like to shop?  Youll love the wide variety of shops and exotic restaurants at The Pike at Rainbow Harbor and Shoreline Village.  Searching for conventional discount stores?  Head for the open air shopping opportunities at City Place.  And for great sports, check out the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center and Long Beach Arena.  You might catch the hometown professional hockey team, The Ice Dogs, in action. 

 

Aquarium of the Pacific Video FUN VIDEO FROM THE AQUARIUM  Is there a nicer sound in the world than children laughing?  A Day at the Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

 

LIVE FOOTAGE

 

Shoreline Drive (the race track) loops down from Ocean Blvd and provides access to the Convention Center, The Long Beach Arena, The Pike, Rainbow Harbor Marina and Shoreline Village. From the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company to The California Pizza Kitchen, theres always something wonderful cooking at The Pike at Rainbow Harbor. Here you will find great dining at PF Changs, Gladstones, Outback Steakhouse¦and more!  Youll love this vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment destination!  Enjoy delightful ocean breezes as you dine along the waterfront. 

 

BRAZILIAN CARNIVAL LONG BEACH FOOTAGE

QUEEN MARY BRAZILIAN CARNAVAL Celebrated in Long Beach, CA 'Celebrating the Year of the World Cup Championship and Saluting New Orleans Mardi Gras The largest Carnival Party in Southern California! Get ready for the party of the year¦ Dig out your costumes! Come join us and dance to the high energy rhythms of the worlds most famous Carnival celebration coming up! NON-STOP FLOOR ENTERTAINMENT! NON-STOP DANCING! BRING YOUR CAMERA, TAKE PICTURES OF THIS STAGGERING NIGHT!

 

A trip Downtown isnt complete without a visit to Pine Avenue.  Here, youll find one-of-a-kind specialty shops housed in quaint historic buildings.  Enjoy your morning coffee and check your email under a blue Long Beach sky as you sit on a café patio.  And when the sun goes down¦the fun continues!  Enjoy a delicious European style dinner at one of the many upscale restaurants, and then dance the night away!  The Blue Café on the Promenade is a popular nightspot.

You wont want to miss the East Village Arts District, where the Art Deco style abounds.  You will find it chock full of small galleries, eclectic shops, coffee shops and wonderful little restaurants.

 

We are proud of our Downtown Murals, which depict the diversified culture of our area:

 

 

Relocating to Long Beach California - Resource Guide

Is it obvious yet?

 

I LOVE LONG BEACH ! ! !

P. S. You will too.

 

It would be my pleasure to consult with you regarding available properties in the 

Downtown Long Beach or Long Beach areas. 

 

 

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Redesign Home Staging for Your Long Beach Homes

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Tips for Selling Your Long Beach Homes

Let's talk about the difference between Vacant Home Staging and the Redesign of your Long Beach Homes. Redesign Home Staging is transforming an occupied home into a desirable place your buyer can see themselves living in.  Many homeowners do not see the mess and chaos that can take over homes, and most real estate agents do not want to offend or insult their client by suggesting they clean it up.


A professional Long Beach Realtor explains to the seller that Home Staging will transform their home to appear more cohesive and appealing to potential buyers.  Buyers will view the home as well maintained; this home will stand out from other Long Beach homes for sale. 
 

At a professional home stager it has always been difficult to enter a home and stop myself from cleaning it up, organizing some part of a room or wanting to paint the walls a different color.   All three of these points - clean, organized and light and bright play a really big part in getting your home ready for sale. 

 

What can a Professional Home Stager do for YOU?

A Home Staging Professional will ask that you pack away personal photos, awards and certificates or religious items first, de-clutter and organize cupboards, drawers and closets and other unnecessary items.  We recommend having a garage sale before you list your home. It doesn't make sense to move clutter to the garage.  Besides, why move what you don't need?  Painting your walls to appeal to the larger audience of buyers is highly recommended if the paint color on your walls doesn't really suit the room or detracts from the structure of your home.  Whenever possible all repairs to walls, floors, plumbing and electrical should be taken care of too; see your home through the buyers' eyes.


After all suggested pre-staging is completed, furniture is rearranged to accent the room's architecture, windows and doorways.  Accessories are used, and in some cases rental furniture may be needed, but in Home Staging keep in mind, "less is more."  It is typical to see only a loveseat and chair, end table with a lamp and a cocktail table with accessories to complete a staged living room.  (In the home staging consultation these suggestions are given to you for a DIY or hire us back to complete the rearrangement.)

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Long Beach CA Historic Homes and Districts

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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.

 

 

Community Working Together Grab a sweater on a cool coastal morning and smell the sweet fog as it melts into a crisp California day.  Relax on a bench on the wide open porch of your vintage Craftsman Bungalow style home.  The wide eaves reveal authentically exposed roof rafters that make you feel uniquely peaceful.  Across the street, a neighbor tends to her garden as children play under ancient oaks and elms.  You admire the intricate wrought iron grillwork and heavy red tile roof of your neighbors Spanish Colonial Revival style home.  There is comfort in living among a community of people working together to assure the vitality of your neighborhood.

Step Back in Time Are you searching for a well maintained, architecturally significant home in a neighborhood where community is valued?  As you drive along the tree lined streets youll feel as if youve stepped back in time.  Youll see antique street lamps lighting cobblestone paths and gardens bordered by authentic picket style fences.  Youll see beautifully manicured lawns and flowering gardens.  Youll see neighbors working together to assure that historic features of an area are maintained.  When you live in a historic district, you become part of a unified effort to protect the areas rich heritage.

The Diane House

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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History of Long Beach California

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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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