East Village Arts District - East Village Arts District of Downtown Long Beach California

East Village Arts District of Downtown Long Beach California

When in Downtown Long Beach 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; all within walking distance of the beach and all that is Downtown Long Beach.

The East Village provides an ecclectic mix of housing including high rise condos, luxury lofts, condos and craftsman cottages. Here you will find a very diverse population, people from many cultures, income levels and professions. This is a walking neighborhood and has many shops, gallaries, coffee shops, small restaurants, both casual and elegant; or walk over to Pine Avenue and the Promenade for more fine dining and entertainment opportunities.

The East Village is proud of its Second Saturday Art Walk, every month. Many of the galleries and shops participate and provide a very fun, entertaining, relaxing and memorable evening.

The East Village, located in the Eastern portion of Downtown Long Beach, is bounded by:

Ocean Blvd on the South

Long Beach Blvd on the West

7th Street on the North

Alamitos Avenue on the East

May
11

Long Beach Real Estate - A Peek Inside the Business of Selling Long Beach Real Estate

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Here on our Long Beach Real Estate site I usually write purely real estate related articles targeted at educating and informing buyers and sellers of Long Beach Real Estate. Today I would like to give you a little peek into the business side of things and explain how they can affect the sale or purchase of your Long Beach homes.

In a recently published post I disclosed the 2008 closed sales in Long Beach; 674 of them, through 4/30/08. While the chart shows the sales increasing each month, the sales figures are still very low. (Includes sales of homes, condos, lofts, co-ops, Oyos, 2-4 units and 5+ units as recorded on the MLS)

Jan 130
Feb 153
Mar 179
Apr 212
Total: 674

These are difficult times for those of us surviving in the real estate industry. Going into this down market there were about 2900 licensed Realtors on record, there are currently about 1600 licensees active in the Long Beach area. Every market will support a certain amount of agents based on the closed sales of that market. Each agent needs a certain amount of closed sales in order to survive. Lets assume that 8 to 10 closed sales for the year are required for a Realtor to even survive this market; 674 closed sales would produce 8 to 10 sales for the year, for between 200 and 250 Realtors. Those sales are currently spread across 1600 current licensees, which would equate to less than ½ of a sale for each Realtor for the first 4 months of 2008.

In the real estate industry we have an 80/20 saying. It states that 20% of the agents do 80% of the business. 20% of 1600 agents = 320 which would equate to about 2 closed sales for the majority of the 20% still doing business.

So how are 1600 Realtors surviving a market with sales that will currently only support 200 to 250?

Some have other income, or a spouse or significant other with income.
Some have taken on Part or Full time jobs, while trying to juggle their real estate.
Some have anticipated this market and made plans to survive it.
Some are making enough sales to manage.

What of the 80%? That is 1280 agents, still active, for the last 4 months. How are they surviving with little or no sales? Well, they either have spousal support a trust fund or they have accepted salaried positions. Lets take a look at that. Real estate is a more than full time job; it is a commitment which permeates every hour of every day of our lives. Real estate transactions require a lot of attention on a daily basis. Escrow, title, lenders, inspections, appraisers banks and more need to be attended to, mostly during normal business hours. Buyers need to see properties around their schedules which often means after work or weekend showings. Sellers properties often need tending, flyers run out; keys go missing from a lock box or end up in another box on the same property. A pipe may burst on a listing with an out of town owner; anything can happen. How is an agent who has accepted employment elsewhere, with a set schedule, going to be able to deal with the schedule and responsibilities of a full time Realtor? How does that affect the buyer or seller? Has the agent even disclosed to the buyer or seller that they are not fully available? Do you know if your agent is available to conduct business, full time on your behalf?

http://www.lauriemanny.com/003390

Posted on 2008-05-11 @ 9.15:57 pm by Laurie.Manny

Mar
22

Long Beach Real Estate Sales-Foreclosures-Bank Owned Properties-Market Statistics

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Long Beach Real Estate Market Statistics

Long Beach Real Estate

Sales 2001 - 2007

January 1, 2008 - March 21, 2008

Year	Long Beach HOMES SOLD	Long Beach CONDOS SOLD	Long Beach 2-4 UNITS SOLD	Total Sales

2008	227	90	35	352
2007	1663	892	306	2861
2006	2372	1161	575	4108
2005	2988	1483	811	5282
2004	3061	1368	780	5209
2003	3465	1492	848	5199
2002	3489	1502	854	5844
2001	3285	1320	650	5255

There are currently approximately 133 Long Beach properties selling per month (closing escrow)

352 ÷ 2.66 = 133

2245 ÷ 133 = 16.8

ACTIVE LONG BEACH LISTINGS

HOMES

FOR SALE

CONDOS

FOR SALE

2-4 UNITS

FOR SALE

TOTAL PROPERTIES

FOR SALE

3/21/2008

1204

629

412

2245

352 Long Beach Properties have closed escrow ‘SOLD’ in 2008.

133 Average sales per month.

There are currently 2245 Long Beach Properties for sale.

It will take almost 17 months with no new properties entering the Long Beach Real Estate market to sell the existing inventory of properties for sale. Homes, condos and income properties in Long Beach are being placed onto the market daily adding to our existing inventory and increasing the length of time it will take for the current real estate market to absorb these new properties for sale.

The numbers tell an interesting story, one that I recall all too clearly. As single family homes became financially unattainable to first time home buyers in 2005 and 2006, many purchased Long Beach Condos instead, it was better than remaining in rent and gave them badly needed tax write offs. The above chart shows a significant decrease in single family home sales in 2006 and again in 2007, as condo sales remained strong into the latter portion of 2007 when they too began to taper off.

You will notice the sharp decline in closed sales in the first quarter of 2008, its not that the buyers have not been out shopping, many have been. Many just have not been able to wrap themselves around exactly what it means to get a deal. I dont know if it is the media or a misguided idea of what a deal is in todays real estate market. Others are realizing that the after purchase costs of badly needed upgrades on many of the homes are beyond their reach.

Long Beach Homes-Issues for 1st Time Home Buyers

Prices on real estate for sale in Long Beach are currently all over the place, it is a bit messy, which indicates a good hard look at the comparables before deciding what to offer on any given property. Some homes are priced to sell at the price offered, some sellers have priced their homes based on fantasy and wishful thinking. While it cant hurt to place a reasonable offer on one of these homes, the sellers are often not very responsive. Many buyers have decided to offer low, whether the listing price is fair or not. This is a sure way to not get your offer accepted. There are many good buys on the real estate market in Long Beach right now and the smart buyers and cash heavy investors are picking them up.

Long Beach Investors are making all cash offers Real Estate Investors with a lot of cash have entered the market. Prices are finally dropping to the price range they have been waiting for. This is making it more difficult for buyers who intend to purchase with loans and occupy the homes to get their offers accepted. We placed an all cash offer for a bank owned Alamitos Beach Condo about a week ago, there were multiple offers, one was higher than ours. We opened escrow on that condo on Monday. The bank knew they would not have any problems with a lender that might not be able to perform, may disappear or may discontinue their current loan programs.

Bank owned properties are beginning to appear in larger numbers and a better selection of homes is now available. Buyers have started getting a little excited now that homes they actually want to buy are finally starting to become available, they are writing offers and are often being rejected because the investors are liking these homes too, are placing all cash offers and are walking away with the prize. Multiple offers are occuring on the better properties that are being made available which is making that potential purchase more competitive now, and less incentives are available on these purchases. Some of these properties sell quickly for around asking price, with no incentives.

http://www.lauriemanny.com/00267D

Posted on 2008-03-22 @ 3.59:32 pm by Laurie.Manny

Feb
01

About Long Beach California

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Long Beach California

Everything You Need is Right Here

Theres a reason that people who live in Long Beach CA tend to stay in here. Everything youll ever need is right here! In Long Beach, youll enjoy 5 ½ miles of wide sandy beach, trendy nightclubs, fine dining and cultural events. Visit the Waterfront District in Downtown where youll find world class entertainment like the Aquarium of the Pacific. Stroll the shops of Shoreline Village. Sip a cocktail at a waterfront café as you slip into the comforting sights and sounds of Long Beach Harbor. Listen as a calming foghorn blows in the distance¦and watch as an inimitable California sunset cast its pinks and blues over the glittering Pacific Ocean.

Climate

Long Beach has an amazingly mild year round average temperature of 64 degrees. You can count on almost every day being sun filled with 345 sunny days annually. Climate doesn´t get much more perfect than that!

Youll Love Long Beach CA

If you like clean air, sunshine, ocean breezes, spectacular vistas, exotic food and cultural diversity¦youll Love Long Beach. Dine on a wide variety of mouthwatering delights in a city where there are great restaurants of every type. Here, quaint Craftsman bungalows line peaceful tree lined streets. Spanish duplexes and fourplexes with classic clay tiled roofs dot the landscape. Are you seeking an estate sized home? Tour the million dollar mansions that run along Bluff Park or enjoy the luxury of a golf course view from your Virginia Country Club Estate. For location, climate, beauty and lifestyle¦Long Beach is 50 square miles of perfection.

From Here to Anywhere

Do you travel for business? The Long Beach Airport is right in town and offers convenient flights to wherever you want to go. The Long Beach Municipal Airport is the west coast hub for Jet Blue Airways. Need more? The city is 25 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport. And John Wayne Airport is just 20 miles south of Long Beach in Irvine. Prefer to drive? Sitting at the edge of Los Angeles County, Long Beach is a handshake away from most Southern California cities. Its easy to get from here to anywhere with major freeways like the 405, 605 and 710 running through town.

Beat Freeway Traffic

Commuting is easy when you live and work in Long Beach. Heading into Los Angeles? Sip a cappuccino and enjoy your newspaper as you ride the Metro Blue Line into Downtown Los Angeles. Is your destination farther out? Amtrak or Greyhound will take you there! Its easy to beat freeway traffic using Long Beachs public transportation system.

Unique Culture

From business suits to bikinis, you´ll see it all in Long Beach. Street murals, trendy and ethnic restaurants, period architecture and the Pacific Ocean all promote the Bohemian feel and allure of Long Beach. Youll find art in our architecture¦and on our buildings too. Since 1985, local buildings have featured exquisite mural displays. All are created by local artists through the Long Beach Mural and Cultural Arts Program. These exhibits promote cultural understanding and unity within the community. And theyre beautiful! View a Gallery of Street Murals

Cultural Diversity

If you enjoy the flair, food and fun of a culturally diverse city, you´ll love Long Beach. Nearly every culture and nationality is represented here! Next to Paris (and excluding Asia), Long Beach boasts the second largest population of Cambodians in the world. There are Central American communities, a small population of Pacific Islanders, especially Samoans, and Long Beach is home to one of the nations largest gay communities. Almost every month of the year, there´s a celebration including a Grecian Festival, Gay Pride Parade, Bayou Festival, Martin Luther King celebration, Scottish Festival and Games, Cambodian New Year and Brazilian Street Carnaval, just to name a few.

Downtown

Theres plenty to do in bustling, busy, colorful Downtown Long Beach. Access the internet from anywhere in the city¦its a Wireless Hot Zone! Do you like art? Tour galleries in the East Village Arts District. Enjoy a late night, European style dinner at one of many fine Pine Avenue restaurants. Take in some waterfront shopping and nationally acclaimed entertainment at the Shoreline Village and Marina. Dont miss the Wyland Whaling Wall, a 116,000 square foot mural painted on the cylindrical shaped Long Beach Convention Center! Read More About Downtown Long Beach

http://www.lauriemanny.com/0004AE

Posted on 2008-02-01 @ 9.02:08 am by Mary.McKnight

Feb
01

Relocating to Long Beach California-Resource Guide

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Relocating to Long Beach California?

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 tried to include as many area resources as possible here to make your transition a smooth one.

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 condo on the sand.

Here are some local resources to help make your transition a pleasant one:

Local Area and Neighborhood Information:

Long Beach Homes and Condos For Sale

(Direct feeds from the Southern California MLS)

Search the Entire SoCalMLS Free

Long Beach Income Properties For Sale

California Megans Law

California Department of Justice

Schools & Libraries

Long Beach Public Library - (562) 570-7500
Long Beach Unified School District - (562) 997-8000
California State University Long Beach - (562) 985-4111
Long Beach City College - (562) 938-4111

Utilities

Southern California Edison Company - (800) 655-4555
Long Beach Gas & Electric Department - (562) 570-2000
Long Beach Water Department - (562) 570-2300
Verizon (telephone service) (800) 483-4000
Charter Communications (cable TV) (310) 971-4000

Licenses

Business Licenses - Long Beach Business Development Center -(562) 570-3800
Drivers License - (562) 973-3621
Marriage License - (562) 462-2137
Animal Licensing or Tags -Long Beach Animal Control Center (562) 570-7387

http://www.lauriemanny.com/000C3C

Posted on 2008-02-01 @ 3.22:41 am by Laurie.Manny

Jan
26

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.

World Trade Center Downtown Long Beach California

Downtown Long Beach, World Trade Center

Going to the beach after work.

The most amazing sunsets God has created, every day.

Downtown Long Beach Sunset

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 Pacfic
Aquarium of the Pacific

Each year thousands of people head to Long Beach for one of the biggest car race events in the world. Dont miss the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Cars race along a 1,968-mile temporary course around the Downtown Convention Center & high rise hotels and condos¦so its easy to find a front row seat!

LIVE FOOTAGE

Toyota Grand Prix Long Beach California

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.

Long Beach California Real Estate

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.

Laurie Manny

Long Beach Realtor®

Prudential California Realty

3728 Atlantic Avenue

Long Beach, CA 90807

(562) 212-5420

Long Beach CA Real Estate