With so many Long Beach homes on the market at affordable prices one would think it should be really easy to find a home and get a great deal. So why are so many first time buyers having trouble finding a home that suits their needs at a price they can afford?
Up until a year ago it was almost impossible to find decent homes in Long Beach for under $500,000. Prices have been dropping so rapidly that some homes have finally become affordable to first time home-buyers. Recognizing this, many are out shopping, trying to make the dream of home ownership a reality.
Most first time home buyers are utilizing 100% financing programs and need to have closing costs covered in their offers in order to purchase. This means they are actually purchasing these homes for the cost of the appraisal and physical inspection, about $600. Sounds great, doesnt it? Homes currently on the market affordable to first time home buyers, are predominantly short sales and foreclosures or bank owned properties and are not necessarily in the best condition. Even with a deep price reduction most of these homes are still beyond the reach of first time buyers because the buyer will have to lay out considerable cash after purchase to bring the house into livable condition. First time home-buyers just dont have this kind of cash to invest in the home for repairs and upgrades after the purchase.
Some of the problems buyers have discovered in many of the available homes for sale on the market are:
Damaged foundations
Damaged chimneys
Excessive layers of roofing
Bent ridge-boards (part of roofs framing)
Leaking, damaged and old roofs in need of replacement
Potential mold issues resulting from leaking and damaged roofing
Kitchens in need of replacement
Baths in need of replacement
Incomplete renovations leaving partially completed kitchens and baths
Badly damaged flooring
Leaking plumbing
Electrical problems and upgrades
Many homes have several of these issues placing the seemingly affordable home into the unaffordable for these buyers. For instance a buyer may be able to afford a new roof, but not be able to afford to reframe the roof if that too is necessary.
Occasionally a Long Beach home will come onto the market in really good condition, priced to sell, receiving multiple offers very quickly. With so many of these buyers conditioned to write low offers, they miss out on the opportunity to purchase a great home. When a home finally comes onto the market that is in move in condition and has no major issues, which will cost the buyer after purchase, a really good offer should be written immediately. If it is priced right, trying to negotiate the price of a home like this is just foolish. It is not easy, for a first time home-buyer, to find an affordable home in Long Beach in good condition, when you do find one - grab it as fast as you can.
There are currently 83 Long Beach homes for sale under $300,000, in many Long Beach neighborhoods, many are short sales or are bank owned, and most are in need of work.
The smallest available Long Beach home for sale is a 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 540 sq ft home, priced at $300,000 - huh?
The least expensive homes on the market in Long Beach right now are both priced at just $150,000.
2 bedroom, 1 bath, 825 sq ft, located in Downtown Long Beach.
2 bedroom, 1 bath, 782 sq ft, also located in Downtown Long Beach.
Both of these homes front to an alley - OK, that explains the price.
There are 8 Long Beach homes for sale under $300,000, which are over 1200 square feet:
RES
DESCRIPTION
Zip
TGNO
Bd
Bth
Sty
Gar
SqFt
Year Blt
Price
DOM/CDOM
1
fixer/short sale
90810
765B7
3
1
1
2
1,213
1944
$275,000
83
2
fixer/bank owned
90810
795B3
3
2
1
2
1,513
1930
$300,000
64/116
3
short sale
90813
795F6
2
2
1
2
1,338
1989
$244,900
34/257
4
as is/probate
90813
795D5
3
2
2
0
1,240
1922
$249,000
5/266
5
short sale
90805
765E2
3
2
1
1 D
1,216
1925
$275,000
95
6
short sale
90805
765D4
3
2
2
2
1,396
1964
$280,000
160
7
short sale
90805
765F1
4
2
1
0
1,364
1947
$299,500
145/225
8
bank owned
90805
765D2
3
2
1
0
1,384
1926
$300,000
81/262
(DOM = Days on Market: CDOM = Combined Days on Market)
Theres a reason that people who live in Long Beach CA tend to stay here. Everything you'll ever need is right here! In Long Beach, you'll enjoy 5 ½ miles of wide sandy beach, trendy nightclubs, fine dining and cultural events. Visit the Waterfront District in Downtown where you'll 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!
You'll Love Long Beach CA
If you like clean air, sunshine, ocean breezes, spectacular vistas, exotic food and cultural diversity you'll 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 Long Beach
Theres plenty to do in bustling, busy, colorful Downtown Long Beach. Access the internet from anywhere in the city it's 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>>>>>>>>>>
Easy Living Long Beach Style
Are you looking for an estate sized home or luxury condominium with beachfront access? Maybe you prefer a single family residence in a cozy community. Whether youre seeking a history rich neighborhood in an urban setting, a condo, coop, Manhattan Style Loft, OYO or resort hideaway you'll find it in Long Beach! Whether you prefer waterfront living to an inland lifestyle, your dream home is waiting for you here. From Downtown Long Beach to Alamitos Bay from coastline to inland there's Long Beach Real Estate here to suit every lifestyle.
Business
If you're looking for business opportunity, you've come to the right place. As California´s fifth largest city, Long Beach is a convention hot spot and center for business and industry. It is proud of it´s focus on the three T´s: technology, tourism and trade. Many well known national businesses are headquartered here. Computer giant Epson America, Molina Health Care, Inc., and SCAN Health Plan all call Long Beach home. To meet the growing need, Downtown Long Beach is undergoing a $1 Billion residential and business redevelopment.
Based on the number of employees, the largest commercial businesses in Long Beach are: Boeing, Verizon, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and The Bragg Companies. Even after greatly reducing the number of employees over the last few years, Boeing is still the largest employer in the city. Another world renown Long Beach business is the Port of Long Beach. As the second busiest seaport in the nation and the tenth busiest in the world, port-related activities support 320,000 jobs and nearly $15 billion in wages in Southern California.
This area was established by William E. Willmore in 1882 as Willmore City. When Mr. Willmore´s plan to develop the city into a farming community failed, the land was purchased by the Long Beach Land and Water Company. They changed the name to Long Beach and it was incorporated as a city in 1888. The city grew as a waterfront resort, but its main growth occurred after oil was discovered in 1921. It was once known as ˜Iowa by the Sea" because of the large number of Midwesterners from Iowa and other states who relocated here. Read More About the Citys Historic Homes and Districts>>>>>>>
A Visitor Friendly World Class Destination Resort
Theres plenty to do in Long Beach, California. This visitor-friendly world class destination resort is home to some of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. 5.5 million people visit superior beaches and enjoy top notch entertainment here each year. Whether youre looking for family fun at Shoreline Village, a honeymoon condo at Catalina Island, excellent golfing or the wild fun of a Grand Prix race come to Long Beach! Guests are drawn to the city for its location, recreation, beauty, fine restaurants and great hotels. Long Beach offers the finest resort style amenities. But remember residents can take in the sights too!
The 9-hole ˜Bixby Village course at the Bixby Village Golf Course facility in Long Beach, California features 1,567 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 29. The course rating is 57.5 and it has a slope rating of 86. Designed by Ron Fream, the Bixby Village golf course opened in 1980.
This Municipal 18 hole Golf Course with over 6,317 yards with a par of 72. Billy Bell-designed layout is one of the oldest courses in Southern California.
Located among beautiful rolling hills, Recreation Park was constructed in 1917 and was originally known as Virginia Country Club. This very private club was opened to the public in 1931 and has since been known by its current name. Recreation Park, designated as one of the busiest golf courses in the nation, provides a night lighted driving range, practice greens, pro shop, full service restaurant and banquet facilities for up to 150 people.
Located directly across 7th Street from the majestic 18-hole course, this nine-hole, par 29, executive facility affords guests a selection of shots and settings, which range from rolling hills to views of the Colorado Lagoon. This course also offers practice greens, a pro shop and food service.
The previous venue of the Queen Mary Open, this facility has now been selected as the site of the prestigious Long Beach Open. A magnificent 18-hole layout, El Dorado can truly be called a ˜players course, due to its expansive layout and numerous water hazards. Extensive practice facilities and full service restaurant are available at El Dorado.
Directly across Lakewood Blvd., from the Long Beach Airport, this course provides an interesting blend of playing characteristics. Several water hazards and numerous bunkers await your errant shots, while excellent fairways and greens rewards your good play. This 18-hole course is a very enjoyable experience for all skill levels. Skylinks also offers a night lighted driving range, practice greens, a full service restaurant, bar and banquet facilities that can hold up to 150 people.
18 holes over 6,372 yards with a par of 72 (Municipal)
18 holes over 2,143 yards with a par of 54 (Municipal)
For those seeking this alternative, this facility offers an extremely enjoyable 18-hole round of par 3 golf. With holes ranging from 85 to 140 yards, two water hazards and numerous sand traps, this course will test the skills of the most seasoned player, as well as remain exceptionally enjoyable for the beginner. This fully lighted course also boasts of its excellent practice range, full size chipping and putting greens, full service restaurant and a professionally staffed pro shop.
The 18-hole ˜Virginia course at the Virginia Country Club facility in Long Beach, California features 6,505 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The course rating is 70.9 and it has a slope rating of 128 on . Designed by William P. Bell, ASGCA/(R) Robert Muir Graves, ASGCA/Edward B. Dearie, Jr., the Virginia golf course opened in 1909. (Private Equity)
4602 N Virginia Road
Long Beach, CA 90807-1916
(562) 427-0924
Parks
Sail, ski, Jet Ski, windsurf, fish, boat or sunbathe it's up to you. Long Beach has 92 parks scattered across 3,100 acres. There are 69 tennis courts, four public swimming pools and miles of pedestrian and bicycle friendly beach. The El Dorado Regional Park is 800 acres of lakes, an archery range, bike trails, and campground and picnic areas. The parks Nature Center is 102.5 acres and features trails, meadows, lakes and forests. Recreation Parkis a popular 210.9 acre park and recreation center. Let your pet run at the dog park while you meet with friends and community groups.
Area Beaches
Love the beach? With over 5 ½ miles of beach front, it´s no surprise that this area is known world wide as Surf City. Huntington Beach and Huntington Harbor are popular early morning surfing destinations. Dont miss Seal Beach and the beach at Belmont Shore. Rent a Kayak and enjoy the day in the Naples Island Canals or the Canals of Huntington Harbor at Sunset Beach. Pack up a bottle of wine, some cheese and bread for a romantic, sunset gondola ride through Naples Island canals. Do you have small children? Head to Naples Islands Mothers Beach. Theres no surf, so your children can enjoy splashing in a calm ocean, as you lay out a picnic lunch.
Local Beaches of Long Beach California:
Alamitos Beach from Alamitos to 15th Place. You can glide, ride or stride along the waters edge on the main beach from Alamitos Avenue on the west to 54th Place on the east on the 3.1-mile, 17-foot-wide Shoreline Pedestrian Bike Path. Two six foot lanes are for bicycle traffic and one five foot lane is for pedestrians. You can rent skates, bikes, umbrellas and beach chairs at Alfredos.
Bayshore Beach at 5415 E. Ocean Blvd. offers access to Alamitos Bay and other diversions such as:
basketball,
volleyball
handball courts
play equipment for the kids
Belmont Plaza Beach at 4000 Olympic Plaza is close to the bike path and Belmont Pier. Be sure to get a front row seat (bring your own chair!) for exciting California Beach Volleyball Association events during the upcoming International Sea Festival.
Belmont Shore Beach from 39th Place to 54th Place, and Peninsula Beach from 54th to 72nd Place offer long stretches of white sand, volleyball courts and beautiful scenery.
Colorado Lagoon at 5119 E. Colorado St. offers calm waters, picnic areas and a nautical themed playground.
Junipero Beach from 15th to 39th Place can be conveniently accessed from Ocean Blvd. on Junipero Avenue which ends at a beach parking lot.
Marine Park at 5839 Appian Way is known as ˜Mothers Beach because of its popularity among families with small children. All ages can relax and enjoy the day with shallow, calm waters, a lifeguard station, restrooms and play equipment.
The next chance you have to spend a day at the beach, remember that some of the best ones are right here in Long Beach.
Long Beach Marina
Like to angle your fishing rod from the side of your own boat? Or, spend the day lazing on deck or entertaining on board? Youll like Shoreline Marina and Alamitos Bay Marina. The location is irresistible because it´s just a short walk from your boat to Shoreline Village. As the largest city owned Marina in the country, it has an amazing 3,400 slips. A south-facing bay and breakwaters offshore protect boats moored here.
Compliments of Laurie Manny.
Laurie is available to assist you in all of your Long Beach Real Estate transactions. Laurie is a Top Long Beach Realtor. Call her today (562) 212-5420.
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:
Many homes have several of these issues placing the seemingly affordable home into the unaffordable for these buyers. For instance a buyer may be able to afford a new roof, but not be able to afford to reframe the roof if that too is necessary.
