Downtown Long Beach California - July 2008

Whats going on in Downtown Long Beach?

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 District replete 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.

Enjoy live music concerts monthly at:

• The Vault
• Blue Cafe
• The Cellar
• Downtown Long Beach Summer Music Series
• Seaside Summer Concert Series
• South Coast Chorle in Concert
• The Long Beach Symphony
  

Is the Theater more your bag? We have theater!

• Terrace Theater
• The Garage Theatre
• The Found Theatre

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:

60th Annual Long Beach/Catalina/Long Beach Ski Race - July 19

Location: Long Beach Harbor

More Information

(909) 463-3069

Long Beach/Catalina/Long Beach Jet Ski Race - July 20

Location: Long Beach Harbor

More Information

(310) 318-4012

97th Anniversary Offshore Power Boat Race - July 20

Location: Long Beach Harbor

More Information

(714)612-3378

AVP Pro Volleyball Tournament - July 24 - 27

Location: Marina Green

More Information

(310) 426-8000

Getting hungry yet?

Downtown Long Beach Restaurants:

• La Traviata Restaurant
• Smooths Sports Grille
• Parkers Lighthouse
• Outback Steakhouse
• PF Changs
• California Pizza Kitchen
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
• Rock Bottom Brewery
• Mariposa Restaurant
• 555 East
• LOpera
• The Madison Restaurant
• The Sky Room
• Kings Fish House
• Alegria Cocina Latina
• Yard House Restaurant
• Wasabi Japanese Restaurant
• Utopia Restaurant
• Georges Greek Cafe
• Modicas Restaurant
• Super Mex
• Shoreline Cafe
• Mai Tai Bar
• P.F. Changs
• Gladstones

Walk down to Rainbow Harbor and the Pike, you will never be bored with all we have waiting for you:

Things to do in “Rainbow Harbor”:

• Rent a speedboat
• Rent a jet ski
• Bicycle Boats
• Rent a Kayak
• Go Sailing
• Fishing
• Whale Watching
• Scuba Dive Charters
• Private Charters
• Yacht Charters
• Harbor Tours
• Harbor Cruises
• Burials at Sea
• Private Charters
• Wedding & Corporate Charter
• Tall Ship American Pride Educational & Charter Tours
• Romance Charters
• Aqua Link
• Aqua Bus
• Dream Cruises
• Educational Expeditions to Catalina & Channel Islands
• Rainbow Rocket-Ride
• Guest Day Mooring Area
• Dockside Boat & Bed - Spend the night on a Yacht

Tired of blowing a small fortune on that liquid gold? Gasoline prices are nutz right now. Downtown has great transportation available to you:

Transportation in and around Long Beach CA:

• Metro Blue Line
• Long BeachPassport Bus - Long Beach Transit
  
• Limo Services
• Taxi Services
• Car Rentals
• Boat Rentals
• Catalina Express
  
• Water Taxi
• Rail Transit Web page
• Metropolitan Transportation Authority
• Long Beach Airport
• Long Beach BIKESTATION
• Catalina Express Island Trips
• Los Angeles Helicopter Tours
• Island Express Helicopters

“Alamitos Beach” is Downtown Long Beach’s Neighboring Community. Home to many Long Beach Luxury High Rises directly on the sand, it is a wonderful place to live and frequent the Downtown area:

• Alamitos Beach Condos For Sale $400000 to $500000
• Alamitos Beach Condos For Sale $500000 to $600000
• Alamitos Beach Condos For Sale $600000 to $800000
• Alamitos Beach Condos For Sale $800000 to $1000000
• Alamitos Beach Condos For Sale $1000000 and more

If you are thinking about Relocating to Long Beach, Contact Laurie Manny to view Homes and Condos in the Downtown Long Beach, Alamitos Beach and other fabulous Long Beach Communities.

Posted on July 05, 2008 16:00:21 by Laurie.Manny

California Heights Historic District Homes 2008 Market Report - Long Beach Homes Sales

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:

• Bixby Road on the North
• Wardlow on the South
• Gardenia on the East
• Lime on the West
  

Saving Money with the Mills Act

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.

• History of Long Beach California
• Long Beach CA Historic Homes and Districts

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 Laurie for an appointment to view any of the 22 homes for sale in the California Heights neighborhood of Long Beach (562) 212-5420:

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:

Seeking California Heights Historic Home For Sale

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 homes need 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:

Long Beach Real Estate Home Blog>>>

California Heights Homes For Sale

• Bixby Knolls and California Heights Homes For Sale $500000 or less
• Bixby Knolls and California Heights Homes For Sale $500000 to $600000
• Bixby Knolls and California Heights Homes For Sale $600000 to $700000
• Bixby Knolls and California Heights Homes For Sale $700000 to $800000
• Bixby Knolls and California Heights Homes For Sale $800000 to $900000
• Bixby Knolls and California Heights Homes For Sale $1000000 to $1200000
• Bixby Knolls and California Heights Homes For Sale from $1200000

Posted on July 05, 2008 01:56:55 by Laurie.Manny

Independence Day

Independence Day is a celebration of America’s Independence from the British Empire. We celebrate the freedom we enjoy with fireworks and parties. It is a time to remember those that have served this country to protect that freedom for which we enjoy. It is a day of picnics with family, community parades and fireworks to celebrate the birthday of the United States.

Read Also: Constitution of the United States

At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England’s King George III. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly referred to as “Taxation without Representation” as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on.

With the high cost of gasoline, many Long Beach residents are staying local this July 4^th long weekend. Downtown Long Beach California is full of historic homes, condos and home to many large hotels, necessary to handle the busy traffic created by The Long Beach Area Convention Center. This holiday weekend you have so many wonderful things that you can do in Long Beach from the RMS Queen Mary to the Aquarium of the Pacific but it doesn’t stop there!

Here are some fabulous things to do in Long Beach California this weekend:

• Dockside Boat & Bed - Spend the night on a Yacht
• Long Beach California Japanese Garden and Koi Pond
• Romantic Gondola Ride - Naples Island

Independence Day is more than a chance for a long weekend full of parties; it gives us an opportunity to commemorate the courage and faith of our founding fathers in their pursuit of liberty. While celebrating this 4^th of July weekend, please remember to be safe:

• Barbecue Safety - from the Agriculture Department
• Boating Safety
• Campfire Safety - from the U.S. Forest Service
• Fireworks Safety - from U.S. Health and Human Services Department
• Summer Health Tips - from the Federal Citizen Information Center
• Travel Safely

If you are thinking of Buying Your Long Beach Home - check out my Getting Started Guide or call me directly at (562)212-5420

Posted on July 04, 2008 21:08:23 by Laurie.Manny

Belmont Heights Homes-Market Report-2008-Long Beach Real Estate Sales

Home Sales in Belmont Heights are picking up. The availability of lower priced homes has todays buyers out shopping. The plethera of available short sale and bank owned homes has brought prices down in Belmont Heights. Well priced homes are often receiving multiple offers. Smart sellers are pricing their homes to sell instead of chasing the market down, which is never a good idea. If you do not need to sell, this is not the time to be on the market. Smart buyers are out shopping.

There are currently 68 homes for sale in Belmont Heights.

Average Price: $1,111,793

• Lowest Price: $530,000
• Highest Price: $2,500,000
• 30 Homes are priced under $1,000,000
• 38 Homes are price over $1,000,000
  

Average Days on Market: 91

6 homes in Belmont Heights are in escrow accepting back-up offers.

Average Price: $804,650

Average Days on Market: 83

2 homes in Belmont Heights are currently pending in escrow.

Average Price: $1,019,000

Average Days on Market: 34

42 homes in Belmont Heights have Sold (closed escrow) in 2008.

Average Price: $820,619

Average Days on Market: 85

27 Belmont Heights home owners have cancelled their listings.

Average Price: $967,201

Average Days on Market: 119

6 Belmont Heights homes have withdawn from the market.

Average Price: $1,056,000

Average Days on Market: 104

22 Belmont Heights single family home listings have expired.

Average Price: $912,881

Average Days on Market: 153

• Belmont Heights Homes For Sale $800000 and less
• Belmont Heights Homes For Sale $800000 to $1200000
• Belmont Heights Homes For Sale $1200000 and higher

• Belmont Heights Condos For Sale $300000 to $400000
• Belmont Heights Condos For Sale $400000 to $500000
• Belmont Heights Condos For Sale $500000 to $600000
• Belmont Heights Condos For Sale $600000 to $800000

Contact Laurie to begin your search for your Belmont Heights Home (562) 212-5420

Are you thinking about selling your Belmont 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 homes need 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.

Visit our blog for more helpful Long Beach Real Estate Information and Updates

Long Beach Real Estate Home Blog>>>

• Belmont Shore and Naples Condos For Sale
• Belmont Shore Naples Homes For Sale in Long Beach CA $2000000 and up
• Belmont Shore CA Homes for sale under $1000000
• Belmont Shore-Naples Homes For Sale in Long Beach California $1000000 to $2000000
• Marina Pacifica Condos for Sale Long Beach CA
• Bay Harbour Homes For Sale Long Beach California

• Luxury Homes For Sale in Long Beach California

• Long Beach CA Ocean Blvd Condos For Sale

Posted on June 29, 2008 14:17:24 by Laurie.Manny

Belmont Heights Condos-Market Report-2008-Long Beach Real Estate Sales

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

Posted on June 29, 2008 12:32:00 by Laurie.Manny