Granite Countertops are one of the top selling points for homes and condos. In a recent article "Words that Sell Homes", it was disclosed that the word Granite was one of the 7 top words that help sell a home. When thinking about a Long Beach Home Kitchen Remodel, it is the Granite counter-top that is the finishing touch. Will you go dark or light? A lot of texture or more sedate? Domestic or Imported? Almost everybody loves granite countertops.
Recently the NY Times published an article raising questions regarding harmful levels of radon gases being emited by the breadown of uranium in the many varieties of granite countertops. Radon is a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer.
Having read through many of the articles available on the internet most suggest that the countertops emitting the highest levels of radiation seem to be those imported from Brazil and Namibia.
The Marble Institute of America has said such claims are "ludicrous" because although granite is known to contain uranium and other radioactive materials like thorium and potassium, the amounts in countertops are not enough to pose a health threat.
If you have granite countertops and are concerned whether radon or radiation is a problem you can:
Contact the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (aarst.org). Testing costs between $100 and $300.
Radon test kits are available from the National Safety Council (or call 1-800-SOS-RADON). Some home improvement stores sell test kits. To find a qualified testing or mitigation contractor, contact your state radon office or either of the national private radon programs.
Articles on the subject you might be interested in reading:
The Belmont Heights neighborhood of Long Beach California is a lovely, ecclectic mix of early century homes, low rise condos,
smaller apartment buildings (including some fabulous spanish duplexes),
restaurants, coffee shops, funky stores, galleries and a nice mix of
neighborhood friendly small business. Just blocks from the bluffs, overlooking the harbor, the beach, and a short walk into Belmont Shore, Belmont Heights is a tree lined Long Beach Community
developed in the early 20th Century, and a great place to call home.
Many of the neighborhood homes were originally built as summer cottages
mostly between 1905 and 1939, later becoming year round residences.
More bungalow style homes can be found here than in any other community
of Long Beach.
All rates offered to the borrower with 1 point cost. Rate quotes assume a Purchase transaction with a 20% down payment, 720 credit score, and full income Qualification. Rates are subject to fluctuation. Custom rate quotes and rate Lock advice are available by calling (858)-777-9751.
Remember the song "Stuck in the Middle With You" by Stealer's Wheel? It was background music for a particularly Gruesome scene in the Quentin Tarantino movie, Reservoir Dogs.
Well, I don't know why I came here tonight.
I got a feelin' that something Ain't right.
I'm so scared in case I fall off my chair.
And I'm wonderin' How I'll get down those stairs.
Clowns to left of me, jokers to the Right.
Here am I stuck in the middle with you...
Wall Street bond traders are singing that tune and it's bouncing mortgage rates all over the place. They're scared because they feel that "somethin' ain't right" with the underlying loans held by Fannie and Freddie. Still, the US Treasury Secretary has pretty much guaranteed that the government will back Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should the dung hit the blades.
Wall Street bond traders are singing that tune and it's bouncing mortgage rates all over the place. They're scared because they feel that "somethin' ain't right" with the underlying loans held by Fannie and Freddie. Still, the US Treasury Secretary has pretty much guaranteed that the government will back Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should the dung hit the blades.
While the treasury securities market has been somewhat stable these past few weeks, mortgage-backed securities are bouncing all over. Some days ,they act like treasuries and the spread narrows. Other days, they act like junk bonds and the spread widens. If you listened to my "dog on a leash" analogy, imagine a rabid animal running away from a scared owner one day and a docile pet running and cuddling with him the next.
Like the song, says, we're "stuck in the middle" which means, in my mind, we'll see mortgage rates rise a bit, to the 6.5% level, then drop to the 6.0% level. We still haven't seen the full effect of the Russian invasion to Georgia. The American response will be much more than a Bush and Putin exchange at the Olympics. Georgia is a SERIOUS U.S. ally with a major oil pipeline running through it. The Russian attack was clearly unprovoked and part of a concerted effort to weaken the US dispute with Iran.
We're locking loans that are closing within 10 days with an eye towards locking late August closings some time next week (when mortgage rates come back down).
Long Beach mortgage rates report is offered courtesy of Brian Brady. Contact Brian for more information about a home loan or apply online.
Bluff Park Historic District
is a small, very upscale neighborhood which contains some of Long
Beach's most dignified homes. The historic district includes a variety
of architectural styles, including Greene and Greene, American
Craftsman, California Bungalow, Spanish Revival, Prairie Style,
American Colonial Revival, Tudor and Mediterranean, constructed between
1903 and 1949.
Bluff Park is home to The Long Beach Museum of Art.
Built in 1912 the stately Craftsman building is the former Elizabeth
Milbank Anderson house; it is located on the bluffs at 2300 E. Ocean
Bl. Bluff Park is also home to a Buddhist monastery that once was a
Roman Catholic convent.
Back in the 1930's 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 world's 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.
Bluff Park is one of Long Beach's most coveted neighborhoods.
Today on 8/8/08 Bluff Park Historic District Home located at 2609 East
2nd St Closed Escrow.
8/8/08 is considered by the Chinese to be a very
lucky day. The number is coveted for addresses, phone numbers and
bank accounts. A single 8 on a piece of property lends a sense of high
status among the Chinese, as they know top dollars were paid just to
obtain that number.
Lucky 8 is so lucky, that the Beijing Olympics are
due to open today on 8/8/08 at exactly 8:08:08 PM.
The re-development of Downtown Long Beach and the multitude of new high rise buildings are certain to complicate an already difficult parking shortage. Many of the historic condos in Downtown do not have any parking available at all. Residents rent monthly spots in available asphalt lots at fairly reasonable monthly rates, but with land at a premium how long will these lots remain available? Where will the owners of these condos, local business owners, guests and customers park?
Recently a friend and I were discussing the parking problems in Downtown Long Beach now and projecting into the future. As we discussed potential solutions it occurred to me that the solutions themselves were very problematic.
Vertical Parking and other parking solutions involve a lot of equipment. Equipment is expensive to both purchase and run, breaks down, requires parts that are not always immediately available and requires trained engineers and mechanics. What happens when your car is parked on level 5 and the equipment breaks down? What if the part is not immediately available and needs to be imported from Japan? Would there be a manual over-ride system to bring your car down to ground level? How could all of this be kept affordable?
Many of the systems exhibited in these videos showed fully automated parking structures. Who do you call when the systems fail? What happens if it is very late at night? There I go assuming the lots would be open 24 hours, I am still such a New Yorker sometimes! But seriously, how could they not be open 7 and 24?
Tonight I watched many videos from around the world displaying parking systems for both small and large spaces. While watching I realized that every one of them showed 1 car being easily and quickly parked or retrieved. It was so simplistic it made me laugh. I remember an evening in Manhattan when a group of us went to see a show. The last parking lot with any space available was in a very thin and very tall building with an elevated vertical parking system. They charged a whopping $60 to park the car and that was 8 or 9 years ago. We waited well over an hour to retrieve the car. All of the shows let out at about the same time and the lots were inundated.
The other thing that really struck me while I was watching these videos was the desolation of the parking lots. I couldn't imagine retrieving my car at 3:00 AM without experiencing a great deal of fear.
I can only imagine the stress levels of people waiting for their cars to be delivered to them when they are late for an appointment. Imagine having to wait for 10 or 15 cars before yours is delivered! Downtown has a large workforce most of which finish their work day between 5 and 6 PM. How long would it take for them to get their cars out of these lots?
We didn't come up with any solutions, but it was an interesting conversation and has my wheels turning (pun intended).
What do you think?
Update 9/3/08
The owner of Apex Skypark in Anaheim contacted me about the concerns expressed in this post. As a manufacturer of Robotic Parking Solutions and a company currently involved with the City of Long Beach in an effort to bring these solutions to us, I offered them space on this site to respond.
Long Beach California is Best Neighborhood for Walking
Long Beach California is Best Neighborhood for Walking
One of the most appealing draws to living in Long Beach California
is the walkability of many of our local neighborhoods. Well, somebody
finally decided to start ranking walkable neighborhoods across the
country. Walk Score has ranked 2,508 neighborhoods in 40 of the largest US cities to help buyers find walkable communities to live in.
Long Beach California has been ranked as the 8th Most Walkable Neighborhood!
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. Read More>>>
Granite Countertops are one of the top selling points for homes and condos. In a recent article "Words that Sell Homes", it was disclosed that the word Granite was one of the 7 top words that help sell a home. When thinking about a Long Beach Home Kitchen Remodel, it is the Granite counter-top that is the finishing touch. Will you go dark or light? A lot of texture or more sedate? Domestic or Imported? Almost everybody loves granite countertops. 
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