Living in a Long Beach Home with a Pool – Safety Tips

Many homes in Long Beach have built-in pools (compared to the Colorado Springs Real Estate market where pools are a scarcity) – and along with all the fun and relaxation that pools can create, there is a definite level of safety precautions involved.

Here are some safety tips for living in a Long Beach CA home with a pool:

• Know how to swim. Make sure everyone IN and AROUND knows how to swim.
• Keep a charged, wireless phone near the pool at all times, in case you need to call 9-1-1

• Make sure that at least one person in/around the pool knows CPR.
• Keep safety equipment around the pool in case of an emergency.
• Do not mix swimming and drinking alcohol. A loss of judgment could mean the difference between life and death around a pool.
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Pool Safety and Children:

• Never leave children unattended around a pool. Even children who “know how to swim” can be in danger without a responsible and attentive adult around.

• Practice touch supervision with children younger than 5 years. This means that the adult is within an arm’s length of the child at all times.

• Install a Pool-Safety fence – at least 4 feet high with a self-closing and self-locking fence, between the house and the pool.

• Do not rely on “toys” as flotation devices. A parent or other guardian is the ONLY way to ensure safety.

• Consider installing a power-safety cover, but not to replace a fence.
• Make sure everyone who watches your kids knows CPR and knows the rules to your pool.
• Do not leave toys around the pool when not in use. This could attract children to the pool when no one is looking.
• If a child is missing, check the pool FIRST. Walk the perimeter of the pool and check around all the edges.
• If possible, do not install a pool in your home until your children are over the age of 5.

Some other Resources for Pool Safety:

• AAP.com
• RedCross.org

Having a pool in your Long Beach CA home is great! Just make sure you enjoy it safely.

Contributed by:  Mariana Wagner – Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent of the Wagner iTeam at Keller Williams Clients’ Choice Realty - specializing in Colorado Springs CO Real Estate.

Thank you Mariana!

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Posted on July 7, 2008 by Laurie Manny

Selling Your Long Beach Homes-Long Beach Real Estate

Yay!  The Down Market is OVER!

No it’s not, but now that I have your attention, the market has changed a bit and there are a few things you really need to know if you are thinking about selling your Long Beach homes. 

Back in the hot sellers market one of the sales strategies used was to price a home a little low, take multiple offers, and play them off of each other to drive the price up.  It worked!  That strategy, applied to today’s Long Beach real estate market is working as well. 

Pricing your home low will inspire the interest of buyers and agents and create a quick, steady flow of traffic and multiple offers to your home. 

For instance, if your home, in great condition, comps out at $500,000 and you listed it at $299,000 you would have the attention of the entire real estate market.  You would have to prepare yourself for a major onslaught of showings, perhaps as many as 30 to 50 a day.  The offers would pour in and bid up.  At $500,000, you would sit on the market for months, probably price reduce a couple of times to about $450k and likely sell around $440k, if at all.  If you choose this road, you will probably sell at around the same price, without the time delay.  It’s clean and fast. 

An added benefit to creating multiple offers is that you have a choice.  You will not be forced to accept an offer with weak financing because it is the only offer you have.  There will be an assortment of offers for you to choose from thereby placing you in a stronger position to close escrow successfully. 

Many sellers in Long Beach are afraid to pursue this road fearing they will have to accept an offer that is lower than they are willing to accept.  Sellers do not have to accept any offer, they are free to accept or decline any offer made on their homes. 

It is just a really smart business decision to choose to sell your home in this fashion, during this market. 

Read Also:

The 7 Dangers of Overpricing Your Long Beach Homes and Condos

Chasing the Market Down – Are You Guilty?

If you are thinking about selling your Long Beach home and are interested in more details, call Laurie for more information.

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Posted on May 24, 2008 by Laurie Manny

Long Beach Income Property Market Report-January-December 2007-Including Signal Hill

Long Beach Real Estate

Long Beach & Signal Hill Income Property Report

January – December 2007

Duplexes 

Triplexes 

4-Plexes

5 + Units

 1031 Exchange information available on request. 

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Posted on January 28, 2008 by Laurie Manny

THE MILLS ACT

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.

All Qualified Historic Structures Benefit

In 1972, historian, writer and statesman, Jim Mills, introduced this little known bill.  It grants tax discounts ranging from 24 to 60 percent to owners of qualified historic structures.  All designated historic buildings may apply!  Whether you live in your historic single family residence or use it as an income producing commercial enterprise¦you may qualify for tax benefits under The Mills Act.

Good for You¦Good for the Community

Returning tax money to you benefits everyone.  It creates incentive to purchase and restore beautiful homes and neighborhoods within the community.  When you purchase restoration materials, local businesses thrive.  Property values go up!  Neighborhoods are strengthened as standards of living increase.  And neighborhood enhancements stimulate community pride.

Everyday maintenance and General Repairs

Zoning requirements, building codes, development and owner entitlements remain the same for all neighborhoods.  Everyday maintenance and general repairs that dont affect your homes overall construction or design are not regulated.

Buying or Selling a Mills Act Home

Are you buying or selling a home that comes with an existing Mills Act contract?  Lucky you!  As a buyer, youll assume the Mills Act contract along with purchase of your home ‘ and benefit from tax savings already in place.  Selling a Mills Act home means increased marketability of an already desirable property. 

The Long Beach Office of Historic Preservation has temporarily suspended granting Mills Act status until sometime in late 2009 while they re-organinze; at which time a small non-refundable fee will be implemented to assist in covering costs.  For further information contact:  Jan Ostashay at the Long Beach Historic Preservation Services (562) 570-6864

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Posted on January 26, 2008 by Laurie Manny