Long Beach Real Estate-Long Beach Condos

Property Tax Scam - Long Beach Homeowners Beware

 

The Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor has made an important announcement. 

If you receive mail from private companies offering to pursue a reduction in your property taxes for a hefty fee please contact the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs by phone at (800) 973-3370 or visit their website.

There is no reason to pay for a review that has been done for free.

 

Property owners should be aware that their property may be included in a review the Assessor's Office has done for 2009. The review included single-family homes and condominiums purchased between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2008. In some particularly hard hit areas of the county, the review included properties purchased as far back as 2000. 473,000 properties were reviewed, resulting in lower assessments on 333,000 homes and condos. Please click here to see if your property has been reviewed for a decline-in-value.

All 473,000 owners whose property was included in the proactive review will be notified of the results in writing by the end of June. Owners who disagree with the results of the review or were not included in the review, may file an application through December 31. The Decline-In-Value form is simple to complete and readily available online or at one of the Assessor's District Offices. We will review the application and if a reduction is warranted, the taxable value will be reduced. Please note that there is no charge for a review. Owners are urged to wait until July to decide whether to file an application.

 

• Click here to see Public Service Announcement with Assessor Auerbach and County Supervisor Gloria Molina.
• Click here to see public service video, "Don't Get Ripped Off."
• See related news stories on KNBC Channel 4, KABC Channel 7, KCAL Channel 9 and Fox Channel 11.
• Click here to read Assessor's Op-Ed article in the Daily News.
• Click here to see if your property has been reviewed for a decline-in-value.

 

Read Also:

 

 

• Property Tax Relief for Long Beach and Los Angeles County Homeowners?  Not Without An Appraisal!
• Property Tax Reassessments in Long Beach & Southern California

 

 

 

Laurie Manny Professional Group

244 Redondo Avenue
Belmont Heights
Long Beach, California 90803

(562) 212-5420

 

 

http://www.longbeachrealestatehome.com/0098DA

 

Interview With Award Winning Long Beach Home Stager

Michelle Minch of Moving Mountains Design

 

 

We are so excited to announce a new member to our Long Beach Real Estate Home blogging team: Michelle Minch of Moving Mountains Design. Michelle is an award winning professional home stager and interior designer in Long Beach and Los Angeles. She'll be sharing her extensive knowledge about home staging for Long Beach homes, preparing Long Beach homes for sale, upgrading your home before selling, as well as interior design and redesign. Michelle is happy to answer any questions you might have about home staging, design & redesign, especially as it pertains to Long Beach real estate.

I interviewed Michelle earlier this week regarding home staging and how and why it works to help sell Long Beach homes faster and at a better price.

Home staging is all over the news and on television. What exactly is home staging?

The simplest definition of home staging is the process of preparing a home for sale. The end goal of home staging being that the home has a greater perceived value and is appealing to the largest number of potential buyers.

How does staging work? Do home stagers use the sellers' furniture, bring in their own or rent furniture and accessories? 

Yes, all of the above! A full service home staging company (such as Moving Mountains Design) can use the sellers' furniture & accessories solely, supplement the sellers' furniture with additional rented furniture and accessories, or fully furnish a home, or the key rooms, with appropriate rented furniture, rugs, artwork & accessories. When working with a homeowners' furniture some factors we consider are budget, condition of the furniture, whether there is enough furniture & appropriateness of the furniture in regard to the architectural style of the home. The goal is to make your Long Beach home look like a model home in the most cost effective manner possible. We have a 1,500 sq.ft. warehouse stocked floor to ceiling with artwork, silk plants, all manner of accessories, books, throw pillows, bedding, towels and Persian rugs. We have furniture and accessories for every style and price home. We have a large selection of artwork and accessories which is particularly suited to the Long Beach real estate market.

What other services does a typical home stager provide?  

There is no one size fits all description of services stagers offer. Much depends upon the stager's training and experience. Since Moving Mountains Design is also an interior design firm, besides home staging, we offer services such as paint color selection, staging to live, bathroom and kitchen upgrades or cost effective redesign for sale, curb appeal and landscape design, Feng Shui, window treatments, and carpet replacement. We are also one of the few staging companies in Long Beach and elsewhere that offer professional quality photographs of the homes we stage for use on the MLS, in internet marketing and in printed advertisements as part of our staging package.

 

How does staging help to sell a home or a condo?

When you put your home on the market, you're entering it in a beauty contest. The best looking homes sell faster and often for a higher price. Home stage prepares your Long Beach home to have the greatest appeal to home buyers when compared to other similar homes on the market. Staged homes photograph better and therefore are more attractive in MLS listings and on sites like Zillow and Trulia. If your home doesn't look good on the internet, it will be dismissed with a click of the mouse.

What percentage of staged homes actually sell?  

Statistics vary from city to city and from stager to stager. In 2008, almost 80% of the homes Moving Mountains Designs staged sold in less than 60 days; half in less than 30 days, and several were in escrow within 7 days. Many factors come into play in a home sale - condition (in part addressed by home staging) appropriate pricing, effective marketing by the real estate agent, location, availability of financing, and market conditions. Home staging is one very important piece of the puzzle.

Do staged homes command higher prices than vacant homes in Long Beach?

If a home is staged properly, it has a higher perceived value whether it is occupied or vacant. Staged homes appear to be in better condition and exude a sense of comfort and well being. Homes that are staged appear to be well cared for. As part of our home staging consultation, we address any visible condition issues, such as leaky faucets, peeling paint, missing or mildewed grout, etc. In doing so, we identify issues that might make a home feel like less of a good value. We encourage the home owner to make all repairs before putting the home on the market so that there are fewer impediments to a sale. Regardless of whether your home is in Long Beach, Manhattan Beach or Miami Beach, buyers want a home that is move in ready. Home staging helps put your home's best face forward.

Is it advisable to stage an entire home?

In order to be as cost effective as possible, I normally suggest the following key rooms be staged: Entry, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, & Master Bedroom and bath.  If the home has an open floor plan, we also suggest staging any additional "public" rooms, such as the great room or den, and home office. When we are staging in a market where the typical buyer might value a downstairs Master Bedroom (for extended family) we often suggest staging that room as well. Occasionally, we will stage every room, but those are either model homes or have other special circumstances. Every home is different and requires either an on site visit or extensive photographs in order to determine the best course for effective staging. Of course, we always take the budget into consideration. I would rather see fewer rooms staged well, than many rooms staged poorly.

 

I communicate with the listing agent to discuss any areas they feel would benefit from staging and to discuss our findings so we are all on the same page.

What is the cost of staging an average Southern California home or condo?

• A comprehensive home staging consultation starts at $350. I will visit your Long Beach home and explain everything I feel needs to be done in order to maximize your chances for a faster sale. I then email you a customized, detailed report of everything we have discussed. You can do the work yourself, or hire Moving Mountains Design to do part or all of the work outlined in the report.
• Occupied home staging using the homeowners' own furniture and accessories start at $750 and depends upon how much work needs to be done.
• The minimum cost of staging a vacant home is $3,000 and can run to $15,000 or more for very large or multi-million dollar homes. The cost of staging is dependent upon the amount of time we estimate the job will take, the amount of furniture we will be bringing in and the number of rooms to be staged. Regardless of the cost of staging, I will give you a firm price so you will know before we start how much your staging will cost. We stage Southern California homes as small as 1,000 sq.ft. up to 10,000 sq.ft. and that range in list price from $350,000 to $15 million.

Under what conditions would a stager turn a job down?

I can only speak for myself.

• I have turned down jobs in situations where I feel home staging will not be helpful, or if I know there is a very limited budget and I feel the money would be better spent addressing condition issues that may prevent a sale, such as the need to paint, replace carpet or put on a new roof.
• I will turn down a job if I feel the home seller or real estate agent is attempting to, or asking me to, cover up or hide a defect that would adversely affect the value of the home or put anyone in danger.  
• I will also turn down a home staging project if I feel the home is not properly secured, is in a dangerous neighborhood or if I think any rental furniture or accessories will not be properly cared for.

Does home staging guarantee my home will sell?

Home staging is not a guarantee that your Long Beach home will sell. Too many factors influence the sale of a home. If you are working with a knowledgeable real estate agent, if your home is properly priced for the current market, is professionally staged and is properly marketed you stand a much greater chance of selling your home quickly and for the best price.

 

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For more information about staging your Long Beach home or condo, contact Michelle Minch at (626)441-8975 or via email Michelle@MovingMountainsDesign.com . You can also visit her Los Angeles home staging web site or view a portfolio of before and after home staging photos.

 

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When you are ready to sell your Long Beach home contact:

 

Laurie Manny Professional Group

244 Redondo Avenue
Belmont Heights
Long Beach, California 90803

(562) 212-5420

 

Related articles:

Staging and Home Improvement related articles:

• Curb Appeal On A Budget
• Summer in Long Beach California - Reduce Your Energy Costs and Stay Cool
• Why Stage Your Long Beach Home or Condo?
• Long Beach Backyards-Ponds and Nasty Swimming Pools
• Long Beach Home Kitchen Remodels
• Long Beach Home Bathroom Remodels

 

 

http://www.longbeachrealestatehome.com/0096A7

1st Time Buyer Tips

Hire a Buyers Specialist When Buying Long Beach Homes and Condos

Have you noticed that ever since you decided to purchase a home or condo in Long Beach you now notice For Sale signs everywhere?  You even notice them when you are in Long Beach neighborhoods you are not interested in and find yourself pulling over to write down the phone number to call for more information.

Did you realize that when you make that call you are speaking to the listing agent who represents the seller.  It is their job to sell the property and protect the sellers interest, there is a written contract between them.  It is not the job of the listing agent to protect you or your interests. 

Homeownership is a big step and in most cases the purchase of your home will represent the single largest investment of your life.  It is in your best interest to have seperate representation when buying real estate in Long Beach.  A talented and professional buyers agent/Realtor® can protect 1st time buyers in ways you cannot even think of this early in your home search.  Your buyers agent will be able to provide you with comparable sales that you can trust, information about the home and prior transactions that the listing agent may not be able to divulge.  A buyers agent can provide you with other properties that meet your criteria, show you those homes, write and negotiate a contract that is in your best interest, not the sellers, and they can help you find the necessary financing. The best part is that the buyers agent is paid for by the seller, it doesn't cost you anything. 

 

The Laurie Manny Professional Group has several experienced and talented buyer specialists ready to assist you in the purchase of your Long Beach Homes and Condos.  Let us protect you and place you and your family safely in your next Long Beach Home or Condo.

 

Feel free to use our website 24 hours a day to browse all the latest Southern California and Long Beach listings.  

 

Call Laurie to begin your Long Beach home search at (562) 212-5420  Contact Us

 

 

Long Beach Home Buyer Tips

• Home Buyer Tips - Dont Make Any Major Purchases
• Home Buyer Tips - Things to Avoid Before Purchasing a Home
• Home Buyers Tips - Changing Jobs Affects Your Ability to Purchase a Home

 

Long Beach Homes For Sale

• Long Beach Homes For Sale $300000 to $400000
• Long Beach Homes For Sale $400000 to $500000
• Long Beach Homes For Sale $500000 to $700000
• Long Beach Homes For Sale $700000 to $900000
• Long Beach Homes For Sale $900000 to $1200000
• Long Beach Luxury Homes For Sale $1200000 to $2500000
• Luxury Homes For Sale in Long Beach California $2.5 Million and up

Long Beach Condos For Sale

• Long Beach Condos For Sale $1,500,000 and higher
• Long Beach Condos For Sale $1,000,000 to $1,500,000
• Long Beach Condos For Sale $900,000 to $1,000,000
• Long Beach Condos For Sale $800,000 to $900,000
• Long Beach Condos For Sale $700,000 to $800,000
• Long Beach Condos For Sale $600,000 to $700,000
• Long Beach Condos For Sale $500,000 to $600,000
• Long Beach Condos For Sale $400,000 to $500,000
• Long Beach Condos For Sale $300,000 to $400,000
• Long Beach Condos For Sale Under $300,000

Long Beach Income Properties For Sale

• Income Property For Sale in Long Beach California-5+ Units
• 2 to 4 Units For Sale in Long Beach California
• Triplexes For Sale in Long Beach California
• Duplexes For Sale in Long Beach California

 

 

 

http://www.longbeachrealestatehome.com/0092EA

This 2009 forecast, for the Long Beach real estate market is written by Brian Brady.

 

If bifurcation was the theme for the 2008 Long Beach real estate market, convergence Will be the theme in 2009. Both the bifurcation of 2008 and the Convergence of 2009 are closely tied to the ability to finance Long Beach properties. While prices were lower across Long Beach, this past year, the under $400,000 real estate market was extremely hard hit. Vanishing stated income and Sub-prime loan programs reduced the number of qualified buyers, driving prices dramatically lower in areas like California Heights, Lakewood Plaza/Rancho, Bixby Knolls, and the non-waterfront condominiums in Downtown Long Beach. In some cases, those prices are below the fundamental value, and offer a great buy for investors and owner-occupants alike.

 

The Long Beach neighborhoods of Belmont Shore, Belmont Heights, Bluff Park, Alamitos Beach and Virginia Country Club might not fare so well in 2009, While I expect Long Beach homes priced below $500,000 to hold relative value next year, it's the homes priced over $700,000 and below $1,000,000 that are most vulnerable to vanishing financing. I discussed this very challenge in my 2009 San Diego Real Estate Outlook:

 

The key component to the housing recovery for San Diego remains in The ability for a home buyer to get financing. The US Treasury stepped In to provide financing for properties under $625,000, by:

 

(a) increasing the loan limits for FHA, conforming and VA loans to 115% of median price (expected Jan,2009)
(b) nationalizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (guaranteeing the loan from default)

 

The luxury home market ($1,000,000 and above) is generally a cash Market. As such, credit availability affects those housing units far Less than the "rank and file" developments inhabited by those of us in The "working class". Expect SOME softness in the luxury home market but If the buyer likes the home, she'll either pay cash or have access to Highly specialized financing available to the only asset-rich.

 

After January 1, 2009, the government loan limits will be capped at $625,000 for Long Beach. This means that rates for loan amounts above that number will be as much as 2% higher than the government-backed Financing and downpayment requirements will be 25% or greater. If you're selling a home in that price range, the buyer pool is about to shrink in about 3 months.

 

Exacerbating this financing issue is the loss of jobs a recession may bring. Unemployment in California has spiked this past year. Job losses have been concentrated in the lower to middle income range in 2008 while the upper-income jobs have remained relatively safe. A recession will hit those upper-income jobs harder than the lower income ones. I said that 2008 is the year where the "rich will get not rich and the poor will get clobbered"; that certainly happened this year. 2009 will be the great equalizer as the higher-priced homes decline and higher-paid jobs disappear.

 

What then, should be your strategy for 2009? Investors should pay close attention to the lower-end of the real estate market for fantastic buys. Long Beach real estate is a great investment and opportunities to own a property that offers positive cash flow are evident today in the under $500,000 market. There will be some great opportunities in those mid-priced homes, next year as well as the $700,000 to $1,000,000 drops below the financing caps.

 

If you're planning on selling a Long Beach home in that $700,000 to $1,000,000 price range, better to list it today rather than to wait until after the new year. Veterans can buy up to $729,000 with no money down. FHA buyers can buy up to $729,000 with 3.5% down. Conventional buyers can buy to that limit with as little as 5% down...today. Next year, that all goes away.

 

Brian Brady is a Managing Director with World Wide Credit Corporation, a San Diego-based mortgage banking and brokerage firm. Google calls him America's #1 Mortgage Broker; you can call him at (858)-777-9751

 

http://www.longbeachrealestatehome.com/009341

 

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.
• 
  

 

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!

 

http://www.longbeachrealestatehome.com/009118