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Long Beach, CA Real Estate News

By Jon Kolsky, Licensed California Real Estate Broker
(Kolsky Realty & Management)
  Making Home Ownership Possible – Is Divvy The Answer?   Over the past decade, the dream of owning a home keeps falling further out of reach. American wages have not kept up with rising home prices. We’ve seen tougher lending practices and we’re facing rising interest rates. Unfortunately, the current conditions don’t favor renters looking to take advantage of owning a home. So, what’s the answer? How can renters become homeowners? One thing is for sure, many renters are missing out on one the best wealth-building opportunities: homeownership. Now, for those of us in the business, we know something isn’t kosher the moment we hear the term “rent to own”. Rent to own sounds good but we’ve seen the results, we know it rarely if ever works out in the favor of the renter. What if there was ...
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By Jon Kolsky, Licensed California Real Estate Broker
(Kolsky Realty & Management)
Stimulate Your Financial Circumstance -  Try Acorns  Living in California is sublime, it is also pretty darn expensive, too! There’s no getting around it, the rising cost of living keeps charging and it is getting tougher for most folks to save money. The idea of saving money sounds great. But in practice, most of us find it difficult to squeeze anything extra out of our earnings. Just thinking about throwing a budget together, saving money, investing money (and or) planning for retirement can overwhelm the best of us. But, what if there was a way to save money without even thinking about it “as well as” without feeling the pinch? Sounds too good to be true? Not so fast, have you heard of Acorns? Save and invest your money without giving it a second thought. I must be joking or out of m...
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By Jon Kolsky, Licensed California Real Estate Broker
(Kolsky Realty & Management)
Make A Difference – Find Your Smile   Just like a rolling stone gathers no moss, roaming with a smile garners bright light and cheerfulness. The world around us moves quickly and it seems our industry is moving just as fast. And although we have very little control over the speed of life; spreading smiles along the way is one thing we do have control over. The power of a smile, a kind word, or just lending a listening ear is too often underestimated. Caring is not just a response; caring is a cause. And with the simple act of sharing a smile “or” a nice gesture will not only energize you but provides the authority to embolden others, too. Hopefully, most of us seek a happy existence. And once we find happiness we have the power to spread happiness. A friendly smile can just be what the ...
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By Shannon Jones, Long Beach CA Real Estate
(The Shannon Jones Team)
Described as a “small town in a big city,” Long Beach has a really unique combination of laid-back beach living and a bustling urban vibe. If you are looking to move to Long Beach, either from a different state or from a surrounding city, there are a few important things you should know before you start packing. 1. Opportunity for Employment The local economy and job growth are booming in Long Beach. In the matter of a few years, we have cut our unemployment rate in half and added thousands of jobs. There are a number of industries that employ thousands of people in Long Beach, including the Long Beach Unified School District, Cal State Long Beach, Boeing, and the City of Long Beach. 2. Neighborhoods with Unique Personalities Each different neighborhood in Long Beach has something uniqu...
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By Jon Kolsky, Licensed California Real Estate Broker
(Kolsky Realty & Management)
Landlords Urge Tenants to Buy Renters Insurance…  As a landlord why do I recommend renters insurance to all my tenants? Simple, a renter should have protection against fire, damage, and theft just as most homeowners have and enjoy!   I’ve been a landlord since early 1990. In years past, renting an apartment was much different and a lot easier than it is today. Back then a renter had plenty of apartments to choose from, and basically just needed to write a check for the first and last month’s rent, sign a lease agreement and give a smile and a handshake. But today, the conditions for a renter are more daunting than ever. A renter looking to sign a lease today faces stiff competition from other would-be renters, intense background scrutiny and even in some cases for renters with pets, a p...
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By Jon Kolsky, Licensed California Real Estate Broker
(Kolsky Realty & Management)
Yes, But….. How many times have you heard “yes, but” followed by some lame excuse? Probably a lot as it is quite common for someone to say “yes, but” followed by some lame excuse. Here are a few examples: Were you late for work? Yes, but I had no idea there was going to be an accident.  Weren’t you supposed to get a raise? Yes, but my boss is a jerk and feels I need to show more effort. Were you going to fix that fence anytime soon? Yes, but I am going to get to it later. Are you in debt again? Yes, but it doesn’t seem like there’s anything I can do about it.Over and over again you’ll hear folks use “yes, but” as an excuse to wiggle out taking responsibility for their circumstance. And those that use “yes, but” as an excuse only inhibit their success. You’ve probably heard this but it i...
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By Jon Kolsky, Licensed California Real Estate Broker
(Kolsky Realty & Management)
So Far So Good – Strike 1 & 2 For Rent Control Advocates…Long Beach and its residents can breathe a little easier today. Misguided housing advocates miss the first deadline to submit their rent control petition on November ballot. For those that have been following my mini-series on proposed rent control in LB, I am happy to announce that rent control advocates missed their first deadline to get their petition on the LB Nov 6 ballot. Josh Butler and his small advocacy group had until June 1st to submit 27,462 registered voter signatures for the Nov 6 ballot. However, legally Josh and his group have until July 30th to submit 27,462 or more registered voter signatures in order to make the special election 2019 ballot (and or) the 2020 Presidential primary election ballot. The small advoca...
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    2018 First Quarter Home Sales Report forLakewood Plaza in Long Beach CA    I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my blog.  The key to buying and selling a home is knowing your "Local Market."  Should you have a question or require additional information about the real estate market. Please feel free to call me, my name is Glenn Gaspar and my phone number is 714 | 612 | 0995.  You can also submit your request using this form, just Click Here to Contact Me.     To view the sales data click on the year you wish to review:  2018 Lakewood Plaza Home Sales2017 Lakewood Plaza Home Sales2016 Lakewood Plaza Home Sales2015 Lakewood Plaza Home Sales2014 Lakewood Plaza Home Sales     REBATE...REBATE...REBATE Buyers and Sellers have an opportunity to receive a rebate when you use...
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 Homes for Sale in the neighborhood of Lakewood Plaza in Long Beach California Welcome to the "Lakewood Plaza - Rancho Estates" weekly real estate blog post. Every week you will be updated on the activity surrounding the neighborhoods of Lakewood Plaza and Rancho Estate located in Long Beach, California.  You will have access to the following reports: Newly Listed Homes for the weekAvailable Inventory for SalePending/In Escrow HomesEnd of Month Home Sales   Each one of these reports is free! You will not be asked to register or to fill out any forms to log in. You will have the option to preview the information online, or you can download them to your computer as a PDF file.  If you would like additional information on a home, request a personalized CMA (Comparative Market Analysis Repo...
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By Fred Sweezer Sr. CMI, LLC., HUD 203k Consultant
(Hud Certified 203K Consultant)
What is the difference between a home inspection and a home appraisal?Bank Appraisal versus Home InspectionThe home inspection is primarily intended to protect the prospective buyer from purchasing a home with structural defects and other major problems. The appraisal is meant to protect the buyer from paying too much for the home over market value.Home AppraisalAn Appraiser takes into account the houses location, square footage, and selling prices of similarly sized houses located in the same area. The home appraiser usually addresses condition’s that are apparent or observable.Home Inspection A home inspector that is hired by the  home buyer focus on the major conditions of the home such as the structure, plumbing, foundation, electrical, Heating and air conditioning system, including...
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By Jon Kolsky, Licensed California Real Estate Broker
(Kolsky Realty & Management)
  Proposed Ballot Measure for Rent Control in Long Beach if passed most certainly faces legal blowback. New information is presented in the April 25th memorandum from City Attorney to City Manager, Patrick West, Mayor and Members of the City Council identified six instances “so far” where if the proposed Ballot Measure for Rent Control in Long Beach ordinance were to pass litigation is certain to follow. Attorney City Staff identifies six different conflicts and warns of possible other City Charter violations within new Proposed Ballot Measure for Rent Control in Long Beach.  I am not shocked by the findings presented in the April 25th memorandum from City Attorney office. Most of the violations pertain to the proposed 5-member Rental Housing Board and their broad and sweeping powers gi...
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By Jon Kolsky, Licensed California Real Estate Broker
(Kolsky Realty & Management)
   I recently started writing a series (1, 2, 3,) of posts about the possibility of Long Beach falling prey to a newly proposed rental control petition. In my last post regarding the proposed rent control initiative in Long Beach, I said: “You’ll most likely hear from me next on this matter when the City reports back with their findings!” Well, the impact memo is out and City Attorney did not mince words. Before I go into the City Attorney’s findings, here is a quick summary of the situation: After 2-years of persistent failure and several unsuccessful attempts, in January of this year, a small advocacy group (lead by Josh Butler and Jordan Wayne) finally successfully submitted a rent control petition initiative to Long Beach City Hall. Thankfully. the Mayor, all City Council members (w...
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By Shannon Jones, Long Beach CA Real Estate
(The Shannon Jones Team)
Shannon Jones and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia chatted about the reconfiguration of the Long Beach Breakwater, plans for additional parking and future affordable housing projects.Garcia recently talked about the many initiatives the city of Long Beach is working on this year at his fourth State of the City Address. Most notably, he announced that the Army Corps of Engineers will present its preferred plans for re-configuring the Long Beach Breakwater. It would be the modification made to the breakwater since it was finished after World War II.   This is original content as previously seen on ShowMeHome.com
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By Jon Kolsky, Licensed California Real Estate Broker
(Kolsky Realty & Management)
 Rent Control -Should Facts Matter?  I recently wrote a post about being on different planets. The moral of the post “in spite of wanting the same end result different ideals make it impossible seeing eye to eye in attaining the desired result.”  Of course, it is ok to have a different ideology but when facts get altered that’s when things get ugly and it becomes not ok. And as it relates to rent control (IMO) not only should facts matter but pushing a false narrative that threatens the future of a city and rob property owners and their rights to a free enterprise is just insane. I go on record saying “facts matter.” And I also believe that folks pushing a false narrative to the masses (especially when an entire city is involved) should be held responsible for their actions.  In my last...
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By Jon Kolsky, Licensed California Real Estate Broker
(Kolsky Realty & Management)
 The 2018 Long Beach Multi-Family Unit Sell-Off  Why is the Long Beach Real Estate Market inundated with an inordinate amount of multi-family unit apartment buildings for sale?  Between off-market deals and LoopNet’s current listings, there are well over 150 multi-family unit buildings for sale in LB right now. And you don’t have to be a Rocket Scientist to understand the sell-off, all you need to know is that there is a proposed Long Beach Rent Control Initiative that can potentially make the ballot. By the excessive amount of multi-family apartment buildings for sale in Long Beach, you’d think investors might be interested in taking a look. And they do. But once they take a closer look and discover Long Beach might fall under the rule of a city-wide rent control ordinance; Long Beach ...
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 Homes for Sale in the neighborhood of Lakewood Plaza in Long Beach California Welcome to the "Lakewood Plaza - Rancho Estates" weekly real estate blog post. Every week you will be updated on the activity surrounding the neighborhoods of Lakewood Plaza and Rancho Estate located in Long Beach, California.  You will have access to the following reports: Newly Listed Homes for the weekAvailable Inventory for SalePending/In Escrow HomesEnd of Month Home Sales   Each one of these reports is free! You will not be asked to register or to fill out any forms to log in. You will have the option to preview the information online, or you can download them to your computer as a PDF file.  If you would like additional information on a home, request a personalized CMA (Comparative Market Analysis Repo...
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 Homes for Sale in the neighborhood of Lakewood Plaza in Long Beach California Welcome to the "Lakewood Plaza - Rancho Estates" weekly real estate blog post. Every week you will be updated on the activity surrounding the neighborhoods of Lakewood Plaza and Rancho Estate located in Long Beach, California.  You will have access to the following reports: Newly Listed Homes for the weekAvailable Inventory for SalePending/In Escrow HomesEnd of Month Home Sales   Each one of these reports is free! You will not be asked to register or to fill out any forms to log in. You will have the option to preview the information online, or you can download them to your computer as a PDF file.  If you would like additional information on a home, request a personalized CMA (Comparative Market Analysis Repo...
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By Shannon Jones, Long Beach CA Real Estate
(The Shannon Jones Team)
The demolition of the SeaPort Marina Hotel at the end of 2017 made way for the widely anticipated 2nd & PCH commercial development.To the surprise of some locals, the Los Angeles Times recently featured the project, which is scheduled for a grand opening in June 2019. The complex will add 95,000 square feet of retail, 70,000 square feet of restaurant space, and will be anchored by a 55,000-square-foot Whole Foods.An aerial video posted on the project’s Facebook page in December showed demolition of the old hotel. With construction underway, we thought it would be prudent to take a look back at what was at 2nd & PCH and what’s coming to the site.What Was There SeaPort Marina Hotel opened in 1963, boasting it could host hundreds of international guests for that year’s World’s Fair, which ...
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By Richard Daskam, Your Real Estate Consultant
(eXp Realty)
5728 Campo Walk, Long Beach, CA Get Directions Click Here OPEN HOUSE February 24, Saturday 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Description Photos Maps & Local Schools Print Brochure Our Reviews Market Update Video $ Click for current price 4 BEDROOMS | 3 (3 full ) BATHROOMS | 2465 SQUARE FEET Amazing custom built home on Naples Island rebuilt like New Construction in 2005. Enter to gleaming hardwood floors flowing throughout the living room, dining room, kitchen, family room and downstairs Bedroom & Bath. Featuring 9 foot ceilings, built-ins, recessed lighting, and crown molding. The large living room has French doors that open to a lush front yard. This open-concept home is great for entertaining with the living room flowing into the dining, kitchen and family room. The kitchen is open to the family r...
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By Richard Daskam, Your Real Estate Consultant
(eXp Realty)
5728 Campo Walk, Long Beach, CA Get Directions Click Here OPEN HOUSE February 10, Saturday 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Description Photos Maps & Local Schools Print Brochure Our Reviews Market Update Video $ Click for current price 4 BEDROOMS | 3 (3 full ) BATHROOMS | 2465 SQUARE FEET Amazing custom built home on Naples Island rebuilt like New Construction in 2005. Enter to gleaming hardwood floors flowing throughout the living room, dining room, kitchen, family room and downstairs Bedroom & Bath. Featuring 9 foot ceilings, built-ins, recessed lighting, and crown molding. The large living room has French doors that open to a lush front yard. This open-concept home is great for entertaining with the living room flowing into the dining, kitchen and family room. The kitchen is open to the family r...
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