Long Beach/Southern California Real Estate Blog Posts

• October/November Prices in Long Beach, Lakewood, Cerritos, Seal Beach
  on Dec 13, 2016 in Condos Market Reports Single Family Homes
  Happy December in Long BeachIn Los Angeles County, the median priced home in October, 2016 was $570,000 , up from $510,000 in October, 2015.The current median single family home price is $513,520 for all of California, an increase of 7.3% statewide s...
• Beautiful Sea Ridge Home in Signal Hill - Fantastic Views!
  on Aug 29, 2016 in For Sale Signal Hill
  This desirable highly sought-after home is still on the market at $1,248,000.It is located in the beautiful Signal Hill development of Skyline Estates. Situated on a unique promontory in the highly coveted “Sea Ridge” with sweeping and explosiv...
• Brexit May Hurt and Help the Economy
  on Jul 14, 2016 in Brexit
  Brexit -- the exit of Britain from the European Union via the U.K. June 23rd vote -- brought a sharp reaction in global markets. The drop in the Euro and the British pound, to the U.S. dollar rate, is good news for U.S. travelers going there. But Br...
• How Long to Wait to Buy After Foreclosure or Other Negative Event
  on May 25, 2016 in bankruptcy Foreclosure Short Sale
  According to The State of the Nation's Housing 2015 report published by Harvard University, "Up to 1 million households who lost their homes to foreclosure have already restored their credit standing, making them again eligible for FHA and other mort...
• Financing Energy Efficient Property Improvements via the HERO Program (aka PACE)
  on May 20, 2016 in Energy Efficiency Property Taxes solar panels
  The clue to how these programs work when purchasing qualifying energy efficient improvements is in the name:  Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE).  These particular programs are NOT loans or leases, they are County-approved financing prog...
• Down Payments and PMI: Get the Facts
  on May 12, 2016 in First-Time Buyer Programs For Buyers How To Choose a Loan
  If you're in the market to buy a home, your down payment is likely top of mind. And no doubt you've heard the rule of thumb that you shouldn't buy a home unless you can put 20% down. Before accepting this myth, it's important to do your homework, wei...
• Starting in 2016, Delinquent HOA Fees May Be A Part of Your Credit Score
  on May 9, 2016 in Credit Report HOA
  Consumers' financial obligations for mortgages, auto payments and credit card payments have long been part of their credit profile. However, HOA dues payments have not. Although non-payment of HOA dues, in California, can eventually even trigger fo...
• Beautiful Signal Hill Home in Skyline Estates Waiting for a Buyer!
  on Apr 21, 2016 in Signal Hill
  Home on Sea RidgeThis desirable highly sought after home is still on the market.It is located in the beautiful Signal Hill development of Skyline Estates. Situated on a unique promontory in the highly coveted “Sea Ridge” with sweeping and explo...
• Sales Volume in Los Angeles County is Down, Prices Continue Upward in 2016
  on Apr 21, 2016 in Long Beach Local Los Angeles County Market Direction
  Long Beach, a great city to live in.The median price of an existing, single-family detached Los Angeles County home rose in March to $545,000 from $535,250 in February. The March 2015 median price was $510,000.  All data comes from Realist. Th...
• Some Homeowners May Be Helped by New Principal Reduction Plan
  on Apr 18, 2016 in CalHFA FHFA loan modification
  Grow a new startWhile the number of distressed properties on the market has declined greatly, there are those homeowners who are still suffering through with high mortgage payments.  While the Los Angeles/Southern California home market has rise...
• California Retrofits for Earthquake May Save A Lot of Grief
  on Mar 23, 2016 in Earthquake retrofit
  FoundationFor 1000 owners living in certain Southern and Northern California zip codes including Los Angeles, Pasadena, South Pasadena, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and elsewhere, money was available as of January 1 for grants up to $3,000 for earth...
• February Home Prices in the Long Beach Area for February 2016
  on Mar 22, 2016 in Cerritos Lakewood Long Beach Local Los Angeles County Seal Beach
  February 2016 Los Angeles County SalesWhy the sluggishness in sales?  The ripple down from the top tier of sales is being felt:  "In markets like Oakland, Portland and Washington, the prices for high-end homes are rapidly rising — the ru...
• New California Disclosure to be Made by Condo Associations per AB 596
  on Mar 3, 2016 in Disclosures FHA HOA VA Loans
  Is your HOA FHA-approved?This was actually signed into law last August 12th by Gov. Jerry Brown, requiring condominium associations to disclose to their members whether their developments have been approved for FHA or VA financing. This is an annual...
• Selling Prices as of February, 2016 for Long Beach/Lakewood Single Family Homes
  on Mar 2, 2016 in Lakewood Long Beach Local Selling Prices
  Here are the median closing prices for several zip codes coveringThe far west area of Long Beach (90810);Belmont Heights/Shore and Naples areas (90803);Carson Park-Long Beach and Lakewood (90808);and Lakewood Mutuals (90712).Prices are current as of...
• Law Enforcement Cracking Down on Online Home Rental Scams
  on Jan 28, 2016 in For Renters Landlord/Tenant
  Don't get fooled by a fraudulent "rental"The rental housing landscape has been the target of fraudsters.For instance, a legitimate "for sale" listing which shows up not only on the local REALTOR multiple listing service (MLS), and then (according to...
• December Average Sold Prices in Cerritos, Long Beach, Lakewood and Seal Beach
  on Jan 22, 2016 in Cerritos Lakewood Long Beach Local Market Reports Seal Beach
  In Los Angeles County, the median priced home in November 2015 was $457,870 and $489,310 in December, 2015 for all of California.In the chart below are average prices for Cerritos, Long Beach, Lakewood , and Seal Beach single family homes for the pas...
• Top Concerns for the 2016 Market
  on Jan 2, 2016 in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau FHA FICO Score HUD VA Loans
  Although the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau states "no problem", many REALTORs are experiencing delayed closing with the new TRID (TILA/RESPA Integrated Disclosure) rules implemented October 3rd.  For about half of those responding to a su...
• November 2015 Sales Prices in California
  on Jan 2, 2016 in Selling Prices
  California home sales volume and median prices for November, 2015:...
• Some New California Laws for 2016
  on Dec 16, 2015 in 2016 Laws DOD Deed Landlord/Tenant Mold
  New CA laws for 2016One of the more interesting new laws for 2016 allows transfer of deed without going through probate court.  As a transfer-on-death deed, it allows a homeowner, effective January 1, 2016, to transfer to a named beneficiary a o...
• VA Loans Are Still a Very Good Option for Military Service Members
  on Dec 14, 2015 in FHA VA Loans
  Benefits for Nation's HeroesVA loans offer no down payment, competitive interest rates, easier credit standards, and easier loan qualification guidelines. Other loans may be harder to get due to an applicant's frequent moves, but this is not a proble...