Tag: Real Estate Agent in Long Beach

Hot Real Estate Market, 4th of July Block Party, Santiago Ave Water Line Repair? Sharks in Colorado Lagoon!

Hipsters in Long Beach

Alamitos Heights is in high demand. There are more buyers then sellers. Good properties are selling within 2 weeks, some faster. I have been holding open houses on a Listing( not mine) on Los Altos Avenue. I am speaking with people that have a strong desire to move into out neighborhood. Some are first time buyers, some coming from Belmont Heights and Belmont Shore. They are drawn here for the schools, the larger lots, the neighborly feel. (nothing new to those of us that live here). What does this mean to you? Values are still moving up.

If you know of anyone, who is slightly thinking about selling, now is the time!

I will be doing a more detailed post of the market in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

Once again it was time for the Annual 4th of July Block party on Los Altos Avenue.  The fun started at 2pm and went well into the night with a movie screening. Fire Station 14 came by to cool things down. The kids really loved this.

Alamitos Heights 4th of july Alamitos Heights Block party

 

What is up with Santiago Avenue?

Things seem to be moving slowly for the valve replacement at the intersection of 4th Street and Santiago Avenue.  I spoke with Louanne Bean, the information contact for the project.  Ms. Bean stated things should be complete in another 3 weeks. Santiago avenue will be open at the end of each workday. If you have any question, call her at 949-293-6193

The Colorado Lagoon is now cleaner then it has been in years. My son and I went fishing on Sunday afternoon and had a great time. We are strictly catch and release. Did you know there are Sharks in the Lagoon? We caught 2, this was a surprise, but nice to see.

Fishin the Colorado Lagoon

 

If you are thinking about selling your house, and would like to know the current market value or discuss a sales plan, call or email me. If you know someone who wants to move to our wonderful neighborhood, call me, I would be happy to help find them a home. Remember, I am a  Long Beach Real Estate Agent, Certified Appraiser, and a resident of Alamitos Heights, Long Beach.  I know values. Call me for all your Real Estate needs 562-673-1138

 

Unofficial Start to Summer, Neighborhood Yard Sale and Local Wildlife

The unofficial start of summer happened this past Friday in Alamitos Heights. The 80’s and 90’s cover band KNYGHT RYDER played at Marina Vista Park for the kickoff to the City of Long Beaches 100 Days of Summer ( www.100daysofsummer.org ) A good time was had by all.

20140523_175924

 

Some upcoming events worth seeing are:

  • Free Movie Screening of “42” the Jackie Robinson Story at Blair Field on July 19.
  • Dragon Boat Festival at Marine Stadium, July 26-27 (www.lbdragonboat.com )
  • Sprint Nationals speed Boat Races in Marine Stadium August 2-3  (www.scscracing.com )

Time to clean out the Garage and closets and make some money!

The Alamitos Heights Improvement Association is hosting a Community Yard Sale on Saturday June 19 from 7am to 12 noon. For more information contact president@ahia.info

Last is Wildlife. We live in an urban setting, we have our share of opossums, Raccoons and Coyotes that visit our neighborhood. The other morning I was driving north on Santiago and noticed this Coopers Hawk taking a morning bath in the street. Here are some facts about Coopers Hawks. ( All about Birds )

20140520_105050If you are thinking about sellingwant to know the current value of your home please send me an email  or call. If you know of someone looking for a 5 Bedroom Home, let me know.

Remember, I am a Realtor and Certified Appraiser, and have been a resident of Alamitos Heights for 18 Years.

 

Alamitos Heights Then and Now

Dave Miller stopped by to share some pictures of Alamitos Heights from way back. Dave grew up here. His dad, George Miller moved here in 1946. He past away last year. ( future post)

Dave was telling me all kinds of fun stories about what it was like as a kid to Grow up in Alamitos Heights in the late 1940’s and 1950’s.

As you can see in a few of these pictures, there are Oil Derricks in the back grounds.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

386 Havana avenue long beach alamitos heights

386 Havana Avenue

386 Havana avenue alamitos heights 2014

 

20140502_112750 386 Havana avenue long beach alamitos heights 2014

 

386 havana avenue long beach rear east 2014 386 havana avenue long beach rear east

 

386 Havana avenue long beact south 386 Havana avenue long beact south 2014

 

20140502_112811

 

This is a photo of Dave Miller – 3yo (front, feet up) Larry Hunter, Russell Hunter, John Dykstra, Jr and Robert Johnson holding the wheel barrow. in the alley behind their house on Havana.

If you have any old phots, or if you  know some neighbors that have some, please have them contact me.

If you are thinking about selling your house, and would like to know the current market value or discuss a sales plan, call or email me. If you know someone who wants to move to our wonderful neighborhood, call me, I would be happy to help find them a home. Remember, I am a  Long Beach Real Estate Agent, Certified Appraiser, and a resident of Alamitos Heights, Long Beach.  I know values. Call me for all your Real Estate needs 562-673-1138

 

 

Alamitos Heights, Belmont Park and Belmont Heights.

I like to make graphs, they tell a good visual story. While I was on Spring Break with the family, I wanted to do a graph of the surrounding neighborhoods to see how they all relate to each other. I decided to go back 5 years to get a good visual picture. (click on graph for larger image)

Belmont Park Heights AH Shore

As you can see, Belmont Park seems to be trending a little higher then Belmont Heights and Alamitos Heights. What this also shows it that values are still on the rise. We still have a shortage of listings. This is especially true in Alamitos Heights, we have more buyers then sellers.

The most recent closed sales in Alamitos Heights are:

427 Manila Avenue – $949,000 – 4 Bedroom – 2 Bathroom – 2,748 SF – 4,253 SF Lot

359 Panama Avenue – $585,000 – 2 Bedroom – 1 Bathroom – 823 SF – 3,179 SF Lot

There are 5 Active Listings and 2 in Pending/Backup Status.

The highest sale in the Alamitos Heights, BelmontPark, BelmontHeights area was 5041 Vista St. This sold for $1,870,000. It was 3 bedrooms, 2 Full baths, 2 Half Baths, 3,800 SF on a 7,000 SF lot and had a basement/den with a Bar!

 

5041 front

5041 bar

If you are thinking about selling your house, and would like to know the current market value or discuss a sales plan, call or email me. If you know someone who wants to move to our wonderful neighborhood, call me, I would be happy to help find them a home. Remember, I am a  Long Beach Real Estate Agent, Certified Appraiser, and a resident of Alamitos Heights, Long Beach.  I know values. Call me for all your Real Estate needs 562-673-1138

Real Estate agent in Long Beach

New Trees, New Sidewalks and a New Council Member!

There is a lot that has happened in Alamitos Heights in the past few weeks.

First of all, Alamitos Heights Resident, Suzie Price was elected as our new 3rd District Council Member. Congratulations, and may the repaving of our streets continue!

suzie

Next, you may notice a few new Magnolia Trees were planted this past Sunday. We have recently had numerous old and dying Trees removed by the city, so I it is great that some new ones have been planted. I think the Magnolia trees add a distinct look to our neighborhood.

DSC06405

Also, there was an AHIA neighborhood meeting with Council Member Gary DeLong. There were some “spirited” conversations about Dunkin Donuts and what impact it could have on our neighborhood.

20140414_193742

Last, Ultimo Avenue is in the process of getting new sidewalks installed. This is part of the Annual sidewalk repair budget. Future improvements will be to Repave 6th Street and add Roundabouts. Stay tuned.

DSC06404 DSC06403

If you are thinking about selling your house, and would like to know the current market value or discuss a sales plan, call or email me. If you know someone who wants to move to our wonderful neighborhood, call me, I would be happy to help find them a home. Remember, I am a  Long Beach Real Estate Agent, Certified Appraiser, and a resident of Alamitos Heights, Long Beach.  I know the area. Call me for all your Real Estate needs 562-673-1138

What is up with the New Coffee House on Nieto?

Driving from Alamitos Heights towards Lowell Elementary and Rogers Middle School on a daily basis, I have noticed the project on Nieto has been stalled for some time. So I stopped by to take a look. See the concept here, click on this link http://www.ultra-unit.com/Greenbelt_Coffee.html

I called the Architect ( Ultra-Unit) that is listed on the project sign to ask him a few questions. Cameron said that work will resume in the next few weeks. I asked him about the concept. From what he knows about the project, the owners plan to focus on breakfast and lunch, as far what the menu might look like, he does not know. As soon as I find out more information, I will post it here.

20140328_084135 20140328_084047 20140328_084109

Projects like this are what make living in Alamitos Heights so great, an new local spot for neighbors to meet.

If you are thinking about selling your house, and would like to know the current market value or discuss a sales plan, call or email me. If you know someone who wants to move to our wonderful neighborhood, call me, I would be happy to help find them a home. Remember, I am a  Long Beach Real Estate Agent, Certified Appraiser, and a resident of Alamitos Heights, Long Beach.  I know values. Call me for all your Real Estate needs 562-673-1138

 

Totem Poles in Alamitos Heights

DSC06376

Have you seen the Totem Poles located at 357 Winslow Avenue?

I have always wondered why they are there. So I recently stopped by to ask the homeowner, Harold Whitmore about them.

Harold’s wife Geraldine is a member of the Tlinget Indians. They are a Native American People from the southeastern coast of Alaska.

( See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tlingit_people and http://www.ccthita.org/ )

Harold wrote the following about the poles

“ To those of you who have past 357 Winslow and wondered about the aging Totem Pole, Craig Wallace, though it would be nice to share the history.  Way back in 1967 the Tlinget Tribe of Alaska won there long lasting lawsuit against the government. So, We had a pot luck get together. The Raven, Frog, Bear and Eagle represent the different people of the tribe that were there. Since we are the ones that hosted the party, and my wife being an Eagle, the Eagle was at the top of the Crest.”

This was a local celebration that Harold and Geraldine had. They invited members of the tribe from all over southern California. Harold carved the pole. Tradition prevents them from restoring the totem.

DSC06373 DSC06375

 

The second Totem was  made to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.

 DSC06374

Harold also has a Desert Tortoise.

DSC06379

Be sure to stop and take a look.

 

TlingitMap TlingitMap2If you are thinking about selling your house, and would like to know the current market value or discuss a sales plan, call or email me. If you know someone who wants to move to our wonderful neighborhood, call me, I would be happy to help find them a home. Remember, I am a  Long Beach Real Estate Agent, Certified Appraiser, and a resident of Alamitos Heights, Long Beach.  I know values. Call me for all your Real Estate needs 562-673-1138

 

When is a good time to Sell in Alamitos Heights?

So when is the best time to sell? That depends on you and your needs. But, some times of the year are better then others.

Typically the most sales happen from spring through summer. This is considered the “Home Buying Season”, the weather is nice, spring flowers begin to bloom, and the trees are starting to get leaves. Buyers might have been thinking about moving in the winter and are now actively looking.

Historically, most of the sales in Alamitos Heights happen during this time. Look at the graph below. This shows that most sales happen during this time period, except for December of 2010 and 2011 which was not typical.

So what does this mean to the seller? These dates used on the graph are the date the sale closed.  Keep in mind, it can take 30, 60, 90 days or more to get an offer, then it can take up to 30 days to close. Working backwards, you need to start thinking about listing your house now. Then actually putting it on the market in January or February to be ready to take advantage of this time frame.

sales per month

If you are thinking about selling your house, and would like to know the current market value or discuss a sales plan, call or email me. Remember, I am a  Long Beach Real Estate Agent, Certified Appraiser, and a resident of Alamitos Heights, Long Beach.  I know values.