Jeff Blogging Long Beach, CA

10 Trouble Spots to Consider When Purchasing a Foreclosed Home

2010-02-13T07:32:00.000-08:00

Everyone wants a deal... as a Realtor I hear it everyday. But at what cost? There are a lot of deals out there right now in Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill and surrounding real estate markets. Our Long Beach Real Estate market is booming and homes are selling at a fast pace. Many times we write ten or more offers before a buyers offer gets accepted.

This morning I found this article and thought it might be of interest. It sums up what I have seen out there over the past few years...

RISMEDIA, December 21, 2009—It’s easy pickings out there for many potential homebuyers. Housing prices are at their lowest in more than a decade, inventories are high, analysts are predicting a new wave of foreclosures and the government is offering two substantial tax credits for which many homebuyers qualify.

But bargain buyers beware, warns Vince Mastronardi, whose property preservation business has been busy preparing foreclosed homes for sale.

“Buyers need to educate themselves about the potential pitfalls of purchasing distressed property,” says Mastronardi, president of On-Site Specialty Cleaning & Restoration. “It’s not so much what damage occurred, but the source of that damage and how long before the problem was addressed.”

These 10 signs may indicate that trouble is around the corner.

1. Unheated house in winter months. If the home has been properly winterized, there’s no need for heat. But if the home has not been properly winterized, pipes will burst and cause water damage.

2. Missing sinks, toilets and other fixtures. Make sure they’ve been properly removed and not ripped from walls and floors.

3. Peeling, bubbling, and discolored paint; swelling in walls or ceilings (especially around kitchens and bathrooms) or a musty odor all indicate water damage and, potentially, the presence of moisture and mold.

4. Fungus growth inside cabinets, behind drawers and built-ins. Fungus could mean that there has been water damage. Since water falls down, look for the source above the mold.

5. Blocked drains or pipes will cause future problems and may have already created sewage backups.

6. Black cobwebs, greasy gray residue on walls and/or a strong oily odor. This could point to potential soot damage or a malfunctioning furnace.

7. An older home with extensive renovations. Check with the city for pulled permits in order to get remolding details. If asbestos is present and has been disturbed, be sure it’s been remediated by a certified specialist.

8. Excessive painting of every nook, cranny, door and floor may mean that the seller is covering up mold.

9. Discolored subflooring. From the basement, check the subflooring above for stains and small holes, both caused by mold.

10. Air Quality. The air quality within a home tells a lot about the home’s condition. Be sure to include air and surface testing in your home inspection. It’s a few hundred dollars well spent.

“Time and technique are the most important factors of effective clean-up and preventing future problems like mold or contamination,” Mastronardi explains. “Ideally, professional cleanup begins within a few days of the damage; technicians are trained, certified or licensed; and equipment is specialized and up to date.”

Ask the seller to explain how the damage was fixed. Plus, check out the company that performed the repairs to ensure it has industry-recommended certification. If needed, follow-up with the seller or repairing company for specific repair details.

Have a great weekend,

Jeff Hall

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

3 Factors to Take Into Consideration Before Jumping Into Housing Market | RISMedia

2010-02-06T08:03:00.000-08:00

I work with a lot of First Time Buyers and it is always enjoyable when things work out right. This is a great article to prepare you for buying a home whether it is your first or your last.

3 Factors to Take Into Consideration Before Jumping Into Housing Market | RISMedia

Jeff Hall

California's Housing Inventory Shrinks Rapidly - WSJ.com

2010-01-28T14:03:00.000-08:00

Here is a great story from The Wall Street Journal about California's housing inventory. Real Estate in Long Beach, Ca is having the same problems. Not enough homes for the amount of buyers out there. It is not uncommon to write many offers for a buyer until the right home comes along. I just keep reminding my buyers that the right home is out there somewhere... it just takes time and patience. Many buyers do not understand that you need an agent to help you in the process and just give up after a while. What is working for me is th networking I do with other agents and keeping a close watch on our market.

Long Beach, CA is real low on inventory right now; but that may change anytime. Here is the full story.

California's Housing Inventory Shrinks Rapidly - WSJ.com

Have a great day,

Jeff

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Existing-Home Sales Down, but Prices Rise

2010-01-25T09:15:00.000-08:00

I just found this article this morning. It really reflects what we are seeing here in Long Beach, CA in our real estate market. Working with buyers in this market takes diligence due to some of these factors:

Inventory is very low
Lots of buyers trying for the same property
Homes are selling for over list price
Quality of homes can at times be scary
Many Condominium projects do not qualify for FHA financing

Real Estate in Long Beach, CA is an great investment and everyone wants to live close to the ocean. There are homes out... there it just takes patience.

Now here is the article from the National Association of Realtors.

Existing-home sales fell as expected in December after first-time buyers rushed to complete deals during the months leading up to the original November deadline for the tax credit. However, prices rose from December 2008 and annual sales improved in 2009, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

Existing-home sales—including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops—fell 16.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.45 million units in December from 6.54 million in November, but remain 15 percent above the 4.74 million-unit level in December 2008.

There were approximately 5,156,000 existing-home sales in 2009, which was 4.9 percent higher than the 4,913,000 transactions recorded in 2008. It was the first annual sales gain since 2005.

Tax Credit Creates Swing in Market

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says there were no surprises in the data.

“It’s significant that home sales remain above year-ago levels, but the market is going through a period of swings driven by the tax credit,” he said. “We’ll likely have another surge in the spring as home buyers take advantage of the extended and expanded tax credit. By early summer the overall market should benefit from more balanced inventory, and sales are on track to rise again in 2010."

However, Yun says, the job market remains a concern and could dampen the housing recovery. "Job creation is key to a continued recovery in the second half of the year,” he says.

An NAR practitioner survey shows first-time buyers purchased 43 percent of homes in December, down from 51 percent in November. Repeat buyers rose to 42 percent of transactions in December from 37 percent in November; the remaining sales were to investors.

The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $178,300 in December, which is 1.5 percent higher than December 2008.

“The median price rose because of an increased number of mid- to upper-priced homes in the sales mix,” Yun says. It was the first year-over-year gain in median price since August 2007.

Falling Inventories

NAR President Vicki Cox Golder said market conditions are challenging in some areas.

“There’s a shortage of lower-priced homes for sale in much of the country, resulting in multiple bids in some areas,” she says. “Raw unsold inventory has been trending down. As the market heats up again this spring, buyers may need to be prepared to move quickly on a particular home."

Total housing inventory at the end of December fell 6.6 percent to 3.29 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 7.2-month supply at the current sales pace. That is an increase from a 6.5-month supply in November.

Raw unsold inventory is 11.1 percent below a year ago, is at the lowest level since March 2006, and is 28.2 percent below the record of 4.58 million in July 2008.

Distressed homes, which accounted for 32 percent of sales last month, continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes in the same area.

For all of 2009, the median price was $173,500, down 12.4 percent from $198,100 in 2008. Distressed homes accounted for 36 percent of total sales last year.

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage rose to 4.93 percent in December from 4.88 percent in November; the rate was 5.29 percent in December 2008.

Single-Family Home, Condo Sales Dip

Single-family home sales fell 16.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.79 million in December from a pace of 5.76 million in November. Sales are 12.7 percent above the 4.25 million level in December 2008. For all of 2009, single-family sales rose 5 percent to 4,566,000.

The median existing single-family home price was $177,500 in December, which is 1.4 percent above a year ago. For all last year, the median price for a single-family home was $173,200, down 11.9 percent from 2008.

Meanwhile, existing condominium and co-op sales fell 15.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 660,000 in December from 780,000 in November. Sales are 34.7 percent higher than the 490,000-unit pace a year ago. For all of 2009, condo sales rose 4.8 percent to 590,000 units.

The median existing condo price was $183,700 in December, up 1 percent from December 2008. For all of last year, the median condo price was $176,100, which is 16.1 percent below 2008.

Regional Breakdown

Here are existing-home sales figures by region:

* Northeast: sales dropped 19.5 percent to an annual level of 910,000 in December but are 21.3 percent above a year ago. Median price: $241,700, up 3.2 percent from December 2008.
* Midwest: sales fell 25.8 percent in December to a level of 1.15 million but are 8.5 percent higher than December 2008. Median price: $143,200, which is 1.8 percent above a year ago.
* South: sales dropped 16.3 percent to an annual pace of 2.01 million in December but are 15.5 percent above December 2008. Median price: $152,000, down 1 percent from a year ago.
* West: sales declined 4.8 percent to an annual rate of 1.38 million in December but are 15 percent higher than a year ago. Median price: $236,000, up 2.7 percent from December 2008.

— NAR

Jeff Hall

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Clear Skies

2010-01-24T10:24:00.000-08:00

This past week we saw a lot of rain in Long Beach, CA. Something we are not accustom to and it throws us off track. If you followed it on the news you would have thought we were all going to drown.

Over six years ago I moved here from Bainbridge Island outside of Seattle, WA; about 30 minutes by boat. When I moved here it was not because of the rain that Seattle is so known for, it was for a chance at an exciting job.

It was not until a few months later that I began to realize how happy I was not only because I love Long Beach, but because I felt better. I did not realize how much the weather effected me.

These past few days are a reminder how we are all effected by the weather. Not only for the inconvenience but how it makes us feel. This morning as I sit here reflecting on how beautiful it is outside I am reminded how it makes us feel. We live in a beautiful community and gem of our own.

Enjoy your day,

Jeff

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Rain in Long Beach, CA

2010-01-18T15:34:00.000-08:00

Today is one of those days that makes it hard for me to remember where I am living. After years of living in the Northwest I forget about rainy afternoons. Today we have gone from a dark, cold, windy rainy day to just windy with sunshine.

I moved to Long Beach six years ago to leave the rain of Seattle. In Seattle people drive in the rain almost everyday... but not in Long Beach. On an outing this afternoon to meet with a Realtor who is joining my company I was amazed at how people drive. Don't they know it is dangerous to drive fast in standing water? Don't they know their car can stall out? What is in that puddle anyway and how deep is it? It may be fun to splash someone along the road.. but wait until it happens to you.

Yet this is how many people take life on. They even try to buy real estate the same way. Almost like being in the car without directions. To buy in this market you need a competent agent to guide you through the puddles, bumps and hurdles that get in our way. To help make sure you arrive at your new home safely.

Our Real Estate environment here in Long Beach is up and down. It is far from being a normal market with all the short sales and bank owned properties on the market. Yet even in this market there are many homes that are regular sales. It it taking time, patience and a lot of dedication.

As a member of Top 5 Real Estate Network I have the skills to drive you though this storm...

Jeff

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff Hall, of Long Beach Home Solutions, Long Beach, CA, Named a Member of Top 5 in Real Estate Network®

2010-01-08T13:36:00.000-08:00

Below is a press release about my membership in the Top 5 Real Estate Network.

Local Realtor Earns Most Prestigious of all Industry Achievements
Norwalk, CT – Reaching the pinnacle of his profession nationally, Jeff Hall, of Long Beach Home Solutions, was accepted as a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, the most prestigious of all industry achievements.

More than just a sales-driven recognition, the Top 5 in Real Estate Network® meets a need that heretofore has never been addressed – helping consumers identify the most professional real estate agents in North America. To qualify, each member must first meet a stringent set of criteria, based upon performance, as well as educational and professional skills and service to the consumer.

Members of the Network are carefully selected and managed by RISMedia, which has provided the real estate industry with objective, unbiased news for nearly 30 years. As a Member of the Top 5 Network, Hall is among the first real estate agents to be accepted into this elite organization.

Allan Dalton, the president and co-founder of RISMedia’s Top 5 Network congratulated Hall for earning this top status within the industry. “Jeff has reached the very highest level of North America’s residential real estate industry. Not only are his professional accomplishments extraordinary, he has long been a true champion for home buyers and sellers in his area. It is a pleasure to welcome Jeff into this elite group of industry leaders.”

According to John Featherston, RISMedia's CEO & publisher and co-founder of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network, the significance of Top 5 is that consumers deserve full transparency regarding all matters related to the real estate transaction, which often begins with the need to select a highly competent, experienced and results-oriented real estate professional. Top 5 in Real Estate has been established to both empower consumers with leading real estate content through Top 5 members, as well as to ensure that consumers are made fully aware that there is a material difference between average and exceptional real estate professionals.

A native of Northern Idaho, Jeff Hall’s working career started by pushing a broom in a Lumber yard while in High School. In college he worked for a hardware store and was finally recruited by a paint manufacturing industry, a profession which lasted for almost twenty years. When a call came in asking if he would be interested in the hardware industry, Hall ran a hardware wholesale distributorship and then a very high end cabinet manufacturing company. Upon moving to Long Beach, California, Hall became self-employed and decided to get into the real estate business, a dream of his since the 80’s. While working full time in the industry, Hall has his hands in other business adventures and he takes pride in giving back to the community he serves by spending time volunteering for Wells House Hospice. Hall is constantly staying up-to-date with the latest techniques and marketing trends and spends time each year learning new ways of doing business in addition to new ways of servicing his clients better and simply staying in touch. His pre-real estate projects include new construction, renovations and turning old warehouses into loft/condo homes. Specialties include: Residential Real Estate, Residential Income, HOA Managements, Property Management and Commercial Real Estate. To learn more, contact Jeff Hall at 562-505-6204 or e-mail Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com.

Do you Want to ‘Move-Up’? The Clock Is Running!

2009-12-17T11:22:00.000-08:00

Top 5 in Real Estate Social Networking SystemWhile you’ve probably heard a lot in the media about the government’s efforts to rejuvenate the housing market with the first-time home buyer tax credit, you might have missed the fact that the most recent expansion of the legislation also includes a $6,500 credit for current homeowners who want to purchase a new home…commonly referred to as “moving up.”

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I’ve worked with many homeowners who have wanted to move to a new home over the past year, but have stayed put due to a lack of confidence in the market. Now, however, thanks to the tax advantages of the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, these homeowners are moving off the sidelines and purchasing the homes they’ve always wanted.

But the time to act is now—there is only a short window of opportunity! The move-up buyer credit expires in April of 2010, which means you must contract and close on your home purchase by June 30, 2010. As you know, selecting a home is not a simple process, so start your search now so you don’t miss the deadline.

For starters, here are the key facts you need to know about the move-up buyer tax credit:

1. A qualified current homeowner who wishes to move to a different home (a “move-up” buyer) must have owned and resided in their residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight. It’s not enough that you have been homeowners for five years—you must have been in the same home for five consecutive years.

2. Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with a joint income up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit. According to Goldman Sachs, these income limits make approximately 70% of current homeowners eligible for the credit.

3. The maximum credit amount for current homeowners is $6,500. Under the new legislation, a tax credit may only be issued for homes purchased for $800,000 or less.

4. Even though the term “move-up” is used to describe these buyers, the credit is not predicated on buying a home of higher value than your current home.

5. Move-up buyers are not required to sell their current home to qualify for the credit. They must reside in the new home for at least three years, but they can keep their existing home and either leave it vacated or use it for rental purposes.

These are just a few of the key facts surrounding the move-up buyer tax credit. If you would like to find out more, including whether or not you are eligible for the credit, please e-mail me. Be sure to forward this email to all your homeowner friends so they can take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Sincerely,

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com
http://www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Foreclosure Filings Fall for Fourth Month

2009-12-14T08:36:00.000-08:00

As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate network I receive daily e-mails about our current real estate market. This one caught my attention this morning and worthy of passing on.

RISMEDIA, December 14, 2009—(MCT)—Foreclosure filings fell 8% in November 2009 from October, the fourth straight month of declines, RealtyTrac of Irvine, Calif., recently reported.

With one filing for every 417 houses nationally, November saw the lowest amount of foreclosure activity since February. The numbers, while 18% higher than the same month last year, were a result of “loan modifications and other foreclosure prevention efforts,” said RealtyTrac chief executive James J. Saccacio. He said the recently extended and expanded homebuyer tax credit was keeping a lid on home value depreciation.

Saccacio warned, however, that a full recovery will come only “when unemployment recedes to normal, healthy levels and when availability of credit reaches a more rational balance between the extremes of the past few years.”

Data from Integrated Asset Services of Denver showed values continuing to decline despite the buying boom fostered by the tax credit.

Home values actually declined 0.05% nationally in October from September, with the Northeast, especially metropolitan Boston, dragging the numbers down. The Northeast region fell 1.6%; the Middle Atlantic, 0.06%.

“I have no doubt that the tax credit persuaded some buyers to make their purchase sooner than they otherwise would have,” said Dave McCarthy, president and CEO of Integrated Asset Services. “It’s reasonable to think the broader market will reflect that reality at some point down the road.”

Although Saccacio credited loan modification efforts as helping slow the rate of foreclosures, a recent Treasury report on the Obama administration’s Making Home Affordable program showed the effort coming up woefully short in getting lenders to alter mortgage terms permanently. Programs to mitigate foreclosures are not having the desired impact, said Michael Feder, president of Radar Logic in New York, which tracks the housing market.

The Treasury Department reported that just 31,382 loans of the four million mortgages targeted had been modified permanently since the program began in February. There are 728,000 loans in “trial” modification. By some estimates, there is as much as $1 trillion in potential foreclosures already delinquent, Feder said. Lawmakers have been critical of the program, which they say is still focusing on the subprime-loan crisis of last year rather than mortgage foreclosures related to rising unemployment. They also have taken lenders to task, especially those who have taken government bailout money, known as TARP funds. Those lenders, however, have been reporting great success in modifying loans independent of the government program.

Resets of thousands of so-called exotic mortgages such as option adjustable-rate loans in 2010 “will undoubtedly lead to another wave of foreclosures as payments begin to double and triple,” said Sylvia Alayon, vice president of the Consumer Mortgage Audit Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“When principal balances go up and house values continue to plummet, refinancing will no longer be an option for homeowners in negative amortization,” she said.

Click Here For Today's Top 5 News

Have a great day,

Jeff

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

HOMEBUYER CREDIT EXPANDED

2009-11-05T15:09:00.000-08:00

Base E-mail

This is good news hot off the press...

The bill also extends an $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers until April 30 and expands it to cover more affluent buyers. It also creates a new $6,500 credit for repeat buyers who have been in their current home for at least five years.

The tax credit for first-time buyers, which was due to expire on November 30, has helped the housing sector recover from its deep downturn, though some analysts say it has largely gone to people who would have bought houses anyway.

Another provision of the bill would allow businesses to get a break on their tax bills by applying losses from 2008 or 2009 to recover taxes paid in prior years when the economy was booming. This expands a tax break that currently only applies to small businesses.

Business groups say the change would give cash-strapped companies immediate access to capital, but consumer groups have criticized it as corporate welfare.

The additional unemployment benefits would be paid for by extending a tax on employers. The housing and business tax breaks, which would cost the government $21.2 billion over 10 years, would be financed by delaying a rule change that governs how companies allocate interest expenses.

(Editing by Tim Ahmann and Vicki Allen)

Gone to the Dogs....

2009-10-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite holiday events is the Haute Dog Parade in Belmont Shore. This is not your typical parade... but then too it is in Long Beach and we know that Long Beach is not typical. The Haute Dog parade is sponsored each year by Justin Rudd and is the largest dog parade in the world.

So this afternoon people dressed up their best friends and the parade began... Lots of fun for everyone. One of those events that is fun every year.

Jeff

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

No Advance Fee Loan Modifications:

2009-10-18T15:09:00.000-07:00

C.A.R. Realegal(R) I just read this and and wanted to share it as I know personally people who have or are considering paying Advance Fees to save their homes.

Starting October 11, 2009, a new law prohibits anyone from claiming any compensation for negotiating or arranging a loan modification until after that person fully performs each and every service as promised. Aimed at combating loan modification scams, this ban applies to upfront fees collected by real estate agents and attorneys. The ban expires on January 1, 2013. Also effective immediately, anyone who negotiates or arranges a loan modification must give the borrower a specified notice that paying a third-party for loan modification services is unnecessary. These new requirements apply to mortgage loans secured by residential property up to four units, with certain exceptions for lenders and loan servicers acting on their own behalf. Violations can be penalized by, among other things, a $10,000 fine plus one-year imprisonment for individuals, or a $50,000 fine for businesses. Real estate brokers with existing Advance Fee Loan Modification Agreements reviewed by the Department of Real Estate (DRE) can no longer, as of October 11, 2009, enter into these agreements or collect advance fees. Agreements entered into and advance fees collected before October 11, 2009 are not affected. For the DRE announcement, go to http://www.dre.ca.gov/pdf_docs/SB94WebAnnouncement(brokers).pdf. Senate Bill 94.

Up... Up and away....

2009-10-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

This past Monday I completed an item on my to do list... To take a Hot Air Balloon ride. Earlier this spring I bought the tickets at a silent auction event held by The Latin Museum of Art in Long Beach. They were just sitting there saying buy me....

Taking a ride in a balloon goes way back to being a child and seeing them on T.V. I am not sure if the first impression goes to the Wizard of Oz or Lassie. But it seemed mystical then and it really was that type of experience.

The assent into the clouds in the morning air was soft and you have almost no feeling of movement. We floated for almost seven miles and landed smoothly on the edge of an air field. I wondered what it would feel like to be in the small gondola... would there be any fear? Not for me but for some. I felt safe and very secure.

It was fun to look over the vineyards and more importantly into peoples backyards. Kind of like playing I spy, but the people who saw us waved and we waved back.

Many times we have things we yearn to do.... I suggest you find a way to do some of them before it is too late.

Have a great week,

Jeff

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

LOAN MODIFICATION ATTORNEYS UNDER INVESTIGATION

2009-10-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

The following article once again is a Red Alert to my friends out there....

I keep hearing these promises in the news on the radio... this is about being careful. The State Bar of California has recently launched numerous investigations against attorneys for misconduct related to loan modifications. In a rare move, the State Bar has released the names of 16 attorneys under investigation, by opting to waive investigation confidentiality in favor of public protection. These attorneys have allegedly taken fees for promised services, but failed to perform those services or even communicate with their clients who face the possible loss of their homes. Their non-attorney staff may also be under investigation for unlawfully practicing law.

Not all attorneys engaged in loan modifications are unscrupulous. However, this announcement from the State Bar serves as a good reminder for REALTORS® and their clients to be careful when dealing with attorneys and others for loan modifications. Scam artists may intentionally associate or affiliate themselves with attorneys in an attempt to lend credence to their fraudulent schemes. The list of attorneys currently under investigation is available at Bad People. Article from the California Association of Realtors.

Be careful,

Jeff Hall
Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Fear - Why do we buy into it?

2009-09-26T07:39:00.001-07:00

Fear can keep each of us from crossing the bridge into the unknown..

Fear holds each of us in place... and what upsets me is we allow it. A week ago I took some time away for some much needed time off in Palm Springs. Time was spent just relaxing by the pool, reading, a few outings and enjoying the beautiful warm weather.

For many people the thought of going on a small vacation seems like the dream of a lifetime. Yet they will not, due to the fear of being alone. I remember my first such trip and how incredibly frighting the first day was until I realized how freeing it can be to just be on your own. We do not spend enough time by ourselves, yet our souls crave it. If you think back into history many people spent time alone in the desert.

Fear keeps us from stretching our limits. If I had not taken a chance and had allowed fear to keep hold of me my real estate career never would have happened. All the well meaning people around me projecting their fear on me... sometimes we just need to cross the bridge to see what is on the other side.

This story is about crossing over my fear for another incredible experience. On Friday morning I was in need of something to do. Richard the owner of the resort where I was staying suggested a hike up into the Indian Canyons specifically Palm Canyon. My first thought was... he is nuts! But I let him talk, borrowed a book and thought... I am scared of snakes. There are snakes in the desert and they bite! No way....

So I looked at the book a bit more and thought about it a while and said "Why Not!"

So off I went for a six mile hike in the canyons of the desert by myself. Along the way I found people to visit with and just enjoyed what I was seeing, all along keeping a watchful eye out for snakes.

Before leaving I posted on Facebook about what I was about to do and left. Upon returning I had a bunch of posts about... you guess it... Snakes...

I need to tell you I was scared but after a little bit of time I let the fear go realizing it was fear that was keeping me in place. If I had stayed at the resort I would have missed out on the beauty that surrounded me, seeing and hearing the brook that was running in 98+ degrees in the Oasis I was hiking through... or all the lizards that led the way... or.... the list goes on.

There are times when fear is good.. but I think for the most part it is bad. So today venture across the bridge. Remember it is ok to be a bit afraid... but look beyond the fear and see what you can find in your own desert, you will find it is beautiful.

Jeff Hall

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Whats in a face?

2009-09-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

Look at this face! Does it bring a smile to yours? The last couple of days have been a mini vacation for me.

The real estate business can leave you just worn out from time to time. You just need to escape. So escape I did; to Palm Springs. Being in the desert always rejuvenates my soul.

I spent time yesterday morning at The Living Desert in Palm Desert. I love this zoo and the incredible desert botanical gardens it supports.

The little fellow was a highlight for me on my outing. Many times when you see Zebra's their backs are always turned away from you... but not this guy.

He just posed for me and finally came up to the fence for a closer look.

Many times we judge people by how they look... we all do it. How many times have we rejected people upon first meeting them by their appearance? People speak a lot these days about being moral, living the righteous life, yet reject people who are different. Each of us is different, we look different, believe different things and the list goes on.

It is important to take time out of our busy lives to just be. Be with different people, listen to their belief; but more importantly allow them to just be.

This guy has a lovely face and is different from his fellow Grey Zebra's. I loved how his personality showed to me.

Allow others to be...

Jeff

Mailto:Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

A new week...

2009-09-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

Can you feel the change in the air? Is it getting dark earlier? If you do it must be fall... It is a beautiful morning here in Long Beach, the air is crisp and the sun is shining...

I remember being in elementary school and unable to wait for school to begin. The coming of September signified that change was in the air. No longer could you swim in the creek as it is now too cold and what is funny is you could last week.

Fall for me starts after Labor Day just as it did as a child, funny how things never change. This fall is no different. My mind is thinking about what is going to be next in my life. Time comes when we just need some time off and this week is that week.

What I need in order to recharge my batteries is a few days in the desert to just think. Think about life, family, friends and well business. All are important and all require the other. The important part is finding balance in all areas of our life.

2009 for me was and is the year of new beginning's... it has been fun, exciting, scary and every other emotion you can consider. Taking this scary steps of starting my own real estate company in a bad economy... are you nuts... well yes, but one of the best decision of my life.

Many of us do not take the scary steps in life... but when we do and trust we know it will all be right.

Enjoy your week...

Jeff

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Buy foreclosures now –before it’s too late

2009-08-13T17:46:00.000-07:00

We are seeing this a lot in Long Beach... Everyone ask when will we hit bottom... who knows? If you want a home and have the resources... then act now or that home will not be there. I have shown many homes, written offers the same day to find them sold to someone else.

People are lining up for the right home almost as scary as when prices were shooting up.

Buyers in many areas are finding that real-estate owned (REO) properties—homes that have been
repossessed by lenders and put back on the market—often are selling in one day, sometimes faster. According to the founder of Foreclosure.com, offers on REOs are coming in immediately after the listing comes on the market, and some homes have been put into contract in less than 90 minutes.

KEEP THIS IN MIND
• On average, inventories of California homes priced less than $300,000—the most-popular
price point for foreclosure buyers—have shrunk from a nearly 10-month supply a year ago, to
less than a three and a half-month supply in July, according to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.)

• Because inventory levels of homes priced in the lower end of the market are low, some buyers
are finding that sellers are not willing to negotiate on the price. In many instances, sellers
expect the first offer to be the best and highest possible for the buyer.

• Instead of holding onto REOs for the best prices—and paying the property taxes and
maintenance and heating costs—many banks are selling the homes as quickly as possible,
according to Foreclosure.com. “In this market, if they can liquidate them fast, it makes more
sense to get them off the books,” said the company’s founder.

• Despite efforts by lenders and the government to prevent foreclosures, many economists and
housing analysts predict there will be another wave of foreclosures by year’s end, and many of
those properties will be offered for sale. According to the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency, 53
percent of loans that were modified in the first half of 2008 fell back into arrears.
To read the full story, please click here:

Have a great day...

Jeff

jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

Look before you leap into buying a house

2009-08-08T05:28:00.000-07:00

Here is some sound advice from the California Association of Realtors.... Right now there are still people out there trying to take advantage of good people... do your homework. I get scared when I see signs that say "Buy this home for $500.00 down" I know how mortgages work and what banks require and realize that these people are ripping other people off. Again if it sounds too good to be true... well you know what happens....

With interest rates and home prices looking extremely attractive, many are thinking of buying or refinancing a home. Before purchasing or refinancing, experts recommend that consumers conduct research prior to making such a move.

KEEP THIS IN MIND
• Most financial institutions have tightened their lending guidelines and increased their down
payment requirements. No longer can someone purchase a home without a down payment or
documented income, nor can owners refinance multiple times without sufficient equity in the home.

• One of the primary factors financial institutions consider in their decision to lend is a strong credit record. Borrowers can increase their chances of being approved for a home loan by requesting their credit report and FICO score at least six months prior to applying for a loan. This allows the consumer to dispute errors and/or pay any outstanding debt.

• The first step in deciding whether or not to purchase a home is deciding how much a borrower can afford, according to Melinda Opperman at Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management. Opperman recommends home buyers spend no more than 31 percent of their gross income on a home payment, including principal, interest, insurance, property taxes, and homeowners’ association dues.

• Home buyers also should have a savings account with funds available to pay for home
maintenance and unforeseen emergencies, such as a job loss. First-time buyers who are
concerned about a potential job loss are urged to apply for the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS® Housing Affordability Fund (C.A.R.H.A.F.) Mortgage Protection Program (MPP). The C.A.R.H.A.F. Mortgage Protection Program provides qualified, first-time home buyers with up to $1,500 for up to six months to help make mortgage payments, if they are laid off. Applications must be submitted by a California REALTOR®, among other qualifications. For more information about MPP, please visit

• Refinancing can provide homeowners lower interest rates and, in some cases, greater financial
security. A senior analyst at Bankrate.com, an online consumer information service, advises that
anyone with an adjustable-rate mortgage who can refinance to a fixed-rate loan do so now because interest rates are very likely to rise in the future.

• While most loans require at least some equity to refinance, there are exceptions. A homeowner
with an existing FHA mortgage can refinance to another FHA mortgage without having equity. The new loan does not require an updated appraisal of the house, which would show reduced equity. To read the full story, please click here:

Have a great weekend,

Jeff

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

3-year descent in home prices appears to be at end

2009-07-31T06:39:00.000-07:00

C.A.R. Market Matters

Over the last few weeks I have been noticing what appears to be stabilization of prices. The prices of homes in Long Beach seem to have come to a plateau. Our inventory is down as well and many homes are selling in less than thirty days. Ok short sales still take for ever but it is not the homes price that is causing it. This article from the New York Times sparked my interest this morning and the following is from California Association of Realtors.

According to recent reports and forecasts by housing analysts, the three-year descent in home prices appears to be at an end. Eight cities, including San Francisco, showed price increases in May, up from four in April, and one in March, according to Standard and Poor’s/Case-Shiller Index. For the first time since early 2007, the index of 20 major cities was virtually flat, rather than down.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS

· Earlier reports show that sales of existing homes nationwide rose last month for the third consecutive month, while sales of new homes increased in June by the largest percentage in eight years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) and the U.S. Commerce Dept., respectively.

· Although some skeptics believe the market is pausing before home prices decline further, the median price in California’s housing market appears to be stabilizing. June marked the fourth consecutive month of rising home prices and the second largest gain on record for the month of June, based on statistics dating back to 1979. The year-to-year decline in June also was the smallest in the past 16 months.

· The S&P/Case-Shiller price index for 20 cities showed a half-percent gain when May was compared with April. It was the first month-over-month increase in the index in 34 months. “It is very possible that years from now we will say that April 2009 was the trough in home prices,” said Maureen Maitland, vice president for index services at Standard & Poor’s.

· One explanation for the increase in median prices is the rise in demand from buyers, especially first timers taking advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit, which expires in December. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) is lobbying for the tax credit to be extended and to be replaced with a $15,000 credit for all buyers.

· Another factor in the market’s resurgence is the prevalence of foreclosures, which make up about a third of all existing home sales. “Although another surge of foreclosures is expected later this year, demand remains strong, so the market may be able to absorb more distressed properties without significantly impacting the median price,” said C.A.R.’s Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young.

To read the full story click here.

Have a great weekend,

Jeff

jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

July = Vacation Time....

2009-07-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

As a kid summer meant vacation time... or more importantly no school. As a family we never had the chance to travel; but as an adult I take full advantage of the ability to just get away. July is a month of get-a-ways for me this year. Last weekend I spent it in the Northwest (Seattle) visiting friends and doing a wedding. The photo above was taken from Bainbridge Island (about thirty minutes by boat from Seattle) looking towards Seattle in the distance. I lived on Bainbridge Island before moving to Long Beach and it is always fun to return and see old friends.

As you can see the Washington coast is much different than here in Southern California. I always enjoyed it there was just so much to see and appreciate. Life on an Island is very different than life in a city. Each has its qualities to be appreciated.

Many of us go through life without actually seeing. Not in the vision form of the word, but seeing beyond what our eyes take in. Sometimes we just look too hard and miss the beauty that is literally at our fingertips. When visiting zoos I always remind my friends to let their eyes relax to be able to see the animals that have the ability to hide from us. Many things in life hide from us... but if we just allow ourselves permission to see we will enjoy these gems as they arise.

I suggest that as we go through life we need to take time to relax to take in the inner beauty around us. Long Beach is a beautiful city... so much to see and a wonderful place to just relax.

Take time this summer... enjoy your family and friends just let go of the stress in our lives.

Peace,

Jeff

Jeff Hall

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Long Beach Bayou Festival

2009-06-26T06:20:00.000-07:00

Looking for something different to do this weekend? Check out the Long Beach Bayou Festival in Rainbow Lagoon....

For 23 years the Long Beach Bayou festival has offered the best in family oriented entertainment. Each year it brings together a mix of authentic Louisiana music (Blues, Cajun and Zydeco), creole food and arts & craft vendors to downtown Long Beach for a weekend of music, dancing and fun. Everything you love about New Orleans! Shopping, Great Food, Great Music, and of course Dancing. Click here for more information

The wonderful thing about Long Beach is; there is always something fun to do...

Enjoy your weekend,

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

DRE issues fraud warning

2009-06-24T16:35:00.000-07:00

C.A.R. Newsline The following story is very serious and I have personally heard some pretty scary stories. The old adage if it is too good to be true... it's not... Beware of advancing fee's to people who offer to help you... normally they are helping themselves...

The DRE recently issued a fraud warning alerting consumers about loan modification scams and informing consumers of what they can do to protect themselves. The alert is available in both English and Spanish. Last July, the DRE had fewer than 10 complaints involving loan modification companies; today the department has 750 pending investigations. In addition, since last October, the DRE has filed more than 200 Desist and Refrain Orders. A list of the companies and persons the DRE has filed an action against can be viewed at http://www.dre.ca.gov/cons_drs.asp.

It is worth noting that not all firms who collect advance fees for loan modification services do so illegally, the DRE said. In general, only licensed real estate brokers and attorneys operating within the scope of their license may collect advance fees. Real estate brokers must have their advance fee agreement reviewed by the DRE prior to its use to ensure it is compliant with real estate law.

C.A.R. also has learned of what appears to be a loan modification assistance program and lead generator, from a company using the legislative bill number 3648, that looks as if it’s a government entity, complete with a misleading seal closely resembling a governmental seal but that is not affiliated with the government. C.A.R. cautions all members to be on the alert for schemes seeking funds from REALTORS® or consumers with no value, or that may be misleading or unlawful Click here for the rest of the story

Be Safe,

Jeff Hall

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Great Ocean View

2009-06-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

This unit just came available.... Ocean View, Parking... and lot's more....

Sometimes we are not as big as we think?

2009-06-19T16:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered how you measure up? Of course you have we all do. Are we as good as the guy next door, as tall as my brother, make more money than someone, the list goes on. This photo gives us an idea of how small we are compared to a male Gorilla... My mother took this photo a couple of months ago while visiting the Wild Animal Park, which is part of the San Diego Zoo system.

In the real estate business we always worry about our reputation... I(we) always wonder if we are doing the right thing. Do people appreciate us? My goal has always been to do the best that I can for my clients. By keeping on the cutting edge of technology and learning as much as I can about the business. What more could we ask for and more importantly treating all clients the same.

I tell my friends that what we do today really may not matter today; but tomorrow it just may.

The good thing about this pictures is it makes me feel slim...

Have a great weekend,

Jeff

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Tour Des Artistes - Long Beach - 13 June 2009

2009-06-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

Here is something fun to do this weekend. I have a lot of friends involved in this project and if it is as fun as they are it should be a BLAST..... Click here for more information.

Long Beach has a very up and coming art district and needs to be checked out...

Have a great weekend,

Jeff

Just having fun

2009-06-10T08:17:00.001-07:00

Sometimes we take life too serious. I believe in keeping a balance between our professional and personal lives.

This past Sunday I took a journey to the San Diego Zoo to see the new Elephant Habitat... and it is awesome... Be prepared to spend sometime reading and looking at all the artifacts they have on display. (I will post more about this later)

One of the things I love about visiting zoos is; each visit is unique. My friends ask "Don't you get bored" and I simply answer "No"

Take this guy in the back... he is relatively new there and the last time I visited he was napping...
Another one of my favorite activities... I believe we should work hard and play hard. So the message today is to just enjoy life.

One of the things I tell new people moving to Long Beach is that we have so much to offer around us. Take San Diego; it is less than a couple of hours away. This allows us to take mini/day vacations just a short hop away from home.

Have a great day,

Jeff

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Wine Tasting

2009-06-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

Last night at the Museum of Latin American Art was a tasting of South American wine. One of the great things I love about Long Beach is the diversity of our community. We have so many venues open to us and this is one of them.

Last night the tasting was held in the sculpture garden in the cool June evening. The music was top cultural hits from many of the South American Countries... and was wonderful. The wines were all distinctively different and very enjoyable... One I really liked...

We all need to take time to smell the roses or in this case taste the wine. I make it a rule to enjoy time with my family and friends even during a busy real estate market.

I highly recommend you to check out many of these great programs.... Click Here to see upcoming events.

Have a great day,

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

What's happening in the housing market?

2009-06-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

Here is a interesting article I stumbled upon this morning while having tea... We are hearing so much buzz about the real estate market everyday. Here in Long Beach we are seeing shrinking inventory and multiple offers on some homes. I feel (my opinion) that values are finally starting to stabilize but we are not out of the woods yet. To find out more Click Here.

Have a great day and a wonderful weekend, remember to be good to yourself.

Jeff

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc,

www.jeffhallrealtor.com

jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

End of May.... Already?

2009-05-31T07:48:00.000-07:00

As I get older I am starting to believe that time does fly.... Do you remember being in school and as you approached the first of May; did you start to count the days until school was out for the summer? I did and in a way still do... I love summer for many different reasons. First it gets warmer outside although today we have June gloom before June. Second it represented a time of anticipation... What kind of adventures will happen this summer, who exciting will I get to meet. Funny these things are still anticipated.

Sometimes as a real estate agent it is hard to find a balance between our professional lives and our personal lives. My goal is to always be of service yet I do believe in private time alone with my family and friends. Yesterday while having coffee with friends we started to talk about short mini trips we could take as a group this summer. With the economy as it is people still need time away, even if only for a day or so. The exiting part is we live so close to some incredible places.

Yesterday we talked about Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon, Palm Springs, Flagstaff Arizona, and many other places.

Yes we cannot forget those day outings even in our own city such as the Aquarium of the Pacific, The Museum of Latin American Art, (FYI there is a wine tasting event on the 5th of June) some new events happening downtown with revitalization of the art district and the list grows....

As the Long Beach Real Estate starts to heat up for summer... remember to take time to play.... it is healthy for all of us.

Enjoy your summer,

Jeff (still a kid at heart) - Picture from the second grade 1964

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

A sign of the times....

2009-05-21T04:36:00.000-07:00

Everyone talks about the housing market... it is a point of concern that effects everyone, for we all have to have a place to live.

What I love about this sign is the words "In Escrow" something we do not see all that often. In today's market where there are so many homes for sale and most of which are "Short Sales" the signs just hang around for ever....

There are a couple of things I learned this past winter. First is Short Sales can be sold.... if done right. Second going out on my own and opening my own brokerage was a good decision.

This home was not a "Short Sale" but a regular equity sale. It sold in about 24 days.... it had it's own website 2377Charlemagne.com you can even text it... I marketed this home right and it sold.

The Long Beach Real Estate market is heating up and homes are selling. Most of which are in the lower end but we are starting to see the higher end move a bit more as well. Where is the bottom going to end up... wish I knew... but the fact is none of us know. It is always a good time to buy a home. Remember you home is a place where you live... not a cash machine. People are always worried about loosing money on their home but will go out and buy a new car, where it drops thousands before you even leave the lot. Our market in time will appreciate again, but not at the rate it did before. But in hindsight that rate was not real... anyway. I personally feel if we had normal appreciation in the past and equity loans were not dangled in front of people like they were; we would not be in this mess. Let's hope we all learned for this and move on...

Have a great week,

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.
jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

C.A.R. Green Tip of the Week: Check for leaky faucets

2009-05-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a good tip I just read this morning in a blog I follow... from California Association of Realtors.

Leaky faucets that drip at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water each year. Not sure if you have a leak? Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak. For more green real-estate-related tips and discussion, visit C.A.R.’s green blog and C.A.R.’s Green Web site.

Have a great day,

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.
www.JeffHallRealtor.com
Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

House hunting? It’s not a buyer’s market everywhere

2009-05-08T06:47:00.000-07:00

C.A.R. Market MattersEveryone wants a bargain...

These are words I hear almost every day... What I am seeing in parts of the Long Beach real estate market is exactly what this article from the LA Times talks about.

Buyers want a steal; but at what price? Many of the deals out there require a mountain of work once escrow is closed, and I am wondering how people will afford these repairs. In fact they will walk buy properties that are in move-in condition to get the better price, not realizing that repairs will cost them more in the long run...

Some potential home buyers, especially first-time buyers, may be misinformed about today’s market, believing that all sellers are desperate and will accept any offer. However, in many desirable, middle-class neighborhoods, bidding wars are prominent and buyers often have to make offers slightly above the asking price.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS

Although California’s median home price – the price point where half of the homes sold for higher and half for lower -- was 39 percent lower in March than a year ago, many of the sales taking place are in areas, such as the Central Valley and the Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino counties), which have higher foreclosure rates. These regions offer home buyers better opportunities to purchase homes at extremely low prices.
The housing market is often characterized as having three pricing segments: under $500,000, $500,000 to $1 million, and more than $1 million. Homes in the under-$500,000 segment have accounted for the majority of the state’s price declines thus far.
As real estate is local, a home in one neighborhood with the same square footage and amenities may not sell for the same price as a comparable home in a neighborhood one mile away. By working with a REALTOR® familiar with a specific area, home buyers should be able to submit reasonable offers that are more likely to receive seller approval.

To read the full story, Please Click Here

Enjoy your weekend,

Jeff Hall, Broker

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

jeff @Jeffhallrealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Cinco de Mayo

2009-05-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

How many of us have know idea what Cinco de Mayo is... Most of us think of it as a day to hit the Mexican Restaurants... but it really has a history. Below is a little history Javier found for us:

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a regional holiday in Mexico, primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico.[1][2] The holiday commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.[3][4]
The outnumbered Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army that had known no defeat for almost 50 years.[5] However, Cinco de Mayo is not "an obligatory federal holiday" in Mexico, but rather a holiday that can be observed voluntarily.[6][7]
While Cinco de Mayo has limited significance nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.[8] However, a common misconception in the United States is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day,[9] which actually is September 16 (dieciséis de septiembre in Spanish),[10] the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.[11]
Good for the Mexicans, they kicked the french's a…. out of there !!!!!

Have a great day,

Jeff

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc,

jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

2009 Year of New Beginnings...

2009-04-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

2009 for me is the year of new beginnings… As of this week I am please to announce the opening of Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

After much though I have decided to leave Brent Heflin Realty and open my own real estate company. Over the past few years I have licensed myself as a corporate real estate broker and it is time to stretch my wings…

Many of my existing clients will be joining me and I open my doors to all who wish to come along.

Current rental clients will be notified as to the change as soon as possible. Many will not be affected by the change and will stay with Brent.

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc. will continue with excellent service and customer care. If you know anyone who is searching for a home or would like to sell a home please refer me to them. The new company will have a property management division as well.

Thank you and have a great weekend,

Jeff

Great new listing... www.2377Charlemagne.com

2009-04-17T06:48:00.000-07:00

I have this great new listing... check it out... www.Charlemagne.com

Here is the virtual tour... http://vt.realbiz360.com/MLS-142020.html

Enjoy race weekend...

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Spring Time and Easter...

2009-04-12T13:18:00.000-07:00

No matter what your religious belief Easter signifies that spring is on the way or in our case full swing.

Have you noticed the fragrant smell of flowers in the air? Have you felt how nice the sun feels on your skin in the afternoon... It is Spring again...

As a child growing up in Northern Idaho; Easter meant that it was going to finally warm up... in fact; I spoke with my mother this morning and she commented how nice it was to see the snow off the lawn... It meant that school was almost over and the days became longer. I fondly remember cutting flowers from the mountainside and selling them for candy to the neighbor ladies...

In Long Beach over the next few weeks we will see other familiar sights of spring... starting next weekend with the Long Beach Grand Prix. Already this weekend you could hear the cars during the drifting event.

So... go out and enjoy your Spring... remember it is a time of new beginnings... a time for growth. It is time for us to let go of what is bothering us and concentrate on those things in our life that will make us bloom...

I loved this cartoon on the left and have had it saved on my computer for years... I wonder did Sally Forth find a way to eat the ears off the rabbit this year...?

Happy Easter and Happy Spring,

Jeff

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Long Beach Bicycle Festival 2009

2009-04-03T06:06:00.000-07:00

I just noticed this event early this morning. This looks like a great event to take in this weekend so check it out... I will...

Recreational and competitive cycling is set to take over the streets of Downtown Long Beach for a two-day event, April 3-4, 2009. The inaugural Long Beach Bicycle Grand Prix festival and race will consist of anything and everything bicycle-related: from vendors to fashion shows, from fixed gear demonstrations to criterium road races. The event represents the launch of Bike Long Beach, an innovative plan to make Long Beach "the most cycling friendly urban city in the United States." The festival is sponsored by the Downtown Long Beach Associates, the Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency. For more information More

Remember share the road with others and be safe.

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

A Thought

2009-03-31T09:08:00.000-07:00

Safe Assumptions You Can Make

Great words of wisdom passed on from a friend....

Most people realize that making assumptions is bad and can get you into some serious trouble. As the saying goes: “When you ASSUME, you make an ASS of U and ME.” Nevertheless, as humans we all tend to make them. So here are some “safe” ones … things you can feel okay in assuming:
• The e-mails you send will be seen by more people than those they’re addressed to.
• Things said “just between you and me” won’t stay that way.
• The time you pick to take a long break or lunch will be the same time your boss looks for you.
• The “minor” rule you choose to ignore will be the pet peeve of the manager that catches you.
• Call in sick so you can do something else and you will be seen by someone who knows you should be working.
• Treat one customer poorly and ten people will hear about it – including someone who has authority over you.
• Your ability to get “another job” will be directly related to how well you do on the job you have now.
• Whenever you think “no one will know,” someone will.
• Whenever you think “no one will care,” someone will.
• Whenever you think “it will never be missed,” it will.
• Whenever you think you’re as good as you need to be, you aren’t.

Mortgage Updates....

2009-03-12T16:18:00.000-07:00

One of my goals is to be a good source of real estate information; along with the occasional humor and articles of interest involving Long Beach.

Mortgage's right now is the number one concern for most people. Even people who rent are concerned as the trickle down theory happens to them as well.

This week’s C.A.R. Mortgage Update contains information about the effect of a reduction in the mortgage interest deduction; refinancing; loan modifications by bankruptcy judges; and the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly mortgage application survey. Obama’s plan to limit write-offs provokes push-back The Obama administration’s first budget proposal included a provision to reduce the mortgage interest and local property tax deductions for those earning more than $250,000. The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) are strongly opposed to this provision and are working to convince lawmakers to oppose it as well. Although the government predicts it could save billions of dollars by reducing the deductions, it also will negatively impact the California housing market; further erode opportunities for homeownership in the state; and will contribute to further price declines and diminished equity for homeowners. Additionally, the devaluation would extend to lower- and middle-income homeowners and home buyers, who likely will start “pricing in” the lower tax benefits – discounting what they are willing to pay for a house given
lower future deductions,” according to the Mortgage Bankers Association and NAR.

To read the full story, please click here:

A waiting game for refinancing
Many mortgage professionals are advising clients not to wait to refinance. Stricter loan underwriting standards and declining property values could result in some homeowners becoming ineligible for the Obama administration’s “Making Home Affordable Refinance” program. As a result, many mortgage professionals are advising clients not to wait to refinance.
Refinances also are taking longer to complete. Whereas a refinance used to take three to four weeks to process, it now is taking as long as six weeks.

To read the full story, please click here:

To view additional articles about mortgages, please visit the following:
Questions, answers on bankruptcy mortgage rewrites
To read the full story, please click here:

Mortgage applications jump 11%
To read the full story, please click here:

Have a great day,

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.
jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

www.jeffhallrealtor.com

Sunday afternoon Naps....

2009-03-10T12:37:00.001-07:00

How many of us love to spend our weekends taking a nap like this guy? I know that I do... and my mother says it runs from my fathers side of the family, but that is a different story.

Living in Long Beach to me is a blessing. One of those many blessing is the ability to escape on a weekend morning for the day to Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs and the list grows.

Last Sunday morning I escaped to the San Diego Zoo one of my all time favorite places to go and this guy gave me a small pause in my day. Being in the real estate business which also includes a very busy property management business keeps me on the go... and I look forward to those moments of peace and quiet.

We all need to take time for ourselves no matter how busy we may be. If we do not take the time to rest; even for a few moments we take the chance of not being as productive as our potential holds.

So take some time for your friends and family... and yourself, it may even include a nap.

Have a great day,

Jeff

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.
http://www.jeffhallrealtor.com/
jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

Do I qualify? What you need to know....

2009-02-26T17:32:00.000-08:00

As many of us know the Long Beach Real Estate scene has taken a beating the past couple of year... People are in trouble. These are good people who may have been sterred by bad advise from their mortgage professional and/or agent. We have all been hearing over the past few weeks a lot about the new bailout plans for homeowners.

Below you will find an article I found in the Wall Street Journal that helps shed some lite on the confusing mess....

In recent weeks, the government, both on a federal and state level, have announced new tax credits for home buyers, housing stabilizations plans, and the like. Due to the various requirements for each program, some home buyers and/or homeowners may be confused about whether or not they qualify.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS

· The goal of the “Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan” is to help homeowners remain in their homes. For a loan to qualify for modifications, lenders would need to bring the monthly mortgage payment down to 38 percent of a borrower’s monthly income. The government would then match further reductions until the debt-to-income ratio is 31 percent. The deductions could come in the form of a lower interest rate or reduced principal. For homeowners who pay their mortgage on time, the write down could be as much as $1,000 of the loan each year, for five years.

· The government will help homeowners who owe between 80 percent and 105 percent of their home’s value, and have been unable to qualify for refinancing because their home has negative equity. This could help as many as 14.8 million homeowners. However, only mortgages owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac are eligible, which excludes many homes in high-cost areas, such as California.

· As with all refinances, it is important that homeowners have their mortgage paperwork, proof of current income, and assets readily available. A representative with the Mortgage Bankers’ Association advises homeowners to wait until March 4 to contact their mortgage lender or servicer, when more details and guidelines are due.

· The recently signed “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” increases the first-time home-buyer credit from $7,500 to $8,000, and removes the requirement that the credit be paid back if the buyer stays in the home for at least three years. It also extends the expiration date for the credit from July 1 to Dec. 1, 2009. Home buyers must have purchased a home after Jan. 1, 2009, and before Dec. 1, 2009, to be eligible for the $8,000 credit.

To read the full story, please click here

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

www.jeffhallrealtor.com

New Stimulus Plan and your home....

2009-02-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

Great news for homeowners... We have all been waiting for the new stimulus plan... and here is a summary provided by the California Association of Realtors. Many of us are either in trouble or have friends/family who are or are about to be in trouble. We all need good stable housing and this proposal gives me hope... To see families loose their home is one of the hardest parts of my job as a realtor in Long Beach. To see peoples hopes and dreams taken away devastates me personally.

There are many people in my profession as a realtor that make their living off of peoples losses and I am not one of them. I have worked with families over the past year on ways to save their property and the last resort is to do a short sale. This package will be a welcome relief for those families on the edge.

We should expect to see some new programs soon. Please be sure your friends and family works directly with their mortgage company. There will be a lot of people out there offering help and will be preying on peoples hopes.

The U.S. Treasury Dept. today unveiled the Obama Administration's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, which will offer assistance to as many as 9 million homeowners making a good-faith effort to stay current on their mortgage payments, while attempting to prevent the destructive impact of foreclosures on families and communities. The plan will not provide money to speculators, and instead will target support to working homeowners who have made every possible effort to stay current on their mortgage payments.The plan includes refinancing options for homeowners suffering from falling home prices; a $75 billion homeowner stability initiative including loan modifications and support for displaced renters; support for low interest rates by strengthening confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by increasing its funding commitment to Fannie Mae and Freddie and continuing to purchase Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities.There are three components of the plan. The first focuses on homeowners who are current on their mortgage and would be helped by refinancing into a lower interest rate loan; these homeowners must currently be in conforming loans. The second component is designed for homeowners who are currently or are at risk of falling behind on their mortgage obligations and would benefit from a loan modification; the Treasury plan would help offset the cost of the loan modification program. The third component is intended to lower prevailing mortgage interest rates by shoring up confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.The U.S. Treasury Dept. today unveiled the Obama Administration's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, which will offer assistance to as many as 9 million homeowners making a good-faith effort to stay current on their mortgage payments, while attempting to prevent the destructive impact of foreclosures on families and communities. The plan will not provide money to speculators, and instead will target support to working homeowners who have made every possible effort to stay current on their mortgage payments.The plan includes refinancing options for homeowners suffering from falling home prices; a $75 billion homeowner stability initiative including loan modifications and support for displaced renters; support for low interest rates by strengthening confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by increasing its funding commitment to Fannie Mae and Freddie and continuing to purchase Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities.There are three components of the plan. The first focuses on homeowners who are current on their mortgage and would be helped by refinancing into a lower interest rate loan; these homeowners must currently be in conforming loans. The second component is designed for homeowners who are currently or are at risk of falling behind on their mortgage obligations and would benefit from a loan modification; the Treasury plan would help offset the cost of the loan modification program. The third component is intended to lower prevailing mortgage interest rates by shoring up confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

For more on this story read... Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan

Have a great day,

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc,
jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

www.jeffhallrealtor.com

Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T14:23:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is one of those weird holidays... my father refers to them as Hallmark Holidays. But there is folk lore behind this day; in fact two different tales...

This afternoon as I sit down to write I think of those people in my life that I love. And what is remarkable is the amount of people I personally consider important in my life. Some of these are family and some are friends, work mates and the list goes on.

As Americans I feel we do not spend enough time with those we love. We need to let those we love know we appreciate them and love them. Our time on this earth is too short and may be over in the next second.

So take time out of your lives and remember those people that are important to you. Remember those who have passed beyond this life and there is another group to remember... Our loved pets.

Life is good and live each day to the fullest.... Happy Valentine's Day,

Love,

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

http://www.jeffhallrealtor.com/

jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION SCAM ALERT

2009-02-05T07:25:00.000-08:00

We all see these notices in our mail. Buyer beware.... there are
legal ways to have your taxes reduced it just takes work on your
part. You will need documentation and I will be happy to provide
comps per the assessor's offices requirements.

The Los Angeles County Assessor's office is alerting homeowners
that various private companies are sending mailings to property
owners offering their services to pursue a reduction in the owner's
property taxes. The companies may charge hundreds of dollars to
file for a reduction in value on behalf of the property owner. Some
companies also are imposing late fees if the application is received
after an arbitrary deadline. Solicitations from private companies
offering to pursue a reduction in property taxes must clearly indicate
that they are NOT a government agency and that their services
are NOT approved or endorsed by any government agency. Failure
to provide such notice is a violation of California law.

In 1978, California voters passed Proposition 8, a constitutional
amendment that allows a temporary reduction in assessed value
when a property suffers a "decline-in-value." A decline-in-value
occurs when the current market value of your property is less than
the assessed value as of January 1. The assessed value is the value
shown on a property owner's most recent property tax bill.
Typically, an application from the property owner is required to
initiate a review of the property's value by the Assessor.

Copied from the California Association of Realtor website.

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.
jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com
562-505-6204

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

DEC. HOME SALES INCREASED 84.9 PERCENT; MEDIAN PRICE FELL 41.5 PERCENT

2009-01-29T08:16:00.000-08:00

This article came in my e-mail this morning... from the California Association of Realtors. I have been keeping a close eye on the market and we are seeing values drop. Most of the homes currently selling in this market are at the lower end of the scale and that makes the average selling price drop even further. Now if things were to change and only the expensive homes sold you would see the average selling price higher...

Home sales increased 84.9 percent in December in California compared with the same period a year ago, while the median price of an existing home fell 41.5 percent, C.A.R. reported yesterday. "Sales continue to be strong, exceeding 500,000 units for the fourth consecutive month, and year-to-date sales are nearly 27 percent above last year," said C.A.R. President James Liptak. "California home buyers benefited during the last half of 2008 from the high-cost loan limit of $729,750, which fell to $625,500 as of Jan. 1.

The restoration of the high cost loan limit to the previous level would not only help a housing market still struggling to turn around, but also make financing more affordable for home buyers."Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled 544,580 in December at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations statewide.

Statewide home resale activity increased 84.9 percent from the revised 294,520 sales pace recorded in December 2007. Sales in December 2008 increased 5.9 percent compared with the previous month.The median price of an existing, single-family detached home in California during December 2008 was $281,100, a 41.5 percent decrease from the revised $480,820 median for December 2007, C.A.R. reported. The December 2008 median price fell 2 percent compared with November's revised $286,850 median price.

Where has January gone?

2009-01-29T08:11:00.000-08:00

Sometimes as we grow older time seems to just slip by. We start off with goals in mind and push forward. January starts of the year of new beginnings.... I do not call my goals resolutions but beginnings... for me not to try is to fail.

2008 was a very good year and a lot was learned along the way. As we go through life we need to learn from our errors and capitalize on them to improve. I have spent the month of January working on upcoming website changes, additions to my blog and marketing systems.

As we approach February and the resolutions have already slipped away... just remember you can try again.

Have a great day,

Jeff

Something to think about

2009-01-08T17:32:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought what things really cost over a period of time? The other day I read the following comments about how much it cost to have a couple of glass's of wine each evening. Something that many people I know do...

To keep you up-to-date here are some 2008 California State Fair results. Best of Show Red Wine – Castle Rock Winery/2006 Mendocino County Pinot Noir; Best of Show White Wine – Loredona/2007 Monterey Riesling. Charles Shaw’s #1 wine received a Silver Medal, still outstanding in my humble opinion.

Simple math – you are supposed to drink 2 glasses of wine a day and at 4 glasses per bottle that comes to 180 bottles a year or $360 for me drinking Shaw. If you desire, for example, Santa Margherita Pino Grigio at about $20 a bottle your yearly cost would be $3,600 a year. That is a real difference in a down economy. As the saying goes – 3,240 pennies saved are 3,240 pennies earned and if you are in a 30% Federal Tax Bracket and 9% State Rate you would have to earn $5,901.64 annually to drink $20 wine. For more information on this important health issue, go to http://www.thebestcaliforniawine.com/.

Now personally I am not a fan of Two Buck Chucks but I have friends that are... Some of them even swear by it... funny if I bring over a good bottle that gets put away for private reserve until the guest leave.... The moral of the story here is how much it really cost... People are always asking me how to save money. The answer is simple - Think about what items really cost over a long period of time. If you drank the cheaper wine in a couple of years you would start to accumulate some pretty nice savings.

OK, this has nothing to do with real estate... but if you need to save money... buy the cheaper wine.

Have a great day,

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions

http://www.jeffhallrealtor.com/

jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

Above article taken from Duane Gomer at http://www.duanegomer.com/ (the picture was taken on Fishermans Island in Venice Italy in 2002)

Sometimes we just need some humor....

2009-01-04T09:03:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we just need to smile... we all take life a bit too serious... I know I do. So click on the link sit back and just enjoy this clip.

Click here: YouTube - Uncle Jay Explains: Year-end! 12-22-08

Enjoy,

Jeff

2009 Year of New Beginnings

2009-01-01T13:39:00.000-08:00

2009 a Year for New Beginnings has been my mantra for the few months. 2008 was not the easiest on record or for the matter the worse for me either. Sometimes we allow ourselves to be dragged down with what we hear in the media, and that clouds our own world. Staying positive for all of us is not easy to do... but you know I try.

Part of the new beginnings is to be become more familiar with current trends. Our world changes so fast that what is hot today is old tomorrow. I continually read real estate trade magazines and just completed Web 2.0 certification.

So in the months ahead look for new and exciting technologies coming your way.

Now go out and enjoy the New Year and allow 2008 to be but a memory.

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions
http://www.jeffhallrealtor.com/
jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

Refinancing 101: Is it the right move for you?

2008-12-25T09:44:00.000-08:00

Here is an article that is close to my heart. People do not understand the consequences of refinancing their homes.... it always sounds great. I will lower my monthly payment, then pay off some bills... Sounds great right? Wrong... My experience and I do mean personal experience says that within months your revolving debt is higher. We will spend too whatever capacity we have... it is human nature... OK enough about me, I hope you learn from the below article.

Homeowners who are current on their mortgage payments and have equity in their homes may want to consider taking advantage of the lower mortgage rates offered by many financial institutions. However, refinancing may not be the best choice for all homeowners.

KEEP THIS IN MIND

• Refinancing often requires fees for title insurance, a new appraisal, document processing, and a
fee for the mortgage broker or lender. While it may appear the refinance is free, the costs often are added to the total loan amount or the borrower is charged a higher rate. Because there are fees typically associated with a refinance, many financial industry specialists recommend borrowers not refinance unless they plan to occupy the house for at least two years. Although there will be a reduction in the monthly payment, it can take a few years to break even on the refinance.

• Loan options are more limited today than a few years ago. Generally, the best rates are offered on traditional loans, such as 15-year and 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages, and loans for borrowers with at least 20 percent for a down payment for buyers or existing home equity for those seeking to refinance.

• Some subprime loans made during the house boom carry prepayment penalties–a fee or
percentage the homeowner pays the lender in the event the mortgage is paid early. Some lenders may waive prepayment penalties and allow the borrower to refinance with another lender if doing so prevents foreclosure.

To read the full story, please click here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28302078/

Jeffrey Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions
www.jeffhallrealtor.com

jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

Mortgate Rates Plunge

2008-12-20T16:06:00.000-08:00

We have all heard about his all week... Here is a recapt from the Wall Street Journal.

Mortgage Rates Plunge to Record Lows In response to the Federal Reserve's cut in the federal funds rate to near zero, Freddie Mac reports that the 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 5.17 percent during the week ended Dec. 18--down from 5.47 percent last week and the lowest since the survey's inception in 1971. Interest on 15-year fixed loans slipped to 4.92 percent from 5.20 percent. Meanwhile, the five-year hybrid adjustable mortgage rate dropped to 5.6 percent from 5.82 percent; and the one-year ARM dipped to 4.94 percent from 5.09 percent. A year ago, the 30-year fixed rate stood at 6.14 percent, the 15-year fixed rate at 5.79 percent, the five-year hybrid ARM at 5.9 percent, and the one-year ARM at 5.51 percent. Source: The Wall Street Journal, Steve Kerch (12/19/08)

Have a great Holiday,

Jeff

MORE THAN HALF OF MODIFIED LOANS DELINQUENT WITHIN SIX MONTHS

2008-12-11T08:28:00.000-08:00

I found this information interesting this morning from the California Association of Realtors. It is an insight into how messy the housing market really is right now. A few years ago when I first started selling Real Estate in Long Beach; the company I worked for was pushing people into loans they could not afford. Once I saw what was happening I left... it only took about two weeks to figure this out.

Real Estate like many careers attracts both the good and bad. Many agents just care about getting the job completed fast and getting paid. Many will not show homes if the commission is too low.

I feel it is important to take care of the client and when you do it all works out. When working with a client I often have them explain what type of loan they are getting to hopefully keep them out of hot water. If they cannot afford it... the should not buy. If the home is not right... they should not buy...

It is very important to work with an agent who keeps your best interest in mind. At all times!

So, all they being said... take a look at the following information.

New data shows that more than half of loans modified in the first quarter of 2008 fell delinquent within six months."After three months, nearly 36 percent of the borrowers had re-defaulted by being more than 30 days past due. After six months, the rate was nearly 53 percent, and after eight months, 58 percent," said U.S. Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan. A report scheduled to be published later this month will show continued increasing delinquencies and foreclosures in process for all first-lien mortgages held by the largest national banks and federally-regulated thrifts, Dugan said. However, new foreclosures decreased by 2.6 percent from the second quarter.The mortgage metrics report covers nearly 35 million loans worth more than $6.1 trillion, or about 60 percent of all first-lien mortgages in the United States. The quarterly reports are unique in that they are not merely surveys, but instead consist of validated, loan level data using standardized definitions for prime, Alt-A, and subprime mortgages, and standardized definitions for loan modifications.

I hope you found this interesting as well.

Have a great day,

Jeff

http://www.jeffhallrealtor.com/

jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

Everyone Loves a Parade

2008-12-08T05:42:00.001-08:00

It's that most wonderful time of the year... and for me the starting point is the annual Christmas Parade in Belmont Shore. This year like past years the streets were crowded with people waiting to enjoy the sights and sounds of a grand tradition. I always enjoy seeing the bands that come from near and far, the floats and of course Santa Claus...

Another Long Beach tradition is the Daisy Lane Parade that happens Saturday the 13th at 5:00 p.m.

No matter what your season traditions may be... please be safe and careful. For many 2008 was a very hard year... Let's begin to look forward to 2009 and a year of new beginnings. Happy Holidays, Jeff

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions
www.jeffhallrealtor.com
jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

Thanksgiving....

2008-11-27T09:42:00.000-08:00

I remember my first Thanksgiving in Long Beach... it was warm which for me was weird and unusual. My history was from growing up in Northern Idaho and then as a young adult moving to the Seattle area and before coming to Long Beach living on Bainbridge Island across the sound from Seattle.

So for me Thanksgiving time meant warm clothes, boots, coat and a hat. In Idaho it meant a probable chance of snow and Seattle... rain.

So I found this warm weather odd and the people in shorts at the beach rather odd. But all that did not take away from the meaning of Thanksgiving and me for me that meant family and friends. We all need to be thankful for what we have in our lives.... even when times are tough as they are for some right now we need to be thankful. Traveling earlier this year to Israel, Jordan and Egypt gave me a real perspective as to what poverty is... and you know what? They looked happy. We are trained from an early age that having possessions will make us happy and that is just not true... I find mine in my family and friends.

This year has been hard on all of us... but looking towards 2009 I see a year of new beginnings. 2008 for me was a good year as my real estate career kept plugging along... and I survived.

I have spent helping people in the Long Beach area who are struggling... there are alternatives out there and finding someone capable of helping is a huge asset. I have aligned myself with a Short Sale company to help facilitate the difficult process of handling a short sale. Please call if this is of interest.

Again... Have a Great Thanksgiving.

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.
Long Beach, CA
562-505-6204

jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com
www.LongBeachHomeSolutions.com

November... Really

2008-11-15T10:17:00.000-08:00

As a child growing up in Northern Idaho you could always tell it was November by the cold in the air, lack of leaves on the trees and sometimes the fall of early snow... All I can say about that is... I love Southern California and especiall Long Beach.

I moved to Long Beach a little over five years ago and have not turned back to the rainy days of living in Seattle Washington which I called home for almost twenty years. I will never forget my first Thanksgiving here in the warm sunshine... it was odd at first.

Today we are in the middle of another hot morning and the heat feel so good on our skin.

What does this have to do with real estate? Nothing... just a fond memory.

Over the past couple of weeks I have been working hard with clients trying to sell their homes via "Short Sale." Short Sales are where we ask the bank(s) to take less for a home that is owed on it. What this does for the seller is give them a feeling that they did the right thing and not going all the way to foreclosure.

The big reason is a foreclosure stays with the seller and their credit report for a long-time and can be a reason for turn down when purchasing a nother new home. (This is up to the credit authorizating bank and may change at any time.)

What I have found is a way to make this happen and work for all parties envolved. Short Sales are real hard on the buyer as well as you go through periods of no action from the bank. As an agent it makes you feel real helpless.

When considering working with an agent be sure they know how to work with all types of transactions and can help you make a good choice.

Enjoy the warm weather.

Jeff

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions
Long Beach, CA
www.jeffhallrealtor.com

jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

Time for the Howl'oween Parade

2008-10-24T14:42:00.000-07:00

Alexis was wondering if you have ever seen the Howl'oween Parade in Belmont Shore? She told me how much fun it can be and that many of her friends were going to dress up for the occasion...

The reason is according to Alexis... is that most of their owners dress up in late October and so they felt they should too.... although she hopes she does not look as bad as her owner...

On Sunday the 26th of October this incredible parade of pets will once again take place. The parade starts at 2:30 along the sidewalks of the shore.

In a year when people are concerned about their state of affairs this wonderful event will lift your spirits. Many of us love our pets... they can become more than family... many people would give up their lives before allowing something to happen to fluffy.

I will be taking time out of my active real estate career to see the animals celebrate Halloween. To enter your favorite pet check out Haute Dog... Have fun Jeff

Are Sales Looking UP?

2008-10-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

This September was one of my busiest Septembers of my career. It seemed like I was running like a mad man all month. My time was spent helping buyers find the home of their dreams. I love working with buyers... it is more of a challenge than working with a seller. Buyers require more attention and it is fun to teach new buyers the ropes. My rule is to work with anyone who is qualified to buy regardless of the price range they are in. Long Beach had a good September as far as sales were concerned. We are seeing the average home sale around $402,284 and being on the market for around 72 days. We saw 420 new listings last month most of which are somewhere in the foreclosure to bank owned process. Currently there are 1535 homes (Homes means any type of residential houses and does not include duplex and apartments buildings)on the market Below are the statistics I used from the SoCal - MLS

City	New	LP	Sold	SP	DOM
LONG	420	$439,414	210	$402,284	72
SIGH	11	$423,181	11	$312,950	104
	431	$431,297	221	$357,617	88

The good news is homes are selling and there is still inventory. The decision that needs to be made is "is this a good time for you to buy" Remember invest in your self and use a good buyers agent to walk you through the process. What a lot of people do not understand is we are paid by the seller and our job is to lookout for you and your needs.

I have a special Foreclosure areas on my website... check them out.... Have a great week... Jeff

Butterflies, Desert, Fault, Dates & Relaxing

2008-10-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

Interesting title? Last week I wrote about the Long Beach Marathon and my annual tradition of heading out of town. One of the great things about selling Real Estate is you have personal freedom and for the most part set your own schedule. This is good and bad... I try once a month to take a weekend off if possible. Last week I had the excuse... here is what I learned.

As humans we need to relate to nature at least I need to. Why? It helps keep in the forefront of my mind what is important in the scheme of life and for me that means: Family, Friends, Health and time to enjoy the wonders of the world.

Many times my friends will hear me tease about being just a boy from "Idaho" but that country boy is still deep within my soul. When it comes time to relax I love turn the cell phone off (it does have an off button) and take a nice walk. I love to visit the zoo and last weekend I visited one of my favorites The Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert. I know many people who visit the desert and have know idea this treasure is there to be discovered. This past weekend they had a special Butterfly exhibit and it was so incredible I just needed to share a picture with you.

The balance of the weekend was spent at La Quinta Resort in La Quinta. La Quinta is one of the newest cities in California and the surrounding mountains are breathtaking.

To further quest for my need to be in nature we went on a Hummer Tour provided through Elite Land Tours from Palm Springs. We selected the It's Our Fault tour. This tour takes you out on the San Andres Fault and our guide Mark has so much information to share and his wealth of knowledge was astonishing. The scenery was beautiful and there was a surprise around every turn. Here is a clip of me and Javier on the fault, I hope you enjoy it. Fault You Tube Video

Part of our tour took us to a date plant where we sampled many different kinds of dates.

Back at the hotel there was plenty of time to soak, relax, nap and eat... oh, and a cocktail or two as well.

We have so much to offer living in Long Beach and I encourage you to go and see what is there for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Have a great weekend, Jeff

Marathon Weekend

2008-10-10T16:37:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year again when our lovely city is taken over by the Long Beach Marathon. I remember the first year that I discovered this event. Not being quite the running type I was out with friends and we were heading to brunch... My idea of a peaceful Sunday afternoon. After heading down Broadway it seemed like a normal weekend... but; let's just say that came to a screeching halt.

Two hours later we were able to park and find a place to eat. So on Marathon weekend... I am out of here and being a long weekend for some people it is a good excuse to get away.

If you are looking for something to do here is an idea: Check out the Butterfly exhibit at The Living Desert in Palm Desert. What is the living desert? One of my favorite places so follow the link and check it out. The Living Desert

One of the things I always tell people new to Long Beach is there is so much to do here. We are so close to some many attractions I can always find something to do.

October.. Already

2008-10-04T09:31:00.000-07:00

I fondly remember as a child growing up in Northern Idaho the month of October . The leaves would change color, the air got fresher (colder) and the excitement of the fall/winter holidays were about to begin. Sometimes we think of fall as getting older... but for me it means the end of a season. The housing market in Long Beach is year round, but for me over the past few years it runs hot late April through the end of October and this year has been no exception.

When I setup my business up it was with service in mind. I work to handle each client on a case by case basis... working only with no more than three buyers at a time along with a few sellers. My business has focused on buyers... why? Many agents do not like to work with buyers because they are too much work. I DO NOT believe in this kind of thinking. It is exciting for me to find the right home for my clients and not all clients are created equal.

Over the next few weeks as fall approaches I will again review my business practice to prepare for next year. This not mean I am done for the year as I am not... I am here to work for each of you in the ways you need my services.

So, all that being said... Go out and enjoy your weekend. Long Beach has a lot to offer... Jeff

Where has September gone?

2008-09-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

The real estate business seems to build and build every year in Long Beach and in September is when it all breaks loose... We are in this weird market... there are many great deals out there if you have the know how to make them nice again. Many of these homes are just right down scary. Yet that being said we are seeing some regular sales happening as well.

Below are figures for the month of August.

City	New	Avg LP	Avg LP	Sold	Avg SP	Avg DOM
long	441	$449,30	$377,382	268	$424,326	79
Sigh	14	$818,050	$303,266	5	$477,636	73
	455	$633,715	$340,324	273	$450,981	76

The columns for New, Under Contract, and Sold represent the number of listings that went into those statuses during the month. These are updated on the 1st and 15th of each month for the preceding month.

As you can see things are selling and the average price is low... there is a reason. Right now most of the homes selling are in the price range the average person can afford. This is good....

Is it time for you to buy? Keep smiling Jeff

New listing in Harbor Place Tower...

2008-08-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

Client Brief Report + Photos I have this listing in Downtown Long Beach, close to the convention center. Great city view... close to the beach... makes a great rental. Private appointments available. Have a wonderful day, Jeff

Where has the time gone...

2008-08-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

It seems like yesterday since my last post... but it has been a couple of weeks. So, how has your August been? For those of us in real estate it has been fast and furious, even in this economy. Sales are up, foreclosure notices are up, so it is kind of weird. As a rule I do not chase people who are struggling to make it, so my side of the foreclosure business is when homes are owned by the bank and ready to sell. I prefer to keep clients away from Short Sales, although I do have a few of those listings. The reason I say this is because if you look at the figures it is not really all that bad out there.

The bank owned properties are at bargain basement prices. I am finding the bank is holding firm to their prices. It is a waiting game... it can take two weeks just to hear back from them. One home I am working on went on the market, we made an offer the same day and there currently are twelve offers and no one has heard anything.

It is a good time... if you have can tolerate the wait. Now go out and enjoy the rest of your summer.... Jeff

Is it time to buy....?

2008-08-10T12:59:00.000-07:00

It is another beautiful day here in Long Beach, as I sit here to prepare for another day of work my mind is wandering about the market.

Everywhere you go people are talking about Real Estate. Everyone has an opinion as to when and where the bottom of the market will happen. I am asked all the time. The truth is none of us know. In fact when you buy a home you sign a form saying we do not know.

In the past twenty odd years of working within the business I have bought and sold many homes, some at peak of the market and some at the bottom. What really matters is... do you like this home? How long do you want to live here? Can you afford it? Long-term buyers can ride the market up and down... If you see a home you like... Buy it. If you wait it will not be there...

Over the past few weeks we are seeing more and more homes becoming finalized sales. If the home is priced right they are selling. Many of the REO (Bank owned properties) may be cheap, but can you afford twenty plus thousand dollars to fix them up? Most people cannot.

The important thing to remember is you are buying a home for you and your loved ones to live under... that you can paint, and change whenever you want. It is not a cash machine... refinancing is not always a good thing. It is your home...

Buying can be scary and fun... let an experienced agent help you in this purchase to ensure you are doing the right thing.

Now go out and enjoy yourself. Take care, Jeff

New Home Legislation

2008-07-31T17:22:00.000-07:00

Housing Bill Signed

Oh, oh, the picture with the suite... this must be a serious blog today... Well it is... it is good information us to know.

By now you have heard on the news about the changes in the Historic Housing Bill signed into law on the 30th of July. As a Realtor that is constantly working to improve my clients well-being these changes will help many California residents.

For years now the median price of homes in Long Beach has been greater than the conforming loan standards, which means people had to get a Jumbo Loan. This means they ended up paying a higher interest fee on their loans, as they were considered a higher risk even with good credit. This new limit will help many medium family buyers.

For those who are on the lower income front and wish to own the Second Mortgage Assistance Program through the Long Beach Housing Development Company will offer get opportunities for many of our citizens. If you are interested please call me for more information 562-505-6204

Below you will find some high-lights of the new program passed by Congress. I borrowed these words from a e-mail sent out from the President of the California Association of Realtors.

California Association of Realtors and the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® have aggressively lobbied for Congress to pass numerous provisions found in this historic bill. Many of you participated in these efforts by communicating with your Members of Congress.

The legislation will assist an estimated 400,000 homeowners facing foreclosure, many of whom reside in California, by allowing them to refinance their current mortgages with a Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-backed loan. The bill also will permanently increase FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac loan limits in high-cost areas.

The bill permanently increases the conforming loan limit to $625,500. C.A.R. has long advocated for higher conforming loan limits. In February, the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 was signed, temporarily raising the conforming loan limit in high-cost areas to $729,750 from $417,000 until December 31, 2008.

The new loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are the greater of either $417,000 or 115 percent of an area’s median home price, up to $625,500. The new FHA loan limit will be the greater of $271,050 or 115 percent of an area’s median home price, up to $625,500. Both new loan limits will be effective at the expiration of the economic stimulus limits on December 31, 2008.

C.A.R. also supports the following bill provisions:

A temporary increase in mortgage revenue bonds to refinance subprime mortgages.
New regulator for Government Sponsored Enterprises to restore investor confidence in GSE loans and help the market and economy stabilize.
First-time home buyer tax credit, which allows first-time home buyers to receive a tax refund worth up to 10 percent of a home’s purchase price, up to a maximum of $7,500. The refund serves as an interest-free loan and the homeowner is required to repay it in equal installments over 15 years.
Temporary raise in the loan limit for the Veterans Affairs home loan guarantee program to the same level as the economic stimulus limits until the end of 2008.
Adjustment to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA), allowing sellers to provide the non-foreign affidavit to a qualified closing entity and not just the buyer.
The setting of minimum requirements for mortgage originators, which mandates fingerprinting of loan originators and establishes a nationwide loan originator licensing and registration system. The requirements do not apply to those only performing real estate brokerage activities unless they are compensated by a lender, mortgage broker, or other loan originator. States will have the ability to implement more stringent laws.
The creation of a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund to help cover the cost of the FHA rescue plan for the first five years and develop affordable housing in subsequent years.

This is all good news albeit a bit confusing... But the good news is you may be now able to find the home of your dreams... search for homes on www.jeffhallrealtor.com

Have a great day, Jeff

Christmas in July... Think about it...

2008-07-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we let society put pressure on us that is not really good for us or required. Sometimes we just need some cheer in our lives.... When was the last time you did something crazy? Just because you could? That is what happened last Saturday at a friends house... We had Christmas in July... because we could.

You know how stressful the holiday season can be with the months of build up. Will I buy the right gift? What will I wear? Who will be there and do I have to be nice? It just tears us all apart. Imagine all of it happening in just a few quick days and then it is gone.

To set the stage there was a Christmas tree all decked out. Those blow up things in the yard, with Santa riding a Harley. Oh, and as you can see even Sponge Bob dropped by. There was holiday cheer complete with Christmas music, and because it is southern California, nice warm weather... uh... almost like December.

We had a white elephant gift exchange... something around twenty dollars or so and no gift cards although a couple of people cheated. A gift could be stolen up to three times... and as I stole one gift from a friend and had it stolen from me by another. It was my turn to open yet another package and when selecting the other gift... I heard a scream of OH NO... rule is if you touch it; it is yours. Turned out to be a gift that was given to me and I had given it at another white elephant before... So, watch at Christmas time as it will be back out there again...

What does this have to do with real estate? Nothing... have some fun once in a while and remember to laugh, that is how I stay somewhat sane. Cheers, Jeff

Wow... it is about time....

2008-07-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it is the simple things that I enjoy in life. Many of which are bizzar... one of them yesterday was to see a left turn traffic signal on Anaheim Street heading west and Redondo. I travel this route at least a couple of times a day and making that turn is very dangerous... I just hope that when construction on 7th street is complete they leave it there.

Speaking of 7th street... it looks like a few more weeks of work and life returns to normal.

So... what is exciting in Long Beach this weekend? You might check out the special Sunday events this summer at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Or, maybe at the Latin Museum of Art.

I am personally torn between going to Sea World, The Wild Animal Park or The Living Desert all of which require a nice car ride.

Just some thoughts for fun in the sun. Have a great weekend, Jeff

June Home Sales Update

2008-07-10T07:05:00.000-07:00

Everyone always wants to know.... What is happening in the housing market in Long Beach. Long Beach is very fortunate because it is a coastal city and people love the climate. But like most other parts of the country sales are down. Ok, as a real estate professional this is not always the best of news, but the fact is homes are selling. Everyone wants a deal these days... I mean after-all we hear about them in the news everyday. But a deal too good to be true is normally that. Homes that are well priced are selling at record pace.

Last week I wrote three offers for clients. Each home was new on the market. Each sold in three days... I (we) were not the lucky ones. Selling price was close if not more than asking. The reason is the inexpensive homes are many times trashed... unless you are paying cash, there is no way to get a loan. Many people do not want these type of homes, so when something comes on nice.. it is snatched up right away.

I thought it would be fun to share the latest housing sales information with you today, this comes directly from the SoCalMLS which I belong to.

City	New	Avg LP	Under Contract	Sold	Avg SP	Avg DOM
long	424	$492,246	178	182	$455,675	71
Sigh	13	$435,917	5	5	$471,040	102
	437	$464,081	183	187	$463,357	86

Currently there are over 1600 active listings on the market. Is there a home out there for you somewhere? Till next time... Jeff

4th of July in Long Beach, California

2008-07-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

I remember as a little boy in Northern Idaho, the days started to warm up after school let out... then about the 1st of July it got, well hot. What that meant to me then was summer vacation was almost halfway over... and my dad would be bringing home fireworks. In Idaho the fireworks were the safe and sane variety, what you might buy in Lakewood. However we were just over the border from Montana where the fireworks were whatever you wanted or could afford.

Fireworks always kind of scared me and the dog... and my younger brother loved them, not sure if it was blowing something up or getting to play with matches... I remember one kind even looked like candy and when you threw them down on the pavement they made a popping noise.

We always went somewhere for the 4th of July and one year it even snowed... Yikes...

This year the 4th will be celebrated with friends and going to the beach to see the fireworks from the Queen Mary. Last year we saw them from the Aquarium of the Pacific one of my favorite spots in Long Beach. Or you might want to check out the show from the Fire Department at Veterans Stadium. On a side note: remember Fireworks are illegal inside of City Limits.

I hope each of you enjoy your holiday for some it will be a long three-day weekend, for others it is back to work. Remember to play safe, be safe and come back again.

Enjoy, Jeff

Foreclosure - Short Sale - REO or Bank Owned

2008-06-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what all those terms mean? I have to tell you it can be very confusing... As an active real estate agent in Long Beach I see these terms each and every day. My clients however do not; however they hear about them.

There are many real estate websites out there where you see these terms... many of these sites are made to lead you on in order to collect your information to have you bothered by an agent. These lucky agents get to pay for your information.... But the worst part is much of this information is not accurate or old.

My website is updated daily from our local MLS so the information is hot... Many of my clients love my free listingbook site to use as a tool to find their new home. You are welcome to look to your hearts content and I will never bother you unless you ask for help.

But what this post is about are those terms.... Everyone wants a deal... and believe me they are out there. If it is a deal too good to be true... they normally are just that. Many of the homes in foreclosure process are almost destroyed and many of them you would not even be able to get a loan on...

When some one defaults on their mortgage (that is falls behind on their payments) the foreclosure process begins. This process takes a few short months before they will loose their home.

Right now we have many people in Long Beach who are trying to sell their homes through a process known as "Short Sale", in other words the bank maybe willing to take a lesser amount than owed.

The problem with Short Sales is they can take forever to go through the process and just may not even happen at all. Some of the prices on the Short Sales are way below what the bank may be willing to take. And finally the owner must prove they cannot make the payments anymore.

And finally for those who have done what they could they end up as an REO or Bank Owned Property.

When taking clients out I prefer to show them only the REO properties to save the disappointments they go through. You can see these properties on my website http://www.jeffhallrealtor.com/ Take a look, what can it hurt. Have fun... Jeff

Is Long Beach going to the dogs or the fish?

2008-06-19T17:07:00.000-07:00

Here we are approaching the longest day of the year... The weather is warm, the sun is shining and another work week almost through. The City of Long Beach Parks Department has a special celetration. There are many exciting events in the evenings all summer long.

How many times have you made idle chat with a stranger and learned something? This morning was one of those times for me... this lady was walking her Airedale in the alley behind my home, and we started to chat. First I love Airedale's (my great grandfather use to raise them)and so the discussion went... She told me she was here for the dog show to be held over at Cal State Long Beach. So, if you are interested look it up...

Now those fish... The Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific is about to start it 10th Anniversary bash this week... I am planning on attending the adult night on Tuesday. These events are fun and I even find it relaxing... be sure to pet the sharks.

One of the fun things about being a realtor is that time can be scheduled to enjoy our city. It is an interesting market right now and it keeps me hopping... but you need to take time to just relax. Remember all we have is our heath and families... Have a great weekend, Jeff

Art Walk - Saturday June 14

2008-06-13T17:01:00.000-07:00

Hmmm smell the air... I think summer is arriving behind the clouds of our typical June gloom... I love those warm late spring evenings during this time of year, there is so much to do. Even if you have lived here a longtime you need to go downtown and see what is happening. With all the new homes in downtown Long Beach you are starting to see people on the streets... and speaking of the streets this is a good weekend to see some art and maybe even have a glass of wine or two.

The EAST VILLAGE section is the area bound by Long Beach Blvd and Alamitos, then Broadway to Ocean. This area is home to a variety of new restaurants, bars and art galleries. The streets will be closed and filled with vendors and live music. This is all FREE and the entire downtown area is walkable. On optional $10 pass will include: -Free transit on the Passport and Big Red Bus (double decker).

-Wine tasting at the Aqua on Ocean Bl.

-Free entry to the Museum of Latin American Art (plus live music).

-Discounts to area bars and restaurants.
This is a monthly event and getting bigger every month .
For more information check out ArtWalkLB

Maybe I will see you there... Jeff

Whats happening on 7th Street?

2008-06-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

So, I take a few days off and come home to Long Beach to find major changes on 7th Street this morning. Whats happening...? The normal place to start is a Google search... starting with the City's traffic website but that was a dead end. I was able to find some upcoming projects for the future, but that does not explain what is happening today. There is a vital need to improve the traffic on 7th... I guess we just need to see what happens. Any thoughts? Jeff

A talk with mom

2008-06-06T09:45:00.000-07:00

The past few days I have been on vacation in Northern Idaho to see my parents who live in the Silver Valley (about thirty miles east of Coeur d' Alene or sixty east of Spokane Washington). If I would have come a week sooner I could have skied at Silver Mountain which just concluded its longest ski season ever on June 1st.

I am fortunate to have a great relationship with my family and these visits are always a much need break from the busy life I live as an real estate agent in Long Beach. (I thought I would add a picture of some snow... from my homeland... I use to ski here as a young adult.... but the snow is now gone).

However that being said, the discussions are always about money and how I may or may not manage it... While my parents come from a more liberal outlook their outlook about money is very conservative, in a good way. She worries about debt and how each dollar is like a big stone around your neck and planning for the future. For those of us who are self-employed we realize this more that our counterparts that have a nine to five job.

Real Estate has many great benefits... the freedom to make your own schedule... it give us more time, or so people think. Taking a break is very important to our mental health and for our clients... sometimes they just do not understand that you need a day off and you might even loose a sale.

But what this blog is about today is the fact that many people for one do not understand how to manage money, and those in my business that take advantage of them. I work with many first time buyers and one of the things I like to tell them is this... Find a mortgage person you feel you can trust. Second have them explain the loan you are applying for and then you need to explain it to me. If it makes sense then things are probably fine... if not we have a problem. In the years of being a real estate agent/broker I have seen many mess's people have gotten into.

When making a decision this important you need to do the math. A interest rate of 4% sounds great, but when most of the people are paying 6% there is a problem.

So, take moms advice... Do the math, watch your spending and save.

Then take mine... take some time off enjoy life and be close to those you love. Jeff

Catalina

2008-06-04T08:01:00.000-07:00

This post is coming a few days late... One thing I always like to tell new people coming to Long Beach is.... there is so much to do. In my philosophy of work hard, play hard this is very important. A good example is this past weekend we went to Downtown Disney and the park just to see the fireworks. A Disney pass can be affordable and offer great entertainment. Disneyland is just about thirty minutes from Long Beach. So Friday night we went to Disneyland, worked Saturday and Sunday off we went to spend the day at Catalina Island. You can get there via the Catalina Express. One of the things I like about going there is the peace, shopping, and adventures of a day trip. This past Sunday we had lunch, went out to see the seals at Seal Rock, then to our favorite nap spot on the grass. What more could you ask for. In the role of real estate agent for Long Beach and the surrounding areas, I feel it is important to take time out for myself and those I love. So, take someone you love to Catalina and enjoy... Jeff

Long Beach Housing Market and the US

2008-05-30T11:48:00.000-07:00

Over the past few months we have seen and heard nothing but doom and gloom concerning the housing market. What concerns me is the amount of misinformation that abounds... It abounds in our own area...

When you go to any real estate site and do a search you are starting to see some unbelievable prices out there... and that is just what they are. I ran up the information this morning on a home here in Long Beach that is for sale for 695K, but the people owe more than a million? Now what will happen is the bank more than likely will not take an offer under 950K. These type of homes are listed as "Short Sales"

What this type of pricing is doing is give people a wrong sense of what their property is worth. The only real selling prices are on those homes that have already closed escrow.

Now today I read some good news on real estate... to see how Long Beach is doing visit Happy Real Estate News

Sales are down and so are prices... but we are holding our own and there are deals out there... ask me about some. Jeff

Memorial Day... in Long Beach

2008-05-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

How many of us do not know the history behind Memorial Day? Many of us think it is just a three day weekend... or the weekend before summer vacation starts... One of the sad things about our Holidays is the original meaning is; well lost...

So this morning I did a little Google on Memorial Day History and this is what I found. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day, for the rest of the story view this site Memorial Day History.

As a child I remember going to the cemetery with my mother and grandmother to decorate the Graves of those long gone family members. I never knew why really... other than it was normally cold and I liked those little flags. OK, the cold part is from living in Northern Idaho. Even part of this tradition seems to have disappeared...

If you are home in Long Beach this weekend and love to watch sailing races you might check out what is happening at the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, which is having a Regatta... or check out the City of Long Beach City News page.

The most important part is to enjoy your family and friends... and be safe.

Have a great weekend, Jeff

It has been a warm week....

2008-05-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

Long Beach citizens had some weekend... Pride was the main venue... but what about the heat? One of the things people forget about is how draining the heat can be and we tend to forget about those nasty sunburns... But why do I bring this up? What does it have to do with real estate? Let me tell you... first you need to just take care of yourself and second what about your home? As summer approaches you need to get your home in shape.

If you water you need to be sure you are watering in accordance to the rules set out by the City of Long Beach, if you are interested take a look at the E-Watering website for watering restrictions or check out the City of Long Beach's Water Department .

Another item of interest for your home is the air conditioning... believe it or not many of us use it all summer long and you will want it to be working at peak performance. The other day I received a letter from Edison, check out Southern California Edison Air Conditioning Services.

OK, that is about it today... Stay Safe and Stay Cool - Jeff

Long Beach Pride - 2008

2008-05-15T18:55:00.000-07:00

The whole idea of this blog is to keep people informed as to what is happening in Long Beach. Sometimes it will be events and today is just about one of those events. Long Beach has two major revenue sources for the city event wise. One is the Long Beach Grand Prix and the other is Gay Pride. While pride is not for everyone including some gay folk I know, it does an incredible job telling the world about our fair city.

Many may not know that this is an week long event, with more entertainment than you can shake a stick at. Start by taking a look at www.longbeachpride.com to see if anything excites you... or skip right to the entertainment page Pride Entertainment it is going to be a great weekend in Long Beach so wear your sun screen...

One of the great things I love about Long Beach is the diversity it has. Over the past few years I have seen many of these grow closer together. This is a great and fun city so... Have fun, Jeff Blogging about Long Beach

Walking for Breast Cancer

2008-05-14T16:54:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my first blog… There is always a lot happening in Long Beach and the surrounding communities’. This past weekend the fine people of The Travelstore located in the World Trade Center, Long Beach and I walked for Breast Cancer in Redondo Beach. It was a cold cloudy Mothers Day morning but the turnout was incredible. The walk would take us over 3 quick miles of the Redondo Beach shoreline. Many of us know many women and some men that have battled this disease, some winning and others loosing. Take a look at their website for more information http://lawalk.y-me.org/travelstore For me this served as a reminder to the determination of many people and that we need not give up. The next time you have a chance to walk for any cause, just don’t brush it off… take a walk. The life you may be helping to save may be your own.