kaulat

3833 East 2ND St #301, 90803 Price: $594,500 Beds: 2 Baths: 1.75 Sq. Ft.: 1,489 $/Sq. Ft.: $399 Year Built: 1986 MLS#: P704353 On Redfin: 37 days HOA: $291 Down Payment: $119,000 Income Requirement: $170,000 Monthly Nut: $3,500 Description: This Plaza Mira Mar penthouse is stunning. This top floor corner unit with ocean and city view condo is just steps to the Ocean, Pier and the wonderful Shops and Dining in Belmont Shore. Marble floors through out with newer carpet in both bedrooms. Newer kitchen with cherry wood cabinets, granite counter tops with built-ins, including a lazy Susan. Gas fireplace in the living room with a marble manttle and hearth. Custom see through shades in living and dining rooms, plus custom drapes. New double paned windows and doors. Forced air heat and central air conditioning. Both bathrooms are highly upgraded, master bath has a seperate shower and a jacuzzi tub. Recessed lighting and skylights. Inside laundry, washer and dryer are included. There is a large...

We went out yesterday to see a horse Bob had considered buying. I drove out separately, taking Route 20 to Cazenovia. It was one of those days when, if I had been going to Albany, I would have taken Route 20 and then of course regretted my decision when the trip's length increased. But the sky was blue, the hills were fluid, the countryside a Lang calendar photo. I passed "Seabury" and thought of our old theater professor Seabury Quinn, Jr., at Ohio University, and his cat also named "Seabury." How lovely those autumns had been in Appalachia years ago. And how lovely Central New York is now. While Bob and his friends from the stables where he rides observed the horse, my friend Deb and I caught up on our lives. She was feeling the same exuberance I was, and had just driven out to Bouckville because the day was so inviting. "It's one of those days," she exclaimed, "when you know why you live here and wouldn't live anywhere else!...

I started writing this post before the price was dropped $40,000, so while my assessment of the pricing has changed, my overall analysis has not. 743 EUCLID Ave #3, 90804 Price: $299,000 Beds: 2 Baths: 2 Sq. Ft.: 1,156 $/Sq. Ft.: $259 Year Built: 1981 MLS#: P702387 On Redfin: 48 days HOA: $189 Down Payment: $59,800 Income Requirement: $85,000 Monthly Nut: $1,800 Description: Beautiful unit in quiet tranquil complex. Features bamboo floors, granite counters, fresh paint, recessed lighting, upgraded kitchen and baths, large master bedroom with walk in closet, dinning area that opens to kitchen, separate bar area with wine cooler and lots of windows for the ocean breezes. "Dinning"? And dude, "ocean breezes"? You're more than a mile from the water--you sure about that? I have to give credit where credit is due and say that overall this apartment is pretty nice inside. I'm particularly fond of the dark-colored floors, the recessed lighting (although it appears t...

Calculated Risk: Home Buyer Tax Credit to be Extended

Reader littletiger1969 writes: Hi El-Bee, This is littletiger. A bit off topic. I was recently at Las Vegas and talked to one of the dealer at the table. She told me that she just bought a 3 bedroom 2 bath condo in Vegas with her brother as a investment for $60K. After I came back, I did a quick Zillow check and found out that she may have even "over-paid". Maybe U can have a "special Vegas" posting just to contrast how absurd RE in Long Beach has become. Great topic, littletiger. This is something I've been meaning to get into. $60k for a 3 bed/2 bath? What's not to love? Well, for one, they bought it as an "investment." Huge mistake. Just exactly who are they going to rent to? Unemployment is insane in Nevada--it doesn't matter how "cheap" your mortgage payment is if you can't find responsible, gainfully employed tenants. If you told me that they bought it to live in, I would applaud their decision. Even if they "overpaid...

Likely owing to the fact that I am constantly blathering about Belmont Heights bungalows, an anonymous commenter requested that I feature this property: 3135 E 3rd St, 90814 Price: $657,000 Beds: 2 Baths: 1 Sq. Ft.: 1,003 $/Sq. Ft.: $655 Lot Size: 3,375 Sq. Ft. Year Built: 1920 MLS#: P702470 Source: SoCalMLS On Redfin: 46 days Description: Absolutely Adorable Home in the Heights! Completely remodeled throughout while still maintaining the charm of its California Bungalow style! Hardwood floors throughout, plus gorgeous slate faux fireplace. Bathroom is completely upgraded with marble tile bath/shower combo. New fixtures and is extremely spacious. White Marble kitchen counters with all white cabinets, make the kitchen modern and clean, plus new appliances. Under counter w/d in the kitchen as well. Front bedroom has added loft with new carpet. Forced air heat and Central AC!! Kitchen and Master bedroom lead to amazingly large deck perfect for entertaining! Original refurbished molding, d...

http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_13618800">LONG BEACH -- Police today were investigating the shooting death of an 18-year-old Long Beach man gunned down outside of an apartment complex. The victim, identified by friends and family as Pablo Marquez, was shot at about 11 p.m. Wednesday in the 1800 block of Henderson Avenue just north of Pacific Coast Highway, police said. Marquez was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not yet released suspect information or a possible motive for the shooting. Friend Ivan Solares said Marquez had stepped outside to smoke a cigarette when he was shot by an unknown assailant. Marquez was the father of a 6-month-old girl named Samantha, family said. He had just turned 18 on Oct. 8. "He was looking for work to support his daughter," Solares said. "He was a good friend and a caring person." ... Antionette Moore, who manages the apartment complex on the block where Marquez was shot, said the neighborhood is plagued by drug add...

1710 E Florida St, 90802 Price: $375,000 Beds: 2 Baths: 1 Sq. Ft.: 960 $/Sq. Ft.: $391 Lot Size: 2,560 Sq. Ft. Year Built: 1920 MLS #: S593140 On Redfin : 5 days Down Payment: $75,000 Income Requirement: $107,000 Monthly Nut: $2,100 Description: Nice cozy REO home with hardwood floors throughout, walk-in-closet in each room. BRING ALL OFFERS! A for effort on that description, pal! But next time you should try being less verbose. I mean, 17 words is a little overwhelming for potential buyers. And thanks for photos of the bathroom. Considering it's the only baño in the house, I'm sure buyers don't really care. Nah, they're probably much more interested in doing their toilet business outside. One look at that dead grass and it appears the previous owner did too! Again, you know what it means when the bathroom (especially the only bathroom) isn't included in the photos: IT'S AN UTTER DISASTER, RIDDEN WITH MOLD AND PESTILENCE. The pricing history is interesting. Th...

After a long day showing amazing houses in the Skaneateles area I can relax here and write this blog. We do have incredible views, fastidious owners, brilliant interiors that you would never suspect from the road. I love this job! There are currently 145 active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing system. Four "new" ones have come on the market, all of which are re-lists. Two have changed real estate brokerages, two are simply being refreshed. That does seem to work unless you are dealing with a buyer's agent. The listing appears to be new, even if it's been listed many times before for several years even. A buyer's agent would point out the discrepancy, the seller's agent would stay mum. The least expensive new listing is $500,000 and the most just under three million. There are no new sales or pending listings. However, there are two new closed properties - hooray! Our number year-to-date is now 63. A gorgeous village home close...

So, this weekend The Lady and I were down at Belmont Brew Co. enjoying a delicious beer after a day of errands (she had the Marathon, I had the Oktoberfest). Well, we parked in the adjacent (you know, the one in front of those moldy-ass ocean-view condos) and failed to see the payment machine on the other side of the lot. Who knows what we were thinking, but for whatever reason we didn't think it strange that there were no meters. Anyhow, after we left BBC we discovered a crisp, neatly packaged parking ticket under The Lady's windshield wiper. Oh well, we had a brain fart and we'll pay the price. I opened it up to see: "Time limit exceeded. Fine: $46." Forty six fucking dollars for a half an hour of parking? WTF?! That shit is outrageous! And today while driving on Harbor in Costa Mesa, I saw a motorcycle cop pulling over an Escalade. My first thought was, "Bummer for that dude. Wonder what he did." After running a few errands (I know. More errands. I...

Lately Jim the Realtor has been documenting the current "frenzy" of bidding and buying activity out there. From what I can see, there are several key reasons for this "buying frenzy" (despite buyers likely being aware they are catching a falling knife), including: 1) Incredibly low inventory (in Long Beach, it's down 36% since last year!); 2) Government handing out free ponies with the First-Time Home Buyer tax credit (with a very loose definition of "first-time") which may expire in November; 3) Incredibly low (and reckless) down-payment requirements from the FHA ; 4) People, like me, who have been priced out of the market for nearly a decade now (unless we took out wonky interest-only Option ARM suicide loans to buy properties at 6-10X income) and are simply tired of waiting and putting their lives and goals on hold (and I don't blame them); and 5) Prices seem pretty attractive compared to peak "values." And I'm sure many of you ha...

327 Chestnut Ave, 90802 Price: $223,000 Beds: 2 Baths: 2 Sq. Ft.: 910 $/Sq. Ft.: $245 Year Built: 1990 Listing #: 22197353 On Redfin: 47 days Description: Upgraded 2 Bedroom 2 Bath Top Floor Private End Unit with two Balcony patios with City Light Views. Master has private bath. Pergo Flooring throughout. Western Exposure give lots of light and beautiful sunset views. Stainless Steel and black appliances included. Stove, Dishwasher, Side by Side Refrigerator. Pricess Court is a secure building with Underground Parking with 2 spaces also additional spaces for guests. Three blocks from beach area and Pine street with theateres performaning arts, Hotels Conventions Center restaurants Nightlife next to the Pike. FHA approvedand appraised for full sales price "Pricess"? Dude, you don't even know the name of your complex? "Theateres"? "Performaning"? I mean, what language is this description written in? It's good to know that it's not just realtors w...

The world has turned to autumn around here. I went to the Sherwood for lunch today and the fire was roaring in the front hall. The piers are down, the Judge is out of the water, the water reflects the grayness of the sky. But the colors on the sumac and maple and oak trees are brilliant. They won't last, just like that Diana Whiting photo of the leaves in the swamp, they will swirl and roll away. BUT! There are 148 active listings in the current Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Five are new-ish: one is a re-listed lake rights house. The other four range from a re-list and re-imagined waterfront home which prefers to retain some of its waterfront and thus has dropped its price to under 2 million. Another is a former FSBO in the village that has now been listed (happens a lot). A farmhouse not too far out of town is back on the market after a few years of ownership - can't wait to see what they've done to it! The last is one of those grand homes by...

I was about the write the update and thought I'd throw in a mention about the Mortgage Credit Certificate now being offered in New York State. As I researched it, I realized how very important it is to get the news out quickly. The savings for first time homebuyers is huge! The Certificate issued through SONYMA, as I understand it, pays 20% of the interest for the life of the loan. The example they give, which works well with the home I have open this Sunday, means that payments each month would be reduced by $182. The house is on the market for $214,900 - 117 Victory Lane in Country Creek, Town of Camillus. It was built in 2008, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, high ceilings, hardwoods, TV over the gas fireplace included, lovely upgraded kitchen...... So, a first time homebuyer could receive the Federal tax credit of $8,000 if he/she/they close by November 30th (like 47 days from now). On top of that comes the MCC. Take out your calculator - $182 x 12 = $2,184 for the first year. Mu...

Numbers are fascinating as always. I won't comment on the sales, but I have to comment on something! The time elapsed between the beginning of the year and the first twenty was 120 days. The time between the first and second group (July 15th) was only 76 days. Although it feels as if things have slowed a bit, this next reporting will be a scant 90 days since the last. And there's one in the pot to start the final group. This time they are arranged by chronological order - the first to close to the most recent. 28 East Street $515,000 1584 Tracy Drive $194,000 10 Highland Street $195,000 1787 Russells Landing $825,000 6821 Glen Haven Road $550,000 111 Jordan Street $250,000 9 Whitegate Drive $415,000 4338 Vinegar Hill Road $153,000 12 Prentiss Drive $665,000 2524 Lake Front Lane $650,000 24 East Austin $267,500 3244 East Lake Road $280,000 52 West Lake Road $650,000 5907 Broadway Road $75,000 38 Onondaga Street $243,000 1889 West Lake Road $209,000 16 Academ...

Hi puppy! 219 Belmont Ave, 90803 Price: $849,000 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Sq. Ft.: 1,950 $/Sq. Ft.: $435 Lot Size: 6,150 Sq. Ft. Year Built: 1920 MLS#: P705713 On Redfin: 270 days Down Payment: $169,800 Income Requirement: $243,000 Monthly Nut: $4,700 - $5,100 (depending on financing) Description: PRICED TO SELL!!! REDUCED $80,000!! THIS BEAUTIFUL CALIFORNIA BUNGALOW IS A MUST SEE! COMPLETELY REFURBISHED BOTH INSIDE AND OUT, WITH ORIGINAL BUNGALOW CHARM KEPT INTACT. ORIGINAL HARDWOOD FLOORS THROUGHOUT, REFINISHED TO PROTECT THEIR TIMELESS BEAUTY. FRONT & BACK YARDS NEWLY LANDSCAPED, W/LARGE BACKYARD INCLUDING SPACIOUS WOOD DECK. OPEN FLOOR PLAN WITH LARGE WINDOWS AND NATURAL SUNLIGHT. 3RD BEDROOM FEATURES FIREPLACE AND FRENCH DOORS OUT TO GARDEN, CAN BE USED AS MOTHER-IN-LAW UNIT W/SEPERATE ENTRANCE (HAS OWN GAS & WATER HOOKUPS). DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE BUILDING 2ND STORY FOR LARGER HOME OR ADDTL INCOME UNIT (R2 LOT). RECENT UPGRADES INCLUDE NEW ROOF WITHIN 12 MONTHS, NEW INS...

This past weekend my high school class had its second reunion since graduation. We'll get this part of it over quickly - our 40th. Seeing it again in print makes me think how unbelievable that number is - but it is what it is. As part of the organizing committee I arrived at Saratoga Steaks early to set up. Karen, recently the receptionist-do everything person from our office, now "retired," had sent postcards and produced name tags for us. Simply the picture from the yearbook, the bulldog (Nottingham High School on the east side of Syracuse), and the name. I asked for a larger font, because our eyes aren't what they were. So there I stood, ready to match name tages to faces, and people started to flow in. I hadn't seen too many people since high school, even the ones still in town. I'd been gone for 20 years and the ties had severed. I knew my small group of women friends from all over the country, but that was it. The first arrivals were hard - who ...

1500 E Ocean Blvd #512 Los Alamitos , CA 90802 Price: $580,000 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Sq. Ft.: 1,455 $/Sq. Ft.: $399 Year Built: 2000 MLS#: S09103239 On Redfin: 15 days HOA: $473 Down Payment: $116,000 (assuming lenders "only" require 20% in this building) Income Requirement: $166,000 Monthly Nut: $3,600 Description: Beautiful unit in a desirable complex, the unit is light and bright it has 2 balconies, beautiful walnut wood floors, newer carpet in bedrooms, and partial views. The complex is pet friendly and has direct beach access, two side by side parking spaces, pool, spa, clubhouse, gym, plus a sundeck overlooking the Ocean and Queen Mary. Just how incompetent are you when you list the wrong city for the condo you're trying to sell? Is this a joke? It's like they're throwing meatballs right down the middle for me to hit out of the park. I know it seems like I talk shit relentlessly about realtors, but come on. How can you blame me? And how can you honest, hardworkin...