RETURN TO HOMEA conversation with Mark Shandrow, CEO of Shandrow Group Real Estate Brokerage located in the Bixby Knolls area of Long Beach, California
One the most culturally diverse city in the U.S. by USA Today, the California city of Long Beach is well situated California’s Southern coast and accessible to both Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
Our People
With a population of almost 500,000, Long Beach offers an array of big-city amenities like diverse employment, cultures and excellent schools and hospitals. But its true charm is its small-town ambience partly inspired by the arrival of Iowans visiting its seashore more than 100 years ago.
Our perpetually sunny, temperate weather and laid-back feel make it easy for newcomers to get to know people of all ages and engage in sports, arts and culture, political and civic opportunities in the community. Whether you choose to live in Belmont Shore, Belmont Heights, Naples, Alamitos Heights, Bixby Knolls, Los Cerritos, East Arts Village, Downtown Long Beach, Bluff Park, Rose Park, Wrigley or Park Estates, you’ll always feel right at home.
Our Town
The culturally diverse and eclectically-rich neighborhoods are the true heart of Long Beach. With an array of affordable and high-end single-family houses, condominiums and apartments, as well as a beautiful selection of classic and contemporary architectural styles, Long Beach neighborhoods are as diverse as our people. The region also features award-winning parks, the Museum of Latin American Art, the Aquarium of the Pacific, the historic Ranchos Cerritos and Los Alamitos. We also host the prestigious TED conference every year.
Economy and Home Prices
More than 15,000 businesses, employing approximately 225,000 workers, choose to operate businesses in Long Beach. Companies such as Boeing, Bragg Companies, Direct TV, and Epson have corporate offices in the area. They come to Long Beach for our business-friendly attitude, city-sponsored business assistance and tax incentive programs.
Depending on which neighborhood you choose to settle in, single family home prices range from $200,000 to 1 million dollars. Condominiums have a smaller price range of only $80,000 to $600,000. The right location could even give you a clear view of the Hollywood sign.
What’s New
Long Beach’s Workforce Development department has created incentives to help people who need to upgrade their skills or pursue career opportunities. These initiatives include:
the Medical Industry Initiative, the Construction Jobs Initiative, the Environmental Remediation Initiative, Utility/Energy Initiative, Port Opportunities Initiative, and the Hire-a Youth-Initiative, to not only create jobs for citizens, but also to improve the living conditions for our residents.
Going Green
Recent livable city policies now dominate civic life in Long Beach. In the last few years, there have been increased efforts to increase public and open space for community gardens and urban redevelopment, expanded arts and historic preservation, clean water and Green Port policies, and a priority to make Long Beach one of the most bicycle friendly cities in the US with expanded bikeways and innovative bike projects.
Our Schools
Rated as excellent, our public schools from primary, secondary, and college education include California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach City College and Long Beach Unified School District. The legendary Polytechnic High School has sent more graduates to ivy-league colleges than any other public high school in the state. We also have innovative independent schools such as the New City School, Westerly School of Long Beach and Little Owl, a nursery school in the Bixby Knolls community.
Realtors and Technology
Understanding how to leverage online marketing to advertise my new real estate brokerage, I created two dynamic websites to market my listings, showcase community events and share information about Short Sales and the REO process. With my Real-Time REO Reporting videos, I show to my clients just how a professional REO brokerage handles tough situations. Video segments highlight premium properties and the various obstacles facing REO agents in the Long Beach housing market.
Home Buying Tax Credit in Long Beach
If you’re buying a home in Long Beach, it’s unlikely that the home buyers tax credit will help you when you buy your first home. The tax credit phases out for homebuyers with incomes above $125,000 for single filers and $225,000 for married couples. If you’re in this tax bracket and you’re looking to buy a home over $500,000, a $6,500 tax credit probably won’t make much a difference in your home buying decision. Overall, the tax credit is likely to generate only a modest increase in home sales as only 5% of home-buyers have made use of the new tax credit.
Words of Wisdom
When thinking of purchasing a home or condo in Long Beach, make sure you thoroughly research the area where you would like to live. Look at area maps, think about what you need and want most. As house prices and amenities vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the most for your money and quality of life. Low prices are enticing, but loving where one lives is what makes a home.
About Mark Shandrow: Mark Shandrow is a longtime Long Beach resident, is a real estate broker, CEO of Shandrow Group, a hands-on, boutique real estate brokerage, located in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood of Long Beach, CA.
Shandrow’s extensive, first-hand experience with Southern California real estate from all perspectives – as a long-time buyer, seller and property manager, and eventually as a licensed real estate broker – affords him an insider’s edge in the local housing market.
Mark Shandrow has coauthored a new book, Should I Short Sale My Home? A Homeowners Guide How to Survive the Worst Real Estate Market in History, with Tim and Julie Harris of Harris Real Estate University. The book is available for a limited time via download at: www.markshandrow.com/free-book
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This guest post is part of our Realtor Thursday Series. We invite realtors from towns and cities all over the country, big or small, to participate. Our goal is to “travel” to as many towns as we can in every state. Every town is unique and wonderful to our readers. If you would like to showcase your town, your neighbors and your talents as a realtor, please contact us at liz@dalesiegel.com