The minute the latest and greatest upgrades comes out it's out with the old and in with the new, which leaves you with an outdated piece of electronic equipment you don't know what to do with. Thankfully Goodwill stores have come to the rescue.Traditionally known as a place to recycle unwanted clothing, dishes and toys they are now the place to recycle your e-waste. If you have old TVs, computer monitors, cell phones or anything else electronic, just drop them off at your local Goodwill.Recycling your old electronic equipment prevents them from ending up in landfills, which contributes to a cleaner environment. Another benefit is that your donation is tax deductible.E-waste can be dropped off any Goodwill store or drop-off point, of which there are 15 in Long Beach and surrounding citi... 10/29/2007

In the last year over 100 mortgage lenders have gone out of business due to the "mortgage meltdown" as most of you might now it is getting much more difficult to qualify for mortgages in Long Beach. The reason it is difficult to qualify for your Long Beach mortgage is because guidelines have changed drastically. Even reverse mortgages in Long Beach are getting harder to qualify for, leaving many looking for a honest mortgage company in Long Beach.Since many mortgage brokers in Long Beach are going out of business, and others are not able to get you qualified, you need to call a reputable company to help you with your home mortgage in Long Beach. We here at America One Mortgage Group are a national company headquartered out of Southern California. We have offices in many states and fund ... 10/21/2007

If you live in Long Beach then you're familiar with the hundreds of flyers, postcards, and advertisements we receive at our doors every year. Thankfully now there's Litter-Free Long Beach to the rescue. The program strives to keep the streets of our city litter-free to ensure a safe and clean community. The Litter Abatement and Awareness Campaign represents a citywide effort with residents and local businesses to create more vibrant business corridors, safer neighborhoods and a cleaner and healthier environment. To participate in the program you can order a free door hanger or fence sign, or even better yet, download a "Stop Advertising" letter to mail to the offending business owner along with their advertisement.When I first learned about this program I was thrilled. I like others are... 10/19/2007

Are you waiting for the bottom of the market?   A couple of years ago, while we were in the throe's of a sizzling sellers market, many would be sellers decided to hold out for the TOP of the real estate market.  Yep, you guessed it, many of them are still waiting for it.  Today buyers are decrying the same mantra, holding out for the bottom of the market.    How are you going to know what the bottom of the market is?    How are you going to handle the multiple offers on the most desirable properties when all of the buyers jump onto the Real Estate market at the same time?    The Investors are coming.   Investors are sitting on the sidelines watching the market, prices are already at a 15 year low.  When the real estate market hits a certain point, and it is coming soon-no matter what th... 10/17/2007

The Loft market in Long Beach still has some excellent inventory available on the Long Beach MLS.  Whether you are considering a Soft Loft or an Adaptive Re-use , there are lofts available.  Rarely are there properties in each of the developments, but currently you can find a loft in almost every development (none currently at the Ebell Theater).  As you are evaluating your options, take time to consdier the benefits and drawbacks of each style of Loft so you can not only enjoy the prime location, but you can also take advantage of the unique differences between Soft Lofts and Adaptive Re-use projects.  Search the Long Beach MLS so you can find the Loft that is right for you. 10/17/2007

MoLAA - the Museum of Latin American Art, located in 628 Alamitos Avenue in Long Beach, CA has recently finished the first phase of its renovation.  According to Robert Gumbiner, its Chairman and Founding Member, the museum was founded in 2001 because there is a need for a museum for contemporary Latin American art in the United States.  MoLAA hopes to become the largest, most relevant and recognized museum for Latin American art in the world.  The museum has a permanent collection that is updated every month.  There are two to four individual exhibits each year.  Past exhibits have featured Diego Rivera and Francisco Toleda.  Thorough its educational and community outreach programs, the museum seeks to provide a first hand experience to the viewer of vibrant Latin American culture.  Ch... 10/08/2007

I'm so excited, not only did I create my first vFlyer advertising my notary services but I was also one of the small businesses featured in the official vFlyer blog! Omuoto wrote about how a variety of small businesses are using the vFlyer technology to get the word out about what they do. Long Beach Mobile NotaryLocation: Long Beach, CA"Professional, Punctual, Precise...Services Guaranteed!" Three years as a mobile notary public/loan signing specialist has allowed me to travel thousands of miles, meet some interesting people, notarize hundreds of documents, and to become very skilled at what I do. If the documents aren't signed correctly the first time the signing is on me! Example of documents notarized: Loan Signings Trust Documents Corporate Documents Affidavit Of Citizenship Parent... 10/08/2007

AUTOMATIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND AWARENESS."You can't build a reputation on things that you are going to do."  Henry Ford"Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small parts."   Henry Ford                                                                            Automatic:    Build as many tasks into your sub-conscience mind as possible.  For example; men, learn to shave in the shower. The first few times are difficult because you can't see yourself but then you learn to feelthe blade.  Check your phone messages on the way into work, check your e-mail and respond.  Become a millionaire automatically.  Accountability:   Learn to account for what you are going to do that day and then review what you did at the end of the day.  Check off items that you have completed them.  Buy the... 10/08/2007

The media will tell you how bad the economy is, how this is the worst real estate market since 1989 and that the prices are in a free fall.  That this it the time to hold off on buying property and that it is better basically to rent rather then invest into real estate.  I say hob-wash!  Look at the real facts.  Real estate is is the best investment in the world.   You simply cannot beat the combinations of tax deductions, appreciation (yes 5% in Los Angeles County over the last 12 months), and most of all, home ownership.  Yes, the old American Dream.  If you want to believe in the naysayers, then go ahead and stop your life.  Listen to the wide-eyed reporters talk about the housing bubble and the subprime market debacle and you will suddenly freeze.  But this freezing is not necessary... 10/06/2007

Long Beach is one of the few places that has a doggie park on the beach!!  Want to have an idea how much frolicky fun your pet Fido can have unleashed at the beach!  Check out this video and see.  No dog fights, no - - - sniffing, just dogs having fun romping around in the sun on the beach in the city of Long Beach.  Want to experience life with your pet in Long Beach? Call Marie Kletke to find a home you can call your own. Register to get a list of houses available for sale in East Long Beach and Lakewood area. Or call the 24 Hour Free Recorded Message for find out how to buy a home in Long Beach at (888) 579-6681, extension 41. 10/05/2007

New LONG BEACH Water LAWS! There are new laws on the books that many residents do not know about. With water supplies becoming more scarce, the city of Long Beach has implemented some tough new guidelines to conserve.Here are a few of the new guidelines: Serving drinking water to any customer in a restaurant or other public place where food is served, sold, or offered for sale unless expressly requested by the customer. Washing driveways, sidewalks, parking areas, patios or other outdoor areas with a hose unless using a water-conserving pressurized cleaning device Irrigating landscape with potable water between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m Irrigating landscape with potable water any day other than Monday, Thursday, or Saturday Washing a vehicle with a hose when the hose does not... 10/05/2007

What makes our city beautiful are its people!!!  We do care about our city.  We care about our beaches.  Check this out !! Live and Play in Long Beach !! Help us keep our beaches clean!! 10/04/2007

In this photo montage contributed to YouTube recently, you will see how Long Beach has improved through the years.  Right now, Long Beach is still making improvements.  Some areas of Long Beach such as downtown have been greatly improved. Living and Playing in Long Beach is more a reality than ever.  Long Beach is many things- Sportstown USA, A City of Parks, Beach City - It all depends on you.  Focusing on East Long Beach and the Lakewood Area, you can check out this blog.  10/04/2007

"Real estate is a local business, driven by local buyers and sellers, and best served by local professionals."- Gary Keller, Founder, Keller Williams Realty- February, 2000 How has the rising popularity of Web 2.0 sites changed the face of real estate ?  Not a whole bunch.  In fact, most of the information gleaned from the new wave of real estate technology sites is wholly incorrect.  Just ask a Long Beach homeowner, looking to refinance.  The frustration in their voices are deafening when they pull up their home on Zillow.com and discover that the market value is far below the "Zestimate"- I know; I deal with it every day. Jon Dalton, a Phoenix Realtor, wrote about this very issue yesterday:Case in point … this morning someone asked about whether it’s the right time to buy real estate... 09/30/2007

Today the Feds issued this statement: "The tightening of credit conditions has the potential to intensify the housing correction and to restrain economic growth more generally."  Recent fears about the troubled housing market and credit problems obviously affected the recent Fed meetings.    The Feds are worried that people and business will cut back on their spendng and investment.  This may put the present economy into a tailspin."By going with a half-point reduction, Bernanke is eschewing a gradualistic approach. The patient -- the economy -- has a bad flu and you don't want it to turn into pneumonia. So you don't want to mess around," said Terry Connelly, dean of Golden Gate University's Ageno School of Business. The Fed left the door open to its next rate move, saying it will "act ... 09/18/2007

.   Come Fall 2008, Lakewood's Shopping Mall will introduce its newest anchor store.  With 159,000-square-feet and a gas station, this Costco will be the first in Southern California attached to a shopping mall.  The existing space has been vacant since the 2005 merger of Robinsons -May and Macy's.In recent consumer surveys, it was found that about 30 percent of Lakewood families shop at Costco.  The demeographics show that the typical Costco customer is a business owner.  They are usually homeowners with annual incomes of over $100,000 who shops an average of 20to 50 times a year at Costco.The arrival of Costco to Lakewood Center reflects the changes that are occurring in the retail industry.  the consolidation of department stores have created major retail gaps, prompting mall owner t... 09/18/2007

Sometimes pizza is just pizza. I mean how many ways can you do it differently. Thank goodness there's Broadway Pizza in Long Beach because they do it differently.The cafe opened in Long Beach about a year ago and has been a hit ever since. Their menu is varied, some of my favorites: pepperoni pizza, calamari salad, and hot wings. The food is made ready to order so it's always hot and fresh. You can order the pizza by the slice or the usual small, medium, and large.I'm told it's a pretty popular late night hang out once the clubs let out on Pine. I frequent there at least once a month, whenever I crave their calamari salad. In fact, my husband and I were just there last night!So if you're ever in Downtown Long Beach and you want some good eats stop by Broadway Pizza at 120 Pine Ave. in ... 09/17/2007

All stats were taken from the SoCalMLS system which covers the Long Beach area. If a property was sold without going through the MLS it will not be reflected in these figures.August 2007 for Belmont Heights, Belmont Shore, & NaplesNew Listings - 59 Total Active Listings at the end of the Month of August - 212 In Escrow Properties - 15 (9 Pending, 6 Backup) Closed Sales - 10So what does this all mean? Well it means that things are still selling near the water. In fact buyers have some great choices. Now if you think you will be getting an ocean front home for $200,000 I am sorry to dissappoint but sellers have shown flexibility with buyers who want to buy their homes and aren't just fishing for an offer. 09/14/2007

When I first heard about The Pike revitalization project in Downtown Long Beach I was more than excited. I smiled as I pictured a Universal City Walk or Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade right here in my City of Long Beach. According to The Downtown Gazette, The Pike was envisioned as a pedestrian-friendly, bustling, urban waterfront destination that would draw Long Beach residents and people from throughout the region, and would connect Pine Avenue and the water. Unfortunately, four years later many view the area more as of a high-rent food court than the entertainment center that was planned.Parking, tenant mix, and basic design are just some of the issues that concern the tenants of The Pike and the Long Beach City Council. And unlike successful plazas throughout Los Angeles, such as... 09/05/2007

One of the great things about Long Beach is there's always something going on and the Downtown Long Beach Associates are always working  to promote fun and exciting events in the city. Below are a few that I found interesting. You can few their calendar for more events & information. September 8 2nd Saturday Art Walk Enjoy an evening of art, entertainment, and food. 4 –10 p.m. East Village Arts District www.artwalklbc.com(I like art so I'm interested in checking this out. I've lived in Downtown Long Beach for almost 8 years and I have yet to attend one of these. Shame, shame)  September 9, 23 Free TARGET Garden Sunday Enjoy a day of free admission and special programs. Museum of Latin American Art (562) 437-1689 www.molaa.org Friday September 7, 14, 21, 28 Surf Lagoon Nights Get up clos... 09/05/2007