Long Beach/Southern California Real Estate

10/31/2025

What $700,000 Buys in Long Beach CA Right Now

Map of $700000 and Under in Long Beach

AS of October 31,2025, the map shows all properties in the CRMLS at $700,000 and under in Long Beach. There are 239, almost all are condos or townhomes, but there are also some single family homes.

One unknown gem in Long Beach for some buyers is the chance to buy a single family manufactured home in a gated community for under $640,000. Ideal for the buyer who would like recreational amenities such as pool and clubhouse, parking, and security. FHA/VA and conventional loans for these! Low HOA dues: Windward Village.

Looking for downtown highrise condo with water or city view? 1 bedrooms start as low as $455,000, with mid-range HOA dues which include many many amenities in the building: BBQ, gym, storage, pool, and more.

Do you like the El Dorado Park area? There are several condo listings nearby in the $439,000-$599,000 range, at El Dorado Lakes., that include pool, tennis court, clubhouse and more.

Looking for condo with inside laundry? The 2019 Long Beach Garden HOA offers units with monthly dues under $500, and more inside amenities, prices are from $560,000 to $690,000, includes parking, dog walk area, fitness center, and more.

If you enjoy Belmont Heights/Bluff Park, there are numerous condo opportunities under $699,000, a great opportunity to live near the water and Belmont Shore. And are you wanting to get closer to Cal State Long Beach? Right now there are several condo opportunities in Park Ocean starting at $295,000 for a studio and up to $499,000 for a 2 bedroom. And a really nice upper level corner unit in Park Estates for $550,000, you can't beat it.

To do your own search, please go to my site at https://www.abodes.realestate/mls-property-search. Just contact me if you are thinking of buying, I have 30 years' experience in helping first-time and repeat buyers find their property in Long Beach! Please let me show you how to find the right loan and possible down payment and grant information depending on where you buy! Take a look at Down Payment Resource. If you have a pet, or emotional support animal, let me try to help answer your questions when it comes to buying in a condo.

Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | http://www.abodes.realestate | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996

10/24/2025

Market Update for Long Beach Homes and Condos in September 2025

Local Market Update Stats for Long Beach

Single-Family Homes

New Listings: 123, down 9.6% from last year.
Pending Sales: 58, a steep 56.7% decline, indicating slower buyer activity.
Closed Sales: 134, up 7.2%, suggesting deals are still completing despite fewer pendings.
Days on Market: 35 days, up 16.7% — homes are taking longer to sell.
Median Sales Price: $950,000, down 5% year-over-year.
Average Sales Price: $1,144,568, a modest 3.5% increase, showing strength in higher-end sales.
Percent of List Price Received: 99.0%, a small 1% decrease, showing mild softening in negotiation power.
Inventory: 329 homes, 13.4% higher, improving buyer options.
Months of Supply: 3.0 months, up 20%, signaling a gradual move toward a more balanced market.

Insight: The Long Beach single-family market shows mixed conditions — fewer new listings and pending sales point to cooling momentum, but higher inventory and steady prices show resilience. Sellers face longer market times, but strong sale prices indicate underlying buyer demand remains.

Condo Market

New Listings: 87, up 4.8%, slightly more sellers entering the market.
Pending Sales: 40, down sharply 51.8%, revealing a significant buyer slowdown.
Closed Sales: 72, down 7.7%.
Days on Market: 50 days, up 61.3% — condos are taking much longer to sell.
Median Sales Price: $520,000, up 1.5%, holding steady.
Average Sales Price: $584,050, up 2.7%, showing stable values.
Percent of List Price Received: 96.0%, down 2.8%, suggesting more negotiation room.
Inventory: 322 units, up 12.6%, offering buyers more selection.
Months of Supply: 5.2 months, up 23.8%, nearing a buyer’s market.

Insight: The Long Beach condo market is cooling faster than the single-family sector. Buyers have more leverage, listings are increasing, and time on market is lengthening — yet prices remain stable, reflecting overall economic steadiness rather than distress.

Overall Trend

Both segments show rising inventory and longer selling times, a sign of normalization after prior hot years.
Prices are steady, not collapsing — indicating market resilience amid slower sales.
For buyers: more options and negotiating power.
For sellers: pricing competitively and working with an experienced agent will be crucial this fall.

Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | http://www.abodes.realestate | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996

10/21/2025

The Most Horrifying Home Design Trends: 2025 Edition

It’s that time of year again when we dive into the most “frightening” home design trends of 2025—the ones that could spook potential buyers, clash with current tastes and even potentially hurt a home’s resale value—that is, if you’re not careful.

Throughout the year, designers, real estate professionals and consumer surveys have all weighed in, sharing their disdain for certain looks, layouts and décor choices that can feel outdated, overdone or completely impractical. From to , we’ve gathered the worst of the worst in countdown fashion. Find the trends that make designers cringe, buyers roll their eyes and homeowners question what they were ever thinking.

10.

Once the “it” plant of Pinterest boards everywhere, the fiddle leaf fig is officially passé. Interior designers now call it the houseplant that locks your home into the late 2010s. Sure, it’s bold and sculptural—but it’s also earned a reputation for being fussy, difficult to keep alive and viewed as a cookie-cutter accessory. The New York Times first called out the “death of the fiddle leaf fig tree” in 2022, and others have since followed suit. Homeowners are seeking more variety in their houseplant choices. Looking for alternatives? Try , or for less maintenance and more personality.

Red brick has slid down on curb appeal charts, with just 2% of designers calling it the most desirable in 2025, falling in at last place on the preference list. , and dominate buyer preferences nowadays, according to ’s “2025 design and trends color report.”pdf Red brick still holds its charm in historic homes—but lately it has read more as dated, particularly as more homeowners favor lighter, versatile finishes that better match modern tastes.

The gray flooring craze continues to cool. Surging in popularity from 2018 to the early 2020s, the look can now make spaces feel cold and washed out. Warm, natural wood tones are taking over, seeking to connect interiors more to nature. Still love your gray floors? Contrast them with bright, colorful accents to help balance things out—just don’t expect them to be the star of your space any longer.

Maximalism has gone wild and cluttered “” versions are out. The anything-goes, pile-on-everything approach has left too many homes feeling chaotic. Lately, it’s about embracing “maximalism with meaning”—bold colors with layered textures and eclectic finds that tell a story. After all, if buyers can’t see past the and neon wallpaper, you likely are doing a home a disservice.

Just when you thought home tech couldn’t get any stranger, along comes a growing sector of smart toilets. Ambient lighting, app and voice control, music, health monitoring—do we really need our toilets doing all that? Smart home expert Brandon Doyle, a real estate pro with RE/MAX Results and co-host of , calls the smart bidet “one of the most over-the-top devices. “Your standard bidet is interesting enough for Americans,” he said on a recent episode of Real Estate Today, “but when you layer on sensors and automations, it gets kind of weird—it’s a good conversation piece but it’s definitely goofy.” Like other flashy smart gadgets, these toilets may be more spectacle than practical upgrade—attention-grabbing, yes, but horrifyingly overengineered.

Yes, people really are spray-painting their lawns green! Lawn paint can disguise brown patches for a quick sale or backyard party, but it’s a cosmetic fix that doesn’t solve soil or watering issues. And used deceptively, it can cross an ethical line in real estate when you’re using it to cover up serious lawn issues. Today’s buyers value honesty and sustainability—not painted turf. A healthy lawn—or even drought-friendly landscaping—can beat a painted quick-fix.

Red … again?! This time for the walls, not the exterior. More than half of real estate agents surveyed by Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate called red walls an instant buyer deterrent. Red also popped up high on Fixr.com’s 2025 survey of the most off-putting interior colors for home selling, which also included lime green, bold pink, purple, orange and mustard yellow. What colors should you use instead? Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate’s poll found that “new neutrals” reign—colors like soft greens, warm grays and nature-inspired tones. They note that buyers crave calm, move-in ready spaces, not bold personal statements they’ll have to cover later. So, save those fiery hues for accents—not your entire dining room wall.

3. The

All-white kitchens have had a solid run, but they’ve become predictable and a kitchen cliché. Today’s homeowners want warmth and personality. Two-tone kitchens—mixing painted uppers with wood or darker lowers—or colorful kitchen islands add dimension and character without a full remodel. White is still classic, but combining it with natural or wood tones and nature-inspired hues can keep a kitchen feeling fresh, modern and far from cookie-cutter.

They may look sleek and modern on Instagram, but floating stairs are high in cost and low in practicality. Without risers or sturdy supports, they can feel more like a safety hazard than a design win. Plus, they’re not cheap, and that’s money that could be better spent creating a dream kitchen. Buyers and homeowners likely will appreciate safer, more functional stair options. (Note: In my experience, a buyer's physical inspector may call out stairs with no railing in the physical inspection report.)

What once felt playful on TikTok has officially turned terrifying in 2025. Homes drenched in hot pink—from walls to furniture—now part of the fading read as overwhelming and juvenile. A few pink accents are fine, but full-on candy-colored décor is chaotic and dated. Designers are retreating to earthier, grounded color palettes—soft greens, warm neutrals and natural textures—leaving Malibu Dreamhouse-style interiors and the bubblegum craze stuck firmly in the past … and back in the toy aisle where it all began.

To see the entire article with completely descriptive photos, just click on the link --

The Most Horrifying Home Design Trends: 2025 Edition: Styled, Staged & Sold’s annual list of the worst home trends of the year—the design choices that can haunt real estate.

Sometimes sellers don't enjoy frank feedback from their listing agent, and sometimes it's not practical for construction design changes in order to sell, but an article like this one can help for preparation!

10/07/2025

If You're a Buyer, There May Be a Grant or Assistance Program for You

Down Payment Sources

There are more homes on the market now, but at the current price point in Southern California, the ability of many buyers to buy is hindered by not enough funds to close escrow. First of all, a 20% down payment is not a requirement to buy. (see below**.) There are loan programs such as FHA and VA which allow for 3.5% down payment or less, plus FHA 30-year interest mortgage rates are usually an improvement compared to conventional loan rates.

Then, various banks such as BMO, Citibank and Chase offer down payment assistance programs, or grants to 1st time buyers, and these aren't the only sources. Some do have income level requirements (BMO allows a total of $213,000 annual income). There are also programs for DACA recipients. It pays to look into these programs, because it may make the difference on whether you buy or not.

An important tool is the Down Payment search tool which allows for the input of a certain address, then asks for the type of property of interest, then general questions about income and if you're a veteran, before moving on to more details. This does not take the place of a loan qualification, but is designed to inform a buyer about potential opportunities. To find out specific programs based on your information, it does require input of name and phone or email and whether or not you're working with an agent. While some people are reluctant to give that out, you're not required to keep receiving information, please read their privacy policy. Because I'm an agent, the system emailed me the following linked programs based on an $899,000 single family listing in Long Beach, and $100,000 income, and will also send you as the enquirer the same information:

CBC Mortgage Chenoa Fund - FHA Forgivable DPA
Combined Assistance, up to $44,950 (5% of Purchase Price) in assistance

CBC Mortgage Chenoa Fund - FHA Repayable DPA
Combined Assistance, up to $44,950 (5% of Purchase Price) in assistance

National Homebuyers Fund (NHF) - Data Mortgage, Inc. dba Essex Mortgage 10 Year Amortized 2 Plus
Combined Assistance, up to $44,950 (5% of Purchase Price) in assistance

National Homebuyers Fund (NHF) - Data Mortgage, Inc. dba Essex Mortgage Forgivable/Deferred Program
Combined Assistance, up to $31,465 (3.5% of Purchase Price) in assistance

Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) Golden Opportunities Program
Combined Assistance, up to $42,702 (5% of Total Loan Amount) in assistance

Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) Platinum Assist To Own - Conventional
Combined Assistance, up to $42,702 (5% of Total Loan Amount) in assistance

Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) Platinum Down Payment Assistance - Government
Combined Assistance, up to $42,702 (5% of Total Loan Amount) in assistance

Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) Platinum Down Payment Assistance Program - Conventional
Combined Assistance, up to $42,702 (5% of Total Loan Amount) in assistance

Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) Platinum SELECT Down Payment Assistance - Government
Combined Assistance, up to $42,702 (5% of Total Loan Amount) in assistance

Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) Platinum SELECT Down Payment Assistance Program - Conventional
Combined Assistance, up to $42,702 (5% of Total Loan Amount) in assistance

This information is then forwarded on to the prospective buyer. If you wish to find out more sources, just use the form and I would be happy to send you a list such as this for you to use at your discretion. The results will depend on area or city, income, credit score, how many buyers, or if you currently rent or own. Not all lenders work with all programs, and you always have the option of contacting a loan officer to inquire about their programs. But using this tool gives you an overview of multiple sources before you shop.

The important thing to know is, there may be an option for you, so don't be afraid to start searching.

**Nearly 1 in 2 buyers made a down payment of 10% or less. In the meantime, less than 30% of buyers made a down payment above 20%, often repeat buyers using equity from previous home. Smaller down payments are the norm, showing how buyers are adapting to today's affordability challenges while still becoming homeowners. The idea that you need a 20% down payment is one of the biggest myths in real estate."

Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | http://www.abodes.realestate | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996

10/03/2025

What the Government ShutDown May Mean for Some Clients Right Now

With failing to pass funding legislation by September 30, the on October 1.

Will most home sales and closings continue?
Yes. Most transactions will still move forward. However, REALTORS® should prepare clients for potential slowdowns in loan processing, appraisals, and flood insurance.

Do all federal government housing-related programs stop during a shutdown?
No. While many departments face reduced staffing in a limited capacity with “essential” services, the most critical housing and mortgage programs retain their core functions. However, delays are common in programs that require staff involvement.

What happens to Federal Housing Administration (FHA) single-family loans?
Most FHA single-family home loans will continue to move forward without interruption. New FHA single-family loans can still be endorsed during a shutdown.

What about FHA condominium projects and other approvals?
Some FHA programs — such as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) and Title I loans — are paused. Activities requiring U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) staff discretion, like manual underwriting for new condominium project approvals, are likely delayed until the government
reopens. C.A.R. members should consider checking HUD’s list of already-approved condominium
projects.

How are conforming mortgages from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the government-sponsored enterprises, or GSEs) impacted?
The GSEs generally retain their core functions during a shutdown. However, some services that depend on other federal agencies may be affected. For example, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax transcripts may be unavailable, requiring lenders to obtain transcripts and close later.

Can active-duty service members and Veterans still apply for VA home loans?
Yes. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan guarantees remain available, and lenders can continue processing applications. However, reduced staffing during a shutdown may cause delays in appraisals, certificates of eligibility, and underwriting support.

Can my client still apply for flood insurance?
Applications for new or renewed federal flood insurance policies cannot be issued by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) during the shutdown. Existing NFIP policies remain valid until they expire, and claims will continue to be paid while funds last. Policies may also be transferred from seller to buyer during a transaction. If your clients are seeking an immediate flood insurance policy, private insurance remains an option that is unaffected by the shutdown.

Courtesy of California Association of REALTORS.

Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | http://www.abodes.realestate | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996

9/23/2025

Money Laundering Rule in Effect as of March 1, 2026

As of March 1, 2026 (note date change) a new rule issued by FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) takes effect. This rule applies to real property of one to four residential units, vacant land intended for construction of residential of one to four residential units, where the buyer is a legal entity or trust,and the buyer is making an all-cash purchase or financing the purchase through a bank, etc., that does not have an independent money laundering reporting obligation.

Information required to be collected by a "reporting person" which typically is the escrow or title company in the transaction, will include legal names, dates of birth, dates of execution of trusts, addresses, dba's, citizenship (for trustees and beneficial owners), taxpayer identification numbers, and if needed account number and financial institution name from which payment is made.

Additionally, there will probably be an extra charge in escrow for collecting this information which according to one escrow officer could be as much as an additional $700. California Association of Realtors is including this transactional information now, so that any properties already begun prior to December 1 will be covered. This information is in a separate required form now, but is currently planned to be incorporated into the standard residential purchase contract in June, 2026.

And, should all necessary information not be delivered as requested on a timely basis, the Reporting Person will not close escrow, and any party not providing this information may be in breach of contract and the other party may be entitled to cancel.

While more regulations and forms to sign in escrow are met with a tired groan, bear in mind that "in 2025, financial crime is more sophisticated than ever, costing the global economy up to $2 trillion annually, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime ." https://www.moodys.com/web/en/us/kyc/resources/insights/aml-in-2025.html, involving cryptocurrency, real estate transactions, and other ways of laundering money.

See more at : https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/fincen-money-laundering-rule-crackdown-all-case-home-purchases/ and at FinCEN: https://www.fincen.gov/boi-faqs

NOTE: The implementation date has changed from December 1, as posted in the original article, to March 2, 2026. Article links may still have December 1 date.

Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | http://www.abodes.realestate | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996

9/18/2025

California Housing Market Projection for 2026

California Assoc of REALTORS 2026 Prediction

The 2026 Housing Market Forecast is out, and the overall prediction is that the median price will continue to inch up from the 2025 median of $873,900 to a 2026 median of $905,000.

Resale volume is still under the 2021 level, and in 2026 will be projected to 274,400 units, well under the 444,500 level of 2021, but ahead of the 2025 level of 269,000 units.

Per the California Association of REALTORS:

"Inflation will likely pick up in the next 12 months, but the annual average Consumer Price Index (CPI) for 2025 will dip slightly to 2.8 percent, before bouncing back up to an average of 3.0 percent next year. The average 30-year, fixed mortgage interest rate will moderate slightly to 6.6 percent in 2025 but will decline more solidly to 6.0 percent in 2026. While next year’s projected average for the 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate will still be higher than the levels observed in the few years prior to the pandemic, it will be lower than the long-run average of nearly 8% in the past 50 years." (Per Bankrate: September 18, 2025, the current average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate is 6.23%.)

Housing affordability is expected to inch up to 18 percent next year after edging up to a projected 17 percent in 2025 from 16 percent in 2024.

“As economic uncertainty begins to clear up in the next 12 months and mortgage rates start declining more consistently in the upcoming quarters, housing sentiment will see some improvement in 2026,” said C.A.R. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine. “However, mounting headwinds such as the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and its trading partners, the home insurance crisis, and a potential stock market bubble will remain challenges for the housing market in upcoming year,” Levine continued.

The complete Market Forecast will be posted soon on the CAR website.

Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | http://www.abodes.realestate | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996

9/15/2025

Buyers, Especially First Time Buyers, Want Agents Who Know The Buying Process

Another agent I'm acquainted with in my market told me a story the other day about a buyer she had been working with who enjoyed using the benefits of AI to find out information about his transaction, i.e., analyzing the contract he had signed with the seller

Marina Vista Park

. The buyer was satisfied with getting all his information, at that point, by entering prompts and getting answers back about the contract, in spite of his agent's request to personally meet with him and review, which he refused. But according to the most recent annual buyer profile mentioned below, this is not what most buyers are looking for in an agent. Most people want the guidance and experience of their agent, to say nothing of the fact that a buyer broker agreement has been signed and this knowledge and duty is what the buyer is paying the agent for. There are myriad issues in a transaction that may not be accounted for if the right prompt isn't entered into the AI chat. AI is becoming more and more a very useful tool, but does it handle absolutely all situations?

The "2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers Highlights" by the National Association of REALTORS®, provides an annual overview of recent home buyers and sellers who completed transactions between July 2023 and June 2024. This edition highlights the challenges faced by buyers due to a housing affordability crisis, limited inventory, and high mortgage interest rates (averaging 7.02% and peaking at 7.79%).

The following is summarized (about buyers) from the report:

Characteristics of Home Buyers:

Demographics:
- Median buyer age increased to a peak of 56 (up from 49 last year).
- First-time buyer median age: 38 (up from 35).
- Repeat buyer median age: 61 (up from 58).
- Married couples: 62% (increased). Single females: 20% (slightly increased). Single males: 8% (decreased). Unmarried couples: 6% (decreased).
- Ethnicity: 83% White/Caucasian, 7% Black/African-American, 6% Hispanic/Latino, 4% Asian/Pacific Islander.
- Sexual Orientation: 88% heterosexual, 3% gay/lesbian, 2% bisexual.
- 73% of buyers had no children under 18 in their home (highest recorded).
Multi-generational Living: 17% purchased multi-generational homes (all-time high), primarily for cost savings (36%), elder care (25%), or adult children moving back/never leaving (21% each).
Reasons for Purchase:
- 22% desired to own a home of their own (64% for first-time buyers).
- 43% said the timing was right; 23% had to purchase.
Distance Moved: Median distance between previous and new home was 20 miles (down from 50 in 2022, but still elevated from 15 miles in 2018-2021).
Location: 45% purchased in a suburb/subdivision, 23% in a small town, 16% in an urban/central city (highest since 2014).
Neighborhood Factors: Quality of neighborhood (59%), convenience to friends and family (45%), and overall home affordability (36%) were most important. Convenience to job declined to 34% (from 52% in 2014).
Expected Length of Ownership: Median of 15 years; 25% expected to never move.

Based on the "2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers Highlights" report, the average home buyer primarily wants an agent who can:

Help them find the right home: This was the top reason, with 49% of buyers seeking assistance with this task.
Negotiate terms of sale: 14% of buyers wanted help with negotiations, and 11% specifically for price negotiations.
Assist with paperwork: 7% of buyers sought help with managing the necessary documentation.
Understand the home-buying process: Over half of all buyers (53%) found their agent invaluable in helping them understand the complex buying process, a figure that jumps to 80% for first-time buyers.

In summary, buyers seek agents who are knowledgeable, responsive, honest, possess good people skills, and can effectively guide them through finding a suitable home, negotiating the deal, and handling the intricacies of the transaction.

I have been helping buyers since 1994, the market and market conditions have gone through many growth phases since then, and I have the advantage of knowledge and experience. Just let me know how I can assist you!

Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | http://www.abodes.realestate | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996

9/08/2025

The Long Beach Average Home Price in August, 2025

Ma and Pa Grocery - Belmont Heights Favorite

The Long Beach average sales price for a single family home has been jumping around since the beginning of the year:

January - $1,132,231

February - $1,058,802

March - $1,188, 403

April - $1,070,180

May - $1,069,937

June, $1,266,298

July - $1,089,619

August - $1,160,302

Looking for a lower price? the neighborhoods in 90810, Westside and Upper Westside, averaged $760,200 in August; 90804, Rose Park and Zaferia areas, was $750,400; 90806 in the Wrigley area was $700,555;

The overall August inventory level is up to 3 months now, and selling price to original list price ranges from 98%-100.3%. Active listings have increased since January (269) to 327 in August. An easier time for buyers because there's more inventory, however, considering the higher number of listings in August, there were 128 closed sales, the January market was even slower with 91 closed sales.

While there are still misconceptions among some buyers about how much down payment is needed to buyer, just remember that FHA loans and VA loans are out there and can be very helpful when you don't have 20% down. Try the down payment resource search to assist you -- feel free to contact me with questions about this guide. And for prices in other local markets, take a look at the Market Reports while you're on my website, link below.

Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | http://www.abodes.realestate | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996