Dark Sky Illumination Trend Addresses Adverse Effects of Light Pollution

 

Dark Sky Anza Borrego Desert - Credit: John Loo via Flickr (CC)

Dark Sky Illumination Trend Addresses Adverse Effects of Light Pollution: 

Light pollution disturbs nature and can cost billions. Communities and cities are increasingly aware of the negative effects of light pollution and are passing ordinances to curb the problem. This affects how homeowners light their yards, and real estate professionals who know the ins and outs are better equipped to help their clients.

Have you looked at a nighttime photo map of the U.S. showing major cities with clusters of lights?  According to the article at the link, "Over the last 25 years, light pollution has increased by at least half and is growing about 10% annually, according to the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), a Tucson, Ariz.-based organization focused on reversing the issue."  

Christmas lights, LED landscaping lights, expanding population in cities needing nighttime lighting, commercial displays, are all sources of increased light pollution.  It doesn't just block out our view of the nighttime sky, it impacts "plants, animals, insects, fish and people by affecting their natural rhythms and habits."   Further, " 'About 20 to 50% of the light that shines into the night sky is said to be lost due to fixtures being unshaded, which results in an estimated economic cost of about $3 billion, says Brian Liebel, Director of Strategic Initiatives at IDA. “We all pay that cost, either directly through utility bills or in the prices of goods and services, into which infrastructure costs are rolled.' ”

Tips by the IDA that property owners may want to consider are:

• All light should have a definite purpose. Before installing any, homeowners should weigh reflective paint or self-luminous markers instead of permanently installing outdoor lighting.
• Light should be directed only where needed, which is made easier with a shield and by aiming the light beam, so it points downward.
• Low light levels limit the amount of light.
• Light should be used only when it is needed rather than left on 24/7; that is why motion detectors and timers are useful.
• Light colors should be carefully selected and preferably warmer colored rather than blue-violet. “The blue scatters the light more in the night sky and increases the level of light pollution,” Libel says.

Please see the entire article at the link. And view the International Dark Sky Association site.

If you would like a home consultation because you are thinking about selling, please contact me by text, email or online. I have a lot of experience which I can put to work for you.

 

 

Long Beach Houses: What's on the Market And for How Long

Beautiful corner lot home

The market seems to be back to multiple offers and buyers feeling a lot of stress, unable to get into contract with a seller. It's true, there's low inventory, and higher interest rates.  

But not all properties are selling within a few days of coming onto the market. However, many of the home sitting on market are in the higher price range, over $1,000,000.  

The record holder on the active market in Long Beach right now is a single family in the 90803 zip code listed at $3,149,000, on market for 350 days as of July 11th--it doesn't appear to have been in escrow according to MLS data.  

The next highest time on market is a house listed at $829,000 in the 90804 zip code, on market for 336 days as of July 11th.  It was reduced from $929,000, and doesn't reflect that it's ever been in escrow.   

The next property is back in the 90803 zip close to the water listed at $3,749,000, on market for 243 days, also never in escrow per the MLS data. 

Another home in North Long Beach, completely redone on the interior is listed at $795,000, on market for 148 days.  

Then Bixby Highlands has a listing $1,099,000, on market for 127 days, never in escrow.

And so it goes through a list of 124 active properties, with the lowest house starting at $469,000, the highest list price being $6,999,000.

In Long Beach, in this group of 124 all active SFRs in the city, the average list price is $1,522,138 with an average of 41 days on the market.  There are 64 listings under $1,000,000, roughly half of the total group.

Currently, there are 109 SFRs in escrow , with average of $1,162,566 and an average 35 days on market.

So in spite of the overall inventory shortage, there's more active listings than are getting into escrow.

If you would like help buying or selling, please contact me for local area information of your property, and local listings on the market. I've had 28 years of experience helping both buyers and sellers.

 

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

Housing Affordability for California Buyers, Up or Down?

Housing affordability brightened somewhat in the 1st Quarter of 2023 since interest rates have dipped, see several areas below for comparisons.  The first three columns are the percentage of homebuyers who could buy the median priced home*:

Regional/State Chart for home prices in California

*Above chart from CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Traditional Housing Affordability Index First quarter 2023

 These figures exist for all counties, but four major areas are selected above, plus statewide figures for single family home and condos.

As has been widely stated, inventory is down, therefore total sales volume is down, 2023 units are projected to reach 279,000 units, down from the 342,000 units sold in 2022. Will home prices decrease as predicted (in blue print)? The public will have to stay tuned on both prices and interest rates:

"C.A.R. also announced it has revised its 2023 Housing Market Forecast and projects existing single-family home sales to reach 279,900 units in 2023, a decline of 18.2 percent from the 342,000 units sold in 2022. While home prices in general are expected to improve in the second half of the year, the California median home price is projected to decrease 5.6 percent to $776,600 in 2023, down from the annual median price of $822,300 recorded in 2022. The updated projection on the statewide median price, however, is an increase from the estimate of $758,600 forecast last October. C.A.R. also projects the 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate to average 6.3 percent for the year.

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

Buyers Want to Know: About Area Schools

Many times a buyer may be searching in an area without much familiarity with it.  And they're hoping their Realtor can provide them with an "orientation" to the area, and describe the nature or quality of local shopping, proximity to freeways, or schools.  Schools are usually important to parents because they want to ensure their children (or child) is receiving a good education in a good learning environment.  

But what Realtors specialize in is listing and selling property, and while they may have certain personal knowledge and experience with area resources, they cannot personally or professionally vouch for area standards, nor attempt to define what is "good", "not good" or "excellent" for their client. But what a Realtor can do is point their client to resources that help a buyer complete the buyer's investigation of their potentially new neighborhood, so that buyers may determine for themselves what is satisfactory or not. 

The following links are found on one or more State of California websites, and are there for anyone to use!

California Distinguished Schools

California School Dashboard

School Accountability Report Card 

Charter Schools in California

There are other sites which rate schools, but before you make up your mind about a school based on a certain rating, take the time to research it more indepth and consider what is really important to you. Compare other schools to the one you may be considering, and also research online about the current educational issues for students statewide. 

Hopefully, you will find the right neighborhood for you faster, if you start your search for factors important to you early!

Please contact me by text, email or phone call for help with property values and what it takes to buy your next home!

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