homes4hipsters

If you are returning to homes4hipsters, you may have noticed that I removed the Free MLS Search page. That is because the search functions sucked (what do you want for free, anyway?). The search returns were clunky, and the listing information was cursory. It was basically internet technology from 1998-1999. Well this is 2009, and there are far more better ways to search for real estate on the web 2.0. E-mail evan.gould@homes4hipsters.com, and I will sign you up for the new way to search for properties. The service is called Listingbook, and is kind of like Facebook for real estate searches. My wife and I have been playing around with it for a couple weeks, and it is pretty cool. In fact, this may replace the MLS altogether. Sorry, I can’t embed the service on this site, so you will have to provide your name and an e-mail address to register. Don’t worry, I won’t e-stalk you, and you can cancel any time you want. Do yourself a favor, and sign up for Listingbook.

Click the graphic above for the latest market info. It’s time once again for the Thursday market update for the Cliff May Ranchos neighborhood in Long Beach. The Ranchos is a mid-century modern ranch house neighborhood, located on the eastside of Long Beach. It is centrally located and provides easy access to Orange County, the South Bay, and central Los Angeles. It has been a few weeks since I ran this update, and there have been a few changes. If you are interested in looking at any of these homes, or have any questions about these homes, please call my cell or e-mail me. First of all we have some price changes. 3230 Stevely is now reduced to $610,000. It originally came on the market in January for $669,000. Don’t get your calculator out, I’ll do the math for you; it is about 91% of the original list price. The “Tuscarranean” remodeled home at 7219 Lanai also was reduced from $775,000 to $699,900. Hey look! That is about 90% of the original list price. Read the rest of this entry »

Click the graphic above for the MLS listings, or if you have any questions e-mail: evan.gould@homes4hipsters.com . Looks like it is time for another Cliff May Ranchos market update. As a refresher, this mid-century modern neighborhood is located on the Eastside of Long Beach, near the corner of Spring and Studebaker, across from El Dorado Park. Lots of great ’50’s era mid-century houses with open floorplans and huge patios to take advantage of California sunshine. New to the market this week is 7219 Lanai Ave. Remodeled in 2006, this 5 bed, 3 bath home has been expanded from the original 1,268 square feet. It is now a two story home in about 2,800 square feet. Along with the extra square footage, the home boasts travertine floors, and elaborate wrought iron details throughout. This home has been “Tuscanized”, so very little of the original mid-century flair is left. But hey, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, two extra bedrooms, and a price of $775,000 rarely seen in the neighborhood since the peak of the market in 2005/2006. Good luck! The very original home at 7232 E. Metz is in escrow. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1130 square foot home was listed for $559,000. Check back here for the final sales price. Finally, the home at 7115 Metz closed escrow. The list price was 575,000, and the final sales price was $550,000. So, some savvy shopper was able to snag this 3 bed, 2 bath fixer for 96% of the list price.

The Galaxy Towers (2999 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach) is a 20 story condominium building built in 1967 by the architects Hugh and Donald Gibbs. Typical of late mid-century modern architecture, the Galaxy is steel, concrete, and glass. I really like the painted blue steel panels and blue tinted glass that clad the building. Despite that this is the only 20 story building in a neighborhood of two story homes, I think the blue tones help the Galaxy blend into our beautiful SoCal skies. The Galaxy Towers condos are 2 and 3 bedrooms units with 2 baths floor plans of 1,510 square feet. Because of the cross shape design of this building, the units do not share a common wall and have views from three sides. Add to this the large balconies, and you have one of the coolest seaside condos in California. For pretty good prices, too. The only unit for sale is this 3 bedroom unit on the eighth floor listed for $560,000. If you are interested in seeing this unit or have more questions about the Galaxy, please call my cell 310-351-9798, or e-mail: evan.gould@homes4hipsters.com.

What perspective!

Perfect Symmetry!

Repeating patterns. This place has some style!

Click the graphic above for the latest market info. Wow! Busy week so I am a little late with the Cliff May Ranchos market update. And it appears that some other Realtors were busy putting 3025 Roxanne, Long Beach into escrow. As you may remember, that home is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in pretty original condition. The landscaping was old-fashioned, and the kitchen needs to be blown up, and rebuilt from scratch. It will be interesting to find the final sales price of this home. Of course, you can always check back here for current sales data, or e-mail evan.gould@homes4hipsters.com with any questions!

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How did we ever survive without Google? I have begun to build this custom Google Map, highlighting mid-century modern neighborhoods in Southern California. It is far from complete, but if you can think of any neighborhoods that should be included, please e-mail evan.gould@homes4hipsters.com.

Click the graphic above for the latest market update!

Not much movement in the Cliff May Long Beach market this week. To begin, the listing at 3150 Pattiz expired. Originally listed way back in August 2008 for $629,900, this home experienced a couple of price reductions, and finally exited the market a week ago @ $599,900. The home last sold in June 2006 for $640,000. The market giveth, and the market taketh away. What a cruel god these market forces! It may still be in escrow, but the MLS listing shows it as expired. The other action this week is the home at 3225 Roxanne which was pending sale in December, is now back on the market at $580,000 and looking fabulous… not! Just took a swing through this one and it is torn up. The garage has been divided and a rec room now occupies the halved space. The carpet is atrocious. The kitchen is in original condition, but the bathrooms have been poorly remodeled. Every room and surface needs to be redone. The exterior features that California dreamy patio area that opens to the living room. However, being north facing, and having an overbearing awning system, the space was dark, cold and rather unattractive. Oh yeah, don’t miss the dilapidated sailboat in the neighbors’ front yard, which kinda’ looks like your front yard because there is a shared fence across the front of the two houses. I really don’t mean to tear this listing apart, but for my money (and yours), I would buy the exact same home  at 3025 Roxanne for $515,900 or even the mostly original with the right upgrades and 200 square feet larger home at 3138 Studebaker for $539,250.

Click the graphic for the latest Cliff May Ranchos action!

New to the Cliff May Ranchos market this week is 3024 Kallin Ave. This 4 bedroom (3+ a den), 1.75 bath home is listed for $615,000. I haven’t been inside this one yet, but from the photos, it looks like there have been some nice upgrades. New Euro-style kitchen cabinets, breakfast bar, built in storage and work spaces, and modern tile and fixtures. It is direct competitiion with the home on Studebaker ($539,250) in lot size and square footage. So with upgrades and a better location, it may be priced pretty well. The other movement in the Ranchos is 3120 Karen Ave has gone into escrow after only a week on the market, listed at $649,000. Check back here for the final sales price.

Click here for the report!

After some fine-tuning, I have been able to get a better search and more complete snapshot of the Cliff May Ranchos neighborhood. Lets begin with the new property in escrow. 3225 Roxanne, a 3 bed, 2 bath 1130 square foot “Californian” model went pending in December. The list price was $580,000. Check back here for the final sales price! 3209 Roxanne is a 3/2 as well, but a little bigger at 1600 square feet. It is priced at $639,000, which may explain why it has been on the market for over 3 months. The other new listing for this week is 3138 Studebaker. It is listed as a 4 bedroom, 2 bath home. I went through the home yesterday, and the fourth bedroom is really more of a den/part of the living room. It could be converted into a bedroom, showing the versatility of these open floor plan, mid-century modern homes. The home has been freshly painted, carpeted, and really is “move-in ready”. Also, it has a great patio area, not to bad for $539,250. That wraps up this week’s market update. If you would like to arrange a viewing of any of these homes, or for more mid-century homes in Long Beach, give me a call 310-351-9798, or email evan.gould@homes4hipsters.com !

There has been a little movement in the Long Beach neighborhood comprised of fabulous Cliff May homes. Shortly after posting my market update last Thursday, 7115 Metz St. went into escrow. No word as of yet what the final sales price is, but check back weekly and it will be posted here. If you missed out on purchasing this home, cheer up! The home at 7232 Metz St. just came on the market. Located about a sand wedge away from 7115 Metz, this 3 bedroom/ 2 bath home is listed for $559,000. The home is about 1,130 square feet, and situated on a 6,000 square feet lot. Chock full of original mid-century details, including the original windows and doors, kitchen cabinetry, and no nasty remodels or additions. Oh yeah, it has a swimming pool perfectly placed for martini dives off the roof. If you are interested in exclusive viewings any of these listings, please call Evan Gould, Realtor @ 310-351-9798.