Should You Hire a Gardener to Make Your Garden Drought-Friendly?

Gardening is a lot of hard, rewarding, and therapeutic work. Just that answer alone is complex. Then, you must mold them all together to grow and maintain life. Add in the increasing drought conditions of Southern California, and it can become pretty easy to neglect your lawn. So, should you hire a gardener to maintain your landscape, or should you try to do it yourself? Let’s figure it out!

Pros to Gardening Yourself 

There are many studies that show spending time in the garden can decrease stress and improve your mood. In turn, you may experience benefits like lower blood pressure and better heart health. 

So, if you can garden yourself, then by all means! You will save a lot more money. Plus, the health rewards are well worth the time invested. 

What to Know About Gardening in Southern California 

Before planting, you should also be aware of how much water is needed to keep your garden alive. The Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS) is an excellent resource for this information. Their database lists the water needs of over 3,500 plant species.

Also, keep in mind that many plants won’t survive in drought conditions. So, planting them would essentially be a waste of water and money. Make sure you are up-to-date with the best drought-resistant plants for California.

Should You Hire a Gardener for Your Southern California Garden?

If you need to redo your whole garden or replace old turf, this might be a bigger job than you can handle. After all, we need to work for a living. There are just so many hours in the day! So, it’s best you get a gardener who specializes in water conservation gardens. 

Turf Replacement Program

California has a Turf Replacement Program that covers all of your gardening needs.

This innovative program is the brainchild of multiple organizations:

  • Department of Water Resources
  • California Conservation Corps (CCC)
  • Habitat Corridor Project (HCP)
  • Local Government Commission

Their goal is to replace 165,000 square feet of California turf with water-efficient landscaping using native plants, trees, and grass. Specialists will handle turf removal, irrigation, planting, and mulch. Applying is a no-brainer for someone looking to go green with their greenery.

Fruit Tree Planting Program 

Another amazing initiative that California has rolled out is a Fruit Tree Planting Program. City staff will plant one fruit tree in your yard. You can choose between six different plants.

Options include:

  • Lemon
  • Lime
  • Orange
  • Pomegranate
  • Peach
  • Avocado

This program hopes to improve the environment and the health of California citizens. Plus, with the recent avocado shortage south of the border, the Fruit Tree Planting Program might save brunch!

Ebb and Flow: Why Pricing Waves Make Now a Great Time to Buy in Southern California

If you’ve ever bought or sold a house, or even thought about buying or selling, you’ve probably experienced the confusing ups and downs of the real estate market. Understanding the best time to buy can be tricky, especially when everything from time of year to holidays to politics can influence how properties are priced. 

Here we’ll cover some of the main ebbs and flow of the real estate market in Southern California and help you feel more empowered in your hunt for the perfect home. 

Weekly fluctuations
Most homes go on the market on Thursdays or Fridays making the weekends the best time to get in and make a deal. Later in the week, you’ll likely face more competition and shifts in pricing.

Bottom line – Prepare to buy on a weekend for the best availability.

Seasonal considerations
Spring is the most common time to buy (April specifically, but anytime between March and May). During these seasons, prices may be higher due to more home buyers in the market. To balance this out, many sellers are prepared to list their home in spring for the best chances of a sale. 

Bottom line – Spring can be pricier, but you may have more options. Opt for summer or late fall if you’re looking for a great deal.

Interest drops
Interests rates have taken a dip in recent months, making buying your home much more affordable. Right now, you still strike while the iron is hot. Interest rates are expected to stay low for at least the first half of the year. 

Bottom line – To lock in low interest rates, consider shopping for a new home in Southern California now. 

Home prices on an incline
The average median home value in California is still increasing with the median home value at $615,000. These prices reflect a huge 10% increase since December of last year.  

Bottom line – It’s not likely that home prices will drop soon and may continue to increase. 

There is No Perfect Time to Buy, Just the Right Time for You

Ebbs and flows in the market are always shifting. While we can consider these fluctuations, we can’t rely on them. The best time to buy a home is when it makes sense for you and your family. If you’ve been dreaming of buying your first home or moving into a new property, now is the time to start the conversation. 

5 Things Homeowners Wish They Had Known!

There’s nothing worse than a raging case of buyer’s remorse. It’s one thing to detest the jacket you just bought. It’s another to regret purchasing your house. While buying a home is an excellent investment that pays a lot of dividends in the long-run, daily life can make it harder to see the big picture. Some of the bumps along the road may cause you to feel moments of regret, but they shouldn’t. 

There are moments where you’ll feel blindsided as a homeowner. You feel that if you knew about these problems earlier in life, it could have made these blows easier to deal with. In fact, you can even plan for them, which would severely decrease any feelings of buyer’s regret. Here are five things homeowners wish they knew before they bought or renovated their home. 

Fix the Little Things As They Happen 

A slow leak can cause structural damage, while a clogged gutter can make a hole in the roof. There are little inconveniences that will inevitably pop up in your home. You might feel tempted to deal with these issues “tomorrow.” 

After all, you don’t plan on moving any time soon, so you’re bound to fix this issue. Well, that issue isn’t going anywhere either. Suddenly, it becomes a game of chicken as to what will crack first–the ceiling tiles or your procrastination. 

You Might Not Be Able to Renovate Upon Moving in 

Part of the allure of buying a house is making the place feel like yours. Sure, you can move in and rip up the carpet and paint the walls. However, you might not be allowed to get an addition or upgrade the electrical on day one.

For instance, adding another room onto the side of your house might be a zoning or conservation issue. Plus,installing a new bathroom will require a plumbing permit, just as blowing out the kitchen wall requires its own. 

Furthermore, these permits can only be obtained by the homeowners. It doesn’t matter if you’re closing tomorrow. They will make you wait until tomorrow to start the process. Depending on your situation, approval may take months.

Get to Know Your Neighbors

It’s good to have people you trust that live around you. Even the biggest introverts can benefit from a last minute cat-sitter or someone close who can lend you a lawnmower when yours goes kaput. 

Also, bad neighbors can really impede your quality of life. Try getting a gauge of the people in your neighborhood before moving in. Say “hi” and chat if you see them outside. Drive around at different hours of a day to get a feel for the neighborhood’s vibe. Make an educated decision about your location before settling in. 

Look Out for Problem Trees

Trees are essential and are an excellent spot for your children to read a book. However, these big beauties can become even bigger pains. If your potential house is close to a big tree, Google it. See how aggressive their root systems are. 

Aggressive roots are strong and will expand many feet. In turn, they can pull up piping or damage the structure of the house. Think of a tree that destroys a sidewalk. That can be the slab of your future home’s foundation. 

Plan Renovations 

Your house needs to change as your family continues to evolve. These changes are going to be costly. However, their necessity will be inevitable. So, don’t live in denial. Come up with a plan.

Talk to pros about potential renovations. Get a gauge for how much they will be. Choose one big project every year or two. Save up and see it through. Then, start thinking of your next long-term goal. You’ll be surprised at how productive you can be! 

2020 Is The Time To Sell

It’s the Time to Sell in Southern California

Once you’ve decided to sell your home, it can be tricky to figure out exactly when is the best time. There are many factors at play. What season is best? What the economy like? Are there any important personal times that factor in? Is your home ready to sell? 

While it can be tricky to navigate just when is the best time to sell your home, we’d like to share with you some reasons why right now is a great time is to sell in Southern California. 

New Buyers are Entering the Market
Millennials are currently making up the biggest group of homebuyers in 2020, which means that if your home is great for a young couple, young professional, or small family, you could be just what they’re looking for. 

Interest Rates are Low in 2020
Interest rates are expected to remain low this year, meaning that homebuyers will have a great opportunity to secure an affordable mortgage. This will encourage many to become new homeowners or to take the change to move up to a new house. Rates may change drastically as the year goes on and we move into 2021, so buyers are likely to make a purchase earlier in the year. 

2021 Could Mean Trouble
Economists and forecasters have reason to believe that we might head into a recession in late 2020 or 2021. For this reason, many people are considering jumping on selling their house sooner rather than waiting for a potentially tougher climate. 

Spring is in the Air…and the Buyers are Out Hunting
Spring is one of the most popular times of year to sell a house. Moving in spring is typically much easier than the holiday-packed winter or the vacation-packed summer. The weather is great, there is less going on in general, and most buyers are eager to settle in before all the entertaining of the rest of the year begins. 

Should You Sell?

If you have been considering selling your home, you might want to take action now. The real estate climate is good for sellers with encouraging economic forecasts for early 2020 and low bank rates to encourage buyers. With an active selling season coming up, now is the time to prepare your home for a sale and reap the rewards of good planning!

A Prosperous 2020: Start Your Saving Habits in January!

Each year, countless Americans resolve to stop mindless spending and finally start saving for the future. The New Year brings a lot of motivation and encouragement, but soon after the first few weeks of January, many of us fall off track. 

The trick to staying on top of your saving is to start early and start with a plan. Here, we’ll discover the best tips and tricks to help you make saving a habit this year, not just a wish. Let’s make 2020 our most prosperous year yet!

 

 

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Limit unnecessary purchases.
This is an obvious one, but to start saving more, we need to spend less. Look at any unnecessary subscription services, convenience spending, or impulse habits. January can be a particularly tough time for many after the hit of the holidays. Reduce the impact by cutting back and making do in January.

 

 

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Reduce, renew, recycle. 
When possible, take the chance to buy used or upcycle something you already have. This goes for things around the house as well as food and personal items. Replace costly household cleaners with much cheaper (and more natural) DIY alternatives and make better use of your groceries and leftovers.

 

 

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Teach your family the beauty in having less.
If your family tends to be more maximalist than minimalist, consider spending the month of January to drastically de-clutter and donating your unused items. Kids tend to accumulate a lot of toys, clothes, and “stuff” that eventually gets forgotten once the next shiny thing comes around. In fact, children can be happier just a few toys that they really love. Teach them about the joys of giving and plan to buy fewer new things throughout the year.

 

 

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Save automatically.
The easiest way to start a saving habit is to have technology do all the hard work for you. Set up a recurring transfer between your checking and savings account either weekly, with each paycheck, or monthly. You’ll never have to remember to save and you won’t end up spending your savings. 

 

 

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Get a clear budget. 

It’s nearly impossible to know how much you can really save until you create a clear budget. Account for every dollar spent on monthly bills, gas, personal spending, groceries and any other necessities. Allocate what’s left over for savings. 

 

 

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Save it ‘Til You Make It
Whether you’re saving for a home, saving for renovations, saving for a trip, or saving for your financial freedom, the path to success is with small, easy to attain steps and clear priorities. The tips in this blog have helped millions get out of debt, save for a home, or become financially stable. This is all possible for you, too! Best of luck this year! 

 

Five Favorite Long Beach Neighborhoods

We love Long Beach. Why wouldn’t we?! The city of Long Beach is not only beautiful, but it is home to some amazing restaurants, shops, and tons of great events. We love having the ocean right at our fingertips and parks in our backyard. What we love most, however, are the amazing neighborhoods that make us proud to live in Long Beach. 

Let’s explore just five of our favorite Long Beach neighborhoods to find out why we love to call Long Beach home!

 

 

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Belmont Shore

Belmont Shore is the perfect mix of urban and suburban. This area has a younger vibe and attracts many young professionals with access to events, dining, and bars. 

 

 

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Bixby Knolls

Bixby Knolls is well-known for its low crime rate, high-performing schools, and high-end housing. This neighborhood is great for those who are willing to pay a larger price tag for opulence outside the city. The neighborhood is also near two freeways and the Long Beach airport, so this is a great area for commuters. 

 

 

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Naples

We love our own little “Venice of America.” Naples is Long Beach’s little Italy, complete with picturesque canals. The Marine Park is nearby offering a wonderful place to stroll, have a picnic, or take the kids to play. 

 

 

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East Village

If you love art and culture, the East Village might be for you. This area boasts lively night-life scene, high-performing schools, shopping, and galleries. Enjoy the festive bars, unique coffee shops, and green parks. 

 

 

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Hellman Street Craftsman Historic Village 

Historic, charming craftsman bungalows make the Hellman Street area famous. This is a low-crime area with many good schools, making it a great choice for families. The best part? The North Alamitos Beach is well-within reach. 

 

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Long Beach is For You
No matter what neighborhood you settle into in Long Beach, we know that you’ll find yourself right at home! From tree-lined neighborhoods to winding canals, brunch to cocktail hour, beach parties to evening park strolls, Long Beach offers a quality of life hard to come by. We can’t wait for you to join us!

How to Streamline the Escrow Process and Prevent Closing Delays: 5 Simple Steps

Escrow is not fun for anyone involved – buyers nor sellers. It can be a stressful time of waiting and feeling unsure about how things will go moving forward.

With that said, escrow is a vital part of the home buying process. It protects everyone involved in the transaction and prevents any long term negative impacts of a deal gone wrong.

Ideally, escrow will be as expedient as possible. If the process drags on, other issues have room to pop up. The interest rate could rise, stricter lending regulations might go into effect, employment status could change, or even damage to the home could occur.

Getting in and out of escrow quickly is possible. Follow these five steps to keep your escrow on schedule and prevent delays in closing.

 

 

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Secure Finances First
Do not fall into the trap of wildly making offers without preapproval from your lender. Entering escrow without your financial backing in order is a recipe for a broken deal. Take the time to get approval and know how much you can actually offer on a home. It will save a lot of heartache in the long run.

 

 

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Have Inspections Scheduled
Escrow is often held up by missing inspection reports. Have your ducks in a row and reliable inspectors for termite, general, and roof inspections. Any hold up in the reports will result in a delay during escrow.

 

 

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Obey the Letter of the Law
You will get directions from multiple entities regarding things you need to do during escrow. Follow the instructions exactly as they are written. Get requested documents to the requestor immediately and check in with your escrow officer regularly to see if anything else is needed.

 


Think Ahead
The day of closing is not the time to come up with questions you have for your real estate agent or any other party involved. Think ahead about any concerns you may have and try to get answers before closing.

 

 

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Experience is Invaluable
It is highly recommended that you shop around for your escrow company. Do not stop at simply deciding which one is more economical. Seek out a company that has a great reputation for their service and ability to get closing done fast. It may be worth paying a little extra to get the best service.

 

New Year’s Resolutions That Will Help You Buy a Home in 2020

Are you dreaming of buying a home in 2020? Congratulations! Buying your first home is an amazing goal to work towards. The idea, however, can feel overwhelming and daunting if you have never bought or owned a home. 

2020 is your year to become a homeowner. Let’s start the year off right with some helpful resolutions that put you on the path to homeownership before the end of the year. 

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Buying Your First Home

 

I will save $X each month to reach my goal of a $Y down payment.
The first resolution you need for 2020 is to determine what your desired down payment is. Without a clear idea, it’s an impossible goal to towards. Once you have your number, decide how much more you need to save to reach that, and divide by the number of months you have before you hope to buy a home. That’s your monthly goal. Now stick to it!

I will unsubscribe to unnecessary, costly subscription services by February 1st, 2020.

This is a simple, but important resolution that’s great for anyone saving up to make any kind of large purchase. In the first few weeks of the new year, track down any less-than-necessary subscription services you have and cancel them. Do you really watch that much cable? What about that monthly subscription box? This goes for other purchases as well. Trim down as much as possible by reducing your coffee shop habit, grocery splurges, or impulse buying.

I will avoid making any large purchases until I have reached my down payment goal.
This goal pairs well with the previous resolution. Limit any unnecessary purchases – especially big ones – until you’ve reached your biggest goal. New cars, technology, and fancy vacations can wait. This year the focus is buying a home!


I will reach out to a real estate agent and mortgage broker by April 1, 2020 to discuss my plans to buy a home this year.
You may have browsed available homes in your desired neighborhood and gotten an idea of what’s out there. That’s great! But the first step to making real progress with finding a home is reaching out to a real estate agent and a mortgage broker. If possible, get pre-approved for a home loan and solidify an agent you’d love to work with when you’re ready to serious start the search.

I will pay off other outstanding debts to improve my credit by (date).
This resolution will vary greatly from person to person. Consider the amount of outstanding debt you have from credit cards, car loans, student loans. Pay these off to the best of your ability while also saving money for your down payment. Reducing these debts will help you funnel money into your house fund, while also improving your credit score to improve your chances at better mortgages rates.

 

 

Ring in 2021 in Your New Home
This year is the year you’ll finally become a homeowner! Starting 2021 off in your new home requires sticking to your resolutions this year. With a little determination, you can save, search, and sign those papers.  

 

Décor that Sells: How to Decorate for the Holidays to Increase Your Offers

When you’re selling your home, you’ll do anything to get more viewers, offers, and ultimately make the most money on your home. Selling your home during the holidays can then bring up the question, “to decorate or not to decorate?”

In general, you want potential buyers to be able to immediately picture themselves living in your home, celebrating in your home, entertaining in your home, and more. This can be tricky, as people have different decorating styles. We’ve gathered some tips to help you enhance your holiday home while still keeping buyers interested. 

 

 

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Definitely Do Decorate
Even if you detest the holidays, your heart warms a little at the glistening sight of a tastefully holiday decorated home. The key is to keep it simple. Use classic decorations like white lights, green boughs and wreaths, and gold or silver decorations. These types of colors and decorations typically fit with any home style and interior design theme. They are simple enough that buyers will feel cozy, but not overwhelmed by your particular style. 

 

 

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Decorate with a Blank Slate
What does a blank slate mean? Basically, de-personalize your decorations. Remove family photos, child-made ornaments, personalized stockings, and Christmas cards. Again, we want buyers to picture them having their own Christmas here, not yours!

 

 

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Use Fresh Flowers and Greenery
It’s no secret that plants add life and vibrance to a home. During the winter months, decorate with poinsettias, holly, and evergreen. Use winter fruits like oranges and pears or other natural elements like cinnamon sticks or cloves to add a homey touch.

 

 

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Scents of the Season
One of the best ways to “decorate” for the holidays is to opt for scents instead of items. Light pine or cinnamon candles, bake cookies, or light the fireplace. Smell is an intense sense and can add an emotional experience to the viewers of your home. If they feel nostalgic, homey, or welcome in your home, that’s a good start for a great offer. 

 

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Home for the Holidays
With these decorating tips, you’ll be well on your way to welcoming new buyers and bids into your home for the holidays. Enjoy the season and best of luck!

Traditional Events and Festivals in Long Beach – November & December 2019

Long Beach boasts a plethora of longstanding traditional events and festivals. This curated list highlights the longer running events in the Long Beach, California area throughout the holiday season. 

 

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November 2 – Long Beach Festival of Flight

Long Beach Airport

Enjoy viewing aircraft up close while dining at local food trucks. There will also be a beer garden for the 21+ crowd. 

 

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November 2 & 9 – Dia De Los Muertos Annual Art Exhibit and Altar Display

Museum of Latin American Art

This annual event will highlight the impacts of family history on current beliefs and customs. Be prepared for some introspection as a look back may explain a lot about who you are today!

 

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November 16 – 7 – Autumn Festival at the Aquarium

Aquarium of the Pacific

Experience Asian maritime culture with a hands on experience full of learning opportunities. Take in the food and cultures of China, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines.

 

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November 28 – Long Beach Turkey Trot

Granada Boat Launch Ramp

Get in a morning run with the Long Beach community before devouring all those calories you earned later on Thanksgiving Day! This event also features a .5-mile kid’s walk to keep the whole family involved. 

 

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December 2 – Christmas Tree Lighting

Terrace Theater Plaza

The ceremony to light the Long Beach, California Christmas tree begins at 6:00 PM. Kids can meet the Claus family and go for a train ride while adults can snack at local food trucks and enjoy a live band. 

 

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December 14 – Annual Parade of 1000 Lights

Shoreline Marina

This isn’t your average holiday parade! Well lit boats will set sail from the Shoreline Marina area and float past the Pine Avenue Pier, moving across the water alongside the Queen Mary. Get the best vantage point at Shoreside Village, the Queen Mary, or Rainbow Harbor.

December 14 – Annual Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane Parade

 

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Daisy Avenue between PCH and Willow Street

This parade has been going strong for 66 years and 2019 will be no different. Stake out your spot before the 5:00 PM start time to make sure you can see it all!

 

Contact

Mike Norton

mike@mikenorton.com
5625775021

KOHR GROUP REALTY

5222 E Los Altos Plaza
Long Beach, Ca 90815

Broker Lic#00975141