Why Home Ownership Beats Stocks

Hi Neighbors! Much has been going on; marketing, networking and keeping my hopes and dreams alive, which has been quite a task at this time of my life. One major life change is that I now am a FULL -TIME realtor and able to start devoting ALL my efforts to the field I do enjoy. As well as inform you all of the latest news and give you helpful tips on what is going on in the real estate arena. Here in Long Beach, real estate is finally beginning to move giving us all a brighter view of what's to come. Thank GOD, I'm tired of living on cereal and Cup of Noodles, ok I may be exagerating a bit but sometimes it feels that way.

Listed on my favs section are some great up to date links to some informative and reliable real estate news sites that can be very helpful, please check them out as well as the link to the newest listings on the MLS on Find My New Home.

Recently I was chatting with a broker friend of mine and we got into a bit of a debate concerning what really is the best investment one could endure. Well I believe there is no better investment than real estate because over time it appreciates (regardless of our little slump). All you need to do is keep your home in good repair in order to maximize your out take.

Here are a few reasons why you get more for your money with a house:

• Leverage: Stocks-you put your money in a little piece of a company. House-you put your money to get all of the house.

• Tax benefits: All I can say here is SUBSIDIES! Thanks Uncle Sam. Don't forget the tax write-offs, interest rate deductions, and depreciation.

• Control: Remember when you buy stocks, you are paying some CEO approximately 500 times the average worker's salary to make decisions with YOUR money and well I don't want to bring up ENRON, oops I just did. That's just one example we could go on and on and on about corporate abuse or should I just say THEFT! When you purchase a home, you have complete control of what you buy, what you pay and where you live. You also have the ablility to increase the value with repairs and updates!
  
  
• Value: Unless some act of nature or a major castastrophe occurs, your house will not become worthless. Yes, some are losing a few percent this year; however you/they will make it up. Housing has lost value only one year out of 35, so don't freak out!

Keep this in mind....when it rains, which would you rather have over your head, a roof or a stock certificate?

Well as I stated, all my efforts are in the real estate biz; however I do have another project I am working on and that is a wonderful community website. It offers a community calendar, discussion forum, local government & school info, free classifieds and much more...Check it out
MyBelmontNews.com

Below is a little peak at me and some friends this past weekend at a great event held by Sam @ HB Skin Spa. Check it out and I'll see you around the neighborhood!

Selling Tips

Hi everyone! First of all congrats to our very own Long Beach hero Angela Madsen, she is the paraplegic who rowed across the Atlantic with Franck Fester (also differently abled). Please check out Row Of Life for the whole story...

I've been talking to many homeowners in our area and some of you asked,

"How do we get the best price in this buyer's market?"

Curb Appeal - I grew up with the notion that we are not to "judge a book by its cover" well that does not apply in real estate. Cosmetic upgrades not only works on us, it works on our homes as well. Fresh paint (like a new insta-tan), manicured lawns (nothing like a trimmed bush) and planting new fresh flowers (like a string of pearls) can really set you apart; which is what you need to do in this market. Ask me about Prudential's Cosmetic Repair Program!!!

Upgrade - Invest in making a room like a bathroom or kitchen "FABULOUS" in order to start a sort of buzz..."Did you see the home with the whirlpool tub?"

Disclosures - Get a preliminary inspection, so that you can improve the condition of your home before a buyer views it. Keep receipts and provide buyer with estimates on upgrades. Buyers will appreciate your proactive approach and above all trust in you.

Be Realistic - Price your home competitively with other like homes in the immediate area. Keep in mind that the market changes rapidly, so a three month comp. check is much more reliable than a 6 month. Also ask your real estate professional to show you homes that have been on the market for sometime or have expired; nine times out of ten the asking price is what drove buyers away!

Well that's it for now, see you around the neighborhood!

Closet Ball

This was the highlight of our weekend. The Closet Ball was a fundraising event for the CARE program that provides services to our very own. BOY did what he does best (sit in judgement of others) and with the help of Sageweb created this great video. Watch and enjoy!!!

Hi everyone, I'm writing from the office today and really am pretty excited! I'm having a great three day weekend, doing alot of nothing, so I thought I'd better do something in order not to feel soooo well let's just say I better do something to generate cash. Anyway great news about BOY, last night at the Breakers game (Long Beach's own basketball team) the fun and fabulous Sonny Bozeman offered Boy a weekly spot on his show. WOW! I'm still adjusting to Boy getting popular on the LB scene, NOW TV, I think I may need to see Dr. Phil, well maybe not, just time to adjust and get comfortable with a celebrity in the house.

Real estate is starting to get exciting with investors now looking at the great bargins out there, especially on short sales and REOS. Please contact me for a free list or analysis of your own home to see if maybe it's time to get that equity working for you and your family.

In the Shore.....

This beautiful home is being offered to the right buyer. For more details contact me...

Wet yet blessed Saturday

Hi Everyone, It's been a little over a week without a word from yours truly and I'm just sick about it, ok maybe not, but it had been on my mind a couple of times. Dealing with BOY's blog lock out, NO thanks to Google and their TERRIBLE follow through, has not been the most pleasant of situations. Trying to explain to BOY that someone else holds the cards is not the easiest nor the sanest task to complete (Linda Blair has nothing on BOY). By the way BOY has a fabulous website and a new blog please visit

Saturday morning turned out to be quite a day. We visited CARP for an early morning boost and ended up wet and a bit sore. Deb and Val talked BOY and I into kayaking and it was a hoot, ever try to keep up with a hyper diva who's Banana Republic linen pants are dirty and damp? It's a miracle we didn't turn over!

That evening we attended the wonderful screening of The Bible Tells Me So at the First Congregational Church of Long Beach. I'm not going to give any details; however this is a MUST see for everyone. Educational, emotional and inspiring!!! The turnout was extraordinary and the mingling afterward was both fun and educational with displays set up by many of our local congregations that cater to everyone in our community.

I'm working on some great properties and will be posting at least one of them in the next few days. If you are interested in a FREE market analysis of your home or investment properties, please don't hesitate to contact me, I will be happy to get you a detailed report. If you are a first time buyer, I have access to some great programs that will assist you and we can get started in finding your home.

I'm holding an OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, January 6th between 1:00 - 4:00pm

2137 W. Pacific

Anaheim Gardens, CA

It's an excellent three bedroom/two bath family home (1308 sq ft.) Features include: central air and heat, fireplace, newer roof, fruit trees, spacious 7200 sq. ft. lot with two cement patios.

Owner must sell immediately!

REDUCED to $399,000

Hope to see you there!

2008 is HERE!

Happy New Year!

Well 2008 is finally here, BOY and I celebrated with a delicious five course dinner at Primes. The ambience was quite spectacular, the entertainment was tall and hunky and the service was superb (thanks Kristen). This year is sure to be a hoot; being that we have a new addition to our family and that BOY is becoming such the socialite about town. As far as resolutions go, the only thing I promised myself is to limit expectations and increase initiative.









Last weekend we visited a wonderfully humbling rowing group that find different ways of doing things, because they are differently- ABLED. This group was started by Angela Madsen, who is herself differently - abled and is currently rowing across the Atlantic. AMAZING!!!














Here is my pic of the week:



Offered @ $300,000 WOW!

***HUGE PRICE REDUCTION***EXCELLENT LOCATION. CLOSE TO PARKS AND 5 MINUTES AWAY FROM PERRIS LAKE! A MUST SEE!!! THIS HOME IS READY TO MOVE IN. Spacious 2-story home with beautiful floor plan JUST A FEW YEARS OLD built 2004. 4 bedrooms and 3 baths with cozy fireplace. Bonus room/Game room/Office room, use as you please. DON'T HESITATE IT WONT LAST.

Contact me for more info:

562.331.7396

ruben@rubengonzalezjr.com

Last weeks pic reduced to $399,000

One last thing before I end this post...

KUDOS to BOY for all his hard work! This Blog thing is really taking on a life of its own and YES I am very proud of you babe!

Twas the end of Christmas...

Well Christmas has come to an end, Kwanzaa begins and it's time to prepare to bring in 2008! BOY and I will be celebrating the NEW YEAR at PRIMES, an elegant eatery right here in Long Beach. It will be a great evening with delicious dishes and FABULOUS mingling with the best of the best. Come join us...

Christmas was certainly a hoot! We woke up cuddling with Devil Dog and taking our morning walk, which is always an experience with our troublesome pooch. Dashing over to the Valley, we had Christmas breakfast with our friends, Natalie, Alan and Ruben (not to be confused with yours truly) then off to MOM's to see the Baby Jesus in all his glory (typical Catholic tradition is to display the Nativity without Baby Jesus until Christmas, OK whatever). We then headed north, way north, to the lovely sheriff infested Santa Clarita Valley (can anyone say AGRESTIC) where we joined my father and siblings (from both my father's marriages, don't ask) for yet another meal and of course humor, induced by BOY. Tension rose when BOY brought out the Jenga game and challenged the queen of Jenga, my niece Alexa, to a dual of touch and balance. AAHHH yes Christmas 2007 will be a hard one to top.

If you and your family are in the Anaheim Gardens area this weekend, I'm holding an OPEN HOUSE (Sat. & Sun. 1 - 4:00pm) at 2137 W. Pacific It's an excellent three bedroom/two bath family home (1308 sq ft.) Features include: central air and heat, fireplace, newer roof, fruit tress, spacious 7200 sq. ft. lot with two cement patios. Owner must sell immediately!

Offered at $445,000

Hope to see you there!

Happy Holidays!

Christmas is approaching quickly and still no gift for Mom, oh well if time does not permit a quick stop at the ATM will do the trick. CASH in my family is always a hit.

NEWSFLASH - "Noah's Ark shelter owner jailed for animal cruelty" Devil dog was both estatic and anxious when she read the front page of the Press. PTSD is what she is still battling being a victim of that hell hole. Kudos to Judge Rodriguez for recognizing the seriousness of the crime, siting the Press, "The victims in this case were vulnerable," Rodriguez said, " I do believe that animals have feelings and emotions... They don't control themselves. They expect other people to care for them. And, in our society, we do. They are a part of us, and they are part of our families."

Had a faboulous evening Saturday with both BOY and Sageweb. The three of us crossed over the Vincent Thomas bridge to Flazh!Alley Studio, to attend yet another fabulous exhibit. Sid and Joe always put on a great presentation!

After mingling with the who's who of the art world, BOY and I dashed over to the San Fernando Valley (don't laugh it was the westend south of BLVD.) and had a great time with some of my old high school chums. BOY, of course, was the hit of the party. I am a lucky man!

Well that's it for now; however please tune in for some great listings out in the Long Beach area (surrounding cities as well), we have some great deals for all you! Who knows BOY may pop in at one of my open houses...

Life is hard and yet so sweet, be good to the ones you love. Hope you all have a wonderful & safe holiday.

Santa's Mistress

What a day!!!

Have you ever woke up with such a love for life that you thought you might just BURST!

Well this was not that morning. I started my day at 4:30am YES 4:30 after only four hours sleep (ask BOY About that) and off to a hot and sweaty session at the gym. I usually need to de-stress before building stress in the real estate game, however today was very special. I got to meet Santa's mistress of the shore and she was HOT! (I wonder how I would look in that ensemble). We met at my office's holiday party, which I only found out about this morning. Take note: if you want to know what's happening in the office, be present, I hadn't been in or checked my mail box in weeks. My day ended with doing what we agents just love to do, pass out free stuff with our names attached. FREE, FREE, FREE but what about ME!