Wow, wow, wow and triple wow! We found a new place and getting out of our current unhealthy apartment for the dream I’ve wished for three years now, Casa Grande.
More on the building and its history, it is a landmark of Long Beach. No one fails to notice this beautiful Spanish Revival building driving along Ocean towards the Shore.
The Landlord is amazing, friendly yet firm and provided us with a grant contract. We finally feel safe, protected and have the most beautiful place in Long Beach.
I will post pictures on my website, www.nickzart.com always under construction 
Nationwide, home price appreciation is down, mortgage interest rates are up, so is this a good time to buy a home? According to some experts it is if you are intending to live there and not use it as a speculative investment, and of course, you can afford to buy.
I couldn’t agree more as selection increases, buyers have more time to think before making a decision and are becoming more and more demanding. It was not the same a year ago.
The paradox is that home sales expected to decline in 2006 but should finish as a strongest year on record according to some experts. For agents it means redefining their strategies and giving a chance to those with little properties to show their clients. There is also more room to negotiate. The market will force everyone to slow down and reevaluate.
Some experts predict a lower average home value appreciation nationwide but still high around 7% for this year. This should help calculate the financial risks and since interest rates are still low, especially compared to ten years ago, this still makes for a good time to buy a home.
Finally, a home will most likely always be a good investment but this time you have to look into the future if you are used to the last few years maddening return on investments predictions. Investments will be reaped over the years, not a year or months anymore.
Regardless of what the market went through the last four decades, the national median home price has risen every year, typically at the general rate of inflation plus 1.5 percentage points. Not bad considering all the brouhaha of markets crashing.