First-time buyers · Long Beach
Buying your first home in Long Beach
Straight answers on what it takes, what your money buys here, and the two people you talk to first.
Talk to a lender who can shop for you
Talk to a Realtor who knows the streets
I grew up in Long Beach and I live on Naples Island now. My job is to find you the right home, tell you straight what it's worth, and get you through inspections, HOA documents and escrow without surprises.
- California requires a written buyer agreement before we tour homes. I'll walk you through it in plain English first.
- Commissions are negotiable, and the agreement spells out exactly what I'm paid and how.
- You'll get listings the minute they hit the MLS, set to your zips and budget.
You don't have to buy alone
Buy it together
- Two to four friends or family buy a duplex, triplex or fourplex together.
- Split what it takes to get in, so nobody has to come up with all of it.
- Each of you gets your own place, or rent out what you don't use to help pay the mortgage.
- Everyone builds equity instead of paying rent.
Step 1: talk to a lender (Rose, above) about what your group can buy. Step 2: talk to me about where the buildings are.
Down payment help: the honest Long Beach picture
Long Beach's first-time buyer grant is closed for now. The city funded 76 households between 2023 and 2025. Get on the city's housing interest list so you hear about the next round first: lbcd.info/housinglist.
LA County's Home Ownership Program doesn't include Long Beach, so don't count on it here.
Ask Rose which programs fit you. Programs open and close fast, and the right one depends on your income, the price and the loan.
What your money buys, by zip
| Zip | Area | Condo median | House median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90802 | Downtown / Alamitos Beach | $515,000 (156 sales) | $835,500 (9 sales) |
| 90803 | Belmont Shore / Naples | $742,500 (68) | $1,850,000 (93) |
| 90804 | Rose Park / Zaferia | $452,000 (37) | $785,500 (34) |
| 90806 · 90807 | Wrigley / Cal Heights / Bixby Knolls | $400,000 (15) | $1,040,000 (132) |
| 90808 · 90815 | East Long Beach / Los Altos | $610,000 (27) | $1,132,500 (290) |
Median sale price of homes that closed May 9 – Nov 5, 2026 (last 180 days), CRMLS. Condo includes townhomes. Number of sales in parentheses. Updated every quarter. For this month's numbers on a specific neighborhood, call me.
Condo or house?
A condo is often the first step in Long Beach. Before you fall for one, check:
- HOA dues and what they cover (water, insurance, the roof?)
- Reserves and special assessments. I read the HOA documents with you so a surprise bill doesn't land after you move in.
- FHA approval. If you're using FHA, the building has to qualify. Rose checks.
- Rental rules, if you might rent it out later.
First-time buyer checklist
- Check your credit report and fix errors early
- Save for the down payment plus closing costs (Rose will estimate yours)
- Gather 2 years of W-2s or tax returns, recent pay stubs, and 2 months of bank statements
- Get pre-approved before you tour
- Don't open new credit or make big purchases until you close
- Sign the buyer agreement, then we tour
The full step-by-step is on How to Buy.
Questions first-time buyers ask me
How much do I need to put down?
It depends on the loan, and some loans need much less than people think. Talk to Rose first: she'll tell you what fits your situation.
Do I have to sign something before we look at homes?
Yes. California requires a written buyer agreement before touring. It spells out what I do and how I'm paid. Commissions are negotiable.
Should I buy a condo or a house first?
It depends on your budget and plans. A condo can get you in sooner; a duplex you live in can help pay for itself. Let's run both.
How long does it take?
It depends on the market, your loan and what you're looking for. Call me and I'll give you a realistic timeline.
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