real estate: FAIR HOUSING MONTH
- 04/08/10 05:18 AM
April 2010 marks the 42nd anniversary of the 1968 landmark Fair Housing Act. Each year REALTORS recognize the significance of this event and reconfirm our commitment to upholding fair housing law as well as our commitment to offering equal professional service to all in their search for real property.
Things you and your REALTOR Association can do to recognize Fair Housing Month:
Sponsor a local Fair Housing Month poster contest. Afterward, make association calendars out of the artwork. Publish the REALTOR® Fair Housing Declaration and post it in your office and/or association. Use the Fair Housing Proclamation and have your … (2 comments)
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real estate: SO....CHARACTER DOES COUNT!
- 04/07/10 05:09 AM
I think you'll be relieved at a few facts that were discussed on CNBC April 6th. Survey Stuff...Character Stuff...Real Estate Stuff.
In a recent survey of homeowners:
1.) Seventy percent believe that the real estate correction is over.
2.) Seventy three percent say that real estate is still a great investment...that ranks equal to popular opinion on certificates of deposit, known as CD's - and CD's are pretty darn safe...boringinly safe - and you can't live in a CD, can you?
3.) And this one is the best...97+ percent - that is Ninety Seven Plus percent of people who own … (4 comments)
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real estate: Caruso's Homebuying Update!
- 04/06/10 06:04 AM
Homeownership Remains Unaffordable For Many!!
Despite continued low interest rates and falling home prices, homeownership remains unaffordable for many everyday Americans, such as police officers, teachers, nurses, retail salespeople and janitors, according to a new study by the Center for Housing Policy. Paycheck to Paycheck: Wages and the Cost of Housing in America compares and ranks the costs of buying or renting a home in more than 208 U.S. metropolitan markets with salaries across a range of more than 60 occupations. In 93 percent of the markets studied, the income needed to purchase a median-priced home fell between 2008 and … (1 comments)
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real estate: Caruso's Saturday Shot
- 04/03/10 06:15 AM
Have a Great Saturday!
And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection
www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com
Best regards,
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI
2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900
… (4 comments)
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real estate: Caruso's OC Happenings~ North County
- 04/02/10 06:39 AM
NORTH COUNTY
ANAHEIM
Its 2fer time at Disneyland for all SoCal residents! Which means enjoy the magic of the Disneyland Park on one day and the excitement of Disney's California Adventure Park on another day - at a rate of just $36 a day from January 5 to April 12, 2010.
BREA
Nothing to report
BUENA PARK
Nothing to report
CYPRESS
Saturday April 3, 2010 Cypress will be hosting two different Easter egg hunts. The first one will be held at Oak Knoll Park at 10:30 am. The second one which is a Teen flashlight egg hunt will be held … (2 comments)
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real estate: Caruso's OC Happenings~ Central County
- 04/02/10 06:10 AM
CENTRAL COUNTY
COSTA MESA
Nothing to report
FOUNTAIN VALLEY
Nothing to report
HUNTINGTON BEACH
Saturday April 3, 2010 HB will host its 20th annual Easter Egg Hunt! The hunt begins at 9:30am from children 8 years and up at Central Park. The admission is FREE. There will also be face painting, food booths and pictures with the Easter bunny! For more information call 714-536-5486
IRVINE
Nothing to report
LOS ALAMITOS
Do you have trouble taking tests? You're in luck. The Recreation and Community Services Department is offering students a test taking skills class. The class is $43 which also includes … (0 comments)
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real estate: Caruso's Fools Day!
- 04/01/10 06:18 AM
Happy April Fools Day Everyone! Can you believe it's already April?! Time is flying by! In light of this fun holiday I thought I would provide you with a few silly, old fashioned practical jokes.
*If your milk comes in a cardboard container, add a few drops of food coloring, the results are pretty colorful.
*If you have a sink with a sprayer, put a rubber band around the handle. This automatically keeps the nozzle in spray-mode. Make sure the nozzle is pointing up and outward. The next person to use the sink will get a splash
*Superglue some coins to the … (1 comments)
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real estate: Caruso's Top 3
- 03/30/10 05:06 AM
Since starting in real estate years ago I have come to conclusion that buying a home is one of the biggest decisions an individual can make. So it's understandable that one considering a home purchase may take their time to avoid rushing into such a large financial commitment. However, several factors might leave prospective home buyers who don't purchase a property now wishing they had taken action sooner.
"Current market conditions have created a perfect storm of sorts that has made it an ideal time to purchase for first-time and trade-up buyers alike," said James M. Weichert, president and founder of Weichert, Realtors. … (7 comments)
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real estate: Caruso's Recession Update!
- 03/27/10 05:35 AM
Is the recession finally coming to an end? According to Forbes.com the housing crisis is finally stabilizing in 5 cities, and the job outlook is positive.
In recent weeks business in Washington, D.C. ground to a halt as record snowfalls pummeled the area and a sparring match over national health care reform hijacked the political conversation. But the nation's capital is getting something right: It is emerging from the recession better than any other major city in the country, according to research by Forbes.
Jobs in Washington are growing quickly, and in 2008 the city produced more in goods and … (2 comments)
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real estate: Caruso's OC Happenings~ North County
- 03/26/10 07:13 AM
NORTH COUNTY
ANAHEIM
Its 2fer time at Disneyland for all SoCal residents! Which means enjoy the magic of the Disneyland Park on one day and the excitement of Disney's California Adventure Park on another day - at a rate of just $36 a day from January 5 to April 12, 2010.
BREA
The Summer Volunteer Program applications for grades 8-10 are now available. They are due by 5:30pm April 16, 2010. For more information please call 714-990-7631
BUENA PARK
This Saturday March 27, 2010 at 2pm in the board room of the Buena Park Library, Dean Dixon will be … (2 comments)
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real estate: Caruso's OC Happenings~ Central County
- 03/26/10 06:21 AM
CENTRAL COUNTY
COSTA MESA
April 24, 2010 the Epilepsy Walk Orange County will be taking place at TeWinkle Park starting at 9:45am. For more information please visit epilepsysupportnet.org.
FOUNTAIN VALLEY
May 7, 2010 there will be a spring dance for seniors from 7-9pm. Tickets are $7. For more information call 714-593-4446
HUNTINGTON BEACH
Beginning Tuesday March 30, 2010 the community center will be hosting acting classes for ages 10-16 years old. The class is on basic acting and starts at 4:30pm. For more information please call 714-960-8884
IRVINE
The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center will be hosting a 5 day … (1 comments)
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real estate: Caruso's Facts
- 03/25/10 05:49 AM
As seen in The New York Times, David Streitfeld goes into detail on the program that will pay homeowners to sell at a loss.
In an effort to end the foreclosure crisis, the Obama administration has been trying to keep defaulting owners in their homes. Now it will take a new approach: paying some of them to leave.
This latest program, which will allow owners to sell for less than they owe and will give them a little cash to speed them on their way, is one of the administration's most aggressive attempts to grapple with a problem that has … (2 comments)
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real estate: The Housing Market is Moving at a Snail's Pace
- 03/24/10 09:06 AM
The Housing Market is moving at a snail's pace. Reaching the recovery finish line will happen, but it will be a slow process. Even with the first time homebuyer's $8,000 tax credit and the $6,500 tax credit for homeowner's who've lived in their home for more than 5 years. The market is still weak and there is little indication that the tax credits are generating much activity.
Needless to say, buyers must sign sales contracts by the end of April and complete their transaction by the end of June, to qualify for the tax credits. Which means, buyers need to … (3 comments)
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real estate: Laguna Niguel Sales Report for February
- 03/17/10 05:02 AM
Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing! Here are the facts...you make the decision!
The Laguna Niguel closed sales report for the month of
February 2010 68 listings closed escrow
Compared To:
February 2009 55 listings closed escrow
February 2008 37 listings closed escrow
Does a sales report tell the whole story about market environment, consumer sentiment and the value of your home? Is it time to sell? Is it time to add a property to your investment portfolio?
Call our office if you have any questions or want more information on a particular neighborhood. Learn What it's Like … (0 comments)
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real estate: Caruso's OC Happenings~ Central County
- 03/05/10 06:36 AM
CENTRAL COUNTY
COSTA MESA
Orange County's largest Mixer VII Event is coming up! The event will take place Wednesday March 24, 2010 from 5pm to 9 at the OC Fair and Event Center. Admission is $20 per person at the door and only cash will be accepted. For more information visit www.ocmixer.com
FOUNTAIN VALLEY
Time for a haircut? Why not donate your hair? The California Scholarship Federation is hosting a hair donation drive from 3 to 6 Friday March 12, 2010 in the cafeteria of Fountain Valley High School. The American Cancer Society will be donating the hair for … (0 comments)
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real estate: Carusos Oscar Picks!!
- 03/04/10 04:28 AM
Its Oscar season again! The 82nd Academy Awards are right around the corner! There have been a lot of good movies over the past year. It's going to be a tough decision. There are a lot of movies up for best picture. The nominees are Avatar, Up, The Blind Side, District 9, An Education, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Bastards, Precious, A Serious Man, and Up in the Air. This year I am betting on District 9. As much as I loved all the other movies there is something different about District 9 that really stands out for me. The concept and … (5 comments)
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real estate: Pro-Football or Real Estate - Pick a Side!
- 01/02/10 11:24 PM
Well, January is here and that is for sure. Along with it come 2 things...
1) Pro Football Play-Offs
2) New Listings
Now I love my sports and I'm a fan. I'll watch a game at the end of a work day to unwind a bit. But the way I see it, this time of the year football becomes the enemy. I want the public focused on my listings and the opportunity of home ownership. I want my buyer clients to be focused on selecting the right home and enjoying the maximum number of mortgage payment tax write-offs for this … (8 comments)
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real estate: We have a lot to be thankful for
- 10/28/09 07:50 AM
As the year is coming to an end, I thought it would be appropriate to think about all the good things that happened. Sure it was a tough year, but we must be thankful for the sales made, homes sold, clients helped, relationships built, and blogs read.
And, like many fellow Active Rainers have been mentioning, now is the time to start planning for 2010. Set your goals high and let's make it a good year!
Looking back on this year, or even just the past 2 months, what are you thankful for?
And Thank You for making me Your Orange County … (1 comments)
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real estate: Vote Nov. 3 on Legislation Impacting Real Estate
- 10/20/09 01:52 PM
Did you know that your Governmental Affairs staff at the California Association of Realtors monitors almost 3,000 pieces of proposed legislation each year that may have a direct impact on the real estate industry and your ability to conduct your business? They make sure the right legislation is passed or vetoed to keep our industry strong and make sure you have all the proper tools to do business with east.
It is more important now than ever to become involved in the political process. I know it is still a couple weeks away but please MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Don’t forget … (0 comments)
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real estate: How many miles do you drive a day? Fuel for Thought...
- 09/24/09 05:22 AM
Real Estate requires us to log many miles in our own vehicles. With high fuel costs and the initiative to go green, we are always looking for strategies on how to reduce mileage. Every little bit can help make a difference. Here are some tips:
•Pre-plan your appointments. Combine showings if the properties are fairly close to one another.
• Carpool to previews and open houses and work if possible.
•Walk or take public transit if your destination is close enough to your office and it isn't too warm out. Your clients might have a better first impression of you if … (3 comments)
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