You have to go here when you come to the NAR Convention in November - 10/31/09 10:14 AM
When you come to San Diego in a couple of weeks for the 2009 NAR Convention, put Cabrillo National Monument on your schedule of things to do.
It doesn't matter whether the day is sunny and clear, cloudy and raining, or just some good ol' Los Angeles haze, the views of North Island Navy Base, downtown San Diego, the Silver Strand, the Hotel del Coronado, and Tijuana are unmatched from anywhere else in the area.
Yesterday was, perhaps, the most beautiful day at Cabrillo that I've ever seen in the 31 years I've lived here, so I got some great pictures … (9 comments)

It's Pansy digging time at Weidners Garden! - 10/29/09 11:27 PM
One of the most unique plant nurseries in all of San Diego County is Weidners Garden at 695 Normandy Road in Encinitas.
Weidners Garden is not your ordinary run-of-the-mill garden nursery.
They are not always open, closing at specific times of the year to replenish their stock, and when they re-open, it's always fun. You often get to dig your own plants directly out of the ground, they often have free food and drinks, and their educational chats with the owners are not to be missed if you have a question that no one else can answer.
Weidners Garden has the … (10 comments)

Are you making it fun for your Clients? - 10/29/09 09:46 PM
Some readers might remember that I play the piano in a chamber music group here in San Diego, so I'm always excited when classical music gets a nod on television, in the movies, or even on YouTube.
My good Canadian friends, Al and Peggy Cunningham, recently sent me a YouTube link that has a lot to do not only with piano but the psychology of what people do and why they do it.
Check it out:

I believe that making it fun to hunt for, buy, or sell a home relieves the stress of everyone involved -- Realtors, home inspectors, … (27 comments)

Trick or Treat Safety Tips! - 10/27/09 10:14 PM
Some great Halloween safety tips from Sharon Senger up in Seattle, Washington. With all the strange people running around lately, make sure your children are safe on Halloween, and at all times, really.
Via Sharon Senger (Sharon Senger & Associates, LLC Virtual Assistant Services):
Wondering what to send out in your newsletter for this month?  Here are some safety tips for Halloween that you may want to include:
Always set rules for the night out and make sure each of your children understand them thoroughly. Make sure children are accompanied by an adult (if very young) or are walking in groups of … (8 comments)

Recent San Diego Zoo renovations featuring young flamingos - 10/25/09 09:33 PM
Now that the new Elephant Odyssey is open, the Zoo is renovating the old exhibit areas where the elephants and some other large animals were being kept.
The giraffes now have a larger exhibit area, and some rhinoceroses have moved in as well.
Towards the back of what was once called "Hoof Mesa" is a new Flamingo Lagoon.
The Flamingo Lagoon at the main entrance is one of the most visited areas of the Zoo because flamingos are pretty and fun to watch.
To have another Flamingo Lagoon halfway across the Zoo is nice. The new Flamingo Lagoon features eleven flamingos … (10 comments)

Public art along San Diego's Embarcadero - 10/25/09 08:50 PM
The San Diego Port Commission is in charge of just about everything related to the San Diego waterfront.
That means that the Port Commission gets to decide on what public art is appropriate along the waterfront.
Sometimes they hit a home run, other times they strike out.
I'll let you decide on the newest crop of public art that has shown up on the waterfront. If the slide show here doesn't work on your computer, simply click on "View All Images" to watch it at slide.com.



 
********** If you're looking for a great condominium in Mission Valley,the heart … (6 comments)

A guide to Balboa Park in downtown San Diego - 10/25/09 08:15 PM
Balboa Park is the largest urban cultural park in America and the second largest in North America behind Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia.
With over 1,200 acres, there's lots to do -- picnicking under the majestic eucalyptus trees, watching volleyball games on weekends, visiting museums, taking in a live performance, visiting the world-famous San Diego Zoo, and much, much more.
If you're going to spend some extra time sightseeing in San Diego, you can't go wrong with Balboa Park. The Park offers a Passport for $39/$21 (adults/children) that gets you into fourteen of the Park's Museums, a savings of over … (4 comments)

Hotel safety tips for those coming to the NAR Convention next month - 10/25/09 07:22 PM
Anytime one is in an unfamiliar location, especially an unfamiliar city and state, safety is a paramount concern.
Here are some safety hotel safety tips for those coming to the 2009 National Association of Realtors Convention here in San Diego next month:
Check-in clerks should write your room number down on your card-key sleeve or your room receipt but should never announce it to everyone within earshot. While I think this is standard practice now, if you get a newbie, or if you ask "What room am I in?", you might get a verbal answer. If so, it's prudent to ask … (5 comments)

Speechless Sunday: Need a costume for Halloween? - 10/25/09 03:42 PM
Once again my dear old mom comes through for me in trying to help find a Halloween costume:
 
 

 
********** If you're looking for a great condominium in Mission Valley,the heart and soul of San Diego, please give me a call.
I'm available 24/7, so feel free to contact me by phone or email.
********** Jim Frimmer, RealtorCentury 21 Award Mission ValleyCalifornia DRE License #01458572619-729-5701jimfrimmer@century21award.comMission Valley Condos Information
**********
15 recent blog posts:
Need free tickets to the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park? Mission Valley condos: If you spend too much time looking.... Before you pull … (10 comments)

2009 NAR San Diego Convention Schedule of Events - 10/24/09 07:13 PM
If you haven't seen the schedule of events for the 2009 NAR Convention next month in San Diego, here it is:
Wednesday, November 11Habitat for Humanity volunteer build day Thursday, November 12Spouse and Guest ToursInaugural Celebration Friday, November 13Spouse and Guest ToursConference SessionsEntrepreneurial Excellence Series with Dr. Daniel ShapiroRealtors Expo Grand Opening Saturday, November 14Spouse and Guest ToursConference SessionsEntrepreneurial Excellence Series with Paul MartinelliRealtors ExpoGeneral Session with Condoleeza RiceInternational Night Out and Awards Ceremony Sunday, November 15Spouse and Guest ToursInspirational ProgramConference SessionsRealtors ExpoEntrepreneurial Excellence Series with Tara HuntRealtors Celebrity Concert starring Reba McEntire Monday, November 16Spouse and Guest ToursConference SessionsRealtors ExpoEntrepreneurial Excellence Series … (5 comments)

Need free tickets to the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park? - 10/24/09 05:59 PM
If you're coming to the 2009 Convention for the National Association of Realtors next month, Russel and I have various coupons available for both the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park.
The Zoo is not too far from the Convention Center, but the Wild Animal Park is about 30 miles north near Escondido.
Here is what we have available:
Two guest passes good for free entrance to the San Diego Zoo. Two guest passes good for free entrance to the Wild Animal Park. Four "2 for 1" tour coupons. Buy one adult ticket for the Bus Tour at the Zoo or … (7 comments)

Whose House Are You Competing Against - 10/24/09 03:58 AM
This is a very good post by James Barath over in Indiana that has relevance in all other areas, too.
Via James K Barath, CMPS - Serving Northwest Indiana (Benchmark Mortgage):
When ever I have an opportunity to speak with Realtors throughout Northwest Indiana about real estate market trends, there is always confusion about the value of their listings relative to the competition. The first evidence that is always presented is the comparative market analysis that if done correctly addresses the direct competition. This direct competition is generally based on the style of home, age of the home, square feet, amenities and of course … (1 comments)

ESTATE PLANNING FOR YOUR OTHER CHILDREN – YOUR PETS - 10/23/09 08:53 PM
If you have a pet but have not made plans for that pet should something extraordinarly bad happen, now's the time to do it. They deserve to be in our wills just like our property since they are much more than just property.
Via Sharon Richards (Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida):
I have been thinking about this for awhile but with the passing of 2 kitties - one this week and the other last Christmas, I am not ready to implement a plan for I am surviving my pets.  So, what will happen when your pet survives you?   Do you have a plan?  … (8 comments)

Your choices: Excellent, Good, Bad, or None - 10/22/09 10:19 AM
I always like to watch the roll-out of new products because the quality of the marketing can tell me a lot about what they expect from their products.
In some cases, a product is introduced with Excellent marketing but it is competing against another product that is already very well established. I think the original marketing for Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word fell into this category. I thought the marketing was excellent but they were trying to compete against the very well-established WordPerfect, WordStar, and Lotus 1-2-3. One might wonder where those three competing products are now and what happened, and … (13 comments)

10 Commandments Home Buyers Must Follow - 10/22/09 03:42 AM
This comes to us from Dr. Chantal Saucier over in Louisiana. If you like it, click on the link to visit her blog and tell her so. Comments on her blog post here in my blog have been disabled.
Via Dr. Chantal Saucier (Keller Williams Realty Acadiana):
These 10 Commandments home buyers must follow may seem like common sense to many. Buyers, however, can sometimes forget with all the excitement surrounding the buying of their new home. In the past couple of weeks, I have heard of two separate buyers who saw their home loan turned down, and their dream shattered, a few … (0 comments)

The days are getting shorter..... - 10/20/09 07:54 PM
....and that means that we start lighting up our homes earlier and earlier.
The time between Halloween and New Year's Day also happens to be the time of the year when a great many home fires occur since it's also the heating season and a lot of cooking gets done for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and those New Year's Day football games.
The National Fire Protection Association ranks cooking as the #1 cause of home fires, which surprised me since I don't cook. I knew that cigarettes, candles, heating equipment, and extension cords were high on the list. Let's take a look … (10 comments)

Mission Valley condos: If you spend too much time looking.... - 10/20/09 06:41 PM
There was a top-floor, ocean- and golf course-view condominium in Mission Valley that came on the market a couple of months ago.
My Buyers fell in love with it but told me, "We want to look around some more" even though it was exactly what they told me they were looking for, and the price was right -- more than right actually.
Unfortunately, top floor condominiums with ocean- and golf course-views in Mission Valley that are priced right -- or wrong! -- don't stay on the market for any length of time, and this one didn't either.
Late that night I … (7 comments)

Before you pull the plug on Grandma..... - 10/20/09 03:16 PM
Delay pulling the plug on Grandma, or anyone else, so that you can sit down with them and explore their beautiful memories of life. Even explore their not-so-beautiful memories because they just might be "teachable moments."
My marketing guru has a huge list of sayings that his Grandmother always used, and he has personal stories galore that he has typed over the 43 years since his grandmother adopted him. Those stories allow him to share something personal, to expose himself, to break the ice with anyone he comes into contact with, which, I believe, is what leads to his success. It … (12 comments)

Halloween Saftey Tips - 10/19/09 10:26 PM
Dan and Rachael are just full of helpful safety tips for Halloween. If you don't know these two friendly Canadians, go visit them and tell them hello!
Via Dan and Rachael Polakovic London Ontario Real Estate Professional (Realty Executives Elite Ltd Brokerage):
Halloween Safety There's No Trick To It!
The observance of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of witches, ghosts, devils and goblins. Over the years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed dramatically. Today, many of the young and young-at-heart take a more light-spirited approach. Glowing skeletons and lighted Jack O' … (2 comments)

Halloween Safety Tips - 10/19/09 10:21 PM
Some great Halloween safety tips from our good Canadian friends, Dan and Rachael Palokavic, over there in London.
Via Dan and Rachael Polakovic London Ontario Real Estate Professional (Realty Executives Elite Ltd Brokerage):
… (4 comments)

Remember to take your business cards, lots of them.... - 10/18/09 11:23 PM
Apparently there are lots of Fall Festivals, Winter Home & Garden Shows, State Fairs, Halloween parties, Fright Houses, and similar events going on throughout the nation.
This is just a friendly reminder, then, to take lots of business cards with you whenever you go to a big event.
Feel free to leave a card on a table here and there, at vendor booths, anywhere and everywhere. Hand your card to the ticket taker with a friendly "And here's my card." You'll never find anyone who will respond, "Sorry. I don't take business cards."
Business cards only cost 1½¢ to 55¢ each, so … (20 comments)

Need a roommate for the NAR Convention next month? - 10/18/09 10:40 PM
If you are coming to the 2009 Convention for the National Association of Realtors next month right here in San Diego, and you have a hotel room but would like a roommate, let me know.
If you don't have a room, but you want to come and think that staying with a roommate will solve your problems with trying to find a room at this late date, let me know that, too.
I just received my third inquiry as to whether or not I know anyone wanting roommates. I think the first two are going to be shacking up together.
Obviously … (7 comments)

Water conservation resources - 10/18/09 10:26 PM
Since we're still suffering under a Level 2 Drought Alert, with no relief in site, here are  some good sources for tips, tricks, ideas, and suggestions for conserving water.
California droughts background—The California Department of Water Resources has put together historical facts and trends about droughts in California, and is a good resource to gain a greater perspective on the most recent drought concerns.
California water districts and associations—Your local water district is often a good resource for rebates, water conservation tips specific to your area, and other information concerning water use in your community.

Flex Your Power—Flex Your Power's … (6 comments)

Indoor Plants that Can Help Remove Harmful Chemicals in Your Home - 10/18/09 07:37 PM
A great post from Debbie Rumsey at Century 21 Sea Coast not too far from me. Since my marketing guru is a plant person, I've know about these plants for the 15 years that I've known him, and at some point we've had all these plants in our home. Not only do plants freshen our indoor air, but they also are relaxing, as long as they are growing and you're not killing them -- LOL.
Via Debbie Rumsey (Century 21 Sea Coast, Encinitas, CA):
The Environmental Protection Agency says chemicals from building materials, furniture and even air fresheners can make indoor air toxic, … (7 comments)

If you want the truth, ask a child - 10/18/09 07:12 PM
I often learn a lot from children because their perspective on the world has not yet been damaged by religion, politics, parents, and others. They have not yet been brainwashed. Harsh, perhaps, but, I believe, true.
Children not only say the darndest things, but they often ask the darndest questions. Courts love it when there are child witnesses because children don't yet have the mental capacity to create elaborate stories, so asking the same question on consecutive days often elicits the same answer, which is often the truth, notwithstanding what adults involved might say. "Balloon Boy" is a great current example.
… (10 comments)

Top 10 tips to stay safe around dogs and cats - 10/18/09 06:44 PM
Most of the time when I go with Clients to show a property, the MLS listing sheet has warned me ahead of time:
Dogs in back yard! Indoor cats. Please don't let them out! Mommy dog with puppies in garage. Dogs in master bedroom (probably on pillows) Protective mom cat with one kitten  For that one out of ten times that such information is not conveyed, or when mommy dog has escaped from the garage into the yard or house, or just when you're at your own home and a dog or cat shows up unexpectedly, here's ten tips to stay … (4 comments)

NEWS YOU CAN'T USE, VOL. II - What's your definition of "financial ruin"? - 10/18/09 06:10 PM
The rich and famous seem to be in the news today, and while I don't follow the antics of the rich and famous like many people do -- I have a life of my own -- I am sometimes amazed at how different my life is from theirs.
Along with Keanu Reeves having problems with his unknown wife's demand for $3 million per month in spousal support, Nicholas Cage has his own problems.
Cage's business manager, one Samuel Levin, allegedly failed to pay the actor's taxes and made poor investment decisions, sending cage "down a path toward financial ruin." Cage is suing … (3 comments)

NEWS YOU CAN'T USE - I don't want to be rich and famous.... - 10/18/09 05:00 PM
I was watching one of those shows about children and what they want to be when they grow up. One little boy simply said, "I want to be rich and famous."
Apparently he hasn't read about Keanu Reeves recently.
One Karen Sala said that Reeves "is the biological father of at least one of her children." I loved the "at least" part -- LOL.
DNA tests, which typically are something like 99.99% accurate proved conclusively -- that is, 99.99% conclusively -- that he is not.
Sala is not asking for much, though, just $150,000 per month in child support, retroactive to 1988 -- I … (3 comments)

A tour of Cancer Survivors Park in downtown San Diego - 10/18/09 01:46 PM
Since October is Cancer Awareness Month, here's a tour of San Diego's Cancer Survivors Park and the Positive Mental Attitude Walk downtown on Harbor Drive near Spanish Landing.
Figures 1-2 are the view across the marina from the Cancer Survivors Park.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5. West entrance.
Figure 6. Bench in the middle of Figure 5.
Figure 7. Pavilion at east entrance.
Figures 8-13 are pictures of the benches in the East entrance pavilion.
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figures 14-16 are of the water fountain and sculpture.
… (4 comments)

YOU ARE WHAT YOU BLOG! REALLY - 10/17/09 09:34 PM
Here is a great post by Harry D'Elia with ideas for blogging to help you with those Internet search engines.
Via Harry F. D'Elia, Investor , Mentor, BD, Radio Coach, REO Expert, Networker (Real Estate and Beyond, LLC Founder and CEO):
There is an old saying in grade school that states "YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT." This really struck home for me as a young boy in elementary school. If I eat junk food only, then I am going to grow up overweight and unhealthy. This did not make logical sense to me as a child. So, I always make sure I ate … (10 comments)

Learning something new... - Albert Einstein - 10/17/09 08:46 PM
Today is the day when one of the most famous figures in history came to America from his native Germany: Albert Einstein (1879-1955).
In fact, Time magazine voted him the Person of the Century for the 20th Century. Additionally, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 at the tender young age of 42, the Copley Medal in 1925, and the Max Planck Medal in 1929.
Einstein was almost a man without a country since his citizenship changed often, usually due to wars:
Kingdom of Württemburg, German Empire, 1879-1896 Stateless, 1896-1901 Switzerland, 1901-1955 Austria, 1911-1912 Germany, 1914-1933 United States, … (9 comments)

ATTENTION: Don't eat those pumpkin seeds! - 10/16/09 08:37 PM
If you carve your own pumpkin rather than buying one of those plastic or ceramic ones, and you either throw away the seeds or roast them in the oven to eat, it's
VERY IMPORTANT
that you follow these instructions before doing either of those.
First, wash the seeds thoroughly and let them dry.
Second, count the number of seeds. This makes a great family or group event since there can be many, many seeds. You can even provide prizes to the person counting the most seeds. If you do more than one pumpkin, provide a prize to the person with the … (17 comments)

Forget orange and black - Green Your Halloween! - 10/15/09 07:51 PM
Great reminder from Michael Caruso just a few miles north of me in Laguna Niguel that Halloween doesn't have to break your utility bank account.
Via Michael Caruso Real Estate Group:
As all you ghouls and goblins gear up for Halloween, don’t forget to keep it green!  While your costume should be scary, your energy consumption should not. Conserve energy and save money with these few simple steps:
 

 Costumes:   Reuse an old costume, borrow from a friend, shop at vintage or resale stores, or make something yourself. Dress green by going as Mother Nature, Al Gore, a Farmer, a Hippie, or PETA.  Trick-or-Treating: GIve out … (6 comments)

It's summer time! - 10/12/09 06:20 PM
Now that Fall is officially here, and temperatures are falling throughout the nation, even to the point that some of our good Northern Friends are getting snowed on (ugh), summer time for many people has moved indoors.
No, I'm not talking about actual summer time. I'm talking about where the younger generation has to spend some extra time -- indoors! That means the pools, spas, water slides, and sprinklers are out, but that doesn't mean that drowning dangers are out.
Children drowning in bathtubs is the second leading cause of drowning deaths behind pools and spas. The Consumer Product Safety Commission … (10 comments)

33rd Annual Fall Home Decorating & Remodeling Show coming up! - 10/11/09 08:02 PM
The 33rd Annual Fall Home Decorating & Remodeling Show is happening at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Friday through Sunday, October 16, 17, & 18.
Hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission is FREE!
Call 1-800-999-5450 for more information, or visit the Shows USA web site.
 
Here's what you can find at the Show:

Appliances Architects Awnings Backyard décor Barbeques Bathroom remodeling Beds Blinds and shades Cabinets Carpeting Ceiling/popcorn removal Cleaning products Closet remodeling Concrete (decorative) Cookware and knives Countertops Crown molding and trim … (5 comments)

My Top 10 marketing tips - 10/11/09 07:26 PM
My Top 10 marketing tips.
Market yourself, in good times and bad, but especially in bad times. This means that you have to properly capitalize your company because some of the worst times that a company will go through are those first few days, weeks, months, and possibly years in business. If you want to be in it for the long term, you have to be able to survive the short term. Do whatever works, as long as it is legal and meets your own moral and ethical standards. Some people don't want to be pushy like a used car salesman, … (66 comments)

Speechless Sunday: Sunset at the beach - 10/11/09 06:37 PM
I was out near Pacific Beach the other night during rush hour, so I took a page out of my marketing guru's book and simply went to the beach to watch the sun go down:


********** If you're looking for a great condominium in Mission Valley,the heart and soul of San Diego, please give me a call.
I'm available 24/7, so feel free to contact me by phone or email.
********** Jim Frimmer, RealtorCentury 21 Award Mission ValleyCalifornia DRE License #01458572619-729-5701jimfrimmer@century21award.comMission Valley Condos Information
**********
15 recent blog posts:
If this is in your front yard, call The Orkin Man … (8 comments)

Speechless Sunday: If this is in your front yard, call The Orkin Man (before Halloween)! - 10/11/09 02:10 PM

********** If you're looking for a great condominium in Mission Valley,the heart and soul of San Diego, please give me a call.
I'm available 24/7, so feel free to contact me by phone or email.
********** Jim Frimmer, RealtorCentury 21 Award Mission ValleyCalifornia DRE License #01458572619-729-5701jimfrimmer@century21award.comMission Valley Condos Information
**********
15 recent blog posts:
Want a piece of sports memorabilia? FHA puts new limits on reverse mortgages How to appeal your property taxes San Diego Zoo's "Name the Panda" contest starts Saturday 2009 Mission Valley condo activity through October 6, 2009 Mission Valley condos, San Diego CA: Creekwood at River … (6 comments)

San Diego County radio stations - 10/08/09 08:20 PM
Many years ago when I got my first car with a CD player in it, I thought I would never listen to radio in the car again. Alas, sometimes I still find myself listening to FM stations.
One of our local stations, KGB at 101.5, has a morning talk show with Dave, Shelly, and Chainsaw that is recorded and repeated each night at 7:00.
The other night I found myself without CDs in the car and a repeat on of the show that I had listened to that morning, so I went to switch stations. What I found was that my three … (9 comments)

Want a piece of sports memorabilia? - 10/08/09 06:16 PM
If you don't know it yet, California is broke, but perhaps not as broke as the City of Pontiac, Michigan.
Pontiac officials announced recently that the City will auction off the Pontiac Silverdome, host of the Super Bowl XVI in 1982, as well as host of several other enormous events, such as Pope John Paul II's visit to America, the 1994 World Cup, and 1987's Wrestlemania, which drew 90,000 people, the largest turnout for an indoor sporting event.
The Silverdome was built in 1975 at a cost of over $55 million and occupies 127 acres. Compare the cost to that of … (9 comments)

FHA puts new limits on reverse mortgages - 10/08/09 04:55 PM
The Federal Housing Administration recently announced that an estimated $798 million budget deficit would limit the maximum amount of reverse mortgage loans that it would approve for its 2010 fiscal year. It notified all of its approved reverse mortgage lenders that the new limits would go into effect October 1.
The FHA projected 130,000 new reverse mortgage loans for 2010, but as with all projections where money is involved, that number probably doesn't take into account the people who now will not qualify for a reverse mortgage.
An easy solution here in San Diego is simply to sell your home outright, rather than … (5 comments)

How to appeal your property taxes - 10/07/09 03:44 PM
There was a Letter to the Editor in the Monday, October 5, edition of the San Diego Union-Tribune about "creeping property taxes."
The letter writer was complaining because his property tax bill was up two percent. That's as it should be.
Now before you have a fit because you believe that the property tax should be down in accordance with real estate values being down, well, you are correct as well.
Here is what happens here in California:
With the passage of Proposition 13 by California voters in 1978, property taxes are limited to an increase of two percent annually. This … (9 comments)

San Diego Zoo's "Name the Panda" contest starts Saturday! - 10/07/09 02:09 PM
Not too far from Mission Valley in San Diego, California, is the world-famous San Diego Zoo, one of just a handful of Zoos in the world that have some giant pandas.
The San Diego Zoo has been at the forefront of working with China on research to try to save the giant pandas from becoming extinct, and the Zoo's results in breeding the pandas here has been nothing short of amazing, with several pandas being born here. Our newest giant panda arrived on August 5, 2009, although at a mere four ounces, he was anything but giant.
Following Chinese tradition, cubs are … (8 comments)

How do you set the right price for your services? - 10/07/09 12:09 PM
I made a conscious decision to become a Realtor. That decision, though, was based on much more than saying to myself, "Gosh! My Realtor just made $5,000 for having me sign a bunch of papers saying that he didn't know anything about the house I bought and that he didn't do anything illegal while he was having me sign all the paper telling me that he didn't know abything about the house I bought. I can do that!"
My decision was based on getting doing some calculations for projected sales, projected income, projected expenses, and net income.
After working with so … (10 comments)

2009 Mission Valley condo activity through October 6, 2009 - 10/06/09 10:02 PM
Mission Valley in San Diego, California, is a sprawling area full of condominium complexes, office complexes, shopping centers, and restaurants.
Running through the middle of Mission Valley is the San Diego River, which is a nature preserve and has many miles of concrete paths along both shores.
With its central location to all of San Diego, as well as being the site of Qualcomm Stadium, home of the San Diego Chargers, and the vast number of things to do, Mission Valley has always been high on people's choices of places to live.
The map below shows you the location of the … (3 comments)

Mission Valley condos, San Diego CA: Creekwood at River Run - 10/06/09 04:48 PM
Creekwood at River Run is a large, sprawling condominium complex in central Mission Valley in San Diego, California.
Creekwood at River Run has to rank as one of the most beautifully landscaped condominium complexes in Mission Valley with its many streams and bridges. Amenities include swimming pool, spa, outdoor grills, and a fitness center. Its location provides quick and easy access to Qualcomm Stadium, home of the San Diego Chargers, as well as shopping and dining a couple of blocks away at Fenton Marketplace where there's a large Costco, Lowes, Ikea, and Islands Restaurant. There is also a beautiful, new branch of … (3 comments)

Speechless Sunday: Painting-perfect mountains and clouds - 10/04/09 11:30 PM
I like Fall here in San Diego County because along with cooler temperatures, we have more clouds than usual, or at least more clouds that are discernible as clouds rather than just a mass of fog moving in off the Pacific Ocean.
I was a little farther out in East San Diego County than I normally am because I was previewing some properties that a Client might be interested in.
Between the coast and the desert mountains we can get some beautiful cloud formations. There were clouds here and there, but nothing great until I saw a small, oddly shaped mass of … (11 comments)

WIIFM and WIGTCM - 10/04/09 11:18 PM
Some might be familiar with the two acronyms in the title, but I recently discovered that many people are not, although they are familiar with the phrases once they hear them.
They represent two of the most common, if not THE most common, questions that people ask.
WIIFM stands for "What's in it for me?" The 80/20 rule probably applies here with 80% of people asking "What's in it for me?" when someone asks them to do something. Quite often, though, the question is asked with a dose of personal greed.
WIGTCM stands for "What's it going to cost me?" Obviously, … (7 comments)

Speechless Sunday at the San Diego Zoo: May I have a ride? - 10/04/09 03:48 PM

I like fish ponds, especially when they are stocked with koi.
The San Diego Zoo has a very large koi ponds right by one of the restaurants, so I guess one could eat fish while watching fish. Actually, I've never eaten at the restaurant there, so I don't know. What I do know is that the fish are fun to watch, especially since there are also are lots of ducks and turtles in the pond, too.
Recently, I guess one of the ducks needed a ride, so he called a Yellow Taxi:

**********
If you're looking for a great … (8 comments)

Take advantage of our National Parks! - 10/03/09 10:03 PM

I'm fortunate because many of our greatest National Parks are not too far away from us here in San Diego. Before meeting my marketing guru almost sixteen years ago, I had not been to any of the nation's National Parks, even though I was born and raised in Southern California. Since then, I can't count all the National Parks, National Forests, and National Monuments that I've been to, but I have been to thirteen National Parks. In no particular order, other than the first three, and even those could change depending on which one was visited most recently:
Olympic National … (11 comments)

Every day should be fire safety day! - 10/03/09 08:57 PM
Usually when I read about house fires in the newspaper, "the cause is under investigation."
The cause of three recent home fires had been determined by the time they made the newspaper:
Many home fires are caused by unattended candles, which was the cause of a recent mobile home fire in Escondido. The fire displaced four people and caused $25,000 damage to the home and contents. A home fire in La Mesa was started by a fallen table lamp that overheated. I wish I knew what kind of table lamp this was, but I do know that lamps with halogen light … (5 comments)

The Summer heat isn't over with yet! - 10/03/09 07:07 PM
While other parts of the nation are celebrating the arrival of fall weather, we're not quite there yet here in San Diego. Although the calendar might say that we're in fall, San Diego doesn't always look at the calendar. For example, in 2003 and 2007, some of the worst wildfires in California history occurred in October.
If we look at the hottest temperatures ever recorded in the city of San Diego since 1872 when we started keeping records, the ten hottest days have occurred in September and October:
111°F - September 26, 1963 110°F - September 17, 1913 107°F - September … (11 comments)

How to Win the Credit Game - 10/03/09 03:10 AM
Isn't it discouraging that Matt had to title his blog "How to Win the Credit Game"? Why is it a game, and why does someone have to win? Nonetheless, Matt always does an excellent job of explaining credit.
Via National Credit Fixers - Matt Listro:
It's late 2009 and the consumer credit world is still in turmoil. You have a new credit law, The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, which partially became law in August 2009 and will completely become law in either February of 2010 or December 1, 2009 if Democrats have their way. You have a new … (3 comments)