Homes don't pass or fail home inspections - 06/30/10 04:56 PM
I worked as a home inspector from October 2001 to August 2005.
One of the questions that we often were asked, both by our Clients and by their real estate agents, is whether the home passed or failed.
Homes don't pass or fail home inspections. If you are a real estate agent, please delete "pass" and "fail" from your home inspections vocabulary, and gently correct your sellers and buyers that homes don't pass or fail home inspections.
The condition of a home is just that, the condition of a home. Some people can accept things that others wouldn't, so there is … (31 comments)

Believe in yourself and make your own dreams come true - 06/29/10 11:47 PM
Beliefs usually can't be proven, which is what makes them so powerful, so powerful that people and countries throughout history have gone to war over their beliefs. That's the main reason why I like to keep my beliefs on a personal level, so that they affect me and only me.
I believe in the power of one, the power of me, the power of my mind, the power of my thoughts and my actions. My beliefs are so ingrained in me that they propel me onward and upward, enjoying all that is around me, even those with different beliefs, for their … (15 comments)

Russel Ray Photos — Shhhhh. I'm hunting wabbits. - 06/29/10 01:24 PM
One of my favorite commercials right now is the GEICO commercial with Elmer Fudd.
Elmer was a favorite of mine when I was young, and I still like him, so when I was at the San Diego Zoo last week, I was reminded of Elmer Fudd when I was watching the California condors:

 
CAUTION: Proceed at your own risk.
 
You're willing to take the risk?
 
Alright.
 
Carry on.
 


 
I warned you, but you didn't listen.
… (20 comments)

If You Are A Homeowner Who Owns a Pet And You Are Facing Foreclosure - 06/28/10 10:50 PM
I could never see myself leaving a pet behind, but I understand it happens. Now we have another choice.
Via CAROL M JOHNSON REALTY:
NoPawsLeftBehind.org is an organization I recommend to homeowners who are facing foreclosure and through no fault of their own cannot take their pets with them. This website offers a source of information for homeowners who are not sure who to call or what different options they have regarding what to do with their pets. They have an article titled "Tips for Homeowners With Pets When Facing Home Foreclosure " that I recommend. I usually ask during a Keys for … (0 comments)

It's simple, but oh so powerful - 06/28/10 09:04 AM
It's said that ethical people always do the right thing.
In fact, one of the age old tests of personal ethics is not doing something wrong even when no one is around to see you.
Sometimes it can be tempting to do something wrong if no one sees you. It's also easy not to do something right or good if no one sees you because people do like to be recognized. It's part of human nature. Just look at all the testimonials on the profile pages of the members here at ActiveRain. That's recognition.
Next time you see someone do something … (10 comments)

"The End," by "The Two Zebras" - 06/27/10 11:22 PM
This is my last post for the week, and considering how tired I am from trying to learn how to do videos, well, I thought some levity might be in order.
First, let's put on a little music.
My marketing guru might say that "It's been a hard day's night." Since I'm not in the mood to argue with him, and he's probably right anyway, how about a great song by The Beatles?

  
  
How about something by The Doors?

  
  
Or perhaps you would prefer something by R.E.M.?

  
  
Whichever you choose, always remember … (13 comments)

San Diego Architecture — Rock Haus in Del Mar, California - 06/27/10 10:59 PM
Just across the street from St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Del Mar, California, is the Rock Haus.
I have never heard of the Rock Haus before, but whomever owns the place has a huge, monster, gigantic sign at the right front corner of the property telling the world that this is, indeed, the Rock Haus.
I always think of Del Mar as a sleepy yet upper class city, so this sign just seemed so out of place, especially since it was at the entrance to a residential neighborhood right at the edge of downtown Del Mar:

 
The house itself … (8 comments)

San Diego Architecture — St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Del Mar, California - 06/27/10 10:36 PM
My Claude Debussy chamber music concert last night was held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Del Mar, California.
This is a very beautiful church with everything made out of wood.
I'm trying to find out more about the church. All I know so far is that it was built around 1930 and was designed "by the architect known for redwood bungalows and various Balboa Park buildings," which doesn't tell me anything.
Here are a few pictures:
 




♫♪♫♫♪♫
If you're looking for a great real estate agent in San Diego, well,let me Google one for you. I'm available 24/7, so feel … (4 comments)

My first video! Exciting but not the best video.... - 06/27/10 05:19 PM
I got my video of polar bears playing at the San Diego Zoo uploaded to YouTube but I'm not happy with the quality even though I took HD video with the Canon Rebel T2i.
Obviously YouTube did some processing that cut the quality down, so I have a little work to do to figure out how to get the best videos like some of those HD videos on YouTube.
Anyway, here is my first video!

♫♪♫♫♪♫
If you're looking for a great real estate agent in San Diego, well,let me Google one for you. I'm available 24/7, so feel free … (9 comments)

"Cleaning for a Reason" in San Diego - 06/27/10 06:55 AM
I can't add anything to this post by Susan Laxson. It speaks for itself.
Via Laxson Realty l La Jolla Real Estate:
"Cleaning for a Reason" is a non-profit foundation formed to offer FREE house cleaning for women undergoing cancer.  They recruit maid services in different cities nationwide to become partners in this free service.  There are currently 706 partners in 50 states, including Canada.  What a wonderful  gift! 
If you know any woman currently undergoing Chemo or treatment for cancer, please pass the word along that there is a cleaning service that provides free housecleaning once a month for four months while she … (0 comments)

When is it time to Paint? How much value does it add? - 06/27/10 06:49 AM
Imagine what could be accomplished if, before putting a home on the market, people would take care of the exterior, stage the interior, and get a pre-listing inspection.
Via Paul Peck (Peck Drywall and Painting serving Brevard County, Florida):
Exterior painting can really help sell a house quicker and for more money!
How much more value do you Real Estate Professionals think this paint job adds to the home below?
What a difference a little paint can make. Check out these Before and After photos of a Melbourne, Florida exterior repaint. After we pressure washed this Melbourne home we repaired all of the staircase stucco cracks, … (0 comments)

The biggest one I've ever seen - 06/27/10 06:32 AM
I'm not usually up at this hour of the morning, but when real estate comes calling and there's a job to do, I can make exceptions.
While I was out showing properties yesterday, I almost caused an accident when I braked suddenly to pull over and take a picture. I knew if I came home with all talk and no pictures, I'd be banished to the non-margarita room.
What caused the excitement was the biggest bougainvillea I've ever seen:

 
At one of our houses many years ago we had eight bougainvilleas that we shaped into trees but they were … (18 comments)

The third largest land animal - 06/26/10 01:24 PM
The San Diego Zoo has two hippopotamuses, the third largest land animal behind elephants and white rhinoceruses.
Unfortunately, hippopotamuses spend more time in the water than they do on land, which makes me wonder why they are land animals.
The Zoo has a great area for these magnificent creatures to roam swim, but getting pictures of them is difficult because you never see all of them, and the glare of the sun on the water makes it difficult to even get a useble picture to take to Photoshop. Never prevents me from trying.




 
And just to show … (15 comments)

More on properly using the word "Realtor" - 06/25/10 09:18 PM
I received a very nice message from Mary Newill of the National Association of Realtors concerning my blog post about properly using the term "Realtor."
The General Counsel of the Association had sent her a link to that post, and apparently everyone was happy to see us discussing proper use of the term Realtor.
Although I thought I had corrected the uses in my blog post and in my profile, apparently this is also incorrect:
If you need a great Realtor in San Diego...
Basically, the term Realtor should never be used as a generic synonym for real estate agent, real … (39 comments)

Something's just not right - 06/25/10 08:35 PM
Since the new Elephant Odyssey opened at the San Diego Zoo last year, the old Hoof Mesa has been half empty with just the giraffes and the rhinos there.
Recently, though, they've refurbished some of the older pens. One is now a new flamingo lagoon, giving the Zoo two such lagoons. Others hold a kangaroo and a Mediterranean miniature donkey, both new to the Zoo, and a fourth one is a new Ambassador pen.
In the Ambassador pen, you can see any of the many animals that are taken to schools, conventions, and other meetings as official Ambassadors of the San … (14 comments)

Out & About with Jim Frimmer, Your Realtor in Mission Valley — Claude Debussy: Flower child, Impressionist, Revolutionary - 06/24/10 10:16 PM

This is one of a series titledOut & About with Jim Frimmer,your Realtor in Mission Valley.Read others in this seriesright here.
If you're up in the area around Del Mar, California, Saturday evening around 7:00 p.m. with nothing to do, well, I'll be performing at that time with my chamber trio at St. Peter's Church, 334 14th Street.
The program, titled Claude Debussy: Flower Child, Impressionist, Revolutionary, features piano and vocal music by Claude Debussy, as well as narration feature the life and interesting tidbits about Debussy.
Following is the concert program:
Claude Debussy: Flower Child, Impressionist, Revolutionary
Joanne Regenhardt, NarratorJanelle DeStefano, … (5 comments)

She's a natural poser - 06/24/10 07:36 PM
One of the comments in a recent post of mine asked me if I had to pose Zoey the Cool Cat.
Zoey the Cool Cat doesn't need any encouragement whatsoever for posing.
This was the picture that elicited the comment:

 
We've had Zoey the Cool Cat since September 20, 2007, and we've never had to pose her for anything. We just have to have our handy dandy cameras at the ready for whenever she decides to pose.
Lately, Zoey the Cool Cat has been in a posing mode. I really do think she knows when the camera is nearby … (14 comments)

They are growing like weeds! - 06/24/10 11:05 AM
Yesterday I checked on our baby flamingos at the San Diego Zoo.
There are still four chicks, but they are growing like weeds.
What I found interesting from this visit is that all four of these little ones have already had their wings clipped. Maybe that's why they are practicing standing on one leg:




… (12 comments)

Out & About with Jim Frimmer, Your Realtor in Mission Valley — Free summer organ concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park - 06/24/10 02:20 AM

This is one of a series titledOut & About with Jim Frimmer,your Realtor in Mission Valley.Read others in this seriesright here.
The International Summer Organ Festival began this past Monday.
That means that you can find lots of free organ concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in beautiful Balboa Park.


 
Balboa Park is the nation's largest urban cultural park, and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is the world's largest outdoor pipe organ.
The Spreckels Organ Pavilioin was built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition and was dedicated on December 31, 1914.
It was built by Austin Organs of Hartford, … (6 comments)

Will I be successful if I blog? - 06/23/10 11:19 AM
On one of my early morning walks at the San Diego Zoo last week, I saw a woman in front of the Fishing Cat exhibit.
In and of itself, that isn't so unusual. However, she was wearing a gold Century 21 jacket which I recognized since my husband has one, and that gold jacket did catch my attention.
I struck up a conversation with her and mentioned ActiveRain and blogging. She had heard about ActiveRain but questioned whether blogging was worth the time and effort.
She said she had asked herself many times, "Will I be successful if I blog?" and the answer was … (24 comments)

Today I had the privilege of talking to an Angel - 06/22/10 11:42 PM
Whenever I leave my home, I'm always on the lookout for several things.
First, of course, are bad drivers, typically those who are shaving, brushing their teeth, putting on makeup, combing their hair in the mirror, talking on the phone, or even worse, looking down to text on their phone.
Second, cool things to take pictures of, and that could be anything relating to nature or man.
Today I had the privilege of talking to an angel:

 
Since I was right behind this Angel at a traffic signal, and it said to call, and the phone number was right … (14 comments)

Not every cat is a Fishing Cat like this one - 06/22/10 11:29 AM
Many cats, large and small, like to sleep during the day and hunt at night. That means that the cats at the San Diego Zoo don't always cooperate with visitors during the Zoo's hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
However, if you go often enough, you'll eventually get to see them all.
I've been going to the San Diego Zoo for 33 years, but one of the cats that I had never seen is apparently such an excellent fisher that they actually named it the Fishing Cat.
The Fishing Cat has a nice playpen with lots of room to climb … (9 comments)

Yeah, you're pretty. So what. Still not interested. - 06/21/10 04:33 PM
 
The San Diego Zoo seems to be overrun with peacocks lately.
This is the first year that I have seen baby peacocks, and there sure are a lot of them.
Since all the mommy peacocks are taking care of their little baby ones:

 
the daddies are out looking for new mommies:

 
According to one of the Zookeepers, the reason why there are not more peacocks than what they have is because at night the great blue herons find the little peacocks and, well, make a meal out of them.
In some cases, the male peacocks will … (17 comments)

Nice little kitty. Meow. - 06/21/10 06:25 AM
Many people know that I take regular walks at the San Diego Zoo, so they've been requesting pictures of the big cats.
I'm always willing to try to please the ActiveRain crowd, but the big cats are usually sleeping so it's often difficult to get good pictures of them. That's one reason why it's useful to have an annual pass to the Zoo; I can go by anytime and check up on them. I just have to make sure that I have my camera with me.
Here, then, without further adieux, are my latest big cat pictures from this past Saturday. The … (20 comments)

I caught my first hummingbird! - 06/20/10 11:52 PM
Well, I didn't actually catch it in my hand or anything like that, but I did catch it on film, so to speak.
One of my favorite flowers is called a lion's tail because of the way it blooms, then puts out another section of stalk, blooms again, and just keeps going and going and going, kind of like the Energizer Bunny.
We have some on the back part of our upper lot, and they are looking beautiful right now.

 
Since it has orange, tubular flowers, the hummingbirds love it.

 
Hummingsbirds just aren't prone to stay in … (28 comments)

Spicing up your blog and comments with special characters, part 2 - 06/20/10 08:44 PM
For those with laptops, and who doesn't have a laptop these days?
Via Russel Ray, San Diego Marketing & Business Consultant & Photographer (Russel Ray):
I'm so used to doing ALT character codes without thinking about them that I didn't realize that some of the codes that I used in my original post were actually four-digit ALT codes rather than three-digit ALT codes.
So being the nice guy that I am, following is the list of four-digit ALT codes, which is where the © and ® symbols appear.
For those of you who left comments in my original post claiming that your laptop … (0 comments)

I got called out for improperly using "Realtor" - 06/20/10 06:27 PM
I recently got called out for improper use of the word Realtor.
I wasn't sure what I was doing wrong because I always capitalize it, although that is the third preferred use.
The preferred use is REALTOR®.
The second preferred use is Realtor®.
However, the National Association of Realtors, recognizing that putting registered symbols or all-caps REALTORs throughout text can easily dilute the message of the text for the general public, allows the third preferred use of Realtor, with just an initial capital letter.
In all instances, though, realtor with all lower case is not proper.
Also note that Realtor© or any other form with the … (266 comments)

When Father's Day weekend is over.... - 06/20/10 05:11 PM
My dad died a couple of decades ago and is buried in the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.  That means that I don't have a lot of memories of him, so reading all the posts here on ActiveRain about other dads and memories of dads who are gone is both depressing and enjoyable.
What I'd like you to do when your father's day is over with is to record your memories of your weekend with your dads.
You can set up a web site dedicated to your dad (or even your family), or you can record on a CD or DVD, … (7 comments)

You snooze, you lose! Counterpoints to Pam McInnes' Featured Post (accompanied by San Diego Zoo pictures) - 06/20/10 04:38 PM
No extra commentary needed. Success speaks for itself. I've disabled comments on this reblog, so click on the link just below and go comment on Russel's blog.
Via Russel Ray, San Diego Marketing & Business Consultant & Photographer (Russel Ray):
One of the tenets of Guerrilla Marketing is to simply do what other people are not doing.
Pam McInnes from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, has a Featured Post titled You're Available 24/7! Really?
For some strange reason, she doesn't think it's possible, even going so far as to say in her post: "Those who advertise that they are, are full of...(pick a word)."
The … (0 comments)

What do cats, dogs, and pigs have in common? - 06/19/10 09:21 PM
One of my daily reading books is Peg Silloway's The Cat Lover's Book of Days. If you're a cat lover, and you don't have this book, you're missing out.
One of the best things about The Cat Lover's Book of Days is that it's not like other books of days because there are no years involved. That means that you can read this book over and over again each year. Get your own copy right here.
Meanwhile, the answer to the title question is, US!
Dogs look up to us.

Cats look down on us.

And pigs treat us … (6 comments)

If you don't know, tell me what you do know - 06/19/10 10:37 AM
I love reading because I can find out what makes people tick, whether someone immensely successful like Bill Gates or someone immensely despicable like Adolph Hitler. I'm pretty sure that if one person ticks like that, there probably is another person ticking like that among these 6½ billion people on Earth. The best way to learn about those people are to read biographies and autobiographies.
One of the people that I enjoy reading about is Quentin Crisp because of his quirky nature and his oh-so-true, no-holds-barred take on life.
Quentin tells us one of his secrets:
If you're taking an essay … (14 comments)

Ten best buyer behavior practices - 06/19/10 12:51 AM
I missed this when Carra posted it on June 10. Maybe you did, too.
Via Carra Riley CRB, CRS, GRI (Author, Speaker, Consultant, Second Homes AZ LLC):
Ten Best Buyer Behavior Practices
Many things we read in the blogosphere inspire creative writing ideas.  I recently read a blog post about an agent who felt so abused by the actions of a buyer she thought a "Buyer Code of Ethics" should be initiated.  I too, have felt the sting of a buyer not thinking the real estate agent was a "human being" so decided to create a  Best Buyer Behavior Practice list.   … (0 comments)

Don't be a fat, lazy cat! - 06/19/10 12:33 AM
You have to watch this. It's only 35 seconds and the ending will catch you off guard. I ican't stop watching it, and I've been laughing at this for about five minutes now.
Via Anna 'Banana' Kruchten, Phoenix Property Shoppe 602-380-4886:
Friday Funnies: Don't be a fat, lazy cat!
I'm sure everyone knows their fair share of lazy people -- especially those who see something happening but fail to act on it. You know what I'm talking about, right? Common examples of laziness we have all probably heard include: "Don't be so lazy and take out the trash." Or, "I feel so lazy … (0 comments)

Mortgage And Real Estate Fraud Continues - 06/18/10 09:59 PM
Stephanie Reynolds has put together a great list of mortgage and real estate fraud resources for us here in California. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it's probably false.
Via Stephanie Reynolds (AgentsOfPossibility.com, REALTOR, GRI, ePro at CMI, Inc. ):
Mortgage And Real Estate Fraud Continues
Reports of mortgage fraud; from appraisals being inflated to falsification of income documentation. Real Estate fraud; from straw buyers to short sale fraud. Foreclosure scams. Craigslist scams. Loan Modification scams. Investment scams.
California has ranked 3rd in the country for hardest hit states for mortgage fraud, according to MARI (Mortgage Asset Research Institute) preceded only by Florida … (0 comments)

Father's Day Weekend ~ Things To Do In San Diego - 06/18/10 09:51 PM
If you're thinking about writing a blog post about something that is quite common, sometimes it pays to check the blogs of other people in your city. You just might find the same information that you were going to blog about, and if you do, why not just reblog it? Thanks, Stephanie!
Via Stephanie Reynolds (AgentsOfPossibility.com, REALTOR, GRI, ePro at CMI, Inc. ):
Father's Day Weekend ~ Things To Do In San Diego
"Thanks for the (insert boring Father's Day gift here), I love it..." Really, how many ties, golf balls or desk supplies can one guy have? This Father's Day why not create memories … (0 comments)

Out & About with Jim Frimmer, your Realtor in Mission Valley: Balboa Park Lily Pond - 06/18/10 09:11 PM

This is one of a series titledOut & About with Jim Frimmer,your Realtor in Mission Valley.Read others in this seriesright here.
With summer in full bloom right now, it's time to take a walk through Balboa Park to see the flowers, which also are in full bloom.

 
Balboa Park had its beginnings in 1835 when California was still under control of Mexico. New San Diego City officials set aside 47,000 acres of land for recreational purposes. Part of that acreage is now Balboa Park, making it one of the oldest areas in the country dedicated to public recreation.
… (4 comments)

San Diego Mission Valley condos with your Realtor, Jim Frimmer: River Scene - 06/16/10 05:45 AM
Prices throughout Mission Valley having been increasing at a pretty good clip lately, so if you enjoy the hassle-free condominium lifestyle, it's time to get into a Mission Valley condo while the getting into is good. You can enjoy everything that beautiful San Diego has to offer right from the central location of your Mission Valley condo!
A great place to consider is River Scene, a gated condominium complex located in central Mission Valley. I lived in River Scene from 1992 to 1995.
There are 108 units built from 1989 to 1991. Units range in size from 1,145 square feet to 1,285 square feet. … (6 comments)

Real estate news with your Realtor, Jim Frimmer: San Diego County foreclosures fall 30% - 06/15/10 08:01 PM
RealtyTrac in Irvine, California, reports that foreclosures in San Diego County feel almost 30% from May 2009 and almost 2% from April 2010.
Their foreclosure numbers, however, include default notices, foreclosures, and other actions without defining what those other actions are. Nonetheless, since RealtyTrac is consistent each month in what their numbers include, comparing them month to month and year to year is valid.
I find it interesting that James Saccacio, RealtTrac's CEO, said that "[O]verall foreclosure activitity [is] leveling off while lenders work through the backlog of distressed properties that have built up over the past twenty months."
Although both prices and … (3 comments)

San Diego Mission Valley condos with Jim Frimmer, Realtor: Rio Del Oro - 06/15/10 05:42 PM
Prices throughout Mission Valley having been increasing at a pretty good clip lately, so if you enjoy the hassle-free condominium lifestyle, it's time to get into a Mission Valley condo while the getting into is good. You can enjoy everything that beautiful San Diego has to offer right from the central location of your Mission Valley condo!
A great place to consider is Rio Del Oro, a gated condominium complex located in central Mission Valley. There are 154 units built in 1995.
I watched Rio Del Oro being built since I lived nearby at the time and used to go by … (4 comments)

Our businesses can learn from what just happened in college sports - 06/15/10 12:27 PM
For those with short attention spans, here is what I learned:
There are four things that we can learn from all this:
Go where the money is — This means that you need to market your company where you're most likely to make money. Be a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond — This is a general rule of thumb, but I've always found it to be a good one. Only follow someone if following will bring you more exposure, more money, more influence — Newly self-employed often follow what someone else has done to … (7 comments)

May 2010 reports are in and it's continuing good news for San Diego County real estate - 06/15/10 04:27 AM
May 2010 saw continuing good news for the San Diego housing market.
Prices are up, sales are up, and interest rates are still low!
The median home price rose to $340,000, an increase of 4½% over April and a 15% increase over May 2009. It is the highest it has been since October 2008, and continues a two-year trend of increasing or flat prices year over year.
The historic high was in November 2005 when the median reached $517,500. The most recent low was in January 2009 when the median was $280,000.

 
Unfortunately, as the median price continues to … (5 comments)

I think Zoey the Cool Cat can predict earthquakes! - 06/15/10 12:47 AM
At 9:22 this evening, Zoey the Cool Cat jumped on the desk and starting meowing very loudly. She didn't stay long, jumping down and running in and out of the room, still meowing very loudly, almost howling. I've never seen her like this before, and she's been desexed, so I figured that an opossum or raccoon was at the front door somewhere. I finally got up and closed the front door, but that didn't seem to solve anything.
No more than a minute after closing the front door, the world started shakin' from another earthquake. It lasted about eight to ten … (22 comments)

Out & About San Diego with Jim Frimmer, Your Realtor in Mission Valley — March Field Air Museum - 06/14/10 08:55 PM
Today is Flag Day.
Whenever I think about the flag of the United States of America, I can't help but think about all the military personnel who fight to make Old Glory stand for something great. Not average. Not like everyone else. Great!
Just a hundred miles north northeast of downtown San Diego is the Riverside National Cemetery where my father is buried, the March Air Reserve Base, and the March Field Air Museum.


    
 
Along with over 70 historic aircraft on the grounds, its location right next to March Air Reserve Base means that you could … (6 comments)

Anyone here speak Russian? - 06/13/10 10:17 PM
My marketing guru, Russel Ray, was downtown watching the N.R.P. Sagres leave San Diego at 3:00 p.m. today while I was doing an open house.
I was supposed to pick him up down at the San Diego Maritime Museum around 4:30, but while we were down there, we decided to take a tour of all the ships at the Museum. Russel already had a hand stamp so I just had to pay my entry fee and off we would go.
I'll have more pictures and history about the various ships at the Museum over the next couple of weeks, but tonight … (9 comments)

Too much of anything.... - 06/13/10 02:26 AM
I ran across quite a few posts today that I commented on that had something to say about too much of this, too much of that.
Too much food Too much alcohol Too much sun Too many forclosures and short sales Too many incompetent real estate agents Too many people at ActiveRain And probably some others that I have already forgotten about.
All of them reminded me of something that my mom taught me many decades ago: "Too much of anything is probably bad for you." For the most part, I still think that's true, so I've tried to be moderate … (10 comments)

Blacks Beach at high tide - 06/12/10 10:58 PM
San Diego has an interesting coastline because there are flat beaches, tourist trap beaches, and beaches with 400-foot cliffs as the backdrop, like this one:

That is Blacks Beach at high tide. Blacks Beach is one of the world's largest clothing optional beaches and, as you can see, the sand has a black tint to it.
On the bluffs above Blacks Beach are the Salk Institute, founded by Jonas Salk, the creator of the polio vaccine; the University of California at San Diego, one of the nation's top 10 research universities; and the Torrey Pines Golf Course, home of the … (15 comments)

Out & About San Diego with Jim Frimmer, Realtor: Welcome aboard the N.R.P. Sagres - 06/11/10 03:15 PM

This is one of a series titledOut & About San Diegowith Jim Frimmer,your Mission Valley Realtor.Read others in this seriesright here.
♪♫♫☺♫♫♪
 
If you make a trip to downtown San Diego this weekend, you might see a new tall ship in port. It looks like this:

 
That's the N.R.P. Sagres, a 294-foot, three-masted, barque-rigged military training ship from Portugal. It is a sister ship to the United States Coast Guard's ship Eagle. It is named for the Cape of Sagres, the southwest end of Portugal where explorers throughout history left for the high seas and the unknown.
… (7 comments)

GE recalls front loading washing machines due to fire and shock hazards - 06/10/10 10:38 PM
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and GE Appliances & Lighting announced that GE is recalling about 181,000 front loading washing machines.
A wire in the machine can break, making contact with the metal washtub while the machine is operating, creating fire and shock hazards. Seven incidents of burning units and smoke damage have been reported, but no injuries.
Recalled washing machines were manufactured in China (there's a shocker) and sold between December 2006 and May 2010 at various retail stores nationwide. Only model numbers beginning with WBVH5 are affected, and you need to check the list of serial numbers to determine … (11 comments)

Meet your ActiveRain newbies from May 2010 - 06/10/10 04:07 AM
At the end of each month I like to visit the list of newbies for the month to see who joined ActiveRain, where they are from, what they did during their first days and weeks on ActiveRain, and if I can provide them with a little push here or there to encourage them to take advantage of the love affair between ActiveRain and Google.
My list of newbies here doesn't include all the members who joined in May 2010 since there usually are a few thousand members who join each month. Rather, there are qualifications to make my list:
Joined ActiveRain … (38 comments)

Loan Modification ~ Don't Be A Victim - 06/10/10 12:24 AM
It's virtually impossible to talk about these types of scams too much because someone always missed it the first, second, or third time.
Via Stephanie Reynolds (AgentsOfPossibility.com, REALTOR, GRI, ePro at CMI, Inc. ):
Loan Modification ~ Don't Be A Victim
There is constant talk that the economy is getting better. However, even today there are many that are losing jobs, taking employment with a lower pay scale than previously and still unable to afford their mortgage payments. 
Loan Modification is the buzzword. New laws have gone into affect, lenders have been given more incentive to modify loans and there are plenty of companies offering … (0 comments)

So, what DO you want? Be honest. - 06/09/10 10:31 PM
When people ask me, "How do I get what I want?", I answer with a question: "What do you want?"
Rarely is anyone able to tell me just exactly what they want.
Following is a 10-step process to help you determine your top 10 wants:
Write down everything you want to have, do, or be. Don't worry about order at this point. Just write down everything you want to have, do, or be. Be sure you include things that you currently have but which need maintenance, such as maintaining the car, house, or relationship. Unless you want to get rid of … (12 comments)

500,000 points on the nose! - 06/09/10 12:42 AM

I'm not very good at writing those heart-rending posts about how great ActiveRain has been, meeting all the friends, learning so much, etc., so I thought I would find all the 500,000 celebratory posts by
Todd Clark, Lenn Harley, John Novak, Russel Ray, Bryant Tutas, Nestor and Katerina Gassett, Maureen McCabe, Patricia Kennedy, Donna Harris, Gary White, Charles McDonald, Tom Braatz, Loreena Yeo, Donald Bradbury, Cindy Jones, Jennifer Fivelsdale, Sharon Sims, Debe Maxwell, William Feela, Vickie Nagy, Jeff Dowler, Jason Crouch, Lane Bailey, Gita Bantwal, Keith Elliott, Missy Caulk, Jim Crawford, Renee Burrows, Gary Woltal, Lisa Hill, Karen Kruschka, Bill … (16 comments)

Go To The Head Of The Line-San Diego Gas & Electric, Is Offering-Gas & Electricity Discount Rates Now. - 06/08/10 06:47 PM
This is a great program by San Diego Gas & Electric to help renters and low-income families.
Via Lorraine or Loretta Kratz-Certified Negotiation Experts, (Crescent Moon Realty, Inc. & Land N Sea Auctions.):
  San Diego Gas & Electric has a 20% discount program, that is available to all San Diego residents that qualify. This program is currently lagging in enrollment and SDG&E is campaigning to make the San Diego communities aware of this program. CARE rates are currently the best tool we have to implement our state's long standing commitment to make electricity affordable for low-income customers,
Renters can avail themselves of … (0 comments)

Out & About San Diego with Jim Frimmer, your Mission Valley Realtor: Public art sometimes moves in unexpected ways - 06/08/10 06:36 PM

This is one of a series titledOut & About San Diegowith Jim Frimmer,your Mission Valley Realtor.Read others in this seriesright here.
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Sidewalks in and of themselves don't make a city walkable. Because of it's topography, San Diego is not the most walkable city I've visited. However, there are many areas of San Diego that are walkable, such as the beaches, Mission Valley, and downtown at the waterfront.
I enjoy a weekly walk along the waterfront just to see what cruise ships are in town, what war ships are docked at the Coronao Naval Air Station, and what new … (8 comments)

Mission Valley condos, San Diego, California: Mission Gate - 06/07/10 08:27 PM
Prices throughout Mission Valley having been increasing at a pretty good clip lately, so if you enjoy the hassle-free condominium lifestyle, it's time to get into a Mission Valley condo while the getting into is good. You can enjoy everything that beautiful San Diego has to offer right from the central location of your Mission Valley condo!
A great place to consider is Mission Gate, a gated townhome complex located in central Mission Valley. There are 98 units built from 1995 to 1998.
I lived across the San Diego River from Mission Gate while it was being built so I got to watch … (5 comments)

San Diego Then & Now: East San Diego City Hall - 06/07/10 01:45 PM
The City of East San Diego only existed from 1912 to 1923, yet the building that used to be its City Hall still stands today on the northeast corner of University Avenue and Van Dyke Avenue:

 
 
As you can see, the building is being used as a series of store fronts. Here are two pictures from earlier times, the first from around 1919, and the second from 1992.


 
The building itself was built in 1912 and became the City Hall in April 1916, allowing the City to move all of its city services and departments … (12 comments)

Get in line and wait your turn! - 06/06/10 11:56 PM
In the Lagoon Terrace at the San Diego Zoo, not only can you see a lot of monster koi, but there is an overabundance of turtles, too.
Today was a very sunny day in San Diego, and a quick trip to the Zoo this morning found a lot of turtles swimming in the pond and enjoying the early morning sunshine.
When I first arrived, there were two turtles sunning on the rocks. As I stood there watching the koi, turtles, and mallards, three other turtles got in line behind the first two.

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If you're looking for a great San Diego Realtor, … (14 comments)

Things I don't understand - 06/06/10 11:43 PM
Along with all the doom and gloom in the news, including Featured Posts here at ActiveRain, the abuse of wildlife seems to be on the upswing.
There have been many stories in the local paper recently about a guy choking a little puppy, another guy stomping on a dog's head "to make it shut up," and up in Stockton, California, an attack on a koi pond by two teenagers that resulted in the death of 11 koi valued at about $10,000.
I'm sure this kind of stuff has always happened, but the rapid spread of news via the Internet as well … (14 comments)

How high can YOU balance rocks? - 06/06/10 11:30 PM
In downtown San Diego on the waterfront, there's a cool little shopping village called Seaport Village.
Many years ago there used to be a guy there every weekend who balanced rocks. I thought it was the neatest thing.
For the past several years, though, he's been missing.
Until today.
After talking with him for a few minutes, it turns out that the old management company considered stacked rocks to be a hazard, so they told him to stay away. The new management company that took over recently contacted him and asked him to come back. I'll have more later this week, … (6 comments)

Is this the new "keeping up with the Joneses"? - 06/05/10 07:17 AM
Yesterday I was at my local AT&T store getting a new phone since my old one was having a few old-age problems.
The couple in front of me were buying a phone for their child. Their child was about six years old! The phone he got cost a few hundred dollars more than the one I got. Really?
Is this where technology has brought us? A six-year-old child needs a $300 phone? For what?
Well, as his mother reaffirmed, "Now you can show everyone in class that you have a nice phone, too."
That's it? The purpose for getting a $300 … (28 comments)

San Diego Mission Valley condos with Jim Frimmer: Proposed northward extension of the San Diego Trolley - 06/04/10 08:02 PM
One of the best things about Mission Valley is that you can live and work here and never need a car. The only other place I've been where I could say that is San Francisco.
Mission Valley has many places to work, many places to play, and, of course, many places to live.
The San Diego River runs directly through the center of Mission Valley. There are concrete pathways along the banks of the River, on both sides, stretching from Ocean Beach to about seven miles inland for walking, jogging, rollerblading, skate boarding, or biking. Since the River is a protected wildlife … (4 comments)

If you are willing to work open houses properly, they can work for you, too! - 06/04/10 06:59 PM
A couple of months ago I had an escrow close successfully for a Client with whom I had worked for about 15 months. We had written five offers, and while the final one got accepted, my Clients were in Afghanistan, so it was a major headache to work with them overseas and their Power of Attorney in Virginia to get papers signed, dated, and in on time.
Then the appraisal came in $15,000 too low. Fortunately, the Buyer and Seller agreed to split the difference, so the purchase price was $7,500 lower and my Clients put in $7,500 of their own … (11 comments)

IKEA recalls about 1,900 Sultan Heidel spring mattresses - 06/04/10 01:13 AM
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and IKEA Home Furnishings announced today that IKEA is recalling about 1,900 Sultan Heidel spring mattresses due to violation of federal mattress flammability standards.
The mattresses come in twin, full, queen, and king sizes; were manufactured in Mexico (there's a shocker); and were sold at IKEA stores nationwide from June 2007 to April 2010. Depending on size, price was between $500 and $1,000.
The date stamp and the Sultan Heidel name are on the label attached to the mattress. Hopefully you didn't cut your label off like I do.
If you have one of these mattresses, … (4 comments)

Maytag recalls 1.7 million dishwashers involving several brands - 06/04/10 12:54 AM
No commentary necessary.
Via Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector (Russel Ray, Property Consultant):
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Maytag Corporation announced today that Maytag is recalling about 1.7 million dishwashers. The heating element in the dishwasher could fail, resulting in a fire.
Maytag says that so far there have been twelve reports of fires and dishwasher damage, including one resulting in extensive kitchen damage. Fortunately, there have been no injuries or deaths.
The brands affected are:
Admiral Amana Crosley Jenn-Air Magic Chef Maytag Performa (by Maytag)  
If you have one, immediately stop using it and disconnect the electric supply by shutting off … (0 comments)

Meet your ActiveRain newbies from April 2010 - 06/03/10 11:23 AM
This is the fourth month that I've created this list. We're late with our April newbies because ActiveRain wasn't being nice to me in early May. 
I don't include all members who joined in April 2010 because that would be exhausting since there usually are a few thousand members who join each month. Rather, there are qualifications to make my list here:
Joined ActiveRain in April 2010. Must have uploaded a profile picture, have a completed profile, and have the name of a contact person. Fewer than 10,000 points — Those with more than 10,000 points are well on their way … (10 comments)

"Life Is What You Make It" - 06/02/10 09:14 AM
Peter Buffet, son of Warren, has just written a book titled, Life Is What You Make It. That sounds like a book right up my alley.
In listening to an interview of Peter and Warren, I found three things they said to be particularly interesting:
Warren lives in the same modest, middle class home that he bought in 1958. "This country works, and it will continue to work."— Warren discussing the recovery from the Great Recession. "Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get."— Warren discussing why he still lives in that 1958 middle class house. Food for … (19 comments)

Whatever happened to the daily ActiveRain email newsletter? - 06/01/10 09:29 PM
Does anyone know what happened to the daily ActiveRain email newsletter?
I enjoyed getting it every day, but I just realized it hasn't arrived in at least a month.
I don't know whether it was dropped because of the time required to fix the proxy errors and bad gateways, or whether all the ActiveRain time is being devoted to Raincamps.
Anyway, I'd like to see it come back.
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If you're looking for a great San Diego Realtor, well,let me Google one for you. I'm available 24/7, so feel free to contact me by phone or email.
Jim Frimmer, RealtorCentury 21 … (17 comments)