Did you know the state of California offered a $10,000 tax credit on the purchase of a new home?  Nice thought, right. 

Unforunatly, with such great demand the $100 million dollars allocated by the state is just about used up.  For details and how the money was allocated the Franchise Tax Board has it all detailed. 

Don't mistake this credit as the $8000.00 tax credit coming from the Federal Gov't.  That is still available. Though make sure to understand how the credit can be utalized in your individual state.

This is a perfect example why 29% of the current buyer pool is first time buyers.  If you are considering buying your first home, the opportunity before you is one you will want to consider seriously before it passes you by.

Unfortunatly, history has proven most miss the opportunity waiting for the bottom, by the time they find it, it has already moved on up.

Over the past few years in Real Estate I have spoken to many Real Estate Brokers who struggle with how to get their agents to invest in marketing, doesn't matter, print, media or web, it is a struggle.  Today it is the same but of course the pressure for whatever marketing platform chosen it better be cost effective, better yet pretty much free!

Both the Broker and Agent know the importance of marketing but there is a disconnect on how they can mutually benefit each other and still build an individual brand. The Broker focuses on building the company brand and leaves the individual agent branding to the agent.  Both struggling to get the right message out on the web that brings qualified traffic to their door.

It is simple, if the agents advertising brings business in the the broker wins!  So why do so many brokers leave this valuable asset out of their support?

What if there was a business model that allowed the Broker to build their office brand and subsidize agent advertising?  Guess what there is......

Imagine, a potential seller searching the web for Agents and see's your Agents Advertising right next to your Office Advertising!  Win/Win!

With LocalAdLink a Broker can easily do this.  It is simple, become a Brand Builder and this provides you with the ability to give ads and/or sell ads to your team in a low cost manner. 

First the giving part:  You start off with approximately 10 ads, imagine how excited your agents would be if you rewarded them with a free month of advertising as an incentive, for say holding open a certain number of open houses, etc.  This can be done for as little as $399. Tell me where else you get 10 ads for $399.00. 

Second The Selling Part:  Your agents are seeing the exposure the brokerage is receiving so they are going to go out and buy ads on their own.   As a Brand Builder wouldn't you rather they come to you? PS this brings dollars back into your brokerage! Ads can be purchased for as little as $49.95 for up to 3 zip codes.  Did you see that $69.99!

It is a win/win and an ideal way to bring valuable listings in the door.

But there is even a better aspect of this business that is often missed but very valuable to the Real Estate business and it is all about building a local community! 

As a Realtor, I have added this business to my portfolio of services.  When I walk into a local business and note, I am the local expert and my goal is to build my list of local businesses to help new homeowners know the area, what do you think small businesses say.... please help.  It is in all of our best interest to keep local dollars in the community.  As a Realtor we give business referrals time and time again, wouldn't you like the same to happen to you.

Just a little insight.  Today I searched for a Wine Store online and was happy to see one of my customers right there, the number 1 ad. When I clicked on the business ad, right next to the ad was my Real Estate Possibilities Ad.  Who won here, both la Maison Gourmet and I!  Win/win

Should you be interested in learning how to achieve such a great synergy, make sure to contact Kelly today!

The above information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

I am going to take this blog down a personal road that I believe is affecting many singles out there in this tough economy.  I hear it day after day, that they are not only losing their homes, livelihood but as well their relationships.

Hopefully most are blessed with a strong support structure and surrounded by people who build them up with. This market is tough for everybody; it is especially scary for those going it alone.

This life transition we are all encountering is truly teaching us a life lesson and it is not about finances.   The shedding has begun, those who believe in you will be the ones who are around at the end of this turmoil.

Unfortunately, with shedding comes painful realization that some of the relationships you counted on are going to fade into the sunset. Why, because for many around us it easier to bury their head in the sand then to reach out and build you up.  Not because they don't care about you, but rather they have not walked in your shoes and are incapable of understanding what you are losing.  Your pain does not fit into their life. You have to cut back on socializing, shopping and your focus is on survival. You may have become a not so fun person to be around, but that is not your problem, This is theirs!

Losing a home, struggling financially and then adding the stress of realization that you are alone in this struggle is heartbreaking.   For singles, the highlight of owning a home is equal to those to those mega life events, such as having a child.   I said it, when a single owns a home, it becomes their baby!  Yes, it just a building, but we all know what home ownership stands for and for singles this is especially important.  So imagine how they feel when they are losing it.  The same is to be said about their relationships.

Now that I have totally depressed you, it is important to understand this shedding that happens when life takes you down a difficult road is something that has to happen.   Your heart is broken, but that does not mean you are broken.   We've heard it before, tough situations don't last, tough people do.   But I don't want you to be tough, you are not wrong to depend on people or to be sad about your life unraveling.  However, being tough cannot equal building a wall around your heart.

So what do we do, we trust, we forgive, we build!  You notice I put WE in there.  Because you are not alone, this life challenge is taking you down a road to find who is really there for you.  Focus on that with an expectant heart because good things are to come.  Remember, people are going to break our heart, life is going to be tough, success comes with loving it anyways.

In today's real estate environment Realtors are struggling with how to expand or even keep up with their marketing and find a way to save cost. Two key ares Realtors focus on are:

• How to satisfy the needs of the Home Seller without having to spend thousands of dollars in advertising in Local Newspapers and/or Home Magazines. Competing with other Realtors.
• Building a online Brand that potential home buyers and home sellers can find that brings in Real Leads without spending a fortune to lead generation companies.

Realtors and Small Business Owners in general know the key to getting people in the door is to get their name out their. However, the first aspect of the budget cut in tough times is advertising without asking the question, is there a way I can actually expand my marketing and advertising and still cut expenses? The answer is of course, It's Possible!

This can be done by first creating a marketing plan that ensures your Brand tells a consistent story. Does it motive the community you are trying to sell to? Once you have that, you can start with a simple blog, that is free, just like this one. The investment here is time.

The next question is to ask is how am I going to drive traffic? Of course the more you blog with consistency your brand will build organically. However, to get real traffic to your door some advertising must be considered. I recommend taking advantage of Social Networking sites such as Facebook, Myspace, Boomj and Activerain. This will all help in building your online brand and again it can be done for Free! Time is the only thing it is going to cost you.

Now that you have taken care of the Free aspects, look at what we have saved. No web-site cost, No print advertising cost, which we will estimate at $500.00 a month. Though many Realtors now they are paying much more then that and why many Small Business Owners avoid it.

The next step is to look at what expense you are willing to pay to get your name out there? Do you think spending less then $100.00 a month is worth it? Remember we just saved you $500.00. Your answer should be, depends on what I am getting? So if you could get the following would you find it valuable?:

• Business Details Listing
• Blog or Website Link
• Featured Business Status
• Ability to upload multiple photo's to gallery
• Target your ad to 10 Zip Codes (sounds like farming)
• 2 Key Word Search Terms
• Ability to create or upload coupons
• Ability to upload and show videos
• Your listing pushed out to the web and displayed on the biggest websites, search engines and social networks of the Internet (targeted to the consumers location).

This is possible, contact Kelly to see how. Better yet, if you act now, we currently have a promotional package that gives you approximately 10 months of advertising, up to 50 zip codes for less then $20.00 a month. But you have to act today, this promotion expires soon.

Ok, I will start out with full disclosure.  I am frustrated to no ends with Ocwen,  I am working with for a client on a short sale.  Unfortunatly, the lender decided to go to Auction/Sale on this short sale with 1 good offer in hand and 3 strong ones behind it.  Makes no sense to me, much less my client!

I get sometimes that hard decisions need to be made. But what I don't get is when stupid (yes, I said stupid) decisions are made due to a lack of interest or that it can't be fit into a process. Maybe that is because we are calling India to get answers these days from Lenders.  Sorry, side note, but don't you think some unemployed americans would be willing to work a graveyard shift and a homeowner would feel more comfortable talking with someone who had a vested interest in getting their issues resolved.

I am sure their are millions of stories based on the frustration that we as a community are feeling with lenders.  I ask the question today, why are we putting up with it. I am amazed and shocked at the service we receive. We understand the questions to ask, just think what homeowners get when they are trying to get answers.

We as Realtors are the backbone and the driving force behind success with these distressed situations! But do you think lenders feel that way?   When was the last time a lender called you to give you an update on a short sale?  How much paperwork have you resubmitted and resubmitted, due to their inability to keep a file together.  How many times have you spoken to a customer service person that is rude, trained only in providing yes and no answers. How many times have they countered a buyer or buyers to get the best offer, How many buyers have walked away due to delays, no responses, etc. 

Do you see anyone going out of their way to resolve these issues?  I do and it is us Realtors!  Unfortunatly, I don't see much progress being made with Lenders to look at us as Partners.  Maybe we should stop handling short sales, let the lenders handle the marketing, showings, staging, cleaning, crying, the list goes on and on.

My goal is not to put a further drag on the emotions of Homeowners or Realtors going through the hurdles of getting these transactions closed. Personally, I am not sure I have the stomach for it.  I would like to see companies, associations take a more proactive approach with Lenders to develop win/win solutions that help Homeowners and yes, Realtors.  How many of us would like to be able to count on a commission check when dealing with a short sale.  Better yet, how many of us have counted on a commission check, only to see it cut or gone as the deals fall through?

Looking forward to your shared thoughts!

Kelly Turbeville is one of South Orange County premier Real Estate Advisors focusing in the Saddleback Valley and the communities of Lake Forest, Portola Hills, and Foothill Ranch. Whether she's helping a first time buyer accomplish the goal of homeownership, or coaching a homeowner on venturing into real estate investments, Kelly is committed to making it happen!  For Kelly, it has never been just about selling you a house! Her success comes from developing a business that is a trusted place to turn to when you need anything Real Estate!

 It's Possible!

 The above information is provided as an opinion and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Are you a renter and considering buying a home, but often wonder how the tax savings, cost of owning a home vs. renting all come together to make it happen.  The California Association of Realtors just released a great resource that will help make sense of it all.

 http://www.car.org/economics/currentresearch/2009rentversusbuyanalysis/

Should you have any questions, regarding if buying home is right for you, please do not hesitate to contact Kelly. 

 Did you hear the news today, first-time home buyers, the California Association of Realtors, yes that is us Realtors, understands one of the major hurdles you have towards purchasing your first home is security with your job.  With that hurdle in mind, a new program was been introduced.

The program is called the C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund Mortgage Protection Program (C.A.R.H.A.F. MPP) and provides first-time home buyers who lose their jobs due to layoffs may be eligible to receive up to $1,500 per month for up to six months to help make their mortgage payments. A qualified co-buyer also can participate in the program, for a reduced monthly benefit of $750 per month for up to six months in the event of a job loss. Program benefits also include coverage for accidental disability and a $10,000 death benefit. C.A.R.'s Housing Affordability Fund is dedicating $1 million to the program this year, and estimates that as many as 3,000 families will benefit from the program throughout 2009.   

To qualify for the Mortgage Protection Program, applicants must:
. Be a first-time home buyer - someone who has not owned a home in the last three years
. Open escrow April 2, 2009, or later, and close on or before Dec. 31, 2009
. Use a California REALTOR® in the transaction
. Purchase the property in California
. Be a W-2 employee (cannot be self-employed or military personnel)

OK, are you paying attention, that is unheard of security, for the one thing that is probably holding you back the most.  What else could be, home pricing is down to 2003 levels, interest rates are down to historic levels, you have the opportunity to receive a $8000.00 tax credit plus and banks are opening up their credit lines.  Now is the time buy!

The next step is to find a Realtor who works with First-time buyers and understands your hesitations but more importantly understands your ultimate goal to buy your first home.  A Realtor who's business plan includes first-time buyers, is willing to pound the pavement with you, hold your hand and ensure you have a clear understanding of what is required to make your dream become a reality.

Kelly Turbevilleis a leading real estate professional in the Saddleback Valley, who's passion is working with First-Time Buyers.  There is nothing better then handing a first time home buyer the key's to their first home.  Should you be considering taking the steps towards home-ownership, then give Kelly a call, she is a trusted source to turn to.

The above information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed

When you come through Portola Hills, you probably don't think of business. That is part of what makes Portola Hills such a special place to live, there really isn't any commerce. But is there.....

Ask yourself?

• What do your neighbors do for a living?
• How does their success add to the success of your neighborhood?
• Do you have a need that a struggling neighor could help you with?
• Did you know your neighbor has a home based business that may actually help you and your business.
• Need an Attorney, Landscaper, Hair Stylist, Let's not forget Realtor! - bet there are few of those here in Portola Hills that would love your call.

Have you noticed in today's world everyone comes home and drives straight into their garage, no hello's, no hand shakes, no hugs, the goal being in and out of the home with as little interaction as possible. No ill-will intended just gotta get dinner going!

But in today's economy this is the exact opposite of what we all need to do. We need to understand what our community needs and how we can assist in keeping it such a great place to live. This ecomomy is touching eveyone, not just the local store on the corner. It has touched, the Avon Lady, Landscaper, Consultant probably more then most as they are self employed and have little help to turn to.

So next time you think of a need, maybe consider looking out the door or asking a neighbor if they know someone who could help. Better yet, check out our local blog or LocalAdLink.com. Have a business you want to advertise, let us know and we will include a link right here Portola Hills Living and do a write on your business.

Since your are reading this article, by now you know, my passion is Real Estate. The reason I went into real estate is I love the idea of communities and helping homeowners become part of one. Recently, I decided to take that involvement another step and help local business expand their business on line. Should you have a home based business, store front or service business and are a resident of Portola Hills, contact us to see how we can help you expand your business and ultimatly keep local dollars in Portola Hills.

Buyer's looking for a home that offers all this and is ready to go.  Tired of dealing with short sales that do not close, then make sure to contact us on this listing.  WE HAVE BANK APPROVAL!

Kelly Turbeville is one of South Orange County premier Real Estate Advisors focusing in the Saddleback Valley and the communities of Lake Forest, Portola Hills, and Foothill Ranch. Whether she’s helping a first time buyer accomplish the goal of homeownership, or coaching a homeowner on venturing into real estate investments or helping a client review their mortgage options, Kelly is committed to making it happen!  For Kelly, it has never been just about selling you a house! Her success comes from developing a business that is a trusted place to turn to when you need anything Real Estate!

 It’s Possible!

 The above information is provided as an opinion and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Looking for a home which is has 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 car garage and nice size yard, welll then you will want to stop in and check out this listing in Portola Hills which will be open today.

Portola Hills is a beautiful neighborhood consiting of amazing views from the Saddleback Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.  So as you drive around the neighborhood make sure to check out a few of these spots.

  Beautiful entrance into Portola Hills.  

  A place where the clouds are often reachable!

Concourse Park what a beautiful setting for your kids to play around!

The perfect way to end the day in Portola Hills.

Kelly Turbeville is one of South Orange County premier Real Estate Advisors focusing in the Saddleback Valley and the communities of Lake Forest, Portola Hills, and Foothill Ranch. Whether she’s helping a first time buyer accomplish the goal of homeownership, or coaching a homeowner on venturing into real estate investments or helping a client review their mortgage options, Kelly is committed to making it happen!  For Kelly, it has never been just about selling you a house! Her success comes from developing a business that is a trusted place to turn to when you need anything Real Estate!

 It’s Possible!

 The above information is provided as an opinion and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.