This is a terrible time in the history of Southern California because of the fires. For some reason it's easy for us to let life move forward and never think about crisis protection until something catastrophic happens like this. Now everyone is buzzing about fire safety and prevention measures, what we need to do or should have done. I decided it was an opportunity for me to share my thoughts, as well, in hopes it gives someone an advantage they hadn't considered.

Someone recently told me a story of a family needing to evacuate. The husband alerted his wife to the news. She disappeared only momentarily into an adjacent room and returned announcing, "I'm ready. Let's go!" Amazed at her promptness, he blurted, "Really?!" "Yep, let's go!" she retorted. "All our family photos are right here." She motioned to the stack of CDs under her left armpit. The beauty of technology had simplified her preparation.

My husband and I spoke about what we needed to do. Something as simple as a couple changes of clothing, one for warm weather and another for the cold, tightly packed into a lightweight backpack with some emergency items would be effective. Keeping our coats and the dog's leash, dish and extra food in the hall closet by the front door, with our backpacks, would also save time pending an evacuation notice. If the closet were near the garage where the cars are parked, that would even be better. I used to keep emergency items in the trunk of my car but tired of removing them everytime I went shopping or needed the space for hauling other things. This way, they are handy but not using up hauling space in my vehicle.

Another idea is to keep valuables, including important original photos and jewelry, in a firesafe, lockbox or safety deposit box off site. If you want to frame and hang copies of those original photos on your walls, you'll still be able to enjoy them without risking loss of the originals in a fire or other disaster.

Regarding actual safety for your home, there are lots of websites filled with tips and checklists to help you. FEMA as good information at  http://www.fema.org/areyouready/emergency_planning.shtm.  The American Red Cross also has great information at http://www.redcross.org/pubs/dspubs/genprep.html.

The best advice is "Do Something, rather than regret doing nothing." If you were fortunate enough to have escaped the massive destruction this time around, don't just be thankful... be active in helping the less fortunate any way you can. A simple donation of food, clothing, or money can be a comfort and a blessing to you as well as those who receive it. If you own a business, set up a recieving center where donations can be dropped off to help evacuees. Publish a notice in your local paper to advertise your location and what you'll accept as donations. You'll be glad to have participated in a positive way.

Real estate ads. They all look the same! Houses. More houses. Yes, and photo of the realtor that was probably taken 10 years earlier, before that receding hairline was really noticable. Then there are the typical, angular comments without perfect punctuation describing the "best", the "priced to sell", the "motivated sellers", and the gazillion "3 bdrm, 2 bath" homes we all know "everybody" wants! How is a person to find the "right one" in the "right place"?

Easy. LOCATION! Oh, yeah. You've heard it a million and one times before. "Location! Location! Location!" But that's not what I'm saying. What I'm speaking about it the way you describe and sell that location. If all the bait looks the same, it's only "by chance" that YOUR bait is taken. So, let's talk about "distinction".

I have a piece of desert for sale, on a slope, overlooking a valley. Do you want to buy my parcel?

I have a 3 bdrm, 2 bath home for sale on a desert slope overlooking a valley. Now are you interested?

I have a 3 bdrm, 2 bath home on 5 acres of desert slope overlooking a valley. And now?

I left the congestion and smog of city life to live under star-filled nights, where the sun rises and sets across my 15-mile view of a little-known Southern California valley. I can visit Palm Springs or Palm Desert, the art community of Idyllwild, the Balloon Festival of Temecula, or the popular beaches of San Diego for a day trip. My modest home hugs the 5-acre slope where 4-seasons of chapparal protects the rabbits, coyotes and quail. Local horse ranchers ride and compete in the local gymkhana. My parcel is one of many available here in this coveted sanctuary. Is that a hook?

Know your customers and what they want. Why are they moving and where? What makes your property right for them? Find your niche and target them faithfully and consistently. When they are hungry, they'll know where to "strike" the BEST bait.

Think about the strengths, the beauty, the convenience of your property. Include photos of the views or the community attractions. Make it personal. Make the property "live" for the prospective buyer. Ask your seller to tell you why they love their home and incorporate some 'gems' of experience into your descriptions. Not only will it make your listings stand out in the crowd, but it WILL attract more fish. Just be patient and keep "throwing it out there". I wish you all successful fishing!