mario villagran: Commodity Supplemental Food Program March 31, 2010 - 03/25/10 12:08 PM
Going hungry is a terrible thing. There's a program for senior brought to you by the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Seniors 60 years and older are invited to participate in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
They can receive a free food kit once a month. This kit is prepared w/ specific nutrional needs such as: meats, canned fruits and vegetables, dry milk and related products, cereals and other grain products plus much more.
Program Requirements for Seniors are:
California ID or Driver's License Proof of Income - SSI or pension (bank statement, check stub, benefit award letter) or Medi-Cal Card … (0 comments)
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mario villagran: DIY Car Wash Saves Money - 11/16/09 11:51 AM
We are in a recession, wait I think they are saying we are out. Doesn't really matter on an individual basis because you can choose to participate in a recession or adapt and go about living your life. I choose to adapt. I don't have the luxury of going to a car wash and waiting for my car to be washed anymore. I have found an alternative that not only saves me money but time and I get a little bit of exercise.
I know DIY (Do It Yourself) isn't a new concept in real estate but it was a forgotten … (4 comments)
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mario villagran: Happy Mother's Day! - 05/09/09 10:25 AM
To all the wonderful mothers, grandmothers, aunties, and anyone else who helps fill the role. Mothers are the foundation of many families. They provide strength, support, sensitivity, and let's not forget good meals. We take one day out of the year to honor them but they deserve to be honored everyday. My own mother, Miriam Villagran, is one of the strongest women I know. I look at her for inspiration because she is like the Energizer Bunny and just keeps going.
In all honesty I had lost my faith in the new generation of moms because of my own experience … (2 comments)
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mario villagran: First Time Homebuyers: What You Need to Know (Part 1) - 04/07/09 05:28 PM
This will be the first of a multi-part series on getting ready to buy your first home. As I continue to meet new prospects and people who have never tried to buy a home I'm amazed at how necessary it is for us as Realtors to educate our clients. This education is key to not only get them in their first home but to keep this home. I am usually asked what is needed from them to buy. I can go into getting pre-qualified first and knowing your credit score but I was thinking about this more and I realized that … (0 comments)
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mario villagran: Inappropriate Use of Tax Money - 03/18/09 12:00 PM
So President Obama says that AIG represents inappropriate use of tax money. This is just like me giving the homeless guy off the freeway off ramp with a sign "need money for booze" some money and getting mad cause he bought some booze. We knew that these guys were unethical before the first bailout and then they threw a huge party and we continued to give them money.
Mr. President the true inappropriate use of tax money is how our politicians just continue to hand it out and reward bad behavior. Yes it is true that he has inherited this problem … (1 comments)
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mario villagran: Beware Non-Licensees! - 03/16/09 12:49 PM
Just read through my CA Real Estate Magazine and read that penalties for non-licensees is $20k and/or 6 months in a county jail. A corporation is subject to a fine of $60k. I wish they would offer a reward cause I could probably make a living reporting all these people that are required to have a license but for some reason will not get licensed. http://www2.dre.ca.gov/PublicASP/pplinfo.asp
When dealing in real estate matters please make sure that the person you are dealing with is licensed. First of all it is not that hard to get licensed so you have to ask yourself … (0 comments)
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mario villagran: Tax Shelter - 02/03/09 02:35 PM
Well it's that time of the year again. The fifth season that everyone dreads, tax season. We begin to gather up all the statements that we have received and some us even begin to dig up receipts and question what we can write-off. Are those Adidas I bought a write-off? I am sure everyone knows at least one person who thinks they can write off personal items. The only personal item, that I could think of, that can be used as a tax shelter is your home.
The home itself is not a tax write-off but the mortgage interest and property … (0 comments)
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mario villagran: How the Mighty Have Fallen! - 01/21/09 02:46 PM
I am watching the news and the banks are dominating the headlines. The banks keep losing money and keep asking the government for more of our tax dollars. They continue to make bad decisions and we continue to pay for it. I am not sure when society made it more acceptable to ask for welfare but in my opinion it is an epidemic that will lead to socialism and/or nationalization. Maybe it was how I was raised but I am not that old. Might be a trend that has been happening year after year and really picks up steam during recessions.
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mario villagran: Letter to our 44th President - 11/05/08 02:15 AM
Dear Mr. Obama,
Congratulations on a well run and successful campaign. Your campaign persevered and got your message of hope and change through to the American people. My ideology is not in line with yours or your party but obviously it is with the majority of Americans. What I do see in you is a man that has the ability of bringing people together and I hope you are successful at reaching across the aisle and making your administration an inclusive one. The economy and war that you will inherit is going to be a challenge for your administration. The country … (0 comments)
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mario villagran: McCain v. Obama (none of the above) - 11/04/08 02:39 AM
I will make this disclosure first, I am an independent and I find myself more in line with the libertarian party. I agree with Larry Elder when he says that there is not much difference between the two parties. I also would like to recommend that people read two books by Larry Elder, "Showdown" and "The Ten Things You Can't Say in America".
With that being said I feel both candidates are very similar when it comes to policies. They both came out and supported this bailout plan which is going to cost billions. Where does this money come from? Yes … (0 comments)
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mario villagran: Loan Modifications - 10/29/08 03:49 PM
Loan Modifications seem to be the next industry to boom. There are so many people that owe more than their house is valued and with the economy in a downward spiral some of these people are having a difficult time making their mortgage payments. Companies are starting to issue layoff notices and they have also cut down on bonuses and overtime. Most people I know depend on the overtime to survive. Banks have also frozen many home equity lines of credit (HELOC) in this credit crunch. We are a society that uses debt as leverage so that we can have the … (0 comments)
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mario villagran: NAR's Stimulus Plan - 10/23/08 04:59 PM
The National Associaton of Realtors (NAR), who I'm a member of, recently presented a stimulus plan to congress. Why shouldn't they since congress seems to be doing anything that they feel is going to boost confidence in the market. It is only tax money after all. Here it is and you can also read about it at http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/10222008_NAR_Four_Point_Plan.asp.
$7500 tax credit to all buyers without having to pay it back. Urge congress to use some of the $700 billion to buy mortgage backed securities. Extend credit to Main Street, making credit more accessible to consumers and businesses. Expediting the short sale … (0 comments)
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mario villagran: Should the U.S. Bail Out Homeowners? - 10/14/08 03:56 PM
This morning when I dropped off my children I had a parent tell me that the government should pay off everyone's loan. Thank God it was before the kids' morning prayer because I was able to pray for this man. The funny thing is that I can't blame him for thinking this way. After all the government is setting themselves up for its citizens to think like this. They preach personal responsibility but only for individuals not for CEO's and officers of major corporations or for people that continue to have children that can't afford them.
Being in this industry yes … (0 comments)
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mario villagran: Every Day Alive is a Blessed Day - 10/06/08 06:39 PM
Doom and gloom is all you hear in the news these past few weeks. Just a while ago I read of a father and husband that took killed his family and then himself because of financial worries, http://www.dailynews.com/ci_10651501?source=rss. Thousands of families are in distress and this market will soon change. The truth is that we see cycles like this throughout our history and we have recovered from each one. Let's focus on what we have and not what we don't have. Please call someone before it gets so bad that you think taking your life is your only option. Money isn't … (6 comments)
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mario villagran: Need Somebody to Listen, Call a Realtor - 10/02/08 03:22 PM
This has been a hectic week for everyone. Many family members, friends, and clients have been calling me to get my opinion about what's happening. I could go on and on about why I think this bailout plan is wrong for us and will prolong our recovery but that's not the purpose of this blog.
After all of the voting has taken place we still have people that feel alone and are in deep financial trouble. I want these people to know that you are not alone and there are solutions. Don't give up and don't allow these financial troubles to … (0 comments)
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mario villagran: Let's Go Green! - 09/10/08 04:35 PM
I just finished reading the September issue of California Real Estate, California Association of Realtor's magazine, while on a camping trip in Carpinteria, CA. What a beautiful place but off the coast you can see the platforms where they drill for oil. This was the "Green Issue" and so the timing couldn't have been better. It covers many issues regarding the trend of "Green Real Estate". For those of you who do not know what this "Green Movement" is, it is a movement to raise awareness of the amount of pollution our demand for energy creates. It is a movement that … (1 comments)
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mario villagran: Mid Wilshire Craftsman Home - 207 S. Serrano Los Angeles, CA 90004 - 08/26/08 11:29 AM
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mario villagran: Radon and Lead Kits - 08/22/08 02:34 PM
As realtors we are constantly made aware of the dangers that can be found in and around the home. We have so many disclosures that we need to present to the home-buyer that it's very hard to forget. Houses built prior to 1978 most likely had paint that contained lead and radon is a gas that is emitted in the air from the breakdown of uranium, radium and rock in the soil. The real danger is when there are elevated levels of these harmful substances.
The key to staying healthy is education and prevention so I thought it was my responsibility … (1 comments)
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mario villagran: Real Estate Bargains - 08/20/08 02:37 PM
I've decided to reintroduce my campaign of bringing what my team and I feel are great bargains in the Glendale, Burbank, and some of the surrounding areas. I hope this is helpful.
If you should need any assistance with your real estate needs please feel free to call me or email me.
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mario villagran: Burbank Pool Home - 08/11/08 11:27 AM
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