November 18, 2008

On Saturday November 15, 2008 our very own Olinda Ranch fell victim to one of the all too familiar November wild fires.  As we spent Saturday helping friends and families gather their most praised possessions and evacuate their homes, I could not help but think about the irony that was playing out right before my eyes.  I had the opportunity to help many of these individuals purchase these very homes that we were now helping them evacuate.  There was a very real possibility that we would return to the neighborhood that we have loved and worked in for so many years to find nothing left, and that was terrifying. 

I will post a blog in the future that details how this event progressed from my perspective once I have a chance to sit and try to wrap my mind around everything.  But as for this post, I would like to just share a few of the many pictures and incidents that I witnessed over the 48 hours that Brea's Olinda Ranch Burns.

    Top 10:  What happens when Brea's Olinda Ranch Burns?  

1. Community is formed as neighbors seek comfort from one another.
2. We are forced to realize what items mean the most to us, as we stuff them in boxes.
3. You stand amazed at the sight of Fire Fighters doing what they are trained to do... Protect
4. Forget all about a bad economy, new President, poor housing prices etc.
5. Hope that those methane gas release valves are not leaking.
6. Wonder what happens when an oil rig is engulfed by a brush fire.
7. Find yourself watering down your tile roof giving thanks to the builders that did not choose to use wood shake.
8. Walk in and out of our community more times in 2 days than you have in 4 years.
9. Realize just how many cars we have in Olinda Ranch when you see them parked down Lambert.
10. Thank God that not even 1 home is lost in the fire, and we will be even better prepared next time. 

Cheers,

Aaron Mills  www.OlindaRanch.com

The City of Brea anounced this week that the Plunge (A wonderful community pool of of Brea Blvd) has completed a $1.2 million rehibilitation and is now open again.  This could not come at a better time since the tempurature has been climbing each week that we get closer to summer.  As a Brea community member, I would like to say thank you to the City of Brea for making this wonderful project a priority for our community.  Brea continues to be a wonderful place to live, work, shop, and dine.

Here is an article from the City of Brea's website about the Plunge Project.

The Brea City Council, the Parks, Recreation and Human Services Commission, City officials and Brea residents will mark the re-opening of the Brea Municipal Plunge with a ceremony and plaque dedication on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. The ceremony will take place at the Plunge, located at 400 S. Walnut Ave, off Brea Blvd in City Hall Park. 

The public is invited to a brief plaque dedication ceremony and refreshments prior to the first recreational swim of the season in the re-constructed pool. The rehabilitation of the Plunge included bringing it up to current code while maintaining its historical significance, which helped gain its spot on the state and federal historic registries. Generations of children have learned to swim at the Brea Plunge as it is Orange County's oldest continuously operating pool. 

The $1.2 million rehabilitation project began after last year's Labor Day closing to re-construct the Plunge to meet modern functional standards. The project replaced the pool's me-chanical parts, which date back more than 50 years. The entire project included replacement of the pool mechanical equipment, including the pool filtration, pumping and piping systems; re-placement of the major electrical components; upgrades to the restroom, building, and pool area in order to comply with federal Americans with Disabilities Act standards; conversion of the main pool from wall gutters to a new safer rim flow type; and the demolition and replacement of the pool decking. Surrounding area improvements include the construction of two new 20 x 20 shade structures, new benches, new lifeguard chairs, and a new diving board. 

Cheers, Aaron Mills

Mindy and I just took a new REO (Bank Owned Foreclosure) listing tonight in the wonderful city of Norwalk.  If you are looking to find a stellar deal on the Los Angeles County, Orange County border... This may be just what you have been waiting for.  The phone will not stop ringing about this home, so if you are interested in seeing this property... you need to call now.  If you can not get through, keep trying.  We strongly beleave this home will sell in the next 5-7 days.      - Cheers   Aaron

12614 Oland St. Norwalk 90650

4 Bedrooms

2 Bathrooms

1,570 sqft

5,350 sqft Lot

2 Car Garage

Private Backyard

Front Courtyard

Vaulted Ceilings

Wood Floors

Large Kitchen

Formal Dinning room

Living room w/Fireplace

*** The Pictures will not seem to upload tonight, so email me if you would like them to be sent out.  I will update this blog soon to include the pictures.  Thanks

AaronMils@aol.com   www.OlindaRanch.com

A new Internet service provided by local real estate professionals Aaron and Mindy Mills offers Brea's Olinda Ranch consumers a free and convenient way to get the answers to any of their real estate-related questions.

Questions Answered With the Click of a Button

Whether buyers and sellers want to know about the best time to put their home on the market, the first steps they should take in finding the home of their dreams, or need more specific information related to their individual situation, now they can simply access Aaron and Mindy's Web site, click a button, and send their questions directly to Aaron and Mindy via e-mail. They promises to respond with the information they need, also via e-mail, within 48 hours.

"I have found that so many people are hesitant to call a real estate agent with their questions," Mindy says. "Either they feel their question is too insignificant to bother someone with, or they don't want to call an agent because they're afraid they'll get trapped with a high pressure sales pitch. But I believe there's nothing more important than providing people with the information they need to know about something as critical to their futures as buying or selling a home."

Accessible Anytime on the Web at www.OlindaRanch.com

Interested consumers can simply access Aaron and Mindy's Web site 24 hours at www.OlindaRanch.com . By clicking on the email icon, buyers or sellers can type in their questions and send them privately to Aaron or Mindy. They will either respond back via e-mail, or if they don't have an e-mail account of their own, they can request that they contact them directly by typing in their name and address or telephone number, whatever is more convenient for them.

The Right Information without the Hassle

Aaron and Mindy are offering their e-mail question-and-answer forum as an information-only service in their continuing desire to share their experience and knowledge gained over many years in the business and to serve the Brea real estate market. There is absolutely no obligation to consumers to hire them as their agent. Of course, those who do not yet have access to the Internet can also contact Aaron and Mindy with their questions through more traditional means: either by mail or phone at their office.

More Customized Information at Your Fingertips

By simply accessing the site through the Internet on their personal computers, consumers anywhere can find out about current market trends, get specific details about relocating to the area, learn more about Aaron & Mindy's services, and place online orders for free, informative special reports with in-depth information on buying or selling. In addition, consumers can get answers to their individual questions regarding their home purchase or sale anonymously through e-mail by simply typing them in anytime, day or night. Consumers from outside the area can also use online forms to order their own special relocation package filled with information about the area and the relocation process itself.

Easily and Quickly Accessible

"Even though a real estate professional may be able to help them," Mindy says, "many people don't contact one because they either don't know who to call or they're afraid of running into a high-pressure sales situation with an agent who only wants to get their business. Some people may not even be ready to buy or sell right away, they just want information to help them make the right decision down the road. This Web site is designed to offer them a way to get that information as quickly and easily as possible."

Free Information, No Strings Attached

"It's so frustrating to see home buyers and sellers make the same mistakes every year knowing that I could have helped them avoid those problems if only I could have had the opportunity to give them the right information," Mindy says. "My goal is to get that information out there and make the real estate process smoother for everyone by creating more educated consumers, regardless of whether they hire me as their agent."

Where to Find It

Long known as a cutting-edge professional in the Brea real estate community, Aaron and Mindy have consistently used the latest technology to produce successful home sales for a growing number of area residents. Their Web site can be accessed at www.OlindaRanch.com Aaron and Mindy can also be contacted directly at their office at 2415 E. Imperial Hwy Brea, by calling (714)270-2424

Since moving to Prudential CA Realty, Mindy and I have enjoyed the opportunity to see what an amazing positive affect working with the Top North Orange County Real Estate office could have on our lives.  We are now able to offer the most amazing services to our clients on both the buying and selling sides of a transaction.  I never even knew that these services existed.  Now that I see why Prudential's systems are working day in and day out for our clients in even the most difficult of markets, and I am a true believer.  The numbers above were just statistics that I never paid attention to before, but now that I see what we can offer our clients while they are buying or selling a home and even I am amazed.

Visit www.OlindaRanch.com for more information

Cheers, Aaron  

Mindy and I had the distinct honor in sponcering a wonderful young lady named Kelsey Dysart of Brea CA in the 2008 Miss Brea Scholorship Pagent this past week.  We knew going into the night that the compatition would be stiff, and Kelsey would need to bring her best to win.  However, from the moment Kelsey stepped out of the limo and onto the red carpet, we knew that this was going to be her night.  Great job Kelsey!  We are very proud of you.  We look forward to watching you compete in the Miss California Pagent this year.  You are a beautiful young woman inside and out.

Here is the write-up from the Miss Brea Pagent Website:

Kelsey Dysart, 19 year old student at CSUF, 2007 graduate of Brea Olinda High School, and resident of the community of Brea, wins the title of Miss Brea 2008 at the Miss Brea Scholarship Pageant March 10th hosted at the Brea Improv. Kelsey was sponsored by Aaron & Mindy Mills Prudential CA Realtors.

After being crowned Miss Brea 2008, Kelsey was whisked off in a lighted horse drawn cinderella carriage with her court down Brea Blvd. to the Masala Bowl Restaurant for the traditional Pageant After Party Gala. Hotel accomodations were provided that evening for Kelsey and her chaperone at Embassy Suites. Global Limousine Company picked Kelsey up from the Masala Bowl Restaurant After Party Gala for a ride around town before taking her to Embassy Suites. When asked, "What are you going to do now Kelsey"  her answer, "I'm going to Disneyland". Kelsey reported back to work the next morning bright and early at 6am to Disneyland where she is a character actress creating magic for there guests. Be sure to mark your calendar to watch Kelsey compete for the title of Miss California 2009, June 28th in Fresno California.