Aaron & Mindy's Blog

What happens when Brea's Olinda Ranch Burns?

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:17:42 -0600

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?

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

Anaheim Bank Repo. Bring an offer soon or it may be too late.

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:57:22 -0500

Aaron Mills | Prudential CA Realty | aaronmils@aol.com | 714-270-2424

515 N East St, Anaheim, CA

Bank Owned Home! Must be SOLD in the next 2 weeks.

3BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $339,000

Year Built	1936
Sq Footage	1,528
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	4,396 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

This wonderful single family home is located in the heart of Anaheim and features 3 bedrooms, 1.75 bathrooms, 1528 sqft of living space and has a large kitchen. There is a detached 2 car garage with storage room attached. Sliding rear gate and low maintenance concrete backyard gives this home ample off street parking. Wood floors, newer windows and a nice size lot are all terrific reasons to make this house your new home.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central heat	Fireplace	Family room
Living room	Office/Den	Dining room
Breakfast nook	Laundry area - garage	Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Aaron Mills

Prudential CA Realty

aaronmils@aol.com

714-270-2424

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Sep 24, 2008, 11:03am PDT

Home for Rent in Anaheim. Remodeled and Ready for you for only $2,300 a month.

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:49:42 -0500

Aaron Mills | Prudential CA Realty | 714-270-2424

1207 W Brewster Ave, Anaheim, CA

Newer Everything! Complete remodel and ready for you.

3BR/2BA Single Family House

$2,300/month

Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Sq Footage	1,213
Parking	2 dedicated
Pet Policy	Cats, Small dogs (< 25lbs)
Deposit	$2,300

DESCRIPTION

Almost everything is brand new in this home. New travertine floors, new kitchen cabinets, new granite counter tops, new appliances, new bathroom vanities and fixtures, new carpet, new paint inside and out, new roof, new garage door, over 1800sqft of new sod in front and rear w/new sprinkers, new texture, new planters, and all new windows, doors and sliders. 4th bedroom currently being used as a dinning room.

see additional photos below

RENTAL FEATURES

Central heat	Fireplace	Tile floor
Living room	Dining room	Dishwasher
Stove/Oven	Granite countertop	Laundry area - garage
Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Garage parking

LEASE TERMS

1 year lease. Tenant to pay their own utilities. $2,300 deposit required along with 1st months rent.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Renter contact info:

Aaron Mills

Prudential CA Realty

714-270-2424

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Sep 24, 2008, 11:35am PDT

Rare Bank Owned Duplex in Anaheim, Orange County. Positive Cash flow with a little down.

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:45:27 -0500

Aaron Mills | Prudential CA Realty | 714-270-2424

200 E. Clifton Ave. Unit 1 & 2, Brea, CA

Rare Bank Owned Duplex

4BR/4BA Multi-Family, 2 units

offered at $442,000

Year Built	1965
Sq Footage	2,189
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	4 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	None
Lot Size	100,000 sqft
HOA/Maint	$449 per month

DESCRIPTION

Two story units with private patios and fireplaces. Granite countertops and tile in both kitchens and all bathrooms. Wall AC units in both units. Each are 2 Bed, 2 bath. HOA fee is $449.50 and covers ext maintenance, roof, community pool, spa clubhouse etc.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central heat	Fireplace	Tile floor
Living room	Dining room	Dishwasher
Stove/Oven	Granite countertop	Balcony, Deck, or Patio

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Guest parking

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Aaron Mills

Prudential CA Realty

714-270-2424

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Sep 24, 2008, 12:33pm PDT

Huge Home for Rent in Olinda Ranch Brea

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:40:23 -0500

Aaron Mills | Prudential CA Realty | aaronmils@aol.com | 714-270-2424

482 Tangerine Pl, Brea, CA

Huge Executive Home for Rent

5BR/4+BA Single Family House

$4,200/month

Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	4+ full, 1 partial
Sq Footage	4,267
Parking	3+ dedicated
Pet Policy	Cats, Small dogs (< 25lbs), Dogs (any)
Deposit	$4,200

DESCRIPTION

Upgraded 5 Bed + office, 4.5 Bath Newer built home with lots of room. Being one of the largest homes in Olinda Ranch this almost 4,300 sqft estate is a great place to call home. The neighborhood park features basketball courts, soccer fields, softball fields, play ground, and a skate park. Then across the street there is yet another park with tennis, fishing, hiking, and even horse back ridding. Come enjoy nature in the comfort of this beautiful home.

see additional photos below

RENTAL FEATURES

Air conditioning	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Tile floor
Family room	Living room	Office/Den
Dining room	Breakfast nook	Dishwasher
Stove/Oven	Granite countertop	Laundry area - inside
Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard	Cable-ready
High-speed internet

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Garage parking

LEASE TERMS

1-3 year lease term.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Renter contact info:

Aaron Mills

Prudential CA Realty

aaronmils@aol.com

714-270-2424

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Sep 24, 2008, 12:10pm PDT

Splish Splash in Brea. The Plunge has been given a face lift and it looks great.

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:49:25 -0500

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

Norwalk CA Bank Owned Forclosure Just Listed Tonight

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 01:13:36 -0500

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

CONSUMERS GET FREE ONLINE ANSWERS TO THEIR REAL ESTATE QUESTIONS 24 HOURS A DAY

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:09:56 -0500

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

Selling a Home in Brea, Fullerton, Yorba Linda or Anaheim Hills? The numbers don't lie.

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:07:14 -0500

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

Congratulations Kelsey Dysart Miss Brea 2008

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:36:01 -0500

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.

Well we finally did it... We too moved to Prudential CA Realty

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 20:54:16 -0600

Mindy and I just wanted to do a quick shout out to the AR members to say that we are excited to join the Prudential CA Realty family. As of Feb 15, 2008 after 8 wonderful years with our previous firm, we have decided to join the top real estate company in North Orange County to better serve our clients. It was an emotional decision, but even after just a few short weeks with our new firm we have sold numerous listings that had been lingering on the market. They say that change is good.... and I now know that we believe that to be true in our lives.

Cheers,

Aaron and Mindy Mills

2008 Miss Brea Pageant Contestants Have Been Chosen.... And Here They Are! (w/Pic)

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 22:44:46 -0600

Last night Mindy and I had the privilege to be judges for the first round of auditions for the 2008 Miss Brea Scholarship Pageant. We were blown away by the talent, poise, and personality of each of these contestants. I would be proud for any of them to represent the younger generation of our wonderful city of Brea. As each of these Ladies answered their questions or preformed their talents, I could not stop thinking about how little positive news we hear out of the media about ouryounger generation. These Ladies are a prime example that not all of the stereotypes you hear today are true. These young ladies were beautiful, smart, talented, caring, successful, and funny. There are wonderful young people out there, and I think that needs to be celebrated.

So Mindy and I have decided to sponsor one of this years contestants because we believe in what she stands for. Kelsey is an amazing young lady with all of the potential in the world. She is going to do great things in her life and we are honored and humbled to be a small part of her journey.

Here is some more info about the pageant.

2008 Miss Brea Scholarship Pageant auditionsheld Sunday, January 20, 2008, from 4:00 - 6:00p.m. at the Embassy Suites in Brea, California. This pageant is a franchised local affiliate of the Miss America Pageant

Finalists -Eight Contestants, Lindsay Dean, Caitlin Smith, Shea Roldan, Aarika Munro-Steingraeber, Kelsey Dysart - sponsored by Realtors Aaron & Mindy Mills, Vanessa Atanay, Rochelle Cadiz, and Ashley Sewell. (They are still in need of two more contestant sponsors).

The Brea Improv will host the 2008 Miss Brea Scholarship Pageant on March 10^th. Miss Brea will receive a $5,000.00 scholarship along with other prizes and the privilege of competing at the state level for the title of Miss California in Fresno this June.

We are looking forward to seeing these wonderful young ladies have a blast in this competition and we wish all of them the best of luck. Though I do have to admit....we would love to see Kelsey win. You can do it Kelsey! We believe in you.

Cheers, Aaron and Mindy

Are you REALLY the neighborhood specialist? Do you really KNOW your marketplace?

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:29:47 -0600

I am sure I am not alone in this one so feel free to chime in. Don't you feel that in order to call yourself a "Neighborhood Specialist" you should in fact know more than the average person about that neighborhood? If you have a sign rider that says "Area Expert", than you should know home much the tax base is in that area, what the schools are, how the other available homes compare to your listing etc? I am tired of self appointed "Neighborhood Specialist." One could argue that you may not have needed to necessarily sell a home in a particular neighborhood in order to earn this title, but you do need to have done some research or work to not be flat out lying to people about your knowledge.

So with that in mind... This would be just another rant if I did not offer at least one practical solution to this situation, so here you go.

Start by seeing every single available home on the market in your area. What? Every single home? YES. All of them. That is a start and it is called doing research. Then take it to the next level. As you see these homes, take notes as if you were the listing agent there on a listing appointment. Write down anything and everything that you know will be a selling point or deterrent about the home. Even write down what price you would list this home for. Once you have this wonderful set of data that you have done hours of work to accumulate, make a rating system to put them in order of "best deals" - "Over Priced." Now you have something here....

I can not begin to tell you how many expired listings have called me to find out what price I was writing on my notes when I was at there house that day. Sellers will follow you around the house peeking over your shoulder trying to see what you are writing about their home. Some will be forward enough to ask, and you need to be careful not to talk to them in a way that would be considered solicitation their business. Nevertheless you will be very memorable to those Sellers. How many other agents just flew through their home in 2 min taking a sec in each room and just saying "ok..ok...ok?"

Then there are the advantages to the buyer side of things. Now that you are truly the expert, (at least on inventory knowledge) anytime you get a buyer call on one of your listings you can not only tell them about that property, but also give them all of the detailed information about the top 5 best deals available on the market. Now that knowledge is powerful.

The startup takes some time, but the maintenance is easy. Once you have seen everything make sure to still hit all the new listings within a day or two of them coming up. This will keep you current. Note price changes and what when into escrow when. Guess what? Now you will be a "Neighborhood Specialist". And you will have earned it.

I know there are others out there that have some other amazing ideas on home to become the "Area Expert." Give us your best ones so that we can compile the most comprehensive list on AR for this concept. -Cheers Aaron S. Mills

With this blog I take over 2nd place in Brea. Look out Lynda only 112,303 more.

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 01:46:27 -0600

I joined AR about 4 months ago and already love the community I have met on this site. From the moment I signed up, I knew this was going to be something I would enjoy being a part of, and I am excited to have my first small milestone. I know it is only a matter of time until someone passes me up in the 2nd place featured agent position, but I will enjoy my time at the top of the page for as long as it lasts. Thank you AR for giving me a place to speak my mind, and for accepting us into a community that wants to see Realtor's grow, learn, market, and prosper. Lynda Eisenmann- you rock! I will not even attempt to catch up to your amazing point tally, but I sure do love reading your posts. You will always be #1 on AR in Brea.

Cheers,

Aaron

A wonderful neighbor and nationally recognisable entrepreneur passes away this last week

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:29:26 -0600

My wife Mindy and I live in the Anaheim Colony and enjoy living in one of the few parts of Southern California that has some sort of history. We live in a home built in 1942 and many of our neighbors are still original owners.

This past week we lost one of if not the most recognisable neighbor we have... CARL KARCHER PASSES ON. Carl Karcher was an Orange County mogul who founded one of the biggest fast food franchises in America,

Carl's Jr. He passed away on the 11th from pneumonia. He was 90, and had suffered from Parkinson's Disease. Though I never had the oppertunity to talk at any length with Mr. Karcher we often said hello with a smile in passing. Every time I saw Mr Karcher I felt as excited as a child. There was just something neat about knowing that such an amazing entrepreneur lived just a few doors down from us. I will miss seeing him around. I will miss looking forward to a smile and wave. Chairman Scott Baugh said it best when he said: "Carl Karcher was a gentle giant with a handshake that was as big as his heart. He was a kind and generous man who was committed to his community, approachable to the average person and a delight to be with."

Our hearts go out the Karcher Family during this difficult time. Mr. Carl Karcher RIP we will miss you.

Brea builders go Green and are Awarded for it.

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:44:25 -0600

I wrote a blog a few months ago about the Brea Lofts going Green

http://activerain.com/blogsview/264016/Brea-CA-New-Build

and to my suprise I found this in the Brea Newsletter today...

"City Wins CRA Award for South Brea Lofts

The City of Brea has been awarded the 2008 California Redevelopment Association (CRA) Award of Excellence under the category of Sustainable Developmentfor the South Brea Lofts project. The CRA annually selects award winners for over nine different categories; however, this year the Sustainable Development category was added. Therefore, in this award category's inaugural year, the City of Brea will take home the coveted statue and recognition at the CRA Awards Luncheon which will be held in Anaheim on March 26.

The project received the award due to its exceptional quality design, architecture, and mostly for its creative and unique use of green technology exemplified by including Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) with each market rate and affordable rate home purchase. The development also incorporated an innovative storm water retention system and took advantage of some of the latest environmentally-friendly technologies from a structural and architectural perspective.

Overall, this marks the fourth award to be bestowed on this successful project. Previously, South Brea Lofts has received the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Achievement Award for Visionary Planning for Sustainability through the Compass Blueprint Program (May 2007); the Orange County Chapter of the American Planning Association (OCAPA) Outstanding Award for a Planning Project (May 2007); and the Award of Merit for a Planning Project from the California Chapter of the American Planning Association (October 2007)."

See going Green is cool. I love my Segway, but I am thinking of buying a Brea Loft just to get one of those great NEVs. Oh well, someday.

Cheers,

Aaron Mills

Miss Brea Scholarship Pageant is Coming and we are excited to be involved.

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:16:11 -0600

Mindy and I are sponsors for The 2008 Miss Brea Scholarship Pageant is coming on March 10th, 2008 at 7:30pm. Here is a recent article in the Orange County Register...

"by SUSAN GAEDE
NEWSY SUZIE

Would you believe the Miss Brea Scholarship Pageant is back? "Dhasti Koteita, executive director of the pageant is a local resident and former Miss Orange and Miss California. She brings her experience to our city in establishing a franchised local affiliate to the Miss California/Miss America Pageant Association," according to the Brea Chamber of Commerce press release.
Contestants will need to meet certain criteria to participate as a contestant in the pageant. Each contestant will need to be between the ages of 17 and 24, and live, work or go to school in Brea. There is not a fee for contestants to participate. Contestant tryouts are in late January.
Dhasti is looking for sponsors and volunteers to help her. For further contestant information call Dhasti at (562) 824-2103. Please check out their website: www.MissBreaPageant.com. "

Mindy and I are looking forward to sitting on the judging panal on Sunday to help narrow down the contestants to 10. It is going to be so hard for us to pick just 10 since I hear all of the young ladies are wonderful contestants this year. Mindy and I are also going to be volunteering to help Dhasti out in as many ways as we can over the next few months. If you love Brea as much as we do, feel free to give us a shout and we will plug you right in. From what we hear, there are even a few of our own Olinda Ranch residents competing this year, so come out and cheer them on.

We will post the pictures and results along the way. Come back to see what 10 make it to the next round on Monday.

Cheers,

Aaron and Mindy Mills

CNN Headline News is Featuring Brea's Art in Public Places Program and... Olinda Ranch is going to be featured!

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:24:10 -0600

Brea is so cool! I love being involved with a community that finds value in art. There are some beautiful pieces of are all around our city. One of the newest pieces is right in front of my favorite community... Olinda Ranch. This piece is called Red Tail Hawk. Here is something very cool that the City of Brea's newsletter is featuring this month.

"On January 18 and January 19, CNN Headline News: Local Editionwill air a segment featuring Brea's Art in Public Places Program. The segment will highlight art education activities that coincide with the installation of a new public sculpture, Red Tail Hawk, by sculptor Michael Stutz, at Olinda Ranch Park earlier this year, as well as the release of a DVD, produced by our Communications & Marketing Division which covers all of the events. Both the art education activities and the DVD were made possible through a grant awarded to the City by the National Endowment for the Arts.

So, check out the Time Warner Cable listings, and set your DVR to catch the news segment on CNN. The Local Edition segment, which runs at 24 minutes and 54 minutes past the hour, will air several times during CNN Headline News (the segment will not run between the hours of 4:00 and 10:00p.m.) Or, it can be seen by accessing Video on Demand."

Red Tail Hawk

1207 Brewster Anaheim CA

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 15:46:37 -0600

If you have ever dreamed of owning a new home, but you feel the older homes are built better.... Here is the best of both worlds.

4 Bedroom (1 currently used as a dinning room)
2 Bathrooms both completely remodeled with new toilets, sinks, vanities, mirrors, fixtures, and hardware.
Remodeled Kitchen with new cabinets,new granite counter-tops, new appliances, new sink, and tons of storage.
Other Recent Upgrades Include: Travertine flooring, all new windows and doors, all new sod in front and backyards, new concrete patios, new planters in front and back, new ceiling fans in every room, new roof, and new carpet.
Over $75,000 spent in Upgrades in the past 6 months and no one has lived here since.
Less then 3 miles to Disneyland.

Seller entertaining offers between $500,000 - $525,000. Just give Aaron a call at 714-270-2424

DON'T MISS YOUR GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY... This is my rant.

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 23:41:29 -0600

Everyone is aloud their right to rant in my opinion.... so this will work for mine today.

If you need to sell right now, you may not think it the most opportune time. Perhaps it isn't when compared to 2005. However, the equity adjustment you will make is still proportionately less than the appreciation you received during the last 10 years. But if you are thinking of buying, what are you waiting for? T

his is the buyer's part of the cycle. People are not properly defining this part of the real estate cycle. It's called the "down" cycle, or the "bust" cycle, and people get scared and stay away. The proper definition of this cycle is "buyer cycle." When else should you buy? When housing prices are going up? True, that's when most people buy, but most people buy in a seller's market because they perceive that the market is good. Right now is the buyer's time. This is their part of the cycle when prices are adjusting.

Of course, everyone wants to time the bottom perfectly. Even Donald Trump has said it is impossible to do so. Take your best guess, but also take advantage of ample inventory, low interest rates, and motivated sellers. Buyers beware; it won't be your time forever. In fact, in California, your time is limited.

Rant off...

Olinda Ranch Holiday Party and Decoration Contest was a blast once again!

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 00:49:25 -0600

Last Thursday, Mindy & I hosted our 4th Annual Holiday Light Decorating Contest in the Olinda Ranch community in Brea. Despite the rain, it was a wonderful evening complete with: hot chocolate, scrumptious holiday treats, fun Christmas Carols (sung by our dear friend Z-Love), the Brea Trolley, beautifully decorated homes competeing for the covited prize of Best Holiday Decor & of course, Santa Claus.

Apparently babies & some young kids do not really care for the jolly fellow.

With Mommy & Daddy by her side, she warmed up to Santa just long enough to take a quick family photo.

We hope you all had a Very Merry Christmas!

Olinda Ranch Residents: With over 135 votes the winners have been selected. Watch your mail box for a post card anouncing who those winners are. Thanks for coming out and keep your eye out for our next community event coming in March 2008. Happy New Year

Tonight Mindy and I were on Family Feud... and YES T.V. does add 20lbs.

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 00:11:27 -0600

About two months ago my Family had the opportunity to go on Family Feud. I know what you are thinking... Is Family Feud still on TV? Yes it is, and no the guy from Home Improvement is no longer the host. The new host of FF is John O'Hurley from Seinfeld or better known from that reality show that takes unemployed people and teaches them a skill that may someday come in handy at a wedding or dinner party... You know it as Dancing With The Stars.

BUT tonight it was about us. The Mills Family ruled prime time TV. Well not completely, but we did get our 20 min of fame and it is not over yet. If you happened to see tonight's episode then you already know that we won! Woo Hoo!! We fell a little short on winning the $20,000 fast money at the end of the show thanks to this question.

Question: Name a place you would least like to be during a power outage?

My lame answer: A Tunnel. What? A Tunnel? Yes, I am sorry... That is the first thing that came to my mind.

Oh wait maybe it was this question...

Question:Name something that you would expect to find in a child's lunch-pale.

Answer: Thermos. What? Who uses Thermoses anymore? I know, I know.... it is a lot harder than it looks.

So give it your best shot. Lets hear what you all would have said when asked those questions. I will let you know if you would have won the $20,000 for our Family.

Nevertheless, if you would like to see us play tomorrow, we will be on at 6:00pm on channel 9. Who knows, maybe we will win again and have another shot at the big money. You will just have to tune in to find out.

Cheers,

Aaron

What Business Week says about the mortgage bailout

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 23:53:45 -0600

Last week, BusinessWeek Online came out with what I felt was a very good article on the mortgage bailout. I could have done without the political comments at the end, but I thought this was interesting enough to post here on AR. I was happy to learn a little more about who was going to be eligible for this plan and I am sure if nothing else, that info may help out some of you. I found 10+ people in Olinda Ranch (my farm) alone, that are eligible. Be sure to check out yours.

What the Mortgage Bailout Means for You

Thursday, December 6, 2007provided by BusinessWeek online

On Dec. 6, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, with the support of President George W. Bush, unveiled a plan to aid certain homeowners who face the prospect of higher mortgage rates in the next few years. Paulson worked with banks and other mortgage companies to develop the initiative, and thanked them for their involvement. "We have worked through an evolving process to help minimize the impact of the housing downturn on homeowners, neighborhoods and the U.S. economy," he said. While the plan is ambitious and is designed to bring stability to the shaken economy, it will affect only a narrow slice of homeowners in the U.S. "This is not a silver bullet," said Paulson. Here are some answers to questions you may have.

Can you get your mortgage payments lowered because of the bailout?

It depends. If you've got an adjustable-rate mortgage, you may qualify under certain conditions. If you've got a standard mortgage with a fixed interest rate, you're not affected.

Which adjustable-rate mortgage holders are affected?

Only a small group. To qualify, you need to have received your loan sometime between Jan. 1, 2005 and July 31, 2007, and you need to be facing a reset of your interest rate sometime between Jan. 1, 2008 and July 31, 2010. If you're within this range, you may be eligible to have your interest rate frozen, so you can keep your current, lower rate for five years.

Who qualifies within that range?

The bailout is really designed for homeowners who could run into trouble if their mortgage payments are raised sharply and face the prospect of losing their homes. If you're well enough off that you can afford the higher mortgage payments after a reset, you won't qualify. And if you're in bad enough shape that you can't handle the current low interest rate, you won't qualify. For example, if you've already fallen behind on your mortgage payments, you're not eligible for the rate freeze.

Do you need to live in your home to qualify?

Yes. The plan excludes people who don't live in the homes for which they have mortgages so that speculators can't benefit.

Why is there going to be a bailout?

Bush, Paulson, and the Administration are concerned about the fallout from the housing slump. If many people fall behind on their mortgages and have to give up their houses, there will be a series of negative repercussions. First, tens of thousands of Americans could be forced to leave their homes. They would lose whatever equity they had. Consumer spending more broadly would likely slow, hurting the economy overall. In addition, home prices could fall even more quickly than they are now. That could hurt consumer confidence well beyond those people directly affected.

Is the bailout going to be enough?

It depends on your definition of enough. The deal will add some stability to the housing market, but it won't stop all the problems in the troubled sector. The same day Bush unveiled his plan, the Mortgage Bankers Assn. said that foreclosures had reached a record high in the third quarter. The share of mortgages that have entered foreclosure hit 0.78% in the quarter, up from the previous high of 0.65% set in the previous quarter. At the same time, delinquencies for all mortgages rose to 5.59%, from 5.12%, in the second quarter. None of the people who are delinquent or facing foreclosure will be helped by the plan.

The deal almost certainly won't stop the decline in housing prices. Investors are betting that there will be double-digit declines in home prices in nine of 10 major markets over the next year. The only exception is Chicago, and there the estimate is for a 5.6% drop in home prices.

So why not go further?

Some Democrats are criticizing the Bush Administration on that exact point. Senator Hillary Clinton (D.-N.Y.), among others, is arguing for a more ambitious approach, including at least a seven-year freeze on interest rates.

Who stands in the way of such an effort?

Investors in mortgages and mortgage-backed securities. If homeowners are going to pay less on their mortgages than originally planned, then somebody is going to lose money. These aren't just fat cats on Wall Street-although many such firms have invested in these securities-they're also pension funds for teachers, firemen, and police, as well as mutual funds whose clients include all sorts of individual investors. They probably even include homeowners who are facing the prospect of higher payments on their adjustable-rate mortgages.

Aaron S. Mills

Give your Farm something for their dogs, and they will make your their Realtor for life.

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 01:49:03 -0600

First of all, let me start with thanking Ginger for inviting Mindy and I to this wonderful group. We enjoy reading your blogs about dogs and look forward to getting to know you all better.

Now for the purpose of this blog.... I wanted to offer something back to the Group for accepting us, and this idea is working well for us.

Mindy and I stared a website about 4 months ago called www.OlindaRanchPets.com This website is an online pet directory for our farm that allows the residents to submit a brief description of their animals and a picture to help get them back to the correct owners when or if they find their way out. We say a great need in our farm area for animals to get back to their own home as quick as possible because the coyotes are always out lookingg for their next meal. So we started this site in an effort to give back to the community that gives us so much of our business every year.

Why Is This Good?

It is always good to offer your clients something tangible that they will use, that is free, and that does them some good. (you can only get so many note pads)

How Does It Work?

You purchase and set up the site. You throw events like our "OlindaRanchPets.com Dog Walk" or the "OlindaRanchPets.com Costume Contest." At each of these events you have sign-ups for people to add their pet, and even take the pictures for them.

What is the point?

Othar that doing something to give back, you also develop an up-to-date database of your farm including names, phone numbers, address and email address.

How do I get started?

I purchased my URL from www.godaddy.comand built the site right on their program called WebSite Tonight. I am no computer guru, but it was quite easy. Then you just have to get the word out. Get sign-ups and keep adding to the site. I am yet to meet a person who lives in my farm that is not interested in adding their pet to the site.

So there you go....always remember that if you give your people something that is valuable to them, they will find value in using you.

Cheers,

Aaron

Christmas time at the Orange Circle or Orange Plaza if you prefer.

Aaron & Mindy Mills (Prudential CA Realty) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:26:25 -0600

Christmas time at the Orange Circle is truly a magical time of year. Living in Orange County CA one can only dream of what it is like to live in a small town, and the Orange Circle www.CityofOrange.org is the closest thing I have found.

To those of you who have not heard of this wonderful part of Southern California history.

The Orange Plaza has been seen in numorous major motion pictures over the years. My faverate was "That Thing You Do"featuring Tom Hanks. From the old fassion drug store Watsons to the beautiful eairly 1900s arcitecture, the Orange Circle makes a wonderful backdrop for the holiday season.

So on Sunday night, Mindy, Riley and I went out to enjoy the 12th annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony and Candle Light Choir Procession. Beautiful holiday music filled the air with a 350 voice choir and a 60 piece orchastra.

We had a marvelous evening along with our closest 3,000 friends ringing in the Christmas season, and I thought I would share just a few of the pictures with the AR community.

Cheers,

Aaron