John Occhi's Real Estate Blog - The Hemet - San Jacinto Valley, CA

New Listing in San Jacinto, CA Torino Neighborhood - REO Won't Last Long...

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:53:51 -0600

First, Let me say that I rarely use the term "won't last long" because I beleive it is the kiss of death. I make fun of real estate listings all the time with similiar terms that have been on the market for months...

However, this is one of those HOT PROPERTIES in a VERY DESIRABLE San Jacinto, CA Neighborhood.

Here is my MLS Description (#H741469):

This is the first video I ever created with a new video program from Animoto...this is the free version...

One of the most desirable neighborhoods and best kept secrets in the entire Hemet San Jacinto Valley, the TORINO tract of homes is nestled into the foothills of the east valley between the Soboba Casino and The Country Club at Soboba Springs and it s 18 hole, 7053 Yard Championship Golf Experience! This end unit has been very well cared for and recently redecorated with custom designer colors and new Berber carpet, throughout this well laid out home. From the Atrium, located between the kitchen and master bedroom there is a nice patio area with a view of the golf course. The front door and windows had hotel style awnings show the wear of time and weather, but the frames are in place and in great condition which when replaced will make for a very classy entrance. Fully enclosed front courtyard and private secluded back yard. Hurry, before someone else starts making their T-Time reservations from their new living room! Tax Credits Available Again - Hurry

If you want to know how to get here - here are the directions:

Directions From the Ramona Expressway (Mountain Ave) Turn EAST on LAKE PARK DR (On the other side of the Expwy, this street is known as MAIN ST). Go to Stop sign (SOBOBA RD) & Turn Left. 1st Left on CHABELLA DR-then a Quick Left on VERONA-Last House on the Left

The Details:

Bedroom:                      2
Bathrooms:                    2
Living Sq Ft:                  1,039
Lot Size:                      4,182
Year Built:                      1989
Garage:                          2 Attached with Direct Access
APPROXIMATE Tax Rate: 1.4%

This real estate listing is a bank owned (REO) home for sale. As I published inthe MLS, The buyer/Agent is responsible for all due diligence - Info contained in the MLS (or this blog) is NOT guaranteed. This is a Bank Owned Property and Subject to Seller Addendums that Buyer MUST sign.

Until Next Time, Have a Blessed Day,

John Occhi, ePRO & Five Star Certified REO REALTOR®
www.JohnOcchi.Com
Hemet - San Jacinto Valley, CA
The Excellence in Real Estate Team @
Allison James Estates & Homes
2281 W. Esplande Ave, #102-B
Next to "Starbucks"
San Jacinto CA 92582
(951) 654-5550

This blog and the contents written here is the intellectual property of John Occhi, Hemet - San Jacinto Valley REALTOR® in the South West Riverside County region of the Inland Empire of Southern California. The views and opinions expressed are just that - views and opinions of John Occhi and those who comment. Please note that I am not an attorney or a tax professional and any time I discuss either topic, I suggest you consult with the proper professional for relevant assistance.

This blog is part of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, which is a social network highlighting the best of Web 2.0. Information is provided with the intent of educating and assisting home owners, home sellers, home buyers and real estate investors with information the can be used to make better real estate decisions.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Make Great Looking Movies For Your Site in minutes

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:58:07 -0600

Hey, thanks for this...I found it on another re-blog and checked it out. I did the quick 30 second free sample video and it turned out pretty cool.

I have forwarded this to several whose opinions I trust and we'll discuss it in greater detail next week...as I am right now struggling with a video solution and I think this just might be it.

In this video, I only have still images, but if you go to the website in the article below they have a cool sample with a baby and a slide that is a mix of still, video and text.

Via Riel Roussopoulos - SEO & Web Strategy Expert (StrataXL Software Inc.):

I know what you're going to say ... I don't know how to use those video editing programs.

This is the simplest thing you'll ever try, you upload some stills or video clips, add any text you want and click GO...

That's it ... like you were ordering a margarita, this baby mixes it up for you like a pro, inserts all the effects and fades you want and spits you out a video, ready to upload to youtube with the click of a button ... and just as easy to put on your site.

Don't like it? Hit MIX AGAIN and get a different version... it's so sweet and you'll look like a real pro.

The best part is that you can download a DVD ISO (that lets you burn a DVD for your clients), how's that for standing out from the crowed.

There is a free version that limits you to 30 seconds and puts their logo on the player (see the example below) or for $250 per year, you can have your own "white label" version with no limitations or branding.

Click here to go play with their free trial now. You'll have a movie done in just a few minutes.

Easiest Online Video Creator. Seriously, try it ... I've paid editors hundreds of dollars to not do as nice a job as this software does, it's truly a game changer.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

The ActiveRain heresy

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:42:58 -0600

I found this post featured this morning and it really struck a chord with me -due to my own inconsistency here in Active Rain. Here is the comment I left on the orignal post - please enjoy it all:

I too am from the ActiveRain Class of 2006 and I too have heard this many times. At first, I felt as if I had to defend myself for 'wasting my time' talking to other agents. Now I just smile and say, 'you're right' and consider it MY SECRET that my competitors will never learn about.

Just for the record, I have come and gone, from ActiveRain, too many times. I have had my own 'twits' and I have gotten busy sliding AR to the back burner. I know whenever I turn up the juice that there is new business right around the corner and I have recommitted myself having posted 140 articles in the last 2 months, including several that were featured. (Maybe you an I even had a 'twit' - if we did, lets get over it and move on, because AR is such an incredible place and definitely big enough for opposing opinions and heated debate.)

The good news when 'we spek to each other' we are learning. We are learning about technology. We are learning about our code of ethics. We learn about the law. Heck, this is where I find out about breaking real estate news.

As an agent who is as independent as we come, I have no brokers office to go to and no classroom for regular meetings - I hold the meetings for my team and I pay the rent for MY team office. ActiveRain is the backbone of the education I receive in this business.

Oh, and it seems like I always have at least one or two open escrows from someone who read my AR blog...but shhhh, lets keep that between ourslves.

Via Maureen McCabe Central OH Homes (Real Living HER Worthington MaureenMcCabe.com ):

The ActiveRain heresy...

Do you know what heresy is?

I believe Joan of Arc and Galileo were officially heretics to the big "ism" in their age. Joan got burned at the stake for it...

ActiveRainism - dogma?

How to write this without going into religion, dogma... I am a fan of ActiveRain. I don't think I practice ActiveRainism but some might... I think ActiveRain is one good way (place?) for the real estate industry to learn about social media, the real estate industry, blogging, technology.

I have been an ActiveRain member since 2006. I have seen lots of members come and go. Some for the next big thing (shiny object), some for their own blog, some back to their own blog... some to play on a cooler real estate blog (geekier, exclusive, classier) some because they are no longer working in the RE industry, some because they got in a snit...

For me that's OK! ActiveRain is not for everyone... just for 164K +/ - in the real estate industry.

ActiveRain is a real estate network.

If you are in a physical class with me and the ActiveRain heresy is uttered you will see steam coming out of my ears... The sentence which when uttered by a real estate guru, educator, RE blogger or a technology know it all... here it is... The ActiveRain heresy is "ActiveRain is for talking to other agents" or maybe "just for talking to other agents"...

ActiveRain heresy - heretics

ActiveRain is NOT a religion... ActiveRain is not a cult. There is no ActiveRain kool aid. Is there?

Endoheretics would be those within?

I am not sure if those who were members but quit in a snit (or just fell away, or are just inactive ActiveRain members) would be endoheretics or exoheretics when they utter the heresy... "ActiveRain is for talking to other agents."

Exoheretics would be those from outside...

I know when I go to a real estate class and the instructor is not a member that they probably don't know what they are talking about. They are exoheretics but I try not to scream "HERETIC" when they utter the phrase "ActiveRain is for talking to other agents"

Fact not everyone likes ActiveRain - that's OK

The sentence which when uttered by a real estate guru, educator, RE blogger or a technology know it all... The ActiveRain heresy "ActiveRain is for talking to other agents"

ActiveRain

You can talk to other agents...

You can also talk to the general public. Google and other search engines can be your megaphone for talking to consumers about real estate, communities. If you need help on how to blog to consumers ask for help.

Your ActiveRain blog? Your choice who you talk to.

ActiveRain syndrome Facebook training

'Galileo God rest his soul." Joan of Arc too...

Photo Credit -

St. Joan of Arc Statue
http://www.flickr.com/photos/riverap1/ / CC BY 2.0

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I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

SHOCK! Lenders make more money on foreclosures than short sales!?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:10:06 -0600

I have said for a long time that the banks just are not motivated to process the Short Sales or Loan Modifications. I know when I started with them back in early 2007 it was very frustrating when there was a cash offer on the table with the bank and we couldn't get the offer accepted...only to have it come back on the market 6 weeks later for $50K less...of course I lost my buyers by that point.

As frustrating as it was then, I know short sales are still very frustrating for all who are involved...glad I got out of the sandbox and now get to play with REO's.

Via Pacita Dimacali - e-PRO, SRES, CDPE, MBA East Bay, North CA real estate (Gallagher & Lindsey):

Lenders make more money on foreclosures than from short sales or loan modifications. That's what Steve Harney converyd in a seminar. He caused an earthquake in San Francisco

We kinow that lenders turn over the short sale accounts to loan servicing companies who make our lives hell getting short sales approved. As such, we should know that these loan servicing companies make MORE money by letting the properties foreclose than to approve the short sales OR the loan modification.

RUMBLE...GRUMBLE...CRIES OF DISMAY!

Did he just confirm what we were afraid of?

So I researched this topic and found a few articles worth reviewing. How did I miss these? Was I under a rock in a desert?

CONSUMERLAW.ORG REPORt ON "Why Servicers Foreclose when They Should Modify And Other Puzzles of Servicer Behavior"

DAILY PRESS headline. Oct, 30 2009. Do Mortgage Lenders Make More Money when a Loan Goes iInto Foreclosure?

HUFFINGTON POST. Oct. 21, 2009, Foreclosures Are More Profitable Than Loan Modifications, According To New Report

Washington Post. July 28, 2009. Foreclosures Are Often In Lenders' Best Interest. Numbers Work Against Government Efforts to Help Homeowners.

ThinkGlink. October 21, 2009. Loan Modification Help: Why Lenders Are Slow To Provide Loan Modifications

Dayton Daily News. Oct. 17, 2009. Drop in foreclosures called "very scary". Lender's actions show they think properties are not worth pursuing.

Mortgage101.com. October 23, 2009. Mortgage Companies Make More on Foreclosures Than They Do Modifying Existing Loans. (This blog refers to the news article on Huffington Post)

FLASHBACK: Huffington Post, June 8, 2009. Short Sales: Banks Blocking Way Out of Foreclosure Crisis

FLASHBACK: Huffington Post, May 15, 2009. Short Sales Stories. Lenders tend tostic with more familian foreclosure process, losing money for everybody.

UPDATE: Huffington Post, November 2, 2009. Homeowners: "Hey Congress, Get Off You A**"

KNOCKING OURSELVES OUT TRYING TO HELP

So are we engaging in self-flagellation helping our distressed clients with their short sales and loan modification?

Are lenders really more likely to foreclose?

Are the short sale servicing companies really trying to help?

Or are they stalling and withholding their help because they know their leaders would rather have the property burn into foreclosure?

Is there no resolution in signt?

There oughta be a law!

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

San Jacinto, CA: Market Snapshot - 3 Bedroom 2 Baths

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00:37 -0600

The San Jacinto, CA Real Estate market is very similar to every other local real estate market in the country - it is local and has it's own unique nuances.

In this Market Snapshot I am going to examine the market for 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Single Family Residential homes, across the entire city of San Jacinto and cover current statistical data and looking at sales in the city, spanning the last 90 days, only.

QUANTITY

ACTIVE - Currently there are 57 ACTIVE real estate listings in San Jacinto that range in size from 924 square feet to 2,481 sq feet with an average size of living space of 1,544 square feet.

These homes are listed for sale in the MLS from $59,900 ($44.53 per sq ft) to $359,000 ($227.23 per sq ft.) The average List Price for ALL Active real estate listings in San Jacinto, CA is $131,369 ($86.54 per sq ft).

The AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET (DOM) is 89 with the newest listing being added to the MLS just 2 days ago. (This data was compiled on a Saturday evening - no, I don't have a life, so leave me alone.) The oldest listing has been aged like a fine wine for 466 days on the market (that's over 15 months ago!).

PENDING & BACK UP. First let me explain that in the current real estate market conditions I do not believe there is much of a difference between these two statuses. On the surface, a PENDING transaction sounds much stronger than a BACK-UP. However, the reason I choose Back-Up for my listings once I have an accepted offer is because the various Internet sites will continue to market the homes for sale, as if they are ACTIVE real estate listings in the MLS.

There are currently 18 BACK -UP OFFERS and 54 PENDING SALE listings in the MLS. The BACK-UPS range in size from 1,119 square feet to 2,210 sq ft with an average size of 1,593 square feet. The PENDING properties start off smaller at 924 sq ft and range up to 2,255 sq ft with an average size of 1,490 sq ft.

Back-Up homes for Sale in San Jacinto, CA were listed in the MLS for sale starting at $67,900 ($50.11) and went up to $185,000 ($94.58) with an Average List Price of $114,983 (71.96 per sq ft).

Pending Listings were priced in the MLS for a low of $49,900 ($41.38 per sq ft) all the way to $310,000 ($199.10 per sq ft). The Average List Price of $115,118 ($77.29 per sq ft) for all Pending properties for sale in the MLS.

The Average DOM for the Back Up listings ranged from 19 days to 361 days with 120 being the average. Pending Listings were considerably less with zero days on market for the quickest sale to 253 for the longest and an average of 42 days on the market before an offer was accepted.

SOLD REAL ESTATE over the last 90 days only accounted for 56 closed escrows. Considering there are only 57 Active Listings, all that is on the market for 3 bedroom 2 bath homes in San Jacinto CA is three months worth of homes for sale in the MLS.

Now, those homes that did sell were on the market as quick as zero days and as long as 186 day on the market. The Average DOM for all the 3 bedroom 2 bath homes that sold in San Jacinto CA in the last 90 days was only 31 days.

The List Price of the Sold Homes in San Jacinto ranged from $40,600 ($42.80 per sq ft) to $275,000 ($215.31 per sq ft.). The Average home that sold in San Jacinto over the last 90 day was listed in the MLS for $113,011. Sale Price ranged from $44,000 to $275,000 with the average at $118,714 or 105.05% of List Price.

The Ratio between the List Price and the Sold Price is very important when studying the nuances of a market. In San Jacinto, CA, over the last 90 days 10 of the 57 properties that closed escrow were for less than list price. Three of these were with CASH, three were with FHA Financing and the remaining four used conventional financing.

The lowest percentage of List Price to Sold Price was a 2467 sq ft home built in 2002 that was listed for sale at $159,900 and was sold after only 30 days on the market for 78.8% of the list price...or only $126,000 with Cash to purchase the home.

The Highest List Price to Sold Price of the homes that sold and closed escrow in San Jacinto over the last 90 days was up to 152.13% on a home built in 1978 with 1,448 sq ft. It was listed at $53,900 and Sold 6 days later for $82,000.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Over the last 90 days we already determined that 56 homes sold throughout the entire city of San Jacinto, CA. What I find extremely relevant and helpful for my buyers is that 46 of them were owned by the bank as an REO Listing. Of the remaining 10, 7 were short sales and the last 3 were all Standard Sales - most likely flips.

Looking just at the 46 closed REO (Bank Owned) homes that were listed in the MLS as Closed Transactions, 20 of them sold with CASH and 8 more with Conventional Financing that requires significant cash down (typically 20% to 25% - as low as 10%).

16 REO homes for sale were financed by the FHA and 1 was a VA Loan and another a CAL Vet loan.

REO - BANK OWNDE HOMES

The Balance of this report will look at some of the same numbers but exclude all real estate sales that were not REO bank owned homes in San Jacinto, CA.

Of the 46 of the Closed REO Transactions, 20 of them or 43.48% were paid for with CASH money at an average of 104.37% of the List Price which averaged a List Price of $88,193 and a SOLD Price of $92,049.

These CASH REO Transactions closed Escrow in only 22 days, on average after spending only an average of 22.5 days on the market before going into escrow.

Conventional Financing of the 8 transactions represented 17.39% of all REO Sales for an average of 105.44% of the List Price, with average list price of $124,781 and a SOLD Price of $131,575.

San Jacinto CA real estate that was purchased with Conventional financing was on the market in the MLS for an average of 44 days and took 61 days to close escrow.

Buyers of San Jacinto, CA real estate who relied of FHA loans ended up paying the highest percentage over List Price than any other buyer of bank owned homes paying, on average, 110.8% of the list price, which averaged $115,381 with a Sold Price of $127,838.

The FHA Financed homes were only on the market (DOM) an average of 30.4 days and took an average of 56 days to close escrow.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

The market has been such a difficult place to pinpoint overall trends which is why it has become critical to look at very narrow segments of the market, as they apply to each individual situation.

The first conclusion I make is that although the best deals are found with Cash - it is no longer the norm for a buyer with Cash to expect to receive a significant discount when purchasing San Jacinto real estate.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

What You Oughta Know About Blog Commenting

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:50:37 -0600

Most of us on ActiveRain are here for one of two reasons or hopefully a combination of both.

First, we love the atmosphere of this community - so we are here to socialize and expand our professional circles;

Second, we want/need to expand our circle of influence in our own brick and mortar communities and we want to accomplish this with Search Engine Optimization.

Blogging is great for both - no doubt. However, I fear than many here never venture outside the blog walls of ActiveRain to venture into the big blog world that is out there...

Well, this re-blog will take you where you need to go and teach you how to behave once you arrive...please read on and learn about the rewards that wait for you on the other side...

Via Lisa Udy Realtor Utah Real Estate Specialist (Logan Utah Real Estate Immaculate Homes):

Much has been said about blog commenting here on ActiveRain, but what about blog commenting out in the real world? I'm talking about commenting on blogs that are not on the ActiveRain platform. Do you comment on other blogs within your niche? Do you try to grab the attention of the big boys? Why would you want to? How can commenting on other blogs help you?

Commenting on high profile blogs outside of A|R can have a huge impact on your publicity, your search engine results, and your overall popularity within the blogging world. Okay, so you won't get any A|R "points" for commenting outside of A|R, but there is a much larger benefit to be had.

Benefits Of Blog Commenting

Grab The Attention Of The Blogs Readers

Grab The Attention Of The Blogger

Increase Your Brand Awareness

Create More Back Links

Yes, blog commenting can do all those things, and much much more, however, there is a catch. You actually have to be a real life genuine human being when your commenting. None of this sissy, "great post thanks for sharing", stuff. You have to add value to the readers of the blog, and you have to add value to the blogger themselves. "Add Value" is the key.

GRAB THE ATTENTION OF THE BLOGS READERS

There are people out there that have never heard of you, never heard of ActiveRain, and surely don't know that you are a fantastic blogger. You have to show them that what you have to offer is something they might be interested in. Besides, they are already commenting on blogs and reading information in your niche, all you have to do is prove that you're worth their time.

How can I grab their attention?

It works much the same outside of ActiveRain as it does here. When commenting on most blogs, you get to add a link to your website or blog, which people will click on if you add value to a conversation. Here's an example:

Go to Google and search for your niche, and add blogs to the search like this:

As you can see by just doing a general real estate blog search, I have over 100 million choices to choose from. Now, click on a few blogs, and check out how they do their blog commenting. Make sure that when you comment you are able to leave a link back to your blog/website. It should look something like this:

The box that says website is where you want to enter your web address to your blog/website. That's all there is to it. Find blogs, leave comments, add value to the conversation, leave a link back to your blog/website, and use your analytics (click that link to learn how to install analytics on your blog) to watch the new traffic come in.

GRAB THE ATTENTION OF THE BLOGGER

When people comment on your blog, how does it make you feel? I can bet it makes you fell warm and fuzzy right? I'm talking about those people that leave a comment that makes you click on the link to their profile, add them as an associate, and go find their blog to leave them a comment. Those comments are the comments that get blog writers attention, and in a big way.

I found a blog called New Homes Blog. I started commenting on the blog, and I really enjoy reading what the writer had to say. So, I left some pretty meaty comments, and he emailed me. He asked me to be a guest blogger for his Utah section. A guest blogger! That means that he lets me write blogs on his blog, and leave a link back to my websites for Google juice. I got his attention by commenting with some great comments to add value to his blog.

The more you put in the more you will get. Start building a relationship with the blogger, and soon enough they just might start talking about you in their own blogs.

INCREASE YOUR BRAND AWARENESS

The more and more you start to show up on blogs in your niche, the more and more your brand is going to get recognized. By commenting on blogs all over th web,you're going to increase your online visibility.

The more you show up, the more people will be curious as to who you are, which will make people more likely to click on your link to learn more about you. Human curiosity!

Think about it. Who are the most popular people you know of on ActiveRain?

I bet you it's the top commenter's such as, TLW, Lenn Harley, Jason Crouch, Todd Clark, Broker Bryant, Loreena Yeo, C-Tann Star, Bill Gassett, Jeff Dowler, Missy Caulk, Rich Jacobson, Patricia Kennedy just to name a few, or the people who comment on your blog everyday.

These people comment a lot and for good reason, they are creating brand awareness. The more you see them, the more you want to know who they are, and that gives you a click through to your blog/website.

How many comments have you made today?

CREATE MORE BACK LINKS

(If you don't know what a do-follow and no-follow link are, before reading this section, I would recommend you read this blog on no-follow and do-follow links first.)

Just like ActiveRain, when you comment on some blogs, you get a do-follow link to your website.

Every time you make a comment on ActiveRain while logged in, you get a do-follow link pointing back to your profile.

In order to find blogs that are do-follow around the web, you will have to do some research.

So far, I have a list of 25 do-follow blogs that I am currently commenting on. I don't do it just for the link, I also add as much to the conversation as I can.

If I don't have anything to say that is going to add value, I don't say anything at all. I found these blogs by searching Google and researching real estate forums. Unfortunately, I am not going to give you my list of do-follow blogs, I want you to find your own, because it will be more beneficial to you if you do.

What I am going to do is, give you a head start in the right direction. Finding do-follow blogs is actually pretty easy once you have the Firefox plugin as mentioned in the link above.

Start out by searching Google for do-follow blogs:

Google Search: Do Follow Blogs

Do-follow blog search engine.

The Art Of Commenting On Do Follow Blogs

I use these tools and they helped me get a start in the right direction. If you're serious about ranking high for your keywords, commenting on do follow blogs can help you attain your goals. Remember, just because a blog is no follow, doesn't mean you can't get value out of it. Leaving your link is going to get people to click on it, which will bring traffic your way, and increase your brand awareness.

What's It All Mean?

Commenting on blogs is one of the most fundamental aspects of social media. You are interacting, creating relationships, and adding value to the on-going conversations around the web. Building your awareness through blog commenting takes time and effort to be successful. But I can attest that if you do it with genuine care you soon will start to see an increase in your blogs activity. Good Luck!

If you have any stories about how you comment, leave me a comment about it. Or better yet, write a blog about it, and leave a link in the comments so you can add value to my conversation!

P.S. A good place to start commenting is my new Cache Valley Real Estate blog!

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

San Jacinto, CA - City Offices & Services

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:59:49 -0600

San Jacinto, CA - City Offices & Services

When looking to buy real estate in San Jacinto, California it is nice to know that the real estate you buy is in the oldest incorporated city in all of Riverside County, CA. located in South West Riverside County portion of the Inland Empire region of Southern California - one of the fastest growing regions in the entire country.

The City of San Jacinto, California, City Hall is located at 595 South San Jacinto Avenue in Building "A", San Jacinto, CA 92583. The City phone number is (951) 487-7330

The City Clerk is also located at 595 South San Jacinto Ave but in Building B. The San Jacinto City Clerk phone number is (951) 487-7339.

The City of San Jacinto, CA Finance Department is in the same building, B, as the City Clerk as 595 South San Jacinto, The Finance Dept phone number is (951) 537-6386.

Community Development for the City of San Jacinto is located in Building A at 595 South San Jacinto Ave. and can be reached by phone at (951) 487-7330.

The San Jacinto Police Department is located across the street from City Hall at 160 West 6^th Street and can be reached by phone at (951) 654-2702. Of course in an EMERGENCY, always dial 911. For a Mobile Emergency, please call (951) 776-1078.

The San Jacinto Community Center can be found nearby at 625 South Pico Avenue, San Jacinto, CA 92583. The Community Center phone is (951) 654-7212.

The San Jacinto ‘City Corporation Yard' is located at 270 Bissel Place and can be reached at (951) 654-4041.

The CDF Fire Station is located at 132 South San Jacinto Avenue. Of course, for emergencies do not hesitate - dial 911. For all other calls, dial (951) 654-7912.

CITY SERVICES

Once you purchase real estate in San Jacinto you are a citizen of the City of San Jacinto. It is important to know who to call when there are either problems near your real estate or curiosity of what is going on around your real estate that demands an answer. Please refer to this list of Services provided by the City of San Jacinto.

Abandoned or Inoperative Vehicles left in the street - Call (951) 654-2702.

Animal Control - Call (951) 358-7387

Code Enforcement - Call (951) 487-7330

Community Facilities District - Call (951) 487-7330

City Attorney - Call (951) 487-7330

City Council - Call (951) 487-7330

City Clerk - Call (951) 487-7339

Demographics and Development - Call (951) 487-7330

Fire Prevention - Call (951) 955-4777

Graffiti Hotline - Call (951) 654-4041

Job Listings - Call (951) 487-7330

Library - Call (951) 654-8635

Pothole & Pavement Repair - Call (951) 654-4041

Street Lights - Call (951) 654-4041

Street Sweeping - Call (951) 654-4041

Water Services - Call (951) 537-6386

Zoning - Call (951) 487-7330

REAL ESTATE - Call John Occhi and the Excellence in Real Estate Team at Allison James Estates & Homes to find out about current real estate market conditions if you are interested in buying or selling real estate. Call (951) 654-5550.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

When was the Last Time the Internet Distracted You?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:48:53 -0600

The internet is such an amazing place...you start off doing something, you become distracted...get involved in something else and then you are in yet another distraction...

OK, guilty as charged. Started off checking my email - saw I had a ‘friend request' on Facebook that I followed and got all involved on Facebook for a few minutes where I saw a video screen with 8 strange looking characters that I eventually clicked on...and was I pleasantly surprised!

The VocaPeople

Here is an acapella group of 8 that include 3 men singers, 3 women singers and a pair of ‘beat-box' artists who are responsible for the sounds that back-up the singers. There are no instruments or any other props - just human voices (not 100% sure all those sounds are with a voice - let's just say they are all human sounds)

Take a few minutes for this diversion and enjoy the rest of your day...

In case you want to learn more about the VocaPeople, I found their website as well as a feature on CBS News that I found very enjoyable.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

LAW PROFESSOR PROCLAIMS, "WALK AWAY RENEE"

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:19:19 -0600

LAW PROFESSOR PROCLAIMS, "WALK AWAY RENEE"

Alright, University of Arizona Law School Professor Brent T White was not actually quoting the 1966 pop hit, Walk Away Renee, by the Left Banke but according to a Wall Street Journal article published on October 30^th he is indeed an advocate of the Strategic Default, that I have previously reported on.

A strategic default is the decision to walk away from a home rather than continuing to pay for the home, despite the homeowners ability to pay. More often than not, the strategic defaulting homeowner will continue to play the ‘credit game' and keep all of their other bills paid, as agreed. The defaulting homeowner capitalizes on the opportunity to not pay the mortgage for a year or more and squirreling away a massive nest egg...an amount equivalent to the mortgage, property tax and maintenance on the property.

Conventional Wisdom is Challenged

The Conventional Wisdom of America has always been to accept our individual responsibilities in exchange for the individual liberties that we are afforded by the American Way of Life. Our individual responsibilities have always been to be law abiding citizens, work for a living and take care of those we are suppose to - be it elder parents, handicapped children and the weak of society.

In exchange for us doing our part as good Americans, we have been provided with the greatest nation the earth has ever seen. As much as I want to bring God into this discussion, to satisfy the masses today I'll just present my ideas without giving any of the glory to God Almighty. I'm sure many would agree that America has reached its position of prosperity in the world based strictly on the acts and deeds of mere mortal men.

So, what have we gotten in exchange for being good Americans? Prosperity jumps to mind of many. American have enjoyed the greatest life style in the world for decades, if not centuries now. Personal freedom has always been a uniquely American virtue, the envy of the world, everywhere since our conception in 1776. America has also remained a very safe land to live on. Until the attacks of 9/11 there has not been any foreign hostilities on American Soil since the war of 1812. Of course we haven't always been able to get along with our selves and Americans butchered over 620,000 Americans in the Civil War (makes the 5 or 6,000 lost in the Mid-East over 8 years seem like a day in the park, doesn't it?).

A key element to the American Dream has ALWAYS been to ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY for our own actions and that means we have always prided ourselves on our personal responsibility to honor our word...honor our handshake...honor our signature and pay our bills.

THE LAND OF ENTITLEMENT

America certainly has been in a transition for the last 5 decades...and longer. Starting back in the 1960's the youth of the day (now those of us in our 50's and 60's who swore we would never get old) did challenge the conventional wisdom and started to bring about change. Perhaps the biggest change of the period was social change and really starting to change the way the black man was perceived and treated in this country.

Social Changes took place in the form of welfare, making certain that American Children had a support system when the parents could not provide. Subsidized housing, medical care and food stamps were all cutting edge social experiments of the day.

The American youth if the 1960's and 70's also had a very significant impact on how this country looks at war. No one can visualize the American Landscape of the 1960's without seeing a ‘hippy' flashing the ‘peace sign'. Well, it went much deeper than that. Because of the social awareness of the times, pressure was brought against the government to end the war in Viet Nam - even if it meant pulling out as the clear losers...the only war American has ever lost. The movement went so far as to have a significant role in the abolishment of the ‘draft'.

World War 2 saw the world with over 50 MILLION less inhabitants after the war and 407,300 of them were American military (another 11,200 civilians). World War 1 was nearly as devastating with over 37 MILLION Casualities (16 million deaths) of which only 53,402 were American military. Collectively, in every American war or deployment there have been 2,542,911 Americans who were either killed or wounded and another 40,919 that remain on the books as Missing in Action (MIA).

THE LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED

The America I see today has taken every social change that has ever been conceived of and magnified it by 1000%. It is as if every decision the government or industry makes is based on who they will offend or who will feel as if they have been taken advantage of. Certainly I do not see this as a political landscape that our founding fathers would be proud of...or even recognize as anything remotely similar to their great social experiment that became to be known as democracy.

The American I see today is not about the land of opportunity. Yes, opportunity exists like never before, but today if you go out and get something or do something that improves your life style, it just isn't fair anymore that you ‘got' and the rest of the population ‘doesn't have'. Its as the presidential candidate Obama told an Ohio plumber (Joe the Plumber) on the campaign trail that what America needs to do is "spread the wealth" because is "is good for everybody" (4:40 of video). This is something that State Senator Obama has been publicly advocating since 2001.

"WALK AWAY IN DROVES"

Brent T. White the University of Arizona Associate Law Professor published a 54 page ‘Discussion Paper' title "Underwater and Not Walking Away: Shame, Fear and Social Management of the Housing Crisis."

Please read the WSJ article and read through the discussion paper that Professor White wrote. I personally get a little outraged when I read the printed advise "Homeowners should be walking away in droves,"

Admittedly, I have not read every word, but I do spot inconsistency after inconsistency between Professor Whites position and reality.

For example on page 3 the professor says, "This includes underwater homeowners that live in "non-recourse states" such as California and Arizona, where lenders cannot pursue defaulting homeowners for a deficiency judgment."

This is just a half truth. While it is true that borrowers who did not take out cash from their homes in a refinance do not face the prospect of a deficiency judgment; however those who did refinance and take cash out most definitely are in the crosshairs of the collection industry just waiting to get a bite out of that apple...probably prepared to buy these defaulted and written off debts for mere pennies on the dollar.

The professor goes on to say that those who don't default don't do so because of "two emotional forces" and they are "1) the desire to avoid the shame or guilt associated with foreclosure; and 2) fear over the perceived consequences of foreclosure."

He speaks of the emotion of GUILT as if it were a bad thing. Come on people, the reason most of us don't do a lot of things is because of the moral fiber we were raised with that is strengthened by the fear of the negative consequences of our actions, should we stray from the socially acceptable norm.

Furthermore, the professor talks about the ‘perceived consequences of foreclosure' as if he has a crystal ball and knows exactly how this crisis is going to play out and how society will look upon those who manipulated they system and drove the economy further and deeper into the hole it is in now. After all, if everyone who could have stayed in their home, with a minor inconvenience or struggle had opted to stay...where would we be today? Even the professor calculates that only about 25% of the foreclosures are ‘strategic defaults'.

If 25% of the homes lost to foreclosure had stayed, and continued to make their mortgage payments and paid their property taxes instead of shifting the burden onto the rest of the taxpayers...where would we be today, professor? Obvious your degree is not in economics.

IF SOMEONE ELSE IS DOING IT - SHOULD I DO IT TOO?

This report is too outrageous. "Unlike lenders who follow market norms, individual homeowners are encouraged to behave in accordance with social norms of "personal responsibility" and "promise-keeping." And what do we have if we don't behave in accordance with the ‘Social Norms' and with ‘Personal Responsibility'?

I guess the answer is we let the government take over and we stand in line for our next bowl of soup - but that's OK, because we are entitle to it...even if we don't work for it.

Please read the report and spread the word...take the "Red Pill"...

The Matrix "The choice of the truth"

"This is your last chance, after this there is no turning back. You take the blue pill and the story ends. You wake up in your bed and you believe whatever you want to. You take the red pill; you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the Rabbit Hole Goes. Remember, All I'm offerin

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

The Real Estate Market Continues to Change: Agents Need to Change, Too!

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:07:30 -0600

Much of my real estate success has come from my ability (or luck) to stay a step or two ahead of the changes in the marketplace. Often I have been ridiculed for my forward thinking actions, like when I started doing BPO's in 2006; or after I listed my first Short Sale in April, 2007 I was humiliated at an office meeting; and my favorite was at the Christmas Party that my then broker hosted and left him making a drunken fool out of himself as he tore into the stupidity of listing REOs.

I guess I'm qualified to be classified as a forward thinker (I started blogging in 2006, too).

HOW TO WRITE OFFERS IN TODAYS MARKET

REALTORS® learn very early in their career how to do the paperwork to write offers in their local jurisdictions that comply with the local rules and broker requirements.

Here in the Hemet - San Jacinto, CA Valley our real estate market today is dominated by bank owned homes, or REO Real Estate. I say dominated, because over 90% of all closings are indeed REO Listings of homes for sale. Most of the other 10% are Short Sales or Standard Sales (typically an Investor flip).

Although Short Sales only represent about 10% of the closings, they continue to dominate the active listings in the local MLS; short sales represent approximately 60% of all active listings in the Hemet - San Jacinto, CA Valley.

THE MARKET CONTINUES TO CHANGE

Last month (October 2009) has seen a rash of low appraisals, despite the fact the home prices have been inching up over the last couple of months. In the last month, my sellers have had to renegotiate contract prices 4 separate times due to low appraisals.

Based on this scenario and my understanding of local real estate I have started to advise buyer agents to do their homework and only submit offers for what they believe the home will appraise for - providing me with actual comps.

REED AND HEED

A well-respected real estate blogger, Broker Bryant Tutas. from Poinciana, Florida published a blog over the weekend, about the importance of Buyers Agents preparing a quality CMA for their buyers. You can read his insight and preview a sample by reading The Buyer CMA. Do you use it?.

I'm taking his suggestions a step further and advocating that Buyer Agents actually submit the CMA as a part of their offer documentation.

I have suggested this several times over the last week or two with a rash of offers that have come in. Most have not listened to me but a coup0le have and they are happy today.

The problem is my listings today average a list price of $150K, as were the 2 of the 4 I mentioned earlier that had to be renegotiated - the other 2 were listed at over $225k and both reduced by close to $50K! But lets focus on the bread and butter $150K deals.

The sad truth is the appraisals are coming in from $125K to $140K. I have agents calling me as if I have the negotiating power to change the price in the MLS - I don't. When they follow my queue and submit the documentation to support their offers, the bank has countered back with less that a $1500 difference in the asking price. When the agents just submit an offer with a low ball offer, that's how the banks look at it - low ball and counter back within $1,000 of list price.

THE NEXT LEVEL

I was particularly impressed with one agent in particular who not only submitted comps but a complete market analysis justifying the offer that was being submitted. Guess what? The seller accepted the offer without any additional counter offer on price.

WHAT IS NORMAL?

Personally, I am tired of the whining about when we get back to a "NORMAL MARKET" - whatever that is. The truth is this is what we got today...so make the most of it. You can follow my lead of do things the way you have always done them (wasn't it Einstein who said that doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results is the definition of insanity...or something like that)

Looking forward to seeing your next offer for Hemet - San Jacinto Real Estate

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Seven Ways to Use a Home Inspection Report

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:08:35 -0600

Home Inspections are an Important part of the Due Diligence that a first time home buyer or investor should undertake when buying a bank owned (or any other home, for that matter) home in the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley, in CA.

The following report was first published by, Jim Bushart. one of my fellow ActiveRain Bloggers and a Missouri Home Inspector. He points out several key reasons for a home inspection.

If you visit his blog, you'll see I did ask a couple of questions that may be considered to be a negative...tell me what you think...

Jim,

This is a good report worth repeating and using a s a useful tool for first time home buyers, which dominate our local market.

The down side...if there is such a thing is if the buyer pulls out, we are not suppose to make that report available to the next buyer. I understand everyone wants the work, but a report should then become part of the known disclosures for a property.

The other down side, if there is a defect pointed out to the buyer the buyer cannot technically file a claim with a home warranty company. If the furnace is not working now - why should the home warranty company replace it? I know it happens, but would that not be considered mortgage fraud?

John

Via Jim Bushart (Home Inspection Services of Missouri):

In random order, I present to you seven different ways in which a home inspection report can be used by parties to a real estate transaction for advantage and benefit.

1. Buyers can consider the reported conditions of the home's systems to determine their ability to afford to maintain the property. A home with a 12 year old water heater, an 18 year old furnace and a 25 year old composite shingled roof is going to need some costly investments in the near future.

2. Buyers can sometimes use information regarding undisclosed defects to negotiate the seller's action to repair the defect(s) or adjust the asking price for the home.

3. Sellers can obtain a home inspection and use the report to disclose known defects to potential buyers.

4. Sellers can obtain a home inspection and use the report to identify and correct significant defects that could interfere with a buyer's desire to submit a contract to buy the property.

5. Buyers can use the inspection report as a "punch list" or "to do list" for maintaining the property after purchase.

6. Buyers/Sellers can use the report to communicate to contractors the nature of the defect(s) to obtain estimates for repair or to arrange for repairs or replacements.

7. Buyers can sometimes use the inspection report as a means to withdraw from the contracted agreement to purchase the home when certain types of undisclosed defects are reported.

Buyers and sellers should consider obtaining inspection reports only from professional full-time home inspectors. Inspection reports generated by builders or contractors are often used by them as marketing tools and a means to generate business for maintenance and repairs and do not always represent the actual conditions of the property.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Kool-Aid Anyone

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:54:39 -0600

I know many of my fellow Americans drank the Kool-aid this time last year...just in time for our National Elections...

Not sure what was in it, but just look at the promises that were made then and tell me where we are at today...

Empty promises like these are the reson that most Americans don't trust politicians...regardless of what side fo the aisle they sit on.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Will the Obama Stimulus Plan Help the Wage Earner or be a Thorn in the Side?

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:16:53 -0500

I was reading my RISMedia news this morning, courtesy of Lowes, and came across an interesting article about the Obama Stimulus Plan that has a deep affect on anyone earning a regular paycheck with taxes deducted each pay period.

Apparently, back in April wage earners started tor receive an additional $15 to $20 per week in the form of reduced withholding and this is a tax credit that does not have to be paid back. The problem is that the credit is only good for $400 for a single person and $800 for a married couple and apparently there are a lot of circumstances where more than this has been collected by the wage earner.

The result will be when it comes time to receive a refund, many tax payers are going to feel disappointed or even cheated (we have such a strong sense of entitlement in this country). I guess those who traditionally receive a refund may even end up owing taxes.

Being a non-tax expert I almost feel as if I have shared too much aready - so please do yourself a favor and check ou the article and see if it applies to you, your family members or even pass it onto your clients...no one wants to have that kind of surprise.

The article can be found here:

Stimulus Payout May Come Back to Haunt You at Tax Time By Eve Mitchell

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Government tries to take down US Marine

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:07:47 -0500

War is Hell

Is there any doubt about that? I don't think so. We can argue and debate all we want if we should have war or not. Of course no one wants war...what did Rodney King (the catalyst for the 1992 LA Riots) say, "Can't we just all get along?" Sorry, but the answer seems to be no and until we can change that, we will continue to fight wars - generation after generation...always. sorry, but that's the truth and we all know it.

So this articel is not about war but the politicians and left wing radical media who postion themselves to be holier than thouh and try to imitatate walking on water for their public. Well, get over it...WAR IS HELL and leave our Heros alone!

Please post your comments on the original Blog - Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty)
- this is so important we need all of the comments in one place...

Via Simon Conway (Picket Fence Realty):

This is Marine Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani. For more than 20 years, the Colonel has had your back. He's had your back three different times in Iraq including the second battle of Fallujah; once in the first Persian Gulf War and has also served in Panama.

It has been said by his superiors that Col Chessani has unlimited potential and value to the Marine Corps. That he has demonstrated moral courage and that he is a superb leader.

And now on December 1, 2009 he is facing a Military Board of Inquiry (BOI) to figure out if he is guilty of misconduct and should be demoted in rank. All this because of the "Haditha Massacre" - a "massacre" that quite literally never happened.

The question must be asked. Why is the Government going after this fine Marine Officer? Someone who represents the very best America has to offer? And why are they doing it on a trumped up charge? What is the purpose of trying to destroy this truly great American hero?

Let's take a step back first. Almost four years ago to the day (November 19, 2005) a Marine convoy was moving through Haditha in Iraq - a terrorist stronghold. A roadside bomb exploded and the convoy took casualties. One United States Marine dead and two more seriously injured when the bomb went off under a Humvee. Gunfire directed at the Marines started immediately from the ambushing insurgents who were holed up in nearby civilian-occupied home.

The officer at the scene ordered four Marines - at great risk to themselves - to storm those homes from where the terrorists were firing. What happened next was a house-by-house, room-by-room battle in which nine terrorists were killed. There were also 15 civilian casualties who might have been shot by the Marines or the terrorists or a combination of the two. Obviously the death of civilians is always terrible - but not as common an occurrence as some people might think.

The bottom line here is that the colonel IMMEDIATELY reported those 15 deaths to his superiors. In fact the Pentagon had his battlefront report within 24 hours. NOT A SINGLE superior officer - including generals - thought it unusual. NOT ONE OF THEM suggested an investigation. In fact those officers went so far as to commend Lt Col Chessani for a job well done.

Then along came Time Magazine. MASSACRE they screamed. John Murtha jumped on the bandwagon accusing the Marines of cold blooded murder - even saying there was no firefight! He said the Marines were stressed from being in country for too long.

The Liberals went nuts. Our brave military were torturers; murderers; rapists - and of course, responsible for the "Massacre at Haditha" - that has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

The largest investigation in the history of the NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Services) .........

Take that in again!!! - The largest investigation in the history of the NCIS including 65 full time agents went on a year-long, multi-million Dollar digging trip - targeting the Colonel and his four enlisted men.

The Government has LOST at every stage of the criminal process. The four marines have been cleared. At one point they were charging Lt Col Chessani criminally. The Government's case? He did not file the proper paperwork. Had he been convicted he would have faced two and a half years in prison!!

One of the military judges who heard testimony in the case, had the following to say about the Government's evidence and pursuit of this national hero.

"To believe the government version of facts is to disregard clear and convincing evidence to the contrary and sets a dangerous precedent that, in my opinion, may encourage others to bear false witness against Marines as a tactic to erode public support of the Marine Corps and mission in Iraq. Even more dangerous is the potential that a Marine may hesitate at the critical moment when facing the enemy..." - Military Judge, LtCol Paul Ware, USMC

So now he faces this BOI. There are no rules of evidence as we understand them. No cross examination; no subpoena of witnesses. The Government merely has to prove misconduct by a preponderance of the evidence - not beyond a reasonable doubt. The Board could demote him or force him to retire. He could lose his retirement and health benefits for himself and his family.

And at the end of the day, the Government is charging him with failing to report a criminal incident which EVERYONE now understands DID NOT TAKE PLACE!

On Monday of this week Brian Rooney - one of the owners of the Pitsburg Steelers and a Marine Reserve Major himself - was my guest while I was filling in on 540 WFLA. It's a fascinating interview and you can here it BY CLICKING HERE - the top of Hour Two on 10/26/09.

Brian is one of the attorneys representing this Marine through the non-profit Thomas More Law Center. They are doing it for free. They will examine thousands of pages of reports; personally interview witnesses and travel the 2,000 miles to the BOI in California - an event that is expected to last for weeks.

Please check out their website and see if you can help. They are all that is standing between this Marine and Governmental crucifixion! - http://www.thomasmore.org/

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!!

Make sure Lt Col Chessani understands just how much we Patriots get it!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Copyright © 2009 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

Simon Conway is the two-time winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Where Were You When Google...

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:30:37 -0500

Just saw a new video released by Google that is a fun little history lesson sharing many of the innovations that Google introduced to the world...that are now common place.

Check out this short video and see how many of these highlights spark some sort of memory. For me, I started thinking about the first time I used each of these apps. Heck, I still use the same Gmail account I got back in 2004 - and still have my first emails in archive...and most of them since then.

All I gotta say is i am more than ready for Google Wave, and whatever comes next...

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

ARE Local Association Members Being Scammed with Phony Health Insurance Deals?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:21:03 -0500

I have been one of the uninsured that seems to have congress in an uproar, for about 3 years now. Before the Government starts making plans for me, I thought it best that I establish my own baseline of heath care and go back to Kaiser, who has been my family's primary medical provider, for as long as I can remember.

I received several emails this month, telling me about an "OPEN ENROLLMENT" period for Kaiser, that would expire on October 31st. Being the procrastinator that I am, the decision to look into this had been put off since the early part of the month.

A couple of days ago, I got serious, after reading one more warning from "THE BENEFIT STORE". So, I followed the lead in the email and visited their site, providing some personal information before I could see the rates and different plans available. What I received is the following email, with 3 different PDF attachments of the Good, Better and Best plans available to me. To be honest, I was pretty blown away by the prices - but what did I know, I hadn't paid for health insurance premiums for several years, and now I'm even in an older age bracket - ouch.

Before we go on, I want to point out that this is addressed to "ALL MEMBERS ADDRESSED" and that this if thanking me for my "Interest in Medical Programs for Local REALTOR® Association Members."

So, I looked at several of the programs. Penciled out the numbers as if I were going to have 10 office visits during the year and see what my total out of pocket would be, based on the numerous variables. Fortunately for me, I did this in my office and left the results on a yellow pad, on my desk.

I called the company and was told by a very busy sounding switchboard operator that someone would call me by 8:00 p.m. OK, I admit, I felt disapointed but determined now, to get some heath coverage before the window was shut tight for another year.

Well, I got the call around 6:30...just as my wife and I were sitting down to dinner. I asked him to call back in a half hour. So, 90 minutes later he calls. I told him I was no longer in the mood to talk business that I was unwinding and relaxing with my family and asked if he could call me in the morning.

Turns out that our telemarketer friend doesn't come to work until 6:00 p.m. and he asked if it would be OK if his boss called. I agreed. Fortunately, I did not take the call when it came in as I was busy tending to my real estate business.

I had some down-time later in the afternoon and thought I would check it out a little further, before returning the call and signing up. First, I went to the NAR website only to find that NAR does not offer any group medical insurance. OK, I admit I was confused, so I quickly checked the CAR site, looking up the member benefits and still did not see any reference to an open enrollment with Kaiser or any other health insurance provider, either.

Time to pull out the email and start reading between the lines. Hmmmmmmm

So, once again I look closely at the attachments and study 2 or 3 plans that I had narrowed down the results to include.

I quickly re-figured the numbers and just did not feel good about what I saw. A plan without a deductible and a $20 co-pay would have cost me $648.96 a month, as a 55 year old male.

At this point, I decided to visit the Kaiser website at www.KP.Org.

Answered just a few questions and nothing more detailed than my date of birth...without even giving my name. And then, viola I had a simple to understand list of numerous plans for me to select from...none of which were identical to the Benefit Store plans. The good news is they were all a lot cheaper!

The most similar plan that Kaiser offered me, directly was for a $25 co-pay and no deductible for only $462.00 per month...MY GOSH, THAT'S A DIFFERENCE OF $186.96 PER MONTH....I CAN'T BELIEVE IT - IT'S $2,243.52 A YEAR HIGHER FOR NEARLY IDENTICAL INSURANCE - USING THE EXACT SAME PROVIDER. Looking at the fine print, it appears as if every other line item in the benefit coverage was identical.

So, I for one think this is a phony offer. They may have a legal license to sell this policy and it may be 100% legal...I don't know, but I believe in my heart that this is a phony offer and even borderline fraud as every insinuation is that as a member of my local REALTOR Association I am eligible for this benefit. What I find humorous is no where do they use the term benefit except in the name of their company.

REALTORS - please be careful...it's bad enough we have to worry about bad guys laying in wait at vacant homes wanting to do us harm...there are bad guys out there lurking in your email box, too. Had they been able to connect me to an agent yesterday afternoon, I would have gone down for the count and been done with it...feeling good that I was once again insured. Well Guess What, just over 24 hours later and I do feel good - because I am insured and $2,243.52 richer...heck, that's like selling one more home!

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UPDATE: PLEASE RED COMMENT 53 AND MY RESPONSE WHICH FOLLOWS

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I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:12:26 -0500

The song by CLASH, with the same name as this article, may have been a hit back in 1981, when they asked the question that seems to be the question of today, "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Today, however, the question takes on a more serious tone than the confused singer in his tumultuous love affair begging for confirmation as the chorus ends with the line...

         If I go there will be trouble
            An if I stay it will be double
            So come on and let me know

(LISTEN HERE)

The tone of the question today, of course, if focused on the housing chrises, as more and more families are trying to figure out what to do. It's not like there is a single authority on the subject of what will happen to them - in either scenario. Should they stay or should they go?

            This indecisions bugging me

Should I Pay or Should I Play? The Real Question of the Day

When asked by local residents in the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley if they should pay their mortgage or should they play the game that seems to have gained in enormous popularity over the last year.

The game, of course, is the Strategic Default (my article). This is when the homeowner analizes their personal sitution and then decides to not pay their home loan but often continuing top keep all of their other credit in pristine condition. In many cases, homeowners today are reporting that they have been in their home for over a year without paying the mortgage or property taxes. If you are interested, the Wall Street Journal has an artilce that addresses the moral question of walking away from your home.

NOT MY CROSS TO BEAR

So, when I am engaged in a conversation along these lines I first have to protect myself with an almost obligatory disclaimer that I sell real estate for a living and am not in the business of resolving anyones personal problems. However, as a trusted friend and/or colleague if they want to bounce ideas off of me, I'd be glad to lsiten and respond with what I know but I must emphasise that any decision they make has to be their own decision that is based on their very personal set of circumstances...that I will never fully understand. I'll also mention that if they need legal or tax advice theat they should consult a professional in those fields, as neither has anything to do with my skill at selling real estate in the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley, CA.

This point is so important, I make a point of repeating it, at the end of any converstaion that may follow.

The first point I will share on the topic is that when a short sale or lon modification is being negotiated that it is much easier to do when the payment is deliquent, althogh it is no lnoger mandatory, as it was last year.

The next point is every lender is different and every lender has different policies for how they treat different situations. For example, two borrowers may both be 60 days late. One may be eligible for a loan modification and the other may not. The income levels, the hardship and so many other facotrs are considered. Again, the rules change from lender to lender, as well.

SOOOOOOO MUCH INFO

There is so much conflicting information because there is no industry standard for either Short Sales or Loan Modifications. The market is full of scam artists right now, despite the fact that both State and Federal Authorities are cracking down on them, big time (Including the State Bar going after ATTORNEYS!).

The government is doing it's best to confuse the entire situation with more rules, regulations, moratoriums and mandates than anyone can keep up with.

Industry trade groups, such as the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) or the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) are pretty much powerless in regulating their members when it comes to this uncharted territory.

         Should I stay or should I go now?
            If I go there will be trouble
            And if I stay it will be double
            So you gotta let me know
            Should I stay or should I go?

Sorry, but this is not the place to come for easy answers or heavy questions...

Now please, go talk to your attorney or tax advisor and let me sell my real estate.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Does the $8,000 Tax Credit Have a Future?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:54:21 -0500

PRELUDE

Before I get into the story, let me share how I found out about the news...

I was reading my email. Got some sort of promo from American Express to allow my Twitter Tweets to be broadcast on their service PULSE. So, I allowed myself to be distracted and signed up for the 'new' service, before it slipped away from me. The end result I was on my Twitter page (which I really do try to avoid during business hours = for obvious reasons). Here I read a short TWEET by Schottfinancial who simply said "Tax Credit Extension Seems Likely" and then provided a link to an article published this morning by the online edition of REALTOR MAGAZINE. You can see the original story, here. This is the power of Social Networking. Thanks for the heads up Schottfinancial!

AND NOW...THE STORY

So, if you check out the story, there is not a lot of mat and potatoes...just a serving of speculation by Florid Senator Bill Nelson (D) who spoke to the entourage of reporters traveling with the President on his trip to Florida.

Apparently, the topic is a pretty hot one in Congress that appears to be stirring up a hornets nest...although details were not provided.

It appears, based on Sen Nelson's account that the current benefit will be extended through the end of March, 2010 as an $8,000 tax credit. Then in each of the subsequent quarters, the amount of the tax credit would be reduced by $2,000.

So, what I understand this to mean is that if extended, the benefit would remain in tact until 3/31/2010. Then from 4/1/2010 until 6/30/2010 first time homebuyers would only be eligible to receive a $6,000 tax credit. This amount would then be reduced again, by another $2,000 on July 1st and October 1st 2010 until the final period, starting January 1st, 2011 through March 31st, 2011 would provide eligible first time home buyers with a $2,000 tax credit.

I guess this is better than the 'cold turkey' we would otherwise be serving right after Thanksgiving and ending the program all together.

Please tell me what you think...

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Forbes Magazine Says it...Does That Make it True?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:16:52 -0500

Looking through the online edition of REALTOR Magazine and there is a story posted this morning that references an article published on Forbes.Com by Zack O'Malley Greenburg that claims to have found the 10 Safest Places to Live, in the USA.

The criteria was reviewed with four factors in mind:

Workplace Accidents
Weather Catastrophes
Crime Rate
Traffic Accidents

OK, so I can see why these issues are considered and will help define safty for the average family looking to find a place to call home and raise a family.

The problem I have with the results is that they are all cities of significant size. Take a look:

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minn.-Wisc.
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, Wisc.
Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, Ore.-Wash.
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Mass.
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Wash.
Providence-New Bedford-Fall River, R.I.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.
New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y.-N.J.-Pa.
Cincinnati-Middletown, Ohio (tie)
Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, Ohio/Denver-Aurora, Colo. (tie)

No where on this list do I see either Hemet or San Jacinto. Granted we may only have about 100,000 residents in the entire valley but I can almost guarantee that we have NOT had any Weather Catastrophes (OK, maybe a case or two of sun stroke or an occassional dehydration - but hey, this is Southern California and we are in a very arid valley...could be considered desert by some).

I'm quite positive that we have a very low WORKPLACE ACCIDENT rate here in the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley. Since they quit building new homes about 2 years ago, there are hardley any jobs here for anyone to get hurt at. Most of our employers are either retail or service related and most are very low risk. Many of our residents commute to places like Temecula, San Diego, Riverside,m San Bernardion, Ontario and even Orange County. Hemet and San Jacinto is very safe when it comes to the workplace...I can practically guarantee it.

If it wasn't for TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. Granted our 'Blue Haird Ladies' and 'Old Men with Hat' population is rapidly declining as the average age (but it does seem that we have more senior involved traffic accidents than ever, as they continue to age) in the vally has dramitically lowered itself from the high 40's to the early 30's in just the last 5 years, we still do have a few crazy drivers around here. Heck, on July 11th of this year, I toateld my car on the Ramona Expressway when som yahoo ran a red light at 8:00 on a Sunday morning. So, I guess traffic accidents is our Archilles Heel when it comes to being a safe city.

I just can't imagine the 10 safest places to live are 10 major metropolitan areas. Heck, I moved out of the City in '92 becuse they tried to burn down LA - how safe is that?

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

San Diego home inspection FAQs: Should I have my home tested for radon?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:42:21 -0500

Radon Gas is one of those topics that seems to come up every now and then when talking about Hemet - San Jacinto Valley real estate...but it seems like no one ever really has the answers.

Today I found a blog post from Russel Ray a home inspector based in San Diego County that tackles the subject head on. Russel advises that "If you're concerned about it, then get a test done", when asked about Radon Gas testing for his area and I concur for those interested in buying Hemet - San Jacinto Valley real estate.

At the end of the article are some valuable resources for anyone who has an interest to do their onw due dilligence. As far as me and my wife, well lest's just say that we feel safe and are not concerned...but go right ahead if it will make you feel at ease.

Via Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector (Russel Ray, Property Consultant):

I don't get very many questions about radon, probably because San Diego County as a whole doesn't have radon problems, which is kind of ironic since we have a lot of granite, quartz, and sand in the county. I have no explanation other than to say that radon research is ongoing.

Whenever I get asked this question, my first reponse has to be, "If you're concerned about it, then get a test done."

Radon is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless radioactive gas that forms from the decay of trace amounts of uranium that occurs naturally in soil. Generally, radon is not a significant problem in San Diego County like it is in other areas of the country. There are, however, some isolated pockets of radon problem areas in the County. If you're concerned about radon levels, check the California web site for your zip code. If you need help in analyzing the data provided by the State of California, please feel free to contact me.

Radon is a fairly new issue, so sometimes there isn't enough data to be statistically significant, yet the data that is available can make it look like there is a significant problem. For example, if your zip code indicates that there is a high level of radon, but only one test was done, the results might be skewed or not even relevant.

There has been a recent scare over radon emanating from granite countertops. Personally, after doing my own research on the issue, I think the radon scare is similar to the mold scare from several years ago. Nonetheless, do your own research and make your own decision.

Following are some helpful websites, of which I think the first one is the most complete. Remember, though, that there are no standardized methods for testing radon although the EPA and the Marble Institute of America are in the process of developing some. So any research needs to be looked at in the context of who paid for the research. If it's someone ranting and raving, sometimes people get an issue on their mind and they just have to vent about it even though they haven't done their own research or don't understand the research that they have read. So this is one of those "caveat emptor" areas.

Radon and granite: http://www.radon.com/radon/granite.html

CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/25/earlyshow/health/main4292754.shtml

Granite countertops and radon: http://greenbuildingelements.com/2009/02/20/granite-countertops-radon-what-the-granite-industry-doesn%E2%80%99t-want-you-to-know/

Fight heats up: http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/05/14/fight-over-radon-in-granite-countertops-heats-up/

Rational discussion: http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/05/14/fight-over-radon-in-granite-countertops-heats-up/

Granite recipe: http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/news/20080730/granite-countertops-a-recipe-for-danger

Marble Institute of America: http://www.marble-institute.com/industryresources/granite_radoninfo.cfm

Radon and granite issue: http://www.merchantcircle.com/blogs/Tribuzio.Home.Inspection.Services.Inc..708-456-1423/2009/1/The-Radon-and-Granite-Issue/172611

The truth: http://www.stoneexpozone.com/p72.php3?id_noticia=78

Indoor Air Quality: http://iaq.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/iaq.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=5103

Home and Garden: http://www.mlive.com/homeandgarden/index.ssf/2009/01/granite_countertops_radon_risk.html

Inhabitat: http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/28/granite-linked-to-high-levels-of-radon-gas-exposure/

Snopes: http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/granite.asp

Natural Stone Restoration Alliance: http://nsraweb.com/index.php/Newsflash2/Radon_In_Granite_Causes_Cancer.html

Twenty most recent posts

Mornings with Mother and Father Nature: Not from Georgetown University

It's easy to make presumptions. It's a little more difficult to take action.

CAUTION: Beware of how you use your pre-May 1, 2009, blog posts

Mornings with Mother and Father Nature: Not your average doggie in the window

Mornings with Mother and Father Nature: A purple prickly pear?!!!!

Speechless Sunday: How can you not love these little guys?

!@#$%^&* is a four-letter word

Mornings with Mother and Father Nature: How blue are YOU?

How to keep that pesky home inspector at bay....

Mornings with Mother and Father Nature: How realistic is YOUR boat ornament?

Mornings with Mother and Father Nature: Alfred Hitchcock

Mornings with Mother and Father Nature: Remodeling your home....

Are you a complainer?

Mornings with Mother and Father Nature: Gang-gang cockatoo

Mornings with Mother and Father Nature: Sometimes you just have to kick back and relax

Mornings with Mother and Father Nature: Foot, feet, paws, and claws

Look what I logged in to this morning!

Please help welcome my 79th, 83rd, 84th, 87th, 89th, 90th, 92nd, and 93rd Invitees to our ActiveRain community

Mornings with Mother and Father Nature: Miniature horses

Shhhhhhhhhhhh.... Don't tell anyone. This is between you and me.

Please join me in these special ActiveRain groups:

Out and About - Share specific events, places, and things to do with your target audience.

NAR 2009 Convention San Diego - Coming to the Convention in November? Check in here.

Guerrilla Marketing Tactics - Marketing that requires mostly ingenuity, creativity, time, and energy.

Inspired By Nature - Where you can come to relax among Mother and Father Nature's fauna and flora.

Classical Music - Share classical music events with your target audience.

ActiveRain reading - A great place to find information on books of all genres.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

American Home Shield Is GOLD in My Book

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:34:18 -0500

American Home Shield Is GOLD in My Book

The home warranty company, American Home Shield has proven to me beyond any reasonable doubt that they are everything anyone could ever expect to receive from a home warranty company.

I first met our local Rep, Judee Edgerton (ActiveRain Link) back in 2005 as I was getting started in the local Hemet - San Jacinto Real Estate market. Judee is just one of those people that you can't help but like. I had already established a strong relationship with a rep from another company, when I was working 30 miles to the south, in the more lucrative Temecula, CA market. Yes, my contact did work the Hemet San Jacinto Valley, just as Judee also works the Temecula - Murrieta market area.

Truth is that Temecula - Murrieta is a much larger market, with over 5,000 agents as board members compared to the 300 we have in the Hemet San Jacinto Association of REALTORS® (HSJAOR). The only real reason I had previously established the relationship I had was because my mega-broker had established it for me. After I left the mega-broker, I rarely ever heard from the rep that I had given over 20 orders to in my first year in the real estate business.

Judee, on the other hand was everywhere I turned. Not only is she one of the most active affiliates in the HSJAOR but she is involved in all sorts of community activities. It is not uncommon to see Judee's smiling face at any event in town - real estate related or not.

You can see, how natural it is for anyone to want to do business with this amazing lady.

AMERICAN HOME SHIELD DELIVERS

I don't have the exact count in front of me, but I can almost guarantee that my team has been responsible for no less than 50 home warranty policies in the last year and a half. Probably more.

There is always the nagging feeling though, are my clients getting the best policy. Sure, I love my local rep and she is locally involved in the local community...but what about the company that needs to deliver on the promises that Judee makes?

Occasionally, I'll get an email from American Home Shield; alerting me that one of my prior clients had filed a claim and utilized the Home Warranty policy. I make a point to call the client - after all, what better excuse is there to call and ask for referrals, then right after something that went wrong ends up going right?

THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING

Not sure how much pudding has to do with this, but my grandmother used to say that all the time, and it just kind of came to me right now as the perfect time to use that and spend a moment reflecting back on the love my grandmother had for me...and I her.

So, in July of this year, I bought a bank owned home. All in all it was in pretty good condition but it did need a few things to bring it up to my wife's standards. Fresh paint, new carpets, a gizmo here and a thingy there and on it went.

Most minor deficiencies, I went ahead and repaired on my own, as we transitioned into calling and making the new place home. However, there were a few minor problems with different aspects of the plumbing. In addition, the new place has a pool. I did the acid wash thing, replaced all the filters and other maintenance items that needed to be taken care of and done right. I actually spent about $1500 getting the swamp cleaned up and working properly. Money well spent.

However, the heater went out a couple of weeks ago. At first my regular pool guy checked it out and said that the limited diagnostics available from the ‘idiot lights' on the control panel were not very specific and in could be one of about a dozen things and that he would have to allocated a couple of hours towards diagnoses. I told him to hold up, that I would get American Home Warranty out to fix the problem - after all, I did pay the extra premium for the pool service, so I might as well start taking advantage of it.

PROBLEMS PROVE HOW GOOD A COMPANY REALLY IS

So, I made the necessary arrangements with American Home Shield to have both a plumber and a pool guy come out and fix what needed fixing. This was Friday afternoon.

Monday afternoon I received calls from both the plumber and the pool repair guy. The plumber is a local tradesman - I recognized his truck from around town when he showed up the next day. The pool guy is another story.

Apparently vendors sign up to service American Home Shield clients based on zip codes that the vendors feel they can provide service to. Well, this particular vendor is from Palm Desert about 60 miles east of me, located in the Coachella Valley - east of Palm Springs. - on the other side of the mountain (Mt. San Jacinto, CA). I was told they only service ‘my area' twice a week and that they had already been ‘out here' that day and would not be able to return until Thursday. I explained that I had commitments Thursday morning and a regular lunch (LeTip) that I attend and could not possibly be back home until 2:00 p.m. It was agreed, I would be the last call at the end of the day.

Late Wednesday afternoon I received a call telling me that they can't be here for me as they have nothing else going on in the area and they can't send a truck, just for me. OK, so I got a little hot and tried to have a discussion about being local and biting off more than they could chew. I brought my own business into the mix and explained that I may be licensed to sell real estate throughout the entire State of California but rarely do I stray from my local market because SERVICE is more important than potential PROFIT by tarnishing my reputation with BAD SERVICE.

In the end, this fabulous vendor told me that he doesn't need my business and that he is not worried about his account with American Home Shield as he has been in business since 1968 and blah, blah blah before he hung up the phone on me.

BLOOD PRESSURE IS CLIMBING

I immediately sat down and sent Judee Edgerton, my American Home Shield rep a very sharp email pointing out how I had been treated by a vendor who is too busy for me. I came short of threatening (Judee is just too nice to threaten) to move my home warranty to another company if this is the way MY clients are treated when they use HER service.

Needless to say, Judee instantly diffused the entire situation, skillfully getting to the bottom of what happened. I do believe she spoke with the vendor and got their side of the story as well.

The next day, a new LOCAL pool guy called and came out. Diagnosed my heater problems, inspected my system and gave me a few really good pointers (being the only guy in California who lived 55 years without ever owning a pool before) on maintaining it and avoiding potentially expensive repairs in the future. When the new pool guy came out to fix the problem the next day, I was not available to meet him, but we did talk several times on the phone. He was awesome. I actually now consider him a new friend and trusted vendor whom I will refer my clients to, who need the services of a pool guy. I liked this guy so much I invited him to my LeTip lunch meeting next Thursday, which he sys he will attend. Awesome.

PLUMBER IS COOL, TOO

When the Plumber came out he was wearing clean work clothes. (No plumbers crack - thank goodness) He was very professional and inspected each item I asked him too. He figured out what parts he needs for a broken drain, a toilet flange and the spa tub switch, which is cracked. He even took the time and cleaned out a couple of aerator filters to improve water pressure to my wife's sink (not sure why I didn't think of that? - But that is why we rely on trained professionals).

AMERICAN HOME SHIELD IS MY HOME WARRANTY COMPANY

When the dust settled, I was thanked first for expressing my concerns so that American Home Shield could manage their vendor pool and ensure that only vendors who provide the quality of service expected are allowed to interact with the clients of American Home Shield. . It turns out that after a week of checking into this particular vendor, American Home Shield terminated their relationship by removing him from their list of approved vendors. There is justice and I do feel good about American Home Shield interacting with my clients.

I was also thanked for my business - both as an end user and as a REALTOR® that puts my trust into their product I can tell you, there will never be another Home Warranty Company that I will ever use...ever.

Thank you Judee...

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Cool Things To Do Wtih Your Cell Phone

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:56:58 -0500

One Good Google leads to another...especially on a brain dead Sunday Morning, while still nursing that first cup of highly caffeinated coffee.

I just posted a video about Google 411 - probably isn't breaking news, since there were over 5 million views of the Video on YouTube - but I can guarantee that most people I know don't know a thing about it.

Well, as I continued with my morning surf I came across another video published on YouTube, by Google. I don't want to go over the top and say it is hilarious, but I can guarantee no matter how grumpy you are this will at least crack a smile on your face...it just has to.

So take a moment (71 seconds) and see if you can't relate at least a little bit to this video...

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Another Cool Google Tool...and Yes, It's FREE

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:54:20 -0500

OK, so during my early morning wake up coffee hour of mindlessly surfing the Internet I came across a YouTube video about yet another free service that Google is providing. In this case it is for your cell phone.

Cell carriers have notoriously charged an expensive premium everytime a user called 411 for information on a business.

There have been free services, but they typically had you listen to 30 seconds (an eternity) or more of phone ads in order to access the information you were seeking.

It should be no surprise that Google has built the better mouse trap. Google, you know, recently got into the cell phone business - so I correctly guessed that they would be working on their own custom cell apps. Well, I have not been disappointed.

This 91 second video is not only fun to watch but tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about using the new free (and ad free) service.

The cool thing, when I checked it out for myself and I asked for REAL ESTATE in San Jacinto CA, my city,...I was the first name they gave me. Now I have no scientific proof...but I am guessing it has to do with the LOCAL SEARCH RESULTS that I have been working on.

So go ahead and watch the short video, then plan on adding 1-800-4664-411 to your Speed Dial List so that you can either TEXT or CALL, the next time you need info on a local business.

Oh, and more more thought, as I struggle to gather my organize thoughts at this hour...Google will even send you a map of the local area, if your phone will support the feature. Now how cool is that?

Just remember that it is not safe to drive and either talk or text on your cell phone...and may be against the law where you live.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Residential Real Estate by the Numbers

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:38:46 -0500

Here is an interesting ad that on of my fellow REALTORS found in a magazine promoting the NAR conference in San Diego next month (I am planning on attending).

I am particularily impressed withthe design of the poster and how much interesting data it contains.

What do you think? . . .

Via Megan Izdebska & Hanna Manoufar Phoenix Real Estate (Prudential Arizona Properties):

Residential Real Estate by the Numbers

Today I came across this typography poster published in "Fast Company Magazine" November Issue.
I thougt it's very interesting from my point of view as a graphic designer and a real estate agent.
The poster it's a theme for 2009 Realtors' Conference in San Diego (November 13-16).

Take a closer look at the poster which shows a few very interesting statistics.

A few highlight:

The median annual slary for real-estate brokers last year was $57,500

The national median price for existing single-famly homes in the most recent quarter is $174,100

The average residential sale price in the city of Detroit in July was $11,596,
due largely to foreclosed homes that sold for as little as $75.

The state with the highest rate of home ownership is West Virginia, at just over 79%.

Singapore is belived to have the world's highest rate of home ownership: 90.1%

Four states - Arizona, California, Florida and Nevada - together account for more than HALF of all foreclousers in the US.

source: Fast Company Magazine: November 2009 - Anne C. Lee
poster design: Julie Teninbaum

© 2009 Megan Izdebska & Hanna Manoufar
AzPrimehomes.com / SoldWithMegan.com

Search for Phoenix, Chandler, Scottsdale, Arizona Homes

Super-serving Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Queen Creek, Tempe, Mesa, Appache Junction, Ahwatukee, Maricopa, area communities.

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.

Google Maps can be edited...

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:46:53 -0500

I was frustrated because whenever I searched for may address on Google Maps it took me about a block east of where my office is located. Now, this might not seem like such a big deal...but it was, and let me tell you why.

The photos that went with the location showed a vacant field...yikes. I am in the newest and brightest and best neighborhood shopping center in the entire Hemet - San Jacinto Valley, CA. And when people look for directions, they find a vacant field...no way.

So, I stumbled and played around a bit...not exactly what happened, but it happened. I now have my pointer smack in the middle of the retail shopping center my business calls home...right where it belongs!

Unfortunately for me, I didn't have access to the video that Google has on YouTube explaining exactly how to correct this problem

Check it out...

So, if you home or place of business (or any point of interest to you) is off on Google Maps...even if it is just a little bit, like across the street. Watch this quick video (less than a minute) and see how easy it is to make the change.

I don't believe the change will be instant...if it is, it will probably be subject to verification. The Video says something about 200 yards...anything more will be verified, for sure. My move was about 2 blocks...so I'm guessing I exceeded the 200 yard rule, which is why it took some time. But, I have got to tell you, I am thankful and it helps with my LOCAL SEARCH results...which is where we all want to be found, isn't it?

I am proud to be a full time REALTOR® who is proud to be a contributing member of the ActiveRain community.