norma toering team: Property Tax Reduction For a Senior--Pay It Forward
- 06/03/11 01:57 AM
A senior client of mine requested my assistance in obtaining a reduction in his California property taxes. We began the task several months ago by submitting recent comparable sales in the neighborhood to the appropriate governmental agency. Although comparable properties are selling 20 to 30% less than he paid in 2008, it can be a long, arduous task to obtain a reduction in annual property taxes, but it can be done.
Later this month I will appear at a hearing with my client where we will plead his case for a property tax reduction. In California, property taxes are reassessed upon sale at … (9 comments)
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norma toering team: I've Been Sneezing All Day--Could My Morning Walk Be the Culprit? Hiking in Palos Verdes with Norma Toering
- 04/19/11 01:17 PM
Oh yeah. Pollen season is in full swing. My morning hike not only takes me down to the ocean's edge it also takes me through waist-high blooming plants. I love the untamed blooming plants growing with such wild abandon they almost cover the trails, but I'm afraid some of the pollen attaches itself to my hiking gear and finds its way back to my car.
What's a sneeze or two? I love to clear my head with the fresh salt water air and put my heart and lungs into aerobic mode before I go to the office. My real estate day … (18 comments)
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norma toering team: Japan's Public Television Station Found My Palos Verdes Lifestyle Blog
- 04/15/11 11:22 AM
In the middle of setting weekend appointments to show homes, the phone rang. I answered it expecting it to be one of the listing agents returning my call. Surprise, it was a representative of Japan's public television station asking for my assistance with their production of a show about the "Palos Verdes Lifestyle" on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
My long-term clients graciously agreed to let their Rolling Hills home be featured in the equestrian segment of the show, and I'm coordinating filming at Donald Trump's multi-million dollar homes at Trump National Estates in Rancho Palos Verdes. The homes are a … (10 comments)
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norma toering team: Broker Open House Tours--Previewing with Purpose or Why Bother?
- 04/14/11 02:55 AM
Tuesday's broker open house tours included far more homes than I could preview in the time allotted. I had to be a bit ruthless as I compiled the list of homes I would see due to the time crunch. There were some I "wanted" to see, but only time for those I "needed" to view.
As I sat at my computer and assembled the list of home I "needed" to see based on current clients' needs I was reminded of the many choices we make throughout our day. My choice was to preview only homes I plan to show clients. I rarely … (10 comments)
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norma toering team: The Afterlife of a Real Estate Sale--9th in a Series of 10 Agent Pat Seller Tips
- 04/12/11 03:49 AM
The ceremonial exchange of keys occurred. I passed the large bundle of keys for my house to Agent Pat and she handed me the single key to my temporary housing at the beach. That joyous moment could have signaled the end of our business relationship. Mission accomplished. Given my past experience with my "Forgettable Five" agents of past sales I did not expect much. After all, I was moving out-of-state and on to a new chapter in life.
Imagine my surprise when shortly after the sale closed I received a letter with Pat's distinctive handwriting on the envelope. It was a thank you … (8 comments)
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norma toering team: How to Have Fun When You're Homeless--8th in a Series of 10 Agent Pat Seller Tips
- 04/11/11 04:15 AM
Your buyers have loan approval. Those are sweet words, but they also mean the move is on. In my case, it also meant I had to store my furniture as my California house was in the middle of a remodel. I also needed to find temporary housing while my children finished the school year in Florida. Once again Agent Pat flew into action.
The same day the buyer's loan approval arrived, with Pat's help, I scheduled a moving company to move my furniture to storage. The following day once the children were off to school Pat and I went to the … (8 comments)
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norma toering team: San Pedro, CA Lot For Sale--You Can Hear and Smell the Pacific Ocean--Norma Toering & Team
- 04/07/11 12:57 PM
No doubt you can smell the ocean while standing on the lot. You can also hear the waves as they break against the rocks below the bluff. You can engage the sense of sight also--if you build a two-story home you'll be able to SEE the Pacific Ocean! Check out the aerial map.
Norma Toering & Team just reduced the price by $50,000 and this incredible lot is now offered at $550,000. Located in the sought-after South Shores area of San Pedro and just minutes from Trump National Golf Course, shopping and easy freeway access. If you're in the mood to build your dream house, this could be … (4 comments)
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norma toering team: Google Stories--Here's Mine--Where's Yours? Paying It Forward
- 04/06/11 12:10 PM
Don't tell your clients you are number one on Google, show them! What a wonderful way to show clients you are number one in your niche or neighborhood. Isn't it wonderful to be the cream of that all powerful Google Juice and find yourself at the top?
Don't keep your success and hard work a secret, share it with your sphere. It is so easy I did it myself!
Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800
PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real … (14 comments)
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norma toering team: Marketing to Buyers Around the Globe and Sellers in My Backyard
- 04/05/11 03:58 AM
The world is a big place; or is it? I market to buyers around the globe and sellers in my backyard with similar ease. Blogging has far-reaching tentacles. Those tentacles are capable of going in different directions simultaneously. One reached out and touched a prospective buyer in South Africa. Another went "down under" and found a buyer in Australia. A request for a lease from London and a second home from China all found their way to my in-box as a result of blogging.
When I began blogging over three years ago most of my posts were geared to … (12 comments)
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norma toering team: When Friendships Matter More Than Listing With Your First Choice Agent--Did You Really Lose That Listing?
- 04/03/11 02:17 AM
Should friendship matter more than listing with your first choice agent? It is a common theme for agent posts on Active Rain. Most of us encounter the situation several times during our career. Selling your home is personal, but it is also a financial decision. I've witnessed sellers struggle with the right thing to do more than once.
When a seller selects me as one of three or four agents he is inviting into to his home for a consultation on the value and marketing of his property, I feel honored. It signals he values my opinion and expertise. Let's … (74 comments)
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norma toering team: Evaluating Offers--An Exceptional Agent's Time to Shine--Agent Pat Was a Star--5th in a Series of 10 Seller Tips
- 04/02/11 04:56 AM
There is a preordained logical sequence to listing a property. Once the decision to sell is made, the property is prepared and the marketing goes into full gear with the desired outcome being the receipt of a reasonable offer. This is an exceptional agent's time to shine and Agent Pat was a star in the offer evaluation department.
As the seller, I was excited when Agent Pat called to say she received an offer on my house. Pat's tone gave nothing away and she did not discuss the offer during our short conversation. We agreed upon a time to … (2 comments)
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norma toering team: Is That My Tree, Or Yours? Better Find Out Before You Trim It!
- 03/31/11 10:38 AM
Palos Verdes homeowners love their views. View preservation is essential to retain the value of their property. It is not unusual for a dispute between neighbors to arise over trimming trees. The following is a synopsis of the legal ramifications of going wild with your chainsaw or ax without your neighbor's consent.
These hot tips on handling tree and view issues with neighboring property owners just in from our legal counsel:
Trees - Natural or Nuisance?
Trees are a wonderful part of our everyday scenery and can provide shade and beauty to a property. However, if the tree is in the wrong location, it … (10 comments)
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norma toering team: Rolling Hills Horse Property on the Palos Verdes Peninsula
- 03/31/11 08:45 AM
Rolling Hills, California routinely makes the list of Safest Cities in America, and Richest Cities in America. This gated city located at the top of the Palos Verdes Peninsula offers one of the most prestigious addresses in Southern California.
There are currently 21 Rolling Hills properties for sale ranging in price from $1,000,000 to $12,800,000.
Two Rolling Hills properties are in escrow ($2999,000 and $5,500,000), and 2 properties sold ($3,050,000 and $4,900,000) in 2011 as of March 31st. Several of these properties are equestrian estates with acreage, breathtaking views and other amenities you expect to find in multi-million dollar estates.
However, you do not have to own … (4 comments)
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norma toering team: Property Preparation--Pat Sent Me For a Walk with the Puppy When It Was Showtime--More Wisdom From Agent Pat--3rd in a Series of 10
- 03/25/11 04:34 AM
The value of a good agent far exceeds the cost of her commission.
The decision to sell was made. The agent chosen and the price established. Next, on the list was making sure the property was ready for its market debut. Agent Pat was a master at orchestrating a flawless performance.
The property received kitchen upgrades and a new master suite before I moved in a few years earlier. The previous owners refinished all the hardwood floors, and even with four children and a puppy I managed to keep the house in show condition with the help of my fabulous … (6 comments)
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norma toering team: Some Days You Just Have to Play
- 03/23/11 12:59 PM
Some days you just have to play. Today was one of those days.
A client invited me to Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes for lunch, and we had so much news to share two hours flew past.
I arrived back at the office to find the long awaited closing gift from our client arrived. I'm holding it in the photo. Norma Toering & Team has the best clients! This wonderful client found my ActiveRain blog by way of Google Juice.
Another two hours of play and the work day was almost over, but what fun it was! With … (12 comments)
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norma toering team: My Clients Turned the Table on Me
- 03/14/11 07:17 AM
Title recorded the change in ownership last Friday and keys were delivered to Norma Toering & Team's happy clients Saturday morning. My business partner knows I like to start the day with good news, and when he walked in the office door Saturday morning (yes, we do work weekends) his first words were, "Here's your good news of the day." I don't want you to turn green with envy but our clients ordered an iPad2 as a closing gift for their agents!
These clients came to me as a result of my Active Rain blog posts--a big thank you … (6 comments)
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norma toering team: Shedding What No Longer Fits--Spring Renewal, Rebirth and Rebuilding
- 03/14/11 12:37 AM
As a child I was always fascinated by the discovery of a snake's skin left behind because it was no longer a comfortable fit. I imagined the cold blooded creature slithering out of the old skin, then moving forward in its new outer coat without looking back. The snake needed to rid itself of the old skin due to past growth and in preparation for new expansion. The arrival of spring is the perfect time for us to evaluate the state of our professional and personal skins. Let the rites of spring begin!
I did a little business housecleaning. I bid … (32 comments)
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norma toering team: Closing Gifts--Community Support and Job Security---Winning
- 03/10/11 04:05 AM
Okay, I borrowed "winning" from Charlie Sheen, but that's exactly what happens when my closing gift introduces a new resident to a local business in the community.
I've given a variety of closing gifts to clients over the years. A few years ago I began giving gift certificates to local businesses. I find this is a wonderful introduction to the community for the new homeowner. It also supports local businesses and increases job security for local employees. What business would not be delighted to add new patrons to their list of loyal clientele?
Terranea Resort, located on the south … (14 comments)
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norma toering team: Palos Verdes Luxury Homes Under Contract--March 2011
- 03/08/11 02:49 AM
Luxury homes in Palos Verdes are beginning to move--no, not from mudslides, earthquakes, landslides or even the expansive adobe soil. This movement is not caused by the forces of nature, instead it is created by the return of buyers who hibernated during the recession and are now waking up to find lower luxury prices and the return of jumbo loans.
There are currently 15 Palos Verdes Peninsula Luxury Homes ($2,000,000 and up) under contract as of March 8, 2011. Here is the breakdown by city and price:
Palos Verdes Estates: 10 Pending Sales priced from $2,100,000 to $3,999,000
Rolling Hills: 3 Pending … (4 comments)
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norma toering team: Oh, the Places You'll Go
- 03/07/11 08:45 AM
Dr. Seuss possessed a magical mind. I always loved reading his books to my children, my students and now my grandchildren. There is always a strong message and life lesson in his nonsensical writings.
I recently re-read Oh, the Places You'll Go and I could not help but notice how it so accurately applies to my real estate career. The book addresses the challenges and choices we face in life. If you're in need of a little motivation and a whole lot of inspiration I suggest you read it. I'm guessing you will see yourself in the words, and I'm also certain you … (12 comments)
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A senior client of mine requested my assistance in obtaining a reduction in his California property taxes. We began the task several months ago by submitting recent comparable sales in the neighborhood to the appropriate governmental agency. Although comparable properties are selling 20 to 30% less than he paid in 2008, it can be a long, arduous task to obtain a reduction in annual property taxes, but it can be done.
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