Winston's Blog

Westbrook National Real Estate Commercial

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:05:53 -0500

Offers have decreased

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:30:01 -0500

Over the past couple weeks I have noticed the number of offers on properties have decreased dramatically. Properties were having 20 or more offers and now I am noticing that properties are having 3 or 4.

Could it be that now that the holidays are coming that people are putting their attention elsewhere instead of real estate?
Could it be that too many people got discouraged because they kept having their offers rejected?

Right now is the best time to buy a home in Victorville, Adelanto, Spring Valley Lake, Apple Valley or Hesperia. The real estate market is in a great position right now and for all those that have been sitting on the fence I advise you to jump off.

Get into or back into the search for your home right now while everyone else is worrying about the holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukah).

Huck Finn Jubilee 2009 this Fathers Day Weekend @ Mojave Narrows Regional Park in Victorville Ca

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:47:35 -0500

Looking for something to do this 2009 fathers day weekend June 19th, 20th and 21st ? Let me suggest the Huck Finn Jubilee located at the Mojave Narrows Regional Park in Victorville Ca right above Spring Valley Lake.

Huck Finn Jubilee is a Country/Bluegrass festival for all ages where you can camp, bbq, watch some concerts and much much more.

For more info visit HuckFinn.com

See you there

Senator Harry Reid Backs Desert Xpress Victorville to Vegas

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:00:28 -0500

Senate Majority leader Harry Reid threw in his support for the Desert Xpress. Desert Xpress is the new proposed high speed rail line to connect Southern California to Las Vegas Nevada. The originating station will be located right here in the city of Victorville Ca.

Before Desert Xpress came along Harry Reid was a strong proponent of the Maglev train project which had been dragging its feet for the last 30 years. I can't tell you how many times I've read stories about a train to Vegas from LA. Mr. Reid was so impressed by the way Desert Xpress has been able to self finance a majority of their expenses including an environmental study along with the swift progress they have achieved in so little time.

I can't wait to be able to waive at all the commuters on the 15 fwy from the comfort of the desert express train.

They expect to break ground by next year.

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CA DRE#01200483

Time for the San Bernardino County Fair

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Sat, 16 May 2009 13:10:24 -0500

So you are wondering what to do with yourself this weekend and you are having an itch for some deep fried twinkies right. Well, let me suggest you head on up to the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds this weekend and walk into fried heaven, lol.

I like going to all the county fairs around Southern California. The best one of them all is the Los Angeles County Fair towards the end of Summer but until then you can get a head start with the San Bernardino County Fair .

It's located on route 66 in the City of Victorville California right off the 15 freeways Palmdale exit.

Today and tomorrow May 17, 2009 are the last days of the fair so make sure to head on down.

See you there.

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About the author:

Winston Westbrook services the entire cities of Victorville, Hesperia and Apple Valley. If you are looking to buy or sell please feel free to contact Winston.

Toll Free 888-33-WNREC

westbrooknational@gmail.com

CA DRE#1200483

Check out my other blogs

File this under ANNOYING: Have you received one of these calls?

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:59:34 -0500

Ok, have you been sitting there having dinner when all of a sudden the phone rings and you pick it up only to find out it's some robot/automated recording telling you your auto warranty is about to expire?

I'm sure you have at least once.

To make things worse my mom just finished purchasing a new car back in November. The car comes with a manufacturer warranty of about 3 years or 36,000 miles which ever comes first. Well, luck would have it that my mom gets one of these robot/automated calls and she just about has a cow. She calls me up giving me an earful about why the heck is her warranty expiring. Of Course it was all my fault, lol. I was wracking my brain trying to figure it out. What happened? I assumed it was a mistake. Funny thing is that i Googled the question and I find out it was a telemarketing scam.

I even got one of those calls myself a couple weeks later. This company called people on the do not call list and everyone in between.

Well, now I find out that the FTC/Feds are finally shutting these jack asses down. Read the story here

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Looking for real estate listings in Victorville California? Give Winston Westbrook a call, toll free 888-33-WNREC. He serves the cities of not only of Victorville, Ca but also Apple Valley and Hesperia. Start your home buying journey with Winston. Fire your landlord today!

Licensed by the CA DRE #1200483

10 Best EARTHQUAKE Saftey TIPS

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:26:41 -0500

I got this e-mail from a friend a long time ago but I always kept it because it made so much sense. I thought I would share it with you guys. You never know in case of a major earthquake. Especially over here on the west coast. The life you save might be yours. Now doesn't that sound like a public service announcement, lol.

Save yourself then you can go buy me a coke Slurpee to thank me, lol

EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE: 'TRIANGLE OF LIFE'

My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the
American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced
rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.

I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams
from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a
member of many rescue teams from many countries.

I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I
have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for
simultaneous disasters.

The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City
during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk. Every child
was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by
lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and
I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't at the time
know that the children were told to hide under something.

Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings
falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a
space or void next to them. This space is what I call the 'triangle of life'.
The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact. The less the
object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that
the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured. The next
time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the 'triangles' you
see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see,
in a collapsed building.

TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY

1) Most everyone who simply 'ducks and covers' WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE are
crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.

2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position.
You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You
can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a
large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.

3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during
an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake.
If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created.
Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick
buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but
less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.

4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply
roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a
much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on The back
of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to
the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.

5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out
the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to
a sofa, or large chair.

6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is
killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or
backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls
sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be
killed!

7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different 'moment of
frequency' (they swing separately from the main part of the building).
The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each
other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get
on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads - horribly
mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the
stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the
stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when
overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety,
even when the rest of the building is not damaged.

8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible
- It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than
the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the
building the greater the probability that your escape route will be
blocked.

9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls
in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened
with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of
the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were
all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or
lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had
been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the
crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had
columns fall directly across them.

10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices
and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact.
Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.

Spread the word and save someone's life... The Entire world is
experiencing natural calamities so be prepared!

'We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly'

In 1996 we made a film, which proved my survival methodology to be
correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul , University of
Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific
test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten
mannequins did 'duck and cover,' and ten mannequins I used in my
'triangle of life' survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse we
crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the
results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under
directly observable, scientific conditions , relevant to building collapse,
showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck
and cover.

There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using
my method of the 'triangle of life.' This film has been seen by millions
of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe , and it was seen
in the USA , Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV

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Thinking of making a move? If you want to move to Victorville, Hesperia or Apple Valley, California then Winston Westbrook would like to help you. His realty office is conveniently located in the City of Victorville off the 15 Freeway and Palmdale Road. Help with acquiring FHA or Conventional financing available. First time buyers and investors are welcome.

Call Winston toll free 888-33-WNREC

Secret Tip: My Apple Mac Book is running SLOW

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:53:26 -0500

Ok so you decided to make the jump from a Windows PC to an Apple Mac.

Everything was going fine until you started to notice that little pinwheel/beach ball that comes up when your computer is trying to tell you to hold on a darn second.

I don't know about you but that drives me nuts like that Sham Wow guy, lol

So for one, I went to an authorized Apple repair shop called Di-No computer repair in Pasadena Ca to get some more ram. I bumped up from 1 gb to the max allowed in my mac book to 2 gb. I needed to do this because I needed the extra ram because I needed to install Windows into my Mac due to the fact that some Real Estate related programs only run on Windows.

But before I left the tech also showed me a little trick to get the Mac to perform quicker just like the day you bought it.

This will work on not only Mac Books but all Apples running Mac OSX.

Once every month you should perform a routine called: Repairing Disk Permissions. Just follow these simple steps:

On your hard drive locate and open the "Application" folder then open the "Utilities" folder inside the Application folder.
Launch (start the program) "Disk Utilities" and select the name of your hard drive in the left window pane.
In the right window pane select the button that says "Repair Disk Permissions"
Wait for your computer to finish this process, Then quit Disk Utilities.

After this simple procedure your Mac should be quicker that before.

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About the author:

Winston Westbrook is licensed by the California Department of Real Estate license #01200483

If you are looking to purchase or sell real estate in Victorville, Hesperia or Apple Valley we welcome you to call us today.

We can help you with finding financing for your new home. Good or bad credit is ok. Call today

This is not Ikea?

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:58:48 -0500

So I was browsing the LA Times this evening and I saw an article for a retailer that does a little dumpster diving and frequents estate sales to find that perfect piece of antique you just can't find at Ikea. Hence the name, This Is Not Ikea.

I went to their website and they seemed to be having a little trouble due to the high volume generated by the LA Times article.

I took an interest to this article because for the past couple months I've been treasure hunting at numerous antique shops and yard sales. I think I need that sticker that says, "I brake for yard sales", lol.

The owner of TINI states that they purchase antiques but not your grandmas antiques unless she was cool, lol.

Check them out and tell them Winston sent ya. They have an eclectic collection of yesteryear.

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About the author:

Winston Westbrook is a licensed California Realtor and Notary. He buys and sells real estate in the city of Victorville, Hesperia and Apple Valley. This is the new Gold Rush. Call him today with all your real estate needs. His realty office is conveniently located off the 15 freeway and Palmdale Road.

21 questions on the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:18:41 -0500

Here is a little question and answer regarding the tax credit everyone is talking about these days. If you have been sitting on the fence now is the time to get off and purchase a home. People are coming out of the wood works and properties have been getting multiple offers on them. Some properties for sale are starting to see price increases in Victorville Ca. Time is of the essence

Winston, who is eligible to claim the tax credit?
First-time home buyers purchasing any kind of home—new or resale—are eligible for the tax credit. To qualify for the tax credit, a home purchase must occur on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. For the purposes of the tax credit, the purchase date is the date when closing occurs and the title to the property transfers to the home owner.
What is the definition of a first-time home buyer?
The law defines "first-time home buyer" as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase. For married taxpayers, the law tests the homeownership history of both the home buyer and his/her spouse.

For example, if you have not owned a home in the past three years but your spouse has owned a principal residence, neither you nor your spouse qualifies for the first-time home buyer tax credit. However, unmarried joint purchasers may allocate the credit amount to any buyer who qualifies as a first-time buyer, such as may occur if a parent jointly purchases a home with a son or daughter. Ownership of a vacation home or rental property not used as a principal residence does not disqualify a buyer as a first-time home buyer.
How is the amount of the tax credit determined?
The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
Are there any income limits for claiming the tax credit?
Yes. The income limit for single taxpayers is $75,000; the limit is $150,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return. The tax credit amount is reduced for buyers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of more than $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return. The phaseout range for the tax credit program is equal to $20,000. That is, the tax credit amount is reduced to zero for taxpayers with MAGI of more than $95,000 (single) or $170,000 (married) and is reduced proportionally for taxpayers with MAGIs between these amounts.
What is "modified adjusted gross income"?
Modified adjusted gross income or MAGI is defined by the IRS. To find it, a taxpayer must first determine "adjusted gross income" or AGI. AGI is total income for a year minus certain deductions (known as "adjustments" or "above-the-line deductions"), but before itemized deductions from Schedule A or personal exemptions are subtracted. On Forms 1040 and 1040A, AGI is the last number on page 1 and first number on page 2 of the form. For Form 1040-EZ, AGI appears on line 4 (as of 2007). Note that AGI includes all forms of income including wages, salaries, interest income, dividends and capital gains.

To determine modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), add to AGI certain amounts of foreign-earned income. See IRS Form 5405 for more details.
If my modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is above the limit, do I qualify for any tax credit?
Possibly. It depends on your income. Partial credits of less than $8,000 are available for some taxpayers whose MAGI exceeds the phaseout limits.
Can you give me an example of how the partial tax credit is determined?
Just as an example, assume that a married couple has a modified adjusted gross income of $160,000. The applicable phaseout to qualify for the tax credit is $150,000, and the couple is $10,000 over this amount. Dividing $10,000 by the phaseout range of $20,000 yields 0.5. When you subtract 0.5 from 1.0, the result is 0.5. To determine the amount of the partial first-time home buyer tax credit that is available to this couple, multiply $8,000 by 0.5. The result is $4,000.

Here’s another example: assume that an individual home buyer has a modified adjusted gross income of $88,000. The buyer’s income exceeds $75,000 by $13,000. Dividing $13,000 by the phaseout range of $20,000 yields 0.65. When you subtract 0.65 from 1.0, the result is 0.35. Multiplying $8,000 by 0.35 shows that the buyer is eligible for a partial tax credit of $2,800.

Please remember that these examples are intended to provide a general idea of how the tax credit might be applied in different circumstances. You should always consult your tax advisor for information relating to your specific circumstances.
How is this home buyer tax credit different from the tax credit that Congress enacted in July of 2008?
The most significant difference is that this tax credit does not have to be repaid. Because it had to be repaid, the previous "credit" was essentially an interest-free loan. This tax incentive is a true tax credit. However, home buyers must use the residence as a principal residence for at least three years or face recapture of the tax credit amount. Certain exceptions apply.
How do I claim the tax credit? Do I need to complete a form or application?
Participating in the tax credit program is easy. You claim the tax credit on your federal income tax return. Specifically, home buyers should complete IRS Form 5405 to determine their tax credit amount, and then claim this amount on Line 69 of their 1040 income tax return. No other applications or forms are required, and no pre-approval is necessary. However, you will want to be sure that you qualify for the credit under the income limits and first-time home buyer tests. Note that you cannot claim the credit on Form 5405 for an intended purchase for some future date; it must be a completed purchase.
What types of homes will qualify for the tax credit?
Any home that will be used as a principal residence will qualify for the credit. This includes single-family detached homes, attached homes like townhouses and condominiums, manufactured homes (also known as mobile homes) and houseboats. The definition of principal residence is identical to the one used to determine whether you may qualify for the $250,000 / $500,000 capital gain tax exclusion for principal residences.
I read that the tax credit is "refundable." What does that mean?
The fact that the credit is refundable means that the home buyer credit can be claimed even if the taxpayer has little or no federal income tax liability to offset. Typically this involves the government sending the taxpayer a check for a portion or even all of the amount of the refundable tax credit.

For example, if a qualified home buyer expected, notwithstanding the tax credit, federal income tax liability of $5,000 and had tax withholding of $4,000 for the year, then without the tax credit the taxpayer would owe the IRS $1,000 on April 15th. Suppose now that the taxpayer qualified for the $8,000 home buyer tax credit. As a result, the taxpayer would receive a check for $7,000 ($8,000 minus the $1,000 owed).
I purchased a home in early 2009 and have already filed to receive the $7,500 tax credit on my 2008 tax returns. How can I claim the new $8,000 tax credit instead?
Home buyers in this situation may file an amended 2008 tax return with a 1040X form. You should consult with a tax advisor to ensure you file this return properly.
Instead of buying a new home from a home builder, I hired a contractor to construct a home on a lot that I already own. Do I still qualify for the tax credit?
Yes. For the purposes of the home buyer tax credit, a principal residence that is constructed by the home owner is treated by the tax code as having been "purchased" on the date the owner first occupies the house. In this situation, the date of first occupancy must be on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

In contrast, for newly-constructed homes bought from a home builder, eligibility for the tax credit is determined by the settlement date.
Can I claim the tax credit if I finance the purchase of my home under a mortgage revenue bond (MRB) program?
Yes. The tax credit can be combined with the MRB home buyer program. Note that first-time home buyers who purchased a home in 2008 may not claim the tax credit if they are participating in an MRB program.
I live in the District of Columbia. Can I claim both the Washington, D.C. first-time home buyer credit and this new credit?
No. You can claim only one.
I am not a U.S. citizen. Can I claim the tax credit?
Maybe. Anyone who is not a nonresident alien (as defined by the IRS), who has not owned a principal residence in the previous three years and who meets the income limits test may claim the tax credit for a qualified home purchase. The IRS provides a definition of "nonresident alien" in IRS Publication 519.
Is a tax credit the same as a tax deduction?
No. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in what the taxpayer owes. That means that a taxpayer who owes $8,000 in income taxes and who receives an $8,000 tax credit would owe nothing to the IRS.

A tax deduction is subtracted from the amount of income that is taxed. Using the same example, assume the taxpayer is in the 15 percent tax bracket and owes $8,000 in income taxes. If the taxpayer receives an $8,000 deduction, the taxpayer’s tax liability would be reduced by $1,200 (15 percent of $8,000), or lowered from $8,000 to $6,800.
I bought a home in 2008. Do I qualify for this credit?
No, but if you purchased your first home between April 9, 2008 and January 1, 2009, you may qualify for a different tax credit. Please consult with your tax advisor for more information.
Is there any way for a home buyer to access the money allocable to the credit sooner than waiting to file their 2009 tax return?
Yes. Prospective home buyers who believe they qualify for the tax credit are permitted to reduce their income tax withholding. Reducing tax withholding (up to the amount of the credit) will enable the buyer to accumulate cash by raising his/her take home pay. This money can then be applied to the downpayment.

Buyers should adjust their withholding amount on their W-4 via their employer or through their quarterly estimated tax payment. IRS Publication 919 contains rules and guidelines for income tax withholding. Prospective home buyers should note that if income tax withholding is reduced and the tax credit qualified purchase does not occur, then the individual would be liable for repayment to the IRS of income tax and possible interest charges and penalties.

Further, rule changes made as part of the economic stimulus legislation allow home buyers to claim the tax credit and participate in a program financed by tax-exempt bonds. Some state housing finance agencies, such as the Missouri Housing Development Commission, have introduced programs that provide short-term credit acceleration loans that may be used to fund a downpayment. Prospective home buyers should inquire with their state housing finance agency to determine the availability of such a program in their community.
If I’m qualified for the tax credit and buy a home in 2009, can I apply the tax credit against my 2008 tax return?
Yes. The law allows taxpayers to choose ("elect") to treat qualified home purchases in 2009 as if the purchase occurred on December 31, 2008. This means that the 2008 income limit (MAGI) applies and the election accelerates when the credit can be claimed (tax filing for 2008 returns instead of for 2009 returns). A benefit of this election is that a home buyer in 2009 will know their 2008 MAGI with certainty, thereby helping the buyer know whether the income limit will reduce their credit amount.

Taxpayers buying a home who wish to claim it on their 2008 tax return, but who have already submitted their 2008 return to the IRS, may file an amended 2008 return claiming the tax credit. You should consult with a tax professional to determine how to arrange this.
For a home purchase in 2009, can I choose whether to treat the purchase as occurring in 2008 or 2009, depending on in which year my credit amount is the largest?
Yes. If the applicable income phaseout would reduce your home buyer tax credit amount in 2009 and a larger credit would be available using the 2008 MAGI amounts, then you can choose the year that yields the largest credit amount.

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About the Author:

Winston Westbrook runs a realty office in Victorville, California. He is a member in good standing with the National Association of Realtors and the California Association of Realtors. Member of the Victor Valley Board of Realtors and Inland Valley Board of Realtors. Serving the entire Victor Valley area

►► Did you see the spectacular City Lights View!?!

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:54:12 -0500

Winston Westbrook | Winston Westbrook, Broker | westbrooknational@gmail.com | 888-33-WNREC

., Walnut, CA

Spectacular Night View

4BR/4.5BA Single Family House

offered at $1,487,999

Year Built	1998
Sq Footage	4,086
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	4 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	4 Car garage
Lot Size	15,987 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

This wide open floor plan has it all, including breathtaking panoramic view of mountains, city lights, sunset, and sunrise. Marble tile entry. Extra-high ceilings. Living room w/marble fireplace. Formal dining room. Large kitchen w/ breakfast nook, granite counter-tops & over-sized island. Enjoy working at the custom built in desk off of kitchen/breakfast nook area facing a wide window which overlooks the pool/spa & koi pond w/waterfall. Extra large family room w/ brick fireplace & custom built in entertainment center w/ cabinets for storing DVD's, etc. Long laundry room w/wall-to-wall cabinets, deep sink & plenty of counter top space. Large powder room with granite counter-top. Three bedrooms upstairs, two w/ own bath, including open master bedroom w/ marble-tiled shower and Jacuzzi tub, dual sinks & over-sized walk-in closet. Fourth bedroom w/ bath downstairs. HUGE entertainment room. Custom window treatments throughout. Beautifully landscaped front & back yard. A truly turnkey home!
List Price Excludes:

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Fireplace	High/Vaulted ceiling
Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor	Family room
Living room	Bonus/Rec room	Office/Den
Dining room	Breakfast nook	Dishwasher
Stove/Oven	Microwave	Granite countertop
Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard
Swimming pool	Jacuzzi/Whirlpool

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Cascading Koi Pond

Spectacular Sunrise and Sunsets

Romantic City Lights View

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Front

Koi Pond and Pool

Contact info:

Winston Westbrook

Winston Westbrook, Broker

westbrooknational@gmail.com

888-33-WNREC

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: May 7, 2009, 12:56pm PDT

Which plants or trees do well in the High Desert???

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:03:29 -0500

When you move to the High Desert/Victor Valley area from down the hill some of the plants your accustomed to gardening will not do as well as you might think. Take for instance ferns. Ferns to not do too well out here due to the drop in temperature at night. During winter, the nights can get quite chilly and you might want to bring those ferns indoors or into your garage to avoid the cold damaging their leaves.

When we moved out to Victorville California we did not know what kind of plants or trees would do well and survive out here. In fact the day we moved out here nature decided it was going to snow. We got a good amount of snow that day. Sad thing was that many of our plants did not make it through the snow.

Couple of months later we ended up going to the Victorville swap meet located at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds and ended up meeting Tony. He owns a nursery out in Apple Valley called Siesta Tree Farm. On the weekends you can find him at the swap meet selling his plants at or below wholesale prices. He specializes in selling plants and trees for the high desert. He was a wellspring of information. He is an expert.

Tony sells plants, cactus and trees. We picked his brain about what fruit trees do well out here in the Victor Valley area and he said many do well like apple, peach, pomegranate.

We didn't buy anything that day but he gave us his flyer with information about his nursery out in Apple Valley. A couple of weeks went by then we decided one day to go take a visit.

His nursery sits on 5 acres of all the plants and trees that do good up here in the high desert. He took us on a educational tour of his nursery explaining the process of how he raises these palms, plants and trees. I really learned a lot from him. We ended up purchasing a bunch of italian cypress to make as a fence in our front yard.

If you are in need of some plants or trees give Tony a call at 760-220-0016 and tell him Winston sent you. He'll take great care of you

The following is just a sample of what he carries:

Mediterranean
Canary
Windmill
Pindo
Mexican Fan
Roses
Cedars
Cypress
Plum Trees
Apple Trees
Palms
Yuccas
Pines
Shade Trees

Winston Westbrook is a licensed California Real Estate Broker and Notary Public servicing the cities of Victorville, Adelanto, Hesperia, Apple Valley and the surrounding Victor Valley High Desert communities of Southern California in the County of San Bernardino.

Oh and by the way if you liked this post then do me a favor and click the little red flag right below so I can get featured one day. Thanks everyone

Mr.Gorbachev...Tear... Down... Those TAXES!

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:27:27 -0500

What choo talkin bout Willis?

Well, let me splain Lucy, lol. The title to my rant blog came to mind a couple days ago when I noticed how so many people were still paying monstrous amounts of property taxes.

I remembered about how Ronald Reagan stood up to Gorby and asked for the Berlin wall to be torn down. Who knows if the Berlin Wall would of been torn down if he would not have asked.

Brings me to my point at hand. There are too many things in life that don't get taken care of if no one stands up and says something about it. "Ask and you shall receive" goes the verse in the bible.

My friends ....PLEASE ASK FOR YOUR PROPERTY TAXES TO BE REDUCED!

During the peak of our last real estate cycle, here in California and the rest of the United States, property taxes were monstrously high for people just getting into a home or some type of transaction that triggered the re-assessment of property taxes. Counties across the nation were loving the increase to their tax roll. Do you think they want to give up those taxes that easily? Hells no they don't!

Unless you have been in a cave with Osama Bin Laden since 2001 you know that property values have plummeted across the nation. If you live in state that allows you to appeal your property taxes then by all means get up and do it.

I don't know about you but I hate paying taxes.

So Winston, how do I appeal my property taxes to have them reduced or re-assessed??

I found some great instructional videos showing you step by step on how to appeal your property taxes and get your property re-assessed. These videos were created by the California State Board of Equalization. Doesn't matter if you live in California or any of the other 49 states. You can still learn what you have to do to prepare yourself for that battle with the tax man.

CLICK HERE for the free and easy instructional videos from the state of California.

These videos walk you through the process of preparing and presenting your Assessment Appeal of your Property Tax Assessment at your county Board of Equalization or Assessment Appeals Board.

PAY LESS TAXES MY FRIENDS!!

FREE: Historical Aerial Photographs from the 1930's to the present

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:06:37 -0500

What if you had Google maps back in the 1930's??

You'd probably see nothing but crops of corn and farms everywhere depending on where you lived.

I came across this website that provides free online access to aerial photography from the 1930's all the way till the present from all over the United States. It's pretty neat to see how cities have progressed and grown over the years. I checked out Victorville Ca and it's practically night and day with how much the city has grown.

Search your area by either:

Address
Latitude and Longitude

Check it out when you have a chance. Might be neat to add it along with your next listing presentation.

http://www.historicaerials.com

High Speed Bullet Train to Las Vegas

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:52:26 -0500

I don't know about you but if you live in the Southern California area and you have taken a road trip to Las Vegas then you know about the I-15 freeway. This stretch of highway is one of the most ticketed stretches of highway in California. I can't even count the times I have been with friends on our way to Las Vegas when low and behold we see the red and blue lights behind us. Bad boys, Bad boys, starts to play in my head, lol. Yes it's the CHP pulling us over for speeding. I must admit I have had a few tickets on my way to Vegas since I turned 21. It's just that you want to get to Vegas already for crying out loud, lol. Same goes for the return trip home. I remember waking up one early Sunday morning to leave Vegas to return home and beat the south bound traffic leaving Vegas back to Southern California. My friends and I piled into the little rental and putted down the highway. The highway was as clear as the eye could see. You could see forever. We didn't see a single Nevada Highway Patrol car anywhere. We were booking it. Then right before we reach state line we noticed about 15 patrol cars pulling motorists over left and right. We were amazed. We thought we were home free then all of a sudden one went right after us. We asked why we were pulled over? The officer stated that their aircraft clocked us going an excessive speed. We were shocked. We had never heard of such a thing happening to anyone ever.

Traveling to Vegas from Southern California costs us:

Time (driving takes 4 hours) (flying takes about the same time due to high security)
Money (fuel/traffic citations)(taxes to widen the I-15)(airline costs rising)
Lives (falling asleep at the wheel/drunk drivers)

Which brings me to my blog title. We have needed an alternative to driving or flying to Vegas. We need a high speed railway connection between Southern California and Las Vegas. I heard time and time again that they were planning on constructing a high speed railway for the longest. When you allow government to supply what the people need you are going to wait and wait and wait.

If the government can't supply it then we have to look to the private sector to supply us what we need.

Allow me to introduce you to Desert Xpress. Click here for their website. Desert Xpress is a private company dedicated to bringing high speed train service from Victorville CA to Las Vegas NV without any taxpayers dollars being used. We know how well our government handles our money right, lol.

What does this new service mean to Victorville and the surrounding cities of Hesperia, Adelanto, Apple Valley and Barstow? It means:

More business
Higher property values
Jobs

DesertXpress's route will start in Victorville Ca and end in Las Vegas near a future extention of the Las Vegas monorail. Click here for a map of the proposed Victorville station. The ride will take 1 hour and 20 minutes compared to the 4 to 10 hours it takes right now due to traffic congestion or accidents.

If Desert Xpress ends up being a success they will connect it to cities in Los Angeles and Orange counties. It will have connections to existing Amtrak and Metrolink stations through out. They will also connect it to the new California High-Speed Rail system at a new station in Palmdale. Click here for information on the new California High-Speed Rail system.

I love riding trains especially Amtrak and Metrolink. I can't wait to board The Desert Xpress train to Vegas one day. These are some exciting projects. Hope to see ya there with me on the Vegas train

Hola

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 20:48:08 -0600

Hola Jesus. Como te va en la lluvia?

HELLO GROUP

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 20:24:59 -0600

Hello everyone. I just wanted to introduce myself to the group. I don't see too much activity in the group but hopefully we can change that around.

Hello Group!!

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:57:03 -0600

Just wanted to introduce myself to the group. I just joined Active Rain last month and have been playing in the rain ever since. Everyone seems to be a high spirited bunch. Love it

Wanna BUY a HOUSE?? What?

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:52:57 -0600

Ok people what are you waiting for???

You know you have been wanting to purchase your own home for a long long time. You need to get off that fence and just do it. This is a buyers market and market conditions have never been better for the first time home buyer in a long time. Don't let this opportunity pass you by.

Fire your LANDLORD and be like one!!

Right now we have:

Rock Bottom Home Prices - We haven't seen these prices since the early 90's
Super low interest rates in the 5% range
Low down payment opportunities

If you have all of the following you can buy your own home:

A decent, honest and stable job.
Down payment of at least 3.5%. For instance if you find a house for $150,000 all would need to come up with is $5,250 plus closing costs. In some instances the seller can pay your closing costs. Sell that dirt bike or baseball card collection. eBay the junk you have collecting in the garage. When you do move into your new house you don't want to haul that old junk over there so get to selling that junk and raise that down payment.
Decent credit. Yes you do not need perfect credit nowadays. You might be asking well what's decent and what's not? Call me up and we can go over your credit. I'll be happy to let you know.

This is all you need to purchase your first home. Pick up the phone or e-mail me and I will be happy to show you how easy it is to buy your new house.

I'll find you a LOAN then sell you the HOME

Winston Westbrook services the high desert victory valley area including Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley and surrounding communities.

Oh and by the way if you liked this post then do me a favor and click the little red flag right below so I can get featured some day. Thanks everyone!

How do I know if Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac has my loan????

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 13:58:31 -0600

This seems to be the question of the hour.

How do I find out if Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae has my loan??

To find out if either of these two giants have your loan you need to first call your lender or loan servicer (the one who sends you a mortgage statement every month) and ask them if one of the two have your loan. If they do not want to tell you because some might not or if you do not feel comfortable with the customer service reps answer then you can find out directly from Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae by clicking the direct links below or calling the toll free numbers:

Does Freddie Mac have my mortgage online request form
1-800-FREDDIE (8am to 8pm EST)

Does Fannie Mae have my mortgage online request form
1-800-7FANNIE (8am to 8pm EST)

Once you know who has your loan you can then see if you qualify for the new refinance program that begins today for homeowners throughout America that are current with their mortgage payments but have not been able to qualify for a refinance due to the loss of value in their home.

Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

FREE: How to get $5,000 from the U.S. government and never pay it back

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 13:36:20 -0600

Well if you haven't already heard, the government just released the Homeowner Affordability and Stability plan this past Wednesday. This plan gives the banks and financial institutions that hold your mortgage some incentives to help you refinance or modify your mortgage loan whether you are behind or current on your mortgage payments and even if you do not have sufficient equity required for a refinance. The government is going to pay the banks money for each successful loan mod or refinance. Once you have been granted a loan modification or refinance, as an incentive for you to keep making your mortgage payments on time the federal government will pay down your principal loan balance up to $1,000 a year for up to a five year period. The $5,000 will be applied towards reducing your principal after the 5 year period if you have continued to make your payments on time. It's FREE money from the government.

Don't miss out on this window of opportunity. Program begins March 4th 2009. Get your loan modified or refinanced soon!

To get started:

Contact me for more information.
Let's find out what your options are for your situation.
Let's get to work and help you get a good night sleep.

Good luck in all you do!

Oh and by the way if you liked this post then do me a favor and click the little red flag right below so I can get featured some day. Thanks everyone!

Do I have to miss payments to qualify for a Loan Modification??

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:52:18 -0600

I have been asked this question for the last year and an half time and time again. My answer is I would never advise someone to intentionally miss payments in order to look like they are in trouble so they can qualify for a Loan Modification.

Last year I ran into brokers here in Southern California that would advise their Loan Modification clients to miss payments in order to look like they were in dire straits. I believe that is pure fraud on their part and they are dragging down good and decent people. There are ways of getting things done the right way so you can sleep at night.

I recently spoke with a manager at Wells Fargo that handles the final say on loan modifications and she said they would rather work with someone that has not fallen behind on their mortgage payments. They would rather help the homeowner before they ruin their credit or a problem gets from bad to worse. They want to nip it in the bud.

Well now it's a bit easier for the responsible homeowner that has kept his or her payments up but wont be able to in the near future. The Obama administration just released the Home Owner Affordability and Stability Plan this past Wednesday. In it they give incentives to the banks and financial institutions for working with home owners that have not been delinquent with their mortgage payments yet are in danger of falling behind if they do not get help soon.

If you are in need of some help or just want to talk about your situation to get some answers. Feel free to contact me. I will let you know what your options are.

Oh and by the way if you liked this post then do me a favor and click the little red flag right below so I can get featured some day. Thanks everyone!

FREE: How to find the cheapest GAS station

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:16:37 -0600

Back when I was in Jr high I remember gasoline being around 70 cents or so. I know I know, I just dated my self there, lol. Well my grandma would toss a Lincoln at me and tell me to fill up the tank. Those days are over. With gas reaching around 5 dollars a gallon last summer here in southern California who knows what this coming summer will bring.

Gas prices right now seem to be decent but I remember a time when everyone was going crazy cause gas prices were going to hit a dollar a gallon. People were in an uproar. They threatened boycotts and such but that never seems to come to fruition. Then they went crazy when gas was going to hit 2 dollars. I believe when the oil companies want to bring gas prices up, they take then so high that when they bring them down you think it's a bargain but wait you were just complaining about that bargain 6 months ago. It's all psychological. Sales tactics on the masses.

Ok well enough of the rant. If you want to find the cheapest gas prices in your local area just go to GasBuddy.com. I stumbled upon this website some time ago and thought I would share it with the Active Rain community. I know that driving around and showing clients houses for sale can use up some gas in that Hummer of yours. The least I can do is show you where to find the lowest price gas, lol. Either that or just go totally green by showing houses on bicycles. Hey that might not be a bad idea, lol.

Gasbuddy.com is:

It's 100% Free
No sign ups or email address required
Find gas in your local area around the United States including Hawaii, Alaska and Canada
Used by many major news agencies to report on low gas prices in their area
Get prices for regular, mid, premium or diesel
Works in the city you live in.

I found some cheap gas up here in Victorville CA. This cheap Gas finder is awesome. Get that low priced gas people!!!

Oh and by the way if you liked this post then do me a favor and click the little red flag right below so I can get featured some day. Thanks everyone!

How do I know if my house is being foreclosed if I'm a tenant?

Westbrook National Real Estate Co — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 02:33:45 -0600

Hello everyone!

I get a lot of calls from friends that are renting wondering if there is anyway they could find out if their home is in the process of a foreclosure. Well luckily they have a friend in the real estate business with access to notice of defaults and such but what if you didn't have a friend in the real estate business. I came across this website sometime ago and thought I would share it with you all. It's a free website that allows you to find out if the house you are currently renting is in the process of getting foreclosed. Not only for properties in Victorville Ca but all over the United States.

It's unfortunate when a landlord doesn't inform the tenants of a problem and keeps collecting rent while not sending in the mortgage payments.

The website is called RentalForeclosure.com.

Oh and by the way if you liked this post then do me a favor and click the little red flag right below so I can get featured some day. Thanks everyone!