All Possibilities Throughout San Diego

How to Remove a Popcorn Textured Ceiling

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:44:45 -0800

Karen Bernetti has written a fantastic article here. Popcorn ceilings really are a thing of the past. Many buyers see them as a deterrent. When we purchased our home many years ago, removing the popcorn ceiling was one of the first things on our "MUST DO IMMEDIATELY" list. We did have to shop around due to our ceilings potentially having asbestos. Many companies will not take on this task if asbestos is questionable. We found a great company, it was a little inconvenient, but worth every penny!

Via Karen Bernetti (North Star Real Estate):

In a recent post, What to Do With a Popcorn Textured Ceiling I took a survey on ....how buyers and real estate professionals really feel about the dreaded popcorn-texutred ceiling? I received a lot of thoughtful comments and have concluded that while most people DESPISE this particular feature, it's not necessarily a deal breaker (that is, according to those who responded).

Personally, I haven't had any success convincing a seller to remove a popcorn ceiling - usually there are more pressing concerns. (Of couse ANY ceiling that is peeling, dirty, stained, etc. definitely should be addressed.) That said, SMART home sellers realize they need to go above and beyond to get their home sold in today's challenging real estate market.

If they have features in their home that they know buyers will hate, they realize that doing something about it will help them acheive their goal.

photo courtesy of Rynosoft

My friend Lanre"The Real Estate Farmer" Folayan has a brother who is selling his home and wants to know how to go about removing his popcorn-textured ceilings. Lanre the good news is: this project is NOT difficult or expensive. The bad news is: it IS very messy and can be somewhat timeconsuming.

Lanre here's what you need to do....

First of all some blown-on acoustic “popcorn” ceilings applied before 1980 could contain asbestos (the use of asbestos was banned in 1978). To find out if your ceiling contains asbestos, send a sample to a certified testing lab of the Environmental Protection Agency. Be sure to wait for the results before beginning any ceiling removal project!   If asbestos is found, you’ll need to hire a certified asbestos removal contractor.

Once you have determined that it is safe to remove the textured ceiling, move all furniture out of the room.

Remove any light fixtures from the ceiling - turn off electricity first!

Cover walls and floor with drop cloths.

Use a spray bottle or garden sprayer to wet down the ceiling with water. Give it time to soak up.   Use enough water to thoroughly wet the ceiling, but not so much that the wallboard underneath becomes damaged.

Using a plastic scraper or a joint knife GENTLY scrape the ceiling (much of it should fall off easily on its own). Be careful not to gouge the ceiling when you scrape. Spray stubborn areas with more water.

Apply a thin layer of joint compound to areas that you damaged. Let dry. Apply as many thin coats as needed.

Sand with a sanding pad and pole. Sand until smooth, then paint.

Call a professional if you find yourself getting into trouble with this project.

Stay tuned .... tomorrow I will share tips for painting a popcorn ceiling - I learned the hard way how NOT to do it and I want to make sure you don't make the same mistake I made!



Karen Bernetti is a Real Estate Stager, Author, Speaker, and the Co-Creator of Ready2Sellin30Days® an innovative, interactive, multi-media educational system designed to teach do-it-yourself homeowners EVERYTHING they need to know about preparing a home for sale during tough economic times! Visit www.Ready2Sellin30Days.com to learn more.

Stay up to date on all the latest real estate staging and home decor trends with The Home Sale Success with Karen & Ann Blog! Sign up here to receive The Home Sale Success with Karen & Ann Newsletter!
Karen Bernetti is also the "Resident Stager" and Realtor® at North Star Real Estate, in Southington Connecticut, where every listing comes with a complimentary Home Staging consultation. Call 860-302-0333 for more information.

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

San Diego Home Inspections — CAUTION: Don't turn things on if you don't know why they've been turned off!

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 20:11:41 -0800

Russel Ray provides some great advice here. I can only imagine what may have happened had we not been present when the electricity had been turned on. This was at a townhome in Santee, attached to many others, and in the middle of the day. A fire would have been a really bad thing.

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

CAUTION:
Don't turn things on
if you don't know why they've been turned off!!

I was out at an inspection with Stephanie Reynolds today that had been postponed from December 30 because the utilities were not on.

After San Diego Gas & Electric turned the electricity back on, they left a note saying that they had left the main circuit breaker off because no one was home. There's a reason why they do that.

We home inspectors don't turn anything on if it's been turned off because we don't know why they've been turned off! It could be something simple, such as the house being shut down to save on utility bills while the home is on the market. It could be something more significant, such as a a major water leak, a gas leak, or a short circuit that they didn't have time to repair, so they just shut things off.

Today was a great example. I made the assumption that all the utilities were turned off because the house was vacant and probably foreclosed. However, shortly after I turned the main circuit breaker on, the cooling system started up, and shortly after that we heard a loud pop and the cooling system abruptly stopped.

Something in the cooling condenser shorted out and the condenser started smoking, and the smell was absolutely nothing like mom's apple pie. After I turned the circuit breaker off for the cooling condenser, we completed the inspection.

I have more stories for you, too, so if you don't know why things have been turned off, and you won't be able to stick around the property for a couple of hours to make sure that there is no gas leak, water leak, or short chircuit, don't turn things on! Have the owner of the property or his representative take the liability for that. It might cause a short delay, but that's better than the alternative: gas explosion, flooded home, or burned down home.

♪♫♫♪♫♫♪

Try Russel Ray Photos
for inexpensive, royalty-free photos.

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Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

"What do you mean I'm approved but the condo isn't?"

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 11:29:55 -0800

It is so important when showing condo buyers property the agent also understand the importance of the HOA standing. By doing the proper research prior to showing these properties you, as an agent, can avoid heartache. Especially when it comes to a buyer using FHA financing. Here is an easy way to check to see if that condo is FHA approved!

Via Kevin Kelly (Amerifirst Financial Inc.):

Ahhh, the joys of condo financing today. Now ideally, the situation would never get to the point where the client is asking this question. Because if I know upfront that they are condo shopping then there is an entire conversation that must be had to avoid or minimize frustration down the road.

Most of that conversation centers around making sure the client understands that while they are borrowing money to purchase a specific unit, the value of that unit can be largely affected by the condo building as a whole. Which may be a new concept to someone going from a single family residence to a condo for the first time. So with the complex in its entirety coming into consideration, we introduce the Condo Certification required by investors to be able to fund a loan on a condo purchase.

A Condo Certification is a one to two page form we would generate and have the Homeowners Association Management Co. fill out. There are typically about 25 questions/items that we are looking for information on, but here is a quick rundown of the more important items that could very well eliminate your ability to secure financing for that unit:

Occupancy Rate - this is provided so that we know what percentage of the complex is occupied by the actual owners. Not investors who have their units rented out. Typically we would need to see an occupancy rate of 51% or more, meaning at least 51% of the complex is occupied by the owners.

HOA Delinquency Rate- this is again is a percentage provided so that we know what percentage of the overall owners are delinquent on their HOA dues. Anything over 15% delinquency will be a huge red flag. And again, it is important to point out why this is needed is because of the concern for the overall well being of the building affecting the value of your unit. If HOA dues are not getting paid, the question would be asked, "How then can they fund the maintenance and care of the building?"

Litigation- this is a yes or no question to whether or not the HOA is currently in litigation. A yes answer to this would be a deal killer.

Going through a thorough pre-approval and loan application process and then having the conversation upfront about condo financing and the condo certification will almost always make the process go easier. That way, when my client does find a condo they wish to purchase the expectations have been set right and we can get started on the condo cert right away. Thus avoiding wasted days for all parties moving forward on a purchase that will never happen.

It is also important to point out that almost every HOA charges a fee to fill out the condo certification form. It will vary from HOA to HOA. But ideally a little extra money upfront now will save a huge loss and frustration later. At the end of the day, it is really all about communication and setting proper expectations. Once that has been completed, the client knows that despite how strong of a borrower they might be, to reserve a bit of excitement a possible condo until the certification is back and we have the green light!

All the best!

Kevin Kelly
Licensed Mortgage Professional
15111 N. Pima Road #110
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
Office: 480-289-7632
Direct: 602-910-0022
E-fax: 480-289-7682
kkelly@amerifirst.us
www.kevin.kelly.amerifirst.us

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Carbon Monoxide the Silent Killer

Sun, 26 Dec 2010 22:07:56 -0800

As we continue to have cold evenings and the heater constantly running, this is a great reminder of how important it is to make sure you and your family are safe from Carbon Monoxide.

Via Jay Swindle (State Farm):

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas and is toxic to both pets and humans. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. Low levels of Carbon Monoxide will cause symptoms that mimic the flu. Usually you will experience headaches, confusion, dizziness, nausea and fatigue. . According to the Center for Disease Control carbon monoxide is the most common cause of poisoning death in the United States. Unintentional CO exposure accounts for an estimated 15,000 emergency department visits and 500 unintentional deaths in the United States each year.

Sources of Carbon Monoxide

Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters

Chimney flues and Fireplaces

Defective furnaces

Oil or Kerosene heaters

back-drafting from furnaces

gas water heaters

Wood stoves

gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered equipment;

automobile exhaust from attached garages

What to do if you suspect you have carbon monoxide poisoning.

Get Fresh Air (open the windows or doors or go outside immediately)

Go to the hospital and tell them that you may have carbon monoxide poisoning

Do not try to stay in your home for a long amount of time without getting fresh air first. At higher levels carbon monoxide can lead to a loss of consciousness, reduce brain function or you map lapse into a coma and even death.

How to prevent carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Install a battery-operated Carbon Monoxide detector and make sure you change your batteries at least twice a year. You should also change your smoke detector batteries. Usually the best time to do this is when you change your clocks for daylight savings time.

Make sure you maintain a detector on each level of your house.

Have your furnace and gas appliances checked at least once a year. Follow your furnace guidelines and replace the filter at least every 3 months. Check your vents and ducts for signs of defects.

If you regularly use your fireplace have it cleaned out annually and when you use you use your fireplace make sure that you keep the flue open.

Don't leave your car running inside a garage, but If you do make sure that you have the door raised so the exhaust fumes will be vented outside.

Don't use a charcoal grill or a fire pit indoors.

Remember carbon monoxide poisoning resembles the flu if more than one person is exhibiting the same symptoms get to fresh air. Also if you have a pet and they are exhibiting the same symptoms and seem lethargic that is also an indicator that you may have carbon monoxide poisoning because pets can't get the flu virus. For more safety information go to Michigan Insurance.

And Finally, if you want to know more about Michigan Insurance you should visit <a href="http://e-michiganinsurance.com">Michigan Insurance</a> or to get a quote from <a href="http://online2.statefarm.com/b2c/sf/agent/22/7101">Michigan Insurance Agent</a>. If you want to know about starting your own blog go to <a href="http://internetnichemarketing.net">Starting a internet niche blog</a>. Find us on Facebook at <a href="http://facebook.com/statefarmagentjay">Like us on Facebook</a>

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

A Wonderful Christmas Time!

Sat, 18 Dec 2010 13:31:18 -0800

A Wonderful Christmas Time!

I have been absent as of late from all of my friends here at AR and I am really having withdrawals! I have been so busy lately with all of the closings I am trying to get done by the end of the year, the new referrals and top it off with all of the holiday preparations!

I hope everyone is wonderful and enjoying the joy the holiday season brings! I want to share with you my very favorite Christmas song ever. There are so many great classics of the season, but this one always makes me crank up the stereo and sing! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Buyer Tips: Must-Haves, Wants and Don’t-Really-Needs

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:19:00 -0800

Buying a home is an exciting time in any persons life! There are some great properties out there to chose from! Before you start your search, take the opportunity to read this great advice from Debe Maxwell on determining what is really important in finding your new home!

Via Debe Maxwell - Search Charlotte Homes for Sale - Charlotte NC Neighborhoods (Helen Adams Realty):

Buyer Tips: Must-Haves, Wants and Don’t-Really-Needs

Homebuyers, have you determined what you REALLY need in a new home?
Searching for the right home takes time and lots of patience. Before you head out to tour Charlotte homes on the market, you are wise to know exactly what you want in your new home.

Create a list of the features you want in your new home, so you make the most of your time by looking only at Charlotte homes that meet your criteria. Here is a quick guide to help you create a checklist:

Must-Haves:  These are deal breakers; features that you cannot live without. Do you need a certain number of bedrooms? Do you work from home and need a home office, or possibly even an outside entrance to your home office? Perhaps you have small children or large dogs and need a fenced yard. Decide now what you must have in your new home and put it on your must-have list.

Wants:  Features you would “like to have” are those you want but, are willing to sacrifice if the home is otherwise perfect. Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of having your own swimming pool or cathedral ceilings or an oversized garage. Include on this list whatever you would like to have in your new home, as long as it doesn’t take away something from the “must have” list or push you over your price range for your new Charlotte home.

Don’t Really Need:  Some features are simply not as important as others. Knowing what you don’t really care about can help you stay focused on what really does matter to you. Additions to this list home features may include a whirlpool tub--especially if no one in your home ever takes a bath. Perhaps you don’t really want to take care of an oversized yard, so lot size many not really even be important to you.

Once you’ve compiled your checklist, share it with your real estate agent. You’ll be pleased at how this speeds up your home buying process, reduces time and frustration and gets you in a home that you’ll love living in for yours to come.

Let me help you find your dream home. Call me today or email me for more information and to help you get started with your list.

Homes for Sale in Charlotte NC on Facebook

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Disclosure of material contained within.

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:47:39 -0800

Happy Thanksgiving!

As the day winds down, our bellies "stuffed", I reflect on all of the things I am so thankful for. I first and foremost am so thankful for being a part of a wonderful family. My husband who is the love of my life, my parents I am so blessed to have, my brother who is so fun to pick on, my fun loving children I am so lucky to have joined my family and the precious grand baby who makes me laugh until I cry.

Today was a wonderful day, full of good food, good wine and a beautiful Southern California Turkey Day! I am thankful for the homes that we live and celebrate in and the ability to live and work in a free country. Thankful for so many things!

I am also thankful to be part of such a fantastic community like Active Rain. So many people here to share our daily experiences, knowledge and friendship. Thank you to each and every one of you that I communicate with on a daily basis (although I have missed you all for about a week!)

Thank you for bringing a smile to my face, so much experience to learn from and the support and inspiration to blog again tomorrow. I hope each and every one of you have had a wonderful day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

The ABC's of being Successful on Active Rain

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:32:25 -0800

See, we really can blog about anything! And you thought you knew your ABC's! Cindy "In Indy" has taken us to a whole new level! You are never to old to re-learn your ABC's!

Via Cindy "in Indy" Marchant- Fishers and Carmel Real Estate (Keller Williams Indy NE 317-290-7775 www.marchantteam.com):

Here are 26 ways to guarantee success on Active Rain

A-Acknowledge as many comments as you can

B-Be authentic

C-Care about what others write

D-Don’t forget to sign on

E-Enjoy the relationships you will form

F-Follow (i.e. Subscribe) to Blogs

G-Get involved in Groups

H-Have fun

I-Invite others to join AR

J-Jump in, the water is fine

K-Keep up with your favorites

L-Leave comments (more than 10 is good!)

M-Make writing local content a priority

N-No one is a diva here; ask anyone anything

O-Organize your Associations by State

P-Play fair

Q-Quibbling will not be tolerated

R-Reblog the good stuff

S-Spam reporting is worth 10 points

T-Thank people who give you great help

U-Utilize the expertise here

V-Visit as many featured posts as you can; great stuff there

W-Write creative consistent content

X-“x” the reblog box so we can reblog your posts!

Y-Your Profile, make sure you have a good one

Z-Zippity do da...let's do it again!

It has been my experience that if you do these things, you will find success, friendship and a whole bunch of knowledge to make both your career and you the best you can be.

Search homes for sale in Fishers by Neighborhood

Other Northside Blogs (Carmel, Noblesville, and Geist)

Cindy "in Indy" Marchant - Fishers Real Estate Agent
Keller Williams Realty Indy Metro NE
Fishers IN Real Estate Website
317-290-7775

cindymarchant@comcast.net

***********************************************************************************

Let's Connect!

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Toastmasters ~ Speak Up!

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:56:19 -0800

Toastmasters ~ Speak Up!

Hello Friends of Glen Abbey Toastmasters,

We have another exciting Toastmasters meeting this Wednesday! This week's topic is "Things That Are Cold" and we have two speakers, Laura Muralles and Ed Gain! Laura will be taking the plunge and giving her first Ice Breaker speech! Ed will of course, be giving one of his amazing speeches from the advanced manual, as our Club Mentor.

Come out, have a good time, laugh a little, learn a little, and maybe speak a little (if you want)! How can we help you achieve your goals? Come to Toastmasters and find out! Guests and new members are always welcome at Glen Abbey Toastmasters.

Come and see how you can grow and become a better speaker, listener, and thinker.Meeting Time: 6:30-8:00pm

Date: 11/17/10 Wednesday

Location: Glen Abbey Memorial Park

3838 Bonita Road (west entrance)

Bonita, CA 91902

*A SHORT DRIVE FROM ANYWHERE* Stop by and see how much fun we're having!

View Larger Map

Toastmasters Mission:
Toastmasters International is the leading movement devoted to making effective oral communication a worldwide reality. Through its member clubs, Toastmasters International helps men and women learn the arts of speaking, listening, and thinking - vital skills that promote self-actualization, enhance leadership potential, foster human understanding, and contribute to the betterment of mankind.

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Email ~ Friend or Foe?

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:53:07 -0800

Email ~ Friend or Foe?

Sometimes I wonder what we ever did before technology. Can you even remember not having a cell phone attached to your ear or actually writing a LETTER to someone in another state? Today we have the luxury of instant gratification. In fact, it seems like today's society demands it!

Email is one of those tools that I can not imagine not having available. So much I do on a daily basis relies on this form of communication. From the day to day questions needing answers to accepting and writing offers, email is the vehicle that drives the majority of my transactions. I get my termite reports this way, my home inspections, home warranties, escrow instructions.....you get the picture.

But does your email control your life? I was having a discussion with a colleague last week who felt like she was totally disorganized and was unable to accomplish one task in a reasonable time. The further we got into the discussion, we drilled it down to her email. She is obsessed. As each new message comes in, she feels like she must stop what she is doing, read the email and often times is compelled to answer it immediately. As she works on that response, more will come in, the more she responds and an hour later she will go back to the original task and forget where she was.

I think there are many people who operate this way. There have been many studies proving this point. A study done by Hewlett-Packard showed that IQ scores of people in this "email apnea" state of constant distraction drop from their normal IQ level by 10 points. This is TWICE the drop in IQ level from those who smoke marijuana! Are you kidding me? A Microsoft study showed that it took the average worker 24 minutes to return to the original task at hand once their attention had been diverted by email.

I have learned over the years to control myself from the email distraction. I do remember a time where I too had this email disorder. It took me a while to recognize that my email was keeping me from being as productive as I one was. Fortunately, I was able to recognize it before it got out of control. I don't check my email in the bathroom as I know some do. I do not check my email in bed, at dinner, in the movie theater or when I am with my family. There are times when I must be aware, but not obsessed.

Do you find yourself being controlled by your inbox? What is your procedure in tackling this daily distraction? Email ~ Is it really your friend or has it become your foe?

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

15 Facebook Fiascos to Watch Out For

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:26:29 -0800

This is a great list of things to be aware of when participating in Social Networking. You are never sure who is watching you at any given time. We would like to believe everyone has good intentions, but it just isn't so. Be aware!

Via Robert Siciliano (Identity Theft Speaker):

The following 15 activities, all of which are facilitated by Facebook and other social networking websites, are causing lots of heartache and headaches:

1. Posting illegal activities. In the little town where I grew up, 30 kids recently faced the wrath of their parents, school officials, law enforcement, and the Boston media, all because someone posted their party pictures, which depicted underage drinking, on Facebook. It’s never okay to show illegal behavior.

2. Account hijacking. Phishers imitate the Facebook email template, tricking victims into believing they have received an official Facebook message. Once you enter your login credentials, criminals can take over your account, pose as you, and ask your friend for money. Always log into your Facebook account manually, rather than going through a link in an email.

3. Facebook bullying. It is so much easier to write something awful about someone than it is to say it to them personally. Words hurt. Vicious words have led to kids committing suicide. Friend your kids and see what their online dialogue looks like.

4. Online reputation management (or lack thereof). I’ve seen teachers, professors, students, officials, police, and others from just about every walk of life get fired because of words or pictures they posted on Facebook. Remember, if what you post wouldn’t pass the potential employer test, don’t do it.

5. Social media identity theft. When someone snags your name, posts a photo as you, and begins to communicate while impersonating you, the effects can be devastating. Grab your name on as many sites as possible, including Facebook. Knowem.com can help speed up this process.

6. Financial identity theft. Bad guys use Facebook to crack your passwords. Most online accounts use “qualifying questions” to verify your identity. These questions tend to involve personal information, such as your kids’, other relatives’, or pets’ names or birthdays. When the bad guys find this information on your Facebook page, they can reset your passwords and steal your identity. So limit what you post, and lock down your privacy settings.

7. Burglaries. Criminals have been known to check Facebook statuses to determine if potential victims are home or not. Publicly declaring that you’re not home creates an opportune time for burglars to ransack your house. Never post this information on Facebook.

8. Geo-stalking. Location-based GPS technologies incorporated into social media are perfect tools for stalkers to hone in on their target. Please just turn these settings off.

9. Corporate spying. By posing as an employee, setting up a Facebook group, and inviting all the company’s employees to join, the bad guy gathers intelligence that enables him to commit espionage from within the organization.

10. Harassment. This goes beyond bullying. In one example, a woman was on a camping trip and unreachable by phone when her Facebook account was taken over. The “harasser” wrote all kinds of desperate status updates posing as the woman, leading concerned friends and law enforcement to her house, where they broke down her door.

11. Government spying. Who is that new friend? The AP reports, “U.S. law enforcement agents are following the rest of the Internet world into popular social-networking services, going undercover with false online profiles to communicate with suspects.” Just don’t be a “suspect.”

12. Sex offenders. Facebook is perfect for sex offenders, who pose as real nice people until they gain their victims’ trust. Always be on guard, and do background checks, at least.

13. Scams. It’s just a matter of setting up a fake Facebook page and marketing it to a few people, who then send it to their friends, who send it to their friends. An Ikea scam hooked 40,000 unsuspecting victims with the promise of a $1,000 gift card. Like mom said, if it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably not true.

14. Legal liabilities. In New York, a judge recently ruled that material posted on Facebook and other social networking websites can be used as evidence in court, regardless of whether the posts were hidden by privacy settings.

15. Zero privacy. If you think for one second that what you post on Facebook is for you and your friends’ eyes only, you simply don’t understand how the Internet works. Many sites are capable of pulling data from the bowels of Facebook, despite any privacy settings you may have in place. And that data can be stored forever, which means that it can come back to bite you long after you’ve forgotten you ever posted it.

Robert Siciliano, personal security expert contributor to Just Ask Gemalto, discusses hackers on social media on CNN. Disclosures

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

America Recycles Day! November 15, 2010

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:06:38 -0800

America Recycles Day! November 15, 2010

Today is America Recycles Day. Join millions nationwide and recycle! New to recycling? It is never too late to start and today is a great day to do it!

What can you do to get started? Great question! How about these easy ideas:

Know your plastic ~ Are you aware of the bottles and plastic packaging that can be recycled? There are probably more than you know! Look for the recycle symbol on anything from soda to shampoo bottles.
The Paper ~ Don't limit it to the Sunday edition. One of the most recycled products are paper and cardboard. Recycle your phone book, junk mail, magazines and corrugated cardboard
Watch that TV ~ Don't send the antiquated old box to the landfill. The TV along with computers, printers, monitors and other electronics can be recycled for reuse or e-cycle.
It's In the Can~ many of the metals used today in soda cans or food cans can be recycled. This is one of the best forms of recycling, as they can be recycled infinitely with no loss of quality.
No Kidding ~ Teach your kids the importance of recycling. Set a good example for your children so they can learn how they can preserve the earth for years to come!

America Recycles Day is sponsored by Keep America Beautiful, which is the nations largest volunteer based educational organization dedicated to encourage America to improve our community environments. "Recycling is the easiest thing that any individual can do to reduce his or her carbon footprint, save energy and protect natural resources," said Matthew M. McKenna, president & CEO of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. "While we celebrate the power of recycling on this special day, it's something we should all make a conscious effort to do every day of the year."

Waste Management in East County San Diego will be open to all of East County residents to drop off items like fluorescent light tubes, household batteries, e-waste, as well as all glass, plastic and aluminum. In addition to these recycling services, Waste Management will also be offering a shredding service for confidential paperwork. These recycling services will be available from 1 p,m. to 6 p.m. at theWaste Management Transfer and Processing Station located at 925 O'Conner Street (1001 West Bradley) in El Cajon.

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Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Speechless Sunday ~ The Countdown Is On!

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 11:51:35 -0800

Speechless Sunday ~ The Countdown Is On!

Going through my pictures last week, I ran across this picture of my turkey from a couple of years ago. I love Thanksgiving and I love the smell of the turkey as he slowly roasts to a golden brown. This year my mom will be making the Turkey, and holding her first Thanksgiving in her new home! But I think I may cook one for us, just for the leftovers! 11 days! The Countdown Is On!

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Did you know? — Space heater safety

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 11:11:38 -0800

East County San Diego has begun to get a little chilly as we move closer into the holiday season. Although our days may be 80, our nights have begun to creep into the 40's! BRRRR! Even with the down comforter, waking up to the crisp morning IN THE BEDROOM is not fun!

Last night we had to get out the space heater. Since it is just my husband and myself in the house, no sense in warming the whole place; we just need to keep ourselves toasty! I remembered Jim Frimmer had put out a great reminder of how to be safe when getting that space heater out for the first time. I was guilty of many of these things and decided I had better be a little more cautious when attempting to stay warm!

Via Jim Frimmer, Realtor and CDPE, Mission Valley, CA DRE #01458572 (Century 21 Award):

Space heater safety

Because of the weather in San Diego, many of us don't use our central heating systems very often, and when we do get cold, we'll often jump into a warm bed or close a door and plug in the space heater for whatever room we happen to be in. We find it less expensive to heat one room than to heat the whole house, especially since we spend most of our time in our home office.

Although space heaters are an easy way to heat a room, anything that gets hot can be dangerous, and over 25,000 fires and 300 deaths EACH YEAR(!) are caused by space heaters.

Here are some tips to help you use space heaters safely:

Buy the best you can afford. They typically will have better safety features, such as automatic turnoff if the heater gets too hot or is accidentally turned over.

Look for the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) label. These products have to meet more stringent production and safety standards in order to earn that label.

Read the manufacturer's user guide. This task might fall to the women in the household since guys just don't like to reading user guides.

Space heaters should be placed on the floor, not on tables, night stands, television stands, desks, etc.

Never plug your space heater into an extension cord or power strip. If you've ever done this, and I have, you'll notice that both the power cord for the space heater and the extension cord or power strip get excessively hot and can cause a fire.

Don't cover the power cord with blankets, rugs, or other combustible materials. Place the cord out of the way of traffic, preferably near a wall, but also keep it away from curtains, furniture, and bedding.

If you have cats, dogs, snakes, rabbits, iguanas, or any other pets that like to chew on things, examine the power cord before plugging it in or turning the space heater on.

Turn it off and unplug it! Never leave a space heater on and unattended, and never go to sleep with it on.

If you have a liquid-fueled space heater, use only the recommended fuel. If you have to fill the fuel reservoir, turn the heater off and let it cool before doing so.

Be sure that you have working carbon monoxide detectors in your home, especially if you use a fireplace, gas central heating, liquid-fueled space heaters, or anything else that uses gas or has an open flame.

♪♫♫♫♪

If you're looking for a great real estate agent in San Diego, well,
let me Google one for you.
I'm available 24/7, so feel free to contact me by phone or email.

Jim Frimmer, Realtor
Century 21 Award Mission Valley
California DRE License #01458572
619-729-5701
jimfrimmer@century21award.com
Mission Valley Condos Information

♪♫♫♫♪

Try Russel Ray Photos for inexpensive, royalty-free photos.

♪♫♫♫♪

Recent blog posts:

Calling all cats. Calling all cats. — Please put a picture of your cats in this post. We're trying to get as many cat pictures as possible by the end of 2010.

Mission Valley condos in San Diego — Mission Plaza

Did you know? — Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) celebrates its 25th anniversary

Opinion — Am I really a Certified Distressed Property Expert?

Out & About San Diego — Del Mar Mud Run

Did you know? — Check your contractors' licenses if you're having work done at your home

Did you know? — Why children don't trick or treat anymore

Did you know? — Don't let the spooks spook your pets

Did you know? — The Genesis banana

Out & About San Diego — "Heaven & Hell" at the Del Mar Fairgrounds

Wordless Wednesday (with a few words) — Vegas Bob's relatives have come to visit!

Out & About San Diego — Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld San Diego

Out & About San Diego — Halloween and the Creepy Crawly Festival at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Every day is a time for reflection

Did you know? — San Diego's Lindbergh Field ranked fifth best airport

Opinion — Are real estate agents and mortgage lenders adding to the problem by "creating transactions"?

Speechless Sunday (with a little bit of text)

Out & About San Diego — Goblins and ghosts to invade Oceanside!

Real estate news — San Diego County median home price for September 2010

Real estate news — San Diego County home sales for September 2010

My favorite ActiveRain Groups:

ActiveRain Convention Station
ActiveRain Guerrilla Marketing Station
ActiveRain History Station
ActiveRain Library Station
ActiveRain Nature Station
ActiveRain Symphony Station
ActiveRain Travel Station

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Paying It Forward For Rady Children's Hospital

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 22:11:10 -0800

Paying It Forward For Rady Children's Hospital

Every year about this time, one of San Diego's local DJ's lives in a bucket of a crane in the Ikea parking lot in Mission Valley. Ok, it is one of those crazy radio stunts that every city around the country has, but this one isn't just for ratings.

The goal each year is to collect toys for the kids at Rady Children's Hospital.This is San Diego's sole hospital dedicated exclusively for pediatric health care and the regions only designated pediatric trauma center. The mission for Rady Children's Hospitalis To restore, sustain and enhance the health and developmental potential of children through excellence in care, education, research and advocacy. Parents and children across the nation come for state of the art, high quality care. The goal of the hospital is to never turn a child in need away.

This year the goal was to collect 102,000 toys.Once this DJ reached this goal, he would come down from his home away from home. The collection of toys began on November 5, 2010 and exceeded the goal on November 12 at an amazing 106,000 toys!

I always hear about this event after it is over. It is not a radio station I listen to, so I only see the end result when it is on the news. This year it was different. A lady in our office sent out an email stating she would be donating $500 for the cause and was hoping to get a few more donations to help. She then told us what inspired her.

Her nephew who is 8 was recently diagnosed with a very rare form of Leukemia. The family is devastated and doing everything within their power to get their baby the care and treatment he needs. She went to visit him in the hospital in Denver where he is currently being treated and brought him a toy truck. The joy this little gift brought to him in the middle of this trauma was indescribable. She had been aching for days, but this gift was a gift for both of them.

Our office raised $2960! A few of the ladies went shopping for the toys at Big Lots and when the manager at Big Lots heard the story, gave them 20% off the entire purchase. Together EVERYONE was Paying it Forward for Rady Children's Hospital!

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Thank You American Soldiers

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 10:06:39 -0800

Thank You American Soldiers

As a proud mother of U.S. Army Seargant Jason Jonathan Ray Reynolds, currently stationed in Okinawa Japan after serving 18 months in Iraq, I am so proud to be an American. Jason and his fellow soldiers take their job seriously. Many of whom lost their lives protecting our freedom.

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919 as the first Veteran's Day; known then as Armistice Day. "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with lots of pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

Today I honor all of our Armed Services. Thank you each and every one. Past, present and future. We are free and safe due to your service and sacrifce for our United States of America. Thank you American Soldiers.

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Are you wearing your Integrity? Do you have it? Do you live it?

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:28:08 -0800

Thank you to Tish Lloyd for putting this article out. Great food for thought.

I once worked for a company where I was uncomfortable with some of the things going on in the office. I brought these things to the attention of the broker/owner (and at the time a dear, dear friend of mine) and voiced my concern and got on "my soap box" about ethical business practices and how by allowing these practices to continue he was jeopardizing not only his license but the rest of his agents as well. I don't remember much of the conversation after he stated "ethics has no place in business". From that point forward I realized I first, had better re-evaluate what I consider a friend, and secondly, I would not continue to work in a place where this was the mentality. Not to long after this I packed my office and moved on.

Via Tish Lloyd Real Estate Agent Wrightsville Beach, NC (Prudential Laney Real Estate 910.547.1446):

Are you wearing your Integrity? Do you have it? Do you live it? It's not just a word to toss about, it's the way you should conduct yourself and your business.

Integrity -- noun

1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.

2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.

3. a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition: the integrity of a ship's hull.

I have been in this business for a long time, and I've seen agents come and go. Most of those who are now Missing In Action, are the ones who treated integrity like a 4-letter-word. They wouldn't have recognized it, if when it slapped them in the face!

What does this mean to you? It means that if you are planning to be in this profession for the duration, you'd best be certain you are prepared to always put your Client's best interests first; always be honest and above-board! Putting my Client's best interests first has always served me, and them, well. I never have to look over my shoulder, because I know I have followed the path of integrity.

I will not sell-out my Clients. One transaction is not worth it to me. Actually, 10 transactions are not worth it to me! I believe in treating EVERYONE fairly, honestly and ethically. It's allowed me to stay in this business for more than 26 years.

Of course, it's your decision -- you've chosen to be in this profession -- now you have to decide how you're going to conduct yourself and your business. It's all on your shoulders and when it comes to your integrity, the buck stops with you . . . there won't be anyone else to hide behind.

“Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do”   Don Galer

***********************************

Tish Lloyd, REALTOR®

Broker Associate

NC Real Estate Lic. 269076

Prudential Laney Real Estate

527 Causeway Drive

Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

910.547.1446

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Everything's better at the beach . . .

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Toastmasters ~ Glenn Abbey Toastmasters ~ Where People Are Dying To Get In!

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:06:15 -0800

Toastmasters ~ Glenn Abbey Toastmasters ~ Where People Are Dying To Get In!

Hello Friends of Glen Abbey Toastmasters,

We have another exciting Toastmasters Meeting tonight with two Great Speakers! This week's topic is "VETERAN'S DAY" and we look forward to honoring our Veterans where I will be pleased to be the Toastmaster for this evenings events!

Come out, have a good time, laugh a little, learn a little, and maybe speak a little (if you want)!

Guests and new members are always welcome at Glen Abbey Toastmasters.

Come and see how you can grow and become a better speaker, listener, and thinker.How can we help you achieve your goals? Come to Toastmasters and find out!

Stop by and see how much fun we're having!

Meeting Time: 6:30-8:00pm

Date: 11/10/10 Wednesday

Location: Glen Abbey Memorial Park

3838 Bonita Road (west entrance)

Bonita, CA 91902

*A SHORT DRIVE FROM ANYWHERE*

Toastmasters Mission:
Toastmasters International is the leading movement devoted to making effective oral communication a worldwide reality.Through its member clubs, Toastmasters International helps men and women learn the arts of speaking, listening, and thinking - vital skills that promote self-actualization, enhance leadership potential, foster human understanding,and contribute to the betterment of mankind.

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Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Tattoo and Body Art Expo ~ San Diego Concorse

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 09:45:34 -0800

Tattoo and Body Art Expo ~ San Diego Concorse

San Diego is the first stop on The Tattoo and Body Art Expo. The San Diego Concorse will host this years Expo on November 12-14th.

This will be far more exciting than any convention you have ever been to. This is the world's largest tattoo and body art convention.With over 200 hundred artists on site, you can meet some of the most famous artists and schedule an appointment to have work done live, in front of all to see! Whether it is a tattoo or a piercing, there will be an artist there to meet your needs. Don't miss local artists from Avalon Tattoo, Avalon Tattoo II and Midway Tattoo along with artists from all over the nation.

Even if you aren't in the market for a new tat, don't miss the show. There will be entertainment from live bands, best (fill in the blank, yes pretty much anything you can imagine) contests, belly dancing, art fusion contests and plenty of food and drink. Don't miss the party! Tickets are available at the door. Buy a one day ticket for $20 or a 3-day pass for $45.

Hours for the show are as follows:

Friday ~ 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday ~ 11 a.m. to 11 p.m
Sunday ~ 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Come down, show us your best stuff and get your freak on! Tattoo and Body Art Expo ~ San Diego Concorse 202 C Street, San Diego, CA. 92101

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

What's Eating You? Or Actually Your Home!

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:59:57 -0800

What's Eating You? Or Actually Your Home!

What are those things? What do you mean they are eating my home? Whether you are buying or selling a home, termites can take a bite out of the fun.

What are termites?

Termites are small, ant-like insects that feed off of the cellulose in wood. These little pests will burrow and tunnel through wood, eating their way through your home. If they go untreated, they can cause complete destruction of the wooden structure. Not good news. Understanding what needs to be done to rectify the problem is imperative in both the buying and selling process.

One of the inspections you will most likely get when selling or purchasing a home is a Termite Inspection. Also called a Wood Destroying Pests and Organisms Report. This report is designed to tell you if the home you are about to sell or purchase has termites or other pests; such as beetles; that may damage the structure.

There are different types of termites. Subterranean Termites which live and move in the ground. Any earth to wood contact provides the perfect setting for the termites to make a buffet of your home. There are also Dry Wood Termites, which will colonize in non-decayed wood which has a very low moisture content. They will obtain entry to the wood, the queen will lay the eggs and the damage begins. There are also Damp-wood Termites and Powder-post Termites but the most common in California are the Subterranean and Dry Wood Termites.

How are they treated?

There are different types of treatment for each of the different types of termites. The treatment will also depend on the seriousness of the infestation. There are both chemical and non-chemical treatments for termites. Fumigation is the most common and effective way to eradicate Dry Wood Termites, although microwave and heat are also effective as non-chemical treatment.

Subterranean Termites are treated with a soil treatment that requires application directly to the soil in, under and around the structure. Often times the soil treatment may only be applied where the infestation is found and not around the entire building. You may want to get clarification on which procedure is being used to treat the Subterranean Termites found in the report.

Understanding the Report

The scope of the termite report is to identify for the client any condition or damage which is related to termite infestation, wood destroying beetle infestation and fungus infection. Fungus infection is also known as Dry Rot and is caused when the moisture content of the wood exceeds 20 or 30%. This creates a fungi that feeds off the cells of the wood. Fungi is treated with borates which are injected into the wood. This treatment will kill the fungi, however, it does not add strength to damaged wood. Most often time the Termite Company will recommend replacement of wood infected with Dry Rot.

Any items found with damage will be identified as either Section 1 items or Section 2 items. Section 1 items are any conditions existing from termite damage, water damage, Dry Rot or active termite infestation. Section 2 items are identified to alert the client of a situation that could lead to future damage. Most lenders will require any Section 1 item to be corrected prior to the close of escrow. VA loans will require clearance of both Section 1 AND Section 2 items.

Once the problem has been identified as either Section 1 or Section 2, the company that has prepared the report will usually recommend the proper work necessary to remedy the problem right under the item found. The remedies may include fumigation, localized treatment, wood replacement and further inspection.

Once you have received the termite report, be sure and take the time to review and understand the process necessary to correct the problem. If you have any questions, please be sure and speak to your REALTOR® to help you understand the work being performed. Depending upon how the purchase contract has been written will determine who is responsible for paying for what work to be done. Most times the seller will agree to correct Section 1 items and the buyer would then be responsible for any Section 2 items they would like corrected. Prior to the work being completed, make sure all parties understand which items are going to be repaired. If you have determined that you would like the Section 2items completed, make sure that is communicated prior to the work being ordered complete.

After the work has been performed, the Termite Company will go back out to the property and inspect the work that has been completed properly and issue a Termite Clearance.

Do you know what is eating you? If your not careful, it may be Termites!

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Your Listing ~ Behind the Scenes

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:26:14 -0800

Your Listing ~ Behind the Scenes

The listing agreement is signed. The sign is in the yard. The property is listied in the Multiple Listing Service. Now what?

The most important part of selling your home is price. Hopefully your Realtor® sat down with you prior to taking the listing and presented you with a Comparative Market Analysis and together you determined the most competitive, realistic price to get your home sold. But what is going on behind the scenes to get your home sold?

Word of Mouth~ Realtors® love to talk. Especially about a new listing! They are telling everyone they know from the agents in their office, other agents they know, other agents they don't know to the clerk at the grocery store about your home!
Internet~ The National Association of Realtors® statistics show that 84% of today's home buyers have searched for their homes on the Internet. A good Realtor® knows this statistic and is taking full advantage of the technology. They should be syndicating your listing to sites like Zillow, Real Bird and Realtor.com. They will have a dedicated page on their website for your property. They will blog about it on Active Rain!
Advertising~ It may be posting your property on Craigslist or advertising in local papers or magazines. They are advertising with flyer's in the sign box and letting all of your neighbors know your home is for sale. Advertising your listing is important.
Knowing the Market~ As a professional, your Realtor® will stay current with your market. They will know what is going on in your neighborhood and will let you know if there are factors that may affect your sale.
Open Houses~ Be sure and cooperate with your Realtor® when asked to hold your home open. It may be on a Sunday afternoon for the weekend lookie-loos or a Wednesday morning for Brokers Open. Planning for your home to get the most exposure to as many people as possible, the more likely you are to get an offer!

Selling your home in any market can be stressful. It can be even more stressful if you don't see results. Know what is being done behind the scenes to get your home sold. Your Realtor® works for you! Know the game plan! Get your home sold! Ask your Realtor® about Your Listing Behind the Scenes.

If you need assistance with selling your home, I am here to help. I would love to answer your questions.

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Speechless Sunday ~ Sunset From Mt. Helix

Sun, 07 Nov 2010 18:07:12 -0800

Speechless Sunday ~ Sunset From Mt. Helix

As one of San Diego's most magnificent landmarks, Mt. Helix is one place if you have never been there, put it on your list of things to do. With a 360 degree view of San Diego County; from Point Loma to Alpine and beyond; Mt. Helix is considered "The Crown Jewel of East County".

This 1370 foot mountain peak is home to the 35 foot tall cross which was built as a memorial. Mt. Helix is also home to the beautiful Nature Theater Amphitheater which holds outdoor concerts and plays. Christmas season brings caroling in the amphitheater. This free event will be held December 12, 2010 at 5:30 pm. Mt. Helix also hosts a beautiful Sunrise Service on Easter and holds many weddings, memorial services and other events oranized by other non-profit organizations.

One visit to Mt. Helix and you will know why many people are there on a daily basis. A great place to meditate, enjoy the view and appreciate all that is San Diego. Open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Applecrate Country Open House ~ El Cajon, CA

Sat, 06 Nov 2010 12:53:36 -0700

Applecrate Country Open House ~ El Cajon, CA

Don't miss one of the best craft shows of the season! Judy Kirk holds open her beautiful home in the hills of El Cajon for this seasonal event. Judy invites the talent of East County to bring their hand crafted, high quality items for a show you won't want to miss.

You will find beautiful handmade jewelry, jams, jellies, Christmas ornaments, birdhouses, water features, potpourri from Lori's Gatherings, dolls and doll clothes, quilts, antiques, candles...the list goes on! All set in the phenomenal home of the host. Judy does a fantastic job of presenting her home and yard with the skill of a creative eye to bring you the best of the best.

Judy's home alone is worth the visit. For years Judy and her husband have raised their family and created a magazine quality home with beautiful antiques, country decor, lush and beautiful landscaping. You will not want to miss this fantastic show!

Bring your friends and do some Christmas shopping while enjoying your surroundings. The Applecrate Country Open House is located at 8458 Briar Glen Road in El Cajon. Show is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

MMMM, Pancakes! 12th Annual Santee Pancake Breakfast

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 21:25:23 -0700

MMMM, Pancakes! 12th Annual Santee Pancake Breakfast

Join the Santee Sheriff's Department and Santee Fire Department this Saturday November 6 from 7:00 am to 10:30 am for the 12th Annual Santee Pancake Breakfast. The breakfast will be held at the Santee Fire Station #4 at 8950 Cottonwood.

Come out and meet our local firefighters and deputies and mingle with your neighbors while supporting a great cause! Money raised by the Santee Sherrif's Department for the Santee Pancake Breakfastwill go to support local families in need through the "Spirit of Giving" charity. The funds raised by the Santee Fire Departments will be used to purchase automated external defibrillators in Santee schools, churches and community centers.

$5 for adults or $3 for kids under 10 and seniors will get you a great breakfastof pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and juice. There will also be photo ops for the kids with firemen and firetrucks or sheriff officers and the police cars. There will be speakers from both departments talking about crime prevention as well as fire safety.

MMMM, Pancakes! Don't miss the 12th Annual Santee Pancake Breakfast!

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Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Credit Scoring Tips...Things I just Learned after years in the Business!

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 09:07:07 -0700

With technology becoming more and more advanced every day, identity theft and fraud are crimes we are beginning to hear about on a regular basis. These are some valuable tips to help each of us from becoming a victim. Thanks to Joan Cox for providing us with this great article.

I have stopped shredding any of my personal documents or credit card offers for just the reason stated below. I now hold a monthly bonfire in my fire pit for all of this type of information!

Via Joan Cox, Denver Real Estate (Metro Brokers - House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate):

Often times we have clients that would like to purchase a home, but have had some negative circumstances happen in their lives, and they ask us -- can be buy?

Disclosure --- I AM NOT A LENDER, CREDIT REPAIR COMPANY, ETC.      I am a Realtor, and learned a few things today that I didn't know, and thought I would share!   If you have more detailed questions, I have several great lenders to ask!

Foreign buyers usually do not have credit.   Have them open a couple credit cards before they come to purchase a home.

There are many scoring models - Personal (you pull your own credit), Mortgage, Credit Cards, and Insurance.   They all have different algorithms, and could be as much as 100 points different.    I always thought when you got your credit score, it was the same anywhere.

This is a big one --- if you lose your credit card, or report a fraudulent charge, and are issued a new card --- you need to request the history to be transferred, especially if it had long history.     They do not always do this.    Payment history amounts to 35% of your FICO score, so this one could make a big difference.

We have always been told to shred credit card applications, but now the thieves are getting smarter, and we now need a "cross-shredder" to be sure they cannot tape these applications together and submit them.

When electronically signing (at the department/grocery store), add a date to your signature.    The biggest problem with credit/debit card thefts is from the clerk on the other side of the counter.    When you add the date, they cannot reproduce your signature again.

If you want to "opt-out" of credit card offers - call 888-567-8688.    When you call, this will be good for 5 full years.   If you want a lifetime opt-out, this needs to be done my snail mail.

Security Freeze - blocks anyone from checking your credit, except those you currently are doing business with.    If a loved one died, unfortunately there are smart thieves out there watching the obituaries and collecting social security numbers.     Each reporting bureau has its own Security Freeze, and each should be contacted.

There was so much learned in just two hours today --- this is just a small portion, and will share more on another post!

Joan Cox, GRI,ABR,CRS,CNE,e-Pro      Denver Real Estate

A Denver Metropolitan Realtor

If you would like to get on my email newsletter list and keep up with the Denver metro real estate market - please email me, and I will add you to this list!    Also, if you are moving into Denver and request additional information, please email me or call!             720-231-6373

Relocating to Denver --- Information for YOU!

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Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to Subscribe to All Possibilities Throughout San Diego or contact me at 619-838-4408.