I am pleased to offer this Tustin rental, available as soon as you need it.

Beautiful remodeled end unit in well-maintained Townhome complex in popular Tustin, very close to Irvine.  This nicely-upgraded 3 bedroom 1.5 bath home is available as soon as you need it.

Beautiful wood floors downstairs and carpeting upstairs.  Appliances include a refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, microwave oven, washer and dryer.  Kitchen has been beautifully remodeled, with granite countertops and a breakfast bar.

Great storage inside the condo, plus the 2-car garage on the backside. A back yard separates the townhome from your private garage entry. Living Room and Master Bedroom look out on an expansive green belt. HOA paid by landlord.

This lovely home is offered for only $2,000 a month.

The landlord will consider your dog, but cannot consider cats due to a significant allergy issue.

You can see this Tustin rental and other wonderful properties at www.ValetRealEstateServices.com.

This may be one of the most popular urban legends in CA real estate: Does California Require a Termite Inspection?

The short answer is "No."

I just got a text from a client who is in escrow to buy a home in Orange.  We had their property inspection earlier today.  He wanted a referral for a termite company.  I was surprised for two reasons:

1. The purchase contract specifically said the Seller (Foreclosing Bank) would NOT pay for a termite inspection.

2. The propery inspector did not mention he noticed termite damage today.

I asked my client about that and he said the property inspector did not see termite damage, but he told him that a termite inspection is required in all Calfornia real estate transactions.

I explained this is a very popular urban legend, but it is not entirely accurate.  Some lending institutions require a termite inspection AND a clearance.  A termite inspection is highly recommended in every transaction.  If the Residential Purchase Agreement calls for a termite inspection, almost every lender will require it is completed and any Section 1 work is completed before the loan can fund.

So there is not a California law requiring a termite inspection.  It is standard practice, it is highly recommended, it is NOT required.

If you're looking for a straight answer on anything, like Does California Require a Termite Inspection, ask me!

 Out of Hibernation / Time to Feast

“You’re back Vic!” – That’s a phrase I have heard many times in the last few months.  “It’s good to have you back!”,  “I missed you!”.  It made me realize that I have apparently been in hibernation.  Growing up in Alaska; I am very familiar with the hungry eating habits of waking hibernators.  We are ravenously hungry, but still willing to share.  What a great time to launch our 3^rd Annual Relationship-Based Food Drive!

Remember that I don’t go door-to-door looking for new business, I don’t call people without their permission and I don’t have my picture on shopping carts.  I don’t send out calendars with my picture on them.  I don’t even plant plastic American flags in your front yard at midnight on July 3^rd.  That’s because I work By Referral Only.  I work for my friends, my family and the people that they care about.  That’s it.

Imagine your disappointment if you saw me settle to that course of business practice.  You’re at your favorite grocery store and you realize you just laid the bread against the face of Vic Steele, Broker, Valet Real Estate Services.  I know you would be disappointed to see that.  I would be even more disappointed to stoop to that.

My business model has not changed.  I work for my friends and the people they care about – no one else.  I depend on you to insist that your friends rely on me to help them with their home.  I don’t want them to “use” me.  Please ask them to rely on me.  Perhaps the food drive is the best way to introduce us?  I could send this letter to you as an email that you could forward to someone you care about with a note that says, “This is the real estate professional I want you to rely on!”

On December 8^th, 9^th and 10^th I am collecting food for the Second Harvest Food Bank.  Just as we have always done our food drives, I’m volunteering to come to your home or workplace and pick up your donation.  I am asking permission to come to your house.  I hope to have a crew with me, helping me.  If not, I will manage to get every pound of food delivered.  If you would leave a bag or two of food on your front porch, I will give you a tax receipt for it and deliver it to The Orange County Food Bank on your behalf!  My goal is to deliver at least four trucks of food to them.  I know we can do it together!  Yes, you can leave boxes of food or a case of one kind of food.  They really need peanut butter, canned hams, cranberry sauce and dried mashed potatoes.  I won’t turn any food down!

The 2011 Relationship-based Food Drive is celebrating it's 3rd year!

On December 8th, 9th and 10th I am asking permission to come to your house.  I plan to have a small crew with me that will be there to pick up food. 

If you would leave a box of food or a bag of food on your front porch, we will give you a receipt for it and deliver it to The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County on your behalf! 

My goal is to deliver at least 3 truckfuls of food to them.  I know you and I can do it together!  (Yes, you can leave several boxes of food or a case of one kind of food.  Ideas:  They really need peanut butter, canned hams, cranberry sauce and dried mashed potatoes.  They'll even accept frozen meats!  I won't turn any food down.)
 
I'm going to call you to schedule my pickup.  You are welcome to call me anytime at  714-240-3693.  I hope that you will help me show the importance of a relationship - not a mailing list!

I need help.  In years past, I have had family volunteers and high school volunteers.  I don’t have any of that this year, so I appreciate any help you can offer.  Any at all.  If you know of a high-schooler that needs to earn community service hours, this is a great opportunity.

2009– 2,097 pounds of food delivered to the Second Harvest Food Bank  

2010 – 748 pounds of food and $600 delivered to the Second Harvest Food Bank   

Our goal for 2011 is a thousand pounds of food and $300 in cash/gift cards.  I’m confident we will exceed that with your help.

Who are you thinking of right now that would be interested in participating in our annual food drive?

The Fullerton Wellness Center is having their Grand Opening this Friday and Saturday, November 4^th and 5^th.

Helping you with your home is my number 1 priority.  You may not know that my Silver Platter Service has been exposed to the commercial real estate market in recent years.  This year, I helped CORE Physical Therapy move into their new facility at 1027 N. Harbor Blvd, Suite B in Fullerton.  It’s on the back side of the Ralph’s shopping center at Harbor/Berkeley.

Join us this Friday and Saturday for your own private tour, a personal physical therapy screening, snacks, nutrition classes, yoga classes, Boot Camp fitness classes, Student Athlete Performance Training, mini massages and, of course, the incredibleraffle drawing!  It’s all free to you; tell them you were invited by your Personal Real Estate Consultant; Vic Steele.  They will smile and say, “We know Vic!”

The full schedule of events is here.

Who are you thinking of right now that would be interested in a free massage?

Please take a moment to Like them on Facebook!

Will I see you on Friday or Saturday at the Fullerton Wellness Center?

This week, I found myself saying "No, Thank You - I don't want a referral fee." 

Recently, Clients for Life called me and asked me to help them find a vacation cabin in the nearby mountains.  The mountains are a little over an hour away from my office.  I want to acknowledge that this is a common referral fee situation, but my Clients for Life were very specific about wanting to continue to rely on me.  I agreed and blocked out an entire day for them.

Our Supra Keys don't work in this area, so I made special arrangements to get into each and every property.  One of the listing agents asked me to come by her office and pick up the key.  I did that.

They couldn't find the key.  They explained that the listing agent had moved out of state that very weekend.  (She didn't mention that to me.)  The receptionist called an agent doing floor time to help me.  The agent spent several minutes explaining to me and my clients that an Outside Area Agent could not competently represent buyers in this area.  They encouraged me to hand the clients over to them on the spot and they promised a referral fee. 

I explained that I was helping friends and I was very comfortable working in the area.  I explained that my business model is about relationships, not commissions.  I don't know if she didn't hear me or if she ignored me, because she interrupted me and insisted she would pay a referral fee.  I was stunned that I was talking about relationships and she was talking about money.

Rudeness does not beget rudeness, so I suggested to my clients that we go next door to the coffee shop.  We sat down with our drinks and I was getting ready to ask them what they were thinking when they almost exploded with emotion.  The nerve!  The rudeness!  How did I keep my cool?  I thanked them both for their confidence and we went looking at homes.

We wrote on a beautiful 2-bedroom cabin.  We're waiting to hear back.  My clients changed their mind about seeing the cabin listed by the above-referenced office. 

They didn't even want to see the listing.  I hope it helps some people listen to what the broker is really saying when he says, No thank you, I don't want a referral fee.

There is a current Fruit Fly Spraying in Anaheim project.  If you, like me, live near Euclid/91; your trees are probably being sprayed.

I was approached by a California Department of Food and Agriculture employee yesterday to explain the spraying.  He said they are spraying a very small amount of attractant/insecticide on each tree on my property.  They are spraying high up.  I understand that people and pets should avoid the spray site for 4 hours.

The press release today said they are also seizing any fruit on your trees.  They are also asking that you wash any fruit currently harvested.  Apparently the fruit fly lays eggs in fresh fruit - making it inedible.  It's probably best to dispose of any fruit you have recently picked.

The disclosure left at my door says they are using Spinosad GF-120 NF Naturalyte fruit fly bait, an organic insecticide to lure and kill exotic fruit flies.

If you have any irritation from the insectide, they are asking you to call 800-222-1222.

The entire crew was very professional.  I watched them treat my neighbor's home after they explained what they had done at my home. 

I received a total of 3 disclosures.  A pink form at my front door notifying me of the treatment.  A yellow form confirming the treatment.  The state employee handed me a 2nd yellow notice yesterday telling me that are currently conducting Fruit Fly Spraying in Anaheim.

I just Googled Trunk or Treat for the first time.  I saw the topics that are trending hot today on the Internet and I thought Trunk or Treat was a typo.  Then I saw trunk or treat ideas and trunk or treat decorating ideas and I realized that this was a new topic that I needed to know more about.

The concept was born out of the fact that Halloween trick or treating has evolved to church events, community harvest festivals and commercial destinations.  It's brilliant!  You open up the trunk of your car and it becomes the backdrop stage to your themed stop at the Fall Festival.

Some of the creative ideas are absolutely wonderful.  I'm going to point you to them because I don't know who to ask if I can share their pictures here.  Here is a Google image search for Trunk or Treat images too.

Listed below are some of the wonderful community events I know about so far.  I'm happy to add your event here so more people know about it.  Email me and tell me about your event.  If you have Trunk or Treat photographs, I would love it if you would like to share them here.

The Empty Grave in Anaheim:  September 30 - October 31, 2011

Haunted Attraction of 50,000 square feet of terror!  Featuring state of the art special effects, live actors and animatronics. Online tickets are available.

Anaheim GardenWalk, 321 W. Katella Ave. (Under the UltraLuxe Theater), Anaheim

Oktoberfest and Halloween Party at the Phoenix Club in Anaheim - October 28-30, 2011

Come in costume on Halloween and get in FREE!  Fun event for the whole family with Train Rides, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides and entertainment.  Experience shows the Phoenix Club is always a good destination.

Phoenix Club, 1340 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim, CA

Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade, Saturday, October 29, 2011

The Fall Festival features game and food booths, live entertainment, craft fair, a children's costume contest and trick-or-treating. 

Downtown Anaheim, at the Center Street Promenade

Wilshire Avenue Community Church Fall Festival

Our annual Fall Festival is a safe, family-friendly event that all are invited to. This year we will once again shut down Wilshire Avenue and have game booths, a bounce house, and our trunk-or-treat in our parking lot. This is event is FREE and begins at 5pm on Halloween night!

212 E. Wilshire Avenue, Fullerton

Treats in the Streets - Orange Circle

Thursday, October 27, 2011, 4-7 p.m.

The streets surrounding the Old Towne Plaza are closed off to traffic and Old Towne merchants decorate their shops and hand out candy to trick-or-treaters.  Fun activities, food booths, costume parade and community displays.  This is a very popular venue for small children so organizers do not allow adult masks or pets in the area.

Old Towne Orange Plaza Area, Chapman Ave. & Glassell, Orange

This year, I am going to be on the lookout for Trunk or Treat in Anaheim Hills!

How consistency can make a difference in your life.

She’s Not Really A Dog…

That’s what someone said to me this week when I was talking to them about adopting a dog into their family.  “You can’t compare Bella to other dogs because she’s not really a dog.”  I asked what she meant.  She said that Bella was nearly perfect because of all the time I spend with her and my style of training.

I acknowledged that plays a role in Bella’s behavior, but it was not entirely accurate.  First of all, she’s far from perfect!  Secondly, that view requires that you decide I have a patently unique training style that is a secret that no one else can copy.  If that was true, I’d be your Dog Trainer.  I’m not.  I’m your Personal Real Estate Consultant!

My style of dog training is based on one thing; consistency.  When someone speculates that they cannot train a dog like Bella is trained; I ask them if they have Vacation Rules for their kids or After 6pm Rules.  No, of course not is the consistent answer.  Consistently, my friends tell me that the rules are the rules for their kids.  That is exactly how I treat Bella.  If I call her, I don’t stop until she comes – then I praise her.  If I tell her to sit and she does not do it; I stop whatever I was doing and I gently make sure she understands that Sit means sit.  Whenever she goes to the bathroom, whether it is planned or not, I praise her and say “Go Potty”.  (That shortens the pit stops when you are driving around with your dog.  You’ve been on vacations where the dog spent 20 minutes sniffing around the rest stop; a Go Potty command dramatically shortens that.

I work with Bella on-leash and off-leash.  You have to, otherwise your dog will only mind when they are on leash.  I don’t “Down” Bella for a specific reason:  Down is the most submissive command you can give a dog.  A dog that has previously been abused, like Bella, does not need to be forced into submission.  She needs praise and petting.  Did you know that when your dog is licking your hand, they are petting you back?  (Source – Inside Of A Dog - Alexandra Horowitz, Animal Behavior Scientist.)

If your dog is not allowed on the bed, they are never allowed on the bed.  The same with the couch.  If your dog is not allowed people food, you have to tell guests – even at the risk of hurting their feelings.  That is because your dog is never allowed people food.

The #1 mistake I see in pet owners is chastising their dog for coming to them.  Think about this, when was the last time you were scared your dog had wandered away or you saw your dog doing something wrong?  Did you call them until they came and then tell them how bad they were or tell them how scared you were?  Think about that; you just chastised your dog for coming to you.  Now you know why your dog does not always come when you call!  It takes a ton of self-control, especially when they scare you – but it will pay off in your relationship with your pet.  When you call your dog and they come, praise them.  They already forgot whatever they were doing wrong.

Consistency.  Consistency in pet ownership.  Consistency in parenting.  Consistency in life!

Life is good!

Vic Steele

 P.S.  Who are you thinking of right now that needs a consistent reliable consultant, like me, in their life?  Please email me or call me at 714-240-3693 and tell me about them so they get professional representation.  A referral is sending someone you care about to someone you trust!

I've been asked to help a friend sell their school in Ukraine that is ideal for conversion to an orphange.  I hesitated at first; then I thought what an incredible experience it could be to help put that together!  I adopted my first child from Ukraine 13 years ago and I am a huge advocate for adoption.  Obviously, there are many orphans that need care, so this is both an investment and a ministry opportunity.

       

All of the buildings are serviceable, though some need work.  The sellers are only asking $200,000 for this property because they genuinely want to see it used as a camp or an orphange for children.

This is an investment opportunity in Ukraine.  Ukrainian laws and legal procedures will be followed to purchase the property.  I am not licensed in Ukraine.  I am licensed in California, DRE 01349863.  I have been asked to help locate a buyer for this wonderful property.

Contact me if you are interested in this school/orphange in Eastern Ukraine.