My Own Entry--By Ron Gent

Karen,I like enthusiasm, you know sometimes you can see something right in front of you face and cannot explain it, let me give you an example, bear with me here, remember we are leaving the crowd here, it is possible to be so far BEHIND that we tend to think were in first place, just try this on for size !

     There are three Realtors going to a seminar in Anywhere USA, they check into a hotel and get one room, the charge is $30. a nite, and each Agent takes out  $10.  from their wallets, (stay with me here), they retire to their room to freshen up.

     In the meantime the clerk at the front desk finds out that he overlooked a special that was running for Agent attending the seminar, the rate for three people a night was only $25., he had overcharged the Agents $5., so he calls the bellboy and gives him $5. in singles, and directs him to return the money to the Agents.

     However while on his way to the Agents room the Bellboy thinks to himself, since these Agents actually were not called by the front desk to inform them of being over charged, I will just keep $2. of the money for myself and return just $3. back to the agents.

     The Bellboy knocks on the door and informs the Agent of the discount and hands each Agent a $1. bill, and each Agent puts the $1. bill back into their wallets, and were grateful for the discount.

     So now each Agent had spent just $9. a night for their room, instead of $10. right. Between the three of them they spent $27. (3x9=27), only there is a problem here ?

     The Agents spent $27. all together, the Bellboy pocketed $2. and all were happy. But $27. and $2. equals $29., where is the extra dollar ???? Try it yourself with real money-and what the heck am I talking about here, I am preparing you to think OUTSIDE OF THE BOX==Waaaaaayyyyyyy Outside, talk at ya later--CG

                                         This Realtors Opinion-Vol 2-February 2007

I never cease to be amazed at the way the media interputs statistics, How you can take a report and interupte it in any way you choose, and For some strange reason the Liberal press always chooses the negative !      After all the scare tactics in 2006 that caused a panic with homeowners That thought they were going to lose their equity, everyone wanted to cash Out and run, thus the current buyers market was created, notice I said (Created), let's examine the facts.      With just under 8 million homes & condos in California , 2006 was the Third highest year ever for home sales, with 2004 and 2005 being the best. Just because home sales did not surpass the previous two years, and prices Did not go up as much as they had been, that does not make it a bad year.      Its like when some corporations only make a profit of 500 million dollars Instead of the 600 million dollars they made the year before, they actually Have the Gall to complain about it, like it's the economy or something that Caused it, its not their fault, hey, DEAL WITH IT !      And with the reporting that Default notices and foreclosures are way up They fail to tell you that with sales 40-50% higher than pre 2004 levels, Percentages are not that much different, and while foreclosures helped fuel A 10% drop in property values a decade ago, todays economy is a very Different animal, the effect on todays market is negligible.      Home ownership and everything that goes along with it remains the Backbone of America , and Uncle Sam loves people that own homes, just ask Your tax man !      This Realtors opinion sees 2007 as an excellent year for Real Estate, with The current Buyers Market shifting back to a Sellers Market by Summer, Remember Folks, Only in America , Count Your Blessings Everyday, Opportunity Awaits You, You Can Do It, But You Have to Take That First Step Yourself, GOOD LUCK !      If you have any issues that you would like me to address, or questions About real estate you would like answered, please email me at http://us.f539.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=rongent@msn.com, or send them to Inland Valley Home Guide, c/o Ron Gent.

                                          Ron Gent-Century 21 Prestige Properties

                                    This Realtors Opinion--Vol #1--January 2007

This Realtors Opinion--By Ron Gent   With 2006 behind us, let us reflect on what actually happened in the Real Estate Market in the Inland Valley and the surrounding areas.   With all the negative news media telling us the bottom was going to drop out, and everyone's home values were going to crash, the rush was on to sell your home before you lost it all, the usual supply of homes for sale skyrocketed, and with such a high inventory of homes for sale, the Buyers Market was created.  Too many choices-too many flavors-too much confusion, and with so many homes for sale buyers became confused and rightfully so, it was madness out there !   From this Realtors viewpoint the Doom & Gloom Senario as I like to call it was not only created by the media, it was fueled by my very own profession, The Realtors Themselves, in a kind of self-destruct mode that I do not have time to go into in this article, but I will address in future colums that will be appearing in your local newspapers shortly !   To sum up 2006 for our area it turned out to be a Fantastic Year, it all depends on how you look at it. Los Angeles County's median home values rose 6.5%, thats a $30,250.00 increase on a $500,000. home, and with tax deductions it easily becomes a $35,000.-$40,000. increase., in Orange County prices rose 6%, Riverside County 8.5%, San Bernardino County 12.5%, while some counties like San Diego did not fare so well -big deal, the property values in that county have gone through the roof the past couple of years !   Just a few of the cities that I feel had substancial increases in their property values for 2006 were,  Rialto up 15.6%, Rancho Cucamonga up 12.5%, Hesperia up 12%, Upland up 8%, Fontana up 12%, Compton up 21%-WOW, Covina up 12%, Buena Park up 11%, and Inglewood up 18%.   This Realtors opinion is that 2007 will be a record breaking year, with the current Buyers Market shifting back to a Sellers Market by Summer. Buyers should take advantage of the current market & interest rates now, there are some excellent values out there. Remember Folks, Only In America, Count Your Blessings Everday, Opportunity Awaits You, You Can Do It, But You Have To Take That First Step Yourself ! GOOD LUCK                                        by--Ron Gent, Century 21 Prestige Properties