cars: Caruso's Real Estate Alert!
- 08/18/11 08:51 AM
Alert! Alert! As you already know, Realtors spend a lot of time on the road. With all the mileage we rack up, it should be interesting to note that the IRS recently announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2011, in recognition of the recent gas price increase. Taxpayers may use optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and other purposes. The rate will increase to 55.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1st through December 31st – an increase of … (0 comments)
cars: Get more MPG without a hybrid!
- 01/24/11 07:49 AM
Even if you don't drive a "green" car, you can still drive greener -- and save $$$ and MPG. • Park in the Shade: Park in the shade when you can, and cool down your hot car by driving with the windows down before turning on the air-conditioner. Over time these practices can result in a much smaller workload for your AC-and significant energy savings. • Get Regular Tune-ups: Change your oil, check the fluids, replace spark plugs, and perform other regular maintenance tasks to save fuel. Rotate your tires and keep them properly inflated. For every 3 pounds they fall … (3 comments)
cars: The Prius may be next...
- 02/08/10 03:34 PM
According to reports Toyota is set to announce Prius recalls, this time for brake software problems for the 2010 models. Chances are your neighbor, someone in your family, or a friend drives a Toyota. They have done a good job at fixing this issue but I just want everyone to be aware if they do indeed drive one of these at-risk cars. But remember, it's not just the car we need to worry about! Drive safely, buckle up, and stay off your cell phone to make the roads safer for everyone!
And Thank You for making me Your Orange County … (6 comments)
cars: How many miles do you drive a day? Fuel for Thought...
- 09/24/09 05:22 AM
Real Estate requires us to log many miles in our own vehicles. With high fuel costs and the initiative to go green, we are always looking for strategies on how to reduce mileage. Every little bit can help make a difference. Here are some tips: •Pre-plan your appointments. Combine showings if the properties are fairly close to one another. • Carpool to previews and open houses and work if possible. •Walk or take public transit if your destination is close enough to your office and it isn't too warm out. Your clients might have a better first impression of you if … (3 comments)
cars: Sorry, I hit your car!
- 09/23/09 06:56 AM
Have you ever come back to your car to find a scratch or dent and no information left from the culprit? I bet you were pretty mad. I think if I got this letter after a hit and run in parking lot I would be even more furious...
Enjoy the laugh and I hope this never happens to you! Photo courtesy of: FunnyPhotos.net And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection. www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI 2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900 … (3 comments)
cars: Wordless Wednesday... Safe Travels!
- 07/01/09 06:15 AM
If you are heading out of town for the holiday be sure to drive safe... It's not an open road out there. (Photo by Ansel Adams) And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection. www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI 2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900 … (2 comments)
cars: Gas Prices Holding Steady
- 06/30/09 09:19 AM
With 4th of July weekend coming up and travelers taking summer road trips, the threat of increased gas prices becomes a pain. However, CNN and a Lundberg Survey have published good news - gas prices around the country have remained unchanged the past 2 weeks. According to the Lundberg Survey, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.66. The lowest price lies around $2.40 in Kansas, and the highest around $3.02 in Northern California. If you can remember back to last summer, gas prices around this time were at $4.10 a gallon! We may worry that this weekend … (0 comments)
cars: Orange County Homes/ Wordless Wednesday...Rome, Italy
- 06/24/09 10:24 AM
This makes me want to take a vacation and wander the old, beautiful streets of Rome. Photo compliments of my daughter. And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection. www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI 2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900 … (1 comments)
cars: Homes for Sale in Orange County / Seatbelts Wrinkle Your Clothes?
- 06/07/09 12:58 PM
Who is really the big winner when it comes to seatblets? Let's think... Did your dry-cleaner come to mind? No? Think again... I was probably the last person in California to give in to seat belts. I always taught, reminded and instilled the seat belt habit for my family members but for me it was a chore that I just couldn't deal with. How could I wear a seat belt when it wrinkles my dress shirt and makes me look like I slept in my car after a drive to my office or to an appointment? Could that possibly be better … (1 comments)
cars: Perhaps it's....Irrational Depression?
- 03/09/09 12:44 PM
One of the famous phrases coined by Alan Greenspan was "irrational exhuberance". I remember the public reaction, news commentator reaction and media reaction to "irrational exhuberance"...some laughed and joked while others shuddered about the possibility of such a symptom for our nation. Have you thought that our people might be suffering from irrational depression? If unemployment is 8.1% then 91.9% of people are working. And if 7% of mortgages are failing then 93% are performing. Car sales are off, but they are still selling...gas prices have dropped dramatically. And the population keeps growing. People still need a place to live. … (2 comments)
cars: The Bigger the Car...the Better the Deal...
- 08/31/08 05:01 PM
Well, it's time for auto manufacurers to clear the floor of 2008 models and get ready 2009 models. The sales of SUV's are off 11% or more this year. So, you can look for big discounts or 0 percent financing for pretty much the remainder of the year or the end of the 2008 models, whichever comes first. As gas prices went up everyone switched to smaller and smaller cars, despite the factor of safety while driving. That means the SUV's can be had for a great price and you can have some metal around you for protection while you are … (1 comments)
cars: No Phones to Ears While Driving...is Texting Better?
- 08/31/08 12:31 PM
OK, California law took effect on July 1st of this year that you can't drive while having a phone to your ear. Can you have an ear piece? - yes. Can you rig your phone thru your car audio system? - yes Can you text message while you drive? Yes yes yes... Come on, texting and driving just don't mix and it is waaayyyy more dangerous that talking on the phone. Please send in your comments on this one. And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection. Best regards, Michael Caruso … (3 comments)
cars: When is it Time to take Away Grandma or Grandpa's Car Keys?
- 07/30/08 05:15 PM
OK...let me assure you all that this has nothing to do with gas prices. I love my Dad and he is 85, pretty sharp and going strong. He passed his last driving and vision related test from the state. He drives himself to all his doctor visits (plenty of them) for this or that but it's all a part of general aging. But every now and then I look at his car and there is a scratch or a ding and I ask..."how did that happen, dad?" He has no answer. Well, I begin to wonder about the cars he parks … (5 comments)
cars: OC's Metrolink Use Climbs over 5%
- 05/11/08 02:59 PM
Who said Southern California people are their own cause for traffic? Is it because so many people drive their own car to work rather than car pool or using mass transit? Please keep in mind that mass transit underground is difficult for us to engineer because of earthquakes. Well in The OC, mass transit above ground use is up (Metrolink)...so the impact of rising fuel costs is creating some compromise and some creativity for Orange County travelers. Metrolink use was up in the first quarter of 2008, so just wait for the mid year report as fuel costs continue to spike! … (0 comments)
cars: Best Use for Your tax refund...You!!
- 04/21/08 04:00 AM
Tax refunds are coming soon. Small or large, most people already have plans for using that refund... Caring for possessions - maybe update an old appliance for a more energy efficient one or re-carpet a home, new hardwood floors, paint the exterior trim. Oh, there is always a list a mile long. Transportation - maintenance for your car, which can perhaps prevent more expnses later by missing important vehicle maintence. Lowering Debt - paying down credit cards is usually at the top of the list when people are asked about their intentions for a tax refund. But what about spending the money on YOU! Yes YOU! … (5 comments)
cars: Volvo Leaving The OC...
- 03/27/08 06:38 AM
For a period of time there was some talk and some ideas that The OC could and would become the new corporate headquarters for many of America's auto makers...like Ford Motor Company, GM and others. And so it was for some time, but maybe we are just a little too far from factory and production facilities. Volvo Cars of North America said recently that it will relocate it's headquarters from Irvine in the OC to Rockleigh New jersey, which will affect about 80 employees (especially in winter months..hehehe). Volvo had moved to Irvine in 2001 and operations were overseen by Ford Motor Company. Thank … (0 comments)
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