real estate: Happy 3rd Anniversary Michael! - 03/14/12 07:22 AM

Michael Caruso owner of Michael Caruso Real Estate Group has been recognized by the prestigious Institute for Luxury Home Marketing for the 3rd year in a row on his performance in the million-dollar and above luxury home market within Orange County, California “Real Estate professionals who have earned admittance to The Institute’s Million Dollar Guild not only have specific upper-tier market knowledge, but they also understand the unique needs of affluent buyers and sellers and recognize the importance of being discreet,” said Institute President Laurie Moore-Moore.
“Whether you’re buying or selling a multi-million dollar property, you can depend upon … (2 comments)

real estate: Did You Know w/ Caruso.... - 03/10/12 05:23 AM

 
Perhaps you’ve seen an abandoned shopping cart not long after driving away from the grocery store. This can happen for a number of reasons, but most often, carts are taken off the store’s premises as a method of transporting the groceries home. Many people, unfortunately, fail to realize that not only does the store suffer a loss of money because of the stolen cart, but also that it is a crime!
However, did you know according to California Business and Professions Code 22435.2, “It is unlawful to remove a shopping cart of laundry cart from the premises or parking … (0 comments)

real estate: Friday Funny ~ Take off my Clothes.... - 03/09/12 08:59 AM

 
When a successful farmer died, he left everything to his devoted wife. She was a very good-looking woman, & determined to keep the farm,but knew very little about farming, so she decided to place an adin the newspaper for a farm hand. Two men applied for the job. One was gay and the other a drunk. She thought long and hard about it, and when no one else applied she decided to hire the gay guy, figuring it would be safer to havehim around the house than the drunk.
 
He proved to be a hard worker who … (5 comments)

real estate: The Future…According to Baby Boomers - 03/08/12 09:19 AM
 
Baby boomers that plan to move for retirement are looking for smaller, affordable homes that are easily accessible to medical care and near their family, according to a poll of more than 1,000 adults born between 1946 and 1964 conducted by Associated Press-LifeGoesStrong.com. Baby boomers who make more than $100,000 a year are the most likely to say they plan to buy a new home during retirement. For boomers who plan to purchase a new home, the most important factors cited in a home for retirement included:
Smaller home (40%) Near medical offices or hospitals (39%) Different climate--perhaps warmer … (1 comments)

real estate: Still Guessing…Leaning Toward The Positive - 03/07/12 08:43 AM
 
 
The U.S. housing market will begin to mount a turnaround this year, building toward a solid recovery in 2013, according to a forecast by the chief economist of a homebuilding industry trade group. The outlook by National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist David Crowe all call for U.S. sales of new homes and single-family home construction to improve this year compared with 2011, when they hit record lows. The forecast still leaves new home sales and construction well below levels of a healthy housing market, however. That reflects the severity of the industry's downturn, and suggests the housing … (1 comments)

real estate: Wordless Wednesday ~ March Sunset - 03/07/12 06:24 AM

"The lives and happiness of our children, as far ahead as the mind can reach, depend on us today. If we succeed, posterity looking back will record that this was indeed man's finest hour."
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real estate: Caruso's *LAGUNA NIGUEL* Closed Sales Report - 03/06/12 08:31 AM

Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing!?  We provide the latest market updates regularly, as well as personal consultation of market direction…
The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for JANUARY:
The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the 0-$500,000 Range:
2012   22 listings closed escrow             
2011   23 listings closed escrow            
The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $500,000-$1,000,000 Range:
2012   23 listings closed escrow
2011   28 listings closed escrow
The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $1,000,000+Range:
2012  3 listings closed escrow                   … (1 comments)

real estate: Caruso's Pre-Cleaning! - 03/03/12 06:55 AM

 
 
Spring is almost here so why not start your spring cleaning early - Start by PRE-cleaning!-          REDUCE the amount you have to clean by going through the closets, drawers, and shelves where clutter lives.  Chances are there are a few shirts with the tags still on or books you read years ago and haven't picked up since... Donate them!
-          REUSE what you find in the spring cleaning process!  Your stock pile of old shopping bags can help you reorganize your closet, and you can cut down on waste by cleaning with those old towels rather than paper … (0 comments)

real estate: Caruso Says Watch the Big 3 ~ Employment, Housing and Europe… - 03/02/12 04:22 AM
 
We are halfway through the first quarter of 2012. The big question in everyone's mind is whether the economy continues to grow from here, or does it slow down like it did during the spring and summer of 2011? Remember, only a few months ago we were talking about the danger of a double dip recession. A stronger finish to the year ended that talk, but still many analysts have been predicting some sort of slowdown in 2012. What could prevent such a slowdown and keep the economy on pace to strengthen through 2012? We have already introduced the "big … (2 comments)

real estate: Caruso's Saturday Shot ~ Leaving the Office - 02/25/12 08:04 AM

Happy Saturday Active Rain!
 We have come to the last Saturday in February 2012!
My assistant took this picture the other day while leaving the office.
Luckily we have been having such nice weather lately & such beautiful sunsets!
Wishing you all much success & happiness the rest of the week & into March!
 
"You are born an original....don't die as just a copy."
(3 comments)

real estate: Caruso Never Sleeps ~ Hard VS Soft Credit Inquiries - 02/25/12 07:05 AM

Do you know what a Hard versus Soft Credit Inquiry is?
 
Consumers are entitled to a free copy of their credit report once a year, available through sites like CreditKeeper.com, AnnualCreditReport.com or IdentiryGuard.com. While the credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com is free, it doesn’t include a credit score. For this, consumers must pay a nominal fee.
 
When a consumer asks about their own credit score, it’s considered a “soft inquiry”, which doesn’t impact their FICO score. Credit card, insurance companies, banks, and others can also make soft inquires, in order to identify consumers for marketing purposes. 
 
(1 comments)

real estate: Attracting Business through LinkedIn with Caruso! - 02/24/12 06:23 AM

I came across this question on articleserver.net & after reading the question I thought to myself, you know what, I have the same exact question! "I am a real estate agent and I am not sure how LinkedIn can help me since it is a business to business platform and I am targeting consumers and homeowners. Should I be focusing just on Facebook which is more consumer oriented? And, if I should be on LinkedIn, how can I best utilize it to help me obtain more business and clients?" So I thought I would do some research and see how … (1 comments)

real estate: Caruso Funny ~ The Talented Salesman - 02/22/12 07:46 AM
 
 
Young Brad from the country applied for a salesman's job at a city Department store. It was one of those massive stores that sells just about everything.
 
The boss asked him, "Have you ever worked in sales before?" "Yes, I was a salesman in my home town," said Brad. The boss liked him instantly and said, "I'll give you a trial day here at the store, start tomorrow, and I'll come and see you after closing time to see how you went."
 
When the boss met up with young Brad the next day at closing time, he … (2 comments)

real estate: What They Think I do.... - 02/17/12 05:45 AM
There seems to be a new trend circulating the social media outlets, you can find one for everything! Here is ours!

(10 comments)

real estate: Caruso's Tips for New Agents! - 02/15/12 11:07 AM

 
If you’re a new agent just getting started in the Real Estate industry here are the top elements that are not only crucial to you but crucial to your business. It is very important to make sure before you start anything to have all of these fundamentals done.
 
-Secure your own domain name
 
-Make sure you have a standalone website that can easily grow with you
 
-Have your own IDX (MLS search tool)
 
-Put together a letter that you can send to your sphere of influence
 
-Get to know Craigslist
 
-Become a … (1 comments)

real estate: Thoughts on Tuesday ~ The Impressions We Create - 02/14/12 11:59 AM
Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression, by remaining silent. However, it is our responsibility to make sure that the impression we give, is appropriately understood. This is a big responsibility that we must always do and achieve.

We all shine on, like the moon, and the stars, and the sun. ~ John Lennon
(9 comments)

real estate: Caruso's *VALENTINES* OC Happenings ~ Central County - 02/10/12 11:06 AM
 
CENTRAL COUNTY
 
COSTA MESA
NOW through February 11, 2012 is the Pacific Symphony Presents: "Valentine's Day with Roberta Flack". Just in time for Valentine's Day, Grammy Award winner Roberta Flack visits Pacific Symphony with her intoxicating romantic ballads including "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "Killing Me Softly With His Song," "Feel Like Making Love" and "Tonight I Celebrate My Love." Flack remains one of only two artists (the other is U2) to win back-to-back Grammy Awards for Record of the Year. For more information you can call 714-755-5799. Also  on February 11th  from 8pm-Midnight at The … (0 comments)

real estate: Caruso's Economic Update! - 02/01/12 07:42 AM

The first set of earnings released in January focused upon the financial sector.  In all, the reports by larger national and regional banks were disappointing and showed that we are not out of the woods with regard to the legacy of bad loans piled up on the asset sheets of banks during the recession. While the economy recovers, debt loads of banks and nations will prove to be a drag on growth.  This is why analysts are looking at the good economic releases we have experienced in the past few months and are still remaining cautious.  For the consumer, this … (1 comments)

real estate: Wordless Wednesday ~ Slight Smile - 01/25/12 09:59 AM

" A smile is a light in the window of your face to show your heart is at home..."
(8 comments)

real estate: Homeownership Declines - 01/25/12 08:26 AM
 
Recently while browsing the latest California Real Estate Magazine, I came to learn that California is among the top five states with the lowest homeownership rates nationwide, according to the “Housing Characteristics: 2010” report by the U.S. Census Bureau.
 
With homeownership rate of 55.9%, California ranked second in the nation, falling behind New York’s rate of 53.5%.
 
Of California’s 37.3 million residents, 22.2 million live in the Los Angeles, San Diego, & San Francisco metropolitan regions. Because of this concentration in large urban areas, more than 30% of Californian families live in multi-home residences (which include apartments … (2 comments)

 
Michael A. Caruso (Surterre Properties)

Michael A. Caruso

Laguna Niguel, CA

More about me…

Surterre Properties

Address: 33522 Niguel Road #100, Monarch Beach, CA, 92629

Office: (949) 495-8600

Mobile: (949) 584-2300



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