orange county ca realtor: Happy Halloween from Jill Murty's Spokesdog Otis - 10/27/15 02:58 PM
Jill Murty's Spokesdog Otis
Wishes you a Happy Halloween!
 
  Selling a house can be a real fright, 
but with Jill Murty it will be an awesome delight! 
 
 
🎃
Thinking of Selling or Buying a Property in Orange County, CA?
I can help!  Contact me today to get started.
JILL MURTY | 949.355.5321 | JillMurty.com
 
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orange county ca realtor: When are Orange County, CA Property Taxes Due? - 10/09/15 03:50 AM
 When are Orange County, CA Property Taxes Due?
- 2015/2016 Installment -
 
The first installment of property taxes is due November 1, 2015. December 10, 2015 is the last day of the grace period to pay this installment without penalty. Don't be late!  It'll cost you 10%.    
The second installment of property taxes is due on February 1, 2016. April 11, 2016 is the last day of the grace period to pay without penalty, as April 10, 2016 is a Sunday. If you're late on the second installment, the penalty is 10% plus $23.00.  
If you have an impound account, … (9 comments)

orange county ca realtor: Why Wire Funds from the Sale Escrow to the Purchase Escrow? - 08/13/15 06:12 AM
 Can Funds be Wired Between Escrow Companies? 
 Why is it a Good Idea?
 
Did you know that some banks require that wired funds stay in the account for 24 hours before they can be wired back out?  How can this affect your timeline when coordinating the sale of  one home and the purchase of another?  Real estate works off of calendar days, so the impact on timing can be significant.
 
Suppose the seller's proceeds are wired into their account and arrive on a Friday.  They may have to wait until Monday to wire funds and depending on the time of  day the wire is … (11 comments)

orange county ca realtor: Is Time of the Essence? You Bet Your House it is. - 08/04/15 12:33 PM
Is Time of the Essence?  You Bet Your House it is.
 
It happens all the time.  A property has been on the market for a while.  The buyer is interested, but thinks there's all the time in the world to make an offer.  Maybe they're waiting and watching, hoping for a price reduction.
 
You advise the buyer someone else may make an offer or the seller's circumstances may change, so if they're truly interested in the property, they should move on it now.  If a trust relationship hasn't yet been established with the buyer(s), they understandably could think you're trying to push them … (13 comments)

orange county ca realtor: What's in a Last Name? - 08/04/15 11:18 AM
What's in a Last Name?
 
A nice couple walked into an open house at my Mission Viejo listing at 22651 La Vina Drive.  We chatted about what they were looking for in a house and we got to where I asked for their contact information.  
 
The girlfriend typed her info into my iPad.  I asked the boyfriend for his contact details.  He gave me his first name.  I asked for his last name trying to be funny, by saying "Do you have a last name?"  He dryly answered "No.  No, I don't."  I loved that answer!  I thought it was hilarious and … (14 comments)

orange county ca realtor: Oh Verizon, You're So Wacky - 07/22/15 02:25 AM
Oh Verizon, You're So Wacky
 
Verizon sent a text message to me saying I can get more data per month at no additional charge and no changes to my contract.  All I had to do is reply YES.  I've been receiving the same message for months and finally decided to reply yes.  Easy, right?
 
I immediately received a text message in return that said: "We're sorry, we couldn't upgrade your plan as requested.  Please contact Customer Service for assistance."  
 
Um....what?  I did my job and replied YES.  Now I have to call Customer Service, too?  
 
Oh, those wacky peeps at Verizon....
 
 
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orange county ca realtor: Seller Wants to Pay the Buyer's Agents What They're Worth - 06/13/15 08:36 AM
Seller Wants to Pay Buyer's Agents What They're Worth
 
Nothing.  That's what they're worth, if not less.
 
I am in the midst of the never ending transaction.  When my client, the owner of a rental property said she was ready to sell, I suggested she ask the tenants if they were interested in buying.  
 
The parents of the tenants pay the rent and they said they wanted to buy the property.  Terrific!  They said they'd speak with their agents (husband/wife team) for comps, etc.  They wrote an offer and after a tiny counter offer, we had a contract.  
 
The seller wanted a 30 … (9 comments)

orange county ca realtor: Coming soon to the Murty house: Kermit the Awesome Foster Dog! - 06/06/15 01:55 PM
Coming soon to the Murty house:
Kermit the Awesome Foster Dog! 
 
Kermit the Dog is coming to the Murty house to be spoiled until a permanent home is found for him.  Kermit is about 12 weeks old, thought to be an Aussie mix and is adorable as ever.  Want proof of his adorableness?  Check out the video and fall in love.
 
Anyone interested in meeting Kermit should visit the FOCHP (Friends of Orange County Homeless Pets) website to complete an application.
Rescue groups are always looking for fantastic volunteers and wonderful  people to adopt or foster  their animals and donate.   Contact your local rescue group … (20 comments)

orange county ca realtor: A Probate Hearing and a Weird Request - 05/20/15 01:27 AM
A Probate Hearing and a Weird Request
 
A court date was scheduled for a probate issue related to a property on which my buyer clients have an accepted offer.  My client and I decided to go to the hearing in person.  
 
As we walked down the hall, some ladies commented that they liked my hair.  "Thanks!", I said.  They asked what color it was.  Chestnut?  I said I wasn't sure, but that sounded like a reasonable guess.
 
My client and I were waiting outside the courtroom and overheard the ladies continuing to talk about the color of my hair. They were discussing whether … (16 comments)

orange county ca realtor: MCC Mortgage Credit Certificate Orange County, CA. What is it? - 05/12/15 02:44 AM
MCC Mortgage Credit Certificate, Orange County, CA
What is it?
 
The Mortgage Credit Certificate or MCC is a first time buyer benefit that is available to buyers whose income does not exceed the program limits.
 
Let's define a first time buyer. A first time buyer is a person who has never owned a home or has not been on title to a property for three years or more.
 
WHAT IS A MORTGAGE CREDIT CERTIFICATE (MCC)?  An MCC is an IRS tax credit that reduces the federal tax liability of a qualified borrower.  Although the program is always subject to change, as of this writing, the … (10 comments)

orange county ca realtor: My hashtag seller #sellmyhousebytheweekend - 05/07/15 02:44 PM
My hashtag seller  #sellmyhousebytheweekend
 
I was approached with this question: "Can you sell the house by this weekend?"  Of course, the answer was yes.  The approach would be different than that of a traditional sale.
 
The situation was difficult because there were family issues tied to the sale of the property and there was considerable pressure being applied to the seller.  The seller was ready to have the house sold NOW.
 
The seller has a tough exterior that can hide the fact that he's a real sweetheart of a guy.  He'd been so anxiety ridden that I hadn't really seen his funny side until … (27 comments)

orange county ca realtor: Mariachi Festival at Mission San Juan Capistrano - May 9, 2015 - 05/06/15 08:10 AM
Mariachi Festival at Mission San Juan Capistrano
May 9, 2015
 
May 9 Mariachi Festival!  This exciting day features live music performances by Mariachi bands as they compete on stage for cash prizes before a panel of distinguished judges.
 
Festival highlights also include the ringing of the historic Mission bells, performances by Ballet Folklorico de San Juan Capistrano and marionette shows.
 
Time: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano
For more information: Mission SJC Activties
 
FULL EVENT SCHEDULE
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orange county ca realtor: Personalities in Real Estate: The Angry, Frustrated Agent - 05/01/15 01:52 PM
Personalities in Real Estate: The Angry, Frustrated Agent
 
An agent called me saying he was at the listing he'd texted me about earlier that day.  He demanded to know where the lock box was.  He said I'd told him it was on the front door and it wasn't there.
 
The agent said the lock box wasn't behind the screen door.  I said "Um, my listing doesn't have a screen door."  The agent said "I'm standing right here!  Where is the lock box?!  
 
The agent was obviously at the wrong place. 
 
I asked if he saw my sign in front of the property. "No!" He … (10 comments)

orange county ca realtor: Spring Citrus Fair in La Habra! May 1-3, 2015 - 04/30/15 03:24 PM
Spring Citrus Fair in La Habra!
May 1-3, 2015
 
  
May 1 – 3, Spring Citrus Fair The La Habra Chamber of Commerce will produce its Annual Spring Citrus Fair showcasing the history of the La Habra Valley.
 
 
This event will include entertainment, carnival rides, local food, exhibits and character mascots.
 
 
This is a free event, which makes it my favorite price!
 
Time: Refer to website for specific schedule.
Location: La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA
For more information: www.citrusfair.com
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