housing trends: Tick Tock - 03/03/13 11:42 AM

Last week we had a planned power outage. I guess every now and then we all need to test the system and recharge, or reset something – Con-Ed it seems is no different. I never really thought about how may clocks we have around us: Mantel, Wall clocks(4), Stove, Microwave, Oven, Intercom, Watches, Cell Phones, Desktop(2), Laptops(3), iPod, iPad, alarm clocks (3),watches(4).. cars(2)…..WOW!
During the fall back/ spring forward I don’t think the clock-count has such an impact, because that Saturday (the next one is 2am March 10, 2013) if we just happen to be in the room, before we … (1 comments)

housing trends: Olympics of Real Estate - 08/05/12 11:41 AM
The Olympic Spirit certainly has made me appreciate all the folks around me. I heard athlete after athlete share that they would not have been here today without their team. For Michael Phelps it was his family, his coach, and yes--his dedication to his craft. For me it is the Real Estate Association, my team dedicated to education, Legal Team of the California Association of Realtors and Government Affairs, keeping a watchful eye on learning about the impacts to legislation on Home Ownership rights and added fees, retrofits and new disclosures that may impact your Real Estate Transaction. My team includes … (0 comments)

housing trends: best place to kiss 2012 - 02/14/12 04:40 AM
Get yourself in the mood the Valentines and throughout the year! This is LP with your “LP” (love-potion) of the best places to kiss in the Santa Clarita Valley….
10. While sitting on a blanket in Central Park during the SCV Summer Concert Series  9. In the bleachers at the Rampage…and the band played on! 8. At the Town Center Patios, outside seating area near the central Fire Pit 7. Top of the hills on Nature Trail at Placerita Canyon Nature Center  6. Leaning against the Bear outside the patios Wocano Entrance of the Town Center Mall (with our without Five-Guys Burger … (3 comments)

housing trends: American Dreamin' - 10/09/11 12:39 PM
On the heels of US Constitution Day, here we are at Columbus Day. My son and I are reading Alistair Cooke’s America, where we are recounting the steps of the New Found Land. The episode highlights Columbus’s plight into heading to the West. Statuesque for the time, the tall redhead of Columbus has a vision, a dream where it took over 20 years to secure a sponsor to finance such a path that would lead us toward the discovery of America. It was inspiring to think of a driven man who did not do it alone. In addition to Ferdinand and … (0 comments)

housing trends: Game On - 09/02/11 11:47 AM
Winter is behind us and all I remember is that it rained.  It rained and it rained!  I am very grateful as my family back east continues to remind me, “you don’t shovel rain!” Also, I am hopeful that our water purveyors throughout the Santa Clarita Valley will add this ‘sky-fallen liquidness’ to our water reserves and make best use of the increase to the water table. The rain also allowed my family to stay in and enjoy our home and our board games.  Years back we found a bookshelf that took our board and card games out of our ‘ye … (0 comments)

housing trends: Sweet Home - 07/25/11 07:49 PM
Apple picking in Maine, Cherry Picking in Leona Valley, CA, Fruit Festivals in and around the Santa Clarita Valley and beyond! The other day I was assembling breakfast looking for the sweet compliment to end to my meal. I checked the fruit drawer in the fridge, the cupboard shelves, and in between the kitchen counter and the stove, my selection was made! So there I was… navigating this ripe mango with a knife and teeth, thoroughly enjoying the sweetness and challenge to discover just how much more of the strands and juice I could wiggle free… it dawned on me I … (0 comments)

housing trends: because i said so - 08/30/10 09:20 AM
 

In the early days of parenting, my husband and I decided that we would keep the “Because I said so” card close to the vest when it came to the inevitably repeated phrase “why?” from our child. We wanted to appeal to our child’s curiosity with logic, explanations and paths to detailed resources BEFORE we had to bring out the heavy-guns of the “Because I said so”.
 
A recent article coverage of government fees and the water board, makes me think that in the past when it came to fee hikes when we asked the company or entity … (6 comments)

housing trends: purple object found in ear - 08/05/10 10:59 AM

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/user/HouseEar#p/u/6/2vcJDhsAkEI


Sharing this to help others, especially as kids get older and may not need immunizations, they may skip a well-appointment and not catch something like this. Max had no discomfort or hearing loss and luckily the object was discovered during his well-visit! Check into the link which includes an in-camera view of the procedure.

I am not sure who said it.. "It is not only what occurs in our health, but the comparisons to the baselines of what was last year, or over-time that is meaningful to overall health and wellness."

We … (4 comments)

housing trends: checkmate - 06/26/10 04:22 PM
This week I attended a Youth Chess Tournament. Who knew that a local club hosts these tournaments and other Chess Training Sessions throughout our very own Santa Clarita Valley?

I have a long history with the game of chess. I grew up playing chess with my uncle, who taught us by lengthy questions during the game: “Why would you move there?” “Who is that blocking?” “Why would you give me that piece, like that? I can take that piece in three moves. .. Move it here and I can get it only two moves.” J I think over the … (0 comments)

housing trends: Buttonwillow Raceway CA - 06/19/10 08:31 AM

The cars, the track, the thrill, the safety! It is not surprising that this raceway park’s motto is “Satisfy your craving for speed”. I had the privilege and honor of riding in a car that a friend of mine built. I met other car enthusiasts, got the tour of the vehicle including all the safety equipment and rode next to some of the fastest Corvettes and “might be street legal” Hondas. For those of you who know me, know that I have a high appreciation for well built cars – you also know that I know very little about them … (0 comments)

housing trends: Facing Foreclosure - 06/19/10 08:23 AM
Why only consider Fore’closure’, when you can ‘open’ your eyes to possible alternatives to foreclosure that exist today? This week I helped homeowners who didn’t know where to start, who to call, or what information they needed to make an informed decision. Some options are better than others, depending upon many factors. You need to have a comprehensive evaluation of your particular situation to determine what is best for YOU! Empower yourself with the information. Let us work together to ensure you are eyes wide open.
What does this have to do with Real Estate in Santa Clarita Valley? Santa Clarita … (0 comments)

housing trends: at the movies - 05/30/10 10:54 AM
A week ago, I went to the Movies! Not just any movie and not in just any movie theatre… I went to see Holy Rollers the new movie from director Kevin Asch, writer Antonio Macia, and actor Jesse Eisenberg, and I saw it at the WORLD REKNOWN … Landmark Theatre! Ah the experience!I scaled 6 escalators to come upon an upscale eatery…which I have heard is “convenient for dinner and a movie.” As far as prices to portions to quality: “great for a date night, but not so much for a special occasion”… Have you been? Let me know what you … (0 comments)

housing trends: Home-Based Business in City of Santa Clarita Permit/Resource Info - YOU could win $50 Gift Card* - 04/15/10 02:04 AM

Having a home based business can be very rewarding. Did you know in the City of Santa Clarita, CA you need to have a 'Home Occupation' Permit?
Also, a Home Occupation permit is not a business license. It is a use-type permit not to approve a business, but to allow that business to operate in a residentially zoned property. This is necessary for home-based businesses to insure that these businesses are not detrimentally impacting the residential neighborhoods in which they are located.

Also, do you know about the Small Business Development Center located right here in the Santa Clarita Valley? … (0 comments)

housing trends: NO MORE CALIFORNIA STATE TAX ON FORGIVEN DEBT* - 04/13/10 01:45 PM
Here is an update on those who may need to consider Short Sale or Foreclosure. You MUST consult your CPA or Tax Advisoras conditions, restrictions, guidelines, etc. may apply. **No More State Tax on Forgiven Debt: Distressed homeowners no longer have to pay California state income tax on debt forgiven in a short sale, foreclosure, or loan modification. Enacted into law yesterday, Senate Bill 401 generally aligns California's tax treatment of mortgage debt relief income with federal law. For debt forgiven on a loan secured by a "qualified principal residence," borrowers will now be exempt from both federal and state income … (0 comments)

housing trends: California Passes Home Buyer Tax Credit AB183 * - 03/25/10 01:57 PM
**You MUST consult your CPA or Tax Advisor as conditions, restrictions, guidelines, etc. may apply** AB 183 will provide $200 million for home buyer tax credits, allocating $100 million for qualified first-time home buyers of existing homes and $100 million for purchasers of new, or previously unoccupied, homes. The eligible taxpayer who purchases a qualified personal residence on and after May 1, 2010, and on or before Dec. 31, 2010, or who purchases a qualified principal residence on and after Dec. 31, 2010, and before Aug. 1, 2011, pursuant to an enforceable contract executed on or before Dec. 31, 2010, will … (1 comments)