Marlene Bridges, REALTOR® 800 777-1775 South Orange County Real Estate Website County Seniors Lifestyles Blog SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist® CRS-Certified Residential Specialist® President - Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce Marlene is a highly experienced and respected South Orange County CA REALTOR® specializing in residential Real Estate and the sale of Homes and Condos in South Orange County, California and Saddleback Valley cities of: Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo. ________________________________________________________________________ … (7 comments)
Today was a unique and special day for a couple of reasons - It's a square root date. It only happens eight *nine times each century! Today is 3-3-09. *Thanks to my buddy Joseph Lang for reminding me on this one!
This century's square root days are; 1-1-01 , 2-2-04, 3-3-09, 4-4-16, 5-5-25, 6-6-36, 7-7-49, 8-8-64 and 9-9-81 So, for some we may not see too many more of these square root days in our lifetimes. Today was special for me for a completely different reason. I must admit that three weeks ago, I wouldn't have … (8 comments)
laguna realtor: Affordable Country Club Lifestyle in Laguna Woods Village (formerly Leisure World)
- 03/05/08 06:47 AM
Country Club Living for Active Seniors 3144-A Via Vista, Laguna Woods, CA 92637 View Map This IMMACULATE CONDO sits atop a quiet hill. VIEW spectacular sunsets, nearby hills, and snow-capped mountains from the northwest facing living room, dining room and WRAP-AROUND BALCONY. Perfectly situated to catch the view, but avoid the direct, afternoon summer sun. Enjoy the coastal breezes while entertaining on your deck. The LIVING ROOM is large and accommodates even your largest pieces of furniture. It has a wood-burning, travertine-faced fireplace. There is a wall of windows in the living room and dining room complete with custom window coverings. … (7 comments)
laguna realtor: What the Heck is a Half Bathroom?
- 02/16/08 02:35 AM
One of the questions I'm often asked as a REALTOR® is, "What is a half bathroom?" Recently, the Southern California Multiple Listing Service incorporated a new set of input fields to their system. And with this change, I'm sure I'll be hearing the question more often. Here's the definition direct from SoCal MLS:
"In most parts of the country, a full bathroom includes a toilet, a sink, a bathtub and a shower. A combination bath and shower counts as two fixtures. If the bathroom has only three fixtures it is a 3/4 bath. If it has only two fixtures it is a … (16 comments)
laguna realtor: Think You Might Be A Victim of Lender Bait And Switch? You May Want To Think Again
- 02/08/08 08:18 AM
One of the most often-heard complaints about lenders is "Bait and Switch". Does it happen? You bet. But, I'd being willing to bet it doesn't happen as often as we might think. The next time someone starts giving a bad rap to a lender for a giving them a surprise at the end of the loan process, you might want to ask them to tell you more. In my experience, the lender is not always the culprit. It can actually be the borrower who causes the loan to change at the last minute. Here are the three most common mistakes that … (9 comments)
laguna realtor: Confessions of a Technophile REALTOR® In Laguna Niguel, California
- 02/08/08 05:53 AM
Are you a technolgy buff? Me too. One of the things I miss most of the 8 years I spent as an investment advisor is getting to see cutting edge technology before it's introduced to the world. I found this video today that I just had to share. While not a new video, it sure blew me away! It features a screen that's large enough for boomers like me to enjoy. Wouldn't it be cool to have a screen this size on our iFONES? Not quite as portable, but sure would be fun to use!
The possibilities for this touch-screen just boggle … (8 comments)
laguna realtor: How You Can Tell If The Condo You're Looking At Is Priced Right
- 01/20/08 05:20 AM
Yesterday, I held an open house on a great townhome. The owner had just done a large price reduction and it seems to have created some genuine interest in the property. The place is vacant, but beautifully furnished and well-maintained. It was a fun open house with steady visitors throughout the four hours I was there. The last person who came through almost put a damper on my day. She was convinced that the property was over-priced compared to other properties she'd seen. Then, it hit me. This lady is not working with an agent who has been able to explain what's really … (15 comments)
laguna realtor: A Real Estate Relationship Is Like A Courtship - How to Know If You've Chosen the Right REALTOR®
- 01/14/08 09:58 AM
Recently, while speaking with a client, he mentioned that he wasn't happy with the agent he was working with who's helping him find a new home. I'm currently working with this fellow and his family to sell their current home. He asked me how to know if he's working with the wrong REALTOR®. I asked him a few questions about the experience he was having and then used my courtship analogy. In my experience, a real estate business relationship is a lot like a courtship: First Date - This would be the initial contact on the phone or internet. Time to … (12 comments)
Marlene Bridges, REALTOR® 800 777-1775 South Orange County Real Estate Website Orange County Seniors Lifestyles Blog SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist® CRS-Certified Residential Specialist® President - Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce Marlene is a highly experienced South Orange County CA REALTOR® specializing in residential Real Estate and the sale of Homes and Condos in South Orange County, California and Saddleback Valley cities of: Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ … (13 comments)
laguna realtor: Seniors Moving With Pets - To South Orange County California 55 & Better Communities
- 10/07/07 02:10 PM
Working with seniors in South Orange County California is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a REALTOR®. Client's needs vary and it provides many unique opportunities to be of service. One of the most frequently asked questions from people thinking about moving into a 55 and better communities is, "Can I bring my pets?" Happily in most instances, the pets will be able to transition nicely into our 55 and better communities. While pets are accepted, it is wise to consider the size of the pet that you are planning to move with you. Senior communities are better geared … (3 comments)
laguna realtor: Greg Gantman - Welcome to Active Rain!
- 10/07/07 03:07 AM
Please help me welcome one of our newest Active Rainers, Greg Gantman. Greg's a great guy who served tirelessly as President of the Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce for two years. He's generously supported my efforts as President of the Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber. I've come to value his friendship and council so much. Please take a moment to welcome him. I know Greg will be a generous contributor to Active Rain. Please help me welcome Greg to AR by reading and commenting on his first post. Click here to read and comment on Greg's first article.
Marlene Bridges, REALTOR® 800 777-1775 South Orange County Real … (11 comments)
laguna realtor: GOT WRITER’S BLOCK? Need A Marketing Piece Yesterday?
- 03/29/07 08:56 AM
Have you ever sat staring blankly at your computer screen willing the blinking cursor to zap some great copy into the marketing piece you needed done yesterday? It's sure happened to me more than once. Typically, I have no problem coming up with a few things to say about any listing. But after a while, it all begins to sound the same. Well, if Dr. Phil and Dr. Laura can help people sort out the perils of daily life with books and talk shows, I figured there must be something out there that could help with ad, listing, and flyer writer's … (4 comments)
laguna realtor: Spring Has Sprung in Laguna Hills, California!
- 03/28/07 11:59 AM
Couldn't resist sharing this photo I shot today just outside the Laguna Hills Community Center & Sports Complex. The facility includes a community center featuring a gymnasium, library and meeting rooms. The park provides lots of green space for two lighted soccer fields, one little league diamond and an adult softball diamond. There are also lots of places for little ones to explore and play in two tot-lots. The playground areas feature a dinosaur theme because Laguna Hills is noted for being one of the most fossil-rich areas in the U.S. This incredible facility is not only a great place … (1 comments)
laguna realtor: The Winds of March SoCal Style
- 03/28/07 11:28 AM
On Tuesday, March 27th, Southern California experienced unusual wind gusts of up to 60 mph. About 10,000 people were left without electricity for several hours in a couple of areas of Los Angeles. Here in South Orange County, there was little visible damage, just a scattering of fallen branches and leaves. In my travels, I did see a couple of fallen trees. The photo above shows one I saw in front of the YMCA in Mission Viejo. A diligent city crew had already been out to remove the branches and pull the tree trunk safely off the road. The winds created something … (1 comments)
laguna realtor: A Word From The Yogi---Yogi Berra That Is
- 02/07/07 06:12 PM
Greg Gumbel was the keynote speaker at an event I attended a number of years ago. He told his favorite Yogi Berra story and it has become mine, too. I've searched the web and haven't found it, so I thought it was worth sharing with you. Yogi was in the kitchen of his country home getting a drink of water. He looked out the window and noticed his neighbors barn was on fire. He rushed to the phone and called the fire department. The dialogue follows: Yogi: Hello, this is Yogi Berra. You gotta come quick. My neighbor's barn is on fire. Fire Department: Yes, Mr. Berra. … (7 comments)
laguna realtor: California Dreamin'-Laguna Beach Style
- 01/29/07 08:46 PM
It seems like only yesterday I caught my first glimpse of Laguna Beach. It was my 16th birthday and mom had assigned my handsome cousin, Richard, the job of getting me out of the house. She was getting everything ready for my sweet 16 party. As we drove up the coast, I marveled at the eclectic style of the homes perched atop cliffs and scattered up the hillside. When we made the turn on Cliff Drive we marvelled at the sight of one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. One year later, on Prom Night, my date took me his favorite place on … (5 comments)
laguna realtor: Living in Laguna Hills, CA
- 01/29/07 07:01 PM
The City of Laguna Hills is located in the Saddleback Valley in South Orange County California. It is approximately three miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and the rocky and stunningly beautiful Laguna Beach coastline. The City of Laguna Hills lies south of Disneyland (in Anaheim) and north of San Diego at California's southernmost tip. The mild climate and coastal breezes provided a perfect setting for the vast cattle ranches that originally covered the area just after Mexico gained its independence from Spain in the early 1800's. One of the early land grants known as Rancho Niguel was given to Don … (3 comments)
laguna realtor: Real Estate is a Contact Sport - You Need Coaches & Cheerleaders
- 01/28/07 05:07 PM
One of my favorite things about this business of real estate is the many kind and generous people I meet. It's a thrill to be able to help clients find the home of their dreams. It's a great joy to be able to help people sell their homes to move on. But, one of the things that is an intrinsic benefit is the many great real estate professionals we meet in the process.
During my first month in my career in real estate, I joined a great coaching group called By Referral Only. Through that coaching program, I met most of the … (6 comments)
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