Recently, I bought a home in Orange County – my first. Like most first-timers, I really didn’t know what to expect. But it wasn’t long before my uncertainties began to vanish. That’s because I had a super Realtor there with me every step of the way. Angie Weeks really knew the ins and outs of the Orange County Real Estate marketplace. And she was there all the time with lots of advice and support. I always felt I had somebody on my side. Angie definitely went above and beyond what I had ever expected. I have a lot to be thankful for.

The first thing I would tell any first-time buyer is this – make sure you have plenty of patience. That’s the key. Eventually you’ll find a good deal. Believe me, they’re out there. Just don’t be in a rush. You’ll get the house you want.

The other thing that’s really important is to go into the market with an open mind. That’s the best way to figure out exactly what you want. Sure, it’s pretty typical to be unsure when you first enter the marketplace. But once you embark on your house hunt, you’ll gradually become familiar with all the possibilities. Suddenly, things you never thought of prior to the search might become major issues. On the other hand, things you considered a big deal may not seem so important after you’ve looked around a while. It’s all a question of taking the time to figure out what you want.

Great people, great schools, great environment – there’s plenty to luv about the sunny city of Mission Viejo. And if you’re searching for one of the many ideally-located Mission Viejo homes, you now can register with an Orange County Real Estate resource that will make your house hunt a whole lot easier, effective, and enjoyable. We’re talking full coverage that targets exactly the kind of place your heart desires.

This resource even allows you to extend your search beyond the confines of daytime hours. Don’t worry. You won’t lose any sleep. It’s all done for you online with a Nightly Neighborhood Search. You could literally find the home of your dreams while you dream.

Of course, needs vary. Fortunately, Mission Viejo offers buyers a diversity of choices. A great example is the La Paz tract. Rating sky high on the desirability scale, La Paz is noted for its generously large lots – sometimes stretching out to acres of upscale family living. For the recreation-minded, nearby Lake Mission Viejo offers plenty to do… or not do when you’re in chill-out mode.

If you’d like to learn more about the excellent selection of Mission Viejo homes currently available, I’m ready to help. Just contact me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com. Or follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.

April 30 – that’s when it’s all over, people. You’ve gotta be in escrow by that date in order to qualify for the extended first time home buyer’s tax credit. It all boils down to this: get your home purchase contract in the pipeline by the deadline, or forefeit up to $8,000.00 in tax credits. Poof! Gone! Hasta la Vista, baby! And time won’t make an exception for you. It’s slippin’ away. You’ve got about seven weeks to get it in gear. On your mark, get set, go! 

But if this time crunch isn’t enough to propel you into a mad dash worthy of an Olympian champ, consider this – the deal has to close within two months of the April 30 deadline. In calendar time, the whole thing has to be signed, sealed, and delivered by June 30. If not, say good-bye to your chance to put up to 8k in your pockets.

True, in a grand show of governmental largesse, Uncle Sam already has extended the tax credit one glorious time. But if you’re sitting on your big sofas waiting for this generous act to repeat itself, make sure your crystal ball is in full working order. Because if you don’t have one of these handy devices, there’s no telling what our friends in Washington will do. So unless you’re prepared to risk 8k on a hunch, it’s best to spring into buyer mode now.

If you’re a first time home buyer, the government is offering you a great way to save up $8 thousand. But the offer won’t be on the table much longer. If you’d like to learn more about benefiting from this generous first time home buyer tax credit before it vanishes, I’m ready to help. Just contact me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com. Or follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.

No doubt about it. Real Estate Foreclosures are helping to heat up the marketplace throughout the country. And one of the most popular foreclosure hotspots is Mission Viejo. There are many reason for the undeniable appeal of this fair city. Among them are high quality of life, an acclaimed school system, abundant recreation, safety, stunning architecture, and plenty of good ‘ol sunshine. Now factor in the great price of a foreclosure property, and Mission Viejo becomes downright irresistible.

Alright, you want to grab one of these amazing Mission Viejo foreclosures. Great. But there are a couple of  things you should know to plunge into the market at full power.

Move at Lightspeed

There are plenty of foreclosure properties available. But they go fast, folks. One nanosecond late, and you could miss the deal of a lifetime. On an average, these properties are snapped up within 7 days of being listed. That’s no surprise, since these homes generally on the market at about 10% below market value. So don’t sit around waiting for one to fall into your lap. You’ve gotta get up and get out there if you want to grab those deals. We’re talking lightspeed.

Be Prepared

A  lending institution expects all relevant documents to be in order at the time you make your offer, NOT when your meticulously crafted offer is accepted. Your agent will know more about what to have and when to have it. Just make sure you’re ready. Because if you aren’t, the local bank can choose from plenty of other eager buyers who are.

Grab a Great Deal in a Great City

No doubt about it. Mission Viejo Real Estate foreclosures offer great deals in a great city. Act fast and go in prepared, and you tremendously improve your chances of snapping one up. If you’d like to learn more about these buying opportunities, I’m ready to help. Just contact me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com. Or follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.

It promises to be the home buying event to end all home buying events. Of course, I’m talking about the Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair, which unfolds on the weekend of March 13-1 at the L.A. Convention Center. Jointly sponsored by C.A.R. and the L.A. Times, this grand event is expected to draw thousands of very motivated potential home buyers.

Why You Want to Be There

Because you’ll learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about buying a home, and then some. Highlighting the event are 50 seminars that will help home buyers cruise through the contemporary marketplace with new confidence. The seminars will be offered in both English and Spanish. Among the timely topics are understanding home prices, monitoring and fixing credit to facilitate mortgage application, and home inspections.

Don’t worry about admission costs. The event is absolutely free to the public. And if you’re one of the first 200 people to attend, you’ll get a free movie ticket.

Sounds like a super good deal to me. If you want more information about the Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair, I’m happy to help. Just contact Angie at 877-230-3211 or angie@askangie.com to get any of your questions answered.

Good news for home buyers. Fannie Mae is giving you a 3.5% incentive if you buy and close on a Fannie Mae-owned home. This amazing offer will be on the table between January 28 and April 30, 2010. If you purchase a property listed on HomePath.com and the deal closes within this time frame, you may get up to 3.5% of the final sales price for: 

• Closing costs

• The purchase of a new Whirlpool^® appliances by Fannie Mae

• Or if buyer prefers, a combination of closing cost and appliance discounts up to the maximum 3.5%.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Offers must be accepted on or following January 28, 2010;

• Property sales must close prior to May 1, 2010, and;

• Buyers are required to be owner-occupants. Investors can’t get in on this.

Sounds like a good deal to me. If you're interested in taking advantage of these amazing incentives, I'd leap right into action and talk to a
qualified lender today. And if you'd like help finding the home of your dreams, I'm here to help. Contact me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com.
Or follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.

]]> http://blog.askangie.com/2010/02/09/two-more-reasons-to-buy-a-fannie-mae-owned-home/feed/ 3 angieweeks fannie mae incentives http://blog.askangie.com/2010/02/03/make-the-most-of-your-money-diversify/ http://blog.askangie.com/2010/02/03/make-the-most-of-your-money-diversify/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:48:20 +0000 angieweeks http://blog.askangie.com/?p=545 ]]>

Mission Viejo Book Signing – ‘Making the Most of Your Money’

Last week I visited the Mission Viejo Library to get a copy of what is supposed to be the best personal financial planning book on the market right now. Entitled ‘Making the Most of Your Money’, it was written by Jane Bryant Quinn.  Honestly, I had never heard of Jane Bryant Quinn until recently, but she definitely is a highly respected voice in the money management community.

Jane got off to a light start, joking that she almost named her book ‘Making the Most Out of What’s Left of Your Money’. She agrees that the economy is in a bad place, adding that the government needed to step in in order to prevent a full-on depression. But this cloud has a silver lining – the economy is recovering. Nevertheless, we’re still feeling some economic aches and pains, which is why keeping our finances in mind and tightening up our ship is such a good idea.

Jane covered quite a bit of financial planning territory. Regarding our current bull market, she recommended diversifying accordingly. She also touched on inflation, predicting that fortunately this monster won’t go very high.

For the U.S. government’s role, Jane pointed out that Congress may soon be restoring the Paygo law, which is intended to control government spending. This, along with a tax increase, could significantly help our budget.

So how do savers and investors pick their way through the current financial wilderness?

First and foremost, according to Jane, get OUT of consumer debt. “Debt is like feeding your dollars to squirrels.” Do NOT make it normal. Debt and credit are not glamorous. Sure, they seem fun at first, but when it’s time to retire and your mortgage is soaring, the debt beast will likely bring you to ruin.

In the Real Estate arena, Jane cautioned that we shouldn’t expect the height of where we were in 2007 for many, many years. OK fine. Thanks for that. In general, home prices follow the inflation rate. Currently, consumers aren’t thinking of their homes as investments. But that’s OK. Because when all is said and done, according to Jane, it STILL PAYS to OWN a HOME!!!!!! But watch those HELOCs. Let’s get back to that concept of paying down our mortgage, people. Jane also advised don’t take a reverse mortgage until you’re in your 80’s, even though you are allowed to in your 60’s.

If you’re underwater on your rental investment, it’s probably a good idea to lower your rent to keep your tenants. You must be prepared for losses for years and years if you are a serious real estate investor.  Make sure you have liquid cash flow.  You can also consider short sale or foreclosure if the property is a huge drain. Talk to a professional Orange County financial planner and / or consider some by the book investment education.

As for stocks, Jane mentioned that she talked with many of the top financial masterminds all over the nation. Apparently, the majority of them have the bulk of their own funds in a broad market index, something like S&P…

She added that for young people, lifestyle funds are a good idea, even though they’ve received a bit of a bad rap.

Jane also stated a good formula for your retirement fund risk is this: subtract your age from 110. Whatever that number is, that’s the percent you should be investing in stocks. As you get older, this formula helps you safely transition into a majority of bonds and a lower risk portfolio.

There are so many valuable insights in this book, it was THICK!  I’m sure  ‘Making the Most of Your Money’ is truly a valuable guide to sound financial planning.  But seriously, no matter how many books we read someone, who does financial planning for a living will always be better than we are, IMO.  You should have a professional on your side.  Just like you should in real estate!!

Speaking of property, if you would like your diversification strategy to include owning some Orange County Real Estate, I’m happy to help.  Contact me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com.  Or follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.  Happy investing – feel free to post what has and has not worked for you here!

New Year, New Opportunities in Orange County Real Estate

First let me wish a ‘Happy New Year’ to all.  Yes, folks, 2010 is here.  And with the new year, there promises to be a wealth of new opportunities emerging in the bustling world of Orange County Real Estate.  So get up off  your comfy couch and do what you’ve been wanting to do for a long time. Don’t let opportunity pass you by.  Add that to your list of New Years resolutions right now.

So maybe you’re thinking about buying your first home. Perfect!  If you’re an Orange County first time home buyer, the time has never been better. A major reason for such bright prospects is that there currently are a number of available incentives created to improve your overall experience.

If selling your home for the first time is on your mind, optimism is in order.  Buyers are returning to the marketplace. So sellers rejoice! The market is definitely moving in the right direction. In fact, there are a number things going on that will make selling easier, from listing to close. If you’re worried about Uncle Sam taking a chunk, be aware you might be able to reduce your tax obligation with a few easy and yes, legal steps.

Perhaps you’re opting to make your first Real Estate investment.  Believe it or not, there are well-focused ways to improve your financial future without getting an advanced degree from the school of hard knocks.

Indeed, the door of opportunity is opening wide in 2010.  If you’re ready to learn more about the diversity of emerging Orange County Real Estate opportunities, I’ll be happy to help.  Contact me at 949.338.7408. Or follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.

Ready to own your own home and step up your lifestyle?  Then make fast tracks to the Marriot Anaheim on Sunday, December 13 for the ultimate Orange County home auction.  That’s when 54 units of the luxurious Harbor Lofts hit the auction block. Bids start at an ultra-low $165,000.  That’s right. $165,000.

Gotta Luv the Lofts

The Harbor Lofts are located in bustling downtown Anaheim. A nice, prestigious location with plenty of urban snap and sizzle. What else could you ask for? OK, how about pricing that re-defines Orange County housing affordability.

You’ll Also Enjoy:

• Your choice of 1-3 bedrooms.
• Swimming pool and gym.
• Easy walking distance to shopping, parks, and Farmers Market, as well as a minutes-away drive to Disneyland, the Honda Center, and Anaheim stadium.

All qualified buyers are eligible for up to $125,00 in down payment assistance. And if this is your first home purchase, you may qualify to receive up to $8,000.00 in a first-time buyer tax credit. Nice.

The Remedy for Auction Anxiety

Those of you with ‘auction anxiety’ can rest assured that the whole process is actually quite simple, and even exhilarating.  Before any bidding starts, a speaker will make sure you’re completely informed with a brief summary of the terms of sale, the ways to bid, and any late changes or disclosures. The auctioneer answers any final questions you might have. Then the fun begins as bidders call out their competing offers to gain the property of their dreams. Basically it works like any other auction. If you get a chance, attend a home auction to familiarize yourself with this truly exciting way to grab big time real estate bargains.

If you’re eager to learn more about this amazing Orange County home auction event, I’ll be happy to help.   Contact me at 949.338.7408. Or follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.

As an Orange County first time home buyer, selecting your home is a major decision. Luckily, the U.S. Government is making it easier than ever for newbies. To stimulate the housing market, Uncle Sam has extended the first-time buyer tax credit until April, 2010. The program has already helped hundreds of first-timers see their dream come true. Why not be one of them?

Taking Advantage of the Program

If you’re a qualified first-time home buyer, you can receive up to an $8,000 tax credit for your purchase.  To qualify, you’ve gotta purchase your home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.  Also, you cannot have owned a residence any time prior to buying your new home. If you meet these criteria, you’re on your way. How much you qualify for depends upon two factors: your income and the price of the property you’re considering.  The point is, you’re in for a major financial windfall no matter where you lie on the scale.

The other great thing about the tax credit is that it offers you complete freedom. You can choose any property your heart desires, as long it is used as your primary residence. There are no other restrictions.

Since the first time buyer tax credit expires in 2010, the time is ripe to reap the rewards of this major incentive and live the dream of home ownership. There are dozens of resources to learn more about this exciting program if you’re an Orange County first time home buyer. Should you have specific questions, I’m always available to answer them.  You can contact me at 949.338.7408. Or you can follow me on Twitter @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.

I was just meeting with one of our first time buyer preferred lenders, Manny Piceno.  Manny plays hockey with Mike at Aliso Ice rink, and he’s always been one of our favorite g0-to guys because he’s full of good info but not full of himself

If you’re not actively looking for a home right now, you may not know that the most common first time buyer loan, FHA, has stricter guidelines than other loan packages.  FHA is a great 1st time buyer loan to get because its fixed rate, backed by the government, AND you only need 3.5% down.

BUT, there are additional guidelines for FHA loans.  One of those guidelines is that the HOA doesn’t have too many homeowners defaulting on their HOA payments.  When people get in financial trouble, one of the first bills they stop paying is the local HOA.  Also, the HOA needs to have a certain percentage of owner occupied properties.  If too many investors own and are renting out properties in that neighborhood, it may not be FHA approved.

FHA approved neighborhoods in Orange County – how the heck do you find them?

Well, Manny let us know about this website:

https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/condlook.cfm

Of course, its not perfect and the status of neighborhoods is constantly changing, but at least  you can have a resource to get an idea.

What about spot FHA approval for Orange County condos?

Well, its possible, but highly UNlikely if your neighborhood is listed on this website as ‘withdrawn’ or ‘rejected’.  If you’re a first time buyer doing an FHA loan, you just cannot buy a property in that neighborhood.  We’re sorry, you may complain to the government   Or, you can borrow $$ so you have a 20% down loan, and buy wherever the heck you want.  Really, although it can be frustrating to be limited when buying your first property, FHA is truely looking out for you and your best interest.

If you DID buy a property in a neighborhood where the HOA is belly up, the exterior could go south quickly and then it would be hard to sell.  Don’t believe us?  Call and ask Angie about how she had to be an expert witness in a court case where the HOA went bankrupt and the complex is now INFESTED with termites.  A poor unsuspecting homeowner cannot sell her condo, and she had a shady Realtor represent her in the buy.  She is still living with lots of winged roommates, and this has literally been going on for YEARS.  If FHA loans would have been available in CA at the time she bought, they would have prevented all the drama for her.  So sometimes, being told no is a good thing people!

Please call us if you have any questions about getting an FHA pre-approval.  You CAN own a home, we can help! 877-230-3211

Orange County Zoo :
All kinds of animals – plus the zoo is inside Irvine Park, where you can also ride the railroad and have a relaxing picnic

Lake Mission Viejo :
Go swimming, fishing, or boating.  The lake is closed to guests on holidays before 6pm, though   Make sure you bring your pass!

Crystal Cove state park :
Enjoy a brisk hike, and some historic coastline cottages.  Plus the drive to get there on PCH isn’t so bad either.

The best part is you can do any of the above for between $10-$20 per person, so there’s no excuses not to get out there and grab yourself a little sunshine!

Happy Memorial Day and God bless our troops and their families!!!

Here are 3 things you should NOT do when you are looking for Orange County rentals:

1.  Partially filling out your application
2.  Working with multiple agents
3.  Stiffing on your appointments

I am going to explain why each is bad for you, and hopefully this madness can stop  

First, its essential that you fill out your lease application COMPLETELY, even if you are putting in n/a.  Your application is the initial impression your landlord will get from you!  You only get one chance to make a good first impression.  Yes, we all understand that you would like to keep some of your life private… but not putting your bank account info or balance on an application makes the owner of the property think you don’t HAVE a bank account.  Would YOU rent to an individual who did not know how to use the bank?  I think not.  The same goes for your references.  If you leave this blank the owner thinks that not one person out there will say a nice word about you.  Would YOU rent to someone like that?  A nicely written application (oh, we need to be able to read your writing too!) that is complete, goes a loooooong way.  Its ok if you don’t look perfect on paper, you need to be honest anyway. If you think the landlord won’t consider you if they know the short details then write a letter of explination and paint us a picture of how we can make this situation work for all involved.

Second, why are you working with multiple agents?  Do you really think you’re going to get better service that way?  If the agent you are working with is lazy and puts you on the back burner then CALL them, be honest in how you feel, and select a Realtor who CARES about you and your situation.  Thinking that 3 or 4 agents out there looking/working for you will get the job done quicker is WRONG.  Agents talk, and they will eventually find out about eachother.  Go ahead and apply that scenario to relationships and dating.  When you date multiple people and aren’t honest about it, what happens when they find out?  Who loses?  That’s right, cheaters never win.  In real estate either.  You may or may not know this, but unless a Realtor closes a deal with you, they do not get paid.  How ethical is it for you to let 4 people work for you knowing 3 of them will not get paid?  You need all the good karma you can get when you are looking for a good rental in OC!!!  Do yourself a favor and build a relationship with ONE, GOOD, Realtor. 

Finally, its important to GO to the APPOINTMENT you made!  Agents are constantly stiffed by internet inquiries.  Craigslist is such a great resource, and it makes us sad that stiffers are giving it a bad reputation.  Its totally ok if you decide you don’t want to see a property.  Agents LIKE it when you can filter out properties from the internet and not have to be carted to each one.  What they do not appreciate is you calling them, telling them you will be there at 7pm Friday night, and then you not showing up and not answering your phone.  These agents are re-arranging their schedules for you, and its sooo disappointing if you don’t call to say you will not be there.  Its common courtesy, everyone should practice it.  Stiffing agents makes them not trust you.  If they don’t trust you they won’t prioritize you.  If you think they don’t prioritize you, you may begin working with multiple agents….do you see how this is a vicious cycle?! 

Any and all comments are encouraged — go ahead and expose your rental horror stories, and the things you’ve learned not to do.   Here at The Weeks Team, we have proven strategies to make your application look good and get you into a rental.  Tell your friends, but only if they aren’t stiffers!!!

It’s an earthquake!
 
This week, the financial markets were shaken with an earthquake unlike almost anything we have seen in our lifetimes!  The one similar example is the infamous “black Monday” on October 19th, 1987.  On that one day, the stock market dropped over 500 points for the first time ever.  A decline of more than 25% which dwarfs the declines we saw this week.
 
So what do we do?  Panic?  Run for the hills?  Convert your cash to gold and start buying ammunition?  Of course not.  But to hear it discussed in some circles, that’s exactly what should happen.
 
On Monday evening, I was interviewed on CNBC in the midst of the “AIG crisis”.  Yet another massive financial firm experiencing financial duress.  I was asked what my counsel was to people who have been told to “buy and hold”.  The point I made was that this is a call to arms for people to get their financial houses in order.  Too many people have been speculating financially, and the results are as we have seen.
 
For many people, including most of my clients, this was an expected though unwelcome event.  We know that bear markets and financial downturns will happen.  In fact this bear market has currently been less severe than the average bear markets we have seen in the past!  It certainly doesn’t feel like it, but it’s true.
 
So what do you do?  For starters, do a complete financial physical on where you are at.  You need to examine your assets as well as your debts.  Look in detail at your investment holdings, and decide if you need to make changes.  Don’t make changes for just any old reason, but with a practical and well thought out plan. 
 
As I pointed out in a separate CNBC appearance a month ago, this is a great time to sell highly appreciated assets and pay capital gains.  Those tax rates are still very low historically, and are likely to rise in the future.  You can use the proceeds to pick up some excellent investments that are trading well below their values.
 
Bottom line is, like in any earthquake, don’t panic!  Stop and pick up the pieces.  Make new plans moving forward, but make them with a clear mind and well thought out options.  It’s a perfect time to meet with your financial planner if you have one, or find a new one if yours isn’t up to the task. 
 
Earthquakes happen.  Those who are prepared and don’t panic will be okay.
 
William Jordan, President of The Sentinel Group, Inc, is a well respected speaker and media resource for quality financial advice.  He’s been interviewed by CNBC, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and was a featured financial expert in Kiplinger’s September cover story.  You can reach William Jordan at (949) 380-8600 or visit www.SentinelOC.com.

Hanging artwork and photos in your new home really shows visitors insight into your life.  Custom framed artwork and photos is so expensive. We recently tried to frame a 20″ x 24″ portrait at a local frame store and the price we were quoted was $400. Buying posters and puting them in inexpensive frames can really save money. Ikea, TJ Max and Ross are some of our favorite places to buy posters, frames and framed art. Great looks and even better values.

Our HOT TIP of the day for framing family photos and getting the “custom framed” look is this. Measure your photo you want to frame. Go to TJ Max and shop for an already framed piece of art with similar measurements. Example: your photo is 16″ x 20″. Plan on matting the photo with about 2″-4″ on each side. So, a 16″ x 20″ photo with need a frame aproximately 18″ x 22″ or 20″ x 24″ opening. Take your photo and your new fram to JoAnn’s or Michaels and get new matts cut to match your photo. Ask them to put the matts, photo and frame together for you so it’s all done right. You will get the custom look for a fraction of the price!

It looks WONDERFUL and everyone will think you paid the BIG bucks. Our 20″ x 24″ portrait cost us $85 in our new frame and matts. Shhhhh! Don’t tell our guests.

It’s tax time, and your property tax bill is one of many.  Because the market went down, your taxes can go down, too.  To see if you are eligible, do a few simple things: 

1.  Contact the Orange County tax assessors office at 714.834.5400. 

2.  Let them know you purchased before 2006, and you are requesting to have your bill reviewed, for this year. REMEMBER, if you want THIS year’s bill reduced you MUST CALL BEFORE APRIL 1st. http://www.oc.ca.gov/assessor/pdf/RequestForInformalAssessmentReview%203-08.pdf

3.  The assessor will initiate a re-assesment of your property, and hopefully lower your taxes – saving you potentially thousands of dollars!  

There are some circumstances in which this can not be done, however if you think your taxes on your property are too high, then you are probably right.  Its worth giving it a try – you can comment on how it works out! 

By going to the following link and filling out the form, you can start working on reducing next year’s bill right now.

It’s so easy to forget the reason for the season and confuse the joy of the holidays with the stress we put on ourselves. That’s right friends, we put it on ourselves. So, we’ve got a couple of ideas to help keep the fun in the air, the festivity in your home, and spread some joy along the way!

Gifts are a way we show our freinds and family we care. But, gifts don’t have to cost alot or be elaborate. Here’s a few examples of gifts we love and appreciate receiving:

1. A true gift would be your time, something we’re all short on. Meeting for coffee or taking a walk can send a message that the person is important enough to you to take time out of your day to hear about theirs.

2. Baked goodies! Who doesn’t love a basket of homemade treats? What a great way to say ” I care….. I covered myself in flour, messed up my kitchen, fought the crowd at the grocery store ALL FOR YOU”!! Seriously, baked goods send love straight from the heart.

3. No time to bake? How about a jar full of ingredients so the receiver can make their own batch of cookies or brownies when they need a little pick-me-up. If you google “gifts in a jar” you will find pages of ingredients to assemble.  A nice jar, a recipe card, a pretty ribbon….ta da! You’re a hero.

4. Coupons!!! Make a coupon book for someone special. This is great because you can customize it to fit their needs. Mom may get a coupon to have lunch. Friends may get a coupon to meet for a manicure/pedicure. Dad may get a coupon to get his car washed!! This is another great way to let someone know they are important to you and nothing says love like the gift of manual labor.

There are hundreds of ways to spread joy. Be creative. Remember, tis’ the season to be JOLLY!

Happy Holiday!

Tip #1 – Work with one Realtor who knows you, your wants/needs, your likes/dislikes, what you can afford, your time frame to buy and your personality.  By partnering with one Realtor or Realtor team, you will not waste valuable time looking at properties that don’t work for you. If you don’t know one, make some calls and set up some meetings to talk to them and interview them. They are working for YOU and should be happy to meet for coffee or come to your home.

Tip #2 – Be prepared! There is NO sense in looking at property until you’ve been prequalified by a reputable lender and have the appropriate documentation to back up your offer. Also, know that you’re gonna have to be able to write a check for a “good faith” deposit so don’t drain your bank account and think you’re going to buy a house.

Tip #3 – If you’re the kind of buyer who tours open houses – great! Sometimes it’s fun to stop in and check things out, get a feel for a neighborhood, see the prices. HOWEVER….If you’re the kind of buyer who would walk into an open house, fall in love with the property and tell the agent holding the open house you’re ready to sign an offer – Stop!!!! You are NOT going to be getting the best deal. We firmly believe that if an agent is representing the seller, ie: trying to get them the most money for their home….then they can’t possibly be trying to get the best deal for you too….can they?!?! So, refer back to tip #1 and find a Realtor you feel good about.

There are lots of other great tips to buying homes in Orange County and like we said…. it’s a BUYER’S MARKET!

Feel free to check out our links to local lenders and accountants who can help you figure out what your financial advantages are in this market. We’re always here to help & are just a phone call away!!

Today I talked to quite a few brides and I have to say you ladies are so creative!  I loved checking out your wedding websites and hearing your ideas. 

I do wonder, though, why half of you are going to Vegas to get married???  Isn’t that where the bachelor and bachelorette parties should be??  What’s wrong with a nice Laguna Beach wedding or any other beach in the OC??  Maybe I just think like that because we grew up in Michigan…maybe if I grew up here I would want to get married in a new and exciting place too…hmm…

Anyway, on to the fun. 

First of all, I have to give a shout out to Jim and Maurine, read his cute proposal story and check out HOW COOL their website is:

http://www.jimandmaurine.com/

Now-a-days for the out of town weddings, you absolutely HAVE to have a website.  Your guests will DRIVE YOU CRAZY WITH QUESTIONS IF YOU DON’T   And I love it that Maurine thought to put some Vegas things to do and know on there…way to not be bridezilla and only think of yourself, girl!! 

Another fun idea…one bride we know recently got engaged in San Francisco.  She’s getting married in OC, but wanted to have a little taste of San Fran incorporated within the wedding.  How to handle?  Easy!  Have a photographer go and take pics of areas that the two of you love, or just pretty landmarks, and then name your tables after them and use the photos as part of the centerpiece.  How cute!

One other bride we knew wanted to get pictures of downtown Laguna Beach in her wedding dress for her beach-themed wedding…but she was getting married in her family church in Dana Point.  She solved the problem by putting a 2 hour block in between the wedding and the reception, and the wedding party went down to Laguna for some wedding photos to remember.  THEN, she used those pics on the thank you cards.  Way cute.

Do you hate the thought of writing your thank you’s?  I saw another bride make a TOTALLY personal thank you and save a ton of time by printing out a collage of photos, and writing a quick thank you ON THE PHOTOS with a sparkly sharpe.  Niiiiiice, not a lot of space to write awkwardness, but totally personal and heartfelt, what a great idea :)   

There are always tons of great wedding reception ideas online at www.TheKnot.com too.  I’ll keep blogging about more in the future.  PLEASE comment with your ideas and fun things you’ve experienced so this will be a resourceful post for all busy brides.

 Hope you’re doing well!  This morning I was supposed to go to a nice Sandler Sales meeting, however I was rudely misdirected when my tire blew at the Y of the 5 and 405 freeways.  As a woman, blowing a tire freaks me out.  I know I should know how to change one, I kindof do… but that doesn’t mean I want to get out of my car next to the screaming freeway and try my luck. 

Thankfully, I remembered that Mercedes gave me roadside assistance when I got the car, (thank you to Julio @ Waters Mercedes for explaining that to me when I bought it!) so I went ahead and called the number in the manual.  No holding, quick response, so that was nice.  They had to pass me to the local dealer, then the Laguna Niguel Mercedes had to direct me to their tower. 

By that time, there was already a tow truck in front of me.  I guess we have a FREE roadside service here in OC that is sponsored by Cal Trans, CHP, and Octa.  The nice man with Mercedes roadside told me to politely decline any help or to make sure to tell the person helping that my lugnuts (funny word) from the regular tire could NOT be used on the spare.  I was happy he told me this, because if I was going to attempt the change myself, I probably would have done that.  So, I proceeded to tell the nice tow truck guy (Alan) this, and he kinda laughed like I know I do this every day.  Der, just let him do his job, right!?

So he proceeded to change my tire (on the scary side of the road thank you thank you thank you) and I figured I should blog to let all of you know. 

If you don’t have AAA or a Mercedes, save this number in your phone as OC roadside assistance, and pass the info along to a friend:

949-559-7870

I asked Alan “so do you guys just drive around looking for people to help out?” and the answer was pretty much yes.  How fun to be a little hero every day   They will bring you gas, get you to a phone if you don’t have one, put on spare tires, all that stuff us girls should know how to do but don’t.  Here’s a map of the areas they patrol.  Hopefully you DON’T have to call soon, but in case its nice to know there are people out there willing to help when you’re in need. 

It looks like they service the 5, 405, 55, 22, 241, 133, 73, 91, 605 and the 57.  Good stuff – next time your stuck remember to call!  Drive safe, everyone!