I took the day off real estate today to go and work the Project Playhouse raffle at the Angel’s game.  Brad Coleman my manager at Metro Realty recruited both me and Bob O’Brien to help out…it was lots of fun…there were so many people at the game!  I think we got a lot of tickets sold too. 

The raffle entered people into a drawing to win this awesome Angel’s playhouse.  The playhouse is AMAZING and was built by Taylor Woodrow builders:

I wanted to let you all know if you DON’T have a favorite charity yet, Homeaid is a good choice!  They sponsor this Project Playhouse, which are those little doll houses you see every year about this time along PCH in Newport Beach by Fashion Island.  I love working with Habitat for Humanity too, either charity helps to get people who deserve housing into a home, and you don’t have to be “a regular” to make a big difference.   

If you’re still a volunteer-a-phob you can go to either website and donate.  I keep thinking if everyone who walked past me today just bought ONE ticket…big groups can do so much when everyone gives a little together.  If anyone has any other creative ways to reach out to Orange County feel free to comment! 

Just wanted to tell you about something really special going on right here in Orange County. 

Laguna Board of REALTORS®, Newport Beach
Association of REALTORS® and Orange County Association of REALTORS® are joining forces to raise $250,000 for the Homes for Heroes / Foundations for Families Project.  It’s part of a community of 27 homes being built in San Juan Capistrano.  14 of the homes will be targeted for injured veterans and/or families of deceased veterans.

There will be a Donor Celebration on Oct 18th to kick off the event in the heart of San Juan Capistrano. The menu will be planned by Two Guys Grilling from Dana Point so come hungry!!Everyone who makes a donation of $100 or more is invited to attend.

If you are interested in making a donation just contact Teryll Hopper at Teryll@ocar.org.  Sounds like it’s going to be a great way to celebrate a worthy cause and enjoy the Orange County scenery.

Last week we refereed, kept score, and served food at Orange High School for a 3-3 basketball tournament.  Today we got up waaay too early (but it was worth it) for a program called “childspree”, sponsored by Orangewoods Jaycees foundation.  Basically kids in need got to go on a shopping spree at Mervyns in Foothill Ranch.  It was a really nice setup… each child got a book bag stuffed with a ton of supplies, and then they got to go into Mervyns and buy up to $100 worth of school clothes.  Each child had a volunteer personal shopper to help them find their sizes and styles.  I helped a boy named Andrew he got some really nice clothes and shoes.  They have lots of great sales right now! 

Foothill Ranch Dennys provided a a hash brown and egg breakfast for everyone, Starbucks donated coffee, FHR Police and Fire Dept stopped in, and there was a bounce house for the kids too. If you would like to get involved next year just get in touch with Sarah Whittenberg-Hawe @ 714-329-7521 or email mstrssyrah@aol.com .

Foothill Ranch is the “newer” area of Lake Forest, and it currently has 110 active properties ranging from 285K – 1.3M.  It’s a very clean, well planned city, and it reminds me a bit of Aliso Viejo.  We highly recommend it to first time buyers because you can get a newer property for a reasonable price.  Currently there are 20 properties below 400K available – let us know if you would like to see any of these and we would be happy to schedule an appointment.

 We had never heard of Homeaid, and we thought maybe you had not either.  Homeaid provides shelter and housing for people who are temporarily homeless.  They originated in 1989 here in Orange County, and now they are nationwide  

Currently, Homeaid is in progress of building a shelter for the homeless at the old Tustin Air Base.  The facilities are so cool, they thought of everything!!!  Its really more like a little community. 

Why are we posting this?  We feel its our job as Realtors in Orange County find people homes.  Even if they can’t afford them, or if we don’t get paid when we find them.  If you are lucky enough to be one who CAN afford, and who DOES have a roof over your head, consider contributing your time or talents to this great cause.  For more information visit www.HomeAid.org – they are labeled a 4 star charity. 

Did you know they have 2 REstores here in OC? Habitat REstores are actually home improvement warehouses that have new and gently used items for sale at ROCK BOTTOM prices. There’s one in Santa Ana, and another in Garden Grove. Supposedly the stores are stocked with overflow inventory from various SoCal builders, Lowes, and personal donations.

See http://www.restoreoc.org for hours and addresses.

At the volunteer meeting last evening in Orange, they mentioned that an interior designer just decided to redo their office, and dropped a ton of stuff off The Habitat REstores sell these donated items and use the funds to finance new land or home building projects, so you are putting your money to a very good cause by buying your furniture, cabinets, or countertops there.

Another thing…Habitat does DEMO for FREE!!!!!! They have a philosophy that many of the items we “throw out” when remodeling our kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms really don’t deserve to clutter up a landfill, they deserve another go-around. (Especially for a family in need)

For example, the demo team has a Balboa Island demo to do this weekend, and they are salvaging all kinds of great items like appliances, cabinets, granite counters, & cedar ceilings. Then they have another one this month for a Corona del Mar kitchen that is way out dated (4 yrs old), the owner wants a new theme. He must be watching Top Chef or something!! I will take that Bosch dishwasher thank you very much, mine’s got to be 10 yrs old haha

If YOU are thinking of remodeling, there IS an order of operations to what will bring you back the most $$$ when you sell your home. Contact us for a free report, and then go nuts with the free demo and cheap REstores!. How fun and fantastic is that?!?! Serve others – serve yourself – save some money! Make sure to spread the good word!