Archive for December, 2007
Great Holiday Gifts Without Great Holiday Budget!
Tis’ the season to be jolly…. and stressed… and busy… and overwhelmed….and BROKE!!!
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!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )You Need Representation in the OC!
It’s no secret that this is a BUYER’S MARKET! But with that said, buyers can still be victims to paying too much for a home even in today’s market. The key is to be property represented by a seasoned agent. We pride ourselves on looking out for the best interest of our buyers and have some tips to pass along.
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!!
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Orange County Real Estate Success 