Orange County Real Estate Success

First Time Buyer help, Orange County Real Estate

Not Quite a Million and One Reasons to Luv Laguna Niguel

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December 12, 2010
Just a few miles inland from the beach with the same first name, Laguna Niguel definitely is one of the best places to hang your hat in Orange County. There are about a million and one things this upscale community can offer anyone seeking a blend of suburban sophistication and laid-back charm. Due to space limitations, however, only some of the highlights will be mentioned here. Here are a few of the biggies –
- Lots of Sol – Cathin’ a few rays is easy in the land where So Cal sunshine pours down the year round.
- Friendly Folk – There’s only one thing warmer than Laguna Niguel sunshine — the community’s residents.
- Close to All – Laguna Niguel is just a pebble’s throw from the oceanfront thrills of Laguna Beach. The community also is conveniently close to OC’s leading business centers, major shopping centers such as South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island, hundreds of world class restaurants, and charming Dana Point harbor.
- Outstanding School System – Laguna Niguel schools are among the nation’s most highly rated. Schools here have racked up reading test scores 51% higher than the national average, while math scores stand 27.4 % above the average.
- Low Crime Rate – The Laguna Niguel crime rate is considerably lower than both the national and California averages.
- Spectacular Views – Greenbelts abound, creating picturesque vistas in every direction.
- Activities for All – From world class golf courses and tennis courts to acres of lush green parks, Laguna Niguel offers something for everyone who realizes there’s more to life than video games.
Laguna Niguel’s appeal has even caught the attention of the media. Among the community’s many distinctions is being named (yet again) one of Money Magazine’s best places to live.

Can you see yourself in this amazing community? If you’d like to learn more about finding the ideal home in Laguna Niguel, I’ll be delighted to help. You can connect with me at 949.338.7408, angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.
First Time Buyer help, Orange County things to do

Mission Viejo Means Year-Round Enjoyment

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December 6, 2010
With temperatures dipping to wintertime lows, Mission Viejo isn’t providing as much fun-in-the-sun as it did a few months back. Nevertheless, even with the Brrr factor entering the picture, this premier destination offers residents and visitors plenty to do and see. Here are a few highlights —
- Mission Viejo Library – Besides boosting brainpower, the library plays host to a series of marvelous events and activities such as Story Time for tots, the Timeless Melodies Holiday Christmas Program, and Guitar Lessons for all you budding rock stars.
- The ‘Character Quality’ sign on the corner of La Paz and Marguerite.
- Lake Mission Viejo – It might be too cold for sunbathing, but you can still bundle up and thrill the Parade of Lights or see your kids rise to superstardom in the 18^th Annual LMV Kids’ Fishing Derby.
- Mission Viejo High School – Recognized as a California Distinguished School and National Blue Ribbon School, this leading educational institution also has a powerhouse football team and hosts a number of community events.
If you’d like to learn more about all that Mission Viejo has to offer, I’ll be delighted to help. You can connect with me at 949.338.7408 angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.
First Time Buyer help, Making Life Easier, Orange County Real Estate

‘Tis the Season to Beat the Burglar

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December 1, 2010
It just doesn’t balance out. Only one person will sneak into your beautiful Orange County home this holiday season and leave nice things for you. But there are hundreds who’ll be more than happy to slip into your comfy crib and permanently remove things – often very valuable things. Known as burglars, these predators luv this time of year – empty houses, lots of expensive gifts inside. Remember ‘Home Alone’?

Fortunately, a little knowledge goes a long way in minimizing the chances of burglary. The key to protection is being aware of burglar behavior patterns.

A burglar always:
- Looks for newspapers piled up on the driveway. Talk about giveaways. An especially enterprising crook might even leave a flyer on your front door to see how much time elapses before the literature is removed.
- Knocks first. And not out of politeness. If someone answers, a burglar will have a ready-made excuse – “Can you please tell me how to get to Albuquerque?”
- Checks dresser drawers, bedside tables, and even medicine cabinets.
- Avoids kids’ rooms (usually).
- Leaves a locked safe locked but will gladly carry it away if not bolted down.
- Is more deterred by a loud TV or radio than even the most sophisticated alarms.
- Goes all out to never resemble a crook.
- Hates loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
- Loves people who forget to set alarms, shut windows, and lock doors.
Don’t give a burglar the gift of an easy break-in. Be guided by the above behavior patterns, and stay several steps ahead of the crooks.

If you’d like to learn more about protecting your Orange County home this holiday season, I’ll be delighted to help. You can connect with me at 949.338.7408, angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.
First Time Buyer help, Home Improvement Ideas, Orange County Home Improvement, Orange County Real Estate

How to Protect the Price of Your Orange County Home

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November 30, 2010
Sometimes the best move is no move. And if you’re one of the many people staying put in your present Orange County home, you have plenty of incentive to keep neighborhood property prices as strong as possible. Remember, however, optimizing home values isn’t a one person show. You and all your neighbors are in this together. So it’s best to adopt the spirit of a village. That means everyone pitches in and cooperates toward a common goal of price preservation.

Here are five proven steps that every homeowner can take to maintain those all-important property values:
1. Appearance counts for a lot. Even the most spectacular house can get a big thumbs down if the neighborhood disappoints. This means all serious homeowners should secure a reliable gardener or a good set of tools, and keep those yards lookin’ like a million bucks.
2. Alright, alright…Your beloved old clunker gets you everywhere you want to go. Unfortunately, it won’t win any beauty contests. So it’s best to keep your retro-ride off the street and in a garage. Also, even if your car rivals the Sistine Chapel for beauty, avoid parking it in front of any home sporting a ‘for sale’ sign. Homes typically sell a lot quicker when they can be found by Realtors and/or prospective buyers.
3. Tell everyone you possibly can whenever a neighborhood home hits the marketplace. The sooner it sells, the less chance the owner will kick down the sale price and eat away a chunk of equity.
4. Help Realtors help you. Removing or taking down an open house sign might be good for endless laughs, but delaying the sale of a neighbor’s home won’t do a heck of a lot of good for YOUR own property value.
5. Always paint the brightest picture of your neighborhood, street, or community throughout the social networks. A barrage of badmouthing will get your community known for all the wrong reasons and will send potential buyers fleeing to a more attractive locale. Restrict all nasty remarks to an offline complaints department, and keep the compliments freely flowing ONLINE.
If you’d like to learn more about maintaining home prices in your neighborhood, I’m ready to help. You can connect with me at 949.338.7408, angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.
OC Charities

Brighten a Child’s Holiday This Year

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November 25, 2010

Now that there’s a chill in the air, we’re all looking for ways to bring a little warmth to our lives. And thanks to Toys for Tots, we all have an opportunity to bring a bit of warmth to others. Metro Estates is making it easy for us by holding their own Toys for Tots drive this holiday season.

Right now you can make a difference in a child’s life by participating in this very worthy cause. Because of the anemic economy and displacement of families with children, your generosity will be needed more than ever this year. Ever see a child’s face brighten like holiday lights? That’s exactly what will happen when a lucky boy or girl unwraps the gift you’ve so generously given.

Keep in mind, we need everyone’s help. And not just those of us in the office. So please invite your family, friends, and clients to participate. We want to make this a holiday season these very deserving children will always remember. It’s easy. All you have to do is bring in any kind of unwrapped toy suitable for any age or gender.

Please drop off your gift at the following location, any time between 9 am and 5:30 pm. We’re conveniently close to Fashion Island, so feel free to stop by before or after your holiday shopping sprees.

Metro Estates

120 Newport Center Drive Suite 160

Newport Beach, CA 92660

Please see Brad or Joanie for more details on how your generosity can make a child smile this holiday season. You can also contact me if you’d like additional information.

949.338.7408 angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.

Thanks in advance…everyone.
First Time Buyer help, Orange County Real Estate

A Mission Viejo Real Estate Treasure

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November 9, 2010
Anybody who’s ever set foot in Mission Viejo knows there’s a lot to like about this city. No doubt one of the reasons for such widespread appeal is the Cortez community. You’ve just got to see it to believe it – acres and acres of very well-maintained, 1 and 2 story homes tucked away in the lush rolling hills of south MV.

It’s all here, including –
- Panoramic views from many of the fine homes gracing the community
- Access to the waterfront bliss of spectacular Lake Mission Viejo
- A first-rate education courtesy of the award-winning Capistrano Unified School District
- Warm, friendly people galore.
Cortez offers you ten distinctive floor plans to choose from. And here’s the really amazing part — there are NO tract HOA’s to pay. There’s only one fee bundled with the privilege of kicking up your heels in this jewel of a neighborhood — $120 yearly for the MV lake association.

Right now, buyers will discover bargains aplenty waiting for them in this prime slice of Orange County Real Estate. But like anything this good, it won’t last forever. That’s why it’s a good idea take advantage of the Cortez opportunities now.

If you’d like to learn more about living the ultimate dream in this vibrant Mission Viejo community, I’m ready to help. You can connect with me at 949.338.7408, angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.
First Time Buyer help

Small Elections, Big Impact

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November 2, 2010

Election 2010 definitely will bring some changes to sunny California. Just how far the voting will transform the golden state remains to be seen. But while state matters are destined to get most of the limelight, local communities could be in for a number of changes depending on how the ‘smaller’ elections go.

The upshot? Small elections count, often for a great deal. Let’s take voting for your local County Supervisor . This official heads up the Board of Supervisors, and in that capacity, must cast his or her vote on any number of important issues. A Supervisor’s voting decisions can be major factors in shaping the future of a particular community. Among the issues influenced by these officials are noise, legislation, budgets, industrial pollution, property modifications, zoning, and even conflicts between neighbors. You get the idea. They cover a lot of important territory.

School Board elections can exert an equally extensive influence. Members of this committee are entrusted with the task of deciding the fate of schools within their district. Their decisions reverberate through everything from adapting educational standards and monitoring student achievement to policy making, development of district budgets, and changes in district boundaries. Yes, they stay busy.

Of course, there are a number of other small elections that boast high-impact potential. So a word to the wise — never consider any election too small or unimportant. Even the smallest can have a big influence on your community and you. As an active member of my own community, I can’t stress the importance of voting for all the small stuff. It’s a great way to do your part for your community.

NOW GET UP AND GO VOTE! Not sure where? Confirm here.

And if you’d like to learn more about how you can help your own community thrive, I’ll be delighted to help. You can connect with me at 949.338.7408, angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.
First Time Buyer help, Orange County Real Estate

Mission Viejo Real Estate Strengthened By High Inventories

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October 31, 2010

Mission Viejo always has had a lot to offer. From blue ribbon schools to bustling businesses to special events, this prime destination community has plenty of everything for everyone. And right now what Mission Viejo has in especially great abundance is homes. In fact, home inventories are at an all time high in this community. Right now there are 550 beautiful homes for sale in the city. We’re talking the full range of choices – from 115K condos all the way up to 3.5 million lakefront estates.

The picture gets even brighter when you consider that mortgage rates are at an all-time low. So what we’ve got is high inventory and low interest rates. In other words, we’re looking at a very obvious buyer’s market. And that means major deals.

Of course, something this good won’t last forever. That’s why it’s a good idea take advantage of the Mission Viejo Real Estate opportunities now. Just take a look at the fantastic inventory of homes that’s available to you.

And if you’d like to learn more, I’d be delighted to help. You can connect with me at 949.338.7408, angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.
Orange County Home Improvement

Orange County Plumbers “Wow” The Weeks Team With Friendly And Efficient Services

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October 26, 2010
As Orange County real estate agent I often find myself referring my clients to other Orange County professionals who can help them with their new homes. One company I often refer my clients to are the Orange County plumbers of Splash Plumbing. I only refer the most dependable and excellent of services to my clients and the people at Splash Plumbing go far beyond dependable and excellence. They’re simply the best at what they do in all of Orange County and I should know as I’ve used them myself.

Aliso Viejo Plumbing Services:
- Backflow and Testing Repairs
- Home and Office Water Treatment
- High Pressure Hydro-Jetting
- Flush Valve Replacements
- Water Heater Thermostats and Elements
- Commercial Restrooms
- Sink Clogs
- New Shower Valves
- Faucet, Sink, Toilet and Tub Replacements
- RO Systems and Filters
I hired the Aliso Viejo plumbers and had them install a new faucet in my home. The plumbers arrived at my home and installed the faucet with no problems whatsoever and were very quick as well. Moreover these Aliso Viejo plumbers where friendly to boot as the entire company places a heavy focus on customer service and aims to exceed their own standards with every client. Splash Plumbing is truly a great plumbing service and if you’re in need of not only Aliso Viejo but Lake Forest plumbing services as well be sure to contact them and they’ll be happy to help you out.
First Time Buyer help, Home Improvement Ideas, Home Seller Tips, Orange County Real Estate

Is Your Orange County Home Dressed for Success?

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October 15, 2010

Some say looks aren’t everything. But in the competitive world of Real Estate, appearance counts for a lot when your home is up for sale. We’re talking right up there with price and location. A properly staged home can make the difference between a timely sale and forever and ever on the market.

Mary Jayne Barnett, expert stager and owner of Revamp Your Home, has some fantastic advice on staging your home to look its irresistibly best, using only what you already have. Have a look!

If you’d like to learn more about staging your Orange County home to look its best, Mary Jayne will be delighted to help. You can connect with her at —

e mjb@revampyourhome.com

t 949.922.5357

f 949.459.6118
First Time Buyer help, Orange County things to do

Chills, Thrills, and Dental Bills: Halloween Happenings in OC

Published by

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October 15, 2010

Hear the eerie moans? The doors creaking? The cauldrons bubbling? You’re not alone. It’s Halloween time, folks. The season of spooks, witches, and bags overflowing with future dental bills for your kids. But, hey, it’s not all about the mini Mounds bars. There’s plenty of other spooktacular fun waiting for one and all in the haunted corridors of OC. Here’s a few of Orange County’s Halloween Happenings guaranteed to stir up more than a few chills and thrills.

Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade – Highlights include a kids’ costume contest, trick- or-treating, and pancake breakfast. Yummm.

Knotts Scary Farm – Enter if you dare.

Halloween Goes Hollywood – A musical tribute to the season at the Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa

Doheny State Beach Halloween Haunt – Dana Point scares up a bit of beachside fun.

Great Park Pumpkin Harvest – Pumpkin decorating, horse drawn wagons, train rides, and tons of fun-filled Fall activities at Great Park in Irvine.

Blocktober – A giant neighborhood block party at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest.

All this and much, much more await you in the best Halloween hangout this side of Transylvania. And, of course, if I can provide any further info that will make your Halloween in Orange County a little bit hauntier, I’ll be delighted to help. You can connect with me at 949.338.7408, angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.

Happy Halloween!
First Time Buyer help, OC Property Profiles, Orange County Real Estate

Exciting Option for Luxury Living in Orange County

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September 30, 2010

Got a penchant for luxury living in Orange County? If so, you need to know about Astoria at Central Park West, located in the heart of Irvine’s bustling business district. Incredibly priced, this upscale condominium community is conveniently close to a wide variety of prime shopping and entertainment destinations such as the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Irvine Spectrum, Fashion Island, South Coast Plaza, and countless others.

What about amenities? Astoria has every kind imaginable, and then some. We’re talking secured wine vault and private tasting room, concierge service, a lobby fit for royalty, and a professionally designed and decorated community room. Plus, as an Astoria resident, you’ll get to indulge in the full array of Central Park West benefits.

By the way, Central Park West will be the location of our YPN Realtor Tour on Oct 27th at 5pm. If you’re interested, be sure to contact me to set up a tour of the clubhouse and the community or simply to learn more about Luxury Living in Orange County, Astoria-style. You can reach out to me at at 949.338.7408, angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
First Time Buyer help, Making Life Easier, Orange County Real Estate

New Incentive Brightens Picture for Orange County Homebuyers

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September 30, 2010
More good news for Orange County homebuyers. Fannie Mae has a new seller assistance incentive for Fannie Mae-owned properties listed on the company’s REO website, HomePath.

What’s it all mean for those of you in the market for a home? Just this. If you’re a qualified buyer, you could receive up to 3.5 percent of the home’s final sales price.

This extra cash may be redirected into closing cost assistance, including any available home warranty. That’s a hefty chunk of change pouring right back into your pockets, folks. Of course, you’ve got to qualify for this wonderful offer. Here are the conditions in no particular order —
- Initial offers must be accepted on or after September 23, 2010.
- Property sales must close on or before December 31, 2010, with the closing to take place within 60 days of offer acceptance.
- Buyers must be owner-occupants and confirm that the property will be their primary residence by completing a certification form (investors are excluded).
For more information about the incentive, visit HomePath. And, of course, I’m always on board to help. Feel free to call, text, email, or tweet me. I can be reached at 949.338.7408, angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
First Time Buyer help, Making Life Easier, Orange County Real Estate

Homebuyer Advice on Purchasing an Orange County Relocation Home

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September 28, 2010
I recently closed a sale on a fantastic Orange County relocation home, which in this case happened to be a flip. To my delight, the buyer was extremely pleased with both the house and the service provided by yours truly. Always plenty of decisions to be made when making a home purchase; even more so when jumping to an entirely new locale.

Great feeling knowing I could make it a smooth transition. Then I figured, hey, the buyer would want to do likewise for other people purchasing an Orange County relocation home. So I asked what they would advise folks in this situation. Here’s what they had to say on several key topics –
- Online Searches – Great for info gathering, but don’t rely solely on photos. Many times they can present a picture that’s much prettier than the reality. A lot can be masked by touch-ups, the right angle, etc. It’s very important to visit the actual home before you fall in love.
- Working With a Relocation Company — It’s your right as a home buyer to know what’s going on. So keep after them to make sure they’re following through with everything they’re supposed to be doing.
- Buying a Flip — Confidence is the main factor here. Most flips feature recent improvements, so there’s a major reason to feel good about them. Overall, you want to make sure you’re completely confident you’re getting the right house at the right price.
Good advice. All of it. If you’d like to learn more about purchasing an Orange County relocation home, I’m ready to help. Feel free to call, text, email, or tweet me. I can be reached at 949.338.7408, angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Making Life Easier, Orange County CA Foreclosures, Orange County Real Estate, Orange County Short Sales

Fighting Foreclosure in Orange County

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September 28, 2010

The present foreclosure stats tell a grim story. Hard-working folks are losing their homes in alarming numbers. Fortunately, people facing foreclosure in Orange County are not as defenseless as they think. That’s why I’ve started this informative new blog series — Fighting Foreclosure. It’s all about helping people discover the options and resources they have when facing the prospect of losing their home.

The series kicks off with some valuable information from Shaun Smith, a specialist in foreclosure delay in Orange County. According to Shaun, the first thing you should understand is that banks don’t actually carry out the foreclosure action. They appoint a trustee to do the dirty work, including getting your home sold at auction. Now here’s the really crazy part. Unlike other states, California has no judicial-monitoring system in place to oversee trustee actions. So guess what? In order to expedite the process and maximize both bank and personal benefits, trustees invariably commit violations. Sometimes a lot of them. And who loses? Of course — the beleaguered homeowner.

Shaun’s service, Mortgage Crisis Remedies, combats these abuses and basically buys the homeowner time so they can remedy their non-performing loan. That could mean everything from continuing with a loan modification, short sale, or walking away with the cleanest possible credit record.

How does Shaun’s service accomplish all of this? By conducting in-depth investigations to discover trustee violations, then offering the trustee the choice of either delaying the home sale or facing sanctions that would result in loss of license. And guess what? That’s right. In a supreme act of self-preservation, the trustee invariably postpones the sale — usually by 1-4 months. This gives the homeowner leverage to bring the bank back to the negotiating table. In a nutshell, Shaun ensures that all legal requirements are met before the house is sold. A judge sure isn’t going to do it.

If you’d like to learn more about foreclosure delay in Orange County, Shaun or any team member on our TEN Dimensions team will be happy to help. Reach out to him at 949.241.0218 or shaun@mortgagecrisisremedies.com. And breath a lot easier.
First Time Buyer help, Making Life Easier, Orange County Real Estate

Am I Ready to Buy a Home in Orange County?

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September 14, 2010
Alright, you’ve decided to make the big move. You want to own a place of your own. Congratulations! You’ve definitely taken a major step toward a more rewarding lifestyle and a more secure financial future. And right now you’ll discover a fantastic selection of excellent Orange County homes for sale. Of course, buying an Orange County property is very much like buying a home anywhere else. You have to be prepared. Otherwise stock up on aspirin, because you could be in for some major headaches. Here’s a handy checklist of four steps you can take to be home purchase-ready.
1. Have at least 3.5% of the purchase price saved for your down payment.
2. Make sure you qualify with a lender.
3. Conduct online research of the market and of your preferred neighborhoods.
4. Work with a seasoned professional to avoid ‘newbie’ mistakes when buying your first home.
If you’d like to learn more about buying the Orange County property that’s perfect for you, we’re ready to help. Our team specializes in assisting first time home buyers in Orange County. Not only will we help you find your dream home, we’ll save you hours of valuable time and headaches.

Don’t wait to be in a fantastic house at a fantastic price! Contact me today at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com.

First Time Buyer help, Making Life Easier, Orange County Real Estate

Orange County Association of Realtors Launches Young Professionals Network

Published by

angieweeks

August 25, 2010

Been a long time coming, but it’s finally here. The Orange County Association of Realtors (OCAR) has just started its own chapter of the Young Professionals Network (YPN). And I’m both honored and thrilled to have been named the Vice Chair of the organization.

What’s so good about the YPN you ask? I’d say the answer is best summed up with the organization’s core philosophy: “The orange county professionals network will focus on connecting and engaging young OCAR Realtors through networking opportunities, technology and social media, and professional development. It will do so by capitalizing on its core principals of professionalism and ethics, partnership, policy, pursuing leadership, participation, and promoting home ownership for the next generation. The Orange County YPN will encourage the next generation of Realtors to seize the responsibility of shaping the direction of the association and the real estate industry as a whole.”

As the organization’s Vice Chair, I’d like to offer my professional colleagues an opportunity to share the benefits and camaraderie of the YPN. That’s why I’m inviting each and every one of you to join our close-knit group. Believe me, there’s no better way to learn and grow together as we navigate the challenging terrain of professional Real Estate. In other words, we’re all in this together, folks. The YPN is there to help us make the most of it.

I anticipate great things for the future, thanks to the dynamic and dedicated team of Realtors comprising our board. In addition to myself, all of these board members will be collaborating to shape the future of our YPN and to better serve our clients.

The YPN Board

REALTORS®

Amber Bonasoro

Angie Weeks

Christie Newmeyer

Gary Macrides

Jean Tietgen

Linda Ginex

Marco Marquina

Mark Gundlach

Matt Clements

Nick Wilson

Scott Maeda

Vito Ranieri

Zen Ziejewski

Management Team:

Anthony Bried

Carla Dane

Kevin Holland

Kevin Mulgrew

Bash Flash! — We’re holding our first mixer on Wednesday, Oct. 27^st at 5 pm. If you long to be part of what promises to be an awesome evening of fun at Central Park West in Irvine, let me know with a comment, or just show up!! And if you want additional information about the event, or just want to know more about the YPN, I’m ready to help. You can contact me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com.

See you on Oct. 21!

First Time Buyer help, OC Property Profiles, Orange County Real Estate

Mission Viejo Home Great Deal For Orange County Homebuyers

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August 20, 2010
Mission Viejo Property Gets ‘A’ for Amazing

Hey, folks. An amazing Mission Viejo home has just hit the market. Why all the excitement? Because this ready-to-occupy, turnkey property has it all. And then some.

First of all, this adorable tri-level home is located in one of the most desirable cities in the world – sunny Mission Viejo. We’re talking an upscale community with family appeal, offering the best in schools, parks, recreation, and culture. And, of course, there’s wonderful Lake Mission Viejo. Located at 26285 Golada, this home is a stone’s throw from all the fishing, boating, swimming, outdoor concerts, and sun bathing the lake has to offer. Unbelievably, this got-it-all property is offered at just $589,000.

This choice property also offers:
- New windows, plantation shutters, granite kitchen counters – all in an ideal and spacious floor plan!
- Quiet Street – Bask in the sweet fragrance of garden roses as you arrive home, and indulge your green thumb in the vegetable garden gracing the beautifully manicured back yard.
- Close Proximity to Freeway – Just five minutes away. Long commutes will be ancient history.
- And endless residential bliss!
If you would like to experience this amazing Mission Viejo home for yourself or simply learn more about everything the property has to offer, I’ll be happy to help. Feel free to call, text, email, or tweet me. I can be reached at 949.338.7408, angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
First Time Buyer help, Home Seller Tips, Making Life Easier, Orange County Real Estate

Disclosing Advice For Orange County Home Sellers

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August 16, 2010

Disclose Before You Close

When it comes to selling a home, it seems that you just can’t disclose too much. Yes, certain details matter a great deal. In fact, from a legal standpoint, sellers must make these details available to prospective home buyers. And it is the responsibility of every agent to dig deep and make certain these facts come to the surface in a timely matter.

One of the facts that must be disclosed concerns a death that occurs on the property up for sale. The law states that a death must be revealed if it has taken place within three years prior to a home being offered for sale. This is an important piece of information to bring to the surface, is it potentially carries a lot of emotional weight for a would-be buyer. If you’re not sure about disclosing such an occurrence or any other fact you think might be relevant, it’s best to follow the simple, time-tested guideline of ‘when in doubt, disclose it out’.

I can’t stress the importance of over-disclosing facts such as these enough. I mean, think about how you would feel if you were on the other side of the fence and some important detail like this was left out of the picture. Remember, it’s an agent’s job to sell a property honestly – in all its aspect. So you as a home seller should disclose EVERYTHING to the person representing your property. Complete information will help your agent price your home appropriately for all matters involved.

If you’d like to learn more about California home sale disclosure requirements, I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to contact me at 949.338.7408 or angie@askangie.com. And be sure to follow me @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
First Time Buyer help, Lenders & Loan info, Making Life Easier, Orange County CA Foreclosures, Orange County Real Estate, Orange County Short Sales

How Short Sales and Foreclosures Can Affect You

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August 12, 2010
It’s the law of the universe. Every action triggers a reaction. And this law certainly comes into play in the world of foreclosures and short sales. If you’re an Orange County homeowner who’s gonna go through with one or the other, it’s best to know what’s in store for you when the dust settles.

Derek Beisner, a certified mortgage specialist with New American Funding, cites the following as among the most important potential affects of a short sale or foreclosure action. Derek points out that guidelines in this area are always subject to change. But as of this posting, these are some possibilities consumers definitely should be aware of.
- With a short sale, the lending institution has the legal right to 1099 the seller for the difference between what the house sold for and what was owed on the property. Bear in mind that this has been changed to a non-taxable 1099 for the years 2010 to 2012.
- In a foreclosure situation, a buyer must wait 3 years from the foreclosure date to get an FHA loan. Securing ownership of a property also will require a minimum credit score of 620 and a letter of explanation documenting the reason for foreclosure.
As with any other important undertaking, it’s best to get the input of an expert before plunging into a short-sale. Derek advises speaking to a CPA or Real Estate attorney well in advance of taking action.

After all the foreclosure or short sale dust settles, your credit definitely will need some major repair work. The good news is that credit repair is very do-able. Derek recommends three fundamental steps:
- Establish new credit.
- Know your credit score.
- Consult a credit repair specialist to get things back on track.
If you would like to learn more about Orange County short sales and foreclosures, Derek will be delighted to help. You can reach him 949-637-9939 or derek@derekbeisner.com.