Organizing Your Family’s OC Move & Memories
Do you have precious memories you want to save digitally?
With Memorial Day around the corner we wanted to help you with one of your most precious items to move – MEMORIES! We have just the company to help you keep all those memories and pictures safe during a move. Mike Helsper and his team at Digital4Keeps organize and digitize photos and paperwork for easier keeping for you and your family. They offer a mobile scanning service that they can do for you in your home or in your office. This is used to archive all your important documents into safer keeping than just inside the drawers of your desk or filing cabinet in your home. Their passion is to preserve your families memories.
Preserving Memories
Digital4Keeps offers affordable simple flat rate, inclusive pricing, and packages. They have high speed scanning and organize those in a digital format so they are safer. They transfer memories and provide you with a DVD, flash drive or storage on a hard disk for your own computer. They can also touch up photos after scanning to ensure the best photo for safe keeping and offer to introduce clients to the cloud for better keeping. Have greeting cards that need scanning? They do that too.
Safety for Important Documents
They will protect your important documents and files from fires or any other disaster you wouldn’t expect to happen. They do this by scanning and filing your documents so that they are available in the digital world only for you or family members to have a copy of. To see more of what they have to offer check out digital4keeps.com
If you’re about to move and want your things organized before doing so or if you just want to make sure all of your memories and documents are in safe keeping for your future get a hold of Mike Helsper at Digital4Keeps – 714-814-1648.
If you need help finding that next home to make more memories in, we are always honored to assist! Angie’s standing by at 949-338-7408 to help you find the home of your dreams đ
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Superior Home Safety Rankings in Orange County, CA
Local Orange County Cities are Among the Safest in the Nation
As real estate professionals, weâre always keeping an eye out for stories on home safety, since itâs consistently one of the biggest priorities for people who are shopping for a new home.
Thatâs why we were delighted to learn that many nearby Orange County cities are actually ranked among the safest across the United States, according to the latest Home Safety Rankings (HSR) released by local home services app SERVIZ.
SERVIZ created its Home Safety Rankings when the companyâs founders realized that they were failing as many as 1 in 3 home contractors for criminal background checks (definitely statistics the company felt they needed to explore further). Concerned by these numbers, SERVIZ then researched and assembled its groundbreaking new Home Safety Rankings (HSR) Index for over 100 metropolitan areas across the U.S., which not only offer statistics on home safety and crime, but which also provide a detailed look at the safety habits and concerns of
residents city by city. SERVIZâs HSR findings include useful safety tips and suggestions, and received the approval of the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) as well.
High Marks for Safety
Letâs look at how we did on a local level.
Out of 108 metro areas analyzed and ranked for home safety, several cities in the Orange County metro area ranked among the very top of the list, with high-ranking cities including Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, and Mission Viejo, California!
Aliso Viejo residents can certainly celebrate, as the city was ranked the third safest overall, with a superb safety score of 79 out of 100 (with 100 being safest). Laguna Niguel also made the top 10, coming in at number 5, meanwhile, with a high 65 safety rankingâand both received A+ letter grade scores, too. Mission Viejo was number 9 in the top 10, meanwhile, with a safety
ranking of 61 and an A- rating. To give you an idea of just how good these numbers are, Los Angeles itself scored a C+ rating and a safety ranking of just 19, by comparison.
These statistics show that your chance of becoming a crime victim is just 1 in 126 in Aliso Viejo, 1 in 89 in Laguna Niguel, and 1 in 82 in Mission Viejo. These are impressive numbers when compared with L.A.’s 1 in 33 chance of becoming a crime victim!
The SERVIZ Home Safety Rankings (HSR) Index was achieved as a result of proprietary data collected over the last 5 years serving over 200 thousand customers, and 300 thousand home improvement jobs, and other publicly available sources. To view how California stacks up against other states, visit https://www.serviz.com/national-hsr-index.
Helping Homeowners Nationwide
Ultimately, SERVIZ isnât just analyzing crime stats or helping homeowners nationwide focus on the big picture when it comes to home safety â the SERVIZ app is actually helping homeowners stay safer when booking home services right from their PCs or phones (booking a safe, highly rated, and fully vetted handyman in just a few mouse clicks). The company offers a safer, faster,
easier, and more transparent way to book and buy home services online. From handyman work to plumbing, carpet cleaning and appliance repair, SERVIZ provides highly rated, background-checked and licensed professionals at the click of a button, all backed by the SERVIZ Consumer Protection Plan.
To learn more about SERVIZ, visit http://www.serviz.com. You can also download the free
SERVIZ App on Google Play or iTunes for immediate use as well.
We also know many trustworthy local contractors if you still prefer a good old fashioned referral. Just text Angie at 949-338-7408.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Charming Homes in Palm Beach Park, San Clemente
55+ Oasis with Private Beach
Palm Beach Park Private Beach
Droves of seniors are settling in the seaside community of Palm Beach Park in San Clemente, CA – a manufactured home development with it’s own tranquil beach oasis. This quiet retirement community is the perfect place to slow down, unwind, and just be one with the sunsets and ocean. Residents are just across the street from an exclusive private beach that is almost 2 acres, and the best part is they don’t have to pay 2 million dollars to get whitewater views and a walk to the sand.
There are currently 10+ models to choose from, varying in size and price from 100-500K. Truly, there is a home for every senior in this San Clemente treasure. Some coaches are fully upgraded, and others you can add your own personal touches to make it your own beach oasis!
Unparalleled Senior Living
View of the Clubhouse and pool
Luxurious amenities at the clubhouse include a full kitchen and bar, a library, and a game room with shuffle board. Also offered is RV parking, a car wash on site, and the salt water pool that is heated all year round. On the privately owned beach you can enjoy the volleyball court, picnic tables, BBQ area, and the bonfire pits! Palm Beach Park is true retirement living with wonderful neighbors, amazing whitewater ocean views, and breathtaking sunsets!
“Walking down to the private beach and the different social events at the clubhouse are some of my favorite memories here at the park” JoAnn Cota, a homeowner, recently told us. “We love coming down from Buellton to visit the beach.” Another resident, Tom Mallett, states “The shimmering sunsets over Catalina Island are a true delight”.
The AskAngie Team has two listings, 407 and 401 Ebb Tide Drive currently available for showings. Another listing on Bay will be hitting the market soon.
Sparkling Ocean View from 407 Ebb Tide
Stop by and check out what Palm Beach Park has to offer on Sunday, March 6th from 12-3PM. Multiple homes will have open houses – you can tour many homes in one day and find the right fit for you!
Please join us on Sunday, March 6 from 12-3PM if you have any questions or would like a personal tour feel free to call us on our toll free number at 877-230-3211 or email us at Angie@AskAngie.com.We look forward to seeing you by the ocean!!
Photo credit: Antis Orange County Photography
Reverse Mortgages in Orange County – Love it or Leave it?
We’ve all heard good and bad about the reverse mortgage market, so today I went to a class given by Dirk Pierce with Retirement Funding Solutions at the OC Register building to find out more information. Knowledge is power, right?! Plus it’s not fair to form an opinion about something until the proper research and due diligence is done.
What is a Reverse Mortgage?
Basically, a reverse mortgage lets homeowners convert a portion of the equity in their homes into cash, and eliminate their monthly mortgage payments.
Interestingly enough, Reverse Mortgages are over 100 years old, and they are also available in Britain, Chile, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Korea. They were designed to help people who where house rich and cash poor, and were also known as ‘shared equity’. Fast forward to 1989, and Ronald Reagan helped to create the first government regulated Reverse Mortgage plans under the FHA umbrella.
Another variation of a reverse mortgage is HECM for Purchase; both share similiar features:
- Both are FHA
- Neither have monthly payment requirements
- Both offer adjustable or fixed rates
You’ll use HECM for purchase when you are planning to buy a new property, for example to downsize, etc.  Reverse Mortgage is when you stay in your existing home, and simply refinance.
HECM for purchase is an FHA loan that enables a person age 62+ to purchase a home with as little as 40% to 51% down and never make monthly mortgage payments. Â So basically you can get a 500K home for 250K and never make payments if you meet the age requirements. BUT….interest still accrues on your mortgage balance. The nice thing about the programs is they come with the following protections:
- Guarantee that FHA will honor the terms of the loan if the lender becomes insolvent
- Guarantee that you would never owe more than the house was worth
- Guarantee that there is no personal liability for repayment of the loan by you or your heirs. It is truly a non-recourse loan.
- Guarantees that the loan won’t become due until the last remaining borrower leaves the home.
Frequently there is remaining equity in the home…what happens with that? After the home is sold, any remaining equity goes to the heirs.
Do you qualify for a reverse mortgage?
- minimal credit requirements
- minimal debt to income ratios
What types of properties are allowed?
- single family
- PUD
- 1-4 unit property
- FHA approved condo
- new construction
- NOT second homes or investment properties, sorry!
More reverse mortgage facts:
- Only YOUR name is on the title, so donât believe the rumors that the bank is on title.
- The loan becomes due when the last remaining borrower leaves the home.
- You can sell whenever you want to, and they do not have a prepayment penalty.
- Family has up to a year to either refinance your property with a normal mortgage or sell it before the loan is officially due.
Reverse Mortgages are all age based, so contact Dirk today if you’d like a chart to see what your down payment would be at your age. Â Want to learn more? Register for his class at http://www.OCHomeFair.com on Jan 30th, 2016.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Sell Your OC home – QUICK – Orange County Real Estate tips!
Orange County Home Staging & Photography tips from the professionals
Considering selling your Orange County, CA home soon? Â You aren’t the only one! Â Keep reading for some tips on how you can sell fast and for the most amount of money, before your neighbor does!
I know, I know, who wants to put more money into a house before they sell it?? Â Nobody. Â BUT……who wants to have a house on the market for 6-12 months? Â Also nobody. Â Having your home on the market basically means you are living in a museum. Â No dishes in the sink, no clutter on the counter, no clothes on the floor, bed made every day, leave every time a buyer wants to see it – so much work! Â Selling in the first 30-60 days usually nets the highest price, and it helps keep you sane.
A good Realtor is always learning ways to make life easier for both buyers & sellers, so I’m happy to bring today’s Orange County Association of Realtor’s class highlights to you on the blog! Â A professional photographer and interior designer sure know about the psychology of staging a listing. Â Aubrey Antis, with Aubrey Antis Photography (yes, we use her all the time:) and Kathleen Garito, an experienced interior designer had tons of great tips to share about how to sell quick. Â First, some facts.
OC Home Selling & Staging Facts
- 92% of home buyers cannot look past the clutter of a non-staged home.
- 38% of buyers are willing to increase an offer when they see a staged home!
- Buyers are 7X more likely to visit a home that was photographed and staged professionally.
- Most aggressive buyers are 14-21 days into the listing – don’t wait until day 60 to begin staging.
- Check with your CPA – it’s probably a write off!
- Less than 10% of homes on the MLS are using professional photos and staging. Â Immediately stand out by incorporating these services.
- More photos online = less days on the market. Â 1 photo means at least 70 days. Â 20+ photos take it down to 32.
Top rooms to stage in your home:
- living room
- kitchen
- master bedroom
- dining room
- baths / beds
Photography tips and tricks to sell your property quick
- Photoshop in a pretty sky if you had a gray day
- Vertical photos don’t fit well in the MLS or do the room justice.
- Open up patio doors to make the outside more inviting
- Take down the family photos
- Wet the driveway
- Vertical photos don’t fit well in the MLS or do the room justice.
- Pets are a no in the picture – if buyers are allergic they won’t even come see your property!
Interior Design tips and tricks to get the best price for your property
- Light is the #1 thing that sells a property. Open up the shades, add some canned lights, get some lamps – but let that light inside!
- Printed rugs bring the eye down, remove them or put them in storage so buyers focus on the home features
- Wallpaper = must.go.now
- Watch for huge sofa’s – they are best in storage if they are closing off the room
- Printed drapes keep the eye inside the room – do you have a view? Â Take them down or go neutral.
- Do you have ugly neighbors? Put printed drapes up to stop the eye!
- NO THEMES. Â No medieval times, Disney, movie, music…..remember….your hobbies are not your buyer’s hobbies.
If you’d like to sell with less stress then let a good team get to work for you – both Aubrey & Kathleen are included in many or our listings – call to learn more details! Â 949-338-7408. Â OR – they will both be at Homeownership Day at Chapman University on March 28th! Â Check out OChomefair.com for more info and to register for the free class đ
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Selling a Laguna Beach Home? Profit Creatively.
Wow — as a realtor, Iâve seen every kind of creative financing imaginable for Orange County homes. But this is my first encounter with âcreative currencyâ â literally. Thatâs right. A wonderful client of mine is hoping to buy a Laguna Beach home with a very unique form of currency — her highly-valued art collection. Weâre talking a magnificent, museum-worthy selection that includes several first prize winners. In other words, pure creative gold worth a small fortune.
Here are highlights of this incredible offering:
- The collection consists of 133 pieces formerly owned by the womanâs father, artist and Laguna Beach resident Fredrick Milton Rash. His Laguna Beach art gallery was a popular meeting ground for many members of the creative community.
- These stunning artworks encompass everything from portraits to landscapes, oil and water color. The collection features several first-prize winners, as well as artworks that Mr. Rash created for Howard Hughes. This includes renderings of the Spruce Goose, a portrait of Maurice Chevalier, and many other notable projects.
- For many years, Mr. Rash also provided striking artistic renderings for the covers of Orange County Executive Magazine, as well as the memorable stadium programs of the L.A.Rams football team.
- Various pieces from the collection, as well as stories about Mr. Rash, have been featured in prominent magazines. An Arizona curator once had wanted to display the collection in that stateâs art museum.
- Prior to settling in Laguna Beach, Mr. Rash traveled extensively to work with various art groups and teach classes.
If youâre an art lover intrigued by this unusual offering and are interested in considering this stunning collection in exchange for your Laguna Beach home, please contact us here at the WeeksTeam. Weâll ready to set the wheels in motion for this unique opportunity.
You can connect with me at 949.338.7408, @AngieWeeks, @WeeksTeam, or  angie@askangie.com. Iâm ready to assist you in any way I can.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
Orange County Real Estate Success 