Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Politics & The Olympics

The President, the First Lady, the Mayor of Chicago and Oprah Winfrey want the 2016 Olympics to be in their hometown of Chicago, but The International Olympic Committee will be selecting the host city on Friday.

Rio de Janeiro, Madrid & Tokyo are also up for bid for the site of the summer games. Many people are excited as well as worried, about what effects this may have to the windy city. Besides bringing in much revenue, some think it will also impact the city with unwelcome traffic, higher taxes and lead to more corruption, such as misuse of funds and insider dealings.

According to the Associated Press in a recent poll, 47 percent were in favor of the bid while 45 percent were against it -- a drop from a 2-1 support the newspaper found in a February poll.

Chicagoans, what is your feeling on this?? Stay Tuned for the decision this Friday!

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards.

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

It all depends how you look at it

I hope you look at things with a positive attitude...

A Man pulled into a gas station on the outskirts of town. As he filled his tank he struck up a conversation with the attendant. "I've just accepted a job in town. I've never been to this part of the country. What are people like here?"

"What are people like where you came from?" the attendant asked.

"Not so nice," the man replied. "In fact, they can be quite rude."

The attendant shook his head. "Well, i"m sorry you'll find the people in this town to be the same way."

Just then another car pulled into the station. "Excuse me," the driver called out. "I'm just moving to the area. Is it nice here?"

"Was it nice where you came from?" the attendant again inquired.

"Oh, yes! I came from a great place. The people were friendly, and I hated to leave."

"Well, you'll find the same to be true of this town." The driver thanked him and pulled away.

The first man was rather irritated with the attendent's conflicting reports. "So, what is this town really like?"

The attendant just shrugged his shoulders. "It's all a matter of perception. You'll find things to be just the way you think they are." It all depends how you look at it...

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best,
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Must Haves for Home Buyers...

These are some "must-haves" according to the State Farm Insurance Company newsletter...
The amenities topping the 2007 Profile of Buyers' Home Feature Preferences.
• Energy Efficiency for New Homes topped the list at 65%.
• Oversize Garages with space for two or more vehicles ranked at 57%.
• Walk-In Closets was an important feature for 53% of buyers.
• Other features that were very important in home buyers were, Hardwood Floors at 28% and Granite Countertops at 23%.
Another trend that buyers are looking for is, bigger living spaces and fewer bedrooms. These features have changed since the 2004 survey. What do you think?
And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.
www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com
Best regards.
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI
2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors
(949) 753-7900

Friday, September 25, 2009

Tell congress to extend the tax credit here!

REALTORS® from all around the country recently got in front of a camera to send Congress an important message: the $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit is working..



Watch this video and send your own message to Congress. We need to tell them to extend and expand the tax credit. So far over 92,000 people have taken action!

Click HERE to easily send the following message to your congressman and senators:


"Subject: Homebuyer Tax Credit: Extend and Expand

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

As a Realtor and a constituent, I can assure you that the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit has definitely been a success. Homebuyer interest and housing sales increased almost as soon as the ink was dry on the tax credit legislation.

Today's lower prices and interest rates appeal to consumers, but it's been the tax credit that has attracted people to open houses and to homeownership. That progress could grind to a halt sooner than you think.

Congress must act NOW to extend the credit through 2010. Otherwise, uncertainty will return and the market might again be frozen -- possibly as soon as October. A homebuyer is eligible for the tax credit only if the home is "purchased" before December 1, 2009. That means that buyers have to find a house, complete a contract, satisfy any contingencies, secure financing and go to closing by November 30. Accomplishing those tasks by November 30 will become more difficult with every passing day. In today's market, it generally takes between 45 and 60 days to go from contract to closing.

The market has improved, but it has not yet fully corrected itself. The credit needs to be extended for an additional period of time and expanded in order to build upon the progress that's been made. Uncertainty about the future of the credit will dampen consumer demand. The best way to assure continued housing activity is to extend and expand the credit and to do that NOW.

We can't wait until late in the year to see what happens. Consumers will drop out soon if they can't predict what's in their future. Please act NOW to extend and expand the credit through 2010.

Sincerely,

[Your name]
[Your address] "

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900

Thursday, September 24, 2009

How many miles do you log per day?


Real Estate requires us to log many miles in our own vehicles. With high fuel costs and the initiative to go green, we are always looking for strategies on how to reduce mileage. Every little bit can help make a difference. Here are some tips:

•Pre-plan your appointments. Combine showings if the properties are fairly close to one another.
• Carpool to previews and open houses and work if possible.

•Walk or take public transit if your destination is close enough to your office and it isn't too warm out. Your clients might have a better first impression of you if they see you are supporting the "green" imitative.

•If you must drive to an appointment, schedule other tasks in the vicinity for the same day so you don't have to make another trip.

•Combine non-work errands into your commute to and from home to save individual trips.

•If you can get work done from home in the morning, leave work an hour later. You will beat the morning rush hour and technology allows us to work out-of-office. Maybe you can do your AR blogging.

•Pack a lunch so you won't have to drive to lunch. Otherwise, go before or after peak times to avoid lines and traffic.

•Avoid driving through the bank. As you idle you use fuel.

•Don't speed. You will reduce wear and tear on your car and improve fuel efficiency.

•Check your tire pressure about once a month to ensure you're getting the best performance and mileage out of your vehicle. Make sure to go to all your routine/scheduled maintenance visits at the mechanic

•Clean out your car. Extra "for sale" signs, boxes, and your golf bag can way down your vehicle and decrease fuel efficiency.

Compiled with help from American Home Shield.

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Race for a Cure

Have plans this Sunday? No? Well why not help find a cure for breast cancer.

This Sunday, September 27, 2009 the 18th annual "Race for a Cure" is being held in Fashion Island. This race is sponsored by our Orange County Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Center for the Cure.
Since its inception in 1982, Susan G. Komen has collected more than $1.3 billion toward Breast Cancer Research. Today, Komen is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower individuals, and more!

Studies estimate that one in eight American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her lifetime. Typically ignored, breast cancer affects about 2% of the male population.

Join over 30,000 participants and run or walk the 5K route around Fashion Island. 75% of funds raised will stay in Orange County to fund screening, treatment and education programs and the other 25% goes directly to the Komen Award and Research Grant Program to fund global grants to discover the cures.

For additional information contact Komen at www.komenoc.org or our Orange County Affiliate @ 714-957-9157

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards.

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900

Oops! I hit your car..


Have you ever come back to your car to find a scratch or dent and no information left from the culprit? I bet you were pretty mad. I think if I got this letter after a hit and run in parking lot I would be even more furious...



Enjoy the laugh and I hope this never happens to you! Photo courtesy of: FunnyPhotos.net

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best,
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900

Monday, September 21, 2009

What you can learn from an ice cream sundae


Monday's Life Lesson: Before you pass judgment, first treat others with courtesy, dignity, and respect.

A 10 year old boy approached a soda shop counter and climbed up onto a stool. "What does an ice cream sundae cost?" he asked the waitress.

"50 cents," she replied.

The little boy reached into his pockets and pulled out an assortment of change, carefully counting it as the waitress grew impatient. She had "more important" customers to wait on.

"Well, how much would just plain ice cream be?" the boy then asked.

Irritated, the waitress responded curtly, "35 cents."

Again, the boy slowly counted his money. "May I have some plain ice cream in a dish then, please?" He gave the waitress the correct amount, and she brought him his vanilla ice cream.

Later, the waitress returned to clear the dish and when she picked it up she felt a lump in her throat. There on the counter the boy left 2 nickles and 5 pennies. She realized that he had had enough money for the sundae, but sacrificed it so that he could leave her a tip.

Let's remember this boy and his ice cream sundae before we judge jobs, clients, or situations that we deem to be less important.

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900

Friday, September 18, 2009

Pirate Adventure!

Thanks to a few bloggers I have discovered that tomorrow, Sep 19, is national Talk Like a Pirate Day.

What better way to celebrate than to take the family to the Pirate's Dinner Adventure in Buena Park, CA and Orlando, FL.


“This dinner show buts you and your family right in the middle of all the swashbuckling action.” At Pirate’s Dinner Adventure guests enjoy a dining experience including an amazing action-paced display of special effects, wizardry, aerial arts, swordplay, and duels, all in an entertaining and humorous show about good vs. evil. Each seating area belongs to a “ship” with its own mascot to cheer on throughout out the show.

Visit the site to fill out a reservation for dinner and talk like a pirate all night long. ARRRRRRRE you ready?

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI 2007

President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Are you the coffee, egg, or carrot?

A Life Lesson...

A young woman was complaining to her father about how difficult her life had become.

He said nothing but took her to the kitchen and set 3 pans of water to boiling. To the first pan he added carrots; to the second, eggs; and to the third, ground coffee.

After all 3 had cooked, he put their contents into separate bowls and asked his daughter to cut into the eggs and carrots and smell the coffee. "What does this all mean?" she asked impatiently.

"Each food," he said, "teaches us something about facing adversity, as represented by the boiling water." The carrot went in hard, but came out soft and weak. The eggs went in fragile but came out hardened. The coffee, however, changed the water to something better. "Which will you be like as you face life?" he asked.

So I ask you, will you give up, become hard, or transform adversity into triumph? You are the chef of your life, what will you bring to the table?



[Adapted from the AccessChristian website]



And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Hiring for Home Improvement

Looking to hire a contractor? Whether you're planning an addition for a growing family or simply catching up on some deferred maintenance, finding a competent contractor is the first step to successful home improvements.

Everyone has heard a story about the sloppy roofer, the careless carpenter or incompetent plumber. But to avoid hiring the contractor from hell, follow some smart tips:

-Interview each contractor you are considering.
-Compare bids (try to get 3 bids).
-Check for proper licensing and insurance.
-Get it in writing (get a contract).
-Secure your payments (make your check to a company, rather than an individual).

Be wary about the following conditions as they may indicate a unreliable contractor:

-Solicits door-to-door.
-Just happens to have materials left over from a previous job
-Accepts cash only
-Pressures you for an immediate decision
-Asks you to pay for the entire job up-front
-Suggests that you borrow money from a lender the contractor knows. This can be a home improvement loan scam.

Your home is most likely your most valuable asset so be cautious when hiring someone to work on it.

Thanks for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

What's new on Facebook?

The newest tool on Facebook is coming….voice chat. In the next few weeks this application will allow users to have high-quality voice conversations.

This technology comes from Vivox, a Boston-based company which currently has over 15 million users worldwide. To access the voice chat, Facebookers will simply have to download Vivox and it will work seamlessly with Facebook.

These conversations can be held one to one or a group discussion. This is evolution for you! I’m not sure how quickly I will be using Facebook’s voice chat, but I will be very interested to see the popularity of it and how it competes with Skype.

What do you think?

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best,
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900

Find the best match


Times are changing, the economy is tumultuous, and some Brokerages are considering joining forces with another company to grow their market share. Others are selling because they no longer want to run a business; they simply want to sell real estate. Before you jump in to anything, make sure you are merging with a good match or doing what you really want to do. Realtor Magazine offers some tips:

-Do some prep work. Research and write down what is most important to you in a new business. Do you want to sell your company or merge with another?

-Look at their culture. This includes the other agents, the type and size of homes typical homes listed, work ethic, etc.

-Prove your value. Back up your company’s worth with financial records. This provides for an easier evaluation process. Good accounting should also be a priority to prevent any discrepancies.

-Build your value beyond sales and listings. Focus on an intangible value and market it. Value for a merger can even be found in location.

-Listen. Don’t ignore offers. Listening to all of them gives you an idea of what is available and what you are looking for. By keeping your options open you will know when the right opportunity arrives.

-Check all the details. Look at the cash upfront and payments overtime you will receive. Look at your potential partner’s solvency and financials. If they left would you immediately lose value?

-Trust. This is key for a merger to work properly. You should feel comfortable with the person you are going to work with.

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.
www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best,
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI 2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors
(949) 753-7900

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Top 10 Signs Your Summer was Wasted

Here is a list of the Top 10 Signs You Wasted Your Summer, courtesy of David Letterman. Watch it here.

10. Just stated sending out applications for summer jobs
9. Eyebrows haven't grown back after 4th of July incident
8. Developed vaccine for swan flu
7. The one person you saw naked was the creepy old guy at your gym
6. Only time you were at the beach was to bury a body
5. You can name more than 2 contestants on "AMerica's Got Talent"
4. Woke up today at noon - went to bed May 19th
3. You're watching David Letterman
2. Spent past 3 weeks camping out for Michael Jackson tickets
1. You play for the Mets

Hope your summer was productive and your Fall is even more so!
And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards.

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900

Nana, Pop Pop, Grammy, Grandpa...what do you call yours?



Hey Grandparents! Sunday, September 13th, is National Grandparents Day! Although we should say it everyday, we dedicate this Sunday to say thanks and tell you how much we love you.

You have the gift and duty of being a grandparent all year long. We love your parenting advice and fun you share with our children. We are so privileged to have you around to watch our children grow up.


So, do you have any stories to share? Share some funny things that have happened while raising your grandchildren or just brag a little bit. What do your grandchildren call you? I would love to hear your stories and wish you the best Grandparents Day ever!


And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards.

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900

Friday, September 4, 2009

Is it okay to wear white?


An old school rule tells us not to wear white after labor day. After searching online I couldn't even find a definite answer of where this tradition came from.

The way I see it, its to keep people from wearing summer clothes year round and to protect white clothing from dirty snow and slush. I also never understood this rule because it is still warm around labor day. I mean, it's 95 in California today and in the 80s in New York.

If you want to wear white I say do it! Just change the type of clothing you have on once the season starts to change and cooler weather creeps in.

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone. Be safe and remember what the day is really about.

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

BestRegards

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Fire Preparedness

With fire season well underway in California I am posting some protection and preparedness tips. Please use the following checklist from The Personal Insurance Federation of California to keep your families and communities safe:

-Clear all flammable vegetation within 100 feet of your house. Plant larger trees no closer than six feet from the structure.
-Cut small trees and brush to leave widely spaced, larger trees. Maintain a well-pruned landscape.
-Trim tree limbs hanging over your house.
-Clean all needles and leaves from the roof, eaves, and rain gutters.
-Maintain a well-watered landscape or use drought-resistant plants that won't increase your fire risk.
-Select low-growing and less-flammable plants when landscaping your home.
-Treat wood shingle roofs with fire retardants on a regular basis.
-Ensure your address is clearly marked and visible to emergency responders.
-Maintain access to your home and property to enable firefighters and their equipment to quickly reach a fire.
-Prepare an emergency supply kit and develop a plan to respond in an emergency. Practice your plan so that everyone will remember what to do. Remember: make the plan simple and easy to understand.
-At a minimum include the following, water (1 gallon per person per day), nonperishable food, flashlight, radio, first aid, medication, sanitation/personal hygiene items, copies of personal documents, cell phones, contact info, and extra cash.

View a printable checklist HERE from the The California Department of Forestry and Fire. And let's hope the fire in Los Angeles are contained and those affected have quick recoveries.

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

How many Realtors have Facebook?

Do you ever wonder how you compare to other Realtors? Every year the NAR Member Profile breaks down realtors economically, demographically, by tenure, and more.

With technology being a hot topic, I found some of these statistics from both the 2009 NAR Member Profile and the 2009 Realtor Technology report interesting...

-60% of us have had a website that is an average of 5 years old


-The most common information we put on our sites is our own listings

-Over 30% of Realtors use social media

-Of the ones using social media, 76% use Facebook, 58% use LinkedIn, and 35% use Active Rain

-32% say the Blackberry is their primary mobile device, 14% use a Palm Treo, and 10% use an iPhone

See how you compare or take a look at the entire report here:


NAR Member Profile

Realtor Technology Report

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900
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