Monday, November 23, 2009

Keeping the "home" out of home office


Keeping your business and personal life is key to staying sane. But sometimes it can be tricky if they take place under the same roof. So if you are deciding on setting up a home office, or need to renovate, follow these tips from HGTV and Lowe’s:

  1. Draw a line between work and play with your computer: although tempting to use the family computer for business, you should separate the two. It will eliminate the chance of someone deleting an important file.
  2. Install additional phone or cable outlets if needed to accommodate your various office equipment.
  3. Divide the office into 3 sections: the work center, the reference center, and the supply center. Put your desk, computer, and daily necessities in the work center along with a filing cabinet for easy access to important files. Put dictionaries, old print, books, binders, etc in the reference center. The supply center should hold, obviously, all your supplies.

These tips will ensure your home office feels like a space you can get work done in and will separate the personal from professional.


Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

949-753-7900

Sunday, November 22, 2009

What are your Thanksgiving traditions?

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to be with family, full of rich traditions.

My family and I wake up early and all help in the kitchen. Since they were young the kids loved helping, even if it was simply cracking an egg or stirring a few ingredients together. My mother-in-law always makes the mashed potatoes, she has the best recipe that no one else can seem to re-create. We always have something Italian in the spread of food and eat around 3 in the afternoon. The next day consists of relaxation, a long run, and left-over turkey sandwiches.

What are your family traditions? I'd love to hear them!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, enjoy the time off, and remember to always be Thankful!

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Black Friday: Let the Sales Begin!

The dreaded, or should I say exciting to those who look forward to it all year, Black Friday is upon us again. Mothers and people alike will gather around and countdown until the craze for holiday gift shopping and sale prices begin. Every store has most likely begun to not only mentally, but physically prepare for the determined shopper who will stop at nothing to get their child or themselves the item they most want. It amazes me that some dedicated individuals will wake up at the crack of dawn to stand in line and wait outside of a store as if they are waiting for a new attraction to open at Disneyland. As most of the people begin the countdown, I know I will most likely enjoy sleeping in and relaxing the morning of Black Friday.

For all of those devoted and completely focused Black Friday individuals... I wish you good luck. I know that it may be stressful and you may become overwhelmed by either hostile or over bearing costumers, especially those who are working retail, but just remember to try and remain composed and stay filled with holiday cheer!
Here are some helpful tips on what you can do to make Black Friday a more pleasant experience for you.

1) Plan on shopping in an area where stores are close together.
2) Bring food with you, or allot for a breakfast break
3) Don't go it alone. Bring your spouse, parent, sibling, friend
4) Look at the ads before you set out


Along with those helpful hints, be on the lookout for stores who have decided to one up the other stores and begin their Black Friday prices and sales a few days early in order to relieve some of the stress. Good luck and happy shopping to all of those on the Friday after Thanksgiving ....BLACK FRIDAY!


And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.
http://www.michaelcarusorealestate.com/


Best regards,


Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI


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


(Thank you to Google Image and the OC Register for information.)

Friday, November 20, 2009

Photo Friday! Laguna Beach Beauty



I just wanted to share a picture from home! Thank you Laguna and Happy Friday everyone, I hope you all have an amazing weekend.


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, November 19, 2009

Oprah says goodbye

According to many reports, Oprah will announce on Friday that she has decided to end her talk show. The show is said to end September 9, 2011--the last day of her current contract.

Oprah is a legend. Her show has changed the lives of thousands. The Queen of Daytime is set to change the landscape of television with her departure.

Do you think this is true? Or will it be a Brett Favre-like retirement only to come back the next season?



Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

949-753-7900

Monday, November 16, 2009

Changes in CA forms for REALTORS!

C.A.R. is releasing new forms today. They are available in WINForms or zipFORM or at your local board this
week. California REALTORS® pay attention!

Most notable among the forms is a revised Disclosure Regarding Real Estate Agency Relationships (Form AD). The revised AD form aims at ending the confusion surrounding the form by allowing a buyer’s agent to use just one form for both the seller and buyer to sign. According to C.A.R., "REALTORS® may now handle the delivery of the AD form in either of two ways:

Alternative A: Agents may continue the existing practice of generating three AD forms in a typical transaction. The first AD form is generally signed by the listing agent and seller before entering into a listing agreement. Absent dual agency, the second AD form is generally signed by a buyer's agent and buyer before writing an offer. The third AD form is generally signed by the buyer's agent and seller. An AD form signed by the buyer's agent and seller does not create an agency relationship between the buyer's agent and seller because the AD form is merely an information sheet. The actual confirmation of agency is stated separately in paragraph 27C of the C.A.R. Residential Purchase Agreement (RPA).

Alternative B: The procedure for Alternative B is stated in the explanation box at the bottom of the newly revised AD (revised 11/09). Agents will still prepare the first and second AD forms stated in Alternative A. The buyer's agent, however, may now deliver to the seller the second AD form signed by the buyer's agent and buyer. The seller may sign acknowledgement of receipt of that AD form on the signature line in the explanation box. No third AD form is needed under Alternative B."
Other new and newly revised C.A.R. standard forms include the following: REO Advisories (Forms REO and REOL) and Property Management Addendum.

For a complete summary of these and other forms in C.A.R.'s November 2009 Forms Release, click here.



And Thank You For Making Me Your Orange Count Real Estate Connection!

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Find your true calling

With many Americans without a job, its forcing people to reexamine their career path. Advice from Rick Smith, author of The Leap, "You'll be most fulfilled and successful if your duties merge your strengths and passions."

Rather than job hopping, pass on these 3 low-risk steps to help friends and family, or yourself, choose a career:

1. Determine your strengths: find the sweet spot between your talents and interesrts. Based on your passions, look into such careers you may flourish in.

2. Test-Drive your dream: To find out if the career you're looking at is right for you, pursue projects in our office or outside that use your talents. You might even try volunteering. You won't know until you try

3. Gain experience: if the career you are test driving seems like a good fit, try to transition into it at the workplace by building your reputation and showcasing your talents. Or help a friend or peer out with something you want to get in to so they can see your talents, pass along your name, and you'll be gaining practice all at the same time.

If you are still having trouble, www.colorassessment.com helps you discover what career you may flourish in and www.vocationvacations.com provides you with condensed, few day internships. Good luck!



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

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Happy Birthday Big Bird!


Sesame Street, The children's television show home to Cookie Monster, Elmo and Big Bird turned 40 today.

My kids watched this when they are young and it is amazing to know that their kids may be watching it too. Sesame Street is shown in 140 countries and has helped millions of children learn to count and read.

To celebrate, Michelle Obama was featured on the show today.

Happy Birthday Sesame Street! From all of us at the Michael Caruso Real Estate Group!

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

949-753-7900

Monday, November 9, 2009

Where were you when the Berlin Wall fell?




November 9, 1989 we all watched the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was a night of joy, celebration, and great momentum for the future.

On the 20th anniversary, thousands of people are joining world leaders Germany today to remember the night when a euphoric wave of people swept away the Berlin Wall and began the end of the Cold War. And this anniversary is a reminder that we need to help others find freedom. Liberate them of their repressive regimes and take greater strides toward global progress.

While most of you won't be celebrating today, let's reflect. Do you remember where you were or what you were feeling when the wall fell? Please share!



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

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com



Visit CNN.com for a Berlin Wall anniversary special feature.

Photo: AP, BBC News

Monday, November 2, 2009

Should your kid be on facebook?


We all use Facebook and many of the blogs on Active Rain are about improving your profile. But status updates, news feeds, and photos aren’t just for teens and adults anymore.

Researchers say a growing number of children using Facebook and MySpace despite requirements to be at least 13. These sites have no way to verify ages so children pretend to be older when signing up. Now there are a growing number of networking sites geared toward young users like Disney’s Club Penguin, WebKinz, KidSwirl and Whyville.


Its scary for many reasons, the exposure to adult content, the lack of privacy, the predators who use these sites. But here’s another--some scientists worry that pre-adolescent use of the site could be damaging to children's relationships and brains and cause internet addiction.

If you allow your younger children to have a social network account, make sure it is with your permission and you limit time spent on the site. Make sure you know the password so you can get on if needed or monitor their pages. ALso, make sure your children put as little personal information as possible and set the settings so their profile can only be seen by confirmed friends.

It will be interesting to see what happens to this technology-driven generation as they grow up with the internet. What do you think about young children using these sites?


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

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President, Orange COunty Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

Read CNN article here
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