The World's Reaction to Landon Donovan's Game Winning Goal

Who says the US doesn't like soccer??

Watch the reaction from around the globe as Landon Donovan sends the U.S. soccer team into the knockout stage of the World Cup.

YouTube.com

And Thank You for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker

949-753-7900

Decline in Home Size

The size of new single-family homes completed declined last year, dropping to a nationwide average of 2,438 square feet, according to detailed information about the characteristics of new homes completed in 2009 that was released recently by the Census Bureau.

After increasing continually for nearly three decades, the average size of single-family homes completed in the United States peaked at 2,521 square feet in 2007. It was essentially flat in 2008, then dropped in 2009, so that new single-family homes were almost 100 square feet smaller in 2009 than in 2007.

We can't forgot about the decline in the size of new homes when the economy lapsed into recession in the early 1980s. The decline of the early 1980s turned out to be temporary, but this time the decline is related to phenomena such as an increased share of first-time home buyers, a desire to keep energy costs down, smaller amounts of equity in existing homes to roll into the next home, tighter credit standards and less focus on the investment component of buying a home. Many of these tendencies are likely to persist and continue affecting the new home market for an extended period.

Also the average square footage of new single-family homes completed is only one measure of new home size. The Census Bureau also reports average square footage in a quarterly release based on starts rather than completions, which is sometimes useful when market conditions are changing rapidly.

In keeping with their slightly smaller size, new single-family homes completed in 2009 had fewer bedrooms than previously. After increasing for almost 20 years, the proportion of single-family homes with four bedrooms or more topped out at 39% in 2005; it was 34% last year. The proportion of single-family homes with three bedrooms increased from 49% to 53% between 2005 and 2009.

New single-family homes completed last year also had fewer bathrooms than previously. The proportion of homes with three or more bathrooms was 24% last year, a decline from the peak of 28% in both 2007 and 2008. The percentage of single-family homes with two bathrooms increased from 35 to 37 last year, and the percentage with 2½ bathrooms was at 31% for the third consecutive year. The proportion of single-family homes with 1 or 1½ bathrooms has been below 10% for more than a decade.

In 1973, the first year for which the Census Bureau reports characteristics of single-family homes completed, most new single-family homes-67%-had only one story. Twenty-three percent had two or more stories, and 10% were split levels.

The proportion of one-story homes declined steadily for more than three decades, dropping to a low of 43% in 2006 and 2007. At the same time, the proportion of single-family homes with two or more stories increased, rising from 23% in 1973 to a high of 57% in 2006 (split level homes currently account for less than one percent of all single-family homes). Since 2006 the trends have been reversed, as the share of single-family homes with one-story increased to 47% last year, while the share with two or more stories dropped to 53%.

Regional Differences in Completed Single-Family Homes

The Census Bureau's data on characteristics of completed single-family homes also showed regional differences.
In 1973, less than half of all new single-family homes completed had air conditioning; in 2009, 88% were air conditioned nationwide. Regionally, the proportion ranged from a low of 69% in the West to a high of 99% in the South. The Northeast and Midwest were at 75% and 90%, respectively.

Nationwide, 62% of new single-family homes completed in 2009 had two-car garages, and 17% had garages for three or more cars. However, there were clear regional differences. Three-car garages were found in only about 11% of homes in the Northeast and the South. In the Midwest, 30% of all homes had three-car garages, and in the West, 26%.

Regional differences were especially pronounced in the selection of exterior wall material. Nationwide, 34% of all single-family homes completed in 2009 had vinyl siding, 23% were brick, 19% were stucco and 13% had fiber cement siding.

Vinyl siding predominates in the Northeast, where it accounted for 74% of the market; wood was a distant second with a 12% market share. In the Midwest, vinyl siding accounted for 62% of the market, while wood and brick were at 15% and 11%, respectively.

Brick was the leader in the South, where it was found in 40% of new single-family homes. Twenty-eight percent of new homes in the South had vinyl siding and 13% had stucco.
The Census Bureau began reporting statistics on fiber cement siding, which is relatively new to the market, in 2005. It already accounts for 24% of the market in the West. Stucco and wood account for 52% and 15% of the market, respectively, in that region.

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



For more information, visit http://www.nahb.org/.

Saying Thank You the Caruso Way!

Recently I read an article on CNN.com about handwritten letters in the digital age. Now I have spent years watching how top-producing real estate pros run their business and I've come to conclusion that each has their own secret sauce to making business happen. However, every one of the practitioners Ive come into contact with has stressed the importance of touching people in a special way.

A lot of Realtors keeps stacks of thank-you notes in their office and home. Some make it a point to sit down at the end of the day to quickly write thank-you's to the people who attended their open houses or called for a lead. I feel that people remember Realtors who write thank you notes more because they took the time to write the note and mail it.

However, if you're worried about your handwriting, there is a solution. Through http://www.sendoutcards.com/ you can type out your message, then the site prints your message using a font very similar to handwriting and mails it.

Of course e-mails work too, but they should be sent immediately when a potential client gets in touch. Yet, thank-you notes stand out even more when other sales associates are banging out quick messages on their smartphones. While thank-you notes will not make or break a business, I have noticed that these small personal touches add up to big successes.

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

Summer Solstice 2010: Why It's the First Day of Summer

Why summer starts today, and why it's the longest period of daylight....but not the hottest.
Today, June 21, 2010 is officially the first day of summer in the Northen Hemisphere, and is the longest day of sunlight.

The summer solstice is a result of the Earth's north-south axis being tilted 23.5 degrees relative to the sun. The tilt causes different amounts of sunlight to reach different regions of the planet.
Today the North Pole is tilted closer to the sun than on any other day of 2010. The opposite is true for the Southern Hemisphere, which today it is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.

The Equator is the line on which the days are the same length, i.e. 12 hours, every day of the year. Everywhere else, this occurs only on the equinoxes. The Tropics of Cancer and of Capricorn, are lines on which the sun is directly overhead exactly once a year: on the northern summer solstice for Cancer and on the southern summer solstice for Capricorn. In the area between the two tropics -- i.e. the tropic zones, which includes the equator -- the sun is directly overhead exactly twice per year!

On the summer solstice, the Northern Hemisphere receives more sunlight than on any other day of the year, but that doesn't mean the first day of summer is also the hottest day of summer. The Earth's oceans and atmosphere act like heat sinks, absorbing and re-radiating the sun's rays over time. So even though the planet is absorbing lots of sunlight on the summer solstice, it takes several weeks to release it. As a result, the hottest days of summer usually occur in July or August.

So today, if you're in the Northern hemisphere you will experience the longest day of sunlight. So go out and enjoy the day!! :)

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

Caruso's Summer Home Maintenance!

Summer is a season full of many activities. Pool-side barbecues, family vacations, and children's backyard campouts are just a few. But there's another activity that sometimes gets overlooked, and that is summer home maintenance.

This season presents some prime opportunities to make sure your home is in good working order. Here are few areas you should add to your activity list;

1. Decks: Even the most well-constructed deck will need to be looked over for loose nails and screws, as well as warping or rotting wood. Replace any pieces that pose a safety risk. For easy cleaning, consider using a power washer. This will get rid of the dirt and grime that naturally collects throughout the year on decks.

2. Roof: Roofs require semi-annual inspections. Wind storms, hail, and regular old wear and tear mean you need to visually inspect your roof each year. Clean debris from your roof and look for missing and loose singles. Trim back branches that overhang onto the roof. And be sure your gutter is still free of debris.

3. Water Heaters: Your tank should be drained once a year. This will help with sediment build-up that is inevitable with water heater use. By draining the water heater you can add years to its lifespan.

4. Change air filters: Filters do their job well, and as such, they need to be changed often. Filters are part of what keeps your home protected from pollutants and allergens. And since they are inexpensive and easy to change, there is no reason not to add this task to your summer activity list.

5. Recreation: Pools are a popular destination during the summer months. Take this time to be sure that tiles and grout are in good repair, or that linings are free from holes in the case of above ground pools. Check your pool's chemistry often. That means twice a week during the summer. And don't forget to clean the pool skimmers often to make sure you get the best circulation, which is a must for any healthy pool.

Have fun this summer, and remember to give your home a little TLC.

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

Caruso's OC Happenings ~ North County

NORTH COUNTY

ANAHEIM
Attention all Southern California residents!! When you buy the Summer Pass it lets you play for 3 days in either theme park each day for just $108 - that's only $36 a visit! Come see the latest and greatest the parks have to offer. And from June 11 to August 29, 2010, come and be thrilled by the nighttime spectacles that are part of Summer Nightastic! For more information you can visit http://www.disneyland.disney.go.com/

BREA
Nothing to report

BUENA PARK
June 19th from 10am-2pm Buena Park Elks Lodge No 2046 will be hosting "Flash from the Past" a car show. There will be raffles, music, trophies, t-shirts, food and refreshments. The event is FREE. For more information call 714-345-1707

CYPRESS
Starting Saturday will be the first summer concert starting at 6pm at Cypress Civic Center Green. The concert is FREE and tonight will be a tribute to Journey. Light refreshments are available to buy. No alcohol is allowed. For more information you can call 714-828-9930.

FULLERTON
July 25th will be the 1st Vegetarian Farm Dinner hosted by Fullerton's Muckenthaler Cultural Center with special guest chef Michael McCarty. You must RSVP by June 15th. Only 30 tickets will be sold. For more information you can visit http://www.themuck.org/ , email info@TheMuck.org or call 866-411-1212.

GARDEN GROVE
The 3rd annual Crystal Clean Fest will be held from 1 to 8 pm on Saturday. The fundraiser supports a 12-step program for recovering crystal meth addicts. For more information you can call 714-331-9362

LA HABRA
Beginning Monday the city is offering 5 two-week swim lessons at La Habra High School pool. The lessons are from 9am-12pm and are 40min each. The classes take place Monday-Thursday and are being put on by Red Cross certified instructors. The cost is $60 per a session. For more information call 562-905-9708

LA PALMA
Leprechauns Baseball Summer Camp is now enrolling 7th and 8th graders for the first camp of the summer. The session starts at 9:30am on July 5th and will end at 11:30pm on July 15th. The cost is $200 and is due the first day of camp. Also included is a hat and shirt. For more information you can email lplbaseball@gmail.com

PLACENTIA
Applications are now being accepted from bands, vendors, crafters, car show and parade participants for the 46th annual Placentia Heritage Festival and Parade on Oct. 9th. The theme this year is "On the Road to Prosperity". For more information you can visit ww.placentia.org

STANTON
Nothing to report

WESTMINSTER
Registration for cheerleading and basketball camps has begun. The camp runs from June 28-July 2 at Liberty Park. For more information call 714-895-2860

YORBA LINDA
Calling all Wine Lovers! The Winery at Main Street is now open! Each wine is crafted using grapes from vineyards around the world including France, Italy and more. For more information you can call 714-777-9463 or visit http://www.wineryatmainstreet.com/

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

For more information visit orangecountyregister.com

Caruso's OC Happenings ~ Central County

CENTRAL COUNTY

COSTA MESA
Bonjour! June 3-24 on Thursdays from 7-9pm come to the Costa Mesa Library to learn French in a fast-paced-introduction way. The fee is $59. For more information visit http://www.octickets.com/ or call 714-432-5072

FOUNTAIN VALLEY
Nothing to report

HUNTINGTON BEACH
Saturday there will be a chili cook-off from 11am to 7 pm benefiting the children's Hospital of Orange County. There will also be children's activities and entertainment. For more information you can call 714-536-8300 or visit http://www.hbdowntown.com/

IRVINE
Nothing to report

LOS ALAMITOS
Calling all CAT and ANIMAL lovers! It's Adopt-a-Cat Month! Over 500 cats were brought to the Long Beach Animal Care Services this past month. Everyone please consider adopting a cat. Every animal needs a home. For more information on how to adopt a cat call 562-570-7387.

NEWPORT BEACH
Starting now through Labor Day you can cruise Newport Bay and the fabulous Newport Beach coastline to the backdrop of live Latin music. This 1½ hour cruise travels through the world-renowned Newport Bay with over 20 miles of gorgeous waterfront estates and multi-million dollar yachts. Food and drinks included as well. The cruise takes place every night from 5:30-7:00pm. Call 949-675-0551 for ticket prices and other information.

ORANGE
Nothing to report

SANTA ANA
Nothing to report

SEAL BEACH
Nothing to report

TUSTIN
Nothing to report

VILLA PARK
Coming up June 26th is the 5K Run/Walk hosted by the Friends of the Villa Park Library. The event starts at 7:45am at Villa Park High School. For more information visit http://www.villapark.org/ or you can call 714-998-1500

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

For more information visit ocregister.com

Caruso's OC Happenings ~ South County

South County

ALISO VIEJO
This Monday June 21st starting at 6:30pm children ages 5-12 can come to the Renaissance Clubsport for a treasure hunt. The children will follow a treasure map to prizes by completing physical activities. For more information you can visit http://www.renaissanceclubsport.com/ or call 949-330-5506.

DANA POINT
Movie in the Park starts tonight at 8:00 pm in Lantern Bay Park. The movie tonight will be The Wizard of Oz.

LADERA RANCH
Registration is now open for the 4th annual Freedom Run at the Ranch, which includes a 5K run, 10K run and 1K "Little Firecrackers Dash". The race is July 4th starting at 7:45am. There will also be a pancake breakfast from 7:30-11:30am for $5. For more information and to register visit http://www.runladera.org/

LAGUNA BEACH
Saturday and Sunday at Aliso Beach will be the annual world championship of skim boarding. The competitions start at 8am until 5pm. A beach clean up will follow. For more information you can visit http://www.wcs.victoriaskimboards.com/

LAGUNA HILLS
Noting to report

LAGUNA NIGUEL
Nothing to report

LAKE FOREST
Nothing to report

MISSION VIEJO
Nothing to report

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
Lotus 7 is offering classes for children this summer which combined play and yoga. The classes coast $5 and will be offered every Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:30-4:30. For more information visit http://www.lotus7yoga.com/

SAN CLEMENTE
Saturday, June 19 is the Quick Draw Competition at the San Clemente Art Gallery & Ave. Del Mar. Artists have just three hours to register a blank canvas, paint it on-location and turn it in, framed. The event is followed by a wine & cheese reception, with awards and sales. Event is free to public.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
DON'T MISS OUT! From May 7th-July 2nd, 2010 our own local OC artist Karen Joy Jackson will have her work featured at The San Juan Capistrano Library. Displayed will be 8 matted and framed photographs of Paris and Provence in France. There is also an Architectural Walking Tour each Saturday morning.

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



As seen in www.ocregister.com

Caruso's Closed Sales Report!

Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing! Here are the facts...you make the decision!

The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for the month of

May 2010 88 listings closed escrow

Compared To:

May 2009 74 listings closed escrow

May 2008 82 listings closed escrow

Does a sales report tell the whole story about market environment, consumer sentiment and the value of your home? Is it time to sell? Is it time to add a property to your investment portfolio? Is the market getting worse? What do YOU think?

Call our office if you have any questions or want more information on a particular neighborhood. Learn What it's Like to Work With Someone Focused on Your Success....not Theirs. 3 decades of experience, education and proven production. Call Michael at 949-753-7900 or 949-495-8600 or email Michael@MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com!

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

Moving Up!

You have another baby on the way. Your aging parents have decided to move in. You are starting your own home-based business. There is an endless supply of reasons why a family may need to move up to a bigger, or nicer, home.

How do you know, though, that now is a good time to move up? Let's examine a few issues that will lead you to your answer.

Interest Rates. There is a huge difference between buying a home at 5 percent interest (June 2010), and buying one at, say, 13 percent interest (February 1983). The available rates can change from week to week, and how you qualify depends largely on your credit rating. The first order of business when considering interest rates is to contact a local mortgage lender to find out what rates would be available to you on what loans. Keep in mind rates also vary depending on the type of loan for which you are applying (fixed, adjustable, conforming, jumbo, 30 year, 15 year, etc.). Moving up to a bigger or nicer house will more than likely mean a bigger mortgage payment. Take an honest look at your budget to see if this makes sense for your family.

Equity. This is one way to avoid a bigger mortgage payment. If you have built substantial equity in your current home, and are selling in a good sellers market where you expect to receive around your asking price, then you could apply your profits from the sale of your current home towards your new mortgage.

Market Conditions. To find out your own local market conditions, contact your local real estate agent, or visit Realty Times. Is your market favoring buyers or sellers? Are homes selling quickly? Are prices appreciating or falling? These are all important questions to answer.

Wish list. Many first homes are starter homes, and as families grow, needs change. Neighborhoods change as well as residents age and jobs come and go. Take a moment to consider what area of town would be best for your family. Think about schools, commute times, and neighborhood amenities.

I hope these simple tips can serve as a starting point on your journey to a new home!

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

Twitter Killed the Video Star: MTV Seeks Official Twitter Jockey

I remember it well...I was there...When MTV hit the airwaves and we watched as our favorite bands and artists sang to us via television. It was the beginning of the video generation. I also remember a song that played called "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles. But that was long ago...

Now prepare to feel old. The music network has just embarked on a search for... wait for it... here it comes.... a TJ (Twitter Jockey)!!

According to the AP, MTV already has 18 candidates lined up, and is calling upon viewers to choose two more. The 20 Twitter hopefuls will compete in online challenges over the sultry days of summer, culminating in a live show on August 8 during which the audience will choose the voice of MTV's Twitter stream.

Dave Sirulnik, the executive in charge of the challenge, told the AP that the winner will be a liaison between the audience and the men and women behind MTV. "While they won't be on TV the way VJs were, they will always be on," he said.

MTV plans to use the TJ to take the pulse of the viewers, in a sense, and to alter programming accordingly. MTV is certainly not the first organization to hire an official Twitterer (although it is offering a six-figure salary, which is pretty sweet for a job that requires pumping out 140-word epistles) - hell, even the White House has embarked on a similar search - but the job it's offering is rather interesting. The TJ it chooses will have to both an online and offline personality (the winner will attend events and even appear on-air), as well as the ability to speak for both execs and fans.

While the name leaves something to be desired, we think this is a rather intelligent move on MTV's part - Twitter has become the official water cooler of today's more tech-savvy society, a place where folks congregate to talk about everything from TV shows to awards ceremonies - we've even ruminated in the past as to whether social media has helped award show ratings grow. Imagine the engagement level MTV could achieve by having a TJ tweet during, say, Video Music Awards, interacting with fans who may be chatting about the proceedings. It will be interesting to see how fans of the network react to the new hire.

You can start nominating yourself and your friends for the position today. Will you apply?

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

gooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaal!

World Cup fever is in full effect. In case you missed the games this weekend, here is a quick recap of the winners

Algeria 0, Slovenia 1

Serbia 0, Ghana 1

Germany 4, Australia 0

South Korea 2, Greece 0

Argentina 1, Nigeria 0

Ties (one thing I wish wasn't part of the sport)

South Africa 1, Mexico 1

Uruguay 0, France 0

England 1, USA 1

Monday's line up consists of Holland vs Denmark, Japan vs Cameroon, and Italy vs. Paraguay. Enjoy!

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

949-753-7900

Caruso's OC Happenings ~ North County

NORTH COUNTY

ANAHEIM
Attention all Southern California residents!! Starting TODAY June 11, when you buy the Summer Pass it lets you play for 3 days in either theme park each day for just $108 - that's only $36 a visit! Come see the latest and greatest the parks have to offer. And from June 11 to August 29, 2010, come and be thrilled by the nighttime spectacles that are part of Summer Nightastic! For more information you can visit http://www.disneyland.disney.go.com/

BREA
Nothing to report

BUENA PARK
June 19th from 10am-2pm Buena Park Elks Lodge No 2046 will be hosting "Flash from the Past" a car show. There will be raffles, music, trophies, t-shirts, food and refreshments. The event is FREE. For more information call 714-345-1707

CYPRESS
Nothing to report

FULLERTON
July 25th will be the 1st Vegetarian Farm Dinner hosted by Fullerton's Muckenthaler Cultural Center with special guest chef Michael McCarty. You must RSVP by June 15th. Only 30 tickets will be sold. For more information you can visit http://www.themuck.org/ , email info@TheMuck.org or call 866-411-1212.

GARDEN GROVE
Nothing to report

LA HABRA
Nothing to report

LA PALMA
Leprechauns Baseball Summer Camp is now enrolling 7th and 8th graders for the first camp of the summer. The session starts at 9:30am on July 5th and will end at 11:30pm on July 15th. The cost is $200 and is due the first day of camp. Also included is a hat and shirt. For more information you can email lplbaseball@gmail.com

PLACENTIA
Nothing to report

STANTON
Nothing to report

WESTMINSTER
Registration for cheerleading and basketball camps has begun. The camp runs from June 28-July 2 at Liberty Park. For more information call 714-895-2860

YORBA LINDA
Calling all Wine Lovers! The Winery at Main Street is now open! Each wine is crafted using grapes from vineyards around the world including France, Italy and more. For more information you can call 714-777-9463 or visit http://www.wineryatmainstreet.com/

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

For more information visit orangecountyregister.com

Caruso's OC Happenings ~ Central County

CENTRAL COUNTY

COSTA MESA
Bonjour! June 3-24 on Thursdays from 7-9pm come to the Costa Mesa Library to learn French in a fast-paced-introduction way. The fee is $59. For more information visit http://www.octickets.com/ or call 714-432-5072

FOUNTAIN VALLEY
Nothing to report

HUNTINGTON BEACH
Today and tomorrow 6/11-6/12 St. Mary's by the Sea is hosting a rummage sale. The event is from 8am-1pm on Friday and 8am-3pm on Saturday. About 200 families are participating. For more information call 714-536-6913 or visit http://www.stmarysbythesea.net/

IRVINE
This Saturday from 9am-2pm at the Lakeview Senior Center there will be a car wash fundraiser along with raffle prizes and collection of cans and bottles for recycling.

LOS ALAMITOS
Calling all CAT and ANIMAL lovers! It's Adopt-a-Cat Month! Over 500 cats were brought to the Long Beach Animal Care Services this past month. Everyone please consider adopting a cat. Every animal needs a home. For more information on how to adopt a cat call 562-570-7387.

NEWPORT BEACH
Starting now through Labor Day you can cruise Newport Bay and the fabulous Newport Beach coastline to the backdrop of live Latin music. This 1½ hour cruise travels through the world-renowned Newport Bay with over 20 miles of gorgeous waterfront estates and multi-million dollar yachts. Food and drinks included as well. The cruise takes place every night from 5:30-7:00pm. Call 949-675-0551 for ticket prices and other information.

ORANGE
Nothing to report

SANTA ANA
Nothing to report

SEAL BEACH
Nothing to report

TUSTIN
Nothing to report

VILLA PARK
Coming up June 26th is the 5K Run/Walk hosted by the Friends of the Villa Park Library. The event starts at 7:45am at Villa Park High School. You must register by June 12th. For more information visit http://www.villapark.org/ or you can call 714-998-1500

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

Caruso's OC Happenings ~ South County

South County

ALISO VIEJO
Nothing to report

DANA POINT
This Saturday from 9am-4pm is the 4th annual Surf-a-rama at Doheny State Beach. The event includes vintage surfboards, Woody car show and about 50 different vendors. Admission is FREE. For more information call 714-262-8370.

LADERA RANCH
Registration is now open for the 4th annual Freedom Run at the Ranch, which includes a 5K run, 10K run and 1K "Little Firecrackers Dash". The race is July 4th starting at 7:45am. There will also be a pancake breakfast from 7:30-11:30am for $5. For more information and to register visit http://www.runladera.org/

LAGUNA BEACH
Nothing to report

LAGUNA HILLS
Noting to report

LAGUNA NIGUEL
SATURDAY FROM 1-5 there will be an OPEN HOUSE @ 14 Brownsbury Road in the Ocean Ranch Community.

LAKE FOREST
Nothing to report

MISSION VIEJO
Nothing to report

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
Lotus 7 is offering classes for children this summer which combined play and yoga. The classes coast $5 and will be offered every Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:30-4:30. For more information visit http://www.lotus7yoga.com/

SAN CLEMENTE
Saturday, June 19 is the Quick Draw Competition at the San Clemente Art Gallery & Ave. Del Mar. Artists have just three hours to register a blank canvas, paint it on-location and turn it in, framed. The event is followed by a wine & cheese reception, with awards and sales. Event is free to public.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
DON'T MISS OUT! From May 7th-July 2nd, 2010 our own local OC artist Karen Joy Jackson will have her work featured at The San Juan Capistrano Library. Displayed will be 8 matted and framed photographs of Paris and Provence in France. There is also an Architectural Walking Tour each Saturday morning.

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

As seen in www.ocregister.com

Caruso's Quote of the Day!

It is not good for all our wishes to be filled; through sickness we recognize the value of health; through evil, the value of good; through hunger, the value of food; through exertion, the value of rest.

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

Home Price Decline...

According to Freddie Mac announced on May 26, 2010 that its Conventional Mortgage Home Price Index(CMHPI) Purchase-Only Series for the United States registered a 1.1 % decline from the first quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010. In the first quarter of 2010, the U.S. Index was down 2.1 percent (-8.0 percent annualized) relative to the fourth quarter, on a not-seasonally adjusted basis.

House price measures tend to show a lot of seasonality, with values lower during the slow home-selling months of autumn and winter and higher during the greater-activity months of spring and summer. Examining year-over-year home-value changes largely controls for seasonality. Compared with the first quarter of 2009, the national index dipped slightly – down 1.1% – with three-of-nine regions posting price gains. Houses in the Pacific region were up 4.5 % over the past year, and in the Middle Atlantic and West South Central states prices were up about one percentage point, on average. While values were up the most in the Pacific region over the past year, this gain occurred after values had fallen more than 30 percent over the two prior years, from the beginning of 2007 to the beginning of 2009.

The CMHPI Purchase-Only Series includes only property values based on home purchases with a conventional mortgage in its calculation. Freddie Mac also produces a CMHPI Classic Series that includes data from both home purchase transactions and mortgage refinancings, with the latter values based on appraisals. Generally, because appraisals are backwards looking through the use of recent comparable property transactions, the Classic Series will typically lag changes in the Purchase-Only series.

The CMHPI Classic Series indicated that average U.S. home values fell 1.5 % (-6.0 percent annualized) during the first quarter. Comparing the first quarter of 2010 with the first quarter of 2009, the Classic Series shows 6.7 percent depreciation.

The CMHPI Purchase-Only Series had the following regional house-price changes:

Middle Atlantic Division (NJ, NY, PA): decreased 0.4 % (-1.7 percent, annualized) in the first quarter of 2010. Over the last 12 months, home values increased 1.0 percent, and during the last five years, home values increased 10.1 %.

West South Central Division (AR, LA, OK, TX): fell 0.9 % (-3.5 percent, annualized) in the first quarter of 2010. Over the last 12 months, home values were increased 0.7 percent, and during the last five years, home values increased 16.6 %

New England Division (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT): declined 1.1 % (-4.5 percent, annualized) in the first quarter of 2010. Over the last 12 months, home values decreased 1.7 percent, and during the last five years, home values declined 6.5 %.

Pacific Division (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA): decreased 2.0 % (-7.8 percent, annualized) in the first quarter of 2010. Over the last 12 months, home values increased 4.5 percent, and during the last five years, home values have decreased 13.2 %.

South Atlantic Division (DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV): fell 2.3 % (-8.8 percent, annualized) in the first quarter of 2010. Over the last 12 months, home values decreased 4.0 percent, and during the last five years, home values fell 5.2 percent.

Mountain Division (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY): decreased 2.8 % (-10.8 percent, annualized) in the first quarter of 2010. In the last 12 months, home values decreased 6.1 percent; during the last five years, home values declined 4.4 percent.

East North Central Division (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI): decreased 2.9 percent (-11.2 percent, annualized) in the first quarter of 2010. Over the last 12 months, home values decreased 3.4 percent, and during the last five years, home values decreased 8.9 percent.

East South Central Division (AL, KY, MS, TN): decreased 3.1 percent (-11.9 percent, annualized) in the first quarter of 2010. Over the last 12 months, home values decreased 1.8 percent, and during the last five years, home values increased 8.7 percent.

West North Central Division (IA, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD): decreased 3.2 percent (-12.1, annualized) in the first quarter of 2010. Over the last 12 months, home values fell 1.3 percent; over the last five years, home values decreased 0.2 percent.

Unlike other home price indexes based on mean or median values of homes sold during a given period, the CMHPI is constructed using regression techniques from observations of actual sales prices or appraised values of the same homes over time. The street addresses of properties that serve as collateral for mortgages are processed using software certified by the United States Postal Service to create a uniform address format and are then matched to identify consecutive transactions on the same property. There are currently 42 million records in the repeat-transactions database used to construct the classic Conventional Mortgage Home Price Index – this database includes transactions on one-family detached and townhome properties serving as collateral on loans originated through the first quarter of 2010 and purchased by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae by April 30, 2010.

Freddie Mac publishes the CMHPI each quarter. Index values and growth rates for the classic series are available for the nation as a whole as well as for the nine Census divisions, the 50 states and the District of Columbia, and 392 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and metropolitan divisions; index values and growth rates for the purchase-only series are available for the nation and nine Census divisions.

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

All of the CMHPI series can be found on Freddie Mac’s web site, http://activerain.com/finance/cmhpi/.

Caruso's Quote of the Day!

Watch your thoughts; they become words.Watch your words; they become actions.Watch your actions; they become habits.Watch your habits; they become character.Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

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

Caruso's Home Staging the GREEN Way!

With demand rising for green home features, it's no surprise that home stagers are starting to style sustainably to help prospective buyers see green when they're shopping for property. And though it's beneficial to convey the impression that a home is environmentally friendly, it's equally important to address the substantive issues that affect overall performance.

Here are eight staging tips to make your listings stand out:

Verify environmental friendliness: Conduct an energy audit of a home and outline the green changes and upgrades that have been made as a result of the audit's findings. That can include basic changes, such as new caulking, insulation and lighting packages. It also can entail more substantial upgrades, such as new appliances with the Energy Star® label and the installation of a tankless water heater or an efficient HVAC system. Show prospects the potential savings and long-term benefits of all the green modifications that have been made.

Highlight green features: Offer buyers a checklist of a property's green features, along with the benefits that each offers. Some suggest creating a notebook-- made of recycled paper or bamboo or something with a green image on its cover--that illustrates a home's green aspects. Some books include notes about energy efficient appliances, water filtration systems, bamboo floors, and so forth. They can also includes documentation, such as information from the paint store or the paint company's website, about the low toxicity of the paint used or proof that the floor covering is made of sustainable wood.

Incorporate green products: Any cleaning supplies in cabinets should be green, and food on display in pantries should be labeled organic, if possible.
Include a recycling center: The aesthetics of recycling bins have evolved beyond basic blue, so it's possible to make separating bins a sleek design element in a house.

Eliminate odor: That freshly cleaned pine smell that comes from commercial cleaners or that new paint smell often signals air that is teeming with unhealthy chemicals. They suggests using green cleaning products and avoiding any items, such as vinyl shower curtain liners, that emit an aroma.

Go natural: Use living, not silk or plastic, plants. They have a more natural look and can improve indoor air quality.

Enhance curb appeal: Don't neglect the outdoor space. If homeowners are revamping the exterior, suggest swapping a lush lawn--that demands huge resources--for something more eco-friendly, such as vegetable gardens or native grasses. Plants, shrubs and vines that are native to a given area can thrive well without excessive watering or additives and they require less maintenance. Play up other green outdoor features, like composting bins and rainwater barrels. And chemical additives, sitting in the garden shed are a no-no.

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

Caruso's Home Star Energy Act 2010

A bill, known casually as Cash for Caulkers, passed the House last month and now awaits Senate consideration.

The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 would provide rebates to homeowners who improve their homes' energy efficiency with things like better insulation, efficient heating systems and energy-saving windows and doors.

"The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act is a common sense bill that will create jobs, save consumers money, and strengthen our economy," according to President Obama.

The bill has two parts, the Silver Star and the Gold Star, and would authorize $5.7 billion for the program over two years.

Under the Silver Star program, homeowners could receive up to $3,000 in rebates for installing energy-saving technologies, including insulation, duct sealing, windows and doors, air sealing, and water heaters.

The Gold Star program rewards homeowners who conduct comprehensive energy audits and implement a full complement of measures to reduce energy consumption. They could receive $3,000, or half the cost, for measures that reduce energy use by 20 percent, and they could receive up to $8,000 when additional energy savings are achieved.

The anticipated benefits of Home Star are high. It's expected to allow 3 million households to retrofit and improve the efficiency of their homes, and consumers may save $9.2 billion on their energy bills over the next decade.

In addition, it could create 168,000 new U.S.-based jobs.

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