What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)? CO is formed from the incomplete burning of any flame-fueled device including ranges, ovens, clothes dryers, furnaces, fireplaces, grills, space heaters, vehicles, and water heaters. CO can be dangerous - when inhaled, it passes from the lungs into the hemoglobin molecules of red blood cells. The result is that the body becomes oxygen-starved which can lead to tissue damage and death.
CO is tasteless, odorless, and invisible gas. Low levels of CO poisoning can cause shortness of breath, mild headaches, nausea, and fainting. CO poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United Sates according to the American Medical Association.
Per California Senate Bill 183, beginning July 1, 2011, all existing single family homes must have carbon monoxide alarms. All other types of residences (apartments, condominiums, etc) will need CO alarms beginning January 1, 2013. The law does not designate local fire departments as enforcing agencies.
The new requirements apply if ANY of the following are present within a home:
Attached garage
Natural gas or propane furnace and/or natural gas range and/or oven
Gas or wood-burning fireplace.
For existing homes, the CO alarms may be battery powered. At a minimum, CO alarms are required:
Outside of each sleeping area or bedroom
On each level of the home
And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.
www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com
Best regards,
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI
Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
New Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Cats Going Green with Caruso!
Cat litter has always been a nasty, but necessary commodity. Not only can it cause potential health risks to both pets and humans, it is an absolute Environmental nightmare. If you are like most people, you deposit the stinky stuff in plastic trash bags to be tossed out. Did you know that it is estimated that 4-8 BILLION pounds of cat waste end up in the U.S. landfills annually? Cat litter needs to be disposed of.
Introducing EnviroKats - the first entirely reusable cat litter! What that means to you is no more running to the store for litter and the expense involved in purchasing. No more dumping boxes, no exposure to the awful odors, and no plastic bags needed for disposal. And finally, no more needless choking of our landfills!
So what is EnviroKats made of so that it is able to be reused? EnviroKats litter is made from 100% discarded tires! The materials absorbs odors naturally without any additives. The specially designed box allows the liquid waste to accumulate at the bottom of the box. When it is time to clean the box you simply gently rinse the surface area of the litter, open the drain, and release the liquids.
And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.
www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com
Best regards,
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI
Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900
Introducing EnviroKats - the first entirely reusable cat litter! What that means to you is no more running to the store for litter and the expense involved in purchasing. No more dumping boxes, no exposure to the awful odors, and no plastic bags needed for disposal. And finally, no more needless choking of our landfills!
So what is EnviroKats made of so that it is able to be reused? EnviroKats litter is made from 100% discarded tires! The materials absorbs odors naturally without any additives. The specially designed box allows the liquid waste to accumulate at the bottom of the box. When it is time to clean the box you simply gently rinse the surface area of the litter, open the drain, and release the liquids.
And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.
www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com
Best regards,
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI
Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Get Social in 2011 with Caruso!
According to a report from Hitwise, an Internet analytics firm, for the first time ever, U.S. Web surfers visited the Facebook social networking site more often than any other site in 2010, beating out Google, now in the number two spot.
How can social networking help you sell more homes
Real estate is a contact sport. You want to be networking with people, both those you already know (your sphere of influence), and those you have yet to meet. Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, ActiveRain and RealTown are the new online elbow-rubbing (virtual), story-telling, cocktail parties of the new social world.
Don't be late to the party
You can add your virtual tours and property listings to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and others. But for every virtual tour or listing you post, you should be writing six or seven non-selling messages or "tweets" as they are called in Twitter. Write about what you are doing outside of business or what is happening in the neighborhood. Write about local sports, market conditions, local fairs, farmers markets or anything you might talk about with a group of friends. Think of social networking as a "virtual cocktail party" and remember your manners-let others talk and then respond; back and forth.
What social networking is not
Social networking (in most cases) will not replace your traditional methods of prospecting and networking such as "farming," Open House, Just Listed and Just Sold postcards, phone calls, cold calls, letters (snail-mail), Chamber of Commerce or the local MLS Marketing Groups.
How to get social in 2011
Let's start with Facebook. Facebook has been thought by many people to be just for young people or something that our kids use to communicate with friends. Well, this "was" true several years ago. However Facebook has evolved into much, much more. Today, Facebook has more subscribers than the entire population of the United States. In 2010, Facebook passed the 500 million member mark. And it is still growing at a rate that appears to be unstoppable.
Take action-its free
So, sign up for a free Facebook membership and create a personal profile with basic information about yourself-nothing too personal, keep it simple. The important thing is to get started today. Create a profile with a minimum of your name, contact information, picture (yes, include your picture), business, and some personal information such as hobbies, pets, etc. But remember to only share information you would be comfortable having shared on the front page of the newspaper...since virtual content "could" be seen by more people than ever read your local paper, even the New York Times. Next, start searching for your friends, associates and clients who are also on Facebook. You may be amazed at how fast your friends list grows.
And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.
Best regards.
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI
Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900
How can social networking help you sell more homes
Real estate is a contact sport. You want to be networking with people, both those you already know (your sphere of influence), and those you have yet to meet. Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, ActiveRain and RealTown are the new online elbow-rubbing (virtual), story-telling, cocktail parties of the new social world.
Don't be late to the party
You can add your virtual tours and property listings to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and others. But for every virtual tour or listing you post, you should be writing six or seven non-selling messages or "tweets" as they are called in Twitter. Write about what you are doing outside of business or what is happening in the neighborhood. Write about local sports, market conditions, local fairs, farmers markets or anything you might talk about with a group of friends. Think of social networking as a "virtual cocktail party" and remember your manners-let others talk and then respond; back and forth.
What social networking is not
Social networking (in most cases) will not replace your traditional methods of prospecting and networking such as "farming," Open House, Just Listed and Just Sold postcards, phone calls, cold calls, letters (snail-mail), Chamber of Commerce or the local MLS Marketing Groups.
How to get social in 2011
Let's start with Facebook. Facebook has been thought by many people to be just for young people or something that our kids use to communicate with friends. Well, this "was" true several years ago. However Facebook has evolved into much, much more. Today, Facebook has more subscribers than the entire population of the United States. In 2010, Facebook passed the 500 million member mark. And it is still growing at a rate that appears to be unstoppable.
Take action-its free
So, sign up for a free Facebook membership and create a personal profile with basic information about yourself-nothing too personal, keep it simple. The important thing is to get started today. Create a profile with a minimum of your name, contact information, picture (yes, include your picture), business, and some personal information such as hobbies, pets, etc. But remember to only share information you would be comfortable having shared on the front page of the newspaper...since virtual content "could" be seen by more people than ever read your local paper, even the New York Times. Next, start searching for your friends, associates and clients who are also on Facebook. You may be amazed at how fast your friends list grows.
And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.
Best regards.
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI
Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Attention Shopping Fanatics!
The Orange County retail climate is anticipated to improve in 2011, according to one local analyst. Several national companies will increase their presence locally: Forever 21, Walmart, Target and Ross. It is said that 2011 will bring in a better climate for retail properties in O.C. with modest sales growth of 3 to 5 percent overall. Watch out for these stores throughout Orange County this upcoming year.
Forever 21 will be taking over the 98,568 square-foot former Saks Fifth Avenue at The Shop at Mission Viejo as well as taking over part of the upper and lower levels of the Sears store at South Coast Plaza. Look out for a wider array of clothing for woman as well as clothes for men, more accessories and other merchandise categories.
Walmart will be opening a second store in Anaheim across from Orangefair Marketplace. This Walmart will be a super-center, open 24 hours and will span about 100,000 square feet and is hoping to open this summer.
Also coming up this year in San Clemente will be a 142,000 square-foot Target which is scheduled to openthis year on Avenida Vista Hermosa.
Ross Stores Inc. has signed a 10-year lease to open a 21,000 square-foot Dd's Discounts in Anaheim. The store is a smaller off-price concept that targets households with more moderate incomes than Ross customers. The merchandise departments and categories are generally similar to those of Ross, but offer a different mix of brands. This will be Orange Countys only Dd's Discounts.
Fashion department stores such as Macy's, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's will continue to improve their merchandising. It is said that many shoppers will transition back to higher quality stores as they have done the discount thing and now want more than the discounters can offer.
And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.
http://www.michaelcarusorealestate.com/
Best regards,
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI
Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900
Forever 21 will be taking over the 98,568 square-foot former Saks Fifth Avenue at The Shop at Mission Viejo as well as taking over part of the upper and lower levels of the Sears store at South Coast Plaza. Look out for a wider array of clothing for woman as well as clothes for men, more accessories and other merchandise categories.
Walmart will be opening a second store in Anaheim across from Orangefair Marketplace. This Walmart will be a super-center, open 24 hours and will span about 100,000 square feet and is hoping to open this summer.
Also coming up this year in San Clemente will be a 142,000 square-foot Target which is scheduled to openthis year on Avenida Vista Hermosa.
Ross Stores Inc. has signed a 10-year lease to open a 21,000 square-foot Dd's Discounts in Anaheim. The store is a smaller off-price concept that targets households with more moderate incomes than Ross customers. The merchandise departments and categories are generally similar to those of Ross, but offer a different mix of brands. This will be Orange Countys only Dd's Discounts.
Fashion department stores such as Macy's, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's will continue to improve their merchandising. It is said that many shoppers will transition back to higher quality stores as they have done the discount thing and now want more than the discounters can offer.
And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.
http://www.michaelcarusorealestate.com/
Best regards,
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI
Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Don't Become a Victim of Fraud
The chances are good that the person sitting next to you may have been a victim of a crime. Statistics indicate that 8 out of 12 Americans will become victims of a crime at least once in their lifetimes. Most people think of violent crimes; rape, assault, and robbery when they think of crime victims and seem to over look another type of crime.
Not all victims experience crimes of violence. According to the Office for Victims of Crime, fraud, identity theft & financial schemes victimize millions of Americans each year. Consumers fall prey to phony investment scams, get-rich-quick schemes, foreign lotteries, telemarketing fraud, Internet scams, and identity theft every day. Millions of hard-earned dollars and life savings of victims line the pockets of scammers, who have no regard for their victims or the damage they've done to their lives.
In one year, 10 million Americans become victims of identity theft, according to the Better Business Bureau, with a loss of over $50 billion. Insurance fraud cost the average family hundreds of dollars per a year in higher insurance premiums.
Victims often feel helpless in the aftermath of a crime. They feel alone and isolated by the crime and many are financially devastated. If you or someone you know or love does become a victim of a financial crime or any other type of crime, there are countless professionals and volunteers who stand ready to help cope with the consequences of the crime, to offer support and to provide guidance that can help victims better understand their options.
The good news is that there are laws ready to protect victims. The Federal Crime Victims' Bill of Rights was created to give victims a proper place in the criminal justice system, ensure they have the opportunity to be heard and provide assistance to further their recovery process. Most states also have victims' rights laws for cases handled in the local criminal justice system.
And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.
www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com
Best regards,
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI
Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900
Not all victims experience crimes of violence. According to the Office for Victims of Crime, fraud, identity theft & financial schemes victimize millions of Americans each year. Consumers fall prey to phony investment scams, get-rich-quick schemes, foreign lotteries, telemarketing fraud, Internet scams, and identity theft every day. Millions of hard-earned dollars and life savings of victims line the pockets of scammers, who have no regard for their victims or the damage they've done to their lives.
In one year, 10 million Americans become victims of identity theft, according to the Better Business Bureau, with a loss of over $50 billion. Insurance fraud cost the average family hundreds of dollars per a year in higher insurance premiums.
Victims often feel helpless in the aftermath of a crime. They feel alone and isolated by the crime and many are financially devastated. If you or someone you know or love does become a victim of a financial crime or any other type of crime, there are countless professionals and volunteers who stand ready to help cope with the consequences of the crime, to offer support and to provide guidance that can help victims better understand their options.
The good news is that there are laws ready to protect victims. The Federal Crime Victims' Bill of Rights was created to give victims a proper place in the criminal justice system, ensure they have the opportunity to be heard and provide assistance to further their recovery process. Most states also have victims' rights laws for cases handled in the local criminal justice system.
And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.
www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com
Best regards,
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI
Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900
Saturday, January 1, 2011
What's in the Cards for 2011?
So...here we are again, amidst the dust from many new resolutions sworn to over the last 24 hours. Rose parade on TV and some football, of course!
But the wish I heard more than anything else this past week was "hoping for a better year in 2011" and that kind of sentiment tells me people weren't happy with the events of 2010.
What is in the cards...according to your prognostication for 2011?
Send in your opinions about: Job Growth, Unemployment Rate, GDP for the USA, Interest Rates, Mergers & Acquisitions, the role the Fed should play, Fannie & Freddie, Big Government,...and anything else pertinent to tell us your opinion of what is in the cards for 2011.
And Thank You for Making Me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection!
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI
Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors
But the wish I heard more than anything else this past week was "hoping for a better year in 2011" and that kind of sentiment tells me people weren't happy with the events of 2010.
What is in the cards...according to your prognostication for 2011?
Send in your opinions about: Job Growth, Unemployment Rate, GDP for the USA, Interest Rates, Mergers & Acquisitions, the role the Fed should play, Fannie & Freddie, Big Government,...and anything else pertinent to tell us your opinion of what is in the cards for 2011.
And Thank You for Making Me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection!
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI
Past President, Orange County Association of Realtors
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Caruso's Green Tip of the Day!
Save a Tree
Get off junk-mail lists- Register with the Direct Marketing Association's DMAchoice mail preference service (dmachoice.org), and you'll see a significant reduction in mail after three months.
Permanently place a recycling box an arm's length from your mail bin so you can toss any remaining junk mail pronto.
Pay bills online, or set up automatic check paying from your bank account. No envelopes, no postage - and no late fees, if you're on an automatic plan.
And that's your green tip of the day!
And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.
www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com
Best regards,
Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CLHMS CRB CRS GREEN GRI
2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
CHILEAN MINERS TO BE RESCUED VERY SOON!!
After 68 days trapped more than 2,000 feet in a small dark and hot shelter, the longest anyone has survived this type of disaster. The first of 33 trapped miners will be hoisted to freedom Tuesday night. The 32 Chilean miners and 1 Bolivian miner have survived since the Aug. 5 mine collapse that trapped the men in their tiny shelter, the size of an average living room.
The drillers have finally completed the escape shaft, and have tested the 14 foot escape capsule that has been dubbed, The Phoenix, several times. It is equipped with a communications system, oxygen supply and safety harness. The government said four members of the rescue team, two engineers and two medics will be lowered down the shaft first to assist in the operation and to evaluate the physical and mental state of the miners. The journey to the surface is expected to take between 25 to 50 minutes, and the men will be hooked up to oxygen tanks with 90 minutes of air. They will also wear special glasses to shield their eyes from the sensitivity to light after being in the darkness for so long. If a miner becomes stuck, an escape hatch at the bottom of the capsule will open, drawing the miner back down to the chamber.
The miners will be formed into three groups - the medium strength miners will be released first, the weakest second, and the strongest last. If any of the men in the group becomes too terrified to make the claustrophobic journey, they will be sedated before they make the trip to the surface.
The first to be rescued will be 31 year old Florencio Avalos, who is relatively healthy despite his ordeal The last miner out will be Luis Urzua, 54, who was the shift foreman when the mine collapsed, and has been the person to keep order and unity in the chamber and showed true leadership during the ordeal.
The men will be taken to a hospital and observed for 48 hours before being reunited with family. As the world awaits for their heroic rescue. We will keep them in our prayers.
God speed for a safe journey out of the mine and into freedom!
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
The drillers have finally completed the escape shaft, and have tested the 14 foot escape capsule that has been dubbed, The Phoenix, several times. It is equipped with a communications system, oxygen supply and safety harness. The government said four members of the rescue team, two engineers and two medics will be lowered down the shaft first to assist in the operation and to evaluate the physical and mental state of the miners. The journey to the surface is expected to take between 25 to 50 minutes, and the men will be hooked up to oxygen tanks with 90 minutes of air. They will also wear special glasses to shield their eyes from the sensitivity to light after being in the darkness for so long. If a miner becomes stuck, an escape hatch at the bottom of the capsule will open, drawing the miner back down to the chamber.
The miners will be formed into three groups - the medium strength miners will be released first, the weakest second, and the strongest last. If any of the men in the group becomes too terrified to make the claustrophobic journey, they will be sedated before they make the trip to the surface.
The first to be rescued will be 31 year old Florencio Avalos, who is relatively healthy despite his ordeal The last miner out will be Luis Urzua, 54, who was the shift foreman when the mine collapsed, and has been the person to keep order and unity in the chamber and showed true leadership during the ordeal.
The men will be taken to a hospital and observed for 48 hours before being reunited with family. As the world awaits for their heroic rescue. We will keep them in our prayers.
God speed for a safe journey out of the mine and into freedom!
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
Monday, October 11, 2010
HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY!!
Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492.
Since, the second Monday of every October is officially the holiday. Take a moment today and remember those adventurers that set out on a very dangerous journey to find what you now call your home.
http://www.history.com/videos/christopher-columbus-sets-sail
If you were lucky to have the day off, I hope it was happy!
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
Since, the second Monday of every October is officially the holiday. Take a moment today and remember those adventurers that set out on a very dangerous journey to find what you now call your home.
http://www.history.com/videos/christopher-columbus-sets-sail
If you were lucky to have the day off, I hope it was happy!
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
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
TRUE LEADERS SOAR ABOVE THE REST...
Leadership...
A True Leader…. Has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.
He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions ant the integrity of his intent.
In the end, leaders are like eagles…they don’t flock, you find them one at a time.
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
A True Leader…. Has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.
He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions ant the integrity of his intent.
In the end, leaders are like eagles…they don’t flock, you find them one at a time.
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
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