Recent Blog Posts

Careful…The REAL You May Be Showing One of my favorite fast-food restaurants with relatively healthy choices fell off my list several years ago. The young cashier overcharged me and was having difficulty issuing a refund.  She consulted her manager who was nearby having her meal break. The cashier returned and asked if I would consider a restaurant credit because it was easier than refunding my money. After telling her I’d like a refund because I was never returning, she went to her manager once again who reluctantly stopped eating and issued a refund. This wasn’t over a lot of money but it reflected poorly on the manager and the restaurant. The manager may have been in her “I’m on a break mode” but when you’re a manager or in a business, you’re “always on.” What does this have to do wi... 04/15/2025

Understanding HOA Rules: Key Considerations for Buyers, Sellers, and AgentsNavigating the ins and outs of homeowners associations (HOAs) is essential for both buyers and sellers in today’s real estate market. As HOAs become increasingly common, understanding their impact on property transactions is crucial for making informed decisions.Why HOAs Matter for HomebuyersNearly 30% of U.S. homes are governed by an HOA, and this number continues to rise. Newer homes, especially, tend to be part of an HOA, with about 84% of newly built homes in 2022 being under one. HOA communities often lead to higher property values, with homes in such communities commanding a 5% to 6% premium. This is because HOAs help maintain property aesthetics, amenities, and neighborhood standards, which in turn attract... 04/15/2025

Trivia question answers for Monday April 14 20251. Which sport was invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1891? Basketball2.  One kilogram is equivalent to how many pounds? 2.2 pounds3. What is the name for Argentinean cowboys? Gauchos4. What restaurant is known as Mai Dang Lao in China? McDonaldsTrivia questions for Tuesday April 15, 20251. A "top-sider" is a type of what?2. What type of bridge is the Golden Gate Bridge?3. What is the fastest fish in the Ocean?4. What was the world's first antibiotic?Enjoy your day. 04/15/2025

Homeownership might start as a dream, but with the right steps (and the right agent 😉), it can become your reality! 🏡 Getting preapproved is a smart first move—it helps you shop with confidence and clarity. I’m here to guide you every step of the way, from touring homes to handing you the keys. Ready to start your journey? Let’s chat today! #thehelpfulagent #home #houseexpert #house #listreports #househunting #realestate #a041525 #investment #realestateagent #realtor #dreamhome 04/15/2025

Spring Valley Weekly Market Update April 7th - 13th, 2025 Pointe Lakeview RECENTLY SOLD Lake Pointe Drive | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 694 sq. ft. | $369,000 Sweetwater Views RECENTLY SOLD Avenida Angulia | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 862 sq. ft. | $385,000 04/15/2025

Inherited a Home in Central Ohio? Here’s What to Know Before SellingInheriting a house after the death of a loved one can be both emotional and overwhelming. Between navigating family dynamics, handling legal paperwork, and deciding what to do with the property, the process can quickly become stressful — especially if the home needs work or is stuck in probate.If you're looking to sell an inherited home in Central Ohio — whether you're in Columbus, Newark, Grove City, or nearby — there are faster, easier options than listing it on the market.What Makes Selling an Inherited Property So Challenging?Here are some of the most common complications homeowners face: The home is outdated or in disrepair You live out of town or out of state The property is still going through probate There are m... 04/15/2025

🚣‍Val Vista Lakes, Gilbert, AZ ~ 4-15-25☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email Brian🏠Activity within Val Vista Lakes🏠Val Vista Lakes is more than just a great master-planned community.  Our nine hundred acres "water-wonderland" consists of four spacious sports parks, meandering bicycle paths, and a luxurious clubhouse.  The clubhouse features an eight-court championship tennis complex, indoor racquetball courts, cardio, and weight training facilities, a junior Olympic swimming pool and spa, banquet and meeting rooms, waterfalls, and a tropical lagoon swimming pool with a sandy beach.VVL offers twenty-four Residential Subdivisions, several of which are custom-gated communities, offering both lakefront and off-lake homes.  Also inclu... 04/15/2025

This week the median list price for Gilbert, AZ is $680,000 with the market action index hovering around 40. This is about the same as last month's market action index of 40. Inventory has increased to 693. In the last few weeks the market has achieved a relative stasis point in terms of sales to inventory. However, inventory is sufficiently low to keep us in the Seller’s Market zone so watch changes in the MAI. If the market heats up, prices are likely to resume an upward climb.  The market is hovering around this plateau. Look for a persistent change in the Market Action Index before we see prices deviate from these levels.     YOUR   Latest activity in the VALLEY of the SUNFor ALL your Valley AZ Real Estate NeedsPHONE   Bill   at   602-999-0952Text          Bill   at    602-999-0952E... 04/15/2025

Back in 1513 Ponce de Leon set out in Florida searching for the fountain of youth and he never found it, I did!  Let me tell you about my day, the other morning while I am stumbling around with coffee in hand my 102-year-old neighbor who turns 103 in June waves to me while driving her Cadillac off to play cards.  It was a great weather evening so we decided to go square hopping and listen to a few bands.  Spanish Springs first as I watched a lady with a cane dance to Proud Mary and was joined by another lady with a walker.  I watched couples in their late 80’s and 90’s slow dancing with one of them supporting the other, one elderly lady was dancing with her dog.Next hop in the golf cart and head to Lake Sumter Landing, the place was packed as a great band was playing, again people watch... 04/15/2025

Strathmore Gate East is a 55 and over community in Coram Long Island.Opened in the 1970s, Strathmore Gate East can be reached off Middle Country Road to Old Town Road. Since this is an established community, units may need some updating. Street names in the neighborhood are Freedom Lane, Forge Lane, Freemont Lane, Flair Way, and Flair Circle. This is a pet-friendly neighborhood.These are all attached ranch-style floor plans, with 1 or 2 bedrooms. There is central air conditioning, clean and efficient electric heat and cooking, and individual thermostats in every room. Some residences have an attached garage, and some do not.Lawrence "Larry" and Sheila Agranoff, REALTORS® sell in this neighborhood. There's a cozy clubhouse, pool, and bocci. The community is under a homeowner's associatio... 04/15/2025

✴️▐►Rent to Own Mobile Homes Sale SC Summerville Ladson Charleston🈚▐►MOBILE HOMES ★ Rent to Own -BUY -SELL -WHOLESALE ★ Charleston★ ★ BUY HERESell – Buy – Rent to Own – InvestHouses – Mobile Homes – Land✴️▐►SCInvestmentProperties.com★ We contact ALL who Visit Our FREE Preferred Buyer VIP   Call Steve to Visit Our Homes ★ ★★ ★Also Available Today:   See Many More Homes Below.NOTE: Some Prices are Negotiable with Your Completed BUYER VIP!  $1375 Rent to Own Summerville Gold SWMH FSBO  3bd 2ba★  Summerville Lovely Safe Secure MHP May Remain Here OR Move to Your Location Rent to Own $1375 Monthly / NEGOTIABLE$10K Option Down / NEGOTIABLEBUY Outright Today $44,775 Cash SWMH 3bd 2ba ★★  BUY HERE✴️▐►SCInvestmentProperties.com​​★ We contact ALL who Visit Our FREE Preferred Buyer VIP   Call Stev... 04/15/2025

Pacific Beach Weekly Market Update April 7th - 13th, 2025 La Portola RECENTLY SOLD Grand Avenue | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 722 sq. ft. | $550,000 Pacific Villas NEWLY LISTED Felspar Street | 0 bedrooms | 1 baths | 405 sq. ft. | $490,000 Pacific Woodlands BACK ON THE MARKET Pico Street | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 625 sq. ft. | $559,000 04/15/2025

Book Recommendation: The Oligarch's Daughter by Joseph FinderI enjoyed reading The Oligarch's Daughter (2025), the new standalone novel by Joseph Finder and recommend it for your reading list. Click on the link to reach the website.From the New York Times bestselling author of House on Fire, a breakneck thriller that marries the dynastic opulence of Succession with the tense and disorienting spy craft of The Americans.Paul Brightman is a man on the run, living under an assumed name in a small New England town with a million-dollar bounty on his head. When his security is breached, Paul is forced to flee into the New Hampshire wilderness to evade Russian operatives who can seemingly predict his every move.Six years ago, Paul was a rising star on Wall Street who fell in love with a beauti... 04/15/2025

El Cajon Weekly Market Update April 7th - 13th, 2025 Centaur Villas RECENTLY SOLD Decker Street | 2 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1116 sq. ft. | $525,000 Fairway Villas BACK ON THE MARKET Dehesa Road | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1448 sq. ft. | $559,500 Jamacha Greens RECENTLY SOLD Amistad Place | 2 bedrooms | 1 baths | 945 sq. ft. | $425,000 Mirasol NEWLY LISTED Fury Lane | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 707 sq. ft. | $459,900 Mountain View Village NEWLY LISTED Gustavo Street | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 899 sq. ft. | $465,000 Oakdale Park RECENTLY SOLD Oakdale Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 1024 sq. ft. | $399,999 Oakdale Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 1.5 baths | 1024 sq. ft. | $425,000 Rancho Villas RECENTLY SOLD Calle De Medio | 2 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1139 sq. ft. | $568,000 Remington RECENTLY SOLD Via Ranch... 04/15/2025

Pick a day, any day and decide to make it a day where you practice listening. Not just; not talking, but actual listening to what others are saying.   I challenge you to test yourself! Pick a day, any day and decide to make it a day where you practice listening. Not just; not talking, but actual listening to what others are saying. Being attentive, eye contact, giving your full attention to the person and as an option, ask questions for further listening training. YOU will also be grading your own paper too LEND EVERYONE YOUR EAR, NOT YOUR MOUTH I WONT TALK... Listening is a lot harder than you think. Most people's first reaction to wanting or attempting to listen will be to think that they will just silence themselves thus becoming what is left i.e. a listener. Not so. Rocks and walls ... 04/15/2025

La Jolla Weekly Market Update April 7th - 13th, 2025 Clinton Manor RECENTLY SOLD Eads Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1412 sq. ft. | $1,400,000 Devonshire RECENTLY SOLD Eads Avenue | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1121 sq. ft. | $1,385,000 Eastbluff RECENTLY SOLD Caminito Eastbluff | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1031 sq. ft. | $885,000 El Dorado II RECENTLY SOLD Via Pedrera | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1669 sq. ft. | $1,549,000 Montefaro RECENTLY SOLD Genter Street | 3 bedrooms | 3.5 baths | 1983 sq. ft. | $1,850,000 Regents La Jolla NEWLY LISTED Executive Drive | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1102 sq. ft. | $950,000 Regents Road | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 764 sq. ft. | $670,000 RECENTLY SOLD Regents Road | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1063 sq. ft. | $849,000 Mount La Jolla RECENTLY SOLD Caminito Preciosa Sur | 4 bedr... 04/14/2025

Saving for a Down Payment to buy a home is the BEST way to save for retirement. What gives? (primary photo: Piggy Bank Savings for Home by David Yonatan, Pixabay)Seems strange doesn't it? Save for a down payment on a home before saving for retirement. That is what financial guru Dave Ramsey says. Why? Well, read on...Save for down payment on a "home" before saving for retirement?Per Realtor.com on March 3, 2025 by Dina Sartore-Bodo, "As home prices rise, so do down payments, making it increasingly difficult for potential buyers to invest in real estate. While experts have suggested a multitude of ways to afford a house in the current market, financial expert Dave Ramsey proposed a radical solution to anyone trying to find the money for a down payment. His advice? Stop planning for the f... 04/14/2025

Downtown San Diego Weekly Market Update April 7th - 13th, 2025 Bella Via RECENTLY SOLD India Street | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1200 sq. ft. | $839,000 Cityfront Terrace NEWLY LISTED W Harbor Drive | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1184 sq. ft. | $950,000 RECENTLY SOLD W Harbor Drive | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1184 sq. ft. | $997,000 Columbia Place NEWLY LISTED State Street | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 735 sq. ft. | $629,000 Discovery NEWLY LISTED Beech Street | 4 bedrooms | 3 baths | 2910 sq. ft. | $2,399,900 RECENTLY SOLD Beech Street | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1285 sq. ft. | $925,000 Palermo NEWLY LISTED Front Street | 0 bedrooms | 1 baths | 555 sq. ft. | $459,000 Park Place RECENTLY SOLD W Harbor Drive | 2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1704 sq. ft. | $1,995,000 Park Row RECENTLY SOLD Kettner Boulevard | 2 bedr... 04/14/2025

Palm trees are a defining feature of Los Angeles, shaping its streets, parks, and residential landscapes. These towering icons add charm to the city while offering shade and ecological benefits. However, maintaining them properly is crucial not just for aesthetic reasons but for sustainability and environmental conservation. Eco-friendly palm tree trimming is a practice that ensures these trees remain healthy while minimizing negative environmental impact.Sustainable trimming practices go beyond simple maintenance. They involve mindful cutting techniques, proper disposal of trimmed materials, and a commitment to reducing waste. Many property owners and landscapers overlook the ecological implications of improper palm care. By adopting green palm tree trimming techniques, residents and b... 04/14/2025

In my previous blog post I shared an abundance of Texas Bluebonnets. Today, I share the newest 2025 Texas Wildflowers photographed at Green Acres Farms in Flower Mound, TX. This year, I notice flowers ranging from pale blue to deep indigo, and from lavender to violet. For anyone who likes pastels these photographs may be of interest to you.   Purple and Blue Spiderworts grow well in Tallgrass Prairie                Fushia Spiderworts Possibly Spiderwort. It grows up to 3 feet tall!    Yellow Texas Spider Lilys More spiderworts in bold colors.  Trumpet Honeysuckles attract hummingbirds and butterflies These flowers can grow up to 3 feet tall.   There is beauty in the simple life.   Pink Evening Primrose blooms everywhere! They can be seen along roadsides, in prairies, parks, and woods. T... 04/14/2025