If you think prices may come down some more, you may be right. If you think that magical time where interest rates are really low and prices are low are going to be around forever than think again. Interest rates are right around 5-6% with decent credit right now and sellers are really negotiating prices right now so NOW is the time to start looking for either your first home or an investment property. NO ONE has gotten rich by renting another persons property. Paying someone else's mortgage just does not make sense. I own a rental with a 20 year loan on it and all ready the renter has paid my mortgage for 5 years. If he stays even another 5 years he will have paid half of my mortgage off for my retirement home. Don't wait, this is the 90's of today where everyone wished they had bought... 01/31/2008

                                If you have been considering buying your first home or moving up to that  larger dream home now is the time! The climate of today's real estate market is perfect for home buyers!  I have been selling homes for almost 19 Years now. I have seen several market changes. I know from experience that what will goes down will definitely go back up! I still remember the spring of '97 when all of a sudden homes began to sell quickly. It only took a few weeks and the momentum built and before you knew it we were in multiple offer situation on the better properties for sale. Historically in any market the most cared for homes and the homes in the best locations and good school districts always sell. It's really up to you and what you are looking for in a home. Here a... 01/27/2008

During  December Tina Maraj Shah from RE/MAX of North Orange County raised over 1000 pounds of food the the Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Services Food-bank. Participating in a Nationwide campaign sponsored by the Pacific West Association of REALTORS calledCantree, Tina Organized a Food Drive at a local Ralph's Grocery Store and with help from her fellow agents in the office collected  food donations from shoppers. In addition Tina conducted a door to door campaign throughout the East Fullerton  neighborhoods she specializes in. "Everyone was very generous this year as always. Once people hear that the food goes right here to a Food bank in Fullerton they are very receptive to donate! Every can makes a difference".  Especially this year  when all of the Orange County Food Banks hit an ... 01/25/2008

Landmark Plaza Building   Located at 122 N. Harbor BoulevardOriginally: Farmers and Merchants BankLocation: 122 N. Harbor Boulevard1904: Beaux Arts Style (redesigned in 1922)The Farmers and Merchants Bank building, initially constructed in 1904, received its beautifully detailed beaux-arts facade in 1922. Frank Benchley, a local architect, designed this embellishment. Accented with ornate classical motifs, this two-story building located on the southeast corner of Amerige Avenue and Harbor Boulevard is the only example of the Beaux-Arts style in Fullerton. A dramatic diagonal corner entrance, crowned with a decorated parapet, provides the focus for the front (north and west) facades. The use of shields, recessed panels, faux stone, molded trim, and classical floral motifs provides the d... 01/24/2008

John Hetebrink House   Located at 515 E. Chapman Ave.Location: 515 E. Chapman Ave.1914: Mission Revival This magnificent structure is the finest example of residential Mission Revival architecture in Fullerton. This residence features unique detailing, and its prominent parapet, scalloped arched openings on the centered balcony, Egyptian-influenced columns and capitals, leaded and beveled glass windows, arched doorway and sidelights, bands of casement windows, and open porches with large cast concrete urns, distinguish the house like no other in Fullerton. The house and a detached garage set back well over 200 feet from the street. A long, horse shoe-shaped driveway has been retained like its initial layout and provides a remarkable setting for the residence. The two-story structure con... 01/24/2008

Apple just announced within 2 quarters they have captured over 20% of the smartphone market.  Why is this important?  Because it is the future - not just the iPhone but all media enabled phones.  The ability to have information at your fingertips.Realtor.com is on board now with iphone.realtor.com. There is another system out there which works like this. HOW IT WORKS: 1. The buyer calls the number on our sign rider or ad and enters the ID. 2. A message with photos and property information will be sent to their cell phone along with YOUR contact details straight from SOCAL. 3. You receive a text message or email with the caller's number.  What do you think.  Is this the next evolution? Is is junk like the talking house?   Adam BrettRE/MAX NOCFullerton,CA714-496-8116800-977-ADAM 01/24/2008

Troy High School in Fullerton, ranked #30 as the 100 Best Schools by Newsweek in 2004, is having qualification test dates for 8th grade students in all districts on January 26 or February 2, 2008 at 7:15 a.m.  This is for all students outside the Fullerton Schoold District, who are not yet students and  who want to be entered into Troy High.  As of know, if you are in the Fullerton School District, you can go to any Fullerton school you wish, but you must put a transfer in during the transfer time periods if you wish to go to a Fullerton school not in your direct boundaries.  As Troy Tech, being one of the oldest and most distinguished magnet program in math, science, and technology, grows in popularity, the school has made it necessary to have this testing in place for kids not in the ... 01/24/2008

I am sitting at the Mastering Real Estate - Marketing and Technology Workshop by Realtor.com.   I was invited as an award recipient and decided to go even though I know they invited me to show the workshop attendees - 'Hey look - this guy can do it so can you.' But, while I listen to Max Pigman - the VP and Speaker for Realtor.com, he makes some very good points.The basis of the seminar is how technology is taking over.  Text messaging, online information, how to interface with consumers.  Then next generation is becoming more and more tech savvy inherently.  They are not going to school for this information, but it is becoming integrated into society.  Social Networking is a huge trend. Myspace has over 100 million accounts.  This is in theory 1/3 of the population of the United States... 01/24/2008

I am fortunate my brother-in-law is a Real Estate E&O lawyer so I get a lot of tips how to stay out of trouble.  One of the best had to do with disclosures, the #1 cause of lawsuits.There are 2 rules:Disclose everything.Do not use descriptive words #1 is pretty straight forward. #2 means some things are open to interpretation and the seller and the buyer may differ in opinion on the disclosure.  For example:  There is a crack in the concrete driveway and the seller discloses, "Minor cracks in driveway." This is not a good idea as what you deem minor, the buyer might see major.  You are safe with "Cracks in driveway."  Same goes for "small leak", "tiny holes in walls", or just about any other DESCRIPTIVE words you can think of.  Leave these words out and the disclosures not only become e... 01/23/2008

Troy High is without a doubt one of the best High Schools in the nation.  You can view the school profile and demographics here.  Troy High Information. Living in the attendance area is a gauranteed way for your student to attend this prestigious school so I have compiled all the active listings in the boundary area.  Here is a link to my search portal to view the listings on a map and for full information.If you see anything of interest please do not hesitate to contact me as I am a Lower Raymond Hills and Troy High specialist.     # Mlsnum Status Price Beds Baths Type SqFt Gar Address 1 S494918 Active $199,000 1 1 CONDO 673  0 400 N Acacia Ave B37 FUL CA 92831 2 P594658 Active $210,000 1 1 CONDO 673  0 400 N Acacia Ave D37 FUL CA 92831 3 P589383 Active $233,000 1 1 CONDO 673  0 400 N ... 01/22/2008

I am implementing a new website and just finished the IDX search integration.It is completely map based and in my opinion pretty slick.You can check it out at http://idx.diversesolutions.com/Link/2506   I have been giving the link to clients and they love the mapping features and ease of use.  I would love to hear some feedback.Thanks in advance. 01/22/2008

Today it is my distinct pleasure to welcome Jacqueline Orzechowski to Prudential California Realty/Fine Homes International. She most recently was affiliated with Elite Team in Brea…..previous to that many years at Century 21 Discovery in Fullerton. You may better know her by Jacki O. distinguishing herself with the professional slogan  “the First Lady of Real Estate”…..in addition to the quality service she provides her client’s and customers. While affiliating with our Yorba Linda location Jacki will continue to build on her strong performance in all the markets she serves…utilizing her home office in Fullerton and all Prudential locations when applicable. As an accomplished results oriented achiever Jacki O. finished 9th in North East Orange County for units in Anaheim Hills, Yorba L... 01/21/2008

There has recently been a few improvements in technology which will help the consumer whether on the road or at home on the computer.   Realtor.com - the #1 website for Real Estate in the United States is now optimized for the iPhone.The new URL is iphone.realtor.comThe new interface is compatable with the Apple iPhone, Apple iPod Touch, or safari web browser.         Trulia.com and RealtyTrac have paired up to post more than 400,000 foreclosure properties on the Trulia website.  Visitors will be able to search by state, city and neighborhood, and obtain basic info for free.  As with the RealtyTrac website the complete information is available but for a fee.    Zillow.com has teamed up with 11 newspaper groups.  Local Real Estate advertisers who place print and online listings with thes... 01/19/2008

Fatimah Tuggar New Art Show Focuses on Themes of Location and Memory Works of 12 Contemporary Artists on Exhibit Through March 7 January 14, 2008 The works of 12 contemporary artists who use themes of location and memory in their work will be shown in “A New Cosmopolitanism (Preeminence of Place in Contemporary Art),” a new Main Art Gallery exhibit opening Feb. 5 and continuing through March 7.  Steven B. Smith   Featured artists are Michael Benedict Barnoya, Binh Danh, Alejandro Díaz, Enrique Chagoya, Wosene Worke Kosrof, Sandeep Mukherjee, Betye Saar, Steven B. Smith, Mark Swope, Fatimah Tuggar, Richard Turner and Saira Wasim. Curators for the exhibit are Rachel E. Chaney and Michel Oren. A reception for the exhibition is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. Gallery hours are noo... 01/16/2008

Hillcrest Park Located at 1200 N. Harbor Blvd.Location: 1200 N. Harbor Blvd.1920: improved in 1930sThe Hillcrest Park area has been an important resource in Fullerton, ever since the 35-acre parcel was purchased by the city for $67,300 in 1920. Originally bare of trees, the land was used as an overnight auto park camping site during the 1920s. The park evolved through the 1930s into its present form. The first city water reservoir is still located within the parkland, and the original trails were created with horse and plow. The hundreds of pine and eucalyptus trees planted in the mid-1920s transformed the site dramatically, but the W.P.A. fountain and the stone work in various areas of the park created a truly unique environment.Included within the park are three structures. The recrea... 01/16/2008

As I sit - right now - at a broker preview with not a sole in attendance - I ask the question:  Is this a good use of time?I am of the opinion the answer is - sometimes yes.    Let me explain.  2 weeks ago I had a broker preview at a very nice 1.3 Million Dollar listing in an exclusive part of town.  Over 30 agents came through with some excellent feedback.  In that case it was well worth the time.   Today I am at a very nice yet average home for the area priced at $549,000. Wait a sec - just had 1 person come through and they were in and out in no joke 15 seconds.  Beyond the seller appeasement aspect of the preview - I find agents don't preview the lower 2/3 of the market.  However, I am still apt to do them as I am a believer you won't catch the fish if you don't put your line in the... 01/15/2008

Heritage House Located at Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated (CSUF campus)Originally: Dr. George Clark House and OfficeLocation: Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated (CSUF campus)1894: Eastlake Victorian The Clark House is a unique example of the Eastlake style in Fullerton. Moved to the Fullerton Arboretum from its original location at 114 North Lemon Street in 1972, the house was subsequently restored over a number of years and has been given the name Heritage House. The original gabled roof had to be removed for the move; a new roof as well as a double chimney was reconstructed, identical to the original. The interior has been fully restored and refurbished with furniture and medical equipment of the era. A new ramp for handicap accessibility was constructed on the backside. The Cl... 01/15/2008

Fullerton Police Department Located at 237 W. Commonwealth Avenue Originally: City HallLocation: 237 W. Commonwealth Avenue 1939: Spanish Colonial RevivalPresently occupied by Fullerton Police Department, this graceful three-level building with Spanish Colonial Revival architecture was originally dedicated as the City Hall in July 1942. The concrete building is “L”-shaped, with a three-story tower and cupola placed at the central corner. A sunken courtyard featuring noteworthy tile work serves the basement. This building, complemented by fine detail work, is the most dramatic of the several W.P.A. projects of the 1930s in Fullerton.The Police department has occupied the entire building since construction of the present City hall in 1963. In a remodel of the building in the 1960s, the mu... 01/15/2008

Not too long ago I wrote about a scam going on in Southern California.  Beware the Rental Scam Here is a new one.A member has reported to the my association that two women driving a new small black BMW SUV with paper plates "McKenna" came to her open house in the Seal Beach area and while one woman occupied the agent?s attention, the other woman went to another room and attempted to take a handful of jewelry out of a jewelry box. Here is a description of the two women:Age late 50´s, 5´ tall, 150 lbs, ear length wavy red colored hair, olive skin, wide nose, full lips, slight accent, shabbily dressed in mostly black, flat fabric shoes by SODA; knowledgeable about fine art.Age mid 30´s, 5.5´ tall, 150 lbs, very long straight dark hair, olive skin, no accent shabbily dressed, in mostly blac... 01/13/2008

Who says this is a bad market.  If you are a buyer – it is a wonderful market – the one you have been waiting for. For the past few years buyers have had little to choose from – and usually had to deal with competing offers. Now average inventory sits at 16-20 months, and buyers have a lot to choose from.  Not only are there non-competing offers but you have the ability to truly negotiate YOUR price. If you are a buyer – waiting for the additional decline – don’t wait.  Find the perfect home and figure out the perfect price.  Then go and get it.  Don’t be afraid your offer in an insult.  The worst case is your offer will be declined.  However, most sellers simply want to see an offer.  Be sure to use a Realtor you have confidence will negotiate on your behalf, and do so aggressively.  I... 01/12/2008