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Laguna Niguel, CA Real Estate News

By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
  A lady was walking past a pet store when a parrot said, ''Hey,lady! You're really ugly!" The lady was furious and continued onher way. On the way home, she passed by the pet store again and the parrot once more said "Hey, lady! You're really ugly!" She was incredibly ticked now, so she went into the store and said that she would sue the store and kill the bird. The store manager apologized profusely and promised he would make sure the parrot didn't say it again. The next day, she deliberately passed by the store to test the parrot. "Hey, lady!" it said. "Yes?" "You know."   ha ha ha! Happy Friday!    
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
  There are some real estate agents that swear by direct mail marketing and some agents that swear at it.  As a homeowner, I get other agent’s mailers and marketing pieces periodically. I collect these marketing samples not because I am interested in buying or selling real estate, but because I am interested in their marketing messages. Most agents assume that the internet is the place to be and focus the majority of their marketing efforts on on-line marketing. As much as I do online marketing I feel direct mail can be just as effective if you have the right marketing message. Here are a few examples I have gathered throughout the web of direct mailing – the do’s & the don’ts. Just Sold, Just Listed – This is the typical real estate mailing. It’s good to know that houses are selling a...
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
  Buying a home can be stressful. As a real estate agent, you get to see home buyers at their best — that is, the joy they feel when they step into their new home. But you first usually have to see them at their worst — the stress and tension they may feel in trying to find that perfect house. That puts you in role as adviser, friend, and counselor.   As a salesperson, you might be wondering what your customers really think about the home-buying process, and what, exactly, they expect from you beyond helping them find that ideal house. The bottom line: They expect a lot. The National Association of REALTORS® conducted a survey that shows what buyers want from their agents.    Here are the five biggest expectations; 1.   Help finding the right home to purchase. 2.   Help negotiating the...
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
    As winter begins its transition to spring, the weather will soon become warmer and our water habits will start to change. It’s natural for MNWD customers to use more water in the warm spring and summer months, but it remains critical all year long to use only the water you need. Follow these four simple steps this spring to become more efficient with your water use:   1.)    Tune-up your sprinklers: Make sure your timer is set to only water a maximum of three days per week, replace any broken sprinkler heads and adjust the spray so there is n overlap or watering of your patio or sidewalk. 2.)    Add California-Friendly plants to your garden: As you begin to replant this year’s garden, make sure to add in California-Friendly flowers and shrubs. These plants come in a wide variety of ...
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
  Ever wanted to know what is behind those standard phrases in job ads? It is all being revealed now, just read on...   The real meaning of words in Job Ads   COMPETITIVE SALARY: We remain competitive by paying less than our competitors.   JOIN OUR FAST-PACED COMPANY: We have no time to train you and you'll have to introduce yourself to your co-workers.   SEEKING ENTHUSIASTIC, FUN, HARD WORKING, PEOPLE: ....who still live with their parents and won't mind our entry-level salaries.   CASUAL WORK ATMOSPHERE: We don't pay enough to expect that you'll dress up; well, we don't shave around here and wear our tats with pride   JOIN OUR DYNAMIC TEAM: We all listen to nutty motivational tapes.   MUST BE DEADLINE ORIENTED: You'll be six months behind schedule on your first day.   SOME OVERTIME R...
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
The California plant of the month is the Carmel Creeper! Want to add a burst of color and fragrance to your yard? Plant the Carmel Creeper. These beautiful, aromatic and hardy plants are a member of the lilac family, and have a place in even the most water-efficient gardens.   Carmel Creeper can fulfill almost any need in your garden. It can be pruned short to be used as ground cover and it can reach heights of up to 6 feet tall if allowed to grow, making it an ideal hedge. Carmel Creeper is available with blossom colors ranging from white to lavender and dark blue. Whatever the color of the blossoms, they are strikingly set off by a background of lush, dark green leaves and fill your garden with a lovely lilac aroma.   Because Carmel Creeper is a California native, it requires only mi...
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By CA COASTAL ESTATES Lauren Selinsky Perez CRS, "Your Real Estate Broker" #oclauren
(California Coastal Estates)
LAGUNA NIGUEL MEDIAN PRICE 744K Price Trends - Sold vs. Listed-       The median list price in March for single family homes in Laguna Niguel is $744,000. The list prices increased by 1.93%from the previous month. The price per square foot for listings in this area is $338. The median sale price in January for single family homes is $588,475. The sale prices increased by 6.89%from the previous month. The price per square foot for sales in this area is $288. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAGUNA NIGUEL REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL, LAUREN SELINSKY 949-310-4960 HOMES@OCLAUREN.COM LAGUNA NIGUEL REAL ESTATE SHORT SALES SPECIALIST BUYING OR SELLING, LAGUNA NIGUEL REAL ESTATE. CALL YOUR NEIGHBORHO...
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
    1.)    Extension cords are for temporary use   2.)    Replace cracked, frayed or stiff electrical cords   3.)    Don’t hide electrical cords under rugs or any carpets   4.)    Immediately unplug any electrical appliance that gives you a shock   5.)    Be wary of the smell of hot insulation or wiring and of electrical outlets that feel warm to touch
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
"The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet." ~ James Oppenheim
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
Happy St. Patrick's Day Active Rain!  I found this adorable picture circling the web, & I thought I would share it with you!  I may not be Irish, but I do enjoy some green beer! Have a wonderful day everyone & please be safe!   Irish Saying" There are many good reasons for drinking,One has just entered my head.If a man doesn't drink when he's living,How in the hell can he drink when he's dead?"    
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
  RECENT GENERATIONS FOCUS MORE ON FAME, MONEY THAN GIVING BACK   Young Adults Less Interested in Community Issues, Politics and Environment, Finds New Research   The times are changing, and not necessarily for the better when it comes to giving back to society, according to 40 years of research on 9 million young adults. Since the baby boomer generation, there has been a significant decline among young Americans in political participation, concern for others and interest in saving the environment, according to a new study published by the American Psychological Association. “Popular views of the millennial generation, born in the 1980s and 1990s, as more caring, community-oriented and politically engaged than previous generations are largely incorrect, particularly when compared to ba...
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
  This guy, Artie, gets tired of working so hard and not getting anywhere, and seeing all these guys in the Mafia in their fine three piece suits and fancy cars, decides that he has to join the Mafia. He goes up to one of the guys and says, " I want to join the Mafia." The guy answers, " You ever kill any one for money?" Artie answers, "No." The guy says, " Well, you either got to be born into the mafia, or you gotta kill somebody for money." So Artie says, " How much will you pay me?" The guy says, " I'm not gonna pay you." Artie says, " C'mon, just pay me a dollar so I can get in." The guy says, " Okay, I'll tell you what. You kill somebody, tell me about it, and if I see it in the morning paper, I'll pay you a dollar." Artie says, " Oh thank you, thank you!" and heads off on his mis...
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
Michael Caruso owner of Michael Caruso Real Estate Group has been recognized by the prestigious Institute for Luxury Home Marketing for the 3rd year in a row on his performance in the million-dollar and above luxury home market within Orange County, California “Real Estate professionals who have earned admittance to The Institute’s Million Dollar Guild not only have specific upper-tier market knowledge, but they also understand the unique needs of affluent buyers and sellers and recognize the importance of being discreet,” said Institute President Laurie Moore-Moore. “Whether you’re buying or selling a multi-million dollar property, you can depend upon The Institute’s Million Dollar Guild members to have the competencies necessary to help you meet your objectives.” “To have this recogn...
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
  Perhaps you’ve seen an abandoned shopping cart not long after driving away from the grocery store. This can happen for a number of reasons, but most often, carts are taken off the store’s premises as a method of transporting the groceries home. Many people, unfortunately, fail to realize that not only does the store suffer a loss of money because of the stolen cart, but also that it is a crime! However, did you know according to California Business and Professions Code 22435.2, “It is unlawful to remove a shopping cart of laundry cart from the premises or parking area of a retail establishment with the intent to temporary or permanently deprive the owner of retailer the possession of the cart.” And now you know!  
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
  When a successful farmer died, he left everything to his devoted wife. She was a very good-looking woman, & determined to keep the farm,but knew very little about farming, so she decided to place an adin the newspaper for a farm hand. Two men applied for the job. One was gay and the other a drunk. She thought long and hard about it, and when no one else applied she decided to hire the gay guy, figuring it would be safer to havehim around the house than the drunk.   He proved to be a hard worker who put in long hours every day and knew a lot about farming. For weeks, the two of them worked, and the farm was doing very well. Then one day, the woman said to the guy, "You have done a really good job here over the last few weeks. You should go into town and have some fun." The guy readily...
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
  Baby boomers that plan to move for retirement are looking for smaller, affordable homes that are easily accessible to medical care and near their family, according to a poll of more than 1,000 adults born between 1946 and 1964 conducted by Associated Press-LifeGoesStrong.com. Baby boomers who make more than $100,000 a year are the most likely to say they plan to buy a new home during retirement. For boomers who plan to purchase a new home, the most important factors cited in a home for retirement included: Smaller home (40%) Near medical offices or hospitals (39%) Different climate--perhaps warmer (30%) More affordable home (25%) Being closer to family (15%) About 10 percent of baby boomers said they will search for a new city to relocate to that offers more services for them in retir...
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
    The U.S. housing market will begin to mount a turnaround this year, building toward a solid recovery in 2013, according to a forecast by the chief economist of a homebuilding industry trade group. The outlook by National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist David Crowe all call for U.S. sales of new homes and single-family home construction to improve this year compared with 2011, when they hit record lows. The forecast still leaves new home sales and construction well below levels of a healthy housing market, however. That reflects the severity of the industry's downturn, and suggests the housing market could be years away from full health. "I'm looking at 2012 as sort of a ramping event to get a much more solid recovery in 2013," Crowe said in a telephone interview. The ec...
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
"The lives and happiness of our children, as far ahead as the mind can reach, depend on us today. If we succeed, posterity looking back will record that this was indeed man's finest hour."
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing!?  We provide the latest market updates regularly, as well as personal consultation of market direction… The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for JANUARY: The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the 0-$500,000 Range: 2012   22 listings closed escrow              2011   23 listings closed escrow             The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $500,000-$1,000,000 Range: 2012   23 listings closed escrow 2011   28 listings closed escrow The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $1,000,000+Range: 2012  3 listings closed escrow                   2011  6 listings closed escrow                    Does a sales report tell the whole story about market environment, consumer sentiment and ...
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By Michael A. Caruso
(Surterre Properties)
    Real Estate Predictions for 2012. It's a double edge sword.     Buyers and Sellers complain about falling prices, but I wonder if buyers realize that sometimes their thoughts and actions cause prices to fall. That's because everybody wants a smoking deal. Many buyers today want to write lowball offers. Buyers want to pay less than the last buyer paid for a similar home. They believe this way of thinking is their insurance policy against falling prices. Instead, the buyers who follow them in subsequent transactions will probably want the same deal, so you can see the pattern it establishes. Comparable home values and closed sales reports in the area don’t help the sellers either, especially with short sales claiming a big percentage of the sales volume. As long as this mentality cont...
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