" A smile is a light in the window of your face to show your heart is at home..." 01/25/2012

  Recently while browsing the latest California Real Estate Magazine, I came to learn that California is among the top five states with the lowest homeownership rates nationwide, according to the “Housing Characteristics: 2010” report by the U.S. Census Bureau.   With homeownership rate of 55.9%, California ranked second in the nation, falling behind New York’s rate of 53.5%.   Of California’s 37.3 million residents, 22.2 million live in the Los Angeles, San Diego, & San Francisco metropolitan regions. Because of this concentration in large urban areas, more than 30% of Californian families live in multi-home residences (which include apartments & condominiums), compared with a national average of 25.9%. California also has the second-highest median home value in the country, which some... 01/25/2012

Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Keep our Oceans Clean!  Don't Pollute. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. 01/25/2012

Xīn Nián Kuài Lè !!  January 23 is Chinese New Year (Lantern Festival). It is a 15 day observance that is celebrated with family reunions and scrumptous feasts. 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 People born in the Year of the Dragon  are healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered, and stubborn. They are also honest, sensitive, brave, and they inspire confidence and trust. Dragon people are the most eccentric of any in the eastern zodiac. They neither borrow money nor make flowery speeches, but they tend to be soft-hearted which sometimes gives others an advantage over them. 01/23/2012

Fallingwater is a great architecture house designed by the famous Frank Lloyd Wright. This breathtaking home was built over a waterfall in 1939. The interior design combines rustic and modern textures. Stone, steel, concrete and wood creates a strong balance of living in harmony with nature.  The home cost $155,000 to build and is estimated to be worth more than $12 million. It is open to the public and is Wright’s greatest masterpieces. Think Green. 01/22/2012

Happy Saturday Active Rain!!! I always find it really important to make sure you find the time this weekend to take at least a moment & refelct on your life.  Everyone needs time to just chill & enjoy life. We are always going, going, going. Sometimes we need to be reminded that it is okay to stop & enjoy life.  Make sure you find your time! Wishing you all a very busy & successful weekend! "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength,  not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will. " ~ Vince Lombardi ~ 01/21/2012

Lifestyle Survey Positive For Laguna Niguel The residents of Laguna Niguel are overwhelmingly pleased with the quality of life in the city.  True North Research reported the positive was one of the highest ranking they have ever seen.  The survey results have given to the city council. The survey was commissioned in 2005 the results show: 76 percent of the residents rated quality of life as excelent. The top factors that led to good quality of life in the city include family values and small community feel. 90 percent were satisfied with city provided services. Well done Laguna Niguel.    01/21/2012

"Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self-starter. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail." ~ Og Mandino 01/20/2012

  Millions of Americans oppose SOPA and PIPA because these bills would censor the Internet and slow economic growth in the U.S. Two bills before Congress, known as the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House, would censor the Web and impose harmful regulations on American business.   Millions of Internet users and entrepreneurs already oppose SOPA and PIPA. PIPA would give the government new powers to block Americans' access websites that corporations don't like. The bill allows corporations and the US government to censor entire websites and cut sites off from advertising, payments and donations. This legislation will stifle free speech and innovation, and even threaten popular web services like Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. Fighting onl... 01/18/2012

      Mistake Number 1: Wanting Something Too Much - If you give the impression that your life depends on getting that job, or car, or house, or business deal, you are in trouble. Once your counterpart gets a hint of your desperation, you’re dead. Remember, the person who cares least about the outcome always gets the best deal.   Mistake Number 2: Believing Your Counterpart Has All The Power - This is rarely, if ever, true. Remember, all parties want something, or they wouldn’t be at the bargaining table. Ask yourself, “Why are they negotiating with me?’   Mistake Number 3: Failing To Recognize Your Own Strengths - Always try to determine your negotiating strength before you sit down at the bargaining table. The key to assessing your strengths and weaknesses is to know where you stand.... 01/17/2012

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.~ Martin Luther King, Jr.   I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.~ Martin Luther King, Jr.   Click on the link below, to see the beautiful U2 music tribute and montage to MLK.   http://youtu.be/_HY-WfDPm7s   01/16/2012

Breathe easier this winter & know how to spot carbon monoxide. Even though you can’t see, taste or even smell carbon monoxide, this harmful gas can rob you of oxygen, causing serious illness or even death!   First Prevent It! Carbon monoxide is formed when carbon-based fuels such as oil, gasoline, propane or natural gas don’t burn completely. To help prevent carbon monoxide form being produced, keep your natural gas appliances in good working order. This includes an annual checkup of your gas furnace. Or you can schedule a checkup by calling a licensed qualified heating or plumbing contractor.   Look For Warning Signs! Be alert for the following warning signs of carbon monoxide when using natural gas appliances such as a furnace: -A yellow large and unsteady burner flame (expect in dec... 01/13/2012

Laguna Niguel Short Sale Agents|What is a Short Sale?   A short sale is any time you owe more on your home mortgage than current home value on the real estate market, and your lender allows you to sell the home for less than the current loan value, that is a short sale. The conditions vary somewhat but with the market prices of homes in Laguna Niguel taking a deep plunge in the last several years, many homeowners find themselves facing new and difficult financial circumstances, often the by product of a job loss or failed investment produce the inability to keep up with their mortgage payments. A successful Laguna Niguel short sale agent will bring skill and short sale listing experience to the table and will already know how to excel in handling the complex and sometimes seemingly trea... 01/12/2012

Teamwork is the ability to work as a group toward a common vision or goal.  Thankful for our team that strives for progress and success! No one can whistle a symphony.  It takes a whole orchestra to play it.  ~ H.E. Luccock  Don’t forget: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!  Go Green... 01/12/2012

  First impressions. Unfortunately they mean A LOT. From that first handshake and introduction, you’re forming an opinion of that person and they’re forming an opinion about you too. Everything from spoken words to posture and facial expressions contribute to that first impression. We are judgmental people. Our instinct is to make decisions and assumptions about other people in a minute-and-a-half or so of meeting them, maybe before you shake hands or even say ‘hello,’  It’s hard not to make a first impression. For real estate professionals, making a good first impression isn’t important just for building customer relationships but also for building relationships among your peers — which can bring referrals to your business and earn you some extra cash. Whether networking at industry e... 01/11/2012

"You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it." ~ Albert Schweitzer   01/10/2012

Sellers offering incentives to buyers has become somewhat common nowadays due to the economy, but does it really work? And if so, which idea works the best?  Right now buyers are looking for an absolute steal or they are looking for a fairly priced home that has all of the nice finishing touches.    The most common incentive is to offer to pay closing costs.  Other popular incentives are things like paint, carpet, landscaping or appliance allowances.    However, do incentives that are unique grab a buyer's attention and make them want to find out more?  For example, maybe the seller has a time share in Hawaii or owns a cabin in the snow and can offer buyers an all expenses paid vacation for a week.  Or the seller owns season tickets to a sports team that are really difficult to get, or... 01/10/2012

Here is a little exercise for your brain...Take the Challenge and Wake Up Your Mind! Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.  ~ Robert Collier 01/09/2012

  Four out of 5 people who make New Year’s resolutions eventually break them and one third won’t even make it to the end of January.   In a time of daily distractions and constant demands, we often neglect what we know is most important, settling for resolutions rather than results when it come to creating the healthy lifestyle we desire and deserve.   So why do we keep making ourselves the same promises over and over – and risk ending up disappointed and discouraged?   It’s simple, really: Resolutions require only words. Results take action. 01/07/2012

  NORTH COUNTY     ANAHEIM January 7-8, 2012 is The Great Train Expo! The Great Train Expo is a national, traveling show that caters to the model railroad enthusiast. The show features operating model railroads, train dealers, collectors, hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, and much more! BREA Starting January 12 through 29 kick off your new year with Brea Youth Theatre as they move on down the road in The Wiz! Join this fun and funky musical version of the familiar favorite The Wizard of Oz! The stage will come alive with the singing and dancing of enthusiastic kids under the direction of Stagelight Productions. During the run of this show, performances are at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays, and at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Plus, there are 2:00 p.m. matinees on... 01/06/2012