Home Selling Tip #183 - Clutter Kills Home Value!Here's another edition of our Featured Blog of Home Selling Tips. Today's tip #183, is all about the one thing every home seller has control over: Clutter and mess and cleanliness!What's the best thing I can do to increase the sales price of my home?Clean, clean and clean more! This seems like a simple enough answer, but the weight and importance of the message shouldn't be lost. Cleaning and tiding up your home, inside AND out, could have a difference of sales price by 5 to 10%, and that's a conservative to average estimate! Here's a quick story:I had a listing appointment with a young couple to sell their single family home. They absolutely had to sell right away, and had to milk every dollar they could from the sale because they were r... 10/24/2016

Do I have to have a lockbox on my home when I'm selling it?You've decided to sell your home. You may have researched what to do to prepare the home to sell. You've probably made repairs, did maintenance, cleaned it and checked off all the items on your Honey-Do List. You may have even found a real estate agent, broker or real estate company already. But you're concerned about safety.Just because you have your house on the market to sell doesn't mean you aren't concerned about theft, break-ins or your family's well-being. In fact,  having your home on the market probably concerns you of your household's safety even more so!Selling your Inland Empire home? We can help.Let's face it; you have advertised to the world, where scary things happen and bad people dream up all kinds of ways to ta... 10/18/2016

Good morning, Sunday morning! If you're looking for open houses in the Redlands, California area today you've come to the right place. Hello, I am Todd Garrigus, of the Garrigus Real Estate Group, HomeSmart Professionals and we service the city of Redlands and surrounding areas. Below is a link to a page on our website designed specifically for open houses this weekend in Redlands, California. Simply click on the link and view the open houses in Redlands scheduled today. And please let us know if you have any questions,would like more information on a home or would like to see a property in person!Open houses today in RedlandsTodd J Garrigus  10/09/2016

951-220-8608 Yucaipa, Redlands Air Duct Cleaning by Supreme air Duct Service.Has your homes air ducts ever been professionaly cleaned? EPA recomends air duct cleaning every 2 to 3 years to maintain your homes air duct system.Excessive dust, dander, pet air, lint and more builds up in your air ducts over a period of time and contaminates your homes air system. Those with respiratory issues such as allergies and asthma and other ailments will notice an unsanitary system quicker than others. Supreme air Duct ServiceA+ Rated BBB Accredited BusinessOpen 7 Days  10/07/2016

National Nurse's Day May 6th, 2016Today marks the first important day of this week honoring nurses all over the world. Every year, May 6th is designated "National Nurse's Day" and it is celebrated all week through May 12th which was Florence Nightingale's birthday: May 12, 1820 and died on August 13, 1910. Nightingale  who was born in Florence Italy  and was from a affluent family who lived in London.  She cared more about taking care of sick people so she devoted her life to improving the horrible conditions of  sick people during the Crimean War. She changed the sanitary conditions of the camps and over 2/3 of the injured patients survived due to her assistance. After the war, the Queen of England gave her a Hero's welcome and gave her $250,000. Florence started a  hospital and nursin... 05/06/2016

Prior to my retirement from my career as a Personnel Manager for the Local School District Office, I served as a Police Dispatcher.  My family life included a husband who was a Police Sergeant, four siblings who are Veterans of US Military Service, and the mother of a Veteran of the US Navy.  Building on this connection involving service to the community locally and at large, I have developed a keen interest in finding opportunities to give back to the many Heroes that give of themselves each day to make our communities and our nation a safer and better place for all. As a realtor, I have determined to become an Affiliate for the Homes For Heroes program. My goal is to invest in the lives of these Heroes by giving back 25% of my commissions in order to help with their home purchasing cl... 04/15/2016

Easter Egg Hunts in the Inland Empire for 2016Be sure to take your kids out for an Easter Egg hunt this weekend. Here is a list of some of the events in the Inland Empire.  RiversideFellowship Baptist Church March 26, 2016 11-1:00 pm. Come join them for Easter eggs, carnival style games, a bounce house and plenty of snacks! Calvary Presbyterian Church- March 27, 2016, from 8 -11:00 am, between worship services (8:45 and 10:45 am) we will hold an Easter Egg Hunt on our front lawn for children from 0-12 years old. Bring a basket and a friend. Or we'll have baskets.Crafts, candy, Easter fun! RedlandsJoin the Redlands YMCA for our Bunny Brunch! Complete with a delicious brunch and an Easter Egg Hunt, our Bunny Brunch is a great opportunity for families to have some Easter fun! This event is... 03/25/2016

Today February 25th is National Clam Chowder DayToday is marked as National Clam Chowder Day all over the country. No one is quite sure where or when this date was selected but all the top Internet newspapers are running articles as well.Clam Chowder first came to our county in the 1700's. It is primarily made up of fish or clams, milk, potatoes and onions. It is a thick soup or stew loved by many and the white version is called New England Clam Chowder. Variations to this is the Manhattan Clam Chowder that also has tomatoes in it and is a reddish stew. Another variation is the soup in the sourdough bread bowl. So what is your favorite way to enjoy this soup? Please leave a comment below and be sure to check out your favorite restaurants as many are offering free or discounted soup toda... 02/25/2016

Santa's Elf Program for Seniors Gets Warm Donations From the  IE Redlands/Beaumont area RealtorsEvery month we plan what our event will be for Women's Council of Realtors as of course we must plan ahead. So we planned to have an UGLY SWEATER Holiday Luncheon but realized we had forgotten find a good cause for the community in December. Here is Barbara Gilgan holding some of the donations.We decided on the Joslyn Senior Center in Redlands which takes care of many home-bound seniors here in the Inland Empire. Barbara Gilgan who is the Program Director said they could use all the help possible since they are giving warm PJ's, Robes, Scarves/ Hats, Lap Blankets, Slippers etc for all the home-bound seniors as they wanted to make sure that everyone recieved at least one nice gift. Barbara was... 12/31/2015

Still Excited When I Hear the Words "Your House Closed" This morning I am sitting in my office doing some paperwork and working up a new file for a listing I just entered into the MLS.  But in the back of my mind I am waiting for the phone call from our escrow officer that the house I put into escrow 20 days ago is closed. Maybe due to the holidays and seeing my kids back East this past week makes me a little emotional but I was thinking about the first house I closed so many years ago.  Since then, how many calls had I received to confirm the house had closed. So while my mind was wandering, I realized that every call is just as important as that very first one. There are so many involved in a normal transaction from the buyers, sellers, other agent, home warranty company, termite comp... 12/30/2015

Live Oak Canyon Christmas Tree Farm in Redlands 2015Do not miss bringing your entire family here for the tree experience and also the tractor rides, petting-zoo, the corn maze, good treats to eat, and the gift shop. But the best experience of all is picking out your tree and watching as they cut it down and package it up to go in your truck to take home.Dates and Hours:Nov. 27 - Dec. 13          9:00 am until 8:00 pmDec. 14 - Dec 21           9:00 am until 6:00 pmKid's Rides                   Sat. and Sun. only 9:00 am-dusk.Corn Maze and petting zoo open daily but  closes at dusk. Here is a video from Bob Banfield from ABC News who stopped in for a visit this morning. This is the best place to get your tree and have some Kodak moments.  11/27/2015

My Mother’s Southern Cornbread Dressing RecipeThis was my mother's Cornbread Dressing recipe that had been passed down from her mother and grandmother in Tennessee. She made the cornbread the night before and then the next morning she would make the stuffing and of course I always helped since I was a little girl. It has become a holiday tradition and my daughter and I still make it every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Yummy!Ingredients: Crumbled Cornbread from Recipe below. 1 Large Onion cut up. 2 Cups chopped up Celery. 1 cup Butter 5-7 cups Chicken Broth warmed  1-2 cups chopped up Mushrooms (optional) Salt and Pepper to taste. 5 Eggs 1/2 cup cooked giblets chopped  1tsp- 1T Sage 1/2 tsp Poultry Seasoning. 1 Dozen Saline Crackers crumbled 2 Cup v 2 cups Celery 1 cup Butter Directions:Sa... 11/26/2015

Women's Council of REALTORS® Installation for an Exciting Year in 2016Yesterday we had our Installation for new leaders here at the Redlands Country Club. The current board, 2015 Leadership Team was uninstalled by our 2015 State President-Elect, Cecily Tippery from Discovery Bay, CA. Then the new team, 2016 Leadership Team was sworn in by our 2015 Natonal President-Elect, Melissa Zimbelman from Las Vegas, NV. Both of our speakers gave us exciting talks to inspire our guests and members. We had 2 new members join yesterday which makes it even more exciting. Here is Melissa Zimbelman, our 2015 National President- Elet and Suzanne Gignoux, our 2015/2016 State District Vice President and also assigned to our network.  I have had the honor of being the 2015 President of the East Valley Netwo... 11/19/2015

FREE Turkey Giveaway in Inland Empire for Thanksgiving 2015  Distribution Begins: 8-8:30 a.m. East Valley Association of Realtors will be handing out turkeys at the following locations: Crestline- Friday, November 20th South Shore Lake Gregory, Crestline Redlands- Saturday, November 21st Habitat for Humanity Restore 25948 Business Center Drive, Redlands Yucaipa- Monday, November 23rd Knights of Columbus Office (Old Yucaipa Office) 12592 California Street, Yucaipa Beaumont- Tuesday, November 24th Beaumont City Hall (Behind in Parking Lot) 6th Street & Magnolia, BeaumontEast Valley Association supports the communities and we are handing out over 1000 turkeys with all the fixings that go with the  Thanksgiving meal. If you are in need of a turkey, please come and wait in the line. Be sure ... 11/11/2015

1 Bedroom Real Estate for Sale in Redlands CA | 1143 Columbia St   This 1 bedroom real estate for sale in Redlands CA is everything you need for a swank new bachelor’s pad/starter home away from city living. The home is newly-remodelled, sitting in a wide, spacious lot open for extension, renovation, and additional fixtures like a new pool. Best of all, you can get this great piece of real estate for a listing price of just $189,800.     The home itself features a classic, rustic architecture, with walls that have been repainted both outdoors and indoors. Electric wirings and panels have been redone, to ensure that repairs won’t be needed as soon as you move in. Inside you’ll see wood-inspired laminated flooring, new cabinets and granite counters in the kitchen, new ceramic tiles and f... 11/02/2015

1 Bedroom Real Estate for Sale in Redlands CA | 1143 Columbia St The best of both worlds is in your hands with this 1 bedroom real estate for sale in Redlands CA. The classic, old-world architecture is combined with its newly-remodelled interiors and well-maintained exterior. This charming little starter home with a large lot can be yours at an affordable listing price. Don’t let this sweet deal go to waste! Fall in-love with this home’s rustic, idyllic charm! The home is set in a big lot with so much space in case you’d like to expand, add a pool, or bring in some cars. The newly-rebuilt home greets you with its classic facade, perfectly complementing the peaceful neighborhood where it’s located. Wide, stylish windows is one asset of this Redlands CA  real estate for sale. Walk in the ... 11/02/2015

1 Bedroom Redlands CA Real Estate for Sale | 1143 Columbia St This charming 1 bedroom Redlands CA real estate for sale is a sweet little deal you wouldn’t want to miss. Get the best of both worlds in a neat little package-- a classic, old-world charm that’s irresistible, combined with a newly-remodelled home that has all the amenities you need. If you’re looking for a beautiful starter home at an affordable price, this property may be the one for you! Fall in-love with this home’s rustic, idyllic charm! The home is set in a big lot with so much space in case you’d like to expand, add a pool, or bring in some cars. The newly-rebuilt home greets you with its classic facade, perfectly complementing the peaceful neighborhood where it’s located. Wide, stylish windows is one asset of this rea... 11/02/2015

 What can I say, it's my friend's birthday and I have to give her a 'shout out' for being plain awesome.  My dear Kristin Hamilton, is celebrating another year of being a ray of sunshine. What I love about Kristin is that she has taught me about perserverence and being graceful in life.  She is a true lady who is great fun to be around. Aside from being an Activerain Ambassador,she is currently the Membership Chair at East Valley Association of REALTORS and the President of the East Valley Women's Council of REALTORS.  When it comes to leadership, she is a natural. Kristin and I also were Activerain Meet-up co-Hosts.  We took the time to plan several of the Meet-Ups in the Inland Empire; between Riverside and Redlands. We always had a good time and have lots of great memories. Well, my ... 07/30/2015

Home staging should be the icing on the cake. The cake being a property in great condition. As a Home Stager of course my ideal job is staging a new or beautifully updated home with great finishes. neutral interesting colors and great flow. Older homes that need a lot of TLC are a great challenge but greatly benefit from staging.Good staging will help a potential buyer see how liveable the spaces can be until such time they are able to afford upgrades and small renovations. Simple things like replacing burnt out light bulbs and letting in more natural light go a long way towards providing a vision of what could be. It will positively show a diamond in the rough and help support a fair sale price. I guess you could call it a band aid instead of icing on the cake. It won't cure everything... 07/21/2015

 Happy 4th of July Day Poem by John AdamsPhoto taken at Independence Hall. Philadelphia PA on May 9, 2015/ Kristin Hamilton"It will be celebrated with pomp and parades, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other"..........by John Adams (1735- 1826) This quote was taken from a letter written in 1776 from 2nd President John Adams to his wife Abigail Adams.The Declaration of Independence itself has become one of the most admired and copied political documents of all time. It was written by Thomas Jefferson and revised by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Jefferson.The Declaration of Independence is a justification of the American Revolution, citing grievances against King George III.  It affirms that all people have certain ri... 07/04/2015