Today, while driving home from our office meeting and ALC meeting, I stopped at the Lowe’s parking lot in Redlands, CA. Recently, I noticed the birds seem to hang around there. As I was waiting, a blue bird flew by and sat on the curb beside me. I was so excited but unfortunately missed that great first shot. But I did get some other good ones. Get out of the tree so I can take your picture! Just sitting there posing for me. Flew down to the sidewalk but he is now hiding; you can only see his head. OK, stop hiding behind the bushes. Oops… he flew away. I really like this last photograph of a sparrow as you can see the berry in his mouth. Those berries really attract the birds. I'll be back here again soon with my new camera and a tripod. I better go in Lowe's and get some more bird seed... 12/20/2011

Market Report: Redlands, CA., Available Homes- Winter Quarter 2011.       Please let me introduce myself for anyone who does not know me. I, Kristin Hamilton, am an experienced and local Realtor from Redlands Keller Williams Realty. I am also involved in many community programs to better this area. I sit on the board of several organizations and I work 24X7 for my real estate clients. Call me at 909-557-6966 to list your home!   I have prepared a chart showing how many listings there are in the city of Redlands, CA for the past 3 months. I have broken it down by the type of listing it is; Standard Sale, Real Estate Owned Sale (REO) and Short Sale.  Results: As you can clearly see, Standard Sales and Short Sales listings are up and REO (Real Estate Owned) listings are down. This is very ... 12/19/2011

December’s Season of Sharing and Celebrations~ ©©©Senior Donation Tree at Wal-Mart©©© While shopping early Saturday morning at the Wal-Mart in Redlands, CA., I spotted a cheerful looking tree as I came through the door and said hello to the greeter. (I love the greeters as they make you feel special) Anyway, I had to get a picture of the tree and what a great charity, to give to seniors who might not have much to open this year. A pair of slippers, a warm robe, a blanket throw, some toiletries, a book. The tree has names, sizes and suggestions. I was in a hurry but plan to go back tomorrow and pick a name or two and buy them something. I miss my parents and maybe this will make me feel like I am giving back for all their diligence and efforts to raise me to be a responsible and mature a... 12/18/2011

The Photo Contest-  ©My Cookie Tree© Here is my Kitchen Cookie Tree. All the ornaments are shaped like cookies or actual cookie cutters. I put some recipe cards on the tree held with tiny clothespins. The recipes were my mother’s cookies, baked breads and her southern cornbread. She may have passed on in 2009 but she is still in my heart © and a part of our family. I think she would like the tree if she were here. My daughter is flying in next week and I think she will be surprised. Making cookies has been a family tradition since my daughter was a little girl. We would cut them out, bake them, frost them and put sprinkles on top.  I think my daughter will like this tree!   I surrounded the tree with snowmen. I love snowmen!©   ~ Happy Holidays~ Call Kristin Hamilton at 909-557-6966 to ... 12/16/2011

 Realtors, Get your Sign Riders today, see my video! Good Morining Everyone, See my video below for my new sign rider text messaging that will help you get more business! I only have a limitied amount for the southern california Real Estate Professionals. Call me today to reserve yours! 12/15/2011

  The Most Important Short Sale Do’s and Don’ts | Short Sale Tips for Redlands CA Home Sellers   Do educate yourself. This is THE most important thing you can do. Redlands CA Short sales can be complicated. You need every bit of information you can get when you jump into the short sale process. Don’t wait until it’s too late. If you drag your feet and hide from the fact that you’ve stopped making mortgage payments, it will cost your credit rating and it will put any chances of a Redlands short sale in risk. Do be diligent. There have been very closable Redlands California short sales that fail because the Redlands homeowners either stop responding to their agents, stop returning paperwork, stop returning phone calls, stop caring, etc. It can be a difficult process, but at the end of it ... 12/07/2011

  Win this beautiful Christmas tree full of Christopher Radko ornaments…All Proceeds to Angel’s Closet©©©       Technicolour Salon, 204 E State Street, Redlands CA, is raffling off a beautiful Christmas tree and covered with over 300 Christopher Radko ornaments. The mere cost: 1 Ticket for $5 or 5 Tickets for $20. Be sure to go and buy your raffle tickets soon. The Drawing will take place on December 20, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Winners do not need to be present to win. Anyone would love this beautiful tree full of Radko ornaments. The value of “Tree and Ornaments” is well over $1500.     For anyone who doesn’t remember Christopher Radko ornaments, take a look at the pictures below. I recall these ornaments on my parent’s tree for years. They came in cardboard boxes with dividers and the glass... 12/06/2011

©Christmas Photo Contest©Ornaments for Your Christmas Needs© Today I went to the local Hallmark Gold Store, Mary's Hallmark at the Citrus Plaza Mall, Redlands, CA., and bought several cards and 2 ornaments for special people in my life. They have everything for anyone’s gift needs. I love to mail cards so I stop in all the time. Isn't Snoopy Cute and he has cookies on his plate. Here is a MOM mug and guess who this is for? Me of course!   Make sure you stop in if you need anything. They have ornaments for everyone special in your life; New Baby, Dad, Mom, Sister, Brother, Nana, Grandpa, Sports themes, Character themes and many, many more.                                                              This is where the fountain is. “Happy Holidays to everyone”   Call Kristin Hamilton at 90... 12/01/2011

  “BUYING vs. RENTING.....That is the Question?”     After 6 years of housing market decline that has weakened the economy and depressed consumer sentiment, JPMorgan Asset Management analysts David Kelly and David Lebovitz reported “Housing: A Time to Buy,” seem to believe the market is changing and prices are rising. Prices are low, Short Sale and Foreclosed properties are available at a reduced price, mortgage interest is at its lowest in years, and FHA loans are available to most first time homebuyers. All these factors indicate that this is the time to become a homeowner vs. renting for the rest of your life.     Retirement has been in the news recently but it is a real concern for most Americans. If you buy a home, you will get a tax break on your taxes yearly. If you invest your t... 11/27/2011

     While driving in Redlands, CA yesterday heading for the mall, I spotted a white bird in the middle of a field.  As I got closer, I realized it was a Crane! According to the International Crane Foundation photo gallery, it is a Whooping Crane.  Redlands is a city in the Inland Empire with practically no water. We practice water conservation but not considered a drought area. About 30-60 miles east of here are many golf courses or mountain lakes. Hopefully this bird will find water in the Mountain Resorts, Beaumont,Yucaipa, Palm Springs, or Rancho Mirage. In all my years, I have never seen a crane here and especially alone in a field. I did some research and found that it probably was migrating from Canada for the winter. Due to lack of water, strayed west since they typically head f... 11/26/2011

Who is Under the Covers? I walk into my guest room and what do I find? Some bad little dogs are rough-housing on the bed! You are all in trouble. What are you two girls doing? You are not supposed to be in here. That's right, you both are in trouble. I am getting out of here. Tootie, don't hide. I'm hiding! *She thinks if I cannot see her, she is hidden! Is it clear to come out now? Oh no, Mom is still watching. I'm coming out. What is that pillow doing in the middle of the bed? Don't know Mom! Ok if we all three pose, she won't be mad at us anymore. Let's get out of here. Now there is just two dogs. I am left. It was them Mom that messed up the bed!          HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Call Kristin Hamilton at 909-557-6966 to list y... 11/24/2011

What’s Your Favorite Meat for Thanksgiving Dinner…Turkey, Ham, Duck, Venison, Prime Rib, Chicken? I am a southerner but have lived most of my life in California. My mother always cooked a Turkey when I was growing up. As we got older, the menu changed somewhat. Someone wanted Ham! No, someone else wanted Prime Rib. When we lived in North Dakota for a few years, everyone bought Duck or Goose. Between my parent’s and my in-laws, we could never decide on one entrée so I started making Turkey and something else…whatever they all agreed on; ham, prime rib, lasagna. Then my daughter’s friends would come for a visit and they wanted Vegetarian Meat. I respect anyone’s personal preference but on Thanksgiving, vegetarian means bring your own or just eat everything else on the menu except the meat... 11/20/2011

Just Before the Storm Today while driving home from my open house, I noticed the sky was getting dark and purple. I took a few pictures as it was just beautiful. By the time I got home, I knew the storm was near as the birds were on alert, chirping loudly and getting settled in for the hard night ahead. Birds may be small and certainly not as smart as humans but they sure sense when the storm is coming. I love the way these tiny finches showed up on the tree tops. And this bird up on the chimney top was squawking as loud as possible like he was warning the others "Storm a coming." Within a few hours we will have a torrential thunder storm. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!~~~   CA- Real Estate Agent; Kristin Hamilton. Inland Empire (San Bernardino, Highland, Redlands... 11/19/2011

I graduated from California State University, San Bernardino in 2006 with a BA in Business Admin with concentration in finance. My success over the past 7 years has been on referrals and repeat business. I treat all my clients like they are family and offer my best service. When I was introduced to Homes for Heroes, I was excited to be part of the program. A co-worker of mine working in another state mentioned this program to me and I started researching it. No individual in my area was perusing this program or heard about it. This program is truly a benefit and a great way to say “Thank You” and reward the Heroes for their service to our country and communities. These Heroes risk their lives to make this world a better place. I want to center my business around the program and really ... 11/15/2011

I first became aware of Pat when my daughter left for law school. She took the clothes and shoes she wanted and left the rest for me to bag up and donate. I had seen a flyer at a local store in Redlands for “Angel’s Closet” so I called to find out what it was all about. I impressed when Pat Williams called me back and told me about the program she runs. Redlands East Valley High School (REV) in Mentone, CA. has given her 3 large classrooms at the school.  She gave me a tour of her shop. The first classroom has all the incoming clothing, shoes, underwear, purses, jewelry, wallets, etc. The second classroom has formals, tuxedos, suits, shoes, socks, sports coats, shirts, dress pants for both girls and boys. They also collect caps and gowns for graduating seniors. The third classroom is f... 11/15/2011

As a real estate agent, we wear a lot of hats; Negotiator, Photographer, Inspector, and sometimes Home Stager. One of my recent homes had earth tones and neutrals throughout but one bedroom was the dreaded Lavender/Purple. So I suggested they change this room but they didn’t want to spend any money re-decorating. There was a clutter in the corner behind the chest. We searched their closets, garage and other rooms for the perfect accessories to re-decorate to a more neutral palate.  We de-cluttered one wall of pictures and cleaned up the knick-knacks. Removed the chest and added a simple chair. This makeover took about 2 hours and I was pretty proud of it when we finished. The homeowners were real happy with the results as well. Which do you prefer…..Purple or Animal Print?             ... 11/13/2011

With DocuSign, I would gain 3 Extra Hours a Week to Bike, Cook, Bird Watch, and PhotoBlog…..Family Time! What would I do with 3 extra hours a week? First of all I must add that family is so important to me. Any spare time I have, I try to spend it with family or close friends.  So I have made a list of the things I would do with my 3 extra hours. Shopping, Lunch with Friends or Family, Bird Watching, Biking, Yoga at the gym, Running on my treadmill, Baking cookies for my daughter in college, Spending time with my three dogs, Going on dates with my husband, Taking Photographs and Blogging on ActiveRain. Here are a few pictures I would like to share.                                                                        Visiting my Mother-In-Law who I love her very much.                 S... 11/09/2011

Fall Back…..Turn Your Clocks Back.   On Sunday morning at 2:00 a.m. do not forget to turn your clocks back. Make sure to turn them back 1 hour. I t is a good reminder to also change the batteries in all your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors also.     ***If you forget, you might be late to any appointments or to work on Sunday morning. I always turn my about 6:00 p.m. Saturday night as I have to change the clocks, stoves, computers and phones. Some are automatic but don’t assume; make sure as you don’t want to be late....................   Inland Empire Homeowners, please call me for a Comprehensive Market Analysis to assist you with marketing your home for sale and getting the best price possible. Buyers, if you are planning to purchase real estate, let me assist you in finding the right... 11/03/2011

SHORT SALE REDLANDS CA | REDLANDS CA SHORT SALE | SHORT SALE AGENTS REDLANDS | REDLANDS SHORT SALE REALTORS Each bank processes Redlands CA short sales differently so to better understand your situation and if you would be a good candidate for a Redlands short sale you need to examine the following information: 1. How many loans do you have on the Redlands CA property? 2. Who are the mortgage holder(s) for this Redlands house? 3. Have you stopped making payments, and if yes, how long ago? 4. Do you have an HOA, and if yes, are you behind on the HOA dues? If you are behind on the HOA dues, how many payments have you missed? 5. Is the home in a 55+ Redlands CA community? 6. Is the Redlands house your primary residence? If yes, do you still reside in the Redlands CA home? If no, do you ha... 11/02/2011

Two of My Favorite Birds This first photograph was taken earlier this year on a Carnival Cruise while going to Alaska. This upper deck had such a lovely view and “Big Bird” was here with us day and night. This giant Condor statue is located in front of the San Bernardino County Museum located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane in Redlands, CA 92374. Inland Empire Homeowners, please call me for a Comprehensive Market Analysis to assist you with marketing your home for sale and getting the best price possible. Buyers, if you are planning to purchase real estate, let me assist you in finding the right home.  Google me at Kristin Hamilton, Keller Williams Realty, Redlands, CA This post was authored and or picture was taken by Kristin Hamilton. ©2011, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be repro... 11/01/2011