Do you Want to ‘Move-Up’? The Clock Is Running!

While you’ve probably heard a lot in the media about the government’s efforts to rejuvenate the housing market with the first-time home buyer tax credit, you might have missed the fact that the most recent expansion of the legislation also includes a $6,500 credit for current homeowners who want to purchase a new home…commonly referred to as “moving up.”

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I’ve worked with many homeowners who have wanted to move to a new home over the past year, but have stayed put due to a lack of confidence in the market. Now, however, thanks to the tax advantages of the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, these homeowners are moving off the sidelines and purchasing the homes they’ve always wanted.

But the time to act is now—there is only a short window of opportunity! The move-up buyer credit expires in April of 2010, which means you must contract and close on your home purchase by June 30, 2010. As you know, selecting a home is not a simple process, so start your search now so you don’t miss the deadline.

For starters, here are the key facts you need to know about the move-up buyer tax credit:

1. A qualified current homeowner who wishes to move to a different home (a “move-up” buyer) must have owned and resided in their residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight. It’s not enough that you have been homeowners for five years—you must have been in the same home for five consecutive years.

2. Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with a joint income up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit. According to Goldman Sachs, these income limits make approximately 70% of current homeowners eligible for the credit.

3. The maximum credit amount for current homeowners is $6,500. Under the new legislation, a tax credit may only be issued for homes purchased for $800,000 or less.

4. Even though the term “move-up” is used to describe these buyers, the credit is not predicated on buying a home of higher value than your current home.

5. Move-up buyers are not required to sell their current home to qualify for the credit. They must reside in the new home for at least three years, but they can keep their existing home and either leave it vacated or use it for rental purposes.

These are just a few of the key facts surrounding the move-up buyer tax credit. If you would like to find out more, including whether or not you are eligible for the credit, please e-mail me. Be sure to forward this email to all your homeowner friends so they can take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Sincerely,

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com
http://www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Foreclosure Filings Fall for Fourth Month

As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate network I receive daily e-mails about our current real estate market. This one caught my attention this morning and worthy of passing on.

RISMEDIA, December 14, 2009—(MCT)—Foreclosure filings fell 8% in November 2009 from October, the fourth straight month of declines, RealtyTrac of Irvine, Calif., recently reported.

With one filing for every 417 houses nationally, November saw the lowest amount of foreclosure activity since February. The numbers, while 18% higher than the same month last year, were a result of “loan modifications and other foreclosure prevention efforts,” said RealtyTrac chief executive James J. Saccacio. He said the recently extended and expanded homebuyer tax credit was keeping a lid on home value depreciation.

Saccacio warned, however, that a full recovery will come only “when unemployment recedes to normal, healthy levels and when availability of credit reaches a more rational balance between the extremes of the past few years.”

Data from Integrated Asset Services of Denver showed values continuing to decline despite the buying boom fostered by the tax credit.

Home values actually declined 0.05% nationally in October from September, with the Northeast, especially metropolitan Boston, dragging the numbers down. The Northeast region fell 1.6%; the Middle Atlantic, 0.06%.

“I have no doubt that the tax credit persuaded some buyers to make their purchase sooner than they otherwise would have,” said Dave McCarthy, president and CEO of Integrated Asset Services. “It’s reasonable to think the broader market will reflect that reality at some point down the road.”

Although Saccacio credited loan modification efforts as helping slow the rate of foreclosures, a recent Treasury report on the Obama administration’s Making Home Affordable program showed the effort coming up woefully short in getting lenders to alter mortgage terms permanently. Programs to mitigate foreclosures are not having the desired impact, said Michael Feder, president of Radar Logic in New York, which tracks the housing market.

The Treasury Department reported that just 31,382 loans of the four million mortgages targeted had been modified permanently since the program began in February. There are 728,000 loans in “trial” modification. By some estimates, there is as much as $1 trillion in potential foreclosures already delinquent, Feder said. Lawmakers have been critical of the program, which they say is still focusing on the subprime-loan crisis of last year rather than mortgage foreclosures related to rising unemployment. They also have taken lenders to task, especially those who have taken government bailout money, known as TARP funds. Those lenders, however, have been reporting great success in modifying loans independent of the government program.

Resets of thousands of so-called exotic mortgages such as option adjustable-rate loans in 2010 “will undoubtedly lead to another wave of foreclosures as payments begin to double and triple,” said Sylvia Alayon, vice president of the Consumer Mortgage Audit Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“When principal balances go up and house values continue to plummet, refinancing will no longer be an option for homeowners in negative amortization,” she said.

Click Here For Today's Top 5 News

Have a great day,

Jeff

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

HOMEBUYER CREDIT EXPANDED

This is good news hot off the press...

The bill also extends an $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers until April 30 and expands it to cover more affluent buyers. It also creates a new $6,500 credit for repeat buyers who have been in their current home for at least five years.

The tax credit for first-time buyers, which was due to expire on November 30, has helped the housing sector recover from its deep downturn, though some analysts say it has largely gone to people who would have bought houses anyway.

Another provision of the bill would allow businesses to get a break on their tax bills by applying losses from 2008 or 2009 to recover taxes paid in prior years when the economy was booming. This expands a tax break that currently only applies to small businesses.

Business groups say the change would give cash-strapped companies immediate access to capital, but consumer groups have criticized it as corporate welfare.

The additional unemployment benefits would be paid for by extending a tax on employers. The housing and business tax breaks, which would cost the government $21.2 billion over 10 years, would be financed by delaying a rule change that governs how companies allocate interest expenses.

(Editing by Tim Ahmann and Vicki Allen)

Gone to the Dogs....

One of my favorite holiday events is the Haute Dog Parade in Belmont Shore. This is not your typical parade... but then too it is in Long Beach and we know that Long Beach is not typical. The Haute Dog parade is sponsored each year by Justin Rudd and is the largest dog parade in the world.

So this afternoon people dressed up their best friends and the parade began... Lots of fun for everyone. One of those events that is fun every year.

Jeff

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

No Advance Fee Loan Modifications:

I just read this and and wanted to share it as I know personally people who have or are considering paying Advance Fees to save their homes.

Starting October 11, 2009, a new law prohibits anyone from claiming any compensation for negotiating or arranging a loan modification until after that person fully performs each and every service as promised. Aimed at combating loan modification scams, this ban applies to upfront fees collected by real estate agents and attorneys. The ban expires on January 1, 2013. Also effective immediately, anyone who negotiates or arranges a loan modification must give the borrower a specified notice that paying a third-party for loan modification services is unnecessary. These new requirements apply to mortgage loans secured by residential property up to four units, with certain exceptions for lenders and loan servicers acting on their own behalf. Violations can be penalized by, among other things, a $10,000 fine plus one-year imprisonment for individuals, or a $50,000 fine for businesses. Real estate brokers with existing Advance Fee Loan Modification Agreements reviewed by the Department of Real Estate (DRE) can no longer, as of October 11, 2009, enter into these agreements or collect advance fees. Agreements entered into and advance fees collected before October 11, 2009 are not affected. For the DRE announcement, go to http://www.dre.ca.gov/pdf_docs/SB94WebAnnouncement(brokers).pdf. Senate Bill 94.

Up... Up and away....

This past Monday I completed an item on my to do list... To take a Hot Air Balloon ride. Earlier this spring I bought the tickets at a silent auction event held by The Latin Museum of Art in Long Beach. They were just sitting there saying buy me....

Taking a ride in a balloon goes way back to being a child and seeing them on T.V. I am not sure if the first impression goes to the Wizard of Oz or Lassie. But it seemed mystical then and it really was that type of experience.

The assent into the clouds in the morning air was soft and you have almost no feeling of movement. We floated for almost seven miles and landed smoothly on the edge of an air field. I wondered what it would feel like to be in the small gondola... would there be any fear? Not for me but for some. I felt safe and very secure.

It was fun to look over the vineyards and more importantly into peoples backyards. Kind of like playing I spy, but the people who saw us waved and we waved back.

Many times we have things we yearn to do.... I suggest you find a way to do some of them before it is too late.

Have a great week,

Jeff

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

LOAN MODIFICATION ATTORNEYS UNDER INVESTIGATION

The following article once again is a Red Alert to my friends out there....

I keep hearing these promises in the news on the radio... this is about being careful. The State Bar of California has recently launched numerous investigations against attorneys for misconduct related to loan modifications. In a rare move, the State Bar has released the names of 16 attorneys under investigation, by opting to waive investigation confidentiality in favor of public protection. These attorneys have allegedly taken fees for promised services, but failed to perform those services or even communicate with their clients who face the possible loss of their homes. Their non-attorney staff may also be under investigation for unlawfully practicing law.

Not all attorneys engaged in loan modifications are unscrupulous. However, this announcement from the State Bar serves as a good reminder for REALTORS® and their clients to be careful when dealing with attorneys and others for loan modifications. Scam artists may intentionally associate or affiliate themselves with attorneys in an attempt to lend credence to their fraudulent schemes. The list of attorneys currently under investigation is available at Bad People. Article from the California Association of Realtors.

Be careful,

Jeff Hall
Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Fear - Why do we buy into it?

Fear can keep each of us from crossing the bridge into the unknown..

Fear holds each of us in place... and what upsets me is we allow it. A week ago I took some time away for some much needed time off in Palm Springs. Time was spent just relaxing by the pool, reading, a few outings and enjoying the beautiful warm weather.

For many people the thought of going on a small vacation seems like the dream of a lifetime. Yet they will not, due to the fear of being alone. I remember my first such trip and how incredibly frighting the first day was until I realized how freeing it can be to just be on your own. We do not spend enough time by ourselves, yet our souls crave it. If you think back into history many people spent time alone in the desert.

Fear keeps us from stretching our limits. If I had not taken a chance and had allowed fear to keep hold of me my real estate career never would have happened. All the well meaning people around me projecting their fear on me... sometimes we just need to cross the bridge to see what is on the other side.

This story is about crossing over my fear for another incredible experience. On Friday morning I was in need of something to do. Richard the owner of the resort where I was staying suggested a hike up into the Indian Canyons specifically Palm Canyon. My first thought was... he is nuts! But I let him talk, borrowed a book and thought... I am scared of snakes. There are snakes in the desert and they bite! No way....

So I looked at the book a bit more and thought about it a while and said "Why Not!"

So off I went for a six mile hike in the canyons of the desert by myself. Along the way I found people to visit with and just enjoyed what I was seeing, all along keeping a watchful eye out for snakes.

Before leaving I posted on Facebook about what I was about to do and left. Upon returning I had a bunch of posts about... you guess it... Snakes...

I need to tell you I was scared but after a little bit of time I let the fear go realizing it was fear that was keeping me in place. If I had stayed at the resort I would have missed out on the beauty that surrounded me, seeing and hearing the brook that was running in 98+ degrees in the Oasis I was hiking through... or all the lizards that led the way... or.... the list goes on.

There are times when fear is good.. but I think for the most part it is bad. So today venture across the bridge. Remember it is ok to be a bit afraid... but look beyond the fear and see what you can find in your own desert, you will find it is beautiful.

Jeff Hall

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Whats in a face?

Look at this face! Does it bring a smile to yours? The last couple of days have been a mini vacation for me.

The real estate business can leave you just worn out from time to time. You just need to escape. So escape I did; to Palm Springs. Being in the desert always rejuvenates my soul.

I spent time yesterday morning at The Living Desert in Palm Desert. I love this zoo and the incredible desert botanical gardens it supports.

The little fellow was a highlight for me on my outing. Many times when you see Zebra's their backs are always turned away from you... but not this guy.

He just posed for me and finally came up to the fence for a closer look.

Many times we judge people by how they look... we all do it. How many times have we rejected people upon first meeting them by their appearance? People speak a lot these days about being moral, living the righteous life, yet reject people who are different. Each of us is different, we look different, believe different things and the list goes on.

It is important to take time out of our busy lives to just be. Be with different people, listen to their belief; but more importantly allow them to just be.

This guy has a lovely face and is different from his fellow Grey Zebra's. I loved how his personality showed to me.

Allow others to be...

Jeff

Mailto:Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

A new week...

Can you feel the change in the air? Is it getting dark earlier? If you do it must be fall... It is a beautiful morning here in Long Beach, the air is crisp and the sun is shining...

I remember being in elementary school and unable to wait for school to begin. The coming of September signified that change was in the air. No longer could you swim in the creek as it is now too cold and what is funny is you could last week.

Fall for me starts after Labor Day just as it did as a child, funny how things never change. This fall is no different. My mind is thinking about what is going to be next in my life. Time comes when we just need some time off and this week is that week.

What I need in order to recharge my batteries is a few days in the desert to just think. Think about life, family, friends and well business. All are important and all require the other. The important part is finding balance in all areas of our life.

2009 for me was and is the year of new beginning's... it has been fun, exciting, scary and every other emotion you can consider. Taking this scary steps of starting my own real estate company in a bad economy... are you nuts... well yes, but one of the best decision of my life.

Many of us do not take the scary steps in life... but when we do and trust we know it will all be right.

Enjoy your week...

Jeff

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Buy foreclosures now –before it’s too late

We are seeing this a lot in Long Beach... Everyone ask when will we hit bottom... who knows? If you want a home and have the resources... then act now or that home will not be there. I have shown many homes, written offers the same day to find them sold to someone else.

People are lining up for the right home almost as scary as when prices were shooting up.

Buyers in many areas are finding that real-estate owned (REO) properties—homes that have been
repossessed by lenders and put back on the market—often are selling in one day, sometimes faster. According to the founder of Foreclosure.com, offers on REOs are coming in immediately after the listing comes on the market, and some homes have been put into contract in less than 90 minutes.

KEEP THIS IN MIND
• On average, inventories of California homes priced less than $300,000—the most-popular
price point for foreclosure buyers—have shrunk from a nearly 10-month supply a year ago, to
less than a three and a half-month supply in July, according to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.)

• Because inventory levels of homes priced in the lower end of the market are low, some buyers
are finding that sellers are not willing to negotiate on the price. In many instances, sellers
expect the first offer to be the best and highest possible for the buyer.

• Instead of holding onto REOs for the best prices—and paying the property taxes and
maintenance and heating costs—many banks are selling the homes as quickly as possible,
according to Foreclosure.com. “In this market, if they can liquidate them fast, it makes more
sense to get them off the books,” said the company’s founder.

• Despite efforts by lenders and the government to prevent foreclosures, many economists and
housing analysts predict there will be another wave of foreclosures by year’s end, and many of
those properties will be offered for sale. According to the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency, 53
percent of loans that were modified in the first half of 2008 fell back into arrears.
To read the full story, please click here:

Have a great day...

Jeff

jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

Look before you leap into buying a house

Here is some sound advice from the California Association of Realtors.... Right now there are still people out there trying to take advantage of good people... do your homework. I get scared when I see signs that say "Buy this home for $500.00 down" I know how mortgages work and what banks require and realize that these people are ripping other people off. Again if it sounds too good to be true... well you know what happens....

With interest rates and home prices looking extremely attractive, many are thinking of buying or refinancing a home. Before purchasing or refinancing, experts recommend that consumers conduct research prior to making such a move.

KEEP THIS IN MIND
• Most financial institutions have tightened their lending guidelines and increased their down
payment requirements. No longer can someone purchase a home without a down payment or
documented income, nor can owners refinance multiple times without sufficient equity in the home.

• One of the primary factors financial institutions consider in their decision to lend is a strong credit record. Borrowers can increase their chances of being approved for a home loan by requesting their credit report and FICO score at least six months prior to applying for a loan. This allows the consumer to dispute errors and/or pay any outstanding debt.

• The first step in deciding whether or not to purchase a home is deciding how much a borrower can afford, according to Melinda Opperman at Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management. Opperman recommends home buyers spend no more than 31 percent of their gross income on a home payment, including principal, interest, insurance, property taxes, and homeowners’ association dues.

• Home buyers also should have a savings account with funds available to pay for home
maintenance and unforeseen emergencies, such as a job loss. First-time buyers who are
concerned about a potential job loss are urged to apply for the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS® Housing Affordability Fund (C.A.R.H.A.F.) Mortgage Protection Program (MPP). The C.A.R.H.A.F. Mortgage Protection Program provides qualified, first-time home buyers with up to $1,500 for up to six months to help make mortgage payments, if they are laid off. Applications must be submitted by a California REALTOR®, among other qualifications. For more information about MPP, please visit

• Refinancing can provide homeowners lower interest rates and, in some cases, greater financial
security. A senior analyst at Bankrate.com, an online consumer information service, advises that
anyone with an adjustable-rate mortgage who can refinance to a fixed-rate loan do so now because interest rates are very likely to rise in the future.

• While most loans require at least some equity to refinance, there are exceptions. A homeowner
with an existing FHA mortgage can refinance to another FHA mortgage without having equity. The new loan does not require an updated appraisal of the house, which would show reduced equity. To read the full story, please click here:

Have a great weekend,

Jeff

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

3-year descent in home prices appears to be at end

Over the last few weeks I have been noticing what appears to be stabilization of prices. The prices of homes in Long Beach seem to have come to a plateau. Our inventory is down as well and many homes are selling in less than thirty days. Ok short sales still take for ever but it is not the homes price that is causing it. This article from the New York Times sparked my interest this morning and the following is from California Association of Realtors.

According to recent reports and forecasts by housing analysts, the three-year descent in home prices appears to be at an end. Eight cities, including San Francisco, showed price increases in May, up from four in April, and one in March, according to Standard and Poor’s/Case-Shiller Index. For the first time since early 2007, the index of 20 major cities was virtually flat, rather than down.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS

· Earlier reports show that sales of existing homes nationwide rose last month for the third consecutive month, while sales of new homes increased in June by the largest percentage in eight years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) and the U.S. Commerce Dept., respectively.

· Although some skeptics believe the market is pausing before home prices decline further, the median price in California’s housing market appears to be stabilizing. June marked the fourth consecutive month of rising home prices and the second largest gain on record for the month of June, based on statistics dating back to 1979. The year-to-year decline in June also was the smallest in the past 16 months.

· The S&P/Case-Shiller price index for 20 cities showed a half-percent gain when May was compared with April. It was the first month-over-month increase in the index in 34 months. “It is very possible that years from now we will say that April 2009 was the trough in home prices,” said Maureen Maitland, vice president for index services at Standard & Poor’s.

· One explanation for the increase in median prices is the rise in demand from buyers, especially first timers taking advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit, which expires in December. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) is lobbying for the tax credit to be extended and to be replaced with a $15,000 credit for all buyers.

· Another factor in the market’s resurgence is the prevalence of foreclosures, which make up about a third of all existing home sales. “Although another surge of foreclosures is expected later this year, demand remains strong, so the market may be able to absorb more distressed properties without significantly impacting the median price,” said C.A.R.’s Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young.

To read the full story click here.

Have a great weekend,

Jeff

jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

July = Vacation Time....

As a kid summer meant vacation time... or more importantly no school. As a family we never had the chance to travel; but as an adult I take full advantage of the ability to just get away. July is a month of get-a-ways for me this year. Last weekend I spent it in the Northwest (Seattle) visiting friends and doing a wedding. The photo above was taken from Bainbridge Island (about thirty minutes by boat from Seattle) looking towards Seattle in the distance. I lived on Bainbridge Island before moving to Long Beach and it is always fun to return and see old friends.

As you can see the Washington coast is much different than here in Southern California. I always enjoyed it there was just so much to see and appreciate. Life on an Island is very different than life in a city. Each has its qualities to be appreciated.

Many of us go through life without actually seeing. Not in the vision form of the word, but seeing beyond what our eyes take in. Sometimes we just look too hard and miss the beauty that is literally at our fingertips. When visiting zoos I always remind my friends to let their eyes relax to be able to see the animals that have the ability to hide from us. Many things in life hide from us... but if we just allow ourselves permission to see we will enjoy these gems as they arise.

I suggest that as we go through life we need to take time to relax to take in the inner beauty around us. Long Beach is a beautiful city... so much to see and a wonderful place to just relax.

Take time this summer... enjoy your family and friends just let go of the stress in our lives.

Peace,

Jeff

Jeff Hall

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Long Beach Bayou Festival

Looking for something different to do this weekend? Check out the Long Beach Bayou Festival in Rainbow Lagoon....

For 23 years the Long Beach Bayou festival has offered the best in family oriented entertainment. Each year it brings together a mix of authentic Louisiana music (Blues, Cajun and Zydeco), creole food and arts & craft vendors to downtown Long Beach for a weekend of music, dancing and fun. Everything you love about New Orleans! Shopping, Great Food, Great Music, and of course Dancing. Click here for more information

The wonderful thing about Long Beach is; there is always something fun to do...

Enjoy your weekend,

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

DRE issues fraud warning

The following story is very serious and I have personally heard some pretty scary stories. The old adage if it is too good to be true... it's not... Beware of advancing fee's to people who offer to help you... normally they are helping themselves...

The DRE recently issued a fraud warning alerting consumers about loan modification scams and informing consumers of what they can do to protect themselves. The alert is available in both English and Spanish. Last July, the DRE had fewer than 10 complaints involving loan modification companies; today the department has 750 pending investigations. In addition, since last October, the DRE has filed more than 200 Desist and Refrain Orders. A list of the companies and persons the DRE has filed an action against can be viewed at http://www.dre.ca.gov/cons_drs.asp.

It is worth noting that not all firms who collect advance fees for loan modification services do so illegally, the DRE said. In general, only licensed real estate brokers and attorneys operating within the scope of their license may collect advance fees. Real estate brokers must have their advance fee agreement reviewed by the DRE prior to its use to ensure it is compliant with real estate law.

C.A.R. also has learned of what appears to be a loan modification assistance program and lead generator, from a company using the legislative bill number 3648, that looks as if it’s a government entity, complete with a misleading seal closely resembling a governmental seal but that is not affiliated with the government. C.A.R. cautions all members to be on the alert for schemes seeking funds from REALTORS® or consumers with no value, or that may be misleading or unlawful Click here for the rest of the story

Be Safe,

Jeff Hall

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Great Ocean View

This unit just came available.... Ocean View, Parking... and lot's more....

Sometimes we are not as big as we think?

Have you ever wondered how you measure up? Of course you have we all do. Are we as good as the guy next door, as tall as my brother, make more money than someone, the list goes on. This photo gives us an idea of how small we are compared to a male Gorilla... My mother took this photo a couple of months ago while visiting the Wild Animal Park, which is part of the San Diego Zoo system.

In the real estate business we always worry about our reputation... I(we) always wonder if we are doing the right thing. Do people appreciate us? My goal has always been to do the best that I can for my clients. By keeping on the cutting edge of technology and learning as much as I can about the business. What more could we ask for and more importantly treating all clients the same.

I tell my friends that what we do today really may not matter today; but tomorrow it just may.

The good thing about this pictures is it makes me feel slim...

Have a great weekend,

Jeff

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Tour Des Artistes - Long Beach - 13 June 2009

Here is something fun to do this weekend. I have a lot of friends involved in this project and if it is as fun as they are it should be a BLAST..... Click here for more information.

Long Beach has a very up and coming art district and needs to be checked out...

Have a great weekend,

Jeff

Just having fun

Sometimes we take life too serious. I believe in keeping a balance between our professional and personal lives.

This past Sunday I took a journey to the San Diego Zoo to see the new Elephant Habitat... and it is awesome... Be prepared to spend sometime reading and looking at all the artifacts they have on display. (I will post more about this later)

One of the things I love about visiting zoos is; each visit is unique. My friends ask "Don't you get bored" and I simply answer "No"

Take this guy in the back... he is relatively new there and the last time I visited he was napping...
Another one of my favorite activities... I believe we should work hard and play hard. So the message today is to just enjoy life.

One of the things I tell new people moving to Long Beach is that we have so much to offer around us. Take San Diego; it is less than a couple of hours away. This allows us to take mini/day vacations just a short hop away from home.

Have a great day,

Jeff

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Wine Tasting

Last night at the Museum of Latin American Art was a tasting of South American wine. One of the great things I love about Long Beach is the diversity of our community. We have so many venues open to us and this is one of them.

Last night the tasting was held in the sculpture garden in the cool June evening. The music was top cultural hits from many of the South American Countries... and was wonderful. The wines were all distinctively different and very enjoyable... One I really liked...

We all need to take time to smell the roses or in this case taste the wine. I make it a rule to enjoy time with my family and friends even during a busy real estate market.

I highly recommend you to check out many of these great programs.... Click Here to see upcoming events.

Have a great day,

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

What's happening in the housing market?

Here is a interesting article I stumbled upon this morning while having tea... We are hearing so much buzz about the real estate market everyday. Here in Long Beach we are seeing shrinking inventory and multiple offers on some homes. I feel (my opinion) that values are finally starting to stabilize but we are not out of the woods yet. To find out more Click Here.

Have a great day and a wonderful weekend, remember to be good to yourself.

Jeff

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc,

www.jeffhallrealtor.com

jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

End of May.... Already?

As I get older I am starting to believe that time does fly.... Do you remember being in school and as you approached the first of May; did you start to count the days until school was out for the summer? I did and in a way still do... I love summer for many different reasons. First it gets warmer outside although today we have June gloom before June. Second it represented a time of anticipation... What kind of adventures will happen this summer, who exciting will I get to meet. Funny these things are still anticipated.

Sometimes as a real estate agent it is hard to find a balance between our professional lives and our personal lives. My goal is to always be of service yet I do believe in private time alone with my family and friends. Yesterday while having coffee with friends we started to talk about short mini trips we could take as a group this summer. With the economy as it is people still need time away, even if only for a day or so. The exiting part is we live so close to some incredible places.

Yesterday we talked about Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon, Palm Springs, Flagstaff Arizona, and many other places.

Yes we cannot forget those day outings even in our own city such as the Aquarium of the Pacific, The Museum of Latin American Art, (FYI there is a wine tasting event on the 5th of June) some new events happening downtown with revitalization of the art district and the list grows....

As the Long Beach Real Estate starts to heat up for summer... remember to take time to play.... it is healthy for all of us.

Enjoy your summer,

Jeff (still a kid at heart) - Picture from the second grade 1964

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

A sign of the times....

Everyone talks about the housing market... it is a point of concern that effects everyone, for we all have to have a place to live.

What I love about this sign is the words "In Escrow" something we do not see all that often. In today's market where there are so many homes for sale and most of which are "Short Sales" the signs just hang around for ever....

There are a couple of things I learned this past winter. First is Short Sales can be sold.... if done right. Second going out on my own and opening my own brokerage was a good decision.

This home was not a "Short Sale" but a regular equity sale. It sold in about 24 days.... it had it's own website 2377Charlemagne.com you can even text it... I marketed this home right and it sold.

The Long Beach Real Estate market is heating up and homes are selling. Most of which are in the lower end but we are starting to see the higher end move a bit more as well. Where is the bottom going to end up... wish I knew... but the fact is none of us know. It is always a good time to buy a home. Remember you home is a place where you live... not a cash machine. People are always worried about loosing money on their home but will go out and buy a new car, where it drops thousands before you even leave the lot. Our market in time will appreciate again, but not at the rate it did before. But in hindsight that rate was not real... anyway. I personally feel if we had normal appreciation in the past and equity loans were not dangled in front of people like they were; we would not be in this mess. Let's hope we all learned for this and move on...

Have a great week,

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.
jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

C.A.R. Green Tip of the Week: Check for leaky faucets

Here is a good tip I just read this morning in a blog I follow... from California Association of Realtors.

Leaky faucets that drip at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water each year. Not sure if you have a leak? Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak. For more green real-estate-related tips and discussion, visit C.A.R.’s green blog and C.A.R.’s Green Web site.

Have a great day,

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.
www.JeffHallRealtor.com
Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

House hunting? It’s not a buyer’s market everywhere

Everyone wants a bargain...

These are words I hear almost every day... What I am seeing in parts of the Long Beach real estate market is exactly what this article from the LA Times talks about.

Buyers want a steal; but at what price? Many of the deals out there require a mountain of work once escrow is closed, and I am wondering how people will afford these repairs. In fact they will walk buy properties that are in move-in condition to get the better price, not realizing that repairs will cost them more in the long run...

Some potential home buyers, especially first-time buyers, may be misinformed about today’s market, believing that all sellers are desperate and will accept any offer. However, in many desirable, middle-class neighborhoods, bidding wars are prominent and buyers often have to make offers slightly above the asking price.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS

• Although California’s median home price – the price point where half of the homes sold for higher and half for lower -- was 39 percent lower in March than a year ago, many of the sales taking place are in areas, such as the Central Valley and the Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino counties), which have higher foreclosure rates. These regions offer home buyers better opportunities to purchase homes at extremely low prices.
• The housing market is often characterized as having three pricing segments: under $500,000, $500,000 to $1 million, and more than $1 million. Homes in the under-$500,000 segment have accounted for the majority of the state’s price declines thus far.
• As real estate is local, a home in one neighborhood with the same square footage and amenities may not sell for the same price as a comparable home in a neighborhood one mile away. By working with a REALTOR® familiar with a specific area, home buyers should be able to submit reasonable offers that are more likely to receive seller approval.

To read the full story, Please Click Here

Enjoy your weekend,

Jeff Hall, Broker

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

jeff @Jeffhallrealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Cinco de Mayo

How many of us have know idea what Cinco de Mayo is... Most of us think of it as a day to hit the Mexican Restaurants... but it really has a history. Below is a little history Javier found for us:

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a regional holiday in Mexico, primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico.[1][2] The holiday commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.[3][4]
The outnumbered Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army that had known no defeat for almost 50 years.[5] However, Cinco de Mayo is not "an obligatory federal holiday" in Mexico, but rather a holiday that can be observed voluntarily.[6][7]
While Cinco de Mayo has limited significance nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.[8] However, a common misconception in the United States is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day,[9] which actually is September 16 (dieciséis de septiembre in Spanish),[10] the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.[11]
Good for the Mexicans, they kicked the french's a…. out of there !!!!!

Have a great day,

Jeff

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc,

jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

2009 Year of New Beginnings...

2009 for me is the year of new beginnings… As of this week I am please to announce the opening of Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

After much though I have decided to leave Brent Heflin Realty and open my own real estate company. Over the past few years I have licensed myself as a corporate real estate broker and it is time to stretch my wings…

Many of my existing clients will be joining me and I open my doors to all who wish to come along.

Current rental clients will be notified as to the change as soon as possible. Many will not be affected by the change and will stay with Brent.

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc. will continue with excellent service and customer care. If you know anyone who is searching for a home or would like to sell a home please refer me to them. The new company will have a property management division as well.

Thank you and have a great weekend,

Jeff

Great new listing... www.2377Charlemagne.com

I have this great new listing... check it out... www.Charlemagne.com

Here is the virtual tour... http://vt.realbiz360.com/MLS-142020.html

Enjoy race weekend...

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

Spring Time and Easter...

No matter what your religious belief Easter signifies that spring is on the way or in our case full swing.

Have you noticed the fragrant smell of flowers in the air? Have you felt how nice the sun feels on your skin in the afternoon... It is Spring again...

As a child growing up in Northern Idaho; Easter meant that it was going to finally warm up... in fact; I spoke with my mother this morning and she commented how nice it was to see the snow off the lawn... It meant that school was almost over and the days became longer. I fondly remember cutting flowers from the mountainside and selling them for candy to the neighbor ladies...

In Long Beach over the next few weeks we will see other familiar sights of spring... starting next weekend with the Long Beach Grand Prix. Already this weekend you could hear the cars during the drifting event.

So... go out and enjoy your Spring... remember it is a time of new beginnings... a time for growth. It is time for us to let go of what is bothering us and concentrate on those things in our life that will make us bloom...

I loved this cartoon on the left and have had it saved on my computer for years... I wonder did Sally Forth find a way to eat the ears off the rabbit this year...?

Happy Easter and Happy Spring,

Jeff

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

Long Beach Bicycle Festival 2009

I just noticed this event early this morning. This looks like a great event to take in this weekend so check it out... I will...

Recreational and competitive cycling is set to take over the streets of Downtown Long Beach for a two-day event, April 3-4, 2009. The inaugural Long Beach Bicycle Grand Prix festival and race will consist of anything and everything bicycle-related: from vendors to fashion shows, from fixed gear demonstrations to criterium road races. The event represents the launch of Bike Long Beach, an innovative plan to make Long Beach "the most cycling friendly urban city in the United States." The festival is sponsored by the Downtown Long Beach Associates, the Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency. For more information More

Remember share the road with others and be safe.

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

Jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

www.JeffHallRealtor.com

A Thought

Safe Assumptions You Can Make

Great words of wisdom passed on from a friend....

Most people realize that making assumptions is bad and can get you into some serious trouble. As the saying goes: “When you ASSUME, you make an ASS of U and ME.” Nevertheless, as humans we all tend to make them. So here are some “safe” ones … things you can feel okay in assuming:
• The e-mails you send will be seen by more people than those they’re addressed to.
• Things said “just between you and me” won’t stay that way.
• The time you pick to take a long break or lunch will be the same time your boss looks for you.
• The “minor” rule you choose to ignore will be the pet peeve of the manager that catches you.
• Call in sick so you can do something else and you will be seen by someone who knows you should be working.
• Treat one customer poorly and ten people will hear about it – including someone who has authority over you.
• Your ability to get “another job” will be directly related to how well you do on the job you have now.
• Whenever you think “no one will know,” someone will.
• Whenever you think “no one will care,” someone will.
• Whenever you think “it will never be missed,” it will.
• Whenever you think you’re as good as you need to be, you aren’t.

Mortgage Updates....

One of my goals is to be a good source of real estate information; along with the occasional humor and articles of interest involving Long Beach.

Mortgage's right now is the number one concern for most people. Even people who rent are concerned as the trickle down theory happens to them as well.

This week’s C.A.R. Mortgage Update contains information about the effect of a reduction in the mortgage interest deduction; refinancing; loan modifications by bankruptcy judges; and the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly mortgage application survey. Obama’s plan to limit write-offs provokes push-back The Obama administration’s first budget proposal included a provision to reduce the mortgage interest and local property tax deductions for those earning more than $250,000. The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) are strongly opposed to this provision and are working to convince lawmakers to oppose it as well. Although the government predicts it could save billions of dollars by reducing the deductions, it also will negatively impact the California housing market; further erode opportunities for homeownership in the state; and will contribute to further price declines and diminished equity for homeowners. Additionally, the devaluation would extend to lower- and middle-income homeowners and home buyers, who likely will start “pricing in” the lower tax benefits – discounting what they are willing to pay for a house given
lower future deductions,” according to the Mortgage Bankers Association and NAR.

To read the full story, please click here:

A waiting game for refinancing
Many mortgage professionals are advising clients not to wait to refinance. Stricter loan underwriting standards and declining property values could result in some homeowners becoming ineligible for the Obama administration’s “Making Home Affordable Refinance” program. As a result, many mortgage professionals are advising clients not to wait to refinance.
Refinances also are taking longer to complete. Whereas a refinance used to take three to four weeks to process, it now is taking as long as six weeks.

To read the full story, please click here:

To view additional articles about mortgages, please visit the following:
Questions, answers on bankruptcy mortgage rewrites
To read the full story, please click here:

Mortgage applications jump 11%
To read the full story, please click here:

Have a great day,

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.
jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

www.jeffhallrealtor.com

Sunday afternoon Naps....

How many of us love to spend our weekends taking a nap like this guy? I know that I do... and my mother says it runs from my fathers side of the family, but that is a different story.

Living in Long Beach to me is a blessing. One of those many blessing is the ability to escape on a weekend morning for the day to Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs and the list grows.

Last Sunday morning I escaped to the San Diego Zoo one of my all time favorite places to go and this guy gave me a small pause in my day. Being in the real estate business which also includes a very busy property management business keeps me on the go... and I look forward to those moments of peace and quiet.

We all need to take time for ourselves no matter how busy we may be. If we do not take the time to rest; even for a few moments we take the chance of not being as productive as our potential holds.

So take some time for your friends and family... and yourself, it may even include a nap.

Have a great day,

Jeff

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.
http://www.jeffhallrealtor.com/
jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

Do I qualify? What you need to know....

As many of us know the Long Beach Real Estate scene has taken a beating the past couple of year... People are in trouble. These are good people who may have been sterred by bad advise from their mortgage professional and/or agent. We have all been hearing over the past few weeks a lot about the new bailout plans for homeowners.

Below you will find an article I found in the Wall Street Journal that helps shed some lite on the confusing mess....

In recent weeks, the government, both on a federal and state level, have announced new tax credits for home buyers, housing stabilizations plans, and the like. Due to the various requirements for each program, some home buyers and/or homeowners may be confused about whether or not they qualify.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY FOR CONSUMERS

· The goal of the “Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan” is to help homeowners remain in their homes. For a loan to qualify for modifications, lenders would need to bring the monthly mortgage payment down to 38 percent of a borrower’s monthly income. The government would then match further reductions until the debt-to-income ratio is 31 percent. The deductions could come in the form of a lower interest rate or reduced principal. For homeowners who pay their mortgage on time, the write down could be as much as $1,000 of the loan each year, for five years.

· The government will help homeowners who owe between 80 percent and 105 percent of their home’s value, and have been unable to qualify for refinancing because their home has negative equity. This could help as many as 14.8 million homeowners. However, only mortgages owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac are eligible, which excludes many homes in high-cost areas, such as California.

· As with all refinances, it is important that homeowners have their mortgage paperwork, proof of current income, and assets readily available. A representative with the Mortgage Bankers’ Association advises homeowners to wait until March 4 to contact their mortgage lender or servicer, when more details and guidelines are due.

· The recently signed “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” increases the first-time home-buyer credit from $7,500 to $8,000, and removes the requirement that the credit be paid back if the buyer stays in the home for at least three years. It also extends the expiration date for the credit from July 1 to Dec. 1, 2009. Home buyers must have purchased a home after Jan. 1, 2009, and before Dec. 1, 2009, to be eligible for the $8,000 credit.

To read the full story, please click here

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

www.jeffhallrealtor.com

New Stimulus Plan and your home....

Great news for homeowners... We have all been waiting for the new stimulus plan... and here is a summary provided by the California Association of Realtors. Many of us are either in trouble or have friends/family who are or are about to be in trouble. We all need good stable housing and this proposal gives me hope... To see families loose their home is one of the hardest parts of my job as a realtor in Long Beach. To see peoples hopes and dreams taken away devastates me personally.

There are many people in my profession as a realtor that make their living off of peoples losses and I am not one of them. I have worked with families over the past year on ways to save their property and the last resort is to do a short sale. This package will be a welcome relief for those families on the edge.

We should expect to see some new programs soon. Please be sure your friends and family works directly with their mortgage company. There will be a lot of people out there offering help and will be preying on peoples hopes.

The U.S. Treasury Dept. today unveiled the Obama Administration's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, which will offer assistance to as many as 9 million homeowners making a good-faith effort to stay current on their mortgage payments, while attempting to prevent the destructive impact of foreclosures on families and communities. The plan will not provide money to speculators, and instead will target support to working homeowners who have made every possible effort to stay current on their mortgage payments.The plan includes refinancing options for homeowners suffering from falling home prices; a $75 billion homeowner stability initiative including loan modifications and support for displaced renters; support for low interest rates by strengthening confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by increasing its funding commitment to Fannie Mae and Freddie and continuing to purchase Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities.There are three components of the plan. The first focuses on homeowners who are current on their mortgage and would be helped by refinancing into a lower interest rate loan; these homeowners must currently be in conforming loans. The second component is designed for homeowners who are currently or are at risk of falling behind on their mortgage obligations and would benefit from a loan modification; the Treasury plan would help offset the cost of the loan modification program. The third component is intended to lower prevailing mortgage interest rates by shoring up confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.The U.S. Treasury Dept. today unveiled the Obama Administration's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, which will offer assistance to as many as 9 million homeowners making a good-faith effort to stay current on their mortgage payments, while attempting to prevent the destructive impact of foreclosures on families and communities. The plan will not provide money to speculators, and instead will target support to working homeowners who have made every possible effort to stay current on their mortgage payments.The plan includes refinancing options for homeowners suffering from falling home prices; a $75 billion homeowner stability initiative including loan modifications and support for displaced renters; support for low interest rates by strengthening confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by increasing its funding commitment to Fannie Mae and Freddie and continuing to purchase Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities.There are three components of the plan. The first focuses on homeowners who are current on their mortgage and would be helped by refinancing into a lower interest rate loan; these homeowners must currently be in conforming loans. The second component is designed for homeowners who are currently or are at risk of falling behind on their mortgage obligations and would benefit from a loan modification; the Treasury plan would help offset the cost of the loan modification program. The third component is intended to lower prevailing mortgage interest rates by shoring up confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

For more on this story read... Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan

Have a great day,

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc,
jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

www.jeffhallrealtor.com

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is one of those weird holidays... my father refers to them as Hallmark Holidays. But there is folk lore behind this day; in fact two different tales...

This afternoon as I sit down to write I think of those people in my life that I love. And what is remarkable is the amount of people I personally consider important in my life. Some of these are family and some are friends, work mates and the list goes on.

As Americans I feel we do not spend enough time with those we love. We need to let those we love know we appreciate them and love them. Our time on this earth is too short and may be over in the next second.

So take time out of your lives and remember those people that are important to you. Remember those who have passed beyond this life and there is another group to remember... Our loved pets.

Life is good and live each day to the fullest.... Happy Valentine's Day,

Love,

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions Inc.

http://www.jeffhallrealtor.com/

jeff@JeffHallRealtor.com

PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION SCAM ALERT

We all see these notices in our mail. Buyer beware.... there are legal ways to have your taxes reduced it just takes work on your part. You will need documentation and I will be happy to provide comps per the assessor's offices requirements. The Los Angeles County Assessor's office is alerting homeowners that various private companies are sending mailings to property owners offering their services to pursue a reduction in the owner's property taxes. The companies may charge hundreds of dollars to file for a reduction in value on behalf of the property owner. Some companies also are imposing late fees if the application is received after an arbitrary deadline. Solicitations from private companies offering to pursue a reduction in property taxes must clearly indicate that they are NOT a government agency and that their services are NOT approved or endorsed by any government agency. Failure to provide such notice is a violation of California law. In 1978, California voters passed Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that allows a temporary reduction in assessed value when a property suffers a "decline-in-value." A decline-in-value occurs when the current market value of your property is less than the assessed value as of January 1. The assessed value is the value shown on a property owner's most recent property tax bill. Typically, an application from the property owner is required to initiate a review of the property's value by the Assessor. Copied from the California Association of Realtor website. Jeff Hall Long Beach Home Solutions Inc. jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com 562-505-6204 www.JeffHallRealtor.com

DEC. HOME SALES INCREASED 84.9 PERCENT; MEDIAN PRICE FELL 41.5 PERCENT

This article came in my e-mail this morning... from the California Association of Realtors. I have been keeping a close eye on the market and we are seeing values drop. Most of the homes currently selling in this market are at the lower end of the scale and that makes the average selling price drop even further. Now if things were to change and only the expensive homes sold you would see the average selling price higher...

Home sales increased 84.9 percent in December in California compared with the same period a year ago, while the median price of an existing home fell 41.5 percent, C.A.R. reported yesterday. "Sales continue to be strong, exceeding 500,000 units for the fourth consecutive month, and year-to-date sales are nearly 27 percent above last year," said C.A.R. President James Liptak. "California home buyers benefited during the last half of 2008 from the high-cost loan limit of $729,750, which fell to $625,500 as of Jan. 1.

The restoration of the high cost loan limit to the previous level would not only help a housing market still struggling to turn around, but also make financing more affordable for home buyers."Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled 544,580 in December at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations statewide.

Statewide home resale activity increased 84.9 percent from the revised 294,520 sales pace recorded in December 2007. Sales in December 2008 increased 5.9 percent compared with the previous month.The median price of an existing, single-family detached home in California during December 2008 was $281,100, a 41.5 percent decrease from the revised $480,820 median for December 2007, C.A.R. reported. The December 2008 median price fell 2 percent compared with November's revised $286,850 median price.

Where has January gone?

Sometimes as we grow older time seems to just slip by. We start off with goals in mind and push forward. January starts of the year of new beginnings.... I do not call my goals resolutions but beginnings... for me not to try is to fail.

2008 was a very good year and a lot was learned along the way. As we go through life we need to learn from our errors and capitalize on them to improve. I have spent the month of January working on upcoming website changes, additions to my blog and marketing systems.

As we approach February and the resolutions have already slipped away... just remember you can try again.

Have a great day,

Jeff

Something to think about

Have you ever thought what things really cost over a period of time? The other day I read the following comments about how much it cost to have a couple of glass's of wine each evening. Something that many people I know do...

To keep you up-to-date here are some 2008 California State Fair results. Best of Show Red Wine – Castle Rock Winery/2006 Mendocino County Pinot Noir; Best of Show White Wine – Loredona/2007 Monterey Riesling. Charles Shaw’s #1 wine received a Silver Medal, still outstanding in my humble opinion.

Simple math – you are supposed to drink 2 glasses of wine a day and at 4 glasses per bottle that comes to 180 bottles a year or $360 for me drinking Shaw. If you desire, for example, Santa Margherita Pino Grigio at about $20 a bottle your yearly cost would be $3,600 a year. That is a real difference in a down economy. As the saying goes – 3,240 pennies saved are 3,240 pennies earned and if you are in a 30% Federal Tax Bracket and 9% State Rate you would have to earn $5,901.64 annually to drink $20 wine. For more information on this important health issue, go to http://www.thebestcaliforniawine.com/.

Now personally I am not a fan of Two Buck Chucks but I have friends that are... Some of them even swear by it... funny if I bring over a good bottle that gets put away for private reserve until the guest leave.... The moral of the story here is how much it really cost... People are always asking me how to save money. The answer is simple - Think about what items really cost over a long period of time. If you drank the cheaper wine in a couple of years you would start to accumulate some pretty nice savings.

OK, this has nothing to do with real estate... but if you need to save money... buy the cheaper wine.

Have a great day,

Jeff

Long Beach Home Solutions

http://www.jeffhallrealtor.com/

jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com

Above article taken from Duane Gomer at http://www.duanegomer.com/ (the picture was taken on Fishermans Island in Venice Italy in 2002)

Sometimes we just need some humor....

Sometimes we just need to smile... we all take life a bit too serious... I know I do. So click on the link sit back and just enjoy this clip.

Click here: YouTube - Uncle Jay Explains: Year-end! 12-22-08

Enjoy,

Jeff

2009 Year of New Beginnings

2009 a Year for New Beginnings has been my mantra for the few months. 2008 was not the easiest on record or for the matter the worse for me either. Sometimes we allow ourselves to be dragged down with what we hear in the media, and that clouds our own world. Staying positive for all of us is not easy to do... but you know I try.

Part of the new beginnings is to be become more familiar with current trends. Our world changes so fast that what is hot today is old tomorrow. I continually read real estate trade magazines and just completed Web 2.0 certification.

So in the months ahead look for new and exciting technologies coming your way.

Now go out and enjoy the New Year and allow 2008 to be but a memory.

Jeff Hall
Long Beach Home Solutions
http://www.jeffhallrealtor.com/
jeff@jeffhallrealtor.com