The Real View

head_left_image

Boomers Top 10 Tips To Let It Go!

Clearng clutter and unnecessaries at any age is not a bad idea!  Too often, we see people buy homes simply as a way to accommodate more "stuff." Baby Boomers do so will be a gift for their kids and grandkids at some point in time.

Via Larry & Sheila Nassau/Suffolk LongIsland Relocation Certified~631-805-4400 (Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr,Plainview NY 11803):
Boomers Top 10 Tips To Let It Go! 
 
Larry and Sheila do a considerable amount of business working with seniors who are either downsizing or thinking about it.
 
When deciding if it's time for Baby Boomers to leave their family home for a smaller place, there are many things to think about. Of course, for most, it is never an easy choice to make.
 
You don't need your large house anymore.
 
You don't want to clean your large house anymore.
 
You don't want the financial burdens that are attached to owning a large house.
 
You also don't want to think about how difficult it might be to sort through everything in your large house to get ready for the move.
 
However, Larry and Sheila are finding that many consumers do want to simplify their lifestyles, less maintenance, more travel, more leisure time. In other words, they want to free up their time and energy for more creative pursuits.

 

To help Baby Boomers prepare for the downsizing move, here are 10 Tips to help de-clutter your home. By the way, for those of you "youngsters" who don't know who the "Baby Boomers" are, they are those who were born just after World War II and are called so because of the boom in the number of babies born during that period.

 

1. Start Slow ~  Start with a room that is not often used anymore, like a basement, a formal dining room, or those extra spare bedrooms. This way you avoid cluttering the areas of the home that are used regularly.

 
2. Sort Everything ~ While still in your current residence, sort through everything. Look around the house and toss everything away that you genuinely don't need. Put aside the items that you can sell or donate and take care of those before you move.
 
3. Closets ~ Assort your clothes and really look at the things that you haven't worn in a long time, or don't even fit you anymore. If you haven't worn something in a couple of years, it's time to let go.
 
4. Furniture ~ Really look at all your furniture and think about the space you will have in your new place. When you start with the large items like furniture, you will feel you are  more progressive. Then you can move towards the smallest items like knick-knacks or collectibles.
 
 

5. Let The Family Have Stuff ~ If you still have things that belong to your children or other family members, see it they want them. Otherwise get rid of it. If they don't want it, why are you holding onto it?

 
6. Storage/Attics/Garages ~ Look at your tools, mowers, storage, outdated anything, or whatever else is stored in your garage and get rid of what you don't need. If you move into a condo, chances are they provide all the yard maintenance for you, so do you really need this stuff? There’s usually good items to sell in a garage sale. Why not make extra money, while cleaning out the home.
 
7. Personal Papers And Photographs ~ These often take the most time to go through. Take your time and decide whether to keep, save for your children, or shred. You don’t need to discard photos, but you do need to consider how to organize and store them.
 
8. Gifts And Sentimental Items ~ If you're still hanging onto your children's school papers, and old clothes, ask yourself why? Also as to those gifts that you have received for all kinds of occasions, it’s okay to let go of well-intended but not-quite-on-the-mark gifts. Maybe keep a clear plastic “memory box” for the very special items you want to keep.
 
9. Keep, Sell, Donate, Or Trash ~ Although it maybe difficult to part with possessions, doing so is often a must for anyone planning to downsize. Begin by dividing belongings into keep, sell, donate, and trash categories.  Knowing that others will appreciate these things might make parting with the items a bit easier.
 
10. Let Things Go ~  Don't be afraid to let things go. After all, they are just material things and you might feel a little better living a little lighter. Start to de-clutter your home ahead of the move, you will be able to move into a smaller home easier, lighter and ready for the new excitement ahead!
 
And, of course, #11 would be to call Larry and Sheila, Realtors with Charles Rutenberg Realty at 631-805-4400, if you are downsizing on The North Shore Of Long Island!
 

Larry And Sheila Long Island Realtors 

All content, including text, photographs and images, remains the exclusive property of Suffolk Experts.  Only with written permission of Larry & Sheila may anything be used by others. All information is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. Suffolk Experts and Larry & Sheila make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, delays in information, any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.   

If you or anyone you know is considering to sell their existing home on The North Shore Of Long Island, or is purchasing their first home, dream home, step-up home, or retirement residence, we would appreciate the opportunity to serve them, and we can also recommend a relocation professional in the destination of choice outside our Long Island area! 

                    

 

  

And the winner is...

What a surprise!  Have been a long-time fan of RealBirds and had bought the first Kindle when it came out. Have remained a fan of RealBird team, and have a renewed awe of Kindle with its FIRE!  Thanks Gabe, Zolatan and RealBird for the surprise:-)

Via Real Bird (RealBird Inc.):

The recent RealBird sweepstakes ended on Nov 15 and the winner is Roberta Murphy of San Diego Previews Real Estate from Carlsbad, CA

Amazon shipped the Kindle Fire by Thanksgiving night and Roberta was kind to share us a photo of her showing the tablet:

Roberta with the Kindle Fire

Congratulation Roberta and thanks for everybody for participating.

We'll do it again soon...

-- The RealBird Team
www.realbird.com 

Iron Fist: San Diego's Newest Micro Brewery


San Diego Brewery

Iron Fist Brewery

Vista, CA–Our very own Eve Sieminski, along with her wonderful family, has opened a quiickly-growing brewery in Vista--and what a hit has become.

San Diego is becoming (if not already) the beer micro-brewery capital of our country and the Iron Fist Brewing Company in Vista holds the promise of being a double-fisted knock-out success–and a real prize for San Diego.

The brau haus is brand new, sparking clean, boasts state of the art brewing equipment and the  keen Belgian brewing sensibilities of a traditional Polish family.  Mike and I attended the Iron Fist Brewery’s crowded soft opening where we enjoyed two tasting flights of beer and snippets of conversation with old friends Greg and Eve Sieminski (also a San Marcos Realtor with San Diego Previews Real Estate), Brandon Sieminski (Biermeister) and Adrian Sieminski with wife Kalyn, who both  greeted the crowds.  Continue....

 

San Diego Home Search

Carlsbad Real Estate

 

 

25 Priciest Zip Codes for Homes in US

Mailbox and Expensive Zip CodesThere are around 43000 zip codes in this country (it's a number that's always changing) and Forbes recently published their list of the 500 most expensive zips.

I wrote a commentary in LuxuryHomeDigest about these most pricy zips in the country and thought there might be some interest here at Active Rain. It seems most of the top cendendors are located in California (13) or New York (10) with one each in Gibson Island, Maryland and in Alpine, New Jersey.

Was happy to see our local Rancho Santa Fe, which in prior years had topped the list, in 13th place. And San Diego County, ironically, also had 13 of Forbe's 500 zips--topped of course by Rancho Santa Fe.

Here's the compiled list:

1. Duarte, CA 91008 $4,276,462
2. Atherton, CA 94026 $4,010,200
3. Rolling Hills, CA 90274 $3,892,456
4. Alpine, NJ 07620 $3,814.885
5. New York, NY 10014 $3,785,445
6. Beverly Hills, CA 90210 $3,684,150
7. New York, NY 10065 $3,626,001
8. Belvedere, CA 94920 $3,283,269
9. New York, NY 10012 $3,221,371
10. Santa Barbara, CA 93108 $3,151,220
11. Old Westbury, NY 11568 $3,110,769
12. New York, NY 10013 $3,101,848
13. Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 $3,055,740
14. Hidden Hills, CA 91302 $3,055,538
15. Los Altos, CA 94022 $3,048,846
16. Newport Beach, CA 92661 $3,036,601
17. Watermill, NY 11976 $3,006,849
18. Los Altos Hills, CA 94024 $2,974,058
19. Bridgehampton, NY 11932 $2,959,231
20. Hillsborough, CA 94010 $2,948,423
21. Mill Neck, NY 11765 $2,835,000
22. New York, NY 10003 $2,925,587
23. Gibson Island, MD 21056 $2,765,385
24. Malibu, CA 90265 $2,730,577
25. New York, NY 10021 $2,671.667

Pack a Box and Change a Life

Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world with an abysmal literacy rate. Schools have been demolished and many teachers have been either executed or banished from their home towns. 

We could point fingers, find blame and have unending political discussions--but that just doesn't seem appropriate when brave teachers in Afghanistan are willing to re-enter makeshift classrooms filled with students wanting to learn.

Put your checkbook away, because what these kids and teachers need are basic school supplies. US and Canadian soldiers are assisting in this venture, and are undoubtedly providing some level of protection.  

12X12X5.5-inch boxes can be picked up or ordered from the US Postal Service for free. Pack one or two or three as tightly as you can with paper, pencils, rulers, erasers, world maps, and whatever else you believe a school or student might need.

For around $12.50 you can mail one of these boxes, regardless of weight, in care of (mark box as school supplies):

CH (CPT) J. Joseph DuWors 
HHT, 4/2 SCR 
FOB SPIN BOLDAK 

APO AE 09355

This military Chaplain and Captain writes:

Some have asked about possibly supporting local schools or children. If you are still interested, the time to begin collecting is now. Due to the challenges of this area, many times, if there is a school building, there may not be a teacher. Or, if there is a school and teacher, there may not be supplies. Many of the schools have been damaged and teachers driven off by the Taliban more than four years ago. 

Our presence and influence here is aimed at providing security for the legitimate government of Afghanistan. We hope that security will enable schools to once again reappear. Our long-term plan for regional stability includes schooling for Afghani children. 

We do have some resources locally to obtain the necessary supplies. However, we could really use some help. So, if anyone is interested in sending care packages of humanitarian aid for schools, below I am listing basic school supply items that would be helpful. 

I will be consolidating all school supplies for distribution, and, if my boss allows, I will go with the soldiers to distribute it so I can send you pictures and video or your school supplies reaching the children. 

The mailing address remains the same as regular care packages. Thanks again for not just thinking of us, but of those whom we are here to support as well. 

Writing Materials is the primary need: 
Pens 
Pencils & Sharpeners 
Erasers 
Paper pads 
Notebooks 
(Any kind of paper is useful) 
Please no crayons (they will melt) 
If you want to send markers for drawing that is okay 
chalk and erasers 
rulers 

You may also consider: 
school backpacks 
chalkboards 
floor matts for sitting on world maps 
soccer balls 

Again, Thanks!!!

CH (CPT) J. Joseph DuWors
HHT, 4/2 SCR FOB SPIN BOLDAK 

APO AE 09355

FANNIE MAE SET TO COLLECT ON DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS CAUSED BY STRATEGIC DEFAULTS.

How we wish the politicians/profiteers could fall under the jurisdiction of Lenn Harley and be forced to live by her logic!

Via Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate:

Lenn Harley

HEY FANNIE MAE.  I HEAR YOU'RE PLANNING A COOKOUT FOR THE 4TH OF JULY.

GAMES FOR THE PARTY.  FANNIE MAE PLANS A TREASURE HUNT. 

Hey Fannie Mae!  I heard you're COOKIN' UP some new ways to bury the American home owner deeper into financial ruin.

YOU'RE PARTNERS AT THE FED AND TREASURY DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB WITH THAT "TARP" thing where you gave the investment banks, commercial banks and insurance companies about $2,000,000,000,000.  That's Trillion. 

Since you started this COOKOUT when you approved and purchased all of those sub-prime, Alt-A and other mortgage instruments that were securitized and sold by fat cat traders to fat cat investors on Wall Street  You know the guys, the ones that sold the securities backed by mortgages on American home owners' property. 

IF THE AMERICAN HOME OWNER IS IN A POSITION OF NEGATIVE EQUITY, WHY CANNOT THEY CLAIM A FINANCIAL LOSS FOR TAX PURPOSES AND "WRITE IT OFF" as a corporation can do when they lose money on investments or P&L????  Why is the American home owner the entity that many would FORCE to have to HOLD THE PROPERTY WITH NO MARKET VALUE, LIVE IN IT AND CONTINUE TO PAY FOR IT WHEN IT NO LONGER MAKES ANY FINANCIAL SENSE.

The corporation USES THE TAX LAWS TO MITIGATE THEIR LOSSES.  

Only the American home owner is forced to live in and continue to pay for their financial loss even when they didn't make the decisions that caused the loss

Some other ideas to put some money in the treasury.  I know where you can collect a cool, $50,000,000.

Prosecute Franklin Raines for falsifying the Financial Reports for Fannie Mae to enhance his bonus income.  Of course when the gig was up, he walked away with a cool $50,000,000.  Mr. Raines is a known FOB, (Friend of Bill (Clinton).

Or. . . .

You might go after Christopher Dodd too for promoting sub-prime loans that were the Countrywide speciality while he got favorable interest rates from Countrywide as a "Friend of Angelo". 

AMERICAN HOME OWNERS DON'T HAVE ANY FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES.  They're prime targets (pun intended).  Oh sure, the home owner is the easier target because, for starters, although they haven't broken any laws, they won't have the resources to fight you when you bring the power of the federal government down on them.  Collection will be easy, just assess, garnish and rake in the money.  You have the power.  Of course, the economy will be slowed that much more by taking a few million consumers out of the credit market, but shucks, isn't that part of the plan???  To reduce the American consumer to a supplicant with no credit, no resources and no financial future. 

Another idea.  Why not give the collection job to your buddies at ACORN

 

Inspired by Richard Zaritsky's post, BANKS BEGIN TO GO AFTER DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS - FANNIE MAE POINTS THE WAY

Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.


_______________________________________________________________________________________________________


Want to learn more about Loudoun County, VA? Join Loudoun County, VA on Facebook!

Five Ways to Upgrade and Put the "Bam" In Your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page (Part II)

Part II in this excellent series from Rebecca Levinson.

Via Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing Consultant (Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision):

Five Ways to Upgrade and Put the "Bam" In Your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page (Part II)



In  Part I of "Five Ways to Upgrade and Put the Bam in Your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page"
we discussed why it's important to have a full service offering that is branded toward your real estate business and market.  We built the foundation of that customization process by learning how install and use the static FMBL application for Facebook.

In Part II of this series we are going to start using our real estate marketing skillz, and the tools and applications available to customize your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page.  The first step is to give visitors what they are seeking on the Internet when it comes to real estate.....real estate listings of course.

 

How to Add Your Real Estate Listings to Your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page



The Roost Social Real Estate Platform application allows you to add real estate listings to your real estate Facebook fan page.  This application makes it super easy to add listings to your real estate profile provided by Roost.  It will take you through 5 easy steps in which you will:

1. Create a Facebook Fan Page.  If you already have a Real Estate Facebook Fan Page it will pull your Fan Page(s) (and Personal Pages).  Once you have completed this step the applications will ask you to read the Terms and Conditions (read them) and then move onto Step 2 by clicking the hyperlink "Create Profile" next to your Facebook Real Estate Fan Page.

 

Click Create Profile Next to your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page

 

 

2. Create a Profile- The Roost Social Real Estate Platform Application will ask you to create a profile.  You will add your name, photo, logo, slogan, business profile, phone number, links to website, and email address and then you will pick your Real Estate State and City.  The next step is to choose which data you want to display:  Roost.com data, Altos Research Chart, Education.com stats, and Walkscore.  You will choose which ones you want to include by checking these options on your profile. 

 

Complete your Profile in Detail to build your Real Estate Listings tab



A few really slick things about this profile creation tool:Click Create Profile next to your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page

  • It builds your real estate tab on the right hand side as you add information so you can preview what it looks like. 
  • It pulls the location of your logo and head shot photos so you don't have to go searching around for them on your computer.
  • It allows someone else to build the Real Estate Listings tab for you (such as a personal or virtual assistant).


When you are done click the button "Save Settings" at the bottom of the profile builder.



3. Add your Real Estate Listings Tab to Your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page.  Return to the Roost Social Real Estate Platform Application Page and Click the hyperlink"Add to my Page" located in the left-hand margin under the Roost logo. 

 

The roost social application is underneath the logo

 

 

You will get a pop-up box that says "Add Roost-Social Media Platform to Your Page". Click the tab "Add to Page" located next to the name of your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page. Click the link .  You will get a pop-up box that says "Add Roost-Social Media Platform to Your Page". 

 

Click the tab "Add to Page" located next to the name of your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page.

 

Click the tab add to page

 

 

 

 

4.  Return to your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page and click the "Edit your Page" hyperlink located under your Logo.  

Under the category "Applications" find the one titled, "Roost-Social Real Estate Platform" and click the hyperlink "Application Settings".

 

Find the Roost- Social Real Estate Platform Application

 

 

You will get a pop-up box that says "Edit Roost- Social Real Estate Platform Settings".  Next to the "Tab" option click the hyperlink, "add" and then click the "Okay" button in the right-hand bottom corner of the pop-up box.

 

 

Click "Add" then Click "Okay" in the tab setting

 

 

5.  Scroll back up the page when the pop-up box disappears and Click the "View Page" hyperlink at the top of the Edit the Page Screen.  Click the >> sign at the top of your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page and look for the tab "Real Estate".


Drag and Drop the Real Estate listings tab to your desired location

 

And BAM, you have you your new real estate listings tab and have made an important update to your Real Estate Facebook Fan page with a delectable new offering.

 

Bam...Your Real Estate Listings Tab has been created and published to your Fan Page



How To Remove those Unwanted Facebook Tabs from Your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page



Hang with me for one more minute.  In Part I of this series I mentioned that Facebook will only let you have four custom tabs on your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page.  The "Wall" tab and the "Info" tab are static and unable to be deleted as of this posting.  In order to make room for the upgrades in the upcoming Part III of this series, I want you to do some housekeeping.

We are going to remove the Discussions Tab and the Reviews tab that are on your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page when you first set it up. 

1.  Go to your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page. 

 


2.  Click on the "Discussions" Tab.
  You will see a pencil icon when you click on the Discussions tab.  Click on the pencil icon and an option to "Delete" tab will come up.

 

Click on the Discussions tab

 
3.  Click on "Delete Tab".  Your Discussions tab will be eliminated.

 

Click the Delete tab



Repeat the same three steps exactly as outlined to remove the "Reviews" tab.

Now you have cut the fat and laid the table for a mighty feast and some hungry visitors.  Today we have removed the Discussions and Reviews tab and added the delectable "Real Estate listings tab to your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page.  In Part III we will add two additional tabs to your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page and in Part IV we will use that handy Static FBML application to build a Welcome Page for your visitors.


BAM.



If you enjoyed this post about Facebook, then check out these social media marketing and blogging how to's:



Bookmark and Share

Subscribe to Blogging In The Rain, A Real Estate Marketing Blog

*************************************************************************************

Rebecca D. Levinson of Real Skillz is a real estate marketing consultant with 18 years of experience serving real estate professionals.  Real Skillz Real estate marketing services include,

 

  • Blogging- See my Blogging Tune-Up Website for Details
  • Social Networking
  • Niche Marketing
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Branding- See my Branding Sanity Website for Details
  • Offline Marketing
  • Online Marketing
  • Special Events Promotion and Marketing
  • Holiday Marketing
  • Marketing Campaigns
  • Email Marketing (Content and Design)
  • Reputation Management

 

If you treat real estate as a business then Real Skillz is a desirable real estate marketing solution. Call #262-745-0715 or email rebecca@realestateskillz.com.

 

Five Ways to Upgrade and Put the "Bam" In Your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page(Part I)

Thanks to Rebecca Levinson for a great Facebook Business Page development tutorial!

Via Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing Consultant (Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision):

Five Ways to Upgrade and Put the "Bam" in Your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page (Part I)



If you're a fan of Emeril Lagasse then you know that everytime he knocks down a great recipe in front of a live audience he adds a little spice, a little kick, a little something extra at the end of the dish so when everything is mixed together and the cooking is done....BAM.

Emeril puts the bam in every one of those dishes he makes so the results are scintillating.  Voila, that extra special something really knocks out your taste buds.

Facebook has a huge audience of willing participants as long as you're serving the right dishes for their hungry palates.  How do you make sure those participants visit, become a member of, and refer your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page to their friends and family?  Over the next four days I will dish you up five ways to upgrade with ease and put the "Bam" in Your Real Estate Facebook Fan Page.


Download the FBML Static Application

The static fbml application will allow you to use html or fbml (facebook markup language) to create customized tabs for your Facebook Fan Page Once you download the application (make sure you choose to install it on your Facebook Fan Page as opposed to your Profile page) you will find it under your logo on your Facebook Real Estate Fan Page.

 

 

Click here to access the Downloaded Facebook FBML application


Click "Edit Page" and you will see the static FBML application.  Click on the "Edit" hyperlink and you will be able to create a customized tab for your Facebook Fan Page.

 

 

The Static FBML Application is under the Edit Page Menu

 

You will be brought to a screen that asks you for a box title "title of your tab" and a box for FBML. In the box for FBML insert your FBML or HTML. This is similar to when you create notes on Facebook or when you create a blog post and use HTML instead of the WYSWIG processor

 

 

Insert the title of your custom tab and your html (content) in the Edit FBML box

 



Once you have added your content you will click the blue box titled "Save Changes" and then go back to your Fan Page.  Click the "Edit Page" hyperlink under your Fan Page's logo again and then go to your FBML application which will look like this "name of your tab-FBML".  Click "Application Settings" and then you will get a pop-up box that says "Edit Static FBML Settings". 

 

Click Application Settings under your newly created customFBML Tab

 

 

Click the "Add" button next to the "Tab" option in the "Edit Static FBML Settings" pop-up box.

 

 

Click Add to make your new custom tab active

 



Click the >> sign next to your tabs if you don't see your new custom tab on your fan page.  Your fan page will allow you to display six tabs- 2 predetermined- wall and info, and 4 custom.  If you want to rearrange the order of your tabs, right click your mouse and drag your tab to the position you prefer it to be in on your wall.

 

Find your new tab and move it by clicking and dragging it


If you want to create more than one custom tab, scroll to the bottom of your existing application page and click the hyperlink that says "Add another FBML box".  You will do this each time you want to add custom tabs to your Facebook Business Page.

 

 

It's Not Tricky.  Click "Add Another FBML Box" to create another custom tab

 

You now know how to create custom tabs and upgrade your Facebook Fan Page.  In Part 2, I will discuss which custom tabs will accentuate your Real Estate Fan Page and how to get rid of or mask some of those Facebook tabs that just don't have that "bam".


If you enjoyed this post about Facebook, then check out these social media marketing and blogging how to's:



Bookmark and Share

Subscribe to Blogging In The Rain, A Real Estate MarketIt's not tricky...Click "Add another FBML box" to make another custom tabing Blog

*************************************************************************************

 

Rebecca D. Levinson of Real Skillz is a real estate marketing consultant with 18 years of experience serving real estate professionals.  Real Skillz Real estate marketing services include,

 

  • Blogging- See my Blogging Tune-Up Website for Details
  • Social Networking
  • Niche Marketing
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Branding- See my Branding Sanity Website for Details
  • Offline Marketing
  • Online Marketing
  • Special Events Promotion and Marketing
  • Holiday Marketing
  • Marketing Campaigns
  • Email Marketing (Content and Design)
  • Reputation Management

 

If you treat real estate as a business then Real Skillz is a desirable real estate marketing solution. Call #262-745-0715 or email rebecca@realestateskillz.com.

 

Chinese Drywall Gassing Your Home?

Carlsbad, CA–It appears owners of San Diego real estate–and those who remodeled their homes in 2003-2005, may have been spared the corrosive and noxious results that can stem from certain Chinese drywall products.

Most of the sulphur-laden Chinese drywall was shipped in 2004-2005 to Hurricane Katrina-ravaged states that were trying to repair and rebuild their storm damaged homes.

Florida, Louisiana and other states battered by Hurricane Katrina are facing a secondary assault– this time from poisonous  Chinese drywall that was imported to help bolster supplies needed for repair and construction of homes damaged by the hurricane. It was also apparently used during the building boom that exploded across the country during the early and mid-2000’s.

But what about San Diego real estate and the homes constructed during the building boom?

It appears San Diego homes may have dodged the sulphur bullet.

Even so, how can you tell if you have toxic Chinese drywall in your home or business?

Continue reading here

Oceanside Terraces Sold on Auction Block

The Oceanside Terraces auction took place last summer, but we still receive calls weekly wondering about the disposition of these luxury urban condos.

The story unfolds:

It took some doing, but we were finally allowed into the auction room where high bidders would be able to purchase the remaining 29 residences at the Oceanside Terraces. We wanted to be able to report on the results (as we are doing now), but someone with Accelerated Marketing Partners tried to block our entry. An executive with the firm eventually intervened, and we were allowed into the room where approximately 100 registered bidders were seated.

The auction was orderly, and Eve Sieminski, Mike, Scott and I were able to see most of the bidding activity from where we sat at the back of the room. And in a little over an hour, the remaining 29 residences at Oceanside Terraces were sold. Winning bids ranged from a low of $405,000 for a 1986 sf condo on the 3rd floor north end of building, to a high of $781,000 for the prime ocean-facing 6h floor penthouse with over 2500 sf of living space.  The largest residence and penthouse on the southeast corner of Oceanside Terraces has 2563 sf, a sweeping ocean view to La Jolla,  and was sold at the surprisingly low price of $757,000.

Auction pricing?

Continued here: