Real Estate Information Archive

Lease agreements may not seem like much of a newsworthy topic, but here in Orange County, the word that Amazon is moving to town is spreading like wildfire!

The location in question is the Spectrum Building at 40 Pacifica in Irvine. This high-end office building, until last year, was the home of an FDIC satellite office. The FDIC, as you may recall, has been in charge of swooping into communities to clean up the messes that the recent financial crisis has left behind. Namely, this “clean up” has been in the form of managing receiverships and liquidating the assets of failed financial institutions.

However, last year the FDIC elected not to renew its lease in the Spectrum Building, freeing up about 110,000 square feet of office space. And according to CoStar Group Inc., a2z Development (a unit of Amazon) is set to move into the building in July of 2012.

So Why is This Such Good News?

The fact that the FDIC no longer feels it is necessary to maintain an office in Orange County is a clear sign of improving health in the financial sector—significantly helping to lift the cloud of economic doubt in Orange County. But even more exciting is how filling up that office space with the likes of a2z Development will positively impact the local economy. For starters, this means a boost in jobs. In fact, the a2z Development website has already listed openings for over a dozen jobs in its new Orange County office. This inlcudes positions for game designers, lead engineers and software developers.

A boost in jobs in Orange County could very well translate into an influx of new homebuyers, which is very good news for the health of Orange County real estate. Moreover, Amazon’s continued presence in Orange County will likely bolster the local economy, as Amazon and Amazon employees bring money into the community—also great news for Orange County real estate!

Written by a Cop for Our Own Safety......Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or a loved one's life.

This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children, & everyone you know. After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do! 

2. Found this in a tourist guide; if a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you....Chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights, stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy...The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sitting (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.  

If someone is in the car with a gun to your head

DO NOT DRIVE OFF,     Repeat:     DO NOT DRIVE OFF!

Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car...

Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

 5. a few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:  A.) be aware: look around you; look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.

 B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.

C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side...   If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out.

IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY.

(And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)

 7. if a predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator may hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zigzag pattern!

 8. as women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It! It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked ’for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

 9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird.  The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door...'The lady  then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window,  and she was worried that it would crawl  to the street  and get run over. The policeman said, 'we already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby...

He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.

 10. Water scam! If you wake up in the middle of the night to hear all your taps outside running or what you think is a burst pipe, DO NOT GO OUT TO INVESTIGATE! These people turn on all your outside taps full blast so that you will go out to investigate and then attack.  Stay alert, keep safe, and look out for your neighbors!

Please pass this on...

This should be taken seriously because the Crying Baby Theory was mentioned on America's Most Wanted when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana.      

Send this to any woman you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it and it's better to be safe than sorry. I have had this a file on my computer for a long time and just recently a friend sent it to me. I thought it was worthy of publishing to our friends and clients

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (714) 726-3166 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move. We like Texting!

Equal parts nature trail, educational exhibit, and piece of living history—the Olinda Oil Museum and Trail in Brea is a must-see for history buffs and avid hikers alike. This 12-acre historical park features the original Olinda Oil Well #1. Drilled in 1897, this is one of the oldest working oil wells in the state. There is also a jackline pump, the original field house for the Olinda Oil operation, various pieces of field equipment from the past, a vault and warehouse. Here you can browse a collection of old photos depicting life as an oil worker, or “wildcatter” as they were commonly known back then. Interpretive exhibits in the field house explain the oil drilling process and the geologic significance of the area.

Once you’ve finished exploring the museum, it’s time to take an enjoyable, mild hike along the two-mile trail. Follow the footsteps of early pioneers who came to Olinda in search of oil. Placards along the trail show how things used to look. But perhaps most impressive are the panoramic views of Orange County the trail affords. On a clear day you can even see the ocean!

The City of Brea maintains the Olinda Oil Museum and Trail. Brand new restrooms, a paved parking lot and picnic tables have been provided for visitors’ comfort and convenience.

The Olinda Oil Museum and Trail is an important piece of history, and while entry to the park is free, donations at the gate are greatly appreciated. The park is always in need of volunteers to give tours and to staff the field office. Volunteering is a great way to deepen your historical knowledge while giving back to the Brea community. Training is provided.

For information on volunteering or to schedule a group tour, call Sean Matlock at (714) 671-4447.

The Olinda Oil Museum and Trail is located in the Olinda Ranch neighborhood, at 4025 Santa Fe Road in Brea. The park gates are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Today my wife (Carol) had a call from a new client who was very angry with her. She hadn't even shown them any property yet. The client was referred to us by their lender whom she had had occasion to work with before. The buyer called Carol about a specific home in Anaheim Hills they had fallen in love with on paper. Carol called the agent who said they already had a strong offer over list price with 25% down and great FICO scores, and he would call if anything happened to that offer, even taking her cell phone number. Carol conveyed the information back to the buyers and emailed them several other properties similar in size and price range. The arrangements were made to view the available properties on Saturday 4 days later. The next day the buyer saw it still available on the web and called the listing agent. He told them the home was available and would they like to see it.

Now you know why the buyer was angry with Carol?

After about 20 minutes of conversation going over what the selling agent and Carol talked about, the client realized Carol conveyed the information the selling agent had given to her. Of course when Carol called back the listing agent his comment was the first offer fell out and they accepted another offer on the same day. In the past we had had a good relationship with this agent and would never have figured he would of played these kinds of games. This is not the first time and it probably won't be the last time this type of thing happens to all of us in today’s cloudy real estate ethics market.  We Hate Disingenuous Real Estate Agents!

If you are ready to start the process you will find our Home Buyers Guide Helpful

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (714) 726-3166 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move. Texting ok

Located at the corner of Randolph and Madison, the Brea Community Center is a place where fun, fitness and friendly smiles converge. Whether you are interested in joining a sports team, finding a fun and safe place for your child after school, helping your teenager connect with peers in a healthy way, or simply getting in shape—the Brea Community Center has a wide range of programs and resources for you and your family. Between the onsite Fitness Center, Family Resource Center and a whole host of special events throughout the year, the Brea Community Center is really many facilities in one!

For adults, Brea Community Center offers a number of competitive basketball, volleyball, softball and flag football leagues year-round. Sports leagues are a great way to get exercise and make new friends—something you’re never too old to do. For younger athletes, the Community Center has basketball and soccer leagues for boys and girls.

Looking for a positive hangout for your teen? Bring them to “The Zone,” a fun space designed for teens by teens. There are plenty of activities at “The Zone,” such as foosball, board games, pool, video games and computers. “The Zone” also sponsors special events, such as dances and game tournaments throughout the year. Teens are free to choose their own activities and come as go as they please, allowing them to feel independent. And because “The Zone” is always supervised by an adult staff, parents can maintain peace of mind.

There are also a number of programs and activities for the little ones. Whether you are looking for after-school care, fun summer camps, or a safe place to drop off your child while you work out, Brea Community Center is committed to happy, healthy kids!

Looking to get in shape? Whether you prefer a solitary workout or thrive on the energy of group exercise, The Brea Fitness Center has what you’re looking for. In addition to a full-size gym and a cardio/weight room, the Fitness Center has numerous fitness classes—everything from Belly Dance and Cycling to Yoga and Zumba. Check out the Group Fitness Schedule to find the class that fits you. There are also personal trainers available to help you meet your fitness goals, nutrition experts to help you tackle your eating habits, and massage therapists to help work out the kinks after a rigorous workout.

The Brea Community Center also provides important classes and services through its Family Resource Center. Here, members can take parenting classes, receive individual and family counseling, attend personal finance workshops, find support groups and receive health screenings.

For more information about the Brea Community Center, call (714) 990-7100. For a map and directions, click here.

Is it time to buy your first home? Well, if you are paying $2200 a month on rent, then it may be time to make that move into homeownership. With as little as 3% down payment and closing costs (some of which you can as the seller to pay for you) you can buy a home for $350,000 and be paying the same amount in house payment as you are paying in rent. Some cities have first time buyer programs or there may be federal programs available to help with silent seconds or down payment assistance. Plus you gain a tax benefit from being able to deduct the interest and property taxes from your gross income. Of course talk to a good lender, which we can help you find, before you get started in your home buying search.

So, is it the time for you to buy and become a homeowner?

If you are ready to start the process you will find our Home Buyers Guide Helpful

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (714) 726-3166 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move. Texting ok