My Traditional Toast to the New Year

December 31, 2010


Alfred Lord Tennyson's long poem "In Memoriam" always comes to mind as one year comes to an end and another begins. There is something very cleansing and celebratory about the ringing out and the ringing in.


"Ring out wild bells to the wild sky,


The flying cloud, the frosty light:


The year is dying in the night;


Ring out, wild bells and let him die.


Ring out false pride in place and blood,


The civic slander and the spite;


Ring in the love of truth and right,


Ring in the common love of good,


Ring out the shapes of foul disease,


Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;


Ring out the thousand wars of old,


Ring in the thousand years of peace."


Just a sampling, but, to me, it says it all.


Celebrate responsibly!

Are We There Yet?

December 30, 2010

I just did a quick review of my postings since 2006 for the last week of December. It was enlightening to review the observations on the year just ending and the hopes for the year going forward. In 2006, there was a feeling that the bubble had burst. In 2007, 2008 and 2009, there was the hope that the market was no longer deteriorating. Some of these posts were truly interesting. If you can, you might look them up.

For this ending of the year 2010, Dorothy's comment in The Wizard of Oz seems fitting, "Are we there yet?"

To answer this question, one would need to define "there". Where is it that we would like to be? Back in the irrationally exuberant boom? Probably most of us would like to be in a stable economy with continued low interest rates, prices that are somewhat better than a year ago and a decline in the rate of foreclosures. If the latter is "there", we are not yet "there".

In reflection, it seems that 2010 was a "teaser" year. One month the market improved. The next month it deteriorated. Up/down/up/down. Hence my description of the real estate market as "bouncing along the bottom". Not doom and gloom - just a market in the process of adjusting to the new financial environments.

Just Look at Your House This Way

December 29, 2010

When I opened my Wall Street Journal this morning, it was filled with articles bemoaning the rate of recovery in the housing marketplace. It brought to mind a new way of looking at home ownership. (This may need to be "R" rated as it is a bit on the tongue-in-cheek side.)

Let's assume that the basic needs of human beings are food, clothing and shelter. Some of us rent, some of us buy a home and some are still seeking shelter wherever it can be found.

Renters make a payment to a landlord in exchange for the right to occupy a property owned by the landlord. The landlord has the right to impose some rules - no colored paint on the walls, no nails to hang pictures. no parking in the driveway, etc, etc. The landlord can raise the rent and not renew the rental agreement.

Homeowners make payments to a lender. They can paint the walls any color they wish. They can hang as many pictures as they wish. They can park on the driveway, They can tear out walls, put in new appliances or do whatever strikes their fancy. As long as the homeowners make the payments specified in the note and trust deed, the lender cannot evict them or increase their monthly payments.

The similarity between renters and homeowners is that both are required to make payments to someone else.

The difference is that the renter doesn't care whether the value of the house goes up or down. The homeowner does.

Perhaps homeowners whose loans are more than the present value of their homes could just look at themselves as renters with extra privileges. Then they can stop focusing on what they paid (since many upside downers bought with 100% lender money) and focus on the fact that they have privileges vis a vis the property that renters do not. With some of the government programs that are in place, they might even be able to reduce their monthly payment. (The government is not sponsoring rent reductions, just loan modifications.)

In three to five years you'll be glad you refocused on the benefits of owning versus renting.

The Question Of 2010

December 28, 2010

As the year 2010 unfolded, the question that really needed to be answered was:

Who really controls the ownership of this property? Perhaps this seems a silly question since one can pull up the property address and the Assessor's records will show the name of the owner - the person on the records listed as title holder. What we discovered was that neither the name listed on title, nor the lender listed as the mortgagor really controlled the ownership of the property. The controlling party was probably some investor/s who bought the Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS).

The issue of ownership came to the fore when the borrower stopped making payments on the loan. Payments generally are paid to a loan servicing company that collected the monies and kept the accounting, but did not actually own the mortgage. These servicers can file the Notice of Default and begin the foreclosure process, but somewhere in the process, the holder of the note must also act. This created a great deal of confusion about who had the authority - particularly in the case of short sales. The holder of the note could actually be in Europe or Asia or perhaps a group of folks jointly.

Hence, we hope that the question of authority and ownership gets answered in 2011 and that this will make short sales happen in a timely matter. Until a chain of title can be restored, we may still have to suffer through inordinate delays in the sale of real property. Think about it - Securities - have you ever seen a chain of title for the stocks that you have bought and sold?

The 2010 Countdown

December 27, 2010

2010 has certainly been a roller coaster ride. One week the news media says the economy is improving. The next week, oh dear, it might be a double dip. In the meantime, those of us actively involved as professional agents in our local real estate markets continue to educate ourselves to meet the needs of our buyer prospects and seller prospects. In many ways, our local markets have been more of a "bump along the bottom" than the highs and lows of a roller coaster ride.

Some characteristics:

The bank owned property inventory was diminished compared to 2008 and 2009. Agents who had staked their careers and representing banks had to regroup.

Short sales continued to be a major factor.

In spite of the federal government's intervention and "new rules", it still took an inordinate amount of time to receive short sale approval from the lender.

Since many of the short sales involved more than one loan because the financing of choice during the "up market" was a first with a second or equity loan, negotiating skills became absolutely essential.

"Flipping" did not become obsolete. Investors with cash attended bank auctions on the court house steps, bought properties at some very low prices. did some fixing and put them on the market for a profit. (Attending a sale on the court house steps became a gathering of camaraderie and the use of lap tops to follow
the bids was pretty routine.)

First time home buyers enjoyed the tax credit, but did continue to stay in the market.

Agents adapted and, at least at CENTURY 21 Lois Lauer Realty, continued to be professional real estate agents.

Holiday Hiatus

December 23, 2010
It's two more days until Christmas Day. Time to finish up all the cooking, decorating and , oh yes, shopping. This blogger is taking a hiatus, but will be back on line on Monday, December 27. So here's a heartfelt wish for all.
Enjoy your holiday.
Keep traditions alive.
And in the famous words of Charles Dickens' Tiny Tim: "God bless us everyone."

The Lights are Merry and Bright

December 22, 2010

When the weather clears on the 23rd or 24th or maybe even this evening, there is an awesome sight to be seen in San Bernardino. The homeowners on Parkside Drive on the west side of the Arrowhead Country Club have obviously decided to compete with Riverside's Mission Inn. The decorations and light in approximately a two block area have created a true wonderland. Hopefully they have come through this record breaking rain storm and will be lit up for all passer-bys to enjoy. Turn right off the west bound Waterman Avenue exit on the 210 (30) and make a sharp left. Travel north and you will find this spectacular neighborhood spirit.

Here's A Useful Christmas Present

December 21, 2010
Looking for a gift for the person who has everything? Here is a suggestion for a unique but soon to be necessary item. As of July 1, 2011, certified carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in all single family dwellings having a fossil fuel burning heater or appliance (such as a gas stove, oven, dryer), fireplace (gas lighter or logs) or attached garage (hot water heater). The number of detectors that must be installed must be consistent with new construction guidelines. At least one device must be installed on each floor of a dwelling. The penalty for failure to comply is up to $200 for each offense, after a 30 day notice to correct.
The real estate sales disclosure has been modified to add a disclosure regarding carbon monoxide detectors. Other than the point of sale compliance, I am not sure exactly how the requirement will be enforced for the ordinary homeowner.
We are beginning to see homes where the homeowner has installed a carbon monoxide device. They resemble a thermostat in size and are electronic with a read out for carbon monoxide levels. The costs seem to range from $35 to $75.

Since Compromise is in the News...

December 20, 2010

All last week, the news media and the President were talking about compromise as the way to real a resolution of the extension of the unemployment insurance, the extension of the Bush tax cuts . Successful real estate agents know about negotiation and compromise. Part of their job is to help buyers and sellers understand that offers and counter offers are negotiations and that compromise may be necessary.

A seller lists the property at a price that hopefully will attract a buyer and that will be satisfactory to the seller. The buyer offers to purchase the property at a price the buyer believes the property is worth. In the current market, buyers often have spent a good deal of time online before they even make an appointment to look at a property. These buyers have educated themselves about property values, but sometimes forget that each property is unique in either condition, amenities or location.

Sellers often have not spent as much time online educating themselves. Often they have a vested interest in their homes because they have maintained and improved them during their period of ownership. Also, sellers today may remember the sales price that their neighbor obtained a few years ago and find it difficult to grasp that prices have dropped approximately 30-50% from the peak of 2005, 2006.

If a buyer has found a property that meets needs and most of the wants, being open to negotiation and ultimately compromise will be the best strategy to reach a successful purchase. If the seller receives an offer that may be considerably less than the asking price, negotiation and compromise are the best strategy for selling the property.

Except in the irrational "Boom Markets", negotiation and compromise are necessary for both the buyers and sellers to reach their goals - the purchase of a suitable home and the sale of one's property.

As was pointed out in the news this week: "Not everyone gets what they would like, but everyone gets something desirable."

California Welcome Center - Inland Empire

December 17, 2010

If you are looking for places to go and things to do in the Inland Empire, the California Welcome Center at 1555 Hunts Lane in San Bernardino is the place to go. I have known for some time that it a welcome center had been opened in our area, but I had never before checked it out. It is located on the east side of Hunts Lane just south of Hospitality Lane and next to the I-10 freeway underpass.

Inside you will find maps, fliers. brochures, etc. from organizations, cities, parks and businesses. The information covers the area from the dessert to the mountains plus some information on our neighboring states of Nevada, Utah and Arizona. The information is free. They do also have merchandise for sale such as Route 66 themed items, California t-shirts, San Bernardino Bicentennial cookbooks and at the moment some Christmas items.

The California Welcome Center is open on Weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Give Your Home A Holiday Gift

December 16, 2010

Remodeling magazine has conducted its "Cost vs. Value" survey of contractors and real estate agents since 1988. The magazine has just published the results of its 210 survey. According to Sal Alfano, editorial director, "Economic realities have generally snuffed out over-the-top kitchen remodels and room additions in favor of more modest jobs."

In the end, most people remodel for themselves - what they might need or want. "The top five "moderate projects" with the strongest payback at resale time, returning 72.2% or more of their costs: steel entry-door replacement (at a cost of about $1,200); Garage-door replacement ($1,000); wooden deck addition ($11,000); replacing 10 insulated, wooden windows clad in vinyl or aluminum ($12,000); an attic bedroom addition ($51,428)."

In our Inland Empire real estate market area, the two projects on this list that really do appeal to buyers - and that would be a great gift to your house) are garage door replacement and the replacement of single pane windows with the new dual pane windows.

Actually, these would not just be a gift to the house, they would be a gift to all the inhabitants.

Additional information from the survey can be found at http://www.remodeling.hw.net/

2010 By the Month - Median Prices

December 15, 2010

On Monday, I had posted the median November prices for the past eight years. I thought it might be interesting to see how the median prices have "bobbled" around in the months of 2010. Posted in thousands (169 = 169,000)

Banning/Beaumont.........Jan/169.....Feb/165.....Mar/185.....Apr/165.....May/185

..........................................June/171....July/170....Aug/170....Sept/165.....Oct/172

..........................................Nov/176

Bloomington....................Jan/135.....Feb/110.....Mar/150.....Apr/150.....May/155

.........................................June/120...July/129....Aug/145.....Sept/140....Oct/150

.........................................Nov/150

Colton..............................Jan/97.5....Feb/125.....Mar/100....Apr/128.....May/130

........................................June/150....July/105....Aug/121.....Sept/120....Oct/130

........................................Nov/119

Fontana..........................Jan/190.....Feb/200.....Mar/200...Apr/215.....May/200

........................................June/213...July/200.....Aug/210....Sept/200...Oct/190

........................................Nov/207

Grand Terrace...............Jan/236....Feb/200......Mar/250...Apr/200.....May/187

.......................................June/182...July/190......Aug/190....Sept/215.....Oct/223

.......................................Nov/236 and 205

Highland.......................Jan/163.....Feb/150......Mar/160....Apr/162.....May/173

......................................June/185...July/170......Aug/161.....Sept/200...Oct/191

......................................Nov/150

Loma Linda.................Jan/275.....Feb/240.....Mar/175.....Apr/240.....May/203

.....................................June/200...July/190....Aug/215.....Sept/250.....Oct/185

.....................................Nov/161

Mentone......................Jan/200.....Feb/225....Mar/200....Apr/190.....May/220

....................................June/78......July/195....Aug/112/156...Sept/159/235

....................................Oct/195......Nov/138/169

Moreno Valley...........Jan/150......Feb/199.....Mar/150.....Apr/157.....May/163

...................................June/160....July/150....Aug/155......Sept/159....Oct/155

...................................Nov/152

Redlands...................Jan/210.....Feb/207.....Mar/210.....Apr/227.....May/217

..................................June/221....July/200....Aug/237.....Sept/213....Oct/241

..................................Nov/215

Rialto.......................Jan/145.....Feb/144.....Mar/155.....Apr/155.....May/165

.................................June/165...July/150....Aug/158.....Sept/170....Oct/160

.................................Nov/159

Riverside.................Jan/185.....Feb/200.....Mar/190.....Apr/190....May/215

................................June/200...July/190....Aug/190.....Sept/200...Oct/190

................................Nov/194

San Bernardino.....Jan/95......Feb/92........Mar/90.......Apr/110.....May/107

...............................June/113...July/107......Aug/100.....Sept/100....Oct/105

...............................Nov/105

Yucaipa/Calimesa..Jan/160....Feb/195.....Mar/199.....Apr/179.....May/209

.................................June/190..July/170....Aug/212.....Sept/212....Oct/193

.................................Nov/175

These numbers are influenced by the type of property that is sold. In situations such as Mentone where there may only be one property sold in a month, the median can become totally skewed. It has been a bit of a bumpy ride this year, but the trading ranges are fairly consistent.

The Holiday Season HAs Definitely Arrived

December 14, 2010

It may be a tad early to take the drive around after dark to see all the holiday decorations, but homeowners are certainly adding great lighting to their homes. Of course there are also the large nylon snowmen, Santa's and a variety of other toys.
Folks come from all parts of Southern California to enjoy the lighting spectacular at the Mission Inn in Riverside. It becomes a holiday tradition to walk Main Street, Riverside and listen to carolers and to enjoy all the booths.

I believe that the community spirit that shows as decorations appear gives a quality to our neighborhoods.

I urge you to take pictures and send them in to shirleyh@loislauer.com. I would live to be able to post these special sights of the holidays.

Median Prices - November 2010-2003

December 13, 2010

In tracing the median prices, I wish I had the data from 2000-2002. The reason for this wish is to see how the rise to the peak of median prices occurred in those years. However, the data that I use that is reported through the California Regional MLS (CRMLS) only goes back to 2003.

Here are the median prices for November in the fourteen communities that I have been tracking.

Banning/ Beaumont.......2010/176,000.......2009/165,000......2008/195,000

.........................................2007/255,000......2006/300,000.....2005/329,000

.........................................2004/229,000.....2003/160,000

Bloomington...................2010/150,000......2009/123,000......2008/140,000

........................................2007/305,000......2006/375,000......2005/360,000

........................................2004/270,000.....2003/192,000

Colton.............................2010/119,000......2009/135,000.......2008/135,000

.......................................2007/329,000......2006/300,000.....2005/310,000

.......................................2004/243,000......2003/187,500

Fontana.........................2010/207,000......2009/212,000......2008/239,900

.......................................2007/365,000......2006/414,000......2005/396,450

.......................................2004/310,000......2003/236,000

Grand Terrace..............2010/205/236......2009/133/225......2008/240,000

.......................................2007/295,000......2006/283,500......2005/355,000

.......................................2004/318,000......2009/222,000

Highland.......................2010/150,000.......2009/150,000......2008/185,000

.......................................2007/318,000......2006/355,000......2005/377,000

.......................................2004/270,000.....2003/191,900

Loma Linda...................2010/161,000......2009/330,000......2008/240,000

.......................................2007/375,000.....2006/448,000......2005/410,000

.......................................2004/335,000.....2003/255/280

Mentone........................2010/138/169......2009/167/195.......2008/138/325

.......................................2007/364,250.....2006/330,000......2005/275,000

.......................................2004/149,000.....2003/170/225

Moreno Valley..............2010/152,500.......2009/150,000......2008/162,000

......................................2007/300,000......2006/375,000......2005/370,000

......................................2004/286,000......2003/210,000

Redlands......................2010/215,000........2009/220,000.....2008/239,000

......................................2007/376,000......2006/390,000......2005/422,000

......................................2004/325,000......2003/283,500

Rialto...........................2010/159,000........2009/145,000......2008/179,500

.....................................2007/249,000.......2006/365,000......2005/365,000

.....................................2004/290,000......2003/204,000

Riverside.....................2010/194,000.......2009/190,000.......2008/211,900

....................................2007/333,000.......2006/420,000.......2005/406,000

....................................2004/329,000......2003/256,000

San Bernardino.........2010/105,000.......2009/99,000..........2008/112,000

...................................2007/236,000.......2006/320,000.......2005/305,000

...................................2004/229,000......2003/145,000

Yucaipa/ Calimesa...2010/175,000.......2009/178,000.......2008/240,000

...................................2007/352,000......2006/351/600.......2005/380,000

...................................2004/290,000......2003/248,000

Just a reminder. These median numbers are not arrived at in any scientific way. They are simply the reported selling price of the property exactly at the halfway point in the sales reported. In some of the small communities, you will see two numbers separated by a /. These show the different reported selling price at the midway mark. When there is a large difference between these two side by side numbers I report them both .

More Fun in the Inland Empire

December 10, 2010

Sinfonia Mexicana will be presenting the annual holiday program at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. Fourth Street in San Bernardino. This is always a special event that celebrates the holidays and Mexico's cultural heritage. The City of San Bernardino is one of the sponsors. They will be offering a tamale tasting event at 5:30 p.m. for all patrons of the concert. Five of the area's top restaurants will be there to serve tamales and it is all free. Tickets are $26-$66 You can call 909-884-3228 or on the Internet http://www.sinfoniamexicana.com/ or http://www.californiatheatre.net/



At the Landis Performing Arts Center, 4800 Magnolia Avenue in Riverside, Tommy Tune will be bring his "Steps in Time" autobiographical review. Tune is celebrating 50 years in show business and the show is his Broadway biography in song and dance. The show will be performed Sunday at 4 p.m. The tickets are $20-$75.

On Saturday, Tune will be teaching master classes, I think at the Landis Center, on Saturday. Master Tap Class at 10 a.m.; The Art of Performing at 1 p.m. Spectators are welcome. Call 951-222-8100 or on the Internet, http://www.performanceriverside.org/



It is predicted to be a beautiful and sunny weekend so you might want to trek up to Big Bear Lake for "Big Bear Snow Play". It boasts eight runs with more than 20 feet of snow. Tubing is a big event. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m daily. The cost is $25. The resort is at 42825 Big Bear Blvd. For more information you can call 909-585-0075 or on the Internet, http://www.bigbearsnowplay.com/

What's Selling ?

December 9, 2010

Yesterday I posted the numbers for closed transactions as reported in the CRMLS for the months of November 2010-2003. Just out of curiosity, I went into the CRMLS and checked on the number of those transactions that were either short sales, in some stage of foreclosure or were bank-owned. Here for your information are the numbers for November 2010. The first number is the total closed sales reported for the month. The second number is the closed sales in the above three categories which I shall label "non-standard".

Banning/Beaumont.......Total/119......Non Standard/66.....Percentage/.555

Bloomington..................Total/30.......Non Standard/25......Percentage/.833

Colton.............................Total/45.......Non Standard/30......Percentage/.667

Fontana..........................Total/239.....Non Standard/170....Percentage/.711

Grand Terrace...............Total/4.........Non Standard/3........Percentage/.75

Highland........................Total/44.......Non Standard/24.....Percentage/,545

Loma Linda...................Total/12........Non Standard/8.......Percentage/.667

Mentone........................Total/7..........Non Standard/3.......Percentage/.429

Moreno Valley..............Total/221.......Non Standard/152...Percentage/.688

Redlands.......................Total/58........Non Standard/27.....Percentage/.466

Rialto............................Total/104......Non Standard/64.....Percentage/.615

Riverside......................Total/349......Non Standard/218....Percentage/.625

San Bernardino...........Total/185......Non Standard/128.....Percentage/.692

Yucaipa/Calimesa.......Total/50.......Non Standard/39......Percentage/.780

It would seem that our Inland Empire real estate market is being shaped by these distressed sales. For the seller who is not distressed, paying close attention to the properties that are selling is important in determining a listing price.

Closed Sales November 2010-2003

December 8, 2010

Here are the numbers for closed transactions in the months of November 2010 back to November 2003 as reported though the CRMLS.

Banning/ Beaumont......2010/119......2009/109......2008/120......2007/47

........................................2006/68.......2005/104......2004/79........2003/85

Bloomington..................2010/30........2009/19........2008/19........2007/10

.......................................2006/19.........2005/33........2004/18........2003/29

Colton............................2010/45.........2009/44.......2008/47........2007/9

.......................................2005/37........2005/54........2004/47........2003/30

Fontana.........................2010/239......2009/222.....2008/325......2007/82

......................................2006/160......2005/235......2004/224......2003/192

Grand Terrace.............2010/4..........2009/4...........2008/8..........2007/10

......................................2006/11........2005/14..........2004/14........2003/8

Highland......................2010/44........2009/57.........2008/58........2007/35

......................................2006/36.......2005/81..........2004/54........2003/54

Loma Linda.................2010/12.........2009/3...........2008/10........2007/10

.....................................2006/10........2005/7............2004/12........2003/7

Mentone......................2010/7..........2009/11...........2008/4..........2007/13

.....................................2006/7..........2005/10..........2004/5..........2003/10

Moreno Valley............2010/221.......2009/312........2008/415......2007/72

....................................2006/190......2005/347........2004/216......2003/237

Redlands....................2010/58.........2009/59..........2008/37........2007/38

....................................2006/53........2005/60..........2004/71........2003/61

Rialto..........................2010/104......2009/122.........2008/133......2007/39

....................................2006/56........2005/97...........2004/106.....2003/111

Riverside....................2010/349.......2009/356........2008/422.....2007/142

....................................2006/328......2005/467........2004/367.....2003/363

San Bernardino.........2010/185.......2009/234........2008/248.....2007/72

....................................2006/174......2005/236........2004/188......2003/221

Yucaipa/Calimesa.....2010/50........2009/52..........2008/53........2007/26

....................................2006/51........2005/61...........2005/85........2003/61

There you have the numbers for closed transactions in the months of November 2010-2003. In several of the communities the volume of closings has remained fairly consistent for the past three Novembers. It will be interesting to note how the volumes in December compare.

CENTURY 21 Lois LAuer Realty Gives

December 7, 2010

Continuing their giving back to the communities in which they work, the agents of CENTURY 21 Lois Lauer Realty each donated two toys to the Children's Fund annual gift drive. We fill up President Dave Coy's office and today the toys will be taken to the Children's Fund.

This effort is one of many that the agents make to support local charities.

The 2010 Real Estate MArket

December 6, 2010

California Real Estate Magazine had an interesting article in the November/December issue. Entitled "That was Then, This is Now", the article addresses what occurred in2010 and projects what might be expected in 2011.

A few highlights from the article:

"Investors are driving the recovery. In 2010, 18.7 percent of home purchases were by investors..."

"Sellers received an average of only $35,000 on the sale of a home - a record low. This explains why the trade-up market continues to languish. The percentage of sellers who sold their homes with a loss decreased slightly to 30 percent from a year ago but continues to be dramatically higher than the long run average of 10.5 percent."

"Distressed properties accounted for a smaller share of the market A year ago 54 percent of home sales surveyed were traditional, non-distressed sales. This year, 59 percent of home sold involved non-distressed properties."

Legislatively, in both state and federal bodies, 2010 will bring new rules and changes in the money lending market place. Fannie and Freddie may be overhauled, the mortgage interest deduction will be revisited and new oversight of lending practices may be created.

2010 seemed to be a year in which the housing market began moving in a more stable direction.

Those who purchased homes in 2010 may look back and be thankful that they acted when prices and loans were in their favor. I investors looked at the market and decided to act, individuals looking for a place of their own were probably wise to also purchase a home.

Holiday Home Tour

December 3, 2010
There is always much happening as the holiday season goes in to full swing. Christmas parades, lighting of community Christmas trees, Hanukkah dinners, University of Redlands Feast of Lights, etc., etc.
Since we are a company that works with home buyers, sellers and owners, we have much interest in the annual East Valley YMCA Holiday Home Tour. Some of are agents are underwriters and many of them will be volunteer hostesses at the homes that are on tour.
This year there are five homes that will be open to the public on Sunday, December 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can start at any home and pick your own route. Tickets can be purchase at any of the homes or at the YMCA building on Citrus Avenue. If tickets are purchase today or Saturday they are $25. On Sunday they will be $30. If you do not like waiting in line at the various homes, you can purchase a patron ticket for $65 which entitles you to a champagne brunch at Redlands Country Club and front-of-the-line access at the homes.
On both Saturday and Sunday, The YMCA Holiday Gift Boutique and Holiday Pantry will be open at the Roy Coble Gym.
For more information on the Internet http://www.ymcaeastvalley.org/ or call 909-798-9622.

Get That Chimney Clean for Santa

December 2, 2010

An often forgotten area of home maintenance is the chimney. We all remember Bert, the Chimney Sweep in "Mary Poppins", but how many of us think that our chimneys need sweeping?

While Southern Californians may not be frequent users of their wood burning fireplaces, this cool weather has made sitting by a warm fire can be very appealing. Many folks use those artificial logs that burn easily and sometimes are treated to put out pretty colored flames. Unfortunately, these artificial logs also create soot in the chimney which can build up and create a bit of a hazard.

Some home inspectors do look up the flue with a flashlight and if they find a build-up of soot on the walls, they my suggest contacting a chimney sweep.

If you check your Yellow Pages, you can find listings for Chimney Sweeps.

Santa will be delighted if you keep your chimney clean and safe from hazardous deposits.

December 1, 2010 Statistics

December 1, 2010

As usual, I start the new month y posting the number of active listings, pending sales, back-up pending sales and the ratio between total pendings and active listings.

Banning/Beaumont.....Active/628......Pending/223......Back-up/65......Ratio/.459

Bloomington.................Active/84........Pending/49.........Back-up/18......Ratio/.798

Colton...........................Active/147.......Pending/92.........Back-up/36......Ratio/.871

Fontana........................Active/798......Pending/557.......Back-up/169....Ratio/.910

Grand Terrace............Active/35........Pending/19.........Back-up/4.........Ratio/.657

Highland......................Active/228......Pending/106.......Back-up/27.......Ratio/.583

Loma Linda.................Active/80........Pending/34.........Back-up/12.......Ratio/.575

Mentone......................Active/27.........Pending/12.........Back-up/6.........Ratio/.667

Moreno Valley............Active/891......Pending/514.......Back-up/194.....Ratio/.795

Redlands.....................Active/318......Pending/95.........Back-up/48.......Ratio/.450

Rialto...........................Active/365......Pending/227.......Back-up/62.......Ratio/.792

Riverside....................Active/1382....Pending/778........Back-up/287.....Ratio/.771

San Bernardino.........Active/871.......Pending/464.......Back-up/121......Ratio/.672

Yucaipa/Calimesa.....Active/276......Pending/96.........Back-up/42........Ratio/.500

You may draw your own conclusions about the activity. Since I was not tracking these numbers back when the market was booming, I have no real data for comparison. It does, however, seem to be a market that is steadying itself. We shall see.