What is a "Statement of Information"?

September 30, 2010

The "Statement of Information" is a form that buyers and sellers usually receive when they receive their escrow instruction. Often buyers and sellers wonder why they need to fill out this form with so much personal information. Typically this form comes from the title company and the information that the buyers and sellers disclose on it is used when the title company does their title search for any recorded documents that might have an affect on the marketability of the title to the property.

The information is necessary to avoid delays in processing the transaction. You and your spouse or registered domestic partner, will be asked to provide your full name, social security number, year of birth, birthplace, and information regarding citizenship.. If applicable, you will be asked the date and place of marriage or of a registered domestic partnership. The information will be completely confirmation.

The buyer and seller residences for the past 10 years is also requested as is the employment history of all parties.

Providing this Statement of Information is made a requirement in the current California Association of Realtors contract.

Basically, the title companies use the information provided to determine that the sellers and buyers have nothing that can cause the title company to decline issuing title insurance.

Do Home Improvements Increase Home Value?

September 29, 2010

The answer to the above question is "It depends." I have recently noticed homeowners doing additions, re landscaping, painting and generally fixing up there properties. I had a home owner tell me that they were going to do some remodeling because they figured that they could not move up right now so they were going to make improvements to their present home. It is nice to see such upgrading taking place.

Two common additions to properties are swimming pools and changing a bedroom into a home office. On a cost versus value basis, these improvements rarely result in adding full value for their costs. However, they clearly may add to the home owner's enjoyment of the property.

Generally, folks believe that adding square footage to a home will increase the home's value. Done properly with the necessary permits, added square footage will add to the assessed value. As for adding to the market value at the time of a sale, the value added will depend more on the usefulness of the added square footage for a potential buyer. If the improvement is something that is uniquely suited to the home owner, it may in fact decrease the saleability of the property.

It may seem odd that an improvement can reduce value, but it is a possibility.

When considering additions and alterations, a home owner might be wise to consult a local real estate agent for input about the value of a proposed improvement.

Pricing to Sell - Always the Challenge

September 28, 2010

Today's real estate market offers some real challenges for all of those folks who are involved in the valuation of real estate property. Agents and appraisers are both looking at comparable sales in order to establish a fair market value for a piece of property. Appraisers have some pretty strict guidelines as to what constitutes a comparable property. Location, size, and year built play an important role. Agents use the same criteria but often are influenced by knowing the interiors of the comparable properties. In general, appraisers are mostly looking at data as printed in the MLS or in the Assessor's records. Agents can also be influenced by a seller's desire to maximize the amount the property is worth.

Sellers have an emotional involvement with the property. In today's real estate market they may also be remembering what their property was worth three or more years ago. Sellers may also read that property values have increased this year and therefore the value of their property has risen.

Thus, pricing a property to sell is a challenging endeavor. Even using the best comparables available, buyers may still feel reluctant to pay the list price. Since in the end, a home is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay, it is important to consider what buyers have paid for other similar properties. No matter how special sellers might believe their home to be, fixing a price that is competitive with similar properties that are being offered for sale.

Agents and prospective sellers need to carefully review the sold, pending and active properties. Once a price is determined, the amount of showings and/or offers that occur in the first thirty days will often affirm that the correct selling price was selected. Final verification will come when the buyer's appraiser agrees that "the price is right".

Autumn Arrived This Week

September 27, 2010
The autumnal equinox occurred on the Wednesday and we are officially in the autumn season. However, it certainly did not feel like it this past weekend. Hot dry days have once again arrived. It was so beautiful and clear.
With autumn comes the time to assess your garden. While I suspect most of you were not out gardening in the heat, you could still be making those lists of garden chores to be done. September and October are the optimal months to prune and thin and divide and to sow.
What new plants do you want to plant? Which of your existing plants need dividing? Which areas need fertilizing? Which garden beds need to be prepared and enriched?
A well tended and planned garden will add pleasure to your life, but also value to your property.

Experience the Old West at Glen Helen Regional Park

September 24, 2010
This weekend the 11at annual San Bernardino County Sheriff's PRCA Pro Rodeo will take place at Glen Helen Regional Park. The Boys Scouts of America's 100th Birthday Party, the largest event in the history of the California Inland Empire Council is also set for the weekend at the Glen Helen Regional Park.
Each year the jamboree is held in conjunction with the rodeo, which is open to Scouts and their families. Approximately 5,000 Scouts, their families and their leaders are planing to attend the camp-out.
The rodeo will feature bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing and all the events that make a rodeo exciting. A dance follows the Friday and Saturday night rodeos. Proceeds from the rodeo go to the Challenged Children's Rodeo, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and the 4H Club.
For the scouts there will be camp-out activities, archery, shooting, climbing and what is billed as the World's Longest Pinewood Derby Track.
Gates for the rodeo open at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Rodeo starts at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Gates open at 1 p.m. on Sunday with the Rodeo starting at 5 p.m. Admission is $15; children younger than 6 are free.

Reasons to Buy (cont)

September 23, 2010

Here are numbers 8, 9 ,10 of Brett Arends' "10 Reasons to Buy a Home" in his column of September 15 in the Wall Street Journal.

"8. It's forced savings. If you can rent an apartment for $2000 month instead of buying one for $2400 a month, renting may make sense. But will you save that $400 for your future? A lot of people won't. Most, I dare say. Once again, you have to do the math, but the part of your mortgage payment that goes to principal repayment isn't a cost. Your just paying yourself by building equity. As a forced monthly savings, it's good discipline."

"9. There is a lot to choose from. ...The National Association of Realtors puts the current inventory at around 4 million homes....More keep coming onto the market, too, as banks slowly unload their inventory of unsold properties. That means great choice, as well as great prices."

"10. Sooner or later the market will clear. Demand and supply will meet. The population is forecast to grow by more than 100 million people over the next 40 years. That means maybe 40 million new households looking for homes. Meanwhile, this housing glut will work itself out. Many of the homes will be bought....And finally, a lot of the :glut" wont matter. It's concentrated in a few areas, like Florida and Nevada. Unless you live there, the glut won't have any long-term impact on housing supply in your town."

There you have Brett Arends' 10 reasons to buy a home. These reasons could invoke a lively discussion as to how much credence you might give to some of them. However, in my opinion, they do offer food for thought

Personally, my husband and I have bought 5 homes. The reason that we purchase each one of them was because that particular property met our family's needs at that particular moment in our lives. Each one of them created great memories of our time living in each one. Some we lost money on when we sold. Some we made money on when we sold. But when we made the purchase our focus was on how that house would meet our wants and needs.

Reasons for buying a home (cont)

September 22, 2010

Here is continued quoting of Brett Arends' column in the Wall Street Journal in which he listed 10 reasons to buy a home. I previously listed his numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 reasons. Today, I will share Mr. Arends' numbers 5, 6, 7 reasons.

" You'll get a better home. In many parts of the country it can be really hard to find a good rental....Generally speaking, if you want the best home in the best neighborhood, you're better off buying." (Just as a comment, in our area, there are some great rentals available due to investor activity in the foreclosure arena. However, with prices and interest rates as low as they are, a mortgage payment can be very competitive with a rent payment, with the added advantages previous cited in Mr. Arends' numbers 1, 2, 3.)

"6. It offers some inflation protection. No it's not perfect. But studies by professor Karl "Chip" Case (of Case-Shiller) and others, suggest that over the long-term housing has tended to beat inflation by a couple of percentage points a year. That's valuable inflation insurance, especially if your young and raising a family and thinking about the next 30 or 40 years. ..."

"It's risk capital. No, your home isn't the stock market and you shouldn't view it as a way to get rich. But if the economy does surprise us all and start booming, sooner or later real estate prices will head up again, too. One lesson from the last few years is that stocks are incredibly hard for most normal people to own in large quantities - for practical as well as psychological reasons. Equity in a home is another way of linking part of your portfolio to the long-term growth of the economy - if it happens - and still managing to sleep at night."

I have chosen to quote Brett Arends' column because I believe his list pretty well covers the gamut of buyer's various motivations. Remember, I am quoting Brett Arends' column and his list may or may not be your list or my list.

Reasons to Buy a Home (cont)

September 21, 2010


I am continuing to quote from an article in the Wall Street Journal of September 15, 2010. The article was entitled "10 Reasons to Buy a Home".


Yesterday I posted the first 2 of columnist Brett Arends' reasons. Here are number three and four.


"3. You'll save on taxes. You can deduct mortgage interest from your income taxes. You can deduct your real estate taxes...You'll only get the income tax break if you itemize your deductions, and many people may be better off taking the standard deduction instead. The breaks are more valuable the more you earn, and the bigger your mortgage. But many people will find that these tax breaks mean owning costs them less, often a lot less, than renting."


"4. It'll be yours. You can have the kitchen and bathrooms that you want. You can move the walls, build an extension - zoning permitted- or paint everything bright orange. Few landlords are so indulgent; for renters, these types of changes are often impossible. You'll feel better about your own place if you own it than if you rent it. Many year sago, when I was working for a political campaign in England, I toured a working-class northern town. Mrs. Thatcher had just begun selling off public housing to the tenants. "You can tell the ones that have been bought," said my local guide. "They've painted the front door. It's the first thing people do when they buy." It was a small sign that said something big."


Remember these words are quoted from an article by Brett Arends in the September 15, 2010 Wall Street Journal. I felt the entire column was a good summary of what home ownership can mean to people that I wanted to share his analysis with you.

"Rethinking omeownership"

September 20, 2010

On September 6, 2010, Time Magazine's cover was entitled "Rethinking Homeownership". The article inside the magazine was questioning the long held American dream of owning a place to call your own.

In response to the Time Magazine article, on September 15, Brett Arends, a columnist of the Wall Street Journal published a list of "10 Reasons to Buy a Home". In the posts of this week, I will quote from Mr. Arends' list.

"1. You can get a good deal. ..."We're four to five years into the biggest housing bust in modern history. And prices have come down a long way - about 30% from their peak, according to Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller Index, which tracks home prices in 20 big cities. Yes it's mixed. New York is only down 20%. Arizona has halved. Will prices fall further? Sure, they could. You'll never catch the bottom. It doesn't really matter in the long haul"

"2. M0rtgages are cheap. You can get a 30-year loan for around 4.3% What's not to like?. These are the lowest rates on record. As recently as two years ago they were about 6.3^. That drop slashes your monthly repayment by a fifth. If inflation picks up, you won't see these mortgage rates again in your life tine. And if we get deflation, and rates fall further, you can refi."

I agree that prices are very favorable in our Inland Empire region. If you want to own a place to call your own, now is the hour. With the low, low mortgage interest rates, 64% of Inland Empire residents could qualify for a mortgage on the median priced house.

For these two reasons alone, this is a great time to buy a house. Tomorrow I will quote two more of Mr. Arends' reason why now is the time to buy a home.

Idyllwild Home Tour This Saturday

September 17, 2010

For all the folks who really enjoy seeing interesting homes, this Saturday offers a great opportunity. This will be the 10th anniversary of the Idyllwild Home Tour sponsored by the Idyllwild Area Historical Society. It is the Historical Society's biggest fund raiser , but just as important, it is a wonderful chance for visitors to view first hand some of the Idyllwild community's unique homes.

There are five homes on the tour: a 2006 Arts and Crafts-style home built by Terry Melcher, Doris Day's son; 1925 shingled and rock fishing cabin; a 1948 doll house with hand-cut shutters; a 1945 clapboard bngalow set in an orchard of heirloom lilacs and a 1989 Tudor replicating a home in London.

The home tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 18. Tickets are $20 per person. They are available at several Idyllwild businesses including Faux Ever After, Idyllwild Pharmacy and the Spruce Moose. Tomorrow they will also be available at a booth next to the Idyllwild Inn in the center of town.

For additional information you can call 951-990-3909

Rendezvous Time in San Bernardino

September 16, 2010


If I am not mistaken, it was 21 years ago that Stater Bros. began the Route 66 Rendezvous in downtown San Bernardino. It has grown to become a major event in the entire Inland Empire with car and truck buffs coming from all over the U.S. to enjoy a weekend of outdoor fun and fabulous cars.


Route 66 was the main route from Chicago to the Pacific Ocean with San Bernardino being a major stopping point. Route 66 became America's most famous road during the years that followed World War II. As the Interstate Highway system was built, it's major role in cross country traveling was diminished, but it still was used by folks visiting the deserts of the

Southwest.


From 8 to 10 p.m. this evening, attendees can enjoy the neon light contest and can view the many, many cars that owners have brought to the event. To view the full schedule, visit http://www.route-66.org/

Reflections on 999 Blog Posts

September 15, 2010

Today I am posting my 1000th blog. I started my blog path in spring of 2007. Little did I suspect that the real estate market would travel such a steep downward path. My fantasy in becoming a blogger was that folks would comment on my posts or would submit questions about real estate. It came as somewhat of a disappointment that I received very little feedback. The matter of selecting a topic became my overwhelming challenge.

I have tried to provide variety and also some data that tracked the movement of real estate sales in the Inland Empire.

Certainly the myriad of programs that have been launched by the state and federal governments have provided subject matter. We have now loan modification programs, down payment assistance programs, tax grants and incredibly low interest rates on 30 year fixed rate mortgages. California will be launching a new Calhfa loan as of November 1, 2010. The federal government is still working to get the glitches out of their "Home Affordable Program" (HAMP and HAFA).

Slowly our real estate market is recovering - not to pre 2007 levels, but to a market in which 64% of the adult population could afford to purchase a home.

Slowly and steadily I believe that we will get to a sustainable real estate market that provides those who want to choose their place of residence will be able to do so.

Again, I do encourage readers to submit comments or inquiries. I will do my best to provide accurate answers.

Tracking the 2010 Median

September 14, 2010

As I track the median price of homes in our market area, 2010 has been an example of a real estate market that is in the process of finding its bottom. As this is not at all a scientific determination of the median price of homes, it is posted only as a snapshot of how our real estate market is performing. The prices posted are simply the price of the property at the halfway point of the properties sold in each month.

Banning/Beaumont......Jan/169,000......Feb/165,000......Mar/185,000......Apr/165,000

.......................................May/185,000......June/171,000......July/170,000......Aug/170,000

Bloomington..................Jan/135,000......Feb/110,000.......Mar/150,000.....Apr/150,000

.......................................May/155,000.....June/121,500......July/129,000......Aug/145,000

Colton............................Jan/97,500.........Feb/125,000.......Mar/100,000......Apr/128,000

.......................................May/130,000.....June/150,000.....July/105,000......Aug/120,858

Fontana.........................Jan/190,000......Feb/200,000.......Mar/200,000.....Apr/215,000

.......................................May/200,000....June/213,000......July/200,000.....Aug/210,000

Grand Terrace.............Jan/236,000......Feb/199,900........Mar/249,900......Apr/200,000

.......................................May/187,000.....June/182,500......July/190,000......Aug/190,000

Highland.......................Jan/163,500.......Feb/150,000.......Mar/160,000......Apr/162,000

......................................May/173,500......June/185,000......July/170,000......Aug/161,000

Loma Linda.................Jan/275,000.......Feb/240,000.......Mar/175,000.......Apr/240,000

......................................May/203,200.....June/220,000......July/199,900......Aug/237,000

Mentone......................Jan/200,000......Feb/225,000........Mar/200,000.....Apr/190,000

.....................................May/220,000.....June/78,000.........July/195,000......Aug/112/156.000

Moreno Valley...........Jan/150,000.......Feb/149,000........Mar/150,000......Apr/157,000

....................................May/163,000......June/160,000......July/150,000.......Aug/154,000

Redlands....................Jan/210,000.......Feb/207,000........Mar/210,000.......Apr/227,000

....................................May/217,000......June/221,000......July/199,900.......Aug/212,000

Rialto..........................Jan/145,000.......Feb/144,000........Mar/155,000.......Apr/155,000

....................................May/164,901......June/165,000......July/150,000.......Aug/158,000

Riverside...................Jan/185,000.......Feb/200,000.......Mar/190,000.......Apr/190,000

....................................May/215,000.....June/200,000.....July/190,000.......Aug/190,000

San Bernardino.........Jan/95,000........Feb/92,000..........Mar/90,000.........Apr/110,000

....................................May/107,000.....June/113,000......July/107,000.......Aug/100,000

Yucaipa/Calimesa.....Jan/160,000......Feb/195,000.......Mar/199,000.......Apr/179,000

....................................May/209,750.....June/189,500......July/170,000.......Aug/212,000

For whatever it may be worth, these are the numbers. No big surprises which is a good thing.

Median Prices - Month of August 2010-2003

September 13, 2010

It is encouraging that in all but three of the fourteen communities that I track, the median price in August 2010 was slightly higher than August of 2009.

Banning/Beaumont.......2010/170,000......2009/170,000......2008/200,000......2007/285,000

.........................................2006/310,000......2005/302,000......2004/220,000......2003/169,500

Bloomington...................2010/145,000......2009/140,000......2008/173.800........2007/324,900

.........................................2006/390,000.....2005/340,000......2004/270,000.......2003/203,000

Colton..............................2010/120,858......2009/115,000......2008/152,250........2007/310,000

.........................................2006/355,000......2005/320,000.....2004/235,000.......2003/169,900

Fontana..........................2010/210,000......2009/185,000......2008/260,000.......2007/410,000

........................................2006/415,000......2005/385,000......2004/306,000.......2003/225,000

Grand Terrace..............2010/190,000......2009/201,000......2008/240,000.......2007/350,000

........................................2006/329,215.......2005/359,000......2004/305,000.......2003/219,900

Highland........................2010/161,000.......2009/150,000......2008/200,000.......2007/332,000

........................................2006/380,000......2005/340,000......2004/285,000.......2003/191,000

Loma Linda...................2010/215,000.......2009/233,444.......2008/241,000.......2007/373,000

........................................2006/359,000......2005/432,000.......2004/340,000......2003/228,000

Mentone........................2010/112/156.......2009/113,000.......2008/190/288......2007/339,900

........................................2006/355.000......2005/278,000.......2004/292,500.......2003/85/168

Moreno Valley..............2010/154,900......2009/139,900........2008/178,500.......2007/345,000

........................................2006/385,000......2005/356,000......2004/285,000.......2003/190,000

Redlands.......................2010/237,000......2009/215,000.......2008/269,000.......2007/390,000

.......................................2006/415,000......2005/365,000.......2004/335,000.......2003/234,500

Rialto.............................2010/158,000......2009/135,900.......2008/200,000.......2007/334,000

.......................................2006/375,000......2005/360,000......2004/290,000........2003/195,000

Riverside......................2010/190,000......2009/176,000.......2008/240,000........2007/385,000

......................................2006/425,000......2005/400,000......2004/332,000........2003/239,000

San Bernardino...........2010/100,000......2009/83,000........2008/128,000.........2007/270,000

......................................2006/329,900......2005/285,000......2004/205,000........2003/146,000

Yucaipa/Calimesa.......2010/212,000......2009/225,000......2008/250,000........2007/350,000

.......................................2006/408,000.....2005/376,000......2004/308,000........2003/195,500

The double numbers with no "000" for Mentone are representing the fact that there was a large discrepancy between the numbers at the halfway point of reported sales. In general, numbers around the mid point in the number of reported sales are rather consistent if not identical.

A Bit of Nostalgia for Saturday

September 11, 2010

For all the fans of the classic Humphrey Bogart/Ingrid Bergman movie "Casablanca", the Fox Event Center in Redlands is offering you the opportunity to see the 1942 movie. Endless Loop Entertainment is presenting a full evening of nostalgia.

The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and there will be Moroccan Cuisine, Beer, Wine and Snacks available. The menu includes classic Moroccan food and exotic appetizers. The movie will be shown at 7 p.m.

You are invited to come dressed in 1940's attire or as a Bogart or Bergman look-alike, a belly dancer, a sheik or as some other character from the movie or just as yourself. After the movie there will be a Look-Alike contest for prizes.

Children 12 and under are $6; general admission is $8 and for students with ID and seniors the admission price is $6.

You can call 909-528-0255 for presale tickets or for additional information.

Closed Transactions - Month of August, 2010-2003

September 9, 2010

Here are the numbers for the closed transactions of single family homes as reported though the IMRMLS. The number of closing continue to bounce around fairly normal numbers. Gratefully they do not reflect the devastating drop in volume that occurred in 2007.

Banning/Beaumont.......2010/101......2009/146......2008/111......2007/62......2006/94

.........................................2005/111......2004/93.........2003/92

Bloomington...................2010/23........2009/36........2008/23.......2007/4.........2006/18

.........................................2005/35........2004/24........2004/17

Colton..............................2010/48........2009/61........2008/45.......2007/25.......2006/56

.........................................2005/48........2004/48........2003/46

Fontana..........................2010/267.......2009/345.....2008/288.....2007/79......2006/254

........................................2005/301.......2004/230.....2003/216

Grand Terrace..............2010/10.........2009/5..........2008/12.......2007/11.......2006/10

........................................2005/13.........2004/11.........2003/10

Highland........................2010/53.........2009/60........2008/54.......2007/30......2006/60

........................................2005/61.........2004/66........2003/57

Loma Linda...................2010/16.........2009/18........2008/14.......2007/10.......2006/21

........................................2005/15.........2004/14........2003/11

Mentone........................2010/13.........2009/7...........2008/6........2007/3.........2006/8

........................................2005/5..........2004/7...........2003/13

Moreno Valley..............2010/259......2009/377.......2008/388....2007/88......2006/259

........................................2005/311......2004/307......2003/253

Redlands.......................2010/59.........2009/65........2008/50.......2007/52.....2006/70

.......................................2005/84.........2004/81........2003/91

Rialto.............................2010/138.......2009/154......2008/117......2007/31......2006/101

.......................................2005/121.......2004/117.......2003/92

Riverside......................2010/396.......2009/486......2008/468.....2007/168.....2006/388

......................................2005/507.......2004/380......2003/444

San Bernardino...........2010/215.......2009/339.......2008/214.....2007/93.......2006/212

......................................2005/259.......2004/246......2003/219

Yucaipa/Calimesa......2010/49.........2009/50.........2008/56.........2007/43.......2006/76

......................................2005/74.........2004/84.........2003/62

You might note that the volume in the "boom" years was really not substantially different than it is now.

A Look at Appraisal Sites

September 8, 2010


I receive e mails from the California Association of Realtors which often have quotes from interesting newspaper articles. One such article quote a piece published in the Sacramento Bee that addressed the issue of appraisal sites on the net.


"Over the last five years, one of the newest developments in real estate is the ability for home buyers and sellers to search online for a home's value. Popular Web sites such as Zillow.com, Cyberhomes.com, and Eppraisal.com offer free home estimates, but some consumers and real estate professionals say the values calculated are inaccurate and misleading," To read the entire Sacramento Bee article you can visit http://www.sacbee.com/2010/08/13/2955920/online-appraisal,html. (You can't just click on it here. You would have to enter the URL in your computer.)


C.A.R. further commented:


"Online home appraisal Web sites assign home values without knowing the features or upgrades of a home or the neighborhood in which it is located...While some agents report that Web estimates can educate clients and provide a reasonable assessment of market conditions and the home-buying process, working with a local REALTOR is the best option"


Using the Web home valuation sites is a tool. It can be a good beginning place as an agent does a comparative market analysis. Many of the sites report sales gleaned from Assessor records which may not have been reported in the local MLS.


In the end, looking at sales of properties that the agent has seen and visited will give a more accurate comparison sales that are comparable to a subject property.

The Ambiguity of Headlines

September 7, 2010
It has become a bit difficult to understand the workings of the government vis-a-vis Fannie Mae. You might recall that Fannie Mae is one of the "government sponsored enterprises" (gse) that owns a multiplicity of underwater or already foreclosed properties.
A headline on September 3 in the Inman News that I receive was entitled "Fannie cracks the foreclosure whip". The article states that Fannie Mae announced that it will begin to fine servicers if they can't provide a reasonable explanation for completing a foreclosure. The article purports to state that Fannie Mae presently has a REO (real estate owned) inventory of 129,310 homes. So it is now going to fine servicers if they fail to foreclose in a timely manner.
The other headline that caught my attention was in the Sunday edition of the LA Times newspaper. It state "Fannie Mae offers incentives for foreclosed homes". These incentives include minimal down payments, no requirements for an appraisal, no requirement for mortgage insurance coverage and a minimum credit score of 660. In an era where lenders have stringent underwriting requirements, this is a real deal. It is only available on Fannie Mae owned properties. That large number, 129,310, of Fannie Mae owned properties needs to be moved out of their inventory. Hence the incentives.
I am just curious as to why the desire to speed up the foreclosure process on the one hand and the huge inventory of unsold properties on the other. I do understand the incentives to entice buyers to buy these properties, but increasing the inventory seems somewhat counterproductive.

Labor Day - The Transition between Summer and Fall

September 6, 2010

Labor Day was begun to recognise and honor the working folks in the United States. Parades and much hoop-la accompanied the holiday occurring on the first Monday in September. over the years it has become the day between summer and fall. The traditional school year began and many clubs and organizations resumed meeting again after the summer hiatus.

It has pretty much become a day for family get-together for picnics and bar-b-ques.

The weather in the Inland Empire looks as though it will be perfect. Century 21 Lois Lauer Realty wishes you a most pleasant day doing whatever you choose to do on this Labor Day.

Apple Season in Oak Glen

September 3, 2010

This weekend kicks off the annual apple season in Oak Glen. Oak Glen is an unincorporated area of San Bernardino County. You can get to this picturesque area by exiting the 10 freeway at Oak Glen road. Traveling northeast on Oak Glen Road, just keep going until you arrive at the many apple orchards and eateries. If you continue, eventually you will also arrive at Riley's Los Rios Ranch which offers the chance to pick your own apples and press your own cider.

All of the eateries offer freshly baked apple pies.

If you have no other trips planned for the Labor Day weekend, this is a great family fun day trip.

National Preparedness Month

September 2, 2010
September has been designated "National Preparedness Month" by the Ready Campaign in partnership with the Citizen Corps and the Advertising Council. The purpose of focusing attention on disaster preparedness is the raise folk's consciousness about being prepared to survive a disaster.

The east coast communities need to be prepared for hurricanes and floods. Mid America needs to be prepared for tornadoes and floods. Here on the west coast, we need to be prepared for wildfires and earthquakes.

Are you prepared?

As I though about posting a blog on earthquake preparedness, I realized that I would really not like to be forced to survive on the food stored in my pantry. Soups, crackers, canned vegetables,

canned meats have "use by" dates that have long expired. I realized that it is time to clean and sort and replenish.

My rubber gloves that had been part of my preparedness kit have been used for other tasks. I don't have a set of clothes and heavy duty shoes set aside. I have become sloppy about items that could fly through the air in the event of a major quake.

Folks living in high fire danger areas need to make sure the dry brush around their properties has been cut back. Packing a suitcase for "just-in-case" an evacuation is necessary is a good idea.

You can "google" disaster preparedness and discover some helpful sites for getting yourself prepared. also http://www.fema.gov/ offers checklists to aid folks in both awareness and preparedness.

Remember, September is Disaster Preparedness Month. This is a great annual reminder to examine your personal preparedness.

Listing, Pending and Back-up - September 1, 2010

September 1, 2010

For your information here are the numbers for active listings, pendings and back-ups as reported in the IMRMLS this morning, September 1, 2010. The ratio of properties in escrow to the active listings includes both pending and back-up transactions.

Banning/Beaumont........List/608.......Pending/232......Back-up/89.......Ratio/.528

Bloomington....................Lisr/83.........Pending/66.........Back-up/20......Ratio/1.036

Colton...............................List/141.......Pending/100.......Back-up/43......Ratio/1.014

Fontana............................List/761.......Pending/602.......Back-up/190....Ratio/1.041

Grand Terrace................List/30.........Pending/14.........Back-up/4.........Ratio/.60

Highland...........................List/226.......Pending/101......Back-up/54.......Ratio/.686

Loma Linda......................List/68.........Pending/44........Back-up/12.......Ratio/.824

Mentone/.........................List/33.........Pending/12........Back-up/7..........Ratio/.576

Moreno Valley.................List/688.......Pending/632......Back-up/215.....Ratio/1.231

Redlands..........................List/313........Pending/126......Back-up/46.......Ratio/.550

Rialto................................List/308.......Pending/265......Back-up/69.......Ratio/1.084

Riverside.........................List/1337......Pending/818......Back-up/317.....Ratio/.849

San Bernardino...............List/753........Pending/543.....Back-up/54.......Ratio/.894

Yucaipa/Calimesa..........List/286........Pending/116......Back-up/61.......RAtio/.619

Activity continues to be at a steady pace with listing well within a normal range.