Lowe's Realtor Program is Being Discontinued I received this email several days ago:Dear REALTOR®, This email is to advise you of an important change: The Lowe’s Program for REALTORS® will end at 11:59pm Eastern time on Friday, November 6, 2015. As of November 7, 2015 the Lowe’s Program for REALTORS® will no longer be available and Lowe’s will no longer be a REALTOR Benefits® Program partner. I am very disappointed as I put all my clients, buyers and sellers, in this data base and Lowe's sends them email coupons typically 10% off up to $10,000. Every six months I send my clients email coupons and I think it is a good way for them to save money and maybe help them to buy something they have been budgeting for.I will still shop at Lowe's and give out Lowe's gift cards to my clients as clo... 10/30/2015

National Cat Day Today on October 29, 2015  National Cat Day was founded in 2005 by Pet and Family Lifestyle Expert & Animal Welfare Advocate Colleen Paige.  This day was created to get the  public to recognize the number of cats that need to be rescued each year and also to encourage cat lovers to celebrate the cat(s) in their lives for the unconditional love and companionship they bestow upon us.I am a dog person but love cats and used to have a orange Tabby cat who lived to be over 20 years old. I still miss my Tabby cat who was so big and had these monster feet. He looked like "Morris" and used to run across the roof and jump down off the roof when visitors came to the door. He was a character. The cat in my post is a daily visitor but sadly I do not know his name. He climbs across ... 10/29/2015

Good Communications with Clients is #1 Priority during Transaction My Promise to You I pride myself on keeping my clients happy and that means staying in touch whether it is every day, 5 X daily or up to sometimes once a week if the client dictates this to me. Believe it or not, I am sometimes hired to take care of selling their home,  sending contracts and disclosures via electronic signature and they really do not want to be bothered until I have an estimated closing date. OK whatever the client dictates! I am flexible and will do whatever they prefer.     Mail out a letter just after the initial phone call or email reaching out and introducing myself on paper. I start out with a package to the client and ask them what they prefer. I can usually tell from their response how much and h... 10/19/2015

Do You Have a Plan If You Get a Mandatory Evacuation OrderBe PreparedThis week while I was away at a Women's Council of Realtors Conference in Northern California, my husband was at home with our two dogs.He got a knock on the door at noon and when he opened the door, it was a Deputy Sheriff letting him know that there was a major gas leak nearby and he had to evacuate RIGHT THEN.He put on the dogs halters and leashes and put them in the car and drove out. About this time he called me to alert me of the situation. We thought the best thing to do was take the dogs to our regular place about 8 miles away and board them for the night. Of course we had no appointment but they welcomed our fur babies with open arms and that made one less thing for us to worry about.Do you know what you would... 10/11/2015

Hidden Toxins That Can Kill Your Dog...Check Your Pantry Yesterday my cousin in South Carolina, Caroline, notified me of a toxin hidden in foods that can kill dogs. It was from a dog rescue newsletter she had received.Dr. David, McGrath, DVM has determined that toxins inside low calorie sweeteners that go by the name of XYLITOL can kill our fur babies. Apparently 2 sticks of gum can kill a 10 pound dog. More and more foods are using this compound to sweeten foods for human consumption. This is just another reason why we should not be giving our dogs table scraps. Other foods include candy, Powdered teas and coffee sweetened, peanut butter, and mouthwashes.Other names to look for are birch sugar, birch bark extract, and Xylite. Many times the advertisers say "Natural" to make us think th... 10/10/2015

  10 Tips for Home Buyersby Kristin Hamilton, Realtor 1. Look on the Internet and write down your absolute musts; Features and Locations.2. Let your real estate agent know what you  "Must Have" and "Would Like".3. Look on the Internet and preferable have your agent set you up a search with the perimeters requested. 4. Take notes while looking at homes. 5. Bring your measurements if you have some big furniture or issues.6. Get prequalified with a direct lender or someone recommended by your agent.7. Based on your budget, decide on your top price to offer and do not go over it. 8. Try not to go with something you do not like but wait until you find that perfect home. But .......sometimes you cannot wait forever if your expectations are not obtainable.9. When you find a few homes you like ... 10/07/2015

I See You Hiding ThereWhile watering my backyard plants, I noticed this little Pansy peeking out the large pot full of Honey Suckle and Wild Poppies. What a nice suprise. If you enjoy nature and spend time outside, you will probably agree that a sharp eye is important to find special surprises like this. I enjoy finding squirrels peeking up out of their holes and birds hiding up in trees. Nature gives us such beauty and an appreciation of the outdoors.I've lived in Southern California all my life. I love this area in the Inland Empire and I enjoy sharing. My many years here have given me the expertise as a REALTOR® . If you need real estate information for to sell or buy in the Inland Empire...please give me a call.  Kristin Hamilton, RealtorKeller Williams Realty Redlands CA 92373Email... 10/01/2015

Hope you Didn't Miss the Solar Eclipse Supermoon?Supermoon over the Inland EmpireOn Sunday September 27, 2015 at 7:11 pm EST we had a double celestial spectacular event with a Lunar Ecipse and a Supermoon over Southern California. This moon is also known as a Blood Moon and it does look like one, doesn't it? This first picture was taken just around 7:15 pm. After that, it became so dark that I couldn't find it for almost 1 hour but then it showed up again!  Then I took another one at 8:20 pm at the end of the eclipse. The Meteorologist on the television had said if you take a picture at the end, you would be able to see a slight ring on the outer rim when it passes through the ozone layer. I was so excited to see this rim. Unfortunately if you missed this eclipse, there will not be anot... 09/29/2015

Happy First Day of Fall- My Favorite SeasonFirst Day of FallToday, or to be exact at 1:23 am was the first day of "Fall" which is my favorite season. I love all the things that remind me of the season; Hot Apple Cidar, Leaves blowing in the wind, Trees turning a variety shades of brown and rust and dropping off, Pumpkins, Gourds and Corn, Scarecrows, Pumpkin Lattee's at Starbucks, Pumpkin Bagels, Pumpkin Patches, Fall Wreaths appearing on front doors, and of course one of my all time favorites is 'MUMS' of so many colors to fill all my baskets in the backyard.   I did forget to mention that I also love the cool and crisp weather that comes with the season plus the migration of backyard birds coming through my yard as they head for warmer weather. At the home improvement store, the birds... 09/23/2015

Multiple Hummingbirds and a Monarch Visitor  There are many native plants that bloom in the late summer into fall, such as goldenrod, asters, ironweed or sunflowers. Add such late-blooming natives to your garden, along with native milkweed on which monarchs will lay their eggs come spring, and you’ll help this butterfly and other pollinators.    Imagine you’re a monarch butterfly on a long migration to your wintering grounds and spot a backyard full of fall blooming native wildflowers! You dive down to refuel on the nectar a kind gardener cultivated. You can plant sunflowers to feed the birds during the spring, summer and fall seasons.  These native plants will help butterflies also attract birds. Some birds need insects that are a critical food source especially in the winter. Many bir... 09/03/2015

First of 3 Supermoons on August 29, 2015...SpectacularThe world saw the first of three supermoons in a row, starting on August 29,  and the second one will be on September 27, and finally the third on October 27.The moon was officially full at 6:26 p.m. on the night of August 29, just 30 minutes before the moon rose that night around 7 p.m.The scientific name for the phenomenon is called “perigee moon,” which refers to the path the moon follows around Earth. Because of this path, the moon was a little closer to earth on that night than average for a full moon. This means the moon appeared to be a little bigger than the norm.While driving home I noticed the full moon and it looked like it was in the foothills where I live. When I got home 30 minutes later, it was still there.I hurried an... 09/02/2015

HUD Wants FHA Buyers to Have Home InspectionsStarting on Sept. 14, 2015,  HUD is making it mandatory that  lenders inform their borrowers when they first meet to advise them to get a home inspection prior to purchasing a home. This mandate will be added to the HUD/Federal Housing Administration Single Family Policy Handbook and will include a document called "For Your Protection, Get a Home Inspection." Buyers will be given this booklet and will have to sign the disclosure saying they were advised and received the booklet.HUD has asked the American Society of Home Inspectors to provide buyers with information about why they should get a home inspection, why the FHA does not guarantee the value or condition of a new home, and information on radon gas testing and other safety and health i... 09/02/2015

Throwback Thursdays- 1st Halloween is Always the Best Thanks for Reading my Real Estate Blog..... If you are planning to buy or sell here in the Inland Empire, please let me help you. I am an experienced Realtor, live in the community and my sales reflect how hard I work for my clients. Please call, email or text. California is a dream come true state no matter what your needs or wants are. We have year round warm weather, beautiful beaches, rustic mountains and desert communities. If you are looking for a home in southern California, please contact me. I am a local California Realtor, live in the Inland Empire community and aware of the local market. I am here to help you find a home or to sell the home you currently own. California has great opportunities to view Nature and Bird Watch... 08/20/2015

Houses for sale in BeaumontWe are now in escrow on this great Fairway Canyon house on Stockton Street! If you are buying or selling a home in the Fairway Canyon community or anywhere in the city of Beaumont, California we can help! We are Beaumont real estate agents/REALTORS that live and work in the Beaumont area and know evey inch of the city and the communities. Just give us a call for assistance!Todd (951) 490-3698Devona (951) 490-3683Email: GarrigusRealEstate@yahoo.com 08/12/2015

Tournament Hills Gated Community in Beaumont- Kristin Hamilton Realtor Are you looking for a gated community to move to? I know just the perfect place for you....Tournament Hills which has numerous communities, a clubhouse and fantastic pool/spa.  Plus there is a PGA golf course, Tukwet Canyon Golf Course which runs right through the middle of Tournament Hills.Here are a few pictures of the beautiful pond area, the golf course, and the club house. If you look to view nature at its finest, this is a great community to see hawks, squirrels, rabbies, hundreds of bird species and even some coyotes. Close to the VA Hospital in Loma Linda and 12 other major hospitals nearby, numerous golf courses,  Also very close to the beaches, high desert, low desert and mountains.I am an experienced real ... 08/09/2015

Homeowner Tips to Pet Proof Your Home for a New Pet  Here are a few tips to help you get your home ready for a new pet. Install childproof locks on your cabinets in bathroom and kitchen so your new pet can’t open them and get to potentially dangerous items.  Put anything your pet can reach — medicine, chemicals, etc. — on a high shelf. Buy covered trash containers that can’t be knocked over easily. Keep food and pet food up high or in covered buckets. Put up any electronic cords to prevent animals from chewing on them and shocking themselves. Hide any small items your pet could chew on or knock over and break. Buy your pet some toys or chewy sticks. Move poisonous plants outside, or place them out of reach. You can go on 'Google' to find out if your plants are safe for pets. Buy your pe... 08/03/2015

Have You Heard the One About the Nun's vs. Katy PerryThis story has been in the news recently and it is fasinating. The Catholic Archdiocese is trying to sell a pricey convent in Los Feliz, CA (Hollywood area) to celebrity Katy Perry for $14.5 Million cash. On the other side of this sale, the nuns from the convent have recently sold it to a local restaurateur Dana Hollister for $15.5 Million who has plans to convert it into a boutique hotel. Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez is disputing the recent sale with the two elderly Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sister Catherine Rose and Sister Rita because he wants to sell the convent to international superstar singer Katy Perry.Sister Rita and Sister Rose, ages 77 and 78 , both say they pooled their money years ago and purchased the... 07/08/2015

Below is a simple chart of data illustrating the average days to sell of Beaumont, California homes grouped by list price. This data is from January of 2015 to June 2015 and only takes into account list prices and days on the market.What's interesting is conventional wisdom tells us the higher the price the longer we should expect a home to be on the market, yet this chart clearly shows the opposite to be the case for Beaumont homes for sale within this data's parameter's.For Beaumont homes priced between $0 to $200,000 the average days on the market were about 68 days. For Beaumont homes priced between $200,000 to $300,000 the average days on the market were about 70 days. For homes priced between $300,000 to $400,000 the average days to sell were about 61, and for Beaumont homes price... 06/22/2015

Beaumont Home Listings and Real Estate For Sale If you're searching for Beaumont homes for sale, two things are very important to you: The Beaumont home listings need to be accurate and up-to-date The Beaumont MLS listings need to be updated by the minute These Beaumont homes and real estate listings need to be easy to search and browse As you already know, you have many choices and options for searching homes for sale online, but are these options working for you? Many of the large real estate websites list homes that either sold a long time ago, or never were for sale to begin with! Why would they do this? The answer is simple: the more homes and data they list on their website, the more search engine sites show them ranking love, and the more "leads" they can catch and sell to real e... 06/16/2015

Pocket Listings Can Be Legal but Are They EthicalFirst of all, let me explain what a pocket listing is for anyone who doesn't know. It is a listing agreement taken by an agent but with the understanding of the seller and agent that this listing (Residential 1-4 units) will not be put into the MLS system. In CA, there is an OPT OUT form (SELM) which must be signed by the Seller and Broker and sent to MLS or Local Board of Realtors Assoc within 48 hours. The MLS is a huge database of current listings and therefore a great exposure for the seller's property. Also once put into the MLS, then the listing is pushed out to other websites for even more exposure. If the seller doesn't want the property in the MLS, you must ask why? Usually the seller is anxious to sell and wants as much exposure... 04/24/2015