"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." Sir Winston Churchill     AN EXERCISE IN COURAGE I am a history buff and have always loved that quote. Listening seems sometimes to be a lost art.  Think of how many people in your everyday encounters really listen to what is being said to them.  Truthfully, every now and then I find myself zoning out while thinking ahead to other things on the horizon when I am in conversation with someone. It's a really horrible thing born of always being in a rush and trying to be a step ahead.  I find I do this way more than I should, kick myself a few times and get back on track.  I do this a lot with my kids.  I get really impatient for them to get to the point.  But guess what?  If I'm not real... 11/18/2009

Corona home buyers (and sellers) will be happy to know the first time homebuyer program, which was scheduled to end November 2009, has now been extended until June 2010.  Homebuyers who may have been searching frantically for a home to meet the deadline will now have a bit more time to capitalize on the terrific $8,000 credit. Cameron Novak Corona & Riverside Short Sale Agents The Homefinding CenterTM Corona, California 951-212-7479     11/15/2009

Don't look now... inventory has dried up in Corona!!! If you haven't been paying attention to the housing market in Corona over the past several weeks, you're in for a surprise.  Inventory has dried up... and when i say "dried", I mean as in Raisin!  There isn't even many short sale listings (which are usually last on a home buyer's list of considerations). Amazing how many people keep propagating the story that there will be a GLUT of foreclosures released to the market which will fuel even farther value drops.... DON'T BELIEVE IT.  I've been hearing that one since last year... somehow it never occurs. It's a great time to buy, and if home ownership sounds good to you... get off the fence and get into a home of your own!  Trying to time the housing market is like trying to time the st... 11/15/2009

I've been reading posts, listening to the news and the talking heads and I have an idea.  Not an original one to be sure. But one worth posting. Small business seems to have been completely left out of any economic stimulus, with the government figuring that all their printed dollars used to bail out Wall Street and Auto Manufacturing will somehow filter down to small business.  I'm no economist and I hope that some of that money does... but I know that there is something I can do personally and I am challenging each of us to do the same. Patronize a small business in your community TODAY. Make it your goal to do business with small, professionally run businesses.  Alternatively or in addition, give/donate to a local charity who can help our local troubled neighbors to get through this ... 11/04/2009

Corona, California Real Estate Market Report- November 1st, 2009Corona Active Listings= 603Lowest priced listing in Corona = $39,900.00Highest priced listing in Corona = $10,995,000.00Active Listings Property Type: 529 Single Family Residences 64 Condos/Townhouses 10 Manufactured or Commercial/Residential Dual Use                                Active Listings Sale Type: 199 Standard Listings 64 REO* Listing 340 Short Pay** Listings                               Active Listings Price Range: 81 priced at or above $500,000.00 522 priced below $500,000.00                               Corona properties in Pending & Back Up Status= 1,026Pending & Back Up Status Listing Type: 193 Standard Listings 205 REO* Listings 628 Short Pay** Listings                               Corona Properties Sold... 11/02/2009

The third and FINAL phase is almost complete and already 75%% SOLD!  Contact the community sales agent for more information or to get pre-qualified for one of the 5 remaining 4 bedroom units in this last phase at River Road Village. Or stop by the community sales office on Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 PM. Own your home for less than the cost of renting in our private, gated community featuring newly constructed 3 and 4 bedroom homes. River Road Village is a park-like community centered around a beautifully landscaped recreation area, community pool, spa, and recreation facility. Uniquely designed homes built alongside strolling paseos give this new neighborhood a sense of charm and community like no other. Homes are fully upgraded and move-in ready featuring granite kitchen countertops,... 10/30/2009

IT'S IN THE AIR This is my most absolutely favorite time of the year.  Playoff time, World Series just around the corner. Time stands still for me in October.  I plan everything around access to radio, TV anywhere or any place I can catch a glimpse of the game, a score an instant replay.  I believe the big man upstairs must have invented the internet accessible cell phone for baseball junkies.  Football, forget about it! I love the smell of the grass, the roar of the crowd and that smack sound when bat meets ball.  There's nothing like the hearing the pop of a ball in the glove after some high cheese. It's been rough being a Braves fan these past seasons but even living in Angels-Dodgers terrritory hasn't dimmed my loyalty to the chop.  We Braves fans don't wave girly hankys we swing t... 10/19/2009

Here is a look at what is happening as of October 16, 2009 for Corona CA real estate.  There are currently 508 active listings for single family homes for sale.  The information below is organized by Corona CA zip codes.  The average list price of sold homes shows the average price as listed on the multiple listing service and the average sold price shows the average actual sales prices.  In each of the five zip codes, the prices of houses has gone up - comparing July to September - a good sign that the real estate market in Corona appears to be stabilizing.   92879 Sept 2009 July 2009 Number of houses for sale 87 90 Number of houses in escrow 152 137 Number of sold houses 57 42 Average list price of sold houses $263,414 $238,643 Average sold price of houses $268,586 $240,112   92880 Se... 10/16/2009

BEHIND THE SCENES Stagers wear many hats and one of them is as close to being a relationship counselor as it gets. Of course I am speaking about the relationship between a seller, their house and their "stuff". We all know moving and selling a home can be very stressful and overwhelming. It's a letting go process for many. I have seen the look of relief on more than one face in the past as I arrived to do a consultation.  Stress is a lot of little tiny things that eventually add up to a mountain.  That mountain is really just a little pile if you look at things in a simpler way. Sellers need a little help letting go, it's normal. We can speed up the letting go process and this has both emotional and financial benefits. The polish and bling of a fully completed Staging job is the public... 10/15/2009

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) is hosting public scoping meetings this fall to invite comments about a proposed High-Speed Train System from Los Angeles to San Diego via the Inland Empire.   Meetings will be held next week in Riverside County on Oct. 19, 20 and 22.  The scoping process helps identify and define the scope of issues to be addressed in depth in the analysis that will be included in the EIR/EIS.  Scoping provides the public with an opportunity to become involved as soon as the EIR/EIS process begins. The meetings will provide an open forum for public information and comment for visitors any time between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The meetings will mark the start of the project-level environmental process for this Section of the High-Speed Train System. The Auth... 10/13/2009

HIGH EXPECTATIONS It's funny as you get on in years, the things that you would roll your eyes about when younger start making sense.  Have you ever caught yourself sounding like your mother?  Something many of us swore would never happen right? I have four very great kids, healthy, happy and yes deprived.  Some of their friends have every known electronic, toy or gadget known to exist.  The latest, greatest and newest.  They wear the latest, greatest and newest. We are way behind in our neighborhood.  Why just last year we purchased a play station! No we don't have a Wi! Just like the kids in our neighborhood, the real estate landscape around my area became inundated with every bell and whistle a homeowner could want.  Unchecked refinancing, low interest rates and inflated property val... 10/07/2009

Corona Ca, First Time Home Buyer Tips- Part 4: What You Need to Know About Sellers                                                                        So you are a First Time Home Buyer looking to buy a home in Corona California. You are a unique individual and your search will vary in most respects from others who are looking to buy. There is always one constant though: you will be buying your home from a seller. Although all sellers vary just like buyers vary, there are 4 main types of seller. Knowing the difference between these sellers can help make your search more productive. First Time Home Buyer Tips- Seller #1- The Short Sale: A seller who has listed their home as a short sale is usually a seller who does not necessarily want to sell but they have no other choice. They have ... 10/07/2009

Corona, Ca First Time Home Buyer Tips-Part 3: Do & Don't                                                                                                         So you are a First Time Home Buyer looking to buy a new home or condo in Corona. You have chosen a great Realtor and are working with a wonderful loan officer who has pre approved you for your loan. Here comes the fun part. It is time to start searching for your home. Before you get started take a look at this list of First Time Buyer Tips Do and Don't because the last thing you want is to run into problems now, especially if they can be avoided. First Time  Home Buyer Tips Do 1: Continue to Save Money. During the time you are searching for homes and even when you have already found your home, saving money is always a smart thin... 10/07/2009

Corona, Ca First Time Home Buyer Tips: Part 2- How to Choose your Lender                                                                             When it comes to buying your first home, there are many choices you have to make. Making the right choice can mean the difference between a happy first time home buyer and disappointment. Choosing your lender and loan officer is a very important decision you do not want to go wrong on. First Time Home Buyer tip 1: First things first, secure financing. Oh I know talking about finances is no where as much fun as going to look at homes but it needs to be the first thing you do. Sure you can start by choosing your agent as they can be a great resource in finding your lender, but before you start looking at homes you need to know what you qualif... 10/07/2009

Corona, Ca First Time Home Buyer Tips- Part 1: How to Choose your Realtor                                                                                         This will be the first in a series of first time home buyer tips blogs that I hope will be beneficial to all first time home buyers looking for tips on how to prepare for purchasing their first home. Buying your first home is both exciting and trying. Choosing the right agent can mean the difference between your first set of home keys and disappointment. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when searching for the perfect agent for the job. First Time Home Buyer tip 1: Chose an agent who specializes in working with First Time Home Buyers. This might seem like stating the obvious but many buyers do not understand why this is impor... 10/07/2009

The months of supply of homes for sale is extremely low for single family homes in Corona. From this time last year, the supply of homes for sale has decreased by 79%.Corona remains a market full of affordability. For first time home buyers. Over the past year the median sales price has increased by 7%.  This is not the only good news. Since last year, the average days on the market has decreased by 5%. So what does all this mean for you? It means that there are many buyers looking in Corona. Homes are staying on the market for less time because of the affordability for buyers.   Keisha Hosea is a local Market Expert and Realtor in Chino Hills, California with Keller Williams Realty, She is the Team Director and CEO of KASI Homes. She has been a local resident of Chino Hills and the Inl... 10/04/2009

Corona Real Estate Market Report- October 1st, 2009 Corona Active Listings= 557Lowest priced listing in Corona= $44,900.00Highest priced listing in Corona= $3,950,000.00Active Listings Property Type: 497 Single Family Residences 53 Condos/Townhouses 7 Mobile Homes                           Active Listings Sale Type: 196 Standard Listings 52 REO* Listing 309 Short Pay** Listings                               Active Listings Price Range: 77 priced at or above $500,000.00 480 priced below $500,000.00                               Corona Properties in Pending & Back Up Status= 1,032Pending & Back Up Status Listing Type: 171 Standard Listings 250 REO* Listings 611 Short Pay** Listings                               Corona Properties Sold From 9/1/09-9/30/09= 323September, 2009 Sales Type: 100... 10/02/2009

Friday, September 25th - Extreme Night 7:00pm-9:00pm - BMX Show, Firefighters, K-9 Demonstrations, and great food! Corona Public Library   Here is a link to the flyer... ENJOY!  http://www.coronapubliclibrary.org/PDF/extreme_night.pd f 09/25/2009

   Board Votes to Include $4.5 Billion for High-Speed Train Projects InCalifornia's Federal Stimulus Funding Application    Proposal backed by support from regions throughout the state Sacramento - The California High-Speed Rail Authority on Wednesday unanimously approved an application for more than $4.5 billion in federal stimulus funding for engineering, design and construction on the state's high-speed train system - generating an investment of $9.1 billion when state matching funds are added. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to formally submit California's bid by the federal government's Oct. 2 deadline for states to seek a share of $8 billion set aside for high-speed train development under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. "California is a leading contender f... 09/24/2009

Corona, CA Do It Youreslf Loan Modification part 3 (last of the serious)....                                                                   Do It Yourself Loan Modification step 11: Once you have confirmed the lender has received your package follow up consistently. You want to call the loss mitigation department at least once a week to check on your progress. Once you get assigned a loss mitigation negotiator try to get this persons contact information such as their email address, direct fax, and direct line. You want to make nice with this person because you don't want your case to be put at the bottom of the stack. You also want to be persistent. Follow up is key to success. Remember the people at the bank who are working on your file have at least 100 other files to work on. The ... 09/23/2009