Windermere Real Estate
When John Jacobi founded Windermere Real Estate in 1972, he had a vision for the way real estate should be handled: Anticipate and respond to the real estate needs of buyers and sellers, and support the communities you serve. What he didn’t know is that he would also significantly change the way real estate is practiced.
Windermere pioneered an aggressive commission structure, offers unique agent benefits and was the first to have a searchable database of homes on its Web site. Because of these innovations and paradigm shifts, Windermere has grown to become the leading real estate company in the West, building on its commitments to professionalism, integrity and service to the communities of which it is a part. The Windermere network now has more than 290 offices serving communities in Arizona, British Columbia, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
There are currently 37 Windermere offices open in Southern California with more than 1000 agents. While the offices are independently owned, they are frequently in communication and promote each others business. Windermere Exclusive Properties began modestly in 2001 with one branch and 12 agents. Since then, the company has grown to include four branches, close to 200 agents, a Premier Properties program for high-end real estate and a highly successful New Homes Division.
Aug 20
Then Is Now…Part Deux
Posted by Susan "Sully" Sullivan | Leave A Comment »
Do you remember one of my previous blog theories titled, “Then Is Now”, meaning, “I wish I would have bought Then”…is Now!
Here is my most recent poignant thought that I would like to share with you… If this is the worst real estate market (for sellers) in recent history, then surely it creates some of the best buying opportunities in a lifetime as well.
Real Estate is not my job…it’s my passion! I don’t just sell real estate, I feel real estate and I am going on record to declare that TODAY/NOW is the time to invest. 
Think about it…With the feds planned interest rate hike coming very soon, combined with lenders tightening the belt on regulations regarding loan requirements, each day that goes by and each incremental interest rate hike, WILL affect your buying power. What is attainable today, in my humble opinion, may very well become out of reach for you tomorrow, and anytime in the future.
Here’s a scenario that has been occurring: You’ve been approved for a home loan and you’ve been waiting for “the bottom to fall out”. On a daily basis loan programs that you may have been approved for are being eliminated, and sometimes without ANY warning. You are now no longer approved and will be unable to purchase the home you have been waiting for when it finally becomes available. NOT FUN!
It is my intention to guide you through all the processes of this confusing time - and that even means using the ‘F’ word…Foreclosures, not my favorite, since there are multiple offers and are not always the best deal when you find unexpected surprises such as tax liens, concrete in the plumbing, AS IS conditions, and expedited contingency and closing time-lines. But I will give you my expert opinions and assistance if this is where you think you want to go. I’m finding that you can have a nice, clean and relaxed transaction in the same price range that the foreclosures end up getting pushed to in the multiple offer frenzy process. Personally, I like to shop when there’s no one else in the store, but that’s just me.
Bottom line: If you are still waiting on the fence, you may miss this opportune time to own a piece of the California Coastline.
IN OTHER WORDS… 
DON’T LET THIS BE YOU!! GET UP, GET OUT THERE, AND MAKE IT HAPPEN!
I look forward to facilitating all of your real estate needs and remain and please feel free to check out my blog on my website: www.sully4realestate.com or www.realestatedeva.com to read how I really feel about things.
Related Posts: Carlsbad, Foreclosures, Real Estate News
Aug 15
Save Gas, Time & Money with these Real Estate Search Tips
Posted by Erica Vautier | Leave A Comment »
The secret to having more Time and Money has been sought after by people for thousands of years. Recently, we have added a new item to the list of things to lust after…GAS.
While prices have come down slightly over the past week, they are anything but low. The average price for mid-grade gasoline in California is $4.23 while the U.S. average for mid-grade gasoline is $3.93 (data from from U.S. Energy Information Association, 8/11/08).
High gas prices wouldn’t be so bad if we were only driving a couple miles a day, but the majority of Americans are driving much more than that. In fact, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that we drive an average of 13,476 miles per year.
At 20 miles per gallon and $4.23 per gallon, we are spending $2850.17 a year on gas.
Sigh!
Real Estate agents suffer even more than the rest of us as they tote clients up and down the coast, from property to property. Anyone searching for a new home understands this plight…
So now the great challenge is to find a way to save time, money AND gas. It is definitely a challenge, but it is not impossible.
Follow the tips below and you will be well on your way to conserving our most prized possessions while you search for a new home.
Drive Less
I know that sounds like a terrible inconvenience, but it actually can be quite the opposite. Advancements in technology have armed the Real Estate community with powerful new tools that allow buyers to virtually tour properties, neighborhoods and communities.
A savvy agent will be able to show you satellite images of potential homes and track traffic in the area. You will be able to eliminate homes that aren’t right for you without wasting time or gas.
In the past real estate agents would have to show their clients 15 to 20 homes before they would find one that they like. The drastic improvements in our ability to preview properties through the internet have lowed that number - now agents typically show clients only 6 homes before they fall in love.
Translation: Eliminate homes that aren’t right for you through electronic tours and save precious time and gas.
Get More Gas for your Money
If you can’t resist the temptation of taking the drive to a potential home, you can stretch your gas tank farther with these tricks.
- Fill Up in the Morning: Gas is kept underground in tanks. In the colder morning ground gas becomes more dense and you will get more gas in your tank.
- Don’t Squeeze the Nozzle Trigger: The faster the gas pumps into your car, the more vapor that goes in with it. Keep it at a slow speed and load up on gas, not air.
- Fill Up Well Before Empty: Gas evaporates quickly when exposed to air. If you keep your tank at least half full at all times (so there is less air in the tank) you will minimize evaporation and maximize value.
- Find a Less Expensive Gas Station: Use this website to search for the gas station near you with the lowest prices.
- Beat the Traffic: The stop-and-go of traffic will dramatically reduce your highway miles per gallon. Use this site to find traffic-free routes.
There is no quick fix for the Gas-Time-Money quest, but there are things you can do to make the best of it. Use a technology-friendly agent to eliminate homes you don’t need to preview in person and stretch your gas miles as far as they will go. Oh — and if anyone comes up with the secret to unlimited time, be sure to let me know!
Related Posts: Find A Home, Maps, Real Estate News, San Diego
Aug 15
Ring-Tailed TOOTER of the Week!
Posted by Pam & Joanna | Leave A Comment »
You Could Have Had it All for Just $690,000!
Over 3100 Sq. Ft., 5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, Situated on over 2 acres on a cul-de-sac street, Pool, Spa, Guest House, and Fabulous Valley Center Views.
Check back every week to see properties you could have had…
or contact us and get one of your own!
Related Posts: Area Information, Buyers, Foreclosures, Valley Center
Aug 13
Buying A Home Should Be Exciting…
Posted by Kevin Kueneke | Currently 1 Comment »
Unfortunately, the process can also be very stressful. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a home that can help the process go a little smoother and hopefully keep it fun.
Firstly, find a real estate professional with whom you connect. Home buying is both a financial and emotional commitment and it is critical that the real estate professional you choose is not only highly skilled but also a good fit with your personality. Just as important is to find a competent mortgage loan officer, someone that keeps up with the ever changing mortgage market. Many loans that were available six to twelve months ago are not available now. Someone that “does loans on the side” may not be current.
There is no perfect time to buy a home so if you find the right home, do not try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer as you risk losing the opportunity. Worthwhile homes are now being priced to sell and are receiving multiple offers. Mortgage interest rates can increase dramatically in a short period of time drastically affecting your borrowing power. It is very important to plan ahead, get your ducks in a row, and get pre-approved for a mortgage prior to shopping. You must be realistic and know what you can truly afford.
One of the biggest problems I had when I was shopping for my first home was that I had trouble accepting that no house is perfect. There was something wrong with each and every home. If the kitchen was right, the bedrooms were too small. If the yard was the perfect size, the house was on a busy street. Best bet is to make a list of your top priorities and focus on things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go. 
Do not forget to factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget even if you buy a new home because there will always be costs. I had to buy a lawnmower, a rake, yard waste cans, you name it. Worse yet, the existing carpet, which seemed fine with the seller’s furniture on it, looked old and worn once I had moved in my furniture. Then my furniture looked old and worn with the new carpet…
Buying a home, especially your first home, is a big financial commitment and should be well thought out. Preparation is key. Did you ever take a test in school without studying, choosing the “I’ll just wing it” approach? I have and it was no fun.
Plan ahead. Rely on the experts. Keep it fun.
Related Posts: Buyers, Find A Home, Home Loans, Interest Rates, Mortgage News
