Dedicated to the Communities We Serve
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Citizen-Agents
If home is where the heart is, then community is where you’ll find our soul. Windermere understands what it means to be part of a strong community because we’re a part of so many communities throughout the West. At Windermere, we feel it’s just as important to be citizens of our community as it is to be real estate professionals.
So we call ourselves “citizen-agents.” Just what do we mean by that?
We truly believe we are building vibrant and livable communities and the path to that is through members of the community—such as our citizen-agents. We’re not just providing customers with extraordinary experiences during the transaction; we’re also showing our care and concern for the communities we serve.
We’re just like you; we’re active on neighborhood councils, ready to coach Little League, volunteering right next to you at the senior center. Because when it comes down to it, we live here, too—we’re your neighbors.
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Community Service Day
We’re in the business of selling houses. But more importantly, we’re helping people find a place they can call home. Our commitment to service extends beyond each real estate transaction. Every year since 1984, Windermere associates have skipped work for a day to complete neighborhood improvement projects.
Not only is Community Service Day a great opportunity to give back to the communities where we live and work, it also gives us a chance to work together. We clean, landscape and repair parks, playgrounds, schools, shelters and community buildings. Each office selects a project that best serves its community needs.After all, real estate is rooted in our communities. And an investment in our neighborhoods gives us all a better place to call home.
Past projects have included cleaning beaches, painting and light carpentry to benefit senior citizens centers, helping local charities run fundraisers, working with children whose parents are overseas with the military, to name a few.
Community Service Day has been recognized by several local and national organizations for its community improvement projects and in turn, real estate firms across the country have adopted similar programs.
Popularity: 11% [?]
Invasion in Carmel Valley
Posted by Catherine Thoreson | Leave A Comment »
October 25th was a lovely Fall day. A perfect day for a party. All the preparations had been made. It was time. Then it happened. They came by the hundreds. They came as princesses, ninjas, pirates and witches. Neighborhood children, parents with strollers and grandpa
rents in tow. Even family pets.
It was the annual Torrey Hills Plaza Fall Festival and, once again, the agents at our Carmel Valley office of Windermere Exclusive Properties were ready for the fun-filled afternoon.
This festival has been known to draw in approximately 1200 people and since the weather that day was beautiful, we expected at least that amount.
In addition to a bouncy house, face painting and fire truck, participants were encouraged to stop by each business in the plaza for treats. Visitors to our office were greeted by Oogie Boogie, and enjoyed crafting a cute foam Halloween frame, participated in our famous coloring contest and, of course, received candy.
We also had something for the adults- bottled water and our expertise of the real estate market. Windermere has several wonderful tools for the homeowner or potential home buyer, and we always like to share what
we know.
Windermere is known for it’s company-wide community involvement, and this festival provides us another way in which we can give something back to the neighborhoods we work and serve in.
We enjoyed meeting everyone that stopped by and invite you to drop in anytime. We always have a qualified agent available to assist with your real estate needs.
After all, we are the neighborhood specialists.
To see our Top Picks of this year’s coloring contest, click here. All winners received a Free Kid’s Meal at Pick Up Stix. Call Catherine Thoreson at (858) 592-9757 for more details.
Popularity: unranked [?]
Related Posts: Activities & Events, Agent Services, Area Information, Carmel Valley, Community Service
November Activities: Fall Festivals, Wine of the Month & More!
Posted by Adrienne Dimeno | Currently 2 Comments »
November 2008 ~ Events Calendar
Fossil Mysteries
11/1/2008 – 11/11/2008
Fossil Mysteries showcases the last 75 million years in the southern California and Baja California bioregion—known among scientists for its incredibly rich fossil record which includes sharks three times the size of great whites, mammoths, sea cows, lions, dinosaurs, giant sloths, whales, walruses, saber-tooth cats, dire wolves and more! San Diego Natural History Museum. (619) 232-3821
Dias de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
11/1/2008 – 11/2/2008
This Hispanic tradition is a time to remember past family and the Dead decorations have been used in these Mexican celebrations for generations. Visitors can purchase authentic candles, paper banners, figurines and Dias de los Muertos decorations for their own personal altars. At tge Bazaar del Mundo Shops and Casa Guadalajara in Old Town San Diego you’ll find: activities, entertainment, food, demonstrations, and Colorful displays of hand-made paper cutouts, wood, and terra cotta.
Gaslamp Quarter Fallback Festival
11/2/2008
It will be the 7th annual Fall Back Festival, on the Sunday that ends daylight savings time. Includes the Historic Children’s Street Faire, the world’s only festival that celebrates history by “falling back”. Tons of children’s activities, entertainment, food, demonstrations, and will be lots of fun. Ticketed event/all ages. Location: 4th Ave & Island Ave. (619) 233–5008
Shop under the Stars Charity Fundraiser
11/3/2008
Join us for the 4th annual Shop under the Stars Charity Fundraiser Event. 100% of ticket sales benefit these charitable organizations: Casa de Amparo, Girls Incorporated of San Diego, Hospice of the North Coast, National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Pacific South Coast Chapter, Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary – Mountain View Chapter and the Simon Youth Foundation. Ticket Includes - Goodie bag filled with exclusive savings and gifts - Complimentary hors d’eourves and glass of wine, or signature Shoppertini at Bellefleur Restaurant - Complimentary Afterglow Starbucks coffee service in Center Court. Live entertainment - Raffle - Silent Auction. 5pm - 9pm (760) 804-9000
San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival
11/12/2008 –11/16/2008
The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is an international showcase of the world’s premier wine and spirits, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods. Over 700 wines and spirits, 60 of San Diego’s top fine dining restaurants and 30 gourmet food companies will participate in the Festival. The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival has quickly grown into a world-class wine and culinary extravaganza. The five-day festival features wine tasting seminars, cooking classes by award-winning chefs, and an elegant Reserve Tasting at one of San Diego’s finest hotels. (629) 342-7337
Grinch Christmas Tree Lighting
11/16/2008
The Old Globe is also pleased to announce its third annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Sunday, November 16 at 6:00pm on the Globe Plaza. Continuing the tradition that began two years ago, the ceremony will kick off the holiday season in conjunction with the presentation of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa
11/17/2008
Traditional sounds & rhythms, powerful acoustics & inventive costumes along with rich repertory, THE SONG & DANCE ENSEMBLE OF WEST AFRICA performs with graceful movements & a virtuosity that will transport you to their native country of Mali. Directed by Bamba Dembele, the orchestra uses all the musical styles of Mali: peul, malinke, senoufo & bambara. Balboa Theatre. (619) 570-1100
Thanksgiving Day Luncheon Cruise
11/27/2008
This relaxing 2 hour bay cruise features a plated holiday style menu. MENU : Fresh Rolls and Butter, House Salad with Herb Balsamic Vinaigrette, Seasonal Vegetables and Whipped Garlic Potatoes, Savory Herb Stuffing with Cranberry Sauce, Sliced Roasted Breast of Turkey, Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream, Hosted Coffee, Tea and Iced Tea. $55.00 Adults, plus gratuity Discounts for groups, www.sdhe.com, (619) 234-4111
Information compliments of Hertiage Escrow
Popularity: unranked [?]
Related Posts: Activities & Events, Community Service, Entertainment, Restaurants, Tourism
You met “Joe The Plumber”, Now Meet “Joe the Realtor”
Posted by Carole Ferris | Currently 6 Comments »
After the latest round of Presidential debates, we are all very familiar with “Joe the Plumber“. Now I’d like to introduce you to another Joe.
Meet Joe, the Realtor.
When you work with a Windermere agent, you will know who Joe the Realtor is…
Joe the Realtor is an agent who holds himself to the highest of ethical standards, integrity, honesty, knowledge and dedication. Joe the Realtor keeps his clients needs above his own at all costs.
How many times has Joe the Realtor not been able to have dinner with his family because his clients have called and must see the house right now? Or how about that wedding Joe was looking forward to? His clients showed up a week early from out of town and Joe the Realtor had to miss the wedding of his good friend.
Joe the Realtor, represents Windermere as the “nimble, brainy contender with a good heart, a stubborn allegiance to integrity, and a belief in the power of trusting human relationships.” A description given by John Jacobi, founder of Windermere.
Joe the Realtor has wisdom and is a smart man. Joe the Realtor believes in serving his community and giving back to his community.
When you liken Joe the Realtor to a used car salesman, you better think again.
Windermere’s Joe the Realtor is a cut above the rest. Don’t settle for the rest…call the best!
Whether you are looking to work with a “Joe” or join a company full of them, give me a call. You can reach me at (760) 434-4340; I’d love to speak with anyone who shares these values and dedication to their community.
Popularity: unranked [?]
Related Posts: Agent Services, Careers at Windermere, Community Service, Join Windermere, Windermere, Windermere Agents, Windermere Managers
The Forgotten Victims of Foreclosure
Posted by Traci Hansen | Leave A Comment »
With the rising number of foreclosures around the nation and right in our own neighborhoods, our sympathies go to the families that will leave their homes behind and out of desperation move on.
The question I pose is, what about the pets? The number of family pets that are left behind is staggering. The family pet, once part of the family, is now abandoned and trapped in an empty home, with minimal or no food and water.
The people to arrive first to a foreclosed home i.e. the junk haulers, Realtors, bank inspectors, and neighbors typically do not have the authority to remove the animals. Once the Humane Society has been called, it can take several days to respond to the foreclosed house due to the volume of other cases.
One of the Humane Society employees, who has personally responded to about 1,000 foreclosure calls last year, tells of finding the animals chained up, or running loose in the house. The Humane Society does not keep numbers on how many animals are found in foreclosed homes. The pets are simply listed as abandoned. Animal cruelty charges are rare in foreclosed cases because it’s hard to prove malice involved in leaving the pet behind.
The before mentioned Humane Society employee has found 15 dead animals in foreclosed homes and has filed charges in each of those cases. When he found a boxer tied to a tree in the backyard next to a pile of trash, no charges were filed. And nothing was done to the owners of a yellow lab who left the dog chained to a water faucet.
He states, “Once the family has been tracked down the first thing they tell you is, ‘Man we loved our dog, but we just couldn’t take him with us,’” Personally, there is no reasoning that I can wrap my head around to justify leaving your beloved pet behind. And if the family is moving into a place that does not accommodate pets, then why not drop them off at a shelter? At least that gives them a chance, even though the numbers are climbing at the shelters and due to overpopulation almost half of incoming animals are euthanized.
A majority of the pets found are in poor health, some can be rehabilitated, but approximately 15 percent are euthanized. As more families are forced from their homes, the fallout is painfully clear at the animal shelters nationwide. Experts say a dog will become dehydrated within 24 hours without water and could die in extreme heat within a few days. Like humans, dogs and cats can go for a long time without food but will quickly die without water.
How Can You Help Save Abandoned Pets?
In most states, by law, pets are personal property, which means they have little or no rights. Personal property left behind by home owners are subject to seizure by the lender that has taken the home back in foreclosure, but most REO lenders don’t want to take care of pets. Some laws do not allow for forfeiture of personal property until a certain period of time has passed, so lenders are prevented from removing pets, and often discourage others from intervening.
- If you know that a home in your neighborhood is being foreclosed upon, why not ask the occupants if they have made plans for their pets?
- Some homeowners might willingly turn over their pets to an animal welfare agency that specializes in rescuing stray and abandoned pets, if they knew where to take their pets.
- Leave animal rescue literature with the owners; it’s better to offend and apologize than to do nothing.
- After the owners have moved, check on the home to see if any pets were left behind or tied up in the back yard.
- Call your local Humane Society to find out how you can help to rescue abandoned pets.
- Call a local real estate agent and ask the neighborhood specialist to inspect the home for abandoned pets. Most will gladly oblige at no obligation.
- In some states, animal cruelty is against the law, If you suspect animal cruelty, call the police.
- If you find a dehydrated pet, provide a small amount of water under supervision—some pets can become so thirsty and weak that they can drown in a water bowl—then call a vet before administering food.
Because if you don’t speak up for these helpless animals, WHO WILL??????
If this blog has moved you in some way, please take a look at the nopawsleftbehind.org website… It is a nonprofit that helps the pet owners find shelters. Please take a look and see how you can become proactive and help the forgotten victims of foreclosure.
Popularity: 63% [?]
Related Posts: Community Service, Education, Foreclosures, Homeowners, Leucadia, Moving Tips & Advice, Real Estate News, San Diego, Sellers, Short Sales, The Daily News, Uncategorized
