Where Does Your Mulch Come From?

You may want to check with the companies that you hire to do your mulched beds this year, to make sure they know where the mulch they use is coming from. Or, if you buy your own mulch, be very careful about buying mulch it. After the hurricane in New Orleans many trees were blown over. These trees were then turned into mulch and the state is trying to get rid of tons and tons of this mulch to any state or company who will come and haul it away. So it will be showing up in Home Depot and Lowe's at dirt cheap prices with one huge problem...Formosan Termites will be the bonus in many of those bags.

New Orleans is one of the few areas in the country were the Formosan Termites has gotten a strong hold and most of the trees blown down were already badly infested with those termites. Now we may have the worst case of transporting a problem to all parts of the country that we have ever had. These termites can eat a house in no time at all and we have no good control against them, so tell your friends that own homes to avoid cheap mulch and know were it came from.

For more information on Formosan termites, visit: www.agctr.lsu.edu/en/environment/insects/Termites

It is also a good idea to get a termite inspection this year. We recommend having your home inspected every year, but it sounds like this year it will be even more important. If you need a referral to a reputable termite company, just give us a call, 949-285-3739, or drop us a note. We are happy to help!

Leveling Of The Playing Field

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® predicts a lower level of home sales this year creating a more level playing field for buyers and sellers. South Orange County homes sales in February confirms this prediction with sales lower and market times higher across the board.

Laguna Niguel saw the most dramatic effects of a market readjustment, however. In February 2005, 82 homes sold compared to 61 in February 2006. At the same time, inventory increased dramatically from 169 new listings in 2005 to 218 new listings in 2006. With these numbers, we will start to see longer market times in Laguna Niguel.
Laguna Beach shows the least change from last year with sales down by only 2 when comparing 2005 to 2006.












What does all this mean to buyers and sellers?

Less sales and higher inventory means buyers have more homes to choose from than in the past few years. They will want to be sure to be represented by an agent to assist them in negotiating the most favorable terms.

Sellers must understand this new market reality and price their homes accordingly. An over priced home will take longer to sell and ultimately sell for a lower price.

Whether buying or selling, give us a call. We will look out for your best interests and help you get the best possible deal!

All stats are compiled from the Southern California Multiple Listing Service. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Tips To Prevent Identity Theft

A friend of mine was just a victim of Identity Theft. Someone got her credit card number. They made 2 credit cards with her number on it and used these cards to charge $500 at Bed Bath and Beyond in Rockville, Md. At the same time (within 2 hours), they spent $500 at Walmart in Lakeland, FL. My friend discovered something was amiss when she went to use her card and it was declined.

The following is a memo from my friend’s attorney to his office staff:

1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED."

3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.

4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a P.O. Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a P.O. Box, use your work address.

5. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

6. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when travel either here or abroad.

We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards. Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.

But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.

2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to do this).

3. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away. This weekend someone turned it in.It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks. Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., has been stolen:

Equifax: 1-800-525-62852.)
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-37423.)
Trans Union: 1-800-680-72894.)
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

This all makes good sense and we are glad to be able to share it with you. So, please protect yourself!

What Is Your Home Really Worth?

A new website claims to give the numbers in South Orange County and beyond. Wherever you live in South Orange County, from Dana Point to Laguna Beach to San Clemente, if you plan to buy or sell a home, one of the most important pieces of information you will need is the home's current value in reasonably accurate terms.

Well, Zillow.com is a new national website that purports to be able to tell you that so that you - uh - won't need a Realtor like me. Well, I just read a good post on this by my friend Margaret Rome in Baltimore, Maryland and want to share it with you.

It really says it all: "In the last few days, a new Web site launched with great fanfare but spotty performance. When CNN included a story about it on their evening news, the site couldn’t keep up with the hits. Why all the fuss? Zillow promises to give homebuyers and sellers up to date and complete information about the value of their home and comparables in their area. Some have suggested this will make real estate agents obsolete because people will be able to price their own homes to be competitive.

The early returns are that the site’s information is incomplete and sometimes wrong, which makes the suggested price ranges they give hard to justify. In some cases, the range is optimistically high, and for others, I’ve negotiated sales higher than their top amount. The site depends on public records for its data. But public records will not show factors, like recent additions and improvements or the condition of the interior, that affect price. Public records can also be wrong; a friend of mine checked her house and said she wants that fireplace she’s supposed to have, but will not give up the second bathroom they didn’t count. If the information about a house is wrong, how valid is the price estimate? In time, the site will undoubtedly improve, but for now – caution.

There is no question about real estate agents becoming an endangered species because of this or any other site. Price is only one factor in buying or selling your home, and getting to the settlement table means avoiding traps and overcoming obstacles. A top agent will be experienced at: negotiating the terms of your contract, making sure only qualified buyers troop through your home, meeting and dealing with appraisers, and working with home inspectors and title companies to be sure you are protected from start to finish.

Buying or selling a home is an emotionally-charged transaction. Now more than ever it pays to have an experienced professional on your side. Embrace the benefits of new technology, but don’t fall into the trap of believing it will replace market knowledge and personal service.
The end of real estate agents? Not any time soon. Margaret"

Visit Margaret Rome's Blog here.

We are glad to provide you with a complete, accurate home evaluaton. Click here for your no-obligation report.