By the way, Morro Bay is also having a true fireworks show this year after their dismal lazer light show last year.  I’ll try to make it so I can give you a review.  I’m really glad to see that they are going more traditional with fireworks.  There is also the art in the park with some very incredible, creative artists showing their wares.  So come out and support them.

This 4th reminds me of what I love about living and working in Morro Bay and Cayucos on the California Central Coast. It is truly an amazing place to live. The people here are friendly and helpful. You can’t ask for a better mix of climates - from the hot north county to balmy SLO to cool beach towns - there is a climate for every mood. You can see just about any and every type of wildlife - whales, otters, deer, wild turkeys, opposums, eagles, red tail hawks, red tail foxes, even bears and mountain lions - the list in endless. Every community is unique which means you can find the perfect fit for your interests and desires.

Sure the overall state and national economy could be better. I’m ready and waiting for that to happen as I’m sure you are too. Eventually, things will turn around. They always do. As my father use to always tell me “Patience is a virtue”… (PS. He didn’t tell me that because I was a patience/calm person)… So I’m practicing my patience, grateful for the beauty surrounding me.

Come visit if you don’t live here and if you do, get out and breathe in our clean air and enjoy the beautiful place we live in!

See you soon!

To be successful over the long term, seriously consider what you are doing and why you are doing it.  Have a plan.  Be prepared.  There are hundreds of different types of properties, multiple ways to hold or unload them, plus thousands of ways to structure deals.  The more specific you can be in your goals, especially in the beginning, the fewer mistakes you will make and the more profitable each property will be.

The basic questions to ask yourself BEFORE you start include:

1. What type of property are you going to focus on (single family, 1 - 4 plex, multi-plex or apartments, commercial, condos, mobile home, etc)?
2. What do you plan to do with the property (rent it, rehab it, wholesale it to another investor, live in it, etc)?
3. What is your alternative plan - just in case your first plan doesn’t work (for example, what if you can’t find a long term renter, are you going to do vacation rental?)?
4. How long do you plan to hold the property?
5. What types of repairs are you willing to do (My general rule of thumb is that I don’t do foundations or roofs)?
6. How much do you want to make off each property?
7. How are you going to finance the property and any repairs?
8. Who are you going to need on your team (title company, lawyer, accountant, contractor, etc)?
9. What location/city/area are you going to target for investments?

When I first started investing, my plan was single family homes on the Central Coast that I could rehab and sale within 30 days and walk away with a minimum of $30,000 after expenses.   I did not do roofs or foundations.  Most of the work was done by myself and my son.  I hired plumbers (for big plumbing jobs) and electricians and an experienced tile person.  I worked directly with one particular title company.  Because I was very specific in the types of properties I was looking for, I could quickly walk into a for sale property and tell if it met my criteria.  As a result, I walked away from more properties that I made offers on.

The final thing to consider when investing is what kind of reputation you want to build.  To that end, always try to create win-win situations, don’t be greedy, walk away from dishonest people and shady deals, remember the “Golden Rule” of treating people how you want to be treated, and pay your contractors quickly and accurately.    Always remember that your reputation makes or breaks you!

I had the fortunate opportunity to be invited to a No-Zin Dinner event at the winery.  And I have to tell you - the food was delicious, the wine was very good but the highlight of the evening was meeting the D’Anbino family and listening to the family band play.  They are UNBELIEVABLE!  Unfortunately, they only play every so often.  It’s worth joining their wine club just to have the opportunity to hear them or at least befriend a current wine club member…  

The family band members have won all kinds of music awards, many of which are hung around the tasting room.  And you definitely have to hear Sharon sing - she has an amazing sultry sound and her voice is so clear.  WOW!!!  You can check out their current event schedule here: http://www.danbino.com/events.html

If you want to enjoy a beautiful tasting room with some super nice and hospital people, you just have to check out this winery!  Guaranteed it will be a highlight of your week!!

Having the right information can impact you financially, your family’s future and your own piece of mind.  So before you start the process, get the information you need to make the right decisions for your family. 

To that end, there are four different people to talk to when you are faced with a foreclosure or shortsale option:

1. A Real Estate Lawyer
2. An Accountant
3. Your Lender(s)
4. An Experienced Realtor

Foreclosures and shortsales have different implications and you need to know how those are going to impact you today as well as tomorrow.  Contrary to what you sometimes here in the media, short sales do impact your credit score in a similar manner as foreclosures.  Some lenders are going after the sellers in shortsale situations in an attempt to collect the ’shorted’ monies.  Some lenders don’t do shortsales if they are a 2nd or 3rd position.  A good realtor can help you decide on a price, understand the market and understand the short sale process.

Once you gather as much information as you possibly can, you will be in a better situation to decide if a short sale or a foreclosure is the best option for you.  Regardless of the stress, fear or frustration you are under, now is not the time to bury your head.   Ask the questions, get the information and then move forward with the best decision you can make in a difficult situation.

I stole that title from a friend because it completely epitomizes the short sale process.  It’s it great!  The only thing short about a short sale is the name. Unfortunately, short sales are definitely on the rise. 

A short sale is when a homeowner sells their home for less than what they owe the lender.  Because the lender gets to make the final decision as to the price and buyer, the process takes much longer than most people think it should.

Plus there can be lots of ‘gottchas’ along the way that can totally derail a  sale.  Probably first and foremost is the length of time it takes to get a short sale approved.  You and your buyer need to be prepared to go the distance. 

Shortsales are very complex with lots of issues that need to be addressed, reviewed, and handled.  Your best bet is to use a real estate agent that is trained in short sales and has closed a few.  You want someone who knows the ins and outs and will give you honest timely information.  You also want someone that you can work closely with as you will be talking to them on a regular daily basis.

Short sales are not for the faint of heart.  Be down right sure this is the best route for you to go AND that your lender is in agreement before you start down that road.

Talk about FUN!  Oh my gosh!  We had the most wonderful time at the California Mid-State Fair Jazz Night. 

This was my first time and I will guarantee you it won’t be the last.   I’ll also guarantee you that if you haven’t gone and sat at a table, you seriously have to do it - but only if you want to have a great time with friends, food, music, and new acquaintences! 

Here’s the funny part, I am not even a real JAZZ lover.  I like it but for me it is one of those things that I can take or leave.  The funnier part is, I’m pretty sure the music was awesome - I do like Peabo Bryson a lot but the evening was really more about interacting with your friends than the music - well at least for me. I remember stopping talking a time or two to listen to the music but that really was secondary.

So if you haven’t gone to the Mid-State Fair Jazz night in Paso Robles, here is how it works - there are 3 options - purchase a table, sit in the bleachers, or sit in the chairs up front.  Do it right and get a table!  With a table, you get to decorate it and bring your own food.  Some tables are very elaborate, some are whimsical, some are plain, and some are very elegant (we went for the plain look).  It’s a blast just walking around and looking at the creativity of all the people that come. Amazing what some of them come up with!  I only wish I had some of that creativity!!

We are definitely doing it next year!  Come join us!

In case you aren’t familar, Moonstone Beach is located on the north end of Cambria and is absolutely GORGEOUS!                                   Moonstone Beach State Parklands incompass 30 acres of rugged, scenic beaches, hiking trails and boardwalks. 

The best way to enjoy it is to drive up for lunch.  Stop at one of the little restaurants along Moonstone Drive and have a leisurely lunch watching the birds, seals, whales, and whatever else appears on the horizon.  Then take a nice stroll along the board walk or down on the beach.  Enjoy the sounds, smells and ambiance of the Central Coast while you look for ‘moonstones’.    Keep your eyes open as you may just find a nice piece of jade, sand dollar or driftwood.

where everyone gets in on the action. 

The small town parade starts at 10 and hosts usually around 65 entries - everything from ‘true’ small town floats to families riding bikes to people walking.  This is such a popular event that people start setting their chairs up on the main drag the Tuesday before the 4th to make sure they get the ‘ideal’ spot. 

The fireworks are shot from the pier and are amazing considering that Cayucos only has about 3,500 full time residents.  You can watch from one of the boats from Morro Bay that anchor on the water just down from the Cayucos peir.    The beach is always a favorite spot for family and friends to gather to dig bon fire pits and wait for the firework.

Then if you are really lucky, you know someone who owns one of the beach houses where you can sit on the deck, BBQ, watch people, watch the ocean and then view the fireworks up close and personal. 

Seriously, next year you need to come!!  But make your hotel reservations early cuz Cayucos does fill up quickly!

Now while that may sound ominous, don’t get too stressed out just yet … because the Central Coast rate is at 49% affordability.  Not as good as some other areas but I’m thinking 49% is pretty darn great to live in one of the most amazing, beautiful and wonderful places in the world.  I would rather pay a little more for my home to be able to live here than one of the other areas in California that don’t even compare.

If you want to read more about affordability in Californa you can go to the car website or read my article on huliq.com  http://www.huliq.com/4745/81600/california-homes-affordable-most-buyers

My beautiful 15 year old daughter stepped up and did her part between 1 am am and 3 am so the rest of us could relax a little.

Then about 3:30 am my friend, organizer, and business owner (Earth Tones) had a huge hankering for pizza.  So being the good friend that I am, drove to the only store open 24 hours,bought a pizza and raced home to cook it.   There we were at about 4 am eating peperoni pizza.   Thank goodness we walked a lot.

I was partcularl impressed with all the teenagers that were particpating.  It was fun and uplifting to walk with a few of them and hear why they were walking. One of the girls I talked to was frustrated because she hadn’t raised as much money as she wanted to.  She has a grandmother in the hospital with cancer and is concerned about a spot on her mother’s face that she fears is cancer.  Yet, with all that she has a wonderful upbeat personality!  Here’s to our youth!! 

Next year I’m going to take copious amounts of pictures to show you all how fun it is!