ANDEE'S CORNER

Archive for May, 2009

Central Coast has Least Affordable Homes in the State!

Sunday, May 31st, 2009

The California Central Coast’s homes are the least affordable based on first quarter 2009 data according to the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R).   Even less affordable than San Francisco or San Diego….

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

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Posted in First Time Home Buyers | 4 Comments »

Atascadero’s First Relay for Life - BIG Success!

Sunday, May 31st, 2009

I had a fabulous time at Atascadero’s American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life last night.    The luminaries that lined the pathway around the Sunken Garden were a beautiful tribute to those who have cancer, are cancer survivors or have succumed  cancer.  It was so emotional to take the silent memorial walk, remember and see how cancer has and does touch so many lives from infant to the elderly.   I am so fortunate to be able to take part in this fund raiser with so many others from my community.  Actually  I am truly fortunate to live in such a great community on the central Coast. 

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!

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Posted in Central Coast Communities | No Comments »

Coldwell Banker - SO WHAT?

Monday, May 25th, 2009

When I first got my California Real Estate License, I interviewed a bunch of different companies in an attempt to decide where I wanted to hang my hat.  My criteria was pretty simple.  I wanted a company/office that:

  1. Had a strong brand name
  2. Offered lots of education opportunities
  3. Had full-time versus part-time agents
  4. Had a brick and mortar office
  5. Had a well known, seasoned Broker
  6. Was customer focused.

Now let me tell you, there are some great independent and franchise companies in this area.  It was not necessarily and easy choice but the one that met ALL of my above criteria was Coldwell Banker Liberty Realty in Morro Bay and  I couldn’t be happier with my choice! 

We have two office (I work out of both of them), one in Morro Bay and one in Cayucos.  Our Broker, Shirley Lyon, has been in Real Estate for ever and is still practicing.  In addition, she is extremely involved in the local Assocation and the local communites.  Shirley has seen just about everything in her many years of practicing and is always willing to help her agents.

The office is awesome too.  For a group of people that are actually competitors, this office is amazing.  Everyone is very supportive, offering to go above and beyond in everything from floor time, to helping each other when someone is sick, to referring leads to the appropriate agents.  It’s a unique situation and office and I’m proud to be a part of it.

The Coldwell Banker name brand has been around for 102 years - WOW!  In addition, Coldwell Banker:

  • Has offices in 47 countries on 6 continents.
  • Is rated #1 by consumers in terms of a company you can trust and depend on.
  • Among the top 760 firms in the nation.
  • The most innovative real estate firm.
  • Has the broadest spending in the industry.

Amoung other many numerous items, all of these combine to make a company that is forward looking and dedicated to customers - both buyers and sellers - with honest, integrity, and committment.  It is a place that I am proud to call home!

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Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Atascadero’s First Relay for Life

Saturday, May 23rd, 2009

sunkenMy beautiful town of Atascadero is hosting their very first Relay for Life.  For those of you who don’t know what that is, it is where we walk for 24 hours to raise money to help fight cancer for American Cancer Society. 

My children and I got involved a few years ago when my brother was diagnosed and consequently died of lung cancer.  Everyday, I seem to meet more and more people or know more people that have one form of cancer or the other.  My hope is that through our donations, focus and attention we can stop this disease in its tracks.  To me, the Relay for Life is a very rewarding, emotional and inspirational event.  My goal this year is to raise $500.  If you can help, that would be AWESOME.  If not, send your prayers for a successful event! atascadero-sign

There are a couple of ways to contribute:

Donate money directly at  http://main.acsevents.org/goto/andeenast 

2.      luninary

            Purchase a luminary for someone you know who is a cancer survivor, has cancer or has died from cancer.

3.    Come to the event and purchase the little items each booth has available – varies by booth but you typically see – food, water, pins, hats, etc.

4.    Go to one of the fundraiser events posted on the website  http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=18970

5.    Join our team!

My daughter, son and I will all be walking – we usually are the ones that walk through the late (or early) morning hours.

If you are in Atascadero, please come by and walk a lap with us, join in the activities and see the luminaries.  It is truly a moving experience.

See you there! 

P.S.  If you call me early on Sunday, I will probably not answer - I will be sleeping…. zzzzz

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Posted in Central Coast Communities | 2 Comments »

Buy of the Week - Cayucos

Friday, May 15th, 2009

I haven’t done one of these in quite a while - not because there haven’t been any deals but mostly because I have been swamped with other things.  It’s no excuse but it is the truth…. Sooo moving forward, here is what I consider the deal of the week in SLO County:

What’s better than being right on the beach?  sb-view2

sb-viewHow about 180 degree ocean views.  And what if you could get those 180 degree ocean view for around $525,000?  

And what if for that price you also got 3 bedroom, 3 bathrooms,sb-bedroom1 and over 1800 square feet living space? 

AND what if all of that was located in Cayucos? Oh yeah, it also has a fire place for those chilly Pacific evenings… sb-fireWould you still be interested?   YES!  Then you better pick up the phone and call me now before this one is gone!

sb-outside2767 Santa Barbara

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Posted in Buy of the Week | No Comments »

$1,500 Tax Credit for Home Improvements.

Monday, May 11th, 2009

If you are planning on doing any upgrades to your SLO County home in 2009 or 2010, check out the new tax credits for energy efficient home improvements.   You can get up to a $1,500 tax credit for:

  •  Heating/Air,
  • Windows,
  • Doors,
  • Insulation,
  • Water Heaters,
  • Biomass Stoves (what the heck is that?) and
  • Roofing projects. 

Geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, fuel cells, and small wind energy systesm receive 30% of the cost and have no maximum limit.

Who doesn’t want to save that kind of money in this kind of economy? 

To be sure you maximize the amount, check out the details at www.energystar.gov BEFORE you start your project.

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Posted in Central Coast Communities | No Comments »

Santa Barbara Fires

Sunday, May 10th, 2009

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Santa Barbara impacted by this latest wildfire.   The devastation is impossible to even imagine especially for us not living with it each day.   Santa Barbara has sure had more than its share of wildfires lately.  I hope this one will be the end of it for years to come!

For those who have been concerned and calling, San Luis Obispo County has not been impacted.  The fire has not come as far north as Morro Bay.  You can see smoke in the air in Santa Maria area but not much north of there.  

For those who live in San Luis Obispo County, please make sure to protect your homes by trimming the native brush, grasses, etc that grow close to your homes.  Our area is dry and we have been very fortunate that we have not had any major forest fires for quite a number of years.  Let’s do our part to do what we can to prevent them! 

Which means - I need to go weed whack my hill…..   Off I go!  Practicing what I’m preaching!

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Posted in Central Coast Communities | 1 Comment »

Central Coast Mother’s Day

Sunday, May 10th, 2009

Happy Mother’s Day to all you wonderful mothers! 

If you are looking for something fun and a little different to do - Morro Bay is hosting it’s Best of the Bay Dog Show from 3 - 5 pm.  It’s beautiful, warm, and sunny so take the family, pack a picnic and go enjoy the dog show, the Embaradaro and the beach with the majestic rock.  Perfect day for kayaking or sailing.

ENJOY!!

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Posted in Central Coast Communities | No Comments »