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Potential Fire Hazards in your Home!

by Carla Griffin on February 9, 2012

Residential fires occur mostly in the winter. Several factors contribute to the rise, including an increase in cooking and heating, in addition to flammable holiday decorations. Below are ten fire prevention tips:

1.  Maintain carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on a regular basis and test the batteries.

2.  Skip the candles and opt for battery-operated candles instead.

3.  Remove flammable materials from around the cooking area and never leave the area unattended.

4.  Keep a live tree watered, when it dries out, remove it from your home. Artificial trees should be flame retardant and the decorations non-flammable.

5.  Have your chimney, fireplace, wood/coal stove, furnace and any other alternative heat sources checked by a pro. Space heaters should not be left on or in proximity to flammable items.

6.  Invest in LED lights and only use the recommended amount.

7.  Read and follow the directions and safety precautions of portable heaters.

8.  Don’t overload outlets and use power strips.

9.  All lights and holiday décor should be turned off before leaving your home or going to sleep.

10.  Look for any exposed wires, frayed appliance cords or loose connections.

 

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Why work with area Real Estate Expert?

by Carla Griffin on February 6, 2012

Having a good relationship with your real estate agent can make the difference between a smooth transaction and a mess. If you’re making a cross-town or a move to a neighboring community, your agent may be a good choice if the agent specializes in the area where you’ll be selling and not necessarily the one that you want to represent you in the purchase.

Sometimes, agents who do multiple transactions with clients offer a break on the commission to ensure your repeat business. However, the possibility of a modest savings shouldn’t blind you to pitfalls of working with an agent who is unfamiliar with the territory.

Your buying agent needs to have extensive knowledge of local pricing to accurately advise you about the current market. As a buyer you could offer too much or too little if your agent isn’t up on prices in the area.

Neighborhoods next door to one another can have very different pricing structures. As multiple listing services (MLSs) coalesce into larger entities, out-of-area agents have access to listing information for communities far afield from where they specialize. There is more to accurate pricing than simply analyzing data from the MLS, especially in areas that have a lot of variability in the housing market. For example, a two- bedroom, two-bath villa in one area of the Villages Golf & Country Club, might sell for $200,000 while a similar sized villa in the adjacent village, would likely sell for $350,000.

Offers written by out-of-area agents frequently reflect lack of knowledge about local custom, such as whether the buyer or seller pays fees like title insurance and transfer taxes. Another area of concern in a niche market like the over 55 communities, is the rental restrictions, number of people living in the villa, age of residents and an in-depth understanding of what is included in the Association Fees.

The best bet is to ask your out-of-area agent to find an agent for you who has expertise in the new area, and who has a work ethic and style you’ll appreciate.

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Looking To Retire In Style? Why Golf Cart Retirement Communities Can Be The Right Choice

by Carla Griffin on February 1, 2012

Whether you’re facing an imminent retirement or you’re just dreaming of it, deciding where you’re going to retire is a big decision. While some people choose to stay in the same home they’ve lived in for years, others like the freedom that comes with moving to golf cart retirement communities. If you’re thinking of making one of these golf cart communities your home, you might be happy to learn just what they have to offer.
Golf Cart Communities Provide Residents With Easy Access To Their Favorite Sport

First and foremost, these neighborhoods offer their residents with, well, golf! This pastime is a favorite of many retirees and the opportunity to live right on a course and be able to play nearly every day is a big draw. Courses can offer a number of different amenities, but the best courses can have features like professional designs from well-known course designers, a pro shop that’s well stocked with some of the best known brands, a driving range, putting greens and even a restaurant where golfers can whet their appetites after 9 or 18 holes on the course.

Find Neighborhoods That Promote Active Living

Just because golf cart retirement communities are for people in their later years, that doesn’t mean that golf is the only thing to do. If your hobbies include fitness, look for a community with an indoor fitness center, including exercise equipment, a track and even a heated pool. While the homes in these neighborhoods have gourmet kitchens for cooking enthusiasts, it’s not uncommon for a community to have cafes and other restaurants for those nights residents just don’t feel like cooking.

Living in a community that’s designed for seniors also means that you can finally pick up that hobby you always meant to start. It’s not uncommon for a community to offer classes in photography, pottery, jewelry making, ceramics, line dancing, wine tasting, billiards, cooking, horseshoes and more. Also consider if a community is open to feedback if there’s a particular hobby or class you’re interested in.

Retirement years should be some of the best of your life and golf cart communities can help ensure that you’re retiring in style. Whether you’re looking to enjoy your favorite hobby or pick up a new one, consider looking for a retirement community where you can have it all.

 

By: Chris Harmen
Post Date: 2012-01-26

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Why Use an SRES®: Certified Senior Specialist

by Carla Griffin on January 30, 2012


Over the age of 50 and considering selling the family home?

You need a REALTOR® with senior experience, knowledge and marketing savvy.

Those qualities, along with a special knowledge of managing the sale of a home for those over the age of 50, are what SRES® designees can bring to your next real estate transaction.

SRES® designees are certified senior specialists and astute to the financial and emotional challenges senior clients face when they sell a long-held family home.

SRES® designees not only can create a customized approach to marketing and selling your property, but they also can work with you to explore your housing options to ensure that your next home best serves your current and future needs.

Such certified specialists have special knowledge about everything from reverse mortgages and the importance of universal design to the uses of pensions, 401k accounts, and IRAs in real estate transactions.

They’ll also help you steer clear of loan schemes and scams that victimize aged 50+ borrowers.

And when you need help from other professionals, SRES® designees can tap their network and put you in touch with qualified home inspectors, movers, attorneys, CPAs and other experts.

SRES® designees have all the resources and knowledge to simplify the transaction and eliminate the anxiety of selling your home.

So if you’re thinking of buying, selling, renting or relocating, find an SRES® in your area for specialized help with your real estate transaction.

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ANA announces direct San Jose-Tokyo flights

December 22, 2011

SAN JOSE—December 21, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber applauds All Nippon Airways’ decision to launch nonstop airline service between Mineta San Jose International and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport Establishing international air travel between the two cities was a priority by the SJSV Chamber, and dozens of members wrote enthusiastic letters [...]

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B & A Realtors Receives 2011 Best of San Jose Award

December 16, 2011

Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE B & A Realtors Receives 2011 Best of San Jose Award U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement NEW YORK, NY, December 8, 2011 — B & A Realtors has been selected for the 2011 Best of San Jose Award in the Real Estate Agents category by the U.S. [...]

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U.S. 101 / Tully Road Interchange Improvement Project Freeway Closure for Three Consecutive Nights

December 1, 2011

From Councilmember Rose Herrera via CalTrans: Beginning Friday night, December 2nd at 11:30 p.m., Highway 101 will be closed each night between the Highway 280/680 connector and Capitol Expressway. The highway will reopen each morning and these closures will end Monday morning. For more information about the closures and detours, please see the Caltrans Traffic Advisory or call Councilmember Rose Herrera (408) 535-4908 or [...]

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District 8 Community Forum

November 28, 2011

Join Councilmember Rose Herrera at the District 8 Community Forum When: Monday, Nov. 28, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Where: Evergreen Community Center, 4860 San Felipe Road RSVP by contacting Councilmember Rose Herrera’s office at (408) 535-4908 or email district8@sanjoseca.go

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Is ‘aging in place’ better for seniors than retirement communities?

November 23, 2011

AP Photo/Rich Schultz Retirement communities may have their perks, but Beryl O’Connor says it would be tough to match the birthday surprise she got in her own backyard when she turned 80 this year. She was tending her garden when two little girls from next door — “my buddies,” she calls them — brought her [...]

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The Identity Theft Epidemic

November 21, 2011

There are 5 types of Identity Theft: 1.  Financial.  This is where thieves use your identity to open new accounts in your name. 2.  Medical.  Your social security number is used to obtain medical services.    Not only is this dangerous for you, but you may have this affect your credit in a negative way due [...]

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