Linda Kay's Blog: August 2009

Gotta love our fire dpeartments!

The kids went back to school yesterday with a big bang!  Two weeks before Labor Day, and it's already that time.  But that's okay, because Bonita Unified School District knows what they are doing.

You can tell from their district website http://www.bonita.k12.ca.us/ that they have nothing to hide.  With Academic Performance Index topping out at 828 out of 1000, they are pretty good at deciding what the kids need to accomplish their goals - a fantastic education!  They link to The California Exit Exam website and the STAR testing website where you can view their performance as well.

So, if you are thinking of moving here, but have had second thoughts due to schools for your kids, you can see that there's absolutely nothing to worry about.. the schools and teachers ROCK!

 Okay, so I wrote a comment before on the lack of current foreclosures being released into the market.  A gentleman from Texas asked if I have any proof.  Here you go:

In the zip code 91739 which is Rancho Cucamonga, CA, there are 641 foreclosed homes from July.  Not one of those homes is currently on the market, I checked.  (Stats from our Realist Tax in the MLS.)

Why is this happening you ask?  Well the short answer is that no one can know for sure.  There are speculations as to why, starting with the $8,000 tax credit for 1st time homebuyers... and time will tell with this one.  The speculation is that the government is quickly running out of money for all of these programs and that's part of the
reason.  If all the thousands of foreclosed homes go on the market around Dec 1st or after, that will definitely be a tell-all.  But, again, nobody knows for sure.

What does that mean to me, the homebuyer, you ask?  Patience is a virtue at this point.  Most homes currently on the market have between 20-30 offers on them, and the chances of you being the top offer is slim to
none.  I had a client who lost a home listed at $160,000 which, after 54 offers, sold for $245,000 before the appraisal.  Never would I suggest to a client that they offer so much over the asking price, that would not be upholding my duty to my client!

The good news is: those homes have to be sold at some point soon.  So if you are looking, be a little patient. Your Realtor probably has a good handle on the current market.  They are probably diligently keeping track of new homes that may fit what you want and relaying that information to you in a timely manner.  If not, please don't hesitate to call me at (626) 824-8927 for help or to answer any questions!

Got Pests? Got Tree Fungus?  Look no further, Western Pest Control Specialists, Inc. is here to save the day!

Located in the gorgeous town of Glendora, California (yes, I was born there!), this company evolved from the Western Arborists which was founded in 1963.  This company was then expanded in 2003 when it began to do pest control as well with one of the owners having over 23 years experience in this field.

When you call Western Pest control Specialists (http://www.yellowpages.com/name/Glendora-CA/western-pest-control), you will speak directly with Sharon Juliussen, the President and Ceo.  She says that superior personal customer service is of the utmost importance to the company. That's why she always handles her clients personally.

Most of their clients have been with the company for over 15 years with some of their high profile clients being George Clooney, Warner Brothers Studios, Tom Sellick and the late Michael Landon.  They also have contracts with various golf courses as well as smaller single family homes.

Their boundaries are East to Claremont, West to Hollywood, South to Long Beach and north all along the foothills.

So, whenever you have the destructive gopher, wherever there are pesky pests, whenever you need to save your tree, call Western Pest Control Specialists, Inc.!  They'll be there!

La Paloma Mexican Restaurant has the BEST mexican food ever!  I should know, I'm a connoisseur of all Mexican foods.  I can tell you where to get the best enchiladas, the best flautas and the best salsa ever.  My husband says it's an obsession.  But back to the point - La Paloma is located in the beautiful (Yes, I live there) city of La Verne, California and has been family owned for 41 years!

I have three favorite dishes here.  The ensalada mexicana with grilled chicken breast, the mango chicken quesadilla and the carne asada enchilada.  They make their own homeade enchilada sauce and none compares! My son swears that they have the best cheeseburgers and fries (go figure).  I told you that so you'd know they have something for everyone! Check out their menu here: http://www.lapalomarest.com/menu.nxg. 

La Paloma even has daily specials during the week.  Monday is happy hour all day long thorughout the entire restaurant along with $1 off appetizers. Our friend Jeri loves their cadillac margaaritas.  They have some kind of specials ingredient, but they won't tell me. (DUH, would you?) There are none like them anywhere! Tuesday is Taco Tuesday.  One taco, rice and beans for $3.95 or two tacquitos, rice and beans for $3.95.  I've had both their shredded and ground beef tacos and they are simply out of this world! Wednesday is cheese enchilada day with one cheese enchilada, rica and beans for (yep, you guessed it) $3.95. And Thursday is a repeat of the taco part of taco Tuesday.  You can check here for coupons: http://www.lapalomarest.com/coupons.nxg.

So, if you're ever in the east portion of Los Angeles County or the west part of San Bernardino County, please stop on in and have a fabulous meal. You truly won't be sorry!

Here's a map so you won't get lost!

Did you know that in California we have a really bad loophole in the real estate law?  No kidding, you're probably saying to yourself right now.  Which one, you ask?

Well, let me tell you what happened to someone I know personally.  This girl had modified her home previously and was very excited about the results.  Then the unexpected happened - her husband became extremely sick and she was at the hospital day and night for a couple of weeks.

She was able to return to some semblance of normalty and was at home taking care of her husband one day when there was a knock at the door.  It was a buyer asking if he could look at her property before the auction!  Apparently the house had been listed for auction without any notice to her because she was over ten days late on her payment. 

Did you know this is legal in California?  Once you have had your loan modified, the bank can foreclose if you're a tad bit late and not notify you?  They can put your home up for action, still with no notification to you? Yes, apparently it is.

After contacting a real estate attorney and confirming that this was legal, she took steps and I am happy to say saved her home.  But if that buyer hadn't come knocking at the door....

MODIFIER BEWARE!