The PIN Magazine December 2017 by The Power Is Now Media Inc.

DECEMBER 2017 Vol. 04 | Issue 12

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ATLANTA REAL ESTATE ON THE RISE WHY AGENTS SHOULD USE FACEBOOK

5 TRAITS OF A TOP AGENT

DEBT CEILING IS COMING IN MARCH 2018

MEET

WILLIAM E. BROWN PRESIDENT OF NAR

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Miss Out

ANY OF OUR PREVIOUS ISSUES THE PIN MAGAZINE YOUR RESOURCE FOR

REAL ESTATE

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magazine THE POWER IS NOW INC. Vol. 04 | Issue 12

Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA President and CEO Office: (800) 401-8994 Ext. 703 Direct: (714) 361-2105 Eric.Frazier@ThePowerIsNow.com www.thepowerisnow.com www.blogtalkradio.com/thepowerisnow

EDITORIAL TEAM Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA Editor in Chief (800) 401-8994 Ext. 703 Kim Collier Managing Editor Executive Director of Publishing (800) 401-8994 ext. 712 kim.collier@thepowerisnow.com Goldy Ponce Arratia Graphic Artist and Design Manager (800) 401-8994 ext. 711 goldy.ponce@thepowerisnow.com

CONTRIBUTORS The Power Is Now Research Team

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DECEMBER 2017

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magazine CEO & Publisher Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA 3739 6th Street, Riverside, CA 921506 Ph: (800) 401-8994 ext. 703 EDITORIAL Editor in Chief: Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA Managing Editor: Kim Collier ONLINE Web Designer: Design Box DESIGN Art Director & Design Manager: Goldy Ponce ADMINISTRATIVE Administrative Assistant: Kendra Gedeon

SALES National Sales Manager: Christina Kimble National Relationship Manager: Success Money HEADQUATERS The Power Is Now Inc. 3739 6th Street Riverside, CA 92506 Ph: (800) 401-8994 Fax: (800) 401-8994 Email: info@thepowerisnow.com www.thepowerisnow.com www.thepinmagazine.com PUBLICATION AND SERVICES The PIN Magazine The Power Is Now Radio The Power Is Now Publications The Power Is Now Radio Guide The Power Is Now VIP Agent Program The Power Is Now Power Consulting/Coaching The Power Is Now Association Management The Power Is Now Event Management

STATEMENT OF COPYRIGHT: The PIN Magazine™ is owned and published electronically by The Power Is Now, Inc. Copyright 2013-2017 The Power Is Now Inc. All rights reserved. “The PIN Magazine” and distinctive logo are trademarks owned by The Power Is Now, Inc. “ThePINMagazine.com”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “Magazine.thepowerisnow.com”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “Thepowerisnow.com”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “The Power Is Now Event Management”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “The Power Is Now Radio”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “The Power Is Now Publications”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “The Power Is Now Radio Guide”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “The Power Is Now VIP Agent Program”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “The Power IS Now Power Consulting/Coaching”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. “The Power Is Now Association Management”, is a trademark of The Power Is Now, Inc. No part of this electronic magazine or website may be reproduced without the written consent of The Power Is Now, Inc. Requests for permission should be directed to: info@thepowerisnow.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

OUR COVER William E. Brown President of NAR

Greening of Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s State Buildings Hits Its Strides

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Debt Ceiling Is Coming in March 2018

Why is Black Home Ownership Still Lagging Behind White

Changes in the Bureau of Real Estate Licensing Rules for Agents and Brokers

4 SEO Tips for Real Estate Websites

Best Sections to Live in San Bernardino

Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Vallejo

Economic Development of Rialto City

DECEMBER 2017

Why Agents Should Use Facebook Advertising?

The Best Places to Visit Near Antioch

Real Estate Document Fee Bill Approved in California

Unmarried and Single American Homebuyers

Continuing Education Requirements for Real Estate Professionals in California

How to Stay Possitive and Productive During the Holiday Buying Slow Down

5 Traits of a Top Producing Real Estate Agent

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Atlanta Real Estate on the Rise

How to Not Get Scammed By a Contractor

Editor’s Letter... Dear Esteemed Readers, With Christmas right around the corner, and a New Year upon us, we are excited for what the future holds here at The Power Is Now. During the last month of the year I like to reflect as well as use this time to create a game plan for what is yet to come. I am looking forward to the possibilities of 2018. I challenge everyone to live your best life and pursue your life’s passion, because this is not a dress rehearsal. One of our continuous goals here at The Power Is Now is to make homeownership a dream come true for you and your clients. With that said, if you haven’t signed up for one of our many homebuyers’ workshops you are truly missing out. These workshops are created for the homebuyer in mind. At each event you will learn about down payment assistance, building credit, budgeting, and more. Rents are on the rise! Now is the time to own a home. Check out this link Homebuyer Seminars to see when we are in your city! I am also excited to bring you another issue of the TPIN magazine. This month on our cover we have the president of NAR, William E. Brown. Bill has been active in organized real estate for more than 35 years. The Oakland based Investment Properties was formed in Oakland over 50 years ago by his

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DECEMBER 2017

father. Bill says that since he started his career over 35 years ago, NAR has been his rock, providing the foundation he needed to help build and maintain a successful real estate practice. Also in this months issue we give you tips on how to become a top-producing agent as well as why real estate agents should utilize Facebook. We examine the real estate trends in Atlanta and go into depth of why homes are on the rise there. There is a little bit of everything in this issue to entertain, educate and get you on the road to success as an agent or broker. So dive on in folks. Lastly, The Power Is Now continues to grow and this month we are welcoming 4 new agents to the power team. You can get to know each and every member of our power team by clicking this link – https:// thepowerisnow.com/the-power-team/ Thank you for your continued support and readership. Our team is dedicated to you. We want the best from you, so we are dedicated to bringing the best of us. Please take a moment and share this magazine. Knowledge is power, and The Power Is Now. Have a prosperous month.

Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA CEO The Power Is Now Inc.

IN GREEN

Greening of California’s state

buildings hits its strides 2015 under the first-ever mandatory water reduction subsequently adopted statewide in California.

Some Early Gains

t’s been nearly five years since Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. issued his 2012 landmark executive order for a 20 percent reduction (versus a 2003 baseline) on the grid energy use of all state departments, agencies, and other state entities by 2018. The same directive, which seeks to green California’s state buildings and, at the same time, save taxpayer dollars, also set a 20 percent reduction (versus a 2010 baseline) of state water usage by 2020. This water-cut target was accelerated to 25 percent by end-

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Gladly, we can already see some good progress on these initiatives geared at helping address global warming or climate change. On water use, the most recent statistics indicate that state departments have already hit the 20 percent reduction. More intensified water conservation measures are currently underway so as to meet the levels set in the statewide mandatory cuts in water use. Notably, the departments’ water savings have been achieved by cutting on outdoor irrigation and removing ornamental turf, as well as through upgrades of plumbing fixtures. Significant gains were likewise reported recently on California’s drive to

DECEMBER 2017

reduce energy consumption in state buildings. The most recent available data point to a double-digit reduction in energy use from these buildings’ 2003 total consumption of almost 12 billion kBTU (thousand British Thermal Units) of combined electricity and natural gas usage. For some perspective, this energy utilization is equivalent to the energy consumption of 175,000 California homes. The energy savings that state buildings have so far achieved were partly the result of improved energy utilization through retrofits of lighting and mechanical systems. Credit also goes to initiatives on use of onsite renewable energy and conservation measures.

The Rise of Zero Net Energy Buildings Much could still be expected from Gov. Brown’s 2012 executive order on

dramatic energy use reductions for California’s state buildings. His directive not only compels state departments to offset their energy usage as they renovate their facilities. It also calls for all new state buildings to be designed so that they would offset their energy use entirely. The governor’s executive branch has direct control on about 8,000 state buildings. Under Brown’s directive, departments have to plan only “zero net energy” renovations starting in 2025. Half of the renovations beginning in 2020 should likewise represent zero net energy projects. Features typically included in the zero net energy projects are those limiting energy use plus other measures that generate power, such as installation of solar panels. The new office of the DMV in Fresno took the distinction of being California’s first zero net energy building since Brown energy-cut directive. So far, nine zero net energy state projects have been completed since the issuance of

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Brown’s executive order. Another 22 similar developments are underway. The Brown administration has maintained that the zero net energy designs will generate savings over time. In a 2015 presentation of the Department of General Services, it was estimated that the state could achieve about $200 million in savings with the implementation of the new designs.

References: http://www.s acb ee.com/n ews/poli ticsgovernment/the-state-worker/article184621553. html

IN FINANCES

WHY IS BLACK HOME OWNERSHIP

STILL LAGGING

BEHIND WHITE I

n the past few years, and especially in recent days, blacks have been falling behind whites, not just because of the economic wealth aspect but mostly because of the net worth of the white household versus that of the blacks. White household statistics

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have rapidly increased over the years in income and homeownership, while blacks have struggled to keep up.

Economic change A 2014 report shows that black household income is about $43,000, against white household income of $71,000. As of 2016, statistics record that white households have a total of about $85,100 income while black household income was about $45,000. This statistic record was found to be increasing every year, if this continues, the future of blacks will be increasingly dismal unless they pressure a change in the household structure. As stated by Signe-Mary McKernan of the Opportunity and Ownership Initiative, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The American Dream remains out of reach for many African American and Hispanic families.â&#x20AC;?

DECEMBER 2017

Homeownership The Black Homeownership in Lurch, Report states one in four Blacks live in impoverished neighborhoods. So NAREB offers a prelude to next year’s study to assess as a policy agenda on these two topics: “the overwhelming lack of access to affordable credit and the need to more effectively manage the large stock of distressed assets in a manner promoting homeownership, particularly in communities historically lacking adequate ownership opportunities.” Homeownership has been one of the ma jor areas in which black families lag against whites, which was established by positioning the separate own occupied group by the total number of occupied group. According to a Wikipedia record concerning homeownership, in 1960 the ownership rate increased by 5.6 percent; in that year, 62.1 percent of the American population were in own their household. In 2005, whites owned about 75.1 percent, followed by blacks with 25 percent, looking at this whites are still the highest homeowner between Asians, Hispanics and African Americans. “Even when we only look at people with bachelor’s degrees, we still see these gaps,’’ Horowitz says.

households,” said Valerie Wilson, director of the Economic Policy Institute’s program on race, ethnicity, and the economy. “Black and Hispanic households see larger percentage gains simply because they were starting from a lower level.” According to Valerie Wilson, “White households had a head start in rebuilding wealth relative to black and Hispanic households.” Although white people know that things are gradually getting better regarding wealth for Hispanic families and blacks, when the net worth for racial economy decreased with 30 percent during Recession, while black families were denied approximately 20 percent at 2010 and 2013 that was when the wealth of the white families was stabilized. “If you’re poor and you go through a tough period, you use all your savings to get through it,” Jeffrey Eisenach says. In 2013 and 2016, the increase in net worth was 29 percent for blacks and 17 percent for white families; nevertheless, the wealth of the black and white household increased by about 16 percent, which shows that whites have a median net worth of about $171,000 and blacks $17,600.

Tax policy

It’s true that whites have ten times the net worth of the Hispanic and black households. This disparity is increasing as they gain in income; this is generally because the Americans who did not attend college usually display interest in gaining wealth. As of 2007, the black and Hispanic families have not seen any increase up till now. This explains that blacks gather wealth in a more difficult way than the white families, making black and Hispanic families gain wealth at a lower rate than the whites, thereby increasing racial inequality.

This discriminatory race tax has arisen because homes in African American neighborhoods that lost value following the housing price bubble collapse in 2008 have, in the subsequent recovery, been slower to recover value than properties in white neighborhoods. In most cities, assessors are required to reassess properties on a regular basis, but when they have failed to do so, homeowners in African American neighborhoods wind up paying more tax relative to their home values than homeowners in white neighborhoods.

“White households had a head start in rebuilding wealth relative to black and Hispanic

Most black working families in many cities in America where blacks reside, always have

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a hard time when those families end up losing their homes when cities and properties will foreclose especially when the taxes rate have become highly unaffordable. Tax increases in America resulting that few Africa American have lost housing price collapse in 2008. This was slower recovering the properties in white neighborhoods, when they failed to do so, homeowners in black neighborhood residence will end up paying more tax than white families in the neighborhood

Attention Psychologists and researchers have been giving negative attention to the statistics of blacks lagging against whites over the past century. According to a Daniel Patrick Moynihan report around 1965 regarding the black household debating against the racial inequality and statistics performance and wishing that the problem could be resolved, “they can do better.”

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References Jeffrey Eisenach: senior vice president NERA Economic Consulting January 2014 – Present (3 years ten months) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/ wonk/wp/2017/09/28/black-and-hispanicf a m il i e s - a re - m a k i n g - m ore - m o n e y - b u t th e y- s t il l - l a g - fa r - b e h i nd - w h i te s / ? u t m _ term=.9929e365b232 h t t p : // w w w . n a r e b . c o m / b l a c k homeownership-in-lurch-report-says/ http://www.epi.org/blog/race-tax-h armsafrican-americans/

DECEMBER 2017

“We are at our best and we maximize our succes when we act now!”

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NEW MARKETING SESSIONS Every Thursday at 10:00 AM Promote Your Listing Online

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IN ECONOMICS Changes in The Bureau Of Real Estate Licensing Rules For Agents And Brokers

he regulation of licenses is an important function of the California Bureau of Real Estate (CalBRE). The California Bureau of Real Estate was created to safeguard and promote the interests of the public through licensing, regulation, education and enforcement in matters of real estate. The Bureau does this by setting a standard of knowledge, tested through a written examination for licensing real estate agents, and through criteria of positive disclosure. It protects public interest and increases consumer awareness. The main aim of this body is to ensure that standards and levels of professionalism are met. The Bureau is guided by a number of laws in order to achieve this. CalBRE grants licenses to real estate brokers and salespersons. Before applying for the real estate license, all the formalities of education and experience must be cleared. CalBRE also handles the renewal of the licenses. Recently, some licensing changes have been made by BRE for agents and brokers. Formerly, the law required the agent to

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include their license number on first-point-ofcontact solicitation materials. However, there were exclusions to this regulation, such as advertisements in electronic and print media. The new law broadens the first-point-of-contact solicitation materials to include business cards, flyers or any other materials designed to solicit the establishment of a professional relationship between the licensee and a potential consumer. As of January 2018, real estate agents will be required to disclose that they are operating in the capacity of a real estate agent. AB 2330 requires that licensees are to be included in the online public information of CalBRE, regardless of standing. The same provision also requires that the broker informs the Bureau when they bring on board or terminate an associate broker. SB 1171 California State Legislature, which came into effect in January 2015, requires that real estate agents and brokers comply with disclosure requirements. The requirement states that disclosures should include exclusivity of actions and information on agency relationships. The law also previously

DECEMBER 2017

applied only to domestic transactions, and now includes commercial real estate. The other rule affecting agents and brokers includes receipt of funds. Now they are expected to hold money for clients until there has been offer and acceptance of the contract by both parties. There shall be no cashing of cheques as well until this has happened. In reality, these funds are held in trust by the agents and the brokers. Section 10145 (2) reaffirms this by stating that withdrawals can be made from a trust fund account of an individual account only upon the signature of that broker (or an agent, in the case of a corporate broker). Section 11320 of SB 1196 was amended to include that regardless of having a valid license, other statutes shall be applied when considering whether said license holder is practicing the trade in accordance with the law. The statute referenced in this section refers to provisions of the requirement of specialized training. The regulations governing license application by real estate agents and brokers are set out in section 11340 of SB 1196. These provisions

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have been amended to include educational background requirements, equivalent courses under the directorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; guidance and requirements of age and equality in experience.

References www.dre.ca.gov www.interoreserve.com Real Estate Law, Subdivided lands law, and Vacation Ownership and Time Share Act of 2004 Business and Professions Code

GET READY FOR THE 2017 REINDEER ROMP

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for another chance to have a Vision2BActive at the Chino Valley YMCAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2017 Reindeer Romp 5K run/ walk and 10K run on Saturday, Dec. 2. This special holiday 5K features a full 5K run/walk for all ages and a special run just for the kids. Bring your friends and family and enjoy an active and fun winter morning. New this year is a 10K run. Contact the Chino Valley YMCA at 909-597-7445 with any questions about the event.

Download a map of the race here To register online, click here

CAREER webinar

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The Power Is Now Magazine National Advertising Blog & Market Area Magazine Articles Social Media Exposure & Support Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest & Twitter Branding Showcase Interviews on BlogTalkRadio TPIN Online TV & Video Productions Live Homebuyer Seminars & Online Resources Website IDX & CRM Management Professional Coaching & Business Planning Lead Management & Follow Up Support Online & In house Transaction Management Marketing & Branding Support

The Power Is Now Mortgage Services is a Mortgage Brokerage licensed by the State of California Bureau of Real Estate (license #1980407) and the National Mortgage License System and Registry (license #1435243), and is a division of The Power Is Now Inc. (license # 01980407). The Power Is Now Inc. is not affiliated with any state or federal agency. The Power Is Now Real Estate Services is also licensed by the State of California Bureau of Real Estate (licensed #01980407), and is a division of The Power Is Now Inc. The Power Is Now Inc., is an equal housing lender.Our corporate office is located at 3739 6th Street Riverside, CA 92501. Our Telephone and Fax number is 800-401-8994. Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA, is a California licensed Loan Originator (NMLS license # 461807), and a licensed Real Estate Broker (CA Bureau of Real Estate license #01143484). Restrictions may apply to all loan programs. The Information and/or data is subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to credit approval. The information presented is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Not all loans or products are available in all states. The Power Is Now Mortgage Services and Real Estate Services are A Division of The Power Is Now Inc., and are only licensed to conduct business in the State of California.

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IN FINANCES

Debt Ceiling is coming

in March 2018 Mention of the impending debt ceiling tends to cause intense debate and a lot of confusion. What is a debt ceiling? What effect will it have on everyday people? On the country as a whole?

hat is a Debt Ceiling?

According to Morgan Stanley, the debt ceiling is the maximum amount the U.S. Government is permitted to borrow to meet its current legal obligations. This includes money for Social Security and Medicare. If a debt ceiling is approaching, it means that the government is close to hitting that limit.

What Effect Will This Have? Well, to be perfectly honest, no one really knows. There is a great deal of uncertainty that goes along with a debt ceiling. Will this affect individual investments? Will regular people feel a crunch from this? Time is going to tell with that one.

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What do the Extensions and Drop-Dead Dates Mean for the Treasury Market The Treasury is allowed to increase the number of bills it issues; so far, they have been absorbed quickly by the market. This has provided a market boost, though whether that will be temporary or not remains to be seen. Possible Federal Reserve rate hikes could help lead to market recovery. These are expected in December. The current extension stipulates that the Treasuryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cash balance on December 8 must equal its balance on September 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; roughly $70 billion. They are already approaching that deadline. To accomplish this, they will have to reduce the size of bill auctions.

DECEMBER 2017

What factors influence the drop-dead date? Some of the key factors that influence its timing are: • Extraordinary Measures and Net Tax Receipts: These represent less than $300 billion in possible available funding sources. It is expected that these measures will allow the Treasury to fund the government until late February or early March. But this depends largely on net tax receipts. For example, if tax refund payments are high in January and February, the drop-dead date could be earlier than expected. In other words, if the IRS pays out more than it brings in, this could affect when the drop-dead date occurs. • Tax reform: The when and what of pending tax legislation could have a significant impact on the Treasury’s financial position. They are playing this pretty close to the vest right now, but some political strategists estimate that a tax reform bill could be passed as early

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as the beginning of December. • Hurricane damage: The damage to Houston, Florida, and Puerto Rico from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria are still being assessed. The amount of federal funds being used for the recovery efforts in these areas is still largely unknown at this time. So there is still a lot of uncertainty about the debt ceiling. How this plays out and what effect it is going to have on everyone is going to be something that investors and those concerned are going to have to watch closely in the months to come.

References: h tt p s : //w w w. m or g an s tan l e y. c om / i m / publication/insights/regul atory/regul atory_ the d eb tc eil i n g an d m on e ym ar ke t f un d s _ us.pdf?1505511828160 https://etfdail ynews.com/2017/10/22/thedebt-ceiling-saga-isnt-over-yet-tlt/

WILLIAM E. BROWN P re s id ent

N AR

illiam (Bill) E. Brown a Realtor from Alamo, Calif., is the 2018 Immediate Past President of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). He has been active in organized real estate for more than 35 years. Oakland-based Investment Properties was formed in Oakland over 50 years ago by his father. Bill is now the CEO of the family real estate business founded in 1964 by his father, William H. Brown, which focuses on the sale of existing apartment buildings to both institutional and private capital investors. Bill is also co-founder of Springhill Real Estate Partners, a privately owned multifamily investment company. After graduating from the University of Santa Clara, Bill started the investment properties division of the family business. Since 1978, his sole brokerage focus has been the sale of existing apartment buildings, primarily in the Bay Area. Today, William H. Brown, Realtor exclusively handles apartment transactions for both institutional and private capital investors. He has been fortunate enough to consistently be one of the top apartment brokers in the East Bay over the course of his career. Mr. Brown served as the Chief Executive Officer of Central Garden & Pet from 1980 to June 2003. From 1977 to 1980, he served as senior vice president of Vivitar Corporation, and from 1972 to 1977, he was with McKesson Corporation. He also served at McCormick Inc. He has been the chairman of Central Garden & Pet Company since 1980. He also serves as director of Four Paws Products, Ltd.

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He is currently on the Board of Directors of the California Association of Realtors (CAR). He has had numerous committee chairmanships at CAR, including chairman of the Legislative Committee, which promotes pro-real estate legislation in the California State Senate and Assembly. He also has been chairman of CAR’s Commercial and Investment Forum. In June of 2006, he was elected PresidentElect of the California Association of Realtors for 2007, and President of CAR in 2008. At the local level, Bill served as president of the Oakland Association of REALTORS® in 1984 and served on numerous local association committees. He chaired successful campaigns to fight two rent control initiatives in Oakland, California – No on E and No on EE. Bill was also selected by then-Oakland Mayor Lionel Wilson to serve as the first landlord representative on the City of Oakland’s Residential Rent Arbitration Board. Bill and His wife Heather are proud parents of their son, Cole.

In his last column as NAR President Bill said “When I was installed as president of the National Association of REALTORS® a year ago in November, my inaugural address focused on the revolution occurring within our industry and how REALTORS® must drive innovation and embrace change. With legislative, MLS, technology, and market forces advancing rapidly, I knew 2017 would be an unpredictable year for REALTORS®. What I didn’t anticipate was the personal revolution that lay ahead of me. The health struggles I endured this year have been no secret.” Bill says that since he started his career over 35 years ago, NAR has been his rock, providing the foundation he needed to help build and maintain a successful real estate practice. Over the last few months, however, this relationship has become even more meaningful for him. The opportunity to serve as NAR president and help move the industry forward has powered him through his personal setback. Market knowledge is the key to success in investment brokerage. William E. Brown is a great example for every leader in the industry in the way he has handled his health issue, even after surgery. His role as NAR president has been remarkable!

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DECEMBER 2017

www.ocrealtist.org

OUR MISSION: The mission of the Orange County Realtist is to provide support and education for its members to grow and expand their businesses while assisting the community to achieve the American dream of homeownership.

OUR VISION: The vision of the OC Realtist is to become a center of influence and a chapter of successful realtists in Orange County whose businesses are thriving from the support they receive and the networking opportunities that exist by their affiliation with National Association of Real Estate Brokers.

Listen The OC Realtist Online Radio!

Check Out Our Online Magazine!

NAREB was founded in 1947 and is the Oldest African American Real Estate Trade Association in the United States. The Orange County Realtist Chapter was founded in October 4, 2009 by Eric Frazier in Orange County.

Email: info@ocareb.org Phone: 800-790-0941

IN TECHNOLOGY

4 SEO TIPS FOR T

REAL ESTATE

WEBSITES

he real estate industry is highly competitive, with thousands of large, mid-sized, and small companies vying for market share both online and offline. A good real estate website can help increase sales and build brand awareness. The website assists clients as they embark on their journey to buy and sell property. The first step most buyers take in the home search is to look at property listings posted online. If you want your potential clients to find you online, you need to make your website easy to find. This means that you need to position your brand effectively in search engines using SEO (Search Engine Optimization) strategies.

Domain Name â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Relevant to Business and Location What makes a great domain name? Standing out from the crowd is important, and if you choose a good domain name, it can be a great

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DECEMBER 2017

way to build a brand. Choose a name that is short, easy to remember and sounds good. Choosing a good domain name, can give your real estate business a great start. It is advisable to choose a name that is relevant to the real estate business and location. Avoid using keywords in the real estate domain name, as they will not necessarily help you rank higher on the web. A good strategy is to use a local name, as it can help you establish your brand. Most clients search for real estate using geographic location, so it is best to include a location name in your domain. This can help relevant customers find you. Search engines also rank the domain higher for specific searches of the location.

Strategic Use of Keywords Keywords need to be used strategically on each page of your website. This can help in identifying your services, business and location. It is best to combine local keywords and general real estate keywords so that your website can rank higher in search engines. Do regular keyword research so that you learn about the words and phrases clients use to search for your website. Find out the keywords that your competitors use to rank their websites on search engines.

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The keywords that you use on your website need to be relevant to your business, service, and location. Use specific keyword phrases so that your targeted client is able to find you faster. Optimize each page on the site with a primary keyword that is unique. You can succeed by making your real estate website as targeted as possible. This can enable you to easily reach your specific market.

Display Contact Information Personal contact information such as company name, address, email address, and phone numbers are important for both real estate buyers and sellers. List contact details prominently on your website. The contact details need to be included not just on the home page or contacts page but on every webpage with property listings. If clients look at a particular property listing and like what they see, they might want to contact you immediately; contact details directly on the page will make it easier.

Include Local Information The real estate website should not just focus on listings and services; it should also include local information. This can help the search engines rank your business with the local market. It provides valuable information to the buyers and sellers and lets them know that you are an expert in the area. Other SEO strategies you can use to promote your real estate website include social media marketing, guest blogging, link building, and using third-party review and listing sites. Build your website using an SEO-friendly platform, as it can serve as a useful resource for buyers and sellers in your area and enable you to generate leads. One of the important things you need to remember is that using different SEO strategies is an ongoing process, and it requires both time and effort to succeed.

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Sources: http://real tormag.real tor.org/for-brokers/ network/article/2017/10/4-simple-seo-tips-forreal-estate-websites https://fitsmallbusiness.com/real-estate-seoguide/ https://www.zillow.com/agent-resources/ download/7-smart-seo-strategies/

DECEMBER 2017

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CALL ME FOR DETAILS ERIC LAWRENCE FRAZIER MBA

CA BRE: 01143484 | NMLS 461807 The Power Is Now Inc. CA BRE: 1980407 | NMLS 1435243

The Power is Now, Inc. is a nationwide, real estate professional, and community-based multimedia and education company founded in 2009 by Eric L. Frazier, MBA, headquartered in Riverside, California. The Online Radio Talk Show, Magazine, TV and events are supported by numerous national and state real estate associations and provides weekly real estate related content to millions of real estate agents and consumers throughout the United States online and by teleconference. The Power Is Now Inc., is also an mortgage brokerage licensed by the state of California, CAL BRE MLO/NMLS License #1435243, and a real estate broketage CAL BRE 01980407 and is not affiliated with any state or federal agency. The Power Is Now Inc., corporate office is located at 3739 6th Street Riverside, CA 92501. Telephone/Fax: 800401-8994. Eric Frazier, is California Licensed Loan Originator NMLS# 461807, and a Real Estate Broker #O1148434.

We have a membership for everyone. From the Buyer and Seller to the Professional Agent and Broker. Website: www.thepowerisnow.com Email: eric.frazier@thepowerisnow.com Mobile: 714-361-2105 Office: 800-401-8994 ext. 703

IN TECHNOLOGY

S T N E G A Y H E W S U D L U SHO OOK B E C ? FA G N I S I T R E ADV

acebook advertising is the best investment that real estate agents can make. It can help them build an online presence and connect with their target audience. The Facebook ad platform provides cost-effective and precise behavioral and demographic targeting. Using Facebook ads can enable you gain a competitive advantage by targeting the behaviors and interests of clients. Surprisingly, though, few real estate agents use this platform to promote their business.

Promote to a Specific Audience

Regardless of who your targeted audience is, the ma jority of them use Facebook on a daily basis. This provides you a great opportunity to connect with them. When you know your customers, you can use ads to engage them. Attract an audience to your page by providing outstanding real estate information and content. Your ads should target clients based on their age, behavior, location, interest, household income, and intent to buy or sell a home.

Increase Brand Awareness

Real estate buying and selling is personal, and people prefer to work with those who are local, trustworthy, and in their network. You can promote your page to a specific audience

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using Facebook campaigns.

Facebook ads work fast, and they drive immediate results. You can reach thousands of people within a day, and this can help increase

DECEMBER 2017

brand awareness. Target the audience you want to reach in an effective manner. When people get familiar with your brand, they are more likely to do business with you. Increase brand awareness to turn visitors into leads and leads into customers.

Boost Website Traffic and Track Conversions Increase traffic to your website using campaigns that target your audience. The results are measurable and you can see how many clicks, impressions, and conversions you are receiving for each campaign. Use Facebook pixel codes to track conversions. It is important to understand which clicks are getting conversions so that you can optimize the impressions. This can help in maximizing the total number of leads. Conversion tracking and then optimizing the ads for conversion can help you get more leads at a lower cost per lead.

Engage with Website Visitors If a customer visits your website but does not contact you, you can engage with them using Facebook ads. The ads can also help drive repeat business from customers who have used your services earlier. Build engagement with the target audience using likes, comments and other interactions on the ads. Engagement is important as it helps in building a stronger connection with the target audience. The more engaged your audience is with you, the more connected you will be with them; this can help increase your business.

Cost Effective Facebook ads decrease acquisition costs in your business. This provides a cost-effective way to promote your real estate website and increase your customer attribution (attribution is the number of times your customers see your brand). When customers start interacting with your brand more, it can lead to more conversions.

Real-Time Advertising The biggest advantage of using Facebook ads is that you can view your different campaigns in real time. If you are unhappy with the results of any particular campaign, you can make changes to it immediately. This is not possible in other forms of advertising, such as billboards. This unique ability to make on-the-fly adjustments to campaigns helps to increase conversions immediately. Real estate agents can use Facebook advertising to increase visibility and ensure that they reach the right audience. The ads can enable real estate companies to break into new markets. If you are offering a new service, you can use Facebook to increase exposure. Managing ads with Facebook is easy, and can give you an edge over your competitors.

Sources: https://fitsmallbusiness.com/facebook-adsreal-estate/ https://www.thebal ance.com/ppc-targetm ar ke ti n g -wi th - faceb o o k- ad s - for - r e al estate-2866761 https://www.l yfem arketing.com/blog/ facebook-advertising-benefits/ h t t p s : // w w w. i n c . c o m / l a r r y - k i m / 9 i m p or t an t - r e a s on s - y ou - n e e d - to - us e facebook-ads-right-now-first-90-days.html

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IN REAL ESTATE

Best Sections to Live In San Bernardino

Danon Burnside

an Bernardino is the 17th largest city in California and the 100th largest city in the United States. The indigenous tribes people were originally referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Valley of the Cupped Hand of God.â&#x20AC;? San Bernardino is one of the oldest communities in the state of California. As at the 2010 census, San Bernardino had a population of 209,924. It is surrounded by four other cities: Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego and San Francisco.

Real Estate Agent BRE#01835853 800-401-8994 x 724 951-205-5796 danon.burnside@ thepowerisnow.com www.thepowerisnow.com

Loma Linda Loma Linda has a population of 23,751. 17% of the population consists of children. Loma Linda is a very tight community; people who reside there are very friendly. It is the best section for raising a family, and the cost of living is not too high. In this place, 67% of the residents rent their apartment and the remaining 33% own their houses. Average home value is about

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DECEMBER 2017

$278,100, while the average rent is $1,115 a month. In diversity, it is 8th of 410 suburbs in California and the 21st of 1,166 most diverse place to live in California. 22% of the residents have a master’s degree, 28% have a bachelor’s degree, 24% have at least an associate degree, 17% have a high school diploma, and 10% have less than a high school diploma.

Redlands Redlands has a population of 70,186. 20% of the population consists of children. It is also a good place to raise a family since the cost of living is not too high. 58% of the people who reside in Redlands own their houses, while 42% rent their houses. The average home value is $310,200 while the average rent is $1,155. In California, Redlands is the 119th best place of 413 places to raise a family. It is the 105th most diverse suburb in California. 17% of the residents have a master’s degree, 20% a bachelor’s degree, 32% an associate degree, 21% a high school diploma, and 10% less than a high school diploma.

Chino Hills Chino Hills has a population of 76,796, and 20% of the population consists of children. 77% of the population own a house, while the remaining 23% rent their houses. The average home value in Chino Hills is $507,500, and the average rent is $1,843 – which is a little too expensive to raise a family. The residents are fairly well-educated. 14% have a master’s degree, 30% a bachelor’s degree, 32% an associate degree, 17% a high school diploma and 7% less than a high school diploma. The average household income in Chino Hills is $96,914. It is 87th in safety of 814

places to live in California and 36th in diversity of 410 suburbs in California.

San Antonio Heights The population of San Antonio Heights is 2,963, and 17% of the population consists of children. The cost of living in this place is very expensive, with an average home value of $567,500 and average rent of $1,299. 80% of the population owns their house, while 20% of the population rents their house. The average household

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income of San Antonio Heights is $94,295, and the residents are educated to some extent, with 20% having a master’s degree, 22% a bachelor’s degree, 33% an associate degree, 17% a high school diploma and 7% have less than a high school diploma.

Rancho Cucamonga

Conclusion According to the criteria used to decide the best section in San Bernardino, Loma Linda would be the best section to live in. The cost of living is not too expensive and the crime and safety rating is quite good. With the friendly neighbourhood, Linda Loma would be the best place to live in San Bernardino.

Rancho Cucamonga has a population of 171,858, and 19% of this population consists of children. The average home value is $386,700 while average rent value is $1,506. 38% of the population rent their houses, and 62% own their houses. Rancho Cucamonga is 109th of 1,166 diverse places in California and 151st of 413 best suburbs places in which to raise a family. It has an average household income of $77,396. 38% of the educated people in this section have an associate degree, 12% have a master’s degree, 20% have a bachelor’s degree, 20% have a high school diploma, and 9% have less than a high school diploma.

References h t t p s : // e n . wi k i p e d i a . o r g / wi k i / S a n _ Bernardino,_California https://www.niche.com/pl aces-to-live/lomalinda-san-bernardino-ca/ h tt p s : //www. ni che.com /pl aces - to - l i ve / redlands-san-bernardino-ca/ https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/chinohills-san-bernardino-ca/ https://www.niche.com/pl aces-to-live/sanantonio-heights-san-bernardino-ca/ https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/ranchocucamonga-san-bernardino-ca/

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Helping Families Make the Right Move!

Danon Burnside Cal BRE # 01835853

Real estate Agent

Realtor | San Bernardino O: 800-401-8994 x 724 D: 951-205-5796 danon.burnside@thepowerisnow.com www.thepowerisnow.com www.applytobuynow.com

IN REAL ESTATE

Things you need to know before you move to VALLEJO

n June of 2017, Vallejo, California was named the hottest housing market in America, according to Realtor.com. It is the last place Bay Area locals might expect to take the title; and given its history, many people may consider it unsafe for living. Between 18521853, Vallejo experienced a high point when it briefly hosted the state capital. Recent events, however, have put Vallejo on the Forbes list of miserable cities. More devastating is the fact that the city declared bankruptcy in 2008. Is Vallejo the worst place to live? Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a look at a few recent statistics: Out of 510 U.S cities, Vallejo ranks 507th-best for families. These studies are conducted to help families with children figure out the best places to live. The benchmarks are based on safety, housing affordability, child friendliness, education, etc.

A comeback for Vallejo city

Lanise Spann CalBRE# 01800507 Direct: 707 297-0398 Office: 800-401-8994 ext 713

However, recent statistics show that Vallejo city is slowly coming back to live. One of the reason behind this ma jor comeback is the fact that young professionals are being priced out of San Francisco and some other cities like the Oakland. This leaves most with no option but to search for affordable housing in the far ends of the Bay Area, Vallejo. Therefore, if you are thinking of moving to Vallejo, you might want to sit down and consider some of the things we will discuss in this article.

lanise.spann@thepowerisnow.com Great hiking areas Even though you might have heard the disturbing news and events about gangs, there are good side to

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the city as well. Vallejo is endowed with some of the best hiking places. Around the Benicia area, you will find excellent neighborhoods without any crime. The ma jority of the crimes that happen in Vallejo occur in the west side of the Sandhurst Drive, off Columbus Parkway. But if you want to settle in, consider safer places such as the eastern side.

on the downtown side of Vallejo city. The area is infested by dangerous gangs. Therefore, if you are looking for a house to live in, consider other places. However, most people have focused on the “gang thing” for so long which has crippled their mentality about the city. Only a portion of the city is full of thugs; in other areas of the city, everything is perfectly normal.

Vallejo is no longer bankrupt Rumor has it that the city is bankrupt; to be honest, this was not far from the truth. Vallejo has declared bankruptcy, which is a ma jor cause of alarm for investors. However, the city is no longer bankrupt. The bankruptcy fiasco lasted for only three months, and the wonderful community in Vallejo came together to bring it back. More than that, there is life in Vallejo. The streets are being restored to their original glory. Ma jor changes are happening all around the city, especially in the historical areas. Furthermore, a positive vibe is ringing all around the city and the locals are determined to see the city back on its feet. If you’ve been to Vallejo, you will notice changes coming in, like the renovation of the downtown and Marina areas.

Security is about to tighten in Vallejo Because of its history, some might be tempted to leave Vallejo in search of a “safer” city. But aside from the ma jor changes coming in, one thing is particularly evident: More police officers are being added to beef up security. Maybe one of these fine days you will wake up and all you’ll have to look at is a clean city. Clean in the essence that there are no crimes happening in your neighborhood, and that is where the entire city is headed.

Downtown isn’t safe You may want to also consider this before moving to Vallejo: If you are looking for a house, consider some other place rather than going

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Schools are amiss Okay, schools may be a downside for the city. They are not yet “up-to-the-standards.” Schools in Vallejo are not that good, and since the bankruptcy fiasco, the state has taken over most of the schools. In addition, sports activities are mostly null! And most parents consider taking their children to Benicia district, which is considerably good. Even though Vallejo has poor quality schools, so does every other city. There are schools which perform quite poorly and Vallejo has shown the potential to improve in terms of the education offered.

So is the city safe? No place is perfectly safe! Some may say that Vallejo isn’t safe, and some may say otherwise. However, it is good to point out that Vallejo is slowly coming back to life. Given the recent rise in housing demand, we can conclude that Vallejo is finally getting back on track. Who knows – maybe in a few years the doomed city will be the city of light!

Final verdict These are the five ma jor things that you need to be aware of before moving to Vallejo; despite the heated debate on security and schools on some ma jor forums, Vallejo is slowly coming back to life. It is a nice place with welcoming weather. If you are to move to Vallejo, however, it is advisable that you find a safe, welcoming place for you and your family to live.

THE REALTIST YOU CAN TRUST! Serving the city of Vallejo and surrounding areas.

LANISE SPANN CalBRE# 01800507 Direct: 707 297-0398 Office: 800-401-8994 ext 713 E-mail: lanise.spann@thepowerisnow.com

IN REAL ESTATE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF

rialto city T

he city of Rialto, located in San Bernardino County, California, has various zones or land uses defined by the city municipal code. Development of land uses and zones is done to promote various types of businesses in certain locations. Permission of the City Planning Department is required for development in any particular land use or zone. All businesses that operate or do business within the city limits of Rialto need to have a license. If you are a new business looking to open a location or an existing business looking to expand in Rialto, you need to contact the Economic Development Division. They can help in finding a suitable site and obtaining the necessary approvals to start a business.

The mission of Economic Development Division is: • Attract quality business and development to diversify the local business base. • Increase and improve employment opportunities for local residents.

JT Burnside 800-401-8994 x 719 909-745-4349 jt.burnside@thepowerisnow.com www.thepowerisnow.com www.applytobuynow.com

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• Conduct business outreach programs and retention activities. • Ease development and redevelopment of sites. • Encourage growth in the business base. Rialto is one of California’s fastest growing cities, and the business-friendly environment has helped it achieve economic success. This has facilitated growth and further economic development. The location and strong demographics makes it an attractive choice for businesses and developers.

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The Economic Development Division of Rialto provides different types of services to developers and businesses, including: • Demographic information. • Assist in site selection. • Referral service to businesses. • Expedited services for approval process. The department of development services in Rialto operates through divisions, including building, planning, engineering, and code enforcement. The building division ensures that all new and remodeled construction follows the building codes and city ordinances. The city provides resources tailored for business development. Developers are bringing ma jor dining, entertainment, and shopping destinations to Rialto. One of the properties that has been developed is the 60-acre Renaissance Marketplace retail center. This shopping and entertainment center will boost economic development in Rialto and its surrounding areas. It will create jobs and bring in revenue. The developed residential property includes a mix of for-sale housing and rental. The central location of Rialto provides better access and affordability. The strategic location of the city has encouraged industrial development. The robust economic development in Rialto has made it attractive to new enterprises. The diversified economy is home to a variety of businesses, and this has helped it grow at a steady pace. Rialto is one of the few cities that has seen significant economic development in the industrial and business space. Access to ma jor freeways, passenger and freight rail, and a skilled workforce has resulted in rapid economic

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development of most sectors. Rialto is an ideal choice for new and existing businesses looking to expand. The economic development program of the city supports local services. The vibrant city represents the best in the region. New businesses create and promote economic development opportunities. Thus strong economic foundation has made it a city of progress.

Sources: http://yourrialto.com/city-hall/departments/ development-services-department/economicdevelopment/ http://www.dail ybull etin.com/2017/02/12/ retailers-and-restaurants-announced-for-newrialto-shopping-center/ http://www.sbcountyadvantage.com/DataCenter/Cities-Unincorporated.aspx

JT BURNSIDE Realtor | Rialto

Phone: 800-401-8994 x 719 Direct: 909-745-4349 Email: jt.burnside@thepowerisnow.com Website: www.thepowerisnow.com www.applytobuynow.com

IN REAL ESTATE

The Best Places to Visit near Antioch A

ntioch, one of the oldest cities in California, has many popular attractions, including many fun activities for families. This makes it a popular destination for many tourists. The attractions include games, shopping, and concerts. The nightlife is also fun. You will also love the food and drinks available in the city. Here, we discuss the five best places to visit near Antioch. Most visitors to Antioch usually visit at least one of these places.

Robin Davis CalBRE # 01971982 Phone: 800-401-8994 x 706 Direct: 925-565-4848 robin.davis@thepowerisnow.com www.thepowerisnow.com

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Best places to visit near Antioch 1. Black Diamond Mines In ancient times, coal was mined in this area. Sand harvesting was very common as well. Such activities helped to transform the area from a rural area into an industrial area. As a result of the mining, many geological attractions were developed. Within a one hundred and seventy meter walk, tourists can take in the vast beauty of this place. Some of the features here include Rose Hill Cemetery, Sidney Flat Visitor Center, and Great House Visitor Center. Visitors are also encouraged to go

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on the Hazel Atlas Mine tour. You will also enjoy natural vegetation and wildlife, especially if you choose to camp, which is allowed at this site.

2. El Campanil Theatre If you are looking for entertainment in the city of Antioch, you should visit the El Campanil Theatre. They screen both classic and foreign films. The theatre is also known for hosting concerts, live theatre, and comedy. They try to feature various attractions to ensure there is something for everyone. If you have traveled with your family, the kids also get to enjoy various movies at the theatre.

3. Antioch Historical Museum Antioch, as mentioned earlier, is an ancient city. Therefore, there are many artifacts. The Antioch Historical Museum is educational and informative, especially for children. It offers a fascinating look at Native American life. At the museum, you will learn more about the ancient Antioch nativesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; business and domestic lives. In order to visit Antioch Historical Museum, you can call for a reservation or arrange for a private tours, which is free of charge.

Break was upland, but now it is fully submerged. It is an estuary of the San Joaquin River. There is great diversity in the species found here. That is one of the reasons why it is a ma jor attraction site. Over seventy species of birds are found here. There are several species of mammals here too. There are two main attraction features in this area. They include the visitor center at the Delta and the shoreline, as well as the Delta Discovery. Visitors are allowed to have picnics in the area. In addition, there are many activities visitors can carry out here, including fishing, boating, and swimming. Hiking and naturalist programs are also allowed. There are a variety of programs for visitors. Through the bi-monthly newsletters, visitors can find activities that have been organized for them. The park is easily accessible for all. In fact, this is one of the must-visit places when you go to Antioch. There are many places to visit near Antioch. We have highlighted just a few of the spectacular places to visit. Antioch is one of the most beautiful cities to visit, and the people are friendly, too! There are many good hotels and recreational facilities in town. Next time you visit California, pay a visit to Antioch. You will not regret it.

4. Great Lakes Antiques If you love shopping, this is one of the best places to visit in Antioch. You will find a wide selection of antiques in one extremely easy and fun to shop place. What are some of the things that you can expect to find here? Among other things, there is high-fashion casual womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clothing and a variety of antiques and crafts. There is something for everyone at Great Lakes Antique.

Citation: https://trip101.com/article/best-things-to-doantioch-ca https://www.trip advisor.com/Attrac tionsg29270-Activities-Antioch_Lake_County_Illinois. html h tt p s : //en .wi k ip e d i a .or g /wi k i /A n ti o ch , _ California h tt p : //w w w.eb p ar k s .or g /p ar k s / b l ack _ diamond

5. Big Break Regional Shoreline This is also referred to as the inland coast. It is one of the biggest parks in Antioch. The Big

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http://cm.antiochchamber.org/list/member/ l akes-region-his torical-society-museumantioch-190

Robin Davis Realtor | CalBRE # 01971982

Phone: 800-401-8994 x 706 Direct: 925-565-4848 robin.davis@thepowerisnow.com www.thepowerisnow.com

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IN REAL ESTATE

The top 10 best things you can do in Oakland O

Anita Jones-Cayenne Director of Real Estate Services

akland us the eighth largest city in California, and is consistently underrated. It prides itself in a few world-class amenities seen in few other cities. The city has a population of more than 300,000 people â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the same size as Minneapolis or Miami. Furthermore, the city has been as a trading center due to the port, which is the busiest in the San Francisco Bay Area. The city has a diversified sports heritage with a few great teams, making it one of the best cities in California. Recently, Oakland has become a Mecca for technological attraction due to renewable energy.

Northern California 800-401-8994 x 707 510-681-4147 anita.jones@thepowerisnow.com www.thepowerisnow.com

10 things you can do in Oakland â&#x20AC;Śbefore you die! Before fate comes knocking at your door, there are a few things you must try in Oakland, California. Steal a show at the Fox Theatre

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DECEMBER 2017

earn some extra credit points along with so many benefits if you opt for VIP access.

The champs can’t wait… cheer! Oakland is a sports city, with the Oakland Raiders and the Golden State Warriors both fighting for the state. Therefore, cheering for one of them is a must. The Oracle Arena, an indoor arena, is home to the Golden States. Who wouldn’t love to be in one of the oldest arenas in the history of NBA? The arena has a maximum capacity of 20,000 people. You’ll love going through the game rituals with the Warriors and the locals.

Visit the Magic Wonderland The Fox Theatre is a historical theatre that dates back to the early 1900s. The theatre opened in 1928, but was unfortunately shuttered in the ‘60s and remained dark for nearly half a century. It was later re-opened in 2009 as an amazingly refurbished venue. This state-of-the-art theatre offers more than fun. It is a place of connection and entertainment. It does not matter what you see: anything is great to watch at the Fox Theatre. You surely do not want to miss this. You could

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One of the thing you cannot miss when in Oakland is the fairyland. This is a magical theme park which is right here on our backyard. What’s even better is the fact that you only need $10 and a child to visit this theme park. And for those of you who are squeamish about children, we got you sorted: There is an after-dark boozy bash for big kids like you.

Life at the lake Lake Merritt. The beautiful lake Merritt. In the center of

the city lies one of the most attracting features in Oakland: the lake, which was recognized as the country’s first wildlife refuge. It is a very large tidal lagoon which harbors many species. In the lake, several features will catch you by surprise; the best part is that there are boating centers where canoes and rowboats can be rented. Therefore, with your family on board, be sure to create a memorable stay at the beautiful city of Oakland.

Visit the Mormon temple Though not quite grand as many imagine, its impeccable features make it a center of attraction and a “must-do” while in Oakland. Located in the Oakland hills, the temple reaches 170 feet into the air making it impressive to see, especially at night. Best of all, adult admission into the temple is absolutely free!

Hang out at one of Oakland’s local attractions The city has been blessed with some of the finest and most impressive downtown places for fun. For instance, the Urban Wine Trail is an impressive attraction to check out! This is a place where you can find some of the world’s finest wines at fairly low prices.

And this is only one place; there are dozens of wineries all across this beautiful city which are open at all times. Furthermore, why not try out the Art Murmur? If you are in town the first Friday of the month, you have to try out the Art Murmur, which is among the county’s largest celebrations. During this celebration, you get to taste the rich Oakland heritage buried deep within food trucks. It is truly a great way to feel cultured.

Visit the museum You can’t leave town without taking a trip to the museum. One of the best is the Oakland Museum of California, which mainly specializes in natural science and history. The museum holds close to two million objects that define the true heritage of the California people. This is the place where you and your family can get all the fun and education they want.

The Rockridge Take on the farmer’s market Surely you don’t want to go home without checking out the Grand Lake Farmer’s Market. Your Saturday morning will never sound the same. It is the place where you will find everything fresh, from fruits to veggies. Bread and natural meats are all perfectly laid out for you to purchase.

Try kayaking in Oakland Estuary or the San Francisco Bay If you want to experience true calmness in the best places in Oakland, then you have to try out the Oakland estuary. It is one of the best off-shore places in Oakland. If, however, you don’t own a kayak or a stand-up paddleboat, don’t worry. You can easily rent a kayak or paddleboard for just $25 and be ready to experience Oakland’s best-kept secret.

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Finally, here we are! One of the best places in all of Oakland, the Rockridge. It is adjacent to Temescal, and though most of the locals see it as more upscale and family oriented, it is one of the places in Oakland where you can experience what life in the city can be like. It is a true source of entertainment and a great place to visit when in the city. It is surrounded by over eighty restaurants and cafes. Around it is a strong, stable business community, which makes it one of the places Oakland takes pride in.

Final word These are the 10 best things to do in Oakland during a visit or if you have just moved. Oakland is a city, that is warmer, sunnier, and most importantly, less crowded than other cities. Whenever in town, it is best that you get the city vibe from some of these best places. Of course, there are so many places that you will discover as you learn more about this beautiful city.

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ANITA JONES-CAYENNE Director of Real Estate Services NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Phone: 800-401-8994 x 707 Direct: 510-681-4147 Email:anita.jones@thepowerisnow.com Website: www.thepowerisnow.com www.applytobuynow.com

IN REAL ESTATE

ATLANTA REAL ESTATE ON THE RISE WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS?

tlanta Housing Market has experienced a surge in its prices and this increase in home prices is set to continue as indicated by various indicators such as sale-to-list price, price cuts and timeon-market. According to the S&P/Case-Shiller House Price Index, Atlanta was the 11th fastestrising of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 20 largest metro areas. As the Atlanta Real Estate market gets warmer, several outcomes are expected. This article will delve into what to expect if the real estate prices in Atlanta continue to rise like this.

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Stable Moderate Growth above National Average makes for perfect Long-Term Investments: A market as stable and steadily increasing as Real Estate provides a valuable chance for long-term investments in this sector. Coupled with Political Stability after 2016 elections and several government measures like deregulation and an overall positive opinion, the sector is undergoing a steady moderate growth with very few fluctuations. Real Estate prices in Atlanta have risen by 5.7 percent which is slightly

DECEMBER 2017

above the national average of 5.5 percent. This makes Atlanta Real Estate sector one of the best sectors to invest in for the long term. Sellers better off over Buyers: The rise in home prices in Atlanta is going to create a mismatch between Demand and Supply, and thus will benefit sellers over buyers. A number of reasons account for this dynamic. First of all, despite an increase in prices, the number of buyers hasn’t gone down; instead, it has seen an increasing trend. As more and more development takes place and more jobs are created, the potential buyers for houses have also risen. A ma jor factor has been the share of millennials entering the real estate market. Latest consumer trends from Zillow indicate that half of the house buyers are under the age of 36. As the demand has risen, the supply has been stagnant as the inventory shortages remain evident. The reason for this being that builders haven’t really built more houses as much as they were built in the aftermath of the 60s boom. Increased demand along with a mitigated supply has meant that sellers have faced multiple offers from buyers which means that sellers now have an upper hand in any real estate transaction. The trend towards Rentals: A surprisingly interesting development in the wake of a surge in home prices has been a growing trend towards renting off places as compared to buying them. This is evident from the success of businesses like Air BnB whereby people are searching online for places to rent and rent out. Additionally, the supply of houses that are in a market is expected to further decrease because high prices have triggered a trend whereby more and more people are renting places, and as a result, single family homes are

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being converted into rentals thus taking them off the market. Newcomers will be worse off: An important outcome to expect from this surge in prices is that the newcomers in the real estate market will be worse off. As the economy continues to improve and housing sector thrives, the interest rates on housing will also climb up. This does not fare well with newcomers who are looking to buy their first homes. According to a Kiplinger economic forecast, “By the end of 2017, expect the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage to rise to 4.6%, with 15-year fixed rates at 3.8%.” This predicted rate is already above than the rate for past 5 years which has remained at 4.5%. Such an increase in interest rates may result in newcomers not meeting the qualification and buying process, thus inhibiting them from buying properties in Atlanta. All in all, some important takeaways from this analysis are that this spate of housing prices will have a profound impact on potential buyers, as they are positioned to be worse off as a result. The upward trend in prices implies that those who invest in real estate will be better off in the long term. House prices are subject to less frequent fluctuations making them a safe investment for future.

References: http://liveloveatlanta.com/blog/10-AtlantaHousing-Market-Predictions-for-2017/28910 https://www.fortunebuilders.com/atlantareal-estate-market-trends/ https://www.cbsnews.com/media/9-realestate-trends-to-expect-in-2017/

IN REAL ESTATE

LOOMING THREAT OF RE-SEGREGATION IN

LOS ANGELES M

any things have happened since Rosa Parks refused to sit in the colored section and ignited the Civil Rights Movement. Although progress has been significant since then, segregation still leaves a deep mark which continues to shape the history of the United States. Perhaps one of the most well-known examples of housing segregation can be found in Los Angeles. Locations such as Compton and South Central have long been associated with the African-American experience on the West Coast. It was there where gangster rap and Westside hip-hop style was born, and it was there where the largest and costliest riot in America started. African-American segregation in LA began in approximately the 1940s, when thousands of people moved up from the south trying to meet the demands for labor and skilled work during World War II. Following the continued migration to the city, the number of African

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Americans reached over 700,000 by the 1970s. Due the number of regulations, unlawful practices, and block busting, African Americans were left out of white neighborhoods, creating densely populated areas with insufficient services and infrastructure. This eventually culminated in the 1965 Watts riots. Although the housing restrictions were lifted by the end of the ‘70s and segregation began to decrease, low rates of education and employment became commonplace south of the I-110, leading to high crime rates, drug and alcohol consumption, and unbearable living conditions. In April 1992, after a jury acquitted four police officers of brutally hitting Rodney King for resisting arrest, the largest riots in American history broke out. When order was finally restored six days later, 58 people were dead, 16,000 arrested and more than $1 billion dollars’ worth of damage had been done. The riots left a deep impact in popular culture and are still used as an example of African Americans’ plight. Nonetheless, a lot has changed since then. South Central is now known as South L.A., and African Americans are no longer the largest racial group. That position now belongs to Mexican American or Latino communities. In the 1980s, three-quarters of the population of Compton was African-Americans; by the 2010s, two-thirds of the population was of Latino origin.

DECEMBER 2017

There are plenty of reasons behind this demographic change. One of the most prominent is that large portions of blacks are moving out to other areas in LA County, changing the racial distribution of the city. For example, African Americansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; representation in Orange County has grown over 43 percent in the past few years. Likewise, many AfricanAmericans have decided to move to the south in search of a better standards of living, causing LA to drop from 5th to number 6th city with the largest concentration of AfricanAmericans. The increase of mixed race neighborhoods in LA may make it seem as if the city is becoming more integrated. However, Los Angeles is still the 14th most segregated city in the United States, and there is a risk of re-segregation. Recent research has shown that large areas of South and East LA are changing from mixed neighborhoods to single-race. For example, Latinos made up 13% of the residents of Covina in the 1980s. Yet by 2014, they represented 57% of the population. The area is expected to become predominantly Latino by 2025. One of the main reasons behind this change is immigration, since newcomers usually arrive in areas previously settled by their countryman. This is a trend seen among Asian communities, which now account for the largest percentage of new immigrants into the U.S. Furthermore, fewer whites move to or live in areas with large numbers of minorities, as a 2010 study showed most non-Hispanic whites live in neighborhoods where they account for 75% of the population. On the other hand, minorities tend to live alongside other minorities. For example, the average African American lives in areas 45% black, while most Latinos live in areas where they account for at least 45% of the population. While the report

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also showed that the percentage of only white neighborhoods have decreased, it also shows persistent segregation. LA has come a long way since the 1965 and 1992 riots, but there is a still a long way to go to become a full integrated city. Nevertheless, re-segregation in LA maybe avoidable. New measures can be taken by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to promote integration. Likewise, campaigns could be launched to encourage people of different of races to move to areas with low diversity. Although the previous suggestions may sound naĂŻve, the truth is that there is still time to avoid making the same mistakes and to avoid the creation of racially dominated ghettos.

References: https://usp100l a.weebl y.com/ci vil-rightsand-segregation.html h t t p : // w w w . z o c a l o p u b l i c s q u a r e . org/2016/07/07/south-l-a-is-a-story-of-bothsegregation-and-desegregation/ http://www.l atim es.com/opinion/op-ed/ l a-oe-b ader-resegregation-los-angel es20160401-story.html http://www.l atim es.com/opinion/op-ed/ l a-oe-b ader-resegregation-los-angel es20160401-story.html http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/28/us/pewstudy-immigration-asians-hisp anics/index. html https://s4.ad.brown.edu/Projects/Diversity/ Data/Report/report2.pdf

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The Power Is Now Inc., is a Mortgage Brokerage Licensed by the State of California CALBRE License #1980407 and is not affiliated with any state or federal agency. Go to www2.dre.ca.gov for verification. The Power Is Now Inc., is also licensed by the NMLS License #1435243. Go to www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org for verification. The Power Is Now Inc., is an equal housing lender. Our corporate office is located at: 379 6th Street Riverside, CA 92501. Telephone and Fax: 800-401-8994. Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA is a California Licensed Loan Originator NMLS# 461807. This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Restrictions may apply. Information and/or data is subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to credit approval. Not all loans or products are available in all states.

IN MORTGAGE

REAL ESTATE DOCUMENT FEE BILL

APPROVED IN CALIFORNIA C

alifornia’s well-known housing problem is evidenced by the large population of homeless people in the state. Sacramento, for example, has experienced a 30% increase in its homeless population since 2015 and similar statistics can be found for many other regions of the state. The biggest issue by far is not the lack of home units and households being built, but rather their affordability. California is currently experiencing some of the highest property costs in the nation, and they continue to rise. In the San Francisco metro area, for instance, the median price as of October 2017 reached an astonishing $1,282,200, while Los Angeles was recently crowned as the least affordable market in the entire U.S. The crisis has compelled local authorities to pass The Building Homes and Jobs Act (Senate Bill 2) in September 2017, which seeks to raise funds for affordable housing projects by charging a fee on each real estate document transaction. The bill imposes a fee ranging from $75$225 per document transaction and hopes to help raise a $200-300 million fund towards building homes for low- to midincome families.

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The tax will be applied to deeds and notices or any other instrument recorded by law. While this includes mortgage refinancing related documents, the bill excludes documents related to the sale of residential and commercial properties. As Democrat Senator Toni Atkins, who proposed the bill, says, the legislation “has potential to leverage millions more in private funding as well as funding from local and state government. Deployment of the funds through public-private partnership, as it is set up, will generate revenue and create jobs for local governments who use these funds to build affordable housing.” Not everyone is on board with the bill, though. Several realtors have expressed their growing concern with the paradox that the bill creates. The California Mortgage Association and California Escrow Association believe that the legislation will reward some while forcing others to pay. From their point of view, charging extra taxes to people seeking to refinance their mortgage is not fair: “A working person facing foreclosure will have to pay the fee on those documents and if they decide to refinance their mortgage, they’ll pay fees on those too.” The bill creates a situation in which people who are trying to keep their homes will have to pay extra

DECEMBER 2017

California is very dependent on federal tax breaks. For example, tax exemptions in private activity bonds helped create 20,000 homes in 2016.

so that others can buy a new one. Members of the association also expressed concern about misrecordings. In their eyes, the bill could encourage people to not keep records in order to avoid the new fees. Nevertheless, Californian legislators’ efforts may have been in vain, as the new federal tax-reform program could make the state lose up to $2 billion. Experts suggest that the reform could hurt the state in two ways: by erasing key tax credits and by making tax credits granted by the federal government worth less. The tax reform will reduce corporate taxes, which in return will make corporations less willing to buy credits that are used to build affordable homes. Real estate associations, homebuilders and affordable housing advocates have come out against the reform. They especially reject the elimination of local property tax deductions and the reduction of mortgage interest deductions. As Steve White, president of the California Association of Realtors said, “If the goal of tax reform is to help middle-class taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned dollars, this proposal fails the test.”

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The Californian home affordability crisis is a matter of great concern, and the local government is taking measures to fix the problem. While they may be controversial, initiatives such as the Building Homes and Jobs Act could help many prospective homeowners and low income families. Nonetheless, there are still many challenges, and if the impending federal tax is not amended, it may cause more harm than good.

References: h tt p : //www. s ac b e e.com /n ews / l o c al / article160423019.html http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/11/16/ a s - th e - h ous i n g - s upp l y - s h r i n k s - s an francisco-s an-jose-and-oakl and-are-thenations-three-most-competitive-markets/ h t t p s : // w w w . h o u s i n g wi r e . c o m / ar ticles/41786-los-angeles-surp asses-sanfrancis co-as-l eas t-affordabl e-housingmarket http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-cahousing-bills-pass-assembl y-20170914-story. html https://www.usn ews.com/n ews/b es ts ta tes /c al i for ni a /ar ti c l es /2 01 7- 07- 0 6/ california-senate-oks-real-estate-fee-to-fundmore-housing h t t p s : // w w w . s c p r. o r g / p r o g r a m s / air talk/2017/08/29/58847/deb ating-casenate-bill-that-would-charge-fee-on-r/ https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/ news/2017/11/14/real-estate-coalition-taxreform-bills-would-be.html http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/11/03/ gop-tax-propos al-would-gut-affordabl ehousing-state-officials-say/

IN MORTGAGE

Unmarried & Single American Home Buyers

s an American adult, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quite an accomplishment to buy your own home. This is considered part of the American dream. In the recent years, a lot has changed in the home buying process. The unexpected has happened as more unmarried and single people have joined other home owners.

For quite a long time, home ownership was associated with married people with or without children. They were either buying their first home together or getting more or less space depending on the size of their families at a particular time. A recent study conducted by the National Association Of Realtors (NAR) showed a decrease from 35 to 34% of new home buyers. The most interesting thing is that despite the decrease, there was a significant increase of single females buying homes for 3 years consecutively. The Census Bureau released a census in 2014 that indicated 45% of the total adult population is comprised of single people. That is 107 million people. This is such significant number, that when talking a b o u t home

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ownership, the unmarried and single people can no longer be sidelined

Single women According to NAR, as from 1981-2015, single women have been among the top home buyers coming right behind the married couples. They also have the second-best rate for repeat buyers. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2014, single women are buying homes almost double of what single men are buying. The report also shows that 23% of first time home buyers and 16% of repeat home buyers are women. According to a research in 2013 by Pew Research Center Study showed that in most metro areas,

DECEMBER 2017

women in their 20s earned more than their male counterparts. These meant they could afford to buy homes. There are now better mortgage products available in the market. The fact that women rarely default paying loans, has become easier for them to get mortgages for their homes. They may not have high credit scores but the assurance of loan repayments has led to reconsideration by the financial institutions and different lenders. Single women are willing to give up certain luxuries or cut down on a few items or even get a second job in order to afford a home. They are willing to make the necessary sacrifices to see their dream come true.

Single men Single men desire to own their homes more than any other group but before most men own a home, they tend to live with family and friend first. This habit is more common in men unlike with the other groups. A big percentage of home buyers use their savings to make the first down payment. Men are not necessarily good at doing this making it difficult for them to go through the mortgage process which eventually takes time. Another thing man doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily cut down or make sacrifices to be able to buy their first home. Location is an important factor for men when it comes to buying a home. The other factors like design and quality donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play a big role in their decision making. The convenience of their free time and entertainment activities carried more weight in decision making.

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Unmarried people By 2014 the number of unmarried people was 7million according to American Community Survey. This number is seen to be rising as more people are choosing to pursue their careers. The unmarried people put into consideration the neighborhoods they choose to stay in. They have to be convenient to their work places, family and friends together with the different amenities they enjoy. This group rarely puts down savings for down payment. They are likely to receive some cash from either family members or friends or both. They believe that buying a home is a great financial decision.

Conclusion The role of unmarried and single people in home buying is no longer a subject to be left out. There are now clear signs of continued growth and expansion. The different stakeholders involved have to evolve. They have to make significant changes to accommodate the unmarried and single people ready to own their homes. This move will maximize their sales and increase the total amount spent on the Real Estate Industry in general.

References: h t t p : // n a r n e w s l i n e . b l o g s . r e a l t o r . or g /2 0 1 7/0 9/2 2 /un m a r r i e d - a nd - s i n g l e american-home-buyers/

IN COMMUNITY

OPEN HOUSE ETIQUETTE:

A BUYER’S CHECKLIST A

n open house is an interesting experience for both first-time and experienced homebuyers. Even though it can be awkward to walk through someone’s home – especially if the homeowners are still living there – it is one of the best ways to look at the property. If you want to have a pleasant open house experience, you need to follow certain established rules of etiquette. This can help you make a good first impression and show that you are interested in buying the house.

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Dress in an appropriate manner When you visit an open house, you need to dress in an appropriate manner. Remember that it is not a fashion show, and you need to wear something decent and comfortable. Avoid dressing inappropriately. The dress you wear can make a lasting impression. Wear comfortable shoes, as you will have to do a lot of walking and maybe go up and down stairs as well. Agents will not take you seriously if you are dressed in a casual manner.

DECEMBER 2017

Entering the house When you arrive at the house, look for any signs that instruct visitors. If you don’t see any clear sign, you can choose to knock or ring the bell before entering. Greet the broker when you enter the house. They can take you on a guided tour of the house or ask you to look around on your own. Ask the agent about the number of rooms in the house so that you are better prepared and do not miss anything.

Ask permission Before you take photos or videos of the house, you need to ask for. Remember that it is someone else’s house, and taking photos and videos without getting proper permission is bad manners. Similarly, if you want to use the bathroom, ask for permission first.

Focus on the property An open house visit does not give you a free access pass to look inside the pantry, wardrobe, fridge, or storage spaces. Snooping around is bad; when you visit a house, you need to focus only on the property. If you come across a closed door, don’t try to open it on your own. Ask the agent about it and get permission before entering. Look around carefully and pay attention to

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the condition of the house. This can help you identify things that need to be fixed, which will be useful when negotiating the price of the house. Be polite and courteous Be polite and courteous to the agent, homeowner and other buyers who may be visiting the house. Smile, greet, and make eye contact. Don’t cold shoulder anyone or be too pushy with the agent. Ask questions politely and wait for your turn if there are many buyers. Hold your criticism in front of others. If you find something that you do not like, it is best to hold your criticism until you leave. It is advisable not to bring kids along on an open house visit. If you have no choice, you need to hold on to them and not let them roam around. This can be a big safety concern and distracting for other buyers if the kids keep running around. When visiting the house, listen to what other buyers are saying. They may know something that you might not be aware of, and the valuable information can help you negotiate a better deal with the agent. Do not share too much information about yourself, as this can affect your bargaining position. After your open house visit is complete, take a moment to thank the agent and homeowner for their valuable time. If you want to follow up with the agent, you can leave your contact details on the visitor’s sheet.

IN COMMUNITY Continuing Education Requirements for Real Estate Professionals in California

he real estate market seems more attractive now than ever. The worst days of the crisis are over, and the market has bounced back. This situation makes real estate a place with a lot of potential for growth and high earnings. A real estate agent entering the market can expect to earn an average of $40,000 a year, a number that can greatly increase based on commissions and the numbers of sales. Real estate professionals are usually highly qualified individuals who often hold college degrees or some training in the area. And even then, they have to continue their education by completing series of courses to keep their license. Each state has its own course requirements and tests someone needs to take to be able to practice. In California, for example, real estate licenses must be renewed every four years, and professionals need to complete a series of course requirements before they start the renewal process.

Agents The California Bureau of Real Estate (CalBRE) declared that from January 1, 2016 onwards, salespersons or agents that are renewing for the first time must complete three-hour long courses in ethics, agency, trust fund handling, fair housing, and risk management. To complete the rest of the 45-hour continuing education program, agents can choose between customer service or consumer protection courses. However, they have to meet the minimum 18-hour customer protection course requirement.

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DECEMBER 2017

Agents renewing for the second or any following times also need to meet 45 hours of courses approved by CalBRE. They have to either take a survey course consisting of six mandatory subjects in ethics, agency, fair housing, trust fund handling, risk management, management and supervision for a total of 8 hours; or choose to take the subjects separately. These agents must also complete 18 hours of mandatory costumer protection courses. The reminding hours can be filled by either consumer service or consumer protection courses.

Brokers Brokers looking to renew their license also have to take a series of continuing education programs totaling 45 hours. First time licensee renewals need to take six 3-hour CalBRE approved courses separately in ethics, agency, trust fund handling, fair housing, risk management, and management and supervision. They also need to complete 18 hours of customer protection courses while they can decide what they want to fill the reminding hours with courses in either consumer service or consumer protection. Brokers renewing for the second or any following times need to approve an 8-hour survey course in ethics, agency, fair housing, trust fund handling, risk management, or management and supervision, all of which can be taken separately. They further need to complete 18 hours of mandatory customer protection courses. The remaining hours can be split between customer service and customer protection. The CalBRE website provides a list of schools and agencies offering approved courses.

Loan Officers Loan Officers, or Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs) as they are known in California, need to complete continuing education hours once a year in order to keep their license. The Bureau of Real Estate Agents of the State of California (CalBRE) complies with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry (NMLS), so all officers must meet the NMLS continuing education requirements. They have to complete at least 8 hours of the following courses : • 3 hours of Federal law and regulations. • 2 hours of ethics, including introduction to fraud, fair lending, and customer protection. • 2 hours of non-traditional mortgage lending, such as interest-only mortgages. • 1 hour of California-specific education. It is important to know that it is not possible to take the same course twice in a row as the NMLS will not take it into account as part of continuing education. Having a job in the real estate market can provide for great opportunities for development and growth. Salaries and earnings can easily rise above the U.S. average, depending of course on sales and commissions. This is why it is so important to keep up with the continuing education requirements; not meeting them can entail the risk of losing hard-earned licenses and a severe loss of income. https://www.p ayscal e.com/research/US/ Job=Real_Estate_Agent/Salary http://secure.dre.ca.gov/publicasp/cecontinue. asp https://www.loanofficerlicense.net/californialoan-officer-license-requirements/ https://www.inves top edia.com/terms/n/ nontraditionalmortgages.asp

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IN COMMUNITY

HOW TO NOT U GET SCAMMED BY A

CONTRACTOR

nfortunately, the real estate market is plagued by scammers. New homeowners, the elderly, immigrants, veterans, and those having problems refinancing their mortgage are especially vulnerable to these threats, as was evidenced during a scam in Florida in 2017. This is why real estate professionals constantly give tips to avoid scams and protect people’s investments. But even professionals themselves can become a target. Realtors in the state of Florida were the target of a scam in mid-August 2017 when several agents and brokers received letters asking for payment of a $225 fee and threatened loss of license if they failed to pay: “failure to respond with your 2017 Agent Board Listing may lead to closure of board listing.”

It is the second time Florida Realtors have been faced with the scam. In early March 2017, the same letters started circulating . The scammers seem to be very sophisticated and have made an effort to make themselves look legitimate. The letters were sent on behalf of a fake group calling itself The Florida Board of Realtors. They even went further and created a website, http://floridaboardofrealtors. org/, which is no longer online. The letters also appeared to be authentic, credible, and professional. Realtors in Florida have already issued a warning to its members across the state and has alerted the FBI. Scammers usually try to pass for trustworthy organizations in order to lure people in. As such, it is important that real estate professionals beware of potential scams and know how to

avoid them to protect not only their investments, but also their clients. Homeowners that are undergoing renovations in their home are a frequent target of scammers and may even end up forking out thousands of dollars to shady contractors, for example. While the vast ma jority of contractors are trustworthy professionals, the fact is that home improvement fraud has become so common that at least “33% of homeowners worry about fraud when hiring a contractor.” However, most fraudsters can be easily avoided by following these tips:

1. Avoid paying large sums of money up front. While it is true that most contractors insist on an upfront payment as a way to make sure

that the client is serious about the project, they usually do not charge above 10%. A contractor asking for a higher percentage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or even the full payment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is a red flag. They may either be under financial difficulties or there is a great chance they will just take the money and disappear.

2. Sign a contract. This one is very important. A contract means that the contractor is liable for the completion of the project and to stick to the budgeted costs. Even though the client and the contractor may have reached a verbal agreement or shaken hands on it, without a contract there is no protection or few options for the client to fight extra costs.

3. Make sure the contractor is licensed. If the contractor says they can charge you less because they do not need to pay for a license, it is better to avoid the deal altogether. This is because it is possible that they either have not been state certified or that they have lost their license.

4. Make sure they have a permit. If you hire a contractor who does not have the proper permits, you risk exposing yourself to a possible fine from local authorities. All construction or remodeling projects require a state permit to make sure they comply with safety standards. By making sure the contractors get the permits themselves, you can keep taxes in order and have someone external inspect the changes.

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5. Research the contractor. Find a contractor who you know has a good reputation or who has done other remodeling projects near your home. Do not underestimate word-of-mouth reviews. People will not hire or recommend anyone who does not do a good job or charges too much for extra fees. Beware of contractors with a bad reputation or very few completed projects. There are many ways unscrupulous individuals can use their position to take advantage of and scam people. As fraudsters become more sophisticated and try to pass as trustworthy individuals, even real estate professionals can fall prey to scammers and shady practices. This is why it is so important that homeowners be educated in telling scammers apart from hard-working people and know how to avoid getting ripped off.

References https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/pressreleases/2017/05/ftc-florida-halt-massivedebt-relief-scam h t t p : // n a r n e w s l i n e . b l o g s . r e a l t o r . org/2017/08/07/scammers-turn-sights-onrealtors/ h tt p : //re a l t o r m a g . re a l t o r. o r g /d a i l y news/2017/03/06/scam-letter-alarms-floridarealtors h t t p : // c . y m c d n . c o m / s i t e s / w w w . or l a nd ore a l t or s .or g /re s o u rc e /re s m g r/ images_oro2/FakeNoticeCropped.jpg https://www.investopedia.com/articl es/ per s o n a l - f i n an ce /0 9 1 9 1 4/ h ow- n ot - g et scammed-contractors.asp

IN YOU

How to Stay Positive and Productive During the Holiday Buying Slow Down

uring the holidays, many employees spend time at parties and celebrations, having fun with family and friends. This may distract employees and keep them from meeting set targets. There are various ways management can ensure that employees stay positive in the workplace. Here are seven tips that can help you ensure that your employees remain productive during the holiday season.

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1. Create specific goals It is advisable to adopt a rewards-based approach. This will encourage employees to take their tasks seriously and meet deadlines. This will also help employees remain focused and concentrate on the task at hand. The rewards will boost employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; morale and help to motivate the employees. As much as possible, the deadline for the task should be set by mid-month; this is in order to ensure that employees finish the tasks before they

DECEMBER 2017

get into the holiday spirit. It is also important that no important meetings be held during this period. As much as possible, critical tasks should be completed before the beginning of the festive season.

2. Have an informal feedback session Performance reviews are routine and boring. Instead, have an informal feedback session with all employees. During the holiday season, it is possible to get genuine feedback from employees. Take advantage of this time to also state the expected New Year performance standards. The team should also discuss areas for improvement. Through such informal feedback sessions, teamwork values are enhanced.

3. Planning ahead It is important to review past holiday seasons and plan ahead. Some of the areas of concern should be customer complaints. It is important that during the festive season, the customer service level is maintained. This will determine the success of the business. One consideration to make is staff absenteeism, which can affect the quality of customer service. It is therefore important that you plan ahead. This will ensure that many employees are not away from the office at the same time. In addition,

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planning enables the management to allocate each employee some time off to spend with family and loved ones. This helps to boost the morale of employees. Consequently, productivity is enhanced.

4. Encourage a healthy routine Employees need to maintain high energy levels during the festive season and after the season as well. It is therefore important that they maintain a healthy routine. They should be encouraged to eat healthy foods and maintain regular exercise. During the festive season, most people tend to indulge in unhealthy eating habits. This should be discouraged.

5. Encourage employees to find ways to fight holiday stress There are simple measures companies can use to help their employees to fight holiday stress. This may be in terms of bonuses given to their employees. Financial stress during this season is common. When the employer gives the employees a bonus, it can help reduce that stress. An employer may also introduce yoga classes. In some companies, they encourage their employees to hit the gym. These are ways through which employees can fight holiday stress. This also helps to increase the productivity of the employees.

6. Create a festive atmosphere at the office Incorporating festive decorations in the workplace will positively affect the performance of the employees. According to Fred Mouawad of Taskworld, the use of holiday lighting and regular treats to employees helps to boost their morale. This is very important during this season when productivity slows down. On certain days, allow your employees to have free food. This is also a good way to motivate employees while complementing the festive mood of the season.

7. Encourage employees to enjoy time off with family and friends This includes the management and all employees. CEOs are also advised to take time to rejuvenate. This is the only way they can also improve their productivity. Their work does not end in boosting the productivity of other

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employees. They should also spend time with friends and family as well. When you spend more time with your family and friends, it helps you to remain focused. The above seven tips can help employees remain productive this festive season. Remember to recognize standout staff as well. It goes a long way to enhancing their morale. Employee recognition should be done regularly. This ensures consistency in productivity.

Sources: h tt p s : // l e ar n . i n f usi on s of t .com /gr ow th / productivity/productivity-through-the-holidayseason https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/240619

DECEMBER 2017

BUSINESS

Frazier Group Realty, Inc. As you venture into the World of Real Estate, we can help you put the pieces together and Naviagate you into Home Ownership

Ruby L. Frazier President License #01751773

Briana M. Frazier Broker License # 01751473

Jessica E. Frazier License # 01817312

Erica L. Frazier License# 01791095

Frazier Group Realty is the right place. Our Navigators are available to give you personalized service and answer any questions you may have. You can call, email or visit us and we will be there ready to help you every step of the way. Wether you are a first time home buyer or an experienced real estate investor, here at Frazier Group Realty you gain useful information about how to choose the “right” property, and everything involved in making an informed decision in today’s real estate market.

Making Clients for Life

3739 6th Street, Riverside, CA 92501 Office: (951) 686-5261 Fax: (951) 686-5264 www.fraziergrouprealty.com

IN YOU

5REAL ESTATE AGENT

TRAITS OF A TOP PRODUCING

lients want to work with experienced, knowledgeable real estate agents. They know that this is what will help them find the right property buyer or seller. In order to create a good impression on potential clients, real estate agents should have the following five qualities.

Knowledgeable

A good real estate agent should be knowledgeable. It is important that a real estate agent knows the local area well. You should be able to explain to potential property buyers or sellers regarding the local area. Local real estate agents have more knowledge regarding pricing strategies and the general property market in the area. The sales track record of the agent shows how knowledgeable an agent is. If they have sold many properties in that area, the clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perception is that they can easily assist them in selling their property too. Knowledge of technology is also very important. Through technology, one is able to gather information regarding the property market easily. Knowledgeable real estate agents fully understand market trends and will capitalize on these trends to maximize gains.

Efficient project management skills

Every real estate agent must possess efficient

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project management skills. This ensures that the agent remains organized, transparent, and responsive to potential clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; queries. Efficient real estate agents keep track of their appointments and meetings with potential buyers. Communication is very important in property deals. In fact, real estate agents who have good communication skills are able to get more clients. This is because they easily convince their clients of their skills and performance capabilities. They also constantly update their clients on the progress already made. Due to their efficiency, good real estate agents are able to build a large clientele base and referrals. This way, they are likely to seal deals fast.

Real estate support network

In order to be a successful real estate agent, one must work with other real estate agents. There is an advantage if you are good at networking. Through such networks, you can easily get referrals. It is possible to get all the information required by any of your clients

DECEMBER 2017

through your network team. As such, your clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs are met easily, which creates more confidence in your capabilities as an agent. In fact, clients will consider dealing with you in the future if you give feedback and solutions to any challenges they face when selling or buying property. Another advantage of having a support network is that one can share real estate information easily. This is a sure way by which real estate agents can accomplish their goals.

Attention to details and expert negotiation

skills

Clients usually ask for testimonials from past deals. They are always looking for how the negotiation process went and if all parties were satisfied. As such, good negotiation skills are one of the qualities that clients look for when identifying good real estate agents. Attention to details is also important. In fact, before negotiation, good real estate agents can easily identify improvements that can easily increase the value of the property. They can also suggest improvements that can make price negotiation easier. If the property is to be listed, they will make sure that the property stands out in the market.

the agent. Honesty is very important when dealing with property matters. Through the initial consultation, a client can easily tell if you are a good agent or not. Charging the client for the initial consultation may put them off. To avoid that, expert real estate agents usually do not charge for an initial consultation. Those are the five main traits that every successful real estate agent must have. Clients find it easier dealing with such agents. Loyalty is built when a client gets excellent service. It is therefore important that real estate agents serve their clients well. They will maintain their existing clients, and this will lead to explosive business growth. Loyal clients are effective at network marketing. Good real estate agents know that they cannot underestimate the value of such networks.

Sources: http://mariojann.com/top-5-characteristicsof-successful-realtors/ http://www.real estateinsiderm ag.com/ b usi n es s - tip s / 1 0 - ch ar ac ter i s ti c s - of - a successful-real-estate-agent/ https://www.inman.com/2016/03/23/5qualities-of-a-successful-real-estate-agent/

Free initial consultation fee Before a client seeks the services of any real estate agent, they have to learn to trust

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Home Ownership Home ownership brings stability to individuals and families who have never had a dwelling place that they could call their own. There is something special about owning real estate that is unlike anything else on earth you can own. Real Estate you own is not like cars that decay over time and you have to replace them. Real Estate you own is not like clothes that go out of style and you have to buy new ones. Real Estate you own is not like expensive vacations or experiences that only last a moment in time. Real Estate you own is not like an apartment where the landlord may increase the rent until it’s no longer affordable. Real Estate you own is not like staying at your parents house where you know can’t stay forever. Home ownership is the beginning of wealth that increases over time and becomes your estate & legacy Home ownership is the pride of a mother nurturer and the kitchen her domain Home ownership is the pride of a father provider and protector of his territory and family. Home ownership is the foundation of permanence and the place where life happens, birthdays celebrated, deaths mourned. Home ownership is the place you build memories that can never be taken from you. Memories etched in walls and concrete, experienced in rooms and floors, Memories living in trees and shrubs planted by your hand. Howe ownership is the manifestation of you - your style, your colors, your smell, your stuff, your junk, your memories, your yard and your spaces, your life. It’s the height markers on your first child’s bedroom wall. It’s the hearts drawn in the concrete slabs when you pour your patio floor It’s the birthday parties, and anniversaries in the living room and kitchen. It’s the back yard barbecue with friends, neighbors and family contentions it’s the high school and college graduation, and wedding receptions Its’ the family nights and block parties and the fellowship of family connections Home ownership It’s more than real estate. Land, brick and mortar, wood frame construction and chicken wire. It’s more than money saved, gifts recieved and grants obtained It’s more than the debt you incur to buy it. It’s more than the payments you make to own it. It’s more than the appreciation that comes with keeping it over time. It’s memories, it’s family, and it’s life that can happen in one place Until you say it’s time to move.

By Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA CA BRE 01143484 | NMLS 461807

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