Fall 2013
Specalizing in Ladera Ranch
8
Tips for Hiring a Remodeling Contractor
Real Estate Market Gaining Balance
Introducing: OC Digital Studio
Ladera Ranch Trends 2013 Scholarship Recipient - James Foundoulis of Laguna Hills High School
eHomes.com
Ladera Ranch
Stefan Swanepoel
NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR
W
e’re all starkly aware of how difficult and complex the business world and our own lives can be. According to Ladera Ranch resident and Africa-born Stefan Swanepoel, succeeding is easier when one optimizes your instinctive skills. “Everyone should strive to develop their innate and natural talents while also surrounding themselves with people whose skills complement their own,” Swanepoel says. In his business fable, Surviving Your Serengeti: 7 Skills to Master Business and Life, the protagonist embarks on a trip to Africa. Without cell phone coverage to keep him wired in, he is forced to disconnect from the worries of his work thousands of miles away, and instead, becomes engrossed in the animals that rule this untamed land. Slowly nature crystallizes the wisdom the Serengeti has to offer. For 1.5 million wildebeest of Africa, their “serengeti” is a 1,000 milelong migration, filled with hunger, thirst, predators and exhaustion. The journey is impressive, dangerous and so incomparably massive that it is often considered the #1 natural wonder of the world. The migration offers us all a unique window to the very essence
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of life itself, wherein we observe the seven primal skills necessary to survive the grueling trek – the same skills we instinctively turn to in order to cope with and survive challenges in business and in life. Swanepoel outlines these skills, as exemplified by seven animals: the strategic lion, enterprising crocodile, efficient cheetah, enduring wildebeest, risk-taking mongoose, communicating elephant and graceful giraffe. There is also an online quiz that allows people, within 3 minutes,to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and discover what innate skill they primarily represent take the free quiz at www.WhatAnimalAmI.com
Stefan Swanepoel was born in the Serengeti and spent the first 35 years of his life in Kenya, Hong Kong and South Africa before relocating to southern California. Today he lives in Ladera Ranch with his wife. Both his sons also live in Ladera Ranch. Stefan is a successful businessman, a New York Times Best-Selling author and widely traveled public speaker, having given more than 800 talks. He has served as CEO of seven companies and two non-profits, and has spent two decades researching and identifying trends. Stefan is widely recognized as one of the leading visionaries in the real estate industry and has authored over 20 books and reports on business trends, real estate and technology.
Ladera Ranch
8
TIPS
1
Check references. If possible, view earlier jobs the contractor completed.
3
Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints.
5
Remodeling Contractor
Get at least three written estimates.
2
4
for hiring a
Be sure the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change orders will be handled.
Before
Be sure the contractor has the necessary permits, licenses, and insurance.
6 7
8 After
Make as small of a down payment as possible so you won’t lose a lot if the contractor fails to complete the job. Check that the contract states when the work will be completed and what recourse you have if it isn’t. Also, remember that in many instances you can cancel a contract within three business days of signing it. Ask if the contractor’s workers will do the entire job or whether subcontractors will be involved too.
Sometimes buying is a better option than remodeling. Call Avi (949) 244-0777 for a free assessment of your home improvement vs. moving options.
eHomes.com 3
Professional Real Estate services About Us at eHomes
About eHomes eHomes is an independent real estate service firm providing premier, professional services and value-added solutions to clients across residential and investment real estate markets. Located in Orange County and serving Orange, Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties for more than 17 years, our experience, knowledge, and dedication to our community has made us a pioneer in the real estate markets we serve. Under the leadership of the founders and brokers, Arna Freedman and Avi Chalid, we have successfully helped thousands of clients achieve their goals in real estate and financial success. eHomes attains focused, customized results for each client by practicing a commitment to integrity and quality in our services, whether it’s a corporate client, seller or a first time buyer. Our work ethic and expertise remain our defining qualities that have contributed to not only our success, but also the success of our clients.
eHomes Philosophy “We have nothing but the highest respect and regard for the eHomes team, and will gladly provide an overwhelming recommendation, and thank them for all of the hard work, dedication, and help! Thank you again. You made a dream come true!!!” -Norbert, Leslie, & Breelin
t We are always looking out for your best interests! t Always working to provide high quality marketing materials for your home. t Take the stress out of selling or buying your next home. t Return your phone calls promptly, we know that peace of mind is very important. t Always provide you with the facts so that you can be informed at every step of the buying or selling process. t Close your escrow on time.
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Lifestyles Ladera Ranch
Monthly Events in Ladera Ranch Home Decorating Contest
Tree Lighting & Santa’s Arrival
Live Nativity
Do you think you have what it takes to
Are you ready for this years tree lighting?
Witness the mystery and tradition of the
make your Home’s Christmas Lights
Bring the whole family for photos with
very 1st Christmas at the walk thru Live
stand out from the rest? If so, Ladera
Santa, crafts, holiday performances, and
Nativity. A LARCS Partnership event with
Ranch is holding this year’s Individual
more!
Crossline Ladera Club.
When: Friday , December 6, 5:00pm-
When: Saturday, December 7,
8:30pm
5pm-6pm
Event will be hosted by Ladera Ranch
Where: Town Green Fee: visit www.laderalife.com for
visit www.laderalife.com for more details
Community Events, please visit www.
more details on pricing.
Home Decorating Contest for you.
When: Thursday, December 5, 12am–Tuesday December 17, 12am
Where: Town Green
laderalife.com or call 949-388-8300 for more information.
Upcoming Events Nov 2: First Aid/CPR (Teens) Dec 1: Menorah Lighting Ongoing: Dog Obedience Training M/W 6:30PM-7:30PM located at Oak
Knoll Village Clubhouse Parking Lot fee is $95. Dogs must be 3 months or older. For reservations/questions call Amy Taylor at 949-697-0822 or trainingpositively@ yahoo.com.
eHomes.com 5
OC Digital Studio is proud to offer a stateof-the-art studio with professional technology and finesse. With multiple HD 1080 cameras and a Tricaster 460 switchboard system, you can have the studio without the limitations. Using the new Tricaster 460 system, OC Digital Studio can bring the studio appearance you want, directly to you. You can be in any number of studios with just the click of a mouse. With the Sony PMW-EX3 Cameras, we bring you stunning HD video at the tip of your fingers and our Teleprompter system makes remembering lines a thing of the past. Combining these two technologies is essential to
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getting the professional product you deserve. OC Digital Studio’s cyclorama green screen offers a 3D environment that can build any image you want. If you’re looking for professional lighting but your desk lamp isn’t quite working, we offer 8 LED DMX adjustable lights. Having the right lighting is essential to getting the perfect look for your business. If you have the imagination, we have the technology. We also offer exclusive audio managing services. Want quality sound? We have a number of selections from lavalier to wireless handheld microphones. We provide crisp, unfiltered sound that is perfect for any project.
The image you see above is from an infomercial for a wireless tracking device named Sensest.
?
Did you know…? •
Websites with videos are 50% more likely be ranked on Google’s first page
•
Videos on your landing page can increase conversions by 86%
•
Videos get 267% more links than normal blog posts
?
Statistics provided by www.brandwatch.com
In South Orange County, our studio offers the latest equipment in digital video production complete with our friendly and creative staff.
Full editing and graphic services will give you a professional product. Using Apple computers with Final Cut Pro and Adobe premiere, we’re proud to offer a number of different audio-visual editing systems. For motion graphic needs we have Adobe After Effects, which offers a way to edit video in a Photoshop-esque fashion, previously unheard of in the special effects world. And for those of you who have projects that require location-based filming, we have portable equipment including tripods, GoPros and steady cams.
Call us to see what magic we can create for you! www.OCDigitalStudio.com (949) 421-6229 (877) 724-4200
eHomes.com 7
The Sign of Experience
Ladera Ranch
Real Estate Data
MARK E T GAINING B ALANC E , B E T TER NE WS F OR B UYER S
The good news: after a year-and-a-half, the market is a little less crazy right now. For buyers, the Orange County real estate market has been extremely tough for the past 18-months. With very little supply, tremendous competition, multiple offers, offers over the asking price, and brisk appreciation, many buyers decided to retreat to the sidelines and wait until the market was a bit less crazy. The bad news: with higher interest rates and massive appreciation, the payment for the median priced home skyrocketed by 33%. The monthly payment for the median priced detached home in 2012, $542,700, along with the average interest rate of 3.7%, was $1,998. According to Dataquick, the median price of a detached home is currently at $625,000, a 21% increase year over year. Given today’s interest rate of 4.4%, the monthly payment for the current Orange County median priced home is $2,504, a $506 increase.
180
2012
2013
150
120
Days
90
60
30
0 Oct
2012
Apr
Jul
Oct
2013
Apr
Jul
Days of Inventory Trend Line
Data provided by www.ReportsOnHousing.com It Does not Pay to Wait by Steven Thomas
Current Actives 10/10/2013
Pending (last 30 Days)
Market Time (in Months
1-Year Ago
Ladera Ranch
150
52
2.88
2.67
Orange County
6,350
2,351
2.70
1.29
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The Sign of Experience
Ladera Ranch
Homes Sold in your Neighborhood Sep.–Oct. 2013 Address
List Price
Selling Price
Sq. Ft.
Days on Market
Date Closed Sale
19 Clifton Dr
350000
350000
1617
0
9/27/13
57 Sansovino
369900
370000
1162
123
10/15/13
43 Garrison
389900
380000
1250
117
10/16/13
7 Garrison
389500
392000
1251
66
9/30/13
39 Sheridan
449900
440000
1617
61
9/24/13
45 Three Vines
460000
451000
1380
29
10/7/13
3 Clifton
457000
455000
1617
53
10/11/13
22 Amesbury
499000
492000
1812
50
9/26/13
44 Glenalmond
505000
495000
1573
103
10/2/13
21 Clifton
499000
520000
1700
33
10/15/13
35 Fieldhouse
619000
625000
1850
97
9/24/13
4 Stone Turret
640000
628000
2000
32
9/27/13
213 Sklar
649000
628450
2000
38
9/30/13
6 Ferrensby
646750
636000
2100
121
9/27/13
11 Algerwood
674900
665000
1828
138
10/7/13
16 Maybeck
699000
675000
1800
70
10/3/13
8 Bancroft
685000
685000
1800
90
9/27/13
29 Tisbury
699000
699000
2224
42
9/26/13
2 Trumpet Vine
715000
707000
2300
62
9/24/13
8 Hempstead
799000
750000
2600
116
9/26/13
37 Terrastar
825000
810000
2500
67
9/30/13
15 Regents
849900
834300
2577
62
9/27/13
32 Langford
999900
970000
3350
78
10/4/13
28 Michael
1149000
1101000
3506
106
10/7/13
39 Langford
1150000
1150000
4000
18
9/27/13
Based on information from the Association of REALTORS /Multiple Listings as of Oct. 16th, 2013 and/or other sources. Display of MLS is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
Avi Chalid
949-244-0777 BRE #: 01184812
We provide results and high quality service to help you with your home purchase or sale!
Arna Freedman
949-244-0444 BRE #: 00925320
eHomes.com 9
Selling Your Home
Ladera Ranch
of
Home Sellers 1 Not hiring a professional to sell your house Home sellers who do it themselves often end up selling for far less.
2 Neglecting necessary repairs prior to sale You will lose money if you don’t take care of repairs before the house goes on the market.
7 Letting your ego get in the way when negotiating Too many sellers take negotiating personally and lose out on creating a win-win deal.
8 Neglecting to complete a full set of disclosures
prior to closing I’ve watched too many home sellers pay out big bucks because they didn’t “reveal it all.”
9 The sale for maximum tax benefits Learn your taxes and timing issues from your eHomes agent, the local market expert.
10 Overlooking junk fees and extra expenses at 3 Refusing to remove your clutter and junk prior to the sale Clutter eats equity and kills deals.
closing Make sure you ask your agent which fees to pay and which ones you should refute.
4 Selling your house empty Selling an empty house makes buyers feel the same way, empty.
5 Mis-pricing your home
Zillow is not the neighborhood specialist! Don’t short change yourself.
6 Not setting the stage for sale day
Create a showplace. Buyers purchase with their hearts and not their heads.
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The BEST way to keep from committing these sins is by selling with Avi and Arna from eHomes. They will get you the most money for your home.
Selling Your Home
Ladera Ranch
Let Us Market Your Home With Video
Staging your home for sale can reap you rewards in profits and less time on the market. Professional video service is just another way we can set the stage to sell your home. Call us to list your home today!
Take a video tour now! Avi Chalid: (949) 244-0777 Arna Freedman: (949) 244-0444 eHomes.com 11
Welcome
Videos get 267% more links
Using Videos on a landing page
can increase conversions by 86%.
58% of your audience will stop watching a video within the ďŹ rst 90 seconds.
Video keeps prospect customers on site up to 2
minutes longer.
This message brought to you by:
OC Digital Studio Make Magic Happen 20% of people will read while 80% of people will watch a video with the same exact content.
949-421-6229 www.ocdigitalstudio.com
Your ad can be here
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than normal posts.