I just received the condo sales report for Orange County for the month of September and the average Condo in Orange County is listed for $315,528 while the median list price is $299,000.  Just for comparison sake, the average condo in Laguna Woods Village is listed for under $200,000 – that is 1/3rd off what the “average” condo is listed for in Orange County.  I have always said that Laguna Woods Village was a bargain!

Also out this week was the sales report for September.  30 condos sold in Laguna Woods Village for an average purchase price of $240,000.  839 Condos sold in all of Orange County last month for a median  purchase price of $300,000.  Once again, Laguna Woods Village comes in almost 1/3rd less in price on the “buy” side than any other condo in Orange County.  BUT, prices are rising, especially the condos on the low end of the market.  Average days on market has gone down to 102 days, a little more than 3 months on the market for the average listing…  That is down from 150 average days on market 3 months ago.  So we are seeing a trend develop!  WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MARKET RIGHT NOW.  I will put that in caps because I really believe it!  Inventory is going down and there is pent up demand to purchase – at least in Laguna Woods Village – remember, Real Estate is very local, and what is happening here might not be happening everywhere…  If you would like to purchase a home in Laguna Woods Village, call Patrick McNamee at 949-293-7814 or visit his web site at: www.leisureworldre.com

As a general rule filters should be inspected monthly in winter and monthly year round if you have an air conditioning system that utilizes the same unit. This is especially true if there are allergy sufferers in your family because a good filter can reduce the dust, pollen, and other allergens in the air.

Filters run the gamut from relatively cheap to fairly expensive. Check your furnace manual and buy a filter with the best specifications you can find. It probably won’t need to be changed as often, and will certainly cut down on colds and sniffles this coming winter.

When considering an upgrade to Energy Star heating or cooling systems in your home or business for Canton or Alpharetta Heating Repair or Cumming Air Conditioning see Comfort Zone Heating and Air in the Atlanta area.

water damage
is a serious problem for home owners. If you have a water leak or even
worse a flood you need to contact a professional company.

Water Damage Restoration

Dear Insurance Agent:

It’s the call you don’t want to hear. On the other end of the line is a
harried homeowner with a flood on their hands. You know that time is
critical in getting a water damage restoration company to the house,
because if left untreated, water damage can create a nightmare for the
homeowner and the insurance agent, and costs to restore a water damaged
home can skyrocket. Here’s how my company can help you with your water
restoration needs.

Mold is Dangerous

Many water restoration companies just don’t understand the danger of
mold buildup after water damage occurs. Many homeowners don’t, either.
They think a quick steam cleaning or drying fans will do the trick.
That’s not always the case. If a carpet, baseboard, or underlayment
gets wet and does not dry properly, mold can begin to grow. First, mold
and mildew are unsightly and smell bad, but mold is a health hazard,
too. Mold can create a host of health problems like a skin rash, red,
watery eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose. It can irritate the skin,
eyes, nose, lungs, and throat, and it can create breathing problems in
people with asthma or lung disease. If left untreated, mold can
continue to grow until it is almost impossible to remove, and this
means a major headache for the homeowner who deals with a substandard
water restoration company.

Immediate Treatment

Heavy water damage can undermine the foundations of a home or business,
leading to structural problems later on, and it must be treated
quickly, because mold can begin to grow in as little as 48 hours. The
quicker you begin treating the problem, the quicker the home or
business can get back to normal, so it’s imperative that you call me
ASAP when you get a water restoration claim. I can get my water
restoration crew to your affected home or business at any time of the
day or night, and I have 20 year’s experience in helping homeowners and
businesses with their water restoration needs, so I know what to do to
help clean up and dry out as quickly as possible. I also know that
superficial treatment doesn’t work in the long run, and I will make
sure the water damage is cleaned up quickly and effectively, so the
long term disruption to the homeowner is kept to a minimum. Shoddy
clean-up can lead to even bigger problems later on, so I’ll do it right
the first time so it doesn’t have to be done again.

Minimize Costs

You want to keep your insurance claims as small as possible, and I can
help you with that, too. You see, a quick response to water damage
saves time and money, too. The quicker I can get to your client’s home
and start clean-up, the faster the damage will be repaired, and the
less your insurance company will have to pay out in a claim. I work
with insurance agents all the time, and I understand the need for
quick, efficient clean-up work. I also understand the need for
paperwork and assurances the work is completed to the client’s and the
agent’s satisfaction, and I’ll provide you with the assurances you need
to help speed the claim through the process. A quick clean-up means
less disruption to the home or business, too, so they can get on with
their lives without further worry about mold and other health hazards.

What You Can Do

How can you make sure your homeowner gets the best water restoration
possible? Use a company like mine, who has been doing this for 20
years, and has a vested interest in the client’s we serve. We want our
clients to come back again, if they need us. We won’t disappear after
the water damage is cleaned up, we’ll make sure everything is shipshape
with a follow up call and a detailed report of the damage that we
fixed. In addition, we will get there as soon as possible to minimize
the damage and the costs. We’ll come back and clean carpets, draperies,
and furniture too, after the structural damage has been repaired, so
the homeowner can get back to normal as quickly as possible.

What To Look For

Here’s what you should watch for when you hire a water restoration
company. Some companies are more concerned with the size of their bill
than efficiently cleaning up after water damage to a home. Some
companies will expect their clients to live for a week or more with
large, noisy fans and equipment blasting through their home in an
attempt to dry out the affected area. These fans run 24 hours a day,
and this is uncomfortable and disruptive to the homeowner. If the fans
are strategically placed underneath the house (if possible), it can
reduce drying time by half, and it can mean a lower insurance claim,
because the fans are in and out in days, instead of weeks.

In addition, some restoration companies don’t look deeper than a floor
or carpet for water damage, and they don’t understand the underlying
health problems that mold can cause. My company has dealt with water
damage for 20 years, and I know the potential problems that can exist
in underlayment, baseboards, drywall, and underneath a house. My crew
is professional and trained to look for potential damage throughout the
affected area, and to give a full report that you can use as you
prepare and submit the claim. You can be sure that I will report all
the damage I find, so you don’t end up with a claim from the homeowner
again, when they discover additional damage that wasn’t addressed by a
low-end water restoration firm.

Finally, some water restoration companies disappear after the “dry out”
the area, and they never follow up with a phone call to make sure
everything is right. Even worse, they drop the ball when it comes to
providing you with what you need to finish the claim, like samples of
damaged flooring, carpet, drywall, or other items. I won’t drop the
ball, period. I’ll make sure you get everything you need to handle that
claim as quickly as possible, and I’ll follow up to make sure
everything is a-OK, too.
“It’s Just a Little Rain”

A lot of homeowners don’t realize the dangers of mold and structural
damage when it comes to water damage. They think a “little” leak can
just be mopped up or steam cleaned, but that’s not the case. Water
damage can leave floors and walls warped, it can seep into drywall and
wood walls, creating real damage that can’t be seen, but could go
untreated for years, eventually making the home or business
uninhabitable. Homeowners need to be aware that any water damage can
have the potential to create major damage, and they shouldn’t leave
their clean-up efforts to chance. They also need to know that even
though a carpet may look clean and dry, there can be mold growing in
the pad, or underneath the pad in the wood underlayment underneath the
floor. This is a very dangerous situation that can create all the
health problems associated with mold, and if it isn’t treated, it can
just continue to grow until it ruins the flooring completely, leading
to health concerns and a much bigger claim for your company. Recommend
a professional like me to help homeowners assess the damage and get it
cleaned up as quickly as possible, and your claims will be much easier
to manage and complete.

I want homeowners to understand that water damage can be much more
serious than they might think, and that it can have long term health
consequences, and long term structural consequences, as well. I want
you to know that I treat water damage seriously, and I won’t scrimp
when it comes to making sure all the damage is treated effectively and
completely before I leave the client.

Other Services

My company also provides carpet cleaning services with all organic
products. I use a cleaning method that ensures the carpets will dry
within three hours, which is perfect in cases of minor water damage
that might occur in a home or business. I can clean upholstery and
draperies, too, and I always use products that are environmentally
friendly and aren’t dangerous for children or pets. I want to develop a
relationship with my clients, not desert them as soon as the job is
finished, so even after I clean up water damage, I maintain a
relationship with your homeowners by continuing to clean their carpets
and upholstery when they need it. This means I stand behind my work,
rather than “repairing” water damage and then disappearing, without any
interest in making sure the work is done right and the damage is fully
repaired.

The Bottom Line on water damage

Water damage won’t just dry up and go away. I know, I’ve seen just
about every kind of damage from minor to heavy, and I know the problems
it can cause. Water damage disrupts the family, can create serious
health hazards, and can bring a home or business to its knees if not
treated effectively. I understand and appreciate the dangers, and I
will work tirelessly to ensure that the damage is cleaned up the right
way, in the least amount of time possible, so your client can get back
to their lives, with the peace of mind that comes from knowing the job
has been completed effectively and safely. I stand behind my service,
and I hope you will give me a try the next time you have a client with
water damage who needs the best service possible..
call 1-800-CLEAN-MY FLOOD FOR MORE DETAILS

but for Carpet Cleaning NYC call 1-800-CLEAN-NY
but for Carpet Cleaning Philadelphia call 1-800-CLEAN-MY CARPETS

Leisure World, Laguna Hills, California (now referred to as Laguna Woods Village in the City of Laguna Woods) is the nation’s leading planned residential community for seniors. It was conceived and developed by Ross W. Cortese, who built the first Leisure World in Seal Beach, California in 1960. Cortese, a man of unlimited vision, believed that a void in housing existed for a person age 52 and over.

To find out what Seniors wanted he talked to civic leaders, doctors, clergy and groups of older people. He discovered that Seniors, those 52 and over, wanted a fresh new start in their lives after raising a family, fulfilling a career and, basically, just wanted to be free of household duties and the maintenance and up keep of a home. They wanted to enjoy their “Golden Years”!

Based on his research Cortese, working with a team of planners, architects, builders and designers, started Leisure World in Laguna Hills in 1963. His concept was to build a community that would cater to the needs of seniors.

The first manor (residence) was completed in November 1964 and the last manor in September 1980. Leisure World (the name was changed to Laguna Woods Village in October 2005) has approximately (2008 figure) 18,000 people who live in one of the 12,736 residential units (6,323 co-ops, 6102 condos and 311 units in two tower buildings), 7 clubhouse (originally 6 were constructed, but a 7th was added in 2005), 5 swimming pools, 10 tennis courts, 2 golf courses, an equestrian center, 10 craft shops, 2 garden centers, 2 RV storage areas, a library, 2 fully equipped fitness centers and over 200 clubs and organizations for residents to participate in. Add to this a “free” community bus service and a residence security service that patrols the 2,095 acres and mans the various entrance gates.

When completed Leisure World contained all the elements that Ross Cortese had envisioned in the early 1960′s, security, access to local health care facilities, nearby shopping, good transportation, cultural events and programs, excellent housing, recreational and educational opportunities and various other activities designed for Seniors to ensure their freedom and the opportunity to enjoy their “Golden Years”.

Right now it is a “buyer’s market” and we have many fine homes ranging in price from $122,000 on up to $350,000.  Patrick McNamee of Century 21 Rainbow Realty is an expert in this area, please check out his web site to get more real estate information about this active senior community: www.leisureworldre.com

Article contributed by Frank J. Hill, Broker/Owner Century 21 Rainbow Realty
Used with permission

Although Laguna Woods Village is one of the most affordable senior communities in Southern California, there are still financial requirements for purchasing a home here. For a Stock Cooperative, or Co-op, you need $125,000 in liquid, marketable, or income producing assets above the purchase price and $36,000 per year in income…  Now, family can co-sign with the resident (i.e. – your sister and you and help out your dad) in order to reach the financial requirements.  “Assets” can include equity in a property (do you or your sister own a home?), 401 k, IRA, stocks and bonds, income producing property, etc.
 
It is very common for a daughter or son to “go on title” 1% so their finances can help their parents move into Laguna Woods Village…  Also, another bit of information or “work around” that we have is any resident that gets a loan for more than 50% of the purchase price (i.e. – put down 20% cash and get a loan for 80% of the purchase price as an example) the financial requirements “may be waived” upon the judgment of the board.  We have found that the financial requirements will be waived for one or the other of the requirements if the resident gets a loan for more than 50% of the purchase price.  In other words, if you meet the income requirements but not the asset requirements – you are in – typically.

I don’t know if these financial requirements help in making the City of Laguna Woods one of the “Top 10 Safest Cities in the Nation”, which it is, but it sure can’t hurt!

Please see my web site if you have any further questions or would like more information about the active senior community of Laguna Woods Village, formerly Leisure World, at: www.leisureworldre.com