Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Day in the Life of a Realtor

We find many agents get into the business not really understanding what it takes to be a Realtor, and sometimes even clients say "you have such an easy job and you can work whenever you want". Our job is most often fun and fulfilling because we are helping people with one of the biggest decisions of their life, but there are also a lot of challenges.
I would guess most people will think that Realtors just sit around and wait for someone to call them to buy or sell a home, Well that is far from the truth for most of us.  Our day usually starts by being in the office between 9-10 AM.  The first order of most days is to touch base with your current clients, then to touch base with some of our past clients, and then work on marketing for our future clients. If you are not always keeping in touch with your past, present, and future clients your business comes to an abrupt stop.

For our past clients, we sometimes touch base by phone, by mail, and sometimes we try to visit them and see how everything is going in their new home. Since referrals are a large part of our business we always need to be working with our past clients, Maybe a phone call, maybe an item of value ( Some people enjoy a magazine every few months, something they will like about traveling, interesting article's, and good recipes), every month we send market information so they can see how the market is going and the current home value of homes in the area, We also try to get some kind of news letter out each month with market information, calendar events for the area, recipes, and fun items.  We develop each and everything we send wanting to make it unique, different, interesting, and of value. We also once in awhile stop by to see them with maybe a small gift.  All we are hoping is that they find value in some of the things we send and think of us in the future if they need anything.  Yes, we love the referrals, but we also love staying in touch with you.

From time to time we call all our clients on our data base just to see how they are doing, if they have any questions, have friends or relatives that need any real estate help, or perhaps their real estate needs have changed.

For future clients we have to always be marketing, developing fliers that we think may be of some interest or value mailing them or going door to door with them hoping to meet new people that we can add some value to.  Relators are a great source of information for people, we have lists for all kinds of trade people that
homeowners may need from plumbers, handymen, tax people, home warranty company's to lawyers, and everything in between.   These are people that we know to be honest, reputiable and fair priced based on what our clients have told us about them. So when you need any kind of service about your home, home loans, or almost anything else you can think of,  call your Realtor first for a good referral.

We have what is called a (farm) of 700 people who we hope to have as our future customers and we mail or walk the homes and provide information so people in the area will get to know us, like us, trust us, and hopefully use us in the future if they need a Realtor.

Then we have our current clients where our first priority needs to be each day.  We have clients wanting to go out and look at homes, clients who want a proposal for selling their home, and clients we currently have in contract. Most of us have transaction assistants who help us with the timelines and accuracy of our paperwork. Once in contract paperwork must move through the process on a very timely schedule so it is important to have someone who is always in the office that can move that paperwork when it needs to move on to the next person.

As Realtors we handle the negotiations with other Realtors, title, and your loan agent that are involved with the closing process of your home.  We also handle, schedule, and attend the inspections and appraisal.   We are the person that is working on your behalf through the entire process of you buying or selling your home. (Short sales take very special handling so a good Realtor that has been trained and skilled in this area is very important).   We also need to be trained and skilled in land sales, mobile or modular home sales, and commercial property.  Each and every sale is different so we need to know all the answers, and when we don't have the answer we have a group of skilled people we rely on to get them.
Usually, our mornings and mid-afternoons are spent Monday through Friday on the above clients, and the 3-4PM to early evenings are left open for new client appointments (Buyers or Sellers). Of course those times are often suffled around to mee the needs of our clients.

Our Wednesday mornings are spent in meetings, training , and tours of the new homes for sale.  We also have floor time 3-5 times a month where we are scheduled to be in the office available to answer phone calls or help walk-ins needing help and information about possibly selling or buying a home.
All of the above is our only resources for new clients, and referrals and must be worked almost daily to keep up.

Weekends are great times to show homes so we often find ourselves working 6-7 days a week.  Our schedule is always changing so we can accomendate our clients.  Real Estate is not for the faint hearted as it takes a lot of hard work, time, and money to even get to the point of getting into contract on a home.  Then during the 30-45 day escrow period on a home a lot can go wrong, the home doesn't pass an inspection, the appraisal doesn't support the sales price, people change their minds on the home, can't get their financing, have emergencies, etc. Somethings can be worked through and the sale continues and others can't. Since Realtors only get paid when the sale closes (and should be that way), it leaves you having  to be able to handle disappointment and loss of income at every turn of the transaction.

As a realtor you always have to have a back-up plan for a payday, and a sufficient amount of money on hand to cover your marketing, business, and insurance costs.

We are also required to do a certain amount of on going training to stay on top of market changes, legal changes, new paperwork, and basic real estate practices.
If anyone thinks it is a part time job or that Realtors don't work I am here to tell you that only the unsuccessful Realtors don't work, the rest of us do a lot of work behind the scenes that the buyer or seller never sees.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Home Inspection Reports

  1. home inspector's report will review the condition of the home's heating system, central air conditioning system (temperature permitting), interior plumbing, electrical systems, roof, attic, visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, foundation, basement, and visible structure.
  2. What is a home inspection?  It is a visual inspection of the structure and components of a home to find items that are not performing correctly or items that are unsafe. If a problem or a symptom of a problem is found the home inspector will include a description of the problem in a written report and may recommend further evaluation. Before you close an escrow, you need to consider whether or not repairs are needed now and who's going to pay for them. ( Your Realtor will negotiate these items for you)
  3. Why is a home inspection recommended?  Emotion often affects the buyer and makes it hard to imagine any problems with their new home. A buyer needs a home inspection to find out all the problems possible with the home before moving in. Once your inspection is performed, do not wait on the agent to assist you. Review the inspection and make a list of items you think the seller should address and present them to the agent in a timely manner. While the inspection is not meant to be a tool for re-negotiations, many times it becomes one. Don't let your brother or uncle or a friend do it. You are not saving any money by letting a friend look. Even if he is a contractor, it does not mean that he is a good inspector. You need a qualified, unbiased inspection, so when the inspector does find problems, they won't be easily minimized by the other parties because your uncle or friend did the inspection.
  4. What if problems are found?  All homes (even new construction) have problems. Every problem has a solution. Solutions vary from a simple fix of the component to adjusting the purchase price. If the inspector recommends further inspection by a qualified person, this means that you need to get an opinion by a qualified person before your inspection time period runs out on your real estate contract.
  5. What should I NOT expect from a home inspection?  A home inspection is not protection against future failures. Stuff happens! Components like air conditioners and heat systems can and will break down. A home inspection attempts to reveal the condition of the component at the time the component was inspected. For protection from future failure you may want to consider a home warranty. A home inspection is not an appraisal that determines the value of a home. Nor will a home inspector tell you if you should buy this home or what to pay for this home. A home inspection is not a code inspection, which verifies local building code compliance. A home inspector will not pass or fail a house. Homes built before code revisions are not obligated to comply with the code for homes built today. Home inspectors will report findings when it comes to safety concerns that may be in the current code such as ungrounded outlets above sinks. A home inspector thinks "Safety" not "Code" when performing a home inspection.
  6. Should I attend the home inspection?  It is often helpful to be there so the home inspector can explain in person and answer any questions you may have. This is an excellent way to learn about your new home even if no problems are found. But be sure to give the home inspector time and space to concentrate and focus so he can do the best job possible for you.
  7. Information provided by HomeGage

Friday, March 27, 2015

Structural Pest Control Inspections

What is a pest inspection? Also called a termite inspection, this visual inspection is conducted by a state-licensed professional hired to look for signs of infestation or damage to a structure by wood-destroying pests. Pest inspectors look for: • Wood-destroying pests, such as termites, carpenter ants, rot fungus and wood-infesting beetles. • Evidence of pest activity, such as damaged wood, dead insects and termite tubes. • Conducive conditions for pests, such as standing water, earth-to-wood contact and plumbing leaks The inspector will visually inspect accessible areas inside a home (including crawlspaces) and the exterior of the property. In areas where drywood termites are prevalent and in houses where there are no subfloor crawlspaces, the attic is also inspected. The average termite inspection takes about an hour. Findings are recorded on a pest control inspection report.

When is a pest control inspection report required? State law does not require a pest control inspection report before the sale of property. However, many mortgage lenders do, to protect their investment. Companies are not responsible for conditions which develop or become visible after the inspection date. For that reason, it is advisable for a buyer to get an inspection report as close as possible to the close of escrow. If you are selling a home, you can save time by having your property inspected for pest damage just before you plan to put it on the market and making sure any problems are fixed. Some buyers include a termite contingency in their purchase contract, which allows them to withdraw from the transaction in the event of extreme damage.

How do I know which pest control inspector to use? Structural pest control companies and some home inspectors are licensed by the Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) to do these inspections. Ask your friends, neighbors or a real estate agent to refer a company, or look in the yellow pages. Call a few companies and compare their fees. Ask for references and take time to check them carefully. Ask about the experience level of those who will perform the inspection. Request that the most experienced employees do your job. The SPCB cannot recommend a specific company but once you have selected a company, you can contact SPCB to ensure it is licensed and for a history of any complaints. You can also get this information from the SPCB Web site, www.pestboard.ca.gov.

What rights does a home buyer have to see reports on pest inspections and treatment? When a company is hired to do a pest inspection, it is accountable to both the buyer and seller, no matter who pays for the inspection. The company must give the person who ordered the inspection a copy of the report within 10 working days. The home seller or real estate agent usually delivers copies of the inspection reports to the buyer. You can also get copies from the escrow company. If you have questions about the reports, contact the company that made the inspection or that performed the work.

How can I tell if a house has been inspected before or if any work has been completed? Every time a licensed company makes an inspection for wood-destroying pests or organisms, it must post a tag in the attic, subarea or garage. The tag contains the firm’s name and the inspection date. A similar tag must be posted next to the inspection tag when the company completes any work. Besides the firm’s name and completion date, this tag must show any pesticides used. The structural pest control company must also note on an inspection report the location of the inspection tag as well as the presence of any other inspection tag or completion tag that is less than two years old. These reports are kept by the pest control company for three years. You can also search the SPCB Web site to see if a home has been inspected in the last two years. You will need to fill out a form or e-mail a request to SPCB to get a copy of the report.

What information must be in the inspection report? California law requires that the report include any wood-destroying insects (such as termites or woodboring beetles) or fungus. It should also note the resulting structural damage visible and accessible on the date of inspection. Also identified on the report are conditions likely to lead to future wood-destroying pest infestations such as excessive moisture, earthto-wood contact and faulty grade levels. A diagram on the inspection report must show every part of the house checked for signs of infestation or infections. Outbuildings are usually not inspected unless requested. It is important that the inspector understands what structures you want inspected and for you to make sure these areas were inspected. The report must state which areas were inspected and which were not because of inaccessibility. The inspector should also note recommendations for treatment or repair. If you did not order the report, be sure to check if it is a limited or a complete report before accepting it. For real estate transfers, a complete structural pest inspection report is preferred.

How long is an inspection report valid? Under the law, inspection reports and completion notices are valid for two years. This also means all complaints against licensees must be filed with SPCB within two years after the date of the inspection or completion of recommendations.

A structural pest control company must certify its inspection or work if requested by the person ordering the report. The company will certify that either: 1) The inspection disclosed no evidence of active infestation or infection by wood-destroying pests in the visible and accessible areas; 2) The inspection disclosed active infestation or infection in visible and accessible areas that have been corrected; or 3) The property is free of pest infestation or infection in the visible and accessible areas, except for specified areas. When a structure is fumigated, the fumigation company will issue a certification of fumigation within five days after completing the fumigation. Every completion report should be compared with a copy of the inspection report to find out if there are any conditions which have not been corrected or if secondary, substandard corrections have been performed.

Do all recommendations listed in an inspection report have to be completed before a home is sold? There is no law requiring that recommendations listed on a report be completed. However, many financial institutions require that both the inspection and all recommendations be finished before escrow can close. The lender usually requires certification from a pest control company that the structure is free of infestation or infection. Some financial institutions may be interested only in determining if recommendations have been completed correcting active infestations and infections and the resulting damage (Section 1 items). Other lenders (such as FHA and VA) may require that conditions that could lead to an infestation or infection (Section 2 items) also be corrected. A consumer may request a report from the pest control company that designates each item as a Section 1, Section 2, or unknown for further inspection. Whether the buyer or seller pays for the work depends on the sales contract. The buyer should be aware of any recommendations which have not been completed before escrow closes. When they work on a structure, pest control companies must complete a notice describing work they completed and work they did not. Review all reports carefully for indications that work has not been performed. The certification can be found on an inspection report, completion notice or cover letter. The certification may include disclosures in situations where all recommended work has not been completed. The inspection report and the completion notice should be delivered within 10 working days to the person who ordered the report and to the property owner or the agent.

Do I have to hire the same company to do the work that did the inspection? No, if they choose, consumers can hire a different company to do the pest control work. However, pest control companies will not certify chemical treatments performed by other pest control companies. The pest control company can reinspect items called out on its original report within four months of the inspection. The reinspection should be completed within 10 working days after it was ordered. If it has been more than four months since the original report, a full inspection of the structures on the first report must be done and a new inspection report issued. The report and any contract must detail the guarantees for work performed and the terms of that guarantee.

What if I find that a pest inspector overlooked some major problem? First, contact the inspector and explain your concern. Many will correct the problem immediately.

Information provided by SPCB.   If the problem isn’t resolved to your satisfaction, contact the SPCB. An investigator will work with you and the inspector to find a solution. Questions: Call the SPCB: 916-561 8708— in Sacramento 1-800-737-8188— outside Sacramento You can e-mail the SPCB at pestboard@dca.ca.gov. or write to: Structural Pest Control Board 2005 Evergreen Street, Su



Friday, March 20, 2015

7 Warnings Buyers Need to Know

Imagine that you’re scheduled for surgery in the morning and, since nobody told you not to eat the night before (they just assumed you knew not to), you gorge on an amazing Italian dinner at Luigi’s. The next morning, as you slip away under a blanket of anesthesia, you don’t even think to let them know about the gluttony of the previous evening.
Assumptions can be deadly, whether literally or to the pocketbook. While a real estate agent operating under the assumption that his or her client knows everything needed for a smooth transaction isn’t a life or death scenario, it is most definitely a sure path to a waste of time at best and a dereliction of duty at worst.
Do yourself and your clients a favor and figure out what they are most typically unaware of and then offer explanations during the initial meeting. Here are some of the most common things that buyers haven’t a clue about and smart ways to bring them up to speed.

1. Get preapproved or get disappointed

Versta Research (for a survey commissioned by Discover Financial Services) surveyed homebuyers last summer and 71 percent of them agreed with the statement “I’ve just started reviewing ideas, looking at homes, and exploring my options.” Only 22 percent of them had seen a lender.
So, most of them are just starting the process and the first step they took was to look at homes. Now, since 60 percent of them weren’t working with an agent at the time they were surveyed, it’s understandable they’d be going about it all wrong.
But, this wasn’t the first home-buying rodeo for more than half of the respondents, meaning more than half most likely worked with an agent in the past.
A good buyers’ agent understands the value of determining whether or not a potential client has visited a lender. A better one makes abundantly clear the ramifications of NOT seeing one — so clear, in fact, that by the time they’re buying their next home they remember.
Knowing how much they can spend is paramount, both in avoiding wasting your time and theirs. Then, there’s the fact that sellers want to see a preapproval letter. The one thing many agents don’t warn their clients about, however, is the danger of disappointment should the unapproved shop for homes, clueless about how much they can afford to spend or even IF they can get a loan.
Experienced agents know well the couple that fell in love with a house they found open on a Sunday afternoon only to learn later that it was way out of their price range. Nothing you show them after that will stack up.

2. Get to know the home loan process

In the aforementioned study only 41 percent of buyers had taken the time to figure out what they’d need for a down payment.
So, although it’s a given that agents should counsel their buyers that they need to see a lender before looking at homes, they also need to warn their clients about the out-of-pocket costs involved in the purchase of one.
Another warning that too many buyers don’t receive is about changes in their circumstances before they close. Sure, this should come from their lender, but it seldom does.
Remind your clients that it’s not a done deal until it closes. Changing jobs, making large purchases on credit and allowing credit inquiries after loan approval have all proven detrimental to many buyers. The lender’s soft pull just before closing should be explained fully to your buyers.

3. Make a wish list

This is the fun part of the process for your buyer but it’s actually a time saver for you. Sure, wish lists aren’t set in stone and we all know how quickly and drastically they can change. But, with your assistance, your buyers can create extremely helpful lists.
The best wish list is based not on their dreams, but on their fears. Find out what they despise about their current living conditions and, along with whatever other reason they have for moving, these items are good indications of why they want to move and what they truly want.

4. Don’t lack vision or buy into a manufactured vision

We’ve all had that buyer that can’t seem to look beyond ugly wallpaper, ratty carpets and even something as simple as dirty dishes in the sink. Before stepping foot in even one house, warn your clients that what they see may not necessarily be what they have to live with for the rest of the time they own the home.
On the other hand, you may want to warn them that what they see may not necessarily be what they get—especially if what they’re seeing is a model home. Staging adds the “wow factor” relatively inexpensively for the seller but at additional cost to the buyer. Caution to look beyond the sexy staging to the bones of the home.

5. Read and understand HOA docs

Ah, the HOA document package—at least a week’s worth of boring reading for people that aren’t prepared or qualified to read the legal jargon.
It’s all too easy for your clients to skim the docs or, worse yet, give up reading the minute the reading gets tough. As you know, what’s in those documents is information vital to both their budgets and their future comfort in their new home.
Their best bet is to pay an attorney to read everything and then explain, in plain English, the pertinent information. Counsel your clients to not sign anything until they fully understand the HOA documents. If they still insist on not reading them, or having an attorney read them, at least you’ve done your duty.

6. Make your offer in accordance with current market conditions

Most experienced agents are familiar with the buyer who feels that they have to bargain with the seller. Every home they make an offer on is yet another chance to lay on the “el regateo” like they’re in a bazaar, wheeling and dealing over a tschotske.
If you’ve explained current market conditions to your buyer, explain as well how these conditions impact their offer on a home. In other words, tell your clients not to lowball in a hot seller’s market, forget asking for too much in concessions and be willing to give a little bit.
The flip side should be explained as well— no matter how bad they want the house, if they’re in the driver’s seat (in a buyer’s market) they needs to slow down and avoid giving money away.

7. The inspection report may not be as bad as it looks

How about those humongous home inspection photos that make even the tiniest problem look massive? They’re enough to disturb even the most level-headed buyer.
Before the home inspection takes place is the ideal time to sit down with your buyer and explain the process. Let your clients know that the inspector is being paid to be nit-picky and, thus, the report may be quite lengthy and the photos may be frightening and misleading.
This simple explanation may just keep them from freaking out over the overly large photo of a wall plate-less electrical outlet. By the same token, let them know that many larger problems can be dealt with through negotiations with the seller.
Working with buyers is one of the more challenging aspects of being an agent, but it doesn't have to be. Make it a point to have the right conversations at the outset. These discussions do more than ease your clients’ concerns; they pave the way to a smoother transaction. That’s good for all concerned.
Information from Truila

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

What Are Gift Funds and How to Handle Them


When buying a home gift funds are funds given to the buyer by any blood related member of the family or a fiancee, domestic partner for the purpose and being used for the purchase of a home.  The donor can not be affiliated to the builder, developer, real estate agent, or any other person involved in the transaction of the purchase of the home.

FHA and Conventional Guidelines differ so it is important to look under the loan you are planning to use. (Your lender can give you that information)

FHA Guidelines   (Items Needed)

1.  Gift Letter

2. Documentation of the donor's ability to gift:

    • Provide donor's bank statement showing name of donor, account number, and balance.     (Bank statement must be unaltered no whiteout or erasers) 
    • Or, provide a letter from the donor's bank verifying available assets.  Letter to include ALL of the following information:
      • Name on account
      • Account Number
      • Verification of sufficient funds to cover the amount of gift
3.  Document transfer of gift funds from the donor to the borrower.  (Cash withdrawals/transfers are NOT considered allowable funds)

      Deposit into bank account:

  • If you deposit into a bank account:  A copy of the cashier's check or cancelled personal check reflecting name of donor, borrower and bank account number shown on the gift letter or evidence of withdrawal from donor's bank account. 
  • Copy of the deposit slip for the gift and bank receipt showing deposit and available balance (OR)
      Deposit directly to escrow:

  • Copy of cashier's check reflecting name of donor, borrower and bank account number shown on the gift letter.
  • Copy of deposit into escrow  (OR)
  • Funds wired directly into escrow from donor's account designated on gift letter
  • Copy of the wire transfer
Conventional Loan Guidelines:

1.  Gift Letter

2. Document transfer of gift funds from the donor to the borrower (Cash withdrawals/transfers are NOT considered allowable funds)

       Deposit into Bank Account:
  • Copy of cashier's check or cancelled personal check reflecting name of donor, borrower, and bank account number shown on the gift letter or evidence of withdrawal from donor's bank account.
  • Copy of the deposit slip for the gift and bank receipt showing deposit and available balance  (OR)
      Deposit directly to escrow:   Same as above                  
                             
                                                    Information Provided by Vitek

Greater Sacramento Market Update

marketupdatebanner.jpg
SACRAMENTO HOME SALES SPRING FORWARD
February median sold price marks highest since November 2007
March 10, 2015
In February, 2,504 new open escrows represented the highest number posted in the Greater Sacramento region over the past 10 months. This figure, coupled with an already solid January signified a 35% jump over the new pending sales posted for November and December. The number of active and available homes for sale dropped to just 4,030 and left the market area with its lowest inventory since January of 2014. This information was provided by Trendgraphix Inc., a Sacramento based reporting company, and conveyed by Lyon Real Estate.

“Our market is currently in a strong seller’s position,” says Pat Shea, president of Lyon Real Estate. “While 4 to 6 months of inventory typically signifies advantage seller, our entire region currently holds a mere 1.6 months based upon the rapid pace of new open sales and sluggish rate of new property listings.”

All four counties in the region showed tight inventory based upon the current rate of new sales. Sacramento County concluded the month with 2,217 homes available on the market, the lowest since June of 2013, and demonstrated the county’s highest new open escrows - 1,600 – since May of 2013.

Placer County holds 133 luxury listings specifically, $900,000 and above. That number is almost twice that of Sacramento and El Dorado counties. Removing the luxury listings and pending sales where fewer sales occur, Placer County ended February matching the region’s average of a 1.6 month supply of available homes.

“The February median sold price of $320,000 for the Greater Sacramento Region is another big story,” says Shea. “This level has not been reached since November of 2007 and again signifies the overall health and vibrant outlook for the remainder of 2015. Low interest rates continue to support buyers. New properties entering the market however, will remain the most critical key to sustained momentum.”
 About Lyon Real Estate
Lyon Real Estate is ranked the number one brokerage in annual home sales in the greater Sacramento region and has served the area for more than 65 years. In 2014, the company closed 7,553 transactions worth a total of $2.61 billion in sales volume. Lyon Real Estate has 961 agents in 17 offices located throughout the region. The company is a member of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LRE), the largest network of premier locally-branded firms, as well as LRE’s Luxury Portfolio International program. In addition to its real estate services, Lyon Real Estate offers RELO Direct, a global relocation program. For more information about Lyon Real Estate, click to www.GoLyon.com and follow us on Facebook/Lyon.

About TrendGraphix, Inc.
TrendGraphix, Inc. is a real estate reporting company based in Sacramento that uses local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data to provide highly-visual market statistical graphs to real estate brokers, agents, and MLS/Realtor associations across the country. TrendGraphix’s programs are currently used by tens of thousands of agents in more than 100 brokerages in 18 states. For more information about TrendGraphix, visit www.trendgraphix.com

Friday, March 13, 2015

19 Great Freebies for Your Birthday (From: You Magazine)

Since it is my birthday today I wanted to share these with everyone.

19 Great Freebies for Your Birthday
By Cameron Huddleston, Kiplinger.com
 

image: family celebrating a birthday partyWhen your birthday rolls around, don't be distressed that you're another year older. Don't worry that you have another line on your face or a few (more) gray hairs. Instead, embrace the day as a golden opportunity to score freebies for yourself.

That's right, dozens of establishments will give you special treats on your special day. Here are 19 that offer you birthday freebies that truly are free—you don't have to purchase anything to get them. Enjoy.

Au Bon Pain. You can get a free birthday lunch by signing up for the eClub. You also get a free travel mug when you join.

Baja Fresh. Get a free birthday burrito by joining Club Baja.

Barnes & Noble. Kids get a free cupcake on their birthday (and 30% off the list price of a kids' book or toy) by signing up for the Barnes & Noble Kids' club.

Baskin-Robbins. You can get a free 2.5-ounce scoop on your birthday (plus $3 off a birthday cake) if you sign up for the Baskin-Robbins Birthday Club atwww.baskinrobbins.com.

Bruster's Real Ice Cream. Sign up for the Sweet Rewards e-club to get a free waffle cone on your birthday (as well as coupons and other offers throughout the year).

California Pizza Kitchen. Children receive a coupon for a free birthday CPKids meal by joining the CPKids Birthday Club (ask about membership at a California Pizza Kitchen location). Club members who celebrate their birthday at a California Pizza Kitchen receive up to 10 free meal certificates to give guests at their party and a free meal for themselves at the party. Even kids who aren't members of the CPKids Birthday Club get a free sundae on their birthday.

Captain D's. Kids 12 years old and younger get a free kids meal on their birthday if they sign up for the Kid's Birthday Club.

Denny's. Get a free Grand Slam breakfast on your birthday.

Friendly's. You'll receive a free "Happy Ending Sundae" on your birthday if you sign up for the BFF Club.

Houlihan's. You'll be treated to a free entree on your birthday by joining the Houlihan'semail list.

IHOP. If you join the Pancake Revolution, you'll get a "Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity Pancakes" meal on your birthday.

Jamba Juice. Sign up for Jamba Insider Rewards for a free birthday smoothie or juice.

Moe's Southwest Grill. Get a free burrito on your birthday by joining Moe's E-world.

Pinkberry. Get a free frozen yogurt on your birthday by joining the Pinkberry loyalty program.

Red Robin. Sign up for the eClub to get a free burger on your birthday.

Ruby Tuesday. You can get a free burger on your birthday if you join Ruby Tuesday's So Connected program.

Spaghetti Warehouse. Get a free meal on your birthday by joining the eClub.

Starbucks. You can get a free birthday drink or treat (and a coupon for 15% off a purchase at StarbucksStore.com) by joining the My Starbucks Rewards loyalty program.

Zaxby's. Receive a free meal deal (an entree with fries and a drink) and a nibbler for your birthday by joining the Zax Mail Club.

Plenty of other restaurants, such as Applebee's and Red Lobster, offer unspecified birthday freebies for subscribing to their e-mail lists. And several restaurants offer freebies with a purchase. If you don't see your favorite establishment on the list, it doesn't mean that you can't get a freebie there on your birthday. Ask your server or the store clerk about birthday specials. 

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Amazing Apps for Your City Adventures

Spring is here so it is fun to get out and about.  

Rediscover Your City With These Amazing Apps
 

image: girl with tablet hiking with view of cityIf you want to get to know a new place you can certainly try searching Google and Yelp. But, if you'd rather uncover those hidden gems even longtime locals don't know about, be sure to check out these four apps. Best of all—they're free!

Kamino is an "urban hiking" app that features user-generated walking tours to help people get to know their locale. After registering, select a route. The app will then guide you to the starting point of the "hike" and provide the distance and estimated time required. After that you can create your own hikes to share with others. Apple devices only.

Mosey allows users to select locations around a search term or theme such as "I want coffee" or "I want to shop." The app then generates a list and map to follow at your leisure. You can follow along with others or create and share your own "Moseys" within the app. Apple devices or web.

Jauntful formats its city guides especially for printing. This comes in handy if you can't or don't wish to be connected to your phone 24/7. You can also create your own guides and hand a beautifully designed map to friends and visitors. In addition to user-generated guides, Jauntful features guides from partners like "Saveur" Magazine and the Andaz hotel chain. Web only.

Field Trip by Google pulls in geo-tagged content from other sites like Atlas Obscura, Architizer, Thrillist, Cool Hunting, and Eater, across a range of categories like architecture, historic places, or "cool & unique," then notifies you when you're close to a site of interest. Like everything else by Google, there's a ton of good information, but the app won't let you customize your own explorations for sharing with others—yet. For Apple, Android, Google Glass.

Source: Gizmodo

Sunday, March 8, 2015

16 Essential Tips to Navigating Airports From: Traveler.com)

With spring break and summer coming up these tips can be priceless.

With airports that seem busier than ever, airline staffing reductions creating longer lines at check-in and airport security wait times that can be entirely unpredictable, these days the old airport "two-hour" rule often leaves just minutes to spare to buy a magazine, grab a snack or hustle your kids into the bathroom. Saving a few extra minutes here and there along the way can add up in your favor; here are 16 tips to get you from your front door to your seat on the plane as quickly and painlessly as possible -- as well as some ideas to keep you moving no matter what is going on with your flight.

Get Ahead of the Game
1) Sign up. The TSA's PreCheck, a trusted traveler program, has spread to more cities across the U.S. and is now available at some 40 airports. Members of the program are pre-screened and can then whiz through security, sometimes without having to take off their shoes or remove laptops from cases. The U.S. Customs Department's Global Entry program (see GlobalEntry.gov) is another shortcut for frequent international travelers, especially as the federal government contracts and customs lines potentially get longer.

2) Gear up. Personally, I have found that buying more stuff is not always the best solution to travel problems, as one of the most serious travel problems for many people is having too much stuff in the first place. But there are a few items that are useful enough away from the airport to justify buying mostly for the airport, including slip-on shoes, clear zip-shut sundries bags and TSA-friendly laptop cases to help speed you through security.

 11 Versatile Travel Essentials You Can't Do Without

Before You Leave Home
3) Check flight status. I feel like this tip is almost so obvious that I should not even include it, but I find that even in my own travels, I often fail to do this one simple but critical thing. Then this summer, I almost got burned. A very early morning flight for my son and me was canceled; luckily, I have a TripIt account, and found out about the cancellation before anyone else in the house was even awake. Had that not been the case, I am certain that in the rush to leave before dawn, I would not have checked flight status, and would have gotten a ride to the airport with all our stuff, waved goodbye, headed into the terminal, stood in line and only then discovered the cancellation. So -- check flight status.

I recommend doing the same before abandoning your ride or your car just before you head to the terminal; flight status updates change by the minute, so a last-second check is always a good idea.

Most airlines will text you flight status updates if you sign up on their Web sites, and sites like FlightStats.com and TripIt.com will do the same by text, on the Web and through smartphone apps.

4) Check in online. Especially if you are not checking bags, this can save you a heap of time. I have found that when checking bags, having the pre-printed boarding pass in your hand doesn't help all that much, and check-in agents often reissue another boarding pass when you check in your bags -- but it sure doesn't hurt.

5) Before you leave for the airport, put your ID, credit card and boarding pass (if applicable) in an easily accessible part of your wallet or bag. There are two reasons for this: one, by going through this exercise, you make sure that you don't leave home without these crucial items. Two, you don't waste your (and other people's) time fumbling around for them at the moment you need them.

6) Pack everything else out of reach. Clutter is the enemy of smooth passage through the airport; pack out of reach and sight anything that you will not need between your front door and your airplane seat.

 What Not to Pack

7) Check the airport parking situation online. Knowing ahead of time where to park, which lots are open and how far they are from the terminal can save you a lot of anxiety on your drive in, as well as keep you safer as you navigate tortuous and almost always poorly marked airport ring roads. Additionally, during peak travel periods, lots fill up quickly, so you will want an alternate parking plan.

parking lot carsMany airports are adding parking lot status updates to their Web sites, while others have automated telephone information. While too many airports are doing the bare minimum in this regard, particularly with a service that is so essential to their business and often so confounding for travelers, consulting the info they do post can still often save you headaches when you arrive at the airport. As a side benefit, parking prices are usually displayed, so you can save money as well. At the very least, check the maps so you know where you are going; these also typically show the location of cell phone waiting lots, which can be useful to folks picking you up.

Off-airport lots are also worth considering, both for the ability to reserve a spot in advance and for price savings in many cases.

8) Check the airport maps, hotel shuttle info and rental car counter details for your destination airport. If navigating your home airport is relentlessly confusing, it will be even worse at an unfamiliar airport at your destination. Flight status updates frequently include the likely arrival gate, so checking the maps at your destination airport can help you get through the baggage pickup, find the rental car counters or shuttle pickup locations, and find rendezvous spots for shuttles to your airport as available. If someone is picking you up, you can also pre-arrange a pickup location so he or she can find you without too much hassle.

At the Airport: Before Check-In
9) Prep your documents. Before you get in line to check in, or at least before you get to the front of the line, dig out and have in hand all the items and documentation you will need to check in. Having this stuff out makes everyone happy -- you, airline agents and the people behind you in line who appreciate your efficiency.

10) Weigh your bags. Many airports are installing scales in front of the check-in areas; if you suspect your checked bag might be overweight, weigh it before you get in line, and do any swapping between your bags before you reach the check-in counter. This also avoids any scrutiny from the check-in agents about your carry-on bag starting to swell (another topic altogether, which I won't go into here).

If you are really serious about baggage weight, you can even weigh bags at home -- buying your own luggage scale is inexpensive and will prevent surprises at the airport.

Between Check-In and Security
11) Stow everything except your ID and boarding pass in your carry-on bag. This way, when you get to the front of the security line, you are not finding stuff in random pockets, messing with your phone, dropping credit cards and keys (or losing them -- I have seen it happen), spilling crumpled cash all over the place and generally ticking off everyone behind you. By the time you get in the security line, you should be as close to ready to go through the actual security machine as possible.

12) Take inventory of what you will need to do when you get to the front of the security line. Do a quick mental review of everything you are wearing that you will need to remove (such as shoes, jewelry, watch, jacket), and what you have inside your carry-on bag that might need to be taken out (liquids, electronics). When you get to the front of the line, blast through your mental inventory and make it happen. Done well, you can go from fully clad for winter weather, with laptops and iPads in your bag, to a T-shirt, pants and socks, and all your sensitive electronics in their own bins, in seconds.

 Airport Security: Your Questions Answered

On the Other Side of Security
13) Check the flight status boards again. Unless you are really early, your actual flight time is getting close, and this is when you will start to see gate changes and more reliable departure time estimates.

14) With that said, though flight status boards are your first stop for directions, go directly to your gate for any breaking information. The official system updates sometimes lag behind reality, so you want to check in at your gate to make sure nothing has changed. Beyond finding out your flight status, by showing up at the gate you will get a sense of how crowded the flight is, figure out what kind of terminal amenities there are and more.

Troubleshooting
airport flight departure board cell phone man15) Program airline 800 numbers into your phone. If you get stuck due to a delayed or canceled flight, you are going to want to be proactive in figuring out your options, as airline folks are typically understaffed and under siege in these situations. If you have the phone numbers of airlines that fly your preferred route programmed into your phone, you will get a lot farther a lot faster than if you don't.

 Airport Delays: Six Ways to Cope

16) Download apps that help. When the previously mentioned flight with my son was canceled, TripIt notified me very early on, and also gave me access to a list of other flights on the route for that day, both on my original airline and on other airlines. When I called my airline armed with this info, I was rebooked in minutes, and we went to the zoo for the morning.

Saturday, March 7, 2015

69 Year History of Lyon Real Estate

Why we stand proud:

·         Founded by William Lyon 1946
·         Med Home Price $9,564
·         1st women sales person in 1950
·         By 1960 grew to 10 office
·         Med Home prices $15,100
·         1970 Med Home Prices  $23,100
·         Lyon introduced lawn signs in 1980
·         Purchased 1st digital camera for $15,000
·         1 photo per 31/2in floppy disk
·         First time homes had pictures on line
·         1990, home prices $130,700 
·         Lyon added 5 offices
·         2000’s Lyon went global and founded Leading Real Estate Companies of the World
·         Creates Trend Graphic’s home statistics made easy for clients to understand the market. Today Trend graphic’s is used by all the major brokers.
·         Lyon opens 5 more offices and a top notch training facility to provide highly trained business professionals
·         2006 celebrated 60 years in business and recognized as best business and leadership practices by Sac Business Journal
·         Sacramento Magazine and Business Journal has awarded Lyon as the best Real Estate Company for every year since 2005
·         2005 opened 3 more offices and started a program called FRED  (Realtor Education Day) for all realtors.
·         Today Lyon has the most advanced technology in the industry. Still is the leader among Real Estate Company’s in the Tri County area.  Leading seller of high price homes,  and continues to provide  its agents with top quality training including an attorney on staff to keep us updated on all new paperwork, laws, rules and regulations in the industry.
·         Home values today in Elk Grove are average in the low $300,000, interest rates still holding at all time lows,  new builders are building more and more new homes, and the outlook is very bright for Elk Grove and it’s housing market.