About Monterey County, CA

Two weeks ago, I was having dinner with someone in Default Industry who was telling me that they have an idea to pitch to bankers by offering cheaper BPOs to undercut existing BPO companies! I was shocked to disover that has already become a reality! Today, we got a list of BPOs for $15 auto-assigned to us!

This reminds of me how manufacturing jobs were shipped permenantly out of US where wage pressures forced everyone in Contract Manufacturing to chase the cheapest labor rates! Ironically, if this becomes the trend most of us who are in REO business will have no choice but do the same.

But wait, this gets better. While this BPO provider is reducing their pay rate; their BPO forms are becoming much more complicated. In fact, their form has more than 250 data entry fields!! This company has cleverly inserted a Rental Survery into their BPO form as well. They are NOT calling it Rental Survey, but the fields in this section of the BPO form requires "Market Rents", "Number of Rental Properties in the Area", "Typical Rental Rates Per sqft".....etc.

Another vendor requires us to duplicate EVERY possible data field in the MLS for EACH comp. But what's amazing is that they also ask for a copy of the MLS to be attached!! We wondered why we bother enter ALL the fields from MLS, if we are going to upload a copy!? We suspect the reason might be sinister and the reason they are asking agents to upload the MLS is that they don't trust their agents which is a huge shame. And when you don't trust your agents on the street, it would be very easy to discount their pay scale to lower than a Living Wage!

This BPO now requires filing out about 300 data entry fields in addition to taking a minimum of 6 exterior Photos for $15 dollars?! I had no idea how worthless our Option had become! I say, why stop at $15? Push it down to $5. Why stop at $5, just go to ZERO! Wait, some agents are doing BPOs for FREE.

Needless to say, we declined these BPOs since we don't have an office in India yet! I wonder who is to blame here?

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1347678/come-to-las-palmas-ranch-to-live-

I am adding a map from the Monterey Peninsula to Las Palmas Ranch. I am asked over and over by buyers that are considering moving to Las Palmas Ranch how far of a commute is to Monterey.

As you can see by the map it is just a 15 minute drive..not a commute. Most people drive along highway 68 which connects Monterey to Salinas and is also called the Monterey-Salinas Highway. The altrnate route is to take Highway 1. Living at Las Palmas is refreshing! There is so much beauty to see along the way. The cows are grazing, the hills are stunning when the light reflects off of them, there are so many kinds of birds..hawks, owls, turkey vultures, you will also see turkeys, foxes, lots of deer..it is a great way to unwind before you get home.

Capital: Sacramento
Entered Union: Sept. 9, 1850 (31st state)
Motto: Eureka (I have found it)
State Colors: Blue and gold
State Song: I Love You, California
Nickname: Golden State

Governor: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Senators: Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein

State Symbols

Flower: Golden poppy
Tree: California redwood
Bird: California valley quail
Animal: California grizzly bear (1953)
Fish: California golden trout (1947)

California Facts, State Geography

Land area: 155,973 sq mi. (403,970 sq km)
Water area: 7,734 sq mi
Coastline: 840 mi
Highest point: Mt. Whitney - 14,494 ft
Lowest point: Death Valley - 282 ft below sea level
Geographic center of state: In Madera Co., 35 mi. NE of Madera
Number of counties: 58
Largest county by population: Los Angeles
Largest county by area San Bernardino, 20,062 sq mi.

Some Interesting California Facts

• California is the most populous state in the U. S. One out of every eight people live here.
• Only Alaska and Texas have a larger land area than the state of California.
• Three out of ten of the largest U. S. cities are in the state of California: Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose.
• California is the country's top agricultural state, growing half of the food for the country. Almost all almonds, artichokes, dates, figs, kiwifruit, olives, persimmons, pistachios, prunes, raisins, clovers, and walnuts are grown in California.
• California contains the lowest and the highest points in the continental U. S. You can travel from 282 feet below sea level in Death Valley to 14,494-foot Mount Whitney in less than a day.
• California is home to the oldest, largest and tallest living things. The bristlecone pines of the eastern Sierras are 4,600 years old, General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park is the largest and California coastal redwoods are the tallest.

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT CALIFORNIA?

Just off Highway 68 between Monterey and Salinas there is a little roadside cafe called "Toro Place Cafe." When you walk into this establisment, it is a little like stepping back in time and that is much of its appeal!

It has been a roadside landmark since 1945. Nobody is a stranger here! You feel sort of like you are walking into an old movie set. Actually it has been used in several films! Many years ago it was a filling station and the pumps remain as a reminder of days gone by.

It attracts all walks of life..housewives meeting for a quick bite from the very near by Toro Park and Las Palmas Ranch, construction workers, maybe you will run into a cowboy or two, and yes the highway patrol all freguent this interesting little roadside cafe. Everyone is at home. My daughter and my mom had breakfast the other day before my daughter headed back to college and loved the country fries and bisquits! Usually they eat on the lighter side but couldn't resist! My husband and I love to eat here on occasion. So bring your appetitie and enjoy this funky and fun cafe!

Just nearby is Toro Park were you can hike and picnic. I suggest you have a wonderful breakfast on a Saturday or Sunday then take a leisurely hike at the Toro Park trails.

It wont be as bad as last time. Everyone is alittle better at handling bank owned properties these days, including the banks. Short Sales and REO's are going to be the major players for the next year or two. Prices have stabelized a great so I do not foresee this as troubling, it is just a fact of life.