Bonnie Adamson

In today's housing market there are lots of problems to look at and overcome. Decisions have to be made and everyone involved had to be heard. This method of looking for solutions is not limited to housing but it may help. Some of the problems people are facing are "do we foreclose? how do we stop the bleeding of money? where can we get good advice? Hopefully as systematic approach will help.

There is a team advantage to solving problems. The difficulty can come when all team members don't agree. Given that almost everyone has to work in some kind of a team some guidelines would be worthwhile. La Fasto and Larson offer some good advice taken from their extensive research.
They determined that three factors will be essential in good problem solving teams.

1. Focus: effective teams are very clear about what they want to accomplish
2. Climate: it must be safe to share. Relaxed, comfortable, informal fun and warm environments will create the most innovation and new ideas
3. Communication: If something is interfering with the team's performance, it gets talked about. People say what is on their minds but the conversations tend toward problem solving and not venting.

Teams solve problems best with a goal in mind and all the team energy is toward that goal. When a problem arises the team works toward a solution by using the following system.

1. Identify the problem by forming a single question (focus)
2. Create a collaborative setting (climate)
3. Energize with discussion (communication)
4. Identify with possible solutions (communication)
5. Resolve the single question (communication & focus)

Using this format teams (family or business) can avoid the non-productive accusations, blame, criticisms, and attacks that leave the members defensive and running for cover instead of solving the problem. Add a few validations and some humor and teams can go along way building loyalty, friendship and satisfaction.
Apollo 13 (the movie) has a great problem solving sequence regarding the air filter.
Notes taken from a lecture by Mike McNeff.

Right off of Winchester near Murrieta Hot Springs is an over 55 community with plentiful amenities.

This Four Seasons community has 10 acres of grounds, and a lodge, where owners can entertain. The facilities include a large pool, tennis courts, spa, sauna, gym, driving range & putting green, bocce ball and croquet courts. You can also enjoy a stroll through an English garden to enjoy the colors and the peace. At the lodge all kinds of activites can be found. Enjoy ballroom dancing, fitness center, games in a dedicated room, a library for relaxed reading, a computer room, a craft room and even a beauty salon. You meet new friends and have time and activities to deepen those friendships.

Outside, sports enthusiasts can enjoy the tennis, basketball, volleyball and bocce ball courts. Golfers can brush up on their game at the community's putting green and driving range. Plus, there are a number of great golf courses in the surrounding area. The SCGA is only a mile up the road and is considered a fine golf course with a very challenging layout.

The homes are well kept, charming and are sized right for seniors, some much larger than the typical senior development (range is 1772 SF to 2772 SF) all were built from 2001 to 2004. There are two and three bedroom homes, all singe story with wide doorways and up to date styling. The homes have held their value extremely well throught the local crisis. The HOA is reasonable at $146/mo and the taxes are low.

This community is close to public transportation, less than two miles to the Temecula Promenade and a few blocks from grocery stores and gas stations, and restaurants.

This is definately a community to consider if you are a senior and want a lifestyle not just a home.

Aromas Coffee and Café has new owners. They have expanded into the whole space and now offer lunch and breakfast. Always a pleasant place to meet, it now has a sofa and some comfy chairs, and a book exchange corner. As before they have unusual gifts with a unique twist for a last minute shopping. Baking is done on site so everything is very fresh.

Bob Pisarek and family are the new owners, they are experienced with sandwiches ,bagels and can create any specialty coffee drink that you can imagine. This is a great little place for a quick coffee or if you have more time enjoy a relaxed sandwich lunch. The atmosphere is pleasant, mellow and relaxed. I like it for a one on one business meetings, but it can work for a larger group as well. Bob says he has been known to open it in the evening upon request.

This Friday September 10, 2010 is the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony and Saturday will be the grand opening. If you are around you should drop by and wish them a welcome. Aromas is Located on Hunter at Winchester Road and is convenient to residents of east Murrieta where are very few local eateries. Come on by and try it, you won't be disappointed.

We wish them much success!.

Murrieta does not have a large number of home owner associations with amenities. The ones that do are very nice. One of my favorites is Central Park. This community is in East Murrieta towards the end of Murrieta Hot Springs Road. The planners left some of the grounds for families to enjoy. There is a large clubhouse with a kitchen for parties that can be reserved. The pool is huge, for the serious swimmer, a kiddies' pool and a spa make it a real aquatic center. The grounds are nicely kept and homeowners can enjoy a game of tennis, have a picnic or just lounge under a shade tree while the children play in the play ground. The walking trails round out the amenities for this community. The homes were built by Pulte and extra care was taken by the builder to make them well insulated and "green". The HOA is low for the amenities, as of this writing they are only $57.00 per month. Central Park has homes that appeal to today's shopper, many are beautifully upgraded with all the expected luxuries, like granite, hardwood or tile. A few have back yard pools but most homeowners take advantage of the association pools.

The homeowners seem to become very friendly with their neighbors and that makes it a very nice place to live. The homes have a wide range of sizes, starting at about 1500 SF and running over 4000 SF. The average price per square foot is $100.00. The smaller homes are more like $120.00 SF and the largest homes for a little as $79.00 SF. The majority of the homes are currently selling right around $300,000.00 but there are always a few real steals in there. This is one of Murrieta's jewels.

I am a firm believer in staging homes. There is no question in my mind that the buyer has a difference experience when viewing a staged home verses a vacant or a "lived in" home. Buyers like the ambiance of a model home and staging is as close as a resale home can come to looking like a model.

I like to dabble in decorating as well so took the plunge and became a accredited staging professional, bought some supplies, and before the market turned south I staged a few of my listed homes with good success. However, along the way I discovered a few surprises.

Homeowners are attached to their stuff! They like how their homes are decorated, they like the blue carpet and the green walls and they don't like having someone tell them, it doesn't look appealing to the general public. I know it works on HGTV but I find it difficult in the real world. HGTV gives the homeowners a budget and does the labor for free too. This discussion can also become a point of contention between me and my client. The are sometimes reluctant to change things especially if they have always received comments on how nicely the home is decorated. So back to Murrieta and Temecula, and what should an agent do?

For one thing, I will not go it alone again. Next time, when I suggest hiring a stager, it won't be me! I like the idea of someone else taking the heat when they suggest that the homeowner needs to neutralize the walls and clean the carpet. I like the idea of the stager telling the homeowner that Aunt Millie's doilies are not a good idea and that the collection of bottle caps or posters, or even art glass needs to go. I like the idea of commiserating with the seller that the stager made them pack up so many belongings and that it is hard to let go, but after all she knows her stuff and we should listen to what she has to say. No doubt there are agents out there that can wear both hats really well but I don't think I am one of them. I want to be single minded and focus on taking care of the transaction, finding a buyer, keeping on top of the market and getting to the finish line.

Yup, as the market comes back and the sales become standard again, I will be enthusiastically recommend staging but I won't be the one doing it.