Michael A. Caruso ~ Orange County Real Estate

Rather than pairing with a charitable organization, City Council is proposing a plan that will tax residents $9,730 as well as an "unspecified" contingency fund to replace trash cans on San Clemente beaches.

San Clemente's contract with Adopt a Beach expires on December 31^st, and the City Council is seeking change. Currently, the city has commercial cans that are provided at no cost..So my question is? Why fix what isn't broken?

Is there any harm in having trash cans with advertisements on our beaches?

What are your thoughts?

Thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

Best regards.

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

I am trying to be happy about the rage on Wall Street today.

But here in Southern California the "devil winds" are blowing again and we have fires (serious ones) just 20 miles north of LA.

This marks one year almost to the day that we had disastrous fires in Southern California and here we go again. We hardly get a chance to grow new vegetation before the next "fire season' starts.

So Wall Street, I'm happy...way to go today!

But, I'm gonna pay closer attention to my neighbors to the north than the market this week. I think you all understand why.

Thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

Best regards.

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

Usually a president in his second term can just coast to the finish line.

Not this year...not this time.

We all need Bush to work hard in his last 100 days as President. No lame duck scenario can be tolerated. Our President has to be out there, calling leaders from other countries, continuing dialog with leadership and with the American people.

There are issues remaining like a mid-east peace deal, North Korea and nuclear arms, tension with Iraq, tension with Iran...the list goes on.

In addition, we hope for a smooth transition into our next presidential term. And constant monitoring of the economic challenges facing our country.

Thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

Best regards.

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

AIG said in a recent press release that it is 'OK to party hearty'. They said they have to entertain in their customary manner to take care of clients that provide them with the business they enjoy in their AIG-AG and IFLC divisions.

Within days after accepting an $85 billion federal loan AIG hosted 820 people at The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museaum to celebrate their 35th anniversary. Costs? Who cares!

It gets better...

During that same period of time (the same weekend, in fact) AIG's subsidiaries spent a whopping $443,344 at the St. Regis Hotel in Monarch Beach "entertaining". We'd need a full time CPA just to calculate how much "fun money" these guys are spending.

It gets still better...

Meanwhile, the government was agreeing to another AIG loan in the amount of $37.8 billion.

Additional parties are on the horizon for AIG. They have scheduled a little get together for 400 stock brokers at the Marriott in Atlanta next week which will include airfare and hotel rooms, food and refreshments.

Wait just a minute here! If our government is funding this company than they (AIG) have to be accountable to us, the taxpayers and to the government.

But AIG thinks the parties are necessary...

We need you to weigh in on this one, please.

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

Best regards.

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

We have seen a stock market correction recently unlike any other since 1987. In 1987 however the turnaround was within 1 year. Yes, just 1 year later the market recaptured all it's 1,400 point loss and was a bit ahead.

It may take longer this time...far longer. And hoping or expecting for that quick 'snap back' could be a set up for disappointment.

Instead, it may be better to consider some mild life style changes. Here are some suggestions:

1) Small cup of Starbucks rather than a 'grande'.

2) Light lunch rather than a sit down lunch.

3) A light dinner and a movie rather than an extravagant evening out.

4) Rotate a weekend dinner at friends homes to maintain companionship while budgeting.

5) Use a bike or scooter once in a while for a quick trip to the post office or other errands.

And saved money goes into a savings account, if possible.

Now, and well into the future, home buyers will have to save money for a down payment on their home purchase. This is something not unusual to those over 40 years of age. It's a good thing to have some 'skin in the game'.

Posture yourself to manage finances and manage your expectations of an economic turnaround. It could take a while to work things out.

Thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

Best regards.

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors