Michael A. Caruso ~ Orange County Real Estate

Keeping your business and personal life is key to staying sane. But sometimes it can be tricky if they take place under the same roof. So if you are deciding on setting up a home office, or need to renovate, follow these tips from HGTV and Lowe’s:

1. Draw a line between work and play with your computer: although tempting to use the family computer for business, you should separate the two. It will eliminate the chance of someone deleting an important file.
2. Install additional phone or cable outlets if needed to accommodate your various office equipment.
3. Divide the office into 3 sections: the work center, the reference center, and the supply center. Put your desk, computer, and daily necessities in the work center along with a filing cabinet for easy access to important files. Put dictionaries, old print, books, binders, etc in the reference center. The supply center should hold, obviously, all your supplies.

These tips will ensure your home office feels like a space you can get work done in and will separate the personal from professional.

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

949-753-7900

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to be with family, full of rich traditions.

My family and I wake up early and all help in the kitchen. Since they were young the kids loved helping, even if it was simply cracking an egg or stirring a few ingredients together. My mother-in-law always makes the mashed potatoes, she has the best recipe that no one else can seem to re-create. We always have something Italian in the spread of food and eat around 3 in the afternoon. The next day consists of relaxation, a long run, and left-over turkey sandwiches.

What are your family traditions? I'd love to hear them!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, enjoy the time off, and remember to always be Thankful!

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

The dreaded, or should I say exciting to those who look forward to it all year, Black Friday is upon us again. Mothers and people alike will gather around and countdown until the craze for holiday gift shopping and sale prices begin. Every store has most likely begun to not only mentally, but physically prepare for the determined shopper who will stop at nothing to get their child or themselves the item they most want. It amazes me that some dedicated individuals will wake up at the crack of dawn to stand in line and wait outside of a store as if they are waiting for a new attraction to open at Disneyland. As most of the people begin the countdown, I know I will most likely enjoy sleeping in and relaxing the morning of Black Friday.

For all of those devoted and completely focused Black Friday individuals... I wish you good luck. I know that it may be stressful and you may become overwhelmed by either hostile or over bearing costumers, especially those who are working retail, but just remember to try and remain composed and stay filled with holiday cheer!

Here are some helpful tips on what you can do to make Black Friday a more pleasant experience for you.

1) Plan on shopping in an area where stores are close together.

2) Bring food with you, or allot for a breakfast break

3) Don't go it alone. Bring your spouse, parent, sibling, friend

4) Look at the ads before you set out

Along with those helpful hints, be on the lookout for stores who have decided to one up the other stores and begin their Black Friday prices and sales a few days early in order to relieve some of the stress. Good luck and happy shopping to all of those on the Friday after Thanksgiving ....BLACK FRIDAY!

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

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

(Thank you to Google Image and the OC Register for information.)

I just wanted to share a picture from home! Thank you Laguna and Happy Friday everyone, I hope you all have an amazing weekend.

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

Best regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors (949) 753-7900

According to many reports, Oprah will announce on Friday that she has decided to end her talk show. The show is said to end September 9, 2011--the last day of her current contract.

Oprah is a legend. Her show has changed the lives of thousands. The Queen of Daytime is set to change the landscape of television with her departure.

Do you think this is true? Or will it be a Brett Favre-like retirement only to come back the next season?

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

949-753-7900