Michael A. Caruso ~ Orange County Real Estate

Nobody likes to pay insurance premiums when they come due. But the protection insurance companies provide is well worth the premium.

We all can consider a few ways to gather recognized discounts that would help reduce our insurance premiums.

Here are some ideas you may find helpful...

• Do you have a home security system? I don't mean a barking dog! Insurance carriers offer a credit for a functioning monitored home security system.
• Consider disaster preparedness - many insurance companies offer credits for people who guard their homes against natural disaster. Items like storm shutters and shatter-proof glass can help reduce premiums.
• Do you live in a gated community? Owning a home in a gated community has become very popular over the past decade or so...but did you forget to tell your insurance company about that? If you live in a gated community (with gate attendant or just electronic) it can result in an insurance premium discount.
• Do you move your policy around from one company to another? Many insurance companies offer "loyalty discounts" so if you are happy, you may consider what can be up to 20% discounts for a claim free multi year policy with your favorite insurance carrier.

Credits can add up to a healthy discount when obtaining or renewing your insurance policy...so take a moment to help yourself along those lines.

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

Best regards, Michael Caruso, Broker ABRM CRB CRS

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

Quite often, I hear clients ask, "What can I do to prepare my home for a sale?"

Start by removing any unnecessary items which may be crowding up parts of your home, as clutter can often detract from flattering areas. Don't shy away from placing boxes in the garage. Potential buyers won't be worried about the presence of the boxes, since your plans to move are no secret.

Next, consider arranging your furniture in a different way. With any extraneous items out of the way, take another look at the layout of major pieces. Moving furniture around is extremely helpful in creating a focal point (such as a fireplace or attractive view).

Another important step is to thoroughly clean and polish your home. Performing repairs, utilizing touch up paint, and deep cleaning are all great ways to present your home at its very best.

Hiring a professional is also a wonderful way to gain another perspective in how to set up your home. Professionals such as stagers are available for consultation, and can provide furniture and or accessories at your request. Trust your Realtor to recommend his highly-skilled contacts to assist you with your needs.

Your comments are welcome...

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

Best Regards,

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI

(949) 753-7900

Michael@michaelcarusorealestate.com

Well, it's time for auto manufacurers to clear the floor of 2008 models and get ready 2009 models. The sales of SUV's are off 11% or more this year. So, you can look for big discounts or 0 percent financing for pretty much the remainder of the year or the end of the 2008 models, whichever comes first.

As gas prices went up everyone switched to smaller and smaller cars, despite the factor of safety while driving.

That means the SUV's can be had for a great price and you can have some metal around you for protection while you are driving.

Good luck shopping...

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

Best regards, Michael Caruso

Next Week: is a Short Week with the Monday Holiday but: Watch for the jobs report and hope we don't get too close to 6% unemployment. Watch for a potential strike at Boeing. Watch for storms that could impact the price of oil.

Last week: Ouch...Alitalia Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection. Ooooh, Microsoft bought Greenfield Online, a European shopping-comparison web site. Oh my, Tiffany's reported 2nd quarter profit doubling from last year (go figure), while Oh no, Sears reported a 62% drop in profits. Fannie Mae is all shook up with upper management exiting.

Happy Labor Day everyone!

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

Best regards, Michael Caruso

The question is ever looming...when will we rebound? When will the housing market stop its retreat? When will the dollar get stronger overseas? When will the stock market start a bull run?

The answer to all may be a combination of several things:

1) When you begin to see financial stocks stabilize.

2) When you begin to see the price of oil move down.

We have begun to see oil drift lower from $147 per barrel to $117 per barrel and it must move even lower. However, oncoming gulf storms and demand for winter heating oil must be factored in.

We must begin to see financial stocks stop posting $billions in losses and stabilize.

When these 2 things happen, it's the beginning of a rebound.

Your comments are welcome....

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

Best regards, Michael Caruso