Cristal Drake, Realtor Fullerton Real Estate

When I was contacted by my client some months back to help her with her property re-assessment application, I had no idea what I was really in for.

Her property's value had dropped since purchasing it and she was being taxed much higher than if she had bought her house recently. I helped her out with some comparable sales to send in with her re-assessment applications and a few months later she called me back. 

She had received a letter stating that she had a hearing set for her appeal. We got right to work pulling new comparable sales (from the specified time frame) and doing our research.  She attended a workshop on the process and even found an appraisal dated in the time frame of the comparables. 

We spent hours getting ready and my client is good! She had made copies and tagged all her exhibits, she went to a hearing beforehand to watch the process and get more information. She did lots of homework and was organized. We were feeling pretty good about how prepared we were!

The big day came and we watch a few people go before us. All of them accepted a previously negotiated assessment that was a bit lower than the bill they had been sent.  When my client was called, she said that she did not agree with their newly negotiated value (it was MUCH higher than it should have been).  We were called up and sworn in.  The Assessor said his bit and gave us the comps he used.  Unfortunately, none of his were COMPORABLE!  One was not even in the time frame that they gave us to use!

We were prepared, had great comparables, an appraisal, you name it, we had it. We started going through our comparables and then he hit me with it...."Your comparables are bank owned and short sales".  "Yes, your honor" I said. I went on to explain that those were the ONLY comparables available in the entire area.

Then the judge hit us with it...."Your comparables must NOT be bank owned or short sales".  And with that, he ruled that her value stood.

We were dumfounded and totally speechless.  Both us were sitting there looking in total surprise. He thanked us for our wonderful presentation and sent us on our way.

As we left, quite a few others came out and started asking questions and for our help. I was the only Realtor® there and though we lost, we obviously knew what we were talking about. So many people were there just hoping for a little help.  I felt horrible for them but couldn't get them any comparables because I did not have my computer with me. 

My client emailed me later and let me know that NO WHERE in the work shop information or any of the instructions did it mention that the comparables had to be regular sales!

If you are working on your property re-assessment, MAKE sure the comparables you use are NOT Bank owned or Short Sales.  If you need help in finding these for your North Orange County home, I am happy to help. Trust me, now I know!  Don't learn the hard way like we did!

I originally imagined writing this story with a picture of us on the steps high fiving eachother for a great job at taking on "The Man"...NEXT TIME!! ___________________________________________________________________________

Cristal Drake - Fullerton Realtor (R)...At Your Service for all your Fullerton area real estate needs! Prudential California Realty - 714-423-7525. DRE#: 01272061. All information in my blogs is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. Copyright 2009 all rights reserved.

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I had a great open house scheduled for yesterday; an AWESOME home, priced to sell and I had lots of interest in this one....I set up, put my purse in a cabinet, out of site but within my site...just like I always do. I am always cautious about this and am ready for my open house!

Apparently, the only intrest was NOT in the house. Please learn from what happened to me and be on the look out for this group!

Early in the day, two ladies come in. I start speaking to them and one speaks no English. The other is looking for a home and is here from Santa Barbara. She says she likes the house and is going to call her husband. I immediately get a strange feeling and stay on my guard. Your gut is usually right.

She hangs up and there are a few others in and out and then a man shows up that gave me that same weird feeling. I send a text to my husband to see if he is near so he can stop by. I make sure I am close to the door but with my eye on my belongings (luckily it is a bank owned home so nothing else really to worry about).

He doesn't answer so I keep my eagle eyes on these three, but stay near a door and keep my eyes on my stuff, noting my purse in the cupboard.

The ladies call me out to ask me a question and I am trying to figure out where that guy is. I go just far enough to answer her questions but I make sure to stay where I can see what is going on inside.....or so I thought.

They all leave separately but ALL offer to sign my registry. No one offers this!!! So many red flags, I am so mad at myself for not immediately going to that cabinet and holding onto my purse! But by this time, I have a full open house and am busy so I don't even think about it.

Of course you know what I am getting at here. I get home, have a message from CHASE regarding unusual activity on my credit card. Sure enough, WALLET IS GONE!

If you are a North Orange County Agent, be on the look out for the following:

1. Hispanic woman

• late 20's
• about eight months pregnant
• long black hair
• about 5'6"
• bad teeth
• a big scrolling tattoo of a name on her neck. It was like Angelica or something along those lines.

2. Her "sidekick" also Hispanic

• late 20's and does not speak English
• shorter and pretty
• long wavy hair

3. Hispanic Man (will come in seemingly unrelated)

• early to mid 30's
• nicely dressed
• about 5'9"

Go with your gut! They know how to get you distracted. I was even on to them and I STILL GOT IT! If you feel like something is wrong, it probably is. I am now locking everything in my car trunk that I do not absolutely need. I am not sure how much better that is. With all the "smash and grabs" going on the car isn't safe either!

It's obviously not just the money, the cards, the inconvenience, the violated feeling but the huge amount of time it is going to take me to get this sorted out! If this helps even one agent then I feel a little better. This economy is bringing out desperate people!

Please, spread the word and be on the look out!

7/20/09 UPDATE - Two other Realtors I spoke to have seen this group (pregnant woman with huge neck tatoo is easy to remember). BE ON THE LOOK OUT!

ALSO, I just found out about another agent that had this happen the same weekend in the same area. The local board has been notified and they are sending out the alert!

If you have a son that loves to play football then he can't miss The Troy Thomas Youth Football Camp at Servite High School in Anaheim, July 10th -12th, 2009.

This is a great opportunity to be coached by not only a phenominal coach, but by a man with outstanding character. Your son learn some great skills but he will be surrounded by a group of amazing athletes, students and coaches.

The above is just the personal opinion of a mom who's son is actually is a student, athlete and leader at Servite High School. Troy Thomas and his football program has had a huge impact on shaping him physically and mentally!

Walk up registration is still available! The program starts Friday, July 10th at 3:30 and walk up registration is still available for $125. For more information, check out: Credo Camps

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Cristal Drake - Realtor (R)...At Your Service for all your Fullerton area real estate needs! Prudential California Realty - 714-423-7525. All information in my blogs is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. Copyright 2009 all rights reserved.

Receive my blogs via email! Click here: Subscribe in a reader

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Get ready for an evening of fun and support a great cause! Isn't it great when you can do both?  Head to Downtown Fullerton for the WTLC's annual Mardi Gras in July!  An evening of Fun, Food and Music including:  Door Prizes, Silent Auction, Taste of New Orleans, Tarot Card Readings, Street Performers, Dance Lessons and More!

WTLC, Inc. is a non-profit, community-based organization of women and men committed to seeking solutions to end domestic violence and human trafficking. Services are available to all regardless of race, gender, religion, age or national orgin.

If you think you may be a victim of abuse, or know someone who is, call us now... 24-hour hotline (714) 992-1931.

For more information about the WTLC or to purchase tickets for the Mardi Gras in July, please vistit, WTLC.org

Cristal Drake - Realtor (R)...At Your Service for all your Fullerton area real estate needs! Prudential California Realty - 714-423-7525. All information in my blogs is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. Copyright 2009 all rights reserved.

Search The MLS Here!

Congratulations to Erin of The Fullerton Chamber!She correctly guessed what was behind Door Number two, it was Mihaylo Hall at Cal State Fullerton! Her name was chosen as the winner of a $25 gift certificate to Starbucks (there is one behind that door) Congratulations Erin!

This was a tough one! I had a few people that went right over to Google to figure it out but since I hadn't written a blog about it, it was a little tougher!

Mihaylo Hall at Cal State Fullerton!

From the chairs to the stairs, every detail within the new Steven G. Mihaylo Hall is the result of an all-encompassing collaboration. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, administrators, architects, contractors and friends of the college all weighed in on creating a world-class home for Cal State Fullerton's Steven G. Mihaylo College of Business and Economics.

Four years from start to finish, the three buildings that make up Mihaylo Hall stand as a flagship at the front of the campus at the new intersection of Folino Drive and Nutwood Avenue. This theme of "intersections" was an intentional element throughout the design, says Cirangle. "The building has two characters. First, it has a more business-like appearance and generous entrance on the public side toward the street. Second, toward the campus side, it has a university scale and several avenues and crossroads where students can walk from different corners of the campus straight through this complex of buildings. People are encouraged to interact with each other and exchange ideas. We organized the building to facilitate that."

For more interesting places to visit in Fullerton and about Fullerton real estate in general, be sure to check out Cristal's Blogor my Facebook Page at Facebook.com/FullertonRealEstateAgent

Cristal Drake - Realtor (R)...At Your Service for all your Fullerton area real estate needs! Prudential California Realty - 714-423-7525. All information in my blogs is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. Copyright 2009 all rights reserved.

Receive my blogs via email! Click here: Subscribe in a reader

Search The MLS Here!