I just returned from Las Vegas for the International RE/MAX Convention! You might be thinking, "sure, Cristal, we know what the best thing was...that it was in Vegas!".
While Vegas was fun (though I am not a gambler or one to go to a fancy club), I did get to meet some great people (including my on-line friends in Texas, Kristin and Sheila). But what I really got out of it was the feeling that I will really be able to help distressed home owners.
I found out about a new Designation that I can obtain as an agent to help distressed home owners facing difficult situations. Now more than ever, homeowners need educated real estate agents who understand the issues they are facing and can help them find solutions. This new designation will help agents do just that!
Currently many homes listed as short sales end up in foreclosure. I am not sure of the percentage, but it is quite high. Agents with the designation have an 80% success rate in helping sellers ensure that their homes close!
I am eager to get started on this training and to help even more owners in an increasingly difficult situation. If you are in a tough situation, just know that there are options and people that want to help you. Don't wait until it is too late!
Another cool thing I found out about:
I can get any of my clients a 10% off coupon for Lowes. That certiainly can make a difference if you have a project or are touching up things a bit before deciding to sell your home. If you would like one, email me with your address and I will have it sent out! I thought that was pretty nice of Lowes!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Cristal Drake - Realtor (R)...At Your Service for all your Fullerton area real estate needs! RE/MAX North Orange County - 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
You might be thinking, "Buy up? Is she crazy?". It is not as crazy as you might think, read on!
Right now in the Fullerton area, starter homes are the hot ticket. I have multiple buyers in this category and I feel a bit of a frenzy coming on. Almost any house in good condition and priced to sell is attracting multiple offers. Sometimes there are even dozens of offers!
Recently, there was a case where a house attracted 30 offers. Only one person will get that house. That means there are 29 other buyers that got a little more frustrated and a little more anxious to buy a home.
First time buyers are out in force and with so many homes in the starter price range (especially below $400,000) being short sales, there is not a lot for buyers to choose from. Inventory is very low and the good homes are snatched up right away!
What does this have to do with moving up? If you own a home like this, it may be a good time to sell and buy up!
But your value is down? You would be losing money?...Not necessarily so.
Let's say you have a house that would sell now for $350,000 and that the value is down 20% from what you bought it at or around $70,000 loss.
Yet, you have been thinking of moving up and buy a house for $600,000. If that same house is down 20% then you would be saving $120,000!
If that house was previously valued at $720,000 then your property taxes would have been higher too!This is just a very simple example but I think you get the picture!
Now could be a great time to sell because so many buyers are looking to get into their first home but the higher end homes seem to be sitting on the market for a bit longer. There are better deals to be found here as there aren't as many buyers!
Prices won't be down forever. It's a cycle. If you are interested in hearing more about selling your home and possibly moving up, I am here for any questions you may have and can guide you through the process should you choose!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cristal Drake - Realtor (R)...At Your Service for all your Fullerton area real estate needs! RE/MAX North Orange County - 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
There are so many cool things going on around Fullerton, it was getting a little tough to keep up with them!
Introducing....The Pint House!
The Pint House(Formerly the Kettle and Keg) is located on Wilshire Blvd., between Harbor and Malden. They opened not too long ago and what I immediately noticed is how homey it felt. It is small and cozy and feels almost like you are at a friend's house. I can tell that this will quickly become a neighborhood hangout. I think it already has...I am already running into friends there and seeing Facebook messages to head down to the Pint House!
The front may be small, but the back patio is HUGE! The owner worked hard to transform the large outdoor space and it is awesome. Even better, they are going to start offering Sunday Champagne Brunch (March 8th) and the patio is the perfect spot to enjoy a lovely brunch on a sunny Sunday morning!
So if you have been wondering about The Pint House, don't be shy, stop in and check it out! The service is friendly and the food is great! Everyone seems to be raving about the burgers (though I haven't tried one of those yet).
Whether you are in the mood for a happy hour glass of wine or beer (no hard alcohol) with friends, a quick lunch (specials starting soon) or just an easy place to hang out and watch the game on one of three flat screens above the bar, you will not be disappointed.
"Come and join us for a Pint!"
The Pint House
136 w Wilshire Ave.,
Fullerton, CA 92832
For more info call: 714 738-8435
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cristal Drake - Realtor (R)...At Your Service for all your Fullerton area real estate needs! RE/MAX North Orange County - 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
It's that time of year again....Mardi Gras! So you can't get to New Orleans you say? That's ok, head on down to Bourbon Street in Downtown Fullerton!
Special from Feb. 17 - 24
$4 - Gumbo or Jambalaya or Red Beans w/Rice
Mardi Gras
Family Entertainment 4-9pm
Family Entertainment, 4-9pm, Stilt Walkers, Balloon Animals, Face Painters, Mime, Live Jazz
Barcardi Gras
9pm - 2am
Huge Party - Drink Specials
DJ Whitematic
$4 - Hurricanes
$3 - Gummi Bears
$3 - Coronas
$3 - Budweiser
For more information, check out: Bourbon Street
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cristal Drake - Realtor (R)...At Your Service for all your Fullerton area real estate needs! RE/MAX North Orange County - 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
Welcome to the "Doors of Fullerton" Contest!
You Could Win a $25.00 Gift Certificate!
We all agree; Fullerton is a great place to live! Our Downtown is the heart and the city is full of history, and buildings with architectural detail featuring eclectic stores, restaurants, art and services.
How well do YOU know Fullerton? I have created an interactive game to get us all thinking about the many great places here. Introducing... "Doors of Fullerton".
I will be featuring a series of doors and three clues about the business behind the door. If you guess the correct business, you will be entered for a chance to win a prize from the featured business! Make sense? Now for the contest! What's behind door number one?... Here are your clues:
Clue 1: A harmonious place where you can find objects of art from local artists, handcrafted gifts and decor from all over the world and an abundant of architectural elements, plants and pottery.
Clue 2: It is surrounded by iron gates, a secret garden, a skin treatment day spa, handcrafted designer jewelry studio/boutique and a beautiful fountain flowing with water. It is a place to inspire visitors to be creative and live well. Come in and when you leave you will SEIZE THE DAY!
Clue 3: Gallery of Creations was the former name of the proprietor's business.
Extra hint - I have blogged about this business before so if you dig deep enough, you might find it here in my by blog site!
ENTER TO WIN! Here's how: Submit an email to: cristaldrake@gmail.com with your guess and contact info or reply in the comments section below. Warning: The comments are public so others may piggyback off you. Please don't forget your contact info! Go Ahead! Take a guess! Nothin' to lose here and there are lots hints around...
The winner will be notified by email and will receive a $25.00 gift certificate from the business behind the door!
Contest Rules: You can enter as many times as you wish, but on one affiliated with the featured business may enter to win. The winner will be chosen at random from all correct answers. Contest ends February 25, 2009 and answers must be submitted by then to qualify.
 |
|
|
A service oriented Realtor that loves to help people buy or sell real estate & to save Fullerton, Brea, Anaheim, Placentia, Yorba Linda & North Orange County Residents from foreclosure. ID: 01272061
Having had the entrepreneurial spirit since I was 10, I acquired my first paper route. I quickly learned that be being service oriented and making sure my customers were taken care of, made all the difference in my success in sales. Over the years I have made customer service a key part of my sales campaign in any item or service I sold. My rather colorful resume includes being a body wrapping sales, Sales for a Singles Expo and even selling refrigerator magnets!
I have been a licensed Real Estate Agent since 1998 and have spent the last 12 years in Advertising, Mortgage Consulting and Residential Real Estate Sales. These traits serve me well because I know how to market homes and make sure deals close!
Being Certified Distressed Property Expert means that I am well equiped to help distressed home owners that may be facing foreclosure. There are options if you are under water and I am here to help!
Living in Fullerton gives me great insight to this wonderful city and the surrounding areas. I love helping people find the perfect home or to help them get their home sold quickly for the highest possible price. Since I am experienced in listing and selling bank owned properties as well as regular equity sales, I can handle just about any transaction. This means that you have an agent that has your best interest at heart and knows how to get the job done!
Simply, I believe that if you provide outstanding service, know your product and do what you say you will, then the sales and happy clients will follow.
"I knew from the first time I spoke with you that if the bank went with your offer, we would have a successful and smooth transaction. You are very professional and great to deal with. Even with our few hiccups, everything went so well. I hope your buyers are extremely happy with their purchase. I look forward to working with you in the future, and hope our paths will cross again." Alisa C. - Quantum Realtors
"Thank you so much, we asked for the near impossible and you stuck with us and found a great home for us. Thank you so much for all of your hard work and your amazing attitude. You really helped me thru the tough situations and this crazy experience of buying our first homeJ You are so great!!! And I am a home owner!! Woohooo!!! " Nicole S. - First Time Home Owner
"I have been working with my agent, Cristal Drake for almost 8 months now! She has been the most patient, caring person I have met in this industry. In reality all the other agents in her office that I have met so far are. Usually agents I have dealt with in the past just want to get you in a place so they can collect their commission. But Cristal is the total opposite of that. We finally found my new home and I am ecstatic! I am losing an agent but have gained a friend." - Yanne
"Dear Cristal, I want to thank you for your hard work and kind assistance. I am also most impressed with your professionalism and expertise. Quite a pleasure working with you, and I wish you great success in your carreer." Cadre D.
"Cristal is such a great, energetic and giving agent! She really cares that her clients be comfortable with the work environment she creates and makes every effort to help them realize their goals and dreams. From the mortgage broker standpoint, she's clear and concise about the status and terms of her sales contract and makes it very easy to put buyers into appropriate programs. She's a great partner to work with and a very valuable addition to the RE/MAX family - Alicia Wingate
"I have known Cristal for well over 10 years. She has ALWAYS operated with the utmost integrity and top quality customer service. Now that she is a realtor she will definitely be my "go to" girl. I know I will be treated with respect and honesty." - Trisch Wheeler
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
