Steve Hall ABR, CDPE San Marcos Real Estate

A few easy ways to enjoy a greener Christmas:

When shopping, be sure to take reusable shopping bags and avoid using plastic.

Check the packaging. For example buy drinks in bigger bottles as they generate less waste. Be sure to recycle them!

Stick with tradition and put presents in a stocking that can be reused.

Purchase rechargeable batteries for the electronic toys and gadgets.

Make sure to recycle as much of the packing and wrapping material as possible.

Donate old clothing that you no longer wear to a local charity.

When it's time to take your tree down, remember to recycle it. Most communities have a temporary recycling location for Christmas Trees. Of course these are limited to REAL trees. :)

San Marcos Museum is almost home at Heritage Park

The old Mary Young Connors Hall doesn't look very welcoming at the moment but soon it will be set on its new foundation and open again for museum visitors.

When re-opened in Early 2010 the Museum will sit between a brand new Heritage Park and Museum welcome center (Foundation is ready for the building) and two historic homes at Heritage Park.

During reconstruction, the Heritage Park homes are open for visitors and the San Marcos Historical Society welcomes donations to run the museum, volunteers to help with the museum and the historic homes, and, of course, they welcome membership in the Historical Society. Many service clubs in the area, including the Kiwanis Club of San Marcos have spent many hours working at the museum and Heritage Park. The Museum and Heritage Park are located at Walnut Grove Park in the Twin Oaks Valley.

14th ANNUAL SAN MARCOS HOLIDAY PARADE

Make sure that you do not miss this event. On Sunday, December 6th, The Kiwanis Club of San Marcoswill present the San Marcos Holiday Parade and you can be a part of the fun with your dog. For only a $5 entry fee, you will get to enjoy a wonderful walk with your dog. The first 50 to register their doggie for the walkie will get a Goodie Bag.

There are two ways to register

1. Register online at Kiwanis Holiday Hounds
2. Print out, complete and mail this attachment

PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Be GREEN at home and save money with ENERGY STAR

1. Replace at least five of your most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified lights. ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs use 75 percent less energy and last up to ten time longer than incandescent bulbs.
2. The average household spends nearly $2000 per year on energy bills with almost half of that going for heating and cooling. A programmable thermostat set and used properly can save about $180 per year. Most people that I know in San Diego pay much more than $2000 per year in energy bills.
3. Look for the ENERGY STAR when buying appliances,electronics and HVAC equipment. Check with SDG&E for rebates and incentives.
4. Improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home by locating and sealing air leaks to the outside. You or a licensed contractor can follow the ENERGY STAR home sealing recommendations.
5. Change the world with ENERGY STAR and take the ENERGY STAR pledge and make a difference.

For more information about being green at home and at the office go to www.energystar.gov

Make the Call to Hankins and Hall

Lela and I have earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales. This is invaluable expertise to offer at a time when the area is ravaged by "distressed" homes in the foreclosure process.

Short sales allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.

Right now in San Marcos, more than 400 homes are in danger of foreclosing. It is happening in all price ranges. Local experts say that even high-priced homes are not immune.

It is so rewarding to be able to help sellers save their homes from foreclosure.

Alex Charfen, founder of the Distressed Property Institute in Boca Raton, Fla., said that Realtors® such as Lela Hankins and Steve Hall with the CDPE designation have valuable training in short sales that can offer the homeowner much better alternatives to foreclosure, which virtually destroys the credit rating. These experts also may better understand market conditions and can help sellers through the emotional experience, he said.

If you are in financial distress or know of anyone in need of an advocate to help them stay out of foreclosure, please call us for assistance.

Lela Hankins (760)591-0020 - Lela@LelaSellsSanDiego.com

Steve Hall (760)809-1637 - Steve@HankinsAndHall.com

Make the Call to Hankins and Hall