Susan Manning

Did anyone else watch The Human Footprint on National Geographic last night? It was incredible! It analyzed exactly how much milk and wheat and bananas that a person used up in their lifetime. Not only that, but it also calculated how much energy, water, and carbon monoxide emissions we effectively use in a lifetime as well. It was a really incredible show. The cool thing about it was that they actually showed you what a lifetime of showers (or diapers, or lotions, or oranges, or you fill in the blank) you as one American will use in your 77 year average lifespan will use with actual items layed out. The vastness was mind blowing!

I am a parent and I am always harping on my child to recycle. I believe that it not only shows respect for yourself, but for other people and the universe as well. I am really embarrassed by how much we as Americans use up in our lives though. We account for five percent of people and we use up 25% of resources in the world. It really makes you think. What can I start doing today to positively impact the future?

Does anyone have any great tips, pointers, thoughts on this issue?

Wow, so my whole adventures into REO listings continues. One thing about being in real estate, you can't say that it is boring or routine!

Yesterday I went to a new listing I received up in Rainbow Valley just off Rainbow Heights Road. Actually I had gone up the day before to check occupancy. Google maps took me totally off the beaten path and I wound up in a pickle. When I say off the beaten path, I really mean it. The road which hadn't been paved in a long time was hard to determine which was a a driveway and which was the never ending, winding road. I twisted, I jived, I tracked, I four wheeled it. Interesting enough, I saw a BOBCAT on my way up!! It was HUGE! Wow!! I ended up in some man's driveway who was very gracious enough to help me determine I was on the wrong side of the mountain.

By this time it was about a quarter 'til seven and the sun was setting. I was fortunate to be able to figure out where Rainbow Heights Drive was off of Rice Canyon Rd about half a mile south of where I was. I made it to the top of the mountain and finally found the property. There was nothing inside from what I could tell and no lights or other utilites appeared to be on. I did notice some paint cans and screen doors thrashed and left laying on the wrap around patio. I am curious to know what the inside of this house is going to look like.

Mark this property as unoccupied. Right?

So the next day I am meeting the locksmith and my go to guy for personal property removal so he can get a bid for me. Its daylight and I'm pulling up to the property. What had appeared to be an out building turns out to be a container! You know the ones that semis and trains pull. A huge friggin' container with a monster lock on it. I'm thinking to myself how the heck am I going to be responsible for that??!!??

I can tell you I was pleasantly surprised when we walked into the sun room. It smelled - like Pinesol!! Wow! This place had been cleaned. When we opened the main house, same thing. Carpets had been cleaned, kitchen was spotless, and the placed smelled, well, clean! I am truly blessed, thank you!

As it turns out there was a very neat pile of dishes, some great pottery, some luggage and a beautiful table left in the kitchen. That was about it that was personal property left. A lady is pulling up when we are doing our rekey. Title says a single man was the previous owner. This is interesting. The lady says the table is hers. Hmm...I'm kind of in a tough spot. What do I care about who takes what at this point. She leaves a message to have the previous owner call me and let me know that this is her property. Turns out the huge container is hers too. She promises me to have the container out in a week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is the case which I think will happen sooner or later since it is her stuff inside. (God knows what is inside, right?!) Just in case you were wondering, we helped the lady get her table out of the house to make sure that no damage was done to the property when she removed it.

What had happened was that the previous owner had gratefully rented this home out to this lady and her husband because their house down the mountain was in foreclosure too and they needed a place to live. They were going to move in and pay rent to "help forestall" foreclosure on their "friend's" house. Well, I can't say its the first time I've seen this where the owner rents a property out when they are in trouble. Not a good situation.

Its really a good thing this lady came by so that I know someone owns that container and is going to be accountable for it. I wouldn't know the first thing about removing one, but I suppose it might be a good thing to know now.

Ah, the adventures of listing REO's!! Stay tuned for the announcement of this property's list price, this property is going to be a real gem for someone!! Its freshly painted and cleaned and obviously ready to move in!!

Call me today if you are interested in this amazing opportunity in Rainbow Heights!! Susan Manning, Rancon Real Estate 951-551-7790

Why would you want to work with me?

• I work hard and will usually accomodate your schedule unless I've made plans (which I do make personal weekend and evening plans and schedule them in too!) I am always happy to have the work and look forward to working with my clients.
• I work hard to educate you as the seller or buyer in making the best, educated decision. If you don't understand something, I am happy to explain it to you.
• I love my job!
• I have an extension knowlege of the real estate in the area. I am constantly seeing homes and prices every day.
• I'm not a discount broker and I don't give discount valued service. I price myself on communication, my creativity, and my persistance!!
• I am happy to discuss with you the changing market, whether selling your home is a good decision for you, and what your home is worth today on the market.
• I am experienced working in residential, land, and some commercial.
• I can refer you to a team of qualified lenders, title, escrow, and warranty services to aid in the transaction.
• My clients not only know me as their real estate agent, but as their real estate agent and more!!

I really hope that if you or someone you know are looking to buy or sell real estate, both new homes or resale in the Temecula Valley or other area nationwide that you think of me! I am hear to help you and facilitate the meeting of your needs. Thank you!!

Dear Real Estate Agent: My wife and I found this home we love. But heres the thing - its the market! We know what is going on - the market SUCKS, 299000 is too much to pay for this house. I would like to look at it, but right know were thinking 235000. If you would like to show it please let us know.

Sincerely, Joe Buyer

Dear Joe: I'd be happy to take a look at which house you are looking at and give you my best professional opinion on what it is worth and what I think a good offer is. It depends on who owns the house (is it a short sale/Bank Owned/or owner occupied?), how long its been on the market, how many other homes in the area are for sale, how many have sold and for what price, and when?

Sometimes you can get a good deal when the time is ripe. $235K is in a totally different price zone than $299K though. A lot of people can qualify for a house for $235K. That makes the demand for a house priced at that price point to go up. The bank could sell that house for $235K all day long. Even at $250K a lot of people qualify for that price. A good ratio to look at "Generally Speaking" is 10% - you can go under 10% give or take and not feel like you are going too far out of the range of reasonabilty especially in this market. This is a general rule though. There is a bank owned listing that has been on the market for six months down the street from a model match that I just sold for $75K less than the price that one is listed at. The listing agent knows its overpriced but hasn't reduced it for some unknown reason. There are those unusual cases....so never say never.

You may want to look at what kind of payment you want per month and look at it from that perspective too. Don't forget to look at taxes, insurance and HOA if there is one. A big reason why so many families got in trouble with their mortgages was because they didn't factor in their monthly payment into their lifestyle and budget.

Keep in mind that buying a home is an emotional process. If you look at it solely from an investment standpoint, you'll never feel you're truly getting that killer deal you and half the universe are trying to get. If you find a home to which you feel a connection, and you are confident that you are comfortable with the monthly payments, you have to look at it as purchasing a future for your family and your memories. How can you put a price on that??

Purchasing a home can be a scary process, but it can also be a very rewarding one too. Go with your gut as your emotional guidance system. That along with a lot of due diligence along the way will get you the results you are looking to achieve- that piece of the American homeownership dream!!

Sincerely, Susan Manning, Real Estate Agent and More!

So, in our "declining market" it is very common practice for the REO listings with pools to be drained. Otherwise the pools need to be maintained which of course will fall under the responsibility of the listing agent. I believe it is a city ordinance that the pools be drained because it is a "health and safety" issue to have the standing water providing a mosquito breeding ground especially in the hot summer months.

Interesting. I am selling an REO pool that has been drained. The buyer is purchasing the home with an FHA loan backed by HUD who is also very concerned with "health and safety" for the buyer's purchase. In the eyes of HUD a pool must be filled in order to be safe because if someone falls, guess what, that can be a major safety hazard. I guess that makes sense. Doesn't it? Or does it? An FHA bought home must have the pool filled (which takes up to two days to do) or it must have a fence all the way around it.

But wait, I have a 17 day escrow that needs to close! I don't have two days to fill the freekin' pool! AND my buyers are going to turn around and drain it again so that they can do the plaster work that needs to be done on it.

Ah! Susan Manning, Realtor and More to the Rescue!! After some quick thinking on my feet, I remembered there was a net over the pool to prevent anyone from falling in. (A great safety tool that is much better asthetically than a gated fence can look.) So, in essence all we need to prove to the FHA underwriter is that the pool is safe, right?

I've been known to be on the net, but not quite this literally!! Here is a picture of me risking my life for a closing. Beat that! I was told that I needed to stand on the net, but I sure hope sitting on it works! I can barely walk upright on solid land little own a net made out of some sort of plastic rope. Yikes! Anyway, I felt like a clutz going out there, but I think it worked! How do you like me now??????