Susan Manning

So I recieved an REO listing yesterday and went to go check the occupancy to find a car in the driveway, a dog in the backyard and furniture in the home. I suppose the home is occupied.

I went back to the house today to see if I could get the occupants interested in signing a cash for keys agreement. Fortunately for me I arrived just at the same time that the occupants were pulling up. They were pulling into their garage so if I wouldn't have came at that precise time, I wouldn't have been able to tell if they were home or not. Anyway, I pull up and to my surprise (NOT! their names were Santiago and Candelaria) they "said" they didn't understand English. Convenient I suppose. Anyway, I tried to explain to them that I was the listing agent representing the bank that was now the current owner. I was offering them $1500 if they were out of the house in two weeks.

After repeating myself a couple of times the young teen son came out to interpret. Apparently they have a meeting tomorrow with some sort of agent/investor/who knows? I wasn't clear if the agent was planning to do a short sale, take over the deed or what, but the occupants seemed sure they weren't supposed to be moving out.

I gave them my card and told them I would be back the next week. I told them I would be happy to help them by paying them the $1500 cash to move out otherwise the sheriff would be out to evict them and no cash would be given.

In a way, I feel like I am helping these people. More than likely this part of their life (owning this home) is over and they need to prepare to move on to the next part of their life. Its an honest way to look at it. Trust me, I know what having hard times can be like and I don't wish it upon anyone, but I do feel like I can possibly help them if it gets to that point.

Make sure you mark your calendar for May 24th as this is the inaugural event of Its All About Style which is going to be held at Wilson Creek Winery's newly opened event pavillion and restaurant. This event will be one of the first events to be held in the building which has been under construction. The gardens will be looking their best as well.

This event is going to have a "Style Lounge/Fashion Faire" from 12noon until 5pm in around the premises featuring designers, health and wellness information, beauty tips, and mini spa stations. All of this on the lovely grounds of Wilson Creek, and don't forget their Almond Champagne! Later there will be a full blown professional fashion show and a VIP party afterwards. Tickets are $25 and $75 for VIP. Its going to be an event you don't want to miss!! Friends: Thanks for taking a minute to think about this. We are getting ready for the Its All About Style Fashion Event in May and we are needing more designers for the fashion lounge portion of the event which will be earlier in the day from noon to 5pm. The event is going to be held at Wilson Creek Winery and should have a high volume of foot traffic from the event and the winery as well. If you know someone who might be interested in this event, please let me know who they are and what their contact information is so I can contact them. The actual fashion show is going to feature Trina Turk and Sue Wong who are top designers in their field. Its going to be a fabulous event, we've added a lot more sponsors too, and I hope to see you there!! Thank you so much!!

I made my first trip to Borrego Springs this weekend and had an absolutely fabulous time. I went to go see my friend Debbie Israel Wiens in her stellar performance as Chelsea in On Golden Pond at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center. The show was excellent and each one of the cast members did a great job in their roles. I can't say enough about how great the show was. It was an interesting audience too since most of the attendees were in the "golden years" if you will. There were various comments from the peanut gallery about how the nitroglycerin bottle was obviously not correct, and how Fred the stage manager wore black so you couldn't see him moving props between scenes that made the show that much more entertaining!!

I couldn't have planned my trip better because in addition to the perfect weather (as in no need to wear a jacket at night and not too hot during the day either) the wildflowers were in bloom!! This is something that only happens once every three to five years depending on if the rain is just right. It is amazing how beautiful and majestic God's beauty can be!!

Yesterday, the headline on the paper was that there were going to be 111 teachers laid off in Murrieta our sister municipality. Another sign of the hard times with which our area is being hit. The face of the needy really isn't what you may typically think it would be - there are lots of professionals who have lost their main source of income because of the housing downturn. Lenders and agents are a large chunk of people who may be losing their homes and/or are in need.

This Friday morning I pulled up to the Temecula Food Pantry to donate numerous cans of food that I know will not get eaten in my home. There were large jars of pumpkin and tomato soup, a can of tuna, and some hamburger helper that I can't stand to eat. I know that these items will help someone who may be going through some hard times right now. I am grateful for being able to have to food to eat. I am also grateful for possibly being able to help some of the nearly 20 faces who were standing in line to recieve a donation that typical Friday morning in Temecula. Perhaps maybe you can also rummage through your pantry and find some items that could make a difference for someone in need today.

The Temecula Pantry is located at 27780 Pujol Street in Old Town. If you take Santiago west across the bridge at Front Street, Pujol will be the next street. Turn left and go past the Boys and Girls Club facility. The pantry will be the next building on your left before the street dead ends. You can also call them at 951-676-8022.

I've been reading and hearing about how the home equity lines are being taken away from consumers. I understand the reason the banks are doing this - basically the banks are going bankrupt. That is horrible news for a lot of people though. For some, its a line of credit that they rely on. Many Realtors keep their HELOC for the leaner months.

I'm interested to know first hand stories of people who may have had this happen to them. What banks are the main culprits? How much notice did they give you? Do you think this was done in a fair manner? Thanks for taking a minute to give me your feedback!!