As I write this, it's a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. All the windows are open, and there's a light breeze flowing through the open windows. I occasionally hear some of the neighbors chatting outside, and I feel so grateful to finally live in a "real neighborhood." It may sound strange to some, but I haven't lived in to many real neighborhoods in my adult life. It seems like people work all day, come home exhausted and drive into their attached garages without having to come in contact with anyone. I used to think that I'd have to move to a small town to experience the feeling of community-of safety and belonging-that comfort that I experience in my small condo community. I'm not talking about anything really special...just the chance to greet a neighbor on the way to pick up the mail, (we share a block of mailboxes), noticing the new flowers someone planted, or perhaps listening to an elderly neighbor reminisce. It's good for me to stop the frenetic activity and really listen. It may sound trivial, but this is the stuff that life is really made of. We look out for each other. We feel known. Yes, it's a very ordinary-looking group of condominiums in a large city, but it is home. And I'm going to slow down and enjoy it.
Have a great week and remember to take time to talk to the neighbors and remember to take extra time to really listen!
Susan
September 25th
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Lot A
Sponsored by Orange County Farm Bureau
Fresh food and good prices!
I received an official-looking document in the mail recently. The letter, addressed to me, cited my Tax Parcel number with my home address and informed me that since I acquired my home between 2003 and 2007, it is likely that my assessment could be reduced and I would then begin paying lower property taxes. A form was included from the senders, the "Property Tax Adjusters, Inc.," in which they offer to be my "agent" in communicating with the tax assessors' office for a fee of $95. They even offered a money-back guarantee, as they are so sure my tax base could be reduced.
Shame on them!
The truth is that I already received a letter from the legitimate County tax assessors office letting me know that my property taxes had automatically been adjusted, reducing the amount I need to pay, because of declining property values over the last couple of years. What alarmed me about the deceptive letter of course is that many uninformed people could easily be misled. They don't have time to check on property tax assessments and may be vaguely aware they are entitled to an adjustment but have no idea how to go about it. They may be unaware that all the info they need is the County tax assessor's web site:
On the home page is a brightly-colored icon saying, "Will A Decline in Market Value Reduce My Property Taxes?" A very clear explanation follows. Another link is entitled, "How to Appeal Your Assessment." The false and dishonest scheme reminded me how important it is to stay up to date and keep our clients informed on relevant information, especially in this changing market.
We are blessed to live in the #4 ranked "Best Place To Live In America", according to CNN Money!
I found their information and stats interesting. You will find the article here
Susan Gaffney
949-654-0464
In honor of the new 2008-09 school year, here are some interesting facts about education in America:
Don't forget to slow down in school zones!
Exceeding clients expectations while assisting with purchasing & selling dream homes in Irvine, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, as well as other Orange County communities.
What a privilege it is to work as a REALTOR in Irvine, California! Being a REALTOR in Southern California allows me the opportunity to meet interesting people every day and to serve my clients with integrity. It's been quite a few years now, but I clearly remember moving here from the East Coast. It felt like a foreign land! Now I have the opportunity to share what I love about our part of the country with people who are moving here for the first time. Orange County is so diverse--each city offering its own advantages--and every community with its own distinct flavor. I am grateful to be living here and to have my kids grow up in such a fascinating place. We get to enjoy the fantastic year-round climate and all the outdoor activities available, as well as experience so many different cultures. Come for a visit, or stay a while. You'll never be bored.
For information on the the process of purchasing a home in Orange County, contact me for a copy of my book, "How to Make Your REALTOR Get You the Best Deal - Southern California Edition." I think you'll find this a great place to live!
I've been a REALTOR here in Orange County for over ten years, and my background is in property management and marketing. In addition, I taught business classes on the college level for six years. My degree is in business administration, and I graduated from the Interior Designers Institute. I'm part of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, an Accredited Buyers Representative, and Internet Certified Professional (e-Pro).
Here are some details:
Education & Personal Information:
My emphasis is in selling residential and investment properties in Irvine, Tustin, Newport Beach, and the South County cities including Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita, Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, and Laguna Niguel.
I enjoy helping buyers find their first or next home! It is a thrill to be with a family when they walk in and just know they have found their dream home.
"You know we did a lot of research and searched for a long time to find the right buyer's agent. We just want to say we love our new home. Thank you for finding it for us the minute it came on the market. Your perseverance, watchful eye, and contacts in the business enabled us to purchase our dream home at a great price in an extremely tight market. Thank you again for going the extra mile".
Jim and Mayu M
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"What a great experience it was to have you represent us as a buyers' agent when we moved down from the Pasadena area. You suggested a great neighborhood and then found a home that was not even on the market. Your help and networking has made the transition to our new community a very smooth one for our entire family."
Michael and Sarah
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"Thanks so much for all your help in finding and buying my beautiful new home! You were great through the whole process--the people you recommended all worked out wonderfully. It was reassuring to know that you were right there with me and for me every step of the way."
S. Gardner
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"We want to extend our warmest thoughts of appreciation to you for all the hard work you did for us. You wrapped your arms around us and took care of all our needs and fears finding not just a house for us, but a "HOME" for our family. You never gave up. It is a great comfort to see somebody out there representing and protecting the buyer."
David and Jaynette
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"Thank you so much for all you did to help us find and purchase our new home! You were there when I needed you, spending hours going through listings and discussing alternatives to make our dream of owning a home in Irvine come true. You had great vision and foresight--just what I needed to see the potential that our new home has for future growth and expansion. Thank you once again for all of the support and guidance."
Gail Shendelman
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"We are so thankful for you and how you helped us find the perfect house. It is more than we could have ever hoped for or dreamed of. You are amazing, and we appreciate all the thoughtful things you have done to make our search and our move go smoothly."
Mike and Debbie
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"We are very grateful to you for all your work in finding our perfect first home. All the time and effort you put into working for us--and all the fun we had--is so appreciated. We are so excited about our new home, and we feel so happy to have you in our lives."
Paul and Missy
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