Valorie Stover, SFR Realtor, for Mission Viejo, Lake Forest and Vicinity

Casta del Sol is a retirement community located in Mission Viejo, CA which was named the safest city in the U.S. It is a planned development of nearly 2000 homes built in a natural environment of gentle rolling hills with many views. When the Santa Ana winds blow, you can see from some locations, the Pacific Ocean 7 miles away and in the other direction Saddleback Mountain. Located 1 ½ miles from Mission Viejo Lake with swimming, fishing and boating, it is like living in a resort.

It was begun in the 1970's and finished in the1990s, so there are many different floor plans and architectural designs. These are detached and attached homes mostly single story in a guard gated community.

Activities abound both within and adjacent to our community. Having 2 pool, spa, 2 club houses, exercise room, meeting rooms and hobby rooms giving you plenty of socializing locations. Within Casta are bowling, library, walking paths, garden club, wood carving, ceramic arts, parks etc. Nearby are beaches, mountains, deserts and theme parks.

Searching for baby boomers, that are still working and wanting to do something for their future in regards to a retirement home. Most retirement communities have an age restriction but did you know that you can purchase before turning that age. Let's say the age restriction is 55 years of age to live there. Notice the work LIVE. You can OWN property in age restricted communities at any age, as long as you do NOT live there.

Buying a property in age restricted communities is usually less expensive than the homes surrounding it, making it a good buy in this market.

In such a community near me, in the last 12 months, the price of homes has fallen by 27% compared to 32% in the rest of the city but the rents have continued to rise. The single family detached home, there, rents usually within 30 days of becoming available. Right now, with 20% down, you can buy and rent it out, covering all your monthly costs. This type of renter stays put and takes care of the property making it a plus for you.

You research where you want to live, buy with your future needs in mind and the amenities that you prefer when you move in. Make sure to find medical services close by, that you can rely on if needed. We all have to face to possibility that we may have to work part time, so check that out also. Planning like this will take a lot of worry off your shoulders and give you pease of mind.

Just read an article about the future of real estate brokerages and they are projecting that there will be more independent agencies. Unless the franchises keep the agent front and center on the internet, the agent will leave and promote himself or herself

Using AR and Facebook is one of the steps agents take to promote themselves on the internet but it also helps me to learn from others. I work for an independent broker and it is up to me to make my presents known in the market and to find out how to do this. So THANKS everyone!

I spend at least 3 hours in a day prospecting either on the internet, out in the field or emailing past contacts. I send out 1 newsletter each month, plus wishes for what ever holiday, is in that month. My office is me!

Let me know what other things you do to promote yourselves.

We are in the position to help each and everyone of our clients, be they buyers or sellers. We need to work together with respect and discipline in the pricing of homes, for sale or in making offers, so that the transactions proceed though to close.

We as Realtors should be able to explain to the sellers the importance of setting the price so as to get action on it in due time. This is in our hands to lead them to the right decision. The same holds true for buyers. Putting in offers that have no chance of going though just makes the sale take longer.

We need to help move properties so that we can rebuild the dreams of our clients, friends and our families.

Who better to provide the knowledge and the know how than REAL ESTATE AGENTS working together and helping each other.

I have been out showing property the last 2 weeks and from what I see there isn't a shortage of buyers.

The problem seem to be that we are all going after the REOs because they will get sold and closed in a reasonable time. Every offer I have put in on an REO has had10 to 12 offers on the same property.

Today I showed 5 properties and at everyone of them, there was another agent either leaving or coming as I left.

Thanks for letting me vent!