http://tim4ocrealestate.com Orange County Real Estate Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:23:36 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en For most people, the only time they think about their Home Owners' Association is when they pay the bill, or receive a notice that something is wrong.   People don't like to pay fees, and they don't like being told what to do, so often the HOA is only seen in ... http://tim4ocrealestate.com/http:/tim4ocrealestate.com/2009/08/03/the-powerful-hoa-part-3 Many people think a Home Owners' Association is some distant company that tells them how to live, charges assessments, and is intent on making life unpleasant for some residents.  The residents don't feel they have a voice, or representation. Actually, the company who sends the bills, and those sometimes annoying ... http://tim4ocrealestate.com/http:/tim4ocrealestate.com/2009/07/17/the-powerful-hoa-part-2 The Home Owners' Association brings immediate feelings to residents, some good, and some otherwise !  In reality, the HOA is simply an extension of the the owners in a community which is designed to handle issues in common.  How it works is really dependent on the involvement of the property ... http://tim4ocrealestate.com/http:/tim4ocrealestate.com/2009/07/16/the-powerful-hoa-part-1 Perhaps you would like to buy a home, but you just haven't been able to save enough for a down payment.  Recently you may have heard about a first time buyer's tax credit, and that it may be possible for you to buy a home with very little down.  It ... http://tim4ocrealestate.com/http:/tim4ocrealestate.com/2009/06/17/zero-down-hazardous-to-your-mental-health I'm not in the loan business, so I will admit I don't have "expertise" on this topic.  However, as a real estate agent, and homeowner for over 30 years, some advice that is being given today just doesn't make sense to me, and it might really hurt you if you ... http://tim4ocrealestate.com/http:/tim4ocrealestate.com/2009/06/10/are-you-sure-you-want-to-skip-those-payments-2 We've got to admit, when summer vacation arrives, Rancho Santa Margarita has a lot of fun activities.  Be sure to check out some of these in the upcoming weeks: Taste of Rancho - June 6, 4 - 9 PM Held in Central Park, behind City Hall, local restaurants will ... http://tim4ocrealestate.com/http:/tim4ocrealestate.com/2009/06/04/summertime-fun-in-rsm-2 We've got to admit, when summer vacation arrives, Rancho Santa Margarita has a lot of fun activities.  Be sure to check out some of these in the upcoming weeks: Taste of Rancho - June 6, 4 - 9 PM Held in Central Park, behind City Hall, local restaurants will ... http://tim4ocrealestate.com/http:/tim4ocrealestate.com/2009/06/04/summertime-fun-in-rsm When I first came to the Saddleback Valley in 1973, I heard about this rustic restaurant hidden in Trabuco Canyon.  It was several years before I tried it, but in several return visits I've never been disappointed. The Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse was started in 1968 by the Sherod family.  It ... http://tim4ocrealestate.com/http:/tim4ocrealestate.com/2009/06/02/a-dinner-you-will-remember How is your garden looking these days ?  It really may have a significant effect on your emotions.  It can have you smiling, or depressed.  Unlike so many things we face today, this is something you can actually control with a little effort and a few dollars carefully spent. Many ... http://tim4ocrealestate.com/http:/tim4ocrealestate.com/2009/05/28/a-little-color-a-lot-of-cheer I'm often asked by visitors to Open Houses if they should move, or expand their current home.  Of course, as a real estate agent, getting a commission for helping them find a new home, and one for selling their current residence, helps me support the economy.  However, that is not ... http://tim4ocrealestate.com/http:/tim4ocrealestate.com/2009/05/27/go-or-grow