I really dislike multiple offers, as do most people!  When Real Estate was going nuts a few years ago, I would be submitting a full price offer for a client on a property they fell in love with, AND so would about 10 other Realtors. Grrrrrrr. NOW, with prices low and listings plentiful, the time has come again. This time, however, the offers are on (mostly) REPO'S!

This weekend a property came on the MLS for $119,900, with lake rights! That is, in my opinion, the DEAL OF THE DECADE. I wasn't the only Realtor that had these lovely thoughts. When I showed up with my clients, there was a row of cars out front and a string of Realtors and their clients waiting to get in the place.

Of course my clients wanted to write an offer.  I WANTED to write an offer! But I first had to explain a few things to them regarding MULTIPLE OFFERS.  After I ran comps for them, here is what I said:

• The BANK wants the listing on the market for FIVE days before the Realtor is to submit offers--so be prepared as there will be MANY other offers along with yours.
• Just as with any other offer, if you get an acceptance, YOU STILL HAVE CONTINGENCIES that will allow you to "walk" from the deal if you feel you need too. (That was their first concern).
• YOUR OFFER MUST BE CLEAN as possible since you are completing with others who want this home. CLEAN means (usually): Full price OR more, and CASH, if at all possible. Don't ask the bank for "extras" like Home Warranty Plan, Termite work, etc. You pay for your own termite inspection and any work called out. CLEAN IS CLEAN, period!  (I know, many will squawk that I didn't mention loans, but in our area, we do get a lot of cash offers). If you're getting a loan, be pre-qualified, letter in hand!
• YOUR OFFER WILL GO TO THE BANK with the other offers and the bank will dissect each one and the offers that look the "best" will generally get a Counter Offer stating to "GIVE US YOUR BEST OFFER." Another words, ANTI UP! You usually get one shot, make it GOOD if you want this home.

These MULTIPLE OFFERS are going to be here for a while, so we might as well be ready to ride it out...and TELL our clients to hang on, as THIS ISN'T GOING TO BE A CAKE-WALK....

                             ~~~~

For your Lake Arrowhead Real Estate needs, CALL: KAT DELONG, REALTOR.      

YOUR #1 ACTIVERAINER IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY AND THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS.  

Many people moving to The San Bernardino Mountains are looking to buy property in Lake Arrowhead "Woods," which basically means they WANT to have access to the lake. You see, Lake Arrowhead is a privately owned and operated lake and is not open to the public. LAKE ARROWHEAD LAKE ASSOCIATION (ALA) Membership is voluntary and only available to homeowners living within "the Arrowhead Woods."  Currently, we have 327 homes listed with lake rights. Prices range from $171,000 to $5,995,000.

We also have 39 GREAT BUYS in "The Woods" starting at $171,000 - $300,000.. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL FOR A LIST.  

For more information on lake membership and what it involves, visit ARROWHEAD LAKE ASSOCIATION  

And to learn more about living in "The Woods," check out ARROWHEAD WOODS ARCHITECTUAL COMMITTEE  

To view Active Listings in Lake Arrowhead, go to LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT (click on properties on the dashboard and choose your price range)

CALL 909-273-4542 OR visit my website @ LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT

 LAKE ARROWHEAD, CALIFORNIA  

FIGURES TAKEN FROM RIM OF THE WORLD MLS & ARE DEEMED RELIABLE, BUT NOT GUARANTEED

I WILL REPEAT MYSELF DURING WINTER MONTHS--for Safety reasons.

It's winter (well, in a few days it will be) and the weather outside is frightful. Mother Nature could care less about dates, as you can see by the following pic's. SO, IF you're thinking of coming to the San Bernardino Mountains now, or ANYTIME during next winter months, ALWAYS CHECK  our local weather. 

Also, make sure you look into the following links to be prepared:

WINTER DRIVING TIPS (provided by California Highway Patrol)  

WEB CAM AT LAKE ARROWHEAD VILLAGE  (up to the minute view at The Village)

 HIGHWAY CONDITIONS (insert Hwy number (18 for Lake Arrowhead) 

12 15 08

 12 15 08

 12 16 08

12 16 08

To view ALL Active Listings in Lake Arrowhead, go to LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT 

CALL 909-273-4542 OR see my website @ LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT for ALL your Real Estate needs.

VIEWS...VIEWS...VIEWS FROM THIS LOVELY 4 BEDROOM, 2.5 BATH HOME. COMPLETELY REMODELED, INCLUDING PLUMBING & ELECTRICA,  ALMOST EVERYTHING IS NEW! NO DETAIL HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED. WONDERFUL OPEN FLOOR PLAN WITH PANORAMIC VIEW FROM ALMOST EVERY ROOM....IT EVEN HAS A STREAM. BUILT IN 1971.  $739,000

 907 BREITHORN  LAKE ARROWHEAD, CA 92352                                   

For more information about the above property or for ALL your Real Estate needs, CALL 909-273-4542 OR visit my website @ LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT

Listing by WINDERMERE Fine Properties/Lake Arrowhead 

Even though it's fall, temperatures in some areas (like mine, the mountains) can drop to freezing or below freezing anyday at anytime. Our mountain weather really can be unpredictable. Well, let's face it, Mother Nature can be unpredictable. Just in the past week, we've had temps down to 29 degrees! YES, I said 29! As a matter of fact, I've already had several calls from clients friends asking me to go turn off their water. And, I gladly did.

I've decided to post a few ideas of things my family does to avoid--or try to avoid--winter-time disasters. Hopefully, my tips will help you get your home "winter ready" and prevent being CAUGHT OFF GUARD when you least expect it.  

  PIPES--PREVENT FROZEN PIPES 

• Make sure your entire family knows where the MAIN SHUT OFF valve is in case of an emergency. 
• Buy, and install, insulation for ANY exposed pipes.
• Prepare your A/C (Some need draining) and cover/wrap it. 
• When you're going to be away from home for several days or longer, set your heater at 55 degrees.
• IF you're leaving for several days, drain your hoses, pipes and shut off the water.
• Tips from : LAKE ARROWHEAD COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRICT (WATER CO)

 FIREPLACE:

• Have a professional chimney sweep clean and inspect your fireplace. Make repairs as suggested by the professional chimney sweep.
• If you have firewood outdoors, store it in a dry place and make sure it ISN'T touching the exterior of your house.

  FURNACE/HEATER:

• Have a professional inspect your heater and, if necessary, clean your ducts.
• Change your heater's filter often, usually monthly in heavily used months.
• Think about buying an updated thermostat.
• Make sure household products or anything else that may be combustible, is away from your furnace/heater.
• Many Gas companys will come out and check your pilots on appliances, heater and water heaters for free.

 CHECK SMOKE ALARMS AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

• Check your local county requirements on smoke detectors, as to where they must be placed in your home.
• Keep extra smoke detector batteries on hand.
• TEST smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors routinely (I use the spring forward, fall back calendar method) and replace batteries.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and water heater.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in a safe and accessible area of the home.
• Teach all family members how to use the extinguisher

WEATHER PROOFING WINDOWS AND DOORS

• Apply weatherstripping around doors to keep out cold air
• Caulk windows that need it (you'll know which ones, as you'll hear the wind whistling through the cracks).
• Replace cracked glass in windows. 
• If you have storm windows, it's time to get them installed.

ROOFS AND GUTTERS

• Check flashing around your fireplace.  (One of MY worst winter disasters was due to bad flashing).
• Replace old, worn out roof shingles or tiles.
• Clean out gutters and make sure your downspouts are clean of debris.
• Many stores carry leaf guards for gutters--consider these. 

GET YOUR OUTDOOR AREA PREPARED

• Trim tree branches away from house or electrical wires.
• OR, call the electric company if branches are already IN the wires
• Time to prune trees

THINGS TO HAVE ON HAND...in case of black outs or other winter emergencies:

• Have several FLASHLIGHTS, in different rooms
• EXTRA Batteries-all different sizes
• Extra candles, matches and lighters
• Tape phone numbers of utility companies near the phone
• Battery back-up to protect your computer and other sensitive electronic equipment.
• Extra bottled water, can foods and other non-perishable goodies
• Blankets and a first aid kit
• Pet food and supplies: WE CAN'T FORGET OUR PETS!!!

To view ALL Active Listings in Lake Arrowhead, go to LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT(click on properties on the dashboard and choose your price range)

For all your Real Estate needs, CALL: KAT DELONG, REALTOR.      

       

   

 

When I first read WOO-HOO's (SALLY CHEESEMAN) "challenge" she sent members of her group, POSITIVE ATTITUDE for the weary soul , asking us to write a post about "WHY I LOVE MY PROFESSION," I knew it would be fairly easy.  In fact, it's the first line on my  PROFILE PAGE here in The Rain. So, I'll take the challenge and elaborate a tad more. (I won't, however, read any other "Challenge" posts until I post mine).

 Like my profile says, I love my career (profession)!  Real Estate has blessed me with new friends over the years, as I helped people through the home selling and buying process. I can honestly say, I am really very fortunate.  Meeting new people always has a way of opening other doors. One person, one event, leads to another, right? That pretty much sums up my entire life.

Over my 11 years in Real Estate, I have met MANY people, shown MANY homes, written MANY offers and closed MANY escrows. Now I am NOT tooting my own horn, that's just how it is in this business. That's what we (I) do. We need people to buy or sell to make our business grow. Without them we're not actually in the Real Estate business. And though all those escrows and closings WERE exciting and gave me a wonderful, financial boost, the most exciting thing for me has always been meeting new clients. Then, getting past those first few awkward moments. Then getting them into my car and starting out on a home buying adventure to help them find that "perfect" cabin" in the woods.

I've always been more of a "Buyer's Agent" verses, Listing Agent. I didn't plan it that way, nor do I have a little emblem on my business card saying I am an EXPERT at working with buyers. Nope, that's not who I am. Instead, I think I have subconsciously guided my Real Estate path in that direction. And I'm glad I did. Because if not for helping people find their dream home or get-a-way cabin, I would have missed out on many friendships. For that I am blessed. 

...and then came The Rain; Active/Rain, that is. I don't even have to sell a home to these fine people (yes, we do push our business here). I just contribute a few words here and there...share a few stories...leave comments when I have something to say...and friendships are made. Kind of like a baker who doesn't measure, but instead, tosses a few fine ingredients in the bowl and volia'; you have yummy cake (friendship). 

We can have all the money in the world, the best career or education, but neither are important without loved ones/friends!

I AM TAGGING  

 Michelle Pimentel &  Cat Zwicker

Market Statistics for Lake Arrowhead MLS

****

Active Residential Listings: 1041

Active Residental Listings in Arrowhead Woods: 583

Pending Residential Sales: 132

Sold Residential Properites month to date: 21

MLS wide Median Residential Sold Month-do-date: $441,340 (#21)

Arrowhead Woods & Lake Front Median Sold Month-do-date: $400,000 (#10)

Source: MLS, Rim of the World Association of Realtors. Figures are deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

To view ALL Active Listings in Lake Arrowhead, go to LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT(click on properties on the dashboard and choose your price range)

For all your Real Estate needs, CALL: KAT DELONG, REALTOR.      

       

   

 

BRING THE KIDS to "JACK'S PUMPKIN PATCH" which began today, October 10, 2008 and goes thru November 2, 2008. 

Days and hours are:

Monday - Thursday 10AM - 6PM

Friday & Saturday 10AM - 8PM

Some of the fun, family stuff happening at the pumpkin patch will be, "Pumpkin Bounce House" and "Pumpkin Painting."

"JACK'S PUMPKIN PATCH" takes place at Lake Arrowhead Village. Call 909-336-4929 for Party Reservations and to plan Special Events for schools or groups.

Dress warm

 MAP AND DIRECTIONS TO THE VILLAGE

FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS, VISIT LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT. 

       

   

 

Source: MLS, Rim of the World Association of Realtors, figures are deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

To view ALL Active Listings in Lake Arrowhead, go to LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT(click on properties on the dashboard and choose your price range)

For all your Real Estate needs, CALL: KAT DELONG, REALTOR.      

       

   

 

2 BEDROOMS 1.5 BATHS      $369,000

Unique, artisan home; sleeps over 8, set high on over 3/4 acre with seasonal stream and ridge-line views in a neighborhood with million dollar homes.  Dual access and plenty of room to expand. Beautiful woodwork and stained glass details with skylights bring nature in.  Also part-time rental income.

 THIS PROPERTY IS IN LAKE ARROWHEAD, WITH LAKE RIGHTS

To view more PHOTOS and obtain more INFORMATION about this property, or any other listing in Lake Arrowhead,  CLICK HERE

For all your Real Estate needs, CALL 909-273-4542 OR visit my website @ LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT

Listing by WINDERMERE Fine Properties/Lake Arrowhead

When I logged on this morning, it was obvious things in AR were not the same as when I went to bed last night. At least I DON'T think they were....Was I dreaming???

 The "tool bar" (dashboard) was/is re-arranged.  I had to stop for a brief second when I went to click on MY HOME, as it had been moved slightlyl.  Where it used to be is now STATES. And by STATES, CONSUMER CHANNELS and PROFESSIONAL CHANNELS is a little arrow to click on, making it easy to open and get where you want to go.  Whoopie!

Localism is totally different and I LOVE IT! The "Top Neighbor" thingy is gone--I HOPE it's gone. It was never any good anyway (sorry AR Guys, but it really wasn't).  I am thinking that consumers are going to like the NEW localism.

GREAT JOB AR FOLKS!!! 

For your Lake Arrowhead Real Estate needs, CALL: KAT DELONG, REALTOR.      

       

   

 

Over the past few months, I've been asked about my signature that I use here on ACTIVE RAIN, so I thought I'd write a little post and share it with you. I'm sure there are probably more sites that provide "signatures," but the one I use is easy, and I LIKE EASY.  Here goes...

1. Go to MYLIVESIGNATURE
2. Register, it's FREE & EASY
3. Now LOGINusing your new username and password
4. Click on START NOW to begin designing your own special signature
5. You'll be given the following choices:

	Using the signature creation wizard Select this method if you want to get an imitation of your signature. You will have to enter the name of the signature, select the handwriting that suits you from the offered list, specify the size, color and slope of the signature and it will be ready! View examples
	Draw a signature straight to the screen Select this method if you want to draw your signature by hand/mouse directly to the screen of your computer. This is a fun and easy way to make your own signature. You can use a mouse-pen to go over an existing signature and replicate it too.
	Using a scanned image Select this method if you want to get an exact copy of your signature. You will have to write your signature on a sheet of paper, scan it and send it to us. Our designers will process the image in a short period of time and use it to create a signature for you. View examples

If I chose to DRAW my signature, here is what my "K" would look like.

• Instead, I chose to use the signature creation WIZARD since I'm not so creative with my mouse and drawing freehand.
• Once your signature is done, you'll be given the following two choices of Generating signature codes

You can use your signatures however and wherever you want to.
To add the signature to your email messages, to your posts on forums, to blogs, on websites, you should generated a special code to be inserted.
Our code generation wizards will help you with it:

	Generate HTML code Select this wizard if you want to generate a HTML code. HTML code is used for adding signatures to e-mail messages, blogs, websites.
	Generate BB code Select this wizard if you want to generate a BB code. BB code is used for adding signatures to forums.

To download a signature to your computer for future use, right-click the signature and select «Save Picture As...»

Once Im done, when I am posting or commenting, I CUT AND PASTE  my signature from a prior post , and place it where I want.

and it's that easy... 

 signed, your friend,

 UPDATE: I should have explained better HOW I INSERT MY SIGNATURE INTO NEW POSTS I WRITE.  Here's what I do:

1. AFTER DESIGNING YOUR SIGNATURE AND GETTING YOUR CODE
2. GO TO YOUR AR BLOG PAGE AND UNDER "SETTINGS" ADD IT WHERE YOU WISH--SAVE
3. WHEN I AM DONE WRITING A POST, I GO TO A PRIOR POST AND
4. COPY MY SIGNATURE THEN PASTEIT INTO MY NEW POST AT THE BOTTOM
5. YOU CAN ALSO GO TO MYLIVESIGNATURE AND CLICK ON MYSIGS AND COPY IT FROM THERE

Market Statistics for Lake Arrowhead MLS

Active Residential Listings: 1042

Active Residential Listings in Arrowhead Woods: 460

Pending Residential Sales: 136

Sold Residential Properties month to date: 4

MLS wide Median Residential Sold Month-do-date: $477,500 (#4)

Arrowhead Woods & Lake Front Median Sold Month-do-date: $477,500 (#2)

Source: MLS, Rim of the World Association of Realtors, figures are deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

For your Lake Arrowhead Real Estate needs, CALL: KAT DELONG, REALTOR.      

       

   

 

 

This is a topic that people don't want to think about, but not talking or thinking about it, doesn't make it disappear. The topic is FIRE.

By the year 2014, old, wood shake roofs MUST be replaced. Gone. History. As everyone in the nation knows, Lake Arrowhead and all of the San Bernardino Mountains have had their share of fires; the last being OCTOBER 2007, The Grass Fire. Though that fire, or prior fires during the last decade, may not have been caused by shake roofs, old shake-roofs are like matchsticks waiting to ignite. When most of our charming mountain cabins (homes) were constructed way-back-when, these shakes roofs fit the "mountain style." However, there's no style worth risking your house being in harms way during a blazing, Southern California fire.

 On September 23, 2008, The SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' meeting addressed the shake roof issue. They proposed that by the 2014, home owners within the FIRE OVERLAY SAFETY AREA must have their old, shake roofs replaced by roofs with a minimum Class A fire rating roof.

This ORDINANCE WILL become effective by January 2009. If you'd like to attend future meetings regarding this issue or others, CLICK HERE for dates and times.

For your Lake Arrowhead Real Estate needs, CALL: KAT DELONG, REALTOR.      

       

   

 

 

When you live in the mountains, you accept the fact that weather is quite different from our "flat lander" friends' weather below (Flat-lander is a GOOD term, really). Generally, our summer days are cooler, as much as 20 degrees cooler, when temps below are scorching hot. Oh, we do get hot up here, once in while. But in the fall and winter months, our temps may ALSO be cooler/colder! We have four, beautiful seasons, and we respect and love each and every one.

Respect, in that, weather can actually change quickly here: from a cool, clear, crisp fall day...to drizzly, rainy, foggy or snowy.  So, it's always a good idea to double check weather reports before heading up the mountain. You MAY be experiencing sunny skies down the mountain and think, "Oh, it can't be that bad up there..." But, in fact, it can be very "different."   

Here are some sites/links that will make your search fast and, I hope, helpful... before you head out the door for your trek up the mountain.

LAKE ARROWHEAD-UP TO DATE-WEATHER  (this link is for Lake Arrowhead, but you can put in another zip code or city)

WEB CAM AT LAKE ARROWHEAD VILLAGE  (up to the minute view at The Village)

 HIGHWAY CONDITIONS (insert Hwy number (18 for Lake Arrowhead)

WINTER DRIVING TIPS (provided by California Highway Patrol)

For your Lake Arrowhead Real Estate needs, CALL: KAT DELONG, REALTOR.      

       

   

 

 

Q: What's worse than your computer crashing?

A: Your computer CRASHING and LOSING ALL YOUR DATA...every stinkin' bit.

This has happened to me twice in the past two years. You'd have thought, after number #1 crash, I would have backed up EVERYTHING, EVERY TIME I went to log off. But, oh no, I have that "I'll do it later" mentality. And, of course, later never came. I'm one of those naive people who thinks "It won't happen to me." But guess what? It does and can.

Recently, one of "My Three Sons" mentioned he had bought an external hard-drive to backup the data from his laptop. We chatted back and forth about it for several weeks until I eventually BIT the bullet and ordered one. My external hard drive is an IOMEGA and can hold a million-trillion-zillion GIGABYTES (GB) (well, maybe only 250GB). It comes with a USB cord, so I can plug IT into any computer. And it's only about 6X4 inches. (It's the cute PINK square-ish thing to the lower right of my laptop). I'm not suggesting any  particular product, only telling you what I have).

Here's what I can do with IT:

1. MOVE/SAVE DOCUMENTS/PICTURES/VIDEOS, etc TO IT
2. MOVE MY 'FAVORITES/BOOKMARKS' TO IT
3. MOVE ALL PERSONAL "STUFF" TO IT
4. BACKUP EVERY THING FROM MY LAPTOP TO IT--THE ENTIRE SYSTEM
5. TAKE IT TO ANOTHER COMPUTER AND UPLOAD ANY OR EVERYTHING FROM IT
6. IF MY 'PUTER CRASHES, AGAIN, I CAN PLUG IT IN... AND VOILA', MY STUFF IS RETRIVED & I WON'T HAVE TO BE RESUSCITATED.

 ...BUT I didn't stop at the IOMEGA. I also bought a little JUMP-DRIVE (stuck in the left side of my laptop, very small) that has 4GB (that is a LOT), so I can keep it on my key chain. I use this when I don't need my  IOMEGA, or don't need to back up my entire system. The JUMP DRIVE is only about 2 inches long and 1 inch wide.

Here's what I can do with IT:

1. TRANSFER/MOVE/SAVE FILES, DOCUMENTS, PICTURES, VIDEOS onto IT
2. PLUG IT IN TO ANY OTHER COMPUTER WHICH I USE AND RETRIEVE ANY INFO I NEED FROM IT
3. OR, UPLOAD INFO FROM IT TO ANOTHER COMPUTER.
4. TOSS IT INTO MY PURSE

  I'm sure (if I read everything in the instruction manual for these items) they do MUCH, MUCH more. 

All I can say is, THANK GOODNESS I now have a BACKUP PLAN!

For your Lake Arrowhead Real Estate needs, CALL: KAT DELONG, REALTOR.