Submit an essay to us via email. The topic can be either, “Why I Love Being an American,” or “My Favorite American Person Is…” The deadline for essays is June 30th. Winning entries will be featured in our July 4th newsletter, here on Danawoods.info, and on our Roknich.com website (all with the author’s permission, of course).

Fourth of July Fireworks! From the City of Dana Point website:

Don’t miss one of South Orange County’s best aerial fireworks displays right here in your own backyard! The annual show starts at 9:00pm at our very own Dana Point Harbor.

The fireworks are synchronized to a captivating musical score. Gather your family and friends, tune your radio to KSBR 88.5FM, look toward the skies over Doheny State Beach and experience this patriotic extravaganza! Important: personal vehicle access to the harbor closes at 7:30pm; only buses will be allowed in during the closure. Harbor access will reopen after the fireworks show traffic has cleared out (approx. 10:30pm).

FREE shuttle buses will make round trips from Dana Hills High School to Dana Point Harbor from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Or see the fireworks and beautiful harbor lights from the ocean on the sport fishing boat, Sum Fun! Refreshments are provided; bring a folding chair if you wish to sit. Boat boards at 7:30 p.m. There is also a fireworks dinner cruise on the Dana Pride. Cost and details for these two opportunities are found online on the City of Dana Point’s website.

Check your city for similar shows, including fireworks displays all over Orange County (Mission Viejo, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano have great shows as well in most years…).

Referrals Rock! I am grateful that so many of you, our Dana Point neighbors and friends, have referred us business in 2010!

Thanks for continuing to keep us in mind when your friends, coworkers, and family are in need of professional real estate advice and service. We work throughout SoCal, but enjoy a large network of pros across the USA. We’re your one-stop real estate shop!

“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”

Parents, will your nest be empty soon? Are you considering a smaller home? Are you ready for that ocean front home, or 3-car garage, now that you will have the whole space for yourselves? This is also the time of year that we hear from our clients who are considering investing in a rental – now that they are free of tuition payments!

Please remember – we are interested in earning your business – we have the experience and track record to help you make the right move. The market right now is HOT, HOT, HOT!! But how does this tidbit of information relate to you and your home?

Call us for a free in depth market evaluation that includes First Team’s exclusive Market Trends data! It’s the closest thing to the crystal ball I requested years ago!

“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”

Danawoods has been a popular hangout for teens this summer. But not just for residents, and not just at the pool or parks. Residents have complained to law enforcement about spontaneous partying in and around cars all over Danawoods in the evening hours. Sheriff’s deputies were called at least once in recent weeks to disband the revelers on Danawoods Drive. There was also a recent graffiti incident on a wall near Danapine.

It’s time to be more organized and diligent about the safety of our neighborhood, and in pursuit of this goal, I have scheduled with the Sheriff’s office a Neighborhood Watch Meeting on Sept 21st from 7-8:30pm.

A representative from the Sheriffs Dept. as well as the City of Dana Point will be here to meet with us. There will be a short presentation, followed by a question and answer period.

We will need one or two residents/captains from each street. Call me at (949) 240-5892 for details and location of the meeting. Thanks for your RSVP before Friday the 18th.

“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”

Do you have any friends or acquaintances who would love to live in DanaWoods? Have them contact us to view this nice home, and to be the first to submit an application.

“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”

Note that only one of the four closed sales was a short sale…I mention that fact to emphasize that it’s not just foreclosures and short sales that are selling. Affordability is remarkably better, and interest rates are remarkably lower! As a consequence, home buyers are finding good values throughout the existing inventory. Remember, even as distress sales comprise as much as half the market in certain segments, that leaves another half of the sales that are not distressed sellers.

Buyers are once again excited about of purchasing Orange County real estate. In fact, we are working with five families that want to buy a home NOW!

Okay, now turn the page for a reminder of some minor bad news: the post office has raised postal rates again, including the cost for the basic first class rate from 42 cents to 44 cents. Good news wins!

Need a Realtor? Do you of someone that is planning a move? We look forward to the opportunity to serve you. Call us at (949) 240-5892.

“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”

We are pleased to report that we now have three of these homes in escrow…all special in their own right, and all scheduled for April closings.

Almost everyone knows personally someone facing financial difficulty. For me, the market which started with stories on the evening news about foreclosures in Florida quickly became phone calls from clients about their friends in O.C. who had defaulted on loans, or were nearing trustee sale.

The situation can become paralyzing …many people who usually have it all together…are not sure what to do.

Let me be very clear. There is no reason for foreclosure to be the best, or only, option!

Please call us. We can help. We will confidentially meet with you, or a friend in distress, and review all the options.

“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”

I wake up each morning unemployed.
That’s what running a small business is all about, right? Next, I begin each “work” day by asking people if they want to move, or to buy or sell real estate. What I do may works for me…knocking on hundred of doors, submitting and responding to ads, calling past clients, friends and acquaintances, and maintaining great real estate websites.

Many tell me they would never move because they love where they live! Admittedly, we live in a phenomenal part of the world, and I am one who really cannot imagine moving any time soon.

Unfortunately, others among us are truly facing unemployment. Our economy is leading many, even those who love their homes and neighbors, to consider selling their homes. Please call me for a confidential consultation. I talked two families OUT of moving last week! Sometimes, you just need to hear another opinion or to learn that there may be other options.

On the other hand, if you would love to live somewhere new…please call me! Now is a phenomenal time to find the home that you will love at a price that you will also love!

“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”

Most economists are calling this bad news. They tell us our economy is based on consumption, and that we should spend, spend, spend, not save.

Does that sound right to you? Frankly, I like the idea of saving. Saving for college, for necessities, for vacations, for retirement, and yes, for a downpayment on a home, or for that first investment property. Saving is good!

Now that we’re past the normally slow holiday real estate season, there are great after-Christmas sales to be found in Orange County real estate! If you have good credit, and have saved a downpayment, now is a great time to to fulfill that dream of homeownership, or to move up to your dream home!

Inventory is low – we’re selling homes! We are working with buyers interested in Danawoods, but there are only two homes in the MLS! We have just received multiple offers on our listing in Sea Canyon (near Dana Hills H.S.), and expect that it will close escrow in February. Thinking of making a move? Call us today – we’ll make it happen!

“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”

Just when we think we know what to expect…we enjoy the opportunity to learn a new way of meeting a challenge and solving a new problem. Those 20 years of experience always give us a point of reference…and guidance for today’s challenging market.

Know that we value your business and your referrals, and that we are interested in constantly earning both! We will answer questions about your home’s value, about buyers, distressed sales and purchases, and about real estate investment planning! Call us (949) 240-5892 for a confidential consultation.

Service begins with asking questions. How can we help you? Do you know of a friend, family member, or co-worker…someone needing trustworthy advice?

Blessings to you and your families and may your 2009 be filled with laughter, good health and simple abundance!

“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”

Please refer us to your friends or family in need of selling. Not only will we consult with and assist them when and where needed, but should your referral end up as a closed escrow, we will also make a donation in your name to the team, charity, or school of your choice.

While on the subject of helping others…we would like to mention two charities this month:

St Edward the Confessor, Dana Point, Food Pantry, provides food to the homeless and working poor each week. Their pantry is in need of canned goods, especially those that do not require a can opener. Contact: Mary Bauer, or deliver to St. Edward Church.
Contact Info: 949.496.1572, 33926 Calle la Primavera, Dana Point
9:30am – 3:30pm Monday & Wednesdays, 9:30am – 12:30pm Friday

Loaves and Fishes, Santa Ana, a soup kitchen serving 800 homeless and working poor each Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Santa Ana. They are in need of hot cocoa (large bulk size from Smart & Final), boxes of cereal, peanut butter, $5 gift cards for Burger King, adult new socks, gently worn jackets, and new or like-new blankets.
Contact Info: 714.542.4411, Maria Dzida, Director, 727 Minter St., Santa Ana

If you have a favorite charity, let us know via email. We would be glad to mention it here in the future.

“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”