Recent Blog Posts

Selling a home in today’s market certainly has its challenges, not only in the Greater Los Angeles area, but everywhere. Let’s add seasonal factors depending on where you are selling your home.  It’s worth mentioning the holidays, having children and/or pets to what I call the ‘extras’ for planning on selling a home.  The key factor is proper preparation. (I haven’t even brought any current political concerns into the picture.)If you live in LA and are considering selling but waiting, a date to keep in mind is April 1st 2023 when Measure ULA, as passed by voters this past November, will take effect.  Measure ULA means that properties that sell above $5 million will be taxed an additional 4% after April 1st, 2023. Properties that sell over $10 million will be taxed 5.5%; this is in addit... 11/30/2022

THANK YOU to the Washington Post for covering the migration of LGBTQ folks out of red states and into safety.  Bob McCranie. (Cooper Neill for The Washington Post)Bob McCranie, 55, is a real estate broker in Dallas. He has called Texas home for more than three decades.My friends have always had Plan B’s. Some have already left for Spain, Puerto Vallarta, more liberal blue states. In May 2022, I started a real estate service to help people flee Texas. In August, I extended it to help people flee all red states, because it’s just getting started. There’s going to be migration of LGBTQ+ people, and it’s going to happen in waves, with each election, with every new law that targets our rights to just live and love like everyone else. All of our rights come from executive orders and judicial ... 11/30/2022

This post is my fourth for the November Thankful challenge.  This last one is an obvious post for me.  Family is everything to me.  I switched companies over five years ago so I could spend more time visiting family in Alabama, Kansas, Iowa and Texas!  And it's been wonderful!  My Alabama family includes my 1st daughter, a fellow realtor!  She's been "selling Huntsville, AL" for 4 1/2 years now but has just switched over to new construction.  I'm so excited for her to showcase her talents.  She has every ounce of Irish in me!  She's a mom to 3 and a grandmother!   Tasha is a wonderful mother at 23!  They are a raucous family who regularly play games and call each other out if deserved!  My 2nd daughter is a nurse in Ames, Iowa!  She is also an artist and sells her artwork frequently at ... 11/30/2022

Thank Goodness for My ActiveRain Family I want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who participated in this month's challenge. I read each and every one of your AMAZING entries and am so very thankful for each and every one of you. Some of you shared a 'silly' side of you, others were more serious and others, so deeply grateful that your posts brought tears to my eyes. I am thankful to each and every one of you for sharing you, your lives, your loves, your hearts with us this month. November is THE perfect month to publicly share how very grateful you are.I am thankful for so very much in my life - my family (including our fur babies), friends, clients, nature, home...and SO much more. As we are in our last few hours to post tonight for the challenge, I thought I would share my gratitud... 11/30/2022

Life is good if you live in the greater Los Angeles area...I was reminded today by our friend  Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho   as he sent me a great email with some wonderful photos. Needless to say, they were some Blizzard Photos and he laughed that I was complaining about putting on a sweater and a jacket when the temperatures dropped to the mid-fifties and low sixties as I walked Holly our dog.Indeed, we have no right to complain about our weather. As I looked out in our backyard and took these photos of our tangerine tree.Clearly you will agree we have no right to complain. Thank you Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho  reminding me what is important and what is not. Hope you forgive me using your photo.  Now if you are considering coming to Los Angeles, please reach out to me. Wi... 11/30/2022

There is nothing more fun than NYC at Christmas time! Geno lived in Manhattan for many years before I met him. He always liked to take me back and enjoy the sights and sounds, especially at the holidays!Thanks for the wonderful memories Geno! You always made me feel so special and loved. Miss you big guy!♥“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou  11/30/2022

Here are FREE MLS Paradise Valley Arizona homes for sale UPDATED DAILY on the day that you read this although written in December 2022. Luxurious Paradise Valley is the most expensive place to live in Arizona, the Grand Canyon State. Give me a call/text 480-242-6500 as your Buyer's Realtor if you wish to know more and have me help you find the right home at the right price. There is no cost to you to have me represent you and your best interests for homes listed on the MLS. (Photo: Panorama of Paradise Valley from town website) FREE MLS Paradise Valley Estates For Sale- ALWAYS UP TO DATE Paradise Valley Arizona homes for sale on MLS. See link for a FULL PAGE view and create your own FREE MLS Search Portal and filter your own search, ALWAYS UP TO DATE with homes that I as your Buyer's Re... 11/30/2022

Who else, like me, loved Christmas and Advent calendars as a child? Advent calendars are a fun way to teach children about the meaning of the holiday while simultaneously managing expectations, especially the question, "How many more days until Christmas?"Most Advent Calendars feature 24 openings (doors, windows or drawers)  that open up to a picture or Bible verse, and sometimes even a candy, toy or ornament. There's one opening for each day in December leading up to Christmas Eve on the 24th.When my brother and I were young, we had one Advent calendar and took alternating turns daily opening up the little doors.We felt rich when one year we each got our own Advent calendar! Then there was the year of the amazing chocolate candy Advent calendar from Switzerland that my clever Mommy Jud... 11/30/2022

Real Estate 101 11/30/2022 (Quotes to help & motivate you!)The person interested in success has to learn to view failure as a healthy, inevitable part of the process of getting to the top!Attributed to Joyce BrothersThank you for reading and commenting on my blog post! This post was researched, authored, and photo by Paul Henderson, REALTOR®, ©2008-2022, all rights reserved. All information is deemed reliable; however it should be independently verified by the reader. Any reproduction of this blog post is prohibited without the prior written permission of the author... 11/30/2022

Thank you Eric Robb for your original blog.  Marietta, Georgia, is a charming rustic city in Cobb County. Though it is technically a city, Marietta maintains a small, town-like charm that residents really love. Between the relaxed vibes, excellent schools, and proximity to vibrant and exciting downtown Atlanta, it’s pretty easy to see why you’d want to live in Marietta. But, how do you choose which is of the best neighborhoods to move to in Marietta, GA? Well, we are sharing everything you need to know about the best neighborhoods in Marietta. From the details about each neighborhood, including what you can expect, and where it’s located, to the all other small things that will help you choose the best neighborhood in Marietta, GA for you.  9 Best Neighborhoods To Move To In Marietta GA... 11/30/2022

On November 30, 2022, National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reported that nationwide pending contract signed home sales lower 4.6% to an index of 77.1 in October of 2022 from September of 2022, and fell 37.0% from October of 2021.Pending home sales index in the Northeast declined 4.3% to an index of 68.7 in October of 2022 from September 2022, but fell 29.5% from October of 2021.Pending home sales index in the Midwest lost 3.3% to an index of 83.5 in October of 2022 from September 2022, and dropped 32.1% from October of 2021.Pending home sales index in the South down 6.4% to an index of 90.6 in October of 2022 from September 2022, and decreased 38.2% from October of 2021.Pending home sales index in the West lower 11.3% to an index of 55.6 in October of 2022 from September 2022, and de... 11/30/2022

Moving OnDivorce in not easy. Even the most amicable separation is plagued with disappointment, lack of communication, and failed expectations.  In the best-case scenario, two people who are disolving their union will work together to resolve their differences productively and part ways, hopefully without drawing blood.Unavoidable, though, during the process you and your spouse's emotions will fall prey to a myriad of change as the family, marriage and shared assets are legally separated.Adding to the stress is the sale of the family home, which is typically the largest asset of the marriage. This can evoke tremendous emotions: sadness, anger, sentiment and tremendous disappointment, to name a few.  The combination of the stresses of the divorce with the sale of the family home requires... 11/30/2022

Why There Won’t Be a Flood of Foreclosures Coming to the Housing Market With the rapid shift that’s happened in the housing market this year, some people are raising concerns that we’re destined for a repeat of the crash we saw in 2008. But in truth, there are many key differences between what’s happening today and the bubble in the early 2000s. One of the reasons this isn’t like the last time is the number of foreclosures in the market is much lower now. Here’s a look at why there won’t be a wave of foreclosures flooding the market. Not as Many Homeowners Are in Trouble This Time After the last housing crash, over nine million households lost their homes due to a foreclosure, short sale, or because they gave it back to the bank. This was, in large part, because of more relaxed lending ... 11/30/2022

Fences are frequently built to provide privacy from neighbors or protection from wildlife intruders. Many of the garden fence ideas shown here are either too low or too permeable to deter peepers or grazers. They can, however, be used to mark the edges of flowerbeds or borders and provide a connecting element between them.Some can also assist in keeping mulch in place and your plants out of the path of the lawnmower. Garden fences, above all, can improve the appearance and flow of a landscape. Make sure the style and materials of your fence complement your home and garden, or they will appear unfitting rather than unifying.  MetalElegant decorative metal fencing, reminiscent of Mediterranean balconies or wrought-iron fences once used to secure the perimeter of estates, complements stucc... 11/30/2022

Your House Could Be the #1 Item on a Homebuyer’s Wish List During the Holidays Each year, homeowners planning to make a move are faced with a decision: sell their house during the holidays or wait. And others who have already listed their homes may think about removing their listings and waiting until the new year to go back on the market. The truth is many buyers want to purchase a home for the holidays, and your house might be just what they’re looking for. Here are five great reasons you shouldn’t wait to sell your house. 1. While the supply of homes for sale has increased this year, there still aren’t enough homes on the market to keep up with buyer demand. As Nadia Evangelou, Senior Economist & Director of Forecasting at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains: “There’... 11/30/2022

3 Ways You Can Use Your Home Equity If you’re a homeowner, odds are your equity has grown significantly over the last few years as home prices skyrocketed and you made your monthly mortgage payments. Home equity builds over time and can help you achieve certain goals. According to the latest Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic, the average borrower with a home loan has almost $300,000 in equity right now. As you weigh your options, especially in the face of inflation and talk of a recession, it’s important to understand your assets and how you can leverage them. A real estate professional is the best resource to help you understand how much home equity you have and advise you on some of the ways you can use it.  Here are a few examples. 1. Buy a Home That Fits Your Needs If you no lon... 11/30/2022

Are you looking for a warm, comfortable, fun place to stay? Whether you need a place for your family to sleep when visiting San Antonio or you need a hub for family gatherings, you should book Tiki Taco Casa. This lovely 4 bedroom 2.5 bathroom home is my former residence. I just launched this business and have had my first guest. They were excellent guests who came to visit family who lived in the area. They wrote a fabulous 5 Star Review: It was so spacious for our family Thanksgiving gathering. Cathy was so thoughtful when preparing her home with the essentials. The neighborhood was quiet, peacful, and wonderful to walk around with the family for a stroll. The backyard is great for entertaining and just hanging out. Everything was clean and tidy. i love the uniqueness of this house. T... 11/30/2022

A Sedona Breakfast With Santa!Santa Claus is Coming to Town!  Saturday, December 3, 2022 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. The Hub at Posse Grounds Park 525-B Posse Ground Road Sedona, AZ 86336  The city of Sedona Parks & Recreation Department is partnering with the Sedona Elks Lodge to bring you our 13th annual Breakfast with Santa. Join us for a free pancake breakfast, carols sung by the Red Rock Appella chorus, Santa's Stable of famous reindeer, and a visit with jolly St. Nick as he stops in Sedona from the North Pole.You can visit Santa from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and breakfast will be served until 9:45 a.m. Breakfast and other activities will take place at The Hub at Posse Grounds Park, 525-B Posse Ground Rd., both inside and on the outdoor patios; please dress accordingly.  NOTE: All information... 11/30/2022

Appreciation for Clients with SelectAnn.comOn this last day of November 2022, I am grateful for my clients.  To many who entrusted me to help them on the journey of buying and selling real estate, I say THANK YOU!  The time spent with each and every one has been unique and special.  Yes, there were times of stress and strain but there were more times of kindness, hopefulness and joy.  I have spent the last few weeks being thankful and delivering gifts to some of my forever clients!  All, who were home, graciously brought me into their homes and shared their stories, time and lives with me.  I feel so grateful to be a part of their lives as they create homes.  Here are a few of the gifts delivered. I am and always will be grateful for the people I have the pleasure of helping on their jo... 11/30/2022

Things that I loved the most about Thanksgiving are the times spent with my family and friends. I am truly grateful for my immediate and extended family. It gave me the opportunity to enjoy some quality time and great conversations, and even shared memories from times past. Family has always been very dear to my heart, and I was taught as a young child that families support each other. I used to always look forward to our family reunions every summer, as there was always some new cousins and family members whom I had not previously met. Yes, I am truly grateful for all my family members.  After joining Active Rain in 2011, I am truly grateful for all the friendships and experiences that I gained blogging in this professional community. I never imagined or dreamed that these relationship... 11/30/2022