The California plant of the month is the Carmel Creeper! Want to add a burst of color and fragrance to your yard? Plant the Carmel Creeper. These beautiful, aromatic and hardy plants are a member of the lilac family, and have a place in even the most water-efficient gardens.   Carmel Creeper can fulfill almost any need in your garden. It can be pruned short to be used as ground cover and it can reach heights of up to 6 feet tall if allowed to grow, making it an ideal hedge. Carmel Creeper is available with blossom colors ranging from white to lavender and dark blue. Whatever the color of the blossoms, they are strikingly set off by a background of lush, dark green leaves and fill your garden with a lovely lilac aroma.   Because Carmel Creeper is a California native, it requires only mi... 03/21/2012

LAGUNA NIGUEL MEDIAN PRICE 744K Price Trends - Sold vs. Listed-       The median list price in March for single family homes in Laguna Niguel is $744,000. The list prices increased by 1.93%from the previous month. The price per square foot for listings in this area is $338. The median sale price in January for single family homes is $588,475. The sale prices increased by 6.89%from the previous month. The price per square foot for sales in this area is $288. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAGUNA NIGUEL REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL, LAUREN SELINSKY 949-310-4960 HOMES@OCLAUREN.COM LAGUNA NIGUEL REAL ESTATE SHORT SALES SPECIALIST BUYING OR SELLING, LAGUNA NIGUEL REAL ESTATE. CALL YOUR NEIGHBORHO... 03/20/2012

    1.)    Extension cords are for temporary use   2.)    Replace cracked, frayed or stiff electrical cords   3.)    Don’t hide electrical cords under rugs or any carpets   4.)    Immediately unplug any electrical appliance that gives you a shock   5.)    Be wary of the smell of hot insulation or wiring and of electrical outlets that feel warm to touch 03/20/2012

"The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet." ~ James Oppenheim 03/20/2012

Happy St. Patrick's Day Active Rain!  I found this adorable picture circling the web, & I thought I would share it with you!  I may not be Irish, but I do enjoy some green beer! Have a wonderful day everyone & please be safe!   Irish Saying" There are many good reasons for drinking,One has just entered my head.If a man doesn't drink when he's living,How in the hell can he drink when he's dead?"     03/17/2012

  RECENT GENERATIONS FOCUS MORE ON FAME, MONEY THAN GIVING BACK   Young Adults Less Interested in Community Issues, Politics and Environment, Finds New Research   The times are changing, and not necessarily for the better when it comes to giving back to society, according to 40 years of research on 9 million young adults. Since the baby boomer generation, there has been a significant decline among young Americans in political participation, concern for others and interest in saving the environment, according to a new study published by the American Psychological Association. “Popular views of the millennial generation, born in the 1980s and 1990s, as more caring, community-oriented and politically engaged than previous generations are largely incorrect, particularly when compared to ba... 03/17/2012

  This guy, Artie, gets tired of working so hard and not getting anywhere, and seeing all these guys in the Mafia in their fine three piece suits and fancy cars, decides that he has to join the Mafia. He goes up to one of the guys and says, " I want to join the Mafia." The guy answers, " You ever kill any one for money?" Artie answers, "No." The guy says, " Well, you either got to be born into the mafia, or you gotta kill somebody for money." So Artie says, " How much will you pay me?" The guy says, " I'm not gonna pay you." Artie says, " C'mon, just pay me a dollar so I can get in." The guy says, " Okay, I'll tell you what. You kill somebody, tell me about it, and if I see it in the morning paper, I'll pay you a dollar." Artie says, " Oh thank you, thank you!" and heads off on his mis... 03/16/2012

Michael Caruso owner of Michael Caruso Real Estate Group has been recognized by the prestigious Institute for Luxury Home Marketing for the 3rd year in a row on his performance in the million-dollar and above luxury home market within Orange County, California “Real Estate professionals who have earned admittance to The Institute’s Million Dollar Guild not only have specific upper-tier market knowledge, but they also understand the unique needs of affluent buyers and sellers and recognize the importance of being discreet,” said Institute President Laurie Moore-Moore. “Whether you’re buying or selling a multi-million dollar property, you can depend upon The Institute’s Million Dollar Guild members to have the competencies necessary to help you meet your objectives.” “To have this recogn... 03/14/2012

  Perhaps you’ve seen an abandoned shopping cart not long after driving away from the grocery store. This can happen for a number of reasons, but most often, carts are taken off the store’s premises as a method of transporting the groceries home. Many people, unfortunately, fail to realize that not only does the store suffer a loss of money because of the stolen cart, but also that it is a crime! However, did you know according to California Business and Professions Code 22435.2, “It is unlawful to remove a shopping cart of laundry cart from the premises or parking area of a retail establishment with the intent to temporary or permanently deprive the owner of retailer the possession of the cart.” And now you know!   03/10/2012

  When a successful farmer died, he left everything to his devoted wife. She was a very good-looking woman, & determined to keep the farm,but knew very little about farming, so she decided to place an adin the newspaper for a farm hand. Two men applied for the job. One was gay and the other a drunk. She thought long and hard about it, and when no one else applied she decided to hire the gay guy, figuring it would be safer to havehim around the house than the drunk.   He proved to be a hard worker who put in long hours every day and knew a lot about farming. For weeks, the two of them worked, and the farm was doing very well. Then one day, the woman said to the guy, "You have done a really good job here over the last few weeks. You should go into town and have some fun." The guy readily... 03/09/2012

  Baby boomers that plan to move for retirement are looking for smaller, affordable homes that are easily accessible to medical care and near their family, according to a poll of more than 1,000 adults born between 1946 and 1964 conducted by Associated Press-LifeGoesStrong.com. Baby boomers who make more than $100,000 a year are the most likely to say they plan to buy a new home during retirement. For boomers who plan to purchase a new home, the most important factors cited in a home for retirement included: Smaller home (40%) Near medical offices or hospitals (39%) Different climate--perhaps warmer (30%) More affordable home (25%) Being closer to family (15%) About 10 percent of baby boomers said they will search for a new city to relocate to that offers more services for them in retir... 03/08/2012

    The U.S. housing market will begin to mount a turnaround this year, building toward a solid recovery in 2013, according to a forecast by the chief economist of a homebuilding industry trade group. The outlook by National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist David Crowe all call for U.S. sales of new homes and single-family home construction to improve this year compared with 2011, when they hit record lows. The forecast still leaves new home sales and construction well below levels of a healthy housing market, however. That reflects the severity of the industry's downturn, and suggests the housing market could be years away from full health. "I'm looking at 2012 as sort of a ramping event to get a much more solid recovery in 2013," Crowe said in a telephone interview. The ec... 03/07/2012

"The lives and happiness of our children, as far ahead as the mind can reach, depend on us today. If we succeed, posterity looking back will record that this was indeed man's finest hour." 03/07/2012

Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing!?  We provide the latest market updates regularly, as well as personal consultation of market direction… The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for JANUARY: The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the 0-$500,000 Range: 2012   22 listings closed escrow              2011   23 listings closed escrow             The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $500,000-$1,000,000 Range: 2012   23 listings closed escrow 2011   28 listings closed escrow The Laguna Niguel Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $1,000,000+Range: 2012  3 listings closed escrow                   2011  6 listings closed escrow                    Does a sales report tell the whole story about market environment, consumer sentiment and ... 03/06/2012

    Real Estate Predictions for 2012. It's a double edge sword.     Buyers and Sellers complain about falling prices, but I wonder if buyers realize that sometimes their thoughts and actions cause prices to fall. That's because everybody wants a smoking deal. Many buyers today want to write lowball offers. Buyers want to pay less than the last buyer paid for a similar home. They believe this way of thinking is their insurance policy against falling prices. Instead, the buyers who follow them in subsequent transactions will probably want the same deal, so you can see the pattern it establishes. Comparable home values and closed sales reports in the area don’t help the sellers either, especially with short sales claiming a big percentage of the sales volume. As long as this mentality cont... 03/06/2012

Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce 30111 Crown Valley Parkway, Suite A || Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 || (949) 363-0136 || Fax: (949) 363-9026 || lncc@lnchamber.com   Thinking of joining the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce? Call today for questions or information for the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce. Meetings are at the new City Hall of Laguna Niguel on Crown Valley Parkway Network Meetings are on Tuesdays at 11:30 and have a fee for Members $8- and Potential Members $13-   For more information email LNCC@LNChamber.com =============================================================== LAUREN SELINSKY IS A LAGUNA NIGUEL REALTOR(R) AND GIVES YOU MARKET REPORTS FOR LAGUNA NIGUEL AND LAGUNA NIGUEL REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURE LIST OR LAGUNA NIGUEL BANK OWNED PROPERTIES AS WELL. CALL NOW! 949-310... 03/05/2012

Did you know that a reverse mortgage can be used to purchase a home? The answer is yes you can and it's simple.  Example based on 65 year old borrower: Purchase Price: $500,000 Reverse Mortgage: $304,500 Down Payment: $195,500 (Cash to Close) Best of all no FICO's, No Income to qualify and know payments as long as you live in the property and maintain the taxes & insurance. Call or email me to learn more, Estimates in minutes: Toll Free: (800) 792-1904 Ex 801 or Direct: (949) 278-7200 Email: Robert.Ross@Omni-Fund.com  Website: www.SocalReverseIt.com   03/05/2012

    Spring is almost here so why not start your spring cleaning early - Start by PRE-cleaning!-          REDUCE the amount you have to clean by going through the closets, drawers, and shelves where clutter lives.  Chances are there are a few shirts with the tags still on or books you read years ago and haven't picked up since... Donate them! -          REUSE what you find in the spring cleaning process!  Your stock pile of old shopping bags can help you reorganize your closet, and you can cut down on waste by cleaning with those old towels rather than paper towels.   -          RECYCLE stacks of magazines and old electronics. Make a green cleaning kit.             Homemade, non-toxic cleaners will save cash, the environment, and your health!  Follow these easy recipes to start cleaning... 03/03/2012

  We are halfway through the first quarter of 2012. The big question in everyone's mind is whether the economy continues to grow from here, or does it slow down like it did during the spring and summer of 2011? Remember, only a few months ago we were talking about the danger of a double dip recession. A stronger finish to the year ended that talk, but still many analysts have been predicting some sort of slowdown in 2012. What could prevent such a slowdown and keep the economy on pace to strengthen through 2012? We have already introduced the "big three" factors we will be watching. Not necessarily in order or priority, these factors are employment, housing and Europe. The numbers regarding employment are encouraging. First time unemployment claims last week hit the lowest level in near... 03/02/2012

Great way to reuse and recycle your plastic soda bottles.  This would be great for school, home, apartment or office. Could easily be done for a small or large space area. Save our Earth… Think Green! Reuse, Reduce and Recycle.     Spring is almost here! Time for planting and gardening.  Have a Great and Productive Week! 02/28/2012