I had posted two months ago that I thought the time frame for a CA state notary commission would take 4 months from test to commission.I think this  time frame is incorrect and it should be approximately 8-10 weeks.If you are a notary who is re-commissioning, you will receive your commission 30 prior to the date your old commission expired.email me if you have any questions?joan.bergstrom@yahoo.comor call  951-522-4919http://www.joanbergstromnotarypublic.com 06/14/2010

Today is Flag Day. Whenever I think about the flag of the United States of America, I can't help but think about all the military personnel who fight to make Old Glory stand for something great. Not average. Not like everyone else. Great! Just a hundred miles north northeast of downtown San Diego is the Riverside National Cemetery where my father is buried, the March Air Reserve Base, and the March Field Air Museum.        Along with over 70 historic aircraft on the grounds, its location right next to March Air Reserve Base means that you could sit there all day and watch various modern aircraft take off and land. While I was there I saw the biggest airplane I've ever seen take off, circle around, and land. Seemed like a waste of gas, but quality training time for those who are willing... 06/14/2010

Real Estate Report - Riverside CA -  May 2010  Here is what was happening in houses for sale in Riverside CA houses for sale May 2010 (including the previous three months).  The number of houses for sale and the number of houses in escrow are as of June 2, 2010. These numbers are for single family houses only (no condos/townhouses).  Click here for my blog showing how the number of Riverside, CA houses for sale  has dropped significantly in the last year or so.  92501 May  2010 Apr 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 # of houses for sale 59 59 57 65 # of houses in escrow 69 60 66 65 # of sold houses 17 27 20 10 Average list price  $166,706 $164,630 $170,540 $185,055 Average sold price  $165,771 $163,513 $169,826 $177,555   92503 May 2010 Apr 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 # of houses for sale 224 197 202 21... 06/02/2010

Customer service ain't dead!  I was out and about today, performing various duties, when I decided to stop and have lunch at the Cafe Nordstrom.  It was a nice, sunny, Southern California afternoon.  Since we were experiencing a slight breeze, I decided to sit out on the patio.  In a couple of weeks, it will be too hot and stifling to do so.  I was reminded why Nordstrom has such a high reputation for customer service.  The wait staff made sure to check on me every few minutes to make sure I was OK and check to see if I needed anything.  Before I even got to the bottom of my glass, the waiter was out there with a carafe of what I was drinking (no, it wasn't wine or any alcohol) to fill my drink back to the rim.  And, when I was ready to leave, he promptly brought a "to-go" box to wrap ... 06/01/2010

Our long family weekend, ended as it should have with a visit to my parents' gravesite at Riverside National Cemetery.   My father was a career Air Force Officer and my mother served in the Women's Army Corps.  My father earned the Legion of Merit along with several medals, and although a Harvard MBA with honors, he elected to serve his country instead of working in the private sector.   I am blessed to have been their child and there isn't a day that I don't miss them or think of something to share with them.  Today is Memorial Day and my husband, children and I felt honored to have been at the Cemetery today.  Every single grave site had a flag placed on it, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier's flag was at half-mast, there were fly-overs of a variety of Air Force planes, passing motorcyc... 05/31/2010

Riverside CA Short Sales How many Riverside short sales are there? As of May 29, 2010 there are 1098 active listings of houses and condos for sale on the multiple listing service in Riverside California. 462 of those are short sales (42% of the total).  Short sales continue to be a significant portion of the real estate market and there are fewer bank-owned houses (or REO’s) for sale.  Of the 1098 total houses on the market, only 167 are bank owned (15%).  Distressed sales (or bank-owned and short sales) make up about 57% of the market.  Click here to learn more about the current Riverside real estate market.  In the last 30 days, there have been 159 short sales that sold and 158 bank-owned houses that sold.  Compare this to the same time last year when only 70 short sales sold and 408 ... 05/29/2010

Riverside FHA Loans - VanDyk Mortgage - California FHA Lender & FHA Jumbo Lender.   VanDyk Mortgage is your source for FHA Loans and FHA Jumbo Loans in Riverside.  We have been making FHA loans since 1987.  VanDyk Mortgage is a Direct Lender.  We offer many loan programs for Riverside Homebuyers and Riverside Homeowners to Purchase and refinance homes.. FHA Loans -available up to $417,000 FHA Jumbo - available up to $500,000 (aka High Balance) Riverside FHA Loans are available up to $500,000 with a 3.5% down payment.  The FHA 2011 Loan Limit for Riverside county is $500,00.   Riverside FHA Loans that are over $417K up to $500,000 are called FHA Jumbo or FHA High Balance loans. Here are some links to local Riverside information: Riverside City Website Riverside Crime Maps Riverside Stati... 05/29/2010

Chili Cook-off & Car/Cycle Show Looking for something fun to do this weekend?  How about joining the Arlington Business Partnership at their 8th annual Chili Cook-off and Car show! When: May 29, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Where: On Magnolia from Van Buren to Jackson, Arlington Village, Riverside Some of the featured events include chili tasting from 11:30 - 2:30, food, craft fair, car/cycle show and a beer garden!  There will be refreshments & entertainment for the kids including a Little Mr. Hot Sauce and a Little Miss Chili Peppers Contest! For more information please call 951-509-1100 Don't miss the 8th Annual Chili Cook-off & Car/Cycle Show! 05/27/2010

I saw this the other morning while driving around.  It struck me so much, I made a U-turn and came back to take a picture.  So THIS is the REAL definition of ASAP:   Love, love, LOVE IT!  Churches can say alot in such a small amount of space.  Imagine what they could do with Twitter! Heather Chavez, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around! 05/26/2010

If you are looking to purchase a home in the beautiful city of Riverside, California, there are quite a few communities to choose from, which of course depends on your preference. For easy freeway access, all communities are just minutes away from interstate 91/60/215.    Some of the communities are as follows: Highgrove Indian Hills Orange Crest La Sierra and Lake Matthews Canyon Crest Arlington Indian Hills Woodcrest Please visit my website: http://www.davidmccloskeyrealestate.net for a list of homes currently up for sale in each of these communities and more. I welcome the opportunity to work with you towards a home purchase or sale.  David A. McCloskey - Let's Make It Happen...NOW! Coldwell Banker-Town & Country Claremont, California http://www.davidmccloskeyrealestate.net davidmccl... 05/24/2010

    Today's business review is focused on SpinTech. Small Business growth is vital for economic growth and a major hurdle with today's economy. SpinTech is based in Southern California and produces a wide variety of performance mufflers and exhaust components.  Customer service with questions and product delivery was fantastic. My previous exhaust had developed a nasty rattle at idle in gear, and interior noise levels grew as the muffler reached the end of its life. Conversation on speaker phone while driving lacked clarity to say the least. Cabin drone (noise) was also a major concern. Installed it was remarkably quiet at idle both outside/inside ............. did I make the right choice? YES! Cabin drone issues vanished compared to the previous performance exhaust it replaced. Convers... 05/21/2010

When my husband asked me where I wanted to go to eat lunch today, the first thing that popped into my head was Sub Station (3663 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, CA).  If you're from the area, you are well aware of what Sub Station has to offer.  If you're not, well, first I have to say "Sucks to be you."  And then I would have to say that Sub Station has the BEST sandwiches in Riverside, CA.  Dare I say, they have the best sandwiches in the county?  Yes.  I dare.  In fact, I'll go even further to tell you that Sub Station has quite possibly the best sandwiches in Southern California.  They are THAT good! Begun in 1972, Sub Station has been on the University of Riverside campus since gas cost $0.33/gallon and a brand new Volkswagen Bug cost $2200.  They're almost as old as I am.  They ha... 05/15/2010

Rental Needed in Riverside for a single Mom with a great job.  She loves Canyon Crest and the "wood" streets!  They do have a dog.  We're set to close escrow on the sale of their house on June 11th and I need your help in finding her a rental home. Please contact me immediately if you have something currently available or coming up in the next few weeks. I know that, together, we can make this an Active Rain Success Story!  Did you know you get 500 points for an Active Rain Success Story?  Together we are better! 05/11/2010

Houses for Sale in Riverside CA - How Many Are There? Riverside CA houses for sale - The number of houses for sale or sometimes referred to as "inventory" is a critical component of any real estate market. The low inventory of available houses continues to stay about the same levels as it has been over the last number of months but is greatly reduced from late in 2008.   Read my post on current real estate activity in Riverside by ZIP code. The decline in houses for sale in Riverside CA from October 2008 to April 2010 is more than 64%. With the low housing prices and low interest rates, there continue to be lots of home buyers in Riverside CA right now.  With all the competition for the houses for sale, it is no wonder that these buyers are having a hard time getting their offers accept... 05/11/2010

Sierra Heights Riverside, CA New Homes for Sale  Sierra Heights is a development of in the southwestern part of Riverside, California in zip code 92503. It is just off La Sierra Avenue south of the 91 freeway. Turn left off La Sierra at McAllister Parkway. The builder is Standard Pacific. (I would like to note here that I do not work for nor am I associated with Standard Pacific.) When completed there were will be 103 single family homes in Sierra Heights. It is the sister community to Sierra Bella (Lennar Homes).  The home sizes range from 3,138 sq feet up to 4,314 sq ft approximately with the minimum lot size of 15,000 sq ft - but averaging over 20,000 sq ft. There are no mello roos taxes here and the tax rate for this development is about 1.2%. There are HOA fees of approximately $26... 05/10/2010

Houses for Sale Riverside CA - April  2010 Report Here is what is happening in residential real estate in Riverside CA houses for sale April 2010 (including the previous three months).  The number of houses for sale and the number of houses in escrow is as of April 5, 2010. These numbers are for single family houses and don't include condo/townhouse sales.  Click here for my blog showing how the number of Riverside CA houses for sale  has dropped significantly in the last year or so.  92501  Apr 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010 # of houses for sale 59 57 65 74 # of houses in escrow 60 66 65 46 # of sold houses 27 20 10 23 Average list price  $164,630 $170,540 $185,055 $164,296 Average sold price  $163,513 $169,826 $177,555 $164,609   92503 Apr 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010 # of houses ... 05/07/2010

Lake Hills Reserve - Real Estate Activity Here is the latest information about the real estate market in Lake Hills Reserve - Riverside California. These numbers for Lake Hills Reserve are as of 5/5/2010.  Active listings    There are only five homes listed on the multiple listing service now.  Of those five homes, one is a standard sale, one is bank-owned and three are short sales.  These homes range in price from $374,000 for a 3450 sq ft home up to $550,000 for a 4576 sq ft home.  Two months ago there were 20 homes for sale in Lake Hills Reserve.  It is apparent that the inventory of homes for sale has really shrunk.    Here are the active listings in Lake Hills Reserve as of 5/5/2010. Listings in escrow    There are only four homes in escrow right now in Lake Hills Reserve.  Of thos... 05/05/2010

Wienerfest 2010 Do you love dogs?  Do you love wienerdogs? Who doesn't right? This Saturday, May 8th, Fairmount Park in Riverside, California will be hosting Wienerfest 2010.  Join the crowd and watch some Dachshunds competing in races and costume contests.  There will be food booths, entertainment, and Councilman Mike Gardner judging the "best in show" costume.  You can also catch a trolley ride to and from the event. for more information call 951-233-2413   Spread the word. Tweet about this! Cameron Novak Riverside Short Sale Agents The Homefinding CenterTM Serving Riverside, California and Surrounding Areas 951-212-7479 The Homefinding Center on Facebook 05/05/2010

Riverwalk - Riverside CA Riverwalk in Riverside is a beautiful community in the southwestern part of Riverside, California. It is in a convenient location close to the 91 freeway, near Pierce and Collett.  Find out more about Riverwalk here. Current Real Estate Activity in Riverwalk as of August 11, 2010.  There are a lot of short sales in Riverwalk at this time. There are currently 23 homes listed as active on the multiple listing service. 13 are short sales, three are standard sales and three are bank-owned houses (REO's).  The least expensive home for sale in Riverwalk right now is listed at $199,000. The most expensive home is a 4252 sq ft house listed for $460,000.   There are 28 houses in Riverwalk that are in escrow at this time.  There are 20 short sales, four bank-owned houses ... 05/05/2010

Victoria Grove -  A Terrific Neighborhood in Riverside CA Victoria Grove is a wonderful neighborhood in the southwestern part of Riverside, California. It is located south on La Sierra Avenue just north of Lake Mathews. Part of this community is between El Sobrante and Blackburn and the other part is on the other side of Blackburn.  My husband and I have many friends who live here.  We have sold a lot of homes here have also helped some wonderful people purchase homes in Victoria Grove.  It has many wonderful amenities for the residents  (which I describe briefly later) and even better are the amazing people who live in this neighborhood. Victoria Grove is in a terrific location - not far from the 91 freeway in Riverside and with easy, quick access to Corona Crossings and Dos Logos in C... 05/05/2010