Snow Pictures to Enjoy We have been experiencing arctic frigid cold weather for the past week but thank goodness it has subsided and now we can just enjoy playing in the snow, enjoying the views, and perhaps going outside to make snowmen. Here are some pictures from Pennsylvania, Utah, and California.   Thanks for Reading my Blog California is a dream-come-true state no matter what your needs or wants are. We have year round warm weather, beautiful beaches, rustic mountains and desert communities. If you are looking for a home in Southern California, please contact me. I am a local California Realtor, live in the Inland Empire community and am aware of the local market. I am here to help you find a home or to sell the home you currently own. California has great opportunities to view Na... 01/11/2014

Questions and Answers Regarding Sellers Having Open Houses Being an experienced agent, I believe it is important to have open houses at least once or twice. I normally have a lender with me who can qualify anyone who walks in and has questions regarding the payments how much they have to put down to start the transaction. Below is some questions that many of my sellers ask me so I thought I would share the questions and answers. Should we do open houses Yes, I think it is important to advertise to the area that your home is for sale. At least one per weekend and if you and your Realtor are flexible maybe two until your home sells. We heard that the neighbors show up and want to snoop around so we don’t want our agent to have one. Yes, sometimes the neighbors will come in and look around... 01/10/2014

My Top 20 ActiveRain Posts....Posts That Keep on Giving to Readers     Date Title Clicks 1. 06/24/2013  6 Apps that Real Estate Agents Cannot Afford to be Without   14,177 2. 05/28/2012   What Happens if my House Doesn’t Appraise for the Full Price?   10,179 3. 07/04/2011  Trivia Questions & Answers- 4th of July   9,521 4. 02/05/2013  Wish List for my Website.....Help   9,225 5. 06/19/2011  #1 Real Estate Queston; Define A Bedroom   5,223 6. 04/02/2012  2 Good Photo Editing Substitutes for PICNIK and they are FREE   3,994 7. 01/24/2013  US Postage Rates Increasing on January 27, 2013   2,484 8. 08/20/2011  Watch Out for Rattlesnakes...Calling Dr. Sean Bush aka "The Snake Doctor"   2,431 9. 09/23/2012  Space Shuttle Endeavor’s Final Flight over Huntington Beach, Calif.   2,282 10. 08/05/... 01/09/2014

Landscaping with Succulents-A Popular Trend Being a Realtor, I am always driving into neighborhoods and shopping centers and over the past couple of years have seen succulents used to landscape area that once was exclusively covered by flowers and shrubs. Succulents can grow in sandy soil and take very little care or water. Nursery's are very excited about the changing trends. Many thought succulents could thrive in hot climates but that is not the case as there are used and planted all over the United States and beyond. Even if they die off during the snow season, many come back the next year even bigger than before. Succulents thrive on low water so if you have an area of runoff where everything keeps dying off, try putting some succulents there instead. Here is one I saw yesterday an... 01/05/2014

Rooster & Chicken Escaping the Chicken Coop I drive by this house everyday and sometimes see the chicken outside but today they were running down the street escaping from the chicken coop!   Thanks for Reading my Blog   California Real Estate Agent- Kristin Hamilton. Inland Empire; San Bernardino, Highland, Redlands, Loma Linda, Colton, Yucaipa, Rialto, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Chino, Riverside, Montclair, Calimesa, Beaumont, Moreno Valley, Palm Springs, La Quinta, Palm Desert, and SB Mountains and other cites too.   Homeowners. Please call me for a Comprehensive Market Analysis to assist you with marketing your home for sale and getting the best price possible.Buyers, if you are planning to purchase real estate, let me assist you in finding the right home.     ... 01/03/2014

5 Qualities Buyers Like About Their Realtors Thanks for Reading my Blog Kristin Hamilton BRE #01492138 Keller Williams Realty –WCR Member– I am a full time agent and deal in all types of real estate transactions. Trusts, Probate, Short Sales, Standard Listing, Single Family Homes, Apartments 1-4 units, Duplexes and Condos. I am also an experienced REO agent. I sell real estate in the Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties. I am a trained and experienced Short Sale agent. If you are looking for a professional and experienced agent, I am just a click away. Google me at Kristin Hamilton-Real Estate Agent. Homeowners and Buyers both will find my services top notch and successful. Call me to sell your home; both traditional and short sales. Subscribe to my blog; “Kristin... 01/01/2014

New Year’s Eve Ball in NYC....Enjoy Some History About our Traditions   In 1904, this was the first time people celebrated New Years Eve in One Times Square in New York. The first New Year’s Eve Ball lowering celebration atop One Times Square was in 1907. It was made of iron and wood, weighed 700 pounds, and was covered with 100 light bulbs. Fireworks had been banned so the lights would shine over the city.   The New York Times owned the building where the tower is located but moved to another location in 1914. The NY Times retained this property but finally sold it in 1961 to a developer.   In 1920, a 400-pound iron Ball replaced the iron and wood Ball.   In 1942 and 1943, the ball did not drop as due to wartime restrictions, the lights stayed off. People still came to the site and sto... 12/30/2013

Snowmen and a Little History     Is the ‘Snowman’ a Christmas decoration or does it stand for something else? You start seeing snowmen decorations in late November or early December and are usually stuffed snow people to decorate the house or are Christmas tree decorations so that would make you think it is only a holiday figure.       Most of us put snowmen out for the Christmas holiday but if you live in the snow, kids start making snowmen long before Christmas. I remember living in North Dakota and we would make snowmen about 8 months out of the year and they proudly were displayed in our front and backyards.     So when the weather gets really cold and it snows, kids and their parents are outside making a snowman and decorating them with hats, scarves, carrot noses, coal eyes, tree ... 12/29/2013

2013 Challenge- No Big Deal I Say I had an old friend that I had sold several homes to who called me and said they referred me a nice couple who were looking to buy a new home. She had given them my name and phone number and they would be calling soon. We met and I set up a search for them. We looked at about 10 homes before they found the perfect house. I negotiated a good deal and we were in escrow. Easy transaction I thought!   We are in escrow and they inform me that they are going out of town for a week. This couple had come from another state and had left to visit while their daughter delivered her first baby so we had started electronic signatures. For some reason they had problems and couldn't scan or fax either so it had been very difficult completing the escrow instructions an... 12/27/2013

2013 Song Theme Challenge - She Works Hard for Her Money Earlier in my real estate career, sales were fast and ample buyers and sellers. Then the market collapsed and I turned my focus on Foreclosed Homes but now the market has improved and short sales are the focus so I work hard for my clients to get every short sale closed. Working with the owners of underwater homes can be difficult as they are scared and usually emoitional and want to trust their Realtor but are afraid that the bank or banks will not cooperate. I am careful not to make promises until I can get a feel from the bank. Many hours of emails, supplying documents over and over and giving support to the homeowners is all part of the short sale process but when we recieve the email letter that says "The bank has approved yo... 12/27/2013

My "ME" Agreement for my Business in 2014 Recently, I had a transaction and I used digital signatures for every page of the contract except for a few disclosures where the seller had to check boxes and write in comments. At the end of the transaction, the client left and went to China and had to send me back 2 pages and suprisingly it worked just fine. It was a wonderful experience and very simple for the client. The other agent and his client also used digital signatures and it went extremely smoothly. Now, it the past, I have used digital signatures and the lady had problems getting it large enough so the system is much better as well. By the end of the transaction, I was having fun creating the documents, adding the initials ad signature areas and was pleased when it was returned. Ye... 12/23/2013

STEER me to the Pumpkins The Pumpkin Patch and the Christmas Tree Farm (same place) is located in Yucaipa off the Oak Glen Road exit. Their grounds have thousands of pumpkins growing in the fields even after Halloween is over. So what do they do with these thousands of pumpkins still growing in the fields? They bring their cows in to eat them. So a few weeks ago, I noticed the owners of the Christmas Tree Farm had put a herd of cows out in the patch. I think this is a great way to get rid of the pumpkins and feed the cows healthy food too. This morning, I finally got a chance to pull over and snap a few pictures as they are on the side of the freeway.   Thanks for Reading my Blog...... California is a dream-come-true state no matter what your needs or wants are. We have year round warm ... 12/23/2013

Yucaipa Christmas Tree Farm at Live Oak Drive for Trees and Gifts   Stop in for a tree, gifts, decorations and lots of fun for the entire family. Live Oak Canyon Christmas Tree Farm 32335 Live Oak Canyon Rd. 10 Frwy at Live Oak Canyon Rd. in Yucaipa www.liveoakcanyon.com 909-795-TREE (8733)                     Thanks for Reading my Blog 12/22/2013

Moo- It's Cold in the Snow Sent to me from a friend in Idaho on their ranch. Thanks for Reading my Blog   California has great opportunities to view Nature and Bird Watching. Whatever your needs are, you will find it here in California! From the Inland Empire you are 45 minutes to the beaches, mountains or desert. Housing is affordable in the Inland Empire area! Kristin Hamilton BRE #01492138 Keller Williams Realty – I am a full time agent and deal in all types of real estate transactions. Trusts, Probate, Short Sales, Standard Listing, Single Family Homes, Apartments 1-4 units, Duplexes and Condos. I am also an experienced REO agent. I sell real estate in the Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties. I am a trained and experienced Short Sale agent. If you are looking... 12/08/2013

1st Annual Yucaipa Winterfest on November 30, 2013 1st Annual Yucaipa Winterfest on November 30, 2013 This event is going to be a lot of fun for the entire community and I am planning to attend and bring my family. Put this on your calendar today and bring your camera to take memorable pictures maybe even one for the X-Mas card.   Thanks for Reading my Blog   California is a dream-come-true state no matter what your needs or wants are. We have year round warm weather, beautiful beaches, rustic mountains and desert communities. If you are looking for a home in Southern California, please contact me. I am a local California Realtor, live in the Inland Empire community and am aware of the local market. I am here to help you find a home or to sell the home you currently own. California has ... 11/25/2013

Free Turkeys in the Inland Empire- 2 More Dates and Locations Free Turkeys in the Inland Empire- 2 More Dates and Locations. We, the East Valley Association of Realtors, gave away 450 turkeys and all the fixings on Saturday but we still have 2 more dates/locations for the turkeys.       Monday, November 25th-Yucaipa Office 12592 California Street Yucaipa CA 92399   Tuesday, Novemer 26th-Beaumont -6th Street & Magnolia, Beaumont CA   Thanks for Reading my Blog Kristin Hamilton  DRE #014092138 Keller Williams Realty -I sell real estate in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties commonly called the Inland Empire. I am a trained and experienced Short Sale agent. If you are looking for a professional and experienced agent, I am just a click away. Google me at Kristin Hamilton-Real Estate Agent... 11/24/2013

How Many Birds Can Hang Out on the Lamp Post?   How about 1 bird?   How about 2 birds?   Well, how about 8 birds? And guess why they are huddled up there....a Red-Tailed Hawk who is lurking over the area looking for a treat? Do they think safety in numbers will save them? Maybe...... Thanks for Reading my Blog   California is a dream-come-true state no matter what your needs or wants are. We have year round warm weather, beautiful beaches, rustic mountains and desert communities. If you are looking for a home in Southern California, please contact me. I am a local California Realtor, live in the Inland Empire community and am aware of the local market. I am here to help you find a home or to sell the home you currently own. California has great opportunities to view Nature and Bird Watc... 11/17/2013

Nature is there for our Appreciation       While out walking this morning, I came across this abandoned hummingbird nest. It was so sweet so I just had to take a picture.                                 Then I spotted this red-tailed hawk and he was close enough to get a good photo.                       Thanks for Reading my Blog     11/15/2013

  November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month   Here's How YOU Can Support YouthHope:   GO TO: Queen Bean Caffe and/or Dairy Queen located at 12045 5th Street, Yucaipa, 92399   ON: THIS Friday, November 15th between 3 - 9 pm   ORDER: Purchase your order and mention "YOUTHHOPE"   SUPPORT: 20% of all orders made at this fundraising time will benefit YouthHope! Thanks for Reading my Blog 11/12/2013

Fallen Hummingbird Saved to Fly Again Fallen Hummingbird Saved to Fly Again   A few days ago I was in the kitchen and I heard a thud. Now I have heard this thud before and it usually means a bird has hit my french doors and sometimes it with disasterous results but luckily when I went outside, there was a beautiful hummingbird just laying on the patio.     Of course, I ran and grabbed my camera and then went to work to try and revive the little bird. I keep Q-Tips in my craft box nearby so I grabbed one and started rubbing the birds neck. At first the bird would not look at me but started falling me with its eyes. Then its wings started fluttering and before I knew it, it took off and landed on a cup on my barbecue.     After a couple of minutes, away it went off to find new flowers and... 11/08/2013