Thursday, June 14, 2012

5 (Five) Tips for Selecting the Right Luxury Real Estate Agent

 Five Tips for Selecting the Right Luxury Real Estate Agent in San Diego and Orange County


You've made the decision to buy or sell a luxury home in Southern California (such as in 
 and now it's time to select the real estate professional who can best assist you. Not all good agents operate effectively in the upper-tier market. It is a market segment that requires special competencies. Here are some general guidelines for choosing an agent to help you in the upper-tier residential marketplace:
  1. Look for market knowledge and real estate skills. Not only should your agent know the city or area you are interested in, he or she should be knowledgeable about the price range you've targeted. A luxury home expert should be able to discuss the amount of inventory available, the average number of days a property is on the market before going under contract, the number of sales in the last 90 days, and the list to sales price ratio, all by price range. The more knowledgeable the agent is about the upper-tier market, the more valuable he or she can be as a resource for you. When you schedule your first meeting with a prospective agent, let the agent know you want an overview of the market conditions based on price range. A solid track record of success is also a clear indicator of market savvy. Don't choose an agent based on country club membership, the kind of car he or she drives, or similar criteria. Do choose your agent based on the answer to the question, "Does this agent have the skills and resources necessary to help me accomplish my real estate goals?"
  2. Notice special luxury affiliations and designations and ask what they mean. To zero in on professionals who specialize in the fine homes and estates market, look at an agent's memberships and designations. Many real estate brands and companies offer special recognition to their associates who work successfully in the luxury market. Some firms have special luxury marketing programs available to their agents. All these memberships, affiliations and credentials add credibility and may provide access to networks and marketing tools designed for luxury properties. Also, know that agents who are Members of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing have met strict education requirements. Those who have also earned our Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™ (CLHMS) designation and Million Dollar Guild™ recognition are experienced agents with a well documented track record of success.
  3. If you are selling, ask that the listing presentation include a specific marketing plan for your property. Don't assume that the best marketing plan is always the most expensive. Listen to why the agent has included each element of the plan. Be sure that your home will be promoted Online as well as in more traditional ways. If the home is very expensive or the buyer is likely to come from outside the area, a luxury home magazine may be an important part of the plan. Recognize that the marketing plan in a fast-moving sellers' market will differ from the plan to be implemented in a slower buyers' market. Your agent should outline his or her proposed plan and explain it. Look at the quality of the marketing pieces the agent has used in the past as part of your evaluation process. Some agents will have access to special luxury home marketing systems with special marketing pieces that add value to their toolkit.
  4. If you are selling, don't let an agent "buy" your business. Choosing an agent based on the highest suggested list price is counterproductive if the house is overpriced. The agent doesn't set the price-the marketplace does. If your home goes on the market as an overpriced listing, agents and their prospects will quickly move on to other properties that offer more value relative to cost. Will they come back if the price goes down? In many cases, no.
  5. Rapport and clear communication are important. Buying and selling can be stressful. Choosing an agent with whom you communicate clearly will help simplify the process. Be sure he or she understands your needs and expectations and that you understand the process and the agent's expectations of you.
    6. In short, specialized knowledge + quality tools + clear communication = an agent who can deliver the results you want in the luxury home arena.
Now you're in luck, I am qualified members of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. Let's talk marketing!



“Now I can’t guarantee I can buy your house, but if you take advantage of my free 10 minute consultation I’ll give you the best solution for your property-even if it doesn’t involve my company.”


Angélique Kenney | Realtor® for Professional Athletes, CRS, GRI, e-Pro, SFR, ILHM member, SSR 

+1.760.282.4663 (Last 4 Spells "HOME") | Email me | http://SDandOChomes.com

Follow me online or just learn more"about me":
Facebook RE Ι Facebook Sport ★ Ι Twitter Ι LinkedIn Ι Yelp Ι Active Rain Ι YouTube Ι Blog

 *2011 PRUDENTIAL HONOR SOCIETY AWARD WINNER*

International Properties | Luxury Estates Certified | Corporate, Athletes & Military Relocation Specialist  | Fluent in French | CA DRE#01846783, ID, HI
Prudential California Realty 7030 Avenida Encinas | Suite 100 | Carlsbad, CA, 92011 | USA
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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast

Here is an article I came across on linked-in earlier today...
What are your thoughts?
What do you do before breakfast San Diego?

 What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast


BY LAURA VANDERKAM | 06-12-2012 | 8:00 AM
This article is written by a member of our expert contributor community.

Mornings are a great time for getting things done. You’re less likely to be interrupted than you are later in the day. Your supply of willpower is fresh after a good night’s sleep. That makes it possible to turn personal priorities like exercise or strategic thinking into reality.
But if you’ve got big goals--and a chaotic a.m. schedule--how can you make over your mornings to make these goals happen?
Because I write about time management frequently, I’ve gotten to see hundreds of calendars and schedules over the years. From studying people’s morning habits, I’ve learned that getting the most out of this time is a five-part process. Follow these steps, though, and you’re on your way to building morning habits that stick.
1. Track Your Time
Part of spending your time better is knowing how you’re spending it now. If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you know that nutritionists tell you to keep a food journal because it keeps you from eating mindlessly. It’s the same with time. Write down what you’re doing as often as you can. Use my spreadsheet, a Word document, or a pad and pen.
While you measuring your mornings, try tracking your whole week. The reason? The solution to morning dilemmas often lies at other times of the day. You may be too tired because you’re staying up late. But if you look at how you’re spending your nights, you’ll notice that you’re not doing anything urgent. The Daily Show can be recorded and watched earlier--possibly while you’re on the treadmill at 6:30 a.m.
As for the mornings themselves, you can be organized but still not be spending them well. Question your assumptions. You may believe that “a man who wants to keep his job gets into the office before his boss” because that’s what your father did, but your boss may be disappointed that he doesn’t get the place to himself for an hour first! If you decide that something is a top priority, do it, but understand that we have to do few things in life.
2. Picture the Perfect Morning
After you know how you’re spending your time, ask yourself what a great morning would look like. For me, it would start with a run, followed by a hearty family breakfast. After getting people out the door, I’d focus on long-term projects like my books. Here are some other ideas for morning enrichment:

For personal growth:
  • Read through a religious text: Sacred texts can teach us about human nature and history, even if they’re not from a religion you subscribe to. If they are, pray or meditate and get to know your beliefs in a deeper way.
  • Train for something big: Aiming to complete a half-marathon, a triathlon, or a long bike ride will keep you inspired as you take your fitness to the next level.
  • Do art projects with your kids:. Mornings don’t have to be a death march out the door. Enjoy your time with your little ones at a time of day when you all have more patience.
For professional growth:
  • Strategize: In an age of constant connectivity, people complain of having no time to think. Use your mornings to picture what you want your career and organization to look like in the future.
  • Read articles in professional journals: Benefit from other people’s research and strategic thinking, and gain new insights into your field.
  • Take an online class: If a job or career change is in your future, a self-paced class can keep your skills sharp.
3. Think Through the Logistics
How could this vision mesh with the life you have? Don’t assume you have to add it on top of the hours you already spend getting ready or that you’ll have to get to work earlier. If you fill the morning hours with important activities you’ll crowd out things that are more time intensive than they need to be. Map out a morning schedule. What time would you have to get up and what time do you need to go to bed to get enough sleep? As for the mornings themselves, what would make your ritual easier? Do you need to set your easel next to your bed? Can you find a more cheerful alarm clock or one you can’t turn off so easily?
It’s easy to believe our own excuses, particularly if they’re good ones. Come up with a plan and assemble what you need, but whatever you do, don’t label this vision as impossible
4. Build the Habit
This is the most important step. Turning a desire into a ritual requires willpower. Use these fives steps to optimize your routine:
  • Start slowly: Go to bed and wake up fifteen minutes earlier for a few days until this new schedule seems doable.
  • Monitor your energy: Building a new habit takes effort, so take care of yourself while you’re trying. Eat right, eat enough, and surround yourself with supportive people who want to see you succeed.
  • Choose one new habit at a time to introduce: If you want to run, pray, and write in a journal, choose one of these and make it a habit before adding another.
  • Chart your progress: Habits take weeks to establish, so keep track of how you’re doing for at least thirty days. Once skipping a session feels like you forgot something--like forgetting to brush your teeth--you can take your ritual up a notch.
  • Feel free to use bribery: Eventually habits produce their own motivation, but until then, external motivations like promising yourself concert tickets can keep you moving forward. And keep in mind that your morning rituals shouldn’t be of the self-flagellation variety. Choose things you enjoy: your before-breakfast ritual has the potential to become your favorite part of the day.
5. Tune Up as Necessary
Life changes. Sometimes we have to regroup, but the goal is to replace any rituals that no longer work with new ones that make you feel like every day is full of possibility.
That is ultimately the amazing thing about mornings--they always feel like a new chance to do things right. A win scored then creates a cascade of success. The hopeful hours before most people eat breakfast are too precious to be blown on semiconscious activities. You can do a lot with those hours. Whenever I’m tempted to say I don’t have time for something, I remind myself that if I wanted to get up early, I could. These hours are available to all of us if we choose to use them.
So how would you like to use your mornings? This important question requires careful thinking. But once you decide, small rituals can accomplish great things. When you make over your mornings, you can make over your life. That is what the most successful people know.
Excerpted from What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam by arrangement with Portfolio Penguin, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc., Copyright © 2012 by Laura Vanderkam. Follow her on Twitter.
[Image: Flickr user Arvind Grover]
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Monday, June 11, 2012

Fierce competition due to shortage of properties for sale in Southern California


Shortage of homes for sale creates fierce competition!

(If you don't care about reading this article, check the bottom of the page to see the homes for sale/values in your area.)

At least I'm not the only one to get you warned! I've told my clients for months now, ever since September 2011, I saw the trend growing and effectively.
Lesser and lesser homes listed, more competition, less time listed on the market and more offers and multiples offer situations.
Not just in the entry level and for the 1st time home buyers but here in San Diego,CA, and south orange county, we've been having this trend growing rapidly. While some buyers where sitting on the fence debating when the price will drop lower or when the interest rate will be reduced, the savvy buyers pulled the trigger and swooped up the well priced homes and are enjoying the low interest rates. Some of my clients have not just closed escrow on a new home in North county or south san diego county but also have already refinanced their already low loan!
Smart way to take advantage of the low rates and save money to pay off debt faster! Way to go!


Here is below the article I saw advertised on Linked-in and the http://www.latimes.com...


With housing inventory at a low, would-be buyers are scrambling to bid on homes before they're even listed, and real estate agents are vying to represent the few sellers that do exist.


House for sale
During an open house event, a steady stream of real estate brokers flows through a three-bedroom bungalow for sale in Los Angeles’ Highland Park area. (Allen J. Schaben, Los Angeles Times / June 7, 2012)


By Alejandro Lazo, Los Angeles Times
June 10, 2012


The newest problem for the slowly improving housing market isn't a shortage of serious buyers, it's a shortage of good homes.

Would-be buyers are packing open houses and scrambling to make offers on properties before they are even listed. Bidding wars are erupting. And real estate agents are vying fiercely to represent the few sellers that do exist.

Housing inventory has sunk to levels not seen since the bubble years. The number of American homes with a "for sale" sign hit 2.5 million in April, the lowest number for an April since 2006, according to the National Assn. of Realtors.

David Dennick, who lives in Echo Park and works as a television editor, has been searching for a home with his wife, Denise, for about two months. The couple have already bid on three properties. They are hoping to find a home for less than $525,000, which is $25,000 more than they originally had hoped to spend.

"It is much more competitive than we thought," said Dennick, standing in the entrance of an Eagle Rock open house on a recent Sunday. "It is just frustrating because we thought we would really be able to buy a house; we are a middle-class family."

The sharp drop in inventory along with rock-bottom interest rates have helped stabilize even some of the hardest-hit markets, including the Southland, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Miami. Some real estate professionals are concerned that the lack of inventory might turn off potential buyers, stifling the recent recovery in home sales.

The much-predicted foreclosure wave that was expected to dump more homes onto the market has not materialized. Fewer borrowers are entering default, and banks are better managing the properties they do have on their books.

In addition, professional investors bankrolled by private equity firms and hedge funds are pouncing on bank-owned homes, often turning them into rentals.

A dearth of new construction also is constraining supply. In April — the most recent month for which figures are available — the number of completed new single-family homes available for sale stood at 46,000, the lowest level since the Census Bureau began keeping track in 1973. Some 70,000 were under construction, also near historic lows.

The inventory problem has been exacerbated by the plunge in home prices since the go-go years. Many people who bought at the top of the cycle are so deeply underwater, they can't get the price they need to sell and are therefore not bothering to put their homes on the market.

"We know negative equity holds back home sales, but it also holds back the listing of sales," said Sam Khater, an economist with CoreLogic, a company that tracks the mortgage market. "Today it is holding the market back."

The lack of available homes is maddening for those consumers who thought 2012 would be the year to buy.

In Southern California, inventories have plunged over the last year. The number of homes listed for sale in April fell 35% in Los Angeles County and was down 42% in Orange, 39% in San Bernardino, 42% in Riverside, 53% in Ventura and 43% in San Diego counties, according to online brokerage Redfin.

The number of days a home sits on the market has also decreased, meaning properties are selling faster. For the entire six-county Southern California region, the median number of days a home sat on the market fell to 33 last April from 43 the same month a year earlier.

Eddie David and his wife, Tiana Rezac, have felt the unexpected shortage firsthand. The two were sure they would buy a house this year until they tripped into the perplexing new housing reality. After being outbid on three different properties in neighborhoods from the Westside to Atwater Village, they shelved the search.

"With the downturn, it seems like there are a lot of people who have been waiting in the wings to pounce, and because the rates are low, there is just a lot more competition," David said. "There were multiple offers. We tried to get in on a couple other homes, and even though it had been just a week or two weeks, it was just too late."

Alex Gruenberg and his wife, Kristina, both 27, lost out on a home that ended up going for $30,000 more than they offered. The recently married couple have new jobs in the area and are looking for a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with decent dining options.

They are now trying to find homes before they are listed.

"We are really learning that there is sort of an inside element to that," Gruenberg said. "Things are going in days."
Glenn Kelman, chief executive of Redfin, said the recovery remains tentative but the market has grown competitive because sellers feel they have time on their side, while buyers feel a sense of urgency given low interest rates and relatively cheap prices compared with the bubble years.

"It is a precarious situation, but the real issue is that nobody wants to sell a house right now," Kelman said. "So now we have classes for our real estate agents on how to win a bidding war."

Kelman suggests trying to tour the home when the seller is present and working with a local lender who might know the listing agent personally.

Also important is having enough cash to make up the difference between the negotiated price and whatever the appraised value of the home turns out to be, he said. (Lenders won't provide a mortgage for more than a home's appraised value.) Many deals these days are falling apart because appraisals are coming in low, given how many recent comparable sales have been foreclosures or other distressed properties.

"The appraisal is blowing up the deal half the time," he said.

Mike Glickman, a Los Angeles real estate agent, has a strategy to win clients. He offers sellers a choice: He'll give them a $1,000 gift certificate to any store of their choosing simply for listing a property with him or he will cut his commission to 0.5% instead of the more typical 6%.

"There is an incredible shortage of houses on the market right now, and I haven't seen a fever like this for houses in like maybe 10 years," Glickman said. "If anything priced within reason comes on the market, there are six or seven or 10 offers."

Frank Casarez, an agent with Coldwell Banker, said he is experiencing a crush of buyers for the foreclosed homes that he lists for banks.

"There is such a high buyer demand," Casarez said. "Even with the economy the way that it is, with job losses, there are quite a few people who thrive on this setting, who have been saving for a long time and have been saving to get a deal on the property."

In fact, real estate agents are so eager for more homes on the market that they are enlisting members of Congress to push back against a federal plan to auction off huge pools of government-owned properties to be converted into rentals.

Phil Jones, a member of the California Assn. of Realtors' Distressed Property Task Force, said that bankers who meet with the group "have a very systematic plan to distribute these homes on the market."

The market for bank-owned homes — known as real estate owned — has gotten so competitive that longtime foreclosure king Leo Nordine has decided to try selling regular homes now, declaring: "REO is kind of over."

He recently opened a new office in Watts.

"There are some properties that are getting foreclosed, but there are some big funds that are coming over … and they are literally just bidding them all up," Nordine said. "There is a lack of inventory, even in South L.A."

alejandro.lazo@latimes.com
Copyright © 2012, Los Angeles Times



Between San Diego and Orange county real estate for sale, we are having less and less home for sale with multiple offers on the table, even on short sales!! and of course on Foreclosures as always!

For instance as of today, we only have : (click link to see the homes for sale)


Here is a previous article about the same issues:bidding wars erupt.



Angélique Kenney | Realtor® for Professional Athletes, CRS, GRI, e-Pro, SFR, ILHM member, SSR 

+1.760.282.4663 (Last 4 Spells "HOME") |  Email Me | http://SDandOChomes.com

Follow me online or just learn more"about me":
Facebook RE Ι Facebook Sport ★ Ι Twitter Ι LinkedIn Ι Yelp Ι Active Rain Ι YouTube Ι Blog

 *2011 PRUDENTIAL HONOR SOCIETY AWARD WINNER*

International Properties | Luxury Estates Certified | Corporate, Athletes & Military Relocation Specialist  | Fluent in French | CA DRE#01846783, ID, HI
Prudential California Realty 7030 Avenida Encinas | Suite 100 | Carlsbad, CA, 92011 | USA




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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Sunscreen Protection For Your Pets Too!

Sunscreen Protection For Your Pets Too In Carlsbad,CA!

Summer is right around the corner, and if someone knows something about the sun and pets, it's me. One of my two adorable pitbull is white. Actually she is white and pink :)
She loves laying in the sun but sometimes gets sun burnt being that we live in sunny San Diego, we have to be careful year round for those damaging UV-Rays. Carlsbad is a real paradise for endless summer lifestyle!

This little lady loveeees the sun and walks (and giving kisses to all) while cruising in North County San Diego

Here is a great article I wanted to share with you about sunscreen and protection for our furry friends...

sunglasses-uv-protecion-dog-real.jpg
Stylin' dog protecting herself from the sun in San Diego


Everyone knows that too much sun exposure can be dangerous, even deadly — but did you know it can be just as bad for your pets??
Animals with light colored noses, or those with short or no fur need sun protection.
Most pets have almost no fur around their groin, inside legs and belly. UV rays can reflect off of snow, water and concrete and burn your pet.
Other pets are beach bums and like to laze around, belly up, under the sun. That's super cute, but also dangerous.
If you're going to use people sunscreen on your pet, make sure it's fragrance free, non-staining and between SPF 15 and 30.
Do NOT use sunscreens on pets that have: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc, Octyl Salicylate, Homosalate and Benzophenone-3.
If your pet tends to lick, as almost all pets do, you should buy a non-toxic pet sunscreen.
Also, remember to reapply every 4-6 hours or after a long time in the water.
So get out there with your pet and go have some safe summer fun in the sun.
[Image via Richard Bartz/Munich Makro Freak/Wikimedia Commons.]



Source: http://teddyhilton.com/2012-06-06-pets-need-uv-ray-sun-protection-just-as-much-as-humans-do
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Friday, June 1, 2012

What and who is SportStar Relocation?



Angelique Kenney at SportStar Relocation - San Diego for San Diego Padres MBL and San Diego Chargers NFL - Anaheim Angels MLB,  Anaheim Ducks NHL and more!

Sportstar Relocation



Angelique Kenney from Prudential California Realty in Carlsbad, San Diego,CA was chosen amongst Southern California and San Diego's best Realtors to be the exclusive San Diego Local Area Representative for the national SportStar Relocation network in San Diego.  Since then, Angelique has helped several professional athletes within the local Baseball team: San Diego Padres and the football team: San Diego Chargers as well as other professional athletes with their personal Real Estate needs and Concierge Services requests. From Surfing to MMA, Angelique understands the professional athletes needs since she was herself a professional surfer that relocated several times!
SportStar Relocation is dedicated to handling every aspect of your relocation process efficiently so you can concentrate on your profession and new surroundings, Our entire SSR team will focus its energy and vast experience on the details of your relocation process so you and your family can look forward to a new life in your new city.
Our mission is to ensure every client transitions smoothly from city to city.  From the moment we get the call to the moment we give you the keys, our Platinum-Level Services and Real Estate savvy reinforce why we're the #1 professional athlete relocation company being talked about in locker rooms and front offices across the country. 
Charity event with the San Diego Padres. They are SportStar fans!

SportStar Relocation Company Overview

SportStar Relocation is the nation's premier Real Estate and relocation service provider for the professional sports & entertainment world.  The company's national network of more than 2,000 seasoned agents has passed a rigorous screening process.  Each agent has a proven track record working with high-net-worth clients and a history of servicing professional athletes in their particular market.  In fact, SportStar Relocation agents were responsible for more than $1 Billion in Real Estate transactions in the past year alone.
For more details on the SportStar Relocation Program, please click the link SportStar Relocation Online Brochure here.


               The SSR Triangle Concept
Ed Kaminsky, founder of SportStar Relocation, has found that the vast majority of his athlete-clients desire a home within a geographical triangle that includes their practice facility, stadium/area, and the airport. Proximity within or near the "SSR Triangle" has been critical for athletes seeking to balance the demands of their personal and professional lives. The company's nationwide network of Real Estate agents educates athletes and their families about the local community to endure a seamless relocation and to expedite the process of making a new house and city a "home".
Our professional services include:
  • Marketing and selling your home for top dollar
  • Finding a new home that suits your particular needs
  • Searching athlete owned homes for sale in your new market
  • Leasing and rentals
  • Securing short term/Spring Training housing
  • Providing corporate housing solutions
  • Sourcing vacation & getaway homes
  • Advice on Real Estate investment strategies
  • Recommendation of Real Estate investment opportunities
  • Property Management services in any U.S. city

Concierge Service Overview

SportStar Relocation is dedicated to handling every aspect of your relocation process efficiently so you can concentrate on your profession and new surroundings.  Whether it’s Private Jet Service, moving your precious household belongings, or a simple car transport – SportStar Relocation can handle all personal service requests in all 50 states, plus Canada, no matter what the size.

Our mission is to ensure every client transitions smoothly from city to city.  From the moment we get the call to the moment we give you the keys, our Platinum-Level Services and Real Estate savvy reinforce why we’re the #1 relocation company being talked about in locker rooms and front offices across the country.
SSR's Platinum-Level Concierge Services Include:
  1. Shipment of all your belongings, including jewelry, team memorabilia, cars & pets
  2. Specialty packing & unpacking services
  3. Utility services & set-up (home audio/theater, security, satellite/cable tv, computer)
  4. Interior Designers
  5. Private Jet Services
  6. School Information
  7. Doctors
  8. Financial Advisors
  9. Nutritionists & Private Chefs
  10. Trainers & Bodyguards

So when you are in need of any Real Estate service, small or large task, we're here to help! 
Call today 760.282.HOME - 760.282.4663.


Follow Angelique Kenney and her California Real Estate business on Twitter.
Suivez ma compagnie immobilière en Californie sur Twitter.  

Real estate Facebook business page
Page business immobilier sur Facebook

Real estate Facebook business page for Athletes with SportStar Relocation
Page business immobilier sur Facebook specialisé sur les athletes avec la company de transfer SportStar Relocation.


 


Angélique Kenney | Certified professional real estate sales person: Realtor®, CRS (elite top 4% of Realtors® in the U.S), GRI, e-Pro, SFR(short sales/foreclosure negotiator), ILHM member (Luxury Marketing Institute), SSR (Sport Star Relocation:Professional athletes)! 
International Properties | Luxury Estates Certified | Corporate & Military Relocation Specialist  | Fluent in French | CA DRE#01846783, ID, HI.

   +1 760.282.4663 (Last 4 Spells HOME) | Fax +1 866.422.0641
info{at}angeliquekenney.com | www.AngeliqueKenney.com

 *2011 PRUDENTIAL HONOR SOCIETY AWARD WINNER*


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