They say that the top 3 New Year's resolutions are: weight loss, starting an exercise program and stopping smoking. Well, I am not usually one to have a New Year's resolution...because, well quite frankly, if I don't have one...then my chances of not breaking my resolution are 100%. However, this year, in honor of New Year's (which is just around the corner), but definitely not a resolution, I am planning on blogging a lot more. My goal is to get 4 posts up a week in kind of a structured format. So, I thought I would take a few minutes to get my goal out there...so at the very least it is written down (and if there are readers - eventually - they will have an idea of what posts are coming and when).
Monday - Inventory lists
As it stands today, the inventory lists will include the zip codes 92879, 92880, 92881, 92882, 92883. I have done a good amount of business in Riverside, Moreno Valley and a number of other areas in SW Riverside county. So, I am thinking about adding some of those areas, but the main focus is going to be on the city of Corona.
Tuesday - Business profile
Due to the focus being on Corona, the business profiles will be exclusively of businesses in Corona. I guess I should have said mostly, because there is a good chance that I am going to write about D'Elias grinder shop, which is in downtown Riverside. Anyway, I am not entirely sure how this is going to look or what is going to happen here, but I am pretty excited about the opportunities.
Thursday - Me
I am going to be writing about the things going on in my life. This section will include but is not limited to: the non-profits that I work with, the Triathlons I am participating in and the training for them, sports, music...basically things that I like...oh, I may get a little political here too...
Friday - Corona
I am going to be sending out the things going on in the city of Corona. Examples of this could be: what trade shows are happening in Corona, when they light the trees in town for Christmas, etc...just general information about Corona.
This is not set in stone, but it is going to be a guide for how the posts will come out. There are going to be a few exceptions but they will be pretty obvious when they come along (like a new listing, a house sold, etc).
I hope you check back often...
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
More on Corona Inventory
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics" ~ Benjamin Disraeli
When I was in junior high school my parents decided to go on a trip to Vegas by themselves. They left my brother and I at home for the weekend. I remember this weekend like it was yesterday, my buddies Arturo and Brian came over and my brother (who was the only one of us who had money) bought us Super Mario Bros. 3 for NES. We literally played that game for 48 hours straight, stopping to eat and nap as we tried to beat the game. We were wildly unsuccessful. We didn't beat that game until years later and a friend of ours gave us the cheat codes book. Anyway, that experience moved me away from video games that you could "beat", and from then on all I have played are sports video games. Well, one video game NCAA College Football for PlayStation 2...because I am too cheap to get the new console to just play maybe 10-15 games a year!
I play NCAA for two reasons: 1. I love USC (I tried Madden, but I have no attachment to any NFL team, although I feel a growing attachment to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots...much to the chagrin of my friends - all of whom support really random teams), and 2. I love statistics. I play the game to churn out yards. I play to win the Biletnikoff award (presented to the top wide receiver). I play to win the Heisman. I play to win National Championships. I play to recruit...and build a dynasty. It's actually quite scary...
Statistics is one of the reasons that I love my job. I get to break out my trusty number 2 and my business calc and run all kinds of numbers. I get to calculate PMI. I get to figure out the riddle of mello roos. I get to work on PITI...figure in some HOA...and I am really smoking. Questions like, how much extra purchase power would I have if I wasn't buying a property with an HOA? Or, how much would I have if I was in a lower tax area? No mello roos? No special assessment?
So, as I was running the inventory searches for Corona last night...two thoughts hit me...1. how do they calculate the "standing inventory" report we get monthly (you know the one, there are 6 months of inventory in Corona, CA - really how do you determine that?)? And, 2. the quote above on statistics. So I began to pull some data to see if I could see where we are in Corona, and more importantly where we are going.
Here is what I found:
We currently have 1,030 homes available in Corona.
147 REO
625 Short Sale
258 Standard
Over the past 12 months Corona has averaged 305 closed sales per month. The high month was June with 368. The low month was February with 248. So, someone could say that we have 3 1/3 months of "standing inventory". However, this is very misleading. During the same time period, the last 12 months, Corona has averaged 450 listings taken per month.
Now, hold on a minute, if we are adding 145 more houses than we are subtracting per month, then our "standing inventory" should be in the 1,740 range. And it would be somewhat reasonable to believe that the trend would continue in the near future. We could make the assumption that in January our inventory would be in the 1,200 range and this would continue to depress the values of all of the property in Corona.
Again, it is not quite that simple. A quick search of the MLS of the past 12 months reveals that we are averaging approx. 165 listings that go expired or canceled per month. Now, this is not an exact science because a lot of these homes are short sales and they come back on the market the next month (or 5 months later) as either a bank owned or an investor owned home.
At first glance, we are now looking at the inventory shrinking by a modest 20 listings a month. Which means, we are looking at a "standing inventory" of 50 months. This looks like we are in a state of equilibrium. The market is standing pat, values holding firm, even ticking up in some neighborhoods. I had a listing agent tell me last month, "we are going to hold out for our price because we are the only home available in the area". While he was technically correct, there were no other homes available...what he wasn't taking into consideration was the 21 homes at some stage of foreclosure in that neighborhood.
And this is our last wild card as we try to figure out where real estate is heading. There are over 3,000 homes in Corona at some stage of foreclosure. That is 1 out of 7 houses...a number that seems astronomical to me because of the amount of homes already foreclosed. This is called "shadow inventory" and is truly wrecking havoc on the real estate industry. An asset manager with Wachovia told me that they expect their bank to begin liquidating their assets by the 3rd quarter of 2011.
During the meltdown of 2008 and 2009, I felt that 2010 was going to be the quiet before the storm. Pretty interesting words because we had just been through a huge storm, but this storm was going to be different. It was going to involve people who could continue to pay the mortgage. It was going to involve more people (5 year ARMs and Option ARM loans are coming due). And the real kicker, it is going to cut an already deeply wounded economy. We have been lured into a false sense of security because the stock market is over 11,500.
The goal is to continue to work on these numbers every month so that we can have an accurate picture of what real estate is doing in Corona, CA.
When I was in junior high school my parents decided to go on a trip to Vegas by themselves. They left my brother and I at home for the weekend. I remember this weekend like it was yesterday, my buddies Arturo and Brian came over and my brother (who was the only one of us who had money) bought us Super Mario Bros. 3 for NES. We literally played that game for 48 hours straight, stopping to eat and nap as we tried to beat the game. We were wildly unsuccessful. We didn't beat that game until years later and a friend of ours gave us the cheat codes book. Anyway, that experience moved me away from video games that you could "beat", and from then on all I have played are sports video games. Well, one video game NCAA College Football for PlayStation 2...because I am too cheap to get the new console to just play maybe 10-15 games a year!
I play NCAA for two reasons: 1. I love USC (I tried Madden, but I have no attachment to any NFL team, although I feel a growing attachment to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots...much to the chagrin of my friends - all of whom support really random teams), and 2. I love statistics. I play the game to churn out yards. I play to win the Biletnikoff award (presented to the top wide receiver). I play to win the Heisman. I play to win National Championships. I play to recruit...and build a dynasty. It's actually quite scary...
Statistics is one of the reasons that I love my job. I get to break out my trusty number 2 and my business calc and run all kinds of numbers. I get to calculate PMI. I get to figure out the riddle of mello roos. I get to work on PITI...figure in some HOA...and I am really smoking. Questions like, how much extra purchase power would I have if I wasn't buying a property with an HOA? Or, how much would I have if I was in a lower tax area? No mello roos? No special assessment?
So, as I was running the inventory searches for Corona last night...two thoughts hit me...1. how do they calculate the "standing inventory" report we get monthly (you know the one, there are 6 months of inventory in Corona, CA - really how do you determine that?)? And, 2. the quote above on statistics. So I began to pull some data to see if I could see where we are in Corona, and more importantly where we are going.
Here is what I found:
We currently have 1,030 homes available in Corona.
147 REO
625 Short Sale
258 Standard
Over the past 12 months Corona has averaged 305 closed sales per month. The high month was June with 368. The low month was February with 248. So, someone could say that we have 3 1/3 months of "standing inventory". However, this is very misleading. During the same time period, the last 12 months, Corona has averaged 450 listings taken per month.
Now, hold on a minute, if we are adding 145 more houses than we are subtracting per month, then our "standing inventory" should be in the 1,740 range. And it would be somewhat reasonable to believe that the trend would continue in the near future. We could make the assumption that in January our inventory would be in the 1,200 range and this would continue to depress the values of all of the property in Corona.
Again, it is not quite that simple. A quick search of the MLS of the past 12 months reveals that we are averaging approx. 165 listings that go expired or canceled per month. Now, this is not an exact science because a lot of these homes are short sales and they come back on the market the next month (or 5 months later) as either a bank owned or an investor owned home.
At first glance, we are now looking at the inventory shrinking by a modest 20 listings a month. Which means, we are looking at a "standing inventory" of 50 months. This looks like we are in a state of equilibrium. The market is standing pat, values holding firm, even ticking up in some neighborhoods. I had a listing agent tell me last month, "we are going to hold out for our price because we are the only home available in the area". While he was technically correct, there were no other homes available...what he wasn't taking into consideration was the 21 homes at some stage of foreclosure in that neighborhood.
And this is our last wild card as we try to figure out where real estate is heading. There are over 3,000 homes in Corona at some stage of foreclosure. That is 1 out of 7 houses...a number that seems astronomical to me because of the amount of homes already foreclosed. This is called "shadow inventory" and is truly wrecking havoc on the real estate industry. An asset manager with Wachovia told me that they expect their bank to begin liquidating their assets by the 3rd quarter of 2011.
During the meltdown of 2008 and 2009, I felt that 2010 was going to be the quiet before the storm. Pretty interesting words because we had just been through a huge storm, but this storm was going to be different. It was going to involve people who could continue to pay the mortgage. It was going to involve more people (5 year ARMs and Option ARM loans are coming due). And the real kicker, it is going to cut an already deeply wounded economy. We have been lured into a false sense of security because the stock market is over 11,500.
The goal is to continue to work on these numbers every month so that we can have an accurate picture of what real estate is doing in Corona, CA.
Corona Inventory
Here is the inventory for Corona, CA as of today. I am going to be adding some additional data about trends for the area...and I hope to have this added by the end of the day today. I will be updating the inventory lists every Monday...so I hope you check back. Tomorrow I am going to outline a general format for the blog...so there will kind of be a schedule for what is to come.
Please leave me comments, letting me know what you like...and what you don't like. Thanks!!!
92879
REO (28)
Short Sale (117)
Standard (38)
92880
REO (32)
Short Sale (162)
Standard (63)
92881
REO (27)
Short Sale (65)
Standard (46)
92882
REO (32)
Short Sale (152)
Standard (46)
92883
REO (28)
Short Sale (129)
Standard (65)
Please leave me comments, letting me know what you like...and what you don't like. Thanks!!!
92879
REO (28)
Short Sale (117)
Standard (38)
92880
REO (32)
Short Sale (162)
Standard (63)
92881
REO (27)
Short Sale (65)
Standard (46)
92882
REO (32)
Short Sale (152)
Standard (46)
92883
REO (28)
Short Sale (129)
Standard (65)
Monday, December 27, 2010
2222 Monterey Peninsula Dr, Corona, CA 92882
Back on the market!!! Hurry this home will not last. We went into escrow with this beauty last month but the buyer could not perform. I am including a link to the flyer for this home. Please call me if you know anyone interested!!
2222 Monterey Peninsula Dr
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Lake Hills Reserve Riverside, CA
18317 Lakepointe Dr
17129 Rocky Bend Ct
16997 Rocky Bend Ct
17105 Rocky Bend Ct
16490 Village Meadow Dr
16483 Village Meadow Dr
16459 Village Meadow Dr
16474 Ridge Field Dr
16462 Ridge Field Dr
16419 Ridge Field Dr
16219 Skyridge Dr
16063 Skyridge Dr
15979 Skyridge Dr
15962 Skyridge Dr
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Jukebox XV
I had a goal to be ready for a Triathlon on July 25th. The day has come and gone...the event done. I plan to blog about it soon...but for now, I will just blog the songs I listened to on my last run. I have only been on 4 since the event...probably the heat, or the lack of a goal. Either way, I need to get back out riding and running again...hopefully, this post will provide me with the motivation.
1. What The Deal Boyz II Men
1. What The Deal Boyz II Men
4. Peaches & Cream 112
6. In Da Club 50 Cent
8. Love The Way You Lie Eminem feat. Rihanna
My brother reminds me a lot of Eminem. They both are kind of skinny white kids who probably grew up hanging out with the wrong crowd. They both have a lot of anger...and they both have struggled with addiction. Anyway, this song is exactly how I pictured everyone of my brothers relationships growing.
My brother reminds me a lot of Eminem. They both are kind of skinny white kids who probably grew up hanging out with the wrong crowd. They both have a lot of anger...and they both have struggled with addiction. Anyway, this song is exactly how I pictured everyone of my brothers relationships growing.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The end of inventory (until September)
So, tomorrow turns into another day and another and another, the next thing you know...it is a week later. Fortunately for me...today just happens to be the same day that the new housing report came out. What better day to finish the post on inventory than today? Here is the gist of the housing report...
"Sales of U.S. previously owned homes plunged 27 percent in July, twice as much as forecast...at the current sales pace, it would take 12.5 months to sell [the current inventory]."
Where does that leave us in our neck of the woods? Well, inventory is down...way down...unfortunately, so is demand. It is very hard to believe that demand would be low because of the expired tax credits. You wouldn't think that $8,000 would have that big of an impact on the market but it does. Having said that, the sales data for July being way down is a little misleading. This is because SO many people did everything they could to close by June 30, 2010, in order to get the tax credit that it inflated June's numbers a little, thus making July's numbers seem that much worse.
Here is the current inventory for Corona broken down by Zip Code.
92879 - 10,755 homes. 166 (1.5%) for sale. 29 standard sales. 98 short sales. 25 REOs.
92880 - 3,729 homes. 231 (6.2%) for sale. 55 standard sales. 136 short sales. 17 REOs.
There are 40,319 homes in Corona, with a total of 970 homes on the market. This means that 2.4% of the homes in Corona are for sale. At the height of the foreclosure market (2007-2008), we were averaging 3,500 homes on the market, which is 8.7%.
"Sales of U.S. previously owned homes plunged 27 percent in July, twice as much as forecast...at the current sales pace, it would take 12.5 months to sell [the current inventory]."
Where does that leave us in our neck of the woods? Well, inventory is down...way down...unfortunately, so is demand. It is very hard to believe that demand would be low because of the expired tax credits. You wouldn't think that $8,000 would have that big of an impact on the market but it does. Having said that, the sales data for July being way down is a little misleading. This is because SO many people did everything they could to close by June 30, 2010, in order to get the tax credit that it inflated June's numbers a little, thus making July's numbers seem that much worse.
Here is the current inventory for Corona broken down by Zip Code.
92879 - 10,755 homes. 166 (1.5%) for sale. 29 standard sales. 98 short sales. 25 REOs.
92880 - 3,729 homes. 231 (6.2%) for sale. 55 standard sales. 136 short sales. 17 REOs.
92881 - 7,510 homes. 118 (1.6%) for sale. 47 standard sales. 45 short sales. 15 REOs.
92882 - 16,310 homes. 235 (1.4%) for sale. 53 standard sales. 122 short sales. 33 REOs.
92883 - 2,015 homes. 220 (10.9%) for sale. 51 standard sales. 120 short sales. 28 REOs.
There are 40,319 homes in Corona, with a total of 970 homes on the market. This means that 2.4% of the homes in Corona are for sale. At the height of the foreclosure market (2007-2008), we were averaging 3,500 homes on the market, which is 8.7%.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
More on Inventory
We walk through the doors, the entry opens into a large dining room/living room combo. The walls have been painted white. The floors have been upgraded to beautiful dark wood. We can see straight through the living room into the backyard (one of the things my wife loves). To the left of the living room is a hall way with 3 bedrooms (including the master). To the right is the kitchen and family room. The carpet is berber carpet in beige tones. The kitchen has black granite, stainless steel appliances and two sinks! The home is located in a secluded area just east of Corona. She boasts over 3,100 square feet and comes with a price tag a little under $500,000.
My client walks in and likes what he sees. The way I can tell this (other than the fact that we have walked into 50+ homes together) he spends a lot of time in each room, drawing sketches and taking pictures. He is an engineer and is very detailed oriented. He is a student of the comps and will not over pay.
Sidebar. Many buyers today make offers well over what the comps say. Furthermore, when you offer over listing price the banks require that you remove your appraisal contingency AND pay the difference between purchase price and appraisal (if the appraisal is low) in cash. A tactic that works because you have removed your appraisal contingency and would forfeit your deposit if you canceled because of appraisal.
Every house he wants to offer on he wants to know; tax rate, mello roos, special assessment, HOA, what the seller owes (if it is standard or short sale), and the comps. He compares the comps with zillow (using the zestimate feature), e-appraisal, and other online value sites. Then, he sends me the house he wants to offer on. There are a couple of flaws in his strategy.
1.) Time. He takes an unbelieveable amount of time to make an offer. We look at the home on Saturday.It takes until Tuesday for him to process all of the data. Then he wants to offer on Wednesday. Unfortunately, all of the bank owned homes and corporate owned (investor owned) are gone. Literally, every bank owned home that he wants to offer on is in escrow by the time we get the offer completed.
2.) Price. He is very conservative. He is desperately trying not to over pay. He wants to make sure that he gets the right home at the right price. So, when he does offer, his offers are aligned with the comps, but they are not aligned with the current market conditions. Which is low inventory and high demand, which means that people are paying more than the comps (see the sidebar above).
Which begs the question, where is the housing market headed? Here is a snapshot of the market in Corona.
Geography
There are five zip codes in Corona. They are 92879, 92880, 92881, 92882, 92883.
92879 is around the 91 and 15 freeways. The zip code is both east and west of the 15 freeway (Main St to McKinley Ave) AND north and south (2nd St in Norco to Magnolia Ave) of the 91 freeway.
92880 is the northern most part of Corona, affectionately called Eastvale. This area generally covers north of 6th St in Norco and just north of Limonite west of the 15 freeway.
92881 is south of the Ontario Ave and west of the 15 freeway.
92882 covers from Green River Rd to Lincoln Ave south of the 91 freeway.
92883 is the southern most area of Corona. The area generally covers west of the 15 FWY from Eagle Glen all the way south to Lake Elsinore.
The stats are coming tomorrow...
My client walks in and likes what he sees. The way I can tell this (other than the fact that we have walked into 50+ homes together) he spends a lot of time in each room, drawing sketches and taking pictures. He is an engineer and is very detailed oriented. He is a student of the comps and will not over pay.
Sidebar. Many buyers today make offers well over what the comps say. Furthermore, when you offer over listing price the banks require that you remove your appraisal contingency AND pay the difference between purchase price and appraisal (if the appraisal is low) in cash. A tactic that works because you have removed your appraisal contingency and would forfeit your deposit if you canceled because of appraisal.
Every house he wants to offer on he wants to know; tax rate, mello roos, special assessment, HOA, what the seller owes (if it is standard or short sale), and the comps. He compares the comps with zillow (using the zestimate feature), e-appraisal, and other online value sites. Then, he sends me the house he wants to offer on. There are a couple of flaws in his strategy.
1.) Time. He takes an unbelieveable amount of time to make an offer. We look at the home on Saturday.It takes until Tuesday for him to process all of the data. Then he wants to offer on Wednesday. Unfortunately, all of the bank owned homes and corporate owned (investor owned) are gone. Literally, every bank owned home that he wants to offer on is in escrow by the time we get the offer completed.
2.) Price. He is very conservative. He is desperately trying not to over pay. He wants to make sure that he gets the right home at the right price. So, when he does offer, his offers are aligned with the comps, but they are not aligned with the current market conditions. Which is low inventory and high demand, which means that people are paying more than the comps (see the sidebar above).
Which begs the question, where is the housing market headed? Here is a snapshot of the market in Corona.
Geography
There are five zip codes in Corona. They are 92879, 92880, 92881, 92882, 92883.
92879 is around the 91 and 15 freeways. The zip code is both east and west of the 15 freeway (Main St to McKinley Ave) AND north and south (2nd St in Norco to Magnolia Ave) of the 91 freeway.
92880 is the northern most part of Corona, affectionately called Eastvale. This area generally covers north of 6th St in Norco and just north of Limonite west of the 15 freeway.
92881 is south of the Ontario Ave and west of the 15 freeway.
92882 covers from Green River Rd to Lincoln Ave south of the 91 freeway.
92883 is the southern most area of Corona. The area generally covers west of the 15 FWY from Eagle Glen all the way south to Lake Elsinore.
The stats are coming tomorrow...
Friday, June 25, 2010
Open House Again
We opening the house again this weekend.
15722 Hummingbird Ln, Huntington Beach 92649
This charming 3 bedroom 2 bath home in highly desirable area of Huntington Beach is available. You will need to see the upgrades to believe them. The kitchen is magnificent with granite counters and pristine white cabinets. The flooring has been upgraded to wood. And you will love the backyard. Completely 'hardscaped' with a sparkling pool. You truly need to see it to appreciate it.
When: 6/26/10
Time: 12-4pm
Please visit us on the web.
Trulia
realtor.com
homefinder.com
Friday, June 4, 2010
15722 Hummingbird Ln, Huntington Beach, CA
OPEN HOUSE!!!
When: 6/5/2010
Time: 11-2pm
This home is amazing. Tons of upgrades. Beautiful new kitchen and sparkling pool in the backyard. We are opening this home up to view. There will be refreshments served. Please come by and check the home out.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
LeBron's last game...
Last Thursday night, I was sitting at Tu Tu Tango in Orange County watching the last game of the year for LeBron James. Speculation is flying that The King is looking for a new throne. However, I want to take a few moments and look back on the last few minutes of his last game of the '09-'10 season. There was a moment with just over 9 minutes when I thought Boston made a tactical error. Ray Allen brushed off Rajon Rondo on the fast break, James got the steal and made a hoop in transition. The momentum (bad word) was short lived and the Cavs proved to have no heart.
4:52 - Antawn Jamison and Mo Williams take turns bricking shots. As I watch this I am getting the feeling that the Cavs are really tight. It feels like all of the Cavs know if I miss this shot, it could be the shot that sends the King out of town.
3:50 - Anderson Varejao hits two free throws to pull the Cavs within 90-78. Except old Andy, he plays with heart...passion...I like his game.
3:38 - Rasheed Wallace bricks a free throw, sinks the second. Shaq, The Big Albatross, sits on the bench sucking on his mouthpiece. There is something wrong with pro sports when we pay guys long beyond their usefulness. Shaq sucks up $21mm in cap and salary from the Cavs, yet he is sitting on the sideline not producing when the season is on the line.
3:27 - LBJ drives hard to the hoop. Paul Pierce commits the foul. The first throw rolls around and drops. The second perfect. 91-80 I am not exactly sure where this LBJ was tonight or in the previous game, but something has definitely been different.
3:09 - Wallace bricks a jumper. Every time I watch the Lakers, I prefer Kobe shooting a horribly difficult shot than anything Luke Walton can muster up against the shot clock. So, watching Wallace cast up shots with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce on the floor makes me nauseous.
2:53 - Anthony Parker nails a huge triple. 91-83 Big shot, we might be heading to a great finish.
2:30 - Wallace bricks another jumper. Wallace is bricking more jump shots than Peja and C-Webb did in the 2002 Western Conference Finals. Those guys almost broke the backboard because they were so off, Wallace is trying to shoot the Celts out of the game.
2:21 - Bron drives hard to the hole, no foul. I can't understand where LeBron is. He is completely disengaged.
2:16 - Rondo gets fouled. He bricks the first and sinks the second. I like Rondo's game. He is fast, quick, makes good decisions, rebounds like crazy and sets him team up for easy looks. What he doesn't do, he can't hit a jump shot to save his life. This is the way that I would begin to defend the Celtics. MAKE RONDO SHOOT!
2:06 - James dunks (92-85). The Cavs are right there. They need to rebound and defend to put pressure on the Celtics.
1:36 - Garnett misses a hook, Pierce misses a chippy, Rondo grabs the ball and Doc calls time. The Cavs look terrible tonight. I have no idea how they did not get the most important rebound of the season TWICE!
1:27 - Garnett hits a turn around jumper (94-85). This is what Garnett can still do.
Sidenote: I was watching ESPN the other night and saw a story about Garnett and his friend Malik Sealy. KG met the guy in Minnesota and they became very good friends. Sealy was an NBA vet when KG got to the Wolves. Anyway, long story short, Malik Sealy was killed in a head on collision. A drunk driver was driving the wrong way on the highway and struck his car. Sealy was on his way home from KG's birthday party.
Kevin has been on my list of disliked athletes because the immature way he handled being eliminated by the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals in 2004. He couldn't speak without dropping f-bombs.
Anyway, after watching the story, I felt a little empathy for him. He was human. I just threw up a little in my mouth.
1:22 - Bron drives and throws under the basket to Wallace. I have no idea what LBJ is doing in this sequence. However, it is clear that he was out of the game. The entire Cavs team played like they wanted to savor the moment, rather than seizing the moment and competing for a Championship.
0:33 - Pierce misses a jumper. The Cavs let the Celtics run the clock down.
James finals line looks good, 27-19-10 on 8-21 shooting. However, he was not in this game. He looked far away. He looked like he was reflecting on the past, thinking towards the future and the enormity of his impending decision was weighing on his shoulders like nothing ever has before. He looked like kids at graduation. Satisfied with what they had accomplished, remembering the good times with fondness (the friends, the dances, etc...), nervous about what lies ahead.
Before game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, I would have said 100% he is going to return. Now, I think he is on his way out.
4:52 - Antawn Jamison and Mo Williams take turns bricking shots. As I watch this I am getting the feeling that the Cavs are really tight. It feels like all of the Cavs know if I miss this shot, it could be the shot that sends the King out of town.
3:50 - Anderson Varejao hits two free throws to pull the Cavs within 90-78. Except old Andy, he plays with heart...passion...I like his game.
3:38 - Rasheed Wallace bricks a free throw, sinks the second. Shaq, The Big Albatross, sits on the bench sucking on his mouthpiece. There is something wrong with pro sports when we pay guys long beyond their usefulness. Shaq sucks up $21mm in cap and salary from the Cavs, yet he is sitting on the sideline not producing when the season is on the line.
3:27 - LBJ drives hard to the hoop. Paul Pierce commits the foul. The first throw rolls around and drops. The second perfect. 91-80 I am not exactly sure where this LBJ was tonight or in the previous game, but something has definitely been different.
3:09 - Wallace bricks a jumper. Every time I watch the Lakers, I prefer Kobe shooting a horribly difficult shot than anything Luke Walton can muster up against the shot clock. So, watching Wallace cast up shots with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce on the floor makes me nauseous.
2:53 - Anthony Parker nails a huge triple. 91-83 Big shot, we might be heading to a great finish.
2:30 - Wallace bricks another jumper. Wallace is bricking more jump shots than Peja and C-Webb did in the 2002 Western Conference Finals. Those guys almost broke the backboard because they were so off, Wallace is trying to shoot the Celts out of the game.
2:21 - Bron drives hard to the hole, no foul. I can't understand where LeBron is. He is completely disengaged.
2:16 - Rondo gets fouled. He bricks the first and sinks the second. I like Rondo's game. He is fast, quick, makes good decisions, rebounds like crazy and sets him team up for easy looks. What he doesn't do, he can't hit a jump shot to save his life. This is the way that I would begin to defend the Celtics. MAKE RONDO SHOOT!
2:06 - James dunks (92-85). The Cavs are right there. They need to rebound and defend to put pressure on the Celtics.
1:36 - Garnett misses a hook, Pierce misses a chippy, Rondo grabs the ball and Doc calls time. The Cavs look terrible tonight. I have no idea how they did not get the most important rebound of the season TWICE!
1:27 - Garnett hits a turn around jumper (94-85). This is what Garnett can still do.
Sidenote: I was watching ESPN the other night and saw a story about Garnett and his friend Malik Sealy. KG met the guy in Minnesota and they became very good friends. Sealy was an NBA vet when KG got to the Wolves. Anyway, long story short, Malik Sealy was killed in a head on collision. A drunk driver was driving the wrong way on the highway and struck his car. Sealy was on his way home from KG's birthday party.
Kevin has been on my list of disliked athletes because the immature way he handled being eliminated by the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals in 2004. He couldn't speak without dropping f-bombs.
Anyway, after watching the story, I felt a little empathy for him. He was human. I just threw up a little in my mouth.
1:22 - Bron drives and throws under the basket to Wallace. I have no idea what LBJ is doing in this sequence. However, it is clear that he was out of the game. The entire Cavs team played like they wanted to savor the moment, rather than seizing the moment and competing for a Championship.
0:33 - Pierce misses a jumper. The Cavs let the Celtics run the clock down.
James finals line looks good, 27-19-10 on 8-21 shooting. However, he was not in this game. He looked far away. He looked like he was reflecting on the past, thinking towards the future and the enormity of his impending decision was weighing on his shoulders like nothing ever has before. He looked like kids at graduation. Satisfied with what they had accomplished, remembering the good times with fondness (the friends, the dances, etc...), nervous about what lies ahead.
Before game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, I would have said 100% he is going to return. Now, I think he is on his way out.
Corona Homes Available
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There are 628 homes available in Corona. I am going to start posting my featured listings this weekend. However, some of them are out of the area (Fullerton, Huntington Beach, etc).
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There are 628 homes available in Corona. I am going to start posting my featured listings this weekend. However, some of them are out of the area (Fullerton, Huntington Beach, etc).
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Western Conference Finals Preview
As the Western Conference Finals approach, I felt it was necessary to write a preview. Without further adieu...
Center
Andrew Bynum 15.0/8.3/1.0 (10.3/8.9/1.1)
Robin Lopez 8.4/4.9/0.1 (unavailable)
This is no contest. Andrew Bynum is twice the center that Robin Lopez is. The only way that Phoenix wins this battle is if Drew's knee is actually getting worse. Drew is bigger, stronger and a better player than Lopez. Bynum should be able to have his way around the paint when Lopez is in the game. However, Lopez will win the hustle plays. If there is a knock on Bynum it is that he doesn't always match the intensity of his opponent. Lopez will bring plenty of energy. Bynum is also a liability when the Sun switch in Channing Frye for Lopez. Bynum will not follow him to the three point line.
Advantage: Lakers
Power Forward
Amar'e Stoudemire 23.1/8.9/1.0 (20.5/7.0/1.5)
Pau Gasol 18.3/11.3/3.4 (20.2/13.1/3.3)
I personally think this is a no-brainer. One of my favorite movies is Remember the Titans, there is a scene when Julius Campbell is talking to Gerry Bertier and Bertier says, "you're nothing...nothing but a waste of God-given talent". This line rings clear in my head EVERY time I watch Amar'e Stoudemire play basketball. He is a 6' 10" freak of nature. He can jump out of the gym. He plays with a ton of energy. A few years ago (2005 Playoffs) he played one of the most amazing playoff series I can remember torching Tim Duncan (41,37,34,31,and 42). However, he has gotten by on pure athleticism. He has no low post game. He can't back you down. He can dunk and from time to time drop a 19 footer and he struggles to get 10 boards a game. On the other hand Pau Gasol is legit. He has been through the battles (Carlos Boozer, Dwight Howard, Kendrick Perkins, KG, etc...) and he has won most of those battles. He is adept at going right, left and has a sneaky good jump shot. Lastly, if Gasol's offense isn't going well he will pitch in with 15 boards or 5 block shots or 5 assists. If the game isn't going well for Amar'e...well he will pout.
Advantage: Draw (Amar'e still has Nash getting him the ball for dunks)
Small Forward
Grant Hill 11.3/5.5/2.4 (9.5/6.7/2.3)
Ron Artest 11.0/4.3/3.0 (9.8/3.1/2.7)
Like I said last round of the playoffs, Ron Artest must feel like he is getting some time off. Kevin Durant was a bear in the first round. A constant struggle for Ron. However, Utah didn't have a good 3 for Artest to check and neither does Phoenix. I think that the Lakers should have Artest cover Richardson who has been playing well in the Playoffs and let Kobe guard the middle. Grant Hill doesn't have the game anymore to merit a big time defender.
Advantage: Lakers
Shooting Guard
Jason Richardson 15.7/5.1/1.8 (21.9/6.3/1.0)
Kobe Bryant 27.0/5.4/5.0 (26.9/3.9/4.9)
Even with all of the ailments, Kobe is better than Jason Richardson. He can shoot you into a game and he can shoot you out. I expect J-Rich's number to drop a bit on the offensive end since he has to follow Kobe around. Although, I wouldn't be surprised to see Grant Hill guard Kobe. If this switch does happen, Artest should take Richardson into the post until the Suns switch back.
Advantage: Lakers
Point Guard
Steve Nash 16.5/3.3/11 (17.8/3.1/9.0)
Derek Fisher 7.5/2.1/2.5 (10.6/2.5/3.2)
Steve Nash is one of the greatest player of all time. His pure shooting stats are out of this world (FG - 50+%, FT - 90+%, 3FG - 40+%). He is the Wayne Gretzky of basketball. He knows where his teammates will go before they do. And he hits them in stride almost every time. His weakness is on the defensive end. Fortunately for the Sun, Derek Fisher is not a primetime offensive player, so this deficiency will not be exploited too much by the Lakers. D-Fish is here for his experience and his ability to knock down timely shots.
Advantage: Suns
Bench
Channing Frye 11.2/5.3/1.4(8.7/5.6/1.1)
Leandro Barbosa 9.5/1.6/1.5(7.6/1.8/0.9)
Jared Dudley 8.2/3.4/1.4(7.4/3.5/1.9)
Lamar Odom 10.8/9.8/3.3 (8.5/8.1/1.8)
Shannon Brown 8.1/2.2/1.3 (6.6/1.6/1.0)
Jordan Farmar 7.2/1.6/1.5 (4.9/1.2/1.0)
Both teams benches have struggled this postseason. Frye has struggled to find his stroke and Odom has struggled to find a way into the flow. Odom should find a way to have an impact on the series from a rebounding and fascilitating the offense perspective. Frye will have an impact because of his ability to float around the three point line and his ability to nail long range jumpers. Barbosa can get going in a hurry, but has been very sporadic with his play this season. I expect him to get to the rim and rattle home a few open 3s in transition. The Suns bench plays with a lot of energy and can bring their team back into the game, or can extend leads that they have built. The Lakers will need to spend a lot of time slowing down the second unit of the Suns.
Advantage: Suns
Coaches
Alvin Gentry is a nice coach. However, he was fired by the Clippers and the Heat, and last year was the interim coach after Terry Porter completely tried to change the culture of the Suns. He will have his team prepared. However, Phil Jackson is the best coach in the NBA. Let's not get caught up in the hype over Greg Popovich (he is great), but Jackson has him by 6 rings. The argument that Pop hasn't had the players is silly, because Pop hasn't won a ring without Tim Duncan. Jackson has now won with his third different team (Bulls, Lakers '00-'02, Lakers '09). Phil will not be outcoached by Gentry.
Advantage: Lakers
Bottom line
The Suns have Stoudemire and Nash, but the Lakers respond with Kobe and Gasol. The Lakers run 5 deep with all-stars, the Suns just do not have enough to match up. Based on talent and experience, I do not think that the Suns have enough to win even one game in this series. However, the Lakers tend to coast when not challenged (and I don't think the Suns can challenge then), so I expect the Suns to take a game in Phoenix. The Suns only hope of extending this series is to have a 'Goran Dragic' game 4 times this series. While they do have some guys capable (Frye, Barbosa, Dragic) the odds of it happening once let alone four times are pretty small.
Prediction: Lakers in 5
Center
Andrew Bynum 15.0/8.3/1.0 (10.3/8.9/1.1)
Robin Lopez 8.4/4.9/0.1 (unavailable)
This is no contest. Andrew Bynum is twice the center that Robin Lopez is. The only way that Phoenix wins this battle is if Drew's knee is actually getting worse. Drew is bigger, stronger and a better player than Lopez. Bynum should be able to have his way around the paint when Lopez is in the game. However, Lopez will win the hustle plays. If there is a knock on Bynum it is that he doesn't always match the intensity of his opponent. Lopez will bring plenty of energy. Bynum is also a liability when the Sun switch in Channing Frye for Lopez. Bynum will not follow him to the three point line.
Advantage: Lakers
Power Forward
Amar'e Stoudemire 23.1/8.9/1.0 (20.5/7.0/1.5)
Pau Gasol 18.3/11.3/3.4 (20.2/13.1/3.3)
I personally think this is a no-brainer. One of my favorite movies is Remember the Titans, there is a scene when Julius Campbell is talking to Gerry Bertier and Bertier says, "you're nothing...nothing but a waste of God-given talent". This line rings clear in my head EVERY time I watch Amar'e Stoudemire play basketball. He is a 6' 10" freak of nature. He can jump out of the gym. He plays with a ton of energy. A few years ago (2005 Playoffs) he played one of the most amazing playoff series I can remember torching Tim Duncan (41,37,34,31,and 42). However, he has gotten by on pure athleticism. He has no low post game. He can't back you down. He can dunk and from time to time drop a 19 footer and he struggles to get 10 boards a game. On the other hand Pau Gasol is legit. He has been through the battles (Carlos Boozer, Dwight Howard, Kendrick Perkins, KG, etc...) and he has won most of those battles. He is adept at going right, left and has a sneaky good jump shot. Lastly, if Gasol's offense isn't going well he will pitch in with 15 boards or 5 block shots or 5 assists. If the game isn't going well for Amar'e...well he will pout.
Advantage: Draw (Amar'e still has Nash getting him the ball for dunks)
Small Forward
Grant Hill 11.3/5.5/2.4 (9.5/6.7/2.3)
Ron Artest 11.0/4.3/3.0 (9.8/3.1/2.7)
Like I said last round of the playoffs, Ron Artest must feel like he is getting some time off. Kevin Durant was a bear in the first round. A constant struggle for Ron. However, Utah didn't have a good 3 for Artest to check and neither does Phoenix. I think that the Lakers should have Artest cover Richardson who has been playing well in the Playoffs and let Kobe guard the middle. Grant Hill doesn't have the game anymore to merit a big time defender.
Advantage: Lakers
Shooting Guard
Jason Richardson 15.7/5.1/1.8 (21.9/6.3/1.0)
Kobe Bryant 27.0/5.4/5.0 (26.9/3.9/4.9)
Even with all of the ailments, Kobe is better than Jason Richardson. He can shoot you into a game and he can shoot you out. I expect J-Rich's number to drop a bit on the offensive end since he has to follow Kobe around. Although, I wouldn't be surprised to see Grant Hill guard Kobe. If this switch does happen, Artest should take Richardson into the post until the Suns switch back.
Advantage: Lakers
Point Guard
Steve Nash 16.5/3.3/11 (17.8/3.1/9.0)
Derek Fisher 7.5/2.1/2.5 (10.6/2.5/3.2)
Steve Nash is one of the greatest player of all time. His pure shooting stats are out of this world (FG - 50+%, FT - 90+%, 3FG - 40+%). He is the Wayne Gretzky of basketball. He knows where his teammates will go before they do. And he hits them in stride almost every time. His weakness is on the defensive end. Fortunately for the Sun, Derek Fisher is not a primetime offensive player, so this deficiency will not be exploited too much by the Lakers. D-Fish is here for his experience and his ability to knock down timely shots.
Advantage: Suns
Bench
Channing Frye 11.2/5.3/1.4(8.7/5.6/1.1)
Leandro Barbosa 9.5/1.6/1.5(7.6/1.8/0.9)
Jared Dudley 8.2/3.4/1.4(7.4/3.5/1.9)
Lamar Odom 10.8/9.8/3.3 (8.5/8.1/1.8)
Shannon Brown 8.1/2.2/1.3 (6.6/1.6/1.0)
Jordan Farmar 7.2/1.6/1.5 (4.9/1.2/1.0)
Both teams benches have struggled this postseason. Frye has struggled to find his stroke and Odom has struggled to find a way into the flow. Odom should find a way to have an impact on the series from a rebounding and fascilitating the offense perspective. Frye will have an impact because of his ability to float around the three point line and his ability to nail long range jumpers. Barbosa can get going in a hurry, but has been very sporadic with his play this season. I expect him to get to the rim and rattle home a few open 3s in transition. The Suns bench plays with a lot of energy and can bring their team back into the game, or can extend leads that they have built. The Lakers will need to spend a lot of time slowing down the second unit of the Suns.
Advantage: Suns
Coaches
Alvin Gentry is a nice coach. However, he was fired by the Clippers and the Heat, and last year was the interim coach after Terry Porter completely tried to change the culture of the Suns. He will have his team prepared. However, Phil Jackson is the best coach in the NBA. Let's not get caught up in the hype over Greg Popovich (he is great), but Jackson has him by 6 rings. The argument that Pop hasn't had the players is silly, because Pop hasn't won a ring without Tim Duncan. Jackson has now won with his third different team (Bulls, Lakers '00-'02, Lakers '09). Phil will not be outcoached by Gentry.
Advantage: Lakers
Bottom line
The Suns have Stoudemire and Nash, but the Lakers respond with Kobe and Gasol. The Lakers run 5 deep with all-stars, the Suns just do not have enough to match up. Based on talent and experience, I do not think that the Suns have enough to win even one game in this series. However, the Lakers tend to coast when not challenged (and I don't think the Suns can challenge then), so I expect the Suns to take a game in Phoenix. The Suns only hope of extending this series is to have a 'Goran Dragic' game 4 times this series. While they do have some guys capable (Frye, Barbosa, Dragic) the odds of it happening once let alone four times are pretty small.
Prediction: Lakers in 5
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
New Beginnings
I said there were some changes coming a few months back. Well, things have taken way longer than I thought. Anyway...without any further adieu...
I have left Zip Realty. I am now working out of the Park Place GMAC office in Riverside, CA.
Tim Trainor
Park Place GMAC
7379 Indiana Ave
Riverside, CA 92504
951-346-5123 (office)
951-264-1591 (mobile)
951-905-5438 (fax)
timothy.trainor@sbcglobal.net
DRE # - 01468436
I have left Zip Realty. I am now working out of the Park Place GMAC office in Riverside, CA.
Tim Trainor
Park Place GMAC
7379 Indiana Ave
Riverside, CA 92504
951-346-5123 (office)
951-264-1591 (mobile)
951-905-5438 (fax)
timothy.trainor@sbcglobal.net
DRE # - 01468436
Jukebox XIV
I took another bite of the Quarter Pounder with cheese...as our friends were diligently inputting their food intake into their iPhones. Hanssie and I were curious about what they were doing so a conversation began. They told us about losing weight. They told us about counting calories. They told us about logging food. They told us about logging exercise. They told us about results. They encouraged us to download the app..."we can all be connected and hold each other accountable."
I downloaded the app and began putting in the info...age, weight, target weight, how fast to get to weight, etc...the computer spits out a number 1,806 calories a day will allow me to drop 26 pounds in 12 weeks.
Now for the hard part...inputting my food for that night...1,496 calories (IN ONE MEAL!). Looking back on the day, I see that the majority of my calories are from drinks...soda to be exact.
The result. No more soda for me. And plenty of exercise. My buddy has been begging me to get out on a bike with him, so...my Jukebox's should be way more frequent.
1. Young Forever Jay-Z feat. Mr. Hudson
Jay-Z has become one of my favorite artists. I love the song Empire State of Mind...and the hook on Run This Town is great. This song is a little different...Mr. Hudson has an amazing voice.
2. What I Need To Do Kenny Chesney
Kenny being Kenny...he is at his best with his ballads. He is taking 2010 off to recharge (something he needs to do). His "island" albums have not had a huge amount of commercial success. Despite his large concert numbers he needs to get back to what made him who he is. I can't wait for his next studio album. Expectations are high...
3. Feed Jake Pirates of the Mississippi
When I was a kid we had cats. We had a real bad stretch of cats that didn't pan out...and one of these cats was an orange tabby named Jake. I loved that cat...and it really connected me to this song. As I listen to this song today...the lyrics are a little off color.
4. Anymore Travis Tritt
This is without a doubt one of my favorite songs. I have a love/hate relationship with Travis. Half of his songs don't resonate with me...the other half are just ok. However, I love this song...I feel like the sap from the episode of Seinfeld...every time Desperado came on the radio he was transfixed. So am I...every time I hear this song...I just stop and listen for 4 minutes...
5. Back at One Brian McKnight
I was driving home from softball 13 years ago and my buddy at the time (Dave Mann) told me about this singer. When I was in college I was all about Boyz II Men, Dru Hill, Puff Daddy, Notorious, Tupac, Snoop Doog...a very much hip-hop and R&B vibe. Anyway, once Dave turned me onto Brian...I was hooked. Hanssie and I saw Brian in concert once...we sat in the very last row at Universal...Eric Benet (a train wreck) was the opening act...anyway...Brian was amazing.
6. Spirit of a Storm Kenny Chesney
Kenny has been amazing. Always the tops of the concert charts. He is usually #2 in attendance behind U2. However, every once in a while he comes out with a CD that he does all of the writing on (usually after he has gone to the islands to wind down after the long concert season) and those albums do not have the same commercial success. I am a huge fan...so I like most if not all of what he does.
7. Fall Into Me Sugarland
Mac and I love this CD...many a day spent cruising around listening to Jennifer Nettles voice with us singing at the top of our lungs. I seriously can't wait for their next album to come out.
8. You're So Crazy Guns 'N Roses
This is another song/CD from my childhood. I can vividly remember playing video games to this song and a whole host of other songs by Skid Row, Slaughter, Def Leppard, etc...and when i say video game, I mean Nintendo. I can still remember my mom and dad going to Vegas for a weekend and my brother buying Super Mario Bros. 3. I was in the 7th grade...my parents were gone so me, my three best friends and my brother literally played this game for 60 straight hours. Periodically my brother would leave and bring back some fast food or pizza for us to eat.
I downloaded the app and began putting in the info...age, weight, target weight, how fast to get to weight, etc...the computer spits out a number 1,806 calories a day will allow me to drop 26 pounds in 12 weeks.
Now for the hard part...inputting my food for that night...1,496 calories (IN ONE MEAL!). Looking back on the day, I see that the majority of my calories are from drinks...soda to be exact.
The result. No more soda for me. And plenty of exercise. My buddy has been begging me to get out on a bike with him, so...my Jukebox's should be way more frequent.
1. Young Forever Jay-Z feat. Mr. Hudson
Jay-Z has become one of my favorite artists. I love the song Empire State of Mind...and the hook on Run This Town is great. This song is a little different...Mr. Hudson has an amazing voice.
2. What I Need To Do Kenny Chesney
Kenny being Kenny...he is at his best with his ballads. He is taking 2010 off to recharge (something he needs to do). His "island" albums have not had a huge amount of commercial success. Despite his large concert numbers he needs to get back to what made him who he is. I can't wait for his next studio album. Expectations are high...
3. Feed Jake Pirates of the Mississippi
When I was a kid we had cats. We had a real bad stretch of cats that didn't pan out...and one of these cats was an orange tabby named Jake. I loved that cat...and it really connected me to this song. As I listen to this song today...the lyrics are a little off color.
4. Anymore Travis Tritt
This is without a doubt one of my favorite songs. I have a love/hate relationship with Travis. Half of his songs don't resonate with me...the other half are just ok. However, I love this song...I feel like the sap from the episode of Seinfeld...every time Desperado came on the radio he was transfixed. So am I...every time I hear this song...I just stop and listen for 4 minutes...
5. Back at One Brian McKnight
I was driving home from softball 13 years ago and my buddy at the time (Dave Mann) told me about this singer. When I was in college I was all about Boyz II Men, Dru Hill, Puff Daddy, Notorious, Tupac, Snoop Doog...a very much hip-hop and R&B vibe. Anyway, once Dave turned me onto Brian...I was hooked. Hanssie and I saw Brian in concert once...we sat in the very last row at Universal...Eric Benet (a train wreck) was the opening act...anyway...Brian was amazing.
6. Spirit of a Storm Kenny Chesney
Kenny has been amazing. Always the tops of the concert charts. He is usually #2 in attendance behind U2. However, every once in a while he comes out with a CD that he does all of the writing on (usually after he has gone to the islands to wind down after the long concert season) and those albums do not have the same commercial success. I am a huge fan...so I like most if not all of what he does.
7. Fall Into Me Sugarland
Mac and I love this CD...many a day spent cruising around listening to Jennifer Nettles voice with us singing at the top of our lungs. I seriously can't wait for their next album to come out.
8. You're So Crazy Guns 'N Roses
This is another song/CD from my childhood. I can vividly remember playing video games to this song and a whole host of other songs by Skid Row, Slaughter, Def Leppard, etc...and when i say video game, I mean Nintendo. I can still remember my mom and dad going to Vegas for a weekend and my brother buying Super Mario Bros. 3. I was in the 7th grade...my parents were gone so me, my three best friends and my brother literally played this game for 60 straight hours. Periodically my brother would leave and bring back some fast food or pizza for us to eat.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Jukebox XIII
So, April is an exciting time of year. Baseball is just getting under way (which means it is going to be more and more difficult to find free evenings with the Dodgers season starting). The time change is becoming more and more evident. The NBA playoffs are getting close (I am bored with the regular season, no wonder the Lakers look bored). Summer is getting close, which means that I need to get back out and run a lot more....
So here is my first Jukebox for the Spring of '10.
1. What'cha Say Jason Derulo
I don't have a good reason for liking this song. It is the third verse that gets me every time. Side note...when I found out that Kara DioGuardi from American Idol discovered Jason, and that she is a VP at Warner Bros records (or something like that) it made me want to hear her critiques more.
2. Bedrock Young Money
I love this line..."I love your sushi rolls hotter then wasabi, I race for your love shake-n-bake, Ricky Bobby". I am becoming a fan of Drake...
3. The Man I Want to Be Chris Young
I am constantly trying to become the man that I want to be. I love this song...Chris is one of my favorites.
4. The Truth Jason Aldean
I was hooked on Jason with songs like Johnny Cash, Laugh Until We Cried, Why, She's Country, Amarillo Sky...but this song is legit. Jason is really good. We considered paying $1,000 to go to Stagecoach in Indio this month just to see him...cause there really isn't anyone else in the lineup we want to see (besides Sugarland).
Sidenote...we were driving and Kenny Chesney came on the radio, Mac said, "I like Kenny Chesney, but my favorite is Jason Aldean". I had mixed feelings. I want her to like Kenny (which she assured me that she does), but I was also happy that she made her own decision.
5. Imma Be Blackeyed Peas
The Blackeyed Peas are weird and I completely DIG that. Fergie saying, "Imma be shakin my hips, your gonna be lickin your lips"...awesome.
6. Clothes Off Gym Class Heroes
So, this song is just fun. Every time I hear the line, "Oh I'm sorry, my name is Travee and I'm pretty much a big deal. Oh, you've never heard of me, that sounds absurd to me" it reminds me of Hanssie.
7. The Only Difference Between Marytrdom and Suicide is Press Coverage Panic! at the Disco
We were at some friends house for New Year's a few years ago and Panic! performed at one of the New Year's shows and I was completely unimpressed. They cross dress, they wear makeup...they are absolutely insane (you know Lady Gaga meets Keisha meets Queen). Having said that...their music is hypnotic...their music has a good groove to it. I don't know the genre of their music, I just know that when I am running...the time flies by when I am listening to their CD.
8. Empire State of Mind Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
My favorite song. I could listen to this song over and over again. I can hear this song played at the end of every New York sporting event for the next 20 years...this some is timeless and epic. Jay-Z's performance at the Grammy's was amazing. Blueprint 3 is great! He is the new Sinatra!
"I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can"
"Sitting court side Knicks and Nets give me high five"
"If Jeezy's payin LeBron, I'm payin Dwyane Wade"
Classic!! We need a new California anthem...now!!!
What's coming this week...
1.) What's wrong with basketball?
2.) Why NOW is the best time to buy a house?
3.) A big change in my life!!!!
So here is my first Jukebox for the Spring of '10.
1. What'cha Say Jason Derulo
I don't have a good reason for liking this song. It is the third verse that gets me every time. Side note...when I found out that Kara DioGuardi from American Idol discovered Jason, and that she is a VP at Warner Bros records (or something like that) it made me want to hear her critiques more.
2. Bedrock Young Money
I love this line..."I love your sushi rolls hotter then wasabi, I race for your love shake-n-bake, Ricky Bobby". I am becoming a fan of Drake...
3. The Man I Want to Be Chris Young
I am constantly trying to become the man that I want to be. I love this song...Chris is one of my favorites.
4. The Truth Jason Aldean
I was hooked on Jason with songs like Johnny Cash, Laugh Until We Cried, Why, She's Country, Amarillo Sky...but this song is legit. Jason is really good. We considered paying $1,000 to go to Stagecoach in Indio this month just to see him...cause there really isn't anyone else in the lineup we want to see (besides Sugarland).
Sidenote...we were driving and Kenny Chesney came on the radio, Mac said, "I like Kenny Chesney, but my favorite is Jason Aldean". I had mixed feelings. I want her to like Kenny (which she assured me that she does), but I was also happy that she made her own decision.
5. Imma Be Blackeyed Peas
The Blackeyed Peas are weird and I completely DIG that. Fergie saying, "Imma be shakin my hips, your gonna be lickin your lips"...awesome.
6. Clothes Off Gym Class Heroes
So, this song is just fun. Every time I hear the line, "Oh I'm sorry, my name is Travee and I'm pretty much a big deal. Oh, you've never heard of me, that sounds absurd to me" it reminds me of Hanssie.
7. The Only Difference Between Marytrdom and Suicide is Press Coverage Panic! at the Disco
We were at some friends house for New Year's a few years ago and Panic! performed at one of the New Year's shows and I was completely unimpressed. They cross dress, they wear makeup...they are absolutely insane (you know Lady Gaga meets Keisha meets Queen). Having said that...their music is hypnotic...their music has a good groove to it. I don't know the genre of their music, I just know that when I am running...the time flies by when I am listening to their CD.
8. Empire State of Mind Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
My favorite song. I could listen to this song over and over again. I can hear this song played at the end of every New York sporting event for the next 20 years...this some is timeless and epic. Jay-Z's performance at the Grammy's was amazing. Blueprint 3 is great! He is the new Sinatra!
"I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can"
"Sitting court side Knicks and Nets give me high five"
"If Jeezy's payin LeBron, I'm payin Dwyane Wade"
Classic!! We need a new California anthem...now!!!
What's coming this week...
1.) What's wrong with basketball?
2.) Why NOW is the best time to buy a house?
3.) A big change in my life!!!!
Monday, March 1, 2010
New Repo Lists
92879
REO (6)
Short Sale (43)
Standard (27)
Unknown (9)
92880
REO (11)
Short Sale (91)
Standard (36)
Unknown (21)
92881
REO (5)
Short Sale (38)
Standard (27)
Unknown (9)
92882
REO (28)
Short Sale (60)
Standard (31)
Unknown (21)
92883
REO (8)
Short Sale (81)
Standard (37)
Unknown (9)
As of today 3/1/10...there are 598 homes on the market in Corona.
Short Sale - 313 (52.3%)
Standard - 158 (26.4%)
Unknown - 69 (11.5%)
REO - 58 (9.7%)
We have a new category. The unknown category. This is due to the fact that some Realtors do not input the homes correctly into the MLS; therefore, the correct category is unknown. In fact these homes (which total more than all of the REOs on the market in Corona) could be in any of the four categories listed above.
REO (6)
Short Sale (43)
Standard (27)
Unknown (9)
92880
REO (11)
Short Sale (91)
Standard (36)
Unknown (21)
92881
REO (5)
Short Sale (38)
Standard (27)
Unknown (9)
92882
REO (28)
Short Sale (60)
Standard (31)
Unknown (21)
92883
REO (8)
Short Sale (81)
Standard (37)
Unknown (9)
As of today 3/1/10...there are 598 homes on the market in Corona.
Short Sale - 313 (52.3%)
Standard - 158 (26.4%)
Unknown - 69 (11.5%)
REO - 58 (9.7%)
We have a new category. The unknown category. This is due to the fact that some Realtors do not input the homes correctly into the MLS; therefore, the correct category is unknown. In fact these homes (which total more than all of the REOs on the market in Corona) could be in any of the four categories listed above.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Zip Rebate again!
Here is the latest on the rebate...
- The rebate may be used in conjunction with FHA buyers
- The rebate agreement between the Realtor and the buyer must be obtained and accompany the Purchase/Sales contract
- The total real estate commission must be within ordinary and customary practices
- The rebate cannot exceed 1% of the sales price
- The rebate is considered an interested party contribution (and financing concession), and is applied toward applicable limits
- The borrower must have the minimum investment requirement into the transaction
- If the rebate is applied to the borrower's closing costs, it is credited on the HUD (in the 200 series line items) as a credit to the borrower
- If the rebate is sent after closing and not part of the settlement at the table, it is disclosed as paid outside of closing (in the 200 series line items) as a POC credit to the borrower
These are general guidelines and not a comprehensive list. Please consult your mortgage officer if you have any questions concerning the rebate. All lenders have their own rules and guidelines for handing the rebate.
The long and the short of it is that the rebate is legal.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Zip Rebate
I had the following comment on one of my previous posts. I would have replied directly to the commenter but they left the comment without any information.
Finding out its not as simple as you say and the website claims. Zip is saying that we cant use this towards closing costs and we can only get a check after close. Our lender (or HUD) is saying we cant get a check after close unless they reduce the mortgage amount which means we must have more $ for down payment. Can anyone explain this to me?? Left several messages with Zip managers but no call back yet. The purchase is happening in MA btw.
I have not had any experience with this type of issue. I do however know that Zip has had some issues with the rebate lately. I am trying to get to the bottom of the issue and will post again with the updated information.
Sorry for any confusion and/or trouble.
Finding out its not as simple as you say and the website claims. Zip is saying that we cant use this towards closing costs and we can only get a check after close. Our lender (or HUD) is saying we cant get a check after close unless they reduce the mortgage amount which means we must have more $ for down payment. Can anyone explain this to me?? Left several messages with Zip managers but no call back yet. The purchase is happening in MA btw.
I have not had any experience with this type of issue. I do however know that Zip has had some issues with the rebate lately. I am trying to get to the bottom of the issue and will post again with the updated information.
Sorry for any confusion and/or trouble.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Jukebox XII
The jukebox section of the blog (ok, the whole blog) has been on hiatus. There have been a few reasons: 1.) I haven't been running (a tear in my meniscus and my ACL have limited my running), 2.) my computer crashed in October (and I haven't figured out a way to get my music from my iPhone to my new computer, and 3.) because I have been lazy.
Well, 20 pounds of fat have led me back to my running shoes...and I can't run without music. So, I am hoping to get these out weekly...not to mention updated info about real estate and non-profits.
Here goes...
1.) Can't Tell Me Nothing Kanye West
I know that hip hop is a young persons music genre...but it amps me up. I play better basketball when I listen to Biggie or Jay-Z or...Kanye (he is forever going to be Ron Artest to me). In The Hangover, as the boys arrive in Vegas this song is played...pretty legit.
2.) The Truth Jason Aldean
I really like his album. The more I hear it...the more I like it.
3.) Song of the South Alabama
I know I am a nerd who likes country music too. Songs evoke memories for me...this one, driving in Lake Arrowhead with my dad. We are going to drop my mom off at work at 5am and it is snowing. My dad is in shorts, a sweat shirt...drinking a cup of coffee...with the driver side window down. It was freezing!!!
4.) I Get Around Tupac Shakur
"I'm Shock G, the one who put the satin on your..." a pretty embarrassing lyric to have play in front of your friend's dad. But I love the song...his first after he left Digital Underground.
5.) November Rain Guns 'N Roses
My brother and sister liked G 'N R...I actually don't know if they still do. Anyway, they listened to it a lot when I was growing up (no matter how much my parent's protested). Def Leppard, Europe, Slayer, Motley Crue...they were all staples on MTV (another banned thing in my parents house, that we did anyway) back in the day. If I remember correctly, Stephanie Seymour (a Victoria Secrets model and wife of Axel Rose) starred in the video.
6.) History in the Making Darius Rucker
Hootie can blow...there is no doubt about it. 4 songs released off his album...4 number 1 hits...the first African American ever to do this in country music (although iTunes categorizes his album as Rock).
7.) Tik Tok Ke$ha
Nothing to say about this...except it is really catchy. And I am kind of embarrassed that I just put it here...
8.) Keep You Sugarland
Jennifer Nettles looks great in the video (until she decided to cut her hair - mid video). I love Sugarland. One of my great disappointments from this summer was arriving at At&T Park in San Francisco...Hanssie and I were looking forward to seeing Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Sugarland and Kenny Chesney...there was a sign "Jennifer Nettles has a sore throat and will not perform tonight. I wanted to see Sugarland (who I think has the best country album of 2008).
9.) Empire State of Mind Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keyes
Literally my favorite song...I like all of Blueprint 3...but this song is tight. The lyrics are hot...
"city it's a pity half of y'all won't make, me I gotta plug a special and I got it made, if Jeezy's paying LeBron, I'm paying Dewyane Wade...I'm from the Empire State thats..."
I tried to youtube Jay-Z and Alicia at the Grammy's it was sick. Check it out...
Well, 20 pounds of fat have led me back to my running shoes...and I can't run without music. So, I am hoping to get these out weekly...not to mention updated info about real estate and non-profits.
Here goes...
1.) Can't Tell Me Nothing Kanye West
I know that hip hop is a young persons music genre...but it amps me up. I play better basketball when I listen to Biggie or Jay-Z or...Kanye (he is forever going to be Ron Artest to me). In The Hangover, as the boys arrive in Vegas this song is played...pretty legit.
2.) The Truth Jason Aldean
I really like his album. The more I hear it...the more I like it.
3.) Song of the South Alabama
I know I am a nerd who likes country music too. Songs evoke memories for me...this one, driving in Lake Arrowhead with my dad. We are going to drop my mom off at work at 5am and it is snowing. My dad is in shorts, a sweat shirt...drinking a cup of coffee...with the driver side window down. It was freezing!!!
4.) I Get Around Tupac Shakur
"I'm Shock G, the one who put the satin on your..." a pretty embarrassing lyric to have play in front of your friend's dad. But I love the song...his first after he left Digital Underground.
5.) November Rain Guns 'N Roses
My brother and sister liked G 'N R...I actually don't know if they still do. Anyway, they listened to it a lot when I was growing up (no matter how much my parent's protested). Def Leppard, Europe, Slayer, Motley Crue...they were all staples on MTV (another banned thing in my parents house, that we did anyway) back in the day. If I remember correctly, Stephanie Seymour (a Victoria Secrets model and wife of Axel Rose) starred in the video.
6.) History in the Making Darius Rucker
Hootie can blow...there is no doubt about it. 4 songs released off his album...4 number 1 hits...the first African American ever to do this in country music (although iTunes categorizes his album as Rock).
7.) Tik Tok Ke$ha
Nothing to say about this...except it is really catchy. And I am kind of embarrassed that I just put it here...
8.) Keep You Sugarland
Jennifer Nettles looks great in the video (until she decided to cut her hair - mid video). I love Sugarland. One of my great disappointments from this summer was arriving at At&T Park in San Francisco...Hanssie and I were looking forward to seeing Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Sugarland and Kenny Chesney...there was a sign "Jennifer Nettles has a sore throat and will not perform tonight. I wanted to see Sugarland (who I think has the best country album of 2008).
9.) Empire State of Mind Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keyes
Literally my favorite song...I like all of Blueprint 3...but this song is tight. The lyrics are hot...
"city it's a pity half of y'all won't make, me I gotta plug a special and I got it made, if Jeezy's paying LeBron, I'm paying Dewyane Wade...I'm from the Empire State thats..."
I tried to youtube Jay-Z and Alicia at the Grammy's it was sick. Check it out...
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