Pam Woods, Realtor, Blog

What's Happening in the Community?

Southern California Home Buyer's Fair - March 13 - 14, 2010

January 28th, 2010 1:40 PM

Don’t miss the third annual Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair
Thousands of potential home buyers are expected to converge the weekend of March 13 and March 14 at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the FREE third annual Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair. The event is sponsored by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) and the Los Angeles Times.

The Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 13, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 14, features more than 50 educational “how-to” seminars designed to help home buyers navigate today’s real estate market with confidence and peace of mind. Seminar topics range from understanding home prices and monitoring and fixing credit to applying for a mortgage and the importance of the home inspection. Several of the sessions also will be offered in Spanish.

The event is free to the public. In addition, the first 200 attendees each day will receive a free movie ticket (one ticket per person).

C.A.R. also has created a consumer fact sheet about the event. Please visit http://www.homebuyersfair.com/ for more information.

Posted by Pamela Woods on January 28th, 2010 1:40 PMPost a Comment (0)

Home Buyer Information: "Opportunity Knocks" Brochure

December 11th, 2009 11:01 AM

Learn about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for home buyers in today's market

Homeownership is the American dream, and there may never be a better time to buy than today.

This new brochure from NAHB describes the many unprecedented opportunities in today's housing market, including ample inventory, attractive pricing, near-record low interest rates, tax incentives and more.

You can find out about:

how much home owners typically save in federal income taxes in the first five years;
how the power of leveraging helps you quickly builds household wealth;
the extended deadline for the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit, the new $6,500 credit for repeat buyers and the increased income limits in the legislation enacted on Nov. 6, 2009;
and more.

To access the brochure, left-click on the large front cover image below to open the PDF file:

For more information about the home buyer tax credits, go to www.FederalHousingTaxCredits.com.

Posted by Pamela Woods on December 11th, 2009 11:01 AMPost a Comment (0)

Wachovia Short Sales

December 1st, 2009 9:23 PM

I recently met with a representative from Wachovia/World Savings short sale department. They are doing everything they can possibly do to make the short sale process smooth and relatively pain free for the homeowner. If you or someone you know has a Wachovia, World Savings or Golden West Financial home loan and has a hardship and can no longer afford the mortgage you could qualify for a short sale or loan modification. Give me a call so we can go over your options. I can put you in touch with the right people who can either help keep you in your home or sell it as easily as possible with very little long term damage to your credit.

Keep in mind that a Short Sale damages your credit much less drastically and for a shorter period of time that a foreclosure.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Posted by Pamela Woods on December 1st, 2009 9:23 PMPost a Comment (0)

Get into the Holiday Spirit!

November 17th, 2009 11:28 AM

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than a good old-fashioned holiday parade? Take advantage of these free family events to help prepare you for the upcoming season. Great fun!

Covina Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 5, 6:30 pm
Click here

GLENDORA'S HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE

DECEMBER 12th, 2009

9:00 AM

Downtown Glendora Village

www.glendorachristmasparade.com

The parade is a rain or shine event. Please dress accordingly.

Posted by Pamela Woods on November 17th, 2009 11:28 AMPost a Comment (0)

Concerts in the Park

May 22nd, 2009 5:11 PM

Summer is just around the corner and I think we all look for fun, inexpensive family entertainment. What could be better than FREE entertainment?

Many of our local cities provide live entertainment by way of their concerts in the park. Take a picnic dinner, grab a blanket or low chair to sit on and you are set for an evening of listening pleasure. You can take the kids along so they can enjoy the fresh air at the park. Here are the schedules that I have found in my neighboring cities. If you would like me to add cities, please send me an email and I will include their schedule here too.

San Dimas - Wednesdays 7:00 to 9:00 PM - Civic Center Park

6/24    The Revelers - Classic Rock & Roll
7/1      Jonny Come Lately - Rockabilly, Blues, Surf & Ska
7/8      All American Wranglers - Country Western
7/15    The Doo-Wah Riders - Unique Country
7/22    Donavan & The Kopy Kats - Elvis Tribute
7/29    Five in Crisis - Ballads to Rock & Roll
8/5     The Answer - Classic Rock
8/12    Susie Hansen Latin Band - Latin Jazz

La Verne - Sundays 6:30 PM - Heritage Park

6/28    Sapadilla - Caribbean Reggae
7/12    Hotel California - Eagles Tribute
7/26    The Wonderellas - Classic 50's & 60's Revue
8/9      Flattop Tom & his Jumpcats - Jump Swing
8/23    Suave - Variety
9/6      The Answer - Classic Rock

Glendora - Sundays 6:00 PM - Finkbiner Park

7/12    The Answer - Classic Rock
7/19    Stone Soul - Soul & Motown
7/26    Disco Diva - 70's Dance Music
8/2      Elvis
8/9      The Wiseguys - Big Band
8/16    All American Wranglers - Country
8/23    Cold Duck - Classic Party Favorites

Claremont - Mondays 7:30 - 9:00 PM - Memorial Park

7/6      LCR - Classic Rock
7/13    Claremont Winds
7/20    Calypso Pirates - Reggae
7/27    Suave - Latin, R&B
8/3      The Ravelers - Classic Rock
8/10    Yolanda Creole Woman - New Orleans
8/17    All American Wranglers - Country
8/24    Reno Jones - Blues Rock
8/31    Night Blooming Jazzmen - Dixieland Jazz
9/7      The Answer - Classic Rock

Covina - Mondays 7:30 PM - Covina Park

6/22    The Answer - Classic Rock
6/29    Cold Duck - R&B (Versatile)
7/6     The Hodads - Beach Boys sounds
7/13    Suave - Latin Jazz, Salsa, Disco
7/20    Undercover Girls - 60's and laster music
7/27    Film at Eleven & the Late Breaking Horns - Classic 60's & 70's

Rancho Cucamonga - Thursdays 7:00 to 9:00 PM - Red Hill Park

7/9      Reflux - Top 40's
7/16    Urban Fyre - Reggae
7/23    Invasion - Beatles cover
7/30    The Answer - Classic Rock
8/6      Swing Cats - Big Band, Swing

I encourage you to check out the Recreation Guides for each of the cities for additional family fun. Many of them also offer free (or low cost) family movie nights and Farmer's Markets.

Posted by Pamela Woods on May 22nd, 2009 5:11 PMPost a Comment (0)

A Great Way to Conserve Water

May 20th, 2009 11:50 AM

Free Water Saving Toilets Offered to Golden State Water Residents

Golden State Water Company is hosting a High Efficiency Toilet (HET) distribution event at San Dimas High School, 800 West Covina Blvd. on June 13, 2009. Starting at 8:00 a.m., the HETs will be distributed to qualifying participants. Quantities are limited and the program is by reservation.

Participation Requirements:
*    Must be a Golden State Water Company customer
*    For single-family residential customer only
*    Must bring current water bill and a photo ID
*    Must return your old toilet(s) on Saturday, July 11,

2009 to San Dimas High School
* Existing toilets must be 3.5 gallon or higher for

exchanges
* Reserved toilets not picked up by 11 am on June 13,

2009 will be given to other customers
* In order to qualify, you must live in San Dimas or

parts of La Verne, Walnut, Charter Oak, or Covina

served by Golden State Water Company

To reserve your new high-efficiency toilet(s), please call WaterWise Consulting, Inc. toll free at (866) 308-8391. Customer service representatives will be available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. Reservation will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

View the Flyer (Adobe Acrobat, 1659KB)

Posted by Pamela Woods on May 20th, 2009 11:50 AMPost a Comment (0)

Drought Tips

April 25th, 2009 12:13 PM

In February Governor Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency because of a severe drought and warned of possible water rationing. For 100 water-saving tips for use by you, your business, and your clients, visit the Water Use It Wisely Web site (www.wateruseitwisely.com/index.php).

Californians may face water rationing this summer. In response, the California Landscape Contractors Association has provided the following tip for use by homeowners and businesses: Water trees first. If trees are lost, it increases the surrounding temperature, making everything hotter. Trees also are expensive to replace. Many surrounding plants depend on them, because trees offer shade and protection for some lawns and other plants that may not survive the hot sun without them. In addition, trees often are homes, shelter and/or food to birds and animals, which could possibly die if they perish.

. Do not use high nitrogen fertilizers during a drought. They encourage growth but the plants will need more water.
. Heavily mulch all flower and soil beds. Mulch helps keep water in the soil. Do not use rocks/gravel because they add heat to the soil and moisture evaporates faster.
. Mow grass higher to promote deeper root growth and hold more moisture. Aerate the lawn and fill the holes with compost so the water can infiltrate deeper.

Posted by Pamela Woods on April 25th, 2009 12:13 PMPost a Comment (0)

Earthquake Preparedness -- Are you ready?

April 9th, 2009 10:57 AM

One of the most frightening and destructive phenomena of nature is a severe earthquake and its terrible aftereffects.

Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently, and without warning at any time of the day or night. Although there are no guarantees of safety during an earthquake, by identifying some potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning, you can save lives and significantly reduce injuries and property damage.

Below are 6 ways you can plan ahead to protect yourself from the dangers of serious injury of loss of life from an earthquake:

Check for Hazards in the Home

For this information and more Earthquake preparation tips, please visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website.

Posted by Pamela Woods on April 9th, 2009 10:57 AMPost a Comment (0)

Spring Happenings

March 17th, 2009 11:04 AM

Spring officially arrives this week! Take a look at some of the great activities that our local cities have to offer.

San Dimas Spring Recreation Guide: http://www.cityofsandimas.com/download.cfm?ID=28636

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE
WINTER/SPRING 2009 CITY OF LA VERNE NEWSLETTER AND RECREATION GUIDE (1.60 Mb)

Glendora Spring Recreation Guide: http://www.ci.glendora.ca.us/community_services/recguide/recguide.pdf

Covina Winter/Spring Recreation Guide: http://www.ci.covina.ca.us/cityview/2009%20WS/Covina%20final%20text%20for%20web.pdf

Claremont Recreation Guide: http://www.ci.claremont.ca.us/download.cfm?ID=25938

Rancho Cucamonga Grapevine: http://www.rcpark.com/pdf/grapevine.pdf

Each of our local cities offer so may great programs for teens, families, and seniors. There is definitely something for everyone of every interest.

Check out the programs they are offering for Spring Break activities for school aged children.

Posted by Pamela Woods on March 17th, 2009 11:04 AMPost a Comment (0)

New Beginnings in 2009!

January 26th, 2009 2:41 PM

We are now well into the first month of 2009! Our country has seen some big changes (both good and bad). Now is a great time to think about buying a home. Especially if you are a first-time homebuyer, there are several great reasons to think about taking the plunge:

1) Home prices for starter homes are some of the lowest we've seen in a long time

2) Interest rates are great right now! Also, some of the lowest we've seen in a number of years

3) There are some great incentives for first time homebuyers (you can't have owned a home in the last three years). See my page titled "First Time Buyers" for more information.

Even if you are currently a homeowner and are just thinking about moving up, or moving out -- now is a good time to buy. Just think - your interest rate will probably be lower than you are paying now and, although you might not get the same amount for your current home as you would have a year or two ago, you will be buying on that same level. And your property tax basis will be less as well.

Keep all of these things in mind and when you are ready to start looking or if you would like more information, give me a call.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Posted by Pamela Woods on January 26th, 2009 2:41 PMPost a Comment (0)