by Jeff Pittman | May 25, 2015 | Holidays
Have some fun at Memorial Day events in Orange County 2015. We’ve got some family friendly fun, adult indulgence and patriotic pursuits to keep you entertained! SUNSET SERENADES Monday, May 25th 6:30-sunset Held at Heisler Park in the Amphitheatre off Cliff Drive, LA based Jazz drummer Jason Harnell will bring his trio to entertain. The show is free, the sunset is beautiful and it’s fun for the whole family. Event website: lagunabeachcity.net MILITARY DAYS AT KNOTT’S BERRY FARM Monday, May 25th Knott’s Berry Farm is offering free admission for all active, veteran and retired U.S. Military personnel as a special treat for Memorial Day. Discounted tickets are also available for family members (up to 6 tickets). Why not kick off Memorial Day with a bang? Event website: knotts.com GARDEN GROVE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL Monday, May 25th Village Green in Garden Grove At the famous Strawberry Festival there will be a parade, food, games, music and more! The festival is free to attend and unlimited rides are only $30. You can also sign up for one of the contests including the Berry, Berry Beautiful Baby Pageant, Redhead Roudup and Strawberry Idol Karaoke. Event website: strawberryfestival.org SANTA ANA MEMORIAL DAY FESTIVAL Monday, May 25th Centennial Park Centennial Park on Edinger Avenue in Santa Ana is coming to life with carnival games, rides, food and more. The festival is free to attend and the perfect way to enjoy the holiday with the family. FREE ADMISSION TO THE NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY Monday, May 25th Free all day Wreath laying, concert with the 90-piece Placentia Symphonic Band and more this Memorial Day at the Nixon...
by Jeff Pittman | May 20, 2015 | So Cal Cities
If the thought of hot breakfast food swaddled in a giant tortilla gets your mouth watering, then it’s clearly time to read up on the best breakfast burritos in Orange County. If you like your breakfast burritos fat, loaded and affordable then this is the list for you. From delis to donut shops, we’ve singled out the top can’t miss spots to order up your beast of a breakfast. Based on Yelp reviews, here’s the best of the best across Orange County. HAM ‘N SCRAM Hidden away in Westminster is a meaty breakfast burrito just waiting to blow your mind. According to the reviews, the Double Meat Burrito truly lives up it its name. With a name like Ham ‘n Scram, you can trust that these guys know how to smoke the perfect pig. You could comfort yourself with a bowl of the split pea soup, order a whole ham for the family or stick to the fan favorite – the breakfast burrito. The décor is cute with lots of pigs plus they’ve got a delivery service – deliciousness straight to your door. NATE’S KORNER Nate’s Korner on Main Street in Santa Ana is a deli and quick stop breakfast place. It doesn’t have the trendy vibe of downtown, it’s just a good old fashioned hole in the wall deli with some good eats. Their breakfast burritos are monsterous and mouthwatering. The burritos are big enough to feed too (don’t worry though, no need to share) and stuffed with eggs, cheese, tons of meat and more. According to the Yelp reviews the triple meat burrito is a must try! KELLY’S DONUTS &...
by Jeff Pittman | May 20, 2015 | Sellers
Room By Room DIY Home Staging Guide When you are selling your home it’s important to help buyers see it in its very best light. If you’re selling luxury real estate it might be a good idea to get some professional help and hire a home staging company, but there’s also plenty of touches you can add yourself to add appeal and perceived value to your home. We’ve rounded up a few simple DIY home staging projects that will help you stand out in the MLS listing. We’re going to take you room by room to show what makes your home stand out when you’re staging it yourself. EXTERIOR Buyers judge a book by its cover. In order to catch the eye of a potential buyer, your home must have ‘curb appeal’. A shabby exterior won’t do you any favors in staging your home, so make sure you take some simple steps to make the outside of your home as inviting as the inside. Clean up the lawn, driveway, and frontals. Make sure windows are clean and curtains are open and the house looks inviting. Use a window box if your house suits one to display some bright, colorful flowers that say, “Come in and see more”! If you have a porch, make sure it is just as inviting as your doorstep by offering comfortable seating and perhaps a floral accent on a side table. Make sure your front door is eye-catching. Err on the side of boldness and choose a color buyers are sure to remember and accessorize with a fun door knocker for extra wow factor. via...
by Jeff Pittman | May 18, 2015 | Buyers
5 Reasons Why Money Smart People Own Real Estate Andrew Carnegie, the wealthiest man in America during the early 20th century, once ruminated that “90 percent of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” I’m not sure Carnegie had any big data to back up his stats but he makes a very good point – money smart people see the value of owning real estate. Here’s a bit of bid data however that does supports the rich entrepreneur: In the past 15 years, the net worth of the typical homeowner has ranged between 31 and 46 times that of the net worth of the typical renter. Data from the 2014 Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances also shows that median homeowners had nearly $200,000 in net worth, 36 times that of the median renter who had just over $5,000. The median value of owners’ homes was just $170,000. Now that you’ve got the big picture, let’s break down 5 specific reasons why money smart people own real estate. Real Estate is the most commonly leveraged investment. When you have equity in your home, you can borrow against it. Few households are interested in borrowing money to buy stocks and bonds and few lenders are willing to lend them the money. As a result, homeownership allows households to amplify any appreciation on the value of their homes by a leverage factor. You’re already paying a mortgage. If you rent, you’re simply paying your landlord’s mortgage. If you buy your own home, your monthly check will go down to reducing your own principal. Why not pay down your own debt...
by Jeff Pittman | May 15, 2015 | Weekly Quote
“Humor is mankind’s greatest blessing.” ~ Mark Twain
