The beauty and magic of the pride of Pasadena, of course the Tournament of Roses aka the Rose Parade (and been there myself many times over the years and took this photo to the right at street level) may or may not at times have much of an impact on home prices in Southern California

The “weather” dividend as it’s also known has come and in someways gone (imho) over the years along with the inflated home prices for our  (mostly) postage stamp size lots right along with our traffic clogging freeways. Yet seeing the sunny skies of Southern Cal has got to be appealing to those in the frozen tundra of the east this time of year. I can only imagine what it must be like to shovel your way out of the house vs. saying “please pass me the sunscreen Wilma…”

Those of us who’ve lived here all our lives at times take our “winter weather” for granted,  yep when it gets down below the 60′s during the day we think we’re freezing, yet that’s almost balmy in Chicago for Jan.  And believe me I know that after visiting the Windy City in early Jan. a couple of years back  locals were boasting about sunshine and 37 degree temps!

So I guess only time will tell if the 2012 real estate market will be much different from 2010 and 2011 which reflected relatively similar numbers for home prices and sales according to the data from the So Cal Multiple Listing Service (one of the largest real estate data bases in the country).

Now for me personally, even though selling So Cal real estate for living has been my livelihood for decades, I think we have more than enough people here right now, I’d just like a few more them to be buying homes at this point. So if you’re interested  contact me, Lynda@PreferreHomeBrokers.com.  However if you’re making the trek out west to the left-coast and need a great (rather immodest) REALTOR, you can contact me too. My company is Preferred Home Brokers and we’ve been representing home buyers and sellers in SoCal communities now for decades in Southern California, the land of sunshine among other things.

So I guess only time will tell if the 2012 real estate market will be much different from 2010 and 2011 which had relatively similar numbers according to the data from the So Cal Multiple Listing Service (one of the largest real estate data bases in the country). Until then…enjoy the weather wherever you are!

So grab the kids and your blanket, picnic basket (or buy a tri-tip sandwich there) and head on over the Brea’s City Hall Park on Brea Blvd. just South of Imperial Hwy.

The schedule is as follows:

• July 20th ~ UPSTREAM ~ Reggae & Calypso www.upstreammusic.com

• July 27th ~ SOUTHLAND MEGA GROOVE ~ The Sounds of California www.smband.com

• August 3rd ~ THE RAVELERS ~ HITS FROM THE 60′s, 70′s & Today www.ravelers.com

• August 10th ~ WITH A BIBLE 7 A GUN ~ Rocken Tribute to the “man in black” Johnny Cash  www.myspace.com/withabibleandagun

• August 17th ~ SWING CATS ~ Classic Big Band ~ www.swingcatsband.com

Oh, one more thing Brea’s City Hall Park is also home to the famous Brea Plunge, the oldest continually used public pool in Orange County.

The are FREE Concerts for you and they’re sponsored by North Hills Church, Brea Disposal, Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt & La Floresta, Brea…THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS!

Beginning on  Wednesday July 14th & running through August 25th the evenings under the stars takes place at the beautiful La Mirada Regional Park, one of my personal favorites in the Southland. They’re held on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.

The La Mirada summer 2011 line up features:

July 14th ~ Rockit Scientist – Rock and Roll

July 21st ~ Zoo2 – U2 Tribute

August 4th ~ The Silverados – Variety Country

August 11th ~ Hot August Night – Neil Diamond Tribute

August 18th ~ Flip Out – 70′s and 80′s Rock

August 25th ~ Paperback Writer – Beatles Tribute

So grab the kids, pack you picnic basket and head on over with your blanket or folding chairs and make it a kick-back Thursday evening without the TV & technology for a change!

The La Mirada Regional Park is located at Alicante and Adelpha, east of the La Mirada City Hall and Civic Center. It’s one of those places where we love to spend time with the kids. If you’re looking to learn more about living in La Mirada or your have a La Mirada home you’d like to sell, contact me. My name is Lynda Eisenmann, my company is Preferred Home Brokers, we’ve been serving home buyers and sellers for decades around the southland and we’d love to hear from you!

Next  week marks the beginning of school for  many of our cities around the southland. Here’s a list of a few of the nearby school districts:

 Anaheim High School District ~ School begins Monday August 30th. 

Brea-Olinda School District ~ Wednesday September 1st. 

Fullerton Elementary District ~ Monday August 30th for K-7 & K-8 schools and Tuesday August 31st for 8-Jr. High. 

La Habra School District ~ Monday August 30th. 

La Mirada High School ~ Thursday, September 9th. 

Lowell Joint ~ Tuesday, August 31st for 7th grade and Wednesday September 1st others.  

Placentia-Linda~ Tuesday, September 7th. Whittier School District ~ Wednesday, September 1st. 

East Whittier ~ Wednesday, September 1st. 

 So as always, we need to remember more kids will be out and about on their way two and from school!

If you’re looking to relocate in Southern Cal, contact me!

Thursday, August 12th is the date, the downtown Downtown Disney District is the place for this great event. It’s the 3rd annual “taste” event to support the extraordinary CHOC ~ Children’s Hospital of OC. 

Anyone who’s ever experienced the great things that take place at CHOC knows all to well its an amazing place with dedicated and caring professionals.  We know that first hand for ourselves, the photo is one I took one day  in the 3rd floor playroom. This was a special day for the kid’s the “Angel Girls” paid a visit.

So head on out  for the evening to taste the famous fares from the  likes of   House of Blues, Catal Resturant & Uva Bar, ESPN Zone (this one needs no explanation, right?),  Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen (btw, one of my faves) and Tortilla Jo’s + others.  Like wine and sprits? Look no further for selected parings of  wine, sprits and beer.

If desserts are more your style, you will be happy to know there will be an array of delicious and decadent desserts to please any palate.

All this + entertainment for a bargain price of  just  $50 bucks, that’s right!  Click here to find out about ordering tickets.

• Event begins at 6:00 p.m.
• Complimentary valet parking is available.
• Check in at the CHOC Welcome Table at the Valet Loop

Hope to see you and for friends there!

If you’re looking to learn more about Living in So Cal, contact me!

Here’s just one for the kids and the family for summer 2010.

FREE ADMISSION to the Nixon Presidential Library in beautiful Yorba Linda. That’s right FREE admission for the kids and families from 10:30 am till noon daily.

This summer features a special presentation called “Meet the Presidents”  with special presentations, pictures with the presidents, coloring play time, punch and cookies.

• Next to be featured, President Abraham Lincoln ~ August 3rd.

The Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library is a great place to visit for so many reasons. We’ve been there many times ourselves…and what a great place to visit for FREE.

The little house at the library is the birthplace of the 37th President of the United States. The grounds of the library is also the final resting place for the President and First Lady.

Enjoy your visit and if you do, I’d love to hear from you!

Here’s the scoop on the short sale and bank repo market in La Mirada, CA:

Located in Eastern Los Angeles County adjacent to Orange Co. on the East, La Mirada is a great place to call home.

• The active numbers of single family homes on the market in May 2010 is 75.
• Of those single family homes 41%  are identified as a foreclosure, in loan default or a short sale property.
• Prices range from $285,000 to $650,000.
• Average days on the market is 66.
• The average is 3.5 bedrooms, with an average 1,600 square feet.

When it comes to townhomes/condos the La Mirada market is much smaller.

•  The active number of condos/townhomescurrently for sale in La Mirada is 14.
• Of those 71% (10) are either in foreclosure, bank owned or are short sales.
• Prices for condos in La Mirada range from $120,000 to $379,000.
• Average days on the market is 58
• The average 2 bedroom condo is 1,044 square feet.

Located in Eastern Los Angeles County adjacent to Orange Co. on the East, La Mirada is a great place to call home. Want help with La Mirada real estate? Contact me directly!

So Cal Hiking in Palm Springs

Living in So Cal has so much to offer. Yes we put up with traffic, yes we experience crowds and long lines, yet we have some of the most wonderful places to visit and explore.

One of my favorites is the desert area of Southern California in and around Palm Springs. Here’s a recent visit and a very easy/moderate hike in the Taquitz Canyon area of Palm Springs. Check it out.

Brea’s 8k usually takes place the last Sunday in Feburary and this year was not exception. Check out this video to see more:

Brea 8k Race 2010