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!

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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!

Anaheim ~ DISNEYLAND ~ One of the best around in my opinion, done with one several times with the family, regular park admission price. (714) 781-4000

Angel Stadium ~ The BIG “A”- ~ The fireworks show is after the game. This could be dueling fireworks with nearby Disneyland! I’ve seen it myself while on the 57 freeway.

Brea ~ Brea’s Annual Country Fair FREE event at City Hall Park (also home to the Brea Plunge)  just south of Imperial Hwy. The day begins at 7:00 a.m. with the annual pancake breakfast. Festivities continue till 4:00.

Fullerton ~ FULLERTON HIGH STADIUM Show begins 5:00 p.m. with fireworks at 9:00, tickets are approximately $2 to $4.

Huntington Beach ~ JULY 4TH PARADE! I’ve done this one myself (on bikes) several times, it’s right up Main Street. Then head over to the SURF CITY PIER for a day of fun, Fireworks at dusk.  Limited VIP seating $10 bucks.

La Habra ~ LA HABRA HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM ~ Entertainment for the whole family begins at 5:00 p.m. & fireworks at 9:00. Call (562) 905-9708.

Orange ~ JULY 3 RD ~ FRED KELLY STADIUM $7 bucks, kids 2 & under FREE. Fireworks 9:00 p.m. (714) 744-7278

Yorba Linda ~ VETERAN’S PARK FREE event! Fun & entertainment at 5:00 fireworks at 9:00.

Have a great time and stay safe! If you need help with So Cal real estate contact me Lynda@PreferredHomeBrokers. We’ve been serving home buyers and sellers around the Southland for 35 years!

-Broker’s License #00402040

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!

Memorial Day 2011 is a time for remembrance of those who’ve served and those who’ve paid the ultimate price…keeping us free.

While for some Memorial Day may mean a long week-end, for retailers it’s reason to promote a sale, for me it’s also a time to remember and say thanks to those who have served and are now serving along with the families they leave behind. That’s why I’m sharing this list with you now, a list of events throughout the SoCal.

• Anaheim ~ Anaheim Cemetary ~ Memorial Day Program, Monday the 30th, 11:00 a.m. 1400 E. Sycamore Ave.
• Brea ~ Memory Gardens in Brea ~ 455 W. Central Ave. Brea and the “Avenue of Flags. It’s been an event I’ve personally addended many times over the years. The beautiful American Flags are usually put up by local Boy Scouts. It’s a real sight to see.
• Fullerton ~ Loma Vista Cemetary, The U.S. Army’s 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment will be the focus of a special salute Monday, May 30, at the 73rd Annual Fullerton Memorial Day Observance.
• L.A. ~ Honor and Remembrance, Monday, May 30, 2011 10:30 am Los Angeles National Cemetery is hosting 122nd Annual Memorial Day Program honoring the memory of the Brave Men and Women Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice to Give the Gift of Freedom to our great nation.
• West Los Angeles ~ Walk for Your Warrior, Monday, May 30, 2011  10:30 a.m. ~ Fun, Prizes and More, a family-friendly 5K Walk/Run to benefit New Directions a nonprofit agency that assists homeless veterans.  Join the West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce  in walking in honor of those who have served and those who are currently serving in the Armed Forces.
• Long Beach ~ Queen Mary Salutes U.S. Military Personnel The Queen Mary will offer FREE admission to all U.S. active and retired military personnel on Memorial Day. Memorial Day Monday, 10 am – 6 pm,  1126 Queen’s Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802 Cost: Free for retired and active military with ID, regular price for all others Parking: $12.
• Palm Springs ~ Palm Springs Air Museum Memorial Day Flower Drop. This is a very special day at Palm Springs Air Museum and an event I’ve attuned myself, that’s where I took this photo. The brief Memorial service is dedicated to all of othe  fallen soldiers, who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.To honor them the flight is  the highlight of the service with a fly-by and flower drop of over 3,000 red and white carnations from a B-25 Mitchell.  Visitors are welcome to pick up a flower to take home.
• Yorba Linda ~ May 30 at 2:00 PM – Memorial Day Ceremony Please join friends and neighbors in honoring our nation’s fallen heroes at the Memorial Day Ceremony being held at the Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial on Valley View Ave north of YL Blvd.

So what ever you decide to do this Memorial Day, I’d encourage you to show your appreciation to a Vet!

As an experienced Broker I understand the  probate process and knowledge  of helping families at difficult times like this.  I’ve also had the personal experience as a Broker and a Successor Trustee myself along with the experience working with reverse mortgages when it comes to senior and probate home sellling.

Take a quick look at this probate home selling video:

My company is Preferred Home Brokers and we’ve been serving home buyers and sellers including probate sales for more than 35 years in Southern California. We’re one of the longest established independent residential brokerages in Orange County under the same ownership. And with the ups and downs of the real estate market place and economy over the decades we take pride in the fact we’ve survived (where others have failed) by continually serving our loyal clients and their personal referrals.

When it comes to senior real estate and probate sales, we’ve also created a special website California Senior Real Estate, it’s filled with helpful tips and information created specifically to meet the needs of seniors and their families. Home Selling 101.com is another great place for more home selling help with more tips and videos. Please check it out for yourself and I’d love to hear from you.

It’s a Spring Boutique!

 When: Saturday, April 9th  ~ 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where: Gateway Masonic Lodge ~ 500 E. Imperial Hwy. Brea, CA 92821

 Featuring Wonderful Spring gifts & decorations for your friends, family and yourself.

Also a bake sale with lots of goodies for everyone to enjoy!

• Presented by: Order of Eastern Star, Ami Tai Chapter #147
• Proceed will be used to support the sponsors fraternal purposes.
• Masonic Lodge is located West of the 57 freeway, between State College & Brea Blvd. 

Some consumers may be suprised to the the lack of inventory in our City of Brea, especially when it comes to single family homes.

2011 began with 60 single family detached homes for sale, compared to 61 in 2010.

• Prices range from $319,000 to $859,000
• Average asking price today is $515,000
• Average price is $272 per sq. foot
• Almost 50% are identified as other than “standard” sales” e.g. short sales, repos, investor flips, etc.
• 2010 Average of 18 closing $603,800/$263 sq. ft.
• 2011 average of 22 closing $524,500/$258 sq. ft.

For condo/attached homes:

• 31 condos or attached homes for sale.
• Average asking price is $377,000
• Almost 60% are non-standard sales
• 2010 Average of 6 closings $365,000/$260 sq. ft.
• 2011 Average of 4 closings $334,000/$262 sq. ft.

If you’re interested in learning more about life in Brea, here’s a list of  Brea YouTube Videos:

• Take a look at Brea’s Sports Park Here!
• Here’s the Sports Park Under the Lights
• Brea Honors Our  Military
• Brea Art in Public Places, it’s One of My Favorites in Brea
• Brea Farmers Market every Tue. in Downtown Brea
• Brea 24 HR Cancer Relay For Life! It’s a great event for all.
• Brea 8K every Feb. in Brea
• Brea Civic & Cultural Centre

If  you might love Brea like I do, then join the community page  “I Love Brea on Facebook”

When you’re ready to talk Brea real estate contact me, I’m a local Brea Broker, my company is Preferred Home Brokers. You can contact me directly at Lynda@PreferredHomeBrokers.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Of all the posts I’ve written here for the past few years, the posts on craft fairs and holiday-spring boutiques have garnered the most interest. Here’s a short list for 2010!

Saturday, Nov. 13th, 9:30-4 ~ East Whittier Mom’s Club Holiday Boutique & Bake Sale.  8225 Calmosa Ave. Whittier.

Friday, Nov. 19th, 9-6 & Sat. Nov. 20th, 9-4 ~ Nutcracker Craft Fair,  Brea Community Center, 695 E. Madison Way, Brea (behind the Brea Post Office on Birch St.). Admission is $2 and no strollers please.

Sat., Nov. 20th, 9-4 ~ Cypress Holiday Bazaar, Arts & Crafts Event, Cypress Community Center, 5700 Orange, Ave. (Oak Knoll Park), Cypress.

Friday, Dec 3rd 3-7, Sat. Dec 4th 8-40:30 Sun. 8:30-1 ~ 21st Annual Christmas Boutique, Zion Lutheran Church, 222 N. East St. Anaheim, 92805

Saturday, Dec. 4th, 9-4 ~ Glenbrook Holiday Bazaar,  Glenbrook Association Clubhouse, 1821 Greenbriar Lane, Brea

Wed., Dec 8th, 4-8 ~ Holiday Gift Fair, Circle View Elementary School, 6261 Hooker Dr., Hungington Beach. Over 30 vendors!

 Good luck to all the participants and if you have an event to share, please send me an email, I’d be happy to add you to the list!