Vicki Goorchenko's Blog - The Goorchenko Real Estate Team
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Kids Eat for Free in the South Bay!
Times are tough, and really…who doesn’t love a free meal??? Thanks to the local newspaper, The Daily Breeze, here is a link to a guide to places where kids eat free in the South Bay. You put in the day you want to go out to eat and it will show you where to go [...]
Fewer foreclosures???
Fewer foreclosures initiated in California in second quarter A foreclosed house is advertised in Pasadena. Rising unemployment and an end to a government-mandated freeze on foreclosures could lead to more home losses in the second half of the year. The number of borrowers who got default notices falls 8% from the first quarter’s record high. It’s still [...]
New federal rules protecting applicants for home loans take effect July 30
A new set of consumer-protection rules take effect July 30, including requiring lenders to provide consumers with initial disclosures of the estimated mortgage costs within three business days of the loan application; prohibiting lenders from collecting any fees prior to the consumer receiving the loan-cost disclosures; and prohibiting quickie closings on loans. Traditionally, many mortgage brokers [...]
Free! Concert tonight at the Santa Monica Pier!
Looking for something fun and free tonight? 1930-swing revivalists “Squirrel Nut Zippers” tonight at the Santa Monica Pier for free! For more info: http://www.santamonicapier.org/fun.html#1
How to Sell Your Home!!!
How do you sell your home when a buyer can choose from so many homes to see? How do you make YOURS stand out? If there was just one thing to do before you put the ?For Sale? sign in your yard, what would it be? There is an old saying ?You never get a [...]
Looking For Details on the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan Obama Signed?
Straight from the US Treasury Dept: Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan Fact Sheet http://treas.gov/news/index2.html
Final Word on the Tax Credit for Home Buyer?s in Obama?s Stimulus Bill
Directly from the National Association of Realtors site www.realtor.org Homebuyer Tax Credit ? The bill provides for a $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. The credit does not require repayment. Most of the [...]
Winners & Losers in the Stimulus Bill (as it sits now, Friday evening, currently being voted on by the Senate)
Well, here is one of the most important parts that we’ve been following: Homebuyers: First-time homebuyers who purchase this calendar year get an $8,000 tax credit which does not have to be repaid like a similar measure last year. This phases out for people making more than $75,000 individually or $150,000 jointly. “First-time homebuyer” is defined [...]
Calling All Teachers!!!!
Click here for information on a workshop for CA Teachers wanting to purchase a home and wanting to know more about the CalSTRS financing options! calstrs flyer.pdf If you, or someone you know, is thinking about buying a house in the Redondo Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Palos Verdes, or anywhere in the South Bay, they can easily [...]
Update on the Stimulus Bill?
Well, here is the latest. Looks like the tax credit for home buyers has been left in, but “significantly reduced”…here is what CNN is saying: “The homeowner tax credit has been kept but significantly reduced. The Senate version proposed a $15,000 credit, double that of the House bill.” The full article can be found here: CNN Stimulus [...]
$15,000 For Every Home Buyer?!?!?!
$15,000 tax credit for every home buyer- regardless of income- HOLY MOLY! At least as of right now, that’s what the new Stimulus Bill contains! Unlike the current $7,500 tax “credit,” this one won’t have to be paid back (the $7,500 has to be paid back!!!!) and there are no income limits set on the [...]
In Honor of Martin Luther King Jr
Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech, given on Aug. 28, 1963. Our country, and probably the world, is just one day away from yet another histortic day that many thought they would never see. Take a few minutes to listen to this speech, even if you’ve heard it before, give it another [...]
The Secret to Getting a FREE copy of Suze Orman?s Newest Book!
Get your copy of Suze Orman’s latest book, Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan, for free! Download Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan in English.* This book is copyrighted. You may view and download the file, but you may not copy the file or share or forward it to any other person. Offer expires at 11:59 p.m. CT [...]
Trying Not To Buy A Ticket to London!
What am I doing right now? Trying desperately not to buy a ticket to London! Why? Just look at these babies…awwwww I want one!! I’m a sucker for a puppy, but Dalmatian puppies just tug at my heart in particular! That poor mama dog, giving birth to 18 puppies!?!?!?!
Price drops spark California home sales
Southern California home sales jumped 26.9 percent and San Francisco Bay Area home sales rose 12.3 percent in November compared to the same month last year — while median prices plunged 34.5 percent and 44.4 percent, respectively. That’s according to data released this week by real estate research company DataQuick Information Systems. Read the full article here: [...]
Holiday Boat Parades in the South Bay
I love sailing- it’s so relaxing and invigorating at the same time! Our family grew up going down the boats at King Harbor year ’round, so every Christmas the local boat parades still hold a soft spot in my heart. The Boat Parade for Redondo Beach’s King Harbor Yacht Club is tomorrow, Friday Dec 13th. Everyone decks [...]
Construction Halted on Torrance Senior Assisted Living Homes (on Hawthorne near Rolling Hills Rd)- other units for sale, though!
As you may have heard this weekend, construction has been halted on the Sunrise Assisted Living Facility that was being built in Torrance, where Rolling Hills Road dead ends onto Hawthorne as you are headed up the hill to Palos Verdes. The full article can be found here (courtsey of the Daily Breeze). It would have [...]
Local?Tweeps? (I?m still not with the lingo yet!) Daily Breeze twitters- get the news as it happens!
If you are thinking about buying a home in Redondo Beach, or Torrance, or Palos Verdes, or any of the South Bay, you will want to keep up with what’s going on here! The Daily Breeze (www.dailybreeze) is the local daily paper, and here are the people you should follow on twitter to get the lastest [...]
The Secret to the Living the Vacation Lifestyle
Free Wi-Fi for Apple iPhone Users at Starbucks
We are always looking for places to connect into the “interwebs”- here’s a tip for those of you with iphones! - Vicki & Jen Free Wi-Fi for Apple iPhone users at Starbucks Nov 11, 2008 by Kevin Shawver FREE AT&T Wi-Fi access is now available for Apple iPhone users at Starbucks equipped with a hotspot. Users can relax [...]
Are you Twitter-ing??
We are! When we first heard about Twitter, we thought “eh. Like we really have time for this?” Then, we started checking it out. It’s a social networking site (what? You aren’t all over the social networking? But ALL the cool kids are doing it! hahaha!) that is really just a quick update on whatever [...]
Vacation Style Living- All Year Long!
I just listed a beautiful beach home: www.1800pch10.com I used to live in 1800 PCH, and I have to say, I loved it! If they had single story units (ie: no stairs!) we’d still be there. We walked to Bristol Farms, Albertsons, Starbucks and Coffee Bean (for the divided families! There is also The Welcome Cafe [...]
Free Coldstone Ice Cream- and for a good cause!!!
We love us some Coldstone Ice Cream!!! Truth be told, we just indulged in some this past weekend- which when I learned about the “7th Annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social” benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation on Sept 25th (TOMORROW!!!) from 5-8pm. They have two creation choices for your complimentry 3oz serving: Jack’s Creation - Marshmallow ice [...]
Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac Takeover
Wow! When I heard about this Sunday night, I was little scared. I mean, it happened on a SUNDAY NIGHT! I thought for sure financial disaster was immenent, otherwise wouldn’t they wait until a regular work day? Well, turns out the timing wasn’t a red flag, it was just when they decided to do it. [...]
Totally Random Recommendation (in honor of Mc Cain?s VP pick)
Totally Random Recommendation As many of you know, I have the pleasure of traveling to Alaska every few months to visit my kids. So in honor of Alaska’s Govenor being tapped for the Republican ticket, here is my latest Random Recommendation: Best Place for Breakfast in Anchorage, AK: Snow City Cafe. YUM! Try the Crabby Omelet or the Seattle Chop (or [...]
Another Dog Food Recall- specifically in Southern CA!
If you don’t already know, I’m a huge dog lover, so I want to make sure everyone knows about this. Please pass it on to other dog owners! http://www.insidesocal.com/pets/2008/08/more-dog-food-recalled.html
So what kind of house does a Billionaire buy?
So what kind of house does a Billionaire buy? (For the record, I married a Russian, but not one of THESE Russians!) http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/realestate/2008/08/11/riviera-home-sale-forbeslife-cx_mw_0811realestate.html?feed=rss_forbeslife_realestate
Totally Random Recommendation?
If you are in or near Austin, go to Ironworks Restaurant! Since Keller Williams is based in Austin, TX, I get there a few times a year for Masterminds and other fun stuff. Every time I go there now (going again soon- yay!) , I convince someone to go to Ironworks with me! It’s a [...]
About those Starbucks closures?
Want to know if YOUR Starbucks is on the chopping block? Here is the list- my fingers are crossed for you! http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/USStoreClosureInfo.pdf
Housing Rescue Bill Nears Finish Line
The housing rescue bill appears to be in limbo. It is expected to pass the Senate today or tomorrow, but then the Senate version faces substantial opposition from the House of Representatives. The White House also is still threatening veto. Roadblocks include Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., the Financial Services Committee chairman who won House approval of [...]
