Do You Understand the Real Estate Market . . .

It is of the utmost importance that you possess a comprehensive understanding of the Real Estate market if you plan on investing in this market. There are so many changes in the real estate market and they have happened so quickly. To name a few, there are short sales, foreclosures and price reductions. Is your Realtor helping you to understand what this means to you?

As a result of these changes, there are tremendous investment opportunities available. Inventory is high, and interest rates are still low. However, these investments are not for the short term investors. The investment exists to buy the property, and then hold it over the long haul.

Educate yourself about the market, particularly if you are in any financial trouble. There is a large number of websites available for you to educate yourself. As a Realtor, I research, read, and write blogs on a daily basis to communicate the status of the market.

Another consideration is - does your Realtor understand this market. These are complicated times. Your Realtor should be reviewing websites and blogs to best understand the market and be able to translate that information to you. Your Realtor should demonstrate to you the positive aspect of the real estate market. Also, your Realtor should be writing blogs to educate the general public on a consistent basis. These are the Realtors that are "reading" and "educating" themselves to provide you with a better service.

Please let me know if you have any questions, feel free to contact me directly.

Sharon Paxson
http://www.sharonintheoc.com/
Newport Beach Real Estate

New Years Resolutions

Now that all the packages have been unwrapped, and the kitchen is cleaned up from the holiday meal - we start to think about our New Year's Resolutions.

This is a good time to be reflective of what it is we are going to resolve, and we can start making changes today.

• Establish short and long term goals of what you are planning to change in 2008.
• Set realistic, achievable goals so that you do not set yourself up for failure.
• Create a plan to achieve your goals.
• Use small simple steps to achieve your goals.
• Monitor your progress and reward yourself for sticking with your resolutions.

You can start making these changes today!

Have a wonderful holiday week.

New Years Plans in Newport Beach, California

Happy New Year - 2008

For those of you who are planning to go out on New Years Eve, there are a number of places that are having parties. Many of these places may already be booked up, however if you contact them directly, you may be able to get reservations. The following is some of the places that you may want to visit. I have included their contact number for your convenience.

21 Ocean Front - elegant atmosphere, ocean view, located right across from Newport Pier
Newport Beach, California
949.673.2100
visit their website

Fairmont Hotel
Newport Beach, California
949.476.2001
visit their website

The Cannery Restaurant - Pacific rim style seafood, spectacular!
Newport Beach, California
949.566.0060
visit their website

Hyatt Regency
Newport Beach, California
949.729.1234
visit their website

The Chart House
Newport Beach
949.548.5889
visit their website

Billy's at the Beach - located on Coast Highway with views of Newport Harbor
Newport Beach, California
949.722.1100

This is a partial list, but gives you some ideas. Call or visit their websites as soon as you can in order to ensure your reservations. Also, please visit my website on the community links page for a listings of additional restaurants or visit www.sharonintheoc.com.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday! Happy New Years!

Only 7 Shopping Days Until Christmas

There are only 7 shopping days until Christmas. This is the week to completely finish your holiday and gift shopping, as well as preparing for your holiday meals.

Fashion Island in Newport Beach, California offers diverse and unique shopping to meet your needs. Also, South Coast Plaza has a number of beautiful shops, and many of the shops are open late to accommodate your shopping needs.

For more information on Fashion Island, please visit this link. For more information on South Coast Plaza in the Newport Beach area, please visit this link.

Happy Holidays and enjoy this week.

Regards - Sharon

16754 Bay View, Huntington Beach, CA

If you are considering living in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach, there is currently a condo available that is beautiful. 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, travertine floors, granite counters create a very inviting property. Please contact me if you would like to see it at Sharon@sharonintheoc.com or call me at 949.280.0681.

For more information, please visit my website at www.Sharonintheoc.com

You can also view all Newport Beach Real Estate on my site as well.

Newport Beach, California - Holiday Boat Parade

December 12-16, 2007 - Holiday Boat Parade

Tonight marks the first night of the boat parade for Newport Beach, California. If you are local and want to see the parade, you can visit my site for recommendations on restaurants to view the parade - or you can see it harbor side. This year is the 99th annual boat parade and it is amazing.

Please visit my website - www.SharonintheOC.com for more information regarding restaurants to view this spectacular event.

Happy Holidays - Sharon

Guidelines for Home Improvement

Guidelines for Home Improvements

A common question that homeowners may inquire about which home improvements are needed may help the salability of their home.

Any improvements that increase the home’s attractiveness and overall size to the general buying public will increase its value. The following is a list which includes some guidelines to consider when preparing your home to sell:

· Neutral color, and fresh paint on the inside and out
· Have trim painted for a fresh look
· Make sure that carpet is cleaned
· Use neutral color carpet or flooring if replacing
· Consider light window treatments
· Use mirrored wardrobe doors on closets to enhance space
· Organize cupboards and closets, and maintain the organization
· Place healthy house plants in strategic locations to create a warm feel
· Add colorful plants to exterior of home, and spruce up exterior landscaping
· Trim trees if needed (check with Arborist to be sure it is the correct time of year to trim trees or bushes)
· Keep windows clean inside and out
· Replace screens if needed – and be sure to keep screens clean as well for optimum view
· Keep all mirrors clean throughout home
· Add decorator mirrors in strategic locations to enhance openness of home
· Keep fireplace clean if wood burning, and add unburned wood
· De-clutter every room to ensure home looks more spacious
· Put away personal photos so prospects don’t get distracted
· Keep your home neat and orderly at all times

Waves in Southern California

This post is for those who want to go and see the huge waves at the beach. The waves in Huntington Beach are pretty big. The surfers and body boarders usually love it, however I have seen on the news that it is too large for even some of them. It is always great site to see the waves, however the ocean can be unpredictable. So therefore, I have some tips to ensure Ocean Safety.

The first and most basic one - stay back. View from a far and bring your camera with a zoom lens for the best photos.

Second - don't ever turn your back on the ocean. Even for a picture. A wave can come and wash you out before your have a chance.

Third - keep in mind that while there is some lifeguard activity - it is not patrolled like it is during the summer. There are typically the permanent lifeguards who drive in their SUV's on the beach, however, even their resources are limited.

But if you get the chance, it is a great site to see . . . just stay back!!!

Go USC Trojans

Today is the big game - USC vs. UCLA Football Game. The rivalry continues.

For your information - the game will start at 1:30 pm. It is being played at the Los Angeles Collesium. It will be televised on ABC as well, if you are not attending.

For more information - click here:

GO Trojans!!!!

Holiday Gift Idea

2008 Orange County Fair - July 11 to August 3, 2008

Here is a great idea for holiday gifts. Tickets for the Orange County Fair are on sale today. And there is a presale price of $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $3 for children (age 6-12). You can purchase these tickets at ticketmaster. This link will take you directly to ticketmaster website for the Orange County Fair.

Also, you can purchase these tickets and save them for upcoming needed gifts.

For more information on the OC Fair, please click here.

Have a great weekend.

Reasons to Consider Listing Your Home During the Holidays

Reasons for You to Consider Listing during December


· Consider how your home is decorated over the holidays – typically it will not look any better. The home is often more inviting – almost as if it has been staged. Potential buyers will take notice, and the holidays are always a consideration when a buyer is purchasing a home.

· There are typically fewer buyers during the holiday season, however the buyers that are out there are the serious ones. They may be relocation buyers, buyers from out of the area and are the serious buyers.

· If you as seller wait until after the holiday season to sell, the amount of listings will increase, and therefore create more competition.

· During the holiday season, many agents either hold their listings, have do not show instructions, or take their listings off the market. How this translates to you as a seller is that there is much less inventory to compete with during the holiday season.

Orange County, California 2007 Holiday Events

To find all your local holiday events in Orange County, please click here for a complete description of all the activities in the Orange County area. This Holiday Event Calendar has a wide variety of activities to enjoy - from tree lighting, holiday parades, Cruise of lights in Huntington Beach, Annual Newport Harbor Parade of Lights, and the Nutcracker Ballet at Golden West College just to name a few of the activities.

Enjoy this holiday season. For more information, please visit my website at:

www.sharonintheoc.com

Newport Beach - Newport Shores Holiday Home Tour

Newport Beach, California - Newport Shores Home Tour - December 2, 2007

Beginning this Sunday at 2pm to 5pm, Newport Shores Holiday annual home tour will commence. This is a great way to begin the holiday season and enjoy all the holiday decor. Join your friends and neighbors for this annual event in Newport Shores. Please contact me for more information.

Sharon@sharonintheOC.com or call 949.280.0681

Happy Holidays!

Newport Beach Boat Parade

The Newport Beach Parade of Lights begins on December 12-16, 2007. There are a number of restaurants that you can view it from. Some of these restaurants are included here. Don't miss the 99th Newport Beach Parade of Lights.

Newport Beach Real Estate

Currently there is a 12 month supply of homes on the market. Some of these homes are either bank owned, or short sale and may present good opportunities to purchase. If you have an interest in a particular neighborhood, it is a good time to set up your own search. Please visit my website, and you can create a search, or I can set up a search for you.

For more information - please visit - www.SharonintheOC.com