I'm playing with my new camera and took this shot right at the Pit River in Fall River Mills, CA! It was a gorgeous sunny day and these California Poppies called to me. I think the blue flower is a wild Bachelor Button but am not definite on that! I like the blue in among the gold!
10 comments • Jeanean Gendron ~ Redding & Shasta County Specialist • January 30 2010 02:13PMMy friend Jason Crouch is recommending Shel Israel's new book "Twitterville". I have so many people asking me about Twitter that I am re-Blogging Jason's post! Everything you need to know about Twitter!
Quick disclaimer: This is a sincere book review and it contains my honest opinions, and I haven't been compensated in any fashion for this. That being said, I consider Shel Israel to be a friend now, so I will dispense with any formality (i.e. I won't be referring to him as "Mr. Israel" here).
Having had a chance to speak with Shel Israel when he appeared twice on our radio show this past year, and having met him in person when he was in Austin, I was looking forward to acquiring my own copy of his latest book, "Twitterville".
In a nutshell, Shel did not disappoint with this effort, managing to cover Twitter from almost every conceivable business angle. Non-profit? Check. Medicine? Check. Politics? Indeed. Local businesses? Absolutely. What about big business? Yes. It's all here.
Shel has a broad understanding of public relations and corporate marketing strategies, and frankly, it shows here. If you're looking to create a social media marketing plan, this book is certain to give you some new ideas. In fact, I would be surprised if "Twitterville" didn't stimulate some new methods and techniques that you can implement with your own business.
You will learn about what some businesses are doing right when it comes to social media engagement (think Zappos and Comcast), and which ones missed the mark altogether. You will also read about customers who are forming groups of their own around specific brands.
At just under 300 pages, this is a relatively quick read, and Shel keeps things moving along by providing plenty of "real world" stories to illustrate his points. He did a great job of locating the stories themselves, then an even better job of distilling them into a holistic work that supports his thesis. Speaking of which, the main thrust here is that Twitter is a revolutionary business tool which serves to bring people together and makes things happen that might not otherwise have happened. In essence, the world is made smaller and more intimate. The full title is "Twitterville: How Businesses Can Thrive in the New Global Neighborhoods", which is appropriate.
Shel also covers the history of Twitter from its inception and its public debut at SXSW in 2007. I got a better feel for the guys who run the show by reading his take on them and their distinct personalities and backgrounds. He also details a handful of social media rockstars who are just plain doing things the right way, including Chris Brogan, Veronica Belmont, and Jeremiah Owyang.
"Twitterville" will remain on my bookshelf as a reference book, and I can't recommend it enough if you want to gain a better understanding of how Twitter serves to interconnect millions of lives, projects, and conversations.
To pick up your own copy, visit http://budurl.com/twitterville.
If you enjoyed this post, why not connect with me elsewhere?
If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can visit my primary Austin real estate website at www.austintexashomes.com. Thanks!
6 comments • Jeanean Gendron ~ Redding & Shasta County Specialist • January 30 2010 01:17PMThe Cascade Theatre is one of those rare historical buildings that the City of Redding rather than demolish decided to save and restore. We have lost so many of these treasures that it is a celebration that one has been saved. The result is hard to describe. We simlply don't have the art deco splendor in this day and age.
Last year, when my husband David Gendron and I attended the Sundial Film Festival, I was busy snapping shots of the theatre and spent the entire event (three days of great entertainment) looking and taking photos of the theatre itself. Each lighting fixture is unique and it is a rare treat to be in such artistic surroundings. We are preparing to attend again. David has three entries, however even if he does not place we will thoroughly enjoy the event. Here are some of the photos I took to share with you.
This is the Cascade Theatre in the heart of the downtown area of Redding. We are walking back to the theatre after the Sundial Coctail Party.
This is one of the Art Deco Light Fixtures in the high ceiling of the auditorium I was facinated to see such beautiful detail everywhere I looked.
Mural on the Side of the Theatre.
Detail of the scroll work.
Ceiling in the hall outside of the main Theatre.
Back of the Theatre as you exit to the Lobby! What a wonderful restoration project for Redding. The Cascade is truly our cultural center. We are looking forward to the Sundial Film Festival again this coming March. I have a new camera and we'll do another study in Art Deco and the Cascade Theatre! I love it!
Contact the Cascade Box Office 530.243.8877
I am Jeanean Gendron your Redding and Shasta County Specialist. You can reach me at 530 276-7417.
All Active SHORT SALE Listings
All Active FORECLOSURE Listings
Redding and Shasta County Real Estate Resource
How Much Is My Home Worth ~ Search all Homes in Shasta County ~ Dream Home Finder
Search for Schools in Redding and Shasta County
Visit my main real estate website that provides you with the ability to Search the MLS and to set up an account so that you can save searches and select favorite properties. I also have many saved searches for you to take advantage of. There are saved City Searches and Community Searches. We also save Foreclosure Listings and Short Sale Listings.
Visit and learn more about The Shasta Lifestyle and the experience of living here in Shasta County.
Here are my blog sites:
Northern California Properties
California Properties and Land
5 comments • Jeanean Gendron ~ Redding & Shasta County Specialist • January 30 2010 12:32PMJeff Belonger is helping us to understand what is going on with FHA mortgages. I will be re-blogging a number of his post going forward for my clients. This is important information to understand for our real estate market on a national basis. Thanks Jeff.
FHA LOANS need to go !!!!
FHA loans need to go.... so many defaults... GROWING by the thousands. If we don't kill FHA mortgages now, the economy will crumble. Sound confusing?
Okay Jeff, have you flipped your lid? NOPE - I had written this blog last week, FHA loan rumors have become a reality. Because of this post, I have seen a few comments stating that we need to abolish FHA loans. Here are some comments in regards to these FHA changes in general...
"The FHA is basically bankrupt since they haven't figured out that making loans to people with lots of debt and practically no money isn't such a good idea."
"What continues to frustrate me is that all these government bank bailouts, loan purchasing, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantees, FHA expansion, tax credits, etc. are doing nothing more than temporarily artificially propping up the real estate market. The government cannot continue with these policies and the result will be another drop when they stop."
"When just putting 3.5% down, the borrower is already underwater from day 1, because it costs more than 3.5% to sell a home. This does not factor well in a declining market. Homes purchased with FHA mortgages will experience lots of foreclosures and short sales. FHA loans need to be abolished."
"Sounds like FHA doesn't want to loan money because of these changes."
First off, I agree that we need to stop artificially stimulating the economy. I wrote about it here : The Welfare Mentality of the Tax Credit We could spend a whole day just on this topic alone. But let's dig deeper in the comment that we should abolish FHA loans and to why we need to understand FHA and review some facts, not opinions of fear.
Quick History Lesson :
FHA was established in 1934. (directly from wikipedia) "The goals of this organization are: to improve housing standards and conditions; to provide an adequate home financing system through insurance of mortgage loans; and to stabilize the mortgage market."
Please read the rest of this, FHA being born, and how banks restructured loans and why FHA was brought into the mix after the banking system failed during the Great Depression.
The Economy has been crumbling.
Sorry people for negative news, but this is a reality. If we ABOLISH FHA LOANS, what do you think will happen?
Let's look at why some say we need to kick loose FHA mortgages.
- Thousands of more FHA defaults in the last year.
- Thousands of more homes with FHA loans have defaulted.
Let me ask you all this question... FHA has been doing pretty well up until the last 3 years. hhhhmmm.. just about the same time when the economy started crashing. Think about this before pointing fingers.
Now, let’s look at the reasons to why this might be happening more, why FHA loans are defaulting at a much higher rate than ever before.
- FHA Market Share - FHA has gone from about a 14% market share 5 years ago to about 40% just in the last year. This alone should be a no brainer to why we have see so many more defaults and foreclosures, especially in one of the worst and most challenging economic eras ever.
- Subprime loans disappearing - When subprime loans basically left the mortgage market 3 years ago, the next thing in line was FHA loans. How many times did you see a realtor or loan officer write that FHA loans are the next Subprime loans? Rut row...
- Fraud - With many of these loan officers that focused on Subprime loans, some that pushed the envelope by committing fraud, this moved in the FHA sector. I have even heard loan officers before say that they placed a borrower in a subprime loan over FHA because it was easier for them, not the borrower.
- FHA DE Underwriters - Delegated Underwriters that can approve FHA loans have grown by an astounding number in the last 3 years. We have seen this number multiply 4 times over. This means many new underwriters that have no experience or the knowledge, make more mistakes, and who have their owners pushing them to make more loans at times. Yes, this happens. HUD needs to crack down on such lenders. Brian Anderson wrote about this : HUD terminates 3 lenders ability to originate FHA Loans
Summary : I am not a big fan of government bailout. But there are times that we need to do this. What Mr. Bernanke did in the 3rd quarter probably saved our economy from a true collapse. (If I could interview Mr. Bernanke)
Overall, yes, I partially blame HUD for allowing some of this to happen when it comes to the FHA capital reserves falling below their 2% cushion. You can't tell me that they saw this coming over a year ago? Why wait to the last minute? Maybe because the government doesn't want to cast fear so early, because we like to curb all negative news and fears, giving the general public a sense of security. But what about one of the biggest issues, to why even FHA loans are taking a major hit.
How about the ECONOMY in general. How about UNEMPLOYMENT. Isn't this affecting all mortgages?
Shouldn't this be taken into account to why we have so many FHA defaults? Sure, I think HUD needs to make some changes, which has happened. I wrote about it here. New FHA changes & the Mortgagee Letter - Make your VOICE heard. But we can also let our voice be heard in regards to some of these changes, so please read my blog post.
The ending result? We need FHA loans… if we take this away, the REAL ESTATE MARKET will crumble and might not exist.
For those that might be semi lost on my opening statement.. I NEVER think that FHA loans should be abolished. I was trying to get my point across to what others have been saying. My beginning statement was an attention catcher.
thanks
Ken Cook wrote this post - Dispelling Myths about FHA mortgages - Please read the 3rd paragraph about default rates.
Is Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac on Death Row? by Esko Kiuru - We need to pay attention to what is going on around us...
FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK
- FHA Loans - USDA Loans - VA Loans -
- Energy Efficient Mortgages -
- Conventional Loans - 203 k loans -
- Mortgages -
Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!
_________________________________________________________________________________________
For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert
For more information about the 2009 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers : 2009 Tax Credit
For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags!
Copyright © 2010 by Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc
6 comments • Jeanean Gendron ~ Redding & Shasta County Specialist • January 29 2010 09:21AM
I found myself pondering life and where we find ourselves this day and age. I was polishing my sterling silver Victorian tea set and thinking to myself....I could not sell this to anyone in a million years.
Who has time to polish silver these days. I found it rather comforting to be polishing my silver tea set.
I was busy today cooking a dinner party on Sunday. I got a call to show property tomorrow in the middle of the busy day preparing for our party....the life of a Realtor.
I'm very pleased to get the call. It's on a Victorian home here in Redding that is a short sale. We need an offer and sounds like these people are interested.
As I polished my silver tea set, I thought how interesting it was to be doing something that time has passed by.
I think that I am guilty of getting caught up by technology and forgetting that relationships are what we are about.
I spent the last three days calling all my clients and hearing their news and getting up to date. I have had a very inspiring three days and polishing my silver tea set seems to cognize for me that we need to balance the old with the new and hold on to those values of our relationships.
We can enhance how we help people, however it is our connection and relationship that forges the future of our business.
I am Jeanean Gendron your Redding and Shasta County Specialist. You can reach me at 530 276-7417.
All Active SHORT SALE Listings
All Active FORECLOSURE Listings
Redding and Shasta County Real Estate Resource
How Much Is My Home Worth ~ Search all Homes in Shasta County ~ Dream Home Finder
Search for Schools in Redding and Shasta County
Visit my main real estate website that provides you with the ability to Search the MLS and to set up an account so that you can save searches and select favorite properties. I also have many saved searches for you to take advantage of. There are saved City Searches and Community Searches. We also save Foreclosure Listings and Short Sale Listings.
Visit and learn more about The Shasta Lifestyle and the experience of living here in Shasta County.
Here are my blog sites:
Northern California Properties
California Properties and Land
8 comments • Jeanean Gendron ~ Redding & Shasta County Specialist • January 28 2010 10:16PM
Redding CA - Luxury Golf Course Homes - Tierra Oaks - Beautiful Community--One of Redding most prestigious golf courses, Tierra Oaks offers all the elements that make living in Shasta County go wonderful. With rolling hills and challenging golf, the views and beauty are breath taking.
Nestled all along the golf course are beautiful estates and homes that offer the best amenities in Northern California. The 18-hole Sandy Tatum and Jim Summers designed golf course offers any golfer a delight in the game. With excellent facilities and practice facilities and a full calendar of golf event, Tierra Oaks is a must for any serious golfer.
Tierra Oaks is also a beautiful event facility for weddings and all occasion parties and celebrations. The surrounding beauty and fine facilities make any event distinguished and elegant.
Elegance and beauty are the trademarks of Tierra Oaks Golf Club.
360 Degree views offer unparalled beauty and connection with nature and The Shasta Lifestyle.
Enter into a world of great golf, fine cuisine and wonderful event facilities.
Enjoy the bounty of Shasta County and the natural beauty of our area.
Looking onto the Country Club and Golf Pro facilities.
Redding CA - Luxury Golf Course Homes - Tierra Oaks - Beautiful Community--Putting facilities and luxury for the Golfing Lifestyle. Tierra Oaks.....it's just the best!
I am Jeanean Gendron your Redding and Shasta County Specialist. You can reach me at 530 276-7417.
All Active SHORT SALE Listings
All Active FORECLOSURE Listings
Redding and Shasta County Real Estate Resource
How Much Is My Home Worth ~ Search all Homes in Shasta County ~ Dream Home Finder
Search for Schools in Redding and Shasta County
Visit my main real estate website that provides you with the ability to Search the MLS and to set up an account so that you can save searches and select favorite properties. I also have many saved searches for you to take advantage of. There are saved City Searches and Community Searches. We also save Foreclosure Listings and Short Sale Listings.
Visit and learn more about The Shasta Lifestyle and the experience of living here in Shasta County.
Here are my blog sites:
Northern California Properties
California Properties and Land
8 comments • Jeanean Gendron ~ Redding & Shasta County Specialist • January 28 2010 08:47AMRedding CA - Short Sales - Helping Sellers Who Face Hardship--I've been doing short sales for over two years now and have closed all my short sales to date. It is not easy work and it requires a set of skills that allow a global perspective.
The bank will approve a short sale when the numbers are compelling and provide them with the bottom line formula they use to approve a short sale. The bank would like to get 80% of market value. Usually, the 10% below market value brings our buyer and the remaining 10% is made up of closing costs and the commissions to the agents.
The one general statement that you can make about short sales is that there is NO general statement you can make. They are all extremely different and unique. I've been able to close one short sale in 21 days and I have also had a short sale that took 6 months.
Here are what I feel are the critical components to getting the short sale approval from the bank:
Redding CA - Short Sales - Helping Sellers Who Face Hardship--This is the process that I go through in successfully completing the short sale for my sellers. I hope that it is helpful.
I am Jeanean Gendron your Redding and Shasta County Specialist. You can reach me at 530 276-7417.
All Active SHORT SALE Listings
All Active FORECLOSURE Listings
Redding and Shasta County Real Estate Resource
How Much Is My Home Worth ~ Search all Homes in Shasta County ~ Dream Home Finder
Search for Schools in Redding and Shasta County
Visit my main real estate website that provides you with the ability to Search the MLS and to set up an account so that you can save searches and select favorite properties. I also have many saved searches for you to take advantage of. There are saved City Searches and Community Searches. We also save Foreclosure Listings and Short Sale Listings.
Visit and learn more about The Shasta Lifestyle and the experience of living here in Shasta County.
Here are my blog sites:
Northern California Properties
California Properties and Land
4 comments • Jeanean Gendron ~ Redding & Shasta County Specialist • January 27 2010 03:22PM
Shasta County, California
Active Short Sale Listings 148, Closed Short Sale Listings 10, and Pending Short Sale Listings are 62
REO Active Listings 177, Closed REO Listings 119, and Pending REO Listings 82
Redding, California
Active Short Sale Listings 86, Closed Short Sale Listings 5, Pending Short Sale Listings 35
REO Active Listings 75, Closed REO Listings 62, Pending REO Listings 42
I am Jeanean Gendron your Redding and Shasta County Specialist. You can reach me at 530 276-7417.
All Active SHORT SALE Listings
All Active FORECLOSURE Listings
Redding and Shasta County Real Estate Resource
How Much Is My Home Worth ~ Search all Homes in Shasta County ~ Dream Home Finder
Search for Schools in Redding and Shasta County
Visit my main real estate website that provides you with the ability to Search the MLS and to set up an account so that you can save searches and select favorite properties. I also have many saved searches for you to take advantage of. There are saved City Searches and Community Searches. We also save Foreclosure Listings and Short Sale Listings.
Visit and learn more about The Shasta Lifestyle and the experience of living here in Shasta County.
Here are my blog sites:
Northern California Properties
California Properties and Land
0 comments • Jeanean Gendron ~ Redding & Shasta County Specialist • January 27 2010 02:09PMJeff Dowler is giving us great advice on how to help our clients and provide on-line resouces that are effective and efficient. Thanks Jeff! I love these ideas and will be implementing them!
I have been a big fan of sticky notes, a.k.a. Post-It Notes (Post-Its), for years. A great invention. In the corporate world they were indispensable. Still are, no doubt.
Their use carried over into my real estate business and became a staple when I started blogging. Post-Its were everywhere, with all my ideas for blog articles.
I got more organized and started keeping a file filled with clippings, notes, etc. to keep track of all my ideas. Post-It Notes are still a big part of that organization. And I continue to use them in a variety of ways as I suspect many of you do.
One of the neat things I discovered is the Sticky Note feature on PDFs. Here's one way I have been using them.
I developed a BUYER'S HANDBOOKand a SELLER'S HANDBOOK to use with clients once we start working together (abbreviated versions are shared with prospects).
As I try to be more sensitive to the environment, and to make better use of technology, I now typically share these handbooks on GOOGLE DOCS instead.
This also works well because many of my clients who are buying are not local so much of our work, communication and document sharing is on-line.
In order to educate new buyers to the Southern California area and our wealth of real estate paperwork, I include Appendices in the Buyer's Handbook where I share sample copies of all the documents they typically will encounter. Sticky Notes are a great way to provide on-line notes throughout the documents and share information I want buyers to know about particular items buyers, especially decision points like price and dates.
I encourage buyers to review all the documents in advance so they have some idea of what to expect. Of course we go through all this when we meet but a little on-line education beforehand saves time and answers many questions.
Sticky Notes - the NOTE TOOL - is found under the TOOLS tab, then under COMMENTING. You simple CLICK on NOTE TOOL and place the note where you want in the document, fill in the information on the note, adn you're done. Cool stuff.
********************************
If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
All content copyright © 2010 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits
2 comments • Jeanean Gendron ~ Redding & Shasta County Specialist • January 27 2010 11:38AM
Redding CA ~ New Homes ~ Owning A New Ochoa & Shehan Home-When Ochoa and Shehan build a new home, they build it as if they will be living there.
That distinct difference is felt in each and every Ochoa and Shehan home. With attention to detail and open floor plans that lend themselves to spaciousness and luxury amenities, you have the best that is offered in new home building.
With a dedication to Earth Advantage and green friendly building, the community and the new owners benefit from this builder's connection to the futuristic and responsible commitment to building efficient and resource saving homes. A smaller footprint is the way of the future and this builder of fine homes, Ochoa and Shehan has embraced this concept for many years.
You must come and see and learn about an Ochoa and Shehan new homes and all of the latest green friendly and energy saving resources and technology that goes into building these special homes. While the result is green friendly and energy saving, the elegant result has not suffered and you are offered luxury amenities and a process for delivering your perfect home. Call today for an appointment and I will show you around. There are five subdivisions in varying price ranges and amenities and we can fit you with everything you could possibly want in a new home.
I am Jeanean Gendron, your New Home Specialist. I can be reached at 530 276-7417. I answer my phone. Visit my New Homes Blog Site and all the latest on Ochoa & Shehan Homes. View the following active listings for Ochoa & Shehan new homes: Clover Creek Estates ~ Bel Air Estates ~ Stillwater Ranch ~ Summerfield Meadows Estates ~ Crown Meadows Estates.
All Active SHORT SALE Listings
All Active FORECLOSURE Listings
Redding and Shasta County Real Estate Resource
How Much Is My Home Worth ~ Search all Homes in Shasta County ~ Dream Home Finder
Search for Schools in Redding and Shasta County
Visit my main real estate website that provides you with the ability to Search the MLS and to set up an account so that you can save searches and select favorite properties. I also have many saved searches for you to take advantage of. There are saved City Searches and Community Searches. We also save Foreclosure Listings and Short Sale Listings.
Visit and learn more about The Shasta Lifestyle and the experience of living here in Shasta County.
Here are my blog sites:
Northern California Properties
0 comments • Jeanean Gendron ~ Redding & Shasta County Specialist • January 27 2010 09:48AMContent © 2009 'Frequent Contributors'. Design © 2009 ActiveRain Corp.
Logos and service marks owned by copyright holder.
