Orange County Fair

OC Fair 300x225 Orange County Fair

The annual Orange County fair is coming soon and you don’t want to miss out on the fun, this years theme is – The Beat Goes On.  There will be rides, games, food, animals and something for everyone of all ages.

In addition to the fair the summer concert series will go on at the Pacific Amphitheatre with several big name acts that include  Styx and Sammy Hagar.  Go to the Pacific Amphitheatre web page to get the full concert schedule.

The fair will be open from July 16th to August 15th, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.  For more information, pricing and schedule go to the Orange County Fair website.

How Is Your “Curb Appeal”?

rundown house 2 300x200 How Is Your “Curb Appeal”?
photo by:  hill.josh

To a prospective buyer this is the first impression.  Would someone take a look and keep on driving or want to see more?  Nice curb appeal can go a long way.

Take a look at your yard.  Is there cleanup to be done?  Think weeding, raking up leaves, trimming back overgrown plants or replacing dead ones.  Could your landscaping use a little updating?

Take a look at your house.  Any cracks, hanging gutters or other exterior repairs to be done?  How’s the paint?  A fresh coat of paint can really brighten things up.

How’s the roof?

Take a look at the entry, front door and porch area. When walking up to your house is it inviting?   Does entry need to be swept or cleaned?  How’s your porch light?  Is it bug-free?  A potted plant or other décor could be nice.

The way the exterior of your home looks sets expectations for what the interior will be like.  Make the most of that first impression!

Canyon Restaurant and Bar

4625549320 839b901188 Canyon Restaurant and Bar
Anaheim Hills has a new restaurant that just opened recently and it is the creation of Chef Richard Mead.  He is also the chef-owner of Sage and the now closed Sage On The Coast.  He wanted to create a place where people could come and “enjoy uncompromising foods, simply prepared with only the freshest, locally grown organic ingredients.”  The idea of locally grown is something he believes in; not only has he installed planter boxes in the back of the restaurant to grow his own vegetables, he has an agricultural engineer helping in the green thumb department.

You can get more on this new establishment from Blogger Jenn Garbee or visit the Canyon website.

First Time Home Buyer Things to Think About

Deleware home by tony the misfit First Time Home Buyer Things to Think About

image by  Tony The Misift

If the rule of real estate is location, location, location, then the rule for the first time home buyer should be research, research, research.  There is all kinds of information on this subject that you can find by searching online, at your local book store or by connecting with a local real estate agent. Buying a home is a major purchase and you need to have some answers before taking on a mortgage.

The following list is a good starting point for a first time home buyer.

  • Income – Will there be one or two incomes in the house to make the mortgage?
  • Future Income – Don’t count on your income going up (it might, it might not)
  • Children – Is it possible you will lose an income to a stay home parent?
  • Down Payment – How much will you need?  20% is a good starting point.
  • Budgets – expenses, repairs, maintenance
  • Type of Mortgage – A 30 year fixed is a good idea.
  • Starter Home – it might not be your “dream home’ but it needs to be affordable.
  • Monthly Payment – not just the mortgage, include taxes and insurance.
  • Closing costs – this is not part of your down-payment, it is in addition to.
  • Location – is it close to work and schools?
  • Credit – do you know your credit score?  (credit scores can be improved

Buying a home is a big decision, getting an agent and asking lots of questions is a good starting point.