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Dennis Smith's...
Making a Difference 4U!
Insider Tips for Healthy, Wealthy and Happy Living
 
Inside This Issue...

  • Real Estate Facts & Figures...
  • The #1 Money Secret of The Rich...
  • How To Never Forget Important Facts...
  • Fun Facts and Laughs: Little-Known Animal Facts, Odd Uses of Bounce Sheets, And More...
  • Trivia Challenge: Win $10 Starbucks Gift Card
  • Real Estate Q&A: What Natural Scents Can Make My Home Appealing To Buyers?
 
If you're not already a subscriber to my free e–newsletter email me to sign–up
 
D&S cropped long-left

Dennis Smith, Realtor®
ABR, SRES, e-PRO,CDPE.
CA DRE #00476662

Sunshine Smith, Realtor®
SFR.  CA DRE #01249837

RE/MAX BY-THE-SEA
Phone: 760-436-0087
Email: dennis@sandiegohomes4u.com
www.SanDiegoHomes4u.com 

=====================

Meet me on Linkedin.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisdsmith 
Meet me on Facebook profile at
http://www.facebook.com/people/Dennis_Smith/638651626
365 Things to do in Encinitas - Cardiff - Carlsbad at http://tinyurl.com/365EncinitasActivities
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sandiegohomes4u
Check out my Local & Real Estate Blog at: http://sandiegohomes4u.com/blog
Share my Foreclosure Avoidance site, http://HAFAShortSaleConsultant.com/

View all homes for sale at http://sandiegohomes4u.com/ 
Or call for a custom list.

Dear Dennis...

Is one of your New Year's resolutions to be wiser with your money?
In today's Making a Difference 4U  Free consumer newsletter you'll get proven tips for spending less and saving more so you can invest for the future.

You'll also learn five ways you can train your brain to remember important facts, plus funny jokes, a trivia challenge, and lots more.

Dennis Smith

Dennis Smith, REALTOR®
RE/MAX BY-THE-SEA

PS.  When you notice people talking about real estate in the next few weeks, can you tell them about the free consumer information I provide?

They may be people looking to buy or refinance and you can tell them about my Free Consumer Report "7 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Financing Your Home." You'll be a hero because they'll learn 17 questions to ask any mortgage lender to get the right financing for their needs. To request a copy for a friend, simply email me at dennis@sandiegohomes4u.com, or call me at: 760-436-0087.
 

Real Estate Report...

2011 in San Diego County was a mixed bag of numbers.

Single-family, re-sale home sales were up 2.5%.
The median price for homes dropped 5.3%.
The average price dropped 3%.
Condo sales in the county were down 5.7%
The median price for condos dropped 6.8%.

THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
expects
the State median home price to increase 1.7% in
2012. They forecast sales to increase by 1%.


MARKET STATISTICS Dec 2011 vs. Dec 2010
Single-family, re-sale homes were up 8.3%
This is the sixth month in a row home sales have been
higher than the year before.
Condo sales were up 25% year-over-year.

Median price of homes was down 5.3%.
The median price for condos rose 2.5%.

Home inventory was down 14.7%.
Condo inventory was down 29.4% year-over-year.
Pending home sales grew by 9.7% year-over-year.
That’s thirteen months in a row pending sales have
been higher than the year before.

Please remember, while statistics are nice, they will
not determine the price you pay or get for a property.
That will come down to you and the buyer or seller.
See the full reports with all the numbers at
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/RealEstateTrends.htm

 

What does this mean for you?
NOW is an ideal time to buy a home...
or to sell a home, especially if you are moving up or even.

Because:
Historically low interest rates - some under 4%.
Lowest prices since 2000 in many San Diego areas.
Buy now for lower costs & lower property taxes.
You can buy a home with a monthly payment that is 50% to 70% lower
than the payment on the same home, 5 years ago

If you or someone you know is in financial difficulty,
now is probably a good time to do a short sale.
Prices are not expected to go up much, so dump (short sale)the underwater home now and get back in the market in 2 years before interest rates go too high..

What is your time frame? 
Call me so we can set up a game plan for you,
whether it is for a transaction this month or later this year. 
A short meeting now can make a huge difference later.

Call me today at 760-436-0087.

We are in a SELLERS MARKET  in many areas of San Diego County. We only have a 3.75 month supply of homes.  Five to 6 months is considered a balanced market.  I have been seeing multiple offers on many properites from Oceanside to Chula Vista.  Of course, each neighborhood is different so check with me about the areas you are interested in, whether you are a buyer or seller.

Are we at the bottom?  Some say yes and some say no. But here is a possible solution for that...A company called EquityLock that has a Home Price Protection Plan. They will pay you if the local market has declined when you sell your home (after 2 years).
Existing Homeowners, Buyers and Sellers can allbenefit from this program...
Ask me how. 


Click on the following link to see all 672 Bank Owned houses, Condos,
Townhomes & Twinhomes in San Diego County. Down from 795 in Dec.
http://tinyurl.com/BankHomesInSanDiego
These are the lowest numbers of distressed property inventory we have seen in years in the San Diego Real Estate Market!

Go to my web site for the full report, plus a city-by-city breakdown with trend charts.
http://www.sandiegohomes4u.com/RealEstateTrends.htm

Because all neighborhoods are different, call me for information
on the criteria or neighborhoods you have an interest in.

SDCO 9yr Comparison - Att

SDCO 9yr Comparison - Det 2






Please help me by sharing.

 
Today's Brain Teaser . . .
Other than being colors, what do silver, orange and
purple have in common?

  (see answer below)
The #1 Money Secret of The Rich . . .
Ever wonder how the rich get richer? It's simple. They spend less than they earn, and invest the difference. If you're not born into money, here are five tips for spending less so you can invest more and build wealth this year.

1.  Track Your Spending.  It's hard to tell where you're spending too much if you don't write anything down. But who wants to save receipts, log a checkbook register, or use a spreadsheet? New online tools help you automatically track all your financial information in one place, for free. At www.mint.com you can set up a free account to see exactly where your money is going.

2.  Use a Budget.  This financial practice of the rich has enormous power. You may prefer to call it a "spending plan" but the idea here is to know how much you can spend on different categories so you don't overextend yourself. Include savings as a category and "pay yourself first" each month by putting money aside into a designated savings account.

3.  Reign in Expensive Habits.  Smoking and eating out are expensive. Statistics show that the pack-a-day smoker spends nearly $260,000 over a lifetime – and that does not include increased insurance costs and other factors. Or, you may enjoy eating at nice restaurants each week, which is another budget killer. What habits can you reduce to save money?

4.  Pay Down Debt.  As you free up more of your income it can be smart to pay down high-interest debt. For example, taking extra money to pay down a loan with 10% interest can be better than putting money in a savings account at 3% interest.

5.  Pay In Cash.  Credit card companies know you spend more when there's not an immediate withdrawal from your bank account. Try to pay for everything in cash (or debit card). If you want a new computer, to take a vacation, or even a car, try to save up and pay for it in cash instead of getting a loan. Remember, the key here is it to not take on more debt.

The secret to building wealth is to reduce your spending and debt so more of your income can work for you. Follow these tips to free up more money for savings and investments. And may you have a prosperous New Year!
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Learn How To Maximize The
Value Of Your Home!
Did you know there's a free consumer report showing which repairs and fix-ups will net you the most value for your home? It's called the "Homeseller's Guide To Money-Making Fix-ups," and it's great even if you're not planning on selling soon. To get your free copy email me by clicking here, or call me at: 760-436-0087.
How To Never Forget Important Facts
Do you have trouble remembering important facts? Whether you're a student or simply need to recall information for your professional or personal life, it can be embarrassing to not remember critical data when needed. The following techniques are simple ways to boost your brain power and help you recall important details when you need them.
  • Repetition is the age old method of remembering important facts. Take out a piece of paper and write the things you need to recall 5 to 7 times. Some people will need to write them more times, others less depending on the individual need for repetition.

  • If you are auditory (or verbal) you will probably need to hear them to make the facts stick in your brain. Take the notes you have written multiple times and read them out loud. Repeat the reading several times to embed the facts for later recall.

  • Visually, you can stimulate your memory by using color codes in your notes. Perhaps you will use RED for the urgent tasks and BLUE for important reminders. Drawing objects that relate to the material can also be useful for quick mental retrieval.

  • If you learn through music, try composing your own "lyrics" using the material you need to remember. Then you can add those words to a common song like Row, Row, Row Your Boat. Combining the facts with something familiar will make it easier to remember later.

  • One more method is to use a mnemonic device. Try using the first letter in each word of the main points to create an easy to remember word or sentence. It's a great way to aid your memory.
Everyone has a different way of learning and recalling information. Try multiple methods until you find what works best for you.
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 Oh By The Way...if any of your friends, family, neighbors or coworkers are planning on selling or buying a home to occupy or as an investment, please call me with their name and number and I will be happy to follow up with them.
Fun Facts and Laughs . . .

Little-Known Animal Facts . . .
  • Starfish don't have brains.
  • The Housefly hums, middle octave, key of F.
  • The eye of an Ostrich is bigger than its brain.
  • Butterflies taste with their feet.

Odd Uses of Bounce Sheets

You probably have seen the claims of all the things that a Bounce dryer sheet can do. According to www.snopes.com, some are true and some aren't.

These are TRUE:
  • TV screen static remover
  • Deodorize Sneakers
  • Freshen a drawer or closet
These are FALSE:
  • Repels mosquitoes
  • Clean baked on cooking pans
  • Collect cat hair

Quotes To Live By . . .

Searching is half the fun: Life is much more manageable when it is thought of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party.
— Jimmy Buffett

Life is partly what we make it, and partly what is made from the friends we choose.
— Tennessee Williams

Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what is going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.
— Gilda Radner


Have A Laugh — "What Happened In Atlanta"

A tough looking biker had been at the bar all night when he decided it was time to hit the road. He went out the front door and instantly noticed his bike was missing from where he parked it.

"All right" he said gruffly, coming back into the busy bar. "I'm going to have a shot of whisky and if my hog ain't back up front by the time I'm done, what happened in Atlanta will happen here too!"

The other bikers frantically ran out of the bar and within seconds one came back in to tell the tough biker his hog was now parked in front of the bar waiting for him.

As the tough biker got up to leave the bartender asked, "Excuse me mister, but what happened in Atlanta?"

The tough biker sheepishly replied, "I had to walk back to my hotel!"
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FREE Consumer Help Is Just
A Mouse-Click Away!
Learn valuable secrets for saving thousands and avoiding costly mistakes when buying, selling or refinancing a home. Best of all, it's FREE.

See my website: http://sandiegohomes4u.com    for more information. Or, you can even CALL me and I'll point you in the right direction: 760-436-0087

DID YOU KNOW...

Unlike most real estate agents, I DON'T spend my time pestering people I do not know with phone calls or bothersome interruptions to find good clients. Instead, I dedicate 110% of my time and energies to providing such outstanding service, people naturally think of me when a friend or family member needs help buying or selling a home. THANKS for your referrals!

Trivia Challenge for the Month...
"Who Else Wants To Win a 
$10 Starbucks Card?"
Guess who won last month's Trivia Question? I'm pleased to announce the two lucky winners of last month's quiz. And the winners are…drum roll please: Sandy Mangini of Encinitas and Lynn Borg of Surprize AZ was the 4th person to correctly answer my quiz question from last month.

What country has the longest life expectancy at birth?

a) Australia    b) Canada    c) Switzerland    d) Japan

The answer is d) Japan. According to a 2009 United Nations report, the life expectancy for those in Japan is 82.6 years. Canada's life expectancy at birth is 80.7 and the United States it is 78.

So, let's move on to this month's trivia question.

Who won the first World Series in 1903?

a) Yankees

b) Red Sox

c) Americans

d) Giants

EMAIL ME AT: dennis@sandiegohomes4u.com OR Call Me At 760-436-0087 And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!  1st & 4th correct answers will win.
 
Brain Teaser Answer:
There is no word in the English language that rhymes with them.
Thanks For Thinking of Me!

Did you know I can help you or any of your friends or family save time and money when buying or selling a home? Thanks for keeping me in mind with your referrals...and spreading the word about my services.
Real Estate Q & A . . .
Q.  What natural scents can make my home appealing to buyers?

A.  This is a common question asked of real estate agents and it is a little surprising how easily mistakes can be made that turn buyers off.

Generally, fragrant candles and aerosol room fresheners are too strong to be used just before your guests arrive. Few things can make a buyer suspicious than an overly strong smell. They may think you have something to hide if a pleasant odor is overwhelming. If you want to freshen up the smell of your home with these products, use them at least 4 hours ahead of time.

Most people will feel comfortable in a home that smells clean and welcoming with the scent of coffee, tea or cookies. If you are not preparing these foods, you can simulate the smell with a few drops of cinnamon oil with water in a pie plate placed in a warm but not hot oven. Also, herbs like rosemary, lavender and mint offer a really pleasant natural fragrance whether you place them in vases or simmer them in a saucepan.

If you're thinking of selling soon, ask about my Free Consumer Report "44 Moneymaking Tips To Sell Your Home Fast," which includes an easy checklist of inexpensive ways to make buyers instantly attracted to your home.

If you have any other real estate questions, or need capable and trustworthy representation, please call me at 760-436-0087 or email me at dennis@sandiegohomes4u.com.
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THANK YOU... for reading my Making a Difference 4U personal newsletter.  I wanted to produce a newsletter that has great content and is fun and valuable to you.  Help your friends get more out of life by forwarding this email to them...
Share this issue with family and friends --- Forward To A Friend

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Disclaimer:  The information contained in this email is intended for informational purposes.  It should not substitute as legal, accounting, investment, medical and other professional services advice.  Always seek a competent professional for answers to your specific questions. This email is not intended to solicit real estate properties currently for sale.
Copyright (c) 2012 by Forte Communications, Inc.




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RE/MAX BY-THE-SEA
4177 Manchester Ave
Encinitas, California 92024
US