Unsung Heroes - Service Clubs in Our Community

WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT THESE GREAT MEN & WOMEN WHO DONATE SO MUCH OF THEIR TIME AND MONEY BACK TO THE COMMUNITY??

I believe that one of the best things about living in smaller communities such as Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Oceano, Avila Beach & Nipomo are the service clubs that help raise money for our kids & elderly. Coming from the Bay Area and always working the 9 - 5 type of job, I never knew or paid attention that these clubs even existed. Since joining the Kiwanis of Greater Pismo Beach nearly 5 years ago when I first moved down here, I have realized how great it feels to give back to the community we live and prosper in. Volunteer work is very rewarding and helps build a greater community to live in.


What most people don't realize is that a majority of these great people that belong to these service groups and give so much back to the community are business owners, professionals and full time employees. What little spare time they have in their lives between family and work they give back to the community via these service groups. We actually pay to be in these service clubs and give back to the community.

As the video above shows, it takes a lot of time and money to make these types of fundraisers a success. Kiwanis of Greater Pismo Beach donated all the food ($2,400), the Elk's Club in Oceano donated there facility along with firewood and misc. items and WE ALL donated a lot of our own time. All together over 300 hours of time were put into this one project to raise money for Nipomo High School Robotics.

So next time a member of a local service club asks you to donate, participate or sponsor an event, please do what you can so our community can remain one of the best in the country to live in. Without volunteers and donations I don't know where this country would be!! Give back to the place you live and love!

Erich Salas

Kiwanis of Greater Pismo Beach

2207 Beach St, Oceano

How To Avoid Paying Too Much For Your Home - Tip #13, #14 & #15

SIMPLY PUT, PAYING TOO MUCH CAN JEOPARDIZE THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR INVESTMENT. HERE’S VITAL INFORMATION TO HELP YOU AVOID OVERPAYING FOR YOUR HOME.

A Special Report Prepared By: Erich Salas

Tip No. 13 - Once you’re ready to buy, move quickly.

Good properties move fast. Once you've made up your mind to buy a home and you’ve lined up your Realtor,® be prepared to make decisions quickly. If you find the right home today but aren't ready to buy until tomorrow, you may already be too late.

Tip No. 14 - Clarify who your agent is.

Make sure you know who the agent you’re talking to represents. Any agent has a responsibility to be open and honest with you and to let you know who he or she represents—the buyer, the seller or both.

Tip No. 15 - Ask for a written comparative analysis.

One way to ensure that you don’t offer too much for a home is to ask your agent to prepare a written comparative market analysis. A CMA will show you the sale prices of comparable homes in the neighborhood. It also lists the asking prices of other homes in the area currently on the market.

You may find that the asking price is above what comparable homes in the neighborhood are actually selling for. Or you might even find another home in the area that’s a better bargain. When you make an offer, you can use the CMA as evidence to show the seller why you believe your offer is a reasonable one.

Please feel free to call me if you would like further explanation on any of these topics, or if you have any real estate questions at all. I simply see my mission as striving to be as helpful as I possibly can to area home owners. I hope this special report provides the information you need to be an informed home Buyer or seller......

Erich Salas

www.ErichSalas.com

How To Avoid Paying Too Much For Your Home - Tip #11 & #12

SIMPLY PUT, PAYING TOO MUCH CAN JEOPARDIZE THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR INVESTMENT. HERE’S VITAL INFORMATION TO HELP YOU AVOID OVERPAYING FOR YOUR HOME.

A Special Report Prepared By: Erich Salas

Tip No. 11 - Not all fixer-uppers are good buys.

You may be the sort of person who looks at a home in need of significant work as a challenge and an opportunity to make money. Many people have bought fixer-uppers at below-market rates, invested a little sweat equity or more than a little money on renovation, then eventually put it back on the market at a profit.

But if it isn’t priced low enough, you won’t recoup your investment of time, trouble and expense. Before you proceed, do a careful evaluation of what you’ll have to invest and consult with your Realtor® to learn what you can reasonably expect to make when you put the home back on the market. And be sure to include the unexpected—there’s no such thing as a “sure thing.”

Tip No. 12 - Choose a home with an eye toward future needs.

Buying a home is a big investment. If you can stretch a little today to buy a home that you can grow in—whether it’s having a child, running a home-based business, or having room to build an addition—do it. In the long run, it will probably be less expensive than moving up to a marginally larger home when the need does arise.

Please feel free to call me if you would like further explanation on any of these topics, or if you have any real estate questions at all. I simply see my mission as striving to be as helpful as I possibly can to area home owners. I hope this special report provides the information you need to be an informed home buyer & seller......

Erich Salas

805.801.1747

www.ErichSalas.com

BANK OWNED - 590 Rosemary in Arroyo Grande

Please check out this video I took yesterday of the REO I sat for an open house.

Any questions or concerns please call me at 805.801.1747 or email me at ErichSalas@sbcglobal.net.

Erich Salas
www.ErichSalas.com

How To Avoid Paying Too Much For Your Home - Tip #10

SIMPLY PUT, PAYING TOO MUCH CAN JEOPARDIZE THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR INVESTMENT. HERE’S VITAL INFORMATION TO HELP YOU AVOID OVERPAYING FOR YOUR HOME.

A Special Report Prepared By: Erich Salas

Tip No. 10

Hire a professional home inspector...

In my experience, spending a few hundred dollars on a professional home inspection is the best investment you’ll ever make. A professional inspector brings experience in examining a great many homes, good evaluation standards and an unbiased perspective. And a written report can be an excellent negotiating tool.

A Typical Inspection Looks at:

•    Foundation (slab, crawlspace, basement, etc.)

•    Electrical, heating and plumbing systems

•    Floors, walls and ceilings

•    Attic

•    Roof

•    Siding and trim

•    Porches, patios and decks

•    Garage

•    Property drainage

Make sure you accompany your inspector on the tour. You’ll learn a lot about the home you’re thinking of buying.

Once you have your evaluation, the decision to proceed is yours. A home inspector only gives you a professional opinion of the home’s condition, not advice as to whether or not you should buy. 

Please feel free to call me if you would like further explanation on any of these topics, or if you have any real estate questions at all. I simply see my mission as striving to be as helpful as I possibly can to area home owners. I hope this special report provides the information you need to be an informed home buyer or seller......

Erich Salas

805.801.1747

www.ErichSalas.com

DRE# 01503394

Can you still buy a home with "NO MONEY" down?? YES!!

No money down government loans do still exist along with several other types of loans that may meet your mortgage needs. Here is a brief overview of the government loans that are available depending on your qualifications.

• The FHA is a government mortgage insurance program. FHA mortgage loans make it possible to purchase a home with as little as 3.5% down payment and the FHA refinance programs allow up to 115% LTV's.
• USDA home mortgage also known as a rural development mortgage provide up to 100% financing to qualified borrowers. The USDA mortgage program also does not require borrowers to pay for mortgage insurance.
• America’s men and women who have served their country may be eligible to use the VA Loan program in order to make life a little easier. VA loans provide many options for helping veterans purchase, improve, or refinance their primary residence.
• Just recently becoming government mortgage programs Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac provide a wide variety of mortgage programs like 40 year mortgage terms, Police / Firefighter/ EMS / Teacher programs, and Bi-weekly payment options just to name a few.

For more information on these great loans please go to the website link below and see which one fits your needs. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at 805.801.1747 or erichsalas@sbcglobal.net or go to my website at www.ErichSalas.com and get to know me a little better.

http://government-mortgages.com/

Erich Salas
"The Catalyst For Your Success"
DRE# 01503394

How To Avoid Paying Too Much For Your Home - Tip #8 & #9

SIMPLY PUT, PAYING TOO MUCH CAN JEOPARDIZE THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR INVESTMENT. HERE’S VITAL INFORMATION TO HELP YOU AVOID OVERPAYING FOR YOUR HOME.

A Special Report Prepared By: Erich Salas

Tip No. 8 - Shop with your head, not your heart.

Don’t forget the purpose of your “Needs” and “Desires” lists. Shopping for a home is an emotional process. Your heart will cost you money; using your head will save it.

Tip No. 9 - Don’t ignore red flags when evaluating a home’s pluses and minuses.

When evaluating the advantages and drawbacks of a particular property, be sure you know the difference between acceptable and unacceptable problems.

Some issues—peeling paint, worn carpeting, ugly wallpaper—are cosmetic and can be easily remedied. In fact, you can use these “problems” during negotiations to lower the asking price—after all, you’ll need to spend money to bring the house up to snuff. Make careful note of what you see that can be used to your advantage. Don’t nit-pick, however—if taken to extremes, you could end up alienating the seller and creating a hostile atmosphere.

Other problems may be warnings to walk away. Major foundation cracks, evidence of previous water damage, signs of serious dry rot or termite damage, antiquated electrical systems or plumbing—any one of these may be cause to reconsider your interest.

Don’t let a house’s positive attributes blind you to very real problems. If you do, the chances are good that you’ll end up spending much more money than you ever expected down the line.

Please feel free to call me if you would like further explanation on any of these topics, or if you have any real estate questions at all. I simply see my mission as striving to be as helpful as I possibly can to area home owners. I hope this special report provides the information you need to be an informed home buyer or seller......

Erich Salas

805.801.1747

www.ErichSalas.com

DRE# 01503394

How To Avoid Paying Too Much For Your Home - Tip #6 & #7

SIMPLY PUT, PAYING TOO MUCH CAN JEOPARDIZE THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR INVESTMENT. HERE’S VITAL INFORMATION TO HELP YOU AVOID OVERPAYING FOR YOUR HOME.

A Special Report Prepared By: Erich Salas

Tip No. 6 - Use your agent to narrow the prospect list.

A good agent brings to the table an in-depth knowledge of the current housing inventory in his or her area, and continually updates that knowledge by touring homes as they are placed on the market. This is to your advantage. Trying to personally see every available home that might fit your needs would be an overwhelming process. If you are thorough in communicating your needs and what you can realistically afford, then your agent can help you narrow down the list of prospective homes to those that best suit your needs. This will save you much time and energy.

When the time comes to settle on one home, you can do it with the confidence that you’ve made a well-informed choice.

A complete working knowledge of the available homes in your area is your Realtor’s® strongest asset. He or she updates this list every week.

Tip No. 7 - Show a little interest in everything you see.

As you tour the homes on your “short list,” find something to admire in each one. If you don’t show any interest until you’ve finally fallen in love with a home, then you’ve just put yourself at a competitive disadvantage. Never let anyone know how badly you want a home—it will cost you money!


If you have any questions or need some assistance please go to my website at www.ErichSalas.com and contact me.

How To Avoid Paying Too Much For Your Home - Tip #5

SIMPLY PUT, PAYING TOO MUCH CAN JEOPARDIZE THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR INVESTMENT. HERE’S VITAL INFORMATION TO HELP YOU AVOID OVERPAYING FOR YOUR HOME.

A Special Report Prepared By: Erich Salas

Tip No. 5

It’s a cliché, but...location, location, location.

The desirability and resale value of your home-to-be depend on location more than any other single factor. Again, don’t let emotion get in the way of a wise investment. No home is an island, and the value of yours is affected by the homes that surround it.

Assuming you’ve already considered the elements that make up a desirable community—character, quality of schools, access to work places and services, recreational facilities, etc.—there are several elements that combine to create a good location.

Your first consideration is the neighborhood. Every neighborhood has its own unique character;  you need to make sure you’d be comfortable in the one you’re thinking of living in. Take a long walk and observe carefully. Do people take care of their yards and homes? Are the yards fenced? Do children play in the streets? Talk to the neighbors and ask questions that give you a better feel for the area. But be careful not to appear judgmental—you might be talking to a future neighbor.

If the neighborhood is to your satisfaction, look at homes on the market in the area. Extremely large homes surrounded by smaller ones tend to appreciate less than a large home among other large homes. Conversely, the smallest home in the neighborhood tends to be “pulled up” by the other homes on the block. However, it might take longer to sell a smaller home when the time comes because many people are unwilling to pay extra for the neighborhood.

The outer edge of a neighborhood is usually not good for resale value. There are noticeable dividing lines between unlike neighborhoods. It could be a difference in architectural styles, home size, property use or something else. Look for a home in the middle of a community of similar homes; it will hold its value better.

An exception to this rule is a house on the edge of a neighborhood bounded by woods, park land, a golf course or other open space. Natural boundaries appeal to buyers, and these “edge” homes can actually command a better price. Of course, the exception to this rule is when there’s an unpleasant use planned for the open space. An open field with a babbling brook is nice; a new freeway, strip mall or factory isn’t.

Other things that can negatively affect property values are traffic, sounds, smells, etc. Be sure to give the neighborhood a long, hard look. The home you’re interested in may be perfect, but if the neighborhood has problems, your investment won’t be worth as much when the time comes to sell.


If you have any questions or need some assistance please go to my website at www.ErichSalas.com and contact me.

Oak Park & Grand Ave: 5-Cities Best Place for Restaurant Variety

Living near a busy intersection like Oak Park & Grand Ave in Grover Beach/Arroyo Grande has it's benefits. If you live within 15 minutes walking distance of this intersection, which is a fairly easy walk for anybody whether in shape or not. You have the opportunity to leave your car in the garage and do good for you, your family and the environment and walk to the vast variety of restaurants that this area offers.

Here are my Top 10 favorite restaurants in this area in no particular order: 

1. Applebee's - Always a great place for happy hour, drinks and appetizer's. The two for $20 meal and 1/2 off appetizers during happy hour make this a great place to watch sports or just hang with some friends after work. The Asian Chicken Salad is killer!! Go to www.applebees.com to find out more about their menu and specials.
2. Stacked Sandwiches - If you like gourmet sandwiches or "Premium Handcrafted Sandwiches" as they say, you'll luv Stacked. A great place for lunch and even has happy hour for Beer's and live music during the Summer months. The "Lisa's Stack" is my favorite sandwich. Go to www.stackedsandwiches.com to find out more about their menu and specials.
3. Gibson Brothers BBQ - This is the place for great BBQ food & prices anywhere in the 5-Cities area. It's family owned and operated by Brian, Skip and Aaron who grew up in Nipomo, and have 34 years of experience serving up the best of the best when it comes to barbecue. The BBQ Chicken Sandwich is my favorite and only costs $5.....
4. Panda Express - For the person that luv's Chinese food and wants it quick, this is the place! Alway's consistent food and reasonable priced. Everyone's favorite is the Orange Chicken. Go to www.pandaexpress.com to find out more about their menu and specials.
5. Orcutt Burger - Some of the best burger's in town. Fast & fresh burger's the way it's suppose to be. I like the regular cheeseburger, plain and a bag of fries.
6. Yamato Japanese Restaurant - If you like Sushi and friendly service, this is the place. Whether it's for lunch or dinner Yamato's has something for you. Regular style Japanese food is also served and delicious!! I like the Bento Box for lunch.....
7. Rudy & Angie's Mexican Food - Probably the best Mexican food and service in all of 5-Cities. A great variety of food (even some American) and always fresh. I luv the Fish Taco's some Chip's & Salsa and a nice cold BEER!!
8. Golden Gong Chinese Restaurant - If you want great made to order Chinese food, look no farther. Golden Gong offers great in house dining or to go food at great prices. I always get the Walnut Shrimp for lunch. 
9. Doughboy's Pizzeria - This is a Pizza lover's paradise!! Build your own or choose from one of their signature Pizza's you won't be disappointed. Dine in or out and they even deliver. The Roasted BBQ Chicken pizza is to die for...Go to www.doughboyspizzeria.net to find out more about their menu and specials.
10. Vons Supermarket - If your not exactly sure of what to eat, the Vons Hot & Cold Deli is the place to go. From pre-made salad's, Fried Chicken, Soups, fresh Pasta salad's & sandwiches there is something for everyone. The Turkey & Havarti Panini sandwich is fantastic!! Quick & easy!! Go to www.vons.com to find out more about their menu and specials.

These are only half of the many great eating establishments in the area of Oak Park & Grand Ave that are within walking distance of many neighborhood's. So remember, we live in one of the most desirable places on Earth and should utilize the fact that we can walk to go shopping and eat which in turn helps save our planet and keeps us in shape!! If you don't believe me, I bet I can find at least 4 Billion people in this world that would trade places with you right now!!!

Erich Salas

How To Avoid Paying Too Much For Your Home - Tip #3 & #4

SIMPLY PUT, PAYING TOO MUCH CAN JEOPARDIZE THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR INVESTMENT. HERE’S VITAL INFORMATION TO HELP YOU AVOID OVERPAYING FOR YOUR HOME.

A Special Report Prepared By: Erich Salas:

Tip No. 3

Pick a winning team to help you.

From picking a mortgage to finding the right home to inspections to negotiating the best deal, it can be exhausting for even the hardiest souls. That’s why most people have a Realtor® in their corner.

A good agent has the knowledge and experience that come from years of helping both buyers and sellers. He or she also has a team of other professionals to put at your disposal—lenders, lawyers, home inspectors, movers, etc.

Most sellers you encounter are certainly going to have professionals in their corner. Having a pro on your team is the best way to make sure you get the best deal possible.

Tip No. 4

Make sure your Realtor® knows what you are looking for.

Once you have a clear, detailed picture of the home you want, make sure your agent has the same picture. This communication is critical. Otherwise, you’ll both waste your time looking at homes you’re really not interested in. Also, make sure your Realtor® knows your priorities. Your shared goal is to find a place that meets all of your needs; your Realtor® will then try to satisfy as many of your desires as possible.

A good Realtor® will ask you several questions about what you’re looking for and what you can afford. And they’ll listen carefully to your answers.

If you have any questions or need some assistance please go to my website at www.ErichSalas.com and contact me.

How To Avoid Paying Too Much For Your Home - Tip #2

SIMPLY PUT, PAYING TOO MUCH CAN JEOPARDIZE THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR INVESTMENT. HERE’S VITAL INFORMATION TO HELP YOU AVOID OVERPAYING FOR YOUR HOME.

A Special Report Prepared By: Erich Salas

Tip No. 2

Shop for a mortgage before you shop for a home.

Getting a loan preapproval is the smart way to shop for a home. It tells sellers that you’re a serious prospect, and you know in advance the maximum mortgage you can afford. Make sure you get a commitment in writing. I’ve seen many buyers make the mistake of learning what they qualify for but not getting that preapproval in writing.

The good news is that it’s still fairly easy to qualify for a home loan as long as you have good credit and a steady job. Lenders have modified qualification rules and created programs designed to help people even if they have problems in their credit or employment histories. Many programs call for dramatically reduced down payments—the biggest obstacle for first-time home buyers in particular.

If you don't have a preferred lender or you have questions regarding loans please go to my website at www.ErichSalas.com and contact me with your questions.


Erich Salas

San Luis Obispo County 2010 Sold Home Statistics

Homes sales in San Luis Obispo County for single family residences (SFR) were the highest since 2006 according to these stats taken from our local PCAOR MLS system. Even though 2005 saw almost 800 more sales than in 2006, the average selling price was highest in 2006 at $682,174. Since 2006 SFR solds in SLO County have dropped approx. 30% on the average selling price. Paso Robles led all cities for solds with 481 which is almost double that of it's rival Atascadero with 261. The record low interest rates helped make 2010 the best year since 2006 as far as total sales go for SFR in the county. The graph below shows sales in SLO County by city:


     City                  Solds        Avg. List             Avg. Selling            Avg. DOM/CDOM

Arroyo Grande        239          $597,618                   $570,935                       96/113

Atascadero              261          $393,862                   $383,373                       85/105 

Avila                         16            $981,976                   $934,188                       97/97 

Bradley                     21            $349,086                   $329,338                       118/136 

Cambria                    125           $628,072                   $591,117                      119/149 

Cayucos                   39            $752,874                  $673,241                        153/228 

Creston                      8            $853,014                   $795,720                       155/170

Cuyama                     2             $1,237,500               $960,000                       193/193 

Grover Beach           100          $350,993                   $342,722                      72/86 

Los Osos                  111          $440,638                  $422,659                       88/100 

Morro Bay                111          $538,590                  $508,659                      101/129 

Nipomo                     204           $450,711                 $438,901                       107/115 

Oceano                     45            $335,207                  $318,802                        73/89 

Paso Robles             481           $350,815                  $340,021                       100/115 

Pismo Beach             64            $654,301                  $615,368                       92/120 

San Luis Obispo      249          $649,831                  $611,237                        96/106 

San Miguel               47             $265,740                  $262,013                      112/116 

San Simeon                2             $3,797,500               $3,165,000                    335/335

Santa Margarita        12            $324,740                  $304,750                       121/121

Shandon                    17             $126,947                 $125,456                        82/108

Templeton                 71            $554,566                  $504,903                      108/139

SLO County    2225     $482,968         $460,114               99/116 

2009                2202      $503,981           $479,315             101/125 

2008                2062      $584,228           $550,918             111/139 

2007                2193      $683,454           $653,119             114/139 

2006               2612       $708,098           $682,174              88/107

2005               3403       $657,235           $640,954               68/76

If you would like more info regarding these statistics please go to my website at www.ErichSalas.com and contact me with your inquiry. Let's make 2011 an even better year than 2010!!

Erich Salas