Thank Our Armed Forces Personnel Thanks-A-Million

Thank Our Armed Forces Personnel Thanks-A-Million

By Michelle Carr-Crowe, Silicon Valley Homes Specialist

Wreaths Across America needs your help to complete their Thanks-A-Million campaign and succeed in distributing 1 million thank you cards by this Veterans Day, November 11, 2010.

Over 500,000 thank you cards were distributed by Memorial Day…the number went over 700,000 by the end of summer…But we need your help complete the 'Thanks-A-Million' goal of distributing one million thank you cards to our veterans, active military, and their families.

It is a small token but all together a big way of saying we appreciate your service and sacrifice - and we will never forget.

If you aren't familiar with the thank you cards... here's the story in a nutshell:
If you are reading this than you are likely of the same mind that we are - that all those who serve in harm's way and sacrifice to provide our freedoms, deserve to be thanked. And without appreciation for what we have and enjoy on a daily basis, those priveleges might one day disappear.

We all know we should do it, but how do you approach a veteran - and say thank you? That's what the thank you card does. It is a proper excuse, and a keepsake at the same time. And with each single card we are telling all those who served - and their families - we will never forget.

David Haskell of NH wrote in to tell us how when he distributes his cards, he gives away two. One for the person he is thanking (he signs his name on it) and a second for the recipient to give away and keep the line moving.

Ask anyone who has shaken a hand and offered the card - the experience is as important and moving for the giver as it is for those we thank.
And the best part is, THEY ARE FREE!

Yes, we do ask folks to pay shipping and handling. But you will get 100 business-card sized thank you cards. And there are only 200,000 left!

That's right. We need do give away only 200,000 cards in the next two weeks to reach our goal!

Are there 2000 of you out there who feel the same way we do?

Tell your friends. Our veterans will be marching on November 11th and we are going to thank them a million times over.

Learn more at http://wreathsacrossamerica.org/thanks-a-million-campaign.html.

One Credit or Two?
17 Days Left to Get Both Federal and State First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credits

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe and the Get RE$ult$ Team
Your Lynbrook & Cupertino Schools Experts

There are only 17 days left for qualified first-time home buyers in California to act and receive not one just one big credit but two.

For qualified buyers who are in contract by April 30 and close after May 1, they can receive not only up to $8,000 in a federal tax credit, but also up to $10,000 with a California state tax credit.

The Federal program’s purchase price limit is $800,000 and the home must close before June 30, 2010.

The new California program has no price limit, nor is there a limit on income (as there is in the Federal program).

You can view the federal tax credit matrix for details.

But ACT NOW! There are great properties that qualify!

For example, we have a home at 5356 Avenida Almendros in San Jose’s popular Blossom Valley area of Santa Clara County. This large and lovely home is an entertainer’s delight - ~2000sf and 4 bedrooms with separate living, dining and family rooms with a pool and herb garden. Upgrades include dual pane windows, copper plumbing and a newer roof. It’s located on a quiet street, across from a good elementary school – only $475K.

Ready to act? Just Call (408) 252-8900 and let’s write your offer! Remember, there are only 17 Days Left to Get Both Federal and State First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credits.

Directions for All San Jose Saratoga Lynbrook High Homes Open Houses Sunday March 21

Directions for All San Jose Saratoga Lynbrook High Homes Open Houses Sunday March 21

by Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

Hello. There are several single-family, condos and townhomes all open on Sunday March 21, both in San Jose and Saratoga with Lynbrook High. These Lynbrook High Homes vary from a 2 Br condo for $479,000 to a lovely 5 Br for $1.698M.

Directions for All San Jose Saratoga Lynbrook High Homes Open Houses Sunday March 21 are below. For questions or to make a private showing appointment with your Lynbrook Hgih & Cupertino Schools Experts, Just Call (408) 252-8900.

Directions for All San Jose Saratoga Lynbrook High Homes Open Houses page1 & 2




Directions for All San Jose Saratoga Lynbrook High Homes Open Houses Sunday March 21 are above. For questions or to make a private showing appointment with your Lynbrook Hgih & Cupertino Schools Experts, Just Call (408) 252-8900.

Aloha & God bless you,

Michelle

Michelle C. Carr-Crowe, DRE #00901962, is known as the "Lynbrook Expert." She's a Silicon Valley-based multi-million dollar real estate consultant. Her designations include: Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS), Accredited Staging Professional (ASP), Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), Property Marketing Expert (PME), Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist (RECS), and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES). In addition, she is an internationally-published freelance writer with over 1,000 traditional articles in print and online, as well as over 500 blog posts. She enjoys reading, travel, animals, dancing, staging and praying. Check out her blog at www.activerain.com/results or visit her online at www.michellejudycarr.com or www.lynbrookhighhomes.com. For RE$ult$ ... Just Call ... (408) 252-8900.

Silicon Valley Honors Fallen Soldiers with Wreaths Across America on Dec. 12

Silicon Valley Honors Fallen Soldiers with Wreaths Across America on Dec. 12

by Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

This December 12th, Silicon Valley joins Wreaths Across America to honor fallen soldiers with their annual laying of the wreaths ceremony. A non-profit organization honoring both active and fallen soldiers, Wreaths Across America started in 1992 and has grown to 350 participating locations. It first began at Arlington National Cemetary. You can see the YouTube video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZayzlDwk89o.

If you haven't seen the moving sight of a cemetary adorned with wreaths of remembrance, click http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

In Silicon Valley, three different locations are participating: Golden Gate National Cemetary in San Bruno, Calif. (contact Col. Leo P. McArdle), San Francisco National Cemetary at the Presidio (contact Capt. Katrin M. Cusack), and Madronia Cemetary in Saratoga, Calif., (contact William Snider). The coordinators for the respective locations are: Col. Leo P. McArdle, Capt. Katrin M. Cusack and William Snider. You can browse through the 350 participating locations at http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/Locations/.

The motto of Wreaths Across America is Remember, Honor, Teach. By remembering and honoring our soldiers with these wreaths, and teaching others about the program, we bless those who gave their all, as well as their families. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or no holiday at all this season, these veterans are deserving of your honor and remembrance.

It's only $15 to sponsor an individual wreath for a veteran. In addition, Wreaths Across America offers a variety of ways to participate include $1 programs, corporate sponsorships, patches, and note cards, as well as Patriot Pairs. You may also sponsor a wreath in someone else’s name.

The laying of the wreaths ceremony is on December 12. Please consider supporting this worthy recognition of those who've given their all that we may live to celebrate another holiday.

For details on how to help, participate and sponsor at the local Silicon Valley locations, click any of the following links: Golden Gate National Cemetary in San Bruno, Calif. (contact Col. Leo P. McCardle), San Francisco National Cemetary at the Presidio (contact Capt. Katrin M. Cusack), and Madronia Cemetary in Saratoga, Calif., (contact William Snider).

For those who will never come back home for the holidays, consider giving a gift to honor all that they gave for us.

It’s Raining Blogs…I Mean Meteors…Catch God’s Big Show at 1:00 am, Nov. 17 & 18

It’s Raining Blogs…I Mean Meteors…Catch God’s Big Show at 1:00 am, Nov. 17 & 18

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

Tonight and tomorrow night, God and nature are putting on a free show, the Leonid meteor shower. Like me, try to take a nap during the day so you can stay up to see the fun.

Created by Comet Tempel-Tuttle, the Leonids are an annual event, usually seen in late fall. (Note: Some earlier Internet postings incorrectly attributed it to the Comet Swift-Tuttle.) Each time the Leonid meteor shower passes through the inner solar system it sprinkles debris, (mostly ice and rock), varying in size from as large as a standard marble to as small as a grain of sand.

"We're predicting 20 to 30 meteors per hour over the Americas, and as many as 200 to 300 per hour over Asia," said Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office.

According to experts like Cooke, the best time to watch will be from 1:00 am PST through dawn each day. The good news is this year it occurs close to the New Moon phase, enhancing visibility.
Meteor showers are named by the constellation from which meteors appear to fall, a spot in the sky astronomers call the radiant; for example, the Perseid meteor shower’s origin appears to be located near the Perseus constellation, the Leonid’s near Leo (aka the Lion).
This year’s Leonids are reputed to be especially interesting due to its various colored hues, ranging from the usual white or silver to aquamarine or blue.
Tips for viewing:
1) Take at least a 1 hour nap during the day.
2) Go to the bathroom before you leave for your stargazing destination.
3) Find a safe, dark place to watch, one not subject to an onslaught of headlights.
4) Dress warmly with several layers, as well as gloves, hat and overcoat.
5) Bring a bottle of water, and a thermos of hot chocolate, coffee, tea or soup, plus a small snack.
6) Bring a blanket (preferably with a waterproof layer on one side to put on the ground) or a comfy reclining camp chair, PLUS a blanket to snuggle under.
7) Sit or lay back and relax your eyes to maximize your peripheral vision.
8) ENJOY!

For maximum enjoyment, allow at least one hours for viewing; the first 15 minutes will be spent acclimating your eyes to the darkness, then give yourself at least 30 minutes to view. If meteors are falling at 20 per hour, that’s about 1 every 3 minutes; at 30 per hour, that’s 1 every 2 minutes. Assuming you may miss about 20 percent due to looking in the wrong direction or closing your eyes, that means you may see as few as 8 or as many as 15 in 30 minutes.

Saratoga Senior Salvation-A Tax Credit for Move-DOWN Saratoga Buyers

Saratoga Senior Salvation-A Tax Credit for Move-DOWN Saratoga Buyers

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

Lost in the hoopla about extending and expanding the “up to” $8,000 credit for new homebuyers is the credit for existing homeowners. In my opinion, this can be “Senior Salvation” - a tax credit for move-DOWN Saratoga buyers.

I called my broker, my local real estate board, the California Association of REALTORS®, and even the IRS to ask my question: does this credit apply for move-down buyers?

So far the answer is, “As long as they qualify and have a tax to apply the credit to, it looks like YES.”

To summarize:
1. A first time homebuyer is one that has not owned a home for at least three years.
2. A repeat homebuyer must have owned their current home for at least five consecutive years out of the last eight years.
3. The maximum purchase price for the new home is $800,000.
4. If single, your earning maximum to qualify is $125,000; if married, it’s up to $250,000.
5. There's no gap between the prior deadline (November 30th) and the new credit period, which ends April 30th.
6. While you must be in a contract to purchase your new home on or before April 30th, you have until June 30th to close the transaction.
7. To prove you qualify, you'll need to attach proof of purchase to your tax return (most likely a HUD-1 or final closing statement).
Caveat: please, please check with your tax professional and attorney before making any real estate commitments.

However, this may finally be a tax credit that helps seniors who’ve lived in their homes for more than five consecutive years of the past eight.

For example, a senior couple selling a 1.5 million dollar single family home in Saratoga Lynbrook they’ve owned for the past 10 years, then buying a single-level 3 bedroom condo in San Jose for $650,000 not only get to keep their $500,000 tax-free capital gains benefit and transfer their tax basis, they can also now use up to $6,500 as a tax credit.

Savings for Cupertino Seniors-the Tax Credit for Move-DOWN Cupertino Buyers

Savings for Cupertino Seniors-the Tax Credit for Move-DOWN Cupertino Buyers

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

Lost in the hoopla about extending and expanding the “up to” $8,000 credit for new homebuyers is the credit for existing homeowners. In my opinion, this can be “Senior Salvation” - a tax credit for move-DOWN Cupertino sellers and buyers.

I called my broker, my local real estate board, the California Association of REALTORS®, and even the IRS to ask my question: does this credit apply for move-down buyers?

So far the answer is, “As long as they qualify and have a tax to apply the credit to, it looks like YES.”

To summarize:
1. A first time homebuyer is one that has not owned a home for at least three years.
2. A repeat homebuyer must have owned their current home for at least five consecutive years out of the last eight years.
3. The maximum purchase price for the new home is $800,000.
4. If single, your earning maximum to qualify is $125,000; if married, it’s up to $250,000.
5. There's no gap between the prior deadline (November 30th) and the new credit period, which ends April 30th.
6. While you must be in a contract to purchase your new home on or before April 30th, you have until June 30th to close the transaction.
7. To prove you qualify, you'll need to attach proof of purchase to your tax return (most likely a HUD-1 or final closing statement).

Caveat: please, please check with your tax professional and attorney before making any real estate commitments.

However, this may finally be a tax credit that helps seniors who’ve lived in their homes for more than five consecutive years of the past eight.

For example, a senior couple selling a $2 million dollar single family home in Cupertino Monta Vista they’ve owned for the past 8 years, then buying a new single-level 2 bedroom condo in San Jose for $650,000 not only get to keep their $500,000 tax-free capital gains benefit and transfer their tax basis, they can also now use up to $6,500 as a tax credit.

And as the capital gains $500,000 tax-free credit is set to EXPIRE as of December 31, 2010, now is a huge window of opportunity for seniors seeking to maximize their benefits.

Tax Credit and Unemployment Benefits Officially Extended & Expanded

Tax Credit and Unemployment Benefits Officially Extended & Expanded

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

The existing tax credit for first-time buyers, originally set to expire at the end of the month, has been extended, expanded and approved by the House, Senate and President Barack Obama.

The new measure benefits a larger group of potential home buyers. It allows both first-timers and existing homeowners to take advantage of thousands in the form of a tax credit. All properties must close by the end of April.

The measure would continue giving an $8,000 tax credit to first-time buyers. In addition, it provides a $6,500 tax break to qualified homeowners looking to move up to middle-market homes that cost no more than $800,000.

The legislation also significantly raises the qualifying income levels to $125,000 for individual income tax filers and to $225,000 for joint filers.

Finally, the bill would extend unemployment benefits 14 more weeks nationwide and 20 more weeks in California and other hard-hit states. That would give the long-term unemployed nearly two years' worth of benefits.

Reprinted with permission from the National Association of REALTORS®.

Lynbrook High Homes Mini-Update 10.31.09

Lynbrook High Homes Mini-Update 10.31.09

Hello & Happy Halloween, this is Michelle Carr Crowe with your Lynbrook High Homes Update for 10.24.09. GREAT NEWS: 4090 Yellowstone in West San Jose just closed & with 8 great above-asking-price offers. Now we have an opening for a New Seller Client-Who do you know who'd like to get this kind of RE$ult$? Just Call ... (408) 252-8900.

Now we have an opening for a New Seller Client-Who do you know who’d like to get this kind of RE$ult$? Just Call … (408) 252-8900.

Keep your children safe this holiday. Click here to read Judy Carr’s Tips for Treats Not Tricks

*Remember to set your clocks BACK 1 hour Sat. night before you go to bed as the time changes at 2:00 am on Sunday, Nov. 1st.
SELLERS: Homes in Lynbrook are selling – again this week there are three times as many PENDING single family homes as there are homes FOR SALE. (6 for sale vs. 19 pending). Condos & townhomes are at 9 for sale and 4 pending. As the deadline looms for obtaining the $8K first time homebuyer tax credit, more buyers are pushing themselves to act now and take advantage of the free money while it’s available. I have *6* different pre-approved buyers who want to buy in the next 3-10 weeks but the homes they want and need aren’t on the market right now. Who do you know who’s thinking of selling?
SELLERS: Click HERE to Find Out Home Values BEFORE You Sell
BUYERS: This week we have something really special! 1 3 Br Lynbrook TownHome & *3* separate 3 Br TownHome Opportunities in Monta Vista! All 3 are at least 3 Br and 2 Bath! All are in low-traffic locations, and feature 2-car garages, too. Please call 408.252.8900 to request a showing time. We must have your most current pre-approval letter on file prior to showing– you can email it to info@michellejudycarr.com or fax it to 408.378.9056.
VIP BUYERS ONLY: Call me to set your time on Sunday to see the 3 Br TownHome with Dilworth, Miller & Lynbrook! Also, All 3 Monta Vista TownHomes will have showings daily on Sat. & Sun.-Just Call (408) 252-8900 for times.
BUYERS: Click HERE to Find Out Home Prices BEFORE You Buy

This Weekend’s Get RE$ult$ Team Special Events:
1 Lynbrook & 3 Monta Vista SNEAK PEEK PREVIEWS! This Weekend & Weeknights!
Grandma’s Cottage Charmer in Willow Glen! 2180 Cheryl Way, San Jose 95125 - REDUCED $$!
Asking $612K OR BEST WRITTEN OFFER !!
For Sale Single Family Homes: 6
Address City Beds Bath DOM LOE SqFt $/SqFt Lot(SqFt) List Price Age Sale Price
1033 Windsor St San Jose 6 4 29 4,956 $482 10,950 $2,388,800 6
1693 Provincetown Dr San Jose 5 3 54 2,701 $518.29 6,500 $1,399,888
1473 Sharon Manor Ct San Jose 5 4 (3/1) 243 3,493 $400.52 5,500 $1,399,000 14
1142 Johnson Av San Jose 5 2 73 1,904 $530.46 6,549 $1,010,000 51
1428 Yilufa Ct San Jose 4 4 (3/1) 40 2,309 $433.07 2,132 $999,950
1403 S Blaney Av San Jose 3 2 3 1,357 $713.99 6,180 $968,888 50
For Sale Condos/TownHomes: 9
1566 Duckett Wy #6 San Jose 3 4 (3/1) 43 1,740 $516.6 $285 $898,880
7202 Via Vico San Jose 4 3 (2/1) 17 1,822 $436.33 $330 $795,000 30
7250 Clarendon St San Jose 3 3 (2/1) 3 1,448 $531.77 $300 $770,000 30
7126 Clarendon St San Jose 3 3 (2/1) 22 1,448 $502.76 $300 $728,000 30
1082 Norfolk Dr San Jose 2 2 (1/1) 10 1,149 $598.78 $295 $688,000 37
7150 Rainbow Dr #21 San Jose 2 2 (1/1) 263 1,050 $476.14 $393 $499,950 45
7100 Rainbow Dr #7 San Jose 2 1 25 968 $485.54 $374 $470,000 45
1155 Weyburn Ln #28 San Jose 2 1 52 814 $526.89 $330 $428,888 47
6890 Chantel Ct San Jose 1 1 99 582 $513.75 $305 $299,000 22

To receive a FREE subscription to the full Lynbrook High Homes Update, including information on homes not yet on the open market, send an email request to subscribe to lynbrookhomes1@hotmail.com orinfo@michellejudycarr.com.
To see any of these homes, Just Call 408.252.8900.
Pending Single Family: 16
Address City Beds Baths DOM LOE SqFt $/SqFt HOA List Price Age Sale Price
1400 Oak Knoll Dr San Jose 5 4+ 175 4,634 $351.75 10,454 $1,629,998 2
1264 Oak Knoll Dr San Jose 6+ 2 1/2 11 2,156 $556.53 7,360 $1,199,888 44
1436 Yilufa Ct San Jose 4 3 1/2 45 2,416 $495.86 2,700 $1,198,000
1432 Yilufa Ct San Jose 4 3 1/2 12 2,309 $475.53 2,171 $1,098,000
1568 Loch Lomond Ln San Jose 3 2 15 1,472 $650.48 6,000 $957,500 50
7088 Phyllis Av San Jose 3 2 3 1,438 $589.71 6,240 $848,000 48
1019 Corvette Dr San Jose 5 4+ 164 2,789 $530.26 6,348 $1,478,888
1015 Avondale St San Jose 6+ 4+ 70 3,708 $377.29 10,200 $1,399,000 59
5962 Royal Ann Dr San Jose 5 3 10 2,023 $568.46 5,974 $1,150,000 45
1044 Avondale St San Jose 3 1 7 1,050 $919.05 10,875 $965,000 59
6316 Wisteria Wy San Jose 3 2 7 1,328 $715.28 8,700 $949,888 42
1254 Regency Dr San Jose 4 3 14 2,160 $439.3 6,136 $948,888 42
1438 Bing Dr San Jose 3 2 10 1,430 $662.94 5,974 $948,000 49
1046 Jacqueline Wy San Jose 3 2 8 1,394 $680.06 5,880 $948,000 53
1194 Miller Av San Jose 4 2 6 1,500 $620 6,099 $930,000 48
1005 N Avondale St San Jose 2 1 66 840 $1,071.43 10,200 $900,000 59
6111 Royal Ann Dr San Jose 3 2 2 1,280 $699.22 7,080 $895,000 50



















Pending Condos & TownHomes: 5
1081 Di Napoli Dr San Jose 4 2 1/2 97 2,040 $421.08 $270 $859,000 37
1030 Whitebick Dr San Jose 3 2 1/2 8 1,532 $499.34 $295 $764,988 36
6942 Chantel Ct San Jose 1 1 57 582 $462.2 $305 $269,000 109
1075 Whitebick Dr San Jose 3 2 1/2 7 1,532 $502.58 $295 $769,950 37
6957 Chantel Ct San Jose 2 2 1/2 56 1,051 $447.05 $380 $469,850 22

SOLD Single Family: 3
1019 Corvette Dr San Jose 5 4 164 39 2,789 $493.73 6,348 $1,478,888 $1,377,000
1438 Bing Dr San Jose 3 2 10 24 1,430 $667.83 5,974 $948,000 49 $955,000
1005 N Avondale St San Jose 2 1 66 29 840 $1,041.67 10,200 $900,000 59 $875,000

SOLD Th/Condo: 1

1075 Whitebick Dr San Jose 3 3 (2/1) 7 23 1,532 $513.71 $295 $769,950 37 $787,000

Curious about home values and sales in your area? Wondering how prices are in the area you’d like to move to? Simply click on the link below, fill in your current address and submit it to obtain a free, detailed market snapshot of what’s happening right now in your area. To find out about values…

Click Here to Find out Home Values in Your Area!

SNEAK PEEKS! 1 Lynbrook 3 Br-Sunday by Invitation Only! 3 Monta Vista 3 Br Homes! Showing Daily! RSVP to 408.252.8900!
2180 Cheryl, Willow Glen REDUCED! $612K! Open Sun., Oct. 25th, 1:30-4:30! FREE GIFTS!
4090 Yellowstone, West San Jose $OLD! Multiple Offers! Asking $599K … $OLD! Multiple Offers $651K!
Thank you for your time in reading this. Aloha & God bless you!

TENANTS! Is Your Landlord/Owner Facing Foreclosure in Santa Clara County? Learn Your RIGHTS and Get FREE HELP at FREE Foreclosure Event on Wed., 10/21

TENANTS! Is Your Landlord/Owner Facing Foreclosure in Santa Clara County? Learn Your RIGHTS and Get FREE HELP at FREE Foreclosure Event on Wed., 10/21

The City of San Jose, in partnership with the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®, (SCCAOR), is hosting a FREE Foreclosure Rescue Event tomorrow, October 21st, from 1pm to 7pm at the Mexican Heritage Plaza, located at 1700 Alum Rock Ave. in San Jose.

This is an important event where information and assistance is provided not only for those running the risk of foreclosure or are in it, but also for tenants wanting to know their rights and obtain help as well.

There will be representatives from all the major HUD (Housing and Urban Development) certified counseling agencies as well as Legal Aid organizations to provide free and truthful information about the process of foreclosure and what options TENANTS and homeowners have. There will also be a significant number of counseling agencies and a couple of lenders available.

If you or anyone you care about knows of a client, friend or family member that could benefit from this important event, please forward them the information in this email and help them get the help they need. For more information on the event itself, the flyer can be downloaded by clicking here.

For help with foreclosure call our Hotline 408.794.1242,
or email help@foreclosurehelpscc.org
or visit our website at www.foreclosurehelpscc.org
Thanks for reading and Aloha!

3 Sneak Peeks in Monta Vista this weekend-Not on MLS-RSVP

3 Sneak Peeks in Monta Vista this weekend-1 Hour ONLY! all 3 are BIG 3 Br & Quiet- RSVP Just Call 408.252.8900
3 Sneak Peeks in Monta Vista this weekend!

1 Hour ONLY!

EXCLUSIVE! NOT on MLS!

All 3 are BIG 3 Br & Quiet-

but you've gotta RSVP to 408.210.9350 or lynbrookhomes1@hotmail.com

3 Cupertino townhomes for sale! All 3 with Kennedy Middle & Monta Vista High! HIGH API Scores! Don't miss! You could still buy and qualify for the $8K first time homebuyers tax credit!



Blessings & Aloha,

Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

Michelle C. Carr-Crowe, DRE #00901962, is a Silicon Valley-based multi-million dollar real estate consultant. Check out her blog at www.activerain.com/results or visit her online at www.michellejudycarr.com or www.lynbrookhighhomes.com. For RE$ult$ ... Just Call ... (408) 252-8900.

How to Pet a Lion

How to Pet a Lion

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

Growing up, I always wanted a pet lion. I imagined myself presiding over a wild game preserve of animals, especially the big cats - lions and tigers, panthers and leopards. (Not surprisingly I later became involved in cat rescue organizations, fostering and socializing kitties for new families.)

I recently finished reading the book, "A Lion Named Christian" about Christian the Lion, the big cat in the "lion reunion" video made famous on YouTube. Did you know the owners (or as people say today, the "pet guardians"), actually bought (not adopted) the lion cub at Harrah's Department Store in London?

When I shared the story with my family, my oldest daughter immediately wanted to travel to Harrah's to buy a lion. Sorry, they no longer sell, nor adopt out, big pets there anymore.

When King John Elvis Presley (my youngest daughter's dear pet) recently died and moved up to kitty heaven, more than ever I felt a burning desire and NEED for our family to reconnect with a real live lion.

Fortunately, I knew where to go. Legally, I mean.

Back when my children were younger, we visited the West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon, Oregon. Even though my children were small (my youngest was a toddler) we got to go inside the special teaching area to pet two white tiger cubs. It was very cool.

This summer, we made a detour (okay, a very long detour) to visit them again. We were in luck - in addition to the possum, skunk, anteater and red fox, everyone in our family got to pet two different big cat cubs - one was a lion and the other was a snow leopard. Interestingly, the lion's fur was much coarser as compared to the soft fur of the snow leopard.

So back to how to pet a lion ...

•1) Obey the lion handler's instructions.

•2) Wash your hands first. (Don't tempt the lion with the aroma of your steak sandwich.)

•3) Don't treat a lion, tiger or other big cat or cub like a dog or domestic cat.

•4) Sit or kneel quietly near their level and wait for the handler to bring the lion to you.

•5) Unless the handler says otherwise, don't let the big cat sniff your hand first. Anything put in front of a lion's face, including a human hand, is interpreted as food or fun-and an open invitation for the animal to bite, chew or engage in "mouth play" with it.

•6) Never chase, run after, pounce on or try to hug the lion for the same reason.

•7) Do pet only from the back of the neck/top of the shoulders and down. Always start by petting the back first, then depending on the cub's reaction, it may be okay to pet or pat their sides. However, if you start with the sides, a lion may interpret the pats as pokes or swats by a peer and begin typical lion play. (Again, you don't want that.)



Here is the link that shows some back footage when Christian the Lion is younger; about 2:40 into it is the reunion part, where the lion, who'd been introduced into the wild and hadn't seen the authors for over a year - sees them again. It's a real tear-jerker.

http://sharerevmedia.com/component/option,com_seyret/Itemid,52/task,videodirectlink/id,1251085/

Also, here are some photos from our lion and leopard petting adventures this summer.

http://www.facebook.com/justcall?v=photos&ref=profile#/album.php?aid=2021178&id=1020843477

The West Coast Game Park can be contacted at 541-347-3106 or online at www.gameparksafari.com.