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.

Lynbrook High Open House, Sat., 3/6! Feels Like Paradise! 7100 Rainbow, #33 Only $479,950!

Lynbrook High Open House, Sat., 3/6! Feels Like Paradise! 7100 Rainbow, #33, San Jose with Cupertino Schools Only $479,950

Lynbrook High Open House, Sat., 3/6!

Feels Like Paradise!

E-Z Care LifeStyle Can Be Yours!

RARE END UNIT!

http://www.listingseflyersbi.com/viewflyer.php?FlyerID=149621519

Quiet Location in Quiet Building!

Quality Name-Brand Upgrades Thruout!

Quick Access to 85, 280 & Nationally-Recognized Cupertino Schools!

*MILGARD Dual Pane Windows!

"Noiseless" Reiker Ceiling Fans!

Brite & Lite All White Kitchen! F eatures

Kenmore Elite Stainless Steel Appliance Suite!

FABULOUS Pantry!

Updated Baths!

Featuring Lovely Chrome Restoration Hardware Fixtures!

Spacious Bedrooms-Larger than Many Single-Family Homes!

Powered by RealBird.com

Nationally-Recognized Cupertino Schools!

Meyerholz-API 961! Features Award-Winning Mandarin Immersion Program!

Miller-API-982!

Lynbrook High-API 926!


7100 Rainbow Drive, #33, San Jose, CA 95129


Virtual Tour at http://www.homeschoolvalue.com/Listing/ViewListingDetailsAuthenticated.aspx?ListingID=10921461&Preview=false&TabID=2320204

Put it on your calendar! Lynbrook High Open House, Sat., 3/6! Feels Like Paradise! 7100 Rainbow, #33, San Jose with Cupertino Schools Only $479,950

Bright & Spacious! Rent to Own /Lease Option Possible!

Bright & Spacious! Rent to Own /Lease Option Possible! Live in Beautiful Berryessa!

Have you wanted to own a home in Silicon Valley - San Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Palo Alto or Saratoga? Don't quite have the full down payment but excellent credit and a financial windfall coming soon? This lovely 4 br / 2.5 ba home may be right for you!

Bright & Spacious! Rent to Own /Lease Option Possible! Beautiful Berryessa/Milpitas Border!



Beautifully Updated!

Bright & Spacious Floor Plan!

Largest Model!

4 Bedrooms & 2.5 Baths!

Gorgeous Granite Kitchen!!!

Rent to Own/ Lease Option Possible

2 possibilities

1) Rent to Own: Standard rent + extra amount towards the down payment with price & date chosen in advance*

2) Lease Option: Standard rent with no extra amount; price & date for option chosen in advance*

Rent: $1995 /mo (negotiable) for 4br / 2 ba updated townhome in Berryessa/Milpitas border

Updated Piedmont Hills Beauty! Lg. & Lovely 4 Br! Avail. Soon!

. Great Schools with API above 800 - Majestic Ele.! Sierramont Middle! Piedmont Hills High!

. Easy access to Highway 680, 237, 101, 880

. San Jose Airport in 4 miles

. Light Rail in less than a mile

. Fabulous Great Mall + Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, Grocery, Banks & Pharmacy Nearby

. Playground & walking trails

. Near Berryessa & Cataldi Park

Easy to see & show - Just Call ... (408) 252-8900! for appt.

Plus finder's fee to agent

Must provide references, application & non-refundable credit check $25 Agent Michelle Carr DRE #00901962 Just Call ... (408) 252-8900!

Photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/sumap2007/HomePictures?feat=directlink

Terms: Security Deposit: $1,500 Last Month Required: 2,000 Move In/Out Fee: - - Credit Fee: $25 Min/Max Lease Mo.: 6 / 36 Date Available: 04/01/2010 Listing

Agent/Office Information Michelle Carr (DRE#00901962) Altas Realty Pref-Phone: 408-252-8900 Agent Fax: 408-378-9056 Office Phone: 408-947-1583 Office Fax: 408-947-1585 Email: lynbrookhomes1@hotmail.com http://www.michellejudycarr.com

You're Invited to Open House Wed., 1/27 10a-Noon at 20644 Oak Creek Lane, Saratoga 95070

You're Invited to Open House Wed., 1/27 10a-Noon at 20644 Oak Creek Lane, Saratoga 95070

by Michelle Carr-Crowe

New to Market! Privacy, Prestige & Prime Cupertino Schools!

Private End Unit! Plus … Prime Cupertino Schools!

Hidden Jewel Offers Best of All Worlds !!

Give Your Family Privacy, Prestige & Superb Educational Potential in this Fabulous TownHome … only $658K !!

Gorgeous, Open & Spacious !!

Super-Desirable Single-Level END UNIT !!

Updated TownHome = E-Z Care LifeStyle !!

Prestigious SARATOGA Address on Quiet Cul-de-Sac Amidst Million $ Homes

Soaring Ceilings & Spacious Airy Feeling



Large Formal Tile Entry

Glowing & Gleaming Hardwood Floors

Gorgeous GRANITE SLAB Kitchen Features All Stainless Steel Appliances Plus Warm & Glowing Wood Cabinetry

Peaceful BackYard for BBQs & Relaxation

COOL CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING !!

Give Your Family Privacy, Prestige & Superb Educational Potential in this Fabulous Home!

NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED CUPERTINO SCHOOLS !!

Blue Hills – API 977!

Kennedy Middle – API 971!

Monta Vista High – API 935! NEW ON MARKET !!

Hurry to See-It Won’t Last !!

Open Wed., 1/27 from 10a-Noon

Open Thurs., 1/28 from 10a-Noon

Open Sat., 1/30 from 1:30 to 4:30

Open Sunday, Jan. 24th from 1:30 to 4:30

20644 Oak Creek Lane, Saratoga, CA 95070 x. Saratoga-Sunnyvale/Kirkmont/Prospect Gorgeous Granite Kitchen at 20644 Oak Creek in Saratoga

Calif. Gov. Schwarzenegger proposes extension, expansion of $10,000 home buyer tax credits

Calif. Gov. Schwarzenegger proposes extension, expansion of $10,000 home buyer tax credits

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

Did you miss it? Amongst the numerous proposals for 2010 in Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s State of the State address today one stood out to benefit buyers of both new and existing homes in 2010.

During his State of the State address, Governor Schwarzenegger included in his proposals a recommendation to set aside $200 million for a new round of $10,000 state tax credits for first-time home buyers.

If passed, it increases housing affordability for first-time home buyers throughout Santa Clara County, from Morgan Hill and San Jose to Los Gatos and Saratoga, including Palo Alto and Los Altos to Cupertino and Santa Clara.

The Governor’s new proposal expands upon the initial $10,000 state tax credit by including both new and existing homes.

The 2009 tax credit from last year applied only to buyers of newly constructed homes.

Santa Clara at the Bottom of Forbes List

Santa Clara at the Bottom of Forbes List

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

Everyone wants to be in the Top 10…except on Forbes list of most overpriced homes.

This newly updated list features Kissimmee/Orlando, Florida as #1.

To find the cities with the most overpriced homes, they ranked the 40 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas--geographic entities defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, for use in collecting statistics.

Using data provided to Forbes by Altos Research, a Mountain View, Calif.-based real estate research firm, each metro area was ranked on the following:

1) percentage of homes that had seen price reductions, an indicator of inflated pricing;

2) the median number of days spent on the market (the longer homes stay on the market, the more likely they are to be overvalued);

3) and the ratio of median list price (or asking price) to median absorbed price. As an indicator that other previously overpriced areas have evened out, Las Vegas, Sacramento and San Francisco are all at the bottom (#37-40) of the list.

Imagine my relief as a real estate consultant who specializes in selling homes in San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Saratoga, Los Gatos & Campbell, to find out the great news: Santa Clara is near the bottom! We're number 38! Yay! (Only two areas were lower than us).

You can check it out at http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/03/cities-overpriced-sales-lifestyle-real-estate-miami-florida-homes_chart.html 38 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metro Area 34343724 http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/03/cities-overpriced-sales-lifestyle-real-estate-miami-florida-homes_chart.html.

Joining the 200 Club

Joining the 200 Club

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

Since my blog about passing the 100-post milestone, I’m happy to report this is my 200th blog post on ActiveRain.

What’s happened between 100 and 200?

Since I posted my 100th blog on October 15, 2009, in less than 2 months I’ve

1) Moved up from somewhere in the 500 zone to being in the Top 200 AR bloggers in my state (California, the most populous state in the nation-and FULL of RE agents! As in 24,591 on AR)
2) Upped my ranking in Santa Clara County to #6 (out of 1081 agents-as I was writing this, 2 more joined, it’s now 1083 agents in Santa Clara County)
3) Become the #2 Featured Agent in San Jose (out of 556)
4) Seen my Google ranking rise on October 27th to the Top 10 position in 2 different target markets (Cupertino homes for sale, Saratoga homes for sale) and Top 20 position for San Jose homes for sale)
5) Presented a Webinar at the inaugural Virtual Real Estate Bar Camp on It’s Raining Blogs: How to be an ActiveRain Rainmaker, and why agents should blog and be on Active Rain.

Thanks to all who are reading this and you can do it, too!

Dear God…Please bless Noah Biorkman…

Dear God…Please bless Noah Biorkman…

Does anyone remember the 1996 movie, “Dear God” starring Greg Kinnear?

In it, a cynical con man must take the only job he can get (in the dead letter department at the post office) as a condition of parole. While there, he finds out there is an entire bin of undeliverable dead letter mail, including dozens of “Dear God” letters. Some of it contains cash, jewelry and other goodies.

Although he initially intends to steal the unclaimed money and valuables from this undeliverable mail, he ends up having a change of heart and leads his colleagues in answering prayers found in the letters.

Most of the time when I receive an email request to send Christmas cards to a sick child or help find a missing child, I’m a bit cynical. I check it out first on Urban Legends or Snopes. About 90 percent of the time it’s either an urban legend or expired (e.g. the missing child was found 2 years ago).

So when my colleague Linda Gonzales sent a request to mail Christmas cards to Noah Biorkman, a young boy with neuroblastoma in Michigan, whose family planned to celebrate Christmas early this weekend, I checked it out first. To my pleasant surprise, it’s a legitimate request. There were links to the local radio station WYCD and Noah’s Care Pages. (The only hiccup was they already celebrated their family Christmas last weekend.)

Here’s the most recent posting from Noah’s mother on Care Pages:
Posted Nov 11, 2009

We received 80,000 pieces of mail on Monday alone! We even received mail today on Veteran's Day! Yes, the Post Office is closed today, yet, we still got mail!
My garage is so full that we asking for everyone to please send all communications to Noah's father's house. Everything should go to the following:

Scott Biorkman
3480 Petoskey Way
Milford, Michigan 48380
Please post on all Facebook accounts the address change.

Merry Christmas!!

Posted Nov 9, 2009 12:23am

What a week! Scott and I have had a hard time wrapping our brain
around how much support and compassion we have received from people
all around the world!!! Noah was the 17th most googled topic on
Thursday and 12th on Friday!! Unbelievable!!!!!!!

Thank you to everyone for the support! Thank you to everyone that listened to my requests for peace…

So for the cost of a stamp and five minutes of your time to write a note, address the card and put on the stamp, you can be part of God’s love and a child’s Christmas miracle.

Dear God…
Please bless and watch over Noah and his family. Give them health, strength and peace. Let this holiday season be filled with love and joy and answered prayers.
Amen.

West San Jose Cupertino Schools Lynbrook High Homes MidWeek Update 11.12.09

West San Jose Cupertino Schools Lynbrook High Homes MidWeek Update 11.12.09
Hello & Happy Harvest Season! This is Michelle Carr Crowe with your Lynbrook High Homes Update for 11.12.09.
The housing market in West San Jose with Lynbrook High continues to be stable. Currently there are only 6 single family homes for sale (2 went pending and 1 new one came on the market since Sat., 11/07/09). Condos and townhomes remain steady with the same 7 for sale. There is also 1 multi-family fourplex for sale.
I have *6* different pre-approved buyers who want to buy in the in the next 30 days and move in before the Christmas holidays -but the homes they want and need aren't on the market right now. Who do you know who's thinking of selling that could use my help?
Tax Credit and Unemployment Benefits Officially Extended & Expanded
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 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 OR MOVE DOWN to middle-market homes that cost no more than $800,000. This can be an important bonus for seniors.
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®.
SELLERS: Click HERE to Find Out Home Values BEFORE You Sell
BUYERS: This week we have *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 INVESTOR BUYERS ONLY: Call me regarding a potential teardown/remodel opportunity on a standard size (~6000sf) lot. Seller only wants to sell As-Is with no contingencies (getting reports is OK), preferably to cash buyer, reasonably priced.
BUYERS: Click HERE to Find Out Home Prices BEFORE You Buy
Get RE$ult$ Team Open House
Open Saturday 1:30-4:30! Grandma's Cottage Charmer in Willow Glen! 2180 Cheryl, San Jose 95125 REDUCED $$!
Asking $612K OR BEST WRITTEN OFFER !! Try FHA Loan - $21,525 Down Possible!*

For Sale Single Family Homes: 7
1033 Windsor St San Jose 6 4 35 4,956 $482 10,950 $2,388,800 6
1681 Provincetown Dr San Jose 4 3 160 2,800 $535.67 6,500 $1,499,888
1566 Duckett Wy #9 San Jose 4 4 (3/1) 1 2,315 $517.49 2,134 $1,198,000
1142 Johnson Av San Jose 5 2 79 1,904 $530.46 6,549 $1,010,000 51
1432 Yilufa Ct San Jose 4 4 (3/1) 36 2,309 $433.07 2,171 $999,950
1403 S Blaney Av San Jose 3 2 9 1,357 $713.99 6,180 $968,888 50
1307 Centennial Ct San Jose 3 2 3 1,176 $764.46 7,102 $899,000 50
For Sale Condos/TownHomes: 7
7250 Clarendon St San Jose 3 3 (2/1) 9 1,448 $531.77 $300 $770,000 30
7126 Clarendon St San Jose 3 3 (2/1) 28 1,448 $502.76 $300 $728,000 30
1082 Norfolk Dr San Jose 2 2 (1/1) 16 1,149 $598.78 $295 $688,000 37
7150 Rainbow Dr #21 San Jose 2 2 (1/1) 269 1,050 $476.14 $393 $499,950 45
7100 Rainbow Dr #7 San Jose 2 1 31 968 $470.04 $374 $455,000 45
1155 Weyburn Ln #28 San Jose 2 1 58 814 $526.89 $330 $428,888 47
6942 Chantel Ct San Jose 1 1 86 582 $462.2 $305 $269,000 109

For Sale Multi-Family: 1
1609 Brookvale Dr San Jose 30 4,520 $298.67 7,668 $1,350,000 41

Thanks for reading, Aloha & God bless you!

Lovely 3 Br Home in Exquisite Neighborhood Missing Just 2 Things-YOU & 1 Other Thing …

Lovely 3 Br Home in Exquisite Neighborhood Missing Just 2 Things-YOU & 1 Other Thing …

Lovely 3 Br Home in Exquisite Neighborhood Missing Just 2 Things-YOU …and 1 Other Thing...a Second Bath...But WAIT!
More than half of the homes on this street only have 1 Bath also.
Before you reject, come see it Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30
You can't buy a better neighborhood for the $$!

REMEMBER: Tax Credit and Unemployment Benefits Officially Extended & Expanded
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.

Grandma's Cottage! Updated Willow Glen Charmer! Located in Superb Neighborhood!
* REDUCED $!
* FREE Gifts at Open House on Sun, 10/18 1:30-4:30!

*Grandma's Cottage is Light, Lovely & Squeaky Clean!
*Move-In Condition & Located on Quiet St in Fabulous DRY CREEK Area of Willow Glen!
*Gleaming Hardwood Floors!
*Dual Pane Windows!
*Custom Blinds!
* Great Natural Light-Fabulous Airy Feeling-All BR Feature 2 Windows!
* Gated CourtYard!
* Pretty Patio!
* Yummy Fruit Trees!
* E-Z 2 Block Walk to Booksin, Willow Glen Jr & Willow Glen High!

2180 Cheryl Way, San Jose

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®.

Ten Ways to Make A Difference Daily Even When You Have No Cash

Ten Ways to Make A Difference Daily Even When You Have No Cash

Did you know there are at least 10 ways to make a difference in the world daily—even when you have no cash? It’s true, easy, and can be done in less than 10 minutes each day.

One is to simply smile, and be sure to give your smiles away. Everyone needs encouragement. Besides, it makes you look younger.

Two through seven are clicking various websites to donate support. The way it works is generous corporate sponsors, such as The Nature Conservatory, Mercy Corps and the Helen Keller Foundation, will donate resources for every daily click.

Two thru Seven are clicking daily to generate monetary support from generous corporate sponsors for important causes
2. Click to feed the homeless animals
3. Click here to feed the hungry children of the world
4. Help provide mammograms to needy women
5. Provide life-saving vitamins, prosthetics, surgery, disease testing and vaccines to children
6. Help save a portion of the rain forest
7. Help teach children to read and love books.

I love this program. I've been telling people to view and click these six "sister" sites since 2005.

Number eight is to pray for these needs, the people giving and receiving them.
Nine is to sincerely thank at least one person each day, whether it's a family member, friend or stranger.

Number ten is easy – tell your friends! You can become a FaceBook fan of these sites, blog about them like I did, write a published newspaper article about them like I did, forward an email of this article, text message or simply call your friends. Like you, they’ll likely be grateful to know there are nine things they can do daily to make the world a better place.

Be sure to write these down, and make a commitment to repeat all nine steps daily.
YES! You can click these daily, but only once. (Insert smile emoticon here.)

New Treats for Silicon Valley Home Buyers-

New Treats for Silicon Valley Home Buyers

by Michelle C. Carr-Crowe, ABR, ALHS, ASP, CDPE, RECS, SRES

By voting to extend the temporarily raised Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA loan limits of $729,950 through 2010, Congress gave Buyers (and the U.S. economy which relies heavily on the housing industry) a great big treat. The present loan limits were set to expire at the end of 2009 and revert to previous lower limits of $417,000.

Due to extremely high costs of housing throughout Silicon Valley, especially West San Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Palo Alto and Saratoga, as compared to the rest of the U.S., this good news is especially welcome.

Now buyers are waiting expectantly for one more piece of good news-for the federal $8,000 tax credit to be extended in some form past the current expiration date of Nov. 30, 2009.

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® thanked Congress for its speedy action.

“NAR commends both houses of Congress for their quick action in continuing these higher limits during a time for recovery in the housing market and national economy. The higher limits, along with the home buyer tax credit extension, are necessary to keep the markets moving at this critical time,” said NAR President Charles McMillan.

“Home sales have shown significant movement upwards in the past six months and reduced inventory in some segments of the housing market, but not in all. Home purchases in the middle-income and higher brackets have not moved much, and those markets must improve before we can experience a fully sustained housing recovery. These higher loan limits will help motivate qualified home buyers to purchase in those markets,” McMillan said.

The resolution would extend the present conventional loan limits for Fannie and Freddie through the 2010 calendar year at 125 percent of local median home sales prices, up to a maximum of $729,750 in high-cost areas. The floor for FHA is $271,050; the floor for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conforming loan limits is $417,000.

The resolution now goes to President Obama, and he is expected to sign it today or Saturday to avoid an especially nasty trick in the form of a government shutdown.

The Best $2 Show I've Ever Seen-Cupertino's Debut Choir Concert

The Best $2 Show I've Ever Seen-Cupertino's Debut Choir Concert

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

When I was younger and low on cash and seeking inexpensive entertainment, I remember people suggested seeing high school games, musicals or performances as a reasonable option to higher-priced professional events. Current economic times are causing me and others to get back to basics and re-visit this money-saving habit.

So when my daughter invited me to see Cupertino High School's Debut Choir Concert tonight, I said yes. I was even more thrilled once I heard the price!

Tonight I enjoyed a fabulous show featuring talent, poise and professionalism produced by the students at Cupertino High School-and it only cost $2! I have to compliment the students' director Andrew Aron for his good-natured but firm and no-nonsense direction-to the audience to actually shut OFF their cell phones, behave appropriately (no "shout-outs") and remove loud talkers from the auditorium.

Each of the four groups (Cantabile, Chorale, Cantos and Capella) performed a selection of classical, touching and at least one crowd-pleasing number. Cupertino High also boasts the only male choir in all of the Fremont High School District. Especially notable were Justin Li's cello and guitar features and Cody Scott's solo.


Cupertino High School Debut Choir ConcertStarting in Latin ("Music Spread Thy Voice Around" by Handel), bouncing through "Lydia, The Tattoed Lady," hypnotizing with "The Seal Lullaby" and culminating with the Grand Chorus' uplifting rendition of Moses Hogan's, "I'll Make a Difference," the students demonstrated skill in technique, affection for their director and "the world's greatest accompanist" Dr. Valerie Stark, and love of music. It was a celebration of joy in music.




Grand Finale of Cupertino High School Choir ConcertNext time you're looking for reasonably-priced yet real entertainment, I recommend you look at your local middle and high school sports, band and music programs. You may be pleasantly surprised. As advertised, you could "see your students and friends in a new light."

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

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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.

Free Gifts for All at Willow Glen Open House 2180 Cheryl Sunday October 11, 2009

Free Gifts for All at Willow Glen Open House 2180 Cheryl Sunday October 11, 2009
FREE Gift for each Group @ Open House Sun., 10/11, 1:30-4:30 + Treats for Children!

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Free Gifts for All at Willow Glen Open House 2180 Cheryl Sunday October 11, 2009