Time to “Spring Forward”

Daylight Saving Time Starts this Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 2:00 am

Prepare to Spring Forward

Usually signifying that summertime is on its way, daylight savings time is approaching.  The bad part is that we lose an hour of sleep.  Some of the reasons daylight savings is observed are because daytime lasts longer.  Some people believe that having daylight last longer can reduce accidents and injuries, particularly when driving.  Longer days can also be beneficial for tourism industries because people will want to stay outside longer. 

The University of Connecticut Health Center offers these tips for managing your sleep and life this weekend – and the rest of the year.

–Practice. In the days leading up to the change, go to bed 15 minutes earlier and wake up 15 minutes earlier.
–Take a nap on Saturday – but not close to bedtime.
–Just do it. After the time change, go to bed at your usual time – even if you don’t feel sleepy. You’ll get used to it.

The Keys To San Diego March Newsletter

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Link:  The Keys To San Diego March 2011 Newsletter

SDSU Aztecs in Coaches’ Top 10

Coach Steve Fisher and I @KOGO Coaches’ Talk 12/2/10

Undefeated Aztecs ranked #10 in ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ Poll!

Congratulations to our San Diego Aztecs Men’s Basketball team for breaking in to the top ten of the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll. We have seen most of the other teams in the top ten before…so it’s extra nice to see our Aztecs ranked among the classic teams. San Diego State has a winning streak of 10 games, which is the 2^nd longest winning streak in the 90 year history of the program.
We, at QualityFirst Real Estate, would love to invite you to our sponsored Coaches’ talk with KOGO radio and Steve Fisher at Hooley’s, in Grossmont Center, on three separate dates…January 20^th, February 10^th, and March 3^rd.

The last KOGO Coaches’ Talk with Steve Fisher was a huge success. It took place at Hooley’s on December 2^nd. It was great to meet the coach and hear of the team’s success. I even got to take a picture with him!

Call me at 619-994-5515, if you are interested in being my guest at the VIP table for the upcoming KOGO Coaches’ Talk with Steve Fisher!

GO AZTECS!!

Real Estate Predictions for 2011

5 Predictions for 2011

Freddie Mac points out five features that will characterize the housing and mortgage markets next year

1. Low Mortgage Rates:  Relatively low mortgage rates will be a feature of the 2011 mortgage market.  Those watching the Fed expect the central bank to keep the federal funds rate at 0 percent to .25 percent.  30-year fixed rate loans will more than likely stay below 5% throughout the year.

2. Prices have hit bottom: House prices are likely to begin a gradual, but sustained recovery in the latter half of 2011.

3. Housing will remain affordable: Many first-time homebuyers will hit the housing market in 2011 because of the affodability of homes being high.  This will mean more home sales in 2011 than in 2010.

4. Refinances will dwindle: With the Making Home Affordable refinance program expiring in June of 2011, many of the eligible borrowers have already re-financed.  Refinancing will be less of an option to most home owners because although fixed-rate loans are likely to remain low, they will gradually move up.

5. Delinquency rates will decline: Based on the last several business cycles, the share of loans that are 90 or more days delinquent or in foreclosure proceedings — known as the “seriously delinquent rate” — generally crests within a year of the start of the recovery in payroll employment, and this economic recovery appears to fit within that pattern. Payrolls began to rise last January, and by the spring the seriously delinquent rate had begun to fall.

Source: Freddie Mac (12/09/10)

Black Friday 2010

Black Friday 2010 San Diego

Strategically plan your Black Friday 2010 Shopping Day

The term “Black Friday” was coined in the 1960s to mark the kickoff to the Christmas shopping season. “Black” refers to stores moving from the “red” to the “black,” back when accounting records were kept by hand, and red ink indicated a loss, and black a profit. Ever since the start of the modern Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the Friday after Thanksgiving has been known as the unofficial start to a bustling holiday shopping season. 

For my fellow San Diego shoppers, I have put together a list of some of our hometown stores that will be open extra early, so you can strategically plan your Black Friday.

WalMart as always, will be open 24 hours through Thanksgiving, however they won’t begin selling their doorbusters until 5am on Black Friday.

Target will be open at 4am. 

Toys R Us will be open at 10:00pm on Thanksgiving Day.

Best Buy opens at 5am.

Fashion Valley Mall – some stores open at midnight including: Old Navy, Disney Store, Guess, Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret.  Most of the stores in the rest of the mall open at 5am.  Nordstrom opens at 8am (and don’t forget to check out their always impressive Holiday Window at the front of the store)

North County Fair will also be open at 5am with certain stores opening even earlier.  University Towne Center will be open at 7am. 

Carlsbad Premium Outlets - certain stores open at midnight for their Midnight Madness Event.

Las Americas Premium Outlets – certain stores open at midnight

And believe it or not, Sears will be open ON Thanksgiving Day, but only from 7am-12pm. 

And from the website www.BlackFriday2010.com here are some predictions for this year’s shopping Season:

Black Friday 2010 Predictions

The 2010 Black Friday climate is not the greatest compared to most years. The economy is slowing down whereas last year at this time, the economy grew a bit.  This year is definitely tougher because of the unemployment rate at about 9.6%.  That coupled with foreclosure problems, a lack of credit, and an overall unease about the economic conditions have brought a lot of concern and frugality into the US household. US household average savings is now 7%, the highest in a very long time. These factors do not set up the greatest Black Friday for retailers. Specifically…

• Spending on average will again decrease from $343.31 to $330 as people continue to cut back.
• The Amount of Black Friday shoppers will increase from 195 million last year to 200 million this year. More people will be looking to save on Christmas gifts during this tough time.
• With a greater amount of shoppers the total amount of Black Friday spending will increase, yet only very slightly, from $41.2 billion to $42 billion.
• The amount of Black Friday online shopping will jump from $595 million to $1 billion as people try to avoid stores, and online shopping because more popular.

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Prepare for Cooler Weather with this Home Maintenance Checklist

Break out the “Honey-Do” List!!!

Veteran’s Day 2010

Veterans Day...More than a Day of Remembrance

November 11, 2010- A Day to Honor All Military Veterans

More than a Day of Remembrance…a Day to Give Back!

Veterans Day is the annual holiday in which we honor the 24.9 million military veterans in the United States.  President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed the holiday On November 11, 1919 as Armistice Day, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.

In 1953, a shoe store owner in Emporia Kansas, Alfred King, came up with the idea to honor all veterans…not just those who served in World War I. He began a campaign to turn Armistice Day into “All” Veterans Day. With the help of US Representative Ed Rees, of Emporia, a bill for the holiday was pushed through Congress, and President Dwight Eisenhower signed it into law on May 26, 1954

So now we know the history of Veteran’s Day. Do you have something planned? Maybe not…the day set aside to honor America’s Veterans usually gets the short-shift.

Facts are, the very people that put their lives on the line, are very much in need of our help. According to The Department of Veterans Affairs 107,000 veterans were homeless last year. Although that is a significant improvement over the 131,000 homeless in 2008, and the 154,000 in 2007, it is not acceptable.

More bad news…Veterans are twice as likely to commit suicide as the general population. According to Eric Shinseki, VA Secretary, “…on average, 18 veterans commit suicide each day. Five of those 18 are under VA care at the time they take their lives.”

Even more…roughly 300,000 Afghanistan and Iraq vets come home suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. It’s no wonder, with everything they are going through. Personally, I had a difficult time watching the HBO series “The Pacific”…I can’t imagine being surrounded by that day in and day out.

Take a moment to check out this video…It only takes 3:46. Click here to view video. I was happy to hear in the this video that people are trying to help. Thousands of Americans understand the need to give back to our servicemen. HuffPost, Impact, and Causecast are launching Salute to Service, a week-long series highlighting the stories of veterans who choose to devote their time and energy toward helping their fellow soldiers.

Check out the blog posts from those who are active in serving their community. Within the posts, you will have the opportunity to make a difference, and take action.

Click here to read the first Salute to Service post

Miracle Babies 2nd Annual 5k Walk/Run

5k Walk / Run to be held this Sun, Nov 14th at Mariner’s Point

Money raised for families in need who have a newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

Founded by Dr. Sean Daneshmand in San Diego, Miracle Babies a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance for families with preemies in the NICU.  The 2^nd annual Miracle Babies 5K Walk / Run will be held this Sunday, November 14^th at 10:00 am at the Mariner’s Point in Mission Bay Park.  Registration is FREE for kids and $30 for adults ($35 the day of the event).  The walk will be followed by Beer Garden, jumpies, clowns for kids, band, entertainment, auction, diaper dash for kids and a fun-filled day for all.

Miracle Babies is a non-profit organization maintained by volunteers, many who are parents of prematurely born children.  Miracle Babies is committed to assisting families with items such as:

• Co-pay assistance for medical equipment (i.e. oxygen, apnea monitor)
• Hospital grade breast pump rental assistance (lactation consultants highly recommend hospital grade pumps for moms that have a preemie)
• Car bed for babies that are discharged under 5lbs
• Prescription Medicines
• Baby Supplies
• Baby Clothing
• Diapers
• Cribs
• Infant Car Seats
• Strollers (often a luxury for parents on a tight budget)
• Educational Toys
• Children’s Books
• Special Formula
• Funeral/Mortuary Assistance (the death of an infant in the NICU is so often unexpected that the family is not prepared for the financial burden of having to prepare for the necessary funeral arrangements)
• Groceries
• Rent/Mortgage Assistance
• Sibling Childcare
• Lodging Assistance for Out-of-Town Family Members
• Telephone/Cell Phone Payments
• Utilities Assistance
• Bus Passes
• Gas Money/Card
• Car Repairs
• Car Payments

Dr. Sean has been named a CNN Hero of the Week .  His work for Miracle Babies has helped 80 families in California and across the nation.  He says his main goal is to help these families be happy, healthy and together.

Deja Vu? Dream Works does it again…

Megamind comes out in theaters tomorrow, Friday, November 5th

Something fun to do with kids (adults will get a kick out of it too).

DreamWorks has done it again with the release of Megamind - a “satirical take on the superhero genre.”  With a star-studded cast of character voices including Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey & Jonah Hill, there are sure to be laughs had by all - adults and children alike.   With your choice of regular, 3D iMax 3D, you’re in for a fun ride! 

Add this to the other DreamWorks hits like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, Bee Movie and more. 

Check out Fandango to find your local theaters and show times.  Have a great weekend!

La Mesa Oktoberfest

La Mesa Annual Events~Oktoberfest

37th Annual Oktoberfest October 1-3

La Mesa Oktoberfest October 1-3

It’s that time of year again. Come and stroll along La Mesa Village for the largest 3 day Oktoberfest west of the Mississippi. There will be hundreds of craft and commercial booths, a children’s carnival, food courts, and of course…what would Oktoberfest be without BEER GARDENS!!

Parking is extremely limited so take the San Diego Trolley, Orange Line. Get off at the La Mesa Blvd stop. You will be right in the thick of things! Click here for trolley information

Hours will be Friday and Saturday 11am-11:30 pm; and Sunday 12 noon- 6pm. For more information regarding this event Click here

So long…farewell…Auf wiedersehen, adieu!