: October 2007

Every Tuesday morning the Southwest Riverside County Association of REALTORS® holds its weekly MLS marketing meeting. This morning, we were honored with the presence of Marine Major Jeffrey Dinsmore, who just returned from Iraq this past Sunday.

Major Dinsmore was stationed in Fallujah. He described 120-130 degree weather, wearing 70 to 80 pounds of gear. Jan Bates has been an angel, adopting platoons and taking donations of socks, beef jerky, otter pops and other goods for the troops and mailing them to Iraq. We take a collection each Tuesday morning to help cover the postage. Major Dinsmore said getting those boxes meant the world to them, and the troops would gather socks, beef jerky and Twizzlers to take with them as they would head out for a week in the brutal heat.

After he received a lengthy standing ovation, Major Dinsmore presented Jan with a flag that had flown over their base in Fallujah and a certificate of appreciation. If you'd like to make life a little more bearable for our brave soldiers, you can visit www.assistourtroops.com. These folks are true heroes.

Murrieta Real Estate Expert - Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (951) 907-9701

I think it's safe to say you'll be glad you don't live next door to the Simkins family. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Robert and Phoebe are nice folks. It's just that when you spend $20,000 on props and get a featured article in the Press-Enterprise, there's bound to be quite a bit more traffic in the neighborhood. The Simkins 9th annual haunted house is open from 6-11pm today and 6-midnight tomorrow at 36215 Castellane Drive. The year's theme is "Season Of Hell". Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

Murrieta Real Estate Expert - Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (951) 907-9701

Murrieta Real Estate Expert - Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (951) 907-9701

A few days ago, I made a post that was inspired by Linda Scanlan. At the time, I thought I'd just give kudos to a few folks here who inspire me and make me strive to do an even better job. These aren't necessarily "hidden" gems. Many of these bloggers have tons of readers.

I do this for two reasons:

a) Perhaps a few newbies will read this and find someone that they hadn't found before and

b) I want these folks to know what they mean to me.

Again, these are in no particular order. As I was making out the list for this post, I realized there will definitely be a part 3.

Paul Slaybaugh, Scottsdale Realty Executives is a great blogger with a wonderful wit. He'll make you smile, make you think and is also quick with a pat on the back. He's also one of the Four Horsemen.

North Kansas City Real Estate :: Fran White is nothing short of incredible. Her blog was one of the first to catch my eye with her clever use of graphics and great writing style. I adore Fran.

Jo-Anne Smith,B.Sc., Belleville/Quinte REALTOR® is one of the most charming people I have met in the rain. Read her blog and you'll quickly learn she writes from the heart and is passionate about the subjects she chooses. Jo is one-of-a-kind!

Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate also blogs from his heart. He's a brilliant writer and I consider myself lucky to call him a friend. By the way, he's the 4th Horseman.

Renee Burrows - Las Vegas NV Real Estate is another treasure in the rain. Her blog is a delight, as is Renee. She embodies the spirit of the Active Rain Community.

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman(RA) Century 21 Liberty Homes *Hawaii* embodies the true spirit of Aloha. Sally is in a league of her own. "WooHoo!"

I'm not done yet, but it's time to post this. These are more of the folks that make up the magic that is Active Rain.

Murrieta Real Estate Expert - Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (951) 907-9701

It's been a while since I dug into the photo vault. Here's a shot I took earlier this year while vacationing in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica. I have to say it's one of the most picturesque sunset spots I've ever visited.

While we were there, I did a canopy tour on a zip line (highly recommended!) and went on a river tour. There were gorgeous birds...

as well as a hungry critter we saw on the shore...

Nice teeth, eh?

Linda Scanlan, REALTOR, Prudential Texas wrote a post recently about hidden gems that inspired me to write this one. Let's start with Linda. Linda has a heart the size of Texas and is a very supportive commenter and a terrific blogger. 

Adam Waldman - Long Island, NY Real Estate is simply amazing. He always writes great posts and comes up with thought provoking topics.

Bill & Barbara Jo - Florida Realty Professional - AHWD have hands down commented more on my blog than anyone else. They are a great source of local information about the Sarasota area.

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist does a wonderful job painting a picture of North Carolina and offers her unique perspective.

Kathy McGraw REALTOR® Broker- Banning~ White Water, CA Real Estate is nearly a neighbor and is supportive and an excellent blogger who's not afraid to tackle tough topics.

Clearwater Florida Real Estate | Tampa Real Estate from Cyndee Haydon was the first person to comment on my blog. She's been there to help me when I've needed it and her blog is phenomenal.

Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate is not only one of the Four Horsemen he is also a great guy who is one of the top bloggers I have come across. 

I started this thinking I could do this in one post. I've changed my mind for a couple of reasons. For starters, there's a wealth to discover about these folks. Enough is enough for now. Secondly, I have many more I want to acknowledge. I'll have at least one more of these posts to follow.

Murrieta Real Estate Expert - Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (951) 907-9701

Don't get me wrong, there is still a lot of Southern California on fire. The winds however have died down considerably, giving the firefighters a better shot at fire containment. With the diminished winds, though, the smoke is not being blown away like it had been.

These shots were taken in my backyard facing west and northwest. At the same time yesterday you would have seen crystal clear blue skies. The air is heavy and unhealthy to breathe.

What warms my heart is seeing the community come together to help the fire victims.

I picked up water, Gatorade, baby formula, diapers, blankets, energy bars and pet food and dropped them off at two Red Cross drop-off locations, Cornerstone Church and Vista Murrieta High School. Both locations were staffed with caring volunteers who were overwhelmed by the community's generosity. At Vista Murrieta, they have set up an evacuation center for families and their pets.

(EDIT: Please forgive me for not giving credit to Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage President & CEO Rick Hoffman for compiling this list and providing it to his offices. I felt it needed much more exposure)

If you want to help or are in need of help, here are a few links for you to follow:

C.A.R. Application for Disaster Relief Fund now available online

C.A.R. members impacted by the Southern California Wildfires may apply for assistance from the C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund by accessing the application online at the link below. The C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund will distribute grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 to REALTORS® and local association staff who have lost their homes or place of business as a result of the fires.

http://www.car.org/library/media/papers/pdf/ReliefFundApplication03.pdf

                                  
Information About Air Quality & Fire-Related Pollution
http://www.airquality.org/smokeimpact
The California Air Pollution Control Officer's Association (CAPCOA) has released a new Web page that provides information to the public about the health impacts of smoky air.

Evacuation Centers
http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MzI3NDI=

Disaster Assistance Information from the California Office of Emergency Services
http://www.oes.ca.gov/Operational/OESHome.nsf/LevelTwoWithNav?OpenForm&Key=Disaster+Assistance

Local American Red Cross Chapters
http://www.redcross.org/where/chapts.html#CA

Apply for FEMA Disaster Relief Funds
http://www.fema.gov/about/process/
Those affected by the California wildfires should apply for assistance by calling toll-free to (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Disaster victims may register by calling this number. They do not have to wait to go to a disaster assistance center. The number for speech and hearing impaired individuals is: 1-800-462-7585. Federal disaster assistance available for residents and businesses in the affected counties includes Temporary Housing Assistance, Disaster Loans and Other Needs Assistance Grants.


IRS Grants Tax Relief for Victims of California Wildfires
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=117499,00.html
The Internal Revenue Service has announced special tax relief for Southern California residents in the Presidential Disaster Area that was struck by wildfires beginning Oct. 21, 2003.

SBA (Small Business Administration) Disaster Loans
http://www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/loaninfo/property.html
"The Facts About...Disaster Assistance Loans for Homes & Personal Property"
Federal subsidized low-interest loans to repair or replace homes, personal property or businesses that sustained damage not covered by insurance. Call (800) 488-5323 to apply for relief.

Ginnie Mae Provides Forbearance and Buyout Authorization for
Loans in Areas Declared a Disaster by President Bush
http://www.ginniemae.gov/apm/apm%5Fpdf/03%2D22.pdf
Ginnie Mae encourages all single-family, manufactured housing, and multifamily Ginnie Mae issuers to provide forbearance to mortgagors in areas declared a disaster in California by President Bush.  Ginnie Mae is prepared to assist issuers holding mortgage loans in the affected areas in making their Ginnie Mae pass-through payments.

Mortgage Relief -- Freddie Mac
http://www.freddiemac.com/news/archives/servicing/2003/mtgrelief_102903.html
Families whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by the wildfires spreading across Southern California can seek mortgage relief designed to protect their credit ratings and financial interests in their homes, Freddie Mac announced Oct. 29. 

Mortgage Relief -- Fannie Mae
http://www.fanniemae.com/newsreleases/2003/2818.jhtml?p=Media&s=News+Releases
Fannie Mae has mortgage relief provisions in place for Southern California homeowners facing hardships as a result of widespread damage caused by the wildfires raging in San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties in Southern California.

Mortgage Relief
HUD Mortgagee Letter 2001--07: "Special Program, Underwriting and Servicing Policies to Assist Victims of Presidentially Declared Major Disaster Areas-Single Family Loan Production and Servicing"
http://www.hudclips.org/sub_nonhud/cgi/nph-brs.cgi?d=MLET&s1=01-$%5Bno%5D&op1=AND&SECT1=TXTHLB&SECT5=MLET&u=./legis.cgi&p=1&r=24&f=G
In addition to information provided in the above HUD mortgagee letter, contact your lender to find out about any special assistance or loan-forgiveness programs that may be in place.


HUD Offers Temporary Housing & Foreclosure Protection to Displaced Families
In an effort to aid wildfire victims, HUD announced it will grant immediate foreclosure relief; provide temporary housing and shelter; offer Section 108 loan guarantee assistance; make available mortgage insurance; make available insurance for both mortgages and rehabilitation; and work with local governments to streamline re-allocating federal resources to disaster relief.
http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr03-117.cfm

FHA Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims
http://www.hud.gov/progdesc/203h-dft.cfm 
The Section 203(h) program allows the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure mortgages made by qualified lenders to victims of a major disaster who have lost their homes and are in the process of rebuilding or buying another home.

Disaster Recovery: A Guide to Financial Issues
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/FinRecovery/ 
Prepared by the American Red Cross

Information Asset Recovery After a Disaster
http://www.arma.org/news/Emergency.pdf 
Tips to start recovery process for businesses that have suffered losses as a result of disaster, including plans to file damaged-property reports, recover key records, and other business properties. Excerpts from "Emergency Management for Records & Information Programs" by Virginia A. Jones & Kris E. Keyes.

Picking Up the Pieces After a Fire (American Red Cross) http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_569_,00.html 
The American Red Cross has prepared this information to encourage you take precautions to help keep you safe and speed your recovery after a fire. It also offers ideas on what you can do to help make yourself and your home safer from fires in the future.

Insurance Related: Ca Dept of Insurance Wildfire Information
DOI can be contacted for general information and guidance about insurance claims by calling (800) 927-HELP (4357).
http://www.insurance.ca.gov

Animals Lost in Disaster
http://www.disastercenter.com/pets/animals.htm 
Information for people who have lost pets, livestock, or other animals during a disaster.

Tips to Mitigate Risks and Losses Resulting from Fire
Prepared by the American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_584_,00.html 

We're not out of danger yet, but there is reason now for optimism.

Murrieta Real Estate Expert - Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (951) 907-9701

The sun has risen, but it's not yet visible. On Sunday, we couldn't see any smoke from our home, although several fires were well underway. Yesterday, it was clearly in sight across much of the sky.  This is a shot I took this morning looking south and east from our driveway. It's just plain spooky. I won't serve up numbers or statistics. You can read it or see it on the news.

The winds, which have been the principal enemy, have been our blessing. Not only are they blowing the fire away from us, there's not even a hint of smoke smell in the air. We live about an hour north of San Diego. Most of the hardest hit areas are between us and San Diego. I can't imagine what I will see the next time I drive south. There's simply so much devastation.

(EDIT: I found a website with very up to the minute information - http://www.fire.ca.gov/. The fire that is closest to us and most visible in my photos is the Pamoocha fire)

This is the Pamoocha fire from the south end of Temecula, about 10 miles south of our home.

Here is a shot looking down our street of the same fire.

The above photos were taken about 1pm. The ones below were taken three hours later.

Murrieta Real Estate Expert - Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

About the only positive that comes to my mind being in the midst of all this is that so far the loss of life has been minimal. The numbers boggle the mind... 500,000+ evacuated from their homes in San Diego County alone. At least 1,500 homes and businesses destroyed. At least 15 fires in 8 counties. We are still safe so far, but many of our neighbors have been hit hard.

I posted a picture from my driveway this morning. Here are two from this afternoon.

I took this shot on my way home from the office. Using the Kodak V705 in panoramic mode, this is the view looking southeast to west.

Veteran L.A. newscasters have been using the term "apocalyptic" and saying they have never seen anything like it. I hope I never see anything like it again.

Murrieta Real Estate Expert - Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Jeff Turner has done a masterful job of covering the fires that are spreading over much of Southern California as has Jeff Dowler. Both of these fellow active rainers have been providing photos and updates as they are much closer to the fires than I am.

Yesterday morning the Santa Ana Winds kicked into full gear and with the tinder-dry conditions, provided the smallest spark all the kick necessary to turn into a blazing inferno. Radio and TV stations are doing non-stop coverage of the fires. In addition to smoke, the skies are filled with blowing dirt. Red flag alerts are in effect through at least Wednesday.

It's heartbreaking to watch people who have lost their homes and sickening to hear that some of the fires were the result of arson. My prayers are with those who are in harm's way.

(EDIT: Here's a photo I took from my driveway looking south at 7 am.)

Murrieta Real Estate Expert - Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage