Ocean Hills Goes Green

September 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Ocean Hills Country Club will get a little greener next month, October 20th, when they hoast a FREE electronic waste colletion event.  The event will be in the Ocean Hills Country Club overflow parking lot.   This is the lot across from the main Ocean Hills clubhouse and across the street a little to the west.  The event will be from 1o a.m. to 2 p.m.

Electronoics, computers, cell phones & TVs, monitors all contain toxic substances and should be disposed of properly.  You can do your part by coming to the free event.

Items that will be accepted include: monitors, LCD & Plasma screens, CRT’s, cell phones, laptops, tablets, copiers, printers, digital cameras, stereos, computer towers, mice/trac balls, phones, speakers, BCR’s, DVD players, servers, gaming systems, power cords/strips, caculators and more.  If it has a plug and is not just an appliance, they will probably take it.

They cannot take hazardous materials, so they will not be taking batteries.   

If you have any questions you can call Green Stream E-Cycling at 760-935-5111 or email them at info@gsecycling.com.

If you are considering selling your Ocean Hills home, I would be glad to meet with you and give you a free marketing analysis.

Contact Gary Harmon today.

All original content by Gary Harmon.

Filed Under: General

Garden Club

August 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The Ocean Hills homes area has a club for just about every interest. This week, I will tell you a little about the garden club. First of all, the garden club publishes a bulliten that can be picked up in the Ocean Hills clubhouse. See details below photo.

Photo by Gary Harmon

In July, the garden club had an excellent speaker that explained how to deal with summer pest (the garden kind). If you contact one of the members, I am sure they will share.

In August, the club is going to focus on roses. There are so many kinds a varieties of roses suitable for growing in our zone. The speakers this month were Sue and Dick Streeper. Sue and Dick have been growing roses for over 40 years. They grow about 400 roses of all types in they El Cajon home. Sue has a special fondness for floribundas and climbers fro their stellar performance in the landscape. Their other favorites include Secret, Midas Touch, Ruby Ruby, Lady Elsie May, and Fresh Pink.

In addition to great speakers, the garden club takes outside trips. The next trip will be August 24th to the “Self-Realization Fellowship’s Mediation Gardens” in Encinitas. I have been there and the gardens are truly beautiful. See photo above. The gardens are landscaping masterpieces of botanical soulfulness. There is nature and beauty for everyone. The gardens are set on the edge of a cliff in Encinitas and offer a stunning view of the ocean. The waves crashing below provide theraputic sounds.

If you would like more information about Ocean Hills homes or anything else about Ocean Hills Country Club, please contact Gary Harmon.

All original content by Gary Harmon.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , ,

Stuck in the 80s

August 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

There are many reason some Ocean Hills homes stay on the market much too long, but one of the most common is that the home is “Stuck in the 80s.”

Ocean Hills Homes for Sale

Stuck in the 80s: With no further description, you know the look of this Ocean Hills seller’s home. From furnishings to artwork to floor coverings and color schemes, the entire place is decades out of style and, worse, the owners love it the way it is.   Many Ocean Hills homes fit this profile.

The Problem: The décor is so overwhelmingly dated that Ocean Hills buyers have a hard time getting past the aesthetics and imagining. Struggling to visualize what it would be like to redecorate and move into the home.   Many Ocean Hills homes may be sold by an estate or the sellers have already moved and see no need to spend any money.

The Solution: As agents, we try to point out to our sellers that the look of the 80s (or 90s, for that matter) needs to be toned down, dialed back, or moved forward a few notches in order gain buyer interest in the home. Younger seniors have no nostalgia for the “old days” and many older buyers don’t care to remember the décor from that era. We never expect sellers to do a complete redecoration: Often the best we can hope for is removal of the shag carpet. From that point, we may have to artfully sell around the avocado-colored appliances.

The Buyer:  Buying a home that is “stuck in the 80s” can be one of the best investments a buyer can make.  The home will usually be price lower to reflect its condition.  This allows the buyer to get a good price and to make the improvemnets that they might like rather than having to pay more for someone else’s taste.

The Seller:  If you are considering selling your home in Ocean Hills Country Club,  give me a call.  I will be glad to look at your home and go over inexpensive, simple things you can do to help your home sell faster and for more money.   Also, click on the “green button” above to see Ocean Hills homes currently for sale.  Look at the photos and see how your home compares to what is already available.  Make the necessary changes to get the most money for your property.

For more information on selling your Ocean Hills home,  contact Gary Harmon today. 

All original content by Gary Harmon.

Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: , , ,

Computer Club

July 2, 2012 by 1 Comment

The purpose of the Ocean Hills Homes computer club is to encourage active Ocean Hills residents to use computers for better living.

The Ocean Hills computer club offers various classes each month to fulfill that purpose.  The club also offers “help sessions,” and host a guest speaker on a subject interesting to club members.  The club has both PC and Apple products.

Some of the classes that have been offerred are Digital Photography, Beginning and Intermediate PC, Word and Excel.  For the Apple lovers the club offers classes on MacIntosh computers, iPads, and iPhones.  Since classes change monthly, residents need to check the monthly schedlue posted on the computer room window.  You can also find a schedule at www.oceanhillscomputerclub.net.

Advantages of being an Ocean Hills computer club member include free classes, their monthly newsletter, and nifty computer tips, all mailed to you.

Contact Gary Harmon today.

All original content by Gary Harmon.

 

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , ,

Gone Are the Good Old Days?

June 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment

If you live in Ocean Hills Country Club or are looking at Ocean Hills homes, you can remember how our living style has changed. The iceman no longer cometh, nor does the milkman. The newspaper no longer comes twice a day, morning and afternoon. We can no longer walk down to the corner store to get a slice of balogna or cheeze.

Ocean Hills Clubhouse - Photo by Gary Harmon

But that was then and here we are in the 21st century. I must disagree with the editorial I read, “Gone: good old days.” I really don’t remember the iceman, but I am sure much of it melted. I now can just go over to my refrigerator and get any kind of ice I like. My milk has dates on it so I am never suck with old milk. (Once lost a baby kitten because the little corner store sold me bad milk.) And most importantly, I can get my news off the Internet and it is totally up to date. So I would say the “Good Old Days” are “today.”

Real estate commissions are the same or less than when I started in the business 23 years ago. To get a great real estate deal, contact Gary Harmon, your Real Living Lifestyles Realtor.

All original content by Gary Harmon.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , ,

Online Safety

June 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Protect your computer

  • Strengthen your computer’s defenses. Keep all software (including your web browser) current with automatic updating.
  • Install legitimate antivirus and antispyware software.
  • Never turn off your firewall.
  • Protect your wireless router with a password, and use flash drives cautiously.

Don’t download malicious software

  • Think before you open attachments or click links in email-even if you know the sender.
  • Confirm with the sender that the message is authentic.
  • Don’t click links or buttons in pop-up windows.

Protect sensitive personal information

  • Before you enter sensitive data, look for signs that a webpage is secure-a web address that starts with https.
  • Never give sensitive information (like an account number or password) or call a number in response to a request in email, IM or a social network.

Create strong passwords

  •  Make them long phrases or sentences that mix capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  •  Use different passwords, especially for sites that keep financial information.

Have questions about your computer or online safety, join the Ocean Hills Coumputer Club, they can help.

If you are considering purchasing or selling Ocean Hills homes contact Gary Harmon today.

All original content by Gary Harmon.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

OHCC Saves Water

June 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

With water being one of the largest cost that contributes to the HOA Fees, Ocean Hills homes is doing everything it can to keep the cost down.   A prime example is the conversion of the lush lawn areas along Cannon right before the Ocean Hills Country Club front gate, to low water consumption landscaping.  The turf was removed and replaced by over 1,800 trees, bushes and shrubs, all in a tropical theme.  The bare ground was covered by wood chips.  Ocean Hills was able to reduce water consumption for this area by 90%.  The Metropolitan Water District gave Ocean Hills a grant of $180,000 which actually paid for the conversion.  Now monthly savings will be a huge plus to Ocean Hills.

Cannon Ocean Hills Project Saves Water - Photo by Gary Harmon

See Ocean Hills homes today, contact Gary Harmon .

All original content by Gary Harmon.

Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: , , , , ,

Average Age

June 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment

One of the most frequently ask questions (faq) by clients who tour Ocean Hills homes with me is, “What is the average age or median age of Ocean Hills residents.”  Even thought I can’t answer that question with total accuracy, the table below provides you with data on age groups in Ocean Hills Country Club.

  •  50 & under =  23
  • 51-55             =  30
  • 56-60            = 101
  • 61-65             =218
  • 66-70             =323
  • 71-75             =372
  • 76-80             =428
  • 81-85             =489
  • 86-90             =376
  • 91-95              =109
  • 96-100            =   8
  • 101-105           =  1

Do Ocean Hills residents live longer that the general public?  Ocean Hills amenities provide endless opportunities to exercise your body and Ocean Hills Clubs provide stimulation for your mind.  And of course, there is the unbelievable weather.  You be the judge.

My current clients that are buying Ocean Hills homes all bring down the average age.  The older Ocean Hills residents are folks that purchased new homes when Ocean Hills Country Club homes first started.

For more information on Ocean Hills homes, please contact contact Gary Harmon today. 

All original content by Gary Harmon.

Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: , , , ,

Financial Condition

June 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Almost every time that I am showing Ocean Hills homes, someone ask me the financial condition of the Ocean Hills Homeowners Association.  This is an excellent question since the Ocean Hills homes financial condition directly influences the HOA fees.  Although I do not get a copy of the Ocean Hills Homeowners Association financial statements, I can share with you updates that are published in the Ocean Hills Country Club “Newsletter.”  More info under photo.

Great Landscaping Along Liesure Village

At the start of August 2012, Ocean Hills reserves were $3,225,653.  This reflects an operating surplus of $146,567.   Landscaping maintenance and water are the two items most difficult to control in the budget.  Other areas of Ocean Hills run at under budget: Recreation department payroll is $24,712 under budget and Water is $127,538 under budget.  Ocean Hills had total assets of $4,362,409.  Any excess funds are invested in insured Certificates of Deposit.  At the end of July 201 there were $3,333,934 CD’s.

The Ocean Hills Country Club board of directiors are constantly monitoring cost and trying to improve the financial condition in Ocean Hills.  HOA fess showed little increase from 2011 to 2012.

For more information about the Ocean Hills Homes financial condition, Contact Gary Harmon today.

All original content by Gary Harmon.

Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With:

Sales Sizzle

May 31, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I seldom cry “wolf,” but now I am crying “WOLF.”  Last Saturday I showed 7 Ocean Hills homes to out of town clients.  By this Wednesday 4 of the 7 Ocean Hills homes were in escrow.  The market for Ocean Hills Country Club homes has really taken off in the last few months and especially in the last week.  With the brisk sales of Ocean Hills homes,  inventory has decreased to about 25 homes.  This is compared to over 50 homes at the same time in the previous two years.  Prices in San Diego North County have also been increasing.  According to the San Diego North County of Realtors, April 2012 showed over a 2% increase.  If you have been waiting to buy, get off the fence and into the game.  Don’t be like the sad couple who missed out (See below).   Contact Gary Harmon today.

All original content by Gary Harmon.

Filed Under: General, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »