Rental Advantages

February 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Advantages of renting before you buy in Ocean Hills?

  • May be cheaper than a mortgage payment on your Ocean Hills home
  • Fewer (if any) maintenance costs
  • No down payment required (less deposit)
  • No real estate taxes (renters insurance optional)
  • Less stress (who cares, it’s not yours!)
  • Freedom to move or downsize when necessary
  • No risk of home price depreciation
  • “Free” amenities such as golf, pool, clubhouse, gym, security, and more
  • Money can be used for other, more profitable investments
  • Can’t be foreclosed on
  • Can rent to see if you want to live in Ocean Hills Country Club homes

If you would like to know more about renting in Ocean Hills Country Club homes, contact Gary Harmon.   Gary can help you find a rental that meets your needs.

 

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Controlling OHCC Hoa Fees

November 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

For Sale Amenities Information Floor Plans Rentals

One of the great things about Ocean Hills Country Club is that the board is pro active in controlling hoa fees.  One great example is the re-landscaping of the area along Cannon Road.   See photo below for finished product.

Photo by Gary Harmon

Ocean Hills removed expansive areas of grass and replace them with low water usage plants.  They are expected to save over 90% of their previous water bill for this area.  They will also save considerably on landscape maintenance for this same area.

The best part is that OHCC did the entire job with only about $30,000 out of pocket.  This was accomplished because Ocean Hills applied for a grandt and received over $181,000 from the City of Oceanside for the turf conversion project.  A big thanks goes out to Tom Hoganand O’Connell and Van Dyke Landscape for making the project run smoothly.

If you would like to learn more about Ocean Hills homes, or schedule your own personal tour, contact Gary Harmon.

All original content by Gary Harmon.

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Birdwatchers Club

October 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment

For Sale Amenities Information Floor Plans

With the many Ocean Hills clubs there is something for everyone.  This post features the Ocean Hills Birdwatchers Club.   One of their activities are Bird walks.  The upcoming Birdwatchers Club walk for the month of November 2017 is a trip to the San Jacinto Wildlife Refuge.

This refuge is East of Lake Perris and North of Temecula up the 215 freeway.  It will take about one and a half hours to drive the 70 miles.  The club will be doing a birding by car over an access road with seven specified stops.  At these stops, there my be a little walking on mostly flat terrain.  The parking lot at San Jacinto has picnic tables and portable toilets  This refuge has been a productive birding location for many clubs.

Club members meet at the overflow lot across from the main Ocean Hills clubhouse.  Departure time is 8:00  so plan to be there by 7:45 am.  Sometimes locations, dates, and times change.  Changes are emailed to members.  you can also check the monthly calendar kept in “Clubs” section at the clubhouse.

Visit our OHCC Birdwatchers website for club information.  We always welcome new members, no experience necessary.

 

For real estate info, contact Gary Harmon today.

All original content by Gary Harmon.

 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Best Real Estate Agent

May 23, 2012 by 1 Comment

Ocean Hills Homes – Best Real Estate Agent?

If you are looking for the best real estate experience when buying an Ocean Hills Country Club home, then spend a couple of minutes reading  about Gary Harmon and the Hadley Home Team. Hiring the right real estate agent who really knows Ocean Hills homes is the best thing you can do to make sure that when you buy a home, you’ll have the best result possible.

See why Gary Harmon is the best buyer's agent for Ocean Hills homes.

 

Gary Harmon is the top Ocean Hills homes Realtor with Real Living Lifestyles real estate. Real Living Lifestyles is one of the largest residential real estate brokerages selling San Diego North County homes with eight offices, nearly 400 agents and more than a dozen affiliated services. Nationally, Real Living real estate has over 10,000 agents.

Gary is a member of the Hadley Home Team. Sandi Hadley, and the other team members live and work in many areas of San Diego North County, and are experienced and committed members of many of the communities they serve.  The Hadley Home Team is awarded for its excellence in sales and quality, and once again this year was ranked as top producers. The Hadley Home Team ranked 4th for highest number of transactions closed in 2011 in Real Living Lifestyles. That’s not a small feat considering the quality of real estate agents Real Living has across San Diego County.

Gary is trusted, involved, and experienced. He’s been selected for top awards within the San Diego North County real estate profession for many years. He’s mentored new agents, training and guiding them to success. He has been the Sales Mannager (Assistant Manager) for Prudential Escondido and Prudential California San Marcos and is eCertified. But none of that necessarily makes Gary Harmon the best Realtor in Ocean Hills, does it? Of course not. What makes anyone the best at what they do is that they do it better than most, do it with passion, and do it FOR YOU. That’s a commitment made each and every day to every single person who wants to buy Ocean Hills homes. It’s a commitment backed by a team of experts who know it’s not about who the best real estate agent in Ocean Hills is, but rather who the best real estate agent in Ocean Hills Country Club is for you!

Gary Harmon would like to be your “best real estate agent.”  If you’d like to find out if Gary Harmon is really the best real estate agent amoung all the Ocean Hills Homes Realtors, or just simply the best real estate agent for you, then contact Gary Harmon.

Contact Gary Harmon today.

All original content by Gary Harmon.

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