Author Archive
LET’S GET CREATIVE…
Posted by Ana Gramling | Leave A Comment »
VACANT LISTINGS + SUPPORTING LOCAL ARTISTS
THINKING BEYOND “OUTSIDE OF THE BOX”…
I will admit having a vacant listing usually presents itself in a not so favorable light. That being said, I challenged my creative marketing side and I am proud to tell you that I took one of my vacant listings and have featured several local artists. What was once a vacant listing, is now an art gallery!!! The open house traffic I am experiencing is FABULOUS!!!
I welcome all of you to an Open House/Art Show this Sunday, November 6th from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at my listing in Kensington located at 4772 Marlborough Drive, San Diego, CA 92116 (corner of Marlborough and Alder).
We will also host an evening Art Show on Thursday, November 10th from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and look forward to seeing you!!!
Our Featured Artists Are:
• Samantha Tabor…Featuring her custom/handmade barrettes. Everything from seasonal designs to bright and colorful, clever, cool and hip every day and evening designs. And, they are not just for the little ones…but the fun-loving, and young at heart. [email protected] (619) 277-0128
• David Christopher…Award winning landscape photographer. David is a native San Diegan who is self taught in the lost art of FILM photography. Checkout David’s website at www.SanDiegoSouvenir.com (858) 837-0218
• Comfort Scents Aromatherapy Products…“Therapy for the Mind, Body and Soul” Kristina Marino presents a variety of handmade candles adorned with semi-precious stones that can be used as jewelry; bath salts; herbal soap; aromatherapy pillows with custom covers in a variety of fabrics/styles; and essential oil misters. [email protected] (619) 788-2968
• Gabriel Fernandez…A master of acrylic, oil and watercolor paintings; and intaglio and lithograph prints. Gabriel’s art also includes 3D/mixed media; and he boasts a series he calls Love Art and Deportes. Gabriel’s portfolio can be viewed at www.gfernandezart.com (619) 741-9209
If there is a message to my Realtor® colleagues…it is, that a little creative marketing TRULY goes a long way!!!
Related Posts: Activities & Events, Marketing, Motivational, Open Houses, Real Living, Real Living Lifestyles, San Diego
THE REWARDS OF “DOING YOU”
Posted by Ana Gramling | Currently 4 Comments »
I have always called myself “the lucky girl”…
I was born on 8-28-58 (yes, I’m getting OLD) and, in most Asian countries, the number 8 is considered lucky…I believe this is true!!!
From a very early age, I learned that my purpose in life was to help others. So, it’s not unusual that today I am a Realtor® helping my clients to buy and sell real estate.
But, what TRULY brings me the most joy is my personal commitment to giving back to our community and to serve others during their time of need. If you hear me say “I’ve got your back” know that I MEAN IT!!! Loretta Lynn once said about her life, “I just want to matter”. This statement has become my personal mantra.
Two weeks ago, I was interviewed as a candidate for San Diego Magazine’s Woman Of The Year for their publication on women who change the city. I am humbled, and extremely excited to share with you that I am a finalist for this prestigious award!!! This award recognizes “dynamic women who work to create positive change and contributions to the San Diego community”. What I can tell you, is that the list of women who are likewise being considered have contributed to our city in ways that will make you SMILE…CRY…AND STAND UP AND APPLAUD THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!!!
So…you’re probably asking yourself…”What has Ana done to garnish such accolades???”
Anyone who knows me will tell you that every Monday morning I am one of thousands of volunteers who deliver meals to homebound Seniors on behalf of Meals On Wheels. I can’t think of a better way to start my week!!! I LOVE MY SENIORS and I can honestly say they are all my friends! One of my Seniors, Josie who is 83 years “young”, is a founding member of the “Madres” organization. The Madres are affiliated with the San Diego Padres, whose mission is to sponsor underprivileged youth to play baseball and softball in San Diego County. Through Josie’s sponsorship, I too am now a proud member of the Madres.
I am also the President of the homeowner’s association for the downtown condo community that my husband and I live in. I spend approximately 20+ volunteer hours per week on behalf of our homeowners association and can proudly say I have made a positive difference to our community. If you are ever in downtown San Diego, I welcome you to call me as I would love to take you on a tour of our building!!! Who knows, you just might like it enough to have me represent you in a purchase of a downtown condo!!!
In addition, I mentor several real estate agents as I am pleased to have the good fortune to have had some success in my real estate career as a resale agent…especially in short sale listings. I can boast that I have a 100% success rate in all my short sale listings…something I am EXTREMELY PROUD OF!!!
Related Posts: Awards and Recognitions, Buyers, Condos & Townhomes, Downtown, Find A Home, Foreclosure Avoidance, Foreclosures, Homeowners Associations, homes for sale, Investment Properties, New Homes, New Listings, Open Houses, Real Living Lifestyles, San Diego, Sellers, Short Sales
SELLERS HAVE A CHOICE WHEN IT COMES TO ALL CASH BUYERS
Posted by Ana Gramling | Leave A Comment »
![MCj04326590000[1]](http://pictureperfectsandiego.com/files/2009/12/MCj0432659000012.png)
In this real estate environment where it is thought that the all cash buyers are “KING”…know that sellers DO have a choice. I have had the opportunity to work with sellers who consciously made the decision NOT to choose an all cash buyer based on the fact that they were once given an opportunity to buy a home, when they truly thought it would be impossible, and wholeheartedly knew the responsibility to “pay it forward”.
I’d like to share an incident which stemmed from a phone call from a potential buyer…let’s call him “Mark” (who was not represented by a Realtor®), who, through his own dedicated search of the internet; saw one of my new listings. 
I will say it was a listing that I knew was going to generate a LOT of interest and was a sure bet for an all-cash buying opportunity. Mark expressed his disappointment in previously having made over a dozen offers to purchase homes that had been mostly awarded to all cash buyers. Some properties he made offers on got into a “bidding war” between all cash buyers; and, he knew he would not have a snowball’s chance (do you like the holiday pun?) in being awarded the purchase. Mark continued to express his concern that most all cash buyers are investors and, truth be told, they would hurt the owner vs. tenant occupancy ratios of most communities, and they would make it more difficult for the future conventional buyer to obtain a loan due to lender requirements.
I know Mark’s situation will resonate with many conventional buyers, not to mention their Realtors®. In reality, all that the conventional buyer desires is to be afforded the opportunity to enjoy homeownership and “owner occupy” the home they purchase. Today’s conventional buyer already faces the tremendous obstacle of limited inventory, stricter lender requirements, inferior product due to deferred maintenance in short sale/foreclosure properties and a tough economy. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the all cash buyer! My point is simple; there is room in our real estate market for the variety in our pool of buyers.
So, is there an answer to Mark’s dilemma??? Probably not!!! What I know is th
at I have another seller who likewise is paying it forward. They too awarded a sale to a conventional buyer who is actually a first time homebuyer who is expecting their first child. I can’t think of a better holiday present than to have the opportunity to buy a home to raise their family in and start many new treasured memories and traditions. I know this may sound too good to be true! Don’t believe me? Call me at (858) 688-3363 or EMAIL ME and I’ll be happy to tell you all the facts in greater detail!!!
By the way, Mark has elected to take a break from the stress of trying to buy a home in this marketplace and is currently renting.
Related Posts: Agent Services, Buyers, Find A Home, Foreclosures, Homeowners, homes for sale, San Diego, Sellers, Short Sales
How do you Make a Difference? Getting Involved in Your Community
Posted by Ana Gramling | Currently 2 Comments »
There are three rules to live by within our household…
- We ALWAYS vote (and, yes, we study EVERY ballot item)
- We PROUDLY serve on jury duty, and
- We VOLUNTEER
Every Monday morning, I am one of approximately 2,000 volunteers throughout San Diego County who deliver Meals-On-Wheels to deserving homebound senior clients. I cover two routes consisting of up to twelve senior clients and I can’t think of a better way to start my week!!! I consider my senior clients to be my friends and would like to share a few special stories:
There is Josie, who is 83 years YOUNG, she is about 4′ 8″ tall and weighs a little less than 85 pounds (she would hate that I’m telling you her weight!) and is MADLY IN LOVE WITH THE PADRES!!! Not only does she have a wardrobe of Padre logoed clothing and knick-knacks throughout her home (even her light switch plates have the Padre Friar on them), but she NEVER misses a televised Padre game. You can only imagine the sorrow Josie expressed when she found out her favorite player, Trevor Hoffman, would be leaving for the Milwaukee Brewers! Last week when Trevor came back to San Diego to play against her beloved Padres, Josie secretly was rooting for Trevor.
Her proudest of all Padre memorabilia is her Tony Gwynn shirt with the authorized patch highlighting Tony’s career statistics upon his retirement from Major League Baseball. Josie only wears her favorite shirt when she is going out and she will make sure to compliment it with her “old school” (orange and brown) Padre baseball cap.
Josie’s purpose in life is to share with others the love of a mother and child. She lost her son in a most unfortunate circumstance and celebrates him daily with prayer and vows never to forget his love.
Before I finish my weekly visit and delivery with Josie, she ALWAYS asks “can I have a hug?” and I feel she holds me with love.
Evelyn is 83 years old and I love it when she wears her pink lipstick!
She was featured in a recent news article for Meals-On-Wheels and is now my “movie star”!!!
In her news interview, Evelyn said she would not know what to do without Meals-On-Wheels. Existing medical conditions do not allow her to grocery shop or cook and she proudly boasts she gets to eat the “best meal in town“!!! What Evelyn shared in her interview came from her heart—she was not scripted and she was so excited to be on TV that she couldn’t wait to tell all of her family and neighbors. She also said, due to her TV interview, she “made business for Meals-On-Wheels“. Evelyn was correct, that her TV interview did, in fact, bring business. New volunteers and donations were reported as a result of her TV interview.
The day after the news article aired, and to thank her for her time, Evelyn received flowers, a card, and a stuffed teddy bear, which she has added to her collection of stuffed animals she displays on her couch…she must have 20 or more and, I guarantee, they will bring a smile to your face. By the way, Evelyn has been a recipient of Meals-On-Wheels for over 25 years!!!
So, when I ask myself the question…“How do you make a difference?” I know the priority of serving your community will bring joy that is unmeasured. I know I make a difference every Monday when I visit my Meals-On-Wheels “friends” and am always left with a genuine “thank you” and a kind smile. I hope that someday when I am a homebound senior that your children (or, your grandchildren) come to my home, ring the doorbell and say “good morning, Ana, it’s Meals-On-Wheels”. Then, I will know for certain that I made a difference!
By the way, another one of my Meals-On-Wheels client’s, Donna, was a volunteer driver and is now a recipient.
Related Posts: Activities & Events, Community Service
Going…Going…Gone!!! Let’s Discuss Downtown’s Condo Inventory
Posted by Ana Gramling | Currently 1 Comment »
So, have you said to yourself…”I’m thinking of buying a downtown condo”? WAIT NO LONGER !!!
New home inventory may not be available much longer as no new building permits have been issued and are not expected to be issued for the near future. The downtown new condo product is being aggressively marketed and not only is activity good, but SALES ARE BETTER THAN THEY HAVE BEEN IN YEARS!!!
The “perfect storm” of:
- Government Incentives
- Reduced Prices
- Low Interest Rates
- And, New Builder Concessions…Not to Mention Builder Closeout Pricing
EQUALS A PERFECT TIME TO BUY!!!
Should you consider resale inventory? Yes! Why? In a word…VARIETY. Whether it is a preferred location within the eight neighborhoods (“districts”) of 92101, or a particular floorplan, or perhaps a favored orientation. With new home inventory being depleted, the resale inventory in today’s market will offer more variety to choose from.
Know that not all resale inventory is a short sale or foreclosure. There is a diversity of “conventional” product which must conform to the current market pricing…a market that is being driven by the low cost of short sales and foreclosures and supported by appraisals.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: I’m not only a Realtor who farms and lives in downtown San Diego, I’m a native San Diegan and I care about our community and I would love to share it with you. If you have considered buying a condo in the downtown San Diego area…let’s spend a little time touring the districts. I’m just a phone call away at (858) 688-3363 or email me at: [email protected].
Click HERE to check out my previous blog articles.
Related Posts: Area Information, Buyers, Condos & Townhomes, Downtown, Find A Home, foreclosure options, Foreclosures, Great Real Estate Deals, Homeowners, Homeowners Associations, homes for sale, Investment Properties, Lifestyle, New Homes, Real Estate News, San Diego, Sellers, Short Sales, Solara Lofts Condos
