Overcoming The Biggest Fear of All
Posted by Shapar Ostovar | Leave A Comment »
Months ago a friend of mine sent me an email about Anderson Coopers’ 60 minutes. The subject was Women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and how their sufferings are used as weapons of war.
Inspired, I joined a group of women in our community who wanted to help Women for Women International. Since it’s creation , Women for Women International has empowered more than 153,000 women survivors of war to move toward economic self-sufficiency with our year-long program of direct aid, rights education, job skills training and small business development. Since 1993, Women for Women International has mobilized more than 125,000 women and men in 105 countries worldwide to reach out and support women survivors of war - one woman at a time.
To help, our group organized a Fund Raising event: TASTE OF HUMANITY!!I was honored to be invited as the speaker of the event, which took place took place on May 22, 2008 in Del Mar Powerhouse, Del Mar, California.
While it is said that Public Speaking is the number one fear in the minds of most people, I was so passionate about this worldwide issue that my fear vanished. After learning about the horrors these women endured, I wanted to speak, I wanted to help, I wanted to inspire other to help.
I invite you watch my speech which lasts only for five minutes.
If you wish to sponsor a woman, kindly visit www.WomenforWomen.org. Or contact me, Shapar for more information.
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Windermere Exclusive Properties Starts the Year by Giving
Posted by Erica Vautier | Leave A Comment »
Windermere’s commitment to serving the community goes beyond providing buyers and sellers the best in real estate services. Every time a Windermere sales associate sells a home, a portion of the commission goes to the Windermere Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to giving back to local charities.
“At Windermere, every transaction counts,” said Principal Broker and Windermere co-owner Jim Browne. “I’m proud to be part of a company that places such a high value on giving back to the community. And I am even more proud at how our agents embrace the spirit of giving back.”
On top of the money donated from every real estate transaction made through Windermere, the agents also participated in numerous events in the community. This past year you could find Escondido agents sitting outside their office on Friday nights working at Cruisin’ Grand. They hosted a mobile blood drive, gave mini concerts and hawked hot dogs and water bottles.
As a result of their efforts, Escondido Branch Manager Ron Brownell, and his team of agents, were able to donate $1000 to the local charity Rebuild Escondido, an organization established to assist victims of the October firestorm in the Escondido area.
Meanwhile, Windermere agents from the Carmel Valley office organized a book drive to help build the library at the new East Ocean Air Elementary School. Realtors Shapar Ostovar, Jean Wilson, Peggy Chomas and Dara Chantarit, who coordinated the book drive, collected nearly 500 books for the school.
Contributions from Windermere agents and the public have allowed Windermere to distribute more than two million dollars annually in recent years. Windermere started 2008 by giving and looks forward to another year of enriching lives in our communities.
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Windermere Agents Run Book Drive for Ocean Air School
Posted by Erica Vautier | Leave A Comment »
Windermere Agents in Carmel Valley took it upon themselves to run a book drive for E. Ocean Air Elementary School. They passed out thousands of fliers, hung posters have in the neighborhood stores and are spreading the word to their clients. The Windermere agents are eager to contribute to the new schools needs and hope the book they are donating helps the children gain an interest in reading.
“Children are trying to identify themselves by something or somebody. In healthy books, good morals win in the end,” said Windermere agent and book drive promoter, Shapar Ostovar. “Instead of TV, good books will help them grow.”
The participating agents are impressed with the high quality of books being donated. “We received a variety of genres from fairy tales to science fiction,” said Ostovar. “Included in the science fiction genre is an autographed copy of the book Touchdown MARS!
Agents will continue to collect books and are happily accepting donations from the community. If you have any new or used books that would be appropriate for grades K – 6, please contact Shapar Ostovar to arrange a pick-up or drop-off. You can reach Shapar Ostovar at (858)245-2854 or drop off the books yourself to any Windermere office.
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San Diego Wildfires Won’t Devastate Real Estate Sales
Posted by Erica Vautier | Leave A Comment »
San Diego County recently experienced the most disastrous wildfires in its recorded history. In just four days, more than 640,000 people were forced out of their homes and 300,000 acres of land burned. It is hard to believe, but we just underwent the largest evacuation in California history.
While saddened by the losses, I am amazed at how well our emergency management system works and by how many homes were saved. Firefighters from all over worked endless hours to contain a dozen major fires across San Diego. The military was deployed and 2,492 National Guard troops joined the efforts.
The outpour of support from the community was similarly impressive. Evacuation centers were overwhelmed with donations and at times they had more volunteers than evacuees. It makes me proud to live and work in San Diego.
Over the past week I have received numerous questions about the effect the fires will have on real estate sales. There are no crystal balls, but with more than 1,500 homes estimated to be lost the demand for replacement homes will diminish the inventory of unsold homes, but not enough to shift the buyer’s market.
Rental rates may also increase, especially in and around the areas most affected by the fires. Landlords that raise rents by more than 10 percent during a declared emergency may face fines. Hotels can expect higher occupancy rates over the next month.
Despite the magnitude of the wildfires, the real estate market in San Diego is not devastated. We are fortunate to live in one of the most resilient locations in the country. People still want to live here and will continue to move to San Diego.
With the generous support of our residents and planned government aid, our community will pull through the fires and come out a stronger market than before. The cities and county plan to expedite the permit process and builders are offering special incentives to fire victims.
In the meantime, take a proactive approach to real estate. Buyers and sellers should talk to their agents about potential delays while suitable insurance is secured. Have your agent review the Natural Hazard Zone Disclosure Report from the seller with you. Trained real estate professionals will be able to answer questions you may have about areas affected by fire. Being well educated and well prepared helped San Diego control the 2007 wildfires and it will help real estate transactions close smoothly.
Real estate agents wear a lot of hats. They are advisors and educators; they are tour guides and researchers. Today, they are fellow citizens who want to see San Diego rebuild and flourish. They know San Diego well and are there to help coach clients through tough times. The fires shouldn’t discourage people from buying or selling a home, but they are another good reason to work with licensed professionals.
Seeing how diligently our county worked to control the wildfires gives me all the more confidence in our ability to rebuild. In the face of tragedy, the citizens of San Diego came together. We showed the entire country that wildfires are extinguished by the human spirit, and not the other way around.
Additional Information:
- Maps of San Diego Wildfires
- San Diego County Emergency Homepage
- Special Road Closures Page - County of San Diego Department of Public Works
- CAL FIRE Incident Website
- 3D Map of wildfire Progression
- Aerial Photographs
- Photo Slideshow
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