The McLaughlin Group Team

The McLaughlin Group Team
www.TheMcLaughlinGroup.com

Saturday, March 31, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 308 Colleges Where You Are More Likely To Fall In Love

As a parent of a college bound young lady, this headline from AOL grabbed my attention. The first sentence of the article: "The good people at Inside College perused their user recommendations to compile the ultimate list of colleges that are the best for finding true love." For some peculiar reason, we did not do the research on this and am quite concerned that my daughter may not have selected the right school. We took into consideration; Academics, possible majors, alumni network, distance, athletics and finances but I cannot believe I missed this study. I will have to forward it on and see if all of us still feel comfortable with Kelsey's school of choice. I can hear it now....Dad! Why didn't you tell me about this study? ;)

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 307 Oh oh Sometimes I Get A Good Feeling

Just like the lyrics from Flo Rida, I have that feeling today. I don't know why but I have it. And you know what I was doing today? A well, home and septic inspections, so why would I feel "Oh Oh sometimes I get a good feeling?" Well, maybe I got great news on an appraisal, maybe I realize that we will solve these inspection issues, maybe it's the e-mails saying I have offers coming in or maybe just hearing that song..makes me feel good. Regardless of the why, "oh oh, I got a good feeling about tomorrow as well."

This is Flo, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 306 Where's The Oak Tree Count?



Who wouldn't want to live here?

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 305 Conejo Valley Inventory

554 residential units or homes for sale in the Conejo Valley
584 residential units in escrow in the Conejo Valley
418 residential units sold since January 1, 2012 in the Conejo Valley
$48,000,000 most expensive active listing in the Conejo Valley
194 residential units priced over $1,000,0000 in the Conejo Valley available now

Stats are from the Ventura County Regional Data Share as of March 26, 2012.

Conejo Valley cities include: Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village

Saturday, March 24, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 304 Saturday, In the Park

Wasn't that a fantastic song? Saturday, in the park....I believe Chicago belted this classic out. Saturday started in the park today with the conclusion of the "Great Race," the 1/2 marathon in Agoura and I was amazed at the crowd and the number of people I knew who ran in this race. I was stunned and their willingness to punish their bodies, my wife included in this bunch. I felt kind of bad as I walked around eating the free pizza and sampling all the magnificent protein drinks and carb samplers. I got over the feeling rather quickly with the 2nd piece of pizza. These marathon events are quite the party; Bands, food, bouncy bounces but mostly small celebrations of accomplishment. It wasn't the 4th of July as Chicago sang so I changed the lyrics to "Saturday, in the park, I think it was a Saturday in March, People aching, people collapsing, a realtor eating ice cream, can you dig it, yes I can, I've been waiting such a long time, for Saturday." As I show houses today, that tune will play all day in my head...Can you dig it, yes I can.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Friday, March 23, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 303 California Dreaming

Laurie’s mom again, hoping I don’t become a pest, but it’s hard not to want to join in on the McLaughlin blog. I was looking at the photos of the homes on Malibou Lake that Dave posted recently, and decided I want that new one, all glass and wood, right on the water. I wonder if the owners would consider swapping with my cute little condo in Westlake Bay. Probably not, but that’s okay. March is the month for dreaming and as soon as my Lotto ticket pans out, I’m making a bid!!

This is Sandy, Laurie's mom, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 302 The Appraiser Cometh

Well here we go again. 4 offers on a property in Thousand Oaks. So, you think that would be good enough to determine the real value of the property? Sounds logical yet how did we get to the place where an appraiser from some far away town determines the outcome of a deal struck between two willing parties? I will start holding my breath today and wait 3-4 days for the outcome. He rides in on his Toyota Prius, holding his laser measuring device and in his pen he holds the power of life or death (as it pertains to this transaction).....the appraiser cometh.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 301 Dream On




Dylan said he was busy working all day yesterday on the Ventura coast with this client......and then he woke up and got to work.

This is Dylan taking a nap, with The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Saturday, March 17, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 300 Dreams of Glass


Here is a picture of the original McLaughlin Group..actually it is a shot of my grandfather's employees at his glass factory in Los Angeles which he operated form 1920-1935 and it is also the front cover of the book about his glass factory. So when my Dad wants to tell stories about working in the glass factory, hot glass splinters and how easy we had it growing up compared to him, I might have to agree after looking at the photos. The book is entitled "Dreams of Glass" The story of William McLaughlin and his Glass Company. It is a fun read and pictorial memory of my grandfather's glass factory. I do swell with some pride as I glance through the book and think about his accomplishments and struggles as he worked for his American Dream. "Pop" as we called him lived to be 90 years old. Hopefully, I grabbed a bag of those genes from his pool.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 299 Assuage

The synonyms for this word include: soothe, appease, allay, pacify, mitigate, calm.

The definition is to make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense.

We have all had many occasions where we try to mitigate or assuage the concerns of a client or friend. It's never easy but the only thing to do is try. Often times the feeling that one had is far worse than the event that caused the unpleasantries. My mind and all minds can go crazy with reflection and wonder. I had a recent event with a client that appeared way worse because of how the event transpired and actions I took. Even though I knew the facts and they were clear to me, my actions caused doubt. I was confident in the facts and my client's concerns were mitigated. For sure, questions were raised and ultimately, my client and I, knew the truth. Sometimes the clients you have some struggles with become the best clients. In this particular case, the very best!

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 298 On the Hunt

You take a look at this title and you're thinking that I am going to talk about house hunting and the struggles of the modern day buyer....nope, i will save that for another day. Today the blog will be about Dylan and my brother Drew taking off for a few days to a remote ranch to bag some bacon. This is not store bought bacon but wild Feral bacon. So for two days they struggled to bag the elusive, crafty and tough swine but late on the second day Dylan was able to put down a couple hundred pounder. These swine can put a hurt on you so in the back of my mind, knowing they are both a bit timorous, I will always wonder if they just found it on the side of the road. Oh well, it does not matter how, for it is now, ribs, chops and sausage for the entire group. Coupled with our salmon, venison and our McLaughlin Group vino, I question if you will ever see any more skinny girls in our group photos.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Monday, March 12, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 297 Less is More...Gettysburg

Lincoln was preceded by famed orator Edward Everett who spoke for roughly two hours at the dedication but it was Lincoln's two minutes that changed the course and destiny of our country. Lincoln's speech reminds us all that many times less is so much more and in real estate isn't that the truth?

Here are the amazing 273 words that changed America forever.

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth
."

Sunday, March 11, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 296 Saturday in Huntington

Took a day off yesterday to hang in Huntington.Started with a 2 year old birthday party and ended with a meal and drink at the pier. Super relaxing day with family and friends and amazed at the crowds and the weather..Wow, Sunny, warm, packed and for a guy that likes to people watch...it was target rich. There is something calming about the ocean and the people that enjoy it. I think they they dance to a different drum beat and I have to admit, for at least a short while yesterday, I could hear their drums.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 295 Foreclosure Agents

Talk about the Wild Wild West..There are a few agents out there practicing real estate right now that are shady at best. Hiding behind the bank and whatever else they want to claim, they operate like weasels in a chicken coop, killing but not eating, only out to satisfy themselves. I firmly believe they don't care about the assets that they sell or the people they sell to. For them, it is about lining their own pockets. I would mention names and companies but I hesitate, for I may unfortunately, need to cross paths again. They are unaccountable, unseen, disrespectful, and one can only dream of the day these foreclosures disappear and the market returns to a place where people skills matter. Like the Weasel, once this foreclosure market disappears, they will slink back into their holes, rarely to be seen, and afraid to venture out, for they are unable to compete when competing matters.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 294 Proxio

As a new member of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, just one of the benefits for our sellers is the appearance their listings in Proxio, a world wide MLS system. Let's see if we can match some of those international buyers with our great listings.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 293 The Most Affordable Time in History

Paste this link into your browser and see what you think...Amazing times considering a very sluggish economy and yet with interest rates as low as they are...it just might be the most affordable time in history to buy a home.


http://www.dailywealth.com/1615/The-Best-Time-in-History-to-Buy-a-House


This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 292 10 Acre Oasis


This one is unreal..10 acre private retreat at the back of Lobo Canyon..Peaceful, private, serene..feels like your in another state but only 5 minutes to the 101. Single level, pool/spa almost 4000 sq. ft. Truly a one of a kind property!

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!