BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 149 Vacation Homes Anyone?

Here is a snapshot from around country demonstrating the vacation areas decline in median home prices:
Santa Barbara, Calif.
Median home price: $695,000
Median home price five years ago: $1,000,000
Aspen, Colo.
Median home price: $781,000
Median home price five years ago: $802,000
The Hamptons, N.Y.
Median home price: $680,000
Median home price five years ago: $1,100,000
Hilton Head, S.C.
Median home price: $307,000
Median home price five years ago: $574,000
Martha's Vineyard, Mass.
Median home price: $403,000
Median home price five years ago: $638,000
Palm Beach, Fla.
Median home price: $254,000
Median home price five years ago: $758,000
Miami, Fla.
Median home price: $130,000
Median home price five years ago: $302,000

I do not work these areas but wish I had some extra cash laying around. It looks like Palm Beach FL. is the best bargain compared to five years ago.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 148 Malibu Creek State Park

I am so lucky to work and live near such a beautiful area!

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 147 It's Your Birthday

Happy Birthday Kelly! She is all grown up now but still a kid at heart. We love you!

This is Dave, Dylan, Janet, Tina, Shawn & Laurie, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 146 Weekend Recap

Did we sell 3 homes over the weekend? Yes and no is the answer. One cancelled Monday morning but as of tonight, it has sold again. I am going to say yes to the question because all 3 are in escrow now. Smart sellers, happy buyers and now the real work begins. 30-45 days from now I will report the results of these escrows. You drive a car off the lot, it is yours, but with houses, there is a 30-45 test drive where we all hold our breath.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 145 Full Circle

Several years ago I was into buying, remodeling and flipping homes and Dave worked for me as my agent. I have come full circle and now work for him. I joined the McLaughlin group six months ago. I now know exactly how Dave takes his coffee and which salad he prefers from CPK. What happened here??? Just kidding, being on this team is as fun as it looks. We work long hours and we work hard but we help each other out and usually manage to have some good laughs throughout the day.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 144 Eagle Nest

I am the eagle, I live in high country
In rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky
And all of those who see me, all who believe in me
Share in the freedom I feel when I fly
Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops
Sail o’er the canyons and up to the stars
And reach for the heavens and hope for the future
And all that we can be and not what we are
(Lyrics by John Denver)

After visiting a home today, carved high on the hill, I remembered this song. I thought to myself about the vision, time and resources that people have to make their dreams come true. Like the eagle, their homes are closer to the stars, they dance with the winds and are perched to see all who are below...pretty cool!

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 143 Summer Rush

Our group is experiencing the phenomenon known as the summer rush. This is where the families that have been hemming and hawing about buying are jumping in and trying to secure properties prior to the start of the school year. This is a fun time because some of the properties that have sat for a month or more are heating up with activity. By late Sunday evening, if all goes well, we will have 3 million plus homes under contract bringing our total to 12 homes in escrow for July. That's a summer rush we like to feel. I say bring on those Dog Days of Summer and feel the rush.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 142 The Dog Days of Summer

Following up on Laurie's blog of yesterday with the Bulldog on the ice, I wanted to define what the Dog Days of Summer means. There are so many sayings, quotes etc..that I felt with the current heat wave sweeping 40 plus states, it is pertinent that all of our followers and the blogger himself are clear..So here it is: The Dog Days of Summer are the hottest, most sultry days of summer. In the northern hemisphere, they usually fall between early July and early September. In the southern hemisphere they are usually between January and early March. The actual dates vary greatly from region to region, depending on latitude and climate. Dog Days can also define a time period or event that is very hot or stagnant, or marked by dull lack of progress. The name comes from the ancient belief that Sirius, also called the Dog Star, in close proximity to the sun was responsible for the hot weather. I believe in our current position in the Golden State, we are in the early stages of the Dog Days. Sirius, the Dog Star must be close to the sun so get ready.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 141 Cooling Off

In the office, hiding from the heat. I tried to get in my car to go to lunch and burned my fingers on the door handle, burned my thighs on the car seat and the car hadn't cooled off by the time I got to the restaurant! This dog has it right!!!

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 140 What Are QR Codes?

QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) are the newest mobile marketing idea using your smart phone. Go to your APP store on the phone, download any FREE QR code reader APP, open APP, aim phone on the code and website will appear. Try this code and go directly to The McLaughlin Group's website. We are the first to apply this useful marketing tool within our Homes & Land ads. Check it out in any 2011 edition.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 139 Pinch Yourself, Dream Views

Spectacular home, total privacy, forever views. To see more incredible shots of this home, go to www.TheMcLaughlinGroup.com.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 138 A Great Evening

Sunday was everything our group had hoped for. Awesome weather, incredible music, clients, family and friends all relaxed on the Malibou Lake lawn. I thank everyone for coming, the Shoemakers for playing their usual soulful, sweet music, Timmy Curran for jamming out a great tune and Michael and Ron Li Paz for treating us to the range of their rich voices. I wish we could do it every weekend.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 137 Siblings

All four of us sitting around last night, laughing, telling stories and just enjoying our time. Some fantastic old lake stories from prank phone calls to animal captures to old sport stories. Everyone is here for a few birthdays and our 2nd annual client bash. This morning will be a brunch for the birthdays and then tonight we will sit back with 200 plus people, family, friends and clients to enjoy some sweet, soulful and powerful music by the Shoemaker Brothers, Timmy Curran and hopefully our secret opera singer. It looks like perfect weather, a perfect day and this day will serve as another reminder how awesome it is to share these great times with my brothers and sister, our families, friends and clients.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 136 New Listing on Malibou Lake

Hey! This is a new one that will be on the market this Monday. Go to my website, www.TheMcLaughlinGroup.com to see the virtual tour.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 135 Tailless Coyote

Last night driving around with Miley after a long day at work, Miley and I were out looking for some wildlife. Passing a few of the homes we have sold there was not a deer or snake to be found and then there he was. I have seen him on the way to work and late in the evenings. Obviously, he has found a comfortable neighborhood to hang out in. This young coyote must have been in some sort of fight and lost his tail. He must be humiliated losing his bright and bushy tail and feeling like he has to slink around under the cover of darkness. If you are along Mulholland, Crags or Lake Vista keep an eye out for stubby, the tailless coyote.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 134 Our Score?

So, we're 134 days into the blog.....and counting. We've had 6489 page hits since we started blogging almost 5 months ago. That's a lot of clicks, a bit of time and hopefully a few smiles. With any new job, the trial period would be ending and the boss would have to decide whether the employee is a keeper or not. What is your score? By the way, I get fired if we don't get a few "keeper" comments.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 133 Comments From Kels

Hello blog followers of my father,
Sometimes my dad and I are not always on par. For about 95% of the time, ole pops and I get along just fine. And while it may be difficult to deal with his obsessive love for prancing deer in the mountains, Micheal Buble imitated singing, or even his love of the Phantom of The Opera, I do not often appreciate him as much as I should. My dad is a hardworking and motivated father that provides more than enough for the family. He and his co-workers constantly have to listen to the endless complaints of all sorts of people and a mountain of paperwork ranging from sewage to termites...As an upcoming Senior in high school, I am often stressed out with college and academic related activities, but it doesn't compare to the daily life of a busy realtor. To all you teenagers, appreciate your dads. Dads are overprotective, annoying, and sometimes overbearing, but they are a huge part of our lives and we could not live without them.

Live life to its fullest.

This is Kelsey, daughter of Dave, from The McLaughlin Group.

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 132 Life Without A/C

We are negotiating on a place in Malibu with no a/c and in some parts of the country a/c is not that critical, Malibu being one of them. I still think, even in Malibu, it's nice to have. Now our beautiful office with balcony and views is perfect Monday through Saturday but on Sunday a horrible thing happens. The commercial a/c units are turned off so our beautiful office can become a bit of a sweat box. Oh well, doors open, enjoy the sunshine and hope for a cool Sunday breeze.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 131 Real Estate Laughs

1. Two women were walking through the woods when a frog called out to them and said: “Help me, ladies! I am a real estate broker who, through a curse, has been transformed into a frog. If one of you will kiss me, I’ll be returned to my former state!”
One woman took out her purse, grabbed the frog, and stuffed it inside her handbag. The other woman said, “Didn’t you hear him? If you kiss him, he’ll turn into a real estate broker!”
The second woman replied, “Sure, but these days a talking frog is worth more than a real estate broker!”

2. Realtor to First Time Home buyer: First you folks tell me what you can afford, then we’ll have a good laugh and go on from there.

3. My real estate agent was always smiling. I didn’t think anybody could have that many teeth without being a barracuda.

4. If you think no one cares you're alive, miss a couple of house payments.

Always good to laugh!

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 130 Malibu Creek State Park

Are you looking for a great family day? Hiking, fishing, climbing & swimming all right here just minutes off the 101. 7000 acres of open space with great scenery; towering rock cliffs, pine forests and open fields along with a campground and small park museum. Take a break, during the week to miss the crowds and enjoy this great local resource.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 129 Blogger Back

Two days off from the blog and it seems like a flood of material to write about and catch up on. The Septics defeated the Sewers 19 to 18 in a hard fought and competitive 4th of July Malibou Lake softball game. 8 properties currently in escrow with various issues but closing on 2 or 3 this week. Labeling party for our wines for the upcoming McLaughlin bash. Attended a "Legends" Beer party at Dukes in Malibu celebrating the launch of this special new brew that highlights a legend on each can and last night the legend was Pete Townend, the first world surf champion from Australia. Busy with real estate and life and that is a good thing.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 128 God Bless The USA

A few months back I was at the Four Seasons hotel in Westlake Village shooting pool with friends. At the time there was a gala at the hotel celebrating Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday and it was late in the evening when Lee Greenwood walked into the bar, sat at the piano and sang "I'm The Number One Fan Of The Man From Tennessee." If that was not enough, he followed it up with his signature song, "God Bless the USA."100 people or so were treated to an amazing 10 minutes that I will not forget. Here is his song, on the birthday of the greatest country ever known to mankind!

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 127 - Designed for Entertaining

You have to check out this video for 30039 Trail Creek Drive, Agoura Hills. It has the perfect flow for indoor/outdoor entertaining. For more information about this new listing, go to our website at www.TheMcLaughlinGroup.com.

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

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 126 - Escape to Malibou Lake

Check out this video on our new listing, 2170 E Lakeshore Drive, Malibou Lake. You can't beat the lifestyle! Can you think of a better place to spend the Fourth of July?

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