Carmel Valley Ranch Condominiums

For those who love Carmel Valley and particularly the Carmel Valley Ranch, a wonderful opportunity is on the horizon.

Luxury Resorts, owners of Carmel Valley Ranch, are planning a $60 million renovation conversion. Their plan is to make available, for individual ownership, condominium hotel suites. This is a great opportunity for those who are looking to enjoy a retreat at the beautiful Carmel Valley Ranch and when not residing in the condominium the suite may be rented.

The 144 guest-suite property will include both interior and exterior upgrades and the estimated date of completion will be early 2008. The units square footage size will range from 800 to 1,400 and the price will begin at $880,000.

Project Linus Blanket Day 2007

The 6th Annual Project Linus Blanket Day was held on Sunday, February 4th. For those who don't know, Project Linus is a 100% non-profit organization that makes handmade blankets for children who are seriously and or traumatized.

Approximately 75 Blanketeers (Blanketeers are volunteers) attended the event. Keller Williams Realty freely opened their doors at their Carmel office where all the activity took place. Coffee and donuts were provided by Old Republic Title, Carmel High School once again allowed us to use their sewing machines and lunch was provided by Allegro's Pizzeria in the Barnyard, which Keller Williams Realty picked up the tab.

At the end of the day a grand total of 72 blankets were made (see below) and 167 blankets were dropped off for a total of 239 blankets.

40 Quilts were made
31 No-sew fleece blankets were made
1 Knit blanket was made

It was a grand day of meeting up with old friends and making new ones. The sewing machines were humming and all who attended were focused with one goal in mind, complete as many blankets as possible so as many children as possible will receive a warm hug when it is needed most.

As coordinator for the Monterey Chapter of Project Linus, I want to thank all who made this day such a tremendous success. Project Linus works because of the kind and generous support from so many.

Thank you!
Noni

Nothing New Under the Sun

We’ve all heard the saying, “There’s nothing new under the sun”. With this quote in mind I thought it interesting to ponder the following historical real estate market quotes.

· “The prices of houses seem to have reached a plateau, and there is reasonable expectancy that prices will decline.” Time Magazine 1947
· “Houses cost too much for the mass market. Today’s average price is out of reach for two-thirds of all buyers.” Science Digest 1948 (average price at the time: $8,000).
· “The goal of owning a home seems to be getting beyond the reach of more and more Americans.” Business Week 1969 (average price at the time: $28,000).
· “The era of easy profits in real estate may be drawing to a close.” Money Magazine 1981.
· “If you are looking to buy, be careful. Rising home values are not a sure thing anymore.” Miami Herald 1985
· “Most economists agree…a home will become little more than a roof and a tax deduction, certainly not the lucrative investment it was…” Money Magazine 1986.
· “We’re starting to go back to the time when you bought a home not for it’s potential money-making abilities, but rather as a nesting spot.” Los Angeles Times 1993 (Note that 1993 was the absolute low-point for real estate values in Los Angeles. Prices have sky-rocketed since).
· Financial planners agree that houses will continue to be a poor investment.” Kiplinger’s Personal Financial Magazine 1993.
· “A home is where the bad investment is.” San Francisco Examiner 1996.