Wood Pellets Shortage Hurts California Homeowners: Demand for Pellets Goes Up

In the midst of the Deep Freeze, California homeowners can not find wood pellets to feed to their pellet stoves. In an effort to find a few bags, I set out to visit various local stores that usually carry the pellets. i stopped at Home Depot and Orchard Supply. I was unfortunate. I could not find any pellets. On these short journeys, I heard about a pellet-manufacturing plant that got burned. This rumor was dropped because it was only a rumor.

Lack of sawdust supply from home construction causes the severe shortage for those of us who pay big money to have these pellet stoves installed in our homes. In the past few years, wood pellet stoves have provided a reasonable heating solution to many Southern, Northern and Central California homeowners. After the shortage hits, many of us start asking, "What's the point of having done so much of this preparation when we can not get the pellets?"

The Pellet Stove Industry and manufacturers should pay attention to their product supply. It is a question of being left in the cold of the Winter months. Once again, this scarcity shows how many other industries depend on a robust housing industry. If many houses are not being built, a reduction in the production of sawdust will produce shortage. We, pellet-stove owners, want to keep our stoves burning. We want the pellets when we want them. We do not want this short supply to cause the prices to go up.

Miami and Las Vegas May Have Surplus of Condos; Time to Convert Back to Apartments

Right here on the Las Vegas Strip, condominiums towers are competing with each other. Near Hilton hotels sits a tower that is being marketed to eventual owners. Right up the Strip, Donald Trump is building his hotels. Timeshares are a huge business here in Las Vegas. Something has been happening to the condo market. Well, sorry to say, the market for condos is no more. Banks have started scaling back loans to condo builders. Some industry insiders are saying that some bankers have even demanded builders to sell and cut back on their projected developments. So these lenders are tightening the purse strings for the condo market. It was too much of a good thing. Who does not remember the rush to convert any apartments into condos just a few months ago? As the investors fly out to greener pastures, there is a reconversion of the condos to apartments.

Celebrity Homes: How Would You Like To Have A Picture-Perfect Martha Stewart Home?

No, you do not have to buy a home in Hollywood Hills, Malibu and other Orange County's exclusive spots. If you have the money, KB home builder can find you the right Martha Stewart's inspired home. KB Home is trying to capitalize on the celebrity factor to attract buyers. The more traffic is generated by names such as Martha Stewart and others, the better it will be for the company's bottom line. KB Home has teamed up with home maven to give a boost to its brand. Despite the prison terms for securities violation, Martha remains a very important person to have on your company's side. As KB Home is building homes in the West, many potential buyers want their home to look and have everything a Martha Stewart's home could have. That means they are willing to spend a little bit more money on upgrades. That is good news for KB Home.

In these times when home builders are paying card holding journeymen and women to stand on the corners of streets, kB Home seems to find a good way to bring people to its developments.

Former USC Tailback, Current NFL Player Reggie Bush Has Time to Stay in New $5 Million Home

The Saints played their NFL playoff game against the Chicago Bears which beat Drew Brees and Reggie Bush badly. The former University of California tailback, Heisman trophy winner and current New Orleans player has his home on his mind. He can watch the game in his new trilevel Hollywood Hills home which he bought for nearly $5 million. Keep in mind that Bush was the best prospect in the 2006 NFL draft. The Saints scored hugely by picking him up. Since then, he has not disappointed his team, teammates and team owner.

What's up with the home? It is located high above in the Sunset Strip. It has views of Long Beach, Malibu and Catalina Island. It has four bedrooms and six bathrooms in its 4,800 square feet. It now has a home theater, party deck, playroom with a pool table, library with a steam shower and massage table. The home is serviced by an elevator. 21-year-old Bush is currently making $26 million with New Orleans. No wonder he can afford three of these homes!

Koreans Are Buying Condos in Koreatown: A Breeze of Good News for The Housing Market

Now that the Korean currency, the Won, is strong enough, the Korean government is giving Koreans a break by lifting a ban on how much they could invest abroad. Korean officials are trying to encourage more Koreans to invest overseas. The bulk of this investment will happen mostly in an area not far from Los Angeles. Condos are flying in Koreatown. Real estate agents and residential builders are getting ready to serve this niche market. The Shin Young Group, a major Korean giant, has started building condos with lots of Korean buyers waiting to buy them up. The Martin Group which is also building in downtown Los Angeles, has already sold some units to Korean buyers. Korean language papers, friends and word-of-mouth have sent the news. Many Koreans have family members here in the US. They have a relative in Koreatown where signs are in Korean. Very few signs are in English. Those who buy homes here are happy to invest in the country thanks to its long term stability and because of the education needs of their children.

In a time when the housing market, specially the residential housing development is suffering, this is truly some good news for the Los Angeles housing market.

To the Heavy-hearted of Malibu Mansions Burn

Maliburn: Malibu Mansions Burn

(Poem for Suzanne Somers and Husband)

Oh such loss of fine properties and homes

Oh such devastation of years of memory making

Farewell to the life known by Suzanne Somers and husband

May their hearts become light after so much pain

Just like a thief, the fire came in, fueled by the wind gusts

In a matter of minutes, it inflicted so much pain

Residents' hearts became heavy with loss

Passersby and university students watch from their homes

Wondering what is going to happen next

Fine homes worth $16 to $25 million are perished

A part of LA county went up in flames

Oh such horror that befell a rich community

Whose borders are the vastness of the Pacific Ocean

And tall fences and wrought iron that keep intruders and paparazzi out

Huge holes are created on the shores

Investigators are searching for clues and evidence of such an event

Mother Nature is not kind to the ordinary and well-heeled fortunate

Amidst tears of sorrow, it is difficult to turn one's back on the ruins

Too many memories of good times, parties went up in flames

A new lifestyle takes time to be created; insurance companies must pay

Oh Maliburn! Why so much loss had to come to us?

Why could you not protect us from the stings of pain

At the beginning of this new year? What is there to go on?

Life must go on. New homes will replace those the destroyed ones

New memories will be collected even from the shadows of heavy smokes

Thanks to the local firefighters who battled the raging flames

The sun over the Pacific Ocean will rise again

Soon, the remains of smoldering properties will be cleaned up and gone

A new day will break; hope will be reborn; a new home will rise again



==============

Read more poems at Blog2Blook

Any comments? contact nothingbutshopping at gmail.com

The American Dream At Your Reach; Immigrants Help Make It Happen

I am on my way to Las Vegas. After stopping at Barstow to use the restroom and check McDonald's buildings mounted on parked old trains. My kids forced me to stop there. They had seen the arched signs from the road. Soon there after, we were on our way to Las Vegas. Going from California to Las Vegas takes you over mountains, desert and dry lake beds. One can describe it as going from paradise through hell to paradise. I was mostly interested in the construction activities in Nevada. I have read so many great reports about Las Vegas real estate. After crossing the line on the border with California, I was amazed to see the extent of the brand new commercial buildings right at the entrance. Obviously, most of them belong to Casino resort entities. On my left and right, stand gorgeous buildings announcing their ware. This was just the beginning. Rio which is located right close to the 15 highway, has just completed some magnificent buildings. We headed to Las Vegas/ Strip. On my way, I realized how huge Lass Vegas is.

The city is in the midst of a building boom. Everywhere you turn, you will see new hotels, homes and offices being built. Donald Trump is building his high-end condos. Next to Hilton on the Strip, is a new set of condos for rental. Search any real estate sites such as rentmarketer.com and others, you will realize how important housing is in this area. I drove by some construction sites. That's when I realized that the American Dream is accessible. All along, I saw there were two group of workers, the foremen, contractor and employee contractors. There were very few non-immigrants. Immigrants have been dreaming of improving their conditions. From those who laid foundation, the framers, plumbers, roofers, electricians, cabinet makers, and landscapes, the workers were immigrants. They are building homes from California to Phoenix and Las Vegas. They also want a piece of the American Dream.

Las Vegas' Booming Housing Construction

Donald Trump is building his resort in Las Vegas. You can see it right from the Strip. The sales department of the Trump company is buzzing with activity. Right next to Hilton which is planning on adding two more towers to the existing ones, sits a highrise which intends to rent out to buyers interested in purchasing a condo. The Stardust hotel and resorts is scheduled for demolition. A $multibillion enterprise will take its place. The Rio is attracting more similar businesses. Everywhere you look, you can find new building construction. The market is hot. As more than 8000 people relocate to Las Vegas, the needs for housing will continue for a long time. In the meantime, the hotels,motels and other establishments that already take roots in the city will continue to offer their services to tourists seeking fun in Sin city.

Visit ShoppingEpinions on Las Vegas Strip

Check Out The McCaffrey Group's Treviso in the Central Valley of California

The McCaffrey Group Brings Northern Italian Style or Tuscan Architecture to the San Joaquin Valley (Fresno and Clovis) with Treviso Custom Homes

Hampton Renaissance at Loma Visa and Treviso, Clovis and Fresno, CA

On a mid-Fall afternoon, I and some friends decided to go house hunting. For us, this activity has become a sports. Especially in this buyer's market where developers and sellers want to see potential buyers, my friends and I just felt it was time to see what is on the current market. We headed out to Grantland and Bullard which is a well-established community with huge homes and beautiful front and back landscaping. Just in case you did not know about the local housing community, there are pockets of beautiful homes in the Greater Fresno-Clovis area. And there are expensive homes that range in the $ million range. As with anything, you have to know where they are located to find them. The McCaffrey Group is offering potential home owners the possibility to leave their architectural imprints in this part of Fresno, specially at Grantland and Bullard.

According to the McCaffrey Group Marketing representatives, Treviso offers expansive custom lots that can go up to one-half acre in size. The pricing is competitive. It can start from the $200,000 and up. If you want cul-de-sac, corner and standard lots, you can get them too. We can truly say that this is one of the major features of the development. My friends were awed by the expanse of the lot. So if you want to have a pool, spa a 4 or 5-car garage, you will be able to fit it. What struck us the most was the entrance. We stopped there for a while to take pictures of the balloon floating above the entrance walls. We also looked at the huge tiles and European lighting. We could tell that lots of attention was paid to the design and selection of trees that adorn the entrance. We drove around the lots. Some of them were bought the first week the development was open. There are still some great lots that wait for your attention. As we made our way to the back, we got out of the vehicle and started talking to a gentleman who retired from the San Jose area. He was more than happy to show us his lot. It is going to be a custom home designed and built by one of the best architects from the Bay Area. This man had great ideas for his lot. That is where he wants to build his dream home. Interested consumers can buy their lots. They will select their own architects, custom-home contractors and landscape designers. After taking some more pictures, we exited Treviso only to look at all the homes that are being built right in front of The McCaffrey Group development. Treviso is part of the Hampton Renaissance development in Fresno. You can also find Hampton Renaissance at Loma Vista in Clovis, CA. The Loma Vista Village features nearby community park, schools, shopping, dining and entertainment. It is located near the Reagan Education Complex. As far as Treviso is concerned, it is located in the Central Unified School district which is building the Koligian stadium and an education complex that will feature Harvest Elementary school, middle school and high school. So your kids will only have to walk a short while to reach their school and playground. Some of my friends enjoyed a lot Loma Vista's design. The Loma Vista's amenities ( urban village style, residential living, business, education complexes, retail stores, dining and entertainment, a sense of high-class, high-end living) attract them a lot.

Avoid Being Scammed; Protect Yourself Now

If you stay at home as a single mother, young person and senior, you may have heard lots of ads, infomercials claiming that you can earn thousands of dollars working at home. Many people who are on fixed income jump to what sounds as a good deal.

Con artists make various pitches and hope some of their listeners will fall for their offers. They know where to promote their business ideas. You have seen the promotions pasted on electric poles at major intersections, supermarket bulletin boards, magazines, newspaper classified sections, and on TV. These pitches can also be posted on message boards, chatrooms and other areas with high traffic. People, just know that those who are behind these promotions are after your money.

What are some of the forms most used in work-at-home schemes?

These scams involve medical billing centers, envelope stuffing, assembly or Craft work. These fraudulent promoters want you to mail them money for software and company setups. In many occasions, you will not receive anything in return for your work and initial investment.

Here is what you need to do to find out what you are dealing with. Ask these questions: do you have to send money for parts or software? How are you going to receive your money back if you are not satisfied? Will you receive a salary? or will you work on commission? Who will pay you? If you have to make some products, what quality standards must you meet for the products? Are there costs to you to get started? What do you have to purchase to get started? If you are unsure of the deal, call Better Business Bureau to check on the company or phone number you have. Other resources can also help. The Federal Trade Commission, National Fraud Information Center, U.S. Postal Inspection Service postmaster and inspector can help you out. Report any illegal activity to them.

The McCaffrey Group Brings Northern Italian or Tuscan Architecture to Valley

The McCaffrey Group Brings Northern Italian Style or Tuscan Architecture to the San Joaquin Valley (Fresno and Clovis) with Treviso Custom Homes

Hampton Renaissance at Loma Visa and Treviso, Clovis and Fresno, CA

On a mid-Fall afternoon, I and some friends decided to go house hunting. For us, this activity has become a sports. Especially in this buyer's market where developers and sellers want to see potential buyers, my friends and I just felt it was time to see what is on the current market. We headed out to Grantland and Bullard which is a well-established community with huge homes and beautiful front and back landscaping. Just in case you did not know about the local housing community, there are pockets of beautiful homes in the Greater Fresno-Clovis area. And there are expensive homes that range in the $ million range. As with anything, you have to know where they are located to find them. The McCaffrey Group is offering potential home owners the possibility to leave their architectural imprints in this part of Fresno, specially at Grantland and Bullard.

According to the McCaffrey Group Marketing representatives, Treviso offers expansive custom lots that can go up to one-half acre in size. The pricing is competitive. It can start from the $200,000 and up. If you want cul-de-sac, corner and standard lots, you can get them too. We can truly say that this is one of the major features of the development. My friends were awed by the expanse of the lot. So if you want to have a pool, spa a 4 or 5-car garage, you will be able to fit it. What struck us the most was the entrance. We stopped there for a while to take pictures of the balloon floating above the entrance walls. We also looked at the huge tiles and European lighting. We could tell that lots of attention was paid to the design and selection of trees that adorn the entrance. We drove around the lots. Some of them were bought the first week the development was open. There are still some great lots that wait for your attention. As we made our way to the back, we got out of the vehicle and started talking to a gentleman who retired from the San Jose area. He was more than happy to show us his lot. It is going to be a custom home designed and built by one of the best architects from the Bay Area. This man had great ideas for his lot. That is where he wants to build his dream home. Interested consumers can buy their lots. They will select their own architects, custom-home contractors and landscape designers. After taking some more pictures, we exited Treviso only to look at all the homes that are being built right in front of The McCaffrey Group development. Treviso is part of the Hampton Renaissance development in Fresno. You can also find Hampton Renaissance at Loma Vista in Clovis, CA. The Loma Vista Village features nearby community park, schools, shopping, dining and entertainment. It is located near the Reagan Education Complex. As far as Treviso is concerned, it is located in the Central Unified School district which is building the Koligian stadium and an education complex that will feature Harvest Elementary school, middle school and high school. So your kids will only have to walk a short while to reach their school and playground. Some of my friends enjoyed a lot Loma Vista's design. The Loma Vista's amenities ( urban village style, residential living, business, education complexes, retail stores, dining and entertainment, a sense of high-class, high-end living) attract them a lot.

Here is your Chance to Be a McMillin Homeowner: McMillinhomes Extends Gift Offer, Perks on Its Homes

Here is your Chance to Be a McMillin Homeowner: McMillinhomes Extends Gift Offer on Its Homes

This is the time of the times. McMillinhomes has been running a great special in order to attract more home buyers. These offers are good until the end of this year. When you purchase a new McMillin home before December 31, you will be rewarded with a 58" Plasma TV, a Granite Countertop, or a Whirlpool washer/dryer & Kitchenaid Refrigerator. These offers have been running since the slowdown of the housing market. McMillin is not the only company that is devising ways to attract buyers. A year ago, the company's agents and managers did not have to make any offers. Buyers were willing to endure the elements for the chance to deposit their $1000 on a home to be built. The company had to hire extra workers to keep up with the demand. Indeed, the housing market is very cyclical. Now is the down time. For two consecutive week-ends, I decided to get out of the house to see some of the nice designs offered by McMillin. It is building at Colby Park, Rustic Oaks, Oxford Commons, Palomino at Sunnyside Ranch, Appaloosa at Sunnyside Ranch and Cheyenne at Sunnyside Ranch. Now there is a $10,000 incentive on the Appaloosa homesites. It is available for home buyers who finance with McMillin Mortgage.

Between the incentives and gift offers, potential buyers have no reasons not to go check out these homes. The lots want your name on them. We predict that these offers and incentives may continue beyond the end of the year purchase. Hurry up and make your claim. There may not be

McMillinhomes is a group of current Mcmillin, McCaffrey Group, Centex, Bonadelle, KBHome, KBCasa, home owners, fans of great craftmanship, wannabe homeowners and Valley architecture students.