COSTA MESA, Calif. November 12, 2009 – In one of the most significant developments for real estate marketing in years, the partnering of top tier real estate brokerages including First Team® Real Estate, Southern California’s largest independent real estate company, and Oodle, the fastest growing online classified network in the U.S., promises to pioneer new frontiers in commerce opened by social networking venues like Facebook and MySpace.
The announcement that Oodle and First Team would be joining forces to reap the property marketing potential, presented by Facebook’s 300-plus million active users and MySpace’s 125 million users, will continue to be shared during the National Association of Realtors 2009 Convention, held Nov. 13 – 16 in San Diego, CA.
Oodle, known for its innovation in online classified advertising, has powered Facebook Marketplace since early 2009. When Oodle began exploring the idea of developing a self-service classifieds platform for real estate brokers and agents that would allow them to more easily get listings on Facebook and MySpace, it turned to a few select partners that have long been recognized as innovators in real estate sales and those with superior reporting and analytical resources such as First Team Real Estate.
“We’re thrilled to start providing our clients with Oodle’s valuable new tools and give their properties increased exposure across the most powerful social networks, said Cameron Merage, CEO and Founder of First Team Real Estate.”
The value of using social networking sites as a venue for classified advertising in categories such as “furniture” and “rentals” has proved extremely effective on Facebook because people could instantly share their finds, opinions, and insights with friends and business associates.
Merage expects over time the same benefits will apply to real estate listings, with the added advantage of capturing a world-wide audience and maximizing the exposure of First Team Real Estate’s listings for the benefit of its clients and agents. “Social media has emerged with huge potential to fuel word-of-mouth referrals in the housing market as a single comment has the potential to influence thousands,” said Craig Donato, CEO of Oodle.
“This is another ‘First Team first’ – a major partnership with social network online property classifieds,” Ondar Tarlow, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, said. “First Team’s ‘The NEW Rules of Real Estate®’ are well-known in Southern California as a service standard and brand promise, which we have faithfully upheld to benefit our clients and agents. Our new venture with Oodle helps to further expand our online listing syndication strategy which is another step in line with maximizing demand for our client’s property listings – a critical need in today’s diverse and dynamic marketplace.”
The choice of First Team® Real Estate makes perfect sense when looking back at the business histories of both Oodle and First Team. Both have earned reputations as innovators in their industries.
As other real estate companies have seen their market share drop in an ailing real estate climate, First Team has expanded. Industry professionals generally attribute it to the company’s aggressive pursuit of advances in proprietary technology, marketing tools and well trained and committed real estate agents.

MEDIA CONTACT:
WeedaLutfi@firstteam.com
OndarTarlow@firstteam.com
First Team Real Estate Public Relations, +1-714-557-0771

Thursday night, a few months ago,  we were privileged to hear Gianna Jessen speak at the CareNet Pregnancy Banquet….what a great job she did. Here is a little bit on “who she is….:

Aye. Oodle here is a classified-listings type of website. It garners listings from hundreds of other sources and lists them on one site. This, itself, is a handy alternative to Ebay and other sites. Facebook’s “Marketplace” uses Oodle to garner its listings, which I find to be MUCH more engaging than other sites, most likely due to the fact that material objects are being sold on a social networking website. This, in itself, reassures me of the validity and humanity of the vendors.

Now, I myself use websites that sell things for two main objectives:

1. Find guitars and other musical paraphernalia

2. Find cars.

In retrospect, this is all a massive waste of time if I don’t plan on readily buying any of those things. This could be another part of being human, though; I still gaze longingly at things that I won’t be getting anytime soon. Perhaps it’s a means of motivation. OR – it could be plain-old avarice.

So, to wrap things up: You can access Oodle online at http://www.oodle.com/ to find things like THIS:

"Mother of god..."

Ron Largent announces his candidacy to run for Shasta County Assessor-Recorder in 2010. Mr. Largent will address the local press and media to outline his platform: “Keep Our Assessments Fair, Timely and Equitable” Please join us at this historic event. Our friends from The Cafe’ at Turtle Bay will offer a Patriotic Lunch Special. In addition, we will honor our country with a Flag raising, music and of course the press conference Thursday, Oct 15th at 12 noon at Sundial Bridge adjacent to Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding, CA. Y’all come! For additional details, please look at www.largent2010.com

As you have probably heard me talking about, we sent out a ton of post cards last month and got a HUGE response…. I mean SUPER HUGE!  We are still getting random calls from our post card campaign, but so far we ended up with about a 15% response rate.  The problem with post cards is that they can be expensive. 

In order to help curb these costs I wanted to give you a few money saving tips for running your business. 

1) Google Voice – This is one of the coolest things Google has ever released.  Google Voice gives you a new (business) phone number where incoming calls are forwarded to your personal phone.  All voice mails are saved to Google Voice and are emailed to you immediately after.  There are a bunch of super cool features that I dont want to go into now, but to save money I decided to use Google Voice as my business voice mail box.  It is new and completely free.  Most investors have a similar service but pay $50 per month for it.  To get Google Voice you have to have a Google account and apply.  It took me about  a week after I applied to get my account.

2) Craigslist, Backpage, Kijiji, and Oodle - These are the primary (FREE) online classifieds.  Craigslist is the most popular, Backpage gets you to the top of google, Kijiji and Oodle are on the rise in popularity.  Post your deals on these, but also post your common “We Buy Houses” type of ads.  I post on Craigslist every day, and post on Backpage, Kijiji, and Oodle once every few weeks.  Craigslist is so popular that your ads are going to fall from page 1 within a few hours. 

3) FindDealsFree - This eBook has 14 awesome ways to find real estate deals for free… including tips on saving $$ on Bandit Signs

It is important to take advantage of marketing techniques like post cards even though they can cost a little more.   I just know how expensive everything can be at first and wanted to help you out with these tips.

What a great night at the Annual Teen Challenge of the Sacramento Valley sold out Banquet at the Holiday Inn in Redding, CA. Over 400 attended this exciting dinner, where the Teen Challenge New Life Choir and the Steven Randal Band provided the musical entertainment.

Nicky Cruz, an internationally known Christian speaker, held the audience in awe for over 45 minutes as he related his life in a New York City gang before meeting world wide Evangelist David Wilkerson, the author of the Cross and The Switchblade. Nicky related his upbringing and challenges of being one of a family of 17 originally from Puerto Rico. Since his conversion to Christ, Nicky has spoken to millions over the 30 years, and Redding was so fortunate to have this renown speaker with us here.

Hats off to the organizers. Ron and Patty Plumb are the area “Community Representatives” (pictured), as well as to the local Board of Ron Barnett, Bob Fruin, Rev. Harold Johnson, Gary Buffo, Jim Holdridge, Rev. Paul Tilley, and Ray toney.  Ex-Officio board members are Rev. Ron Fortenberry, Rev. Dick Rhoads, and Dale Winchester.  Former director Ron and Diane Lauritzen got special recognition for their 20 years of service. Special thanks to the Platinum Sponsors Ray Toney and Associates and Scarbrough Office Design, along with the 23 local businesses, churches, and individuals that were table sponsors.  Just a great evening. Many, many thanks to the many volunteers for making this great event happen.

.

Ron and Patty Plumb…organizers for the Nicky Cruz Banquet. A great job, and thanks to all.

Ron Largent

Cal Bears Football Off To a Good Start

OK…so the critics said “they will finish behind the Trojans”. I ask, will they? This is a real good Cal Bears Football team. I was at the Maryland game, and the score didn’t really tell the story, as Cal dominated from the first quarter on. This past week versus Eastern Washington, another repeat dominating performance. This is a good team. On October 3^rd we will be in for a “showdown” game against USC at Memorial Stadium, and if you do not have your tickets, forget it. Sold Out!

So what kind of a team is this year’s version of Cal Bears Football? First, they are very, very fast as a team, and the quickness shows up on both offense and defense. Their offensive line moves to the defensive line almost before the defense is set. Then, this group of quick backs, led by Jahvid Best, a legitimate Heisman trophy candidate, is through the line and into the linebackers and secondary before the defense can react. Really quick.

The defensive unit is equally as fast, and again, almost running to the ball as fast as the offensive running backs. In fact, on one sweep, the Maryland backs, and they were good, could not outrun the linebackers. These guys are quick and will prove difficult for every offensive line they will face this year.

The pass receivers for Cal were all over the place. Using multiple formations, it is almost as if the defense doesn’t know where they are going to come at them. Again, very quick and really hard to cover. QB Riley is greatly improved from last year, and he can choose between any one of the four receivers on most plays, and one of those fast wideouts seems to get open on almost every pass play. It is really fun to watch, for the receivers run as if they are “wound up”, with the corners chasing hopelessly, it seems. To stop these swift receivers is going to require a very fast secondary. Slow defensive backs will allow a lot of points, especially if Riley is on target.

Where is the team weak, is a good question. Probably in the defensive line, as they are not the “giants” that some of the Big 10 teams will field. If the opposing team is a big and strong running team, the Bears may be at a disadvantage. Hopefully they can make up for the size issue with speed, which they have done in both of the opening games.

Well, the season really kicks off this week with Pac 10 competition beginning, and in the next few weeks we will see just how good this Bears team is against good competition. My sense is that if they can keep healthy; keep the speedy guys in there; and avoid the injuries, this can be a championship contending team. And, they are really a fun team to watch, with a great variety of plays and sets…just a good football team. Go Bears!

Ron Largent

September 16, 2009

As I talk with folks about my campaign for County Assessor…the question keeps coming up….what does the Assessor do. So,  I went to the County web page…and here is the “official version”, which answers some of the questions.

The Assessor produces an assessment roll that reflects the taxable values of land, improvements, and personal property listed by the Assessor’s parcel numbering system or the account numbering system.

In addition to the taxable value, the roll must also indicate the current status of ownership, the owner’s mailing address, and the existence of any exemptions as of the January 1st lien date. To accomplish this, the Assessor must discover, classify, and appraise all locally assessable property according to constitutional, statutory, and administrative requirements.

In addition to preparing the annual local assessment roll pursuant to Sec. 601 of the Calif. Revenue & Taxation Code, the Assessor must also produce the Supplemental Assessment Roll as provided in Section 75 through 75.8 of the Revenue & Taxation Code. (Sounds pretty technical)

Kind of says it all, and makes sense. As I continue my “asking questions” and then “getting questions”…this is a good answer.

Ron Largent, Candidate for Shasta County Assessor in 2010.

We’re finding that there are many folks who have no idea where to turn to find out how much their items in their basements, garage or at mom and dad’s house are really worth. Before selling, stop and take a bit of time to check on the value before you arrange a garage sale or perhaps run ads through classifieds or online auctions. If you’re like me, once you’ve made up your mind to actually sell something, you would want it to be sold as soon as possible. Just take some time to make sure you know what you are really selling. I’ve personally been handed down items from family that I really didn’t want. The problem is one persons junk is another person treasure. I had to say it. I’m not stating anything new, but now more than ever, folks are willing to sell items to generate extra cash.  When a buyer is right in front of you ready to hand over the money, it’s tempting to take it and get it over with. Granted, some things are fairly easy to figure the value on but some things aren’t. Real value is a tricky thing, as many appraisers will tell you.  It’s not only the item’s history and age that makes it valuable. You also have to add in the factor of demand. Find the right person who has an interest or collects what you have and the value could increase. Take advantage of using valuejockey.com to see if you can find someone who can help with the value. Or at least ask around your home town, checking for local appraisers or investigate the type of item it is and who you think would be thrilled to have it. They are the ones who would probably pay more to buy what you have. It never hurts to double check.

1700 Churn Creek, Redding, Ca 96002
List #07-1830

Offered at $325,000

Commercial real estate -  commercial property for sale.

Price just reduced on 150 unit self storage/mini storage complex in Redding, CA. Great location and close in to downtown Redding on Interstate 5. A good money maker and for sale at new price of $650,000.

Ideal location for self storage for sale in Mt. Shasta, CA. Excelling condition and like new, with plans for expansion. Projected monthly income of $6,000 a month, with a lot of upside and growth opportunity. Listed at $595,000.

E-mail for call for details, photos, financials, etc.

ronlargent@kw.com     www.ronlargent.com      www.gasstations4sale.net

Grand jury:

Redding should add more red lightcameras…

.a good reason to live in Redding, CA

By Ryan Sabalow
Originally published 11:59 a.m., March 19, 2009
Updated 11:59 a.m., March 19, 2009

In spite of national reports casting doubt about the effectiveness of red-light cameras, the Shasta County Grand Jury recommends that the city of Redding add them to intersections “at every opportunity.”

In its latest report released today, the grand jury touted the use of the cameras as a “phenomenal law enforcement tool” that reduced collisions by 48 percent in the first half of 2008 at the intersections at which they were installed.

Wrecks citywide were down by 21 percent over the same period, the jurors wrote.

“Redding Police Department traffic experts postulate that a primary cause of the dramatic improvements of traffic safety is the presence of red light cameras,” the jurors wrote.

In spite of concerns to the contrary, there’s also been no evidence the cameras increased rear-end collisions at camera-equipped intersections, the jurors wrote.

But the jurors also noted that the cameras didn’t seem to reduce collisions citywide during 2007, the camera’s first year of operation.

The jury also found that costs to taxpayers are negligible, but the cameras so far have generated no revenue for the city.

Taxpayers pay less than $30,000 each year to pay for part-time officers who review the cameras’ videos and photos, shot when a motorist triggers the camera’s in-ground motion sensors.

The $325 fine generated each time a motorist is caught running a light pays for the rest of the program.

In 2007 and 2008, all of the $116,000 the city collected in fines went to Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Redflex Traffic Systems, the company that operates and installs the cameras, the jury found.

Under the city’s contract with Redflex, the company will pay Redflex up to $200,516 in fees before the city can collect any cash.

In recent months, the cameras have drawn national attention as studies have cast doubt on the cameras’ effectiveness while the companies that operate them rake in cash.

Although national studies show fewer T-bone crashes at lights with cameras and fewer drivers running red lights, the number of rear-end crashes increased.

Meanwhile, companies like Redflex expect increased revenue for years to come, while cities around the nation install them them to bolster their revenue streams.

Redflex alone saw after-tax profits of $10.6 million in fiscal year 2008, up from $7.3 million the year before.

Aaron Quinn, spokesman for the Wisconsin-based National Motorists Association, said that there are cheaper safety alternatives to red-light cameras, including lengthening yellow-light times.

“We say, the red-light camera wouldn’t have stopped anyone from getting hit,” Quinn told The Associated Press. “Once (a city) sees one city getting it miles away, and that first city makes a bunch of money, they want to do it, too. It’s like a virus.”

Reporter Ryan Sabalow can be reached at 225-8344 or rsabalow@redding.com…the Redding Record Searchlight

This is the latest on the Fix 5 solution…from a reporters point of view. Bottom line…it is a tax and is it needed. Let’s be real, folks. Good job reporting…now the citizens that will be paying the tax can complain.

Shasta County supervisors question I-5 plan

By Kimberly Ross (Contact)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Shasta County supervisors posed plenty of questions and some skepticism Tuesday for a revised plan to create hefty development fees for improving the north state’s stretch of Interstate 5.

At a public workshop, the board of supervisors heard a presentation on the Fix 5 project, now called the Shasta County Regional Improvement Program. If adopted by the county and its three cities, the plan would charge $1,697 for building each equivalent of a single-family home.

Shasta County Regional Transportation Planning Agency Executive Director Dan Little said I-5 use in 2005 was at 68 percent of its capacity. In 2015, it will hit 90 percent of capacity, and it will be at 114 percent in 2030. That means what is now a 50-minute drive across Shasta and Tehama counties would grow to 2 hours and 20 minutes in 2030.

“If this were a capacity issue like a sewer, a water line or a storm drain, we probably wouldn’t be talking about it this late in the game,” Little said.

Supervisor Leonard Moty said that he sees the need for I-5 improvements. But he wonders whether a local transportation or gas tax could be raised instead to better charge all motorists regularly using I-5.

“I am somewhat concerned that we’re … putting this onto a particular group, and not on everyone who drives,” he said.

Little said that the development fee would make up just 5 percent of I-5’s mainline improvement costs from Cottonwood Creek to Mountain Gate. The rest of the $232 million cost over about 20 years will come from state and federal money, which is provided by taxpayers.

Supervisor David Kehoe shared a similar concern for burdening future local development exclusively, and asked whether a toll road or use of hotel taxes had been considered.

A sales tax is an option, but a toll road would be legally barred because the interstate already exists. Diverting transient occupancy taxes could be a viable solution, but would likely be considered too unrelated and create opposition with a new group.

Moty also questioned whether the interstate needs to be widened across two counties when transportation officials agree I-5 is used much more for short, local trips.

“If what we really need are eight lanes between Cypress (Avenue) and Highway 44, that’s a big difference,” he said.

Little said it’s difficult to convince two-thirds of voters to tax themselves, as required by law. Residents who live in the area already reject the idea that they should pay for future residents’ use of I-5, he said.

Supervisor Les Baugh wasn’t concerned that the plan is likely to fuel a legal challenge from opponents, but he did want to know who would pay for defending it.

Willdan Financial Services Project Manager Jeff Kay, who co-presented the project Tuesday, said the Regional Transportation Planning Agency would, using reserve funds for planning and programming.

The RTPA is funded with taxpayer dollars primarily though federal and state funds and special grants, Little said after the meeting. He added that doing nothing also exposes the RTPA to lawsuits for not mitigating impacts on I-5, as Chico and Fresno have for highways in their areas.

“If we don’t do it this way, we’ll end up in court through other ways,” he said.

The workshop’s single public commenter, Shasta Voices Executive Director Mary Machado, criticized the plan and said that if the government needs more cash to fix I-5, it needs only to increase the state’s gas tax.

“We have a mechanism in place already, and that is the gas tax (collected) at the pump,” Machado said.

That method would more fairly raise money from all I-5 users, she said.

Machado said the new proposal is just as legally questionable as its predecessor, faulting it for being based on the old version’s 2006 study.

Contrary to Machado’s claim, Little said, “we did not revise the program because we felt it was illegal … We simply amended it because we felt it was better (revised).”

Kay added that the nexus study needs to be updated, and will be, but there’s no reason to think its long-term growth projections will be much different.

“I would argue that it isn’t necessary to blow up all of the assumptions and start over again,” he said.

This is from the Record Searchlight paper…go to    www.redding.com  for the full story.

www.ronlargent.com      ronlargent@kw.com      www.gasstations4sale.net

A great place to visit…a better place to live, work and play. The hub of Northern California business, recreation and healthcare combined with breathtaking scenery, a wealth of recreational opportunities, excellent schools and a relaxed lifestyle. The nation’s fstest growing real estate company, now with a full service commercial division, KW Commercial, is here to provide professional and complete real estate services.

Whether it is a commercial building, from a warehouse to an office building, or a retail center or self storage facility, call Ron Largent. Or, if you want to purchase a gas station in northern or central California, give Ron a call. Also available are mobile home parks and motels.

KW Commercial at the Largent Commercial Group in Redding, CA has it all. The largest team in the North State, the Largent Team, is here to serve you. If you are looking in these categories, call us:

Commercial Real Estate in Redding, CA

Commercial Real Estate for sale in Redding and Northern California

Commercial Property in Redding and Northern California

Gas Stations and Convenience Stores for sale in Redding and Northern California

Mobile Home Parks and Self Storage facilities in Redding and Northern California

Apartment buildings for sale in Redding and Northern California

www.ronlargent.com      www.gasstations4sale.net     ronlargent@kw.com

Designer breeds… designer dogs… 

Phase? Fad? Craze?

Throughout time each decade has been able to be characterized by some iconic music figure, fashion mishap(s), television show (or radio going way back), or any some other significant landmark of the times. But one iconic thing, brought to my attention after watching some good family-fun Disney movies, always seems to get overlooked. The dog.

Yorkies - Going out of style?

Okay, so some dogs span across decades – like the ever-popular labrador retriever, or its long-haired look-alike, the golden retriever (Air Bud anyone?). But each doggy era can be shown to have some cultural (and some historical) ties! It is similar to the idea that an owner and his dog tend to resemble each other as they grow together. This goes beyond the funny, “you look just like your dog!” I’m sure most dog owners include their dog as part of their life biographies. And I’m sure their friends can also identify when the owner and dog are out-of-sync (if ever). The dog becomes an extension of the owner, both in looks and personalities. 

The All-in-One: Labrador/Golden/Collie

The same concept can be generalized to a dog and the culture of the time.

Today’s culture emphasizes the racial minority and other under-represented groups’ undeniable progress in recognition, and this progress is mirrored in the newly popular dogs. Also, the idea of bettering things through new applications of preexisting methods is also represented in these newly emerging canines: “the ‘designer’ dogs”.

The designer dogs have become the iPod of the 2000s, the Furby of the 90s, the neon-colored ankle warmers of the 80s, the mullet of the 70s, the Beatles of the 60s, the poodle skirt of the 50s… to go further back would involve some research or haphazard conjecture. 

The idea of the hypoallergenic -oodle dogs has caused an uproar in a community looking to make things even more accessible to even more people. Even our new African-American President is considering the newly popular -oodle dog for his family.

Now indoor allergy sufferers can have a furry dog as opposed to one of those less desirable hairless Chinese-Crested dogs. Nakedness, whether on an animal or a human, is always just a little bit awkward. 

And the Cinderella story behind the designer dog? It is crossbreeding glammed up to Hollywood-like status. Before crossbreeds were mutts, indiscernable “dogs” only found in animal shelters. But now, all mixed breeds (even the non-oodles) are seeing a fighting chance at finding homes with the emerging advantages becoming more and more showcased as oodles rule the dog scene. 

part St. Bernard, part Great Pyreneese, part something else... But 100% lovable and sweet.

I had the occassion to drive by the new Trader Joe’s on Hilltop early Monday….and there they were…lined up for job apps. So finally it looks as if the famous TJ’s will be in Redding. If you haven’t shopped at TJ’s, and you like unusual foods and a great variety, you will love the place. These stores are just fun to go into…if only for an energy bar. In Redding, we are going to be very fortunate to have both TJ’s and Orchard Nutrition, which is also a great store, and is locally owned. Here is what David Benda of the Record Searchlight said about the “job opportunities”

Updated: Early morning throng

converges on Trader Joe’s for

applications

By David Benda (Contact)
Originally published 03:51 p.m., March 9, 2009
Updated 03:51 p.m., March 9, 2009

Photo by Andreas Fuhrmann / Record Searchlight

Jon Newland, 17, of Redding, fills out an application at Trader Joe’s in Redding on Monday morning. People started arriving at 5 a.m., roughly four hours before the store was to hand out applications.

Hoping to land a job at the new Trader Joe’s in Redding, job-seekers started arriving at 5 a.m. today — four hours before the specialty grocer was scheduled to start handing out applications.

By 8 a.m., dozens were lined up in front of the Browning Street store, which will open May 1, and the parking lot in the Kohl’s center was starting to fill up.

“I want to have a job that is more of a future,” said 22-year-old Redding resident Jared King, as he sat in his car in the chilly pre-dawn air.

King, who works for a care home in the area, was filling out an application as he spoke. He said he got the application during a recent visit to the Trader Joe’s in Chico.

Company spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki said approximately 1,200 applications had been handed out as of 3 p.m. today. People can pick up applications through Friday. Trader Joe’s expects to have everybody hired by the end of this month, Mochizuki said.

Gaylynn Robinson, 51, has been out of work since March of last year, when she quit her accounting job in Oregon to move to Shasta County. Robinson said she and her husband returned to Shasta County to be closer to family.

Despite her qualifications, Robinson said it’s been difficult landing work, adding that she’s either over-qualified or under-qualified. Robinson’s unemployment will run out in May.

“Maybe I can get an accounting job or even a cashier,” said Robinson, who lives in Anderson.

Although getting a job at Trader Joe’s isn’t a first-come, first-served prospect, most in line today said they got up early to show the company they have the initiative.

“Maybe they will hire the guy who was here at 5 a.m., as opposed to the guy who got here at noon,” Daniel Peyton, 22, said.

Peyton works part-time at Round Table Pizza in Redding.

“That’s why I’m here. I’m getting less than 10 hours a week,” the Redding resident said of his pizza job. “My goal is to have a job with more hours than I’m getting.”

Word that the niche grocer would be taking applications has been circulating for weeks. Many job-seekers came to the Redding store last Monday, only be told Trader Joe’s wouldn’t start taking applications until today.

Finally TJ’s is here!

Thanks for reading……    www.ronlargent.com     ronlargent@kw.com