We always enjoy attending LA Philharmonic Orchestra program events at the beautiful Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Christi and I had the opportunity to experience such a great concert on Friday evening, November 27, 2008.
Conductor Gustavo Dudamel (and future artistic director) and the LA Phil seemed to be at their best.
The LA Phil is one of the great orchestra ensembles in the US and the world. They proved that once again at the Disney Hall in Los Angeles this time. 
Performances included
Legeti's "Atmospheres" - symphony music without form or rythym, and only 9 minutes in length. You would recognize this wall of sound from soundtrack of the film "2001 A Space Odyssey" ... which the composer apparently didn't like.
Richard Strauss's "Four Last Songs" -
with Christine Brewer ... world known soprano and recording artist. This woman has such a wonderful stage presence and deep tone even at the highest notes. Amazing performance.
Ludwig Von Beethoven's "Symphony No. 6 - Pastoral Symphony" - great fun to see and hear the Phil perform this, especially with Dudamel at baton, who jumped up and down while getting some air ... on the podium with excitement as the orchestra pumped tempo faster and forward.
This Pastoral piece feels whimsical and much different from what many folks are familiar with from ... Beethoven's fifth and its heavy opening ... Da Da Da DAAAHHH ..... which is possibly the most well known four note melody from all of music.
Attending these concerts once or twice a year is a blessing for us and one of the great benefits of living here in Southern California.
If you love great music and live in or ever travel to Los Angeles ... make sure you check out the Los Angeles Phil programs, especially those at Disney Hall. You will never forget the experience.
Harrison K. Long, Explore Group Properties, Coldwell Banker Previews.
Non-profit agencies and banks seem to be overwhelmed by the demand for their home loan modification services these days.
Private consultants are doing business in California ... offering homeowners help getting banks to modify their loans. These consultants charge a price for their services. Some charge as much as $5,000 in advance, and some desperate homeowners, facing crisis, have paid. But what is being accomplished for the money by these consultants?
A California Department of Real Estate spokesman said that this private home loan consulting is a new situation for the real estate industry.
Real estate brokers are required to obtain permission from the DRE to collect fees in advance, but do not need permission if they charge after completion of the work.
The DRE has issued "desist-and-refrain" orders to a few unapproved companies that were charging advance fees, and it advises consumers to check its Web site to verify that a private company's contract has been approved.
Some major banks have their own loan modification programs for their own customers.
Non-profit home loan programs such as Home Ownership Preservation Foundation help clients negotiate with banks. They do this for no charge but are overwhelmed by current demand.
Attorneys in California ... unlike real estate brokers ... can collect up-front fees without DRE approval. Of concern is whether these lawyers will be unsupervised and provide necessary services as requested according to contract.
Some private consultants call themselves financial "hardship consultant" and not a loan modification company. So they do not need Department of Real Estate approval. They try to do the same thing and modify loans for clients.
What you should know about home loan modification:
If you are asked to pay advance fees in California for loan modification, check the Department of Real Estate Web site to see if the consultant you are dealing with has legal permission to collect advance fees. Or call (916) 227-0770.
Ask to see the consultant company "no objection" letter from the California Department of Real Estate.
Review the proposed agreement and consider obtaining independent advice before signing it or advancing any fees.
Compare the services and fees offered by other licensed brokers on the Department of Real Estate list.
Do not pay anyone in advance if you have already received a Notice of Default from your mortgage lender.
Check with local non-profit agencies that help people modify their loans without monetary charge.
See the California Association of Realtors Home Loan Modification Program.
Contact the California Consumer Home Loan Information Program.
Contact a qualified and licensed attorney through the California State Bar. 
Remember, however, that they are not required to register with the state of California for this special loan modification task.
Contact a California licensed and qualified Real estate broker. This is OK as long as their services are fully completed before you pay them.
Harrison K. Long, Explore Properties Group, Coldwell Banker Previews. Source: California Department of Real Estate
What about home and property assessment and property taxes in California?
Check out these good resources on information about California Property Tax and Assessment:
Do you want to protect your property tax basis after age of 55?
California Property Tax Information Resources
California Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Association
California Board of Equalization (sales taxes)
California State Association of Counties
Homeowners Property tax exemption
Proposition 13 Taxable Value - Orange County
Assessment Appeal - County of Orange
Property Tax Postponement Program - California
Helping People Make the Best Decisions About Homes and Real Estate.
Providing you and our clients with information and help for them to understand the economics and property tax assessment process in California and how your tax basis can be protected.
For specifc questions about your own situation, we recommend that you hire a qualified Realtor agent and/or certified public accountant.
Harrison K. Long, Realtor agent and broker, Explore Group Properties, Coldwell Banker Previews, Irvine, CA.
WHY WORRY ABOUT NEWS OF HOME PRICES GOING UP OR DOWN?
TRUE ECONOMIC VALUE OF A SOUTH OC HOME ... REAL ESTATE ... IS DETERMINED BY BUYER DEMAND.
WHAT ARE BUYER DEMAND FACTORS AT SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY?
Are there successful business and employment centers nearby? (We have robust economy here at South OC, lots of good and solid companies)
Are there people with jobs who want to get into the South OC market and buy homes? (pent up demand)
What is the quality and desirability of South OC geography? Are there hills or flat land?
Are there folks who want to move into the South OC cities and neighborhoods?
What's the strength and quality of local development and governance. Does the city provide good information?
Is there business and solid commercial building and activity nearby? 
Is there master planned community development. The Irvine Company has done such a great job here in South OC, California.
Are the homes well-designed and well-made?
Has the custom home builder used good standards and quality building products?
Have the city and public agencies been responsive and careful to protect interest of homeowners and residents?
We want our City of Irvine leaders to support development and keep an eye out for real estate owners.
What's the weather like? 
Are homes close to water? Are there hills or dry land nearby?
Have there been GEO issues experienced in the area?
Is the particular home of interest close to major transportation areas (motor vehicle, bus, train and otherwise)?
Will a person be able to walk or drive a short distance to shopping?
What is the look and feel of the neighborhood? 
Are there young people present? Do people seem to be enjoying themselves?
Are there good places for walking and facilities for exercise and physical fitness ... for young and old?
Are there good public schools close by ... and at South OC?
Here in Turtle Rock, Irvine, we have two of the most decorated public elementary schools ... Bonita Canyon Elementary ... and Turtle Rock Elementary School. University High School is famous and sought after by people around the world.
What are the local parks like? Are there children walking or playing in the parks?
What's the situation with the public water district? (Irvine Water District is a good example of forward thinking management).
Are there bank foreclosures in the area and tract? This would have a negative impact on real estate value.
Is the homeowner association solid with good management? What's the area crime rate like?
Where are the churches and places of worship?
ALL SIGNIFCANT QUESTIONS TO HELP DETERMINE BUYER DEMAND ... and VALUE.
Irvine, California ... especially at Turtle Rock ... has been relatively safe from falling home prices. We are at zip code 92603 and not completely immune from prices decreasing. But so what? We are near Shady Canyon, a gated community of custom-built homes no smaller than 3,800 square feet, Turtle Rock, one of Irvine's first five villages, and Quail Hill, a newer village near Shady Canyon.
That home prices have moderated opens a window of opportunity for buyers in Southern California and here in Irvine ... Turtle Rock, Quail Hill, and Shady Canyon.
Irvine is one of the best places to live. Here in Turtle Rock, we have great parks and are located close to companies and offices and to public university offices at UCI. We have some of the best public schools in California and some say best in the US. This all helps to make Irvine a good community where real estate values are supported and stable in all market swings.
Advice for Buyers? Find the right home for you and your family. Make sure you have down payment and can afford the monthly, property taxes and annual carry. Buy the home now at a good price and at the best possible time.
Advice for Sellers? If you are moving or need to sell your home, hire a good Realtor agent, get it on the market at a fair price to sell ... and move it along. You buy elsewhere and take advantange of the soft market from a buyer perspective.
Please contact us if you are interested to buy or sell a home here in Irvine and through South OC, California. Thanks. Harrison K. Long, Explore Group Properties, Coldwell Banker Previews.
Posted by Harrison K. Long, Explore Group Properties, Coldwell Banker Previews, Irvine, CA.
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No nonsense & exceptional real estate representation with focus on truth & values. In sales and as an advisor, Harrison has been involved in real estate with clients for more than thirty years.
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