Orange County Blog

Traffic Blues?  Help Arrives from Measure M & OrangeCountyResourceGuide.com

In spite of having the state divert many transportation dollars (intended for local road improvement) to the general fund, OC is in better shape due to Measure M assuring those dollars stay here. Mission Viejo puts its portion of the Measure M funds to great use:   Crown Valley Parkway, a major east-west arterial route, has been widened by one additional lane in each direction.  Additional turn lanes were constructed at 3 intersections.  These improvements were essential as Crown Valley’s current vehicle usage of 78,000 vehicles a day is expected to grow to 89,000 a day as more people are choosing to make South OC their home.  Additional traffic projects include traffic signal coordination on Oso Parkway. 

Whether heading off to a productive day of work, or a productive day of play, traffic flow is always an issue for South County residents. To check on "real time" traffic conditions, visit http://www.OrangeCountyResourceGuide.com/oc-traffic-conditions.html and make your travel time more efficient. 

To optimize your gas purchases, look for the lowest gas prices in your area at http://www.OrangeCountyResourceGuide.com/gas-prices.html

Are newspapers a thing of the past?  For many of Orange County’s savvy residents, online news is more practical as well as efficient.  We want read the news on our computers and on our phones, at our leisure or when we need our news on the go.  Newspaper content may be shrinking, but internet news is on the rise. Classifieds have declined drastically with the advent of sites such as Craig’s List and Monster.  Online news also makes it easier to find older information or to re-read that article that came out last week. Most of us would rather use a search function than dig through a pile of old newspapers! And don’t discount the importance of going green and reducing our carbon footprint.

Staying up to date on news is imperative to today’s Orange County residents, yet time is always a precious commodity.  For a quick, informative read of the latest in O.C. News, visit http://www.orangecountyresourceguide.com/oc-news/local-orange-county-news.html  The bullet point style encourages a fast scan of up to date news with the option of learning more as time and interest allows. OrangeCountyResourceGuide.com goes beyond offering the latest news.  Learn what each city offers, search for restaurants, entertainment, business listings, and more.   Stay current on “Everything O.C.” and don’t get left behind.

One of the top ten stressors in a person’s life is moving.  Whether the move is across country or across town, there is so much to do, so much to consider, so much to remember. Coming to the rescue for the harried homeowner is  www.orangecountyresourceguide.com   The Moving/Relocation tab http://www.orangecountyresourceguide.com/moving/relocation-resources/ has much needed resources to make the entire process run more smoothly. 

Take a moment to pursue the following articles:

* Watching Out for Real Estate Scams - Stop and look both ways before being "hit" by these real estate scams.
* Where Do Most Americans Want to Live? - If given the choice of living in any state, most Americans would choose California
* Living in the OC – Museums, shopping, camping, beaches…OC has it all
* Time to Move - Are You Ready? - So you’re serious about moving—obviously an important decision.  What do you need to consider as you are making plans
* Moving Check List - Making a list and checking it twice… there’s so much to do when it’s time to move. From researching the new community, choosing a moving company, turning on utilities, and even keeping kids and pets happy, the tasks can seem overwhelming. Keep this checklist handy to stay on track and ease the stress.
* Move Yourself or Hire a Mover? - Moving can be a physically and emotionally exhausting experience. Is it better to hire a mover or can you go it alone?
* Relocating & Taxes - Tax time can certainly be confusing, to say the least. Relocating, like most major events in life, comes with certain tax ramifications. Your tax professional can give you in depth information, but here are a few tips!
* Preparing Your Child to Move - Moving is hard work, both physically and emotionally. And for children, moving can be particularly difficult. They will have many questions and concerns. So before the packing begins, parents should start preparing their child for the big day.
* Packing Antiques and Art Work -Whether moving across town or across the country, it can be challenging to safeguard such fragile items as antiques and artwork. The key to arriving with all your precious pieces in one piece is to take your time in packaging your possessions and to use the correct materials.
* Registering Your Vehicle Upon Moving to California - Find out what's required to register a nonresident vehicle as well local DMV offices.
* Organizing the Dreaded Garage - It’s time to get organized!  Find out the best way to tackle that crazy clutter that is clogging your garage.
* South Orange County's Traffic Relief Alternative - New homeowners don’t just purchase a new house or condominium; they invest in a lifestyle. In South Orange County, the Toll Roads have been a boon to the community’s quality of life and have provided significant traffic relief for residents and businesses throughout the region.

Your home is supposed be to your castle, your sanctuary, and the one place where you feel safe and secure.Yet for many victims of violence, their home becomes not a place of refuge but one of fear. A comprehensive home alarm system is a great way to keep strangers out and keep you and your family safe.

Burglar alarms have become standard equipment in stores and other businesses, and they’re becoming increasingly common in private homes as well. If you have ever shopped for a home security system, then you are aware that there are a large variety of options available. These alarm systems range from impressive whole house security networks that require installation by professionals to small do-it-yourself kits that are available at a reasonable price and easy to install.

Homes without home-security alarm systems have a significantly higher break in rate. An alarm system is installed to detect and deter intruders. A basic security system will consist of both perimeter and space protection to secure your premise. The first stage secures vulnerable perimeter access points such as windows and doors. The second stage consists of motion detectors, which monitor movement inside the premise. The level of security you choose is determined by the number of protective devises and the sophistication of the system installed.

When shopping for a burglary alarm system it is imperative that you check out the system you are considering as well as the dealer. Some important facts to check are the following;

- Is the company local?
- Do they have a state license?
- Do they offer 24 hour service?
- Will the company work with your insurance company for reduced rates?
- Is there a warranty?
- Is there a service contract?
- Is the system monitored by a central station? Is there a live person or a tape recording on the other end?

A qualified company should perform an on-site inspection and discuss in detail your individual requirements. Each person and home or business is unique and the system you purchase should be tailored to fit your needs and price range. The company should provide you with an evaluation of your property and actions you can take to improve your security over and above the purchase of an alarm system. For example, some suggestions might be installing proper locks, adding additional lighting or clearing shrubbery.

Some less expensive security options include motion sensors and sound detectors, which can be used to turn on lights when triggered. If you live in a reclusive area, motion sensors on outdoor lights are an easy and inexpensive way to deter possible intruders on your property. Another option would be individual window alarms. These alarms are activated by vibration and are another excellent way to deter unwanted visitors.

Whether you choose a professional alarm system or the less expensive option, start by doing your research so you know what will best suit your needs. It's time to start your research. On www.OrangeCountyResourceGuide.com home page, type security in the keywords box.

REALTORS® Do More…..

The “REALTORS® Honoring Veterans” Campaign follows the “REALTORS® Building Homes for Heroes Effort” in which three REALTOR® associations: The Orange County Association of REALTORS®, the Laguna Board of REALTORS® and the Newport Beach Association of REALTORS® joined together to raise $250,000 to build a home for a combat wounded veteran in San Juan Capistrano.  The home will be one of 27 in a brand new Habitat for Humanity of Orange County neighborhood.

The “REALTORS® Building Homes for Heroes” campaign was a grassroots effort that relied on the generous contributions of REALTORS® and affiliates.  The home for a combat wounded veteran and their family shows the REALTOR® commitment to veterans and all that they do for our country. 

The REALTORS® Honoring Veterans Campaign is a wonderful continuation of the Orange County Association of REALTORS® commitment to honoring our servicemen and servicewomen.   

For more information on OCAR visit: www.orangecountyresourceguide.com/directory/listing.php?id=342  

When the big one hits, will you be ready?  Over 5 million people participated in The Great Southern California Shakeout (www.ShakeOut.org) on November 13, 2008, a drill to test our readiness to deal with the aftermath of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake.  A recent forecast found that sometime in the next three decades there is a 67 percent chance that the Greater Los Angeles area will experience a tremor of at least 6.7 – the same magnitude as the 1994 Northridge quake that killed 57 people.  A U.S. Geological Survey projection says a magnitude 7.8 quake along the San Andreas fault could cause 300 deaths in Orange County and bring down an unspecified 240,000-square-foot mixed-use building.  These sobering figures should move us to action.

What can you do to be prepared for a earthquake whether big or small?  Start by making a home earthquake plan.  Find a safe place in your home where nothing can fall on you away from windows or glass.  Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On at least twice a year by dropping under a heavy piece of furniture like a table or desk, holding on and protecting your eyes by pressing your face against your arm.  If no furniture is available, sit with your back against an interior wall away from bookcases, etc.  Identify and eliminate hazards in your home by bolting bookcases, china cabinets, and other pieces of tall furniture to wall studs.  Put sturdy latches on cupboards.  Lastly, secure televisions, books, and computers and other falling hazards.  Prepare a disaster supplies kit for both your home and car.  Some of the items to include would be canned food and a can opener, at least 3 gallons of water per person, protective clothing, bedding, battery powered radios and flashlights, extra batteries, written directions for turning off gas, electricity, and water.  A first aid kid and any necessary medications should be included in the kit as well.   Once this plan is in place, be sure that all family members, babysitters, and caregivers are aware of it.

Just as you can be prepared before an earthquake, there are tasks you can do once the shaking starts.  If you are in bed, stay there and protect your head with your pillow.  If elsewhere in your home, Drop, Cover, and Hold On, being sure to protect your head and face.  If outdoors, try to get to a clear area away from tall buildings, trees, and electrical lines and then drop to the ground.  If you are in your car, slow down and if possible, drive to a clear area away from buildings, etc. Stay in your car until the shaking stops. Through it all, try to stay calm.

Once the shaking stops, take an assessment of any injuries you may have sustained and then assess others for injuries.  Take a walk through your home, look for and extinguish any small fires. During your home inspection if you deem it unsafe, get out immediately. If you smell gas, turn it off.  But remember, only a professional can turn it back on!  Listen to the radio for information and use your telephone only to report emergencies.  Don’t be caught off guard by aftershocks as they are sure to occur.  Once again, Stop, Drop, and Hold On.

For a list of Orange County companies to help you "quake-proof" your home and family, go to the Search box on the Home Page of this Orange County Resource Guide and in the keyword box, type "Earthquake."