I just know the guys in our IT Department are going to beat me silly for this posting, but in the interest of “full disclosure,” there is an alternative to the PC you’re probably using to do your work - it’s called a Mac. For example, my home is become a dual platform place. I’ve worked on PC’s using Windows for years… and recently I’ve added a few new Macintosh computers with Intel processors.  They’re the new line of Mac’s that are speedy and more like the PC.  Specifically, I’m using a MacPro to run video editing software and sometimes play on a MacBook (laptop) when I want to sit on the couch (like right now).

My Mac-converted buddy forwarded me a link to a story that he thought our PMZ agents might find interesting. It’s a feature on Apple’s Small Business site about how one agent in the bay area uses a Macintosh for many aspects of his business. Broker Michael Dreyfus of Dreyfus Properties in Palo Alto switched from PC to Mac.

“I just wanted to get away from the whole Windows platform of pain,” he says. “The Mac is easier to network, it doesn’t have viruses and it’s easy to use.” The broker also knew that his firm would have easy access to cutting-edge imaging and video techniques that would impress potential homebuyers. Using his Macs, Dreyfus can give his clients a chance to tour homes on the Internet before they even set foot in the foyer. “We can use iMovie and QuickTime to create virtual tours ourselves,” he says. “In the past all of that was done by a third party. Now time is money and getting things done quickly is very important. With the Macs, we can do it ourselves.”

Now I’m not encouraging you to switch to Mac. But you should probably be aware of the differences between Mac and PC so you can choose a platform that will give you the tools to be the most successful agent possible. PC’s have many more software choices, but are prone to deadly viruses and more glitches. Macs are more graphically oriented and, usually, easier to use but they are more expensive. They both have their positives and negatives - so get on Google.com and do some research!

To read the story on Apple’s Small Business website, click here.

A few people have asked me how I was able to get such good pictures with rich colors and sharp images when I headed up into the foothills last weekend. They assumed that I used a professional camera with expensive lenses. Nope! It was a simple point and shoot camera. So, I’ve been asked, what would I recommend for those looking to get a good digital camera at a reasonable price. And no, I don’t get some sort of kickback from Canon for this recommendation!

If you’re looking for a camera that you can tuck away in your pocket, take on vacation or use to shoot pictures of your new listings, then the Canon PowerShot A550 might be just what you’re looking for. It’s easy-to-use and easy-to-hold, gives you 7.1 Megapixels, a reasonable 4x Optical Zoom Lens. The nice part is you don’t have to get special batteries and charge it - because the A550 uses standard “AA” batteries. Best thing is that it’s very low price - around $200 bucks.

Don’t let people talk you into getting more “megapixels” unless you plan on displaying your images in 20 inch poster size in a gallery. In fact, I also have a Canon EOS-1D (the same camera used by Associated Press photographers around the world), and it’s only 8 megapixels - and costs $3500 (yep, three thousand five hundred) and that doesn’t include the lenses. Comparing $200 bucks to $3500 isn’t even close!

Being the deal finder that I am, here’s probably the best deal right now. Costco is selling the Canon PowerShot A550 and bundling a 2 gig memory card with it for just $199. That includes shipping (assuming you’re a Costco member). That’s a heck of a deal in my opinion. In fact, I have a Canon SD500 that I paid about $300 bucks for a year or two ago - and it doesn’t have all the features of this camera AND I have to use special rechargable batteries.

According to Digital Photography Review, Canon is the most popular camera brand followed by Nikon. If you’re interested in reading all about digital photography and reviews of cameras, tips, etc. then you might want to visit this popular site. I use it as a resource a lot >> Digital Photography Review. Happy picture snapping!

Bloomberg News| Friday, March 30, 2007; D022
The economy grew at an annual pace of 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter, hobbled by slumps in home building and in corporate spending that show few signs of abating.

The growth rate for the gross domestic product, the value of all goods and services produced in the country, had been initially calculated at 3.5 percent and was revised to 2.2 percent last month, the Commerce Department said.

For all of last year, the economy grew 3.3 percent, compared with 3.2 percent in 2005. The growth rate in the third quarter was 2 percent.

Increases in mortgage defaults and foreclosures threaten the housing industry and raise the prospect of a prolonged economic slowdown. The Federal Reserve’s prediction that the economy will continue to expand at a moderate pace hinges largely on the job market and rising wages.

“The fourth-quarter softness is overwhelmingly laid at the doorstep of the housing slowdown,” said Richard DeKaser, chief economist at National City, a large financial holding firm based in Cleveland. “The drag will be with us all year, though not at the rates we saw last year.” Read the rest of this entry »

Modesto Bee | March 30, 2007 | By BEN van der MEER
The meltdown in subprime lending is affecting more homeowners, with default rates in Modesto, Merced and other valley cities among the highest in the nation.

According to data company First American LoanPerformance, about 13 percent of subprime loans in Modesto were delinquent by more than 60 days in December 2006, up from about 3 percent a year earlier.

Modesto’s increase, third-highest among U.S. cities, comes ahead of foreclosure numbers for the first quarter of 2007, due to be released in early April.

Subprime loans are made to borrowers who do not qualify for other loans because of poor credit. Lenders charge higher interest rates because of the risk involved.

Foreclosures in the Northern San Joaquin Valley have spiked in recent months because of the slowdown in the housing market and rising interest rates that made mortgage payments unaffordable for many. Read the rest of this entry »

By Sandra Fleishman | Special to The Washington Post | Saturday, March 31, 2007; F01
Sure, there are plenty of houses sitting and sitting on the market in some neighborhoods. Despite that, there are still sellers getting those coveted contract offers.

Nationally, there’s more than a six-month supply of existing homes for sale. In some parts of Northern Virginia, the inventory is more like 8 or 10 months.

So how are successful sellers doing it? The basics triumph in a buyer’s market, real estate agents say. Price, location and condition are uppermost.  Click READ MORE… Read the rest of this entry »

INMAN NEWS - Mortgage rates posted mixed movement this week as sales of new homes and higher-than-expected inflation offered an unclear economic outlook, according to surveys conducted by Freddie Mac and Bankrate.com.

In Freddie Mac’s survey, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage held at an average 6.16 percent, while the 15-year fixed fell to 5.86 percent from 5.9 percent last week. Points, which are fees lenders charge for loan processing expressed as a percent of the loan, averaged 0.4 on the 30- and 15-year loans. Read the rest of this entry »

PMZ Real Estate is pleased to announce the association of Brenda Rau with our Modesto Residential Brokerage Division. During the last five years, Brenda has coordinated over 300 real estate transactions with over 30 successful real estate agents here in the Central Valley. Brenda is confident that by working hard in a professional and enthusiastic manner, her clients will be satisfied with the outstanding service and attention they receive.

Please join me in welcoming Brenda to the PMZ Family!

Most Americans are moderately upbeat about their family’s financial prospects this year, with 57% expecting some improvement in their financial situation and another 10% expecting a lot of improvement, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. This generally optimistic outlook for 2007 comes from a public that is sharply divided in the way it assesses its financial situation right now.

Read the report by clicking here.

SAN ANDREAS - Families on tight budgets who scrimp on water and the relatively wealthy folk who irrigate large expanses of home landscaping could get some slack under a proposed water rate deal for the Calaveras County Water District.

District directors said Wednesday they also support an effort to work with county officials to find a legal way to subsidize a lifeline rate for water and sewer service for customers on fixed incomes and low-income families.

By July, district officials expect to impose the first of five annual increases for water and sewer rates.

Read the full story by clicking here

In a world where jet-setting billionaires drop $20 million on a pied-a-terre, there is much in these homes to protect.And those in the security business are happy to oblige.

As people became more conscious of protecting themselves after Sept. 11, 2001, the home security market boomed, according to industry reports by Parks Associates, a Texas-based market research company. Just under a quarter of Americans now own an electronic home security system, and that number is expected to rise 8% through 2008.

Read Forbes article by clicking here.