Glenn's Blog

Those of you who woke up this morning Jan 27th at 5:00am experienced a beautiful colorful sunrise. The only reason I noticed this array of orange red was on the blind in our bedroom, woke us up and looked like the room was on fire. We rushed to the backyard deck to see the changes of color develop before out eyes. Except for the telegraph pole it could be anywhere in the world where they have palm trees. It's moments like this that we really appreciate living in such a great place as Fullerton, California.

First Team Real Estate office in Fullerton did it again with the food drive before Thanksgiving. In 2010 this local office together with the agents gathered over 3 tons of food to support "The Salvation Army's Food Basket Program". This year when we all first delivered the bags to the local neighborhoods we thought that it may be lower returns for the food. But something happened, even though all of us are having a leaner year the food we picked up this year was unreal....we have much more than 2010. Upon picking up the bags last week and until Sunday 20th we estimated that we have over 4 tons of food already. Several trucks came by today Mon am to the office to pick a load and they agreed that this year was overwhelming. The truck drivers also told us that the warehouses were running low this week and it was a welcome sight to see so much food at our doorsteps. It's times like this that we can all make a difference and help others. Thanks everyone, Glenn

 Andrea Auletta from First team Real Estate Fullerton is the force behind food for the hungry that we have participated every year since 2001 from our local office. Andrea is so passionate about this event she stapled 1000's of bags for the agents and made a short Video to show how important this is NOW. Last year our Agents dropped off paper bags all around the neighborhoods asking for food donations of any kind to help people in need. In 2010 the agents along with local resident's collected over 3.5 Tons of food to support "The Salvation Army's Food Basket Program". Usually the food for the hungry campaign goes for about one month and ends before Turkey day so those people in need can perhaps have a nice meal too. Again we are collecting food for "The Salvation Army's Food Basket Program" to help O.C. families during the Holidays.  Myself along with the other agents in our Fullerton office are happy to walk the neighborhoods to drop off 1000's of donated paper bags to help people who may not know where the next meal if any will come from. It's been a tough few years for most of us but when it comes to people being without the proper care, we come together and help others. If anyone who lives locally and wishes to contribute to this great cause please give me a call. First Team's address is 1400 N. Harbor Blvd, #101 Fullerton 92835. Thanks Glenn Ritchie 714-612-0663

All one could see was excited children for the last Thursday night at the Fullerton Market Halloween special event put on by the nice folks from the Museum. Several adults dressed up as well to support their children and joined the parade that went around the vendors showing off their costumes. Before the parade the kids collected candy at the many booths that have been there all summer. The beautiful Pumpkin patch that Carlene and her Husband placed on the market grounds was a hit and all enjoyed the variety of Pumpkins that they displayed. I handed out couple hundred pieces of candy to the kids and most of the vendors were out by night fall. My wife Maggie sometimes asked some them to perform a trick and two small boys did by performing their skills of stating the pledge for the cub scouts. They hit it right on by raising their hands as the proud parents looked on. A wonderful night was had by all who attended this nice evening at the Fullerton Market Halloween event.

The Beatles tribute band "HELP" played to a packed crowd at the downtown Fullerton market last Thurs evening Oct 13th 2011. Under a full moon, temperate night the band pleased everyone from the little ones as well as all the grey hairs in the audience. Even the tenants in the the apartments that surround the square sat in their balcony's enjoying all the good old Beatles numbers. I shot some video of the mums swaying and the couples dancing to the tune of "I feel fine". This tribute to the Beatles "HELP" have been all over and just landed a record deal or I should say a (CD) deal. One of the first songs that the Beatles released in Australia in 1963 where I grew up was "I want to Hold your hand" (click video link ), I still have that album in perfect nik. What a night we had, enjoying the music, seeing friends again and remembering those Mop Top Beatles days. It had to be the most packed Fullerton market night ever as the array of heads with standing room only in the square, let alone at the beer garden area. Hope you enjoyed the evening, from your friendly Realtor, Glenn Ritchie.

As usual the classic rock group "The Answer" put on yet another fantastic night of great memorable music. The Fullerton market in Downtown on Wilshire was packed to the brim. I saw The Answer tee shirts everywhere in the array of people watching this great classic group. The band consists of Kevin, Jim, Dave and Van one of the lead singers pelted out those favorites some of us all know. The vendors were busy from 4 til 6:00 then it all happened at 6:30 when the group started playing. From 5:00 to 6:20 most people had bought their veggies, ate the tri-tip, sucked down a few oysters bought their wife flowers then either left or settled in to listen to the group. I have never seen such a array of people in and surrounding the courtyard to enjoy the music, must have been 600 plus people just in the center let alone standing on the outside.It was great to see people dancing and moving to the beat.

What a night we had and there is more to come. A tribute to the The Beatles cover band "HELP" is playing 13th Sept 2011. No Real Estate booth for me that night as I'll be there with bells on swinging a bit and trying to sing to those "Beatles" tunes. See you there, Glenn Ritchie your local friendly Realtor.

I have been working with this couple the past weeks and found a little cheap fixer-upper property. I've had a lot of experience with old homes as mine was built in 1912. It was one of the original orange grove pickers homes here in the Fullerton, OC, California. So yes, I have had that knowledge of doing it up over the years with lots of hard work, love and expense. This lovely couple insists they want this type of house and at $299k (REO approved) it's real low for what normally sells in this area. Fullerton's average price in this neighborhood is around $425k. I asked them before we make an offer do you have any family to help you in the fixer-upper venture, they said no. Next I suggested obtaining a professional to give them an idea what you are heading into before you go the full gamut. They are aware that because it's a REO the bank will not do anything except when it comes to some health issues. But still they insist to go ahead and place a over the top offer. I'm fully aware that buying this crummy fixer in a good neighborhood is good thing for the long haul, but at what cost up front. 

I was happy that they took my advice and engaged a well respected contractor to give them an idea of what it would cost to at least bring this nice little house up to living condition. The end result was that the house was full of sub & dry-wood termites, sub floor has wood rot, roof has three layers, only a 35Amp panel and the foundation is not stable. Apparently over the years with earthquakes etc the house has moved a bit off the foundations.

The bottom line is, I was pleased we walked away from this quaint house and now ready to move on to something else that is cost effective for my clients. I really believe it's worth to pursue the right house so it's not too much of a burden my clients as it rewards you in the end. But how far does one go to inform any new clients that this needs deep pockets to completely do this home up before you can enjoy even living in it.  For myself, sometimes too much knowledge with older homes can be a little exasperating at times in this business. As I always say there is always a reason why it's this low price. Check out my blog for other helpful hints for your home buying or selling experience.

If the US Government was a family in say Fullerton, they would be making about $58,000 a year, spending $75,000 a year and are approximately $327,000 in credit debt. To solve the problem over time they are proposing BIG spending cuts to reduce their spending to just $72,000 a year. These are actual proportions of the federal budget and debt reduced to a level that anyone can understand. These are the figures that really put ones head into perspective the tough financial shape the US is in. One can't condem the S&P reason for downgrading the big U.. S of A. Perhaps this applies to most of us that we went overboard years ago and now it's haunting our financial system of what to implement first.

I'm beside today as I just received confirmation from London Olympic Games ticket committee that they received my application. Usually the host country gets the first dibs on the ticket allocation. So as to get a head start I emailed our request to our good friends in Brentford, England so they can request the events we wish to see. To our delight after making a date to talk and see them via Skype they also want to go with us to the same events.  The games start on the 27^thJuly 2012 with the Opening Ceremony that night at 7:30. After that we are looking forward to "Football" at Wembley Stadium, "Beach Volleyball"," Athletics" at the Olympic Stadium with Men's 100m, 200m final, 400 final, 400 hurdles and much more. All ticket holders receive a one day free transportation pass.  To give you an idea of our costs. Opening Ceremony start from $4k to $40, (ours $150 ea)  Beach Volleyball ours $90 ea, Football $30 and Athletics for the whole 4 hrs up to $900 (ours $180 ea). Rule of thumb is the bigger the venue like in the Stadium the cheaper the price. To travel in Greater London is expensive, so what we will do is use the FREE pass to say, go to a show or shopping then to the event.      

Fullerton "Five Star" award to Glenn Ritchie 2010.

I was so excited to receive a phone call from the "Orange Coast Magazine" to notify me that I was selected as one of the top real estate agents for 2010. The resulting list of "Five Star Real Estate Agents" is an elite group, representing less than 3 percent of all licensed agents in the Orange County area. Recipients were asked to evaluate only real estate agents whom they know through personal experience. The magazine hired Crescendo Business Services to find out which real estate agents have most consistently wowed their clients. Only original surveys--no copies-- in specially designed envelopes were valid.

I have lived in the beautiful "Hillcrest Park" area of Fullerton for over 33 years. The house, built in 1912, was used originally as a bunkhouse by orange grove pickers. I was a Professional photographer for many years and always loved working with people from all walks of life.  So here I am again helping people to sell or buy a nice home in Fullerton and other areas of Orange County. Past clients become friends and friends help each other when they need some helpful ways in making their home a better one.  

 Thanks OC Magazine for honoring me as one of the top 3% agents in Orange County for 2010.