OC REALTOR®: July/August 2022

Summer of Fun Daytime temperatures are higher, daylight hours are longer, evenings are warmer, and youngsters are out of school. Summer is here!

Certainly, this is a good time to travel; but this issue of OC REALTOR® features descriptions of local activities, attractions, and amusements to help you and your family make the most of summer days and nights spent right here at home! And in some instances, as a member of OC REALTORS®, you can purchase tickets at a discount. on pages 24–31

CONTENTS JULY | AUGUST 2022

Summer of Fun Daytime temperatures are higher, daylight hours are longer, evenings are warmer, and youngsters are out or school. Summer is here! This issue of OC REALTOR ® features descriptions of local activities, amusements, and attractions to help you and your family make the most of your summer days—and nights. And, in some instances, as a member of Orange County REALTORS®, you can purchase tickets at a discount.

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

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COVER STORY

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President Adam Rodell describes some of the entertainment opportunities that are available to folks who are fortunate enough to live in “paradise.”

Sabrina Blair tells readers that art, food, movies, music, rides, and water beckon them to come out and enjoy the best of the season.

Make the Most of Summer

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Alumni: Where Are They Now?

Sabrina Blair asks three graduates of the Orange County REALTORS® Leadership Academy what they enjoyed about the Academy, where their leadership journey has taken then, and whether they would recommend the Academy to others.

SEA LEVEL RISE

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The Smart Coast California Policy Summit

Eileen Oldroyd advises that, because sea level rise is inevitable, we must prepare now for the worstcase scenario.

JULY | AUGUST 2022

Soak up the Sun

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Get Creative with Your Business

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OC REALTOR®

Sabrina Blair suggests some creative ways to make your marketing more enjoyable—and, perhaps, more effective— during the summer months

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Maximize Your Summer

Michelle McCann tells readers how they can use their special member benefits to save more, sell more, and enjoy more while giving their business a boost.

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Make This a Safe Swimming Season

Sherri Butterfield reminds readers that drowning is preventable and offers suggestions about how to prepare yourself, your family, and your pool for a safer swimming season.

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FEATURES

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The Orange County Housing Update: The Sky Is Not Falling Steven Thomas cautions readers not to jump to extreme conclusions about the impact of higher interest rates, ongoing inflation, and a potential recession on the housing market.

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Go Native—It Just Adds Up!

Speaking from personal experience, Eileen Oldroyd explains why relandscaping with native plants is an excellent way to conserve water, save money, minimize maintenance, increase curb appeal—and possibly qualify for a rebate or two!

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Member Anniversaries

Orange County REALTORS® recognizes and congratulates REALTORS® who are marking twenty, thirty, forty, and fifty years of membership in our Association and its predecessor boards.

DEPARTMENTS

On the Cover: Summer of Fun

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Print and Marketing Specialist Ivan Salmeron has created a collage of images that suggest some of summer’s best activities, adventures, and amusements.

Names in the News

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Education Central: Upcoming Classes by Track EVENTS

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2022 OCAR Cares Golf Tournament Featuring event photos and the names of winners and sponsors!

Follow us on social media Online Magazine

ORANGE COUNTY

REALTOR® MAGAZINE

Love OC REALTOR®? Did you know that you can read it online, anytime? Read past issues at www.ocrealtors.org/magazine.

25552 La Paz Road Laguna Hills, CA 92653

10540 Talbert Avenue, Ste. 225 West Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Mission Statement

949-586-6800

714-375-9313

2022 OFFICERS Adam Rodell President Scott White President-Elect Joyce Endo Treasurer Lori Namazi Immediate Past President Dave Stefanides Chief Executive Officer

2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Erin Barry Matt Cortez Bob Fox Christina Fu Michele Harrington Len Herman Jeffrey Jackson Lori Jones Paul LePage Chip McAllister Steve Mino

Ed Molina Eileen Oldroyd Pamela Pedego Vinil Ramchandran Randy Rector Lacy Robertson Mary Rampone Lynne Suzanski Stuart Thomas Lisa Yi

MAGAZINE STAFF Sabrina Blair

Breanna Reed

Sherri Butterfield

Ivan Salmeron

Director of Communications sabrina@ocrealtors.org Communications Specialist sherri@ocrealtors.org

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Accounting Administrator breanna@ocrealtors.org Print & Marketing Specialist ivan@ocrealtors.org

JULY | AUGUST 2022

OC REALTOR®

The mission of Orange County REALTORS® is to promote the REALTOR® Code of Ethics; to provide education, services, and resources to our members; and to advocate the protection of real property rights.

Notice to All Members It is the long-established policy of this Association, California Association of REALTORS®, and the National Association of REALTORS® to adhere to both the letter and spirit of the federal and state antitrust laws. For their own protection, members should be aware of the antitrust laws as they affect their specific business activities. Any illegal activity under the state and federal antitrust laws is not in compliance with Association policy, nor is it in the interests of the Association or its members. Participation in Association activities must occur only in harmony with these very important laws. Federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, or national origin in connection with the sale or rental of residential real estate, in advertising the sale or rental of housing, in the financing of housing, and in the provision of real estate brokerage services. The OC REALTOR® editor reserves the right to review and edit all submissions. Orange County REALTORS® makes no warranties and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily the opinions of Orange County REALTORS®. Orange County REALTORS® does not necessarily endorse the companies, products, or services advertised in this magazine unless specifically stated.

OC REALTOR® (USPS 025-445, ISSN 1945-2179) Volume 13, Issue 4, is published by Orange County REALTORS®, 25552 La Paz Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Periodicals postage paid at Laguna Beach, CA, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Orange County REALTORS®, 25552 La Paz Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653-5127. Annual membership dues include $6.09 for a one-year (6 issues) subscription to OC REALTOR® magazine. OC REALTOR® cannot be responsible for unsolicited materials.

Publisher: Orange County REALTORS® Printer: The Monaco Group

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Make the Most of

Summer offers you an opportunity to slow down and take time to notice, appreciate, and enjoy what’s around you.

By Adam Rodell

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aytime temperatures are higher, daylight hours are longer, evenings are warmer, and youngsters are out of school. Summer is here! For some, summer is a good time to travel. For others, it’s a good time to slow down, stay home, and enjoy all that Southern California has to offer at a more leisurely pace.

Toward that end, this issue of OC REALTOR® features descriptions of attractions and activities that are available around Orange County to help you and your family make the most of your summer days and nights. And in some instances, as a member of Orange County REALTORS® (OCR), you can purchase tickets to these attractions at a discount.

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OC REALTOR®

Photos: www.istockphot.com/onurdongel

2022 PRESIDENT, ORANGE COUNTY REALTORS®

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Come to the Fair

Celebrate at a Festival

The Orange County Fair opens at the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 15, and closes on Sunday, August 14. The theme this year is “Feel the Sunshine.” The Fair will offer all the usual competitions, concerts, food, and rides; however, because there are daily capacity limits, if you plan to attend, you will need to purchase tickets in advance.

Whether it’s apples, dates, grapes, olives, strawberries, or watermelons, there’s a festival to celebrate the harvest and savor the flavor. Watch local newspapers for announcements of what’s ripening where and when.

Cruise Down a Lazy River

Many Chambers of Commerce join with local restaurant owners to sponsor “A Taste Of” events.

These events provide a unique opportunity to familiarize yourself with menu items, enjoy old favorites, try a new dish or two, and support local businesses—all to the beat of a good band.

The redesigned Wild Rivers Water Park at the Great Park in Irvine offers more than twenty acres of restaurants and rides, including a wave pool, multiple water slides, and the opportunity to take a leisurely cruise down a lazy river.

Take a Quick Trip Around the World Each evening, beginning on July 7 and continuing through September 2, you can visit seventeen countries in ninety minutes through the magic of “living pictures” at the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. Watch as cast members in costume and makeup bring famous works of art to life on stage in an outdoor theater under the stars. This year’s theme is “Wonderful World,” and the show features art from all over the globe. OCR members can save 20 percent by using a discount code when they purchase tickets online.

Enjoy Concerts in Local Parks Warm summer evenings are an ideal time to enjoy an outdoor concert in a local park. The County of Orange and OC Parks are hosting live concerts in local parks on Thursday nights starting at 5:00 p.m. In addition, the City of Fountain Valley is presenting Concerts in the Park each Thursday in July from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fountain Valley Sports Park.

Savor a New Flavor

Experience a Pier Southern California has several piers, each with its own personality. For example, the Huntington Beach Pier, which is a short walk from Main Street, boasts multiple good places to eat and provides excellent views of the ocean and coast.

Visit a Museum Orange County is home to museums that hold collections of everything from dinosaur bones to vintage aircraft. Among the more interesting ones are the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, the Discovery Cube Orange in Santa Ana, the Lyon Air Museum at Orange County’s John Wayne Airport, and the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin.

Take a Class or Two In your free time, take a class or two. For ideas, look at the course listing on the Education Central pages in this issue of OC REALTOR® or watch for special announcements online in the Orange County REALTORS® What’s Up.

We live in paradise with so many entertainment options that it is impossible to list them all. We apologize if we have failed to include your favorite. Whether you use the summer months to work, travel, and learn or simply to relax and enjoy some fun in the sun, be careful. Take good care of yourself and those you care about.

OC REALTOR®

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Photos: www.istockphot.com/Egor Suvorov

NAMES IN

NAMES IN THE NEWS

THE NEWS

Fountain Valley Chamber Presents 2021 Business and Leadership Awards On March 30, when the Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce honored outstanding 2021 businesses and leaders, Orange County REALTORS® (OCR) was recognized for its efforts in Housing and Real Estate, and OCR President Adam Rodell was there to accept the award on OCR’s behalf. In addition, OCR Member Brian Genovese received the 2022 CEO Award for being Fountain Valley’s “greatest ambassador.” Brian has served as both president of Kiwanis and chair of the Chamber. He sits on the boards of directors for the Schools’ Foundation and for the Miss Fountain Valley Scholarship Program.

Shown with Assemblymember Janet Nguyen at Legislative Day (from left to right) OCR 2022 President Adam Rodell, OCR Government Affairs Director Dirissy Doan, and Orange County REALTORS® CEO Dave Stefanides.

Representing C.A.R. Region 32 at Legislative Day were (from left to right) Laguna Beach Board of REALTORS® CEO Bobbie Jordan, Orange County REALTORS® CEO Dave Stefanides, and Newport Beach Association of REALTORS® CEO Kimberly Foreman.

Pictured at Legislative Day with Assemblyman Steven Choi (who is holding the Orange County REALTORS® sign) are Orange County REALTORS® CEO Dave Stefanides, OCR 2022 President Adam Rodell, and OCR Director Lisa Yi.

Fountain Valley Appoints Maggie Le as City Manager At a meeting on June 7, the Fountain Valley City Council voted unanimously to appoint Maggie Le as its next city manager. Ms. Le, who had been serving as deputy city manager, was selected from a list of thirty-six candidates derived from a nationwide search conducted by Bob Hall and Associates to fill the position. She transitioned to her new position four days later, on June 11.

Visiting with Assemblyman Steven Choi (second from right) are Charleen Nagata Newhouse, Paula Cosenza, Joyce Endo, Dave Stefanides, Jim Thor, and Lisa Yi. OC REALTOR®

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NAMES IN THE NEWS

OCR Members Attend C.A.R. Legislative Day 2022 Assemblymember Janet Nguyen (center) welcomed Orange County REALTORS® (OCR) members to the state Capitol in Sacramento for Legislative Day. Sponsored by the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.), this annual April event offered REALTORS® an opportunity to meet with their state legislators to discuss real estate–related issues.

Coastal Commission Says No to HB Desalination Plant On May 12, when the California Coastal Commission considered the proposal by Poseidon Water to construct a desalination plant on an industrial brownfield site next to the AES power plant off Newland Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach, the final vote was a unanimous no.

Modeled after the successful Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, the 50-milliongallon-per-day Huntington Beach Desalination Plant, which had been going through the permitting process for twenty years, had been proposed as a means of producing a reliable local supply of drinking water for 400,000 people, thereby reducing the drought-stricken region’s reliance on water imported from either Northern California or the Colorado River.

But opponents declared, “We are not desperate for the over-priced water Poseidon will produce,” and asked members of the Commission to “stick a permanent trident through the heart of the project,” which they did.

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OC REALTOR®

Photo by Dustin Lam

NAMES IN THE NEWS

VNARP Southern California Installs Its First Officers On May 20, when the recently founded Vietnamese National Association of Real Estate Professionals (VNARP) Southern California held its installation gala, OCR Leadership Academy graduates Mindy Luong, Van Gordon, and Bryan Ahn were installed as founding president, secretary, and sponsorship chair, respectively.

OCR 2022 President Adam Rodell served as the installing officer.

For the printed event program, Orange County REALTORS® CEO Dave Stefanides wrote a message which read, in part, “This is a partnership where the value of one plus one is much more than two, where the effect of Orange County REALTORS® and the Vietnamese National Association of REALTORS® working together, diversifying our members’ talent, skills, and experience, will infinitely amplify our shared goal of homeownership for all.”

Anaheim City Council Considers Honda Center Project In December 2019, the Anaheim City Council voted to sell Angel Stadium and 150 acres of surrounding property to SRB Management, a business partnership of Angels owner Arte Moreno, in exchange for $180 million in cash and $170 million in “community benefits,” including a seven-acre public park and homes for low-income residents. As a part of the deal, SRB Management committed the Angels to play in Anaheim through 2050. But the Anaheim City Council voided the sale in May after its chief champion, former Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu, became one of the subjects of an FBI investigation and resigned.

With the stadium deal dead, Anaheim has refocused its attention on the Honda Center project called OC Vibe.

Although smaller than the canceled stadium development, this project is similarly expected to deliver apartments, office space, entertainment venues, restaurants, hotels, affordable housing, and public parks—all at no cost to city taxpayers. Detailed plans for the project have been filed with the city, and a public workshop is set for early July. With a City Council decision likely this fall, construction could begin by the end of the year. “As far as I’m concerned,” said longtime local real estate agent Paul Kott, “this project is fulfilling the original 2006 vision of what the Platinum Triangle was to be.”

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NAMES IN THE NEWS

On June 3, when the Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce and the Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce co-hosted a luncheon at the Lake Forest Beach and Tennis Club, the featured speaker was Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes.

Sworn in as a deputy sheriff in 1989, Barnes rose through the ranks of the department to become undersheriff in 2016. In 2018, when Sheriff Sandra Hutchens announced that she would not seek reelection to a third term, she endorsed Barnes for the position. Barnes defeated Duke Nguyen in the 2018 general election and was sworn in as Orange County’s fifteenth sheriff-coroner on January 7, 2019.

Asked about the increase in thefts from parked autos, Sheriff Barnes said there would soon be a campaign to encourage drivers to lock their cars and not leave valuables inside.

In addition, consideration is being given to legislation that would require the makers of catalytic converters to put numbers on them for identification.

Photos by Marion Butterfield

Co-Chamber Luncheon Features Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes

Talking with Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes are (from left to right) Laguna Niguel Councilmember Fred Minagar; Saga Conroy, community outreach director for Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner; Kathryn Morrison, clerk of the board for the Orange County Council of Governments; Lake Forest Councilmember Scott Voigts; and Kelley Lee, government relations manager for Southern California Edison.

Pictured with Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes are (from left to right) OCR Director Ed Molina, OCR Government Affairs Director Dirissy Doan, Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce CEO Mary Visconte, and Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Memory Bartlett.

Photo by Marion Butterfield

Congresswoman Young Kim Campaigns in Mission Viejo On June 1, when Congresswoman Young Kim brought her congressional campaign to Mission Viejo, REALTORS® Paula Cosenza and Pam Pedego were among those who welcomed her to the Mission Viejo Swim and Racquet Club. Congresswoman Kim, who recently became a grandmother, termed homeownership “the first step in realizing the American Dream” and declared that she is fighting not solely for her generation or even for her children’s generation, but now is fighting for the generation beyond that one. Kim, who was elected to represent California’s 39th Congressional District in 2020, became a candidate to represent the 40th District—which includes Anaheim, Chino Hills, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Tustin, and Yorba Linda—when the district boundaries were redrawn.

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NAMES IN THE NEWS

In Memoriam

Harrison Kenneth Long December 7, 1946 – May 8, 2022

By Sherri Butterfield WRITER AND EDITOR The gentleman and good friend whom we knew as Harrison K. Long and affectionately called by the initials “HKL” passed away on May 8, 2022, six months after being diagnosed with leukemia. Those who knew him well and admired his patriotic spirit recognized the irony that he was born on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day and passed on the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Harrison was born in Salina, Kansas, on December 7, 1946.

His father, also named Harrison, enlisted in 1942 to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps and eventually flew fifty bomber missions over Germany and Italy. After returning home, he developed a sarcoma in his leg. The cancer spread to his lung, and he died in 1955, when young “Kenny” was only eight years old, leaving Harrison’s mother Opal to raise five children (three boys and twin girls) as a single mom.

After his father’s death, Harrison had a very close relationship with his grandparents. His childhood revolved around family, church, and choir. He enjoyed music, singing, and playing the clarinet and oboe. His passion was sports, especially neighborhood pickup games of football and basketball. At Salina High School, he played tennis competitively, was on the basketball team, and ran track. He served on the student council, sang in Madrigals and musical productions, and was elected president of his senior class, which numbered 543.

Harrison received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and American Studies from the University of Kansas. He studied for a semester at the University of Kansas School of Law and then decided to leave Kansas and come to California.

With a keen eye for clothing, Harrison worked as the manager at Grodin’s, a San Francisco–based retail men’s department store chain.

But his first real career was in law.

He completed his studies and earned his Juris Doctorate from Western State University College of Law in Anaheim in 1975 and passed the California Bar exam and obtained his law license in 1976. He went on to practice law for twenty-seven years, focusing his talents to assist clients with their real estate and business legal needs. He served on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Bar Association and volunteered as a judge pro tempore for the Orange County Superior Court. After Harrison transitioned to his next career, he continued to work select cases and was an attorney for fortyfive years in all.

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NAMES IN THE NEWS

Long interested in real estate, Harrison studied the subject. He obtained his real estate license in 2004 and later earned his broker license. As a REALTOR® with HomeSmart Evergreen Realty, Harrison believed in practicing real estate the ethical way and prided himself on helping clients make the best possible decisions about California property, whether for residential living or for investment.

In that same year (2004), Harrison joined Orange County REALTORS® (OCR).

He was keenly aware of the impact that government policies have on the business of real estate. He understood the importance of working with both state and federal legislators to ensure that the real estate market operated fairly and that the taxes on real estate were not excessive, and he was a tireless champion for both tax fairness and private property rights.

At various times, Harrison served on all of OCR’s government-related committees and chaired both the Local Government Relations South (LGRS) Committee and the Political Affairs and Elections Committee (PAEC). In addition, he served on several California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) committees, including the Transactions and Regulatory Committee, the Legislative Committee, and the Legal Affairs Forum. As a member of OCR’s Board of Directors, he developed a reputation for helping to keep meetings on track by calling the question when the discussion seemed to stray off topic or to drag on too long.

“He would speak up for what he believed in, and he would go out of his way to help people in any way that he could.”

On December 7, 1996, at a party celebrating his fiftieth birthday, Harrison met Christi Anthony. Of this initial encounter, Christi says she extended a brief “Hello and happy birthday!” During subsequent get-togethers, Christi found that Harrison was kind and a good conversationalist, and she loved his baritone voice! The two discovered they had much in common. They both lived in Irvine.

They both enjoyed swimming, biking, and playing tennis. And they both were runners.

In fact, Harrison completed twenty-three marathons as an adult.

Three years later, on November 20, 1999, Harrison and Christi were married in the Irvine Presbyterian Church. Christi had been employed for many years as a pharmaceutical sales representative, but Harrison recruited her to join him in real estate—a task that was not terribly difficult because Christi’s mom had been a real estate broker for thirty years!

“Trust and loyalty were really important to Harrison,” says Christi, his partner in life, marriage, and real estate. “His focus was on ethics and doing the right thing. He was a born advocate who enjoyed using his negotiating skills to protect his clients. Above all, Harrison valued people and relationships.

He would speak up for what he believed in, and he would go out of his way to help people in any way that he could.”

Names in the News is intended to be primarily a place where REALTOR® and Affiliate members of Orange County REALTORS® can share both personal and professional news—about births (of children or grandchildren), graduations, weddings, anniversaries, accomplishments, awards, and other milestones— with one another. If you have news to share, email it to Orange County REALTORS® Writer and Editor Sherri Butterfield at Sherri@ocrealtors.org.

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OC REALTOR®

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

By Sabrina Blair DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PROGRAMS The Orange County REALTORS® Leadership Academy was launched in 2016 because 2015 President Rita Tayenaka and other Directors saw a need for new blood in leadership roles at the Association level and decided to form an academy to train, grow, and nurture leaders. Now in its fifth year, the Leadership Academy has seventy-eight graduates. To give readers a better idea about what the Academy can do for members, we are featuring graduates in OC REALTOR®. To learn more about the Leadership Academy or to apply for the next class, visit www.ocrealtors.org/la.

Have you always been a natural leader or interested in leadership roles?

Surprisingly for myself, I would say yes. Looking back at what I did in the past, from organizing kids to help homeless animals when I was in the third grade, to evacuating lower grades at my school after the Chernobyl explosion, to running a Cultural Committee at the University, to serving on EMT at Fluor Daniels after relocating to the USA, and so on. I never thought about what I was doing as being, or wanting to be, a leader. Instead, I was focused on achieving a goal for the groups that I was a part of.

Graphics by: Ivan Salmeron

Where has your leadership journey taken you since graduation?

What leadership roles have you obtained?

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In 2020, in response to COVID-19 pandemic, with a group of my fellow OCR Leadership Academy Alumni, Yami Martinez and Spencer Hoo, and two REALTORS® from out of state, we organized REAL Estate Pros Without Borders, a group that grew to almost 2,000 within the first few months. Today, this group is well known and respected in the industry not only in the United States but also beyond. In 2021, four of us from the OCR Leadership Academy also founded a local Los Angeles/Southern California Council of the International Real Estate Federation at FIABCI-USA and made up a core group of the Board of Directors for this newly formed group. For two consecutive years, 2020 and 2021, Yami Martinez, Spencer Hoo, and I were honored by RISMedia as RISMedia Influencers.

What advice or words of encouragement would you give to someone who is considering applying for the Academy?

Do not wait! Do not hesitate, do not doubt yourselves—apply for the Academy now! The experience you will gain, knowledge you will receive, and skills you will learn are unique and will help you not only as a rising leader, but also as a professional and a human being. Friendships you will create will last forever, and a support network you will be a part of will be there for you in business and in everyday life.

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OC REALTOR®

Photo by www.istockphoto.com/Eoneren

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY ALUMNI

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Have you always been a natural leader or interested in leadership roles?

I started my leadership journey in high school, as captain of the Drill Team, and later grew into professional leadership, when I owned a real estate and lending company with forty agents.

Where has your leadership journey taken you since graduation?

What leadership roles have you obtained?

Just recently, I have taken on the health care management for my father and have started a wholesale mortgage brokerage, Villa Home Loans, Inc.

What advice or words of encouragement would you give to someone considering applying for the Academy?

It is true that when you give, you get back tenfold on your investment.

Leadership Academy is an investment in yourself, and the benefits include growth and friendships, both personally and professionally.

I encourage anyone to reach out to me if they have specific questions.

I would love to share with you!

What was the biggest thing you gained from participating in the Academy?

The biggest thing I gained was learning how a Board is structured, as well as how to motivate others as a leader. This helped me when I joined the Baltic American Freedom League Board and as President of that organization in February 2020.

Where has your leadership journey taken you since graduation? What leadership roles have you obtained?

In 2021, I completed a term as a California Association of REALTORS® Director. I also became President of the Baltic American Freedom League.

Photo is with Baltic American Freedom League member and Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina, who was the author of the Ukrainian Lend-Lease Act that passed recently.

What advice or words of encouragement would you give to someone considering applying for the Academy?

If your gut is telling you to join the Academy, do it. Being in a leadership position, there will always be obstacles. Leadership waits for no one.

WHAT GRADUATES SAY ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY "I never thought about what I was doing as being—or wanting to be—a leader. Instead, I was focused on achieving a goal for the groups that I was a part of."

—Olesya Drozdova

"Leadership Academy is an "The biggest thing I gained was investment in yourself, and the learning how a Board is structured, benefits include growth and as well as how to motivate others friendships, both personally and as a leader." professionally."

—Conrad Mazeika

—Patty Carpenter OC REALTOR®

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SEA LEVEL RISE

The Smart Coast California Policy Summit “All people are by nature free and independent and have inalienable rights. Among these are enjoying and defending life and liberty; acquiring, possessing, and protecting property; and pursuing and obtaining safety, happiness, and privacy.”

—California Constitution, Article 1, Section 1

By Eileen Oldroyd

Poseidon is a Greek god. His domain is the oceans. Along with that, he has a big chip on his shoulder. Could it be because he’s the middle child in constant sibling rivalry with Zeus and Athena? Perhaps it’s because his father swallowed him as a kid? Either way, he’s been holding a grudge for a few thousand years, and it’s payback time in the form of sea level rise.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), our coastlines may see up to a twelve-inch sea level rise by 2050. While Poseidon is being all passive-aggressive with hurricanes and cyclones, working out his daddy issues, we humans need a superhero. Enter the Smart Coast California Policy Summit to save the day.

Established in 2019, Smart Coast California is a 501(c)6 organized by real estate industry professionals to promote and advocate for property rights and smart land use policies affecting California's 1,100 miles of coastline. We are fortunate that they also organized a summit, so experts could educate us about coastal policy and sea level rise planning.

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OC REALTOR®

Illustration by www.istockphoto.com/rudall30

ORANGE COUNTY REALTORS® DIRECTOR

SEA LEVEL RISE Hosted in Long Beach, this summit was a full day of speakers and panels that spotlighted the inevitability of sea level rise and offered solutions to protect our coastal communities.

The audience was a gathering of REALTORS®, government affairs directors, elected officials, scientists, economists, attorneys, insurance professionals, and representatives from the California Coastal Commission.

A panel of local government officials explained how they organized their local coastal programs and whether climate migration is the right decision for their cities.

We also heard from several attorneys who explained California constitutional law and what our rights are as land and property owners.

Coastal engineers said that abandoning the coast should be the last option and explained that there are many innovative ways to create shoreline protection—including armoring, dredging, sea walls, artificial reefs, wetland restoration, and jetties—before abandoning a beach-front home.

At the end of the day, we were hopeful and felt well informed. We realized that • Each community is unique, and we need an arsenal of solutions.

• Long-term planning may change short-term solutions. In other words, how much money and effort should be invested on a strip of land if only to abandon it in less than ten years?

• It’s a group effort. Working together with planning commissions, local and state officials, engineers, environmentalists, the Coastal Commission, utility companies, and the community is the key to success.

• Despite all our efforts, sea level rise is inevitable, and we must prepare for the worst-case scenario.

Don’t get me wrong! Poseidon needs therapy, and he will continue to wreak havoc until he is able to reclaim the coastline. Until then, even though we are mere mortals, we are fortunate to have a few tricks up our sleeves, thanks to Smart Coast California!

For additional information, visit Smartcoastca.org.

“Green” Eileen Oldroyd is the Broker/Owner of Oldroyd Realty in Mission Viejo. She is moderately obsessed with all things green, and her mission in life is to save the planet, one real estate transaction at a time.

Photo: Smart Coast California

“Despite all our efforts, sea level rise is inevitable, and we must prepare for the worst-case scenario.”

California Association of REALTORS® 2022 President Otto Catrina (on the left) was among the REALTORS®, government affairs directors, elected officials, scientists, economists, attorneys, insurance professionals, and representatives from the California Coastal Commission who attended the Smart Coast California Policy Summit in Long Beach on May 20.

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SUMMER OF FUN

the Sun (and Stars) Art, food, movies, music, rides, and water beckon you to come out and enjoy the season both during the daytime and in the evening.

Photo by www.istockphoto.com/ Macrovector

By Sabrina Blair

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PROGRAMS The kids are out of school, the days are longer, and the weather is warmer. Summer is in full effect!

Whether you prefer the hot days or the warm evenings, there is plenty for everyone to do during the summer months. We have compiled a list of activities around Orange County so that you can make the most of your summer days and nights.

Wild Rivers Is Back!

If you were around this area before 2011, you most likely found yourself visiting Wild Rivers at least once. The water park was a staple in Irvine from 1986 until its closing in 2011.

Now, it’s back and bigger than ever at the Great Park in Irvine!

According to the website, the new water park is double the size of its predecessor at more than twenty acres with twenty rides and three restaurants to boot. Make a day of it and have some fun in the sun at the wave pool, in the lazy river, or on one of the many water slides. Details are available at www.wildrivers.com.

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SUMMER OF FUN

Our annual fair returns to the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds starting on July 15 and lasting until August 14. The theme this year is “Feel the Sunshine,” so we suggest you do just that and grab some funnel cake while you’re at it! All the usual fun and games will be there, but you must purchase your tickets in advance because there are capacity limits each day. In addition to the usual fair food and festivities, you can catch a wide variety of performances at the Pacific Amphitheatre, such as Kool & the Gang, Trevor Noah, Counting Crows, Smokey Robinson, Boy George & Culture Club, plus many more! Details are available at www.ocfair.com and www.pacamp.com.

See the World with Pageant of the Masters

Music in the Park For the music fan who enjoys the outdoors, there is the OC Parks Summer Concert Series. The County of Orange and OC Parks are hosting live concerts in parks all over Orange County on Thursday nights starting at 5:00 p.m. The featured musical acts include Yachty by Nature, the Aquabats, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and Tijuana Dogs. To view the schedule, visit www.ocrealtors.org/summer-series.

Movie Night by Sunset The County of Orange and OC Parks are also hosting a series of movie nights in the park. The OC Parks Sunset Cinema series will offer showings of Encanto, The Mummy, The School of Rock, Back to the Future, and many more old classics and new favorites. If you are a movie lover, take in a sunset and enjoy a movie under the stars! To view the schedule, visit www.ocrealtors.org/summer-series.

Visit seventeen countries in ninety minutes through the magic of living pictures at the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach beginning on July 7 and continuing through September 2. This year’s theme is “Wonderful World,” and the show features art from all over the world. If you’re unfamiliar with Pageant of the Masters, it offers a “theatrical performance where famous works of art are brought to life onstage” in an outdoor theater under the stars. Orange County REALTORS® members can save 20 percent by using the promo code OCR22 when they purchase tickets online. Discount excludes loge center seating and premium seats. To purchase discount tickets, visit www.ocrealtors.org/discount.

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Photo by www.istockphoto.com/ Macr1koff

Feel the Sunshine at the OC Fair

SUMMER OF FUN

Ideas for Networking This Summer

Consider throwing a garage sale, hosting an ice cream party, or sponsoring a booth at a community event.

By Sabrina Blair

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PROGRAMS

Graphics by: Ivan Salmeron

Summer is not only an ideal time for fun but also a good time to move! With the kids out of school, some families may decide to make that big move they have been talking about for a long time.

You can use this special time of year to connect with potential clients while networking in the community.

S A LE

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Throw a Community Garage Sale

It’s an oldie but a goodie! Summer is the ideal time to dig through your garage and clear out all the stuff that’s been taking up valuable storage space in there for so long. For this reason, we suggest hosting a community garage sale. It’s a great opportunity to get to know your farm better and become more than just a face on a postcard. Bring water bottles and snacks with you to hand out to participating homeowners. Consider ordering customized wrappers for the water bottles with your contact information on them. It’s a memorable way to meet people so that you become the first person they think of when they decide to sell—or buy.

You can host an ice cream party as a stand-alone event or combine it with a community garage sale. Either way, hire an ice cream truck to hand out ice cream sandwiches, popsicles, and other frozen fun in your neighborhood.

Who doesn’t enjoy a cold treat on a hot summer day? It’s a great way to get your face out there and get to know the folks in your farm.

ICE CREAM

Graphics by: Ivan Salmeron

Host an Ice Cream Party

SUMMER OF FUN

PARTY

CONE SS

HAKE SM

ALTS

BARS

Another great way to meet members of the community is to get involved with a local event such as the Orange International Street Fair. You can sponsor a booth and will have a constant flow of traffic if you offer giveaways. Because this event is outside, consider giving away mini electric fans or some other “cool” item that people will appreciate on a warm summer day. Make it less about handing out business cards and more about connecting with people, having fun, and giving back. People will remember someone they connected with over good food, good music, and good times.

Photo by www.istockphoto.com/ Macrovector

Sponsor a Booth at a Community Event

GIVEAWA Y

Disclaimer: Before hosting an event in a residential area, check with your broker and contact the local homeowners’ association, if applicable.

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SUMMER OF FUN

Discounts on everything from movie tickets to car rentals will help you minimize your spending while you maximize your savings—and your fun! And special member benefits will enable you to personalize your marketing campaign and give your business a boost.

By Michelle McCann MARKETING AND PROGRAMS MANAGER

I

t’s finally summer! Whether you are spending your summer lounging by the pool and enjoying backyard barbecues or working long hours and supercharging your career, we have a selection of member benefits and discounts to maximize your summer with savings!

Work Hard, Play Harder Stay entertained this summer while going easy on your wallet! We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite entertainment discounts so having fun won’t break the bank. If you are looking to beat the heat, enjoy a movie with discounted movie tickets available to purchase in both offices. We also offer membership discounts online for tickets to Pageant of the Masters, Pacific Symphony, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and various amusement parks through Benefit Hub. Visit our discounts page at www.ocrealtors.org/discounts to look up ticket prices or buy them online.

Or maybe you are looking to really unplug this summer and take a much-needed break? Give your car a break too and rent one! As an Orange County REALTORS® member, you can get 25 percent off rental cars through Avis or Budget.

Hotel Engine also offers members an average of 26 percent off public hotel rates. Visit www.ocrealtors.org/discounts to find out how you can get away on a budget.

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Graphics by: Ivan Salmeron

SUMMER OF FUN

Keep Cool with Fast Access to Housing Data Of course, we want every season to be homebuying season, but summer is often the pinnacle of the housing market. This summer, show your prospects that you have a keen sense of the market by providing current market data, including buying and selling trends and community insight.

Members of Orange County REALTORS® have access to OC Market Snapshots for both attached and detached homes, as well as our Monthly Housing Summary for a more comprehensive look at Orange County, which can be personalized to your brand.

In addition, you can access specific Orange County neighborhood data with OC FastStats.

All these market tools are available online at www.ocrealtors.org/market-data.

Add Sizzle to Your Summer Marketing Campaign Although summer may be a busier season for work and play, it is also the perfect time to give your marketing strategies and concepts a boost.

Your marketing plan should reinforce your strengths as a REALTOR® and make prospective clients aware of all the creative ways in which you will showcase a home to today’s savvy buyers. Utilize the tools to which you already have free access as a REALTOR® to build easy, highresolution property flyers and beautiful, mobileready single-property websites. Switch things up a bit and try Rela, one of your member benefits, at www.ocrealtors.org/rela.

Slay and Save with New Technology

A V F

Add new technology this summer like threedimensional virtual home tours to your marketing package using just your smartphone. Threedimensional virtual tour platforms, like Asteroom, show your prospects that you are thinking beyond a few photos to market their listings and set you apart from the competition. Asteroom is offering an exclusive deal whereby Orange County REALTORS® members can purchase Asteroom for $75.00(MSRP = $109.00) and receive one free/complimentary dollhouse processing, one free/complimentary image enhancement, and one month of subscription membership. To take advantage of this special offer, visit www.ocrealtors.org/asteroom.

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Photo by www.istockphoto.com/ EpicStockMedia

SUMMER OF FUN

Brush up on your swimming strokes, learn how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, teach young children to swim, never swim alone—and no matter where you go, watch the water!

By Sherri Butterfield WRITER AND EDITOR

W

hether you spend summer close to home or travel to a distant vacation spot, the lure of water is irresistible. Water can be both delightful and dangerous.

Of course, the primary danger associated with water is drowning.

Drowning is suffocation by submersion. It can occur in as little as twenty seconds and will occur within three minutes. In the United States, an average of 3,500 to 4,000 people drown each year. That is about ten drownings a day.

According to the Orange County Fire Authority, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children under the age of five, and the second leading cause of accidental death in children under the age of fourteen. But adults fifty years old and older account for more than half of the drownings each year.

Tragically, nearly half of all drowning incidents are fatal. And although most victims of nonfatal drowning recover, some are left with long-term neurologic deficits, especially where the submersion was longer than six minutes or there was a lack of early bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

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Drowning is suffocation “ by submersion. It can

occur in as little as twenty seconds and will occur within three minutes.

”

Most drownings of young children occur in home swimming pools. The most common reason children drown is a lapse in active adult supervision. Adults drown because they swim alone, and no one is around to help them if they are injured, suffer a seizure, or otherwise become incapacitated while in water.

The tragedy of drowning is preventable. If you have not already done so, prepare yourself, your family, and your pool now to make this a safe swimming season.

Preparation, Precautions, and Prevention

1. Prepare yourself. Learn to swim. Increase your water competency so that you are better able to anticipate, avoid, and survive common drowning situations. Be aware that children drown without a sound. Know how to spot a swimmer in trouble.

Practice treading water and other skills you might use to aid a swimmer who is struggling or to keep yourself afloat until help arrives. Brush up on rescue and lifesaving techniques—including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

5. Install at least two safety devices. For example, to prevent a small child from entering your pool unnoticed, install an unclimbable, five-foot fence between your residence and the pool. Install a selfclosing and self-latching device with a release mechanism at least 54 inches above the floor on the door of your home that leads directly to the pool. And place in your pool a motion-sensing alarm that will sound in the event of accidental or unauthorized entry.

2. Never swim alone. Even if you are a skilled swimmer, always swim with a companion who can provide help if you need it.

6. Teach children to swim. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the likelihood of a childhood drowning death by 88 percent.

3. Avoid mixing prescription medications, alcohol, and water. In far too many instances, this combination has proven to be fatal.

7. Insist that youngsters wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water, such as ponds, lakes, rivers, or the ocean, even if they know how to swim.

Graphics by: Ivan Salmeron

SUMMER OF FUN

4. Prepare your pool. Mount a lifesaving ring, a shepherd’s hook, and a CPR sign near your pool. And keep a working phone close by to summon help quickly in an emergency.

1. Never leave a child alone near a pool, spa, bathtub, toilet, water-filled bucket, pond, or any other standing body of water in which a child’s nose and mouth might become submerged.

2. Supervise youngsters when they are near water. Do not rely on either swimming lessons or flotation devices to make any child “water safe.” When swim time is over, be diligent about ensuring that no child reenters the water unnoticed, unaccompanied, or unsupervised.

3. Keep your eyes on your own child. Do not allow children to play unsupervised in the pool or spa area of a hotel, motel, or club, and do not assume that the lifeguard on duty at either a private club or a public pool is watching your child.

Photo by www.istockphoto.com/ Dezein

Supervision

4. Remain within arm’s reach of any very young child who is in water.

5. Designate a Water Watcher. During pool parties and other similar social gatherings, ask responsible adults to take turns supervising the pool or spa area and make the assignment official by giving the designee a Water Watcher tag to wear.

6. If a child is missing or unaccounted for, look in the pool area first.

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THE ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING UPDATE

Many are jumping to extreme conclusions about the impact that higher interest rates, continuing inflation, and a potential recession will have on the housing market.

By Steven Thomas REPORTSONHOUSING.COM Steven Thomas has a degree in quantitative economics and decision sciences from the University of California, San Diego, and more than twenty years of experience in real estate. His bimonthly Orange County Housing Report is available by subscription and provides housing market analysis that is easy to understand and useful in setting the expectations of both buyers and sellers. His website is www.ReportsOnHousing.com.

W

hen you look up the name “Chicken Little” in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, the more general definition reads, “one who warns of or predicts calamity, especially without justification.” Economists are used to the constant chatter about recessions, bubbles, and plunging home prices. The current economic environment has amplified the noise: surging interest rates, the highest inflation since 1981, and a volatile stock market. These factors will undoubtedly have an impact on the economy and housing, but not to the extent that some “experts” predict and many people fear. The sky is not falling when it comes to housing.

“The sky is not falling when it comes to housing.”

Most people remember the burn of the Great Recession. It happened either to them specifically, to a family member, or to a friend. There was an unstoppable wave of foreclosures and short sales. Home prices plummeted, erasing years of incredible gains.

Unemployment jumped and took more than six years to recover. The Great Recession was the largest economic downturn since the Great Depression, and it has left deep scars on society. Flash forward to today where home prices continue to soar, interest rates remain elevated above 5 percent, housing is beginning to slow, and many are pointing toward an imminent recession.

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THE ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING UPDATE

When pundits start talking about a potential recession, everyone immediately recalls the Great Recession and expects the economy and housing to behave exactly as they did in 2007. They forget about the other recessions where housing values continued to rise. Today’s housing has an extremely strong foundation with years of tight lending qualifications, large down payments, fixedrate mortgages, plenty of nested equity, and limited cash-out refinances.

Only two of the past six recessions negatively impacted housing values here in Southern California, and both were caused by the housing industry. The savingsand-loan crisis of the 1980s and early 1990s led to a recession and an erosion in home values that started in August 1990. One of the main reasons for this recession was unsound real estate lending practices.

The Great Recession began in 2007 after the March subprime meltdown. Easy credit, pick-a-payment plan, subprime lending, zero-down loans, easy qualifying, adjustable teaser rates, and fraudulent lending all led to the largest downturn since the Depression.

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At the beginning of June, the Orange County housing supply reached 2,940, a sharp rise from the 994 homes on January 1, but still far below the three-year average before COVID (2017 to 2019) for the same time of year, 6,501 (see Figure 1). That is 121 percent additional homes, more than double. That’s a lot to make up just to get back to more normal levels. Keep in mind that the inventory levels since 2012 have been remarkably muted compared to what they were during the Great Recession, and this trend has become more pronounced each year.

Graphics by: Ivan Salmeron

Figure 1. At the beginning of June, the Orange County housing supply reached 2,940, a sharp increase from the 994 homes on January 1, but still far below 6,501, the three-year average before COVID (2017 to 2019) for the same time of year.

In housing, during a slowdown, demand falls, the active inventory rises, and it takes longer to sell a home. During the Great Recession, there was a glut of homes available to purchase and demand was muted. Consequently, home values plunged.

In Southern California, there were nearly 120,000 homes available in 2007 compared to the 22,000 homes available at the beginning of June 2022, over five times more.

Today’s missing ingredient that would lead to falling home values is supply. The number of homes on the market today is far below averages before the start of the pandemic when values were still rising, but at a much more methodical pace.

THE ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING UPDATE

“Demand is not going to plunge from here”

Demand is muted compared to its elevated levels of the past several years and lowerthan-normal levels before the pandemic, yet it is matched up against an abnormally muted supply of homes available today. This combination has resulted in the Orange County housing market’s continuing to be a Hot Seller’s Market. The Expected Market Time, the time between hammering in the For Sale sign and opening escrow, has risen from 20 days on March 31 to 43 days in June, more than a three-week increase.

“The sky is not falling.

Instead, housing is transitioning from an insane, unhealthy velocity to a much more normal, methodical, ‘steady as she goes’ pace.”

Figure 2. At 43 days, the housing market is no longer insane. Anything below 40 days is considered a crazy market. Anything below 60 days is considered a Hot Seller’s Market. From 60 to 90, it is considered a Slight Seller’s Market. The market is balanced between 90 and 120 days. It does not become a Slight Buyer’s Market until the Expected Market Time eclipses 120 days.

At 43 days, the housing market is no longer insane.

Anything below 40 days is considered a crazy market, and the housing market was below that threshold from August 2020 through the end of May. Anything below 60 days is considered a Hot Seller’s Market. From 60 to 90, it is considered a Slight Seller’s Market. The market is balanced between 90 and 120 days. It does not become a Slight Buyer’s Market until the Expected Market Time eclipses 120 days. And values do not fall swiftly until it is a Deep Buyer’s Market, above 150 days. The 43-day mark is nowhere close to a Balanced or Slight Buyer’s Market (see Figure 2).

As the inventory rises and demand remains stable, the Expected Market Time will continue to rise slowly. It will remain a Seller’s Market this year, but it will take longer for sellers to find success, especially as the year progresses. Sellers will no longer get away with overpricing their homes. To find success, sellers will have to arrive carefully at their asking prices, taking into consideration the most recent comparable pending and closed sales.

The sky is not falling. Instead, housing is transitioning from an insane, unhealthy velocity to a much more normal, methodical, “steady as she goes” pace.

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Graphics by: Ivan Salmeron

With swiftly rising mortgage rates so far this year, demand, the prior thirty days of pending sales activity, began to slide after reaching an early peak on March 31 at 2,286. It normally rises during the Spring Market and peaks between the end of April and the end of May. After reaching that premature height, demand dropped by 10 percent. It was at 2,046 at the start of June, which is still 26 percent lower than the three-year average before COVID, and 33 percent lower than last year. Demand is not going to plunge from here. The housing market has already digested 5-percent-plus rates, and plenty of buyers are looking to purchase at these higher rates.

Go Native—It Just

Adds Up! Relandscaping with native plants is an excellent way to conserve water, save money, minimize maintenance, increase curb appeal, and possibly qualify for a rebate or two.

By Eileen Oldroyd

ORANGE COUNTY REALTORS® DIRECTOR

BEFORE

“Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow?

With silver bells, and cockle shells, And pretty maids all in a row.”

—English nursery rhyme Mary’s lush garden may be perfect for Jolly Old England, where it rains one-third of the year; but in Southern California, we are in a drought emergency. The stats are these: Lake Mead and Lake Powell are at the lowest levels in history; the snowpack in the Sierras is the lowest in seven years; overuse of ground water is shrinking our aquifers; and California water restrictions are on the horizon. Every drop counts! We don’t have enough water in some parts of the state to meet normal demands.

Because 50 to 75 percent of household water usage is for landscaping, this is your quest: Ditch your waterhogging grass and replace it with California natives!

My husband and I took the native plunge two years ago. We removed our front lawn and replaced it with a California garden. I wanted to transition years ago, but I made a deal with the hubby that we would keep the lawn until the mower quit working. Unfortunately, I failed to factor his mechanical prowess into the equation. He kept that ancient mower limping along well past its expiration date. Did you know that they still make parts for a 1972 mower?

AFTER

Wait! I don’t want cactus in my front yard.

Au contraire, mon frère. Let’s get up to speed, shall we? We live in a chapparal, not the desert. Very few cacti are native to Orange County. If you visit Tree of Life Nursery in San Juan Capistrano, which has specialized in California native for the past forty years, you will be enlightened by hundreds of species of flowers, shrubs, and trees.

Planting a native garden seems like more work and maintenance. Ah yeah, but no. Compared to the care and feeding of lawns, native plants are on a whole different level of easy-peasy.

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Graphics by: Ivan Salmeron

LANDSCAPING

LANDSCAPING

Why are lawns a bad idea?

1. Lawns need to be watered. A lot. Remember, 50 to 75 percent of household water usage is for landscaping.

2. Lawns cost a lot of money to maintain. To keep your Kentucky Bluegrass lush and weed free, you may need seed, fertilizer, pesticides, a lawn mower, weed killer, an edger, weed whacker, leaf blower, etc. Oh, and don’t forget the gardener!

3. Lawns are terrible for the environment. Those fertilizers, weed killers, and pesticides you just paid for poison the soil and ground water. In addition, the gas-powered equipment coughs out copious amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.

BEFORE

AFTER

Why natives are an excellent idea.

Besides the water savings, here are other reasons to switch to native plants.

1. Native plants know the soil. This is their turf.

Literally. No need for fertilizers. Living here for thousands of years sets them up for success no matter what extreme weather conditions Mother Nature throws at them.

2. Native plants know the bugs. No need for pesticides. Full disclosure: We occasionally have aphids, but those can be removed with ladybugs, a good spray of water, or neem oil.

3. Native plants create biodiversity. They provide food and shelter for local birds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Not to mention the refuge they provide for different migratory species. The amount of wildlife activity in our garden is dazzling.

FUN FACT: Did you know that there are dozens of bee species in North America? Yet most people can name only two: the honeybee and the bumble bee. All species of bees and other pollinators play a crucial role in our food supply.

As a result of habitat loss, climate change, pesticides, and disease, the bee population is declining at an alarming rate. Native gardening can play an important role in slowing the bee decline and helping to increase their numbers.

4. Native plants are low maintenance. Once established, they are on autopilot. They just hang out and do their thing, which makes them a godsend for those of us who lack a green thumb.

5. Native plants increase curb appeal. What would you rather have, a carpet of Bermuda grass and box hedges like every other neighbor? Boring!

Or a collection of trees, flowers, and shrubs teaming with color and wildlife? It’s also a great conversation starter with the neighbors. Tell them you’re a REALTOR® while you debate drip irrigation versus hand watering. No brainer!

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LANDSCAPING

The answer to this question falls in the category of, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” Yes, droughttolerant plants use less water. Yay! Despite this advantage, many drought-tolerant species are invasive, meaning that they can cause harm to the ecosystem. Boo! A stellar example of an invasive drought-tolerant plant is Sahara mustard, which was imported from Europe. It flourishes in our dry climate, so much so, in fact, that it has taken over the habitat of the California poppy, our state flower. Take notice the next time you see a field of bright yellow mustard flowers. Our beloved poppies are barely there or have disappeared entirely. To get acquainted with some of the usual invasive suspects, visit www.epicgardening.com/invasive-plant-speciesin-california.

How do I get started?

1. Visit bewaterwise.com, Metropolitan Water District’s site for water-saving rebates and grants, landscape classes, water-wise garden inspiration, and dozens of helpful tips about how to lower your water bill.

2. Visit your local water utility website for landscaping classes, landscape design, maintenance, support, and—my favorite— rebates. We received a rebate of $1,650 ($3 per square foot) and took advantage of Santa Margarita Water District’s free landscape designer.

3. Stop by the Tree of Life Nursery on the Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano or visit their website californianativeplants.com for inspiration and design ideas. You can even work with them to find out how to landscape so that you will have flowers all year.

By far, the best part of having a native garden is knowing that we are doing our part not only for water conservation but also for the environment. We are proud to give anyone a tour to point out the benefits and the beauty. No more excuses. It’s time to take the leap into native garden awesomeness!

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FUN FACT: Did you know that expansive lawns date back to the sixteenth century, when they were used by aristocrats to show off their wealth? Also, after World War II, lawns were hustled as peer pressure to increase morale. Yet, that is a story for a different day.

When you get down to it, do you really need a front lawn?

Before you plant one, give some thought to that question.

“Green” Eileen Oldroyd is the Broker/Owner of Oldroyd Realty in Mission Viejo. She is moderately obsessed with all things green, and her mission in life is to save the planet, one real estate transaction at a time.

"In place of grass, the

relandscaped yard includes a statue, a fountain, and a pathway that meanders past a variety of native plants in full bloom."

Graphics by: Ivan Salmeron

Why not use the droughttolerant plants that I can find in every garden department?

Photos by: Jerry Mancuso & Marissa Hughes

EVENT

2022 OCAR Cares Golf Tournament Closest to the Pin - Men: Rob Jones

Putting Contest: Dana Halden

Closest to the Pin - Women: Terri Glenn

1st Place Mixed Team: Bryn Hutchinson, Aaron Rosen, George Delgado, and Jared Price

Longest Drive - Men: Justin Hales Longest Drive - Women: Erica Dose

1st Place Men's Team: Bill Senteno, Jackson Hahn, Rod Brewster, and Justin Hales

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EVENT

Photos by: Jerry Mancuso & Marissa Hughes

Photos Provided by OC REALTORS®

For more photos of this event, visit www.ocrealtors.org/golf22

Thank You to Our Sponsors

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ANNIVERSARIES

Orange County REALTORS® recognizes and congratulates the following members for their years of membership with us. We appreciate their commitment!

Al Agalzov Roger Akhavan Scott Alden Grace Alipour Melissa Allen Carrie Allen Schniepp Carlos Alvarez Dawn Anderson Lisa Anderson Jeffrey Anderson Chandy Andre Anaivett Araoz Richard Archbold Suneeti Argade Ahmad Arshi Mike Ashrafi Anne Ayres Matt Babayan Saul Barajas Lance Barker Mary Kay Barnes David Bayley Lisa Bayley Carolyn Behrens David Berman David Biehler Jim Bishop Robert Blatman Elizabeth Brine Flo Bullock Joanne Bunte Susan Burge RJ Burke Trent Byer Alan Bynder Frances Caldwell David Campbell Athena Casey Arthur Castaneda Donna Castaneda Don Cavanaugh Robert Cenzer David Chae Ming-Lee Chang Yvette Chasse 42

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Joanne Chivers Yeota Christie Connie Chung Nancy Clark Teresa Clark Shelley Cohen Gabe Cole Mike Conley Gloria Connelly Colleen Cook Scott Craig Sharon Dahlberg Linda Danahy Lorie Davies-Morris Nancy Davis Kay DeRight Roshni Desai Herb Dittrick Doug Dunlap Suzanne Dwight Patrick Dwyer Kevin Ellis Tracy Ettinghoff Frank Farahbakhsh Moham Michael Farmer Nilou Farshchi Grissell Feliciano-Damiani K. Kevin Feng Catherine Ferrell Tom Field Brian Fischer Michael Fischer Shauna Fogal Denise Fortain-Hall Mike Gaffney William Gaffney Alex Gallardo Nora Gallogly Todd Gan Zohre Ghazi-Askar Eric Giat Andy Gillespie Paula Gilmore Laura Ginn Nancy Glass OC REALTOR®

Annika Godfrey Ray Goldmann Sarah Goldschmidt Gary Gonzales Celia Gonzalez Sean Grange Jennifer Greenberg Daniel Greve Tracy Gurzi Christina Haidl Liz Hansche Koorosh Hariri Dean Harizavi Bridgett Harris Elly Harris Linda Hartanov Paul Healy Kim Hegeduis Richard Henderson Peggy Henrichsen Greg Herder Frances Hicks Saiful Islam Farzi Javaheri Karam Jivani Tim Johnson Kent Johnston Charles Jordan Kent Jorgensen Joanne Kennedy Gerri Keysor Shadi Kian Kathleen Kiang Scott Kidd Mary Kim Gaylyn Kinnett Gary Koch Vickie Kruhmin Cayenne Kuang Julieanne Lam Phan Ron LaMantia Ray Lamoureux Susan Lamoureux Amy Lao Ben Lara

Keith Larson Jeff Lawson Pat LeBienvenu David Lee Kwon Lee Steve Lee Donna Legan Jose Lemus Jacqueline Lennon Marci Lewis Karen Lichty Michael Lichty Ted Lingenfelter Mickey Link Rose Liscomb Dan Lloyd Julie Locke Ron Luna Yevonne Luo Linh Ly Chuck MacGregor Rula Malas Fred Mandegari Richard Mandel Georgette Mannion Patricia Maples Jon Margolis Rick Marlin Steven Marowitz Richard Marquez Erin Martin John Martin Tony Massod Angela Mastromonico Sue Mathis Ron Mazzano Rita McCook Stacy McCullough Sherri McEuen Teresa Mihelic Bryon Minton Mari Miyamoto G Moritz Tony Morrison Darya Muradyan

ANNIVERSARIES Paul Murphy Charleen Nagata Newhouse John Dinh Ngo Hien Nguyen Jeff Nguyen John Nguyen Thien Nguyen Tom Nguyen Karen Nichols Jennifer Niou Linda Ocampo Salome Ollangg Ramin Ostowari Stephany Panlilio Panagiotis Papadopoulos Vicki Paparella Betsy Parker Maureen Parsons Cathy Patel Nikki Patnoe Steven Paysen Tony Pellegrino Paul Pellizzon Lee Pirouzian Joe Piscopo Julie Pooley Kimberly Portugal Jennifer Posey Veronica Potter Mark Priegel Marc Raine Leonardo Ramil David Ramirez Mary Reyes-Gallegos Gaylene Rice Lisa Richmond Christopher Robin Charles Roe Peggy Roegiers Chelsea Roger Odile Romans Vicki Rosenstein Nick Roshdieh Bo Sandulescu Evelyn Santilena-Cost Denise Scandura Al Scappaticci Dale Schrieber JP Seal Niranjan Shah Christina Shea Winnie Shiao Laura Shirangi Joseph Shmurak David Simard Rich Slepack Suzanne Smith William Soto Steven Soukup Pam Spadafore

Laurie Sparks Diane Sprague Scott Stanford Sue Stanton Jim Stotz Micah Stovall Stephanie Stretch Nelson Strickler John Sullivan Tracy Sutherland Kathleen Sutton Wyn Dee Swartz Joe Syiek Halina Szlanta Celinda Taylor Gail Thompson Trish Timmons Jenny Todd Ronko Tomich Luis Torres Chan Tran Erin Valovich Duane VanHandel Pamela VanHeuver Andrew Vanos Tom VanTuyl Alex Vellandi Yolanda Venecia Alfredo Villarreal Virgie Vincent Natalie Vizir Stephanie Vogt Rocio Wagner Deborah Walden Connie Waldron Dani Walker Heather Walker-Bobbitt Randy Wang Helen Weatherby David Welp Norie Whittaker Dina Williams Ken Williams Mark Williams Patty Wisdom Craig Wise Penny Wise Bruce Wolter Julie Wright Clinton Yap Tom Yi Kaye Yokota Michael Young Diane Youra Sandy Yuen Susan Zaker Abbas Ziae-Mohseni Zen Ziejewski John Zimmerman

Dan Morgan Steve Morton Geraldine O'hanlon Anne Pappas-Hipp Carrie Parent Robert Pellkofer Jack Roemer Mark Roknich Richard Snyder Anita Sriram Dennis Stacy Pat Thatcher-Santoro Steven Thomas Clara Tu Cristi Ulrich Tom Vo Fazi Yazdi

Jim Allensworth Robert Armstrong Manuel Bernal Bob Bochniarz Sylvia Boisseranc Medi Boloorian Kenneth Bowen Nancy Cloward Michael Dipilla Lucy Diprofio Robin Gray-Hite Vivian Hamer Steve Haythorne Geri Hulon Steve Kagel Daniel Kun Clark Macgillivray Cynthia Montinola

Betty Elkins-Rice Elvira Evanoff Myna McCutcheon Tom Nash Maxine Putnam

Lorraine Reyes Mel Samick Jim Zakhar Julie Zetland

Dot Higginbotham Rosemarie McKowen-Miller Michael Mouw Larry Schley

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