DiMarco Realtors February 2018

DiMarco Realtors February 2018

107 S. El Camino Real San Clemente, CA 92672 1902Wright Place, 2 nd    Floor Carlsbad, CA 92008 888-271-7760 | DIMARCOREALTORS.COM | FEB 2018 News From Your Real Estate & Loan Consultants For Life DiMa r c o ’ s 2 C e n t s

My parent’s story isn’t a sensational or exceptional one. In our nation’s history, many families have made sacrifices to come to the United States. Still, I’ve found great meaning in their story and have carried it with me in my heart since I was a child. Growing up, my sisters and I dreamed of having a love like theirs. Love Across the Ocean My father, Onofrio, served in the Italian army at a time when all men were required to do two years of service. But he was itching to come to the United States. Right before his mandatory time was up, he left Italy with his two brothers. For four years, they worked in Venezuela until they were able to come to America. They moved toWarren, Michigan, and found work. Some time after settling in Michigan, he returned home to visit his parents in Italy with one of his brothers.While he was home, Onofrio was invited to a wedding. At that wedding, some friends told him he would meet a sweet, beautiful woman, and he should get to know her. Not only was my mom, Anna Maria, at that wedding, so was her best friend (now my aunt). My father and his brother met these two lovely women and were enchanted. Anna Maria began to date Onofrio, and her best friend began to date his brother. There was a catch, of course. My dad had only 30 days left in Italy. Because he had left the military just shy of his mandatory service time, staying longer would put him at risk of being apprehended by the Italian government. Knowing one another just 30 days, banking on only their feelings for one another, Anna Maria and Onofrio married. They were married in Arpino, Italy, close to my father’s hometown, and went on their honeymoon. It’s a tale of the love that kept them together. It’s also a story of believing in one another when everything else is uncertain. That woman was my mom.

Right after their honeymoon, my dad got on a ship and sailed to Ellis Island so he could become a U.S. citizen. He got his citizenship, and after five months, he was able to bring my mom over on a plane to join him. My mom took the biggest chance of her life, leaving her family and everyone she knew, to come to America with my dad. I’m so glad she did. Last year, Onofrio and Anna Maria celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Today, my parents remain as in love as they were 51 years ago. They’ve been the best parents my sisters and I could’ve asked for, and they are amazing grandparents to our children. This month, they celebrate their 51st anniversary, and I’m dedicating this newsletter to them.

Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad. I love you!

Love,

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Andy Says...

H ome S ellers : B e C areful N ot to S abotage Y our O wn H ome S ale

and subtly pump the seller for information. And nothing in the Realtors’ Code of Ethics prevents a buyer’s agent from pulling personal information out of a seller when the seller is willing to provide it. This brings us to something a seller should never say and the one phrase that must be learned. The best response for a seller to any question that may affect negotiations is this: (a) Do not answer the question at all, and (b) simply say,“You will have to ask my agent that question.” A seller should never try to answer an agent’s questions or discuss topics with a buyer, regardless of how innocent it may seem.You know the drill for personal rights: Anything a seller says can and will be used against the seller when the buyer enters negotiations to buy that home. A listing agent is a buffer between the seller and the buyer, including the buyer’s agent. Let your real estate adviser earn her commission and protect your investment.

During the time when your home is being marketed for sale, it’s easy to inadvertently say or do the wrong

thing — something that could prove to be very expensive. So here’s our best advice: When a Realtor or prospective buyer (accompanied by their agent) is touring your home, it is in your best interest to vacate the property. When sellers are at the property during a home tour, they will, obviously, act friendly and have good intentions to be helpful. But commonly, this will have the opposite effect on the prospective buyer. It’s usually that the prospect just doesn’t feel comfortable, like the seller is hovering over them. The bottom line is that tours provided by a seller tend to be disastrous. Further, even when the seller steps away during the tour, their comments made on the prospect’s way out can create big problems. For instance, buyers’ agents love to casually

Millennial Talk With Danielle DiMarco, College Student and ‘2 Cents’ Columnist

As a 20-year-old who is on every social media site,I notice that social media is no longer a world for young people.As the need to be social online grows,more apps arise.Here are short and sweet explanations I have put together for the three social media sites I think you all should know about.I mean,it’s 2018 — you need to know how Snapchat works!

Twitter This social media platform is a little more complicated, but not too hard to explain. Basically, you create an account, search people and “follow” them (just like Instagram), and make posts (statuses, photos, or videos), which are called “tweets”.You can also “retweet” or share other users’ tweets. Twitter is especially popular among journalists, politicians, and comedians. Fun fact: There are around 500 million tweets posted per day. People really do have a lot to say! Snapchat This one is a super easy concept.You take a picture or video, send it to your

Instagram This is a popular platform where anyone can post their pictures and videos for people to see. By “following” someone, you will see all their posts on your app’s content feed.You can “like” posts and comment on them, too. People you follow will continue to show up on your app unless you “unfollow” them. It’s a great app for sharing photos with your friends and family — and the world! Fun fact: The most liked Instagram post to date is Beyoncé’s pregnancy announcement photo, which has over 11 million likes. I have to give it to her — it’s, like, the best pic.

friend(s), and they can only view it for 1–10 seconds. If you like, you can chat with people instead of taking a picture or video. There is also a Snapchat “story,” where you can post something to be seen by all your friends on the app. This app is perfect for sharing the little every- day things because it will eventually disappear! Fun fact: Approximately 90 percent of all photos shared on Snapchat have to do with a beverage that someone is drinking. I guess some find it necessary to show people what they’re using to stay hydrated. Stay tuned next month to find out more about millennial culture!

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St. Valentine & The Romans

Give Your 2 Cents

Here’s your quiz question for the month:

I travel the world without leaving my corner.What am I? Send your answer to [email protected] for your chance to win a $40 gift card!

Sweet & Zesty Detox Salad

Ingredients For the Salad: •

3 cups chopped kale leaves

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2 cups chopped broccoli florets

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2 cups chopped red cabbage

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1 cup matchstick carrots

The poet Chaucer may have been the first to call Valentine’s Day a day of love. In his poem“Parliament of Foules,” he mentions February 14 and makes the first known connection to a day of courtly love that the English celebrated with the feast of St. Valentine. He writes,“For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day /Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.” Today, we celebrate the holiday by showering our loved ones with cards, flowers, and delectable chocolates. There are even spinoff holidays, like Galentine’s Day, which is on February 13 and celebrates female camaraderie with brunch dates and mimosas. If you want an extra taste of the historical context of Valentine’s Day, book a trip to Rome.Within the Basilica of Santa Maria, you will find the remains of St.Valentine, including his flower-adorned skull. Romantic, right?

Valentine’s Day is all about showing your love to another person, and it’s fitting because the man it honors died to protect marriage. A priest living in Rome in the third century,Valentine was subject to the rule of Emperor Claudius II. As it was crucial to maintaining power in ancient Rome, Claudius was very concerned with having the best army around. To improve this soldiers’ focus, he outlawed marriage, believing they would be better fighters if they weren’t distracted by a family. Valentine, however, believed this order to be unfair. He defied Claudius and continued to wed couples in secret. However,Valentine could not hide his actions for long. Claudius found out and ordered Valentine to be killed. Why do we recognize the holiday on February 14? One account claims that Valentine was killed on February 14. The Catholic church considered him a martyr for his acts, making him a saint.Valentine’s Day became a commemoration of that event.

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1 cup chopped cilantro

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1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds

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1/3 cup sliced green onions

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1 diced avocado

For the Dressing: •

1 large carrot, roughly chopped

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1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

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2 tablespoons olive oil

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1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger

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1 tablespoon honey

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1 tablespoon white miso

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1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

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Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. To make the salad, add all ingredients to a large bowl; toss to combine. 2. To make the dressing, add all ingredients to a blender or food processor. Pulse until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper or add extra honey for a sweeter taste.

3. Drizzle dressing over salad and serve immediately.

Recipe inspired by GimmeSomeOven.com.

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Darren DiMarco 949-391-7511 Call or Text [email protected] Realtor®, CalBRE# 01071383, NMLS# 361115 Diane DiMarco 949-829-1570 Call or Text [email protected] Realtor®, CalBRE# 01896291 Chris Hertsgaard 949-391-3411 Call or Text [email protected] Realtor®, CalBRE# 01363354 Cristina Iacobelli 760-519-3294 Call or Text [email protected] Realtor®, CalBRE# 01986394

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DiMa r c o ’ s 2 C e n t s

News From Your Real Estate & Loan Consultants For Life

107 S. El Camino Real San Clemente, CA 92672

Your Real Estate Advisors: Darren, Cristina, Diane, and Chris

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A Love Story for the Ages

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Andy Says ... Don’t Sabotage Your Home Sale

The Social Media Rundown

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A History Lesson for Valentine’s Day

Quiz

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What Happened to February?

Why Is February so Short?

Eventually, the calendar was updated to more accurately reflect the lunar cycle. January and February were added, and the year was extended to 355 days. At the time, people believed that even numbers were unlucky, and the Roman ruler of that era, King Pompilius, was hesitant to create any more even- numbered months. But, to get everything to add up to 355, he had to leave one month stuck with unlucky number 28. And the rest is history. Over the centuries, days were added here and there, the leap year was eventually instituted by Julius Caesar, and we came to the 365-day calendar we know today. But this year, as we let Valentine’s Day pass in the dark, think back to the legacy of King Pompilius and his one unlucky month.

If you were planning a romantic, moonlit stroll sometime this month, you’d better reschedule for March. But, on the bright side, if you’re terrified of werewolves, you can rest easy for the entire month of February. Every 20 years or so, because of its 28-day length, February lands between the zeniths of the lunar cycle. February passes without a full moon, while January and March get to double up. Astronomers call this event a “black moon,” and it’s happening this year for the first time since 1999. There’s a certain irony that comes with the full moon skipping the most romantic month of the year. In fact, a black moon February ensures that the new moon will always land right around Valentine’s Day. There’s no chance of even a waxing crescent for couples on that special night. But, how did this come to pass?

And Why is There No Full Moon This Month?

February used to not exist at all. The calendar used by the ancient Romans would, at a glance, look very familiar to us. Its months had 30 and 31 days, and the year ended in December. But both January and February were missing. This is because the Romans, as an agricultural society, didn’t feel the need to track winter months. The days and weeks between December and the spring equinox were just, well, nothing.

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