DiMarco Realtors - November 2020

DiMarco Realtors - November 2020

San Diego Orange County Inland Empire Los Angeles Bay Area 888-271-7760 | DIMARCOREALTORS.COM | DIMARCOLEGAL.COM | NOVEMBER 2020 News From Your Home & Loan Resource Network DiMa r c o ’ s 2 C e n t s Have Fun This Thanksgiving! 3 Games to Ensure Laughter and Great Memories This Holiday

has shifted to a television-only special presentation; however, it will still have the giant balloons and colorful floats. To make it a fun family event, consider creating parade-related bingo cards (see the example shown) and having special prizes for those who win bingo! The idea is that you watch the parade, and every time you see something

I often reflect back on Thanksgiving celebrations when I was growing up. It was the best of times. Our extended family all joined together for the whole day. The children bonded with their cousins while playing games and laughing. The adults spent time helping with the cooking, and after the meal, they remained at the dining table for hours getting caught up with their loved ones. Thanksgiving Days were warm, comforting, easy, and so much fun.We all enjoyed each other’s company so much that we didn’t want the day to end. It wasn’t much different when my kids were young — we all looked forward to spending Thanksgiving with our extended family. This year, however, things are especially different. Besides the fact that nowadays, online games and social media distract the kids, gatherings may be reduced or canceled due to safety concerns for at-risk family members during this global pandemic. Plus, the recent election has heated up the political climate, and it’s likely that within a large, extended family, members may have strong and differing views. Despite those possibilities, I’m wishing for all of you another Thanksgiving celebration filled with simplicity, love, and laughter. Holidays are meant to bring families together and be filled with children’s laughter, good conversation, lasagna (in my family, anyway), and pie, of course! Like me, you may be finding it more difficult to keep the family interacting together and keeping it all on a positive level.You may even be uncertain if you can keep political talk from rearing its ugly head at your dinner table. So, I have some ideas to share that may help. I’ve found a few games that are sure to stir up the laughter and make this Thanksgiving one of your top ones yet. (Obviously, play safely.) Parade Bingo Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a tradition that many families continue. This year’s parade

on your bingo card, you cross it off. The first one to get five in a row wins. Prizes could range from a free pass on doing the dishes to a special treat! Traffic Yam Race This is the perfect event for the kids! Save a few raw yams — sweet potatoes will work, too — and set up a straight race course through the living room, kitchen, or out on the patio. Give each participant a spoon and one yam. Their goal is to roll their tuber across the finish line with the spoon first, and whoever wins will have bragging rights all year long.You could even break down the race into various brackets and have a tournament of yams! Shake Your Tail Feathers You’ll need a few empty Kleenex boxes, feathers, and a rope or belt. Fill each Kleenex box with feathers and use the rope or belt to attach the Kleenex box to each participant’s waist along the backside. Each player must then shake their bodies and move around, and the first person to empty their Kleenex box wins! Let’s just say this is the perfect way to exercise after the big meal. My hope is that any of these games — or one of many others you can find online — will bring your family together, incite laughter, and create great memories this Thanksgiving.

Gobble, Gobble!

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Andy Says The trend of the multigenerational household has been increasing, and Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs, are becoming an affordable option for comfortable living. ADUs are like a modern spin on the “granny flat”

Have You Considered an ADU?

entire property. (Note: Laws and regulations change, so always check with your tax assessor first to confirm taxable issues.)

If you have aging parents and would like to stay close to them, consider an ADU. Compared to traditional nursing homes or retirement communities, ADUs are an affordable alternative. Additionally, separate space helps ease tensions and allows a parent to maintain a sense of independence. Then, one day, if the ADU is vacant, you could find a tenant to move in and provide you with supplemental retirement income. Increasingly, counties and cities are updating their zoning rules to permit the construction of ADUs, especially in places where housing costs are high. The requirements for building an ADU are typically found online at the Planning Department page for your local municipality. Furthermore, many builders will help you through the whole process: budget, design, permitting, and construction. Other companies provide prefabricated ADUs that are delivered and placed on a permanent foundation.

concept of a self-contained dwelling on the same property as the main house. ADUs may be attached or detached spaces with a separate entrance and generally include their own living, sleeping, cooking, and bathing facilities. ADUs are great housing options for students, in-house health care providers, and aging parents. And, if you work from home, an ADU can provide a more professional setting than a home office in your primary residence and enhance focus and productivity. Additionally, ADUs will likely increase your property value. As with other types of new construction, the value of the new ADU (new construction added) will be added to the property’s assessed value, but it should not trigger a reassessment of the

Bored on Thanksgiving? Plan a Movie Marathon! 5 Thanksgiving Flicks for the Whole Family

After a giant Thanksgiving meal, it can be tempting to sink down onto the couch and never get up — so embrace it! This Thanksgiving, try planning a family movie night to enjoy while the turkey settles.

and tells the tale of an estranged family who find themselves back together just in time for the holidays. It’s historical, heartwarming, and fit for all ages. 5. ‘A Family Thanksgiving’ — This Hallmark comedy is a funny combination of “A Christmas Carol” and “17 Again.” A high-powered lawyer is transported to an alternate universe and gets a look at what her holiday life could have been like if she’d made different choices. With these five films on your watch list, you won’t need any other Thanksgiving entertainment!

Movie nights are about as low maintenance as family hangouts can get. According to Elle magazine, actress Angelina Jolie credits family flick marathons for helping her survive quarantine with six kids at home. Her secrets to success are comfortable clothes like pajamas and robes, along with plenty of movie snacks. This Thanksgiving, plan your marathon around these holiday-themed films. 1. ‘Free Birds’ — This hilarious 2013 animated film stars OwenWilson andWoody Harrelson as turkeys who have escaped the Thanksgiving table. Together, they go on a mission back in time to break up the first Thanksgiving and get turkey off the menu for good.

2. ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ — This old-school television special from 1973 is a Thanksgiving classic. In it, Charlie Brown and Snoopy navigate football, an ever-growing

Thanksgiving guest list, and a backyard feast of junk food.

3. ‘Garfield’s Thanksgiving’ —

Everyone loves Garfield, and this 1989 television special starring Jon, Odie, and the fat cat himself is another Thanksgiving mainstay. The vet puts Garfield on a diet at the worst possible time: right before Thanksgiving. 4. ‘An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving’ — This 2008 period drama is based on a short story by Louisa May Alcott

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Can a Referral Make a Difference?

St. Jude is on the front lines in the fight against childhood disease, and we want to help. Do you know someone who is moving? Refer them to us, and for every referral, we donate $500 to St. Jude.Your referral makes a difference. Referring is easy: Call or text me at 949-391-7511 or email [email protected]. We and St. Jude thank you.

Give Back to Veterans With These 4 Ideas

While Thanksgiving tends to dominate the conversation in November, we have another very important holiday on our calendars:Veterans Day! On Nov. 11, and throughout November, celebrate those who have served with these ideas for giving back. Donate What better way to show your gratitude than to host a donation drive for veterans and active-duty military members? Collect monetary donations, food, and toiletries for organizations that aid veterans returning to civilian life, or collect treats and handmade cards for care packages for those serving overseas this holiday season. There’s no better way to show your appreciation than by giving back! Write Letters Everyone loves mail, and this is the perfect project for little ones learning to write or those in search of their next pen pal! Write to active-duty military members to show your appreciation for their service and sacrifice.You can learn more about what to write in your letter and where you can send your letters at SupportOurTroops.org. Volunteer There are many COVID-19 safe ways to volunteer for veterans. If you have a medical, career counseling, or mental health background, your expertise could be extremely valuable to veterans in need of assistance. But you don’t need a professional organization affiliation to lend a helping hand. If you’re handy with tools or bake a mean pie, you can offer your skills to your veteran neighbors out of the kindness of your heart. Thank Them If you know a veteran, take time this Veterans Day to thank them for their service.You can show your appreciation through a phone call, FaceTime chat, or by dropping off a present at their front door. Take time to listen and ask them what you could be doing to better support veterans in our community.When you listen wholeheartedly, you can enact change in your community!

Sinfully Sweet Butternut Squash

Inspired byWellPlated.com

Ingredients

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1 3/4 tsp kosher salt

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1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes

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3/4 tsp cinnamon

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1/2 tsp black pepper

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1 1/2 tbsp olive oil

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1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

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1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F, placing the two oven racks at the top and bottom of the oven. Then grease two baking sheets. 2. In a large bowl, combine squash cubes, olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and spices. Toss to coat, then spread mixture in a single layer over the baking sheets.

3. Place both pans in the oven and bake 15 minutes. Turn the cubes with a spatula and return them to the oven, swapping them to different racks. Continue baking 10–15 minutes until tender.

Happy Veterans Day and thank you to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country.

4. Sprinkle with rosemary and serve!

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DiMa r c o ’ s 2 C e n t s News From Your Home & Loan Resource Network

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

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Law Offices of Darren J. DiMarco

PO Box 704 San Clemente, CA 92674

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

Make Thanksgiving Fun With These 3 Games!

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Andy Says: HaveYou Considered an ADU?

5 Thanksgiving Movies for theWhole Family

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ThankYou,Veterans!

Sinfully Sweet Butternut Squash

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Which Smartphones Take the Best Pictures?

The Battle of the Smartphone Cameras The Best Mobile Cameras of 2020

Apple iPhone 12 (iOS) Much like the Pixel line, Apple’s iPhones are known for taking great pictures. But there’s a big difference! Apple incorporates great camera hardware into their higher- end products. The end result produces great photos and videos. (The Pixel 5 struggles in the video category.) Many photography enthusiasts choose the iPhone over the competition simply because it’s so reliable. But is it really better than the Pixel 5 at taking pictures? At a glance, you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference. It all comes down to personal preference. Bonus: Google Pixel 4a (Android) Both the Pixel 5 and iPhone 12 are higher-end products with prices to match (both over $700). If you’re interested in taking great pictures but don’t want to drop a lot of dough on a high-end device, the Pixel 4a can’t be beat. At about $350, it produces top-notch photos and is an all-around great device. Plus, it has a headphone jack, something both the Pixel 5 and iPhone 12 are lacking!

Year after year, smartphone technology improves. Devices get faster, screens get sharper, and cameras get better — for the most part. It can be a challenge to find your ideal smartphone that’s also paired with a great set of lenses. Many smartphone manufacturers are inconsistent when it comes to cameras because they pair great phones with not-so-great cameras to cut costs. So, if you want to take exceptional pictures, which current smartphone has the features you’re looking for? Google Pixel 5 (Android) Google’s Pixel line has long been associated with exceptional photos, but not because of the camera hardware. It is average at best, but that doesn’t matter because Google knows how to make exceptional image processing software.When you take one picture with the Pixel, the camera actually takes several. The processing software then “stitches” the images together to create one superior image. Other phones do this, too, particularly the Apple iPhone, but the Pixel 5 does it best.

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