We named them Jack and Jill. For two days, a pair of beautiful puppies had been scampering around a field where my two dogs go for a daily run. On Wednesday, Sonny took snacks and they eagerly devoured them. Shivering from cold, they allowed him to pick them up and they quickly snuggled close to his warm body.Several hours later, with no one searching for them, he brought the young dogs home. We named them Jack and Jill and they romped and played with Lady and Flower after a hearty meal and a nap. They came when called, bounced onto the sofa, licked our hands and faces, curled up on our laps. Obviously someone has loved them and they aren't abused. Where is their owner?While they were curled up together on Flower's lion pillow for another nap, we discussed their dilemma. It seems imposs... 01/10/2008

Four homes closed escrow in Rancho Cucamonga during the week ending Jan. 6 and 95 homes were reported in escrow on Jan. 6, according to the Inland Multi-Regional Multiple Listing Service. The MLS said 49 new Rancho Cucamonga listings were added during the week, for a total inventory of 1,045 homes on Jan. 6, including 731 single-family homes with no monthly fees and 314 condominiums, town homes and single-family homes in associations. During the week, 118  Rancho Cucamonga listings expired. Some re-listed, but other sellers are waiting until later in the year.  If you are looking at homes along the 210 Freeway from San Dimas to Fontana, or in Ontario, Montclair or Chino, I would be happy to assist you. Contact me or visit my website, http://www.ilajosephs.com/. 01/07/2008

There are two ways to lower your property taxes in Rancho Cucamonga which are legal and FREE. 1) If you qualify, appeal your property tax assessment 2) Claimed your Homeowner’s Tax Exemption   APPEAL YOUR TAX ASSESSMENT Home values in Rancho Cucamonga have decreased over the last year, you may be able to lower your property taxes?This will only apply if you purchased your home or have been re-assessed in the last couple of years?   If the above information applies to you, you may be able to do something that will cost you nothing.  This simple process can save you hundreds of dollars in future property taxes.    Lower you Property Tax Bill NOW ! Each county operates differently but the simple answer is that all you need to do is ask for your property to be re-assessed.Some counties are ... 12/30/2007

Rancho Cucamonga is one of the most memorable city names in the world. "Cucamonga" comes from a Tongva place name that probably meant sandy place, although Vera Rocha, Chief of the Shoshone Gabrielino branch, has stated that the meaning is "Place of the villages where the waters come out". Cuc or Kuc = come, come from or come to. Amo = water, wet, spring and Nanga = place of a village.An alternate theory, that it means "light over the mountain", is almost certainly a fanciful invention, since the "-nga" (or "-ngna") place name ending is found in many other Tongva-derived place names in the region.Cucamonga has always been recognized as a funny-sounding place name, among such exotic places as Timbuktu and Bora Bora. One of the catch-phrases of the radio show The Jack Benny Program involv... 12/24/2007

The city of Rancho Cucamonga has updated their website to contain community events, community calendar, city hall information and a resource for businesses and commerce.  When looking for information on crime statistics, weather and demographics use the City of Rancho Cucamonga's website as your one stop shop for resources.  Link to Rancho Cucamonga City website.For information on purchasing your next home in Rancho Cucamonga or anywhere in the Inland Empire call Empire Realty at 909-579-6611 or visit us on the web at Empire Realty. Empire Realty is your one stop shop for information and Full Service at a Discount. 12/16/2007

Fewer open houses are scheduled during the holidays, but there is still a wide selection of homes in most price ranges. If you are shopping for a new home, I can make the process much easier. If what you are looking for isn't on the market now, my Personal Shopper Service will make sure you see homes online as soon as they appear in the Multiple Listing Service.Fourteen homes closed escrow in Rancho Cucamonga during the week ending Dec. 15 and 91 homes were reported in escrow on Dec. 16, according to the Inland Multi-Regional Multiple Listing Service. The MLS said 45 new listings were added during the week, for a total inventory of 1,132 homes on Dec. 16, including 769 single-family homes with no monthly fees and 363 condominiums, townhomes and single-family homes in associations. Durin... 12/16/2007

Short sales - often called "pre-foreclosure" in listings - continue to drive the market down, but the effect is exaggerated by sellers who advertise a very low price to get attention and leave it to the lender to counter offers with a higher, more realistic price.They are called short sales because the seller actually owes more than he expects to receive from the sale. In order to complete a transaction, the lender must either accept less than what is owed or proceed with foreclosure and essentially "repossess" the house. A lender often agrees to a short sale because writing off a portion of the balance owed would be a better option than taking possession of the house and then having the expense of maintaining it, without receiving any payments, until a buyer can found. By the way, a se... 12/11/2007

No matter what the market, people will continue to desire to live in Rancho Cucamonga, as it remains one of the most prestigious cities within San Bernardino County. Comparatively speaking, the Rancho Cucamonga housing market continues to post brisk sales. In of November 2007, 58 single family homes and a total of 8 condos/townhomes sold.  Total sales are down 53.5% for the same period last year and down 14.1% from last month's sales in the Inland Valley MLS, keep in mind that some of this is seasonal trends coming into play.My overall view of the market is still slipping, Click Here to view a comprehensive article about the conditions of the Inland Empire market. Closed Sales For November 2007: Down Slightly from last month34 Single Family Homes12 Condos/TownhomesPending Sales For Nove... 12/09/2007

Well, they should have nothing in common.  The interior of drains should be smooth to allow liquids and debris to drain properly.  Someone had the "great" idea of developing the "accordion-style drain," as I call them.  They are for the amateur plumber or homeowner who just can't get two drain pipes to meet up.Sounds like a good idea in theory.  But look at the picture below and you can see that debris can easily catch inside while draining.  Not to gross anyone out, but think about toothpaste and all the other things that come out of your mouth and into the drain.  It will catch inside the ribbed portion of the drain and sit there until some unpleasant biological reactions start.I hope you know a little bit more about a house and home inspections now.  Take care. 12/06/2007

"You listen to the news and it seems like everyone is moving out of California or losing their house" to foreclosure, said a friend. "It's really a small percentage of homes that are for sale now," I retorted, and we went for a drive. You know what happened. On some streets in every city, there were a number of houses for sale. But on those same streets, a larger number of homes were NOT for sale. My curiosity was piqued, however, so I went in search of statistics showing just how many households there are in the cities in my service area. On Board, a real estate information company, says there are 49,615 households in the city of Rancho Cucamonga. That includes apartments as well as homes, condominiums and town homes.  (If you're curious too, you can find the number of households On Bo... 12/02/2007

HOME SALES REPORTBeginning Date: 01/01/2007Ending Date: 11/28/2007City: RCAArea: AllPrice Range: $0 - ALL Single Family Sales - Residential Other StatisticsPrice ClassBedrooms  2 OR Less34 Or More Condo SoldResidential ActiveCondo Active$0 - $99,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $100,000 - $149,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $150,000 - $199,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $200,000 - $249,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $250,000 - $299,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $300,000 - $324,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $325,000 - $349,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $350,000 - $374,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $375,000 - $399,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $400,000 - $424,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $425,000 - $449,9990 0 0  0 1 0 $450,000 - $474,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $475,000 - $499,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $500,000 - $549,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $550,000 - $599,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $600,000 - $649,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $650,000 - $699,9990 0 0  0 0 0 $700,000 - $749,9990 0 ... 11/28/2007

If you had enough money to pay off your mortgage right now, would you? Many people would. In fact, the ‘American Dream' is to own your own home, and to own it outright, with no mortgage. If the American Dream is so wonderful, how can we explain the fact that thousands of financially successful people, who have more than enough money to pay off their mortgage, refuse to do so. The answer? Most of what we believe about mortgages and home equity, which we learned from our parents and grandparents, is wrong. They taught us to make a big down payment, get a fixed rate mortgage, and make extra principle payments in order to pay off your loan as early as you can. Mortgages, they said, are a necessary evil at best. The problem with this rationale is it has become outdated. The rules of money ha... 11/21/2007

Sixty-three single-family homes were sold in Rancho Cucamonga during October, according to DQ News, which charts changes in the sales price of single-family homes and condominiums. In Rancho Cucamonga Zip Code 91701, DQ News said 20 single-family homes were sold in October with a median price of $419,000, a 19.4 percent drop from October 2006. Two condos was sold in that area, with a median price of $322,000, a 10.2  percent drop from October. 2006. In Rancho Cucamonga Zip Code 91730, DQ News said 20 single-family homes were sold in October with a median price of $440,000, a 5.8 percent drop from October 2006. Fourteen condos were sold in that area, with a median price of $310,000, a 15.8 percent drop from October. 2006. In Rancho Cucamonga Zip Code 91737, DQ News said 12 single-family ... 11/18/2007

As the number of foreclosures rise and home prices drop, first-time buyers can use down-payment grants, low interest rates, and loan programs allowing FICO scores as low as 480 to purchase a Rancho Cucamonga home.According to the Inland Multi-Regional Multiple Listing Service, 1, 225 homes were available in Rancho Cucamonga on Nov. 11, including 833 single-family homes with no association fees and 392 condominiums, townhomes and single-family homes with monthly association fees. Ninety-seven homes were reported in escrow.Complete information on available homes, down-payment grants and loan programs can be obtained by calling Ila Josephs at (909) 261-3541. First-time home buyers especially can benefit from new government and private agencies ready to help them purchase an affordable home... 11/11/2007

Terra Vista is a Great Place to Live!   Ralph and Goldy Lewis, renowned home builders and philanthropists realized their first master planned community in Terra Vista.  Terra Vista is located in the heart of the burgeoning Inland Empire and is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Rancho Cucamonga. This conveniently located community offers prime opportunities and is an ideal environment for growing families.   In Terra Vista you'll find single family homes, apartments, business parks and shopping centers.  Terra Vista is accessible and convenient for a variety of residents.  Its longstanding popularity has made it the city's most densely populated neighborhood, due in large part to its proximity to outstanding transportation access, parks, unique retail and  entertainment opportuni... 11/10/2007

It was 30 years ago today (on November 10, 1977) that the city of Rancho Cucamonga was incorporated.  The city, formed by the mergers of the towns of Alta Loma, Cucamonga and Etiwanda, has always been acknowledged as a funny sounding name.  The Jack Benny Show gave the area some early publicity when Mel Blanc as a train announcer would say over the loud speaker:  "Train now leaving on track five for Anaheim, Azusa, and Cuc... amonga," with progressively longer pauses in the middle of Cucamonga.  The inside joke for LA viewers is that no such train route exists.Rancho Cucamonga also has the following ties to myth and history (sourced from Wikipedia):In the movie Fletch Lives, Fletch, played by actor Chevy Chase, claims to a Ku Klux Klan leader that he is from the "Cucamonga Klan" from Ca... 11/10/2007

Victoria Gardens . . . It's A Great Place To Live! Built in a setting that is reminiscent of a traditional main street, Victoria Gardens retail district is the keystone of this master planned community (located between Base Line Road, Foothill Boulevard - Route 66, the 15 Freeway, and the Day Creek Channel). Victoria Gardens excellent location and accessibility from all of the major freeways within San Bernardino along with its unique mixture of regional and neighborhood shopping, restaurants, entertainment, professional, civic and cultural activities makes it one of the most desired addresses in the Inland Empire. A new Cultural Center, comprised of a library and children's theater, is coming soon and will overlook the town square and form the centerpiece of this project. This communit... 11/08/2007

Rancho Etiwanda . . . It's A Great Place To Live! The sweeping vistas of the San Gabriel Mountains provide a majestic backdrop to the elegant community of homes in Rancho Etiwanda. This master planned community is another example of the smart growth Rancho Cucamonga has become known for. Buyers select Rancho Etiwanda for its surrounding lifestyle advantages including proximity to employment, recreation and the vast shopping opportunities. An additional benefit is the understanding schools of the Etiwanda and Chaffey Joint Union High School districts that reassure families of an excellent educational opportunity. Looking for a home with a 4-car or an oversized RV storage garage? Want to make a stunning impression with a dramatic courtyard? Want a separate detached pool cabana? Like the o... 11/08/2007

Deer Creek.....It's  A Great Place To Live! The essence of fine living is defined in this coveted enclave of estate homes. Tucked in just north of Chaffey College and just below the gated community of Haven View's custom homes, lies Deer Creek, the most desired address in Rancho Cucamonga. This community sets the standards by which all others compare to.    The mature tree lined streets offer glimpses of exquisite large estate homes throughout the neighborhood.  The Deer Creek Community reflects a dedication to elegant living and a commitment to unsurpassed style that's not easily duplicated. The expansive home sites are situated on half acre+ lots and most provide views of the mountains, valleys, and city lights below. Homeowners love the community so much that most opt to remodel, upd... 11/08/2007

 Welcome to Rancho Cucamonga!Crowned by the majestic San Gabriel Mountains, the three communities of Alta Loma, Cucamonga, and Etiwanda voted to incorporate into the city we now know as Rancho Cucamonga.  A premiere city in Southern California's Inland Empire, Rancho Cucamonga is one of the nation's fastest growing metropolitan areas. Located 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, the City's boundaries cover an area of approximately 38 square miles in San Bernardino County. Rancho Cucamonga boasts planned communities and award-winning architecture in addition to a quality, family lifestyle. A heritage of vineyards, ranchos, orchards, and wineries are reflected in the historic buildings that complement the newer, suburban development.  There's no mistaking that Rancho Cucamonga is truly ... 11/08/2007