Category Archives: Weekly News Columns

The Winner of Your Personal Revolution

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

By Nancy Stoops

Do you ever feel like you just need to make a huge change?  Are you afraid and so you stay stuck because this is what you have always done?  Maybe it’s time to have a personal revolution and really shake things up.  I think it starts by making a list of what you need to keep about you and what you really need to finally let go of.  It’s time to revolt and personally attack those demons and the lies that hold you back from being a great and powerful you.

I know it sounds crazy to stage a revolution against yourself or against the pieces you are sick and tired of.  I don’t know any other way to move forward if you are really stuck.  Fight hard and fight smart and do your interpersonal work.  What better day than today to claim the rights to you.  Stop letting others hold you hostage to being a lesser version of you.  Today is the day you take control of yourself and of your mind.  Has somebody make you doubt yourself, today is the day to fix that.  Today is the day you decide that you are proud of yourself and that you’ll will fight to become the best you can be.   I know you can win that internal battle and you can revolt against all the lies.

You owe yourself this revolution and I know you can win.  The past is over, the future is uncertain but the present is a gift that can help us unwrap our true inner being.  This is an inner being we can be proud and we can feel confident like never before.  This newly found confidence can help us see anything is possible and now there are no limits for us!!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909)229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy atnancyjstoops@verizon.net.  You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

Strong Feather

By Mark Hopper

I have probably written about this in the past, but I was reminded of it again when my wife and I were in Arizona recently.

 

My wife and I grew up in the Phoenix area in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  We actually met during our freshman year at Scottsdale High School.  We have many fond memories of Arizona and it is nice to go back to visit family members and reconnect with old friends.

 

Early one morning, I went for a walk along some green belts that meander through the neighborhood where we were staying.  These tree lined concrete trails are perfect for bicycles and casual walkers.

 

These paths are peaceful and relaxing teeming with birds and other wildlife as they enjoy these shady areas too.  The desert Doves sing in the early morning and there are usually cotton tail rabbits enjoying the abundant grass.

 

Other people get up early to enjoy the cooler morning air and take their pets for a walk before it gets too hot.  Daytime temperatures were over 100 degrees when we were in Arizona. One day the temperature reached 109!

 

My favorite sight to see on my early morning walks was the Gamble Quail.  They are very graceful with their slim size and red top knot on their head.  One morning, I saw a mommy Quail escorting 2-3 small babies as they crossed the path in front of me. I think they were looking for breakfast.  Those little ones looked so tiny but they kept up with their siblings as their mother watched over them.

 

One of the reasons I love the desert Quail is because my father wrote a book about a family of Quail in Scottsdale.  When he jogged along the canal bank years ago, he observed the activity of a covey of Quail near a horse corral.  The Quail were always busy in the early morning and early evening, but they sought shade and shelter from the hot desert sun during mid-day.

 

His book is titled, “Strong Feather – The story of the last Covey in Indian Bend Wash”. Strong Feather is a young Quail who goes from childhood games to leading the covey to safety as urban sprawl threatens his family’s survival.  Children and adults enjoy the adventures of Strong Feather and his fellow Quail.

 

Radio personality Paul Harvey actually featured the book at the end of one of his daily broadcasts. Paul Harvey shared that when he was in the 3rd grade, his teacher read a few pages from a good book at the end of every school day.  He liked “Strong Feather” so much that he said, “Every third-grade teacher must share this book with her last class of the day”. I agree!

 

Whenever my wife and I see a Quail, we think of my dad.  He worked as a writer for several newspapers, UPI and a large bank in Phoenix.  His typing skills transferred well into being a telegraph operator in World War Two. He was a writer at heart. Maybe that is why I am still writing today. It must be in our family’s DNA!

 

Next time you see a Quail in your travels, I hope it will put a smile on your face.  If you need a good book to read to your children, you might look on line or at your local library for a copy of “Strong Feather” by Richard Hopper.  You will be glad you did and I will too!

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Sunday services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

 

Affordability Crisis Looming?

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

As the real estate market continues to chug along with a strong price trend increase, the question of affordability is at the forefront of many discussions. The obvious center of discussion is the real estate industry itself, including real estate agents, mortgage originators or loan agents, escrow companies, title companies, and other affiliated service companies whose businesses are directly tied in to the real estate market.  It is a discussion that is central to the issues of housing the lower income households as well as the homeless throughout the state of California.

The California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) reported out in May the Housing Affordability Index (HAI) for the first quarter of 2018.  It reported that there was a slight increase in affordability, with the Housing Affordability Index (HAI) rate statewide  increasing from 29% to 31%.  The HAI of 31% means that thirty-one percent of the California households could afford to purchase the $538,640 median-priced home (the median price being the price in which one-half of the homes sold for less and one-half of them sold for more).

The analysis assumes a down payment of 20%, which would be, for the median-priced home in California in the first quarter of 2018, approximately $108,000.00. The analysis also determined that the annual household income needed to be at least $111,500.00 in order to make the monthly payments of $2,790.00, which would include principal, interest, and taxes on a 30 year mortgage at approximately 4.45%.

Utilizing the same assumptions for the Diamond Bar real estate market, the numbers are striking in respect to the low affordability index of the median priced home in Diamond Bar.  The first quarter of 2018 saw the Median Sales Price (MSP) of the Single Family Detached Housing Residence (SFDHR or SFR) at $735,000.00.  The monthly payments of approximately $3,800.00 would require a monthly household income of $12,667.00, or $152,000.00 annual income.  Less than 16% of California households earn sufficient income to qualify for the Median Sales Price home in Diamond Bar.  According to Bruce Norris, an expert in the real estate investment world of Southern California, any time affordability falls below 20% for a housing market it can be one of the indicators of a housing market weakness. Is this an indication of a slowing of price appreciation in Diamond Bar? This is a developing story…stay tuned.

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website http://www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

How Big is the Market?

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

 

The Diamond Bar residential real estate “Market”  is of interest to residents of Diamond Bar who are considering selling their home now or in the near future.  It is also of interest to anyone in the world who has an interest in buying a property in Diamond Bar. This “Market” consists of Single Family detached homes (SFRs), condominiums (condos), or townhomes (twnhms) that are currently listed for sale and are either in the Active or Available status. They can also be those properties in which there has been an accepted offer Active under Contract or Pending, and the buyers are performing their “due diligence” inspections.

Currently, there are a total of 230 properties that are “on the Market” in Diamond Bar. The property type mix is 168 SFRs, and 62 condos and townhomes. The combined valuation of these 230 properties is $236,535,453.00. That is a pretty BIG number.

The number of properties that have gone under contract and sold in Diamond Bar over the last twelve months is 579, or close to 50 closings per month. The mix of these closed transactions is 256 SFRs, and 323 condos and townhomes. The total valuation of the closed transactions over the last twelve months is over $300 million, with the  SFRs comprising the bulk of the transactions in terms of value ($268,229,652.00).

Each real estate transaction provides two commission earning opportunities for agents, because in more than 90% of the transactions, different agents represent the seller and the buyer.  The residential “market” is also quite BIG for real estate agents dedicating themselves to the industry.

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

 

Your Child’s Best and Most Productive Summer

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Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

y Nancy Stoops

I am a very big believer in rest and relaxation and feel summer is a great time to do that.  I take a lot of time off in the summer to do exactly that but I must feel my summer is also productive as well.  I force myself to move at a much slower pace and I do play a lot more but I try to remember the concept of balance as well.  Summer also allows for some unique activities.

Please allow me to explain what I mean here.  I see summer as a time to work on special talents and projects.  Having a project can be very grounding and give you something to be working toward, which I believe is a very important concept.  This doesn’t in anyway, take away from very well deserved break.

The other really great piece about all of this is your child won’t loose all of their skills over the summer and returning to school will be easier.  Common sense tells us, if we don’t use something for three months our skills can become rusty.  By allowing our children to do absolutely nothing over the summer we are not doing them a favor, we are doing them a grave injustice.  Encourage your children to read a book, write a story about something fun, walk the dog to keep their muscles strong, help you add and subtract how many miles you’ll be traveling this vacation, understand why when you throw the ball up, it always comes back down, and just keep learning the whole summer through. Teaching them the way to find that balance that will enhance their relaxation, make them feel good about their productivity and allow them to have more fun than they ever have!!!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909)229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.  You may purchase Nancy’s books Midnight the Therapy Dog and Live Heal and Grow at Amazon.com.

 

Baby Birds

By Mark Hopper

I have written several articles over the years about the birds that build nests and raise new babies at our house.  My initial reaction is that they are messy and they don’t clean up after themselves!  Bird’s nests would never pass inspection by the health department.

 

In addition, they infringe on our outdoor activities.  When I want to work in the back yard or clean the patio, I have to be extra careful to not disturb our feathered guests.

 

On several occasions, we have found nests that have been abandoned with small eggs inside. I think that my lawn mower and other outdoor activities have frightened the parents away and left the eggs unattended.

 

But, I must admit that we actually do enjoy seeing new baby birds at our house.  It is fun to hear their voices early in the morning and to see the flurry of activity as their parents continuously bring food to the nest throughout the day.

 

Back and forth, back and forth the mommy and daddy birds keep bringing food all day long.  The little babies keep demanding more food.  It seems like they are never satisfied.

 

Two of our grandchildren were at our house last week.  They loved standing at the window inside the house and watching the constant activity on our patio.  It is more entertaining than watching TV.

 

It is remarkable to watch the new born babies grow. We think there are two or maybe three small birds in the nest this year.  It looks like they are running out of room as the babies get bigger every day.

 

There is a verse in the Bible that uses the image of hungry babies who have an insatiable appetite.  The Apostle Peter wrote in his first letter, “Like newborn babies, hunger for the pure milk of the Word, so that you may grow in respect to salvation since you have tasted the kindness of the Lord” (I Peter 2:2-3).

 

I think Peter is saying that if we have had tasted God’s kindness in our own lives, we should have an insatiable appetite to get to know Him more and more by reading His Word.

 

Have you ever started reading a book and enjoyed it so much you “couldn’t put it down”?  I mentioned in a recent article how much I enjoyed the book, ”Wonder”.  I couldn’t put it down!  I wanted to know what would happen next.

 

I believe the Bible is that kind of book – once you start reading, you want to know what will happen next. And, don’t just read it once. Read it again and again.  The Bible provides spiritual strength and practical lessons that never get old.  I always recommend that you start reading in the book of Mark in the New Testament.  Then try Matthew or John and the book of Acts.  The Bible is a library with sixty six books. Start in Mark – that’s my name!

 

I hope you enjoy reading and learning.  I hope you will instill a love of books in your children.  Read to them when they are young and teach them to read while they are young.  Reading is something they will enjoy the rest of their lives.

 

And, let me encourage you to read the Bible, too.  Read it to your children when they are young and model it for your children as they grow up.  You will be glad you did and they will too!

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

efreedb.org

 

Understanding Our Purpose in This World

By Nancy Stoops

When I was five years old my friends would line up on my front porch and give me a nickel to help them with their problems.  They would tell me that I had good advice even back then.  Even as a little girl I felt so good when I could make somebody feel better and ease the pain in their heart.  At five I knew my purpose in this world.  I knew I was put in this world to help people heal from their pain.  I knew even back then this was a gift from God and I was not to waste this present.

In high school my psychology teacher told me that I needed to go onto the field of psychology because she say something special in me.  Just like my little friends lined up for help she also saw why I was here.  Eventually I got the degrees and the license that honors me with being able to help many people in this world.

Understanding and honoring my purpose in this world gives me an immense sense of inner peace.  It makes me feel as if I’m following God’s blueprint for my life and that feels so awesome.  It makes me feel right with the world and with my life. It’s incredible to be able to make a fantastic living from the very work that I was always intended to do.

Please understand that all of you have a very special purpose here as well. Take the time to search your soul to find your unique reason for being in this world.  Then take the time to go and get the education that gives you the very credentials to do your life’s work.  I promise if you follow through with this you will feel a sense of nirvana.  Your life will be the very life that you have always dreamt about and you will be so very proud of who you are!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  Nancy is now accepting new clients.  She also works as a motivational speaker.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups for teens and can handle many court mandated needs.  For more information about any of these services contact Nancy at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net. You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

Worth $1Billion More!

By Nef Cortez

The housing market continues to steam ahead at a strong pace with upward trends in appreciation of values.  The California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) updated their projections for sales in 2018 statewide and their revision included an increased number of home sales as well as an accelerated price appreciation. Much of the anticipated price appreciation is due to the continuing shortage of inventory.

The City of Diamond Bar has within its city boundaries a little more than 15,000 Single Family Residences (SFRs).  Owners of these homes have cumulatively gained over one Billion dollars in equity in the last twelve months due to price appreciation.  C.A.R. reported that in February 2017, the median sales price of SFRs sold in Diamond Bar was $687,944.00. That number had increased to $764,000.00 in February 2018. That represented a median increase of value of approximately $76,000.00 per unit. The lower sampling of transactions on a monthly basis gives us a picture that fluctuates more than the quarter by quarter comparisons, which are more stable. Both numbers, however, have shown an increase year over year.

The growth in equity is a reason why you hear many more commercials or advertising about home equity loans and how you can use your home equity to pay off credit cards and other high interest rate loans. In many cases, it does make sense to borrow on the equity of the home, where one can obtain interest rates of 4.5%. That is much lower than many credit card accounts that are running anywhere from 9.9% to 28%. The danger of borrowing against the equity of the home and paying down credit cards is the ease in which the credit card balance can quickly be accumulated again.

The benefit of having the option to do so is largely due to the gain in property values, as noted above, of more than $1 billion in one year alone! Nice to have!

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or websitewww.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

 

Hats

By Mark Hopper

I was sitting on a park bench a while ago and I noticed that I was the only person wearing a hat!  There I was enjoying a little snack in this open pedestrian area watching people go by and it dawned on me that no one was wearing a baseball cap except me.

 

This pedestrian shopping area was in a Central European country.  The spring weather was great.  There were blue skies, a cool breeze and plenty of sunshine.  It was pleasant, peaceful settings as I relaxed by myself and watched the world go by. But, the only one wearing a hat was me!

 

I started to watch more carefully.  Was this really true?  Was I really the only one among dozens of shoppers that was wearing a hat?  Finally, I noticed a man and woman walking in my direction.  The man was wearing a baseball cap.  Finally, I thought to myself, people do wear hats in this country.  But, as they got closer to me, I noticed the woman had something in her hand.  She was carrying a map.  Then I realized they were tourists just like me!

 

Slowly I began to realize that people who live in this European country don’t wear baseball type hats.  No one!  And because I had my baseball cap on, I stuck out like a sore thumb.  I suspect people were looking at me thinking – this guy is a tourist.  He is wearing a hat!

 

There is an interesting passage in the Bible in Mark chapter 14.  Jesus instructs two of his disciples to go into the city of Jerusalem and make preparations to celebrate the annual Passover meal.  When these two disciples ask him where they should go, he told them to look for a man who is carrying a pot of water on his head and follow him the to place Jesus had reserved.

 

This clandestine encounter always seemed to me like it was out of a Spy movie.  “Look for your contact at the Train Station – they will be wearing a red carnation”.  Jesus told his disciples to follow the man carrying water.  Jesus had reserved an upper room so he and his followers could enjoy the Last Supper alone and undisturbed.  He wanted to get away from the crowds and his critics.  He knew the Cross was only hours away.

 

Why the man with the water pot?  Because, in Bible times the women were usually who would go to the well to get water.  In the culture in Israel, the men did not carry the water.  When the two disciples went into the city, they would easily notice the man with the water pot on his head.  He would stick out just like an American tourist wearing a baseball cap in a European city.

 

Our country and our community are a blend of many different cultures.  This diversity of cultures and customs enriches our community and provides us with a remarkable opportunity to experience and appreciate cultures from around the world.  The world has come to us!

 

I don’t know if you wear a baseball cap or if you transport water in a particular way.  But, I hope you will take time to observe and enjoy the diversity of cultures in our community.   You will be glad you did and they will, too.

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

 

Elections Impact Home Prices

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

Home prices in Diamond Bar, in California, and in the United States in general, have risen substantially over the last 7 years.  As reported previously in this column, the Median Sales Price of a Single Family Residential detached home (SFR) had reached a post Great-Recession high of $735,000.00. This being an election year in California, the question arose “How do elections affect home prices?”

In researching this question, I found that there are varied opinions as to the effect of elections on home prices.  Some research supported the belief that elections tend to create uncertainty in the market, and therefore either slow the market down, or at minimum dampen the increase in sales prices.  Homes.com, a real estate data aggregator, published a report that claimed that in election years, the prices of homes are impacted to the negative by 1/4 to 1/2 of one percent, causing prices to rise more slowly in an election year than in a non-election year.

This afternoon I attended the Quarterly Luncheon meeting of the Real Estate Research Council of Southern California (RERCSC) at Cal Poly Pomona.  The information presented by RERCSC Executive Director Dr. Gerd Welke on the California Housing market and real estate trends seemed to show a fairly steady “real price” value of housing until the last few decades. The “real price” value of housing saw a dramatic increase since the 1990’s. The California legislative policies of the last few decades have resulted with over regulation, causing a decrease in number of units being built annually across the state. While the population of California grew 29 million from 1990 to the now current 39 million residents, the addition of new housing units did not keep up with the growth in demand.

Basic economic theory provides that a growing demand for a product, without the corresponding increase in supply, will cause prices to increase.  We have definitely seen that in the last 30 years, and will continue to see housing price increases without easing up, until the legislature makes it easier and less regulatorily constrained to build new housing. Policies implemented statewide by the legislature are a direct result of who gets elected.  In summary, “Who” gets elected will impact what legislation gets passed, and whether or not it is conducive to new construction or not.

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca DRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

 

The Secret of Life

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

By Nancy Stoops      

Do you wonder what it takes to live your life well?  Do you question what life is all about?  Do you always seem to be fighting something in your life?  I believe the secret to life is to make the best of what your life brings you.

I think the idea of making lemonade out of life’s lemons is a very good one.  I think when we are given lemons our inner strength and our perseverance are tested.   I think the way we embrace our lives is by understanding that we will have good and bad in our lives.  I have found in my lifetime, if I can just get through the rough periods the sun is shining so brightly on the other side.  I just have to hang tight, get support and not lose my faith that one day soon, all will be well again.  I also have to trust myself that I will be able to fight my way through the dark clouds and find the light again. I have learned that I must be very gentle with myself during the stormy periods of my life.

Keep in mind that most lives have good and bad but some people just can’t endure the bad.  I find these people giving up and just giving into the bad and they seem to stop believing that the sun will shine brightly again very soon.  If we are to survive as human beings, we must embrace the secret of life and learn to make the best out of every situation.  I think part of the secret is trying to find the positive in the hardest and darkest parts of our lives. I hope you can find the secret of life and not let the dark times destroy your wonderful life!!!!!!!!!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.  You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

 

 

Watch for Camels

By Mark Hopper

We saw a lot of camels on our recent trip to Israel.  We saw some camels at tourist stops where people could pay the owner five dollars to sit on a one and get their picture taken. We also saw a lot of camels on the hillsides as we rode down the highway on our tour bus.

 

I frequently noticed a sign along the highway that made me smile.  We have similar signs along our highways and interstates that have a picture of an animal.  These signs don’t need words on them – the picture says it all.

 

We have some of these signs in Diamond Bar with an image of a deer on it.  In other words, it is warning drivers to be careful and “Watch for Deer”.  I have seen other signs in the mountains with a picture of an Elk or Bear which means – “watch out for local wildlife” on the highway.

 

I must admit, I have never seen a sign along any highway with the picture of a Camel.  But I did in Israel.  These signs were everywhere, especially in the vast desert areas in the southern part of the country.  Apparently, camels do sometimes wander out onto the highway.  Roadside signs warn drivers to be careful and watch out for camels on or near the highway.

 

Just seeing the signs made me smile.  I laughed to myself as I imagined seeing a sign like that in our country.  I doubt if you will ever see one even as you drive across the desert to Phoenix or Las Vegas.  Caution – watch for camels, seems pretty unlikely in our country.

 

The Bible has some warning signs, too.  The authors of the Bible warn us to not covet neighbor’s possessions and to not lie and to not steal.  We call these commandments – like the Ten Commandments in Exodus chapter 20.

 

These commandments are warning signs on the highway of life.  They try to alert us that there are dangers and consequences ahead if we ignore the warning signs.

 

Parents try to alert their children of the hazards and dangers that may be in their future.  Teens will be tempted by drugs, drinking and reckless behavior that can be harmful to their lives and the lives of others.  Wise parents try to warn their children and teens of temptations and dangers ahead.

 

We post signs to alert children and adults of the risks of swimming in the ocean or in a hotel pool.  Warning – no life guard on duty.  Caution – rip currents.  The warning signs are there to protect us from unseen or unexpected dangers.

 

You may not encounter any camels on your next road trip, but let me encourage you to pay attention to the signs along the highway. There are real dangers ahead as you drive down a vast interstate highway or a windy mountain road.  Stay alert and heed the warning signs.  And, watch for camels, too! You will be glad you did and others will too!

 

Pastor Mark Hopper, Efree Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd, 909-594-7604, Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM, Efreedb.org

 

Diamond Bar Median Household Income Exceeds National Average

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

The Diamond Bar Median Household income has continued to rise to the level where it has now surpassed the national average by more 52%.  The national median household income stood at $59,039.00 as per the last figures available from the U.S. Census. The same data source reported the Diamond Bar number at $89, 845.00.

Last week’s comparison between the California Median Sales Price of a single family home and the Median Sales Price of homes in neighboring states highlighted some major differences. The cost of housing on a straight line comparison of the Median Sales Price of homes in California as compared to Texas showed a 150% higher cost in California.  How much more affordable is housing there when compared to the Median Household Income?

The ratio between the Median Sales Price of a single family home and the Median Household Income for California is 8.6 to 1. The ratio for Texas, in comparison, is 4.1 to 1. That means that the homes are selling for a multiple of 8.6 times the annual household income in California, or  twice as much as they are in Texas.

One of the “comeback statements” to this affordability differential is the job market.  “Sure, homes are more affordable, but there are no jobs there!” is a common retort in conversations about housing costs in different regions. The job market in fact shows that the unemployment rate in Texas sits at 4.1 versus California’s 4.2.  The job market in Texas appears to be as good as or better than California’s.

The conclusion is that California housing stock is definitely out of line with the populace’s ability to pay. At a certain point, the housing affordability issue will “rise its head” and negatively impact the housing market.  As prices continue to increase in California, we get closer and closer to that point in time.  Stay tuned!!!

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

 

Having Some Faith in Our Youth

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

By Nancy Stoops

Soon they will be running our country and have children of their own.  Soon they will be telling their children all the things we told them.  I have had the honor of working with thousands of kids and teens of this generation and I’m here to tell you that they are amazing.  Now keep in mind there is good and bad in every generation but I think we have misjudged this generation.  Yes some of them have dabbled with drugs and alcohol and some are even afraid to grow up.  On the other hand many of them are working on making this world a better place.  The problem is we more often hear the stories about how they are shooting their classmates verses the youths that are doing things of heroic measures.

Just as we did they are crying out to be accepted and valued.  We shouldn’t put a label of lazy or frightened on this batch of youth because then they might become just that.  Instead we need to guide them and encourage them to grow into who God intends them to be.  This generation is very gifted in so many ways.  They care about making our world a better place but are frustrated because they don’t know where to begin because we do have many problems.  I see many future psychotherapists, environmentalists,

lobbyists, songwriters, singers, and attorneys.   I have had youth that are interested in pursuing careers in the mental health field come and observe my support groups.  I have had some even help me with my groups.  Mentoring can make a huge difference in a young person’s life.  Mentoring can offer hope and guidance.

Please don’t give up our or youth because that means giving up on our world.  Help guide and encourage them to grow into adults that they can be proud of them.  Teach them to not give up on themselves because each of them can make a difference!!!!!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancystoops@verizon.net. You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

 

 

A Little Light Goes A Long Way

By Mark Hopper

During our tour in Israel, we were given the opportunity to walk through Hezekiah’s tunnel in the city of Jerusalem.  Around 700 BC, the city of Jerusalem was threatened by the powerful Assyrian army.  The Assyrians were one of the most powerful nations in the Middle East at that time.  Their empire was centered where Iran and Iraq are today.  Their capital was the city of Nineveh.

 

The Assyrians had already defeated the northern half of Israel and were poised to attack the southern area called Judah.  Jerusalem was the capital of the southern kingdom.  A large wall protected the city.  A common military tactic in those days was to besiege a walled city until it ran out of food and water forcing the inhabitants to surrender.

 

King Hezekiah knew that a reliable source of water would be essential to withstand a long siege by the Assyrians.  He directed his engineers and workers to dig a long tunnel from a spring outside the city to provide the water that would be needed to survive behind the city walls.  It was a remarkable engineering feat to create this tunnel with just hammer and chisel.

 

The source of the water and the entrance to the tunnel outside the city walls was concealed so effectively that the enemy never found it.  In fact, the source of the water was only discovered in the 1800’s!  The tunnel had to be designed with a slight slope so that the water would run down hill and deep under the walls to bring water to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  Water still flows in this tunnel today!

 

Tourists are allowed to walk through this tunnel beneath the city of Jerusalem.  The water level is only one to two feet deep.  The tunnel is only about the width of one person and barely high enough to stand upright.  And, the tunnel is very dark.  In fact, you can’t see the person walking in front of you.  You can hear them, but you can’t see anything.

 

Thankfully, they sell small, inexpensive flashlights at the gift shop near the tunnel entrance.  I usually don’t purchase trinkets and small souvenirs when we travel, but I was glad I spent $2 to by a flashlight.  It was the best two dollars I have ever spent!

 

My friend and I were the last two people in our group to enter the water tunnel.  We were glad we wore water shoes as we started to walk down the dark tunnel.   We were delayed a bit as we put our shoes on and quickly fell behind our group.  We could hear them ahead of us, but we couldn’t see them at all.  The narrow tunnel twisted and turned in the darkness.  The bottom and sides were rough.

 

I quickly learned that my friend had not purchased a flashlight.  I had the only one.  It was pitch black, but my little two-dollar flashlight really helped us navigate our 30 minute walk through the tunnel.  It was amazing how one little light illuminated our path.  I don’t know how we would have made it if we didn’t have that one little flashlight.

 

Jesus told his followers that they are “lights in this world” and that they were to “let their light shine” so that people would see their good works and be drawn to follow Jesus, too (Matthew 5:16).  When you and I help others and serve those around us, we are like a small light in a dark world.  Radom acts of kindness and thoughtful, encouraging words can brighten someone’s day and make their lives better.

 

We don’t need to be “in the spot light” and draw attention to ourselves.  We are called to bring a little light into the lives of those around us.  A little light goes a long way.  Let me encourage you to look for ways to encourage and help people around you.  Even a $2 flashlight can make a big difference in a dark place.  You will be glad you did and they will too!

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

 

Calling For Responsible Pet Owners

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

By Nancy Stoops

It is on behalf of dogs everywhere that I write this article.  Being the proud owner of Midnight, the black lab/black shepherd mix shown with me in my photograph is truly a joy and honor.  Midnight is nine years old and very healthy.  Midnight and I take lots of long walks in our neighborhood and he has many buddies along the way.  Some of his buddies are very well cared for and live safe lives.  Some of his buddies aren’t so lucky and are let out to walk themselves.

I can’t believe how many wonderful dogs I have seen without tags and let out to walk themselves.  I can’t believe how many dogs end up hit by cars and die because they are illegally let out by themselves.  Legally dogs are supposed to be licensed, vaccinated and leashed when they are out off their property.  They should be walked by humans that can help guide them on what is safe and what is not when they are out of their house or yard.

A dog is a huge responsibility and an enormous joy.  Caring for a dog properly involves feeding them healthy food, cleaning them, vet visits, walks, licensing them, cleaning up after them, and always providing clean drinking water and shelter and lots of love, affection and attention.  It’s not okay to have a dog or any animal that is neglected.  There have been many new laws passed to help protect animals and people lose them everyday because of neglect.  So I ask you to think about all of this before you get an animal.  I beg you to stop allowing your dogs to walk themselves.  I ask you to understand how helpless they are and how much they count on us to care properly for them.  Please take the time to be a responsible and loving pet owner!!!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.  You may purchase Nancy’s books Live heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog.

 

California Dreamin’?

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

The Legislative Analyst’s Office, which is the California Legislature’s Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor, reported earlier this year on the net migration of California’s population. The report stated that between 2007 to 2016, about 5 million people moved to California from other states, while about 6 million left California. As high as that number was, it was about one-half of what it was on average the previous two decades.

The profile of the inbound migration was heavily weighed by the large number of 18-35 year olds  moving from New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, who were typically the college-educated. Families with kids and those with only a high school education predominate among those moving from California to its top destination states (Texas, Arizona, and Nevada). This netted the effect of a wealthier, more highly educated population living in California.

A major factor in the net out-migration of the population was the cost of housing.  In April 2018, the California Association of Realtors reported that the Median Sales Price (MSP) of a Single Family Home detached (SFHH) reached $584,460.00, and the Median Sales Price (MSP) of a California Townhouse or Condominium reached $476,000.00. These prices compared with much lower numbers in other states. For example, the Texas Median Sales Price reached about $231,900.00, more than $350,000.00 LESS than the California Median Sales Price.  On a straight line comparison, the cost of housing in California is 150% more expensive than it is in Texas! That is a BIG factor in the large number of Californians moving to Texas.

Another major factor in the net out-migration to other neighboring states from California is the State income tax imposed on California residents.  Many are opting to move to states that do not have an income tax, such as Nevada and Texas. The typical income tax rate that the California household pays is about 9% of the median income of approximately $67,000.00.  That translates to an annual income tax of nearly $6,000.00, or $500.00 per month.

In summary, not only is the cost of living so much less in neighboring states, but if they do not have a State Income Tax, the household is left with close to 10% more of their income. The key to a move is the job market and the level of pay one is able to secure. Next week we will compare the job market and median household incomes in California and neighboring states.

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

 

Indiana Jones Was Here

By Mark Hopper

Some of my favorite movies are the ones with Harrison Ford as the lead actor “Indiana Jones”.  His first adventure was the “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and another one was “The Last Crusade”.

I know that Disneyland has an Indiana Jones ride which is a lot of fun.  But, recently, my wife and I got to see the actual location of the closing scene of the “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” movie.

The location is in the mountains of southern Jordan in the city of Petra.  The word “Petra” means rock in Greek.  Petra was an important city along a couple of trade routes in ancient times.  Traders going north from the Red Sea would pass through Petra.  And, caravans going east and west would pass through here, too.

Petra has a number of building facades that are carved into the red sand stone in a narrow canyon.  Petra is listed as one of the seven man-made wonders of the ancient world along with places like the Taj Majal and the Great Wall of China.

The scene in the Indiana Jones movie is in front of what is called the Treasury building.  It is not actually a building, just the face of a building.  I don’t remember the demnsions but it must be at least 75-100 feet high.  This huge facade was carved out of the face of a cliff in Petra with hammer and chisel.  I don’t know how long it took the workmen to make this, but it is remarkable.

In our country we have Mt. Rushmore with the faces of four presidents.  It took a number of years to carve this imposing memorial.  They used pneumatic jack-hammers and other power tools to create Mt. Rushmore in the Black Hills of western South Dakota.  It is definitely worth seeing this man-made monument to some of our nation’s greatest leaders.

Petra is an even more remarkable man-made project created by people who did not have the power tools or modern technology that we have today. They basically used hammer and chisel to create this imposing project.  The workmanship and details are amazing.  It was a wonderful experience to see it in person.

There is a verse in the Bible that says, “We are God’s workmanship” (Ephesisians 2:10).  In the Living Bible it says, “It is God Himself who has made us what we are and He has given us new lives from Christ Jesus…and He planned that we should spend these lives helping others”.  God did not carve us out of stone, but he created us as living beings so that we would serve Him and serve others.

Places like Petra and Mt. Rushmore are remarkable to see and admire.  But, people like you and me have gifts and abilities from God to serve Him and others.  We were created to be living proof of a loving God.  I hope you will look for opportunities this week to serve God and serve others.  They will be glad you did and you will too!

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

 

Investors Seek Higher ROI!

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

Investors worldwide are searching for a higher return on their investment! Throughout the United States, some cities are attracting a higher number of  real estate investors due to many factors, but primarily because their Cash on Cash return exceeds the return if they invested in real estate elsewhere.

Today’s worldwide low interest rate environment provides a very low payout or return on savings accounts. Currently Banks are paying under 1.75% for a $100,000 certificate of deposit, while allowing intermittent access to that cash.

Along with the higher return on investment, Investors also look at the security of their investment, always analyzing the probability of being able to get their money back  or the risk of losing it from whatever investment they make.

Two factors that are typically used to determine whether the real estate investment is to be made or not are the price of real estate, and the return on the investment measured in rental income.  A Low Purchase or Market price paired with a high rental rate is most desirable.

Another consideration for the investor is whether the investment will be for short term rental of the property, or for long term occupancy for the tenant, with typical one year leases. Different areas of the country, and more specifically, different cities in the country, will provide better returns for the two different types of investments.

An area that has more of a tourism industry will tend to generate a higher return on the short term rental market.  An area that lends itself to the more stable demographic will tend to be more desirable to the long term investor.

The top five U.S. cities that currently fit the criteria for the long term investor (per Mashvisor, a rental data aggregator) were Columbus Ohio, Denver Colorado, Baltimore Maryland, San Jose California and Anaheim California.  The analysis took into account certain neighborhoods within those cities and not the entire city itself.  Diamond Bar California did not make the top 20, as the median sales price of $735,000 for a Single Family home paired to the median monthly rental income of $2,800 equated to a rate of return of 4.57%, below the leading cities rates of return of 7-12%.

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

Fight Depression with Being Grateful Everyday

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

By Nancy Stoops

Gratitude isn’t something that should only be felt once a year on Thanksgiving.  I feel we should acknowledge everyday all that we are grateful for.  Being grateful seems to take us out of our pity parties and focus more on what we have rather then what we don’t.  We take so many things for granted and until we lose them we don’t fully appreciate them.  Every morning when Midnight and I do our daily hikes I think about how lucky we both are to have healthy bodies that still allow us to walk so many miles per week.  As we walk I think about how lucky we are to have each other and about all of the good times we have shared.  I also think about all of the people we have helped heal together.  I feel so blessed!

Having shelter, food, water, heat, air conditioning, a vehicle and all of the other basics are something we should feel grateful for daily.  I know life can be hard and throws many obstacles our way.  Yes I’ve lost almost all of my family but I’m still her.  I’m still here to help this world heal one person at a time.  I feel very blessed and honored to still be here and to be able to do the work that I do.  I learned a long time ago nobody comes to my pity parties so I stopped having them. Now I use gratitude when I feel sad or miss my loved ones and it gets me right back on track.  So don’t waste your life feel sad everyday instead look at all that you are blessed with.  Make each moment you have the honor of being alive count.  Make today the start of a brand new mindset.  Make yourself a promise to find the simple joys in your everyday life.  I promise if you do that you will combat your depression.  Oh and remember to always smile daily and learn to laugh often!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.