2018 Has Been a Year of Growth and Change and Lots to Celebrate - CHEERS!

Top Row Left to Right: Amber Russell, Emma King Bottom Row Left to Right: Allison Chance, Monica Browning, Robin Seagrave

2018 has been a truly incredible year for Over the Moon Realty (OTM). Here are just a few highlights:

Ummm... We Bought a Building! 623 Lighthouse Ave. in Downtown PG Voted 2018 NextDoor Neighborhood Favorite (2nd year in a row) Welcomed 4 Additional, Amazing Agents Represented 28 Transaction Sides (either buyer or seller or both)

Donated $8,840 to OTM's Spread Your Wings Scholarship Fund Celebrated Allison Chance Receiving the Rising Star Award from the CA Assoc. of Realtors Received 1,271 Unique Views of OTM's Monthly Newsletter

Gave $23,125 to Homes for Heroes Hung 52 Strings of Lights & Put Up 12 Christmas Displays Gave $10,965 in Home Warranties to Clients Staged 67 Rooms Received 10,184 Visits to overthemoonrealty.com

Commissioned 148 Custom Cookies & 10 Custom Water Color Paintings Placed 79 Advertisements in Local Newspapers, Magazines, & on Social Media Had 25 OTM Custom Patches Sewn Onto Adult, Children, and Pet Attire Felt Incredibly Blessed and Supported by Countless Clients, Family, Friends, & Neighbors - Thank You From the Bottom of Our Hearts! What will 2019 bring?

Over the Moon Realty Welcomes The Harris and Hanley Group

Over the Moon Realty is thrilled to welcome Natalie and Shannon, our first real estate group/team, to the family! Natalie Harris Gibson (pictured on the left) is a life-long Monterey native. Prior to real estate, Natalie worked as a Registered Nurse, thriving in the disciplines of emergency and then ambulatory surgery nursing. Natalie’s determination and motivation have led her down many successful path, and her journey into the real estate industry is no different. Natalie approaches her role as Realtor with the same vigor and enthusiasm. Her caring nature combined with her assertiveness and highly organized approach translates to client satisfaction. Prior to nursing, Natalie worked in HR for C&S Wholesale Grocers, a leading national grocery distribution company. She led popular corporate training seminars and well as created and published the company’s in-house monthly news magazine,  Visions Magazine . Natalie is a graduate of Stanford University (BA in English Literature) and Columbia University School of Nursing (BS in Nursing). She is a member of the National Association of Realtors, the California Association of Realtors, and the Monterey County Association of Realtors. She is blissfully married with five amazing children. She enjoys walking her dog, date nights with her husband, community theater, and lazy days with a good book. Shannon Curran Hanley (pictured on the right) is a third-generation local to the Monterey Peninsula. Prior to entering the real estate business, she was a private Surgical Technologist/ First Assistant and also worked in the high acuity labor and delivery department at Good Samaritan Hospital. She maintains connected to her medical career at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula as a Medical Librarian and Surgical Technologist. Prior to entering the medical field, Shannon attended California State University Northridge where her initial love for anatomy was fostered as she studied massage therapy at the Esalen-founded Institute of Psycho-Structural Balancing (IPSB) in Culver City. She maintained a thriving massage practice at the Mind Body Therapy Center, the Vista Blue Spa at the Monterey Plaza Hotel, and the Casa Palmero Spa in Pebble Beach. Shannon’s distinguished medical career has proven her to be assertive, diligent, organized, and quite the negotiator. She is adept at managing immense responsibility with ease . She loves spending time with her incredibly supportive husband, son, and husky pup. She thoroughly enjoys horseback riding and is Advanced Open Water Scuba certified. When asked why Natalie and Shannon chose Over the Moon Realty to hang their team license, they said, "We chose Over the Moon Reality because we know that Amber's boutique brokerage fosters an environment for streamlined success. Together, its agents have the wherewithal and experience to get the job done, and the integrity to get it done right! We feel supported as a professionals every time we walk through the door."  Welcome, Natalie and Shannon!

Featured Property

Over the Moon can't wait to debut our next listing - a perfect balance of Victorian charm and farmhouse appeal. Contact Amber to be notified of details before it hits the market.  3 BR 2 BA Approx. 1700 Sq. Ft. Near Downtown Pacific Grove Turn-Key Expected on Market Feb. 1

A Seller's Story "It's Complicated"

When it was time to sell our home, we knew we were looking for a special agent and brokerage who would give our home the love and attention it needed. After purchasing our home in 2009, we put lots of blood, sweat and tears into our remodel project that we thought we would own forever. Fast forward a couple of years to 2016, we found ourselves relocating back to Southern California where we had started our family. When it came time to buy a home in San Diego we had to let go of our amazing home in Seaside.  After reviewing several agents online, we called Amber and Allison and instantly knew they were the perfect fit. We called them on a Friday morning and they were at our house within the hour talking to us about our options. We showed them around the house and we ended the tour on our rooftop deck overlooking Monterey Bay, our favorite part of the home. That’s when I said, “So, did I mention, it’s complicated?” Amber and Allison did not look fazed at all and they were ready to take on the challenge. Our rooftop deck was not permitted due to several different issues and those had to be resolved prior to the sale of the home. Allison took the lead and worked tirelessly on our behalf as we were in San Diego. They personally staged our home, doing an amazing job, and all of their hard work showed when we received multiple offers within days of listing our home.  Due to the permitting issues, Allison attended city commission meetings to help facilitate the process and be our eyes and ears while we were away. Allison became very close friends with the city of Seaside permitting department and through creative thinking, we were able to expedite the process and get the home sold in record timing.  Allison truly became part of our family and we could not recommend her and Over the Moon Realty more.  -Lynette and Tom Van Heukelem

Photo of the Month by Emma King Guess the location of this photo and write your own caption. Email to Emma@overthemoonrealty.com. The winner will be included in next month's newsletter.

Pick of the Month: Crema Roman Is Mr. February in the The Dogs of Crema Charitable Calendar

Crema held a photo contest for their 2019 calendar, The Dogs of Crema, to benefit the Animal Friends Rescue Project. Amber couldn't resist the contest that launched with the question: Is Your Dog Paw-some? Roman, a.k.a. Elvis, was one of the winners and graces the month of February. He was so appreciative of his mom dressing him up in a costume that he couldn't walk in, complete with an oversized wig and sunglasses, that he gave her his $25 gift certificate to Crema. How sweet! Be sure to pick up your copy of the calendar to support this wonderful non-profit and bring it to our office for Roman's pawtograph. Seriously. Crema is a Pacific Grove favorite where you can e njoy espresso drinks (they proudly serve Verve Coffee Roasters), loose leaf teas, fresh homemade pastries and breakfast burritos (Amber's favorite) in the morning. They also feature a brunch menu in their upstairs restaurant. Amber's other favorite is the prime rib which is served on special occasions. Location: 481 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove Click here to go to Crema's website.

Testimonial Highlight:  Monica Browning

"From the first time I met Monica, I felt comfortable around her. We were first-time home buyers and unsure of the process. Monica guided us knowledgeably through everything. She was always happy to take time to show us houses and answer our questions. Then, when it came time to make an offer and negotiate, Monica really proved her skill and knowledge. She knew just what to do to help us achieve our desired results. I will definitely recommend Monica to anyone looking for a home on the Peninsula." -- Nagata-Comstock Family, Happy Homeowners

Allison Chance is a contributor for the local magazine, Monterey Bay Parent. Here is an article she wrote for the January issue on purchasing a home.

There is no question that are our area’s real estate can be incredibly expensive and highly competitive. The average person in our community cannot afford to buy a home and rent prices continue to soar. Due to the beauty of our area and the mostly fabulous year-round weather, we are a hot spot for investors, retirees and the perfect place for a vacation home. If you are looking to buy a home, here are a few things you can do to prepare and help the process run smoother.  One of the first steps to buying a home is to speak with a loan officer or bank and get pre-approved or pre-qualified. This process involves taking a look at your credit, assets, debts and income. This process is so important because it helps to set a budget and determine where you can afford to live.  Jeff McMullen is a local loan officer with Kal Financial and loves working with all clients, but especially first-time home buyers. He is an expert in different loan options, including conventional, FHA and VA loans. When asked about purchasing a home in the area, he said, “Many of the clients I speak to believe they need 20% down to purchase a home in Monterey County. We see many buyers purchasing homes with 5-10% down with purchase prices up to and above $1,000,000. There are more options available once clients move outside of the large banks offerings. The best part of my job is being able to choose from a much larger group of investors in order to bring different options to clients looking to purchase. Whether it’s low down payment options, or other creative income options it’s important to do the research. Just because the big bank down the street says it can’t be done doesn’t mean home ownership isn’t a possibility for you.” Jeff also hosts a first-time home buyer seminar on the second Tuesday of each month. For more information or to register for the class, you can call 831-210-4034 or email  jeff@kalfinancial.com .  Monterey County also offers a First Time Homebuyer Program (FTHB). The program is based on income, and the home must be your primary residence. FTHB provides minimum gap financing to purchase a home in unincorporated areas of the county. Eligible properties include single-family homes, condominiums and mobile homes on permanent foundations. Maximum purchase price is determined by the sub-area of the county.  The county also has an Inclusionary Housing Program that requires developers to include a certain percentage of affordable housing units in their projects. This program offers home ownership and rental opportunities for households with low to moderate income. East Garrison is offering the inclusionary housing program for the new townhome units that are currently under construction. For more information on both of these programs and for eligibility requirements, call 831-755-5390 or visit the county’s website.    If you don’t qualify for these programs, don’t fret. As a real estate agent myself, there are several things that you can do as a buyer to make your offer desirable in a competitive market. Many homeowners take great pride in their home and although selling their home is a business transaction, there is also an emotional part. I encourage each of my clients to write a buyer introduction letter to share pertinent information about themselves, their family, career, why they are moving and why they love the home. On multiple occasions with multiple offers, the buyer letter was the deciding factor on choosing their offer.  Since this is likely one of the largest purchases of your life, it is important to do you research to get the most bang for your buck. Some lenders offer rebates and have special affiliations with real estate agents to provide incentives and credits when using their programs. I participate in a program called Homes for Heroes, where I give back .007% of the purchase or sale price of a home to my clients as a way of saying thank you for your service. The Homes for Heroes program was designed to give back and military (active and retired), law enforcement, firefighters, teachers, nurses and EMS are all able to  take advantage of this rebate when buying or selling a home.  The home-buying process is an exciting and nerve-wracking one with lots of moving pieces. I encourage you to all ask questions, even the ones that you think are silly. Happy house hunting!

Here's How That Fed Rate Hike Will Impact You & What You Can Do About It  Courtesy of Jessica Dickler for CNBC

The latest quarter-point increase brings the federal funds rate to a new range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent, which will have far-reaching consequences for consumers. That can be both good and bad. Here's a breakdown of what could happen to your student loan tab, savings account, mortgage, car loan and credit card. With the  Federal Reserve 's latest quarter-point  interest rate increase (and still more likely to come), few consumers are left unscathed. The decision affects rates on all kinds of borrowing, from home mortgages to credit cards.  Despite pressure from President Donald Trump and members of his administration, the Fed made its ninth hike in three years and pushed the federal funds rate target to a new range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent (its highest level in a decade). That rate is closely tied to consumer debt, particularly credit cards, home equity lines of credit and other adjustable-rate loans. "Borrowers are starting to feel it, savers are starting to benefit from it, and investors are getting queasy," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at  Bankrate.com . For the average American, recent signs of  rising inflation , which pushed the central bank into hiking rates beginning in 2015, aren't necessarily bad. They're generally considered an indication that the economy is doing well and pave the way for pay raises and a better return on your savings. On the upside,  stashing some cash  in a savings account is finally paying off. In fact, a majority of investors say reaping the benefits of a higher yield on their savings is  the best thing  about rising rates, even as borrowing costs go up. To read the full article, click here.

Full Moon Watch: Mark Your Calendars Article and Photo Courtesy of Telegraph Reporters  Stargazers should keep their eyes on the skies near the end of January for the first full moon of 2019, which is dubbed the Wolf Moon. This full moon will not only be a supermoon - meaning it appears bigger and brighter to the naked eye - but also coincides with a lunar eclipse. How often does a full moon occur? A  full moon  occurs every 29.5 days and is when the Moon is completely illuminated by the Sun's rays. It occurs when Earth is directly aligned between the Sun and the Moon.  Why do full moons have names? The early Native Americans didn't record time using months of the Julian or Gregorian calendar. Instead tribes gave each full moon a nickname to keep track of the seasons and lunar months.Most of the names relate to an activity or an event that took place at the time in each location. However, it wasn't a uniform system and tribes tended to name and count moons differently. Some, for example, counted four seasons a year while others counted five. Others defined a year as 12 moons, while others said there were 13. Colonial Americans adopted some of the moon names and applied them to their own calendar system which is why they're still in existence today, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. January: Wolf Moon This moon was named because  villagers used to hear packs of wolves  howling in hunger around this time of the year. Its other name is the Old Moon.Last January there were two Wolf Moons, with both of which were supermoons. When two moons occur in one month, the second is called a blue moon. While blue moons typically occur only once every two to three years, last year we were treated to two moons - the second appearing at the end of March. When? January 21 Over the Moon always appreciates your photos of the moon. Please email them to us or share on Facebook.

It's a Date - Local January Events

PACREP THEATRE PRESENTS LEGENDS OF ROCK N ROLL TRIBUTE CONCERT Dates: Jan. 1 -5 Address: Golden Bough Playhouse   Monte Verde between 8th and 9th, Carmel by the Sea. Audiences will be dancing in the aisles of PacRep's Golden Bough Playhouse! From Elvis and Little Richard to Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, and Sonny and Cher, PacRep's infamous tribute artists present a "Best of" musical concert of over 40 hit songs from yesteryear! WINE BINGO! Jan. 3rd 5 - 7 pm Location: Joullian Vineyards & Winery Tasting Room, 2 Village Drive, Carmel Valley, CA Phone: (831) 659-8100 Price: $5 Bingo Board & $5 Wines by the glass Join us for some good ole' fashioned BINGO with a twist! Purchase a reusable blank BINGO board for $5 and receive your first glass of wine on us. You’ll fill out the board with provided facts, wine terms, and Joullian history. Receive a $5 wine-by-the-glass special on select wines with purchase of BINGO board. Winner(s) will receive a Joullian prize: branded swag, 2 for 1 tasting, or a small bottle discount on select wine. Space is limited, so hurry to reserve your seat… and let the games begin! Andronico's Community Markets Grand Opening Dates: Jan 9 - 10 at  4:00 - 7:00 PM Address: 900 Lighthouse Avenue Andronico's Community Markets provide local, fresh and organic options with everyday low prices. SUNSET PRESENT ELVIS AND ME - AN EVENING WITH PRISCILLA PRESLEY Date: January 10 at 8pm Location: Sunset Center, San Carlos St at Ninth Ave, Carmel by the Sea Phone: (831) 620-2048 Price: Level I $79 / Level II $69 / Level III $59 An Evening with Priscilla Presley will feature open conversations about her personal story, her life with Elvis and her life after he passed. As Priscilla opens her world with personal photos, home movies and film clips, the audience will get a glimpse of life behind the scenes. For the very first time, personal questions and curiosities will be asked and answered. This very intimate occasion will be enlightening, interesting and honest, making for a very rare and special evening. GET HOOKED, CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT MONTH Dates: Jan. 14 - 21 Location: Multiple restaurants, Monterey Phone: (831) 233-3202 A week-long celebration of Monterey Bay’s restaurants who are sourcing locally landed and sustainably caught seafood and acknowledging the hardworking the fishermen who reel it in. Entrées will showcase fish, specifically rockfish and sablefish (aka black cod), that not only are available year-round but also have very healthy populations. MONTEREY MUSEUM OF ART 60TH A NNIVERSARY KICK-OFF RECEPTION Date: Jan 18 at 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Address:   559 Pacific St., Monterey Join us as we kick off our 60th anniversary and the opening of a new exhibition “Wouldn’t You Know” with small bites, local wines, and the company of fellow art lovers. 5:30 – 6:30pm: Complimentary Members Reception 6:30 – 7:30pm: Public Reception $20 Admission BIG SUR FORAGERS' FESTIVAL Fungus Face-Off Date: Jan. 19 Location: Big Sur The historic Big Sur River Inn serves as the host and backdrop of one of the Big Sur Foragers Festival’s most popular events. Set under the oaks overlooking the Big Sur River, features celebrated local chefs competing for the best foraged dish, and will include food tastings, fine wines, craft beers, raffles, a silent auction and more.This event sells out early, and tickets will be on sale. 39TH ANNUAL ECOFARM CONFERENCE "Resilience is Fertile" Dates: Jan. 23 - 26 Location: Asilomar Conference Ctr 800 Asilomar Ave, Pacific Grove Featuring over 70 workshops, intensives, keynote speakers, an exhibitor marketplace, seed swap, live entertainment, mixers, and organic culinary fare. Workshops cover practical information on crop production, livestock, soil health, marketing and distribution, social justice, and cutting edge information to help farmers succeed. 9TH ANNUAL WHALEFEST MONTEREY Dates: Jan. 26 & 27 10am - 5pm Address: Old Fisherman's Wharf This free, fun and educational interactive family event for all ages celebrates the biodiversity of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and much more! The event, which features a 2-day Symposium with world-renowned marine experts and dozens of exhibit booths, benefits many local and national marine organizations that educate, inspire, and empower the public to protect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The Half Marathon at Pebble Beach Date: January 26 Address: Pebble Beach The Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k will run throughout Pebble Beach, with the majority of each course featuring scenic views of 17-Mile Drive and the breathtaking property before finishing with a post-race champagne brunch at The Inn at Spanish Bay.

SPCA Featured Dog: Bob

Age:  2 years  Breed:  Terrier, Bull / Mix Gender:  Male Color:  White / Black Size:  Large Weight:  53 lbs  I would benefit from training classes and the folks at The SPCA have given me a great head start! Special Needs: Ouchie, I have an ear ache! But don't worry, the nice folks at the SPCA have me on medicine to help and soon I will be all better. It's not stopping me from looking for a great new family to take me home - maybe you? To know me is to love me. Please call the SPCA at (831) 373-2631 to learn more.

POMDR Featured Dog: Nestle

Breed:  Toy Poodle Age:  10 years Weight:  5 pounds Gender:  Female Nestle, with her dark chocolate fur, is super cute. She is timid and needs a patient hand to help her feel comfortable. She approaches new people to investigate but is still head shy and wary of weird noises. Once in someone's arms, she relaxes and enjoys it. She gives gentle kisses and is very soft. She is happy around other dogs and is more confident when she has another dog to socially support her.  Contact Peace of Mind Dog Rescue at 831-718-9122 or visit www.PeaceOfMindDogRescue.org.

AFRP Featured Dog: Conway With oversized ears and short little legs, Conway is an adorable study in contrasts! He's a 4-year-old, 6-pound Welsh Corgi/Chihuahua mix whose sweet and gentle personality will win your heart. Conway came to AFRP from the Salinas Animal Shelter and he has been a very popular boy at our adoption center, where he can always be found snuggling on the lap of a volunteer or visitor. Conway gets along great with other dogs and has a gentle, happy and affectionate personality. He's looking for an adopter with time to continue his training and give him lots of love! To arrange a meeting, call AFRP at  831.333.0722 .

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