Hearst Castle - ActiveRain 2016 Photography Contest Robert Vegas Bob Swetz has been to the Hearst Castle 4 different times on tours taking photographs and videos, and it is such an amazing place to visit.The photograph above is the main pool at the Hearst Castle and there are a total of 3 pools, and this is my favorite pool. For anyone that has had the chance to visit the Heart Castle, you are very lucky and for anyone that has never had the chance, I would suggest you put a visit in your bucket list.(Please Note) This photograph of the pool would fall under the group REAL LIFE for the contest. Here is Robert Vegas Bob Swetz's photograph for the ActiveRain 2016 Photography Contest mentioned by Dick Greenberg.The ActiveRain 2016 Photography Contest   11/04/2016

Since we were in the area anyway, what the hey, it seemed like a good idea to plan a trip to La Casa Grande, otherwise known as the main house at Hearst Castle in San Simeon. We grabbed a quick breakfast at The Oaks Hotel in Paso Robles and headed downtown to shop at a few stores before driving 45 minutes to Hearst Castle for our tour.We pulled into the parking lot and quickly found a spot. Maybe Sundays at the end of October are not that busy? But we weren't taking any chances. As we walked toward the Visitor's Center, I spied a row of outhouses. Not the small, smelly kind. The bigger, more modern types. Hey, let's make a pit stop, I suggested. Barbara was standing outside asking me how I opened my door because she couldn't open any of the other doors.She went in after I came out, and ... 10/24/2016

Neighborhoods with high rates of ownership are more stable, have less crime and better schools.  Why?  Because home owners CARE.  They have a vested interest in their community.Important things you can do to take care of your new home include: Regular preventive maintenance to avoid things from breaking Repair things immediately when they break Get electrical and plumbing done by a professional Keep it clean and organized This home is your children’s future.You want to keep your home in great condition.  It is where you live now and where your family can live for many future generations.  It is your family’s biggest investment, so treasure it and take good care of your home.  Even if you move to a bigger home later, you can keep this first home as a real estate investment.  Your home is... 07/30/2016

 What a Beautiful World we live in 4-16-2016 Here is a wonderful photograph that I took at Hearst Castle in California several years ago with a Nikon D-90 and a wide angle lens.Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and not all beauty comes from nature. The architecture inside and out of the Hearst Castle is amazing and I have been there many times taking photographs and videos.  Hearst Castle: Home hearstcastle.org/  Hearst Castle William Randolph Hearst's famous estate, now a state historical monument, and includes tours and ticket information, history, and local parks located in San ...‎Buy Hearst Castle Tickets - ‎Hearst Castle tours Hearst Castle Tour Details, Availability and Reservations hearstcastle.org/tour-hearst-castle/daily-tours/  Hearst Castle Discover the unforgettable Hea... 04/16/2016

Remember that your home is also an asset.  It’s real property which can appreciate (go up in value) and also depreciate (go down in value).However, you should not view your home as an investment.  In other words, if the value increases, do not, and I repeat DO NOT, refinance or get a HELOC loan to tap into the equity and pull out money.  Refinance only to get a lower interest rate and do not take cash out.The housing crisis that began in 2006 was caused, in part, by the rapid appreciation of real estate, and homeowners pulling out their new-found equity.  Granted, some used the funds to pay off consumer debts, medical bills, legal fees, home improvements, and college education, which are worthy objectives, but other homeowners used the funds for travel and trips, luxury car purchases, a... 02/26/2016

  I am not in the mood ... I have a Headache on Valentines Day Several years ago when I was visiting the beaches of California, several of us ran into this funny scene along the beach.As you view the very beginning of this short video you can see that the male seal is really looking for some action on Valentines Day.But several of the female seals are not really in the mood and would rather just lay around in the warm sun with their little ones.  Now if we were in the situation, I belief we could just take an aspirin and hope our headache goes away.But of seals it's a little bit different and they don't really have the luxuries like we do of taking medication for our headaches and body pains ;o)Happy Valentine's Day everyone and make sure you have some aspirin around the house today!  02/14/2016

Another source of mortgage lending is a non-profit organization.  Especially in metro areas, there are funding sources through HUD-approved counseling agencies.  Visit www.NACA.com to find out about a national non-profit agency called NACA (Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America) which is not widely known.   They offer zero down payment loans for affordable home purchases. All of these non-profit agencies have many restrictions, such as location of the home, income level, and debts.  So be sure to research each program first, before you get excited about it.  To get a loan, you will need to complete their home buyer education courses, and meet their other qualifications.  It can be a long process. Also, some agencies are government funded, and they stop lending when their funds ... 09/04/2014

Question from Careful Home Buyers Dear Regina, My husband and I put our offer in for a short sale $10,000 below its [list price]. The [list price] of the house is $60,000; we offered $50,000. I wrote a very detailed letter with my offer that included pictures of the leaking ceiling. The owner accepted; however, I feel we offered way too much after doing a week of research on my own. I called contractors and realized the amount of money it is going to take to repair the roof that has been leaking for 3 years is more than the initial estimates. The entire duct systems needs to be replaced -- reason being mold spores cannot be cleaned out with a guarantee. The water rolling back to the wall may have internally damaged the structure. I also found out because the house is over 50 years old w... 07/22/2012

05/05/2012

              San Simeon, California Real Estate   Looking for an ocean view vacation home?  Want to live within minutes of the famous Hearst Castle?  With over twenty years experience specializing in real estate along the Central Coast … I can help you!   Call me, Mac VanDuzer, and let's talk! (805) 909-7630.   www.recentralcoast.com   Don’t know the San Simeon area?  Here’s some information for you:         San Simeon, California Location   San Simeon is located approximately 35 miles north of San Luis Obispo, California on Highway 1, and 7 miles north of the quaint village of Cambria.  Hearst Castle is a mere few miles away from of the actual town of San Simeon.                                                Photo:  Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA                             San Simeon... 05/01/2012

Friday, March 16, 2012 Do you Love Real Estate, History & Buildings? HEARST CASTLE California ... (Must See)   I had the privilege of visiting the HEARST CASTLE in 2011, and what a fascinating place to visit. There were 2 different tours I went on that were split into 2 different days. Now with a new HD video camera Vegas Bob wants to go back to the Hearst Castle and capture some new videos of one of the most interesting buildings in the country ... Hearst Castle California - San Simeon - Video By Robert (Vegas ... ► 3:11► 3:11 www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdlqY-vMdkoFeb 16, 2011 - 3 min - Uploaded by swetz777 Hearst Castle California - San Simeon - Video By Robert (Vegas Bob) Swetz Hearst Castle - California ... Hearst Castle California (Swim Pool) 2-11-2011 - YouTube ► 1:46► 1:46 www.youtu... 03/16/2012

Thursday, March 15, 2012 "Good Night" from The Hearst Castle in California   Hearst Castle California - San Simeon - Video By Robert (Vegas ... ► 3:11► 3:11 www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdlqY-vMdkoFeb 16, 2011 - 3 min - Uploaded by swetz777 Hearst Castle California - San Simeon - Video By Robert (VegasBob) Swetz Hearst Castle - California ... Hearst Castle California (Swim Pool) 2-11-2011 - YouTube ► 1:46► 1:46 www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPFMfDAyfssFeb 11, 2011 - 2 min - Uploaded by swetz777 Visitor Center More results from hearstcastle.org » ► Video taken by Robert ( Vegas Bob) Swetz 2-11-2011 ... More videos for Hearst Castle robert swetz » "Good Night" from Hearst Castle in California (skinny-dipping ... activerain.com/.../-good-night-from-hearst-castle-in-california-skinny... Mar 10, 2011 –... 03/15/2012

Relive Hollywood heydays of the 1920s and 1930s at the Hearst Castle for one star-studded night during the "Hollywood to Hearst Castle" event on Friday, March 9, 2012. This is held, as part of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (SLOIFF), where the VIP event includes an historic movie screening of Citizen Kane, a private tour of the castle, indoor poolside food, wine and more. Honored guests, actor Harrison Ford and renowned Hollywood photographer Timothy White, will start off the evening's festivities at 5 p.m. by flying into Hearst Ranch's private airfield, just as William Randolph Hearst's high-profile Hollywood friends once did. Times an details are listed below:- Times          : 5:00 pmAddress     : 750 Hearst Castle Rd.Event City  : San SimeonPhone          : 805.546... 03/07/2012

My friend Susan wasn't actively working in Real Estate last year, so when her license came up for renewal, she didn't take her continuing ed courses. So then she was going to have to pay additional penalties to renew her license.  Therefore, Susan's license lapsed and she ignored the DRE letters... for a whole year.  And now she's going to have to take the DRE exam all over again if she wants to work in real estate again!  She doesn't plan to work full-time as a real estate agent, but if she had kept her license active, she could have at least received referral fees as a source of passive income.  We all know someone who's going to buy or sell a house right? Need to renew your Real Estate license?  But not quite ready to enroll in CE courses yet?  We've got the perfect solution!  Simply... 09/23/2011

Indoor Pool at "Hearst Castle" in California by Robert Swetz 2011 The Hearst Castle in California has one of the most beautiful outdoor pools in the country, but take a look at this indoor pool. And could you imagine "skinny-dipping" with your loved one in this pool ... WOW! Hearst Castle - California State Park The official web site of Hearst Castle. Includes tour information, historical sketches, news, special events, visitor information and QuickTime VR panoramic ...www.hearstcastle.org/ - Cached - Similar Ticket Information Tours The Castle Frequently Asked Questions Map & Directions Tour 1 Contact Hearst Castle Building the Dream 03/10/2011

Photograph taken by Robert Swetz 2-11-2011   I have driven by the gate of the "Hearst Castle" on Hwy 1 in California for over 35 years now and today was the first time I drove in through the gate of the "Hearst Castle". I can not believe in all these years I have never been inside the Castle. The tour I went on today covered only the lower rooms & pools of the Castle, and I took some great photographs. I am going on another tour tomorrow that covers the upper rooms, bedrooms, kitchen and other rooms that weren't covered on the first tour.   Photograph taken by Robert Swetz 2-11-2011   I have many other photographs from the inside of the Castle to another inside pool. I also have video that I will be posting to YouTube at...  Swetz777   Photograph taken by Robert Swetz 2-11-2011   Vegas... 02/11/2011

"Friday Funnies" Vegas Bob talking with the Seals on the Pacific Coast ... ;o)   Well I couldn't finish out my week without my "Friday Funnies" post and here it is ... After my tour of (The Hearst Castle) I sighted some Seals lying around the rocks by the beach around 10 miles north of Morro Bay in California. Here is a short Video and some of these Seals must think this Vegas Bob guy is ... CRAZY! I shot as much Video footage as I could and my post more to YouTube. Also I will be going on my second tour of (The Hearst Castle) tomorrow and will be bringing breath-taking photographs & video coverage of the Castle. So until then have fun with this video ...   02/11/2011

If you have not seen an elephant seal up close, check out these majestic creatures at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery located on California highway 1 at the southern end of Big Sur on the California coast, twelve miles north of Cambria and four miles north of the entrance to the Hearst Castle.   Close-Up View   Mom & Pup   He roars!   Great communicators!   According to the Friends of the Elephant Seal, elephant seals, Mirounga angustirostris, are true seals, or earless seals, members of the pinniped suborder.  The huge blubbery males have pendulous noses that give these beasts their name.  Females possess faces that seem to be etched with a permanent smile, and endearing plump babies are endowed with big brown eyes.   09/08/2008

Beautiful San Simeon California is located 5 minutes from Hearst Castle on scenic Hwy 1.Hearst Castle is a historic tourist attraction deeded to the State of California and tours run daily on buses that will drive you up to this amazing piece of San Simeon real estate. It was built by William Randolph Hearst, a newspaper and magazine baron in the early 1900's. William Hearst lavished the Castle with many antiques, art, and entire rooms brought from the great houses of Europe. This is definately a site to behold on the Central Coast of California.San Simeon is also well known for the elephant seal sanctuary, the Piedras Blancas rookery seven miles North of San Simeon. elephant seals, once almost extinct can be found year round here. This location is home to about 15,000 elephant seals wh... 05/11/2007