Expensive oil not all bad

Dear Southern California Commuter
Is it just me or has $4 gas taken a few cars off the road?
While oppressive to truckers, limo and taxi drivers - $4 gas has helped a lot of commuters by reducing traffic volumes. Sure you still see a few Expeditions and Yukon Denalis on the 405 but that's because they can't be sold. No-one wants a gas hog these days. It seems even the Detroit of the West is falling out-of-love with cars. It wasn't two years ago that SoCal Hummer dealers were expanding and doing brisk business. Now the GM dealers who carry Hummer are downplaying the brand and basically trying to get rid them. To be fair Hummer is not the worst-mileage car on the road, just an easy target in the current energy/economic environment. While Politicians volley about whether or not to drill in the Gulf or the Pacific cooler heads prevail. The ANSWER is to stop using so much of a non-renewable resource. Once gas hit $4, the first thing everyone did was consolidate trips and eliminate unnecessary ones. One way to save gas to stop driving so much, whatever the car. Taking the train to work, even part-time can lower stress, increase reading time, decrease pollution and limit urban sprawl. It is possible in Los Angeles and Orange County and it's now significantly cheaper than driving and parking. You can buy a home within walking distance to commuter rail for less you might think. Remove a car payment, gas and insurance and you've just received a fat raise. Maybe this means you can buy more home. Maybe a first home! As a Realtor sometimes I have to drive but even in my business there are ways to save fuel. That's part of the reason my site offers MLS access. You can see what looks good to you, contact me and we can go look at a more targeted set of properties. If you're interested in homes close to the Gold, Green, Blue, Red or Purple lines or the Metrolink system please call me today. I'm here to help.
Thanks.
Steve Mauer
agent@liveridecondo.com
562.900.4392
www.liveridecondo.com