Orange County Real Estate Update for May
May 6, 2012
What a Difference a Year Makes! In March, I started the newsletter with “Holy Mackerel! It’s been a busy month!”
As for April? Even more so! Example: we listed a home for sale in Irvine, a referral from one of our wonderful neighbors. The owner did everything right….followed our recommendation to stage his home, make modest improvements to carpet and paint, and to price it right.
The result? Fifteen (15) written offers, only one of which was below asking price. The property is now in escrow at $60,000 OVER asking price. Now that’s how to sell a home in Orange County, don’t you think? Almost every offer was from a buyer intending to occupy, and most of the offers included huge downpayments. Two were all-cash offers above full price.
Real estate investors are out in force. All this extra demand is making the market more competitive for buyers, much improved for sellers.
We have helped over 1000 families close escrows…and another dozen last month!
Let’s get started! Call me at (949) 240-5892.
Sneak Preview – Pocket Listing!
October 29, 2011
Picture a Spanish Villa with beautiful ocean views and a totally private yard!
Add to this relaxing image the luxury of 3 bedrooms, each with its own private bath, 3000 sqft of living space, and a 3-car garage, all in a gated enclave.
The master bedroom suite is located on the main floor in this completely remodeled and extensively upgraded home.
But this home is not in Spain! It’s right here in our own Dana Point, California! Be the first to view this gorgeous home.
Available to purchase for only $1,600,000, or for lease at $6200/mo.
Call me at (949) 240-5892!
Recognizing Our Danawoods Teens
September 16, 2011
Congratulations to the new members of the Dana Point Youth Board. Including among those who were personally selected by the City Council are former and current Danawoods residents Matthew Lim, Katie McAndrews, and Sam O’Melveny. More congratulations to our other friends, Morgan Tolles and Hugh Fitzmaurice.
Kids, you make your parents, neighbors and community very proud.
(list of names courtesy of the Dana Point Times)
Coastal Clean-Up Day!
Tomorrow, September 17th, is the 27th Annual California Coastl Cleanup day, from 9am to noon. Dana Point will host four cleanup efforts. Details will be posted on our website Friday afternoon or can be found at ocregister.com.
Constitution Day!
Saturday, Sept. 17th is also Constitution Day in the U.S. We will be flying our flag proudly! The official website is a good source for more information.
We Love Our Happy Customers!
May 11, 2011
Well, it occurred to me today that just because we have been in the business since 1989…we have sold about a zillion homes, gotten expert at marketing residential real estate in all different price ranges, cities and circumstances. We have helped clients find really great tenants, helped sellers rid themselves of really bad loans through refi’s, and over-incumbered homes through short sales. We’ve done bank sales, probates, helped with difficult divorce sales…but how would you all know this?
Surely not because First Team has a big shot award called the Hall of Fame that agents get each year when they sell a bunch of homes. Yep, there is a banquet, and yes, we have a wall full of these awards that mean little compared to the satisfaction in knowing that we helped to get people where they needed to be…many of whom have offered their names and numbers and stories beginning in next week’s newsletter!
Referrals Rock! I am grateful that so many of you, our Dana Point neighbors and friends, have referred us business in 2010 and already in 2011!
Thanks for continuing to keep us in mind when your friends, coworkers, and family are in need of professional real estate advice and service. We work throughout SoCal, but enjoy a large network of pros across the USA. We’re your one-stop real estate shop!
“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”
Fourth of July Contest!
June 23, 2010
In honor of our upcoming holiday, we will be taking a little break from the serious of the real estate market to celebrate our nation’s anniversary.
Submit an essay to us via email. The topic can be either, “Why I Love Being an American,” or “My Favorite American Person Is…” The deadline for essays is June 30th. Winning entries will be featured in our July 4th newsletter, here on Danawoods.info, and on our Roknich.com website (all with the author’s permission, of course).
Fourth of July Fireworks! From the City of Dana Point website:
Don’t miss one of South Orange County’s best aerial fireworks displays right here in your own backyard! The annual show starts at 9:00pm at our very own Dana Point Harbor.
The fireworks are synchronized to a captivating musical score. Gather your family and friends, tune your radio to KSBR 88.5FM, look toward the skies over Doheny State Beach and experience this patriotic extravaganza! Important: personal vehicle access to the harbor closes at 7:30pm; only buses will be allowed in during the closure. Harbor access will reopen after the fireworks show traffic has cleared out (approx. 10:30pm).
FREE shuttle buses will make round trips from Dana Hills High School to Dana Point Harbor from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Or see the fireworks and beautiful harbor lights from the ocean on the sport fishing boat, Sum Fun! Refreshments are provided; bring a folding chair if you wish to sit. Boat boards at 7:30 p.m. There is also a fireworks dinner cruise on the Dana Pride. Cost and details for these two opportunities are found online on the City of Dana Point’s website.
Check your city for similar shows, including fireworks displays all over Orange County (Mission Viejo, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano have great shows as well in most years…).
Referrals Rock! I am grateful that so many of you, our Dana Point neighbors and friends, have referred us business in 2010!
Thanks for continuing to keep us in mind when your friends, coworkers, and family are in need of professional real estate advice and service. We work throughout SoCal, but enjoy a large network of pros across the USA. We’re your one-stop real estate shop!
“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”
Summer is Almost Here!
June 7, 2010
Congratulations to all our recent graduates in Danawoods! Whether you are graduating from middle school, high school, or college…we wish you success in your future endeavors!
Parents, will your nest be empty soon? Are you considering a smaller home? Are you ready for that ocean front home, or 3-car garage, now that you will have the whole space for yourselves? This is also the time of year that we hear from our clients who are considering investing in a rental – now that they are free of tuition payments!
Please remember – we are interested in earning your business – we have the experience and track record to help you make the right move. The market right now is HOT, HOT, HOT!! But how does this tidbit of information relate to you and your home?
Call us for a free in depth market evaluation that includes First Team’s exclusive Market Trends data! It’s the closest thing to the crystal ball I requested years ago!
“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”
Neighborhood Watch
September 7, 2009
Hello Danawoods Neighbors!
Danawoods has been a popular hangout for teens this summer. But not just for residents, and not just at the pool or parks. Residents have complained to law enforcement about spontaneous partying in and around cars all over Danawoods in the evening hours. Sheriff’s deputies were called at least once in recent weeks to disband the revelers on Danawoods Drive. There was also a recent graffiti incident on a wall near Danapine.
It’s time to be more organized and diligent about the safety of our neighborhood, and in pursuit of this goal, I have scheduled with the Sheriff’s office a Neighborhood Watch Meeting on Sept 21st from 7-8:30pm.
A representative from the Sheriffs Dept. as well as the City of Dana Point will be here to meet with us. There will be a short presentation, followed by a question and answer period.
We will need one or two residents/captains from each street. Call me at (949) 240-5892 for details and location of the meeting. Thanks for your RSVP before Friday the 18th.
“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”
New Lease Listing in DanaWoods!
June 10, 2009
Now available – the sign went up just today! This nice single-level Fairhaven model, one of the faves in the Harbor Heights homes, is located at 32962 Danaoak and is available for $2700 per month.
Do you have any friends or acquaintances who would love to live in DanaWoods? Have them contact us to view this nice home, and to be the first to submit an application.
“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”
Good News – Homes are Selling!
May 9, 2009
We’ve had a busy month! As you can see from the list of properties to the left, our sellers enjoyed a very successful April.
Note that only one of the four closed sales was a short sale…I mention that fact to emphasize that it’s not just foreclosures and short sales that are selling. Affordability is remarkably better, and interest rates are remarkably lower! As a consequence, home buyers are finding good values throughout the existing inventory. Remember, even as distress sales comprise as much as half the market in certain segments, that leaves another half of the sales that are not distressed sellers.
Buyers are once again excited about of purchasing Orange County real estate. In fact, we are working with five families that want to buy a home NOW!
Okay, now turn the page for a reminder of some minor bad news: the post office has raised postal rates again, including the cost for the basic first class rate from 42 cents to 44 cents. Good news wins!
Need a Realtor? Do you of someone that is planning a move? We look forward to the opportunity to serve you. Call us at (949) 240-5892.
“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”
Is Our Real Estate Market Perking Up?
April 5, 2009
Living near the coast has its advantages. People want to live here – that’s the bottom line. But will homebuyers pay more than “market value” for coastal O.C.? Not usually, unless a property has compelling features, such as an incredible view, extraordinary lot, or perfect, upgraded condition. These are examples of what I call “insurance policies” in tough times. These properties will often sell for higher prices in all market conditions, and the insurance policies help to keep these homes from becoming merely commodities in a market dominated by foreclosures and short sales.
We are pleased to report that we now have three of these homes in escrow…all special in their own right, and all scheduled for April closings.
Almost everyone knows personally someone facing financial difficulty. For me, the market which started with stories on the evening news about foreclosures in Florida quickly became phone calls from clients about their friends in O.C. who had defaulted on loans, or were nearing trustee sale.
The situation can become paralyzing …many people who usually have it all together…are not sure what to do.
Let me be very clear. There is no reason for foreclosure to be the best, or only, option!
Please call us. We can help. We will confidentially meet with you, or a friend in distress, and review all the options.
“Love where you live…live where you love!
It all begins at home!”
