Supply and demand, the basic principle we all earned in Econ 101, still applies in the real world. Right now, using Dana Point as an example, and the “Big Four” neighborhoods as a snapshot, you’ll notice that there are twelve (12) homes in escrow, but only seven (7) available for sale. That’s low inventory.

Now, with uncertainties in the market (war, BP oil spill, foreclosures), one could argue that demand is also low, or in balance with supply. From an agent’s perspective, we can tell you that those seven available listings are NOT enough of a selection for the buyers we are working with currently, who are looking for a single level home in one of these same four neighborhoods in Dana Point. Low inventory again – and this same condition exists in most other coastal cities in Orange County.

Buyers: is this summer a good time to buy? Yes, interest rates are phenomenally low….under 5%! Prices are also way, way down from their 2005 peaks – in some cases, home prices in Dana Point and South Orange County are down 30-40% from their previous highs. Low prices, and low interest rates.

Sellers: does this mean that now is a bad time to sell? Not necessarily. Remember, if you are planning to buy down, buy laterally, or buy up, there really isn’t a bad time to sell since you are also buying simultaneously. For most families, a sell-and-buy event can be thought of as simply moving one’s mortgage from one house to another (don’t forget the closing costs, though).

Want more insight? We’re out there “in the trenches” every day! Call us at (949) 240-5892, or contact us via email.

Meanwhile, here is an excerpt from one of those craftsmen, Greg Pautsch, a finish carpenter in San Clemente:

Everybody has a “ten best list,” but there are many enhancements you can make to your home to increase its value. What’s more, these are also the types of improvements that YOU can enjoy as a proud homeowner!

Our Ten Best Woodworking Projects for 2010:

1. Upgrade or install new interior doors
2. Upgrade or install a new entry door to increase curb appeal
3. Install exterior doors and new weather stripping to preserve the doors and be more energy efficient
4. Upgrade old windows and be more energy efficient
5. Baseboard upgrades – an array of choices
6. Window casing upgrades can give that finishing touch of elegance
7. Door casing will finish those beautiful upgraded doors or enhance the beauty of the existing doors
8. Wall paneling and wainscots can change a room from dull to dynamic
9. Add ceiling details to make a room look even larger and give a fine architecture appeal
10. Upgrade any room in your house with crown molding for that sophisticated feel

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!”

Unfortunately, the owners of the opener did not notice it missing until after their home was burglarized. Among the items stolen were laptops, jewelry, guitars and alcohol.

The O.C. Sheriff’s Dept. received a report of a suspicious person on Danafir, but was unable to locate him upon their arrival. This person is described as: white/Caucasian, male, about 5’7”, thin, in his 20’s, wearing a black cap, an olive jacket and white shoes. The DPPD/OCSD has requested that residents call (949) 770-6011 with any information pertaining to a person matching this description in Danawoods.

The Sheriff’s Department is promoting a program called, “Hide It, Lock It, or Lose It.” Check out their informative website.

We will be scheduling another Neighborhood Watch meeting very soon. Stay tuned here for date and location, or contact us with questions.

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…).

Call us first! And be cautious about internet “experts,” where scams abound and bad advice like this goes unchecked: “oh, just do a short sale without any harm to your credit.” But here’s an excerpt from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, by Kara McGuire, that reveals how foreclosures AND short sales can wreck credit.

“Both short sales and foreclosures are considered negative by the score, because our data shows us it’s very predictive of future credit risk,” said Tom Quinn, Fair Isaac Corp.’s vice president of FICO scores. “The claim that doing a short sale is not going to hurt your score is false. It’s inaccurate.”

Read the entire article on RISMedia.

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!”

Meeting Date: Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 5:30pm

Location: Dana Hills Tennis Center, 24911 Calle de Tennis, Dana Point

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!”

Despite some ongoing concern about the US housing market, especially in commercial real estate, I have noticed an uptick in interest here in Orange County, based upon closed sales, and in particular, upon inquiries by first-time and move-up buyers in the lower price ranges. Inventory is dropping.

Prices have stabilized over the summer in most prices. For single family homes in the $300-500,000 range, prices have actually risen off their bottoms! But the lower prices, combined with still low mortgage interest rates, continue to offer buyers improved affordability and much lower monthly payments.

Multiple offers are common when homes are priced right, as measured by condition and comparable properties. Equity sellers are affected, of course, by competing short sales and REO’s, but buyers prefer “traditional” sales when possible, and will pay a premium for the confidence that can be had by buying from a seller not in distress.

Call me right now at (949) 240-5892. It’s a great time to purchase a rental property, your first home, or an extra condo for that child just graduated from college. Move-up buyers also benefit in a market such as this…keep your current home, convert it to a rental, and purchase that next California dream home!