July 2010 RSS Feed

The US Open of Surfing - the largest professional surfing competition in the world - begins July 31 and runs through August 8 at the Huntington Beach Pier.

The Open has a 50 yer tradition and will be host to over 500 world-class surfers. In addition to surfing, there will be over 100 exhibits by action sports retail companies, music, autograph signings, food, prize giveaways and live bands on the concert stage as well as BMX and skateboarding competition venues. The event is free to the public so come on down!

Congress recently extended the home buyer tax credit closing date to September 30. The measure would give more time to thousands of qualified home purchasers, who through no fault of their own are unable to meet the current closing deadline of June 30; however the measure would not extend the deadline for home buyers to qualify for the tax credit. The deadline extension applies only to homebuyers who have ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, but could not close before June 30.

The April 30 deadline created a surge of home sales in April. Let’s take a look at the San Clemente real estate market for June.

San Clemente Real Estate Sales Statistics - June 2010

(92672 Zip)

Homes Sold:  48
Change from June 2009: +14.3%

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Many first-time buyers of Orange County real estate have budgeted their money down to the last penny and leave no room for error. When looking at your budget and how much monthly payment you can afford, you want to be aware of what the monthly property tax payment will be and make sure you can handle any increase that arises.

Here are 5 property tax questions you want to ask yourself when buying Orange County real estate:

1. What is the assessed value of the property?

Note that assessed value is generally less than market value. Ask to see a recent copy of the seller’s tax bill to help you determine this information.

2. How often are properties reassessed, and when was the last reassessment done?

In general, taxes jump most significantly when a…

The event you have all been waiting for, the San Clemente Ocean Festival, is finally here! Join us at “The Greatest Show on Surf!” as the 34th Annual San Clemente Ocean Festival highlights a weekend full of sun, surf and fun!

 

Event Schedule

SATURDAY, JULY 17 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

CHILDREN’S FISHING CLINIC provided by Dana Wharf Sportfishing & FISHING DERBY on the Pier
6:30 a.m. Registration (on the pier), clinic & derby – children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
12:30p.m. Judging & Prizes Awarded

“GROMS RULE” Surf Contest (ages 14 and under)
6:30a.m. Registration/Check-In @ SURF Registration booth, North of Pier
7:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. North of Pier

CITY LIFEGUARD PANCAKE BREAKFAST
7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

NEW! “DOLPHIN DASH”…

Homeownership isn’t for everyone, but for those ready to take on the responsibility the desire to purchase an Orange County home goes much deeper than a dollars-and-cents analysis.

Understandably,job security is top-of-mind for many Americans and renting provides relocation flexibility, but most people don’t want to uproot their families and disrupt established friendships by leaving Orange County. A place they call home. In fact, the typical recent home buyer moved only 19 miles from his or her previous home. According to the 2009 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers survey, buyers most often cite the desire to own a home as the primary reason for their recent purchase.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau reports that owners do not move as…

Congratulations to San Clemente High School senior Tory Gilkerson for her performance in the Surfing America USA Championships last week. Tory has become one of the best under 18 longboarders in the country with her graceful style, nose-riding, classic footwork and powerful turns.

Tory also competed on the East Cost in May where she dominated at the 7th Annual Steel Pier Classic Pro/Am in Virginia Beach. She won the amateur division and finished second-place in the Women’s Pro Division.

Last week the Senate past the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010 (H.R. 5569), reauthorizing the flood insurance program until September 30 and allowing currently stalled real estate transactions to move forward. The bill is retroactive and covers the lapsed period from June 1, 2010, to the date of enactment of the extension. Any new insurance policy applications or renewals that were signed and submitted during the lapsed period will be effective from the date of application. In the case of waiting periods, the waiting period will start from the date of application. Thousands of property owners seeking flood insurance policies will now be able to close transactions.

Orange County first-time homebuyers will now have until Sept. 30 to close on their home purchases and be able to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit under a bill passed by the Senate yesterday.

The bill now goes to President Obama who is expected to sign the bill, which was overwhelmingly approved by the House on Tuesday. The deadline had been June 30.

The billonly helps buyers who were under contract by April 30, the new bill affects deadline for when the closing must take place.

Qualified existing homeowners also have until Sept. 30 to close on new homes and receive a tax credit of up to $6,500.

Below are July 4th 2010 Celebrations in Orange County. Enjoy your holiday with family and friends!

Dana Point
Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Fireworks at 9 pm

Laguna Niguel
4th of July Celebration
July 4, 2010
Fireworks at 9 pm

Mission Viejo
The Mission Viejo Annual Street Faire and Fireworks Spectacular
July 4, 2010
Noon - 9 PM

San Clemente
San Clemente Fireworks Show
Sunday, July 4, 2010

San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano 4th of July Celebration
Sunday, July 4, 2010