November 2011 RSS Feed

This beautiful 3,756 square foot Catania home in Talega with a graceful wrought iron curved staircase features 4-bedrooms and 5-bath. Offered as Short Sale by Britt Cottrill of The Hartanov Team.

The gated community of the 109 Catania homes, built by Standard Pacific Homes, are among the rolling hills of Talega. The seven 2-story Catania designs reflect the elegance of contemporary living in Talega. Catania homes range in size from 2,873 to 3,756 square feet with 5-6 bedrooms, 3 - 5.5 baths and other builder options. Many Catania homes enjoy views of the surrounding hills, the ocean and the Talega golf course.

To view photos and more detailed information about this Catania home in Talega, offered at $859,000, can be viewed at 50 Via Cartama, San…

The Assistance League of Capistrano Valley will host its sixth annual Christmas Home Tour Sunday, December 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with stops at four area homes.

Proceeds support the charity's work with Capistrano Unified Schools and Camp Pendleton Marine families. The homes feature food from the Cellar, Hapa J's, Sunsets at the Pier, Simply Fondue, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Gourmet Blends and Sundried Tomato.

Advance tickets are $30 before November 28 and $35 after. For more information, call 949.291.8408 or visit www.capistranovalley.assistanceleague.org.

Chief economist Leslie Appleton-Young reports on the California real estate sales market.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the changes, to remember that we, too, grow and change from one season of life to another.  - Author unknown

Sarah Joespha Hale, author Mary Had a Little Lamb, campaigned vigorously for 20 years to have Thanksgiving made a national holiday.  Five presidents turned a deaf ear to her pleas, but Abraham Lincoln listened, and on October 3, 1863, he declared that the last Thursday in November would be a national holiday.  Sarah was also the one who urged that the Thanksgiving feast include such foods as turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes of two kinds.  Sound familiar?

And speaking of food, are you thankful for the abundance of our planet?  Show your gratitude by implementing these…

The California Association of Realtors@ closely monitors and analyzes trends in the residential California real estate industry. The table below contains the latest reported existing home sales series, median home prices, unsold inventory index, median time on market, first-time buyer housing affordability index, and the latest mortgage rates.

Although the housing market struggled to maintain an even footing in 2011, gradual improvement is expected in 2012 and beyond, according to projections from the National Associaiton Of Realtors.

Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors®, said home sales should be stronger. “Tight mortgage credit conditions have been holding back home buyers all year, and consumer confidence has been shaky recently,” he said. “Nonetheless, there is a sizeable pent-up demand based on population growth, employment levels and a doubling-up phenomenon that can’t continue indefinitely. This demand could quickly stimulate the market when conditions improve.”

Yun projects growth in Gross Domestic Product to be 1.8 percent this year, then rising…

The Orange County CA Real Estate Report below reflects the number of resale single family residences and condos as well as new homes selling in Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. Also reflected is the % of change is from the same month last year.

Orange County CA Real Estate - October 2011

Orange County Community	Median Price	Change From 2010	Homes Sold	Change From 2010
Dana Point - 92624	$558,000	-18.8%	7	+16.7%
Dana Point - 92629	$589,500	-4.1%	28	-9.7%
Laguna Beach - 92651	$1,495,000	+20.1%	31	+6.9%
Laguna Niguel - 92677	$417,000	-17.5%	73	-15.1%
Mission Viejo - 92691	$410,000	-2.4%	39	-13.3% …

Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights

Friday, December 9 & Saturday, December 10 and Friday, December 16 & Saturday, December 17
7:30pm by the Water's Edge

Holiday Open House - Friday, Dec 2nd, 4pm - 8pm

Boat Rides with Santa - Saturday, Dec 3 & Sunday, Dec 4, 10am - 2pm
Dana Wharf Sportfishing Docks

Santa Photos - Thursday, December 8 & Dec 15, 3pm - 5pm

Strolling Jr. Carolers - Friday, Dec 9, 4-5pm & Saturday, Dec 10, 2pm - 4pm

Santa Paws - Saturday, Dec 10, 10am - 3pm

Visit www.danapointharbor.com for more info. Or call 949) 923-2255, (949) 496-2979

According to results from the California Associaiton of Realtors 2011 Annual Housing Market Survey, the share of first-time buyers declined from 44 percent in 2010 to 34 percent in 2011, and fell for the second straight year. The proportion of first-time buyers was the lowest in the last four years, and it was the first time since 2008 that the share dropped below the long-run average of about 39 percent.

Demand for entry-level homes dropped significantly so far this year after the federal and the state tax credits expired in the second half of 2010. Tax credits were a big factor in many first-time buyers’ decision to purchase a home in the last two years, as seven in 10 surveyed* said the federal tax credit was either “very important” or “most…

Are you in need this Thanksgiving? Or do you know a local person or family that could benefit from this? If you do, then please join the Family Assistance Ministries, the City of San Clemente and local churches for our 4th annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, held at the Communtiy Center.

Food donations and volunteers are needed to help feed and serve the less fortunate in our community. This event runs from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. For donation information and volunteer assignments please call the Family Assistance Ministries at (949) 492-8477.