Archive for October, 2007
October 31, 2007
It’s been well over a week now that the raging wild fires swept through and destroyed so many communities in Southern California.
I was lucky that my home remained safe and other than being unable to breathe for several days or go outside in my own backyard, I was OK. I did however, have my bags, my cat, and whatever memories and prize items I could squeeze into my small car ready to go.
Others were not as lucky as they were left without homes, cars, pets, and memories that they will never be able to get back.
Thanks to The National Association of Realtors , which donated $500,000 to go to victims of the wildfires, those who need it will get some help.
“Helping people experience the American Dream of homeownership and building our communities are what Realtors® are all about,” said National Association of Realtors® President Pat V. Combs, of Grand Rapids, Mich., and vice president of Coldwell Banker-AJS-Schmidt Combs. “We understand as Realtors® how rewarding it is to own your own home, and we can sympathize with how horrible it is to have that home go up in flames. For so many people to lose their homes in Southern California is heartbreaking.”
Others, too have helped like Petco, based in San Diego, which helped raise $140,000 to help more than 19,000 misplaced pets.
The Ford Motor Co. is donating 11 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks and nine Expeditions to the fire and rescue departments within the ravaged areas. In addition, the automaker is also contributing $100,000 to the San Diego Red Cross.
And I am sure the list goes on and on …
As the rest of us go on with our busy lives, it’s important to remember those who have to rebuild from scratch. Why not donate whatever you can by giving to the American Red Cross, and others, heck there’s even Web sites like craiglist.com that have a fire forum.
October 31, 2007
A few weeks ago we took a look at the double bump - houses that had seen two price reductions (something unheard of a year ago), but sadly the market’s showing us that there are far worse things than a double bump. It’s the bumpity bump bump, when the house has been on the market for so long the price is reduced multiple times. That said let’s look at some of those that have come up frequently in the reduction (and sometimes the price raise) sheet in the last few months.
15 Skycrest (MV)
5 beds / 3 baths
3,200 Sq Ft
8.10.07 - $1,175,000
8.11.07 - $1,170,000
8.20.07 - $1,150,000
8.24.07 - $1,145,000
9.7.07 - $1,125,000
9.14.07 - $1,100,000
10.10.07- $1,075,000
10.29.07- $1,050,000
28722 Bolanos
4 beds /3 baths
1,886 Sq Ft
8.16.07 - $639,500
9.2.07 - $599,900
10.5.07 - $589,900
10.28.07- $564,900
26451 Via Juanita
3 beds / 2 baths
2,200 Sq Ft
8.10.07 - $695,000
8.11.07 - $689,000
8.31.07- $695,000 (you read it right)
9.15.07- $685,000
9.22.07- $680,000
10.19.07- $669,900
10.25.07- $669,000
10.28.07- $709,000 (once again….)
October 31, 2007
Get all you can get, while you can get it. Huntington Beach, as with any city, has a few steals if you can find them. Lucky for you, we do all the leg work, so you don’t have to. These offerings give you the most square footage for your dollar. Happy Haunting - at least for today.
Haunted House
1936 Lake St: $1, 075,000, 4 Beds, 4 Baths, price pers square foot, $336
8571 Acapulco Cr: $799,000, 5 Beds, 3 Baths, price per squar foot. $302
218 E. Utica Ave: $850,000, 3 Beds, 4 Baths. price per square foot, $337
8612 Lorraine Dr: $907,500, 4 Beds, 2.5 Baths, price per square foot, $358
1918 Pine St: $995,000, 3 Beds, 3.5 Baths, price per square foot, $399
1802 Huntington St: $699,000, 3 Beds, 2 Baths, price per square foot, $391
October 31, 2007
Well, treats for your wallet, that is, when you buy a bang-for-your-buck (BFYB) property. Buying a BFYB that maximizes the space you get for your money is always a good thing! In looking at what the median prices per square foot are, we are better able to determine what’s really a great deal in terms of space for the dollar. Currently, the median prices per square foot are $379 in Orange, $419 in Santa Ana, and $384 in Tustin. The graphs (courtesy Altos Research) show us how the median prices per square foot have performed over the last few months. As expected, it is following the falling home prices (sellers, no treats there!). Below the graphs are my picks for this week’s best BFYB’s.
$379 per sq foot in Orange
$419 per sq foot in Santa Ana
$384 per sq foot in Tustin
This week’s BFYB picks:
Houses
1604 East Palm Ave, Orange 92866; 3 bed/2 bath; 3,139 sq ft; listed at $599,900; $191 per sq ft
711 North Eastwood Ave, Santa Ana 92701; 5 bed/2.5 bath; 1,800 sq ft; listed at $399,900; $222 per sq ft
10571 Crawford Canyon, North Tustin 92705; 5 bed/3.5 bath; 4,153 sq ft; listed at $949,000; $229 per sq ft
Condos
1910 West Palmyra Ave #116, Orange 92868; 2 bed/1.5 bath; 1,190 sq ft; listed at $329,900; $277 per sq ft
450 East 4th St #340, Santa Ana 92701; 3 bed/2 bath; 1,200 sq ft; listed at $229,900; $192 per sq ft
1192 Mitchell Ave #115, Tustin 92780; 2 bed/2 bath; 875 sq ft; listed at $227,900; $260 per sq ft
October 30, 2007
Remember when the real estate mantra was “location, location, location?”
Well, now it’s more like reductions, reductions, reductions. According to a article on Bloomberg.com, homeownership is at the lowest it has been since 1981. Here’s just a handful of what’s out there if you are looking for a home to fit your wallet:
Aliso Viejo:
87 Whippoorwill Ln. The list price was “$399,999″ and changed to “$396,900″
165 Montara Dr. The list price was “$459,000″ and changed to “$449,000″
47 Hollyleaf The list price was “$999,900″ and changed to “$999,000″
Dana Point:
35331 Camino Capistrano The list price was “$3,999,000″ and changed to “$3,849,000″
24902 Danafir The list price was “$999,000″ and changed to “$995,000″
Laguna Niguel:
24745 Camden Ct. The list price was “$499,999″ and changed to “$475,000″
24401 Kings Vw. The list price was “$729,000″ and changed to “$699,000″
29622 Pelican Way The list price was “$535,000″ and changed to “$499,000″
October 30, 2007
Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’.
Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won’t come again
And don’t speak too soon
For the wheel’s still in spin
And there’s no tellin’ who
That it’s namin’.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin’.
Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There’s a battle outside
And it is ragin’.
It’ll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin’.
Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don’t criticize
What you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin’.
Please get out of the new one
If you can’t lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin’.
The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin’.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin’.
Please excuse the length of this log, but I think that the power of these lyrics warrants it. This famous folk song, by legendary singer Bob Dylan captivated a lost generation. Released in 1964, at a time when America was in conflict with Americans, these Americans were known throughout as hippies. They were dismissed as a free-love pushing, non-war having, anti-government subculture. The power of this song has remained timeless and is still used quite often today in movie soundtracks, television time lapse scenes and commercial advertisements. The irony of it all is that the strength of the song has not changed, but the people it was written for have. Many of the former hippies have grown up to become home owners and have contributed greatly to the situation the market is in today, both good and bad.
As it is in life, there is an ebb and flow to the market, a certain pendulum effect if you will. Baby boomers yesteryear, home owners present day. As many of these owners prepare for another change to move onto another space in life, their houses are not immune to change either. They go on the market as one price and then change to another. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, we realize that indeed, the times, people and the market are a changin’.
280 Cagney Ln. # 201: 2 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,763 SQ. FT. The list price was “$825,000″ and changed to “$799,000″
2421 East 16th St. #1: 3 Beds, 2.5 Baths. 2,264 SQ. FT. The list price was “$1,049,000″ and changed to “$998,000″
2201 Cliff Dr: 3 Beds, 3 Baths, 2,879 SQ. FT. The list price was “$2,549,000″ and changed to “$2,499,000″
220 Nice Ln. #207: 2 Beds, 1 Bads, 1,150 SQ. FT. The list price was “$635,000″ and changed to “$625,000″
66 Beacon Bay: 4 Beds, 3.5 Baths, 3,400 SQ. FT. The list price was “$2,695,000″ and changed to “$2,600,000″
6 Bolivar St. #65: 2 Beds, 2 Baths, 976 SQ. FT. The list price was “$395,000″ and changed to “$350,000″
522 Alisa Ave: 5 Beds, 4.5 Baths, 6,200 SQ. FT.
The list price was “$2,795,000″ and changed to “$2,695,000″ 8 Encore CT. #242: 3 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 1,647 SQ. FT. The list price was “$835,000″ and changed to “$795,000″
464 Prospect St: 3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,198 SQ. FT. The list price was “$1,590,000″ and changed to “$1,540,000″
456 62nd St: 4 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 2,122 SQ. FT. The list price was “$1,795,000″ and changed to “$1,747,000″
October 30, 2007
Well, not really frightful… but it is a little concerning (maybe not for buyers) that price reductions seem to be on the rise. Is it another indication of the downhill market? Anyway, here’s this week’s creepy price reductions.
7157 Magdalena Dr, Orange 92867; 5 bed/3 bath; 3,662 sq ft; Reduced from $1,049,000 to $999,000 and now reduced to $899,000 (I know this owner… there’s nothing wrong with this house, it’s gorgeous! Why it won’t sell is an absolute mystery; must the be market is all I can say.)
2569 Tea Leaf Ln, Tustin 92782; 4 bed/2.5 bath; 2,665 sq ft;
Reduced from $999,500 to $998,000 (on August 31)
Reduced again to $949,000 (on September 13)
Reduced again to $939,000 (on September 30)
Reduced again to $934,000 (on October 3)
Reduced again to $929,000 (on October 9)
Reduced again to $909,000 (on October 15)
Reduced again to $899,000 (on October 19)
Reduced AGAIN to $897,000 (on October 29)
2129 West Borchard Ave, Santa Ana 92704; 7 bed/3 bath;3,088; Reduced from $750,000 to $699,000
2209 North Eastside Ave, Santa Ana 92705; 5 bed/3 bath; 1,987 sq ft; Reduced from $685,000 to $640,000
638 North Hart St, Orange 92867; 3 bed/2 bath; 2,020 sq ft; Reduced from $635,000 to $599,000
2045 South Halladay St, Santa Ana 92707; 4 bed/2 bath; 1,373 sq ft;
Reduced from $580,000 to $520,000 (on October 7)
Reduced again to $500,000 (October 14)
Reduced again to $480,000 (October 26)
Reduced yet again to $440,000 (October 29)
1001 West Stevens Ave #104, Santa Ana 92707; 2 bed/1 bath; 858 sq ft; Reduced from $385,000 to $285,000 and now reduced to $265,000
October 29, 2007
In the market for a townhome in Laguna Hills. Crestline is a neighborhood located near Alicia & Moulton with great location near the 5 and 73. Here’s what’s been selling there lately:
24326 DALE DR #207
2 beds / 2.5 baths
1,804 Sq Ft
Sold For: $500,000
Closed on: 8.17.07
24308 SAGE CT #183
2 beds / 2 baths
967 Sq Ft
Sold For: $299,095
Closed On: 10.03.07
26281 HANOVER LN #311
3 beds/ 3 baths
1,655 Sq Ft
Sold For: $510,000
Closed On: 9.27.07
26151 SUNNYGLEN AVE #258
3 beds / 3 baths
1,686 Sq Ft
Sold For: $470,000
Closed On: 9.26.07
October 29, 2007
Whether you’re in the market for an inexpensive condo or a multi-million dollar home, there are some interesting new listings in Laguna Niguel that should whet any new home seeker’s appetite.
24409 Avenida De Los Ninos #62 $308,900, 2 br/1 bath, 800+ sq. feet, one-level condo with lots of afternoon sunshine.
28621 Avenida Del Caballo St. $739,000, 4 br/2 baths, 1,900+ sq. feet, two-level, single-family residence, cul-de-sac and pool/spa.
14 Coronado Pointe $2+ Million, 5 br/4.5 baths, 4,400+ sq. feet, two-level, single-fami;y residence, highly upgraded and panoramic views of the Saddleback Mountains.
October 29, 2007
One of the most interesting things about price reductions is how random the reductions seem. On many occasions, houses of equal value can be reduced at significantly different prices. For example, a house valued at $800,000 in the same general neighborhood as another valued at the same price, and approximately the same size can be reduced by only $10,000, while the other can be reduced for $25,000. Of course, days on the market can have an effect on this, but in general one is left to wonder what the method to the madness is. I guess in the end the housing market is just that…madness.
8132 Atwater Cr. #103: 2 Beds, 2 Bads, 1166 SQ. FT. The list price was “$474,900″ and changed to “$464,900″
20302 Tidepool Cr. #204: 2 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,149 SQ. FT. The list price was “$535,000″ and changed to “$519,995″
1746 Main St: 3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,630 SQ. FT. The list price was “$949,000″ and changed to “$899,999″
19512 Summer Breeze Ln: 4 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,864 SQ. FT. The list price was “$899,000″ and changed to “$875,000″
19515 Starfish Ln: 3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,381 SQ. FT. The list price was “$699,900″ and changed to “$650,000″
19413 Sunray Ln #204: 2 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,450 SQ. FT. The list price was “$699,000″ and changed to “$669,000″
1416 Lakeside Ln: 3 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 1,889 SQ. FT. The list price was “$680,000″ and changed to “$660,000″
6235 Princeville Cr: 3 Beds, 3.5 Baths, 3,850 SQ. FT. The list price was “$2,250,000″ and changed to “$2,199,000″
