OCTeam's Blog: All Categories

The Holiday Toy Express arrived from the North Pole and rolled into the San Juan Capistrano Metrolink Train Station at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 amid patient, but anxiously awaiting crowds of families and children of all ages. Adorned in some 50,000 sparkling and colorful lights that lit the evening sky, the oversized (some 450-ton)  "Toy Train"  brought holiday cheer as Santa and his friends from the North Pole put on a live musical stage show and we even had snow for the event!  They also led the audience  in a sing-a-long of Rudloph the Red Nosed Raindeer, Frosty the Snowman and, of course, Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

It was a fun event that benefits needy children through the Spark of Love Toy Drive sponsored by the Southern California Firefighters, who…

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Looking for the best way to find your Dream Home in Orange County, California?  It's easy when you can search by Aerial Maps, Tracts, Neighborhoods and/or Price Ranges, save your favorite homes for viewing later and get daily emails of new properties that meet your specific search criteria...all available on the areas most user friendly and informative web site at GuideToLocalRealEstate.com .

Search at your your convenience 24-hours a day without contacting a realtor.

When you are ready to purchase your new home, or once you want to contact an agent  who specializes in offering a new level of service, helping people buy and/or sell Orange County area homes, condos, investment properties and 1031 exchanges, then your best choice is to contact The Hartanov…

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Conditions in the mortgage market are improving for consumers, which should help to release some pent-up demand in early 2008, according to the October 10, 2007 forecast by the National Association of Realtors®.

Lawrence Yun, NAR senior economist, notes that widening credit availability will help turn around home sales.  “Conforming loans are abundantly available at historically favorable mortgage rates.  Pricing has steadily improved on jumbo mortgages since the August credit crunch, and FHA loans are replacing subprime mortgages,” he said. 

Let's take a look at the October sales statistics for Orange County to get a better idea of what the future may hold for some of the cities in the coastal areas:

October figures for Dana Point show the…

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Over 70 Harley riders came out early on Friday morning to join up at famous Watson's Drug at the Orange Circle for  their annual toy pickup at local schools to benefit  CHOC (Children's Hospital Orange County).  Listening to the rumble of, and watching 70 Harley-Davidson motorcyles in precise formation going down the road can be rather intimidating. However, on this day, the Harley Riders of  the 550 member strong Harley-Davidson chapter in Orange County  came to gather gifts and enjoy the local schools children support that brings tears to many grown-ups eyes. This has become an annual event for Orange Coast HOG. It culminates with all the toys that are donated and collected delivered each year to CHOC on Christmas Eve morning, December 24.

The first…

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What is up with SoCal MLS changing the search criteria so searches for the Talega area in San Clemente and Ladera Ranch area of Mission Viejo are now considered as a city of their own for search purposes? Those are not cities and it worked the way it was. Is this something we will see more of in the future as their is further integration of MLS's.?

Now, anyone looking on the internet for homes in San Clemente, or homes in Mission Viejo will apparently not see any of the homes for sale in the area of Talega or Ladera Ranch.  How the heck is the consumer supposed to know this?  If I were a seller in either of those two areas, I would not be a happy seller. My internet exposure may have just disappeared to a large percentage of people searching for homes…

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Planning to come to the California Riviera Gold Coast for a visit or vacation and need a special place in one of the beach cities to stay on a weekly basis during your trip? If so, take a look at this newly renovated, San Clemente Beach Cottage in the popular Southwest section of San Clemente, California, only 0.4 miles from world famous T-Street surfing location and another 0.4 miles from the Historica San Clemente Pier and Casa Romantica. Once here, you just park in the driveway...and you can walk to the shopping, downtown gourmet, trendy, upscale or family restaurants, top notch entertainment, the best morning bagels, Starbucks (of course!), Duke's Bitchin' Burgers and the Sunday Farmer's Market. Or, bike to the Pier for breakfast and watch the surfers. Read Full Post

Come on out with the family or friends, have a great time and enjoy the Metrolink's Holiday Toy Express experience on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at either the Tustin, Irvine Transportation Center, Laguna Niguel or San Juan Capistrano Metrolink stations.  It's free, festive and colorful!!

The special Metrolink Train is decorated with over 50,000 colorful lights and includes an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Also included at each stop is a live 15-minute stage show with dancing and singing.

Help Santa by bringing an unwrapped toy to support the Southern California Firefighters' Spark of Love Toy Drive.

It's festive and great fun for all! Bring the kids, grandkids and stand right next to the 450-ton  lighted train. It definitely gets you in the…

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The media continues to play up the bad ecomonic news, including real estate problems in the lending marketplace. The truth is, a home remains the most enduring investment most of us will ever make.

That's because the return goes so very far beyond financial rewards.  To own a home is to make a priceless investment in our lives - and a confident affirmation about our future.

Here is what the news media has said over time:

• 1969- "The goal of owning a home seems to be getting beyond the reach of more and more Americans.  The typical new house today costs about $28,000." - Business Week
• 1969- The median price of a home today is approaching $50,000. -  Housing experts predict price rises in the future won't be that great." National Business
…

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