OCTeam's Blog: All Categories

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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Marblehead Coastal is one of the most anticipated projects along the Southern Orange County Coast. The San Clemente coastal development,  what developer SunCal has proclaimed "One of the  last remaining oceanfront enclaves aong the California Coast, is shaping up and reported as follows:

The Vista Hermosa Bridge is about 50% complete... scheduled completion is set for June 2008. The commercial bridge has not been started.

The Sales Gallery is open by appointment only for sales of the first 69 custom lots of this 313 home development.  Custom lots range in price from $1.65M to$3.4M. The first neighborhood of custom lots is named The Pointe at Marblehead Coastal.

The Sales Gallery is sheduled to open for home sales sometime in 2008.

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If you listen to the news media the sky is falling and the last thing anyone should consider doing is buying a home. As with everything in life, real estate goes in cycles. Prices fluctuate in the short term, but long term real estate is still an excellent investment.

Below are the Top 10 Signs It Is Time To Buy A Home:

10. You are ready to stop paying your landlord's mortgage payment and start building wealth of your own.

9. You could use the property tax and mortgage interest deductions.

8. You want a vested interest in your community.

7. Temperatures have been close to 100 and you can no longer tolerate waiting for your landlord to fix your air-conditioner.

6. You are working at a job that you will no longer leave the country every other year.

5.…

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