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Showing posts with the label Portola Hills

Rare Homeowners Event - March 2nd in Lake Forest

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Are you a homeowner who is considering a move but has questions about the financial aspects? Is your current equity position going to result in Capital Gains or you are concerned about the cost of Property Taxes if you move?  Tired of speaking with one professional and then referred to another.  It's not easy finding real estate professionals who understand the complex realities of selling your home when you have a large amount of Equity.  While I must disclose, I am not a tax accountant.  I have put together an event that will help you look at options that are available to you, if you are trying to decide if now is the time to move. We will have a panel of experts in 1031 Exchanges, Capital Gains, Trust Solutions, Property Tax and Trust Solutions, plus I'll provide you a quick update about what is happening in the local real estate market.  Reserve my Seat! This workshop is designed for the Homeowner who knows they need to make a change, want to downsize, can't handle the

Is Capital Gains holding you back from Selling?

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Question....IS CAPITAL GAINS HOLDING YOU BACK FROM SELLING? For those who may not be aware... When you sell a house for more than what you paid for it, you could be subject to a capital gains tax on the profit you make from the sale. Generally, people who qualify for the home sale capital gain exclusion can exclude: $250,000 of capital gains if single. $500,000 of capital gains if married and filing jointly. This exemption is formally called the Section 121 exclusion with the IRS. So if you bought a house in Lake Forest for $500,000 and let's say it is now worth $3,000,000. You would have a gain for $2.500,000 - $500,000 for married couples.. now your gain would be $2,000,000. Which becomes taxable income. 2,000,000 x 20% (tax rate) = $400,000 in Capital Gain Tax 😲 This is happening all over Orange County and other high cost areas and one of the reasons why "Baby Boomers" are not moving and deciding to age in place. If this is you... there a couple of things you can do

Have you been to Joe's?

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I am super excited to highlight a local favorite in our Monthly Giveaway!    Joe's Italian Restaurant and Bar in Ladera Ranch.  We miss having this popular restaurant right down the street, so I thought our neighbors would love a chance to visit a local favorite.  If you are not familiar with Joe's here is a bit direct from their website!  Joe’s Italian Restaurant & Bar, located in Ladera Ranch, California is a family-owned and operated restaurant and bar in Orange County. Our food represents traditional Italian cuisine with modern accents. Our goal is to provide an outstanding experience that will keep guests coming back again and again. We offer both contemporary interpretations of classic comfort dishes, as well as, unique ventures into new areas of Italian cooking. Why Joe's is one of my favorites.  Well just peek over at my Instagram Page, South OC Supper Club and you can see why.  But in short!  The food is excellent, the menu has a wide range of dishes and his w

Portola Hills see double digit home value increase in 2023

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Can you believe it, we are officially in 2024!  I personally can not believe how fast 2023 went.  The real estate market in 2023 in Portola Hills was very strong!  It actually outpaced the overall Orange County real estate market.   Below is our year end report that summarizes how the community performed, along with a spotlight on 3 popular neighborhoods.   Does it shock you the average price of Single Family home in Portola Hills is $1.6 million dollars and an Attached home, Condo/Townhome is $785,000.  Home prices from 2022 to 2023 increased 15% in Portola Hills.   We are starting 2024 off with very low inventory, there are only 3 homes available at the time we wrote this report.  My phone began ringing from potential Buyers when rates went below 7%, so I anticipate the early spring market is going to get a little crazy as rates hit closer to 5%.  What is the Value of my Portola Hills Home? If you are considering a move, let's chat about your goals and how I can

Residents are moving in to the Portola Hills Affordable Senior Apartments

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Residents are moving in.. to where you might ask?  The Portola Senior Affordable Apartments!  This has been a long time coming and the final buildout of the IronRidge community in Portola Hills, Lake Forest.   A little behind the scenes of this development.  When zoning changed in Lake Forest the owner of the land had the opportunity to move from commercial properties to residential.  There was a small group of us Portola Hills residence to who started a steering committee to try and ensure the development followed the wishes of the residents and stayed within natural aesthetic of lovely Portola Hills.  That was not always an easy task between builders and the city and honestly the residents, me included had huge concerns about this development.    Two areas, I am proud of is the Portola Park Dog Park , which was a suggestion of mine and then agreed upon with the city. This was a four million dollar project. This was needed as we only had 1 park in the area, Concourse Park and it was

Lake Forest BoGo is back!

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Have you taken advantage of the City of Lake Forest BOGO to support local businesses.  It is such a great program.  Check out details here! In summary it allows you to purchase a $50.00 or $100.00 gift card and get a second one at the same value!  So you are getting FREE money.   There are over 80 local businesses in the city of Lake Forest that you can use the gift cards at!  Such a great way to support local businesses as well save on your purchases! Lake Forest BOGO Businesses If you have a business you still have time to add your business and with the holidays coming what a great way to bring in some extra business! I haven't seen this program at any other local cities, so I applaud the City of Lake Forest for keeping this program going!

Sales Volume down Prices up in Portola Hills Real Estate Market

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As fall hits the calendar, we typically see a seasonal change in the real estate market.  Generally speaking it can be the best time to buy a home has homes that did not sell over summer, will start to see price drops and the hot selling season is over. That really hasn't been the case since before the pandemic however. Even this year, though sales volume is down, home sellers are still receiving top dollar for their home and in fact often times over list price.  That is certainly the case here in Portola Hills. Below is a look at how the Portola Hills real estate market performed in September, as you can see very strong.  We had a total of 8 homes sell and 7 went under contract.  The average days on the market is just 15 days.    Are you thinking about making a move but not sure if it is the right time for you?   Are you wishing you were living closer to family.   Did you know the number 1 reason people are making a move right now is just that, to be near family.   Search Availabl

Relocating to be near the kids?

Maybe it is my age, but it is certainly a trend I have seen this past year with clients.  They are deciding to leave Orange County and following their family to new locations.  With over 700,000 people leaving California this is more than a trend, I fear. Have your kids or family moved out of state?  Are you considering following them so you can be close to the grandkids or perhaps you just feel it would be more affordable? Relocating to be near your grandkids is a significant decision, and there are several important factors to consider to ensure a smooth transition and a fulfilling experience for both you and your family. Here are some key considerations: Proximity to Grandkids: Determine how close you want to be to your grandkids. Consider whether you want to live in the same city, within driving distance, or even in the same neighborhood. Family Dynamics: Have open and honest discussions with your adult children and grandchildren about your relocation plans. Make sure everyone is

Is your Portola Hills home going to be your first Rental Property?

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Did you know there are over 200 original owners here in Portola Hills.  The community was started in the late 80's so that is nearly 40+ years of equity growth for those homeowners.  Especially with the median price of the area nearing $1 million dollars.   Most of those homeowners have very low mortgages or the homes are paid off, which provides them with a wonderful opportunity to leverage their equity into other rental properties.  Perhaps the original home could become or has become their first investment property. With rising rents, right now is an excellent time to perhaps take the jump to become a landlord.   Check out these 3 Mistakes we see first time investors make in the real estate market. 1.  Not doing a cash flow analysis. 🤑 It is easy to say, oh my mortgage is this, I can rent it for that and do the math.  But it goes much deeper than that, understanding your overall cost is critical step in planning. 2.  Not working with a real estate agent. 💁‍♀️ Truth, having a R

What makes Portola Hills so Special

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When I decided to get my real estate license... 20 years ago, it was super important for me to help clients find a home in an area they are going to love. I can't imagine living somewhere and spending so much time in an area that I didn't enjoy. Of course, things change and moves are made. But when considering a move, I really work with my clients to ensure they feel the energy of their new community. When I look back at my why I selected Portola Hills, I realize I actually manifested this area to live. I had looked at the area about a year before I moved. After one of those lovely breakups we have, I had to find a new place to live. I remember thinking, oh I loved that Condo in Portola Hills. 6 months later, I bought that exact model, it was the first home I bought. 9 years later, I felt the need to change, but even being in the business of real estate II had questions about if that was the right time to make a move. I then walked into an open house and knew.. I found my next

Ready to Downsize your Portola Hills Home?

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Are you ready to downsize but concerned with how you can afford it?   Has the house become too large and you would love to have a single level?   Would you like to move to active retirement community and be closer to your kids?   Good news for our Portola Hills clients, is you have gained some great appreciation of the years and did you know you could use that equity to purchase a home with a Reverse Mortgage.  What a great opportunity to get settled in your forever home! Buying a home with a reverse mortgage is a unique option available to older homeowners who are 62 years of age or older. A reverse mortgage is a financial product that allows seniors to tap into their home's equity without selling the property or making monthly mortgage payments. Instead, the lender provides the homeowner with funds based on the home's value and the borrower's age, and the loan is repaid when the homeowner no longer lives in the home, typically when they sell the property or pass away. Wha

Portola Hills June Real Estate Recap - It's Hot!

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The summer heat has hit Portola Hills and that is impacting the real estate market in a couple of ways.  First the Portola Hills community continues to remain strong.  Pricing remains high, with the average price of a Single Family Home in Portola Hills is $2,013,000 in June.  The price for an attached home was $671,500.  Sellers slightly received over their list price.  Below is our full report! Portola Hills Available Homes Currently there are only 1.5 months of inventory available, which continues to drive pricing.  Especially in Portola Hills as the majority of homes available currently are New Builds in The Oaks or IronRidge.   As with the overall OC real estate market, Sellers are staying put, as they do not see a need to make a move and are loving their low interest rates.  Home buyer demand is there and buyers are getting use to the higher interest rates but affordability is starting to impact purchases.  Thus why we see less homes selling currently.  Sales volume is down 32% i

10 Tax Benefits of Owning Real Estate

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One of the reason's we love helping our clients expand their real estate assets is the tax benefits it provides to their families.  Let's be honest, no one loves paying taxes and in a day with inflation taking a portion of every dollar, having the opportunity to reduce, avoid or defer taxes is a huge benefit.  Good news owning real estate provides you a valuable opportunity to do just that!   Buying a home doesn't just provide shelter.. It is key asset to help you build financial security and help reduce your tax liability. Here are ten common tax benefits associated with owning real estate: ✨Mortgage Interest Deduction:  ✨Property Tax Deduction:  ✨Depreciation Deduction:  ✨1031 Exchange:  ✨Capital Gains Tax Exclusion: ✨Home Office Deduction: ✨Rental Loss Deduction:  ✨Tax-Free Exchange of Partnership Interests:  ✨Energy Efficiency Tax Credits:  ✨Real Estate Professional Tax Benefits: Here is a bonus one you may not be aware of,  is to eliminate/defer capital gains is throug

Portola Hills Annual Food Drive - Hosted by Realtor Kelly Turbeville

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It's that time again.  Each year we host an Annual Food Drive in the Community of Portola Hills to support the local community and the efforts of South County Outreach! It is super simple to participate.  See the list below of needed food items, simply text us with for pick up. We are picking up food the week of May 6th.  Last year we collected over 930 lbs of food!  We hope to beat that this year!  Reach out direct to Realtor Kelly Turbeville with any questions. FOOD DRIVE UPDATE:  THANK YOU PORTOLA HILLS, WE COLLECTED OVER 1000LBS OF FOOD TO SUPPORT SOUTH COUNTY OUTREACH!!   We couldn't have done it without your support! 

Portola Hills 2022 Year End Real Estate Report

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What a crazy year... the 2022 real estate market in Portola Hills started out insanely!  About mid-year, we started to see a shift in the market. Right before rates increased to 7%.  The market slowed, homes began to stay on the market longer but the average days on the market for the year was 23 days.  Homes that came on the market after July, sold but traffic and offers was certainly less, requiring sellers to be a bit more flexible with buyers. Comparing 2021 to 2022, there was 13% increase in value.   Sales Volume was down from 2021 with only 145 homes selling vs. 2021 where we had 184 closed sales, that equals a 22% decline in Sales. Portola Hills Homeowners equity position remains very strong in the New Year.  What is the Value of My Portola Hills Home Below is an overall summary for the community.   2023 is also starting off very strong.  Buyer's who missed out are still looking.  I had 11 people through my open house last weekend and we have several qualified buyers, search

Portola Hills Has Record Breaking Month in April - Home Sales Report

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Wondering how the Portola Hills real estate market has done so far in 2022.  Well, April was a record breaking month!  But are we at the height of the market?  We are certainly in a shifting market.  What is shifting?  Interest rates have increased to about 5% and projected to be be higher by years end.  Plus we have seen an increase of new listings, but we are still below "normal" levels.  As we enter the summer months (which is typically the slowest months in real estate) opportunities will improve for the home seller who is looking to move up or downsize.  As demand (buyers) are away and listings increase through May, this offers you the home seller the opportunity to sell at top of the market and buy with less competition.  We are starting to see more Seller concessions. Below is a look it how the Portola Hills real estate market performed in April. Search Available Portola Hills Homes As you can see from the above numbers, the community of Portola Hills had some record b

How Much Did That Home in Portola Hills Sell For?

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As we enter what is known as the "Selling Season" we are getting lot's of questions about what is happening in the overall market.  Is the market going to crash? How are Interest Rates impacting the market? Will more homes come on the market this year?  These are all good questions to ask, especially right now as we are starting to see a shift.  Yes, the sudden rise of Interest Rates has impacted buyers. But let's keep in mind, in 2018 the interest rates were about 5% and lot's of homes sold. Search Available Portola Hills Homes Let's take a look at how the Portola Hills market performed in March.  As you can see in the above report, the Portola Hills real estate market continues to remain very strong. Homeowners who sold in March, received about 10% over their list to sale price.  Homeowners in the Serenado Tract were pleasantly surprised to see this tract start selling over $1,000,000.   While pricing has certainly gone up, would it surprise you if  we tol

That Home Sold for What in Portola Hills?

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Congratulations to another KW client who just moved into the Portola Hills neighborhood of Serenado.  The Serenado community is a fairly small community of 166 homes and part of the Portola Hills II homeowners association. There are 3 floor plans: Rhapsody: 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1561 sq.ft. 2 car garage Concerto:  3 bedroom, 3 bath, 1771 sq.ft. 2 car garage Symphony: 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1891 sq. ft. 2 car garage I wrote a blog back in 2015 with more details of this tract and since then homes have just about doubled in value.  Here is a look at the overall values today!  Right now, offers Portola Hills homes sellers in the Serenado tract and excellent opportunity to take advantage of their equity growth.  Whether you are thinking about selling and moving up or downsizing into your next home,  utilizing some of your equity to upgrade the home or leveraging it into an investment property, we are here. We will review with you if you can benefit from Prop 19, which allows you to take your t

First Month of 22 is a Hot, Hot, Hot in Portola Hills

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 So have you heard the 22 real estate market is starting off with a bang!  Overall in Orange County we have the lowest inventory on record.  Currently there are about 1200 homes available for extremely high demand throughout the OC.  In Portola Hills, we have about a half a month of inventory available.  So what does this mean... In order for us to have a more balanced market for buyers and sellers, we would need to have about 6000 homes available.  For the market to turn to a buyers market we would need about 8000 homes.  As you can see with the current inventory of under 1200, listings are needed, which is an amazing opportunity for sellers.  Especially if you are looking to make a move up, because right now interest rates are still low and we know they are projected to increase throughout the year. RIGHT NOW, provides the opportunity to sell high and save $$ on your purchase! Below is a look at how the Portola Hills real estate market performed!  Enter our Valentine's Giveaway C

It's a Ho, Ho, Hot Portola Hills Real Estate Market

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  We took a look at the current real estate market and we only have 1 wish for Santa this Christmas... More Listings please!!  Overall, in the OC inventory is at record lows.  We are entering unprecedented levels when it comes to the number of homes on the market and available to buyers.    So we anticipate the market to remain strong in 2022, but there are a couple of factors that you should be aware of... but first let's look at how the Portola Hills real estate market performed last month.  As you can see in the above report the Portola Hills real estate market is extremely strong.  Currently there are only 6 Active Listings and 27 properties under contract.  That means we have less than half a month of inventory for prospective buyers.  With the majority of those homes, being new homes in IronRidge and Portola Oaks. The 3 hottest neighborhoods that sold in November were: Montecido at an average price of $590,000 Serenado at an average price of $885,667 IronRidge at an average p