PORTOLA HILLS LIVING by Kelly Turbeville

August was a quiet month for closed sales in Portola Hills, but there is a little more happening beneath the surface than the sales numbers suggest. Only three homes closed escrow during August , and those three sold quickly, averaging just six days on the market . At first glance, that might make you think homes are flying off the market. They’re not. The homes currently available for sale have been sitting for an average of 57 days , while the homes currently in escrow averaged 77 days on the market before finding a buyer. That tells us something much more interesting about the Portola Hills market.  Buyers Are Making Decisions In my last market report, we were watching 37 homes available for sale in Portola Hills. Since then, 17 of those homes have gone into escrow. That is nearly half of the inventory we were watching. So while closed sales were quiet in August, buyers were out shopping. But they weren’t rushing. And that distinction matters, because for the past several yea...

  There is a phrase I keep coming back to lately: “A home starts with intention, not perfection”. And maybe that is something buyers need to hear right now. Because if you are waiting for the perfect house to come on the market, at the perfect price, with the perfect interest rate, in the perfect neighborhood, with the perfect kitchen... You may be waiting awhile and missing the opportunity in front o you.   Let’s be honest, The Perfect House Probably Doesn't Exist After more than 20 years in real estate, I have watched buyers walk into homes and immediately start mentally remodeling them. And there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, I think that is part of homeownership journey. But one questions, buyers often put out of the mind is the most important one. Does this work form my life today?   Can I comfortably afford it? Is it in the location I desire?   These four questions, are important because, let’s face it, they can be difficult or expensive to change. The m...

Portola Hills an the overall Orange County real estate is being shaped by more than home prices.   Rising inventory, mortgage rates, insurance costs, condo financing requirements and California housing policies are all influencing what buyers can afford and how sellers should prepare. One area in particular could be worrisome for Condo/Townhome owners in the area and Opportunity for Buyers.   For years, condos have been considered the more affordable path to homeownership. But rising HOA dues, insurance costs, special assessments and tighter lending requirements are changing that equation. We are seeing it right here in Portola Hills. According to July MLS data: • Attached homes averaged 75 days on the market • Resale single-family homes averaged just 6 days When I priced our last condo competitively, I received some concern from other agents. Even with the right price and marketing, we were on the market for more than 30 days. We sold. Other condos are still sitting...

The real story this month isn't the number of homes for sale. It's the difference between the single family and attached home markets. Single family homes that sold in July averaged just six days on the market . Attached homes, on the other hand, averaged 75 days before selling. That's a dramatic difference, and it's consistent with what we're seeing throughout Orange County. Why? Affordability continues to be the biggest challenge. Condo buyers are typically more sensitive to monthly payment than buyers in the detached home market. When you combine today's mortgage rates with property taxes, homeowners insurance, and steadily increasing HOA dues, the total monthly cost can easily add another $1,000 or more beyond the mortgage payment. Buyers aren't just shopping for a purchase price anymore. They're shopping for a monthly payment they can live with.   Search Portola Hills Homes  If you're thinking about selling a condo, it's important to un...

Thinking about moving to Orange County but not sure where to start? The truth is, there isn’t one “best” city. There is only the one that fits *your* lifestyle and of course lifestyle can vary dramatically, based on so many factors.   🌊 Dreaming of the coast? 👨‍👩‍👧 Looking for great schools? 🐴 Want room for horses? 🥾 Love hiking and open space? ✨ Searching for luxury living? 🚶 Prefer a walkable neighborhood? 💰 Looking for the best value? 🛡️ Safety at the top of your list? Orange County has a community for just about everyone. The challenge isn’t finding a great place to live. It’s finding the one that feels like home. We've made it simple, for you. Here is a list of Orange County’s most popular communities based on lifestyle. Search Orange County Homes Which one sounds most like you? Drop it in the comments or send me a DM. I’d be happy to help you narrow down your search. Follow for Orange County tips and guides..  #OrangeCounty #OrangeCountyRealEstate #MovingTo...

Another Happy Seller! 🏡 This Portola Hills condo had been sitting on the market for 45 days with fewer than five showings and no offers before the sellers reached out to me. Instead of hoping for a different outcome, we changed the strategy. ✔️ New photography ✔️ Fresh marketing ✔️ Repositioned the listing ✔️ Consistent follow-up The result? Under contract in less than 30 days. Every home has a story, and sometimes it's not the home that needs to change. It's the marketing behind it. Thank you to my wonderful clients for trusting me with the sale of your investment property and for this incredible review. It means more than you know. If your home isn't getting the attention it deserves, let's have a conversation before you make your next move. 📍Portola Hills | Lake Forest | Orange County SEARCH AVAILABLE PORTOLA HILLS HOMES About Kelly Turbeville Hi, I'm Kelly, a local Realtor, writer, and the voice behind Portola Hills Living . I've been helping buyers an...