PORTOLA HILLS LIVING by Kelly Turbeville

So have you heard.... the City of Lake Forest is considering 3 new housing developments in Foothill Ranch. These are in addition to the already 4100 homes approved by the city that include Portola Center  in Portola Hills and the Baker/Shea development off of Bake/Alton. Below are the details of the planned new developments: 700 Apartments to be located on the former El Toro Sand/Gravel Mining Company near the 241 and Rancho/Portola Parkway. 151 Condominiums located and 75 single-family "motor-court" located at the auto dealership off of Portola Parkway. As noted above, these new developments are in addition to the 930 homes scheduled to be built in Portola Hills and the 2379 homes scheduled to be built off of Bake/Alton. Being in real estate, new developments are generally good for property values and I know the small businesses located in the area could use more foot traffic.  However, being a resident of the this area, I must say the amount of traffic does co

Wondering how the first month of 2012 ended for the Portola Hills Real Estate Market, here you go!  One of the biggest indicators for my personal business was the fact that my phone was consistently ringing.  Customers are looking for rentals, first time buyers getting into the market and moving up buyers looking to move to the area and the buying season hasn't taken a hold yet.  Good sign?..... hope so! Portola Hills Jan.2011 Real Estate Recap: Sold Properties - 4 Attached/Condo's              2 Description:                        2-Bedroom/2-Bath,  Average Sq.Footage:         1126 Sold Price:                         $227,000 - $202 price per sq.ft. List to Sale Price Ratio:      99% Days on the Market:           70 Distressed Factor:              50% Single Family Residences    2 Description:                        5-Bedroom/3-Bath,  Average Sq.Footage:         3450 Sold Price:                         $830k - $240 price per sq.ft. List to Sale Price Rat