PORTOLA HILLS LIVING by Kelly Turbeville

Who is ready for Fall!  With this week being the official start of Fall 2015, I thought it would be fun to put together a Portola Hills Community Contest to celebrate the season.  Well maybe secretly I am hoping it will bring some cooler fall weather along with it! It is simple.. Decorate your Front Door, send us a picture and we will randomly pick the winning entry just in time for Thanksgiving!! The grand prize is a $50.00 grocery card.   Contest runs from 10/1/15-11/30/15. Portola Hills Fall Door Decorating Contest - Sponsored by Kelly Turbeville Terms apply... Contact Kelly direct for directions on how to enter. Open to Portola Hills residents only.  Participants agree photo will be shared publicly.

As Foothill Ranch is our neighbor and often lumped in with data and area information for Portola Hills, it is important to be aware of the real estate market trends for the overall area. This past month in Foothill Ranch 14 homes closed escrow with the Average price of $582k for 1725 square feet in 71 days. Foothill Ranch Closed Real Estate Sales August 2015 Foothill Ranch Closed Real Estate Sales August 2014 In 2014 during the same time period August, 8 homes closed escrow with the Average price of $664k for 1997 square feet in 81 days. Comparing the two years, though the number of sales are up in 2015, with the mix of what sold the average pricing for the area looks be down.  However, when you split out detached homes the average sold price was $739k, which is up about 11% from 2014. Comparing what homes sold in Foothill Ranch vs Portola Hills this past month, the price per square in foot in Portola Hills averaged $357 per square foot vs. Foothill Ranch $

Are you looking for a view home?  You will want to stop in and check out this lovely paired home in the community of Portola Hills in Lake Forest.  This is a 3 Bedroom, 2.5 bath home with over 1600 sq. ft and offers AMAZING views of the Saddleback Mountains... Open from 12:00 pm on September 5th.. Open House by Kelly Turbeville Want more information on this home or other homes located in Portola Hills... Contact Kelly  with Century 21 Award!

Historically August is a quiet month in the real estate market, people are finishing up vacations and getting kids ready for school, etc.  In Portola Hills however this wasn't the case when it comes to the  number of homes that sold as we saw a 37% increase  in the number of closed escrows over August of 2014. In 2014 5 homes closed escrow in 2015 8 homes closed escrow...   Below is a breakdown of what homes sold in both years. Portola Hills August 205 Home Sales As you will note this last month, 8 homes successfully closed escrow with average price point of approximately $503,000. Portola Hills August 2014 Home Sales In 2014, 5 homes closed escrow, with an average price point of $490,000.    Comparing the two years in regards to pricing we saw a 9% increase in the sales prices .   Still outpacing Orange County as a whole, but down from the double digit price increase we saw in June and July. With the last quarter, anticipated homes sales, can slow down