PORTOLA HILLS LIVING by Kelly Turbeville

As we enter summer in Portola Hills, all signs for the real estate market are hot, hot, hot!  Low inventory, high buyer demand are the key factors keeping this market hot!! Typically this time of year we see an increase in listing activity but all over Orange County the number of new listings is down.  Overall the economy is improving, prices are up but some homeowners are still siting on the fence...  Maybe waiting for price increases, maybe repairing credit after taking hit, the answers are in the hands of homeowners, but one thing is certain those who have decided to sell are receiving top dollars for their home. If you are considering a move and looking to move up into that dream home then you will want to keep in mind with the continued low interest rates and high buyer demand you truly have entered the perfect storm to sell and buy your next home. Portola Hills April-May 2013 Closed Sales   In April and through today, 9 homes have sold in Portola Hills.  On the snapshot

It is spring time the home buying season has begun or has it... Here in South Orange County the inventory is extremely low and home buyers are searching and searching for homes to no avail. Below is a graph for the last 12 months that shows Inventory Levels vs. Sales Price for the area of Lake Forest . As you will note home inventory has dramatically dropped, which results in an increase in the sale prices, good news for homeowners who are considering a move. I do see a slight issue with some homes sitting on the market for no other reason then being incorrectly priced.    If your home is priced right it will move into escrow pretty quickly.  If a home has not gone into escrow within 30 days, with multiple offers, pricing is probably the main issue.   Today's home buyer is savvy and understand the inventory levels but they also are still very price conscience!  By not pricing your home accurately, in the long run you are hurting your chances to get the best price

We wish Everyone a day filled with Blessings! Portola Hills Sunset View

The weather is warming up, the days are getting longer and you might even been feeling a bit of spring fever... That is the universes way of telling you it is time venture down the hill and get out and enjoy what Orange County has to offer in march. March 2013 Events: March 2-3 & 9-10:      Dana Point Festival of Whales  - Dana Point March 9-30:                 Irvine Park Easter Eggstravaganza  - Irvine March 9:                      Astronomy Night -Silverado Canyon March 9-10:                Kite Party - Huntington Beach March 11:                   El Presidente Bal l - San Juan Capistrano March 16-17:             Civil War Re-enactment - Anaheim March 17:                   St. Patrick's Day Dash - Irvine March 17:                   St. Patrick's Day Celebration & Green Festival  - Costa Mesa March 20:                   Swallows Day Fiesta Grande  - San Juan Capistrano March 23:                   Swallows Day Parade & Mercado  - San Juan Cap

We all have an idea of what our dream house look's like, but what is really fun is seeing the imagination of what a child thinks their dream home look likes.  We created this Dream House Coloring Contest with the kids in mind.  "I love seeing the faces of little ones when out showing properties and saying to them which room is yours, they get so excited".  So let's have some fun... Color away! Click on the picture, download hand it to the little ones and let them color away.....  Send it on in and they just may win an $50.00 Toys R Us gift card. Foothill & Portola Hills Dream House Coloring Contest Deadline to enter is March 1st.  

Inventory, Inventory or should we say Lack of Inventory is the buzz word in Real Estate these days.  This is no exception in both Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills.  The market ended with very few homes on the market.  Good news... though for home sellers these homes successfully closed escrow in the first month of 2013! Have you been thinking about a move.... you will want to seriously take into consideration the low inventory.. as this is going to offer a the opportunity to receive top dollar for your home.  In addition, with interest rates projected to tick up, you have actually reached the perfect storm in Real Estate.  Top Market Price, Huge Buyer Demand, resulting in Multiple Offers and allowing you to purchase a move up property at today's low interest rates. Wondering what your home is worth....simply send us a note and we will send you over a FREE Market Report or your property and the immediate neighborhood!  It's that simple!

This is the way I like January to start out, set's the tone for a good business year.   Our listing in the community of Portola Hills at 18950 Canyon Summit, Trabuco Canyon 92679 just closed escrow and I have a happy home seller and lovely couple has their 1st home!  To give you an idea about the current market, this home was  a 1000 sq. ft. Condo, listed for $290k.  We received multiple offers within the first 3 days on the market and settled with a 1st Time Buyer, at a price of $300k.  Yes, that is $10,000 over asking and we closed in about 35 days from start to finish! When I look at real estate comparables it always makes me scratch my head why one home sales at one price and others are listed or selling at a lower price or not moving at all? That was the instance with this listing.  Understanding the local market, which includes properties available, style etc is key to getting you the right price. If you are wondering the same thing, give us a call and let us