PORTOLA HILLS LIVING by Kelly Turbeville

We have seen the grading and knew it was coming but we are getting closer to the new development, The Oaks in Portola Hills is becoming reality!!   The developer for The Oaks is Baldwin and Sons under the Portola Center project with the City of Lake Forest. Though homes are not expected to be released until early 2016, below is some basic information on the new development per my visit with their sales associates. This neighborhood includes 309 Luxury Estate Homes Home Square Footage ranges from 2692-5200 There will be 8 separate home designs with 1 single story design The community will be gated and will include a pool and basic HOA amenities. Initial HOA is $350 and at final build out is estimated at $250/month Tax rate is projected to be 1.2570% Property addresses will be Lake Forest Estimated 1st release early 2016 Overall this is a great addition to the Portola Hills neighborhood the current estate homes maximum size is 3700 sq.ft.  Upgraded homes with views are

This past July was a busy one for the Portola Hills real estate market.   Home sales were up 20% and hold on tight the median price for homes sold was up 35%. .  Plus in the last week of July, 6 homes opened escrow!! So why the craziness, you might Ask!  A couple of things!! Inventory is very low with all of Orange County only at 1.5 months! Buyer demand is extremely high and buyers want in before projected  interest rates increase later this year!  It's Portola Hills.. The community is sought after for not only its location, the schools are good, views are spectacular, etc. However,  the big difference here is the mix of homes that sold! This year more higher-end larger homes took advantage of their equity position and decided to sale!! Take a look at the mix of homes that closed escrow this year vs. last. July Portola Hills Real Estate Sales It will be interesting to see if this trend continues!! My crystal ball might be fuzzy.. But I would project with t

Are you looking for a view home that is upgraded, in a great neighborhood with awesome schools.  You will want to stop in on Sunday August 2nd to check out this listing! Open House 19522 Highridge This Serenado paired home is an exceptional value, listed at $634,900 and offers 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage and did I mention the views!! Waking up to the sunrise over the Saddleback mountains is pretty special as is ending your evening with a glass of wine and enjoying the serenity of such a beautiful view! The Serenado tract is located in the community of Portola Hills in Lake Forest. Walking distance to the Portola Hills Elementary which is a noted distinguished school.  Low tax rate with Mello Roos and low association of $135/month, which includes access to the Portola Hills II association Pool, Spa,  Gym, Clubhouse, Tennis, Volleyball and access to Whiting Wilderness Ranch . Can't make open house, don't hesitate to give us a call to schedule a showing! 19

One of my favorite things to do in the summer time is to pack a picnic, grab a blanket, grab a friend and head out to one of the many Summer Concerts nearby and enjoy a variety of music..  Nothing fancy, just my favorite foods and friends and good music!! We have put together a list by area of upcomming concerts... Make sure to check with the individual cities for final dates, etc.  In many of the cities food trucks and other events are also scheduled during the show.. So it is great time to get out and enjoy the beautiful community South Orange County has to offer Aliso Viejo - Held at Grand Park Sunday, July 26th  -  Desperado (Eagles Tribute) Sunday, August 9th - Kelly Rae Bank (Pop/Country Rock Sunday, August 23rd - Flashback Heart Attack (80′s) Sunday, August 30th - Stone Soul (60′s/Motown) For more information visit the  Aliso Viejo Community Association Baker Ranch: Held at the Arbor Friday, Aug 21st - A peaceful Easy Evening - (Eagles Tribute) For mo

Summer is in full swing here in Portola Hills and so is the Portola Hills Real Estate Market.   Foot traffic at open houses has been crazy... buyers are out and about.. why inventory is low overall in Orange County averaging about 21% decrease in listed homes from this time last year!!  Below is a quick look at the homes that closed escrow in Portola Hills last month!! June 2015 Portola Hills Sold Homes As will note the lowest priced home sold for $335,000 and it was a 2 Bedroom Canyview Condo.. The highest priced home was a JM Peters Estate home that sold for $1,100,000.The median price for the area is $454k and the days on the market are less then 30 at 24!!  What does this indicate?  Portola Hills is a sough after neighborhood for home buyers!!    Homes priced at fair market value, presented and marketed well are receiving multiple offers.   I do see some price discounts happening in the market which is a bit surprising with the low inventory.  Honestly not sure why

I wrote an article earlier in the week about the Highest Priced Homes sold Year-to-Date in Lake Forest and wanted to share with my Portola Hills peeps a bit of the details.. I pulled a pretty basic search out of the MLS, homes sold over $900k in Lake Forest.  I was actually pretty surprised by the results.. Where was Foothill Ranch?   What about the homes sold around the Lake??  All good questions if you are familiar with the area...  The biggest surprise was highest share of homes sold for over $1 million were in Baker Ranch with Portola Hills coming in 2nd. Below is a look at homes sold. Lake Forest YTD Most expensive homes sold Baker Ranch is a lovely new community.  NEW is the key!  We all love to look at new homes; when you walk in you feel refreshed, inspired, wowed, etc.  Does that feeling account for a 17% increase in the price per square foot?  Obviously as this report suggest 6 of the homes sold were in Baker Ranch.  As well, overall in Orange County we find 2

The Seranado tract in the Portola Hills community of Lake Forest is a great community of paired homes.  What's a paired home, you might ask?  A paired home is 2 single family attached homes on a lot, owned by 2 separate homeowners vs. a duplex where 1 homeowner owns the entire property.   The Serenado community is a fairly small community of 166 homes and part of the Portola Hills II homeowners association. There are 3 floorplans: Rhapsody: 3 bedroo, 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 These homes offer a wide range of amenities, depending on the floorplan, including fireplaces in the master bedrooms, open and bright structures with high ceilings. Depending on the location, many of the homes offer amazing views of either the Saddleback Mountains or Pacific Ocean with nice size yards. Serenado in Portola Hills In addition, as part of the Portola Hi