PORTOLA HILLS LIVING by Kelly Turbeville

The Montecido complex located in the city of Lake Forest in the community of Portola Hills is a lovely townhome community that offers 2 and 3 Bedroom spacious floorplans. In addition many of the homes have good size yards with views. This is always a popular complex for condo buyers who are looking in the south eastern area of South Orange County. In terms of sales there has been 14 homes sold so far this year.  Below is a listing of the Montecido homes that have sold so far in 2015... Montecido Portola Hills 2015 YTD sales As you will note the lowest priced home was a 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Carriage Unit which sold for $327k earlier in the year.   The highest priced home recently closed escrow at $467,500 and it was the largest model a 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath, 2 Car Garage plan. The median price per square foot is $337k, comparing this to 2014 it is up 1%. The median price for the Montecido complex was $333 in 2014 for the same time period and 17 homes sold. 

As I write this post the feeling of fall is in the air.  It's a cool 70 degrees out.  A welcome relief, I believe from the hot September we had.   It is also the perfect metaphor for the Portola Hills real estate market.   Don't forget to enter our Fall Door Decorating Contest!!  In September there were 12 homes sold in Portola Hills, that is up from 8 in 2014, which is a 34% increase in volume.   So you can say the market in September was pretty hot... just like the weather.   Below is a look at the homes that closed escrow in the community.  September 2015 Portola Hills Real Estate Sales As we enter October, we should certainly see the number of sales fall i.e. decrease.  This is typical for the fall.  Homes begin to stay on the market longer, though buyer demand is still strong, people tend to want to be settled in their new home before school starts and the fall/holiday festivities begin. That doesn't mean fall is a bad time to list your home. Homes

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

Today I took a stroll through the Crown Point neighborhood in the community of Portola Hills in Lake Forest, California.  This is a quaint community of 58 Single Family Detached Luxury Estate homes. Crown Point Estates in Portola Hills I like this community for many reasons, one reason, it's small and located on two wide culd-a-sac streets that offer amazing views of either the Saddleback Mountains or the Pacific Ocean.  Check out our quick video of the neighborhood.     The community was built in the early 90's by Richmond American Builders. Many of the homes have been updated to today's standards, they have four spacious floor plans and is part of the Portola Hills II Homeowners Association, which includes exceptional amenities such as Sparkling Pool, Spa, Playground, Tennis, Volleyball, Gym, Clubhouse and more.   Floor plan Details include: P lan 1:    5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, 2 Fireplaces, 3 Car Garage and 2948 Sq. Ft Plan 2:    5 Bedrooms, 3 Ba