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Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Real Estate News

When you are looking to buy a home in Orange County, or anywhere else for that matter, it is critical to drill down into the numbers for the sector of the market that you are looking at. Orange County numbers are wonderful benchmarks to know, but our market is made up also of submarkets within the OC. It's important to understand Absorption Rates, Average Days on Market, price per square foot, sale price to list price, etc. For every buyer I'm working with, I try to do an analysis that really tells the story of the market they are hoping to buy in. This allows them to have a realistic picture of the market and compete effectively for the home they hope to buy. If you are a seller, these numbers will be important to you too. Even if you are not a buyer or seller right now, hang in there...
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Search for Rancho Santa Margarita Foreclosures and Orange County Foreclosures for free!  That's right...free!  There are many Foreclosure Information Companies out there that charge interested parties a free to see information that can be accessed by the general public at no cost.  Don't throw your money away!  Local Orange County, CA foreclosures, bank owned homes and short sales are available. A large number of real estate agents now have the ability to allow visitors to search their website specifically for foreclosures or short sales.  Some sites require registration and others do not.  Most sites with registrations allow a visitor to search multiple times and easily track properties of interest.  Don't be scared away by the registration requirement.  These sites usually have the m...
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Most Rancho Santa Margarita residents, especially those who golf,  know Tijeras Creek Golf Club is dubbed The Best Golf Value in the OC.  But did you know that Tijeras Creek Golf Club has an amazing bargain Sunday Brunch for only $15.95?  Better still, kids 6-12 eat for $9.95 and kids under 6 eat for free. The brunch menu inclues: Omelet Station Roast Ham Carving Station Smoked Applewood Bacon Breakfast Sausages Tijeras Creek Breakfast Potatoes Scrambled Eggs Fresh Breakfast Pastries Assorted Desserts Sunday Brunch hours: 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Tijeras Creek Golf Club is located at 29092 Tijeras Creek in Rancho Santa Margarita.           
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I quote statistics all the time, but they get dated quickly. I have been saying that sales this year are out pacing sales for the same time frame last year (still true), but I figured it was time to take the pulse of the Market. I think this information is interesting, see what you think. All of this Data is from our MLS and for Rancho Santa Margarita. Today is 12-19-08 Active Listings Total Active Listings on the Market today - 267 Detached 149, Attached 188 (not sure what happened to the other two? New math?) Detached Condos - 13 Lowest Priced - $115,000, Highest - $1,379,000 Short Sale Listings 127 Court Approval Required - 1 Relocation Approval Required - 5 REOs with offers submitted - 0 (yeah, right) REOs - 34 Relocation Owned - 2 Red Tagged - 0 (ok, so I used this to get attention...
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By Paul McDuell
(Realty Benefit)
Walden is a small community in Rancho Santa Margarita. We only have 113 homes in our gated community. The homes range in size from 2900 to 3500 SqFt. We have a small fishing pond, a community pool, spa, picknic area, a tot lot. Most of our homes are on are single loaded streets. Maybe one of the best things about Walden is the fact that we don't pay Mello Roos!!! That's right, built in 1994, Walden is one of the only communities in the area built post 1989 that doesn't pay Mello Roos. Why? Because the builder (Brock Homes), paid the bond in full! Pretty cool. Speaking of Cool, take a look at todays Walden Snap Shot.
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By Paul McDuell
(Realty Benefit)
While searching for listing for a new client today, I kept glancing at Saddleback, waiting for the clouds to clear so that I could capture a few pictures. The Lake was beautiful with the White Capped Saddle Back Mountains in the back ground. We don't get to enjoy the snow here very often. What do you think? Palm Trees and Snow... Only in Calif!
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By Paul McDuell
(Realty Benefit)
Snow is Rare in Saddleback Valley, in fact, I don't recall ever seeing snow in the "Valley". We get hail now and then, but it melts pretty quickly. If was pretty cold today, in the 40's. Oh I know, that is short sleeve weather for some of you, but not for this California native! We do get snow up on the "Mountain" I snapped a few shots today that I wanted to share.
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By John Alesi, (Orange County California Real Estate)
(Century 21 Award)
Snow In Sunny Southern California by John Alesi, Mission Viejo REALTOR® Mission Viejo CA Real Estate Wednesday's rain storms brought a fantastic dusting of snow to the local mountains. Our closest mountain tops, Modjeska and Santiago peaks are just 3.5 miles (as the crow flies) from my office in Rancho Santa Margarita. The snow will probably last only a few more days before the sunshine melts it, but the view today is outrageous! And that's how I like my snow...at a distance! You see, growing up in Chicago, snow fall had a totally different meaning; shoveling the mile long sidewalk in front of out house (it sure seemed that long back then), cars stuck in snow drifts or skidding out of control and all of the heavy winter garments needed to survive the bitter cold. Here in California, I c...
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When buying a Rancho Santa Margarita Foreclosure or bank owned home, does a buyer really need to spend extra money for a home inspection?  What if the home is sold "as is, where-is"?  The answer is YES! In all cases you should have a licensed professional evaluate the home you will be purchasing.  Whether or not repairs will be requested or made, a local professional, licensed home inspector should be hired for a home inspection. It doesn't matter whether the transaction is a standard sale, a short sale or an REO / bank-owned sale.  A buyer should know up front if there are any existing conditions in the home they are looking to purchase.  A home inspection provides a home buyer with a list of repairs that should be made immediately, and notes any findings that might cause additional f...
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Final Score - CIF-SS Pac-6 SemiFinals Football December 6, 2008:  Tesoro Titans Own Orange Lutheran 42-14 Once again the Tesoro Titans Football team proves that they are a force with which to be reckoned.   The Titans started off strong, taking an early lead which by half time was 28-0. Orange Lutheran never stood a chance. Tesoro faces the #1 Rated Team in the state, Long Beach Poly at the PAC-5 Division Finals at Angel Stadium on Saturday, December 13th, 2008.  Congratulations to this outstanding local team on their win tonight!    
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By Eve Friske, CDPE, e-PRO, QSC, M.A.
(Keller Williams Realty)
30 Anana Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 Hot Buy in RSM under $300,000 Home Complete Details Virtual Tour Photo Gallery Property Map Financing Request Showing Contact Me Eve Friske Mobile:949.315.1202 Fax:949.315.3988 Website:Visit Website Price : $290,000 Bedrooms : 2 Bathrooms : 2 Square Foot : 1,000 County : Orange Property Type : Condo or Townhouse click for more pictures Property Description Beat the crowd to this fantastic townhome. Very private end unit with only one attached wall. This location has only 3 units in the building and is in a premium location! You will love the light that all the windows bring into this 2 bedroom 2 bath location with private balcony with views of the hills. This townhome has a 1 car garage with one reserved space PLUS 3 additional guest parking pa...
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SoCal MLS reports that a total of 50 Rancho Santa Margarita homes were sold in November, 2008.  That's a 62% increase over Novermber of 2007, when then total volume of homes sold as only 31 and a 7.3% decrease from November, 2006, with 60 homes selling.  A total of 85 homes closed escrow in October of 2008. 23 Rancho Santa Margarita Single Family Homes Sold in Nov. 2008: Standard Sales - 14 Short Sales - 5 Bank-owned / REO - 4 27 Rancho Santa Margarita Condos Sold in Nov. 2008: Standard Sales - 11 Short Sales - 9 Bank-owned / REO - 7 What does all of this mean and how does it effect the value of Rancho Santa Margaita home values? Standard home sales are still outnumbering bank owned homes and short sales.  The number of closed REO and short sale homes appears to be increasing as more l...
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Here's a quick and easy way to help others and to give back in Rancho Santa Margarita. Cox Communications, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, is sponsoring a blood drive on Thursday, December 4th.  The drive will take place in the Rio Grande Room from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Do you think you're too squeamish to donate blood?  I used to think so too.  In fact, I'm still squeamish when it comes to needles.  I've passed out on a number of occassions at the doctor's office or at the lab.  But I'm older and wiser now...and I have a system. Eat a light meal before the appointment Tell the doctor, nurse or phlebotomist that I faint easily Don't look at the needles or blood Breath slowly in and out while thinking relaxing thoughts Drink juice Take an extra few minutes to lay there and re-...
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Buying a home in Orange County, CA can seem overwhelming and frustrating - especially for first time buyers hoping to snap up a short sale or REO.  As with most things, there's both an easy way and a hard way to complete a task.  do it.  There's a series of steps buyers can take to reduce the hassles and confusion and make the experience both positive and exciting.  It's really all about being organized and taking first things first.  Simple logic that's highly effective.  Here's the plan: Step 1:  Understand the Process - Knowing what to expect and when to expect it will help your transaction go smoothly. This holds true for seasoned investors as well as first time buyers.  Ask your real estate agent for a booklet or brochure outlining the purchase process. Step 2:  Understand the Play...
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Every November I look forward to reading the annual statistics provided in Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value in home improvements and remodeling.  Knowing these numbers allows me to make accurate recommendations to my clients who are selling a home in Rancho Santa Margarita.  They want to know, "If I remodel my kitchen will I sell my Rancho Santa Margarita home for more?" or "Is it a good idea to install vinyl windows before I sell my home in RSM, or would it just be a waste of money?" A few years ago remodeling was all the rage in South Orange County.  New homes sales with upgrades galore were a hot market.  To keep up with the Joneses, many homeowners pulled money from low-rate equity lines of credit to finance a number of home improvements.  At the time the cost vs. value reports ...
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Once again congratulations are in order for the Tesoro High School Football Team. ***Tesoro Titans are #1 in Orange County High School Football *** Is there still anyone left out there who doubts this? Tesoro is now 12-0 following Friday night's 38-35 win in Round 2 of the Pac-5 CIF-SS playoff.  The Titans move on to challenge Orange Lutheran @ Orange Lutheran next Saturday, Dec. 6th. If you'd like to read a great recap of the game,  Dan Albano of the Orange Country Register has a great post entitled:  Tesoro-Mater analysis: Why the Titans won Pac-5 thriller This is simply an amazing team.  Get your tickets early...because this will be a sell out game. See my previous post on Tesoro vs. Los Alamitos.               Tesoro Varsity Football Roster 2008   NUMBER NAME GRADE HEIGHT WEIGHT POS...
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By Kelly Kilpatrick, Broker-Associate
Las Flores is an upscale community of 1,339 homes nestled in the soft rolling hills of South Orange County, just north of Ladera Ranch, east of Mission Viejo, west of Wagon Wheel & Coto de Caza and south of Rancho Santa Margarita.  There are 14 builder tracts within Las Flores:  Avalino, Bel Flora, California Somerset, Greystone Arbor, Magnolia, Sea County, Springfield, Summit at Las Flores, Sundance, Traditions, Veranda, Vista Pointe Estates, Warmington Oaks, and Wyngate. There are currently seventeen Active Listings reported by SoCal MLS.  Of these seventeen, seven are listed as short sales, a couple of which are in default and heading quickly toward foreclosure.  Another two properties listed as standard sales indicate that there is a potential for short sale depending on the offer ...
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By Kelly Kilpatrick, Broker-Associate
The Cantamar tract in Rancho Santa Margarita's Golf Course Area, is nestled against the Arroyo on the east side of Antonio Parkway.  The neighborhood is comprised of 83 homes which are one half mile from Arroyo Vista Park, 1 mile from Tijeras Creek Golf Course, and 2 miles away from the Beach Club. Cantamar was built by Kaufman & Broad in 1999.  The two-story, four and five bedroom homes, all with two and one half baths, range in size from approximately 2500 square feet to 2800 square feet.  Floor plans for Cantamar are available upon request. There are currently two homes for sale in Rancho Santa Margarita's Cantamar - both are approximately 2500 square feet, 5 Bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.  Both listings are short sales: 23 Via Hacienda - Listed for $580,000 as of 11/20/08 (20 days on ...
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"I dub this property Rancho Santa Margarita's Bargain Home of November, 2008." Earlier in November there was a condo on Baya in Rancho Santa Margarita that was listed as a short sale for $149,000.  The property is now in escrow but is still accepting back up offers.  I will be watching this particular property very closely to see just how low the short sale lender was willing to go to unload the property.  If it goes at $149,000 I'll be amazed.  I think it will be slightly higher.  But that property is old news now.  The new title holder for the Least Expensive House For Sale in Rancho Santa Margarita award is a 650 square foot, 1 Bedroom condo on Via Prada.  The price?  Just under $135,000.  Unbelievable!  One thing is for sure:  in the one bedroom condo arena we are getting very close...
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Rancho Santa Margarita Mayor Neil Blais stressed last Friday in his State of the City address, that despite the state wide economic crisis, the City of Rancho Santa Margarita has a balanced budget and sufficient reserves to weather the storm.  At this time, the City reportedly has upwards of $16,000,000 in reserves. While all that is encouraging in the face of a just-a-matter-of-time-before-its-technically-declared national recession, Rancho Santa Margarita, like most local city governments, will not be immune from feeling the pinch of lost revenue from business closures.  Family Nissan, Linens 'N Things and Barbecues Galore have already closed their doors in RSM and Circuit City has declared bankruptcy.  There are a handful of other smaller businesses, including Super Suppers, that ha...
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