IT'S 2004 ALL OVER AGAIN (for home prices)  It's rare when you get to turn back the clock 4 years - but in real estate, you can.  In most price ranges, and in most parts of North Orange County, prices have receded to those of 2004.   What can you expect for 2008 real estate? 2004 prices in most areas The highest conforming loan limits in history ($729,500) Interest rates below 6% Over 15,000 homes on the market in Orange County 1/3 of all home sales are ‘distressed' (foreclosures or short pays) Sellers willing to negotiate  Of course, that may not be good new to those of you who bought in 2005, 2006 or 2007, but it is great news for buyers who waited for an adjustment, sellers with equity who still want to move out of area, and sellers who want to move up locally. Anyone who bought anyt... 05/13/2008

A new Internet service provided by local real estate professionals Aaron and Mindy Mills offers Brea's Olinda Ranch consumers a free and convenient way to get the answers to any of their real estate-related questions. Questions Answered With the Click of a Button Whether buyers and sellers want to know about the best time to put their home on the market, the first steps they should take in finding the home of their dreams, or need more specific information related to their individual situation, now they can simply access Aaron and Mindy's Web site, click a button, and send their questions directly to Aaron and Mindy via e-mail. They promises to respond with the information they need, also via e-mail, within 48 hours. "I have found that so many people are hesitant to call a real estate a... 05/12/2008

Since moving to Prudential CA Realty, Mindy and I have enjoyed the opportunity to see what an amazing positive affect working with the Top North Orange County Real Estate office could have on our lives.  We are now able to offer the most amazing services to our clients on both the buying and selling sides of a transaction.  I never even knew that these services existed.  Now that I see why Prudential's systems are working day in and day out for our clients in even the most difficult of markets, and I am a true believer.  The numbers above were just statistics that I never paid attention to before, but now that I see what we can offer our clients while they are buying or selling a home and even I am amazed. Visit www.OlindaRanch.com for more information Cheers, Aaron   05/12/2008

After months of grading and and putting in underground utilities, the Sports park project has begun construction, starting with the installation of field lights. Next, the parking lots will be paved, the backstops and bleachers installed, and the on-site buildings for concessions, maintenance equipment and team storage will be constructed.  When the infrastructure and buildings are in place, the fields will be planted.  The 26-acre multi-sport center remains on target to open by early 2009.  The park includes a dedicated baseball field, a youth baseball field with a soccer overlay, a softball field with a soccer overlay, a full size soccer/football field, basketball courts, a "warm-up" multi-purpose field, batting cages, a youth play area, and a park area.See all of Brea homes for sale. 05/11/2008

April was a good month for home sales in Brea with 25 closed escrows.  The average time on market for the homes was just 71 days.  The sales prices averaged 97.5% of the listed price.  Inventory has come down to 151 homes listed for sale in Brea.  Another 35 homes are in escrow.  There were 37 new listings taken in April (31, if you don't include short sales). In March, only 13 homes sold in Brea.Click here to see all Brea homes for sale 05/11/2008

  HOME PRICES ROLL BACK TO 2004 LEVELS... Sales data for the first quarter has arrived and for March specifically, prices have hit the 2004 watermark.  That means the median price is down almost 20% from a year ago.  Both the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register reported the Dataquick findings.  Obviously a huge contributor to price adjustments is the absorption of bank owned properties that are finally matriculating into the general real estate population.  The other factor is that sellers that previously were "testing" the market have wisely taken their homes off the market and only serious sellers remain.  That means that motivated sellers realize that their home must be priced to sell and that it will have competition from the bank owned sector. According to Dataquick, t... 05/09/2008

Brea, CA located in northern Orange County is a great place to call home. Here's a list of  events and activities for May 2008 in Good Ole' Brea! Friday May 9th ~ "Taste of Brea" and Brea Under the Stars is a business expo sponsored by the Brea Chamber of Commerce and is FREE admission to the public. Time is 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. Plenty of parking in down town Brea on Birch Street. Entertainment and food "tastes" are available by purchasing wrist bands for $10 each.  Samplings will be provided by some of  Brea's local eateries. This fun event is not to be confused with the "Brea Fest" held annually in August (August 15th this year) at the Brea Civic Center.   Every Tuesday ~ The Brea Farmer's Market down town Brea on the Birch St. Promonade just West of Brea Blvd. beginning at 4:00-8:00 p.m... 05/08/2008

Brea Bank Repo - Cheap Foreclosure - Below Market Value!Location: Brea, CA Walden Estate BEAUTY! 4000 Sq Ft with thousands of thousands of upgrades. Double entry door opens to a foyer complemented with elegant custom banisters. Great room has a large stylish fireplace and entertainment cove for your super sized flat panel TV and accessories. Gourmet kitchen features custom cabinets, top of the line stainless Thermador subzero refrigerator, double oven, microwave, butler and walk-in pantries. Master suite offers cozy remote control fireplace, his and hers walk-in closets, granite master shower, and spa. Guest/maid's quarters on the first floor with private bathroom, was built with the opinion that could be converted to a suite. Directions New development, not on map. From 57 Fwy, East on... 05/06/2008

Brea, CA Real Estate Sales Report  ~ Home Sales for April 2008. Brea is a City is well known for excellence in education. The schools have been a strong draw for residents in our community. It's often said Brea enjoys some of the bigger city benefits, yet maintains a small town atmosphere. Many of us who live here feel it's the best of both worlds. Single family sales activity for April 2008, prices range from $350,000 to $2,950,000.114 re-sale homes currently for sale, down from prior of months  122/134/132/150/156/161/156 respectively.   17 pending sales, currently in escrow, as compared to 23/12/6/9/9/6/8 in prior months. 21 homes closed escrow in April almost double from 11 in March and 13/8/8/13/13/23/15, respectively in prior months. 17 homes were removed from the market, the list... 05/05/2008

Yesterday the South Brea Lofts were auctioned.  While the results will not be known until the units close escrow - my inside source tells me buyers who won at the auction saved over 30% from the list price only a couple months ago.The prices were in the $700,000 - $800,000 range now being sold for $475,000 - $525,000.This is a growing trend with new construction as we are seeing builders create an auction atmosphere to increase the bid amounts and stop the bleeding in one shot.For the buyer it can be a great opportunity - but do not bring emotions to the table.If you are interested in New Home purchases - hire a Realtor who knows the builder attitude.Adam BrettRE/MAX NOCFullerton, CA  714-496-8116800-977-ADAMwww.AdamsMLS.comwww.RealtorBabble.com  05/04/2008

Buyers in Brea, this is your opportunity to take advantage of the high rate of foreclosures in Orange County!    In the coming months, foreclosures are going to dominate every market in Orange County, and affect housing values in every neighborhood. Throughout the county, there are currently 5954 bank-owned properties, with another 3801 up for auction and 8723 in a state of pre-foreclosure. In Brea alone, there are 91 pre-foreclosures, 34 auctions, and 66 REOs, meaning the number of foreclosed properties is only going to increase over the course of this year. What does this mean for you? The high number of foreclosures means a large inventory of properties that banks are eager to sell. In Brea, the amount of time it will take to sell this abundance of inventory is 14.9 months. Because ... 05/01/2008

Brea has seen an interesting year so far with inventory and prices.  The year started off with a lot of inventory and very soft prices. Over the last couple months buyers were frenzied by the drop in prices combined with low interest rates.  A lot of the good inventory which was priced correctly was sold - leaving us with undesirable homes and overpriced homes.Here is a chart of the raw data.  It is my prediction we will see an increase in inventory as the year continues coinciding with softer prices.I am sure if you have been reading my blogs you will see a correlation between all North Orange County cities and they data trend.  We have experienced the same indicators and will most likely have similar trends throughout the year.  Adam BrettRE/MAX NOCFullerton, CA714-496-8116www.AdamsML... 04/29/2008

You heard me right - the South Brea Live/Work lofts will be going to auction.Twenty-six of these dynamic living spaces are going to be put up for auction on Saturday, May 3. Combining a beautiful residence with the functionality of an office/workspace, these lofts are perfect for those who work from home.  Their prices have been dramatically reduced - a minimum bid of $475,000 could get you 2br/2ba and 2175 square feet! For more information, contact me soon. Adam BrettRE/MAX NOCFullerton,CA 714-496-8116800-977-ADAMwww.RealtorAdam.com 04/17/2008

Click here to see all of the Olinda Ranch homes for sale The Olinda Ranch development features 639 residential homes.  There is also a picnic area and playground along with a historical center. And, if you are a nature buff you can enjoy meandering pathways and nature trails. Olinda Ranch is constructed on terrain that has a gentle hint of sloping which allows views of the hillsides surrounding the area.   Olinda Ranch was designed with a huge variety of homes to choose from. These homes start at 2 bedrooms and move up to five bedrooms, and they range in sizes from 1050 to 4000 square feet. The perfect size is available for every family.  The homes available will range in price, and amenities, but they all are located near superior schools, scenic views, and fun destinations. Olinda Ra... 04/05/2008

Purchasing a Home with Greg Haraksin. I will work with you to find you the perfect location at an affordable price. There are many homes to choose from so it will be easy to find real estate that is within your price range. Brea has a variety of housing developments that surround the city.  Click here to see all of the homes for sale in the following Brea communities Ash Street Cottages Artisan Walk Berkeley Townhomes Canyon Country Christopher Homes Corsican Villas Country Hills Estates Country Hills Country Road Townhomes Eagle Hills Olinda Ranch Park Paseo Sommerset Homes Tomlinson Park Walden Estates Glenbrook Homes North Hills Homes Whatever your desire is when it comes to real estate, I can help you find it in Brea.  The median income in Breais $85,000 but there are homes availabl... 04/05/2008

Click here to see all of the Brea homes for saleLiving near Downtown Brea When purchasing a new home it is always important to know about the surroundings. Brea, California is a quaint city located thirty miles east of Los Angeles and a wonderful place to raise children. One of the main attractions in Brea is the downtown area.   Residents who are living near downtown Brea are never without something to do. The downtown area in Brea is bustling with a variety of shops, dining establishments, and special events. And, best of all, Brea has a trolley that will chauffer you to downtown for free. The variety of events sponsored by Brea is a farmer's market, Brea under the stars, classic car shows, jazz festivals, and Christmas on Birch Street. These events take place at different times thro... 04/05/2008

Click here to see all of the Brea homes for sale There are a large variety of choices for Brea properties. You can live in the downtown area or on the outskirts. There are all types of developments to choose from. You can live in the hills or in the flats. You might choose a condo or a luscious mansion, either way you will be exhilarated by the Brea surroundings. The choices for Brea properties have a price range starting from $300,000 to some new homes asking nearly $3,000,000.  It all depends on what you, as a home buyer, is looking for.  What type of real estate suits your need?  Are you a couple who have recently retired?  Maybe you have a growing family and need affordable housing with decent schools.  Or you might have a giant nest egg waiting to be splurged on immaculate acreage... 04/05/2008

Click here to see all of the Brea Townhomes and Condos for sale Are you a native Californian or are you planning on moving to California? If so, then you should consider looking at the Brea MLS listings for townhomes and condos.  Brea, CA is situated in a picturesque area located 30 miles east of Los Angeles.  Brea is a splendid community with a memorable ambiance.  It is the perfect place to invest in a townhouse or condo. Brea MLS listings include a multiplicity of housing developments, condos, townhouses, and rentals in Brea or in the surrounding areas. A few areas listed with Brea MLS are Country Road Townhomes, Olinda Ranch, Park Paseo, North Hills, and Canyon Country. Let me help you determine a solution to whatever your needs may be concerning the purchase of one of the listed p... 04/05/2008

Click here to see all of the Brea homes for saleReal Estate in Historic Brea, CA Are you searching for a new place to live, a place that is full of mystic, charm, quaintness, and beauty? If so, then you should consider purchasing real estate in historic Brea, California. In the yesteryears Brea was typically known as an area that had tar seeping from the hillsides. Brea, in Spanish, means tar, and in the early years the pioneers would utilize the oil-soaked chunks of dirt as fuel for heating and as insulation to waterproof the roofs of their homes. In 1894 the oil boom began and by 1898 the first oil well was drilled. As the oil spewed so did the growth of oil workers and their families. It was soon obvious that there was a need to provide businesses and homes for the oil workers. So, ... 04/05/2008

Brea, California, and its contiguous areas, is a magnificent place to live.  Did you know that the city of Brea was voted as one of the top five places to live?  Brea is a community with less than forty thousand residents.  Brea truthfully is the city for enjoyable living. Eagle Hills is perhaps Brea's most sought-after community to purchase a home in, making available homes quite valuable.  If living in Eagle Hills is not your desire, there are many other options for you to choose from.  Surrounding neighborhoods, such as North Hills, Canyon Country, and Olinda Ranch are also wonderful area. The homes available will range in price, and amenities, but they all are located near superior schools, scenic views, and fun destinations.  The choices for properties in  Brea, are never-ending so... 04/05/2008