Over the last 6 months the trend has been increasing has buyers are snatching up short sales and bank repos.  Prices have dropped by more than 30% in some areas of Orange County to has high as 50% in Santa Ana and Anaheim.  It appears that the market will remain strong for repos over the next 6 - 12 months. We are seeing as many as 30 offers come in on the popular price ranges ( below $400,000) in Costa Mesa.  South Orange County is seeing the same type of inflow of buyers as we enter what is typically the slower time of year. Homes that were selling at $1,500,000 at the peak are now seeing buyers come out in droves for these homes that are now priced in the mid $950,000 range. Down payments starting at 3.5% are bring many buyers into the market as interest rates remain in the mid 6% r... 11/04/2008

Eastside Costa Mesa is a charming area of Costa Mesa which borders Newport Beach, and, as a result, tends to have higher property values than some other areas of the city. It is bounded by Irvine Boulevard on the east, Newport Boulevard on the west, 15th Street on the south and Mesa Drive on the north. Most of the original lots in Eastside Costa Mesa are around 10,000 square feet, a large size lot in Orange County, which allows for space to expand smaller, older homes if desired. Eastside Costa Mesa is known for wide streets and lovely, mature trees, homes with picket fences and an eclectic mix of different types of homes. The current market report for Eastside Costa Mesa is below: Market reports for additional areas of Costa Mesa: Costa Mesa Real Estate Report Central Costa Mesa Real E... 11/03/2008

Originally no more than a way station built by Spanish missionaries, Costa Mesa's first real estate development occurred in the 1880s. This failed to prosper, but Costa Mesa became an agricultural center known for apples and lima beans. Long time residents may remember when the area was called Fairview and Paularino, but today, the city is a focal point in Orange County with the Orange County Performing Arts Center, South Coast Repertory Theatre and South Coast Plaza as major drawing points. It is hard to believe that Costa Mesa was once nicknamed "Goat Hill" because of its rural flavor. The modern day Costa Mesa real estate market began as beach bungalows just minutes from the ocean. Even then, Costa Mesa, bordering Newport Beach, captured the best of Newport Beach living at a fraction... 11/02/2008

Central Costa Mesa is an area of the city, triangular in shape, which is bordered by Harbor Boulevard, Baker Street and Newport Boulevard/ the 55 Freeway. The Market Report for Central Costa Mesa is below: Based upon general definitions, it appears that Central Costa Mesa should be in a Sellers' Market though it still appears to be a Buyers' market. Given all that is going on in the credit market and the banking industry, we are in an unusual time and will have to see what happens over the next few months as things hopefully begin to stabilize. Market reports for additional areas of Costa Mesa: South Coast Metro Real Estate Report Mesa Verde Real Estate Report Westside Costa Mesa Real Estate Report Eastside Costa Mesa Real Estate Report Costa Mesa Real Estate Report For more information... 11/01/2008

South Coast Metro is an area that encompasses both Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. However, the South Coast Metro area in Costa Mesa usually refers to the area east of Bear Street and north of the 405 (San Diego Freeway). It is at the junction of Orange County's 55 and 405 freeways. It is the area of Costa Mesa closest to South Coast Plaza. In this unique neighborhood, premier office space and world class shopping vie with first class dining and performing arts venues to form a cosmopolitan blend of culture and business.The Market Report for South Coast Metro is below: Mesa Verde Real Estate Report Westside Costa Mesa Real Estate Report Eastside Costa Mesa Real Estate Report Costa Mesa Real Estate Report Central Costa Mesa Real Estate Report Based upon general definitions, it appears that the... 10/31/2008

According to the California Association of Realtors statewide sales in September surpassed the 500,000 mark for the first time in more than two years, rising 2.3 percent compared with August, and 96.7 percent from a year ago. The dramatic increase in sales can be attributed to weakness in the market from a year ago with the early onset of the credit crunch. Similar increases in sales occurred in the early 1980s when the market was climbing out of a comparatively steep downturn in sales. The market is expected to register significant year-to-year percentage gains in the coming months as current sales are compared against extremely low numbers that prevailed during the fourth quarter of last year.· The median price of an existing, single-family detached home in California during Septembe... 10/31/2008

The Mesa Verde neighborhood of Costa Mesa was largely built around the MesaVerde Country Club, a private club and golf course Costa Mesa Country Club, which is a private course, is also located within Mesa Verde's boundaries.Most of the homes in Mesa Verde were built in the 1960's and 1970's, with several of the homes actually built right along the golf course.Mesa Verde is bordered by Fairview Regional Park and the Costa Mesa Golf Course on the south, Harbor Boulevard on the east, the Santa Ana River to the west, and the 405 (San Diego Freeway) on the north.The Estancia Adobe, built in the late 1800's is also located within Mesa Verde in Estancia Park, and provides insight into the history of this wonderful area of Costa Mesa. The Market Report for Mesa Verde is below: Based upon gene... 10/30/2008

3 TYPES OF FORECLOSURES SHORT PAYS OR PRE-FORECLOSURES After about three to six months of missed payments, the lender orders a trustee to record a Notice of Default (NOD) at the County Recorder's Office as required by real estate foreclosure laws. This puts the borrower on notice that he or she is facing the real estate foreclosure process. TRUSTEE FORECLOSURE ACTION (TRUSTEE SALE) If the default isn't corrected (the loan must be brought current) within three months, a real estate foreclosures for sale date is established. The homeowner will receive a Notice of Sale, and this notice will also be posted on the property. In addition, the Notice of Sale is recorded at the County Recorder's Office as a real estate foreclosure in the county where the property is located. The foreclosure Tru... 10/30/2008

Do People Really Understand What We Do for Them, or Do They Think We Just Put a Sign in the Yard and Drive Them Around? - What I Learned From My 5 Year Old. I have been around the real estate industry most of my life. My mom opened her first mortgage company when I was six, and I grew up thinking that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were friends of my parents. It's hard for me to remember a time that I wasn't familiar with many concepts and definitions in the real estate industry that are not so common to most people. With all of this running through my head, I was curious about what my 5 year old son would say about real estate and what I do. I asked him what is real estate, and he responded, "I don't know. What does that mean?" Okay, so he hasn't picked up all of the nuances yet. Let's try... 10/28/2008

Southwest Costa Mesa, better known as the Westside or Westside Costa Mesa, is a wonderful area of Costa Mesa which borders both Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. It is typically quantified as being West of Newport Boulevard. It encompasses Fairview Park and the Talbert Nature Reserve. It has a wide mix of homes ranging from single family homes, to condos and apartment buildings. The homes overlooking the bluffs, have beautiful views of the ocean and wildlife in the Santa Ana River. The current market report for Westside Costa Mesa is below: Eastside Costa Mesa Real Estate Report Costa Mesa Real Estate Report Central Costa Mesa Real Estate Report South Coast Metro Real Estate Report Mesa Verde Real Estate Report For more information, please visit Costa Mesa real estate. For more inform... 10/28/2008

New $7,500 tax credit for first time home buyersRealtors will find some welcome news in recently enacted federal housing legislation: your first time home buyers can get a $7,500 tax credit. Congress intends for the credit to make housing more affordable. But tell your customers to hurry - the credit is only available for purchases before July 1, 2009. Here's how the tax credit works There are income limits: $75,000 for single purchasers, $150,000 for couples. The credit is not made to the buyer in the form of a check. Instead, the credit is an itemized deduction on federal tax returns (your buyers should consult with their tax advisor). It effectively reduces the purchase price by $7,500. The credit is limited to first time buyers. The credit must be repaid (at no interest) at the rat... 10/28/2008

Eastside Costa Mesa is a charming area of Costa Mesa which borders Newport Beach, and, as a result, tends to have higher property values than some other areas of the city. It is bounded by Irvine Boulevard on the east, Newport Boulevard on the west, 15th Street on the south and Mesa Drive on the north. Most of the original lots in Eastside Costa Mesa are around 10,000 square feet, a large size lot in Orange County, which allows for space to expand smaller, older homes if desired. Eastside Costa Mesa is known for wide streets and lovely, mature trees, homes with picket fences and an eclectic mix of different types of homes. The current market report for Eastside Costa Mesa is below: For more information, please visit Costa Mesa real estate. For more information on Costa Mesa homes or the... 10/27/2008

Originally no more than a way station built by Spanish missionaries, Costa Mesa's first real estate development occurred in the 1880s. This failed to prosper, but Costa Mesa became an agricultural center known for apples and lima beans. Long time residents may remember when the area was called Fairview and Paularino, but today, the city is a focal point in Orange County with the Orange County Performing Arts Center, South Coast Repertory Theatre and South Coast Plaza as major drawing points. It is hard to believe that Costa Mesa was once nicknamed "Goat Hill" because of its rural flavor. The modern day Costa Mesa real estate market began as beach bungalows just minutes from the ocean. Even then, Costa Mesa, bordering Newport Beach, captured the best of Newport Beach living at a fraction... 10/26/2008

Central Costa Mesa is an area of the city, triangular in shape, which is bordered by Harbor Boulevard, Baker Street and Newport Boulevard/ the 55 Freeway. The Market Report for Central Costa Mesa is below: Based upon general definitions, it appears that Central Costa Mesa should be in a Sellers' Market though it still appears to be a Buyers' market. Given all that is going on in the credit market and the banking industry, we are in an unusual time and will have to see what happens over the next few months as things hopefully begin to stabilize. Market reports for additional areas of Costa Mesa: South Coast Metro Real Estate Report Mesa Verde Real Estate Report Westside Costa Mesa Real Estate Report Eastside Costa Mesa Real Estate Report Costa Mesa Real Estate Report For more information... 10/25/2008

South Coast Metro is an area that encompasses both Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. However, the South Coast Metro area in Costa Mesa usually refers to the area east of Bear Street and north of the 405 (San Diego Freeway). It is at the junction of Orange County's 55 and 405 freeways. It is the area of Costa Mesa closest to South Coast Plaza. In this unique neighborhood, premier office space and world class shopping vie with first class dining and performing arts venues to form a cosmopolitan blend of culture and business.The Market Report for South Coast Metro is below: Based upon general definitions, it appears that the South Coast Metro area of Costa Mesa should be in a Sellers' Market though it still appears to be a Buyers' market. Given all that is going on in the credit market and the ban... 10/24/2008

The Mesa Verde neighborhood of Costa Mesa was largely built around the MesaVerde Country Club, a private club and golf course Costa Mesa Country Club, which is a private course, is also located within Mesa Verde's boundaries.Most of the homes in Mesa Verde were built in the 1960's and 1970's, with several of the homes actually built right along the golf course.Mesa Verde is bordered by Fairview Regional Park and the Costa Mesa Golf Course on the south, Harbor Boulevard on the east, the Santa Ana River to the west, and the 405 (San Diego Freeway) on the north.The Estancia Adobe, built in the late 1800's is also located within Mesa Verde in Estancia Park, and provides insight into the history of this wonderful area of Costa Mesa. The Market Report for Mesa Verde is below: Based upon gene... 10/23/2008

Southwest Costa Mesa, better known as the Westside or Westside Costa Mesa, is a wonderful area of Costa Mesa which borders both Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. It is typically quantified as being West of Newport Boulevard. It encompasses Fairview Park and the Talbert Nature Reserve. It has a wide mix of homes ranging from single family homes, to condos and apartment buildings. The homes overlooking the bluffs, have beautiful views of the ocean and wildlife in the Santa Ana River. The current market report for Westside Costa Mesa is below: For more information, please visit Costa Mesa real estate. For more information on Costa Mesa homes or the value of a particular home please visit Costa Mesa home values Click for a free list of Orange County foreclosures or a free list of Orange C... 10/22/2008

Under My Umbrella - Kids Clothing 1536 Newport Boulevard, Costa Mesa    Under My Umbrella is a local children's boutique located right in Costa Mesa on Newport Boulevard.  Owned by Patty, Sarah and John Minkin - a spectacular and dynamic family team. What a great way to keep business in the family. This is a darling store which carries many different lines of children's clothing including - Rockun Roster Knuckleheads Roar, City Threads Lola & James, Chaos Penelope Wilberries Clasen's, Lunaluna Sorbet, Kingsley  . . . . just to name a few!! Have your children already grown up, well then this is a great place to buy a baby or child's gift, Under My Umbrella has an in store registry and an on-line registry for the Mom to be. And for you Moms who have little ones, well bring them in. Under ... 10/22/2008

Eastside Costa Mesa is a charming area of Costa Mesa which borders Newport Beach, and, as a result, tends to have higher property values than some other areas of the city. It is bounded by Irvine Boulevard on the east, Newport Boulevard on the west, 15th Street on the south and Mesa Drive on the north. Most of the original lots in Eastside Costa Mesa are around 10,000 square feet, a large size lot in Orange County, which allows for space to expand smaller, older homes if desired. Eastside Costa Mesa is known for wide streets and lovely, mature trees, homes with picket fences and an eclectic mix of different types of homes. The current market report for Eastside Costa Mesa is below: For more information, please visit Costa Mesa real estate.  For more information on Costa Mesa homes or th... 10/21/2008

Originally no more than a way station built by Spanish missionaries, Costa Mesa's first real estate development occurred in the 1880s. This failed to prosper, but Costa Mesa became an agricultural center known for apples and lima beans. Long time residents may remember when the area was called Fairview and Paularino, but today, the city is a focal point in Orange County with the Orange County Performing Arts Center, South Coast Repertory Theatre and South Coast Plaza as major drawing points. It is hard to believe that Costa Mesa was once nicknamed "Goat Hill" because of its rural flavor. The modern day Costa Mesa real estate market began as beach bungalows just minutes from the ocean. Even then, Costa Mesa, bordering Newport Beach, captured the best of Newport Beach living at a fraction... 10/20/2008