Saw this article today in the O.C. Register and have to agree.   Though the city of Irvine is often described as a "family" town, it is a sought after home location for many singles. As noted in the article, 33% of the residents are single! Here are three examples of why my single clients like it: Location to the 405/5 freeways provides easy commuting to work and other social communities such as Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, etc. Excellent community amentities with shops, restaurants, movies, sports, etc. Design of homes are geared toward a more active lifestyle vs. traditional homes.  Open living and dining spaces, offices vs. family and formal living rooms. Of course, remember if you are single home buyer looking to move to Orange County, we are here to help.   Our primary focus is the... 07/22/2009

Every now and then I find I have a little time on my hands and want to try something new, so I look on the area websites and see what I can find that catches my eye, will allow me to step out of my comfort zone.  Today is one of those days!   How about a Feng Shui class?   This subject always intrigues me, and you know I find if I move one or two things it really does seem to make a difference.    Here is the class description:  The arrangement and contents of an environment affect the flow of vital energies that then influence all aspects of life, from money matters to romance. Learn to direct that flow in this introductory workshop on Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of harmonizing within the home or workplace. Instructor: Elliot Tanzer.   There are 19 seats available for this class... 07/21/2009

Central Communications of Riverside, CA has been honored with the exclusive 2009 Award of Excellence. The award is presented annually by the Association of TeleServices International (ATSI), the industry’s trade association for providers of telecommunications and call centre services including telephone answering and message delivery. Central Communications was presented with the award at ATSI’s 2009 Annual Convention held at the Westin Convention Center Hotel, in Pittsburgh, PA. After six months of intensive testing, an independent panel of judges scored call-handling skills such as courtesy, response time, accuracy and overall service to their clients - the cornerstones of the Call Management Industry. If a company scored 80% or better in ALL categories, they are presented with the co... 07/19/2009

IRVINE, CA ~ now with a population of about 205,000 people  The buyer and investor demand for homes in IRVINE, CA, has significantly increased. It's amazing that there are now 402 homes under contract and pending escrow (a huge number) when we have just 585 homes active for sale. This increased buyer demand shown by recent sales and pendings is squeezing the regular for sale market, where Realtors and agents simply don't have enough homes to show and sell. Market saturation (absorption) ~ number of homes sold during past thirty days (194) as compared to current listings (585).  All IRVINE homes on the market should sell within 3 months. Irvine is now a HOME SELLER'S MARKET. If you have questions about Irvine and Orange County real estate, please contact us.  Information for this update ... 07/08/2009

Orange County homebuyers planning on purchasing a condominium using FHA financing have always needed to make sure the condo project they are looking to buy is in an FHA Approved project. Buyers and Realtors can quickly determine whether a project is approved by visiting the HUD website and typing in a project name or tract number. It is even possible to print out a list of approved projects within a city or zip code.  But what happens if a condo project is not on the list? The answer has been to use the FHA Condo Spot Approval Process. The Spot Approval process allowed a lender to close an FHA loan on an individual condo unit within an unapproved complex. However, as of the June 12 release of FHA Mortgagee Letter 2009-19 the Spot Approval is gone.Why Was the Spot Approval Process Elimin... 07/03/2009

The first thing an Orange County First Time Home Buyershould do is get PreApproved for an FHA loan. (If you are eligible for $0 down VA, then PreApproved for a VA loan.) Too many times new home buyers, even move up home buyers, begin the home buying process by looking for homes and then even making an offer before talking to a lender. That can be a tempting thing to do. Who wouldn't want to check out homes in some of the cities of Orange County such as Placentia, Brea, or Fullerton? FHA financing can buy a great home in Placentia. This can lead to a major let down when they find out they won't qualify for the home they have fallen in love with or are not comfortable with the total PITI payment (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) necessary for the home of their dreams.What is the... 06/28/2009

Irvine Real Estate$291,194Location:1 RaleighIrvine, CA 92604Map and DirectionsCondominium4 Bedrooms2 BathroomsInterior: 1230 sqftDescriptionSpacious Heritage Park home which boasts 4 bedrooms, over 1,200 sqft of living space, inside laundry, light, bright, & open floor plan, and a large back patio perfect for entertaining. You are within walking distance to all shops, schools, and parks. This would be great for a first time buyer, family, or even and investor. A must see! Price and availability are subject to change without notice. Contact The Pahua Group for more information at (949) 309-2400 or Email to Info@PGcoastal.com Photos Listed by The Pahua Group .Phone: (949) 309-2400 Listing agent/broker: The Pahua Group 06/23/2009

View all the Irvine Foreclosures. Search addresses, map the properties, view pictures and virtual tours. No cost with easy registration. Updated every 4 hours. After Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, the Mexican government secularized the missions and assumed control of the lands. It began distributing the land to Mexican citizens who applied for grants. Three large Spanish/Mexican grants made up the land that later became the Irvine Ranch: Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana, Rancho San Joaquin and Rancho Lomas de Santiago. In 1864, Jose Andres Sepulveda, owner of Rancho San Joaquin sold 50,000 acres (200 km2) to Benjamin and Thomas Flint, Llewellyn Bixby and James Irvine for $18,000 to resolve debts due to the Great Drought. In 1866, Irvine, Flint and Bixby acquired 47,000-acre (190 ... 06/23/2009

View all the Irvine Foreclosures. Search addresses, map the properties, view pictures and virtual tours. No cost with easy registration. Updated every 4 hours. After Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, the Mexican government secularized the missions and assumed control of the lands. It began distributing the land to Mexican citizens who applied for grants. Three large Spanish/Mexican grants made up the land that later became the Irvine Ranch: Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana, Rancho San Joaquin and Rancho Lomas de Santiago. In 1864, Jose Andres Sepulveda, owner of Rancho San Joaquin sold 50,000 acres (200 km2) to Benjamin and Thomas Flint, Llewellyn Bixby and James Irvine for $18,000 to resolve debts due to the Great Drought. In 1866, Irvine, Flint and Bixby acquired 47,000-acre (190 ... 06/23/2009

FOR IRVINE DRIVERS ED COURSES ONLINE---- near your Irivne HOME VISIT www.OCDriverTraining.com     We can help you with all your Orange County Online Driver Education and Behind the Wheel Training. Whether you just searched for: IRVINE BEHIND THE WHEEL TRAINING NEWPORT BEACH DRIVERS ED CLASSES CORONA DEL MAR DRIVERS ED COURSESLAGUNA BEACH DRIVERS ED  MISION VIEJO DRIVERS ED ONLINELAKE FOREST BEHIND THE WHEEL TRAININGLAGUNA NIGUEL DRIVERS ED SCHOOLS ALISO VIEJO DRIVERS EDUCATION     06/17/2009

Today as I was thinking about some of my friends who are trying to purchase a home for a wonderful program they have going to help homeless people, I was thinking about how even though the market is great for buyers with a lot of money, it's tough for those who don't have much money. My friend is the founder of Grandma's House of Hope, which is a transitional living home in Garden Grove.  The house has 17 beds and we take in homeless, recovering addicts and alot of women who have been victims of domestic violence.  I'm a therapist and I run a group in the house and I can tell you that the need for more properties and homes like this one is run for, are needed. But then there's also the issue of how to market ourselves during hard times.  And a friend of mine recently told me about Fabus... 06/11/2009

In Orange County, homebuyers are finding out how quickly interest rates can go up. After several bad days for Mortgage Backed Securities, FHA interest rates have increased anywhere from .5% to 1% just in the last 10 days. Interest rates had dipped as low at 4.5% for FHA loans under $417,000 and 5% for FHA loans over $417,000 up to $729,750. Now rates are ranging from 5.5% to 5.75% for loans under $417,000 and 5.75% to 6% for FHA loans over $417,000.How Much Will this Effect Orange County First Time Home Buyers?For most people, the increase will have very little effect on what they qualify for. For example, a .25% rate increase will translate into a payment increase of approximately $15 per $100,000. So on a $300,000 loan, the monthly payment will be approximately $45 more per month with... 06/09/2009

With some of the best residential neighborhoods and homes at South Orange County, Irvine is located adjacent to Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Coast, and within a 10 minute drive of the Pacific Ocean at Crystal Cove.  ____________________ Irvine is famous for its pleasant weather, lots of sunshine, award winning public schools, healthy business climate with good job opportunities, the University of California Irvine, wonderful parks and recreation areas, encouragement for business and development, diverse backgrounds of residents, celebration of freedoms, places for freedom of worship, and one of the safest cities in the United States. LOCAL HOUSING MARKET REPORT ~   ____________________ 594 homes were listed for sale here as of May 31, 2009 (down from April of this year and May o... 06/08/2009

RE/MAX Homes & Estates Pre-Foreclosure Division 9241 Irvine Boulevard, Suite 150, Irvine, California 92618 (714) 588 -7676 ∙  www.ReMaxAnn.com   If you are in a situation where: •You lost your job •Your Medical Expenses are too high •Just went through/going through a divorce •You are behind on your payments •You have no equity •You can't afford the cost of selling your home •Your income has been reduced •You are in foreclosure   WE CAN HELP YOU! It's easy and doesn't cost you any MONEY! Our services are Free!!! WHEN THE DEBT EXCEEDS YOUR HOME'S VALUE... we can help is with a SHORT SALE.   Benefits of a Short Sale: •Avoid Foreclosure •Avoid Bankruptcy •Reduced damage to your credit •Postpone your foreclosure sale date •A short sale will stay on your credit approx 3 years •BE FREE of fina... 05/26/2009

Orange County FHA loan limits are higher in 2009 than they have ever been, allowing for home buyers to purchase "high priced" homes with only 3.5% down payment. Just last year, at the beginning of 2008, the highest the Orange County FHA limit had ever been was $362,790. In mid 2008 the limit was increased substantially to $729,750. For a few months at the beginning of 2009 the limit was down to $625,500, but in March was again increased to $729,750.What Does this high loan limit do for an Orange County home buyer?This allows an Orange County FHA first time home buyer  (or any home buyer) to purchase a home for $755,000 with only 3.5% down payment. For a price that high their income would need to be at least $165,000 per year, verifiable, but that's a lot of leverage in a finance environ... 05/23/2009

I'm very excited to announce that I've recently joined First Team Real Estate in Irvine, CA.   First Team Real Estate currently has 35 offices located throughout Southern California with almost 2000 professional sales associates.  First Team has been open for business since 1976 and has achieved #1 status. - 1976 Opens 1st office - 1980 Becomes #1 selling office out of 6,500 franchise offices in North America. - 1985 Becomes an independent firm and expanded to 6 offices. - 1990 Ranks #1 in Orange County with 10 offices and over $1 billion in sales. - 1999 For 10 consecutive years sold more homes in Orange County than any other firm and named the #1 independent real estate firm in Southern California. - 2003 With 26 offices and $5.4 billion in sales First Team is named the #1 independent... 05/04/2009

With some of the best residential neighborhoods and homes at South Orange County, Irvine is located next to Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Coast, and within a 10 minute drive of the Pacific Ocean at Crystal Cove.  Irvine is famous for its pleasant weather, lots of sunshine, excellent and award winning public schools, healthy business climate with good job opportunities, the University of California Irvine, encouragement for business and development, diverse backgrounds of residents, celebration of freedoms, places for worship, and one of the safest cities in the United States. As of today, April 15, 2009   ~  there are 743 homes listed for sale at Irvine ... with average list price of homes is $690,375  ... with average time on the market of 87 days.  Of the 743 Irvine homes now l... 04/15/2009

RE/MAX Homes & Estates Pre-Foreclosure Division 9241 Irvine Boulevard, Suite 150, Irvine, California 92618 (714) 588 -7676 ∙  www.ReMaxAnn.com   If you are in a situation where: • You lost your job • Your Medical Expenses are too high • Just went through/going through a divorce • You are behind on your payments • You have no equity • You can't afford the cost of selling your home • Your income has been reduced • You are in foreclosure   WE CAN HELP YOU! It's easy and doesn't cost you any MONEY! Our services are Free!!! WHEN THE DEBT EXCEEDS YOUR HOME'S VALUE... we can help is with a SHORT SALE. Benefits of a Short Sale: • Avoid Foreclosure • Avoid Bankruptcy • Reduced damage to your credit • Postpone your foreclosure sale date • A short sale will stay on your credit approx 3 years • BE ... 04/13/2009

The following case study outlines a successful short sale the was conducted for a detached home located in the Parklane Tract of Irvine, CA.  This 4 bedroom home with 2,080 square feet of living area was sold and closed escrow in January of 2009, via a Short Sale by ShortSalesASAP.   This single family home was purchased by the homeowner in February of 2002′  for $405,000.  In 2005, the owner refinanced and also obtained a Equity Line of Credit loan (HELOC) with a total new loan balance of approximately $650,000.    The 1st Mortgage was held by Virtual Bank with an adjustable rate mortgage balance of $508,000. The HELOC loan was with WAMU, which was an interest only loan with a balance of about $142,000. Due to the dramatic decline in real estate prices in Southern California, this home... 04/05/2009

When evaluating an SEO, it's good to get a cursory understanding of what a qualified SEO has to know.  The SEO  process requires knowledge of technical on page SEO as well as off page link building with content rich publications. Keyword analysis is also critical in determining the value of target keywords.. These keywords are used in certain areas of websites. Head and body section are the two sections focused by on page. In the head section, Meta tags and title tags are edited to add keywords and the body section content is held with article. The site’s tag, file names and URLs are tweaked to the search engine spiders. The languages applied for modern web development are HTML 4.01, XHTML. It helps to have knowledge of these languages when optimizing websites. Keyword research and inco... 04/04/2009