This only happens once every few years, that we have snow on Saddleback Mountain near Mission Viejo but it is spectacular when you see it. One of the best places to live! Population in July 2008: 94,461. Population change since 2000: +1.5%  Males: 46,189   (48.9%) Females: 48,272   (51.1%) Median resident age:   37.5 years California median age:   33.3 years Zip codes: 92690, 92691, 92692. Higher prices but low volume!Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Mission-Viejo-California.html#ixzz0T6XvZGKk 10/05/2009

What is the report for the last 4 weeks?  Let's look at the numbers. For the whole of Orange County resale home prices are down 3.1 percent, New home prices are down 2.9 percent and resale condos are fairly level at 0.3 percent down.  The number of sales or sales volume for resale home sales are down 1.1 percent resale condos sales are up 0.6 percent and new homes are also down 0.6 percent. Mission Viejo zip code 92691 prices are up 3.0 percent and the sales are down 24.6 percent. Mission Viejo zip code 92692 prices are down 24.8 percent and the sales are up 11.7 percent. Aliso Viejo prices are down 2.1 percent and the sales are up 3.2 percent. Laguna Niguel prices are up 0.9 percent and the sales are up 9.2 percent. Rancho Santa Margarita prices are down 10.8 percent and the sales are ... 10/04/2009

I have seen that over 50 percent of the home owners who are able to get their loan modifications fail because they fall behind again.  That is not what we need.  If the consumer cannot benifet from the loan modification and the fail to make payments at such a high rate, why would banks continue to try.  It will cause us to prolong the time period for the housing correction. The statistics are better for those who's mortgage payments dropped substantially.  If the payments were dropped by 20 percent or more then only 1/3 or about 33.3 percent (loan modifications fail) fell behind.  Still a very high number.  Banks would not lend to a consumer if they knew there was a 33 percent chance they would be holding the bag.  It is even worse if the loan was left the same or they increased the amo... 10/04/2009

For the seventh month the pending home sales index rises.  That means that a lot of homes are under contract and have been for the past have been increasing.  Because it can take anywhere from 3 to 9 months to close a Short Sale property in this area, pending home sales tell us that there are sales going on and the index rises.  The buyers are finding properties to purchase.  They are still interested in getting into contracts. The index of pending home sales rose 6.4 percent in August to its highest level since March 2007, as reported by the National Association of Realtors.  It is the first time that there has been a 7 month with the pending home sales index rising since it was developed in 2001. Buyers may be rushing out to get the $8,000 tax credit from the federal government.  If s... 10/04/2009

Did you see that Mortgage Rates are the something good in the market place.  That is correct it is becoming how low will rates go?  We have a few Mortgage Companies here locally stating they think the market will go down as low as 4.5 percent.  Now you have to agree that is something good in the market place. All of the information other than the market being fairly flat has been bad so having  something good in the real estate market place is wonderful.  Don't you agree? 10/04/2009

I and everyone else was looking for the great indicator to keep getting better job losses.  However, we found that unemployment rate is now at 9.8 percent and it is the highest in 26 yrs.  September unemployment numbers announcecd Friday were our reality check and shows job losses continue. Employers showed the job losses as 263,000 jobs in September more than the 150,000 to 200,000 that forecasters had expected.  Since December 2007 the number of people unemployed has risen from 7,6000,000 to 15,100,000.  The job losses have doubled to 9.8 percent the highest since June 1983. If it is consumer confidence that drives Real Estate, then this report does not increase the chances that the consumer will be coming out to purchase homes in a big way.  If you are woried about your job and being... 10/04/2009

We have a report from MDA DataQuick home buying report for Orange County and it shows that the market level is pretty much flat over the last year.  There were 2880 homes sold this year and 2898 sold a year ago.  It does show a 0.6 percent fewer sales but I think we must all agree that is as a market level fairly flat over the last year. August was the 14th straight months of sales gains vs the year ago.  A little under 50 percent of the areas by Zip Code in Orange County had year-over-year sales gains in the period (40 out of 83 Zip Codes).  Prices have been falling during the entire year and show that the prices fell year-over-year. That is how I come up with the statement that the sales are Flat over last year or the Market Level is flat.  Don't be confused prices have not stabilized. 10/04/2009

A special recall election petition had over 9,538 signatures were validated for Mission Viejo Councilman Lance McLean.  It was reported Friday, October 2nd in the Saddleback Valley News.  There had been over 14,000 signatures turned in and 12,871 signatures were verified and of those 9,538 turned out to be valid for the Recall Election in Mission Viejo. The reason for those in favor of the recall election in Mission Viejo is alledged:  finacial mismanagement in voting for deficite spending last year,  false promises for voting to increase housing density.  violence, anger and incivility regarding an assault arrest and outburst at a former councelwoman. As with all special elections this recall election in Mission Viejo will have a cost.  It will be $43,268.40 for the verification proces... 10/04/2009

One of the classes we had at Casta del Sol, Mission Viejo this past summer was a stretching and flexibility class for mobility. Our instructor was Leila, who also teaches our strength and body sculpting all year. Leila would start the class by turning the lights down low and using soft soothing music, we all either were bare footed or had just socks on. The program is implemented for muscle stretching which we did from floor mates or chairs, so as to get different muscles involved. Most of the students in this class are taking aerobic and weight classes on other days so this was a class we all needed at the end of our week. The flexibility and agility we gained from our stretching class helped us to continue to improve in our other classes. The last 10 minutes of class was a relaxation ... 10/04/2009

According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, Octoer 2, 2009 interest rates are near the all-time low (for rates tracked by Freddie Mac), if you have a solid credit rating and are able to put 20% dow. 30-year fixed rates last week were 4.94% with 0.7% upfront for points and fees.  A POINT is equal to 1% of the loan, so 1 point on a $300,000 loan will cost the borrower $3000. The lowest rate recorded by Freddie Mac was 4.78 with fees and points at 0.7%, recorded in April of 2009.  By comparison, the same loan was 6% one year ago. If you situation allows you to use a 15 year loan, rates were at 4.36% with 0.6% points, an all time loan. Feel free to contact me for additional information or with any questions.  To accurately access your ability to ourchase a home, contact your preferred... 10/03/2009

The season is going to start in Mission Viejo with Casta del Sol Baby Boomer's Monster Mash October 24th at 6:00 PM in the Rec Center 1. It will be a Costume Party and Potluck, so make sure to sign up for either appetizer, salad, side dish. main dish or dessert. The club will provide beverages for all. Cost will be $5 for members and $8 for guests and sign up will end on October 20. Costumes are optional but you might want to join in the fun to win one of the prices that will be given out in several categories for best costume and for the scariest /funniest face. The last Boogie Night for this year will be held on November 7th at 6:30PM in the Vista Room. Everyone is invited to attend. Cost is only $1 at the door and no signup in advance is required, just come have fun! Light munchies w... 10/02/2009

Reading an article in the Orange County Register, I was surprised by the report. It states that the borrowers that got help have fallen behind in payments 1 year later. total of 50% of the homeowners with loans modified in the first half of last year had missed at least two payments a year later reported by Office of the Comptrooler of the Currency and the Office of Thrift Supervision. O.K. that looks real bad! The homeowners didn't really get any help! The group they are talking about either had their mortgages lef the same or increased. They didn't get any reduction in interest and their payments went up. DAAAAAAA! They are behind again, go figure! The ones that had their interest lowered and payment adjusted did a lot better, 33% failed in this group. The 33% found themselves back in... 10/01/2009

I am trying to promote myself on the internet with as many free sites as I can. It takes time and work to keep them up to date. Which I can't do for all of them! Here is a list of free sites, check them out.  Facebook.com Twitter.com ActiveRain.com Blogspot.com RealestateInvestor.com Postlets.com My listing blog Viewmylisting.com RealEstateWIKI.com Plaxo.com Brokeragentsocial.com Yelp.com MySpace.com Realestate.net Trulia.com vFlyer.com Myhouseconnection.com MySOI.com Zillow.com Linkedin.com Featuredblog.com agentXsite.com Realtown.com Ping.fm.com Ryze.com Wordpress.com eCademy.com eRealestate.com 09/30/2009

The sellers' submission package should include W-2 forms from employers (or a letter explaining the seller is unemployed), bank statements, two years of tax returns, and other financial documents outlining income and debt obligations. The bank will also need comps or a broker's price opinion showing thier estimate of value. In addition, sellers should submit a "hardship letter," explaining the circumstances that make it impossible for them to pay the full amount of the loan. Seller needs to be able to show true financial hardship. Someone with the assets or the income to pay is unlikely to be considered, say most interviewees. In preparing the package, be careful about discrepancies between the income now and the income used to obtain the loan, a big gap may indicate mortgage fraud, unl... 09/30/2009

Home prices rose againin July, this activity will definitely help the foreclosure markets recover.  Higher home prices show that the recession is slowing because the consumer is still willing to take some risk with the home prices are lower.  The home prices for Los Angeles and Orange County gained for the second consecutive month in July.  The increase was 1.8%.  A twenty city composite home price index was up 1.65 percent vs. June, the third consecutive month to month gain.  Thirteen cities in the index enjoy at least three consecutive months of positive pricing.  Over all the annual home prices continues to decelerate and some stability seem to be coming back to the housing market.  The indexes were Standard and Poors and Case-Shiller home price indexes. 09/30/2009

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger created a California commissionto overhaul the tax code and they recommends tax cut.  Part of the proposal is to lower taxes on top earners, repealing sales taxes and replacing the corporate profits tax with taxing not the gross but the net. California finds itself in a massive budget deficit due to the recession.  Schwarzenegger endorsed the commission's recommendations and intends to call a special session for the Legislature to consider these recommendations.  Tax cuts are not popular with the California Legislature so the commission recommends tax cuts is not going to be received well. The commissionis led by former assistant U.S. Treasury Secretary Gerald Parsky and Curt Pringle the Mayor of Anaheim.  The commission has 14 members and was appointed by Sch... 09/30/2009

Casta del Sol Listings for 9/29/09 in Mission Viejo, CA 92692 Call Valorie if you would like more information 949.639.9391 RES Tue, Sep 29, 2009 03:34 PM RES MLS No. Status P V H T Q Type A/D Address City Area Zip TGNO Trct/M Bd B t/f Sty Gar SqFt Yr Blt Price DOM   1 P704734 A   8     H  T  Q  SFR  A 28016 Via Bonalde  MV MC 92692  892E6  CS/*  2  1/1  1  1    1,031  1983  $299,000  4     2 S589955 A   4     H  T  Q  SFR  A 28011 Calle Valdes  MV mc 92692  892E6  CS/b  2  2/2  1  1    1,112  1974  $321,000  10     3 S580747 A   8   V  H  T  Q  SFR  A 27871 Calle Valdes  MV MC 92692  892E6  CS/C  2  2/1  1  1 A  1,077  1974  $325,000  86  *   4 S587355 A   11     H  T  Q  SFR  D 27826 VIA GRANADOS  MV MC 92692  892E7  CF/B  2  2/1  1  2 A  1,235  1976  $349,900  33     5 S578737 A   6  ... 09/29/2009

How to sell houses and be the person that sellers or buyers want to call, BE POSITIVE have a positive attitude! This will help you in any market situation whether it is a bad economy or not. No one wants to buy a house from someone that is negative. You will have days that you have to work at being positive. Chances are you can find the best thing that is happening that day and build on it. The saying "every cloud has a silver lining" is true, it just takes an effort to find it. One of the ways to remove yourself from negative influences is do not watch, listen or read the news. The news is there to feed your fears! The worst it is the more we pay attention to it. Think back on bad things that have happened and how you were glued to the TV and read everything you could get your hands on... 09/28/2009

 We have within an hours drive of the city, mountain snow skiing, the Pacific Ocean, Mexico and Disneyland. Wheather that is the best in the country!    1) Lake Mission Viejo looking east towards Saddleback Mountain range. 2) Valleys east of us.      3) Rental boats on Lake Mission Viejo.                 4) Casta del Sol Golf course Mission Viejo Want to see more pictures go to http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=MISSION+VIEJO&m=text There are picture of events that the city puts on for all to enjoy!   09/28/2009

The recession can cause people to put off the things causing delays.  The down turn (recession) is changing the way we live and it always happens.  More people put off getting married and home purchases.  Many who were going to relocate to a new area do not.  We are uncertain or keenly certain of the way the recession will cause us delays.  Lines of credit are and have been frozen and therefore, we do not tap into them and do fun things purchase thing we want so we put them off. There is no way that the recession does not have some kind of an effect upon each and every one of us.  Job loss or the potential of a loss, salary cuts, and/or lower income can lead to tension within the family and the community.  The insecurity of the business climate but the community on edge. Fewer people ar... 09/27/2009