Saddleback College Jazz Band Concert  - Mission Viejo by John Alesi, Mission Viejo REALTOR® Mission Viejo CA Real Estate As many of you may already know, one of my passions in life is performing and listening to jazz music and, especially, big band jazz.  (I’ve been playing drums since I was a little brat running around the streets of Chicago.)  Well, I was treated to a wonderful performance last evening by the Saddleback College Big Band under the directorship of Joey Sellers.  While slated as a Christmas concert, the band performed a wide variety if swinging charts including arrangements by Bill Holman, Vince Guaraldi, local Orange County legend, Tom Kubis, as well as a few tunes written by or arranged by Sellers.  There was even a cool, hip version of The 12 Days of Christmas done b... 12/06/2007

Bush Bailout Plan?  - Mission Viejo by John Alesi, Mission Viejo REALTOR® Mission Viejo CA Real Estate As reported on the Reuters website today, Prez Bush may be unveiling a plan to bring mortgage relief to so of the 2 million homeowners that are facing steeply increasing interest rates on their home loans.  His intention is to help homeowners avoid foreclosure as well as bolster the currently sagging economy with a proposed five year rate freeze on subprime loans.  Read the full story here. John Alesi, Mission Viejo REALTOR® 949-510-2154 John@YourOCHome.com www.YourOCHome.com 12/05/2007

Trout Fishing On Lake Mission Viejo - Mission Viejo by John Alesi, Mission Viejo REALTOR® Mission Viejo CA Real Estate For all of you fishermen and fisherwomen, Lake Mission Viejo is the place to be in December for lots of angling activities.  The lake has been stocked with 12,000 pounds of Rainbow Trout with another 8,000 pounds scheduled December 11th.  This later planting will have 100 tagged trout which can be redeemed for great prizes including fishing gear, boat rentals and bait packages.  Just bring the tag (NOT the fish!) to the boat rental office to get your prize. December 12, 2007 is the day for the December tournament which will take place on the docks from 6-11am.  Three divisions will include Kids 11 and under, Teens 12-17, and Adults 18 and over.  Prized will be awarded ... 12/02/2007

Lake Mission Viejo Parade of Lights - Mission Viejo by John Alesi, Mission Viejo REALTOR® Mission Viejo CA Real Estate  Come down to Lake Mission Viejo for the 29th Annual Parade of Lights event scheduled for December 8, 2007, 4:30-8:30pm.  This year’s event includes Santa’s arrival, beach bonfires, craft faire, holiday stage show and boat parade.  Bring the kids down to sit with Santa and enjoy an evening of family fun.  Parade organizers will accept new entries for the boat parade, so just call 949-770-1313 x200 to register.  Also check out LMV Association for more information.Don't forget the grand-daddy of boat parades in OC, the 99th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade on Dec 12-16, 2007 in Newport Harbor.  You'll see everything from million dollar yachts to canoes and kaya... 12/02/2007

FORECLOSURE INFORMATION (White House) FACT SHEET: New Steps to Help Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure We will build a source of knowledge that everyone can use! Trusted Data Compilers News Useful Blog Sites Useful Links Foreclosure.com Google News Active Rain Short Sales Specialists ML-Implode - This site will help you know the health of the Mortgage Industry RealtyTrac Inman News ForeclosureListinginCalifornia Hud.gov - Tips to Avoiding Foreclosures Foreclosures.com Mortgage Daily Foreclosure.com Blog Foreclosure University - Seems to have alot of information on teaching. - - Wikipedia - on Foreclosure Veterans Affair - When payments cannot be made on due date - Topix ( Foreclosure News) - State-by-State Foreclosure Laws Thank you for viewing this Blog.It's amazing how the market has chang... 11/30/2007

It's raining... it's pouring... the inventory's soaring...Okay, not really.  Actually, according to my company's latest Market Time Report, the inventory is dropping as frustrated sellers remove their homes from the market.  Demand (the number of homes placed into escrow within the prior month) has increased, after bottoming out in early October, to 1295 new escrows (an increase of 182 escrows!).  All this is leading to lower (but still very high) market times, going from 15.96 months at the bottom in October, to 13.31 months today.  The question remains - will the holiday market prove to be better or worse than the current "bottom" back in October?  Of course the holidays have historically been THE lowest point for sales activity in the average sales year.  But what has been average th... 11/30/2007

Congratulations go out to two cities in the Saddleback Valley that received honors from the QC Press as being in the in the Top 10 Safest Cities in the Nation. (YEAH!)Mission Viejo ranked #1 safest city in the nation.  With a population of 98,483 it had the lowest crime rate during 2006 for cities with populations of 75,000 of more.  Mission Viejo has consistently been one of the top 10 cities since the Safest City Awards began 14 years ago.The second city in the valley that was awarded was Lake Forest. It was listed as the 10th safest city in the nation out of 378 cities.  Both Mission Viejo and Lake Forest are located in South Orange County California. Both cities are family-oriented communities, with outstanding schoolsand more the 50 parks, numerous recreation centers and an outstan... 11/20/2007

Mission Viejo Ranked Safest Cityby John Alesi, Mission Viejo REALTOR®Mission Viejo CA Real EstateIn a recent study by the Washington based CQ Press, the City of Mission Viejo was named the #1 Safest City in the nation for cities of at least 75,000 residents.  The report, based on FBI statistics for murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and vehicle theft, ranked Mission Viejo in first place, ranking above other local cities such as Lake Forest (#10) and Irvine (#11).  Other cities ranking just below Mission Viejo were: Clarkstown, N.Y.; Brick Township, N.J.; Amherst, N.Y.; and Sugar Land, Texas.Among the least safe cities are Detroit, MI, St. Louis, MO, Flint, MI, Oakland, CA, and Camden, NJ.Photo courtesy of: goose000eggs at Photobucket John Alesi, Mission Viejo REALTOR®94... 11/20/2007

Source: Congressional Quarterly, Inc. (CQPress) and the FBI - November 18, 2007 According to CQPress.com's 14th Annual City and Crime Rankings Publication, Mission Viejo, CA has achieved the honor of America's Safest City. The citizens of Mission Viejo can now enjoy their long awaited honor. After more than 10 years of being ranked as one of the Top 10 safest cities in all the years it has participated in the survey, Mission Viejo is finally and officially THE Safest City in the United States. Mission Viejo reported no murders in 2006, boasted the nation's lowest rape rate, and has the third-lowest aggravated assault, violent crime, and property crime rates among cities with populations of 75,000 or more. Joining Mission Viejo at the top of America's Safest City rankings from Orange Cou... 11/19/2007

I dropped off a couple of overdue books at the Mission Viejo Library the other day and was humbled at the sight of this simple memorial to some of the many fallen veterans of the war in Iraq.  I felt such peace as I walked throught the rows of banners.  We have peace in this country because of all the devoted service members who have dedicated their lives to this country and our safety.  Tonight's the last night to see this memorial.  11/16/2007

Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club is one of the few great pubic golf courses located in Mission Viejo. Also if you play golf  check out "The Golf Courses.net" for a referance to other golf courses in the area. Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club26772 Avery PkwyMission Viejo, CA 92692(949)305-5100 http://www.thegolfcourses.net/golfcourses/CA/38475.htmArroyo Trabuco Golf Club is an 18-hole regulation length golf course in Mission Viejo, California. This championship layout features 5 sets of teeboxes for the enjoyment of golfers of all skill levels. Online tee times may be available at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club or at nearby golf courses, usually offered at a discount from the normal rate. TeesParYardageCourse RatingSlopeBack72701173.713418 total holes at facility Green fees - $42 to $98 (approximate) Designed... 11/01/2007

I was recently interviewed on channel 39 for Saddleback College, Mission Viego, CA about the current condition of the real estate market. I gave the my 2 cents. I will post this in more detail later. 09/28/2007

No More Excuses! Paint Your House!by John Alesi, Mission Viejo REALTOR® Mission Viejo CA Real EstateThe City of Mission Viejo is now offering a House Painting Program that is designed to help homeowners fund the costs to paint their home's exterior.  Qualified residents must own and live  in a single family residence in the city and must meet income guidelines set up by the US Dep't of Housing and Urban Development (commonly called HUD).  Eligibility is based on the previous two years' income (including Social Security) and on family size.Funds are limited for this program and the deadline to apply is October 29, 2007.  If you would like information on this valuable offer, call the city's Community Development Department at 949-470-3026.(Photo courtesy of anitakhart through Flickr.com) ... 08/28/2007

Congratulations go out to three of our local high schools in the Saddleback Valley.  Newsweek Magazine recently ranked America's Top 1200 schools and two were located in the city of Mission Viejo and one in the city of Laguna Hills.  Newsweek ranks public and private schools according to a ratio that includes the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and/or Cambridge test taken by all students divided by the number of graduating seniors.  All of the schools on the top 1200 have an index of at least 1000 and are in the Top 5 Percent of public schools.  Saddleback Valley Unifed School Districtshould be proud of the achievement of these schools and of course the students who have taken higher level coursework.Congratulations!Mission Viejo High School - Ranked 401Laguna ... 06/30/2007

Summer Activities at Lake Mission Viejo by John Alesi, Mission Viejo REALTOR® Mission Viejo CA Real Estate With schools ending their academic year and summer nearly upon us, it’s time to plan your activities around Lake Mission Viejo.  Classes and activities are available for lake members and their guests of all ages and start at the end of June. Here’s a short list of some of the activities for: Tots - Stay & Play Tots Gym Parent (Grandparent) & MeKids & Teens - Summer Ice Skating (!) Girls Gymnastics Kung Fu For Kids Junior Gold Academy Beginning Guitar Drawing & Painting Teens & Adults - Teen Sailing & Kayaking First Aid Certification CPR Certification Private Fishing Lessons Beginning Album Making Beginning & Intermediate Guitar Adult - Adult Sailing & Kayaking Cardio Sculpt Tai Ch... 06/14/2007

No Interest Rehab Loans Available - Mission Viejo by John Alesi, Mission Viejo REALTOR® Mission Viejo CA Real Estate The City of Mission Viejo is offering eligible residents the opportunity to get up to $20,000 in deferred payment, home improvement loans.  Applicants must own and occupy a home in Mission Viejo and must not exceed the US Dep’t. of Housing and Urban Development gross annual income limits.  Other factors may also be considered and these loans don’t have to be repaid until the home is sold, the title is transferred or the home is refinanced. These loans may be used to correct safety issues with a house, make heating, plumbing or electrical repairs, add energy efficient windows, paint the exterior, make structural repairs and a variety of other improvements.  Contact the Co... 06/14/2007

The Flores Family Real Estate team is sponsoring a neighborhood garage sale this Saturday June 16th, from 7:00 am till 1:00 pm.  The location of the garage sale is off the 5 freeway and Oso Parkway and the between the intersection of Oso and Montonoso and Margurite and Estenciero.There is anticipated to be 30 plus homes selling goods in the neighborhood so there promises to be plenty of good stuff available for sale. Enjoy!     06/12/2007

Sunset Concerts at Lake Mission ViejoSunset Concerts at Lake Mission Viejo - Mission Viejoby John Alesi, Mission Viejo REALTOR®Mission Viejo CA Real EstateThe Lake Mission Viejo Association has just announced the schedule for the upcoming Summer Sunset Concert Season.  This yearly tradition features four concerts at the lake featuring a variety of artists sure to please most everyone.Here'e the playbill:July 7 - ROCCO DELUCA and the BURDEN - Local Southern California Blues rocker.July 21 - STEPHEN STILLS - Legendary member of Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & NashAugust 4 - JUDY COLLINS and special guest KENNY RANKIN - Collins has deep roots in the folk music of the 60's while Rankin has had a long career as a pop-jazz crooner.August 18 - COLIN HAY - former frontman for Aussie ba... 06/07/2007

For the ninth year, the Fun with Chalk Art Festival, sponsored by The Children's Creative Festival, a non-profit organization was held in Mission Viejo, California.  The proceeds from the event provide funding for fine arts programs for children in Orange County, California.  The annual event is an Italian-style street painting festival.  It was honored by the United States Congress on July 8, 2003.  The festival was held at Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way at La Paz Rd., Mission Viejo, California.  For information about next year's event call:For info call 877-WeChalk(1-877-932-4255) Toll free in Californiaor 949-367-1222 Please rate this post --- Please rate all posts --- Thank you. 05/21/2007

OK real estate fans.  I am launching a new website next week for my Notary Business.  I am not the most internet savy fellow, so any advice would be appreciated.  Also return once the site is launched and give me some feedback.  I am new to active rain so I need as much help as I can get. 05/10/2007