Guide To Orange County Real Estate Blog 
How To Use Tax Credit For Home Buying Expenses
Friday, July 3rd, 2009 at 8:10am. 4 Views, 0 Comments.
Until recently, the $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit could only be accessed when you filed your tax return. The Federal Housing Administration has changed this be adding another component to the temporary $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit. Qualified FHA buyers now have the option of monetizing the funds.
Through short-term bridge loans, buyers can access the money immediately instead of amending their 2008 tax return or waiting to file in 2009.
These buyers then have the option of adding it to their FHA-required 3.5 percent down payment, covering closing costs or buying down their interest rate. Instead of having the money after the fact, you can now use the tax credit to help you buy a home.
Interested in learning more. Visit…
Should Orange County Home Buyers Lock Or Float
Friday, June 26th, 2009 at 1:55pm. 20 Views, 0 Comments.
Mortgage interest rates have been volatile in the last couple of weeks, inching up, coming down and inching up again. This kind of volatility raises the question, ‘when to lock in an interest rate and when to float’. Locking means you are committed to a rate and you will get that interest rate regardless of what happens between the time you lock and when you close on your Orange County home. Floating means you are at the mercy of fluctuations in the market until you choose to lock your rate.The general rule of thumb is to lock your interest rate when rates dip. Could you lock and then be bummed because rates continued to fall…of course. But you could also be thankful you locked because rates increased. It’s a gamble either way. You have to decide what…
Orange County Real Estate Sales Statistics - May 2009
Saturday, June 20th, 2009 at 7:15am. 42 Views, 0 Comments.
39,051 California homes sold in May according to DQNews.com. This number is up 2.9 percent from 37,967 in April and up 18.3 percent from 33,024 in May 2008. Numbers include sales of new and resale homes as well as condos. But what is happening in the Orange County real estate market? Let's take a look at the May Orange County real estate sales statistics:
Dana Point Real Estate Sales Statistics - May 2009
(92624 Zip - Capistrano Beach area)
Homes Sold: 11
Change from May 2008: +266.67%
Median Sales Price: $575,000
Change from May 2008: +140.59%
Dana Point Real Estate Sales Statistics - May 2009
(92629 Zip)
Homes Sold: 31
Change from May 2008: +14.81%
Median Sales Price: $732,500
Change from May 2008: +1.03%
Laguna Beach Real Estate Sales Statistics - May 2009
(92651…
Protect Yourself Against Mortgage Fraud
Saturday, June 13th, 2009 at 4:40am. 61 Views, 0 Comments.
Three Orange County businessmen were indicted by a federal grand jury this week accused of mortgage fraud, falsifying W-2 forms and tax evasion. It is always distrubing to hear stories of fraudulent practices, knowing innocent people end up the victims. There will always be those who take advantage of others. The best thing you can do is become an educated consumer and know how to protect yourself against mortgage fraud. Below are 11 Tips On Being A Smart Consumer from HUD.
Can You Use $8000 Tax Credit For Down Payment On Your Orange County Home?
Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 4:44am. 58 Views, 0 Comments.
Buying an Orange County home and confused about the new $8,000 first-time-home-buyer tax credit program as it applies to your down payment on an FHA loan? You're certainly not alone, and here's the real deal:
HUD has confirmed that the tax credit can be used toward the down payment on FHA loans, but you cannot replace the required 3.5% minimum. In other words, you still must put 3.5% down, but can then use the tax credit for additional down payment or for closing costs. You make use of the tax credit money by means of a bridge loan.
Some state housing finance agencies have developed their own tax credit bridge loan programs, so buyers can monetize the tax credit upfront to cover all or part of their down payment. These programs are separate from the HUD…
Orange County Foreclosure Trends - April 2009
Sunday, May 31st, 2009 at 6:04am. 67 Views, 0 Comments.
Orange County foreclosure homes declined in April with approximately 5,950 new filings in April compared to 6,010 filings in March, according to RealtyTrac.com.
Orance County Foreclosure Activity and Home Price Index

Orange County foreclosure activity is based on the total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings - default notice, foreclosure auction notice or repossession notice - each month. Home price appreciation is based on month-over-month percentage change of the Home Price Index. The Home Price Index is calculated from home sales records.
Orange County Foreclosure Geographical Comparison
Orange County foreclosure activity is .16% below California state acitvity and .30% higher than national statistics.

There are currently 24,729 Orange…
Orange County Real Estate Sales Statistics - April 2009
Sunday, May 24th, 2009 at 6:38am. 51 Views, 1 Comments.
37,967 California homes sold in April according to DQNews.com. This number is up 4.8 percent from 36,215 in March and up 21.9 percent from 31,150 in April 2008. Numbers include sales of new and resale homes as well as condos. But what is happening in the Orange County real estate market? Let's take a look at the April sales Orange County real estate sales:
Capistrano Beach Real Estate Sales Statistics - April 2009
(92624 Zip)
Homes Sold: 3
Change from April 2008: -50.00%
Median Sales Price: $1,050,000
Change from April 2008: +55.5%
Dana Point Real Estate Sales Statistics - April 2009
(92629 Zip)
Homes Sold: 32
Change from April 2008: -16.00%
Median Sales Price: $617,500
Change from April 2008: 0.0%
Laguna Beach Real Estate Sales Statistics - April 2009
Homes Sold: …
Beach Living! Linda Lane Park area condo in San Clemente
Thursday, May 21st, 2009 at 11:10pm. 54 Views, 0 Comments.
Wow! Nicely done and great location upper floor Linda Lane area condo. Walking distance to the sand and Linda Lane Park.
Spacious, vaulted ceiling living room with fireplace, storage and two viewing decks (one partially enclosed) to enjoy ocean breezes or viewing the surrounding area. A wall of windows makes for light, bright and airy living.
Large, Eat-in kitchen area with lounge area with vaulted ceilings also has a small deck. 2-bedrooms and 2- full baths. Master bedroom has sliding door access to spacious deck.
Newly painted and carpeted.. ready for move in.
Offered for sale at $889,000..beach living at it's best at 228 West Marquita, San Clemente.
3 Tips To Selling Your Orange County Home For Top Dollar
Friday, May 15th, 2009 at 2:15pm. 41 Views, 0 Comments.
As the average market time to sell an Orange County home keeps creeping upward, sellers are asking, “What do I need to do the get my home sold quickly for the best possible price?”
Below are 3 tips to sell your Orange County home faster and for top dollar.
1. Price it right.
This means price it 5% below the last comparable sale within a three-month prior period. Look at the homes that have sold in your neighborhood in the last 3 months that are most like yours. Choose the property most like yours and price your home 5% lower than what that home sold for. Not what it listed for, but what it sold for.
2. Work with an agent with a track record.
During the peak of the sellers market a few years ago, everyone and his brother got a real estate license. Now is…
Palmia Terraces 55+ Community Home listed for sale
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 12:48am. 66 Views, 0 Comments.
View this beautiful new listing in the active adult lifestyle community of Palmia Terraces in Mission Viejo. This charming home has 2-bedrooms, plus loft and 2.5-baths. The versatile floor plan allows many ways to decorate and reside comfortably.
The expansive yard provides for lovely rose gardens and a large organic vegetable garden that adds to the tranquility of this inviting backyard setting. Perfect for entertaining.
Complete property details and photo gallery can be viewed at www.21476Miramar.com.
Palmia amenities include: A staffed clubhouse, swimming pool and spa, tennis, billiards room, library, gym, 18-hole putting green and much more for active adults. If you want to join a club, enjoy a trip or relax in a resort-like setting, you have plenty to…
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