Orange County CA Real Estate

Looking for an enchanting retirement community?  Then Laguna Woods is the place for you! Enjoy the vibrant lifestyle and beautiful weather of this tight knit 55+ community located in the magnificent Orange County.  Laguna Woods encompasses four square miles adjacent to Laguna Hills in an exceptionally safe area with guarded security gates. It is conveniently located just a few minutes from the Laguna Hills Mall which provides over 80 retail shops, several appealing dining locations, and an on-site movie theater. Opportunities for activities in this charming city are endless. Have you ever been interested in horse back riding? The Laguna Woods Equestrian Center provides trails, horses, and training for their residents as well as special events that are hosted annually.  Take advantage of the endless amenities including Laguna Woods golf course, walking trails, fitness centers, community pool and spa, sauna, picnic areas, tennis courts, and a community recreation clubhouse. Laguna Woods provides a free bus system to residents making transportation easy and comfortable.

One can find a condo, townhome or a detached home to fit most anyones tastes and budget.  From modest 1 bedroom flat condos, to spacious 3 bedroom detached homes with 2 car attached garages, Laguna Woods has it all for the 55+ buyer.      Laguna Woods incorporates 12,700 owned condominium and cooperative units which house approximately 18,500 residents. Owners who live in Laguna Woods pay a homeowners’ association fee that is used to provide residents with public transportation, patrolled private security, clubhouses with special programs and recreational activities. Also included within the Leisure World community are two golf courses for the private use of Laguna Woods residents.  

Take a look at our featured, beautifully remodeled property located of 3426 Bahia Blanca in Laguna Woods. Today's Laguna Woods featured condo for sale is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 garage condo which has been been completely renovated to new condition, such as: Marble flooring in the kitchen area, beautiful granite counters in kitchen and bathrooms with full back splash and waterfall edge, solid maple cabinets with cushion close drawers, crown molding throughout, hot and cold filtered water system in kitchen, Stainless appliances, Jacuzzi tub in master bedroom, surround home theater speaker system, new water heater, and more!  Currently, this luxurious condo is ranged priced from $450,000 to $500,000.  With a lovely views of the hills in Laguna Wood, anyone would be proud to call this magnificent property home.

The City of Laguna Woods was incorporated in March 1999 and encompasses approximately 2,100 acres of land. The City of Laguna Woods is located in south Orange County between the San Joaquin Foothills and the Santa Ana Mountains. The City is bordered on the north, east, and southeast by the City of Laguna Hills, on the northwest by the City of Irvine, on the west by unincorporated Orange County and the City of Laguna Beach, and on the south by the City of Aliso Viejo.  With more than 86% of the population over 65 years of age, the elderly are the largest special needs group in the City of Laguna Woods. Affordable housing has been identified by South County Senior Services as the primary need for the elderly; health care and in-home care and transportation services needs were also indicated. Significant resources for the elderly exist in and near the City of Laguna Woods and   Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center; offers a nutrition program, congregate meals, home delivery of meals, social services case management, seniors activities, information, and referral services.

If you would like to view all homes and condos for sale in Laguna Woods, please visit our website at: Search Orange County Homes and Condos

As stipulated in the newly passed Economic Stimulus Bill of 2008, FHA announced the  new loan limits for Orange County, CA.  This new FHA loan limit is based on a calculation of 125% times the median price, up to a maximum of $729,750.  Since the median price in Orange County is around $600,000, the new FHA loan limit for Orange County is the maximum allowed.  Below is a table of the loan limits for single family homes, as well as small multi-family housing:  


HUD Secretary, Alphonso Jackson recently announced the new limit increase at the Anaheim Convention Center where HOPE NOW was conducting a national anti-foreclosure campaign. This new $729,750 limit will double the previous FHA loan limit of $362,790, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced. This limit is good until the end of the year when it reverts back to $362,790, but some feel this deadline will be extended into 2009'.  This new bill will allow FHA to refinance of up to 97% loan to value, but most mortgage lenders will only go up to only 90% loan to value.

This new FHA loan limit will enable many Orange County homeowners to refinance out of their expensive adjustable rate mortgages, even if their property has has gone done in value over the past few years.  Also, the new FHA loan program will allow some homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages to refinance if they are behind on payments.

Another great benefit for Orange County would be home purchasers, is that FHA is much more forgiving of a few negative marks in ones FICO credit rating. in the past 12 months, Conventional lenders have become much more demanding on credit quality. New FHA underwriting will also allow for more flexible income documentation and less time on a given job.

This new FHA loan limits for orange County plus more flexible qualification standards could be a big boost for the slumping Orange County housing market.  Many Orange county residents depend on jumbo loans, anything above the current $417,000 limit. Interest Rates on jumbo loans are more expensive, ten conforming loans (ie: loans below $417,000).  The average rate tis past week for a 30-year fixed conforming loan in Orange County was 5.9 percent with a one-point fee, while the average jumbo rate on a 30-year fixed was 6.9 percent with a one-point fee.

If you would like more information on the new FHA loan limits, or would like a referral to a couple of great local FHA lenders, feel free to call us at: (949) 388-3396, or send us an email at:  Info@OCRealtyGroup.com   We specialize in Short Sale workouts for Orange County homeowner in need.  If you would like to learn more about Short Sale workouts, visit our website at:  www.OCShortSaleCenter.com

The beautiful one story single family homes at Crown Valley Highlands were built in the early 1970's by Avco builders.  This popular community was developed in the foothills of north Laguna Niguel and many of the lots provide a panoramic view.  The residences at Crown Valley Highlands offer a wide variety of 8 single story floor plans ranging in size from 1,157 to 1,700 square feet.  These floor are listed as follows:

• Carmel - A:  3 bedroom, 2 bath.
• Palm Beach - B:  3 bedroom, 2 bath.
• St. Topez - C:  3 bedroom, 2 bath.
• Nassau - D:  4 bedroom, 2 bath.
• Newport - E:  3 bedroom, 2 bath.
• Key West - F:  4 bedroom, 2 bath.
• Costa Brava - G:  2 bedroom, 2 bath.
• Montego - H:  3 bedroom, 2 bath.

Over the years, some of these homes have been completley remodeled with room additions, and some homes now range in size up to 1,900 square feet.  Crown Valley Highlands boasts of a community swimming Pool, wading pool, clubhouse, community parks and hiking/biking trails close by. 

Home prices currently range from a low of $520,000 for the smallest floor plans with no view, and view upgrades, up to the $750,000 for the larger floor plans with some views and some upgrades.  The streets that comprise of Cronw Valley Highlands are:  Belmar Dr., Calverton Cir, Colebrook Dr., Ellendale Dr., Felton Dr., Jarrett Cir., Kensington Dr., Preston Dr., Quigley Dr., Sedgewick Dr., and Warwick Dr.   Crown Valle Highlands is located close to the intersection of Niguel Road and Alicia Parkway.

Crown Valley Highlands is serviced by the award winning Capistrano Unified School District.  The grade school is Moulton Elementary, and the Junior High is Aliso Middle School.  The upper classes are conducted at the award winning Aliso Niguel High School. 

If you would like to view all homes for sale in Lagun Niguel, please visit our website at:  Laguna Niguel Real Estate.   If you have any real estate related questions, or would like to view any home listed for sale in Laguna Niguel, please email us at:  Info@OCRealtyGroup.com or Text Message us at:  949-283-4679

The beautiful estate homes in the gated community of Careyes at Talega were built in 2005' by the prolific home builder, Brookfield Homes.  This fine subdivision consists 42 luxury homes comprising of 7 spacious 4 to 6 bedroom floor plans ranging in size from 4,400 to 5,200 square feet.  These Rancho Santa Fe inspired homes feature bold architectural styling with romantic courtyards, private quest suites and view decks.   The floor plans are detailed as follows:

• Plan 1 - A - 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 4,488 square feet, 3 car garage
• Plan 2 - B - 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 4,693 square feet, 4 car garage
• Plan 2CX - C - 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 5,013 square feet, 4 car garage
• Plan 2DX - D - 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 5,075 square feet, 4 car garage
• Plan 3 - E - 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 4,855 square feet, 3 car garage
• Plan 3CX - F - 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 5,175 square feet, 3 car garage
• Plan 3DX - G - 6 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, 5,237 square feet, 4 car garage

These homes overlook the Talega Golf Course and many of the homes boast of panoramic views.  Each home has a 3 or 4 car garage, and separate family and living rooms.   Some of the luxury features one will find in these homes comprise of:   Center courtyard, Guest Casita, over-sized fireplace, forever views to the ocean, wood beamed ceilings, hardwood flooring, gourmet kitchens with granite counters, maple cabinets, top appliances, formal dining room with built-in buffet and butler's pantry, custom stone tile, main floor library or office/den with built in cabinetry, built-in media center, large master suite with built-in office cabinetry, huge walk in closet, luxurious bath with dual vanities, large soaking tub and separate tile shower, and much more. 

All of the homes in the Careyes tract are located on Calle Careyes or Calle De Los Sonador, which are  located just of off Avenida Talega, but the corner of Avenida Pico and Avenida La Plata.  

Current prices for the fine estate homes of Careyes range from $1.7 Million up to $2.5 Million.   The Careyes tract is serviced by the award winning Capistrano Unified School district.  The elementary school is vista Del mar, and the middle school is also Vista Del Mar.  the upper classes are conducted at San Clemente High School.

Telaga is a beautiful maser planned community recently developed in the mid 2000's, and is nestled in the rolling hills of central San Clemente at the end of Pico Avenue.  Talega has over 2,000 acres of open space, 19 miles of trails, a nature preserve, swim and athletic clubs, the championship Talega Golf Course, and numerous parks and sports fields.   And best of all, it just a short drive to the beautiful beaches of San Clemente.   San Clemente was founded in 1925 by Ole Hanson, who called it the "Spanish Village by the Sea".  Amazingly, the whole feel of the downtown portion of the city and pace, hasn't changed much since that time.  The sun shines about 342 days of the year. and the people are still some the friendliest around.  For decades, this charming, laid back city has been both a favorite coastal destination and one of the nicest spots in Orange County to call home.

If yo would like to see all homes listed for sale in Talega or San Clemente, please feel free to visit our website at:  San Clemente Real Estate.   Or if you would like a private showing of any home listed for sale, please contact us at:  Info@OCRealtyGroup.com    or Text us at:  949-283-4679.

Real estate prices in Orange County have pulled back substantially in the past 18 months.  In the City of Aliso Viejo, CA. the price per square foot in the 3rd Quarter of 2006' was $408/SqFt, and the price per square foot for detached homes now stands at $336/SqFt.  This represents a drop in values of 17.5%.  This severe pull back in prices is the result of a much needed correction to the unprecedented run-up in prices from 1997 to 2006', coupled with a high rate of foreclosures caused by the easy money lending standards of the past 5 years.

This major drop in home prices, has made for a good time for prospective home buyers.  Today's prices represent what homes were selling for in mid 2004', and interest rates are still at all time lows.  Plus, congress is about to pass temporary loan limit increases for FHA loans, which will enable many first time home buyers to purchase a home in Aliso Viejo.

Currently there are 27 detached homes that are listed for sale that are priced less then $550,000.  These homes range in price from $449,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,300  square foot detached home on Soho Court in the Hamptons tract.   Up to the $550,000 mark for a 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 1,722 square foot home on Wellington Place in the Canterbury tract. 

Address	Bdrms	Baths	Garages	SqFt	Yr Built	Price	Days on Market
3 Soho Ct 38	3	2	2	1,300	1996	$449,900	128
89 Colony Way	2	3	2 A	1,455	1993	$459,900	0
7 Greenwich Ct	3	3	2 A	1,286	1997	$474,876	118
7 Greenborrow Ct	3	2	2 A	1,367	1997	$475,000	118
33 Colony Way	3	2	2	1,455	1995	$479,000	108
4 Maison	3	3	2	1,334	1998	$489,000	36
7 Ryley Ct 18	3	3	2 A	1,300	1996	$489,900	33
29 Santa Clara St	3	3	2	1,493	1989	$495,000	0
4 Estero Pointe	4	3	2 A	1,400	1998	$500,000	23
10 Beaumont	2	2	2	1,102	1998	$500,000	23
37 Rue Du Chateau	3	3	2	1,378	1999	$519,000	15
32 Santa Clara St	3	3	2	1,301	1990	$519,000	12
1 Sherrelwood Ct	4	3	2 A	1,550	1996	$519,000	2
18 Cape Coral	3	3	2 A	1,400	1995	$599,876	49
2 Beaumont	3	2.5	2 A	1,344	1997	$529,800	182
110 Las Flores	3	3	2	1,400	1997	$535,000	6
6 Dominguez St	3	2.5	2 A	1,500	1989	$539,900	63
10 Las Flores	2	3	2	1,363	1997	$539,999	275
11 Via Carisma	3	3	2 A	1,600	2000	$540,000	239
55 COLONY Way	3	2	2 A	1,500	1995	$549,000	170
197 Woodcrest Ln	4	3	2	1,800	1997	$549,000	23
24 Rue Du Chateau	3	3	2 A	1,234	2000	$549,900	76
53 Picket Ln	3	3	2 A	1,500	1999	$549,900	0
17 Wellington Pl.	3	3	2 A	1,722	1999	$549,999	101
190 Las Flores	2	3	2	1,200	1996	$550,000	28
5 Santa Clara St	3	2.5	2 A	1,301	1993	$559,000	49

If you would like to view all condos and homes for sale in Aliso Viejo, feel free to visit our website at:  Aliso Viejo Real Estate.   For a proprietary list of bank owned homes or pre-foreclosure homes for sale, visit our www.OCBargainHomes.com website.