by Vincent Bindi on March 24, 2008
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
by Vincent Bindi on December 28, 2007
There are numerous senior citizen residential ownership communities in south Orange County that offer a wide variety of styles, floor plan options and prices. There is only one such retirement housing community in Laguna Niguel, called Monarch Summit II. One of the desirable attributes is the community of Monarch Summit II is only 1 mile from the Pacific Ocean and sits on top of one of the highest hills in Laguna Niguel. Therefore about half of the homes offer some type of distant or panoramic view, and some of the homes offer majestic Ocean Views along will temperate Ocean breezes.
Monarch Summit II is located at at the top of Pacific Island Dr., and was developed in the early and mid 1970’s by builder Lan Ron. This community encompasses of about 180 attached single family homes, and incorporates 3 distinct floor plans as follows:
- Plan A – 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,670 square feet
- Plan B – 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,650 square feet
- Plan A – 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,400 square feet
All of the above floor plans are single story and come with a fireplace, and 2 car garage. Over the years, many of these homes have had some major renovations and many fine upgrades added to the homes. Monarch Summit II requires that at least one occupant is 55+ years of age or older. By the way, the community of Monarch Summit I was built around the same time by the same builder, but this community is not 55+ restricted.
The Home Owners Association (HOA) for Monarch Summit II is well managed and includes; Club House and Recreational Facility, swimming pool, spa. The monthly dues are reasonable at around the low $200 per month level at the time of this writing (subject to change), and include: Property Insurance, Earthquake Insurance, Landscape Maintenance, Pool and Spa maintenance, Trash service.
The streets that comprise of Monarch Summit II are as follows: Cavallo Ln., Pardella Ln., Savona Pl., Abanita Way, Andara Rd., Arbella Rd., Camerona Rd., Campana Way, Casalero Dr., Dominita Rd., Latigo Dr., Mantanza Dr., Mariano Dr., Montalvo Rd., Monteago Rd., Palencia Ln., Talavera Dr., Tamora Dr., Tolana Dr., and Veranada Rd.
If you are planning on purchasing in a retirement community in the future, make sure you take advantage of the property Tax Saving laws called Prop 60 and Prop 90 if they apply to you. For a list of all retirement housing properties listed for sale in Laguna Niguel or elsewhere in south orange County, please visit our OC Just Listed home finder service and add a note that you are looking for just 55+ communities. Or feel free to call us anytime at: 949-388-3396, or drop us an email at: Info@OCRealtyGroup.com
by Vincent Bindi on December 3, 2007
San Juan Capistrano has just two residential for ownership retirement communities. One is called San Juan Hills and the other is San Juan Hills East. San Juan Hills is located on San Juan Creek Rd. just east of Hwy 5, and is surrounded by the San Juan Hills public golf course. San Juan Hills East is located just 1/2 east in the same general vicinity.
San Juan Hills retirement community consists of a variety of 2 and 3 bedroom attached single story condos with 2 car garages. These attached homes were constructed over a period of time starting in the mid 1960’s until the early 1970’s. The four floor plans are as follows:
- Plan 1 – 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,300 square feet, 2 car garage.
- Plan 2 – 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,450 square feet, 2 car garage.
- Plan 3 – 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,680 square feet, 2 car garage.
- Plan 4 – 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1,730 square feet, 2 car garage.
Over the years, many of these basic floor plans have been remodeled and expanded, offering a wide variety of floor plan options. The Association dues range in the low $200’s per month range at the time of this writing. These dues include community swimming pool, basic fire insurance, senior community, landscaping and exterior maintenance.
San Jaun Hills East was developed in the late 1970’s and the last homes were completed in the early 1980’s. These single story attached homes consist of 3 basic floor plans as follows:
- Plan A – 3 bedroom, 2 baths, 1,750 square feet, 2 car garage.
- Plan B – 3 bedroom, 2 baths, 1,735 square feet, 2 car garage.
- Plan C – 2 bedroom, 2 baths, 1,325 square feet, 2 car garage.
The association dues for San Jaun Hills East are in the mid $250/mos price range and include basic fire Insurance, exterior Maintenance, swimming Pool, Sauna, Trash, landscaping maintenance, Senior Community, Storage Area, and Water. Prices currently range from $450,000 up to $600,000.
For more information about retirement homes for sale in San Juan Capistrano, feel free to contact us at: 949-388-3396, or email us at: Info@SearchOCHomes.com , or Text Message at: 949-283-4679.
by Vincent Bindi on October 4, 2007
Senior citizens have not had many housing options in San Clemente, until just recently with the development of Talega. Now there are 3 newer developments in Talega for the active retiree, and 2 older communities for those over 55 year of age, that are located close to the beach. The Talega 55+ communities are called: Waterleaf, Seagarden and Wavecrest and the two older beach close retirement communities are called Colony Cove and Bay Cliff Village, for a total of 250 housing units. These communities require that at least one occupant is 55 years of age or older and are outlined below:
Waterleaf 55+ – Talega, San Clemente, CA.:
- Type of Housing: Single Family Detached, with homes ranging in size from 2,032 SqFt up to 2,503 SqFt and 2 car attached garages.
- Number of Homes in this Retirement Community: 75
- Prices currently Range from: $650K to $1.5Million.
- Year Built Range: 2001′ – 2003′
- Home builder: Standard Pacific Homes
- Security: Automatic Car Gate
- Association Dues Range (subject to change): $310 to $330
- Association Amenities: Amenities include Talega Gallery and encompass – Club House and Rec Facility, Gym/Exercise Room, swimming Pool and Spa, Sport Courts, Tennis, putting course and more.
- General Location: close to Avenue Pico and South Calle Alicante, and is adjacent to the Talega golf Course
- Streets that comprise subdivision: Camino Alenza, Camino Del Prado, Camino Botero, and Calle Galleria
Seagarden 55+ – Talega, San Clemente, CA.:
- Type of Housing: Attached Townhomes, with condos ranging in size from 1,578 Square Feet up to 2,045 Square Feet and 2 car attached garages.
- Number of Homes in this Retirement Community: 41
- Prices currently Range from: $540,000 to $850,000.
- Year Built Range: 2001′ – 2003′
- Home builder: Standard Pacific Homes
- Security: Automatic Car Gate
- Association Dues Range (subject to change): $350 to $380
- Association Amenities: Amenities include Talega Gallery and encompass – Club House and Rec Facility, Gym/Exercise Room, swimming Pool and Spa, Sport Courts, Putting Course, Tennis, and more.
- General Location: close to Avenue Pico and South Calle Alicante, and is adjacent to the Talega golf Course
- Streets that comprise subdivision: Corte Pinturas and Calle Galleria
Wavecrest 55+ - Talega, San Clemente, CA.: - Type of Housing: Single Family Detached, with homes ranging in size from 1,747 SqFt up to 2,092 SqFt and 2 car attached garages.
- Number of Homes in this Retirement Community: 70
- Prices currently Range from: the low $700K’s to the high $900K’s.
- Year Built Range: 2002′ – 2003′
- Home builder: Standard Pacific Homes
- Security: Automatic Car Gate
- Association Dues Range (subject to change): $310 to $340
- Association Amenities: Amenities include Talega Gallery and encompass – Club House and Rec Facility, Gym/Exercise Room, swimming Pool and Spa, Sport Courts, Tennis, putting course and more.
- General Location: close to Avenue Pico and Camino La Pedriza, and is adjacent to the Talega golf Course
- Streets that comprise subdivision: Corte Sagrada, Corte De Vega, Corte Ladino and Corte Miro.
Bay Cliff Village 55+ – north San Clemente, CA.: - Type of Housing: Single Family Detached, with homes ranging in size from 1,016 SqFt up to 1,266 SqFt and 2 car attached garages.
- Number of Homes in this Retirement Community: 28
- Prices currently Range from: $420K to $550Ks.
- Year Built Range: 1962′ – 1963′
- Home builder: Douglas Construction
- Security: Not Gated
- Association Dues Range (subject to change): $210 to $230
- Association Amenities: Club House and Rec Facility.
- General Location: close to Pacific Coast Hwy (PCH) and Camino Capistrano, and just 0.2 miles from the beaches and adjacent to Shorecliff Golf Course.
- Streets that comprise subdivision: Monte Vista.
Colony Cove 55+ – north San Clemente, Ca.: - Type of Housing: Single Family Detached, with homes ranging in size from 1,064 SqFt up to 1,260 SqFt and 1 car attached and detached garages.
- Number of Homes in this Retirement Community: approximately 50
- Prices currently Range from: $550K to $600K.
- Year Built Range: 1964′ – 1967′
- Security: Not Gated
- Association Dues Range (subject to change): $230 to $255
- Association Amenities: Club House and Rec Facility and swimming Pool.
- General Location: West of Hwy 5, and close to Pacific Coast Hwy (PCH) and Camino San Clemente, and just 0.2 miles from the beaches.
- Streets that comprise subdivision: Camino San Clemente.
Housing is relatively expensive, but San Clemente CA. makes a great place for retirement. San Clemente is southern most City in Orange County California, and is a coastal town just north of Camp Pendleton. Due to it’s coastal location, the weather is very temperate year round, with average temperatures ranging from 60 degrees at night to 80 degrees in the day during summer months, and from averages of 55 degrees at night to 70 degrees during the day during the winter months. Also, the annual rainfall is low as well as low humidity.
Another great benefit to retirement here is that San Clemente has a very low crime rate, and the air is very clean which is important if you enjoy outdoor activities. With these 4 benefits of temperate year round weather, low annual rainfall, low crime and clean air, make San Clemente a fantastic location for active seniors.
If you would like to view all 55+ retirement homes and condos for sale in San Clemente, please visit our website at San Clemente Viejo Real Estate and request a free and no obligation custom search of all 55+ retirement communities. If you would like for us to show you the homes for sale in these communities, please feel free to call us at: 949-388-3396 or drop us an email at: Info@OCRealtyGroup.com
by Vincent Bindi on September 7, 2007
There are numerous residential for purchase real estate options for seniors in south Orange County offering a wide range of prices, amenities and architectural styles. This blog article will focus on the City of Mission Viejo. These communities require that at least one occupant is 55 years of age or older. Mission Viejo has 2 large 55+ communities called Casta Del Sol and Palmia, each of which is outlined below:
Casta Del Sol and Carmel 55+ Community:
- Prices Range: $430K – $700K
- Association Dues Range: $230 to $285
- Year Built Range: 1972 to 1987
- Gated: Human Gate Guarded
- Home Styles: Single Family detached with 1 and 2 car garages ranging in size from 1,200 to 1,700 square feet. Single family attached with 1 car garage ranging in size from 1,000 to 1,400 square feet.
- Community Amenities: Wimming Pool, Tennis Courts, Club House, Recreation Facility, Gym/Exercise Room, Sport Court. It’s also adjacent to Casta Del Sol golf course which has reduced rates for seniors.
- Number of Homes in Community:
- Carmel – 192 Detached Homes – built by Mission Viejo Co.
- Fiesta – 396 Detached Homes – built by Mission Viejo Co.
- PUD – 748 Attached Homes – built by Mission Viejo Co.
- Location: Central Mission Viejo – East of Marguerite Pkwy , south of Alicia Pkwy and north of Jeronimo
Palmia Courts, Palmia Terraces, Palmia Heights and Palmia Vistas 55+
Communities:
- Price Range: $425K – $900K
- Association Dues Range: $250 – $370
- Year built: 1989 to 1997
- Gated: Human Gate Guarded
- Community Amenities: Club House, Recreational Facility, Gym – Exercise Room, Tennis Courts, Swimming Pool, Spa, Bar-b-que.
- Number of Homes in Community:
- Courts 1 & 2 – 268 Attached Homes – built by JM Peters.
- Heights – 117 Detached Homes – built by UDC Homes.
- Terraces – 157 Detached Homes – built by JM Peters.
- Villas 1 & 2 – 252 Detached Homes – built by JM Peters.
- Vistas – 119 Detached Homes – built by Brock Homes.
- Location: North Mission Viejo by Santa Margarita Parkway and Monterey.
Mission Viejo is located in southern Orange County California, about 10 miles east of the Pacific Ocean, 50 miles south of Los Angeles and 60 miles north of San Diego. Due to it’s close proximity to the coast, the weather is very temperate year round, with average temperatures ranging from 60 degrees at night to 80 degrees in the day during summer months, and from averages of 45 degrees at night to 67 degrees during the day during the winter months. Also, the annual rainfall is low as well as low humidity.
Another great benefit to retirement here is that Mission Viejo has one of the lowest crime rates in the country, and the air is very clean. With these 4 benefits of temperate year round weather, low annual rainfall, low crime and clean air, make Mission Viejo a great place for active adults who are looking for outdoor activities. Another cool little attribute of south Orange County living is that there are very few bugs flying around, and essentially no mosquito’s to bother with.
If you would like to view all retirement homes listed for sale in Mission Viejo, please visit our website at Mission Viejo Real Estate and request a free and no obligation custom search of all 55+ retirement communities. If you would like for us to show you the homes for sale in these communities, please feel free to call us at: 949-388-3396 or drop us an email at: Info@OCRealtyGroup.com
by Vincent Bindi on May 4, 2006
Aging Baby boomers… there is great news! No, not Senior Citizen discount meals at Denny’s or reduced lift tickets at Mammoth Mountain… it’s much better then that. If you sell your home in Orange County and buy a replacement home in the OC (or other reciprocal counties), you can maintain your current property tax rate for this replacement home !!! For many of you, that would be a huge property Tax savings year after year. The state law that made this property tax savings possible is called Proposition (Prop) 60 which was passed by Clalifornia voters in 1986. Of course, there are conditions and restrictions that apply as follows.
To qualify for Prop 60, you must be 55 years or older, and it only applies to the sale of your principal home. Vacation homes or rental property do not apply. The replacement home you buy must be at the same or lower value of the home your selling. In addition, I’ve talked with the Orange County Tax Assessor about this issue, and I have heard that the replacement home can even be as high as 5% more then the home being sold.
As you may know, Proposition 13 (Prop 13) which passed in 1978 in the state of California, basically set your Orange County property Taxes to a rate of approximately 1.15% of the purchase price. So if you bought your home 15 years ago for $200,000, your property Taxes today would be about $2,300 per year. Without Prop 60, if you sold this home today for $1,000,000 and downsized a bit and bought an $800,000 replacement home, your new Property Tax bill would be $9,200 per year. If you qualify for Prop 60, in this example your property taxes would remain at $2,300 which would save you $6,900 per year ! (That’s a lot of Denny’s senior citizen meals).
Proposition 90 (Prop 90) was adopted in 1988, and it basically extends Prop 60’s benefits to a home owner who sells an buys in two different California counties, only if the other county outside of Orange County has adopted this county ordinance permitting this transfer to occur. This are generally called reciprocal Prop 90 counties. As of June of 2005′ , there are 7 ‘reciprocal’ counties that haveadopted the Prop 90 ordinance making Prop 60 benefits available to local replacement dwellings, and these 7 counties are: Alameda, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Ventura
A few other conditions and restrictions apply such as you have up to two years before or after the sale of the original residence in order to buy a replacement. Also, if you are married, and either the husband or wife are at least age 55 at the date of transfer, then both of you qualify for the property tax saving. These Tax codes do not apply to Mello-Roos, for Mello-Roos is a local community tax bond and is not based upon the purchase price of the property, and does not apply in many areas throughout Orange County.
These (and all other) Property Tax codes are subject to change at any time, so please consult with your Tax advisor before you make a decision to sell or buy a home if you plan to take advantage of Prop 60 and 90. If you have any questions about Prop 60 or 90, or if you would like to view all homes listed for sale in Orange County, fell free to visit the our website at: Orange County Real Estate.
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