From the category archives:

Rancho Santa Margarita

A  Short Sale Success Story #35 -  We are proud to share another one of our success stories for a Short Sale we completed for a detached single family home in Rancho Santa Margarita.     Some of the details of this short sale transaction will not be shared so we can protect the privacy of the past property owner. This property was sold via a Short Sale in the winter time of 2009′ by the ShortSalesASAP team.

Property and Finance  Details: This Rancho Santa Margarita was a 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,370 square foot, 2 car garage, property that was built in  1997.    This detached home was purchased by the homeowner  in the summer of 2006′, for $765,000.    This home was purchase using a zero down 80/20 loan.  The 1st mortgage loan was $612,000, with Wells Fargo with a fixed interest rate loan.  The 2nd loan was for $153,000 and was an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) with WAMU.

Market Condition: The real estate market here in southern California has been hit hard.  More specifically, home prices in Ranch Santa Margarita have been dropping about 1% per month since mid 2006′.   This severe market correction is due to the overheated southern California market that started in 1999,  and the nationwide mortgage crisis.

The property owners of this short sale were a dual income family, and the spouse lost here job in late 2007.  The interest rate on the 2nd mortgage adjusted higher, and the homeowner could no longer keep up with their mortgage payments. They looked into a Loan Modification, but even in the most optimistic scenario, they still would have been about $175,000 upside down on their home mortgage.   Once they decided to conduct a Short Sale, they contacted us in Spring 2008′.

Preparation Stage: We first met with the homeowner and answered all of their questions and concerns.  The listing agreement was signed, and our preparation officer gathered all of the required documents from the homeowner.  After review and packaging, we delivered these documents to the 1st and 2nd banks to present our short sale proposal.  5 weeks later, and after some cunning negotiations, our expert team was able to obtain preliminary approval for the Short Sale.  During this phase, the homeowner was able to live in the property as normal, with no  interruptions from  agents or buyers.

Sales and marketing Stage: With the preliminary short sale approval in hand, this Rancho Santa Margarita home  was tentatively placed on the market for sale.  It was originally listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for a price of at a price of $660,000.   After a period of about 3 weeks with no offers, the price was dropped to $620,000.   2 weeks later we obtained  an offer for $575,000.  After negotiations with our short sale listing agent, Nick Roshdieh, we had the buyer agree to a price of $590,000.

Closing Stage: With the final purchase offer in hand, we packaged the purchase offer documents, along with the buyer loan qualification letter.   This package was sent to the Banks and our short sale negotiator then went to work with the Banks to finalize the final short sale terms.   After a couple of calls from our Attorney Associate, we got the Banks to agree to the final short sale.     Once we received these bank  approval letters, we moved forward with the closing of escrow.

In summary:  The entire mortgage debt of $760,000 was deleted from the owners name .  Due to the owners financial hardship, they were able to live in the property for 5 months without making any type of mortgage payment.  They now line in a nicer rental home in a similar location, and are saving over $1,800 per month.  Their credit was not as badly damaged as would be if the banks Foreclosed.  Plus, they are now working with our Credit Restoration Specialist, and should be able to buy a home by late 2009′ or early 2010′

ShortSaleASAP is licensed with the California Department of Real Estate, and our services are free to the homeowner, for we are paid by the mortgage bank(s). If you have any questions regarding Short Sales, contact our team of experts at: (949) 388-3396 or drop us an email at: Info@ShortSalesASAP.com

Bargain Home Price in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.

by Vincent Bindi on October 19, 2007

There are some great bargain home prices now available for sale in Rancho Santa Margarita.   There are currently 260 detached homes for sale ranging in price from a low of  $399,900 for a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 913 square foot home on Calle Del Los Ninos street in the Los Abanicos tract, on up to $2,995,999 for a 9 bedroom, 5.5 bath, 7,179 square foot estate on Hamilton trail in the Hamilton Oak subdivision.  The Median price of these 260 homes is $725,000.

Compared to the third quarter of 2005′, the average price per square foot of detached homes that sold and closed 1.5 years ago was $372/SqFt.  Today, the average price per square foot of these 260 homes active for sale is $350/SqFt, which represents a 6% drop in prices based upon the asking price.  And today, detached homes are selling for about 4% below their asking prices.  So the expected drop in prices at this time will be about 10%. 

There are 230 attached condos currently for sale in Rancho Santa Margarita.  These range in price from $159,900 up to $789,900.  Median $398,900   Price per Square Foot is $363/SF.  1.5 years ago the price per square foot for condominiums sold and closed was $397/SqFt.  This represents a drop of 8.5% based upon asking prices, and most likely many of these homes will sell for less.  Currently on average, condos are selling at about 3% less then their asking prices.  So the expected current drop in sales prices from 1.5 years ago for Condos in Rancho Santa margarita is 11.5%.

If you have been sitting on the fence waiting for prices to drop, they have, and now would be a good time to begin searching for a bargain priced home.  There are several little known zero down loan programs (CalHFA, Acorn) with below market FIXED interest rates, that allow you to purchase a home up to a maximum of $500K.  If you would like more information on these great loan opportunities, or if you want to view the inside of some of the bargain priced homes, please give us a call at:  949-388-3396 or Text Message at:  949-283-4679, or email us at:  Info@SearchOCHomes.com

Golf anyone ?  Nestled in the rolling terrain of south Ranch Santa Margarita you’ll find the  beautiful community of Alicante which is surrounded by the gorgeous Tijeras Creek public golf course. This community offers resort style living offering many home sites with golf course views, association pool and spa, and hiking and biking trails close by.  Alicante homeowners also have Rancho Santa Margarita lake privileges as well. 

Alicante was developed by JM Peters and construction began in 1989 and the final homes were completed in 1993.  This fine development consists of duplex homes which are attached on one side to only one other home, and comprises of 4 distinct and spacious floor plans as follows:   

  • Plan 1 – 1 Story, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,443 SqFt
  • Plan 2 – 1 Story, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,757 SqFt
  • Plan 3 – 2 Story, 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1,936 SqFt
  • Plan 4 – 2 Story, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2,168 SqFt

Each home includes a fireplace, 2 car attached garage, interior laundry room, skylights, vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets and landscaped front and backyards.  Prices range from the mid $550K’s up to the mid $750K’s.  The association includes a swimming pool, tennis courts, and incorporates community landscaping maintenance and property insurance.  The association dues are about $225 per month at the time of the writing of this article. Alicante comprises of the following streets:  Calle Del Norte, Calle Del Sur, Vista Sabana, Via Empanada and Vista Frondosa.

Alicante is located in the award winning Capistrano Unified School District.  the grade school is Arroya Vista Elementary, the intermediate school is Arroya Vista middles school, and the upper classes are conducted at Tesoro High School.  The blue ribbon and award winning Santa Margarita Catholic High School is also located in this city.  Rancho Santa Margarita was incorporated in 2000′ and has a population of about 47,000. 

To view all homes listed for sale in Rancho Santa Margarita or if you want to view any homes for sale in Alicante, please visit our website at:  Rancho Santa Margarita Real Estate.

Rancho Santa Margarita Home and Condo Prices

by Vincent Bindi on December 11, 2006

The real estate market in Rancho Santa Margarita and elsewhere in Orange County has slowed down substantially.  Currently there are 169 Condos listed for sale.  The Condominiums range in price from $260,000 for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath in the Belflora tract on Castano street.  Up to $749,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome with 2 car garage in the Alicante tract on Calle Del Norte.  The median price for these 169 condos for sale in Rancho Santa margarita is $435,000 and the average price is $446,007.  The average price per square foot is $400/SqFt and the average days on market is 79 days.

There are currently 34 condos under contract In Escrow in Rancho Santa Margarita.  These condos range in price from $257,900 for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath on Gavilan in the Las Flores tract.  Up to $465,000 for a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage townhome in the Seacountry tract.

In the past 90 days, there have been 86 condominiums that have sold and closed escrow in Rancho Santa Margarita.  The least expensive sold unit was $205,000 for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo on Rosa street in the Las Flores tract.  The most expensive condo was $730,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage townhome on Via Empanada with a golf course view in the Alicante tract. The median priced condo was $417,000 and the average price was $428,254.  The average price per square foot is $369/SqFt and the average days on market was 72 days.

For detached homes, there are currently 213 houses listed for sale in Rancho Santa Margarita.  The least expensive detached home is $464,900 for a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage home on Calle De Los Ninos in the Los Abanicos tract.  The most expensive home for sale is $1,875,000 for a 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 3,000 square foot estate home on a 2 Acre lot in Rose Canyon.  The median priced home is $739,900, and the averaged price of these 213 detached homes is $787,319.  The average price per square foot is $374/SqFt and the average days on market is 76 days.

Currently, there are 49 detached homes that are under contract In Escrow in Rancho Santa Margarita.  The lowest price house in escrow is $424,900 for a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with 2 car garage on Calle De Los Ninos in the Los Abanicos tract.  The most expensive home is $1,079,000 for a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,900 square foot home with 3 car garage on Hillrise street in the Sterling Heights tract in Dove Canyon. 

In the past 90 days, there have 90 homes that have sold and close escrow.  The lowest priced home was $490,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage home on Paseo Primero in the Fiesta tract.  The most expensive house sold in the past 90 days in Rancho Santa Margarita was $2,935,000 for a custom estate 4 bedroom, 5.5 bath, 5,500 square foot property on 4 Acres on Summit Trail road.  The median priced home sold was  $735,000 and the average price for these homes was $773,680.  The average price per square foot was $357/SqFt and the average days on market was 77 days. 

Last year, there were 183 homes sold during the same three month period one year ago.  The median price for these 183 homes was $739,900 a year ago and the average price of these homes was $766,666.  The average price per square foot was $368/SqFt and the average days on market was 52 days.  Due to the slow down in sales, there has been no appreciation in home prices since this time last year. 

To view all homes for sale in Rancho Santa Margarita visit our MLS home search website at:  Rancho Santa Margarita MLS.  If you have any questions about real estate in the area, please feel free to call us at:  949-388-3396.

The Lake Front Condominium Community of Montana Del Lago in is an ideal location to enjoy the many amenities that Rancho Santa Margarita has to offer.  From Rancho Santa Margarita one can take a leisurely stroll around the RSM Lake and Beach club or walk to Restaurants, Shops, Market Bank Schools and more.  Montana Del Lago was built by RGC Development company and home construction first began in 1992 and the last Condos we constructed in 1998. 

Montana Del Lago incorporates of 124 condominium units comprising of 8 distinct floor plans as follows:

  • Harmony, Plan A - 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 780 SqFt
  • Journey, Plan B – 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 790 SqFt
  • Infinity, Plan C – 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1,130 SqFt
  • Essence (upper) Plan D – 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1,250 SqFt
  • Genesis, Plan E – 2 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath, 1,440 SqFt
  • Unity, Plan F – 2 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath, 1,190 SqFt
  • Synergy, Plan G – 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1,250 SqFt
  • Essence (lower) Plan H – 2 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath, 1,375 SqFt

Each Condo comes with a 1 or 2 car garage, fireplace, concrete tiled roofs and many units boast of a RSM Lake view.  The association dues are approximately $240 per month and offers a community pol and spa.

In 2005′, Money Magazine featured Rancho Santa Margarita as one of the country’s most desirable places to live and Montana Del Lago is in the epicenter of this wonderful city.  Rancho Santa Margarita boasts of award winning public school system and is part of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District.  For Montana Del Lago residents, grades K through 5 are serviced by Cielo Vista elementary school, the junior high school is Rancho Santa Margarita Middle School, and the upper grades are serviced by Trabuco High School

Currently, there are 6 condos Active for sale in Montana Del Lago, ranging in price from $390,000 for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 800 square foot condo, up to $569,9000 for a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1,440 square foot condo.  The median price for these 6 units  for sale is $415,000.

There is one condominium currently under contract In Escrow and the asking price was $480,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,250 square foot condo.  In the past 90 days, there have been 3 Condos in Montana Del Lago that have sold and closed escrow.  The lowest priced unit sold was $384,000 for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 8000 square foot condo, and the highest priced sold was $490,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,350 square foot plan.

If you would like more information about Montana Del Lago please give us a call at 949-388-3396 or drop us an email.  To view all condominiums for sale in Rancho Santa Margarita, visit our website at: Rancho Santa Margarita Homes

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The Brisa Del Lago subdivision in Rancho Santa Margarita is very popular with first time home buyers. In 2005′, Money Magazine featured Rancho Santa Margarita as one of the country’s most desirable places to live and Brisa Del Lago is right in the heart of this great city.  Brisa Del Lago is located just a short walk to The Beach Club at Rancho Santa Margarita Lake and the Town Center where one can enjoy the numerous Rancho Santa Margarita amenities or dine by the beautiful lake.

Brisa Del Lago was developed by Baywood Homes starting in the mid 1980′s and was completed in 1989.  This beautiful condominium tract consists of 178 stylish 1 and 2 story townhomes, incorporating 5 unique floor plans.  In addition to the attached condos, there were numerous detached patio homes built as well on the streets of Brisa Del Lago, Dianthus and Via Tortugo.  These various floor plans are listed below:

  • Villa Flora – A:  1 Bedroom, 1 Bath, 841 SqFt
  • Villa Classica – B:  1 Bedroom, 1 Bath, 918 SqFt
  • Villa Terraza – C:  2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 950 SqFt
  • Villa Solana – D:     2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 1,024 SqFt
  • Villa Cresta - E:  2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, plus Loft 1,188 SqFt

These fine homes incorporate a Fireplace, and come with a 1 or 2 car garage, and concrete tiled roofs and much more.  The Brisa Del Lago community boasts of a sparkling swimming pool, heated Spa, Tennis courts, Sport Court and recreational building.

Currently, there are 7 attached Condos Active for sale in Brisa Del Lago, ranging in price from $375,000 for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath single story Condo, on up to $439,900 for a 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath 1,024 Square Foot Condo.  The average asking price for these 7 homes is $415,285 and the average asking price per square foot is $437/SqFt.   The average days on market for these 7 Condos is 36 days.

There are currently 3 homes sold In Escrow in Brisa Del Lago, ranging in price from $465,000 for the 2 bedroom plus loft, with 2 bath, on up to $480,000 for the same floor plan with panoramic view.   In the past 60 days, there have been 2 Condos in Brisa Del Lago that have sold and closed.  

Rancho Santa Margarita boasts of award winning public school system and is part of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District.  For Brisa Del Lago residents, grades K through 5 are serviced by Trabuco Mesa elementary school, the junior high school is Rancho Santa Margarita Middle School, and the upper grades are serviced by Trabuco High School

If you would like to view Homes for sale in Rancho Santa Margarita, visit our website at:  Rancho Santa Margarita Real Estate.

Wagon Wheel Homes and Houses for Sale

by Vincent Bindi on December 14, 2005

Wagon Wheel Homes are located in rolling canyons of southeast Orange County and provide a unique blend of small town family life, coupled with the close proximity to all the creature comforts provided by a bustling metropolis.  The beautiful Homes in Wagon Wheel were constructed in the years 1996 through 1998.   

The are 5 detached home subdivisions, and one condominium subdivision developed in Wagon Wheel as listed below. The California series of detached Homes were built Kaufman and Broad.  The attached Condos and the Stonecliffe subdivision were built by Western Pacific Housing. 

  • Stonecliffe – 145 homes – 2,111sf to 3,219sf
  • California Ladero -  100 homes – 1,783sf to 2,841sf
  • California Crosswinds – 125 homes – 1,487sf to 1,986sf
  • California Landmark – 191 homes – 1,777sf to 2,566sf
  • California Silverado – 148 homes – 1,356sf to 1,893sf
  • Dakota – 209 Condos – 835sf to 1,117sf

There 9 detached houses currently Actively listed for sale ranging in price from $644,988 for a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1,600 square foot home, on up to $935,000 for a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,850 square foot home with 3 car garage.  The median priced home for sale in $745,000.  

There are 6 detached homes in Wagon Wheel that are currently pending in escrow, ranging in price from $650,000 to $914,900.  In the past 30 days, there have been 2 homes that have sold and closed escrow.  One home sold for $805,000 on Tumbleweed St. which was a 5 bedroom,  2.5 bath, 2,420 square feet.  The other home sold for $923,000 on Songbird Rd. which was 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3,100 square feet.

As of today, there are 5 Condos active for sale in Wagon Wheel, ranging in price from $404,950 for a 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 1,000 square foot condominium. On up to $459,900 for a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1,100 square foot two story condo.

There is one condo pending in escrow on Mesquite and the asking price was $444,900 for a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1,117 square foot condominium with 2 car garage.  In the past 30 days in Wagon Wheel, there were 5 condos that have sold and closed escrow.  These condominiums ranged in price from $370,000 to $452,900.

The unincorporated community is serviced by the award winning Capistrano Unified School District.  The K through 12 schools are Wagon Wheel elementary, Las Flores middle school, and the new Tesoro High School.  Wagon Wheel is located just east of Mission Viejo along Oso Parkway. 

To view all homes listed for sale in Wagon Wheel or south Orange County, visit our website at:  Orange County CA Real Estate