Oh.... yes, it's Spring time.... Shall we head to the slopes.... or a place with MORE palm trees than I have at home???? Decisions. Decisions... I'M HOPING I TOOK YOU ALL AWAY FOR THE MOMENT.... AWAY FROM THE OFFICE FOR A FEW MINUTES... AWAY FROM THE CITY... AWAY FROM THE STRESS.... AWAY FROM THE HUSTLE BUSTLE.... I KNOW I REMINDED MYSELF OF MAKING THOSE VACA. PLANS... BECAUSE AS YOU HEAR ME STATE TIME AND TIME AGAIN.... "WORK HARD & THEN PLAY HARD~ BABY" ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO STAY WHEN I GET AWAY HERE.... ALTHOUGH, IT IS A FIVE HOUR PLANE RIDE... IT'S WORTH EVERY MINUTE OF THE PLANE RIDE... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ THINKING OF BUYING A GETAWAY HOME~~ ??? CALL ME TODAY! WE CAN FIND TH... 03/09/2011

MARCH 5, 2011 WELCOME TO NEWPORT COAST, CA   Newport Beach, incorporated in 1906, is a city in Orange County, California, 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Santa Ana. As of January 1, 2009, the population was 86,252. The city's median family income and property values consistently place high in national rankings, making Newport Beach one of the wealthiest communities in California, and in United States overall. The Daily Pilot, a newspaper published in the neighboring city of Costa Mesa, reported in 2010 that more than a quarter of households have an income greater than $200,000, and the median value for homes exceeds $1 million. In February 2010, Portfolio.com ranked Newport Beach as the richest city in the U.S. NEWPORT COAST IS ONE OF THE PRES TINE AREAS TO LIVE IN SOUTH ORANGE COUNT... 03/04/2011

  Newport Coastis a spectacular part of Newport Beach and South Orange County where extraordinarily private and gated communities have attracted some of the rich and famous people.  Newport Coast had improved home sales for January 2011 when 16 were sold this year.  Average sold price was $1,828,500 Average interior size was 3308 SF Average sold cost per SF was $533 Average time on market for sold homes was 99 days Last year during January 2010, only 12 homes sold at Newport Coast. Several of those Newport Coast homes were quite high in price, so average sold during that time was $3,422,825. _______________________________________________________________  At the end of January, 2011, Newport Coast had 122 homes listed for sale Average list price was $4,651,000 Average list price per SF ... 02/18/2011

According to Marilyn Kalfus of The Orange County Register Kobe Bryant may have purchased a new home in Pelican Crest, Newport Coast, CA.  Her evidence is that a large home is under construction in Newport Coast a mansion with an beautiful ocean view.  She points out that the public record shows that Robert T. Pelinka is the purchaser of the property.  He is Kobe's agent.  Pelinka is on paper as the "trustee/conservator" of the property.  However, neither Kobe nor Pelinka are selling their current homes. The home that is being built has a two level sports court.  The property was on the market at $10 million and sold for $9.45 million in July of 2008. We will keep an eye on the property and see if Kobe Bryant has purchased a new home in Pelican Crest. 02/06/2011

"A Purple Tie Affair" Chapman University - Orange Saturday, February 26th, 2011 6:30pm - 9:30pm   You are cordially invited to a red-carpet Wishmakers on Campus event, the 2nd annual "A Purple Tie Affair" presented by the brothers of Phi Gamma Delta at Chapman University.  Come enjoy this elegant dinner  gala that includes  a three-course  meal, live music and dancing, a silent auction and  raffle, and a special guest speaker from the  Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire. Last year's event raised more than $15,000, granting the  wishes of three children! This year, Phi Gamma Delta plans to do the same.   Please visit https://www.chapmanfiji.webconnex.com/purpletie10 by February 15th to RSVP.  We're going. How about you? Will you join us and support the Make A W... 02/02/2011

Tax season is upon us and we will be receiving your important tax documents in the mail. You are not the only one watching for these documents. There are thieves that watch the mail while you are working and use this private critical information about you, like your full name and SS# with full account numbers. If these fall into the wrong hands, they could get a credit card, run up some bills, get you some bad FICO scores and it would take a very long time to clear everything up, if you could achieve this at all, Identity theft is a growing problem and it is fairly easy at this time of year. Unscrupulous people follow the mail man, search your mail box and take what they need or want. They don't even hide and do it at night, they openly will do it 9am-5pm. Some of them will do it so you... 01/21/2011

In all my years in Real Estate I have never seen a price reduction as big as this $50 Million dollars.  Yes that is not a misprint.  $50 million dollars as a price reduction.  Or as The Orange County Register put it this morning a $50 million dollar discount. The home is an estate and is the priciest home on the Orange County market it is now after price reductions at an asking price of $37 million dollars.  The home is on 12.5 acres in Newport Coast known as Villa del Lago.  The price it came on the market 2 years in a better time was $87 million dollars.  The recent sale of a Corona Del Mar property know as Portabello Estate sold for 34.1 million.  It had the record in price drops at $40 million Villa del Lago is a 17,000 square foot luxury property that has a lake with waterfalls. a ... 01/09/2011

Welcome Home to Altezza in Newport Coast This tuscan style community in Newport Coast was built by Taylor Woodrow Homes in 1996.  Altezza in Newport Coast is a gated community and has approximately 110 condos. There are  five different floor plans and the square footage ranges from approximately 1610 to 2735 square feet.  The condos either have two or three car garages, and the condos have three bedrooms. There is a beautiful entry at the gate with a gorgeous water feature. Altezza is situation up on the hill, and many of the properties feature ocean views, Catalina Island views, and mountain and city light views. This beautiful gated community is located adjacent to Trovare in Newport Coast. Currently, there are two active listings in Altezza iranging in price from $1,190,000 to $1,525... 12/14/2010

Trovare in Newport Coast, Market Update September 1, 2010 – December 14, 2010 Trovare is a gated community which is located in Newport Coast. The homes in Trovare are condos and the style of architecture is mediterranean. There are approximately 168 condos in the builder tract, and there are six different floor plans. The square footage for the condos range in size from 1094 square feet to 1742 square feet. There are two floor plans which offer three bedrooms, and the other floor plans have two bedrooms. Trovare in Newport Coast was orignally built  from 1994 to 1996. Some of the condos do have ocean views, and there are some which have city lights and mountain views. Trovare offers a salt water private pool, spa, and fireplace for community  gatherings. Trovare has private tennis cour... 12/14/2010

Newport Coast Homes Report   Newport Coast is a lovely planned community of approximately 9400 acres that was developed by the Irvine Company.  It was annexed to Newport Beach in 2001 and is located between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach.   Newport Coast has a wide variety of homes which range from studio apartments to large ocean view estates.   Approximately 75% of Newport Coast is dedicated to either open spaces or golf courses. Like so much of Coastal Orange County, Newport Coast features a Mediterranean climate with cool ocean breezes.   Newport Coast boasts world class golf courses and world class shopping and dining.   It is also conveniently located within 10 minutes of John Wayne Airport, University of California, Irvine, Fashion Island and major freeways. Please see the marke... 12/05/2010

Michael Shank JUST SOLD: 28 Sable Sands, Newport Coast, CA Sales Price: $1,975,000 Beautifully situated for spectacular ocean views with gorgeous custom features in exclusive, guard gated Pelican Ridge. This expansive 3 bedroom / 3.5 bath home has been highly upgraded inside and out. Top floor Master Suite and 3rd level bottom floor houses bedrooms and 2nd family room opening up to the professionally manicured lawn. Highly upgraded for the most distinguished buyers.   Sold by Luxury REALTORⓇ MICHAEL SHANK in exclusive NEWPORT COAST! Do you want your home to sell quickly? Contact Michael Shank Luxury RealtorⓇ ShankLuxeGroup         12/02/2010

Some people fell that the beating they took in the past recession is past them now.  The bankers are showing a 3rd consecutive improvement after 12 consecutive declines. The Corporate sector is showing profits now and we are waiting to see if they start hiring again. Consumers are feeling a little better with a fourth straight index increase after 10 declines and are starting to buy cars again. Merchants are finally happier due to the largest index gain in nearly 5 years. Propety owners are seeing increase rents and Mortgage lending on the rise with job losses slowing. There are new home increase in building and sales and prices. Median price homes have increase slightly about 1% with home payments decreasing about 5%. They are predicting a price increase of homes next year and graduall... 11/20/2010

Last night was a perfect evening. This neighborhood theater is a small venue with 10 rows of 12 seats. They have no heat or Air conditioning but during the winter they offer blankets to keep you warm while you laugh at comedies and cry at dramas. During intermission they offer coffee,water and 7up and cookies. Last night was Opening Night for a comedy "Killjoy" written by Jerry Mayer.This author also wrote MASH,All in the Family, Mary Tyler Moore Show,& Facts of Life' . The actors are local talent. They usually work all the Orange County town theaters and are very entertaining. They were funny and very, very good. We were delighted with the play and recommend it to all. It will be on another 30 days and is a must The Newport Theater Arts Center is at 2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach (949... 11/12/2010

OPEN HOUSE in exclusive Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA Sunday October 10, 1-4pm Hosted by Michael Shank Luxury REALTORⓇ, Teles Properties. 949.244.3494 / michael.shank@telesproperties.com    Beautiful new plan 4 in the Oceana tract built by Standard Pacific Homes. This exclusive Crystal Cove property is located on a very private location with an inviting courtyard entry. This home is approximately 4500 square feet which includes a detached casita. Featuring a neutral interior, great room, loft, and a 3 car garage. This home offers very private bedrooms suites in various locations throughout. You’ll enjoy your chefs kitchen with subzero refrigerator, 3 ovens, 2 dishwashers and a huge granite island.   This Newport Coast Luxury Real Estate is offered at $4,195,000.   82 Archipelago Pacif... 10/09/2010

by Jean FolgerSunday, October 3, 2010 Share retweet Email Print provided by Every homeowner must pay for routine home maintenance, such as replacing worn-out plumbing components or staining the deck, but some choose to make improvements with the intention of increasing the home's value. Certain projects, such as adding a well thought-out family room -- or other functional space -- can be a wise investment, as they do add to the value of the home. Other projects, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell. More from Investopedia: · Home Renovations That Don't Pay · Top 5 Home Renos For Your Money • Will Your Home Remodel Pay Off? Even though the current homeowner may greatly appreciate the improvement, a buyer could be unimpressed and unwilling to facto... 10/05/2010

WOW What a night. We went to the Ducks vs Kings game  at the Honda Center Sunday evening. A good Hot dog with sauerKraut and musterd and a beer and we were ready to watch a action filled game. Ducks got the one and only goal in the first period and the second and only score in the second period. Then in the last 5 minutes of the last period the Kings got 2 goals. We went into sudden death overtime and the  Ducks got the last and final goal to WIN the game GO DUCKS www.NewportCoastRealEstateTeam.com Marlene Dietrich, Tony & Mike 10/05/2010

  Newport Coast is one of the most spectacular residential communities in Southern California, with very expensive homes and blue water Pacific ocean views.  Some buyers look for that GREAT DEAL on a foreclosure property at the high end home market.  Properties are now in default on loans at Newport Coast and moving to foreclosure trustee sale auctions scheduled for thiis week:  15 Observatory - Date of sale: 10-8-2010  Time: 12 PM Location: 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA  Assessed Value: $2,138,000  Published bid $2,838,137 TS no. 2009-84017 10 Via Corrale -  Date of sale:  10-6-2010 Time:  10 A.M. Location: 401 E. Chapman, Placentia, CA  Assessed Value:  $2,488,500 Published bid:  $1,885,377 TS no. 2009-907-0817-857 17 Castellina - Date of sale:  10-4-2010 Time:  12 P.M. L... 09/26/2010

Newport Coast Home prices have continued to drop. Just this past week they did go up a bit but there still needs to be a considerable shift in demand before we see a significant change in pricing. Last week I attended a foreclosure seminar and in Orange County, Newport Coast and Corona Del Mar were the 2 areas with the highest change June to July with foreclosures. While these 2 communities are very desirable and usually attract affluent folks, they have been hit by this horrible economy too! Whether you are a home seller or buyer, you can easily keep an eye on your area to see where prices are going. Just simply click here and fill out the form and you will immediately receive a free report in your email.   09/23/2010

Get your macho on for a home once owned by America’s ultimate tough-guy, John Wayne. Listed for $2,263,000, you’ll see that the home is far from macho, if it ever was. Described as “Versailles style” by Lansner on Real Estate, Wayne’s former Newport Beach, CA home offers 4,448-sq ft of living space and sits on the 4th tee, overlooking Big Canyon Golf Course. The listing description is as follows: “Enter through a gate into the front courtyard with a fountain and walk through double glass doors into an elegant entryway and light-filled formal spaces. The two-story living room has floor-to-ceiling windows, parquet floors, marble fireplace, and custom artwork. The newly remodeled kitchen features a center island, double ovens and butler’s pantry with secret passage. The formal dining room... 09/12/2010

You would think that this is a good thing but now you are presented with the delema; do I pay my regular payment for 30 years, or do I make 1 or 2 extra payments a year and get it paid off early? Seems to be a pretty easy answer. Would you like to own your home free and clear? and not be pressured with a 15 year fixed forced higher payment.  Thats exactly what you have. You can make an extra payment or two when you get a tax refund, or a bonus and want to put it into the savings account, it would pay you a better return to pay down your principle on your primary residence than it would to put it in a savings account paying you 1.5% return. You could put it in an Roth Ira and it could grow, but being as we are now at the bottom of the market, chances are you could need less money for ret... 09/01/2010