San Clemente real estate currently has 473 homes and condos for sale with 142 or 30% being distressed properties - short-sales and foreclosures / bank-owned.  The Talega real estate market currently has 86 homes and condos for sale with short-sales and bank-owned properties accounting for 40 or 46% of these.  There is a higher concentration of foreclosures and short-sales in the Talega real estate market due to it being built out from 1999 to the present.   In terms of distressed properties west of Interstate 5 and east, only 23% of the properties are short-sales or foreclosures west of the freeway while 34% are east.  For more information on San Clemente short-sales and foreclosures, please contact us or visit our exclusive San Clemente short-sale and foreclosure page. 05/13/2009

For those of you who are currently looking to buy in the San Clemente real estate market, you may want to consider buying new development, the majority of which is located in the Talega real estate market.  The state of California is currently offering a $10,000 tax credit if you buy new development.  In order to obtain this credit, you must: Purchase new development that has never been occupied before Live in the residence for a minimum of two years Purchase before March 1, 2010 Submit your application for the credit within one week after the close of escrow Be eligible for the property tax homeowners exemption under CA Revenue and Tax Code Section 218 While the credit is available until March 1, 2010, you may want to act quickly as the state of California has only allocated $100 milli... 05/13/2009

RE/MAX Homes & Estates Pre-Foreclosure Division 9241 Irvine Boulevard, Suite 150, Irvine, California 92618 (714) 588 -7676 ∙  www.ReMaxAnn.com   If you are in a situation where: •You lost your job •Your Medical Expenses are too high •Just went through/going through a divorce •You are behind on your payments •You have no equity •You can't afford the cost of selling your home •Your income has been reduced •You are in foreclosure   WE CAN HELP YOU! It's easy and doesn't cost you any MONEY! Our services are Free!!! WHEN THE DEBT EXCEEDS YOUR HOME'S VALUE... we can help is with a SHORT SALE. Benefits of a Short Sale: •Avoid Foreclosure •Avoid Bankruptcy •Reduced damage to your credit •Postpone your foreclosure sale date •A short sale will stay on your credit approx 3 years •BE FREE of financ... 04/21/2009

RE/MAX Homes & Estates Pre-Foreclosure Division 9241 Irvine Boulevard, Suite 150, Irvine, California 92618 (714) 588 -7676 ∙  www.ReMaxAnn.com   If you are in a situation where: •You lost your job •Your Medical Expenses are too high •Just went through/going through a divorce •You are behind on your payments •You have no equity •You can't afford the cost of selling your home •Your income has been reduced •You are in foreclosure   WE CAN HELP YOU! It's easy and doesn't cost you any MONEY! Our services are Free!!! WHEN THE DEBT EXCEEDS YOUR HOME'S VALUE... we can help is with a SHORT SALE.   Benefits of a Short Sale: •Avoid Foreclosure •Avoid Bankruptcy •Reduced damage to your credit •Postpone your foreclosure sale date •A short sale will stay on your credit approx 3 years •BE FREE of fina... 04/20/2009

Why have the prices of San Clemente real estate dropped substantially over the past year and since the top of the market in 2006? Due to the anomally during the market boom when prices appreciated nearly 100%,  prices are now adjusting for the inconsistent and nonsustainable growth of the first six years of the decade and towards a healthier market of stability where various income ranges can actually afford homes in the market through conventional financing.  Rather than the majority of buyers being financed through exotic mortgages that were high risk, required little due diligence on the part of the lender for approval, and that the average consumer did not understand or could even afford, we are now on the opposite end of the risk spectrum and moving back towards normal markets.  As... 04/17/2009

While getting pre-approved is a must in today's market in order to purchase San Clemente real estate, buyers need to be particulary careful not to alter their credit until the purchase is final.  Making the wrong move after getting pre-approved could result in your entire purchase falling apart.  In order to ensure your loan gets funded during the purchase process, follow these tips: Do not change jobs.  One factor mortgage companies consider is the length of present employment as part of your risk profile and job stability is a key factor.  Even if the new job may be higher paying, try and wait if possible until you move into your new San Clemente home. Continue making your payments on time.  Do not be late on any payments and if you are, contact your creditor and ask if they can remov... 04/17/2009

As shown in this article from the San Clemente Times, the Planning Commission voted 4-2 in favor of recommending that the San Clemente City Council approve plans for a 68,000 square foot development that will include a new Ralph's shopping center, a tri-level parking deck, retail shops and restaurants.  The Planning Commission had rejected the plans in early December but ultimately decided that the revamped Ralph's and the center's additions would bring much-needed revitalization to the 900 block of S. El Camino Real and Southwest San Clemente in general.  The center will back to the 5 freeway near the El Camino Real exit and provide coastline views from the top level while blending into the area near the freeway and avoiding the obstruction of nearby residents' views. Opponents of the ... 03/25/2009

Now may be the time to jump off the fence for your San Clemente real estate purchase, including Talega real estate, as interest rates last week fell to a near record low of 4.96% for a 30 year fixed mortgage.  According to this article on CNN, these low rates spurred an 11% increase in mortgage applications, a favorable leading indicator for the housing market.  These low rates coupled with the past couple years of price declines are increasing affordability for many.  This has been evident so far this year with an increase in San Clemente real estate sold and under contract as of February 2009 compared to February 2008.  While price declines may not be over, interest rates most likely will not stay at these record low rates, meaning your monthly payment long-term if you wait may be muc... 03/25/2009

Currently FHA loan limits (for first time homebuyers) available for your San Clemente real estate purchase are $729,750, however, this will not last forever.  Under current legislation, the FHA increase only lasts until the end of 2009 at which point the limits will be adjusted to $625,500.  In order to take advantage of this temporary increase, you must close escrow by December 31, 2009.  Under a typical 30 day escrow, this means you will need to have your offer accepted and executed by the beginning of December.  Since it can take a couple months to find that ideal San Clemente home or condo for your purchase, we suggest contacting us no later than September or October if you want to take advantage of this opportunity.  Don't forget, however, that in order to take advantage of both th... 03/09/2009

San Clemente real estate, including Talega real estate, for the month ended February 2009 continued to show an increase in the number of homes and condos sold and under contract as compared to 2008.  The number of San Clemente homes and condos sold year-to-date February 2009 was 72 as compared to 66 in 2008, representing a 9.1% increase.  The more promising news given current economic conditions is the number of homes under contract as this figure is up 31.8% at 29 as compared to 22 for February 2008.  For the month ended February 2009, the average sales price for San Clemente real estate was $710,448 as compared to $803,775 prior year, representing an 11.6% decrease. As noted in each blog on the monthly San Clemente real estate market performance, the city continues to hold on more tha... 03/09/2009

Beautiful & Affordable San Clemente Home! $189,999 Location:1046 Calle Del Cerro419San Clemente, CA 92672 Map and Directions Condominium 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Interior: 680 sqft Description Drive in the beautiful tract of Vista Pacifica and into your own garage or into your own assigned space. As you stroll down the walkway to your home, you pass the large pool with a waterfall made for the forest. Then you enter your property which is on the ground level with no steps and into your living room. Newer carpet & paint have recently been added along with custom plantation shutters to allow just a little extra privacy. You can walk into your own private patio or go into the breakfast nook, both which cater to your needs. If your hungry, just go in the kitchen, which includes all the applian... 02/06/2009

Welcome to Teen Driving Academy. Serving the entire  OC ! Turning 16? Looking for Drivers Education Training Courses and behind the wheel trainingin San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capitstrano, Laguna Niguel  or anywhere in Orange County? Happy Birthday to you from us at Teen Driving Academy.                                               Welcome to www.TeenDrivingAcademy.com ! Visit our website Now!                                         Premier Orange County Driver Ed. teen driving school and driver training courses We offer both Driver Education Online and classroom driver's ed , as well as, drivers training for nearly 20 years in California . We are the leaders in teen driving instruction. Our teen driving course has prepared over 50,000 teen drivers to secure their California dr... 01/21/2009

San Clemente, a small coastal town in South Orange County, is rich in history and has a deep appreciation of fine arts and culture.  From Casa Romantica to the San Clemente Art Association, residents and guests of San Clemente are treated to a variety of works that celebrate San Clemente's history and coastal lifestyle.  According to this article in the Orange County Register, San Clemente is creating a new palette of work for people to enjoy.  This past Monday, the San Clemente Historical Society, with help from the City of San Clemente and the Downtown Business Association, began installing the first of 14 proposed tile murals on a bench area in front of Hotel San Clemente at 114 Avenida Del Mar.  Dubbed the "Landmarks on Del Mar" program, the tile murals will depict artful representa... 01/21/2009

San Clemente real estate, including Talega real estate, finished off much stronger in 2008 then the way it began.  In August of 2008, the number of San Clemente homes and condos sold were down over 16% from prior year, however, by the end of the year they were down only 6.7%.  For 2008 the average price received for San Clemente home or condo for sale was $837,791 compared to $988,555 prior year, representing a 15.3% decrease.  While this appears to be a huge drop, the San Clemente real estate market faired much better than Orange County and California real estate where average price dropped more than two times this amount.  In addition, the decrease in prices has resulted in the number of homes sold during the second half of the year to increase significantly. For the month of December... 01/21/2009

A recent article in the Orange County Register discusses the marketing of one's home when looking to sell it in today's tough real estate market.  With so many homes on the market, it is crucial to not only price your home competitively but to reach the largest amount of potential buyers possible with your marketing efforts.  The days of creating a listing with a few pictures and purchasing ads in the local paper are over, mainly because today's technologies create a variety of unique and creative ways to market one's home.  With the popularity of searching for homes on the Internet at an all-time high (with studies showing that around 80% of home searches begin on the Internet), utilizing an array of technologies will help your home stand out in a crowded marketplace. When creating a l... 01/14/2009

San Clemente real estate, including Talega real estate, continues to show its strength relative to the nation's overall real estate market.  As reported today on CNN, the national average for home prices posted a record 18% decline for the month of October compared to October 2007 according to the S&P Case-Shiller Index (monitors market performance in top 20 metropolitan markets).  San Clemente real estate, on the other hand, only posted a 12% decline for the same period, meaning it's 33% more resistant to declines than the national average.  On a regional level (Orange County and Los Angeles) where prices have declined over 25% for the same period, San Clemente real estate has been over 50% more resistant to declines.   For more in depth analysis of the San Clemente real estate market,... 01/14/2009

For the month ended November 2008, San Clemente real estate sold increased 14.29% compared to the same month prior year.  This is another consecutive month that sales have been better than prior year and continues to indicate that things are improving for the San Clemente real estate market.  Another indicator that the market appears to be improving is total number of homes under contract at the end of November.  San Clemente homes and condos for sale under contract at the end of the month totaled 33 as compared to 9 prior year, representing a 266.7% increase.  This means we are looking at a solid month of December sales to come.  The average sales price year-to-date was $851,251 as compared to $982,872 prior November, representing a decrease of 13.4%.  Since the San Clemente real estat... 12/12/2008

According to this article in the Orange County Register, the San Clemente City Council approved a plan to build a 2,100-foot-long connection linking the Forster Ranch Ridgeline Trail to a recently-built trail in San Juan Capistrano.  This connection will allows San Clemente residents easy access to the variety of trails throughout San Juan Capistrano and into Cleveland National Forest.  As one of the interviewees in the article happily stated, "It's going to be the Mountains to the Sea Trail."  The City Council is allocating $20,000 to pay for the connection, and a completion timeframe has yet to be determined. One of the primary assets to living in San Clemente is being in the middle of a beautiful natural setting, and outdoor junkies have a nice pick of hiking, biking and walking trai... 11/19/2008

Coming as no surprise following the collapse of Lehman Brothers, SunCal's biggest backer of the Marblehead Coastal real estate development, SunCal has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this past Thursday on this community according to the Los Angeles Times.  This 313 home planned coastal community in San Clemente represents just one of 23 SunCal housing projects in various stages of Chapter 11 due to the collapse of Lehman Brothers.  SunCal will need to make quick decisions on which communities to sell off and liquidate and which ones to keep in order to ride out the real estate storm.  SunCal, nevertheless, has indicated it has no plans to sell off Marblehead Coastal.   SunCal  has indicated that it has "alternative sources" of financing to maintain the wetlands at Marblehead ... 11/19/2008

This week marked the official dedication of San Clemente's artificial reef.   The reef, which is composed of fifty modules (40 x 40 meters each) stretches from the San Clemente Pier to San Mateo Point and is located a little over one half mile off the coast.   The project is funded by Southern California Edison in an attempt to offset the affect San Onofre's Nuclear Generating Station has had on the kelp habitats in the ocean. After calculating construction, research and testing costs, over $40 million was required to complete the reef project, which is hoped to promote diverse population.   Southern California Edison has high hopes that the reef will produce 50 million fish annually. Your comments are welcome. And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real; Estate Connection. Best... 11/16/2008