In a recent article in the OC Register, the author compares the seller's market of a couple of years ago to today's market when speaking about pricing one's home for sale.  In a seller's market, it was easy for the homeowner to list their San Clemente real estate above the current value, because prices were continually rising due to low market inventory and constant bidding wars.  Now that we are in a buyer's market, it is crucial for the owner to sell the home quickly in order to receive the best value.  As the article illustrates, San Clemente homes that sold within 30 days of listing in 2007 received a minimal 3% discount from their asking price, while homes that were on the market longer than 30 days received an average 10% discount from the listed price.  While you should not compl... 11/13/2008

Having dealt with various investors (second home / vacation home clients), San Clemente Coastal Living thought it would be appropriate to address some 1031 Exchange basics.  First, as an investor, you must realize that in order to do a 1031 exchange it cannot be done on your principal residence.  Please note, however, you do not have to pay capital gains tax on a $250,000 gain if single or $500,000 gain if married on your principal residence based on IRS guidelines.  In order to successfully do 1031 exchanges, including into your eventual dream home, you need to understand the basics. First, to qualify for a 1031 exchange, the San Clemente real estate that you plan to sell or purchase must meet four basic rules: Be exchanged with a like-kind property; in other words any other piece of r... 11/13/2008

As of early November, San Clemente real estate for sale included approximately 97 total foreclosures and short-sales, representing 17.5% of the current properties for sale.  The total number of San Clemente foreclosures as of November represents a decrease of about 7.5% as compared to our previous update in September.  This is good news as this decrease represents another indicator we are working towards the bottom of the cycle.  As we near the bottom of the cycle, price declines begin to slow before bottoming out and the great deals may begin to dissapear. San Clemente foreclosures currently range in price from $189,900 for a 560 square foot condo in Rancho San Clemente to $1,730,000 for a 5,633 square foot estate in Viscaya Talega.  The average price for a foreclosure is currently $65... 11/13/2008

For the month of October, San Clemente real estate continues to show improved signs we are working through the glut of inventory to bring supply and demand back into balance, the key for prices to stabilize.  New listings on the market continue to show a large decrease from prior year and homes sold and under contract continue to improve month-over-month.  In addition, San Clemente average sales price continues to demonstrate its strenth relative to the rest of Orange County and California.  New listings year-to-date are down 22.6% from the same period prior year, representing approximately 300 less homes coming on the market.  Sales, on the other hand, are up 20.5% from prior month with 53 homes sold in the month of October compared with 44 for September.  This brings the total year-to... 11/13/2008

The beautiful community of Talega in San Clemente close enough to the Pacific Ocean to smell the beach. It has a quaint beach town feeling and is a wonderful spot to raise a family. The ones lucky enough to live in this luxurious master planned community have a lot more to be thankful for than just the atmosphere though. Homes for sale in Talega are the nicest around. The lifestyle quickly becomes your way of life, a lifestyle that values community and family and beautiful places to live.You like to hike? Expore Talega´s over 19 miles of trails and the chance to climb 760 ft Nob Hill. If you're intereseted in more the Talega Community Association is a great resource for activities year round. The Talega Preparatory Academy calls Talega home and lends its prestigious name to the communit... 11/07/2008

The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 17th annual "Taste of San Clemente" at the Courtside Restaurant in the Rancho San Clemente Tennis & Fitness Club.  The event will host over 20 local restaurants serving a variety of foods, along with drinks provided by 16 premium wineries from throughout California, a variety of microbrews and other assorted cocktails.  There will be live music provided by the Baytown Band.  This is a great event for adults every year held in a beautiful setting, and the wide assortment of foods and drinks will satisfy every palette.  Some of the restaurants include Blue Danube, The Melting Pot, Taka-O Japanese Restaurant, Cafe Mimosa and many more. The event begins at 6:00 pm and concludes at 10:30 pm.  Tickets are $75.00 per person (price includ... 10/30/2008

While San Clemente real estate prices have come down from their highs, many individuals are struggling to afford a home due to higher downpayment requirements required by lenders and the recent legislation that is doing away with downpayment assistance programs.  Therefore, at San Clemente Coastal Living, we thought it would be appropriate to address creative ways to afford the San Clemente home or condo of your dreams.  The following are various strategies that we can structure for your purchase: In today's market, many sellers (those who are not in a short-sale or foreclosure) may be willing to provide financing.  Some sellers may be willing to finance all or part of the purchase price and let you repay them gradually as you would with a mortgage. Consider doing a shared equity arrang... 10/30/2008

When I moved to San Clemente an Ocean view was a dream I had from my apartment off of Pico Ave.  Today a first time buyer can buy this ocean view home for about the same as rent.  At a listed price of $375,000, some lucky homeowner is going to walk out on their patio everyday, and say "Wow!"  This is not a stripped down fixer.  This home has many upgrades, and a large greenbelt yard outside. Give me a call for more information on this spectacular price.  Call (949) 677-6315  for a private showing, or email me at Contact@BlueTideRealty. 10/27/2008

I hear more and more potential buyers these days telling me the same thing "I'm going to wait a little longer to buy our next home". What would prompt you to wait I ask? Many buyers, especially ones who are not totally up to date with the market trends, truly believe that the longer they wait to buy, the better deal they would hope to get. Not necessarily so I say. Take Orange County, CA for instance. Several months ago, many buyers were getting about 20% under list. Within the past 45 days or so they are now approaching 5%. WOW! That tells me that before long, and based on the trends, list will soon be above list, and so begins the recovery we have all waited for. Slowly, but without a doubt surely! Inventory drops, demand grows, prices go up. So what are you waiting for? The proof is ... 10/27/2008

In the latest unnerving chapter of the Marblehead Coastal saga, the San Clemente City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to call in performance bonds against SunCal Marblehead LLC to complete infrastructure projects in the development.  According to the Orange County Register's article on this matter, the City Council authorized city attorneys to file suit against SunCal claiming that they are in default of a 2005 development agreement; if there is no response by SunCal, the City Council will then call millions of dollars in performance bonds to complete projects such as finishing Avenida Vista Hermosa west of Interstate 5 and the widenings of Avenida Pico and El Camino Real near the development.  The City views these improvements as vital public safety issues and can no longer wait for ... 10/22/2008

For the month of September, San Clemente real estate continues to show signs we are working towards a bottom.  New listings on the market continue to show a steep drop and home sales are approaching 2007 sales volume based on San Clemente homes and condos sold and under contract at the end of the month. For the year, new listings on the market are down 23.8% from prior year.  This is great news as inventory is not building up as quickly, which helps to alleviate some of the downward pressure on home prices.  Average sales price year-to-date for San Clemente real estate is $880,826 as compared to $995,776 prior year, representing a 11.5% decrease.  Buyers and sellers should keep in mind that Orange County and California real estate have faired much worse over the past year with price dro... 10/22/2008

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... 10/14/2008

President Bush has signed into law the $700 billion bailout of our nation's financial system.  While there were many mixed emotions over the bill, it is a necessity to restore credit to our financial markets, specifically the real estate market.  While the bill will take months to take effect on Main Street, it is a key first step to help home sales pick up and prices stabilize in our nation's real estate markets.   San Clemente real estate has held on much stronger than other markets in the region; however, this bill is key to restoring confidence as sales pick up, inventory clears, and prices stabilize.  All of these factors will result in fewer San Clemente foreclosures and return the market to historical averages.  In addition, the bill helping to restore the credit markets will all... 10/08/2008

How many times have you wondered what that San Clemente house down the street sold for? Or, how about that ocean front estate, a gated community property or even a home you have driven by sold for? Curious about what a home in Talega, The Coast, The Reserve, Forster Ranch, Marblehead, Rancho San Clemente or any area within San Clemente sold for? San Clemente Sold Property information is now available on one of the premier local on-line resources for San Clemente real estate.San Clemente is considered by many one of the most affordable ocean front communities in Orange County. Being able to view recently sold San Clemente property by price will keep you in tune with the current market. While not an indication of a market analysis or an appraisal, you can view sale information for persona... 10/05/2008

I am refusing to call it Marblehead Coastal, because I don't believe that the current plan will materialize.  I was hoping, but the collapse of Lehman Brothers (one of the principle backers of this project), and the recent bankruptcy filings in the developers arena, seem to indicate this project is on hold for now.  It has been on hold since 1984! A short history of the area west of Marblehead.  In 1984 we were told as homeowners in the new community of Highland Light in Marblehead, that there were 1000 homes to be built across the freeway.  over the next 2 decades the number of homes was cut, the demands from the city became enormous, and the public outcry seemed to drag this project out at least a decade past when it should have been finished. For goodness sakes open Vista Hermosa tho... 10/02/2008

I heard Donald Trump the other day on CNN saying the same thing. Donald Trump: 'Now is the time to buy'On his new CNBC show, "The Billionaire Inside," Donald Trump believes this is one of the best times to get into real estate. Question: With everything going on in real estate right now and the fallout of the subprime market, is this a good time to invest in real estate?"Trump's answer: "It's the best time. Two years ago I would be making speeches and telling people 'don't go into real estate.' People would be paying me lots of money to tell them how good it is and I would be saying don't go in. "I also told people to stay away from those mortgages; I called them 'exploding mortgages' — stay away. "This is the best time. You can make great deals today that you could not have made a year... 10/01/2008

Starting today, September 29th, a new law goes into effect that bans smoking on all San Clemente municipal trails.  According to this article in the OC Register, the law bans smoking on the heavily-used San Clemente Coastal Trail and all inland trails.  The City Council originally pushed to have smoking banned on the Coastal Trail because of the number of people who frequent the trail but decided to extend the law to inland trails because of fize hazards and the connectivity of some trails to San Clemente park trails that have already banned smoking. The various hiking, walking and bicycle trails in San Clemente are one of the amenities that makes this coastal community such a great place to live.  San Clemente is a community that encourages outdoor activities for adults and children by... 10/01/2008

The most recent sales data for Southern California real estate recently came out and the San Clemente real estate market continues to demonstrate its strength.  Southern California median home price fell 34% in August compared to the same period a year earlier according to this article on CNN.  San Clemente real estate, however, has only fallen approximately 10% over the same period based on our analysis of the San Clemente real estate market's performance for August 2008 versus August 2007.  For more information on San Clemente real estate, please contact us! 10/01/2008

  This is NOT an emergency! On Wednesday October 1st the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station  (SONGS) will conduct a test of the emergency siren near the top of a hill in Southeast San Clemente.  The test will take place between 10am and 12 noon.   After Living here for over 35 years, I realize that these tests are usually a surprise to most residents.  This is only a test! 09/29/2008

Monday morning housing statistics for San Clemente California: Date: 09/29/2008 499 Active listings in the MLS. 102 of these homes are Short Sales.  69 in escrow that are accepting Back-Up offers.  41 properties with Pending offers. 22 Bank or Lender owned properties in the MLS. 68 properties at or under $500,000. 4 are Single Family detached homes at or under $500,000. There is only 1 San Clemente California, and what a great place  it is.   There are fewer houses on the market today than this time last year.    If you would like to see any of these homes or any home in Orange County or San Diego County please contact Sean Patrick Murphy at (949) 677-6315 or Sean@BlueTideRealty.com. 09/29/2008