For the past five years, the City Council of San Clemente has been developing plans for the usage of 53 acres of land in Rancho San Clemente/Forster Ranch at the cross streets of Avenida Vista Hermosa and Avenida La Pata.  The plans included building a new 42-acre sports and swimming complex, which now, according to this article in the OC Register, is closer to becoming a reality.  The Council has decided to go ahead with plans for the La Pata/Vista Hermosa Sports Park and Aquatics Center, with a projected construction start date of January 2009 and opening of the park in June 2010.  Features of the new park will include: Baseball, football and soccer complexes, complete with restrooms, spectator seating and mixed-use fields. Aquatics center with 50-meter competition pool, 25-meter acti... 08/20/2008

In this article "How to Buy a Foreclosed Home" many great points are brought to light to educate buyers on the different stages of foreclosure and their implications.  If you are looking to buy and find a good deal, it might be a foreclosure as 40% of California homes sold in the second quarter were foreclosures.   Below, you will find a description of the different stages of foreclosures and their implications to you as a buyer in order for you to make a more informed decision: 1.  Pre-foreclosure A pre-foreclosure occurs when the borrower has fallen behind on payments but their property has not been auctioned off.  Lenders will file deliquency notices with county courthouses when a borrower has fallen behind.  All it takes is a little research to find out what homes might be coming on... 08/20/2008

Last week we gave you an overview of the San Clemente real estate market performance from 2000 to 2008.  This week we thought it would be appropriate to focus on the year-over-year comparison as of July 2008 in order to focus more on the present.  For July 2008 year to date, 344 San Clemente homes and condos have sold as compared with 427 for the same period prior year, representing a 19% decrease.  Currently, average days on market (DOM) is at 103 days up from 88 the same period prior year or an increase of 17%.   While much of this is negative news, everyone should note that San Clemente real estate median price is down 9.36% compared to Orange County and California real estate median price decrease of 26% and 35% respectively.  Clearly this is great news for San Clemente real estate ... 08/20/2008

Many real estate agents in the southern Orange County area get the call for an affordable ocean view property in San Clemente.  It would be great if there were a community with ocean views, a couple of pools, a clubhouse with a BBQ area, and throw in a golf course to boot!  All of this on an FHA (Federal Housing Administration), or VA loan.  Not Possible? Why Ocean Hills? Ocean Hills was designed by the La Quinta Styline company in 1974 as a vacation resort style development.  With homes that range in size from 1000 sqare foot 2 bedroom 2 baths, to 1800 square foot 3 bedroom 3 bath floor plans.  Most of the homes offer wonderful ocean views and coastal hills views.  Ocean Hills has 2 heated pools, a recreation/clubhouse facility, sport courts, BBQ and picnic area, and a private 9 hole p... 08/06/2008

On March 18, 2008 the Sun-Cal project took a big leap forward. A big keystone in the project has been the bridges that span the canyons that stand in the way of the Avenida Vista Hermosa proposed route.  Sun-Cal had new signs of life as they continued to work on the project after a long period with no progress on the project.  This is what the press release stated: MASSIVE ROUND-THE-CLOCK CONCRETE POUR IS COMPLETED FOR 400-FOOT-LONG BRIDGE AT MARBLEHEAD COASTAL IN SAN CLEMENTESan Clemente, Calif. (March 21, 2008) -- A major construction milestone for Sun-Cal Companies, Marblehead Coastal master-planned community in San Clemente was reached Tuesday, March 18, with the round-the-clock pouring of 2,400 cubic yards of concrete for a 400-foot-long bridge that spans a canyon within the develo... 08/06/2008

The Los Angeles Times ran an article on Sunday titled "Should You Buy a Home Now?"  The article offers pros and cons regarding the purchase of a home in today's market.  The central pro argument involves a position that this blog has frequently stated - real estate investment is one of the safest ways to build one's equity.  The article contends that if a person can afford a mortgage payment, why would they throw that money away by paying rent?  Also, as stated in yesterday's blog regarding interest rates, waiting for the market to "bottom out" may cost you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan if interest rates increase.  The main con argument centers on the notion that prices will continue to fall and that buyers will regret their purchase in a year when prices are even lowe... 08/06/2008

A couple weeks back we wrote a blog saying now may be the time to buy in order to lock in a low interest rate.  An article on CNN titled "Time to Lock in Your Mortgage Rate" is saying the same thing.  If you are a serious San Clemente buyer, you need to consider that the average price in San Clemente is approximately $900,000 and therefore, a change in interest rates could drastically effect how much you pay per month for your mortage.  Lets assume you put 10% down on a $900,000 Talega home  or another San Clemente property and finance $810,000.  A change in interest rates lets say from 6% to 6.5% would cost you an extra $263 per month or $3160 per year.  A change in rates from 6% to 7% would cost you an extra $532 per month or almost $6400 per year.    While rising rates may prolong th... 08/06/2008

The Sun Post News reports that San Clemente gas prices continue to ease on a week-to-week basis.  The article shows a $0.13 drop in the lowest price from last week and an $0.18 drop from the highest price.  This good news comes on the heels of another recent article in the OC Register stating that the OC Metrolink lines have seen a 60% increase in weekend ridership from last year.  This is excellent news for local San Clemente businesses that feed off tourism, as the gas crunch has not affected people from visiting San Clemente and its beaches on the weekends.  As has been seen throughout California and the country, people are simply finding new ways to travel.  While the trains (and their extremely loud horns) can be a nuisance at times, San Clemente is very lucky to have convenient st... 08/06/2008

This article from CNN Money provides great insight on how to spot if the San Clemente housing market is rebounding.  First thing everyone needs to remember is real estate is localized and should not be simply compared to how the national housing market is performing.   With this being said, keeping track of a few key indicators should give you the buyer or seller a sense if a turnaround is coming: Local Job Market - unemployment staying steady or decreasing will help the market recover quicker Inventory on the Market - a significant reduction in inventory and an increase in sales will help prices stabilize.  Inventory levels in a steady market is approximately six months and homes on average stay on the market for 90 days.   More importantly, verify San Clemente real estate market is re... 08/06/2008

An article on CNN titled "Inflation Grows at Fastest Pace in 27 Years" released today illustrates our nations problem with slowing growth and rising costs may be worse than anticipated.  But how does this affect the San Clemente housing market? Since most mortgages are tied to the 10 Year Treasury, which is affected by economics news, this means the cost of borrowing will be on the rise.  As inflation increases, bond holders require a greater return to be compensated for inflation and this causes interest rates to rise.  As interest rates rise, it will cost more to finance your home.  For example, a 30 year fixed on $500,000 financed will cost an extra $1,965 per year or $164 per month if interest rates go from 6% to 6.5%.  This will require borrowers to gross an extra $6,000 per year i... 08/06/2008

San Clemente is holding strong.  With some areas of the United States reporting record Numbers of Bank Foreclosures, San Clemente is showing only .0393% of the properties are owned by lenders.  There are only 21 Bank Owned and Lender Owned properties listed in the SoCal MLS, with an average price of $850,757.00.    San Clemente currently has 533 properties on the market, which is not a significant difference from last year.  The beach is looking as good as ever.  For an updated list of Bank Owned and Lender Owned property in San Clemente and all Orange County cities go to http://www.bluetiderealty.com/reo.html.   08/04/2008

San Clemente is suffering, or should I say "Surfing"?  You want a bank owned or lender owned home in San Clemente...with an ocean view.  Not likely to happen at this time!  This home request has been the call I get once a day.  My daily answer is that "they stopped building beaches some time ago, and the ones we have as popular as ever".  There are inland communities' with-in reasonable driving distance from the ocean that offer incredible amenities and even offer newer architecture and great shopping.  The communities of Talega, Forster Ranch, and Rancho San Clemente are some of the newest communities in San Clemente, and you will find Ocean View properties in all of these places.  You are not likely to find any bank owned REO properties that can see the water. Since San Clemente east ... 08/01/2008

I recently secured another REO for an investment client.  Not as easy as you might think. You would imagine that a cash buyer with realistic expectations of competition and a sincere desire to purchase property at a discount could easily find a good bank owned property to buy for investment.  His intention is to put renters in his purchase and ride out the downturn. A couple of things to consider when looking for REO property for your investor clients: 1.  Primary residence buyers have much more to gain by running up the price.  They are not looking at cash on cash, and like a bad poker player, they often act without knowledge.  Your investor will do better looking at properties the homeowners are not interested in buying.  Duplexes, Four-plex's, major fixers, and negotiating great deal... 07/28/2008

110 Siena Lots of windows from floor to ceiling. This house is full of light. Nothing has been updated since it was built in 1989. It is tired. But it is a great house on a great lot with large patio area and large grassy area with flower beds. Great dramatic private front yard. This wonderful home is gated and has the use of the large pool, tennis courts at the entrance of Marina Hills. The only gated community in Marina Hills with another community pool. Beach close, walking trails, single loaded streets and privacy. This is a lovely quiet community. Floor plan has soaring ceilings, main floor den or bedroom with full bath. Each bedroom upstairs has it's own private bath. The laundry room is on the main level with sink, 2 car attached garage.Kitchen is spacious with bar stool dining a... 07/14/2008

After 4 years with a very large Southern California real estate brokerage, I have moved my principle place of business to the top floor of the same building.  This was the right descision for my clients. Blue Tide Realty  635 Camino de los Mares #301  San Clemente, Ca. 92673 Please check out my business website at www.BlueTideRealty.com.  The website has a great list of REO (Lender Owned) property in Orange County by city.  The list is updated weekly, but if you are in the market for the best deals in the business, I can provide you with instant emails for REO property.  I hope to develope the website to better serve and inform the community and smoothly facilitate real estate transactions. I will continue to serve the Orange County and San Diego County areas as I always have.  I hope t... 07/14/2008

                BANK OWNED FORECLOSURE!!! SOLD AS IS!!! This property is located in a small, quiet, private gated community with beautiful views of the golf course and rolling hills. This home has 4 Bedrooms and 3.5 Baths, Charming Kitchen with Granite Countertops and White Washed cabinets. Come see and make offer. Bank has priced property for a quick sale. Forster Ranch. 142 Avenida Mesita #16, San Clemente, CA.  This home is two levels.  Ceiling fans and fireplace. Private sauna. Capistrano Unified School District.                $609,900 !!!!!                  Search all San Clemente Foreclosures!   06/12/2008

Well it's another cold day in San Clemente! I am still wearing my flip flops in hopes that the marine layer will burn off! I wanted to let everyone know that a new swim school just opened up in town and it's called swimventure I signed my kiddo's up and was surprised to find out that it was less expensive then another swim school in town that everyone knows and most have taken their kids. They are offering classes at the Rancho San Clemente Tennis Club The pool is heated and the facility is great!! Located right off Calle Del Cerro and Avenida Vista Montana. About 5 minutes off the 5 and Pico. My boys start classes for the first time today so I will keep you posted as the how good a swim school it  is . My boys just want to swim so they can surf but the surf camps in town don't start un... 05/07/2008

As of April 2nd, 2008 according to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) the total number of active listings in San Clemente totaled 545 homes (condos, townhomes and single family homes).  This is down 24 homes from February 2008 with a total of 521 homes on the market.  We have seen a nice pick up in Orange County home sales in February and March of 2008.The inventory numbers are holding steady which is a good sign for the market.  The FED cut interest rates by .75 basis points in March.  This will help keep interest rates fairly low as the bond market decides what to do next.  The new conforming loan limits were announced in March.  The new conforming loan limit is now $729,750.  This will definitely help buyers and sellers in the Orange County housing market.  The former conforming rate... 04/09/2008

San Clemente, California, is a relatively short hop north from Carlsbad on the 5 freeway. The southern-most town in Orange County (home to famous ActiveRainers I know -  Marlene Bridges, Ron Pickett, Lynda Eisenmann, Kelly Kilpatrick, Vicki Lloyd, Tina Maraj Shah, and others), San Clemente is about 25 miles from Carlsbad, so it’s an easy ride to this seaside town where you can explore the waterfront with charming restaurants, shopping, and places to stay.          The western vacation home of the late former President Richard Nixon (and his home for a time after his resignation), San Clemente is also known for its surfing, a large number of surfing shops, surfboard shapers and manufacturers, and some of the most well-known surfing magazines. The San Clemente waterfront, as in many Sout... 03/22/2008

The Reserve in San Clemente is an Association of four Gated Communites built starting in late 2003.  The four Communites are Reserve East, West, North and South.  The Reserve has no Mello Roo's Taxes, Reasonable Association Dues and each community is Gated.  Each Community has home sites that offer exception Ocean Views and Catalina Island Views.  Current Home Prices start in the 900s to low 2 Million Price Ranges.  For some of the best looking available home tours visit www.2439CaminoOleada.com and www.CaminoOleada.com for highly upgraded homes currently available.  Contact Gary Gonzales with ReMax for your free updated List of all available homes for Sale in the Reserve today by email at garygonzales@cox.net or by calling him at 949-322-4279.  R 03/10/2008