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The Psychology Of Moving – Tips For Helping Your Kids Cope

Apr 9, 2014 | Buyers, Sellers

Moving is stressful—for everyone, regardless of the reason for the move. Moves due to job and financial loss, death or divorce, etc. may be even more stressful.  Moving for school age children means new social circles and friends and for some children that means new anxieties. Psychologists Shannon Mitsuko, MD and John Magee, PhD of the Carolinas Healthcare System say that children take many cues from parents. That’s why it’s important to understand what you as a parent can do to help your child readjust and cope with the stress of moving to a new home. Misuko and Magee say that it’s important to allow children to have their feelings rather than telling them how happy, sad or excited they are and then validate or affirm them during this time.  With that in mind here are 5 tips on how you can ease the transition to a new home with your kids and cope with this life change. 1. Know your child and play to their needs. Mitsuko and Magee say that knowing your child is key – there is no one size fits all advice. For example if you have an older child with an outgoing personality, you may want to have a going away party. However, that’s not the case for everyone.  According to Mitsuko and Magee hosting a going away party is a nice way to say “aloha”, it’s not goodbye.  But again, this is more of an adult way to handle transitions. They suggest that this may be a good approach if you have a teenager but for a school aged child it may just be too much... read more

Before & After

Apr 8, 2014 | Homes

Here’s the before and after of the updated living room at 3119 Corte Portofino in Newport Beach.... read more

4 Pitfalls Of Online Home Searches And How To Avoid Them

Apr 3, 2014 | Buyers

According to the National Association of Realtors, 90 percent of all home buyers start their real estate search online. What buyers don’t realize however are the various pitfalls they face when doing online searches and the opportunities they could be missing. There are four big mistakes you might be making when searching online. Most of these problems can be avoided simply by finding an experienced agent with the time and know-how to catch all the hard to find listings out there. So listen up, here are the top 4 pitfalls you face when doing online searches and how to avoid them. 1. Missing homes that have been mislabeled in the MLS All third party sites are fed data from Multiple Listing Services (MLS) but this data is only as good as the listing agent inputs it.  Many large cities are broken into MLS areas and agents can get the area totally wrong or may use a “catch all” area.  If you think you have figured out the area you want and are searching exclusively, you may be missing some homes that have been mislabeled or only very generally categorized. Even if you search by drawing the boundary on a map, just to catch everything, you may be missing the few misplaced homes.  These are not common, but they happen.  Agents sometimes even make mistakes about number of bedrooms or square feet, sometimes they leave the field blank and it could show as 0. How to fix it: Search several different ways yourself, eliminating the other criteria to make sure you haven’t missed any.  For instance realtors shouldn’t call a... read more

Just Listed 10 Flowerdale, Ladera Ranch

Mar 27, 2014 | Homes

Located the heart of Ladera Ranch, at an end of the cul-de-sac in the highly coveted community of Potters Bend, this beautiful detached home offers a rare 5,000 square foot lot with its own private driveway. Designed for comfort and style this grand interior is highlighted by soaring ceilings above and high-quality wood laminate floors below. An open kitchen features Corian counters, a custom backsplash, crisp white cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. The adjacent living room is made cozy with a fireplace, built-in media niche, and glass doors that lead to a well-manicured backyard. The upper level is where you will find a tech center; with French doors leading to a balcony with views of the neighborhood, a private master suite featuring a trayed ceiling, custom fan, walk-in closet and en suite bath with a separate shower, soaking tub, dual sinks and glistening ceramic tile floors. Secondary bedrooms, a separate laundry room and a guest bathroom complete this level. With all new soft and hard scape the spacious backyard is an entertainer’s dream, while the 2-car garage includes built-in cabinets for extra storage. It’s location is perfect with easy access to the hiking and bike trails, dog park, schools, and the Avendale clubhouse with a swimming pool and tennis court. List price $650,000 3 Bedrooms 2.5 Baths 1,680 Sq... read more

Before & After

Mar 25, 2014 | Homes

  Here’s the before and after of the now gorgeous master bath at 3119 Corte Portofino in Newport... read more

6 Tips For Selling Your Million Dollar Home

Mar 24, 2014 | Sellers

Selling a “Million Dollar Home” is not a simple feat, so a serious seller needs to prepare their home in order to achieve top dollar in their sale. With the #1 Real Estate Company in Orange County behind us, we help luxury home sellers achieve their best results every day. We have found that there are a few simple and steadfast rules to keep in mind when getting the highest value for your luxury home. Professional Staging is a must The way we sell is different than how we live. Your style is not necessarily what will appeal to your buyer and we do not want to turn anyone away. Staging helps neutralize your home and make it appeal to a larger pool of potential buyers. Declutter your space Consider it an opportunity to start your packing early. Buyers expect luxury homes to be spacious and areas of clutter conflict with that feel. This is also a good time to remove any old or dated furniture. It is better in storage or the garage if it makes the home feel dated. Less is more since you are selling your wonderful space – not your furniture or accessories. Don’t forget the details You need finished floors, flawless paint and NEVER FORGET THE WINDOWS! Make sure to have your floors cleaned or repaired since buyers will start to deduct from your million dollar price if they start to see issues. Paint is the cheapest way to give your home a new fresh look. Having your windows professionally cleaned is probably the number one thing you can do to achieve an immediate favorable reaction from buyers.... read more

Another fun night at Pirch!

Mar 21, 2014 | Events

We had a great time at Pirch in Costa Mesa last night. We got some awesome ideas for kitchens and baths while enjoying some delicious treats. Thanks to everyone that came!... read more

Sneak Peek

Mar 12, 2014 | Homes

Here’s a sneak peek of our new listing in Ladera Ranch. It’s a detached condo on a 5,000 square foot lot. It will be on the market in just a few days!... read more

5 Hidden Factors that Contribute to Your Home’s Resale Value

Mar 10, 2014 | Sellers

  For most Americans, a sizable chunk of their net worth is tied up in the value of their homes; the average homeowner invests upwards of 35 percent of their income in mortgage payments and home maintenance. It’s no wonder then that people count on recouping their investment when it’s time to sell their home. Your home’s sales price ultimately depends on making it attractive to prospective buyers. Curb appeal, fresh paint, and a good location are obvious advantages, but there are also less obvious factors that significantly impact the value of your home. A High-Maintenance Yard The yard is the first thing prospective buyers see. You may love your elaborate heirloom rose garden and carefully tended fescue lawn, but potential buyers see lots of yard work and maintenance to look forward to. Conversely, if you’ve neglected your lawn and it’s covered in weeds and dead grass, potential buyers see hard work and expensive landscaping in their future. Plant easy-care grass and appealing low-maintenance flowers and shrubs to increase curb appeal. School Districts That Don’t Make the Grade A home in a great school district sells faster and has more value than a home in a less desirable school district. Even buyers without school-aged kids typically prefer a home in a good school district because they’re aware of the impact on the home’s resale value. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do if your school district has a less than an ideal rating. Make sure your home is in tip-top shape to improve its sales potential. Nasty Neighbors When appraisers evaluate your home, they always consider the appearance and condition of surrounding homes.... read more

8 Ways To Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Mar 3, 2014 | Sellers

“Let’s pass on this one”, is the last thing you want potential buyers to say when they pull up in front of your house. And you know what, that really happens! I have had several buyers cancel appointments to view a home at the last minute before they even take one step in the door. Why you ask? Because if a home lacks curb appeal, it turns off buyers before they even get out of the car. What is curb appeal? Curb appeal just means how attractive your home is from the sidewalk. The world of real estate can be tough and if your house doesn’t look it’s best on the outside, some buyers won’t take the time to look inside. So if you are in the market to sell your home, here are 8 ways to boost your home’s curb appeal and ensure you never miss a potential buyer. 1. Think green. Your home will look beautiful and inviting if you have a green, lush front yard. It’s easy, just water the lawn and the flower beds regularly. If the sprinkler system doesn’t work, get it fixed. This will will be one less thing for the home inspector to find wrong with your home. If you don’t have a sprinkler system, you can always buy an inexpensive hose and sprinkler at Lowe’s. While you’re there,  make sure to pick up some ammonium nitrate which is an inexpensive lawn fertilizer, guaranteed to turn your lawn green in no time at all. 2. Rake the lawn and weed the flower beds. General front yard upkeep is important and that includes the little things... read more

We closed escrow!

Feb 26, 2014 | Homes

116 Via Koron has officially been sold. The new owner is excited and plans to start construction on one of the homes... read more

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Orange County Real Estate

Feb 13, 2014 | Buyers

We all know that Orange County real estate is desirable, offering tons of luxury home markets, great year round weather and laid back suburban life just a short commute from big cities and fun. If you are thinking of buying a home in Orange County, these are some important tips and tricks to be aware of. 1. Mello-Roos Taxes What is Mello-Roos you ask? Back in 1978, California passed Proposition 13 which limited property taxation and so in 1982 the State Legislature got creative and passed Mello-Roos taxes to help raise money for developing communities.  These taxes are levied as part of the annual property tax bill and paid each month to pay back bonds taken out by a city or county. The bonds taken out by a city or county are for construction and improvements such as building roads, supporting schools or developing infrastructure. Some home buyers are terrified of Mello-Roos, but there’s no need to panic when you see this pop up in a home sale. Listen to the facts and realize there are more than a few advantages to buying a home with Mello-Roos. First of all, Mello-Roos bonds do not last forever; the payment can extend anywhere from 30- 7 years when the bond is first taken out and depending on how long ago the bonds were taken out, a particular home may only owe for another few months or so. Also, communities with Mello-Roos are great family friendly cities because they are supported and maintained by these taxes. They have greater housing inventory, low crime rates, top-notch amenities like clubhouses and parks and of... read more

Everything You Wanted To Know About Ladera Ranch Homes For Sale

Feb 6, 2014 | So Cal Cities

Ladera Ranch, CA has a population of 23,121, with the average resident aged 32 years old. The average income in the city is $150,112 per year and the average home value is currently at $654,414. There are 7,173 households in Ladera Ranch and more than half – approximately 60% – have children. From these statistics it’s easy to see that Ladera Ranch is a popular community among young families.  What makes it so popular? Great schools, a close knit neighborhood community and great perks like city wide parks and recreational facilities. Families with young children are drawn to Ladera Ranch real estate because the city offers beautifully maintained neighborhoods, great schools and a prime location in South Orange County. This city has everything you and your family needs including close proximity to the stores you need with community shopping centers sprinkled throughout each neighborhood and nearby larger shopping centers like The Shops at Mission Viejo, Kaleidescope Center and Laguna Hills Mall. Here are some more lifestyle statistics on Ladera Ranch: Ladera Ranch is a strong real estate market for buyers right now because of high inventory and and declining average sales prices. Last month the average sales price in Ladera Ranch was $583,218. Homes for sale in Ladera Ranch are also staying on the market longer – 76 days – than the average Orange County home – 61 days. That means buyers are lowering their prices in order to sell – a big bonus for home buyers. Market Trends In Ladera Ranch Active inventory represents the number of homes for sale that are listed on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). Ladera Ranch listings have been stable for the past few months and are way up from last years slump. Pending... read more

Ladera Ranch Elementary And Middle School: An Inside Look

Feb 6, 2014 | So Cal Cities

The Capistrano Unified School District services the community of Ladera Ranch. The two most prominent schools in the city are Ladera Ranch Elementary and Ladera Ranch Middle School. Both schools are located on a single campus serving students from several South Orange County communities including Ladera Ranch, Mission Viejo, and San Juan Capistrano. Both schools are tech savvy, implementing the voluntary Learning With Laptops Program to help students prepare for a technology-driven world and become innovative and creative problem-solvers adept at learning in a new and changing world.  There are plenty of other Ladera Ranch community perks in town that are beneficial for kids including the Ladera Ranch Library located on the second floor of the school building and various city parks and recreational centers.  Ladera Ranch Elementary Ladera Ranch Elementary spends a total of $7,608 on each student annually, $5,120 dedicated to instructional expenses. The school offers after school programs for students including the Saddleback College Capistrano After School Program. Designed to help students and any interested community members, the program offers short-term fee based classes to teach relevant up to date content. Children and adults can learn new and useful skills with a curriculum that is focused on current trends, feedback from past participants and similar popular programs in the area.  Ladera Ranch Middle School The top school in Ladera Ranch according to GreatSchools.org is Ladera Ranch Middle School with a score of 10/10. The other 3 public schools in the city have a score of 9/10. Ladera Ranch Middle School also allots each student $7,608 for educational costs with $5,120 spent on instructional expenses. Along with Learning With Laptops, another great... read more

Community Perks in Ladera Ranch: Library, Parks & Recreation

Feb 6, 2014 | So Cal Cities

Ladera Ranch, CA is situated between San Juan Capistrano and Mission Viejo in Orange County. This master planned city was constructed back in 1999 and is now an active suburban community offering residents various amenities like shopping, parks, trails, clubhouses and more. Each neighborhood in Ladera Ranch offers its own hyper local parks and community facilities, maintained and supported by association fees. If you’re looking for a great family friendly place to relocate in Orange County, take a look at some Ladera Ranch homes for sale. One place you’ll definitely want to check out with the kids when you move to town is the Ladera Ranch Library. Ladera Ranch Library Tucked into the Administrative Building of the Ladera Ranch Elementary and Middle School, the Ladera Ranch Library is a joint project between the Orange County Public Library and the Capistrano Unified School District. Small but mighty, the Ladera Ranch Library offers its own modest collection of reading materials while offering access to the collections of all 32 libraries in the OC Libraries System. Not only does the library serve the public, the children’s section doubles as a school library during weekdays for over 1,600 students in grades K-8 at the Ladera Ranch Elementary and Middle School. The library also offers tons of great events for kids including a Kids Crafting Workshop and Family Pajama Story time in December. Ladera Ranch is a great community for families with children because it offers a small, tight community feel with great services like these geared toward adolescent development and fun. Ladera Ranch Parks While each neighborhood has its own community facilities, Ladera Ranch also offers city... read more

First Team Partners With Christie’s International To Offer Buyers And Seller Even More Opportunities

Feb 3, 2014 | Real Estate News

Christie’s International Real Estate, the world’s leading luxury real estate network and a subsidiary of Christie’s auction house, has chosen First Team Estates to be its exclusive affiliate in all of Orange County and part of Los Angeles County, including Belmont Shores and Naples. Founder and Chairman of First Team Estate Cameron Merage says, “First Team was carefully selected by Christie’s ahead of all others in this market because of our proven record of success in high-end property sales and exemplary client service.” And it’s true. Our Estates team specializing in luxury home sales saw market shares in 2013 pick up 38% over our nearest competitor and nearly 8 times faster than any of the other top four brokers. That equates to more than $1 billion in Southern California real estate in 2013 for the estates broker and a total of $5.3 billion in sales for the entire First Team Real Estate Company. “Our luxury momentum will be substantially fueled as we add Christie’s International Real Estate to our branding,” said Merage. Our partnership with Christie’s International Real Estate will allow us to expand our international reach in order to provide our sellers with a wider base of interested buyers and connect luxury sellers overseas with our buyers. We look forward to the advantages that our partnership with Christie’s will provide us and the wide variety of advantages it provides our valued buyers and sellers. Read the complete press... read more

5 Signs It’s Time To Sell Your Home

Jan 27, 2014 | Sellers

Selling your home takes time so if the signs point to yes, you should start the process now. It’s hard to decide however when is the right time to take that plunge and sell your home. Is the market right? Do I need a change? Is now the right time in my life? These are all questions we ask ourselves when trying to make this big decision. To help you find the answers and tune you in on what to look out for when selling your home, here is a list of 5 signs that you’re ready to sell your home. It’s a seller’s market in Southern California. The seller’s market from 2013 is predicted to continue into 2014. The market is cooling down with inventory expected to grow, but sellers should still expect multiple offers and a market in their favor.  With inventory just now on its way up, it’s the perfect time to put your house on the market – before it’s flooded. Your home is appreciating – and you’ve built equity. Homeowners gained $2.2 trillion in equity in 2013 according to new data collected by the Federal Reserve, rising prices bringing 2.5 million previously underwater homeowners back to positive equity. Home values have been coming up for the past two years and now the state of California has just a 13% negative equity rate. Prices are expected to continue rising in 2014 to lift even more homeowners into positive equity situations. With the equity you’ve built in your home, you can put it toward a down payment on that home you’ve had your eye on. Your life demands something new. Whether you’ve been struggling with a long commute... read more