Orange County Real Estate data is in for April: Sold prices up 27.4% from April 2012, the 14th consecutive month of year-over-year gains.

  • May 17, 2013
  • devinlucas

Ugh, more mind-boggling figures from the number-crunchers at DataQuick. Orange County’s April home sales are up 27.4 percent from April 2012. Southern California’s average sales were up 23.4 percent from April 2012. And from just March 2013, the sales prices jumped 8 percent in Southern California. According to DataQuick, April was the 14th consecutive month … Continue Reading

Some Financial Perks of Homeownership

  • May 6, 2013
  • devinlucas

Here’s a neat graphic illustrating some of the financial perks of homeownership. Newport Beach and Costa Mesa real estate certainly bring even more perks to the table!  Sources include the California Association of REALTORS®, the National Association of REALTORS®, the Federal Reserve and Energy Star. … -Devin Lucas Author Devin R. Lucas is a Real … Continue Reading

California Home Prices: Highest Since 2008; Up 13.7% in a Month; Up 28.2% From Last Year

  • April 19, 2013
  • devinlucas

California’s median home price for March hit its highest level since May 2008, according to the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.), based on information collected from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide.   The statewide median price of an existing, single-family detached home climbed 13.7 percent from February’s $333,380 median price to $378,960 … Continue Reading

Orange County Housing: Prices Up 25.1% From Last Year

  • March 20, 2013
  • devinlucas

As reported by the California Association of REALTORS® in the below article, as is no surprise to many home shoppers, especially in such great locations as Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, prices are up, up, up.  A full 25.1 percent February 2013 v.  2012 and a full 7.2 percent just from the previous month, according to the California … Continue Reading

Home Improvement: Best Bang For Your Buck

  • March 12, 2013
  • devinlucas

Thinking of a home remodel?   There are many great ways to improve your home.  Whether for your own enjoyment, or to increase value to your property to sell or rent, some remodels will really spruce up a property (not to mention the ‘wow’ factor and, in many cases, energy savings).  Here, from the National Association of … Continue Reading

Low Inventory

  • March 8, 2013
  • devinlucas

Most people now know there is a severe lack of supply of housing, a “low inventory,” especially of desirable homes, in desirable areas, in those under $1 million gem neighborhoods such as East Side Costa Mesa and more expensive dream homes in areas such as Newport Beach.  Supply-and-demand economics kick in, and Voilà, you have multiple offers on prime properties … Continue Reading

Beware of List Price: Foot Traffic and Competitive Bidding Flock Back into Housing

  • January 16, 2013
  • devinlucas

Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County Buyers Beware – As many prospective home buyers today are keenly aware, lack of inventory, all cash buyers and record low interest rates have created a competitive marketplace.  A “seller’s market” of the past has returned to many above-water homeowners wanting to sell, especially in such great locations as Newport … Continue Reading

Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act Extended – Good For Home Supply; Mixed Messages For Economy

  • January 2, 2013
  • devinlucas

As part of the so-called “fiscal cliff” negotiations, Congresses’ late night settlement included a one-year extension of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act. Essentially, this allows underwater borrowers (those who owe more on their mortgage than their home is currently worth) to “discharge” any tax liability for loss incurred from a short sale, foreclosure or … Continue Reading

Congress: Don’t Mess With the Mortgage Interest Deduction; Housing is Too Important

  • December 12, 2012
  • devinlucas

In California, losing the mortgage interest deduction – an active discussion in Washington – would cost the average California taxpayer over $3,900.00 a year, according to the California Association of REALTORS®. That’s MORE, almost DOUBLE, the average “2k” nation-wide taxpayers may lose if the so-called “fiscal cliff” is not soon averted. 89 percent of those … Continue Reading