Chapman University Economic Forecast: 2014 O.C. Housing Still Rising, Slower

  • November 29, 2013
  • devinlucas

Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Orange County Real Estate – the 36th annual Chapman University Economic Forecast held Monday, November 25 at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa, predicts “significant moderation in price appreciation” for Orange County housing in 2014. Translation… home prices in Orange County in 2014 are likely to continue upward, but at a … Continue Reading

What Buyers Do NOT Want In A Home

  • November 5, 2013
  • devinlucas

Costa Mesa and Newport Beach Real Estate Sellers take note – here’s a neat graphic from the California Association of REALTORS® highlighting want Buyers do not want.  Elevators, shower stalls (v. baths) in the master, wet bars and laminate counters are among the highlights that today’s Buyers just don’t want to see anymore.  It’s often … Continue Reading

What Features Do You Value Most

  • October 8, 2013
  • devinlucas

Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County real estate Buyers and Sellers – What features do you value most in a home?  Here’s a neat graphic from the California Association of REALTORS® with some recent survey results. -Devin Lucas Author Devin R. Lucas is a Real Estate Attorney, Broker and REALTOR®, specializing in Newport Beach, … Continue Reading

Home Seller Staging Tips Using Feng Shui

  • September 17, 2013
  • devinlucas

Article Source: California Association of Realtors | Karen Rauch Carter, Feng Shui Palace www.KarenRauchCarter.com. Image Source: iStock The ancient Chinese art of feng shui (pronounced “fung shway”) is over 3,000 years old. This method of arranging inner and outer environments so they consistently support the possibility of all the good things in life encourages health, … Continue Reading

Survey Results: California Homebuyers’ Motivation in 2013

  • August 13, 2013
  • devinlucas

What’s motivating California homebuyers in 2013 to move to such pristine neighborhoods as Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County?  According to the California Association of REALTORS® 2013 Home Buying Survey, here are the top five reasons home buyer’s purchased in California this year: Price Reductions – 38% Favorable prices and/or financing – 12% Desire … Continue Reading

Robust Real Estate Market = Americans Are On The Move

  • July 30, 2013
  • devinlucas

Americans are feeling more financially secure with real estate and looking to relocate somewhere ideal, such as Costa Mesa or Newport Beach, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Association of REALTORS®.  1.4 million more households moved in 2012 than in 2011. Consumer confidence in real estate is key, with 54 percent of … Continue Reading

Top Ten Reasons to be Optimistic About the Housing Market, From the California Association of REALTORS®

  • June 4, 2013
  • devinlucas

From the California Association of REALTORS®, Top Ten Reasons to be optimistic about the housing market.  These factors are especially true in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. -Devin Lucas Author Devin R. Lucas is a Real Estate Attorney, Broker and REALTOR®, specializing in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange County, serving individual, investor and small … Continue Reading

Interest Rates Creeping Back Up; Highest in One Year

  • May 30, 2013
  • devinlucas

Those record-low interest rates, which are partly driving the real estate recovery, especially in locations such as Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, may be heading for the rearview mirror as the economy “recovers” and rates are back on the incline. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.81 percent with an average 0.8 … Continue Reading

California Legislature Proposes More Real Estate Transfer Taxes

  • May 29, 2013
  • devinlucas

They’re at it again… the California State Legislature wants more of your money. This time, via a proposed additional $75.00 tax on any county real estate filing including refinancing, transferring into or out of a trust, liens, quit claim deeds, etc. It’s cleverly called “SB-391: California Homes and Jobs Act of 2013.” However, the same … Continue Reading

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