Hot Day In Mission Viejo Time To Head To The Lake

August 18, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Wow..another hot day in Mission Viejo. Summer came in finally in full strength.

One of the reasons I love living in Mission Viejo is the Mission Viejo Lake. Built in the 1980s, this man-made lake offers great amenities for the residents of Mission Viejo. My favorite activity is kayaking. Only $3/hour, this is just one of many options for boat rentals on the Mission Viejo Lake. I like to “power” down to the far shore and then come back in a more relaxed manner.

As a teenager living in Mission Viejo, I actually watched them fill the Mission Viejo Lake..and it was about as exciting as it sounds. Now that it’s complete, there are 2 beaches, snack bars, BBQ facilities, a summer concert series and so much more.

So as the day heats up…I’m off for my morning kayak and then maybe a swim. See you at the Mission Viejo Lake!!

Filed Under: Mission Viejo Community Information, Mission Viejo Lake, Orange County Real Estate, Uncategorized

Dinner Out In Laguna Hills At King’s Fish House

July 28, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Kings Fish House 300x225 Dinner Out In Laguna Hills At Kings Fish House

King's Fish House Laguna Hills

My hubby took me out to dinner last night. After a long day of handling listings, buyers, gardeners and car repairs….dinner out just sounded good.

Although we have some favorite places in Mission Viejo, we ventured 3 miles further to Laguna Hills to try King’s Fish House for the first time.

Yum!

This is THE place for fish! Huge menu and I dare you to think of anything which didn’t make the list. From delicate sushi to Maryland Clam Bakes, it’s all there. Not the place for meat eaters.

After choosing a nice Chardonnay from the wine list, we set about trying to decide on our dinner. My husband loves Ahi, so he started with the Poke appetizer……just loved it. Said it took him back to Hawaii. Then he ordered the Macadamia Crusted Halibut. They were featuring fresh Wild Salmon and I couldn’t resist. Among several preparations, I chose it smoked on a cedar plank with a dry rub. It was delicious!

A simple brick building with tall ceilings and simple design, the King’s Fish House is a casual place to eat very gourmet food.

Filed Under: Mission Viejo Community Information, Orange County Events, Uncategorized Tagged With: King's Fish House, laguna hills restaurants, mission viejo living, mission viejo restaurants

Orange County California Home Buyers Ask “How Much Is Mello Roos Tax”?

April 23, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

Orange County California Home Buyers Ask “How Much Is Mello Roos Tax”?

I hear this all the time from Orange County Home Buyers. They want to know what percentage is the total property tax including Mello Roos Tax.

Mello Roos Tax is NOT a percentage tax it’s a flat tax.

This is the most commonly misunderstood tax for Orange County Home Buyers. Some of this is the fault of listing agents who either don’t understand the tax themselves, or are trying to minimize it to potential Orange County Home Buyers….I often see listings with Mello Roos included as a percentage tax. Such as:

“Total tax rate is 1.4%”

This a complete fallacy. 1.4% of what? In Orange County, our property tax begins at 1% of assessed value. Normally this is the most recent sale of the property. Mello Roos tax (if any) is then added to that number as a flat rate.

Whatever the previous owner paid in Mello Roos tax is what the new owner will pay.

For example:

A seller paid $500,000 for a home and Mello Roos is $1000/year. They paid a total tax of $6000/year (1% of $500K + $1000 for Mello Roos).

Now a new buyer pays $800,000 for that home (yes, very optimistic, I know ). Mello Roos is still only $1000/year. The new buyer will now pay $9000/year in tax. (1% of $800K + $1000 for Mello Roos)

The listing agent who includes Mello Roos tax as a percentage is not representing the tax situation correctly. 1.4% of what? the old assessed value? the list price? of what.

Fortunately for Orange County Home Buyers it’s very easy to determine exactly what your property tax will be. Your real estate agent has this information at the click of a button….well, maybe 2 buttons.

Mello Roos varies from city to city and even from tract to tract. So each property is unique. Don’t assume that the home around the corner will be the same as the one you are in. But the good news is your Orange County Buyer Agent can help you with this so you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Orange County Short Sale Lenders Can Be Very Unrealistic

March 23, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

Orange County Short Sale Lenders Can Be Very Unrealistic

I work Orange County Short Sale Listings quite a bit. More than I would have ever thought, actually. I have a wonderful team which helps me manage the process and paperwork and we are very successful. But sometimes I just wonder what the Asset Managers are thinking.

I find more and more the approval price seems to depend less on the value of the home and more on the amount of loss the short sale lender is willing to take.

This number does not matter to the buyer!

One of my Orange County Short Sale Listings just went into escrow after 8 months of trying to sell it. I don’t know why. It’s in decent shape, vacant (easy to show), priced very competitively (there are several recent sales of the same floor plan in the complex to compare to) and nicely located. So I really don’t understand why I’ve needed to do as many price reductions as I have.

Problem is that the Orange County Short Sale Lender has a trustee sale date and won’t postpone without a buyer, offer and proof of funds. I have been steadily dropping the price in our MLS while making sure in the agent comments that I disclose the sales price which has been approved. I just can’t get an offer at that price. So…..what do they want me to do?

Obviously we all know that if I can’t sell the home for what the Orange County Short Sale Lender wants, neither can they after a foreclosure. But the Asset Manager simply says “we aren’t willing to take that large of a loss on the mortgage.” Ok…..then I guess it is what it is!

Filed Under: Short Sale, short sale listings Tagged With: affordable homes, mission viejo california, orange county homes, orange county short sale listing agents, short sale listing agents, Short Sales

Mission Viejo Hosts “Up In The Air-Mission Viejo Takes Flight” Event April 2, 2011

March 23, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Mission Viejo Hosts “Up In The Air-Mission Viejo Takes Flight” Event April 2, 2011

Mission Viejo Hosts "Up In The Air-Mission Viejo Takes Flight" Event April 2, 2011

Mission Viejo has launched a new event which should quickly become very popular.

Up in the Air – Mission Viejo Takes Flight will take place on Saturday, April 2, 2011, from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on the Green next to the Norman P. Murray Community Center.

This is an exciting event which will include anything which can go “Up in the Air” or uses air to operate. Some examples are planes, kites, balloons, frisbees even bubbles. According to the Mission Viejo Activities website this event will also feature “professional kite flyers, disc dog shows, various flying contests, nonprofit food booths, children’s crafts, exhibitors and entertainment.”

As with the many other special events that The Mission Viejo Activity Committee sponsors the Up in the Air-Mission Viejo Takes Flight will be fun for all ages.

For more information call: 949-830-7066

When: Saturday April 2, 2011
Where: Village Green at Oso Viejo Park
When: 10am-2pm

The MVAC is a 501c3 non profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible.

Filed Under: Mission Viejo Community Information, Orange County Events

Mission Viejo Single Family Homes (Zip Code 92692)

March 8, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

Mission Viejo Single Family Homes 92691

Mission Viejo Single Family Homes (Zip Code 92692)

Mission Viejo in one of the original planned communites in Orange County. Established in the mid-1960s, each neighborhood was designed around local parks, schools and shopping.

Mission Viejo has numerous single family home developments ranging from small 1200+ square feet up to luxury houses in gated communities.

Mission Viejo has many city amenitites. There is a new public library which offers a quiet study environment in addition to many events for all ages. The Senior Center also offers a place to gather and enjoy classes and programs designed to suit their needs.

Mission Viejo has invested in city sports complexes and parks. All the city schools are adjacent to a public park to allow the students to extend their oudoor activities. Mission Viejo is ideal for all stages of home ownership and living.

Mission Viejo is also home to Lake Mission Viejo, a man made lake and recreation area. Completed in the late 1970s, Lake Mission Viejo operates as a non-profit, private lake for the benefit of the residents. The lake offers a variety of activities including fishing, boating, volleyball, and 2 private beaches for just lounging in the sun or swimming. During the summer, the lake also has a Concert Series which is free to residents who picnic on the grass or beach. In the past the lake has hosted Chris Isaak, Kenny Loggins, Trisha Yearwood, Little River Band, The Bangles..and the list goes on.

Start your search here

Mission Viejo Single Family Homes (Zip Code 92692)

Mission Viejo Single Family Homes Zip Code 92692 Priced Under $400,000

Mission Viejo Single Family Homes Zip Code 92692 Priced Between $400-600,000

Mission Viejo Single Family Homes Zip Code 92692 Priced Between $600-800,000

Mission Viejo Single Family Homes Zip Code 92692 Priced Between $800,1,000,000

Mission Viejo Single Family Homes Zip Code 92692 Priced Over $1 Million

Filed Under: buyer's agent, Buying a Home, Orange County Real Estate, Uncategorized Tagged With: buyers, mission viejo realtor, orange county short sale listing agents, Short Sales

Mission Viejo Events | The Marines and Sailors Adoption Committee Teams Up With Golfsmith For Golf Tournament

March 7, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Mission Viejo Events | The Marines and Sailors Adoption Committee Teams Up With Golfsmith For Golf Tournament

In 2006, the City of Mission Viejo adopted the Headquarters Battalion, First Marine Division, USMC of Camp Pendleton. As part of the city’s duties in this adoption is to communicate with the designated contact of the Battalion who can relay the needs of the active duty personel and their families. The city, it’s residents and businesses are then given the opportunity to supply these needs.

Some examples for the deployed troops are:

care packages
cards and letters
toiletries
snacks
board games and playing cards
magazines
hand warmers

And some of the needs for their families include baby baskets containing:

diapers
gently used clothing
lotions and creams
washcloths
wipes
bubble bath

As part of the ongoing fundraising and support, The Marine and Sailors Adoption Committee and Golfsmith are hosting a Benefit Golf Tournament

Where: Golfsmith, 16181 Lake Forest Drive, Lake Forest
When: March 25, 2011
For More Information and Participation: Call 949-470-3061

Filed Under: Mission Viejo Community Information

Mission Viejo Relay For Life | American Cancer Society Relay For Life Mission Viejo | June 2011 Relay For Life Mission Viejo

March 7, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life In Mission Viejo June 4-5, 2011

ar129934697499267 Mission Viejo Relay For Life | American Cancer Society Relay For Life Mission Viejo | June 2011 Relay For Life Mission Viejo

Special Presentation this week for Purple Ribbon Week. Come and learn about the Mission Viejo Relay For Life coming to Mission Viejo this June. The event will be held at Saddleback College June 4-5, 2011.

The Relay For Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Team members walk in relay fashion for 24 hours which represent the fact that a cancer patient lives with cancer 24 hours a day. Team member raise money through sponsorships and this walk will take place around the college’s field track.

You can learn more about this even this Tuesday March 8, 2011

When: Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Where: Reilly Elementary School, 24171 Pavion, Mission Viejo
Time: 7-8pm
RSVP or more information contact Chris Hill at 949-813-2757

Filed Under: Mission Viejo Community Information, Orange County Events

Mission Viejo Single Family Homes (Zip Code 92691)

February 24, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

MH900448275 Mission Viejo Single Family Homes (Zip Code 92691)

Mission Viejo Single Family Homes For Sale

Mission Viejo in one of the original planned communites in Orange County. Established in the mid-1960s, each neighborhood was designed around local parks, schools and shopping.

Mission Viejo has numerous single family home developments ranging from small 1200+ square feet up to luxury houses in gated communities.

Start your search here

Mission Viejo Single Family Homes (Zip Code 92691)

Mission Viejo Single Family Homes Zip Code 92691 Priced Under $400,000
Mission Viejo Single Family Homes Zip Code 92691 Priced Between $400-500,000
Mission Viejo Single Family Homes Zip Code 92691 Priced Between $500-700,000
Mission Viejo Single Family Homes Zip Code 92691 Priced Over $700,000

Filed Under: buyer's agent, Buying a Home, Mission Viejo Community Information, Mission Viejo Lake, Orange County Real Estate, Real Estate, Uncategorized