So many of the media numbers focus on Orange County performance, but real estate performance can vary dramatically within our large county and particularly at various price points. Today’s Microscope on the Market focuses on Coto de Caza. If you aren’t from Orange County – yes this is the home of the infamous Real Housewives… [Continue Reading]
How We Got Here – Understanding Mark to Market
March 16, 2009 By 3 Comments
While many of us have a loose understanding of how the housing and financial markets contributed to our current recession, many of us are unaware of the ways that the accounting method – Mark to Market – contributed to the magnitude of the crisis. I’ve heard the term ‘Mark to Market’ before, but my understanding… [Continue Reading]
Microscope On Mission Viejo
March 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Today the microscope is on Mission Viejo. So many of the media numbers focus on Orange County performance, but real estate performance can vary dramatically within our large county and particularly at various price points. I’m going to spend the next several posts breaking down each of the South Orange County cities to give you… [Continue Reading]
The Hits Keep On Comin’
February 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The other day, I mentioned my astonishment at the Housing Affordability and Stimulus Plan and how it really leaves California (the most troubled housing markets in the country) out in the cold. Then the announcement came regarding an $8,000 tax credit. Forgive me, but whoop-dee-do. While this may be meaningful in the lower price points,… [Continue Reading]
State of the OC Market
February 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Recently Jonathon Lansner posted a podcast that he did with Steven Thomas of Altera Real Estate. Great information whether you are a buyer or seller in Orange County. Mr. Thomas posts his Market Time Report every two weeks and continues to be an excellent resource for analysis on Orange County real estate. If you are… [Continue Reading]
The Stimulus Plan -Big Miss for Orange County
February 25, 2009 By 1 Comment
The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan was recently released. It attempts to address some of the issues that the current housing market is struggling with and I have been through some of the details and as it currently is written, I’m disappointed. Near the end of December last year I posted the article about about… [Continue Reading]
The Numbers Are Telling You a Story
January 29, 2009 By 3 Comments
One of the things that I constantly talk about on OC Voice, is the need to be an educated buyer or seller. My goal is always to provide information that helps to educate my readers about what trends we are seeing – without putting you to sleep. Heck – I still want you to keep… [Continue Reading]
Break Out the Crystal Ball
January 13, 2009 By 2 Comments
The Orange County Register has recently posted a series of predictions about the future of the real estate market in Orange County – Eyeball 2009. The predictions are from local experts, economists, and Realtors. If you’re interested in the varies perspectives – take a look at the various links provided below. I’ll share with you… [Continue Reading]
Microscope on the Market – Rancho Santa Margarita
January 6, 2009 By 2 Comments
When you are looking to buy a home in Orange County, or anywhere else for that matter, it is critical to drill down into the numbers for the sector of the market that you are looking at. Orange County numbers are wonderful benchmarks to know, but our market is made up also of submarkets within… [Continue Reading]
2008 Housing Review and 2009 Predictions
January 3, 2009 By 4 Comments
Steven Thomas, President of Altera Real Estate recently released his latest Orange County Housing Report and it is definitely worth taking the time to review if you are curious about how the 2008 housing market finished and the possible outlook for 2009. It’s a very comprehensive summary. I would encourage you to review the charts… [Continue Reading]
