Amazing Gift of 20,000 Acres of Rugged Open Space Completed by The Irvine Company to the County of Orange - 06/30/10 02:42 PM
It's a Gift to the County of Orange.
The Irvine Company and its owner Donald Bren has gifted a rugged 20,000 acre parcel of land to the County of Orange.
This 20,000-acre parcel at Black Star Ranch was part of original Irvine Ranch, landscape of steep canyons, native grassland and sycamore woodland, home to golden eagles, mountain lions and dozens of rare and endangered species of plants and animals.





____________________________________________________________
The county of Orange accepted this gift on June 29, 2010, in a huge deal with The Irvine Company and Bren, who has been responsible for crafting parcels of open space land at Orange … (0 comments)

Housing Market Update for California - by California Association of REALTORs® for May 2010 - 06/29/10 03:23 PM

Leslie Appleton-Young is the chief economist at California Association of Realtors and provided this May 2010 California housing market update. 
Click here to see the CAR.org video -
 
 
_________________________________________________________________________
Review of spring home buying season in California by the economists at California Association of REALTORs:
Housing Market at Golden State is improving Fast home sales pace at California during May 2010. Positive experience from US homebuyer tax credit program ending April 30 Median CA home sold price of $324,000 4.6 months of supply of homes listed for sale  10 plus months of supply of home at $1 million and up  … (0 comments)

Amazing Mortgage Rates At 60 Year Lows Continue to Help Buyers and Sellers - 06/28/10 06:45 PM


 
  Home loan mortgage interest rates continue to be a 60 year lows, which is fantastic for buyers and making sellers happy too.  ______________________________________________________________________________
We've been working with a client who wants to buy a home here at Orange County in the range of about $550k and get a 30 year fixed conforming rate loan. Good news for this buyer and amazing that he can get a $417k conforming loan at less than 4.5% fixed rate for 30 years, and his monthly payment would be about $2,150.   
(See First Capital Mortgage Market Rate Watch Chart, June 26, 2010 - click here).
Lots of people have … (2 comments)

Income Tax Considerations on Sale of Your Home - Consult with your Income Tax Professional - 06/28/10 03:01 PM



Selling your home always involves income tax considerations for possible gain and what is taxable.  
____________________________________________________________
The IRS has a good web site with information about income tax and form 523 on sale of your home - click here for link.  
Taxable Gain on Sale of your Home must be considered for possible exclusion of gain on sale up to $250k for sole taxpayer and $500k if married taxpayers.
Rules for excluding the gain. Ownership and use test - normally 2 of past 5 years. Exceptions to ownership and use test. Qualified use the property. Non-qualified use. Business use … (2 comments)

CA Governator Strikes Deal to Sell OC Fairgrounds Property to City of Costa Mesa - 06/25/10 02:39 AM
 
 The ORANGE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS property at Costa Mesa
This CA state owned property was subject of land use election on June 9, 2010, when voters confirmed its use as fairgrounds and agricultural.
The CA Governator office has now reached tentative agreement for sale of this OC Fairgrounds property to the City of Costa Mesa as buyer with down payment at $19.2 million and total purchase price to be $96 million. 

 




The city of Costa Mesa has reached agreement for its purchase of the OC Fairgrounds property from the State of California.
 
  
Proposed transaction is now pending until … (2 comments)

Orange County Housing Market Trend Favors Sellers - Low Inventory of Listed Homes - 06/24/10 01:30 PM
 
The Orange County, CA, supply of resale homes listed for sale in May 2010 dropped to five months and 24 days. 
It would theoretically take that long to sell all homes now listed at the May 2010 sales pace.

That's the lowest O.C.'s "unsold inventory" has been during 2010 and among the lowest since the housing boom ended in 2005.  This trend definitely favors the sellers. 
O.C.'s May 2010 inventory is below a countywide average dating back to the early 1990s, and the average supply of listed homes during that time is 7.8 months.  
 The O.C. decreased inventory is perhaps because of spike in sales. 
… (0 comments)

Orange County and Anaheim "Walking on Sunshine" Video - 06/23/10 03:59 PM

 
See this great and fun Orange County "Walking on Sunshine" video at YouTube - click here.
  

 
 ______________________________________________________
Harrison K. Long, REALTOR® & broker, Explore Group, Coldwell Banker Previews, Irvine, CA.  CA DRE #01410855.  ExploreProperties@gmail.com. 949-854-7747.  National Association of Realtors, California Association of Realtors, and Orange County Association of Realtors.  California State Bar Association #69137. Serving Laguna Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Costa Mesa, and South Orange County.
www.CostaMesaLive.com
www.NewportCoastLive.com
www.CoastLivingHomes.com
www.LiveAtNewportBeach.com
www.LiveAtIrvine.com
www.LiveAtLagunaBeach.com
www.ExploreOCHomes.com 
… (2 comments)

Laguna Beach and its Panoramic Ocean Views will Take Your Breath Away - 06/22/10 08:53 PM

 View from north to south towards Laguna's Main Beach
It's a special place and enjoyed by many people.  Those who are privileged enough to find a home at Laguna mostly try to stay there. 

From high above the ocean at Arch Beach Heights, the drama and sound of the Pacific ocean will take your breath away.

Laguna real estate has lots of focus on great views.
See Laguna Beach single level homes now for sale - each with ocean views - click here for free active link.

 From the Surf and Sand toward the sunset
Mystic Hills Homes for sale at Laguna  - click here for free … (3 comments)

Shady Canyon Trail - Longest Day of the Year at Irvine, CA - 06/22/10 02:09 AM

Shady Canyon trail - hiking area at Irvine, CA, on this the longest day of the year - June 21, 2010
 
Special place for our fun and exercise (hiking, running) at the end of this fantastic day
 
See Shady Canyon homes for sale - click here for free active link.
 
 ______________________________________________________
Harrison K. Long, REALTOR® & broker, Explore Group, Coldwell Banker Previews, Irvine, CA.  CA DRE #01410855.  ExploreProperties@gmail.com. 949-854-7747.  National Association of Realtors, California Association of Realtors, and Orange County Association of Realtors.  California State Bar Association #69137.
www.CostaMesaLive.com
www.NewportCoastLive.com
www.CoastLivingHomes.com
www.LiveAtNewportBeach.com
www.LiveAtIrvine.com
www.LiveAtLagunaBeach.com
www.ExploreOCHomes.com 
… (4 comments)

Newport Beach Housing Market Update - 06/19/10 09:37 PM
It's Newport Beach housing market update time, and we enjoy looking at this spectacular city with focus on beach, surf and boating activites.

Newport Beach is one of most sought after residential and beach communities in Southern California, with homes located at and near the beach, surrounding the harbor, closed to good schools, in the hills near Pelican Crest and the bluffs at the Back Bay.
_______________________________________________________________
Newport Beach housing market update - June 18, 2010

581 homes are Newport Beach are active for sale listings.
 
517 of those are regular equity sale listings.
 
7 of the Newport Beach listings are bank owned … (4 comments)

Orange County Property Values Should be Helped by Recent Private Business Employer Hiring - 06/19/10 12:39 PM
The Orange County economy and property values should be helped by recent news of private business hiring.
Orange County employers increased hiring in May for the fourth month in a row, and unemployment was down to 9.2% from 9.5% in April. 
Unemployment at OC is still too high, and jobs need to be encouraged in the private business sector (not government jobs).
The 9,100 new local jobs created in May was the highest since February's 10,600.  This hiring was not just a temporary boost.  Excluding federal employment, Orange County's private employers added 7,300 net new positions. 

This is good new for Orange County and … (0 comments)

"BOOMERS" musical review at American Coast Theater, Costa Mesa - June 4 to July 18 - 06/18/10 12:37 PM
"BOOMERS" - musical review - to be presented at American Coast Theater, Lycheum Theater Center, Costa Mesa, CA.
through July 18, 2010

 See Video Clip of the musical - click here.
 Source: American Coast Theater
_____________________________________________________________
Harrison K. Long, REALTOR® & broker, Explore Group, Coldwell Banker Previews, Irvine, CA.  CA DRE #01410855.  ExploreProperties@gmail.com. 949-854-7747.  National Association of Realtors, California Association of Realtors, and Orange County Association of Realtors.  California State Bar Association #69137. Costa Mesa Live. Newport Beach, Coast Living Homes, and Irvine area REALTOR®, broker agent.   
… (0 comments)

LOS ANGELES LAKERS WIN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP - JUNE 17, 2010 - 06/18/10 01:47 AM
LAKERS WIN!
The Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Boston Celtics and win the National Basketball Association championship.

Orange County Register photo
We cheer for our home town teams here in Southern California and enjoyed watching by television the Lakers win this game and the championship.
I especially like the "FISH" who hit a huge 3 point shot to tie the score late in the game.  The other Laker players worked together as a team and deserved this championship.
Now we hope the LA police arrest the thugs in Los Angeles who are rioting in the streets after the game and damaging public and … (5 comments)

Pacific Symphony Will Kick Off Its Summer Concert Season at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Irvine - 06/17/10 11:32 AM
 

_____________________________________________________________________________
The Pacific Symphony has scheduled five concerts at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Irvine, again this summer.  These concerts are expected to cover a range from Rachmaninoff to John Denver and "Rocky Mountain High".
The summer season opens on July 4 with a salute to John Denver.  Vocalist Jim Curry will stand in for Denver and sing his tribute.  

Pops conductor Richard Kaufman, who worked with Denver for more than 20 years, and the orchestra accompany Curry with the original orchestrations by Lee Holdridge, and add patriotic fare and fireworks.
Source: PacificSymphony.org.
_____________________________________________________________
Harrison K. Long, REALTOR® & broker, Explore Group, Coldwell Banker Previews, Irvine, CA.  CA DRE … (0 comments)

South OC Communities Had Huge Increase in Home Sales during May - Housing Market Update - 06/16/10 02:55 AM
 
South Orange County non-beach zip area communities had 46% increase in home sales in May 2010 vs. May 2009.
____________________________________________________________________
Aliso Viejo Foothill Ranch Irvine Ladera Ranch Laguna Hills Laguna Niguel Laguna Woods Lake Forest Mission Viejo Rancho Santa Margarita Trabuco Canyon/Coto de Caza ________________________________________________________________________

This looks at the ZIP code areas of non-beach areas at South Orange, CA.  This housing market was strong and trend now at South OC favors owners/sellers who are gaining confidence. 
All of the Orange County zip areas together had strong home sales unit increase in May of 22% from prior year. 
_____________________________________________________________
Source: South OC … (0 comments)

Like Celebrating U.S. Flag Day - Monday, June 14, 2010 - 06/14/10 11:49 AM
It's U.S. Flag Day, June 14, 2010.
We enjoy flying our U.S. flag on each of the national holidays and days such as this. 
___________________________________________________________
Even though Flag Day is not a national holiday, it's a time for us to celebrate the United States and observe our beloved stars and stripes. 

This day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which originally happened by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.[1]

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that established June 14 as Flag Day in 1917.  In August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act … (9 comments)

HOAs in California Can't Collect Delinquent Unpaid Assessments from Buyers - 06/13/10 05:33 PM

Some homeowner associations in CA at common interest developmenrs are losing money these days, because delinquent assessments are unpaid, and homes are sold through short sale and being foreclosed on. 
QUESTION:  Can the HOA in CA require buyers to pay for unpaid assessments owed by the prior owner?  Can the HOA amend its CC&Rs to state that a purchaser of a unit pay delinquent assessment from prior owners?

ANSWER:  No.  The buyer of a property in CA is not personally liable for the delinquent HOA assessments of prior owners.  Civil Code 1466, Mountain Home v. Pine Mountain. 
If the HOA in CA wants to get paid for … (7 comments)

Turtle Rock Village - Local Housing Market Update and Irvine Home Values - 06/13/10 02:10 AM
Turtle Rock Village continues to be one of the most popular and sought after residential areas at Irvine, CA. 


This fine area is located near the UC Irvine campus and in the hills east of Shady Canyon.
With about 3,320 homes owned and two respected The Irvine Company apartment complexes, Turtle Rock is liked by almost everyone looking for a home or place to live.
___________________________________________________________________________________

The Turtle Rock area was named after this geologic outcropping of granite, which looks like a Turtle and is located at the Vista homes neighborhood.
____________________________________________________________

What about TR homes for sale?
Turtle Rock … (0 comments)

When Can Home Loan Borrowers Stop Paying for Mortgage Insurance? - 06/12/10 05:34 PM

The cost of getting a home loan or mortgage can be significant, and this often will include mortgage insurance required by the lender.
Some people got home loans during the past five years and now want to get rid of the insurance premium obligation.
Many mortgages include mortgage insurance (MI), for  conventional mortgages with less than 20 percent down and also FHA mortgages that are common in today's market. 
___________________________________________________________

Piggyback mortgages are no longer available.  During boom market times, these allowed home buyers to purchase with less than 20 percent down, sometimes no money down, and avoid mortgage insurance by having a 1st … (5 comments)

California Association of REALTORs® Annual Legislative Day at Sacramento - June 9, 2010 - 06/11/10 04:40 PM


The California Association of REALTORs® annual meeting with legislative day took place at Sacamento on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, and was fun and interesting.
President Steve Goddard kicked it off with introductions.  Alex Creel, Senior VP for Governmental Affairs for CAR.org, our capable lobbyist, was the primary speaker for the morning event and talked about need to focus our discussion with assemblypersons and senators on certain issues.
Those of us from Orange County Association of REALTORs® got together for a nice lunch on the capitol lawn with agents from the Laguna Board of REALTORs®, Newport Beach board of REALTORs®, and the Pacific West Association of REALTORs®.
During the afternoon, those … (0 comments)

Lease Option Contract to Buy a Home - How does that work? What are some Advantages? - 06/07/10 04:59 PM
Lease options to buy a home can present interesting alternatives and opportunities for buyers and sellers, especially during challenging economic times.
Lease options probably work differently in other states, and this is a general outline of how it would work in California.
Buyer pays the seller option money (consideration) for the right to later purchase the property at a certain price.  Lease option contract must be in writing to be enforceable. The lease option is a separate contract from that of the proposed home purchase contract, and the California Association of Realtors publishes the two different forms for use in this state. Amount of money (consideration) for … (6 comments)

Eastbluff Newport Beach Condo Home With Canyon Views - 06/06/10 08:09 PM
Charming Eastbluff Newport Condo with canyon view now for sale with reduced asking price.
3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.  1700 SF interior size.  Two car attached garage. 
End unit home value at East Bluff & best view at Villa Granada.
 
Expansive living and dining great room area with wall of French doors framing gorgeous view of canyon and pine trees, private balcony.

Cozy fireplace, recessed and art accent lighting.
Kitchen opens to living area and views.
 
 
 
 
 
Large master bedroom suite with double French doors to private balcony and view of canyon and pine trees, vaulted … (2 comments)

John Wooden - We Celebrate a Great Person and Coach - 06/05/10 12:08 PM
One of my favorite people of all time and a great inspiration for us all, Coach John Wooden passed away yesterday on June 4, 2010 - at the age of 99.

"Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts. "
   I always loved his great one-liner about "courage".
"Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."
   Coach was cherished by many and appreciated for his one-liner inspiration quotes.
"There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the … (15 comments)

Court in California has Discretion to Impose Equitable Easement for Neighbor to Use Private Road of Another - 06/03/10 07:52 PM
Sometimes neighbors get in disputes about using private roadways.
Did you ever have a real estate sale situation where your owner client wanted to confirm his right to use a roadway over neighboring private property?
What if that road needed for access to your client's property was privately owned by the neighbor?
What if that neighbor didn't want your client to use that private road?
The man had been using that neighbor's private road, because it was the only way to reach his property. 
That's what happened in Linthicum v. Butterfield, California court of appeal decision, 2009, 175 Cal App 4th … (4 comments)

Mortgage Rates Remain Incredibly Low and Excellent for California Home Buyers - 06/03/10 01:55 PM
Home Mortgage rates remain very low as quoted today by some of the California mortgage brokers.
Conforming
30 Year fixed - 4.625% 30 Year to $729,750 - 4.750%  15 Year - 4.125% 5 Year - 3.490%   Jumbo
30 Year to 2M - 5.500%   FHA
30 Year - 4.625%  30 Year Jumbo - 4.750%   _________________________
These mortgage rates would be available only for the people with the best credit history and FICO scores. Whether you will qualify for these rates and with what loan costs will depend on the facts of your situation.  Please contact your qualified local mortgage broker for information.  If you are in Orange County, CA, please call Tim Sibley, … (0 comments)

Relay For Life - American Cancer Society Benefit Event at Irvine, CA - June 5 and 6, 2010 - 06/02/10 10:47 AM

Relay for Life: The American Cancer Society's annual Irvine Relay for Life event will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and 6, 2010, at Irvine Valley College, 5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine.
This event begins with a welcoming of survivors and participants by Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang on Saturday and ends with a Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast on Sunday.
Admission is free. 

Sign your team up and see information ...  http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=20425
 
________________
Harrison K. Long, REALTOR® & broker, Explore Group, Coldwell Banker Previews, Irvine, CA.  CA DRE #01410855.  ExploreProperties@gmail.com.  Lawyer member, California State Bar Association #69137.  National Association of Realtors, California Association of Realtors, and Orange … (2 comments)

 
Long_harrison_11-21-2011 Rainmaker_large

Harrison K. Long, business, REALTOR®, GRI, Broker

Harrison K. Long

Irvine, CA

More about me…

Coldwell Banker Previews, Irvine, South OC

Address: 6833 Quail Hill Parkway, Irvine, CA, 92603

Office Phone: (949) 854-7747

Cell Phone: (949) 701-2515

Email Me



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find CA real estate agents and Irvine real estate on ActiveRain.