Monday, May 30, 2011

These 12 Real Estate Stats Scream One Thing

Interesting article posted by Terran on Talk Irvine: http://www.wallstreetdaily.com/2011/05/26/cme-real-estate-prices/?source=patrick.net#content

The bottom line:

"Whatever you do, though, don’t rush to buy residential real estate. As I’ve hopefully demonstrated by now, prices are headed one way from here – down. So even though local markets differ, chances are you’ll get an even better deal the longer you wait."

Laguna Beach continues to sink, just like the broader, declining market...

Sunday, May 15, 2011

South Laguna Comp Check - 2 South Portola - 37% off Orginal List

South Laguna is far off the beaten path.  It is thankfully free of tourists compared to the rest of Laguna Beach, but for those of us who work, the drive takes almost as long as traveling from the office to San Clemente via the toll road.  

Historically, real estate in South Laguna has been much cheaper than the rest of the town.  Come the bubble, that difference more or less disappeared, and the asking price of most homes in South Laguna still reflect this bubble valuation. 

Anyway, enough of the history, how about a comp in South Laguna's 3 Arch Bay? Let's get down to it and talk about 2 South Portola.

I think the takeaway here is that an older family home on the primo beach side of 3 Arch Bay sold for about $750 per square foot and that list prices should be viewed with healthy skepticism by buyers.  2 South Portola ended up selling for about 37% less than its original asking price of $3,250,000.

2 South Portola is a rather nice 5 bedroom/3 bath.  Per the listing:  "Traditional Three Arch Bay home with ocean and sunset views. Vaulted ceilings, fireplace, view deck, open floor plan and enclosed sun porch. The most wonderful and charming Lower Three Arch Bay home. Close to beautiful beach."  You can view the MLS listing at here.

Original List price: $3,250,000
Listed: September, 2008 (yeah, about 1000 days or so on the market!)
Sold: May, 2011
Selling Price: $2,050,000
Selling Price/List: 63%

So, what kind of a rollback does this represent?  2 South Portola sold in May, 2005, for $2,500,000, so this most recent sale price represents, say, a mid or late 2003 price.  If you are trying to value a property in Laguna Beach to determine how much to offer, try to figure out what it was worth in 2003 and you should be on the right track.

Buyers be careful out there. Lots of homes have wildly overpriced asking prices.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Home Robberies Shock Crystal Cove Residents

The relative calm of Crystal Cove was shattered recently by two bold home robberies.

You know those imposing gates and guard shacks that drive the association dues toward $700 per month in Crystal Cove?  Apparently, these amenities are of limited effect in keeping crime out.

Rumors are flying about the crimes and while it may be the talk of residents and at local real estate offices, no one apparently is eager to publicize this in the news because it could further depress Crystal Cove home values.  The rumor is that two homes on Sidney Bay Drive were "cleaned out" by robbers using trucks.  Virtually everything is said to have been taken.  One of the homes was for sale.  It is unknown if the other home was a vacation home or if the residents were simply away from their home.   In Crystal Cove, many of the homes are vacant or used sparingly, so there are less neighbors who can report suspicious activities - apparently allowing the robbers to clean out entire homes, furniture and all, without being noticed. Fortunately, no one was hurt.