You clung to your Laguna Beach home like glue. No way were you leaving the place you so dearly cherished. But the stack of delinquent mortgage payments got too heavy. Pushed you straight through a trap door. Now you’re in the pit. The mortgage pit. Debt collectors are hissing like snakes. Foreclosure fiends are clawing at you. How will you get out of this trap?

Luckily, there’s an escape route. It’s called short sale – a program that lets you sell your home for less than the total amount owed. Protects you from the hissing debt collectors and foreclosure fiends. Frees you from the pit. Get ready!

Launching Your Escape

Remember, a short sale isn’t a magic amulet. Plan on digging in your heels and expending much personal energy. You’ll begin with three documents, all of which should be signed and dated.

• A financial worksheet listing all of your monthly expenses. The more, the merrier.
• A hardship letter explaining why you got behind. You’re making your case here, so let the details flow.
• A letter authorizing your Realtor to access certain account information. The letter should include the last 4 digits of the borrower’s social security number, the complete account number, and property address.

What Else You Should Know

• The clock is ticking, so dawdle at your own risk. If the short sale doesn’t close within 30 days, chances are you’ll need to start the approval process over. Now wouldn’t that be a hoot.
• Send all inquiries, (and if necessary, bribes), to the assigned negotiator. The identity of this individual will be revealed during the introduction call.
• A short sale is never an inside job. This means, the property may not be purchased by anyone with close ties to the seller. This includes but is not limited to family members, friends, neighbors, personal trainers, and bookies.
• In certain cases, investors and mortgage insurance companies require lenders to sign an unsecured note for part or all of the difference between sale proceeds and the total amount due. This information is specified as part of any response to a short sale offer.

Well there it is. You see? There is an escape from the mortgage pit. And if you’re considering a short sale for your Laguna Beach home, I want to make sure you’re good and prepared for the journey.  I’ll make certain you get started on the right track. And stay on the right track. As an experienced professional well-acquainted with this prime beachfront community, I can answer all of your questions and help you discover the numerous opportunities the Laguna Beach Real Estate market has to offer.

Feel free to contact me at 949.922.8490 or hillary@thecoastalpropertyexperts.com.

Until next time, keep it classy, Laguna.

Both security experts and privacy advocates are spreading the word about the geotag risk. As they point out, the biggest problem is that geotag information isn’t visible to casual viewers. So a large slice of John Q. Public doesn’t even know what dangers lurk within many of their photos.

The geotag risk is becoming so pronounced that a group of academic researchers and independent Web security analysts have embarked on their own awareness-raising crusade. Called the ‘white hat hackers’, this dedicated group has been publishing studies and giving presentations at a variety of tech gatherings.  Their findings reveal widespread geotagged photos and videos on a sites such as Twitter, YouTube, and Craigslist. Not only do the pictures give away the location of homes, they also put the spotlight on children playing at home, pricy automobiles, computers, and flat-screen TV’s. Obviously, most people wouldn’t want this private information falling into the wrong hands.

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

If you’re one of the thousands of people using a GPS-enabled smartphone, there are two ways to eliminate the geotag risk: Stop sharing your photos OR Disable the phone’s geotag function. Now before breathing that big sigh of relief, you should know that performing the latter isn’t as easy as it sounds. Switching off the geotag feature involves going through an ‘invisible’ menu that only the most tech savvy seem to know about. Once you discover the top secret location, be prepared. You’ll be required to be push your way through layer after layer of menus before finally hitting the jackpot – the Location setting. Then it’s just a matter of selecting ‘off’ or ‘don’t allow’. But once again, there’s a catch. Sometimes taking this step can disable ALL GPS functions.

Beware the Unknown Threat

Many times friends and visiting family members will feel the urge the snap a few photos in and around your home. While these pics make for great memories, they also pose the same potential risk that your personal photographs do. So make sure your shutterbug visitors are aware of the goetag issue, and that they take steps to address it. The last thing all of you want is a house picked clean by somebody with too much information.

If you’d like to learn more about geotags or other online issues, I’ll be delighted to help. And, of course, if you’d like to know more about getting that Laguna Beach home you’ve always wanted, I’m always available. As one of the area’s premier Coastal Property Experts, I can answer all of your questions and help you discover the numerous opportunities the Laguna Beach Real Estate market has to offer.

Feel free to contact me at 949.922.8490 or hillary@thecoastalpropertyexperts.com.

Regards,

Hillary Caston

Is there a way we can adjust to an economy that’s only now yawning awake with modest growth in both jobs and productivity?  CG Barbeau, an Orange County mortgage bank officer, offers these tips on how all of us can deal with what she calls ‘the new normal’.

1. Remain on your job, even if the grass starts looking greener on the other side. Staying put is a great way to maintain stability in your life. And we could all use more of that right now.
2. Borrow money from a credit union if at possible. Credit card fees are expected to jump very soon.  Money from a credit union will be costing you about 20% less than it will from credit cards.
3. Avoid overdrafts. These fees soon will be taking a bigger bite out of your wallet as well.
4. Never borrow more than 69% of your max credit line. 70% or more will hammer down your FICO score.
5. If the interest rate on you loan rises, don’t take this assault on your finances sitting down.  Call up the lender and argue your head off. You’ve got nothing to lose but some percentage points.
6. When you need a credit report, go to a reputable bank. The last thing you need is inaccuracies tarnishing your financial picture.
7. Save, save, save. OK, interest rates aren’t exactly scraping the sky. But a penny saved is still a penny earned. You never know when you’ll need all those pennies for a rainy day. Unless you have a few rich uncles who can provide bail out cash, better to have your own greenbacks neatly tucked away.

These are just some of the common sense steps you can take to fortify your finances in our evolving economy. If you’d like to learn more about prudent financial planning, CG would be more than happy to help.  You can connect with her at 949.637.8190 or caroline.barbeau@cox.net .

In their first U.S. Foreclosure Sales Report, RealtyTrac reported that 31% of all residential home sales in the first quarter of 2010 were in some phase of the foreclosure process. These include homes for sale in default, where an NOD had been filed by the lender, or those that were already taken back by the bank and labeled “REO” or Real Estate Owned.

In comparison, the percentage of homes sold in the first quarter of 2009 that were in the foreclosure process sat at 37%. More than 1.2 million U.S. properties that sold in 2009 were in some stage of the foreclosure process.

On average, buyers who purchased a home for sale in a foreclosed status paid 27% below the average sale price of properties that were not in a distressed status.

The report noted that “Discounts on REOs are larger than discounts on pre-foreclosures, although discounts on pre-foreclosures appear to be trending higher as short sales become more common.”

There are a couple of points to keep in mind as you look at these numbers:

• The statistics reflect a large area: the entire country or an entire state. They are not broken down by County or City.
• In California, for example, the number of distressed properties in the Inland Empire where there was a large amount of investment owned properties, was higher than in some of the coastal areas such as Laguna Beach.
• In areas where there was a high percentage of vacant, REO homes and those in foreclosure, the banks may have been more motivated to close the sale on the property so that their exposure in the area was lessened.
• It may have been more financially beneficial to use the government TARP money to make deals in these higher-risk areas.
• The number of REOs may decrease in future reports. Lenders have indicated that they are more inclined to work with a short-sale home for sale  situation than to take on all the added costs involved in an REO, such as attorney fees.
• Sellers of non-distressed properties are becoming more educated about their need to price their homes according to where the market is today, not what it was a couple of years ago. Many realize that they are competing with distressed properties for buyer’s money. So, keep your eyes on both “regular” and distressed properties. After all, a good price is a good price, no matter what the situation of the seller!

 Read the full report:

In another, related report, the top 50 cities were listed that had the greatest price reductions…Orange County Homes and Laguna Beach Real Estate were not on that list! On average the top 50 areas included saw average reductions from 7%-26%. The city with the most drastic reductions, which is really no surprise, was Detroit. No ocean view there!

One note to keep in mind as you look at price reductions. There are always 2 reasons for the price reductions. 1) Economically, the market has determined that the home is worth less than what seller has priced it at and 2) The seller decided to initially price the home at a higher rate than what the current market deemed appropriate – this is more a case of seller denial of current market conditions rather than an indication of overall market conditions.

It’s a very slight difference in perception, so just be sure that you don’t simply get caught up in the statistics and numbers. They can be used as a guide, but in the end, what you determine to be the perfect home and the perfect price is up to you.

As always, I invite you to allow me help you with any questions that you have. Those that have worked with me know that I’m a no B.S. straight shooter. If a home that you are interested in is overpriced – I will tell you. Similarly, if a great deal is out there I will enthusiastically share it with you!

Just Contact Me!

Until next time…

According to the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.), the median price of a home in May increased 23.2%, while home sales increased 1.2%. It will be interesting to see the June numbers now that the Tax Incentive Adjustments have been made. Many believe that these numbers will show an expected decrease.

“Home sales posted their third largest increase on record for May, due in part to first-time home buyers who timed the open and close of escrow in order to capitalize on both the federal and state tax credits,” said C.A.R. President Steve Goddard. “May also marked the fifth month of double-digit gains in the median price, indicative of strong buyer demand relative to the supply of homes for sale. With a 4.6-month supply of homes for sale, unsold inventory continues to be well below the long-run average of seven months, and will continue to drive price appreciation over the next several months.”

Here are some Quick Facts for Home Sales in the State of California:

• Existing, single-family home sales increased 1.2 percent in May to a seasonally adjusted rate of 552,800 units on an annualized basis compared with May 2009.
• The statewide median price of an existing single-family home increased 23.2 percent in May to $324,430, compared with May 2009.
• C.A.R.’s Unsold Inventory Index remained unchanged at 4.6 months in May.

When looking at Peak Prices vs. Current Prices for May of 2010, here are the stats for our area:

“The number of escrows opened in May fell 16.9 percent compared with April. This was consistent with our expectation that activity may decline once the federal tax credit deadline had passed, “said C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young. “Although there may be a lessening of demand compared with the first half of this year, the number of escrows opened on a year-to-date basis is about the same as last year, and sales for all of 2010 will be on a par or slightly below last year.”

How Long Are Homes on the Market Before they Sell?

The CAR report shows that the average time on the market for the median priced home sits at 4.6 months. However, with homes for sale in Laguna Beach, you have to remember that the median price of a home in this area sits closer to $1 million dollars, so the average time on market is going to be higher than the median for the state.

Unsold inventory*:

 *The Unsold Inventory Index indicates the number of months needed to deplete the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate.

How Do Mortgage Rate Compare to Last Year?

Mortgage rates, as a comparison, during May 2010 averaged 4.89%; compared with 4.86 in May 2009.

Note: Large changes in local median home prices typically indicate both local home price appreciation, and often, large shifts in the composition of housing market activity. Some of the variations in median home prices for the month of May could be exaggerated due to compositional changes in housing demand.

How Do Laguna Beach Homes for Sale Compare with other Cities in the State?

Statewide, the 10 cities with the highest median home prices in California during May 2010 include:

• Manhattan Beach – $1,555,000
• Los Altos – $1,500,000
• Saratoga – $1,435,500
• Palo Alto – $1,293,500
• Palos Verdes Estates – $1,262,500
• Newport Beach – $1,100,000
• Los Gatos – $1,087,500
• Laguna Beach – $960,000
• Mill Valley – $945,500
• Lafayette – $928,500

 Disclaimer

* Based on closed escrow sales of single‑family, detached homes only (no condos).  Movements in sales prices should not be interpreted as measuring changes in the cost of a standard home.  Prices are influenced by changes in cost and changes in the characteristics and size of homes actually sold.

This is what we have been saying for a while. While the majority of homes that sold during previous months may have been priced in the $200-$500K range (just as an example), homes now may be selling in the $500K+ range. The lower price ranges may reflect a 1500 square foot home where now the homes may be 2000+ square foot in size. So to some extent, you are not comparing apples to apples.

 Read the Full Story:

Until Next Time…

We have talked often about getting your financial ducks in order before hitting the pavement to find your Laguna Beach Dream Home for Sale. It’s always nice to look and dream about a life at the beach. But it’s even nicer to make that dream a reality.

I know that it’s hard to look past the forest of economic news that is in front of you and see the opportunities. But the fact remains that we are seeing prices of Laguna Beach Homes for Sale that were last seen in 2002! Plus, the interest rates remain at historically low levels.

Lenders are more cautious with some of their underwriting criteria for various reasons. Don’t let this keep you from doing what you can to position yourself to grab your dream home when the right opportunity and circumstances collide.

One of the entry level thresholds of obtaining a loan has always been your credit score. Understanding what is factored into this score will help you to create habits that will give you the best chance at the highest score available for you. Here are just a few tips:

• Bill payment history accounts for about 35% of your FICO Score. Paying your bills on time each month is important.
• Outstanding debt accounts for about 30% of your FICO Score. This is an interesting mix. The lenders want to see that you have other credit and you know how to use it wisely, but they don’t want you to use too much of it by maxing out your cards. Most experts advise to use less than 30% of the total credit limit. For example, if you have a credit card with a $5000 limit, then keep your balance at or below $1500. Unfortunately, if you have a card that you max out but pay off in full each month, it doesn’t always reflect in your favor on your report, even though paying the balance in full each month is a good practice. If you plan to apply for a loan in the near future, start getting your credit balances down to favorable levels.
• Credit history accounts for about 15% of your FICO Score. So if you are just starting out, you won’t get too many points here. However, it is a small percentage of the total score.
• The remaining 20%…well, that’s still a bit of a mystery!
• Don’t apply for too much credit in a short period of time since it may look as if you are desperate. If you are shopping for a loan, you get a little break since credit pulls from mortgage companies over a period of several days will count as a single credit inquiry.
• If you have been approved for a home loan, don’t make any major purchases, additional credit inquiries, or changes to your credit report. Lenders are pulling credit reports for approved borrowers right before they fund the loan (which could be after you have signed loan documents and think that it’s all over but the singing). Don’t get caught with your household belongings in the moving van and no place to go!

The good news is, wherever you are at right now in terms of your credit score, credit scores are salvageable. With the right information about what will give you the most bang for your buck, and a little determination, you can get your score to a level that the banks will approve.

Take action today with the following steps:

• Get a copy of your credit report. Call your lender and have them pull it for you or get a copy from the credit companies for free.
• Take the time to review the information to make sure that it is accurate.
• Correct any errors by writing to the credit bureaus and notifying them that there is an incorrect item on your report.
• Finally, make a list of steps that you will take to improve your score (i.e.…start paying bills on time, reduce the balances to less than 30% of the limit per company)
• Take action on the steps, little by little, consistently, each week.

Remember…nothing happens until something moves…so, get moving!

See you at the beach!

Until next time…

Included in H.R. 5623, the Home Buyer Assistance and Improvement Act that is headed to President Obama’s desk for signature, is an extension to September 30, 2010 for those transactions to close escrow and qualify for the tax credit. Many buyers were experiencing delays in getting their loans finalized. Part of this was attributed to the increase in the number of loan applications and lenders being short-staffed; while others are entangled in the short sale process which often involvs a little more time than a traditional equity sale. See More….

Other items that the Bill provides include:

• Enhanced information sharing that would prevent prisoners from claiming the Homebuyer tax credit;
• Applying a bad check penalty to electronic checks payable to the IRS;
• Modifying the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 to extend the authority of the Department of Homeland Security to implement fees that they project will reduce the deficit by $95 million over 11 years.

To read the full text of the Bill: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.5623

The situation was frustrating for all parties. Including, it seems, the lender.

Tips that we took away from that experience were to avoid, if possible, removing any contingencies relating to your loan from the purchase contract. For example:

• We know that lenders have ordered second appraisals, even after the first one has been approved. Therefore, try to keep your appraisal contingency on the purchase contract until the loan has funded;
• We know that they could pull a second credit report right before the loan funds; therefore, be certain that there are no changes to your credit. If they do pull a second report, you want the credit profile to look similar. No new accounts, no major increases in your loan or credit card balances, etc. Now, you will probably not be able to avoid removing this one since you do have control over your credit history…just keep it clean!
• We know that they may re-verify your down payment and reserves. Be sure that your paper trail is accurate, and that you keep the documentation proving these assets. Again, keep it clean – you have control over this.

Now, we have some additional information from our associate over at Bank of America. This information is very helpful. It is a lender’s perspective as to why loans seem so hard to get. Read on…

A Lender’s Perspective

Compliments of Kevin Budde, Bank of America

One of the most regular comments we hear from agents and borrowers is that they believe lenders don’t want to make loans. It has become common place for many last minute underwriting conditions to be added to loans. We are even hearing about lenders who have issued written loan approvals only to have the approval pulled back days later. Sometimes, even after the buyer has removed loan contingencies, the approval is rescinded. What is going on and why is it so hard to get loans through the system?

There is a war going on between the U.S. government and the lending industry. Due to the financial collapse of FNMA and FHLMC the government was required to step in and take over these two housing giants. FNMA just required an additional $11.8 billion dollars of new capital to keep them afloat. The U.S. government is trying to stem these losses by making all of the lenders buy back loans that were sold to these two agencies. If government auditors can find any discrepancy in the file they issue a repurchase agreement to the lender who in turn needs to use their capital to buy the loan back. In response to the increased buyback requests from the government lending institutions are pressuring their underwriters to make sure not one piece of documentation is missing from a loan file prior to the closing of the loan. This often results in conditions that don’t make any sense to the borrowers and agents and can cause major upset prior to closing not to mention closing delays.

In 2009 Bank of America was requested to buy back $425 billion of home loans from FNMA and FHLMC. In 2010 the number is supposed to double. In the first quarter of 2010 Wells Fargo set aside $2.6 billion in reserves just to pay the legal bill for fighting the government and their buyback requests. The pendulum has swung from lenders making practically every loan four years ago to the extreme opposite making getting a home loan a very harrowing experience for the buyers, to say the least.

Is there anything you as agents can do to help make the borrower’s experience less daunting? Absolutely there is. Have all of your clients be thoroughly pre-approved prior to putting them in your car. Unfortunately there are many versions of what a pre-approval entails. Every day we cross pre-approve borrowers for REO and short sale properties. We see regularly the poor job and lack of documentation that made up the pre-approval. We ask for supporting documentation from the buyer only to find out they don’t qualify at all. Had we not been asked to step in and cross qualify the client that escrow would have collapsed shortly.

So what can be done to make sure the very best of efforts is being put forth? One, call the lender that issued the pre-approval letter and ask, “Did you collect income and asset documentation and review it with an underwriter to determine the accuracy of the qualification?” Two, allow time for the lender to take these steps in order to better prepare everyone. We are still asked to write pre-approval letters by talking to the client on the phone when the purchase contract is being written as everyone is in a hurry. This process doesn’t cut it in today’s difficult lending environment. Remember, if the borrower did not submit income and asset documentation to the lender for review then the pre-approval letter in your hand isn’t worth the paper it is written on.

Are you one of the many sellers whose home has not yet sold, but you are excited to close escrow on your next purchase?

Sellers in this quandry often face the decision of using their personal savings to meet the minimum required down payment in order to close the new purchase, and then refinancing after their existing home sells in order to replenish their savings and reduce their mortgage payment. The problem with this has been that the cost of refinancing could run into the thousands.

The other option is to wait on the new purchase until their home sells. In this market, that could take a few months depending on several factors. And, for those that are looking at all of the great inventory choices for Laguna Beach Homes for Sale, you may not want to risk missing out on that perfect home that has just hit the market.

Now, according to information from Kevin Budde from Bank of America, there is a third option. 

If you are able to use your savings to close your new purchase now, you could possibly recast that loan once your present home sells. Depending on the amount used, your payment could be lower.

Let’s see how this could work:

If you were purchasing a home at the price of $500,000 and had an amount in savings equal to 10%, or $50,000, you may be able to close your new purchase (depending on lender guidelines, etc.) with a loan of $450,000.

Then, when you sell your existing home, lets say that your proceeds were $100,000. You could use $50,000 of this amount to replenish the money that you used from savings, then apply the additional $50,000 to your mortgage through a recast, reducing that balance to $400,000 and thus reducing your monthly mortgage payment.

This is just another option to consider. If you believe that you could benefit from this, be sure to check with your lender to get all the details in relation to your personal financial scenario.

Here is the full information from Kevin Budde of Bank of America:

Recasting of Amortizing Loans  

A recast is a modification of a loan that can be completed when a large sum of money is applied to principal. A recast occurs when the principal balance of a loan is reduced and the subsequent payments are calculated using the lower principal balance. The recast does not shorten the term of the loan; however, it does lower the amount of the payment and the principal balance of the loan.

As an example, if a buyer who’s existing home hasn’t sold and was using the proceeds for the down payment, may choose to close escrow on his new purchase using funds from savings. Once his home for sale closes he will want to replenish his savings and use the rest of the proceeds to lower the principal balance to the originally planned loan amount. Most borrowers are under the belief they will need to refinance the existing loan and apply the additional proceeds in order to lower the monthly payment. This is where recasting becomes the solution.

If the borrower were to refinance they would incur thousands of dollars of costs. In addition, the interest rates may be higher which would also be a problem. By requesting a recast from the servicer of the loan the borrower is able to lower his monthly payment and not have to be concerned with costs or higher interest rates.

Recasts are permitted on FNMA and FHLMC loans. Recasting is not permitted on FHA or VA loans. Typically, one recast is allowed per year and no minimum principal reduction amount is required.

These are the faces, the names, but certainly not the full story of some of the men who have served our country in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. These are fallen heroes; the men and women that joined the ranks of those that have served our country and died.

I can’t help but wonder…what were their dreams? Did they dream of owning a home in Laguna Beach, did they play along our beaches, did they enjoy the life that they had no matter how brief it was?

We at the Coastal Property Experts have sons who are the same age as many of these young men. So, we know that there are no words that would be adequate for the mothers and fathers of these men and women.

And, of their sacrifice, it seems to be expressed best by Lance Cpl Rick J Centanni, the 19 year old son of a Santa Ana Police Sergeant who was buried on March 24, 2010. The tattoo on his chest read, “For those I love I give my life”. 

So, to those featured below and all the others across our nation that have served and died…we remember, and say Thank You. To their families, we simply say that our heartfelt prayers and wishes go out to you on this Memorial Weekend. A full list can be found here.

Anaheim

Pfc. Raymond L. Henry

Hometown:Anaheim, California, U.S.

Age:21 years old

Died:April 25, 2006 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Incident: Killed when a makeshift bomb exploded near his Humvee during combat operations in Mosul.

No Photo Available

Seaman Pablito Pena Briones Jr.

Hometown:Anaheim, California, U.S.

Age:22 years old

Died:December 28, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Navy

Pfc. Samuel S. Lee

Hometown:Anaheim, California, U.S.

Age:19 years old

Died:March 28, 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Greaves, South Korea

Incident:Killed in a non-combat related incident in Ramadi.

Lance Cpl. Justin J. Swanson

Hometown:Anaheim, California, U.S.

Age:21 years old

Died:November 10, 2009 in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Unit:Marines, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Incident:Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

 Costa Mesa

Cpl. Jose A. Garibay

Hometown:Costa Mesa, California, U.S.

Age:21 years old

Died:March 23, 2003 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Marines, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Incident:Killed during a battle in Nasiriyah. As many as 10 Marines may have been killed by friendly fire.
Cypress

Spec. Edgar P. Daclan Jr.

Hometown:Cypress, California, U.S.

Age:24 years old

Died:September 10, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany

Incident:Killed when a makeshift bomb exploded near his patrol in Balad.

Pfc. Bryce E. Gautier

Hometown:Cypress, California, U.S.

Age:22 years old

Died:April 10, 2009 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Incident: Killed when his military vehicle was struck by a suicide vehicle-borne makeshift bomb in Mosul, Iraq.

Fullerton

Sgt. Shin W. Kim

Hometown:Fullerton, California, U.S.

Age:23 years old

Died:June 28, 2007 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Incident: Killed when their unit was attacked by insurgents using makeshift bombs in Baghdad.

Pvt. Shane M. Stinson

Hometown:Fullerton, California, U.S.

Age:23 years old

Died:June 23, 2007 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

Incident: Killed when their unit was attacked by insurgents using a makeshift bomb and small arms fire in Baghdad.
Garden Grove

Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor

Hometown:Garden Grove, California, U.S.

Age:25 years old

Died:September 29, 2006 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Navy, Navy SEAL, assigned to West-Coast-based command

Incident:Killed while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ramadi.
Huntington Beach

Lance Cpl. Marcus S. Glimpse

Hometown:Huntington Beach, California, U.S.

Age:22 years old

Died:April 12, 2006 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Marines, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Incident:Died as the result of a makeshift bomb explosion while conducting combat operations in Anbar Province.

Cpl. William C. James

Hometown:Huntington Beach, California, U.S.

Age:24 years old

Died:November 9, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Marines, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Incident:Killed during the U.S. assault on Fallujah.
Irvine

2nd Lt. Mark J. Daily

Hometown:Irvine, California, U.S.

Age:23 years old

Died:January 15, 2007 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Tex.

Incident: Killed when a makeshift bomb exploded near his vehicle during combat operations in Mosul.

Maj. Charles R. Soltes Jr.

Hometown:Irvine, California, U.S.

Age:36 years old

Died:October 13, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army Reserves

Lance Cpl. Michael S. Probst

Hometown:Irvine, California, U.S.

Age:26 years old

Died:February 14, 2006 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Marines, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Incident:Killed by a makeshift bomb while conducting combat operations near Abu Ghraib.

Lt. Cmdr. Keith E. Taylor

Hometown:Irvine, California, U.S.

Age:47 years old

Died:January 29, 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Navy Reserves, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command, Iraq Detachment

Incident: Killed during a rocket attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
La Habra

Lance Cpl. Hugo R. Lopez

Hometown:La Habra, California, U.S.

Age:20 years old

Died:January 27, 2006 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Marines
Lake Forest

Spec. Matthew K.S. Swanson

Hometown:Lake Forest, California, U.S.

Age:20 years old

Died:August 8, 2009 in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Unit:Army, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Incident:Died Aug. 8 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over July 19 in Logar province, Afghanistan.
Mission Viejo

Maj. Ricardo A. Crocker

Hometown:Mission Viejo, California, U.S.

Age:39 years old

Died:May 26, 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Marine Reserves, 3rd Civil Affairs Group, Marine Corps Reserve, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Incident:Killed by a rocket propelled grenade while conducting combat operations in Hadithah.

Spec. Quoc Binh Tran

Hometown:Mission Viejo, California, U.S.

Age:26 years old

Died:November 7, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army National Guard, 181st Support Battalion, Army National Guard, San Bernardino, Calif.

Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Santee

Hometown:Mission Viejo, California, U.S.

Age:21 years old

Died:April 14, 2007 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Marines, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Incident:Died from a non-hostile vehicle accident in Anbar Province.

Orange

Staff Sgt. Stephen A. Bertolino

Hometown:Orange, California, U.S.

Age:40 years old

Died:November 29, 2003 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.

Incident:Killed when his convoy was hit by enemy fire in Haditha.

Pfc. Brandon A. Meyer

Hometown:Orange, California, U.S.

Age:20 years old

Died:January 28, 2008 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Incident: Killed when his unit encountered a makeshift bomb during convoy operations in Mosul.

Pfc. Sean Horn

Hometown:Orange, California, U.S.

Age:19 years old

Died:June 19, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Marines, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Spec. Trevor A. Wine

Hometown:Orange, California, U.S.

Age:22 years old

Died:May 1, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, 24th Quartermaster Company, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Incident:Died in Tikrit from injuries sustained on April 30 when his convoy was hit by a makeshift bomb.

Placentia

Pvt. Michael P. Bridges

Hometown:Placentia, California, U.S.

Age:23 years old

Died:November 2, 2006 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Tex.

Incident:Died in Taji, Iraq, from a non-combat related incident.

Pfc. Jang H. Kim

Hometown:Placentia, California, U.S.

Age:20 years old

Died:November 13, 2006 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany

Incident: Killed when a makeshift bomb exploded near his vehicle during combat operations in

Staff Sgt. William M. Harrell

Hometown:Placentia, California, U.S.

Age:30 years old

Died:April 8, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Marines, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Incident:Died during surgery after being shot in the neck in Anbar province.Baghdad.
San Clemente

Lance Cpl. Donald J. Hogan

Hometown:San Clemente, California, U.S.

Age:20 years old

Died:August 26, 2009 in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Unit:Marines, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Incident:Killed while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Sgt. Eliu A. Miersandoval

Hometown:San Clemente, California, U.S.

Age:27 years old

Died:January 31, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, A Company, 4th Forward Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Tex.

Incident:Killed when a makeshift bomb exploded near his convoy on the highway between Kirkuk and Tikrit.
San Juan Capistrano

Lance Cpl. Derek L. Gardner

Hometown:San Juan Capistrano, California, U.S.

Age:20 years old

Died:September 6, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Marines, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Incident:Killed in a car bomb attack near Fallujah.

Spec. Marques I. Knight

Hometown:San Juan Capistrano, California, U.S.

Age:24 years old

Died:September 6, 2008 in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Unit:Army, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Tex.

Incident:Killed in Aliabad, Afghanistan, when he received small arms fire while on dismounted patrol.
Santa Ana

Lance Cpl. Manuel A. Ceniceros

Hometown:Santa Ana, California, U.S.

Age:23 years old

Died:June 26, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1 Headquarters Company, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Lance Cpl. San Sim

Hometown:Santa Ana, California, U.S.

Age:23 years old

Died:October 22, 2008 in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Unit:Marines, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Incident:Died Oct. 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Cpl. Antonio Mendoza

Hometown:Santa Ana, California, U.S.

Age:21 years old

Died:June 3, 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Marines, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Incident:Died at Brook Army Medical Center, San Antonio from injuries sustained on Feb. 22 while fighting enemy forces in Ramadi.

Pfc. Joel K. Brattain

Hometown:Santa Ana, California, U.S.

Age:21 years old

Died:March 13, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, 1st Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Incident: Killed when a makeshift bomb struck their vehicle in Baghdad.
Westminster

Staff Sgt. Victor A. Rosales

Hometown:Westminster, California, U.S.

Age:29 years old

Died:April 13, 2004 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Army, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Vilseck, Germany.

Incident:Killed when a makeshift bomb exploded near his vehicle in Najaf.
Yorba Linda

Staff Sgt. Faoa L. Apineru

Hometown:Yorba Linda, California, U.S.

Age:31 years old

Died:July 2, 2007 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Unit:Marines, Headquarters Company, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve

Incident:Died from wounds sustained while supporting combat operations in Anbar Province, Iraq.

Spec. Jonathan D. Welch

Hometown:Yorba Linda, California, U.S.

Age:19 years old

Died:August 31, 2009 in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Unit:Army, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Incident:Died in Shuyene Sufia, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with a makeshift bomb.

Lance Cpl. Rick J. Centanni

Hometown:Yorba Linda, California, U.S.

Age:19 years old

Died:March 24, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Unit:Marines, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4thMarine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Incident:Killed in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations.