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.

You made that mortgage payment again! Took that hard-earned greenery from your bank account and whisked it to your friendly lending institution. Another mortgage payment for your beautiful Laguna Beach home is successfully in the books! Congratulations! You’ve purchased one more month of home ownership.

Then about a week or so later you get the call. It is from your friendly bank rep. “Where’s our money,” probes Mr. or Ms. Rep, ever so politely. “What are you talking about? I sent it about a week ago.” You tell them where it was sent. “Uh…That’s not our address,” corrects the rep. “It’s not even us.”

“But I got this letter. It told me to forward my mortgage payments to this new company. Said my loan was sold to them.”  Sympathetically, the rep tells you the letter was bogus. The loan was not sold. Realization crashes down on you. Sorry, Charlie. You’re the victim of the latest mortgage scam.

Incredibly, scenarios just like this are taking place not only in Laguna Beach or Orange County, but nationwide. And it is happening more and more often.  Basically, a con artist fires off an ‘official’-looking letter to an unwitting homeowner. The letter instructs the wide-eyed recipient to start sending their mortgage payments to a new company. Supposedly, this second lender has taken over the management of your loan. Just one problem — the new company is 100% fictitious; a fraud.

Borrowers who fall for this scam typically relinquish a few unintended donations before they realize a big clump of wool has been yanked over their eyes. By then, they’re one or more payments in arrears. And the real lender is stepping up the phone calls.

These skillful con artists are banking on a single fact — most borrowers have no idea what to expect when a loan is sold legitimately to another institution. But, of course, you won’t be one of the people in the dark. Why? Because we’re offering you, free of charge – Scam Prevention 101. Pay attention, or pay the price.

Legally, you must receive two letters when there’s a management transfer. The first from the original loan administrator such as Bank of America or Wells Fargo. This tells you about the transfer, as well as where and when to re-direct your mortgage payments. About a week later, you’ll receive a second letter. The sender is none other than the new management company. They’re giving you a big welcome, as well as all the loan details you ever could want to know. They might even generously pack in a few payment coupons and company envelopes, just so you don’t get stuck paying for these items. Remember, one letter doesn’t count. If you don’t get a pair, become Sherlock Holmes and investigate.

Make sure both letters include your loan number. If this crucial info isn’t supplied, or if there’s a mismatch, call your original servicer for an explanation.

Even if everything checks out, contact the original servicer anyway. You just never know.

Congratulations! You’ve passed Scam Protection 101!

But we’re still available for questions, so feel free to reach out to us. After all, we want to make sure you’re good and prepared when you buy your Laguna Beach home. Naturally, we’ll be delighted to help you get started. As experienced professionals well-acquainted with this prime beachfront community, we can answer all of your questions and help you discover the numerous opportunities the Laguna Beach real estate market has to offer.

Until next time, keep it classy, Laguna.

Feel free to contact us at Prudential California Realty 1.949.922.8490 or email: hillary@thecoastalpropertyexperts.com.

Regards,
Hillary Caston & Associates – The Coastal Property Experts

Whether you’re the proud owner of a Laguna Beach home or a very impressed visitor, one thing’s as sure as the sunrise – there’s more to do in this oceanfront paradise than there are minutes in a week.

That’s right. Here in the land of sun and fun, the great outdoors call every day, rain or shine. Do you know how to answer? One great way is to take a seat — a bike seat, to be exact. Laguna Beach is an irresistible Mecca luring hearty mountain bikers with the most tantalizing trails this side of the Grand Canyon. A great locale for unleashing major peddle power is Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. We’re talking 3,900 breathtaking acres of wide open terrain cut by over 30 miles of thrill-a-minute trails. It’s easy. You’ve already got the sitting part down. Now just connect with some peddles.

You say you want to keep both feet on the ground?  No problem. Crystal Cove State Park has been custom-designed with the foot traveler in mind. In this 2,400 acre stretch of unimaginable beauty, you’ll discover a vibrant world crafted by nature for strolls on a peaceful beach or hikes on a rugged trail.

Your horizons get even broader in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Covering nearly 7,000 acres with 40 miles of trails, the park is a mind-boggling spectacle of stunning landscape and fascinating wildlife. But don’t worry. Your hiking expertise won’t be a factor. Whether you’ve never set foot on anything steeper than a sidewalk, or you’d give Lewis and Clark a run for their money, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park has a trail for every kind of adventurer.

When wet and wild is a must, Laguna Beach becomes the perfect ocean playground.  You can begin with the basics – swimming, surfing, boating, etc. Then plunge into skimboarding and paddleboarding, two out-of-the-ordinary sports that locals and visitors can’t seem to resist. Credit Laguna’s steep beaches and onshore breaks for the overwhelming popularity.

If your battery is still charged after hours of ocean escapades, there’s plenty of fun to spike up on a beachside volleyball court. Who knows? You might have what it takes the join the highly accomplished corps of regulars who light up the Main Beach courts with their dazzling play several times a week.

Imagine! You can enjoy all of this and more all year round when you own a Laguna Beach home. And I’ll be delighted to help you get started. 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 Prudential California Realty 949.922.8490 or hillary@thecoastalpropertyexperts.com.

Regards,

Hillary Caston

Once again the ever-vigilant Hillary peered through her high-powered telescope to scan the magnificent array of Orange County homes for sale. And low and behold, I made a discovery that nearly knocked my socks off — three Dana Point 4plex properties ripe for savvy investors. If you’re serious about maximizing your return on Orange County Real Estate investments, you’ll definitely want to take a long, hard look at these three golden nuggets.

$1,175,000   33862 Malaga Dr   Dana Point  Surterre Properties Inc   Victoria Strombom

Beautifully-maintained 4plex is tucked away on a quiet, tree-lined street in the heart of Dana Point.  Offers 2 spacious two-bedroom units, as well as 2 comfortable one-bedroom units.  A stone’s throw away from the sunny splendor of Dana Point Harbor, world-class shopping, and a full-spectrum of transportation choices. All units of this professionally managed property are fully upgraded, tremendously boosting rental potential. Currently, ever one of the charming units is being leased. An amazing investment opportunity in one of Orange County’s premier coastal communities for only $1,175,000.

$ 1,375,000   34142 Ruby Lantern St    Dana Point   Surterre Properties Inc.   Victoria Strombom

Enriched by abundant living space, this professionally-managed 4plex is nestled in a serene North Dana Point community. Extraordinary property is conveniently close to the scenic grandeur of the Headlands, the pristine sands of Monarch Beach, and world-renown Dana Point shopping. Features large units with private garages, individual onsite parking spaces, and onsite laundry services.  The oversized lower one-bedroom units are enhanced by private enclosed rear yards, while upper units offer the comfort of generously large living spaces. Occupants of the upper rear unit gain the added enjoyment of breathtaking ocean views. Outstanding location and income-potential make this 4plex and irresistible jewel at $1,375,000

$1,199,000   24531 La Cresta Dr    Dana Point   First Team Real Estate   Jerry Janeski

Dana Point 4plex is enlivened by 4 beautiful one-bed, one-bath units. All of these exquisite units feature a world of comforts and conveniences, including separate living and dining areas, hardwood floors, and a personal one-car garage. The lower units are enhanced by a private yard, while spectacular ocean views bring a splash of seacoast splendor to the top units. A seashell’s toss from bustling Dana Point Harbor, Doheny and Salt Creek beaches, and both the Ritz Carlton and St. Regis luxury resorts.  An ambience of luxurious comfort give this property a distinct rental advantage over comparable 2 & 3 bed units. This 4plex may qualify for the California Mills Act, which provides owners with an approximate 50% reduction in property taxes. A Dana Point treasure for an incredible $1,199,000

If you’d like to learn more about these or any other Dana Point property for sale, I’ll be delighted to help. 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 Orange County Real Estate market has to offer.

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

Regards,

Hillary Caston

I can see your eyes narrowing skeptically, especially if you’re clued into the recent stats. Can’t say I blame you. The picture isn’t exactly rosy. Demand for Orange County housing dropped a full 6% in the last few weeks of February. But there’s no reason to sound the alarm. Demand isn’t weak. It’s just that the creators of our calendar system clipped a few days off of the end of February. So what you have is an abbreviated month. And fewer days equal fewer sales for the month. It’s a mathematical certainty. In numerical terms, pending sales during February fell by 166 homes in Orange County. Right now the total stands at 2,757.

Now let’s look at the picture through a high definition lens. As ‘011 got underway, the number of pending sales in Orange County was a meager 1,856.  But as mentioned above, the number now stands at 2757. So demand for homes in Orange County actually has jumped by 49% since the beginning of the year!

And remember, spring doesn’t officially begin until March 20^th.  According to the historical chart of pending sales, that’s the season when buyer activity surges. The reason? Homebuyers want to do their moving during the summer, before the kids fly back to school.  So the optimum time to secure a contract for an Orange County home is spring.

Surprisingly, a good many people believe that summer is the high demand month. But these misguided folks are forgetting one very important fact of Real Estate life — it takes anywhere from 30-90 days to close a sale after a contract is signed. Therefore, most of those closed summer sales very likely had their origins in springtime demand.

Still, summer does have its sunny side when it comes to demand. In fact, it’s the second best demand period, right behind spring. Once the kids have poured back into the hallowed halls of education, however, the Real Estate market enters the traditional autumn slowdown period. Demand then eases to a sluggish ‘holiday market’ crawl between Halloween and the first few weeks of the year, traditionally the weakest months.

Fortunately, those months are behind us, and we can look ahead with renewed optimism as the busy season kicks off. This means it’s the ideal time to get your Laguna Beach home out there on the marketplace. And if you’re a buyer, you can count on an excellent selection of Laguna Beach properties to choose from.

And here’s one more reason it’s a great time to buy an Orange County Home –

The recent earthquake in Japan has rattled the financial sector, triggering a drop in interest rates. Case in point – the 30 yr. fixed rate mortgage dropped from 4.10% on March 14 to 4.08% on March 15 – a change of  – 0.02.  An FHA 30 yr. fixed went from 4.71% to 4.68% in the same time period, for a net change of – 0.03.

I’ll be delighted to help you navigate the exciting marketplace of Orange County homes for sale. 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 Orange County Real Estate market has to offer.

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

Regards,

Hillary Caston

Things are happening in the Laguna Beach Real Estate market. BIG THINGS. Need proof? Just check out these spectacular Laguna Beach homes for sale. All have sold in the last thirty days…all for under a cool million in U.S. greenbacks. Can you say ‘big bargain’?

List: $797,500   Sold: $797,500

675 Bluebird Canyon Dr   Laguna Beach   Keller Williams Realty   Kim Scott

Built in 1924, this historic Laguna Beach home is nestled on a 6000 sq. ft. lot and boasts 3 spacious bedrooms, 1 3/4 baths, and an oversized single-car garage. Thrill to inspiring ocean and Catalina views from nearly every room of this luxurious hideaway.  Features living room with cozy fireplace, upgraded roofs on home and garage, renovated bathrooms, new tile, upgraded carpeting, and fresh paint both inside and out. A breezy stroll from the sun-splashed fun of Laguna Beach. Has received prestigious ‘K’ rating by the city Historic Register, indicating the residence has significant architectural, historical, and/or aesthetic value.

List: $875,000   Sold: $875,000

28802 Alta Laguna Blvd    Laguna Beach   Caldwell Banker Michael Lambert

Delight in seacoast luxury at its finest. Spectacular coastal getaway is highlighted by a luxurious ground floor master bedroom, opulent master suite, spacious sitting room, and kitchen graced by beautiful ceramic counters.  The seaside experience is enlivened by stunning views from the comfort of a private deck.

List: $1,199,900    Sold: $872,000   Sold/List: 73%

1222 Anacapa Way    Laguna Beach Associated Realtors    James Brophy

Single story street-to-street lot offers sweeping views of the shimmering blue Pacific. Among the many conveniences of this Laguna Beach home is a spacious storage area downstairs.

List: $795,000   Sold: $780,000    Sold/List 98%

1071 Katella Street Laguna Beach   HOM Real Estate Group Michael Johnson

Experience stunning coastline and Catalina Island views from both levels of this gorgeous Laguna Beach home. The exclusive 3 bed/2 bath seaside sanctuary is enlivened by new wood floors, carpet, and fresh paint. Only the second time this coastal treasure has been on the market.

Yeah, the Laguna Beach Real Estate market is on the move. And to show you how far things are going, I’ll be highlighting homes that sold for 2 million and under next week. Then for $3-5 million the week after. Stay tuned.

If you’d like to learn more about these or any other Laguna Beach home, I’ll be delighted to help. 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 Prudential California Realty 949.922.8490 or hillary@thecoastalpropertyexperts.com.

Regards,

Hillary Caston

Sell a Laguna Hills condo that had belonged to my friend’s sister, who recently passed away. I was doing this for my friend – and his sister.

2.     The Preparation

I psyched myself up for the challenge, contacted my partner and friend Melissa Spangler of Spangler Design, and dove into preliminary plans to turn that charming condo into an eye-popping masterpiece.

3.     The Encounter

Melissa and I arrived at the Laguna Hills condo and launched ourselves into home-staging hyper-drive. After four hours of heavy-duty pushing, lifting, wiping, and re-arranging, the charming condo blossomed into an irresistible showplace that screamed ‘take me I’m yours!’

4.     The Final Triumph

We slapped a very aggressive price tag on our masterpiece to give it a ‘very best for very least’ appeal. Buyers swarmed in, and in approximately 21 hours this Laguna Hills condo sold for in excess of 15% over asking price — all cash!

Feel all the love — read the full story here.

Why not let me do the same for your Orange County home?

I’ll be more than delighted to help you navigate the exciting marketplace of Orange County homes for sale. 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 Orange County Real Estate market has to offer.

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

Regards,

Hillary Caston

My mission was clear. Sell the home as quickly and painlessly as possible. No, I wasn’t looking to score a mountain of greenbacks in record time. The client was a good friend and prominent scriptwriter named Andrew. His sister had recently passed away, leaving behind her Laguna Hills condo. Andrew entrusted me with selling this beautiful residence to a deserving buyer. I was doing this for Andrew – and his sister.

The Preparation

I immediately psyched myself up for the challenge. Had to get myself in the right head space. You see, it doesn’t really matter if I’m selling a home that will fetch $100k or 5 million in cool green cash. I treat it all the same – with plenty of TLC ala Hillary.

The game was on. I contacted my partner and friend Melissa Spangler of Spangler Design. What I offer in Real Estate expertise, she matches with a mind-boggling magical touch for home staging…that is, making a home look in the time-honored words of Willie Wonka – ‘scrumpdiddlyumptious’. Yeah, we want those buyers jumping up and down shouting WOW! And believe me, they usually do.

The Encounter

The next morning, Melissa and I arrived at the Laguna Hills condo primed for action. Looking skyward, I bid hello to Andrew’s sister and promised to bring in an amazing price for her home. It was the least I could do.

I gave Melissa my patented ‘time to kick butt’ look. I could almost hear a starting gun. In an instant my teammate and I propelled ourselves into home-staging hyper-drive. We would have left the Tasmanian Devil in the dust. Fueled by sheer willpower and ample Starbucks specials, we moved the home’s entire furniture collection from one side to the other, opening up a beautiful garden space lanai. Then we got serious. Twin beds were combined into a King size to help create a stunning master bedroom. Tables were moved into a closet, opening up more room space. Simple towels were transformed into artistic arrangements worthy of the Louvre. Carpet spots were lifted clean out with a secret potion called Windex. Dozing kitchen plants were awakened with water. In a few hours, it was a new place.

But we couldn’t rest on our laurels. The clock was ticking. And one challenge remained. We hit the backyard with full force, hosing down every last centimeter of patio furniture until it gleamed like a Laguna Beach sunrise and warmly invited — “Welcome. We hope you enjoy your candlelight dinner for two.”

Melissa and I sprinkled a few finishing touches around, then stepped back to admire what we had  begun only four hours before. Oh, yeah! It definitely had the five star look. We’re talking the cover girl of condos. And it was batting its eyelashes at buyers, cooing, “buy me, baby!”

The Final Triumph

Alright. We had our showplace. Only thing missing was a buyer. We had to price aggressively. It’s all part of the success formula – the very best for the very least. Luckily, Andrew was very understanding. Gave us carte blanche with the sales price. OK, all systems go. We gave this Laguna Hills condo a number and inputted the listing on last Monday evening at 6:30 pm. On Tue afternoon at precisely 3:30 pm the home sold – for in excess of 15% over asking price, all cash! Escrow was to close in 15 days. Time on Market: 21 hours. Andrew, Melissa, and I were ecstatic. And I knew Andrew’s sister was, too.

I shared this feat with an agent friend, who reminded me that this was by no means Hillary’s record-breaker. Once upon a time I had sold one of her listings in a snappy 4 hours — for a cool $1.9 million. But that’s another story. Have you had enough excitement? Or do you pine to hear about this adventure?  Well, do you…?

Or Better Yet, Embark on Your Own Real Estate Adventure

I’ll be delighted to help you navigate the exciting marketplace of Orange County homes for sale. 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 Orange County Real Estate market has to offer.

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

Regards,

Hillary Caston

What if you could live in the exclusive community of Laguna Niguel for a song? Guess what? You can! These personally selected Laguna Niguel homes for sale are proof positive that major bargains are to be had in the Orange County Real Estate market. Every one of these is an absolute gem, and incredibly — every one can be yours for under $299,000. Who says luxury living can’t be astoundingly affordable?

$289,000  135 Dover Pl 135   Laguna Niguel   California Home Realty   Rosa Harding

Nestled in the serenity of Beacon Hill, this gorgeous Laguna Niguel condo is just minutes from Orange County’s world-class shopping and the sun-splashed excitement of California’s Gold Coast beaches. The beautiful layout of this cozy hideaway is highlighted by comfortably spacious bedrooms, all located upstairs. Direct access to garage offering convenient washer/dryer hookups. The luxurious Laguna Niguel lifestyle for only $289,000.

$245,900   23821 Hillhurst 16   Laguna Niguel     Cornerstone Properties   Craig Henrichsen

Immerse yourself in the scenic splendor of Laguna Niguel. Offering breathtaking valley views, this newly remodeled two-story condo comes to life with luxurious upgraded cabinets, recently-added granite in both kitchen and bath, a full selection of new stainless steel appliances, fresh paint, plush carpeting, and much more. Move-in ready. This premier Laguna Niguel property is on the market for only $245,900.

$224,900   23821 Hillhurst Dr 3    Laguna Niguel    RE/MAX Select One   Arne DeWitt

Tucked away in one of Laguna Niguel’s most picturesque communities, this completely  remodeled condo offers a full range of attractive upgrades. Highlighting this beautiful home’s lively interplay of features is a custom kitchen graced by new cabinets and granite counters. A wealth of Laguna Niguel luxury for only $224,900.

If you’d like to learn more about these or any other Laguna Niguel homes for sale, I’ll be delighted to help. 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 Niguel Real Estate market has to offer.

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

Regards,

Hillary Caston

What Every Home Buyer Wants to Know and Is Not Afraid to Ask

1. How much did the owner pay for the Laguna Beach home? Have to start somewhere. So unless a homebuyer glimpses a black, oily substance seeping up from the front yard, this is the logical place to begin the evaluation process.

2. What year was the Laguna Beach property purchased? If between 2005-2010, potential buyers are looking to pay earlier prices. If you bought between those key years, expect one of two possibilities, depending on which of the following two places you call home:

a)      Real World – An offer that’s far less than the amount you bought the house for.

b)      Fantasy Land – Soaring profit.

3. How long has the Laguna Beach home been on the market? If it’s been on the shelf longer than three months, buyers want to see some major price reductions along the way. Reductions equal motivated seller, which equals even further reductions. Like it or not, sellers have to trot out onto the diamond and play ball.

4. How much is owed on the Laguna Beach property? This bit of intel is visible on title – all public, much like the personal information you’ve provided to Facebook.

5. Has the Laguna Beach home been in and possibly out of Escrow? All easily revealed courtesy of your local MLS service. Nothing is secret.

Bottom line is this: Buyers wading through all the Laguna Beach homes for sale want the deal of the century. And that means prices are rolling back, back, back to earlier levels. Now here’s the good news. If you’re a seller, all is not lost. Remember, if you’re looking for a new place, you’re also a buyer. And in this marketplace, you’ll be saving tons on the buy side. It all evens out.

Believe me, people. The home-buying cash is out there. Mountains of it. Much of it is in the hands of investors looking to flip, or second time buyers seeking the ultimate dream home. Another large group of sellers is downsizing because their college-bound kids have flown the coup. These hearty home hunters are migrating to Laguna Beach from places like Tustin, Irvine, and Orange. Many are even coming from slightly further places such as Mexico, Canada, and the U.K. Who can blame them? The Euro and Canadian Dollar are both pummeling the U.S. greenback.

The time is now. And I’ll be delighted to help you navigate the marketplace of Laguna Beach homes for sale. 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