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Newport Beach Real Estate
Archive for the 'General Information' Category
February 27th, 2010
Tsunami Advisory in Newport Beach – February 27, 2010
Tsunami Advisory in Newport Beach – February 27, 2010
As a result of an 8.8 magnitude earthquake which shook the sea floor off Chile, Tsunami warnings were issued throughout the Pacific including the Hawaiian Islands, the entire West Coast. The city of Newport Beach were ordering people off the beach, and were preparing for the possibility of a tidal surge surge in the Newport Beach area. I received a telephone call from the City of Newport Beach Police Department stating that there had been an earthquake, and there was atsunami advisory , and it warned residents to stay off the beaches in the event of a tidal surge. They were not ordering evacuation.
At the Newport Beach Pier, Lifeguards had prepared by parking all of their units on the pier – I have never seen that before.
There was also one Newport Beach Lifeguard unit on the beach which was warning visitors to leave the beach.
The tide was out in Newport Beach, and the water had a discoloration to it, however they may have been as a result of the rain storm that we experienced today.
At about 12:30 pm, small tsunami waves did hit the Newport Beach area, and then lifeguards closed the beach as they were expecting a 6-8′ tidal surge. The concerns were also from the strong currents in the ocean.
The tsunami advisory was a result of the earthquake off Chile, and this earthquake was the fifth largest earthquake since 1900.
Make sure you listen to the Newport Beach lifeguards, and keep off the beaches
February 26th, 2010
Spring is Coming in Newport Beach
Spring is Coming in Newport Beach
I was out previewing homes in Newport Beach last week in Dover Shores in Newport Beach, and there was a garden out in front of a home that was just beautiful. I thought the flowers were so incredibly beautiful, that I wanted to share them. Despite all the weather that we have had here in the Newport Beach area, and across the country, I thought I would share some beautiful spring time flowers. And I know we are looking at some more rain this weekend, and the east Coast is getting pounded with snow!
The photo below is my favorite, there is so much detail on this flower. It is nature’s perfection.
If I can answer any questions about the Newport Beach area, please contact me.
Phone or Text: 949.280.0681
Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com
February 17th, 2010
Here Today – Gone Tomorrow!
Here Today – Gone Tomorrow!
Are you considering building a new home in Newport Beach? The property at 801 West Bay in Newport Beach was demolished this morning in preparation for building a new home which will have a view of Newport Harbor.
The demolition was completed this morning by Tight Quarters in Santa Ana - and I must say it really is an appropriate name for the company. The fact that the houses have a three foot set back on this area of the Balboa Peninsula, and the operator of the back-hoe was very skilled how he took the home down. The staff from Tight Quarters sprayed water on the site to minimize the dust from the demolition.
You can see the progress as the home was taken down. They were extremely cautious of the surrounding structures and homes.
The new home at 801 West Bay in Newport Beach was designed by R.A. Jeheber in Newport Beach and this property will have a bay view of Newport Harbor. Located across from the Newport Harbor Yacht Club, this home is in a very desirable location in Newport Beach, one block to the beach, across from the bay.
The owners of the property worked with R.A. Jeheber to design their home, and obtain all necessary permits.
After the demolition of the building, the company will also take out the existing slab, and then complete a site clean up in preparation for building the Newport Beach home.
I was amazed how fast the building came down. I am looking forward to the progress of the new home being built.
If you are considering building a home, I can put you in contact with the right resources – please contact me. If you need any assistance with finding a property for sale in Newport Beach, please contact me.
Phone or Text: 949.280.0681
Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com
February 1st, 2010
Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Try-Outs
Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Try-Outs
Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard try-outs begin this weekend on February 7, 2010 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
The Newport Beach Junior Lifeguards try outs will be conducted on at Newport Harbor High School, Newport Beach, California.
If you have a child who is going to try out for the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguards, then hopefully they have been conditioning for the test. There are several pools to practice at, and the pools are heated in preparation for the Junior Lifeguard try-outs. The children can practice at Newport Shores Community pool in Newport Beach, Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, Newport Harbor High Pool in Newport Beach or the pool at Corona del Mar High School.. There are several dates throughout the month of February, they are located at the Newport Harbor High School Pool in Newport Beach, California, and these dates can be found below.
For the swim try outs, a child must be 9 years old by June 28, 2010 (per the Newport Beach Lifeguards). And you must bring valid identification (for example a birth certificate or passport). Also, you must provide valid proof of Newport Beach residency (for example – car registration, driver’s license, utility bill, or car registration). You need to provide three different items for proof of residency.
Each group is categorized A, B, C, D by their age. The swim consists of two complete laps (four lengths in a pool) and they must be completed in the following times. The following are the required swim times for each age group:
”A” (14-15 year olds): 1:35 (one minute, 35 seconds)
“B” (12-13 year olds): 1:40 (one minute, 40 seconds)
“C” (10-11 year olds): 1:45 (one minute, 45 seconds)
“D” ( 9 year olds): 1:55 (one minute, 55 seconds)
There are conditioning programs as well. For more information, please feel free to contact me directly. This is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn ocean and beach safety, and summer will come very quickly here in Newport Beach. Just so you know, Huntington Beach has both State and City Junior Lifeguard programs, and I will be posting about those try-outs as well.
Lastly, there is limited enrollment of 1250 Junior Lifeguards, and registration is on a first come, first serve basis.
The times for the swim test are below, and are held at the Newport Harbor High School Pool (rain or shine)!!
Sunday, February 7th – 9:00am – 12:00pm
Sunday, February 14th – 9:00am – 12:00pm
Tuesday, February 16th – 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Sunday, February 21st – 9:00am – 12:00pm
Tuesday, February 23rd – 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Sunday, February 28th – 9:00am – 12:00pm
Both of my daughters participated in this program, and I cannot give it enough accolades. The children get in great physical shape, and at the same time learn about ocean and beach safety, and make great friends a long the way. My older daughter Heather is now a Huntington State Beach Lifeguard, and has had some wonderful experiences as a result of this program and competes in national Lifeguard events.
If I can answer any questions about the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard program, please contact me.
Phone or Text: 949-280-0681
Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com
February 1st, 2010
Are You Preparing Your Home to Sell?
Are You Preparing Your Home to Sell?
Guidelines for Home Improvements
When you are considering listing your home for sale, there is much to be considered to make your home as attractive as possible. This is a common question that I receive from home sellers who are considering selling their home.
The answer and consideration is – any improvements that increase the home’s attractiveness and overall size to the general buying public will increase its value. The following is a list which includes some guidelines to consider when preparing your home to sell:
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Select a neutral color, paint on the inside and out.
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Have trim painted for a fresh look.
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Make sure that carpet and flooring are clean.
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If you are replacing carpet, use a neutral color carpet to appeal to the general buying public.
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Consider light window treatments.
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Use mirrored wardrobe doors on closets to enhance space.
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Organize cupboards, closets, drawers, and laundry room and maintain the organization.
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Add healthy house plants in strategic locations to create a warm feel.
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Add colorful plants to exterior of home, and spruce up exterior landscaping· Utilize seasonal flowers to keep landscaping up to date.
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Trim trees if needed (check with Arborist to be sure it is the correct time of year to trim trees or bushes)· Keep windows and screens clean inside and out.
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Replace screens if needed – and be sure to keep screens clean as well for optimum view
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Keep all mirrors clean throughout home· Make sure glass shower doors are clean and without hard water spots.
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Add decorator mirrors in strategic locations to enhance openness of home
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Keep fireplace clean if wood burning, and add unburned wood.
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De-clutter every room to ensure home looks more spacious. This is probably one of the most important considerations when preparing a home for sale.
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Put away personal photos so prospects don’t get distracted.
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Keep your home neat and orderly at all times.
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Make sure your home smells fresh and clean and does not have any odors. If there are are odors, that may offend a potential buyer.
Keep in mind, that the majority of buyers cannot really visualize what “it will look like”.
If I can answer any questions about preparing your home to sell, offer recommendations for home improvement, or answer any questions about real estate in the Newport Beach area, please contact me.
Phone or Text: 949.280.0681
Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com
December 23rd, 2009
Cucina Alessa in Newport Beach
Cucina Alessa in Newport Beach
Cucina Alessá is an Italian Restaurant that has located in the Newport Shores area of Newport Beach. It is located at 6700 Coast Highway in Newport Beach, this restaurant features a fabulous menu with a spectacular selection of Italian food.
The owner and Chef Alessandro Pirozzi greets his customers and creates a warm and inviting environment. I have had the Pollo Marsala and it is amazing. The Julius Caesar salad is also a favorite with excellent flavors. The Dover Sole is a special and it is my all time favorite! Excellent fish served with spinach, the flavors are amazing.
Cucina Alessa in Newport Beach is a great environment, fantastic chef, and wonderful service. There is an outdoor area to enjoy the great food, and the fabulous weather.
For more information, please view Cucina Alessá website. Cucina Alessá is located right in the Newport Shores area on Coast Highway.
Newport Shores is located in Newport Beach and it is walking distance to one of the finest beaches in Newport. Newport Shores is a community of approximately 440 homes, and is a great community with a home owner’s association and it includes a clubhouse, heated pool, tennis and volley ball court. The residents of Newport Shores walk to the restaurant as well as many of the residents who reside along Seashore in West Newport. also, Cucina Alessa has opened a newer location in Huntington Beach.
So if you are looking for an authentic Italian meal with spectacular service, I highly recommend this restaurant. Also, consider trying Cucina Alessa in Newport Beach for breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays. Excellent breakfast with an Italian flair, and a delicious latte to accompany your meal.
Cucina Alessa in Newport Beach is located at:
6700 Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA
949.645.2148
cucinalessa.com
Look forward to seeing you at one of my favorite restaurants right here in Newport Shores – Cucina Alessa. If I can answer any questions, please contact me.
Phone or Text: 949-280-0681
Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com
November 30th, 2009
What is the Value of Your Newport Beach Home?
What is the Value of Your Newport Beach Home?
If you are considering selling your home in Newport Beach, it is important to establish value of your property. There are several ways in which to determine value of your home.
1. Comparative Market Analysis
One of the most important starting points is to talk to a professional Realtor. A Realtor will look at recent sales in the area with homes that are comparable to your home. A Realtor will consider location, condition, size of home, and will do a CMA and present it to you as the seller. A CMA is a comparative market analysis of similar properties that are active or currently on the market, pending/back up properties - properties which are pending close of escrow, and recent closed or sold properties. With regards to sold properties, an important consideration is how recently they sold. A property has to appraise per the Residential Purchase Agreement, and an appraiser is not going to go back a year for comparables. Typically, when a Realtor does a CMA for a seller, they will go back 4-6 months when reviewing sales.
2. Appraisals
Another manner in which to determine value of your Newport Beach home for sale is to have the property appraised by an independent appraiser. There is a fee for this to the Seller to have the property appraised, however this is a valid consideration if the Seller wants additional validation of the value of the home. An appraisal will cost the seller approximately $350.00.
As I stated earlier, the property has to appraise for the sales price. There is an appraisal contingency in the Residential Purchase Agreement which stipulates the property has to appraise for the sales price in order for a loan to be secured on the property.
Internet Estimates
There are many internet sites that a consumer can visit in order to establish value of their home. A consideration with utilizing these sites is that they may not be very accurate. Some of these sites such as Zillow will attempt to offer some type of comparables, however they may not be very accurate with the price of your home. I would recommend consulting a professional Realtor who works in the area to do a Comparative Market Analysis. This is a service that I offer at no charge to my clients. Please contact me if you are considering the value of your home.
4. Market Value
Your home is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for it, and what you are willing to accept for it at a particular time. The market is the market, and if a home is over priced it will sit on the market. If it has been under priced, then you are risking not realizing the actual dollar amount the property is worth.
You don’t want to chase the market!!
Chasing the market down is an extremely important consideration. Pricing your home high or to “test” the market just to see if you get that amount is not a good idea. When a home is over priced, it will sit on the market accumulating days on market. And if there is a price reduction, however still slightly above the market, you can end up chasing the market down.
When a property sits on the market for too long, the assumption is – what is wrong with it? Why hasn’t it sold? Pricing a house too high handicaps it right from the beginning.
If I can answer any questions about determining the value of your Newport Beach home, please contact me.
Phone or Text: 949.280.0681
Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com
November 28th, 2009
Holiday Shopping at Fashion Island in Newport Beach
Shopping at Fashion Island in Newport Beach
If you are looking for a kick off to your holiday shopping, why not consider visiting Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Fashion Island is a outdoor shopping area located in Newport Beach. With panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, visiting Fashion Island is always a pleasure. There are many upscale shops, fine dining and dining with a more casual flair. There is something for everyone in Fashion Island.
Fashion Island in Newport Beach recently had their Annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on November 20th and 21st, 2009. This is an event where the tree is officially lit, combined with entertainment. Due to recent improvements in the Bloomingdale’s courtyard, the Fashion Island Christmas Tree is now located at Atrium Court by Santa’s House.
Fashion Island is also home to a carousel so the families can bring their children to enjoy the outdoor atmosphere. However, there is speculation that this carousel will be taken down. I am hoping they keep the carousel because to me it is part of the history. I will keep you updated on that topic.
Fashion Island also has a beautiful Koi pond that has tables around it to sit and enjoy the beautiful Koi which reside in the pond.
Fashion Island has upscale stores including Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, and a Nordstrom is under construction set to open in 2010. There is also a Macy’s which is one of the larger stores. There are many boutiques including Z Gallerie, BeBe, BCBG, and Fashion Island in Newport is now home to a True Religion which just opened last summer. There is also a 7 for All Mankind store which just opened on November 25, 2009. And of course there is a very popular Mac Store which is a personal favorite of mine to visit and check out the latest and greatest.
Fashion Island is hosting an event coming up on December 4-5,2009 which is the Beckstrand Cancer Foundation Holiday Gift Drive. The event will be from 11 am to 4 pm, and if you bring a new, unwrapped item, you will receive an offer from a Fashion Island merchant. The Beckstrand Cancer Foundation Gift Drive benefits children aged new born to 19 years old.
I hope to see you at Fashion Island, and enjoying the Holiday season.
November 27th, 2009
Are You Guilty of Chasing the Market Down . . .
Are you Guilty of Chasing the Market Down . . .
When a seller is considering listing their home for sale, of course the seller wants to net the largest amount of money for the property. There are some considerations however, and one is that the home is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for it at that specific time.
There are many considerations in what affects the value of a property. The value of a property will increase and decrease along with the overall economic and market conditions. Those are factors which cannot be influenced. Recently, the value of homes all over the country have been influenced by the economy, mortgage rates, foreclosures, short sales and overall general apprehension about purchasing a home in these conditions. Another consideration is the general condition of the property.
The v alue of a home only matters when you want to sell it or borrow against the home. The value of your property is worth exactly what a buyer is willing to pay and what you are willing to accept at the time you sell it.
It is imperative to price it competitively right when it is initially listed. If your home is priced too high because you are convinced that you can achieve more money . . . your home is different, your home has been upgraded or improved upon. The reality is – homes are worth so much per square foot, and this number can be determined by consulting your Realtor. The Realtor will do a comparative market analysis to determine price per square foot of actives, pendings and recent solds. If the price per square foot is not a number that you can live with, and you can afford to stay where you are, then don’t sell. You may want to wait until the market yields you a number that you feel is more competitive and worthwhile. However, if you have to sell, then pricing it too high may end up costing you more money in the long run as you wait for your home to sell.
If your home is priced too high to start, there may be showings initially, however, as the showings start to slow down, and then you may consult your Realtor to determine the status of your listing. Then, after the home has been listed for sale, consider if other similar or like properties are listed in the same neighborhood for less money, and then they sell! Imagine how this will affect your listing. This may cause the listing to become stale.
Also, if the home is priced too high, you may receive “low ball” offers. Low offers may be considered to be offensive, and do not necessarily need to be responded to, however, if the offer is within the realistic value of the home, then this offer should be considered. These offers are probably sending you a message that your property is not priced competitively. If you decide to lower the price, but not enough to be in sync with the market, then you may end up chasing the market down. No seller should be in that situation. As the home prices decrease, then they lower the price – but not quite enough to be in alignment with the “market”.
Consider at your Comparative Market Analysis and definitely consider your competition. These comparables should be considered carefully. Review at the listing price per square foot, and the sales price per square foot to ensure that you are in the game (make sure you are looking at recent solds). If you need to adjust your price, then do so, but be realistic. Consult with your Realtor on a weekly basis to ensure that you are on track to achieve your goal of selling your home. Don’t be guilty of chasing the market down . . .
If you are considering placing your Newport Beach home on the market, and would like a market assessment, please consult with me for more information about your Newport Beach property.
For information about Newport Beach luxury homes, Newport Beach Real Estate, please contact me.
Phone or Text: 949.280.0681
Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com
November 14th, 2009
What Criteria is Important in Selecting a Realtor
What Criteria is Important in Selecting a Realtor
When you are considering hiring a Real Estate agent, what criteria do you consider when you are selecting that Real Estate Agent. Do you talk to friends and family about who they used? A referral is always a good way to find a Realtor. Are you looking for a neighborhood specialist? Are you considering hiring a relative out of obligation . . . Keep in mind, it is a business transaction from start to finish. Although it can be emotional when purchasing or selling a home, an experienced Real Estate agent can guide you through the process.
Make sure you do your research. Talk to your friends and family for a good referral. Inquire about the experience. When you called to speak to the Realtor you are considering, did they return your phone calls in a timely manner? Inquire about how they will communicate their marketing activities to you if you are selling. Real Estate transactions are a two way process. It is important for the Real Estate agent to adapt to their client’s expectations . . . some may prefer to receive communication via text, email, or weekly phone calls. These are all important considerations. Try and lay the ground work up in front to avoid any misunderstandings once you are working together.
If you are purchasing a home, has the Realtor explained the process in detail? Did they have you meet with a lender first? I would recommend having the purchase agreement and associated documents explained to ensure that the process is completely understood.
If you are looking for a “neighborhood” Realtor, consider using Google as a way to find out who is the one who has the most exposure in the area. Look at the neighborhood you are considering and Google that neighborhood. See who comes up and look at their websites and blog sites.
If you are selling, and you have selected a few to consider, set up interviews and look at their preparedness. Do they have the information that will help you make an informed decision about pricing? Is the collateral material professional? What does their marketing material look like?
These are just a few considerations when you are selecting a Realtor.
If I can answer any questions about selecting a Realtor, or the process or either purchasing or selling a home, please contact me.
Phone or Text: 949-280-0681
Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com
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