Newport Beach Real Estate Cafe » General Information

Wayward Dolphin in Bolsa Chica Wetlands

Sharon Paxson — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:49:34 +0000

On Friday, a confused dolphin swam into the shallow waters of Bolsa Chica Wetlands. The Dolphin has been there since. Fish and Game went out to make sure it was not in distress along with two California State Lifeguards who were in the water with it, trying to encourage it to swim out of the wetlands. The photo below is of my daughter who was is a California State Lifeguard.

Photograph courtesy of Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times / April 27, 2012

For more information about that, please view this article and photos, the Californa State Lifeguards attempting to help this Dolphin..

Apparently on Saturday, the dolphin swam into Huntington Harbor in Huntington Beach only to somehow get spooked and then it swam back into the wetlands. In the wetlands, it is shallow, and of course the tide goes up and down.

Hope this Dolphin will swim out and find it’s pod to move on. It is beautiful to see, but at the same time, everyone is wishing that the Dolphin makes it back to safety with it’s pod.

Sharon Paxson

I write about my passion of living the SoCal lifestyle in beautiful Newport Beach. I like to write about the local events, beaches, restaurants, and real estate updates in the area. Call or text me - 949.280.0681

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Preparing Your Newport Beach Home for Summer!

Sharon Paxson — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:47:34 +0000

Preparing your Newport Beach home for summer activities. School is winding down. Some of the local Orange County Colleges have their graduations next month including Chapman University in Orange whose graduation is on May 19th, 2012.

The local Newport Beach schools get out in June. Summer is quickly coming upon us and here are a few suggestions if you are getting your home, and yard ready for summer activities!

Plant annual color in your flower beds in the next couple of weeks so that the flowers will be in full bloom within a few weeks. If you do not have a lot of space to plant flowers, then container gardening may be the way to go. Additionally, the flowers create a great first impression.
Fertilize your lawn, and re-seed if necessary.
Add plants in flower beds as well. Remove all weeds.
Clean out any water features you have on property so that everything is in working order. Replace filters if necessary.
Clean your windows. The rain is (almost) past, and this is another good time to have your windows and screens cleaned. Keep in the mind it is a good opportunity to have the salt air cleaned off your windows and screens. This helps reduce corrosion from the salt air.
How is your patio furniture? The climate is wonderful at the beach, however the salt air can cause corrosion to patio furniture and outdoor barbecues. If your patio furniture is in need of painting, there are many local vendors who can powder coat. Additionally, you may want to replace cushions on your patio furniture.
Do you have bird feeders? Then you can fill them up with seed to enjoy the birds!
Does your home need exterior maintenance? This is something else you may want to consider to get your home in tip top condition. Touch up exterior paint and/or stucco if needed.
Do you have any leaky faucets? Now would be a good time to address that!
Address deferred maintenance so that you can enjoy your home!

You will be enjoying your home more by keeping it in tip top shape, and at the same time should you decide you want to sell it during the “hot” summer months, your home will be ready to go!!

Sharon Paxson

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The Palette of the Sky – Living Newport Shores in Newport Beach

Sharon Paxson — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:26:39 +0000

Newport Shores in Newport Beach is a charming beach community located on the west side of Newport Beach.

The sunsets are incredible and tonight was beautiful. The sky continued to change and every time I looked, it became more beautiful. Hope you enjoy the changing palette of this Newport Shores Sunset.

Newport Shores has approximately 440 homes, and there is an association with a community clubhouse, heated pool, tennis court, basketball court and sand volley ball court.

There is a canal which surrounds Newport Shores and the residents often utilize it for kayaking or stand up paddle boarding, and there is wildlife including ducks, herons, geese, and swans.

The sky continued to change tonight and it was incredible.

Love the ray of sunshine on this one, and my daughter Heather took this photo!!

Sharon Paxson

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Shopping for a Newport Beach Home? Get Pre-Approved First!

Sharon Paxson — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:34:28 +0000

Are you considering purchasing a Newport Beach home? Unless you are paying cash, then the most important step in the home buying process is to get pre-approved from a lender.

I have received calls from buyers – who “just want to look“. If you were that buyer and I showed you homes you thought you could afford, and later you find out that you cannot afford anything close to the purchase price.

When you talk to a lender, and lender looks at financial status, liabilities, debt, and income. With all that in mind, the lender determines how much of a loan you can be qualified for. The lender sends me the pre-approval letter and we look in your price point!

Imagine you think you can afford a home which costs one million dollars, and you look at those one million dollar properties, only to find out later that you are qualified up to $600,000. $600,000 is a far cry from $1,000,000 and the homes will be vastly different. This scenario will only set you up for disappointment.

If you don’t have a lender, I have a referral for you. It is generally a phone conversation, and then your Realtor gets a pre-approval letter in hand, and now you are off to the races!! You are looking at what you can afford, without disappointment.

One other consideration, and this is important. I do realize that housing prices have softened over the past few years. However, if you see a home priced at $1,000,000 - it does NOT MEAN that you can purchase it 30% off the listed price. In general, the listed prices of homes are in alignment with the local real estate market.

If you are considering purchasing a Newport Beach home for sale, and would like a buyer consultation, please contact me.

Sharon Paxson

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In Escrow with Your Newport Beach House? Get a Home Inspection!

Sharon Paxson — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:51:58 +0000

You are buying a Newport Beach home for sale. The sellers have accepted your offer, and you are in escrow. Exciting times for sure.

This is the time for a buyer to do their due diligence and investigations about the property. Inspect away, because you will be asked to remove contingencies (typically 17 days unless something else was negotiated in your purchase agreement).

As part of the buyer due diligence, I always recommend a home inspection. You can bring in your home Licensed Home Inspector, or ask for a referral or referrals from your Realtor. The home inspection is something that the “buyer” pays for typically.

The home inspector contacts the buyers and explains the home inspection process and their fees and an independent arrangement is made between the home inspector and the buyer.

When I am the selling agent – or agent representing buyers – I am always present for the home inspection process. I walk around the property along with buyers, home inspector and if I have a question, the home inspector will address it. This is also a time where I will write my AVID – Agent Visual Inspection Disclosure.

In my experience, seller’s don’t really like to be present for the home inspection process as it may become uncomfortable for them if the home inspector is pointing out defects in the property.

Let your home inspector do their job – it typically takes 2-3 hours (depending on size of home, if it is a raised foundation, etc). I did have one that took 4 hours once. Then the home inspector walks around with the buyers and their Real Estate agent to show the buyer the findings.

The home inspection report is the buyer’s property. However, if the buyer is requesting any request for repairs on the property, then it is recommended that the report is shared with the listing agent.

Also, the home inspector may find something in the property that may call for additional inspections (i.e. mold inspection as an example).

If I can answer any questions about the home buying process, please contact me.

Sharon Paxson

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Gardening Tips for Your Newport Beach Home

Sharon Paxson — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 06:06:54 +0000

Spring is here in Newport Beach, CA and it is a great time to prepare your garden to enjoy beautiful gardens in spring and summer. Landscaping flower beds, and adding colorful annuals adds to the home’s overall appeal.

Adding colorful annuals is a recommendation that I make for Newport Beach home sellers to enhance the overall appeal of the home when preparing your Home to Sell. Remember, that a Newport Beach home for sale has one opportunity to make a good first impression, and driving up to the front and seeing beautifully manicured flower beds, and blooming flowers always enhances the home.

The following are a few tips for preparing your garden to enjoy the spring and summer months, and preparing your home to sell.

Add fresh soil if needed before adding new plants and flowers.
Re-plant and manicure flower beds in front of home with flowering annual plants.
Remove any dead blooms or foliage on existing plants.
Make sure irrigation system is working so that any plants and flowers that you add will be sufficiently watered.
Remove any weeds.
Cut back any plants that are over grown.
If you have a lawn, fertilize the lawn and re-seed it if necessary.
Ensure that any water features in yard are working properly with clean water, and filtration system.

If you live in a home or Newport Beach condo, and do not have a yard, container gardening is a wonderful way to add to the property. Add flower pots with colorful annuals and maintain them to enhance the overall appeal of the home. Container gardens can be beautiful and elegant and add to patios, balconies and entries. Container gardening may be elevated pots, pots with a variety of different plants in them, hanging plants, and plants that are adhered to a wall or fence to add overall appeal.

If you need some inspiration and creative ideas for gardening, visit Roger’s Gardens in Newport Beach.

If you are considering selling your Newport Beach home for sale or selling your Newport Beach condo and would like a complimentary comparative market analysis, then please contact me.

Sharon Paxson

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Preparing Your Newport Beach Home to Sell

Sharon Paxson — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:06:14 +0000

Considering selling your Newport Beach home? If you are then there are some things you need to take into consideration when preparing your Newport Beach home to sell.

Keep in mind that first impressions are everything. Your house has exactly ONE time to make a good first impression. With that in mind, here are a few suggestions for you to prepare your home to sell.

Maintain landscaping and keep it neat and orderly.
Add fresh annuals to flower beds in front of your home and back yard as well. If you live in a condo, then add some fresh flower pots to add local color to the front yard and back patio.
Touch up exterior paint on the home, and paint trim. Remember that if a buyer sees peeling paint, they may think that the home has deferred maintenance.
Paint interior of home if needed. If baseboards and crown molding need painting, then re-paint it. Or if they need to be cleaned, then clean them because buyers do look.
Make sure that your Newport Beach home is clean and orderly.
Organize closets and drawers.
Now is a good time to think about moving, and clean out and discard of un-necessary and and utilized items.
LESS IS MORE. If your home is over furnished with large pieces, consider removing some of the furnishings so that that space appears open and flows well.
Keep kitchen organized and clean. Make sure dishes are put in dishwasher, because it is best to be organized and prepared for showings.
Fresh flowers on the dining room table are a nice addition.
Keep bathrooms neat and clean, and add new towels if needed.
Keep backyard landscaped and if you have pets, be sure to clean up after your pets.
Be sensitive to any odors in the home that potential buyers may be sensitive to.

Speak to your Newport Beach real estate agent about preparing your home to sell, and follow their recommendations so that your home shows it’s best. If needed, a professional staging consultation may also be recommended.

Please contact me for any recommendations and a complimentary comparative market analysis.

Sharon Paxson

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Preparing Your Newport Beach Home for Spring Selling!

Sharon Paxson — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 06:38:23 +0000

Are you considering selling your Newport Beach home? If you are thinking about putting it on the market for the spring, then you may want to take inventory and see what needs to be addressed before listing it for sale.

First impressions are everything when a buyer is looking at a home. Even though in some areas, the inventory is low, you want to make sure your home is priced to sell and prepared to sell.

Address deferred maintenance. If there is something you have been putting off repairing (i.e. plumbing issues, HVAC, electrical) then now is the time to address and repair it. And KEEP your receipts. Once your home gets into escrow, a buyer will have a physical inspection of the property, and that is where deferred maintenance can show up.
Paint interior a neutral color. If you have a room that is some kind of unusual color, you want to remember that you are appealing to the majority of people. Don’t forget baseboards as well.
Clean closets, organize drawers, and start thinking like you are moving. Get rid of un-necessary items, have a garage sale.
Organize your garage, as that is an important consideration for many home buyers.
De-clutter!!! One of the most important considerations when preparing your Newport Beach home to sell. Less is more, and the home will appear organized and clean.
Take down personal photographs. Buyers and agents alike get distracted by the personal photographs. They want to find out if they “know” who lives there. Do yourself a favor, and maintain your privacy as much as possible.
Plant spring annual flowers out in front. Flowers create wonderful curb appeal.

If I can answer any questions about selling your Newport Beach home, please contact me.

Sharon Paxson

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Pricing Your Newport Beach Home to Sell

Sharon Paxson — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:19:00 +0000

Realtors® are the experts and professionals when it comes to the housing market values. Realtors® take into consideration the trends of what is happening with the market, and this is done on a consistent basis to monitor trends in the industry.

There are several different considerations when pricing your home to sell:

Look at recent sales – Compare the sales of when you purchased the your house to where housing prices are today. Your Realtor can prepare that information for you. Look at median price by year, and note if it is trending up or down, or if it is stable. Take into consideration if the prices have remained constant, or have they increased or decreased. This is important, because often times sellers will want at least what they paid, plus any improvements they have made to the home. Now it is time to be objective about your own home, and not emotional.
Analyze comparable and recent sales – Consider recent sales in your area, and compare the features of those homes to your home. Consider the condition of recent sales as well as size and location of the home. Are there any features which make it more valuable, or less valuable.
Think like a buyer – Your Realtor® should make the recommendations that you visit other homes for sale – go to open houses. Be objective, and consider how these other homes (your competition) present themselves. Look at the details (flower beds, is it clean, organized, does it need updating) so that when you come back to your own property you can be objective. If you’re going to price your home competitively it is important to know what is happening in your neighborhood and community.
Location – One of the most important considerations is location. Is your home on a busy street, does it back up to a busy street? Does it have features that you feel add value, be sure to communicate that to your Realtor®, so that can be taken into consideration.
Condition – When you are touring other properties which may be your competition, consider the condition of the properties, and take into consideration any updating that your home may need. Paint, clean, de-clutter, take down personal photographs are just a few when preparing your home to sell.

If I can answer any questions about pricing your home, please contact me.

Sharon Paxson

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Utilizing Electronic Signatures in Real Estate Transactions

Sharon Paxson — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:56:55 +0000

When you are in the process of interviewing and selecting Newport Beach Real Estate agents, an important consideration is if that agent utilizes electronic signatures on the real estate contracts and documents. As part of my practice as a Newport Beach Realtor, I utilize electronic signatures for all my Real Estate transactions, and I utilize a program called Docusign. I have been utilizing this program for several years now. Initially it was ideal for out of state clients, however now I utilize it with all my clients and they all appreciate the sophistication and ease it affords them.

Docusign is an amazing program which allows my clients to sign their documents and contracts without ever having to print out a document, sign it, scan it, or fax it to return it. This improves the quality of the documents as well as they are not constantly being faxed over and over again reducing the quality of the document.

With the use of Docusign, a document can be signed electronically. Some of my clients have even signed right from their smart phone of iPad.

Once a document is signed by all parties, it is returned to the originator where it can be saved as a PDF and sent,

With the use of Docusign, it eliminates the following:

Printing (saves paper)
Signing (with ink)
Scanning or Faxing

And it is a green program, saving paper in the process because it is all done electronically. So my clients prefer that, and they really like the convenience of utilizing this program.

You may want to ask the Newport Beach Real estate agents you are interviewing if they utilize Docusign or some other method of electronic signature. With Real Estate transactions, time is of the essence, and it is imperative to get documents signed and back to the other party in a timely manner. Docusign helps facilitate this.

Real Estate in general is evolving with technology, and it is important to have a Newport Beach Real Estate agent who is utilizing all the tools that will assist you with the purchase or sale of your home. And it benefits you – as the buyer or seller to select an agent who utilizes Docusign.

If I can answer any questions about the use of Docusign, please contact me.

Sharon Paxson

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