Costa Mesa's Neighborhood Blog: December 2009

Newport Harbor - Shines in Christmas Lights

If you missed the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, never fear.  The Newport Harbor homes are still decked out in their festive Christmas lights.

So, if you would like to see the lights, grab your yacht or rent a Duffy, and take a spin around the harbor.

Linda Isle, Balboa Island, Collins Island are all ready to provide you with a feast for your eyes. The Balboa Pavilion never disappoints.  The yacht clubs will also draw your eye with all of the decorations.  From Santa and his reindeer circling the roof in continuous motion to giant candy canes, there is so much to see.

We enjoyed a two hour tour through Newport Harbor, and no matter how many times I have seen these homes, it never ceases to amaze me.  The spectacular light shows are like nothing I have seen elsewhere.

How could any where else compete with homes that have lights shining out on to the water with huge yachts also decorated for the holidays.

With a few snacks and beverages, it was quite an evening out on the Newport Harbor enjoying another Newport Beach tradition with friends and family.

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About the author: Christine Donovan is a California Residential Real Estate Broker with experience in assisting clients buy and sell residential real estate.

Click for a free list of Orange County foreclosures or a free list of Orange County short sales or e-mail Me!

Are you upside down in your home? Is it worth less than you owe? Are you concerned about making your mortgage payment? Contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com or 714-319-9751 to discuss your options.

Want to buy a home or to list your property for sale in Newport Beach? Contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com or 714-319-9751 to learn about her system which will make your buying and selling experience easier.

Disclaimer: All information in this blog is deemed reliable but is subject to change at any time and is not guaranteed to be accurate nor are there any warantees either express or implied. This blog is not intended to offer any legal, tax or other advice.

Click Orange County homes for sale to view all OC homes for sale. Copyright © 2009 by Christine Donovan, All Rights Reserved. Newport Harbor - Shines in Christmas Lights.

For more information on Costa Mesa homes or the value of a particular home please visit Costa Mesa home values

Click for a free list of Orange County foreclosures or a free list of Orange County short sales or e-mail Me!

Buying an Orange County Home  - I Signed My Loan Docs - Can I Have My Keys Now?

As real estate professionals, there are so many things we take for granted.

Recently, a client said to me, "I signed my loan documents.  Can I have my keys now?"

And, I realized that it's important that the buyer and the seller understand all of the steps in the final closing process for buying an Orange County home.

The basic steps of buying a home:

1. Buyer searches for the right home. 
2. Buyer makes an offer for the home.
3. Seller accepts the offer or makes a counter offer.
4. If there's a counter offer, buyer chooses to accept or counter offer is made.
5. Agreement on the offer.
6. Escrow opens.  Initial deposit money sent to escrow and escrow instructions are signed.
7. Inspections are done.
   • Appraisal
   • Third party inspection
   • Termite 
   • Any other inspections
8. While inspections are being done, the loan officer is working on any necessary conditions on the loan.
9. During this time, seller provides disclosures to the buyer regarding the home.
10. Once all contingencies are completed on the loan, loan documents are provided to escrow for the buyer to sign.
11. Then the buyer comes in to sign the loan documents.

Some people believe this is the final step to buying a home because in other states, like Texas, which is a wet funding state, everybody gathers at the closing table, and once loan docs are signed, keys are transferred, and the deal is done.

However, in Orange County, California, signing loan documents is not the final step in buying a home.

12.  In California, once loan documents are signed, the documents must be sent back to the lender who reviews them before funding the loan. 

13.  Once the loan is funded, the title must be recorded in the new buyer's name before the purchase is complete.

In Orange County, California the county recorder allows special recording.  This means that they allow the new title recorded late in the afternoon, which often allows a home purchase to close the same day as the loan is funded.

Once there is confirmation that the title has recorded, the best part of my "job" happens.  I get to give the new homeowner their keys.

Click for a free list of Orange County foreclosures or a free list of Orange County short sales or e-mail Me!

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About the author: Christine Donovan is a California Residential Real Estate Broker with experience in assisting clients buy and sell residential real estate.

Are you upside down in your home? Is it worth less than you owe? Are you concerned about making your mortgage payment? Contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com or 714-319-9751 to discuss your options.

Want to buy a home or to list your property for sale in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach or Orange County? Contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com or 714-319-9751 to learn about her system which will make your buying and selling experience easier.

Disclaimer: All information in this blog is deemed reliable but is subject to change at any time and is not guaranteed to be accurate nor are there any warantees either express or implied. This blog is not intended to offer any legal, tax or other advice.

Click Orange County homes for sale to view all OC homes for sale. Copyright © 2009 by Christine Donovan, All Rights Reserved. Buying an Orange County Home - I Signed My Loan Docs - Can I Have My Keys?

Huntington Beach Real Estate Minute - Huntington Beach Market Report

Huntington Beach well known as “Surf City USA” with its excellent surfing has 8.5 miles of beaches and over 200,000 residents with 11 million visitors annually coming to see events such as the US Open of Surfing, the Surf City USA Marathon and AVP Pro Beach Volleyball. It is also known as one of the 10 safest cities Huntington Beach Real Estate offers a wide variety of housing from moderately priced condos to multi-million dollar estates.

Below is the current Huntington Beach Homes report:

The real estate market in Huntington Beach right now has very little inventory, making it competitive for buyers in the lower price ranges. Persistence and patience should be used to find just the right house.

Real Estate Market reports for other local areas of Orange County:

Costa Mesa Real Estate Report

Central Costa Mesa Real Estate Report

South Coast Metro Real Estate Report

Mesa Verde Costa Mesa Real Estate News

Westside Costa Mesa Real Estate Report

Eastside Costa Mesa Real Estate Report

Newport Beach Real Estate News

Fountain Valley Real Estate News

Click this link to learn about the NEW Huntington Beach First Time Buyer Program.

For more information, please visit Huntington Beach real estate values.

Click for a free list of Orange County foreclosures or a free list of Orange County short sales or e-mail Me!

About the author: Christine Donovan is a California Residential Real Estate Broker with experience in assisting clients buy and sell residential real estate.

Are you upside down in your home? Is it worth less than you owe? Are you concerned about making your mortgage payment? Contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com or 714-319-9751 to discuss your options.

Want to buy a home or to list your property for sale in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach or Orange County? Contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com or 714-319-9751 to learn about her system which will make your buying and selling experience easier.

Disclaimer: All information in this blog is deemed reliable but is subject to change at any time and is not guaranteed to be accurate nor are there any warantees either express or implied. This blog is not intended to offer any legal, tax or other advice.

Click Orange County homes for sale to view all OC homes for sale.

Copyright © 2009 by Christine Donovan, All Rights Reserved. Huntington Beach Real Estate Minute - Huntington Beach Market Report.

Originally no more than a way station built by Spanish missionaries, Costa Mesa's first real estate development occurred in the 1880s. This failed to prosper, but Costa Mesa

Long time residents may remember when the area was called Fairview and Paularino, but today, the city is a focal point in Orange County with the Orange County Performing Arts Center, South Coast Repertory Theatre and South Coast Plaza as major drawing points. It is hard to believe that Costa Mesa was once nicknamed "Goat Hill" because of its rural flavor.

The modern day Costa Mesa real estate market began as beach bungalows just minutes from the ocean. Even then, Costa Mesa, bordering Newport Beach, captured the best of Newport Beach living at a fraction of the cost. While Costa Mesa may be more affordable than comparable homes in Newport Beach or Corona Del Mar, this is a relative matter as all of Orange County real estate is perceived to be some of the most desirable in the United States.

Based upon general definitions, it appears that Costa Mesa Real Estate should be in a Sellers' Market based on the level of inventory, many still seem to believe we are in a Buyers' market. Given all that is going on in the credit market and the banking industry, we are in an unusual time and will have to see what happens over the next few months as things hopefully begin to stabilize.

Central Costa Mesa Real Estate Report

South Coast Metro Real Estate Report

Mesa Verde Costa Mesa Real Estate News

Westside Costa Mesa Real Estate Report

Eastside Costa Mesa Real Estate Report

Costa Mesa Real Estate Report

Newport Beach Real Estate News

Fountain Valley Real Estate News

Huntington Beach Real Estate Report

For more information, please visit Costa Mesa real estate.
For more information on Costa Mesa homes or the value of a particular home please visit Costa Mesa home values

Click for a free list of Orange County foreclosures or a free list of Orange County short sales or e-mail Me!

About the author: Christine Donovan is a California Residential Real Estate Broker with experience in assisting clients buy and sell residential real estate.

Are you upside down in your home? Is it worth less than you owe? Are you concerned about making your mortgage payment? Contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com or 714-319-9751 to discuss your options.

Want to buy a home or to list your property for sale in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach or Orange County? Contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com or 714-319-9751 to learn about her system which will make your buying and selling experience easier.

Disclaimer: All information in this blog is deemed reliable but is subject to change at any time and is not guaranteed to be accurate nor are there any warantees either express or implied. This blog is not intended to offer any legal, tax or other advice.

Click Orange County homes for sale to view all OC homes for sale. Copyright © 2009 by Christine Donovan, All Rights Reserved. Costa Mesa Real Estate News- Costa Mesa Market Report.

Central Costa Mesa is an area of the city, triangular in shape, which is bordered by Harbor Boulevard, Baker Street and Newport Boulevard/ the 55 Freeway.

The Market Report for Central Costa Mesa Homes is below: