Archive for July, 2008

After 6 months of no activity in the ParkPlace neighborhood, we finally have a new listing!  Unfortunately, it’s a bank-owned foreclosure that backs in to the corner of Lake Forest and Serrano.  The list price is $549,900 which isn’t too bad for a 2600 square foot home with a pool.  I haven’t looked at it yet, so I don’t know the actual condition inside. 

The history on this home is interesting – it last sold in February 2002 for $401,000 after 55 days on the active market.  At that time, the home had a wood shake roof, which was old enough that its age probably affected the final sale price (lower.)  Here is the photo used on that listing :

Sold 2002

Sold 2002

That buyer refinanced the home several times over the next few years, taking out cash each time and spent some of that cash on a new roof, which is mentioned in the details of the listing that was offered last year at $835,000 then later reduced $795,000.  There was no sign on the property, no lockbox, and to view it, you had to make an appointment with the owner, but there was no phone number to call the owner.   Not surprisingly, that listing expired unsold.  The photo below is what showed as the only photo on the MLS for this home that now had a new roof :

Expired 2-28-2008

Expired 2-28-2008

Today, that same house in on the market as an REO.  Knowing that banks don’t paint or landscape foreclosed homes, I’m now wondering if the last listing agent ever even drove by the home that he had listed for $795,000!  (Actually, since there was no sign or owner phone number, I am wondering if he ever had a valid listing!)  Here is the current photo provided by the bank’s agent: 

$549,900

Bank owned home - 4 bedrooms + loft + pool: $549,900

I have to say that I’m disgusted with the last listing agent.  He did absolutely nothing to help that owner, and by listing it the way he did, he kept other agents who might have been able to help from being able to! 

There have been 2 closings this year, with 2 currently in escrow, and 2 available today.

Parkwood Estates Homes in Lake Forest

There are currently 2 homes available, 3 in escrow, and 7 closed sales this year.

Forest Creek Homes in Lake Forest 

 

There are 2 active listings, 2 in escrow and 3 have closed this year.

Serrano Ridge Homes in Lake Forest

New closing today!  Finally, a short sale was approved (after 6 months) and successfully closed.  Currently, there are 2 active listings and 3 in escrow, with 2 sales closed this year.

Ranchwood Neighborhood YTD 7-15-2008

Lake Forest Keys, the lake front community in Lake Forest, California currently has 20 homes in the “active” status in the MLS.  They range in price from $439,000 for a foreclosed home on the greenbelt, up to $1.695 million for a newer custom waterfront with 5 bedrooms, 5 baths and approximately 3800 square feet.

Sales this year have ranged from $778,000 to $1.35 million for the waterfront homes, and from $474,000 to $569,000 for the ones on the greenbelt.

For details about all the homes on the market, in escrow, or that have closed this year, see my year-to-date report:

Real Estate Activity in Lake Forest Keys Neighborhood

Prior posts about Lake Forest Keys

Search for homes in the Lake Forest Keys, or anywhere else in Orange County

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th!

Lake Forest ROCKS on the 4th of July!  Starting with the 5k Run, then followed by a Pancake Breakfast at the High School, then the annual City of Lake Forest Parade.   

Festivities at the Sun & Sail Club begin at 10:00 and conclude with a fireworks extravaganza over the lake at about 9:30.    There will be a food court provided by some of Lake Forest’s best places to eat (including Bonehead’s, which is one of my favorites) and beer, wine and a full bar in the hospitality tent.  Games, tournaments, and music and dancing to the popular band “Instant Replay!” are other highlights of the festivities.  Full details are available here

I’ll be there most of the day and night, so if you see me, please say “Hello!”

(Tomorrow, I will update most of the neighborhood real estate activity!)