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Forget the cuddles and crunchy treats. Your dog really wants a Laguna Beach home. And not only to lounge around in. A choice piece of Laguna Beach real estate gives them a direct link to pooch paradise – beaches, parks, walking trails, special events, and superlative services. Plus, you want to talk about a social life? Dog-walking has been raised to high art here. And when the strolling pooches are pooped, they get to return to their plush-comfy Laguna Beach home…quite possibly in your arms.   

Perks to Parks in a Pooch Paradise

Off With Their Leash – A dog’s gotta do what a dog’s gotta do, right? And one of the major do’s is run their hearts out, wherever and whenever. With a Laguna Beach home, your dog gets…

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You know exactly where your Laguna Beach property ends and that of your neighbors begins, right? Well, brace yourselves for a jolt. The government might see slightly different boundary lines for your Laguna Beach home. Even more surprising, you might not completely own your guest house, garage, patio, or pool. These could be encroaching on thy neighbors’ land. You see, your ‘official’ property lines were established way back when by governmental decree. And these lines might or might not jibe with the location of fences, walls, lawns, shrubberies and other common markers. To determine how much of your Laguna Beach property you really own, you need a report from licensed surveyor.   

Let me tell you, more than a few neighbor wars…

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There’s a race roaring through the city of Laguna Beach – a race to buy Laguna Beach homes. That’s right. Seemingly overnight, the buyer’s market has transformed into a seller’s market, particularly for homes priced below the $2 million mark. The once-picky buyers of 2011 are now the ravenous buyers of 2012. And these new house-hungry hordes not only are racing to buy Laguna Beach real estate, they’re also high-gearing it toLaguna Niguel homes, Dana Point homes, Aliso Viejo homes, Newport Beach homes, and Newport Coast homes. Basically, the market is once again getting crazy for Orange County properties under $2 million.

Generally, these choice Orange County homes are sparking anywhere from 3-15 healthy offers.  In…

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I never expected it, nor did anyone else. But look around, and you’ll see it too – the city of Laguna Beach is experiencing an astounding rebirth. New businesses are springing up by the dozens. Fresh blood is flowing in. The boom is on. And that means the Laguna Beach real estate is poised to reap major rewards.

Here’s how it will happen. As the energy of a re-born commercial sector surges, it will overflow into the Laguna Beach real estate market. Demand and property values will rise. Which means, if you own a beautiful piece of Laguna Beach real estate, you’re sitting mighty pretty. And if you’re aiming to buy a Laguna Beach home, it’s time to get off the fence and make your move. Because the longer you wait, the more…

Laguna Beach Real Estate Challenge: The Truth Revealed

So, you think you know Laguna Beach real estate. Well, if you took last week’s Real Estate Challenge, you’re about to find out exactly where you stand in the grand scheme of things. As promised, here are all the answers to this grueling quiz, with insightful elaboration provided by yours truly. If you didn’t take the quiz, there’s plenty still time. (Warning: Sneak peeks at the answers are strictly forbidden by order of The Coastal Property Experts.)  Bear in mind, all of this is very subjective. But the information is based on our extensive experience with Laguna Beach homes for sale. So consider it a special selection of insider tips.

1. Before buying a Laguna Beach home, check…

Congratulations, borrowers! The number of loan delinquencies and defaults is dropping. The buzz in banking boardrooms is becoming more upbeat every day. And that’s more good news for you Laguna Beach homebuyers. That’s right. Obtaining credit to purchase a Laguna Beach home is no longer the Herculean task it formerly was in the not-so-long ago dark times. Now, before you extend outstretched hands for a rainfall of greenbacks, let’s pause for a little reality check. I’m not promising banks will be turning on the money taps full blast. But I am saying that if you’ve got your eye on Laguna Beach homes for sale, you’ll definitely discover more relaxed lender attitudes. 

Obviously, the stage is set for a boom in borrowing power. But…

Feel the warmth? That’s not summer approaching. That’s the Laguna Beach real estate market heating up. Great for the business. But things are changing at lightning speed. Both buyers and sellers must be clued into these new marketplace realities. Do you know where you stand on the knowledge meter? I’m going to help you find out. This quiz will test your Laguna Beach real estate I.Q. You have nothing to lose. But you will gain a better understanding of how well prepared you are for today’s real estate realities. And I guarantee it’ll be more fun than the DMV exam. Answers will be provided in next week’s blog. Good luck!

1. Before buying a Laguna Beach home, check your credit score:

A) Each day

B) 3-6 months in advance

…

Guru’s Guide to Buying Your First Orange County Home

If you’re aiming to buy your first south Orange County home, chances are good you’ve got your radar on Laguna Beach real estate, Dana Point real estate, Laguna Niguel real estate, Newport Beach real estate, or other prime local communities. Congratulations -- you’re going to absolutely love where you live! And this Laguna Beach realtor is determined to help you arrive with a big, shiny smile on your face. Here from Hillary Caston’s vault of eternal wisdom is my Guru’s Guide to Buying your first Orange County home. Follow these simple steps, and I guarantee your road to the Big Orange will be a whole lot sweeter.   

1. Don’t Be Credit Clueless.  Incredibly, many homebuyers…

Back in January, I predicted the Laguna Beach real estate market has hit rock bottom and soon will reverse direction. Naysayers everywhere scoffed at my prophecy. Ten weeks later, those humbly-delivered forecasts have proven to be 100% on the money. Laguna Beach real estate has achieved liftoff! Not like a rocket. But with enough oomf to show we can bid hasta la vista to the bottom.

The story is in the stats. Only last year, the number of Laguna Beach homes for sale on the market stood at around 320. Now there are only 236 homes. A big chunk of those currently are making their way through escrow – 83 homes to be exact. We haven’t seen this kind of motion near the ocean in years! And consider this -- we’re only two and a half months into…

Eye Before You Buy That Laguna Beach Home

Buying a home? Get an inspection. That’s the universal law of real estate. But a home inspection actually begins with YOU. That’s right. Go inside and outside that Laguna Beach home and do some major snoopin’ and sniffin’. Check it out. You’ll know what shape that Laguna Beach real estate is in – before the official third party inspection squad jumps in with the full diagnosis. Believe me, you’ll be saving yourself time and boosting your bargaining power if you discover problems in advance. With that in mind, I want to unveil these 5 proven guidelines to help you eye before you buy that Laguna Beach home. 

Be Water Wary. OK, you want a home that’s close to the water. Great! But do you want…