Enjoy gorgeous “top of the world” views from this end of cul-de-sac stunner in Monarch Summit, Laguna Niguel’s pristinely maintained adult community with clubhouse, pool, and spa. Monarch Summit, at the highest point in Laguna Niguel, is also a short distance to shopping, dining and So Cal’s gorgeous beaches and scenic Dana Point Harbor.

Enter your new home through the private front courtyard and beautiful custom glass front door! You will appreciate the beautiful two-year old wood flooring throughout all main areas, and a remodeled kitchen with all of the bells and whistles, including gorgeous cabinetry with custom features!

Property Highlights

• Address: 22882 Mariano, Laguna Niguel, California 92677
• Neighborhood: Monarch Summit II
• Single level, 1673 sqft.*
• 2 Bedrooms, PLUS den, perfect for home office
• 2 Baths
• A cook’s dream: custom lighting, granite counters, high-end appliances
• French doors open to private front courtyard
• Formal living, dining rooms with walls of glass and ever changing views
• Spacious master suite with newer carpeting, plantation shutters and views of ocean
• Scraped ceilings, textured walls, recessed lighting
• Inside laundry with plenty of storage
• Two-car attached garage
• MLS #S26038; TGNO: 951D7
• Priced Reduced to $609,950!

Meanwhile, here is an excerpt from one of those craftsmen, Greg Pautsch, a finish carpenter in San Clemente:

Everybody has a “ten best list,” but there are many enhancements you can make to your home to increase its value. What’s more, these are also the types of improvements that YOU can enjoy as a proud homeowner!

Our Ten Best Woodworking Projects for 2010:

1. Upgrade or install new interior doors
2. Upgrade or install a new entry door to increase curb appeal
3. Install exterior doors and new weather stripping to preserve the doors and be more energy efficient
4. Upgrade old windows and be more energy efficient
5. Baseboard upgrades – an array of choices
6. Window casing upgrades can give that finishing touch of elegance
7. Door casing will finish those beautiful upgraded doors or enhance the beauty of the existing doors
8. Wall paneling and wainscots can change a room from dull to dynamic
9. Add ceiling details to make a room look even larger and give a fine architecture appeal
10. Upgrade any room in your house with crown molding for that sophisticated feel

Supply and demand, the basic principle we all earned in Econ 101, still applies in the real world. Right now, using Dana Point as an example, and four neighborhoods as a snapshot, you’ll notice that there are twelve (12) homes in escrow, but only seven (7) available for sale. That’s low inventory.

Now, with uncertainties in the market (war, BP oil spill, foreclosures), one could argue that demand is also low, or in balance with supply. From an agent’s perspective, we can tell you that those seven available listings are NOT enough of a selection for the buyers we are working with currently, who are looking for a single level home in one of these same four neighborhoods in Dana Point. Low inventory again, and this same condition exists in most other coastal cities in Orange County.

Buyers: is this summer a good time to buy? Yes, interest rates are phenomenally low….under 5%! Prices are also way, way down from their 2005 peaks – in some cases, home prices in South Orange County are down 30-40% from their previous highs. Low prices, and low interest rates.

Sellers: does this mean that now is a bad time to sell? Not necessarily. Remember, if you are planning to buy down, buy laterally, or buy up, there really isn’t a bad time to sell since you are also buying simultaneously. For most families, a sell-and-buy event can be thought of as simply moving one’s mortgage from one house to another (don’t forget the closing costs, though).

Want more insight? We’re out there “in the trenches” every day! Call us at (949) 240-5892, or contact us via email.

Call us first! And be cautious about internet “experts,” where scams abound and bad advice like this goes unchecked: “oh, just do a short sale without any harm to your credit.” But here’s an excerpt from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, by Kara McGuire, that reveals how foreclosures AND short sales can wreck credit.

“Both short sales and foreclosures are considered negative by the score, because our data shows us it’s very predictive of future credit risk,” said Tom Quinn, Fair Isaac Corp.’s vice president of FICO scores. “The claim that doing a short sale is not going to hurt your score is false. It’s inaccurate.”

Read the entire article on RISMedia.

Parents, will your nest be empty soon? Are you considering a smaller home? Are you ready for that ocean front home, or 3-car garage, now that you will have the whole space for yourselves? This is also the time of year that we hear from our clients who are considering investing in a rental – now that they are free of tuition payments!

Please remember – we are interested in earning your business – we have the experience and track record to help you make the right move. The market right now is HOT, HOT, HOT!! But how does this tidbit of information relate to you and your home?

Call us for a free in depth market evaluation that includes First Team’s exclusive Market Trends data! It’s the closest thing to the crystal ball I requested years ago!

This great home in Ladera Ranch won’t last long! It’s perfect for many buyer categories…from new homeowners to those who may be downsizing. Hurry!

Located on a quiet single loaded street, you will surely enjoy relaxing on your inviting front porch, large enough for entertaining, or for just enjoying the serene hillside views and summer evenings. This is a valuable end unit adjacent to a large grassy area – great for play!

Nature lovers? You’re only steps away from open space, and close to one of the nicest sports parks in Orange County. This great neighorhood in Ladera Ranch enjoys excellent schools, and is close to Saddleback College, shopping and transportation.

Property Highlights

• Address: 1 Quartz Lane, Ladera Ranch, California, 92694
• Neighborhood: Sutter’s Mill
• 3 Bedrooms plus Loft, 2.5 Baths, 1689 sqft. (per assessor)
• Spacious Great Room Style with Island for Entertaining and Work Space!
• Granite Counters and Upgraded Lighting
• Kitchen for Gas Stove, Microwave & Oven – Generous Workspace & Ample Storage
• Large Master Bedroom with Wood Floors, Walk-In Closet, Balcony and View of HIlls
• Convenient Upstairs Laundry
• Oversized 2-Car Garage
• HOA Dues: $163 plus $193
• Nearby Shopping, Schools, Dining, and Entertainment
• Incredible Community Amenities
• MLS #S616224; TGNO: 739E5
• A compelling opportunity – offered for sale at only $399,900!