California Mortgage Loan

Looking for an enchanting retirement community?  Then Laguna
Woods is the place for you! Enjoy the vibrant lifestyle and beautiful weather of
this tight knit 55+ community located in the magnificent Orange County.  Laguna Woods encompasses four square miles
adjacent to Laguna Hills
in an exceptionally safe area with guarded security gates. It is conveniently
located just a few minutes from the Laguna Hills Mall which provides over 80
retail shops, several appealing dining locations, and an on-site movie theater. Opportunities
for activities in this charming city are endless. Have you ever been interested in
horse back riding? The Laguna
Woods Equestrian
Center provides trails,
horses, and training for their residents as well as special events that are
hosted annually.  Take advantage of the
endless amenities including Laguna Woods golf course, walking trails, fitness centers, community
pool and spa, sauna, picnic areas, tennis courts, and a community recreation
clubhouse. Laguna Woods provides a free bus system to residents making transportation
easy and comfortable.

One can find a condo, townhome or a detached home to fit most anyones tastes and budget.  From modest 1 bedroom flat condos, to spacious 3 bedroom detached homes with 2 car attached garages, Laguna Woods has it all for the 55+ buyer.     

Laguna Woods incorporates 12,700 owned condominium and cooperative units which house approximately 18,500 residents. Owners
who live in Laguna Woods pay a homeowners’ association fee that is used to provide
residents with public transportation, patrolled private security, clubhouses
with
special programs and recreational activities. Also included within the Leisure
World
community are two golf courses for the private use of Laguna Woods residents.

  Take a look at our featured, beautifully remodeled property
located of 3426 Bahia Blanca
in Laguna Woods. Today’s Laguna Woods featured condo for sale is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath,
1 garage condo which has been been completely
renovated to new condition, such as: Marble
flooring in the kitchen area, beautiful granite counters in kitchen and
bathrooms with full back splash and waterfall edge, solid maple cabinets with
cushion close drawers, crown molding throughout, hot and cold filtered water
system in kitchen, Stainless appliances, Jacuzzi tub in master
bedroom, surround
home theater speaker system, new water
heater, and more!  Currently, this luxurious condo is ranged priced from
$450,000 to $500,000.  With a lovely views of the
hills in Laguna Wood, anyone would be proud to call this magnificent
property home.The City of Laguna Woods was incorporated in March 1999 and encompasses
approximately 2,100 acres of land. The City of Laguna Woods is located in south Orange County
between the San Joaquin Foothills and the Santa Ana Mountains.
The City is bordered on the north, east, and southeast by the City of Laguna Hills, on the northwest by the City of Irvine, on the west by unincorporated Orange County
and the City of Laguna Beach, and on the south
by the City of Aliso Viejo. 

With more than 86% of the population over 65 years of age, the elderly are the
largest
special needs group in the City of Laguna Woods. Affordable housing has been
identified by South County Senior Services as the primary need for the elderly;
health
care and in-home care and transportation services needs were also indicated.
Significant resources for the elderly exist in and near the City of Laguna
Woods and
  Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior
Center; offers a nutrition program,
congregate meals, home delivery of meals, social services case management,
seniors activities, information, and referral services.If you would like to view all homes and condos for sale in Laguna Woods, please visit our website at: Search Orange County Homes and Condos

As stipulated in the newly passed Economic Stimulus Bill of 2008, FHA announced the  new loan limits for Orange County, CA.  This new FHA loan limit is based on a calculation of 125% times the median price, up to a maximum of $729,750.  Since the median price in Orange County is around $600,000, the new FHA loan limit for Orange County is the maximum allowed.  Below is a table of the loan limits for single family homes, as well as small multi-family housing:   Single Family Home —- $729,750Duplex ——————— $934,200  Triplex —————— $1,129,250Four-plex ————–  $1,403,400HUD Secretary, Alphonso Jackson recently announced the new limit increase at the Anaheim Convention
Center where HOPE NOW was conducting a national anti-foreclosure
campaign. This new $729,750 limit will double the previous FHA loan limit of $362,790, the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced. This limit is
good until the end of the year when it reverts back to $362,790, but some feel this deadline will be extended into 2009′.  This new bill will allow FHA to refinance of up to 97% loan to value,
but most mortgage lenders will only go up to only 90% loan to value.This new FHA loan limit will enable many Orange County homeowners to refinance out of their expensive adjustable rate mortgages, even if their property has has gone done in value over the past few years.  Also, the new FHA loan program will allow some homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages to refinance if they are behind on payments. Another great benefit for Orange County would be home purchasers, is
that FHA is much more forgiving of a few negative marks in ones FICO credit
rating. in the past 12 months, Conventional lenders have become much more demanding on credit quality. New FHA underwriting will also allow
for more flexible income documentation and less time on a given job. This new FHA loan limits for orange County plus more flexible qualification standards could be a big boost for the slumping Orange County housing market.  Many Orange county residents depend on jumbo loans, anything above the current $417,000 limit. Interest Rates on jumbo loans are more expensive, ten conforming loans (ie: loans below $417,000).  The average rate tis past week for a 30-year fixed conforming loan in Orange County was 5.9 percent with a one-point fee, while the average jumbo rate on a 30-year fixed was 6.9 percent with a one-point fee. If you would like more information on the new FHA loan limits, or would like a referral to a couple of great local FHA lenders, feel free to call us at: (949) 388-3396, or send us an email at:  Info@OCRealtyGroup.com   We specialize in Short Sale workouts for Orange County homeowner in need.  If you would like to learn more about Short Sale workouts, visit our website at:  www.OCShortSaleCenter.com

       We got some great news yesterday afternoon. Wallstreet is now purchasing Non-Conforming Loans again! That must put smile on the faces of lenders,mortgage brokers, loan officers, real estate agents and homeowners across the country! Expect for pricing to get much better on short-term 2,3,5,7 and 10 year adjustables, fully amortized and interest only next week!As of Friday morning, most non-conforming loans had little to no rebate pricing on any lender's rate sheet! That should be gone soon and this will free up more of the "liquidity" issues that lenders are having across the United States. Afterall, the old saying, "It takes money to make money" still holds true! Have a great weekend everyone! Scott GormleyBroker/OwnerOak Valley Mortgage2006 Chico Assoc. of Realtors Affiliate ChairmanDirect: 530.592.8362Fax: 530.267.5555Website: http://www.CALoan.comBlog: http://www.carealestateblog.com/"You find the perfect home, we'll find the perfect loan!"

With the hot summer days this season, homes and condos with pools have been on the minds of many home seekers.  A detached home with a private pool is nice, but the maintenance can add up, plus the added risk to the homeowner.  A good pool cleaning company will charge around $65 to $85 per month for most private pool homes in Laguna Niguel, and if you keep your private pool heated, the monthly costs will be a good bit higher.  A more practical solution it to buy a home or condo with an association pool.  The pool maintenance and upkeep is included in the association dues, and many association pools are heated for part of the season.  Also, the property management usually does a better job on keeping up with swimming pool safety codes then an individual homeowner would. Another interesting fact about private pool homes is the the cost of the pool is never re-cooped..  In other words, if you buy a detached home and have a pool installed for say $70,000, and down the road you decide to sell, you would be lucky to get an additional $10,000 more for the home as compared to a similar home down the street with no swimming pool.  That is why I always tell my buyer clients, “if you want a home with a pool, buy a home with an existing private pool or an association pool, for you will save a lot of money.”   There are plenty of homes on the market that have either a private or an association pool.  for example, today there are 179 homes and condos on the market for sale in Laguna Niguel, and 123 of these listings either have a private pool, or an association pool… that’s 68%.We compiled a list of all of the detached home and attached condo subdivisions in Laguna Niguel, CA. that include an association swimming pool, as follows:

Subdivision
Name

Home Type

Builder

Breakers 

Condos

Shea
Homes

Ocean
Ranch ~ Executive

Detached
Homes

Shea
Homes

Ocean
Ranch ~ Residence

Detached
Homes

Shea
Homes

Stoney Pointe 

Condos

Shea
Homes

Bridgeport
Terrace

Condos

Pacesetter

Crest
De Ville Estates

Detached
Homes

Standard
Pacific

Crest
De Ville Terraces

Detached
Homes

Standard
Pacific

Crestview

Detached
Homes

S
& S Construction

Casa
La Paz

Condos

S
& S Construction

Knolls

Detached
Homes

S
and S

Rolling
Hills Fieldstone

Detached
Homes

Fieldstone

Rolling
Hills

Detached
Homes

Avco

Rolling
Hills Terrace

Detached
Homes

 

Somerset
Ridge

Detached
Homes

S
& S Construction

Somerset

Detached
Homes

S
& S

South
Peak Custom

Detached
Homes

 

Village
Niguel Gardens I

Condos

S
& S Construction

Village
Niguel Gardens II

Condos

S
& S Construction

Village
Niguel Gardens III

Condos

S
& S Construction

Beacon
Hill Bluffs

Detached
Homes

JM
Peters

Beacon
Hill Court

Condos

Taylor
Woodrow

Beacon
Hill Highlands

Detached
Homes

Taylor
Woodrow

Beacon
Hill Village

Detached
Homes

Warmington

Beacon
Hill Landing

Detached
Homes

Smythe
Brothers

Beacon
Hill Summit

Detached
Homes

Taylor
Woodrow

Beacon
Hill Cove

Detached
Homes

The
Stellrecht Co

Beacon
Hill Pointe

Detached
Homes

JM
Peters

Beacon
Hill Seawatch

Condos

Shawntana/Brighton

Beacon
Hill Terrace

Condos

Warmington-Carma

Beacon
Hill Vistas

Condos

Taylor
Woodrow

Windrift 

Condos

Shawntana

Riviera 

Condos

Shea
Homes

Capri

Condos

Barratt

Crystal Cay 

Condos

Shea
Homes

Crown
Valley Highlands I

Condos

Laguna
Niguel Corp

Crown
Valley Highlands II

Condos

Avco

Del
Prado Builder I

Condos

Anden

Del
Prado Builder II

Condos

Western
Pacific Housing

Del
Prado Villas

Detached
Homes

Western
Pacific Housing

El
Niguel Terrace

Condos

Bob
Russell Co.

Fieldstone
Collection I

Detached
Homes

Fieldstone

Foothill
Patio Homes

Condos

See
Laguna Knolls

Laguna
Knolls

Condos

Avco

Foothill
Patio Homes

Condos

Avco

Foothill
Townhomes

Condos

Avco

Hillhurst
Condos

Condos

 

Hampton
Village

Condos

Pacesetter

Kite
Hill III

Detached
Homes

S
& S Construction

Kite
Hill North

Detached
Homes

S
& S Construction

Kite
Hill South

Detached
Homes

S
& S Construction

Lake
Chateau

Detached
Homes

 

Palm
Court

Condos

Shea
Homes

Lake
Park

Detached
Homes

Avco

Le
St. Tropez

Condos

Sand
Dollar Development

Laguna
Woods I

Detached
Homes

Avco

Laguna
Woods II

Detached
Homes

Isaacs

Amarante 

Detached
Homes

Taylor
Woodrow

Chandon

Condos

Taylor
Woodrow

Encore

Condos

Taylor
Woodrow

Siena

Condos

Taylor
Woodrow

Terracina 

Detached
Homes

Wilma/Shawntana

Vistara

Detached
Homes

A-M
Homes

Monarch
Summit I

Condos

Lan
Ron

Monarch
Summit II

Condos

Lan
Ron

Park
Niguel

Condos

G.H.R.

Pacific
Island Village 1

Condos

Douglas
Pacific

Pacific
Island Village 2

Condos

Douglas
Pacific

Pacific
Island Village 3

Condos

Douglas
Pacific

Quissett
Bay

Condos

Gunston
Hall Co.

Costa Brava 

Condos

Buie
Corp

Reggio

Detached
Homes

Buie
Corp

Marin
Colony

Condos

Buie
Corp

Expressions

Condos

Mc
Keller Development

Seacall

Detached
Homes

Buie
Corp.

Sparrow
Hill

Condos

Pacesetter

Villa
De Cerise

Condos

Howard
Mark

Vista
Del Cerro

Detached
Homes

Carma-Sandling

Vizcaya

Detached
Homes

Bird
Development

Villa
Mira

Condos

Carma-Sandling

Village
Niguel Heights

Detached
Homes

S
& S Construction

Village
Niguel Homes I

Detached
Homes

S
& S Construction

Village
Niguel Homes II

Detached
Homes

S
& S Construction

Villa
Pacifica

Detached
Homes

Presley

Village
Niguel Terrace II

Condos

S
& S Construction

If you would like to see all homes or condos listed for sale in Laguna Niguel that  have a private or association swimming pool, then please visit our website, or feel free to email us at:  Info@SearchOCHomes.com

Even though Aliso Viejo is one of the safest cities in America, Home and Condo subdivisions which are gated provide an additional sense of security plus add a bit of prestige to the tract.  There are two basic types of gated subdivisions, which are automated gated entrances with a security code, and gate guarded subdivisions.  
Below is a tabulation of all of the detached single family home tracts and the attached Condo tracts that incorporate a gated entrance:

Tract Name
Type of Home
Builder

Canterbury
Detached Homes
Hearthside Homes

Eagle Pointe
Detached Homes
Brock Homes

Flores Los Alisos
Detached Homes
Kathryn Thompson

Kensington
Detached Homes
Richmond American

Milano
Condos
Hearthside Homes

Montelena
Condos
LDM Development

Oakview - Westridge
Detached Homes
Shea Homes

Provence D’Aliso
Condos
William Lyon

The Pointe
Detached Homes
Paragon Homes

San Simeon
Detached Homes
Western Pacific Housing

Silver Oaks - Westridge
Detached Homes
Shea Homes

Talavera
Detached Homes
Hearthside Homes

Victoria
Detached Homes
Del Webb

Vista De Oro
Detached Homes
Kathryn Thompson

Windflower
Condos
William Lyon

Windsong
Condos
Pacific Gateway
These fine subdivisions are located in all prices ranges throughout Aliso Viejo, CA., offering numerous floor plan and housing options. Aliso Viejo real estate is known for the newer stock of homes situated in the rolling hills, clean air, very low crime rate, excellent public schools and close proximity to the south Orange County beaches.
To view all gated homes or condos for sale, please visit our OC Just Listed home finder service and add a note that you are looking for just gated home or condo subdivisions in Aliso Viejo.  Or feel free to call us anytime at:  949-388-3396

The Castille tract of homes were built by the renowned Mission Viejo Company.  There are actually two tracts, one located in Central Mission Viejo and the other located North Mission Viejo.  Castille North is located by the intersections of Los Alisos Blvd. and Vista Del Lago and Castille Central is located by the intersection of Trabuco Rd and Marguerite Pkwy.   Both Castille North and Central were developed in the early 1970’s. 
Castille North comprises of 264 single family detached homes and incorporates the streets of:  Altanero, Atomo, Balcon, Contento, Empanada, Esplendor, Esquina, Falencia, Medra, Oropel., Platino, Via Noveno, Vilia, and Visio Ln.
Castille Central is a much larger tract and comprises of 1,495 detached homes and includes the following streets:  Abeto, Agrado, Ancia ln., Arbolitos, Bellota, Bocina, Borrasca, Durazno, Escala Dr., Estribos, Golondrina, Hayuco, Lirio, Los Caballos, Nopales, Pasatiempo, Quetzal, Reflejo, Riendas, Ruisenor, Sinsonte, Siruela, Tirante, Via Astorga, Via Avila, Via Balsa, Via Vayona, Via Burgos, Via Calzada, Via Cebrero, Via Duero, Via El Rocio, Via Estella, Via Fineza, Via Flores, Via Guadix, Via La Coruna, Via Navarra, Via Olmo, Via Oviedo, Via Potes, Via Victoria, Via Vigo, and St. Elena.
Both Castille North and Central consist of the same one and two story homes comprising of 6 distinct and well designed floor plans as follows:

El Greco (1) - 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,294 square feet, single story
El Dali (2) - 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,394 square feet, single story
La Lorca (3) - 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,525 square feet, single story
El Goya (4) - 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,570 square feet, single story
El Picasso (5) - 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 1,850 square feet, two story
El Ribera (6) - 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2,100 square feet, two story
Each floor plan includes a spacious lot and 2 car garage.  all floor plans include a family room except for the El Greco model.  Over the years, many of these original homes have been remodeled or room additions have been constructed to bring additional variety and character to these fine properties. Home owners in both Castille North and Central are members of the ever popular Lake Mission Viejo with dues that run about $17 per month (subject to change).  In addition, castille North has a small association due of approximately $38 per month at the time this article was written (subject to change). 
Castille North homes are serviced by the respected Saddleback Valley Unified School district.  The elementary school is Del Lago, and the middle school is Los Alisos Jr High School.  The high school for Castille north is Trabuco Hills. 
The Castille Central subdivision is serviced by the award winning Capistrano Unified School district. Due to the large size of this tract, there are two elementary schools which are Castille and Phillip Reilly grade schools.  The middle school is Newhart Jr High and the high school is Capistrano Valley. 
Castille Central commands slightly higher prices then Castille North, and prices currently range from the low $600K’s for the smaller one story models on up to the high $800K’s for the larger two story plans that have been recently remodeled.  Visit our main website to view all homes currently listed for sale in Mission Viejo.  If you would like to see the inside of any of these homes for sale, drop us an email at:  Info@OCRealtyGroup.com  

California Foreclosures  With many of the subprime and "risky loans" equating out to higher levels of default and foreclosure in California, there are many entertaining the possibility of "finding a great deal" and learning more about the foreclosure process. I would like to take an opportunity to bring some light to the topic. Certainly, this is not a complete guide to foreclosures and should not be treated as such. Rather, this is a great start towards understanding the process and things to take into consideration, when going through or entertaining a foreclosure.First and foremost, I want to stress that this is a time of distress for the homeowner(s) that are having foreclosure proceeding pressed upon them! The process is lengthy and expensive. Banks don't want to take people's homes and they are not in the business to do so. Although there are a few homeowners that could certainly care less about making their mortgage payment on time and willfully "walk away" from a house, the large majority are homeowners that have/had good intentions of making good on their mortgage payments. For one reason or another, they simply got into a bad position or went in "over their heads." Life happens, things change and making the right decisions for such individuals is critical during the foreclosure process.I also want to emphasize that, during such times; there are laws to protect homeowners from savvy investors and uneducated individuals, attempting to take advantage of a person's "bad situation!" Know that laws that impact Notice of Default and Foreclosure rights and proceedings in California. There is a strong need for fair practices in dealing with such homeowners and avoiding the "shark" mentality. People make irrational decisions daily when faced with tough decisions. Recognizing that there is a right way of going about things should be practiced at all costs.I would recommend visiting the NARHRI website at: http://narhri.org/ to learn more about pending and newly effected legislation for California foreclosures! The following description of NARHRI comes directly from their website.About NARHRIThe National Association of Responsible Home Rebuilders and Investors (NARHRI) is a Washington, D.C.-based association representing independent real estate investors, state real estate investor clubs, real estate speakers, and corporations with interests in real estate investing. NARHRI's goal is to unify honest, professional investors and protect consumer interests, while at the same time defending the industry from over-zealous legislative and regulatory proposals. NARHRI's national network of lobbyists educate investors, lawmakers, government officials and the media about the benefits of the industry and the best practices for weeding-out rogue investors.John P. GrantExecutive DirectorNational Association of Responsible Home Rebuilders and Investorsnarhri2007@yahoo.comYou can also contact the Attorney General's Office if you have questions, comments or concerns as a homeowner going through the foreclosure process or as a person making inquiry to a foreclosure. Here is that information:Attorney General's Office1515 K Street, Suite 511P.O. Box 944255Sacramento, CA 94244-2550Ph: (916) 445-9555Fax:(916) 324-5205Civil law division: (916) 324-5431 I also highly recommend that you visit the Official California Legislative Information website at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html and search out the Civil Codes section for the following topics:Civil Code Section 890 et seq. - Rent SkimmingLaw which regulates owners from collecting rent, then not paying on their deed of trust.Civil Code Section 1695 et seq. - Home Equity PurchasingLaw which regulates buyers of defaulted houses in California. Code Section 2924 - Trustee's Sale ProcedureLaw which regulates the Trustee and it's procedures when handling a foreclosure. Civil Code Section 2945 et seq. - Foreclosure ConsultantLaw which regulates the buyers' representatives of defaulted houses in California. California Foreclosure Summary:Judicial ForeclosureSometimesNon-Judicial ForeclosureYes, most commonSecurity InstrumentsDeed of Trust, MortgageRight of RedemptionYes, judicial foreclosure onlyDeficiency JudgmentsYes, judicial foreclosure onlyTime Frame111 days or moreJudicial foreclosure in California is rarely used, and only in the absence of a power of sale clause in the loan document or when the lender is seeking a court order for a deficiency judgment. The lender must sue the borrower to obtain a decree of foreclosure and order of sale. The court may also order that the borrower has up to one year to redeem the property.Non-judicial foreclosure is the most common form of foreclosure in California. This process is used when there is a power of sale clause authorizing the lender, in the event of default, to sell the property to satisfy the loan balance. If the power of sale clause includes the time, place and terms of sale, then that procedure must be followed. If not, the process is as follows:A Notice of Default is recorded with the county in which the property is located when a borrower fails to make a loan payment. A copy of this Notice is sent by certified mail to the borrower within 10 business days of recording. The borrower has 90 days from the date of recordation to cure the default.If the borrower fails to cure the default, a Notice of Sale is recorded. This Notice states that the lender or trustee will sell the property at auction in 21 days. This Notice is also sent certified mail to the borrower. It is also published weekly in a newspaper of general circulation in the county for three consecutive weeks prior to the sale date. The notice is also posted on the property, as well as in a public place, usually at the county courthouse.The Trustee Sale Auction is held as a public auction at the time and place designated in the Notice of Sale, and conducted by the lender's representative. The successful bidder must pay immediately with cash or cashier's checks in the full amount of the bid. The successful bidder receives a trustee's deed on completion of the sale. The lender usually bids in the amount of the balance due plus costs. If no one else bids, the property reverts to the lender.The borrower has no right of r