25351 Navajo, Lake Forest - $724,900 - $769,9004 Bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, Bonus Room, Big Yard, over 2500 square feet!This is my favorite house on the market in Lake Forest right now, and I will be holding it open today from 12:00 to 4:00.  (If that isn't convenient for you, please call me and I would be happy to schedule a private appointment just for you.)  This house has been beautifully maintained and upgraded, and decorated like a model!  The price has just been reduced, to where I feel it is now a great value for someone who wants a move-in ready home to enjoy for many years!  Originally a single story, with all 4 bedrooms located on the ground level, a large bonus room was professionally added upstairs (with all proper permits) to give it a 2nd "family room" area.  My friend, Kell... 09/16/2007

As fall comes upon us the city of Lake Forest has many events that you might be interested in checking out.Hometown Safety Expo:  Sept 22nd 2-6 pm in the Home Depot parking lot at El Toro Rd and  Rockfield Blvd.  Be prepared is the motto of this Expo. Learn about disaster preparedness, home security, child safety and personal safety.  Visit with the Orange County Sheriffs Department K-9 units and the Orange County Fire Authority newest equipment.  Animal Control Study:  Sept 27th. 10:00 am at the El Toro Library Community Room: The city is reviewing the needs and options for adding new Animal Control services to the city.  They are looking for residents input regarding the current services and ideas for new services.  Autumn Harvest Festival:  Oct. 20th 4-9pm at Heritage Hill Historical... 09/15/2007

 Portola Hills eNews  Recent Real Estate Activity Address  AmenitiesPriceDays on marketcommentsNew On The Market    28885 Canyon point2bed/2bath/975 sq. ft.$335,0004Great rental opportunity28963 Canyon Oak Dr.2 bed/2bath 1061 sq.ft.$439,90010 28494 Sassetta Way3 bed/2bath/1205 sq.ft.$475,0006 19575 Highridge Way3 bed/2.5bath/1593 sq.ft.$569,0002 28331 Millwood Rd.4 bed/3 bath/3230 sq.ft.$967,5002 SOLD PROPERTIES     18950 Canyon Hill2 bed/1 bath/873 sq.ft.$315,00080 19232 Highland View4 bed/2.5/1862 sq.ft.$710,00076 A brief comment on the market:  With all the news focus on the down housing market, Kelly wants to make sure that you have a true understanding of the O.C. big picture.  Though the # of sales are down in the O.C., the average home prices are staying fairly stable in the O.C.... 09/10/2007

Local Southern California Attractions (Part 2)Knot's Berry Farm Theme Park8039 Beach BlvdBuena Park, CA 90620http://www.knots.com/Phone 714-220-5200 Legoland CaliforniaOne Legoland DrCarlsbad, CA 92008http://www.legoland.com/Phone 760-918-lego Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament7662 Beach BlvdBuena Park, CA 90620http://www.medievaltimes.com/Phone 714-523-1100 Mission San Juan Capistrano26801 Ortega HwySan Juan Capistrano, CA 92675http://www.missionsjc.com/Phone 949-234-1300 Raging Waters San Dimas111 Raging Waters Dr.San Dimas, CA 91773http://www.ragingwaters.com/Phone 909-802-2200 Drew GainorWealth BuilderCENTURY 21 Superstarswww.DrewsHomes4Sale.com 08/20/2007

There are a lot of different ways your credit score can be calculated from you credit report. There are five different categories that the data can be grouped into.Most important is Payment History. Credit Cards, Retail Accounts, Installment Loans, Finance Company Accounts and Mortgages are some of the different accounts used. Adverse public records such as a bankruptcy, judgments, suits, liens and more. Severity of delinquency or how long past do. Also the amount past due and the number of past due items.Amounts Owed is the second biggest category viewed. The amount you owe on your accounts and the number of accounts you have. How close to the credit limit the balances are.Length of Credit History consists of how often and how many times accounts are opened.How much New Credit you have... 08/20/2007

Local Southern California Attractions (Part 1) Adventure City1238 S. Beach BlvdAnaheim, CA 92804http://www.adventurecity.com/Phone 714-236-9300 Aquarium of the Public100 Aquarium WayLong Beach, CA 90802http://www.aquariumofthepacific.com/Phone 562-590-3100 Catalina ExpressBerth 95San Pedro, Ca 90731http://www.catalinaexpress.com/Toll Free 800-622.2419Phone 310-519-1212 Discovery Science Center2500 N. Main StSanta Ana, CA 92705http://www.discoverydube.org/Phone 714-542-cube Disneyland1313 S. Harbor BlvdAnaheim, CA 92802http://www.disneyland.com/Phone 714-781-4565-------------------------------------Drew Gainorwww.DrewsHomes4Sale.com   08/08/2007

                                                                                       Portola Hills eNews                                                     New On the Market  Property Details  Price  Comments18996 Canyon Tree2 bed/1.25 bath/954 sq.ft$373,000 19511 Dorado Dr.3 bed/2.5 bath/1891 sq.ft.$609,000-$679,000 28391 Millwood Rd.5 bed/3 bath/3200 sq.ft.$919,900Pool!28311 Harvest View5 bed/3 bath/2900 sq.ft.$929,000   Sold Properties   28338 Pueblo Dr.2 bed/2 bath/1015 sq.ft$375,000 19211 Highland View4 bed/2.5 bath/1862 sq.ft$714,000 Should you like any information on the above properties or to schedule a showing please do not hesitate to click here.Open House: 19151 Red Bluff, Portola Hills - Sunday 8/5 - 1-4pm.  This home has been completely remodeled and if you are consideri... 08/03/2007

Have you been thinking about doing repairs to your Lake Forest home, but wondering where to get the money?  It may be closer then you think at unbelievable rates. The city of Lake Forest may be able to help you.  Homeowners can now receive up to $20,000 and mobile home owners can receive up to $10,000 for repairs.  Residents of Lake Forest, Portola Hills and Foothill Ranch can qualify for the ZERO percent deferred loan or a 3% loan for home improvements depending on income and other requirements.  Eligible improvements are roofing, windows, garage doors, painting, plumbing, heating, driveways, kitchen and bath repairs and other common home improvement items.To obtain more information or receive an application call the city direct at 949-461-3473.  Below is a snapshot of income requireme... 07/27/2007

Here is the "Slice & Dice" picture of the real estate market in Lake Forest.  I broke it down by $100K price breaks to show current available "Active" inventory, "Pending" sales, and "Closed" Sales for last month.  The most saturated price ranges today are the "under $300K" with approximately 18 months, and the "$700K to $800K" range with about 19 months.  The fastest (?) moving price range is the $500K - $600K with "only" about 6 months of available inventory.  No matter which price range your home falls in to, it must be the one of the best in its class, or risk becoming one of next month's statistics!              07/07/2007

 15 Questions To Help You Find The Right Agent to Sell Your Home Client Agent Relationship:  Please describe your approach to the client/agent relationship?    Setting the Price:  What is your approach in pricing? If any Agent is substantially higher or lower they should be able to justify the price.  Market Trends:  What is handicapping the market currently?Negotiations:  What are your negotiations techniques and how do they benefit sellers?Home Preparation:  How would you suggest I maximize my homes sale potential?Team: Who else is on your team and what areas of the process do they work with?  Qualified Buyers:  How do you qualify buyers to ensure they meet the sales needs?  Tech Savvy:  Ask agents there ability to utilize the Internet?  Over 75% of buyers use the Internet when search... 07/06/2007

The real estate market in Lake Forest continues to be slow. In the last month, total closed sales of only 32 properties is below our long term average by more than 65%. (These are early numbers and may improve a little in the next few days when a few more closings could be reported in the MLS.) Comparing the current sales rate with a current total inventory of 396, we are looking at over 12 month's worth of sales. Here are the numbers split between single family homes and condos:Current Lake Forest Real Estate Statistics : Single Family HomesStatus      #Units    Avg List*     $/square ft=======   ===     ======      =======Active          208    $761,900         $393Backup          10    $717,100         $353Pending         13    $722,286         $381Closed June*  19    $751,771       ... 07/02/2007

It is that time of year and we are blessed to be able to celebrate our freedoms in this great country, state and of course city, so make sure to get out and celebrate.  The city of Lake Forest in South Orange County, California does the celebrating well and you won't want to miss out.       Parade Day Events Include: 7:00 am-10:00am:  Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast- held at El Toro High School in the gym. Cost is $5.00 per person. 7:30 am - El Toro High School Educational/Booster 5k Run/Walk.  Located at the corner of Lake Forest Drive and Serrano.  Race day registration begins at 6:00 am. Cost is $10.00 for students and $25.00 for adults, includes a T-Shirt!  For additional information contact http://www.lf5k.org/ 10:00 am - It is Parade Time!  The theme of this years parade is the America ... 06/30/2007

Last night, I decided to cruise over to Lake Forest and check out all the great redevelopment that's been going on along El Toro Road.  I happened to notice that Fuddrucker's had some really cherry muscle cars out front, so I thought I'd swing by for a couple minutes to check them out.  Well, it was Tuesday night.  And, if it's Fuddrucker's on Tuesday, that means it's car chow night.  And what a show it was.  I stopped in for a minute and stayed a couple hours.Oh, how those cars brought back fond memories of Lyons Drag Strip on Friday nights and the old Orange County International Raceway on Saturdays.  Those were the days when the cars were hot, the guys were cool and for us gals it took a can of hairspray to get big hair and another can of spray to keep it in place riding in those rum... 06/28/2007

In the last 30 days, we have had 38 closings in Lake Forest.  These ranged in price from a low of $260,000 for a one bedroom condo with 710 square feet to a high of $1,150,000 for a home in Montbury Estates with an "equestrian zoned" 16,000 foot lot with a beautiful sunset view.  The number of closings are 55% below the volume of 2006, when we closed 81 properties.  While the average time on the market was 51 days, it is interesting to note that both of these extremes sold much faster.  The small condo sold on the first day on the market, while the most expensive, but unique, estate took only 43 days to sell.To view listings in Lake Forest or other areas of Orange County, please visit my website where you may search all homes in the MLS (no registration required!) 06/25/2007

On June 1st, 2007 Portola Hills Elementary School hosted a school carnival.   Kelly Turbeville with Century 21 Superstars sponspored the ever popular Petting Zoo, which was a favorite event at the carnival for the residents of Portola Hills.    Kelly Turbeville is one of South Orange County premier Realtors® focusing in the Saddleback Valley and the communities of Lake Forest, Portola Hills, Foothill Ranch, Trabuco Canyon, Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita.  Whether she's helping a first time buyer accomplish the goal of homeownership, or coaching a homeowner on how to use their equity to step up into a nice home or use it to buy an investment property or finding exclusive properties for the high end consumer. Kelly is committed to making it happen.  So if you're considering sell... 06/20/2007

South Orange County Singles looking for some fun things to do this summer and meet new friends through fellowship and just plain fun.  Then you will want to check out these activities that Saddleback Church Singles Ministry is hosting just for you. Singles Hawaiian Dance: Come to the Islands Friday, June 22In the Worship Center @ Saddleback ChurchDoors open at 7pm.  7:30pm Hula and Dance LessonDance ends at 11:30pm. Suggested Attire: Hawaiian Shirts & Dresses $25 for Advanced Ticket Sales* $35 at the DoorTickets will be available: June 16 @ Tent 2 before and after the Elevation service.June 16-17 on the patio outside of the Worship Center after services Click here to order tickets online  *After June 17 Tickets will only be available at the door.There will be no phone sales online and a... 06/12/2007

Lake Forest Spring Sales Activity (Jan 1 - April 30) 1999 thru 2007I went through the SoCalMLS and pulled out the history numbers for Lake Forest sales for the past 9 years (all they had available.)  These numbers are for the period of January 1 through April 30 for each year.Year     #List/#Sold     Avg$        (#Days)       %+/-1999 -   686/565     $221,404       (46)          - - - -2000 -   760/513     $241,235       (34)         + 9%2001 -   901/508     $272,271       (26)         +17%2002 -   711/584     $293,809       (33)         + 8%2003 -   667/524     $352,886       (31)         +20%2004* -  672/468     $455,452       (14)         +29%2005 -   663/548     $506,318       (49)         +11%2006 -   677/339     $571,644       (52)         +13%2007 -   646/243     $581,272       (... 05/31/2007

Simple words, but nonetheless heartfelt.  I just returned from the Eighteenth Annual Memorial Day Observance at El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest.  This lovely old, county-owned cemetery is home to oak trees that are over 100 years old.  It was a beautiful setting today with the temperature a mild 70o.  I sat among possibly 300 others who had gathered to honor those who have given so much to preserve our freedom and to purchase the freedom of so many others.   The National Anthem, America the Beautiful. and Battle Hymn of the Republic were sung by the Saddleback Master Chorale.  All three were touching songs that stir the memories within each of us.Richard Vaughn, the emcee of VFW Edward J. Kearns Post 6024 delivered a heartfelt reading of "The Death of Captain Waskow"  the Pulitzer ... 05/28/2007

     A day at the park!  Doesn't that sound like a wonderful thing to do. Nothing is better on lazy summer day, which are fast approaching and before you know it will be gone.  So make sure to mark your calendar now so you don't miss your chance to be part of a Lake Forest summer tradition, the Annual Summer Concert Series in the Park!  The city put's on such a fun event and it's FREE! The concert series is catered to families but also a very fun evening to spend with friends.  So mark your calender, pack a picnic, spread ou the blanket and enjoy!!!This year's schedule includes to be held at Pittsford Park are:June 24: Louis Price (from the Temptations) - Enjoy all of the classic hits featuring the lead singer for the temptations from 1977-1980 Louis Price.  July 29th: The Orange County... 05/12/2007

There are new shops and restaurants moving in to the Orchard Center in Lake Forest.  Today, my friend and I tried out Boneheads, that just opened about 2 weeks ago.  They specialize in grilled fish and chicken flavored with an African spice called "Piri-Piri." You can eat inside, or out on the sidewalk, or get an order to go. Each table has a collection of 4 bottles of their sauces, ranging from a tangy lemon to an "extra hot" Piri-Piri. I had 2 tacos (a la carte $2.59 each) : one shrimp and one chicken. The chicken was very good, but I really loved the shrimp and will order 2 (at least!) of those next time I go in. My friend had the Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich ($7.49) which came with a choice of fries or Asain cole slaw. The sandwich was a generous portion on a nice fresh bun, and ... 05/10/2007