Laguna Niguel Real Estate Blog

Now is your chance to keep your eyes focused on the Laguna Beach Real Estate market. I'm not only talking about at the beach, but ON the beach.

Besides the typical MLS Search, I have now set up a page that just features Ocean Front Real Estate in Laguna Beach. These homes are various prices, but you won't find anything that isn't directly on the beach or somehow on the waterfront.

With John McMonigle's recent listing of another premiere property in Emerald Bay for $36 Million, one has to wonder if there is a way to keep tabs on all of the ocean front properties. I quickly realized that in order to effectively answer questions about these ocean front estates that I needed to keep tabs on the daily changes in this market segment.

I have added myself to an email alert so that anytime something changes with the Ocean Front properties in Laguna, I have a notification on my cell phone.

Besides just high end listings, you'll be able to focus on any price point within Laguna if you simply browse by price.

Labels: Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach, ocean front homes, real estate

Posted by Rory at 9:54 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

When I'm answering questions for people interested in various pieces of Real Estate, one of the most common questions is, "What are the Home Owners' Association Dues?" That is usually followed very quickly by "What does this HOA do?" This is along the lines of thinking, "Why should I even be paying an HOA?"

Take for instance, the community of Lagunita, in South Laguna Beach. Since the community was started in the 1930's some of the homes there were built before the concept of an HOA came into existence. I have had many people guess that the HOA dues are simply to maintain the gated entrance of Lagunita, but I thought that it couldn't be around just for that reason. So I did some digging, and I actually found the HOA website for Lagunita. This gives me an idea of the levels of organization involved in getting construction plans approved in Lagunita at the level of the HOA.

By contrast, other communities such as Crest De Ville, in Laguna Niguel offer not only a gate with a guard, but extensive common areas, association pool, spa and BBQ, and with good reason their HOA dues are higher.

Some of the things that drive HOA dues:
Gated Community
Guard Gated Community
Community Landscaping (mostly in common areas)
Community Parking Enforcement
Association Amenities, such as an association pool, spa, or clubhouse
Maintenance of common buildings, (paint and utilities for the clubhouse)

If these things matter to you, then make sure to ask your real estate agent what the amenities are included, if any. If you could care less about them, then you may consider a different community that may have similar prices, and quality with a different (or fewer) items going into the cost behind the HOA dues.

Of course, when you find "The Home" that's just right, then all of this is secondary.

Labels: Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel

Posted by Rory at 3:02 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Getting in and out of the main gate of Emerald Bay, in Laguna Beach is definitely tricky. If you are headed northbound on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) then getting in is no problem. Then the next easiest entrance into Emerald Bay is while heading Southbound on the PCH into Laguna from Newport Beach. There it is simply a matter of waiting for a gap in the cars to open up.

Once you make it into Emerald Bay, you are treated to some of the most exclusive real estate in South Orange County Map

Residents of Emerald Bay enjoy tennis, basketball, a 24 hour guard gated community.

From a 2005 article on Forbes.com ""The Laguna Life"
"Founded in 1929, Emerald Bay was named for the color of the nearby waters. Over time, it shifted from a low-key beach destination to a very pricey place, indeed. Though some of the older, bungalow-style homes (and longtime residents) remain, their real estate values are anything but modest. It's difficult to find a home for less than $3 million in Emerald Bay."

The article mentions that Emerald Bay is where Warren Buffet has bought at least 2 homes. Currently prices in Emerald Bay range from approximately 3 Million to more than 33 Million.

This is what it takes to get exclusive property with an exclusive beach and magnificent views.

Leaving Emerald Bay can be tricky as well. If you are heading south on the PCH back into Laguna, there is a quick turn to make into the middle of the PCH. So you actually have to dodge oncoming traffic, and quickly turn while accelerating. It is what I imagine to be similar to launching off of an aircraft carrier.

Labels: Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach

Posted by Rory at 7:53 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post