Santa is Coming to Town - South Coast Plaza     Santa is coming to South Coast Plaza from November 16 to December 24, 2012.  As always, Santa will be available to hear a child's greatest wish for this Christmas. There's also a chance to ride a reindeer on the carousel or the train. After taking pictures with Santa and taking a ride, the children can also make arts and crafts to take home.  We have a few nutcrackers with which to decorate our home that the kids have made over the years. Originally posted at: Santa Claus is Coming to South Coast Plaza. 11/11/2012

Weichman Realtors is expanding to a new regional location.             Weichman Opens New Office!Weichman Realtors, the #1 Real Estate Brokerage in Costa Mesa, is excited to announce that it is moving its corporate office to 1503 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa. Conveniently located by the 405 freeway and Harbor Boulevard, it's location and state-of-the-art technology makes it one of the most technologically advanced real estate hubs in the region.As a Realtor, you have needs and Weichman is ready to meet those needs. Each of our agents take advantage of these great benefits:• Sixteen workstations and five private offices available for the top agents in the region• Costa Mesa's most visible sales office with over 100,000 passing cars• In-office printing press• Color printing• In-office ma... 11/08/2012

Costa Mesa Bark Park Yappy Hour   This week on November 8, 2012, there is a fund raiser for the Costa Mesa Bark Park.   The Costa Mesa Bark Park does not receive funds from the City of Costa Mesa.     There will a silent auction, food drink, treats for you pups.  You are welcome to bring your leashed dog to this event. So, come have fun and support the Costa Mesa Bark Park.   This event will be held at Dogma Studio, located at 1727 Superior Ave., Costa Mesa, CA.   For more information about the park, please see Costa Mesa Bark Park. 11/04/2012

EARLY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AND SAVING ANIMALS LIVES IN ORANGE COUNTY CA This weekend, in Orange County, California, you can start your Christmas shopping early, and help abandoned and abused animals at the same time! The 3rd Annual Pet Days will be held at the Orange County Market Place on Saturday, November 3rd and Sunday, November 4th, 2012, and you can receive free admission by simply bringing 2 cans or 1 bag of unopened dog or cat food as a donation, and the coupon below. HOW YOU CAN HELP ORANGE COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTERS AND RESCUE GROUPS This is a great cause, as the donations go to local animal shelters and animal rescue groups that are completely overwhelmed by the economic downturn and subsequent number of abandoned and neglected animals. There will also be animals at the swap meet, ... 11/01/2012

It’s a guiding principal among Realtors that superior landscaping adds value to any housing for sale. In California, different studies arrive at differing answers for how great that incremental increase actually is, but most agree that it lies somewhere in a range between 5% and 14%. Needless to say, that is huge! Since there isn’t anything like a universal way to define ‘good,’ ‘bad,’ or even ‘average’ landscaping, you can’t pin down its precise value. Nevertheless, what is certain is that in offering any housing for sale, the result will be greatly influenced by the first impression the property makes – its ‘curb appeal’. Landscaping is a great part of that. The landscaping term covers a wide swath of meanings including just about every part of a Costa Mesa property that isn’t physic... 10/28/2012

Costa Mesa Pumpkin Patch - 10-30-12       PUMPKIN PATCH 2012 October 30th •5pm - 7pm •1700 Adams Ave •   Costa Mesa   (Corner of Adams and Mesa Verde Drive East) Tractor Rides • Petting Zoo •FREE PUMPKINS • Pony Rides •Pie Eating Contest  Be sure to stop by and join us for our annual pumpkin patch this Tuesday. We would love to see you. 10/28/2012

Costa Mesa Trunk or Treat - Lighthouse Coastal Community Church       This year, Lighthouse  Coastal Community Church is having its first trunk or treat with over 20 different trunks from which to enjoy treats. There will also be a bounce house, "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" and popcorn and cider.   If you're looking for a great Costa Mesa trunk or treat, why not stop by and bring the kids? 6pm to 8pm on Halloween. 10/28/2012

Costa Mesa Short Sales | Avoid Foreclosure Banks and the Short Sale Requirements in Costa Mesa change constantly. Our Costa Mesa Short Sale Experts are experienced and understand that a short sale vs foreclosure is an option that typically is best for most homeowners. It is not the only option, and we will gladly explain all your options available to avoid foreclosure with your bank in Costa Mesa, California. Do you want to work with the Best Short Sale Agents in Orange County who is constantly staying up to date with all the changes? Costa Mesa Short Sale Experts | Foreclosure vs Short Sale | Short Sell How do you sell your home for less than owed? Most Costa Mesa Homeowners have experienced some type of hardship with the current economy. Our Costa Mesa Short Sale Company consist of so... 10/22/2012

Success in selling Costa Mesa homes can depend on being able to distinguish what is important to buyers from what is not.  Proactive homeowners know that one room usually gets more attention than does any other: the kitchen. There are many good reasons why this is so (we have discussed them before) -- but one kitchen detail in particular can have a disproportionate impact. It’s a detail that is all too easy to overlook: the condition of the appliances. Realty Times declares, “Sellers should update their appliances." I don’t think I would go quite that far, but the gist is right. When the appliances look like they deserve their starring role in the main act -- the kitchen -- it indicates a homeowner who has taken pride in their property. To a prospective buyer choosing whether or not to... 10/19/2012

Sometimes, acting as the buyer’s agent for one of my Costa Mesaclients, I wind up dealing on their behalf with what can be frustrating financial roadblocks. It’s part of the service all buyer’s agents bring to the table…and in recent years it’s become a more common situation.             There can be any number of reasons that trigger a financial snag. A client’s down payment funds might be tied up due to a business-related delay, some other ongoing real estate transaction can hit a scheduling snafu, or it may simply be that an unexpected credit ding has surfaced which can’t be solved within the necessary timeframe.             No matter what the reason, when a client is on track to buy a home --  but also needs to buy time -- alternate avenues need to be explored. A lease option can s... 10/08/2012

Driving the Firetruck! - Speechless Sundays     Yesterday, we were fortunate enough to encounter an open house at the Mesa Verde Fire Station in Costa Mesa.  They allowed the kids to try out the fire hoses, wear fireman uniforms and climb around in the firetruck.  He came away filthy and ecstatic and talking about the fire truck all day long. What a wonderful opportunity they provided. 10/07/2012

    The stage is set for those with investment dollars to spare: income properties -- including rentable Orange County vacation homes  – are still being offered at discount prices. At this point, the fire sale psychology has been pretty well hosed down, but…Despite the evidence of an improving market, the recovery is from such a deep downturn that, stacked up beside historical levels, real bargains are still out there. Add in the fact that recent pronouncements from Washington indicate that a lid is firmly in place on those extremely attractive mortgage rates, and it's clear why investors are likely to continue on course to match or beat last year's 7% growth in vacation home sales.  The first reason is immediately obvious: when it comes to renting out a vacation or other property, the... 10/01/2012

Agent Referral Network is a local Costa Mesa Bank of America Short Sale Expert. As a Costa Mesa Short Sale Company that specializes in short sales for all of Orange County, you are assured the highest standard of professionalism and can always count on our Bank of America Short Sale Experts to help answer any questions you have in regards to Costa Mesa Short Sales. Bank of America Costa Mesa Short Sale Expert Agent Referral Network is a local Costa Mesa, CA Bank of America Short Sale Expert with experienced Certified Short Sale Agents here to assist you.   Costa Mesa, CA Bank of America Short Sale Expert We specialize in Short Sales for Costa Mesa and Surrounding Areas Many people in the Costa Mesa area are curious as to what the Bank of America Short Sale process entails. You can refer... 09/26/2012

  Costa Mesa CA properties continue to be in high demand for buyers. Costa Mesa now has good SHORT SALE properties listed on the MLS - with average asking price of $542,980. See East Costa Mesa short sale listings - click here. See all Costa Mesa short sale listings - click here. Since SHORT SALES take a long time to get offers made and presented and then approved by lenders, some of the short sale listings are now in "backup"on the MLS in waiting position. East Costa Mesa short sale listing - $749,000 - 3 bedrooms and two baths - Back Up Offers - MLS# U12002578 - idx link   121 Costa Mesa SHORT SALE properties have sold so far this year - as of September 20, 2012 - with buyers taking advantage of low prices - average sold price of $398,575. 289 Costa Mesa SHORT SALE properties were sol... 09/20/2012

September is a transition time for almost everybody. Here in Costa Mesa , the kids have shifted into school gear, adults have moved out of vacation mode, and businesses are already sprucing up for the (believe it or not) Holiday Season. Inreal estate, we are looking with more than casual interest at what’s going on nationally. Especially those measures that tend to affect Costa Mesa home sales. The largest professional association in the country is our own National Association of Realtors®.  At the beginning of August, they broke another piece of welcome news. This one looks like the difference between ‘indicators’ of a strengthening home sales market -- and signs that it’s already fact. The NAR release was about TOM. No, as you have probably guessed, TOM isn’t some real estate broker’... 09/19/2012

Nationally, the supply of the bank-owned properties for sale has been trending down -- potentially good news for anyone and everyone with an interest inCosta Mesareal estate. Competition from the glut of foreclosed properties has had the effect of driving down home sale prices, so any drop in the number of  Costa Mesa bank owned properties will remove that downward pressure. If the trend continues, it should also affect even the bank owned properties themselves. A drop in supply will increase competition for the bargains they represent. But this is why alert bargain hunters should keep their pencils sharpened. As retail merchants understand, just slapping a ‘SALE!’ sign on an item may help it sell -- even if it isn’t really a particularly good bargain. The low prices attached to Costa ... 09/09/2012

Eastside Costa Mesa Home for Sale -Lovely 3 Bed - Elden   This Charming 3 bedroom home in Eastside Costa Mesa is located close to shopping, restaurants and freeways as well as the Orange County Fairgrounds. See below to see this move in ready home with a very open floor plan and extra large master bedroom. For any questions about this lovely home, please contact Christine Donovan at 714-319-9751. Charming Eastside Costa Mesa Home Overview Maps Photos Description Neighborhood Market Stats $410,000 Condominium Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms1 Partial BathroomInterior: 1,575 sqft Location 2569 Elden#7Costa Mesa, CA 92627USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Christine Donovan DRE 01267479(714) 319-9751christine@donovanblat... 09/09/2012

Here is our September 2012 Farm piece for Costa Mesa California!  We have our own in office marketing and printing department. It saves our agents a large amount of money for marketing themselves to the public! Larry Weichman is President and Broker of Costa Mesa-based real estate powerhouse Weichman Realtors,”the most trusted name in Costa Mesa Real Estate”. Larry and his highly-trained team of professionals have proudly served Costa Mesa since 1976. For questions about an upcoming sale or purchase, call him directly at 714-241-4532 or email your questions to Larry@TeamWeichman.com. Be sure to visit Larry Weichman in Costa Mesa CA for the latest news and information on the Costa Mesa real estate market. Lic #00573423  Search all available listings  Search Golf Course Homes  View all a... 09/04/2012

  No matter how broad your previous life experiences may have been, buying a home is a very big deal. For a first time buyer, whether here in Orange County Californiaor anywhere else, the impact of that life-changing purchase is doubly impactful. It affects different people in different ways, but after the dust clears, there is one emotion I never want myOrangeCountyfirst-time buyer clients to feel: remorse.   You might think that the size of the transaction makes it wildly unlikely that even a first time buyer would overlook any major missteps. After all, when you are new to such an important purchase, you are bound to be extra cautious. Yet when you consider the challenging distractions along the way (going through your first mortgage approval process; scraping together a down payment... 09/03/2012

Eastside Costa Mesa Home for Sale -Lovely 3 Bed - Elden   This Charming 3 bedroom home in Eastside Costa Mesa is located close to shopping, restaurants and freeways as well as the Orange County Fairgrounds. See below to see this move in ready home with a very open floor plan and extra large master bedroom. For any questions about this lovely home, please contact Christine Donovan at 714-319-9751. Charming Eastside Costa Mesa Home Overview Maps Photos Description Neighborhood Market Stats $410,000 Condominium Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms1 Partial BathroomInterior: 1,575 sqft Location 2569 Elden#7Costa Mesa, CA 92627USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Christine Donovan DRE 01267479(714) 319-9751christine@donovanblat... 09/02/2012