US Open Golf Tournament and Real Estate!

This weekend is the culmination of the US Open golf tournament at Bethpage Black in New York.  Coincidentally, it is also the culmination of a three property open house in Northwood Pointe, Irvine!

You like how I slipped that in? Well, golf and real estate have a lot in common:

1. You must have a lot of patience

2. It is a slow, oongterm commitment - both to learn and for a single game

3. The green fees and real estate, always go up!

4. One decision to go for the flag could be disasterous or it could win the game

5. Best of all, it can be the most enjoyable experience of your life!

I urge you to take some time out of your US Open Golf Tournament watching and take a tour of the following great open houses:

1. 7 Bristlecone in the gated community of Tremaine in Northwood Pointe.  This location is less than 50 yards to award winning Canyon View Elementary school and features 4 bedrooms (one currently used as a loft), 2.5 bathrooms in almost 2,200 square feet.  The yard features a lap pool and lush landscaping.  Upgrades include travertine flooring, custom paint, a view deck off the secondary bedrooms, and double door entry - this is very rare for any home under 4,000 square feet.  Open 12 to 4PM.  Offered at $849,000.

2. 2 Mahogany in the guard gated community of Trailwood is the award winning Taylor Woodrow development featuring the classic Craftsman style much like the classic Pasadena neighborhoods.  This specific home features 5 bedrooms, with one guest suite downstairs and 4 bedrooms upstairs.  The master suite features a retreat on one side and a gym or office off the bathroom.  With almost 3,500 square feet, this home offers plenty of rooom along with an intimate atmosphere.  The corner lot offers privacy and an extra large yard.  Open 12 to 4PM.  Offered at $1,599,000

3. 29 Plumeria in the gated Standard Pacific development of Arbor Crest sits at the top of the development with a grand view of the Irvine Ranch’s famous Eucalyptus trees and a mountain view of the outskirts of the Cleveland National Forest.  With almost 4,300 square feet and a unique three car side by side garage, this 5 bedrooms with an office, gives tremendous flexibility.  The backyard features a custom built-in BBQ, spa and Koi pond. Open from 12 to 4PM.  Offered at $1,599,000.

So take a break from golf and visit the area that could being you your greatest return on your investment in the world; even more than the cabbage patch dolls you bought in the 1980s!

Go to www.NorthwoodPointeIrvine.com or www.MichaelDunn.com for more information.

Mike

Posted: June 21st, 2009 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
Comments: none

Top Google Searches and Real Estate!

Did you know that you can find out what the top searches are on the Internet for each day?  Yes, it is amazing.  You can find out what the whole world is looking for.  What does this mean?

Well, it gives an insight into trends and what people are looking for.  Some are looking for American Idol reuslts, others are looking for the latest Hollywood gossip and still others search for sports scores.

In the past year I have only seen 4 or 5 days where real estate was in the top 20 searches.  This amazes me because with the market DOWN, you would think people’s searches for real estate would be UP!  This is the time to buy; when the market is in a lull or correction.  Too often people go with the latest trends and they miss out on opportunities.

Well, if you are one of the few who is ready to make a commitment, here is where you should buy:  www.NorthwoodPointeIrvine.com and www.ThePelicanEstates.com . Why you ask?  Here are my reasons for Northwood Pointe in Irvine:

1. Best schools by location and educational levels.  National Blue Ribbon award winning Canyon View Elementary and Northwood High Schools are the best in the state.  Better yet, they are less than one mile from the farthest house in Northwood Pointe.

2. Most supportive neighbors in Irvine.  Northwood Pointe has the strongest PTA and neighborhood association I have ever seen.  They are reasonable; not Nazi like as many associations are.  Each year they host a variety of community events ranging from the Harvest Festivale, Winters Snow Party at the Park, Summer movie nights at Meadowood Park, Community Fundraisers and community garage sales.

3. Northwood Pointe also has some of greatest amenities in the world featuring the Citrus Glen Tennis Center with 4 regulation tennis courts, water fountains and bathroom facilities, Meadowood Park featuring sand volleyball, full court basketball, BBQ areas, soccer and baseball fields, Meadowood Park Swim Center - home of the Northwood Flash Swim Team, Trailwood Park and swimming facility, and of course access to the world famous and OC Mararthon route, Hicks Canyon Trail.

Prices here range from the high $200,000 for attached townhomes to close to $2M for 5,500 square feet semi-custom mansions.  You can go to www.NorthwoodPointeIrvine.com to see the floor plans.

The other area to invest in is custom home communities of Pelican Hill, Pelican Crest and Pelican Point.  These three guard gated communities contain a veritable Who’s Who list of the greatest business, entrepreneurs and CEOs of the world.  They also host some of the most spectacular custom built homes in the world. 

www.ThePelicanEstates.com will give you a virtual tour and an idea of how amzing this area is.  I can hear you asking how much?  This nis not for the faint at heart or faint in the pocket book . . . prices here range from the low $4M to well over $50M.  The good news is that at the peak of the market it was impossible to get in under $6M, so you will have some instant equity.

More later . . . 949-533-2581.

Posted: June 15th, 2009 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
Comments: none

Special Agent Oso versus Special Agent Dunn!

I am sure if you are a parent, you ahve discovered Special Agent Oso on the Disney Channel.  Another Disney phenomenon is about to take over the world!

Basically, Special Agent Oso was created by Ford Riley, Special Agent Oso follows a lovable stuffed panda who is training as an agent with United Network for Investigating Quite Usual Events (Unique), an institution dedicated to helping children perform well in day-to-day tasks such as homework and cleaning up their rooms.

Now what about Special Agent Dunn?  He does basically the same thing for adults.  He is dedictaed to helping adults perform the daily tasks that will help increase the value of the homes they already have and help them save a lot of money on the homes they are looking to buy.  He also helps them clean up their rooms, especially when a potential buyer is looking at their house!

Special Agent Dunn has been training in the real estate business for over 10 years now.  Why do I say training?  Because one never really masters anything; one is always learning.  Especially in the current market, there is so much to learn and to be creative about.  Short sales, REOs, foreclosures, loan modifications and “regular sales”.  I put regular sales in quotes because nothing is regular, it just comes closer than others.

The main thing to remember is to find the house you want in the neighborhood you wnat and not get too greedy.  By that i mean, buyers in todays market are looking for really deep discounts and as a result miss out on decent deals.  Rememebr, today you are getting a house for at least 30% UNDER waht the peak was selling for.   In 10 years, you will have that 30% in equity!

We can talk specifics when you call me at 949-533-2581 or send an e-mail to Mike@MichaelDunn.com and visit two of the best areas to live www.NorthwoodPointeIrvine.com and www.ThePelicanEstates.com

Best wishes,

Mike

Posted: June 13th, 2009 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
Comments: none

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant and Real Estate!

Last Thursday night, I went to see the Los Angeles Lakers play the Orlando Magic in game on eof the NBA basketball finals.  It was a very exciting scene; celebrities everywhere, young basketball fans trying to get a glimpse of their favorite players, former NBA greats coming to reunite and share old stories.

The energy level was at a picth fever.  My seats were about 15 feet from the court and I was like a ten year old watching all the action.  Besides being so close to the court, I could also HEAR the action.  On one particular play, Andrew Bynum was called for a foul on Dwight Howard and he let loose a selected adjective.

I was amazed at the physicality of the action.  It looked like the players were crashing into one another at every turn and the referees just let them play.  The two things that really struck me, were:

1. The ebb and flow of the game and momentum.  It was as if a choreographed play were unfolding before me.  At first it seemed like chaos, with players weaving in and out and looking for an open player.  At second glance, every player was attempting to fullfill his role.  Guards were directing the plays, centers and forwards were setting screens.

2. Kobe Bryant.  It is unusual to have one player stand out from the rest in the midst of so many top players, but when you watch Kobe Bryant in isolation (if you ever go to a game, watch him for several sequences without looking at other players), you notice that he sees the bigger pictures, much like a director sees a scene in a movie. 

Bryant directed players to certain spots and told them where to go.  He was furious on the defensive end and altered several shots from opposing players.  He also kept the officials honest by pointing out several missed calls.  What we did not see, was Bryants preparation before the game.  This, in every sport, is the key to success.  The public rarely sees this part of the game, but it is the part of the game which makes ALL the difference.

I urge you, even if it is on TV, watch Kobe Bryant play and watch him during several sequences to see the passion and the urgency he exhibits in his play.  This brings me to real estate. 

Real estate requires diligent preparation and research.  It also requires the buyer to have his or her major wants at the top of the list.  Too often, buyers dismiss a property over relatively small issues.  Keep the big picture in mind.  Examples of the big picture are:  1. School district, 2. Location to parks and amenities, 3. Floor plan desirability.

The reason for these top three, are that they are the hardest to change.  Carpet and paint are easily changed and should not prevent you from making a purchase.  Also, do not let a few thousand dollars get in the way of making a great long term investment.  Let’s assume you put an offer on a house that is priced at $1,000,000.  The last sale was $975,000 and the market is flat.  Let’s also assume you are going to live in the area for at least 10 years.  The extra 2.5% ($25,000), you will be paying will disappear 10 years from now.  What will not disappear will be the excellent schools and the amazing neighborhood you will experience.

www.NorthwoodPointeIrvine.com is one of those unique neighborhoods which give you all these positive amenities.  Some expamples of amazing homes available are as follows:

1. Gated 5 beds, 2.5 baths in 3,600 square feet for $1,399,000

2. Gated 71 New Dawn with 5 beds plus a bonus, 4.5 baths in 4,600 square feet for $1,749,000

3. Guard gated 2 Mahogany with 5 beds, 4.5 baths in almsot 3,500 square feet for $1,599,000

4. Guard gated 15 Spring Grove with 5 beds, 4.5 baths in almost 3,800 square feet - pool and spa - for $1,399,000

5. Guard gated 3 Shadowglen with 5 beds plus office, 4.5 baths in almost 3,700 square feet for $1,399,000

6. Gated 50 yards to award winning Canyon View Elementary school with 4 beds, 2.5 baths in almost 2,200 square feet for $699,000.

Go to www.MichaelDunn.com to get specific details on these properties.  In the meantime, watch Kobe Bryant play and you will not only learn about basketball but more importantly, you will see what a burning desire can result in.

Enjoy.

Mike

Posted: June 7th, 2009 under Hot Tips, Real Estate News.
Comments: 1