Friday, July 30, 2010

Just Closed: Orange Portofira Estate

Guard Gated Community of Portofira Estates

5 Bedrooms, 5 Baths
4,450 sqft.



Entertainers Back Yard with panoramic views of O.C.!

For more information on this community or to discuss this closing please contact Nicole directly, 949.922.8148, or comment on this post below.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Pending Lease: Commercial Suite

Irvine's Airport Area
3,900 sqft.
Premier office suite
I have dedicated the last year to providing not only my friends, but my referral customers with great office spaces. The time is now if you are thinking of moving or renegotiating you current leases.  I will be happy to provide you with a list of satisfied clients for you to speak with who are enjoying their new offices as I post this.
For area information or discuss opportunities to purchase or lease an office within Orange County please call me directly, 949.922.8148.

Pocket Listing Avenue One

1 Bedroom 
1 Bathroom
Faces East and is full of natural sunlight.
Located within the main building near all amenities.
Original owner.

Please call or email me to discuss a time to view the property or simply discuss real estate opportunities at Avenue One, 949.922.8148.

Five Tips for a Green Home

By Nicole McFadden
Pfeif Residential Group
Prudential CA Realty
Living Eco-friendly & Energy-efficient. 

These catch phrases have become part of our lexicon as we’ve become more aware of our impact on the environment and our role in protecting it. As a homeowner, there are some simple, inexpensive steps you can take to make your home energy-efficient. Get started on the road to being “green” with these five tips:

Change Your Light Bulbs
By replacing just five incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, you can save $100 per year on electric bills while using up to 75 percent less energy and removing greenhouse gases from the environment.

Buy ENERGY STAR® Appliances
ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, such as refrigerators, washers and air conditioners, meet a higher level of energy efficiency set by the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy than standard models. According to ENERGY STAR, if just one in 10 homes used ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, the impact could be compared to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees. And, switching to these appliances is not only good for the environment, but easy on your pocketbook. Although these appliances may costs more, you can reduce your energy bill by $80 per year.

Seal Up
Cracks and air leaks represent cash seeping from your doors and windows. Get rid of air leaks in doors, windows and other areas by caulking gaps and cracks. This will help decrease your heating and air conditioning bill. But make sure you use silicone sealants. Acrylic caulk tends to shrink, while silicone sealants are waterproof and won’t shrink or crack, creating less waste.

Use Less Water
Did you know that roughly 60 percent of a home's water consumption takes place in the bathroom, according to the California Urban Water Conservation Council? The largest culprit is the toilet, which accounts for 27 percent of your household supply every year. By installing low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets, you can save thousands of gallons of water each year. In addition, replace leaky fixtures. That slow-dripping faucet can waste as much as 2,400 gallons of water per year.

Adjust the Thermostat
When adjusting your home’s thermostat, the rule of thumb should be: turn up the dial in the summer and down in the winter. Lowering the temperature by just one degree will reduce your electrical costs. And if you use a programmable thermostat, you can program your air-conditioning and heating systems to reduce output while no one is at home or at night while you sleep. Ceiling fans are also helpful in circulating the air to keep the room cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Going green doesn’t have to be overwhelming or costly. By making just a few small changes within your home, you can help decrease energy consumption and help make the world a “greener” place.

Nicole McFadden
949.922.8148
nicole@nicolemcfadden.com


Prudential (dba) is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity

Notes On Tax Credit Extension

Extended to: 
  • September 30, 2010.
Who Qualifies: 
  • First-Time Home buyers
  • Current Home owners who have lived in their residence as primary for 5 years and are purchasing a new primary residence. 
For Tax Returns:
  • First-Time home buyers are required to fill out the Form 5405 and show the transactions Settlement Statement.
  • Current/Long-Time residents who are buying new principal residences are require to fill out the Form 5405 and provide the following: Property Tax Records, Homeowners Insurance Records or Form 1098 Mortgage Interest Statement.


For more information from the IRS please click here:

Monday, July 26, 2010

Real Estate Forecasting

We are all aware of the tax incentives and breaks that were allotted for this year. Is everyone paying attention to the proposed higher taxes we will face across the board with capital gains come 2011 or possibly 2012? All the while leading up to this change we witness strategic defaulting by home and business owners throughout the county. I personally witness a common attitude of some residents; I might as well take advantage and get out while I can. All I have to do is stop paying my mortgage... These items will undoubtedly be directly effecting our future economy and short term status of recovery.

Some quick points to note:

  • The 33% tax bracket will become 36%.
  • The 35% tax bracket will become 39.6%.
  • Long-Term capital gains tax rate would increase from 15% up to 20%.
  • Raise taxes on investment profits.

What do California residents in particular think about this?

Just Sold: Irvine Mid-Rise

Avenue One Community
2 Bedroom
2 Bathroom

Short Sale 
Closed in only 69 days after listing!