Because Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has made a tradition out of helping families achieve their dreams, we feel a great sense of responsibility to help those in need during the holidays. Each year, several of our branch offices in Orange County help make the holidays a little brighter for families in need, whether it’s through in-kind donations, monetary donations or volunteering.

In Laguna Niguel and San Clemente, two of our Coldwell Banker offices “adopt” 35 children from Orange County Social Services.

“These children, of all age groups, give us a wish list of gifts they would like to receive,” said Sandra Deering, branch manager for the Laguna Niguel and San Clemente offices. “We then have our agents pick a child and they purchase gifts from that list. We have been doing this for the last seven years. It gives us a lot of joy to provide these children with a little holiday cheer.”

Coldwell Banker offices at Fashion Island, Lido and Balboa are also participating in the Adopt-A-Family program through Share Our Selves, a non-profit serving the homeless and low-income populations in Orange County. This year, our agents and employees have committed to providing Christmas gifts and food for five families.

I know there are many other examples of local Coldwell Banker agents, employees, partners and clients helping O.C. families in need this holiday season. I invite all of our View readers to join us in bringing a little joy to the homeless men, women and children in our communities. To find out how you can help, we have listed several local charities in need below. From the Coldwell Banker family to yours…happy holidays.

Orange County Rescue Mission
One Hope Drive
Tustin, CA 92782
(714) 247-4300
www.rescuemission.org
To donate online, click here.

Operation Santa Claus
Social Services Agency
P.O. Box 22006
Santa Ana, CA 92702-2006
To find out how to donate to Orange County Social Services’ holiday programs (including Operation Santa Claus and Senior Santa & Friends), click here.

Orangewood Children’s Foundation
1575 E. 17th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 619-0200
www.orangewoodfoundation.org
To find out how to donate, click here.

Share Our Selves
1550 Superior Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92627-3653
(949) 270-2100
shareourselves.org
To donate online, click here.

I recently checked camoves.com and there are 320 properties that are priced at or below $200,000 in Anaheim, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Orange and Tustin. Could home ownership be more in reach than you think? If you are renting and have financial stability, why not explore the possibility of home ownership? Talk it through with a family member or friend. Don’t be afraid to talk to a real estate agent, spend a few minutes with the manager of a real estate office or visit Coldwell Banker’s online First Time Home Buyer Resource Center.

Now I know what you might be thinking. Of course a Coldwell Banker executive would push homeownership! You’re right. I’ve been in the real estate business for over 30 years and I have owned many homes myself… but I also know what I’m talking about! To this day, I believe in the power of home ownership as part of the American Dream, but more importantly, I believe it in it as a viable long-term investment. I am not alone. According to the 2011 National Housing Pulse Survey by the National Association of REALTORS®, 72 percent of renters today aspire to home ownership said owning a home is a top priority for their future, up from 63 percent in 2010.

Now I realize homeownership isn’t for everyone. There are many factors that come into play in the decision to buy—your lifestyle, job status, savings, credit history, etc. But with home affordability levels at their record best in Orange County, I strongly suggest you take a good, hard look at homeownership. Right now just might be the perfect time, as UCLA economists recently forecasted that California home prices will rise steadily over the next six years. If you are paying more than $1,000 a month in rent and have financial stability, choosing to buy a home today could be the smartest investment you ever make.

As a global leader in the luxury real estate space, Coldwell Banker Previews International® has paid careful attention to the desires of this savvy group of consumers over the last few years. That is why I am proud to announce to our Orange County luxury clients that Coldwell Banker Previews and The Corcoran Group have entered into an exclusive partnership with 1stdibs.com, the definitive online resource for antiques, 20th-century design, vintage and estate jewelry, fashion and fine art for collectors.

Earlier last week, 1stdibs debuted its “FINE HOMES” search on the site, featuring luxury properties nationwide listed by Previews and Corcoran, the premier residential real estate firm in New York City and the Hamptons. Tapping its authority in the design world, 1stdibs will, on a weekly basis, engage leading interior designers and architects to select their preferred “property picks,” which will be listed under “Hot Properties” in the site’s Style Compass section. The real estate partnership with 1stdibs represents the next evolution of the curated search site, expanding from the rare treasures with which collectors grace their homes to the actual homes themselves.

“1stdibs has a big following among the world’s most affluent consumers–who buy big-ticket items on a regular basis–and among designers and architects, who are all secretly real estate junkies like me,” said the site’s founder, Michael Bruno, who began his career as a real estate broker and whose idea to apply a multiple listing serving model to the high-end antiques category was the impetus for 1stdibs a decade ago. “This search brings those elements together, giving designers a pipeline to hot new properties on the market and enticing 1stdibs visitors to buy a house they didn’t even know they were looking for!”

Previews’ partnership with 1stdibs ultimately means more eyes will be seeing our Orange County clients’ luxury homes. 1stdibs not only boasts a monthly audience of 2 million affluent visitors and more than 55 million page views a month—but is dedicated to cultivating homes with remarkable style. Betty Graham, president of Coldwell Banker Previews International® division for NRT, recently said, “our presence on 1stdibs further elevates Previews as a true luxury lifestyle brand,” and I must agree. Our affluent clients clearly have an advantage in the marketplace. I invite you to visit realestate.1stdibs.com today.

For most homeowners, the pleasurable effects of the American Dream last long after the final moving box is unpacked. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) “American Attitudes About Homeownership” 2011 survey, homeowners are much more likely to be satisfied with the quality of their family and community life than renters; while an overwhelming majority of homeowners are happy with their decision. The same is also true for many Orange County homeowners and first-time buyers, who report a greater sense of happiness and more control over their lives.

In Aliso Viejo, a young man in his early 30s was able to establish himself in his first home—a two-bedroom townhome near the Aliso Viejo Town Center. He is now in escrow for $290,000, but a similar townhome would have probably sold for $470,000 at the peak of the market.

“This young man is thrilled to be starting the process of building equity,” said Rosemary Hieber, a Coldwell Banker sales associate in Laguna Niguel. “He’s establishing himself, with the hopeful expectation of moving into a different phase of life at some point. This townhome is the perfect platform to provide that transition, and he wouldn’t have been able to achieve this at the peak.”

Dana Roberts and Elinor Newman, Coldwell Banker sales associates in Irvine, recently helped two buyers purchase their first homes: a bachelor starting the next phase of life with his girlfriend and a newlywed couple planning a future family. The bachelor purchased a three-bedroom single-family home for $515,000 in Tustin Ranch; while the newlyweds purchased a two-bedroom condo for $265,000 in Aliso Viejo.

“At the peak of the market, the couple could have probably only afforded a one-bedroom condo, and the bachelor might have been to afford a two-bedroom condo,” said Roberts. “Now both buyers are in homes they can grow in for years to come.”

If nothing else, these stories remind us that homebuying is a matter of the heart, not just the mind. This Saturday, October 22, I invite you to celebrate this idea with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage during our “Fall in Love with the American Dream” Open House event. We will hold simultaneous open houses across Orange County, giving aspiring homebuyers an opportunity to tour multiple properties in one afternoon. When they find the right one, they will just know.

The two-day retreat underscored the luxury sector’s resilience, but more importantly, highlighted the maturity of a rare market that has not always been understood. We all walked away with a greater understanding of where the luxury market is, and where it’s going. Bruce Zipf, president of NRT, discussed the state of the industry and the direction of our company, while a panel of top producers covered everything from how to market their listings internationally to selling against the competition. Our Orange County Previews agents were reminded that the luxury market is a global market, learning about the intricacies of the Asian and European markets, as well as what’s happening in the Manhattan real estate landscape. However, one of the most significant indications of the luxury market’s growth came during talks about Coldwell Banker Previews’ latest and greatest digital resources—from our new partnerships with 1stDibs.com and Maserati to our all-digital Luxury from the Inside Out magazine. To me, it showed just how much the digital world is changing the way luxury consumers buy and sell real estate—whether they’re in Newport Beach or Newport, Rhode Island.

I mention the 2011 California Coldwell Banker Previews International® retreat not because it was an unforgettable experience for those of us in Orange County, but because it highlights Coldwell Banker’s commitment to growing and leading the luxury housing market at a crucial time. Few, if any, real estate companies today possess the vast amount of resources that allow us to bring together the best of the best, with the goal of ensuring that our affluent clients’ most prized assets are protected, discreetly marketed and sold for the greatest possible value. It is this very quality that makes Previews the global luxury leader it is today.

Rick Jenkins: Why is it important for a homebuyer or seller to align with a national company like NRT and Coldwell Banker today?
Bruce Zipf: Today, there’s a greater emphasis on finding buyers wherever they might live, whether it’s around the corner or half way around the world. By aligning with an NRT company, homebuyers and sellers benefit from a network of global connections and the type of marketing resources that no local brokerage can match.
RJ: hat is Coldwell Banker’s no. 1 strength in your mind?
BZ: Our people. Our agents consistently rank among the highest performing professionals in our industry. Their knowledge, dedication and commitment to customer service help make Coldwell Banker the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage. Then you also have the professionals behind the scenes providing the vision and know-how to deliver the support services that give Coldwell Banker agents a distinct competitive advantage in the field.

RJ: In an uncertain market, what should consumers keep in mind when selecting a broker or real estate firm?

BZ: You really need a brokerage that delivers the whole package. An excellent local boutique might have a reputation for service equal to the neighborhood Coldwell Banker office, but they simply can’t muster the type of marketing exposure that effectively reaches beyond county lines. In an uncertain market, local newspaper and magazine ads probably won’t get the job done. But if you have a global network of agents and extensive Internet marketing tools ready to extend your reach, I like your chances a whole lot better.

RJ: What resources does Coldwell Banker offer that may give buyers or sellers an advantage in a challenging market?

BZ: We have invested heavily to create the nation’s broadest Internet marketing program.  We have also leveraged our national relationships to prominently place a seller’s listing as featured ads on Realtor.com, Trulia.com, Yahoo! Real Estate and Zillow.com. Other reach-extending resources include our extensive Google keyword campaign and Coldwell Banker’s On Location YouTube channel. From groundbreaking Internet marketing programs, to industry-leading technology initiatives like our rapid response tool, LeadRouter, which puts interested buyers in immediate contact with an agent and HomeBase, which gives clients easy online access to their transaction, Coldwell Banker has a truly differentiated service offering. For high-end consumers, the Coldwell Banker Previews luxury marketing program continues to cater to their needs with features like a newly revamped Homes & Estates magazine, offering enhanced editorial content that center on the luxury lifestyle in all its many forms.

Presented by Orange County’s Sound of Music Chapter, this exciting self-guided home tour will feature the area’s most unique and notable kitchens. These homes feature the finest architects, kitchen designers and builders. The wonderful ladies at the Sound of Music tell us that “guests are sure to be inspired by fabulous kitchens while enjoying food demonstrations from favorite local restaurants and chefs paired with distinguished fine wines.” As part of the event, a boutique featuring local artisans’ home décor and personal gift items will be presented along with the musical talent of students from the Orange County High School for the Arts. Chefs from Orange County’s best restaurants—including Antonello Ristorante, Morton’s the Steakhouse, Pinot Provence, Seasons  52 and Williams Sonoma—will be represented on the tour, while treats, décor and floral arrangements from other local notables will be in grand supply.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage would like to personally invite all of our O.C. friends who believe that the arts are as vital to our community as we do. We are extremely proud to sponsor a fundraiser that makes artistic excellence and expression available to everyone. It is yet another example of Coldwell Banker Previews’ commitment to helping people achieve their dreams.

Tickets for the Notable Kitchen Tour & Chef Showcase are $65 and proceeds benefit The Guilds of Segerstrom Center for the Arts. For tickets, contact Marilyn McCorkle at 949 366 1076 or mccorkle50@sbcglobal.net.

A 40-year veteran of the real estate industry, Steve comes to the Irvine office as an International Diamond Society member and top foreclosure specialist, with a track record of leading hundreds of agents and overseeing thousands of transactions. He has owned two large real estate companies himself—including mortgage, escrow, insurance and title companies—and truly knows all facets of the real estate business. He is one of the most knowledgeable and seasoned real estate agents around, and his grasp of agent recruiting and training, real estate coaching, management operations and negotiations will ultimately benefit all of our Irvine-based agents and clients. Steve is yet another example of Coldwell Banker’s ability to attract the top local real estate talent.

Steve told me earlier this month: “After four decades in this business I’ve seen many real estate companies come and go. But Coldwell Banker is always there, leading the way. It’s exciting to serve as a branch manager for such a leading company, and I look forward to helping our agents have great careers and guiding clients through the real estate process.”

Backed by the most recognized name in real estate, Steve—along with all of our branch managers in Orange County—offer incomparable leadership at a time when buyers, sellers and agents need it most. In times of uncertainty, people tend to gravitate towards brands they know and trust—those brands that can offer the best technology, best expertise and best marketing resources that cast the widest possible net. But more importantly, they seek out real estate agents who will honestly represent them and their best interests. I invite any buyer or seller—even those who are on the fence right now—to contact their local Coldwell Banker branch office today to experience the power of Coldwell Banker firsthand.

The sale of these ultra luxury properties also sheds light on several factors: smart money, lower prices, low mortgage rates and a higher return on investment compared with other assets. In coastal Orange County, the smart money is seizing the opportunity to invest in the future of luxury real estate as an asset. Homes sold in the $5 million and higher range in coastal Orange County have been enjoying a rebound these past two years.  Thirty-eight homes worth $5 million or more have sold (or are pending sales) to date in 2011, compared to 42 homes sold in 2010 for this same time period and 20 homes in 2009. Many of the recent sales are being purchased by smart investors with cash.

“Investors are jumping back into the market,” said Chuck Allen, a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Newport Beach. “These investors are very affluent buyers with cash in the stock market or in the bank. They continue to tell me that they can do much better on the return of their investment in real estate.”

Allen recalls a recent cash transaction he closed—a $4.4 million on a waterfront property on Balboa Island. The investor lived in the Los Angeles area and felt he could get up to $250,000 in rents each year, compared to about $90,000 earning 2% a year in the bank.

It’s clear that investors with substantial net worth see real value in purchasing luxury homes in Coastal Orange County and throughout Southern California. As we continue to observe the momentum of this very unique market segment, I want to remind affluent buyers and sellers that Coldwell Banker Previews International is a leader in the luxury real estate arena. Our Previews® Property Specialists are skilled in handling complex negotiations and orchestrating sophisticated marketing strategies across town and across the globe, with the highest levels of discretion and professionalism. We truly have the best resources available to assist with buying or selling a luxury home—whether it’s $5 million, $15 million or $150 million.

The Facts

For the week ending July 14, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.51%, down from 4.6% the previous week and 4.57% a year earlier. Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages fell to 3.65% from 3.75% last week and 4.06% a year earlier. (With the exception of last summer, the last time long-term rates were lower was in the mid-1950s, when they averaged around 4.6 percent.) But what does this mean for consumers, who have been waiting for the perfect storm of low rates and low prices?

The Reality

“It means that buyers have more purchasing power,” said Jay Robertson, president of First Capital Mortgage. “For instance, if a buyer qualified for a $500,000 home three or four months ago, he might be able to qualify for a $650,000 home today. Of course, buyers are always going to wonder, ‘Am I going to save if I wait for prices to drop another $10,000?’ But they also have to look at this way: even if the rate only increases from 4.57% to 5.57% on a $500,000 mortgage, a buyer’s monthly mortgage payment would jump from $2,554/month to $2,861/month—which is an additional $3,684 per year and a total of $110,520 over 30 years.”

The truth is, no one truly knows where interest rates are going to go—but many people expect them to rise as the economy improves. Additionally, Agency Conforming Loan Limits are set to expire this October, which could potentially increase mortgage payments for jumbo loan buyers in Southern California.

If buyers are hoping for prices to fall dramatically in coastal cities from Huntington Beach to San Clemente, they may also be disappointed. Robertson has seen an influx in jumbo loan activity in these areas over the last three to six months.

“In the last 60 days, we have had six major Wall Street investors enter the jumbo loan business, which is a sign to me that they see the market stabilizing in California,” said Robertson. “It’s also good news for consumers because rates typically head down as competition heats up.”

Should you buy now?

It is a complex question without an easy answer, but Robertson recommends that buyers at least contact  their mortgage consultant today to re-qualify for a better rate. If and when you are ready to purchase that dream home, our trusted real estate agents will be here.