Orange County – A Family Oasis
September 5, 2010
You have a family and want to relocate. You want warm weather, endless recreation opportunities, a low crime rate, and an excellent school system. You’re in luck because you can get all that and more in Orange County!
The weather in Orange County is one of the major draws for new residents. Summers are moderately hot, and winter temperatures are extremely mild. Little precipitation visits the area, making outdoor activities a possibility all year round.
Spending time outdoors is a favorite pastime of Orange County residents, with countless recreation choices.
The majestic beaches will charm you with their beauty and tranquility. A place to rest, build sand castles, or hop on a boat cruise, Orange County beaches are the perfect place to bring the family. Visit The Dana Point Harbor Youth and Group Facility, which teaches both young and old about being safe while having fun in the water. You can learn how to sail, go on educational tide pool walks, or enroll your kids in the summer camp program.
If you have an aspiring surfer in the family, this is the ideal location for you. To learn more about the history of the sport, and have a little fun at the same time, check out The International Surfing Museum. Several of the top-ranked surfers in the world have hailed from this region, and is the home to Huntington Beach, which is nicknamed “Surf City, U.S.A.” Orange County beaches provide year-round opportunities to catch a wave.
If you’re looking for outdoor fun that is a little on the drier side, be sure to check out the many parks in the county. Regional parks provide families with a traditional park experience, with lakes, tennis courts, interpretive centers, equestrian trails, and rolling green landscapes.Wilderness parks are expansive areas of natural splendor. Escape into Eden with one of the many wilderness parks in the county.
If you’re moving to Orange County, be sure to bring your tent and hiking boots! A number of parks have easily accessible campgrounds, and there is an extensive selection of hiking and mountain biking trails.
Looking to see wildlife up close? Take your family to the Orange County Zoo to see some of this area’s native four-legged residents. Head to Dana Point to experience the thrill of whale and dolphin watching. Educational and fun, whale watching is a great activity for every member of the family.
Amusement parks are the classic family attraction in Orange County, with Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm being the most famous. Other sites of interest include the Movieland Wax Museum and the Discovery Science Center.
When your children aren’t splashing in the water or riding the roller coaster, they’ll be getting a solid education. The Orange County school system is producing a greater number of graduates than the California state average. After school programs and a system-wide focus on health and wellness means that your children will be taught a variety of valuable skills they can use throughout their lifetime.
When sending your children off to school every day, you can rest assured that they will be safe. Orange County has a low crime rate, and the community is focused on stopping crime before it happens.
Your family’s happiness means everything to you, and you want to live in a safe, clean area where your kids can get a quality education. You also want to live in a place where you can do things as a family. By entering the Orange County real estate market, your family can have the kind of life you’ve always dreamed of.
Drew Hartanov and his team are part of the Top 2% of Prudential Agents Nationwide. Contact Drew today to learn more about Dana Point Homes. Find your family’s dream home in the Orange County Real Estate market today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Drew_Hartanov
The History of Seal Beach California
February 2, 2010
Seal Beach, California used to be dynamic and charming place. Now the situation is a bit different. Some years ago Seal Beach was a lively and dynamic place with games, entertainment and of course, the seals. Nowadays, all the liveliness and clamor of Seal Beach is replaced with people peacefully walking the pier or or enjoying the beautiful beaches.
Seal Beach, California was established in 1915 with a population of 250. The town was first established under the name Bay City before being changed to Seal Beach. It offers the longest beach south of San Francisco. The beach is unique with its seals but also with the sightseers who visit the town, the people who go there to picnic, the adults who dance in the pavilion or dine at the restaurants and so on and so forth.
With the foundation of Pacific Electric Railway, Henry Huntington had brought to Seal Beach, California many people who displayed interest to invest their money in the community. These people wanted to buy a strips of land along the beach, which was a rare commodity. As the population of Seal Beach, California was increasing, the people continued to enjoy the beauties that town had to offer.
During World War II the growth slowed down a bit, but the postwar years ushered in improved incomes and industry. Many more people decided to settle down in the area and trade was developing very quickly.
Some years later, somebody decided to make Seal Beach, California a conservation area. They closed the gambling houses and the amusement park. The purpose of all these prohibitions was to stop sea drilling, inshore erosion, and other environmental threats.
At that time, the population of Seal Beach, California had grown to 25,000. Although the size of the population had decreased, the way of life in Seal Beach was quite pleasant. The people were living in a comfortable and quiet place rather than a noisy industrial town. A place where you can relax in peace and where you can enjoy the environment. Seal Beach, California welcomes all tourists who want to go surfing and shopping, or who want to dance and listen to music. The beaches also offer lovely playgrounds and picnic sites.
Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning property. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Seal Beach California [http://www.thepropertyprince.com/real-estate/real-estate/the-history-of-seal-beach-california.html]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton
CITY – Seal Beach
February 2, 2010
This is a news feature about the Orange County city of Seal Beach that aired on KDOC’s morning show. Johnny Atkinson produced this story for DayBreak OC.
Duration : 0:1:49
Seal Beach Real Estate Agents: Your Partner In Owning A Home
January 13, 2010
Buying a new home in Seal Beach can be a very time consuming process. You can literally spend days just looking at listings, and still not be able to pick out anything you think would work for you. All the properties start to blur together in your mind, and it can be a real battle to make progress toward a sale.
You can save yourself a considerable amount of time by partnering with a locally based Seal Beach real estate agent. Your agent’s job is to know what’s on the market now, so you don’t have to waste your precious time clicking on listing links. With around 1500 homes for sale at any given moment, it pay to go with someone who already knows the property market well rather than wasting days trying to give yourself an insiders edge.
A Seal Beach real estate agent should also, on a personal level, share the buyer’s enthusiasm for their impending purchase. Good realtors work for more than money. Though the commissions are oftentimes very impressive, many agents still enjoy the thrill of getting their clients their dream home. There are few, if any, more important purchases in an individual’s life and making a match between the right home and the right owner is something of an art. Good realtors will be personally involved in all of their transactions and will take a particular level of pride in making certain that all their client’s needs are met.
Seal Beach real estate agent services are very much tied into technology. The good realtors use technology to their client’s advantage, making certain that they are informed of the latest houses that come available and that the agent can work market trends to their client’s favor. This blend of the personal and the professional is what makes a relationship with any service provider work. Where real estate is concerned, there are few more important relationships than a good one between an agent and their client. With the right agent, a client can rest assured that they are getting the best deals.
110 Old Ranch Road, Seal Beach, CA
January 4, 2010
For more information about this property, please contact First Team Real Estate at 866-938-5812. View all our videos at http://www.youtube.com/FirstTeamProperties Company website http://www.firstteam.com MLS ID: P652798
Treat yourself to luxury living in this wonderful townhome w/over 2000 SF! Enter through your private courtyard entrance to an open floor plan with a neutral decor and featuring a vaulted ceiling in the spacious living room with mirrored fireplace. The raised level formal dining room is wonderful for entertaining guests and includes a built-in buffet cabinet. You’ll certainly enjoy the expansive kitchen with upgraded corian countertops and a charming breakfast nook area…and an attractive beveled glass door leading to an outdoor balcony which is great for year round BBQing! Enjoy the cozy downstairs den/TV/guest room…Then upstairs you’ll be delighted with the luxurious Master Suite & whirlpool tub, plus a second bedroom which could also be used as an in-home office or exercise room. Conveniently located across from the community clubhouse & pool/spa. Adjacent to the prestigious Old Ranch Golf Country Club & SLB Tennis Club. Acclaimed Los Alamitos Schools.
Duration : 0:1:25
417 Galleon Way, Seal Beach, CA
January 4, 2010
For more information about this property, please contact First Team Real Estate at 866-938-5812. View all our videos at http://www.youtube.com/FirstTeamProperties Company website http://www.firstteam.com MLS ID: P709346
One of a kind beautifully expanded Bridgport 2-story with 3 garages. Complete remodeled includes 2 bedrooms downstairs one enlarged to create a play area & a loft. The 2nd floor master bedroom suite includes a private office, spa tub & separate shower, plenty of storage w/ walk-in closet. The open floorplan with vaulted ceilings give this home a spacious feel. Remodeled kitchen w/ Wolf oven/range, opens to the large living room dining room plus den. Fireplace in living room This area opens to the private patio. The full bath features the homes second spa bath. The floors have the look of beautiful dark wood but with the convenience of tile. New windows throughtout with some beveled glass. This quiet community with little turn-over offers all the benefits of beach living with none of the drawbacks. Walk to the ocean & charming Main St with restaurants & shops. Only 5 minutes to 3 major freeways
Duration : 0:1:21
Seal Beach, CA Downtown Shore
January 4, 2010
Photos taken on a stroll around town. All originals. Music (hopefully) is by Cyndi Lauper.
Duration : 0:2:48
Seal Beach
December 23, 2009
Seal Beach, California – If you’re looking to visit, vacation, to shop, enjoy a beach, dine, watch a classic movie, fish on the pier, kitesurf and just hang out, by all means go to Seal Beach. Of the Orange County beaches, it offers the best blend of shopping and beach-ing that you’ll find. Why? There’s lots to do in Laguna Beach but the traffic can be daunting. Newport Beach doesn’t offer enough shopping along Main Street near its beaches, unless you seek souvenir gifts. Huntington Beach Main Street shopping offers a few gems but lacks those great antique stores, garden shops and clothing for the over-25 crowd. San Clemente’s shopping isn’t at the beach, per se. So after checking them all out, we choose Seal Beach as our favorite beach experience with the premier beach shopping, free parking and shops offering something for everyone at affordable prices.
Duration : 0:2:35
Buying Real Estate – How To Be Smart When Attending Open Houses
December 4, 2009
If you’re planning on buying a new home, attending open houses can be a good way to find a home you want or pick up useful ideas from what you find. Visiting open houses should be an enjoyable and fun experience, but you also have to keep focused on the reason why you are there. Primarily you’re trying to get home buying information and maybe even find that special house that you have been looking for.
With that in mind, you need to approach visiting open houses with an organized mindset. Very often, you’ll be visiting several open houses in the same day. And over the course of a few weeks, it can add up to quite a few homes that you have visited. As a result, it can be very easy to forget important points from one house to the next. So to ovoid this problem, it’s a good idea to take very good notes on each home that you visit and perhaps even take along a digital camera to get a few snapshots if you wish. Of course, make sure that it is agreeable with the householder before taking photos of the inside of their home.
Whenever you visit an open house, jot down a few things that you like and dislike about it as soon as you arrive. What is its overall appearance from the outside? Is it close to nearby schools if that is a necessity? How about shopping malls? And how far away would it be from your job? Sometimes these are questions that home buyers fail to take into account early in the buying process.
When inside the home, be sure to check everything and take plenty of notes as you go. A few things to watch for are the condition of the cabinets, the carpet, the walls, the ceilings, and so on. Take good notes on any items if you feel may need repair.
Consider the size of all the rooms in the home, and determine if they will meet the needs of you and your family. If necessary, even take a tape rule with you to be able to measure out individual rooms and see what kind of space is available. Pay particular attention to storage and closet space, as this is an area that is quite often overlooked by new home buyers, but will become very important if you should decide to buy.
It’s also a good practice to spend a few minutes outside the home and listen for noises that could be bothersome. Perhaps there is a train that passes nearby, or freeway noise that seems excessive. Just taking the time to listen can sometimes be very illuminating, and can help you ovoid moving into a home where noises could be constantly irritating.
Of course at most open houses, a real estate agent or broker is likely to be present. If so, feel free to ask plenty of questions, but keep in mind that the answers may not always be straightforward. If you try to make notes though as the questions are answered, there is a good chance that you’ll get more honest answers. Don’t be shy about asking questions either, as the purchase of a new home is a very large investment, and you want to be sure that you are well informed about all aspects of the home before you even consider it as a purchase.
Sometimes you may even find some mortgage lenders attending certain open houses as well. But just be sure to stick to your original schedule, and not fall for any special deals that they offer you if you buy right away. Remember, open houses are just for looking, not for buying.
Sometimes you can find the home you want within a short period of time, and other times you may have to visit several open houses before you find anything that seems to appeal to you. Just be sure to take your time and be patient as you go through the process of visiting local open houses.
Jim Johnson
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/buying-real-estate-how-to-be-smart-when-attending-open-houses-26970.html
Real Estate: Buying Smart
December 3, 2009
This has definitely become the era of the consumer. Buyers are expecting and getting more for their dollar than ever before. This is a trend that has become extremely evident in the real estate industry. Now, more than ever you will need to educate yourself on exactly what it is that you are purchasing when you decide to break into the housing market. Not only will this help you in getting the best deal possible in a home but it will also enable you to avoid some of the pitfalls, and help you to buy with confidence.
Really, enough cannot be said about becoming an educated buyer. A home is likely the single largest purchase that you will ever make so it only makes good sense that you should spend more time investigating your options on a purchase of such magnitude. So, what can you do to improve your knowledge of the real estate market and increase your chances of getting a home that is perfect for you and makes sense financially? Well, start by examining the financial requirements of home ownership. This goes far beyond the mortgage, also take into account and fixes that can crop up as well as monthly bills and expenditures. Let’s face it, a home is a huge financial commitment and you need to be ready for all aspects of it.
Next, try to become familiar with problems that commonly occur with homes. This refers to structural problems, liens and easements, leaks, mold, and any other small problems that can cause problems with a home. One way of doing this is educating yourself on the process of the home inspection that all homes must pass during the sale process. This will, of course be conducted by a certified professional but that doesn’t stop you from learning as much about the process as possible. If you can identify potential problems right off the bat you may save yourself a lot of time and money.
Simon Conway
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/real-estate-buying-smart-132398.html