Home Sweet Irvine

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Why Should We Be Optimistic? Let Me Count the Ways

Here are TEN reasons to be optimistic about the housing market: 

1. Home values have been rising

2. More new households are forming

3. Foreclosure starts are falling to pre-housing-bust levels

4. Interest rates should remain low through next year's selling season

5. Loan demand for home purchases are climbing

6. It's a good time to sell

7. The number of improving housing markets are going up

8. Housing starts are picking up as builder confidence increases

9. As housing value rise and equity returns, fewer homeowners are underwater

10. Real estate is contributing to an overall economic recovery

source: California Association of Realtors & NAR

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There's No Place Like Home

Took a short family road trip to Arizona and after a whole weekend of deserts and cactuses dotted in between, it feels good to be back home.

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Summer Cleaning

With summer approaching, freshen up your house with a little TLC from The Maids. Always good to give your home an annual cleaning by the professionals. You bet I did. 

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Treat Yourself

Don't forget to pay your property taxes! After doing so, grab yourself a sweet treat. I recommend Assal's take on the tiramisu. 

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Korean BBQ

We have a new butcher in town. He only stocks up on organic meats. Want to give home bbq-ing a try? Head to Prime Meat Market located at 14130 Culver Drive. You'll find it tucked in the back next to Assal. 

But if you're feeling a tad bit lazy, here's some of my favorite Korean BBQ restaurants in and around Irvine. 

1. Gen Korean BBQ: Great meat quality, but only AYCE (All You Can Eat) option.

2. All That BBQ: Clever names for the items on the menu. Try their Winnie the Pooh's snack. Only AYCE here, too.

3. Shik Do Rak: The original. Turns out they did an overhaul on their menu.  So, if you are looking for better quality, try picking their other options that aren't AYCE. They tend to use higher quality on those. 

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California Garage

Cypress Village of the Irvine Pacific Collection boasts the new California Garage feature. Turn your extra space into a home office, home gym, or pet wash room. Pretty impressive!

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Award Winning Schools in Cypress Village

Jeffrey Trail Middle School by IUSD.org

Many of you are probably already aware that Jeffrey Trail Middle School will be opening its doors September 2013. They are currently taking enrollment applications. Are any of you going to be part of the navy blue and orange family? 

Just last Tuesday, March 19, the elementary school that will be serving the Cypress Village neighborhood has been officially named the Cypress Village Elementary School. It is scheduled to open September 2014. Not too far away! For now, students can enroll at Canyon View Elementary. 

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Three Tips for Renters

Home Office by Davesag

1. Make sure you receive a copy of the Move-in Move-out sheet before and  after your lease. 

2. Save all email, text, letter correspondences. Get everything in writing. This saves you and your landlord time with all the he said/she said. 

3. Review your lease for any restrictions that you otherwise might not have been aware of, such as visitor policy. Surprisingly some places have one!

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Bloglovin'

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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My Top Three Coffee Spots

Coffee with Cream and Sugar by The Culinary Geek

If you want to venture out of your Starbucks or Coffee Bean comfort zone, here are my top three coffee shops that I like to visit. 

1. Kean Coffee: Located next to the popular Gen Korean BBQ. I recommend their Grasshopper over ice, or the very popular pick Turkish Latte. 

2. The Lost Bean: Tucked away in Plaza Lafayette, the Lost Bean is a real treat. Who says the mom and pop shops are dying?! You just got to look a little. 

3. 85 C Bakery: Technically not your local mom and pop shop but they do make good coffee. Try their 85 Coffee (Cream and Sugar is added for you) or their Sea Salt Coffee. 

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Broker Preview: San Mateo at Stonegate

Visit Irvine Pacific for more information. 

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS

I hope everything is Merry and Bright from Me and Mine to You and Yours!