Although many other cities have decided not to proceed with Fourth of July events due to funding, Rancho Santa Margarita still plans to hosts their wonderful 4th of July Star Spangled Spectacular for its residents and residents guests. Games, activities, music and fireworks is all part of the celebrations down at the Lago Santa Margarita Beach Club.
Early admittance in is by ticket only until 2 p.m. Only 1000 tickets will be available. Residents can pick up their free tickets beginning June 1st at the Beach Club in person. This will save on waiting in line the day of the event. There is a maximum of 9 tickets per household for residents and their guests while supplies last. If you do not pick up tickets early, you can still enter without tickets after 2 p.m. on a first come first serve basis until capacity is reached.
Various games, activities and music will begin at 2 p.m. running through the course of the afternoon, and the lagoon will remain open for swimming until dusk at 7 p.m. with the fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m.
For more information check out your Rancho Living SAMLARC newsletter or go online to www.samlarc.org under events and 4th of July.
Hope you can come out and enjoy the fun. Where ever you are this fourth of July, whether down at the lake or one of the many beautiful and fun locations in Southern California, I hope that you are able to enjoy the festivities of this patriotic day.
Your friendly neighborhood realtor since 1988,
Margo Murray
We live in an area of so many possibilities. Even Fourth of July provides a plethora of options for celebration, gathering and family time. Below is a list of various celebrations, activities and fireworks displays in the area. Please check with the links before the date as there may be changes. All of this information is taken from www.orangecountry.net under their weekend forth of July events. The links or numbers provided below will give the most up to date information. Hope this helps in your celebration plans, and Happy Forth of July.
Anaheim Hills : Saturday, July 4th, 2009
4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Community Christian Church
5100 E. La Palma Avenue
Anaheim Hills, Ca 92807
“3 Car Garage” and others perform great classic rock music. Taco Bar by Blue Agave Restaurant ($8 a person). Games for the kids and fireworks at the end of the evening. For more information call 717-777-6850.
Cypress : Saturday, July 4th, 2009
9 p.m.
Joint Forces Training Base,
Los Alamitos 11200 Lexington Drive
(Enter at Lexington, South of Katella)
Gates open at 4 p.m. ID is required for all adults. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged and no alcohol please. There will be military displays, food, entertainment and fireworks. For more information call 714-229-6700.
Dana Point :
Saturday, July 4th, 2009
All Day Festivities - Fireworks at 9 p.m.
Doheny State Beach
Local residents are encouraged to bike or walk. If you plan to drive, plan ahead as parking fills up very fast. For additional information call (949) 248-3530 or (949) 923-2255.
Dinner & Fireworks Show Cruise
7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. -9:30 for Fireworks Only
Dana Point Harbor
Dana Wharf Sportfishing
The Firework Show Cruise boast the best view in town for 4th of July Fireworks display. Front row seats for the Dana Point fireworks near to the very barge where they are shot from. Beautifully catered BBQ dinner cruising out and perfect view for the fireworks. The Dinner & Fireworks show heads out at 7:30 p.m. while those wishing to see the fireworks only heads out at 8 p.m. Cost is $79 and $25 receptively for adults, $39 and $15 for children 3-12 respectively and children 3 and under free. For reservations call (949) 496-5794.
Fullerton :
Friday, July 4th, 2009
Annual Community Fireworks Show and Festival
5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (Fireworks at 9 p.m.)
Fullerton High School Stadium
Corner of Berkeley and Lemon
Live music by the classic and modern rock cover band Cloud 9. Games offered by Park and Recreation with small prizes. Food available at festival area. Silt-walkers, balloon artists, face-painters, unicyclist, bounce houses, petting zoo and more... Call (714) 738-3167 for more information.
Huntington Beach :
Friday July 3rd- Sunday July 5th
2009 4th of July Parade & Pier Festival
Activities throughout the day on the 4th. Surf City 5k Run and Fitness Expo starts at 7 a.m. Huntington Beach 105th Parade at 10 a.m. with the Pier Festivals running through the day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m.
4th of July Benefit Brunch
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Fred’s Mexican Cafe
300 Pacific Coast Highway
The Bolsa Chica Conservancy hosts the 4th of July benefit brunch in downtown Hunting beach. All proceeds go to support the Bolsa Chica Conservancy’s Wetland Science Education Programs and the Education and Restoration Center. For more information call (714) 846-1114.
La Palma
Saturday July 4th, 2009
Annual Run for Fun Event
The race is a tradition for over 20 years which attracts as many as 1,200 runners. The event also includes Family Fun zone with games, crafts and activities, and a pancake breakfast which starts at 7:30 a.m.
Laguna Niguel
7 a.m to 9 p.m. concluding
Crown Valley Community Park
29751 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel, Ca 92677
YMCA 5k run, 10k run/walk & children’s races starts at 7 a.m. with the pancake breakfast at 7:30, free swimming in the morning, concert in the evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. Call (949) 425-5100 for more information.
La Habra :
Saturday, 4th of July, 2009
Annual 4th of July Spectacular
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
La Habra High School
801 Highlander
La Habra, Ca
Games, food, activities and fireworks. Wristbands must be purchased through the community Center with pre-sale prices at $5 and $3 for Adult and Child respectively and at the gate prices of $7 and $4. For more information call (562) 905-9708.
Lake Forest :
Independence Day Celebration Day of Events
5K Run/Walk
7:30 a.m. at corner of Lake Forest Dr./ Serrano Rd.
For more information call (949) 768- 1155.
Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast 7-10 a.m.
El Toro High School Gym
$5 per person
‘American Pride: Heros and Honor’ -Fourth of July Parade
10:00 a.m. Beginning at corner of Toledo Way / Ridge Route and ends at Lake Forest /Serrano.
For more information call (949) 461-3450.
Los Alamitos :
Gates open at 2:00 p.m.
Joint Forces Training Base
Free Admission but adults must have photo ID to enter. Food Court with expanded Kids Fun Zone and World War II Reenactment. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. No alcohol, dogs, fireworks or motor homes permitted.
Mission Viejo :
Annual Street Faire and Fireworks
Noon to 9 p.m.
Fun filled day of celebration for the whole family. Rides, games and carnival atmosphere with booths, music, dance and comedy from local performers and talent. Location is at Olympiad & Marguerite. For more information call (949) 830-7066.
Newport Beach :
Fireworks Show at Newport Dunes
Family games and fun throughout the day with music, food, tournaments, carnival games with fireworks at dusk. Fee per car to enter. For more information call (949) 729 -DUNE.
San Clemente :
Fireworks at 9 p.m.
Municipal Pier
San Juan Capistrano :
5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The Sports Park
25925 Comino Del Avion
Classic rock from The Trip from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. with food booths and fireworks spectacular in the evening. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. No pets, person fireworks or barbecues are permitted but there is no entrance fee and parking is free. For more information call (949) 493- 5911.
Tustin :
Tustin High School
Starting friday Movies in the Park will begin again this summer! These are incredibly fun times for the whole family, while gathering together with the community to watch movies under the stars.
Over the next three months three delightful movies will fill the silver screen at Trabuco Mesa Park:
This Friday June 26th will bring the adventure and whimsical fun of The Tale of Despereaux.
Friday July 24th will bring the charming and enchanting classic Roman Holiday
Friday August 28th will bring the hilarious comedy for the whole family Hotel for Dogs.
All movies start at 6:30 at Trabuco Mesa Park, 31504 Avenida de Las Flores in R.S.M. For fun family evenings and summer memories beneath the stars come out for the community movie nights - Movies in the Park.
For more information check out your Rancho Living SAMLARC newsletter or log on to www.samlarc.org.
Your neighborhood realtor since 1988,
Each year RSM enjoys the pleasure and fun of the annual Summer Concerts. The Bell Tower Foundation and SAMLARC partner with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita to provide an incredible line up of live musical performances.
The Concerts begin at 6 pm in the Central Park in Civic Plaza. Local restaurants will be serving onsite. Feel free to bring the whole family, blankets, chairs and a few good friends to enjoy these beautiful nights beginning in July.
July 12 Springsteen
July 19 Hello Cleveland
July 26 Stone Soul
Aug 2 Hot August
Aug 9 Swing Shift
Aug 16 Neon Nation
For further information please consult your RSM Community Living magazine, www.cityofrsm.org, or call Community Services at (949) 635- 800 ext 6401.
RSM offers a multitude of athletic and fitness options. There are numerous classes being offered this summer that can be found in the Rancho Santa Margarita Community Living Magazine or online at www.cityofrsm.org. One particular fitness training option in the RSM community is presented by Lisa and Todd Riech.
Their Riech Personal Training & Coaching is proud to offer what is called Fitness at the Park. The classes and park usage are approved by SAMLARC. They are a wonderful way to get fit outdoors and meet new friends, even change up your workout routine and jump start your summer health. All levels are welcome at each session, as the workouts are modified to meet your level of fitness. Classes our approximately an hour Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 6 am or 9:15 am. Further information can be found by calling (949) 413-5768 or going to www.fitnessatthepark.net.
This is just one of a multitude of options that is being offered this summer in Rancho. There are fitness and activity classes for youth and adults ranging from yoga and dance to sewing, photography and horsemanship. There is so much that RSM offers in the summer. For more information on classes and activities offered this summer check out the Rancho Santa Margarita Community Living Summer Issue or go online at www.cityofrsm.org.
Beginning May 1, 2009 there is a new Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) that affects the way that appraisals must be ordered for residential real estate transactions where loans are sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Previously lenders were able to order appraisals from local appraisers directly who they may have been familiar with and who were familiar with the neighborhood or area. The new legislation is attempting to ensure that the value of homes for which a mortgage is being issued is objectively and independently arrived at.
The new regulations state that these appraisals will be randomly assigned. This may assign appraisers not from or familiar with the immediate area. Further, the new regulations prohibits the lenders from discussing the property with the appraiser. This places the responsibility for providing information that may help in arriving at an accurate value for the home upon the homeowners themselves. This is where I can help.
In preparing for an appointment with an appraiser it is important to get in touch with your neighborhood realtor. I can provide you with current comps that you can provide to the appraiser. I can also help you evaluate and look over your property. You want to be able to give the appraiser any notes and information you can that would be beneficial in arriving at an accurate value for your property.
This may include: Comparable sales
Information about your house
Improvements to your home since its purchase
If you need any help in the appraisal process feel free to call (949) 959-1770 or send me an email at margomurray.com.
Many young families are beginning to look for their first home and it is no surprise with housing prices appearing to bottom out and interest rates as low as they have been in decades. Interest rates are actually as low as they were in the 1950’s with 30 year fixed loans for approximately 4.5%.
Additionally thanks to the economic stimulus package signed into law by President Obama American families are now eligible this year to claim the new $8,000 first-time buyer credit for 2009 home purchases. Qualified first-time buyers using a Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured mortgage can now get the $8,000. This is not limited to first-time buyers alone though as it defines a first-time buyer as one who has not owned in the past three years. So, if you have have not owned a home for the past three years then you may qualify.
Further, loan limits have been increased in high-cost metropolitan areas such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco to $729,750 thru till December 31, 2009. This maximum loan limit applied to 73 counties in the U.S. that were previously capped at $625,500.
This is an incredible time to get that dream home in R.S.M. For more information or help in finding that dream home please call (949) 858-1770 or email me at margo@margomurray.com.
Great news was announced by Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, on Tuesday, Donovan said that the Federal Housing Administration is going to permit its lenders to allow home buyers to use the $8,000 tax credit as a down payment.Previously, most buyers wouldn't receive the funds until after they filed their tax return, and that deterred some people from using the credit. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® has been calling for the change. "We all want to enable FHA consumers to access the home buyer tax credit funds when they close on their home loans so that the cash can be used as a down payment," Donovan says. His remarks came in an address to several thousand REALTORS® gathered Tuesday morning at "The Real Estate Summit: Advancing the U.S. Economy," at the 2009 REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C..He says FHA's approved lenders will be permitted to "monetize" the tax credit through short-term bridge loans. This will allow eligible home buyers to access the funds immediately at the closing table.Source: NAR
You've already filed your 2008 tax returns and maybe you've already received your refund. That means it's too late to obtain the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers enacted by President Obama's Stimulus Plan, right? Wrong. The great thing about this tax credit is that you can still get the cash this year, even if you've already filed your taxes for 2008 – and the money is yours to keep. You don't ever have to pay it back, as long as you stay in the home for at least 36 months. There's a lot of confusion in the media surrounding this tax credit, but it's actually pretty simple. Qualified first-time home buyers (anyone who hasn't owned a home in the three years prior to the purchase) can receive a tax credit of 10% of the purchase price up to $8,000. All you have to do is purchase a primary home (that means a home you'll actually live in, not an investment home) any time between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 1, 2009. If you make a qualified purchase after April 15, or after having already filed your 2008 taxes, you and your tax professional can submit an amendment to your return and receive the credit on your 2008 taxes – you don't have to wait until next April. There are some income limitations and other factors involved, but give us a call and we'll gladly review your financial situation and see if you qualify. With today's combination of low interest rates and lower home prices, this tax credit gives you a second chance to benefit from the great opportunities in today's real estate market.
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