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10 SUPERSTAR HOMES BUILT FOR YOUR SUPER BOWL PARTY NEEDS

February 5, 2016

Super Bowl 50 is this weekend, which means you’re probably gearing up for a day of lip smacking snacks, money pools on the big game and BBQ shenanigans. When it comes to big parties, it’s all about prepping your pad to welcome friends and family.

In honor of the epic parties to come, we decided to show off our star playings, the homes on our roster that were simply built for Super Bowl parties. These homes all have one of three things necessary for a truly impressive Super Bowl Party: Home theater for watching, kitchen built for snacking and outdoor BBQs for getting your grill on.

HOME THEATER THROW DOWN

The first feature that makes a home the perfect setting for the Super Bowl – a personal home theater.

5171 East Copa De Oro, Anaheim Hills

The magnificent home theater at 5171 East Copa De Oro has artisan crafted wood, buttery leather recliners, imported French 120” curved screen and automatic velvet drapes. Melting into your leather seat with a side of anything covered in melted cheese sounds like the best way to watch Carolina and Denver duke it out.

41895 Noel Circle, Temecula

Not only does 41895 Noel Circle in Temecula have multiple game rooms and a 3,000+ bottle wine cellar, it’s got a home theater equipped with a 144″ screen and professional grade sound system. So basically, like you’re right there at the game among all the screaming fans.

6505 East Woodview Circle, Orange

You and your closest buddies can stream the game through your own HD projector at 6505 East Woodview in Orange.

KITCHENS MADE FOR A MONSTER SNACKING

Super Bowl parties are all about the snacks and these kitchens are built to accommodate the most impressive spread of dips, wings, nachos and sliders you’ve got in store. There’s no running out of counter space in these kitchens made for monster snacking.

2 Narbonne, Newport Beach

Not only is 2 Narbonne a veritable work of art, this remodeled custom home has all the party essentials you’ll need with a tricked out kitchen plus wet bar. Huddle around the center island or pull up a chair at the breakfast bar, the high-end counter space never ends.

And if you STILL need more space to lay out your built-your own nacho bar, then you can take this party and go wild with all the space in the dining room.

32 Shoreridge, Newport Coast

There’s enough room in 32 Shoreridge’s enormous kitchen island to layout enough chips and dip to feed a small village – just what you need for your mega super bowl party.

227 Jasmine Avenue, Corona del Mar

And for those partiers who want to be able to snack all day long in the kitchen while simultaneously watching the game, we have 227 Jasmine Avenue. This long kitchen and open concept make it the perfect place to chow down and cheer at the same time.

BBQS BUILT FOR VIPS

It’s time to upgrade from your rusty old George Forman to the big leagues of outdoor BBQs.

5171 East Copa De Oro, Anaheim Hills

Warning: The tricked out tropical backyard at 5171 East Copa De Oro is so cool you might actually forget you’re supposed to be watching the Super Bowl. It is however the ultimate setting for a backyard BBQ because it’s fully equipped with a furnished outdoor kitchen with fireplace, built-in bar where you can watch the flat screen, beach entry pool, gas tiki torches, cascading waterfalls, gas heaters, and motorized rain screens. Looks like you’re partying rain or shine. Take that El Nino.

41895 Noel Circle, Temecula

41895 Noel doesn’t just have scrape by with the necessities of a backyard BBQ, it’s an overachiever with more good stuff than you could dream of. The resort style back yard includes a built-in Pebble Tech pool and spa, multiple shaded areas, 2(!) BBQ areas each with full kitchen amenities and a full guesthouse that includes a bathroom and kitchen so that when your guests party too hard, they’re getting a lot more than just an offer to sleep on the couch.

80 Archipelago, Newport Coast

You know what makes a built-in outdoor BBQ just plain better than the rest? Panoramic ocean views like at 80 Archipelago in Newport Coast. So whether you’re lounging under the awning or grilling up some of your signature burgers, the location doesn’t get better than this.

17 Premiere Point, Newport Coast

Not only is this supersized Newport Coast home a total dream boat, it’s got tons of outdoor spaces, and a top of the line built-in BBQ, ideal for the swankiest of backyard BBQs.

16 Le Conte, Laguna Niguel

Need to cool off during half time if the game’s getting intense? There’s nothing more calming than a coastal breeze and the perfect place to get it is at 16 Le Conte in Laguna Niguel. The 800 square foot terrace has a built-in BBQ, expanded dining terrace and front row ocean views because this home is perched on a bluff 730 feet above South Laguna.

77250 Iroquois Drive, Indian Wells

Stroll around the orchard and pick some fresh fruit for your party platter and then get down to business out back preparing for a Super Bowl party to remember. The back yard at 77250 Iroquois offers a gorgeous entertainment space with outdoor grilling, dining, and a large fireplace for relaxing after all the excitement.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIST PRICE, SALES PRICE AND APPRAISED VALUE

February 4, 2016

When it comes to making money from real estate there are quite a few details and lingo, something first time sellers may find confusing. One such situation is the difference between list price, sales price and the appraised value of a property. Let’s break it down, shall we?

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIST AND SALE PRICES

The list price of your home is the price tag you set when you put it on the market. As a seller there several things that could cause you to adjust your list price. For example, if your listing has been on the market for months with no offers, then it may be time to make a price reduction.

The sales price is the amount the property sells for in the end after all is said and done. Sometimes the sale price and the list price are the same, but more often than not, they differ depending on a number of factors including competition, market conditions, and more.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME?

Apart from location, conditions and price are also crucial when it comes down to selling your home. The first step then is to focus on pricing the home right using market data and trends or calling in an appraiser. This will help evaluate your home more objectively so you can set the best, most realistic price. You should go through the home so you can repair any cosmetic defects and damage that may be present before you’re moving house for relocation. Ignoring much needed maintenance will only lower the value of your home on the market, especially if it is in need of any major repair jobs such as roofing or plumbing.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO BUY?

Many buyers often prefer to make their move during the spring or summer, when the market heats up, so that’s one trend to keep that in mind. Families with kids will often be eager to buy during summer vacation, and move into before the new school year. However, there is a wide range of buyers on the market including Millennials searching for their first home and Baby Boomers looking to downsize so the best time ultimately comes down to when you’re ready.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MARKET VALUE AND APPRAISED VALUE?

The appraised value of your home is a certified appraiser’s opinion on the worth of your home at a specific moment. Lenders will require appraisals as part of the loan application process, with fees that may vary. A comparative market analysis will help with making an informal estimate of the market value of your home, based on the sales of properties in the same range made by a real estate agent. An appraisal or a comparative market analysis will be the best way to make this work.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIST PRICE, SALES PRICE AND APPRAISED VALUE?

The list price is the advertised seller price, a figure which is the rough estimate of what the seller wants to receive as money for the property after moving house. These prices can be high, low or fairly close to what they are hoping to get. The sales price is the amount of money a buyer pays for the property, while the appraisal value is the appraiser’s estimate of the price of your property done through a comparative analysis.

This guest post is written by Ella Andrews, an avid blogger by hobby, and copywriter by profession. Article granted by Andrews on behalf of: Ealing Man and Van Ltd.

CITY DWELLERS | TIPS FOR FINDING THE BEST CONDOS IN YOUR AREA

February 3, 2016

Does the fast paced city life of Friday nights out, restaurant openings, comedy shows, and shopping call to you? Then you’re probably in the market for a condo if you’re ready to set down some roots and invest in real estate where you want to be. With the space crunch and high prices, a condo is the perfect stepping stone for a city dweller like you.

When searching for a new condo to live in, there are a few tips to follow to find the best ones that are available in your area.

CONTACT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES

Make it a point to contact property management companies in the city to inquire about current or upcoming condos that are available. This will allow you to get information that you might otherwise not obtain from a general search that you perform online.

CHECK NEWSPAPER LISTINGS

Newspaper listings are constantly updated with condos that are available to rent or buy in the local area. Stay updated by reading the newspaper throughout the week and contacting any listings that provide the amenities that you’re looking for in a property.

DON’T BE SHY – ASK AROUND

Sometimes the best way to get a great deal on an incredible condo is simply to ask around. Word of mouth is the best way to find condos that are currently available or will soon be listed in the coming months. Ask your family members, friends, and colleagues if they know of anyone who is moving soon or needs to rent out their property. That being said, it doesn’t hurt to befriend a real estate agent or two.

STAY DEDICATED TO YOUR FAVORITE REAL ESTATE SITE

Visit real estate websites each day to look at what’s available and find properties that are newly listed. On Firstteam.com you can search by property type, bed and bath count, draw a polygon to narrow down your search area and more. It’s easy to have new listings that match your criteria come straight to your email as well when you start a saved search just by clicking the heart next to the properties you love. It pays to be vigilant when you’re searching for

JUST START DRIVING AROUND YOUR FAVORITE AREAS

You’ll be surprised at the amount of condos that you’ll find that are available in the city simply by driving around and performing a manual search. Many ads and signs are posted in yards when condos are available to rent or buy, making it important to explore certain areas or neighborhoods that you’re looking to live in. Write down properties that catch your eye and take your time when searching.

MAKE A LIST

It’s important to make a list of must-haves and wants before really searching in-depth for a condo. For example, if you like to be in the middle of city life, consider high rise condos, like those at citycreekliving.com. If you have pets, be sure to find a condo that accommodates your pet’s needs.

Knowing these things ahead of time will help you pinpoint exactly what you need. Although you may not know where to begin when it comes to finding the best condos in your area, you can always reach out to a real estate agent for help. Whether you’re looking to buy or rent, a First Team agent can help you through the process to make it all that much simpler and easier.

This guest post was written by Anita Ginsburg. Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO and often writes about home, family, real estate and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family when she isn’t writing.

WEEKLY MORTGAGE WATCH – JANUARY 31, 2016

February 1, 2016

First Team Real Estate Weekly Mortgage Watch

Click to download the PDF

FIRST TEAM’S WEEKLY MORTGAGE WATCH (JANUARY 31TH, 2016) THIS WEEK HIGHLIGHTS THE FOLLOWING UPDATES:

Mortgage rates found more space to fall last week, as global economic concerns mounted, along with a Fed omission that caused some concerns for domestic growth.
As expected, GDP came in lower for the 4th quarter of last year.
However, markets didn’t react all that strongly to the news, but the omission in the Fed’s post-meeting announcement of any assessment of the current balance of risks for economic growth and inflation did generate concerns.
Many experts predict that the Fed may be planning to scale back on interest rate hikes this year.
Last week ended with news the Japanese central bank was joining many other counties’ central banks in charging banks interest to park cash. The move is intended to push banks to do more business lending, but bonds rallied around the world, and cash flowed in US treasuries and bonds, pushing mortgage rates lower.
Next week has both the ISM Indices and the monthly employment data due. If we have another week of even slighter weaker than expected economic news, rates could find a little more space to drop.

NOT SHOVELING? BE READY FOR SNOW-SHAMING!

What are you to do if you have to walk a sidewalk that isn’t being shoveled by the business that sits along that sidewalk? A new trend appears to be growing bigger this year, with people posting and sharing on social media about businesses that aren’t clearing their sidewalks. The idea of using shaming tactics certainly isn’t new, but with the rapid nature of sharing on social media, not removing the snow from your sidewalk can quickly become the latest online gossip.

THE PRE INSPECTION-INSPECTION | 6 THINGS TO LOOK FOR BEFORE THE HOME INSPECTOR SHOWS UP

January 28, 2016

Preparing your home for inspection helps you find property conditions that can affect the value of your home when negotiating with realtors and potential buyers. Finding problems early on allows you to handle repairs on your own terms, instead of facing difficulty with making repairs on the buyer’s terms.

Preparing for an inspection also helps improve your odds of selling your house within a shorter time, since a clean, tidy home is more aesthetically pleasing to potential buyers.

If you’re ready to sell your home, here are six things to look for before the inspector shows up at your door.

MAKE DOORS, ROOMS, AND HALLWAYS ACCESSIBLE

A home inspector needs complete access to your entire house, including the attic, basement, crawl spaces, gates, furnace, all bedrooms, and the garage. Clear all furniture and objects from hallways and entrances to rooms so the inspector can comfortably do his or her job without having to move your personal belongings.

CLEAN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR

A clean, tidy home gives the impression that you know how to take good care of your property as a homeowner. Dust, vacuum, and tidy up your belongings before the inspector arrives to make your home look clean and functional with no signs of neglect. When preparing the exterior, remove all dirt and debris from gutters, wash all windows, and trim trees, bushes, and roots away from your home’s foundation.

CHECK YOUR HOME APPLIANCES

The inspector will test all major appliances included with your house, such as the washer and dryer, dishwasher, oven, stove, thermostat, and heating and cooling system. Remove all laundry from your washer and dryer, remove pots and pans from your stove, and take steps to make sure your HVAC system is in good working condition.

GATHER HOME PAPERWORK

Collect all paperwork associated with home repairs and maintenance, including plumbing receipts, roof and chimney repairs, past inspections, and insurance claims. These types of documents prove to the inspector that you have addressed major problems in your home when the need arises.

SECURE ALL PETS

Place all pets and animals into cages or crates as necessary before the inspector arrives at your house. This prevents your pets from distracting and interfering with the inspector during the home inspection process.

REPLACE LIGHT BULBS

Do a walk-through of your home before the inspection to check for and replace faulty or burned out light bulbs. This allows the inspector to confirm all lights and fixtures are in optimal working condition without having to question whether fixtures and wiring need repairs.

A general rule of thumb when preparing your home for inspection is to make the home look and behave like it first did when you moved in. This means cleaning the home’s interior and exterior, replacing light bulbs, having HVAC filters cleaned and repaired, testing smoke detectors, and repairing windows, doors, and plumbing fixtures. The better you prepare your home for inspection, the better luck you’ll have at selling your home.

This guest post is written by JT Ripton, a freelance writer out of Tampa. JT writes on a myriad of topics, real estate and home improvement being a couple of them. You can follow him on Twitter @JTRipton

Preparing for an inspection also helps improve your odds of selling your house within a shorter time, since a clean, tidy home is more aesthetically pleasing to potential buyers.

If you’re ready to sell your home, here are six things to look for before the inspector shows up at your door.

MAKE DOORS, ROOMS, AND HALLWAYS ACCESSIBLE

CLEAN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR

CHECK YOUR HOME APPLIANCES

GATHER HOME PAPERWORK

SECURE ALL PETS

REPLACE LIGHT BULBS

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Client Testimonials

amersyed44
Erin is amazing! She’s Professional, courteous, friendly, trustworthy and works hard for her clients. Her years of experience shows and she is very thorough in everything she does. She always kept me informed until escrow closed. In my case, she went above & beyond her normal duties to assist me with handling Prop 60 paperwork that I qualified for. Erin was the realtor selling the property that I purchased. Another realtor took me to see this house who was pretty much useless and lacked experience in many areas of her job. My realtor did not return calls or keep me updated. If it weren’t for Erin, I would not have been able to get my dream house. Even tho my own realtor was horrible throughout escrow, Erin made my experience a pleasant one. I would recommend her to anyone looking for an experienced, hard working realtor. She has not only become my realtor for any future needs, but also a personal friend. I can’t say enough about her.

Shelly Pyle
We are first time home sellers and the Williamson Team made it a breeze! They are extremely professional, attentive, responsive and diligent. From the moment we met them we knew they were very knowledgeable about the real estate market in north and south Orange County. They gave us advice and helped us to make our home look like a model home. Their marketing was amazing between the photos, videos, 3D home tour and brochures. We had an offer the day after the open house and were in a multiple offer situation. Erin and her team negotiated and got us the best price and terms!! Thank you for all your hard work Williamson team!! We have recommended them to all our friends and family that are considering a move

rbecks73
Folks there’s no easy way to put it but if you want to sell a house the right way then Erin is your choice. Hands down, done deal! How do I know? Well pay attention because here it is.

I have two homes to sell. One is Yorba Linda (great investment home). The other in Lake Elsinore (Say OUCH)! I put both properties on the market late last year WITH AGENTS NOT ERIN and I got no decent offers in nearly 6 months for either property. These agents were good guys but hey you can’t with something that isn’t working.

Ok so look, here’s where it gets good. I found Erin after fielding more than twenty-five agents. I hired two before that didn’t get the job done. This time around I was going to make sure I got the right one.

Here’s the moment you have all been waiting for! How do I know I picked the right person when I said, “ERIN I CHOOSE YOU!” This REAL ESTATE SUPERHERO SOLD BOTH MY HOMES IN TWO MONTHS! That’s right folks TWO MEASLY MONTHS. I had two agents before that could even get decent offers in SIX months. I hire Erin and she not only sells one in two months SHE SELLS TWO!

And wait, that’s not it. It only gets better. With the property in Yorba Linda we got multiple offers above asking in less than 1 week after the first showing. Let me say that again, TWO OFFERS ABOVE ASKING PRICE. That property is now closed. On the second property we received the highest offer 3 weeks after listing. That property is now in escrow.

Here’s where it’s just too good to be true. SHE LITERALLY TOOK CARE OF EVERYTHING! Ok maybe I installed some knobs on some cabinets. Sure I moved some stuff out. But Erin took control of Painting, Landscaping, Staging, Cleaning, Design consultation, watering the grass, and getting rid of leftover junk a few days before close including dropping them off at the savers. Hell I even hired the lady she found to clean the property for my own home after.

That’s right folks. There’s no way an agent like this exists. Everything I just wrote has to be make believe. But even if there’s a small chance she does exist, you better make sure to give her a shot.

ManiwalayaJones
After interviewing 3 different real estate agents, we decided to go with Erin and don’t regret our decision. Erin and her team are professional, knowledgeable, understanding, and problem solvers. She was able to accommodate us with our needs and is quick to respond back to us. Erin helped us purchase a new home and followed up with us to make sure everything was fine. I would high recommend Erin and her team for your real estate needs.

jefferson1941
This is the 2 nd home that Erin has sold for us, In both cases they sold fast and because of her knowledge and professional service and providing us with qualified buyers, If you want the best price and to sell your home quick , She is the one to contact!

marksr
Erin Williamson, with The Williamson Team is by far the greatest and hardest working realtor there is. Morning, noon and night she was there for my husband and I, helping us with find the perfect home. She listened to all of our wants and needs, all the endless emails and phone calls and found us the perfect home. Her passion and knowledge of finding and creating a beautiful home is what amazes me. It’s rare. We have used Erin and Danny before and would never use anyone else. They are an amazing team and I cannot recommend them more!!!

user638550
Erin is a top notch realtor. I have used The Williamson Team 3 times. She is there with you through every step of the process. Even after your transaction is complete, she is still there checking up on you to ensure you are happy. Erin and The Williamson Team are the best in the bushiness.

BEASTSTANG
Erin went above and beyond all expectations while listing and selling our longtime home. Her resourcefulness in finding the right contractors for needed upgrades helped immensely. If you want a professional, personable and prompt realtor, Erin will surpass your expectations!

user8547330
Team Williamson is the best. Period. They sold our home for almost $100,000 more than any other agent was even willing to list it for.

They are the most professional and knowledgeable Real Estate people I have ever met. We would not have sold our home for anywhere near what we received, without the work of Danny and his staff.

Thank you for a job well done!

MDundas
My wife and I listed our house with Danny. He helped us select the best price to get the most views and most action on our listing. Our house hit the MLS Friday night, we had our first open house on Saturday and Sunday and had 9 Offers to sift through by Wednesday; several of which were over our asking price. Danny was able to help us through the entire process and made sure that the buyer and seller (us) were both informed through the entire process. Danny went over and beyond what I have ever seen any realtor do to make sure that all parties involved were satisfied with the end result. Thank you for all that you do

coronadave2011
I would like to express my deepest thanks to Danny for helping us sell our old house. He never forgot to update us about the progress and even answered all our questions through email and phone. The whole experience was stress free and never had a hard time looking for potential buyers. I sold my house for the amount I wanted. It was a pleasure to meet you.

jeremiahhenryxu

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WEEKLY MORTGAGE WATCH – JANUARY 31, 2016

FIRST TEAM’S WEEKLY MORTGAGE WATCH (JANUARY 31TH, 2016) THIS WEEK HIGHLIGHTS THE FOLLOWING UPDATES:

NOT SHOVELING? BE READY FOR SNOW-SHAMING!

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10 SUPERSTAR HOMES BUILT FOR YOUR SUPER BOWL PARTY NEEDS

HOME THEATER THROW DOWN

KITCHENS MADE FOR A MONSTER SNACKING

BBQS BUILT FOR VIPS

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIST PRICE, SALES PRICE AND APPRAISED VALUE

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIST AND SALE PRICES

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME?

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO BUY?

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MARKET VALUE AND APPRAISED VALUE?

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIST PRICE, SALES PRICE AND APPRAISED VALUE?

CITY DWELLERS | TIPS FOR FINDING THE BEST CONDOS IN YOUR AREA

CONTACT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES

CHECK NEWSPAPER LISTINGS

DON’T BE SHY – ASK AROUND

STAY DEDICATED TO YOUR FAVORITE REAL ESTATE SITE

JUST START DRIVING AROUND YOUR FAVORITE AREAS

MAKE A LIST

WEEKLY MORTGAGE WATCH – JANUARY 31, 2016

FIRST TEAM’S WEEKLY MORTGAGE WATCH (JANUARY 31TH, 2016) THIS WEEK HIGHLIGHTS THE FOLLOWING UPDATES:

NOT SHOVELING? BE READY FOR SNOW-SHAMING!

THE PRE INSPECTION-INSPECTION | 6 THINGS TO LOOK FOR BEFORE THE HOME INSPECTOR SHOWS UP

MAKE DOORS, ROOMS, AND HALLWAYS ACCESSIBLE

CLEAN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR

CHECK YOUR HOME APPLIANCES

GATHER HOME PAPERWORK

SECURE ALL PETS

REPLACE LIGHT BULBS

Most Commented Posts

Learn about The Williamson Team here, so when we meet, its all about… YOU!

Recent Comments

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Find us on

Featured Properties

Sold Properties

Client Testimonials

amersyed44

Shelly Pyle

rbecks73

ManiwalayaJones

jefferson1941

marksr

user638550

BEASTSTANG

user8547330

MDundas

coronadave2011

jeremiahhenryxu