| | | | Hi Friends!
Here we are at the last weekend of August. Somehow summer always seems to fly by, and it is hard to believe September is already around the corner. This week I have a mix of real estate insight, a little design inspiration, some great local news and events, plus a brand new Laguna Niguel listing I am excited to share.
This week’s real estate article looks at something we are definitely seeing in today’s market: sellers becoming more responsive to where buyers are on price. Homes that are positioned correctly are still getting attention, but buyers are being thoughtful, and pricing from the start continues to make a real difference.
On the design side, I am sharing a fun article on what to do with that awkward spare room that never quite seems to have a purpose. Sometimes a few thoughtful changes can completely transform an underused space.
For this week’s Coastal OC Hot List, 87 new listings came on the market across South Orange County, bringing total inventory to 634 homes, while 63 homes closed escrow. I pulled together a handful of the new listings that caught my eye for location, views, single-level living, upgrades, or simply because they offer something a little different.
In Local Love this week, there is exciting news from San Juan Capistrano. Heritage Barbecue is restoring a historic barn to create indoor dining. It is such a great example of bringing something new to town while preserving a piece of San Juan’s history.
And if you are looking for something fun to do this weekend, there are several great options. The Sawdust Festival is still going strong in Laguna Beach through September 6, Redo Vintage Market takes over Del Prado in Dana Point on Sunday with more than 200 vendors, and Coffee & Cars is happening Saturday morning at the Outlets at San Clemente.
And finally, I have some exciting real estate updates to share. I am so excited to introduce my newest Laguna Niguel listing at 29481 Via Valverde. This gorgeous single-level home has been beautifully updated and offers panoramic hillside, city lights, and sunset views. It is such a special property, and I cannot wait for you to see it.
We will be holding it open both Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00, so if you are nearby, come by and say hello. I would love to see you!
I am also so excited for my wonderful seller at 4 Andorra in Marina Hills. We are officially in escrow after receiving multiple offers. She had the home looking absolutely beautiful and show ready, and it is always so rewarding to see that preparation and thoughtful presentation pay off.
Have a wonderful last weekend of August!
Fondly, Susan |
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| | | | Sellers Are Cutting Prices To Meet Buyers Where They're At
You're scrolling through listings on your phone and everything looks good until you see the price (or the estimated monthly payment). Then you close the app. Because even if you love the house, the numbers feel impossible. But here's the thing. Nationally, there are more homes sitting on the market than there are people out there looking. And when sellers need buyers more than buyers need sellers, that shows up in the price. Lower asking prices. More price cuts. And homes priced for what buyers can actually afford – not what sellers hope someone might pay. And it may be enough to make buying more doable than you’d think.
See the Homes and Design Details |
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| | | | 5 Ways to Transform a Difficult Spare Room
There’s always one room in a home that feels somewhat incongruous. Maybe it has awkward proportions or feels unusually dark or cramped. Or perhaps you just can’t work out what its purpose is in the overall flow of the house. Extra space it may be, but spare rooms can confound many of us, with global Google searches for “what to do with spare room” up 20% in recent months.
Click here for the full article. |
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| Heritage Barbecue restores historic San Juan Capistrano barn for indoor dining
Eating at one of Southern California’s best barbecue joints generally means eating outside, in Texas beer-garden style. Most days in San Juan Capistrano, the weather cooperates. But when it doesn’t, the restaurant’s small stretch of covered bar seating offers only so much shelter. Now that’s about to change.
Read more here |
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| | | Weekly Hot List of New Homes on the Market |
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Here is this week’s Coastal OC Hot List of new homes on the market.
There were 87 new listings that came on the market across South Orange County this week, bringing the total number of homes currently on the market to 634 and 63 of those closed escrow. From those, I always like to highlight a handful that really stand out. Homes with exceptional locations, ocean views, single level living, thoughtful upgrades, or simply something that makes them worth a closer look.
If there is one you might want to take a closer look at, I am always happy to share more details or set up a showing.
I hope you enjoy taking a look at this week’s homes.
Click here for Coastal OC Hotlist |
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| Sawdust Festival Until September 6, 2026
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| Outdoor arts and crafts festival. Watch artists create their work and buy directly from the artists while enjoying the wonderful atmosphere.
📍 Laguna Beach |
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| | Redo Vintage Market Sunday, August 30 |
| Redo Vintage & Maker's Market is shutting down the entire street of Del Prado to bring you over 200 vendors, music, food and drinks! It is free to the public. Don't miss this change to shop some of the best vintage home goods, clothing and surf finds, all in one place!
📍Dana Point |
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| | | Coffee and Cars Saturday August 29 |
| Bring your whole family to the parking garage of the San Clemente outlets for a fun morning of watching a variety of special cars, while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee!
📍 San Clemente
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MARINA HILLS | Laguna Niguel |
| | 3 BD 3 BA 1737 SF $1,550,000 |
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Welcome to 4 Andorra, a beautifully reimagined home in the coveted coastal community of Marina Hills. From the moment you step through the front door, you're greeted by soaring ceilings, abundant natural light, and a custom iron and wood staircase that rises as the architectural centerpiece of the home, setting a tone more often found in custom construction than in the neighborhood's original builds. The living room gathers around a fireplace, with a skylight above drawing daylight deep into the main level, and rich engineered wood flooring carries the warmth throughout.
The fully renovated kitchen is the heart of the home, with crisp white cabinetry, quartz countertops, a complementary tile backsplash, and stainless steel appliances, a space built as much for quiet mornings as for hosting a full house. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a true retreat, with high ceilings, a flexible nook for reading or a workout corner, a large walk-in closet, and a spa-inspired bath with dual sinks and updated finishes. Two additional bedrooms round out the second floor, each with space for a desk or study area.
Step outside and the backyard becomes a second living room, framed by lush, established landscaping and shaded by a covered pergola, the kind of space made for long dinners, quiet mornings with coffee, and everything in between.
Set within Marina Hills, residents enjoy resort-style amenities including a junior Olympic pool, pickleball and tennis courts, a clubhouse, playgrounds, and scenic trails leading toward the coast, all with a low HOA of $225 a month and no Mello Roos. Shopping, dining, Dana Point Harbor, and Salt Creek Beach are all just minutes away.
3 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 1,737 SF | Offered at $1,550,000
Join us for the Open House Saturday & Sunday | 1:00 – 3:00 4 Andorra, Laguna Niguel
Come see it in person, or reach out anytime to schedule a private tour.
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| | 3 BD 3 BA 2151 SF $2,100,000 |
| Welcome to 29481 Via Valverde, a beautifully updated single-level home perched above the rolling hills of Laguna Niguel, with golden sunsets, gentle morning light, and panoramic hillside views. This ranch-style home is perfectly positioned on a quiet cul-de-sac in one of Laguna Niguel's most desirable neighborhoods, offering 3 bedrooms, a dedicated office, and 3 full bathrooms across 2,151 square feet, set on a spacious 11,310 square foot lot with spectacular hill and mountain views.
Inside, the living room feels like a light-filled coastal sanctuary, centered on a beautiful fireplace and statement mantel, with sweeping views and doors opening onto the expansive backyard. It also connects to the dining room and a side yard, ideal for entertaining friends and family. The remodeled kitchen features new quartz countertops, a designer backsplash, a drop-in farmhouse sink, all-new stainless-steel appliances, and a cozy breakfast nook. The home offers two primary suites. One captures the hillside and sunset views, while the second sits off the entry courtyard with its own private entrance, spacious and light-filled, ideal as a guest suite, in-law suite, or flexible multigenerational living space.
Walls of windows and multiple doors blur the line between inside and out, so the breathtaking views and landscaping are felt from nearly every room and embraced the moment you step outside. The resort-inspired backyard is what everyone loves about this home. A serene and private oasis, it features plumeria, fruit trees, birds of paradise, roses, and palm trees, all framed by sweeping views of the surrounding Laguna Niguel hills and Saddleback Mountain.
The outdoor spaces are made for entertaining, with lounging, sitting, and dining areas for hosting. Whether enjoying the morning light over coffee or ending the day with dramatic sunsets, the feeling and backdrop are unforgettable. Additional features include a double Dutch door entry that welcomes you home, new luxury vinyl plank flooring, a freshly painted interior, plantation shutters, and solar for energy efficiency.
The lifestyle here is unmatched, with no HOA and access to top-rated area schools, plus nearby parks, scenic walking trails, and shopping, and quick access to world-class beaches, Dana Point Harbor, and the Salt Creek Coastal Trail.Homes like this rarely come available. This is your opportunity to enjoy the California lifestyle in your own private oasis, one you will treasure for years to come. |
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| | Chasing Excellence, One home at a time |
| | If you are thinking of buying, or selling, or just want to check in on your property's current value, text or call me anytime.
If you have any question or I can help with anything, don't hesitate to reach out.
Always here to help!
Have a great weekend!!
Kind Regards, Susan |
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| | Let's Connect on Social Media |
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Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 01527235, 01527365. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions. |
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