Diane Merassa – Real Estate Blog

Violent crime even lower in Irvine, America’s safest city, according to FBI preliminary January - June 2011 crime data.

• The City of Irvine continues to have the lowest per capita Violent Crime rate in the nation for a city of its size.
• Irvine was chosen in by CNNMoney.com as the 4th best place to live in the United States.
• Businessweek listed Irvine as the 5th best city in the US
• In June 2010, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that Irvine had the lowest violent crime rate among cities in the United States with populations of more than 100,000

For more information, see the Irvine Police Department Press Release: http://cityofirvine.org/civica/press/display.asp?layout=1&Entry=1330

Irvine has traditionally been a master planned community with 40 years into its love affair with earth tones and stucco, Irvine is about to garner a splash of color new new home styles.

In 2011, final approval for 5,000 homes on the old El Toro Marine Corps base, a project that will surround and help fund the Orange County Great Park.

Craftsman, Folk Victorian, Traditional Monterey, American Classic and Cottage styles all should hit the market in 2013.

See more about these new homes at the OC Register.

Some highlights and facts from Irvine’s 2011 year in real estate.

• While the number of sales is relatively consistent with last year, the median price in Irvine has declined.
• The median price in Irvine decreased 7.77 percent
• The median price is now $519,000.
• Standard sales represented the bulk of the transactions at 66 percent (70% in 2010)
• Short sales accounted for 23 percent (22% in 2010)
• Foreclosed properties were 11 percent (8% in 2010)
• The highest closed sale this year in Irvine was a 14,000-square-foot home in Shady Canyon, which closed in October for $8,888,888.
• The lowest priced property that sold this year was a foreclosed property with a total of 475 square feet, which sold in April for $110,000.

See the full article at:

http://www.ocregister.com/news/sales-333689-irvine-percent.html

Prudential California Realty announced the winners of the company’s Orange County Star award for the month of November 2011.

“The Orange County Star award allows us to bring the hard work and professionalism of our agents into the spotlight,” said Prudential’s Regional Vice President of Orange County Patti Brotherton. “We are so grateful to our agents for the service that they provide for our clients, as well as the community.”

Todd Muradian and Diane Merassa were nominated for selflessly providing information and insights about how they have developed their business and provided their clients with outstanding service.

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