Ann Delligatta

Orange, California - Crime Rates Down for Fifth Straight Year

How is this for one more reason to live, work and play in the City of Orange, California?

As seen in our Community Newspaper, the Foothills SENTRY, February 8^th, 2011 edition, the Orange Police Department recently announced that Part 1 crime in the City of Orange has decreased for the 5^th consecutive year.

Part 1 crimes include homicides, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts and auto thefts. Overall, the City of Orange has experienced a 27% decrease in these types of crimes since 2005.

For detailed statistics, visit the City of Orange Police Department website at:

www.cityoforange.org/depts/police/admin/crime_statistics.asp

Check this out, too! The Orange City Police Department implemented their crime prevention program "i-Watch" in 2009 to share information with residents and businesses in the City of Orange. The program is getting good feedback and producing positive results. For more information on the i-Watch program and how to subscribe, go to:

www.orangeiwatch.com

Just one more reason to live, work and play in Orange. Always looking for your input on life in Orange, California (what do you like most about Orange?) - Your comments are welcome.

For information about buying and selling in Orange County, contact me at:

January, 2011 Home Sales in Orange and Orange Park Acres, California

January, 2011 home sales in Orange were off from the December closings and down year over year. Inventory is also up. The good news is that the number of homes in Escrow at the end of January improved over the month before.

There were 64 total closed sales in Orange and Orange Park Acres in January. Of the total, 43 were single family residences.

As of the end of the year 2010, there were 441 properties in active status and 160 total properties in either "Back-up" or "Pending" sale status.

As January came to a close, there were 471 total properties on the market in Orange/OPA and 191 in Escrow. So although inventory is up almost 7%, the "sales in progress" are up over 18%.

Of particular note in this month's numbers is the price point data. Of the 64 closed transactions, only 8 homes in Orange sold for more than $600,000. and only 4 of these were above $800,000. This translates into very different "absorption rates" depending on the price of the home.

If you are thinking of selling and would like more information about home sales in and around Orange, California or specific Market Trends information for your area, contact me today.

Ann Delligatta First Team Real Estate 714.253.9900 AnnDelligatta@FirstTeam.com www.RightHomeForMe.com Integrity, Service, Results!

Note: This blog addresses a specific, local market. Contact me today for a detailed view of what is happening in YOUR local area.

Orange, California - Parkridge Estates

Part of the charm of the town of Orange is its diverse set of communities, old and new - each with its own unique set of advantages and each appealing to different consumers. One of these communities set in the foothills area is prestigious Parkridge Estates built in the 1996 and 1997 timeframe by Standard Pacific.

Highly sought-after Parkridge Estates is a gated community with 200 homes divided into "Executive" and "Estate" homes all enjoying a near perfect "rural-like" location while still close to the toll roads and within 5 minutes of the 91 and 55 freeways. Nestled in the foothills, many of the homes feature either hills/trees views or panoramic vistas all of the way to the ocean.

The Parkridge Estates homes vary in size from 2500 to 4200 square feet and feature both single story layouts and multi-level plans (most with down-stairs bedrooms). Standard Pacific loaded these traditional homes with comfort features including open floorplans with high ceilings, dual-glazed windows, dramatic staircases, multiple fireplaces, dual vanities and walk-in closets. The "Estate" homes boast particularly spacious rooms, volume ceilings, high-end fixtures and lighting, French doors and rounded corners throughout.

Open space abounds within and around the community and the pool and spa sit in a park setting that includes picnic benches, BBQs, and a sports court. With the beautiful grounds so impeccably maintained and all of the amenities available to residents, it is hard to believe that the Parkridge HOA dues were recently lowered to $200. a month - lower than many townhome communities.

With access to Orange's top schools, surrounded by city and regional parks and recreation facilities, hiking, biking and horse trails, it is no wonder that this community stands out as one of the premiere places to live in Orange (and the OC).

And, as exceptional as it is, Parkridge Estates is just one of the many outstanding communities you will find in the city of Orange. Be sure to come back soon to learn more of the reasons to live, work and play in Orange. Feel free to send ideas of your own (what do you like most about Orange?) - Your comments are always welcome.

For information about buying and selling in Orange County, contact me at:

Ann Delligatta First Team Real Estate 714.253.9900

AnnDelligatta@FirstTeam.com www.RightHomeForMe.com
Service, Integrity, RESULTS!

For a recent First Team blog on how my Parkridge Partner, Kathy Leimkuhler and I represent Parkridge Estates, please click here (or paste this link):

Orange, California - The Plaza in Old Towne Orange

I've been blogging about the city of Orange because I personally believe it is a great place to live and want to share my appreciation of this town with others. As a Realtor, I am always interested in understanding just what makes a particular area appealing to potential residents.

One important factor I find helpful in making a decision on where to live (and let's face it - where to invest) has to be a community's values - not just the monetary values, which are important, but evidence of community pride - another way to ensure that you are choosing the right place to call home.

While there are many examples of community pride throughout the city of Orange (a city whose motto is "A Slice of Old Town Charm"), the Plaza in Old Towne Orange has got to be one of the best.

Located at the intersection of Glassell and Chapman, the plaza is the heart of Orange's Old Towne (subject of future blog(s)) and the site of many community events including "Treats in the Streets", the International Street Fair (Labor Day Weekend) and the holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.

There is a reason so many Hollywood location scouts have selected this area as a backdrop of movies, TV series and commercials featuring small town America and why residents and visitors have repeatedly voted historic Old Towne as Orange County's favorite downtown, The charm of this area is palpable.

The "Public Plaza" was originally laid out by Captain William T. Glassell, brother of one of the early founders, Andrew Glassell, long before Orange was called Orange (it was originally named Richland). Glassell staked out the downtown area in the early 1870's bounded by Maple, Grand (once called Grape), Almond and Lemon streets - all meeting in a central Plaza Square.

In 1886 a circular park with a fountain was set up in the middle of the Plaza and while the original fountain was replaced in 1937 (and while many towns are completely demolishing and rebuilding their downtown areas), the plaza in Orange remains and the original one square mile town site is still home to many buildings dating to the early days of the City.

I hope that you have enjoyed this information and that you will make time to visit the Plaza and surrounding Old Towne Orange.

For much more information on preservation efforts and opportunities within the city of Orange, you might also want to visit Old Towne Preservation Association website at:

www.otpa.org

Don't forget to come back to learn more about life in Orange. Feel free to send ideas of your own (what do you like most about Orange?) - Your comments are always welcome.

For information about buying and selling in Orange County, contact me at:

Ann Delligatta First Team Real Estate 714.253.9900

AnnDelligatta@FirstTeam.com www.RightHomeForMe.com
Service, Integrity, RESULTS!

All About Orange California - #2 - Orange Public Library and History Center

Orange, California - Orange Public Library and History Center

I have to say again that the problem with attempting to blog about all of the reasons to live, work and play in the city of Orange, California is choosing which of all of the advantages of living in Orange to write about and in what order. There is just so much to brag about and the Orange Public Library and History Center just has to be near the top of the list.

Officially re-opened in April of 2007, this 45,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility offers something for everyone. To get a view of what other visitors have had to say about the center, go to Yelp.com and enjoy the reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/orange-public-library-and-history-center-orange

The center is located at:

407 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, Ca 92866

The library includes a homework center jointly developed with the Orange Unified School District; small group study rooms with whiteboards, a "Children's Garden", Children's Story time Room, a special Teen Zone and a teen librarian.

Adults will find more than 1,800 square feet of new releases, classic novels, mysteries, westerns and other fiction on the first floor and another 7,000 square feet of reference and non-fiction on the upper level along with a large computing center. The only thing missing for me was the coffee, but you will find a Starbucks (and Watson's Drugs - topic of a future blog) within easy walking distance and you can take a "new" book from the library bookstore with you and continue to enjoy.

Amazingly, the two story building features 100 public-use computers and access to more than a century of Orange's heritage in a new History Center with its adjacent reading room. For more history, just meander the history trail on three sides of the building with its 14 plaques of original artwork and the story of the City of Orange's rich heritage. (Note: I took a local Cub Scout den on an outing to the Orange Public Library and History Center and we made a game of who could remember what from this history walk. They LOVED it!)

The building is a work of art in itself, but inside you will find lots more art to enjoy including rotating art displays on the wall near the main staircase, lively papier-mâché animals, quilts, mosaics and tile murals - all with some association to the city Orange.

There is also a Community Meeting Room adjacent to the library and available during library hours. It accommodates 133 people and has a full kitchen.

And, you won't want to miss the Friends of the Library Bookstore (just inside the Main Library North entrance) where you can choose from thousands of gently used items ranging in price from $.50 to $10.

There is so much more to learn about and see at the Orange Public Library and History Center. You are definitely going to want to make a trip of your own to check it out. Note the new hours:

New Orange Public Library & History Center Hours effective January 3, 2011:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 11 am - 8 pm
Thursday, Alternate Fridays, and Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm

And, don't forget to come back to my blog if you want to learn more about Orange. Feel free to send ideas of your own (what do you like most about Orange?) - Your comments are always welcome.

For information about buying and selling in Orange County, contact me at:

Ann Delligatta First Team Real Estate 714.253.9900

AnnDelligatta@FirstTeam.com www.RightHomeForMe.com
Service, Integrity, RESULTS!