Valorie Stover, SFR Realtor, for Mission Viejo, Lake Forest and Vicinity

Halloween comes at the end of October and coincides with the last of the apple harvesting. producing such favorites as candy apples, caramel or taffy apples, which are a common treats made by rolling whole apples in a sticky syrup. sometimes followed by rolling them in nuts. There was a custom that my family did when I was young, My parents bought pure Apple Cider at the apple orchard's farm stand and would keep it in the basement or put it out in the snow till Thanksgiving, by then it would have fermented. They seemed to enjoy it. One custom that is still honored in Ireland is the baking of a barmbarack which is a light fruitcake into which a ring, a coin and other charms are placed before cooking- similar to the tradition of king cake at the festival of Epiphany. We associate other foods with Halloween such as Apple Cider, Popcorn, Roasted Pumpkin, Pumpkin Bread, Candy Corn, Caramel and mega bowls of Candy.

It was reported last week that the number of newly laid-off Americans filing first-time claims for jobless benefits fell to the lowest level since early January, as layoffs eased a bit. The last five weeks have seen four drops in new claims, hopefully it is a sign the labor market is slowly healing. Employers are still reluctant to hire new workers, so the unemployment rate is expected to continue to climb well into next year. The Labor Department said new claims for unemployment insurance dropped last week to a seasonally adjusted 521,000, better than analysts expected and down from 554,000 the previous week.

We can only hope that as the unemplyment rate adjusts upward, we will see an improvement in the economy and a better housing market.

Reported in the Orange county Register this week was Federal Chairman Ben Bernanke sent a fresh signal that he's in not in any hurry to change direction and start raising interest rates. At a Fed conference, Bernanke said that the Fed's key bank lending rate is now near zero, a record low and is planned to staythat way for an "extended period". So far he is holding to the goal that was set in September at their meeting. duper-low rates will entice more spending by people and businesses helping the recovery along.

The 7th Annual "THINK PINK" Breast Health Wall of Honor is presented by Capistrano Volkswagen and will be taking place throughout the month of October-Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the The shops at Mission Viejo (lower level, center court). Mission Breast Health Services will once again be the beneficiary of the proceeds raised from this event. Proceeds are to further the awareness,screening and treatment of breast cancer.

Shoppers and supporters of Mission Hospital can pay tribute to loved ones, patients ans survivors by making a $25 donation to place a Honor Card on the wall.

This could be something that is held in communities all over the country! Let us know what you community is doing to help fight Breast Cancer during October

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Casta del Sol Mission Viejo, CA Market report from January 1st till October 1st 2009.

September had a showing of 10 closed escrows making it a total of 75 houses sold this year to date. Way ahead of the last couple of years. There were 11 properties that opened escrow in September. The activity is good for this time of the year and hope we can hold on though the fall months. Pricing hasn't changed in the last few months.

Let's take a look at the last 10 years from highest to lowest prices.

Lowest Sold Highest Sold

2009 $268,000 $501,500

2008 $307,000 $585,000

2007 $390,000 $659,900

2006 $390,000 $654,900

2005 $389,000 $719,065

2003 $260,000 $550,000

2002 $240,000 $395,000

2001 $205,000 $395,500

2000 $166,000 $335,000

1999 $111,500 $314,900

There are 27 houses in Casta del Sol on the market right now Priced from $299,000 to $569,000.