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Vicki Pedersen - Riverside and Corona CA Realtor

March 2009 Riverside CA "Best Buys" in Houses for Sale

Well, its that time again for my newest list of some of the "best buys" in Riverside California. Houses that are short sales or whose listings don't have any photos are not considered for this list. These are not my listings and I have not personally viewed these houses. I've created my best buys list from information on the multiple listing service.

4401 Superior St - $154,900 - bank-owned

9070 Altadena Dr. - $158,800 - corporate-owned

4184 Oldenburg St. - $159,900 - bank-owned

1446 LeConte - $169,900 - bank-owned

3240 Harrison St - $173,850 - bank-owned

3836 Rumba St - $198,900

702 Spruce St. - $249,900 - bank-owned

19992 Krameria - $284,000 - bank-owned

18812 Alderbrook Dr. - $284,900 - bank-owned

If you would like to see more details on any of these listings, click here.

There are still lots of good houses and at good prices and the interest rates remain very low. As of 3/18/2009 there were 1401 single family homes active listings for sale in Riverside under $300,000 and another 488 homes for sale over $300,000. Also, there are 102 condos currently listed on the multiple listing service for sale in Riverside as well.

There is a great benefit to first time home buyers (and those who have not owned a home for the last three years) of a tax credit for $8000. You can learn more about this tax credit on my website, Pedersen-Team.com

Please contact me if you are thinking of buying a home in Riverside CA or anywhere in the Inland Empire.
Search the MLS for homes for sale. Visit my website.

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Written and posted by: Vicki Pedersen, ABR, ASP, Pedersen Real Estate, Riverside/Corona, California, 951-840-5212 vicki@pedersen-team.com Visit my website.

The Orchard - A Gorgeous (and Hidden) Neighborhood in Riverside CA


Tree lined street in The OrchardThe Orchard is a beautiful and very unique neighborhood in the southwestern part of Riverside California in zip code 92503. There are about 250 homes in the original development which range in size from about 1800 sq ft to a little over 2500 sq ft. If you haven't been here before or haven't heard of it, that is not surprising.

The Orchard is located off La Sierra Ave south of Victoria Avenue and just past the KB Homes (Stone Harbor and Bridgeport). There are three entrances in to the neighborhood. The main on is to enter from La Sierra - turn left at Orchard View Lane. You can also enter The Orchard from McAllister Parkway - either by turning right on Praed St. or right on Orangehaven Ln.

The Orchard is unique because of its location pretty high on a hillside and the lots aWildflower Lane - The Orchardre staggered at different heights on the hills through out the neighborhood. The lots are a minimum of 1/2 acre and most are quite secluded - in fact some are very secluded and spectacular views are common in this neighborhood. The homes in The Orchard were built from 18 to 25 years ago and are all on septic systems. The tax rate is very low here and the HOA fee is only $32 per month.

There is also a section adjacent to The Orchard where the homes are newer, built about 8 years ago. There are 97 homes in this newer development built by Beazer Homes. These homes also have a minumum of 1/2 acre lots and many have great views too. The Beazer homes range in size from about 2800 sq ft up to 41 sq ft.

The Orchard Riverside CA

Here is a great example of the view. This photo was taken from the street - on Orangemont Lane - in The Orchard. How would like to see this view from your home every day?

The Orchard is a wonderful place to live. Some of the nicest people we have ever met live here. It is very secluded, quiet and yet convenient. It is two miles from the 91 freeway and the Metrolink station at La Sierra. Shopping and schools are nearby (including the Tyler Mall). It is located within the Riverside Unified School District. The elementary school aged children attend Lake Mathews Elementary School. Chemawa is the public middle school and the high school is Arlington.

If you have any questions about The Orchard, the homes that are currently for sale here or the real estate market anywhere in Riverside, please feel free to contact me at vicki@pedersen-team.com. I personally love the Orchard and find great satisfaction in helping families buy and/or sell homes here. And don't forget to visit my website, Pedersen-Team.com Search the MLS for homes for sale.

A view of a stormy sunset taken from The Orchard.

Sunset view from The Orchard

Real Estate Housing Market for Riverside CA - February 2009

Here is the latest look at Riverside California residential real estate. These tables show real estate sales for single family homes in Riverside in February 2009.  

The number of active listings and pending listings is as March 5, 2009. Pending listings are homes that are currently in escrow. The average list price of sold homes means the average price of the homes at the time they went into escrow and then the average selling price of the homes is also listed.   

If you can afford it, it is definitely a good time to buy with the low prices of homes, the low interest rates and the $8000 credit for first time home buyers (or those who have not owned a home in the last three years).  Check today's interest rates here.  

92501  
Active Listings 100
Number of Pending Homes 61
Number  of Homes Sold 17
Average List Price of Sold Homes $168,562
Average Selling Price of Sold Homes $161,741

 

92503  
Active Listings 455
Number of Pending Homes 250
Number  of Homes Sold 76
Average List Price of Sold Homes $194,375
Average Selling Price of Sold Homes $217,143

 

92504  
Active Listings 287
Number of Pending Homes 114
Number  of Homes Sold 47
Average List Price of Sold Homes $163,579
Average Selling Price of Sold Homes $161,911

 

92505  
Active Listings 190
Number of Pending Homes 98
Number  of Homes Sold 41
Average List Price of Sold Homes $188,399
Average Selling Price of Sold Homes $188,579

92506  
Active Listings 208
Number of Pending Homes 97
Number  of Homes Sold 35
Average List Price of Sold Homes $249,419
Average Selling Price of Sold Homes $247,246


92507  
Active Listings 164
Number of Pending Homes 54
Number  of Homes Sold 22
Average List Price of Sold Homes $174,964
Average Selling Price of Sold Homes $167,354

 

92508  
Active Listings 185
Number of Pending Homes 91
Number  of Homes Sold 37
Average List Price of Sold Homes $309,179
Average Selling Price of Sold Homes $302,872

 

92509  
Active Listings 347
Number of Pending Homes 185
Number  of Homes Sold 73
Average List Price of Sold Homes $171,009
Average Selling Price of Sold Homes $170,810

Here are a few observations in comparing these figures to January 2009. In every zip code there are fewer active listings compared to a month ago - it appears that our inventory of homes for sale is shrinking a bit.  Also, there are more houses are currently in escrow than one month ago.  The other point I find interesting is that generally speaking housing prices still appear to be coming down as the selling prices were lower in six out of the eight  zip codes.  

If you have any questions about the real estate market in Riverside or Corona or would like to get help with buying a home, please contact me at vicki@pedersen-team.com.  Visit my website.

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Riverside CA - UCR Botanic Gardens - What a Great Way to Spend an Afternoon

UCR Botanic GardensI visited the University of California, Riverside Botanic Gardens yesterday. This was my first visit here and I would like to come back in a couple of months when there are leaves on the trees and the roses and other flowers are blooming.

UCR Botanic Gardens



The UCR Botanic Gardens are located in the foothills of the Box Springs Mountains on the east side of the University of California, Riverside campus. The gardens contain a large amount of diversity, with more than 3,500 plant species and 200 bird species. There are rose gardens, a herb garden and cactus garden, a pond and more.

The Botanic Gardens is open daily from 8 a.m. UCR Botanic Gardensto 5 p.m. except for certain holidays. There is a suggested donation of $1 for admission and there is a small parking fee. Here is a link to get more information about the UCR Botanic Gardens There are free maps and self-guided tours at the entrance.


This is a great place to wander around, relax, do some bird-watching, meditate. I spent the morning in the Botanic Gardens with some special people and in a special place. I really enjoyed my visit and would recommend this as a nice place to spend a morning or afternoon. Bring a lunch, bring a book and/or bring your walking shoes and ENJOY!

UCR Botanic Gardens

I am a full-time Realtor in Riverside CA. I love living and working in Riverside. If you have any questions about Riverside or real estate in Riverside, you can contact me at vicki@pedersen-team.com or visit my website. To search the multiple listing service for homes for sale.

My Riverside California "Best Buys" in Homes List - February 11, 2009

Well, its that time again for my list of the "best buys" in Riverside California. It was very discouraging tonight trying to come up with the list. There are two things that will always keep a house off my "best buys" list - regardless of price. Those two things are: houses must not be short sales, and the listing must have at least one photo.

I went through almost 150 new listings and most of them were short sales and many did not have any photos. Because of the huge number of listings with these two problems, my "best buy" list is very short this week. Here goes:


4200 Estrada Dr. - $120,000 - 1,170 sq ft
5308 Scott Ave - $139,000 - 1,141 sq ft
10353 Kenyon Ct. - $169,000 - 1,605 sq ft

If you would like to see more details on any of these listings, click here.

I don't want any home buyers out there to get discouraged about buying a home in Riverside or Corona CA. There are still lots of good houses and at good prices and the interest rates remain very low. Some of the best prices in the market right now are short sale homes. I'm hearing that the number of short sales going through successfully is increasing. I really hope that the banks are starting to work with more short sale sellers.

Please contact me if you are thinking of buying a home in Riverside CA or anywhere in the Inland Empire. Search the MLS for homes for sale. Visit my website.

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