In the last several years, the home selling season begins to during the last week of March or the first week of April.  April, May and June have been the busiest real estate months of the year, with sellers receiving the highest prices for their properties. Take advantage of this busy time if you are a seller.  Contact a professional real estate agent, such as those at the Franco Team, to learn more about the local real estate market.

Get ready to kick off the start of the Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race with a huge kickoff party on Sunday, April 19^th.  Balboa Village will host the kickoff party. Among the many activities planned for the kickoff are The Taste of Balboa, Strada Dell’Arte chalk artists, an U2 cover band performance, race boats and much more. While you are at the party, take advantage of the fun activities at the Balboa Fun Zone and ExplorOcean.  The party starts at 11am and runs to 4pm. The kickoff party is a free event and has activities for the whole family.  For more information about this fun event, see their website at: http://newporttoensenada.com/.

Crystal Cove is home to both a group of luxury neighborhoods and the Crystal Cove State Park.  Crystal Cove State Park has 3.2 miles of beach and 2,400 acres of hills, canyons and undeveloped woodland green space.  This is a popular area for visitors and local residents to hike and explore, or just soak up the sun on the beach. Located at 2 Shore Walk, Newport Coast, this 6,100 square foot home is part of the Sea Crest development.  This four bedroom, five bathroom home sits on a large corner lot. This single level home has a Santa Barbara architectural style.  The home has an open floor plan that flows seamlessly from indoors to outdoors. There is a detached casita that is perfect as guest quarters or a private home office. The home has views of the Pacific Ocean, whitewater, Catalina Island and city night lights.  On clear days, the views stretch all the way to Palos Verdes.  Outdoors homeowners will enjoy strolling amongst the citrus trees and courtyards. There are just 29 homes in Sea Crest. Sea Crest has a 24 hour guard gate. All residents of Sea Crest are encouraged to take advantage of all the resort style amenities at the Canyon Club Recreational Center.

Every real estate market is different.  Educate yourself on the local real estate market before buying or selling.  The best way to do this is to work with a knowledgeable, local real estate broker, such a member of The Franco Team.  Become aware of microtrends in your area, this can help you to make informed decisions when it comes to buying or selling.

The NCAA March Madness tournament is in full swing.  Aqua Lounge is having March Mule Madness to celebrate.  From March 17^th through April 6^th, Aqua Lounge is your NCAA Basketball Tournament headquarters.  During all live tournament games purchase one signature cocktail and get a Moscow Mule for $7.  The lounge has live DJs, tableside mixology and delicious selection of small bites. Move outside to enjoy the evening overlooking the fireside terrace and pool. The signature cocktails include the Cucumber Cobbler and Sweet Smoke. For more information about March Madness at Aqua Lounge, see their website at: http://www.aqualoungenb.com/.

Crystal Cove meticulously combines luxury living with nature.  Situated in the coastal hills, Crystal Cove has sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and the ocean.  Located at 80 Archipelago Drive, this 3,900 square foot home is part of the Oceana development.  The home has four bedrooms and five bathrooms.  Attention to detail can be seen in the dark limestone flooring, interior pillars and exterior Spanish tile.  The views from most rooms of this luxury home include the Pacific Ocean, whitewater, Catalina Island and colorful evening sunsets.  Enjoy the outdoors in the large outdoor barbeque area with granite countertops or under two custom made pergolas.  Oceana was built between 2004 and 2005.  Residents love taking advantage of all the outdoor activities offered at the Crystal Cove State Park and the near-by Canyon Club Recreational Center.

During the time your home is up for sale, keep the house sparking clean.  Clean every nook and corner before the house goes up for sale.  Get rid of cobwebs, dust and odors.  This will send a good message to potential home buyers.  Potential home buyers will see your home as well cared for and in top notch shape.

The A&O Kitchen and Bar at the Balboa Bay Resort will be hosting a Luck of the Irish St. Paddy’s Day Bash. The St. Patrick’s Day Party will include a live performance by “Van Dieman’s Band” featuring Gilman Carver.  The band will perform from 6pm to 9pm, while the restaurant will be serving their St. Pat’s Day menu from 4pm to 11pm. Among the St. Pat’s Day specials will be $3 green draft beer pints, $5 green cocktails and Irish inspired entrees. No reservations are required. Make plans at A&O Kitchen for a festive and fun St. Patrick’s Day. For more information, see their website at: http://balboabayresort.com/ai1ec_event/luck-of-the-irish-st-paddys-day-bash-at-ao/?instance_id=50986.

Crystal Cove is a home to a group of luxury home developments and the official California State Park by the same name.  The Crystal Cove state park is home to 2,400 acres of canyons, 18 miles of trails, 3.2 miles of coastline and the Historical District.  The historical district features 48 beach cottages from the 1920’s and 1930’s.  The home located at 8 Rockshore Bluff is part of the Oceana community.  This four bedroom, four bathroom home is approximately 3,700 square feet. The home has a first floor master suite. The master suite fireplace is the perfect place to stay warm on chilly evenings. The kitchen has commercial grade appliances, a large center island and opens onto a private courtyard. This home has 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean, white water, Catalina Island and lovely evening sunsets.  Outdoors, homeowners will enjoy the mature landscaping, aged oak trees and covered loggia.  Oceana was built between 2004 and 2005.  Residents are within walking distance to the Crystal Cove Promenade for shopping and dining. Students attend El Morro Elementary School, Thurston Middle School and Laguna Beach High School.

Prior to putting your home on the market, make a list of all the items that need fixing.  Fix these before listing your home.  If you are not sure, hire a home inspector to go through your home with you.  Complete the fix-it list.  This way when your home hits the market, it will be ready to go.  A turn-key home makes the best first impression on prospective home buyers.

The Crystal Cove State Park Alliance is hosting the In Bloom Spring Art Show. The Spring 2015 Art Show will the be the first art show and sale of the year at Crystal Cove. More than 30 artists will exhibit their art. The artists will be available to meet during the show. Half of the proceeds from show sales will benefit the Crystal Cove Alliance.  The Crystal Cove Alliance mission is the restoration, conservation and education at the Crystal Cove State Park. The Crystal Cove State Park is located at the crossroads of Pacific Coast Highway and Los Trancos. For more information about the Spring Art Show or any of the Alliances other programs, see their website at: http://www.crystalcovealliance.org/events/cca-spring-art-show-bloom/.

Crystal Cove is made up mostly of Crystal Cove State Park; the other part is made up of several luxury neighborhoods.  Among the neighborhoods which comprise Crystal Cove are White Sails, The Tides, Nautilus and Seascape.  Located at 33 Tide Watch, this 6,800 square foot custom built estate, is part of the Sea Point neighborhood.  This five bedroom, seven bathroom home has a show stopping master suite and closet.  The chef’s kitchen features Wolf appliances with Walker Zenger stone. Among the awe-inspiring views from this estate are the Pacific Ocean, white water, Catalina Island, city night lights and beautiful sunsets.  Views stretch all the way to Palos Verdes.  Outdoors, homeowners will love the built in barbeque area, custom outdoor fireplace, spa and infinity edge pool. Sea Point is a 24 hour guard gated development with just 27 custom built estates. Crystal Cove Sea Point residents are invited to participate in all the social and recreational activities at the Canyon Club Recreational center.

One of the most important parts of preparing your home for sale is getting it ready for the photo shoot.  Often these are the very first images of your home that potential home buyers will see, as most people begin their home search online.  Final details for the home photo shoot include adding colorful accent pillows to beds, couches and chairs.  Add fluffy and clean towels to bathrooms. Finally, be sure each room is well lit for best results.

The Orange County Museum of Art will be holding an Evening for Educators on Thursday, February 26^th.  The Orange County Museum of Art staff is preparing a special program for educators to preview all of their upcoming spring exhibits. Among the spring exhibits will be Alien She, Fred Tomaselli: The Times, Selections: Dieter Roth and Misappropriations: New Acquisitions. The exhibits are designed to “investigate the mechanisms of history and how they influence whose stories get told.”  This is the perfect way for local educators to get acquainted with the spring exhibits and plan for school field trips. The evening will begin at 4pm. This event is open and free to all educators. Reservations are required by Monday, February 23rd.  To make reservations and for information on school tours, see their website at: http://www.ocma.net/event/evening-educators-1.

Crystal Cove is group of luxury developments located in Newport Coast.  Newport Coast is home to both Crystal Cove and Pelican Hill.  Crystal Cove is home the Crystal Cove State Park which encompasses 3.2 miles of coastline, 400 acres of bluffs, 2,400 acres of canyons, a 1,400 acre Marine Park and 18 miles of trails.  Located at 1 Deep Sea, this 10,000 square foot estate is part of the Crystal Cove Estate Collection.  This seven bedroom, twelve bathroom custom built estate, boasts a 6,000 square foot garage with space for up to 25 cars.  Situated on a large corner lot, this estate has a billiard room, gym and an elevator to all levels. The views are beautiful from this home of the Pacific Ocean, coastline, city night lights and breathtaking sunsets. Outdoors homeowners will enjoy relaxing by pool, spa and using the outdoor kitchen. The Crystal Cove Estate Collection is a 24 hour guard gated development. Residents of the Estate Collection are invited to take part in all the resort style activities of the Canyon Club, which acts as to social hub for Crystal Cove.

Once you have the right home, you will need to make an offer, which can often be a stressful situation.  Working with an experienced real estate agent, such as those of the Franco Team, will help remove the stress and create an offer that is attractive to all parties.  Your real estate agent can help you avoid making an offer that is either too high or low. Remember an offer is the start; you can always negotiate for extra time, a furniture or chandelier bonus, or a home warranty.

The Waterline Newport Beach is offering a Chef’s Special five-course Valentine’s Day Dinner.  They are offering this special dinner on both Friday, February 13^th and Saturday, February 14^th.  Dinner service will be from 5:30pm to 10pm.  The evening’s theme is “Love Story along the Waterfront.” The courses are festively entitled, Flirt (bread service), Tantalize (hors d oeuvres), Impulse (soup), Delight (dinner) and Passion (dessert).  Reservations are required. The Waterline is part of the Balboa Bay Resort.  For more information about the Valentine’s Day dinner, see their website at: http://balboabayresort.com/ai1ec_event/chefs-special-five-course-valentines-day-dinner-at-waterline/?instance_id=43957.

Crystal Cove is a beautiful area of Newport Beach well known for its amazing view properties. All Crystal Cove residents are encouraged to take advantage of the resort style recreational activities offered at the Canyon Club Recreational Center.  Located at 66 Twlight Bluff, this 3,800 square foot home is part of the Strand development.  This home has five bedrooms and six bathrooms, split amongst the main house and two casitas. The home has a wonderful open floor plan with a great room that open into a chef’s kitchen. The views from this home include the Pacific Ocean, whitewater, city night lights, Catalina Island and picture perfect sunsets. Outdoors, homeowners will love entertaining with the built-in barbeque, refrigerator and fireplace.  The Strand is a 24 hour guard gated community.  The homeowner’s association provides a swimming pool, spa, tennis courts and clubhouse for residents to use.  The Strand is within walking to distance to the many shopping and dining options at the Crystal Cove Promenade.

Home buyers should remember during winter months there is not a pressing need to act as quickly as during other times of the years.  Use this time to carefully review all home purchase loan and first time buyer home loan packages.  Use this extra time to your advantage and you are sure to find your dream house, even in the winter.

This is the perfect time to explore all that Newport Beach has to offer.  The Oasis Senior Center is owned and operated by the City of Newport Beach and is dedicated to meeting the needs of seniors and their families.  They offer a large array of educational, recreational, cultural and social services to help older adults live independent, active and enriched lives.  The center also has a non-profit arm called the Friends of Oasis, which provides financial and volunteer support.  The center is proud that it uses volunteers in all aspects of the center and has over 25,000 hours of volunteer service each year. For more information about taking part in activities or volunteering, see their website at: http://www.newportbeachca.gov/index.aspx?page=218.

Crystal Cove is part of the Newport Coast section of Newport Beach, along with Pelican Hill.  Due to its high bluff setting, Crystal Cove is home to some the very best view properties in Newport Beach.  Located at 78 Sidra Square, this four bedroom, five bathroom home is part of the Seascape development.  This 4,400 square foot home was designed to take of advantage of the tremendous views from all bedrooms and living areas. The home features a lovely master suite with views, a double fireplace and privacy. Homeowners and guests are welcomed to the home through wrought iron gates and with an intimate outdoor fireplace. The views include the Pacific Ocean, whitewater, Catalina Island, San Clemente, St. Nicholas Island and stunning evening sunsets.  Seascape is a 24 hour guard gated neighborhood.  Students attend schools in the Laguna Unified School District, including model school Thurston Middle School.

After reaching more than 20 million dollars in real estate sales in 2014, Michael Franco was named a Top Producer for the year.  With multi-million dollar sales in several different developments, including, Shady Canyon, Rancho Palos Verdes and Crystal Cove, Michael is your go-to realtor for properties in the beach cities that make up Orange County.  Michael works with each client to develop a plan to find the perfect home for them, whether they are looking for new construction or an established community.

Whether you are selling your home in the winter or the summer, you want the temperature indoors to be comfortable.  In the winter, turn the heat up, in the summer use the air conditioner.  Create a warm feeling indoors, in the winter, by setting the fireplace with wood or candles, use warm accent colors and keep the lights on.  Create a cool feeling in the summer by using cool colors.

The new year of the Newport Beach Library book group gets underway on Wednesday, January 14^th with Mary Coin by Marisa Silver.  Marisa Silver is a bestselling author, who used Dorothea Lange’s Migrant Mother photograph as inspiration for Mary Coin.  Set in both 1936 and present day, the story follows Walker Dodge, as discovers a family secret in the old photo.  The book club meets the second Wednesday of each month, September through June.  The book club is open to the public and is free to participate in. The discussion is lead by participants and the library staff. For more information about the book group or their many other programs, see their website at: www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

Crystal Cove is part of the Newport Coast section of Newport Beach.  Crystal Cove is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Pacific Coast Highway.  Among the several neighborhoods that make up Crystal Cove are White Sails, Oceana and Seascape. Located at 16 Baffin Bay Square, this 4,100 square foot home is part of the Seabourn development.  This five bedroom, six bathroom mini-estate, is entered through a grand foyer with an impressive staircase and chandelier.  Enjoy entertaining with a formal living room and dining room. The formal dining room has easy access to the wet bar, wine cellar and game room.  The chef of the house will love the gourmet kitchen with a wine cooler, Sub-Zero refrigerator and stainless steel appliances. Outdoors, homeowners will love strolling through the yard filled with mature landscaping and gorgeous plants and relaxing in the spa. Seabourn is the first neighborhood, as you enter Crystal Cove.  Seabourn was built between 2001 and 2003 by Standard Pacific Homes. Students in this area, attend school in the Laguna Beach Unified School District, specifically El Morro Elementary School, Thurston Middle School and Laguna Beach High School.

When selling your home at Christmas time, keep decorations simple.  The goal is to add a festive touch to make the home light and bright.  Try a thin Christmas tree, such as a pencil tree, rather than a large, full tree, so as not to over fill a room, making it look small.  Keep lights either one color or clear and ornaments elegant and use fewer of them.

Fig and Olive is having a festive White and Gold New Year’s Eve Dinner party and Cocktail Soiree.  Beginning at 9pm, on Wednesday, December 31^st, Fig and Olive invites guests to ring in the New Year with a French Riviera inspired menu.  The White and Gold Party has a four course prix-fixe dinner menu and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. A second option, is the Cocktail reception with wine, signature cocktails and passed hors d’ oeuvres.  In addition, an a la carte menu will be available prior to 9pm. Each special event is $100 per person.  During each party, there will be party favors, music presented by Saint Tropez DJ Thomas Toccafondi, and balloon drop.  Ring in the New Year in the 12,000 square foot Fashion Island olive oil oasis. For more information on either of these special events see their website at: http://www.figandolive.com/.

Crystal Cove is part of the Newport Coast section of Newport Beach, along with Pelican Hill.  Crystal Cove is a group of luxurious developments, all with 24 hour guard gates and access to the resort like Canyon Club.  Located at 24 Cliffhouse Bluff, this four bedroom, four bathroom home is part of the Oceana neighborhood.  This 3,700 square foot home has a Santa Barbara architectural style.  Entertaining is a joy in this home with a large great room, formal dining room and chef’s kitchen. The views are wonderful of the Pacific Ocean, white water, city night lights, Catalina Island and beautiful sunsets.  Outdoors, homeowner’s will enjoy the infinity edge pool and spa, outdoor kitchen and outdoor living room with a fireplace.  Oceana was built between 2004 and 2005. . Oceana is part of the Laguna Beach Unified School District.  Students attend El Morro Elementary, Thurston Middle School and Laguna Beach High School. 

Be sure to update photos of your home, so they properly reflect the season.  That being said, remember to provide an album of what your home and yard look like in the summer, include shots of the garden, blooming trees and patio and pool area.  Work with your professional realtor, such as those of the Franco Team, to make sure you are choosing the best photos.  A professional photographer will be able help choose the best spots for photos.

Crystal Cove State Park Alliance is having their 18^th Annual “Deck the Cove” Holiday Tree Lighting and Holiday Bazaar.  The festivities take place on Saturday, December 6^th, from 9am to 5:30pm.  The Tree Lighting takes place on Saturday and the Holiday Bazaar runs all weekend.  At sunset, the beach will be illuminated with twinkling lights and ornaments on a beautiful evergreen tree.  The theme is inspired by Crystal Cove’s history with retro holiday décor. The holiday décor is vintage from the time period between 1935 and 1955. The historic seaside cottages will be decorated with holiday lights, vintage decorations and giant candy canes. The bazaar will feature over 20 nationally known plein air artists, along with many local artisans specializes in jewelry, ceramics and more.   Santa Claus will make an appearance at 4pm on Saturday.  This is a free event and open to the public.  For more information, see their website at: http://crystalcovebeachcottages.org/home/.

Crystal Cove is a made up of both residential neighborhoods and the Crystal Cove State Park.  Crystal Cove is situated between the Pacific Coast Highway and the Pacific Ocean, just north of Laguna Beach.  Located at 12 Archipelago Drive, this 3,700 square foot home is part of the Windward development.  This four bedroom, five bathroom home has a welcoming entrance through a courtyard with a koi pond and waterfall.  The home has a formal living and dining room, temperature controlled wine room and Tuscan style kitchen.  Outdoors, homeowners will enjoy a fire pit, spa and built in barbeque area. Windward is 24 hour guard gated neighborhood.  The neighborhood amenities include an Olympic size swimming pool, spa, clubhouse and tennis courts.