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Activity in Emerald Bay Has Remained Selective but Steady.

May 30, 2025

Good morning,

Activity in Emerald Bay has remained selective but steady. While rising mortgage rates have added some hesitation in broader markets, well-qualified buyers in our community are still engaged—especially for turnkey or well-located properties. The brief dip in rates last week may create a short-lived window for action, but pricing precision is critical. Overreaching is leading to longer days on market, while realistically positioned homes are still moving with strong terms.

Looking ahead, the early summer window could be pivotal. Buyers are watching closely—and they’re more discerning. If you’re considering selling, now is the time to align pricing, presentation, and timing. If you're holding, it’s still a strong equity position—but strategy is everything.

If you’re curious about what’s available—or what your home might be worth in today’s market—feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to share what’s happening in Emerald Bay.

Information + Updates

Did You Know?

Wellness Real estate is now one of the fastest growing subsets of real estate in the $6.3 trillion wellness economy which is expected to grow 7.6% annually through 2028. (The Future Laboratory)

Did You Know?

At COSTCO, the average annual sales per store was $173 million in 2018....and jumped to $217m by 2021 before the big Covid-related inflation surge. Between 2021 and 2024, this jumped to $260 million. BUT....this also shows how sales - and prices - were rising well before the Covid surge: over 25% between 2018 and 2021 and 20% between 2021 and 2024....the trend to buy cheaper started many years ago.

Did You Know?

Costco boasts 904 warehouses globally across 14 different countries. Unsurprisingly, the United States and Puerto Rico contain the highest number of locations, with 623 total between them. The North American continent is full of Costcos, with Canada being home to 109 locations.

Did You Know?

Mexico has the third-most Costco's worldwide, with 41 locations. Japan is home to 37 locations, while Korea and Taiwan have 19 and 14, respectively. China only has 7 locations. Additionally, there are 29 Costcos in the United Kingdom, 5 in Spain, and only 2 in France. Australia has 15 warehouses.

Did You Know?

Gross CAP rate - the ratio of rent to purchase price, a metric used to estimate the potential rate of return on an investment property calculated by dividing the property's net operating income (NOI) by its current market value, expressed as a percentage - remains the cleanest single-metric screen for single-family rental (SFR) strategy. HOME-ECONOMICS.us has done an extensive study on the subject. By stripping out operating costs, leverage and tax effects they obtained a yield that is comparable across markets and cycle dates. The resulting MSA-level yield surface should allow capital allocators to rank markets by headline yield so underwriting hours are deployed where spreads are widest—and withheld where they are already fully priced. Second-tier industrial & university markets (Upstate NY, OH-PA corridor) and Sun-belt border cities (McAllen, El Paso) headline the list of the highest CAP rates. Inexpensive housing stock and moderate rent levels translate into double-digit un-levered yields, a cushion large enough to absorb higher insurance, taxes or cap-ex without destroying return targets. Liquidity/demand depth vary widely; spreads may compensate for thinner exit markets and slower structural rent growth. Read more HERE.

Did You Know?

The Clubstaurant is popping up everywhere! Yup, Restaurants that require membership to be able to make a reservation (not guaranteed of course)..... I have clients who have memberships to multiple Clubstaurants in the same city….. I just went to

Did You Know?

Is market volatility driving you nuts? It's driving others wealthier: Citadel profits jumped nearly 70% in the first quarter to $1.7bn, as the high-speed trading firm benefited from a surge of volatility across financial markets. Net trading revenues of $3.4bn in the first 3 months of 2025, were up 45% from the same period a year earlier. (FT)

Did You Know?

The average auto insurance rate in the U.S. is expected to go up by 7.5% in 2025, according to a new analysis by MarketWatch Guides mostly due to rising repair costs and a higher frequency of weather-related damage. Real estate agents spend around $2,000 per year on auto insurance. (USA TODAY)

Did You Know?

To claim the mortgage interest deduction, you must itemize your tax return: many Americans don’t do this because they pay less by taking the standard deduction ($14,600 for single filers, $29,200 for married filers). Prior to 2017, 31% of homeowners claimed the mortgage interest deduction, but after a change in the law that number fell to 10%. The most significant tax savings is longterm capital gains: Homeowners don’t pay federal income taxes on the appreciation of their home. When they sell, single homeowners don’t pay capital gains tax on the first $250,000 of profit, while married homeowners are exempt up to $500,000.

Nickel for Your Thoughts?

The U.S. Will Soon Mint Its Last Penny

The Treasury Department recently made its final order of blank pennies as it moves to end production of the 1-cent coin. Let’s see analyze this since it was costing 3.69 cents to mint a 1-cent coin. Just halting the production of new pennies will save us over $50 million per year!! And by the way, 5-cent coins are costing us over 13 cents to produce! Bureaucracy at its best!

Penn Relay for 80 Year Old Runners

I was actually in Philadelphia when this was happening, I wish I would have seen this!!!!!

Watch Video

What would your younger self ask your older self….. If you open this link, PLEASE, PLEASE watch the entire thing.

We should all do this!!!!!!!

Watch Video

Thinking of Selling?

Looking for a single level home with a primary bedroom on the main level; with limited stairs or elevator is an option as well. All cash buyer ready to go.

For Sale

64 Emerald Bay

4 Bed | 4.5 Bath | 3,588 SqFt

$15,000,000

Nestled at the south end of Emerald Bay’s private beach, 64 Emerald Bay presents a rare opportunity to own in one of Laguna Beach’s most coveted locations. Just a stone’s throw from the sand, this 3,588-square-foot home offers dramatic whitewater views and a stunning coastal backdrop, all while maintaining a sense of privacy.

Featuring 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and a traditional layout ideal for comfortable living and entertaining, the home is rich in character brimming with potential to personalize or transform into a custom retreat. One of its most enchanting features? The constant, soothing sound of the ocean—a peaceful soundtrack to daily life, day and night.

Schedule Your Private Tour

For Sale

523 Emerald Bay

5 Bed | 5 Bath | 4,092 SqFt

$14,000,000

Welcome to 523 Emerald Bay—where coastal luxury meets panoramic perfection. Perched to capture uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, and glowing sunsets that light up the sky all year round, this more than 4000 SF, 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath home offers a front-row seat to Southern California’s most breathtaking coastal scenery.

Inside, discover a stunning blend of contemporary elegance and refined coastal sophistication, all overlooking one of California’s most coveted beaches. The light-filled great room flows seamlessly onto expansive decks—perfect for entertaining or simply soaking in the view. A chef-worthy kitchen, spa-inspired baths, and generously sized bedrooms make everyday living feel like a retreat.