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Emerald Bay Buyers Move With Intention, Not Urgency

In a market shaped by discretion and long-term thinking, buyers are prioritizing fit, access, and quality—while off-market opportunities continue to define how homes are bought and sold.

 
Coastal homes overlooking a curved beach and bay, with palm trees along the shore.
 

Apri 10, 2026

Good morning,

 

Emerald Bay buyers today are deliberate. They’re not reacting to headlines or short-term shifts, they’re evaluating long-term fit. View lines, privacy, quality of construction, and where a home sits within the gates tend to carry more weight than timing the market. Proximity to the sand, quieter streets, and well-executed renovations consistently outperform, especially when the presentation removes uncertainty.

 

A notable portion of activity continues to happen off-market, reinforcing how relationship-driven Emerald Bay remains. Access, trust, and timing often determine who even gets the opportunity to consider a property. When something compelling surfaces, the right buyer usually recognizes it quickly and moves with conviction.

 

For sellers, this means preparation and positioning matter more than ever. Pricing with intention and presenting a home in a way that speaks directly to today’s buyer is what creates traction. For buyers, patience and access remain the advantage, knowing that the right opportunity may not always be visible, but it does come.

 

If you’re considering a move, whether it’s exploring opportunities within the community or preparing your home for the market, I’m always available as a resource.

 

Information + Updates

Did You Know?

The wellness economy in the US has ballooned to $2.1 trillion, with lots being spent on amenities within homes and condos....(Global Wellness Institute).

 

Did You Know?

The largest EV maker in the world - BYD - is partnering with KFC to offer its EV users in China a one-stop feeding and fueling experience — in under 10 minutes. The new neighborhood 'gas' station? (CNBC)

 

Did You Know?

Home insurance can cover losses for a home held in a trust, but only if the trust is explicitly named on the policy, usually as an "additional insured" or "additional named insured". Failure to update the policy to match the deed can lead to denied claims, as insurers view the trust as a separate legal entity.

 

Did You Know?

Over the past 25 years, the US population has grown by around 25%: Our neighbor, Canada, has seen 36% growth!....Mexico, 34%....and Australia 45%! (Whoa, what is happening in Australia!)

 

Did You Know?

Michael Wolfe of Deloitte predicts the Fed will leave rates unchanged until December 2026. The average federal funds rate should reach its neutral 3.125% in the middle of 2027. He predicts the 10-year Treasury yield - the one that matters most to mortgage rates - will ease gradually through the second quarter of 2027, to settle at 3.9% from the third quarter of 2027 through the end of 2030. Which means those buying now, where some are hesitant, and refinancing in 3 years may be a wise strategy? Goldman Sachs, however, expects the 10-year Treasury to rise over the long term to 4.5% by 2035..... (Yahoo Finance)

 

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“But I think you get to a certain age and you realize that you should be making more decisions about your family than necessarily your taxes.” 

 

— Robert Herjavek (from shark Tank)

 

"Embrace uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won't have a title until much later.” 

 

— Bob Goff 

Brie-aking News

A wheel of brie cut into wedges on parchment over a wooden board.

Is Brie Cheese As We Know It Going Extinct?

 

Brie cheese, known as the "Queen of Cheeses," faces extinction due to a fungal crisis. The specific mold strain used to make Brie, Penicillium camemberti, is at risk of disappearing, putting all Brie varieties in danger. To save Brie cheese, the solution lies in embracing the genetic diversity of fungi and allowing nature to take its course in the cheesemaking process.

 

 

Float, Flip, Repeat.

Indoor skydiver floats upside down in a glass wind tunnel as staff and spectators watch.

Wind pressure machine acrobatics…… I want to do this!

 

Perfect Madness

Two basketball players compete above a suited news presenter in front of a blue world map.

8th Grader with a perfect arch Madness bracket.

 

Secret Manning

Video thumbnail: Eli Manning undercover as Chad Powers at Penn State.

When Eli Manning went undercover to try out for a college football team.

 

New Listing Coming Soon

Coastal neighborhood around a crescent beach and turquoise bay, viewed from above.

Beautiful 4 Bedroom | 4 Bath

 

New listing coming soon on the old hill. Call me for details.

 

For Sale

Two-story stucco home with red tile roofs, an upper balcony, and landscaped front garden.

2 Emerald Bay

3 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,619 SqFt
$5,900,000

 

Now let’s talk about architectural integrity!

 

This romantic 1930s California Spanish–style residence, designed by renowned architect Henry Palmer Sabin, is truly a work of art. Lovingly maintained and thoughtfully enhanced, it captures the timeless character and craftsmanship of the era while introducing tasteful modern updates.

 

Located on the highly coveted Oceanside of Emerald Bay, this three-bedroom, three-bath home offers the perfect blend of historic charm and contemporary livability. New double paned windows flood the interiors with natural light, accentuating the rich architectural details throughout.

 

For Sale

Coastal Mediterranean-style homes beside the ocean, with palm trees and a curved street.

64 Emerald Bay

4 Bed | 4.5 Bath | 3,588 SqFt

$13,500,000

 

A stones throw to the coveted South end Emerald Bay’s exquisite beach, 64 Emerald Bay presents a rare opportunity to own in one of the most sought-after locations within this iconic, Laguna Beach community. Ideally positioned near the quiet southernmost edge of the bay, this approximately 3,588 square foot home enjoys dramatic whitewater views—where waves crash against the rocky shoreline, delivering a breathtaking coastal backdrop.

 

 Flexible Year Round Rental

Modern glass-fronted home entrance framed by a walkway and large agave plants.

809 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach

4 beds | 5.25 baths | 4,200 sqft

Flexible Year Round Rental

Bright living room with white ceiling beams, French doors, and ocean views.

806 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach

4 beds | 4 baths | 4,150 sqft

For Lease

Living room with a stone fireplace, wall-mounted television, and exposed ceiling beams.

27 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach

4 beds | 6 baths | 4,064 sqft

For Lease

Coastal hillside homes overlooking the ocean, with terracotta roofs and a winding neighborhood road.

343 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach

5 beds | 4 baths | 4,160 sqft

Summer Rental

Mediterranean-style coastal home with red tile roofs, landscaped frontage, and ocean in the distance.

839 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach

5 beds | 5 baths | 4,851 sqft

Summer Rental

Ocean view framed by an open window, with palm trees and rooftops below.

45 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach

4 beds | 3 baths | 2,221 sqft

Flexible Year Round Lease

Modern white multi-level home with black-framed windows and balconies at dusk.

322 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach

6 beds | 7 baths | 5,493 sqft

 For Lease

Living room with vaulted ceiling, fireplace, and sliding glass doors to a patio.

153 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach

3 beds | 3 baths | 2,135 sqft

 For Lease

Modern home patio with dark-framed doors, clipped hedges, and a reflecting pond.

435 Dahlia Ave, Corona del Mar

3 beds | 3 baths | 1,536 sqft

 For Lease

Vacant open-plan kitchen and living area with a breakfast bar and large glass doors.

435 Dahlia Ave, Unit 2, Corona del Mar

3 beds | 3 baths | 1,272 sqft

Emerald Bay Market Update

We have 6 homes currently on the market ranging from $5,900,000 - $44,995,000. We also have several off market opportunities. Call me for details.

 
Current Emerald Bay Listings
Current Emerald Bay Rentals
Contact me for Emerald Bay Pocket Listings
 
 
Maura Short’s real estate contact information beside her portrait.
 
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Work With Maura

Maura Short is known for her strong work ethic, broad industry know-how, and passion for architecture, in addition to her extensive network, confidentiality, and moral code. Combined with her wide-ranging local expertise, all of these assets result in favorable outcomes for both buyers and sellers under her care.
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