August 7, 2026 Good morning,
2026 is shaping up to be the year to buy on the Oceanside of Emerald Bay. Eleven homes have sold so far this year (three off-market), most recently 145 Emerald Bay at $22M, with pricing across the board ranging from $7.2M to $110M. What stands out is the concentration on the Oceanside this year — 8 of those 11 sales (2 off-market) closed there, even though the Oceanside is home to just 172 properties, roughly half the size of the non-Oceanside side of the community, which has 363. Scarcity is already showing up in the numbers, and it's showing up on the market today too: of our 5 active listings, ranging from $5.65M to $36.5M, 4 are Oceanside, plus 2 additional pocket listings I have available. For buyers who have been waiting for the right window, this is it.
I foresee the momentum to continue! Let’s do this!
I was fortunate enough to be given this map buy a client of mine about 10 years ago….. I have it hanging in my home office and absolutely LOVE looking at it!!!!!. |
Love the former street names: Kickenny, Inishmore, Crosshaven, Shamrock, Belview, etc. |
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Did You Know? California Billionaire Tax Act: California's proposed 2026 Billionaire Tax (heading to the November 2026 ballot as a one-time 5% wealth tax on net worth) specifically exempts real estate held directly by an individual or through a revocable trust — only property held inside a business entity counts toward taxable net worth. That's created an actual loophole: some wealthy Californians are reportedly pulling real estate out of LLCs and corporate structures and re-titling it in their own name or a revocable trust specifically to shield it from the tax.
On numbers: there's no official tally of how many billionaires are doing this. About 200 California billionaires would be subject to the tax overall, and reporting (Fox Business, Fox News) describes wealthy residents "using real estate strategies."
Did You Know? Under California’s Proposition 40, the proposed one-time 5% Billionaires wealth tax would be paid in annual installments of 1% spread over 5 years, starting in 2027. Many forget that if large chunks of stock are sold at a time, it can depress pricing.....which impacts anyone who has a 401k, retirement plan, pension fund, etc....which is just about everyone? Yesterday, Jeff Bezos sold $4.1 billion in Amazon stock....the stock price dropped roughly 2.3%. Institutional investors, which include mutual funds, pension funds, and asset managers own roughly 60%-65% of Amazon....that's you and I. So that $3 trillion worth of stock value lost......$69 BILLION in value of your money and my money.... $1 billion gained in tax revenue, $69 billion lost in market value......a $68 billion net loss. Usually - hopefully - the stock price recovers over time….
Did You Know? Billionaires typically keep less than 5% of their total net worth in cash. While this amounts to tens or hundreds of millions of dollars in liquid funds for daily use or emergency buying power, the vast majority of their fortune is tied up in company stock, private businesses, real estate, and other investments. If all billionaires are compelled to liquidate vast swaths of stocks, will this impact stock prices, thereby reducing the wealth of all in the markets, including retirement and pension funds?
Did You Know? What might be the next big garden accessory? Base Power is racing to build and install tens of thousands of batteries in residential backyards and become one of the country’s largest developers of battery storage. The three-year-old company just locked down a $1 billion funding round that brings its valuation to $13 billion. The company has raised more than $2.5 billion in all. The U.S. installed 3.3 gigawatts of battery storage (the amount that could be delivered at once during peak demand), or 8.4 gigawatt-hours (the energy the battery can store and deliver over time). Batteries can soak up cheap power during times of low demand and discharge power when supplies are tight, or be tapped for services that help keep the grid stable. (WSJ)
"The sin of leverage is that it steals your most powerful tool as an investor, which is time. An unleveraged investor can ride out volatility. A leveraged investor gets margin called out of the game before the recovery ever comes." –– Scott Galloway
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Beyond Human Vision
Despite whether you like or don't like him, one has to admire the evolution and transformation of ideas to reality. Neuralink has a device called Blindsight — a brain implant that bypasses the eyes entirely and stimulates the visual cortex directly, using signal from an external camera. It got FDA "breakthrough device" designation in September 2024, and in January 2026 Musk said the company was "ready" for its first human implant and awaiting final regulatory sign-off. |
This enormous iceberg was seen turning over off the coast of Greenland, near Ilulissat.
Video captured by an eyewitness showed the moment the it turned over, creating waves close to the coastal city. |
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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. |
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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. |
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If you are a buyer looking for oceanside properties, call me for details. |
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905 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach3 beds | 3 baths | 2,940 sqft |
839 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach4 beds | 5 baths | 4,851 sqft |
1119 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach4 beds | 6 baths | 4,118 sqft |
517 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach4 beds | 5 baths | 4,327 sqft |
1004 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach5 beds | 5 baths | 2,905 sqft |
343 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach5 beds | 4 baths | 4,160 sqft |
27 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach4 beds | 6 baths | 4,064 sqft |
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809 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach 4 beds | 5.25 baths | 4,200 sqft |
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45 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach4 beds | 3 baths | 2,221 sqft |
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Emerald Bay Market Update |
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We currently have 5 homes active on the market, ranging from $5,650,000 to $36,500,000, offering a wide spectrum of opportunities within the community, not to mention my off market opportunities. |
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