January 16th, 2009, 4:23 pm by Cameron Bird, Staff Writer
Here they go again–home-buying indicators, that is.
The latest report from DataQuick for the 22 business days ending Dec. 29 shows Irvine median home prices and sales of such homes continuing their descent, as the county as a whole follows suit. Here are some other findings:
- 6 of Irvine’s 8 Zip codes have both seen sales drops and median home price drops.
- Builders are pricing new homes 43% below their February 2005 peak.
- According to Lansner on Homes, December will likely mark the sixth straight month of sales gains vs. the year-ago period. That follows 33 consecutive months where sales failed to beat the previous year’s pace.
| ZIP code |
Median |
Year ago |
Change |
Sales |
Year ago |
Change |
| 92602 |
$531,000 |
$650,000 |
-18.3% |
14 |
19 |
-26.3% |
| 92603 |
$622,500 |
$1,035,000 |
-39.9% |
20 |
27 |
-25.9% |
| 92604 |
$470,000 |
$658,000 |
-28.6% |
12 |
13 |
-7.7% |
| 92606 |
$587,500 |
$792,500 |
-25.9% |
14 |
38 |
-63.2% |
| 92612 |
$429,909 |
$335,000 |
28.3% |
17 |
13 |
30.8% |
| 92614 |
$415,000 |
$458,500 |
-9.5% |
10 |
13 |
-23.1% |
| 92618 |
$609,500 |
$697,250 |
-12.6% |
24 |
45 |
-46.7% |
| 92620 |
$677,000 |
$631,500 |
7.2% |
51 |
40 |
27.5% |
| Citywide |
$582,484 |
$701,518 |
-17.0% |
162 |
208 |
-22% |
| O.C. |
$400,000 |
$565,000 |
-29.2% |
2,435 |
1,997 |
21.9% |
The citywide and year-ago medians listed are weighted average medians derived from ZIP code totals. Core data provided by DataQuick.
For more on overall Orange County homebuying trends, CLICK HERE!
More economic and real estate news at the Irvine Retail blog:
Posted in: Real Estate • DataQuick | Post a Comment »
January 15th, 2009, 12:32 pm by Cameron Bird, Staff Writer
 Tired of being nickeled-and-dimed for every extra feature on your cell phone plan?
Irvine’s Boost Mobile’s continues shifting the paradigm with a new wireless phone plan that offers unlimited voice, text, web and walkie-talkie service for $50 a month. No roaming fees, no overage charges, no activation fees and no “telecom taxes,” reports the Gadgetress at the Alt+Save Tech blog.
When the new plan goes live on Jan. 22, new and current users switching over will still have to pay for extra ring tones, GPS navigation or social networking service.
The new plan also won’t include full Internet access, but limited access over the aging Nextel iDen walkie-talkie network. iDen uses WAP Internet (wireless application protocol) and allows users to browse headlines, check the weather and get into selected Web services.
Boost, known for offering flat-payment unlimited plans, follows low-priced competitors like MetroPCS and Cricket Wireless into the budget-minded market. Last week, MetroPCS reported that it saw subscribers grow 74 percent last quarter.
Read more at the the Alt+Save Tech blog.
More economic news at the Irvine Retail blog:
Posted in: Central County business • Deals • Innovation | Post a Comment »
January 15th, 2009, 11:51 am by Cameron Bird, Staff Writer
Nautical Luxuries, a specialty decor business at 17971 Skypark Circle #M in Irvine (click for map), dropped a line to let readers know about a big sale. The store’s offering up to 75 percent off all in-stock coastal- and nautical-themed items for homes and yachts. Buyers can take advantage of the semi-annual sale in person or online at www.nauticalluxuries.com.
Want a preview of the sales? Click through to take a look at these beauts with heavily sunken price tags. Wild? Impractical? Wildly impractical? You be the judge.
Wood Pirate Ship Rocking Chair Was $115 Now $29
Capri Stripe China Mug Set Was $52 Now $13
Good Dog! Nautical Gift Set Was $38 Now $10
Woven Sand Slides Were $32 Now $6
Spiraling Shell Earrings Were $75 Now $19
Nautical Luxuries is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call the store at 866-601-4887 for additional information and/or directions.
More deals from the Irvine Retail blog:
Posted in: Deals • Retail | Post a Comment »
January 14th, 2009, 6:40 pm by Cameron Bird, Staff Writer
Got blood? Sure you do.
OfficeMax at The Market Place is hosting a Blood Drive with the American Red Cross on Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sign up on-line at www.givelife.org using sponsor code “tmp,” contact Susannah D’Arcy at 714-544-4443, or stop by the donation booth with a picture ID. OfficeMax is located in The Market Place at 13742 Jamboree Road in Irvine.
For more information, please call 714-505-3942.
More from the Irvine Retail blog:
Posted in: Retail • Uncategorized | Post a Comment »
January 14th, 2009, 1:23 pm by Cameron Bird, Staff Writer
 Specialty garlic fries at Kimera in Irvine. Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Orange County Register Ah, Restaurant Week, a time to pretend high-class restaurants are within reach of every man, woman and child.
The seven-day event, slated for Feb. 22-28, is part of an effort to promote Orange County’s diverse eating landscape. Throughout the week, dozens of places will offer prix fixe (fixed-price) and specialty lunches and dinners for $10, $20, $30, and $40 per person, according to the Web site.
Many Irvine and Tustin restaurants — including Chaparosa Grill, Bistango, Kimera, McCormick & Schmick’s, The Melting Pot, Ruth’s Christ Steak House and Zov’s (click for details… some are yet-to-be-posted) — are partaking in the fun.
Click here to read a story on Restaurant Week.
Question: Has the bad economy caused you to dine out less frequently?
More deals from the Irvine Retail blog:
Posted in: Deals • Dining | Post a Comment »
January 13th, 2009, 12:49 pm by Cameron Bird, Staff Writer
By Stephen Craig, community blogger
Circuit City, the nation’s second largest consumer electronics retailer, could be announcing as early as this week that they are going out of business.
A US bankruptcy court judge in Virginia last Friday gave the cash-strapped company permission to sell off its assets in an effort to satisfy creditors. The retailer, which filed for Chapter 11 in November, has until Friday of this week to find a buyer or receive a much needed infusion of capital.
In announcing the news last week, Circuit City said that they were currently in negotiations with two “highly motivated and interested” buyers. According to various reports, the company has said that if the talks break down, they will begin the process of liquidating.
Circuit City currently has 567 stores in the United States, including one at The Market Place in Irvine (click for map).
More economic news at the Irvine Retail blog:
Posted in: Economy | Post a Comment »
January 13th, 2009, 12:44 pm by Cameron Bird, Staff Writer
 A new McDonald’s restaurant in Irvine is also the city’s first to serve McCafé specialty drinks, reports Nancy Luna at the Fast Food Maven blog.
The restaurant opened at Orchard Hills Village Center near Culver Drive (click for map), and its the fifth in the county to claim a piece of the espresso empire. Specialty coffees start at $2.79 (cheaper than Starbucks) and include lattes, mochas and cappuccinos. Iced coffee and hot chocolate are also available.
Other McDonald’s restaurants with McCafés are in Anaheim, Brea, Cypress and Santa Ana. Those restaurants were the first in Orange County to start serving the drinks. (LIST of OC McCAFE LOCATIONS)
Click here to read the full story.
More deals from the Irvine Retail blog:
Posted in: Deals • Dining • Fast Food | Post a Comment »
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