Category Archives: West Riverside Co.

Closed Land Transaction – 82 Lots within the Alberhill Ranch Master Planned Community in Lake Elsinore

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IRVINE, CA, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 — The Irvine office of Land Advisors Organization, a premier nationwide land brokerage firm, announced today the successful closing of Alberhill Ranch 82 Lots within the Alberhill Ranch Master Planned Community. Alberhill Ranch 82 Lots is located west of Interstate 15 at the southeast corner of Lake Street and Alberhill Ranch Road in the City of Lake Elsinore, Riverside County, California.

Land Advisors Organization brokers R. Jeffrey Spindler, F. Brian Carricaburu, Ian T. Sinderhoff, and Andrew Sinderhoff negotiated the transaction, representing the buyer and seller.

The lots were sold by Castle and Cooke Alberhill Home Building, Inc. and was purchased by KB Home. KB Home is looking to continue the success of its two previous projects within the Alberhill Ranch Community, Terraces I and Terraces II. Alberhill Ranch is a 1,853-acre development with approximately 3,705 residential units and over 600 acres dedicated to open space with walking trails, parks, and schools.

“Affordability has been a primary concern for the public homebuilders in the Inland Empire over the last couple of years. KB Home has been very successful in Lake Elsinore with their Terraces community in Alberhill Ranch. These home sites with excellent views of the lake and surrounding hillsides and generous 6,000 square foot pads will allow them to continue that success. Alberhill Ranch is a premier master-planned community sitting atop the hills north of the lake with an existing pool and recreation center, proposed commercial, and planned elementary school,” said Brian Carricaburu, Founding Principal at Land Advisors Organization.

For additional information regarding this transaction and land trends occurring in the Riverside County area, contact F. Brian Carricaburu: bcarricaburu@landadvisors.com / (949) 656-8002

Thank you from Land Advisors Organization California Division!

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LandAdvisorsCA1B2014TotalConsiderationClick on image to enlarge

 

Master-Planned Project in the Inland Empire Marketed by LAO Makes Progress for a Year-end Close…

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The Arantine Hills master-planned project in the City of Corona continues to move closer to reality. The project went under contract with The New Home Company in the 4th quarter of 2013 and is expected to close in December of this year. The New Home Company entered a joint venture with Tricon Capital Group, a Canadian real estate investment company, to provide acquisition financing and develop the community. They intend to re-plan and re-entitle the 276-acre project to include 1,300 homes, parks, and open space. They expect to break ground in 2016 to begin selling lots and new homes.

LAO is looking forward to a successful consummation of the transaction with The New Home Company and are very pleased in their efforts to develop this exciting new community in Corona.

Related links:

Wall Street Journal

The New Home Company Announces Planned Acquisition of Master Planned Community in Southern California

Press Enterprise

Corona housing development back on the drawing board

California Division: 2012 Year in Review

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LAO-CA Infographic 2012 YIR

Source: Tom Reimers, President, (949) 852-8288 x28

2012 Ends with Numerous Year-End Closings in Southwest Riverside County

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The year of 2012 ended with the most activity in southwest Riverside since the peak of activity in 2006. In December alone, public homebuilders closed on over 900 lots. The lot condition ranged from finished lots to unimproved mapped lots. One of the year end highlights of 2012 were two tentative map lot projects contained within the Temecula School District boundary with Land Advisors brokering the sales. The two maps combined to generate over 300 lots and were bought by two public homebuilders.

On the apartment front, a notable fully leased apartment complex is in escrow at a rumored sales price of +/- $215,000 per door.  While this per door number might seem low when compared to the coastal market, the comp will represent the highest per door sale since 2008.

The above transactions are a result of a number of factors from low interest rates to lack of housing supply available to both buyers and renters. In 2012, we saw a decrease in foreclosure sales as well as REO sales and higher sales volume all together when compared to 2011. As we move forward in the New Year, home sale prices are forecasted to receive upward pressure because supply is expected to remain flat.

Source: Mitch Casillas, Marketing Consultant, (949) 852-8288 ext. 23

Play Ball in Western Riverside County!

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You win some…

The second quarter of 2012 is in the books in West Riverside County and public home builder sentiment is high nationally and locally. Our hopes are that the positive sales pace continues through the second half of the year which should lead to the first inning in what we hope is a long overdue, extra-inning recovery. In addition to that, according to Hanley Wood data for the second quarter, 10 of 13 active new home markets in West Riverside County experienced an increase in new home sale pricing. That’s the good news.

You lose some…

The bad news is that 2012 has yielded few land transactions to discuss because land bank REO properties have been purged from the market (currently LAO has listed one of the few remaining portfolios of bank REO assets, contact if interested) and land values are generally not yet at a level where the 2008-2010 investors would sell. If the market continues to improve however, 2013 should see a number of sales from the investor community to home builders.

Source: Mitch Casillas, Marketing Consultant, (949) 852-8288 ext. 23

West Riverside County: 2012 Transaction Characteristics

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Market Observations:  So far in 2012, the West Riverside land market is seeing a limited number of finished lot transactions.  The bulk of the land buyer activity is directed at unimproved land, where buyers plan to add value through the entitlement process.

2010/2011 saw a number of sales driven by bank owned REO with a typical escrow calling for a 30-day due diligence period and a 15-day close. The market has absorbed the bank REO projects and land values have remained relatively flat since Q3 of 2010. This dynamic has forced buyers to get more creative when submitting offers in an effort to minimize risk. A number of transactions in 2012 have included the seller carrying back paper on the property for 3-5 years. Since land values have remained flat, seller carry-back works because it generates a higher land value, versus the all-cash deal, and also creates a positive cash flow for the seller from the note interest.

Single Family Detached Market Updates: Homebuilders are continuing to see new home sales success in Temecula and French Valley. Average monthly sales have increased along with sales price. These are all great signs that point to the beginning of a true recovery.

A public homebuilder has closed on an unimproved parcel in Temecula that it intends to develop and build out new homes.  Along the I-15 corridor, a private homebuilder has put some finished lots under contract, and is scheduled to close in 60 days.

Attached Market Updates:  Land Advisors West Riverside Team just announced its latest listing: “Temecula Foothills” – 7 acres in Temecula for a proposed high density residential project (potential for ±140 multi-family for-rent or for-sale units).

Three entitlement escrows are presently in the works in Temecula.  Optimism surrounding the for-rent market continues to circulate in West Riverside Market, specifically Corona and Temecula.

Source: Mitch Casillas, Marketing Consultant, (949) 852-8288 ext. 23

West Riverside Report

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MULTI-FAMILY: Last week Land Advisors’ West Riverside Team wrapped up the marketing of a 16.5-acre mixed-use (multi-family for-rent and commercial) site known as The Village at Magnolia Square, located in the City of Riverside.

With a lack of comparable land sales early in 2012, the initial challenge in selling the multi-family for-rent land was determining the market value.  Assuming a successful escrow and close, The Village at Magnolia Square will mark the third successful multi-family for-rent land sale in the West Riverside submarket (Land Advisors Organization has been a party to all three sales). With three transactions soon under its belt, Land Advisors’ has established a real value foundation for similar land sale opportunities in the submarket.

SINGLE FAMILY: On the single family detached home front, the overall market in West Riverside remains stagnate.  However, homebuilders are finding success in some areas of South Riverside County such as Temecula.  Stronger than expected interest from homebuyers is causing some homebuilders to increase home prices. If strong absorption rates continue, the finished lot and future lot supply within Temecula will quickly vanish, and likely result in pressure on lot sales in Murrieta, Menifee and Wildomar. One development company has already noticed this trend and purchased one development site and has another in escrow in Wildomar.

APPROVALS:  On Tuesday March 13th, the City of Wildomar heard residents’ environmental concerns for a proposed 151-acre residential project. The project will be developed into 315 single family homes with 3.5 acres dedicated to a commercial center and open space. 

In addition, Menifee’s City Council approved a new General Plan land use map after a two year-long process, with a vote of 4 to 1. The land use plan is the first element in writing for the City’s new General Plan and serves as the basic blue print for how land will be used going forward.

Source: Mitch Casillas, Marketing Consultant, (949) 852-8288 ext. 23

Question for West Riverside Co. in 2012: Where are the Sellers?

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In 2010 and 2011, a majority of the land sales were driven by financial institutions that were in a distressed position to move land holdings off their books. The majority of the buyers for these properties in 2010-2011 were speculative investors that had a 3-5 year business plan before selling.  Now that the financial institutions have sold through most of these distressed assets in West Riverside, the question to investors, developers and homebuilders is who now is in a position to sell?

LAO – West Riverside Current Projects: Land Advisors’ West Riverside Team is tracking a number of off-market projects that it expects to transact on this year. The Team just secured a high profile mixed-use listing in the City of Riverside that it hopes to bring to market in the next 30 days. 

2012 Land Activity: On January 18th, 318 acres of unimproved land in the City of Corona sold at the Court House steps to a land investor.

Source: Mitch Casillas, Marketing Consultant, (949) 852-8288 x23

W. Riverside County: Busier Than You Think

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Amid slow overall residential land sales activity in West Riverside County, a number of transactions are still moving forward, and are nearing the finish line.

West Riverside County has experienced few improved lot transactions in 2011, as the submarket hasn’t seen any “turned dirt” since 2009.  A public homebuilder recently closed on approximately 90 “finished” lots in French Valley.  Also, two escrows for “finished” lots are scheduled to close by year’s end:

  • A public homebuilder is buying a ±50-lot project located within the City of Wildomar.
  • A private investor is buying a +100-lot project located in Moreno Valley.

In regards to the apartment/for-rent land market:

  • A ±600-unit site is close to going under contract in Temecula, marking another significantly-sized apartment land escrow in this city in the last six months.
  • Corona still has two large apartment land projects on the market.  It doesn’t appear that buyers are stepping up to the seller’s pricing expectations though.  This may be due to sellers’ knack for overestimating rent appreciation in the coming years.

The Land Advisors’ West Riverside Team put two projects into escrow this month that are in the Menifee area.

Source: Mitch Casillas, Marketing Consultant, (949) 852-8288 x23

W. Riverside County: Multi-Family Land is Hot…Or Not?

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Market Activity – Closed Deals: (Single Family Detached):  Two significant land transactions have closed escrow in the West Riverside County (WRC) sub-market within the last 30 days. In both cases, the buyer was not a public homebuilder. Active buyers in the land market are private investors seeking well-located paper lot and entitlement opportunities and are very bullish in the Cities of Temecula, Murrieta, French Valley, Moreno Valley and Corona.

Public homebuilders remain quiet and are focused on selling through projects they purchased in 2010. However, one public homebuilder does have two sites under contract in Temecula.

A number of other residential projects are currently in escrow in WRC and Land Advisors is on track to close two transactions by month’s end.

On The Market: (Multi-family – For Rent):  Two prominent apartment development sites are available for sale.  Both sites are well-located within the City of Corona.  Apartment land interest and perceived value remains optimistic.  However there have been few sales to justify this optimism. Land Advisors did list and sell Magnolia Village last year which remains the highest comparable apartment land sale in the market.

Building Permit Activity:  In Riverside County last month, builders obtained government permits for 473 units, (257 single family homes and 216 multi-family units – a majority of which are apartments). This is an increase from August which saw permits at 329 units (Source: Press Enterprise).

Source: Mitch Casillas, Marketing Consultant, (949) 852-8288 x23

West Riverside County: 4 BIG Deals

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Several large residential land deals (consisting of +500 lots) have closed in West Riverside County in 2011. 

Land Advisors represented the buyers and the sellers in three of the most notable transactions: McSweeny Farms (1,330 lots in Hemet), Summerwind Ranch (3,683 lots in Calimesa) and Underwood (543 lots in Menifee).  Another large completed deal to note is Stoneridge with 2,200 lots in Unincorporated Riverside County.

Public homebuilders are currently refraining from purchasing more residential lots within the County’s secondary and tertiary markets of San Jacinto, Hemet and Perris, as finished lot values in these sub-markets are off 55-65% from peak values. 

The lot values in and around the primary market of Corona are currently off peak values by 35%.

Richmond American Homes (MDC), Beazer Homes (BZH), D.R. Horton (DHI), and Meritage Homes (MTH) have completed transactions in the West Riverside County sub-market during 2011.  However, private investors have been more aggressive in seizing opportunities, and are proving to be more active buyers.

Source: Jeff Spindler, Founding Principal (949) 852-8288 x12 and Mitch Casillas, Marketing Consultant (949) 852-8288 x23