Life in a new California home can be a dream come true with its abundance of sandy beaches, boardwalks, year-round sunny skies, and all the Carne Asada tacos your stomach can handle. Whether you’re looking for a place to retire, rental income, or a fresh start for those big career goals, the Sunshine State is this perfect place to call home. But with a largely populated state like California, the biggest question on your home search is where to buy. There are many factors to consider like northern or southern California, urban or suburban, snow or dessert? In this post, we’re giving you a breakdown of five great places to buy a new home in California.

Lake County

Lake County is located in northern California, just two hours northwest of San Francisco and the state capitol, Sacramento. Lake County boasts a grand population of 64,386 residents and a median home price of $341,000. It is also home to Clear Lake, which is the largest freshwater lake in California. Submerge yourself in the long-established history of Lake County while visiting the Lake County Historic Courthouse Museum, the Gibson Museum, and Cultural Center, and the Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Museum. While living in a new home in Lake County, you can partake in the wine country lifestyle touring many local vineyards like the Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill, Boatique Winery, Fults Family Vineyards, and the Mt. Konocit Winery. You can also enjoy a little antique shopping at Ratto’s Uniques and Antiques The Mall and grab a few greeting cards and specialized gifts for your loved ones at Linda’s Hallmark Shop. 

Orange 

Situated conveniently in Orange County, the city of Orange is a kid-friendly community with low crime rates and access to several parks, playgrounds, youth programs, and libraries. The median home price in Orange last month was $860,000. Orange is home to several popular attractions such as the Orange County Zoo, Irvine Regional Park, and the Hilbert Museum of California Art. You can also find Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, and the Angel Stadium in nearby Anaheim. Enjoy shopping at The Outlets at Orange, an open-air outlet mall that features the AMC Orange 30 movie theater and retailers like Aeropostale, Bath & Body Works, Kay Jewelers Outlet, Nike Factory Store, Victoria’s Secret, and Tilly’s. 

Big Bear Lake

The neighborhoods in Big Bear offer condos, townhomes, vacation homes, and cabins for sale. Whether you’re looking to purchase your next new home or a vacation home, Big Bear is the perfect place for any stay. Big Bear Lake has around 5,241 residents, and the median home price averages at $391,000. The small fish-filled city of Big Bear Lake is located in Southern California and provides access to tons to do no matter your fancy.  This city thrives year-round with the perfect weather for weekend camping or wintertime skiing. Residents and visitors enjoy the Bear Mountain Ski Resort, Snow Summit Ski Resort, and boutique shops and restaurants in Big Bear Lake Village. There is also the Big Bear Alpine Zoo and Boulder Bay Park.

Palo Alto

Palo Alto, California, is an ideal city with breathtaking views and rich culture. There are currently 134 homes for sale, ranging from as little as $15,000 to $53.9 million. Wow! What a difference in the price range! The home values in Palo Alto are a bit on the pricey end, but this also makes for an excellent investment or rental properties which yield a higher return and a higher caliber for tenants. Palo Alto is considered a safe area to live in, and the weather tends to remain at around 75 degrees throughout the year. A few of the well-performing schools in Palo Alto include Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School and Palo Alto High School. Private and charter schools include Bowman International School, Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, and the International School of the Peninsula. Residents love exploring the local shops and eateries in downtown Palo Alto and visit the Computer History Museum in nearby Mountain View that takes you through the first 2,000 years of computing history. The Baylands Nature Preserve features over fifteen miles of trails perfect for a morning jog or bike ride and lots of local wildlife to keep company. 

Santa Barbara

Located on the central California coast near the Santa Ynez mountains is the gorgeous city of Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara consists of thirty neighborhoods with 258 homes for sale that range between $129,000 to $62 million in price. This area is a tourist city near LA surrounded by many beaches like Arroyo Burro Beach and Summerland Beach. Top-rated schools in Santa Barbara include Cold Spring Elementary School, Peabody Charter School, La Colina Junior High School, and San Marcos Senior High School. Santa Barbara is home to the Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and Stearns Wharf, a historic pier that offers shopping and restaurants. 

Can you envision yourself living a beachside lifestyle in the ultimate home of your dreams? Come take a look at the stunning new single-family homes at Parkside Estates by homebuilder Shea Homes where that dream can soon become reality. Located in gorgeous Huntington Beach, CA, this community offers an astounding location just 1.5 miles from sandy beaches such as Bolsa Chica State Beach and Huntington Beach. You can also find the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve nearby as well as plenty of beachside entertainment, restaurants, shopping to enjoy. At Parkside Estates, there is an abundance of open space and coastal wetlands as well as a wildlife habitat preservation area. The community is also surrounded by walking trails, a tot lot with swings, and active and passive parks. Enroll your children in nearby schools within the Ocean View School District or the Huntington Beach School District at schools like Hope View Elementary School, Harbour View Elementary School, and Huntington Beach High School.

The new Orange County homes at Parkside Estates span between 3,500 to 4,000 square feet of living space and offers 4 to 6 bedrooms and 4.5 to 6.5 bathrooms. The several floor plans offered here come equipped with Coastal California Rooms, spacious gourmet kitchens, lofts, and media rooms. 

The Residence 1 floor plan is a two-story living space that includes a walk-in pantry, den, a loft, 3-car Tandem Garage, a Coastal California Room with a fireplace. This plan offers 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, and spans up to 3,496 square feet of living space.

The Residence 2 floor plan features a bonus room with a kitchenette, a den with your choice of either a powder room or full bath option, the option of a second laundry room, and a downstairs master bedroom. This floor plan offers 5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, and a 3-car split garage with 3,751 square feet of living space perfect for entertainment.

The Residence 3-floor plan is a two-story floor plan that includes 5-6 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, and a 3-car garage with 3,682 square feet of space for the entire family to enjoy. Features include an optional covered deck at the master bedroom, a catering room, and a bonus room.

Homebuilder Shea Homes offers single-family homes, condos and townhomes, resort communities, quick move-in homes, 55+ communities, and master-planned communities. They create new home designs that are functional, livable, and provide usable space, as well as in-home technology. They are committed to providing customer experiences and value each of their homeowners as if they are a member of their extended family. Contact the sales office of Shea Homes to “live the difference” at Parkside Estates in order to make your beachside lifestyle a reality.

South Cove is one of Dana Point’s newest communities with luxury must-have amenities and a prime location you do not want to miss out on! This high-end development made up of 168 luxury flats offers up to 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and up to 2,038 square feet of living space perfect for entertaining guests or simply spreading out. Enjoy the simple convenience of being within distance of all of what sunny Dana Point, CA has to offer. Dip your toes in the cool waters of Doheny State Beach or Dana Point Harbor. Learn and explore at the Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area where there are over 150 species of native coastal plants and animals. Westwind Sailing offers safe boating and sailing education for the general public. You’ll easily find yourself living an active lifestyle while walking, biking, and rollerblading on the many trails in the area.

The standard community features in each floor plan at South Cove including exterior styling with dual-glazed white vinyl, Low-E windows, the option of balconies, patios, and roof decks per plan, and Boral fire resistant flat concrete tile roofing. The interior amenities include quartz countertops in the kitchens and bathrooms, Decora rocker light switches, recessed lighting at select locations, USB ports at the kitchen and all bedrooms, and pre-wire for ceiling fans in the living room and all bedrooms. The gourmet kitchens come equipped with GE Profile Series gas stainless steel cooktops, stainless steel pyramid hood, built-in single convection wall oven, and a counter depth side by side stainless steel refrigerator. Your brand new kitchen will also come with a heavy-duty garbage disposal and a kitchen island with bar top seating.

South Cove’s Luxury Home Designs also offer energy-saving features that are truly beneficial to your way of life. Central forced air heating and cooling, Low Flow toilets and showerheads, and temperature-balancing shower valves will all save you energy and lower your monthly bills. You will also find fluorescent lighting in the kitchen and garage, weather stripping on all living area exterior doors, and energy-efficient gas hookup at the laundry room dryer location.

Zephyr is an extraordinary development company with a commitment to sustainability and a history of bringing to life some of the most innovative ideas. Zephyr was named Best Builder in Ranch & Coast Magazine. The Park, Bankers Hill, and South Cove won multiple gold and silver awards at the NAHB Nations in February of 2019. Zephyr takes a fresh approach to the environments they create and strays away from designs that fall in the box of being simple or ordinary. Look for your next new townhome in Orange County at the beautiful beachside community of South Cove by Zephyr.

Our February realtor of the month is Liana Norman, broker-associate for Liana Norman & Associates and our Real Estate Market Expert for Dana Point, CA.

Liana prides herself on going above and beyond for all of her clients in the South Orange County area. She is knowledgeable in all fields of real estate and keeps clients informed in the marketplace using the latest statistics in the local area.

Liana has been in the top one percent of Realtors in Orange County for years. She began her career in 1985 working in the lending industry and transitioned into working in escrow and property management in 1987. While working in San Clemente, Liana obtained her real estate license in 1989. Partnered with realtor-associate Dusty Janisch, Liana has made over $260,000,000 in sales since 2000.

Liana’s main objective is to work diligently to assist her clients with meeting their real estate goals whether they are buying or selling. If you are in search for the perfect new home near Orange County, be sure to contact Liana Norman with Liana Norman & Associates for all of your real estate needs.

Visit the brand new luxury home community at Vista Santa Fe by Pardee Homes located in sunny San Diego, California. This exclusive gated community only consists of 44 residences at Pacific Highlands Ranch. Life at Vista Santa Fe is plentiful when it comes to both indoor and outdoor recreational options such as the Torrey Pines Golf Course; several neighborhood parks, and the Solterra Swim Club. You’ll also enjoy neighborhood block parties, the nearby farmer’s markets, and waterside concerts only minutes from home.

Choose from three-floor plans that are comprised of both one and two-story single-family homes offering 4-5 bedrooms, 4.5-5.5 bathrooms, and a 2-3 bay garage. The square footage ranges from 4,356-4,922 square feet which is perfect for hosting family gatherings and entertaining guests. These spacious home sites are priced from $1.9 million to $2.5 million and are worth every penny. 

Every inch of the home designs at Vista Santa Fe are customized with intricate features that are both functional and pleasing to the eye.  The gourmet kitchens include a Delta Trinsic pulldown kitchen faucet, USB charging outlet, and a Sterling stainless steel single or double basin kitchen sink. The laundry room contains a Kohler laundry room sink, a Delta single handle faucet, slab granite or quartz countertops, and lower cabinets with optional uppers.

You’ll appreciate the well thought out characteristics of the beautiful master bathroom and powder room in the Vista Santa Fe home designs.  This portion of the home includes a frameless vanity mirror, slab granite or granite countertops with 6” splash, and Delta Ara chrome plumbing fixtures with matching bath accessories, and Kohler Corbelle comfort height toilets.

Take advantage of the smart home technology within your next home that includes features such as a Wifi-enabled Honeywell programmable thermostat. Vista Santa Fe also offers energy-smart features in each floor plan including low-formaldehyde insulation, low VOC interior paint, and MERV 8 air filters, LED lights, a tankless water heater, as well as pre-plumbing for solar throughout.

Trusted home builder, Pardee Homes was established in 1921 providing smart solutions to homebuyers. Pardee Homes is committed to its customers and thrives on providing customer satisfaction, sustainability, and community. This company has been a recipient of numerous awards over the years including the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Corporate Advocate and the Hearthstone Builder Humanitarian Award for a lifetime commitment to philanthropy. Find your forever home in Sand Diego home at Vista Sante Fe at Pacific Highlands by Pardee Homes.

Our September realtor of the month is Cesi Pagano, owner, and CEO of Cesi Pagano & Associates and our Real Estate Market Expert for Irvine, CA and Rancho Mission Viejo, CA.

Cesi Pagano works as a consultant in the new home industry with new home builders and is also a listing agent in the resale market. With over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, Cesi has sold more than 3,000 homes and has had yearly multi-million dollar sales.

Cesi earned her degree in Architecture with a minor in Interior Design at Cal Poly Pomona in the pursuit of a career as an architect. Her career path veered in another direction when given the opportunity to work with a well-respected home builder which led her on the path of real estate.

Cesi has worked closely with top advertising and design staging companies where she obtained her extensive knowledge and experience. She was also trained in negotiation, marketing, and home-staging skills as well as superior customer service which helped her earn her a reputation of being one of the most respected members in the real estate community. 

A few of Cesi’s accreditations include Accredited Buyer’s Representative, Certified Sales Professional, Pre-Foreclosure Specialist Certification, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, and Certified International Property Specialist.

Cesi Pagano & Associates focuses on their client’s needs and satisfaction. Contact Cesi Pagano for all of your real estate needs to ensure you receive the best possible service when purchasing your new Orange County home. 

Foremost Companies has recently released the exciting news of the grand opening of its first neighborhood in Phase 2 and second all-age neighborhood at Terramor by Richmond American Homes. Terramor is an award-winning master-planned community that offers 1,443 single-family homes that span across 16 neighborhoods. Homebuilder Richmond American Homes will celebrate its new neighborhood Fieldcress on August 10, 2019, from 11 a. m. to 2 p.m.

Fieldcress neighbors Terramor Commons Park and the community garden. This new home neighborhood will offer 93 two-story residences that range from about 2,800 to 3,000 square feet and include between four to six bedrooms. Future homeowners will have the option to choose from three customizable open floor plans that include gourmet kitchens, covered patios, as well as two to three-car garages. Luxurious master-planned community amenities are also available. Prices at this community range from the low $500,000’s.

You’ll find there is always something to do at Fieldcress with its immense amenities meant to suit all ages. The Veranda, which is the resident clubhouse, provides indoor and outdoor spaces for the entire family to host small gatherings or private parties. No need for a cleanup crew or overcrowding at your home when celebrating those special events. Enjoy a mini “stay-cation” in your own neighborhood at the Veranda. It offers an outdoor pool with sundecks, restrooms, a changing area; and a toddler pool with beach entrance. There is also a fire pit; and outdoor seating areas.

Take a morning hike or walk on the more than five miles of trails and paseos within the community and discover the fabulous views close to home. The numerous amenities featured in the Fieldcress neighborhood also include dog parks for your furry friends, a community garden for those with a green thumb, ball fields, basketball courts and tot lots perfect for the little ones.

Foremost Companies is a premier land and investment firm that acquires property in strategic locations to entitle and sell high-quality developments to homebuilders and commercial developers. They have owned more than 12,000 residential lots in across California and specifically focused on the Los Angeles and Orange County communities where there are underutilized commercial properties. The senior management team at Foremost Companies is especially experienced in master-planned communities and single-family detached and attached products. They also specialize in multifamily, retail, office, and mixed-use.

Richmond American Homes, also known as M. D. C. Holdings, Inc. has had experience in building over 200,000 well-crafted new homes since 1977. They are among the nation’s largest homebuilders and have operations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington.

Be sure to visit the grand opening of the new Fieldcress neighborhood located at 24602 Terramor Dr., Corona, CA 92883.  Can't make it to the grand opening? That's no problem! You can stop by anytime to see what all of the buzz is about. Terramor offers model home tours of all neighborhoods daily from 10 a. m. to 6 p.m. With all of its many amenities and luxury features; you won’t need to look any further. Find out more about these amazing new homes in Orange County by joining the interest list.

Deco at Cadence Park by K Hovnanian Homes is the perfect new home community to create your summer memories in! Located in Irvine, California, this single family community offers new luxury detached condominiums packed with amenities that will wow you. Choose from 6 three-story home designs that come standard with gourmet kitchens, spacious bedrooms, and an open living space that is perfect for entertaining.

Be sure to view the Bellerose home design at Deco at Cadence Park.  This floor plan comes with 1,916 square feet of living space, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a 3-car garage. It is filled with features that include a spacious owner’s suite with an oversized walk-in closet and luxury bath, a convenient second-floor laundry room, and a gorgeous gourmet kitchen with an island and large pantry. There is also a versatile bonus room that can be used as a home office or even a playroom for your children. The owner’s bath is reminiscent of an ultimate spa with its beautiful ceramic tile flooring and a luxurious spacious shower detailed with subway tile around. You’ll fall in love with the designer dual sink vanities with quartz countertops, elegant chrome light fixtures, and the raised white thermofoil cabinetry with plenty of room for toiletries. 

The features of this community go well beyond the walls of its floor plans. Deco at Cadence Park offers an amazing 7.7-acre park fit for all ages that includes a tot-lot. There is also a junior Olympic pool and trails perfect for a morning walk or a bike ride. Get even more active by taking advantage of the basketball court, play a game of shuffleboard, or a little volleyball. 

Check out the local attractions within arm’s reach of your new home such as Newport Beach where you can enjoy a relaxing day of swimming, surfing, fishing, and even a sunset cruise. Take advantage of the opportunity to shop at the nearby Irvine Spectrum Center with its major department stores, dining and entertainment venues.

You’ll find these amazing features, luxury amenities and so much more when you choose the esteemed homebuilder builder K. Hovnanian. If you are in search of a new home in Orange County this summer, schedule a visit with the sales office of Deco at Cadence Park to begin your road to home ownership.

When a fantastic homeownership opportunity presents itself as part of a limited collection, it means you have to act quickly. You don’t want to miss out on the new neighborhood that is part of Irvine’s most prestigious village. Beverly at Eastwood Village is ready to blow you away. Massive home designs, with up to 3,500 square feet, can be adapted to fit whatever living situation you want to create in Irvine, CA.

The true centerpiece of your Beverly home is the covered California terrace. This outdoor living room on the second floor serves as a theater to the spectacular climate and breathtaking surroundings that you’ll find in Irvine. The upstairs bonus room is another flexible space that can serve whatever purpose you need it to. Upstairs bedrooms for the children and a laundry room contribute convenience and compartmentalization. Meanwhile, a downstairs master suite with a huge walk-in closet is everything you could want.

Eastwood Village connects to the Jeffrey Open Space Trail, and invites homeowners to lead an active lifestyle. Access to I-5 and the 405 keep you connected to other area destinations such as the Irvine Spectrum Center, the Lyon Air Museum, and the Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park. Prices in this community start from the mid $1,000,000’s. To learn more about Beverly homes, visit the sales office today at 131.5 Parakeet, Irvine, CA 92620.

Prestige, class, and comfort — these are qualities that savvy homeowners appreciate in a living situation. Elegant designs and comfortable spaces are absolute musts for any luxury home. Add to that the prestigious and coveted surroundings of a vibrant master plan and you’ve got an irresistible package. Located in Irvine, CA, Delano at Eastwood Village is a collection of luxury townhomes situated within Irvine’s most prestigious village.

These luxury townhomes redefine what this style of living can be. Designs with over 1,900 square feet of living space offer you flexibility and versatility. The Residence 3 home design includes 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with a resort retreat featuring both a soaking tub and shower. Natural light and a California Room embrace the outdoor ambiance that has made Southern California famous. A private yard and 2-car garage give you more space that you’ll appreciate through the years. An upstairs master suite is a testament to the quality of the overall design.


Delano is not just a collection of homes, but rather, a community. Located next to the Jeffrey Open Space Trail, this community opens itself up to nature and beautiful landscapes. Shop at the Irvine Spectrum Center or take the family to the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art. When you visit the Eastwood Village neighborhood, you’ll understand why this is such a highly coveted location. Prices start from the high $700,000’s. To inquire about your space in Delano, contact the Eastwood Village sales office by calling 844-394-4431 today.