The Strand at Dana Point Headlands is Readying for Sales

Most new home developments generally don't let much information out to the public or independent real estate companies, until the developer is ready to release the property, be it home sites or homes for Sale.

A big reason the developer waits to release the information is pricing. Release the prices early and the market goes up you could leave money on the table; if the market goes down you may be forced to reduce the price and loose initial desirability, or "honeymoon period" which is generally the first 30 days on the market when the buyer will still perceive that they bought the property before anyone else could get to it. Past the 30 day honeymoon period and the buyer tends to wonder why no one else wanted it. The desirability is always greater if someone else wants it as well.

Earlier in the year I visited the City of Dana point to see what type of public information there was. The following is what I found:
With a total of 121.3 acres, 68.5 are designated for 5 public parks with 4 miles of hiking trails, many rest areas and scenic overlooks. The remaining land is approved for 125 residential home sites, a “Seaside Inn” with up to 90 rooms and a PCH / Recreation Commercial center with ~ 35,000 square feet to include a visitor information center.

Five Public Parks
STRAND VISTA PARK 9.9 acres- adjacent and seaward of existing public parking lot. Links beach access, trails and other parks.
STRAND BEACH PARK 5.2 acres- the beach
HILLTOP PARK 15.1 acres- dramatic views of city harbor and Pacific Ocean
HEADLANDS CONSERVATION PARK 27.9 acres- no development allowed in this area only a perimeter hiking trail.
HARBOR POINT PARK 10.4 acres- designated conservation and recreation.

Three Public Beach access points
CENTRAL STRAND-(new)
SOUTH STRAND-(new)
NORTH STRAND ACCESS- (improved) with public Funicular, minimum 8 passenger electric cart to take people and beach gear from parking lot to beach and back again.

The City of Dana Point Estimates the parks and beach access to be completed by late to early 2008. Once completed construction can begin on the residential homes.

In July a letter was sent out in July stating that the Strand at Headlands sales team had been hired and will be working under the name of White Sands Realty. I have had the pleasure to meet the team of three, Lynne Karpa, Susan Laird and George Pagano- director of Sales. They are all very helpful, knowledgeable and excited about the project. This letter also stated that that there will be a 9,300 square foot Beach Club for the community. It also mentioned 118 home sites would be sold, not the 125 that had been approved by the city.

Last month a letter was sent out to all those that registered with The Strands. The letter explained that they had 120 Initial deposits to qualify for Phase I and tour the site (you have to place a $10,000 deposit in escrow in order to be considered and get a site tour). Also due to grading delays the Phase I sales date, when they will sell the first 18 home sites, has been moved from September 30th to November 10th due to grading delays. The sales office was scheduled to have opened by now where you can find more information.

Verbally I have been informed the following by The Strand Sales office how the 18 Phase I home sites will be sold. 10,000 get you on the list and a site tour of the three rows closest to Niguel shores. To be in consideration for the homes you must put in escrow either an additional $190,000 for the front row totaling $200,000, or an additional $90,000 for the back two rows totaling $100,000. If you are selected you accept the terms, are locked in with a 3 day right of rescission, then must close within 21 days. The pricing that I was told by the office at White Sand Realty is about $7,000,000 for the front row lots descending in value as you reach the back row at $4,500,000. According to the sales office it will be close to year until the roadways are ready for construction to begin. The Second Phase will be released in another 9 months.

By rumor only I have heard there has been interest by several buyers to purchase two adjacent lots each at 75 ft. X 15ft.ft to a combined total of 150ft. X 150 ft. so they may build one home covering both lots.

Anyone heard anything else??


www.strandoc.com